Written Answers of 23 March 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1998,Official Report, column 261, if he will enable the Drinking Water Inspectorate to seek financial authorisation for water companies from Ofwat to enable water companies to carry out remedial works which will prevent a breach of standards before that breach occurs. [35299]

  Angela Eagle
  It is the duty of water companies to supply drinking water which complies with the Water Quality Regulations. The financial regime operated by Ofwat already allows companies money to maintain their systems at the levels required to meet current water quality standards. Allowing companies further money for such works would not be appropriate. If unforeseen circumstances arise, or new standards are introduced which result in water companies needing to carry out works or install new treatment plant, the mechanism already exists for this expenditure to be certified as necessary by the DWI and taken into account by Ofwat in the next price review.

  Secure Stations Initiative
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust's Secure Stations Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [35127]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Suzy Lamplugh Trust has worked with the Department in the development of the Secure Stations initiative which we will be launching shortly. We are also aware of a research project put forward by the Trust into Safety at Stations for Disabled People with North West Trains but we understand that it is not yet underway. We greatly value the work of the Trust in these and other areas of personal security in public transport.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the outstanding arrears for each London borough with respect to(a) domestic rates, (b) community charge, (c) council tax and (d) rents. [35211]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Information on outstanding arrears with respect to domestic rates is not available.

  Information on community charge and cumulative council tax arrears for local authorities is not collected centrally. However, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) regularly publishes
  2
  estimates for individual authorities. The information shown is provisional and relates to the position at 31 March 1997, and will be available in its Revenue Collection Statistics 1996–97 publication which is expected to be available from May 1998.

  The information collected on rent arrears for English authorities is based on the cumulative total of rent arrears at the end of the financial year, and is reported to the Department on Housing Subsidy Claim returns.

  Rent arrears

  Community charge Arrears1 outstanding at 31.3.97 £000

  Council tax Arrears 1 outstanding at 31.3.97 £000

  Cumulative Arrears 1 outstanding at 31.3.97 £000

  Arrears as a percentage pf rent roll for 1996–97 per cent

  London

  Corporation of London

  n/a

  n/a

  313

  4.7

  Inner London

  Camden

  6,087

  13,231

  7,921

  8.8

  Greenwich

  7,454

  7,186

  14,772

  17.5

  Hackney

  2,080

  27,395

  35,087

  30.1

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  4,800

  8,618

  5,786

  12.6

  Islington

  n/a

  n/a

  16,854

  15.6

  Kensington and Chelsea

  21,314

  3,289

  2,422

  8.7

  Lambeth

  54,314

  41,426

  30,186

  26.0

  Lewisham

  25,261

  16,469

  9,007

  10.8

  Southwark

  24,608

  13,508

  23,500

  16.7

  Tower Hamlets

  24,841

  25,128

  4,278

  4.9

  Wandsworth

  29

  7,857

  5,679

  8.4

  Westminster

  5

  3,797

  3,041

  5.8

  Outer London

  Barking and Dagenham

  845

  2,100

  1,949

  3.6

  Barnet

  8,952

  8,731

  1,167

  3.1

  Bexley

  1,989

  1,680

  795

  3.3

  Brent

  19,927

  13,198

  13,500

  24.4

  Bromley

  1,649

  2,933

  30

  0.0

  Croydon

  3,604

  9,793

  2,907

  5.4

  Ealing

  n/a

  n/a

  10,549

  20.3

  Enfield

  2,661

  10,828

  3,054

  7.1

  Haringey

  10,948

  23,393

  13,715

  22.3

  Harrow

  n/a

  n/a

  912

  4.2

  Havering

  2,221

  3,581

  893

  2.9

  Hillingdon

  n/a

  n/a

  981

  2.3

  Hounslow

  14,046

  7,789

  3,659

  8.4

  Kingston upon Thames

  708

  1,630

  667

  3.7

  Merton

  4,265

  3,981

  1,149

  4.2

  Newham

  23,427

  214,898

  6,126

  10.2

  Redbridge

  2472

  24,722

  859

  3.8

  Richmond upon Thames

  2,376

  2,422

  1,243

  5.8

  Sutton

  590

  1,224

  1,592

  6.1

  Waltham Forest

  8,478

  11,949

  4,442

  11.2

  1Comparisons of amounts of arrears can be misleading as authorities' figures reflect decisions about when to write off arrears, and the amounts of debts originally debited.

  2 Where 31 March 1997 information is not available, the previous year's figures (where available) have been substituted.

  3 Local authority has made a large scale transfer of dwellings to a Housing Association.

  Chrysotile
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which substitutes for Chrysotile the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment identified on 11 February as being more hazardous than Chrysotile. [35300]
  3
  Angela Eagle
  The report the European commission presented to its Scientific Committee included a review of the main substitutes for white asbestos such as polyvinyalcohol, para-Aramid and cellulose fibres. The Scientific Committee's interim opinion was that insufficient evidence had been provided to justify a conclusion that substitute fibres had been proven to be safer. The Committee did not conclude they were more hazardous. Nor did it argue that the categorisation of Chrysotile Asbestos as a category 1 carcinogen was wrong.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with countries that have bans on Chrysotile concerning the lifting of such bans on the basis of the report by the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment. [35301]

  Angela Eagle
  There have been no discussions whatsoever about lifting existing bans on white asbestos.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many members there are on the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment; and how many of them are specialists in asbestos-related illness. [35302]

  Angela Eagle
  There are 15 members of the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment. Members are appointed by the European Commission as independent specialists. I understand that the European Commission considered the range of expertise necessary in making its appointments.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what toxicological effects other than those of Chrysotile were considered at the 11 February meeting of the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment; and if he will make a statement. [35303]

  Angela Eagle
  The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment has a wide remit. The meeting on 9 February considered several issues in addition to white asbestos and its substitutes.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish figures on Government investment in social housing, giving the numbers of beds for each year since 1994–95 in(a) London and (b) the United Kingdom. [35128]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Investment by Registered Social Landlords in new social housing in England is funded by the Housing Corporation through its Approved Development Programme (ADP) and by local authorities under the Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG) scheme.

  The table shows the number of new social homes approved under these programmes in London and England
  4
  in each year since 1994/95 together with the number of people they can accommodate. Additional social lettings are also provided through grants to tenants to help them buy a new home and vacate their existing dwelling for reletting, and the Housing Corporation's Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership scheme for tenants (DIYSO). The social lettings provided by these home ownership schemes are not included in the figures.

  1994/95

  1995/96

  1996/97

  ADP

  LASHG

  ADP

  LASHG

  ADP

  LASHG

  London

  Units

  11,064

  2,379

  8,025

  1,876

  10,279

  1,434

  Persons

  36,640

  8,713

  28,06

  27,034

  37,126

  5,448

  England

  Units

  46,196

  17,155

  29,789

  11,736

  41,176

  10,763

  Persons

  164,327

  63,061

  105,256

  41,763

  148,970

  39,947

  Note:

  ADP includes output from Rough Sleepers Initiative and City
  Challenge.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on his policy on aircraft noise nuisance; [35400]

  (2) if it is his policy to continue to reduce aircraft noise after 2002. [35399]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government's policy is to minimise the impact of airports on the environment while ensuring that land use planning and conservation policies take account of the economic benefits of maintaining a strong and competitive British airline industry and providing sufficient airport capacity where it is economically and environmentally justified. This necessarily involves striking a balance between the needs of an efficient aviation industry, providing jobs and serving the local, regional and national economy and the need to minimise the impact on the environment and the communities around airports. There has been a substantial improvement in the noise climate around Heathrow over the past two decades, which has been accelerated since 1990 by the compulsory progressive phase-out of Chapter 2 jet aircraft, a process due to be completed by 31 March 2002. While this makes the securing of further improvement all the more challenging, the Government are committed to doing everything practicable to ensure that the noise climate around the airport continues to improve after 2002. We have given local people around Heathrow an additional commitment to take all practicable steps to prevent a deterioration in the noise climate after the Chapter 2 phase-out is complete.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how often he meets the BAA and airline representatives to discuss aircraft noise from planes using Heathrow Airport. [35398]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  DETR Ministers meet with airline representatives and BAA plc from time to time to discuss a wide range of matters, including the nuisance caused by aircraft landing and taking off at Heathrow.
  5

  Water Pressure
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to ensure that water companies meet their water leakage targets and maintain enough water pressure for fire fighting; [35388]

  (2) what statutory obligations are placed on water companies to maintain adequate water pressure for fire fighting; [35387]

  (3) which water companies in respect of which areas have reduced the mains water pressure since 1991. [35386]

  Angela Eagle
  Water companies continually monitor and alter the water pressures in their systems to meet prevailing circumstances in their areas. Under section 65 of the Water Industry Act 1991, water companies have a duty to ensure that water in mains which serve domestic properties or have fire hydrants fixed on them will normally be supplied at sufficient pressure to reach the top most storey of every building within their area. The Director General of Water Services has a duty to ensure that companies meet these provisions of the 1991 Act. Where water companies reduce pressure as one means of reducing leakage, they must still meet the requirements of the Act.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is(a) the average pressure in water supplies made available to the London Fire Brigade by Thames Water and (b) the (i) optimal and (ii) minimum required level for operational efficiency; [35351]

  (2) what was the average pressure in water supplies made available by Thames Water to the London Fire Brigade in each of the last 10 years. [35352]

  Angela Eagle
  The average pressure of water in the mains in London is between 15 and 30 static head. There has been no appreciable variation in the pressure in the last 10 years.

  For operational purposes, the London Fire Brigade requires a minimum flow rate from a hydrant of approximately 760 litres per minute. At present, they do not have any difficulty with flow rates.

  Marine Pollution (Wales)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the cleaning of vessel tanks off the coast of Wales and its impact on the marine environment. [35520]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None.

  Transport Policy
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what submissions concerning traffic management as a means of road traffic reduction he has received in respect of his consultation document, "Developing an Integrated Transport Policy"; and if he will place a copy of these in the Library. [35637]
  6
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A large number of the 6,500 responses received mentioned ways of making better use of the existing network and urban traffic management although not always explicitly in the context of seeking road traffic reduction. A report of the views expressed in the consultation is being prepared for publication with the White Paper on Transport policy. I will ensure copies of that report are placed in the Library.

  M62 (Junction 8)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the public inquiry into plans to build Junction 8 on the M62 will take place. [35422]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The public inquiry for this scheme is planned for this Autumn. We have yet to fix a precise date for its opening, but I will ensure that my hon. Friend is notified as soon as we have.

  Rural Social Services
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of the 1998–99 rate support grant on the provision of social services in rural areas. [34065]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The impact of the 1998–99 revenue support grant settlement on the provision of social services in rural areas depends upon local authorities' decisions on the size and allocation of their budgets.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a decision regarding air service access to regional airports. [35424]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Liberalisation of air services agreements to permit the operation of international services to regional airports is considered during many air services talks. Air services within the European Economic Area are already fully liberal. The airlines of a further 66 countries have access to any regional point in the UK, and the airlines of a further 21 countries have access to some regional points.

  We are reviewing the responses to the informal consultation on international access to regional airports and are also mindful of the current deliberations of the Environment and Transport Select Committee on access to regional airports. A decision will be made when all the relevant information and advice has been considered.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish figures for band D council taxes in England in 1998–99, showing(a) figures for each notifiable authority excluding parish precepts, (b) figures for each notifiable authority including parish precepts, (c) the percentage increase in council tax for each notifiable authority including parish precepts, (d) council tax for the area of each billing authority, (e) the percentage increase in council tax for the area of each billing authority and (f) equivalent figures for each class of authority. [35660]
  7
  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Rail Franchising
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when plans by First Group plc to take over Great Western Holdings were submitted to the Director General of Passenger Rail Franchising; what powers the Director General has in such cases to prevent takeovers; what range of conditions he can impose on such takeovers; what are the duties of consultation of the Director General before determining such conditions; and if he will make a statement. [35419]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: The first intimations that First Group were considering the takeover of Great Western Holdings Ltd. (GWHL) were given to the Franchising Director orally in the latter part of January 1998. The Franchising Director confirmed to the First Group that any change of control would require his approval; that in considering his approval he would take into account the Objectives, Instructions and Guidance (OIG) issued to him on behalf of the Secretary of State on 6 November 1997 (a copy is in the Library of the House) which, in his view, obliged him to ensure that benefits were secured for passengers if the change of control were to be allowed; and that the Office of the Rail Regulator and the Office of Fair Trading would deal with competition aspects of the proposed takeover. He was not party to the properly private discussions between First Group and GWHL. He heard from First Group on the evening of 3 March that, in view of Press speculation, they wished to announce on 4 March that they were in advanced discussions with GWHL. On 4 March the Franchising Director met First Group to discuss the passenger benefits to be provided under the 3 franchises involved, Great Western Trains and North Western Trains (which First Group seek to acquire) and Great Eastern (which First Group already own).

  The Franchising Director's powers are contractual. Under the franchise agreements for Great Western Trains and North Western Trains his prior consent to change of control must be obtained. He has unfettered contractual discretion to refuse or attach conditions to his consent.

  Having taken the view that, as a result of the proposed takeover none of the terms and condition of the franchise agreements would be changed the OIG obliged him to ensure that additional benefits were secured for passengers if the takeover were to be allowed. The Franchising Director announced on 6 March 1998 various benefits on the basis of which, subject to contract, he proposes to approve the takeover. These will include additional rolling stock; station improvements, including the provision of wheelchair access and bicycle facilities; security cameras and greater bus/rail through-ticketing. He is discussing details of the package with PTEs who, as parties to the North Western Trains franchise agreement, he is required to consult on issues affecting them. The Franchising Director has general obligations under his OIG to consult and liaise with other bodies. He has no specific duties of consultation about conditions to his consent to a change of control.
  8

  Environmental Task Force
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the number of non-governmental groups that have to date shown an interest in participating in the Environmental Task Force within the New Deal welfare to work programme; and what responses he has received from these organisations. [33113]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  Many non-governmental groups have shown great interest in the Environment Task Force option of the New Deal. However, the contracting process for this option is currently underway and the numbers participating are now yet available. Responses from non-governmental groups have been varied, ranging from comments on the design and implementation of the option to expressions of interest in tendering for delivery.

TREASURY

  Individual Savings Accounts
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if current holders of TESSAs and PEPs will be required to transfer their investments to ISAs from April 19990; [33270]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact on existing holders of TESSAs and PEPs of the replacement of TESSAs and PEPs by ISAs in April 1999. [33271]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 10 March 1998]: As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced in his Budget, 17 March 1998, Official Report, column 1102, all PEPs held at 5 April 1999 can continue to be held as PEPs, outside the new savings account, but with the same tax advantages as the new account. TESSAs held at 5 April 1999 can run to maturity outside the new account, and the capital from maturing TESSAs can be rolled over into the new account without counting against the annual subscription limit.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government will require providers of ISAs to submit sufficient information to provide a breakdown of how many people invested(a) up to £1,000, (b) £1,001 to £2,000, (c) £2,001 to £3,000, (d) £3,001 to £4,000, (e) £4,001 to £5,000 and (f) £5,001 to £6,000 in the most recent year for which figures are available. [34961]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 17 March 1998]: Precise details of the information to be submitted will be for discussion with industry representatives when drafting detailed regulations for the ISA.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the estimated cost of tax relief on PEPs in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 2000–1, as calculated in the consultative document on ISAs, is attributable (i) to CGT exemption and (ii) income tax relief. [33510]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 9 March 1998]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary gave on 11 March 1998, Official Report, column 210, and to the answer I

  9
  gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 3 February 1998, Official Report, column 574.

  Pensions (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the most recent statistics collated by his Department on the distribution, by income, of the benefits from tax relief on contributions to occupational and personal pensions. [34339]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The distribution of tax relief by income of participants in occupational and personal pension schemes is not available, but the total cost of tax relief, based on aggregate information from a variety of sources, is published annually in table 1.6 of "Inland Revenue Statistics".

  Airports (Seizures of Medicines)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list for each year since 1991 those medicines and medical equipment seized from passengers at airports, who were travelling to Baghdad via Amman; and if he will make a statement; [31678]

  (2) if medicines seized at Heathrow on 6 February from Amman-bound passengers will be returned to them; [31677]

  (3) what medical materials were seized at Heathrow airport on 10 February from passengers bound for Baghdad via Amman. [31674]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 27 February 1998]: No medical materials were seized at Heathrow airport on 10 February from passengers bound for Baghdad via Amman. Certain items understood to be destined for Iraq were detained pending further inquiries.

  Following the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 661 (1990) the export to Iraq of any goods, unless under the authority of an export licence, has been prohibited under the Export of Goods (Control) (Iraq and Kuwait Sanctions) Order 1990 [SI 1990/1640], which came into force on 9 August 1990. No seizures of medicines and medical equipment from passengers at airports travelling to Baghdad via Amman have been made as a consequence of these restrictions.

  Beer Duty
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received urging him to introduce a progressive beer duty. [35516]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) is a trade association which represents the smaller breweries. SIBA sent a detailed representation about the introduction of a progressive rate of duty to me on 9 March 1998. I have also received a number of letters from SIBA members urging me to consider SIBA's proposals and I have agreed to do so.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of proposals for the introduction of a progressive beer duty; and if he will make a statement. [35515]
  10
  Dawn Primarolo
  I received proposals for a sliding scale of beer duty from The Society of Independent Brewers on 9 March 1998. I have asked Customs and Excise to examine them and to provide me with advice in good time for the next Budget.

  Industrial and Provident Societies
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the current regime for co-operatives and other industrial and provident societies. [36181]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Treasury and the Registry of Friendly Societies have issued a consultation document today inviting views on what changes to the existing legislation would be desirable if a suitable opportunity were to arise. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Valuation Office
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets will be set for the Valuation Office Executive Agency for the year 1998–99. [36182]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have set the following key targets for the Valuation Office in 1998–99:

  Operational

  to clear 275,000 appeals in aggregate against the 1995 and earlier rating lists

  to clear 83,500 appeals against the council tax valuation lists; with the aim, in co-operation with the valuation tribunals, of clearing all cases within 6 months of receipt

  to clear Inland Revenue cases equal to the number received up to a maximum of 57,000—with the aim of clearing 90 per cent. of cases within:

  42 days where a valuation only is requested

  6 months where negotiation with the parties is required

  Quality of service

  to provide a substantive reply to:

  90 per cent. of correspondence within 15 working days of receipt

  the remaining 10 per cent. within 20 working days of receipt

  to see all callers to our offices within 5 minutes

  to achieve a further improvement against our indicator for valuation accuracy—by 1 per cent. to 87 per cent.

  to maintain performance against our indicator for timeliness at 98 per cent.

  Finance and cost efficiency

  to break even overall after charging for the full cost of chargeable services including notional interest of 6 per cent on the average working capital

  measurement will be within a tolerance of the greater of 2 per cent. of relevant turnover or £1 million

  to achieve financial efficiency gains of 4.6 per cent.

  Further details are contained in the Valuation Office's Forward Plan, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House on publication.
  11

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if it will be the responsibility of companies contributing to the Millennium Experience to finance and create exhibits in their section. [31524]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 9 March 1998,Official Report, column 59.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what estimate he has made of the additional tourist revenue which will be generated by the Millennium Experience. [31878]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply 1 gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 17 November 1997,Official Report, column 77.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will publish a full list of proposals for the content of the Millennium Experience(a) he and (b) the New Millennium Experience Company has rejected. [34789]

  Mr. Mandelson
  All proposals which come direct to me are passed to the New Millennium Experience Company for consideration. To date, the Company have received over 1,220 ideas from the public, interests groups, voluntary organisations and businesses, and they continue to receive a steady flow.

  All unsolicited proposals received by the Company are subject to review and assessment. To date about 340 have been rejected following this review process.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what assessment he has made of public reaction to the Millennium Dome to date. [31965]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The presentation of content, launched by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, on 24 February has prompted a very positive response from the public.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio whom he has appointed as creative director of the Millennium Dome; and who has overall creative responsibility for the Dome. [31968]

  Mr. Mandelson
  This is a matter for the New Millennium Experience Company. They are currently considering whether a single creative director is required or whether the current arrangements whereby the creative team report to the Directors of the Company remains the best way forward.

DEFENCE

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates his Department received certificates of conformity for the Brazilian mahogany purchased from Parker Kislingbury Ltd; and if he will place copies of the certificates in the Library. [34449]
  12
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 13 March 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Ships Support Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from J. D. Coles to Mr. Alan Simpson, dated 23 March 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Certificates of Conformity we received for the Brazilian mahogany purchased from Parker Kislingbury as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Chief Executive of the Ships Support Agency.
  Parker Kislingbury provided the initial Certificate of Conformity related to supplies of Brazilian mahogany from Madeireira Juary on 16 July 1997. Subsequent Certificates of Conformity which relate to later deliveries are also held. The Certificates are required in accordance with our long-standing policy that all material offered by contractors, and subsequently accepted under Contract, must be obtained from sustainably grown sources. The contract was placed with Parker Kislingbury on this basis on 30 July 1997.
  I will be pleased to arrange for copies of the Certificates of Conformity relating to the MOD Contract with Parker Kislingbury to be placed in the Library in the House of Commons.

  US Military Personnel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States personnel have been based at(a) RAF Menwith Hill and (b) RAF Croughton in each year since 1987; and what was the maximum number present at one time in each year. [35602]

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

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Freedom of Information
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to introduce legislation on freedom of information. [35088]

  Dr. David Clark
  I expect to publish a draft Bill later in the year, which will continue the consultation process started with the White Paper "Your Right to Know". In the light of comments on this, a Bill will be introduced into Parliament as soon as the legislative timetable permits.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Pakistan
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 9 March 1998,Official Report, column 25, if Pakistan falls within her category of countries diverting limited resources into excessive military expenditure. [35241]

  Clare Short
  Pakistan has traditionally spent a high proportion of its national budget on defence. We understand and welcome the fact that defence spending measured as a percentage of GDP has been declining steadily in recent years. The UK's bilateral development co-operation programme with Pakistan focuses particularly on working to improve basic social services which benefit the poor.
  13

  Children and Armed Conflict
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is giving to the work of the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. [35203]

  Clare Short
  We contributed £200,000 in November 1997 to support the work of the new UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and intend to continue to work closely with him to ensure the protection, healing and rehabilitation of war affected children world-wide. We recognise that children who find themselves in the unique situation of caring for younger children, possibly because parents have died in conflict or from conditions such as AIDS, are particularly vulnerable. We are trying to address these issues in our development programmes and will highlight our concerns to Mr. Otunnu when his proposals for international action on children and armed conflict are discussed with our European partners at a ministerial meeting in London on 23 June 1998 which my Department will host.

  Afghanistan
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many British-based aid agencies are currently undertaking work in Afghanistan; and if she will name them. [35712]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development (DFID) works with a number of British and international aid agencies in Afghanistan and funds projects in a variety of sectors including demining, health, community development and education. The British based Agencies which are funded by DFID are as listed. There may be other British NGOs working independently within Afghanistan supported by other donors.

  Afghanaid

  Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Refugees (ACBAR)

  British Agencies Afghan Group

  British Red Cross Society

  CAFOD

  CARE

  Children in Crisis

  Non-Departmental Public Body

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  (e)

  f

  g

  Commonwealth Scholarships Commission

  10–15

  0

  0

  1

  0

  11

  4

  Crown Agents Holding & Realisation Board

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  0

  Economic and Social Committee for Overseas Research

  10

  2

  1

  0

  0

  8

  3

  Indian Family Pensions Fund Body of Commissioners

  10

  1

  0

  0

  0

  9

  0

  Know How Fund Advisory Board

  20

  5

  1

  0

  0

  14

  0

  Overseas Pensions Scheme Advisory Board

  4

  2

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Firearms Certificates
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average time taken for the Metropolitan Police to amend and return firearms certificates. [35239]14

  Christian Aid

  Halo Trust

  Medair

  Merlin

  Ockenden Venture

  OXFAM

  Support for Afghan Further Education

  Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal

  Save the Children

  TEAR Fund.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 9 March 1998,Official Report, column 25, if it is her policy that sponsoring terrorism in other countries is not a bar to countries receiving development assistance from the United Kingdom. [35240]

  Clare Short
  This Government like all responsible governments condemn state sponsorship of terrorism. Where the policies of other governments make a development partnership with them impossible, but where effective help can be given directly to poor people, it is my Department's policy to deliver development assistance through alternative channels, including community based and non-governmental organisations.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish(a) the number of places on each of her Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1 May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1 May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1 May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1 May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1 May 1997. [35284]

  Clare Short
  [holding answer 19 March 1998]: The information is as follows:

  Mr. Michael
  The arrangement for processing firearm certificates in the Metropolitan Police area is an operational matter for the Commissioner. We understand that the average time for processing routine amendments to firearm and shotgun certificates is between two and three weeks.

  Following the surrender of handguns under the Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997, some former handgun owners have sought variations to their certificates in order

  15
  to permit them to take up new shooting sports. No fee is payable by handgun owners in respect of amendments involving replacement, rather than additional, firearms. However, the proposed acquisition of new firearms may involve the police in inspecting the applicant's security arrangements and confirming the details of his proposed shooting activities. For these reasons, the time taken to deal with amendments and return certificates to their owners may take several months. While the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that they are seeking to deal with any backlogs as a matter of urgency, this will have to depend to some extent on the urgency of competing demands.

  As well as dealing with variations to firearm certificates recently, police firearms licensing departments have dealt with the considerable volume of work relating to the surrender of handguns and the processing of compensation claims, as well as routine licensing and firearms matters.

  British Citizenship
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British citizenship by(a) naturalisation on the grounds of residence, (b) naturalisation on the grounds of marriage, (c) registration as an adult and (d) registration as a child were made in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997 and (v) 1998 to the latest convenient date; and what was the average length of time taken to deal with each application in each of the years listed. [35130]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The number of applications received in each category in the years 1994 to 24 February 1998 are as follows. We do not record the average time taken to deal with each application within a calendar year. The figures in brackets show the average number of months taken to consider applications as at 31 December each year with the exception of 1998 when the position at the end of February is shown.

  Registrations

  Naturalisation

  Year

  Adult

  Minor

  Residence

  Marriage

  1994

  3,630

  6,355

  21,835

  16,586

  (6)

  (8)

  (14)

  (13)

  1995

  3,646

  11,339

  21,470

  17,822

  (5)

  (6.3)

  (14.2)

  (13.5)

  1996

  3,694

  12,673

  23,758

  19,580

  (7)

  (7.4)

  (16.1)

  (15.3)

  1997

  4,003

  11,407

  20,140

  16,266

  (6.6)

  (7.1)

  (20.8)

  (20.1)

  1998

  85

  208

  104

  124

  (7.5)

  (6.7)

  (20.5)

  (20.6)

  Airline Offences
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many United Kingdom citizens have been prosecuted and convicted of committing an offence on board a commercial airliner in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [35195]

  Mr. Michael
  Under Part IV of the Civil Aviation Act 1982, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 1996, and Part I of the Aviation Security Act 1986, criminal proceedings can be brought if an offence takes place on board a commercial British-controlled aircraft, or a foreign commercial aircraft while in flight to the United 16
  Kingdom. However, although the Home Office Court Proceedings database records all prosecutions in England and Wales, the data held centrally do not identify whether the offence took place on board an airliner, nor the defendant's nationality.

  Court proceedings data for offences including the hijacking of an aircraft are given in the table.

  Number of defendants prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted1 at all courts for offences under Sections 1–3 and 6(2) of the Aviation Security Act 1982, 1990–1996

  England and Wales

  Offence

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  21995

  21996

  Hijacking; destroying, damaging or endangering safety of aircraft; other acts endangering or likely to endanger safety of aircraft; and ancillary offences

  Sections 1–3 and 6(2)

  Prosecutions

  —

  4

  6

  3

  2

  5

  15

  Committed for trial

  —

  2

  3

  3

  —

  5

  13

  Convictions

  3

  2

  2

  —

  3

  2

  1

  1 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years

  2 From 1995 onwards data also include offences under the Channel Tunnel (Security) Order 1994 Articles 4,5,7 and 8 (Sec 1(7) Channel Tunnel Act 1987)

  Hospitality
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list planned expenditure on hospitality for April and May, indicating the date, location and purpose of each event. [35117]

  Mr. Straw
  Events planned so far for April and May for which expenditure on hospitality will be incurred are as follows:

  date

  Location

  Purpose

  Estimated expenditure (£)

  7 April

  Yet to be decided

  Dinner for Canadian Prisons Minister

  150

  16 April

  Police Training Centre, Ashford

  Dining-in guests

  85

  16 April

  Police Training Centre, Ryton

  Passout parade

  127

  21April

  Vienna

  Dinner for United Nation Crime Commission

  2,500

  23 April

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  Seminar on prison health care

  4,960

  23 April

  Goring Hotel, London

  Dinner for Community Fire Safety Task Force

  400

  30 April

  Police Staff College

  International Commanders Programme course dinner

  60

  21 May

  Police Training Centre, Ryton

  Passout parade

  145

  21 May

  Police Training Centre, Ashford

  Dining-in guests

  85

  23 May

  Police Training Support, Harrogate

  Dining-in guests

  60

  17
  It is not possible to provide a comprehensive estimate for total expenditure on hospitality as the majority of events and meetings will not be finalised until nearer the time.

  Correspondence|
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letter dated 17 November 1997 concerning Mr. and Mrs. Utting from the hon. Member for North Wiltshire. [35771]

  Mr. Michael
  I replied to the hon. Member on
  18 March 1998. The Home Office has received a lot of correspondence on the subject of law and order in recent months; this has meant that not all letters have been answered as quickly as we would have liked. We have also put measures in hand to improve the Home Office correspondence system in order to provide speedier, high quality responses in future.

  Gambling
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what definition his Department applies to hard and soft gambling; and if his Department defines slot machines as a form of hard gambling. [35765]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We regard as hard gambling those forms likely to cause problem gambling among customers—for example, because of high frequency combined with high staking.

  We regard as soft gambling low stake, long odds forms where it is very difficult to chase losses.

  There are various types of gaming machines. How hard and how soft they are depends on their stake limits, prize levels and, to some extent, their locations and numbers.

  Crime Figures
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends next to publish recorded crime figures; and if he will make a statement on the methodology used to compile them. [34686]

  Mr. Michael
  The next recorded crime figures for England and Wales, covering the calendar year 1997, will be published in a Home Office Statistical Bulletin on 7 April 1998.

  The recorded crime figures are based on statistical returns provided by the 43 police force areas in England and Wales. The data are compiled using rules for classification and counting issued by the Home Office to maintain the consistency of recording some of the more complex and potentially difficult offences, such as multiple, continuous and repeated offences.

  Periodically, the Home Office rules and police recording practices are reviewed to ensure consistency and to determine whether updates are necessary. Recently, both Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and a joint Home Office/Association of Chief Police Officers working party have undertaken such reviews. Their recommendations are being adopted in a package of measures for implementation on 1 April 1998, which were announced initially by my right hon. Friend on 1 October 1997. More detail was given by the Home Office's Director of Research and Statistics on 14 October 1997.
  18
  The main measures comprise the logical extension of the coverage of recorded crimes (or notifiable offences) to include all indictable and triable either way offences; the revision of the counting rules for certain offences to move closer to the concept of one crime per victim; a move to financial year publication; and less emphasis in publications on the overall total of recorded crime in favour of individual offence groups.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish(a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1 May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1 May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1 May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1 May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1 May 1997. [35275]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 19 March 1998]: The information requested is not held centrally within the Department. When it has been assembled and collated I will write to the hon. Member.

  Young Offenders
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many psychologists and assistants are currently in post at each Young Offenders Institution in(a) London and (b) the Home Counties; what is the full complement for each unit; and what were the number in post for each of the last five years. [34794]

  Ms Quin
  The number of psychologists and psychological assistants in post in Young Offender Institutions and the current complement of these units are:

  Current

  Complement

  London

  Feltham

  5

  6

  Home Counties

  Aylesbury

  4

  5

  A visiting psychology service is provided to young offenders at Bullwood Hall, Dover and Reading, East Sutton Park can call upon the services of a psychologist when necessary.

  Additionally, there are psychology units at Highpoint, Rochester and Woodhill. They provide a service to adult offenders but not to the young offender unit. The number of psychologists and pschological assistants in post and the complement of the psychology units in these three establishments are:

  Current

  Complement

  Home Counties

  Highpoint

  3

  3

  Rochester

  1

  1

  Woodhill

  5

  5

  19
  The number of psychologists and psychological assistants in post in the psychology units listed above for each of the last five years are:

  Establishment

  31.03.97

  31.03.96

  31.03.95

  31.03.94

  31.03.93

  Aylesbury

  3

  3

  5

  5

  4

  Feltham

  5

  6

  7

  7

  8

  Highpoint

  3

  3

  4

  3

  4

  Rochester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Woodhill

  3

  3

  3

  3

  2

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young offenders in young offenders units are assessed to be suffering from mental health problems; and how many are awaiting placement in a secure psychiatric hospital.[34804]

  Ms Quin
  A study conducted by the Institute of Psychiatry for the Prison Service in 1988–89 indicated that a psychiatric diagnosis, including substance dependency or abuse, could be given to 33 per cent, of sentenced male youths, wherever detained. Data on female young offenders were not collated separately from data on adult women.

  On 18 March 1998 the Mental Health Unit of the Home Office, which authorises transfers to hospital exercising the warrant of the Secretary of State, had no cases outstanding on which medical reports had been submitted by Young Offender Institutions recommending transfer to hospital under section 47 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the training and qualification requirements for staff of young offenders units(a) prior to employment and (b) during their term of employment [34803]

  Ms Quin
  Individuals who want to join the Prison Service as prison officers require five GCSEs or the equivalent. All newly recruited prison officers attend an eleven week course to equip them to work in a variety of prison establishments. Prison officers who will be working in Young Offender Institutions are also required to attend a specific module on the course which deals with issues related to working with young offenders.

  The Prison Service, working with the Trust for the Study of Adolescence, has produced a specialist training pack "Working with Young People in Custody". This specialist training pack is delivered in the workplace and external accreditation is now being sought. The Senior Command Course, aimed at Governors who will be taking up their first 'in charge' post, deals with issues of governing a Young Offender Institution.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of young offenders on remand in Young Offenders Units were in the care of the local authority prior to remand in each of the last five years. [34793]
  20
  Ms Quin
  It is not known what percentage of young offenders on remand in Young Offender Institutions were in the care of the local authority prior to remand in each of the last five years as this information is not held centrally. However, according to the 1991 National Prison Survey, 43 per cent. of young offenders on remand said that they had been in the care of the local authority at some time in their childhood.

  Shotguns
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to alter legislation regarding the certification of shotguns. [35377]

  Mr. Michael
  There are no current proposals to alter legislation regarding the certification of shotguns.

  Countryside March
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current estimate by the Metropolitan Police of the number of participants in the Countryside March in London on 1 March. [35360]

  Mr. Michael
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis estimates that 250,000 people participated in the Countryside March in London on 1 March.

  Campsfield House Detention Centre
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish HM Chief Inspector of Prisons' report on the Campsfield Detention Centre. [35551]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The date for the publication of the report on Campsfield House Immigration Detention Centre has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be published shortly.

  Immigration Officers
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what date seasonal staff employed as immigration officers were informed of his Department's new retirement policy for seasonal staff. [35391]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In October 1996, seasonal immigration officers at ports were advised that, with effect from 1 November 1997, the normal retirement age would be sixty to bring them into line with the rest of the Department.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many seasonal staff in the Immigration Department will reach the age of 60 years during the next year and have their contracts terminated under the age retirement policy for seasonal staff. [35390]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In the year up until 31 March 1999, three seasonal immigration officers who are currently on the Home Office payroll will reach the age of sixty and are liable to have their contracts terminated under the age retirement policy for seasonal staff.
  21

  Asteroids
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will evaluate the reports concerning an asteroid on a near-collision course with the Earth; and if he will make a statement; [34873]

  (2) what contingency plans have been made in the event of a threat arising from asteroids colliding with the Earth; and if he will make a statement; [34874]

  (3) what provision exists for international consultation and co-operation over potential dangers arising from asteroids striking the Earth; and if he will make a statement. [34875]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The asteroid 1997 XF11, which was discovered last year, has an orbit around the Sun which crosses the Earth's orbit. It will pass by the Earth in 2028. Computations made by American scientists earlier this month indicated that the asteroid could come within 30,000 miles of the Earth. However, I understand that scientists from the American space agency NASA have now been able to locate pre-1997 images of the asteroid. This has enabled them to calculate a more precise orbit for 1997 XF11 which indicates that it will Miss the Earth by a much larger margin of 600,00 miles (or about 2.5 times the distance to the Moon).

  The probability of a major impact from an asteroid is extremely low, but the emergency services and the emergency planning community in the UK prepare for a wide range of disasters and scenarios and they would respond if the need arose.

  International co-operation and consultation on this issue are taken forward in Europe through the European Space Agency and globally through the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). The UK is involved in both.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Multi-party Talks
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public money has been paid in

  Sports council for Northern Ireland Grant aid to governing bodies 1992/93–2000/2001

  £

  Governing body

  1992/93

  1993/94

  1994/95

  1995/96

  1996/97

  11997/98

  Aeromodelling

  1,009.75

  1,900.00

  1,000.00

  725.00

  —

  2,489.98

  Aikido

  —

  —

  1,044.48

  121.71

  —

  1,000.00

  Angling (inc Sea)

  8,563.19

  5,101.83

  8,518.25

  6,329.50

  1,043.90

  5,000.00

  Archery

  2,453.06

  5,637.41

  3,184.23

  3,547.77

  3,625.60

  2,500.00

  Athletics

  50,836.01

  39,403.71

  57,907.90

  57,396.44

  75,885.51

  70,204.20

  Badminton

  21,867.32

  31,598.33

  18,855.83

  24,277.18

  33,832.74

  —

  Basketball

  284.49

  2,435.61

  1,196.60

  1,904.49

  9,223.80

  16,401.00

  Billiards/Snooker

  5,928.58

  1,800.51

  5,679.72

  2,624.97

  3,517.32

  3,500.00

  Bowling (men)

  5,424.92

  9,453.48

  6,441.37

  10,377.44

  8,959.52

  5,500.00

  Bowling (women)

  429.79

  6,046.05

  5,560.07

  6,093.07

  4,097.89

  2,500.00

  Bowling (indoor)

  5,649.24

  2,852.51

  4,503.61

  4,375.21

  1,203.62

  2,000.00

  Boxing

  4,204.29

  11,305.00

  19,625.90

  9,698.23

  10,326.37

  6,380.00

  Camogie

  —

  365.00

  1,000.00

  8,784.00

  3,500.00

  10,000.00

  Canoeing

  1,355.05

  10,108.59

  5,327.19

  4,148.05

  6,344.42

  —

  Caving

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,000.00

  Coarse Fishing

  3,220.00

  1,626.00

  1,574.00

  1,632.80

  1,500.00

  22
  respect of (a) political parties and (b) individuals from political parties involved in the multi-party talks for transport to London for meetings with the Government. [25331]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  To date a total of £5,811.50 has been spent on transportation costs conveying representatives from parties participating in talks to London for meetings with the Government.

  Paramilitary Organisations
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 11 March 1998,Official Report, column 251, what account she took of the involvement of the IRA in the murder of Kevin Conway in confirming the invitation to Sinn Fein to rejoin the peace talks on 6 March. [34863]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The invitation to rejoin the talks issued to Sinn Fein on 6 March took into account all aspects of the state of the IRA ceasefire.

  By confirming the invitation to Sinn Fein, the two Governments demonstrated that they were satisfied the IRA ceasefire was being observed.

  Voting Methods
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of the way in which the future structures for government within Northern Ireland will be determined with particular reference to methods of voting. [32960]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  It is for the multi-party talks to reach agreement on new structures of government within Northern Ireland, and the method of voting by which they are elected. We shall do all in our power to facilitate such agreement in the coming weeks.

  Sports Funding
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list, by individual governing body, the grant-in-aid made available by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland to governing bodies of sport for each of the financial years 1992 to 1998. [34246]

  Mr. Worthington
  The information is as follows:
  23

  Sports council for Northern Ireland Grant aid to governing bodies 1992/93–2000/2001

  £

  Governing body

  1992/93

  1993/94

  1994/95

  1995/96

  1996/97

  11997/98

  Commonwealth Games

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8,773.01

  Cricket (men/women)

  7,982.32

  15,086.96

  25,865.75

  25,840.75

  25,799.46

  25,527.00

  Cycling

  9,633.84

  15,929.30

  24,595.53

  20,819.37

  18,808.73

  12,954.10

  Dancing

  1,013.92

  3,289.27

  1,504.72

  1,500.00

  —

  3,000.00

  Dancing (Scottish)

  1,012.99

  1,910.18

  1,329.06

  737.22

  144.11

  2,000.00

  Feat

  585.17

  378.11

  474.54

  426.52

  —

  —

  Fencing

  3,515.38

  7,572.16

  7,356.97

  180.57

  3,581.12

  3,750.00

  Fitness NI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,962.38

  3,792.48

  Football

  8,303.75

  8,617.15

  12,042.60

  2,628.00

  60,000.00

  47,500.00

  Football (association)

  6,085.43

  19,508.32

  22.63

  25,100.00

  —

  —

  Football (schools)

  5,382.66

  5,896.64

  2,983.21

  8,516.65

  103.58

  —

  Football (women)

  575.00

  875.00

  100.00

  800.00

  11.45

  —

  Football (American)

  —

  1,055.50

  1,015.88

  300.00

  1,012.17

  1,000.00

  Gaelic Games (hurling/football)

  29,627.44

  24,485.49

  18,489.68

  35,166.81

  32,090.35

  42,570.00

  Gliding

  407.06

  400.00

  2,000.00

  599.90

  —

  1,000.00

  Golf (men)

  1,000.00

  2,000.00

  2,000.00

  —

  3,500.00

  2,775.00

  Golf (women)

  1,110.85

  881.64

  1,878.67

  907.49

  88.94

  1,000.00

  Gymnastics

  12,506.20

  18,902.14

  22,169.74

  21,975.15

  24,239.09

  21,254.55

  Handball

  3,080.83

  3,226.78

  6,045.27

  2, 354.88

  3,052.10

  3,000.00

  Hockey (men/women/joint/dev)

  49,418.45

  48,387.68

  65,296.02

  73,688.55

  60,444.71

  33,443.00

  Ice Skating

  1,274.37

  3,135.89

  1,500.00

  1,200.00

  —

  1,500.00

  Judo

  18,757.52

  16,900.11

  17,877.07

  11,751.99

  16,156.30

  4,880.00

  Ju Jitsu

  —

  1,548.38

  261.40

  200.00

  —

  —

  Karate

  1,434.49

  4,386.22

  2,817.09

  171.87

  4,748.97

  2,500.00

  Karting

  1,366.89

  3,600.00

  1,500.00

  —

  1,500.00

  5,250.00

  Keep Fit

  6,588.56

  4,665.19

  5,277.14

  2,698.50

  —

  —

  Kung Fu

  —

  —

  1,042.80

  —

  2,000.00

  —

  Life Saving

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,254.52

  1,000.00

  Martial Arts

  —

  —

  20,150.00

  —

  —

  —

  Motor Cycling

  13,650.70

  9,715.32

  11,522.60

  12,107.21

  3,999.12

  7,258.00

  Mountaineering

  4,000.00

  500.00

  —

  —

  5,603.50

  6,900.00

  Netball

  5,332.37

  8,210.98

  14,793.59

  20,535.76

  17,578.63

  8,711.00

  Orienteering

  1,886.84

  10,858.87

  6,450.48

  5,420.15

  189.41

  10,000.00

  Pool

  —

  1,000.00

  1,000.00

  1,000.00

  —

  1,000.00

  Racquetball

  1,591.48

  1,581.09

  5.31

  682.94

  1,000.00

  1,000.00

  Rambling

  120.60

  93.72

  70.12

  59.62

  —

  —

  Riding

  30,292.41

  20,966.67

  13,078.79

  18,882.08

  4,773.74

  —

  Rowing

  8,610.06

  12,087.52

  7,122.93

  6,259.21

  12,624.93

  4,480.00

  Rugby

  12,392.59

  9,090.25

  6,973.70

  3,631.35

  5,829.75

  23,533.00

  Sailing

  19,190.51

  23,913.23

  10,445.68

  18,159.99

  14,201.60

  6,839.00

  Shooting Federation

  2,410.90

  7,039.15

  53.50

  5,055.50

  34.35

  —

  Shooting (clay pigeon)

  6,489.23

  1,567.49

  10,407.09

  3,331.94

  8,122.14

  6,650.00

  Shooting (rifle)

  1,483.61

  4,725.10

  4,390.35

  2,898.44

  5,145.65

  2,000.00

  Shooting (smallbore)

  6,662.25

  4,110.15

  9,684.50

  10,319.60

  5,011.45

  8,930.00

  Skiing

  3,874.52

  1,345.50

  3,361.56

  2,155.94

  3,891.60

  3,000.00

  Squash (men & women)

  15,922.00

  14,978.70

  26,366.14

  15,906.88

  22,447.29

  18,900.00

  Student Games

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8,000.00

  Sub Aqua

  1,143.56

  702.87

  1,185.30

  1,400.00

  68.70

  1,000.00

  Surfing

  —

  —

  5,968.83

  400.00

  —

  2,000.00

  Swimming

  27,831.91

  28,181.23

  26,457.56

  12,410.40

  31,729.06

  23,828.00

  Teakwon Do

  1,180.00

  1,778.53

  1,070.30

  54.93

  2,000.00

  1,000.00

  Table Tennis

  9,058.43

  8,830.66

  7,265.95

  13,234.37

  8,692.13

  19,603.00

  Tennis (inc lawn)

  10,287.64

  12,043.66

  13,451.91

  11,645.58

  11,299.41

  6,442.00

  Ten Pin Bowling

  10.15

  1,794.03

  1,529.55

  1,500.00

  9,522.90

  11,500.00

  Trampolining

  558.84

  6,616.83

  1,803.21

  1,303.13

  6,849.84

  4,750.00

  Triathlon

  1,706.14

  3,525.57

  3,375.38

  86,037.06

  1,103.89

  3,000.00

  Tug of War

  5,390.00

  7,600.00

  4,060.00

  3,725.00

  6,076.00

  4,000.00

  Volleyball

  —

  2,360.00

  4,514.49

  937.09

  3,753.42

  4,050.00

  Water Polo

  2,249.53

  4,146.56

  2,032.72

  2,255.81

  518.99

  4,000.00

  Water Skiing

  4,071.00

  1,310.50

  1,510.70

  1,072.20

  2,000.00

  2,000.00

  Weight Lifting

  1,154.78

  4,213.26

  1,039.96

  3,385.45

  4,675.93

  800.00

  Wildfowling

  —

  —

  21.20

  —

  —

  —

  Wrestling

  440.26

  1,717.34

  1,000.00

  —

  —

  —

  Yoga

  2,103.71

  2,471.78

  2,819.46

  2,632.85

  1,606.15

  1,000.00

  Disabled Sport

  —

  16,012.19

  8,252.77

  1,515.24

  31,417.71

  13,500.00

  Miscellaneous

  54,783.03

  35,851.35

  25,619.93

  7,090.26

  627.47

  2,115.79

  Total

  537,767.86

  613,212.24

  625,720.48

  656,606.06

  658,953.43

  581,234.11

  1To 28 February 1998

  24 25
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total grant-in-aid made available by the Sports Council of Northern Ireland 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. [34244]

  Mr. Worthington
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  £

  1992–93

  537,767.86

  1993–94

  613,212.24

  1994–95

  625,720.48

  1995–96

  656,606.06

  1996–97

  658,953.43

  1997–981

  630,000

  1998–991

  620,000

  1 Estimate.

  It will not be possible to project figures beyond 1998–99 until the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review are known.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list, by individual governing body, the grant-in-aid projected to be made available by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland to governing bodies of sport for the next three financial years. [34245]

  Mr. Worthington
  It is not possible for the Sports Council for Northern Ireland to project grant-in-aid allocations to individual governing bodies, as these will depend on the nature of individual grant applications submitted.

  Shorts
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the implications for Short's share of the Bombardier Aerospace Group's research, development and design work of the commitments made by Bombardier at the time of privatisation. [35534]

  Mr. Ingram
  Bombardier has fulfilled the undertakings provided in relation to Shorts when it acquired the business in October 1989. From the reports I have received from both Bombardier and Shorts on the future plans for the business I have no reason to doubt their assurances that Shorts will remain an integrated design and manufacturing operation within Bombardier Aerospace.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will provide a breakdown of the amount of public funds given to Shorts since privatisation, including a breakdown of the privatisation package into (i) projected losses, (ii) launch aid, (iii) additional capital expenditure and (iv) training. [35537]

  Mr. Ingram
  The cost to Government of the financial terms of the sale of Shorts to Bombardier in October 1989 was £780 million less £30 million paid by Bombardier for the share capital of Shorts. The £780 million included £665 million for the restructuring of the company's balance sheet which included projected losses on existing contracts and £115 million for future Government support including £79 million grant towards capital expenditure, £18 million for training and other costs and £18 million towards the non-recurring costs of developing 26
  components for the Regional Jet. No launch aid was provided at this stage. The grant aid has been fully paid and the conditions applied to it have been met.

  In addition to the privatisation package, Shorts has received the following grant assistance from the Department of Economic Development's agencies since October 1989:

  Agencies

  £ million

  Industrial Development Board

  13.93

  Industrial Research & Technology Unit

  14.57

  Training and Employment Agency

  5.79

  The company also received £17.72 million launch aid from the Department of Trade and Industry (£15 million) and Industrial Development Board (£2.72 million) towards the cost of the development of the Learjet 45 aircraft.

  Long-term Unemployed
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her speech to the Royal Geographical Society, if she will list the legal obstacles to employers recruiting directly from the long-term unemployed. [35844]

  Mr. Ingram
  Restricting the field of recruitment to the long-term unemployed brings with it a greater risk of the pool of potential candidates being disproportionately of one religion, gender or, possibly, race. In such circumstances a person of another religion, gender or race may have grounds for making a complaint of indirect discrimination on the basis that persons of his/her religion, gender or race in Northern Ireland were less able to satisfy the criterion of being long-term unemployed.

  Police (Conference)
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the purpose of the recent one-day conference on policing held in the Galgorm Hotel; how many were involved; what was the respective appointment of each; who organised the seminar; and if two-tier policing was on the agenda. [35654]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have no knowledge of any conference on policing held in the Galgorm Hotel. However a two-day workshop organised by the Northern Ireland Office took place recently elsewhere. It involved 11 RUC Officers of ranks ranging from Assistant Chief Constable to Chief Inspector and 6 Senior Officials from the Northern Ireland Office. The aim of the workshop was to explore the implications of the evolving role of the RUC in terms of the police, the public and the broader criminal justice system. "Two tier policing" was not on the agenda.

  Visit (New York)
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the purpose of the visit to the Harlem or Bronx districts of New York of those involved in policing in Northern Ireland; how many were involved; what was the respective appointment of each; who sponsored the visit; and what was the total cost involved. [35653]
  27
  Mr. Ingram
  In December 1997 fifteen RUC officers took part in a research visit to New York, which had been approved by the Chief Constable. The group of police officers, led by an Assistant Chief Constable and including Superintendents, Chief Inspectors, Inspectors and a Constable, observed a number of policing initiatives currently in practice within the New York Police Department. These included police management, performance measurement, community policing and community relations activities at both Headquarters and local precinct level. The total cost is not readily determinable.

  Mediation Network
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent the organisation Mediation Network is a Government sponsored or assisted body; and what financial or other support it receives from the Northern Ireland Office. [35655]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Mediation Network for Northern Ireland is an independent voluntary organisation with charitable status. It has received the following grants in this financial year from the Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office.

  Community Relations Budget (through NI Community Relations Council): £117,680 towards salaries and running costs;
  NIO: £42,000 towards a research project 'Policing Our Divided Society'.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provisions exist within the proposed EU code of conduct on arms sales, to prevent an EU member state taking up an export order already turned down by another EU member state on human rights grounds. [34576]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Code is under negotiation. If our proposal is accepted, each partner would be obliged to consult a member state which had denied an export licence under any of the criteria elaborated in the Code, not just the provisions related to human rights, before coming to a decision on whether to authorise a licence itself for an essentially identical transaction. The decision on whether to authorise the licence would remain at national discretion.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress being made with the negotiations with other member states on the proposed EU code of conduct on arms sales. [34679]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have begun to negotiate the Code with our EU partners in the appropriate CFSP Working Group. We have held one meeting, and will shortly circulate a revised proposal. We hope to agree a Code during the UK Presidency.
  28

  Sana'a and Muscat
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on levels of staffing at the British Embassy in(a) Sana'a and (b) Muscat. [34555]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  There are 9 UK-based staff and 46 locally engaged staff in Sana'a and 17 UK-based and 37 locally engaged staff in Muscat.

  Staffing levels are regularly reviewed through inspections.

  Foreign Policy Centre
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any persons working for the Foreign Policy Centre will have access to classified information held within his Department. [33936]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Access to official information, including protectively marked information, is governed by the Official Secrets Act 1989 which applies both to Crown Servants and to members of the public, including non-governmental organisations. In this respect, the Foreign Policy Centre is no different from any other non-governmental organisation. No-one employed by the Foreign Policy Centre will have access to classified information. One of the Directors of the Centre, Mr. Andrew Hood, has access to classified information in his capacity as Special Adviser in the Foreign Secretary's office.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the northern Cyprus administration on developing meetings within Cyprus of members of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to discuss matters of common interest. [35385]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Our High Commission in Nicosia remain in regular touch with the authorities in the north of Cyprus to encourage them to remain actively engaged in the search for a Cyprus settlement, to work with the Government of Cyprus to ensure that the benefits of EU membership are available to all Cypriots, and to develop further links between Cypriots on both sides of the island. We also co-operate closely with the UN and others to promote bi-communal contacts.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means he plans to obtain the views of Turkish Cypriots on the application of the Republic of Cyprus for membership of the European Union. [35372]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Mr. Denktash has expressed his views very clearly. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary offered to meet him in London this month to discuss this issue, and is sorry that he did not take up this offer. We maintain contact with Mr. Denktash through our High Commissioner in Nicosia.

  We hope that the Turkish Cypriots will reconsider their refusal to take up the offer to participate in the delegation to the accession negotiations made by President Clerides.
  29
  This would allow them to make clear their views to the EU side and also to understand fully the implications of EU membership—including the very substantial benefits which would, we believe, flow to the Turkish Cypriot community.

  Turkey
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current human rights situation in Turkey; what representations he has made to the Government of Turkey on this issue; and what plans he has to include within his statement to the forthcoming UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva concerns about human rights in Turkey. [35573]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The human rights situation in Turkey continues to give cause for concern. We regularly raise human rights issues with the Turkish authorities. We acknowledge the steps that the Turkish Government have taken to address such concerns, but we have made it clear that more needs to be done. We are committed to working closely with Turkey and to providing practical assistance to help Turkey fully meet its international obligations in this area. In our role as EU Presidency, we will make a series of interventions including on Turkey at the current session of the Commission on Human Rights. The detail of the interventions is still being discussed with partners.

  Saudi Arabia and Kenya
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will support proposals to address the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia at the UN Commission on Human Rights under the public procedure. [35510]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We will support the continuing consideration of human rights issues in Saudi Arabia under the Commission's confidential 1503 procedure.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the Government intend to make in respect of human rights in Kenya at the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. [35507]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We will include Kenya in the statement we make in our EU Presidency capacity under Item 8 of the agenda for the UN Commission on Human Rights. It urges, amongst others, the Government of Kenya to co-operate fully with UN Special Rapporteur for Torture.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will urge the Saudi Arabian Government at the UN Commission on Human Rights to extend an invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers. [35509]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We consistently urge Saudi Arabia to co-operate fully with the UN human rights mechanisms.
  30
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Kenyan Government requesting co-operation with the(a) Special Rapporteur on torture and (b) Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial executions. [35533]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We regularly raise human rights issues, including torture and extra-judicial killings, with the Kenyan Government. I will raise these issues personally when I visit Kenya on 23–24 March. We encourage all states to co-operate fully with Special Rapporteurs mandated by the UN Commission on Human Rights.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will propose at the UN Commission on Human Rights that the Kenyan Government extend an invitation to a UN Thematic Rapporteur. [35505]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We would urge the Kenyan Government to co-operate with any Thematic Rapporteur mandated by the UN. The EU statement, which we will make under Item 8 of the Commission on Human Rights agenda, urges the Kenyan Government to respond to the outstanding request by the UN Special Rapporteur for Torture to visit Kenya.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current human rights situation in(a) Kenya and (b) Saudi Arabia. [35506]

  Mr. Fatchett
  (a) We receive reports from a variety of sources about human rights in Kenya. We are particularly concerned about persistent police brutality, torture and extra-judicial killings. The Kenyan Government are bound under international obligations to make progress in this respect. We will play a full part in ensuring that pressure for such progress is maintained.

  (b) Among matters of concern to us in Saudi Arabia are practices in places of detention, shortcomings in the administrations of justice, and barriers to freedom of expression. We welcome Saudi Arabia's recent ratification of Conventions against Torture and Racial Discrimination, and would urge Saudi Arabia to ratify other principal human rights treaties.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government have made to(a) the Saudi Arabian and (b) the Kenyan Government on human rights. [35511]

  Mr. Fatchett
  (a) We regularly raise human rights issues with the Saudi Arabian government. I discussed human rights with the Saudi Ambassador in May 1997. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also discussed human rights issues with the Saudi Foreign Minister in New York in September 1997. Our Embassy in Riyadh did so with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 March.

  (b) We maintain a vigourous dialogue with Kenya on human rights issues through our High Commission in Nairobi and at Ministerial level. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised human rights issues with the new Kenyan Foreign Minister on 3 March, as did my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister with President Moi on 4 January.
  31
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what statement the Government plan to make in respect of human rights in(a) Kenya and (b) Saudi Arabia, to the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. [35508]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We will include Kenya and Saudi Arabia in the statement on country situations made by our Head of Delegation to the Commission on behalf of the European Union under Item 10 of the agenda.

  Asia-Europe Meeting
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries invited to the second Asia-Europe Meeting in April, indicating which have(a) accepted and (b) refused. [35590]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: The attendance at the second Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 2) will be the same as at the first Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 1) in Bangkok in 1996. The participants are: on the Asian side—Brunei, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam; on the European side—the 15 member States of the European Union plus the European Commission. All these countries will be sending their Head of State or Government or a representative.

  Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to promote the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. [35851]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We support the activities of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and have helped to finance many of their projects, most recently a seminar on National Human Rights Institutions in the Commonwealth, in October 1997, which I addressed.

  Harare Declaration
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) of 16 March 1998,Official Report, columns 551–52, if he will press for a commitment to freedom of expression to be added to the Harare Declaration. [35859]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  It remains our view that freedom of expression should be one of the Commonwealth's core values and we will work to ensure that it takes its place alongside other principles expressed in the Harare Declaration. We are also working to ensure that the high standards already agreed in the Harare Declaration are applied throughout the Commonwealth.

  Israel
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the purpose of the Minister of State's meeting with the Ambassador of Israel on 18 March; and if he will make a statement. [35850]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I had no meeting with Ambassador Zeigerman on 18 March.
  32

WALES

  National Assembly
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names and addresses of each of the consultancy companies who have advised or are advising him on the National Assembly for Wales location project; if each consultancy contract was publicly tendered; what is the expected cost of each contract; and on what date each contract commenced and, where relevant, finished. [35591]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: Symonds Group of 22 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF1 9LJ are the Welsh Office's Property Management Consultants. The Commission provides for the provision of all professional services by them and other professionals engaged by them with the Welsh Office's agreement at rates established in the contract. The contract was awarded following a procurement exercise fully compliant with EC rules on public procurement. It commenced on 1 April 1996, for a period of three years. The associated costs are included in the running cost expenditure of the Welsh Office which is published in the Welsh Office Departmental Report 1997. [Cm 3615]

  Under the contract, Symonds Group have engaged Crown and Company to provide advice on all estates and property matters including valuation and to act as negotiating agents for the Welsh Office. In addition, the Welsh Office has an agreement with PACE (Property Advisors to the Civil Estate), who are a Cabinet Office agency, to provide advice on all property matters.

  The Welsh Office is in the process of letting two contracts to property consultants to provide separate advice on land purchase and valuation matters and on building costs.

  Opencast Coal
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received as a result of the review of planning policy for opencast coal; and if he will make a statement. [35047]

  Mr. Hain
  A consultation paper seeking views on possible changes to planning policy for opencast coal issued in Wales in September 1997. Over 200 responses have been received and these are currently being considered in deciding how the review should proceed.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Privy Council
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Council what criteria will be used in considering the appointment of members of the Scottish Parliament to be members of the Privy Council. [35594]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  Appointment to the Privy Council is an exercise of the prerogative. Appointments are made by Her Majesty the Queen on the advice of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. A range of factors is taken into account. The Government's devolution proposals assume that some members of the Scottish Parliament will be appointed to the Privy Council.
  33
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Council what representations she has received on the need for a Scottish Privy Council; and if she will make a statement. [35595]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I have received no such representations.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Smoking
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if the Committee has concluded its review of smoking in the general areas; and if she will make a statement. [35923]

  Mrs. Roe
  At its meeting on 10 March, the Administration Committee reviewed the submissions it had received from hon. Members and staff in response to an invitation on the All-Party Notices concerning smoking in general areas; hon. Members will recall that the Committee had particularly sought views on whether the existing no-smoking zones should be extended to include telephone kiosks, lavatories, private meetings in Committee, Conference and Interview Rooms, the Families' Room and corridors.

  By the time of the meeting the Committee had received 54 responses, of which only three favoured the status quo being maintained; the remaining 51 favoured some extension of non-smoking zones, of which 48 supported an extension to include all of the aforementioned areas. Since the Committee's meeting, a further eight submissions, all supporting some extension, have been received, of which five favoured an extension of the no-smoking zones to include those areas specifically mentioned.

  Based on these responses, the Committee concluded that there does indeed seem to be a general mood that the non-smoking zones be extended to the above areas, and therefore, the Committee has agreed to such an extension for a trial period from when the House returns after the Easter Adjournment until the House returns after the summer; in the autumn the Committee will review the trial.

  However, hon. Members will wish to note that smoking will still be permitted on the Committee Corridor. This is to allow those hon. Members serving on Committees of the House to have an area to smoke during those brief periods when they are able to leave the Committee Room.

  I understand that the Information Committee has endorsed a proposal by the Librarian that the Members' Library become a non-smoking area, and that this policy will also take effect on the return of the House after Easter; and I am advised that the Catering Committee and the Director of Catering Services are currently reviewing smoking policy in Refreshment Department outlets.

  Finally, I wish to advise the hon. Gentleman that, at the request of the House of Commons Commission, the Administration Committee will be co-ordinating the views of the other relevant Domestic Committees, in order to formulate recommendations on those workplaces shared by both hon. Members and staff.
  34

SCOTLAND

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study into computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Office has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32755]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Office is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) officials and (b) others are currently working on computer millennium compliance in the Scottish Office; and how many have (i) given notice of their intention to leave or (ii) left the Department in the last six months. [32750]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Within the Scottish Office, the central compliance team consists of 1 part-time and 2 full-time officials supplemented by 3 full-time contract staff. In addition, around 10 full-time equivalent staff are currently employed across the Department. One member of staff employed on Year 2000 activities has left in the past six months.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met Treasury Ministers to discuss the costs of computer millennium compliance; and from which budgetary sub-head the costs will be met. [32753]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Education and Industry, Scottish Office is representing The Scottish Office on the two Ministerial Groups addressing these matters. The costs of computer millennium compliance will fall on the appropriate Votes for the various bodies concerned.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to discuss the progress of the Scottish Office towards achieving computer millennium compliance. [32752]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Education and Industry, Scottish Office is representing the Scottish Office on the two Ministerial Groups addressing these matters. My Department provides regular reports on progress towards achieving Year 2000 compliance. These have been placed in the library of the House and on the Internet.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when all testing on year 2000 computer compliance will be completed in the Scottish Office. [32751]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Office is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The reports provide information on the timetable being followed by The Scottish Office in achieving Year 2000 compliance.
  35
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32758]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Agricultural Science Agency is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency towards achieving millennium compliance.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of Historic Scotland has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32757]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Historic Scotland are currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by Historic Scotland towards achieving millennium compliance.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost to the Scottish Office of(a) consultants and (b) contractors engaged by his Department to address the issue of computer millennium compliance; and if he will list them. [32754]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Office is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities and costs described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on the estimated overall cost to The Scottish Office of achieving Year 2000 compliance. Contractors are currently being supplied by Newall and Budge, Montrose Computing and IBM Global Services.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Court Service has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32728]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Court Service is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Court Service towards achieving millennium compliance.
  36
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Fisheries Research Service has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32756]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Fisheries Research Service is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Fisheries Research Service towards achieving millennium compliance.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Accounts Commission for Scotland has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32734]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Accounts Commission for Scotland is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of each health board in Scotland have has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32741]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Health Boards are being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Scottish Health Service Year 2000 compliance activities.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32729]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. these reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency towards achieving millennium compliance.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of Scottish Enterprise has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32736]
  37
  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Scottish Enterprise is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32738]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Prison Service has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32731]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Prison Service is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Prison Service towards achieving millennium compliance.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Office Pensions Agency has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32730]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Office Pensions Agency is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Office Pensions Agency towards achieving millennium compliance.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of each police constabulary in Scotland have been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32740]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Police force computer systems in Scotland are a matter for individual police authorities and joint police boards. My officials are discussing with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) how best to ensure that councils can demonstrate that they are effectively addressing the Year 2000 problem.
  38
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of Highlands and Islands Enterprise has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32735]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Highlands and Islands Enterprise is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Record Office has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32732]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Record Office is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Record Office towards achieving millennium compliance

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32733]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Students Awards Agency for Scotland is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland towards achieving millennium compliance.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of Scottish Homes has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32739]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Scottish Homes is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contingency plans he will establish in case of computer failure on 1 January 2000 in respect of the Scottish water authorities. [32748]
  39
  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish water authorities are being asked to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998, and will include information about contingency planning.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contingency plans he will establish in case of computer failure on 1 January 2000 in respect of(a) the police, (b) the Fire Service and (c) the Ambulance Service in Scotland. [32747]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Police and Fire Service computer systems in Scotland are a matter for individual authorities and joint boards. My officials are discussing with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) how best to ensure that councils can demonstrate that they are effectively addressing the Year 2000 problem. The Scottish Ambulance Service is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Scottish Health Service Year 2000 compliance activities. This will include reports on contingency plans.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contingency plans he will establish in case of computer failure on 1 January 2000 in respect of the Scottish Office. [32746]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Office is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21 by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The reports include information on contingency planning.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the East of Scotland Water Authority has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32743]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The East of Scotland Water Authority is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if pilot studies of computer millennium compliance in respect of each NHS trust in Scotland have been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32742]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: NHS Trusts are being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Scottish Health Service Year 2000 compliance activities.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of West of Scotland Water Authority has been 40
  completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32745]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The West of Scotland Water Authority is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of North of Scotland Water Authority has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32744]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The North of Scotland Water Authority is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activates by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the main computer systems used by the Scottish Office and its agencies. [32749]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The main computer systems used by The Scottish Office and its agencies are listed in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with other ministers about the impact of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on the powers of the Scottish Parliament. [34561]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: I will continue to keep in close touch with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on matters concerning the Multilateral Agreement on Investment.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of the Scottish Block and central Government support to local authority current expenditure, what the difference is between the planned provision for 1998–99 made by the previous Government after adjustment to take account of updated estimates of the GDP deflator and the revised provision for 1998–99 made by the current Government. [34528]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: The information requested is in the table.
  41

  £ million

  Cash terms

  Real terms—1996–97 prices

  1998–99 Planned provision

  1998–99 Revised provision

  Difference

  1998–99Plannedprovision

  1998–99Revisedprovision

  Difference

  Scottish block

  13,810

  13,978

  168

  13,068

  13,227

  159

  Of which:

  Central government support to local authorities' current expenditure

  5,169

  5,278

  109

  4,891

  4,994

  103

  These figures take account of announcements in the 17 March Budget.

  Rights of Entry
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many powers of entry or rights of entry he has created or is currently creating in legislation since 1 May 1997. [34585]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: Since 1 May 1997, new powers of entry have come into force in Scotland under section 76 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1997 (on 27 May 1997); the Cattle Identification (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 (on 22 August 1997); and section 53 of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 (on 1 October 1997). Further powers of entry are proposed in the Crime and Disorder Bill to enable the police to seize noise-making equipment which is causing a nuisance.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of children were on free school meals in each local education authority area and in Scotland as a whole in the last year for which figures are available. [35568]

  Mr. Wilson
  The information is given in the following table which reflects the local authority structure in Scotland in 1996–97, the latest year for which figures are available.

  Percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals in 1996–97 school session

  Education authority

  Percentage

  Aberdeen City

  13.00

  Aberdeenshire

  5.60

  Angus

  9.00

  Argyll and Bute

  14.50

  Clackmannanshire

  21.70

  Dumfries and Galloway

  11.60

  Dundee City

  21.10

  East Ayrshire

  21.30

  East Dunbartonshire

  10.80

  East Lothian

  11.80

  East Renfrewshire

  10.40

  Edinburgh, City of

  19.30

  Eilean Siar2

  12.60

  Falkirk

  20.50

  Fife

  17.40

  Glasgow City

  39.50

  Highland

  14.60

  Inverclyde

  23.90

  Midlothian

  14.40

  Moray

  9.60

  North Ayrshire

  26.30

  North Lanarkshire

  25.00

  42

  Percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals' in 1996–97 school session

  Education authority

  Percentage

  Orkney Islands

  9.60

  Perth and Kinross

  7.90

  Renfrewshire

  22.90

  Scottish Borders

  7.00

  Shetland Islands

  9.40

  South Ayrshire

  18.80

  South Lanarkshire

  19.50

  Stirling

  14.20

  West Dunbartonshire

  28.60

  West Lothian

  16.20

  Scotland

  19.30

  1 Provisional

  2 Formerly known as Western Isles

  Residential Care
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the spending on care of the elderly per resident of pensionable age in each social work authority area and in Scotland as a whole in the last year for which figures are available. [35567]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Local authority spending on the elderly is not separately identified in full by all local authorities, some social work spending being under general headings. The actual social work spend on the elderly includes both the directly recorded spend on the elderly and a major, though unknown, part of the spend not allocated to client groups. Provisional Outturn data for 1996/97 are the most recent outturn data available. The table shows, to the nearest £100, the amount recorded as spent directly on older people, per person aged 65 or over.

  Net social work expenditure on older people by Scottish Local Authorities 1996/971

  £

  Council

  Expenditure recorded directly against the 'Older People' client group, per person aged 65+2

  Aberdeen City

  300

  Aberdeenshire

  300

  Angus

  600

  Argyll and Bute

  500

  Clackmannanshire

  400

  Dumfries and Galloway

  500

  Dundee City

  700

  East Ayrshire

  500

  East Dunbartonshire

  200

  East Lothian

  500

  East Renfrewshire

  300

  Edinburgh, City of

  500

  Eilean Siar

  1,000

  Falkirk

  100

  Fife

  500

  43

  £

  Net social work expenditure on older people by Scottish Local Authorities 1996/971

  Council

  Expenditure recorded directly against the 'Older People' client group, per person aged 65+2

  Glasgow City

  700

  Highland

  500

  Inverclyde

  400

  Midlothian

  600

  Moray

  300

  North Ayrshire

  400

  North Lanarkshire

  400

  Orkney Islands

  800

  Perth and Kinross

  400

  Renfrewshire

  500

  Scottish Borders

  400

  Shetland Islands

  1,300

  South Ayrshire

  400

  South Lanarkshire

  600

  Stirling

  400

  West Dunbartonshire

  800

  West Lothian

  700

  Scotland

  500

  1 Figures based on Provisional Outturn/Budget Estimate Return, and have been rounded to the nearest £100.

  2 Age 65+ figures based on mid-1996 population estimates—General Register Office.

  Health Spending
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the spending per head in each health board district and in Scotland as a whole in the last year for which figures are available. [35570]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The table shows the spend per head in each health board district for 1996–97. The gross per capita expenditure including central expenditure for Scotland in 1996–97 was £857.35.

  £

  Health Board

  Spend per Head

  Argyll and Clyde

  810.00

  Ayrshire and Arran

  799.00

  Borders

  824.00

  Dumfries and Galloway

  812.00

  Fife

  794.00

  Forth Valley

  815.00

  Grampian

  855.00

  Greater Glasgow

  882.00

  Highland

  863.00

  Lanarkshire

  796.00

  Lothian

  854.00

  Orkney

  1,004.00

  Shetland

  874.00

  Tayside

  930.00

  Western Isles

  939.00

  Education Spending
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the spending per student in(a) primary and (b) secondary education in each education authority and in Scotland as a whole in the last year for which figures are available. [35571]

  Mr. Wilson
  The information is given in the following table, which reflects the local authority structure in Scotland in 1995–96, the latest financial year for which 44
  information is currently available. The figures, which are derived from local authority financial returns, do not include the cost of home to school transport, school meals, education authority central administration costs, and loan charges.

  Net current expenditure per pupil in 1995–96

  £

  Region

  Primary

  Secondary

  Borders

  1,870

  2,933

  Central

  1,732

  2,784

  Dumfries & Galloway

  1,761

  2,941

  Fife

  1,771

  2,630

  Grampian

  1,860

  2,970

  Highland

  1,893

  3,061

  Lothian

  1,745

  3,024

  Strathclyde

  1,906

  2,914

  Tayside

  1,757

  2,932

  Orkney

  2,640

  3,592

  Shetland

  2,499

  5,397

  Western Isles

  2,478

  4,535

  Scotland

  1,854

  2,942

  Gaelic Broadcasting
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 3 March 1998,Official Report, column 581, on Gaelic broadcasting, when he received the consultants' report on "Opportunities for Gaelic Broadcasting in the Digital Era"; if he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement. [35651]

  Mr. Wilson
  I expect to receive the report by the end of March, Additional time has been allowed to enable the consultant to take account of the consultation paper on the National Economic Research Associates (NERA) Report, "Television: The Digital Era", which the Government published on 12 February. Decisions on taking forward the matters covered by the report will be taken when the report is received.

  Learning Disabilities
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in the review of services for people with learning disabilities; what are the terms of reference of this review; and if the voluntary sector will be consulted in the course of the review. [35233]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Such a review and its remit are currently under active consideration within the Scottish Office; the voluntary sector would be consulted.

  Disability Statement
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made by colleges of further education on the production of disability statements. [35234]

  Mr. Wilson
  There is no statutory requirement for further education colleges in Scotland to produce disability statements. The Secretary of State requires each college to produce an Annual Report and makes it a condition of a college's grant-in-aid that its Annual Report shall contain statements as to how students with learning difficulties are provided for.
  45

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings have been requested with his Department's Ministers by(a) Labour and (b) Conservative hon. Members; and how many meetings have been granted in each category. [31296]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 2 March 1998]: Information is not held centrally on the number of meetings requested of Scottish Office Ministers by right hon. and hon. Members. It would be unusual for any such requests to be refused. Departmental records show that the following meetings have taken place since May 1 1997:

  Minister

  Labour

  Conservative

  Secretary of State

  3

  1

  Mr. McLeish

  12

  1

  Mr. Wilson

  8

  0

  Mr. Galbraith

  4

  0

  Lord Sewel

  3

  0

  Mr. Chisholm/Mr. Macdonald

  16

  1

  Scottish Office Ministers have also met SNP and Liberal Democrat MPs.

HEALTH

  Health Services (Kent)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of the consultants at(a) the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, (b) the Kent and Canterbury Hospital and (c) the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Thanet, who are (i) performing out-posted sessions and (ii) providing services direct on behalf of fundholders or multifunds; and if he will indicate what services each consultant is providing to each fundholding practice or multifund. [33955]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not held centrally. I refer the hon. Member to the trusts, who will be able to provide the information.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of general practitioners providing clinical assistant services to(a) the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, (b) the Kent and Canterbury Hospital and (c) the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Thanet. [33956]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not held centrally. I refer the hon. Member to the trusts who will provide the information.

  Zantac
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to public funds of purchases of Zantac

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Quarter 1

  Quarter 2

  Quarter 3

  Quarter 4

  Quarter 1

  Quarter 2

  Quarter 3

  Northern & Yorkshire

  2,154

  3,283

  3,380

  3,713

  3,691

  3,147

  3,712

  Trent

  2,916

  2,785

  2,752

  3,031

  3,056

  3,173

  2,973

  Anglia & Oxford

  1,309

  1,875

  2,512

  2,258

  2,086

  2,013

  2,273

  North Thames

  1,614

  2,470

  2,730

  2,183

  3,021

  2,569

  2,948

  South Thames

  3,645

  3,107

  3,190

  4,251

  4,007

  3,563

  3,871

  46
  in the last three complete financial years; and what savings are estimated to derive from the expiry of the patent. [35052]

  Mr. Milburn
  The available information is shown in the table. No estimate has been made of any savings derived from the expiry of the patent.

  Number and the net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed for Zantac (Ranitidine), 1994–95 to 1996–97 England

  Year

  Prescription items (millions)

  Net ingredient cost (£ million)

  1994–95

  4.7

  147.6

  1995–96

  4.6

  143.5

  1996–97

  4.4

  137.2

  Notes:

  1. The figures are based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in England in the community, ie by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.

  2. The information on costs is available only in terms of net ingredient cost which refers to the cost of the drug before discounts and does not include any dispensing costs or fees. It does not include any adjustment for income obtained where a prescription charge is paid at the time the prescription is dispensed or where the patient has purchased a pre-payment certificate.

  Community Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation he has made of the scope for extending direct payments to include over 65 year olds. [35880]

  Mr. Boateng
  We will be reviewing the legislation covering direct payments after its first year of operation, and will consider its scope in the light of that review.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reinstate supplementary credit approval for the development of information systems for community care. [35881]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have no plans to reinstate the supplementary credit approval for information technology for community care which was a feature of the initial period of the implementation of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.

  Hospital Readmissions
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients aged 75 years and over, by region, were readmitted to hospital within 28 days of their discharge in each quarter since April 1996. [35597]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information is not collected in the format requested. Information on the number of patients aged 75 and over who are readmitted as an emergency within 28 days of discharge for each quarter since April 1996 is shown in the table. This includes all specialties except psychiatry.
  47

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Quarter 1

  Quarter 2

  Quarter 3

  Quarter 4

  Quarter 1

  Quarter 2

  Quarter 3

  South & West

  3,637

  3,511

  3,285

  3,125

  3,093

  3,389

  3,481

  West Midlands

  792

  1,650

  1,809

  1,894

  2,087

  2,108

  2,241

  North West

  2,537

  2,767

  3,195

  3,170

  3,157

  3,125

  2,907

  GP Consortium Boundaries
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms he will use to implement the NHS White Paper's recommendation that GP consortia use boundaries coterminous with social services. [35879]

  Mr. Milburn
  Coterminosity with social services boundaries is an important consideration in establishing primary care groups but not the sole one. Others include the need to establish primary care groups around natural communities and ideally a population of 100,000. We shall be issuing guidance shortly on the configuration of primary care groups, including the criteria health authorities should take into account when proposing primary care groups.

  Special Transitional Grant
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for continuing special transitional grant into 1999–2000. [35878]

  Mr. Milburn
  Decisions on the local government finance settlement for 1999/2000 will be announced by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister in the usual manner and at the appropriate time.

  Health Spending
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the spending per head in each health authority area and in England as a whole in the last year for which figures are available. [35565]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the spending on care of the elderly per resident of pensionable age in each social services authority and in England as a whole in the last year for which figures are available. [35566]

  Mr. Boateng
  Figures of gross current expenditure on care of elderly per head of population aged 65 and over in each social services department and in England in 1995–96, the latest year for which information is available, are given in the table.

  Gross expenditure on care of elderly per head of population aged 65 and over in each social services department in England,1995–96

  Social services department

  £ per head

  Avon

  516

  Barking & Dagenham

  631

  Barnet

  633

  Barnsley

  505

  Bedfordshire

  541

  Berkshire

  534

  Bexley

  551

  Birmingham

  628

  48

  Gross expenditure on care of elderly per head of population aged 65 and over in each social services department in England,1995–96

  Social services department

  £ per head

  Bolton

  552

  Bradford

  564

  Brent

  756

  Bromley

  434

  Buckinghamshire

  514

  Bury

  689

  Calderdale

  735

  Cambridgeshire

  409

  Camden

  1,148

  Cheshire

  459

  City of London

  2,102

  Cleveland

  452

  Cornwall

  348

  Coventry

  525

  Croydon

  590

  Cumbria

  427

  Derbyshire

  558

  Devon

  465

  Doncaster

  654

  Dorset

  349

  Dudley

  526

  Durham

  479

  Ealing

  627

  East Sussex

  377

  Enfield

  608

  Essex

  453

  Gateshead

  613

  Gloucestershire

  297

  Greenwich

  742

  Hackney

  1,386

  Hammersmith & Fulham

  1,105

  Hampshire

  433

  Haringey

  1,027

  Harrow

  600

  Havering

  500

  Hereford & Worcester

  414

  Hertfordshire

  494

  Hillingdon

  602

  Hounslow

  639

  Humberside

  523

  Isle of Wight UA

  383

  Isles of Scilly

  549

  Islington

  1,279

  Kensington & Chelsea

  930

  Kent

  504

  Kingston Upon Thames

  606

  Kirklees

  616

  Knowsley

  472

  Lambeth

  973

  Lancashire

  527

  Leeds

  571

  Leicestershire

  499

  Lewisham

  887

  Lincolnshire

  344

  Liverpool

  827

  Manchester

  802

  Merton

  554

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  533

  Newham

  1,160

  Norfolk

  448

  North Tyneside

  350

  North Yorkshire

  453

  Northamptonshire

  486

  49

  Gross expenditure on care of elderly per head of population aged 65 and over in each social services department in England,1995–96

  Social services department

  £ per head

  Northumberland

  505

  Nottinghamshire

  630

  Oldham

  676

  Oxfordshire

  438

  Redbridge

  517

  Richmond Upon Thames

  622

  Rochdale

  635

  Rotherham

  575

  Salford

  605

  Sandwell

  609

  Sefton

  531

  Sheffield

  641

  Shropshire

  443

  Solihull

  402

  Somerset

  306

  South Tyneside

  587

  Southwark

  1,194

  St. Helens

  594

  Staffordshire

  505

  Stockport

  598

  Suffolk

  466

  Sunderland

  563

  Surrey

  442

  Sutton

  606

  Tameside

  560

  Tower Hamlets

  1,203

  Trafford

  417

  Wakefield

  499

  Walsall

  508

  Waltham Forest

  679

  Wandsworth

  922

  Warwickshire

  421

  West Sussex

  432

  Westminster

  1,009

  Wigan

  520

  Wiltshire

  382

  Wirral

  555

  Wolverhampton

  688

  England

  526

  Source:

  R03 Return

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instigate an inquiry into age discrimination in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [35774]

  Mr. Milburn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment is currently consulting widely on a code of practice for employers on discrimination at work on the grounds of age. This will give the National Health Service, like other employers, a framework for action, and a separate inquiry is therefore not necessary

  Cholesterol (Treatment)
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for issuing guidelines to general practitioners in relation to prescribing lipid limiting drugs for those with above average cholesterol levels. [35773]

  Mr. Milburn
  Guidance was issued in August 1997 in relation to prescribing cholesterol lowering drugs. A statement produced by the Department's Standing 50
  Medical Advisory Committee and an accompanying table were sent to health authorities, National Health Service trusts and general practitioners under cover of an executive letter. Further copies are available on request from the NHS responseline.

  An effective health care bulletin, entitled 'Cholesterol and Coronary Heart Disease: Screening and Treatment', was produced by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination and issued in February. This gives further advice on prescribing lipid-lowering drugs.

  Copies of each document will be placed in the Library.

  Ambulances
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations govern the maximum age at which ambulances are considered to be suitable for general use; and if he will make a statement. [35772]

  Mr. Boateng
  Normal regulations for the road testing and maintenance of transport vehicles apply.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Work Permits (Professional Footballers)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many professional association football players in British teams have been issued with work permits by the Overseas Labour Service; and if he will list the countries from which they came. [33463]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 1997 the Overseas Labour Service issued 51 work permits to football clubs in the United Kingdom in respect of overseas footballers from 31 different countries outside the European Economic Area:Australia, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Ghana, Israel, Macedonia, Yugoslavia, Moldova, Namibia, Nigeria, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, St. Vincent, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago and USA.

  Further Education
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans his Department has to re-instate a demand-led element into the funding methodology for further education. [33580]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department has no such plans.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received seeking a review of the funding methodology for further education. [33581]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department receives representations from time to time about the funding methodology. The Further Education Funding Council is currently undertaking a fundamental review of the methodology.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of convergence in funding in the further education sector on the Government's plans to increase the number
  51
  of students entering further education by 2002, with particular reference to those from disadvantaged backgrounds. [33582]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will keep under review the effects of convergence on the widening participation agenda.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of further education courses provided under franchised arrangements with partnership organisations in drawing people into learning opportunities from low-paid, unemployed and other disadvantaged backgrounds; [33584]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect further education courses provided under franchised arrangements with partnership organisations will have in drawing people into learning opportunities under the New Deal and Lifetime Learning programmes. [33585]

  Dr. Howells
  Franchised provision can be a means of widening participation by bringing disadvantaged learners into FE. There may be scope for such provision to play a part in the education and training opportunities available under the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds.

  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if initial teacher training courses for further education teachers will be exempt from tuition fees. [34238]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 2 February 1998,Official Report, column 564.

  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to change the(a) structure, (b) membership requirements and (c) responsibilities of further education college corporations. [34239]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department published a consultation paper, "Accountability in Further Education", on 5 March 1998. Responses to the consultation are invited by 24 July.

  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve the professional development of(a) lecturers and (b) managers in further education colleges; and if he will make a statement on how they will benefit from the proposed general teaching council. [34323]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government attach great importance to improving the quality of teaching and management in further education. In our consultation document "The Learning Age", we propose that all new teachers in further education should hold, or within two years of appointment have begun, a recognised initial teacher training qualification. In the same document, we highlight the need for professional training of FE managers. We are working closely with the FE sector to develop national standards for professional development and we anticipate that a National Training Organisation for FE will be established by the end of the year to take forward these developments. FE staff, with qualified teacher status, will be eligible to register with the general teaching council on the same basis as school teachers.
  52

  Sixth Form Colleges
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many sixth form colleges have closed or amalgamated since 1994. [33995]

  Dr. Howells
  On 1 January 1994 there were 115 sixth form colleges. Following closures and mergers there are now 108.

  Disability Rights Task Force
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the disability rights task force. [34060]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Disability Rights Task Force has made good progress since its membership was announced on 3 December 1997. It has met three times, on 16 December 1997, 21 January 1998 and 16 March 1998. In line with its Terms of Reference it has been considering in detail the role and functions of a Disability Rights Commission. The Task Force is expected to make recommendations to the Government on this matter by the end of March. Task Force papers and minutes have been placed on the Internet at http:/www.disability.gov.uk for public access and comments may be returned to the Task Force Secretariat.

  Music, Dance and Drama Students
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will allocate additional funds to Essex County Council to maintain student awards for music, dance and drama. [34337]

  Dr. Howells
  The education Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) provides Councils with funding for student awards. The 1998–99 education SSA for Essex County Council has been increased by £27.3 million or 5.8 per cent. There are no plans to allocate additional funds.

  School Libraries
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many individual schools library services have been discontinued in the last five years; and what local education authorities have been involved. [34563]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department does not collect this information.

  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure minimum standards for school libraries in maintained schools in England and Wales. [34564]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department has issued non-statutory guidance on the provision of teaching and non-teaching accommodation for schools. We believe that schools are themselves best placed to determine standards for their library services, taking into account their own priorities, needs and circumstances.

  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to meet the National Library Association and the School Library Association to discuss school libraries in maintained schools in England and Wales. [34565]
  53
  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have no current plans to meet the Library Association and the School Library Association to discuss school libraries.

  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will introduce legislation to make statutory provision for school library services in England and Wales. [34566]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  There are currently no plans to make the provision of schools library services a statutory duty.

  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the implications for school libraries of financial delegation within the framework of LMS. [34567]

  Mr. Byers
  LMS delegation of funding for any service, including the school library service, is intended to allow schools to exercise a real choice in deciding upon their need for that service and the most appropriate supplier.

  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what mechanisms his Department uses to monitor the library needs of maintained(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in England and Wales. [34568]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools reports annually to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on standards and quality in education, including the quality and quantity of learning resources in schools.

  Focus Groups
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much his Department(a) has spent since 1 May and (b) is planning to spend on focus groups. [34967]

  Dr. Howells
  The information requested on spend since 1 May 1997 was included in my answer to a question asked by the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 12 March 1998,Official Report, column 280.

  Information on planned spend could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Portakabins
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if local education authority returns to his Department include the numbers of portakabins used for teaching purposes in each school; and if he proposes to require such information. [35055]

  Mr. Byers
  The Department does not collate information about the number of Portakabins used for teaching purposes in schools. Local education authorities are responsible for providing and maintaining temporary accommodation, where they deem it to be necessary. There are no plans for the Department to collate this information in the future.

  School Students
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many students there were at each local education authority and local education authority maintained school in Newcastle upon Tyne for the most recent period and the three previous years; [35056]
  54
  (2) if he will list all sixth forms with a student size of over 250 in the local education authorities within the counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Cleveland. [35057]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Secondary School Performance Tables for the years 1994–1997 and the Primary School (Key Stage 2) Performance Tables for the years 1996 and 1997. The tables show the total number of pupils of all ages on each school's register, together with the number of pupils aged 16 and over in secondary schools (which gives an indication of the size of a school's sixth form) for schools in England. Copies of the tables are available in the Library.

  Information for schools other than those in the performance tables is not published centrally.

  There were 40,749; 41,145; 41,055; 40,936 pupils of all ages at local education authority maintained schools in Newcastle Upon Tyne in January 1994 to January 1997 respectively.

  Hospitality
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list planned expenditure on hospitality for April and May, indicating the date, location and purpose of each event. [35113]

  Dr. Howells
  To date, there are no major events planned for April and May. However, it is not possible at this stage to give a comprehensive answer as the majority of Ministerial events and meetings will not be finalised until nearer the time.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received concerning the removal of core subject status from PE. [35526]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department has received a number of representations from organisations and individuals about our proposals to enable primary schools to give priority to literacy and numeracy. Physical Education is to remain a National Curriculum foundation subject and will continue to be taught in all schools.

  Access Courses
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 1998,Official Report, column 412, on access courses, what is the maximum time period for a realistic action plan leading to sustained employment; and if he will make a statement. [35711]
  55
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  A young person's action plan will specifically cover in detail the time to be spent in the New Deal, which for participants in the Full-Time Education and Training option can be up to 52 weeks, following their time on the Gateway. However, the action plan will also look forward to the period after the New Deal option. It should also include the steps that will be taken towards obtaining sustained employment in the longer term. In the case of young people who are undertaking Access to Higher Education courses in the New Deal, the action plan will include reference to their proposed employment goal following Higher Education.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he is making to ensure that training available through further and higher education colleges and TECs is integrated with the skills strategies of the regional development agencies. [35741]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  A central function of RDAs will be to involve partners in developing and implementing Regional Skills Strategies. The Government will be giving guidance to RDAs and Government Offices to help ensure that the training available through TECs and Further and Higher Education Colleges meets regional needs and national objectives.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students expecting to begin Arts degree courses in autumn 1998 are currently studying for qualifying foundation courses; and what would be the total cost of exempting them from tuition fees during their higher education course. [35853]

  Dr. Howells
  Information is not yet available on either the number of students currently enrolled on relevant arts foundation courses in 1997–98, or on their intentions for entry in 1998–99. However, data collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for the 1996–97 academic year suggest that there were some 4,500 students entering full-time first degree, HND and Dip HE courses in creative art and design whose highest entry qualification was a foundation course.

  Median income of pensioner units where the head has reached state pension age within the last five years

  £

  1979

  1981

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990–91

  1992

  1993

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Couple gross

  153.5

  147.0

  183.1

  195.7

  177.1

  202.80

  216.5

  220.1

  211.90

  235.90

  BHCnet

  139.3

  136.3

  166.6

  173.3

  158.8

  179.30

  194.5

  199.8

  194.70

  217.00

  AHCnet

  121.5

  115.1

  148.0

  157.1

  145.8

  173.30

  181.0

  189.7

  180.00

  201.80

  Singles gross

  82.90

  92.70

  105.0

  105.9

  102.6

  107.80

  114.7

  116.2

  121.90

  129.10

  BHCnet

  76.00

  82.40

  93.30

  91.80

  89.50

  98.60

  106.2

  106.9

  109.50

  112.20

  AHC net

  61.50

  63.10

  65.80

  71.00

  67.80

  84.10

  87.10

  83.30

  84.60

  93.20

  All gross

  124.7

  125.9

  151.9

  162.3

  152.5

  163.60

  177.1

  175.4

  183.40

  199.10

  BHCnet

  112.2

  114.6

  135.2

  142.4

  134.7

  145.40

  162.1

  160.2

  166.70

  182.00

  AHCnet

  95.30

  95.30

  114.9

  125.0

  120.0

  133.70

  146.8

  143.6

  146.60

  166.50

  56

  New Deal (Costs)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the extent to which the costs of individual components of the New Deal in England and Wales will differ from the costs for Scotland set out in Scottish Office evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee published on pages 138–9 of their report on the New Deal (HC 335-II Session 1997–98). [35867]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The average cost assumptions used for planning purposes for the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds were the same throughout Britain.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Contributory Benefits
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress is being made on the fundamental review of social security, with particular regard to the role of contributory benefits. [34063]

  Mr. Field
  Contributory benefits are currently being reviewed as part of the wider review of Social Security.

  We will be publishing a Green Paper on 26 March that will set out the framework and guiding principles for welfare reform.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment the Government have made of the range of inequality of income among pensioners. [34064]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore).

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the median income of(a) single pensioners, (b) married pensioners and (c) all pensioners who (i) had reached state pension age within the previous five years and (ii) were aged 80 years or above in each year for which the Pensioners Incomes Series has been constructed; and how many pensioners were in each category. [30735]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is set out in the tables.
  57

  Pensioner units where the head is aged 80 years or above

  £

  1979

  1981

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990–91

  1992

  1993

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Couple gross

  114.50

  129.00

  162.70

  135.00

  159.30

  149.70

  171.60

  169.60

  179.00

  169.50

  BHC net

  111.00

  120.00

  143.10

  123.60

  143.50

  136.80

  159.20

  159.10

  171.70

  157.60

  AHC net

  95.10

  106.20

  128.50

  105.90

  118.00

  117.20

  134.80

  132.40

  148.90

  140.10

  Singles gross

  73.50

  80.70

  91.40

  91.70

  87.50

  94.80

  94.20

  104.00

  109.10

  114.30

  BHC net

  68.60

  74.20

  82.10

  82.80

  77.50

  86.50

  87.80

  97.90

  102.10

  105.80

  AHC net

  53.90

  58.20

  62.80

  60.90

  60.00

  66.10

  65.80

  69.80

  72.10

  79.00

  All gross

  76.10

  85.20

  99.50

  96.90

  92.80

  103.60

  101.20

  110.40

  117.90

  120.90

  BHC net

  71.40

  77.90

  88.90

  86.90

  84.50

  94.70

  94.70

  103.70

  110.00

  113.00

  AHC net

  57.00

  61.60

  66.50

  63.80

  62.50

  79.40

  75.70

  80.40

  83.40

  95.70

  Number of pensioners in each category

  (000s)

  7979

  1981

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990–91

  1992

  1993

  1994–95

  1995–96

  (i) Couples

  1,000

  1,000

  1,100

  1,100

  1,100

  1,000

  1,050

  1,000

  950

  1,050

  Singles

  700

  750

  750

  700

  750

  750

  700

  700

  700

  650

  All units

  1,700

  1,750

  1,850

  1,800

  1,850

  1,800

  1,750

  1,650

  1,650

  1,700

  (ii) Couples

  150

  200

  250

  250

  300

  300

  350

  350

  350

  350

  Singles

  900

  900

  1,150

  1,150

  1,200

  1,200

  1,200

  1,250

  1,350

  1,400

  All units

  1,100

  1,100

  1,450

  1,400

  1,450

  1,500

  1,550

  1,600

  1,700

  1,750

  Notes:

  1. (i) Pensioner units where the head has reached State pension age within the last five years.

  2. (ii) Pensioner units where the head is aged 80 years or above.

  3. BHC: Before Housing Costs; AHC: After Housing Costs.

  4. Numbers of pensioner units are rounded to the nearest 50,000.

  5. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA), or a couple where the man, defined as head, is over SPA.

  6. Components may not sum to totals due to rounding.

  7. All incomes are in £ per week at July 1995 prices and are rounded to the nearest 10 pence.

  8. Estimates of median income levels are medians of the unequivalised income distribution.

  9. Estimates indicate broad trends through time, rather than giving a clear picture of year on year changes.

  10 The estimates in Table 1 differ slightly from those published in The Pensioners' Incomes Series 1995–96, owing to inaccuracies with rounding. Differences are small, up to 10 pence, except for 1979 where the difference is as large as 50 pence in some cases. A revised version of the publication will be issued as soon as possible.

  Source

  The Pensioners' Incomes Series 1979–1995/6.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she will publish her proposals for changes in the CSA procedures. [34066]

  Mr. Field
  We are determined to ensure that the Child Support Agency provides an effective and efficient service to all its clients throughout the child support assessment process. We are looking closely at all aspects of the child support system and we expect to bring forward a consultation paper on our proposals by the Summer.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps she is taking to ensure that the Child Support Agency makes itself more accessible to the public. [34070]

  Mr. Field
  We expect the Child Support Agency to provide an effective and efficient service to all its clients. The Agency is currently reorganising its resources so that back room processing work which does not require face-to-face contact with the public is done in its larger centres. This will leave remaining local staff to focus their attentions more effectively on essential face-to-face contacts. From next month lone mothers claiming Income Support will be personally assisted in completing the maintenance application form by Benefits Agency staff.
  58
  For customers with general inquiries, more resources are to be allocated to the Agency's National Inquiry Line from next month. In the future the Agency will increasingly use the telephone to contact customers at the earliest stage at each point in the assessment process.

  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the Government's plans to make the operation of the Child Support Agency fairer and more effective. [34057]

  Mr. Field
  We expect the Child Support Agency to provide a consistent, fair and effective service to all its clients. We are looking in detail at all aspects of the child support scheme to see where improvements can be made. We aim to bring forward a consultation document with our proposals by the Summer.

  Local Exchange Trading Schemes
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to extend the disregard for local exchange trading schemes. [34067]

  Mr. Field
  We have no immediate plans to change the way credits from local exchange trading schemes are treated when calculating benefits, although we are keeping the individual benefit rules under review.
  59

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the action the Government have taken in respect of winter fuel payments for pensioners. [34068]

  Mr. Denham
  This is the first time any Government have been prepared to help pensioner households with their winter fuel bills. A total of £400 million have been committed to provide extra help for this winter and next to eligible pensioner households.

  Around one and a half million pensioners on Income Support have already received a payment of £50. Virtually all of the payments of £20 or £10 to the other eight and a half million eligible pensioners have now been issued. The remaining few will be despatched in the next few days.

  Overall, almost ten million payments will have been made to more than seven million pensioner households.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what statutory authority the Benefits Agency Office advertises winter fuel payments to pensioners. [35767]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department's Benefits Agency does not need statutory authority to advertise winter fuel payments to pensioners.

  The Agency advertises these payments only to the extent of providing information to the public, in line with the normal Departmental advertising strategy.

  Any advertising carried out by the Department is done in support of its policy to explain and inform the public of the government services available to them. Any advertising is carried out in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance issued in July 1997.

  Advertising support for the Winter Fuel Payments campaign included national television advertising by the Department. It is in support of this campaign that the Benefits Agency is displaying posters and leaflets.

  We wanted pensioners to know what payments are coming to them and how and when, in order to make informed decisions about how to heat their homes. The most cost effective method of reaching pensioners quickly with this important information has been through a multi-media campaign involving highly targeted television advertising.

  Housing Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the level of housing benefit fraud. [34069]

  Mr. Denham
  We have made clear our commitment to work towards a permanent reduction in all benefit fraud, as part of our drive to modernise the Social Security system and rebuild public confidence in it. We are conducting a series of reviews to provide reliable estimates of the level and types of Housing Benefit fraud. We are determined that Social Security will not be an easy target for fraudsters.
  60

  Disability Benefit
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the review of the welfare state with particular reference to disability benefit.[34071]

  Mr. Field
  We are committed to reviewing and reforming Social Security to transform it from a system of dependency to a system of opportunity which promotes work incentives, reduces poverty and welfare dependency, and strengthens family life, and we continue to review sickness and disability as part of this commitment. No decisions have been made.

  Pension Funds
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the average extra cost to the members of occupational contracted-out money purchase schemes as a result of the decrease in the state earnings-related pension scheme rebate if funds are to be maintained at the same level. [34072]

  Mr. Denham
  The reduction in the amount of rebate for individual Contracted Out Money Purchase (COMP) Scheme members is dependent on a number of factors and will vary according to age and earnings levels.

  However, for the tax year 1999–2000 it is estimated that the reduction for an average COMP Scheme member will be £74.

  Pensions Review
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on progress with the pensions review. [34073]

  Mr. Denham
  The pensions review that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced last year fulfils our manifesto commitment to look at the central areas of insecurity for elderly people.

  We are carefully considering the more than 2,000 responses that we received to the first part of the review. We are also considering the more than 200 responses to the technical consultation document on our proposals for stakeholder pensions that we issued in November. We aim to publish an initial framework for change in the first half of this year. There will then be a period of further consultation before final proposals are developed.

  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps she has taken to encourage the taking out of value-for-money pensions. [34074]

  Mr. Denham
  A key objective of the Pensions Review is to ensure that resources devoted to pensions are used to maximum effect. We are therefore looking at how to encourage more of those who have access to good quality occupational pension schemes to join them. We have set up the Pensions Education Working Group which will recommend ways to improve awareness of the need to make provision for retirement.

  We are also developing a framework for Stakeholder Pension schemes which will offer secure, flexible and value for money second pensions for people who do not have the opportunity to join an occupational scheme and for whom many personal pensions can be unsuitable.
  61

  Pensions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the value of the basic single pension per week had its value been increased by the level of earnings since 1980. [34076]

  Mr. Denham
  The estimated value of the basic State pension for a single person would be £86 per week if its value had been increased by the higher of earnings or prices since 1980. From April it would have increased to £89.60.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to means-test benefits for people with disabilities. [34075]

  Mr. Denham
  We continue to review sickness and disability benefits as part of our commitment to modernise the Social Security system. No plans for change have been made at this stage.

  United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the Commission of the Status of Women meeting attended by the Minister for Women. [34077]

  Ms Ruddock
  I refer the Member to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend for Reading, East (Jane Griffiths).

  Benefit Fraud
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have had their benefit claims withdrawn due to fraud; and what has been the saving to the social security budget since 1 May 1997. [34078]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  The Department's fraud and security staff carry out a wide range of activities designed to improve the integrity of the system, to investigate and detect fraud, and to ensure that the correct amount of benefit is in payment. Records are kept of successful investigations which include cases subject to traditional investigative activity by fraud officers, as well as assurance activity on new and existing claims. There have been 813,255 successful preventive and detective activities in the period 1 May 1997 to 31 January. As a result of these activities, it is estimated that savings of £1.46 billion have been made.

  Local authorities are responsible for the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Data on the number of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit cases where fraud is established are collected annually. Figures for 1997/98 are therefore not yet available. The amounts of weekly benefit savings claimed by local authorities in cases where fraud is established are collected quarterly.
  62
  The unaudited, cumulative total of such savings claimed up to the end of the third quarter of 1997/98 in Great Britain is £279 million.

  Single Mothers
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on her policy of securing employment for single mothers. [34079]

  Mr. Field
  The Government are committed to helping lone parents into work. The New Deal for Lone Parents shows the priority we attach to helping lone parents secure employment. The New Deal for Lone Parents offers lone parents their own tailored service, provided by Personal Advisers, to help them with jobsearch, training, childcare and in-work benefit calculations.

  We have introduced measures to ensure that there are no disincentives in the benefit system which will deter lone parents from taking jobs. Fast-track arrangements are in place to clear claims and to secure the speedy payments of Family Credit where a lone parent has started, or is about to start, work. The target to process 95 per cent. of these claims within five days is currently being achieved. The Child Support Agency has agreed to process applications for maintenance more quickly for lone parents participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents. We will also be introducing a 12 week linking rule for lone parents in receipt of Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance before April 1998. This will mean that there is no benefit disincentive to deter lone parents who want to work from doing so.

  Last week the Chancellor announced changes aimed at making work pay. The Working Families Tax Credit will make work pay for all families on low incomes. We will also provide extra help with childcare costs through the Child Care Tax Credit. As the next step in our National Child Care Strategy to ensure affordable, accessible, quality child care for all, the Child Care Tax Credit provides a passport to high quality childcare to all parents regardless of income.

  We are committed to helping all parents, particularly lone parents, to balance work and family life and we are taking every opportunity to champion family-friendly employment policies which will allow parents to combine successfully home and work responsibilities. Good family-friendly policies will assist us in delivering both our National Child Care Strategy and the New Deal for Lone Parents.

  Fraud (Landlords)
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has for tackling organised fraud by landlords. [34080]

  Mr. Field
  We introduced new regulations in November 1997 to give local authorities additional powers to fight landlord fraud and tighten up the rules on paying benefit direct to landlords. We are developing a
  63
  counter-fraud strategy which focuses on prevention— identifying where fraud is most likely to happen and focusing resources where they will be most effective. Those who commit fraud—including organised fraudsters and dishonest landlords—will be vigorously pursued.

  Advertising
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her Department's policy on awarding contracts to advertising agencies. [34042]

  Mr. Field
  The Department awards all advertising contracts through the Central Office of Information, which ensure compliance with the EU tender regulations on our behalf.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the costs, including review and appeals, and savings in the current year and the projected costs and savings in future years of the Benefit Integrity Project; and if she will make a statement. [35089]

  Mr. Denham
  This information is not available at present. In the light of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's announcement on 9 February 1998 of additional safeguards and other factors, statisticians have been asked to re-examine the estimated savings from the Project and to produce validated figures for the end of the financial year of operation. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as this information becomes available.

  Contracted-out Money Purchase Schemes
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much she estimates the average extra cost will be to the members of occupational contracted out money purchase schemes, as a result of the decrease in the SERPs rebate, if they are to maintain contributions to their funds at the same level. [32973]

  Mr. Denham
  New rebate levels for contracted-out money purchase schemes (COMPS) have been set out for the year 1999–2000, 2000–2001 and 2001–2002 in a draft Statutory Instrument and laid before Parliament. These rebates are lower than those set previously to take account of the higher prevalence of larger COMPS, which have lower administrative expenses. To set these rebates at a higher level would amount to an unwarranted reduction in the National Insurance fund, especially since it could lead to salary-related schemes changing their method of contracting-out without changing their benefit provision to increase the amount they get from the taxpayer.

  The reduction in the amount of rebates for individual COMPS members will vary according to their age and earnings levels, but the for average COMPS member in 1999–2000 it is estimated to be £74.

  Habitual Residence Test
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the costs of administering appeals against refusal of benefits by applicants failing the habitual residence test for each year for which figures are available(a) in total and (b) per appellant. [35086]
  64
  Mr. Denham
  The administration of appeals is the responsibility of the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) who report that the information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  The average cost of an appeal to a Social Security Appeal Tribunal is £250, including the costs of work done by the Benefits Agency, the Employment Service Agency and work done by the ITS processing the appeal.

  Overall operational costs of ITS for the last four financial years

  Operational cost

  Financial Year

  (£ million)

  1994–95

  37.320

  1995–96

  44.371

  1996–97

  59.763

  1997–98

  56.338

  (estimated outturn)

  Note:

  The ITS does not hold statistical information enabling the cost of administering those appeals to be identified or separated from the costs of administering the various other types of appeal for which it is responsible.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make it her policy to abolish the habitual residence test. [35087]

  Mr. Denham
  We are currently reviewing the operation of the habitual residence test. A range of options is being considered as part of this work.

  Tribunals
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the success rate for applicants taking their appeals to social security tribunals and presenting(a) oral and (b) written evidence only. [34943]

  Mr. Field
  The information is not available.

  Widows' and Widowers' Benefits
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to equalise benefits for widows and widowers; and if she will make a statement. [34254]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Gorrie) on 23 June 1997,Official Report, column 413.

  Income Support
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) single male pensioners aged 65 to 69 years, (b) single female pensioners aged 60 to 64 years and (c) married pensioners aged 65 to 69 years were in receipt of income support or supplementary benefit in each year since 1988 for which statistics are available. [34128]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is set out in the table.
  65

  Income support pensioner claimants by age, 1988 to 1997

  Year

  Single male aged 65–69

  Per cent. ofall malesaged 65–69

  Single female aged 60–64

  Per cent. of all females aged 60–64

  Couples:claimantaged 65–69

  Per cent. ofall males/femalesaged 65–69

  1988

  40,000

  3.1

  104,000

  6.9

  43,000

  1.5

  1989

  33,000

  2.5

  100,000

  6.7

  36,000

  1.2

  1990

  32,000

  2.5

  89,000

  6.0

  34,000

  1.2

  1991

  34,000

  2.7

  85,000

  5.8

  28,000

  1.0

  1992

  36,000

  2.9

  86,000

  6.0

  31,000

  1.2

  1993

  42,000

  3.4

  101,000

  7.0

  42,000

  1.6

  1994

  46,000

  3.7

  103,000

  7.3

  46,000

  1.8

  1995

  49,000

  4.0

  106,000

  7.6

  52,000

  2.0

  1996

  50,000

  4.1

  104,000

  7.5

  53,000

  2.0

  1997

  51.000

  4.2

  104,000

  7.5

  51,000

  2.0

  Notes:

  1 Numbers are given as at May of each year given and are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Percentages are given to one decimal place.

  3. Sample size 1 per cent. up to and including 1992, 5 per cent. thereafter.

  4. Percentages for 1997 are based on mid-term population estimates for 1996.

  Sources:

  1. Income Support Annual Statistical Inquiries, 1988–1993.

  2. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Inquiries, May 1994 to May 1997.

  3. Office for National Statistics Mid-term estimates of the population 1988–1996.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the knowledge and experience of ME of doctors employed for the purpose of assessing potential claimants at appeal tribunals; and if she will make a statement. [33712]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Doctors sit as members of Medical Appeal Tribunals, as medical members of Disability Appeal Tribunals, and as medical assessors advising Social Security Appeal Tribunals concerning Incapacity Benefit. The appointment of all such members and medical assessors is a matter for the President of the Independent Tribunal Service, His Honour Judge Michael Harris.

  Council Tax Benefit
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current assumed rate of interest in respect of capital for the calculation of council tax benefit. [33961]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The rules for the treatment of capital in Council Tax Benefit ensure that capital of £3,000 or less is ignored. There is no entitlement to Council Tax Benefit if a person's capital exceeds £16,000. For each £250 of capital above £3,000, but below the upper limit of £16,000, £1 per week is taken into account as income. This formula avoids the many practical difficulties that would arise if actual income were taken into account, and does not represent any assumed rate of interest.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the maximum level of capital for the calculation of council tax benefit was last uprated; what was the annual inflation rate in each year since the last uprating; and what would the current maximum level be if annual uprating to allow for inflation had taken place. [33962]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The maximum level of Council Tax Benefit, when it was introduced in April 1993, was £16,000. It has not been uprated since.
  66
  The table sets out the annual inflation rate that would apply to Council Tax Benefit since 1993. Council Tax Benefit is uprated by Rossi and not RPI. Rossi is RPI (all items) less rent, local taxes and mortgage interest payments.

  Uprating date

  Uprating percentages

  April 1993

  3.6

  April 1994

  3.5

  April 1995

  1.8

  April 1996

  3.0

  April 1997

  2.6

  The current maximum level of Council Tax Benefit if annual uprating to allow for inflation had taken place would be £17,815.30', based on Rossi.

  Notes:

  1. The Retail Prices Index (all items) and the Retail Prices Index (all items) less rent, local taxes and mortgage interest payments, produced by the Office for National Statistics, were used in these calculations.

  2. Figures rounded to nearest 5 pence at each uprating date.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made in the inter-departmental review on housing benefit for those in supported housing. [33853]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We sought stakeholders' views on the best means of translating our objectives for the long-term funding of supported accommodation into a modern, practical and sustainable funding system in November last year. Over 200 responses were received and are helping to inform the debate. Options for creating a more rational and effective system are presently under consideration. Whilst we are looking to implement a sustainable funding system as soon as possible, this is an extremely complex area with possible repercussions for all supported accommodation. We cannot, therefore, say when the review will be complete.
  67
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will list the total number of claimants of housing benefit in supported housing in each year from 1992 to 1997; [33852]

  (2) what estimate she has made of the average cost of the care and support element of staff costs claimed from housing benefit for those in supported housing in each of the last three years. [33851]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  We hope to have more information about the numbers of Housing Benefit recipients and the amount met by Housing Benefit in respect of service charges for personal counselling and support in supported accommodation during 1995–96 from research which is currently underway.

  Medical Testing
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors underlay the policy of privatisation of medical testing for sickness and disability benefits; what financial benefit to Her Majesty's Government has resulted; and if she will make a statement. [32948]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 9 March 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced on 31 July how we would proceed with a number of projects for the use of the private sector which were in the pipeline and which we had inherited from the previous administration. The projects were reviewed against the criteria announced in July:

  our objectives for modernising the Social Security system;

  our commitment to work within the announced spending totals for the first two years of Government;

  our aim of getting best value for public money and of reducing the burden on taxpayers;

  the scope to apply private sector expertise, discipline and economies of scale in procuring public services and the ability to secure increased investment from the private sector;

  the need for continuing flexibility for government to make future changes to services;

  the opportunities for improving the quality of service for customers;

  the implications for staff

  When I announced on 19 February that all three contracts for BAMS were to be awarded to Sema I explained that we have established a minimum quality of service threshold against which we have assessed all bids from the private sector. There will be greater evaluation of performance against the new quality standards. We have also placed greater emphasis on the management of staff when evaluating the contracts.

  The contract award is not part of the welfare reform programme. The responsibility for the overall service and for the determination of the entitlement to benefits remains with the Department. The award of the contract makes no change to the rules for entitlement to benefits and the rights of customers will not be changed in any way. Rigorous procedures will be put in place to ensure that we continue to receive independent, objective medical advice. We see the contract as providing an improved service to the customer and good value for money for the taxpayer.
  68
  The award of the contract will result in a saving of 10 per cent. over the cost of the present service.

  Publications
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list those European Commission(a) newsletters, (b) magazines and (c) occasional publications to which her Department subscribes. [33665]

  Mr. Field
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows:

  Not all the Department's Agencies order publications centrally and it would be possible to provide details only at disproportionate cost. The Department also receives many European Commission publications on a complimentary basis and records of these are not held centrally.

  Newsletters and Magazines

  Bulletin of the European Union

  Economic and Social Committee Annual Report

  Employment and Social Affairs

  European Economy

  European Economy: Annual Economic Report

  Eurostar Population and Social Conditions

  Eurostat Unemployment Bulletin

  Eurostat Year book: A Statistical Eye on Europe

  General Government Accounts and Statistics

  General Report on the Activities of the European Union

  Labour Force Survey

  National Accounts Aggregates

  Official Journal of the EC, Series C

  Official Journal of the EC, Series L

  Reports of Cases before the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance.

  Occasional Publications

  Basic Statistics of the Community Community Budget: the Facts and Figures

  Comparative Tables of Social Security Schemes in Member States

  Demographic Statistics

  Directory of Community Legislation on Force

  Earnings: Industry and Services

  Employment in Europe

  Employment and Unemployment

  Europe in Figures

  Interinstitutional Directory of the European Union

  Social Protection Expenditure and Receipts

  Taxes and Social Contributions

  Departmental Pay
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people employed by(a) her Department and (b) the agencies for which her Department is responsible earn (i) less than £3.20 per hour, (ii) between £3.20 and £3.60 per hour, (iii) between £3.60 and £4.00 per hour and (iv) between £4 and £4.62 per hour. [30756]

  Mr. Field
  [holding answer 23 February 1998]: The information is set out in the table.
  69

  Number of staff earning less than£3.20 per hour

  Number of staff earning £3.20 to£3.59 per hour

  Number of staff earning £3.60 to£3.99 per hour

  Number of staff earning £4.00 to£4.62 per hour

  Benefits Agency

  0

  5353

  2416

  5895

  Contributions Agency

  0

  1123

  102

  543

  Information Technology Services Agency

  0

  0

  48

  179

  War Pensions Agency

  0

  29

  40

  97

  Child Support Agency

  0

  689

  187

  2002

  DSS Headquarters

  0

  24

  1

  26

  Independent Statutory Bodies

  0

  153

  7

  238

  Note:

  Hourly rates include allowances and includes staff on payroll as at 31 January 1998.

  Disability Benefits Taskforce
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will establish a disability benefits taskforce to include disabled groups in her departmental review of disability benefits and the Benefit Integrity Project. [35232]

  Mr. Denham
  Following my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's most recent meeting with representatives of the Disability Benefits Consortium a joint statement was issued making clear the intention to open consultation on disability benefits on a formal basis. This process will begin very shortly in a seminar to discuss various research reports which were published on 12 March.

  Mr. Collings
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she expects the case of Mr. Collings of 11 Barton Way, Paignton, to be heard by a new tribunal. [35436]

  Mr. Denham
  This is a matter for the President of Independent Tribunal Service (ITS), his honour, Judge Michael Harris. He will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many single parents are in receipt of family credit; how many of those are claiming the child care disregard; and what is their average of expenditure on child care. [35863]

  Mr. Field
  The latest available figures are for August 1997 when there were 351,000 lone parents receiving Family Credit. 36,000 lone parents were entitled to receive a child care disregard and, of these, 31,000 were in receipt of an increased award for child care charges. The remaining 5,000 cases receive no extra award for child care charges as maximum Family Credit is in payment.

  The average weekly cost for child care for lone parents with entitlement to a child care disregard was £39.07.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2 Sample size is 5 per cent.

  Source:

  Family Credit Quarterly Statistical Inquiry, August 1997.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the final fortnight for which family credit payments will be due. [35860]
  70
  Mr. Field
  Family Credit is awarded for a 26 week period and paid on a weekly basis. It will continue to be awarded and paid, on this basis, until Working Families Tax Credit is introduced from October 1999.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the costs of raising the starting point for employee NICs from £64 per week to £81 per week. [35768]

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost of raising the lower earnings limit for employee national insurance contributions from £64 per week to £81 per week, within the new structure of National Insurance set out in the Budget. [35861]

  Mr. Denham
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has stated that future reforms will raise the starting point at which employees pay National Insurance contributions to the level of the single person's tax allowance while protecting benefit entitlement. If this change were to be introduced from April 1999, the estimated reduction in revenue from employee Class 1 National Insurance contributions, gross of contracted-out rebates, would be £1.35 billion for 1999–2000

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Surveys
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list each information, promotional, marketing and opinion survey contract, with its value, concluded by her Department and its agencies for the years(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–2001 and (e) 2001–2002. [32016]

  Mr. Field
  The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases mobility allowance related benefits have been withdrawn in the last 12 months for which general figures are conveniently available. [34319]

  Mr. Denham
  Mobility Allowance was superseded by the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance in 1992. It is estimated, on the basis of a 5 per cent.
  71
  sample, that awards of mobility component ceased in about 100,700 cases in the 12 months ending on 31 August 1997. Information is not available on the reasons for cessation, but these will include death, absence abroad, and non-renewal of a fixed period award, as well as withdrawal where the Benefits Agency found that the conditions of entitlement were no longer satisfied.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from which budgetary sub-head his Department will meet the cost of millennium compliance.[35432]

  Mr. Morley
  The cost of the millennium compliance will be met from the administrative running cost and capital budgets of the Department and its Agencies. Cost will be incurred within sections G and H of the MAFF Vote, against the following programmes identified in our Departmental Report:

  Programme

  Title

  IR1:05

  Information Technology Services

  IR2:03

  Management of Accommodation and Property Resources

  EA1:02

  Central Science Laboratory

  EA1:03

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency

  EA1:04

  Pesticides Safety Directorate

  EA1:05

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  EA1:06

  Meat Hygiene Service

  EA1:08

  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency

  EA1:09

  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many non-UK nationals are working on computer-related problems within his Department. [35429]

  Mr. Morley
  No non-UK nationals are working on millennium computer-related problems within the Department, and the Department is not employing any "off-shore" services.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance his Department is giving to agricultural businesses and farmers on the year 2000 computer compliance problem. [35426]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department is not providing any specific guidance to agricultural businesses and farmers on the Year 2000 compliance problem, except where the Department has been asked to clarify its position (and Year 2000 plans) in a "supplier" capacity. The Department of Trade and Industry funded 'Action 2000' initiative will be gathering data and providing information across all private sectors; this extends to general advice, good practice, guidance material, signposts to further relevant information and a support infrastructure.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met Treasury Ministers to discuss the costs of millennium compliance in his Department. [35427]
  72
  Mr. Morley
  There has been no direct specific discussion with Treasury Ministers regarding the Department's millennium costs, which are being met from existing provision. Regular returns regarding millennium plans and costs are being provided to the Central IT Unit (Cabinet Office).

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings he has had with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to discuss his Department's progress towards millennium compliance.[35428]

  Mr. Morley
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Secretary represents the Department's interests on a Ministerial sub-group that meets regularly and is chaired by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Department's officials are in regular contact with the Cabinet Office (Central IT Unit) at an operational level.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated cost to his Department of(a) consultants and (b) contractors engaged by the Department to address millennium computer compliance problems; and if he will list them. [35425]

  Mr. Morley
  It is not possible to separate out the costs relating to consultants as opposed to contractors engaged by the Department to address millennium computer compliance problems, or to provide an exhaustive list of them, without incurring disproportionate cost. However, the estimated cost of total external support is between £7 million and £8 million, primary sources on the IT side being Sema Group UK Ltd., Sherwood International Group Ltd., and Oracle Corporation UK Ltd. With regard to 'embedded chip' systems, CBG Consultants is the main source of external support.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with his European counterparts with regard to the millennium compliance problem. [35434]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has taken steps to identify all interfaces with its European counterparts and is continuing to monitor progress via all appropriate channels including its involvement in the EU "Interchange of Data between Administrations" programme.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when all testing on year 2000 computer compliance will be completed within his Department; [35431]

  (2) if testing has been done on his Department's archive computer files for millennium compliance. [35433]

  Mr. Morley
  All work (including testing) on business critical systems will be completed by April 1999; work on less critical systems will be completed later in 1999. Operational requirements for access to historical/archived data will be addressed within the above timescales.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officials or individuals working within his Department on millennium compliance have(a) given notice of their intention to leave or (b) left his Department in the last six months. [35430]
  73
  Mr. Morley
  No officials or individuals working on the Department's millennium programmes in the central IT Directorate (the main area of millennium activity) has given notice of intention to leave or left the Department in the last six months.

  Cattle Movement Service
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when farmers will receive payment for the grant up and running costs of the British Cattle Movement Service. [35766]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are meeting the costs of setting up the British Cattle Movement Service, and of running it during its first full year of operation. Farmers have paid none of these costs, so the question of paying them back
  does not arise.

  Central Science Laboratory
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates his Department has made of the value which might be achieved, on disposal of the Central Science Laboratory sites at(a) Sand Hutton, York, and (b) Colney Lane, Norwich. [35408]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: A formal estimate of the disposal value of the Central Science Laboratory site and Sand Hutton, York has not been prepared because the Ministry is not intending to dispose of it. In any event, such an estimate would have to be regarded as commercially confidential.

  The Central Science Laboratory site at Colney Lane, Norwich is leased to the Ministry although the buildings were erected at Government expense. Any disposal of the Ministry's interests at Colney Lane would be subject to the terms and conditions of the ground lease. The disposal value has not been assessed but, if it had, it too would have to be regarded as commercially confidential.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many pesticides approved for use prior to 1986 have been reviewed since that date; of those, how many have been rejected on review or had approvals restricted; and how many have not been reviewed. [35557]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: Approvals for agricultural and garden pesticides are issued by MAFF's Pesticides Safety Directorate. Approvals for other pesticides are issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Sixty-nine of the pesticide active ingredients approved by MAFF in 1986 have since been reviewed of which nine have had all their approvals revoked and 47 have had new restrictions imposed.

  The remaining 323 ingredients have yet to be reviewed. However, 129 of these had been withdrawn from the market by the end of 1997. The number of active ingredients on the market in 1986, still on the market at the end of 1997 and not yet reviewed, was therefore 194.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what volume of agricultural pesticides was seized by inspectors during 1997; what volume was destroyed; and how many separate incidents this represented. [35561]
  74
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]MAFF inspectors are empowered to seize pesticides and destroy them under Regulation 7 of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended). No pesticides were seized or destroyed using these powers during 1997.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many requests were made to his Department during 1997 to obtain evaluation documents on pesticides; and how many requests were made to view the underlying data. [35563]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: The Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) maintains a list of individuals and organisations to whom all evaluation documents are sent as they are issued. At the end of 1997, there were 47 names on this list. In addition, PSD dealt with 98 one-off requests for evaluation documents during 1997. There were 7 requests to see underlying data.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost to his Department of providing information to the public about agricultural pesticides; and what is the mechanism for recovering these costs from the public. [35558]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: The cost of providing information to the public about agricultural pesticides is borne by the Department and, certain publication charges apart is not recovered from the public. An estimate of the cost of provision of this service cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific information he uses to specify maximum pesticide levels in crops, food and feeding stuffs. [35560]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: Two key types of study are used to specify maximum residue levels (MRLs) in crops. First, metabolism studies in the relevant crop are used to identify the chemical nature and fate of the residue. Second, residue trials are conducted according to Good Agricultural Practice to establish the highest residue level occurring in the crop when the pesticide product is used as intended. Cross checks are made with toxicological studies to establish that the MRL proposed is safe for consumers. If it would not, then that proposed use of pesticide would not be approved.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each pesticide approved for use in agriculture, horticulture and food industries where the specified maximum residue level is(a) above, (b) the same as and (c) below that recommended by CODEX. [35562]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: There are some 10,500 MRLs established in the UK in the Pesticides (Maximum Residue levels in Crops, Food and Feedingstuffs) Regulations 1994 (as amended). There are about 1,000 Codex maximum residue levels (MRLs) in place. Where corresponding UK and Codex MRLs are both in place, generally the UK MRL is lower.

  More detailed information would be available only at disproportionate cost.

  A full list of Codex MRLs is published in the Codex Alimentarius Volume 2b. ISBN No. 92–5–003821–6.
  75
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the cost to the agrochemical industry of providing information to the public under the Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985. [35559]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: The costs of providing information to the public under the Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985 is borne by the Department. No charge for this work is passed to the agrochemical industry.

  Poultry
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the transposition by Italy of(a) the EU Poultry Meat Hygiene Directive, (b) other veterinary directives into national law and their enforcement of such directives; and if he will take steps to ensure that poultry meat imports into the United Kingdom from Italy are produced and processed according to the directive's requirements. [35221]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 19 March 1998]: In their fourteenth report on monitoring the application of Community law (published in the Official Journal of the European Communities ref. C332 1997) the European Commission noted that Italy had been censured by the European Court of Justice for failing to fulfil its obligation to transpose into national law various directives in the veterinary field. Failure to transpose Community law into national law does not necessarily mean that Italian producers are not complying with the veterinary requirements for intra-Community trade. Where failure to meet these requirements is identified in specific cases, they are thoroughly investigated and the necessary action is taken.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Foresight Programme
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade by what criteria the comprehensive spending review will identify the resource requirements of the foresight programme. [33622]

  Mr. Battle
  The UK Foresight programme develops visions of the future to guide today's decision-makers. Foresight aims to generate outputs which identify significant market opportunities or threats; identify emerging capabilities of, and demand for, science, engineering and technology; highlight areas of policy, regulation, education and training where Government action would deliver widespread benefits; and set an agenda for action by the business, scientific, voluntary and public sectors to increase national wealth and quality of life.

  The resource requirement of the Foresight programme will be decided in the light of the criteria set out by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary when he announced the Terms of Reference of the Comprehensive Spending Review on 24 July 1997: whether it meets the public interest; whether it contributes to the Government's objectives of promoting opportunity, employment,
  76
  investment and fairness; whether it is the most effective way of achieving those objectives; and whether there is scope for improving efficiency and effectiveness.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will take further steps to ensure that the end use and end user statements are correct on export licence applications for military hardware. [34525]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: Inquiries are made if there is reason to question the accuracy or relevance of any of the information relating to the stated end-use that is supplied with export licence applications.

  Work is in hand to identify ways to reduce further the risk that exported goods might be diverted to an undesirable end-user. As was said by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) on 9 March 1998, Official Report, column 55, an announcement will be made in due course.

  Riot Control Equipment (Kenya)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what requests for supplies of tear gas and riot control equipment have been made by the Kenyan government in the last three years; and what supplies have been authorised. [34232]

  Mrs. Roche
  There is no requirement to notify the Department of requests for goods received from potential customers overseas.

  Regarding the numbers of individual export licences permitting the export to Kenya of tear gas, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the hon. Member for North Devon (Mr. Harvey) of 12 March 1998, Official Report, columns 331–32. It is not possible to identify specific goods by the description "riot control equipment". Several of the entries in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order (the so-called "Military List") describe goods that might be found capable of playing some role in riot control.

  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the military, security and police transfers from the UK to Kenya with particular reference to(a) tear gas and (b) plastic bullets. [31743]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the hon. Member for North Devon, (Mr. Harvey) of 12 March 1998,Official Report, columns 331–32.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what permits her Department has given for the export of(a) tear gas and (b) other items used in riot control to Kenya. [32030]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 2 March 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for North Devon, (Mr. Harvey) of 12 March 1998, Official Report, columns 331–32.

  It is not possible to identify specific goods by the description "other items used in riot control". Several of the entries in the Military List describe goods that might be found to be capable of playing some role in riot control.
  77

  Engineering
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list by name and date the engineering institutions and engineering manufacturing industries she and her Ministers have visited since 1 May 1997. [35038]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I and my Ministers have had considerable contact with the engineering sector since 1 May 1997. This includes many visits to companies and sectoral bodies as well as meetings at the Department. I also gave the key-note address at the Engineering Employers Federation biennial dinner on 17 February 1998.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 9 February 1998,Official Report, column 90, on export licences, what percentage of applications for export licences were processed by the Export Control Organisation according to their stated aims in the four week period beginning 9 January. [33218]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Export Control Organisation's management data on the processing of licence applications are compiled on the basis of four week periods. The record nearest to that specified is 10 January to 6 February 1998 and the figures to the nearest percentage point are as follows:

  percentage

  Applications circulated to other Government departments according to their policy requirements and completed in 20 working days

  52

  Applications not circulated to other Government departments and completed in 10 working days

  61

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of applications for export licences were processed by the Export Control Organisation according to their stated aims in the four week periods beginning (i) 31 May 1997, (ii) 28 June 1997, (iii) 26 July 1997, (iv) 23 August 1997 and (v) 20 September 1997. [33375]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Export Control Organisation's management data on the processing of licence applications are compiled on the basis of four weekly periods, which include those specified. The figures to the nearest percentage point of these periods are as follows

  Percentage

  Applications circulated toother Governmentdepartments according totheir policy requirementsand completed in20 working days

  Applications notcirculated to otherGovernmentdepartments andcompleted in10 working days

  31.5.1997–27.6.1997

  63

  82

  28.6.1997–25.7.1997

  45

  67

  26.7.1997–22.8.1997

  46

  53

  23.8.1997–19.9.1997

  45

  64

  20.9.1997–17.10.1997

  48

  71

  78

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the effects on United Kingdom local government of signing the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [35105]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 18 March 1998]: Since discrimination against investors on grounds of nationality is not a factor in local government decision-making, the Agreement will have little or no effect on UK local government. Nevertheless, we have been consulting UK local government who have so far not identified any problems or any need for exceptions. If they raise new points, we shall certainly consider them.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the future costs to the Exchequer of signing the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [35107]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 18 March 1998]: It is proposed that the MAI will have a small Parties Group and Secretariat, the costs of which will be shared among all parties to the Agreement. Therefore the costs to the Exchequer are likely to be modest.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the effect on British sovereignty of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment; and if she will make a statement. [35108]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 18 March 1998]: Like all treaties, the MAI will impinge on sovereignty to some extent. It will prevent governments discriminating on the ground of the nationality of an investor, unless an exception has been listed by that government for a particular measure. The MAI will not prevent general regulation in economic, social, labour, environmental and other fields.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will place in the Library a copy of the Local Government Association's response to the consultation in respect of the MAI. [35103]

  Mrs. Roche
  Consultations with the Local Government Association are on-going; to date we have not received a formal response.

  Director General of Telecommunications
  Mr. Hill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement about the successor to Mr. Cruickshank as Director General of Telecommunications. [36151]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have today appointed Mr. David Edmonds as Director General of Telecommunications from 1 April 1998.

  In recent years there has been significant change in the telecommunications market. There are now more than 350 individually licensed telecommunications operators in the UK and competition is developing rapidly in all areas of the market. The rate of change is set to increase in this already fast-moving, international arena with the convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting and information technology. The Government wish to promote the further development of competition and continue to encourage innovation in services and technology. I wished therefore to appoint someone to this

  79
  important post who had direct experience of managing significant change and of working in a competitive business environment. I believe that Mr. Edmonds is that person and I feel sure he will do an excellent job.

  Mr. Edmonds has combined a successful career in both business and the public sector. He began his career in 1966 as a civil servant and, having risen to Under Secretary, left the Department of the Environment in 1984 to become the Chief Executive of The Housing Corporation. In 1991, Mr. Edmonds joined the Natwest Group and was appointed Managing Director of Group Central Services in 1995. From July 1996, he also had personal responsibility for co-ordinating the Group's preparations for European Monetary Union. Mr. Edmonds is also the chairman of CRISIS, the national charity for the single homeless.

  I would like also to take this opportunity to reiterate my appreciation of the major contribution Mr. Don Cruickshank has made over the past five years as Director General. He has developed the regulatory regime in the demanding context of a period of enormous change in telecommunications, and in so doing has played a key part in ensuring that the UK is very well-placed to benefit from the opportunities of the Information Age.

  Focus Groups
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much her Department(a) has spent since 1 May and (b) is planning to spend on focus groups. [34968]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 17 February 1998,Official Report, columns 567–69.

  Telecommunications (China)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to help UK companies enter the telecommunications market in China. [34743]

  Mrs. Roche
  UK exports of telecommunications equipment to China in 1996 exceeded £40 million (Overseas Trade Statistics collected and compiled by HM Customs and Excise). Last year the Department was a sponsor of the Britain On-Line travelling exhibition which promoted UK telecommunications technology, products and services in China. In addition, a visit was organised under the Inward Missions Scheme which enabled Chinese industrialists and senior officials to meet UK communications companies. The Department, which has recently appointed an Export Promoter to promote opportunities in the Chinese telecommunications market, is supporting a mission to China later this year by UK companies. The mission is being organised by the China-Britain Trade Group. In the context of the negotiations over the terms of China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, the UK supports fully the strong line taken by the EU that there must be meaningful access granted to Chinese telecommunication services markets comparable to that granted by its economic peers among existing WTO Members.
  80

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many pits she estimates will close in the next year under the Government's current policy towards the coal industry. [35227]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 19 March 1998]: It is for the private sector coal companies to take decisions on the future commercial operation of individual coal mines.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what reasons underlay the selection of publications to be recommended by her Department's Millennium Hotline, with particular reference to "Year 2000 Solutions for Dummies"; and if her Department requested royalties in respect of the publications recommended. [26785]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: Action 2000 is responsible for the operation of the Millennium Bug hotline, but I understand that the process of deciding what information to provide callers is steered by a group of independent experts, drawn from a range of user industries, professional bodies and independent business support organisations. Action 2000 aims to provide a list of best in breed publications, training modules and signposts to other sources of help/information.

  Action 2000 did not seek royalties. Its primary concern is that businesses should have access to information as rapidly as possible.

  Yemen and Oman
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what meetings have taken place since 1 May involving representatives from her Department at which trade and investment in(a) Oman and (b) Yemen were discussed; and how many meetings she and her ministers have had with representatives of the (i) Oman and (ii) Yemeni Governments. [34554]

  Mrs. Roche
  Since 1 May 1997 the following significant occasions, involving representatives of the DTI, have included discussions on trade and investment in Oman:Omani Minister for Commerce's meeting with Lord Clinton-Davis and discussion at the Middle East Association—October 1997.
  Omani Minister for National Economy's meeting with Lord Clinton-Davis and discussion at the Middle East Association—February 1998.
  Lord Mayor of London's visit to Oman—September 1997.
  Chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board's visit to Oman— February 1998.
  Oman British Friendship Association's meeting in London— July 1997.

  Since 1 May 1997 the following significant occasions, involving representatives of the DTI, have included discussions on trade and investment in Yemen:
  Committee for Middle East Trade Round Table with Yemeni businessmen—September 1997.
  Invest in Yemen Seminar in London—September 1997. President of Yemen's visit to UK as Guest of Government—
  November 1997
  . Minister for Trade visit to Yemen—November 1997.
  81
  DTI officials and Export Promoters have such frequent meetings on trade and investment on Oman and Yemen that it is not possible to list them.

  Since 1 May 1997 DTI Ministers have had four meetings with Omani government representatives and eight meetings with Yemeni government representatives.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the current level of British investment in Oman. [34548]

  Mrs. Roche
  At the end of 1996, the latest year for which figures are available, the net book value of direct investment by UK firms in Oman was £40 million. The value is negative because UK groups' liabilities to their subsidiaries and branches in Oman are greater than the share capital and reserves of the subsidiaries using the balance of payments methodology. During 1996, the flow of direct investment by UK firms into Oman was £7 million.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the current level of trade between Britain and Oman. [34549]

  Mrs. Roche
  In 1997, total trade in goods between the United Kingdom and Oman was worth £476 million. The value of UK exports of goods was £370 million, while the value of UK imports was £105 million. Information on trade in services with Oman is not available.
  82
  Information on UK trade in goods with Oman over the last 5 years is given in the following table

  £ million

  Year

  UK exports

  UK imports

  Total trade

  1993

  306

  82

  388

  1994

  364

  78

  442

  1995

  448

  74

  522

  1996

  416

  87

  503

  1997

  370

  105

  476

  Note:

  Because of rounding, there may be slight discrepancies between the
  totals shown and the sums of constituent parts.

  Source:

  HM Customs and Excise Business Monitor MM20.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to visit(a) Yemen and (b) Oman. [34553]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have no plans to visit(a) Yemen or (b) Oman in the immediate future. However, since 1 May 1997 DTI Ministers have had four meetings with Omani government representatives and eight meetings with Yemeni government representatives.

  ECGD (Indonesia)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will state the current level of ECGD exposure in Indonesia. [34523]

  Mrs. Roche
  ECGD's exposure on Indonesia currently stands at £1,815 million.

  Marriages on Licensed Premises
  Marriages on Licensed Premises
  Beef Bone Sales Prosecutions
  Beef Bone Sales Prosecutions
  BSE: Cattle Cull
  BSE: Cattle Cull
  "Agriculture in the United Kingdom"
  "Agriculture in the United Kingdom"
  Roadside Emission Test: Prosecution
  Roadside Emission Test: Prosecution
  Legislation 1992–98
  Legislation 1992–98
  Statutory Instruments
  Statutory Instruments
  Private Members' Bills
  Private Members' Bills
  Childcare Provision for House of Lords Staff
  Childcare Provision for House of Lords Staff
  A.40: Speed Limit Reduction
  A.40: Speed Limit Reduction
  Single Vehicle Approval in Europe
  Single Vehicle Approval in Europe
  Social Housing Grants and Mobile Homes
  Social Housing Grants and Mobile Homes
  Burma: Refugees
  Burma: Refugees
  Iraq: Kuwaiti Detainees
  Iraq: Kuwaiti Detainees
  Diplomatic Service Overseas: Staff from Ethnic Minorities
  Diplomatic Service Overseas: Staff from Ethnic Minorities
  Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company
  Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company
  Scottish Parliament and Interpretation Act 1978
  Scottish Parliament and Interpretation Act 1978
  "Britain"/"British": Use in Fundraising
  "Britain"/"British": Use in Fundraising
  Firearms Legislation: Dr. Oliver's Draft
  Firearms Legislation: Dr. Oliver's Draft
  Public Entertainments Licences (Drugs Misuse) Act 1997
  Public Entertainments Licences (Drugs Misuse) Act 1997
  Abortion Liberalisation
  Abortion Liberalisation
  Hillsborough Disaster
  Hillsborough Disaster
  Defence Bills Agency
  Defence Bills Agency
  Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
  Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
  Fluoride Intakes
  Fluoride Intakes
  HIV and AIDS
  HIV and AIDS