Written Answers of 19 May 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Council Rents
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, in order, the London boroughs by(a) percentage change and (b) cash terms change, in council rent collected for each of the last four years. [41154]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is not collected in the requisite form by my Department.

  Data are collected through the Housing Subsidies and Grants Claim form by the Department on potential rent income and on actual rent outstanding at the end of the latest financial year. Deducting the latter from the former would provide an estimate of the current year's rent collected within the year. However, these particular responses on the form are not audited, the figures would not cover any rent collected after the end of the year, and not all authorities provide the rent outstanding figures.

  The Audit Commission's Citizen Charter performance indicators for local authorities include an indicator on the percentage of rent collected.

  Lorries
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what costs have been incurred so far in strengthening bridges to accommodate 40 tonne lorries; and what estimate he has made of the costs of works yet to be undertaken. [41902]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  For Trunk Roads in England, where assessment indicates that bridge strengthening work is required for a bridge to carry 40 tonne lorries, the work is then grouped with nearby maintenance and construction works so as to produce a programme which is most economical and least disruptive to road users. Consequently, contracts specify a range of work and it is not easy to separate the costs attributable to strengthening work alone.

  The Agency estimated at the start of financial year 1997/98 that it needed some £240m to complete the bridge strengthening programme for Trunk Roads in England.

  In addition, over the period 1991/92 to 1998/99, central Government have made £913m available to Local Authorities for expenditure on bridge works. It is not possible at this stage to provide an accurate estimate of necessary future strengthening work.

  Hydrofluorocarbon
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts concerning hydrofluorocarbon emissions. [41905]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government are in regular contact with other European Member States to discuss how the European Community and its Member States can meet the targets that were set in the Kyoto Protocol. The Environment Council in June will consider how to develop measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, including hydrofluorocarbons. The Government will be issuing a consultation paper later in the summer on policy options for meeting their commitments.

  Air Freight (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the possible expansion and use of small airports to transport freight in Wales. [42240]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department has received no representations on this particular matter.

  Small Commercial Vessels
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 May 1998,Official Report, column 392, which of the 11 certifying authorities listed in Annex A operate in the North of Scotland. [42127]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer of 6 May 1998,Official Report, columns 392–94.

  Motorcycle Parking
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with local authorities in London regarding the increase in provision of motorcycle only parking in prominent locations. [42227]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I and my officials have had a number of discussions with local authorities about parking in London although none specifically covered motorcycle parking. However, our new Traffic Management and Parking Guidance for London, a copy of which is in the Library, includes, in particular, advice that local authorities should consider the need for motorcycle parking in developing their approach to local traffic planning.

  Leaded Paint
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 28 April 1998,Official Report, column 88, on leaded paint, what are the terms of reference for the Building Research Establishment's consultation on behalf of the Department; and when its findings are to be published. [42263]
  299
  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]: The Building Research Establishment was principally commissioned to:

  1. Review the information and advice presented in the Department's current Lead in Paint leaflet (published March 1984), specifically with regard to modem methods of safe removal of leaded paint, taking into account waste disposal aspects and liaising with English Heritage, the British Coatings Federation and any other interested parties to be identified following discussions with the Department.

  2. Draft the test for a revised edition of the leaflet and liaise with the Department in its production.

  A subsidiary part of the commission was to:

  3. Review the current situation regarding the presence of old leaded paint and its potential impact on human health in other countries of the European Union.

  4. Review the impact in the other countries of the European Union of the derogation in the European Community Marketing and Use Directive (89/677/EEC) allowing limited use of lead paint in certain historic properties, works of art and scheduled monuments.

  The final report should be submitted to the Department in July 1998. A copy will be placed in the House of Commons Library. It is now intended to publish the revised version of the leaflet on lead in paint by the beginning of June.

  Motor Cycles
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to permit powered two-wheel vehicles to use bus lanes, on a national basis. [42316]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]: The Government have said that they will welcome proposals from interested local authorities for fully monitored experimental schemes in which powered two wheelers were permitted to use bus lanes, so that all the implications can be studied. After such trials, it will take a view on whether or not the practice is one that might be encouraged on a national basis.

  Child Agricultural Employment
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will raise from 13 years the age at which a person can lawfully drive a tractor on a farm. [42610]

  Angela Eagle
  The Health and Safety Commission is currently reviewing the legislation which sets the current limit at 13 years of age—the Agriculture (Avoidance of Accidents to Children) Regulations 1958. I am awaiting its advice on the outcome of this review.

  Merchant Navy
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he will take to increase the numbers of new officer recruits to the Merchant Navy; and if he will make a statement. [42547]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are committed to increasing the numbers of British trained seafarers. A new seafarer training support scheme—SMarT—began on 1 April 1998 which consolidates and expands on the previous training 300
  support schemes. For the financial year 1998–99, SMarT has a budget 30% greater than the total paid out in grants for seafarer training in 1997–98.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to reduce employment costs in the Merchant Navy; and if he will make a statement. [42548]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister established a Shipping Working Group late last year to examine ways to promote the interests of British shipping and British seafarers. One of the areas the Shipping Working Group examined was the employment environment for British seafarers. The Deputy Prime Minister is currently considering the recommendations of the Shipping Working Group.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses he has received to the public consultation on his proposals for amendments to Approved Document B to the Building Regulations 1991; and if he will list the organisations and individuals who submitted these responses. [42697]

  Angela Eagle
  The closing date for responses to the public consultation on the proposal to revise Approved Document B was 31 March 1998 and a list of those who responded was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 6 May 1998. The number of responses on this date was 172.

  Water Companies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action his Department is taking to address the concerns of fire service and insurance organisations regarding the practice of some water companies of reducing mains water pressure in order to reduce leakage rates. [42699]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department has set up a National Liaison Group to improve the way that the water industry and fire service work together. Representatives of the fire service and the water companies on the Group are preparing a Code of Practice to facilitate better co-operation. Water pressure will he one of the issues covered. Following the Water Summit, water companies are working towards meeting their mandatory leakage targets in a variety of ways including the repair of customers' supply pipes and repair and replacement of mains. The Office of Water Services continues to ensure that any reductions in water pressure do not jeopardize water companies' statutory duties with regard to mains pressure and the delivery of water.

  Delivery Vehicles (London)
  Sir Patrick Cormack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to restrict the access of delivery vehicles to Central London during daylight hours. [41846]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Traffic management on most roads in central London is the responsibility of the boroughs. The boroughs already have powers to restrict loading and unloading and the Government have no
  301
  plans to change them. As noted in the White Paper on proposals for modernising the governance of London, the management of freight traffic on the capital's roads will be an important policy area within the integrated transport strategy for London that the new Mayor will have a duty to produce.

  Road Planning
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what directions he has issued to local authority engineers to require them to be more conversant with the needs and safety requirements of powered two-wheel vehicles and pedal cycles when planning road layouts. [42324]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no power to issue such directions to local authority officials. A range of technical guidance exists on providing for the needs of two-wheeled vehicle users. This includes "Transport in the Urban Environment" published by the Institution of Highways and Transportation in collaboration with my Department, Design Bulletin 32 on the layout considerations of roads and footpaths, produced by my Department, and "Cycle-friendly Infrastructure" produced jointly by the Institution of Highways and Transportation, the Bicycle Association, the CTC and the Department. In addition, there is an extensive range of advice on providing for cyclists within our Traffic Advisory Leaflets and other material. This is listed in our cycling bibliography that is sent free to all local authorities.

  Road Maintenance
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanisms he has developed to ensure that local authorities receive adequate funding for road maintenance, with particular reference to repairing the types of damage which are hazardous to cycles and motorcycles. [42326]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are committed to making best use of the existing road network. Future levels of funding for local road maintenance are under consideration in the Comprehensive Spending Review. It is for local authorities to plan their road maintenance, taking account of the needs of all groups of road users.

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 12 May 1998,Official Report, columns 65–66, on freedom of information, what factors determine which inquiries are monitored. [42687]

  Angela Eagle
  The responses to inquirers are co-ordinated when there are a number of inquiries from an individual, covering a range of topics, addressed to different parts of HSE and where there could be a risk that, inadvertently, inaccuracies or inconsistencies might occur.

  Shellfish Waters
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when a decision will be reached on the designation as shellfish waters of 302
  each of the remaining major estuaries in Devon; and what factors underlie the delays in reaching the decision to date. [42624]

  Angela Eagle
  The EC Directive concerning the quality of waters for shellfish was formally transposed in England and Wales by means of secondary legislation in June 1997. The legislation replaced the administrative arrangements under which the Directive had previously been implemented and was the first step in a process to review implementation policy, including designations. Since the legislation was enacted, work has been proceeding with the review. A review of water quality standards for some of the Directive's parameters has been completed and discussions have been held with the shellfish industry, MAFF and CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) to produce a candidate list of new areas for designation, and a public consultation paper on these issues is in preparation. We expect to issue this by the summer recess, but the timing of final decisions will be dependent on the response to the consultation exercise.

  Severn Rail Tunnel
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanisms are in place to ensure safety in the Severn Rail Tunnel; what improvements have been made recently to the track in the tunnel and fire safety arrangements; and what further improvements are planned. [42701]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The responsibility for ensuring safety in the Severn Tunnel rests primarily with Railtrack plc. Railtrack is responsible for maintaining the track and structure of the tunnel as well as regulating the flow of rail traffic through it. Railtrack contracts the maintenance of the tunnel to specialist contractors who undertake inspection, testing, maintenance and renewal work. Railtrack has management systems in place which are aimed at ensuring that their contractors carry out necessary work to the required standard.

  A programme of major improvement works has been carried out in the tunnel over the past few weeks. This has included track renewal and drainage work. Following the completion of the work, Railtrack removed a temporary speed restriction which they had previously imposed because of poor track condition.

  I understand that the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate is content with the arrangements relating to fire emergencies, introduced after the publication of its report into the accident in the Severn Tunnel on 7 December 1991.

  Railtrack has on-going arrangements in place for the inspection and maintenance of the tunnel.

  Housing Land
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in obtaining an assessment of the amount of previously developed land available for housing, announced in his policy document, "Planning for the Communities of the Future" on 23 February. [42966]
  303
  Mr. Caborn
  My Department has worked with the Local Government Management Board, English Partnerships, Ordnance Survey and local authorities to establish a method of providing a consistent assessment of previously developed land which may be available for housing or other development, as the first step towards a complete Land Use Database for England.

  Key features of the approach are to meet the needs of a number of organisations from a single data collection exercise, and to use information already held by the local authorities wherever possible, to avoid duplication of effort. Local authorities will be asked to draw up a list of previously developed sites along with information about the location, area, planning status and other relevant characteristics of each site. This will be done to a common format and using standard definitions that will be set out in guidance being developed jointly by DETR, Local Government Management Board, English Partnerships and Ordnance Survey following consultation with a number of local authorities.

  English Partnerships will contract teams of surveyors which will visit each local authority to complete the data collection and to collect additional information about certain sites on the potential for redevelopment. Ordnance Survey will provide quality assurance on the geographical attributes of the data, and develop the list of sites into a `map database' showing the site boundaries. Ordnance Survey will also develop a plan for extending the coverage of the database to other land uses, and for keeping the resulting National Land Use Database up to date.

  Cause of delay

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Broken/cracked rails

  31

  8

  30

  22

  56

  Signalling

  1,783

  1,718

  1,862

  1,891

  2,181

  Objects on track

  217

  208

  248

  327

  314

  All causes

  35,952

  34,150

  34,463

  34,767

  38,840

TREASURY

  Public Opinion Research
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 1998,Official Report, column 441, if he will publish the findings of the public opinion research conducted by (a) Fishburn Hedges on presentational aspects of the individual savings account and (b) Ogilvy and Mather on presentational aspects of the working families tax credit. [38217]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 7 April 1998]: The Chancellor announced in the Pre-Budget Report that he was considering proposals for an individual savings account and a working family tax credit, and that he would be consulting widely on these in the run-up to the Budget. Fishburn Hedges and Ogilvy and Mather were employed by the Treasury to look at the presentational aspects of the proposals. Their appointment was entirely consistent with long-established rules on the appointment of consultants by Government. The Chancellor drew on their work in preparing the Budget.

  Market Research
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 1998,Official
  304
  Data collection will start in the summer. English Partnerships intends to publish information on an initial set of sites suitable for redevelopment by the end of the year; summary results for all sites should be available by March 1999. Meanwhile, local authorities will have consistent information on the amounts of previously developed land which may be available for housing to assist in the drawing up of national and regional targets for the reuse of land.

  The database will also have value for other organisations. For example, officials are discussing with Urban Mines, an environmental NGO, which launches its own "Brownfield Sites" project today, to ensure the two projects are complementary. The intention is to secure agreements to make the information more widely available, including appropriate charging for commercial use.

  We shall be discussing this work as it progresses with the Urban Task Force.

  London Underground
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many delays to London Underground services have been caused by(a) broken rails, (b) signal failures, (c) obstructions on the track and (d) all causes in total, for each of the last five years. [37271]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [pursuant to her reply, 6 April 1998, c. 6]: I understand from London Underground that the information requested is as shown in the table.

  Report, column 384, (1) if he will publish for the survey of PEP/TESSA holders (a) the name of the company chosen to conduct the survey, (b) the cost of the contract and (c) the brief given to the opinion research company in respect of the people to be interviewed; and if he will place the results of the survey in the Library; [38893]

  (2) if he will publish for each of the omnibus surveys measuring characteristics of PEP/TESSA holders, amounts saved and savers' attitudes to tax-free savings accounts (a) the names of the companies involved, (b) the cost of each survey and (c) the brief given to each company in respect of the people to be interviewed; and if he will place the results of the surveys in the Library; [38892]

  (3) if he will publish the questions asked in each of the omnibus surveys into the characteristics of PEP/TESSA holders, amounts saved and savers' attitudes to tax-free savings accounts; [38890]

  (4) if he will publish the questions asked in the survey of PEP/TESSA holders. [38891]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: The Inland Revenue added questions to two Omnibus surveys, conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and MORI Financial Services (MFS);

  305
  arranged for a follow-up survey by MFS; and purchased existing analyses from NOP's Financial Research Survey. The cost of the information was as follows:

  NOP: £1,350

  ONS: £24,400

  MFS: £14,500.

  Details on the specifications of all the surveys and a summary of the main findings have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Tax Law Rewrite Project
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further developments there have been on the Tax Law Rewrite Project. [42904]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Tax Law Rewrite project aims to bring clarity to our direct tax legislation, making the tax system more accessible to taxpayers, and their advisers. The Inland Revenue have today published a document which reviews the recent progress of the project and outlines its work programme for 1998–99. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  The Rewrite is a major task, and we are committed to doing it well. We are also committed to continuing on the basis of full and open consultation. Such consultation has been the hallmark of this project from the beginning and will, I am confident, ultimately ensure that it is a highly successful one.

  Title

  Publication date

  Closing date for submissions

  Number of respondents

  Proposals for a new Industrial and Provident Societies Act

  23 March 1998

  1 May 1998

  64

  Innovating for the future: investing in research and development

  17 March 1998

  30 June 1998

  25 to date

  Bank of England powers to collect information for monetary policy purposes

  13 February 1998

  13 March 1998

  12

  Index linked gilt auctions

  5 January 1998

  30 January 1998

  28

  The future of UK Government debt and cash management: a response for consultation

  22 December 1997

  none

  6

  Cash ratio deposits

  25 November 1997

  20 April 1998

  19

  Pre-Budget Report

  25 November 1997

  17 March 1998

  1,250

  The future of UK Government debt and cash management: a proposal for consultation

  29 July 1997

  12 September 1997

  20

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [40736]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Since the publication of the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Guidance, statistics on the ages of appointees have been routinely collected. Details of the ages of those appointed before this date are not available in all cases.

  Based on the information available, four serving appointees are under the age of 35, of whom one person is aged between 25 and 30 and the rest between 31 and 35 years. This is approximately 1% of the total.

  MI5
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what briefings were given by Treasury Ministers on the funding of MI5; what meetings have taken place between Treasury Ministers and journalists at which MI5 was discussed; and which journalists were involved. [39197]

  Mr. Darling
  No such briefings or discussions have taken place about the Security Service's budget. As I announced in a written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 30 October 1997,Official Report, column 884, intelligence agencies are being reviewed as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. The terms of reference have been placed in the library.

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the consultation papers published since 1 May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents. [42246]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Following is a list of the public consultation papers published by the Treasury since 1 May 1997, with the publication dates, closing dates for submissions and number of respondents. It does not include consultations which have been announced, but for which no consultation papers have yet been issued; nor does it cover a number of taskforces and advisory groups which may also have a consultative role.

  These figures include all appointments which fall under my responsibility or where my role is to advise my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and, through him, Her Majesty the Queen. The figures include appointments made or recommended by previous Secretaries of State as well as by me.

  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.

  Arts Awards
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of awards made by(a) the Arts Council and (b) the London Arts Board have been directed towards black and minority ethnic groups in each year between 1987–88 and 1996–97. [41359]

  Mr. Fisher
  Figures for grant-in-aid awards from the Arts Council of England and the London Arts Board are not available under the Black and Minority Ethnic heading. However, figures are available under the broader Cultural Diversity heading.

  Figures for grant-in-aid awards, from the Arts Council of England and the Regional Arts Boards to the Cultural Diversity sector, are available only from 1990–91 onwards. These are set out in the following table:

  Number of Black/Minority ethnic awards

  Total Black/Minority ethnic awards (£)

  Total of awards

  Total grants awarded (£)

  Black/Minority ethnic (Per cent.)

  A4E Main Scheme Rounds 1–3, 1996/97

  35

  4,382,453

  278

  38,421,000

  14

  A4E Express

  65

  296,961

  2,070

  8,437,760

  3.2

  Capital 1995/96–1997/98

  29

  1,420,000

  1,794

  842,000,000

  0.2

  Film 9.1995/1.1998

  11

  4,305,853

  85

  49,485,612

  9

  A number of other awards may have been made which benefited black and minority ethnic groups, but in which the primary applicant was not so identified.

  Figures from the London Arts Board for Cultural Diversity awards, where available, are set out in the following table:

  Year

  Total Cultural Diversity Expenditure (£)

  Percentage of total grant expenditure

  1995/96

  2,237,102

  17.9

  1994/95

  2,260,895

  18.4

  1993/94

  1,817,614

  19.4

  1992/93

  1,786,893

  19.2

  Listed Sites and Buildings

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) listed buildings, (b) scheduled ancient monuments, (c) conservation areas, (d) local or national nature reserves, (e) sites of special scientific interest, (f) areas of outstanding natural beauty and (g) world heritage sites, are currently recorded. [42274]

  Mr. Banks
  The information requested, in respect of England, is as follows:

  (a) Listed Buildings: 365,8461 entries on the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest;

  (b) Scheduled Ancient Monuments: 17,5382 entries in the schedule of ancient monuments;

  (c) Conservation Areas: 8,758;

  (d) Local Nature Reserves: 593, National Nature Reserves: 194;

  (e) Sites of Special Scientific Interest: 3,987;

  (f) Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: 37, and

  (g) World Heritage Sites: 11 (the UK as a whole, including dependent territories, has a total of 17).

  308

  Year

  Total Grants Awarded (£)

  Total Cultural Diversity Awards (£)

  Cultural Diversity (Per cent.)

  1996–97

  123,425,000

  2,492,000

  2.02

  1995–96

  123,143,000

  2,394,000

  1.94

  1994–95

  118,404,000

  2,490,000

  2.10

  1993–94

  120,929,000

  2,547,000

  2.11

  1992–93

  117,162,000

  2,453,000

  2.09

  1991–92

  115,738,000

  1,992,000

  1.72

  1990–91

  90,425,000

  1,780,000

  1.97

  Figures for Lottery awards from the Arts Council of England to the Cultural Diversity sector, which can be clearly identified as awards to black and minority ethnic groups, are set out in the following table:

  1 This figures relates to list entries which sometimes include more than one building. It is estimated that the number of buildings listed is between 450,000 and 500,000.

  2 This figure relates to entries which sometimes cover more than one monument. It is estimated that the number of sites and monuments scheduled is about 23,000.

  Lottery Grants
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the total(a) number and (b) value of the grants made by the Heritage Lottery Fund in the categories of (i) land, (ii) buildings, (iii) museums and galleries, (iv) industrial, transport and maritime and (v) manuscripts since its establishment in 1994. [42336]

  Mr. Banks
  As at 24 March 1998, the breakdown of awards made by the Heritage Lottery Fund since 1994 is as follows:

  Heritage sector

  Number of awards

  Value (£ million)

  Land

  230

  66

  Buildings

  905

  308

  Museums and galleries

  349

  432

  Industrial transport and maritime

  86

  64

  Manuscripts and archives

  78

  51

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the total(a) number and (b) value of the grants made by the National Heritage Memorial Fund in the categories of (i) land, (ii) buildings, (iii) museums and galleries, (iv) industrial, transport and maritime and (v) manuscripts since 1980. [42338]

  Mr. Banks
  Information on the number and value of awards made by the National Heritage Memorial Fund by heritage sector since 1980 is not readily available. However, the Fund has made 1,144 awards to date with a total value of £199m.

  Film Industry
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for further Government support for the British film industry. [41876]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The recommendations of the Government's Film Policy Review Group were announced on 25 April. These set out an agenda for action by Government and industry in support of British film. Copies of the report 'A Bigger Picture' have been placed in the Library of the House.

  On 12 May, I co-chaired a meeting of an Action Committee, made up of representatives of key sectors of the British film industry, which will oversee the implementation of the report's initiatives.

  Sport (Women)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make an announcement about the Government's adoption of the 1994 Brighton Declaration on Women in Sport. [42967]

  Mr. Banks
  I am delighted to announce that the UK Government have adopted the 1994 Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport. I wish to place on record my thanks to my hon. Friend for all his assistance in the past for his role in meeting this objective.

  Our decision to adopt the Declaration further indicates our determination to improve opportunities for women at all levels in sport, whether as participants, competitors, coaches or administrators.

  Through our policy of 'Sport for All' we shall continue to work with the Sports Councils and others to promote and develop opportunities in sport for women regardless of where they live, social background, age or ability.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Environmental Protection Agency
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency in Northern Ireland. [41620]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  No steps have been taken to establish an Environmental Protection Agency in Northern Ireland.

  The Environment and Heritage Service, a Next Steps Agency within the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland was set up on 1 April 1996 to assume operational responsibility for environmental issues.

  Prisoners
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 6 May 1998,Official Report, columns 412–13, on prisoners, if she will list for each of the years from 1998 to 2002 and for the following five years the number of prisoners in each category expected to be released who are serving life or other indeterminate sentences. [41712]
  310
  Mr. Ingram
  As a specific tariff is not set for individual indeterminate sentence prisoners in Northern Ireland, the information sought is not readily available. Figures provided previously have been broad approximations for indicative purposes. Given the small numbers involved, disaggregation of these figures by affiliation and by year of possible release could be misleading and could result in individual prisoners being identified or drawing incorrect inferences about the future handling of their cases.

  The table is an estimate of the number of indeterminate sentence prisoners at HMP Maze who could be released during the calendar years 1998, 1999 and 2000. The figures include prisoners in organizations which do not have a cease-fire and exclude prisoners who have already been given a provisional release date or are at an advanced stage of consultation about release.

  Number of indeterminate prisoners

  Total number of prisoners

  99

  Estimated releases in 1998

  0

  Estimated releases in 1999

  6

  Estimated releases in 2000

  14

  Remaining after December 2000

  79

  Beef Steer Prices
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the average price paid to the producer for a(a) 400 kilogram and (b) 350 kilogram deadweight beef steer in each month of the last five years for which figures are readily available. [41658]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Information is not collated on the basis requested. However, details of the average deadweight price for all steers in each month since January 1993 are set out in the table.

  Northern Ireland deadweight steer price (P/KG) 1993–98

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  January

  212

  222

  230

  223

  178

  155

  February

  230

  222

  225

  223

  169

  156

  March

  245

  228

  224

  220

  169

  144

  April

  234

  230

  228

  187

  164

  142

  May

  257

  245

  225

  196

  162

  —

  June

  249

  232

  227

  190

  167

  —

  July

  237

  228

  226

  187

  172

  —

  August

  226

  227

  226

  174

  169

  —

  September

  214

  221

  227

  173

  171

  —

  October

  208

  222

  226

  172

  171

  —

  November

  219

  226

  228

  179

  167

  —

  December

  225

  233

  225

  187

  159

  —

  Beef Exports
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if beef exports to the European Union have been resumed; what assistance is being given to the beef industry to regain markets in Europe; and if she will make a statement. [41622]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him on 11 May 1998,Official Report, column 26.
  311

  Referendum
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her oral statement of 22 April 1998,Official Report, column 940, if she will list the amounts paid or due to be paid to the various parties in connection with the forthcoming referendum. [42146]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]: The Government have no plans to give any money to parties in connection with the forthcoming referendum. The parties are, however, entitled to a free mail shot in the referendum. It is for the parties to approach the Post Office to arrange distribution of their material, and the Post Office then recovers the cost from the Government. Until that has happened, we do not know exactly how much money the mail shot will cost.

  Ordnance Survey
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland in 1998–99. [42905]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  For 1998–99, the following performance targets have been set for Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland:

  Output

  1. To complete the digital conversation programme by 1999–2000 financial year by converting 1,740 large scale map sheets to digital format.

  2. To survey 65,000 new survey units.

  3. To update the digital topographic database with 26,000 survey units of change.

  Quality of Service
  4. To despatch within 7 working days 96% of customers orders for small and large scale basic format maps.

  Efficiency
  5. To reduce unit costs so that the weighted mean percentage reduction of selected representative activities is 2%.

  Financial
  6. To recover from the sale of goods and services 35% of the total costs incurred by the Agency.

  Compensation Agency
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she has agreed to the retention of Next Steps Agency status by the Compensation Agency after 31 March 1998; what future plans the Compensation Agency has prepared; and when they will be published. [42906]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have agreed that the Compensation Agency retains its status as a Next Steps agency from 1 April 1998 to 31 March 2000. The Agency will publish today its Corporate Plan and Business Plan. The Plans explain the Agency's business and organisation and set out the assumptions about workloads and resources which underpin the plans and targets.

  Planning Service
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Department of the Environment's Planning Service in 1998–99. [42907]
  312
  Marjorie Mowlam
  For 1998–99, the following performance targets have been set for the Planning Service:

  To publish the following development plans in draft form by 31 March 1999:

  Cookstown

  Armagh Countryside proposals

  Craigavon

  To adopt the following development plans by 31 March 1999:

  Belfast Road Lines

  Antrim Area Plan alteration

  Quality of Service

  1. To achieve a customer satisfaction level of 80 in relation to the determination of planning applications.

  2. To take 75 per cent. of Minor planning applications to District Council within 8 weeks.

  3. To take 65 per cent. of Major planning applications to District Council within 8 weeks.

  4. To issue 60 per cent. of all planning decisions with 7 working days of final District Council consultation.

  5. To reduce the proportion of invalid planning applications received by 5 per cent. to 25 per cent. overall.

  6. To issue responses to 93 per cent. of property inquiries within 10 working days.

  Efficiency

  1. To achieve 3 per cent. efficiency gains on running cost expenditure.

  2. To reduce Property Certificate Unit costs by 1.5 per cent.

  3. To achieve an average Unit Cost for planning applications not exceeding £2,885.

  Financial Performance

  1. To maintain expenditure within cash limits and to approved budget plans.

  2. To maintain full recovery of the costs of determining planning applications.

  3. To maintain full recovery of the costs of responding to property inquiries.

  Environment and Heritage Service
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Department of the Environment's Environment and Heritage Service in 1998–99. [42908]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  For 1998–99, the following performance targets have been set for the Environment and Heritage Service.

  Volume of Output
  Bring about a 10 per cent. reduction in the number of 'high' and `medium' severity water pollution incidents by the year 2000 on 1996 figures.
  Establish regulatory systems under the Waste and Contaminated Land (NI) Order 1997 for the registration of carriers, enforcement provision, fly tipping and special waste.
  Produce for the Department a draft Waste Management Strategy by October 1998.
  Declare 17 Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).
  Submit proposals for the classification of three Special Protection Areas under the EC Birds Directive.
  Complete the fieldwork for the NI Countryside Survey 2000 by December 1998.
  Schedule 70 historic monuments to bring the total to 1,365.

  313
  Complete the resurvey of historic buildings in 24 wards.
  Redesign the EHS home page and establish a regular updating system by 31 December 1998.

  Quality of Customer Service
  Provide a round the clock response for all water pollution incidents reported and begin investigation of such incidents within 24 hours.
  Respond to 90 per cent. of written inquiries or requests for information within 15 working days.
  Issue 85 per cent. Water Act consents, wildlife licences, ASSI and scheduled monument consents within the timescales quoted in our Customer Service Guides.

  Efficiency
  Achieve 3 per cent. efficiency gains on running cost expenditure.
  Set specific unit cost targets for 1999–2000 for outputs.
  Monitor and maintain expenditure within cash limits.

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if her Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42641]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  No.

PRIME MINISTER

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make available the minutes of meetings of himself and any of his officials with President Kabbah or his representatives to(a) the public, (b) HM Customs and Excise investigation into the Sandline affair and (c) the subsequent Foreign Office inquiry. [42092]

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Prime Minister who else was present at the meeting between himself and President Kabbah during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh; what was discussed; and if the minutes of the meeting will be published. [41968]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answers 14 May 1998]: Neither I nor my officials have had any formal meetings with President Kabbah, or his representatives. I met him at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh last October, to which he was invited as my special guest. These contacts were informal and no minutes were taken.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Prime Minister whether briefing on the article published in The Observer on 8 March concerning arms sales to Sierra Leone was requested by his staff. [42058]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: No.

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had in 1998 with President Chirac about arms sales to Africa. [41915]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: I have had no discussions in 1998 with President Chirac about arms sales to Africa.
  314
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with President Chirac about Sierra Leone in the past four weeks; and if he will give the dates and the main points of discussion. [41917]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: I have had no discussions with President Chirac about Sierra Leone in the past four weeks.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the guidelines currently used by Ministers and officials on the manner of responding to written parliamentary questions indicating any changes made since 7 May 1997. [42039]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: Guidance to Ministers on their responsibilities to Parliament is set out in the Ministerial Code.

  Guidance to officials on drafting answers to Parliamentary Questions, including the responsibilities of civil servants to help Ministers fulfil their obligations, was set out as part of the then Government's response to the Public Service Committee's Report on "Ministerial Accountability and Responsibility" in November 1996. This advice has not altered. Copies of both documents are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 11 May 1998,Official Report, column 20, what weight the Government place on the decision of the Lord Advocate, stated on 6 October 1995, that proof of the case against the two Libyans accused in respect of Lockerbie does not depend on evidence which may be given by Mr. James T. Thurman; and what independent assessment it has made of the relevance of Mr. Thurman's evidence. [42611]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]: The assessment of the evidence in any Scottish criminal case is a matter within the exclusive jurisdiction of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate exercises that jurisdiction independently and objectively and it would be quite inappropriate to invite another party to consider that which has already been properly considered.

  North Korea
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to visit the Republic of Korea. [42360]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no immediate plans to visit the Republic of Korea.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his discussions with the President of the Republic of Korea, with particular reference to his policy towards North Korea. [42359]

  The Prime Minister
  I discussed at length the situation on the Korean peninsula with President Kim at our meeting on 2 April. The Government believe that meaningful dialogue between North and South Korea is
  315
  the best means of achieving peace and stability on the peninsula. We welcome President Kim's policy towards the North as a positive step towards this.

  Duty-free Shopping
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 265, on duty-free shopping, what estimate he has made of the potential number of job losses that will arise from the ending of the trade in duty-free goods; whether, during the UK presidency, the Commission carried out the proposed survey; and if he will make a statement. [42343]

  The Prime Minister
  The Department of Transport, Environment and the Regions has undertaken a study into the effect on the transport sector of the abolition of intra-EU duty and tax free sales in 1999. During the UK Presidency, the Commission has not undertaken a survey of the potential number of job losses that may arise from the abolition of duty and tax free sales within the EU. The position of the United Kingdom remains that it would not oppose a study should there be a consensus amongst member states in favour of such a study.

WALES

  NHS (Staff Views)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what ways he seeks to obtain the views of staff in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [40826]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I have instigated regular meetings with representatives of NHS Staff Organisations, both at Ministerial and officials level where a wide range of issues are discussed. In addition, the Department will be undertaking public consultation on proposals to reconfigure NHS Trusts. Trades Unions in the health service will be consulted directly.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to involve parents in formulating policies for children with special needs; and if he will make a statement. [41649]

  Mr. Hain
  The Welsh Office Green Paper on special educational needs (SEN), "The BEST for Special Education", issued last October emphasised the key role of parents. The consultation attracted a large number of responses, including responses from organisations representing parents and individual parents. We are giving careful consideration to all responses in deciding on the way ahead.

  Breast Cancer
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by unitary authority the incidence of breast cancer in women in Wales over the past three years. [41790]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The following table shows the number of new registrations of female breast cancer in each of the last three years for which data are available.
  316

  New registrations of female breast cancer

  Unitary authority

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Anglesey

  31

  43

  47

  Blaenau Gwent

  43

  42

  29

  Bridgend

  72

  68

  106

  Caerphilly

  60

  84

  71

  Cardiff

  167

  206

  152

  Carmarthenshire

  94

  107

  110

  Ceredigion

  52

  46

  51

  Conwy

  86

  95

  89

  Denbighshire

  85

  69

  92

  Flintshire

  80

  74

  68

  Gwynedd

  83

  79

  68

  Merthyr Tydfil

  16

  30

  28

  Monmouthshire

  36

  45

  43

  Neath Port Talbot

  66

  78

  90

  Newport

  37

  59

  75

  Pembrokeshire

  76

  48

  70

  Powys

  66

  60

  64

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  100

  157

  120

  Swansea

  129

  146

  142

  Torfaen

  40

  42

  48

  Vale of Glamorgan

  64

  85

  92

  Wrexham

  72

  56

  90

  Unknown

  49

  17

  7

  Total

  1,604

  1,736

  1,752

  Source:

  Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a breakdown by age of the incidence of breast cancer in women in Wales over the last five years. [41789]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The following table shows the number of new registrations of female breast cancer in each of the last five years for which data are available.

  New registrations of female breast cancer

  Age

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Under 30

  11

  11

  10

  9

  6

  30–34

  20

  17

  22

  17

  13

  35–39

  47

  55

  41

  49

  51

  40–44

  90

  87

  90

  96

  97

  45–49

  128

  139

  118

  140

  119

  50–54

  122

  146

  128

  155

  157

  55–59

  154

  161

  147

  181

  186

  60–64

  219

  189

  217

  232

  223

  65–69

  189

  222

  202

  212

  230

  70–74

  166

  199

  153

  185

  205

  75–79

  212

  173

  185

  164

  183

  80–84

  126

  140

  141

  128

  138

  85+

  134

  151

  150

  168

  144

  Total

  1,618

  1,690

  1,604

  1,736

  1,752

  Source:

  Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit.

  Air Freight
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the possible expansion and use of minor airports in Wales to transport freight. [42158]

  Mr. Hain
  A number of the responses to the Government's consultation exercise into the development of an integrated transport policy referred to the importance of developing civil aviation services and airports in Wales, including the transport of freight. I am also undertaking a series of meetings with airport and
  317
  airline owners and operators to assess the potential for establishing scheduled air services between north and south Wales.

  Our policies will shortly be set out in a White Paper, complemented to reflect the particular circumstances and needs of Wales by a Welsh Office Transport Policy Statement.

  Transport
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives are planned to help reduce the amount of(a) traffic and (b) freight on Welsh roads. [42226]

  Mr. Hain
  Our plans to develop an integrated transport policy will be set out in a UK wide White Paper on transport to be published shortly. At around the same time, a Welsh Transport Policy Statement will be published drawing out those issues of particular relevance and importance to Wales including, of course, measures to reduce congestion on Welsh roads. On freight, we have already taken a significant step forward with this week's announcement of Welsh Office support for the creation of a new Eurofreight terminal in south Wales.

  Aerospace Factories
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what visits he has made to aerospace factories in North East Wales; and if he will make a statement. [42454]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend visited Raytheon Corporate Jets on Friday 1 May of this year. I visited the British Aerospace facility in Broughton on 6 February. The aerospace industry is strategically important to Wales.

  Sport
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on publicly funded assistance for people to participate in sport. [42451]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Welsh Office support for increasing participation in sport by people of all ages and abilities is channelled through the Sports Council for Wales. In 1998–99, the Welsh Office's grant to the Sports Council is £6.6 million.

  In addition, the National Lottery is providing excellent sporting opportunities for the people of Wales. Since it began distributing Lottery funds in 1995, the Sports Council has awarded around £30 million to local schemes which provide a wide range of new or improved sports facilities with long lasting benefits for schools and communities throughout Wales.

  Cricket Clubs
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the amounts of Sports Council, Wales money allocated to cricket clubs in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [42452]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The allocation of funds to individual sports is an operational matter for the Sports Council for Wales. I will ask the Chief Executive of the Sports Council to write to my hon. Friend with the information he has requested. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Sterling Level
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the impact of the current level of sterling upon export-dependent small businesses in Wales. [42449]

  Mr. Hain
  I fully recognise the worries of export dependent small businesses in Wales about the current level of the pound. In setting interest rates, the Bank of England takes into account the effect on exchange rates and on exports. The Government's aim is a stable and competitive pound over the medium term. The most important thing is to deliver a stable economic environment—sustained growth, low inflation and sound public finances—while at the same time introducing policies to promote enterprise and investment and raise Britain's sustainable rate of growth. The Government are determined to take a long-term view and not be diverted from this course by short-term pressures.

  Hypnotherapy
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many health authorities in Wales funded hypnotherapy treatment in the last year for which figures are available. [42480]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Excluding GP fundholder referrals for which records are not held centrally, only North Wales Health Authority currently funds hypnotherapy treatment.

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42642]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  No.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the operation of the jobseeker's allowance in Wales. [41494]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government are seeking to develop an active modern service that is flexible, efficient and easy to use. This will support promoting jobs not benefit dependency.

  The administration of Jobseeker's Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Barry Jones, dated 18 May 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the operation of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in Wales.
  JSA is delivered jointly by the Employment Services (ES) and the Benefits Agency (BA). The two agencies are accountable for different aspects of JSA delivery; the ES for labour market aspects and the BA for payment aspects and other Social Security benefit services. Areas of joint accountability are kept to a minimum.
  The organisational arrangements were shaped by the following operational objectives:
  to maximise the extent to which all services for the Jobseeker, including advice on relevant Social Security benefits, are delivered through a Jobcentre;

  319
  to improve service delivery and reduce administrative costs by streamlining processes and reducing the duplication of functions across the agencies;
  to achieve an effective partnership between the two separate agencies, whilst maintaining clear lines of accountability and responsibility.
  These objectives have a direct bearing on the location of functions, contact with the Jobseeker in the Jobcentre, the division of accountability and responsibility between the BA and the ES and the supporting management arrangements.
  Contact with Jobseekers is primarily through the Jobcentre. To support this, there is a minimum requirement to locate certain BA functions in the Jobcentre and, as far as possible, the Jobseeker is seen by the same team of staff.
  The level of service offered is underpinned by the Secretary of State's performance targets and the Jobseeker's Charter; the Employment Service also has JSA performance targets agreed with the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. These interrelate to deliver all elements of JSA.
  The basis of the relationship between the two agencies is set out in a Memorandum of Understanding. There is regular, formal contact between managers in BA and ES at all levels in order to ensure that the JSA operation is effectively managed and that opportunities are taken jointly to effect any necessary improvements in performance and customer service. For example, there is a national initiative currently underway, examining the options available for improving customer service; Wales is included in this.
  There are 93 Jobcentres in Wales, 65 have at least one member of BA staff permanently on site. In addition, 10 Jobcentres have BA member of staff present on a part-time basis and in 4 other Jobcentres ES staff provide BA services through a Service Level Agreement. Of the remaining sites, 5 have access to BA services through a direct phone link in the Jobcentre or through a Public Caller Office situated within the same town.
  I hope that this is helpful.

DEFENCE

  RAF Signals Engineering Establishment
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment for 1998–99. [42973]

  Dr. Reid
  The Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment Agency's Key Targets for the Financial Year 1998–99 are:

  Operational Strategy
  KT 1—Reduce the core as far as possible and continue to refine it against the military need.
  KT 2—Maintain 100 per cent. of core skills to support likely operations.

  Performance Strategy
  KT 3—Deliver 100 per cent. of operational tasks to time.
  KT 4—Deliver at least 90 per cent. of non-operational tasks to time.
  KT 5—Achieve a quality failure rate for completed tasks of less than 4 per cent.
  KT 6—Reduce the full cost per Task Manhour by 7 per cent. on FY 96–97.

  Personnel Strategy
  KT 7—Achieve Investors in People accreditation by 31 December 1998.

  Financial Strategy
  KT 8—Develop an improved output costing system by 31 March 1999 which will interface effectively with the MOD's overall approach to Resource Accounting and Budgeting.
  320
  Information Strategy
  KT 9—Complete an Action Plan to resolve the Year 2000 problem by 30 September 1998.

  Defence Codification Agency
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Codification Agency for 1998–99. [43072]

  Dr. Reid
  The Defence Codification Agency's Key Targets for the Financial Year 1998–99 are:

  Support to NATO Codification Strategy
  KT 1—Meet 85 per cent. of timescales for UK codification requests as defined in Service Level Agreements/Customer Supplier Agreements.
  KT 2—Meet 95 per cent. of timescales for international codification requests.

  Information Management Strategy
  KT 3—Uniquely codify 75 per cent. of new items using a source data.

  Efficiency Strategy
  KT 4—Reduce the unit cost of codification to less than £51.
  KT 5—Reduce the Agency's Running Costs by 10 per cent.

  Quality Strategy
  KT 6—Reduce the number of post-codification challenges by 5 per cent.

  Logistics Support Services Agency
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Logistics Support Services Agency for 1998–99. [43073]

  Dr. Reid
  The Logistics Support Services Agency's Key Targets for the Financial Year 1998–99 are:

  Business Strategy
  KT 1—To produce 85% of all deliverables by the target date agreed with the sponsor.
  KT 2—To deliver 80% of all outputs at the cost agreed with the sponsor.
  KT 3—To produce 90% of all deliverables to the sponsor's complete satisfaction.
  KT 4—To achieve a 3% reduction in the cost of a productive hour.

  Quality Strategy
  KT 5—To succeed at the triennial re-certification and surveillance to BS EN ISO 9001 by 30 September 1998.

  Staff Car Mileage Allowance
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total value in real terms of(a) staff car mileage claims paid and (b) staff rail fares paid in each year since 1989–90; and what was the total amount of staff car mileage for which reimbursement was made and the percentage change in each year since 1989–90. [42554]

  Mr. Spellar
  Unfortunately, the Department does not keep separate records for expenditure on these items back to Financial Year 1989-90. However, data have been retrieved back to 1991 for the amounts paid to civil servants in the Ministry of Defence as reimbursement for the use of their own vehicles on all forms of official duty, although mileage figures are only available since 1994. These are shown in the table; costs are given both as
  321
  actual in-year figures and at constant 1997–98 prices (i.e. uplifted for inflation by use of the Treasury GDP deflator):

  (a) Car mileage claims paid

  £

  Financial year

  Actual cost

  Constant price at 1997–98 values

  1991–92

  11,800,000

  13,954,000

  1992–93

  11,840,000

  13,437,000

  1993–94

  11,230,000

  12,384,000

  1994–95

  11,500,000

  12,493,000

  1995–96

  12,200,000

  12,896,500

  1996–97

  12,700,000

  13,043,000

  1997–98

  12,100,000

  12,100,000

  The cost of rail travel undertaken by civil servants on official duty over the same period and given in the same format is as follows:

  (b) Cost of rail fares

  £

  Financial year

  Actual cost

  Constant price at 1997–98 values

  1993–94

  5,229,660

  5,767,148

  1994–95

  4,140,617

  4,498,253

  1995–96

  4,817,745

  5,092,796

  1996–97

  4,888,864

  5,020,863

  1997–98

  4,897,573

  4,897,573

  The total mileages, and percentage changes by year, which are reflected in the figures provided at (a) above from 1994–95 onwards are as follows:

  Financial year

  Total mileage (million)

  Percentage variation

  1994–95

  43.8

  —

  1995–96

  46.1

  +5

  1996–97

  47.3

  +2.5

  1997–98

  45.4

  -4

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of staff of all grades employed by his Department; and what percentage of these staff were eligible to claim a car mileage allowance on 31 March in each year since 1990. [42555]

  Dr. Reid
  The total number of civilian staff of all grades employed by the Ministry of Defence on 31 March in each year since 1990 are listed in the table.

  Year

  Number

  1990

  139,100

  1991

  138,000

  1992

  137,300

  1993

  126,900

  1994

  123,900

  1995

  118,000

  1996

  111,600

  1997

  111,000

  1998

  105,900

  For each year, all staff with a valid driving licence and vehicle insurance were eligible to claim a car mileage
  322
  allowance while on detached duties. The Department does not record the number of employees who hold such documents.

  Departmental Energy Use
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the quantity of(a) oil, (b) gas and (c) electricity purchased for the heating, lighting and powering of all accommodation occupied by his Department within the UK in each year since 1989–90; and what was the total cost in real terms of (a) to (c) in each year;[42553]

  (2) what proportion of his Department's energy usage was from (a) renewable energy and (b) combined heating in each year since 1989–90. [42556]

  Mr. Spellar
  The MOD is committed to energy management and each major site is required to have an Energy Manager, amongst whose responsibilities is the collection of relevant data. However, this material is not held centrally in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42629]

  Mr. Spellar
  We do not monitor inquiries in such an exercise centrally. We do, however, monitor correspondence from the public sent to Ministers to determine our performance in responding to it. Where a correspondent has persistently corresponded with the Department on a particular issue and has been given the fullest possible answer, several times, it is our practice to send a formal letter stating that no further purpose will be served by continuing the correspondence. This decision is taken by an official at Grade 7 level or above and in accordance with Exemption 9 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information: Voluminous or vexatious requests.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to reply to the letter of 17 March from the hon. Member for Totnes, about Mrs. K. Graymore and the Dartmouth Royal Naval College. [42696]

  Mr. Spellar
  My office has no record of receiving the hon. Member's letter. We have, however, now obtained a copy and a reply will be sent as soon as possible.

  Defence Analytical Services Agency
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Quinquennial Review of the Defence Analytical Services Agency; and what key targets have been set for the Agency for 1998–99. [43074]

  Dr. Reid
  The Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) was set up in 1992 and the Quinquennial Review of the Agency has now been completed. The Evaluation Phase of this Review concluded that the Agency had made remarkable strides in a short time, had succeeded in providing its customers with an improved standard of
  323
  service and was well positioned to take advantage of the gains made in its first five years. I am placing a copy of this Report in the Library of the House.

  The Prior Options Phase of the Review concluded that the status of DASA as a Defence Agency should be extended for a further five years and that ownership of the Agency should be exercised by the Department's Principal Finance Officer. These recommendations have been accepted. A revised Framework Document for the Agency is being prepared and a copy of this will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.

  The following key performance targets have been set for DASA for 1998–99.

  1. To meet at least 95% of the targets set in Service Level Agreements and Project Agreements.

  2. To have at least 90% of customers saying they are at least satisfied with the timeliness, quality of work and helpfulness of staff in the annual Customer Satisfaction Survey covering all aspects of the business.

  3. To have at least 25% of customers who received DASA services in 1997–98 and 1998–99 report an improvement in DASA's services provided in the annual Customer Satisfaction Survey.

  4. Within existing resources, to make "UK Defence Statistics" and other related corporate information available via electronic dissemination within the Department.

  5. To deliver efficiency gains of 2.5% of the Agency's initial running cost allocation.

  Ministry of Defence Police Agency
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Ministry of Defence Police Agency for 1998–99. [43075]

  Dr. Reid
  The following Key Targets have been set out for the Ministry of Defence Police Agency:By 31 March 1999 to have completed all remaining Service Level Agreements with the Agency customers.
  By 31 March 1999 to have established an MDP Office Watch
  initiative at a minimum of 20 MOD locations nation-wide.
  In financial year 1998–99 to have in place local Policing and Security plans at each MDP policed establishment.
  By 31 March 1999, in accordance with Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary's recommendations, to have put in place agreed Area Policing Teams (APT) performance indicators which will enable the Agency to set targets for APT performance improvement in financial year 1999–2000.
  To achieve across Chief Constable MDP's retained element of the MDP budget, an overall efficiency saving of 2.5 per cent.
  To contribute to the achievement of Departmentally Mandated Standards for project CAPITAL (introduction of Resource Accounting and Budgeting).

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Insolvency Practitioners
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the regulation of insolvency practitioners and of their charges. [42804]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Mr. Justice Ferris is chairing a working party on remuneration of office holders which is expected to report shortly. Their terms of reference are to consider and make recommendations concerning the basis 324
  on which the courts should fix remuneration in those relatively rare cases where the courts are involved. However, we shall give careful consideration to how any recommendations they might make may be applied in other cases.

  The fees of an insolvency practitioner are subject to approval by the creditors in most forms of insolvency procedure. The authorising bodies have issued practitioners with guidance in this area, directed particularly to ensuring that creditors are provided with sufficient information to enable them to form a judgment as to whether the fees sought are reasonable in the circumstances of the case.

  Under the Insolvency Act 1986, only authorised persons may act as insolvency practitioners. Authorisation may be granted either by a recognised professional body or directly by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Professional bodies are recognised on the basis that they have rules to ensure that practitioners have appropriate educational qualifications and experience and that they remain fit and proper.

  Practitioners have been subject to a formal programme of monitoring visits by their authorising bodies since 1994. These visits are designed to assess whether a practitioner is fit and proper and to promote compliance with statutory obligations and best practice. Monitoring has shown that the majority of practitioners now have acceptable procedures. Where failures in compliance are identified, undertakings are sought where appropriate and, in more serious cases, the authorising body will consider whether further action is required.

  In November 1996, a working party was established with representatives from the insolvency professional bodies and my Department's Insolvency Service, to review the current state of regulation and to consider how it might be made more effective in the public interest. The working party issued a consultative document in December last year and is now well advanced in reviewing responses and forming its preliminary views. They expect to submit their final report later this year and we shall certainly give their findings and conclusions very careful consideration.

  Arms Exports
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 29 April 1998,Official Report, column 151–52, what is the total value of Export Credits Guarantee Department claims made by manufacturers, but not recovered from the courts of (a) Venezuela, (b) Jordan, (c) Kenya, (d) Egypt and (e) Algeria. [41460]

  Mrs. Roche
  From records readily available, the total level of ECGD claims outstanding on these markets as at 31 March 1998 was as follows:

  £ million

  Algeria

  172

  Egypt

  386

  Jordan

  278

  Kenya

  41

  Venezuela

  1

  325
  ECGD does not maintain its records on a basis which would enable it to provide the additional breakdown requested without disproportionate cost.

  Anguilla (Rocket Launch Pad)
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the United Kingdom Government were first approached for permission to build a rocket launch pad on Sombrero Island, Anguilla. [42133]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government first became aware of Beal Aerospace's proposal to build a satellite launch site on Sombrero Island in July 1997. This followed a letter from Beal Aerospace to the Government and Governor of Anguilla asking permission to lease the island.

  Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been paid to(a) widows and (b) miners who were in receipt of state benefits for chronic bronchitis and emphysema; how many (i) miners and (ii) widows are entitled to receive these benefits; when the final payments are to be paid; and what arrangements apply to the interest on this money whilst negotiations continue. [42341]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]: To date, over 200 interim payments of £2,000 have been made to miners in receipt of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for chronic bronchitis and emphysema (PD.D12). We have recently extended the offer of interim payments to widows whose husbands were in receipt of PD.D12 benefit and, to date, 5 payments have been made. However, the speed at which such offers can continue to be made is reliant on the co-operation of the claimants' solicitors who need to submit evidence of receipt of benefit and confirm acceptance of the offer on behalf of the claimant.

  The Department has also now extended the offer to all claimants currently in receipt of PD.D12 benefit, estimated to be in excess of 13,000. However, DSS are unable to provide a breakdown between miners and widows, whose husbands would have been receiving PD.D12 benefit.

  Prisoners convicted of terrorist-related offences and repatriated to the Republic of Ireland

  Offence

  Date of sentence

  Sentence

  Date of transfer to the Republic

  Release under rules applicable in England

  Release under rules applicable in Northern Ireland prior to the Belfast Agreement

  Attempted murder, conspiracy to cause explosions

  19 October 1993

  25 years

  14 May 1996

  15 July 2009

  15 May 2005

  Attempted murder x 3, conspiracy to cause explosions, conspiracy to murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition x 2, unlawful possession of explosive substances, unlawful imprisonment

  11 May 1976

  Life

  21 May 1996

  Discretionary

  Discretionary

  Conspiracy to cause explosions

  21 October 1994

  25 years

  13 November 1996

  12 July 2010

  12 May 2006

  Causing explosions, attempted murder, kidnapping, possession of firearms

  10 February 1994

  35 years

  13 November 1996

  27 June 2016

  27 August 2010

  326
  At a hearing on 27 March, plaintiff's solicitors requested a three-month adjournment to allow discussions on settlement arrangements to be progressed. The Court granted the adjournment and these discussions are continuing. We hope that arrangements can be agreed quickly, allowing full and final settlements for valid claims to begin being made as soon as possible.

  Any interest payable on an award of compensation is usually calculated and paid at the same time as the award, i.e. at final settlement. If an interim payment has been made, then this amount is deducted from the compensation award before the interest is calculated.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners (Terrorist Offences)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisoners convicted of terrorist offences who have been transferred from Great Britain to prisons in the Irish Republic indicating the(a) date of transfer, (b) date and length of sentence and the crimes of which they were convicted, (c) organisation to which they claimed allegiance and (d) date of release under the rules governing such release (i) in Great Britain prior to the Belfast Agreement, (ii) in Northern Ireland prior to the Belfast Agreement and (iii) under the terms of the Belfast Agreement. [41663]
  Ms Quin [holding answer 12 May 1998]: Since the Irish Republic ratified the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons in November 1995, 23 prisoners convicted in England and Wales of terrorist-related offences have been repatriated to the Republic.

  It is not normal practice to disclose the personal details of individual prisoners, nor does the Prison Service record centrally information on organisations to which prisoners may have claimed allegiance. However, the table lists for each of the 23 prisoners repatriated to date: their offences; date of sentence; sentence length; date of repatriation; non-parole release date in England and Wales; and, although the prisoners were not subject to the legislation applicable in Northern Ireland, dates of release, had they been so subject, prior to the Belfast Agreement.

  The release, under the terms of the Belfast Agreement, of repatriated prisoners is a matter for the Irish Government.
  327

  Prisoners convicted of terrorist-related offences and repatriated to the Republic of Ireland

  Offence

  Date of sentence

  Sentence

  Date of transfer to the Republic

  Release under rules applicable in England

  Release under rules applicable in Northern Ireland prior to the Belfast Agreement

  Attempted murder x 2, possession of firearms

  30 March 1993

  18 years

  13 November 1996

  3 July 2004

  3 July 2001

  Conspiracy to cause explosions, placing explosives

  14 April 1987

  16 years

  16 December 1996

  6 January 1997

  4 September 1991

  Possession of explosive substance

  19 July 1993

  17 years

  3 December 1997

  27 February 2004

  28 April 2001

  Cause explosion, place explosives, attempted murder, kidnapping, possession of firearms

  10 February 1994

  25 years

  3 December 1997

  24 November 2009

  24 September 2005

  Cause explosions, place explosives

  13 May 1994

  30 years

  3 December 1997

  2 March 2013

  1 March 2008

  Murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to cause explosions

  30 June 1977

  Life

  18 December 1997

  Discretionary

  Discretionary

  Conspiracy to cause explosions

  23 June 1986

  Life

  15 January 1998

  Discretionary

  Discretionary

  Conspiracy to cause explosions

  2 July 1997

  35 years

  15 January 1998

  19 November 2019

  18 January 2014

  Conspiracy to cause explosions

  2 July 1997

  35 years

  15 January 1998

  19 November 2019

  18 January 2014

  Conspiracy to cause explosions

  2 July 1997

  35 years

  15 January 1998

  19 November 2019

  18 January 2014

  Conspiracy to cause explosions

  2 July 1997

  35 years

  15 January 1998

  19 November 2019

  18 January 2014

  Conspiracy to cause explosions

  2 July 1997

  35 years

  15 January 1998

  19 November 1998

  18 January 2014

  Conspiracy to cause explosions

  6 December 1990

  30 years

  15 January 1998

  18 March 2010

  25 December 2004

  Murder x 6, conspiracy to cause explosions, conspiracy to discharge firearms, false imprisonment, using a firearm

  10 February 1977

  Life

  5 May 1998

  Discretionary

  Discretionary

  Murder x 6, conspiracy to cause explosions, conspiracy to discharge firearms, false imprisonment, using a firearm

  10 February 1977

  Life

  5 May 1998

  Discretionary

  Discretionary

  Murder x 6, conspiracy to cause explosions, conspiracy to discharge firearms, false imprisonment, using a firearm

  10 February 1977

  Life

  5 May 1998

  Discretionary

  Discretionary

  Murder x 6, conspiracy to cause explosions, conspiracy to discharge firearms, false imprisonment, using a firearm

  10 February 1977

  Life

  5 May 1998

  Discretionary

  Discretionary

  Murder, attempted murder

  30 March 1994

  Life

  5 May 1998

  Discretionary

  Discretionary

  Murder

  16 February 1988

  Life

  5 May 1998

  Discretionary

  Discretionary

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquires for information. [42635]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department does not have any administrative arrangements in place for dealing specially with persistent inquiries for information. To date, there has been no requirement for such an exercise and therefore no guidance has been drawn up.

  Racial Violence
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 May 1998,Official Report, column 47, in respect of his plans to combat racial violence, if he will make a statement on
  328
  the impact of the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] in combating attacks on foreign visitors, with particular reference to English language students. [42297]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Crime and Disorder Bill introduces new offences of racially aggravated violence, harassment and criminal damage. An offence will be racially aggravated if:at the time of committing the offence, or immediately before or after doing so, the offender demonstrates hostility based on the victim's membership of, or association with members of, a racial group; or
  the offence is motivated wholly or partly by hostility towards members of a racial group.

  "Racial group" means a group of persons defined by reference to race, colour, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins. We expect that foreign visitors would be covered by this definition.

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the consultation papers published since 1 May 1997 giving the date of

  Subject/title of paper

  Publication date

  Closing date for comments/submissions

  Number of respondents1

  The Future Role and Funding of Local Civil Protection in England and Wales

  24 November 1997

  15 January 1998

  2—

  The Control of Unscrupulous Immigration Advisers

  22 January 1998

  23 March 1998

  53

  The Prevention of Corruption—Consolidation and Amendment of the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889–1916: A Government Statement

  June 1997

  31 August 1997

  14

  Community Safety Order

  September 1997

  9 October 1997

  185

  Community Protection Order

  November 1997

  3 December 1997

  92

  Violence—Reforming Offences Against the Person Act 1861

  February 1998

  15 Mary 1998

  38

  Draft Lotteries (Frequent Draws) Bill, and Stake and Proceed Limits

  7 January 1998

  13 February 1998

  129

  Getting to Grips with Crime—A New Framework for Local Action

  September 1997

  31 October 1997

  550

  Working Together: An Examination of Some Options for Collaboration and Reorganisation in the Fire Service

  28 November 1997

  30 January 1998

  90

  Fire Service Pensions Review

  31 March 1998

  31 July 1998

  —

  Racial Violence and Harassment

  2 October 1997

  31 October 1997

  118

  Tackling Youth Crime

  25 September 1997

  3 November 1997

  323

  New National and Local Focus on Youth Crime

  9 October 1997

  10 November 1997

  267

  Tackling Delays in the Youth Justice System

  15 October 1997

  12 November 1997

  197

  No More Excuses—A New Approach to Tackling Youth Crime in England and Wales. (This was a White Paper but views were invited on the contents of two chapters)

  November 1997

  31 March 1998

  179

  The Drug Treatment and Testing Order provisions contained in the Crime and Disorder Bill

  Mid September 1997

  31 October 1997

  74

  Data Protection—The Government's Proposals (Cm 3725)

  31 July 1997

  31 August 1997

  71

  Intrusive Surveillance—Draft Code of Practice

  12 August 1997

  30 September 1997

  65

  Improving Local Service through Best Value

  30 March 1998

  21 May 1998

  —

  Forensic Science Service move to Trading Fund Status

  14 May 1998

  8 June 1998

  —

  Police Pensions Review

  31 March 1998

  31 July 1998

  —

  Regulation of the Private Security Industry

  15 August 1997

  1 October 1997

  c 70

  Draft Regulations on Particulars Required in a Vehicle Hiring Agreement

  15 January 1998

  27 February 1998

  8

  Report of the Community Fire Safety Task Force. (This was a report to Ministers on which they decided to consult)

  13 November 1997

  31 January 1998

  52

  Fire Safety Legislation for the Future

  28 November 1997

  28 February 1998

  c 450

  Review of Prison Service Drug Strategy 'Drug Misuse in Prison'

  3 April 1998

  21 April 1998

  20

  Review of Prison Service Nursing

  21 October 1997

  20 February 1998

  84

  Reducing Remand Delays

  23 October 1997

  14 November 1997

  12

  Juries in Serious Fraud Trials

  16 February 1998

  31 May 1998

  —

  Fire Service Radio Strategy3

  July 1997

  7 October 1997

  16

  Out of the Line of Fire—Modernising the Standards of Fire Cover4

  First version 15 January 1998 Amended version 12 March 1998

  First version 9 February 1998 Amended version no specific deadline

  First version 57 Amended version 34

  1 Figures include responses from individuals and organisations

  2 The paper invited consultees to complete a questionnaire and submit a written response. 287 questionnaires were returned together with 205 written replies

  3 This consultation was confined to major companies who were invited to take part

  4 This was not a general public consultation exercise but confined to local authorities, fire authorities and staff associations

  330
  publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents. [42249]

  Mr. Straw
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Firearms Compensation
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new arrangements will be put in place to speed up compensation payments to pistol owners under the firearms compensation schemes following the recent Steed v. Home Department Appeal Court judgment. [42261]

  Mr. Michael
  There are no new arrangements consequent on this specific case. The arrangements for processing claims made under the compensation schemes are being improved continually in the light of practical experience and our commitment to complete the compensation payments as quickly as possible. It is not simply a matter of staff numbers: this is a complex compensation scheme, mainly to fulfil the promise to be fair to all shooters who have surrendered weapons. New systems had to be developed and staff trained, but, where it is possible, routine tasks are identified which can be undertaken by non-specialist staff. Claims made under Options A and B will be completed shortly, allowing the examining staff to concentrate on the remaining Option C claims. The number of staff with the Firearms Compensation Section has been further increased since Easter and we are also making further use of data processing staff. Staff also regularly work overtime at weekends and on weekday evenings. We are processing the remaining claims as quickly as possible, while having regard to the need for careful checking of individual claims to guard against fraud.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when claims for compensation, following the surrender of firearms, on(a) A and B options on full bore pistols and revolvers, (b) C options on full bore pistols and revolvers, (c) A and B options on small bore pistols and revolvers; and (d) C options on small bore pistols and revolvers will be settled in full. [42339]

  Mr. Michael
  Claims under Options A and B of the large-calibre compensation scheme and the small-calibre ex gratia scheme should be completed by the end of the month, and those under Option C by the end of the year.

  We anticipate that all claims for guns handed in after 1 February 1998 under the small-calibre compensation scheme will have been paid before the end of March 1999.

  Public Bodies
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average salary of(a) male and (b) female members of boards of non-departmental public bodies responsible to his Department; [42841]
  (2) what is the average attendance fee of (a) male and (b) female members of boards of non-departmental public bodies responsible to his Department. [42842]

  Mr. Straw
  Details of remuneration to the board members of non-departmental bodies are set out in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies". Copies of the 1997 edition are available in the Library. Details of remuneration to members of the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO), which became an 332
  executive Non-Departmental Public Body on 1 April 1998, are given in the Home Office Annual Report 1998, copies of which are also available in the Library.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department's action plan for increasing the number of women holding public appointments will be published; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [42843]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department's action plan will be published shortly. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases lodged with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board under the 1992 scheme or its predecessors remain(a) to be disposed at first instance and (b) to be disposed of on appeal. [42445]

  Mr. Michael
  The Board advises that, at 30 April 1998, there were 3,396 cases remaining to be cleared at first instance under the 1990 Scheme, and 18,573 were awaiting determination at hearings.

  Police (Training)
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department last reviewed police training. [42791]

  Mr. Michael
  A series of reviews led to the creation of National Police Training (NPT) in 1993. A strategic review of NPT began in 1997 and is expected to be completed later this year. A review of probationer training was carried out between 1994–95. Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary is carrying out a thematic inspection of police training, which is expected to be completed early in 1999.

  Firearms Certificates
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assurances an applicant for a firearm or shotgun certificate will have in respect of patient confidentiality between himself and his doctor, under the proposals recommended by his Department's Operational Police Policy Unit to require or authorise inquiries to be made by the police directly with the applicant's general medical practitioner; what safeguards he proposes to include in the proposals; and if he will publish copies of the advice which he has received from the British Medical Association and other professional medical representative bodies; [42416]

  (2) what assurances the applicant for a firearm or shotgun certificate will have that inquiring police officers or police civilians have a satisfactory understanding of the medical facts presented to them, under the proposals being made by his Department's operational police policy units to require future applications to disclose to the police any medical condition or disability. [42415]

  Mr. Michael
  The Firearms Rules, which prescribe various forms used in the firearms licensing system, are in the process of being revised to take account of the recent changes in firearms law. The new application form for a
  333
  firearm certificate will contain a number of questions about the applicant's health. An applicant's medical condition or history may be a relevant factor in determining fitness to possess firearms. It is only right that the chief officer of police should have this information in order to reach an informed judgment on an application. Accordingly, it is proposed that the application form should seek the applicant's authority for the police to obtain factual information about these conditions from his doctor. It will be for individual chief officers to ensure that such information can be interpreted properly, through either appropriate training or access to professional medical advice. Correspondence from individuals and bodies with whom we may consult as a matter of routine is not normally published and we have no plans to do so.

SCOTLAND

  Local Government
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received relating to the best value regime for local government services in Scotland [41266]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I have had several useful exchanges about best value with a wide range of bodies and individuals. Best value seeks to achieve real improvements in local authority service delivery. I welcome further dialogue with interested parties on how we achieve this aim.

  Health Services
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the effect of Government policies on health services in the north of Scotland. [41267]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Our policies are bringing benefits to patients in the north of Scotland as they are elsewhere. For example, in Aberdeen the co-operative and collaborative approach we are encouraging will enable a new children's hospital to be built using capital receipts from the sale of redundant trust and health board estate.

  Oil and Gas Industry
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the North sea oil and gas industry to discuss matters relating to the industry. [41268]

  Mr. Wilson
  I meet representatives of the individual oil and gas companies and the UK Offshore Operators Association from time to time to discuss a range of issues. I am due to meet Shell UK Ltd. later this afternoon.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to involve the parents of children with special educational needs in the debate on future provision for them. [41269]

  Mr. Wilson
  Our discussion paper on special educational needs in Scotland acknowledges the importance of drawing on the knowledge and experience 334
  of parents. I invite all parents of children with special educational needs to express their views on any matters which are of concern to them within the context of the discussion paper or the Beattie committee which I have established to inquire into post-school special needs provision.

  Murderers
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce legislation to make convicted murderers deported back to Scotland subject to the same supervision as those released on licence from Scottish prisons. [41271]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Government are conscious of and share the concern that United Kingdom nationals, deported to this country from overseas jurisdictions on the completion of their sentences for serious crimes cannot be made subject to supervision. However, tackling the issue raises a number of complex legal and practical issues not least the need to ensure that any statutory obligations placed on returning prisoners do not result in an aggravation of their sentence. Consideration is at present being given to possible options to address the issue.

  "NHS Scotland: Designed to Care"
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what responses he has received to the Government's White Paper, "NHS Scotland: Designed to Care". [41272]

  Mr. Galbraith
  A number of responses to "Designed to Care: Renewing the NHS in Scotland" have been received from professional bodies and other groups. The responses have been predominantly positive, and have particularly welcomed the increased focus on patient care.

  Primary School Entry
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many parents exercised in the last academic year their right to defer primary school entry for one year. [41277]

  Mr. Wilson
  Full information on deferred entry is not available centrally. However, provisional results from the September 1997 school census show that, for 2,209 pupils in nursery schools and nursery classes in Scotland in 1997–98, entry to primary P1 had been deferred. These figures relate to publicly funded and independent nursery schools and classes only, and do not include private nurseries, day care units and other forms of pre-school establishments, on which information is not available.

  Sewage and Waste Disposal
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made on recent research commissioned by his Department into the possible health hazards of sewage and waste disposal. [41278]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Fisheries announced on 5 May that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency had been asked to carry out a strategic review of recycling of all organic wastes to land. This study is due to be completed by Autumn 1998.
  335
  A co-ordinated project by the Macaulay land use research institute and the Scottish agriculture college into the disposal of wastes to land has recently started. This should be completed by April 2000. However, we would expect interim findings in early 1999.

  In addition, the Water Research Centre's review of the scientific evidence relating to the agricultural use of sewage sludge is expected to be published shortly.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with industries in Scotland affected by the current exchange rate. [41251]

  Mr. Dewar
  I have frequent discussions with many firms across Scotland on a wide range of issues. The newly instituted Scottish Business Forums is a recent example.

  I am impressed by the ability of Scottish firms to retain a significant presence in both domestic and overseas markets, notwithstanding the extremely competitive trading environment which they face.

  Pregnant Women
  Dr. Lynda Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the provision of pain relief, beds and nursing staff for pregnant women in labour in Edinburgh hospitals. [41270]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Obstetric delivery services in Edinburgh are provided at the Simpson memorial maternity pavilion. The hospital has a total of 143 beds and 82 whole-time equivalent midwifery staff excluding midwives based in out-patient departments and day assessment units. A full range of methods of pain relief is offered at the hospital.

  Land Reform
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Crown Estate Commissioner to discuss land reform issues in Scotland. [41273]

  Mr. Macdonald
  No meetings have taken place to discuss land reform issues in Scotland between my right hon. Friend and the First Crown Estate Commissioner. However, officials have been in touch with the Crown Estate regarding these matters.

  Scottish Record Office
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the targets for the Scottish Record Office in 1998–99. [43047]

  Mr. McLeish
  I have set the Scottish Record Office the following key targets for 1998–99: to reduce the unit cost of preserving and making available the Records of Scotland by 2.5 per cent. in real terms; to increase the number of catalogue entries available for public scrutiny on the electronic system by 52,000; to produce material for readers in 92.5 per cent. of cases in 30 minutes or less for material from the same building and in 2 days or less for material from elsewhere; to issue replies to 85 per cent. of correspondence within 10 days, absorbing up to a 2 per cent. increase in demand; and to implement 336
  the agreed recommendations flowing from the prior options reviews of the Scottish Record Office and the Scottish Records Advisory Council, including the production of a revised corporate plan.

  Registers of Scotland
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the targets for the Registers of Scotland executive agency in the financial year 1998–99. [43048]

  Mr. Dewar
  I have set the Registers of Scotland the following key targets for 1998–99: for the trading fund to achieve a return of 6 per cent. on net capital employed over the 3 year period ending 31 March 1999; to achieve the transfer of the counties of Perth, Angus and Kinross to the Land Register on 1 April 1999; to maintain and enhance customer service through the retention of charter mark and by improving customer satisfaction on first registration turnround times to 75 per cent. by 31 March 2000; to reduce progressively the turnround time for sasine writs to 25 days by 31 March 1999; to reduce progressively the turnround time for dealings with whole in the Land Register to 25 days by 31 March 1999; to reduce unit costs by 5.4 per cent. in real terms for sasine writs by 31 March 1999 from the base of £32.46 at 31 March 1997; to reduce unit costs by 2.4 per cent. in real terms for dealings with whole by 31 March 1999 from the base of £55.10 at 31 March 1997; and to launch a direct access service to customers by 30 November 1998.

  Ancient and Historical Monuments Commission
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the forthcoming policy and financial management review of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. [43049]

  Mr. Dewar
  As part of the Government's ongoing programme of policy and financial management reviews of non-departmental public bodies, my Department will conduct a thorough review of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland—the national body of survey and record of the man-made environment in Scotland. As is the norm for such reviews, the first stage will take the forms of a "prior options" study. This will include an examination of the scope for discontinuing, privatising, contracting out or transferring to another body some or all of the functions carried out by the royal commission. The review is now under way and I would welcome comments from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 19 June to: Mr. John Barber, Room 3.9, Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1SH.

  Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the functions ascribed to the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visitors for Scotland under section 6(1)(e) of the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1997; and what funding the board receives in respect of those functions. [43050]
  337
  Mr. Galbraith
  The board is required to provide a central system to deal with applications to enter into training courses, to provide careers information to the public and to carry out research into training methods (SI 1993/637(S.83)). Funding for carrying out these functions is not specifically authorised by statute and, with Treasury agreement, it is intended to allow the expenditure to rest on the sole authority of the Appropriation Act until amending legislation can be enacted.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reform the uniform business rate in Scotland. [41275]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Government will consult on options for change this summer. However, in the end, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Police
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about possible reorganisation of Scottish police forces. [41274]

  Mr. McLeish
  There have been two letters of representation following my right hon. Friend's announcement on 22 April to embark on a period of consultation and information gathering on whether the present eight Forces are the correct basis for the structure of the police service in Scotland as we approach the new millennium. It will then be for the Scottish Parliament to decide on whether any change is required.

  Land Use (Glasgow)
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total acreage of derelict land in the city of Glasgow; what acreage is contaminated land; and what acreage of each is located in the Glasgow, Shettleston constituency. [42854]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Scottish vacant and derelict land survey 1996, (a copy of which is held in the House Library) records 894 hectares (1 hectare is approximately equivalent to 2.5 acres) of land as derelict in the City of Glasgow. The survey has limited information on derelict land known to be contaminated. In the 1996 survey, 196 hectares in the Glasgow Development Agency's area was recorded as contaminated.

  Information on derelict or contaminated land is not held centrally by Parliamentary constituency.

  Housing Stock (Glasgow)
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many multi-storey blocks of flats above 10 floors high there are in the City of Glasgow; what is the total number of housing units in these blocks; what percentage of the council's housing stock this represents; and how many flats in multi-storey blocks have been sold. [42855]

  Mr. Macdonald
  At 31 March 1997, the latest date for which information is available, Glasgow city council owned 105,035 dwellings of which 23,129 (22 per cent.)338
  were classified as high rise flats (flats in blocks of five storeys or more with a lift). Information on the numbers of these flats which have been sold is not available centrally.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Scottish Homes regarding the condition and future of the multi-storey flats in Hutchesontown, Glasgow; and if he will make a statement. [42865]

  Mr. Macdonald
  While it is the Scottish Homes to make decisions on operational matters relating to its own stock, I have been kept closely informed of its intentions regarding the future of the houses concerned. I understand that recent proposals to transfer the houses to an alternative landlord cannot be progressed because funding from the private sector is not available. In line with the new arrangements introduced by COSLA and Scottish Homes in December 1997, Scottish Homes will now consider the options for the future of the houses in consultation with the local authority and the tenants concerned.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses below the tolerable standard there are in each constituency in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [42866]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The 1996 Scottish house condition survey estimated that there were 21,000 below tolerable standard (BTS) occupied houses in Scotland. This information is not available by constituency.

  Local authorities supply annual estimates to The Scottish Office for the numbers of BTS dwellings in their areas. These figures, which are only available by local authority area, are published in Scottish Office statistical bulletins, copies of which are held in the Library. The latest such bulletin (HSG/1997/1) was published in February 1997.

  Care in the Community
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of health boards and National Health Service trusts to discuss matters relating to care in the community programmes. [41249]

  Mr. Galbraith
  I meet representatives of health boards and NHS trusts regularly to discuss matters of current interest, including care in the community.

  Child Care
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Green Paper on the child care strategy for Scotland will be published. [42769]

  Mr. Dewar
  Our Green Paper "Meeting the Childcare Challenge: A Childcare Strategy for Scotland" is being published today.

  The Green Paper sets out how we intend to make a reality of our manifesto commitment to develop a childcare strategy for Scotland. It is the first time a Government have a coherent and strategic approach to childcare. We are backing the strategy with a substantial investment of public money: almost £5 million extra in 1998–99 with a further £25 million to come on stream from lottery resources through the new opportunities fund over the years 1999–2003.
  339
  The Green Paper sets out three steps to the strategy: raising quality, making childcare more affordable and making it more accessible. I am appointing a Scottish Childcare Board to provide an external source of advice as we implement the Strategy. At local level, local childcare partnerships will be set up to plan and co-ordinate developments in childcare, so that we can build on what already exists to ensure that every neighbourhood has the childcare available which meets its needs.

  Our Green Paper sets out how we will take forward the childcare strategy for Scotland. The principles upon which it is founded apply across the United Kingdom and my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Secretary of State for Social Security and Minister for Women are also issuing a Green Paper on the national childcare strategy today. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland and Wales are also planning to consult on these matters in the near future.

  Copies of the Green Paper will be available in the Vote Office.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Women Magistrates
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement regarding increasing the number of women on the Bench. [41288]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor regards this as an issue of real importance. Judicial appointments must continue to be on merit but he wants to see more applications from women and is actively pursuing policies to encourage women to apply. In respect of lay magistrates, he expects his Advisory Committees to have regard to the need for balance and 48 per cent. of the lay bench are women.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he intends to publish the Government's response to the public consultation on conditional fees and legal aid reform. [41289]

  Mr. Hoon
  We will publish our response as soon as the analysis of the 233 responses has been completed and my noble and learned Friend and I have had a chance to consider the results. I expect that to be within the next month or so.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the role of trade union legal assistance schemes in the provision of legal services in the context of the civil justice and legal aid review. [41290]

  Mr. Hoon
  The excellent schemes operated by trade unions and their lawyers provide effective, specialist representation to a wide range of people. The Government wish to explore with the TUC the suggestion that the schemes might be made available to non-union members. We are keen to encourage as many avenues of access to justice as we can.
  340
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many responses he has received to his consultation paper on legal aid reform. [41293]

  Mr. Hoon
  233.

  Legal Profession
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the extent of restrictive practices in the legal profession. [41292]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government are opposed to restrictive practices which cannot be justified in the public interest. The legal profession is independent and self-regulating, and is responsible, in the first instance, for the rules governing the profession; but it is the duty of the relevant professional bodies to regulate their members in the public interest. As the Lord Chancellor made clear, on 24 February 1998,Official Report, columns 555–57, he is looking at the restrictions on who may exercise rights of audience in the courts, and he intends to bring proposals forward, in due course.

  One change to those who may exercise rights of audience has already been made. The Institute of Legal Executives was last month authorised to grant rights of audience to suitably qualified Fellows. It has thereby joined the Bar Council and the Law Society in being empowered to grant rights of audience in appropriate courts.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received regarding the closure of local magistrates courts. [41286]

  Mr. Hoon
  The provision of magistrates courts is, of course, regularly under review by the local magistrates courts committees. For example, so far this year I have received 139 representations from Members, local authorities, justices of the peace and other interested parties on courts' committee's plans for possible magistrates closures in England and Wales.

  Magistrates Courts Committees
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on his proposals for the future arrangements for magistrates court committees in larger police authority areas. [41291]

  Mr. Hoon
  In my statement to the House on 29 October 1997,Official Report, columns 901–05, I set out the Government's view of the future structure of the magistrates courts service. I stated that there need to be fewer and larger magistrates courts committee (MCC) areas which are more closely aligned to the areas served by other justice agencies, in particular those of the police. The Lord Chancellor has recently signed the orders which will amalgamate the five MCCs in Merseyside and the seven MCCs in the West Midlands. A number of other MCCs are developing their own proposals, whilst the remainder are considering the way forward.

  Computer Technology
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much his Department spent in 1997–98 and plans to spend in 1998–99 on computer technology in(a) the magistrates courts, (b) the county courts, (c) the Crown courts and (d) the High Court and Court of Appeal. [41285]

  Mr. Hoon
  During 1997–98, the Department's spending on computer technology was:

  (a) £7.8 million for the magistrates' courts1;

  (b) £7.0 million for the county courts;

  (c) £1.5 million for the Crown Court; and,

  (d) £1.5 million for the High Court and Court of Appeal.

  The estimates for 1998–99 are:

  (a) £11.5 million for the magistrates' courts;

  (b) £7.7 million for the county courts;

  (c) £1.2 million for the Crown Court; and,

  (d) £1.0 million for the High Court and Court of Appeal.

  1This figure is an estimate because the actual expenditure will not be known until after December 1998 when we have received the audited grant forms from the external auditors.

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if his Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42636]

  Mr. Hoon
  No formal monitoring of this information is carried out.

  Barristers' Fees
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how barristers' claimed hours of preparation are monitored; and what percentage of such claims are met without independent verification. [42267]

  Mr. Hoon
  In standardised fee cases, the preparation hours do not influence the fee level because the fee prescribed relates to the case as a whole or a discrete item of work. Standardised fees account for 90 per cent. of criminal cases. Standardised fees for advocacy in family cases are to be introduced later this year. In non-standard fee cases, the fees are paid following independent taxation or assessment when the reasonableness of the hours claimed is one of the factors taken in to account.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the 50 banisters who have received the largest sums of money, taking account of both defence and prosecution costs met from public funds, over the last three years. [42266]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

  Roger Levitt Case (Costs)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what were the final total costs of the Roger Levitt case broken down into(a) defence and (b) prosecution costs. [42268]
  342
  Mr. Hoon
  The costs of R v Roger Levitt and others broken down into defence and prosecution costs associated with the trial were as follows:Defence costs from legal aid: £2,649,495
  Defence costs from central funds1: £10,699

  1These costs compensate the privately represented defendant for any expenses properly incurred by him in the proceedings including the fees of his legal representation.

  It is not possible to identify separately prosecution costs associated with the investigation and trial stages. However, it is estimated that the prosecution costs associated with the trial were £993,815. In addition the estimated prosecution costs of investigation amounted to £819,552.

  International Criminal Court
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) of 21 April 1998,Official Report, column 588, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the applicability of the proposed International Criminal Court to cases of international terrorism. [41248]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is the Government's view that terrorism should not be one of the categories of crime over which the proposed International Criminal Court should have jurisdiction.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the possibility of introducing charges on the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement. [43021]

  Mr. Morley
  The question as to whether the fishing industry might contribute to the costs of decommissioning was raised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at our first High Level meeting with industry leaders last July. I also indicated to the House on 17 December 1997,Official Report, column 346, that it would be included in the possibilities considered in the current comprehensive spending review. As a contribution to continuing discussion of this issue, I am now placing in the Library of the House copies of a recently completed academic report by the University of Portsmouth which the Department commissioned towards the end of last year.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the informal agriculture council held between 10 and 12 May; and if he will make a statement. [42269]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  As Chairman of the EU Agriculture Council, I hosted an informal meeting of Agriculture Ministers in Newcastle upon Tyne from 10 to 12 May 1998. My noble Friend, the Lord Donoughue,
  343
  Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the farming and food industry, represented the United Kingdom at that meeting.

  In the course of the informal visit, I was able to show my EU colleagues the efforts which the UK Government are making, in partnership with the farming industry, to help put our beef industry on to a sound footing for the future. In particular, my EU Ministerial colleagues were given a comprehensive presentation of the cattle traceability system now being put in place in Great Britain with the aim of assuring consumers, retailers and farmers alike of the safety and reliability of our meat.

  Linked to the theme of quality and sustainability of beef production, the information EU Council went on to discuss, on the basis of a UK Presidency paper, the challenges facing EU livestock producers in environmentally fragile areas of the Union, and the measure open to EU governments to assist them. A wide-ranging debate on this important subject gave rise to a number of important policy considerations which will be taken forward in the negotiations on the Commission's Agenda 2000 proposals for agricultural reform.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what statutory provision currently covers usage of pesticides on land. [41929]

  Mr. Rooker
  The current statutory controls over the use of pesticides on land in the United Kingdom are:

  The Food and Environment Protection Act 1985;

  The Pesticides (Fees and Enforcement) Act 1989;

  The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended);

  The Plant Protection Products Regulations 1995 (as amended); and

  The Plant Protection Products (Basic Conditions) Regulations 1997.

  In particular, the legislation provides that only pesticides that have been approved by Ministers may be used.

  Advice on how users can meet their responsibilities under the legislation is given in the statutory 'Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings', which is jointly produced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Health and Safety Executive.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the three most commonly used pesticides currently applied to land in the United Kingdom. [41933]

  Mr. Rooker
  The three most commonly used pesticides applied to land in the United Kingdom in 1997 were:By spray area (i.e. area of land times number of treatments):

  Isoproturon: 3.00 million hectares

  Chlormequat: 2.53 million hectares

  Cypermethrin: 2.51 million hectares

  By weight:

  Sulphuric acid: 13,348 tonnes

  Isoproturon: 3,312 tonnes

  Chlormequat: 2,637 tonnes.

  344
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the advantages of introducing separate regulation for food produced from land treated with pesticides; and if he will make a statement. [41936]

  Mr. Rooker
  Pesticides are used on over 98 per cent. of the agricultural and horticultural land on which food crops are grown. Land on which pesticides are not used and which conforms to other relevant standards can, if not already registered, be registered as organic. We do not see a need for further regulation in this area.

  Departmental Vehicles (Fuel)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of his Department's vehicles use(a) liquid petroleum gas and (b) compressed natural gas. [42067]

  Mr. Morley
  At present, this Department does not have any vehicles which run on liquid petroleum gas or compressed natural gas.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to convert his vehicle fleet to(a) liquid petroleum gas and (b) compressed natural gas. [42068]

  Mr. Morley
  It would not be a viable option for this Department to convert its existing fleet to liquid petroleum gas or compressed natural gas because the vehicles are predominantly diesel-powered and not readily capable of conversion. But, in future (and as the existing fleet falls due for replacement) consideration will be given to the use of LPG fuelled vehicles where it is appropriate to do so.

  Flood Warnings (Northamptonshire)
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements have been made for the issuing of flood warnings in Northamptonshire since March 1996. [42057]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to her on 14 May 1998,Official Report, column 197.

  Gangmasters
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to regulate the activities of gangmasters; and if he will make a statement. [42583]

  Mr. Morley
  I will write to my hon. Friend providing the information requested as soon as possible.

  BSE
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his current estimate of when the national herd is likely to be free of BSE. [42140]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to him on 6 November 1997,Official Report, column 331, and 28 January 1998, Official Report, column 301.

  Sheep Dip
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the toxicological data for(a) [(i) symmetrical and (ii) unsymmetrical, monothiono TEPP, (b) [(x) symmetrical and (y) unsymmetrical,] sulfotep, (c) s-ethyl diazinon, (d) iso diazinon, (e) TEPP, (f) z-isopropenyl diazinon, (g) diazonon and (h) hydroxymethyl diazinon found in sheep dips which has been collated by his Department. [42475]

  Mr. Rooker
  Data are provided by applicants for marketing authorisations for veterinary medicines and are subject to the confidentiality requirements of section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968 and regulation 14 of the Marketing Authorisations for Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 1994.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the possible potentiation and synergism effects involving the ingredients which have been included in sheep dips. [42235]

  Mr. Rooker
  A number of letters on this subject have been received by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. The direct chemical reaction of mixing phenols and organophosphates was considered as part of the approval process of former sheep dip products. There was no reaction and no change in the composition of the dip.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the genetic susceptibility of some breeds of sheep to diazinon. [42221]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am unaware of any such representations.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the toxicological data for(a) hydroxydiazinon and (b) thiodiazinon in sheep dips which have been collated by his Department. [42224]

  Mr. Rooker
  These data have been provided by applicants for marketing authorisations for veterinary medicines and are subject to the confidentiality requirements of section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968 and regulation 14 of the Marketing Authorisations for Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 1994.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the health effect of phenol and crenyl phosphates. [42218]

  Mr. Rooker
  A number of letters on this subject have been received by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. No human suspected adverse reaction to phenol or crenyl phosphates has been reported under the Suspected Adverse Reactions Surveillance Scheme. No currently authorised sheep dip contains phenol or crenyl phosphates.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the health risks of phenols in sheep dips. [42220]
  346
  Mr. Rooker
  A number of letters on this subject have been received by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Seven cases of human suspected adverse reactions relating to sheep dips containing phenols have been reported under the Suspected Adverse Reactions Surveillance Scheme. No currently authorised sheep dip contains phenols.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what(a) general methods and (b) toxicological calculations are used to assess the presence of impurities in sheep dips. [42223]

  Mr. Rooker
  The requirements are set out in Article 5 of Council Directive 81/851/EEC as amended, on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to veterinary medicinal products, and to Parts 2 and 3 of the Annex to Council Directive 81/852 as amended, on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to analytical, pharmacotoxicological and clinical standards and protocols in respect of the testing of veterinary medicinal products.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken regarding the addition of phenols to surfactants in order to preserve them. [42219]

  Mr. Rooker
  Data on the constituents of veterinary medicinal products are considered as part of the examination of applications for marketing authorisations in order to satisfy the statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring has been undertaken in the past five years to ensure the purity of diazinon at point of sale to farmers; when the monitoring started; and what were the results. [42222]

  Mr. Rooker
  Manufacturers of veterinary medicinal products must comply with the terms of their marketing authorisations and must carry out the quality checks on their products set down in them. If any purchaser has reason to believe the product purchased is not fit for the purpose, they should contact the local authority Trading Standards Department.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the chemical formula and structure of the compound G31045 which is a constituent part of organophosphate sheep dips. [42236]

  Mr. Rooker
  The chemical name for G31045 is 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-ethoxy pyrimidine, from which its structure may be deduced.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to reply to the letter of 19 January from the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay. [41908]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Minister wrote to the hon. Member on 18 May.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if his Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42644]

  Dr. David Clark
  Yes. Guidance on dealing with voluminous or vexatious correspondence is available to all staff. The guidance emphasises, among other points:the general commitment to be as open and helpful as possible;
  the importance of ensuring that correspondents have indeed been provided with all the information they are entitled to, and have had the appeals procedures fully explained to them, before the correspondence is brought to an end;
  that decisions should be in accordance with the Guidance on Interpretation of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information;
  that, if further correspondence received after a "final letter" has been sent raises a new and substantive point, that should be treated as any other correspondence and a substantive response provided.

  Information Formatting
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when local authorities first contacted the Government asking for details of how information was to be forwarded after the year 2000 and in what format; when the Government will respond to the local authorities; and what co-ordination he is seeking between departments in the format of information. [40432]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am aware of only one approach from a local authority on this aspect of the Year 2000 issue. Where local authority systems interact with those of other bodies they should agree, through their normal liaison procedures, the format to be followed so that changes made to systems are compatible with one another. However, they should not delay remedial action on their own business critical systems because others are unable to give any firm indication of the changes they are having to make to their own systems.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Dome (Air Conditioning)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will meet representatives of(a) York UK and (b) Combined Power Service Ltd. to discuss air-conditioning systems for the Millennium Dome. [40546]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 7 May 1998]: The New Millennium Experience Company is responsible for procuring goods and services to the Millennium Dome and it would not therefore be appropriate for me to meet individual companies who have an interest in supplying particular goods, works or services to the Millennium Dome. Combined Heat and Power Services Limited did not respond to the advertisement placed by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) in June 1997 in the Official Journal of the European Communities
  348
  (OJEC). This advertisement did not specify the type of chiller units required. York International did respond and were subsequently invited by the NMEC to tender against an HFC R134a refrigerant specification but with an option also to submit a tender with an alternative refrigerant. The bid received from York by the NMEC proposed only HFC R134a.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what weight of the gas HFC 134a he expects to be used in the proposed air conditioning system in the Millennium Dome. [40545]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 7 May 1998]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has procured twenty-four chiller units which will supply chilled water to cool air within the Dome. Each unit will have 274kg of HFC R134a hermetically sealed within them.

  Millennium Experience (Regional Boards)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio when he expects that the regional junior boards for the Millennium Experience will be appointed. [38455]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) held a consultative meeting last month to discuss how the Company might best establish regional junior boards. Following this meeting, the Company's Education Managers in their English regional offices, and in their offices in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, asked local authorities and youth agencies for nominations. The first regional junior board meetings are now planned for June and July this year.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children living within the local education authority boundaries of(a) Barnsley and (b) Doncaster currently receive subsidised private education via the assisted places scheme; and how many will do so from 1 September. [42657]

  Mr. Byers
  Information about the local education authority area from which assisted pupils originate is not collected centrally. There are no schools participating in the assisted places scheme in either the Barnsley or the Doncaster LEA areas.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been spent in each of the last five years on the(a) printing, production and design and (b) distribution of his Department's publications for schools. [42700]

  Mr. Byers
  Total spending on education publicity for the Department is given in financial years. It is not possible to separate out sums spent on publications only or to separate the cost of distribution to schools.
  349
  Publications are a basic part of all of the Department's publicity activities but on many occasions will also include some element of other types of media:

  Year

  £ million

  1993–94

  10.1

  1994–95

  9.4

  1995–96

  5.4

  1996–97

  6.2

  1997–98

  14.5

  1Provisional

  In each of the five years, spending on the distribution of publications to a range of audiences including teachers and governors has remained at around £0.8 million.

  Child Care
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the Green Paper on the National Child Care Strategy will be launched. [42893]

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish the Government's proposed National Child Care Strategy Consultation. [42706]

  Mr. Blunkett
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security and Minister for Women and I are launching our joint Green Paper on the National Child Care Strategy,Meeting the Childcare Challenge, today. In developing our proposals, we have been working closely with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who has responsibility for Lottery funding, and other colleagues.

  The Green Paper sets out how we intend to make a reality of our Manifesto commitment to develop a National Child Care Strategy. It is the first time a Government have taken a coherent and strategic approach to child care. We are backing the Strategy with a substantial investment of public money—over £125 million in England over the coming years—and we are making available £170 million from the Lottery New Opportunities Fund to develop new out of school child care provision.

  The Green paper sets out three steps to the Strategy: raising quality, making child care more affordable and making it more accessible. We will achieve this through working in partnership at local level, building on what already exists. Our aim is to ensure good-quality, affordable child care for children aged 0 to 14 in every neighbourhood, including both formal child care and support for informal arrangements.

  Our Green Paper sets out the principles of the National Child Care Strategy covering the whole of the UK, but the specific proposals for implementation relate to England. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is launching a Green Paper on the child care strategy in Scotland today. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland and for Wales are also planning to consult on the National Child Care Strategy in the near future.

  The Green Paper has today been laid before Parliament and copies are available in the Vote Office.

HEALTH

  School Nurses
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many regions there have been(a) reductions and (b) increases in school nursing services over the last two years. [25025]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not collected centrally. The levels of school nursing services are for local commissioners and employers to determine in the light of local needs and priorities.

  Cabinet Sub-committee
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Cabinet sub-committee on health was established. [28815]

  Mr. Milburn
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced the establishment, composition and terms of reference of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Health (HS(H)) on 9 June 1997,Official Report, columns 302–09.

  Dental Services
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in Bolton treated NHS patients in(a) 1997, (b) 1996, (c) 1995, (d) 1994 and (e) 1993; and how many dentists treated only private patients in each of those years. [41895]

  Mr. Milburn
  For 31 March 1997, information is available for the Wigan and Bolton Health Authority, and in previous years for the former Wigan and the former Bolton Family Health Services Authorities. This information is shown in the table. These dentists will have varying levels of commitment to the National Health Service. No information is available for the number of dentists treating private patients only.

  General dental service: number of dentists1 in Bolton and Wigan Family Health Services Authorities (FHSA) at 31 March 1993 to 1996 and Wigan and Bolton Health Authority at 31 March 1997

  Year

  Bolton FHSA

  Wigan FHSA

  Wigan and Bolton Health Authority

  1993

  74

  87

  —

  1994

  81

  95

  —

  19952

  75

  87

  —

  19962

  81

  95

  —

  19972

  —

  —

  174

  1Includes principals, assistants and vocational trainees on health authority lists

  2The figures for 31 March 1995 onwards may be reduced by the effect of the lengthening of the degree course for dental students. Prior to this newly qualified dentists would appear in March figures each year but from 1995 these dentists graduated later and joined health authority lists after March each year

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of elderly people are liable to pay patient charges for dental treatment; and how much revenue is raised annually through dental charges to those of pensionable age(a) in Coventry and (b) in England. [42478]

  Mr. Milburn
  About 80 per cent. of people aged 65 and over are liable to pay full or partial charges for National Health Service dental treatment. It is estimated that some
  351
  £65 million in patient charge revenue was raised in England from patients aged 65 and over in 1997–98. This estimate is based on a sample of patient claims for April 1998. Corresponding information is not available for Coventry.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in(a) the West Midlands and (b) Coventry are registered with a dental practice. [42476]

  Mr. Milburn
  The table sets out figures for the number of patients registered with a General Dental Service dentist in the National Health Service Executive West Midlands Regional Office area and in Coventry Health Authority at 31 March 1998.

  General Dental Service: number of patients registered in the NHS Executive West Midlands Regional Office area, and Coventry Health Authority at 31 March 1998

  Adults

  Children

  West Midlands

  1,930,423

  723,700

  Coventry

  119,680

  42,326

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will restore the re-registration period for dental services to 24 months. [42477]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have no plans to review this policy, which will improve value for money by focusing payments to dentists on those patients receiving active care from them.

  From 1 April, £10 million of the resources released has been targeted at young children in poorer areas, adults requiring full dentures and to encourage dentists to provide continuing care to their patients including emergency treatment.

  Asthma
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will include a national target for the reduction of childhood asthma in the Government's public health strategy, Our Healthier Nation. [29968]

  Ms Jowell
  The Green Paper Our Healthier Nation sets out our proposals for a new health strategy for England. These proposals went out for consultation until 30 April. A White Paper, taking account of the results of the consultation, will follow in the autumn.

  Our Healthier Nation recognises that asthma is a serious health problem. Although it is not proposed for a national target it heads the Green Paper's list of possible candidates for local targets.

  Renal Services (North West)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the mortality rates among renal patients in Chorley and South Ribble Health District relative to those in other health districts in the North West Region; [42049]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of renal dialysis provision at Chorley and South Ribble General Hospital; [42050]
  352
  (3) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for the provision of renal services in each of the health districts in the North West Region; and what plans he has to review this provision. [42051]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Office for National Statistics is being commissioned to produce statistics of trends or comparisons in mortality rates in renal patients between South Lancashire and other districts. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library.

  An assessment of renal services has recently been carried out. Further work, to include an assessment of resources, is currently in progress. At local level, South Lancashire Health Authority has run a population-based model as part of its analysis of health need to inform the Lancashire Renal Strategy. It has been agreed that the first step should be to enhance satellite dialysis facilities at Preston to cover the catchment populations of Fylde, Longridge, Chorley and South Ribble and Preston itself.

  Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital does not provide renal dialysis. The service is provided mainly from the Royal Preston Hospital, although some patients are dialysed at Manchester hospitals or in the satellite unit at Accrington, depending on the availability of places.

  Drugs Treatment
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many users of(a) cannabis, (b) ecstasy and (c) heroin are in contact with drugs treatment services. [41617]

  Ms Jowell
  The National Health Service regional drug misuse databases collect data on people presenting to services with a drug problem in England and Wales, either for the first time or after a gap of 6 months or more. Data for England are collated centrally by the Department, including details of the main drug and any other drugs of misuse (a maximum of five can be recorded). The most recent statistics published for England are given in the Department's Statistical Bulletin "Drug Misuse Statistics for the six months ending September 1996". Information for this period is given in the table.

  Use of cannabis, ecstasy and heroin as main or subsidiary drug by users starting agency episodes in the period 1 April to 30 September 1996, England

  Drug of misuse

  Main drug

  Subsidiary drug

  Total

  Cannabis

  1,533

  4,784

  6,317

  Ecstasy

  268

  1,165

  1,433

  Heroin

  14,334

  2,065

  16,399

  Note:

  A user may report using more than one drug; for example, heroin may be reported as the main drug and cannabis and/or ecstasy reported as the subsidiary drugs

  Our 10 year strategy for tackling drug misuse, Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain, aims to ensure that all problem drug misusers have access to support from appropriate services when needed and to increase the proportion of problem drug misusers in contact with drug treatment services.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 31 July 1997,Official Report, columns 608–10, concerning waiting lists, if he will supply the equivalent information for 1998–99. [42707]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not routinely available centrally.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by hospital, the regional fast track information on waiting lists and waiting times for(a) inpatients and (b) day cases, for (i) January, (ii) February and (iii) March. [41881]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: Waiting list and waiting time information is collected centrally on a quarterly basis direct from health authorities and trusts and shows the position at the end of the quarter. Provisional information showing the position on 31 March 1998, aggregated by region, will be published on 21 May 1998. Final validated figures, on a health authority and trust basis, will be published a few weeks later. The final figures will show ordinary cases and day cases separately.

  Blood Products
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the likely effect of the decision to source manufactured blood products from non-United Kingdom plasma on the number of blood donors in the United Kingdom. [42863]

  Mr. Boateng
  The decision to source blood products from non-United Kingdom plasma related to manufactured blood products only and has no impact on the blood used in transfusions. The decision does not mean that we need less blood—on the contrary, we need more than ever in order to support increasing hospital activity.

  We hope and expect that blood donors will understand that their gift remains vital to the work of the National Health Service, and that they will continue to support the NHS and help to save lives as they have done in the past.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he(a) sought and (b) received the advice of the National Blood Authority before taking the decision to source manufactured blood products from non-United Kingdom plasma; [42861]

  (2) what steps he will take to ensure that imported plasma is safe; and what estimate he has made of the risk that it is not; [42858]

  (3) what estimate the National Blood Authority has made of the probability of death resulting from (a) hepatitis and (b) HIV/Aids as a result of sourcing blood products from non-United Kingdom plasma; [42856]

  (4) if he will publish the full text of the report of the Committee on the Safety of Medicines on which his decision to source manufactured blood products from non-United Kingdom plasma was based; [42859]

  (5) what is the Committee on the Safety of Medicines estimate of the probability of contracting new variant CJD from blood products; [42857]
  354
  (6) if he will make a statement on the role of the National Blood Authority in his decision to source blood products from non-United Kingdom plasma. [42860]

  Mr. Boateng
  The decision to source blood products from non-United Kingdom plasma follows the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM), which the Department, acting with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices, has accepted.

  The CSM, in consultation with its expert group on new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, undertook a risk assessment of individual plasma derived medicinal products. This assessment took into account the therapeutic benefit of the products, details of the manufacturing process, the theoretical risk of transmission, the quality and availability of alternative supplies and the blood product supply situation. In the course of that assessment, the CSM took evidence from the two UK blood product manufacturers, the Bio Products Laboratory (which is part of the National Blood Service) and the Protein Fractionation Centre (its Scottish equivalent).

  The CSM's advice was that, although there is no evidence to indicate that nvCJD can be transmitted via blood products and the risk therefore remains hypothetical, it cannot be fully discounted. Therefore, as a purely precautionary measure, blood products should not be sourced from UK plasma for the time being. The full text of their advice is appended to the Department's press release of 13 May, copies of which are in the Library.

  We would not accept non-UK plasma which was considered unsafe. The imported plasma will come only from centres approved by the UK Medicines Control Agency. Only when the inspectors are assured that the stringent safety standards applied to the new sources of plasma are equivalent to those currently available in the UK will plasma be imported.

  Clinicians currently do not have to use Bio Products Laboratory or Protein Fractionation Centre products, but can use the licensed product of their choice. As a result, many of the licensed blood products already on the UK market are made from non-UK plasma and they have a high quality and safety record.

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42634]

  Ms Jowell
  No.

  Nut Allergy (Paramedic Training)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is given to paramedics employed by NHS ambulance trusts in dealing with individuals suffering from allergic reactions to nuts; and if he will make a statement. [42479]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Institute of Health and Care Development is responsible for the standards of training for ambulance personnel, including paramedics. All paramedics in the United Kingdom are trained in the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis, and I understand that the equipment needed for such treatment is standard on all front line ambulances.

  Tobacco Industry
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of reports that the tobacco industry (i) recruited scientists from political and scientific committees, (ii) withheld scientific reports and (iii) corrupted data on the health effects of smoking. [42771]

  Ms Jowell
  I read with interest and concern reports such as those referred to by my hon. Friend.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department's action plan for increasing the number of women holding public appointments will be published; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [42828]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department's action plan will be published shortly. Copies will be placed in the Library.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incomes (London)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of households in each(a) borough and (b) constituency in London was (i) on income support and (ii) paying tax at the higher rate in 1996–97. [41361]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Benefits Agency does not collect information related to tax payments. This is a matter for the Inland Revenue. The administration of Income Support is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Karen Buck, dated 18 May 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what percentage of households in each (a) borough and (b) constituency in London was (i) on Income Support (IS) and (ii) paying tax at the higher rate in 1996–97.
  I am unable to comment on tax payments as this is a matter for the Inland Revenue. The benefits information is not available in the format requested as the Benefits Agency (BA) collates statistics for benefit recipients within each BA District. The number of benefit recipients may not equate to the number of households as several customers may share the same address. BA Districts do not correspond to constituency or borough boundaries. The information which is available is contained in the attached table.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  IS live load

  BA district

  May 1996

  August 1996

  November 19961

  February 1997

  Leaside

  67,652

  68,195

  43,783

  44,057

  City East

  34,400

  33,211

  22,511

  22,061

  Hackney and Islington

  62,864

  64,260

  38,720

  38,484

  Lea Roding

  60,197

  60,711

  39,626

  39,194

  Newham

  49,086

  49,570

  33,158

  32,652

  Barnet

  35,496

  35,576

  24,824

  24,784

  Neasden

  47,909

  47,559

  30,129

  29,854

  Ealing

  60,686

  58,642

  41,429

  40,935

  Euston

  79,310

  79,381

  51,734

  50,984

  Harrow

  34,545

  35,477

  25,340

  25,226

  356

  IS live load

  BA district

  May 1996

  August 1996

  November 19961

  February 1997

  Palace

  67,374

  68,472

  41,588

  41,233

  London Central

  12,668

  10,574

  8,191

  8,078

  South West Thames

  57,248

  54,783

  35,642

  35,143

  Bankside

  26,113

  26,551

  16,632

  16,654

  North Kent

  55,185

  54,902

  36,426

  36,280

  Thameside

  46,127

  46,131

  30,461

  30,249

  South Circular

  59,608

  63,366

  36,419

  36,194

  Surrey

  40,163

  37,363

  29,496

  29,126

  Total (London)

  896,631

  894,724

  586,109

  581,728

  1JSA was introduced in October 1996

  Notes:

  1. This information has been supplied by the BA Central Data Unit, is provisional and may be subject to change

  2. The figures quoted relate to the number of benefit recipients at a given point in time for each quarter in 1996–97

  3. The number of recipients may not equate to the number of households as several benefit recipients may share the same address

  Benefit Overpayments
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if her Department will use its information technology network to co-ordinate payments made by different branches of her Department and its agencies in order to avoid overpayments of benefit. [42045]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Department continues to exploit the opportunities provided by information technology to deliver significant improvements to the accuracy of its payment mechanisms. In launching the Active Modern Service programme, the Department reiterated its commitment to ensuring that people with a genuine claim to benefit receive their correct entitlement, paid at the correct time and for the correct amount.

  The programme of work currently under way incorporates the development and design of integrated Information Technology Systems to allow speedier access to information held across the Department.

  The structure of future customer records will be around individual customers, as opposed to the benefits they claim. This will provide a complete picture of the customers dealings with the Department and reduce the scope for fraud, inaccuracy and inconsistency. Each individual customer record will contain details of payments made and moneys owed.

  Rigorous financial controls of each individual transaction will enable better accounting and speedier action to recover debt.

  Reduced Earnings Allowance
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what external legal advice she has taken concerning the compliance of the reduced earnings allowance with European law in relation to discrimination on the basis of gender. [42123]

  Mr. Denham
  The question of whether the Reduced Earnings Allowance provisions comply with European Community law on grounds of gender is currently being
  357
  litigated before the Social Security Commissioner who has referred five cases to the European Court of Justice for a ruling. We have obtained external advice but it is not the normal practice to reveal the terms of legal advice received. We maintain that the Reduced Earnings Allowance provisions are in accordance with our obligations under Community law.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much it would cost to double child benefit for all children under five years old based on a doubling of the current figure for(a) the eldest qualifying child and (b) each other child. [42704]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  It is estimated that the costs in 1998/99 of doubling the Child Benefit rate for the eldest qualifying child for all children under 5 would be in the region of £670 million and of doubling the Child Benefit rate for each other child under 5 would be in the region of £680 million.

  The total costs of doubling current Child Benefit Rates for children under 5 would be in the region of £1.35 billion.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  2. Estimate assumes current the differential between Couples Higher Rate Child Benefit and Child Benefit (Lone Parent) is retained.

  Source:

  1. Child Benefit and Income Support statistics.

  2. Family Resources Survey.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates she has made of the receipts generated by removing the child benefit premium for the eldest child. [42705]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  It is estimated that the total savings in 1998/99 from abolishing the child benefit rate for the eldest child would be in the region of £590 million.

  Estimated growth in Housing Benefit (HB) in Great Britain between 1992–93 and 1996–97

  £ million

  Government office regions

  HB expenditure 1992–93 (cash terms)

  Growth in HB expenditure (cash terms) between 1992–93 and 1996–97

  Amount of growth attributable to caseload increases

  Amount of growth attributable to increases to the average amount of benefit paid

  Eastern

  575

  255

  88

  166

  East Midlands

  412

  187

  49

  138

  London

  1,746

  895

  383

  512

  Merseyside

  214

  383

  178

  204

  North East

  466

  104

  -73

  177

  North West

  673

  179

  -36

  215

  South East

  829

  493

  202

  290

  South West

  562

  262

  112

  150

  West Midlands

  735

  151

  -71

  222

  Yorkshire & Humberside

  538

  320

  101

  219

  England

  6,749

  3,227

  933

  2,295

  Scotland

  774

  240

  25

  215

  Wales

  378

  155

  46

  108

  Great Britain

  7,901

  3,622

  1,004

  2,618

  Note:

  Totals may not sum due to rounding to nearest £1 million.

  Sources:

  1. Housing Benefit Management Information System 1 per cent. samples.

  2. Departmental Reports.
  358
  Notes:

  1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  2. Estimate assumes the current differential between Couples Higher Rate Child Benefit and Child Benefit (Lone Parent) is retained.

  Source:

  1. Child Benefit and Income Support statistics.

  2. Family Resources Survey.

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if her Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42638]

  Mr. Field
  The Department does not operate a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information.

  Vaccine Damage Payments
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on progress on vaccine damage payments. [40615]

  Mr. Denham
  We are considering the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, as part of the overall review of welfare which includes disability benefits, in consultation with the Department of Health. While this is on-going it is right that we should increase the payments to new claimants. A proposal will be placed before the House to increase the current payment of £30,000 by £10,000 to £40,000, as soon as possible.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the change in the expenditure on housing benefit accounted for by(a) growth in the number of claimants and (b) growth in the size of weekly benefit since 1992 on a United Kingdom basis and on the basis of each region and nation. [41476]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 12 May 1998]: The available information is set out in the table.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission if he will estimate the additional funding required to extend NAO access to the accounts and internal accounting documents of private limited companies. [41931]

  Mr. Sheldon
  The Comptroller and Auditor General does not have a guaranteed right of access to the relevant records of private bodies providing public services under contract. Where access is not provided for in the relevant contracts, the Comptroller and Auditor General may be unable to check that public funds have been used as Parliament intended and with due concern for regularity and value for money. The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and I have therefore recommended to the Government that the Comptroller and Auditor General should have a guaranteed right of access to contractors' records. The purpose would be to enable the Comptroller and Auditor General to audit the accounts from which the contractor is paid or pays in revenue, not to audit the contractors themselves.

  Where the Comptroller and Auditor General does have access to contractors, he exercises this right only in the relatively few cases where he is unable to obtain sufficient assurance from other sources about the occurrence, propriety or value for money of the payments to, or receipts from, contractors. The resource implications of arrangements to guarantee access rights would depend on the additional extent to which such rights needed to be exercised. It would be for Parliament to decide what additional resources to provide to meet any needs identified by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what meetings were held between Government representatives and Sandline during the period of exile of President Kabbah of Sierra Leone; who was present at such meetings; where and when they were held; what was their purpose; and what was discussed at them; [41799]

  (2) pursuant to the oral statement of 12 March 1998, Official Report, column 844, on what basis he concluded that the article which appeared in The Observer on 8 March was ill-informed; [41810]

  (3) on what grounds Her Majesty's Government recommended Sandline International to President Kabbah; [41970]

  (4) what the timescale will be for the independent investigation of arms sales to Sierra Leone; if it will be carried out in public; and if its terms of reference will allow all interested parties to give evidence; [41971]

  (5) if the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Sierra Leone visited the premises of Sandline International in the month before the counter coup in Sierra Leone; [41963]
  360
  (6) if the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Sierra Leone received full details of the arrangements, including the military equipment to be provided, together with a copy of Sandline International's strategic and tactical plan, for Sandline International's operations in Sierra Leone; and to whom this information was communicated in his Department, and when. [41962]

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) which official authorised the request for an inquiry by HM Customs and Excise into Lord Avebury's allegations concerning arms sales to Sierra Leone; [42100]

  (2) how many times Lieutenant Colonel Spicer is recorded as having telephoned the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Africa Department (Equatorial) between 25 May 1997 and 24 April 1998; and on what dates; [42689]

  (3) on what date the Permanent Under Secretary was informed of Sandline International's allegation of his Department's officials' complicity in arms exports to Sierra Leone; and what form the information took. [42694]

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the submissions or briefing notes on the situation in Sierra Leone which his Private Office received between 2 May 1997 and 4 May 1998, stating their dates. [42085]

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates meetings between Sandline personnel and staff of the British High Commission in Sierra Leone took place. [42059]

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions on which his special representative to Sierra Leone, Mr. John Flynn, met representatives of Sandline International in(a) London and (b) Sierra Leone since 9 January. [42286]

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Inquiry into the supply of arms to Sierra Leone will be held in public. [42262]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer to my statement in the House during the debate on 18 May 1998,Official Report, columns 604 –11, in which I announced the investigation by Sir Thomas Legg KCB QC into allegations about Government involvement with the supply of arms to Sierra Leone by UK citizens and firms, and said that the Terms of Reference would be placed in the Library of the House. I intend to publish the report of the investigation.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the inquiry he announced on 6 May concerning Sierra Leone will cover the role of Ministers and civil servants in the Department for International Development. [41937]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The investigation I announced on 18 May will cover all Government Departments which Sir T. Legg considers relevant.
  361
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 6 May 1998,Official Report, column 727, if he will make a further statement on ministerial policy towards Sierra Leone. [41978]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: I refer to my statement in the House during the debate on 18 May 1998, Official Report, columns 604–11.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date his Permanent Secretary was first informed of the policy of the United Kingdom that the Government of Sierra Leone should be restored by military force; [41827]

  (2) on what date the intelligence summaries in the Red Book first informed him of the policy of the United Kingdom Government that the Government of Sierra Leone should be restored by force; [41825]

  (3) on what date officials and Ministers from his Department first consulted the US State Department, Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency concerning the policy of the United Kingdom that the Government of Sierra Leone should be restored by military force. [41828]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  This Government have consistently supported the peaceful restoration of the legitimate government of Sierra Leone.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the relationship between his Department's ethical code in respect of arms sales and arms sales to Sierra Leone. [41829]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: The criteria I have announced for use by the FCO when considering export applications for the export of conventional arms specify that a licence should be refused if approval would be inconsistent with the UK's commitment to enforce UN arms embargoes. No such application has been received in respect of Sierra Leone.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what day(a) his officials or (b) his Private Office first gave him papers relating to potential operations by Sandline or others in Sierra Leone; and on what date he acknowledged them. [41961]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: The first paper I saw was the letter shown to me on the evening of 28 April.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what time and on what date he first saw the letter addressed to him from S J Berwin & Co. on behalf of Sandline International dated 24 April. [42132]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The evening of 28 April.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date he first consulted the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Office concerning the UK Government's decision to assist Sandline International to help restore the Government of Sierra Leone; [41831]
  362
  (2) on what date the Director General of GCHQ was first informed of the role to be played by Sandline International in restoring the Government of Sierra Leone. [41826]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  At no stage was it our policy to assist Sandline International to help restore the government of Sierra Leone.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the basis of Mr. John Flynn's appointment as his special representative to Sierra Leone; [42281]

  (2) what are the terms of reference of Mr. John Flynn's appointment as his special representative to Sierra Leone. [42282]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Mr. Flynn was appointed as my Special Representative to focus international attention on Sierra Leone and to coordinate international support for the restoration of the democratically-elected government.

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Sir Thomas Legg, when conducting the investigation announced on 18 May, will have access to all official documents which mention Sandline and the supply of military equipment. [43089]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  As I made clear in my statement on 18 May 1998,Official Report, columns 601–11, Sir Thomas Legg will be able to see all documents which refer to Sandline, and consider whether they were properly acted upon. These will include intelligence reports. We are aware of five intelligence reports, received between 8 October 1997, when UNSCR 1132 was adopted, and 10 March 1998 when Lord Avebury's letter of 5 February was passed to Customs, which refer to Sandline, or companies associated with Sandline, and to the supply of arms or military equipment. They were seen by officials but not by Ministers.

  Edgar Fernandes
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the circumstances of Edgar Fernandes's death; and what representations he has made to the Turkish authorities on this matter. [42105]

  Mr. Fatchett
  A body was found on 10 April by the Bosphorus in Istanbul. On 8 May, Turkish police showed a photograph of the body to a relative of Edgar Fernandes who provisionally identified it. The relative subsequently saw the body and confirmed on 12 May that the body was that of Edgar Fernandes. We do not yet have details of the circumstances of Mr. Fernandes's death. An early unofficial police statement referred to a blow to the back of the head. We are now awaiting the autopsy report from the Turkish authorities. We continue to press the Turkish police to investigate the death of Mr. Fernandes thoroughly.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the number of military confrontations which have occurred between the Royal Navy or Royal Gibraltar Police and the Spanish sea-borne Civil Guard since 1 May 1997. [42156]
  363
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There have been no incidents during this period involving the Royal Navy or Royal Gibraltar Police and marine units of the Spanish Civil Guard. However, the Royal Navy was involved in two incidents in British waters around Gibraltar, on 22 October 1997 and 5 April 1998, involving incursions by Spanish naval patrol vessels. The Royal Gibraltar Police and the Royal Navy were involved in three incidents, on 5 July 1997 and on 13 March and 4 April 1998, involving incursions by vessels of the Spanish coastguard service.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the military confrontation on 6 April off Gibraltar. [42157]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There was no incident on 6 April. However, on 5 April, a Spanish naval patrol vessel was observed moving within British waters off Gibraltar. When the Spanish vessel failed to respond to calls, HMS Nottingham, which was approaching Gibraltar at the time, requested her to leave. The Spanish vessel was escorted out of British waters by a patrol craft of the Gibraltar Squadron. Our Ambassador in Madrid later protested to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs over this incident.

  Kashmir
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he intends to take to promote peace and reconciliation in Kashmir. [42155]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have made clear, most recently, during my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, Southall (Mr. Khabra), on 14 May 1998,Official Report, column 527, that a solution to the problem of Kashmir is primarily for India and Pakistan to find. That problem has been compounded by the nuclear tests in India last week. It is all the more important now for India and Pakistan to continue their dialogue on all issues outstanding between them, including Kashmir. Both Governments are aware that we stand ready to help if called upon to do so.

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the consultation papers published since 1 May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents. [42243]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Although the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has frequent contacts with non-governmental organisations and individuals on policy issues, no formal consultation papers have been published for public comment since 1 May 1997.

  Intelligence Gathering
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the EU report, "Assessing the Technologies of Political Control", what guidelines govern the intelligence-gathering operations of the United States National Security Agency in the United Kingdom in respect of other EU countries. [42044]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]: The report to which my hon. Friend refers, although commissioned by the European Parliament, is in no way endorsed by them. We do not comment on the intelligence operations of the UK or of its allies.

  Sarno, Italy

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution Her Majesty's Government are making to disaster relief in Sarno, Italy. [42772]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has offered assistance should any be required. No request has been received.

  War Crimes Tribunal
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much additional money the Government have made available to the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague since 1 May 1997. [41284]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Since May 1997, the Government have made voluntary contributions of £296,000 for the construction of a new courtroom, and £1.198 million to the Tribunal's 1998 Exhumations Fund, in addition to payments of assessed contributions totalling £2.025 million.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the delivery of British Aerospace Hawk 200 light multi-role fighters to Indonesia will commence. [41448]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have been asked to reply.

  The current contract to supply Hawk 200 light multi-role fighter aircraft to Indonesia was agreed between British Aerospace and the Government of Indonesia in February 1996. I understand from British Aerospace that the delivery programme for aircraft supplied under this contract is a matter which is confidential between British Aerospace and the Government of Indonesia. The information is therefore being withheld under exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Stonehenge
  Stonehenge
  Retired Civil Servants: Personal Memoirs
  Retired Civil Servants: Personal Memoirs
  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Cruelty to Animals: Number of Convictions
  Cruelty to Animals: Number of Convictions
  Firearms (Amendment) Acts
  Firearms (Amendment) Acts
  Prisoners: Consumption of Alcohol
  Prisoners: Consumption of Alcohol
  Sheikh al-Jamri
  Sheikh al-Jamri
  Guatemala: Murder of Bishop Conedera
  Guatemala: Murder of Bishop Conedera
  Chittagong Hill Tracts
  Chittagong Hill Tracts
  Sudan: Humanitarian Crisis
  Sudan: Humanitarian Crisis
  Land Use Database
  Land Use Database
  Welfare-to-Work Programme: Remploy and the DSS
  Welfare-to-Work Programme: Remploy and the DSS
  Christmas Bonus for Pensioners
  Christmas Bonus for Pensioners
  Asylum Seekers: Social Security Benefits
  Asylum Seekers: Social Security Benefits
  Assisted Places Scheme: Savings from Abolition
  Assisted Places Scheme: Savings from Abolition
  Maintained Special Schools: Inspection
  Maintained Special Schools: Inspection
  National Childcare Strategy: Green Paper
  National Childcare Strategy: Green Paper
  Cancers: Incidence and Screening
  Cancers: Incidence and Screening
  Cancer Research: Funding
  Cancer Research: Funding
  Northern Ireland Agreement and Sinn Fein
  Northern Ireland Agreement and Sinn Fein
  Fisheries: Research Information
  Fisheries: Research Information
  Agricultural Census
  Agricultural Census
  Bees: Treatment of Varroa Disease
  Bees: Treatment of Varroa Disease
  Angling: Protection Orders and Migratory Species
  Angling: Protection Orders and Migratory Species