Written Answers of 29 June 1998

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [47025]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Women on 24 June 1998,Official Report, column 557.

  Action Zones
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1 May 1997 which have involved the establishment of(a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. [47054]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Name of programme

  Area(s) covered

  Legal Aid Board pilot franchises for the provision of publicly funded mediation services. Pilots commenced May 1997.

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Durham, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry, Northampton, Cambridge, Peterborough, Bristol, Cardiff, Bromley and London.

  Pilot to test the administrative arrangements necessary to implement S.9 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. Pilots commenced January and June 1998.

  Coventry, Southampton, Oxford and Carlisle

  Pilot to test draft checklist in Crown Court cases involving children. Pilots took place June to September 1997.

  Liverpool and Norwich

  Information Meetings Project (pilot to test arrangements for S.8 of the Family Law Act 1996). Pilots commenced June 1997.

  Birmingham and Coventry, East Anglia, Greater Manchester, Leicestershire and East Midlands, London, North East, South Wales, South West, South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire.

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's 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 2
  individuals outside his Department; and in each case if he will give the date of establishment and the name of the chairman. [46837]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Inquiry/review

  Date established

  Chair

  An inquiry into access to civil justice

  March 1994

  Conducted by Lord Woolf

  Review of the Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

  October 1996

  Sir Jeffrey Bowman

  Review of the law relating to profits of crime

  March 1997

  Professor Gareth Jones, Vice-Master, Trinity College Cambridge (sole reviewer)

  Review of civil justice and legal aid

  June 1997

  Sir Peter Middleton

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Payments to Farmers
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of payments due in December 1997 to farmers(a) have not been paid to date and (b) were paid late; and if she will make a statement. [46946]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Under the Arable Aid Scheme in Northern Ireland, 96.74 per cent. of applicants received payments by 31 December 1997 (representing 96.84 per cent. by value).

  At 1 June 1998, all applicants had received payment.

  Elections Review
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she expects her review of electoral procedures to complete its work; when she expects to publish its report; and when she intends to publish her draft legislation. [46744]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects to receive the Elections Review Report in mid August which will be considered by Ministers, and published shortly afterwards.

  Thereafter, the Secretary of State will consult the Northern Ireland parties and legislation will be drafted and published as soon as possible.

  Union Flag (Ulster Hospital)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Ulster hospital, Dundonald was provided with a Union Flag; if it was flown on the occasion of Her Majesty's official birthday; what arrangements have been made to fly the Union Flag at the Ulster hospital on the appropriate dates; and if she will make a statement. [46727]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Ulster Community and Hospitals Health and Social Services Trust has confirmed that it has always had a Union Flag and that it was flown on the occasion of Her Majesty's official birthday on Saturday 13 June 1998. Management of the Trust have passed the schedule of dates for flying the Union Flag to
  3
  the reception porters based at the main reception of the Ulster Hospital who have responsibility for hoisting the Flag.

  Multiple Births
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sets of(a) twins, (b) triplets, (c) quadruplets, (d) quintuplets and (e) sextuplets were

  Type

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  11997

  Sets of

  (a) twins

  267

  315

  258

  308

  303

  324

  311

  327

  (b) triplets

  5

  6

  8

  9

  6

  7

  11

  6

  (c) quadruplets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  1

  (d) quintuplets

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (e) sextuplets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Maternities

  26,338

  26,050

  25,425

  24,729

  24,119

  23,663

  24,398

  24,057

  1Provisional

  With regard to the number of multiple births conceived as a result of IVF and other forms of infertility treatment, the information is as follows:
  In a period 1 August 19911 to 31 March 19962, there were 148 multiple births3 recorded in Northern Ireland following infertility treatment at the Royal Maternity Hospital (RMH), Belfast, the only clinic licensed to provide such treatment in Northern Ireland.
  1Date from which HFEA commenced keeping records
  2Latest verified data available
  3Figures have been provided by the HFEA, whose annual reports appear in the Commons Library. They are grossed up to ensure confidentiality

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [47020]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Policy Appraisal for Fair Treatment (PAFT) administrative guidelines of 1993 require the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments to assess the equality impact of new policies, including legislation, in terms of gender and seven other categories. Such assessments are not published, but are covered by annual reports on the implementation of PAFT. A report for 1997 is in preparation. The White Paper, "Partnership for Equality", published on 11 March 1998, proposed replacing PAFT with a statutory obligation to promote equality of opportunity.

  Health and Social Services Boards
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost to public funds of each of the four area councils for health and social services in each of the last three years. [47115]

  Mr. Worthington
  The table discloses expenditure on Health and Social Services Councils by the Northern Ireland Health and Personal Social Services Boards for 1995–96 and 1996–97. The information for 1997–98 is not yet available.
  4
  born in Northern Ireland in each year from 1990 to 1997; what was the total number of maternities in each year; and how many multiple birth of each year were conceived as a result of (i) in-vitro fertilization, (ii) gamete intra-fallopian transfer and (iii) other forms of assisted conception. [46929]

  Mr. Worthington
  The information requested in relation to total maternities and total multiple births is set out in Table 1

  Health and Social Services Councils expenditure 1995–96 to 1997–98

  £000

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Northern Board

  100

  127

  Not available

  Southern Board

  175

  155

  Not available

  Eastern Board

  313

  305

  Not available

  Western Board

  81

  87

  Not available

  Total

  669

  674

  Not available

  Note:

  The information has been extracted from the Revenue Income and Expenditure Accounts of each of the HPSS Boards Final Accounts for 1995–96 and 1996–97

  Bloody Sunday Inquiry
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the families of the(a) deceased and (b) wounded on Bloody Sunday have been informed of the number of counsel and firms of solicitors who will represent them at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry; and if they will have the solicitors and counsel of their choice. [47003]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  [holding answer 24 June 1998]: I understand that these matters will be discussed at the preliminary hearing of the Inquiry which will be held at the Guildhall, Londonderry on 20 July as laid down in the list of considerations given in the Bloody Sunday Inquiry press notice of 18 June.

  Housing Grants
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if data are available to enable her to make a statement on the religious affiliation of(a) applicants for grants and (b) applicants whose grants have been approved, in both cases by district council area, under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992. [47275]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, whose Chief Executive has advised me that to date, there are still insufficient data to make a meaningful assessment of the impact of the grants scheme on applicants of particular religious persuasions. The Commission for Racial Equality has recommended
  5
  that a completion rate of 80 per cent. to the relevant question on the preliminary inquiry form is the minimum which would allow for meaningful monitoring. At present, only 63 per cent. of applicants are completing the question.

  Higher Education Applications
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of those aged(a) under 21, (b) 21 to 24 and (c) over 25 years and over, registered in Northern Ireland, applied through UCAS for admission to a course of higher education for the (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997 and (v) 1998 entry cycles; what were the numbers of the population in Northern Ireland aged (a) to (c) for (i) to (v); and what was the proportion of those applying as a percentage of the appropriate population cohort. [47266]

  Mr. Worthington
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  NI domiciled applicants through UCAS

  (a) Under

  (b)

  (c)

  Year

  21 years

  21–24 years

  25 years and over

  Total

  1994

  11,915

  1,164

  867

  13,946

  1995

  12,419

  1,278

  930

  14,627

  1996

  12,537

  1,188

  821

  14,546

  1997

  13,584

  1,418

  904

  15,906

  1997 as at 16 May 19971

  13,282

  1,254

  789

  15,325

  1998 as at 16 May 19981

  13,167

  1,157

  651

  14,975

  Population estimates (mid-year)

  Year

  (a) 18–20 years

  (b) 21–24 years

  (c) 25–39 years

  1994

  73,717

  104,802

  362,864

  1995

  72,096

  103,125

  366,664

  1996

  71,079

  101,364

  374,246

  1997

  69,805

  99,736

  377,190

  Percentage

  Protestant

  Roman Catholic

  Other

  Missing data1

  Queen's University Belfast

  Full-time undergraduate students who entered via UCAS

  33

  40

  2

  25

  University of Ulster at Belfast

  Full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students (1st year)

  42

  42

  6

  11

  Part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students (1st year)

  2—

  67

  2—

  2—

  University of Ulster at Coleraine

  Full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students (1st Year)

  42

  48

  3

  7

  Part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students (1st year)

  33

  44

  2—

  20

  University of Ulster at Jordanstown

  Full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students (1st year)

  37

  54

  3

  6

  Part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students (1st year)

  39

  35

  5

  22

  University of Ulster at Magee

  Full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students (1st year)

  12

  69

  4

  16

  Part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students (1st year)

  11

  64

  3

  22

  1In these cases students have been asked the monitoring questions, but not answered

  2Percentage not given if based in fewer than 5 students

  Note:

  No religion data are collected on Open University students
  6

  Population estimates (mid-year)

  Year

  (a) 18–20 years

  (b) 21–24 years

  (c) 25–39 years

  1998

  71,099

  95,945

  379,554

  NI domiciled UCAS applicants as percentage of the relevant population cohort

  Year

  (a) Under 21 years

  (b) 21–24 years

  (c) 25 years and over

  1994

  16.2

  1.1

  0.2

  1995

  17.2

  1.2

  0.3

  1996

  17.6

  1.2

  0.2

  1997

  19.5

  1.4

  0.2

  1997 as at 16 May 19971

  19.0

  1.3

  0.2

  1998 as at 16 May 19981

  18.5

  1.2

  0.2

  1Total applicant figures are not yet available for 1998. Therefore the latest available figures (as at 16 May 1998) are included along with the corresponding position at the same date in 1997 to allow comparisons to be made

  University Students
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what equal opportunity monitoring is conducted of students in universities in Northern Ireland; who is responsible for undertaking the monitoring; what are the proportions of Protestant and Catholic students at(a) the Queen's University, Belfast, (b) the University of Ulster at each of its campuses and (c) the Open University; and if she will make a statement. [45821]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), on behalf of the Department of Education Northern Ireland, gathers data on the gender, ethnicity, religion and disability of students in universities in Northern Ireland.

  The figures from the provisional 1997–98 data in respect of Northern Ireland domiciled students are as follows:

DEFENCE

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which battalion will be assigned for public duties in Scotland for the first opening of the Scottish parliament. [48033]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 1st Battalion The Black Watch will be assigned to public duties in Scotland during the summer of 1999. No decisions have been taken on which units will participate in the opening ceremony for the first Scottish parliament.

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated regarding the causes of Gulf War Syndrome illnesses. [38601]

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what research is currently being carried out on behalf of his Department into the effects of Gulf War Syndrome on servicemen; [44673]

  (2) what criteria are used to select control groups in studies into Gulf War Syndrome; [44675]

  (3) how many servicemen are currently participating in studies of Gulf War Syndrome. [44674]

  Dr. Reid
  In addition to our present work on the subject of illnesses suffered by Gulf War Veterans, I am today announcing that MOD will be funding an independent systematic literature review of worldwide published research relating to Gulf veterans' illnesses. This decision follows a recommendation from the Medical Research Council (MRC) who advise the Government on research aimed at addressing Gulf veterans' health concerns. The review will be carried by a team led by Professor Glyn Lewis at the University of Wales at Cardiff and will cost £75k over three years. The findings of the review will be published at regular intervals.

  The Government are already funding two major epidemiological studies to look at the health of Gulf veterans and their families. One study, under Professor Nicola Cherry at Manchester University, aims to determine whether Gulf veterans are experiencing greater ill-health than service personnel who did not take part in the conflict and will involve a total of 9,600 Gulf veterans, plus a control group of 4,800 personnel. The other study, under Dr. Patricia Doyle at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, will examine the reproductive health of Gulf veterans and the health of their children. Dr. Doyle aims to contact all personnel who served in the Gulf, some 53,000 in all, plus a control sample of the same size. Controls for these studies are drawn from personnel who were serving at the time of the Gulf War but did not deploy there.

  A further epidemiological study looking at whether service in the Gulf is associated with increased illness of UK veterans is being funded by the US Department of Defense and carried out by Professor Wessely at Kings College School of Medicine. Although this study is being
  8
  carried out independently of MOD, the Department is co-operating with Professor Wessely by providing essential data to the study team. This study involves 4,250 Gulf veterans and two control groups: one of 4,250 non-Gulf personnel and another of 4,250 personnel who have served in Bosnia. The control groups have been randomly selected to form a sample similar to the Gulf cohort on the basis of Service, age, sex and Officer/Other ranks status. The Army and RAF samples are also selected according to Regular/Reservist status and fitness.

  The Government are also funding King's College, London to carry out a clinical study under Dr. Michael Rose and Dr. Mohammad Sharief. The study will focus on those veterans who have, according to their response to the epidemiological study carried out under Professor Wessely, significant neuromuscular symptoms.

  Control subjects for this study will be randomly selected through Professor Wessely's epidemiological study and will include Gulf veterans who do not exhibit any neuromuscular symptoms, Service and ex-Service personnel who were serving at the time of the Gulf War but did not deploy there and personnel who have served in Bosnia. In addition, a group of civilian patients will be used to validate the research methodology, although they will not be used for comparison as part of the study.

  The Government are also funding a programme of research to investigate the possible adverse health effects of the combination of vaccines and tablets which were given to troops in the Gulf to protect them against biological and chemical warfare agent. This research is based principally on animal studies, but it is also planned to monitor the health of staff at Porton Down who receive multiple vaccinations as part of their normal safety regime.

  MOD Police
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the performance of the MOD Police Headquarters; and how many cases relating to(a) grievance and (b) disciplinary procedures took (i) six months or more and (ii) 12 months or more to reach a conclusion in (1) 1996–97, (2) 1995–96 and (3) 1994–95. [46495]

  Dr. Reid
  The Ministry of Defence Police is an executive agency and therefore subject to the same review procedures as all other departmental executive agencies. I have made no specific assessment of the performance of the MOD Police Headquarters in addition to the normal agency reviews. The information requested on the duration of grievance and disciplinary cases is as follows:

  (a)

  Year

  Grievance cases 6 months to 12 months to conclusion

  Grievance cases 12 months or more to conclusion

  1996–97

  1

  3

  1995–96

  0

  2

  1994–95

  —

  —

  Note:

  The current grievance procedure was not adopted by the MDP until July 1995 and so the information is available only from the year 1995–97 onwards
  9

  (b)

  Year

  Discipline cases 6 months to 12 months to conclusion

  Discipline cases 12 months or more to conclusion

  1996–97

  40

  13

  1995–96

  25

  7

  1994–95

  29

  23

  Note:

  Figures for the year 1994–95 cover the 15 month period from 1 January 1994 to 31 March 1995

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [47017]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Women on 24 June 1998,Official Report, columns 557–58.

  Divisional Headquarters, York
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed closure of Divisional Headquarters in York. [47101]

  Dr. Reid
  No proposals have been put to Ministers for the closure of the Divisional Headquarters at York. Various options are under consideration as part of the study into the future divisional structure of the Army in the United Kingdom, details of which I set out in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for City of York (Mr. Bayley) on 16 January 1998,Official Report, column 349.

  Death Penalty
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department's inquiry into the retention of the death penalty in military law will be completed. [45740]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 17 June 1998]: Consideration of the review is now in the final stages and I will advise the House of the outcome as soon as possible.

  Greenwich Hospital Site
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implementation of long-term plans at the Greenwich Hospital site under section 26 of the Armed Forces Act 1996. [46650]

  Dr. Reid
  I assume the question refers to section 30 of the Armed Forces Act 1996. The section requires my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to have regard to the heritage of the Royal Naval College site at Greenwich, the desirability of securing reasonable public access to it, and to prevent use out of keeping with its unique history and character. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence hopes soon to be able to conclude a head lease with the Greenwich Foundation, an independent charitable trust, whose intentions for the site are entirely consistent with Section 30(2). The plans for 10
  the future of the site, which include planned occupation by the University of Greenwich, are being developed by the Foundation in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Culture, Media and Sport and for Defence.

  Large Aircraft
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when is the anticipated delivery date of the C130-J aircraft; when it was originally due to be delivered; what compensation has been offered for its late delivery; and if he will cancel the order of C130-Js due to late delivery. [46822]

  Mr. Spellar
  On current plans, the Ministry of Defence will receive delivery of the first aircraft for test and evaluation in mid 1998. It was originally due to be delivered in November 1996. We will be claiming liquidated damages from the company, currently estimated at £30 million, which will be used to offset the additional costs incurred by the MOD. We have no plans to cancel the contract.

  RAF Stanmore Park
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for the dismantling of RAF operations at RAF Stanmore Park and for the disposal of the site; and if he will make a statement. [46919]

  Mr. Spellar
  RAF Stanmore Park formally closed on 1 April 1997 with units transferring to RAF Bentley Priory. However, until the necessary work to provide messing and accommodation at RAF Bentley Priory is complete, use will continue to be made of facilities at Stanmore Park. Although on current plans the site will not be vacated until 1 June 1999, a marketing strategy is already being prepared by the Defence Estates Organisation in order that an open market sale can take place as soon as possible thereafter.

  Parachute Regiment
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he proposes to make an announcement about the future roles of(a) the Parachute Regiment and (b) 24 Air Mobile Brigade. [46813]

  Dr. Reid
  A package of proposals, covering all our Armed Forces, has been submitted to the Cabinet. Once decisions have been taken, the results of the Strategic Defence Review will be published in a White Paper as quickly as possible thereafter.

  WE177 Weapon
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of withdrawing and dismantling the WE177 weapon. [46824]

  Mr. Spellar
  The estimated cost of dismantling WE177 is some £23m; withdrawal costs are not separately identifiable.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many WE177 weapons were manufactured by his Department before the weapon was withdrawn from service; and in what years these weapons were manufactured. [46826]
  11
  Mr. Spellar
  WE177 was manufactured between 1966 and 1977. Regular servicing was carried out as necessary to ensure continued safety and reliability whilst in service. I am withholding information as to the number of weapons manufactured under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Government Information relating to Defence, Security and International Relations.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which contractors and Ministry of Defence organisations designed each variant of the WE177 weapon; and when this work was carried out. [46825]

  Mr. Spellar
  Design work for WE177 was started over 30 years ago with the design for the first variant completed in 1963, the second in 1965, and the last in 1972.

  The co-ordinating design authority for all WE177 variants was Hunting Engineering, with the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment as design authority for the warhead element. The Royal Ordnance Factories at Burghfield, Cardiff and Chorley, RAF Farnborough, and RARDE Fort Halstead assisted in the work, as did a number of other contractors. Given the age of the programme, it has not been possible to compile a full and accurate list.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 12 November 1997,Official Report, column 581, if the weights, sizes and yields of each type of the WE177 weapon are now declassified information. [47804]

  Mr. Spellar
  Information on the size and weight of all three variants of the WE177 bomb is unclassified and is listed. Technical details relating to the performance of the weapons, including yield, which would reveal information about our design capabilities, or aspects of current operational systems, or be of assistance to proliferators, continues to be covered by exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to Government information relating to defence security and international relations.

  Variant

  Weight

  Size

  Type A

  6001b

  112 inches long

  Type B

  9501b

  133 inches long

  Type C

  9501b

  133 inches long

  All variants had a diameter of 16.5 inches and a fin span of 24.5 inches.

  Commachio Group Royal Marines
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the Commachio Group Royal Marines is based; how many companies it comprises; what is the function of each company; and what plans he has for their relocation. [46820]

  Dr. Reid
  Commachio Group is based at RM Condor, Arbroath, and comprises an HQ Company and 3 Rifle Companies. The latter rotate in protecting the UK's strategic deterrent assets at HMS Neptune, Faslane, the RN Armament Depot Coulport, and during related road movements. Following public consultation, I approved earlier this year the Group's permanent relocation to HMS Neptune by April 2001.

  HMS Ocean
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 June 1998,Official Report, column 638, when he expects to receive details of the costs and the liability in respect of the damage to the tail shaft bearings of HMS 'Ocean'; and if the (a) costs and (b) inquiry conclusions will be made public. [47074]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Formal Inquiry currently underway into the cause of the damage to HMS Ocean's port shaft "A" bracket bearing is expected to conclude in the autumn of this year. The Inquiry is being conducted by the prime contractor, Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited. The costs of, and liability for, the damage will be the subject of negotiation between MOD and the company following the Inquiry and is not expected to be resolved before the end of the year.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 June 1998,Official Report, column 638, what assessment his Department has made of the cause of the damage to HMS Ocean on her launch in October 1995; and what changes to operating arrangements have been made as a result. [47063]

  Mr. Spellar
  The hull damage sustained by HMS Ocean during her launch on 11 October 1995 was attributable to the accidental collapse of a forward launch cradle. It is the responsibility of the prime contractor Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited to ensure that launch arrangements are safe and acceptable and, where necessary, adapted to reflect lessons learnt from previous experience. The damage will not require any change to the proposed operating arrangements of HMS Ocean once she enters service.

  SA80 and M16 Rifles
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the bullets used by British forces using(a) SA80 and (b) M16 rifles have tumbling action. [47044]

  Dr. Reid
  The large majority of bullets used by British Forces in SA80 and M16 rifles are known as ball or tracer rounds. Armour-piercing rounds are also used. These bullets are categorised as spin-stabilised, non-deforming bullets. All spin-stabilised bullets will tumble to some degree when they hit a human target.

  UFOs
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of RAF Brawdy, Pembrokeshire in the investigation of sightings of unidentified flying objects. [47318]

  Mr. Spellar
  Brawdy ceased to be an RAF station on 31 March 1996 when the establishment was transferred to the Army.

  Generally, my Department examines reports of unidentified flying objects only to establish whether there is any evidence that the United Kingdom's Air Defence Region has been penetrated by hostile or unauthorised foreign military activity. Unless a report reveals evidence of a potential threat from an external military source, no attempt is made to determine the precise nature of what might have been seen.

  Underwater Monitoring
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the hydrophonic cables connected with SOSUS Network that extend from the ex-US Navy facility at RAF Brawdy, Pembrokeshire are currently used for underwater monitoring. [47319]

  Dr. Reid
  The sound surveillance system (SOSUS) cables extending from former US Navy Facility at RAF Brawdy are no longer used for underwater monitoring. The facility has now been passed to the Defence Estate Organisation for disposal.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the effect on defence aviation of the sell-off of NATS. [47404]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Government intend to sustain the principle of equal access to national airspace for all classes of user, and to maintain a joint and integrated civil-military system of air traffic control. We will, therefore, ensure that future arrangements for NATS can continue to accommodate the existing close working relationship with the Ministry of Defence, although there would of course be some structural changes.

  Training Aircraft
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons he chose the Grob 115D aircraft in preference to the Slingsby Firefly as the aircraft to be used by University Air Squadron and Air Cadet Experience. [47321]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 24 June 1998]: As I said in my announcement on 18 June 1998, Official Report, columns 265–66, the Grob 115D was selected in preference to the Firefly because it offered best value for money. The Grob is better suited to the particular requirements of the University Air Squadrons and Air Cadet Air Experience Flights and is both quieter and cheaper to operate than the Firefly. Furthermore, the Grob was the preferred choice of the Royal Air Force for this task.

  Territorial Army (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the 5 Shropshire and Herefordshire Light Infantry and the Royal Mercian & Lancastrian Yeomanry Territorial Army battalions. [47681]

  Dr. Reid
  The future role of all arms and services within the Territorial Army will be decided as part of the Strategic Defence Review. An announcement will be made as soon as possible, but it may be some time before we can say how individual units will be affected by the outcome of the Review.

  Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take further steps to ensure that the projected multi-role armoured reconnaissance vehicle is delivered to the British Army on time. [47806]
  14
  Mr. Spellar
  We will continue to work with our French and German partners to make sure that the contract for development and initial production of the Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle, which is currently under negotiation with the preferred bidder, includes the conditions necessary to ensure that deliveries are made to meet the requirements of the British Army.

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many exercises to test procedures for dealing with accidents involving nuclear weapons are to be held by his Department during 1999; when and where these exercises will be held; and what are the titles of these planned exercises; [46800]

  (2) how many exercises to test procedures for dealing with accidents involving nuclear weapons are to be organised on British territory by the United States Government during 1999; when and where these exercises will be held; what are the titles of the planned exercises; and if his Department will participate in all exercises. [46801]

  Dr. Reid
  The following Grade A, B and C nuclear weapon accident exercises are planned to be held in the United Kingdom in 1999:

  Nuclear weapon accident exercises—1999

  Date

  Exercise

  Location

  June 1999

  Exercise Dimming Sun1

  Norfolk

  To be decided

  Exercise Bowling

  Coulport

  To be decided

  RAF weapon convoy Standardisation

  To be decided

  To be decided

  RAF Station NARO team Standardisation2

  To be decided

  1Exercise Dimming Sun will be a joint UK/US nuclear weapon accident response exercise, the planning for which is being led by my Department. The exercise will test the response to an accident as described in the Local Authority and Emergency Service Information on Nuclear Weapon Transport Contingency plans

  2RAF Station NARO teams provide immediate response forces for the air transportation of nuclear weapons

  Note:

  Details of minor exercises, organised at either UK or US unit level is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost

  Nuclear Weapons (Transport)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department plans to publish the third edition of the Local Authority and Emergency Service Information on Nuclear Weapon Transport Contingency Plans. [46814]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 33.

  Agency Newsletters
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current security classifications of the newsletters produced for the staff of the(a) Defence Analytical Services Agency, (b) Defence Postal and Courier Agency and (c) Naval Manning Agency; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each was first produced. [46799]
  15
  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the Agencies concerned. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Brigadier Tweedie McG. Brown to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 29 June 1998:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about Agency newsletters as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency (DPCSA).
  DPCSA produces a monthly internal newsletter for its staff in the Agency and Postal and Courier personnel world-wide entitles "Post Notes". It was first published in April 1995 and it is currently classified Restricted.
  I hope that this information is helpful.

  Letter from Fabian Malbon to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 29 June 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about newsletters produced for the staff of the Naval Manning Agency as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Naval Manning Agency.
  No regular Newsletter is produced for the staff of my Agency. A Newsletter dealing with the introduction of Investors in People (IIP) was produced in September of last year and it is likely that a further Newsletter on the same subject will be produced in September of this year. The security classification was, and will be, Unclassified.

  Letter from Paul Altobell to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 29 June 1998:
  I am replying to that part of your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence on staff newsletters which refers to the Defence Analytical Services Agency, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of DASA.
  The DASA weekly newsletter 'Grapevine' produced by the staff themselves on a rota basis, is unclassified.
  The first edition appeared in 1994 and has been issued at approximately weekly intervals since. I have pleasure in enclosing a copy of a typical issue. I hope you find this information useful.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) number and (b) names of individual members of the armed forces killed while serving in Northern Ireland since 1982. [38405]

  Dr. Reid
  [pursuant to his reply, 20 April 1998, c. 462–65]: I should make it clear that the information given related only to those members of the armed forces killed by terrorist action while serving in Northern Ireland.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Adjournment Debates
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list each hon. Member who has had more than(a) one, (b) two and (c) three adjournment debates in the current Parliament. [46467]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The following statistics include ½ hour end of day, 90 minute and ½ hour Wednesday morning adjournment debates as at 19 June 1998.
  16

  Number

  Members who have had two debates

  Miss Diane Abbott

  2

  Ms Candy Atherton

  2

  Mr. Tony Baldry

  2

  Mrs. Jackie Ballard

  2

  Mr. Hugh Bayley

  2

  Mr. Bob Blizzard

  2

  Dr. Peter Brand

  2

  Mr. Julian Brazier

  2

  Mrs. Angela Browning

  2

  Ms Karen Buck

  2

  Mr. Simon Burns

  2

  Mr. Paul Burstow

  2

  Mr. David Chaytor

  2

  Mr. Michael Clapham

  2

  Mr. John Cryer

  2

  Mr. David Davis

  2

  Mr. Nigel Evans

  2

  Mr. Christopher Fraser

  2

  Mr. Roger Gale

  2

  Mr. Barry Gardiner

  2

  Mr. Christopher Gill

  2

  Dr. Evan Harris

  2

  Mr. Oliver Heald

  2

  Mr. John Healey

  2

  Mr. David Hinchliffe

  2

  Mr. Alan Hurst

  2

  Mr. Alan Johnson

  2

  Ms Tess Kingham

  2

  Mr. Archy Kirkwood

  2

  Dr. Ashok Kumar

  2

  Mr. Oliver Letwin

  2

  Mr. David Lidington

  2

  Miss Anne McIntosh

  2

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan

  2

  Mr. Patrick Nicholls

  2

  Mr. Eddie O'Hara

  2

  Mr. David Prior

  2

  Mr. Bill Rammell

  2

  Mr. Alex Salmond

  2

  Mr. Adrian Sanders

  2

  Mr. Brian Sedgemore

  2

  Mr. Keith Simpson

  2

  Mr. Richard Spring

  2

  Dr. Phyllis Starkey

  2

  Mr. Desmond Swayne

  2

  Mr. Peter Viggers

  2

  Mr. Nigel Waterson

  2

  Dr. Alan Whitehead

  2

  Mr. Dafydd Wigley

  2

  Mr. John Wilkinson

  2

  Mr. Michael Wills

  2

  Mr. Derek Wyatt

  2

  Mr. Tim Yeo

  2

  Three debates

  Mr. David Amess

  3

  Mr. Norman Baker

  3

  Mr. Harry Cohen

  3

  Mr. Tony Colman

  3

  Mrs. Claire Curtis-Thomas

  3

  Mr. Edward Davey

  3

  Mr. David Drew

  3

  Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick

  3

  Mr. George Galloway

  3

  Dr. Ian Gibson

  3

  Mr. Simon Hughes

  3

  Mr. Archie Norman

  3

  Sir Michael Spicer

  3

  Dr. George Turner

  3

  Mr. Charles Wardle

  3

  Miss Ann Widdecombe

  3

  17

  Number

  More than three debates

  Mr. Martin Bell

  4

  Dr. Vincent Cable

  4

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham

  4

  Mr. Matthew Taylor

  4

  Mr. Llew Smith

  5

  Mr. Tam Dalyell

  7

  Mr. Austin Mitchell

  7

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Traffic Policing
  Ms Hewitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to set a police key performance indicator to reduce the rate of death and injury on the road. [46922]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government recognise the important contribution which traffic policing can make towards promoting community safety. We regard traffic policing as a central part of the police's responsibility for maintaining law and order, preventing and detecting crime, and reducing death and injury on the roads.

  Traffic policing, however, is only one of the several types of policing which are crucial in tackling crime and disorder. The Home Secretary's national key objectives and key performance indicators are intended to reflect the Government's major initiatives and key priorities, and their number needs to be limited if priorities are to remain clear. Traffic policing should, though, be included in local objectives where police authorities consider that to be appropriate. Performance indicators for the police published by the Audit Commission include the number of road traffic accidents involving death or personal injury.

  In 1987, the Department of Transport introduced a target to reduce casualties by one third by the year 2000 compared with the average for 1981–85. As at 1997, fatalities were down 36 per cent. and serious casualties were down 42 per cent. despite an increase in motor traffic of 52 per cent. The Government will be setting a new road traffic target for Great Britain for reducing casualties by the year 2010. It will be incorporated into a coherent road safety strategy, reflecting the Government's work on an integrated transport policy. The objective is to have a new road safety headline target and sub-targets agreed and set during 1998.

  The Government are committed to reducing the number of fatalities and injuries which occur on our roads, and we are carefully considering a range of further measures to improve the safety of all road users against the background of our integrated transport policy.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes there have been in the funding of the Probation Accommodation Grants Scheme operated by the Inner London Probation Service since 1 May 1997. [47065]
  18
  Ms Quin
  Excluding grants for accommodation training, the Inner London Probation Service received £1,344,218 in 1997–98 and £1,308,742 in 1998–99 in Probation Accommodation Grants Scheme funding, which represents an improvement of £35,476 on what was originally envisaged in the previous Government's spending plans.

  Since 1 April 1995, local probation services, not the Home Office, have been responsible for the administration of grants to the independent sector for offender accommodation (the "Probation Accommodation Grants Scheme"—PAGS). Prior to that date, the Home Office paid providers directly, regardless of their area of location.

  When the grants were devolved, this was on the basis that payments to each probation service would be tapered over about five years until the proportion of the total accommodation grant paid to each service was in proportion to the total revenue grant paid to each service under the national cash limits formula. This has meant that some services have received stepped increases in their accommodation grants whilst others, including the Inner London Probation Service, have received decreased grants.

  Victim Support
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provision of support for, and information to, the victims of mentally disordered offenders who by reason of their disorder are committed for medical treatment. [47010]

  Ms Quin
  Both the Home Office and the Department of Health are committed to improving the level of support and information provided to the victims of crimes committed by people with mental disorders. Due consideration needs to be given to confidentiality of personal information, but I hope the first results of the work we are undertaking will be seen in the next few months, in the form of a Department of Health leaflet for victims about the care and discharge arrangements for mentally disordered offenders.

  Action Zones
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1 May 1997 which have involved the establishment of(a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. [47055]

  Mr. Straw
  No action zones have been established by my Department since 1 May 1997. The details of the pilot schemes we have set up in that period are:

  1. Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords]:

  (i) Youth justice measures (youth offending teams and youth justice services):

  London Boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, City of Westminster (jointly); Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth (jointly): Sheffield, Sunderland; London Borough of Lewisham, Luton and Bedfordshire (jointly): Wolverhampton; St. Helens; and Devon.

  19

  (ii) Reducing delay in the criminal justice system:

  Blackburn and Burnley; Croydon:

  Northamptonshire; North Staffordshire; North Wales; and Tyneside.

  (iii) Live television links for preliminary hearings between courts and prisons:

  Bristol and Manchester Magistrates' Courts.

  (iv) Drug Treatment and Testing Order:

  Liverpool; London Borough of Croydon; and Gloucestershire.

  2. Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (sections 35, 37, 39, 40 and 43):

  Greater Manchester and Norfolk

  Trials of electronic monitoring as a condition of bail and an alternative to remand in custody are included in the pilots and are taking place in Norwich Magistrates' Court, Norwich Crown Court, City of Manchester Magistrates' Court and Manchester Crown Court.

  3. Ministerial/National Initiatives:

  (i) Smart Telephone Technology:

  Her Majesty's Prisons Belmarsh, Manchester and Bedford

  (ii) Welfare to Work

  Her Majesty's Prisons Cardiff, Deerbolt, Glen Parva, Highdown, Huntercombe, Lancaster Farms, Moorland, New Hall, Onley, Portland and Stoke Heath.

  4. Private Finance Initiative:

  (i) Police forces:

  Force Headquarters/Training Centre: Cheshire

  Joint Firearms Training: Cleveland/Durham

  Workington Divisional Police Station: Cumbria

  Derby Divisional Headquarters: Derbyshire

  Ilkeston Police Station (contract awarded): Derbyshire

  Divisional Headquarters and Police Station: Dorset

  Forcewide Property Review: Greater Manchester

  Ystrad Mynach Police Station: Gwent

  Communications System: Hertfordshire

  Force Headquarters: Norfolk

  Mounted Section Facility (contract awarded): Northumbria

  Area Traffic Wing: Nottinghamshire

  Area Headquarters and Sector Station: Thames Valley

  (ii) Fire authorities:

  Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire (jointly)

  Cornwall

  Lancashire

  London

  Greater Manchester

  Northumberland

  North Yorkshire

  South Wales

  Incapacitant Sprays
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received that police officers in Cumbria used incapacitant spray in an inappropriate way; what assessment he has made of such reports; and if he will make a statement. [47213]
  20
  Mr. Michael
  We have not received any reports or representations on this subject. I understand from inquiries made with Cumbria Constabulary following the tabling of this question that, since the force introduced CS sprays, no complaint about use of CS has been substantiated, and that the force has seen a drop of 14.4 per cent. in assaults on officers.

  Child Safety Week
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives his Department will take to promote Child Safety Week on 22 to 28 June. [47196]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on 25 June 1998,Official Report, column 582.

  Football Hooligans
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had over measures to combat hooliganism by UK citizens travelling to football matches abroad. [46317]

  Mr. Michael
  My right hon. Friend has had correspondence and discussions with the French Minister of the Interior, and there have been extensive discussions over many months between the British and French Governments, police and football authorities. In February, the Home Secretary hosted a European Union seminar on the policing of football, which was also attended by my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport and myself, at which 23 countries were represented. In March, we published the Government's strategy for the World Cup, a copy of which was sent to every hon. Member. The Government's aim throughout has been to ensure that every assistance is given to the honest and well-behaved spectator in France. Minimising hooliganism and ensuring a high level of co-operation with the French authorities are crucial parts of that.

  Police operations in France during the World Cup are a matter for the authorities there, but there have been extensive discussions between British police and their counterparts in France. Police officers from England and Scotland are in France assisting the French police, and I am satisfied that arrangements for the rapid collection and dissemination of intelligence on possible offenders are in place and working.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Under-Secretary of State expects to reply to the letters of 19 March and 12 May from the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed about the treatment of Mr. James by the Prison Service and the response given by the Prison Service to inquiries from his prospective employers. [47821]

  Ms Quin
  Following my consideration of the correspondence, I understand that a meeting has been arranged on Wednesday 8 July for the right hon. Member to discuss Mr. James's case with Prison Service officials.

  Public Registers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the public registers which his Department have responsibility for. [47351]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department has direct responsibility for the following registers:Index of Exempted Dogs (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991)1
  Licensees and Certificate Holders under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 19861
  Official Roll of the Baronetage
  Register of Forensic Pathologists
  In addition, the Home Office has limited responsibility, by virtue of our supervision of the relevant local services and/or the governing legislation, for the following registers:
  Electoral Registers (Representation of the People Act 1983)
  Coroners' Registers of Deaths Reported (Coroners' Rules 1984)2
  Registers of Burials (and Records of Disinternments) (Local Authorities' Cemeteries Order 1977)2
  Registers of Grants (Local Authorities' Cemeteries Order 1977)2
  Register of Cremations (Cremation Regulations 1930)2
  1Not accessible to the public
  2Information available to the public subject to approval of individual authority holding register.
  The Data Protection Registrar, a Home Office Non-Departmental Public Body, is responsible for making available the Data Protection Register.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what progress has been made on the Code of Practice as defined in section 122 of the Police Act 1997; [47375]

  (2) what plans he had to implement the Criminal Conviction Certificate. [47376]

  Mr. Michael
  We have decided to implement Part V of the Police Act 1997 which provides for the establishment of a Criminal Records Agency. When established, the Agency will be responsible for the issue of Criminal Conviction Certificates and other forms of certificate provided for in the Act. Many of the practical issues were not addressed at the time of legislation, but consideration is now being given to the options for phasing in the provisions of the Act and the timetable for implementation. As part of this process, and in full consultation with interested groups, further consideration will be given to the Code of Practice intended to inform the use of information provided by the Agency.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many subject access requests were received by the Metropolitan Police in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998 to date; and if he will make a statement; [47373]
  22
  (2) how many subject access requests involved the retrieval of personal data stored on the Police National Computer in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998 to date; and if he will make a statement. [47374]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is given in the table.

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998 to date

  Total number of applications

  35,100

  54,530

  71,963

  13,754

  Number of subject access requests received by the Metropolitan Police Service

  9,461

  15,036

  19,962

  3,923

  The number of applications received which involve retrieval of personal data on the Police National Computer is not recorded.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the Interpretation of the Second Principle of the Data Protection Bill 1998 creates a link to the notification requirements of that Bill. [47364]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Notification to the Data Protection Commissioner is one way in which the purposes for which personal data are obtained may be specified in accordance with the second data protection principle.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the provision with respect to medical purposes in Schedule 3, paragraph 8 of the Data Protection Bill 1998 differs from the corresponding provision in Article 8(3) of the Directive 95/46/EC. [47363]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Data Protection Bill[Lords] is intended to make clear how the general provisions in the Directive should operate in the United Kingdom. Paragraph 8 of Schedule 3 sets out the circumstances in which sensitive data may be processed for medical purposes. It is fully consistent with Articles 8.3 and 8.4 of the Directive.

  Offshore Financial Regulatory System
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those who have(a) been asked to contribute to his review of the financial regulatory system in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man and (b) offered contributions; and if this review will hold public evidence sessions. [47726]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The detailed conduct of the Review is the responsibility of Mr. Andrew Edwards, in consultation with Home Office officials and the authorities in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
  23
  Mr. Edwards has had extensive consultations with the Island authorities, with private sector practitioners and with others in the Islands. In addition, he has consulted widely within the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

  I understand that he has no plans to hold sessions open to the general public; but in the early stages of this Review Mr. Edwards issued statements to the media in the Islands inviting anyone who felt they had something to contribute to the Review to write to him at the Home Office. I understand that firms and individuals in the Islands have responded positively to this invitation.

  Although this is an internal Review, the Home Secretary announced to the House on 20 January 1998, Official Report, columns 506–08, that a summary of its main conclusions would be published.

  Mentally Ill Prisoners
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in prison in Wales are classified as mentally ill. [47845]

  Ms Quin
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, applying the percentage from the two studies of the prevalence of mental disorder in prisoners undertaken for the Prison Service by the Institute of Psychiatry to the population of the four prisons in Wales would suggest that some 900 people in prisons in Wales could be diagnosed as suffering from some form of mental disorder, including substance dependency or abuse.

  Key Cutting
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 June 1998,Official Report, columns 322–23, concerning key cutting, what the terms of reference are for the review process; and on what date the review will take place. [47297]

  Mr. Michael
  It is anticipated that a review of the Vehicle Key Cutting Code of Practice will take place in September 1998, six months after its launch, involving representatives of the police service and the key cutting industry bodies. This review would consider whether the existing monitoring procedures adopted by local beat

  Proposed structure

  Type of area

  Number of areas

  Level

  England

  Scotland1 and Wales

  Northern Ireland

  1

  Government Office Regions

  Countries

  Country

  12

  2

  Counties (some grouped)

  Groups of unitary authorities

  Country

  37

  3

  Upper tier authorities (counties)

  Groups of unitary authorities

  Groups of unitary authorities

  Groups of districts

  133

  4

  Lower tier authorities (districts)

  Individual unitary authorities

  Individual unitary authorities

  Individual districts

  443

  5

  Wards

  Wards

  Wards

  About 11,000

  1In Scotland, Levels 2, 3 and 4 areas are combinations of unitary authorities, LECs or part thereof

  24
  officers and the industry bodies were working satisfactorily. Depending on the outcome, consideration could be given to extend the Code to other key types.

  Recidivism
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to commission research comparing recidivism rates of prisoners leaving privately and publicly managed prisons. [46241]

  Ms Quin
  The Home Office Offenders and Corrections Unit monitors reconviction rates for each prison. The latest survey covered prisoners discharged in 1994, and included the privately managed prisons in operation at that time.

  The present data are based solely on the prison from which a prisoner is discharged, irrespective of the time they have spent there. In many cases, the bulk of the total sentence will have been spent in establishments other than that from which a prisoner is discharged.

  The Prison Service is currently examining ways of constructing more effective forms of measurement to improve our monitoring of recidivism.

TREASURY

  UK Areas
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress being made in agreeing a new classification of United Kingdom areas for European statistical purposes. [48267]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Following extensive discussions, the Government Statistical Service has reached agreement with Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union, on a revised classification. The Nomenclature of Units of Territorial Statistics (NUTS) provides a breakdown of the European Union's territory for producing regional statistics which are comparable across the Union. It has five hierarchical levels, and is built up from administrative units such as local government areas in the member states. A summary of the newly agreed UK structure is give in the table.
  25
  At NUTS level 1, the classification now recognises the areas which will also form the boundaries of the Regional Development Agencies.

  At NUTS level 2, the major changes agreed, compared with the current structure, are:
  The separation of Cornwall and Devon into two separate areas, recognising the very different economic condition of the two counties, Cornwall's sparsity of population, geographical peripherality and distinct cultural and historic factors.
  The Separation of London into Inner and Outer London, recognising the differences between the inner city and the outer fringe, as well as the fact that London was one of the largest level 2 areas in the European Union.
  The two-way split of Wales to be on an east/west basis, rather than the current north/south structure. This reflects the evolving differences between the east and the less accessible western and Valleys areas.
  Changes to boundaries in Scotland to recognise the area represented by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). This enables the structure to more closely reflect the uses to which NUTS-based statistics are put. The HIE area is defined by Act of Parliament and is currently recognised for economic development by the EU and the UK.
  At NUTS level 3, as substantial increase in the number of areas has been agreed, for the existing 65 to 133, to reflect the changes in local government structures throughout the UK. Further details are set out in the Government Statistical Service press notice issued today, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total value of Private Finance Initiative contracts signed since 1 May 1997; and if he will place a list of those contracts in the Library. [48268]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Contracts with a total value of £2.085 billion have been signed since May 1997. A list of those contracts, with their respective capital values, is shown in the table which has been placed in the House Library today.

  Projects signed as of June 1998

  Capital value

  Defence

  Army Personnel IT System

  £150 million

  Defence Fixed Telecoms

  £70 million

  Helicopter Simulator

  £100 million

  Hawk Simulator

  £10 million

  Tidworth Water

  £6 million

  Joint Service College

  £68 million

  Department for Education and Employment (PFI/PPPs)

  Clarendon College

  £16 million

  Colfox School

  £15 million

  Falmouth College

  £3 million

  UCL

  £14 million

  Kings/UMDS

  £142 million

  Employment Service IT System

  £150 million

  Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions

  Harrow (IT) (LA)

  £1 million

  Isle of Wight waste management (LA)

  £13 million

  Surrey CC residential homes

  £29 million

  Kirklees Waste Management

  £33 million

  LB Westminster

  £5 million

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  2 small vehicle service contracts

  £3 million

  26

  Projects signed as of June 1998

  Capital value

  Northern Ireland

  Medical equipment

  £3 million

  Belfast Hospital Renal Unit

  £3 million

  Planning Services IT

  £3 million

  Health

  Carlisle Hospital

  £63 million

  Dartford and Gravesham Hospital

  £115 million

  Norfolk and Norwich Hospital

  £214 million

  South Bucks Hospital

  £39 million

  North Durham Hospital

  £96 million

  Home Office

  2 Passport Agency contracts worth

  £15 million each

  Derbyshire (IIkeston) Police Station

  £2 million

  Inland Revenue

  Edinburgh accommodation

  £9 million

  Glasgow accommodation

  £9 million

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  ARAMIS IT System

  £30 million

  Scotland

  Baldovie Waste to energy plant

  £43 million

  Bowhouse Prison

  £32 million

  Stirling FE Centre

  £4 million

  Highlands and Islands Inverness Airport

  £10 million

  Hairmyres Hospital

  £70 million

  Department of Social Security

  Longbenton estate

  £120 million

  Prime DSS estate

  £350 million

  Serious Fraud Office

  Document management IT System

  £4 million

  Wales

  Chepstow Community Hospital

  £8 million

  Total

  £2.085 billion

  Unemployment
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact on unemployment of a one per cent. increase in average earnings. [47542]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 29 June 1998]: The impact on unemployment would depend on why wages increased, and how employers, employees and others in the labour force responded to the increase in wages. For example, an increase in wages reflecting higher productivity need not have any effect on unemployment.

  Public Sector Investment
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate for each year from 1978–79 to 2001–02 the expenditure by the Government on public sector net investment(a) in real terms in 1997–98 prices and (b) as a percentage of gross domestic product. [46387]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: Figures for public sector net investment can be found in Table 4A.1 or Table 4.5 (for years beyond 1998–99) of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report (EFSR). Projections

  27
  for the GDP deflator and money GDP can be found in Table 4.1 of the EFSR. Historical figures for GDP can be found in Table 2.1 of Economic Trends. These publications can be found in the House of Commons Library.

  Economic and Fiscal Strategy
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update Table 318, page 128, of the Financial Statement and Budget Report March 1998, to include information published in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report (June 1998); and if he will make a statement. [46380]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: There has been no change to the outturn information for 1996–97 since the Financial Statement and Budget Report March 1998. Provisional outturn information by department for 1997–98 was published in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (Cm 3988) on 19 June. There have been no changes to the 1998–99 Control Total, with the exception of those noted in Table 3A.1 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998 (Cm 3978).

  Public Spending
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the Bank of England was first notified of the new plans for public spending and borrowing, as set out in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report (June 1998); and if he will make a statement. [46384]

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England was informed of the Chancellor's statement on public spending prior to reaching its decision to raise interest rates on 4 June; [46533]

  (2) if the Governor of the Bank of England was informed of the Chancellor's statement on public spending prior to the Monetary Policy Committee reaching its decision to raise interest rates on 4 June. [46534]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the Treasury representative present at the Monetary Policy Committee's meeting on 3 and 4 June was informed of the plans set out in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report; [46853]

  (2) if his Department informed the Monetary Policy Committee of the plans set out in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report at or before its meeting on 4 June. [46852]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answers 18, 19 and 22 June 1998]: I refer to what the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in response to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) at Treasury Oral Questions on 25 June 1998, Official Report, column 1153.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the annual real terms growth of(a) total Government expenditure, (b) control total expenditure, (c) current expenditure and (d) capital
  28
  expenditure, for (i) 1978–79 to 1982–83, (ii) 1982–83 to 1986–87, (iii) 1986–87 to 1991–92, (iv) 1991–92 to 1996–97 and (v) 1996–97 to 2001–02. [46386]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: Figures for current expenditure and capital expenditure can be found in Table 4A.1 or Table 4.5 (for years beyond 1998–99) of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report (EFSR). Total Managed Expenditure is the sum of current spending and net capital investment. Figures for the Control Total up to 1996–97 are given in the Table B24 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report (March 1998). The figure for 1997–98 was published in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (19 June) and the 1998–99 figure was given in the FSBR, with the revisions noted in Table 3A of the EFSR. Figures for the Control Total are available on a consistent basis only from 1984–85. This concept is not applicable beyond 1998–99, as from 1999–2000 a reformed control regime will be introduced. Projections for the GDP deflator and money GDP can be found in Table 4.1 of the EFSR. Historical figures for GDP can be found in Table 2.1 of Economic Trends. These publications can be found in the House of Commons Library.

  Departmental Underspending
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which departmental areas, and for what reasons, there was underspend in 1997–98, compared with the spending plans as set out in the Financial Statement and Budget Report, March 1998; what was the size of the underspend; and if he will make a statement. [46403]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: Reasons for individual departmental underspends are matters for the departments concerned. Provisional control total outturn by department is shown in Table 1 of the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (PEOWP) (Cm 3988) published on 19 June.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate what the financial markets would have charged for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link guarantee. [46969]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 22 June 1998]: The Government believe that the amount of finance required for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link is such that the financial markets would have been unable to provide the credit support which Government are to give.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the basis of the valuation of the Government's participation in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link; what is that value; and who prepared the calculations on behalf of the Government. [46858]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 22 June 1998]: The information requested was set out in the statement by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 3 June 1998, Official Report, columns 367–70. The Government's participation in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was assessed using a model of London and Continental Railways' future finances prepared by the company and independently reviewed by external consultants.

  Hospital Repairs
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to classify expenditure on hospital repairs as current or capital spending. [46849]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 22 June 1998]: Expenditure on hospital repairs will follow the classification rules for the national accounts.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what form the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review will be published; and if he will make a statement. [47862]

  Mr. Darling
  A White Paper setting out the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review will be published before the summer Recess.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy in relation to consultation on departmental spending plans for the period 1999–2000 to 2001–2002; and if he will make a statement. [47863]

  Mr. Darling
  When setting up the Comprehensive Spending Review, Departments were encouraged to consult outside bodies where that would assist the conduct of the Review. Many representations have been made.

  VAT (Art Market)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the consequences of VAT harmonisation on London's art market. [46320]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have received representations from the British Art Market Federation and from members of the art trade, and am aware of concerns about the effects of harmonisation of VAT on imports of works on the UK art market.

  Goods imported into the UK normally bear VAT at the standard rate (17.5 per cent.). Under the terms of EC law introduced in 1995, certain works of art, antiques and collectors' pieces imported into the UK are eligible until 30 June 1999 for an effective rate of VAT at importation of 2.5 per cent. After that date, the UK is obliged to increase the VAT rate to at least the normal minimum effective reduced rate of 5 per cent. No import VAT is due in the UK on works of art that are temporarily imported for auction and are re-exported.

  This year, the European Commission will review the effects of the relevant EC legislation on the competitiveness of the Community art markets compared to third countries' art markets. The relevant Government departments are working with the British Art Market Federation to evaluate those effects, and will be closely involved in the Commission's review to ensure that the position of the UK's fine art market is properly represented.

  Economic Forecasts
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will re-calculate tables(a) B24, (b) B21, (c) B17, (d) B14, (e) B13, (f) B11, (g) B9 and (h) B8
  30
  from the Financial Statement and Budget report of March 1998, on the basis of the information in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report of June 1998. [46361]

  Mr. Darling
  The Treasury normally publishes two forecasts a year, as required by the Industry Act 1975. The first of these forecasts for 1998 was published in the March Financial Statement and Budget Report (FSBR), and the second Industry Act forecast will be published later in the year. The Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report (ESFR) included a summary update of the March 1998 FSBR, based on new spending plans and updated projections of aggregate receipts to reflect outturns available since the Budget. Information on the updated fiscal projections can be found throughout chapters 3 and 4 of the EFSR.

  Third World Debt (Donations)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 24 March 1998,Official Report, columns 124–25, to the hon. Member for Perth (Ms Cunningham), what has been the administrative cost to his Department of accounting for postcards with money attached; what has been the average amount donated per donor; and how many responses have been sent to (i) members of the public and (ii) hon. Members and at what estimated cost. [45712]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The cost of processing postcards with money attached as a donation towards debt relief was estimated in March to be around £28,000. A rough calculation suggests that each donor has contributed, on average, around 50p.

  Since January 1997, in response to postcards with money attached, around 4,500 responses have been sent to members of the public and over 1,600 responses have been sent to hon. Members.

  Public Finance
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his cyclically adjusted estimates for(a) total managed expenditure, (b) general Government receipts, (c) public sector net borrowing, (d) public sector net cash requirement and (e) net public sector debt (i) in cash terms, and (ii) as a percentage of gross domestic product, for (1) 1998–99, (2) 1999–2000, (3) 2000–01, (4) 2001–02, (5) 2002–03 and (6) 2003–04, assuming trend output is 1.5 per cent. above trend in the first half of 1997. [47135]

  Mr. Darling
  Table 4.1 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report set out the economic assumptions underlying the public finance projections. If output were 1½ per cent. above trend in the first half of 1997, then the assumptions in the EFSR imply that it would be approximately 2 per cent. above trend in 1997–98 as a whole. Cyclically adjusted estimates of the public finances can be calculated using the Treasury's estimates of the effects of the economic cycle on the public finances set out in Treasury Occasional Paper No 4 "Public Finances and the Cycle", published in September 1995. The effects of the economic cycle should not be significantly different between total managed expenditure and general government expenditure, or between public
  31
  sector net borrowing and the public sector net cash requirement. The Treasury does not calculate cyclically-adjusted measures of public sector debt.

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy with regard to allowing any unused AME margin to be allocated to departmental expenditure limits. [47121]

  Mr. Darling
  The Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) Margin is designed to meet increases above forecast in elements of AME.

  Low Pay
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many(a) men and (b) women working (i) part-time and (ii) full-time in Kilmarnock and Loudoun earn less than (1) £3 per hour, (2) £3.60 per hour and (3) £2.50 per hour; and in each case if he will give the percentage of the total number employed. [47078]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 23 June 1998]: 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. Desmond Browne, dated June 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on earnings in Kilmarnock and Loudoun.
  The latest information, from the New Earnings Survey (NES) April 1997, is contained in the attached table. The NES is based on a one percent sample of employees in the PAYE system and is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff and in particular those who work part-time.
  The extent of this bias may be estimated for Scotland by using data from the NES augmented by data from the Labour Force Survey. This suggests that the estimate of the proportion of employees earning below £3.00 and £3.60 could understate the true position by as much as 3 percentage points. However, it is unlikely that the occurrence of lower paid jobs is uniform across the country, and so it would be wise to treat these figures as broadly indicative rather than as precise estimates.

  Employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey pay-period was unaffected by absence—New Earnings Survey—April 1997

  Percentage of employees with hourly earnings (excluding overtime) less than:

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  £2.50

  £3.00

  £3.60

  Full-time men

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Part-time men

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Full-time women

  1.7

  1.7

  13.6

  Part-time women

  2.4

  9.5

  28.6

  All employees

  1.1

  2.8

  11.0

  1Denotes an estimate which is unavailable because the sample size is too small

  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many people in the constituency of Lincoln earn less than the proposed national minimum wage, broken down by(a) gender, (b) age and (c) full- or part-time employment. [47092]
  32
  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 24 June 1998]: 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 Gillian Merron, dated June 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on earnings in Lincoln.
  The national minimum wage will become effective in April 1999 and has been set at £3.60 for employees aged over 21 and £3.00 for those aged 18 to 21, although there are a number of qualifications to this general observation.
  The Low Pay Commission, in arriving at their recommendations, had to adjust 1999 pay rates to 1997 values. Their methodology produces £2.80 and £3.40 as the 1997 values of the government's preferred rates and I have provided supplementary data for these levels.
  The attached table presents data from the 1997 New Earnings Survey (NES) for the parliamentary constituency of Lincoln. I cannot provide data for those aged 18–21 years who would earn below the proposed minimum wage since there were only 10 individuals in the NES sample for Lincoln.
  The NES is based on a one percent sample of employees in the PAYE system and is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff and in particular those who work part-time.
  The extent of this bias may be estimated for the East Midlands by using data from the NES augmented by data from the Labour Force Survey. This suggests that the estimate of the overall proportion of employees earning below £03.60 could understate the true position by as much as 3 percentage points. However, it is unlikely that the occurrence of lower paid jobs is uniform across the region, and so it would be wise to treat these figures as broadly indicative rather than as precise estimates.

  Employees whose pay for the survey pay-period was unaffected by absence—New Earnings Survey—April 1997

  Percentage of employees with hourly earnings excluding overtime and shift payments less than:

  £3.40

  £3.60

  Lincoln—Employees aged over 21 on adult rates of pay

  Full-time males

  0.7

  2.1

  Part-time males

  1—

  1—

  All males

  0.6

  1.9

  Full-time females

  4.3

  9.6

  Part-time females

  9.2

  22.4

  All females

  6.5

  15.3

  All full-time

  2.1

  5.0

  All part-time

  8.3

  20.2

  All

  3.7

  9.0

  1Denotes an estimate which is unavailable because the sample size is too small

PRIME MINISTER

  European Policy
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what meetings involving the Cabinet Office and 10 Downing Street have taken place since 11 May to discuss the Government's approach to the European Union; and which other Government Departments were involved; [47556]
  33
  (2) if he will list the strategy meetings which have taken place since 11 May to discuss policy towards the European Union involving representatives from Departments, units or agencies other than his Policy Unit or Political Office; and if he will list the Departments or agencies represented in these discussions; [47557]

  (3) if it is his practice to invite Foreign Office Ministers to attend discussions of European policy at Downing Street.[47553]

  The Prime Minister
  My staff and I have regular meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others on a wide range of subjects, and will continue to do so. As with previous Administrations, it is not my practice to provide details of confidential discussions.

  Cabinet Ministers (Security)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will review the security arrangements for all Cabinet Ministers.[47683]

  The Prime Minister
  The security arrangements for Cabinet Ministers are reviewed regularly.

  Public Sector Pay Review Bodies
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the current membership of the public sector pay review bodies.[48153]

  The Prime Minister
  The current membership is as listed:

  Senior salaries review body

  Sir Michael Perry CBE (Chairman)

  Hon. Michael Beloff QC

  Mr. David Clayman

  Professor Sandra Dawson

  Mrs. Rosemary Day

  Sir Terence Heiser GCB

  Sir Gordon Hourston

  Sir Sydney Lipworth QC

  Miss Patricia Mann OBE

  Mr. Mark Sheldon CBE

  Professor Sir David Williams QC, DL

  Armed forces pay review body

  Sir Gordon Hourston (Chairman)

  Mrs. Kay Coleman OBE

  Mr. John Cox CBE

  Mr. John Crosby

  Vice Admiral Sir Tody Frere KCB

  The Lord Gladwin of Clee CBE

  Professor David Greenaway

  Ms Gay Haskins

  Review body on nursing staff, midwives, health visitors and professions allied to medicine

  Professor Clive Booth (Chairman)

  Mr. Jim Bartlett

  Mrs. Sheila Gleig

  34

  Miss Anne Mackie OBE

  Mr. Michael Malone-Lee CB

  Mr. Keith Miles

  Mr. Clive Monks OBE

  Professor Gillian Raab

  Review body on doctors and dentists remuneration

  Mr. Brandon Gough (Chairman)

  Mrs. Matti Alderson

  Professor Nicholas Bourne

  Miss Carol Hui

  Mr. Roderick Jackson

  Mr. Christopher King CBE

  Professor Sheila McLean

  Mr. David Penton

  School teachers review body

  Mr. Tony Vineall (Chairman)

  Mrs. Brigita Amey

  Mr. Peter Gedling

  Mr. Michael Harding

  Mr. Vincent Harris

  Miss Janet Langdon

  Mr. Christopher Lyddon

  Mrs. Patricia Sloane

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Public Registers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the public registers which his Department has responsibility for. [47360]

  The Attorney-General
  There are no public registers for which my Department has responsibility.

SCOTLAND

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of Ministerial overseas travel in his Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98 to date. [26645]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: The costs of Ministerial overseas travel including those for officials accompanying Ministers are as follows:

  Year

  £

  1995–96

  67,042.43

  1996–97

  94,913.42

  1997–98

  95,259.68

  Children's Reporter Administration
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to permit the management of the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration to conduct pay negotiations with staff for 1998–99. [46749]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Approval of the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration's Pay Remit for 1998–99 was given on 9 June. This was in accordance with Treasury guidance to Departments on local pay bargaining arrangements for Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies. The Administration opened negotiations with its staff side on 15 June.

  Public Registers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the public registers which his Department has responsibility for. [47348]

  Mr. Dewar
  The following registers are held by my Department or Agencies for which it is responsible:

  Scottish Office

  Grant Eligible Pre-school Education Centres

  Statutory list of roads

  Water Supply Zones (including results of analysis of water quality)

  Trade Effluent Discharges

  Release of Genetically Modified Organisms

  Register of Independent Schools

  Student Awards Agency for Scotland

  Register of Educational Endowments

  Fisheries Research Service

  Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985, Pt2, Deposits in the Sea

  Historic Scotland

  Building Conservation Register for Scotland

  Conservation Register (held jointly with the Museums and Galleries Commission)

  Rent Registration Service

  Register of Rents

  Year

  Age under 21

  Age 21 to 24

  Age >25

  Applicants2 through UCAS

  1994

  22,209

  2,715

  3,777

  1995

  23,798

  3,105

  4,772

  1996

  24,261

  3,104

  4,855

  19971

  (23,549)

  (2,299)

  (3,637)

  19981

  (23,068)

  (2,058)

  (3,298)

  Scottish Population

  1994

  1,291,973

  306,312

  3,455,928

  1995

  1,288,539

  292,323

  3,473,901

  1996

  1,282,497

  277,482

  3,488,335

  1997

  1,277,322

  266,350

  3,499,706

  1998

  1,276,902

  255,750

  3,507,728

  Proportion of cohort applying

  1994

  1.7

  0.9

  0.1

  1995

  1.7

  0.9

  0.1

  1996

  1.8

  1.1

  0.1

  19971

  1.9

  1.1

  0.1

  19981

  (1.8)

  (0.9)

  (0.1)

  1Forms processed by UCAS by 16 May 1997 and 17 May 1998

  2Age at 30 September in year of entry

  36
  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  Persons and Firms registered as Seed Merchants, Seed Processors, and Seed Packers

  Registers of Scotland

  General Register of Sasines

  Land Register

  Register of Deeds and Probative Writs in the Books of Council and Session

  Register of Judgments in Books of Council and Session

  Register of Service of Heirs

  Register of the Grant Seal

  Register of the Cachet Seal

  Register of the Quarter Seal

  Register of the Prince's Seal

  Register of Crown Grants

  Register of Sheriff's Commissions

  Register of Hornings

  Register of Inhibitions and Adjudications

  Register of Entails

  Higher Education
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of those aged(a) under 21, (b) 21 to 24 and (c) over 25 years and over, registered in Scotland, applied through UCAS for admission to a course of higher education for the (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997 and (v) 1998 entry cycles; what were the numbers of the population in Scotland aged (a) to (c) for (i) to (v); and what was the proportion of those applying as a percentage of the appropriate population cohort. [47267]

  Mr. Wilson
  Figures on Scottish domiciled UCAS applicants by age, and relevant Scottish population from 1994 to 1998, are given in the table. For 1997 and 1998, the most up to date figures are based upon applications processed by UCAS by 16 May 1997 and 17 May 1998. Not all applications have arrived by this date, therefore 1997 and 1998 figures are undercounts and not directly comparable with previous years.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  EU Commission Documents
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reviews she has undertaken of the European Commission's implementation of the Code of Conduct on Public Access to Commission Documents. [47459]

  Clare Short
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him of 8 June 1998,Official Report, column 446, about the steps the Government are taking to increase access to information about EC development projects.

  It is for the Commission to review their implementation of the Code of Conduct on Public Access to Commission Documents. They collate annual statistics which are available on request. For 1997, these showed that 89.3 per cent. of the 745 admissible requests for documents requested were released. 11.9 per cent. of requests related to external affairs, including development.

  Any cases of apparent maladministration in the Commission's implementation of its Code may be referred to the European Ombudsman.

  EC Programmes (Developing Countries)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she has received the Environmental Resources Management report, "Evaluation of the Environmental Performance of EC Programmes in Developing Countries". [47458]

  Clare Short
  Further to my reply to the hon. Member's question on this subject, of 11 May 1998,Official Report, columns 24–25, my Department received the Environmental Resources Management report several months ago and we are still awaiting the European Commission's response. This is due within the next few weeks. We will comment on this response in due course.

  Sudan
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans(a) she and (b) the Under-Secretary have to visit the Sudan. [47338]

  Clare Short
  We have no plans to visit the Sudan. My Relief and Rehabilitation Field Manager has been to the crisis area twice since February and reported to me. Our Ambassador in Khartoum also visits the South and reports. A visit by me or the Under-Secretary would serve to hinder and not help the main aim at the moment, which is to get the maximum amount of food in as swiftly as possible to those who sorely need it.

  Public Registers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the public registers which her Department has responsibility for. [47353]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development does not have responsibility for any public registers.

  Coral Reefs
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the depletion of coral reefs; and what initiatives the Government are taking to prevent the destruction of coral reefs. [47811]

  Mr. Foulkes
  This Department recognises that depletion of coral reefs is a significant cause of poverty in developing countries, where poor coastal communities often lack land and employment and the coastal ecosystems offer the only accessible source of nutrition and income.

  Degradation of coral reefs is occurring in many regions of the tropical oceans as the recently published World Resources Institute/World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WRI/WCMC) report "Reefs at Risk" makes clear. Traditional management systems in many small island communities have permitted sustainable use of reef resources for many years, but increasing population pressure and inappropriate development have contributed to the breakdown of these community-based management systems and a decline in the resource base. Modern arrangements for protection of coral reefs often aim to combine conservation with tourism and, unless carefully planned, can impose costs on the poor through loss of livelihoods. This Department is examining ways in which resources provided by coral reef biodiversity can be sustainably used to support people's livelihoods.

  The United Kingdom is a founder member of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and this Department has recently published a Manual of Coastal Resource Management in South Asia, following up earlier financial and technical support for the ICRI South Asia Region Coral Reef Management Workshop. We are also helping our partners in South Asia to protect their coral reefs by providing funds and expertise to the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO for the development of a South Asia region coral reef monitoring network, the first regional component of a planned global network.

  The Government support the development of new approaches to the conservation and sustainable use of coral reef resources through research projects in the Caribbean investigating the biological and social impacts of coral reef protection, and the rate at which degraded reefs can recover when protected. We have funded research to develop a new technology for accelerating the recovery of degraded reefs through research in The Maldives, where coral rock is mined for use as building material. Reefs which had been bare of living coral organisms for 20 years became recolonised within a period of 12 months. We have recently supported work to improve the accuracy of remote sensing methods used in monitoring the state of the coral reef environment.

  Our concern for the protection of coral reefs, and other tropical coastal ecosystems, is to help our partners stabilise and regenerate natural resources which are of significant importance to global efforts to eradicate poverty.

HEALTH

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he proposes to take to(a) prevent and (b) deal with overspending by primary care groups in the new NHS. [45482]

  Mr. Milburn
  Primary Care Groups will be accountable to health authorities for the way in which they discharge their functions, including financial matters. Guidance on management arrangements and risk management plans for PCG budgets will be issued in the summer.

  If a Primary Care Group overspends, the overspend will be managed within the funds made available to health authorities generally, and to the National Health Service more widely, much as health authority overspends are handled now.

  Trauma Patients
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been treated for trauma in each health authority area for the last five years for which figures are available. [46511]

  Mr. Boateng
  The number of patients treated for post-traumatic stress disorder drawn from the Hospital Episode Statistics for 1995–96, the most recent year for which figures are available, is in the table. Information for earlier years is not available in an equivalent form. However, it is likely that the figures reported for post-traumatic stress disorder under-represent the number of people treated for the psychological after-effects of trauma since other people may be diagnosed as suffering from depression, anxiety or an adjustment disorder.

  Finished consultant episodes for 1995–96 Diagnosis 'F43.1' Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

  District health authority

  Number

  England

  347

  A11 Northumberland

  3

  A16 Sunderland

  1

  A30 North Durham

  10

  A31 South Durham

  1

  A32 Tees

  5

  A33 Gateshead and South Tyneside

  4

  A34 North Cumbria

  3

  A35 Newcastle and North Tyneside

  5

  B11 East Riding

  2

  B21 North Yorkshire

  5

  B31 Bradford

  1

  B51 West Yorkshire

  3

  B61 Leeds Health Authority

  3

  B71 Wakefield Health Care

  4

  CO1 North Derbyshire

  2

  CO9 Barnsley

  2

  C10 Doncaster

  2

  C12 Sheffield

  4

  C14 North Nottinghamshire

  5

  C15 Lincolnshire

  21

  DO5 North West Anglia

  1

  D12 Suffolk

  7

  D13 East Norfolk

  1

  EO9 Hillingdon

  4

  E18 East and North Herefordshire

  7

  E19 Brent and Harrow

  4

  40

  Finished consultant episodes for 1995–96 Diagnosis 'F43.1' Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

  District health authority

  Number

  E20 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  4

  F31 North Essex

  4

  F32 South Essex

  3

  F33 Barking and Havering

  2

  F34 Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  1

  F35 East London and The City

  3

  F36 New River

  3

  F37 Camden and Islington

  4

  G12 Bromley

  9

  G21 East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  1

  G22 East Kent

  4

  G23 West Kent

  10

  G26 South East London

  4

  H17 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  2

  H20 West Surrey

  7

  H21 East Surrey

  9

  J10 Dorset Health Authority

  7

  J21 Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  4

  J25 North and Mid Hampshire

  2

  J30 Wiltshire

  8

  J41 Isle of Wight

  1

  K24 Buckinghamshire

  9

  K33 Northamptonshire

  4

  K41 Oxfordshire

  9

  L10 Bristol and District

  8

  L21 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  4

  L35 Exeter and North Devon

  5

  L36 Plymouth and Torbay

  2

  L40 Gloucestershire

  2

  L51 Somerset

  13

  MO2 Herefordshire

  4

  MO5 Shropshire

  5

  MO7 North Staffordshire

  18

  M18 Dudley

  1

  M20 Solihull

  2

  M27 South Staffordshire

  1

  M28 Warwickshire

  6

  M29 North Birmingham

  1

  N17 North Cheshire

  4

  N18 South Cheshire

  6

  N21 Liverpool

  2

  N31 St. Helens and Knowsley

  4

  P16 Stockport Health

  2

  P21 East Lancashire

  1

  P22 South Lancashire

  1

  P24 Bury and Rochdale

  10

  P25 West Pennine

  10

  P26 Manchester Health

  7

  P27 Salford and Trafford

  3

  P28 Morecambe Bay

  1

  Mental Health
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of the components of the NHS will make recommendations for the placement in mental nursing homes of people with learning difficulties or mental health problems under the new arrangements set out in the White Paper, The New NHS (Cm 3807). [46509]

  Mr. Boateng
  The White Paper The New NHS makes no change in this respect. Clinicians, working where appropriate with the relevant social work professionals, will make decisions about the appropriate placing of people with learning difficulties or mental health problems within the health and social care systems.

  Nurses (Working Holidays Visas)
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when officials from his Department last met Home Office officials to discuss working holiday visas for nurses. [46502]

  Mr. Milburn
  Officials from the Department periodically meet officials from the Home Office and other Government departments to discuss a range of issues concerning the employment of overseas nurses. The last meeting which involved Home Office officials was held on 31 October 1995. In addition, Departmental officials have regular contact with officials from the Overseas Labour Service who are responsible for advising the Home Office on the acceptability of work permit applications from employers to fill shortage posts with overseas nationals. The last meeting was held on 4 February 1998.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of overseas nurses working in the United Kingdom on working holiday visas to addressing shortages in nursing provision. [46505]

  Mr. Milburn
  It is not the purpose of the working holidaymaker scheme to address skill shortages in the United Kingdom. A mechanism already exists, through the work permit scheme, for non-European Economic Area nationals to be employed in cases of skills shortages. Information on the numbers of overseas nurses registering with the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting is published in the statistical analysis of the UKCC's professional register 1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Testosterone
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the standards relating to the permissible levels of testosterone in(a) edible and (b) medicinal products in the UK; and what procedures apply in circumstances where products are banned. [46802]

  Ms Jowell
  The use of hormones as growth promoters in animal production has been banned in the European Union since 1988. Any confirmed residue of testosterone in food resulting from the use of a growth promoter is illegal.

  There are no standards relating to permissible levels of testosterone in medicinal products for human use in the United Kingdom. Currently, there are 14 licensed human medicinal products (capsules, injections, implants and transdermal patches) which contain testosterone, one of several testosterone esters or methyltestosterone as the active ingredient at amounts of 20–250 milligrams. Recommended doses are based on information obtained from clinical trials. The products are indicated mainly for treatment of conditions in males where testosterone supplementation is required, and are obtainable only on prescription.

  In cases where there are concerns relating to safety, quality or efficacy of any licensed medicinal product, the marketing authorisation (MA) may be withdrawn voluntarily by the MA holder. Alternatively, the licensing
  42
  authority may take steps to revoke or suspend the MA. Procedural provisions relating to the grant, renewal, variation, revocation or suspension of UK MAs are contained in the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations etc.) Regulations 1994.

  The sale, supply and importation of medicinal products, and of animal feeding stuffs incorporating such medicinal products, which are the subject of a prohibition order under Section 62 of the Medicines Act 1968 are illegal, and a criminal offence by virtue of Section 67(3) of this Act. The maximum penalty is 2 years' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine on indictment to the Crown Court.

  Food Safety (Cheese)
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the use by his officials of powers granted under the Food Safety Act 1990 to ban the sale of cheese without court proceedings; and if he will make a statement. [47070]

  Ms Jowell
  The powers to which the right hon. Member refers are conferred on Ministers. On 20 May 1998, I signed an emergency control order under section 13 of the Food Safety Act 1990 prohibiting commercial operations in respect of cheese from a Somerset producer, because I was satisfied that such operations involved or may have involved imminent risk of injury to health. A 12 year old boy had become seriously ill after eating cheese contaminated with e-coli. The source was traced to the producer who was the subject of the order.

  One business made representations and attended a meeting at the Department. I responded to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler), who initiated a debate on the matter, and to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) who made representations in the course of the debate, 17 June 1998, Official Report, columns 338–46. We have also received a letter from the Specialist Cheesemakers' Association, and as at 24 June 1998, three letters from hon. Members and one from a member of the public.

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will collate and publish on a regular quarterly basis information showing(a) the number of people awaiting an out-patient consultation at an NHS hospital and (b) the number of out-patient consultations that have taken place in NHS hospitals in the previous quarter. [47133]

  Mr. Milburn
  No. A considerable amount of data on outpatient appointments are already collected and published in a quarterly statistical bulletin.

  Drugs Misuse (London)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the level of liaison which exists between the boroughs of London in co-ordinating an effective strategy to combat drugs misuse; and if he will make a statement. [47341]
  43
  Ms Jowell
  The Greater London Association of Directors of Social Services have, since 1993, co-ordinated a subgroup—the Greater London Drug and Alcohol Purchasers Group—for all directors of social services in London to discuss substance misuse issues.

  The Greater London Drug and Alcohol Purchasers Group meets regularly with the Inner London Purchasers of Substance Misuse Services, which represents health authorities. This forum, known as the London Drug and Alcohol Purchasers Group, aims to ensure consistency in approaches to the treatment and prevention of drug misuse. The aim of the group is to standardise policies on pricing, treatment programmes and quality standards. It meets regularly with the London Drug Services Consortium, which represents the interests of voluntary and private sector providers of drug services in the London area.

  In addition, the London Drug Policy Forum encourages joint working between these groups, the police, the probation and prison services and all those working in the provision of services for drug misusers. For example, it organises regular meetings for chairs of London drug action teams, and has recently produced a guide for local authorities on their role in tackling drugs misuse "Drugs in the Community—what local authorities can do".

  All these groups are currently reviewing how they can work together more effectively to achieve the objectives of our new anti-drug strategy "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain".

  Elderly People (Discrimination)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has evaluated on discrimination against the elderly within the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [47588]

  Mr. Boateng
  Although allegations of age discrimination in the National Health Service have been made from time to time over a number of years, there is a lack of reliable evidence based research on the subject.

  At the end of last year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State commissioned HAS 2000 to examine the care which acute NHS hospitals provide for older people, including claims about age discrimination. HAS 2000 are due to report at the end of this month. The Department will be evaluating the report, which will be published. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Wheelchairs
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those categories of people eligible to be provided with electric wheelchairs at public expense; and what plans he has to review this provision. [47590]

  Mr. Boateng
  The National Health Service provides powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs for severely disabled people, including children, who can benefit from them. Each health authority assesses local needs and determines local eligibility criteria within the broad national framework that the severely disabled person is unable to propel a manual wheelchair outdoors, is able to benefit from the chair through increased mobility leading to improved quality of life, and is able to handle the chair safely.
  44
  NHS provision of electronically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs was introduced in 1996, at the same time as a voucher scheme to enable wheelchair users to contribute towards a more expensive wheelchair of their choice. The NHS Executive will shortly begin an evaluation of the operation of both these initiatives and it aims to complete the study by the end of the 1998–99 financial year.

  Correspondence
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the volume of correspondence sent to and received from hon. Members by the Secretary of State for Health in the periods(a) 1 January to 26 March 1994 and (b) 1 January to 26 March 1998. [47689]

  Ms Jowell
  The information is not available in the form requested. The total volume of correspondence replied to by Ministers from this Department for the period 1 January 1994 to 31 March 1994 was 2,505. The total volume of correspondence replied to by Ministers for the period 1 January 1998 to 26 March 1998 was 3,585. From the records kept, it is not possible to distinguish between those replies addressed to hon. Members and those addressed to other individuals or organisations, although the majority of the replies would have been to hon. Members.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a code of practice with respect to the use of data-matching techniques which require access to medical or other administrative records held by health bodies in relation to anti-fraud initiatives in the NHS. [47370]

  Mr. Milburn
  General guidance on the use of person-specific information held by National Health Service bodies was issued in 1996 and the general principles were reinforced in the report of the Caldicott Committee in 1997. These principles apply equally to the use of NHS records in connection with anti-fraud work in the NHS. We will shortly be reviewing this guidance in the light of the Data Protection Bill and will clarify the circumstances in which information held by NHS bodies may be shared with non-NHS agencies.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Audit Commission to commence data-matching exercises using their powers under the Audit Commission Bill 1998; and if such matching will involve records held by local authorities. [47371]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Audit Commission Act 1998 consolidates existing legislation and does not introduce new powers. Auditors appointed by the Audit Commission have used data-matching techniques in local authorities for four to five years. They have recently extended this to a number of National Health Service pilot sites. The Audit Commission has no current plans to extend this to cross matching local authority and NHS records.

  NHS Drugs
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS money is spent on parallel trading in drugs. [47809]
  45
  Mr. Milburn
  Full information on expenditure on parallel traded medicines by the National Health Service is not available. However, within the Family Health Services sector in England and Wales, the Pharmacists' Discount Inquiry estimates that, in 1997–98, 4.63 per cent. of the net ingredient cost of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacies was in relation to parallel imported products. Over each of the six years 1992–1997, the corresponding figures were between 4.09 per cent. and 4.80 per cent. For 1997–98, this equates with a figure of some £197 million expenditure on such products, providing an estimated saving to the NHS of around £19 million.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of drugs for use in the NHS are imported from overseas. [47810]

  Mr. Milburn
  Records are not kept of the origin of drugs in the National Health Service. However, in 1997, pharmaceutical products worth £3,192 million were imported into the United Kingdom, with exports of £5,484 million. This includes pharmaceuticals used outside the NHS. The latest available figures (financial year 1996–97) indicate an expenditure of £4,735 million on the drugs bill in England. This figure includes community prescribed and hospital medicines.

  Microbiological Research Authority
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answers of 21 July 1997,Official Report, columns 409–10, and 25 March 1998, Official Report, column 180, if he will now send to the hon. Member for Salisbury a copy of the final submission made to him under the quinquennial review from the Microbiological Research Authority Board; and if he will make a statement about that quinquennial review. [47843]

  Ms Jowell
  I understand that a copy of the final submission from the Microbiological Research Authority to the team undertaking the quinquennial review of the Microbiological Research Authority was sent to the hon. Member on 5 November 1997 and that he acknowledged receipt on 11 November.

  The findings of the first stage of the review are still the subject of discussions by Ministers. We will make a statement when these are completed.

  Tattoo Removal
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the National Health Service of tattoo removal for each of the last four years. [47592]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information relating to this specific procedure is not collected centrally on a routine basis. Within the current standard coding classifications used by the National Health Service there is no unique code or combination of codes for treatments specifically related to tattoo removal. This procedure is classified along with other procedures to remove skin lesions e.g. iron pigmentation.

  Maternity Services (North Essex)
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reach a decision on the future of maternity services in North Essex. [47890]
  46
  Mr. Milburn
  A decision will be made on the future of maternity services in North Essex when we have considered carefully all the evidence following the objection by the local community health councils to North Essex Health Authority's consultation document 'Taking the Initiative'.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will provide hon. Members with an information pack on the millennium compliance of computer systems similar to that supplied to hon. Members on the euro on 15 July by the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe. [47011]

  Mrs. Roche
  I will send a suitable information pack to each hon. Member in a few weeks' time.

  Mr. White
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons the original year 2000 Millennium conformance standard set by BSI was deficient in respect of real time requirements. [46500]

  Mrs. Roche
  The so-called Millennium Conformance Standard is not a standard in the strict sense, but a Published Document prepared by the British Standards Institution setting out Year 2000 conformity requirements. I understand that, following representations from the telecommunications industry about its interpretation, this document is being reviewed within BSI.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's policy objectives for small businesses. [47428]

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the current(a) objectives and (b) targets of the Government's small firm policies. [47144]

  Mrs. Roche
  The overall aim which underpins the Government's small firms policy is to enhance the competitiveness of small businesses by maintaining a supportive economic and business environment, and delivering high quality business support services.

  More detailed policy objectives are currently being refined through a process of consultation, which includes listening to the views of representatives of small business. Our work is also being informed by the recent report of the Trade and Industry Select Committee on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, and the small firms debate which was held in the House of Commons on 19 June 1998, Official Report, columns 606–76.

  The Government's policies for small businesses will be set out in the Competitiveness White Paper to be published in the Autumn.

  Newspaper Pricing
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what legal advice she has taken concerning the
  47
  relevance of the special circumstances found to have held in the European Court Case C-333/94 P Tetra Pak v. Commission to pricing strategies in the UK's daily broadsheet market. [42612]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 19 May 1998]: The Competition Bill sets the framework which prohibits anti-competitive behaviour and the abuse of dominance. Decisions in specific cases are matters for the independent regulator. It is not, therefore, for me to comment on how the principles of EC jurisprudence would apply in individual circumstances.

  Insolvency Proceedings
  Mr. Cranston
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she intends to take to revive the European Union convention on insolvency proceedings; and if she will make a statement. [47113]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The European Convention on Insolvency Proceedings was opened for signature between 23 November 1995 and 23 May 1996. The United Kingdom did not sign the Convention during that time. There are no proposals currently for the Convention to be revived.

  Eastern Natural Gas
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received about the methods used by Eastern Natural Gas in acquiring new customers. [46587]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 22 June 1998]: My Department has received a number of representations regarding marketing methods used by gas suppliers, including some relating to Eastern Natural Gas. The Government believe that consumers who are sold gas contracts on the doorstep should have proper protection. I raised my concerns with the Director General of Gas Supply last year, and this led to Ofgas introducing, on 26 January, a new suppliers' licence condition to bring such activities under tighter control.

  Among other things, the new condition includes rules on the proper selection and training of sales staff who are in direct contact with domestic customers, auditing of sales activities, schemes for paying compensation, and a ban on gas suppliers using agents who ask for payment in advance of arranging a supply of gas.

  This initiative should help to further enhance consumer protection with regard to doorstep selling. I am, however, keeping the situation, including the need for further action, under review.

  Employment Rights Act
  Mr. Wills
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the(a) total and (b) average amount of ex gratia payments her Department made in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997 under the Employment Rights Act 1996. [47072]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  In the period between 22 August 1996, when the Employments Rights Act 1996 became effective, and the end of the 1996/97 financial year(a) the total paid under ex gratia arrangements in relation
  48
  to claims under the Employments Rights Act 1996 was £13,160; (b) the average in that period was £1,880 per case (£1,196 per single payment).

  In the 1997/98 financial year (a) the total paid under ex gratia arrangements in relation to claims under the Employments Rights Act 1996 was £24,666; (b) the average in that period was £2,242 per case (£1,542 per single payment).

  Mr. Wills
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the largest single ex gratia payment her Department made in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997 under the Employment Rights Act 1996. [47073]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The largest single ex gratia payment made in relation to claims under the Employment Rights Act 1996 in(a) 1996 was £3,210, and in (b) 1997 was £6,777.

  Manufacturing Exports
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to assist manufacturers to increase the volume of British goods exported to foreign countries. [46600]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 23 June 1998]: The full range of Overseas Trade Services is available to help UK companies sell goods and services overseas.

  Following the Export Forum's report last November, these are being improved and extended. A National Exporters Database will be introduced on 1 July and a new Export Sales Leads Service on 1 September. A new simpler system of Support for Exhibitions and Seminars abroad will apply to events opening after 1 April 1999.

  New programmes of activity in some of the target markets identified by the Export Forum have already been announced, including the Export Explorer for Western Europe. New programmes in the remaining target markets will be launched throughout the year.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to promote private investment in British manufacturing industry. [46599]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 23 June 1998]: The Government are striving to promote high levels of investment in British industry, including manufacturing, through achieving economic stability, and creating a tax system that rewards enterprise. The Chancellor also recently announced three new venture capital funds totalling £240 million to support small and medium businesses, and this Department is working in partnership with business to raise the competitiveness of our firms, including looking at what else can be done to promote investment.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations she held with(a) environment pressure groups, (b) local authority interest groups, (c) academic experts and (d) the Socialist Environment and Resources Association prior to her decision on the phased closure of Dounreay. [45774]
  49
  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 17 June 1998]: My Department regularly receives and welcomes views from interested groups and individuals on a range of issues. In addition, I recently addressed the Socialist Environment and Resources Association. Nothing is more important than safety in all operations on nuclear licensed sites. Within this overriding requirement, the particular decision to accept no new commercial reprocessing at Dounreay was taken on economic grounds after considering the recommendation from the UKAEA.

  Pharmaceutical Industry
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the Irish Development Agency on the number of pharmaceutical companies leaving the United Kingdom to locate in the Republic of Ireland. [47817]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The factors which cause a company to leave a particular market are often complex and go beyond simply the efforts or effect of an investment body in another market.

  I am unaware of any significant number of pharmaceutical companies leaving the UK to locate in the Republic of Ireland, although there have been instances of companies locating new investment projects or switching certain production there. This is a matter for their commercial judgment. However, the UK remains at the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry having the world's fifth largest industry by sales. But we are not complacent: both my Department and the Department of Health are working with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to ensure that we retain our prominent position.

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance her Department has given to the expansion of biotech companies in the last year. [47816]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department is committed to getting the climate right for the development of the UK's biotechnology sector. We support technology transfer through, for example, LINK, EUREKA, and SMART, and specific Biotechnology Challenges, to encourage the start-up and growth of new companies.

  This assistance is complemented by support for the sector by other Government Departments and by the Research Councils.

  Car Prices
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the latest figures for average retail prices for new cars sold in the(a) UK and (b) other European Union countries. [47411]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: The European Commission produces a six-monthly report on car prices across the European Union, comparing the prices in each Member State of the best-selling models. I have placed a copy of the latest report in the Library of the House. The Commission's figures can also be found on the Internet at http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg04/aid/en/car.htm.

  Lord Archer
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many copies were made of the DTI inspectors' report into the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare in respect of share dealing; and if she will list the holders and locations of these copies. [47603]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The inspectors appointed to investigate dealings in the shares of Anglia Television Group Plc delivered 20 copies of the report to the Secretary of State in July 1994. No further copies have been made in the Department. All 20 copies are still held within the Department, other than copies disclosed to the Stock Exchange and the Securities and Futures Authority.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many persons were interviewed by her Department's inspectors in connection with the investigation into the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare in respect of share dealing. [47703]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The inspectors conducted formal interviews with 22 witnesses in the course of their investigation in 1994 into dealings in the shares of Anglia Television Group Plc. Not all these interviews related to Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the DTI inspectors' report into the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare in respect of share dealing. [47602]

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

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many hours were spent by her inspectors in the investigation into the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare in respect of share dealing. [47867]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The information is not held in this form. As mentioned in an earlier answer, two independent inspectors were appointed under S.177 of the Financial Services Act 1986 to investigate dealings in the securities of Anglia Television Group Plc between 10 January and 21 January 1994. Their fees and disbursements amounted to about £215,000 (including VAT).

  The investigation dealt with a wider range of matters than Lord Archer's dealing and accordingly the amount related thereto is not separately calculable.

  European Working Hours Directive
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the European Working Hours Directive on retirement home managers who are required to be on call for 24 hours per day. [47453]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The consultation document on proposals to implement the EC Working Time Directive, issued in April 1998, contained an appraisal of the costs and benefits of these measures for workers and employers. A copy of this document is available in the Library of the House. No appraisal has been undertaken by my Department of the specific impact on retirement home managers.

  Director General of Fair Trading
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she intends to publish the report by the Director General of Fair Trading for 1997. [45365]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The 24th Annual Report by the Director General of Fair Trading has been published today. It covers the period from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1997. Copies of the Report have been laid before Parliament.

  Post Office
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action(a) the Government and (b) the Post Office will have to take to comply with the proposed EU Postal Directive. [47548]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: The Government must transpose the Directive into UK law by February 1999. We shall need to modify the monopoly and introduce some other amendments. We expect to do this through secondary legislation, using the European Communities Act 1972. The final proposals will be announced later this year.

  The Post Office is fully committed to complying with the Directive and is discussing with officials at the Department the precise arrangements which will be necessary.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many proposals for foreign acquisition and joint ventures by the Post Office since May 1997(a) have been turned down and (b) are awaiting an answer from her Department. [47518]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: None.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to include accommodation and meals in calculation of employees' earnings for the purpose of the minimum wage. [47526]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: We have accepted the Low Pay Commission's recommendation that, with the exception of accommodation, benefits should be excluded from the calculation of employees' earnings for the purpose of the national minimum wage.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the impact on employment of the proposed minimum wage, assuming(a) half restoration of differentials, (b) three-quarters restoration of differentials and (c) full restoration of differentials. [47562]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: The Government share the Low Pay Commission's view that a national minimum wage set at the level proposed should not lead to a significant impact on employment, and any pressure to restore pay differentials will be limited and localised.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the definition of a trainee for the purposes of exemption from the minimum wage. [47521]
  52
  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: All those on formal apprenticeships will be exempt from the national minimum wage. The criteria for defining who is affected will be set out in the Regulations implementing the National Minimum Wage Bill.

  Coal Mining
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the change in employment in coal mining which would result from licensing an additional 1,000 MW of gas-fired electricity generating capacity. [47525]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: An additional 1,000 MW of gas-fired electricity generating capacity could displace approximately 2.5 million tonnes of coal a year. The precise impact would depend on the extent to which both the new gas station and existing coal stations operated which, in turn, would be affected by the relative prices of coal and gas. The impact on employment in coal mining in the UK would depend on where generators whose electricity was displaced would have bought their coal.

  Research Councils
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what systems are in use to evaluate the quality of research material produced using funding from the research councils. [46838]

  Mr. Battle
  The Research Councils operate a range of systems to evaluate the quality of research that they fund, commensurate with the aims of the research and level of funding.

  At the individual project grant level, the Research Councils operate a system of peer review and grading of final scientific reports. In addition, project grants which result in publication in a scientific journal are automatically peer reviewed by the wider scientific community.

  At the programme level (groups of projects in a related area), projects are additionally reviewed together and the added value of the combined research assessed by peer review.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences were granted to British exporters in the twelve month periods(a) before 2 May 1997 and (b) after 2 May 1997. [47567]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: Statistics on decisions on export licences issued and refused for the second half of 1996 were placed in the Library of the House on 25 March 1998. Such statistics for the period 1 January to 1 May 1997 will be placed in the Library of the House soon. The Government are committed to report annually on the state of strategic export controls and their application since 2 May 1997, and I refer to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on 12 May 1998, Official Report, column 110.
  53
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the effect of the EU Code on Arms Exports on her Department's issue of export licences to British companies. [47568]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: Licences to export arms and other goods where export is controlled for strategic reasons are issued by the President of the Board of Trade, and the Export Control Organisation of the Department of Trade & Industry is the licensing authority. All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by the DTI to other Government Departments with an interest, as determined by them in line with their policy responsibilities. These include the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence, and the Department for International Development. The EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports was formally adopted by the General Affairs Council on 8 June. Its provisions will be taken into account in export licensing decisions, as well as the export licence assessment criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 26–29. Under the Code, each Member State will circulate in confidence an annual report on its defence exports and on its implementation of the Code. Member States will discuss these reports and review the Code's operation.

  BNFL
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the potential impact on United Kingdom public funds of British Nuclear Fuels' proposed joint purchase with the Morris Knudsen Engineering Company of the nuclear operations of Westinghouse Inc. [47881]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government and British Nuclear Fuels Plc. are agreed that the costs of the acquisition of Westinghouse will be met within BNFL's External Financing Limit and without affecting the Government's public expenditure targets.

  De Ia Rue, Gateshead
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of grants of selective assistance and other regional incentives awarded to De la Rue Gateshead in the last four years; and if the terms of the grants for machinery allow for the transfer of equipment outside the United Kingdom. [47734]

  Mrs. Roche
  The company received an offer of Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) of £900,000 in May 1996 towards capital investment at its Gateshead premises. The Department has made no other offers of assistance for this site in the past four years.

  The RSA offer provides for the recovery of grant should the company cease to use any of the assisted machinery at Gateshead.

  Midland Bluebird Bus Company
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when a decision will be announced on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's ruling on First Choice having to sell Midland Bluebird bus company. [47549]
  54
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on the acquisition by FirstBus Plc. of SB Holdings Ltd. was published on 21 January 1997. In line with the MMC's recommendations and the Director General of Fair Trading's advice, the then Minister for Corporate and Consumer Affairs, the hon. Member for Solihull (Mr. Taylor), announced that FirstBus should be required to divest its subsidiary Midland Bluebird plus part of the Glasgow operations of SB Holdings.

  FirstBus subsequently requested a review of the decision on the grounds that there had been important new developments in the Glasgow bus market since the MMC's report was published. I asked the DGFT for his advice, which he has given.

  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will announce her decision on FirstBus's request as quickly as is practicable.

  Volvo Bus, Irvine
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what grants were given to Volvo Bus Corporation at the time of its relocation to Irvine; what assistance was received from the New Towns Commission; and if she will make a statement on its proposed relocation to Poland. [47737]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Volvo's operations at Irvine commenced in 1974 when the company acquired the facility from Ailsa Trucks Limited. No records are available on the financial assistance, if any, offered to Volvo at that time.

  We are obviously disappointed that the company's restructuring of its European industrial operations is likely to lead to job losses at Irvine in the medium term. However, inward investors are subject to exactly the same pressures as indigenous companies in today's global economy and occasional setbacks are unfortunately inevitable as competition intensifies and markets evolve.

  It is important to stress that Volvo will remain an important contributor to the Ayrshire economy and my officials are in close contact with the company to discuss how the impact of the restructuring plans on the Irvine plant can be minimised.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

  Housing Association Audits
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what discussions he has had with the Comptroller and Auditor General concerning the audit of housing associations. [46355]

  Mr. Sheldon
  I meet regularly with the Comptroller and Auditor General to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the work of the National Audit Office. The Comptroller and Auditor General does not have the power to provide systematic assurance to Parliament that some £1.2 billion of public money spent annually by the social housing sector has been spent with due regard for issues of regularity, propriety, and value for money.
  55
  The fact that the National Audit Office has no rights of access to the records of housing associations represents a serious gap in accountability for public funds. One straightforward solution would be to require the Comptroller and Auditor General's access to be a condition of all grants to voluntary housing bodies.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Public Registers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will list the public registers which the Commissioners have responsibility for. [47361]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  None.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  2006 World Cup
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the prospects for England hosting the 2006 world cup finals. [46324]

  Mr. Banks
  I believe that the FA's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup is an excellent one and stands a very good chance of success.

  National Lottery (Community Projects)
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to meet community groups to discuss national lottery funding for local community projects; and if he will make a statement. [46325]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I and my fellow Ministers have regular contact with community groups. The National Lottery Bill, which will soon be an Act, will help to ensure that more Lottery money goes to small scale projects in local communities.

  English Tourist Board
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will change the level of Government funding for the English tourist board to bring it in line with the average per capita allocations provided to(a) Scottish, (b) Welsh and (c) Northern Ireland tourist boards. [46326]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The Comprehensive Spending Review means that we are looking critically at how to make the best possible use of public money, by the Department and by its sponsored bodies. No final decisions about future funding have yet been made.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on promoting film production at a European level. [46328]
  56
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  During the UK Presidency of the European Union, the Government successfully hosted a major European Audiovisual Conference whose recommendations for promoting the European film industry are now being taken forward by the Commission and the Council. My department also promotes European film production through co-production agreements and through the £2 million European Co-production Fund.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals he has to promote the British film industry. [46327]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friend to "A Bigger Picture", the report of the Film Policy Review Committee issued on 25 March, which sets out a comprehensive action plan for an industry-Government partnership to promote the British film industry.

  Tourism
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from the tourism and hospitality industry on the Government's policies towards the industry. [46329]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I receive a wide range of representations from the tourism industry. Many of them come from members of the Tourism Forum and its working groups, with whom we are developing a strategy to maximise the benefits to the nation which tourism can bring.

  NESTA
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the ways in which National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts will help young inventors. [46330]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The means by which NESTA is to achieve its objects are set out in the National Lottery Bill currently before Parliament. NESTA will help talented people in the fields of science, technology and the arts achieve their full potential; it will help people turn inventions and ideas into products or services which can be exploited in the market place, and NESTA will contribute to public knowledge of science, technology and the arts. Programmes under all these headings could help young inventors but it will be for NESTA's Chair and Trustees to decide which particular programmes to run.

  Creative Arts (Liverpool)
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to support the creative arts in Liverpool. [46331]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Central Government funding for the arts is channelled through the Arts Council and the Regional Arts Boards. Liverpool received 27 per cent. of North West Arts funds for 1997/98, some £2.5 million. Organisations based in Liverpool also received around £1.5 million directly from the Arts Council for this period. The city has received £16.2 million in Lottery awards to the arts to date.

  EU Audiovisual Conference
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent EU audiovisual conference in Birmingham. [46332]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  This conference was my Department's major EU Presidency initiative. It has been widely welcomed by the various sectors of the European audiovisual industry. A number of constructive and innovative ideas were identified in areas ranging from future employment, copyright and regulatory regimes, to European support for the audiovisual industries. These should help position the industry to take advantage of the opportunities opening up with the development of digital technology, and inform future thinking in Member States and the European Commission. Copies of the final conference report, when available, will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  New Opportunities Fund
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the board of the New Opportunities Fund will begin work. [46333]

  Mr. Banks
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects to announce some appointments, including Chair, to the Board of the New Opportunities Fund when the National Lottery Bill receives Royal Assent on 2 July. I expect the Board to start work soon after.

  National Lottery (Unclaimed Prizes)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the total sum of unclaimed prizes in the national lottery; and what is the largest individual sum. [46334]

  Mr. Banks
  To date, just over £223 million in prize money has been unclaimed. The largest single unclaimed prize was just over £2 million. After 180 days prizes still unclaimed are paid to the good causes.

  Independent Television Franchises
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to change the basis for determining the amounts paid for independent television franchises. [46335]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government have no plans to change the current arrangements for Exchequer payments made by Channel 3 and Channel 5 licensees under the Broadcasting Act 1990.

  Channel 4
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received concerning Channel 4; and if he will make a statement. [46336]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have received no such representations. Channel Four is a central element in the Government's vision for the broadcasting industry in the digital future. We expect it to continue to play a vital role in providing distinctive and innovative public service programming of high quality.

  Museum Admission Charges
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on admission charges to national museums. [46337]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The March Budget settlement included £2 million to maintain free admission at the currently non-charging national museums and galleries. At the same time, the Heritage Lottery Fund announced a £7 million Access Fund, available to all museums and galleries for new access initiatives. I will make a further announcement next month.

  Creative Industries
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the conclusions of the mapping exercise on the creative industries. [46338]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  We are currently finalising the mapping exercise and will publish it as soon as possible.

  Digital Terrestrial Television
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the introduction of digital terrestrial television. [46339]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I look forward to the successful launch of digital terrestrial services alongside digital services on cable and satellite later this year. Digital television will increase consumer choice and deliver the benefits of the information age to our living rooms.

  Football Merchandise
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations the football task force has received on the prices of football merchandise. [46340]

  Mr. Banks
  The Football Task Force has received a number of representations on the cost of football merchandise. The remit of the Task Force specifically includes the investigation of marketing policies in football. The Task Force will be taking further representations from interested parties and is due to publish its report on all the commercial aspects of the game by the end of the year.

  Concessionary Television Licences
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his proposals for the reduction of television licence fees for pensioners. [47560]

  Mr. Fisher
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: The Government's current Agreement with the BBC provides for a review of the arrangements for funding the Corporation after March 2002. We shall conduct that review in good time to allow decisions to be taken before then. The review will include a detailed consideration of the question of concessions, both for pensioners and others.

  Ancient Monuments Laboratory
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many representations English Heritage has received(a) in favour of and (b) against its proposal to move its Ancient Monuments Laboratory to Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth; [47396]

  (2) what estimate has been made by English Heritage of the cost of providing Library and other facilities in order to establish a centre of excellence if it relocates its Ancient Monuments Laboratory to Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth; [47400]

  (3) how many people visited English Heritage's (a) Ancient Monuments Laboratory in London and (b) Central Archaeological Service in Portsmouth in the most recent year for which figures are available; [47398]

  (4) what effect the proposed relocation of English Heritage's Ancient Monuments Laboratory will have on the amount of money in English Heritage's archaeology grants budget available for distribution in 1998–99 and 1999–2000; [47397]

  (5) what information has been collected by English Heritage about the proportion of the professional staff in its Ancient Monuments Laboratory who would (a) be happy to relocate and (b) seek alternative employment in the event that the laboratory is relocated to each of the alternative locations considered in recent months; [47401]

  (6) if English Heritage intends to consult the people and organisations which use the services of its Ancient Monuments Laboratory about its proposal to move the laboratory to Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth; [47395]

  (7) which places were considered by English Heritage as possible future locations for its Ancient Monuments Laboratory; and in respect of each of these places what is the estimated (a) capital value plus conversion cost of the premises,(b) cost of relocating staff, (c) cost of capital equipment for the new laboratory, (d) annual running cost of the new laboratory and (e) annual cost of and time used for official travel by the laboratory's staff. [47399]

  Mr. Banks
  These detailed questions about the relocation of English Heritage's Ancient Monuments Laboratory relate to internal management proposals under consideration by English Heritage's Commissioners about the most efficient and effective deployment of resources to fulfil its archaeological responsibilities. These questions are therefore more appropriately answered by English Heritage itself, and I have asked its Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend. I will ensure that copies are placed in the Libraries of the House. Should English Heritage wish to pursue relocation, my Department would of course consider its business plan.

  HMS Cavalier
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Heritage Lottery Fund regarding the future of HMS Cavalier. [47112]

  Mr. Banks
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Minister for Arts and I have not had any discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund about the future of HMS Cavalier. However, we are aware of her status as the last surviving Second World War 60
  destroyer and of the case for her preservation. These issues were considered in detail during the recent Culture, Media and Sport Committee inquiry into the future of the ship. In this regard, we were pleased to hear of the National Heritage Memorial Fund award to Medway Council, in association with Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, of £37,575 for a feasibility study of the case for preservation and relocation.

  National Swim Week
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what initiatives the Government took to promote National Swim Week on 17 to 31 May. [47218]

  Mr. Banks
  Swimming has my full support, as it is one our healthiest recreational pursuits. I was therefore pleased to see the National Swim Week introduced throughout the country, as it gave youngsters an excellent opportunity to participate in the sport and helped to raise important funds for Cancer Relief.

  Rugby League World Cup
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to host the Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom. [47605]

  Mr. Banks
  The Government are committed to work to bring major international sporting events to Britain and, through the English and UK Sports Councils, we fully support the efforts being taken by the Rugby Football League to stage the Rugby League World Cup at the earliest possible date. I understand that the RFL is due to present a draft eight-year programme of international competition, which includes a proposed four-year World Cup cycle, to the next meeting of the Rugby Football League's International Board later this year.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on progress in the upgrading of Wembley Stadium; and if he will name the alternative national stadium to be used during upgrading work at Wembley. [47606]

  Mr. Banks
  It is still early days, but I am very pleased with the progress to date, and in particular the way the English Sports Council, the Football Association and the English National Stadium Trust are working productively together in developing a new stadium of which the nation can be proud. The aim is for the current stadium to be demolished after the 1999 FA Cup Final, and for the new stadium to be completed by 2002. Decisions on alternative venues for events during construction of the new stadium are entirely matters for the governing bodies concerned.

  National Lottery (Wales)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of projects allocated Heritage Lottery funding within Wales to date were unable to raise matching funding; and what is the total amount of resulting unclaimed funds. [47393]
  61
  Mr. Banks
  The Heritage Lottery Fund is not aware of any projects in Wales which have been awarded grants but for which the required partnership funding has not been raised. There are therefore no resulting unclaimed funds.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of the Lottery funds allocated for Heritage projects has been spent in(a) Wales and (b) North Wales. [47392]

  Mr. Banks
  To date, the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £1.01 billion to 1,862 projects. Of this, Wales has received £23.27 million (2.3 per cent.) and North Wales has received £8.74 million (0.1 per cent.). Information on National Lottery awards is now available on the Departments website. www.lottery, culture.gov.uk.

WALES

  Local Authority Funding
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the pilot schemes announced since 1 May 1997 by his Department that involve local authorities in a lead or partnership capacity; if he will list each of the local authorities involved in each case; and what revenue and capital funding each local authority will receive through the pilot in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000 and (iv) 2000–01. [46053]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: The following are amongst the larger pilot schemes for which the Welsh Office is responsible.

  Best Value

  On 4 December 1997, I announced that 21 authorities, one police authority, and one combined authority had been chosen to test the best value framework in Wales in advance of the introduction of the Government's best value policy. No additional funding is being provided. These authorities were:

  Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

  Bridgend County Borough Council

  Caerphilly County Borough Council

  City and County of Cardiff

  Carmarthenshire County Council

  Ceredigion County Council

  Conwy County Borough Council

  Denbighshire County Council

  Flintshire County Council

  Gwynedd Council

  Twins

  Triplets

  Quadruplets

  Quintuplets

  Sextuplets

  All maternities

  1990

  397

  11

  1

  0

  0

  38,264

  1991

  416

  6

  0

  1

  0

  37,824

  1992

  423

  8

  0

  0

  0

  37,237

  1993

  399

  8

  1

  0

  0

  36,375

  1994

  431

  11

  0

  0

  0

  35,122

  1995

  417

  14

  1

  0

  0

  34,204

  1996

  436

  12

  1

  0

  0

  34,603

  1997

  484

  14

  3

  0

  0

  34,159

  62

  Isle of Anglesey County Council

  Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

  Monmouthshire County Council

  Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

  Newport County Borough Council

  Pembrokeshire County Council

  Powys County Council

  City and County of Swansea

  Torfaen County Borough Council

  The Vale of Glamorgan Council

  Wrexham County Borough Council

  Mid and West Wales Fire Authority

  South Wales Police Authority

  Social Exclusion

  I announced on 1 May this year a Social Exclusion Programme for Wales which will feature up to 10 pilot projects consisting of small communities within different local authority areas. The participating authorities have not yet been chosen. £750,000 is available in 1998–99 for a mix of revenue and capital expenditure.

  PFI Pathfinders

  In June 1997, we announced support for 6 "pathfinder" PFI projects proposed by local authorities in Wales. The authorities were:

  Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

  Ceredigion County Council

  Denbighshire County Council

  Newport County Borough Council

  Pembrokeshire County Council

  Wrexham County Borough Council

  The project at Blaenau Gwent was subsequently withdrawn. Each authority has been offered assistance of up to £75,000 during 1997–98 and 1998–99 to help meet the costs of engaging professional advice to help bring these projects forward.

  Multiple Births
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many sets of(a) twins, (b) triplets, (c) quadruplets, (d) quintuplets and (e) sextuplets were born in Wales in each year from 1990 to 1997; what was the total number of maternities in each year; and how many multiple births of each type in each year were conceived as a result of (i) in-vitro fertilisation, (ii) gamete intra-fallopian transfer and (iii) other forms of assisted conception. [46928]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The available information on multiple maternities to Welsh residents recorded by the Office for National Statistics is as follows:
  63
  The only information on assisted conceptions leading to multiple births available from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority relates to those treated at licensed clinics in Wales rather than Welsh residents treated. The latest verified data, covering treatments in the period from 1 August 1991 (the start of the HFEA register) to 31 March 1996, record 42 multiple births.

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [47014]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The Welsh Office supports the mainstreaming initiative recently launched by the Ministers for Women, which will address the gender perspective in policy making. The Government of Wales Bill gives the National Assembly for Wales a duty to take the principle of equality of opportunity for all into account in exercising its functions and to report annually on how it has done so.

  Action Zones
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1 May 1997 which have involved the establishment of(a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. [47058]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  On 1 May this year, I announced a Social Exclusion Programme for Wales which will feature at least six, and up to ten, "demonstration projects" across Wales consisting of small communities within different local authority areas. The actual communities have not yet been selected. The total funding available for 1998–99 for this Programme is £750,000, which can be used for revenue or capital expenditure.

  On 7 November 1997, I announced the creation of three NHS locality commissioning pilot schemes in the Blaenau Gwent, Taff Ely and Teifi Valley areas. The purpose of the initiative is to explore and evaluate alternative models of locality commissioning of health services; to identify robust and viable mechanisms for a primary-care-focused commissioning function; and to increase the degree to which groups of GPs and other primary care professionals, working with local government and others, are involved in commissioning health services for their patients. The lessons may inform the process of implementing the NHS Wales White Paper "Putting Patients First".

  In July 1997, an additional £250,000 was provided for the continuation of the Welsh Office £3 million dental initiative, first launched in 1995, which has enabled Health Authorities to offer unprecedented levels of grant
  64
  (up to £50,000 in some areas) to attract new dentists into those parts of Wales where they are most needed and for the expansion of the Community Dental Service.

  Optec DD Factory
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for finding a new tenant for the previous Optec DD factory in Drury, near Buckley, Flintshire. [47417]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to him on 25 March 1998,Official Report, column 172, and 20 May 1998, Official Report, column 417.

  I understand that the owner of the premises has instructed agents to market the property with a view to finding a new occupier. The property has also been entered onto the Welsh Development Agency's North Wales property database and, if appropriate, is being put forward for any projects by potential inward investors or indigenous companies.

  Child Care
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list those(a) individuals and (b) organisations who have made representations to him on child care; and if he will make a statement; [47421]

  (2) when he proposes to announce his new proposals for child care; and if he will make a statement. [47420]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I launched our Green Paper, "The National Childcare Strategy for Wales", on Monday 22 June.

  Since I announced the Strategy last November, we have received representations on child care, either directly or through hon. Members from: (a) several individuals; (b) the following organisations: Chwarae Teg; Confederation of British Industry; Clybiau Plant Cymru; Kids' Clubs Network; Equal Opportunities Commission; Daycare Trust; Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association; Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin; Professional Association of Nursery Nurses; Vale of Clwyd Labour Party; Highway Methodist Playgroup; The Nursery, Nelson; and from my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Ms Morgan).

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how the funding allocated to Wales for the Welsh child care strategy will be divided up; and who will be responsible for allocating the money to the different sectors. [47844]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The consultation document on the National Childcare Strategy for Wales (Cmnd 3974), which I launched on 22 June, set out in full our proposals, which include funding of over £2.5 million in 1998–99. This will support a range of immediate priorities and will assist in the establishment of child care partnerships in each local authority in Wales. Work is now under way by
  65
  the Welsh Office to determine the specific allocations for local authorities and other agencies within the broad framework set out in the Strategy, and I hope to make a further announcement as soon as possible.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his Department's role in(a) the setting of the level of the minimum wage and (b) its administration; and if he will make a statement. [47418]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government have accepted the Low Pay Commission's recommendations on the national minimum wage and the minimum wage will be implemented in April 1999. The Department will continue to play a full part in the decisions surrounding the national minimum wage and its administration.

  Putting in place the national minimum wage is a key manifesto commitment, which, along with other measures such as the Working Families Tax Credit, and the tax benefits reform, forms part of the Government's strategy to promote work incentives and to "make work pay". It will remove the worst cases of exploitation in the workplace, which have no place in modern Britain/Wales.

  River Dee Bridge
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of the impact of the opening of the new River Dee bridge upon the Garden City, Queensferry, Shotton and Connah's Quay communities with specific reference to(a) the percentage decrease in traffic, (b) pedestrian safety and (c) levels of pollution; and if he will make a statement. [47423]

  Mr. Hain
  These are matters for Flintshire County Council who are responsible for this scheme.

  Development Assistance
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for the restoration of full development area status to North East Wales; and if he will make a statement. [47906]

  Mr. Hain
  The European Commission has recently published new guidelines affecting the designation of Assisted Areas. The Commission has asked all Member States to submit, for their approval, new maps of Assisted Areas to take effect by 1 January 2000. A Review of the current Assisted Areas map will be announced shortly. The public will be consulted.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of those aged(a) under 21, (b) 21 to 24 and (c) over 25 years and over, registered in Wales, applied through UCAS for admission to a course of higher education for the (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997 and (v) 1998 entry cycles; what were the numbers of the population in Wales aged (a) to (c) for (i) to (v); and what was the proportion of those applying as a percentage of the appropriate population cohort. [47265]
  66
  Mr. Hain
  The information is given in the following tables.

  Welsh domiciled students applying through UCAS for higher education courses

  Year

  Under 212

  21 to 24

  Age1 25 and over

  1994

  13,458

  1,904

  2,413

  1995

  13,010

  1,845

  2,474

  1996

  13,324

  1,664

  2,548

  1997

  14,532

  1,823

  2,558

  19983

  13,860

  1,157

  1,574

  1 At 30 September in year of entry

  2 Records relate to only those aged 17 to 20 (inclusive)

  3 Data incomplete. Only forms processed by UCAS up until 16 May 1998 are included

  Population in Wales, by age group1

  Year

  Under 213

  21 to 24

  Age2 25 and over

  1994

  105,700

  158,800

  1,976,500

  1995

  101,300

  153,400

  1,987,600

  1996

  98,300

  145,700

  2,000,200

  1997

  102,800

  138,400

  2,009,800

  1998

  110,700

  132,600

  2,016,100

  1Figures for 1994 to 1996 are the Office for National Statistics' mid year estimates

  2At 30 June each year

  3Population ages 18 to 20 (inclusive)

  Estimated proportions of population applying through UCAS for higher education courses

  Year

  Under 212

  21 to 24

  Age1 25 and over

  1994

  12.7

  1.2

  0.1

  1995

  12.8

  1.2

  0.1

  1996

  13.6

  1.1

  0.1

  1997

  14.1

  1.3

  0.1

  1998

  12.5

  0.9

  0.1

  1Estimates do not account for the fact that the age of UCAS applicants relates to 30 September and the ages for the population relate to 30 June

  2Calculated using population aged 18 to 20

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Exhibitions
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what plans he has to transport the millennium exhibitions throughout the United Kingdom. [46343]

  Mr. Mandelson
  It is too early for final decisions to be made about the future of individual exhibits beyond the year 2000, but there will be a substantial and diverse legacy from the Millennium Experience, and we hope that it might be possible for elements of the exhibits to be displayed elsewhere after 2000.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of the millennium dome. [46347]
  67
  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has worked to ensure that environmental concerns properly inform the decision making process for both the construction and the operation of the Millennium Experience at Greenwich, while recognising the time and financial constraints under which the project operates. Amongst other things, the Company's environmental plan, which is being developed in consultation with the London Borough of Greenwich, is issued to all tenderers and trade contractors.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how many jobs he estimates will be created in the course of constructing the Dome at Greenwich. [46341]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Dome is expected to create over 2,000 jobs during construction, on and off the site. A further 5,000 people will be employed in running the Millennium Experience during the Year 2000.

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how much public money he estimates will be spent on the millennium experience between now and the staging of the event. [46349]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Millennium Experience is not being funded through taxation. The cost is being met roughly half by a National Lottery grant of £399m from the Millennium Commission, and the other half by private sector sponsorship and other commercial income including visitor revenue. To date, £104.5m of the £399m grant has been spent.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what assessment he has made of the economic impact of the millennium experience on the local economy. [46350]

  Mr. Mandelson
  An economic impact assessment was carried out as part of the planning application process for the Dome in October 1996. This study estimated that 10,000 jobs would be created as a result of the Millennium Experience, 2,000 on construction, 5,000 during the operation and a further 3,000 as a result of the effects on supplier companies and the effects of spending by an increased level of visitors in the area.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EU Funds
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) organisations and (b) projects which received funding under budget lines A-3024 and A-3104 for 1997. [46071]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  EU budget lines A-3024 and A-3104 did not exist in 1997—the activities funded under these lines in 1998 came under budget line A-3030 last year. Details of individual grants made under A-3030 are contained in the Commission's "Report on Beneficiaries of Community Grants 1997", a copy of which I will place in the Libraries of the House.

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Government on the imprisonment of members of the Turkish National Assembly. [46516]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Our Embassy in Ankara has on several occasions raised the issue of the imprisonment of former Democracy Party members of the Grant National Assembly in its contacts with the Turkish government, and will continue to do so.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the(a) number, (b) grades, (c) originating department and (d) current roles of all civil servants assisting the Legg Inquiry. [47229]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Secretariat comprises six staff: a grade 6 officer from the Home Office (the Secretary); a grade 7 officer from the Lord Chancellor's Department (the Deputy Secretary); an executive officer; an administrative officer; and two personal secretaries, all from the Home Office.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the recent resolution from the Organisation of African Unity relating to Lockerbie; and if he will make a statement. [47574]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The authority of United Nations Security Council resolutions must be upheld. With the Governments of France and the United States, we have expressed concern to member states of the OAU at the recent resolution, and have called on them to fulfil their obligations under the United Nations Charter.

  European Policy
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the strategy meetings which have taken place at Downing Street since 11 May to discuss policy towards the European Union to which he or Ministers in his Department were invited; [47555]

  (2) if it is the practice for him to attend discussions of European policy at Downing Street. [47554]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Ministerial directions he has issued relating to the issue of export licences for the sale of British manufactured goods to Argentina since 2 May 1997. [47569]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: There have been no such ministerial directions since 2 May 1997. We continue to consider export licence applications for Argentina in line with the criteria

  69
  announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 26–29, and the Government's announcement of 3 April 1982, Official Report, column 638, which was reported by Mr. John Biffen, the then Secretary of State for Trade, on 5 April 1982, Official Report, columns 688–90.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) additions and (b) withdrawals since 2 May 1997 to the list of countries to which his Department will not grant an export licence for the sale of British defence equipment. [47828]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  A summary of Government commitments regarding the application of strategic export controls, which includes all arms embargoes observed by the UK, has been laid in the Library. As noted in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. King) on 28 January 1998,Official Report, columns 273–74, an updated version of the summary will be laid in the Library annually (or more frequently if policy changes require a revision).

  Licence applications for the export of conventional arms to all countries are considered on a case by case basis against the arms export criteria announced by right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 26–29, and the European Code of Conduct on Arms Exports adopted by the General Affairs Council on 8 June 1998.

  Ramsgate-Ostend Ferries
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to seek to enforce EU Treaty obligations under Articles 90 and 86 and to secure the right for ferry passengers from Ramsgate to land freely in Ostend; and if he will make a statement. [47717]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The British Embassy in Belgium are pressing the Belgian authorities to take action to enable the Sally Direct passenger ferry service from Ramsgate to Ostend to commence as soon as possible. Whether the company has any remedies under the competition or other provisions of Community law is a matter for it and its advisers.

  Drugs Trade
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to combat the drugs trade in Central Asia. [47326]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The UK EU Presidency has co-ordinated Commission and Member State activity under the EU Central Asia Drugs Initiative, established in response to an Anglo-French proposal. We have participated in, and given practical support to, EU project design missions.

  Since 1995, the UK has provided £1.14 million for the UNDCP Central Asia programme. There will also be over £150,000 of drugs-related bilateral assistance to the region in 1998.

  Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [47330]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We continue to have concerns over the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As head of an EU Ministerial Troika, I met President Kabila on 4 June. I welcomed President Kabila's assurances that his Government wish to promote and protect human rights, but made clear the extent of concern within the EU over a number of specific human rights issues.

  South China Sea
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea. [47383]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei claim specific parts of the South China Sea, while China, Taiwan and Vietnam claim all of its islands, islets and reefs.

  The South China Sea is regularly discussed at meetings under the auspices of the ASEAN Regional Forum and in a series of Indonesian-initiated regional workshops.

  The UK takes no position on respective claims, but hopes disputes can be resolved peacefully.

  Cuba
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Cuba to respect human rights and the conduct of elections. [47386]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  When my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State meets visiting Cuban Government Ministers and the Cuban Ambassador, she raises political reform and human rights among other issues, in line with the EU Common Position on Cuba. She will do so again when she meets the Cuban Vice Foreign Minister, Isabel Allende, in London on 29 June. Our Embassy in Havana regularly raise these issues with the Cuban Government.

  Pakistan
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of disclosure by Loral Space and Communications of information relating to the performance of Long March Rocheli on Pakistan's capability to deliver nuclear warheads. [47790]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The issues surrounding the disclosure by Loral Space, and others, of a report on Space Launch Vehicles to the Chinese is currently the subject of an investigation by the US Justice Department. It would not, therefore, be proper for us to comment on this investigation. We consider, however, that any information on Space Launch Vehicles which may have been passed to the Chinese would not immediately enhance Pakistan's current capability to deliver nuclear weapons.

  Togo
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conduct of the election in Togo. [47328]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are deeply concerned about the conduct of the Presidential elections in Togo. In particular, we deplore the many irregularities with the electoral process: unequal access to the media, problems with the voter list and polling cards, the suspension of the count, the confiscation of ballot boxes by the military, the resignation of the head of the national electoral commission, and the harassment of election monitors.

  The UK as Presidency of the European Union issued a declaration on 26 June expressing these concerns and urging all parties involved to refrain from violence.

  Africa (Embassy Services)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is provided by British embassies to businesses wishing to work in Francophone Africa. [47332]

  Mr. Fatchett
  British Embassies assist businesses wishing to work in Francophone Africa by providing information on overseas markets and finding local business contacts. They also help to promote products and services, give political and economic briefings, and assist British companies that wish to participate in trade fairs and missions. For instance, the British Embassy in Cote d'Ivoire and the DTI organised a trade fair and financial conference on 2–7 March this year. This was the largest UK trade promotion event in tropical Francophone Africa in the last ten years.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is provided by British high commissions to businesses wishing to work in Anglophone Africa. [47331]

  Mr. Fatchett
  British High Commissions assist businesses wishing to work in Anglophone Africa by providing information on overseas markets and finding local business contacts. They also help to promote products and services, give political and economic briefings, and assist British companies who wish to participate in trade fairs and missions.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is provided by the High Commission in South Africa to British exporters and investors. [47334]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The British High Commission in South Africa provides a full range of overseas trade services to British exporters and investors. In addition, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, together with the South African Minister for Trade and Industry, launched on 27 May, a new three-year campaign—"Britain and South Africa—partners in opportunity". This will include developing a gateway website about South Africa for potential exporters, and a new search and matching process "Active Partners", to match small and medium-sized firms in the UK and South Africa. My hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry will also lead a trade and investment mission to South Africa from 27 to 29 July, and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will co-host with the 72
  South African Minister for Trade and Industry a "Partnership Week" in Johannesburg from 14 to 17 September 1998.

  Guinea Bissau
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the safety of British citizens in Guinea Bissau. [47325]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We broadcast several emergency messages via the BBC World Service urging Britons to leave Guinea Bissau and giving them advice about how best to do this. We believe that all British nationals who wished to leave Guinea Bissau have now done so.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the treatment of opposition parties by the Government in Guinea Bissau. [47327]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Guinea Bissau is a functioning multiparty democracy.

  Multiparty legislative elections were held for the first time in 1994. They were judged to be free and fair by international observers. There are 11 political parties registered in Guinea Bissau, including the ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), of which 6 have seats in parliament. An Electoral Commission in which all parties are represented was set up in march this year, in preparation for the next legislative elections due in November 1998.

  North Korea
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of North Korea to respect human rights and the conduct of elections. [47385]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The UK does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea and no ministerial talks have been held. The question of human rights violations in North Korea was raised at official-level talks held in November 1997. Earlier rounds had covered our concerns at the consequences of personality cults and a description of the British electoral system.

  The UK, as Presidency, also co-ordinated the EU's response to the DPRK's purported denunciation, which we cannot accept, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

  The DPRK has recently expressed an interest in political dialogue with the EU. We have replied that any talks would need to include the subject of human rights.

  Eritrea (British Embassy)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will remove responsibility for Eritrean affairs from the British Embassy in Addis Ababa. [47382]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The responsibility for Britain's foreign policy towards Eritrea remains with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. There are no plans to replace the British Embassy in Addis Ababa as the superintending mission for the British Consulate in Asmara.

  Iraq
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received relating to adverse health effects suffered by Iraqi people as a result of the use of depleted uranium shells to attack Iraq. [45759]

  Dr. Reid
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government are aware of a number of recent media reports which have suggested that there has been an increase in the incidence of ill-health, particularly cancers and birth defects, amongst the population in southern Iraq which some have attributed to the use of depleted uranium (DU) based ammunition by Coalition forces during the Gulf conflict. These suggestions were also raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Kelvin (Mr. Galloway) during an adjournment debate on the Middle East on 27 March 1998, Official Report, columns 872–76. A copy of the Government's response to my hon. Friend, setting out the Government's position on this matter, has already been placed in the Library of the House.

  More recently, on 24 May, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Mohammed Said Al-Sahaf, wrote to the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, claiming the right to compensation from the UK for damage allegedly caused by the use of DU-based ammunition by UK forces during the Gulf War. In this letter, Mr. Al-Sahaf attributed a reported increase in ill-health in Iraq to the use of DU-based ammunition.

  However, the letter contained no statistical information of any kind to substantiate these assertions. Since the Government have seen no epidemiological research data on the Iraqi population we therefore cannot comment on whether there may be an unusually high incidence of ill-health in southern Iraq. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the illnesses of the types listed in Mr. Al-Sahaf's letter—foetal malformations, bone deformities, hair loss, skin disease and child leukaemia—are uniquely associated with exposure to DU. We would of course consider carefully any medical or scientific data which was presented on this subject.

  The UK Government responded to Mr. Al-Sahaf's letter on 16 June, rebutting Iraq's claims, in a letter from the UK's Permanent Representative at the UN, Sir John Weston, to Mr. Annan. I am placing copies of the Iraqi letter and Sir John Weston's response in the Library of the House.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. [46828]

  Dr. David Clark
  The only committee of inquiry or review established within the last four years in the Office of Public Service and chaired by an individual outside my Department was (in the then Office of Public Service and 74
  Science) the Committee to Review the Contribution of Scientists and Engineers to the Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology, established in January 1995 and chaired by Sir Arnold Wolfendale FRS.

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. [47012]

  Dr. David Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Women on 24 June 1998,Official Report, column 557–58.

  "Opening Up Quangos"
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what response he has received to the consultation paper "Opening Up Quangos"; and if he will make a statement. [48002]

  Dr. David Clark
  I am pleased to report that the Government' s consultation paper "Opening up Quangos" received a good response. Over 400 replies were received from a wide range of individuals and organisations and the great majority of respondents broadly supported the thrust of our proposals for keeping the number of quangos to a minimum and for making those which remain more open, accountable and effective. I believe this shows the wide support that exists for opening up this area of government hitherto perceived as undemocratic and unaccountable. Copies of all the responses received (apart from those where confidentiality has been requested) have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The results of the consultation exercise—together with further proposals for improving the accountability and transparency of quangos—are published today in my paper "Quangos: Opening the Doors". The proposals in this paper take account of all the comments received during the consultation exercise.

  The action proposed in "Quangos: Opening the Doors" will make the business of quangos more open and the appointments system more transparent and accessible. It will enhance the accountability of quangos to their stake-holders through increased consultation, open meetings and better links with local government. Taken as a whole, I believe that the reforms in "Quangos: Opening the Doors" will require all quangos to carry out their important work in line with the basic democratic principles by which we conduct public business in this country. The proposals provide a basis for quangos to command public confidence and attract new people into this important area of public life.

  I am also pleased to announce the publication today of "Opening up Public Appointments" which provides details of the work in hand to support the Government's commitment to increasing the participation of under-represented groups in public life.
  75
  The Government have agreed, in principle, the proposal for a 50:50 ratio of women and men for public appointments and a pro rata representation of members of the ethnic minorities. A central feature of this work is a plan of action requiring all Government departments to set robust targets with the aim of reaching this overall goal. As part of this process, departments have drawn up individual plans which contain specific goals and objectives for increasing the representation of women and
  76
  members of the ethnic minorities on the boards of public bodies. These cover the period 1998–2001 and will be updated annually. Future plans will specifically address the Government's overall commitments to increase representation.

  Copies of "Quangos: Opening the Doors" and "Opening up Public Appointments" will be sent to all right hon. and hon. Members as well as being placed in the Library of the House. The papers will also be made available electronically over the Internet.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Epping-Ongar Rail Line
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make his decision on the sale of the Epping to Ongar rail line. [44889]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Secretary of State has given his consent to the sale and letters informing interested parties, including the hon. Member, have been issued. I hope that all parties will now support Pilot in their efforts to provide the passenger rail service that we all want to see operating on the line.

  Weald and Downland DBFO Project
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 30 January 1998,Official Report, column 442, what compensation has been paid to the four consortiums which tendered for the Weald and Downland DBFO project. [46697]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The claims from the Tenderers for the cancelled Weald and Downland DBFO project raised a number of detailed issues which will take some time finally to resolve. In the meantime, interim payments of £1.3 million (excluding VAT) have been made.

  Newsprint Recycling
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with representatives of the paper industry concerning the recycled contents of newsprint; and if he will make a statement. [46823]

  Angela Eagle
  I met the Chief Executive and Company Secretary of Aylesford Newsprint on 12 January this year. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment met representatives of the Newspaper Publishers Association on 9 February.

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98 mid year review

  1998–99 initial

  Local authority

  SCA as % of bid

  SCA as % of bid

  SCA as % of bid

  bid

  allocation as % of bid

  bid

  allocation as % of bid

  Isle of wight

  100

  100

  2—

  2—

  —

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  —

  55

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hartlepool

  100

  86

  93

  1,910

  73

  720

  100

  Redcar and Cleveland

  100

  86

  100

  2,875

  45

  400

  100

  Middlesbrough

  100

  91

  66

  2,806

  53

  2,284

  100

  Stockton

  100

  100

  87

  1,952

  66

  1,661

  99

  Avon

  —

  94

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bristol

  —

  87

  82

  2,590

  42

  1,268

  100

  North Somerset

  —

  100

  99

  1,388

  72

  652

  100

  Banes1

  —

  100

  100

  2,444

  69

  1,280

  100

  South Gloucestershire1

  —

  100

  100

  2,255

  53

  1,000

  100

  78
  We are committed to substantial increases in recycling, and are determined to see an increase in the amount of recycled newsprint used in newspapers.

  We shall shortly be receiving the interim report of the Newspaper Publishers Association's working group examining the factors governing the optimum recycled content of newspaper. We expect to see the industry setting themselves stringent targets, and we will work with them to achieve them. We have not however ruled out the possibility of introducing legislation ourselves, perhaps under existing powers.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the bids for re-organisation costs for(a) 1994–95, (b). 1995–96, (c) 1996–97, (d) 1997–98 and (e) 1998–99, that have been made by local authorities subject to reorganisation on 1 April 1995,1996,1997 and 1998, and the proportion of the bids which were allocated supplementary credit approval cover for (a) to (e); and if he will list the capitalisation directions granted to those authorities in those same years. [47210]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer the right hon. Member to the replies given on 27 October 1997,Official Report, columns 808–14, 3 November 1997, Official Report, columns 72–73 and 17 December 1997, Official Report, columns 199–200. These replies gave bids and allocations for 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98, revised allocations for 1997–98 made after the mid-year review and initial allocations for 1998–99. Supplementary credit approvals (SCA) and capitalisation directions have not yet been issued for 1997–98 or 1998–99. The capitalisation directions for earlier years have generally equalled the SCA issued unless the authority has sought a lower amount, or a higher amount which has not exceeded the net revenue element of the final audited application for SCA.

  The table lists the bids for 1997–98 and 1998–99, and the SCAs for 1994–95 to 1996–97 and allocations for 1997–98 and 1998–99 expressed as a percentage of bid.
  79

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98 mid year review

  1998–99 initial

  Local authority

  SCA as % of bid

  SCA as % of bid

  SCA as % of bid

  bid

  allocation as % of bid

  bid

  allocation as % of bid

  Humberside

  —

  63

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kingston upon Hull

  —

  80

  95

  4,205

  28

  3,073

  59

  East Riding Yorkshire1

  —

  73

  96

  2,576

  97

  4,259

  100

  North Lincolnshire1

  —

  93

  100

  2,709

  44

  3,289

  100

  North East Lincolnshire1

  —

  89

  100

  2,256

  84

  1,853

  100

  North Yorkshire

  —

  68

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ryedale

  —

  2—

  2—

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Selby

  —

  100

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  York1

  —

  91

  100

  800

  100

  0

  —

  Bedfordshire

  —

  0

  88

  1,046

  95

  —

  —

  Luton

  —

  0

  73

  3,874

  90

  1,973

  100

  Buckinghamshire

  —

  0

  2—

  2—

  —

  —

  —

  Milton Keynes

  —

  0

  100

  3,614

  83

  2,250

  100

  Derbyshire

  —

  0

  99

  650

  100

  —

  —

  Derby City

  —

  0

  78

  3,025

  97

  1,602

  100

  Dorset

  —

  —

  2—

  2—

  —

  —

  —

  Bournemouth

  —

  0

  100

  2,900

  100

  500

  100

  Poole

  —

  0

  91

  3,300

  91

  1,100

  100

  Durham

  —

  —

  2—

  350

  100

  —

  —

  Darlington

  —

  0

  100

  2,794

  71

  993

  100

  East Sussex

  —

  —

  73

  2,641

  76

  —

  —

  Brighton and Hove1

  —

  0

  52

  4,721

  85

  1,207

  100

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  72

  2,884

  55

  —

  —

  Portsmouth

  —

  0

  84

  2,600

  100

  1,695

  100

  Southampton

  —

  0

  76

  4,586

  70

  2,185

  100

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  100

  1,444

  76

  —

  —

  Leicester City

  —

  0

  82

  3,490

  89

  —

  —

  Rutland

  —

  —

  100

  1,160

  100

  1,065

  100

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  38

  729

  99

  —

  —

  Stoke on Trent

  —

  0

  72

  2,725

  95

  1,348

  100

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  83

  506

  79

  —

  —

  Swindon

  —

  0

  47

  2,720

  73

  902

  100

  Berkshire

  —

  —

  0

  9,801

  42

  —

  —

  Bracknell Forest

  —

  —

  0

  4,202

  50

  13

  0

  Newbury

  —

  —

  0

  2,843

  84

  2—

  —

  Reading

  —

  —

  0

  6,901

  43

  2,081

  100

  Slough

  —

  —

  0

  5,658

  46

  1,781

  100

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  —

  —

  0

  4,000

  55

  2—

  —

  Wokingham

  —

  —

  —

  7,431

  47

  2,262

  100

  Hereford and Worcester

  —

  —

  —

  2,735

  84

  —

  —

  Hereford City

  —

  —

  —

  375

  67

  —

  —

  Leominster

  —

  —

  —

  679

  51

  —

  —

  Malvern Hills

  —

  —

  —

  900

  67

  —

  —

  South Herefordshire

  —

  —

  —

  275

  73

  —

  —

  Herefordshire

  —

  —

  —

  4,888

  61

  5,155

  100

  Worcestershire

  —

  —

  —

  2,527

  91

  1,150

  100

  Malvern Hills (new)

  —

  —

  —

  385

  100

  360

  100

  Devon

  —

  —

  —

  4,404

  68

  715

  100

  Plymouth

  —

  —

  —

  6,286

  46

  10,109

  100

  Torbay

  —

  —

  —

  8,186

  41

  6,396

  100

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  6,727

  42

  2,683

  100

  Southend on Sea

  —

  —

  —

  5,155

  57

  1,690

  100

  Thurrock

  —

  —

  0

  4,737

  60

  3,067

  100

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  3,617

  66

  3,334

  100

  Nottingham

  —

  —

  0

  5,694

  54

  3,920

  100

  80 81

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98 mid year review

  1998–99 initial

  Local authority

  SCA as % of bid

  SCA as % of bid

  SCA as % of bid

  bid

  allocation as % of bid

  bid

  allocation as % of bid

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  5,605

  45

  3,345

  68

  Halton

  —

  —

  —

  3,547

  70

  2,832

  100

  Warrington

  —

  —

  —

  6,205

  53

  3,013

  100

  Shropshire

  —

  —

  —

  3,156

  66

  1,400

  71

  The Wrekin

  —

  —

  —

  6,803

  44

  4,301

  100

  Kent

  —

  —

  —

  4,697

  68

  986

  76

  Medway Towns

  —

  —

  —

  8,939

  45

  5,674

  100

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  1,863

  75

  320

  100

  Peterborough

  —

  —

  —

  5,429

  63

  2,204

  100

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  —

  5,290

  53

  1,465

  100

  Blackburn with Darwen

  —

  —

  0

  5,468

  58

  3,349

  100

  Blackpool

  —

  —

  —

  6,202

  48

  3,188

  100

  1Includes allocations to predecessor authorities

  2No bid

  Action Zones
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1 May 1997 which have involved the establishment of(a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. [47052]

  Angela Eagle
  There have been no initiatives announced by my Department since 1 May 1997 to establish new area based regeneration "action zones". However, in the recent Budget statement, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £15 million funding for New Deal for Communities pathfinder projects for 1998–99. My Department is taking forward the development of the New Deal for Communities initiative in England with the Treasury, the Social Exclusion Unit and other Government Departments. The exact location of these projects is yet to be decided.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave in reply to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) about Best Value pilots and the Joint Commissioning of new social housing schemes on 11 June 1998, Official Report, columns 632–34.

  UN World Environment Day
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives the Government took to promote the UN World Environment Day on 5 June. [47221]

  Angela Eagle
  Advertising specifically promoting World Environment Day ran in the national press and on radio on 4 and 5 June as an extension to the Are you doing your bit? advertising campaign which took place during March and April this year. My Department also launched its Climate Change Impacts programme. To draw further attention to World Environment Day, the Deputy Prime Minister, as President of the EU's Environment Council, visited both the Donana National Park in Spain and the site nearby caused by a serious spillage of chemical waste.

  Cleaner Motor Vehicles
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had, and with whom, on the production of less-polluting motor vehicles. [47336]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Ministers from my Department have held discussions with vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers, environmental groups and trade associations on the production of less polluting vehicles. These discussions are being undertaken both within the context of the EU's strategy on CO2 emissions and the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force which the Government have established, in conjunction with industry and other bodies, and which is looking in particular at what action can be taken to improve fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle pollution. These organisations have also been involved in discussions on the EU's Auto-Oil directives, which set more stringent emissions standards for new vehicles.

  Shipping Industry
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the results of the working group investigating the shipping industry. [47320]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A shipping paper based on the work of the shipping working group will be published shortly after the Integrated Transport White Paper.

  Government Vehicles
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the use of compressed natural gas in Government fleet vehicles. [47414]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government Car Service announced last year that they would be converting all the cars in their fleet to run on compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas as the cars were replaced. The Government have also taken a number of other steps to encourage the use of road fuel gases more generally, including freezing the duty on these fuels in two
  83
  successive budgets and providing funding for the Energy Saving's Trust's Powershift programme which aims to create a sustainable market for alternative fuels.

  North West Water
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for the period from 1989 to date those works carried out by North West Water to achieve environmental improvements which were(a) required by statute and (b) undertaken without statutory requirement by the company; and if he will publish the cost benefit information on the works listed in each category. [47540]

  Angela Eagle
  Government set the statutory framework for water quality standards. The Environment Agency, through its monitoring and enforcement functions, has responsibility for ensuring that the water quality standards set by statute are met. It is for the privatised water companies to determine how those standards are met. In some cases, water companies may elect to exceed statutory requirements. The Director General of Water Services, as financial regulator of the privatised water companies, has responsibility for ensuring that water companies meet both statutory requirements and discretionary improvements in a cost-effective manner.

  Information on the works undertaken to meet statutory requirements and discretionary improvements is not held centrally.

  Name of agency

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Highways Agency

  —

  —

  2,115,465

  1,854,510

  1,651,520

  1,555,145

  Vehicle Certification Agency1

  -93

  -96

  -250

  -22

  -44

  -120

  Maritime & Coastguard Agency2

  —

  —

  79,238

  83,393

  88,747

  83,247

  Vehicle Inspectorate3

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Driving Standards Agency4

  1,629

  1,540

  1,567

  1,050

  921

  1

  Planning Inspectorate

  21,296

  25,661

  23,065

  24,579

  21,238

  22,951

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  685

  6,951

  6,561

  6,171

  4,792

  7,484

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  162,617

  165,226

  172,095

  173,345

  178,342

  155,041

  1This Agency was subject to a net running cost control regime and receipts more than offset voted expenditure

  2Launched on 1 April 1994 as two agencies (Coastguard Agency and Marine Safety Agency). The two agencies were merged on 1 April 1998

  3The Inspectorate operates as a trading fund and has only a token Vote

  4The Agency commenced operation as a trading fund with effect from 1 April 1997

  Grant-in-aid (in £000s) paid to non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department in 1992–93

  Name of body

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994‒95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Housing Corporation

  2,303,900

  2,539,987

  2,098,693

  1,732,140

  1,655,398

  1,476,477

  Castle Vale HAT

  —

  2,000

  6,400

  11,787

  11,464

  18,800

  Liverpool HAT

  —

  16,000

  13,715

  17,340

  20,750

  18,800

  North Hull HAT

  —

  26,500

  27,450

  17,000

  17,000

  2,381

  Stonebridge HAT

  —

  —

  850

  2,750

  5,320

  9,000

  Tower Hamlets HAT

  —

  8,600

  6,900

  10,043

  9,800

  10,000

  Waltham Forest HAT

  —

  22,000

  36,650

  23,168

  22,530

  30,100

  Black Country UDC

  59,650

  52,150

  40,000

  23,500

  20,800

  20,000

  Birmingham Heartlands UDC

  5,490

  10,200

  7,500

  8,500

  8,000

  —

  Bristol UDC

  22,900

  12,800

  8,000

  —

  —

  —

  Central Manchester UDC

  17,225

  6,500

  8,800

  6,125

  —

  —

  Leeds UDC

  7,790

  4,700

  3,591

  —

  —

  —

  London Docklands UDC

  156,455

  105,364

  70,700

  64,500

  54,680

  59,600

  Merseyside UDC

  32,000

  22,447

  17,000

  20,600

  15,950

  18,300

  Advanced Driving Instructors
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost to the Driving Standards Agency of tests for advanced driving instructors in each of the last two financial years. [47509]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) it is necessary to pass a driving theory test, a practical test of driving ability and a practical test of instructional ability. Qualified ADIs are then subject to regular check testing of their continued ability to give instruction. The costs for the separate tests for the past two years were as follows:

  £

  1996/97

  1997/98

  Theory test

  232,700

  158,640

  Practical driving and instructional ability tests

  681,678

  963,041

  Check tests

  786,939

  1,332,614

  Executive Agencies
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the payments per annum since 1992 to(a) those executive agencies with which his Department has framework contracts and (b) those non-departmental public bodies which are sponsored by his Department. [47455]

  Angela Eagle
  Net Voted expenditure (in £000s) for the years 1992–93 to 1997–98 by those executive agencies which are currently part of the Department, Transport and the Regions was as follows:

  to 1996–97, and provision for grant-in-aid for 1997–18, was as follows
  85

  Name of body

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Plymouth UDC

  —

  7,858

  8,139

  9,450

  7,264

  11,836

  Sheffield UDC

  13,185

  12,000

  9,700

  8,600

  7,800

  —

  Teesside UDC

  40,255

  37,000

  30,000

  28,600

  28,617

  28,884

  Trafford Park UDC

  31,600

  30,600

  22,700

  25,139

  22,100

  —

  Tyne & Wear UDC

  44,055

  41,500

  31,302

  27,900

  24,700

  27,600

  Docklands Light Railway

  84,383

  28,091

  29,110

  37,100

  20,670

  32,500

  English Partnerships

  —

  21,728

  118,306

  155,721

  210,965

  250,779

  Countryside Commission

  42,600

  44,354

  47,192

  42,212

  25,439

  24,093

  Rural Development Commission

  16,800

  19,965

  41,208

  38,791

  40,805

  41,464

  English Nature

  38,100

  38,819

  40,177

  40,419

  39,186

  38,853

  National Forest Company

  —

  —

  —

  1,882

  2,000

  2,500

  UK Eco-labelling Board

  —

  676

  775

  842

  986

  863

  National Rivers Authority

  74,700

  61,248

  60,264

  58,200

  —

  —

  Environment Agency

  —

  —

  —

  5,500

  111,917

  112,573

  Health & Safety Executive/Commission

  —

  —

  176,359

  180,700

  177,635

  180,957

  Traffic Director for London

  1,758

  8,529

  10,676

  13,456

  17,456

  21,890

  London Regional Passenger Committee

  —

  —

  459

  471

  553

  523

  HAT—Housing Action Trust

  UDC—Urban Development Corporation

  Nuclear Material (Trains)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what appraisal he has made of safety factors in relation to the carriage of nuclear waste by train in the United Kingdom. [47467]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: The safety standards for the transport of nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel are already extremely high. They are based upon the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency and are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the excellent safety record is maintained. The Government are active in, and will continue to support, the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the other international bodies that regulate the carriage of radioactive material, including the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the level of radiation emitted from trains carrying nuclear material. [47432]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: The radiation level from trains carrying nuclear material during normal operations is limited by Regulation to a maximum of 2 milliSievert/h at any point on the wagon outer surfaces, or the vertical planes projected from the outer edges of open wagons and to 0.1 milliSievert/h at a distance of 2 metres from those surfaces.

  In a major study of road and rail transport (Radiation Exposure from the Normal Transport of Radioactive Materials within the United Kingdom, 1991 Review, by R. Gelder, National Radiological Protection Board Report NRPB-R255, ISBN 0 85951 351 3) the scenario of a householder living 100 metres from a marshalling yard where fuel flasks may be held for several hours, was assessed to give rise to a maximum annual dose of 6 microSievert. The maximum dose to persons living closer (50 metres) to a railway line with passing traffic (where exposure times would be very much shorter) was assessed to be very much lower. For comparison, the average annual dose in the UK due to natural background radiation is about 2000 microSievert.
  86
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, for each of the last five years, the number of accidents involving trains carrying nuclear material, within a five mile radius of Warrington. [47430]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: During the last five years there have been no accidents involving trains whilst carrying nuclear material in the Warrington area. There have, however, been three incidents involving trains transporting empty irradiated nuclear fuel flasks from Sellafield to UK nuclear power stations:

  1. December 1994
  A flatrol carrying an empty flask was derailed at Walton Old Junction.

  2. December 1995
  Electrical arcing was observed from a wagon attached to a nuclear flask train (but not itself carrying a flask) whilst in Arpley sidings.

  3. March 1998
  A buffer wagon (not a flatrol carrying a flask) was derailed following a low speed collision at Arpley sidings.

  In no case was there any release of radioactive materials.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average number of trains per week carrying nuclear waste which pass through Warrington. [47431]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: Nuclear waste as such is not generally transported by train through Warrington. However, flasks carrying irradiated nuclear fuel regularly pass along the west coast main line through Warrington. There has never been a radiological incident involving the release of radioactivity from these trains.

  An average of 2 trains per week, carrying between them an average of 9 flasks per week, pass through Warrington carrying irradiated nuclear fuel from UK nuclear power stations to Sellafield. A similar number of empty flasks is also transported through Warrington in the return direction.
  87
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate how many rail journeys are undertaken each year in the United Kingdom in which radioactive material is carried from(a) Sellafield, (b) Dounreay, (c) Hartlepool, (d) Dungeness and (e) Hinkley Point. [47745]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  For the calendar year 1997, the number of such journeys are estimated as follows:

  (a) Sellafield: 133

  (b) Dounreay: Nil

  (c) Hartlepool: 25

  (d) Dungeness: 85

  (e) Hinkley Point: 72.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent measurements he has evaluated in respect of the level of radioactivity found on the outside of rail wagons used for the transport of radioactive material. [47715]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Measurements of non-fixed contamination on the outside of rail wagons used to transport irradiated fuel flasks by UK operators have shown no instances of contamination exceeding the regulatory limit of 4 Becquerels/cm2ßγ during the period January 1997 to the end of the first quarter of 1998.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government's consultation document on energy efficiency will be issued. [47800]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government plan to issue a consultation paper later this summer on policy options for meeting the UK's climate change targets. This will focus on the Government's legally binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels over the period 2008–2012, and also look at measures which could deliver the Government's aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. on 1990 levels by 2010. The scope for greater energy efficiency in business, the public sector and households will be an important feature of this paper.

  Air Traffic
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the estimated change in air traffic into and out of the United Kingdom over each of the next five years. [47586]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Civil Aviation Authority's latest base case air traffic forecasts for commercial flights within UK airspace for the next five years are shown in the following table:

  Year

  Number of Commercial Flights (000s)

  1998–99

  1,734.0

  1999–2000

  1,758.8

  2000–2001

  1,813.3

  2001–2002

  1,891.8

  2002–2003

  1,973.0

  Council Ward Boundaries
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions each year since 1983 the Local Government Commission for England has conducted an interim (non-periodic) review of council ward boundaries; for which councils; and for what reasons. [47682]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Since 1992, when the Local Government Commission was established, it has undertaken no non-periodic reviews of council ward boundaries, other than those associated with local government structure reviews.

  Greenwich Peninsula (Cable Car)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contracts have been signed in relation to the proposed cable car across the Thames at Greenwich peninsula. [47784]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The proposed cable car across the Thames at the Greenwich peninsula is a private-sector project. The company promoting it, Meridian Cable Cars Limited, has already obtained planning consent and is in discussions with the New Millennium Experience Company in regard to a lease for the area where it would 'land' close to the Dome. Whether the project goes ahead depends very much on the promoter's ability to raise the necessary funds.

  Jubilee Line Extension
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the operating capacity of the Jubilee Line extension will be on 1 January 2000 in(a) trains and (b) passengers per hour. [47788]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  By 1 January 2000, LT plan to be able to run 24 6-car trains per hour in each direction on the Jubilee Line Extension. This will provide a capacity of well over 24,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the Jubilee Line extension. [47789]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Tunnelling and tracklaying for the Jubilee Line Extension are complete. The new trains are in service on the existing Jubilee Line. Work on station fit-out and electrical and mechanical equipment is well under way. On-site testing of the signalling and communications software has begun. LT have undertaken a thorough review of the programme and plan to open the entire line in spring 1999.

  Greenwich Peninsula (Bathing Facilities)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to provide bathing facilities on the Greenwich peninsula. [47785]

  Angela Eagle
  None.

  Globe Conference
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Globe Conference held in Aarhus, Denmark. [47782]

  Mr. Meacher
  I attended the Aarhus Conference for Parliamentarians, "Our Common European Garden in 1998", for the Ministerial Panel, organised by Globe Europe on 22 June. The conference reaffirmed the central role played by Parliamentarians in progressing sustainable development, and was a useful contribution to the Aarhus Environment for Europe Conference which began the following day. Parliamentarians from 37 countries agreed a set of conclusions from the Globe Conference, covering the Environment for Europe conference, sustainable development in Europe, endocrine disrupters, climate change and energy efficiency, and the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.

  Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what checks are presently carried out on(a) approved chemicals and (b) chemicals for which approval is sought to assess their potential for endocrine disruption. [47779]

  Angela Eagle
  Pesticides represent the major class of chemicals for which formal approval is required before they can be used and which may be present in the environment. The UK Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR) (1986) (amended) is currently operated alongside the EC Plant Protection Products Directive (91/414/EEC), which is implemented in the UK by the Plant Protection Products Regulations (1995) (amended). Annex II to the Directive states that possible effects on all aspects of reproductive physiology in both males and females, as well as possible effects on pre-natal and post-natal development, must be investigated and reported.

  Approved chemicals are subject to a review procedure, which may include assessment of their endocrine disrupting potential.

  For veterinary medicines, all applications for marketing authorisations must meet statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. In this context, safety includes to the operator as well as the health and welfare of the treated animal, to the consumer of any food products from treated animals and to the environment.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent research the Government have initiated into endocrine disrupting chemicals. [47777]

  Angela Eagle
  New research programmes, totalling over £3 million, to study (a) trends in male reproductive health and the possible influence of chemicals and (b) endocrine disruption in the marine environment have been initiated jointly by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, other Government Departments and Agencies and the European Chemical Industry Council.
  90
  In addition, DETR has initiated research into non-reproductive effects of endocrine disruption in wildlife and recently contributed to an Environment Agency led study of the effects of endocrine disrupters on reproduction in wild fish.

  Government Departments and Agencies also support a range of projects on chemicals with known or suspected endocrine disrupting properties including tributyltin (TBT), dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the chemicals(a) known to cause endocrine disruption and (b) suspected of causing endocrine disruption. [47778]

  Angela Eagle
  The Institute for Environment and Health and the Environment Agency have listed some individual substances within the following chemical categories as having endocrine disrupting activity; naturally produced female sex steroid hormones, synthetic steroid hormones, phytoestrogens (naturally occurring chemicals found in plans), polychlorinated organic compounds, organochlorine pesticides, organotins, alkylphenols, alkylphenol ethoxylates (short chain), phthalates and biphenolic compounds. Within each category there are also related substances suspected of having endocrine activity, but for which the data are not yet adequate to allow a definitive conclusion.

  Other categories of substances, including some pesticides, are also suspected of having endocrine disrupting activity.

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the content of, and decisions reached at, the third meeting of green ministers. [47780]

  Mr. Meacher
  On 8 June, Green Ministers met for the third time, to consider the next stage of the Greening Government Initiative.

  We agreed that we should continue to meet three times a year. Starting in the next Parliamentary Session in the Autumn, we will announce our main programme of work for the coming year to progress policy integration, environmental appraisal and greening operations.

  Ministers are keen to find the best way of publicly reporting progress. We discussed a number of options and will reach a final view in the light of the forthcoming report on Greening Government by the Commons Environmental Audit Committee.

  Green Ministers considered the role of sustainable development indicators. We welcomed the work that had already been done involving a large number of stakeholders both within and outside Government and emphasised the need to ensure that the links between economic, social and environmental areas are easily understood.

  We also noted progress in implementing the green operations model policy and improvement programme and green transport plans. Now that these plans were in place Government Departments needed to play a leading role across the UK in helping green business operations.
  91
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which Ministers attended the Third Meeting of Green Ministers; and which Ministers were represented by officials. [47781]

  Mr. Meacher
  I chaired the third meeting of the group on 8 June 1998 and the following Green Ministers attended:

  Department

  Green Minister

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Jeff Rooker MP

  Culture, Media and Sport

  Mark Fisher MP

  Defence

  John Spellar MP

  Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Glenda Jackson MP

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Derek Fatchett MP

  Health

  Tessa Jowell MP

  Home Office

  Mike O'Brien MP

  Law Officers

  The Lord Falconer QC

  Lord Chancellor's

  Geoff Hoon MP

  Office of Public Service

  Peter Kilfoyle MP

  Social Security

  John Denham MP

  Trade and Industry

  John Battle MP

  Note:

  The Scottish and Welsh Offices were represented by Henry MacLeish MP and Peter Hain MP respectively

  The Chancellor's Departments, the Department for Education and Employment, the Department for International Development and the Northern Ireland Office were represented by officials.

  Public Participation Convention
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take to implement the Convention on Public Participation, Access to Information and Access to Justice. [47774]

  Mr. Meacher
  On behalf of the UK, I signed the UNECE Convention on Public Participation, Access to Information and Access to Justice on 25 June 1998. The Convention will become legally binding when we ratify it. We are developing our strategy on how best to implement the Convention and we will have the necessary measures in place before ratification.

  Our consultation paper on a revised sustainable development strategy highlighted access to information and public participation as important for the achievement of sustainable development and we will be considering these issues further in light of the consultation responses.

  The Government's proposals for a new Freedom of Information Act will also be an important measure for the implementation of the Convention.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the representations from other countries his Department has received since 1 May 1997 in respect of the Sellafield reprocessing facility. [47746]

  Angela Eagle
  Since 1 May 1997, the Department has received the following representations in respect of the Sellafield reprocessing facility, the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP): one letter from Germany, one from France, one from Ireland and two from Denmark.

  Millennium Experience Site
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the cost of decontaminating the Millennium Experience site at Greenwich to date. [46345]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 30 July 1997,Official Report, column 412.

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what impact he expects the Millennium Experience at Greenwich to have on the local transport system. [46344]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson) on 1 June 1998,Official Report, columns 33–34.

  Green-Field Land
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much green-field land he estimates has been sold, and for how much, in England in each of the last five years. [47735]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Information is not held centrally on the amounts and value of green field land sold.

  Non-fuel-powered Cars
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on public funding to manufacturers to establish or expand(a) fuel cell, (b) electric and (c) solar car or component factories in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [47725]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Funding to develop new technologies for the automotive industry is available under the DTI Foresight vehicle LINK programme and fuel cells are also supported under the Advanced Fuels Cells Programme.

  The DETR is providing £6.5 million to the Energy Savings Trust's Powershift programme to help stimulate the market for alternative fuels by providing grants towards the purchase of alternatively fuelled vehicles produced with proven technology which is already in the market place.

  The DTI provides Regional Selective assistance for the safeguard and creation of jobs in Assisted Areas. All manufacturing industries could be eligible for support except those which are subject to special EU restrictions.

  Housing (Planning Permission)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning permissions have been granted in each of the last five years in England for developments of(a) up to 100, (b) up to 500 and (c) up to 1,000 homes. [47724]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I regret that the information requested is not available. Information on the number of applications granted for planning permission for minor
  93
  and major dwellings developments is available from my department's quarterly statistics of planning applications. Figures for 1993 to 1997 are shown in the table.

  Applications granted for planning permission

  Thousands

  Year

  Minor dwellings developments1

  Major dwellings developments1

  All dwellings developments

  1993

  38.4

  7.1

  45.4

  1994

  40.6

  7.1

  47.7

  1995

  37.6

  6.3

  43.9

  1996

  34.6

  5.8

  40.4

  1997

  35.5

  6.0

  41.4

  1A major dwellings development involves the construction of 10 or more dwellings or, where the number is not given in the application, the area of the site is more than 0.5 hectares. A minor dwellings development is one which does not meet the criteria for major development

  Coal-fired Power Stations
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the amount of(a) CO2, (b) SO2, (c) NORx, (d) fine particulates, (e) black smoke and (f) radiation emitted as a result of the burning of 25 mt. coal per annum in power stations. [47608]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Agency has advised that the quantity of pollutants emitted from burning 25 million tonnes of coal are estimated to be as follows:

  (a) Carbon dioxide: the quantity of CO2 released will be dependent on the ash content of the coal but is likely to be approximately 55 million tonnes per annum.

  (b) Sulphur dioxide: the quantity of SO2 released will depend on the sulphur content of the coal utilised, the relative proportions of coal burnt at power stations fitted with Flue-Gas Desulphurisation units compared with unabated stations and the extent to which other abatement techniques are introduced. Depending on these factors the quantity of SO2 released is likely to be between 340 kilotonnes and 510 kilotonnes per annum.

  (c) Oxides of nitrogen: following completion of the current improvement programme to reduce emissions, releases of nitrogen oxides from coal fired power stations are likely to be approximately 160 kilotonnes per annum.

  (d) Fine Particulates: the quantity of particulates released will depend to some extent on the quality of coal burnt, the relative proportions of coal burnt at power stations fitted with Flue-Gas Desulphurisation units compared with unabated stations and the extent to which plants are able to reduce emissions as a result of the ongoing improvement programme. Based on current performance, the quantity released is likely to be approximately 14 kilotonnes per annum.

  (e) Black smoke: the term black smoke refers to the extent to which a sample of air is able to blacken a filter. The quantity released will depend on similar factors to those affecting the release of particulates and is estimated very approximately to be 6.25 kilotonnes per annum.

  (f) Radiation: the amount of radiation released, depending on the ash content of the coal and flue gas clean-up measures, is estimated very approximately to be 0.5 Tera-becquerels (TBq) per annum.

  Benefit Fraud (Data Matching)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage local authorities to use data matching 94
  techniques with respect to benefit fraud which also require access to medical records, as provided for by the Audit Commission Bill 1998.[47380]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Whilst we welcome any progress in counteracting all types of fraud, it is for the Audit Commission and local authorities to decide the best approach to adopt in any particular case, having regard to their statutory powers and to the measures available to them, including data matching techniques.

  Public Registers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the public registers which his Department has responsibility for. [47355]

  Angela Eagle
  This information is not held centrally.

  Leasehold Reform
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the consultation paper on leasehold reform. [47721]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Later this year.

  Ramsgate-Ostend Ferries
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to facilitate the landing of Sally Line passengers from Ramsgate in Ostend; and if he will make a statement. [47716]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department is liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in pressing the Belgian authorities to take action to enable the Sally Direct passenger ferry service from Ramsgate to Ostend to begin as soon as possible.

  Wembley Park Underground Station
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made in upgrading Wembley Park Underground Station as part of the preparations associated with the bid to host the World Cup in 2006. [47719]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Following the Deputy Prime Minister's announcement of a Public/Private Partnership for London Underground and an additional £365 million of funding for London Transport over the next two years. LT and the Government have been considering together what additional investment projects should go ahead in the next two years. London Underground has proposals for a comprehensive redevelopment of Wembley Park Station, including improved platforms, canopies, ticket hall, staircase and walkway. Subject to that review, and securing substantial contributions from outside parties, London Underground has indicated that construction of the Wembley Park Station redevelopment could start in 1999–2000.

  Cycling
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent steps
  95
  he has taken to encourage (a)(i) Ministers, (ii) officials and (iii) employees of his Department and (b) other Ministers to use bicycles. [47834]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The upper limit on salary advances to staff for purchase of bicycles and associated equipment was increased in April 1998. Staff cycling to work on National Bike to Work day were welcomed at DETR headquarters buildings with a bike breakfast. Further encouragement to use bicycles for business travel should stem from Green Transport Plans being developed for DETR premises.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of journeys to work in London are made by bicycle. [47831]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  According to the Department's most recent National Travel Survey 1994 –96: for that period, an average of 2.7 per cent. of people living and working in London, travelled to work by bicycle.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of dedicated cycle lanes separated from other traffic there are in London. [47830]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Taking together the London Cycle Network, the Thames Cycle Route, the priority (Red Routes) programme and other measures on London's trunk roads, approximately 225 miles of cycle lanes were in place by March 1998. Specific information on dedicated routes separated from other traffic is not held centrally, nor are details of cycle lanes provided by highway authorities on local roads outside of the LCN and red route Network.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that trains arriving in London terminals are able to carry bicycles. [47836]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In general, services arriving in London are able to carry bicycles except during the morning commuter peak. It would be impracticable to require franchisees to make facilities available on all services because, on busy local and commuter networks, passenger capacity is of prime importance to both operators and passengers. The provisions in the franchise agreements therefore strike a balance between the desire for operators to accommodate cyclists whilst acknowledging that it may not always be possible for them to do so. The Franchising Director, as part of his remit under the Objectives, Instructions and Guidance issued last year, discusses with franchisees the provision of space for bicycles on new trains.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which of his Department's buildings in London have parking racks for bicycles available for use by visitors. [47833]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Bicycle parking facilities are available at Eland House, Ashdown House (V), Great Minister House, Riverwalk House and St. Christopher House. The facilities are available to all Departmental employees, pass holders and visitors on a first come first served basis. There are no reserved spaces.
  96
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with Westminster Council about bicycle traffic in the vicinity of the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement. [47835]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Deputy Prime Minister met representatives of Westminster City Council in March 1998 to review progress on the "World Squares for All" Masterplan. The Masterplan covers the main routes in the vicinity of the palace of Westminster, and makes a number of proposals to assist cyclists.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of journeys to school in London are made on bicycles. [47832]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  According to the Department's most recent National Travel Survey 1994 –96: for that period, an average of 1.3 per cent. of children aged 4 –16 living in London, travelled by bicycle for the purpose of education.

  Irish Sea (Pollution)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the cost of monitoring pollution levels in the Irish Sea in each of the past 10 years. [47739]

  Angela Eagle
  A number of agencies collaborate under the National Marine Monitoring Plan in monitoring pollution in the seas around the United Kingdom. It is not possible to disaggregate the activities in respect of any particular area of the sea.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total tonnage of sewage sludge dumping in Liverpool Bay in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [47740]

  Angela Eagle
  These figures are set out in the Reports of the Group Coordinating Sea Disposal Monitoring, published by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) in their Aquatic Environment Monitoring Report series, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the level of algal blooms in Liverpool Bay. [47743]

  Angela Eagle
  There is a high level of nutrient input into Liverpool Bay. This supports the growth of algal and the development of intense and regular algal blooms. The occurrence of these blooms in Liverpool Bay has been known for sometime and is reported in a variety of Environment Agency publications. Some of these bloom can cause a nuisance through foam formation on beaches but blooms of harmful algal which produce toxins do not occur.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a)statutory and (b)] non-statutory bodies that have monitored pollution levels in the Irish Sea in each of the past 10 years. [47744]
  97
  Angela Eagle
  A number of monitoring reports covering the Irish Sea have been produced over the past 10 years. The information contained in these are drawn from different Government Departments, Agencies and other organisations who carry out monitoring under the UK National Monitoring Plan. The main reports are as follows:

  1) Irish Sea status report produced by the Marine Pollution Monitoring Management Group (MPMMG) in 1987 (R. R. Dixon Lowestoft);

  2) A review of radioactivity in the Irish Sea (Kershaw et al Lowestoft 1992);

  3) Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) Aquatic Environment Monitoring Report No. 32.

  In addition, a new Irish Sea Quality Status report is being developed by both the UK and Irish Governments for incorporation within the Oslo and Paris Commission's (OSPAR) Quality Status Report 2000. This will be the first overall assessment of the marine environment in the North East Atlantic area since the 1992 OSPAR Convention came into force.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on co-operation between the United Kingdom Government and the Irish Government on monitoring pollution in the Irish Sea. [47742]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department has been working with the Department of the Environment and the Department of the Marine of the Republic of Ireland for a number of years. These Departments, together with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland and the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, funded a three-year project to review research and monitoring in the Irish Sea, under an Irish Sea Science Co-ordinator. His third report was published in 1995 and identified gaps in research on the Irish Sea. These conclusions have informed my Department's decisions on funding research in this area.

  In addition, the relevant Government Departments in the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, and in the Republic of Ireland are jointly taking the lead in the production of a Regional Quality Status Report on the Celtic Seas, including the Irish Sea. This report is one of the five regional reports on which the Quality Status Report of the North East Atlantic, which is being prepared by the OSPAR Commission, will be based.

  Marine Pollution
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Jonus programme; and what are the future funding levels for the programme over the next five years. [47791]

  Angela Eagle
  The Jonus I research programme, which ended in December 1995, has led to a better understanding of the flux of nutrients (particularly nitrogen) from the land, through the Humber and Wash, to the North Sea, especially in relation to the nitrification/denitrification processes in estuaries. The work has indicated that algal blooms of phytoplankton only occur when tidal energy is below a certain level and light levels are sufficiently high.98
  The data collected from Jonus I, together with data collected from similar work conducted under the Southern Nutrient Study (Sonus), has also been analysed under a modelling contract which ended on 31 October 1997. A follow-on Jonus/Sonus modelling contract was let in early 1998 and is scheduled to end on 31 March 1999. In addition, the Jonus II programme, which ends on 28 February 1999, aims to quantify the impact of nutrients discharged from land-based sources on the Irish Sea and from the Thames.

  The estimated funding, supported by a number of agencies, is £148,000 for the follow-on Jonus/Sonus modelling contract and £487,955 for Jonus II.

  Decisions remain to be taken on what further work would be justified in this field.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if information on marine pollution collected by(a) the Environment Agency, (b) the MAFF and (c) local authorities is collected on a central database. [47741]

  Angela Eagle
  Under the UK National Marine Monitoring Plan, a central data base is being set up by the Environment Agency, with the support of My Department. This holds all the relevant data collected under the plan from 1993.

  Plankton Recording
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the international 60-year programme of continuous plankton recording around the British Isles. [47736]

  Angela Eagle
  The continuous Plankton Recorder Survey was started by Sir Alister Hardy in the North Sea in 1931. It is now operated by the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science in Plymouth. The survey is funded by an international consortium. My Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are long-term supporters of this work. They met approximately 40 per cent. of the costs of the core survey in 1997. The survey is one of the most important sources of information about long-term trends in the marine environment. Recent work suggests that changes in plankton frequency over recent decades may be linked to changes in the temperature of the North Atlantic.

  Algal Blooms
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations of algal blooms in United Kingdom waters ranked in order of severity. [47792]

  Angela Eagle
  Regular monitoring of coastal waters for the presence of potentially harmful algae is carried out under the EU Shellfish Hygiene Directive by the three UK Fisheries Laboratories. Reports of the results from each monitoring site, including the absence or concentration of toxic algae when present, are published annually and are available from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).

  Rural Transport Grant
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans to apply the rural sparsity criteria used to allocate the £50 million rural transport grant to the calculation of standard spending assessments. [47571]

  Ms Armstrong
  Standard spending assessments (SSAs) take account of the population living in wards and enumeration districts in which the density is between 0.5 and 4 persons per hectare, and those in which the density is less than 0.5 per hectare, with the latter being given a double weight. The support for rural public transport takes account of the population living outside built-up areas of 3,000 or more people.

  We have no plans to change the measure used in the calculation of SSAs.

  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria were used to define rural sparsity in the allocation of the £50 million rural transport grant. [47572]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In this year's Budget, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced additional spending of £50 million a year for rural public transport in the UK. England's share (under the well-established Barnett formula) is £41.7 million. Of that amount, £4.2 million will be devoted to rural community-based transport schemes, £5 million to a rural bus challenge competition for local authorities later this year, and £32.5 million to local authorities for the subsidy of rural bus services.

  Under Special Grant proposals now laid before the House, the £32.5 million will be distributed in proportion to the rural population in each eligible local authority area. 'Rural population' is defined as those living outside built-up areas of 3,000 people or more as shown by the 1991 census.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria determined the shift of resources in standard spending assessments from shire areas to metropolitan areas in the current financial year. [47573]

  Ms Armstrong
  The standard spending assessments of the shire areas increased by £662.7m in 1998–99 (on a like for like basis); those of the metropolitan areas increased by £ 386.9m. The criteria used in the calculation of standard spending assessments are based on objective indicators and the most up-to-date information available is used for all authorities. The same formulae apply to all authorities with the same responsibilities for services. We treat authorities all on a fair and consistent basis.

  Ministerial Helicopter Travel
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times, and on which occasions, he and his Ministers have travelled by helicopter during the current month; and at what cost to public funds. [48034]
  100
  Angela Eagle
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister travelled by helicopter during part of his visit to the Donana National Park when, at the invitation of the Spanish Government, he viewed the environmental damage caused by a leak of toxic waste. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment travelled by helicopter to address the Institute of Wastes Management Centenary Conference. On neither occasion was there any cost to public funds.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Unemployment
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the total unemployed workforce are aged over 25 years; and what targets he has set under the New Deal to reduce unemployment for those aged over 25 years. [47723]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The proportion of all claimant unemployed who are aged over 25 is currently 74 per cent. One of this Government's objectives is to increase the proportion of adults unemployed for more than two years who find jobs and leave unemployment through the New Deal for people aged 25 and over.

  Teachers Pension Scheme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what charges are made by the Prudential Insurance Company for the management of the Teachers Pension Scheme; and if he will place the management agreement for that scheme in the Library. [47596]

  Dr. Howells
  The Teachers' Pension Scheme is a statutory scheme for which the Secretary of State retains responsibility. The administration of the scheme is carried out under contract by Capita Business Services Ltd. The Prudential Insurance Company is the appointed provider of the scheme's Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) arrangements. Those arrangements are governed by the Teachers' Superannuation (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/2924). No charge is levied by Prudential under these arrangements, although their administration costs are met by a 1 per cent. deduction from the AVC contributions paid by individual teachers.

  University Students (Residence)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students who went to university resided at home with their parents, as a percentage of the total, in each year since 1990 including 1998 to date. [47720]

  Dr. Howells
  Comprehensive data on the number of university students who resided at home with their parents are not available in a consistent form for the period requested. Available information is that from local education authorities in England and Wales which provide data on the number of mandatory award holders studying in the United Kingdom who are eligible for the parental home rate of grant. Numbers of award holders eligible for the parental home rate of grant and the percentage of mandatory award holders this represents are given in
  101
  the table for academic years 1990–91 to 1996–97 (provisional), the latest year for which information is available.

  Mandatory awards in England and Wales1,2: academic years 1990–91 to 1996–973

  Students eligible for the parental home rate of grant4,5

  Academic year

  Award holders eligible for the parental home rate of grant5 (thousands)

  Percentage of award holders eligible for the parental home rate of grant5

  1990–91

  38.9

  8.1

  1991–926

  49.8

  9.1

  1992–93

  65.9

  10.2

  1993–94

  78.7

  10.9

  1994–95

  88.3

  11.6

  1995–96

  95.9

  12.4

  1996–973

  101.9

  13.3

  1Awards made by local education authorities to students normally domiciled in their area

  2Table includes students who receive partial or nil maintenance grants because of high parental or other income but whose fees are still paid by the authority

  31996–97 data are provisional

  4Excludes placement year sandwich students

  5LEAs can exceptionally give the parental rate to students who live away from the parental home but who could, in their opinion, conveniently attend their course from the parental home

  6Data for 1991–92 do not include information on approximately 8,600 awards made by the London Residuary Body for which information on rates of grant is not available

  Education Action Zones
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those schools included in the education action zones announced on 23 June which currently have grant-maintained status. [47823]

  Mr. Byers
  There are six schools in the first tranche of Education Action Zones which currently have grant-maintained status. One of the Zones, East Basildon, has a grant-maintained school as its leading partner. The Schools are:

  All Saints CofE Primary School, Calderdale

  Barstable School, East Basildon

  Chalvedon School, East Basildon1

  Friars Primary School, Southwark

  Northlands Junior School, East Basildon

  Reay Primary GM School, Lambeth

  1Leading partner in Zone.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what index of social deprivation his Department used in determining the winning bids for education action zones announced on 23 June; [47824]

  (2) if he will list the criteria used in assessing the winning bids for education action zones announced on 23 June. [47825]

  Mr. Byers
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State selected the 25 education action zones on the basis of recommendations from his advisory panel. The criteria used by the panel were three: social deprivation, as indicated by free school meals data; the innovative quality of the strategies proposed by the partnership; and on an assessment of the ability of the proposers to deliver school standards.
  102

  Higher Education
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of those aged(a) under 21, (b) 21 to 24 and (c) 25 years and over, registered in England, applied through UCAS for admission to a course of higher education for the (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997 and (v) 1998 entry cycles; what were the numbers of the population in England aged (a) to (c) for (i) to (v); and what was the proportion of those applying as a percentage of the appropriate population cohort. [47272]

  Dr. Howells
  Figures on English domiciled UCAS applicants to full time first degree, HND and DipHE courses in the UK by age and relevant English population from 1994 to 1998 are given in the table. Final applicant figures are shown for 1994 to 1997 together with the latest available, as at 16 May, in the current application cycle for 1998 entry, compared with corresponding figures as at 17 May 1997. The latest figures show that applications from young people so far this year are 1.6 per cent. higher than at the same stage last year. Even when population movements are taken into account the rate of applications is similar to last year. Furthermore, while mature applicant members are down, demographic factors have affected these. Another factor may be the strong labour market.

  English domiciled UCAS applicants to full time first degree, HND and DipHE courses in UK by age and relevant English population 1994–1998

  Age group/year

  Applicants

  Population1

  Proportion(%)2

  Age under 21

  1994

  222,739

  1,751,839

  12.7

  1995

  222,764

  1,689,185

  13.2

  1996

  223,989

  1,654,311

  13.5

  1997

  246,716

  1,693,590

  14.6

  19973

  232,681

  1,693,590

  13.7

  19983

  236,302

  1,776,522

  13.3

  Age 21 to 24

  1994

  35,005

  2,822,061

  1.2

  1995

  35,121

  2,717,868

  1.3

  1996

  31,617

  2,583,813

  1.2

  1997

  34,615

  2,460,902

  1.4

  19973

  26,104

  2,460,902

  1.1

  19983

  23,096

  2,354,387

  1.0

  Age 25 and over

  1994

  46,892

  11,231,696

  0.4

  1995

  48,098

  11,369,756

  0.4

  1996

  44,858

  11,506,630

  0.4

  1997

  48,082

  11,568,986

  0.4

  19973

  35,830

  11,568,986

  0.3

  19983

  30,241

  11,562,875

  0.3

  1The English population cohorts used are aged 18 to 20, 21 to 24, 25 to 39 and are mid-year estimates. The ages of UCAS applicants are as at 30 September in year of entry

  2These give the proportion of the age group shown who applied in the given year. Because some of the age group may apply in later years, the proportions do not indicate the full take up of higher education over time by these age groups

  3The latest available figures for 1998 entry are as at 16 May and comparable figures for 1997 are given as well as final totals of applicants for that year. Final applicant figures are given for earlier years

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average class size of schools in Cumbria on 30 April in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [44898]

  Mr. Byers
  The information in the form requested is not available centrally.

  School Classes (Age Mix)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of five, six and seven-year-old school children currently being educated in classes containing a mixture of pupils from more than one age group. [44305]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: Provisional figures for numbers of children in key stage one classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in England in January 1998 show that 345,000 or 21 per cent. of these children were in mixed age classes.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cull Ewes
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons the cull ewe trade with France is not able to use the abattoirs(a) MUS in Douai, (b) CVD in Rungis, (c) Ovimpex in Rungis, (d) SNVC in Cedex, (e) Macquet in Fruges and (f) Moreville in Fruges. [47270]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  It is the responsibility of the French authorities to designate the premises in France which can handle ewe carcases.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the earliest date the cull ewe trade can recommence. [47268]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  Under the Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997, the spinal cord of older sheep must be removed in authorised abattoirs or cutting plants. This requires the carcase to be split. Exports of carcases of cull ewes can take place once all such materials (and other specified risk material) has been removed.

  We have recently issued proposals for statutory consultation to amend the Regulations to allow export of ewe carcases with spinal cord intact to premises designated by the French authorities to remove the spinal cord under French domestic controls on specified risk materials. The earliest date when exports of carcases with spinal cord intact can commence is dependent on the laying before Parliament of the amending Regulations following completion of the statutory consultation period. We would expect this to be during July, subject to the consultations being concluded without issues being raised which would require further work and to Parliamentary approval.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the meetings, together with the dates and the subjects discussed, which were held with the French Government to discuss the cull ewe trade in the context of the SRM ban. [47269]
  104
  Dr. John Cunningham
  This has largely been pursued through correspondence, although the Agricultural Attaché at the British Embassy, Paris, and the Chief Veterinary Officer have been in contact with French veterinary authorities to pursue this point.

  Policy Reviews
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the policy reviews his Ministry is currently carrying out; and when he expects the results of each will be made public. [47264]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The information requested is as follows:

  Review

  Results to be made public

  Review of food from Britain

  summer 1998

  Review of the UK legislation on the disposal of animal waste

  summer 1998

  Review of the current rules on quarantine of imported pet animals

  summer or early autumn 1998

  Review of the hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme

  autumn 1998

  Review of fishing vessel licensing

  December 1998

  Review of the future funding of regulatory arrangements for pesticides

  December 1998

  Review of the public analyst arrangements in England and Wales

  by end of 1998

  Review of the nitrate sensitive area schemes

  by 1 April 1999

  Review of environmentally sensitive areas, stage IV schemes

  June 1999

  Review of access provisions of agri-environment schemes

  during 1999

  Review of the meat and livestock commission

  1999

  Review of salmon and freshwater fisheries

  by end of 1999

  Review of tuberculosis in cattle and badgers

  1—

  Review of raw cows' drinking milk policy

  2—

  1 Krebs Committee reported December 1997; decision on action to be taken will follow

  2Consultation announced November 1997; Ministerial announcement in due course

  In addition, operational matters are regularly reviewed and there is a rolling programme of policy evaluations.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when public consultation on the proposals of the Advisory Committee on Quarantine will(a) begin and (b) end. [47866]

  Mr. Rooker
  The public consultation will commence after the report of the Advisory Group on Quarantine has been published in the summer or early autumn, and is expected to last for two or three months.

  Pig Farming
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many pig farmers he has met in the last four months to discuss the present state of the sector and its future prospects. [42999]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]: My colleagues and I have met several pig farmers and their representatives in the last four months.

  Growth Promoters
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the increase in body weight over any given period of time of(a) pigs and (b) poultry fed a diet which includes antibiotics as growth promoters when compared with the same types of animals fed a diet which excludes such growth promoters. [46981]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department does not hold this information. Figures from the National Office of Animal Health Ltd. which represents manufacturers of feed additives authorised as growth promoters indicate that dietary enhancers improve feed conversion efficiency of farm livestock by between 3 and 6 per cent. and increase daily liveweight gains by 5 per cent. to 8 per cent., according to species.

  Cheese
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the Department of Health about the use by his officials of powers granted under the Food Safety Act 1990 to ban the sale of cheese without court proceedings; and if he will make a statement. [47069]

  Mr. Rooker
  I fully support the recent exercise of powers under s.13 of the Food Safety Act by the Minister for Public Health in respect of cheese from a Somerset producer, for the reasons set out by her in the recent Adjournment Debate on 17 June 1998,Official Report, columns 342–46. It was for this reason that I attended the debate.

  BSE
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the(a) number, (b) grades, (c) original department and (d) current roles of all civil servants assisting the BSE inquiry. [47230]

  Mr. Rooker
  Total staff at the Inquiry is currently 83. This includes a number of casual staff engaged on specific short term tasks.

  Ten civil servants have been seconded to assist with the BSE Inquiry.

  Grade

  Department

  G5

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  Solicitor to the Inquiry

  G5

  D.E.T.R

  Secretary to the Inquiry

  G6

  D.T.I

  Head of Analysis Branch

  G7

  D.E.T.R

  Deputy to the Secretary

  SEO

  D.E.T.R

  Head of a Witness Team

  SEO

  D.E.T.R

  Office Services Manager

  SEO

  Cabinet Office

  Website and IT Manager

  SIO

  Cabinet Office

  Press Officer

  HEO(D)

  Cabinet Office

  Analysis branch member

  EO

  Cabinet Office

  Deputy Office Manager

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the likely savings to his Department arising from the transfer of current responsibilities for food safety to the proposed Food Standards Agency. [47591]
  106
  Mr. Rooker
  Resources currently devoted to food safety and standards work will be transferred to the Food Standards Agency when it is established. There will therefore be no savings to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Poultry
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of permitting the use of vaccines for poultry which are permitted for use in other EU member states. [47446]

  Mr. Rooker
  Vaccines for poultry which are licensed in another member state may be the subject of applications for marketing authorisations in the United Kingdom. In cases where vaccines have already been authorised in accordance with Directive 81/851/EEC in another member state, marketing authorisations may be granted in the United Kingdom by a process of mutual recognition.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will require imported turkey meat to be labelled with details of(a) vaccines which have been administered to such poultry and (b) vaccines which have been administered which are not approved for use in the United Kingdom. [47447]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have no powers to do so. The vaccines in question will have been authorised in the member state in which they were administered.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will require imported poultry meat to be labelled with information about whether the meat has been subject to residue testing. [47451]

  Mr. Rooker
  No. Residue testing is a legal requirement for all EU member states and for third countries wishing to export here.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will require imported poultry meat to be clearly labelled to show if(a) meat and bone meal and (b) animal proteins have been used in the feeding of such poultry. [47445]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have no such intention. However, when appropriate, UK producers and retailers are free to provide additional indications voluntarily on domestic production where they consider this will improve marketability of their products.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will require imported poultry meat which is packed or processed in the United Kingdom to carry on-pack information about(a) its source and (b) its compliance or otherwise with United Kingdom health and welfare standards. [47443]

  Mr. Rooker
  Food labelling regulations require an indication of the place of origin of a food if failure to give such particulars might mislead a purchaser to a material degree about its true origin or provenance. In the case of processed foods, the place of origin is generally taken as the place it last underwent a substantial change.

  There are no proposals to extend labelling requirements to cover compliance with national animal health and welfare standards.
  107
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will require imported poultry meat to be labelled with its country of origin. [47442]

  Mr. Rooker
  The labels on pre-packaged poultrymeat must give an indication of its country of origin when imported from outside the Community. The UK is in the process of taking steps to require this information to appear on labels, tickets or notices near where unpackaged poultry is offered for sale.

  There are no plans to require poultrymeat of Community origin to indicate its country of origin on labelling, although all poultrymeat produced in the Community must include the registered number of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant which supplied the product (except where cutting and boning is carried out at the place of sale). These registered numbers are pre-fixed with the initials of the member state concerned.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that the charge for residue testing under European Union Directive 96/43/EC does not exceed the costs of testing. [47452]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) on 24 February 1998,Official Report, column 186, for background to this issue. He will wish to note, however, that the charge per tonne of poultrymeat is incorrectly stated as £1,0461; it should have read £1.0461.

  The non-implementation of the requirement of Council Directive 96/43/EC to impose the minimum charge on the poultry industry is not an option. We have assured the industry that we will seek to re-negotiate this charge should the opportunity arise.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban the import into the United Kingdom of meat from poultry which has been fed on meat and bone meal. [47444]

  Mr. Rooker
  No. The ban on meat and bone meal in poultry rations in the United Kingdom is to prevent cross contamination of ruminant feed with meat and bone meal incorporated into feed for other farm animals. It does not have any bearing on the poultry meat itself and there is therefore no basis on which it would be reasonable to extend these controls to imports.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will restrict the import of poultry meat which has been subject to antibiotic growth enhancers. [47449]

  Mr. Rooker
  Additives, including antibiotic growth promoters, incorporated in animal feedingstuffs are controlled throughout the European Union under Council Directive 70/524/EEC. This provides that no additive may be used in animal feed unless it meets a requirement that, at the level permitted in feedingstuffs, it does not adversely affect human or animal health or the environment. Approved additives may be freely marketed in the European Union and there would be no justification for restricting the import of poultrymeat which had been subject to approved antibiotic growth promoters.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to restrict antibiotic growth enhancers in poultry production. [47448]
  108
  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are giving careful consideration to recommendations made by the Agriculture Committee and the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology which concern the use of antibiotic growth promoters. Neither Committee made a specific recommendation relating to the use of antibiotic growth promoters by the poultry industry. The Government are advised on this issue by the independent scientific Veterinary Products Committee (VPC). In addition, the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food is reviewing the food safety implications of antimicrobial resistance.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what procedures she has introduced to conduct audits of the disability living allowance reviews and appeals in respect of particular medical examiners. [46292]

  Mr. Denham
  All the doctors who complete medical examinations for the Benefits Agency Medical Services in connection with Disability Living Allowance reviews have their work subjected to regular audit. Random samples of statistically significant numbers of cases from the work of all doctors are examined for the quality of the history, examination findings and the opinions given, according to nationally determined standards. When the quality of the work of an individual doctor is questioned this will be subject to targeted audit and remedial action taken to remedy any deficiencies identified. Similarly, the work of newly appointed doctors is subject to targeted audit until the auditors are satisfied with the quality of work being produced.

  Pensions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the likely yield less charges of an approved personal pension plan based solely on rebated national insurance contributions; and on what assumptions of future growth that estimate is based. [47595]

  Mr. Denham
  Over time, an appropriate personal pension plan based solely on rebated national insurance contributions should yield after charges an amount broadly equivalent to the additional pension derived from SERPS. The reduction in yield allowed for in the rebate structure as a result of charges, based on the assumptions used by the Government Actuary's Department (GAD) in calculating the age-related rebates, is estimated at 1.4 per cent.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the percentage of employees in each decile of employees' incomes who do not contribute to personal or occupational pensions. [46491]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
  109
  The table contains information based on the 1996 General Household Survey (GHS), using deciles of the earnings distribution derived from the GHS sample.

  Percentage of employees who are not current members of an occupational or personal pension scheme, by earnings decile

  Earnings decile

  Percentage

  1

  87

  2

  72

  3

  63

  4

  52

  5

  41

  6

  29

  7

  24

  8

  15

  9

  10

  10

  9

  Notes:

  1. Percentages rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.

  2. Excludes some individuals who did not know if they were members, but thought it possible.

  3. Includes people who are not current members, but have been members in the past and therefore have some deferred pension rights.

  4. Information relates to earnings not income.

  The pensions review is considering ways of encouraging people to contribute to second pensions.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of the basic retirement pension in 1999–2000 if uprated in April 1999 in line with(a) prices and (b) average earnings. [45825]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Forecast expenditure on basic Retirement Pension (RP) is £32 billion in 1998/99. The additional cost of uprating by earnings in April 1998 is provided in the table.

  The additional cost of uprating retirement pension and linked benefits by earnings in 1998/99

  £ million

  Contributory RP only

  Contributory RP and linked benefits

  Gross cost

  170

  200

  Means-tested benefit offset

  -40

  -50

  Net cost

  120

  150

  Notes:

  1. Forecast expenditure on RP has been taken from the 1998 Social Security Departmental Report rounded to the nearest £ billion. Government expenditure plans for future years (1999/2000–2001/2002) will be published after the completion of the Comprehensive Spending Review

  2. Estimates in the table are rounded to the nearest £10 million. Totals may not agree due to rounding

  3. National Insurance Fund benefit costs were estimated by the Government Actuary's Department

  4. Means-tested benefit offsets were calculated using the 1995/96 Family Resources Survey and the May 1996 Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, both uprated to 1998/99 prices, benefits and earnings levels, and calibrated to the forecasts underlying the 1998 Departmental Report

  110
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rebate-only approved personal pension plans on future means-tested social security entitlements and expenditure. [47730]

  Mr. Denham
  Based on the assumption used by the Government Actuary in "Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes Review of Certain Contracting-out Terms" (Cm3888) an individual investing only the National Insurance Contribution rebate in an appropriate personal pension (APP), would receive a pension broadly equivalent to that which they would otherwise get from the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS). The actual amount of pension payable would depend on the costs and performance of each individual pension scheme.

  Both the annuity derived from a rebate-only APP and the additional pension derived from SERPS are taken fully into account in claims for means tested benefits. So the numbers of future rebate-only APPs taken out in place of SERPS should have little or no impact on future means tested Social Security entitlements and expenditure.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information she has collated on lapse rates from approved personal plans by(a) provider, (b) region and (c) socio-economic group; and what extra information on lapse rates she has sought in the course of the Pensions Review. [47727]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. As part of the Pensions Review, we have sought information from the Personal Investment Authority (PIA). PIA figures state that for all personal pensions sold through company representatives, approximately one third had lapsed within three years. Approximately one quarter of those sold through independent financial advisers had lapsed within three years.

  We are seeking further information on lapse rates for the Pensions Review.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many approved personal pension plans were active in each of the last four years; how many were terminated before retirement; and how many new plans were taken out. [47598]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is set out in the table.

  Thousands

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Appropriate personal pensions

  Active Plans1

  5,396

  5,380

  5,376

  5,441

  New Plans1

  383

  217

  143

  145

  Terminations before Retirement2

  162

  231

  143

  —

  11995–96 is the latest year for which the information is available

  21994–95 is the latest year for which the information is available

  Notes:

  1. The number of terminations before retirement include early retirements and deaths

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand

  Source:

  The Lifetime Labour Market database (LLMDB); a 1 per cent. sample of the National Insurance Recording System taken at February 1997
  111
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the number of occupational pensions subject to transfer to personal pension plans in the last five years; how many of these transfers were caused by early leavers transfers; and whether the past practices of early leaver benefits will be covered in the Pensions Review. [47593]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available relates to contracted-out schemes and is set out in the table.

  The Report of the Pension Provision Group covered some aspects of early leaver benefits and we are considering this Report as part of our Pensions Review. We will publish a Green Paper later this year.

  Transfers of pension rights from contracted-out occupational pension schemes to appropriate personal pension schemes1

  Year2

  Number of Transfers3

  1993–1994

  37,000

  1994–1995

  22,000

  1995–1996

  12,000

  1996–1997

  9,000

  1997–1998

  6,000

  Total number of transfers in 5 years

  85,000

  1A personal pension scheme is appropriate if it has been given an appropriate scheme certificate by the Secretary of State allowing its members to contract-out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS)

  2 Each period of a year is the financial year 6 April to 5 April

  3 Figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000, therefore, the total is not their sum

  Source:

  Contracted Out Employment Group

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to what extent present rules for means-tested benefits include paid-up or lapsed personal plans in the calculation of savings; and what plans she has to review these rules. [47731]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The value of funds held in a personal pension scheme are fully disregarded, as is the value of the right to receive a personal pension at a future date. There are no plans to review the disregard.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the total number of active approved personal plans which are financed solely by rebated national insurance contributions in each of the last four years. [47594]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is set out in the table.

  Number of personal pension arrangements financed by national insurance rebates only

  Year

  Number

  1993–94

  2,900,000

  1994–95

  3,070,000

  1995–96

  3,020,000

  1996–97

  3,160,000

  Note:

  1996–97 is the latest year for which the information is available

  Source:

  Inland Revenue Statistics 1997

  Contributions Agency
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many subject access requests were received by the Contributions Agency in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998 to date; and if she will make a statement. [47367]

  Mr. Denham
  The number of subject access requests received by the Contributions Agency is:

  Year

  Requests

  1995–96

  13,229

  1996–97

  22,586

  1997–98

  27,242

  1998 to date

  5,993

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of delay caused by the introduction of the new computer at the Contributions Agency; and if she will make a statement. [46752]

  Mr. Denham
  The introduction of the new computer system at the Contributions Agency is a matter for George Bertram, the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend with further details.

  Letter from Alan Fisher to Mr. Peter L. Pike, dated 25 June 1998:
  George Bertram is the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency and is responsible for answering questions about all operational matters relating to the Agency and their new National Insurance Recording System 2 (NIRS2) computer system. In the absence of Mr. Bertram, I have been asked to reply to your question about our assessment of the delay caused by the introduction of the new NIRS2 system and to make a statement.
  Contributions Agency and Andersen Consulting are committed to ensuring, that by working together, every effort is made to introduce the new system at the earliest possible occasion whilst minimising any disruptive impact on our customers.
  Our plans assess possible impact on our customers in the event of delay and outline the steps that will mitigate such impacts. We regularly review these plans to make sure that they reflect the current status of system implementation and have a strategy to inform both customers and the pensions industry as to how delays in the introduction of the system will affect them.
  In a very small number of cases complex Retirement Pension and Widows Benefit claims will be finalised when supplementary information is available from the new system. Payment will be made meanwhile on the basis of available information.
  Our service to pension providers and scheme administrators has also been affected, but we are in close touch with the Industry and have set up direct contact facilities for the personal pension providers in order to identify and resolve issues relating to policy holders.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will place a copy of the code of practice, which relates to data matching by her Department with respect to benefit fraud, in the Library. [47368]

  Mr. Field
  The use of data matching is an important weapon in the fight against benefit fraud. We are now looking to extend this technique across Government through the use of powers contained in the Social Security
  113
  Administration (Fraud) Act 1997. We want to extend data matching in a way which places significant additional obstacles in the path of fraudsters whilst at the same time ensuring that citizens' rights are properly protected. Consequently, these powers will not be used until the DSS Code of Practice for Data Matching has been published.

  We will be seeking the views of Liberty and the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux on the draft Code of Practice. We shall also be placing a copy of the consultation document in the Library of the House, and the views of hon Members will be most welcome.

  We anticipate that the Code will be published by early October.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to use data matching techniques with respect to benefit fraud which require access to medical records, as provided for by the Audit Commission Bill 1998. [47369]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Audit Commission Act 1998 does not confer powers on my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State to gain access to medical records,

  Centrally sponsored pilot schemes

  Pilots/prototypes

  Aim

  Areas

  Pensioner pilots1

  To test the best ways of getting Income Support to those who are currently entitled but do not claim their entitlement; and to experiment with administrative improvements in the delivery mechanism to prevent future Entitled Non Recipients (ENRs)

  York, East Renfrewshire, Lambeth, South Staffordshire, Stroud, Preston, Glasgow, Torbay and Torfaen

  Teleclaims service1

  To enable claims for Retirement Pension to be made over the telephone using an IT based claim form

  Greater London

  New Deal for Lone Parents1

  Lone parents on Income Support are offered advice and support on job search, childcare, benefits and training to help them make the move into work. The service is provided on a one-to-one basis by Personal Advisers

  Started July/August 1997 in Cambridge, Cardiff and Vale, Clyde Valley, North Cheshire, North Surrey, North Worcestershire, Sheffield East and Warwickshire Extended nationwide on 6 April 1998 to lone parents making a new claim for Income Support

  Integrated Services Prototype (DSS/LA)1

  To offer a one stop service combining DSS and local government services. April to October 1998

  Lewisham Council, the local Benefits Agency in Lewisham, South London and Belfast Benefits Centre (to which work from Lewisham BA is re-located)

  Integrated Service Prototype (Lone Parent)1

  To handle lone parents income support, child support and housing needs together by offering a teleclaims service; April to October 1998

  Benefits Agency Chilterns South Directorate using a remote processing centre (Glasgow Benefits Centre) linked to four London offices; Ealing, Acton, Euston and Highgate in partnership with the London Borough of Camden

  ADAPT Project

  ADAPT project was established to deliver phased approach to involvement of the private sector. The first phase entails a period of partnership between 3 private sector consortia and 3 BA Area Directorates

  Yorkshire, East London and Anglia and West Country

  Payment Card

  Development of a new method of paying benefits by automating post offices

  Newcastle and Gloucester

  Personal Account Security

  To reduce the incidence of identity fraud and reduce the opportunity for the NINO to be abused

  Edinburgh City BA District office and Highriggs ESJ, Newcastle (Saxon House), Rotherham South, Liverpool (Crosby), Worksop/Worksop ESJ. Chilterns South

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  whether in support of a data matching exercise or otherwise.

  Action Zones
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the initiatives undertaken by her Department since 1 May 1997 which have involved the establishment of(a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. [47059]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Area based initiatives, including Action Zones and pilot schemes, which place a premium on local partnership and co-ordination are a key feature of many of our plans for the future. They also form the basis of much of the progress we have made in improving services and targeting facilities, resources and opportunities.

  We are involved in a number of centrally sponsored pilot schemes throughout the country and these are listed. In addition, local managers are encouraged to develop initiatives in partnership with local authorities that promote improved services for the customer.
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  Centrally sponsored pilot schemes

  Pilots/prototypes

  Aim

  Areas

  Electronic Government Initiatives

  Series of initiatives testing the delivery of departmental business using electronic means

  London, Norwich, Cumbria, Bristol, York, West Country

  Remote Access Terminals

  To provide advice and benefit information to the departmental business using electronic means

  Over 20 locations throughout the country

  Better Government for Older People

  Local pilot projects to improve public services for older people

  Stirling, Newcastle, Wolverhampton, Harrow and Exeter

  Edinburgh LA and BA Project

  Joint Benefits Agency/Local Authority project looking to improve liaison and communication through modernizing Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit procedures

  Edinburgh

  Earnings Top-up

  To explore the effects of an in work benefit aimed at encouraging people without dependent children to take up and stay in work

  Eight pilot areas including Newcastle, part of Yorkshire, North Wales, Southend, Sunderland, Doncaster, Bournemouth and part of Scotland

  1Indicates initiatives that have commenced since 1 May 1997

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on her policy in relation to benefit payments in respect of housing being purchased under rental purchase schemes; and if she will make a statement. [47194]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Provisions already exist, within the Housing Benefit scheme, to cover payments under rental purchase agreements.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average housing benefit paid per dwelling by region for(a) council housing, (b) housing associations and (c) private rented properties. [47204]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The latest information available is set out in the table.

  £

  Rent rebate

  Rent allowance

  Region

  Local Authority Tenants

  Housing Association Tenants

  Private Tenants(excluding Housing Association)

  North East

  30.70

  43.60

  48.10

  North West

  34.50

  45.80

  53.90

  Merseyside

  37.50

  42.80

  50.10

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  29.10

  50.20

  46.80

  East Midlands

  32.20

  48.50

  44.90

  West Midlands

  34.70

  46.10

  51.40

  Eastern

  37.00

  48.50

  57.40

  London

  50.30

  63.70

  81.10

  South East

  41.10

  51.40

  63.70

  South West

  36.80

  48.20

  53.50

  Great Britain

  36.20

  49.30

  58.40

  England

  37.20

  51.10

  59.50

  Wales

  34.20

  42.20

  47.80

  Scotland

  31.50

  34.60

  51.00

  Note:

  Average weekly amounts have been rounded to the nearest 10 pence

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System 100 per cent. caseload counts taken November 1997

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Bendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish the conclusions of the review of the Child Support Agency. [47901]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We have been looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support scheme to see where improvements can be made and we will shortly bring forward a consultation paper on our proposals.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and number of(a) pensioners and (b) pensioners on income support are (i) in receipt of disability living allowance, (ii) in receipt of attendance allowance, (iii) registered blind and (iv) registered deaf. [47917]

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

  People of pensionable age

  Number (thousands)

  Percentage

  Total number1

  10,420

  100

  In receipt of disability living allowance2

  564

  5

  In receipt of attendance allowance2

  1,224

  12

  Blind people in receipt of disability living allowance or attendance allowance2,3

  66

  —

  Deaf people in receipt of disability living allowance or attendance allowance2,4

  4

  —

  Sources:

  1Office of National Statistics and Scottish Registrar: mid 1996 estimates

  2 Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data. Figures to 31 May 1998 and are provisional

  Notes:

  3Figures relate to those whose main disabling condition is blindness

  4Figures relate to those whose main disabling condition is deafness

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  People of pensionable age in receipt of income support

  Number (thousands)

  Percentage

  Total number1

  1,514

  100

  In receipt of disability living allowance1

  143

  9

  In receipt of attendance allowance1

  472

  31

  Blind people in receipt of disability living allowance or attendance allowance1,2

  23

  —

  Deaf people in receipt of disability living allowance or attendance allowance1,3

  2

  —

  Source:

  1 Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data. Figures relate to 30 November 1997

  Notes:

  2 Figures relate to those whose main disabling condition is blindness

  3Figures relate to those whose main disabling condition is deafness

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the earnings disregards limits for means-tested benefits will be revised to take account of the announcement of minimum wage rates. [47732]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I refer the hon. Friend to my written answer to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 25 June 1998,Official Report, column 620.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will express the present earnings disregards limits for each means-tested benefit in terms of permitted hours of work under the proposed minimum wage rates. [47733]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Earnings disregards rules achieve a balance: encouraging those people who wish to work to do some part-time work without creating a disincentive to take up full-time work, or increasing their dependency on benefit. The information requested is set out in the tables.

  National minimum wage—basic rate

  Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based)

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

  Amount of disregard £

  Equivalent number of hours work

  Amount of disregard £

  Equivalent number of hours work

  Single—all ages1

  5

  1.38

  5

  1.38

  Couple3

  10

  2.77

  10

  2.77

  Lone parent

  15

  4.16

  25

  6.94

  With Disability or carer premium

  15

  4.16

  15

  4.16

  Special Occupations2

  15

  4.16

  n/a

  n/a

  Note:

  Earnings disregards expressed in terms of hours of work at £3.60 per hour
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  National minimum wage—youth rate

  Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based)

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

  Amount of disregard (£)

  Equivalent number of hours work

  Amount of disregard (£)

  Equivalent number of hours work

  Single—all ages1

  5

  1.66

  5

  1.66

  Couple3

  10

  3.33

  10

  3.33

  Lone parent

  15

  5

  25

  8.33

  With Disability or carer premium

  15

  5

  15

  5

  Special Occupations2

  15

  5

  n/a

  n/a

  Note:

  Earnings disregards expressed in terms of hours of work at £3 per hour

  National minimum wage—development rate

  Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based)

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

  Amount of disregard (£)

  Equivalent number of hours work

  Amount of disregard (£)

  Equivalent number of hours work

  Single—all ages1

  5

  1.56

  5

  1.56

  Couple3

  10

  3.12

  10

  3.12

  Lone parent

  15

  4.68

  25

  7.81

  With Disability or carer premium

  15

  4.68

  15

  4.68

  Special Occupations2

  15

  4.68

  n/a

  n/a

  1Earnings disregard for a single person on Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based) is as stated unless they are engaged in a special occupation

  2 Special occupations are Auxiliary Coastguards, part-time members of the fire brigade maintained under current legislation, part-time manning or launching a lifeboat, members of the territorial or reserve forces

  3 For Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based) a £15 disregard will be applied to couples if any of the other conditions apply regarding qualification for a £15 disregard i.e. if the claimant/partner is disabled or a carer

  Note:

  Earnings disregards expressed in terms of hours of work at £3.20 per hour

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when her Department will start to review the cases of people subject to the Benefit Integrity Project prior to 9 February. [47566]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 25 June 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when her Department will start to review the cases of people subject to the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) prior to 9 February.
  Ministers announced on 17 June that certain cases decided under the BIP before 9 February would be re-examined. The cases affected are those where the decision to reduce or remove benefit was made

  119
  on the basis of the customer's statement alone, and where the customer has not exercised their right to ask for a review of the decision. The Benefits Agency is aware of the commitment to bring this in as quickly as possible. Work is already underway to identify how we might best proceed, recognising the particular sensitivities surrounding this work.
  The intention is to write to customers giving them the opportunity to apply for their case to be re-examined. At the same time, we need to notify them that there is no guarantee of a positive outcome to a review of the BIP decision, but we need to do that in a way that does not deter them from applying for a re-examination if that is their choice. We want to consult disability organisations about the wording of the letter and the proposed procedures, all of which will have to be cleared by legal advisors within the Department. It is vital that we get this right and that, of course, will take time.
  The Agency is currently recruiting additional staff from mainstream Disability Living Allowance to deal with this work, and again we are looking at this to ensure that these moves have the minimum impact on our other customers.
  I hope you find this information helpful and that it explains why we are not yet in a position to set a firm start date for the exercise. I will, of course, write to you again as soon as the matter has been decided.

  Benefits Agency Medical Services
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what specialist training and guidance on(a) fibromyalgia, (b) cystic fibrosis, (c) ME/CFS and (d) MS is offered to examining medical practitioners employed by the Benefits Agency Medical Services. [46520]
  120
  Mr. Denham
  The administration of the Benefits Agency Medical Services is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Bill Etherington, dated 25 June 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what specialist training and guidance on (a) fibromyalgia, (b) cystic fibrosis, (c) ME/CFS and (d) MS is offered to examining medical practitioners employed by Benefits Agency Medical Services (BAMS).
  It may be helpful if I explain that all BAMS' medical examiners are required to hold a full medical degree and must be fully registered medical practitioners. BAMS also require their employed doctors to have at least three years post registration experience, including one year in general practice and at least six months experience of psychiatry or rehabilitation/occupational medicine. Alternatively BAMS require five years post registration experience as a principal (or equivalent) in general practice.
  The role of the BAMS doctor is to assess the effects of a customer's disability and to provide advice to the Adjudication Officer, who will consider all the evidence available and determine entitlement to benefit.
  All BAMS doctors are given additional training in carrying out this specialised type of assessment. As fibromyalgia, cystic fibrosis, ME/CFS and MS are commonly encountered conditions they are covered in the training. Guidance is given to examining doctors relevant to the analysis of the needs of people with disabilities and this is published in the Disability Handbook. This guidance is based on the consensus view of the medical profession at the present time and is periodically updated. BAMS doctors are also expected to keep abreast of developments in the medical field. Where deficiencies of knowledge or understanding are identified, via our routine monitoring of casework, relevant guidance or training is provided on an individual basis.
  I hope you find this reply is helpful.

  Chequers Meeting
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  Values of the Left
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  River Maine
  River Maine
  Handguns: Northern Ireland
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  Vitamin B6
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  Association of Chief Police Officers
  Association of Chief Police Officers
  Mr. Al Fayed
  Mr. Al Fayed
  Criminal Cases Review Commission: Case Review Managers
  Criminal Cases Review Commission: Case Review Managers
  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Prisons: Communicable Diseases
  Prisons: Communicable Diseases