Written Answers of 8 May 1998

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Development Awareness Working Group
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will report on the outcome of the first meeting of the Development Awareness Working Group. [41487]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I chaired the first meeting of the Development Awareness Working Group on 31 March. We had a creative and constructive discussion about the opportunities for the Government to enhance their role in this area, and to add value to much of the excellent work which is already underway across the country. We agreed to establish three sub-groups to examine in more detail new themes and partnerships, key issues in relation to existing formal and non-formal structures, and lesson learning from others. The sub-groups will report back to the next full meeting of the Working Group, which is scheduled for 22 July. A fuller record of the meeting will be placed on the Department for International Development's Internet site.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Surfball
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) what expenditure has been undertaken by the New Millennium Experience Company on the development of Surtball; and which organisations have been consulted; [38620]

  (2) what rights the New Millennium Experience Company has acquired over Surtball. [38621]

  North Wales

  Dyfed Powys

  Morgannwg

  Bro Taf

  Gwent

  Total

  1997–98 Winter Care money

  2.198

  1.608

  1.634

  2.318

  1.790

  9.548

  1998–99 cash increase1

  13.627

  9.679

  10.200

  18.709

  13.547

  65.763

  Waiting List money

  4.124

  3.037

  3.070

  4.381

  3.388

  18.000

  1 Includes increases in discretionary allocations, GMS cash limited allocation and protected services allocations

  Health Inequalities
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he has made in ending health inequalities in Wales. [40659]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Progress has already been made in laying the foundations for improving health in Wales; for example, the NHS is already working toward 15 health gain targets for the next 5 years published by the Welsh Office in June 1997. Taken together, these are
  512
  Mr. Mandelson
  The "Serious Play" Zone within the Millennium Dome will include an interactive look at the world of sport and games in the 21st century, the details of which are still being worked up. "Surfball" was a working title used for illustrative purposes at the end of last year, when design proposals were at a very early stage. The New Millennium Experience Company does not intend to seek to register the name "Surfball" for any games or features which may form part of the content of the "Serious Play" Zone.

WALES

  Health Authorities (Funding)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional individual health authorities' allocations he has announced; and if he will make a statement. [40647]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I announced, in May 1997, £600,000 for breast cancer services which was disbursed to the health authorities and Trusts by the Cancer Services Co-ordinating Group and £2.5 million for primary care. In October 1997, I announced £9.5 million to assist with winter pressures. In December 1997, a cash increase of £113 million for NHS Wales in total for 1998–99 was announced by the Secretary of State, which included £60.2 million new money and an additional £1.3 million found from within the Welsh Office Block.

  The 1998–99 NHS cash increase included £77 million in revenue funding, of which £65.8 million was allocated to health authorities, and also included an additional £2.4 million for cancer services and £0.5 million to tackle prescription fraud. Following the latest Budget, I announced on 18 March an additional £25.1 million for NHS Wales for 1998–99 to bring in-patient waiting lists down to the level when we took office. £18 million of the additional money has already been allocated and further guidance on its use will be issued shortly. The balance of the money will be used to address in year waiting list issues as they arise together with other initiatives such as preparing a Corporate Plan for NHS Wales and managing the Trust reconfiguration exercise.

  Allocations directly to health authorities of the Winter Pressure money, the 1998–99 health authority cash increase and the Waiting List money are as follows:

  comprehensive and ambitious targets by which we can gain an overall measure of progress towards better health in Wales.

  Gwent Tertiary College
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library copies of the correspondence between his Department and the Chair of the Corporation of Gwent Tertiary College in the last six months. [41205]
  513
  Mr. Hain
  I have received two letters from the Chairman of Gwent Tertiary College Further Education Corporation. Copies of my replies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to reply to the questions from the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (38900, 38899) relating to ESF funding for Gwent Tertiary College. [41204]

  Mr. Hain
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Young Offender Institutions
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates of young offender institutions have(a) committed suicide, (b) attempted suicide and (c) been victims of violence, in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [40024]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is not available in the format requested. However, information is available on the number of self-inflicted deaths, the recorded incidents of self-harm and the recorded incidents of assault of a prisoner on a prisoner. It should be noted that not all self-inflicted deaths conclude with a verdict of suicide. The figures on self-harm and assault of a prisoner on a prisoner may include a number of incidents concerning the same prisoner. Definitions and methods of recording both these types of incident have also changed over time. The broader definition of incidents of self-harm is now used rather than attempted suicide. The figure for incidents of self-harm for 1997/98 is provisional.

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Self-inflicted deaths

  2

  14

  8

  Reported self-harm

  1,815

  1,158

  1,264

  Reported assault of prisoner on prisoner

  463

  678

  947

  Judicial Hearings
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases were heard in England and Wales by a judge alone during 1997. [40909]

  Mr. Michael
  It is not clear to what type of case this question refers, but criminal cases tried on indictment in the Crown Court in England and Wales are heard by a judge sitting with a jury. The law and procedures governing civil trials are the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor.

  Motorway Police
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a national motorway police force. [40616]

  Mr. Michael
  We have no such plans. Road traffic offences and general criminal offences do not arise in clearly separate ways which can be independently 514
  enforced. It is an advantage that traffic officers deal with all crimes which occur on the roads and, conversely, that police officers on general duties can take action against breaches of road traffic law.

  Separating the enforcement of road traffic law from other types of police work would generate operational difficulties and lead to the wasteful duplication of resources. Traffic policing, whether on motorways or other roads, is central to the overall police responsibility for maintaining law and order and preventing and detecting crime.

  Stop and Search
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many stop and search incidents took place in each division of the Metropolitan Police in 1996 and 1997; if he will provide the ethnic breakdown of those stopped and searched; how many arrests were made per 100 stops for each ethnic group; and if he will make a statement. [40824]

  Mr. Michael
  Stop and search policy remains an effective technique for dealing with individuals about whom the police have reasonable suspicion. The policy protects communities but needs to be operated fairly.

  The results of the first full year of ethnic monitoring of police activity, which includes stop and search, arrests, cautions and homicides, was published on 8 December 1997 under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. This requires the Home Secretary to publish annually information he considers appropriate to enable those engaged in the administration of criminal justice to avoid discriminating against any person on the ground of race, sex or any other improper ground. The data brought to light areas of concern, particularly the disproportionate impact of stop and search on black people, which need to be probed further. Ethnic monitoring of police activity is an important step forward as it allows police forces to identify areas in which they need to take action to ensure that all sections of the community receive equal treatment.

  The Commissioner tells me that the Metropolitan Police will continue to review stop and search policy, systems and procedures to ensure that this valuable but potentially sensitive activity is properly used and understood. He tells me that a new approach is being examined in a number of divisions. I look forward to hearing the outcome of the study.

  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has provided tables of information on the Metropolitan Police's stop and search record for 1996 and 1997, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Best Value Environmental Criteria
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the inclusion of environmental criteria in consideration of best value. [40866]
  515
  Ms Armstrong
  The closing date for responses on the Best Value Consultation Paper was 1 May. The responses are still being analysed although it is clear that a number of authorities have made representations about the importance of environmental matters in Best Value. Our conclusions will be published in a White Paper later this year. Although the Government will lay down the general framework for Best Value, it will be for local authorities to decide how to include environmental criteria in the consideration of Best Value, in consultation with the local community and against the background of progress in drawing up Local Agenda 21 strategies.

  Greater London Authority
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the Government intend to proceed with regard to the role of the Local government Commission in the event of a yes vote in the referendum on the Government's plans for a Greater London Authority. [41387]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have issued a Direction to the Local Government Commission in accordance with Part II of the 1998 GLA Referendum Act. A copy of this has today been placed in the Library of the House.

  Road Accident Fatalities
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many road accident fatalities there were in Coventry in each year since 1990.[40946]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Fatalities in Coventry Metropolitan District Council area: 1990–96

  Year

  Number

  1990

  10

  1991

  10

  1992

  10

  1993

  14

  1994

  8

  1995

  8

  1996

  8

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what measures his Department is taking to improve enforcement of speed limits;[40947]

  (2) what representations he has received in favour of a reduction in speed limits. [40948]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We receive a considerable number of letters from people seeking a reduction in speed limits. Highway authorities already have considerable scope for reducing limits on particular roads, but a greater challenge is to ensure more people comply with the limits. The enforcement of speed limits is an operational matter for the police and chief constables take this responsibility very seriously. To assist police in that 516
  task, we are currently discussing with colleagues a better funding system for speed enforcement cameras to encourage their more effective use.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Flood Defences
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the state of repair of inland flood defences. [40593]

  Mr. Morley
  Responsibility for such assessments rests with the local operating authorities (Environment Agency, local authorities and Internal Drainage Boards). Whilst this Department has overall policy responsibility for flood defence in England and administers grant aid for capital defence schemes, the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of defence measures is the responsibility of the operating authorities. The Ministry calls for Medium Term Plans from operating authorities which indicate the need for capital works.

  In recognition of their responsibility, the Environment Agency are implementing an Asset Register of Flood Defences which, inter alia, will record the state of repair of inland flood defences.

  Equine Exports
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many equines were exported from the UK in 1997, and to which individual countries of destination,(a) for slaughter, (b) for breeding, (c) for competition purposes and (d) for use as saddle horses. [40831]

  Mr. Morley
  The Overseas Trade Statistics show that a total of 6,247 horses were exported from the UK in 1997. None of these were exported for slaughter.

  It is not possible separately to identify horses exported for competition purposes or as saddle horses. The table shows the recorded destinations of exported horses.

  The data will be subject to a degree of statistical error. The overall level of errors will be low, but these errors will have a much greater proportional effect on countries with small volumes of recorded trade. Therefore great care is needed when interpreting the data in this table as it will inevitably include a number of errors.

  Countries

  Pure bred breeding horses

  Other horses

  Total

  Irish Republic

  1,331

  1

  1,332

  Belgium-Luxembourg

  3

  667

  670

  U.S.A.

  300

  318

  618

  Netherlands

  29

  578

  607

  Germany

  84

  322

  406

  Abu Dhabi

  291

  51

  342

  Italy

  311

  1

  312

  Switzerland

  32

  217

  249

  Saudi Arabia

  164

  10

  174

  Australia

  134

  27

  161

  Turkey

  134

  0

  134

  France

  117

  10

  127

  Japan

  112

  5

  117

  517

  Countries

  Pure bred breeding horses

  Other horses

  Total

  Norway

  63

  54

  117

  Macao

  52

  49

  101

  Canada

  62

  35

  97

  Kuwait

  45

  52

  97

  Hong Kong

  54

  21

  75

  India

  70

  0

  70

  Sweden

  58

  10

  68

  Ukraine

  37

  12

  49

  Malaysia

  30

  12

  42

  Denmark

  21

  15

  36

  Poland

  33

  1

  34

  Czech Republic

  25

  7

  32

  Yugoslavia

  23

  0

  23

  Russia

  7

  8

  15

  South Africa

  4

  8

  12

  Pakistan

  10

  0

  10

  Other

  98

  22

  120

  Grand total

  3,734

  2,513

  6,247

  Note:

  All data are provisional and subject to amendment

  Fisheries Commissioner
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the occasions since July 1995 when the UK Fisheries Minister has met the EC Commissioner with responsibility for fisheries matters and the location of each such meeting. [40923]

  Mr. Morley
  I or my predecessor as UK Fisheries Minister met the member of the European Commission with responsibility for fisheries on the following occasions since July 1995:

  Date

  Location

  17 October 1995

  Brussels

  26 October 1995

  Luxembourg

  21–22 December 1995

  Brussels

  5 March 1996

  Brussels

  18 March 1996

  London

  22 April 1996

  Luxembourg

  4 June 1996

  Brussels

  10 June 1996

  Luxembourg

  14 October 1996

  Luxembourg

  22 November 1996

  Brussels

  19–20 December 1996

  Brussels

  14–15 April 1997

  Luxembourg

  20 May 1997

  Brussels

  18 September 1997

  Vigo

  30 October 1997

  Luxembourg

  18–19 December 1997

  Brussels

  8 January 1998

  London

  24 March 1998

  Brussels

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the potential impact on biodiversity, including the indirect effects on birds, of(a) genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops in general, (b) a crop of genetically modified oil seed rape and (c) a crop of genetically modified sugar beet; what proposals he has to monitor such impact; and if he will make a statement. [40556]
  518
  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 7 May 1998]: Under the legislation on release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the risk to human health and the environment is assessed on a case by case basis for each and every proposed release. This includes an assessment of the direct and indirect effects of the crops on other organisms, including birds.

  Similarly, the possible risks to human health and the environment, including birds, from the use on a genetically modified herbicide tolerant crop of a herbicide to which it is tolerant, would be assessed in accordance with the pesticides legislation.

  In 1997, the Department commissioned a programme of research on possible risks to the agricultural environment from the release of herbicide tolerant crops. This includes a three-year monitoring programme to look at the effects on plant biodiversity in field margins. A LINK research project is being put in place on the impacts and management of herbicide tolerance, which will include research into the effects on plant diversity within arable systems. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions also has a research programme on the risks to the environment from the release of GMOs.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Novel Foods Regulation 258/97 requires food products containing oil extracted from genetically modified soy-beans to be labelled to refer to the use of genetically modified material. [41191]

  Mr. Morley
  The labelling of food ingredients derived from Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) soya beans is covered by Commission Regulation 1813/97. Detailed rules for these ingredients are to be decided at the Internal Market Council on 18 May.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking during the United Kingdom's Presidency to achieve consistency of labelling for genetically modified foods across Europe under the Novel Foods Regulation 258/97; and if he will make a statement. [41190]

  Mr. Morley
  Under the United Kingdom's Presidency, we have been working hard to improve a Commission proposal on detailed labelling rules for genetically modified (GM) soya and maize ingredients to ensure that the rules are practical and meaningful to consumers. The UK proposals have attracted a large degree of support from other Member States, and the issue will be decided at the Internal Market Council on 18 May. I expect these rules to set a precedent for the labelling of GM foods under the Novel Foods Regulation (258/97).

  Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes is permitted to take into account(a) wider environmental considerations and (b) ethical considerations when considering applications. [41192]

  Mr. Morley
  The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) works closely with the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) in assessing the human and environmental safety of
  519
  genetically modified organisms in accordance with the requirements of the EC Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients Regulation (258/97).

  The ACNFP considers ethical concerns as part of its normal approval process and to assist in this has a member specifically appointed with expertise in this area.

  Transgenic Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if animals which have been involved in transgenic experiments are deemed substantially equivalent in terms of their permissability for inclusion in the food chain. [41194]

  Mr. Morley
  Animals that have been genetically modified in transgenic experiments would be classed as genetically modified organisms within the meaning of Directive 90/220/EEC and would require a full safety assessment under article 1(2)a of the EC Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients Regulation (258/97).

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Developing Countries
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation her Department has had with the Department for International Development regarding the offer of advice to companies currently investing or considering investment in developing and transitional countries. [41038]

  Mrs. Roche
  DTI officials work closely with those of the Department for International Development in taking forward all aspects of the Development White Paper, including providing advice about trade and investment opportunities in developing and transitional countries.

  Multinational Investment
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation her Department has had with the Department for International Development concerning the forthcoming OECD guidelines on multinational investment. [41037]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Department has already undertaken wide consultation in developing initial positions on the issues relevant to the forthcoming review of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Department for International Development has taken a full part in the process of interdepartmental consultation and is working on an examination of the scope of existing voluntary codes of conduct. Business, trades unions and non-governmental organisations have also been consulted. It is our clear intention to continue consultation with all interested parties as the review process gets formally under way in June.

  Export Credits Guarantee Scheme
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what United Kingdom content requirements are included in the eligibility criteria for the export credits guarantee scheme. [40629]
  520
  Mrs. Roche
  ECGD's aim is to help exporters of UK goods and services to win business and as such limits the amount of support that can be given for the foreign content of a UK export contract. However, recognising that exporters sometimes have no choice but to source some elements of their contract from overseas, support is usually available in line with EU regulations or bilateral agreements with other export credit agencies for certain levels of foreign content in contracts.

  Exports
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list in order the 10 United Kingdom exporters who exported most by value, and their combined percentage of total United Kingdom exports, in the last available year. [40627]

  Mrs. Roche
  Information on exports by individual firms is not available from official sources. Results for 1996 from the Financial Times FT Exporters are given in the table. The FT figures are not comparable with the official figures for total exports; consequently, the Top 10 companies' share of the UK total is not available.

  £ million

  1

  British Aerospace

  5,248

  2

  BP

  4,483

  3

  Rover Group

  4,005

  4

  Shell UK

  3,357

  5

  IBM UK

  3,069

  6

  British Steel

  2,722

  7

  Ford Motor Company

  2,611

  8

  Rolls-Royce

  2,512

  9

  Motorola

  2,208

  10

  Zeneca

  2,076

  Total of Top 10

  32,291

  Source:

  The Financial Times FT Exporters

  Cable and Wireless
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much(a) EU and (b) other public funds were given to the Cable and Wireless cable modem trial in Greater Manchester; what consultation Cable and Wireless had with the Government about the termination of the trial; and what assessment she has made of the future of the cable modem trial. [40560]

  Mrs. Roche
  No EU or other public funds were used for the Cable and Wireless modem trial. Cable and Wireless funded the project in the normal course of commercial and technical development and they will evaluate the project's results. Two other, earlier, multi-media projects in the area using Framework IV and EU funds have utilised in part the Cable and Wireless network, but no public funds have been given to the Company themselves in this context.

  Clinical Trials
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will take regulatory steps to inhibit inflated claims and suppression of results of clinical trials in the biotechnology drug industry. [40638]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have been asked to reply.
  521
  The London Stock Exchange is the Competent Authority for Listing in the UK and in this capacity acts to regulate the disclosure of information to the market by listed companies. Companies which are listed have continuing obligations of disclosure under the listing rules of the Exchange which are made under Part IV of the Financial Services Act 1986. Directors of listed companies must notify the market via the Exchange of changes in the company's expectation of its performance where knowledge of the change is likely to lead to substantial movement in the price of its shares. Such changes might, in the case of biotechnology companies, include the results of clinical trials. Where necessary the Exchange investigates possible breaches of the rules.

SCOTLAND

  Spinal Injury Units
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many spinal injury units there are in Scotland. [40913]

  Mr. Galbraith
  There is one spinal injury unit in Scotland, located at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow.

DEFENCE

  Sewn and Knitted Products
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of sewn and knitted products for service personnel sourced through UK companies is subsequently sub-contracted(a) elsewhere in the EU and (b) to non-EU organisations. [36819]

  Mr. Spellar
  The bulk of the procurement of sewn and knitted products for service personnel is carried out through the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Roycroft to Mr. Andrew George, dated 8 May 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the proportion of sewn and knitted products for service personnel sourced through UK companies that is subsequently sub-contracted elsewhere in the EU and the non-EU organisations, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency.Unfortunately this information is not available. Although at the outset of a contract we ask contractors to notify us of the value of subcontracts to be placed overseas, we do this in order that we can make sure individual manufacturing sites comply with our quality standards; we do not subsequently police the percentage of work carried out on different sites as it is ultimately the responsibility of the prime contractor to manage his subcontracts and the contract as a whole.

  Staff Newsletters
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current security classifications of the newsletters produced for the staff of(a) Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency, (b) Defence Animal Centre and (c) Defence Bills Agency; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. [40666]
  522
  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the Agencies concerned. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Chris Winsland to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 8 May 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about newsletters produced for the staff of the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA) as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Agency's Chief Executive.I should explain that AFPAA formed as a Defence Agency on 1 April 1997; an initial AFPAA Newsletter was produced in October 1996 to outline the way ahead and our plans for launching the Agency. Newsletters were subsequently issued every 2 to 3 months and were generally timed to coincide with major developments in the Agency's procurement of a commercial partner.The AFPAA's public/private partnership with EDS (Defence) Ltd became effective on 1 January 98. It is intended to issue a combined AFPAA/EDS Newsletter every 3 months.I can confirm that the security classification of the Agency's Newsletter is unclassified.
  Letter from 1. A. Kneale to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 8 May 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about newsletters produced for staff at the Defence Animal Centre (DAC), as this matter falls within my area of responsibility, as Chief Executive of the DAC.I can confirm that the newsletter produced for staff at the DAC is unclassified, was first produced in April 1998 and will be produced on a quarterly basis.If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.
  Letter from lain Elrick to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 8 May 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Defence Bills Agency's newsletter as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Agency Chief Executive.The newsletter is unclassified and is circulated only to DBA staff. It is produced in-house every two months and was first produced in December 1996.

  Live Firing Limits
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the 130 decibel live firing limit on Salisbury Plains was established; how this figure was arrived at; with whom it was agreed; how often it has been breached in the past year; how many complaints have been received about live firing in the past year; and from whom. [41181]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department has observed a voluntary limit of 130 decibels for live firing on Salisbury Plain Training Area since 1984, except in certain areas where such a limit would have a serious impact on training. This figure was set at a level that would allow normal training to be undertaken, while preventing unreasonable disturbance to the local community.

  It is not currently possible to measure every noise event on Salisbury Plain throughout the year, and so determine on how many occasions, if any, noise from live firing has exceeded 130 decibels. However, a detailed noise monitoring survey was carried out during Exercise IRON TORNADO, an artillery concentration on Salisbury Plain in September 1997, which showed that noise in residential areas around the Plain did not exceed 125 decibels during the four day exercise.
  523
  Between 1 May 1997 and 30 April 1998, 45 complaints were made about the noise of live firing on Salisbury Plain, by local residents.

  Hunting
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he decided to rescind the licence of the Royal Artillery Hunt; what consultation he had with(a) the general staff at HQ Land Command, Wilton and (b) the Royal Artillery Hunt; and when he will relicense the hunt; [41180]

  (2) if he will list the licences which he has rescinded since 1 May 1997 in respect of hunting with hounds on his Department's land; and if he will make a statement. [41179]

  Mr. Spellar
  Three multi-year licences have been rescinded since 1 May 1997 in accordance with our policy of harmonising the issue of all hunting licences across the Defence Estate; this process is due to complete by the end of the month. The licences rescinded so far covered the Royal Artillery Hunt, the Avon Vale Hunt, and the South Wiltshire Hunt. The policy of harmonisation was explained to the hunts concerned in the notices of cancellation. Applications for new licences for the 1998–99 season, incorporating standard terms and conditions, will be considered in August from those hunts who have traditionally held licences or enjoyed such rights.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Schools
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each local education authority in England(a) the number of maintained primary school places available, (b) the number of children attending maintained primary schools, (c) the number of maintained secondary school places available, (d) the number of children attending maintained secondary schools, (e) the proportion of available maintained primary school places which were unfilled and (f) the proportion of available maintained secondary school places which were unfilled for each of the last five years. [41178]

  Mr. Byers
  The information for the years 1994–1997, is given in tables, copies of which I have placed in the Library. Data for earlier years were not collected.

  Science Subjects
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the number of school students taking science subjects. [41159]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The National Curriculum ensures that all pupils, from the age of 5 to 16, study science as a core subject. Our aim is to encourage post-16 students to study more subjects, including the sciences. The Government's recently announced response to the Qualifying for Success consultation will further encourage students to pursue broader studies post-16, while maintaining rigour and standards. Proposals include a new style AS qualification, which represents 524
  the first year of a full A level and smaller Advanced GNVQ programmes (including GNVQs in science and engineering).

  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from parental support groups, LEAs and schools in response to the consultation document, Excellence for All Children: Meeting Special Education Needs, with specific reference to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [41209]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department received some 3,600 responses to the special educational needs Green Paper. A very small number focused on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Respondents commented on the need for better identification of the disorder and appropriate medical and educational intervention. Our response to the Green Paper consultation exercise will set out how we will improve provision for all children with special educational needs.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evaluation he has made of the possibility of screening children excluded from school for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [41197]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Schools and local education authorities are under a duty to identify children's special educational needs and, where necessary, assess for a statement of need. Local education authorities' behaviour support plans should include information about local arrangements for establishing whether behavioural difficulties, including those which may lead to exclusion, stem from underlying medical conditions.

  Drug Education
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been allocated for drug misuse education programmes in schools in each of the last five years. [40945]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department made specific central support available to local education authorities for drug prevention and education work through the Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) programme from 1995–96. Approximately £6 million was made available to support LEAs' drug education initiatives, including teacher training and innovative projects, each year up to 1997–98. Increased support of £7 million is being made available this financial year, through the Standards Fund programme, to assist primary and secondary schools and the youth service in delivering effective education about drugs. Other programmes in schools may be financed locally or from other sources.

  Education Funding, Essex
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his oral statement of 8 April 1998,Official Report, column 351, if he will provide an extra £3.5 million for education in Essex. [40661]

  Mr. Byers
  As my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has made clear, Essex's education SSA for 1998–99 is some £497 million—an increase of some
  525
  £27 million, or 5.8 per cent. The Government have no plans to reward the County Council with extra resources for failing to use all of this increase to support Essex schools.

  Literacy Strategy
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations his Department held with external bodies, apart from the Literacy Task Force, on the literacy strategy prior to publication of that strategy; and if he will list those bodies. [40758]

  Mr. Byers
  The Department itself did not consult on the National Literacy Strategy. The Literacy Task Force had already consulted very widely before publishing its final recommendations for the strategy, which the Government accepted in full.

  School Inspections
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many Ofsted inspections took place in schools in England and Wales during 1997. [40928]

  Mr. Byers
  During 1997, 7,492 schools in England were inspected in accordance with section 10 of the School Inspections Act 1996. In addition, 165 schools were inspected as part of the pilot reviews of local education authorities, aspects of education were inspected in 2,419 schools (including 484 independent schools), and HM Inspectors conducted around 750 inspections of schools which required special measures. The Chief Inspector for Wales is responsible for the inspection of schools in Wales.

  Teachers (Study Support)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment whether discretionary payment will be available to teachers who undertake study support activities where those activities are funded from the school's delegated budget. [40995]

  Mr. Byers
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 30 March, following consultation on his proposals in response to the Seventh Report of the School Teachers' Review Body, that he had decided that, with effect from 1 September 1998, discretionary payment should be available for teachers who undertake out of school hours learning activity. Schools are free to use their delegated budgets towards such activity.

  Sick and Disabled People (Personal Advisers)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress made in establishing a network of personal advisers to help sick and disabled people overcome barriers to work; and what is the timetable for further plans relating to the scheme. [41062]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 6 May 1998]: The Secretaries of State for Education and Employment and for Social Security announced, on 9 March, plans to pilot the Personal Adviser service in 12 areas. The first six areas, to be run by the Employment Service, will start by October 1998. The remainder will be put out to open
  526
  tender and start in early 1999. To help develop the shape of the Personal Adviser service we shall he holding a consultation event on 12 May. National implementation, probably from April 2000, will be considered in the light of the emerging lessons from these pilots.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what(a) qualification requirements and (b) compulsory training requirements there are for personal advisers for the New Deal for the long-term sick and disabled. [41061]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 6 May 1998]: A consultation event on the development of the Personal Adviser service will take place on 12 May 1998. Organisations representing the views of a wide range of disabled people have been invited. We will be considering in the light of this what, if any, compulsory training or qualification requirements there could usefully be.

  Teachers of Technology
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment his Department has made of the IT skills of teachers of technology. [40361]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department conducts every two years a survey of Information Technology (IT) in Schools. It provides information about the level of provision and use of IT in schools, including the skill levels of teachers. The latest survey was conducted in 1996 and the results were published in March 1997. The results of the 1998 survey will be published later this year.

  The Teacher Training Agency is about to issue a contract for the development of materials to assess the training needs of all teachers in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). These materials will enable all teachers, regardless of the subject or age range of pupils they teach, to assess their training and development needs. The needs assessment will help teachers prepare for the proposed lottery-funded 1CT training programme for serving teachers. Training will ensure that all teachers have the skills necessary to use ICT effectively in the subject they teach.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made towards the improvement of decision-making procedures under the Benefit Integrity Project. [40781]

  Mr. Denham
  We have taken steps to introduce a number of improvements to the Benefit Integrity Project. It is important that decisions taken as a result of the project are right and these steps will improve the quality of, and confidence in, those decisions. We are preparing more informative literature, to enable people to tell us at an early stage if they feel they should not be contacted by the Project; we are arranging additional training for Adjudication Officers; we are also organising a speedier process to deal with reviews and appeals against decisions.
  527
  Also, on 9 February my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security introduced changes to the Benefit Integrity Project to ensure that no decision to reduce benefit would be taken without seeking additional evidence. We are concerned about those cases where a decision was taken without the benefit of the new procedure that was introduced on 9 February, and on which the claimant has not already sought a review of the decision.

  We are considering options for reviewing those cases but there are some legal and operational issues that we need to resolve as speedily as possible before deciding exactly how to proceed.

  These positive and constructive changes demonstrate our determination that the actions of the Project are fair, and seen to be fair.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the adequacy of present levels of disability benefits in offsetting the additional cost of disability. [40782]

  Mr. Denham
  Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance provide a contribution towards extra costs arising from the effects of disability. The structure of these benefits reflects findings from the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) surveys of disability in Great Britain in the mid-1980s. These showed that locomotor and personal care disabilities were among the types of disability most strongly associated with higher than average additional expenditure arising from disability.

  The 1996–97 disability follow-up to the Family Resources Survey will update our information on the financial circumstances of disabled people. It does not replicate the questions on extra spending from the earlier surveys, but it does ask respondents whether they incur extra costs, whether they receive help towards those costs, and whether they go without items they need because they cannot afford them. A report of the survey will be published towards the end of the year.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received from disability organisations calling for a guaranteed minimum level of income to ensure equality between disabled and non-disabled people; and if she will make a statement. [40783]

  Mr. Denham
  We have received many representations on a range of issues relating to people with disabilities, some of which will have addressed the level of benefits.

  Incontinence
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1990–91 on the grounds of incontinence. [40194]

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1990–91 on the grounds of incontinence. [41056]

  Mr. Denham
  I have been asked to reply.
  528
  Incontinence is a symptom of a number of different medical conditions rather than a diagnosis in itself and is therefore not recorded as a separate category in the International Classification of Diseases which the Department uses to record diagnoses underlying claims for Incapacity Benefit. The all-work test includes incontinence as a specific condition which, depending on the degree of disability, might lead to a decision that a claimant is incapable of work. Information on the numbers of cases where points have been scored within the incontinence category could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will suspend the internal restructuring of the Child Support Agency pending the outcome of the review; and if she will make a statement. [40181]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support scheme to see where improvements can be made. We aim to bring forward a consultation document on our proposals.

  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Ms Joan Walley, dated 7 May 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the changes being made to the Child Support Agency organisational structure. I thought it would be helpful to give you an explanation of the changes we are making and why we are unable to suspend our plans pending the review.
  These changes will result in more jobs overall, much more face-to-face contact, and much more contact being carried out by telephone in a more personalised way than at present. They will also enable backroom paper processing work which involves no direct contact with the public to be done far more cost-effectively than at present; thus releasing funds which will be reinvested in improved service delivery and in keeping up with rising workloads. The results of the on-going reorganisation are already beginning to show. In 1997/98 the backlogs of outstanding cases were more than halved, and the amount of maintenance collected and arranged rose by over one third.
  I can assure you that Ministers were made aware of the proposals for reorganisation before we embarked on changes and their wishes have been taken fully into account in the further work which we have done since. They require improvements to be made in the Agency's performance in the interval before implementation of any longer-term changes which may result from the review. Ministers have asked me to concentrate on improving the quantity and quality of direct personal contact (both by telephone and face to face); and with seeking ways in which this can be provided actively with other Agencies as a one-stop service for customers. That will be a primary outcome of the reorganisation. The objective is to find means of extending and improving the range and quality of active modem contact with customers whilst at the same time improving the efficiency of the Agency sufficiently to keep pace with the 50% increase in workloads over the next 3 years, and to improve compliance levels.
  At present, over 95% of the staff years in local offices are not providing any face-to-face contact at all. They are employed on paper processing and are no more accessible to the public than those in the major processing centres. The number of CSA staff years which are devoted to face-to-face contact is currently only 120; in many locations there is less than one interview a day, and there is no Child Support presence in many Benefits Offices. The

  529
  reorganisation will enable us to more than quadruple the staff years used for face-to-face contact, and increase the locations at which it is available.
  The Agency's plans for re-organising are fully in line with the Government strategy of modernising the delivery of public services. Many of the changes directly reflect the concerns expressed about accessibility and customer service during the recent discussion sessions which I have held with MPs and their support staff. As part of that, the Agency has looked at the whole range of ways in which it contacts its customers. Until this year that has been predominantly by paper which has been consistently criticised as too complex and impersonal.
  I am quite convinced of the need for much increased face-to-face contact, not least because of its effectiveness in reducing the incidence of fraud, improving the explanations available to customers, and improving their compliance and co-operation. The reorganisation will significantly increase the availability of local face-to-face contact in a number of ways. As part of their wider strategy to improve face-to-face contact with DSS customers, the Government announced last year that CSA would be working more closely with their colleagues in the Benefits Agency which will provide customers with a one stop service. From I April 1998, Benefits Agency staff are interviewing and assisting all new Income Support parents with care to complete their maintenance application form, where appropriate.
  Pilot studies have shown this to be both very cost effective and welcomed by individual customers. 75% of our parents with care will be interviewed at the time when they first come into contact with child support and most need information and help. Customers will have to provide information only once, thus reducing overlap and repetition of work. So you can see that for many customers there will be a noticeable improvement in the face-to-face contact without retaining a separate, duplicate CSA presence. Together with BA we will be looking to see how far we can extend this joint approach for parents with care.
  Restructuring will allow CSA to offer significantly more face to face contact on a peripatetic basis, in a greater range of locations which we hope in future will also include for example, CAB premises. The CSA will then be able to concentrate on improving the service to new absent parents, by telephoning them at an early stage and, where necessary, offering individuals with particular problems an interview to ensure that information is gathered more quickly and that fewer absent parents begin with significant arrears.
  As well as improving customer service there are sound resourcing reasons to support the re-organisation. Most of the current sites are very small and inflexible and impose considerable extra cost. Many offices have very few staff. For example, there are a number of offices with as few as four staff. It only takes one person to be on holiday and another to be ill and the effectiveness of the office is immediately reduced by 50%. In terms of accommodation alone, up to £8m will be released to be reinvested in better telephone services and more jobs to keep up with rising workloads and to finish clearing the backlogs.
  Conversely, the centres provide significant economies of scale for processing paper and (with the reinvestment of such efficiency savings and the introduction of flexible working patterns) will he able to accommodate in excess of 1200 staff during the working day. Telephone availability to the public at the centres has already been extended from 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday, initially to 8am up to 9pm and in the near future to weekends. That will allow CSA to be contacted by absent parents in particular in the privacy of their own homes rather than during the day when they are at work. And it will release local resources to provide much more face-to-face contact where that is needed.
  Finally, I want to stress that we are making every effort to ensure that individual staff in the field will be taken care of and found suitable alternative work in their location. The movement of work will not take place overnight. Moving the backroom paper processing work which does not require face-to-face contact will be done in conjunction with improvements to face-to-face contact; to CSA's telephone service; and, with an increase in the staff resources and hours in the centres. Every support will be given to ensure that field staff are provided with alternatives and we certainly have no plans to make any member of staff redundant. The Agency is already
  530
  in touch with the Benefits Agency and Employment Services who will have suitable vacancies in many areas over the next 2 years. Some field staff will be able to move with the paper work to the existing centre; and the Agency will be establishing a number of intermediate sized satellite centres which will provide further opportunities for staff in other areas.
  Overall, the changes will result in more jobs (but in different locations); and enable us to provide both a more cost-efficient and accessible service. Throughout the period the Agency will continue to report regularly to Ministers and consult customer representative groups at both national and local levels to ensure that service standards are improved.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disability living allowance claimants in the area of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council or the related DSS offices are presently in receipt of life-time awards of disability living allowance. [40200]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Dari Taylor, dated 7 May 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants in the area of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council or the related DSS offices are presently in receipt of life time awards of DLA.
  There are an estimated 5,000 DLA claimants in receipt of life time awards in the area covered by the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Source: Analytical Services Division, based on a five per cent sample.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  Benefits Agency (Jarrow)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the future of the Benefits Agency office in Jarrow. [39846]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 7 May 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking about the future of the Benefits Agency (BA) office in Jarrow.
  The original proposal to withdraw BA services from Jarrow has been reviewed as a result of the move towards building an Active Modern Service, the wider consultation process, public concern and the issues raised by yourself and other interested parties.
  Ministers will be considering a revised proposal which will ensure that there will be no change in benefit service delivery to the Jarrow community. The proposal is to maintain a full Public Caller Office with full payment facilities located in the Viking Precinct, adjacent to the existing office. Amongst other things this will improve facilities for disabled people as the new site will have ground floor access. BA facilities are currently located on the first floor at Viking House. This move will allow the BA's Tyne Tees Area Director to manage the wider operational needs of the Area more effectively. The final decision on the proposal, subject to Ministerial approval, will involve full consultation with staff, Trade Union representatives, local MPs and any other interested parties. I can assure you that the BA is committed to maintaining an office in Jarrow.

  531
  I should explain that the BA is currently examining the way that all its services are provided to ensure that an equitable service is available to all our customers. We must ensure that there is a balance between the need for customers to have face to face contact with BA officers and the improved quality and increased cost effectiveness and quality improvements that come from concentrating staff in larger sites. Whilst the BA remains fully committed to providing a high standard of customer service, the service provided has to be affordable.
  The current review of our business processes gives the BA the opportunity to provide better quality services, increased security and greater value for taxpayers' money. All proposed changes to service delivery within the BA are now being measured against the following criteria:
  Wider access to our services for customers.
  Improved accuracy, quality and security of service.
  Achieving a fair balance between the needs of staff, policy and operational needs.
  Increased efficiency and reduced costs.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  National Insurance
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of completed national insurance annual returns are rejected; and if she will provide a breakdown of the reasons given for rejection and the number of returns rejected by size of company. [39982]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of National Insurance contribution records is a matter for George Bertram, the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend with further details.

  Letter from George Bertram to Ms Gisela Stuart:
  As Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency I have responsibility for answering questions about operational matters relating to the Agency and the administration of the National Insurance (NI) scheme. I have been asked to reply to your question about the number of NI returns which are rejected.
  During the 1997–98 year a total of 46,753,630 National Insurance contribution (NIC) items were accepted onto the National Insurance Recording system (NIRS) of which 2.6 per cent. were rejected for further clerical investigation.
  There are many individual reasons why a contribution item is rejected, however the Contributions Agency records each rejected item under the following categories:
  Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)/Maximum pay output—21,649 items rejected 1997/98
  These items were rejected because the maximum annual SSP payment had been exceeded.
  Employers Contracted Out Numbers and scheme Contracted out numbers—21,326 items rejected
  These items omitted, or contained incorrect details of pension scheme identification numbers.
  Ratio Check failures—239,994 items rejected
  NIRS undertakes a number of checks to validate the financial information contained on annual returns. The items rejected under this category failed the criteria for acceptance by the system, for example:
  The NICs recorded are not in the correct ratio and do not agree with the amounts and category letter used.
  Compatibility Reports—126,311 items rejected
  This is where the category letter entered on the End of year Return does not match the existing liability recorded on the NI account.
  532
  Excess Reports—179,275 items rejected
  These items are rejected because the NICs exceed the annual maximum.
  Non Matching items—657,564 items rejected
  These items are rejected because the personal details and NI number details shown on the P14 do not match those held on the NI account.
  Turning to the final part of your question I am afraid that I am unable to provide information relating to the number of returns rejected by size of company. There is no tracking system on NIRS to identify rejected individual annual returns against employers scheme details.

HEALTH

  Review Panels
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change the procedures of the Health Service independent review panels in respect of access by complainants to the defendant's evidence. [34235]

  Mr. Milburn
  We will be commissioning an independent evaluation of the National Health Service complaints procedures later this year. Discussions on possible changes to the procedures will be taken in the light of the outcome of the evaluation.

  Physiotherapy
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average pay for(a) physiotherapists, (b) consultants and (c) GPs. [34543]

  Mr. Milburn
  Physiotherapists' pay is dependent on a wide range of factors such as grade and length of service. From December 1998, the Senior I salary scale recommended by the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine runs from £18,755 to £21,485. Details of other physiotherapy grades are in the Review Body's 1998 Report. Consultant salaries effective from December 1998 run from £45,740 to £59,040, with discretionary points up to £70,850. The average intended net income for general practitioners is £49,450 from December 1998. Earnings from achieving higher childhood immunisation and cervical screening targets, estimated by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration at £3,500 for the average GP, are extra.

  Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the members and (b) the proportion of members of the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment who provide research support or consultancy services to pharmaceutical companies. [39374]
  533
  Ms Jowell
  Members of the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) are appointed by the Chief Medical Officer. A number of new appointments were made recently and these came into effect on 1 April. A full list

  Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Membership and declaration of interests—as of 1 April 1998

  Personal interest

  Non personal interest

  Member

  Company

  Interest

  Company

  Interest

  Prof. H. F. Woods (Chairman) Head of Department of Medicine Pharmacology and Therapeutics University of Sheffield

  Halifax Bank

  Shares

  Wide range of national and international food and chemical companies.

  Has extensive activity in teaching and research in nutrition and toxicology and in topics related to and supported by many companies in the food and chemical industry. Trustee of Hallamshire Therapeutic Research Trust Ltd, Harry Bottom Charitable Trust and Special Trustees for the former United Sheffield
  Hospitals.

  Prof P. J. Aggett Vice Chairman, Head of Lancashire Postgradute School of Medicine and Health

  None

  None

  Nutricia

  Research Support

  Milupa

  Research Support

  SMA Nutrition

  Research Support

  Unilever

  Institute intellectual agreement

  Nestlé

  Meeting Support

  Dr. N.A. Brown Senior Scientist, Medical Research Council Experimental Embryology and Teratology Unit and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Department of Child Health, St. George's Hosptial, University of London

  Glaxo

  Consultancy

  Ec (DGXII)

  Research Support

  Shook, Hardy and Bacon

  Consultancy

  Glaxo

  Research Support

  Styrene Information Research Control

  Consultancy

  Wellcome Trust

  Fellowship and research support

  Du Pont

  Consultancy

  US EPA

  Research Support

  Dr. P. Carthew Unit Pathologist at Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit

  Cortecs

  Share holder

  None

  None

  Cambridge Antibody Technology

  Consultancy

  Dr. J. K. Chipman Senior Lecturer at the School of Biochemistry, University of Birmingham

  Boots

  Consultancy

  Astra

  MRC Collaborative Research Award

  Glaxo—Wellcome

  Research Support

  STD Pharmaceutical Ltd

  Research Support

  Water Research Centre

  Research Support

  Zeneca, Safety of Medicine

  CASE research award

  Zeneca, Central Toxicology Laboratory

  MRC Collaborative Research Award

  Dr. M. Joffe Senior Lecturer in Public Health, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School

  Ilzro

  Research grant

  None

  None

  Woolwich

  Share holder

  Abbey National

  Share holder

  Dr. I. Kimber Research Manager, Cell and Molecular and Immunology, ZENECA Toxicology Laboratory

  British Airways

  Share holder

  Unilever plc

  Grant for Research

  British Petroleum

  Share holder

  ICI

  Share holder

  ICI

  Consultant

  Zeneca

  Share holder

  Zeneca

  Employee

  Prof. A. G. Renwich Professor of Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Southampton

  International Sweeteners Association

  Consultant

  Hoffmann-La Roche

  Research Support

  Unilever

  Research Support

  SmithKline Beecham

  Research Support

  534
  of the current membership with their declared interests is given in the table. The previous committee members, and their declared interests, can be found in the 1996 COT Annual Report, copies of which have been placed in the Library.
  535

  Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Membership and declaration of interests—as of 1 April 1998

  Personal interest

  Non personal interest

  Member

  Company

  Interest

  Company

  interest

  Prof. P. A. Routledge Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Head of Division of Anaesthetics and Pharmacology, University of Wales College of Medicine

  Health Care Services Edinburgh

  Fee

  Paracetamol Information Centre

  Member of Advisory Group

  Prof. I. R. Rowland Professor of Human Nutrition, Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health, University of Ulster

  None

  None

  Coca Cola

  Research Support

  Unilever

  Fellowship/Research Support

  Biscuit Coca Chocolate

  Research Support

  Confectionery Alliance

  Research Support

  Kelloggs

  Research Support

  St. IveI

  Research Support

  Kirin Brewery

  Research Support

  Scotia Lipioteknik/Scotia Pharmaceuticals

  Research Support

  Medici Pharmaceuticals

  Research Support

  Dr. L Rushton Head of Epidemiology and Modelling Group, Institute of Environment and Health, University of Leicester

  Institute of Petroleum

  Consultancy, contracts and grants, now lapsed

  Concawe

  Contract to Institute for Environment and Health

  Transport and General Workers Union

  Consultancy

  European Union

  Contract to Institute of Environment and Health

  Ms J. Salfield Public Health Nutritionist, School of Leisure and Food Management, Sheffield Hallam University

  None

  None

  None

  None

  Dr.A.Smith Head of Section of Molecular Toxicology,Medical Researth Council Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester

  British Telecom

  Share holder

  RhÖne Poulence

  Research Support

  Prof. S Strobel Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Head of Division of Anaesthetics and Pharmacology, University of Wales College of Medicine

  None

  None

  None

  None

  Dr.A. Thomes Consultant Physician with special responsibility For the elderly, Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust

  None

  None

  None

  None

  Prof. J.A.Timbrell Professor of Biochemical Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, Kings's College, London

  Shook, Hardy and Bacon (Law firm)

  Occasional fee

  Glaxo welcome

  Reserch Support

  Sorex Ltd

  Occasional fee

  Taisho Pharmaceutical Co

  Research Support

  Dr. M. Tucker Independent

  Zeneca

  Pension

  None

  None

  Child Mortality (Medical Errors)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children died in England and Wales during 1997 as a result of medical errors which occurred while the children were in hospital. [40910]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 3 February 1998,Official Report, column 614.

  Child Mental Health Services
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's priorities regarding child and adolescent mental health services. [40674]

  Mr. Boateng
  The importance of developing comprehensive child and adolescent mental health services was recognised as a medium term priority and objective in the Priorities and Planning Guidance for the National Health Service in 1996–97 and 1997–98, and
  537
  cross-referencing emphasis was included in the Children's Services Planning Guidance for Local Authorities issued in 1996. Enabling people of all ages with mental illness to receive effective care and treatment in the most appropriate setting in accordance with their needs is identified as a development area in the Priorities and Planning Guidance for 1998–99. Implementation of national policy guidance on child and adolescent mental health is being led by the regional offices of the NHS Executive in collaboration with social care regions. A number of reviews of services have been undertaken and local action plans developed.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [40737]

  Mr. Milburn
  Of the 632 appointees to the Department's non-departmental public bodies, (i) none are aged under 25 (0 per cent.); (ii) 1 is aged 25 to 30 (0.16 per cent.); and (iii) 4 are aged 31 to 35 years (0.63 per cent.).

  The Department, like all Government Departments, is committed to encouraging a wide range of candidates to apply for positions on the boards of its 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.

  Non-amalgam Fillings
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned on the health risks of leaching from non-amalgam fillings. [41020]

  Mr. Milburn
  None at present. We are awaiting recommendations from the European Commission which has established an expert group to consider dental amalgam within the Medical Devices Directive. The group, which has also given some consideration to other restorative materials, is expected to report later this year.

  Departmental Research
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of applications, in relation to his Department's research budget, were from women, for(a) project grants, (b) programme grants, (c) special grants intended for new investigators, (d) studentships and (e) fellowships, in 1997 and each of the two previous years; [40877]

  (2) what percentage of applications from women, in relation to his Department's research budget, were successful for (a) project grants, (b) programme grants,
  538
  (c)special grants intended for new investigators, (d) studentships and (e) fellowships, in 1997 and each of the two previous years. [40876]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department does not consider applications for research grants as such. Research supported directly by the Department is commissioned according to Departmental needs. Research contracts are awarded on scientific merit, following competitive tendering exercises and peer review by qualified referees. The Department does not collect information on the gender of those bidding for Departmental research and development contracts.

  The National Health Service research and development programme includes some provision at a regional level for research projects and capacity development which are awarded in response to applications from researchers. However, information on the gender of applicants is not collected.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the relationship he proposes between community health councils and the new primary care groups. [41112]

  Mr. Milburn
  Primary Care Groups are expected to have effective arrangements for public involvement, including establishing a suitable relationship with community health councils.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes he is planning to the role and remit of community health councils; and if he will make a statement. [41111]

  Mr. Milburn
  No immediate changes to the role and remit of community health councils are planned.

  Ritalin
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation his Department has made of(a) the effectiveness and (b) the side- effects of Ritalin; and what guidance it provides on prescribing the drug. [41208]

  Mr. Milburn
  Ritalin (methylphenidate) has been assessed by the normal procedures for licensing of medicinal products in the United Kingdom to ensure its efficacy, safety and quality. The safety and adverse effects of Ritalin continue to be monitored by the Medicines Control Agency. Ritalin has controlled drug status, which imposes restrictions on prescribing and handling. Treatment should be under the supervision of a specialist in childhood behavioural disorders. Guidance on prescribing Ritalin is provided in the product information which is produced by the manufacturer and authorised by the Licensing Authority.

  Drug Misuse
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was allocated to treatment programmes for drug misusers in Coventry in each of the last five years. [40899]
  539
  Mr. Milburn
  Spending by Coventry Health Authority and the local authority on drug misuse treatment programmes over the last 5 years is listed:

  £

  1993–94

  348,000

  1994–95

  388,000

  1995–96

  449,000

  1996–97

  452,000

  1997–98

  538,000

  Source:

  Coventry Health Authority

  The majority of this expenditure was National Health Service related in the provision of community services and inpatient detoxification programmes.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will set up an independent inquiry into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41186]

  (2) when he was first informed of the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41189]

  (3) who is conducting the inquiries that have been established into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41184]

  (4) if the reports of the inquiries that have been established into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone will be published in full; [41185]
  540
  (5) when officials in his Department first became aware that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41188]

  (6) what assessment he has made of compliance with UN resolutions by British firms supplying arms to Sierra Leone; [41187]

  (7) what are the terms of reference of the inquiries that have been established into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone;[41183]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to the Private Notice Question he tabled on 6 May 1998,Official Report, columns 721–731.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy towards arms sales to Sierrs Leone. [41113]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Our policy is clear. We were instrumental in drawing up UN Security Council Resolution 1132, which prohibits the sale of arms and related material of all types to Sierra Leone.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date Ministers in his Department were first informed that his Department had asked Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to investigate arms sales to Sierra Leone; [41339]

  (2) on what date his Department asked Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to investigate arms sales to Sierra Leone. [41340]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Private Notice Question tabled by the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on 6 May 1998,Official Report, columns 721–31.