Written Answers of 4 November 1998

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Cinemas
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of films made in(a) the United Kingdom by United Kingdom-owned and managed film production companies and (b) in Europe by European-owned and managed film production companies were shown in commercial cinema complexes in England other than London in 1997. [57290]

  Janet Anderson
  My Department does not compile information of this type. However, the Government published a review of film policy "A Bigger Picture" in March this year. The report recommended a number of measures to improve the performance of British films in all parts of the UK and is currently being implemented.

  Fire Precautions
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that sprinklers are fitted as a fire precaution in historic buildings of national importance. [57185]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  In line with the recommendations of Sir Alan Bailey's report "Fire Protection Measures for the Royal Palaces", an Historic Buildings Fire Research Co-ordinating Committee has been established, with a membership including my Department and major owners of historic properties, in order to gather and disseminate information on the full range of fire protection measures for historic buildings, including sprinklers. Decisions on whether or not they should be installed in any specific case need to be made as a part of each building's risk assessment.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had this year with(a) Railtrack plc, (b) the train operating companies and (c) other interested parties concerning the delays in establishing services between the West Coast Main Line Railway and mainland Europe for (i) Eurostar passengers and (ii) piggy-back freight journeys. [57287]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department has continuing discussions with London and Continental Railways (LCR) and the Consortium which is responsible for regional Eurostar services. The Government and LCR have also received proposals from the Virgin Group. The 564
  consortium selected to operate Eurostar have been asked to review urgently the feasibility of regional services and report by the end of this year.

  Railtrack has for some time been considering an upgrade of the West Coast Main Line to accommodate "piggy-back" rail freight. Ministers meet regularly with representatives of Railtrack to discuss various issues connected with the rail network. The proposed piggy-back project would be likely to require substantial Government grant and Railtrack has had lengthy discussions with Departmental officials about the project.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which bodies in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) abroad, have been consulted as part of the departmental project on high level nuclear waste and spent fuel disposal strategy; and what is the total expected cost of the project. [57101]

  Mr. Meale
  The High Level Waste and Spent Fuel Disposal Research Project is due to end in Spring 1999. The aim of this two year study is to identify the research strategy that would be required in order to pursue disposal of high level waste and spent fuel. Its results will be used to inform the development of policy on radioactive waste management and will be subject to full public consultation. An interim report has been reviewed by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee.

  The Department is assisted in its management of the project by a Management Board where the following bodies are represented:

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Nuclear Electric Limited

  Scottish Nuclear Limited

  Magnox Electric Plc

  British Electric Fuels Plc

  UKAEA

  Ministry of Defence

  Environment Agency

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency

  Health and Safety Executive

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Scottish Office

  Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee

  The Royal Society

  United Kingdom Nirex Limited (on a co-opted basis).

  Relevant bodies in a number of countries with programmes on high level waste and spent fuel disposal have been contacted from time to time on particular issues.

  The initial contract for the project was advertised in the Official Journal of the EC on 28 July 1995. The total maximum liability for the work is £432,731.00 (including VAT).

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what involvement the United Kingdom has in the EC programme on concerted action on retrievability of deposited radioactive waste. [57183]
  565
  Mr. Meale
  United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. (Nirex) is participating, along with its counterparts from seven other EU countries, in the European Commission Concerted Action on the Retrievability of Long Lived Radioactive Waste Disposed in Deep Underground Repositories. Nirex is providing technical expertise to support the objective of the project"to establish a clear interpretation and working definition of the concept of retrievability".

  Stansted and Gatwick Airports
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans exist to review the passenger capacities of Stansted and Gatwick Airports. [57421]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In the White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone", the Government undertook to develop a new national airports policy. Reviewing airport capacity in the south east will be a key part of that.

  An order under section 32 of the Airports Act 1986 currently limits the annual number of passenger air transport movements at Stansted to 120,000. An application was made by BAA plc to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 8 October for the limit to be increased to 185,000. I understand that BAA plc has also applied to Uttlesford District Council for detailed planning permission for capacity expansion. If both applications were successful, BAA plc estimate that this would enable them to increase passenger throughput from the current 5.47 million a year to 15 million.

  Passenger air transport movements are not limited by order at Gatwick, although the Government do impose restrictions on night time movements. In the short term, while the new national airports policy is developed, any expansion of capacity at Gatwick would be something for BAA plc to propose.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the actual level of passenger movement at(a) Stansted and (b) Gatwick Airports in 1997. [57420]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  According to figures collected by the Civil Aviation Authority, Stansted handled 5,426,859 terminal and transit passengers in 1997 (being an 11.6 per cent. growth over 1996 levels), and Gatwick handled 26,959,015 (being a 10.8 per cent. growth).

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the passenger capacity at(a) Stansted and (b) Gatwick Airports in (i) 1997 and (ii) 1998. [57419]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Passenger air transport movements at Stansted are capped by an order under section 32 of the Airports Act 1986. Since 1996, the ceiling has been 120,000 movements a year. On present assumptions about aircraft size and occupancy levels at Stansted, that equates to something in the vicinity of 8 million passengers.
  566
  No such order exists in respect of Gatwick. Gatwick Airport Ltd's Airport Development Strategy anticipates that terminal capacity limitations would, on the basis of existing infrastructure, constrain passenger throughput at around 35 million passengers per year.

  Aircraft Noise (Heathrow)
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 1997,Official Report, column 256, on aircraft noise, what steps have been taken to monitor aircraft noise levels on incoming flights to Heathrow Airport; and what progress has been made in reviewing noise limits on those flights. [57422]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Aircraft Noise Monitoring Advisory Committee (ANMAC), which advises the DETR on aircraft noise and monitoring at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, is investigating the feasibility of setting noise limits for arriving aircraft; and of other possible means of ameliorating arrivals noise. ANMAC has established a working group, which is presently conducting a study of the causes of variability of noise levels.

  A study of the effect of changed air traffic control procedures for Heathrow arrivals from the east in the early morning is in its final stages.

  Daytime noise contours for summer 1996 at Heathrow have recently been published.

  Travel Concessions (Pensioners)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to equalise travel concessions for male and female pensioners. [57467]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Pensions Action 1995 already provides for women's eligibility for state pensions and concessionary fares to be raised from 60 to 65 over a transitional period from 2010 to 2020, thus equalising the qualifying age for men and women. There are no plans to change these dates. The link between pensionable age and eligibility for concessionary travel will be maintained throughout.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if an application is pending before the European Court of Justice on equalising the age at which pensioners may be entitled to travel concessions. [57693]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I know of none. The matter has already been tested in the European Court of Justice, which ruled that the present concessionary fares arrangements were outside the scope of Directive 79/7/EEC, which provides for the progressive implementation of equal treatment of men and women in matters of social security.

  Housing Associations
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those housing associations which have exceeded the Housing Corporation's rent target in 1997–98, showing in
  567
  each case the (a) average rent levels, (b) percentage above target, (c) overhead costs as a percentage of total costs and (d) chief executive's emoluments. [57463]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Housing Corporation's requirement that year-on-year rent increases by registered social landlords (RSLs) should not exceed RPI+1% only came into effect from 1 April 1998.

  The Corporation has recently published an initial analysis of data on rent increases during 1997–98, before the requirement became effective. This showed that overall RSL rent increases in 1997–98 were within the new RPI+1% limit. However, data from a total of 138 RSLs showed increases above this level which are now being investigated by the Housing Corporation.

  The Corporation will be publishing final results from its analysis of 1997–98 rent data by the end of December. The tables to be published will show both rent increases and rent levels in 1997–98 by named RSLs with over 250 homes. Copies will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Modern Local Government White Paper
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the evidence referred to in paragraph 3.5 of the White Paper, Modern Local Government, that councillors wish to spend more time in direct contact with those they represent. [57465]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The study by Ken Young and Nirmala Rao—"Coming to Terms with Change?—The Local Government Councillor in 1993" (published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and LGC Communications in 1994), which was followed up by Audit Commission work—"Representing the People—The Role of Councillors" (Audit Commission Publications 1997)—provide the evidence referred to in paragraph 3.5.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the Jubilee Line extension to be operational. [57606]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London Transport, following advice from Bechtel (the international company appointed to oversee the run up to line opening) now plan to open the Jubilee Line Extension in three phases, beginning at the eastern end of the line. The first stage will be Stratford to North Greenwich, in late spring 1999. The second stage (late summer 1999) will see opening through to Waterloo. The final stage (late autumn 1999) will be total line opening, including linking with the existing Jubilee Line.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give the current construction cost estimate for the Jubilee Line extension; and what was the estimate a year ago. [57466]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London Transport review Jubilee Line Extension cost estimates regularly. The latest estimate of final cost is £2.85 billion. At this time last year it was £2.76 billion.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what scientific evidence he took into account in agreeing with the industry to permit farm-scale planting of herbicide-tolerant genetically modified seeds. [57424]

  Mr. Meacher
  All the Herbicide Tolerant Genetically Modified crops to be included in the farm-scale plantings will be covered by a consent issued under Directive 90/220. Such Consents are granted only after consideration of an assessment of the risks to human health and the environment based on best current scientific evidence and the advice of ACRE and the statutory conservation agencies, including English Nature. The advice from ACRE and the evidence on which that advice is based are held on DETR's public register.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the applications for the marketing of genetically modified oilseed rape which are currently being reviewed at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology; what is the scope and purpose of the review; if he will publish the result of the review at the same time as it is made available to the Advisory Committee on Releases into the Environment; and what consultation will be undertaken before the Committee makes its recommendations. [57423]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE) have been commissioned by the Department to review the applications by Plant Genetic Systems for consent to market their hybrid system oilseed rape in the European Community ref. C/GB/94/M1/1 and C/F/95/05–01 A and B. The scope and purpose is to review the information provided by Plant Genetic Systems when the dossiers were considered by member states in 1994–96 and any relevant new information available since then, which may affect the assessment of the risk to human health and the environment, and then present the review to ACRE. ACRE will then give further advice to the Secretary of State undertaking consultation as they think fit before making their recommendation. The review will be published as soon as possible.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what seeds will be permitted to be planted under the recent agreement between industry and the Government concerning the planting of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant seeds; what regulatory consents currently apply to such seeds; if the seeds which will be planted thereunder, or the seeds derived from such planting, will be sold or otherwise marketed; if the seeds which will be planted thereunder will be authorised for such planting under Part II or Part III of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 or otherwise; what companies will be authorised to plant the seeds and over what period of time; where the seeds will be planted; if public participation will be allowed in the monitoring; and who will carry out that monitoring. [57452]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have reached agreement in principle with the plant breeding industry for a programme of managed development of herbicide tolerant crops whereby the first farm-scale plantings are strictly limited
  569
  and monitored for ecological effects alongside comparable plantings of conventional crops. We have yet to reach final agreement on the seeds that will be planted, but in the first instance, we expect to include Plant Genetic Systems genetically modified hybrid system oilseed rape which has approval for seed production under a consent issued by the UK in 1996, and is currently awaiting a consent to be issued by the French Government (Member States voted in favour of the product in December 1996) to extend its use to food and animal feed.

  Any sowings in the programme of managed development will be carried out either (a) under Part II of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 where the material has not yet been issued marketing approval by one of the EU Member States under Directive 90/220 and the purpose of the trials is to collect information in support of such an application or (b) under part III of the same regulations where the product has already been granted marketing approval.

  The seeds derived from such plants in the managed development programme may be sold if they are covered by Part III approval and also satisfy all other regulatory requirements. The details of the farm-scale plantings and associated monitoring have yet to be agreed. The monitoring results will be made public.

  Summary of applications to market genetically modified insect-resistant crops

  Date submitted

  Competent authority France

  Notifier

  Reference

  CM crop

  Scope of application

  Date of consent

  31 March 1995

  France

  Ciba-Geigy

  C/F/4/11–3

  maize

  Use in agriculture in EC and importation of grain into the EC

  5 February 1997

  12 March 1996

  France

  Pioneer Hi-Bred International

  C/F/95/12–01/B

  maize

  Growing, import, storage and processing of grain and maize products for use in food, feed and industrial products

  Vote taken in Regulatory Committee. Outcome unknown

  3 June 1996

  UK

  Northrup King Company

  C/GB/96/M4/1

  maize

  Importation of grain only

  9 June 1998

  12 June 1996

  France

  Monsanto Europe

  C/F/12/02

  maize

  Production of maize in the EC and import, storage and processing for use in feed, food and industrial products

  Commission adopted decision 22 April 1998. Consent believed to be issued, but not confirmed

  17 December 1997

  Spain

  Monsanto Europe

  C/ES/96/02

  cotton

  The same purposes as non-GM commercial cotton varieties

  Vote not yet taken by Commission

  23 June 1998

  Netherlands

  Dekalb Genetics Corporation

  C/NL/97/17

  maize

  The same purposes as non-GM maize varieties

  Vote not yet taken by Commission

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the Government's decision to permit the farm-scale planting of herbicide tolerant crops will be affected by the results of the review of applications for the marketing of genetically modified oilseed rape. [57749]

  Mr. Meacher
  The review relates to the application by Plant Genetic Systems for consent to market their hybrid system oilseed rape which is also herbicide tolerant. We will have to await the findings of the review to determine whether it will affect the farm-scale planting programme.
  570
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provisions he has sought to have included in the SCIMAC code of practice to give the public the opportunity to assess compliance with the code's provisions. [57750]

  Mr. Meacher
  The draft SCIMAC code of practice and guidelines for growing herbicide tolerant genetically modified crops has provisions for ensuring compliance through a formalised programme of crop inspection. This process will be subject to random independent audit and review. I shall be encouraging SCIMAC to publish the results of these audits.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the applications for licences for genetically modified insect-resistant crops which were pending at the time of his recent announcement of a moratorium, indicating in each case the proposed terms relating to the date of marketing. [57910]

  Mr. Meacher
  The plant breeding industry has made a commitment that no insect resistant GM crops will be introduced into the UK for the next three years.

  Applications to market crops genetically modified for insect resistance are described in the table. In all cases insect resistance has been conferred by the introduction of a Bt gene. The current position of each application in the regulatory process is given in the 'date of consent' column.

  Private Hire Vehicles
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the regulations requiring local authorities to ensure that vehicles licensed for private hire are distinguished in their markings from those licensed as Hackney carriages. [57603]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government have no plans to carry out such a review. The legislation already prohibits the use of signs on private hire vehicles which might suggest that they are hackney carriages. Otherwise,
  571
  it allows local licensing authorities discretion in deciding which marking to permit, or require, on private hire vehicles and hackney carriages.

  Pilots
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to enable United Kingdom-licensed professional pilots to overfly France after the age of 60 years. [58107]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is the responsibility of individual States to set the age limits of commercial pilots operating in their airspace, subject to relevant international standards.

  The current standard set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation is that contracting States should not permit pilots aged 60 or over to act as pilots in charge of international commercial flights and recommends that they should not be permitted to act as co-pilots. However, States may vary this standard so long as they formally notify the difference to ICAO; other States may then decide whether or not to allow operators operating to the different standard to overfly their airspace.

  Member States of the Joint Aviation Authorities, including France and the UK, have agreed common standards, which differ from the ICAO provisions, in a Joint Aviation Requirement on Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL), which is due to be implemented on 1 July 1999. This will enable pilots to operate aircraft up to the age of 65 years either as Pilot-in-Command or Co-Pilot, provided that only one pilot in the crew is 60 or over. It will be for France to decide how to implement JAR-FCL with respect to their airspace.

  Railway Services
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require privatised railway companies to improve their standard of punctuality. [57905]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Franchising Director is responsible for overseeing train operators, performance levels. Operators of rural and commuter services pay financial penalties for poor performance under their franchise agreements, and a special incentive regime now applies to Great Western Trains. Following unacceptable performance level, the Franchising Director has required all train operators to produce action plans setting out how they will deliver improved performance. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has said that he is prepared to renegotiate franchises in order to secure more rigorous performance standards from train operators.

  Local Government Finance
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account the Government take of the level of individual local authority balances when setting (i) expenditure control totals, (ii) standard spending assessments and (iii) revenue support grants; if such balances are correlated to specific purposes; and what plans he has to change the treatment of local authority balances. [57771]
  572
  Ms Armstrong
  The Government take no account of the level of reserves held by individual local authorities when deciding on overall spending plans or grant distribution. However, in assessing overall spending pressures on local government, we do make a broad assumption about the extent to which local authorities will budget to draw down from reserves. We have no plans to change this treatment. According to information received from local authorities, at 1 April 1998 they held £467.3 million in Local Management of Schools reserves, £2,705.6 million in other earmarked reserves, and £1,845.6 million in unallocated reserves.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the limits for speed limiters fitted to heavy goods vehicles in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) under EU legislation; and if he will make a statement. [58003]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Speed limiters on heavy goods vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1992 and with a maximum gross weight exceeding 7,500 kg but not exceeding 12,000 kg must be calibrated to a set speed not exceeding 60 mph. Speed limiters on heavy goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 12,000 kg first used on or after 1 January 1988 must be set so that the stabilised speed of the vehicle does not exceed 90 km/h (55.9 mph). The former class of vehicle is the subject of national legislation but not EC legislation; the latter class is the subject of both.

  Midland Main Line
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what Government funding is available for the introduction of new rail services on the Midland main line. [58081]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Midland Main Line Ltd. is already committed under its franchise agreement to introducing a significantly increased service frequency in 1999 and procuring 12 new air conditioned two-car diesel multiple units to operate additional stopping services. Promoters of new services can seek Government support for them under the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme, announced in the Transport White Paper. Over £100 million of funding over 3 years, from April 1999, will be made available under the new Rail Passenger Partnership scheme, the Infrastructure Investment Fund and an increase in funding for the Freight Grant scheme. OPRAF will publish guidance on the operation of the Rail Passenger Partnership Scheme shortly.

  Speed Restrictions
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the introduction of 20mph speed restrictions. [58088]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The responses to the consultation on the proposal to remove the consent requirement for making 20 mph speed limits is complete and final decisions on how to bring the new system into operation will be made shortly.

  Ozone Layer
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the European Commission proposal for a new regulation (EC Draft 10902/98) on ozone-depleting substances. [57956]

  Mr. Meale
  The European Commission adopted a proposal on 1 July 1998 for a new Regulation on ozone-depleting substances to replace the existing Council Regulation (3093/94). The new Regulation is needed to implement recent revisions to the Montreal Protocol, and is therefore broadly welcome. However, the Commission's proposal goes beyond the requirements of the Protocol in a number of respects. In particular, there are proposals for an earlier phase out of methyl bromide, to introduce controls on the production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and to ban the sale and use of chlorofluorocarbons. My Department has consulted interested parties on these proposals, and we will take their views into account as we formulate our detailed negotiating position.

  Local Agenda 21
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide further resources to local authorities seeking to implement local Agenda 21 projects; and if he will make a statement. [58198]

  Mr. Meale
  We do not believe that further resources are needed since 86 per cent. of local authorities are already committed to producing a Local Agenda 21 strategy by the year 2000. LA21 should not be seen as a separate project, but rather as a means of integrating sustainable development into all the policies and activities of the council. LA21 should encourage them to take a holistic approach to the identification of community priorities and the effective delivery of services through local partnerships, in line with our proposals for modernising local government.

  Polegate Bypass
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce a likely start date for work on the Polegate Bypass. [57756]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are currently considering the construction programme for the schemes included in our Targeted Programme of Improvements listed in A New Deal for Trunk Roads.

  South Thames Development Route
  Mr. Beard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investment his Department has made in the South Thames Development route between the M25 and Woolwich in the last 10 years. [57239]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: During this period, and through the annual system of Transport Policies and Programme allocations, several road building and improvement schemes have been supported along this length of the South Thames Development Route, to the extent of some £48.7m.

  London Transport Fares
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the impact of the London Transport fare increases on the number of passengers travelling by public transport. [58214]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: The table shows combined passenger numbers for London Underground and London Buses from the beginning of the financial year 1995–96 to the present. This indicates that, while there are some variations between comparable periods from one year to the next, there is no evidence that passenger numbers decrease after the fare increases in January of each year. Indeed, in the last three periods of each year (which show the number of passenger journeys after the relevant fares increase came into effect), the number of journeys undertaken actually increased month on month.

  Figures showing passenger numbers for the rest of this financial year, including the next fares changes, will become available in due course.

  London Transport periodically carries out longer term research to test and update its assumptions about the sensitivity of its customers to fares charges. This research is drawn on when fare reviews are being considered.

  Number of passengers using London Transport (million)

  Period1

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1 (beginning of financial year)

  146.7

  146.6

  152.8

  146.5

  2

  150.1

  155.5

  159.4

  163.8

  3

  148.9

  154.1

  157.0

  160.6

  4

  155.3

  155.7

  166.1

  165.9

  5

  148.9

  144.9

  156.4

  160.5

  6

  145.1

  147.4

  157.3

  158.3

  7

  158.2

  161.1

  169.9

  —

  8

  161.9

  167.0

  171.4

  —

  9

  160.8

  164.1

  171.4

  —

  10

  139.9

  135.7

  142.2

  —

  11 New fares come into effect at the start of this period

  151.9

  150.8

  159.0

  —

  12

  152.8

  157.4

  163.0

  —

  13

  160.9

  166.2

  183.2

  —

  1Each period is 4 weeks. Period 1 begins on the first week of the financial year

  Connex South Central
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has to intervene to secure investment in replacement rolling stock on the services currently provided by Connex South Central. [57777]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no powers to intervene directly, although the Health and Safety Executive has powers to require modifications as to or replacement of rolling stock if it considers that this is necessary for safety reasons. HSE does not consider Connex South Central's slam door stock to be unsafe; but it has proposed that Mark 1 slam door stock such as that operated by Connex South Central must be replaced or modified by 2003.
  575
  Connex South Central recently submitted a proposal to extend its franchise. The Franchising Director concluded that he could obtain increased passenger benefits at greater value for money by allowing the franchise to expire after seven years and retendering it as normal. He is exploring with the company whether there are other ways of achieving earlier replacement of rolling stock.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning demands for payments by freeholders for retrospective consents relating to planning applications; what plans he has to investigate such cases; and if he will make a statement. [57941]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have received a number of representations from leaseholders regarding unreasonable charges being made for the granting of consent. We have also received similar representations in relation to estate rent charges. These are both issues which we will consider as part of our current review of the leasehold system. We hope to issue a consultation paper on leasehold reform shortly.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letter of 3 March from Councillor Peter Wyatt of Fiddler's Green, St. Peter's Quay, Totnes, concerning the increase of sewage emissions into the River Dart and the deteriorating water quality. [57343]

  Mr. Meale
  A reply has been sent to Councillor Wyatt today and I have written to the hon. Member to explain the circumstances.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Contingency and Operational Equipment Exhibition, Wembley
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he took to monitor the equipment being exhibited at the Contingency and Operational Equipment Exhibition at Wembley on 22 to 24 September. [57331]

  Mr. Boateng
  This was a privately organised exhibition and was not monitored by the Home Office. However, members of staff from the Public Scientific Development Branch (part of the Home Office Police Policy Directorate) attended the exhibition in their capacity as advisers to the police service on law enforcement equipment.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what prosecutions are pending as a result of offences committed by companies attempting to trade in torture equipment at the Contingency and Operational Equipment Exhibition at Wembley on 22 to 24 September. [57332]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am not aware of any prosecutions pending which arise from the Contingency and Operational Equipment Exhibition at Wembley on 22 to 24 September 1998.

  Drug Treatment and Testing Orders
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what start-up funding is being made available for the Gloucestershire Probation Service pilot for the new drug treatment and testing orders. [57883]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government have made available £750,000 from October 1998—March 1999 and are making available a further £1,000,000 in 1999–2000 to cover all costs in relation to the piloting of the drug treatment and testing order. The amount is proportionately larger in the current financial year in order to cover start-up costs. This money, taken as a total over the entire pilot period, is being divided equally between Gloucestershire and the other two pilot areas, Merseyside and south-east London. Gloucestershire Probation Service will therefore receive a total of £559,333 to fund the pilot.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the use of beagles for tests on Viagra conducted in the United Kingdom. [57880]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I have received a number of letters on this subject.

  I understand that the drug was originally developed and tested some years ago, as part of a research programme into treatments for cardiovascular conditions. During clinical trials on patients, the properties for which Viagra is now known were discovered.

  Impotence is a serious medical condition, and one which can cause appreciable stress and other forms of suffering. Existing treatments are limited, and not without adverse effects. Further research, involving animals, has taken place to:
  define the specific clinical conditions that Viagra might be used to treat; and
  reduce the adverse, cardiovascular effects in clinical use.

  Young People (Alcohol Consumption)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives his Department is currently supporting to reduce the level of alcohol consumption by those aged under 16 years. [57885]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Ministerial Group on Alcopops, which I chair, issued a statement on 17 July 1997, setting out a programme of action to tackle alcohol misuse by those under age. The programme included a strengthened industry code of practice on packaging and promoting alcoholic drinks, an expanded industry proof of age card scheme, action by the courts and police to help prevent under-age sales and legislation to make it harder for children to obtain alcohol. We are currently considering the progress made and expect to announce our conclusions later this month.

  Young Offenders Institute, Aylesbury
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the Government's response to the report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons on HM Young Offenders Institute, Aylesbury. [57859]
  577
  Mr. George Howarth
  The report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution was published on 28 October 1998.

  The report contained no recommendations to the Secretary of State, but 160 to the Director General, the area manager and the governor. Under the protocol for handling reports agreed between the Director General and the Chief Inspector last year, the Prison Services gives consideration to each recommendation and draws up a response and action plan within 30 days of publication.

  The action plan is kept under close review by senior managers and is available, in an updated form, to the Chief Inspector when he undertakes a follow up inspection.

  Youth Justice Board
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. [58562]

  Mr. Straw
  The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, established under section 41 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, came into operation on 30 September 1998.

  The members of the Board are:

  Lord Warner of Brockley (Chair)

  Mr. Rob Allen, Director of Research and Development, National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders

  Mr. Jonathan Black, Clerk to the Justices, North East and North West Hampshire

  Mr. Cedric Fullwood, lately Chief Probation Officer, Greater Manchester

  Ms Joyce Moseley, formerly a Director of Social Services

  Dr. Theodore Mutale, consultant child and adolescent forensic psychiatrist

  Ms Janet Paraskeva JP, Director for England National Lottery Charities Board

  Mr. Charles Pollard, Chief Constable, Thames Valley Police

  Mrs. Annabella Scott JP, Inner London youth panel

  Mr. Martin Stephenson, Chief Executive, INCLUDE

  Ms Lorna Whyte, a member of the Police Complaints Authority

  Mr. Charles Wilson, lately Managing Director of the Mirror Group of newspapers.

  The Board is responsible for monitoring the operation and performance of the youth justice system as a whole, and advising the Government on this and on the drawing up of standards for the local provision of youth justice services and for custodial regimes for juveniles. The Board will also identify and promote good practice in the provision of youth justice services and in work to prevent youth offending, which will help deliver the Government's programme of reform of the youth justice system.

  In support of this work, the Government are providing £85 million over three years from April 1999 for a youth justice development fund, which will be used to support the development by local authorities and other bodies, including in the voluntary sector, of programmes and projects, including bail support, to prevent or tackle offending by children and young people.

  Boundary Commission
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take on the report of the interim review of the Boundary Commission for England. [58563]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today laid before Parliament the report of the interim review of the Boundary Commission for England, together with a draft Order in Council for giving effect, without modification, to the recommendations contained in the report.

  Prevention of Terrorism Legislation
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has made for this year's review of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989. [58567]

  Mr. Straw
  I am pleased to announce that Mr. John Rowe QC has accepted my invitation to carry out the annual review of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989, including those provisions inserted by the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998, for 1998 and the following two years.

  European Convention on Human Rights
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce Protocol Four of the European Convention on Human Rights. [57792]

  Kate Hoey
  Ratification of Protocol 4 will be possible only if potential conflicts with our domestic laws can be resolved. There is a particular concern in relation to Article 3(2) of the Protocol which protects the right of nationals not to be excluded from their home state. This could be taken as conferring the right of abode in the United Kingdom on various categories of British nationals who do not have it.

  Security Services
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of Special Branch in respect of the retention of files on individuals where those files were created because the individuals concerned were suspected of subversion; what rights are available to the individuals concerned; and if he will make a statement. [57569]

  Mr. Straw
  All Special Branches in England, Wales and Scotland operate under the "Guidelines on Special Branch Work in Great Britain", published in July 1994. In addition to subversion, the Guidelines also cover terrorism, espionage, sabotage and counter-proliferation. Paragraph 20 of the Guidelines provides that:Each Special Branch should ߪ maintain an effective system both for updating information where necessary and for the identification and destruction of information which can no longer be clearly related to the discharge of its functions.

  If an individual has reason to believe that a particular Special Branch is failing to comply with the Guidelines, he may address a complaint either to the Chief Constable of the force concerned, or he can approach the Police Complaints Authority. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary undertakes a regular programme of inspections of Special Branches.

  General Pinochet
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests for the extradition of General Pinochet he has received from(a) the Spanish Government, (b) a competent authority in Spain specifying that authority and (c) any other Government or competent authority specifying the same; when each such request was received; and if he will place copies of each in the Library. [58191]

  Mr. Straw
  I have received no formal request for the extradition of Senator Pinochet from the Spanish Government, or any other government, or from any competent authority in Spain or any other country.

  The Metropolitan Police received, on Friday 16 October, via Interpol, a request for the provisional arrest of Senator Pinochet issued by the 5th Magistrates' Court in Madrid. Disclosure of that document is a matter for the Metropolitan Police.

  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what notification, pursuant to section 8 of the Extradition Act 1989, he has received from the Bow Street Magistrate of any provisional warrant issued by the Magistrate for the arrest of General Pinochet; and what consideration he has given or proposes to give to the exercise of his powers under section 8(4) of that Act to cancel any such warrant. [58192]

  Mr. Straw
  The Extradition Section at the Home Office received notification on 19 October of the first provisional warrant for Senator Pinochet issued on 16 October by the Bow Street Magistrate under section 8(1)(b) of the Extradition Act 1989 and received notification on 23 October of a further provisional warrant issued on 22 October by the Bow Street Magistrate.

  I was invited, on 21 October, by Senator Pinochet's legal representatives to exercise my discretionary power under section 8(4) and to cancel the first provisional warrant issued on 16 October. I had taken no decision before legal proceedings were launched in the Divisional Court on 22 October. The Divisional Court, in its judgment of 28 October, dismissed application for leave to move for judicial review of my failure to exercise my discretionary powers under section 8(4) of the Act.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Arms Exports
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to reduce the flow of small arms to developing countries. [58185]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development (DFID), along with the FCO and MOD, is involved in providing advice to the DTI in the export licensing process. Applications are carefully considered against our national criteria and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. These codes require HMG to take into account whether the proposed export would seriously hamper the sustainable development of the recipient country; and to consider the risk that the equipment might be diverted to an undesirable end-user.
  580
  We are also tackling illicit transfers of small arms. Together with the FCO we are developing the EU Programme for Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Conventional Arms. We funded a seminar in Southern Africa that produced a regional EU/South Africa Development Committee (SADC) action plan tailored to the problems of the region. We hope that this will be endorsed by EU/SADC Ministers in Vienna this week.

  We are also funding, through the UNDP, the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) moratorium on the import, export and manufacture of small arms and light weapons. We warmly welcome the declaration of this moratorium in the final communique of the ECOWAS Heads of State meeting held in Abuja on 30–31 October.

  My Department is keen to support further practical initiatives which help reduce the availability of small arms and ammunition.

  Security Sector Reform
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her Department's policy on support for security sector reform initiatives in post-conflict countries. [58187]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development (DFID) recognises the special need for security sector reform in post-conflict countries, especially when that sector has been responsible for creating the conflict. Complete restructuring may be needed in some cases. This may include extensive demobilisation of surplus troops which often requires external support, especially in poorer countries. Poor countries need security and stability to be restored promptly if development and progress towards the elimination of poverty are to be resumed. DFID is currently studying its approach to security sector reform in order to strengthen this work.

  Congo
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [58159]

  Clare Short
  The UK is deeply concerned about the impact of the ongoing conflict upon the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We are pressing all parties to the conflict to agree to a cease-fire and to reach a negotiated settlement. The UK has urged all parties not to escalate the conflict in the east following the fall of Kindu to the rebels. It is clear that a resolution cannot be achieved militarily. A negotiated settlement must address the rights of all sections of Congolese society, as well as the legitimate security concerns of its neighbours, whilst respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC itself.

  The situation in the west around Kinshasa, stable for several weeks, is now reported to be deteriorating and ethnic tensions, as demonstrated by attacks upon, and detention of, Congolese Tutsi, remain high.

  581
  Conditions in the east remain poor, with much of the local infrastructure damaged or destroyed. The conflict and movement of refugees are generating a significant requirement for humanitarian aid, but access is a major problem.

  The UK is ready to respond to appeals from UN agencies and NGOs. We are already supporting a UNICEF project in the western Bas-Congo region to re-stock and rehabilitate health centres damaged in the conflict. Efforts to promote tolerance and respect for human rights are also being supported. Prior to the current conflict, UK humanitarian assistance to DRC during 1998 stood at almost £350,000.

  Albania
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has held in the last 12 months on the issue of the welfare and protection of children with the Government of Albania. [57764]

  Clare Short
  My department has been working to improve children's welfare in Albania with Children's Aid Direct and the Albanian Education Authorities.

  We have provided £209,000 for the integration of disabled children into mainstream primary and kindergarten education.

  Aid Agencies (Fraud)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the report by the European Commission on controls over the budget of the European Community Humanitarian Office and the misuse of funds by aid agencies. [57919]

  Clare Short
  The Government are very concerned at the recent allegations of fraud within the Commission notably in the EC Humanitarian Office (ECHO). We are strongly committed to fighting fraud inside the Community institutions by the most effective machinery that can be devised.

  The Commission's anti-fraud unit takes the lead in fraud investigations. We take a close interest in the work of the unit in the fight against fraud and strongly support measures to improve its effectiveness. We will look carefully at the European Parliament's ideas for an independent fraud office and at any proposals brought forward by the Commission.

  Microcredit Schemes
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department has undertaken to encourage British banks' involvement in microcredit schemes. [58157]

  Clare Short
  We recognise the importance and potential benefits of involving British financial institutions in microfinance. In many developing countries, however, it may be more appropriate and feasible to develop the capacity of local banks.
  582
  Specific measures which DFID has taken to encourage British banks' involvement in microfinance include the following:
  DIFD supported the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI) in the organisation of a series of meetings in the City of London on the subject of microfinance. This led to a report 'Credit where credit is due: bringing microfinance into the mainstream' which was published by CSFI. A particular target of this publication is British commercial and merchant banks, to encourage them to play a more active role in microfinance.
  The Department is actively working with commercial banks overseas to induce them to lend either direct to small and microenterprises or to lend to retail microfinance institutions, usually by DFID providing some form of guarantee.
  DFID is supporting research on linking self-help groups (and informal credit providers) with formal financial institutions in developing countries. Central to this research is the idea of 'linkage-banking' where banks, British or local, are linked to co-operative groups which can then provide microfinance on a wider scale.

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Sudan. [58158]

  Clare Short
  The humanitarian situation remains acute. In Bahr el Ghazal mortality rates have fallen but in some parts of the region they remain unacceptably high. The World Food Programme has sufficient resources to meet all food aid needs in Sudan until April 1999. We continue to press for an extension to the cease-fire beyond Bahr el Ghazal because insecurity hampers access in many areas both to assess needs and to deliver supplies.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will discuss with her American counterparts the provision of(a) anti-TB drugs and (b) chloroquinine and other anti-malarial drugs to the Sudan in quantities which would have been produced by the El Shifa factory, prior to its destruction. [57980]

  Clare Short
  I refer to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 403.

  Debt Relief
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals her Department has for strengthening the linkage between debt relief and poverty reduction. [58162]

  Clare Short
  In providing bilateral debt relief, my Department examines closely the commitment of recipient governments to the achievement of the international development targets, to transparent government, and to the rooting out of corruption and mismanagement. In this way, we can be confident that those funds that would have been spent on debt service will be redirected towards poverty reducing activities such as healthcare and primary education. We encourage other bilateral donors to apply the same criteria when providing debt relief.

  We are pressing for the relationship between debt relief and poverty reduction to be examined by the IMF and World Bank as part of the forthcoming fundamental

  583
  review of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, and for any lessons learned to be applied in implementing the programme.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps were taken at the recent IMF/World Bank annual meeting to improve the terms and conditions of debt relief initiatives for developing countries. [58184]

  Clare Short
  Ministers endorsed the extension of the entry deadline for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative from 1998 to the end of 2000, to give more countries a chance to qualify. They also agreed to add a degree of flexibility to the process for countries receiving post-conflict assistance programmes. A decision was taken to carry out a comprehensive review of the Initiative as early as 1999. We shall be pressing for this review to consider carefully whether the current HIPC Initiative delivers adequate debt relief to those countries in need.

  HIV-AIDS
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what money her Department has given to HIV-AIDS vaccine development initiatives since May 1997. [58188]

  Clare Short
  The UK is the first government to make a contribution—£200,000—to the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), to assist in the development of a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine to prevent HIV infection. In addition, £300,000 of the Department for International Development's overall grant to the Medical Research Council for 1997–98 went to support research into an HIV vaccine, topical virucides and microbicides. A further £300,000 is committed for 1998–99.

  Global Economic Crisis
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to monitor the impact of the global economic crisis on people living in poverty in developing countries. [58163]

  Clare Short
  My Department is extremely concerned about the impact of the global economic crisis on poverty which is already severe in many countries, notably Indonesia. Our monitoring of the impact overall relies on work being undertaken by the International Financial Institutions, especially the World Bank, supplemented by work by UK and other academic researchers. Reliable country level data on poverty impact are limited, but the latest forecasts for growth in trade and overall economic growth indicate that the crisis is already having a severe and negative impact overall on global economic performance with adverse implications for poor people in developing countries.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Energy Consumption
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are(a) the crude and (b) the temperature-adjusted figures for UK energy consumption
  584
  in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on progress towards compliance with emission targets. [56769]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 27 October 1998]: The latest available figures for unadjusted and temperature corrected energy consumption in the UK are as follows:

  UK total inland primary energy consumption1

  Million tonnes of oil equivalent

  1995

  1996

  1997

  (a)Unadjusted

  220.8

  233.0

  226.9

  (b)Temperature corrected

  226.1

  232.1

  233.5

  1Excludes non-energy use of fuels

  Source:

  Digest of UK Energy Statistics, Department of Trade and Industry

  A consultation document on climate change was published on 26 October. This outlines various options for meeting the UK's emission targets.

  Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a key objective of this Government's energy policy. The Government are confident that their energy policy is consistent with achieving their climate change targets. Overall, it is estimated that carbon dioxide emissions decreased by eight per cent. between 1990 and 1997, largely because of reduced emissions from electricity generation.

  Marine Foresight Panel
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons he plans to terminate the Marine Foresight Panel. [57074]

  Mr. Battle
  The next round of Foresight is due to start in April 1999. There has been wide consultation over the format and content during recent months. Final decisions will be taken shortly.

  Export Credits
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total sum paid out by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in respect of guarantees given to foreign companies or Governments in respect of contracts relating to defence and security equipment in each of the last three financial years. [56835]

  Mr. Mandelson
  ECGD issues guarantees to persons carrying on business in the United Kingdom in respect of the payment risk arising from supplies of goods and services to persons carrying on business outside the United Kingdom.

  Under such guarantees the total value of claims payments made by ECGD in each of the last three years in respect of defence business was as follows:

  £million

  Financial year

  Value of claims paid

  1995–96

  107.3

  1996–97

  49.7

  1997–98

  38.8

  Meteorites
  Mr. öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential threat to satellites of the leonid meteorite shower in November; and if he will make a statement. [56935]

  Mr. Battle
  The threat to satellites from the expected peaks in the Leonid meteor shower in November 1998 and in November 1999 has been assessed by the European Space Agency with support from the British National Space Centre. The results of the assessment have been circulated to satellite operators and the United Kingdom space industry. The assessment concludes that the meteor shower poses a particular risk around 17–18 November this year and the next few years and that it could damage satellites through physical impact or by electrostatic interference. A number of measures are recommended to spacecraft operators to minimise the risk. These include minimising the cross sectional area of the spacecraft facing the meteor shower, turning off sensitive equipment and reinforcing the operating team in order to cope with potential anomalies.

  I will send a copy of the report to the hon. Member and place copies in the Libraries of the House.

  Policy Proposals (Quality of Life)
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what methods of measurements and from what base lines his Department employs in assessing the quality of life implications of policy proposals; and how these were selected. [55768]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: My Department uses a range of measures to assess policy proposals and departmental programmes consistent with relevant guidance from HM Treasury and other government departments. Risks, costs and benefits to business, the citizen and, where relevant, the environment are assessed for each regulatory proposal.

  EU Structural Funds (Staffordshire)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future European Structural Funds regime for Staffordshire. [57943]

  Mrs. Roche
  The negotiations with the Commission and other Member States on the reform of the Structural and Cohesion Funds for 2000–06 are continuing. It is too early to predict the outcome for individual regions. Only when negotiations are complete will the future Structural and Cohesion Funds regime be known. In June 1998 the European Council set a deadline for agreement of the end of March 1999.

  The Government will continue to negotiate vigorously for a fair and affordable deal for the UK and its regions.

  Ministerial Visit (Cuba)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total cost to his Department of his recent visit to Cuba; how many DTI officials accompanied him; and with which members of the Cuban Government and with which senior Cuban civil servants he held discussions. [57025]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have not visited Cuba.

  Electromagnetic Fields
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement in respect of the ICNIRP international guidelines and their relevance in determining safe exposure to the non-thermal effects of electromagnetic fields. [57339]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am advised that the guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields recently produced by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) were developed after a comprehensive review of published scientific papers. The proposed exposure restrictions are based solely on established effects. ICNIRP concluded that the available data on the non-thermal and potential long term effects of exposure, such as an increase risk of cancer, are insufficient to provide a basis for exposure restrictions.

DEFENCE

  RAF Pilots
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fully trained pilots have requested to leave the RAF in each of the last five years. [55818]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The number of trained RAF pilots who applied for premature voluntary release in each of the last five years was as follows:

  Year ending 31 March

  Applications

  1994

  16

  1995

  38

  1996

  45

  1997

  60

  1998

  76

  Aero Engines
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department(a) has counted, (b) currently counts and (c) plans to count Rolls-Royce sales of aero-engines to Boeing as a legitimate offset purchase for the purposes of offset agreements between his Department and US weapons manufacturers; and if he will make a statement. [56475]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: Before adopting a policy of Industrial Participation, IP, for defence procurement in 1990, the MOD counted the sale of aero engines from Rolls-Royce to Boeing as part of our offset agreement with the company. We are currently considering a claim from Boeing for IP credits for aero engine components supplied by Rolls-Royce. This, and any future Rolls-Royce sales of aero engines and components, must conform with the IP agreement existing between the MOD and the offshore company.

  Army Personnel Centre
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the decision of
  587
  the Army Personnel Centre to benchmark performance against only the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Manning Agencies. [57166]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Benchmarking can take many forms and is one of various management tools available to promote efficiency. The obvious place for the Army Personnel Centre to start is with the Manning Agencies for the Navy and Air Force. It has separately undertaken a self-assessment against the European Business Excellence Model, as noted in the Army Personnel Agency's Annual Report, within the Public Sector Benchmarking Project. The scope for benchmarking with other organisations will be kept under regular review.

  Territorial Army Budget
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if receipts from the sale of TA drill halls(a) will contribute towards his Department's target of £700 million from sale of property and (b) be required to make up an element of the TA budget for the next financial year. [57586]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Receipts from the sale of any Territorial Army centres will form part of my Department's overall future financial provision. Funding for the TA in the next financial year is not dependent on monies generated as a result of such sales.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Interviews)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many unemployed 18 to 24 year olds invited to an initial New Deal interview had failed to respond by 30 September; and what percentage this constitutes of those 18 to 24 year olds invited to an initial interview. [57868]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: The latest Government Statistical figures (to the end of August 1998) show that almost 6,600 18–24 year olds have left the New Deal and Jobseekers Allowance before attending their initial New Deal interview. This constitutes 4 per cent. of all those who have started on the New Deal.

  Where a young person fails to attend an interview following 3 invitations, and continues to try and claim JSA, they will be referred to adjudication. Figures to the end of September show that over 600 young people have already had sanctions imposed for failing to attend a New Deal interview.

  New Deal (Benefit Cuts)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many 18 to 24 year olds had their benefits cut for refusing to take up a New Deal option by 30 September. [57870]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: The latest available analysis shows that there were 1,352 New Deal participants aged between 18 and 24 to whom Jobseekers Allowance sanctions were applied during the period 1 January to 30 September 1998, of which 112 were for failing to take up a New Deal Option.
  588
  A further 210 people have been referred to adjudication during that period for neglecting to avail themselves of an Option, failing or refusing to attend an Option.

  Alcohol Consumption
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what initiatives his Department is currently supporting to reduce the level of alcohol consumption by those aged under 16 years. [57888]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Education about alcohol is already a statutory requirement of the National Curriculum. The Department for Education and Employment has made increased support of £7 million available to Local Education Authorities this year, through the Standards Fund, to assist schools and the youth service to deliver effective education about drugs, including alcohol. The Department is also working closely with other Government Departments in taking forward the Government's 10 year Anti-Drugs Strategy, published earlier this year. Whilst the focus is on illegal drugs, alcohol is also addressed within the overall Strategy. To support and underpin the Strategy, we will also shortly be issuing targeted guidance to schools and the youth service on the effective delivery of education relating to substance misuse. In addition, the Department is represented on the Ministerial Group on Alcopops, which is taking forward the Government's work to combat underage drinking.

  In partnership with the Department of Health, the Department launched earlier this year the National Healthy Schools Scheme. This Initiative is part of the wider Healthy Schools Initiative. We are making £2 million of support available this year to fund eight health and education pilot projects, one in each of the NHS regions. Criteria for healthy schools belonging to the scheme will be drawn up and an integral part of this will be for the school to deliver a comprehensive drug education programme. That programme will have to include education about alcohol.

  Asthma
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the guidelines covering the responsibilities of local education authorities in catering within schools for the medical needs of children with(a) asthma and (b) allergy-related anaphylaxis. [57914]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In October 1996 the Department published Circular 14/96, "Supporting Pupils With Medical Needs in School", in conjunction with the Department of Health. This summarised the main legal provisions that affect schools' responsibilities for managing pupils' medical needs. At the same time, the Department also published "Supporting Pupils With Medical Needs: A Good Practice Guide", which includes sections dealing specifically with asthma and anaphylaxis. Both publications are available in the House of Commons Library.

  School Expenditure
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has
  589
  made of the amount of money from delegated budgets underspent by schools in Hereford and Worcester in each year since 1989–90. [57922]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows the amount held as balances by LEA schools in Hereford and Worcester for each of the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98. Information regarding school balances/deficits prior to 1992–93 is not held centrally.

  Balances held by LEA schools in Hereford and Worcester

  Financial year

  £

  1992–93

  13,867,000

  1993–94

  13,855,000

  1994–95

  12,294,181

  1995–96

  9,935,332

  1996–97

  9,940,809

  1997–98

  10,564,756

  Supported Employment Scheme
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the funding for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 for the supported employment scheme for disabled people. [57708]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: Expenditure on the Supported Employment Programme for 1997–98 was £155.6 million. The allocated budget for the Programme for 1998–99 is £155.1 million. However, as announced last week we have made an additional £30 million available to help disabled people get jobs, half of which will be spent on supported employment.

  People with a disability or long term illness will also be able to benefit from the New Deal for Disabled People for which £195 million has been set aside for the lifetime of this Parliament.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the future of section 11 funding. [57927]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment will shortly make an announcement about a new Standards Fund grant to replace the education element of section 11 grant. In the first year of the grant, 1999–2000, allocations will reflect Local Education Authorities' existing allocations.

  Student Loans Company
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the performance of the Student Loans Company with regard to(a) responses to letters, (b) responses to telephone calls and (c) delays in payment of loans since the start of the academic year. [57864]

  Mr. Mudie
  As of 30 October, the Student Loans Company had paid out 283,100 loans. 99.7 per cent. were paid within 21 days against a target of 98 per cent. I have received no written representations about the Company's performance in this academic year, but DfEE officials have received 15 telephone calls about borrowers not 590
  being able to contact the Company by telephone. I understand that the Company has now updated both its telephone message system and website to handle certain calls. Some correspondence to the Company has been delayed, although most replies have been issued within 14 days. I understand that the Company has resolved the complaints it has received on telephone calls and correspondence.

  Foreign Languages
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to increase the number of school leavers who attain fluency in a second European modern language. [56857]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: Under the National Curriculum, all pupils must study English and all secondary school pupils must study a modern foreign language. Secondary schools must offer one of eight working languages of the European Union, and they can also offer other languages. In practice around 97 per cent. of pupils study French, German, Spanish, or a combination of these. The National Curriculum programmes of study give equal weight to four communication skills: listening and responding; speaking; reading and responding; and writing. We also support language learning through sponsorship of the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (CILT), which encourages good practice through a range of information and advice to language teachers.

  Primary Schools
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many new infant schools have been(a) started and (b) completed in each of the last five years; and in which council areas the schools are located; [55814]

  (2) how many new primary schools have been (a) started and (b) completed in each of the last five years; and in which council areas they are located. [57164]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  No statutory proposals to establish new infant schools have been approved in the last three years. The table shows the number of proposals approved and implemented in each Local Education Authority to establish new maintained primary schools in each of the last three years. The list includes proposals which have been determined by the Local Education Authority. A number of proposals have been decided but not yet implemented. Accurate information for earlier years is not available.

  Number approved

  Number implemented

  1998

  Barnet

  1

  1

  Barnsley

  2

  —

  Birmingham

  1

  1

  Bromley

  —

  1

  Cornwall

  1

  —

  Derby City

  2

  —

  Essex (pre 1 April 1998)

  —

  1

  Hackney

  1

  —

  Hampshire

  1

  1

  Hertfordshire

  1

  —

  Kent (pre 1 April 1998)

  1

  —

  591

  Number approved

  Number implemented

  Lincolnshire

  —

  1

  Newham

  1

  —

  Northamptonshire

  1

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  —

  Redbridge

  —

  1

  Shropshire (pre 1 April 1998)

  —

  1

  South Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  Surrey

  1

  —

  Swindon

  2

  —

  Waltham Forest

  —

  1

  West Sussex

  1

  1

  Wiltshire (pre 1 April 1 April 1997)

  —

  1

  Worcester

  —

  1

  1997

  Barnet

  1

  1

  Barnsley

  3

  3

  Bromley

  1

  —

  Buckinghamshire (pre 1 April 1997)

  —

  1

  Cambridgeshire (pre 1 April 1998)

  1

  1

  Cornwall

  1

  1

  Coventry

  3

  3

  Devon

  1

  —

  Essex (pre 1 April 1998)

  3

  3

  Hertfordshire

  —

  1

  Kent (pre 1 April 1998)

  2

  1

  Kingston Upon Hull

  2

  —

  Lincolnshire

  1

  —

  Milton Keynes

  2

  —

  Newham

  1

  —

  Redbridge

  1

  —

  Shropshire (pre 1 April 1998)

  1

  —

  South Gloucestershire

  1

  —

  Stockton on Tees

  1

  —

  Sutton

  —

  1

  Waltham Forest

  —

  1

  West Sussex

  1

  1

  Worcester

  1

  —

  1996

  Barnet

  —

  1

  Buckinghamshire (pre 1 April 1997)

  1

  —

  Camden

  —

  1

  Coventry

  4

  4

  East Sussex (pre 1 April 1997)

  1

  —

  Essex (pre 1 April 1998)

  1

  —

  Oldham

  —

  2

  Surrey

  1

  2

  Sutton

  1

  —

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  1

  Waltham Forest

  1

  2

  Warwickshire

  2

  3

  West Sussex

  1

  —

  Wiltshire (pre 1 April 1997)

  1

  —

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to publish the Government's response to consultation on the Green Paper "Excellence for all Children: Meeting Special Educational Needs". [58535]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Consultation on the Green Paper "Excellence for all Children: Meeting Special Educational Needs" generated many thoughtful ideas and comments. In the light of these, and the advice of the National Advisory Group on Special Educational Needs (SEN), we 592
  have today published "Meeting Special Educational Needs: A programme of action". Copies have been placed in the Library. Copies will also be sent to all MPs.

  The Action Programme sets out the progress we will make in five key areas:
  better support for parents and carers of children with SEN;
  improving the SEN framework, including revising the SEN Code of Practice;
  promoting the inclusion of more children with SEN in mainstream schools where parents want it and appropriate support can be provided and developing the role of special schools as part of an inclusive education system;
  developing the knowledge and skills of all staff working with children with SEN; and
  supporting a range of initiatives to promote partnership in SEN, locally, regionally and nationally.

  Science Teachers
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures his Department is taking to increase the supply of science teachers. [57944]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Last week, my hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards announced a package of short-term measures to boost teacher recruitment, intended in particular to tackle problems recruiting secondary teachers in science and maths. Our proposals include:a £5,000 incentive for all those graduates training in and going on to teach science or maths;
  a new scheme to match 600 of the 7,000 people who have already told the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) that they would like to train on the job as teachers, to existing vacancies as science and maths teachers;
  the establishment of a new network of advisers at regional level to co-ordinate and energise local recruitment activities in areas of the country where shortages are most acute;
  mobilising the Employment Service to encourage unemployed people with the right experience and qualifications to train or re-train as teachers; and
  launching a drive to encourage returners to teaching.

  The package will give added impetus to the strong programme of action already being taken forward by the TTA to boost teacher recruitment.

  Looking ahead, our Green Paper on the modernisation of the teaching profession, to be published before the end of the year, will propose a range of fundamental reforms to improve the attractiveness of teaching as a career.

  A-level Physics Curriculum
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effectiveness of the A-level physics curriculum and exam in preparing students for degree courses in (i) physics and (ii) engineering. [57946]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Department has not commissioned or evaluated research on this specific issue. However, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has recently completed a consultation on the development of new subject criteria for all A-level syllabuses, including physics, in the light of the Government's decisions on the future of A-levels following the recent Qualifying for

  593
  Success consultation. Both consultations fully involved both higher education institutions and organisations representing the interests of physics and engineering. QCA will be advising Ministers on the outcome of its recent consultation shortly.

SCOTLAND

  Agriculture Subsidies
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total amount of public subsidies and support paid to agriculture in Scotland, the average amount per constituency and the amount paid to support the agriculture industry in Glasgow, Pollok in the last year for which figures are available. [57186]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Direct subsidies paid to farmers in Scotland for the latest year (1997) for which figures. are available totalled £497 million. This information is not collected by Parliamentary Constituency.

  Catering Courses
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many students there are in(a) full-time and (b) part-time catering education in Scotland; [57061]

  (2) how many colleges offer catering education; how many graduates of such courses undertook further training in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the level of provision for catering courses in Scotland. [57062]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Thirty-eight further education colleges offered catering courses during academic year 1996–97 (the last year for which full figures are available), which were attended by 2,199 full-time and 8,028 part-time students.

  Destination data are not collected centrally, except in respect of full-time students on higher education courses studied in further education colleges. In respect of the 179 such students on catering courses in 1995–96 whose destination is known, 57 undertook further full-time study.

  College boards of management have a statutory duty, under section 12(1) of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 to ensure that their college provides suitable further education, having regard to the likely needs of potential students of the college. The fact that so many of Scotland's colleges offer catering courses suggests that boards of management are responding adequately to local demand for such provision.

  Defence Diversification Strategy
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on what action Scottish Enterprise has taken on the development of a national defence diversification strategy for Scotland in the last 18 months; and what plans it has to produce a report on this matter. [56378]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: In Scotland, defence diversification has been taken forward as a business development activity at local level through Local Enterprise Companies rather than by Scottish
  594
  Enterprise at a national level. The Local Enterprise Companies that have had most involvement in this activity have been Fife Enterprise, Glasgow Development Agency and Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd.

  HIV-AIDS
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people with AIDS died in(a) Scotland and (b) each health board region of Scotland in (a) 1988, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998 at the latest available date. [56984]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is set out in the following table:

  AIDS deaths by health board and year of death as at 30 September 1998

  Health board1

  1988

  1997

  19982

  Ayrshire and Arran

  0

  2

  0

  Fife

  0

  1

  0

  Grampian

  1

  1

  1

  Greater Glasgow

  8

  6

  5

  Lanarkshire

  0

  1

  0

  Lothian

  8

  14

  3

  Tayside

  0

  14

  2

  Scotland

  17

  39

  11

  1Health Boards not listed recorded no deaths in any of these years.

  21998 data to 30 September

  Source:

  The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the cumulative number of people with AIDS who died in(a) Scotland and (b) each health board region of Scotland in (i) 1988, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998 at the latest available date. [56985]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is set out in the following table:

  AIDS deaths by health board, Scotland Cumulative deaths as at 31 December of specified year as at 30 September 1998

  Health board

  1988

  1997

  1998

  Argyll and Clyde

  0

  4

  4

  Ayrshire and Arran

  0

  9

  9

  Borders

  0

  1

  1

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0

  3

  3

  Fife

  1

  12

  12

  Forth Valley

  1

  4

  4

  Grampian

  3

  29

  30

  Greater Glasgow

  19

  174

  179

  Highland

  1

  4

  4

  Lanarkshire

  1

  10

  10

  Lothian

  14

  329

  332

  Tayside

  2

  119

  121

  Scotland

  42

  689

  709

  Note:

  1998 data to 30 September

  Source:

  The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people diagnosed with AIDS and not known to have died there were in(a) Scotland and (b) each health board region of Scotland in (i) 1988, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998 at the latest available date. [56986]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information requested is set out in the following table.
  595

  AIDS cases diagnosed and not known to be dead at specified dates by Health Board as at 30 September 1998

  Health board

  at 31 December 1988

  at 31 December 1997

  at 30 September1998

  Argyll and Clyde

  2

  1

  3

  Ayrshire and Arran

  0

  2

  2

  Borders

  0

  0

  0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0

  0

  0

  Fife

  1

  13

  14

  Forth Valley

  0

  0

  0

  Grampian

  1

  7

  6

  Greater Glasgow

  13

  75

  74

  Highland

  0

  2

  2

  Lanarkshire

  0

  2

  4

  Lothian

  25

  97

  99

  Tayside

  4

  27

  29

  Scotland

  46

  226

  233

  Source:

  The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many people were newly diagnosed HIV positive (i) by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in(a) Scotland and (b) each health board region of Scotland, for each year from 1988 to 1997, and for 1998 at the latest available date; [56987]

  (2) if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive (i) by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board region of Scotland, for each year from 1988 to 1997, and for 1998 at the latest available date; [56988]

  (3) if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive and not known to have died (i) by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board region of Scotland, for each year from 1988 to 1997, and for 1998 at the latest available date. [56989]

  Mr. Galbraith
  As the information requested is lengthy, I have arranged to place the details in the Library of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Housing (Crossnacreevy Villages)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the number of homes(a) which have received planning approval and (b) for which application is presently under consideration by the planning department in the vicinity of Crossnacreevy villages. [56704]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Planning Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart, and I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 2 November 1998:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about housing development in the vicinity of Crossnacreevy Villages. For the purposes of this Question, I have regarded the vicinity of Crossnacreevy Villages as being the following area:

  Ballygowan Road between Roselawn and Gransha Road;
  596
  Church Road for half a mile from Crossnacreevy; and

  Houston Road for half a mile on the west side of Ballygowan Road.

  Our records show that only planning applications for individual houses in the countryside, within the above area, have ever been received. I can confirm that 10 of these applications were approved, while one was refused.

  We are not processing any current applications for housing at this moment in time.

  I hope this information meets your needs.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to encourage inward investment projects in South Down. [57070]

  Mr. Ingram
  The most recent initiative by the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland to encourage inward investment in South Down is the development of the industrial site at Belfast Road, Downpatrick, the first phase of which has been completed. The opportunity presented by this development and other locations in South Down is brought to the attention of appropriate investors during their visits to Northern Ireland, for example through the IDB's recent roadshow in North America.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she proposes to consult with the new Northern Ireland Assembly on the outcome of the Northern Ireland Comprehensive Spending Review. [58564]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have today sent a consultation paper on the Government's proposals for allocations to Northern Ireland programmes to the Initial Presiding Officer, as a reference under the Northern Ireland Elections Act (1998), requesting the views of the Assembly. Decisions on allocations will be announced next month in light of the consultation exercise. Copies of the Assembly consultation paper have also been placed in the Library, and are available from the Vote Office.

  Prevention of Terrorism Legislation
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements she has made for this year's review of the operation of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996. [58565]
  597
  Marjorie Mowlam
  I am pleased to announce that Mr. John Jermyn Rowe, QC has accepted my invitation to carry out the annual review for 1998 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996, including those provisions inserted by the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998. If necessary, Mr. Rowe will also carry out reviews for the following two years.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she will respond to the Third Report of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee of session 1997–98 (HC 337) on the composition, recruitment and training of the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and what will be the basis of her response. [58566]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I have today sent my response to the Committee and have, by the Committee's leave, placed a copy of my response in the Library.

  I have consulted, amongst others, the Chief Constable and the Police Authority who have both given a broad welcome to the Report. The report provides a timely benchmark of opinion for the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland set up following the Good Friday Agreement as it considers the question of policing arrangements which can fairly represent all sections of the community in Northern Ireland and have widespread community support.

  The Government have accepted a number of recommendations made by the Committee. These include:
  Police officers who already belong to organisations such as the Loyal Orders, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Freemasonry should register their membership of such organisations, initially on a voluntary basis;
  There should be a more rigorous system of registration in place for new recruits; and
  Registration should be on a private basis with RUC management and perhaps other relevant bodies such as the Independent Commission for Police Complaints.

  A new working group is to be set up to consider how the proposals will be implemented. The working group will meet soon and examine:

  how information relating to the private interests of police officers and others should be gathered and held;

  how, if at all, such information should be available publicly;

  which societies, bodies or interests should be covered;

  which public agencies besides the police should consider schemes for registration; and

  what, if any, further measures might be required to ensure that a system of registration works.

  The Government have considered but rejected for now the proposal that membership of organisations mentioned by the Select Committee should in effect prevent someone from becoming a police officer. The question of a police service which can fairly represent all sections of the community in Northern Ireland is one of the main terms of reference of the Independent Commission on Policing
  and it would be peremptory to go further in advance of the Commission's findings.

  Abortion
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many abortions were carried out in Northern Ireland in the latest year for which figures are available; [56669]

  (2) how many abortions were performed by each health and social services board in each of the past five years for which figures are available. [56670]

  Mr. McFall
  The table outlines the number of abortions performed in each Health and Social Board area in Northern Ireland in the years 1996–97 and 1997–98.

  Number of abortions

  Health and Social Services Board

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Eastern

  782

  706

  Northern

  368

  336

  Southern

  369

  315

  Western

  367

  324

  Total

  1,886

  1,681

  The overwhelming majority of these abortions were classified as spontaneous abortions.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what grounds abortion can be performed in Northern Ireland(a) in the first and second trimester and (b) in the third trimester of pregnancy. [56671]

  Mr. McFall
  The law on abortion in Northern Ireland is governed by a combination of statute including the Offences Against the Person Act (1861), the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 1945 and Case Law (R v. Bourne (1939)). Therapeutic terminations are carried out in Northern Ireland on strictly medical grounds (eg to save the life of the mother) irrespective of the stage of pregnancy.

PRIME MINISTER

  Inter-ministerial Group on Older People
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the interim conclusion of the Inter-ministerial Group on Older People presented to him in July. [57900]

  The Prime Minister
  We value the positive contribution that older people make to our society and believe that their skills and experience should be utilised to the fullest extent.

  As well as boosting NHS funding and tackling crime, specific measures the Government have announced to improve the lives of pensioners include:

  From April 1999 a minimum income guarantee of at least £75 per week for single pensioners and £116.60 per week for couples;

  VAT on domestic fuel cut to the lowest possible level of 5 per cent.;

  free eye tests for all pensioners;

  concessionary travel across the country; and

  introduced winter fuel payments which provide extra help to over 7 million pensioner households towards their heaviest fuel bill.

  We are also determined to ensure that the enormous contribution made to our national life by older people is

  599
  properly recognised and that their concerns are fully represented in policy making. I am very pleased with the progress made so far by the Inter-Ministerial Group. It has identified three priority themes: productive aging (practical measures to help older people remain active through work); care (including the health care-housing interface and transport); and consultation and involvement with older people themselves. The new Performance and Innovation Unit which I announced on 28 July 1998, Official Report, columns 133–34, now being set up in the Cabinet Office, will consider productive aging as one of their first projects.

  The Inter-Ministerial Group is planning to hold a seminar with a wide range of groups later this month to discuss the key themes in more depth. It has also commissioned research into the attitudes and aspirations of older people.

  Portschach Talks
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the European Expansion Plan as discussed at the Portschach EU talks; what level of funding was discussed; and from where such funding would originate. [58008]

  The Prime Minister
  This meeting of the Heads of Government was an informal meeting in preparation for the full European Council in Vienna, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cattle Carcases
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action has been taken by his Department to implement the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee recommendations that carcases from cattle aged over 30 months must be deboned in licensed plants supervised by the Meat Hygiene Service, with the trimmings to be classified as SBOs. [57001]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 425.

  Farmers' Retirement Schemes
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the operation of enhanced retirement schemes for farmers. [57295]

  Mr. Rooker
  Earlier this year the Government announced that they would not be introducing an early retirement scheme for farmers in the UK because of the limitations imposed by the current EU rules. The Commission has proposed changing these rules as part of its Agenda 2000 proposals and the Government will reconsider the possibility of introducing an early retirement scheme for farmers in the UK after any changes have been agreed.

  Over-30-Months Scheme
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the OTM scheme will continue for passport-holding cattle when they reach the age of 30 months. [57296]

  Mr. Rooker
  Yes. Effective implementation of the Over-Thirty-Month rule is a precondition for the lifting of the EU ban on the export of UK beef. The Government have at present no plans to modify the rule but, as with all BSE control measures, it is being kept under review. Any decision to change the 30 months age limit will be taken in the light of progress with the eradication of BSE and of further advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many veterinarians have been recruited by the Meat Hygiene Service from outside the United Kingdom. [57721]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Meat Hygiene Service directly employs 14 Veterinary Surgeons from outside the United Kingdom. Of these, 10 are Citizens of other EU Member States and 4 are other Nationals.

  The Meat Hygiene Service also contracts out Veterinary Services to Veterinary Agencies and Practices. 100 Citizens of other EU Member States and 4 other Nationals are employed in this way.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many veterinarians are employed by or contracted to the Meat Hygiene Service; and how many more will be necessary to comply with EU meat inspection directives. [57722]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Meat Hygiene Service directly employs 55 Veterinary Surgeons at present. Veterinary Agencies and Practices also currently supply the Meat Hygiene Service with veterinary services under contract with 521 (172 on a full time equivalent basis) Official Veterinary Surgeons under contract.

  The precise number of additional veterinarians required to bring supervision levels at licensed premises in Great Britain into line with the requirements of the EU Directives will depend on several factors, including the number of premises to be supervised. However, based on trends in the industry, the Meat Hygiene Service has estimated that some 300 to 400 additional veterinarians may be required.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what prior notice he received of the arrest of Senator Pinochet of Chile. [57028]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 28 October 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was briefed shortly after the Metropolitan Police received the request from the Spanish authorities for the provisional arrest of Senator Pinochet.
  601
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when(a) he and (b) his officials were first informed that Senator Pinochet had entered the United Kingdom on his current visit. [57426]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was first informed on 16 October, when he was briefed about the Spanish authorities' request to the Metropolitan Police for the provisional arrest of Senator Pinochet. The Chilean Embassy formally confirmed to FCO officials on 9 October that Senator Pinochet was present in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements were made by his officials to receive Senator Pinochet when he arrived at Heathrow Airport for his current visit. [57425]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  At the request of the Chilean Embassy, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office arranged for Senator Pinochet to use the VIP lounge on his arrival at Heathrow Airport, but there was no official reception and no representative of the FCO was present when Senator Pinochet arrived.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those people who contacted him or his officials about the diplomatic status of Senator Pinochet prior to the senator's arrest. [57414]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Only officers of the Metropolitan Police contacted Foreign and Commonwealth officials about Senator Pinochet's diplomatic status prior to the Senator's arrest on 16 October.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from whom and when he obtained advice on Senator Pinochet's entitlement to diplomatic immunity. [57969]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was told on the evening of 16 October of the advice on this subject that had been given by FCO officials to the Metropolitan Police.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department gave the Metropolitan Police on Senator Pinochet's entitlement to diplomatic immunity. [57968]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: This Department informed the Metropolitan Police that there were no grounds on the basis of immunity for not proceeding with the provisional arrest warrant.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to whom, apart from the Metropolitan Police, his Department gave advice on Senator Pinochet's diplomatic immunity. [57967]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  In addition to the advice on diplomatic immunity given to the Metropolitan Police before the arrest, this Department subsequently assisted the Home Office and their legal representatives in connection with the divisional court proceedings against my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  British Council
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the British Council. [58094]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The British Council plays a practical and very effective role in enhancing Britain's image and prestige abroad and in promoting fruitful partnerships in a wide field of activities. The scope of its work is impressive and encompasses not only cultural matters but such important areas as student recruitment and the promotion of British goods and services in education and training and the creative industries. Without the practical support the British Council provides, a number of the Government's foreign policy objectives would be more difficult to achieve.

  Laos
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department plans to make to the Laos Government following the meeting in his Department with Prince Savryavong Savang; and if he will make a statement. [57741]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The UK Ambassador in Bangkok is accredited to Laos and makes regular calls on the Lao government in Vientiane. He has raised our concerns about human rights and will continue to do so.

  Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the United Kingdom ratified the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration of the OSCE. [58006]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Kingdom has not yet acceded to the OSCE Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration, but will keep the matter under review.

  The Convention, which entered into force in December 1994, provides a mechanism for resolving disputes between states in the OSCE area. But in practice other dispute settlement mechanisms have been preferred, including the International Criminal Court of Justice. So far, no cases have been submitted for conciliation or arbitration under the Convention by any country.

  Chile
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Chile calling on it to ensure the safety of all British scouts attending the World Jamboree of Scouts to be held in Chile in December. [58073]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our Embassy in Santiago has repeatedly made it clear to the Chilean authorities that it is their responsibility to ensure the safety of all British nationals and British interests in the country. The Embassy will continue to do so as appropriate. The present advice against all non-essential travel to Chile stands.

  Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's
  603
  Government acceded to the Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages; what assessment he has made of the implications of the Charter for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [57959]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have yet to accede to the Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages but intend to do so, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), the Minister of State, informed the House on 4 June 1998,Official Report, column 350.

  We propose to specify the Welsh language in Wales and the Gaelic language in Scotland under Part III of the Charter. We aim to specify the Irish language at an early date. Part II of the Charter will apply to the Scots language. We also propose to commission independent academic research which will help to determine whether Ulster-Scots should be treated as a language for the purposes of the Charter.

  We are considering what aspects of the Charter should apply to the languages specified under Part III. At least 35 paragraphs or sub-paragraphs of the Charter must be identified and applied in such cases.

  GCHQ
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the recruitment statistics for GCHQ for 1997 in line with the requirements of the Civil Service Commissioners; and how they compare with the figures for 1996. [58477]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  GCHQ notified the Commissioners that, in 1997, 236 recruits had joined or were in the pipeline. This compares with 228 staff recruited in 1996. In addition, five reappointments were made in 1997 compared with two in 1996.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance Recording Computer
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the cause of the problems with the NIRS2 computer system. [58261]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: The Contributions Agency (CA) has recently introduced a new National Insurance Recording computer system (NIRS2). The old NIRS1 system had to be replaced because it was aging and could not support future business and legislative changes, in particular those associated with the Pensions Act 1995.

  The new system is designed to collect contributions, hold 65 million individual contribution records, calculate contributory benefits, provide data to many other Government Agencies, and pay age-related contribution rebates to Private Pension Providers. It is one of the biggest systems in Europe, with over fourteen million lines of computer software.

  In April 1995 Andersen Consulting was awarded a contract, under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), to replace NIRS1. The replacement system is the first major IT contract to be delivered under PFI. Under the terms of
  604
  the PFI contract Andersen Consulting has borne all of its own costs in getting the system accepted and has not been paid for operating the new system until it was accepted. Payments for providing the new system did not commence until 13 July.

  The original plan was to replace NIRS1 completely in February 1997. However, in March 1998 Anderson Consulting made a supplementary proposal to phase implementation, in order to reduce the technical and business risks. Therefore, the contract was varied, including financial compensation arrangements, to reflect this phased implementation between February 1997 and April 1999. This variation was documented in the National Audit Office report of May 1997. The contract letting and the phasing variation are fully covered in the 46th report of the Public Accounts Committee published on 17 September 1998.

  Because of the scale, complexity and sensitivity of the NIRS2 system it has been thoroughly tested prior to acceptance by CA. During the first year of operation the system is being introduced through a series of pilots leading to national implementation.

  Contingency plans were developed by both CA and Benefits Agency (BA) in order to accommodate the phased implementation and the attendant difficulties. These plans have been systematically updated to ensure minimum impact on contributors and benefit claimants.

  In June 1998 data were transferred from the NIRS1 system to NIRS2. Andersen Consulting estimate that over four billion data items were successfully transferred before NIRS2 went live. Since then there have been some implementation problems; however, as I said in my letter of 11 September to Members of the House, no data have been lost and no records have been destroyed.

  On 13 July 1998 the majority of the new system was switched on. After three weeks pilot several major business processes were implemented nationally. For example NIRS2 has read over 40 million items from end of year returns supplied by employers, posted over 14 million national insurance contributions for 1997–98, paid out over £630 million in age related rebates to holders of personal pensions and billed and/or collected £230 million in National Insurance contributions from the self employed. The CA is still piloting some key business processes.

  On 14 September 1998 further parts of the system were switched on. Since then there has been a focus on piloting the links into the benefits systems. It is expected that the links to Jobseekers Allowance and Incapacity Benefit will start nationally in November. Andersen Consulting has submitted a plan that, subject to a satisfactory outcome from the current pilot exercise, enables the links to pensions and long term benefits to be available from December for implementation in early 1999. To reach this milestone problems identified during the pilot running of these functions critical to benefits must be cleared. These include the calculation of benefit entitlement for some cases; these are currently under investigation by Andersen Consulting.

  As a result of the extended transition and pilot period there have been problems for some people making claims to Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Retirement Pension and Widows Benefit.
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  Ninety five per cent. of new and repeat claims for JSA are being cleared using information from other DSS systems, from the claimant or by the award of an interim payment. An interim payment is made where the actual contribution position cannot be confirmed and an amount equal to the benefit rate is paid. The remaining 5 per cent. are currently being processed.

  Ninety five per cent. of new claims for Incapacity Benefit are being cleared using information from other DSS systems, and the claimant. The 5 per cent. claims remaining are being processed or have been referred to Income Support. All interim payments and cases referred to Income Support will be reviewed when the NIRS2 system is fully implemented.

  Most new Retirement Pension claims, an estimated 97 per cent. are being cleared using NIRS1 information. Because 1997–98 contributions are not being taken into account most claimants will be receiving initial awards. An initial award is a pension assessment based on the contribution information available at the time, in most cases the initial award of basic pension is likely to be correct or an underpayment of £1.25 a week. All initial awards will be reviewed as soon as the NIRS2 system is fully implemented and their 1997–98 contributions are posted. It is usual practice to make initial awards of benefit while waiting for additional contribution information. However, more cases than usual are being affected and claimants will have to wait longer before their retirement pension is finalised. In the remaining 3 per cent. of claims, where the Benefits Agency has no record of a claimant's contribution history, emergency payments equal to the basic pension rates can be made. All emergency payments will be reviewed when the contribution information is available.

  Where there are unresolved issues relating to contracting out of State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) some pensioners will be underpaid between a penny and a maximum of £100 a week. The Benefits Agency is undertaking clerical calculations in cases of hardship.

  For Widows Benefit it is estimated about 10 per cent. of new claims are being cleared using information available to the Benefits Agency and the remaining 90 per cent. of new claims are being cleared by initial awards or emergency payments. All initial awards and emergency payments will be reviewed when NIRS2 information is available.

  Where benefit payments are delayed as a result of the problems with NIRS2 payment of compensation will be automatically considered within the normal rules of the Department Special Payments Scheme. Where there has been an adverse effect as a result of the NIRS implementation on CA customers, compensation payments are being considered in line with normal procedures.

  Considerable effort has been jointly made by DSS Agencies, private sector, pensions industry and Andersen Consulting to maintain service levels. All the work involved is being taken forward through a co-ordinated plan agreed between the DSS Agencies involved and Andersen Consulting. The key priority is to ensure that full normal operations can resume as soon as possible. It is expected that this will take until the end of this financial year. It will take longer to catch up on all backlogs.
  606
  Within the plan, priority is being given to those aspects of the NIRS2 system, which most directly affect benefit claims. I shall keep the House informed of progress.

  Departmental Toilets
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on access by the public to toilets in buildings under his departmental control. [56095]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: Members of the public, including those with disabilities, have access to toilets in most of the Department's buildings. Many buildings also provide access to baby changing facilities.

  There are a number of buildings where there is no current provision. In some it may be possible to provide toilets as part of a programme of upgrade and improvement. In others the layout of the building may make it impossible to provide toilets adjacent to public caller areas.

  Options for improving toilet facilities are being identified as part of the Department's programme of estate strategic planning.

  Child Maintenance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many and what proportion of parents with care will receive less child maintenance under the formula for assessing maintenance proposed in the Green Paper on child maintenance than they do currently, broken down to show those receiving(a) income support, (b) family credit and (c) disability working allowance, separately identifying those receiving none of these benefits; [55579]

  (2) how many and what proportion of parents with care will receive less child maintenance under the formula proposed in the Green Paper on child support than they do currently, broken down into those now receiving (a) under £5, (b) £5–£9.99, (c) £10–£19.99, (d) £20–£29.99, (e) £30–£39.99, (f) £40–£49.99, (g) £50–£59.99, (h) £60–£69.99, (i) £70–£79.99, (j) £80–£89.99, (k) £90–£99.99 and (l) £100 and above per week. [55587]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 October 1998]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out.

  This table does not include 170,000 parents with care receiving Income Support who will see an overall increase in their income because of the proposed £10 maintenance premium. We estimate also that the new simpler scheme will mean that at least an additional 200,000 parents with care receiving Income Support will be assessed to receive maintenance for the first time.

  Information relating to parents with care with a lower maintenance assessment

  Banded original maintenance assessment (£ per week)

  Caseload

  Proportion (per cent.)

  Under 5.00

  *

  *

  5.00–9.99

  1,000

  1

  10.00–19.99

  4,000

  4

  20.00–29.99

  8,000

  9

  30.00–39.99

  12,000

  13

  607

  Information relating to parents with care with a lower maintenance assessments

  Banded original maintenance assessment (£ per week)

  Caseload

  Proportion (per cent.)

  40.00–49.99

  16,000

  18

  50.00–59.99

  16,000

  18

  60.00–69.99

  13,000

  15

  70.00–79.99

  9,000

  10

  80.00–89.99

  6,000

  7

  90.00–99.99

  2,000

  3

  100 and over

  3,000

  3

  All cases

  90,000

  100

  Notes:

  1.Estimates are based on the 97–98 caseload and current benefit rules and do not take account of, for example, the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit.

  2.Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 1,000 and percentages to the nearest percentage point. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  3.* denotes caseload of less than 500 or proportion of less than half of 1 per cent.

  Of the 90,000 cases shown in the table 50,000 are receiving Family Credit where the reduction in maintenance could be offset by an increase in benefit. In the remaining 40,000 the parent with care is not in receipt of either Income Support or Family Credit. The number of parents with care receiving Disability Working Allowance is negligible.

  Also, the information in the table relates to assessed liability and not to the amounts of maintenance actually being paid. Cash compliance is currently around 66 per cent. but we estimate that this will increase to 80 per cent. or more under the new scheme. We are also proposing that reductions in maintenance should be phased in, so parents with care with a lower assessment will not necessarily find their maintenance reduced immediately to the new amount.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people who are currently waiting for a face-to-face appointment with an official from the Child Support Agency to discuss their case in the West Midlands have been waiting for(a) one month, (b) two months, (c) three months and (d) six months and over; [57059]

  (2) if he will make a statement about the current staffing levels at the CSA Dudley Office. [57060]

  Angela Eagle
  We expect the Child Support Agency to provide a consistent, fair and efficient service to all its clients. We have set out proposals for radical reform in our Green Paper "Children First: a new approach to child support" (Cm3992).

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

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Ms Joan Walley, dated 3 November 1998:

  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about face to face appointments and staffing levels in the Child Support Agency.

  The Agency is divided into six front-line Business Units; a Business Unit consists of a Child Support Agency Centre and associated field offices. Information has been provided for the Midlands Business Unit.
  608
  As part of our ongoing commitment to improve significantly the quality of service to our customers, the Agency offers local interviews to both non-resident parents and parents with care. Where a customer requests an interview, and the query cannot be resolved by contacting them by telephone an interview will be arranged.

  I am quite convinced of the need for much increased face to face contact to make our service more responsive to the needs of our customers. By increasing face to face contact we will provide customers with better explanations and improve their compliance and co-operation. Additionally, increased face to face contact should reduce the incidence of fraud.

  We are in the process of changing our organisational structure, and we aim to offer significantly more face to face contact. It is our intention that more interviews will be offered, to more people, at more stages of the process and at more locations. A two month face to face trial has recently commenced involving 17 field offices nationwide with 65 staff dedicated to providing this face to face service.

  The Agency's field offices deal with cases where a local interview is requested either by the parent with care or the non-resident parent. Additionally, field offices deal with cases where the Agency instigates a request for an interview; for example when:

  a Reduced Benefit Direction is being considered

  paternity is disputed

  the Child Support Officer decides that an interview is the best way to progress a case

  Information held on interviews does not differentiate between those requested by customers and those instigated by the Agency. However at 30 September 1998 Midlands Business Unit had approximately 400 interviews waiting to be carried out; in 1997–98 the average number of interviews carried out each month was 489. Information on the number of people currently waiting for an interview is not available, however early results from the face to face trial show that approximately 70 per cent. of interviews are carried out within 6 days of a request being received.

  At 30 September 1998 the Midlands Business Unit's staffing level (whole time equivalent) was 1,220.6; this consists of 812.0 for the Dudley Centre and 408.6 for the associated field offices.

  As part of our reorganisation we are transferring paper processing work from the field to the centres. Consequently the number of staff in the field network will reduce significantly over the next three to four years. However, we will be looking to increase the number of locations where we will carry out interviews; using facilities outside DSS. Field resources will then be focused specifically on improved face to face contact with customers. We expect the availability and amount of local face to face contact to increase significantly over the next year as a result. This is originally the area on which field staff were intended to concentrate at the start of the Agency; paper processing work was undertaken only as a short-term measure to help the Agency deal with the number of applications it received in the early years.

  I hope this is helpful.

WALES

  New Deal
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many companies in(a) Clwyd, South and (b) Wales have signed up to the New Deal. [56583]

  Mr. Hain
  Well over 2,000 firms have signed agreements to offer more than 3,800 jobs in Wales. In the North-East Wales District which includes the constituency of Clwyd, South, more than 200 employers are involved, with over 120 jobs offered to date.

  National Tree Week
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives his Department is taking to participate in National Tree Week. [56584]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  We do, of course, support tree planting every week of the year, and we are fully committed to increasing the woodland area in Wales. National Tree Week is an excellent initiative and the Forestry Commission will be participating in several planting projects, often enlisting the help of school children.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress in securing European structural funds support for Wales. [56585]

  Mr. Michael
  The Office for National Statistics published on 22 October GDP figures for the areas in Wales known by the Eurostat classification NUTS 2. The figures indicate that the West Wales and the Valleys NUTS 2 area should meet the criterion for Objective 1 as currently proposed by the Commission.

  Public Health Action Plan
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the public health action plan for Wales. [56587]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the public health action plan for Wales. [56588]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Better Health Better Wales— Strategic Framework was launched on 23 October and sets out the next steps to be taken to develop a medium to long term strategy to improve the health of the population of Wales. It focuses on improving the health and well being of people in Wales through strategies which promote and protect health and reduce inequalities in health through the encouragement of sustainable communities, a healthy lifestyle, and a better environment.

  Secretary of State (Accountability)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the future Welsh Assembly on his accountability to hon. Members. [56589]

  Mr. Michael
  The establishment of the National Assembly for Wales will alter the range of issues for which the Secretary of State for Wales is responsible but he will remain accountable to Parliament for those functions which he retains, notably the promotion of primary legislation. The Government intend to submit evidence to the Procedure Committee of the House of Commons for its inquiry into the procedural consequences of devolution shortly.

  Agriculture
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the state of Welsh agriculture. [56590]
  610
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The current problems in farming bring into sharp focus the need for Welsh agriculture to adapt. Our aim is to create a viable future for agriculture and encourage economic growth in rural Wales.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the(a) economic and (b) social effect of the current crisis in Welsh agriculture. [56594]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Welsh Office are currently preparing forecasts for hill farming incomes in 1997–98 as part of the annual review of economic conditions in the hills and uplands. It is intended that this information will be made available in a press notice shortly.

  An assessment of incomes for those not fanning in the hills will be made during the next two months and will be published in the New Year.

  I recognise the importance of agriculture to rural Wales. Agriculture is estimated to contribute directly about 8 per cent. to total employment in the less favoured areas (LFA). Agriculture also indirectly supports jobs in other industries; and published studies suggest that in the LFA every 10 full-time jobs in agriculture support approximately a further 4 jobs in related industries.

  Farmers' Assistance
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which requests for assistance from the National Farmers Union in Wales he is currently considering for implementation. [56591]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I have had a number of meetings with the farming unions in Wales including the NFU. I am engaged in a constructive dialogue with the farmers' leaders and the industry about developing long term strategies for Welsh agriculture so that it can meet the demands of the twenty first century.

  Commission for Local Administration
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the recent report from the Commission for Local Administration in Wales into a planning matter involving Caerphilly borough council; and if he will make a statement. [56592]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I am well aware of the problems highlighted by the Ombudsman's report.

  The White Paper on modernising local government in Wales, which we published in July, announced the Government's intention to introduce a new ethical framework for local councils. This will include clearer codes of conduct for elected members and a far tougher regime in the event that codes are breached. The new arrangements will make it far harder for councillors to claim ignorance of the requirements placed upon them.

  Rural Partnership
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made in developing the rural partnership for Wales. [56593]

  Mr. Hain
  The inaugural meeting of the Rural Partnership for Wales will be held on 12 November at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
  611
  Its membership, which comprises 26 organisations, will bring together a wide range of interests and expertise and be a valuable source of ideas for tackling the many diverse issues affecting rural Wales.

  Referendums (Funding)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what evidence his Department supplied to the Neill committee in respect of funding for referendums. [56595]

  Mr. Michael
  I refer the hon. Member to pages 347–357 of volume 2 of the Fifth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Neill Report) which contains the full transcript of the oral evidence provided by Welsh Office officials. A copy of the written evidence provided by the Welsh Office is at section 16/404 on the CD-ROM accompanying volume 2.

  Farming Incomes
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about farming incomes in Wales.[56596]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Welsh Office are currently preparing income forecasts for hill farming incomes in 1997–98 as part of the annual review of economic conditions in the hills and uplands. It is intended that this information will be made available in a press notice shortly.

  An assessment of incomes for those not farming in the hills will be made during the next two months and will be published in the New Year.

  Job Losses (Swansea Valley)
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the number of job losses in the Swansea valley over the last six months. [56597]

  Mr. Hain
  Some job losses are an inevitable part of the environment in a dynamic economy. However, it is important that jobs which are lost are replaced by new ones. Overall, employment in Wales is continuing to rise.

  In the Swansea travel to work area, manufacturing industry has suffered a net loss of 582 jobs since the beginning of the year. This does not include the 500 new jobs which I recently announced will be created by International Rectifier with the establishment of their manufacturing plant at Penllergaer, Swansea.

  Health Professionals
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the pay and conditions of health professionals in Wales. [56599]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I have received numerous representations on the pay and conditions of service particularly of nurses. The Pay Review Bodies are currently taking evidence on the pay of NHS staff within their remit and their recommendations will be announced in the New Year. The Government are also considering a revised approach to pay and conditions of service for all NHS staff.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the representations made to him about the reorganisation of NHS trusts in Wales. [56600]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Public consultation on the proposals to reconfigure NHS trusts in Wales ended on 21 September. The comments received are now being taken into account in arriving at decisions which will be announced in due course. A summary of all representations received together with the Reconfiguration Project Teams' and Consultants' independent reports will be placed in the Library of the House when an announcement is made.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chief executive of the New Millennium Experience Company to discuss investment by that company in Wales. [56601]

  Mr. Hain
  Welsh Office officials meet with NMEC officials regularly to discuss progress over the Millennium Experience in Wales. I will be launching NMEC's Learning Experience in Wales on 20 November. I am pleased that NMEC has established an office in Wales.

  LG Semicon
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the future of the LG Semicon plant at Newport. [56602]

  Mr. Hain
  The semiconductor plant is an important part of the overall LG project at Newport, which currently employs some 1,700 people. We understand that LG Semicon is considering a number of options for the future of the semiconductor plant, in the light of current economic circumstances and commercial discussions.

  Health Services (West Wales)
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the restructuring of health services in west Wales. [56603]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Public consultation on the proposals to reconfigure NHS trusts in Wales ended on 21 September. The comments received are now being taken into account in arriving at decisions which will be announced in due course. A summary of all representations received together with the Reconfiguration Project Teams' and Consultants' independent reports will be placed in the Library of the House when an announcement is made.

  Welsh Assembly (Child Care)
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the provision of child care facilities in the National Assembly of Wales building. [56604]

  Mr. Michael
  We have received a small number of representations, and in response to the National Assembly Advisory Group's recommendations, my officials are considering the options for providing childcare for the Members and staff of the Assembly.
  613
  In addition, a feasibility study will be carried out, once the Assembly is in session, on the options for providing childcare facilities for visitors to the Assembly, along the lines of a drop-in crèche.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the number of people on the waiting list for elective surgery for more than six months in health authorities in Wales. [56605]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Central data are only available for residents waiting over 12 months; the latest available figures show that at August '98 there were 9,274 residents waiting over 12 months for inpatient/day case surgery.

  Coalfields Task Force
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that the proposals contained in the coalfields task force report will apply to Wales. [56586]

  Mr. Hain
  We shall be considering, where appropriate, the application of the recommendations to Wales as part of the work of the New Partnership for the Valleys.

  Teacher Shortages
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the level of(a) current and (b) predicted teacher shortages for the next five years in the (i) primary and (ii) secondary sectors in Wales. [56574]

  Mr. Hain
  Assessments of the demand and supply of teachers are made on an England and Wales basis only. The model used for this assessment does not predict future teacher shortages. Latest data on vacant teacher posts in Wales show that, as at 13 January 1998, there were 105 vacancies for full-time appointments, or appointments of at least one term's duration, in nursery and primary schools and 60 vacancies in secondary schools.

  GDP Statistics
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects an announcement from the Office for National Statistics on GDP levels in the NUTS II areas of Wales. [56581]

  Mr. Michael
  The Office for National Statistics published on 22 October GDP figures for the areas in Wales known by the Eurostat classification NUTS 2. The figures indicate that the West Wales and the Valleys NUTS 2 area should meet the criterion for Objective 1 as currently proposed by the Commission.

TREASURY

  Agriculture (Public Expenditure)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total public expenditure, in current prices, on agriculture in the United Kingdom for each year from 1975 to date; and what are the planned totals, in current prices, for each year covered by the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. [57501]
  614
  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: The historical figures for public expenditure on agriculture in the UK can be obtained from "Agriculture in the UK" publications, and the GDP deflator series from the Treasury's deflator table (available in the House of Commons Library). The latest estimate for 1998–99 UK expenditure is £3,466 million. The UK totals for the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02 have not yet been finalised.

  Agrimonetary Compensation
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to Her Majesty's Government of claiming all the agrimonetary compensation to which British farmers were entitled in the current financial year. [57920]

  Mr. Byers
  The cost to the Exchequer of making use of all agrimonetary compensation would have been £818.5 million.

  Care Packages (VAT)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated additional annual revenue yield following the ruling by Customs and Excise that VAT applies to household chores or errands if they are more than an incidental part of a package of care. [57773]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: Negligible. Customs are now reviewing their policy on charity welfare services and consulting interested parties to agree the circumstances in which household chores or errands will be exempt from VAT.

  Saving (Children)
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce an equivalent to the former national savings stamps to encourage saving by children. [58256]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: No. National Savings stamps were abolished many years ago following a recommendation from the Committee to Review National Savings (the Page Committee) in June 1973. The stamps were found to be an ineffective way of encouraging small savings. They were also expensive to administer. Re-introduction of stamps or an equivalent scheme is likely to do little to encourage savings and would be costly to the taxpayer. There are many savings schemes designed for children's savings from banks and building societies, and National Savings' Ordinary and Investment accounts and Children's Bonus Bonds are also popular for children's savings. Unlike stamps these offer interest.

  Expenditure (Scotland)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a more detailed breakdown of the components of expenditure under Scotland, other identifiable expenditure, as shown in table 7.7 General Government Expenditure in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses for 1995–96 and 1996–97; if he will make a statement on the changes between the two years; and if he will provide a corresponding breakdown of other identifiable expenditure, Scotland, for 1997–98. [57578]
  615
  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: The following table shows a breakdown of identifiable general government expenditure in Scotland, other than that by

  £million

  Expenditure by department

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  2

  130

  The Intervention Board

  2

  74

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food

  —

  56

  Trade, industry, energy, employment and training

  145

  290

  Department for Education and Employment (inc. OFSTED)

  111

  121

  Department of Trade and Industry

  33

  159

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  —

  7

  Office of Telecommunications

  —

  less than 1

  Office of Gas Supply

  —

  less than 1

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  less than 1

  less than 1

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  less than 1

  less than 1

  Transport

  —

  161

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising

  —

  156

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  —

  5

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  —

  less than 1

  Other environmental services

  —

  27

  Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  —

  27

  Law, order and protective services

  47

  72

  Crown Office

  47

  48

  Home Office

  —

  24

  Culture, media and sport

  —

  7

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  —

  7

  Office of the National Lottery

  —

  less than 1

  Social Security

  8,608

  9,142

  Department of Social Security

  8,608

  9,142

  The figures for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are not comparable in many cases, due to changes in the approach used to collect the data. The coverage of the 1996–97 exercise for apportioning spending by country was wider, with a significantly lower proportion of total expenditure not being allocated. Where departments did not have precise accounting information, they were asked to use appropriate indicators to arrive at an estimate. (For example, allocation of administration costs in the same proportions as the corresponding programme expenditure).

  Figures for identifiable general government expenditure in 1997–98 will be published in the next edition of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA), in March or April 1999.

  Farmers
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to public funds of allowing a one-off facility for UK farmers to average their profits for income tax purposes over the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [57947]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Currently farmers whose profits fluctuate by more than 25 per cent. can average their farming profits of two consecutive years and attribute half the total to each year. The resulting average profits can themselves be subject to averaging with later years.
  616
  Scottish departments, by broad function and by spending department, for 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Together with the various provisions allowing any trading losses to be set against the profits of earlier or later years, this already gives farmers scope to smooth their profits over several years. The additional cost of allowing a one-off averaging over the last five years is difficult to estimate.

  It would be extremely complicated for farmers to prepare, and the Inland Revenue to administer, five year claims, and it would not be possible to focus such a relief on particular sectors of farming.

  The Government are very aware of the difficulties which farmers are facing as a result of the sharp decline in farm incomes. This is why the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is in close touch with leaders of the farming industry to discuss what can be done to help the industry through this difficult time.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judge Michael Kershaw
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many judgments are outstanding in cases heard before Judge Michael Kershaw(a) 18 months, (b) 12 months and (c) nine months ago. [57288]

  Mr. Hoon
  None.

HEALTH

  Gulf War
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the plans by the World Health Organisation to conduct a study of the health and environmental effects of the use of depleted uranium projectiles in Iraq during the Gulf War; and what assistance it has requested from Her Majesty's Government. [57106]

  Ms Jowell
  We understand the World Health Organisation is considering, with the Iraqi Ministry of Health, deploying a small team to carry out preliminary studies into the incidence rather than the cause of cancer in Iraq and to advise on further action. We have not carried out an assessment of these plans, nor have we been asked to provide assistance.

  Anti-smoking Campaigns (EU Funding)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Government's policy on European Union funding for campaigns to discourage smoking. [57181]

  Ms Jowell
  The Health Council has called for co-ordinated action to be taken by the Member States and at Community level to encourage the reduction of smoking. It has welcomed and is monitoring progress by the Commission in taking forward action proposed in its Communication of December 1996 on tobacco control. The Council and the European Parliament adopted in 1996 a five year action programme against cancer which includes specific actions to disseminate the best methods of overcoming addiction to smoking. We wholeheartedly support these activities.

  Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccines
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the findings contained in the paper by Robert E. Weibel and others published in Paediatrics March 1998 on the links between acute encephalopathy associated with attenuated measles vaccines. [56968]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: The paper by Weibel et al describes a group of children with neurological events following measles vaccines. All those cases included were selected through earlier application to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Programme in the United States. We are advised by the Joint Committees on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that the information in the paper is not evidence that the vaccines caused the claimed outcomes, and is simply a descriptive study without appropriate control populations or avoidance of bias implicit in the case selection process. The JCVI is an independent expert committee which advises the United Kingdom health departments on matters concerning immunisation.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what quantities(a) myelin basic protein and (b) aluminium occurred in pre-1992 measles and MMR vaccine. [56963]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: The Department has been advised by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control that the techniques involved in the manufacture of measles, mumps and
  618
  rubella (MMR) vaccine have been specifically designed to prevent myelin basic protein from entering at the start of the manufacture and, if there were any, then such presence would subsequently be removed during the manufacture. No aluminium is involved in the manufacture of measles or MMR vaccines.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what brands of MMR vaccine were withdrawn from use in September 1992; and what notice was given to other manufacturers about this withdrawal. [56964]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: The supply of Pluserix and Immravax measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, two vaccines which contained Urabe strain mumps vaccines, was discontinued in September 1992. As soon as the Department had clear evidence that there was a significant problem with Urabe mumps vaccines, not occurring with the remaining brand, MMR II which contained Jeryl Lynn mumps vaccine, the Department moved quickly to discontinue purchase of the two Urabe strain vaccines. The manufacturers of the MMR II vaccine were advised in September 1992 of the Department's requirements for more vaccine to prevent disruption to the childhood programme.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which medical officer approved the Pluserix and Immuruvax brands of MMR vaccine. [56966]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: The decision to grant a licence for any medicinal product is taken by the licensing authority in the light of reports prepared by professional medical, pharmaceutical and scientific staff at the Medicines Control Agency, together with advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines where appropriate.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list each of the years since 1969 in which vaccinations or revised vaccinations were introduced for mumps, measles or rubella. [56973]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: Measles immunisation was introduced in 1968; rubella immunisation was introduced in 1970 for girls aged 11–14 years; mumps was introduced as part of the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1988 and a second dose of MMR was introduced in 1996.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if Priorix contains the same ingredients, and in the same quantities, as MMR vaccine. [56977]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: Priorix is a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The Summary of Product Characteristics contains details of the contents of Priorix, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doses were in standard batches of(a) attenuated measles vaccine and (b) MMR in the period 1986 to 1989. [56978]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: Batches of vaccine vary in the number of doses they contain. Specific information on the number of doses per batch is held by the vaccine manufacturers.

  Autism
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the findings contained in the paper by Gina Delgiudice-Asch MD and Eric Hollander MD published in CNS Spectrums May 1997 on a review of clinical observations with respect to the possible auto-immune basis of autism, a copy of which has been sent to him. [56970]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: The Department is not aware of the status of the publication CNS Spectrums, or of how the articles are peer reviewed before publication.

  Delgiudice-Asch and Hollander describe a number of immunological theories about autism, many of which, as the authors report, are either inconclusive or contradictory.

  Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in the years(a) 1987, (b) 1988 and (c) 1989. [56965]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: The membership of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is given each year in the Health and Social Services Yearbook, copies of which are in the Library.

  Alcohol Consumption
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives his Department is currently supporting to reduce the level of alcohol consumption by those aged under 16 years. [57886]

  Ms Jowell
  The Health Education Authority published "A Parent's Guide to Drugs and Alcohol" in June this year. It includes guidance on talking about drugs and alcohol with children of various ages and life stages from primary school age to young people over 16, It also includes basic facts about a range of illegal drugs, gases, glues, aerosols and alcohol.

  The Healthy Schools Initiative, a key component of the public health strategy outlined in the Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation", was launched on 14 May this year. The Initiative aims to build on the concept of the healthy school not just to promote excellence in educational achievement but to foster emotional wellbeing and enable young people to improve their quality of life and that of the wide community.

  Under the initiative, we are funding eight "Health Education Partnerships" pilot schemes. These will include the development of an informed approach to substance misuse including alcohol and smoking.

  A Ministerial Group on Alcopops has been set up to tackle under-age alcohol misuse, its short and long term effects on health, and unacceptable behaviour of our young people in a co-ordinated and effective manner. The Department and other Government departments are represented on the group.

  BSE
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's responsibility for BSE compensation. [57341]

  Ms Jowell
  The responsibility for compensation in relating to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy rests with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  On the question of the payment of compensation for people who die from new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease the policy of successive Governments has been that questions of negligence are best decided by the Courts and that, other than in cases where negligence is proven, a compensation scheme would not be appropriate.

  Nursing Agencies
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS spent with nursing agencies in 1997 or the latest year for which figures are available. [58028]

  Mr. Milburn
  The latest available figures show that in 1996–97 the total national cost for employing agency nurses was £191.3 million.

  Health Visitors
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role for(a) health visitors and (b) school nurses in delivering the objectives set out in the White Paper "The new NHS: Modern, Dependable". [58258]

  Mr. Milburn
  The White Paper's objectives provide for improved public health through an integrated system of care based on partnership and driven by performance. Health visitors and school nurses will play an important role in both developing primary and community health care and in delivering these objectives.

  Crohn's Disease
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to fund research into the possible connection between the consumption of milk and Crohn's Disease; and if he will make a statement. [57671]

  Ms Jowell
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is funding a study of the microbiological quality of raw and pasteurised cows' milk. This study will include examination of samples for the presence of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis which has been suggested as a possible factor in the aetiology of Crohn's disease. The Medical Research Council recently agreed to set up an expert sub-group to steer and monitor the Council's research into various aspects of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of Crohn's Disease have been registered during each of the past five years, indicating the age distribution of such cases. [57672]
  621
  Ms Jowell
  There are no national figures on the incidence of Crohn's disease in the United Kingdom; however, data obtained for 20 centres throughout Europe in 1991–1993 indicate that the incidence of Crohn's disease (the rate at which people are diagnosed annually) is approximately 5 per 100,000 of population.

  The number affected at any one time in the UK is about 50 per 100,000 (British Society of Gastroenterology, September 1996).

  Crohn's disease occurs in all age groups although most commonly in young adults.

  Community Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on community care services of including Special Transitional Grant in the revenue support grant settlement. [57776]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: In every year since 1996, the amount of the previous year's special transitional grant has been fully taken into account in the calculation of the revenue support grant settlement. The impact of the settlement on community care services depends on spending decisions by local councils.

  Community Gardens in Urban Areas
  Community Gardens in Urban Areas
  Towns and Cities: Policies
  Towns and Cities: Policies
  NHS Administrators: Redundancies
  NHS Administrators: Redundancies
  Medicines Control Agency: Herbal, Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
  Medicines Control Agency: Herbal, Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
  Territorial Army
  Territorial Army
  Royal Navy Deployments: Far East
  Royal Navy Deployments: Far East
  MoD and PJHQ Staffs
  MoD and PJHQ Staffs
  Porton Down: Claims for Compensation
  Porton Down: Claims for Compensation
  Army: Recruit Numbers
  Army: Recruit Numbers
  Prisoners of War: Compensation
  Prisoners of War: Compensation
  MoD Railheads
  MoD Railheads
  MoD: Transportation of Freight
  MoD: Transportation of Freight
  MoD: Environmental Policy
  MoD: Environmental Policy
  Marine Foresight Panel
  Marine Foresight Panel
  Royal British Legion: VAT
  Royal British Legion: VAT
  United Nations: Funding
  United Nations: Funding
  Council of Europe: Harmonisation of Law on Religious Liberties
  Council of Europe: Harmonisation of Law on Religious Liberties
  Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands: Right of Individual Petition
  Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands: Right of Individual Petition
  Nuclear Weapons: Elimination
  Nuclear Weapons: Elimination
  US-Japan Defence Co-operation: Guidelines
  US-Japan Defence Co-operation: Guidelines
  Algeria: EU Troika Meeting, 21 October 1998
  Algeria: EU Troika Meeting, 21 October 1998
  GCHQ: Recruitment Statistics
  GCHQ: Recruitment Statistics