Written Answers of 6 May 1998

TREASURY

  Self-assessment
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the impact on the public finances of(a) the introduction of self-assessment and the six month advance in payments by the self-employed and (b) the moving forward of corporation tax. [39561]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Self-assessment has not led to an advance in payment dates for the self-employed. The payment dates for the tax due for any year were previously the 1 January of that year and the 1 July immediately following. The position is much the same under self-assessment, with payments on account due on the 31 January and 31 July. The balance of the tax due for the year is then payable on the following 31 January. The overall effect on tax yield of self-assessment compared to the old system is very much a matter of speculation because of changes in taxpayer behaviour. However, it seems likely that the main behavioural effect of self-assessment has been to encourage taxpayers to bring their tax affairs up to date, and has led to some previously undeclared income being declared to the Inland Revenue.

  The changes to payment arrangements for corporation tax will first take effect in 1999. The estimated revenue effects of the abolition of ACT and the introduction of quarterly payments of corporation tax are set out in Table C.1. and paragraph C.87 of The Financial Statement and Budget Report March 1998.

  Duty Free
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will raise the issue of the proposed abolition of duty free sales at the meeting of Ecofin on 19 May. [39887]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There are no plans at present to raise this issue at the 19 May Ecofin. However, in the light of the comments made in the Transport Council on 17 March, consideration is currently being given to how best to progress the issue bearing in mind the heavy anticipated agendas of future Ecofin meetings and the fact that this matter was discussed over lunch in Ecofin as recently as 9 March where there was no enthusiasm for reopening the issue.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the European Parliament's resolution on the abolition of duty free sales. [39886]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have noted the European Parliament's resolution on the abolition of intra-EU duty free sales.

  Tax Inspector's Estates
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total value of H. M. Tax Inspector's Estates; and what percentage of the accommodation is not presently occupied. [40126]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The total value of the Inland Revenue's estate is £225 million. Some 2.7 per cent. of available space is vacant.

  VAT (Building Repairs)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons he has not applied to the EU for the discretion to apply a reduced rate of value-added tax for selected labour-intensive industries in respect of restoration and repairs of(a) churches and (b) historic buildings. [39872]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 April 1998]: There is currently no provision in the relevant EC legislation for an optional reduced rate for labour-intensive services. The European Commission has floated the idea of such an experimental reduced rate for a limited range of such services, which would not include restoration and churches or most historic buildings. Adoption of this proposal would require unanimity and Member States remain divided as to the merits of this initiative, so there is little prospect of it being pursued.

  VAT (Musical Instruments)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce exemptions in respect of VAT for students in sixth form colleges when purchasing musical instruments. [40576]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Musical instruments when supplied by a VI form college to its own students for use in a course of instruction are outside the scope of VAT when provided at or below cost.

  Customs (Green Channel)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what policies are applied by HM Customs when deciding which passengers to search in the green channel. [40430]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Passengers are searched only where Customs have reasonable grounds to suspect that they are carrying smuggled goods.

  Electronic Purses
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has to review the legal definition of a bank deposit to reflect the current electronic purse developments. [40756]

  Mrs. Liddell
  None.

  VAT (International Passenger Transport)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the zero-rating of value added tax on international passenger transport. [40379]
  383
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 5 May 1998]: It is the Government's policy to maintain the current zero rate on international passenger transport.

  Financial Services (Regulation)
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the measures to be included in the proposed Bill reforming the regulation of financial services which are aimed at sustaining confidence in United Kingdom financial markets. [41214]

  Mr. Darling
  The financial markets play a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient allocation of resources within the economy. This is at the heart of growth and continued prosperity—resources going where they are best employed. It is vital that these markets are a fair and clean place to do business. The Financial Services Authority's (FSA) objectives will include sustaining confidence in the UK financial sector and markets and assisting in the detection and prevention of financial crime.

  I intend that the new bill will equip the FSA with all the necessary powers to enable them to fulfil these objectives. As the Economic Secretary said in answer to a question by my hon. Friend on 7 April 1998, Official Report, columns 152–53, the new legislation will enable the FSA to make rules binding on authorised firms for the protection of investors, depositors and policyholders. The FSA will also be able to make rules requiring firms to have appropriate anti-money laundering systems and controls in place. Breach of these rules will potentially trigger an array of intervention and disciplinary actions among which will be a power to levy fines on regulated institutions.

  The new legislation on which we plan to consult in the Summer will also greatly enhance the FSA's ability to combat market abuse. I intend to introduce a new civil fines regime which will allow the FSA to impose fines on any person or firm, whether part of the regulated community or not, who engages in market abuse, for example market manipulation or misuse of privileged information. The intention is to deter abusive behaviour which undermines confidence in the UK financial markets and which, if unchecked, would ultimately damage the integrity of those markets. The legislation will give the Treasury the power to prescribe markets, and instruments traded on those markets, to be covered by the new regime. We are planning to consult on the basis that the initial coverage will be abuse, on or off-market, which affects investments traded on recognised investment exchanges.

  The legislation providing for the new civil fines regime will also require the FSA to produce a Code of Market Conduct to supplement the basic provisions defining the abuses. The aim of this Code, which the Courts and Appeals Tribunal will have to have regard to, is to give guidance in general terms to market participants as to what kinds of behaviour are likely to be acceptable and what unacceptable. The FSA will be consulting on a draft of this Code shortly.

  This new regime will complement, not replace, the existing criminal offences of market manipulation and insider dealing. Where criminal offences have been committed, criminal proceedings, as now, will be the appropriate course to take. As the FSA will have the
  384
  relevant knowledge and expertise, I intend that the bill will allow the FSA to take criminal prosecutions of insider dealing and market manipulation offences itself. The DTI, SFO and CPS will retain concurrent powers. The FSA will also be able to prosecute criminal breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations.

  It is right to provide the regulator with an effective array of sanctions, but these must be balanced by a satisfactory appeals mechanism. We are proposing to create a new single tribunal to consider appeals against the FSA's exercise of its regulatory powers. The tribunal will be entirely independent of the FSA, and will be managed as part of the Court Service.

  I also intend to improve the range of sanctions available to the Competent Authority for listing (currently the London Stock Exchange) to deal with breaches of the listing rules by those admitted to the Official List. The bill will therefore give the Competent Authority the power to impose fines for breaches of the listing rules by issuers or by directors.

  In addition, I propose to make a number of changes to improve the regulatory regime for investment exchanges and clearing houses. The UK has a wide range of respected and internationally competitive recognised investment exchanges and clearing houses which have played a large part in ensuring that the UK markets are, and are perceived to be, fair and well-regulated.

  I intend that the draft legislation to be published for consultation in the Summer will build on the existing exemption regime under which investment exchanges and clearing houses will fulfil certain regulatory criteria can be recognised by the FSA and be exempted from the need to be authorised. The new Bill will incorporate improvements to this regime. These will include a power for the FSA to issue directions to recognised investment exchanges and clearing houses to take necessary steps to meet the recognition criteria. Recognised investment exchanges and clearing houses will also be given immunity from suit by their members for regulatory actions.

  Taken together with the other changes to be introduced in the new bill, these measures will further enhance the UK's position as one of the best-regulated, and thus most attractive, financial markets in the world.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Waste Imports
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what quantities of waste have been imported for disposal, broken down by type, and origin, for each year since 1983. [39972]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 29 April 1998]: Information relating to transnational shipments of waste into and out of England and Wales is collected on behalf of my Department and the Welsh Office by the Environment Agency. Information on such shipments into and out of Scotland and Northern Ireland is collected annually by my Department from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Environment and Heritage Service respectively.
  385
  The tables show the statistics that are available on the quantities of waste imported into the United Kingdom for disposal, broken down by type and by origin, since 1989–90. Figures from the calendar year 1994 onwards are not comparable with those for previous years because of a change in the regulations governing the supervision

  Amounts imported (tonnes) for disposal by country of origin in England and Wales from 1989–90 to 1993–94

  Amount imported (tonnes) for disposal in England and Wales

  Country of origin

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Total imported for disposal

  Ireland

  1,706

  3,986

  3,377

  2,860

  10,806

  22,735

  Luxembourg

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6,494

  6,494

  Germany

  886

  1,010

  3,010

  9,354

  32,645

  46,905

  Italy

  1,653

  3,583

  3,629

  2,826

  2,495

  14,186

  Portugal

  0

  1,185

  0

  0

  573

  1,758

  Spain

  0

  1,194

  887

  1,381

  1,300

  4,762

  Netherlands

  10,068

  3,949

  5,357

  5,701

  8,088

  33,163

  Brazil

  0

  0

  0

  0

  277

  277

  Belgium

  5,257

  9,420

  10,972

  9,658

  1,055

  36,362

  Denmark

  0

  0

  0

  0

  157

  157

  France

  0

  0

  0

  0

  344

  344

  Switzerland

  5,234

  13,741

  13,944

  8,334

  710

  41,963

  Austria

  0

  2,912

  3,111

  2,823

  107

  8,953

  Sweden

  1,241

  1,595

  613

  818

  263

  4,530

  USA

  4,037

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4,037

  Other

  1,836

  1,762

  2,004

  2,148

  1,155

  8,905

  Total

  31,918

  44,335

  46,903

  45,904

  66,468

  —

  Amount imported (tonnes) for disposal by country of origin in the United Kingdom from 1994 to 1996

  Amount imported (tonnes) for disposal in the United Kingdom

  Country of origin

  19941

  19951,2

  19961

  Total imported for disposal

  Ireland

  9,070

  7,141

  17,458

  33,669

  Luxembourg

  1,635

  4,054

  5,457

  11,145

  Germany

  9,511

  656

  321

  10,488

  Italy

  2,873

  708

  1,775

  5,356

  Portugal

  398

  518

  2,115

  3,031

  Spain

  395

  400

  1,466

  2,262

  Netherlands

  1,334

  60

  431

  1,824

  Brazil

  337

  45

  0

  382

  Belgium

  209

  144

  15

  367

  Denmark

  226

  114

  0

  339

  France

  65

  85

  72

  222

  Switzerland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Austria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sweden

  0

  0

  0

  0

  USA

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other

  703

  90

  469

  1,262

  Total

  26,756

  14,014

  29,579

  —

  1 No imports were received in Scotland for disposal

  2 No data for Northern Ireland are available

  Amount imported (tonnes) for disposal by waste type: 1989/90–1993/94

  Type of waste

  1989/90

  1990/91

  1991/92

  1992/93

  1993/94

  Inorganic and organic acids

  53

  10

  1,317

  1,047

  210

  Alkalis

  454

  2,939

  1,506

  120

  1,362

  Toxic metal compounds

  800

  185

  685

  120

  192

  Non-toxic metal compounds

  167

  0

  164

  0

  0

  Metals (elemental) and metal oxides

  5,457

  0

  0

  122

  201

  Inorganic compounds

  589

  758

  674

  459

  1,936

  Other inorganic materials

  5,141

  0

  12,687

  10,780

  9,660

  Organic compounds (excluding PCBs)

  2,191

  8,936

  7,595

  5,052

  2,244

  PCBs/PCB contaminated waste

  3,246

  3,928

  3,196

  4,781

  3,744

  Polymeric materials and precursors

  168

  490

  296

  843

  2,450

  Fuels, oils and greases

  411

  885

  29

  4,495

  18,700

  Fine chemicals and biocides

  716

  1,361

  2,410

  3,534

  3,648

  Miscellaneous chemical waste

  1,475

  406

  1,874

  777

  3,096

  386
  and control of transnational shipments of waste. Under the previous regulations, only hazardous waste needed to be notified, whereas all wastes shipped are now notifiable under the new regulations. The information relating to the calendar year 1994 relates only to the period after 6 May 1994 when the new regulations came into effect.
  387

  Amount imported (tonnes) for disposal by waste type: 1989/90–1993/94

  Type of waste

  1989/90

  1990/91

  1991/92

  1992/93

  1993/94

  Filter materials, sludge and rubbish

  4,027

  6,086

  7,904

  8,892

  5,934

  Interceptor wastes, paints, tars, pigments

  3,355

  1,318

  2,867

  1,213

  2,173

  Miscellaneous wastes

  3,589

  16,992

  3,218

  3,230

  10,916

  Animal food wastes

  81

  43

  0

  0

  0

  Hospital and similar wastes

  0

  0

  481

  439

  0

  Total for England and Wales

  31,918

  44,335

  46,903

  45,904

  66,468

  Scotland

  0

  182

  17

  164

  40

  Northern Ireland

  0

  0

  0

  950

  1,485

  United Kingdom

  31,918

  44,517

  46,920

  47,018

  67,993

  Amount imported (tonnes) for disposal by waste type: 1994–1996

  19941

  19951,2

  19961

  Wastes consisting of, or contaminated with:

  Health care wastes

  227

  196

  536

  Fine chemicals and biocides

  8,688

  5,966

  11,353

  Organic solvents, including halogenated organic solvents

  586

  1,007

  1,458

  Inorganic and organic cyanides

  320

  0

  0

  Mineral oils, oil/water and hydrocarbon/water mixtures

  506

  30

  231

  PCBs and PCB contaminated items

  1,767

  627

  1,991

  Tarry residues from refining, distillation and pyrolitic treatment

  150

  21

  0

  Inks, paint, dyes and pigments

  338

  496

  1,149

  Polymeric materials and precursors

  255

  70

  608

  Photographic chemicals and materials

  0

  0

  0

  Wastes from the treatment of metals and plastics

  27

  81

  219

  Residues from industrial waste disposal

  583

  928

  3,981

  Heavy metals and their compounds

  100

  153

  1,429

  Arsenic fluorine compounds

  0

  0

  8

  Inorganic fluorine compounds

  737

  0

  0

  Acids and bases in solid form or solution

  793

  66

  19

  Phenols, Ethers and Organohalons not elsewhere specified

  164

  41

  73

  Wastes collected from households

  245

  0

  0

  Residues from incineration of household waste

  1,579

  3,013

  6,513

  Unclassified

  9,693

  1,319

  11

  Total for United Kingdom

  26,756

  14,014

  29,579

  1 No imports were received in Scotland for disposal

  2 No data for Northern Ireland are available

  Housing (Disabled Access)
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require local authorities to use a proportion of their capital receipts to renovate and refurbish existing housing stock to accessible standards. [40337]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have given local authorities flexibility to apply the additional resources made available under the Capital Receipts Initiative to meet local priorities for investment in housing and housing related regeneration. The works they undertake may include improving accessibility as part of renovations and refurbishments of existing stock where that is a local priority.

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department conducts with the Department of Health concerning the impact on traffic levels of the closure of local hospital facilities. [40475]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department is in regular contact with the Department of Health on policy issues which have a possible impact on transport, including 388
  traffic levels. These issues are currently being considered in the development of the Integrated Transport White Paper which will be published later this year. The town planning and transport aspects of local hospital facility closures is primarily a matter for the relevant NHS Trust and the local authority.

  Disposable Nappies
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what life-cycle analysis his Department has carried out on disposable nappies. [40601]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department has not carried out any life cycle analysis on disposable nappies. The Environment Agency are aware of a number of inconclusive studies comparing the merits of disposable and non-disposable nappies. They are developing computer software to enable industry to conduct life cycle analyses for individual waste streams, and will be encouraging industry to use it.

  Guidance on the handling of disposable nappies will be set out in a revised version of the Health and Safety Advisory Commission document, entitled "Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste", which is due to be published later this year.

  Female Sanitary Products
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what life-cycle analysis has been carried out on female sanitary products. [40602]

  Angela Eagle
  I am not aware of any life-cycle analysis having been carried out on these products. Guidance on the handling of sanitary products will be set out in a revised version of the Health and Safety Commission document, entitled "Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste", which is due to be published later this year.

  Development in Sequence
  Mr. Wills
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that development in sequence is made an integral part of the planning process. [40436]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Development in sequence, the process by which development proceeds to an orderly timetable, has been an integral part of the planning system for many years. Local authorities are required to draw up development plans for their areas which establish a framework for future development.

  Our document "Planning for the Communities of the Future" indicated that we will consult on the development of a sequential approach to selecting locations for new housing.

  Genetically Modified Potatoes
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow the introduction of genetically manipulated potatoes into the United Kingdom; and which modifications will be permitted. [40418]

  Angela Eagle
  No applications have been made to place genetically modified potatoes on the market or grow them commercially. Twenty-two approvals have been granted for research trials to grow genetically modified potatoes. The genetic modifications made to the potatoes have included altered sugar and starch metabolism, nematode and virus resistance and selectable marker genes used in the genetic modification process.

  Mobile Homes
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 1997,Official Report, column 243, when he expects his Department's review of issues relating to mobile homes to be concluded; and if he will make a statement. [40575]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 5 May 1998]: As part of our review, we are setting up a working party comprising representatives from national residents' groups, the two main trade associations, local authorities and officials from my Department. The first meeting of the working party will take place later this month. Once it has agreed its terms of reference and programme of work, we will have a clearer idea of the timetable for competing our review.

  London Government
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the(a) transitional and (b) future costs of the London Mayor and Assembly; and what savings or additional costs will be incurred in comparison with the cost of quangos and central Government responsibilities the London Mayor and Assembly will be replacing. [40858]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have estimated that the Government may need to spent up to £20 million on preparing for the GLA. We have also estimated that the Mayor and Assembly and new central GLA services would cost around £20 million a year. We expect this cost to be offset over time through savings in the Government Office for London, other Government Departments, and the London Boroughs from eliminating wasteful duplication and conflicting activities across London, and efficiencies within the GLA and the bodies and authorities which will come within its remit.

  Coastguard Watch Officers
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many watch officers are currently employed at Forth and Tyne-Tees coastguard stations. [40902]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are currently 17 watch-keeping Officers employed at both Forth Coastguard Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre and Tyne Tees Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre. The grades included in these totals include: Watch Managers, Senior Watch Officers, Watch Officers and Watch Assistants.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the Fourth report of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1997–98, on Air Traffic Control. [40643]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We hope to respond quickly to the report on air traffic control and we expect to do so within the usual two-month period for responses to Select Committee reports.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take to include representatives of people from ethnic minority communities on public bodies covering the Greater London area. [40911]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government are committed to providing equality of opportunity to all members of our society. Ethnic minorities occupy some 3.6% of the appointments to the boards of public bodies many of which are based in London. Appointments to these bodies are made in accordance with the guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. This emphasises appointments on merit using fair selection procedures. But it is equally clear that ethnic minorities are not applying for these posts in sufficient numbers. To redress this as part of a general awareness-raising exercise, the Government Office for London recently wrote out to all the Single Regeneration Budget funded partnerships
  391
  operating in London to invite them to put forward names to the Cabinet Office's Public Appointments Unit and to respond to individual departmental trawls as vacancies arise. The PAU Register currently carries some 5,500 names, of which around 6% are of ethnic minorities.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many and what proportion of his Department's appointees to non-departmental public bodies are (i) aged under 25, (ii) aged 25 to 30 and (iii) aged 31 to 35 years. [40747]

  Angela Eagle
  No central record is maintained of the age of current appointees to non-departmental bodies sponsored by my Department. I regret, therefore, that the information cannot be provided in the form requested.

  The Government are committed to encouraging a wide range of candidates to apply for positions on the boards of public bodies, reflecting the diverse society in which we live. This includes encouraging more young people to put themselves forward as potential candidates for public appointments. All appointments are made on merit, and candidates must demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and experience to match the needs of the public body on which they wish to serve.

  West Midlands Regional Chamber
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from organisations in the West Midlands in support of a voluntary regional chamber in the region. [40229]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department has received a number of representations about a regional chamber in the West Midlands following publication of the Government's White Paper "Building Partnership for Prosperity" in December last year. The West Midlands Local Government Association has now produced a consultation paper on a regional chamber and is currently seeking the views of regional organisations. I look forward to receiving a final proposal later this year.

  Disabled People (Housing)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to improve the accessibility of new-built private sector homes for people with disabilities. [40231]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) on 9 March 1998,Official Report, columns 11–12.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce fiscal discrimination to encourage the development of regional airports. [40232]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the scope for more flexible 392
  public-private partnerships to facilitate greater investment at those regional airports owned by local authorities. [40233]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have recently published a consultation document on local government capital finance. Chapter 8 discusses the private finance initiative and public/private partnerships. We will welcome views on our approach to the longer term development of the private finance initiative and the wider role of partnerships for local authorities, including local authority airports.

  Small Commercial Vessels
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) which certifying authorities operating under his authority to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Commercial Motor Vessels through the survey and certification of vessels operate in the North of Scotland; [40856]

  (2) what qualifications are required for approval as a certifying authority authorised to undertake survey and certification of vessels for compliance with the Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Commercial Motor Vessels. [40857]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are 11 Certifying Authorities (CA), in addition to the MCA, with the authority to survey and certificate vessels for compliance with the Code of Practice (see Annex A). These authorities cover the UK and are not exclusive to the North of Scotland.

  The CAs must be able to demonstrate that they:

  have relevant maritime expertise

  have an accountable management system

  have put into place suitable policy procedures for survey and certification

  can satisfy periodic auditing of quality control procedures by MCA staff

  permit staff only to be involved in aspects of the work in which they have recent and relevant experience

  have adequate liability cover

  Codes of Practice for small Commercial Motor and Sailing Vessels: list of certifying authorities.

  American Bureau of Shipping

  ABS House

  1 Frying Pan Alley

  London

  E1 7HR

  Telephone number: 0171 247 3255

  Fax number: 0171 247 4084

  Contact: Survey Manager

  Det Norske Veritas

  Palace House

  3 Cathedral Street

  London

  SE1 9DE

  Telephone number: 0171 357 6080

  Fax number: 0171 407 1245

  Contact: Ship Department. Manager

  393

  Lloyd's Register of Shipping

  100 Leadenhall Street

  London

  EC3A 3BP

  Telephone number: 0171 709 9166 Ext: 2694

  Fax number: 0171 488 4796

  Contact: Mr. C. M. Magill

  Construction Services Department

  Royal Yachting Association

  RYA House

  Romsey Road

  Eastleigh

  S05 4YA

  Telephone number: 01703 627400

  Fax number: 01703 629924

  Contact: Mr. W. Anderson

  Bureau Veritas

  Capital House

  42 Weston Street

  London

  SE1 3QL

  Telephone number: 0171 403 6266

  Fax number: 0171 403 1590

  Contact: Mr. F. Hardy/T. Brooks

  Germanischer Lloyd

  UK Branch

  Elm Court

  53 Elmcroft Road

  Orpington

  Kent

  BR6 0HZ

  Telephone number: 01689 891911

  Fax number: 01689 891876

  Contact: Mr. C. D. Sawyer

  The Society of Consulting Marine Engineers and Ship Surveyors

  The Italian Building

  Little London

  41 Dockhead

  London

  SE1 2BS

  Telephone number: 0171 237 3034

  Fax number: 0171 237 3888

  Contact: Mr. P. R. Hicks (Secretary)

  Yacht Brokers Designers and Surveyors Association

  Wheel House

  Petersfield Road

  Whitehill, Bordon

  Hants

  GU35 9BU

  Telephone number: 01420 473862

  Fax number: 01420 488328

  Contact: Mrs. R. Boxall

  394

  Burness Corlett and Patners Ltd.

  Beresford House

  Town Quay

  Southampton

  SO1 0AQ

  Telephone number: 01703 339449

  Fax number: 01703 339440/339565

  Contact: Mr. John Barker

  Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions

  Marine Safety Agency

  Spring Place

  105 Commercial Road

  Southampton

  S015 1EG

  Telephone number: 01703 329150

  Fax number: 01703 329161

  Contact: Miss L. Weller

  Marine Engineers Certifying Authority Ltd.

  The Memorial Building

  76 Mark Lane

  London

  EC3R 7JN

  Telephone number: 0171 481 8493

  Fax number: 0171 488 1854

  Contact: Mr. K. J. Anderson

  Registro Italiano Navale (Rina)

  14 Waterloo Place

  London

  SW1Y 4AR

  Telephone number: 0171 839 6099

  Fax number: 0171 930 2950

  Contact: Mr. G. Poerio.

  Cryptosporidium
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has completed his review of the implications of the failed prosecution of South West Water in relation to the outbreak of cryptosporidium in the Torbay area in 1995; and if he will make a statement. [41216]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have concluded that there is a case for increased monitoring at water treatment plants that are most at risk of releasing Cryptosporidium into drinking water supplies. I propose therefore to begin consultations on amendments to the Regulations on drinking water quality to require continuous monitoring of the treated water to detect Cryptosporidium at such plants. If this monitoring detects the presence of the organism at an unacceptable level, the Drinking Water Inspectorate will consider prosecution of the company. There would be a new criminal offence of failing to treat water to adequately remove Cryptosporidium oocysts. On conviction in a Crown Court, the offence would carry a penalty of an unlimited fine. The intention is to encourage the operation of water treatment plants in line with best practice, which should prevent Cryptosporidium in drinking water causing illness. I have arranged for a copy of the consultation paper on my proposals to be placed in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Parliamentary Elections (Priests)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to remove the prohibition on Church of England and Roman Catholic priests standing for election to Parliament. [40246]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have no plans to do so and have had no request from the Churches to do so.

  Visitors' Leave to Enter
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) Malaysians, (b) Jamaicans, (c) Barbadians, (d) Zimbabweans, (e) Ghanians, (f) Bangledeshis, (g) Indians, (h) Pakistanis, (i) Russians, (j) Poles, (k) United States citizens and (/) Canadians were (i) granted leave to enter the United Kingdom as visitors and (ii) refused leave to enter the United Kingdom in 1997 to the latest available date. [40307]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Data for the whole of 1997 are given in the table.

  Nationality

  Passengers granted leave to enter as visitors1

  Passengers refused leave to enter and removed

  Malaysia

  115,000

  389

  Jamaica

  19,300

  922

  Barbados

  5,180

  37

  Zimbabwe

  17,600

  289

  Ghana

  22,300

  285

  Bangladesh

  12,700

  105

  India

  197,000

  379

  Pakistan

  67,600

  515

  Russia

  89,700

  191

  Poland

  175,000

  3,976

  USA

  2,830,000

  1,019

  Canada

  475.000

  331

  1 Rounded to three significant figures.

  Parc Prison
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since it opened, and on what dates, Parc Prison, Bridgend, has called upon neighbouring prisons for help with disturbances; which prisons responded sending how many prison officers and at what cost; and on how many occasions Parc Prison has reciprocated. [40390]

  Ms Quin
  Parc prison has requested assistance from neighbouring prisons for help with disturbances on two occasions since it opened on 17 November 1997. On both occasions, a total of 43 staff were provided by other establishments. On 20 February, 14 staff from Swansea, 14 from Cardiff and 15 from Usk attended at a total cost of £1,788. On 18 April, 14 staff from Cardiff, 14 from Swansea and 15 from Bristol provided assistance at a total cost of £1,806.

  There has been no request to date for Parc to reciprocate under these mutual aid arrangements.

  Custodial Sentences
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reviews his Department has 396
  carried out of the maximum sentence of custody which can be imposed by (i) a magistrates' court and (ii) a youth court. [40185]

  Mr. Michael
  The Magistrates' Association has proposed a change in the sentencing powers of magistrates' courts to allow them to impose up to 12 months' imprisonment, instead of the current six months' maximum. We are considering whether there are some circumstances in which such a change might be appropriate, but any change of this type would need very careful consideration of its effect on the prison population and on the rest of the criminal justice system.

  We have set out our proposals for imposing custody on juveniles in Chapter 6 of the White Paper 'No More Excuses—A New Approach to Tackling Youth Crime in England and Wales' published in November last year. We intend to replace the existing custodial sentences of Detention in a Young Offenders Institution (15–17 year olds) and the Secure Training Order with a new Detention and Training Order. The Detention and Training Order will be available to all criminal courts on a similar basis and sentences of up to two years will be possible; half the term of the Order will normally be spent in custody while the remainder will be spent in the community under supervision. The Detention and Training Order is being introduced in the Crime and Disorder Bill.

  Immigration Tribunals
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discretion exists to allow new information to be considered by the appeal tribunal in immigration cases. [40205]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In immigration appeals, the appellate authorities may take into account only those facts which were in existence at the time the decision was taken or which could have reasonably been expected to happen. In asylum appeals, the appellate authorities may take into account any facts in existence at the time of the hearing of the appeal.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time between the original request for leave to remain in the United Kingdom and the appeal stage in immigration cases. [40201]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information is that, for non-asylum immigration cases decided in 1997, the average length of time between the request for leave to remain in the United Kingdom and being refused in which there was a right of appeal was 246 days. To this is added the time taken to lodge an appeal, which is a maximum of 14 days.

  Domestic Violence
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 April 1998,Official Report, column 259, if his Department will assess the advantages of recording separately court proceedings relating to domestic violence. [40577]

  Mr. Michael
  As part of developing our strategy on domestic violence, we have been looking at how best to define domestic violence, whether it is possible to collect statistics in a form which would be more helpful in
  397
  illustrating its prevalence and nature, and how any such statistics might be collected and recorded. In the meantime, statistics on court proceedings will continue to be based on the specific offence in respect of which proceedings were brought, rather than the context in which that offence was committed.

  Victim Support
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the funding of victim support schemes in North Wales. [40532]

  Mr. Michael
  Home Office grant to local victim support schemes and witness services is allocated by Victim Support's Local Funding Panel. The Panel is a sub-committee of Victim Support's National Council and is independent of local groups. It considers applications from local schemes and witness services in accordance with grant criteria, agreed annually between Victim Support and the Home Office.

  In 1996–97 (the last year for which full figures are available), the Home Office provided a grant of £11.7 million to Victim Support. Some £10.4 million of this was channelled to local schemes and witness services via the Local Funding Panel. The North Wales Victim Support Scheme received a grant of £41,208.

  Benzodiazepines
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prescriptions for benzodiazepine drugs were issued by the Prison Medical Service in 1996. [40455]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information sought could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  There is pharmacy information relating to a sample of prisons. However, it is not possible to disaggregate these data reliably to estimate the number of benzodiazepine prescriptions. A specific survey would be needed involving a representative sample of prisons.

  Criminals (Assets)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the revenues raised by seizing the assets of criminals in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [40236]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 30 April 1998]: Between April 1994 and March 1997, the following sums were remitted to the Consolidated Fund under the confiscation legislation which applies in England and Wales:

  Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 and Drug Trafficking Act 1994

  £

  Year

  Amount

  1994–95

  5,135,000

  1995–96

  5,343,000

  1996–97

  7,415,000

  398

  Criminal Justice Act 1988 and Criminal Justice Act 1988 as amended by the Proceeds of Crime Act 1995

  £

  Year

  Amount

  1994–95

  1,319,000

  1995–96

  1,024,000

  1996–97

  1,343,000

  Figures for 1997–98 will not be available until later this year.

  Pet Boarding Establishments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the regulations concerning pet boarding establishments. [40533]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The operation of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 is kept under consideration. There are no plans at present to review the legislation.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department gives to police authorities with regard to insuring special constables; and if he will make a statement. [40859]

  Mr. Michael
  Arrangements to compensate special constables who are injured on duty are contained in the Special Constables Regulations. The courts have held that, where a statutory scheme exists, supplementary payments are unlawful because the statutory scheme is exhaustive. The Police (Insurance of Voluntary Assistants) Act 1997, which came into effect on 21 March last year, specifically excluded special constables for this reason.

  The 1995–96 Special Constabulary Working Group reviewed the compensation arrangements and recommended a number of changes to the regulations. The Group considered the question of compensation through insurance but was not convinced that private insurance would provide any better cover than could be provided under suitably amended regulations.

  Proposals for new regulations were set out in a consultation paper which was sent to the police staff associations, the Association of Police Authorities and the special constabularies last December. Comments received from those bodies are currently under consideration and we aim to lay new regulations before Parliament later this year.

  A copy of the consultation paper was placed in the Library in December 1997.

  Mary Bell
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the role of(a) the Probation Service and (b) his Department in the publication of the book "Cries Unheard"; and if they were aware in advance of any proposed payment to Mary Bell. [41060]
  399
  Mr. Straw
  I have asked the Permanent Secretary of the Home Office to investigate the circumstances in which Home Office officials became aware that Mary Bell, convicted for manslaughter and released on life licence, was proposing to co-operate with Gitta Sereny in the writing of a book about her life, to establish what procedures and instructions were in place to guide proper consideration of the case, and to make recommendations for improvement in handling such cases in future. I have asked for a report by the end of June, with the intention of making the main findings public.

  The Probation Service is separately reviewing their involvement in events leading up to the publication of the book and I have asked for a report on the outcome.

  Police Officers
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 April 1998,Official Report, column 703, when he expects to publish figures for the number of police officers in England and Wales on 31 March. [41011]

  Mr. Michael
  This information is currently being collected in accordance with routine procedures. Once all the returns have been received from the police and validated, the statistics will be placed in the Library. I expect this information to be available in early June. The figures for the year to March 1997 were published on 10 June 1997.

PRIME MINISTER

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Prime Minister how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39402]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 April 1998]: Since 1 May 1997, I have appointed or re-appointed 62 men and 24 women to serve on the boards of non-departmental public bodies. Of these, 22 men (81 per cent.) and 5 women (19 per cent.) have been appointed to paid posts and 40 men (68 per cent.) and 19 women (32 per cent.) have been appointed to unpaid posts. The Figures given in this answer include all appointments and re-appointments directly within my gift, made by officials and Ministers on my behalf, and made by Her Majesty The Queen on my advice.

  The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, all Departments are currently drawing up action plans for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 6 May. [40630]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. Later today, together with the right hon. Member for Huntingdon, (Mr. Major), I will be paying a visit to Northern Ireland.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Supported Employment Placements
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) when the decision will be taken on the level of capitation grant for supported employment placements for 1999–2000; [39637]

  (2) what is the projected level of funding available to the Sheltered Employment and Procurement Consultancy Services for capital grants for 1999–2000 and for 2000–01; [39638]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the impact on income levels of people with disabilities who have approved placements at supported factories of the freeze on the capitation grant for supported employment placements; [39639]

  (4) what assessment his Department has made of the effect on supported factories of the freeze of the capitation grant for supported employment placements; [39640]

  (5) when the decision was taken to freeze the capitation grant for supported employment placements. [39641]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Employment Service works closely with supported employment providers on the operation, and factors affecting delivery, of their contracts including capitation needs, and advises and assists them in devising strategies for improving business efficiency.

  Wages rates are a matter between employer and employee and, where an industry has agreed rates, these will apply in workshops.

  The Supported Employment Consultative Group was advised formally of the grant rate in March 1998 and all contract managers were written to on 6 April.

  In common with other Departments, the Department for Education and Employment has undertaken a comprehensive spending review of all areas of its spending. Announcements will be made in the summer. Capitation grant levels for future years will be set following decisions about the Department's overall base lines.

  Schools (Finance)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to ensure that students in the age group 16 to 18-year-olds attending schools with sixth forms are funded at the same level as students attending colleges in the further education sector. [39952]

  Dr. Howells
  We are looking at the scope for greater equity of funding between school sixth forms and Further Education colleges as part of the Department's Comprehensive Spending Review. We expect that announcements will be made in the Summer.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what checks are made to ensure that schools for 11 to 18- year-olds do not reallocate resources from pupils in the 11 to 16- years-age group to their sixth form students. [39953]
  401
  Dr. Howells
  None, since to do so would be incompatible with the philosophy behind Local Management of Schools (LMS). Under LMS, the governing body of a school with a delegated budget may deploy the resources provided by the Local Education Authority as it thinks fit. This is subject to any restrictions contained in the Authority's LMS scheme and to the overriding requirement that the budget share may be spent only for the purposes of the school.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines his Department issues to further education colleges in England with regard to advertising their courses in Wales. [40013]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department has not issued guidance on this.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what additional resources will become available to the Government as a result of introducing a system of formal resource accounting and budgeting in 2001 and 2002, under which student loans will be treated as a balance sheet asset; and what additional resources will be available to higher education. [40123]

  Dr. Howells
  The treatment of student loans under resource accounting is still under discussion. The resources which will be available to higher education are currently being considered as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to complete the sale of the remaining student loan debt portfolio; and which institutions are bidding for the remaining portfolio. [40122]

  Dr. Howells
  We made a commitment in our election manifesto to staying within the published spending plans of the previous Government for the first two years of our term. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made it clear in his statement, on 10 July 1997,Official Report, columns 607–08, that the student loan debt sales planned for 1997–98 and 1998–99 had a role to play in enabling us to keep that pledge. The debt sales also reflect our commitment to the development of a wide range of public-private partnerships which involve the transfer of risk to the private sector.

  Current plans are for a second sale, involving part of the remaining student loan debt, to get under way shortly and to be completed within the 1998–99 financial year. We will again hold a competition and expect a wide range of prominent financial institutions to participate.

  Lifelong Learning
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for proposals on Lifelong Learning; and if he will make a statement. [40129]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment published his proposals for lifelong learning in the Green Paper,The Learning Age (Cm 3790), on 25 February. The
  402
  consultation period lasts until 24 July. Meanwhile, we have issued several of the "Learning Age Papers" foreshadowed in the Green Paper:

  Higher Education for the 21st Century (published 25 February);

  Further Education for the new Millennium (published 25 February);

  Accountability in Further Education (published 5 March);

  University for Industry Pathfinder Prospectus (published 31 March); and

  Individual Learning Accounts Development Guide (published 8 April).

  Copies of all these documents, which provide further information on particular policy issues and initiatives, have been placed in the Library. In addition, our proposals to improve coherence and accountability in 16–19 planning were sent to the Further Education Funding Council and the Local Government Association on 5 March; and our proposals for 16–19 qualifications were circulated to schools and other interested parties on 3 April.

  School Replacement or Repair
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools which qualify for allocations from the New Deal for schools in 1998–99 for replacement or repair, indicating the new schools to be built. [40208]

  Mr. Byers
  I have placed in the Library a list of the projects which received allocations on 16 April. The allocations in respect of the following schools will result in the schools being replaced:

  Mapplewell Primary School, Barnsley

  Holsworthy Primary School, Devon

  Hartpury C of E Primary School, Gloucestershire

  Marlbrook Primary School, Herefordshire

  St. Alphege C of E Infant School, Kent

  Bacup St. Saviour's School, Lancashire

  Matthew Arnold Primary School, Liverpool

  St. Michael in the Hamlet Junior School, Liverpool

  Pleasant Street Primary School, Liverpool

  Mangotsfield C of E VC Primary School, South Gloucestershire

  Knaphill County Infant School, Surrey

  Ridge Primary School, Sutton

  Normanton Common First School, Wakefield

  Pound Hill School, West Sussex

  Atherton Chowbent School, Wigan

  Queen's Park Community School. Brent.

  In addition, we are supporting a number of public private partnership projects which will result in the replacement or provision of new schools. This support is in the form of contributions to development or project costs, and is dependent on projects securing Treasury Taskforce approval and achieving final contract signature. They include:

  Foxton School, Cambridgeshire

  Hazeldown Primary School and Teignmouth Community College, Devon

  Worlds End Lane Secondary School, Enfield

  Lillian Bayliss School, Lambeth

  Harry Carlton School, Nottinghamshire

  Ecclesfield Secondary School, Sheffield

  403

  Earl Marshal School, Sheffield

  King Edward VII School, Sheffield

  Tapton School, Sheffield

  Sir Graham Balfour School, Stafford

  Westlands School and Homelands Infant School, Torbay

  Mulberry School, Tower Hamlets

  Leyton Secondary School, Waltham Forest.

  Replacement or new schools are also included in PPP projects in Leeds, North Yorkshire, Sandwell and Wiltshire.

  Education Funding
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the recent comments to Politeia by the Chief Inspector of Schools represent the Government's policy on education funding. [40821]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government have a commitment to increase the proportion of national income spent on education. The additional funding made available in 1998–99 is the first step in delivering this pledge.

  Music Teaching
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the range and quality of music teaching in primary schools; and if he will make a statement. [40779]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Music is a National Curriculum foundation subject and must be taught in all primary schools. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is currently advising my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on the broad nature and scope of a review of the National Curriculum for the year 2000. In addition, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools reports annually to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on the range and quality of teaching in all National Curriculum subjects in primary schools, including music.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Education Budget
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of her Department's 1997–98 budget for the generation and dissemination of knowledge was spent in the United Kingdom. [40617]

  Clare Short
  Final figures of expenditure on knowledge generation and dissemination by my Department in 1997–98 are not yet available but are estimated at some £84 million. Data are not maintained of the percentage spent in the United Kingdom. Much of the work was commissioned from United Kingdom institutions which will have incurred expenditure both in this country and in developing countries.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and what proportion of her Department's appointees to non-departmental public bodies are (i) aged under 25, (ii) aged 25 to 30 and (iii) aged 31 to 35 years. [40748]
  404
  Clare Short
  I regret that none of the appointees of DFID to non-departmental public bodies is aged under 35. The Government are committed to encouraging more young people to put themselves forward as potential candidates for public appointment. All appointments are made on merit, and candidates must demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and experience to match the needs of the public body on which they wish to serve.

  Indonesia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the measures her Department has taken to promote the education of children about their rights in Indonesia. [40621]

  Clare Short
  UNICEF takes the lead in the international community in promoting the rights of children as set out in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. As the major advocate for the rights of the child in Indonesia, UNICEF is working with the Government on legal reforms relating to the elimination of hazardous employment of children, juvenile justice, child abuse and neglect, as well as sexual exploitation.

  The Department for International Development is preparing a regional strategy to help tackle the problem of child labour in South East Asia. The need for children to be educated about their rights will be assessed during the preparation of this strategy.

  Tariff Elimination
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made on a multilateral commitment to eliminate tariffs for the least developed countries. [40620]

  Clare Short
  UK policy towards elimination of barriers to trade for Least Developed Countries (LDC) is set out in the Government's White Paper on International Development published in November 1997. The UK has agreed strongly within Europe and internationally (including through the G8) in pushing for the elimination of tariffs on imports from the LDCs and for eventual agreement to eliminate tariffs within a bound WTO scheme.

  Some progress has been made towards this end: a number of member states made commitments to extend their market access for LDCs at the WTO hosted High Level Meeting for LDCs in October last year. Progress will be reviewed at the WTO Ministerial in May this year.

  Under the UK Presidency, agreement has been reached within the EU to extend market access to the imports of the nine non-African, Caribbean and Pacific LDCs on terms similar to those available under the Lomé Convention. The UK see this as a first step and will continue to press for duty-free access to the EU market for all Least Developed Countries. In addition, the UK recognises that complex rules of origin can act as a constraint on taking up preferential access. The UK is therefore pressing for an EU commitment to simplify and harmonise the EU preferential origin rules.

  Research Institutions
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her
  405
  Department has made to developing country research institutions; and what sums were spent on development research carried out in partnership with developing country research institutions in each of the last three years. [40625]

  Clare Short
  My Department works closely with national research systems in developing countries to help generate and apply solutions to the problems which constrain sustainable development. Separate data are not maintained of sums spent on partnerships with developing country research institutes. Available data are in Table 12, page 83, of British Aid Statistics, 1992/93-1996/97, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those visits made within the United Kingdom since 1 May on which(a) he and (b) other Ministers within his Department have been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code indicating (i) those persons accompanying and (ii) the cost to public funds. [23757]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: Since 1 May 1997 I have undertaken no accompanied visits covered under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code. Lady Irvine has accompanied the Lord Chancellor on the following official visits within the United Kingdom since 1 May 1997:

  May—Edinburgh

  June—Glasgow

  November—Chippenham

  December—Lewes

  February—Northern Ireland.

  The total additional cost to public funds was £879.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his estimate of the cost of Ministerial overseas travel in his Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98 to date. [26673]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The total expenditure on travel by Ministers in my Department for these periods is as follows:

  1995–96: £46.159

  1996–97: £50,801

  1997–98: £29,434.

  To separate the figure for overseas travel expenditure from the overall cost of ministerial travel could be done only at a disproportionate cost.

  Written Judgments
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the longest interval between the close of a trial and the delivery of the written judgment of the court since 1987. [38207]
  406
  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: In the vast majority of cases judgments are delivered immediately at the end of trial. Where judgments are reserved, the average period before delivery varies, but, for example, the most recent figure in the Chancery Division is 15 working days and in the Queens Bench Division is 10 working days. The available information indicates that the longest delay in recent years, which was wholly exceptional, was 22 calendar months in the case of Goose v Wilson Sandford (Court of Appeal, 13 February 1998).

  Millennium (Definition)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review whether legislation is needed to clarify, for contracts and other legal purposes, the definition of the terms(a) millennium, (b) eve of the millennium and (c) similar phrases. [40314]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government have no intention of doing so. It is for those drawing up legal documents to ensure that the meaning of any terms which they use denoting times or dates is clear.

  Ramsgate Walkway Disaster
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made in enforcing the payment of fines levied as a consequence of the prosecutions in respect of the Ramsgate walkway disaster of 14 April 1994; and what he intends to do to ensure the compliance of the Swedish companies, Fartgsentreprendar A.B. and Fartygskonstruktioner A.B., with the sentences imposed on them. [40339]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Port of Ramsgate Ltd. and Lloyds Register of Shipping have both paid the fines and costs imposed upon them. The two Swedish companies, Fartgsentreprendar A.B. and Fartygskonstruktioner A.B. have not. Enforcement action against the two Swedish companies has not been successful. Distress warrants were issued but could not be executed because neither company had assets in this country. Unlike the civil jurisdiction there is no convention between the countries of the European Union allowing one country to enforce criminal penalties enforced in another.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sport (Women)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will endorse the 1994 Brighton Declaration on Women in Sport. [24701]

  Mr. Banks
  The Government support the aims of the 1994 Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport. The UK and home country Sports Councils already undertake a number of activities in support of these aims to help women in sport.

  We are considering formal adoption of the declaration and hope to make an announcement in due course.

  Lottery Funding
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many projects applying for Lottery funds have been turned down because of inadequate matching funds; [40240]

  (2) what research his Department has conducted into (a) the number and (b) the type of projects that do not apply for Lottery funds because they cannot raise adequate matching funds. [40241]

  Mr. Banks
  The Lottery distributors do not keep records of how many applications for Lottery funding are turned down because of lack of partnership support. Neither the Department nor the distributors have conducted any research into the extent to which applications are not made because of difficulties in securing such support.

  I am nevertheless concerned about the ability of some applicants to raise partnership support. As a result, the new package of draft Policy Directions governing the distribution of Lottery funds, on which my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Culture, for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland are consulting, require distributors to take into account the extent to which applicants can realistically expect to raise partnership support. These Directions make it clear that volunteer time and support in kind are as acceptable as cash for this purpose. It is for individual distributors to set detailed partnership requirements and to monitor their impact.

  Oil

  Gas

  Electricity

  KWH

  Cost (£)

  KWH

  Cost (£)

  KWH

  Cost (£)

  1993–941

  Nil

  Nil

  221,808

  3,810

  586,372

  49,400

  1994–95

  Nil

  Nil

  1,059,183

  14,599

  1,074,541

  64,066

  1995–962

  Nil

  Nil

  1,593,599

  15,247

  1,194,927

  67,023

  1996–97

  Nil

  Nil

  1,450,385

  11,967

  1,342,571

  78,655

  1997–983

  Nil

  Nil

  1,593,731

  12,939

  1,176,410

  82.490

  1Occupation during part financial year.

  2Additional premises acquired part way through the financial year.

  3Awaiting invoice for final period for one building. Discussions are continuing with the landlord of one building to identify the increased costs between 1996–97 and 1997–98.

  National Lottery Distribution Fund
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his plans to improve the audit of the National Lottery Distribution Fund. [41095]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  It is Government's intention that the financial arrangements governing the National Lottery should be as transparent as possible. I have therefore tabled an amendment to the National Lottery Bill to allow the Comptroller and Auditor General access to those records of the National Lottery operator that are necessary for the purpose of his office's audit of the National Lottery Distribution Fund under section 33 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. This will deal with the concerns of the Public Accounts Committee as set out in their 20th Report in 1996–97. In exercising this access, the C&AG will have to take account of the work carried out by the Director General. This change does not provide a wider right of access for the purposes of value for money reviews of the private sector operator.

  Staff Car Mileage Allowance
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what were(a) the total value in real terms of staff car mileage claims paid, (b) the total value in real terms of staff rail fares paid, (c) the total amount of staff car mileage for which reimbursement was made and (d) the percentage change from the previous year in each case, for his Department in each year since the Department was created. [40441]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The information is not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Energy Use
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what quantity of(a) oil, (b) gas and (c) electricity, was purchased for the heating, lighting and powering of all accommodation occupied by the Department in each year of its and its predecessors' occupation; and what was the total cost in real terms for (a) to (c) in each year. [40411]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  My Department was created in April 1992 by transferring certain areas of responsibility from six Departments. However, the following details of energy consumption and costs are available only from 1993 when the Department commenced occupation of its own buildings:

  The necessary amendment will be tabled in the Committee that is presently sitting.

DEFENCE

  Regular Forces and Reservists (Costs)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the overall costs in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98 of (i) regular forces and (ii) reservists in (1) the Royal Navy, (2) the Army and (3) the Royal Air Force. [39619]

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

  Land Sales
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 he has invoked exemption 14 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in respect of selling or disposing of land to private individuals or consortia. [40087]
  409
  Mr. Spellar
  There has been one occasion when exemption 14 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information has been used in respect of selling or disposing of land to private individuals or consortiums since 1 May 1997.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the liquid compounds of the COMBOPENS Autoject Nerve Agent Antidote L4AI produced by Duphar International Research BV of the Netherlands and supplied to the British Army in the Gulf War. [40143]

  Dr. Reid
  The COMBOPEN Autoject Nerve Agent Antidote L4A 1 was available for use by UK forces during the Gulf conflict as a post-attack therapy against nerve agents. The composition of the liquid formulation which it contained was:

  Composition

  Pralidoxime Methane Sulphonate (P2S)

  500mg

  Avisafone

  10mg

  Atropine Sulphate (USP)

  2mg

  Citric Acid Monohydrate

  42mg

  Water (for injection)

  2m1

  Sulphuric Acid (BP) and Sodium Hydroxide (BP) were added as required during manufacture to adjust the solution's hydrogen ion concentration (its pH level) to within the range of pH 3.0–3.4 in order to maintain the stability of the solution.

  Germ Warfare
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has made to counter a germ-warfare attack on the United Kingdom. [40422]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government take very seriously the need to protect the United Kingdom against the threat or use of weapons of mass destruction, including biological warfare. We remain alert to any threat, and the UK retains a spectrum of military, scientific and other capabilities, which complement diplomatic and non-proliferation efforts intended to raise the political and economic costs of acquisition of these weapons and deter their use.

  I can assure my hon. Friend that, in the context of the Strategic Defence Review, we are considering very carefully our military posture against the risks posed by all weapons of mass destruction.

  Reserve Forces
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent on recruitment advertising for the Reserve Forces in the past 12 months. [40855]

  Dr. Reid
  During financial year 1997–98, around £5.45 million was spent on recruitment advertising for the reserve forces.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of his Department's410
  appointees to non-departmental public bodies are (i) aged under 25, (ii) aged 25 to 30 and (iii) aged 31 to 35 years. [40738]

  Mr. Spellar
  Of the Department's current appointees to its non-departmental public bodies, the number in the categories specified are: (i) aged under 25—nil, (ii) aged 25–30—nil, and (iii) aged 31–35 years—two, representing 0.6 per cent. of total appointees. The Government are committed to encouraging a wide range of candidates to apply for positions on the boards of public bodies, reflecting the diverse society in which we live. This includes encouraging more young people to put themselves forward as potential candidates for public appointments. All appointments are made on merit, and candidates must demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and experience to match the needs of the public body on which they wish to serve.

  Exercise Miscast
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the scenario of the exercise entitled Miscast which took place in 1992; on what dates and where this exercise took place; and if he will place a copy of the results of this exercise in the Library. [40816]

  Dr. Reid
  Exercise Miscast took place at Swynnerton in November 1992. The exercise tested the procedures in place for responding to an accident caused by a civil light aircraft crashing onto a vehicle carrying nuclear weapons. A classified report on the exercise does exist, but I am withholding it under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  WE177 Bombs
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 1998,Official Report, columns 467–68, on WE177 bombs, when (a) the Truck Cargo 4t 4x4 Bedford MK and (b) the Truck Cargo Heavy Duty Mark 1 (i) entered and (ii) was withdrawn from service. [40767]

  Dr. Reid
  The Truck Cargo 4t 4x4 Bedford MK was in service when WE177 was introduced and withdrawn in the period 1979–80 when it was replaced by the Truck Cargo Heavy Duty Mark I. This was withdrawn in July 1992, when it was replaced by the Mark II variant that is still in service.

  Bulldog Aircraft
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Private Finance Initiative project to replace the Bulldog training aircraft. [40642]

  Dr. Reid
  We are now seeking 'best and final offers' from bidders covering both aircraft types being offered. A final decision on the aircraft selected and the preferred bidder will be announced as soon as possible.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the principal works being carried out to the SSNs currently undergoing refit. [40891]
  411
  Mr. Spellar
  The principal work being undertaken on the submarines currently in refit is as follows:

  (a) The removal and replacement of the nuclear fuel and maintenance and repair, where necessary, of the nuclear plant.

  (b) A package of capability improvements to upgrade weapon systems.

  (c) Essential periodic planned maintenance, update and repairs on the hull and machinery such as electrical generators and propeller shafts, and submarine control systems.

  This work will ensure the continued safe operation of the submarines for the duration of the next commission following refit.

  Government Contracts
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the report by the Review Board for Government Contracts on its 1998 Annual Review of the Profit Formula for Non-Competitive Government Contracts. [41199]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Government have accepted the overall target rate of return on capital employed as recommended by the Review Board on its report. The new rate will be 22.2% compared with the current rate of 20.95%, both on the basis of historic costs. It will become effective immediately. The Report has been printed and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mixed Farms
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the(a) number and (b) location of mixed farms in Northern Ireland; and what further planning applications for mixed farms have been made and for which locations. [39967]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Mixed farms are located as follows in Northern Ireland:

  County

  Number of mixed fanns, June 1997

  Antrim

  338

  Armagh

  206

  Down

  484

  Fermanagh

  13

  Londonderry

  291

  Tyrone

  235

  Northern Ireland

  1,567

  The Planning Service of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland have had no planning applications for mixed farms.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the names of those persons who act as facilitators for the Parades Commission, showing when they were appointed and for what periods; and what payment is made for their services. [39968]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to him on 7 April 1998,Official Report, column 188.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list(a) the names of each company operating mobile telephone networks in Northern Ireland, (b) the number of transmitting masts for which each of those companies has sought planning permission, (c) the number of masts already erected, (d) the number of masts which each of the companies intends to erect to complete their network and (e) where a full list of the masts to be erected by each company can be inspected. [40009]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Four companies are currently licensed to operate mobile telephone networks in Northern Ireland. These are Vodafone Limited, Telecom Securicor Cellular Radio Limited (trading as Cellnet), Orange Personal Communications Services Limited and Mercury Personal Communications Limited (trading as One 2 One). In line with the Government's general policy of facilitating the growth of new and existing telecommunications systems, extensive permitted development rights have been granted to licensed operators whereby the Department's express planning permission to erect certain types of masts is not required. Where the Department's express planning permission to erect a mast is required, details of the number of applications submitted is as follows:

  Company Name

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998(to date)

  Mercury PC Ltd.

  11

  5

  0

  0

  0

  Vodafone Ltd.

  9

  4

  1

  5

  1

  Orange PCS Ltd.

  0

  1

  2

  48

  8

  Telecom Securicor Cellular

  Radio Ltd.

  3

  0

  0

  5

  1

  Prisoners
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are in prison for crimes related to terrorist actions; how many belong to each proscribed organisation; how many claiming allegiance to, or accepted by, each such organisation are due for release in the normal course of events in(a) 1998, (b) 1999, (c) 2000, (d) 2001, (e) 2002 and (f) in the following five year period; and how many in each category are serving life or other indeterminate sentences. [39966]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Prison Service does not record whether a person is in prison for crimes related to terrorist actions. The Prison Service records the number of prisoners convicted of scheduled offences, which are those offences generally committed as acts of terrorism. On 26 February 1998 there were 781 prisoners in custody who had been convicted of scheduled offences. This figure includes prisoners who have had their offence certified out by the Attorney-General as having no connection with terrorism. Only prisoners held in segregated wings at HMP Maze and a small number of female prisoners held at HMP Maghaberry can clearly be identified as being affiliated to particular proscribed
  413
  organisations. In the normal course of events the following number of prisoners affiliated to these organisations would be released.

  UDA/UFF

  UVF

  LVF

  IRA

  INLA

  1998

  8

  10

  0

  28

  1

  1999

  21

  9

  1

  25

  2

  2000

  16

  7

  1

  18

  1

  2001

  4

  8

  3

  18

  2

  2002

  7

  1

  2

  15

  0

  Next 5 Years

  2

  3

  0

  34

  4

  Note:
  The figures in this table relate to those persons convicted of scheduled offences and sentenced to three years or more who were in custody in HMP Maze on 26 January 1998. The complete record was not available for a small number of prisoners when the research on which this table is based was carried out and so the table slightly undercounts the number of prisoners to be released during this period.
  The number of prisoners serving sentences of life imprisonment for scheduled offences at HMP Maze on 1 May 1998 by paramilitary affiliation is as follows:

  Number

  UDA/UFF

  21

  UVF

  21

  LVF

  5

  IRA

  48

  INLA

  4

  These figures exclude life sentence prisoners who have been given provisional release dates.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the division of responsibility within Government in respect of negotiations relating to the Multilateral Agreement on Investment; who has represented the UK Government during the negotiations; through which international fora negotiations are being conducted; and when she estimates a final text will be agreed. [38885]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The DTI leads for the UK on the MAI, co-ordinating the UK position with other interested Departments in the usual way. At ministerial level, the Government are represented by my noble Friend, Lord Clinton-Davis, Minister for Trade. The negotiations are being conducted at the OECD. I cannot give an estimate of when a final text will be agreed, but OECD Ministers agreed recently that negotiators should continue their work with the aim of reaching a successful and timely conclusion.

SCOTLAND

  Food-related Scientific Services
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken to set up the review of food-related scientific services in Scotland, as set out in the White Paper on the Food Standards Agency. [41198]
  414
  Mr. Galbraith
  An Independent Group has now been appointed to undertake the Review of Food Related Scientific Services in Scotland. The Group will be chaired by Professor Morag Timbury, recently retired Head of the Central Public Health Laboratory in Colindale, London and former Professor of Virology in Glasgow, with the majority of members nominated by the main bodies with a direct interest in the scientific services. The Group will consider evidence and views from all interested parties and is due to report in the autumn.

  It is important that local authorities have access to high qualify scientific support for food testing. The testing of food samples is an essential element of the food law enforcement and surveillance system which directly protects public health. This independent review of the existing scientific services, both microbiological and chemical, will ensure that in Scotland we will have in place an effective and efficient system to provide food authorities with the necessary scientific support to allow them to undertake their important public health role, both now and in the future.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Europe Day
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the flying of the European flag from Government buildings and in Parliament Square on Europe day. [41002]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  On Europe Day, 9 May, the European flag will fly, alongside the Union Jack, from Government buildings and in Parliament Square.

  Flying the European flag on Europe Day reflects the important position which the UK hold for the six months of the Presidency and emphasises the Government's confidence in its role in the EU.

  Sandline International Ltd.
  Mrs. McGuire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the alleged involvement of Sandline International Ltd. in the coup in Sierra Leone. [41215]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the House today to the Private Notice Question asked by the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard).

WALES

  Personal Advisers
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many personal advisers he has; and when they were appointed. [40101]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  My Department employs two Special Advisers, Mr. John Adams, who was appointed on 4 May 1997, and Mr. Huw Roberts, who was appointed on 1 June 1997.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total amount of structural funds paid by the European Union to Wales in 1997–98; what effect these payments had on rebates payable to the United Kingdom under the provisions of the Fontainebleau Agreement; and what was the total of matching funds from central Government funds in order to secure these structural funds. [40357]

  Mr. Hain
  The total amount of structural funds paid by the European Union to Wales in 1997–98 in respect of a wide range of programmes and community initiatives operating in the Principality was £111.4 million. The effect on the UK's rebate is to reduce it by some £73.5 million (66 per cent. of the value of the receipts)—compared, that is, to the position whereby the UK had not had this level of receipt within the same total community spending. Matching funding to secure these funds comes from a wide range of public and private sources and it is not possible to provide a separate figure on those from central government funds, which are not ring fenced for this purpose.

  School Governors
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance his Department issues in respect of the criteria to determine those suitable for appointment as school governors; and if he will make a statement. [40472]

  Mr. Hain
  No specific guidance on this matter has been issued to schools or LEAs. Regulations 4 to 8 and 15 of the Education (School Government) Regulations 1989, as amended, state the circumstances under which a person is disqualified from holding office as a school governor.

  Copies of these regulations have been sent to schools and LEAs, and they are also reproduced in the Department's publication "School Governors: a Guide to the Law", which has been made available to every school governor in Wales.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many school governors who have criminal convictions for assault have been appointed in Wales in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [40471]

  Mr. Hain
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Regulation 7 of the Education (School Government) Regulations 1989, as amended, sets out the circumstances under which a person is disqualified from holding office as a school governor because of a criminal conviction.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the chairmanship of the enhanced Welsh Development Agency. [41213]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Mr. David Rowe-Beddoe has written to me tendering his resignation as Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency which I have accepted. His reasons for doing so are set out in his letter to me of 29 April 1998 a copy of which, together with a copy of my reply, has been placed in the Library.
  416
  Mr. Rowe-Beddoe will continue in his role of Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency and the Development Board for Rural Wales until the establishment of the new enhanced WDA.

  The post of Chairman of the new Welsh Development Agency will now be advertised and determined on the basis of open competition in accordance with Nolan principles.

  I am grateful to Mr. Rowe-Beddoe. He has proved an excellent Chairman since he was appointed in 1993 and has steered the Agency to its present position of success.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the terms of the ownership of the site acquired for the new debating chamber for the Welsh Assembly, announced on 28 April. [41065]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The site will be owned by the National Assembly for Wales, on a 150 year lease at peppercorn rent.

  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what costings he has made for the adaptation of Crickhowell House for the temporary home of the Welsh Assembly. [41067]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 5 May 1998,Official Report, column 299.

  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what conditions are attached to the acquisition of the site for the debating chamber of the Welsh Assembly from Grosvenor Waterside. [41066]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  As part of the agreement, I am proposing to take separate 25 year leases on the 3 blocks of Crickhowell House, to replace the existing two 20 year leases, in order to give the National Assembly greater flexibility and security. A 5 year rent review was due in September, but I have negotiated for the rent to be fixed at the current level for the next 5 years. I will also be looking to increase future flexibility over the car parking arrangements.

  There will be a range of other routine conditions which will apply to the site for the new building, which it would not be appropriate to disclose at present while the legal agreement is being prepared, but which are typical of commercial property transactions. These relate to such matters as controls on the use, disposal, development and maintenance of the land and buildings.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the individual financial reserves of each TEC in Wales as at 31 March. [40166]

  Mr. Hain
  Provisional figures are provided in the table. The reserves consist of funds which have already been used to acquire assets, or funds required to meet day-to-day needs, or funds which are committed to be spent over a reasonable period. The balance available for discretionary spending at 31 March 1998 (£6.9 million)
  417
  represents funds which have been earmarked by the TECs for planned expenditure during 1998–99 and for longer term projects. Officials in the Welsh Office continue to monitor closely the level of TEC reserves in order to ensure that they are clearly related to demonstrate working capital needs or reinvestment plans. Discussions

  Welsh TEC reserve levels to March 1998

  £000

  1997–98

  Projected end of year position

  TEC

  Reserve level

  Fixed assets

  Long term loans

  Working capital

  Amount available for discretionary spend

  CELTEC

  3,567

  316

  783

  2,050

  418

  Gwent

  3,319

  293

  0

  2,700

  326

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,778

  249

  0

  1,665

  864

  Powys

  941

  26

  0

  588

  327

  South Glamorgan

  4,888

  1,048

  175

  1,500

  2,165

  West Wales

  6,100

  427

  0

  2,800

  2,873

  All TECs

  21,593

  2,359

  958

  11,303

  6,973

  Note:

  CELTEC came into being on 1 April 1997—the figures represent the combined reserve levels of its two predecessor TECs in North Wales.

  Source:

  Price Waterhouse Review of TEC Reserves

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the individual financial reserves of each TEC in Wales as at 31 March 1997. [40167]

  Welsh TEC reserve levels March 1997

  £000

  1996–97 end of year position

  TEC

  Reserve level

  Fixed assets

  Long term loans

  Working capital

  Amount available for discretionary spend

  CELTEC1

  5,032

  440

  824

  2,733

  1,035

  Gwent

  5,193

  359

  0

  2,836

  1,998

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,682

  229

  0

  1,807

  646

  Powys

  869

  47

  0

  511

  311

  South Glamorgan

  4,326

  125

  175

  1,625

  2,401

  West Wales

  6,352

  427

  0

  3,368

  2,557

  All TECS

  24,454

  1,627

  999

  12,880

  8,948

  1CELTEC came into being on 1 April 1997—the figures represent the combined reserve levels of its two predecessor TECs in North Wales

  Source:

  TEC Statutory Accounts

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Flood Defence
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken to monitor the implementation of the ministerial directive of March 1996 directing the Environment Agency to make flood warnings its top priority. [40595]

  Mr. Morley
  The Ministerial Direction of March 1996 required the Environment Agency, with effect from 1 September 1996, to take the lead in disseminating flood warnings in England and Wales.

  Safeguarding of life is the highest Ministry priority and this is reflected in the priority we give to grant aiding capital expenditure on flood warning systems.
  418
  are currently being held with the TECs to assess the extent to which they will be able to draw on their reserves to support the Government's commitment to the introduction of Individual Learning Accounts and the extent to which any balance of funding can be covered from future operating surpluses.

  Mr. Hain
  The information requested is in the table.

  In the past two years, the Ministry has contributed some £0.5 million of grant towards the Agency's flood warning arrangements.

  My officials have worked with the Agency in its implementation of the Ministerial direction. This has included overseeing studies of the effectiveness, and public awareness, of the inherited arrangements; the development of flood warning dissemination plans; and development of a flood warning strategy.

  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for capital grants for(a) new build and (b) maintenance there were in the Anglian, Thames and Severn Trent Water Company areas in each of the years 1990 to 1998. [40596]
  419
  Mr. Morley
  This Department does not provide grant aid for flood defence maintenance. The numbers of applications for grant towards the cost of new or improved

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Anglia

  EA

  54

  61

  90

  68

  66

  42

  36

  35

  LAs

  2

  2

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  3

  IDBs

  27

  33

  16

  19

  26

  21

  23

  13

  Thames

  EA

  21

  15

  17

  13

  10

  15

  14

  25

  LAs

  3

  0

  2

  1

  2

  2

  0

  2

  IDBs

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Severn Trent

  EA

  10

  8

  14

  20

  8

  11

  16

  3

  LAs

  3

  4

  2

  5

  1

  3

  4

  2

  IDBs

  3

  3

  2

  2

  0

  0

  3

  1

  Figures are not available for 1998.

  Cling-film Silage Wrap
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department gives to farmers on the safe disposal of cling-film silage wrap. [40530]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department publishes guidance on the safe disposal of farm plastics in the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Air. It has also commissioned consultants to produce a step-by-step guide to help farmers minimise the generation of agricultural waste, including waste farm plastics. I hope to publish this later this year.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is responsible for waste management legislation and the Environment Agency is responsible for the enforcement in England and Wales.

  Fishing Regulation Enforcement
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department(a) has taken and (b) proposes to take to ensure that fishing regulations are enforced. [40452]

  Mr. Morley
  Effective enforcement is a top priority for this Government. We are currently spending some £25 million a year on fisheries enforcement in the interests of conserving fish stocks and ensuring the long-term viability of the fishing industry. Progress has been made on a number of fronts including measures to prohibit the discarding of stowed fish, the checking of vessel safety and crewing certificates by British Sea Fishery Officers, the introduction of satellite monitoring and the issue of proposals for a system of designated ports for landings of fish made by vessels over 20 metres. We have also promoted wide ranging debate in Europe and at the March Fisheries Council secured agreement to the development of an action plan by the Commission to strengthen standards of enforcement across the Community.

  Over-fishing
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many British-based 420
  Capital flood and sea defences, from operating authorities in the relevant Regional Flood Defence Areas were as follows:

  (a) companies and (b) captains have been prosecuted for fishing offences relating to over-fishing in each of the last three years. [40453]

  Mr. Morley
  The number of prosecution cases relating to overfishing by UK registered vessels is summarised in the table. The figures include cases where the same master and/or owner have been prosecuted on more than on occasion.

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Owners/directors only

  20

  17

  19

  Masters only

  16

  5

  16

  Masters and owners together

  23

  20

  4

  British Merchant Vessel Register
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing licences have been issued since 1976 to foreign-owned fishing vessels registered on the British Merchant Vessel Register. [40476]

  Mr. Morley
  We estimate that currently there are some 150 UK registered and licensed fishing vessels which have a significant foreign interest in their ownership. Of these, about one third were registered prior to the application of restrictive licensing arrangements in 1984.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 22 April 1998,Official Report, column 666, if he will make a statement on the input national Governments will have into the Common Fisheries Policy after 2002. [40482]

  Mr. Morley
  The Council of Ministers will decide, by qualified majority voting, on the continuation of restrictions on access within Member States' 6 and 12 mile limits, and on any necessary adjustments to the basic Regulation on the Common Fisheries Policy.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions on(a) coastal zonal committees and (b) the recent proposals of the NFFO and

  421
  SSF relating to the European fisheries regime after the year 2002, took place at his meeting with the NFFO on 18 February. [40477]

  Mr. Morley
  My meeting with the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations on 18 February concerned salmon net fisheries; neither coastal zonal committees nor the future of the Common Fisheries Policy after 2002 was discussed. These issues were discussed during a meeting with both the NFFO and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation on 30 April.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that European Commission Council regulations which designate fishing waters as a common resource are repealed. [40480]

  Mr. Morley
  The basic Regulation on the Common Fisheries Policy, Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3760/92, defines Community fishing waters as the waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Member States. The same Regulation defines restrictions on access to waters and the fish resources in those waters. These include the rules applicable within 6 and 12 mile limits and the system of quotas and relative stability. The Government do not support repeal of any of these provisions.

  Drift Nets
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals there are to grant concessions to France in order to secure their vote in the Council of Ministers for the proposed ban on drift nets. [40478]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government expect that there will be a qualified majority in favour of a ban on high seas drift nets at the next meeting of the Fisheries Council, whether or not France votes in favour.

HEALTH

  3M Capital Hip System
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate how many 3M Capital Hip systems have been used by the NHS. [31980]

  Mr. Milburn
  An estimated 4,669 3M Capital Implants were supplied to hospitals and clinics in the National Health Service and private sector in the United Kingdom. All effected patients are being identified and recalled for clinical assessment.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children under 10 years have had tooth extractions carried out in each health authority over the past 12 months; and what proportion had the extractions carried out under general anaesthetic. [40305]

  Mr. Milburn
  The available information by health authority in England has been placed in the Library. It covers the number of courses of treatment in the General Dental Service scheduled for payment in 1997 which include claims for extractions or general anaesthetic work. It is for children under 18; separate information for 422
  children under 10 is not available. Some of the general anaesthetic work may have been associated with treatments other than extractions.

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many members he expects there to be on primary care groups; and what competencies will be represented on them. [40316]

  Mr. Milburn
  Guidance published at Easter (Health Service Circular 1998/065) contains advice that the governing body should command the confidence of stakeholders; take into account the need for the Primary Care Group to work with the host health authority; and allow the primary care groups to obtain the range of managerial and clinical competencies necessary for them to undertake their functions. Further guidance will be published in the summer.

  Health Action Zones
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which health action zones will reduce waiting times for occupational therapy assessments and adaption services. [40338]

  Mr. Milburn
  None. We do however expect health action zones to deliver a wide range of improvements through better integrated services developed in partnership between the National Health Service and local social services.

  Continence Pads
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations he has had with pharmacists and other health retailers on the possible future supply of continence pads through the retail sector; and when these meetings were held. [40198]

  Mr. Milburn
  There have been no such meetings as there are no plans to change the basis of supply of continence pads from the National Health Service to the retail sector.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been on waiting lists in(a) Burnley and (b) Lancashire for continence pads from the NHS for more than (i) one month, (ii) three months and (iii) six months. [41052]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Drug-related Deaths
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths were registered in the last year for which figures are available associated with(a) class A controlled drugs and (b) benzodiazepines. [40457]

  Mr. Milburn
  These figures are not available in precisely the form requested. However, details of drug-related deaths in 1995 are given in the Home Office Statistical bulletin "Statistics of Drug Addicts Notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom 1996". Copies are available in the Library.

  Benzodiazepines
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pregnant women were given benzodiazepines in(a) the community and (b) hospitals in 1996. [40416]

  Mr. Milburn
  It is not possible to identify the number of prescriptions dispensed to pregnant women.

  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many benzodiazepine prescriptions have been issued for the last 10 years; and what assessment he has made of trends in prescriptions over this period. [40414]

  Mr. Milburn
  The total number of prescription items dispensed in England for benzodiazepines from 1987 to 1996 is shown in the table. The table shows a consistent decrease in the number of prescriptions dispensed for benzodiazepines over the period.

  Benzodiazepines: number of prescriptions dispensed, 1987 to 1996—England

  million

  Year

  Prescriptions

  1987

  20.6

  1988

  18.7

  1989

  17.3

  1990

  16.5

  1991

  16.6

  1992

  15.8

  1993

  15.2

  1994

  14.6

  1995

  14.3

  1996

  13.9

  Notes:

  1. 1987 to 1990 data are based on fees and on a 1 in 200 sample of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only.

  2. Data from 1991 are based on items and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and personal administration.

  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken by his Department(a) to reduce the number of benzodiazepine prescriptions and (b) to assist involuntary addicts to come off such drugs. [40458]

  Mr. Milburn
  The principal focus of the Department's action has been to try to prevent addiction occurring by warning general practitioners and other prescribers of the dangers of addiction to benzodiazepines. The Department funds a number of publications that are available to general practitioners, pharmacists and other health professionals, eg. the British National Formulary and the Medicines Resource Centre monthly bulletin.

  The Department continues to fund MIND (the mental health charity), which operates local self-help groups for people dependant on tranquillisers.

  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were issued in 1996 for benzodiazepine drugs to people aged over 65 years(a) in the community and (b) in hospitals. [40459]

  Mr. Milburn
  In 1996, 7.6 million benzodiazepine prescription items were dispensed in the community to patients 60 and over in England. The figure is based on a 1 in 20 sample of all prescriptions submitted to the Prescription Pricing Authority by community pharmacists 424
  and appliance contractors only. Information for the number dispensed by dispensing doctors or in hospitals is not available.

  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the prescriptions for benzodiazepines for 1996 were for periods of more than 14 days. [40417]

  Mr. Milburn
  It is not possible to identify the number of prescriptions which were for periods longer than 14 days.

  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of long-term users of prescribed benzodiazepine drugs. [40415]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on the number of long-term users of benzodiazepines is not available.

  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is issued to patients taking benzodiazepine drugs in respect of contra-indications for taking these drugs during pregnancy. [40456]

  Mr. Milburn
  Patient information leaflets produced by the manufacturer and authorised by the Licensing Authority for benzodiazepines carry warnings that patients should not take the medicine if they are pregnant, might become pregnant or are breast-feeding. The product information for prescribers states that benzodiazepines should not be given during pregnancy unless there are compelling medical reasons. There are however some medical conditions in pregnancy where the use of these drugs can be life saving to mother and child, for example when used to control fits in eclampsia.

  Access Committee for England
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the refusal of section 64 funding for the Access Committee for England. [40230]

  Mr. Boateng
  The decision not to renew Government funding of the central administrative costs of the Access Committee for England (ACE) from April this year was reached only after very careful consideration, and was taken jointly by Ministers from the Department for Education and Employment, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Department of Health. The decision followed a recent inter-Departmental review which concluded that future funding of ACE by the Government should be for specific projects, and not towards their central administrative costs. This is in accordance with the policy of time-limiting grants for central administrative costs, of which voluntary organisations in receipt of Government funding under both this and the previous Government have been aware for some years.

  Psychiatric Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average number of patients seen per qualified nurse working in community psychiatry for each NHS trust in each year of their operation. [40092]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 28 April 1998]: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information by individual trusts about the number of first contacts between patients and

  425
  the community psychiatric nursing service has been published annually by the Department since 1993–94. Information by health authorities about the number of qualified nurses working in community psychiatry has been published by the Department since 1995. Both sets of information are available in the Library.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what inter-departmental forums exist for issues relating to children with(a) ADHD and (b) ME/CFS. [39865]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 27 April 1998]: Following the publication of the Green Paper "Excellence for all children; meeting special education needs" and the many comments it stimulated, officials from the Department are working closely with the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) on services for all children with special needs. The Department is represented on the National Advisory Group for Special Educational Needs and a joint policy group will meet for the first time in May.

  Our aim is to ensure that the various strands of our policy affecting young people and the initiatives being taken to improve services are mutually supportive and address children's needs in a coherent and coordinated way. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) issues, for example, are discussed with the DfEE in the context of special educational needs and healthy schools and with the Home Office in relation to youth offending matters. The Department expects to meet the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association, possibly with other Government Departments, to discuss children's issues.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have not received their winter fuel payments. [39713]

  Mr. Denham
  Winter Fuel payments are one of a number of initiatives the Government have taken to help vulnerable people, especially the elderly, keep warm in the winter. A total of £400 million has been committed for two years (1997–98 and 1998–99), to help pensioners with fuel bills to pay. This is the first time any Government have provided additional help with heating costs to all pensioners living in the United Kingdom who receive a retirement pension or one of a number of other qualifying benefits.

  The making of last winter's payments was an enormous and unprecedented exercise. In order to establish all eligible pensioners, correctly identify pensioner households, and determine the amount each should receive, it was necessary to correlate data in around 15 million computer records, involving 15 qualifying benefits, across nine computer systems. Overall, almost ten million pensioners, in over seven million households, received a payment.

  The administration of winter fuel payments is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  426
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. lain Duncan Smith, dated 30 April 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people have not received their winter fuel payments.All eligible pensioners should now have received their payments. If someone has not received a payment, but is expecting one, he or she should contact the office which normally deals with their pension or benefit, or alternatively, call the dedicated helpline set up to deal with winter fuel payment enquiries (telephone 0645 151515).Out of the six million payments issued to the Post Office, we are aware that a number have still not been collected. Based on contact with a limited number of the 20,000 Post Offices in Great Britain, it was estimated last week that around 100,000 payments may still have not been collected. The Post Office have been instructed to return all payments to the nearest Benefits Agency (BA) office on 1 May. On receipt of those unclaimed girocheques, the BA will follow up each case and make every effort to ensure any amounts still due are paid promptly.Thank you for the opportunity to explain the position.

  Child Support (Falkirk Case)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will arrange for a constituent (CSA reference 1006328122) to meet senior officials of the Child Support Agency, in Falkirk, in order to conclude outstanding disagreements over the handling of his case. [39416]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  One of our key aims for the Child Support Agency is to ensure that more absent parents pay the maintenance they owe. The regular payment of maintenance is central to our strategy as recognition of fathers' continuing responsibilities to their children; to help lone mothers move off income support into work; and to get more money to children in low income working families.

  Whenever it is appropriate the Child Support Agency offers local interviews to resolve customers' difficulties, and restructuring by the Agency will allow it to offer significantly more face to face contact in a greater range of locations.

  For reasons of confidentiality for both the absent parent and the parent with care, the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Mrs. Faith Boardman, will write to the hon. Member separately.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individual cases have been reviewed under the Benefit Integrity Project; how many of these cases have now been concluded; of the cases concluded, in how many instances benefit has been(a) terminated and (b) reduced; and if she will make a statement. [39755]

  Mr. Denham
  The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of Disability Living Allowance 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, we must ensure that 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 the confidence in, benefit decisions made by the project.
  427
  The administration of the Benefit Integrity Project is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the right hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated 5 May 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many individual cases have been reviewed under the Benefit Integrity Project, how many of these cases have now been concluded: of the cases concluded, in how many instances benefit has been (a) terminated and (b) reduced, and if she will make a statement.The BIP is looking again at designated DLA beneficiaries' current care and mobility needs. Information is collected through a programme of visits and postal enquiries. Selection of customers to receive either a visit or a postal enquiry is done monthly, on a random basis, by computer scan. The customers involved are those with awards of the higher rate of the mobility component combined with either the highest or the middle rate of the care component. During the period covered by the BIP, some time restricted awards in the above categories have expired and fallen due for renewal. They would have been subject to re-examination in the normal way.As at 31 January 1998, under the Benefit Integrity Project, a total of 159,846 cases (including 25,365 renewal cases) have been selected to receive either a visit or a postal questionnaire or, in the case of renewal cases, have been identified as requiring further evidence. As at 31 January 1998, 54,839 cases have been concluded. Of these, 1,299 have resulted in an increase in benefit, 42,730 have remained unchanged, 6,884 have resulted in a reduction in benefit and 3,926 have resulted in benefit being stopped. The total included 10,811 renewal cases of which 334 resulted in an increase in benefit, 5,601 remained unchanged, 2,907 resulted in a reduction in benefit and 1,969 resulted in benefit being stopped.A monthly statistical report can be found in the House of Commons Library.I hope that you find this reply helpful.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 21 April 1998,Official Report, column 606, if the initiatives her Department is undertaking within the Benefits Agency involving the private sector include debt management and debt collecting; what feasibility and pilot studies have been undertaken involving the private sector in these functions; and what plans she has to contract out these operations. [40604]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for its Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 5 May 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking, pursuant to her Answer of 21st April, if the initiatives her Department is undertaking within the Benefits Agency (BA) involving the private sector include debt management and debt collecting; what feasibility and pilot studies have been undertaken involving the private sector in these functions; and what plans she has to contract out these operations.Three of the BA's Area Directorates are currently working in partnership with three private sector consortia as part of the ADAPT 98 project. The partnership began on 13 August 1997 and will last for up to 12 months. During this partnership period, the private sector partners' primary activity is to gain a full understanding of BA operations and to formulate proposals for improvements in service delivery. Debt management and debt collecting are a core
  428
  part of the BA's business and if any proposals relating to this area are to be made by the ADAPT partners, they will be contained within their proposals expected by the end of the partnership period.A pilot study was conducted by two private sector companies between March and December 1996. This was to assess debt recovery's suitability for market testing, with particular emphasis on political sensitivity, confidentiality of information and standards of conduct. The conclusion was that BA debtors and the wider public had no undue concerns about the use of private contractors.As yet no decision has been made to involve the private sector in debt management or debt recovery work in the BA.I hope that this is helpful.

  Payment Cards
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will list the benefits to be paid through the operation of smartcards; [41012]

  (2) when she expects ICL to complete installation of the central computer system to all post offices to allow use of the plastic smartcards for the payment of benefits; [41013]

  (3) which computer services companies other than ICL have approached her Department; and which computer services companies other than ICL her Department has approached to install computer systems to allow payment of benefits through smartcards at post offices; [41014]

  (4) how many post offices have had the central computer system installed to allow operation of smartcards for benefit payments. [41015]

  Mr. Field
  The Payment Card is a magnetic stripe card and not a smart card. It holds very little personal data and provides a key to enable the post office staff to access the payment data. It is therefore highly secure. All benefits, pensions and allowances administered by this Department and its agencies will be payable by the Payment Card for those customers who wish to collect their money at the post office.

  The contract to automate post offices and develop a benefit Payment Card was awarded to ICL Pathway in May 1996 following an extensive competitive procurement in accordance with EC regulations and Government good practice. Since the award of the contract no other major computer services company has approached the Department to install the computer systems to enable the payment of benefits at post offices. Neither has the Department approached any computer services company to install computer systems to enable the payment of benefits at post offices.

  Presently 205 post offices in the North East and South West of England have been automated and are paying Child Benefit by Payment Card as part of a limited trial. Current plans provide for all post offices to be automated and ready to use the Payment Card by the end of 2000.

  Pensioners (Income)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of the total income of adults over state pension age comes from state social security benefits, including state pensions. [41063]
  429
  Mr. Denham
  Information is not available in the format requested. However, 47 per cent. of the mean gross income of benefit units with at least one member over State pension age comes from State Social Security benefits.

  Notes:

  1. This estimate is based on the 1995–96 Family Expenditure Survey using income definitions employed in the Pensioners' Incomes Series.

  2. For the purposes of answering this question, a benefit unit is defined as a single adult or a couple, where at least one member is over State pension age.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a substantive reply to his letter of 11 March (ref: POS(X) 3644/26) which was referred to the Benefits Agency, and which has now been returned to her Department for ministerial reply. [40934]

  Mr. Field
  A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 6 May 1998.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much child benefit is currently awarded on behalf of children aged(a) under five and (b) 16 and 17 years of age. [41064]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is set out in the table.

  £ million

  Expenditure on Child Benefit and One Parent Benefit

  Children aged under 5 years

  1,868

  Children aged 16 and 17 years

  621

  Notes:

  1. The figures are for 1996–97, the latest available.

  2. The figures are consistent with the Departmental Report 1998 (Cm 3913).

  3. Includes figures for One Parent Benefit which was amalgamated with Child Benefit from April 1997. One Parent Benefit expenditure has been assigned to the age group according to the age of the eldest child.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Dome (Works of Art)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the procedure whereby works of art will be selected for inclusion in the Millennium Dome. [38454]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have him on 19 March 1998,Official Report, column 676.

  Millennium Dome (Air Conditioning)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the chemicals to be used in the air conditioning system of the Millennium Dome. [39727]
  430
  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 17 March 1998,Official Report, column 602.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Citizens Charter
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to extend the citizens charter initiative within central Government. [39800]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Citizens Charter initiative applies across the public sector and to those privatised utilities operating in a monopoly position. We intend to relaunch the programme later in the year to ensure that it delivers the real improvements in service delivery that people want.

  Electronic Information
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to permit individuals to supply information electronically to Government. [39801]

  Dr. David Clark
  Last December, we launched the Intelligent Form project, which converts what were once six paper forms on notification of self-employment into one electronic form, and in so doing enables individuals to supply several departments with information simultaneously via the Internet.

  The intelligent form is an example of our "Better Government" programme in action, working across public and private boundaries to focus on a particular life episode.

  Freedom of Information
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the planned time scale for implementing his Freedom of Information proposals. [39802]

  Dr. David Clark
  It is our hope to publish a draft Bill before the summer, which will continue the consultation process started with the White Paper Your Right to Know. In the light of comments on this, a Bill will be introduced into Parliament as soon as the legislative timetable permits.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in what ways his proposals for freedom of information will improve public accountability of departmental political advisers. [39805]

  Dr. David Clark
  Openness and access to information are the key to public accountability. This Government were the first to make clear in a public document the roles and responsibilities of Special Advisers. A copy of this document—the Model Contract for Special Advisers—is in the Library of the House. Departmental political advisers are covered by our proposals for opening up the work of Government through a Freedom of Information Act.
  431
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions he has had on his freedom of information proposals. [39809]

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions he has had on the White Paper on freedom of information. [39813]

  Dr. David Clark
  Freedom of Information was among the topics I discussed at recent meetings with the General Secretaries of the Council for Civil Service Unions on Wednesday 25 March, and Chris Miles, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Australian Prime Minister, on Wednesday 22 April.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the representations he has received on the freedom of information White Paper. [39814]

  Dr. David Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesborough, South and Cleveland, East (Mr. Kumar) on 1 April 1998,Official Report, column 588.

  Leak Inquiries
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his policy towards conducting leak inquiries within his Department; and if he will make a statement. [39803]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I deplore leaks, and my department investigates actual or apparent instances by the most appropriate means.

  Duchy of Lancaster (Income)
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the income from the Duchy of Lancaster for 1997–98. [39804]

  Dr. David Clark
  Duchy accounts for the year ending 31 March 1998 are being prepared. Following audit, they will be printed and laid in the Library of the House during July.

  Public Servants (Communication Skills
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to improve the communication skills of public servants. [39806]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Government recognise the importance of ensuring that civil servants are skilled communicators. The Investors in People standard, which all Civil Service departments and agencies are aiming to achieve by the year 2000, recognises communication as a core organisational skill. In departments' and agencies' performance management systems, communication is a key competence at all levels. Additionally, my department facilitates a network for internal communication specialists.

  Government (Access)
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how he intends to use new technology to improve access to Government. [39808]
  432
  Dr. David Clark
  Our Better Government programme recognises the need to regenerate public services and to deliver government services in an entirely new way.

  It will:
  enable people to use services when and where it is convenient to them, and get near instantaneous responses in many cases;provide easy to use public access terminals in places such as post offices, libraries, and shopping centres at the electronic one-stop-shops; and replace form filling with helpful dialogues.

  Public Appointments
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to increase the effectiveness of the public appointments unit. [39810]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Government are committed to encouraging a wide range of candidates to apply for public appointments. The recent paper on Opening up Quangos consulted on how this might be achieved, and a follow-up paper will be published in due course.

  The Public Appointments Unit has an important role to play as a source of potential candidates for public appointments, and it is committed to increasing the proportion of potential women and ethnic minority candidates held on its records. The Unit therefore works closely with departments and other organisations to ensure that the service it provides meets the needs of potential candidates and of departments seeking to fill appointments.

  Elderly People (Government Service Delivery)
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has to improve the delivery of Government services to the elderly. [39811]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I announced 28 local pilot projects across the UK to develop, test and evaluate how we can take better account of older people's wishes in the delivery of public services—to make those services more user-friendly and to help older people remain independent. The pilots will be launched at a conference on 5 June and will initially run for two years.

  Better Government White Paper
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he plans to publish the Better Government White Paper. [39812]

  Dr. David Clark
  I hope to publish the Better Government White Paper in the summer.

  Electronic Service Delivery
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his proposals for the electronic delivery of Government services. [39815]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Government are determined to ensure that the information revolution benefits the many and not just the few. New technology will underpin how we relate to local communities, citizens and businesses large and small. And developments in IT offer great scope for these relations to be improved and extended in all sorts of ways.
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  The forthcoming White Paper on Better Government will include further details.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what disciplinary powers are available in respect of senior civil servants and heads of Government agencies who are deemed to be incompetent or negligent. [39816]

  Dr. David Clark
  The disciplinary powers in respect of senior civil servants and heads of agencies are no different from those applicable to other civil servants. The principles for handling disciplinary cases are set out in the Civil Service Management Code. This requires departments and agencies to ensure that staff are aware of the disciplinary procedures which apply and the circumstances in which they may be invoked. The sanctions applied as a result of disciplinary proceedings are a matter for the department or agency concerned to determine in the light of the circumstances of each case.

  New Technology
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to use new technology to improve communication between Government departments. [39817]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Government Secure Intranet (GSI) was officially launched on 21 April.

  This new service will provide both the infrastructure that will allow previously independent Government computer systems to link together securely and a well-protected access point to the Internet. It should be possible for the bulk of major Departments to be connected during the course of this year.

  The GSI is a vital component in our plans for Better Government. It is the technical key that will make the vision of seamless delivery of Government services a
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  reality. It will revolutionise the way Government Departments work together to make sure that people get the quality services they deserve simply and quickly.

  Departmental Openness
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to make his Department more open. [39818]
  Dr. David Clark: The proposals in the White Paper "Your Right to Know" (Cm 3818) will open up not just my Department but the whole of Government. I intend that my Department will set an example in terms of openness and transparency. I have already published the background material relating to the preparation of the White Paper and undertaken the first of two public consultations on its proposals. All of the relevant documents are available both in paper form and on the Internet.

  I have appointed a Webmaster to improve the quality and scope of the Cabinet Office Internet site and have set up a "virtual" e-mail based seminar to debate the issues surrounding Better Government. I am setting up a People's Panel to consult and involve members of the public in issues relating to the provision of public services.

  Information Technology (Ministers)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to provide Government ministers with IT equipment for their official duties; and how many have acquired such equipment to date. [39807]

  Dr. David Clark
  The prototype electronic red box, which I demonstrated in January, shows the possibilities for Ministers to take advantage of modern Information Technology, and the potential for reducing the time and effort needed to fill and transport old-style boxes.

  We are upgrading the prototype to take account of the latest developments in IT. I expect Ministers that wish to use the operational version will be able to do so later this year.

  Millennium Dome: Executive Responsibility
  Millennium Dome: Executive Responsibility
  Millennium Dome: Local Impact
  Millennium Dome: Local Impact
  Hallé Orchestra
  Hallé Orchestra
  Asia: Financial Turbulence and Speculative Investors
  Asia: Financial Turbulence and Speculative Investors
  Oxtail Sales
  Oxtail Sales
  Election Mail
  Election Mail
  Women Prisoners
  Women Prisoners
  Europol
  Europol
  Prison Service Staff of Afro-Caribbean Origin
  Prison Service Staff of Afro-Caribbean Origin
  European Convention on Human Rights: Family Law Legislation
  European Convention on Human Rights: Family Law Legislation
  Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
  Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
  Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law, 1965–68: Minutes of Evidence
  Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law, 1965–68: Minutes of Evidence
  Belfast Agreement: Release of Prisoners
  Belfast Agreement: Release of Prisoners
  Non-competitive Government Contracts: Profit Formula
  Non-competitive Government Contracts: Profit Formula
  Scottish Wind Power Schemes
  Scottish Wind Power Schemes