Written Answers of 17 March 1998

PRIME MINISTER

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise the need for computer systems to be millennium compliant at the forthcoming summits of(a) the G8, (b) the EU and (c) the EU and USA; and if he will make a statement. [33865]

  The Prime Minister
  The century date change will be raised within the G8 either at the Summit or at the meeting of Foreign and Finance Ministers. In addition to raising the issue at the Telecommunications Council we are also exploring with the European Commission at what other events it should be discussed.

  World Cup 2006
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on representations he made on the siting of matches in Scotland in the event of England hosting the 2006 World Cup finals, to the President of FIFA, when he met him on 11 March. [34799]

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter for the Football Association and FIFA. Details about siting of matches in Scotland were not discussed at the meeting.

  Written Answers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to reduce the number of holding answers issued by his Department in response to written questions. [35028]

  The Prime Minister
  I seek to meet the deadlines set by Members in every case but it is not always possible to do so.

  I am receiving approximately 40% more written Parliamentary Questions, a proportion of which are for named day answer, than was the case under the previous administration.

  News International
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Prime Minister when he last met Mr. Rupert Murdoch; where the meeting took place; and what was discussed. [35063]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 5 March 1998,Official Report, column 702.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Social Security Appeals
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the average waiting time for a social security appeal to be heard, from the date the appeal is lodged with the ITS. [34598]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Independent Tribunal Service reports that the current average waiting time for an appeal to be heard by a Social Security Appeal Tribunal is approximately 28 weeks.

  However, we are determined to reduce the current delays and complexity in the appeals system. The Social Security Bill, which paves the way for modernising the delivery of Social Security, including the handling of appeals, had its second reading in the House of Lords on 15 January. The Secretary of State will assume responsibility for the administration of the appeals system. She will set and publish demanding targets for the administration of appeals and report on the results.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) she has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) she has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34826]

  Mr. Field
  No non-departmental public bodies have been abolished or established since 1 May 1997.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the main disabling conditions of people who have been assessed by the Benefit Integrity Project and have had their disability living allowance(a) maintained, (b) reduced, (c) increased and (d) withdrawn. [34100]

  Mr. Denham
  The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible. Also, that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.

  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 David Riggs to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated
  16 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about listing the main disabling conditions of people who have been assessed by the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) and have had their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (a) maintained, (b) reduced,
  (c) increased and (d) withdrawn. As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.

  531
  The information is not available in the format requested. Of the 54,839 people whose cases have been assessed by the BIP, 20,027 are recorded as having two main disabling conditions. The figures provided relate only to those cases where one main disabling condition applies.
  At the time an award of DLA is made, the Adjudication Officer records the main disabling condition on the DLA computer system. However the system allows for different conditions to be recorded

  Disability

  Maintained

  Reduced

  Increased

  Withdrawn

  Total

  Arthritis

  7,336

  1,445

  261

  814

  9,856

  Cerebrovascular disease

  2,486

  632

  88

  187

  3,393

  Disease of muscles/bones/joints

  1,860

  471

  57

  332

  2,720

  Heart disease

  1,921

  400

  67

  291

  2,679

  Spondylosis

  1,560

  437

  55

  314

  2,366

  Chest disease

  1,579

  185

  34

  99

  1,897

  Multiple sclerosis

  1,345

  106

  51

  28

  1,530

  Back pain

  890

  300

  31

  302

  1,523

  Neurological diseases

  1,122

  175

  33

  106

  1,436

  Malignant disease

  450

  126

  22

  190

  788

  Mental subnormality

  625

  92

  21

  8

  746

  Asthma

  439

  96

  20

  107

  662

  Trauma to limbs

  353

  155

  10

  110

  628

  Diabetes mellitus

  450

  91

  15

  46

  602

  Parkinson's disease

  384

  19

  24

  6

  433

  Major trauma

  235

  104

  5

  75

  419

  Epilepsy

  235

  61

  10

  38

  344

  Chronic fatigue syndromes

  178

  60

  10

  95

  343

  Peripheral vascular disease

  217

  46

  9

  22

  294

  Renal disorders

  167

  50

  4

  48

  269

  Bowel and stomach disease

  96

  31

  5

  55

  187

  Blindness

  151

  24

  4

  3

  182

  Psychoneurosis

  100

  42

  7

  30

  179

  Psychosis

  79

  33

  2

  18

  132

  Multi system disorders

  96

  19

  0

  14

  129

  Paraplegia/tetraplegia

  83

  25

  2

  7

  117

  Inflammatory bowel disease

  60

  15

  3

  3I

  109

  AIDS

  68

  5

  2

  28

  103

  Blood disorders

  60

  14

  1

  25

  100

  Cystic fibrosis

  70

  13

  3

  7

  93

  Alcohol abuse

  58

  11

  1

  8

  78

  Skin disease

  44

  17

  1

  10

  72

  Dementia

  60

  4

  3

  3

  70

  Motor neurone disease

  49

  3

  0

  1

  53

  Frailty—senility

  39

  7

  1

  6

  53

  Severely mentally impaired

  41

  5

  2

  0

  48

  Metabolic disease

  30

  4

  2

  8

  44

  Deafness

  23

  5

  0

  3

  31

  Behavioural disorder

  18

  7

  1

  1

  27

  Haemophilia

  16

  2

  0

  4

  22

  Personality disorder

  8

  2

  1

  3

  14

  Terminally ill

  10

  0

  2

  0

  12

  Total parental nutrition

  5

  2

  0

  3

  10

  Double amputee

  5

  2

  1

  0

  8

  Deaf/blind

  3

  0

  1

  0

  4

  Multiple allergy syndrome

  3

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Haemodialysis

  2

  1

  0

  0

  3

  Hyperkinetic syndrome

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Sub-total

  25,110

  5,344

  872

  3,486

  34,812

  Cases with two disabling conditions

  17,620

  1,540

  427

  440

  20,027

  Total

  42,730

  6,884

  1,299

  3,926

  54,839

  Notes:

  1. Terminally ill cases are not necessarily paid under the Special Rules.

  2. All figures are as at 31 January and are subject to change.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people who have been assessed by the Benefit Integrity Project had their initial claim decided(a) on the basis of the claim pack alone, (b) with a general practitioner's factual report and (c) by medical
  532 in respect of the care and the mobility components. This usually arises when they are awarded at different times. The number of cases for which there are two conditions recorded is identified separately. The BIP database does not allow such cases to be analysed further.The information available is set out in the table I hope you find this reply helpful.
  examination; and how many of those people in each case have had their disability living allowance (i) maintained, (ii) reduced, (iii) increased and (iv) withdrawn; [34102]

  (2) how many people who have been assessed by the Benefit Integrity Project have had their disability living

  533
  allowance reduced or withdrawn (a) as a result of a lessening of the need or b) where the need was unchanged but equipment was or could be used to meet that need. [34103]

  Mr. Denham
  The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible and also that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.

  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 David Riggs to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 16 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions concerning the Benefits Integrity Project (BIP). As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.
  The information requested is not available. The BIP is looking again at some existing awards of DLA. Recipients of the higher rate mobility component combined with the highest or middle rate of the care component are being contacted by post or at a visit to obtain an up to date picture of their circumstances. Cases are selected by a random monthly scan of the DLA computer system.
  The DLA computer system does not record the evidence on which the initial award was made. Neither has the BIP extracted this information from clerical records.
  Any changes made to a person's benefit reflect the decision of an Adjudication Officer (AO) that the needs arising from that person's disability have changed.
  The reasons underlying the change in a person's needs may include an improvement in their condition or their adaptation to the effects of their disability, for example through the use of aids and equipment or through changes to their living accommodation. In some other cases, the award may be changed because the AO has decided that the initial award was incorrect, that is there was a mistake concerning some material fact when the AO made the decision. The BIP database does not maintain a level of detail that enables me to identify cases where the award was changed because of the availability of equipment which was or could be used to meet that need.
  Sorry I cannot be more helpful.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who have been assessed by the Benefit Integrity Project had made their first claim before 1992; and how many of those people have had their disability living allowance(a) maintained, (b) reduced, (c) increased and (d) withdrawn. [34101]

  Mr. Denham
  The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible and also that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.
  534
  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 David Riggs to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 16 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many people who have been assessed by the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) has made their first claim before 1992; and how many of those people have had their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (a) maintained, (b) reduced, (c) increased and (d) withdrawn. As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.
  The number of cases looked at by the BIP who made their first claim before 6 April 1992, the date of commencement of the DLA, is 24,415. Of these, 21,140 have had their award maintained, 2,079 have had their awards reduced, 575 have had their award increased and 621 have had their award withdrawn.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her Department's current estimate of funds needed to run the Benefit Integrity Project over the next financial year; what has been the cost of the project since 1 May 1997; how many staff are allocated to the project; and if she will make a statement on the current running costs of the project. [34593]

  Mr. Denham
  The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible and also, that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.

  The administration of the Benefit Integrity Project is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Riggs to Mrs. Theresa May, dated 16 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the estimate of funding and staffing for the Benefits Integrity Project (BIP). As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.
  It is estimated that the BIP will cost £11.954m for the financial year 1998/9. However this is currently under review following the changes announced on 9 February 1998. On that date the Secretary of State announced that no case likely to result in the reduction or removal of benefit will be passed to an Adjudication Officer for review without further evidence being obtained in addition to that supplied by the customer on the BIP questionnaire.
  The forecast cost of BIP for the year 1997/8 is £8.189m.
  The total number of staff involved in the BIP is 441. This is made up of 280 staff based in Blackpool and 161 Visiting Officers around the country, based in 11 Disability Benefit Centres.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 3 March 1998,Official Report, columns 609–10, concerning the adequacy of publicity for the right of disability living allowance claimants to request copies of previous DLA forms, if she will require (a) BIP questionnaires and (b) letters notifying DLA claimants of a BIP interview to include a clear statement about the right to see previous claim forms. [33355]
  535
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 March 1998]: The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible and also that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.

  The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

  Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 16 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, pursuant to her Answer of 3rd March, concerning the adequacy of publicity for the rights of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants to request copies of previous DLA forms, if she will require (a) Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) questionnaires and (b) letters notifying DLA claimants of a BIP interview to include a clear statement about the rights to see previous claim forms. As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.
  It is normal practice to give customers, on request, copies of previously completed DLA claim packs. This has always been the case and is not specific to the BIP.
  A review of all forms including questionnaires and notifications relating, not only to BIP but DLA/Attendance Allowance as a whole, is currently being undertaken and this will form part of that review.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 3 March 1998,Official Report, column 610, relating to disability living allowance claimants, if she will supply the equivalent information for claimants who have had their DLA reduced as set out in the letter from Peter Mathison dated 18 February (Ref.31888). [33348]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 March 1998]: The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible and also that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.

  The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

  Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 16 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, pursuant to her Answer of 3rd March, relating to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants, if she will supply the equivalent information for claimants who have had their DLA reduced as set out in the letter from Peter Mathison dated 18th February (Ref: 31888). As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.
  536
  The information requested is contained in the attached tables.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  The total number of postal and interview enquiries carried out by the Benefit Integrity Project to date

  Postal cases as at 31 December 1997

  Number

  No. of cases reduced

  2,346

  No. of cases reviewed

  502

  Review decision maintained

  1378

  Restored to a higher rate on review

  11

  Restored to a lower rate on review

  238

  Restored to original award on review

  75

  Total number of cases restored on review

  124

  Total number of Postal Cases looked at =

  25,638

  1This figure includes 10 decisions where the level of award has been maintained but the period has been extended on review.

  2Including 14 completely disallowed.

  Note:

  These figures include all combinations of awards resulting from a reduction.

  Visit cases as at 31 December 1997

  Number

  No. of cases reduced

  692

  No. of cases reviewed

  53

  Review decision maintained

  40

  Restored to a higher rate on review

  0

  Restored to a lower rate on review

  4

  Restored to original award on review

  9

  Total number of cases restored on review

  13

  Total number of BIP interviews

  7,515

  Note:

  These figures include all combinations of awards resulting from a reduction.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many new claims for disability living allowance were(a) made and (b) awarded in each quarter since April 1992; [34104]

  (2) how many life awards of disability living allowance in each quarter since April 1992 were made in respect of (a) the care component and (b) the mobility component; [34105]

  (3) how many new awards of disability living allowance, in each year since 1992, (a) were made on the basis of the claim pack alone, (b) also required a factual report from a GP or consultant, (c) required a medical examination and (d) required other evidence, broken down by (i) care component and (ii) mobility component; [34106]

  (4) how many people receiving disability living allowance were living in non-local authority residential care or nursing homes for more than 28 days, in each year since 1992. [34107]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.
  537
  Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 16 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions regarding claims for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is shown in the attached tables.
  The number of people receiving DLA living in non local authority residential care or nursing homes for more than 28 days is not available.
  I hope you find this reply helpful

  Disability Living Allowance claims made and awarded since April 19921

  Quarter ending

  Claims received2

  Claims decided2

  Claims awarded2

  June 19923

  173,834

  105,844

  71,014

  September 19923

  128,031

  179,331

  141,897

  December 19923

  122,402

  161,539

  105,475

  March 1993

  133,135

  154,812

  89,535

  June 1993

  120,367

  129,403

  71,743

  September 1993

  104,777

  107,641

  51,946

  December 1993

  99,012

  97,528

  47,304

  March 1994

  110,955

  102,467

  52,354

  June 1994

  121,572

  112,315

  55,253

  September 1994

  129,729

  126,240

  59,484

  December 1994

  119,473

  120,006

  54,653

  March 1995

  132,816

  130,640

  63,403

  June 1995

  117,102

  119,087

  58,979

  September 1995

  126,233

  122,565

  61,499

  December 1995

  126,273

  128,955

  64,136

  March 1996

  141,103

  132,563

  63,275

  June 1996

  134,831

  129,078

  60,229

  September 1996

  133,922

  131,059

  61,304

  December 1996

  124,554

  131,112

  61,365

  March 1997

  124,281

  124,546

  56,771

  June 1997

  132,092

  121,318

  54,352

  September 1997

  121,067

  125,333

  56,478

  December 1997

  110,813

  115,369

  52,627

  New Awards of Disability Living Allowance by components and evidence type1

  Claim pack alone

  Factual Report

  Medical Examination

  Other Evidence

  All types of evidence

  1992–93

  Care component

  90,398

  45,057

  40,075

  6,831

  182,362

  Mobility component

  97,133

  58,911

  48,060

  8,672

  212,776

  1993–94

  Care component

  63,406

  47,966

  32,764

  6,246

  150,382

  Mobility component

  68,050

  54,794

  38,335

  6,677

  167,855

  1994–95

  Care component

  67,085

  60,841

  31,522

  9,325

  168,773

  Mobility component

  70,481

  68,919

  35,793

  9,633

  184,826

  1995–96

  Care component

  62,770

  70,083

  41,425

  11,430

  185,708

  Mobility component

  62,176

  78,331

  45,997

  11,075

  197,579

  1996–97

  Care component

  32,694

  81,946

  63,210

  7,641

  185,491

  Mobility component

  22,030

  86,922

  69,763

  5,659

  184,375

  1997–982

  Care component

  25,560

  75,288

  48,632

  7,377

  156,857

  Mobility component

  14,076

  74,944

  51,538

  4,152

  144,709

  1Source: Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.

  2Figures relate to the 11 months ending 28 February 1998.

  Note:

  The data includes DLA Normal Rules and DLA Special Rules Claims.
  538

  Disability Living Allowance claims made and awarded since April 19921

  Quarter ending

  Claims received2

  Claims decided2

  Claims awarded2

  Additional information4

  February to June 1992

  370,200

  250,455

  82,589

  1Source: Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.

  2 Includes top up.

  3Excludes a small number processed in 1992 for which the exact date of processing was unknown.

  4Relates to all claims registered and decided up to end of June 1992. Although DLA was payable from the start of April 1992 some claims were before the start of April 1992.

  Awards of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

  Care component

  Mobility component

  Quarter ending

  All awards

  Life awards

  All awards

  Life awards

  May 1993

  44,400

  23,200

  49,100

  27,900

  August 1993

  38,400

  20,200

  42,400

  23,900

  November 1993

  33,200

  18,500

  36,300

  21,900

  February 1994

  33,500

  20,100

  37,300

  25,800

  May 1994

  39,300

  23,400

  43,200

  29,600

  August 1994

  42,700

  24,100

  48,700

  30,700

  November 1994

  41,700

  23,700

  46,300

  29,100

  February 1995

  41,800

  25,200

  45,300

  31,600

  May 1995

  45,500

  28,100

  48,700

  33,300

  August 1995

  44,200

  27,800

  47,800

  33,900

  November 1995

  51,100

  34,700

  54,900

  40,800

  February 1996

  43,900

  29,300

  44,500

  32,700

  May 1996

  48,100

  30,100

  48,500

  33,500

  August 1996

  46,200

  27,600

  47,200

  31,500

  November 1996

  49,900

  30,500

  51,100

  33,200

  February 1997

  42,600

  24,000

  40,900

  24,500

  May 1997

  40,600

  22,300

  40,200

  24,000

  August 1997

  44,500

  22,700

  43,200

  24,300

  November 1997

  41,500

  21,200

  39,400

  22,500

  Note:

  Figures rounded to the nearest hundred relate to awards made on initial claim.

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members' Smoking Room
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what is the estimated cost of proposed changes to the Members' Smoking Room. [34410]

  Mr. Dennis Turner
  At present there are no firm proposals for any changes in, or to, the Smoking Room. However, the Committee will be seeking the views of all hon. Members shortly.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Unpasteurised Milk
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many responses he has received in respect of his consultation over the future status of unpasteurised milk; how many were(a) in favour and (b) against a possible ban on (i) unpasteurised milk and (ii) milk products; and if he will make a statement. [31713]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 4 March 1998]: We have received about 5,000 representations about the consultation, which was solely about a proposal to ban sales of raw cows' drinking milk in England and Wales. This number includes letters from Members of Parliament, representative organisations, individuals and signatories to petitions. Views range between certain producers and consumers who want sales to continue, to most public health professionals who favour a ban.

  A ban on sales of raw cows' drinking milk was introduced in Scotland in 1983.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Townend
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which was the ruling by the European Court of Justice that overruled the Court's earlier judgment in the Jaderow Case C-246/89 recognising that the fishing quota system, as a system of national quota, was a derogation from the principle of non-discrimination laid down in Article 40(3) of the Treaty. [34569]

  Mr. Morley
  The Jaderow judgment did not say that the system of national quotas was a derogation from the principle of non-discrimination.

  Mr. Townend
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) of 5 March 1998,Official Report, column 728, whether, if Portugal, Spain, Finland and Sweden do not obtain new derogations for the period after 2002, the principle of equal access will then apply to their fishing grounds. [34570]

  Mr. Morley
  Unless the Council decides otherwise, access to fishing grounds after 2002 will continue to be limited by the principle of relative stability and the national quota system. There will also continue to be restrictions on access within 6 and 12 mile limits if the Council decides to renew the present derogation, as I expect it will.
  540
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet(a) the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and (b) the Scottish Fishermen's Federation before the next Council of Ministers meetings. [34862]

  Mr. Morley
  Yes.

  Mackerel Handline Fishery
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what extra provision he has made for the Cornish handline mackerel fishery; and if he will make a statement on its future. [34944]

  Mr. Morley
  It is proposed to amend the underpinning arrangements for the mackerel handline fishery so that it receives a minimum allocation of 1,750 tonnes or 0.83 per cent. of the UK quota, whichever is the greater. As a result, the handline fishery may expect to receive an initial allocation of some 1,750 tonnes for 1998 compared to 1,450 tonnes with the previous arrangements. Additionally, we have, through quota swaps, secured an extra 300 tonnes of mackerel which will be used to offset the overfishing of the 1997 allocation and the repayment of quota swaps to other groups.

  "Agriculture in the United Kingdom"
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the latest volume of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom" to be published. [35201]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  "Agriculture in the United Kingdom" 1997 was published today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the non-departmental public bodies(a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34831]

  Mr. Morley
  In a News Release on 28 May 1997, my right hon. Friend announced the disbanding of the Department's nine advisory Regional Panels.

  The Potato Industry Development Council (known as the British Potato Council) was established on 1 July 1997. The body, which is funded by a levy on the industry, has planned annual running costs of £1.334 million for the year ending 30 June 1998.

  Mink Farming
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what statutory changes would be required to effect a ban on mink farming. [35025]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government's position on fur farming is that they remain committed to implementing their pre-election pledge to end fur farming as soon as practicable. Last year, we reviewed the various options available to prohibit the keeping of mink and other species for fur and a public consultation letter seeking comments on the way we proposed to proceed was issued on 5 August 1997. The public consultation period has now ended and we are currently considering how the intention
  541
  to prohibit fur farming can best be implemented. An announcement will be made once we have decided how to proceed. There would be public consultation on any proposals for legislation to ban fur farming.

DEFENCE

  Biological and Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those biological and chemical warfare agents evaluated by DERA to which there is no known antidote. [30554]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down carries out research which is directed towards providing the UK Armed Forces with safe and effective protection against the threat posed by biological and chemical warfare agents.

  It would not be in the interests of national security to reveal any known biological or chemical warfare agents to which there is no available medical countermeasure, as to do this would provide information to a potential aggressor against the UK.

  Under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information I will not, therefore, disclose whether or not such agents exist.

  Army Training
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that the quality of training available to army personnel equips them both for their duties in the armed forces and for civilian employment on the completion of service. [34150]

  Dr. Reid
  The Army training system is primarily designed to ensure that each individual serviceman and woman is equipped effectively to carry out their military duties. It is, however, certainly the case that the specialist, leadership, initiative, communication and team skills which are developed throughout a military career are all transferable to a civilian environment, so that our Army is one of the best work forces in Britain.

  In line with the Department's commitment to Investors in People, a great many opportunities exist, and are being developed, for Army personnel to acquire vocational and other civilian qualifications through their military training and experience. This training is quality assured through a combination of partnerships with lead and awarding bodies, and through individual access to accredited schemes. The attainment of recognisable civilian qualifications is a particular benefit to the Service leaver when he or she enters the civilian job market. The Army will be looking to see what more can be done in this area both to reflect our commitment to our Service personnel, in the context of the Strategic Defence Review, and in line with this Government's Life Long Learning initiative.

  In their final year of service, eligible Service leavers are encouraged to take advantage of a broad range of sponsored resettlement training. This training, which is predominantly job-focused, is monitored and quality
  542
  assured by the Tri-Service Resettlement Organisation, and adheres to Industry approved standards where appropriate. Service leavers are also encouraged to attend civilian courses which lead to a nationally recognised qualification.

  Departmental Art Collection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to recover missing items of his Department's art collection; and if he will make a statement. [34763]

  Mr. Spellar
  We continue to make every effort to recover missing works of art. On two occasions, in December 1994 and September 1996, memorandums have been issued to all staff, listing the missing works of art and asking staff to assist in their recovery. In addition, photographs of missing works of art have been published in my Department's staff newspaper. My Department's works of art staff are continuing to seek missing works of art by examination of records, searches of our buildings and inquiries made throughout my Department. The Ministry of Defence Police assist in this task when required and are at present investigating a case which could lead to the recovery of a painting. Since the issue of the first memorandum, seventeen missing works of art have been found and twenty-one works of art have been otherwise accounted for.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34829]

  Mr. Spellar
  No non-departmental public bodies have been abolished or established since 1 May 1997.

  Aer Lingus Viscount Crash, 1968
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost to the defence budget of operations undertaken by the UK in searching for remains of the Aer Lingus Viscount which crashed on 24 March 1968 in the Irish Sea; and how much of this cost was passed on to the Irish Government. [34811]

  Dr. Reid
  I will write to the right hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Countryside Management Schemes
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total cost to public funds of countryside management schemes(a) nationally and (b) in Shropshire for each year since 1979. [34257]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the form requested. Information on grants provided by
  543
  Countryside Commission for its countryside management schemes from 1982–83 to date is provided below:

  £

  Year

  National

  Shropshire

  1982–83

  460,061

  n/a

  1983–84

  741,000

  n/a

  1984–85

  681,000

  n/a

  1985–86

  876,000

  n/a

  1986–87

  887,000

  n/a

  1987–88

  1,337,000

  n/a

  1988–89

  1,786,000

  n/a

  1989–90

  2,374,539

  106,000

  1990–91

  3,363,018

  185,000

  1991–92

  3,565,241

  343,000

  1992–93

  4,374,668

  187,000

  1993–94

  4,687,221

  93,937

  1994–95

  5,065,842

  258,649

  1995–96

  3,657,191

  200,979

  1996–97

  2,955,515

  130,390

  Total

  36,811,296

  1,504,955

  New Housing
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1998,Official Report, columns 95–96, what (a) research he has commissioned and (b) evidence he has evaluated concerning trends in the size of rooms in newly-built houses and flats. [34520]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Department does not collect information on the size of rooms in newly built houses and flats, and no research has been commissioned on this. Information is collected on the total useable floor area of houses and flats, and trends in the size of common types are set out below.

  Average useable floor area of common dwelling types (sq m), by date of construction

  Date of construction

  1 bed flat

  2 bed flat

  2 bed house

  3 bed house

  4 bed house

  All dwellings

  1991–1996

  45.5

  55.5

  55.9

  81.2

  112.5

  71.6

  1986–1991

  42.3

  59.0

  54.4

  71.6

  125.6

  73.1

  1981–1986

  44.7

  52.2

  55.0

  78.9

  110.7

  71.7

  1976–1981

  44.7

  60.7

  60.2

  76.7

  118.3

  74.9

  All Dwellings1

  46.9

  63.3

  64.2

  80.9

  125.7

  78.2

  1This is for the whole stock and includes older dwellings which tend to be larger than those built today. All dwellings that have subsequently been extended from their original form have been excluded.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that large-scale developments of new housing have enough space set aside to provide for the leisure and recreational needs of prospective residents. [34338]

  Mr. Caborn
  Our Planning Policy Guidance note 17: "Sports and Recreation", advises local planning authorities to assess their needs for public open space and recreation provision, in order to identify deficiencies and draw up their own standards of provision. It also advises that local planning authorities may seek to enter into a planning obligation, under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure provision of 544
  open space, playing fields and other facilities. We will be considering whether to revise this guidance in the light of recent research which we will be publishing in the near future.

  Our Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: "Housing", advises that new housing developments should include adequate provision of suitable areas for children's play, including formal play space. We have recently announced our intention to revise this guidance. All aspects of this guidance will be reviewed.

  Waste
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what statistics his Department collates on the trans-national movement of waste; what form the information takes; and what public access there is to this information; [34457]

  (2) if he will list the types and quantities of toxic waste imported into the United Kingdom in each year since 1992 for (a) recycling and (b) other processing. [34456]

  Angela Eagle
  Information relating to transnational shipments of waste into and out of England and Wales is collected on behalf of my Department and the Welsh Office by the Environment Agency. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and the Environment and Heritage Agency of Northern Ireland collect similar information for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. Information on each shipment of waste is derived from the consignment notes that must accompany all international movements of waste and includes: date of entry/departure, type of waste, hazardous characteristics of shipment, amount imported/exported, country of origin or destination, the type of disposal or recovery operation to be used.

  My Department publishes information on the types and quantities of waste imported into England and Wales for recycling and other processing in the "Digest of Environmental Statistics", which is available from the Stationery Office. The Digest also contain less detailed information on the quantities of waste imported into Scotland and Northern Ireland. A facsimile of the Digest is also placed on the Internet at http: \\www.detr.gov.uk\doe\envir\epsim. The tables show the information requested. Figures for 1994 cover only the period 6 May 1994 to 31 December 1994. Figures for 1995 are provisional. Figures for 1994 onwards are not strictly comparable with those for the earlier years, as replacement of the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 1988, with Council Regulation (EEC) No 259/93 on 6 May 1994 led to changes in the operation of the system from which data are derived and to the definitions used.

  Imports of waste into England and Wales and other processing in 1992–93 and 1993–94

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Type of waste

  Recycling

  Other processes

  Recycling

  Other processes

  Inorganic and organic acids

  0

  1,047

  0

  210

  Alkalis

  0

  120

  0

  1,362

  Toxic metal compounds

  0

  120

  128

  64

  Non-toxic metal compounds

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Metals (elemental) and metal oxides

  0

  122

  0

  201

  545

  Imports of waste into England and Wales and other processing in 1992–93 and 1993–94

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Type of waste

  Recycling

  Other processes

  Recycling

  Other processes

  Inorganic compounds

  0

  459

  18

  1,918

  Other organic materials

  323

  10,457

  0

  9,660

  Organic compounds (excluding PCBs)

  159

  4,893

  261

  1,983

  PCBs/PCB contaminated waste

  0

  4,781

  0

  3,744

  Polymeric materials and precursors

  0

  843

  0

  2,450

  Fuels, oils and greases

  0

  4,495

  0

  18,700

  Fine chemicals and biocides

  0

  3,534

  16

  3,632

  Miscellaneous chemical waste

  0

  777

  32

  3,064

  Filter materials, sludge and rubbish

  0

  8,778

  0

  5,934

  Interceptor wastes, paints

  0

  1,213

  0

  2,173

  Miscellaneous wastes

  0

  3,230

  35

  10,881

  Hospital and similar wastes

  0

  439

  0

  0

  Total

  482

  45,308

  490

  85,976

  Imports of waste into England and Wales for recycling and other processing, 1994 and 1995

  1994

  1995

  Wastes consisting of or contaminated with

  Recycling

  Other processes

  Recycling

  Other processes

  Health care wastes

  0

  227

  0

  196

  Fine chemicals and biocides

  1,012

  8,688

  3,151

  6,710

  Organic solvents, including halogenated organic solvents

  4,689

  586

  999

  1,145

  Inorganic and organic cyanides

  0

  320

  0

  0

  Mineral oils, oil/water and hydrocarbon/water mixtures

  755

  508

  1,957

  30

  PCBs and PCB contaminated items

  90

  1,767

  0

  1,487

  Tarry residues from refining, distillation and pyrolitic treatments

  0

  150

  80

  21

  Inks, paints, dyes and pigments

  226

  338

  46

  559

  Polymeric materials and precursors

  476

  255

  258

  70

  Photographic chemicals and materials

  615

  0

  5,503

  0

  Wastes from the treatment of metals and plastics

  160

  27

  14

  81

  Residues from industrial waste disposal

  13,023

  585

  4,411

  928

  Heavy metals and their compounds

  5,390

  40

  1,580

  153

  Arsenic and antimony and their compounds

  40

  0

  0

  0

  Inorganic fluorine compounds

  0

  737

  0

  0

  Acids and bases in solid form or solution

  22

  793

  2,000

  66

  Phenols, ethers and organohalons not elsewhere specified

  23

  164

  0

  41

  Wastes collected from households

  0

  245

  0

  0

  546

  Imports of waste into England and Wales for recycling and other processing, 1994 and 1995

  1994

  1995

  Wastes consisting of or contaminated with

  Recycling

  Other processes

  Recycling

  Other processes

  Residues from incineration of household waste

  0

  1,579

  0

  3,013

  Unclassified

  1,109

  9,693

  8,571

  7,379

  England and Wales

  27,630

  26,698

  28,570

  21,879

  Scotland

  2,441

  0

  4,308

  6

  Northern Ireland

  0

  60

  n/a

  n/a

  Total

  30,070

  26,758

  32,876

  21,885

  Bedford Borough Council
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that the interim District Auditors report into financial irregularities in respect of Bedford Borough Council is released immediately. [34341]

  Ms Armstrong
  My right hon. Friend has no power to instruct an auditor to make a public interest report or to issue any instructions with regard to the publication of such a report. It is a matter for the auditor to consider whether he should use his powers under section 15(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 to make a report to the body concerned. Where an auditor decides to make an immediate report the body concerned must make the report available for inspection and provide copies on request.

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Worsley (Mr. Lewis) of 31 July 1997,Official Report, column 542, if he will list the occasions since 30 July when Green Ministers have met, indicating what decisions were taken on each occasion. [34991]

  Mr. Meacher
  Since 30 July 1997 Green Ministers have met once, on 18 December. They endorsed policy guidance on environmental appraisal which has since been formally cleared by the Cabinet Environment Committee and will be issued shortly. They also shared information and best practice on various topics including: the outcome of the Kyoto Conference on climate change; the developing integrated transport policy; systems for policy appraisal; and the greening Departments' operations.

  Since October 1997, I have also met individual Green Ministers in a series of 17 bilaterals designed to address matters of particular relevance to their Departments. Only one of these Departmental bilaterals remains to be held.

  Allotments
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the area of allotment land for each London borough(a) for each of the past three years and (b) for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [34307]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 March 1998): This information is not held by the Department.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) she has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) she has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34823]

  Mr. Foulkes
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development has neither abolished nor established any non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997.

WALES

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the projected end of year financial position of each NHS trust in Wales; [33294]

  (2) what is the current financial position of each NHS trust in Wales. [33295]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The table sets out the projected end of year and current position as reported by trusts for the financial quarter December 1997:

  £000

  NHS trusts Wales

  Projected year-end surplus/(deficit)1

  Current surplus/(deficit)1

  Bridgend

  0

  (121)

  Cardiff Community

  259

  287

  Carmarthen

  (1,659)

  (887)

  Ceredigion

  (1,100)

  (523)

  Clwydian

  187

  157

  East Glamorgan

  92

  435

  Glan Clwyd

  127

  13

  Glan Hafren

  330

  1,036

  Glan Y Mor

  0

  314

  Gwent Community

  66

  59

  Gwynedd Community

  97

  1,361

  Gwynedd Hospital

  (92)

  209

  Llandough

  (1,822)

  (1,445)

  Llanelli

  (800)

  (592)

  Mid Glam Ambulance

  49

  276

  Morriston

  (2,691)

  (1,764)

  Nevin Hall

  (82)

  16

  North Glamorgan

  (308)

  678

  North Wales Ambulance

  56

  183

  Pembs/Derwen

  (2,097)

  (1,563)

  Powys

  (1,278)

  (871)

  Rhondda

  116

  149

  Sewat

  0

  508

  Swansea

  60

  52

  UHW Dental Hospital

  (92)

  156

  UHW

  (4,574)

  (1,658)

  Velindre

  87

  325

  West Wales Ambulance

  0

  151

  Wrexham

  (737)

  (777)

  Total

  (15,806)

  (3,836)

  1as at December 1997.

  Greenfield Sites
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hectares of green field land not classified as Green Belt and available for building there were in Wales on 1 May. [33481]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Information on the amount of Greenfield land available for building on is not available. However, it is up to local planning authorities to ensure that an adequate and continuous supply of suitable land is available for development in a way which is consistent with the principle of sustainable development.

  After-school Clubs
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to expand(a) after school homework clubs and (b) literacy and numeracy clubs in Wales. [33539]

  Mr. Hain
  Funding for out of school activities will be provided by the New Opportunities Fund, which will be established by the National Lottery Bill (Royal Assent is expected July 1998). A great many schools in Wales already offer high-quality out of school learning provision across the country. Lottery funding will therefore be very important not only in allowing schools to initiate projects to support children's learning but to expand and/or enhance existing work.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what draft concordats he is currently preparing to regulate the participation of Members of the National Assembly for Wales in meetings of the European Council of Ministers; and if he will make copies of such draft concordats available in the Library. [33891]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 10 March 1998,Official Report, column 156. All relevant concordats will where appropriate cover European matters.

  Tourism
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the percentage of(a) domestic holiday makers and (b) overseas visitors to the United Kingdom who spend their holiday in Wales. [33816]

  Mr. Hain
  In 1996, the latest year for which figures are available, 11.1 per cent. of domestic and 3.8 per cent. of overseas holidaymakers visited Wales.

  Music Tuition
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent by each unitary authority on(a) music tuition, (b) youth choirs, (c) orchestras and (d) brass bands in each of the last five years. [34349]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to increase expenditure on music tuition in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [34354]
  549
  Mr. Ron Davies
  The provision of music services is a matter for local authorities and it is the responsibility of individual authorities to determine how the resources made available to them are allocated between services, taking into account their statutory responsibilities and perceptions of local needs and priorities.

  Historic Properties
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what grants are available to help historic properties retain their traditional features; and if he will make a statement. [34353]

  Mr. Hain
  Grants to assist in the repair or restoration of buildings of outstanding historic or architectural interest and towards works to buildings which will significantly enhance or preserve a conservation area are available from the Welsh Office. I have sent the hon. Member a copy of Cadw's booklet "Historic Buildings Grants and Conservation Area Grants".

  In addition, many local authorities work with Cadw in jointly funding Town Schemes which provide assistance for external repairs to properties.

  Sports Grants
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the total grant-in-aid made available by the Sports Council of Wales to governing bodies of sport for each of the financial years 1992 to 1998; and what it is projected to be for the next three financial years; [34250]

  (2) if he will list, by individual governing body, the grant-in-aid projected to be made available by the Sports Council for Wales to governing bodies of sport for the next three financial years; [34252]

  (3) if he will list, by individual governing body, the grant-in-aid made available by the Sports Council for Wales to governing bodies of sport for each of the financial years 1992 to 1998. [34249]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  These are operational matters for the Sports Council for Wales and I will ask the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend with the information he has requested. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34824]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Since 1 May 1997 the following non-departmental public bodies have been abolished: Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales; Staff Commission for Wales; and the Welsh Council for Post Graduate Medical and Dental Education. In addition the following non-departmental public bodies have also been identified for abolition: Cardiff Bay Development Corporation; the Development Board for Rural Wales; the Land Authority for Wales; the Residuary Body for Wales; and Tai Cymru. I have not established any new non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997.

  Tram Scheme, Llandudno
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when Conwy County Borough Council submitted a bid for Government funding for its proposed tram scheme in Llandudno; [34808]

  (2) what is the completion date of Conwy County Borough Council's proposed tram scheme for Llandudno; [34885]

  (3) if Conwy County Borough Council had planning consent for its proposed tram scheme in Llandudno before it submitted a bid for Government funding; [34888]

  (4) what steps he has taken to secure the refund of the Government grant to Conwy County Borough Council for the purpose of a tram scheme in Llandudno, if the tram scheme does not proceed. [34884]

  Mr. Hain
  Conwy County Borough Council's application for Welsh Capital Challenge funding for the proposed tramway at Llandudno was submitted under cover of a letter from the Chief Executive on 10 October 1996. This application was made in advance of planning consent being sought.

  The then Secretary of State approved funding of £1.1 million over 3 years in the 1997£98 Challenge round towards a £2.6 million project cost with the difference being met by a number of private companies. Completion of the project was planned for 1999–2000.

  The proposed tramway project is part of a wider planning application currently before the Council. In the event of significant slippage against the project's original timetable and expenditure profile, as with all Welsh Capital Challenge approvals where such slippage occurs, the Secretary of State will want to consider in due course whether it is appropriate to withdraw the offer of funding, or to make funds available for completion of the project in future years.

  Walton Hospital, Liverpool
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make an assessment of the impact on the health of patients needing to see a neurosurgeon of long journeys to Walton Hospital, Liverpool. [34820]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  No. It is for clinicians to make such an assessment, based on the likely benefit to each patient of investigation and treatment from the specialist neuro-surgical service at Walton Hospital.

  Companies' Costs
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the change in costs for companies in Wales as a result of changes in taxation since 1 May 1997. [33625]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  All taxpaying companies will benefit from the 2 per cent. cut in corporation tax rates announced in the last Budget. Details of other tax measures are shown in table 2.2 of the July 1997 Financial Statement and Budget Report. No separate figures are available for companies in Wales.

  Company Pension Schemes
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the impact of the additional taxation on pension schemes on companies in Wales. [33621]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  An estimate of the effect of the July 1997 tax credit changes on the pension schemes of companies in Wales is not available.

  Export Credits Guarantees
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the working of the export credits guarantee system as it affects the industries of Wales. [33537]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have been asked to reply.

  Export credit cover for United Kingdom companies is made available by the Export Credits Guarantee Department (primarily for capital goods and project exports) and a number of private sector insurers such as NCM, Trade Indemnity and Coface LBF (for other goods). All of these organisations will be able to offer the full range of their facilities to the industries of Wales.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Summit
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated total cost to his Department of holding the European Summit meeting in Cardiff in June 1998. [34495]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The current estimated forecast total cost to this Department of the European Council in Cardiff is £6.5 million (excl. VAT).

  Iraq
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many inspections have been carried out by UNSCOM in Iraq since 1 March; and at what locations. [34613]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Since 1 March 1998, the Special Commission's resident Monitoring Groups have conducted regular monitoring inspections throughout Iraq. In addition they have provided support to visiting short-term teams. UNSCOM have not released the precise numbers of inspections and names of sites into the public domain.

  Harare Declaration
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to amend the Harare Declaration. [34621]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  None. The commitments contained in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration are as valid today as they were in 1991 when they were agreed by Commonwealth Heads of Government. At the most recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which took place in Edinburgh in October 1997, Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to the 552
  fundamental values of the Commonwealth, as set out in the Harare Declaration. They agreed that compliance with those values would be one of the conditions for countries applying to join the Commonwealth. And they agreed a wider remit for the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, which is tasked to address serious and persistent violations of the Harare principles.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the BBC World Service. [34611]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The BBC World Service is an important national asset and makes a vital contribution to the promotion of Britain abroad. We are committed to the maintenance of its outstanding reputation for objective news and comment and continued pre-eminence among international broadcasters.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list his meetings with the Chinese Government where the jamming of BBC World Service short wave transmissions to China was on the formal agenda; [34610]

  (2) what representations he has made to the Chinese Government concerning the jamming of the BBC World Services short wave transmissions to China. [34612]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The BBC have not asked us to take up this matter with the Chinese authorities. We raised the issue of media freedom in our dialogues with the Chinese on human rights. We are also pressing for Chinese signature of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which includes the right to receive and impart information and ideas, of all kinds, regardless of frontiers.

  South Africa
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the projects supported by his Department to promote multi-party democracy in South Africa. [34578]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Many of the activities of our High Commission in South Africa are intended to help create the context in which multi-party democracy can flourish. This has included specific projects such as assistance to the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA) and the Helen Suzman Foundation, as well as support for independent journalism. The Department for International Development also promotes multi-party democracy, for example through its programme of Parliamentary visits, and its contribution to workshops for legislators in the region organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

  The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, to which this department contributes financially, has approved the following projects in South Africa in Financial Year 1997–98:

  Conference on the Role of Political Parties

  ANC Follow-up Fundraising Workshop

  Support for Parliamentary Monitoring Office

  Workshop to Build Policy Skills in National, Provincial and Local Government

  553

  Training for Local Government Councillors

  Conservative Party visit to South Africa, Namibia and Botswana

  Support for KwaZulu Natal Monitoring Publication

  Support for IDASA Political Analysis and Monitoring Publication.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those EU directives of which it is his Department's policy to seek a repeal, and about which he has approached other EU member states. [34624]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We are committed to simpler and better EU legislation which conforms with the principle of subsidiarity.

  This can often be achieved by simplifying existing legislation and ensuring that new legislation does not impose disproportionate burdens rather than by repeal.

  We are pursuing during the UK Presidency a number of means to achieve this, for example, through the Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market (SLIM) initiative, which aims to reduce the burden of certain internal market regulations.

  Turkey
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives are being pursued to improve relations between Turkey and the
  EU. [34575]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Luxembourg European Council in December 1997 agreed to draw up a European Strategy for Turkey, designed to prepare Turkey for accession by bringing it closer to the European Union in every field. This should consist of development of the possibilities afforded by the Ankara Agreement; intensification of the Customs Union; implementation of financial cooperation; approximation of laws and adoption of the Union acquis; and participation, on a case by case basis, in certain EU programmes and agencies.

  The Commission tabled its initial proposals for this strategy on 4 March. We will be taking these forward as Presidency of the EU.

  Belarus
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on(a) the strength of democratic institutions and (b) the human rights record of the Government in Belarus. [34622]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Democratic institutions in Belarus are weak. We fully support the work of the recently established OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group (AMG) in Minsk, which aims to assist the Belarussian authorities in promoting democratic institutions and in complying with other OSCE commitments.

  Belarus's human rights record is poor. We have particular concerns about freedom of speech and association and media freedom, which we have frequently raised with the Belarussian authorities. In February 1998,
  554
  the UK Presidency on behalf of the EU protested against heavy sentences imposed on two youths for painting anti-government slogans on public buildings and statues.

  Latvia
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent disturbances in Latvia between native Latvians and the ethnic Russian population. [34577]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  On 3 March a crowd, mainly from the Russian-speaking community, and mostly pensioners, gathered outside Riga town hall to protest about increased heating charges. As numbers grew, police moved in to force the crowd back on to the pavement. An initial investigation by the Latvian authorities into claims that the police used unnecessary force has concluded that no police officers were guilty of misconduct. There have been no reports of serious injuries. We are encouraging both the Russian and the Latvian governments to ensure that their reactions to the incident are proportionate to the events themselves.

  Esperanto
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the advantages of promoting(a) Esperanto and (b) another language as the common official language of the European Union following the accession of the candidate member states; and if he will make a statement. [34745]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We do not consider it realistic to expect Member States of an enlarged European Union to agree on a common official language.

  Yemen and Oman
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit(a) Yemen and (b) Oman. [34556]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no current plans to visit either Yemen or Oman.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have taken place since 1 May involving representatives from his Department at which(a) Oman and (b) Yemen were discussed; and how many meetings he and his ministers have had with representatives of the (i) Oman and (ii) Yemeni Governments. [34557]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There have been numerous meetings between officials and members of the Yemeni and Omani Embassies since May 1997.

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Yemeni Foreign Minister in London in June last year and called on the President of Yemen during his visit to the UK last November. The Yemeni Foreign Minister also called on me in January.

  My right hon. Friend met the Omani Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs last July. I have visited Oman twice since May 1997. During my visits I met representatives of the Omani Government, including His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. Two Omani ministers have called on me during the same period.

  EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Common Foreign and Security Policy working groups established by the EU; and if he will make a statement. [33948]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: Common Foreign and Security Policy working groups established by the EU are:

  Administrative Affairs

  Africa

  Armaments Policy

  Asia

  Central Europe

  Communications

  Consular Affairs

  Conventional Arms Exports

  Drugs

  Eastern Europe and Central Asia

  Euro-Mediterranean

  Global Disarmament

  Human Rights

  Latin America

  Law of the Sea

  Mashreq/Maghreb

  Middle East/Gulf

  Middle East Peace Process

  Nuclear

  Non-proliferation

  OSCE

  Planners

  Protocol

  Public International Law

  Security

  South-East Europe

  Terrorism

  United Nations

  Western Balkans Region.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many Common Foreign and Security Policy working groups established by the EU the United Kingdom is represented; and by whom. [33947]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: The United Kingdom is represented on all 28 Common Foreign and Security Policy working groups by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the terms of reference of the Common Foreign and Security Policy working groups established by the EU; when they were established; and how often they meet. [33949]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: Since the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty in November 1993, 28 Common Foreign and Security Policy working groups have been created. The groups
  556
  meet regularly to discuss topical issues and areas of cooperation within their respective remits as follows: Administrative Affairs, Africa, Armaments Policy, Asia, Central Europe, Communications, Consular Affairs, Conventional Arms Exports, Drugs, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Euro-Mediterranean, Global Disarmament, Human Rights, Latin America, Law of the Sea, Mashreq/Maghreb, Middle East/Gulf, Middle East Peace Process, Nuclear Non-proliferation, OSCE, Planners, Protocol, Public International Law, Security, South-East Europe, Terrorism, United Nations, Western Balkans Region.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34836]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has neither abolished nor established any non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what subjects were discussed when the UK High Commissioner to Sierra Leone met representatives of Sandline in 1997; and who was present; [34315]

  (2) if the UK High Commissioner to Sierra Leone was authorised by Ministers to meet representatives of Sandline in 1997. [34316]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) made covering this point in the Adjournment Debate of 12 March 1998,Official Report, columns 844–45.

  Peter Penfold, the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, has confirmed that on no occasion did he attend any meetings at which Sandline and President Kabbah were present together. In the course of his duties Mr. Penfold met a wide range of people including representatives of Sandline Services and affiliates. These contacts did not require prior ministerial approval. Mr. Penfold, who moved to Conakry following the May 1997 military coup in Freetown, used them to help obtain information about Sierra Leone, particularly the security situation in relation to British nationals and interests.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police (Firearms)
  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been authorised to can-y firearms; for how many operations firearms have been issued; and how many operations involving armed response vehicles there have been in each of the last three years for which information is available. [35188]
  557
  Mr. Michal
  The information is as follows:

  Annex B: Issue of police firearms Number of operations in which firearms were issued

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Avon and Somerset

  156

  326

  312

  Bedfordshire

  36

  264

  345

  Cambridgeshire

  73

  47

  54

  Cheshire

  93

  219

  288

  Cleveland

  107

  487

  1,026

  City of London

  8

  25

  308

  Cumbria

  44

  54

  72

  Derbyshire

  68

  72

  109

  Devon and Cornwall

  29

  90

  160

  Dorset

  46

  36

  36

  Durham

  100

  111

  131

  Essex

  267

  267

  331

  Gloucestershire

  27

  33

  41

  Greater Manchester

  110

  142

  214

  Hampshire

  195

  190

  245

  Hertfordshire

  69

  47

  96

  Humberside

  49

  92

  291

  Kent

  95

  82

  236

  Lancashire

  57

  227

  333

  Leicestershire

  78

  138

  155

  Lincolnshire

  50

  25

  58

  Merseyside

  116

  280

  671

  Metropolitan

  1,804

  2,178

  2,439

  Norfolk

  56

  96

  166

  Northamptonshire

  40

  54

  64

  Northumbria

  593

  452

  1,360

  North Yorkshire

  25

  52

  65

  Nottinghamshire

  47

  57

  84

  South Yorkshire

  172

  225

  155

  Staffordshire

  21

  80

  257

  Suffolk

  119

  150

  180

  Surrey

  60

  70

  133

  Sussex

  375

  445

  235

  Thames Valley

  65

  96

  215

  Warwickshire

  25

  55

  97

  West Mercia

  50

  59

  106

  West Midlands

  141

  226

  270

  West Yorkshire

  181

  657

  617

  Wiltshire

  26

  26

  26

  Dyfed Powys

  16

  11

  17

  Gwent

  20

  47

  89

  North Wales

  60

  117

  233

  South Wales

  55

  69

  59

  Total

  5,824

  8,476

  12,379

  Annex D: Number of authorised firearms officers (AFOs)

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Avon and Somerset

  156

  157

  165

  Bedfordshire

  67

  48

  46

  Cambridgeshire

  87

  92

  90

  Cheshire

  122

  84

  70

  Cleveland

  55

  65

  86

  City of London

  146

  120

  88

  Cumbria

  105

  100

  108

  Derbyshire

  140

  130

  110

  Devon and Cornwall

  116

  140

  151

  Dorset

  76

  75

  74

  Durham

  108

  103

  138

  Essex

  209

  203

  228

  Gloucestershire

  71

  85

  82

  Greater Manchester

  181

  186

  209

  Hampshire

  110

  104

  106

  Hertfordshire

  48

  43

  42

  Humberside

  110

  104

  90

  558

  Annex D: Number of authorised firearms officers (AFOs)

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Kent

  147

  144

  150

  Lancashire

  135

  138

  132

  Leicestershire

  103

  105

  104

  Lincolnshire

  73

  81

  82

  Merseyside

  160

  119

  147

  Metropolitan

  2,013

  1,915

  2,035

  Norfolk

  117

  99

  98

  Northamptonshire

  83

  95

  92

  Northumbria

  166

  160

  173

  North Yorkshire

  142

  134

  108

  Nottinghamshire

  125

  126

  128

  South Yorkshire

  162

  125

  110

  Staffordshire

  84

  80

  78

  Suffolk

  65

  70

  82

  Surrey

  76

  79

  76

  Sussex

  142

  149

  180

  Thames Valley

  180

  175

  185

  Warwickshire

  56

  50

  41

  West Mercia

  160

  153

  155

  West Midlands

  87

  87

  88

  West Yorkshire

  156

  150

  131

  Wiltshire

  165

  145

  134

  Dyfed Powys

  58

  57

  70

  Gwent

  54

  55

  70

  North Wales

  71

  70

  72

  South Wales

  150

  154

  134

  Total

  6,837

  6,554

  6,738

  Annex E: Number of operations involving armed response vehicles (ARVs)

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Avon and Somerset

  90

  200

  247

  Bedfordshire

  0

  239

  309

  Cambridgeshire

  27

  15

  23

  Cheshire

  76

  180

  240

  Cleveland

  89

  465

  1,014

  City of London

  0

  23

  25

  Cumbria

  19

  44

  64

  Derbyshire

  58

  53

  97

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  21

  0

  Dorset

  25

  22

  28

  Durham

  27

  38

  62

  Essex

  165

  155

  218

  Gloucestershire

  0

  10

  13

  Greater Manchester

  69

  6

  0

  Hampshire

  156

  159

  0

  Hertfordshire

  37

  20

  35

  Humberside

  6

  35

  284

  Kent

  47

  42

  208

  Lancashire

  48

  187

  320

  Leicestershire

  50

  101

  126

  Lincolnshire

  45

  21

  0

  Merseyside

  73

  239

  0

  Metropolitan

  n/k

  1,025

  790

  Norfolk

  36

  80

  152

  Northamptonshire

  21

  3

  20

  Northumbria

  310

  325

  715

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  13

  Nottinghamshire

  40

  44

  66

  South Yorkshire

  140

  171

  129

  Staffordshire

  3

  70

  235

  Suffolk

  113

  117

  120

  Surrey

  25

  47

  52

  Sussex

  304

  413

  173

  Thames Valley

  6

  73

  164

  Warwickshire

  22

  54

  91

  West Mercia

  26

  39

  77

  West Midlands

  58

  98

  103

  West Yorkshire

  173

  587

  584

  559

  Annex E: Number of operations involving armed response vehicles (ARVs)

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Wiltshire

  13

  1

  23

  Dyfed Powys

  9

  6

  12

  Gwent

  9

  39

  58

  North Wales

  0

  14

  173

  South Wales

  8

  42

  55

  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many operations firearms were issued to police officers in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years for which information is available; in how many operations shots were fired by police officers in each year; how many police officers were qualified to carry firearms; and if he will make a statement. [35189]

  Mr. Michael
  This information is as follows:

  Year

  Number of authorised firearms officers

  Number of operations

  Number of operations in which shots fired by the police

  1987

  7,349

  2,185

  7

  1988

  7,194

  2,227

  2

  1989

  7,311

  2,583

  4

  1990

  7,411

  2,874

  3

  1991

  7,717

  3,722

  5

  1992

  6,850

  4,479

  12

  1993

  6,769

  5,625

  6

  1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995

  6,837

  5,824

  5

  1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996

  6,554

  8,476

  5

  1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997

  6,738

  12,379

  5

  Reasons for the increases in number of policy firearms operations will vary between forces, and they are best placed to answer specific inquiries. Although the number of authorised firearms officers has dropped over the years, police forces are now much better equipped to deal with armed crime, thanks to armed response vehicles and updated practices. Police firearms have only been fired in five operations in each of the last three years. This very low number confirms that police firearms officers generally carry out their duties with professionalism and restraint.

  Curfews
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend to all courts the power to make curfew orders enforced by electronic monitoring. [35238]

  Ms Quin
  Curfew orders under section 12 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991, enforced by electronic monitoring, are at present available to the courts as a penalty only in restricted pilot areas. It is our intention that these orders should in due course be made available to all courts in England and Wales.

  There is a competitive tender for the provision of electronic monitoring services underway throughout England and Wales. The primary purpose of this service, which will be provided, as at present, by the private
  560
  sector, is to provide electronic monitoring for prisoners under the home detention curfew scheme, under which selected short term prisoners may spend up to the last two months of their sentence under an electronically monitored curfew. I anticipate that the home detention curfew scheme will be operational in early 1999. However, contractors will also be required to provide electronic monitoring for other purposes, including curfew orders, should they be required. Roll out of curfew orders will follow the establishment of the home detention curfew scheme, according to a timetable to be discussed with those concerned and as resources allow.

  European Elections
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many other members of the European Union require voters to vote for a closed list at the regional level in European elections. [34139]

  Mr. George Howarth
  France, Germany, Greece, Spain and Portugal use closed list systems to elect their Members to the European Parliament. France, Greece, Spain and Portugal use national lists while Germany employs a combination of federal and Land lists.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34834]

  Mr. Straw
  (a) No Home Office Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) have been abolished since 1 May 1997. However, the future of six NDPBs will be affected by current developments and I hope to be able to announce in due course that several will be abolished, merged or 'sunsetted'.

  (b) No new Home Office NDPBs have been created since 1 May 1997. However, under the provisions of Part IV of the Police Act 1997, the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO), which is currently part of the Department, will be established as an executive NDPB with effect from 1 April 1998. The Organisation's forward plan for 1997–98, published in April 1997, gave a figure of £50,960k for its total gross expenditure for this year. I am unable to provide a figure for 1998–99. This is because I cannot anticipate the presentation of the Home Office Departmental Report and the main Supply Estimates to Parliament. This will happen shortly after the Budget. I will then write to the hon. Member with the information for the coming financial year.

  The Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] contains proposals to establish a National Board for Youth Justice as an NDPB.

  Mrs. Poole
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the factors underlying the delay in establishing a date for a hearing appeal by Mr. and Mrs. Poole against the decision to grant an entry visa for Mrs. Poole's children to the United Kingdom; [34950]
  561
  (2) when the hon. Member for West Chelmsford can expect answers to his correspondence with his Department from 6 January onwards, relating to when Mr. and Mrs. Poole's appeal, reference UK16593, on behalf of Mrs. Poole's children to be granted an entry visa to the United Kingdom, will be heard. [34949]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The case is currently with the Immigration Appellate Authority, which is responsible for hearing immigration appeals. My officials are looking into the matters raised and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 3 February from the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam concerning the extradition of a constituent. [34963]

  Mr. Michael
  The hon. Member's letter was given full consideration on receipt as a representation by a Member of Parliament on behalf of a constituent. I replied to the hon. Member on Monday 16 March following a decision on the case on Friday 13 March.

  Firearms (Compensation)
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects claim ref. HER 12176 to be settled under the Firearms Compensation Scheme. [34325]

  Mr. Michael
  Claim No. HER 12176 was received in the Firearms Compensation Section on 29 September 1997, and the Option A and B elements of that claim are likely to be processed in around four weeks' time. The Option C elements, which will require individual consideration of the evidence of value provided, will be dealt with at a later date.

  Drugs and Criminal Justice Conference
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the outcome of the Drugs and Criminal Justice Conference held on 28 to 30 January; and if he will place in the Library a summary record of the proceedings; [34687]

  (2) if he will list the participants, and their organisational affiliations, who attended the Drugs and Criminal Justice Conference on 28 to 30 January. [34685]

  Mr. Michael
  The conference was a consultation exercise to inform the development of the Government's new anti-drugs strategy. A copy of the conference report, which includes details of participants, has been placed in the Library.

  Convicted Police Officers (Pensions)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to reduce the pension entitlement of convicted police officers. [34340]

  Mr. Michael
  Police Pensions Regulations provide for police authorities to forfeit the pensions of police officers convicted of treason or of offences under the Official Secrets Act. There is also provision for forfeiture of a pension where an officer has been convicted of an offence committed in connection with his service as a member of a police force which has been certified by the Secretary 562
  of State to have been either gravely injurious to the interests of the State or liable to lead to serious loss of confidence in the public service. It is the responsibility of police authorities to identify cases which might merit forfeiture and to apply to the Secretary of State for the issue of a certificate. In the Metropolitan Police Service, the Commissioner identifies such cases to the Secretary of State. While such cases are few, it is wrong to provide public money for the pensions of those officers who have abused their position of trust and forfeiture should be a serious consideration in all such cases.

  Millennium Compliance
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost to his Department of(a) consultants and (b) contractors engaged by his Department to address millennium computer compliance problems; and if he will list the consultants and contractors. [32299]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 622. Non pay running costs noted in that answer is the estimated cost to my Department of consultants and contractors. The consultants and contractors engaged to address millennium compliance problems are Bull Information Systems Ltd; CCTA; Grosvenor Consulting Ltd; Mentis; Oracle; Praxis; Sema Group; and Software AG.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when all testing on Year 2000 compliance will be completed in his Department. [32312]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 3 March 19981: Year 2000 compliance testing will be completed on all business critical systems within my Department by January 1999. Testing of some non-critical systems will continue after this date, to be completed by mid 1999.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans have been made for(a) the Fire Service College, (b) the Forensic Science Service, (c) the UK Passport Agency and (d) HM Prison Service in the event of a failure due to Year 2000 computer problems. [32302]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 3 March 1998](a) The Fire Service College have recently installed a redeveloped Year 2000 compliant system. Contingency plans are included within their Year 2000 strategy. (b) The Forensic Science Service contingency plans will be completed by the end of March 1998. (c) The United Kingdom Passport Agency will have a redeveloped Year 2000 compliant computer system in place before the Year 2000. Their current system is being tested for Year 2000 compliance as a contingency measure. (d) Her Majesty's Prison Service have plans in place to cover failure of strategic computer systems. These will be reviewed to ensure they cater for failure due to Year 2000 computer problems.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which budgetary sub-head the costs of millennium compliance will be met by his Department. [32298]
  563
  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Millennium compliance costs will be met from existing Capital and Non Pay Running Costs budgetary sub-heads.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for the latest available date the total number of Czech and Slovak Roma asylum seekers who(a) are in detention awaiting determination of their cases, (b) have been released on bail, (c) are awaiting deportation following refusal of their application and (d) have been granted asylum or leave to remain in the United Kingdom. [34310]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: Czech and Slovak Roma are not separately identifiable in the statistics; the available information relates to all asylum applications lodged in the United Kingdom by nationals of Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

  For information regarding initial decisions made during 1996 and 1997 on asylum applications lodged in the United Kingdom by nationals of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 29 January 1998, Official Report, columns 336–37. Equivalent information for years prior to 1996 is not available. For additional information, may I also refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 11 February 1998, Official Report, columns 207–08, which provided statistical data regarding those asylum applications lodged at the port of Dover by Czech and Slovak nationals.

  One Slovakian and one Czech family (husband, wife and son—each asylum seekers in their own right), have had their appeals allowed and have been granted asylum.

  As at 27 February 1998, a total of four nationals of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, who had sought asylum at some stage, were recorded as detained solely under Immigration Act powers. Of these, one person was awaiting an initial decision on their application while the remainder were awaiting the outcome of appeals.

  I regret that comprehensive information on the number of Czech and Slovak asylum seekers who have been released on bail, or on the number of those who have currently reached a stage where they could be removed from the United Kingdom (either through the deportation process, removal as an illegal entrant or removal under port procedures), is not available.

  Immigration Advisers
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) pursuant to his oral answers of 2 February 1998,Official Report, columns 703–04, on immigration advisers, how many complaints his Department has made to (a) the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors and (b) the Legal Aid Board in respect of the firms of solicitors whose conduct in immigration cases is of concern to his Department; [34580]

  (2) how many complaints his Department has made to (a) the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors and (b)the Legal Aid Board about the conduct of solicitors acting in immigration cases in the past (i) month, (ii) six months and (iii) year; [34534]
  564
  (3) how many occasions in the past 12 months his Department has asked the Legal Services Ombudsman to examine the way in which the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors dealt with a complaint by his Department about the conduct of a solicitor acting in an immigration case; [34533]

  (4) pursuant to his oral answer of 2 February 1998, Official Report, columns 703–04, on immigration advisers, what information his Department has passed to the Law Society about the identity and practices of those particular firms of solicitors whose conduct in immigration cases is of concern to his Department; and on what dates. [34579]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: The Department contacts the Law Society or the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors from time to time when there is evidence that an immigration adviser who is a solicitor has acted in an unprofessional manner, or to check on credentials. Most recently, on 11 March, the Immigration Service wrote to the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors with a list of approximately 50 advisers who are of interest to them, who either are solicitors or have improperly represented themselves as solicitors. The information provided will vary from case to case and no central record has been kept of all such references. It would be inappropriate to publish any details of companies and individuals who may be the subject of current or future investigation.

  We contact the Legal Aid Board for clarification or to provide information where there appears to have been an abuse of the Legal Aid scheme.

  There is no central record of formal complaints which have been made by or on behalf of the Department to either the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors or the Legal Aid Board, although it appears the number of such referrals is small. I regret that the specific information requested would only be available at disproportionate cost.

  I understand there have been no references to the Legal Services Ombudsman in the past 12 months.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much has been spent by his Department since 1 May 1997 on the employment of consultants to advise on the proposed reforms of the legal aid system. [33193]

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much has been spent by his Department since 1 May 1997 on the employment of consultants to advise on the proposed reforms of the legal aid system. [33198]

  Mr. Hoon
  To answer the hon. Member's question strictly nothing has been paid to consultants since 1 May 1997. We have asked KPMG, who are both accountants and management consultants, to establish whether lawyers can take cases using conditional fees for clients who cannot meet up-front costs and make a profit. The results of their work will be published shortly and the merging
  565
  conclusions are that lawyers will be able profitably to take cases without needing funding from the client. No payment has been made to KPMG yet.

  Conditional Fees
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he plans to meet representatives of the Bar to discuss his statement to the House regarding conditional fee arrangements and legal aid. [33194]

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he plans to meet the chairman of the Bar to discuss conditional fee arrangements and legal aid. [33199]

  Mr. Hoon
  Both my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and I, and our officials, have had a number of meetings with representatives of the Bar Council to discuss conditional fees. I last met the Chairman of the Bar last Tuesday to discuss the Government's consultation paper on conditional fees and legal aid.

  Courts (West Cumbria)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has for the future of courts in West Cumbria. [33195]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have no current plans for any changes affecting the courts in west Cumbria.

  Civil Justice Review
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the civil justice review. [33196]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government plan to introduce fundamental reform to the civil justice system, making it quicker, cheaper and more certain. The reforms will benefit everyone. Procedures and rules will be simplified, and judicial case management will provide tailored procedures and minimise delay. Pre-action provisions will enable many claims to be settled faster.

  We have already announced that implementation will take place in April 1999, and work is progressing as planned.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he intends to publish the research on legal aid and civil justice reforms carried out by KPMG and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. [33963]

  Mr. Hoon
  The KPMG analysis of the business case for a solicitors firm undertaking litigation using conditional fees will be published in the next few weeks. It will indicate that conditional fees offer profitable business to lawyers even where they, rather than their clients, meet the up-front costs of insurance and running the case. I anticipate publishing the research, carried out by the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in due course once we have completed consideration of costs regimes in the fast track.
  566
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he intends to publish his proposals on civil justice reform, with particular reference to the costs regime in the fast track. [33964]

  Mr. Hoon
  I would expect to make an announcement about a costs regime in the fast track after Easter.

  Immigration Adjudicators
  Mr. Matins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to increase the(a) training and (b) numbers of immigration adjudicators. [33197]

  Mr. Hoon
  In respect of training, in addition to the usual training, all adjudicators will be trained on the impact of the Human Rights Bill in the next 18 months. In respect of numbers, I can report that 43 new part time adjudicators were recruited in 1997 and we expect to recruit about 30 more this year.

  Public Trust Office
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether a review of the Public Trust Office's Framework Document has been carried out. [35139]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Public Trust Office's Framework Document has now been reviewed. As the interval between agency reviews has been extended from three to five years since the Public Trust Office attained agency status, the new Document is designed to cover the interim period until the Public Trust Office's first Quinquennial Review, to be completed by the end of 1999. Copies of the revised Framework Document have been placed in the Library of both Houses of Parliament.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34835]

  Mr. Hoon
  No non-departmental public bodies have yet been abolished but two have been established since 1 May. These are the Civil Procedure Rule Committee, which is preparing the new code of civil procedure rules, and the Civil Justice Council, which will monitor the civil justice system to ensure that progress to modernise it continues. Both were created by the Civil Procedure Act 1997. We have budgeted for annual expenditure of £10,000 on the Rule Committee and £80,000 for the Council.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Parliament (European Union)
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on relations between the proposed Scottish Parliament and EU institutions. [33166]
  567
  Mr. Dewar
  The Government's intentions on links between the Scottish Parliament and the institutions of the European Communities are as set out in Chapter 5 of the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament".

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what draft concordats he is currently preparing to regulate the participation of Ministers of the Scottish Executive in meetings of the European Council of Ministers; and if he will make a copy of the draft concordats available in the Library. [33890]

  Mr. Dewar
  Discussions are in train, at Ministerial and official level, about the non-statutory arrangements which will be needed for policy co-ordination of EU issues after devolution. Work on the draft of an agreement, which cannot be finalised until the Scottish Executive is established, is at an early stage. I shall make copies of the draft agreement available when this work is sufficiently advanced.

  "Designed to Care"
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings he has held with representatives of health boards and NHS trusts to discuss the White Paper, "Designed to Care". [33167]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Implementation of the White Paper "Designed to Care" is a constant theme in my discussions with Health Boards and NHS Trusts.

  Private Finance Initiatives
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Private Finance Initiative projects are under consideration by the Scottish Office. [33168]

  Mr. Dewar
  Tenders have been invited or advertised for 29 Private Finance Initiative projects and a further 24 projects are being investigated.

  Police Funding
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Police forces regarding funding levels in 1998–99. [33169]

  Mr. McLeish
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received representations on funding levels from, and held meetings with, chief constables and police authorities and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities before the local government finance settlement was announced in December.

  Education Provision (Highlands)
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on education provision in the Scottish Highlands. [33170]

  Mr. Wilson
  School education provision in the Scottish Highlands is primarily a matter for the local authorities concerned.

  Examination League Tables
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what decisions he has made on the use of league tables for examination results in Scottish schools. [33171]
  568
  Mr. Wilson
  I wish to improve and extend the information published on school performance and will seek the advice of the Ministerial Action Group on Standards on how that is achieved.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Scottish National Farmers Union to discuss farm incomes. [33172]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Government Ministers meet the National Farmers Union of Scotland on a regular basis. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met Union leaders on 9 February when farm incomes were amongst the topics discussed. My noble Friend Lord Sewel last met the Union on 19 February and addressed their AGM on 6 March.

  New Deal Pathfinder Areas
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the New Deal Pathfinder Areas. [33173]

  Mr. Wilson
  I am very pleased with the excellent start made by the New Deal programme in Tayside.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from voluntary organisations on the impact of reductions in (i) Government and (ii) council budgets. [33174]

  Mr. McLeish
  The few representations which have been received from voluntary organisations have mainly been about individual grant decisions, rather than about government and council budgets.

  Social Exclusion Network
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had regarding the establishment of the social exclusion network. [33175]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Social Exclusion Network consists of senior representatives of the Scottish Office, the Employment Service and the Benefits Agency, to take forward the social exclusion agenda in Scotland. A consultation paper inviting views on the way forward was issued in early February. Responses have been requested by the end of March.

  Scottish Parliament (Concordats)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the legal status of concordats to be agreed between the Scottish Parliament and Government Departments. [33176]

  Mr. McLeish
  Concordats are to be agreed between the UK Government and the Scottish Executive, rather than with the Scottish Parliament. The guidance note which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament on 27 February made clear that the purpose of the proposed concordats would not be to create legal obligations on either party, or to constrain the discretion of the Scottish Executive or that of the UK Government.

  Children's Hospital, Aberdeen
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the new children's hospital in Aberdeen. [33177]

  Mr. Galbraith
  My right hon. Friend announced on 6 January that as a result of co-operation between the Health Board and Trusts in Grampian a new Children's Hospital would be built and operational in Aberdeen by 2003. This will be part of a £22 million development of hospital services in Grampian made possible by the disposal of redundant estate.

  Residential Care Homes
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the recommendations contained in the report of the Working Group on Residential Care Home Registration Procedures which(a) have been implemented and (b) have yet to be adopted by his Department. [33178]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Guidance to local authorities on 16 of the Report's recommendations is due to be issued in final form later this month. Copies will be placed in the House Library. The recommendations to create a national consultative group and to compile a list of persons refused registration are under active consideration. The remaining recommendations require legislative action when a suitable opportunity presents.

  Beef Producers
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish beef producers on imports from overseas. [33179]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Importing beef from overseas has been discussed at the various meetings which my right hon. Friend and my noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries have had recently with representatives of the Scottish beef industry to discuss the difficulties affecting this important sector of Scottish agriculture.

  Council Tax Arrears
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Commissioner for Public Accounts in Scotland to discuss arrears of council tax. [33180]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I last met Mr. Robert Black, the Controller of Audit at the Accounts Commission for Scotland, on Thursday 29 January when a wide range of issues, including Value for Money studies, were discussed.

  Land Reform
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many responses he has received to the Land Reform Policy Group's consultative paper on land. [33181]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Since this consultation paper was published only on 20 February no written responses have so far been received. However, the considerable interest the paper is generating and the welcome it has had from 570
  a range of commentators encourage us to anticipate a significant number of responses by the end of the consultation period on 30 April.

  Young People
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements exist to evaluate the short and long-term success of the New Deal for young people. [33182]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government accept that monitoring and evaluation of the New Deal will be crucial to its success, and a number of systems are in place to collect and analyse the relevant data on an ongoing basis. In addition, bids have been invited to undertake independent evaluation of the extent to which the aims and objectives of the programme are met.

  Infrastructure Priority Programme (Lothian)
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to publish the infrastructure priority programme for Lothian. [33183]

  Mr. McLeish
  I do not publish such a programme. I understand that my hon. Friend is interested in two particular projects, the A68 Dalkeith Northern Bypass and the Esk Valley Sewer.

  The A68 Dalkeith Northern Bypass in common with other major roads projects is subject to the ongoing review of the Scottish trunk road programme. Until the review is concluded in mid Summer and its implications considered in the light of the available resources, it will not be possible to specify what priority the scheme will have in any future programme.

  The construction of the upgraded Esk Valley Sewer is the responsibility of the East of Scotland Water Authority. The Authority is procuring the contract through the Private Finance Initiative and the current intention is that the contract will be let in October 1998. Construction on site will commence in early 1999. The aim is to have the work completed by the end of the year 2000 in order to comply with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on the subject of equal representation of men and women in the Scottish Parliament. [33184]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Office has received six letters making representations about equal representation in the Scottish Parliament. The subject has also been raised with me orally on many occasions by different bodies and individuals.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of upgrading(a) Calton Hill, Edinburgh, (b) the Mound, Edinburgh, and (c) the proposed Glasgow sites to the required standard for the Scottish parliament. [33881]

  Mr. Dewar
  In preparing assessments of options for interim accommodation for the Scottish Parliament, my officials have made outline estimates of the comparative capital and running costs of solutions based on the Church
  571
  of Scotland Assembly Hall on the Mound, Edinburgh; the Old Royal High School Building, Edinburgh; and the former Strathclyde Region chambers at Charing Cross, Glasgow. These estimates include capital costs of upgrading the buildings, and rent and rates over a 2-year period. The costs cover office accommodation required by the Parliament.

  The overall estimates are:

  The Assembly Hall, Edinburgh: £4m

  Old Royal High School, Edinburgh: £5m

  Charing Cross, Glasgow: £3m.

  The Edinburgh options do not take account of space currently occupied by the City of Edinburgh Council.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the buildings and their total available floor space under consideration as short-term accommodation for the Scottish Parliament at(a) Calton Hill, Edinburgh, (b) the Mound, Edinburgh, and (c) Glasgow. [33883]

  Mr. Dewar
  The buildings and their total available floor space currently under consideration as interim accommodation for the Scottish Parliament are as follows:

  sq. ft.

  Old Royal High School

  22,000

  Office accommodation

  76,000

  Assembly Hall

  13,800

  Office accommodation

  79,500

  Glasgow complex

  134,000

  The figures for office accommodation in Edinburgh are based on known availability of commercial premises. Office accommodation currently occupied by the City of Edinburgh Council has not yet been included in the assessment.

  Public Buildings
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the buildings in public ownership between Old St. Andrew's House and the junction of Princes Street and the North Bridge. [33899]

  Mr.Dewar
  The Scottish Office owns the Governor's House and the property at 16/22 Waterloo Place. The Scottish Record Office owns HM General Register House at 2 Princes Street.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the maintenance costs for each Scottish Office building in Edinburgh. [34447]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 13 March 1998]: The maintenance costs for each Scottish Office building in Edinburgh for the most recent financial year are given in the table.

  £

  Building

  1996–97

  16 Waterloo Place

  26,220

  Greenside Lane

  29,090

  Pentland House

  88,630

  Saughton House

  189,790

  St. Andrew's House

  153,860

  572

  £

  Building

  1996–97

  Bute House

  38,260

  Unit 4A, Bonnington

  7,020

  Unit 4B, Bonnington

  6,850

  Victoria Quay

  414,500

  Governor's House

  25,850

  17 Waterloo Place

  2,950

  James Craig Walk

  40,140

  Bankhead Avenue

  23,620

  16–22 Picardy Place

  4,140

  Leith Walk

  12,030

  Tower Street

  2,680

  Maintenance costs include all programmed, routine, emergency and one-off internal and external property works. Major refurbishment is not included as a maintenance item.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the publicly owned buildings in central Edinburgh which are(a) currently empty and (b) subject to a temporary lease, indicating the floor space available at each site. [34446]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 13 March 1998]: My Department does not own any buildings in this category. My Department does not hold information about buildings owned by other public bodies.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of refurbishment costs for each public building in Edinburgh for each year since 1993. [34448]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 13 March 1998]: My Department does not hold such information about buildings other than those which it owns or occupies. I shall reply as soon as possible about buildings owned or occupied by my Department.

  St. Andrew's House
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is(a) the total amount of office floor space currently unused in and (b) the forecast running costs for 1997–98 for (i) Old St. Andrew's House and (ii) New St. Andrew's House. [33898]

  Mr. Dewar
  In St. Andrew's House, 38,396 sq ft of office floor space is currently unused as staff have been decanted elsewhere to allow the building to be refurbished. The total forecast running costs for 1997–98 are £2,952,000. My Department is not responsible for New St. Andrew's House. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate to write to the hon. Member with the information sought.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to allow the Forestry Commission to roll over its trading surplus from one financial year to the next. [33885]

  Mr. Macdonald
  We are considering this as part of the Forestry Commission's Comprehensive Spending Review.
  573
  Mr.Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes to staff numbers there have been within the Forestry Commission since 1 May 1997. [33886]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Forestry Commission employed 3,532 staff on 1 May 1997. It currently employs 3,471 staff. These figures include part-time employees.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce new measures to improve safety standards in houses in multiple occupation. [34018]

  Mr. Macdonald
  We are considering possible ways of introducing mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation, to provide greater protection for tenants.

  Grants offered to Governing Bodies of Sport from 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993

  £

  Governing body name

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Scottish Anglers National Association

  13,980

  8,740

  8,865

  9,000

  9,000

  9,000

  Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers

  18,525

  20,818

  14,525

  —

  26,500

  13,000

  Scottish Federation Coarse Anglers

  3,150

  3,220

  —

  3,000

  5,800

  2,800

  Scottish Archery Association

  4.500

  7,270

  9,600

  4,850

  4,800

  4,800

  Scottish Athletics Federation

  153,000

  149,425

  167,000

  164,850

  157,000

  46,943

  Scottish Badminton Union

  132,720

  115,228

  107,720

  116,370

  116,250

  125,750

  Scottish Basketball Association

  77,400

  78,137

  73,100

  60,000

  62,000

  63,000

  Scottish Women's Bowling Association

  14,100

  14,300

  12,250

  4,500

  4,500

  4,500

  Scottish Bowls Association

  —

  2,500

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Bowls Coaching Committee

  8,750

  5,506

  6,500

  6,500

  6,500

  12,073

  Scottish Amateur Boxing Association

  25,000

  27,000

  25,000

  19,000

  —

  —

  Scottish Canoe Association

  39,000

  40,150

  40,950

  41,700

  40,243

  42,700

  Scottish Cricket Union

  51,900

  65,835

  59,000

  60,800

  58,700

  70,485

  Scottish Croquet Association

  2,000

  1,020

  1,500

  1,500

  1,500

  1,500

  Royal Caledonian Curling Club

  —

  —

  —

  12,000

  17,350

  42,500

  Scottish Cyclists Union

  47,500

  48,314

  —

  95,560

  57,825

  56,000

  Scottish Amateur Dancesport Association

  11,500

  —

  7,500

  17,500

  10,000

  10,000

  Fitness Scotland

  24,000

  29,471

  50,000

  45,000

  35,000

  38,500

  Health and Beauty

  2,500

  4,797

  2,625

  2,670

  2,600

  2,600

  Scottish Sports Association for People with Disabilities

  15,600

  4,800

  15,000

  —

  20,000

  20,500

  Scottish Fencing

  30,000

  5,038

  38,360

  19,000

  20,000

  21,600

  Scottish Field Archery Association

  1,920

  1,000

  1,000

  1,000

  800

  800

  Scottish Football Association

  —

  44,463

  —

  —

  —

  1,405

  Scottish Women's Football Association

  15,000

  25,560

  15,800

  26,000

  27,500

  29,500

  Scottish Gliding Association

  —

  3,000

  3,000

  3,000

  3,000

  2,000

  Scottish Ladies Golf Association

  —

  2,713

  2,000

  3,000

  3,000

  —

  Scottish Amateur Gymnastics Association

  94,400

  108,842

  76,000

  87,000

  79,450

  95,750

  Scottish Hang/Paragliding Association

  990

  3,600

  —

  2,000

  -

  —

  Scottish Hockey Union

  150,250

  180,232

  167,000

  8,771

  398,500

  226,800

  Scottish Judo Federation

  —

  72,604

  151,870

  —

  145,650

  98,000

  Scottish Karate Board

  11,000

  14,368

  22,650

  —

  11,400

  11,400

  Scottish Lacrosse Association

  7,100

  8,879

  8,500

  10,100

  10,000

  8,500

  Scottish Lawn Tennis Association

  61,300

  70,996

  64,265

  69,000

  64,000

  66,000

  Mountaineering Council of Scotland

  7,000

  7,000

  9,000

  9,000

  10,000

  10,000

  Scottish Netball Association

  23,040

  24,666

  24,600

  30,000

  24,600

  29,100

  Scottish Orienteering Association

  19,100

  2,836

  19,500

  50,400

  28,000

  30,700

  Scottish Sports Parachute Association

  11,400

  9,500

  9,500

  5,500

  —

  5,500

  British Horse Society (Scotland)

  20,700

  —

  33,300

  18,500

  16,500

  16,500

  British Women's Rugby Union

  —

  —

  —

  2,000

  -

  —

  Scottish School Sports

  —

  1,200

  —

  1,200

  -

  —

  Scottish Amateur Rowing Association

  33,067

  14,300

  19,600

  —

  29,200

  16,500

  Scottish Rugby Union

  —

  3,150

  —

  42,000

  700,000

  700,000

  Scottish Women's Rugby Union

  —

  3,000

  —

  —

  2,000

  2,000

  Royal Yachting Association Scotland

  63,250

  85,895

  65,550

  62,350

  70,661

  113,028

  The Camanachd Association

  9,800

  —

  25,500

  15,000

  15,000

  15,000

  Scottish Target Shooting Federation

  46,000

  51,151

  49,500

  —

  41,500

  88,250

  Sports Funding
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total grant in aid made available by the Scottish Sports Council to governing bodies of sport for each of the financial years 1992 to 1998; and what it is projected to be for the next three financial years; [34261]

  (2) if he will list, by individual governing body, the grant in aid projected to be made available by the Scottish Sports Council to governing bodies of sport for the next three financial years; [34262]

  (3) if he will list, by individual governing body, the grant in aid made available by the Scottish Sports Council to governing bodies of sport for each of the financial years 1992 to 1998. [34263]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is set out in the table. The projected total grant in aid, and the grant in aid to be made available to individual governing bodies of sport, for the next three financial years has not yet been agreed by the Scottish Sports Council.
  575

  Grants offered to Governing Bodies of Sport from 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993

  £

  Governing body name

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Scottish Ice Skating Association

  3,000

  3,100

  4,500

  4,000

  4,000

  4,000

  Scottish National Ski Council

  56,500

  61,944

  57,650

  60,400

  60,400

  65,400

  Scottish Sports Association

  —

  43,000

  41,000

  41,000

  38,000

  38,000

  Scottish Squash

  79,100

  87,508

  85,400

  85,400

  83,000

  83,000

  Scottish Sub Aqua Club

  20,000

  20,400

  20,800

  20,800

  20,800

  20,800

  Scottish Surfing Federation

  7,000

  1,000

  1,000

  1,000

  700

  —

  Scottish Amateur Swimming Association

  131,300

  133,730

  178,000

  176,550.

  175,000

  190,063

  Scottish Table Tennis Association

  64,500

  60,142

  55,900

  2,000

  42,000

  36,775

  Scottish Trampoline Association

  22,100

  —

  45,350

  —

  40,000

  22,500

  Scottish Triathlon Association

  1,500

  —

  —

  —

  2,000

  4,400

  Scottish Tug of War Association

  1,700

  1,700

  1,750

  1,900

  —

  3,600

  Scottish Volleyball Association

  151,420

  10,963

  158,250

  —

  80,000

  90,500

  Scottish Water-ski Association

  23,130

  23,600

  24,100

  —

  40,000

  20,765

  Scottish Amateur Weightlifters Association

  18,500

  20,203

  —

  13,500

  —

  11,450

  Scottish Amateur Wrestling Association

  18,000

  23,000

  —

  7,000

  12,000

  7,000

  Total

  1,848,192

  1,840,814

  2,081,330

  1,543,071

  2,934,229

  2,753,237

  Note:

  Because of timing of applications some governing bodies have had two offers, covering two financial years, within one financial year of the Scottish Sports Council.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to attend a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the European Union in relation to fishing. [34279]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 13 March 1998]: My noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Fisheries expects to attend the next meeting of the Fisheries Council on 24 March.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34830]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Scottish Seed Potato Development Council was formally wound up on 22 August 1997. I have established no new NDPBs since 1 May 1997.

  Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the present and proposed future numbers of obstetric beds at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. [34365]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Currently 68 obstetric beds are provided at Forth Park Hospital, Kirkcaldy. Fife Health Board's draft Integrated Health Care Strategy, which has been issued for public consultation, includes a proposal to integrate obstetric, gynaecology and paediatrics on the Victoria Hospital site to improve the quality of clinical care. No final decision has been taken on the future acute service configuration and detailed bed numbers for obstetrics are not yet available.

  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of(a) refurbishing and (b) adapting areas of the Victoria
  576
  Hospital, Kirkcaldy, to accommodate the transfer of (i) paediatric services from the Queen Margaret Hospital and (ii) gynaecological services from Dunfermline; [34367]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 18 February 1998, Official Report, column 709, when the figures for the cost of transferring the maternity facilities to Victoria Hospital and adapting Victoria Hospital will be available. [34368]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Fife Health Board is currently publicly consulting on acute service configuration proposals in its draft Integrated Health Care Strategy. The Board has indicated that estimates of the costs of transferring services into Victoria Hospital can be undertaken only once acute service configuration and future bed numbers have been considered in more detail. It is likely that such detailed financial information will not be available until the end of 1998/99. The Board has no plans currently to transfer gynaecology services from the Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline.

  Nursing Homes
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will require health boards to publish their inspection reports on nursing homes. [34366]

  Mr. Galbraith
  There is no statutory or other restriction regarding the publication of nursing home inspection reports in Scotland. Health Boards or home owners themselves can make copies of reports or extracts available at their discretion.

  Cairngorms Partnership
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) under what powers the Cairngorms Partnership is able to stipulate to local authorities which member of the authority is to be appointed to the Advisory Board of the Partnership; [34814]

  (2) what discussions he has undertaken regarding the appointment of members to the Advisory Board of the Cairngorms Partnership. [34816]
  577
  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend invited Mr. Gus Macdonald to chair the Cairngorms Partnership from 1 November 1997. Following consultation with my noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Fisheries in Scotland Mr. Macdonald appointed an Advisory Board to assist him in taking forward implementation of the Partnership's Management Strategy. I understand that he has invited the Convenors of the relevant local authorities to serve on the Board, and I hope that the local authorities will respond positively to the invitation.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the remit and responsibilities of the Chairman of the Cairngorm Partnership. [34815]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend revised the remit of the Cairngorms Partnership following the appointment of Mr. Gus Macdonald as Chairman. I am arranging for a copy of the revised remit to be placed in the Library of the House.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  School Sports
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what awards have been made(a) by the Sportsmatch Panel and (b) by the Sportsmatch Panel to schools-related projects since 1 May 1997. [34214]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: The Sportsmatch Panel has made 329 awards worth a total of £2,096,445 since 1 May 1997, of which 206 awards worth a total of £1,379,676 have been to schools related projects. I have placed copies of the detailed list of the awards made by the Sportsmatch Awards Panel in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to encourage business sponsorship in the field of youth and school sports. [34213]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: Sportsmatch, the Government funded business incentive scheme for sport, offers pound for pound matching funding for sponsorships of grass roots sport. £1 million out of the annual Sportsmatch budget of £3.2 million is reserved for schools and schools related activities. I announced last year that the minimum award for schools has been reduced to £500 to increase the opportunities for securing private sector sponsorship. In addition, the English Sports Council's Lottery Sports Fund School Community Sports Initiative (SCSI) is designed to help schools and colleges find matching funding, including private sector investment, by providing up to 80% of the total project costs. To date, 181 education establishments have been awarded £84.2 million under the SCSI.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to ensure that sport governing bodies have plans to develop school sports projects as a condition for receiving Sports Council grants. [34215]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: The development of sports opportunities for young people is one of the English Sports Council's key objectives.
  578
  The English Sports Council's National Junior Sport Programme provides the framework which currently guides national governing bodies of sport (among others) on their role of providing sporting opportunities for young people. When assessing the development plans of sports governing bodies, the ESC will give detailed consideration to whether a sport can attract young people and offer a sustainable junior development programme. Support offered by governing bodies to the education sector, through good quality links with schools, particularly between clubs, is critical to evaluating the quality and success of governing body youth development programmes.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to encourage the Sports Council to promote links between schools and sports clubs. [34216]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: I met the Council on 2 March. Among many other matters we discussed the National Junior Sport Programme. I met the team who develop the programme and gave them my personal backing. Under the Sportsmark scheme, schools must demonstrate effective links with clubs. The ESC's Challenge Funding scheme invites schools to apply for up to £1,000 to strengthen existing links and to encourage the development of new links. With the Department for Education and Employment we are working up proposals for community sports co-ordinators whose role would include building and supporting school/club links.

  Commonwealth Games
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received on plans to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games; and if he will make a statement. [34735]

  Mr. Banks
  The Department has received 14 representations regarding the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester since May 1997.

  The Government strongly support the organisation of the 2002 Games, and this Department is working closely with Manchester City Council to ensure the delivery of a successful event. Other Government Departments will become involved when necessary.

  UK Sports Institute
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what contracts have(a) been signed and (b) put out to tender in relation to the establishment of the United Kingdom Sports Institute. [34218]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: None.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the United Kingdom Sports Institute will be opened; and which sports will be catered for. [34230]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: Everyone is keen to see progress made and the UKSI in place in the shortest time possible. A date will be fixed in due course.

  Athletics, road cycling, judo, swimming and triathlon have indicated that they may wish to have their national training facility at the HQ site. In addition, netball, squash

  579
  and table tennis have indicated that they may wish to have their English training centres at the HQ site. Discussions are underway with all eight sports on this matter. However, all sports, including major spectator sports, will be able to tap into the support services throughout the UKSI network.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the sites that will form the regional network of the UK Sports Institute. [34223]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: Information on the establishment of the regional network will be issued shortly. There will be facilities in at least eight locations in England, and others in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the proportion of the funding for the United Kingdom Sports Institute to be provided by the National Lottery. [34219]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: A detailed lottery application will have to be approved before such an estimate can be made. However the Home Country Sports Councils have indicated that some £160 million is to be made available of which £40 to £60 million is for the HQ site.

  Sport Governing Bodies
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the total grant-in-aid made available by the United Kingdom Sports Council to governing bodies of sport for the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98; and what it is projected to be for the next three financial years. [34266]

  Mr. Banks
  The information requested is set out in the table. Projections have not yet been made for 1999–2000 and 2000–2001.

  Year

  £000

  1996–97

  11,616

  1997–98

  25,481

  1998–99

  35,203

  1The United Kingdom Sports Council became fully operational in 1 January 1997. The figure, therefore, covers the period 1 January 1997–31 March 1997.

  2Forecast outturn.

  3Budget figure.

  Rugby League
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the 25th anniversary of the British Amateur Rugby League Association. [33916]

  Mr. Banks
  I congratulate the British Amateur Rugby League Association on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee, and commend its good work over the last 25 years in developing the game.

  Listed Buildings
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many requests for listing public houses were(a) received and (b) approved in each of the past five years. [34362]
  580
  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 13 March 1998]: The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Number of applications

  Number listed

  1993

  72

  6

  1994

  72

  25

  1995

  32

  11

  1996

  64

  7

  1997

  18

  2

  Total

  258

  51

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with local authorities concerning possible changes to the criteria used for listing buildings. [34596]

  Mr. Banks
  I have had no such discussions. However, Warrington Borough Council has corresponded with my officials about the criteria for listing public houses.

  Football
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to develop the Football in the Community Initiative. [34217]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: Football in the Community is an excellent initiative. The Sportsmatch scheme, which is funded by my Department, has made 87 awards worth £801,448 to Football in the Community projects across the country, since its inception in November 1992.

  Community Sports
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment the Sports Council has made of community sports facilities provision; and if he will make a statement. [34211]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: The English Sports Council (ESC) is creating a Facilities Planning Model (FPM) which will enable it to undertake assessments of shortfalls in specific types of community sports facilities across England. A total of ten regional assessments—based upon the FPM and individual National Governing Body Strategies should be available in the autumn.

  Drug Control (Sport)
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to promote drug control programmes in sport. [34228]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: I am committed to eliminating drug abuse in sport and we have been among the world leaders in pushing for strong and effective anti-doping measures. The UK Sports Council (UKSC) is responsible for administering the doping control system for the UK and is the first organisation worldwide to have achieved ISO 9002 certification for the management of drug testing programmes in sport.

  Sports Council Database
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the updating of the Sports Council's National Sports Facilities Database is complete. [34212]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: The English Sports Council (ESC) has collected extensive facilities data. This will form part of an integrated corporate database currently being developed by the ESC and which they advise me should be available later this year.

  Spirits

  1 January 1993

  29 March 1995

  1 June 1997

  Country

  Ecu (Ipa)

  £(lpa)

  £ litre at 40%

  £ litre at 37.5%

  Ecu (lpa)

  £(lpa)

  £ at 40%

  £ litre at 37.5%

  Ecu (lpa)

  £ (lpa)

  £ litre at 40%

  £ litre at 37.5%

  Austria

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  7.39

  6.02

  2.41

  2.26

  7.41

  5.10

  2.04

  1.91

  Belgium

  15.66

  12.40

  4.96

  4.65

  16.07

  13.08

  5.23

  4.91

  16.96

  11.67

  4.67

  4.38

  Germany

  13.16

  10.42

  4.17

  3.90

  13.27

  10.80

  4.32

  4.05

  13.29

  9.14

  3.66

  3.43

  Denmark

  18.80

  14.88

  5.95

  5.58

  18.98

  15.45

  6.18

  5.79

  19.42

  13.36

  5.34

  5.01

  Greece

  5.49

  4.35

  1.74

  1.63

  5.50

  4.48

  1.79

  1.68

  9.60

  6.60

  2.64

  2.48

  Spain

  5.78

  4.58

  1.83

  1.72

  5.52

  4.49

  1.80

  1.66

  7.06

  4.85

  1.94

  1.82

  Finland

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  50.16

  40.83

  16.33

  15.31

  52.24

  35.93

  14.37

  13.47

  France

  11.74

  9.30

  3.72

  3.49

  13.81

  11.25

  4.50

  4.22

  14.64

  10.07

  4.03

  3.78

  United Kingdom

  24.85

  19.81

  7.92

  7.43

  26.42

  20.60

  8.24

  7.73

  23.60

  18.99

  7.60

  7.12

  Ireland

  26.77

  21.19

  8.48

  7.95

  27.57

  22.45

  8.98

  8.42

  27.69

  19.04

  7.61

  7.14

  Italy

  5.50

  4.36

  1.74

  1.64

  5.93

  4.83

  1.93

  1.81

  6.09

  4.19

  1.68

  1.57

  Luxembourg

  10.11

  8.00

  3.20

  3.00

  10.63

  8.65

  3.46

  3.24

  10.63

  7.31

  2.92

  2.74

  Netherlands

  14.34

  11.35

  4.54

  4.26

  15.40

  12.54

  5.02

  4.70

  15.40

  10.59

  4.24

  3.97

  Portugal

  7.27

  5.75

  2.30

  2.16

  7.15

  5.82

  2.33

  2.18

  8.20

  5.64

  2.26

  2.12

  Sweden

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  51.32

  41.78

  16.71

  15.67

  59.21

  40.72

  16.29

  15.27

  Fortified Wine (Litre)

  1 January 1993

  29 March 1995

  1 June 1999

  Country

  Ecu

  £

  Ecu

  £

  Ecu

  £

  Austria

  n/a

  n/a

  0.52

  0.42

  0.52

  0.36

  Belgium

  0.67

  0.53

  0.68

  0.56

  1.01

  0.70

  Germany

  0.52

  0.41

  0.52

  0.42

  1.04

  0.72

  Denmark

  2.20

  1.74

  1.31

  1.06

  1.39

  0.95

  Greece

  0.45

  0.36

  0.45

  0.37

  0.45

  0.31

  Spain

  0.46

  0.36

  0.45

  0.37

  0.47

  0.32

  Finland

  n/a

  n/a

  8.36

  6.81

  8.71

  5.99

  France

  1.80

  1.43

  2.13

  1.74

  2.16

  1.48

  United Kingdom

  2.76

  2.20

  2.57

  2.01

  2.33

  1.87

  Ireland

  3.94

  3.12

  3.94

  3.21

  3.97

  2.73

  Italy

  0.45

  0.36

  0.45

  0.37

  0.50

  0.34

  Luxembourg

  0.67

  0.53

  0.68

  0.56

  0.68

  0.47

  Netherlands

  0.84

  0.67

  0.87

  0.71

  0.87

  0.60

  Portugal

  nil

  nil

  0.41

  0.33

  0.48

  0.33

  Sweden

  n/a

  n/a

  4.71

  3.83

  5.33

  3.69

  Wine (Litre)

  1 January 1993

  29 March 1995

  1 June 1997

  Country

  Ecu

  £

  Ecu

  £

  Ecu

  £

  Austria

  n/a

  n/a

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Belgium

  0.36

  0.29

  0.37

  0.30

  0.48

  0.33

  Germany

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Denmark

  0.86

  0.68

  0.87

  0.71

  0.92

  0.64

  Greece

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Spain

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Finland

  n/a

  n/a

  2.84

  2.31

  2.96

  2.04

  France

  0.033

  0.03

  0.035

  0.03

  0.039

  0.03

  United Kingdom

  1.66

  1.32

  1.80

  1.40

  1.75

  1.40

  Ireland

  2.72

  2.15

  2.58

  2.10

  2.74

  1.88

TREASURY

  Excise Duty
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of excise duty expressed in £ sterling per litre on(a) whisky, (b) gin, (c) wine and (d) fortified wine in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) each member state of the European Union in (1) 1992, (2) 1995 and (3) 1998. [34037]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: The levels of excise duty are set out in the tables.

  Wine (Litre)

  1 January 1993

  29 March 1995

  1 June 1997

  Country

  Ecu

  £

  Ecu

  £

  Ecu

  £

  Italy

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Luxembourg

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Netherlands

  0.49

  0.38

  0.50

  0.41

  0.50

  0.34

  Portugal

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Sweden

  n/a

  n/a

  2.84

  2.31

  3.21

  2.21

  Taxation
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if proposed tax changes in the forthcoming Budget(a) have been or (b) will be disclosed to the EU Peer Review Group prior to 17 March. [34287]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 March 1998]: No.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay his decision to allow the Inland Revenue to collect excess taxes for the current financial year. [34712]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I am not clear precisely what the hon. Member intends in his Question, and I am writing to him.

  Government Debt
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the monthly average interest cost on total Government debt in(a) 1996 and (b) each month since May 1997. [34030]
  583
  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 12 March 1998]: There are no monthly debt interest figures for the public sector as a whole. Most public sector debt interest payments are from central government. These monthly figures are published in Financial Statistics.

  Insurance Premium Tax
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response she has given to DG21 with regard to the official complaint made against selective higher rate IPT in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [34182]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: There has been no such complaint from any Directorate General to the European Commission about the higher rate of insurance premium tax.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library correspondence with or from DGXXI regarding selective higher rate IPT; and if he will make a statement. [34519]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: There has been no such correspondence.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 1998,Official Report, columns 716–17, if he will place in the Library copies of the correspondence from DGIV referred to in the correspondence he has placed in the Library. [34518]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: Subject to obtaining the appropriate permission from DGIV, copies of this correspondence will be placed in the Library.

  Ovarian Cancer
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of all female deaths in the Warrington, North Constituency for each of the years 1992 to 1997 were as a result of ovarian cancer. [34597]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Helen Jones, dated 17 March 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question asking what percentage of all female deaths in the Warrington North Constituency for each of the years 1992 to 1997 were as a result of ovarian cancer.
  The data requested are shown in the table below.

  Percentage of female deaths from ovarian cancer to women resident in the county district of Warrington7 1992–19962

  Year

  Percentage

  1992

  1.6

  1993

  0.9

  1994

  1.3

  1995

  2.1

  1996

  1.1

  1ONS does not routinely publish data by parliamentary constituency, and could only do so at disproportionate cost.

  2Data for 1997 are not yet available.

  584 Deaths due to ovarian cancer were identified as those certified with an underlying cause of International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision [ICD9] 183.0.Deaths for 1992 represent the number of deaths registered in the year, while deaths from 1993 are deaths that occurred in each year. Also, new procedures for coding cause of death from 1993, and the absence of medical enquiries, mean that figures for 1993 onwards may not be exactly comparable with earlier years. However, for most conditions (including ovarian cancer) these effects are small. More details may be found in ONS Series DH2 no. 21 for 1993 (revised) and 1994, which was published in September 1996. Copies of this publication are available in the House of Commons library.

  Small Firms
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response the Treasury has made to the Bank of England's January 1998 report on finance for small firms. [33404]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: The Government welcome the Bank of England Report. We recognise that small and growing firms form the bedrock of a successful enterprise economy, creating wealth and employment and generating new ideas and products and are therefore committed to providing an environment in which they can flourish. To encourage more innovative and entrepreneurial activity in our economy we are also pursuing a number of direct policy measures to encourage investment into high-tech companies, including reviewing the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme to improve access to finance for technology-based firms, reviewing the Venture Capital Trust and Enterprise Investment schemes to encourage equity investment by private individuals in high-growth firms, and reviewing Capital Gains Tax to consider ways of increasing the incentives for investment in entrepreneurial firms.

  Official Accommodation
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax liability arises when ministerial official accommodation is improved out of public funds. [32954]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is accepted by the Inland Revenue that Government Ministers occupying official residences by reason of their office meet the statutory conditions (mainly in Section 145(4) of ICTA 1988) for exemption from a tax charge on provided living accommodation or on any structural alterations or additions made to it. Where improvements to the accommodation consist of repairs, decoration or furniture, tax is charged on a benefit limited by Section 163(2) of ICTA 1988 to 10 per cent. of the taxable Ministerial salary and any other benefits.

  The same rules apply for Ministers of the Crown as for other office holders or employees.

  Public Works Loan Board
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the quotas for lending to local authorities by the Public Works Loan Board. [35132]

  Mr. Darling
  The Public Works Loan Commissioners have issued a circular today notifying local authorities that there will be no change in the formula for calculating quotas for 1998–99.

  Copies of the circular have been placed in the Library.

HEALTH

  Guy's Hospital
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the documents considered in the re-evaluation of accident and emergency services at Guy's Hospital, as recommended in Health Services in London—A Strategic Review. [30392]

  Mr. Milburn
  In line with our policy on open government the relevant documentation will be available from the National Health Service Executive on request.

  The NHS Executive is also preparing a paper which brings together the work on re-evaluation and contingency plans to ensure that St. Thomas's accident and emergency department can absorb the increased activity, and this should be available shortly.

  Midwives
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by health authority area the number of midwives per 1,000 deliveries. [32828]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 4 March 1998]: The number of midwives per 1,000 maternities (used as a proxy for deliveries, and defined as pregnancies resulting in the birth of one or more live or stillborn children) for each health authority in England is shown in the table. The figures should be interpreted with caution as midwives work across health authority boundaries.

  National health service hospital and community health services registered midwives working in the maternity area of work per 1,000 maternities by health authority, England 1996

  Health authority

  Midwives per 1,000 maternities

  England

  30

  Anglia & Oxford

  26

  Bedfordshire

  24

  Berkshire

  23

  Buckinghamshire

  25

  Cambridge & Huntingdon

  25

  East Norfolk

  25

  North West Anglia

  25

  Northamptonshire

  29

  Oxfordshire

  33

  Suffolk

  24

  North Thames

  26

  Barking & Havering

  23

  Barnet

  18

  Brent & Harrow

  22

  Camden & Islington

  29

  Ealing, Hammersmith & Hounslow

  16

  East & North Hertfordshire

  24

  East London & The City

  28

  Enfield & Haringey

  23

  Hillingdon

  59

  Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster

  50

  North Essex

  26

  Redbridge & Waltham Forest

  29

  South Essex

  22

  West Hertfordshire

  16

  North West

  38

  Bury & Rochdale

  35

  East Lancashire

  35

  Liverpool

  37

  586

  National health service hospital and community health services registered midwives working in the maternity area of work per 1,000 maternities by health authority, England 1996

  Health authority

  Midwives per 1,000 maternities

  Manchester

  63

  Morecambe Bay

  28

  North Cheshire

  30

  North West Lancashire

  54

  Salford & Trafford

  55

  Sefton

  49

  South Cheshire

  30

  South Lancashire

  27

  St Helens & Knowsley

  22

  Stockport

  84

  West Pennine

  28

  Wigan & Bolton

  25

  Wirral

  41

  Northern & Yorkshire

  35

  Bradford

  40

  Calderdale & Kirklees

  30

  County Durham

  26

  East Riding

  32

  Gateshead & South Tyneside

  38

  Leeds

  29

  Newcastle & North Tyneside

  45

  North Cumbria

  32

  North Yorkshire

  31

  Northumberland

  21

  South Humber

  45

  Sunderland

  34

  Tees

  32

  Wakefield

  38

  South and West

  32

  Avon

  30

  Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

  35

  Dorset

  28

  Gloucestershire

  32

  Isle of Wight

  33

  North & East Devon

  36

  North & Mid Hampshire

  23

  Portsmouth & SE Hampshire

  33

  Somerset

  29

  South & West Devon

  40

  Southampton & SW Hampshire

  27

  Wiltshire

  45

  South Thames

  25

  Bexley & Greenwich

  32

  Bromley

  25

  Croydon

  28

  East Kent

  26

  East Surrey

  25

  East Sussex, Brighton & Hove

  15

  Kingston & Richmond

  0

  Lambeth, Southwark & Lewisham

  22

  Merton Sutton & Wandsworth

  41

  West Kent

  31

  West Surrey

  15

  West Sussex

  30

  Trent

  28

  Barnsley

  30

  Doncaster

  38

  Leicestershire

  27

  Lincolnshire

  21

  North Derbyshire

  35

  North Nottinghamshire

  27

  Nottingham

  34

  Rotherham

  28

  Sheffield

  40

  South Derbyshire

  23

  587

  National health service hospital and community health services registered midwives working in the maternity area of work per 1,000 maternities by health authority, England 1996

  Health authority

  Midwives per 1,000 maternities

  West Midlands

  30

  Birmingham

  36

  Coventry

  37

  Dudley

  35

  Herefordshire

  30

  North Staffordshire

  34

  Sandwell

  24

  Shropshire

  29

  Solihull

  0

  South Staffordshire

  29

  Walsall

  40

  Warwickshire

  29

  Wolverhampton

  2

  Worcester & District

  35

  Notes:

  1. Maternities are defined as the number of pregnancies which resulted in the birth of one or more live or stillborn children.

  2. Maternities are attributed to the health authority covering the mothers usual area of residence.

  3. Midwives are attributed to the health authority area within which the NHS trust that employs them falls.

  4. The figures in the table should be interpreted with caution as it is possible for midwives to serve a population which is different from that of the health authority to which they are attributed.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census Office for
  National Statistics.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those bids under the Investing in Dentistry initiative which were(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement. [33260]

  Mr. Milburn
  Since the Investing in Dentistry initiative was announced in September last year, 81 funding requests had been approved and 84 refused. The table gives details of successful and unsuccessful requests made by health authorities, which are shown in alphabetical order. All the unsuccessful requests have been given feedback and health authorities have been invited to re-submit them if they can provide further information to satisfy the criteria of this initiative.

  Health authority

  Number of successful bids

  Number of unsuccessful bids

  Avon

  2

  2

  Bedfordshire

  2

  —

  Bury and Rochdale

  —

  1

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  —

  1

  Cornwall

  1

  1

  County Durham

  3

  4

  Doncaster

  —

  1

  Dudley

  —

  1

  East Lancashire

  —

  9

  Enfield and Haringey

  —

  8

  Gloucestershire

  7

  6

  Isle of Wight

  2

  —

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  1

  —

  Norfolk

  3

  1

  North East Devon

  4

  —

  North Cheshire

  1

  —

  North Cumbria

  1

  —

  North Derbyshire

  1

  —

  588

  Health authority

  Number of successful bids

  Number of unsuccessful bids

  North Essex

  2

  —

  North Staffordshire

  6

  2

  North West Lancashire

  4

  1

  North Yorkshire

  1

  4

  Northamptonshire

  1

  —

  Oxfordshire

  2

  —

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  5

  9

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  —

  1

  Rotherham

  1

  2

  Sandwell

  —

  8

  Shropshire

  6

  1

  Somerset

  4

  9

  South Cheshire

  2

  1

  South Essex

  1

  —

  South Lancashire

  1

  1

  South Staffordshire

  2

  5

  South and West Devon

  3

  —

  Southern Derbyshire

  1

  —

  Southampton and South West

  1

  —

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  1

  1

  Walsall

  —

  1

  West Surrey

  4

  2

  Wiltshire

  5

  1

  Note:

  As at 16 March 1998.

  Fluoride
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of fluoride retention on human health; and what plans he has for an indemnity for water companies required to introduce fluoride into the water supply. [33033]

  Mr. Milburn
  Appropriate use of fluoride improves health by reducing dental caries, partly through the retention of fluoride in the teeth, without any known adverse effects on health. The Department is already able to offer indemnities to water companies against costs, damages or other expenses incurred by them as a result of fluoridating water supplies.

  With the publication of the Public Health Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation" on 5 February 1998, we have set out the terms for a wide ranging debate on the options for improving dental health including the fluoridation of water.

  Smoking
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government is taking to reduce the number of cigarette smokers; and if he will make a statement on his Department's targets in this area. [34330]

  Ms Jowell
  Our strategy to reduce smoking will be set out in the Tobacco Control White Paper to be published later this year.

  On 4 December 1997 the European Union Health Council reached a common position on a European Union wide ban on tobacco advertising and promotion.

  In 1997/98, the Government are funding a £1 million anti-smoking promotion campaign called "Respect", and the Health Education Authority's adult smoking education campaign costing £5.5 million. As part of the HEA

  589
  campaign, £700,000 is being given to Quit to operate the Quitline—telephone helpline—which offers smoking cessation advice, counselling and support.

  In addition, a wide range of health professionals, notably general practitioners, routinely offer cessation advice and support.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further measures he proposes to reduce smoking in public places. [34489]

  Ms Jowell
  We are considering what measures might be included in the Tobacco Control White Paper, to be published later this year, to reduce smoking in public places.

  The White Paper will take into account the recently published conclusions of the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health on the scientific evidence on the health effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

  Workforce Planning
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1998,Official Report, column 112, in what ways workforce planning arrangements have been improved to ensure that the supply of doctors reflects demand. [34461]

  Mr. Milburn
  Recent steps to improve medical workforce planning include:

  (i) the Specialty Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG), which advises on the numbers of doctors and dentists in training needed to meet future requirements for consultants, has recently extended its remit to cover general practice, enabling planning across the entire medical workforce; and

  (ii) SWAG's planning processes now build in greater input and involvement from National Health Service management, timed to inform national workforce planning at a much earlier stage in the cycle than has been possible previously, encouraging a more effective dialogue with the NHS and thus a better blend of top-down and bottom-up planning.

  We aim to improve NHS workforce planning by ensuring that workforce plans are considered alongside future plans for services. In particular, local NHS organisations are being encouraged to take an active role in workforce planning. Also, workforce planning should cover the whole NHS workforce.

  Cardiac Rehabilitation Units
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list NHS cardiac rehabilitation units indicating which operate an upper age limit. [34321]

  Mr. Milburn
  A list of units is not held centrally but an audit of cardiac rehabilitation centres published in 1995 and funded by the National Health Service Executive showed that in 1993 there were 199 centres in England and Wales which offered a cardiac rehabilitation service.

  The White Paper "The New NHS" makes it clear that fair access to health services, based on clinical need, irrespective of age, is one of our top priorities.

  Evidence from recent studies shows that many heart patients can benefit from rehabilitation programmes whatever their age. Health authorities and NHS trusts
  590
  have been advised to eliminate all discriminatory practices and to ensure that all patients who can benefit from such programmes are given the opportunity to do so.

  We are determined to tackle any remaining problems of access.

  Coronary Care Units
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list NHS coronary care units indicating which units operate an upper age limit. [34322]

  Mr. Milburn
  A list of coronary care units is not kept centrally. The Directory of Emergency and Special Care Units 1997, published by CMA Medical Data Ltd., Cambridge Research Laboratories, lists coronary care units in the United Kingdom. We are not aware of any units which operate an age limit for access to these services. However, we are aware that access to coronary services, including coronary care units, does vary. The White Paper "The New NHS" makes it clear that fair access to health services, based on clinical need, irrespective of age or any other factor, is one of our top priorities.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Insight report into the resources and performance management of community health councils; and if he will make a statement. [34618]

  Mr. Milburn
  We announced last year that we had no intention of implementing the Insight Report's recommendations on Community Health Councils' (CHCs) functions and resourcing. Officials have continued to work with CHCs on developing suitable arrangements for ensuring their accountability.

  Physiotherapy
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to deal with staff shortages among physiotherapists. [34542]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are ensuring that effective recruitment and retention policies are in place to make the best use of trained staff and that training levels are sufficient to get a better match between supply and demand.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the continuing need for physiotherapist services. [34541]

  Mr. Milburn
  It is currently the responsibility of local commissioners to assess the health care needs of their population, and to secure a range of hospital and community health services to meet those needs.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34828]
  591
  Mr. Milburn
  We announced on 22 December 1997 our intention to legislate to establish a General Care Council which will replace the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (an Executive non-departmental public body) as the body responsible for social services training.

  Since 1 May 1997 the Department has established the Royal Commission on Long Term Care of the Elderly, which has planned annual running costs for 1998–99 of £673,000.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason he has asked officials to identify ways of overcoming the financial effects of the Value Added Tax Order which came into effect on 1 January.[34807]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Value Added Tax Order had financial implications for local health services. Officials were asked to investigate the size and scope and to determine ways of minimising these effects without compromising the tax avoidance measures introduced by the Order.

  Ovarian Cancer
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has given to NHS trusts on the use of Taxol combination treatments in the treatment of ovarian cancer. [34599]

  Mr. Boateng
  Taxol is a drug licensed by the Medicines Control Agency for use in treating widespread cancer of the ovary or metastatic breast cancer where standard treatment regimes have failed. A clinical trial for first-line treatment of widespread breast cancer by Taxol in combination with other drugs is currently in progress. As with any other drug, it is a matter for individual clinicians, in discussion with their patients, to recommend a treatment regime which will be best for their patients. Guidance on clinical management of ovarian cancer was produced by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee and was published in November 1991.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women in the Warrington North constituency were diagnosed as having ovarian cancer in each of the years 1992 to 1997. [34600]

  Mr. Boateng
  Figures for Warrington North are not available separately. The latest available data for Warrington residents are set out in the tables, and relate to the five-year period 1990–1994:

  Warrington residents 1990–1994: number of ovarian tumours

  Age

  Number

  0–4

  —

  5–9

  —

  10–14

  —

  15–19

  —

  20–24

  —

  25–29

  —

  30–34

  —

  35–39

  1

  40–44

  5

  45–49

  6

  592

  Warrington residents 1990–1994: number of ovarian tumours

  Age

  Number

  50–54

  12

  55–59

  12

  60–64

  7

  65–69

  14

  70–74

  12

  75–79

  14

  80–84

  4

  85 plus

  4

  all ages

  91

  Warrington residents 1990–1994: age specific incidence rates per 100,000

  Age

  Rate

  0–4

  —

  5–9

  —

  10–14

  —

  15–19

  —

  20–24

  —

  25–29

  —

  30–34

  —

  35–39

  3.2

  40–44

  15.2

  45–49

  19.4

  50–54

  44.3

  55–59

  51.0

  60–64

  31.2

  65–69

  65.9

  70–74

  61.3

  75–79

  89.2

  80–84

  35.0

  85 plus

  44.0

  all ages

  19.3

  Source

  Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Registry, March 1998.

  Market Research
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure has been incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies(a) in 1996–97 and (b) since 1 May 1997 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each; and if he will make a statement. [26599]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: A list of research projects carried out by the Department in the financial year 1996–97 and since 1 May 1997 has been placed in the Library. The cost of each individual survey is a matter of commercial confidentiality. The total expenditure for 1996–97 and the estimated costs of work commissioned since 1 May 1997 are:

  –million

  1996–97

  Since 1 May 1997

  Department

  i) opinion polling

  0.2

  0.1

  ii) focus groups

  0.3

  0.1

  iii) other market research

  0.2

  0.1

  Agencies

  iii) other market research

  0.1

  0.1

  Total

  i) opinion polling

  0.2

  0.1

  ii) focus groups

  0.3

  0.1

  iii) other market research

  0.3

  0.2

  593
  The Department has a major survey programme amounting to £5 million which is "social research" not "market research" as ordinarily understood. The purpose of this research is to monitor change and inform policy development. As part of this programme the Department commissions questions to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) omnibus survey to look at behaviour and attitudes of the general population on specific topics. Although the majority of questions focus on behaviour some of these questions might be considered "opinion polling". For example, questions have been asked within the smoking module on views about tobacco advertising.

  In 1996–97, questions on food safety, back pain, condoms, contraception, drinking, smoking, sun exposure, living wills, attitudes to mental illness and part time working patterns of children aged 10–16 were undertaken. The total cost was £350,000.

  Since 1 May 1997, questions on contraception and condoms usage, sun exposure and smoking have been commissioned on the ONS omnibus. These costs totalled £220,000.

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of community hospitals in the United Kingdom. [34437]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 13 March 1998]: This information is not collected centrally. However, the Community Hospitals Association estimates that there are currently 325 community hospitals in England. Community hospitals in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Public Bodies (Reports)
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the bodies within the responsibility of her Department currently required by legislation to lay a report before Parliament. [33561]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 9 March 1998]: Reports of the following Northern Ireland bodies are required by legislation to be laid before Parliament:

  Table A: Industrial development board (IDB)

  £000

  Belfast constituency

  87/88

  88/89

  89/90

  90/91

  91/92

  92/93

  93/94

  94/95

  95/96

  96/97

  Financial assistance offered1

  North

  306

  —

  1,704

  360

  703

  218

  1,630

  —

  1,081

  5,233

  South

  1,431

  2,615

  2,286

  1,028

  587

  1,634

  223

  1,689

  482

  1,777

  East

  710

  4,541

  3,648

  914

  965

  4,209

  1,297

  681

  6,841

  1,245

  West

  5,160

  7,155

  7,089

  13,568

  4,406

  1,399

  12,008

  14,050

  11,176

  25,499

  Jobs promoted2

  North

  8

  —

  168

  467

  7

  —

  67

  —

  138

  79

  South

  75

  201

  226

  541

  82

  94

  13

  51

  93

  219

  East

  38

  261

  106

  74

  74

  268

  64

  —

  —

  40

  West

  30

  —

  197

  74

  66

  50

  575

  365

  247

  581

  594

  The Commission for Racial Equality for Northern Ireland

  The Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland

  The Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland

  The Probation Board for Northern Ireland

  The Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland

  The Parades Commission for Northern Ireland

  Her Majesty's Inspectors of Explosives for Northern Ireland

  The Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  The Police Authority for Northern Ireland

  The Independent Commission for Police Complaints

  The Parliamentary Ombudsman for Northern Ireland

  The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list, for each offer of regional selective assistance made during 1997, the percentage of the project's capital cost represented by the grant offered; and if she will indicate, for each offer, if it related to an area of full or intermediate assisted area status. [33705]

  Mr. Ingram
  In the financial year 1996–97, 91 projects were offered Selective Financial Assistance by the Industrial Development Board (IDB) and 3,774 projects were offered Selective Financial Assistance by the Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU). A list detailing percentage contributions for IDB and LEDU offers will be placed in the Library. The list covers all offers made during 1996–97 and which are still "live"—i.e. have not been declined or withdrawn.

  The NI Selective Financial Assistance corresponds broadly to Regional Selective Assistance in GB. It is available throughout NI. No technical distinction is made of full or intermediate assisted area status.

  Industrial Investment
  Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the (a) level of financial investment and (b) number of jobs created by (1) LEDU and (2) the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland within (i) North, (ii) South, (iii) East and (iv) West Belfast for the period 1987 to 1997. [34320]
  Mr. Ingram
  Available information is listed in the tables. Details on jobs created by LEDU are not available by Parliamentary Constituency.
  595

  Table A: Industrial development board (IDB)

  £000

  Belfast constituency

  87/88

  88/89

  89/90

  90/91

  91/92

  92/93

  93/94

  94/95

  95/96

  96/97

  Jobs safeguarded

  North

  46

  —

  —

  —

  335

  37

  —

  20

  3

  225

  South

  95

  —

  —

  215

  25

  75

  100

  62

  61

  26

  East

  358

  161

  491

  —

  61

  230

  26

  168

  656

  —

  West

  312

  640

  293

  540

  360

  72

  135

  830

  24

  770

  1The figures provided for IDB financial assistance relate only to Selective Financial Assistance (SFA).

  2IDB figures refer to jobs promoted, not created.

  Table B: "Financial Investment" by LEDU

  £million

  Belfast constituency

  Financial commitment (1 April 1988–1 December 1997)

  North

  18.9

  South

  17.7

  East

  11.8

  West

  12.4

  Notes:

  Above figures relate to direct assistance to companies. They include funding made available under the Making Belfast Work (MBW) Programme and the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (SSPPR).

  Information on investment prior to 1 April 1998 is not readily available in this format.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list(a) the level of financial investment and (b) the number of jobs created by LEDU within Northern Ireland for the years 1987 to 1997. [34324]

  Mr. Ingram
  The expenditure figures as outlined below represent LEDU expenditure on its main programmes of support as well as expenditure incurred through the Making Belfast Work and Making Londonderry Work schemes. This financial assistance is paid out both directly to clients and indirectly through third parties providing assistance to small businesses on LEDU's behalf.

  £ million

  Year

  Expenditure

  1987–88

  18.0

  1988–89

  26.6

  1989–90

  28.6

  1990–91

  25.9

  1991–92

  26.2

  1992–93

  23.3

  1993–94

  22.7

  1994–95

  24.9

  1995–96

  24.1

  1996–97

  23.7

  Prior to 1990–91 the principle measure of LEDU performance was job promotions—jobs promised by client companies in return for financial assistance. The job promotion figures for 1987–88 to 1990–91 are as follows:

  Year

  Jobs promoted

  1987–88

  4,047

  1988–89

  4,395

  1989–90

  5,221

  1990–91

  5,501

  596
  Since 1991–92 actual net employment change within all LEDU client companies has become the principle measure of LEDU performance. Net employment change for the years 1991–92 to 1996–97 are as follows:

  Year

  Net employment change

  1991–92

  -650

  1992–93

  730

  1993–94

  1,630

  1994–95

  3,500

  1995–96

  3,060

  1996–97

  3,525

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Inspections
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to establish a common framework for inspection of educational institutions catering for the over 16s. [34601]

  Dr. Howells
  In our consultation paper on lifelong learning, "The Learning Age", we have stated our intention to work with inspectors and providers with a view to harmonising inspection arrangements across schools, further education colleges and LEAs, adult education and training providers.

  Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list incidents of fraud and payment errors in connection with the award of NVQs in each of the last three financial years. [34818]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department logs all reported incidents of alleged fraud on Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) delivered programmes funded by the Department. Since 30 August 1995,105 cases have been recorded. Those involving invalid NVQs in the last three financial years are 1994–95 (Nil), 1995–96 (4) and 1996–97 (8).

  It is not practical for the Department to log discrete NVQ payment errors by Training and Enterprise Councils.

  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he is taking to(a) evaluate and (b) reduce the scale of (i) financial and (ii) academic fraud concerning vocational qualifications. [34819]
  597
  Dr. Howells
  The Department has established a financial scrutiny unit with the particular purpose of investigating allegations of fraud involving training providers contracted with TECs, including abuse of vocational qualifications. I have recently announced a strengthening of that unit. The Department has also established a 'fraud hotline' (0800 163 339) to enable suspicions of fraud to be promptly and directly reported to the Department. The maintenance of the standards of vocational qualifications is the prime responsibility of awarding bodies and the Department is currently providing £1.5 million to support additional external verification of NVQs by awarding bodies to help in assuring standards of assessment in TEC funded programmes. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has established a compliance investigation section to investigate allegations of abuse of vocational qualifications accredited by it. The QCA's section works closely with the Department's financial scrutiny unit.

  EU Equal Treatment Directive
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the nature of the advice given on behalf of the United Kingdom Government by Lindsey Nichol] of the Treasury Solicitor's Department, Eleanor Sharpston Barrister and Michael Beloff QC, to the Court of Justice of the European Communities when it was considering the Marschell v Land Nordrhein Westfalen case. [34886]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  At the hearing of the European Court of Justice on 11 March 1997 in the case Helmut Marschell v Land Nordrhein Westfalen, Michael Beloff QC, representing the United Kingdom Government, made oral submissions to the Court.

  These submissions drew attention to the fact that the ECJ had already had occasion, in the case of Kalanke v Freie Hansestadt Bremen, to examine the proper interpretation of Article 2(4) of the Equal Treatment Directive, and that in that case the ECJ had laid down four very important guidelines which, it was submitted, should be determinative of the result of the Marschall case.

  Those guidelines were:
  First, the ECJ upheld the importance of the principle of non discrimination.
  Secondly, it confirmed that national laws like the law at issue in Kalanke involve direct discrimination on the grounds of sex.
  Thirdly, it characterised Article 2(4) of the Equal Treatment Directive as a derogation from the core principle of equal treatment, and hence as a provision to be interpreted narrowly.
  Fourthly, it identified equality of opportunity, and not equality of result, as the means chosen by the Directive of achieving equal representation.

  National Curriculum Tests
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to introduce more rigorous procedures for National Curriculum tests at Key Stage 1. [34879]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are introducing some additional procedures for the National Curriculum tests at Key Stage 1 in 1998. These include reducing the scope for 598
  potential malpractice by delivering tests later to schools, asking headteachers to sign a declaration that tests have been administered correctly, and external checks to be conducted during the assessment period. We are also continuing to support schools' administration and marking of the Key Stage 1 tests by funding supply cover, and through the audit of assessment standards in over a quarter of schools. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority will continue to monitor test standards for consistency with the demands of the National Curriculum and comparability with previous years.

  Education Action Zones
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list applications to run education action zones received from(a) local education authorities and (b) other organisations; [34954]

  (2) if he will list the private sector organisations which have applied to run education action zones; [34955]

  (3) if he will list applications to run education action zones where the proposed zone crosses local education authority boundaries. [34956]

  Mr. Byers
  The deadline for applications is this Friday, 20 March.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will publish figures for the average class size, for each school, in the national performance tables for primary schools;[34817]

  (2) if he will publish figures for the average class size in the national performance tables for primary schools. [34883]

  Mr. Byers
  Primary school performance tables are published by individual local education authorities. We have no present plans to require the publication of information on class sizes in the tables, but if LEAs wish to publish such information and have the necessary data from schools they are free to do so. We ask all primary schools to consider providing parents with information on class sizes in their school prospectus.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34833]

  Dr. Howells
  Since 1 May 1997 the Department has abolished two bodies and transferred their functions to a new body:

  (a)Abolished

  Date of closure

  School Curriclum and Assessment Authority(SCAA)

  30 September 1197

  National Council for Vocational Qualification (NCVQ)

  30 September 1997

  599

  £million

  (b) Established

  (c) Planned annual running costs

  1997–98 estimate

  1998–99 planned

  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) 1 October 1997

  10.5

  19.5

  for 6 months

  Disability Rights Task Force

  1—

  New Deal Task Force

  1—

  Skills Task Force

  1—

  1Advisory NDPBs, travel and subsistence costs.

  School Expenditure
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the minimum per capita spent from local authority revenue budgets on education in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools necessary for satisfactory delivery of the national curriculum and achievement of the Government's educational attainment targets. [34602]

  Mr. Byers
  Education Standard Spending for LEAs in England will be £19.4 billion in 1998–99, an increase of £1 billion over the equivalent figure for 1997–98. The priority given to school spending within our plans for 1998–99 reflects the importance of delivering our targets for educational attainment. The total is allocated to Local Education Authorities in Standard Spending Assessments, using a formula which takes account of pupil numbers, deprivation and population sparsity. It is for Local Education Authorities to reach final decisions on how to use the resources available to them. We do not seek to set a minimum level of expenditure, but we have made it clear that we expect the substantial additional provision for 1998–99 to go specifically to raising standards in schools.

  New Deal (Deaf People)
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements are in place for communication support for young deaf users of British Sign Language entering the New Deal gateway with particular reference to the early stages. [30680]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  There is explicit guidance for dealing with those clients who are deaf or hard of hearing. Employment Service staff are trained to recognise hearing impairment and to lip read. They are asked not to make assumptions about an individual's ability to communicate or the ways in which they do so. They are advised to ask the client to tell them what means of communication they favour and to accede to any requests for sign language to be used. Jobcentres have access to sign language interpreters, often Employment Service staff in the offices. In addition, light writers, typetalk and hearing loops are available and are used if the client requests them.

  If there is a barrier, the Employment Service will first identify it and then take appropriate action to overcome it. Once in a job help for clients under the Access to Work initiative is available.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she has taken or plans to take to ensure the millennium compliance of the computer systems involved in providing an uninterrupted supply of electricity and gas; if she has agreed or arranged for contingency plans; and if she will make a statement. [33315]

  Mrs. Roche
  DTI officials have discussed this issue with the electricity and gas industries and their trade associations. Both industries are aware of the potential difficulties arising from the millennium date change and companies have carried out, or are carrying out, full assessments of the potential impact of their computer and control systems. These assessments are continuing. Reports thus far suggest that the risk to the continuity of the electricity supplies is minimal.

  Transco, operator of the major part of Great Britain's gas transportation system, is conducting a thorough action plan to ensure that any risk to its ability to operate safely its gas supply network is managed. Each component of the "gas chain" is responsible for its own programme but Transco is playing a pivotal role in encouragement of best practice in the rest of the industry. It is offering support to its partners in the gas chain and other utilities in meeting their own responsibilities through sharing of best practice. Along with DTI, the Office of Gas Supply is actively monitoring the work being carried out by the industry on this.

  Notwithstanding the current risk assessments, individual companies will wish to review existing contingency plans with emergency authorities as appropriate to deal with any supply problems arising from the millennium date change.

  This is a complex area of work and the providers of utility service are dependent one upon the other to ensure that continued operation occurs without difficulty.

  Post Office
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she will announce the results of her current review of the Post Office. [34813]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have been reviewing carefully the views advanced by interested parties during the consultations following my announcement last year of a review of options for granting the Post Office greater commercial freedom. These will inform our decisions on the next phase of the work, about which I will make an announcement as soon as we are in a position to proceed.

  Agenda 2000
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she has taken to ensure that the West Midlands continues to benefit from Structural Funds after the introduction of Agenda 2000. [34296]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: The Commission expects to publish on 18 March its detailed draft regulations covering the operations of the Funds for the period 2000–2006. These draft regulations will then need to be negotiated in the Council of Ministers and approved by the European Parliament.
  601
  In the meantime, Ministers have been in regular contact with the European Commission and other Member States, with an aim of securing a package which is fair to all Member States especially to the United Kingdom and regions and which is affordable and durable, simpler and more efficient. In these discussions, we have suggested that GDP per capita should be a factor taken into account in the allocation of the Funds.

  Yemen and Oman
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff there are on her Department's(a) Yemen desk and (b) Oman desk. [34551]

  Mrs. Roche
  Both desks have a full-time Country Officer who has administrative support and reports to a Senior Country Manager and Section Head. Both desks also have Export Promoters on loan to the DTI from private industry.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to promote trade and investment in Oman. [34552]

  Mrs. Roche
  The DTI Oman Desk is involved in a wide range of promotional activities. In 1998, the DTI will support six outward trade missions to Oman, two exhibitions in Oman, six "Gulf Spotlights" in the UK, three inward visits by senior Omanis, the Oman British Friendship Association and Committee for Middle East Trade Round Table and the CBI "Invest in Oman" Conference in London. The Chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board visited Oman last month. In addition, my noble Friend the Minister for Trade met his Excellency Maqbool Sultan (the Oman Minister for Commerce and Industry) and also his Excellency the Ambassador on an earlier occasion.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will estimate the number of British firms which have offices in Oman. [34550]

  Mrs. Roche
  There are approximately 70 British firms with offices in Oman.

  Adoption Leave
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on Government policy towards national guidelines on adoption leave for parents adopting a child. [34759]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government are committed to implementing the EC Parental Leave Directive, which will provide both parents with the basic entitlement to three months unpaid leave following the birth or adoption of a child. The Directive contains a number of flexibilities, including the requirement to consider whether entitlement to parental leave needs to be adapted to meet the circumstances of adoption. We shall want to give full consideration to these matters and consult on options for implementation. We are required to implement the Directive by December 1999.

  Cosmetic Surgery
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will regulate the prices charged for cosmetic surgery procedures; and if she will make a statement. [33922]
  602
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend and I have no plans to regulate the prices charged for cosmetic surgery procedures, but we are aware of concerns about the quality of such surgery.

  Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost of overtime worked by private office staff of the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs since 1 May 1997. [32689]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Overtime for the period 1 May 1997 to 31 January 1998 amounted to some £21,600 gross.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the fluoro-carbon gases, as regulated under the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change, that will be utilised in the air conditioning equipment for the Millennium Experience; and if he will make a statement. [28140]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) announced on 13 March the outcome of their competitive tendering process for the supply of chiller units which will provide chilled water for air cooling of the Dome's various exhibits, restaurants and hospitality suites. The refrigerant used in these units is R134a, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) which is used as environmentally preferable alternative to CFCs and HCFCs. The NMEC will operate and maintain the units to the highest possible standard, and aim to keep emissions of HFCs below 1%—a target which will be monitored by regular independent audits of refrigerant usage. A robust plan for the safe handling and recovery of the refrigerant when the units are disposed of will be put into place. These arrangements meet in full the terms of the 1996 Declaration of Intent agreed between the then Government and Refrigeration Industry which recognises the essential role of HFCs as a replacement for CFCs and HCFCs.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how the temperature of the Millennium Dome will be controlled. [31193]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company will be able to maintain a constant temperature throughout the Dome through an effective ventilation and air-conditioning system.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Conferences
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of his officials attended conferences(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) overseas; and how many and what percentage made (i) oral and

  603
  (ii) written contributions to the matters under discussion in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [31179]

  Dr. David Clark
  For the purposes of this answer, my Department is defined as the Office of Public Service (OPS) and the Executive Agencies for which I am responsible. Records are not kept in this form, but so far as I can establish, the number of officials who attended conferences in the United Kingdom in the period 1 January to 31 December 1997 was 216 and the number attending conferences overseas was 33. Of these, 109 made oral contributions and 38 made written contributions to the matters under discussion.

  In addition, figures for the Central Office of Information, which is a separate Department, also reporting to me, are as follows: 32 officials attended conferences in the United Kingdom and one attended overseas. Of these, 7 made oral contributions and 1 made a written contribution.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will estimate the number and percentage of civil servants in his Department, at each grade including and above higher executive officer who(a) attended university and (b) attended either Oxford or Cambridge University; [33059]

  (2) if he will estimate the number of civil servants in his Department, at each grade, who received their schooling in the independent school sector; [33060]

  (3) if he will estimate for each of the last five years, the number and percentage of new civil servants in his Department who attended Oxford or Cambridge University, broken down into the number of entrants

  Government Office Region

  Civil Servants(1 April 1995)

  Civil Servants(1 April 1996)

  Civil Servants(1 April 1997)

  Number

  Per cent.1

  Number

  Per cent:1

  Number

  Per cent.1

  North East

  30,000

  1.15

  27,800

  1.07

  24,700

  0.95

  North West

  40,800

  0.75

  40,600

  0.74

  41,700

  0.76

  Merseyside

  15,300

  1.07

  15,300

  1.08

  13,500

  0.94

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  33,100

  0.66

  32,200

  0.64

  32,200

  0.64

  East Midlands

  21,700

  0.53

  20.900

  0.50

  20,600

  0.49

  West Midlands

  33,100

  0.62

  32,000

  0.60

  31,100

  0.58

  Eastern

  30,700

  0.58

  30,300

  0.57

  24,100

  0.45

  London

  103,800

  1.48

  96,400

  1.36

  86,600

  1.23

  South East

  64,100

  0.82

  60,900

  0.77

  62,200

  0.79

  South West

  53,000

  1.10

  49,700

  1.03

  50,700

  1.04

  Wales

  27,500

  0.94

  20,400

  0.90

  36,500

  0.90

  Scotland

  48,500

  0.94

  46,600

  0.91

  45,800

  0.89

  Northern Ireland2

  5,000

  0.30

  5,000

  0.32

  5,000

  0.30

  1Percentage of resident population at I July in the relevant year.

  2The Northern Ireland Civil Service are not included.

  Magistrates (Lancashire)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of having shared responsibility with the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the appointment of magistrates in the County Palatine.[34747]
  604
  joining the Department from (a) the regular Civil Service entrance procedure, (b) the fast stream and (c) the private sector. [33061]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  (holding answer 9 March 1998): Although the precise information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, I can assure my hon. Friend that all career civil servants who join my Department, which for this purpose includes the Cabinet Office, the Office of Public Service and its executive agencies and the Central Office of Information, (which is not an agency of the Cabinet Office but which reports directly to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster) are recruited by an appropriate Civil Service entrance procedure, using fair and open competition and recruitment on merit. Numbers joining my Department from the fast stream are approximately five in each of the last five years. Of those, approximately 50 per cent. spent part of their education at either Oxford or Cambridge Universities. Relatively few new entrants to the department are school leavers and many therefore have experience of the private sector.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the numbers of civil servants based in each economic planning region in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996 and (iii) 1997; and if he will express the numbers as a proportion of the resident population in each region in each of those years. [34502]

  Dr. David Clark
  In common with most regional official statistics, since April 1997 regional statistics about the Civil Service have been compiled on the basis of Government Office Regions. The full-time equivalent numbers of permanent civil servants in each Government Office Region at 1 April 1995, 1996 and 1997 and those numbers expressed as proportions of the resident population in each region and year are shown in the following table:

  Dr. David Clark
  I do not share responsibility for the appointment of magistrates in the County Palatine with the Secretary of State for the Home Department. I appoint magistrates in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside while the Lord Chancellor appoints magistrates in the remainder of England and Wales. The Lord Chancellor and I have a network of Advisory Committees who are responsible for recruiting and
  605
  interviewing candidates and recommending suitable people for appointment as magistrates. These committees work to a set of similar directions.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34822]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The non-departmental public bodies for both the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Prime Minister are listed under my Department in the booklet "Public Bodies" published by The Stationery Office. For purposes of this question I am answering on behalf of my Department and the Prime Minister.

  Since 1 May 1997 we have abolished two non-departmental public bodies: the Citizens Charter Panel of Advisers; and the De-regulation Task Force. We have established two non-departmental public bodies: The Better Regulation Task Force; and on behalf of The Prime Minister, The Security Vetting Appeals Panel.

  The planned annual running costs of the Better Regulation Task Force are £8,500.

  The costs of the Security Vetting Appeals Panel are minimal. Costs are met from within existing divisional resources, they do not have a separate budget and it is not anticipated that this is likely to change at least in the short term.

  Archway Tower
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will call for a report from the Property Services Agency on its contact with Islington Borough Council concerning future use of Archway Tower and relevant local development plans; and if he will make a statement. [34313]
  606
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: As my hon. Friend is aware, Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) is responsible for the disposal of the vacant Government offices it inherited on 1 April 1996, including Archway Tower. The Chief Executive of PACE, Mr. John Locke, reports to me regularly on the agency's performance. Therefore, I have asked Mr. Locke to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated March 1998:
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service to reply to your Parliamentary Question about Archway Tower.
  Since 1998 there have been major policy changes affecting Civil and Defence accommodation. Departments have been fully untied from the former PSA which was privatised in 1993.
  PACE has responsibility for vacant office buildings which have been declared surplus by other Government Departments. Archway Tower is such a building. PACE is charged with disposing of it at best value for the Exchequer.
  PACE has no intention of seeking to change current planning permission to use Archway Tower for office use. Furthermore the property is currently held under the terms of a lease which restricts occupations to office use. Mr. Colgan has made you aware that if the London Borough of Islington was to consider redevelopment of the area responsibility for implementation and funding would lie with them. PACE has a contractual commitment to the existing building and use.
  The lease on Archway Tower runs until 24 December 2009 and the current annual rent payable is £884,000. Further rent is payable for 49 adjoining car parking spaces. The outgoings for the property in the current year are estimated at approximately £1.1 million including rent. The best value solution for dealing with the building is to effect necessary repairs and refurbishment and bring it back into use as offices. A detailed scheme, which does not require planning permission as it is essentially repair, has been worked up and necessary contracts are about to be let. An occupier has been secured for part of the building and the remainder of the space will be marketed widely as soon as it is again in occupiable condition. In this way PACE intends to defray the cost of holding Archway Tower and bring about an improvement in the appearance and management of the building.
  I understand that you are in close contact with Mr. Colgan, Director of PACE, London and South East Region, and that he has outlined these proposals in more detail to you and representatives of Islington Borough Council at a recent meeting. Should the Borough Council have any proposals for the property which are achievable in view of the existing leasehold constraints and offer better value for money than naturally PACE would be pleased to consider them.

  Public Trust Office: Framework Document
  Public Trust Office: Framework Document
  Kosovo
  Kosovo
  House of Lords: Attendance Data
  House of Lords: Attendance Data
  Electronically Monitored Curfew Orders
  Electronically Monitored Curfew Orders
  Arthur Newton and Albert Goodman: Appeals
  Arthur Newton and Albert Goodman: Appeals
  Firearms Certificates: Processing of Applications
  Firearms Certificates: Processing of Applications
  Firearms Consultative Committee
  Firearms Consultative Committee
  Firearms: ACPO Committees
  Firearms: ACPO Committees
  Former Ministers: Police Protection
  Former Ministers: Police Protection
  Police Firearms Operations
  Police Firearms Operations