Written Answers of 24 March 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Driving Hours
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in how many fatal road accidents in the last three years over-tiredness has been assessed to be a contributory factor. [34336]

  Dr. Strang
  Information is not at present collected on the causation of injury road accidents on a national basis. However, research commissioned by the Department estimated that tiredness is a principal contributory factor in around 10 per cent. of road accidents. Details of this research were published in TRL Report 169 (1995),Driver sleepiness as a factor in car and HGV accidents.

  Housing (Condition)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the findings of the English House Condition Survey 1996; and if he will publish a summary of its main findings. [35710]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The findings of the 1996 English House Condition Survey will be published through a detailed and priced report. There will also be a separate summary document of key findings available free of charge. Publication is expected within the next two months.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for local authorities in each of the years 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97(a) the total number of statutory notices served under section 189 of the Housing Act 1985, (b) the total expenditure on grants made to owners of properties on whom section 189 notices were served, (c) the total number of statutory notices served under section 352 of the Housing Act 1985 and (d) the total expenditure on grants made to owners of properties on whom section 352 notices were served. [35707]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Department does not hold information in the form requested. Such information as we do hold is set out in Housing and Construction Statistics 1985–1995, Table 7.9 (Unfit dwellings, England), a copy of which has been placed in the House Library.

  Regional Planning Guidance
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the housing figures to be used by strategic planning authorities in the West Midlands for the period up to 2011 84
  will be those contained in the answer to the hon. Member for Dudley, South (Mr. Pearson) of 4 December 1997, Official Report, column 288. [35857]

  Mr. Caborn
  Yes. We will issue amended housing policy guidance for the West Midlands shortly setting out clear policies that authorities should pursue in their development plans to increase the amount of housing on previously developed land to make provision for affordable housing and to ensure sustainable locations for development within transport corridors.

  Highway Signs
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the current regulations controlling the nature, size and location of highway signs in areas of outstanding natural beauty and National Parks; and if he will make a statement. [35948]

  Dr. Strang
  The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 were framed, and are currently being updated, to balance the interests of road safety, efficient traffic management and the environment in the design and use of signs so that traffic authorities can, as far as practicable, provide signs appropriate to local conditions. My Department has published guidance on designing signs effectively so that they are not larger than they need to be for the information they contain. We are also actively supporting the Countryside Traffic Measures Group's initiative to investigate the extent to which local traffic management and traffic calming schemes—and associated signs—can be effective in meeting their traffic objectives, whilst being designed with sensitivity to the countryside environment in which they are set. This includes projects in two National Parks.

  Rail Services
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 1998,Official Report, column 438, if he will request the Rail Regulator to discuss with (a) Railtrack and (b) TOCs the public provision of national time tables for future years. [36081]

  Dr. Strang
  Railtrack meets the train operating companies to discuss bids for train services which are subsequently incorporated into the national timetable. The Rail Regulator is also involved in the process and he can be approached by either party if they were dissatisfied with the outcome of the discussions. Demand for future services is subject to fluctuation and discussions therefore tend to focus on services that are to be included in the next edition of the timetable rather than for many years ahead.

  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provision he is making for the cost of rail services secured by English Passenger Transport Executives in 1998–99. [36330]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A special grant Report has been laid before the House today for the payment of Metropolitan Railways Passenger Services Grant in 1998–99 to English Passenger Transport Authorities
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  (PTAs). The main purpose of the grant is to provide support to those PTAs for the local rail services secured by the PTAs' Passenger Transport Executives under the terms of franchise agreements with franchise operators and the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what means and according to what timetable his Department is proposing to consult regional authorities regarding their views on international air service access to regional airports. [35437]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department is already aware of the support of a broad spectrum of regional interests for a greater degree of liberalisation of international air services to regional airports.

  Planning Inspectorate and Building Research Establishment
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the (i) location of, (ii) running costs of, (iii) salary costs of and (iv) number of staff based at the Head Office of the(a) Planning Inspectorate and (b) Building Research Establishment; and for these bodies if he will list the percentage of (1) staff, (2) salary costs and (3) running costs which are based in (A) London and (B) Scotland. [36108]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Planning Inspectorate is an Executive Agency of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and of the Welsh Office. As of 2 March 1998, the Planning Inspectorate had 440 staff based at its Headquarters offices in Bristol and Cardiff. The Inspectorate's gross running cost allocation for the current year is £29.254 million. Forecast outturn for the paybill is £18.895 million. None of the staff are based in offices in London or Scotland. The Planning Inspectorate has no jurisdiction for planning appeals and other statutory functions under the Planning Acts in Scotland, for which there is a separate Inquiry Reporters Unit, which is part of the Scottish Office Development Department in Edinburgh.

  The Building Research Establishment was privatised in March 1997; the Department therefore no longer has responsibility for its operations.

  Transport Council
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the result of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 17 March. [36417]

  Dr. Strang
  The first Transport Council of the current UK Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers met under my Chairmanship in Brussels on 17 March. My hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London represented the United Kingdom.

  I particularly welcome the progress the Council was able to make on proposals for establishing a new European Aviation Safety Authority. There is strong support among Member States for these proposals, and it
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  was agreed that work should continue with the aim of adopting a Council decision in June. The Council also took note of progress on a draft negotiating mandate for Community membership of the EUROCONTROL air traffic management organisation, again with a view to adoption in June.

  The Council discussed the Community's role in EC/US air transport negotiations, in the light of the Commission's existing mandate and a recommendation by the Commission for supplementary negotiating directives. It was agreed that officials should undertake further technical work with a view to more extensive discussion at the June Council. Several Ministers expressed regret that the Commission has recently sent Reasoned Opinions to a number of Member States.

  The Council reached a common position on a Regulation on vehicle national identification signs, under which Member States would not require a separate national sign where on is already included (in specified form) in the vehicle number plate, and (with Germany abstaining) adopted a Regulation on the harmonisation of statistics on the movement of freight by road. The council agreed Conclusions welcoming the Commission's recent Communication on satellite navigation systems.

  The Council made significant progress in its consideration of the proposed directive on heavy goods vehicle taxation and charging. The Presidency put forward a compromise proposal, with further modifications in response to concern expressed by delegations, but agreement proved beyond reach.

  The Commission reported on its negotiations with the Swiss Government on proposals for a land transport agreement between the Community and Switzerland. Following clarification of some outstanding points, a substantial number of delegations were broadly supportive. Presidency Conclusions reflecting the Council discussion were drawn. The General Affairs Council will take the final decision for the Community on a series of proposed agreements with Switzerland.

  Several delegations requested a study into the employment effects of the abolition in 1999 of duty-free sales for intra-Community travel. I agreed to forward the comments raised to the Chairman of ECOFIN.

  I made a short statement on the Presidency's plans to present a paper to the June Council on the subject of transport safety across the modes. This will set out proposals for exchanges of information and regular reporting by the Commission on safety in all modes and in all EU Member States.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the impact on litigants involved in expensive, lengthy or complex cases of the introduction of contracting between the Legal Aid Board and legal service providers. [35237]
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  Mr. Hoon
  Contracting is a flexible tool, which will allow the Legal Aid Board to test different arrangements to determine which are most suitable for different types of case. We believe that individual negotiated contracts are likely to prove most appropriate in expensive cases.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps his Department is planning to concentrate the legal aid budget on promoting access to the judicial system for the poorest and on cases which raise issues of wider public interest. [35236]

  Mr. Hoon
  We are consulting on our proposals to begin:to focus on the priority needs of the poor by concentrating legal aid more tightly on cases that cannot be funded in the private sector and which are of high priority;
  to support cases which have a significant public interest and might otherwise not be brought.

  These are the first two steps in the Government's plans to modernise legal aid which are set out in the consultation paper, "Access to Justice with Conditional Fees", which was published on 4 March.

  Hospitality
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list planned expenditure on hospitality for April and May, indicating the date, location and purpose of each event. [35120]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no expenditure currently planned for Ministerial hospitality for April or May 1998. It is not, however, possible to provide a comprehensive estimate for total expenditure on Ministerial hospitality as the majority of events and meetings will not be finalised until nearer the time.

DEFENCE

  Bosnia
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by(a) craft or speciality and (b) unit the numbers of territorial army personnel serving in Bosnia. [35381]

  Dr. Reid
  There are currently 380 members of the Reserve Forces (including the Territorial Army and Individual Reservists), serving in Bosnia. They are drawn from the following specialisations:

  Unit

  Number

  Royal Armoured Corps

  9

  Royal Artillery

  18

  Royal Engineers

  46

  Royal Signals

  26

  Infantry

  100

  Army Air Corps

  1

  Royal Army Chaplains' Department

  1

  Royal Logistic Corps

  107

  Royal Army Medical Corps

  7

  Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

  25

  Adjutant-General's Corps

  37

  Intelligence Corps

  2

  Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps

  1

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  The individuals in that list are serving with the following units in the theatre:

  Unit

  Number

  Specialisation

  HQ SFOR

  15

  All

  SFOR Support Command (Zagreb)

  6

  All

  HQ Multinational Division (South West)

  29

  All

  HQ MND(SW) Signals Squadron

  42

  Royal Signals

  HQ National Support Element (Split, Croatia)

  28

  All

  National Support Element Support Squadron (Split)

  20

  Royal Logistics Corps

  UK Communications Troop

  4

  Royal Signals

  9th/12th Lancers Battlegroup

  10

  Royal Armoured Corps

  26 Regiment, Royal Artillery

  11

  Royal Artillery

  35 Engineer Regiment

  27

  Royal Engineers

  38 Engineer Regiment

  15

  Royal Engineers

  1 King's Own Royal Border Regiment Battlegroup

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  Infantry

  664 Squadron, Army Air Corps

  1

  Army Air Corps

  4 General Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps

  23

  Royal Logistic Corps

  2 Close Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps

  4

  Royal Logistic Corps

  518 Pioneer Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps

  2

  Royal Logistic Corps

  24 Armoured Field Ambulance

  20

  Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Logistic Corps Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps

  6 Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

  8

  Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

  3 Regiment, Royal Military Police

  32

  Adjutant General's Corps

  5 Allied Tactical Air Force, (Vicenza, Italy)

  1

  Varies

  Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Support Helicopter Force

  1

  Varies

  Shooting Ranges
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to alter access to military ranges for civilian shooters for target shooting purposes. [35378]
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  Mr. Spellar
  There are no proposals to alter the current arrangements for civilian use of military firing ranges for marksmanship practice, which are designed to ensure appropriate access to these ranges and proper safety.

  Nuclear Accident Exercises
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many nuclear weapon accident exercises entitled Senator have taken place since 1985; and where and when each exercise took place. [35366]

  Dr. Reid
  Two exercises entitled Exercise SENATOR have taken place since 1985. The details are as follows:

  Date

  Exercise

  SENATOR 96

  20 May 1996 to 24 May 1996

  Army Training Area Otterburn

  SENATOR 97

  22 September 1997 to 25 September 1997

  Prince William of Gloucester Barracks Grantham, with the Strategic Co-ordination Group meeting at Lincolnshire Fire Bridgade HQ, Lincoln.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer on 5 March 1998,Official Report, columns 761–62; what will be the scenario of the Diagonal Glance exercise; on which of his Department's properties the exercise will take place; how many of his Department's personnel will take part in the exercise; and if the media will be invited to the exercise. [35365]

  Dr. Reid
  Exercise DIAGONAL GLANCE will test the procedures in place for responding to the crash of a US transport aircraft carrying nuclear weapons. RAF Locking will be used as a convenient location to base elements of the MoD response forces. There will also be exercise activity in Main Building, Whitehall and at AWE Aldermaston. Approximately 300 personnel from my Department will participate. A press statement about the exercise will be issued, but it is not intended to invite members of the media to the exercise.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 1998,Official Report, columns 761–62, what are the definitions of Grade B and Grade C nuclear weapon accident exercises; and if his Department has other categories of nuclear weapon accident exercises. [35363]

  Dr. Reid
  Prior to March 1997, nuclear accident response exercises were categorised as major, medium and minor; descriptions of the scales of these exercises were given in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1995. They were then recategorised as Grade A, B, C and D. This was done to give external agencies a better understanding of the levels of our exercises by reference to the co-ordination levels detailed in the Home Office publication "Dealing with Disaster". The definitions of these exercises are:Grade A—A demonstration exercise of all phases of the response in which live play and the participation of all MoD and external agencies is maximised at the national strategic, local strategic, tactical and operational levels.
  Grade B—A demonstration exercise focusing on medium and long term phases of the response in which live play and the participation of MoD and external agencies is maximised at the local strategic and tactical levels.
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  Grade C—A demonstration exercise focusing on immediate and medium term phases of the response in which live play and the participation of MoD and external agencies is maximised at the tactical and operational levels.
  Grade D—An exercise of the MoD response only, involving live play at levels appropriate to the exercise and its duration.

  Admiralty Intelligence Papers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will open for public inspection files concerning Admiralty Intelligence papers with the classmarks ADM 223/719 to ADM 223/734 at the Public Record Office. [35499]

  Mr. Spellar
  In line with our commitment to greater openness, arrangements are being made to review the papers listed at the Public Record Office under references ADM 223/719 to ADM 223/734 to see whether release into the public domain is now possible. I will write to the hon. Member on completion of the review process.

  Heavy Lift Cargo Aircraft
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been to his Department in each of the last 10 years of the charter of heavy lift cargo aircraft from civilian operators. [34890]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: The costs of the charter of heavy lift cargo aircraft from civil operators for 1996, 1997 and 1998 (to date) are set out below. It is not possible to provide figures for years before 1996 without disproportionate cost.

  £ million

  1996

  1.60

  1997

  3.30

  1998 (to date)

  1.32

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types of civilian heavy lift cargo aircraft chartered by his Department over the last 10 years; their country of registration and the names of the air carriers by which they were operated. [34891]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: The details of the types of heavy lift cargo aircraft chartered by the Ministry of Defence from civil operators for 1996, 1997 and 1998 (to date) are set out in the table. It is not possible to provide the information required for the years before 1996 without disproportionate cost.

  Aircraft type

  Country of registration

  Operators

  1996:

  AN-124

  Russia

  Heavylift

  IL-76

  Russia

  Heavylift

  Belfast

  UK

  Heavylift

  1997:

  AN-124

  Russia

  Heavylift

  AN-124

  Ukraine

  Air Foyle

  IL-76

  Russia

  Heavylift

  DC8

  Zimbabwe

  Heavylift

  Belfast

  UK

  Heavylift

  1998 (to date):

  AN-124

  Russia

  Heavylift

  AN-124

  Ukraine

  Air Foyle

  IL-76

  Russia

  Heavylift

  IL-76

  Ukraine/Latvia

  Air Foyle

  Belfast

  UK

  Heavylift

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  Exercise Tartan Strike
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the recent Tartan Strike exercise; which countries took part; how many(a) UK personnel and (b) US personnel were involved; who was the identified enemy; and if he will make a statement. [35603]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: The purpose of the recent Tartan Strike exercise was for the Armed Forces personnel involved to practise basic counter-insurgency skills. The participating countries were the United Kingdom and United States, with some 105 UK personnel (a number of whom acted as unidentified enemy) and some 55 US personnel involved.

  Gulf War
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 15 December 1997,Official Report, column 6, if he will publish the results of his inquiries into dead animals found and analysed during the Gulf War; and if he will make a statement. [35423]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: I expect to publish the outcome of MOD's research into this matter by Easter.

  RAF Croughton and West Ruislip Station
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the functions undertaken at(a) RAF Croughton and (b) West Ruislip station. [35604]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: RAF Croughton is home to the US 422nd Air Base Squadron whose mission is to manage, operate and maintain communications computer facilities and systems for theatre-wide support of the Defense Information Infrastructure, US Department of Defense airborne missions and the Air Weather Network. The squadron also provides all base facilities, support and services for over 700 military and civilian personnel. West Ruislip is a US storage and support facility for the US Navy in Europe and covers 81 US housing units, a commissary (food store), US shopping facilities, a medical and dental clinic, welfare services and a US community school for children of serving US personnel.

  Meteorological Office
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 June 1997,Official Report, column 265, if he will make a statement about the key targets for the Meteorological Office for 1997–98. [36301]

  Mr. Spellar
  The targets I gave on 19 June have not changed but two of them require clarification as follows:

  Performance Target (b)—Numerical Weather Prediction Index for the UK (UKNWP). This performance target is intended to be a three year target, which will be set annually for the following three years. However, an adequate baseline is not available on which to set targets for intermediate years. The first target is therefore to improve the UKNWP index by four index points by March 2000 from a baseline of 100.00 in March 1997.
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  Performance Target (c)—Service Quality Index (SQI). It has now been agreed that the target for each year should be directly related to the agreed customer requirements for the component services represented in the index. This means that from a baseline of 100.00 in 1996–97 the target for 1997–98 is to increase the SQI by 3.2 index points (not 1 as stated previously).

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Documentary Series
  Mr. Dennis Turner
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if the Committee has considered any requests to make a documentary series about the House; and if she will make a statement. [35606]

  Mrs. Roe
  Since November the Committee has been considering two proposals, one from the BBC and one from Channel 4, to make a documentary series about the work of the House. I wish to advise the hon. Gentleman that the Committee has agreed that such a series might be useful in helping to give a clearer idea of Parliamentary practice and procedure, explain the legislative process and to give an insight into the work of hon. Members.

  Of the two options, the Committee considered that the Channel 4 proposal was the more appropriate, as the way the series would be structured offered less disruption to the work of the House.

  The House authorities are therefore beginning detailed negotiations with Channel 4 and Partners in Production, who will make the series. Subject to a successful outcome to these negotiations, it is envisaged that filming will commence at the time of the Queen's Speech this year, and continue throughout 1999.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agencies
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the(a) location and (b) costs of each refurbishment programme undertaken in each year since 1994 by (i) the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency, (ii) the Centre for Environmental, Fisheries and Agriculture Science, (iii) the Central Science Laboratory, (iv) the Veterinary Laboratory Agency and (v) the Pesticides Safety Directorate. [34776]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 March 1998]: In financial year 1997–98, the first since its formation in 1997, a total of £1,351,000 was spent on a refurbishment programme for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency. In the main this covered refurbishment of buildings at Aberystwyth, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Crewe, Leeds, Northallerton, Nottingham, Preston and Wye.

  The figures for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) are: 1995–96 £50,000; 1996–97 £401,000; and 1997–98 £14,000 for work on the CEFAS laboratories at Lowestoft and Burnham-on-Crouch, and for the CEFAS Lowestoft lecture theatre.
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  The figures for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency are: 1995–96 £5,084,000; 1996–97 £1,473,000; and 1997–98 £574,000 for the work at the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Weybridge and the Veterinary Investigation Centres at Itchen Abbas (near Winchester), Penrith, Sutton Bonington (near Loughborough) and Thirsk.

  No refurbishment programmes have been carried out for the Central Science Laboratory of the Pesticides Safety Directorate since 1994.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the(a) location of and (b) costs of each refurbishment programme undertaken by the Agricultural Development Advisory Service in each year from 1994 until privatisation. [34781]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 March 1998]: From 1994 until its privatisation on 1 April 1997, expenditure on a refurbishment programme for the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service involved a total of £170,000 in financial year 1994–95 on work at Boxworth and Oxford Spires and a total of £138,000 in 1996–97 for work at Bridgets Experimental Husbandry Farm, Oxford Spires and Penrith. There was no refurbishment work for ADAS in 1995–96.

  Wasted Food
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will commission research on the impact of EU regulations on the quantity of edible food thrown away by British supermarkets; what estimate he has made of the quantity they disposed of in the last twelve months; and if he will make a statement. [34757]

  Mr. Morley
  No estimates are available to the department, and I do not at this stage regard this as a priority research topic in the light of other pressures on our scarce resources. The firms concerned can be expected to keep wastage to a minimum for economic reasons, and a number of them participate in a voluntary scheme for the distribution of surplus food to charitable bodies caring for the disadvantaged.

  Public-private Partnerships
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to extend the use of public and private partnerships to conduct his Department's business and deliver services to the public; and if he will make a statement. [35137]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 March 1998]: Competitive tenders have been sought for the redevelopment of the Department's Cambridge Regional Service Centre site.

  In addition, the Environment Agency, in liaison with the Department, are in discussion with selected consortia, in advance of a formal notice of Intention to Negotiate, on pilot projects for Hood and Coastal Defence works at Pevensey and Broadland.

  Plans to extend the use of public and private partnerships to conduct the Department's business and deliver services to the public are also being considered as part of the Department's Comprehensive Spending Review. As part of its procurement policy, the Department has already entered into key supplier relationships with a number of private sector suppliers. It
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  intends to develop these further and with others as appropriate, subject to the value for money and transparency requirements of the public procurement rules.

  Canthaxanthin
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the safety of canthaxanthin for use in animal feed insofar as it affects eggs and farmed fish consumed by the public; and if he will make a statement. [36345]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am grateful for the Food Advisory Committee's advice that there are no consumer safety concerns associated with the use of this pigment in animal feed. I conclude that it may therefore continue to be used in accordance with its long-standing authorisation in Directive 70/524/EEC concerning additives in feedingstuffs.

  We nevertheless propose to seek a reduction under the Directive to the maximum permitted level (MPL) for use of the substance in feed for laying hens. The levels used are, for technological reasons, far below the current MPL.

  I also intend to ask the new Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs, when it is established, to consider whether, despite the lack of current safety concerns, it would be prudent to monitor the degree to which this colourant is used in the future.

  Finally, I note that the FAC wishes to review the need for labelling of animal products coloured in this way. I believe this is an important matter for consumer information and I look forward to receiving its advice in due course.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Caribbean Banana Producers
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she will be making during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union to safeguard the interests of Caribbean banana producers; and if she will make a statement. [35760]

  Clare Short
  Proposals to revise the EU banana regime to bring it into conformity with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling and at the same time to provide assistance to traditional African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) banana producers have been prepared by the European Commission and are currently under discussion by Member States.

  As a leading advocate of the legitimate interests of those developing countries in the Caribbean who have traditionally supplied the UK market, the Government intend to play a major role in developing a solution to the problem that meets our obligations to both our traditional suppliers of bananas and the WTO. The UK is well placed to do this as it currently holds the Presidency of the EU.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her policy towards the European Commission proposals for a new agreement on development partnerships with the ACP. [35727]
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  Clare Short
  The Lomé Convention has been an important basis for trade, development and political relations between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries of the alliance for over 22 years. The current Lomé Convention expires in 2000, and the Government hope that, during the UK Presidency, the EU's negotiating mandate for the successor arrangements will be agreed. The Commission's proposals provide a very good basis for discussion. They contain much the Government agree with, including a commitment to the international poverty eradication emphasis on partnerships and a simplification of the range of aid instruments.

  Trade is the most difficult and complex area. The challenge is to design arrangements which will support the integration of the ACP economies into the world economy. The Commission has proposed a 5 year roll-year of current preferences from 2000–05, followed by either Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) or integration into the Generalised System of Preferences, with a special window for the least developed. The Government welcome the roll-over period, but wish to see greater emphasis on enhancing the Generalised System of Preferences, in order to promote a genuine alternative to FTAs for the non-least developed ACP countries.

  European Development Fund
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds her Department has committed to the eighth European Development Fund; and if she will make a statement. [35724]

  Clare Short
  My Department committed 1.63 billion ecu (£1.08 billion at the current exchange rate) to the eighth European Development Fund. The resources will be used to promote development and poverty eradication in the 71 African, Caribbean and Pacific States with which the EU has aid, trade an political relations under the Lomé Convention.

  Lomé IV Convention
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to those European Union Member states who have not ratified the current Lomé IV bis Convention. [35726]

  Clare Short
  I am very concerned by the delay in the ratification of the Mid-Term Review of the Lomé IV Convention. The issue has been raised by the UK, as Presidency, at working level meetings in Brussels and my officials and I will continue to press those Member States who have yet to ratify the Review to do so as soon as possible.

  China
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is giving the People's Republic of China; and if she will make a statement on the amount of funding provided. [35729]

  Clare Short
  In 1996/97 (the latest year for which complete statistics are available), total British assistance to China came to some £32 million. China has about a third of the world's poorest people and a good record of pro-poor growth since the start of the economic reforms 96
  in 1979. We have a substantial co-operation programme. Priority sectors are education, health, the environment and economic and administrative reform.

  Belarus
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is giving to Belarus. [35730]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development's programme of bilateral assistance to Belarus is channelled via the Know How Fund. We expect expenditure in this financial year to be approximately £800,000. The Department is also contributing to the EU's 5 mecu programme for the development of civil society.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Foreign Policy Centre
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when and by whom he was invited to be the President of the Foreign Policy Centre, 29 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QL. [32857]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I was invited to be President of the Foreign Policy Centre in June 1997 by the Directors of the Centre.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1998,Official Report, column 276, on Indonesia, what assessment he has made of the Indonesian Government's implementation of the IMF programme. [35357]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Indonesia has not yet fulfilled all elements of the IMF package. We hope the ongoing negotiations between the IMF and Indonesia reach a satisfactory outcome.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1998,Official Report, column 277, on Indonesia, what assessment he has made of the standard of governance in Indonesia. [35370]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I have nothing further to add to my earlier reply to the hon. Member of 12 March 1998,Official Report, column 277.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1998,Official Report, column 276, on Indonesia, what assessment he has made of the Indonesian Government's response to the British Government's requests that they exercise restraint during periods of civil unrest. [35358]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We continue to follow closely reports of incidents of social unrest in Indonesia.
  97

  Asia-Europe Meeting
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to raise human rights issues at the forthcoming Asia-Europe meeting in London; and if he will make a statement. [35746]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The agenda of the Second Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 2) will be finalised by the Leaders themselves. We look forward to a wide-ranging, informal and productive discussion. We expect it to touch on human rights. Leaders at the first ASEM in Bangkok made it clear that political dialogue, including consideration of fundamental rights, was one of the key dimensions of ASEM. The successful seminar on Human Rights and the Rule of Law held in Lund, Sweden in December 1997 is an encouraging example of the ASEM dialogue in this area.

  Iraq
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek UNSCOM's permission to publish the names received from UNSCOM of British companies who supplied components of Iraq's(a) chemical and (b) biological warfare programmes. [35849]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Blaeneau Gwent (Mr. Smith), on 16 February 1998,Official Report, column 489.

  Turkey
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation the Government plans to make during the UN Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva concerning the current human rights situation in Turkey. [35764]

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the current human rights situation in Turkey; and what plans he has to express concern about human rights in Turkey in his statement to the forthcoming UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva; [35762]

  (2) what recent representations the Government have made to the Turkish Government on human rights. [35763]

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if the Government will urge the UN Commission on Human Rights to press the Turkish Government to facilitate the visits of, and cooperate with, the Working Group on Involuntary and Enforced Disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on Torture in 1998; [35883]

  (2) if the Government will, in their statement to the UN Commission on Human Rights, urge the Turkish Government to prosecute all those responsible for human rights violations; [35885]

  (3) what proposals the Government intend to make at the UN Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva to deal with human rights problems in Turkey; [35886]

  (4) what recent representations the Government have made to the Turkish Government on human rights; [35887]
  98
  (5) what assessment he has made of the current human rights situation in Turkey. [35888]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 23 March 1998,Official Report, column 29.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to encourage Turkey to improve its record on human rights abuses. [35293]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In addition to raising the issue of human rights on a regular basis with the Turkish authorities, we are offering significant practical assistance to help Turkey fully meet its international obligations. This includes the package of human rights projects I announced on my visit to Ankara last October. These projects, involving UK experts, will cover areas such as police training, establishment of a police complaints authority and a network of citizens' advice bureaux, and inter-agency training on women's rights. We remain committed to working closely with the Turkish authorities on such matters.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the linkage between Turkey's application for membership of the EU and its policies towards Cyprus. [35294]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The European Council has agreed that Turkey's application to join the European Union will be judged on the basis of the same criteria as those used for all other applicants. The Council has noted that the strengthening of Turkey's relations with the EU also depends upon other factors, including Turkey's support for negotiations under the aegis of the UN on a political settlement in Cyprus on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the risk that(a) light weapons and (b) armoured vehicles exported to Turkey could be used for internal repression. [35884]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  All licence applications for the export of conventional arms to all countries, including Turkey, are considered against the criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 26–29. A licence will not be issued if there is a clearly identifiable risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression or international aggression.

  Armenia
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with Armenia. [35756]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We enjoy excellent relations with Armenia. A British Embassy opened in Yerevan in July 1995 and we hope to increase the number of staff later this year. Although UK exports to Armenia increased 86% from 1996 to 1997, we are not satisfied with the relatively low level of trade and the DTI continues to encourage more British companies to export goods and services. In January this year, the Embassy held a very
  99
  successful British Week, which coincided with a small trade mission. As well as providing substantial humanitarian aid, a programme of technical assistance through the Know How Fund has operated for a number of years.

  Algeria
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts his Department has had with organisations within Algeria which campaign for human rights. [35705]

  Mr. Fatchett
  During the EU mission to Algeria in January, my Troika colleagues and I met with the Human Rights Observatory's Director, with whom the British Embassy in Algiers has regular contact. In the course of its operation in Algeria, the Embassy has contact with a number of organisations which work across the spectrum of human rights, including women's issues and counselling for victims of terrorism.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made towards a peaceful settlement in Algeria. [35709]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There have been no large-scale terrorist attacks in Algeria since the end of Ramadan, although sporadic killing continues. Hope for progress towards a peaceful settlement rests with furthering of the democratic process. The Algerian Government have already made some progress in this area, but we believe that the further strengthening of democratic institutions, supported by increased transparency and openness, offers the greatest chance of bringing peace.

  Venezuela
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what negotiations are in progress with the Venezuelan authorities concerning an extradition treaty between Britain and Venezuela. [35868]

  Mr. Fatchett
  It is not our practice to comment on whether extradition treaties with other countries are under discussion.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to visit Venezuela. [35870]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he is considering for an exchange of prisoners between Britain and Venezuela. [35869]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have no plans for an exchange of prisoners. We are, however, seeking to negotiate a Prisoner Transfer Agreement with Venezuela. I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his question on 5 February 1998,Official Report, column 752.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British Ambassador in Caracas last visited Mr. Loseby and Mr. Miles. [35873]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our Ambassador in Caracas has not visited Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby. They were last visited, by the Deputy Head of our Embassy, on 19 January.
  100

  Israel
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the number of UN Security Council Resolutions of which Israel is in breach; and what issues they cover. [35970]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There are over 200 UN Security Council resolutions concerning aspects of Israel's dispute with its neighbours. These are publicly available. We continue to support them. We believe that the framework for negotiations laid down at Madrid and Oslo, based on these resolutions and the principle of "land for peace", offers the best prospect of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Private Prisons
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are made for trades union representation in each of the private sector prisons; what arrangements are planned for future private prison projects; and if he will make a statement. [32576]

  Ms Quin
  Trade union representation at privately managed prisons for both custodial and non-custodial staff is a matter for their employer, subject to the law governing trade union recognition, and to section 127 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

  Premier Prison Services, which manages Doncaster and Lowdham Grange prisons, have works councils elected by staff.

  At Altcourse, Buckley Hall and the Wolds prisons, staff may join the APEX Partnership, which is recognised by Group 4, the contractor. The APEX Partnership is a sister union of the General Municipal Boilermakers and Allied Trade Union.

  At Pare prison, managed by Securicor, there is a staff association.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners per 1,000 population there are in England; and what assessment he has made of the factors underlying the differences in the number of prisoners per 1,000 population in(a) England and (b) Scotland. [35193]

  Ms Quin
  The latest available provisional information is for 1 September 1996 and shows that in England and Wales there were 1.07 prisoners per 1,000 population compared with 1.15 in Scotland. Within the sentencing framework set by Parliament, who is sent to prison and for how long is a matter for the courts. Different legal systems operate in England and Wales and in Scotland. The respective sentencing framework of each legal system may be a contributory factor in the difference between the countries in the number of prisoners per 1,000 population.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether(a) local probation officers and

  101
  (b) social workers will be involved in the supervision of young offenders sentenced to a period at a secure training centre; and if he will make a statement. [35342]

  Mr. Michael
  Until such time as the proposed Youth Offending Teams are in place, supervision of those juvenile offenders subject to the secure training order will be the responsibility of Directors of Social Services. In practice, this will mean that supervising officers are mainly social workers but it need not preclude the involvement of probation officers in appropriate cases where inter agency youth justice teams are already in place.

  Supervision will be carried out in accordance with procedures set out in a National Standard which sets out the objectives of supervision and the requirements for the involvement of the supervising officer throughout the sentence.

  Firearms
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many cases of compensation for handguns under (i) Option A, (ii) Option B and (iii) Option C are currently outstanding in the Northumbria Police Area; [35373]

  (2) when he expects all claims for compensation for handguns under options (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) C to have been completed in the Northumbria Police Area. [35374]

  Mr. Michael
  At 20 March, over £480,000 had been paid in compensation to 704 claimants in Northumbria, mainly under Options A and B of the compensation scheme. 132 claimants from Northumbria registered on the Firearms Compensation Section (FCS) computer system have not yet received payment and a proportion of around 3,500 claims not yet registered will also be from Northumbria. In addition, 412 Northumbria claimants have outstanding claims under Option C of the compensation scheme, the great majority of which will have already received a payment under Options A and B.

  The FCS expects to complete all payments under Options A and B of the large calibre handgun compensation scheme by about the end of May, and the aim is to complete most, if not all, payments under Option C by the end of the year.

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received from(a) the police and (b) other organisations on black powder guns; [35375]

  (2) what proposals he has to alter legislation regarding black powder guns. [35376]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government have received representations on black-powder guns, that is to say muzzle-loading guns using black powder as a propellant, from the Association of Chief Police Officers and from the Muzzle-Loaders Association of Great Britain. The Home Office has met representatives of both these bodies to discuss the proper regulation of shooting clubs at which muzzle-loading guns are used.

  At present, the Government have no plans to introduce any further legislation on firearms controls but will keep under close scrutiny the way in which muzzle-loading weapons are used.
  102

  Prisoners (Mental Health)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people with psychiatric health problems are currently being held in prison cells. [35538]

  Ms Quin
  Studies conducted for the Prison Service by the Institute of Psychiatry have indicated that a psychiatric diagnosis, including substance dependency or abuse, could be given to nearly 40 per cent. of the sentenced prison population of England and Wales and some 66 per cent. of remand prisoners. This would suggest that around 20,000 sentenced and 8,300 remand prisoners have some kind of mental disorder.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision is made for mental health care for people in prison. [35539]

  Ms Quin
  Procedures are in place to identify prisoners who need in-patient treatment for mental disorder and to effect their transfer to a psychiatric hospital. The care and treatment of mentally disordered prisoners who do not require in-patient treatment in hospital is generally undertaken by prison healthcare staff or by visiting National Health Service specialists, either on a sessional basis or in some cases as part of a contracted-in comprehensive psychiatric service.

  Under-age Drinking
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what strategies his Department is following to tackle the problem of alcohol misuse amongst young people. [35292]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 7 July 1997,Official Report, column 362, and 9 December 1997, Official Report, column 503. The Ministerial Group will be meeting in the autumn to review progress.

  Wormwood Scrubs Prison
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the recent reports he received from the Board of Visitors of Wormwood Scrubs Prison. [36042]

  Ms Quin
  It is a matter for Boards of Visitors at each prison establishment to decide whether they wish to publish their Annual Report to the Home Secretary. The Board at Her Majesty's Prison Wormwood Scrubs published their 1997 report on 19 March 1998. I have arranged for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library.
  103

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what external legal advice he has taken on the National Lottery's television Dreams Game in which one draw qualifies participants for participation in a further draw; and if he will make a statement. [34426]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 13 March 1998]: None. Under section 6 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, the Director-General of the National Lottery is responsible for licensing new National Lottery games. The BBC Governors are responsible for ensuring that all programmes broadcast on the BBC are in line with their Royal Charter and Agreement and Producers' Guidelines. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to the BBC chairman asking him to confirm that the new National Lottery programme does indeed comply with these obligations.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the sums allocated by the Sports Lottery Fund has been allocated to Wales. [35579]

  Mr. Banks
  Under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, 20 per cent. of the proceeds for good causes goes to sport. 5 per cent. of this is distributed by the Sports Council for Wales. So far, this has made available over £51 million pounds for sports projects in Wales. In addition, the Millennium Commission has awarded £46 million to support the new national stadium in Cardiff.

  Subject to approval by Parliament, the National Lottery Bill will reduce the percentage allocation to sport to 16 per cent., but there will be no reduction in the £1.8 billion originally forecast to be raised for sport by 2001. The percentage of this for Wales will be unchanged.

  Ministerial Offices
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what were the total costs incurred between 1992 and May 1997 in establishing ministerial offices for the Department of National Heritage at 2 Cockspur Street. [34481]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 13 March 1998]: The total costs incurred by my Department from 1992 to date are set out in the following table.

  Refurbishment of Ministerial offices

  Year

  Redecoration and furniture

  Provision of new facilities

  Total

  1992–93

  —

  —

  0

  1993–94

  —

  —

  0

  1994–95

  19,574

  28,150

  47,724

  1995–96

  —

  —

  0

  1996–97

  —

  —

  0

  1 April 1997 to date

  27,180

  17,002

  44,182

  Hospitality
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list planned expenditure on hospitality for April and May, indicating the date, location and purpose of each event. [35114]
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  Mr. Tom Clarke
  No major events are planned for April and May. It is not, however, possible to provide a comprehensive estimate for total expenditure on Ministerial hospitality as the majority of events and meetings will not be finalised until nearer the time.

  Concessionary Television Licences
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to extend the scheme of concessionary television licences to housing association properties housing both qualifying and non-qualifying residents. [35837]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Government have no plans at present for any changes to the concessionary television licence scheme. However, the Government's Agreement with the BBC provides for a review of future funding arrangements prior to March 2002. We shall conduct that review in good time to allow decisions to be taken before then. It will include a detailed consideration of licence fee concessions.

  British Tourist Authority
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the (i) location of, (ii) running costs of, (iii) salary costs of and (iv) number of staff based at the head office of the British Tourist Authority, the percentage of staff based in(a) head office, (b) London and (c) Scotland and the percentage of salary and running costs incurred in (1) London and (2) Scotland. [36105]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The head office of the British Tourist Authority is located in Hammersmith, London. Its head office running costs in 1996–97 were £10.2 million, including salary costs of £4.7 million. There are 194 posts at the BTA's head office, which equates to 44% of the Authority's total staff. BTA staff based in London (at its head office and the British Travel Centre in Regent Street) represent 47% of total BTA staff—the remaining 53% being based in BTA offices in 37 countries around the world. London based staff account for 39% of the Authority's salary budget. The BTA has no offices, and no staff, in Scotland.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the British Tourist Authority in Scotland. [36106]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  Under the Development of Tourism Act 1969, the British Tourist Authority (BTA) is responsible for marketing Britain overseas. This responsibility covers Scotland, and the Chairman of the Scottish Tourist Board (STB) is a member of the Board of the BTA. The Tourism (Overseas Promotion) (Scotland) Act 1984 gave overseas marketing powers to the STB.

  The BTA has offices in 37 countries around the world, and in all of these it promotes and provides information about Scotland to potential visitors. The STB works directly with the BTA in a more limited number of markets and the two Boards work closely together in planning campaigns each year in these markets. A new protocol is now being drawn up between the BTA and the other national tourist boards to strengthen and formalise inter-Board co-operation.
  105

  Boiling Road School (Playing Field)
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make representations to Bradford Metropolitan District Council not to sell off a section of the Boiling Road School playing field in Ilkley for housing development. [25639]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 12 February 1998]: I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State currently has no powers to intervene in the disposal of school playing fields owned by local education authorities (LEAs), unless pupils would no longer have access to the minimum areas prescribed in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996. During the Commons Report stage of the School Standards and Framework Bill, an amendment was accepted which will, when enacted, prevent local authorities from disposing of school playing fields without the prior consent of the Secretary of State. In the meantime, the Government expect local education authorities to take fully into account the sporting and recreational needs of local schools and communities before disposing of any playing field.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Paramilitary Activity
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have died in Northern Ireland as a result of alleged paramilitary activity since the 1994 ceasefire; and which organisation is thought to be responsible for which deaths [33323]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 10 March 1998]: The table lists the murders as a result of paramilitary activity since 1 September 1994 until 1 March 1998:

  Organisation

  Number

  Loyalist

  33

  Republican

  26

  Note:

  Attribution figures may be subject to change in the event of further information becoming available.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies(a) she has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) she has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34825]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 17 March 1998]: The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:

  (a) The Northern Ireland Citizen's Charter Advisory Panel was disbanded in May 1997.

  (b) The Commission for Racial Equality for Northern Ireland (CRENI) was established in June 1997 and came into operation in August 1997. Estimated running costs in its first full year will be some £277,000.

  106

  Flagged Herds
  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the prospects for farmers with flagged herds. [33759]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 19 March 1998]: The Government are aware of the difficulties being experienced by farmers with flagged herds. The Export Certified Herd Scheme [which has now been approved in Brussels] will help to some extent as the reference to "holding" will be changed to "herd". The Date Based Export Scheme, which is also under discussion in Brussels, should be of some further help. The Department of Agriculture will also be reviewing the flagging system, in consultation with the industry, when the ECHS is up and running. My officials are keeping in close contact with representatives of the flagged procedures to explore what other means may be available to help them.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ask the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Talks Process to prepare and present a statement for the 23 March session of the talks outlining the extent to which he is satisfied that the International Commission's criteria for a parallel track approach has been met by all parties at the negotiating table. [35658]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: I do not intend to make any such request. The procedural motion agreed in the talks on 24 September 1997 makes provision for regular plenary meetings to enable the participants collectively to review progress across the entire spectrum of the negotiations and to consider whether the necessary confidence and momentum towards agreement is being maintained.

  Privy Council
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what functions the Northern Irish Privy Council currently performs. [35596]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: None. The Northern Ireland Privy Council no longer has any functions and, under the NI Constitution Act 1973, no further appointments may be made to it.

PRIME MINISTER

  Political Honours Scrutiny Committee
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Prime Minister what changes he has made in the composition of the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee. [36244]

  The Prime Minister
  Members are traditionally Privy Counsellors who are not members of the Government. I have appointed the right hon. Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde to be a member of the Committee in place of Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos who has resigned. She joins Lord Pym (Chairman) and Lord Thomson of Monifieth.
  107

SCOTLAND

  Employee Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost of employee travel on office business, broken down into(a) fuel allowances, (b) unproductive time during travel, (c) other costs related to car transport and (d) costs related to public transport, for (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97 and (iv) 1997–98. [32447]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The information sought is not all available. The information given relates only to travel on official business by staff of The Scottish Office:

  (a) No fuel allowances are paid.

  (b) No central record is kept of time spent travelling, whether productive or unproductive.

  (c) Car hire and fleet car running costs for 1996–97 and 1997–98 (11 months) are £537,855 and £434,826 respectively.

  (d) Official travel costs incurred in using public transport for 1996–97 and 1997–98 (11 months) are £1,952,125 and £1,904,759 respectively.

  Comparable figures for 1994–95 and 1995–96 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will have introduced resource accounting in time for its use in the Scottish Parliament's first budget. [34939]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: The Scottish Office will produce "dry-run" resource accounts for the year 1998–99 and fully audited and published resource accounts for the year 1999–2000.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to tighten the rules governing waste disposal in Scotland. [35191]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Activities involving the disposal of waste are subject to control under the amended EC Framework Directive on waste. The waste management licensing system established under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, as amended, are the main means by which the requirements of the Framework Directive have been transposed into national law. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, as regulator, enforces the Regulations.

  The Government will review the current exemptions from licensing for waste recovery by landspreading in the light of research currently under way. The research is expected to be completed by the end of April.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 1998,Official Report, columns 451–52 on Dounreay, by what means the Health and Safety Executive undertakes its regulatory role in respect of possible hazards to workers
  108
  and members of the public from work carried out on the site of Dounreay, with particular reference to the accumulation and storage of radioactive waste. [36142]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Before anyone, other than the Crown, can use a site for the purpose of installing or operating a nuclear installation as defined in the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended) they must be in possession of a licence granted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Dounreay is such a site and a licence has been issued to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

  The Nuclear Installations Act provides HSE with the power to attach conditions to a licence which are in the interests of safety. The Act also gives HSE the power to attach conditions which it sees fit with respect to the handling, treatment and disposal of nuclear matter. Through such conditions, HSE regulates the management of radioactive waste on licensed nuclear sites. This includes the generation of wastes, on-site storage of raw and treated wastes, on-site transport, waste processing and long term storage of waste and spent fuels, which are all integral parts of nuclear site operations licensed by HSE.

  Student Fees
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to assist students over the age of fifty years by means of(a) grants and (b) the waiving of fees; and if he will make a statement. [36110]

  Mr. Wilson
  Students currently in full-time higher education who were aged over 50 at the start of their course are eligible for free tuition and a means-tested grant towards their living costs; that will continue for the duration of their continuous programme of study.

  Those aged 50 and over who begin courses in the academic year 1998–99 will be eligible for a maintenance grant at a reduced rate for that year only. Under the arrangements which will apply to new entrants to higher education from 1998–99 onwards, all eligible students, irrespective of age, will also be entitled to receive means-related help towards the contribution to their tuition costs.

  We have no plans to extend the eligibility for loans to those aged 50 and over for 1998–99, but we intend to review the position for 1999–2000 and subsequent years when maintenance grants will no longer be available.

  Student Awards Agency
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings of the committee set up to review the work of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland have taken place; whether the committee has recommended an increase in(a) staff and (b) funding; on what date the findings of the committee will be published; and if he will make a statement. [36111]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Steering Committee which has been established to oversee the Review of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland has met on three occasions. The Committee will be meeting again to consider the report of the Review and what conclusions and recommendations it wishes to make. I expect to receive the report during April and will arrange for its conclusions to be made
  109
  public as soon as possible thereafter. I cannot at this stage anticipate the Committee's conclusions although I am aware that it has taken a close interest in resource issues.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1997,Official Report, column 131, if he has made a decision on whether to implement the Garrick recommendation to establish a Scottish forum for higher education. [36112]

  Mr. Wilson
  The decision is set out in the Government's response to the Garrick Report, which was published on 25 February 1998. My answer of 25 February 1998,Official Report, column 273, indicated that copies have been placed in the libraries of both Houses.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Leghold Traps
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the GATT on the EU ban on the import of furs from countries using leghold traps. [34798]

  Mrs. Roche
  The EU ban on the import of furs from countries using leghold traps has not been challenged under GATT rules.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to commission independent research into the consequences for business and public services of the need for computer systems to be millennium compliant. [27878]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Ministerial Group chaired by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is gathering information and consultants may have a part to play in advising the Government.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when she last met a Treasury Minister to discuss the costs of millennium compliance in her Department; [32355]

  (2) when she last met the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to discuss her Department's progress towards millennium compliance. [32354]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: A Ministerial Group on the Millennium Date Change, chaired by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, has been set up. A Ministerial sub-Group, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, has also been set up to discuss aspects of millennium compliance relating, inter alia, to Government Departments. Ministers from this Department and the Treasury attend meetings of both these groups.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to wind up Action 2000; and if she will make a statement. [35102]
  110
  Mrs. Roche
  Don Cruickshank has been appointed as Chairman of Action 2000 until 31 March 2000. I expect that there will continue to be a need beyond 1 January 2000 to provide advice to businesses which have failed to act in time, or whose actions have not proved to be completely successful, but it is too early to predict how long this requirement might last. I urge all businesses to decide now what steps they need to take and act without further delay.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on the costs of the use of mobile telephones. [30191]

  Mrs. Roche
  Ministers take advice from the Director General of Telecommunications on questions relating to the provision of telecommunication services, including pricing. The Director has recently referred the prices of calls to mobile phones to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on the impact of the GATT on EU animal welfare directives. [34797]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have received representations from several animal welfare organisations, including, most recently, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and Compassion in World Farming.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will raise the issue of the effect of the GATT on EU animal welfare directives during the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in Geneva in May; and if she will make a statement. [34796]

  Mrs. Roche
  The European Communities' final position for the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in May is still under internal EU discussion.

  Ethical Investment
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice on ethical issues is available from her Department to individuals, organisations and companies considering trade or investment projects in(a) Algeria, (b) North Korea, (c) Burma, (d) Indonesia, (e) Libya, (f) Colombia, (g) Syria, (h) Iraq, (i) Saudi Arabia and (j) China. [35045]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Department, with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, provides advice on all aspects of doing business overseas, including relevant export controls and any commitments made by HMG regarding the application of the controls to the particular country concerned. Detailed advice on the political situation in a country is provided by the FCO. The Department works with the FCO and the Department for International Development to encourage all British companies to set the highest ethical standards when trading overseas.
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  Waste Reduction
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent initiatives have been taken under the auspices of the Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme to provide educational and technology support materials to assist companies to reduce costs through waste reduction. [35757]

  Mr. Battle
  The Environmental Technology Best Practice programme is continuing to encourage companies to reduce their costs and improve their competitiveness through waste reduction and improved environmental performance. The programme provides case studies of firms already engaged in waste reduction or other cost saving environmental good practice, benchmarking studies using environmental performance guides to enable companies to compare their performance, and guides to help companies adopt better environmental practices which reduce their costs.

  In addition to numerous articles in trade and other media, since 1 May 1997, the programme has published 51 case studies, environmental performance or benchmarking studies, and guides to good practice; held 40 workshops, seminars and site visits for industry participants; responded to almost 25,000 calls to the Environmental Helpline (a freephone inquiry service); given counselling visits to more than 250 small enterprises; and added the engineering and ceramics sectors to its main themes on waste minimisation and cleaner technology and its focus on volatile organic compounds and the foundries, metal finishing, textiles, printing, paper and board, chemicals, glass, food and drink industry sectors.

  This year, the programme will expand further its specific areas of interest to include the plastics sector and packaging.

  The programme is also working with trade, local business support organisations and other intermediaries to disseminate waste minimisation and clean technology information to companies. In Wales, for example, the programme is working closely with the Welsh Business and Environment Campaign.

  Environmental Technologies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what initiatives her Department has taken to promote markets for British environmental technologies(a) within the United Kingdom and (b) abroad. [35754]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government fully recognise the enormous potential of the UK environmental industry to create jobs, win exports and protect the environment. Support for the industry is provided through the Joint Environmental Markets Unit (JEMU). On 18 March, at a launch event I attended with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, we published JEMU's business plan for the next three years, setting out how JEMU will be working with the industry to pursue its mission"to nurture the development of a strong, competitive and world-class UK environmental industry capable of competing successfully in the world market place".

  The Business Plan details planned activities under eight main objectives—activities designed to raise the profile of the industry both at home and overseas. It indicates
  112
  that JEMU will be focusing attention on a number of key areas including export promotion in selected overseas markets, and also sets out the range of support services available to the industry across government.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will ask the Council for Science and Technology to investigate the technical, economic, environmental and security status of plutonium used as a nuclear fuel. [35759]

  Mr. Battle
  There are currently no plans for the Council for Science and Technology to investigate the technical, economic, environmental and security status of plutonium. However, as the re-launched CST deliberates upon its future work programme, it will be open to the Council to consider this issue. It is for the owners of spent nuclear fuel, including plutonium, to choose their preferred management options subject to meeting the necessary environmental and regulatory requirements. It remains the responsibility of the Government to ensure that all civil plutonium continues to be subject to rigorous physical protection measures and safeguards in accordance with international non-proliferation obligations.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what environmental appraisal will be undertaken to assess the environmental implications of her reviews of(a) renewable energy and (b) utility regulation. [35636]

  Mr. Battle
  Environmental considerations are an integral part of the continuing reviews of renewables and utility regulation. One of the stated aims of the Renewables Review is to consider the potential contribution which new and renewable energy technologies can make to meeting future greenhouse gas reduction commitments and the terms of reference of the Review of Utility Regulation include consideration of changes to the system of utilities regulation to ensure regulation which promotes the Government's objectives for sustainable development and the environment. The need for, and nature of, specific environmental appraisals will depend on the final outcomes of the reviews.

  Plastics (Recycling)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the recent report of Valuplast on the extent of recovery and recycling of plastics. [35758]

  Mr. Battle
  I am aware of a number of reports and presentations by Valuplast in recent months concerning the UK's recovery and recycling of plastics. I believe that these show steady growth, but that industry investment will be needed to achieve the targets in the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997.

  Supermarket Mergers
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will introduce additional controls on the mergers of supermarket companies; and if she will make a statement. [35947]
  113
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Where a merger falls to be considered under the Fair Trading Act 1973, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will decide, in the light of the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading, whether or not to refer it to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. My right hon. Friend has said that she will refer mergers primarily on competition grounds. Each case is considered on its merits.

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the sensitivity of manufacturing output to exchange rate changes. [35659]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: The Department keeps up to date with published research on factors affecting the performance of manufacturing industry. Its evaluation of this work is reflected in advice to Ministers.

  Ultra-low Sulphur Diesel
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the availability of ultra-low sulphur diesel; if she will estimate the number of retail outlets where the product is currently available; and what is the difference in retail price between ultra-low sulphur diesel and standard diesel road fuel following the Budget Statement. [35713]

  Mr. Battle
  I expect the availability of ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel to increase following the changes in the levels of excise duty announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget of 17 March. My Department does not collect specific data on the number of outlets retailing this fuel; however, most current retail suppliers of ultra-low sulphur diesel are supermarkets and it is estimated that there are about 270 retail sites where this fuel is available. The setting of retail prices for fuels is a matter for the fuel suppliers.

  Enemy Property (Second World War)
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to publish the report on British policy towards enemy property during and after the Second World War. [36382]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I am pleased to announce that the Government will publish the joint DTI/FCO report on the history of enemy property on 3 April.

  Directors' Details
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement about her Department's consultation exercise on the requirement for companies to file their directors' and company secretaries' home addresses and other particulars at Companies House. [36381]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have considered the responses to my Department's consultative document very carefully. I have decided that the requirement for companies to file their directors' and company secretaries' home addresses, as well as their directors' nationalities and business occupations, at Companies House should remain.
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  I am conscious of the concerns of those companies that wanted to be able to keep home addresses off the public register on grounds of either security or privacy. However, such concerns would be impossible to allay completely. The particulars of existing directors registered at Companies House are now in the public arena and it would not be possible to prevent access to that information from company information providers other than Companies House. I have also had to consider the views of those organisations that expressed concern over the need for directors to be accountable to their shareholders and creditors. Keeping home addresses off the public record would make it more difficult to locate directors and easier for directors to avoid creditors and to perpetrate fraud. It would also be more difficult to find out whether directors had been associated with companies that had failed or had been made bankrupt in the past.

  I have also decided that the requirement for companies to file directors' other directorships at Companies House should be revoked. A computerised register of directors which provides full details of other directorships was set up by Companies House in 1991. Repealing this requirement will relieve companies of an administrative burden but will not result in any reduction of information on the public record.

  I will bring forward regulations revoking the requirement for directors' other directorships to be included in companies' annual returns later this year. Revocation of the requirement for companies to record directors' other directorships in their own registers and to send details to Companies House both on incorporation and when there are any changes will require primary legislation which will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.

  Debt Conversion
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Export Credits Guarantee Department expects to complete its review of its debt conversion scheme. [36380]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The review is now complete. The Government have concluded that the Scheme as operated between 1992 and 1997 did provide significant benefits both to the debtor country and to the UK taxpayer and that these benefits could be further enhanced by some small improvements. A revised Scheme is therefore being relaunched and ECGD is, from today, able to consider offers to purchase rescheduled debts owed by up to 32 countries.

  Under the revised Scheme ECGD will, as before, be able to receive an immediate cash benefit for debts rescheduled through the Paris Club arrangements. The purchaser of the debt will be repaid by the debtor country in local currency subject to the funds being invested in a suitable project in that country. As a result, the debtor country benefits both from being able to convert a hard currency obligation into a local currency debt and from securing additional investment.

  During the period when the earlier Scheme operated, ECGD sold some US$133 million of debts to a number of organisations investing in a range of projects, including in the fields of education, agricultural rehabilitation and healthcare.
  115
  The improvements to the Scheme involve certain administrative changes, notably the requirement that the potential purchaser should pay a commitment fee to secure the purchase price and exclusive negotiating rights for specific debt for a given period.

WALES

  Asbestos-related Deaths
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many asbestos-related deaths there were in Wales in 1997; and what was the corresponding figure for the previous year. [34876]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The latest available information from the Office for National Statistics for the number of registered deaths from asbestos-related illnesses of residents in Wales is 66 in 1997 (provisional) and 54 in 1996.

  Health Promotion
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of NHS expenditure was spent on health promotion in Wales in each of the last three years; and what is the estimate for the current year. [35519]

  Scheme

  Voluntary organization

  Amount of funding in 1997–98(£)

  Amount of funding in 1998–99(£)

  Shoreline project (hostel for heavy drinkers), Cardiff

  Wallich Clifford Community

  75,457

  75,457

  Bond Board, Swansea

  Barnados

  22,501

  21,231

  Rough sleeper survey, Caerphilly

  Shelter Cymru

  1,200

  —

  Direct access hostel, Rhyl

  National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO)

  24,000

  24,000

  Outreach worker, Gwynedd

  Cywaith Joseff

  4,350

  18,180

  Rooflessness survey and provision of advice services, Pembrokeshire

  Pembrokeshire Action for Single Homeless

  11,250

  15,000

  Direct access hostel, Swansea

  Swansea Cyrenians

  68,363

  68,363

  Support worker for young people leaving care, Swansea

  Cymdeithas Caer Las

  5,706

  5,706

  Rooflessness survey and provision of services for rough sleepers, Vale of Glamorgan

  Llamau Housing Society

  15,819

  63,276

  Direct access hostel and resettlement worker

  Wrexham Action Trust Christians for the Homeless (WATCH)

  968

  24,000

  Income advice to rough sleepers, Cardiff

  Cardiff Move-On

  4,835

  —

  Health care to rough sleepers, Cardiff

  Cardiff Move-on

  4,660

  —

  Drop-in day sessions at Night Shelter, Rhyl

  NACRO

  3,000

  —

  Update rough sleepers survey and provide pilot drop-in service, Gwynedd

  North Wales Housing Authority

  1,500

  —

  Production of handbook of services for homeless, Gwynedd

  Arfon Single Homeless Group

  3,926

  —

  Outreach worker for rough sleepers, Swansea

  Swansea Cyrenians

  4,500

  —

  Multi-disciplinary outreach worker, Swansea

  Cymdeithas Caer Las

  7,254

  —

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  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The percentage of NHS expenditure on health promotion in the last three years is shown in the table. Figures for 1997–98 are not yet available.

  Year

  Percentage

  1994–95

  0.54

  1995–96

  0.53

  1996–97

  0.50

  Source:

  Annual accounts and financial returns of health authorities, special health authorities, NHS Trusts, district health authorities and family health service authorities for 1994–95 to 1996–97.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what projects are being pursued to help reduce the number of homeless people in Wales; what sums have been allocated to them in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [35575]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Welsh Office has allocated the following amounts to projects in 1997–98 and 1998–99:
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  Scheme

  Voluntary organization

  Amount of funding in 1997–98(£)

  Amount of funding in 1998–99(£)

  Building to provide facilities for rough sleepers, Swansea

  Cymdeithas Caer Las

  28,500

  —

  Resettlement worker for rough sleepers, Swansea

  Cymdeithas Caer Las

  4,634

  —

  Support to allow a cafe for rough sleepers to open longer hours, Swansea

  Elim Church

  1,350

  —

  Pilot youth drop-in scheme and single person housing project, Wrexham

  Caia Park Partnership

  19,800

  —

  The programme is currently targeted at schemes to help prevent or alleviate Rough Sleeping

  The following organisations also receive funding towards their running costs:

  Organisation

  Amount offunding in1997–99(£)

  Amount offunding in1998–99(£)

  Cymdeitas Caer Las

  129,670

  133,300

  Shelter Cymru

  95,792

  98,475

  Welsh Women's Aid

  80,279

  82,525

  National Assembly
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is(a) taking and (b) planning to take to ensure that the National Assembly has sufficient translators and translating equipment available from its establishment. [35585]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have asked the Welsh Language Board to give consideration to the provision of resources for translation in the Assembly. I am also seeking the advice of my Advisory Group in relation to the Assembly's bilingual operation, and arrangements for translation will be considered in that context.

  Government of Wales Bill (Environmental Appraisal)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what environmental appraisal of the Government of Wales Bill has been produced; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [35643]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  None.

  The Bill does, however, require the National Assembly for Wales to have regard to the principle of sustainable development in exercising its functions.

  Cash Limit
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes he is proposing to make to the voted and non-voted cash limits for his Department and the Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales for the current financial year. [36303]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The cash limit on class XIV, vote I will be reduced by £2,000,000 from £52,712,000 to £50,712,000 as a result of lower than expected claims for farm and conservation grant schemes.
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  The cash limit on class XIV, vote 3 will be increased by £2,400,000 from £441,438,000 to £443,838,000. This increase will cover the higher than expected expenditure on the Central Government Roads maintenance budget.

  The cash limit on class XIV, vote 6 will be reduced by £400,000 from £9,405,000 to £9,005,000 mainly as a result of fewer than expected nursery inspections.

  The local authority capital cash limit (WO/LACAP) will be reduced by £5,540,817 from £433,362,000 to £427,821,183; the Housing for Wales cash limit (WO/HFW) will be increased respectively by £5,540,817 from £70,335,000 to £75,875,817. This transfer of resources from the local authority capital cash limit to the Housing for Wales cash limit is in respect of work undertaken by Housing Associations on behalf of local authorities.

  None of these changes adds to the overall level of Public Expenditure.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what provision will be made in respect of Britain's role in Europe in the Millennium Experience. [31648]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Millennium Experience will enhance Britain's image and standing internationally and within Europe, and will attract millions of visitors from Europe and beyond.

CABINET OFFICE

  HRH Prince of Wales
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the occasions on which he has met His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, indicating the purpose of each meeting. [35933]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have had no official meetings with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

  Blood Sports
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what representations he has received on Government policy towards blood sports. [35934]
  119
  Mr. Mandelson
  Government policy on blood sports is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and any representations that I receive on this subject are passed to his Department.

  Broadcasters
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what meetings he has had with BBC executives since 1 January. [36183]

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio when he has met(a) Mr. Rupert Murdoch and (b) representatives of News International; what was the purpose of such meetings; and if he will make a statement. [35957]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I meet representatives of the BBC and other broadcasters on a regular basis in the course of my duties.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance has been issued in relation to Benefits Agency involvement in police road blocks; and if she will make a statement. [33599]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Tackling fraud is central to rebuilding integrity in, and commanding public support for, a modern security system. The Government welcome properly conducted multi-agency initiatives which have a valuable role to play in countering abuse. Questions on Benefit Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Alan Beith, dated 23 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about guidance issued in relation to Benefits Agency (BA) involvement in police road blocks. As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.
  Comprehensive guidance was issued to staff on 4 September 1995 and provided precise instructions concerning the procedures and conduct for fraud staff taking part in multi-agency road stops initiatives.
  The main issues covered within the guidance, refer to the criteria which should exist if BA staff are to participate in police road blocks. The instructions advised staff of the types and format of questions which can be used, the procedures to be followed where suspicion exists, any powers which staff can employ, types of clothing and identification, as well as the procedures for informing the driver of their rights.
  These instructions were updated during February 1997 and will be incorporated into the Fraud Investigators Guide, which will be issued to staff at the start of the next financial year.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of people with ME applying for disability living allowance have been successful as(a) first time claimants and (b) reassessed claimants in the last (i) year and (ii) two years. [33710]
  120
  Mr. Denham
  The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

  Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Stephen Hesford, dated 23 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding what proportion of people with Myalgic Encephalitis (ME) have been successful in applying for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) as (a) first time claimants and (b) reassessed claimants in the last (i) year and (ii) two years. As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.
  Comprehensive information is not available in the format requested. However it is estimated on a 5% sample basis, that the number of people with ME, or other chronic fatigue syndrome, who have been successful is as follows:

  Number of first time customers

  Number of reassessed customers

  1.12.95–30.11.96

  1,480

  850

  1.12.96–30.11.97

  1,320

  500

  Due to the small numbers involved in this assessment, the figures are subject to relatively large margins of error.

  I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were his reasons for withdrawing and subsequently reinstating disability living allowance for Mrs. G. Archer of 7 Queen's Road, Brixham; and for what reasons the core component of the allowance has not been reinstated. [35435]

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

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

  Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 23 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the reasons for withdrawing and subsequently reinstating Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Mrs. Archer of Brixham; and for what reasons the care component of the allowance has not been reinstated.
  On receipt of, the completed Benefit Integrity Project questionnaire, further medical evidence from Mrs. Archer's General Practitioner (GP) and a Benefits Agency Medical Officer, the Adjudication Officer's (AO's) opinion was that the customer's condition had improved and Mrs. Archer was subsequently notified of this decision.
  Following the application made by Mrs. Archer to review her entitlement to benefit, a different AO requested an Examining Medical Practitioner (EMP) report. This, together with a further letter from the customer's GP and previous evidence, showed that Mrs. Archer did satisfy the conditions for the higher rate mobility component. It would appear that the original AO had misinterpreted the evidence given by the GP in connection with the customer's

  121
  mobility, and the higher rate mobility component of DLA was reinstated. However, the AO reviewing the case decided there were insufficient care needs to qualify for any rate of the care component. Therefore this was not reinstated.
  All claims to benefit are decided by AOs who are statutory office holders. They are required to make impartial decisions based on the application of the law to the facts of the individual case. It is the AO's responsibility to consider whether a decision can be made on the available evidence, or whether further information should be obtained from the customer, the customer's doctor, or whether a doctor from the Benefits Agency Medical Services should be asked to examine the customer.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in the Luton, South constituency have been(a) disallowed benefit and (b) received increased benefit as a result of the Benefit Integrity Project. [33957]

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

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

  Letter from David Riggs to Ms Margaret Moran, dated 23 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many people in the Luton South constituency have been (a) disallowed benefit and (b) received increased benefit as a result of the Benefit Integrity Project. As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The database of casework has not been designed to extract information geographically during the project. To do so would necessitate high cost and disruption to the processing of ongoing casework. However, once the casework has been completed a full evaluation of the data is planned to provide a geographical analysis.
  As at 31 January 1998, 54,839 cases nationally have been examined as part of the BIP. Of the total cases dealt with 1,299 have had their benefit increased, 42,730 have been unchanged, 6,884 have had their benefit reduced and 3,926 have had their benefit stopped. The total includes 10,811 renewal cases; of which 334 had their benefit increased, 5,601 remain unchanged, 2,907 have had their benefit reduced and 1,969 have had their benefit decreased.
  A monthly statistical report can be found in the House of Commons library.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount of state benefits paid out to injured claimants, which was recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit from successful defendants during each of the last three years. [34133]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of the Compensation Recovery Unit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  122
  Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Phil Willis, dated 23 March 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what was the amount of state benefits paid out to injured claimants which was recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit from successful defendants during each of the last three years. As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.

  The information requested is shown in the table below:

  £ million

  Financial year

  Amount recovered

  1995–96

  135.1

  1996–97

  145.5

  1997–98 (to 28.2.98)

  153.0

  Note:

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

TREASURY

  Vitamin B6
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have died from overdoses of vitamin B6 since July 1997. [33516]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Tredinnick, dated 24 March 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on how many people have died from overdoses of vitamin B6 since July 1997.
  Based on provisional 1997 data, there have been no deaths certified as due in part or whole to vitamin B6 overdose in the period July to December 1997.
  Data for 1998 are not yet available.

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will include on his website the numbers of all premium bonds where prizes are unclaimed. [34742]

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

  Letter from Peter Bareau to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 24 March 1998:
  Thank you for your question about publishing on the Internet the numbers of all Premium Bonds where prizes are unclaimed.
  Premium Bond holders do not have to claim their prizes - National Savings automatically writes to all winners. However, there are cases where Premium Bond holders move house and forget to notify National Savings of their new address. In these cases National Savings endeavours to find their new address. If not found after 18 months, the winning Bond numbers are put on to National Savings' "unclaimed prize" list and published in the Supplement to the London Gazette, which is updated quarterly. Copies of this publication are held at main post offices in the UK.
  There is no limit for recovering these prizes - National Savings will always honour payment when the Premium Bond holder's new address is established.

  123
  To offer better customer service and convenience, National Savings is now planning to include a searchable database of these unclaimed prizes on its new Web site. The new site is currently being developed, and it is hoped that it will go live in May 1998.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of unclaimed premium bond prizes(a) by English county and Welsh and Scottish unitary authority and (b) in total; and how much of this total accrued in the last 12 months. [34746]

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

  Letter from Peter Bareau to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 24 March 1998:
  Thank you for your question about the value of unclaimed Premium Bond prizes. The information you requested is set out below.
  National Savings current computer systems can not provide a breakdown of unclaimed Premium Bond Prizes by individual English counties, or Welsh and Scottish Unitary authorities. However, the information is available by region and is set out in the following table:

  Region

  Total Value (£)

  Avon Dorset Glos Somerset Wilts

  720,000

  Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire

  270,000

  Berkshire Bucks Oxfordshire

  550,000

  Channel Isles Cornwall Devon

  360,000

  Cheshire

  300,000

  Cleveland Cumbria Durham North Tyne andWear

  530,000

  Derbyshire Staffordshire

  290,000

  Essex

  440,000

  Foreign Addresses

  960,000

  Hampshire Isle of Wight

  440,000

  Herefordshire Shropshire Worcs

  190,000

  Hertfordshire

  310,000

  Kent

  410,000

  Isle of Man Lancs Merseyside

  1,100,000

  Sth Humberside Leics Lincs Notts

  480,000

  Greater London

  3,800,000

  Norfolk Suffolk

  260,000

  Northamptonshire

  98,000

  Nth Humberside Yorks (Nth Sth West)

  830,000

  Scotland

  1,100,000

  Surrey

  430,000

  Sussex (East and West)

  430,000

  Northern Ireland

  210,000

  Wales

  600,000

  West Midlands Warwickshire

  690,000

  Total value of unclaimed prizes

  15,800,000

  Premium Bond holders do not have to claim their prizes— National Savings automatically writes to all winners. However, there are times when Premium Bond holders move house and forget to notify National Savings of their new address. In these cases National Savings endeavours to find their new address. If not found after 18 months, the winning Bond numbers are put on to National Savings' "unclaimed prize" list and published in the Supplement to the London Gazette, which is updated quarterly and is held at main post offices in the UK.
  The total unclaimed prizes accrued in the last 12 months is £1.2 million. Because of the 18 months before a prize is deemed "unclaimed", this relates to prizes drawn during the period August 1995 to August 1996.
  Over the 40 year life of the Premium Bond Scheme, the total value of prizes paid out has been £3.9 billion. The current amount unclaimed represents less than half of one per cent. of that total.
  124

  Taxation
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of his proposal to alter the basis on which members of professions are taxed on their incomes on(a) members of the Faculty of Advocates and (b) solicitors' firms in Scotland. [34607]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 18 March 1998]: The Inland Revenue Press Release issued on 22 December invited comments on the proposals to withdraw the cash basis practices available to professional businesses. The purpose of consultation was to enable those affected to voice their concerns and to help the Revenue to make a better informed assessment of the impact of the proposed change on different sectors. The Inland Revenue has received a large number of responses and I myself have received many. The Inland Revenue and I have also had meetings with representative bodies, including the Law Society, the Law Society of Scotland, the Bar Council, and the Faculty of Advocates.

  Following the consultation, the proposal was refined and developed, and a number of modifications to the original scheme were announced in the Budget. An Inland Revenue press release on Budget Day set out the revised proposal.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received since 22 December 1997 concerning the alteration of the basis on which members of professions are taxed on their income; and which of these expressed opposition to the proposed changes. [34608]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 18 March 1998]: We have received a large number of comments and representations on the proposal to withdraw the cash basis practices. Many of these expressed concerns about the effect of the proposal on professions.

  Following the consultation, the proposal was refined and developed, and a number of modifications to the original scheme were announced in the Budget. An Inland Revenue press release on Budget Day set out the revised proposal.

  Historic and Religious Buildings
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of VAT income from repairs to historic and religious buildings in each of the last three years. [35569]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: No such estimate has been made.

  Third World Debt
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many responses he has received to date from the Christian Aid Campaign on Third World Debt; and how much money has been received by his Department in furtherance of the campaign. [35652]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 23 March 1998]: Since January 1997, the Treasury has received some 7,000 letters and postcards on Third World Debt. This includes over 1,600 postcards that have been received in response to the Christian Aid Campaign on Third World debt.
  125
  The total amount of money that has been received from the public towards reducing the debts of poor countries is over £6,300. We have arranged that this money be used to help write off the debts owed to the UK by Tanzania.

  Finance Bill
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Finance Bill will be published; and if he will make notes on the Bill's clauses available to hon. Members as usual. [36194]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Finance Bill will be published on Wednesday 8 April. Explanatory Notes on the Bill's clauses will be placed in the Vote Office and the Libraries of both Houses that day. Members of the public will be able to obtain copies of the Explanatory Notes from the Treasury; these will also be available on the Treasury's Internet site (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk).

  Departmental Running Costs
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the final outturn for 1996–97 for(a) each running costs limit and (b) the Ministry of Defence's operating costs limit. [36302]

  Mr. Darling
  The final outturn for 1996–97 for each running costs limit and the Ministry of Defence's operating costs limit is shown in the table.

  £000

  Outturn 1996–97

  Gross running costs limits

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  507,744

  Department for International Development

  56,744

  Intervention Board

  57,410

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  317,861

  Department of Trade and Industry (including ACAS)

  383,837

  Office of Fair Trading

  17,855

  Office of Telecommunications

  9,069

  Office of Gas Supply

  10,490

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  13,675

  Department of Transport

  389,182

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising

  7,048

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  7,321

  Department of Environment

  220,902

  Health and Safety Executive

  156,808

  Office of Water Services

  9,287

  Home Office

  1,787,053

  Charity Commission

  20,283

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  426,447

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  18,674

  Public Record Office

  22,225

  Crown Prosecution Service

  221,322

  Serious Fraud Office

  9,976

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  25,812

  Crown Office

  43,357

  Department for Education and Employment

  1,279,193

  Office for Standards in Education

  28,649

  Department For Culture, Media and Sport

  29,005

  Office of the National Lottery

  1,880

  Department of Health

  274,804

  Department of Social Security

  3,161,873

  Scottish Office

  332,309

  General Register Office for Scotland

  6,617

  Scottish Record Office

  4,973

  Scottish Courts Administration

  40,854

  Welsh Office

  70,865

  Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales

  2,974

  126

  £000

  Outturn 1996–97

  Northern Ireland Office

  788,006

  H. M. Treasury

  52,179

  Customs and Excise

  733,948

  Inland Revenue

  1,683,828

  Department of National Savings

  177,909

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  7,639

  National Investments and Loan Office

  1,183

  Office for National Statistics

  98,607

  Office of Public Service

  81,846

  Cabinet Office

  40,673

  Security and Intelligence Services

  402,797

  Privy Council Office

  2,435

  Net running costs limits

  Wilton Park (FCO)

  930

  ADAS Agency (MAFF)

  5,650

  Central Science Laboratory (MAFF)

  0

  Veterinary Laboratory Agency (MAFF)

  0

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate (MAFF)

  0

  Central Services (DTI)

  0

  National Weights Measures Laboratory (DTI)

  0

  Radio Communications Agency (DTI)

  0

  Vehicle Certification Agency (DoT)

  80

  QE II Conference Centre (DoE)

  4,687

  Building Research Establishment (DoE)

  3,850

  Health and Safety Laboratory (DoE)

  -5,105

  Ordnance Survey

  9,476

  Forensic Science Service (HO)

  -1

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency (DCMS)

  0

  NHS Estates Agency (DoH)

  -490

  Information Technology Services Agency (DSS)

  0

  Valuation Office Agency (Inland Revenue)

  -7,703

  Paymaster Agency

  -1,247

  Customer Funded Services (ONS)

  1,043

  Government Actuaries Department

  414

  Civil Service College (OPS)

  -163

  Security Facilities Executive (OPS)

  0

  Recruitment and Assessment Services (OPS)

  246

  Occupational Health and Safety Agency (OPS)

  -583

  Operating Costs

  Ministry of Defence

  16,665,747

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what role the CBI and trade unions have played in the New Deal. [33950]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Effective local partnerships are essential to the success of the New Deal. Employers and trades unions clearly have an important part to play. The CBI and the TUC have encouraged their members to be involved fully in local New Deal arrangements.

  In addition, my officials and I have held regular meetings with the CBI and trades unions. The New Deal Task Force itself contains two members of the Executive Council of the TUC and Sir Peter Davis, the Chairman of the Task Force, has also recently met John Monks. Sir Peter Davis and other members of the Task Force are members of the CBI President's Council.
  127
  The CBI, TUC and individual trades unions have expressed support for the New Deal and have made a valuable contribution to its development.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the number of people in the Beckenham constituency who will be eligible for the New Deal. [34718]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have placed in the Library a list of the client planning assumptions for each New Deal unit of delivery which the Employment Service is using to plan provision for young unemployed people aged 18–24. The table shows that the planning assumption for the Croydon and Bromley unit of delivery, which includes the Beckenham constituency, is that 2,619 young people could be eligible to join the New Deal in 1998–99.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library a copy of the KPMG study of partnerships on Pathfinder areas for the New Deal. [36089]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have placed in the Library a copy of the KPMG Report.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish his response to the New Deal Task Force's, proposals on objectives for the New Deal. [36090]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Within the next two weeks, I will place a copy of my response in the Library.

  Sixth Form Colleges
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received concerning the equity of funding between continuing sixth forms in secondary schools and sixth form colleges. [33994]

  Dr. Howells
  We have received representations from individual college principals and on behalf of the Hampshire Principals Group.

  Date of closure

  School

  Successor schools

  31 August 1983

  Monkhopton CE Aided Primary

  31 August 1984

  Richards Castle County Primary

  31 August 1984

  Morton CE Controlled Primary

  Pant Bryn offa

  31 August 1984

  Porthywaen CE Controlled Primary

  31 August 1984

  Llanymynech CE Controlled Primary

  October 1984

  Marton CE Controlled Primary

  31 August 1985

  Chapel Lawn CE Controlled Primary

  31 July 1987

  Apley Park Secondary

  31 December 1987

  Teagues Bridge Junior School

  Teagues Bridge Primary School

  31 December 1987

  Teagues Bridge Infant School

  31 August 1988

  Coton Mount Infant School

  Greenfields

  31 August 1988

  Lancasterian County Primary School

  31 August 1988

  St. Michael's Street County Primary School

  31 August 1988

  Acton Burnell Primary School

  31 Augist 1988

  Ightfield C of E School

  31 August 1988

  Fitzalan School

  The Marches

  31 August 1988

  Crosewylan-Oswestry School

  31 August 1989

  Lyneal C of E (Controlled) Primary School

  31 August 1989

  Stirchley County Middle School

  Stirchley County Primary School

  31 August 1989

  Brookside Middle School

  Brookside County Primary School

  31 August 1989

  Hollinswood County Middle School

  Hollinswood Junior School

  31 August 1989

  Hollingsworth First

  Hollingsworth Infant School

  31 August 1989

  Brindleyford First

  Brindleyford Primary School

  128
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out the formula for funding sixth-form pupils(a) continuing in the sixth forms of secondary schools and (b) transferring to sixth form colleges at age sixteen. [33996]

  Dr. Howells
  Maintained schools receive funding for sixth form pupils on the basis of a formula devised by the LEA as part of its Local Management of Schools (LMS) scheme. Under LMS arrangements, the bulk of funding is allocated on the basis of pupil numbers. In most cases this funding is weighted for age, with other factors to provide additional funding for schools in particular circumstances. In a small number of cases, LEAs also allocate different levels of funding to reflect the costs of particular courses undertaken by sixth form pupils. Funding for sixth form colleges is allocated through the funding methodology employed by the Further Education Funding Council. Each student attracts a number of units for the college, reflecting in particular the course being followed by the student. The college also receives units for providing the student with appropriate pre-enrolment guidance and for the student's eventual achievement.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will review the funding of sixth forms and sixth form colleges. [34026]

  Dr. Howells
  Funding for post-16 education is being considered as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. It is expected that announcements will be made in the summer or the autumn.

  School Closures
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools which closed in Shropshire in each year since 1979. [34260]

  Mr. Byers
  Since 1983, the earliest year for which we have information available, the schools which have closed in Shropshire (excluding special schools) are listed in the table. Some schools have closed to reopen as an amalgamated school: some have closed to facilitate a change in age range. In such cases the successor schools are shown.
  129

  Date of closure

  School

  Successor schools

  31 August 1989

  Holmer Lake First

  Holmer Lake Primary School

  31 August 1989

  Randlay First

  Randlay Primary School

  31 August 1989

  Stirchley First

  Stirchley Primary School

  31 August 1991

  Bayston Hill County Infant School

  Bayston Hill Longmeadows Primary

  31 August 1991

  Bayston Hill C of E Junior School

  31 August 1991

  Hopesay Parochial Primary School

  St. Laurence's CE (VC) Primary

  31 August 1991

  St. Laurence's C of E Infant School

  31 August 1991

  Stockton Norton C of E Primary School

  31 August 1992

  Ellerdine County Primary School

  31 August 1992

  Rodington C of E Primary School

  31 August 1992

  St. Peter's C of E Primary School

  31 August 1993

  Coreley C of E Primary School

  31 August 1994

  The Down Primary School

  Brown Clee

  31 August 1994

  Ditton Priors C of E Primary School

  31 August 1994

  Burwarton C of E Primary School

  31 August 1994

  Berrington C of E Primary School

  31 August 1994

  The John Hunt School

  The Sutherland

  31 August 1994

  The Manor School

  1 September 1996

  Ford C of E Primary School

  Trinity

  1 September 1996

  Wattlesborough C of E Primary School

  1 September 1996

  Yockleton C of E Primary School

  Mature Students
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will introduce measures to help students over the age of 50 years by(a) the provision of grants, (b) the waiving of tuition fees and (c) extending the upper age limit of eligibility for student loans; and if he will make a statement. [36077]

  Dr. Howells
  Full-time students currently in higher education who were aged over 50 at the start of their course are eligible for free tuition and for a means tested grant towards their living costs and will continue to be so for the duration of their courses. Those aged 50 and over who begin courses in the academic year 1998–99 will also be eligible for a grant at a reduced rate for that year only.

  Under the new arrangements applying to entrants from 1998–99 onwards, all students, irrespective of their age, will be eligible to receive means-related help towards their contribution to tuition costs. We have no plans to extend the eligibility for loans to those aged 50 and over for 1998–99, but intend to review the eligibility requirements for 1999–2000 and subsequent years when grants will no longer be available. The recent consultation paper on lifelong learning, "The Learning Age", invited views on extending loans to those in their early 50s who wish to enter higher education, for example, to retrain following redundancy. Final decisions will be taken in the light of the responses to that consultation.

HEALTH

  Acute Hospitals
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he proposes for GPs and other primary carers in determining the local operation of acute hospitals. [34384]

  Mr. Milburn
  The White Paper The New NHS sets out our approach for modernising the National Health Service and for providing integrated primary and community health care services which will influence local acute NHS Trusts.
  130

  Burns and Plastic Surgery Facilities
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of existing burns and plastic surgery hospital facilities within the Hillingdon, South West-Hertfordshire and Brent and Harrow health authority areas. [34385]

  Mr. Boeteng
  The Mount Vernon and Watford Hospitals NHS Trust provides plastic and burns services for these areas. A review of these services is being undertaken through joint working with the NHS Executive's regional offices and affected health authorities. Further discussions will shortly confirm a model of care, and criteria against which options for the future provision of services would be assessed. Full public consultation will take place on any significant service reconfiguration.

  Learning Disability Services
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to raise standards in learning disability services. [34386]

  Mr. Boateng
  There is a substantial programme of work in progress including: a report drawing out the lessons from a Social Services Inspectorate inspection of learning disability services last year and a follow up to good practice guidance on health services for people with learning disabilities called 'Signposts for Success' issued in January 1998.

  Nurses and Midwives
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he intends to take to improve the recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives. [34388]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Government are employing a twin strategy to deal with the growing workforce demand by increasing training levels and investing in initiatives to improve the recruitment, retention and return to practice of trained staff, including flexible and family-friendly ways of working.
  131
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what strategies are in place to improve the recruitment and retention of nursing staff at NHS trusts. [34405]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are employing a twin strategy by increasing training levels and investing in initiatives to improve the recruitment, retention and return to practice of trained staff, including flexible and family-friendly ways of working. A resource pack has been sent to all trusts to help local managers develop and expand their recruitment and retention programmes, using the momentum built up by the current £1.2 million nursing publicity campaign.

  Health Service (London)
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress of the review of London's health service. [34389]

  Mr. Milburn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the findings of the independent review panel, led by Sir Leslie Turnberg, and the Government's response, on 3 February 1998,Official Report, columns 843–58. We have accepted all the review panel's recommendations. This marks the beginning of a ten-year programme of modernisation for health services in London, which will deliver tangible benefits to patients, year by year.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to raise standards in primary care in London. [34391]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have accepted the recommendation of the independent review panel, led by Sir Leslie Turnberg, that there should be systematic progress in developing primary care in London. This will form part of a ten-year programme of modernisation for London's health services which will deliver tangible benefits for patients, year by year.

  The starting point for making improvements is the White Paper, "The New NHS" and the vision it sets out for primary care development, organisation and management.

  Distinction Awards Scheme
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to eliminate racism in consultants' merit awards. [34390]

  Mr. Milburn
  Action being taken this year includes better data, better monitoring of outcomes, and better representation of ethnic minority consultants on awards committees. I will be meeting the Chairman and Medical Director of the Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards shortly to discuss what more might be done.

  Mental Health
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to support day centres provided by the voluntary sector for mentally ill patients. [34392]
  132
  Mr. Boateng
  We support the provision of day centres and have provided the Mental Illness Specific Grant which enables local authorities to fund a wide range of social services for mentally ill people. Many day centres are provided in partnership with the voluntary sector.

  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to improve the mental health of young people. [34395]

  Mr. Boateng
  The key to improving the mental health of young people is preventing problems from developing in the first place. Good mental health is one of the targets in our public health green paper "Our Healthier Nation". We intend to ensure the development of parenting skills and parent support, foster high quality pre-school education and, within our "healthy schools" initiative, seek to promote emotional and physical well being among young people.

  Berkshire Health Authority
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which financial year he estimates Berkshire health authority will reach its proposed funding target under the weighted capitation formula. [34393]

  Mr. Milburn
  We aim to make progress each year. The pace of change depends on the overall level of resources for the National Health Service and the circumstances of all health authorities.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to improve the health of people from ethnic minority backgrounds. [34394]

  s Jowell
  The Department is seeking to ensure that the needs of black and minority ethnic groups are fully integrated into the mainstream of service provision. This is an important part of the Government's programme to tackle inequalities and covers public health and health services, employment and social care issues. Ministers have asked for targets to be set and achieved within given time frames to embed ethnic minority health in the policy and service delivery areas.

  Local Health Service Planning
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's strategy for involving the public in planning local health services. [34396]

  Mr. Milburn
  Rebuilding confidence in the National Health Service as a public service that is accountable, open and shaped by public views is one of our essential tasks. "The New NHS" White Paper sets clear requirements for public accountability and involvement to be met locally in a variety of ways as implementation of the White Paper proceeds.

  Prescription Fraud
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to reduce prescription fraud. [34397]
  133
  Mr. Milburn
  On 7 January, we announced a comprehensive programme of action, which includes plans to create a specific criminal offence of prescription charge evasion, improvements to prescription form security, the establishment of a hotline and internet websites for reporting suspected fraud, and the forthcoming appointment of a Fraud Supremo to spearhead this initiative.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce hospital waiting lists. [34398]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave earlier today.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money will be given to the North Essex Health Authority in 1998–99 to reduce hospital waiting lists. [35932]

  Mr. Milburn
  On 18 March 1998,Official Report, columns 1290–304, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that £417 million of the extra £500 million for the National Health Service announced in the Budget will be for the NHS in England. Of this amount, £320 million will be targeted specifically at cutting waiting lists in England. Health authorities will be notified about their allocations shortly.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much new investment in health has been secured since 1 May 1997 through the private finance initiative. [34399]

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much new investment has been secured since 1 May 1997 through the private finance initiative in health. [34406]

  Mr. Milburn
  £360 million of new capital investment has been secured through the private finance initiative since the 1 May 1997—£340 million as a result of 4 major schemes achieving financial close at the following National Health Service trusts: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust; Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS Trust; Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust and South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust; and approximately £20 million through small schemes reaching financial close.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates he has made of the long-term costs of private finance compared with Government borrowing on hospital expansion programmes. [34387]

  Mr. Milburn
  To be approved, a Private Finance Initiative contract must offer better or comparable value for money to the publicly funded alternative.

  Cosmetic Surgery
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the regulation of private cosmetic surgery. [34401]
  134
  Mr. Boateng
  Since the beginning of the year, we have received seven letters and hon. Members have asked six Parliamentary Questions relating to the regulation of private cosmetic surgery.

  Health Service Reforms (NHS)
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to involve frontline NHS staff in health service reforms. [34402]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service White Paper The New NHS: Modern, Dependable (Cmd 3807), published on 9 December 1997, makes clear our commitment to work closely with all those involved in implementing the changes needed to ensure a health service fit for the next century: NHS staff, users and carers, and partner organisations.

  Further emphasis is given to this commitment by the establishment of a taskforce to explore new approaches to staff involvement and identify how frontline health service staff can work with local managers to shape new patterns of healthcare. The 13-strong panel which includes a porter, nurses, doctors, managers, a national union officer and representatives from outside industry will report to Ministers in the autumn.

  National Institute for Clinical Excellence
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the role of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in the NHS. [34403]

  Ms Jowell
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence will give a new coherence and prominence to information about clinical and cost-effectiveness. It will develop and disseminate clinical guidelines based on relevant evidence of clinical and cost-effectiveness so as to inform decision making and support evidence-based practice in the National Health Service. We will be consulting on the Institute's role and responsibilities over the coming months.

  Haemophiliacs
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of haemophilia sufferers to discuss their concerns. [34404]

  Mr. Boateng
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health met the Haemophilia Society on 10 September last year.

  Health Authority Boards
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of appointments to health authority boards which remain outstanding for the most recent period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [34407]

  Mr. Milburn
  As at 12 March 1998, there were vacancies for 1 chairman and 38 non-executive members on health authority boards. We will shortly be considering recommendations from National Health Service regional chairmen for filling these vacancies and the 302 vacancies which will fall due on 1 July 1998 when the terms of office of the present incumbents come to an end.
  135

  Suicides
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he intends to take to reduce the number of suicides among young people. [344081

  Mr. Boateng
  Action is already being taken on a number of fronts including the pilot of a telephone helpline for young men who may be experiencing distress; restrictions on paracetamol and aspirin pack sizes and improvements in warnings about the effect of overdose; increasing public awareness and understanding about mental illness; educating health and social care professionals about depression; audit of serious incidents and the dissemination of findings; and improving primary and secondary mental health services.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review whether ambulance services should be permitted to prioritise calls within the 999 service; and if he will make a statement. [34117]

  Mr. Boateng
  The widely supported prioritisation of 999 calls is intended to improve response times to life-threatening calls, while maintaining the present standard for other less immediately urgent cases. A research evaluation is under way to test whether this initiative is successful in improving outcomes for patients. We have no present plans for a review.

  Infant Mortality
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the infant mortality rate in(a) London and (b) the rest of the United Kingdom. [35411]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 20 March 1998]: In 1996, there were 6.4 deaths of children aged under age 1 per 1,000 live births in Greater London as compared to 6.1 in the United Kingdom. The Green Paper, Our Healthier Nation, sets out our proposals for tackling these inequalities in health which will be informed by the independent inquiry into inequalities in health, led by Sir Donald Acheson.

  Health Service Bureaucracy
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets he has for redirecting funds from NHS bureaucracy into patient care. [34400]

  Mr. Milburn
  The White Paper The New NHS sets out a programme of action to sweep away the bureaucracy of the internal market. Over the lifetime of this parliament, £1 billion that would otherwise have been spent on bureaucracy will be released for patient care.

  Under-age Drinking
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department has conducted to discover whether a link exists between under-age alcohol consumption and the(a) incidence of teenage pregnancies and (b) spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. [35291]

  Mr. Boateng
  None.
  136

  Prescription Charge Exemptions
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of introducing exemptions from prescription charges for people with chronic heart conditions requiring treatment by drugs. [35972]

  Mr. Milburn
  No such estimate has been made.

  National Health Service Centre for Coding and Classification
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to regularise the extra-statutory payments position in relation to the NHS Centre for Coding and Classification following the recent National Audit Office report. [35855]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department has already regularised the position using delegated authority.

  Health Authority Auditors
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the names and addresses of the(a) internal and (b) external auditors to (i) the Trent Regional Health Authority between 1990–91 and 1995–96 and (ii) Leicestershire Health Authority from 1995–96 to date. [35856]

  Mr. Milburn
  The names and addresses of the external and internal auditors for the Trent Regional Health Authority and Leicestershire Health Authority were:

  Trent Regional Health Authority

  External Auditors 1990–91 to 1995–96

  District Audit (formerly known as the District Audit Service)

  Lake House

  Acorn Business Park

  Woodseats Close

  Sheffield S8 02B

  Internal Auditors 1990–91 to 1995–96

  Up to 31 March 1995 this function was carried out in-house

  From 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996 the service was purchased from:

  Sheffield Health Authority

  5 Old Fulwood Road

  Sheffield

  South Yorkshire S10 3TG

  Leicestershire Health Authority

  External Auditors 1990–91 to 1995–96

  District Audit

  2nd Floor

  1 Friarsgate

  1011 Stratford Road

  Solihull

  West Midlands B90 4BN

  Internal Auditors from 1995–96 to date

  Shires Audit and Management Services (Leicestershire Health Authority)

  Enklon House

  92 Regent Road

  Leicester LE1 7PE.

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  Redbridge and Waltham Forest Health Authority
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  ECGD Debt Conversion Scheme
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  Agriculture Council, 16–17 March
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