Written Answers of 5 November 1998

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Millennium Exhibition
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his latest estimate for the price of entry tickets to the Millennium Exhibition in Greenwich for(a) adults, (b) children, (c) families, (d) people with disabilities and (e) pensioners. [57211]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) will announce the price range for tickets to the Millennium Experience at Greenwich in due course. The NMEC will ensure that prices are set at a level which will encourage as many people as possible from across the UK and abroad who wish to visit the Millennium Experience to do so. The prices will offer good value for money compared to other major attractions; whilst maximising income for the Company. There will be discounted rates for children, students, families, senior citizens and groups.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) those companies, organisations and individuals which have so far committed sponsorship to the Millennium Exhibition at Greenwich, (b) the projects or zones to which their sponsorship is committed and (c) the amount of sponsorship still to be committed to each zone. [57213]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 27 October 1998, Official Report, columns 129–30.

  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ensure that the Millennium Dome incorporates an area devoted to the contribution to philosophy and politics made by John Locke. [57768]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) aims to reflect the great wealth of British tradition which exists across many disciplines including philosophy and politics. However, it is not feasible for the contribution of every eminent individual in these fields to be reflected.

  Fairness at Work
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies he has carried out into the compliance cost to businesses of the proposals in the Fairness at Work White Paper. [54669]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The White Paper on Fairness at Work proposes a balanced framework of workable and practical measures with the objective of supporting a new culture of partnership at work which will contribute to national prosperity. A regulatory impact assessment, considering costs and benefits, will be published when legislation is brought before Parliament.
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  Planning Consents
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [57942]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 4 November 1998]: None.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure(a) the Working Time Directive is implemented in full by employers and (b) employees are informed about their entitlement under the Working Time Directive. [57719]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 4 November 1998]: The Regulations implementing the Working Time Directive provide a number of rights, some of which are enforced by the health and safety enforcing authorities (the Health and Safety Executive) and Local Authority Environmental Health Officers, who will investigate any alleged breach of the measures, and others will be enforced by workers bringing complaints to Employment Tribunals.

  The Department has run a public awareness campaign in the national press and made guidance material on the new legislation available through a number of public outlets (Libraries, Citizens Advice Bureaux etc).

  Medical Research Council
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce measures to require the Medical Research Council to allocate a proportion of its funds to projects specifically designed to improve women's health. [58115]

  Mr. Battle
  The MRC has a broad national remit which must cover all areas of research relating to human health. The Government's relationship with the MRC is governed by the Haldane Principle whereby the Council is responsible for determining research priorities.

  Research relevant specifically to women's health forms an important part of the MRC's portfolio, with around £47 million committed to research relevant to all areas of women's health, including reproductive health and other conditions such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.

  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the amount spent by the MRC on commissioning research on pregnancy-related issues in each of the last five years; [58165]

  (2) if he will list the projects funded by the Medical Research Council undertaking research on (a) pregnancy and (b) obstetrics for each of the last five years. [58116]

  Mr. Battle
  The MRC supports a significant portfolio of research into reproductive health, covering pregnancy and obstetrics, and also closely relevant areas such as infertility/fertilisation and conditions of the cervix. There are currently about 20 studies at the MRC's own research
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  establishments, principally the MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, and also the MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit (including the Dunn Nutrition Group in The Gambia), the MRC Human Biochemical Genetics Unit, the MRC Medical Sociology Unit, the MRC Laboratories in The Gambia and the MRC Molecular Haematology Unit. The MRC also supports some 50 studies through grants to universities, including 6 major Programmes and 9 clinical trials. The total value of this research (both establishments and grants) is estimated at £4.8 million in 1996–97 and £5.3 million in 1997–98.

  The above research excludes a further body of related work covering embryology and foetal development, for which the MRC currently supports 10 studies in its own establishments and 60 studies in universities.

  Details of current projects have been placed in the Library of the House. Information on previous projects is not available.

  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the criteria by which the Medical Research Council decides its priorities for funding projects. [58114]

  Mr. Battle
  All research proposals received by the MRC are evaluated using the same fundamental criteria:scientific quality of the proposals;
  significance and importance of the research topics;
  proposals' contribution to the published scientific strategy of the MRC and the Department of Health (and, where appropriate, that of other Government Departments such as DFID);
  value-for-money.

  The claims for resources of particular proposals in one field are assessed against those of proposals in others, on a competitive basis.

  Competitiveness
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the White Paper on Competitiveness. [57067]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I intend to publish the White Paper on Competitiveness in December.

  Genetic Testing (Insurance)
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government plan to publish their response to the Human Genetics Advisory Commission's report on the Implications of Genetic Testing for Insurance. [58945]

  Mr. Mandelson
  My noble Friend the Minister for Science today published, in conjunction with the Minister for Public Health, the Government's response to the HGAC report. In undertaking consideration of this issue, the Government have placed great importance on ensuring fairness of treatment for people seeking insurance cover. The response sets out a number of proposals which seek to build on the progress already made by the Association of British Insurers in developing industry-wide standards on underwriting and confidentiality. In line with the recommendations made in the HGAC report, the proposals include the establishment of an independent 626
  mechanism to evaluate the scientific and actuarial relevance of any genetic tests before they can be taken into account by insurers. Copies of the response have been placed in the Library.

  Chile
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of his remarks concerning the arrest of Senator Pinochet on behalf of the Spanish legal authorities on trade between Chile and the United Kingdom. [56571]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 28 October 1998]: The United Kingdom has well established trade links with Chile and I expect those to continue. We are one of Chile's main export markets. Although there has been a modest downturn in bilateral trade during the year to August, Chile still enjoys a substantial balance of trade. UK companies remain amongst the biggest group of foreign investors in Chile.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those Ministers with whom he has discussed the arrest of Senator Pinochet and the dates on which the discussions took place. [57430]

  Mr. Mandelson
  It is the normal convention under this and previous Governments that discussions which take place between Ministers are not routinely disclosed. On this occasion, however, it has been made public that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made it clear to the Cabinet on 22 October that there should be no discussion at Cabinet given that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary might in due course have to address the issue in a quasi-judicial role.

  Start-up Grants
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies have re-paid start-up grants in the last five years. [58118]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: Fifteen.

  Siemens
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 1998,Official Report column 1174, when the payments of regional selective assistance were made to Siemens; and to what purposes the sums offered but not allocated were transferred. [58120]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: Payments of RSA to Siemens were made in March 1996 and March 1998.

  The offer of grant to Siemens was reduced by £5 million in March 1998. This saving was returned to the central budget along with a number of other changes. A payment of £3 million, due in 1998/99, remains within the RSA budget at present. Final allocations for the Department's 1999/2000 budgets, when the final £4 million was due to be paid to the company, have not yet been made. This sum has not, therefore, been specifically allocated elsewhere.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Cricket
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact on cricket in Wales of the decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board to grant live television coverage rights to Channel 4. [56598]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 4 November 1998]: S4C has recently announced that it will transmit a substantial proportion of Channel 4's live Test match coverage of Wales, subject to other scheduling demands. Channel 4 has announced plans for substantial investment in the promotion and development of cricket over the next four years. Cricket in Wales will benefit from this additional funding and from the continued exposure of a good proportion of the sport's flagship events to wide television audiences.

  Creative Industries
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what quantitative assessment of the benefits which accrue from the investments in the development of the individual's imaginative and creative capacity the Government and Governmental agencies currently make. [57766]

  Janet Anderson
  The creativity and imagination of the British people are among our greatest strengths, shaping our culture and our position in the world. We will tomorrow be publishing an analysis of the economic benefits of our creative industries. These sectors, which we define as those which have their origin in the talent, skill and imagination of an individual and rely on the generation and exploitation of intellectual property for job and wealth creation, turn over nearly £60 billion a year and employ l½ million people. They also constitute the fastest growing section of the national economy, earning us £8 billion in exports.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list by name and stated political affiliation those persons appointed to non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department since 1 May 1997. [57306]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: My Department does not collect details on the political affiliation of those appointed to public bodies. However, information on political activity is collected and published at the time of appointment in line with guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  This information is noted in a table which has been placed in the Library and which includes all appointments which fall under my responsibility or where my role is to advise my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and, through him, Her Majesty the Queen.

PRIME MINISTER

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the nature of his discussions with President Menem of Argentina with particular reference to the latter's statement that negotiations over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands will start within three years. [58418]

  The Prime Minister
  I met President Menem on 29 October. We had an extensive discussion of various issues including bilateral relations, the global financial crisis, Mercosur and the future of Europe. I welcomed President Menem's public renunciation of the use of force against the Falklands, and raised our concerns over the proposed Argentine oil and fish legislation. President Menem reiterated Argentina's view on the Falklands. In turn I made it clear that the United Kingdom does not regard the sovereignty of the Falklands as negotiable. As we have repeatedly said, there will be no change in the status of the Islands unless that is the wish of the Islanders themselves.

DEFENCE

  Reigate TA Centre
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely receipts arising from the sale of the Reigate TA Centre. [57583]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  It is not our practice to make public information on the market value of individual TA Centres (under Section 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information) as it would prejudice my Department's position in any sales negotiation.

  Defence Diversification
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he proposes to publish a White Paper on Defence Diversification. [58476]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We have today published our White Paper "Defence Diversification: Getting the most out of defence technology", as Cm 4088. It describes how we intend to create a defence diversification agency, in fulfilment of our election manifesto. It follows the process of consultation set in motion earlier this year by our Green Paper, Cm 3861. We are most grateful to all those organisations and individuals who contributed to this process.

WALES

  Playgroups
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how he proposes further to assist pre-school playgroups; and if he will make a statement; [57440]

  (2) how many registered accredited playgroups there are by county; and if he will make a statement. [57441]
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  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The number of registered playgroups in each local authority area in Wales as at 31 March 1998 was:

  Local authority area

  Number

  Blaenau Gwent

  14

  Bridgend

  53

  Caerphilly

  45

  Cardiff

  141

  Carmarthenshire

  80

  Ceredigion

  48

  Conwy

  58

  Denbighshire

  51

  Flintshire

  63

  Gwynedd

  62

  Isle of Anglesey

  57

  Merthyr Tydfil

  14

  Monmouthshire

  38

  Neath Port Talbot

  19

  Newport

  46

  Pembrokeshire

  58

  Powys

  87

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  73

  Swansea

  37

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  59

  Torfaen

  44

  Wrexham

  76

  Total

  1,223

  Voluntary playgroups do very valuable work with young children in the years leading up to compulsory school age. Our aim is that the playgroup movement should continue to play a key role in the education and care of this age group. We have made £50,000 available this year in Wales through the Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association and Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin to help ensure the survival of good playgroups under threat of closure. Funding is also available to the new partnerships planning early years education and childcare to develop childcare to complement early years education provision. We hope playgroups will take a full part in these new developments.

  Funding decisions for next year are dependent on the outcome of the consultation on the Comprehensive Spending Review. Those decisions will be announced in due course.

  Floods
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish an independent inquiry into the South Wales floods between 21 and 28 October. [57904]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Environment Agency has kept me and my right hon. Friend informed of the effects of the very heavy rainfall on flooding in Wales. I have great sympathy for those who have been adversely affected by the flooding, but I am not aware of circumstances that would warrant an independent inquiry.

  Hill Farmers
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the income for hill farmers in Wales as(a) a total and (b) an average per farmer in 1997–98; and what are the predictions for income in the current financial year. [58014]
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  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Estimates of hill farm incomes will be pubished by the department on November 30, with accompanying statistical tables placed in the library of the House.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Sudan
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what initiatives she is assessing to aid relief efforts in Southern Sudan. [57795]

  Clare Short
  Since the current crisis in Southern Sudan began last February we have committed over £28 million bilaterally to provide humanitarian relief to the most vulnerable areas. We are working with Operation Lifeline Sudan and its partners to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and impartiality of the relief operation. But a just peace in Sudan is the only long term solution to the problems in the south. We continue to work with Inter governmental Authority on Development and urge all parties to the fighting to agree an immediate full cease-fire and to approach peace talks in a positive and constructive manner.

  Debt Relief
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress of debt relief for post-conflict countries. [58186]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  At the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' Meeting in Ottawa, the Chancellor stated his commitment to assisting post-conflict countries, urging the IMF and World Bank to move forward quickly on proposals which recognise their special needs.

  Post-conflict countries were also discussed at the recent Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington. The Development Committee of the IMF and World Bank recognised that for a number of countries, especially those with large and protracted arrears to multilateral institutions, the international community should explore additional ways to provide assistance more quickly and effectively. Bank and Fund staff were asked to develop guidelines and to report back to the Committee at the Spring Meetings in April. It was also agreed that interim assistance to post-conflict countries would be taken as counting towards their track-record under the HIPC Initiative.

SCOTLAND

  Police and Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve the relationship between the police and ethnic minority communities. [56715]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: I am satisfied that all Scotland's Chief Constables have already developed and are vigorously pursuing progressive race relation policies both within their forces and reaching out to the communities they serve. These

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  policies were developed in collaboration with leaders of ethnic communities. Police officers are required to give full weight to and robustly investigate racial incidents. A new offence of racial harassment and a requirement on courts to take account of any racial element in an offence were introduced in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and demonstrate our commitment to forging greater harmony within our communities.

  Chefs
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the current number of vacancies for chefs in Scotland. [57064]

  Mr. Dewar
  The figures available refer only to vacancies notified to Employment Service jobcentres. Estimates suggest that about a third of all vacancies within the UK are notified to jobcentres, but this can vary by area and type of job.

  In July 1998, there were 1,367 unfilled vacancies for chefs and cooks at Employment Service jobcentres in Scotland.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of Scottish catering course graduates who find employment as chefs in the Scottish tourism industry. [57063]

  Mr. Dewar
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the catering profession in the Scottish Chefs Centre. [57065]

  Mr. Dewar
  I have occasion to visit catering establishments from time to time, when I both meet members of the catering profession and enjoy the fruits of their labours. But I have not visited the Scottish Chefs Centre.

  Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccines
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will assess the findings contained in the papers by Robert E. Weibel and others in Paediatrics March 1998 on the links between acute encephalopathy associated with attenuated measles vaccines; [56969]

  (2) 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 or autism a copy of which has been sent to him. [56971]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 24 October 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the Answers given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health on 4 November 1998, Official Report, column 617.

  Autism
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking (1) to ensure that educational authorities in Scotland have sufficient funds to develop new services for autistic children; and if he will make a statement; [57615]
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  (2) to instruct each education authority within the meaning of section 145 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1962 to provide him with information on the provision of special educational facilities for children who suffer from autism or other forms of early childhood psychosis; and if he will make a statement; [57618]

  (3) to issue specific guidance on education services for autistic children in Scotland; and if he will make a statement; [57616]

  (4) to ensure that each child with autism in Scotland receives a relevant educational service; and if he will make a statement; [57617]

  (5) to collect information centrally on autistic children in Scotland; and if he will make a statement; [57620]

  (6) to issue specific guidance on services for autistic children in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [57619]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Education authorities have a statutory duty to secure the adequate and efficient provision of education for the children in their respective areas, including children with special educational needs. The services which any particular authority chooses to provide for its area and the nature of educational provision deemed suitable for any particular child at any given time, including a child with special educational needs, is a matter for it to decide in the first instance. The costs of services provided by authorities are met from their general funding.

  The Framework for Mental Health Services for Scotland published in September 1997 provides a template by which Local Authorities and Health Boards in Scotland will work together to respond to the assessed needs of their local population in respect of the organisation of mental health services including where appropriate services for children and adolescents.

  The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department commissions research and development work over a range of special education issues aimed at helping education authorities and other interested organisations to offer more effective provision. In June 1997 it published Interchange No. 46: Educational Provision for Children with Autism in Scotland (ISSN 0969–613X). This reports the results of a study examining where and how children with autistic spectrum disorders throughout Scotland are being educated. The project aimed to:
  (a) develop an educational definition of autism to identify those children who need specific forms of education regardless of whether there is a formal diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder;
  (b) identify the number of children reported to have autistic spectrum disorders in Scotland and the type of educational placements they attend;
  (c) identify the kinds of educational practice with respect to these children and to highlight any issues of satisfaction or concern with those practices, as expressed by parents and professionals; and
  (d) identify good practice in the education of these pupils and to make recommendations based on examples of good practice in Scotland and elsewhere.

  A copy of Interchange No. 46 was distributed to all headteachers, directors of education, teachers'

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  associations and voluntary organisations in Scotland. A copy has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  The Government wish to improve provision for special education needs and in May this year it issued Special Educational Needs in Scotland: A Discussion Paper. This paper seeks views on how the existing arrangements for special educational needs provision can be improved and made more responsive to the requirements of children with special educational needs and their families. Both Autism (Scotland) and the National Autistic Society have submitted a response. The response to the Discussion Paper as a whole is currently being evaluated and the Government will respond shortly.

  Information on the school population is collected annually by the Scottish Office in the school census. The census undertaken in September 1998 requested for the first time information on children with autistic spectrum disorder.

  "Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland"
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will publish the next edition of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland. [56980]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]: I refer to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth (Mrs. McKenna) on 9 July 1998, Official Report, column 605.

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Second Annual Report of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will be published. [58944]

  Mr. Dewar
  A copy of SEPA's Second Annual Report and Accounts will be placed in the Library on Tuesday 10 November. It contains details of the progress made by SEPA during the period 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998, the Agency's second year of operation.

  Health Funding
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional funds he has made available to health boards, the Common Services Agency, the State Hospital and the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education for(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [58946]

  Mr. Galbraith
  My right hon. Friend has today announced how the extra £1.8 billion flowing from the Comprehensive Spending Review will be allocated to the National Health Service in Scotland for the next 3 years. The extra allocations are £280m revenue and £20m capital, £547m and £43m, £852m and £58m for 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 respectively.

  For 1999–2000 £60m of the £280m revenue is being earmarked along with £80m of existing recurring funds for a new long term Modernisation Programme. This Programme is designed to improve the services provided for patients and ensure the National Health Service in Scotland is prepared for the 21st century.
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  In the Modernisation Programme £43m will be directed centrally for planned strategic developments in, for example, areas of information technology, education and training, and to implement proposals arising from the Acute Services Review and the forthcoming Public Health White Paper. The balance of the Modernisation Programme funds (£97m) will be distributed with Health Board allocations, again for implementing national strategic developments such as improving care in the community, reducing waiting times and waiting lists and investing in information technology.

  Details of the Health Board allocations for 1999–2000 and the indicative allocations for the Common Services Agency, the State Hospital and Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education are shown in the table.

  NHS in Scotland allocations: 1999–2000 and indicative allocations: 2000–01 and 2001–02

  £ million

  Health Boards

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Argyll and Clyde

  393.751

  414.838

  439.166

  Ayrshire and Arran

  335.768

  354.137

  375.292

  Borders

  97.582

  102.651

  108.835

  Dumfries and Galloway

  140.081

  147.476

  156.022

  Fife

  290.922

  306.994

  326.431

  Forth Valley

  234.283

  246.863

  261.378

  Grampian

  423.730

  445.450

  470.605

  Greater Glasgow

  848.876

  897.550

  956.075

  Highland

  192.958

  203.484

  216.192

  Lanarkshire

  471.483

  497.621

  527.675

  Lothian

  630.340

  664.481

  705.830

  Orkney

  19.013

  20.049

  21.294

  Shetland

  22.155

  23.264

  24.545

  Tayside

  368.672

  387.424

  409.207

  Western Isles

  34.007

  35.743

  37.751

  Common Services Agency

  84.800

  80.200

  80.500

  SCPMDE

  129.000

  134.000

  139.000

  State Hospital

  14.694

  15.502

  16.309

  Total

  4,732.115

  4,977.725

  5,272.108

  Note:

  These figures may not add due to roundings.

  Children's Safeguards Review
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends announcing the Government's response to the Children's Safeguard Review prepared by Roger Kent; and if he will make a statement. [58947]

  Mr. Dewar
  Action is being taken on a number of fronts to safeguard and promote the welfare of children living away from home. Today I am pleased to announce that the Government's response to Mr. Kent's Review has been made available in the Libraries of both Houses. We consulted widely on the Review and its 61 recommendations. We see it as an important milestone in raising standards and improving services for looked after children. Our response demonstrates our practical commitment to this process and sets out priorities for action. That commitment will be underpinned by resources.

  I can announce today that an additional £36.7m over the next 3 years will be made available to improve children's services, £15m of which will be allocated specifically for implementation of key proposals in the Review. The Government's response, supported by

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  additional resources, is a clear indication of the importance we attach to this task. It will be made widely available to local authorities and voluntary organisations so that they can play their full part in helping to protect and secure better outcomes for this vulnerable group. We owe them nothing less.

  Food-related Scientific Services
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the independent group appointed in May to undertake a review of food-related scientific services in Scotland is due to report. [58950]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Review Group led by Professor Morag Timbury provided me with their final report on 23 October and copies are available in the House of Commons Library. I am very grateful to the Chairman and Members of the Group for undertaking this complex review of a service which is an essential element of the food law enforcement and surveillance system which directly helps to safeguard public health. The detailed recommendations presented by the Group will be very carefully considered in order to ensure that all necessary changes to the existing system can be introduced to secure an efficient and effective food-related scientific service.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements were made by or through his Department for the arrival of Senator Pinochet in the United Kingdom. [57042]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 4 November 1998,Official Report, column 601.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all representations and telephone calls made by his Department about Senator Pinochet between 14 and 17 October; and to whom they were made. [57966]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: This Department made no representations and does not keep comprehensive records of telephone calls. But there were a number of calls with the relevant authorities at the time of his arrest, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary received a telephone call from the Chilean Foreign Minister on 17 October.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) of 22 October 1998,Official Report, column 1206, and to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) of 27 October 1998, Official Report, column 124, if he will list the precise dates on which Senator Pinochet has been in the United Kingdom since 1 May 1997. [57659]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: Pursuant to an answer given by my right hon. Friend the
  636
  Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 27 October 1998, Official Report, column 124, our records indicate that Senator Pinochet arrived in the United Kingdom on 29 September 1997 and left on 21 October 1997, with a break abroad between 5–17 October. He arrived in London on his current visit on 22 September 1998.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications his Department received from the Embassy in Chile in the week prior to the arrest of Senator Pinochet. [58417]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  On 9 October, the Embassy inquired about Senator Pinochet's health and whereabouts following press inquiries it had received that he had died that afternoon in London. The Embassy afterwards faxed a note of this incident for the record to London. On 16 October, the Embassy commented on reports of Spanish judicial moves against Senator Pinochet.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives were rejected during the United Kingdom presidency of the EU by Spain consequent to the dispute over the status of Gibraltar. [55981]

  Ms Quin
  [pursuant to her reply, 26 October 1998, c. 86]: An administrative error led to an incorrect reference to the number of instruments adopted at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 28–29 May. A revised answer is printed below.

  Before the start of the UK Presidency, Spain objected to various draft instruments in the Justice and Home Affairs field because of the terms relating to the inclusion of Gibraltar. We fully consulted the Government of Gibraltar throughout the ensuing negotiations during our Presidency. The Government of Gibraltar reluctantly decided that Gibraltar should be excluded from these instruments rather than participate as part of the UK legal jurisdiction. Two instruments were adopted at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 28–29 May on this basis (ie with Gibraltar excluded): the Driving Disqualifications Convention and the European Judicial Network Joint Action. Gibraltar was excluded from a third measure at the JHA Council which has not yet been adopted (the Eurodac Convention).

  Visitor Visas
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he collects regarding the numbers of people who, having been refused visit visas to enter the United Kingdom, have subsequently been granted visas as a result of a new application at a later date. [57334]

  Mr. Fatchett
  This Department does not record this information.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people, and from which countries, had visitors' visa applications rejected by UK officials in each of the last three years. [58286]
  637
  Mr. Fatchett
  The number of visit visa applications (including short term students) refused at overseas Posts in the last three years is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1995

  65,209

  1996

  69,791

  1997

  60,019

  Our statistics are recorded by country of application but do not show the country of origin of the applicant.

  Antarctic Treaty Secretariat
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects progress to be made on the establishment of an Antarctic Treaty Secretariat; and if he will make a statement. [58231]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat may be discussed at the next meeting of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties to be held in Peru in May 1999. The need for an Antarctic Treaty Secretariat has long been acknowledged by Consultative Parties, including the UK. But consensus on its location has not yet been reached.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent initiatives his Department has taken to resolve conflict in Sierra Leone. [57796]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are playing a leading role in helping to promote lasting peace, democracy and prosperity in Sierra Leone. Britain is hosting the first meeting of the Sierra Leone Contract Group on 5 November. The meeting is intended to boost the efforts of the International community to build peace and reconciliation in Sierra Leone. Britain is also helping to resolve conflict by supporting the disarmament and reintegration of ex-combatants, through a £6.5 million pledge from the Department for International Development.

  International Forum for Federalism
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the planned participation by representatives from(a) the United Kingdom and (b) European Communities institutions at the inaugural conference of an International Forum for Federalism to be held by the Canadian Government. [58276]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are aware that the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada suggested the idea of an International Forum for Federalism in a speech to the London School of Economics and Political Science on 29 October. However, it would not be appropriate for HMG to make a statement on this initiative which, we understand, is only at an early stage of development.

  Tobacco (EU Aid)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on European Union aid to tobacco growers. [57182]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have been asked to reply.
  638
  The Government strongly disapprove of the Common Agricultural Policy support regime for tobacco. We believe that the Community should progressively disengage from support for tobacco production on grounds of health and cost. We continue to press for further progress in this area following the reform of the regime agreed in June of this year.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Waste Recycling
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of waste from the London boroughs of(a) Edmonton and (b) Lewisham is recycled. [56749]

  Mr. Meale
  Information from the Department's Municipal Waste Survey shows that the percentage of waste collected for recycling in 1996–97 in the London boroughs of Enfield (which includes Edmonton) and Lewisham were:

  London borough

  Percentage

  Enfield1

  6.4

  Lewisham

  2.8

  1Total waste includes amounts collected at North London Waste Authority civil amenity sites situated in the borough of Enfield. Waste collected for recycling includes material recovered through mechanised metal extraction.

  Driving Test Centres
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) of 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 7, what plans the Driving Standards Agency has to re-establish a test centre in Stafford. [57486]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Driving Standards Agency remains committed to re-establishing a driving test centre in Stafford. The search for a suitable site is continuing.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the remit of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment; and what proposals for public participation in any decision relating to such changes he intends to make. [57412]

  Mr. Meacher
  The terms of reference for the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment already include the provision of advice on request to the Secretary of State. In future we shall be seeking advice from ACRE not only on the direct and indirect effects of genetically modified organisms into the environment but also on the possible resultant changes in agronomic practice and the subsequent effects on biodiversity. ACRE's advice on these questions will be made public through the DETR public register.

  Recycled Land
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 28 July 1998,Official Report, column 110, if he will publish the Oxford Brookes University research on the use of economic instruments to make it attractive to develop new housing on recycled land. [57928]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As part of the Modernising Planning initiative this year, Oxford Brookes University were commissioned to lead some seminars with stakeholders on the development of planning obligations, including the role of economic instruments, in connection with a wide range of development interests, including housing. The seminars were held under 'Chatham House' rules, with participants contributing under the assurance of confidentiality. Following the seminars Oxford Brookes University prepared a report to the Department with their findings. The Department is now considering these but has no plans to publish the report.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much Bechtel is charging per day to take over the project management of the Jubilee Line extension. [58202]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The contract between London Transport and Bechtel covers the provision of personnel with a structured charging mechanism, the details of which are commercially confidential.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the estimated start date of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. [58108]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The start date is subject to the early determination of any appeal against the High Court judgment of 20 October on the statutory challenge to the orders for the scheme.

  Kyoto Agreement
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of progress towards implementing the Kyoto agreement by(a) the United Kingdom, (b) other members of the European Union and (c) the United States of America. [57881]

  Mr. Meale
  On 26 October we became one of the first developed countries to launch a consultation paper on meeting its Kyoto commitments. The paper lists the steps we have already taken and sets out in detail further options on how the UK could reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases. It demonstrates that the UK is well placed to meet both its legally binding Kyoto target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2008 to 2012 and our domestic aim of a 20% cut in CO2, emissions by 2010. Greenhouse gas emissions are already about 7% below 1990 levels; and, on current policies, would be about 10% below by 2010.
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  European Union Member States are required under the Council Decision for a monitoring mechanism of Community C02 and other greenhouse gas emissions to report annually on their emissions. The UK Government monitor these reports closely. This mechanism has now been amended to allow assessment of progress towards meeting Member States' Kyoto targets.

  Through our Washington Embassy and other contacts I receive regular reports of action taken, and proposed, by the US Government to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. A recent US Administration report ("The Kyoto Protocol and the President's Policies to Address Climate Change: Administration Economic Analysis", July 1998) assessing the economic implications of their Kyoto target concluded that there was a strong rationale for action because of the dangers of climate change, and that the costs of doing so were likely to be modest.

  Great Barford Bypass
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to instruct the Highways Agency to appoint consultants in relation to the Great Barford Bypass. [58102]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This scheme is included in our Targeted Programme of Improvements listed in A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England. That means that the scheme will definitely start within the next seven years, subject only to any outstanding statutory procedures. Detailed decisions on the timing of the schemes in the programme will be made shortly.

  In the light of these decisions, the appointment of consultants and design agents will be commissioned to meet the agreed programme.

  Arco Arun
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the Arco Arum and subsequent salvage attempts in the Thames off Thurrock. [58077]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I believe my hon. Friend's question relates to the vessel Arco Arun. I understand that this aggregate dredger grounded off Broadness Point at approximately 1450 hours on 13 October. The vessel sustained a split in her hull and subsequently sank, clear of the navigation channel. No other vessels were involved, there were no casualties and, due to the quick response by the Port of London Authority, no damage to the environment. An inquiry by the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch is in progress and the PLA is conducting its own internal investigations. I understand that, following the appointment of salvors by the vessel owners, it became apparent that flooding had spread throughout the vessel and that specialist equipment would be required. The vessel owners have therefore now engaged the services of a company experienced in heavy lift and removal operations and they are currently assessing the situation.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what procedures
  641
  exist for him to monitor housing associations; and if he will arrange for the operations of the Springboard Housing Association to be investigated. [58097]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Housing Corporation has the statutory responsibility for registering, regulating and funding housing associations, now known as Registered Social Landlords.

  Springboard Housing Association is registered with the Housing Corporation. The association, along with all other Registered Social Landlords, is required to meet the Housing Corporation's Performance Standards. Compliance with these standards is reviewed annually. The Corporation investigates where there is evidence of non-compliance and has powers to ensure remedial action by RSLs in cases of serious mismanagement or misconduct.

  I have asked the Housing Corporation to contact the hon. Member direct to answer any specific concerns.

  Millennium Experience (Cable Car)
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role of the cable car link to the Millennium Experience; and how many passengers it is expected to carry. [58018]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Millennium Access transport strategy was developed before the proposed cable car, being promoted by a private company, was a consideration. The New Millennium Experience Company has estimated that 2 per cent. of visitors would use the cable car for part of their journey to the Dome. Should it not proceed there would be sufficient capacity on other modes to carry visitors to the Dome who might otherwise have used the cable car.

  Chideock Bypass
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the COBA study into options for a Chideock Bypass. [58223]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: No COBA study into options for a Chideock bypass has been carried out. At the 1994 public inquiry into the A35 Chideock/Morcombelake bypass one of the alternatives proposed by objectors was a single carriageway bypass for Chideock alone. The Highways Agency assessed the cost of this scheme as £5.9 million with a COBA net present value of £0.7 million at low traffic growth and £3.7 million at high traffic growth. But this scheme was not considered to represent a viable bypass for the village. An estimate was made by the Highways Agency in 1997 that a single carriageway bypass with climbing lanes for Chideock would cost approximately £12.5 million.

  Teesside Development Corporation
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what happened to the(a) general furniture and (b) boardroom furniture which belonged to Teesside Development Corporation after the demise of the Corporation in April. [58303]
  642
  Mr. Meale
  I understand that the Corporation's furniture was sold as part of a packaged disposal of its office equipment during its final three-month period.

  Leasehold Reform
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 31 March 1998,Official Report, column 493, when he expects that the Green Paper on leasehold reform will be published. [58473]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We hope to issue our consultation paper on leasehold reform shortly.

  Buses (London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what review is being undertaken by his Department of the performance of bus franchises in London; and if he will make a statement. [58226]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The performance of bus passenger services in London is a matter for London Transport. The Department receives regular reports of the overall performance on the bus network and monitors this against targets set by the Secretary of State.

  I would refer my hon. Friend to the Government's White Paper "A Mayor and Assembly for London" in which we have said that the present arrangements work well but that Transport for London should be free to develop and improve these arrangements working within a statutory framework similar to the present one.

  Private Cars (London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce detailed proposals on the reduction of private car traffic in central London. [58227]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government will be giving the Mayor of London the responsibility and the powers to deal with strategic traffic issues in the capital. The Mayor will produce an integrated transport strategy for London. Boroughs will be required to produce local implementation plans to give effect to this. Meanwhile the Government are promoting initiatives in London to improve public transport and encourage use of modes other than the private car—in line with our White Paper 'A New Deal for Transport'.

  Climate Change Conference
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the aspects of policy covered by the Government's obligation to the Buenos Aires climate change conference to be held in November. [58229]

  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will be making a statement to the Buenos Aires Climate Change Conference (COP4) on Thursday 12 November. He will urge that as much progress as possible is made on outstanding implementation, questions of the Kyoto Protocol at COP4 and agreement on a work plan for early resolution of remaining issues. He will also update the Conference on progress made by
  643
  the United Kingdom Government in meeting its own commitments as set out in the consultation paper 'UK Climate Change Programme', which was issued on 26 October.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the delegation he is sending to the Buenos Aires climate convention to be held in November. [58230]

  Mr. Meacher
  The UK delegation for the Fourth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will consist of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, myself and the right hon. Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer) and a total of 26 officials from the Departments of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Trade and Industry, International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Coaches (London)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the current volume at London coach terminals of passengers in transit to locations outside London. [58673]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Coach services interchange at several locations in London including Victoria Coach Station, Bulleid Way, Heathrow Airport, King's Cross and Russell Square. The Government do not compile information about these services. However, I understand it is estimated that around 3 million passengers departing from Victoria Coach Station each year transfer from other coach services at the Station.

  Airline Subsidies
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) legal and (b) diplomatic steps he is taking to stop European Union countries providing state subsidies to national airlines. [58474]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Application of the rules in the Treaty of Rome which govern state subsidies to national airlines is a matter for the European Commission. The UK Government oppose in principle all such subsidies which distort competition in the European single aviation market, and takes advantage of the limited rights granted to Member States under the Treaty, and of appropriate diplomatic opportunities, to present its views. The Commission now assesses requests for state aid more stringently than it did previously, and, when authorising aid to Alitalia in 1997, stated that it did not expect there to be any further such cases.

  Councillors
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will place in the Library the replies to the letters to local authorities asking them how many of their councillors are(a) men and (b) women; [58362]

  (2) how many councillors for each local authority are (a) men and (b) women; [58363]
  644
  (3) what percentage of all local authority councillors are women; which council has the highest percentage of women councillors; and which has the lowest. [58364]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Research carried out by the publishers of the Municipal Year Book in the summer indicates that approximately 26 per cent. of councillors in the UK are female.

  The replies to the letters to local authorities to which my right hon. Friend refers are not held by this Department. The question of these being placed in the Library is a matter for the Minister for Women and I have asked her to write to my right hon. Friend on this subject.

  Pacific Crane
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions at the time of the accident on Saturday 24 October at Barrow in Furness, involving the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd ship the Pacific Crane, what nuclear waste was carried in the ship; and what was its origin; and if he will make a statement. [58669]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There was no nuclear material on board the Pacific Crane at the time of the incident.

  Leasehold Properties
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of residential property in England, by regions, is owned on a leasehold basis. [58546]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Survey of English Housing for 1996–97 found that 14 per cent. of residential properties in England were owned on a leasehold basis. The regional distribution is shown in the table:

  Government office region

  Freehold accommodation

  Leasehold accommodation

  North East

  87

  13

  North West and Merseyside

  70

  30

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  91

  8

  The North

  80

  19

  East Midlands

  97

  3

  West Midlands

  90

  10

  The Midlands

  93

  7

  Eastern

  93

  7

  London

  71

  29

  South East

  89

  10

  South West

  90

  11

  The South

  86

  15

  England

  86

  14

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those ministers who are responsible for greening their departments. [58948]

  Mr. Meacher
  After recent changes in ministerial responsibilities, the following colleagues have been appointed as Green Minister in their Departments, under my continued Chairmanship.
  645

  Department

  Minister

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Jeff Rooker MP

  Chancellor's Departments

  Patricia Hewitt MP

  Culture, Media and Sport

  Tony Banks MP

  Defence

  John Spellar MP

  Education and Employment

  Charles Clarke MP

  Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Glenda Jackson MP

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Derek Fatchett MP

  Health

  Tessa Jowell MP

  Home Office

  Mike O'Brien MP

  International Development

  George Foulkes MP

  Law Officers'

  Ross Cranston MP

  Lord Chancellor's

  Geoff Hoon MP

  Northern Ireland Office

  The Lord Dubs

  Cabinet Office

  Peter Kilfoyle MP

  Scottish Office

  The Lord Sewel CBE

  Social Security

  Angela Eagle MP

  Trade and Industry

  John Battle MP

  Welsh Office

  Jon Owen Jones MP

  African Elephants
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the outcome of the third dialogue meeting between African elephant range states held in Arusha, Tanzania from 28 September to 2 October; and if he will make a statement. [58949]

  Mr. Meacher
  As part of a continuing dialogue, African elephant range states met recently at Arusha to discuss implementation of decisions made at last year's CITES Conference to transfer the elephant populations of Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe to Appendix II of the CITES Convention to enable limited trade in elephant products to resume. The UK and other contributors to the costs of the meeting, the European Commission, the USA and Japan, attended as observers.

  The 1997 Conference decisions set a number of conditions that have to be met before an experimental one off transhipment of ivory from the three proponent states to Japan can go ahead next year. These include the establishment of new pan-African and Asian monitoring systems to assess the level of elephant poaching and illegal trade in ivory. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) and TRAFFIC (the wildlife trade monitoring arm of IUCN and the World Wide Fund for Nature) were charged with developing these systems. Their proposals were presented to the Arusha meeting and endorsed by the range states present.

  While African range states indicated their readiness to help finance the monitoring systems, there will be a need for external funding to get them up and running. Since effective monitoring systems will be vital to informing decision makers on whether the tenth Conference decisions have any adverse effect on levels of poaching and illegal trade, I am today pledging $40,000 of UK support for the new system to monitor illegal trade in ivory. This will enable the system to be set up and provide sufficient resources to fund its first year of operation.

  The tenth Conference decisions also addressed the problem of growing Government stockpiles of ivory derived from management programmes and seizures. Parties agreed that fully audited stocks should be taken out of the system by way of non-commercial disposal. In return donors would provide financial assistance for
  646
  elephant conservation and community development programmes with all monies managed under Conservation Trust Funds. At Arusha, the fourteen African countries that have had their registered government stockpiles audited by TRAFFIC discussed the best way to proceed. They agreed to co-operate in seeking financial assistance for conservation by this means and to route any indications of interest through the CITES Secretariat.

  In keeping with this spirit of co-operation and in the expectation that this will lead to offers from other donors, including conservation organisations, I am today writing to the CITES Secretariat to let them know that the UK is willing to contribute £60,000 to fund conservation work in return for disposal of part of the registered ivory stockpile.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to modernise the Department's computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [58761]

  Mr. Timms
  Modernisation of the Welfare State is a priority for the Government and will involve major changes over a period of time to the ways in which welfare services are delivered. A key element of the strategy for the future is to provide the next generation of computer systems required to support improved service delivery to the public, whilst at the same time reducing the scope for error or fraud.

  The ACcess to CORporate Data (ACCORD) procurement project was created to put in place Information System/Information Technology (IS/IT) supply arrangements with the private sector. The procurement, conducted in accordance with Government and EC procurement regulations, set out to establish Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnership (PFI/PPP) arrangements with suitable service providers.

  First of all, in order to develop the core systems for the new IS/IT, the Department is announcing today that it intends to establish a close, long-term working relationship with a single preferred Service Provider. The AFFINITY consortium (led by Electronic Data Systems Ltd. with IBM UK Ltd., Cable and Wireless Communications Ltd. and PricewaterhouseCoopers) has been selected for this role and they will start work with the Department immediately to do the preparatory work necessary to design the strategic components of the next generation of IS/IT.

  The Department is also announcing that it has selected three service providers it intends to work with for the provision of a wide range of IS/IT services in the future. As well as the AFFINITY consortium these will be:
  ARCWAY, a consortium led by British Telecommunications plc with Bull Information Systems Ltd. and SEMA Group UK Ltd.; and
  1ACCORD, a consortium led by ICL plc with Anderson Consulting, Experian Ltd., Microsoft Ltd., Rand Information Systems Ltd. and Ferret Information Systems Ltd.

  These selections are essential prerequisites to the detailed negotiations which will allow the commercial arrangements to be finalised with the service providers.
  647
  Following this, as supply needs arise from now and over the next 10 years, contracts for specific IS/IT services will be awarded through these providers.

  We believe this arrangement between public and private provision is an important step towards modernising the Welfare State. In particular the establishing of a strategic relationship and joint working arrangements with the Preferred Service Provider will enable us to harness together the skills from both sectors.

  Pensioner to Working Age Ratio
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to re-examine the pensioner: working age ratio prediction for each five yearly period up to 2040; and if he will make a statement. [58228]

  Mr. Denham
  National population projections are produced by the Government Actuary's Department (GAD). GAD normally carry out projections every two years. The latest, 1996-based, projections were published on 27 November 1997. The next planned set of national population projections will be 1998-based and will be available towards the end of 1999.

  NIRS 2 Computer
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what compensation will be available for people whose benefit payments are delayed as a result of problems with the NIRS 2 computer; [58259]

  (2) how many pensioners (a) have been and (b) are forecast to be affected by the difficulties in introducing the NIRS 2 computer; and in what circumstances pensioners are not receiving their full pensions. [58260]

  (3) what estimates his Department has made of the number of people affected (a) in total and (b) according to benefit claimed as a result of the difficulties with the introduction of the NIRS 2 system; [55850]

  (4) how many new claimants have been awarded full benefit entitlement without establishment of national insurance records as a result of the difficulties with the introduction of the NIRS 2 computer system. [55848]

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many(a) pensioners, (b) widows and (c) widowers are currently in receipt of emergency payments because of the failure of the NIRS 2 computer system; [55854]

  (2) what tests were carried out before the NIRS 2 computer system was implemented. [55855]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: I refer the hon. Members to the Written Answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Rendel) on 4 November 1998, Official Report, columns 603–06.

  Benefits
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners claimed(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit in
  648
  the latest year for which figures are available (i) in total and (ii) by each region of the United Kingdom. [57899]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is in the table.

  Number of pensioners (in thousands)in receipt of Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit—May 1997

  Region

  Income Support

  Housing Benefit

  Council Tax Benefit

  North

  107

  131

  176

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  155

  197

  279

  East Midlands

  120

  121

  185

  East Anglia

  56

  73

  104

  London and South East

  471

  519

  697

  South West

  133

  122

  193

  West Midlands

  178

  186

  288

  North West

  233

  220

  344

  Wales

  98

  89

  134

  Scotland

  169

  230

  296

  Great Britain

  1,720

  1,887

  2,696

  Northern Ireland

  75

  50

  n/a

  United Kingdom

  1,795

  1,937

  n/a

  Notes:

  1. Pensioners are defined, for Income Support/Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit purposes, as single persons aged 60 or over, or couples (married or unmarried) where one or both partners is aged 60 or over.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand, and may not sum due to rounding.

  3. Council Tax Benefit/Housing Benefit data exclude second adult rebate cases.

  4. There is an overlap in the figures, as most people receive both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  5. Housing Benefit data for Northern Ireland are based on November 1997 data.

  6. Council Tax Benefit does not exist in Northern Ireland.

  Sources

  1. Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1997; 5 per cent. sample.

  2. Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries for recipients with and without Income Support taken at the end of May 1997.

  3. (Northern Ireland) November 1997 database.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each change to the eligibility rules for each state benefit since May 1997, indicating for each change the number of people estimated to(a) have lost and (b) been denied benefit as a result, indicating their average financial loss. [56249]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. The following regulations and orders have affected eligibility to benefits since May 1997; effects include both restrictions and extensions to future benefit eligibility.The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Amendment Regulations 1997 SI No. 1997/349

  649
  Section 19 of the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997—(The Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 (Commencement No. 4) Order 1997) SI No. l997/2669(c.l00)
  The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 1997 SI No. 1997/1671
  The Council Tax Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1997 SI No. 1997/1841
  Income-related Benefits (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1997 SI No. 1997/2793
  The Housing Benefit (General) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1997 SI No. 1997/1974
  The Housing Benefit (General) Amendment (No. 3) Regulations 1997 SI No.1997/1975
  The Income-related Benefits and Jobseeker's Allowance (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1997 SI No. 1997/2197
  The Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Amendment Regulations 1997 SI No. 1997/2538
  The Social Security Amendment (New Deal) Regulations 1997 SI No. 1997/2863
  Social Security Amendment (New Deal) (No. 2) Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/2117
  Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/563
  Social Security Amendment (Lone Parents) Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/766
  Child Benefit and Social Security (Fixing and Adjustment of Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/1581
  The Social Security (Welfare to Work) Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/2231
  The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/1173
  The Social Security Amendment (Capital) Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/2250
  The Council Tax Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/911
  The Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/1732
  The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/1174
  The Social Security Amendment (Personal Allowances for Children) Regulations 1998 SI No. 1998/1541

  At the point of change, no one on benefit will lose out as a result of changes to entitlement rules. Further information about the effects of these changes could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of suicide by men from whom the CSA has sought payments are known to his Department since the agency began operations. [57292]

  Angela Eagle
  The Child Support Agency does not routinely keep records on the circumstances surrounding the death of a non-resident parent. The many factors that can lead a person to consider suicide do not point towards single explanations.

  Occupational Pension Schemes
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the funding of age-related rebates in respect of members of contracted-out money purchase schemes. [58762]
  650
  Mr. Denham
  Employers who operate contracted-out occupational pension schemes provide their employees with a pension to replace the pension they would have got had they remained in the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS).

  In contracted-out occupational schemes, both employer and employee pay lower rate National Insurance Contributions in recognition that full SERPS will not be paid. In a Contracted-Out Money Purchase Scheme (COMPS) part of the rebate is deducted from the national insurance contributions due by the employer. The remainder, known as the age-related rebate, is paid by the Contributions Agency to the pension scheme in the tax year following that in which it is due.

  Section 42A of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 (PSA) provides the legislative authority for the age related rebate to be paid by the Secretary of State for Social Security to the pension scheme. This section was inserted into the PSA by the Pensions Act 1995. The intention is that these payments should be funded directly from the National Insurance Fund and classed as revenue forgone. However, the necessary provision to facilitate funding in this manner was erroneously omitted from the Pensions Act. So while there is a legislative duty to make the payments, there is no authority to fund them from the National Insurance Fund. As result a number of ultra vires payments have been made from the National Insurance Fund totalling around £490,000 which will have to be refunded from money voted by Parliament.

  An amendment to the PSA to correct this defect will be put before Parliament. This will allow the payments to be funded properly from the National Insurance Fund in accordance with the original intention. Until the provisions are enacted temporary arrangements are necessary to ensure that the payments can continue to be made. Provision will also be made to ensure that the National Insurance Fund reimburses those accounts responsible for funding the payments up to the time when the legislation was brought into force.

  Legislation under s177(1) of the PSA does, by default, allow the payments to be paid from money provided by Parliament. Since Parliament did not envisage using provision in this way the ambits of the DSS Votes do not cover age related rebates. A Supplementary Estimate is therefore needed to extend the ambit of Class XII, Vote 2. A token Supplementary Estimate of £1,000 has been sought on Vote 2 to amend the ambit to enable payments, totalling £82 million, to be made to Contracted-Out Money Purchase Schemes in respect of age related rebates. As the Contributions Agency computer system, NIRS2, does not have the functionality to separate the payments in respect of age related rebates, which are paid in conjunction with personal pensions, Vote 2 will, therefore, also be responsible for paying personal pensions. The National Insurance Fund which does have the legislative power to pay personal pensions will refund Vote 2 for the payments made on its behalf. These arrangements will continue until the defective legislation is corrected. An advance of £77 million has been sought from the Contingencies Fund to finance urgent expenditure. The advance will be repaid from Vote 2 when Parliament has approved the necessary token Supplementary Estimate.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisons (Quantum Project)
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made on the Prison Service Quantum Project. [58941]

  Mr. George Howarth
  On 10 August 1998, the Director General of the Prison Service called a temporary halt to the Quantum Project and set up a thorough review which will take up to six months. In a message to Prison Service staff he said:"It has become apparent that it may not be possible to achieve the original objectives of providing the Service with improved information systems and business processes in a way which safeguards the vital operational capability of the Service".

  These and other concerns will be addressed in the review process, which will reassess the way forward and consider a range of alternative options. The objective is to ensure that the project meets the needs of the Prison Service.

  Police (Objectives)
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what objectives he will be determining for policing for 1999–2000. [58942]

  Mr. Straw
  I will announce my objectives, which identify our Ministerial priorities for policing in 1999–2000, together with supporting Key Performance Indicators, tomorrow, 6 November. I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library at 10.00 am.

  Asylum Seekers
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are being made to issue monthly statistics of asylum. [58943]

  Mr. Straw
  Until now, the asylum statistics have been available only in the Home Offices' annual Asylum Statistics Bulletin and in a summary form twice a year in the Control of Immigration Statistical Bulletin. These Bulletins contain detailed information on asylum applications, demographic characteristics of asylum seekers, decisions, appeals, detention and removals.

  Selected monthly information has, however, been available only on request from the Home Office Press Office. I am therefore arranging for selected monthly statistics of asylum to be placed on the Home Office Research Development Statistics Website (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm) on the 25th of each month, or the next working day, and to be also available through the Library and the Home Office Press Office.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the percentages of the total number of asylum seekers who were given(a) refugee status and (b) exceptional leave to remain for each year for which figures are known since 1993; what assessment he has made of the factors underlying changes in those percentages; and if he will make a statement. [57759]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The requested information is given in the table.652

  Cases1 recognised as refugees and granted asylum and thosegranted exceptional leave, excluding dependants2, as a proportion of all decisions—1993–1997 Principal applicants

  percentage

  Year

  Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum

  Granted exceptional leave

  1993

  7

  48

  1994

  4

  17

  1995

  5

  16

  1996

  6

  13

  19973

  11

  9

  1Information is of initial determination decisions excluding the outcome of appeals and other subsequent decisions,

  2 Cases not recognised as refugees but granted exceptional leave

  3 Provisional figures

  The proportion of applicants recognised as refugees and granted asylum shows little variation between 1993 and 1996. The increase to 11 per cent. in 1997 reflects grants to Somali and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia nationals. In the first nine months of 1998, the proportion has increased further to 17 per cent. This is partly due to changes made in 1998 so that deserving cases are recognised earlier in the process. The fall in the numbers of asylum applicants granted exceptional leave after 1993 reflects the introduction in July 1993 of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act, in which grants of exceptional leave were limited to cases where there were genuine humanitarian factors.

  The Home Office is continually reassessing the situation in each country in the context of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its associated 1967 protocol.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many 15 and 16 year old youths were held on remand in adult prisons at the most recent date for which information is available; [58354]

  (2) which adult prisons were used for the remand of 15 and 16 year old youths on (a) 1 May 1997 and (b) the latest date for which such information is available. [58353]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The available information relates to the remand prison population of 15 and 16 year olds on the last day of the month and is given in the table. Young persons held in adult prisons are normally accommodated separately from adults.

  Population of 15 and 16 year olds on remand in adult prisons on 30 April 1997 and 30 September 1998, by establishment

  Establishment

  30 April 1997

  30 September 19981

  Altcourse

  —

  4

  Cardiff

  9

  6

  Doncaster

  46

  27

  Exeter

  3

  2

  Gloucester

  7

  4

  Hull

  10

  7

  Low Newton

  16

  11

  Manchester

  —

  1

  Norwich

  —

  1

  Parc

  —

  1

  Swansea

  5

  3

  Woodhill

  —

  1

  Total

  96

  68

  1Provisional figures

  653
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the timetable of the Youth Justice Board for ending the remand of 15 and 16 year olds to adult prisons. [58355]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government's plans for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place for remanded juveniles are being taken forward in the context of the wider programme of work arising from our review of all forms of secure accommodation for young offenders and young people held on remand. Our aim is to implement provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 as soon as possible, and by June 1998 at the latest, to allow the courts to remand directly to local authority secure accommodation 12–14 year olds, 15 and 16 year old girls and, where a place has been identified in advance, vulnerable 15 and 16 year old boys. We will keep under review the existing arrangements for remanding other 15 and 16 year old boys to Prison Service accommodation.

  In the meantime, work is being taken forward, with the Youth Justice Board, to improve the standard of care and quality of regimes for remanded and sentenced juveniles held in Prison Service accommodation to ensure that these are appropriate to the needs of young people. We are also making available funds, which will be administered by the Youth Justice Board, to develop local bail support provision to help ensure that custodial remands are used appropriately for the most serious and persistent cases.

  Police (World Cup)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the total sum received or to be received by police forces in England and Wales from the Football Association to cover the cost of travel, overseas allowances and overtime in connection with the policing of World Cup matches involving the England team; [58489]

  (2) how much in total the Government plan to contribute towards the 24-hour manning of the National Criminal Intelligence Service Football Unit during the World Cup Finals and the costs associated with the provision of football intelligence officers during matches involving the England team. [58490]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Football Association has met the cost of travel, overseas allowances and overtime for officers from England and Wales. Salary costs have been met by the officers' respective forces. The Football Association also contributed to the cost of relevant police equipment.

  The Government agreed to contribute to the costs associated with the 24-hour manning of the National Criminal Intelligence Service during the Finals: and to contribute part of the cost associated with the provision of additional football intelligence officers in France for some England matches. Detailed information about actual costs incurred is operationally sensitive.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the current amount of section 11 funding made available by his Department to the Greater London area; [57909]
  654
  (2) if he will make a statement on his Department's future policy towards section 11 funding for the Greater London area. [57763]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Allocations of Home Office section 11 grant for the 1998–99 financial year to local authorities, grant maintained schools and further education colleges in the Greater London area amount to £34.496 million. Nationally, over 97 per cent. of section 11 grant is currently paid to education projects. It has been decided that, from April 1999, responsibility for such funding should rest with the Department for Education and Employment. A further announcement will be made shortly about the administrative arrangements. The Home Office intends to operate a new grant programme to fund projects in fields other than education. The Department is currently consulting interested parties about the design of this new programme, and a further announcement will be made in due course.

  Immigration
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases were considered for enforcement under immigration legislation for each year for which figures are known since 1993; and how many deportations were made. [57757]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The available information, relating to the numbers of cases for which enforcement action was initiated under sections 3(5), 3(6) or 33(1) of the Immigration Act 1971, since 1993; and the number of deportations made, is given in tables 7.2 (Illegal entrants) and 7.4 (Deportation action) of the Home Office Command Paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1997" (Cm 4033), for years 1993 and 1994, and in tables 5.1 (Total enforcement action), 5.2 (Illegal entrants) and 5.3 (Deportation action) of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom, First Half 1998", issue 24/98, for years 1995–97. Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

  Channel Islands
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the extent to which European legislation, directives and decisions are enforced upon the Channel Islands and the extent to which the situation has changed since the passing of Protocol 3 to the Treaty of Rome. [57753]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Protocol 3 to the Treaty of Accession sets out the limited extent to which European Union instruments apply to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The normal practice is for relevant European provisions to be given effect in the Islands through local legislation.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received from the EU Commission relating to the Channel Islands. [57755]

  Mr. George Howarth
  No recent representations have been received from the European Commission relating to the Channel Islands.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British nationality have been received from St. Helena citizens in each of the past five years; and over the same period how many such applications have been granted. [58007]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The number of grants of British citizenship to British Dependent Territories' citizens from St. Helena is given in the table. The number of such applications received is not available.

  Year of grant

  Number of grants

  1993

  8

  1994

  11

  1995

  11

  1996

  17

  1997

  32

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the procedures surrounding the payment of criminal injuries compensation. [58189]

  Mr. Boateng
  The procedures surrounding the payment of criminal injuries compensation are regularly reviewed within the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)—the body which administers the tariff-based scheme introduced with effect from 1 April 1996—as part of the normal management process. CICA's objective is to make awards as soon as the extent of injury and any consequential financial loss has been properly established. There are no plans to undertake any special procedural reviews at this time.

  Alcohol Consumption (Public Places)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how local authorities and other agencies could be encouraged, perhaps by changes in the law, to deal more effectively with the problems of street drinking. [58196]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Office encourages local authorities to adopt, whenever appropriate, a model byelaw which makes it an offence to consume intoxicating liquor in a designated place after being warned by a constable not to do so. We have also implemented the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997, which enables a constable to confiscate alcohol being drunk or intended to be drunk in public by someone who is under-age.

  The Anti-Social Behaviour Order and other provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 will help with specific local problems. Local authorities and the police, with their partners, can include any such problems in the crime and disorder audit which is required under the Act and then go on to develop appropriate strategies for tackling this as part of their overall crime reduction strategy.

  Police Manpower
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers on the beat there were in(a) May 1997, (b) May 1998 and (c) September 1998. [58251]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on the deployment of police personnel is collected annually by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. The number of officers on patrol duties in England and Wales is set out in the table:

  Date

  Patrol

  Overall police numbers

  March 1997

  62,172

  127,158

  March 1998

  62,203

  126,856

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Remploy
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what discussions his Department has held with Remploy on its corporate plan; [58419]

  (2) what role there will be for Remploy employees and their representatives in drawing up Remploy's corporate plan; [58420]

  (3) what discussions his Department has held with Remploy on factory closures; [58421]

  (4) what variations to Remploy's targets for 1997–98 have been made for the years (a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000; [58422]

  (5) what is the forecast subsidy to Remploy in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02; [58452]

  (6) when he last met the relevant trade unions to discuss the future operations of Remploy. [58453]

  Ms Hodge
  I understand that Remploy management meet with the Remploy Consortium of Unions at the National Joint Consultative Committee regularly to discuss a range of issues. In particular, Remploy delivered a series of presentations/discussions in July this year to managers and local shop stewards about the strategy set out in the latest Corporate Plan. In addition, national trade union officers received a presentation in May, in advance of the publication of the plan. Remploy intend to adopt a similar approach next time round, and employees have been invited to put forward questions on future strategy and on how they could be more closely involved in planning Remploy's future.

  I am expecting Remploy to submit their next Corporate Plan (covering the 3 years 1999–2000 to 2001–02) shortly, for my approval. I will be discussing it with the Remploy Chairman as usual.

  Remploy has agreed a broad strategy with Ministers to improve employer opportunities for disabled people both in factories and through Interwork. As part of their strategy Remploy needs to address overcapacity in their factory network through mergers, changes of trade and factory rationalisation. Details of this strategy have been

  657
  published in Remploy's Corporate Plan for 1998–99 to 2000–01, and in the Remploy booklet "Planning for our Future", issued to Remploy employees. The operational detail involved in implementing this strategy is a matter for the Remploy Board, as it has to be based on commercial decisions which only Remploy can take.

  Remploy's targets for 1999–2000 have not yet been agreed. The following variations were agreed with Remploy for 1998–99 in comparison with 1997–98: average number of disabled people—extra 250; average number of Interworkers—extra 350; progressions—extra 50; operating deficit per disabled worker—decrease of £300 per annum (at cash prices); operating deficit per Interworker—decrease of £100 per annum (at cash prices).

  Remploy is currently developing its plans for 1999–2000 and for future years. The subsidy will be subject to those plans and further negotiations with the Department. My predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, East (Mr. Howarth), met the Remploy unions on 2 February 1998. I intend to meet the Remploy unions myself in due course.

  Careers Service
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to require Careers Service contractors to meet an externally verified quality framework if they are to become preferred suppliers under the future contracting arrangements for the Careers Service. [56209]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Careers Service future contracting is being considered. We are currently considering a number of options and I expect to make an announcement on the future contracting arrangements early in the new year.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements are in place for monitoring progress towards meeting the Government's targets on class sizes. [57510]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: In addition to the monitoring information available from the Schools' Census data collected each January, we will also be taking a count of infant pupils and classes in September 1999, September 2000 and September 2001.

  Specialist Disability Services
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of the million people with disabilities cited in Support for Disabled People who state they wish to work will benefit from the investment in specialist disability services announced in this document. [58133]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: The Government's recent announcement set out action already taking place and proposed changes to help one million disabled people who are not in work but who want to work. This includes the reform of the All Work Test to focus on capacity as well as incapacity; a single gateway interview to provide advice and support into work; and, looking at ways of helping disabled people stay in work through the New Deal for Disabled People.
  658
  Our investment of an additional £30m in specialist disability services will be of direct help to some 8,500 disabled people who need extra support to get a job. Since some of this money will be used to test new ways of helping disabled people into work, the actual number helped over time will be greater.

  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. This will pilot a range of initiatives to help disabled people and those with long-term illness into work and training through the Government's Welfare to Work approach.

  National Childcare Strategy
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate his Department has made of the cost to local education authorities of carrying out the audit of supply of, and demand for, childcare required under the National Childcare Strategy; [57698]

  (2) what money has been made available to local education authorities to carry out audits of the supply of, and demand for, childcare, as required under the National Childcare Strategy. [57700]

  Ms Hodge
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, East (Mr. Howarth) on 16 July 1998,Official Report, column 301. I can confirm that £12 million has now been made available to help local partnerships conduct audits and draw up local childcare plans.

  "Partners in Europe"
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) solicited and (b) unsolicited copies of the schools pack "Partners in Europe" were distributed; and how many remain in stock. [58030]

  Mr. Mudie
  The information and resource pack for schools "Partners in Europe" was distributed in January 1998 to all schools in the UK on the following basis: two to each school in England, one to each school in Scotland, two to each school in Wales and two to each school in Northern Ireland. Each country was responsible for its own distribution. Copies were also sent to LEAs in England, Scotland and Wales, Education and Libraries Boards in Northern Ireland and organisations such as the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and OFSTED. Since the initial distribution, there have been 614 requests in England for additional copies. 432 resource packages are currently in stock, but this figure includes the resource pack that was distributed to youth groups in the UK.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the(a) printing, (b) preparation and (c) distribution costs of the schools pack "Partners in Europe". [58029]

  Mr. Mudie
  The costs of producing the 66,000 copies of the schools pack "Partners in Europe" were shared between the four UK education departments and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The costs were as
  659
  follows: (a) printing of specially commissioned booklets and wallets, £129,140; (b) other preparation costs, £66,197, and (c) initial distribution costs, £113,947.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judiciary (Training)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if the training for the judiciary on the implications of the Human Rights Bill[Lords] will include training relating to (a) equality and (b) disability issues. [57697]

  Mr. Hoon
  Judicial training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB) which is an advisory non-departmental public body. The Equal Treatment Advisory Committee of the Board considers all aspects of equal treatment training for the judiciary, including training on increasing awareness of the needs of people with disabilities.

  The JSB is currently drawing up the programme of training for full and part-time members of the judiciary in the months prior to implementation of the Human Rights Bill. This will include training on those parts of the European Convention on Human Rights that relate to equality and disability issues.

  Property Repossessions
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the numbers of possession actions(a) commenced and (b) concluded by the making of a possession order for (i) mortgagee actions and (ii) landlord actions in England for the last three years. [57487]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information is as follows:

  1995

  Mortgage possessions

  Landlord possessions

  actions started

  84,170

  104,408

  suspended orders

  44,723

  58,652

  final orders

  30,535

  26,487

  1996

  actions started

  79,791

  111,804

  suspended orders

  43,434

  63,030

  final orders

  27,777

  24,842

  1997

  actions started

  67,073

  130,163

  suspended orders

  34,632

  73,164

  final orders

  22,524

  26,612

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin of civil servants in his private office, as at 1 October 1997; [56795]

  (2) if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin of civil servants in his Department, by grade, as at 1 October 1997. [56793]
  660
  Mr. Hoon
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given him today by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office,Official Report, columns 666–71.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fishing (Controls)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce new controls over landings into the United Kingdom following the publication of consultative proposals issued on 3 March; and if he will make a statement. [58952]

  Mr. Morley
  From 5 January 1999 it will be a condition of UK fishing vessel licences that at least four hours notice must be given of all landings of whitefish and shellfish by vessels of 20m overall length and above. Landings (discharge of catches) must then be completed within four hours unless otherwise authorised. These requirements will not, however, apply where landings are made into designated ports during specified hours provided the master or his representative submits a copy of a completed logsheet prior to the discharge of catch taking place. The designated ports will be those set out in the consultation paper issued last March although for a number of ports the specified hours of landing have been changed in response to representations received. Prior notification is already required for the landing of the main pelagic species and this will continue to operate.

  These arrangements will be kept under review and, if circumstances alter, changes in the arrangements will be considered.

  The new arrangements will be consistent with tougher Community controls on landings currently being finalised and expected to operate from 1 January 1999. These will enable Member States to apply national designated port controls to vessels from other Member States and third countries landing into their territory. A more rigorous control requirement for 4 hours' notice of arrival in port is also expected to apply to vessels landing abroad unless specific designated port arrangements operate.

  The Fisheries Departments will be writing to vessels owners and other interests later this month advising them about the detailed arrangements including those for providing prior notification of landing.

  Fishing (Grant Applications)
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the charges levied by the Sea Fish Industry Authority when processing applications for grant aid. [58951]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government intend when the legislative programme allows, to introduce legislation to provide retrospective statutory authority for technical charges levied by the Sea Fish Industry Authority (SFIA) when processing applications for grant aid under the Fisheries Act 1981. This will regularise the position following advice which has cast doubt on the SFIA's view that their powers to charge contained in the Act covered the technical charges which were levied up until 1995.
  661
  I believe that the charges levied were reasonable ones and that the costs of making repayments would be disproportionate to any benefit such repayment would confer on those to whom it was made. The Ministry does not therefore propose to meet any claims that are brought before the proposed legislation is in place.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to harmonise the current trial procedures of genetically modified crops in the United Kingdom with those carried out in Europe. [56046]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: Controls over the release and marketing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are harmonised across the EU by Directive 90/220/EEC. The information requirements to evaluate the safety of GMO releases are set out in this Directive. However, each consent application is reviewed on a case by case basis and trials procedures may vary according to the characteristics of the GMO and the receiving environment.

  Furthermore, no genetically modified plant variety may enter tests and trials for National List purposes unless and until a release consent has been issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the regulations made under it. The UK's National List system implements EU Directives 70/457/EEC and 70/458/EEC which harmonises the requirement to establish that varieties are distinct, uniform and stable (DUS) and, for the main agricultural species, that they have a value for cultivation and use (VCU) before being entered on a National List. The National List system has no role in considering the environmental or human safety aspects of genetic modification.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has extend the period of tests required for genetically modified seeds; and if he will make a statement. [56047]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: I have no plans to extend the period of tests required for National List purposes.

  National List tests and trials are aimed solely at establishing whether candidate varieties are distinct, uniform and stable (DUS) and have value for cultivation and use (VCU) in the UK. The National List system has no role in addressing the environmental or human safety aspects of genetically modification. Genetically modified plant varieties may not enter National List tests and trials unless and until they have the appropriate release consent under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the regulations made under it. For most varieties, National List tests and trials normally last two years, though this period may be extended if necessary to provide the required information to establish DUS and VCU.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to consult the public on the Supply Chain Initiative for Modification in Agricultural Crops code of practice before it is agreed between Government and industry. [57712]
  662
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: The Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops (SCIMAC) is an industry grouping, which has drawn up guidelines to promote best practice in the growing of genetically modified crops. The Government have welcomed these guidelines as a complement to the statutory controls, but will not give them endorsement until they are satisfied that the industry has implemented measures to secure compliance. It is for the industry to decide what consultations to carry out, and we have impressed upon them the importance of an open and transparent approach.

  BSE
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of costs incurred to date by Government and other public sector agencies as a result of releasing witnesses for the BSE inquiry. [57084]

  Mr. Rooker
  No such estimate has been made. The Inquiry has taken evidence from some 60 witnesses who are current members of MAFF and its agencies.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the inquiry into BSE is considering the possible role of organophosphates in causing this disease. [57301]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Inquiry are considering all theories put to them including that relating to the possible role of organophosphates.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the current inquiry into BSE to publish its report. [57294]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Inquiry is due to report to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by 30 June 1999. The Inquiry's report will be published by Government in due course thereafter.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's responsibility for BSE compensation. [57340]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: Animals suspected of being affected by or exposed to BSE are slaughtered under Section 32 of the Animal Health Act 1981. Under Section 32(3), compensation is payable in respect of the animals slaughtered.

  The compensation payable for animals affected by BSE is the market value up to a ceiling of 100% of the indicative market price. The compensation payable for animals suspected of being affected by BSE, but in which the disease is not subsequently confirmed, is the market value of the animal up to a ceiling of 125% of the indicative market price. The indicative market price for the month of November 1998 is £467.

  Farmers may also be eligible for payments in relation to exposed animals slaughtered under the Selective Cull, and for offspring animals under the Offspring Cull.

  Meat Inspection Charges
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the abattoir industry urging meat inspection charges on a headage only basis. [57727]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department has received a number of representations calling for the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) to calculate its charges for hygiene/welfare inspections on a per head basis. The decision for the MHS to calculate its charges on a per-hour basis was taken after full consultation with industry.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if working knowledge of the English language is a condition of employment for foreign veterinarians engaged by the Meat Hygiene Service. [57726]

  Mr. Rooker
  Foreign veterinarians engaged by the Meat Hygiene Service are required to have a working knowledge of the English language. The MHS has introduced an assessment, as part of the Official Veterinary Surgeon training course, for non-United Kingdom nationals, to assess their ability to understand and communicate in English.

  Rabies
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the incidence of rabies in each EU and EEA country in each of the last five years. [57453]

  Mr. Rooker
  The incidence of rabies in domestic and wild animals in each EU and EEA Country in each of the last five years was as follows:

  Country

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Austria

  675

  254

  95

  14

  8

  Belgium

  2

  61

  213

  44

  9

  Denmark

  1

  13

  1

  0

  8

  Finland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  France

  261

  99

  240

  17

  2

  Germany

  845

  1,378

  856

  152

  86

  Greece

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Iceland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ireland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Italy

  82

  36

  11

  0

  0

  Luxembourg

  1

  1

  15

  17

  2

  Netherlands

  10

  1

  34

  5

  13

  Norway

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Portugal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Spain

  45

  3

  46

  41

  45

  Switzerland and Liechtenstein

  175

  225

  23

  6

  51

  Sweden

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  UK

  0

  0

  0

  61

  0

  1 Two of these cases were imported from USA.

  2 One of these cases was a dog imported from Burkina Faso.

  3 One of these cases was a grey fox imported into Netherlands.

  4 Cases in Spanish territory of North Africa.

  5 One of these cases was a dog imported from Morocco.

  6 This was a case of European Bat Lyssavirus 2 in a bat discovered in Newhaven. The bat was believed to have blown across the Channel.

  Source:

  The Rabies Bulletin Europe, compiled and edited by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Federal Republic of Germany.

  Veterinary Service Charges
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of additional official veterinary service charges upon the viability of United Kingdom abattoirs. [57723]

  Mr. Rooker
  The impact on GB abattoirs will depend upon the circumstances prevailing at individual premises. These include the current level of veterinary supervision, the size and throughput of the premises, the complexity and standard of hygiene of operations and the type of animal being slaughtered. The MHS will notify plant operators of the intended arrangements and the charging implications for their plant in advance of any changes being made.

  Farm Income (Currency Mechanisms)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which of his Department's publications the basis and operation of the ecu basket of currencies and national green currencies used for calculating price support for agricultural products is described; and what assessment he has made of the extent to which these mechanisms influence the net farm income available to farmers in the United Kingdom(a) currently and (b) following the introduction of the euro. [57484]

  Mr. Rooker
  The precise basis and operation of the current agrimonetary regime is not outlined in any of my Department's publications.

  The agrimonetary regime has sheltered farm incomes from the full effect of the strong pound by slowing down the rate at which currency strength feeds through to the sterling value of CAP prices and direct payments. UK farm incomes are also benefiting from the current green rate freeze, which has been worth £400m to UK farmers over the last two years.

  The Commission's draft regulations, which are still under discussion, propose a move to daily market rates, but also include measures for 100% EU financed compensation for any cuts in direct payments in 1999. This would cushion the impact of the end of the green rate freeze on UK farm incomes, and has been welcomed by UK farming organisations.

  Beef of the Bone
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is(a) the overall cost to date and (b) the average annual cost per farm of deboning beef products as a result of the ban on sales of beef on the bone. [57503]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: Under the Beef Bones Regulations 1997, deboning may take place in the course of a business at any food premises, including farm shops selling meat, before sale to the ultimate consumer. The estimated costs of these controls were set out in the Regulatory Appraisal which

  665
  accompanied the Regulations when they were presented to Parliament. A copy is available in the Library of the House. No costs were included or are available for deboning beef on farms as these, with the exception of farm shops, are not food premises as defined in the Food Safety Act 1990 where beef can be deboned.

  Piglet Mortality
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of piglets lost annually to predation, and of the economic loss which this represents. [57924]

  Mr. Rooker
  None. The information necessary to make such estimates is not available centrally.

  Agricultural Prices
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional resources will be allocated to assist farming communities with the fall in produce prices. [58190]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government fully appreciate the difficulties currently being faced by all sectors of the farming industry. We are well aware, as a result of discussions with farmers' leaders and visits to rural areas, that many farmers would welcome additional assistance to cope with their current difficulties.

  However, given the tight position on public expenditure we must give very careful consideration before extending any package of assistance to farmers. We are keenly aware of the case being put by the farming unions and other interested organisations, and are now considering the options available to us.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the percentage of the loss to farmers whose cattle are affected by bovine TB which is covered by the Ministry's compensation scheme; and if he will provide a breakdown of his estimate of the total losses incurred. [58075]

  Mr. Rooker
  The National Farmers Union estimates the total cost to farmers of tuberculosis in cattle in Great Britain to average £5,300 per animal slaughtered, including consequential losses, although the cost to individual farm businesses varies widely.

  During 1997 compensation was paid at 75% of market value of cattle slaughtered as TB reactors, subject to a limit (calculated from the average market price for dairy cattle) which averaged £656 across the year. This represents 12% of £5,300. Since 26 August 1998 compensation has been paid equal to the full market value of slaughtered cattle. To the end of October payments made averaged £970, 18% of £5,300.

  Cattle Blood
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the regulations which apply to the transport of blood of cattle over 30 months, following their slaughter. [58246]
  666
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: Carriers of waste blood from OTMS animals must register with the Environment Agency or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency under the Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991. The only exception relates to the transport of blood from diseased animals, which may be transported by persons who hold an approval or registration under the Animal By-Products Order 1992, and who transport the blood in connection with the activity to which the approval or registration applies. In such cases the Order requires the blood to be collected and transported in suitable containers or vehicles in such a way as to prevent leakage.

  Agricultural Wages Order
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated compliance cost of the most recent agricultural wages order. [58454]

  Mr. Rooker
  Agricultural wages orders are made by the Agricultural Wages Board which is an independent statutory body. The Board's most recent order, the Agricultural Wages Order 1998 (No. 2) came into effect on 1 October 1998. This order introduced a number of changes to bring the terms of the order into line with the provisions of the Working Time Regulations 1998, which also came into effect on 1 October. The most significant changes introduced were the extension of leave entitlements to casual workers who have been employed by the same employer for 13 weeks, and an entitlement to an unpaid 30 minute rest break.

  Information on the compliance costs associated with the implementation of the Working Time Regulations is given in Annexe E to the consultation paper "Measures to Implement Provisions of the EC Directives on the Organisation of Working Time and the Protection of Young People at Work" (URN: 98/645). This was issued by the Department of Trade and Industry in April 1998.

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin of civil servants in his Department, by grade, as at 1 October 1997. [56820]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The information for all Government Departments is as follows:

  Information on the ethnic origin of civil servants is collected using a voluntary, confidential questionnaire. The number and percentage of civil servants from ethnic minorities who have submitted a questionnaire, by grade equivalents, for each Department, are set out in the tables. Civil Service employment statistics are centrally collected and updated annually, as at 1 April. Data for 1998 are still being collated, therefore the figures quoted in this answer are as at 1 April 1997.
  667

  Number of ethnic minority staff in post by department and responsibility level at 1 April 19971

  Departments

  SCS

  Grade 6

  Grade 7

  SEO

  HEO

  EO

  AO

  AA

  Total

  Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  6

  5—

  22

  8

  41

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ministry of 2

  3—

  5—

  13

  9

  25

  43

  136

  147

  380

  Cabinet Office

  3—

  3—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  20

  43

  15

  81

  Charity Commission

  3—

  3—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  15

  31

  21

  71

  Crown Prosecution Service2

  3—

  5—

  15

  100

  14

  86

  139

  75

  430

  Culture, Media and Sport, Department for2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  3—

  5

  14

  15

  40

  Customs and Excise

  5—

  5—

  9

  13

  113

  426

  506

  247

  1,318

  Defence, Ministry of

  10

  9

  50

  109

  164

  238

  385

  369

  1,334

  Education and Employment, Department for

  3—

  3—

  10

  10

  51

  641

  1,590

  154

  2,456

  Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)

  3—

  5—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  7

  22

  5—

  52

  Environment, Transport and the Regions, Department of the

  3—

  7

  24

  47

  56

  163

  363

  139

  805

  Health and Safety Commission/Executive2

  3—

  5—

  6

  28

  17

  26

  65

  57

  200

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  3—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  10

  14

  22

  12

  65

  FCO: Diplomatic Service

  3—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  19

  35

  100

  27

  189

  Friendly Societies, Registry of

  5—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  5

  13

  8

  32

  Government Actuary

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  Health, Department of 2

  12

  5—

  30

  66

  5

  124

  289

  6

  530

  HM Prison Service

  14

  42

  8

  8

  38

  119

  646

  220

  1,095

  Home Office

  5—

  5—

  5

  15

  42

  319

  549

  347

  1,280

  Information, Central Office of

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5

  7

  11

  5—

  26

  Inland Revenue

  5

  10

  30

  39

  180

  561

  1,286

  1,262

  3,373

  International Development, Department for

  5—

  5—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  13

  43

  14

  76

  Intervention Board

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  8

  43

  14

  65

  Land Registry

  5—

  5—

  3—

  8

  8

  56

  210

  106

  391

  Legal Secretariat

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  26

  194

  555

  171

  955

  National Investment and Loans Office

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  3—

  5

  National Savings, Department for

  3—

  3—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  17

  8

  31

  National Statistics, Office for

  3—

  3—

  6

  5

  17

  45

  81

  16

  170

  Northern Ireland Office

  3—

  3—

  5—

  3—

  3—

  6

  5—

  11

  21

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  6

  9

  6

  21

  Office of Fair Trading

  5—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  14

  27

  15

  58

  Office of Gas Supply

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  6

  5—

  5—

  11

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising

  3—

  3—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  6

  3—

  12

  Office of the National Lottery

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5

  5—

  8

  Ordnance Survey

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  13

  7

  5—

  25

  Privy Council Office

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  3—

  5—

  Public Record Office2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5

  6

  5—

  20

  Royal Mint

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  Scottish Office

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  7

  20

  Other Scottish departments

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  5

  13

  Security and Intelligence Services

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5

  3—

  13

  Serious Fraud Office

  5—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  9

  8

  5—

  28

  Social Security, Department of 2

  3—

  20

  5—

  8

  63

  914

  3,216

  1,056

  5,280

  Trade and Industry, Department of 2

  3—

  5—

  19

  42

  96

  187

  405

  205

  960

  Treasury

  5—

  3—

  5

  8

  3—

  12

  56

  18

  100

  Treasury Solicitor

  5—

  5—

  6

  5—

  5—

  12

  21

  5—

  50

  Welsh Office (including OHMCIS)

  3—

  3—

  3—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5

  5—

  13

  Total

  51

  120

  259

  542

  993

  4,381

  10,977

  4,802

  22,148

  Percentage of ethnic minority staff in post by department and responsibility level at 1 April 19971

  Departments

  SCS

  Grade 6

  Grade 7

  SEO

  HEO

  EO

  AO

  AA

  Total

  Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

  3—

  3—

  3—

  0.9

  2.8

  7.7

  16.7

  32.0

  7.3

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ministry of

  3—

  1.6

  1.9

  1.5

  2.3

  3.0

  6.9

  9.5

  4.9

  Cabinet Office (including OPS)

  3—

  3—

  0.9

  3—

  1.7

  10.2

  18.6

  12.8

  9.1

  Charity Commission

  3—

  4—

  3.8

  3—

  4.2

  8.8

  24.8

  28.0

  14.0

  Crown Prosecution Service

  3—

  2.0

  3.2

  8.5

  4.2

  7.2

  11.7

  11.2

  8.3

  Culture, Media and Sport, Department for

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3.6

  3—

  6.7

  6.6

  19.7

  6.9

  Customs and Excise

  1.4

  3.7

  2.7

  1.0

  2.5

  6.1

  10.0

  9.7

  6.3

  Defence, Ministry of

  2.8

  1.2

  1.7

  1.8

  1.4

  1.6

  2.0

  3.1

  2.0

  Education and Employment, Department for

  3—

  3—

  1.9

  1.5

  2.7

  8.2

  14.0

  14.7

  10.5

  Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)

  3—

  2.2

  16.7

  3—

  13.6

  15.6

  40.0

  40.0

  11.4

  Environment, Transport and the Regions, Department of the

  3—

  2.3

  2.8

  5.8

  3.6

  4.4

  10.0

  8.0

  6.2

  Health and Safety Commission/Executive

  3—

  1.7

  1.1

  2.7

  3.9

  6.8

  8.5

  11.5

  5.2

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  3—

  20.0

  8.5

  6.7

  12.2

  17.3

  35.5

  46.2

  18.5

  FCO: Diplomatic Service

  3—

  1.3

  0.6

  1.3

  2.1

  2.9

  9.4

  15.7

  4.1

  Friendly Societies, Registry of

  16.7

  50.0

  3—

  18.2

  13.3

  23.8

  52.0

  50.0

  30.2

  Government Actuary

  3—

  4—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  100.0

  50.0

  3—

  8.0

  668

  669

  Percentage of ethnic minority staff in post by department and responsibility level at 1 April 19971

  Departments

  SCS

  Grade 6

  Grade 7

  SEO

  HEO

  EO

  AO

  AA

  Total

  Health, Department of

  4.3

  11.1

  5.2

  8.2

  6.4

  17.8

  26.9

  54.5

  15.1

  HM Prison Service

  20.3

  24.3

  1.7

  1.1

  3.6

  3.0

  2.5

  3.9

  2.9

  Home Office

  1.0

  2.2

  1.2

  2.7

  3.0

  9.7

  22.5

  18.8

  12.6

  Information, Central Office of

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2.5

  7.0

  21.9

  22.0

  5.0

  9.0

  Inland Revenue

  2.1

  1.1

  1.4

  1.8

  3.1

  4.5

  6.8

  9.1

  6.0

  International Development, Department for

  3.4

  3.8

  1.7

  3—

  2.8

  7.0

  14.1

  15.2

  9.1

  Intervention Board

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  4.3

  11.7

  19.2

  8.3

  Land Registry

  4.0

  1.5

  3

  2.8

  1.5

  2.5

  6.6

  6.8

  4.9

  Legal Secretariat

  3—

  3—

  3—

  4—

  4—

  3—

  33.3

  3—

  5.6

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  3—

  3—

  2.1

  1.1

  2.7

  9.3

  11.8

  8.3

  9.1

  National Investment and Loans Office

  3—

  4—

  3—

  3—

  4—

  20.0

  33.3

  4—

  17.9

  National Savings, Department for

  3—

  3—

  2.6

  3—

  0.3

  0.7

  0.8

  0.6

  0.7

  National Statistics, Office for

  3—

  3—

  3.8

  3.1

  3.8

  6.4

  7.9

  3.8

  5.7

  Northern Ireland Office

  3—

  3—

  12.5

  3—

  3—

  31.6

  14.3

  34.4

  20.8

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  15.4

  18.4

  26.1

  10.3

  Office of Fair Trading

  20.0

  3—

  3—

  3—

  2.3

  22.2

  49.1

  57.7

  26.2

  Office of Gas Supply

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  19.4

  20.0

  50.0

  12.1

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising

  3—

  3—

  3.1

  3—

  16.7

  30.0

  35.3

  3—

  11.3

  Office of the National Lottery

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  100.0

  4—

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  3—

  3—

  3—

  4—

  3—

  11.1

  17.9

  100.0

  7.5

  Ordnance Survey

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1.5

  1.1

  1.4

  2.7

  4.2

  1.5

  Privy Council Office

  3—

  4—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  10.0

  11.0

  3—

  14.3

  Public Record Office

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  19.2

  35.3

  25.0

  15.0

  Royal Mint

  3—

  3—

  14.3

  6.7

  0.9

  3—

  3—

  3.3

  1.1

  Scottish Office

  0.7

  1.4

  0.3

  0.3

  0.4

  0.1

  0.4

  0.8

  0.4

  Other Scottish departments

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  0.5

  0.5

  0.0

  Security and Intelligence Services

  3—

  3—

  3—

  0.2

  0.4

  0.1

  0.6

  3—

  0.3

  Serious Fraud Office

  14.3

  3—

  3—

  6.3

  17.4

  29.0

  27.6

  33.3

  16.9

  Social Security, Dept of

  3—

  9.3

  0.7

  0.9

  1.8

  4.3

  7.5

  8.3

  6.4

  Trade and Industry, Department of

  3—

  3.1

  2.4

  7.3

  6.6

  11.9

  18.5

  16.9

  11.8

  Treasury

  1.5

  3—

  4.0

  4.8

  4—

  11.9

  25.2

  32.7

  13.4

  Treasury Solicitor

  2.8

  3.4

  11.5

  13.3

  10.7

  21.1

  32.3

  13.6

  15.0

  Welsh Office (including OHMCIS)

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3.7

  0.5

  0.8

  1.2

  0.6

  0.9

  Total

  1.6

  2.9

  1.9

  2.8

  2.6

  4.8

  7.2

  7.6

  5.7

  1 Number of non industrial staff who responded to departmental surveys on ethnic origin

  2 Rounded to nearest 10 to preserve confidentiality

  3 Zero per cent.

  4 No staff reported at this grade

  5 Less than five staff

  Note:

  Departmental totals include a few staff whose grades are not known

  Source:

  Mandate and Departmental Returns

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin of civil servants in his private office, as at 1 October 1997. [56822]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The information for all Government Departments is as follows:

  Information on the ethnic origin of civil servants is collected using a voluntary, confidential questionnaire. The number and percentage of ethnic minority staff in Ministers' private offices are set out in the table. Civil Service employment statistics are collected and updated annually, as at 1 April. Data for 1998 are still being collated, therefore the figures quoted in this answer are as at 1 April 1997.

  To protect the privacy of individual staff, data relating to fewer than five people are not disclosed in Civil Service equal opportunities monitoring.
  670

  Ethnic origin of Private Office staff at 1 April 19971

  Department

  Ethnic minority

  Ethnic minority(%)

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ministry of

  5

  20

  Cabinet Office

  5

  26.3

  Culture, Media and Sport, Department for

  *

  n/a

  Defence, Ministry of

  *

  n/a

  Education and Employment, Department for

  8

  15.1

  Environment Transport and the Regions, Department of the

  9

  15.8

  FCO

  *

  n/a

  Health, Department of

  *

  n/a

  Home Office

  8

  12.7

  Department for International Development

  *

  n/a

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  *

  n/a

  Northern Ireland Office

  *

  n/a

  Privy Council Office

  0

  0

  Scottish Office

  *

  n/a

  Social Security

  11

  28.2

  Trade and Industry, Department of

  15

  23.4

  Treasury

  *

  n/a

  1Based on headcount of staff who responded to survey on ethnic origin

  * Less than five

  Source:

  Departmental Returns
  671
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will provide a breakdown in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin, as at 1 October 1997, of civil servants at each grade. [56843]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  Information on the ethnic origin of civil servants is collected using a voluntary, confidential questionnaire. The number and percentage of civil servants from ethnic minorities who have submitted a questionnaire, by grade equivalents, is set out in the table. Civil Service employment statistics are centrally collected and updated annually, as at 1 April. Data for 1998 are still being checked, therefore the figures quoted in this answer are as at 1 April 1997.

  Total ethnic minority staff in post by responsibility level at 1 April 19971

  Responsibility Level

  Ethnic minority staff number

  Ethnic minority staff percentage

  SCS

  51

  1.6

  Grade 6

  120

  2.9

  Grade 7

  259

  1.9

  SEO

  542

  2.8

  HEO

  993

  2.6

  EO

  4,381

  4.8

  AO

  10,977

  7.2

  AA

  4,802

  7.6

  Total

  22,148

  5.7

  1 Non industrial staff who responded to departmental surveys on ethnic origin.

  Source:

  Mandate and Departmental Returns

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish the names of those people he has appointed to public bodies since 1 May 1997, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed and whether they receive remuneration. [56821]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The public bodies for which I am responsible, as Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, are: The Civil Service Appeal Board; the Better Regulation Task Force; The Advisory Committee on Advertising and The Advisory Committee for Justice of the Peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. The following appointments or reappointments have been made since the 1 May 1997:

  The Better Regulation Task Force

  Chairperson

  Christopher Haskins

  Deputy Chairperson

  Teresa Graham

  Members

  Stephen Alambritis

  Sarah Anderson

  Allan Charlesworth

  Hugh Field

  Ram Gidoomal

  Sir Simon Gourlay

  Pamela Meadows

  Robert Purry

  Chai Patel

  672

  Janet Russell

  Peter Salsbury

  Helena Shovelton

  Sue Slipman

  Ed Sweeney

  Civil Service Appeal Board

  Chairperson

  Miss M. P. Downs, OBE

  Deputy Chairperson

  N. F. Ledsome,CB

  Member, Official Side Panel

  M. E. G. Fogden, CB

  E. McGivern, CB

  Ms S. Brown

  S.R. Davie, CB

  T.W. Hall

  R. M. Hastie-Smith, CB

  P. Jefferson-Smith, CB

  N. E. A. Moore

  Miss E. A. Rees

  Member, Trade Union Side Panel

  Ms L. J. Clare

  T. Thompson

  W. J. Edmunds, BEM

  T. R. Graves, MBE

  Ms D. Hall Hall

  A. F. Stem

  The Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside

  Members

  R. Matthews, JP

  Mrs. B. G. Jones

  C.J. Starkey

  J. Alexander, JP

  D.Bentham, JP

  Mrs. M. S. Dutton, JP

  Mrs. J. Brittain, JP

  Mrs. B. Kilfoyle, JP

  H. M. Winik, JP

  Mrs. M. A. Bishop, JP

  Mrs. C. Nancollas, JP

  Mrs. J. Hurlston

  Mrs. A. Saltsman, JP

  Mrs. S. Marston, JP

  Mrs. L. Worsley, JP

  Ms A. H. Martin

  W. A. Fletcher, JP

  E. McCulley, JP

  J. G. Poyner, OBE

  Miss E. J. Partington, JP

  Mrs. C. Beesley, JP

  Mrs. M. A. McCaldin, JP

  Mrs. B. Duxbury, JP

  A. J. Sudworth

  E. G. Hubert

  Mrs. C. Grannell, JP

  Mrs. P. M. Snowden, JP

  Reverend G. Rainford

  673

  G. Knowles, JP

  Mrs. M. Fishwick, JP

  M. Flacks, JP

  R. P. Shepherd, JP

  D. R. Jones

  Mrs. D. M. Hilton, JP

  D. Wainwright, JP

  B. T. Spencer

  E.A. Hazeldine

  I. M. Chapman, JP

  Mrs. J. L. Berry, JP

  M. V. Evans

  Mrs. S. E. Mashiane-Talbot, JP

  Mrs. D. E. Morton, JP

  B. Corbin.

  There have been no appointments or re-appointments to the Advisory Committee on Advertising since 1 May 1997. However, Mr. Derek Dear, an existing member of the Committee, was appointed as Chairperson on 4 March 1998 on the retirement of the previous incumbent.

  No members of any Cabinet Office Public Body receive a salary. Members of the Civil Service Appeal Board receive a fee per daily attendance.

  Government Cars
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Government cars have been (i) stolen, (ii) hijacked and (iii) otherwise illegally lost to immediate use, broken down by(a) ministers' cars and (b) others since 1 May 1997. [57752]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for this matter have been delegated under the terms of its Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the right hon. Member.

  Letter from Nick Matheson to Sir Brian Mawhinney, dated November 1998:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, has asked me in my capacity as Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the theft, hijacking, or other illegal loss of government cars. This Agency provides cars and drivers to some government departments. It is not responsible for all government cars.
  Of those cars provided by this Agency since 1 May 1997, only one car has been stolen. This was in June 1998 and was a non ministerial car used mainly for driver training purposes. No other cars have been hijacked or suffered any other illegal loss of use.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Autism
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to collect information centrally on autistic children in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [57622]
  674
  Mr. McFall
  Information on autistic children in Northern Ireland is not held centrally and we have no plans to collect such information. It is for Health and Social Services boards and Education and Library to determine the needs of children with autism in their respective areas and work to ensure that these needs are met.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to issue specific guidance on services for autistic children in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [57621]

  Mr. McFall
  We have no plans to issue guidance specifically related to children with autism at this time. Guidance on services for children with disability, including those with autism, is contained in "The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 Guidance and Regulations, Volume 5—Children with a Disability" published by HMSO in 1996.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps she is taking to ensure that educational authorities in Northern Ireland have sufficient funds to develop new services for autistic children; and if she will make a statement; [57626]

  (2) if she will introduce a charter for persons with autism in line with the charter adopted at the fourth Autism European Congress in May 1992; and if she will make a statement. [57627]

  (3) what steps she is taking to instruct each education authority in Northern Ireland to provide her with information on the provision of special educational facilities for children who suffer from autism or other forms of early childhood psychosis; and if she will make a statement; [57623]

  (4) what steps she is taking to ensure that each child with autism in Northern Ireland receives a relevant educational service; and if she will make a statement. [57624]

  Mr. McFall
  Education and Library Boards are required by legislation and funded by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland to assess and provide for all children in Northern Ireland with special educational needs, including autism. Special educational needs assessments are individual to each child, involving the provision of advice to Boards by a range of professionals, and statements of special educational needs are reviewed annually to ensure that the provision made remains relevant to each child's needs. Boards of Governors of schools also have the statutory duty to use their best endeavours to secure that if any registered pupil has special educational needs, the provision which his learning difficulty calls for is made. Provision is monitored by the Education and Training Inspectorate, who report satisfactory levels of provision and priority for autistic children. Information on provision and facilities for all children with special educational needs is readily available to the Department of Education from the education and Library boards.
  675
  Education and Library Boards in Northern Ireland already provide guidance on request in the range of educational services for children with special educational needs, including autistic spectrum disorder.

  Industrial Site, Downpatrick
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to market the new industrial site currently under construction on the Belfast Road, Downpatrick, in the(a) United States of America, (b) Canada, (c) Central Europe and (d) the Far East; and what have been the results of the marketing exercise. [57338]

  Mr. Ingram
  The overseas marketing by the Industrial Development Board (IDB) present the business opportunity of Northern Ireland as a whole, to encourage potential Investors to visit. Rarely at this early stage do potential investors seek such details but Overseas Representatives of the IDB do visit sites when they are in Northern Ireland so that they can answer detailed questions. It is generally when potential investors visit Northern Ireland that they are keen to learn details of particular sites. This year there have been two visits to the Belfast Road site in Downpatrick.

HEALTH

  Mental Health Spending
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate total public spending in real terms on mental health over the last 10 years. [57086]

  Mr. Hutton
  Mental health and mental ill health have a very wide impact and it is not possible to estimate total public expenditure.

  Health expenditure taken from the Hospital and Community Health Services Programme Budget (at 1996–97 prices after allowing for Gross Domestic Product inflation) is shown in the following table:

  £ million

  Year

  Total spend on mental illness(inpatient, outpatient, day patient and community mental illness nursing)

  1986–87

  1,866

  1987–88

  2,051

  1988–89

  2,147

  1989–90

  2,179

  1990–91

  2,171

  1991–92

  2,163

  1992–93

  2,493

  1993–94

  2,597

  1994–95

  2,522

  1995–96

  2,589

  1996–97

  2,801

  Note:

  Figures are not comparable throughout the period shown due to a number of factors 1) the changes in the data collection systems 2) revised NHS accounting practices 3) a change in the allocation of general practitioner fundholder expenditure.
  676
  Overall Local Authority Expenditure on mental illness is shown in the table:

  £ million

  Year

  Overall amount (including the Mental Illness Specific Grant (MISG))

  1991–92

  203.11

  1992–93

  242.99

  1993–94

  304.50

  1994–95

  359.59

  1995–96

  418.50

  1996–97

  467.80

  1997–98

  65.59

  (MISG only. Local authority expenditure not available)

  1998–99

  69.42

  (MISG only. Local authority expenditure not available)

  Note:

  The above figures are shown at 1996–97 rates

  Other specific funding since 1996/97 has been the Mental Health Challenge Fund, Emergency Pressures, Mentally Disordered Offenders Strategic Assistance Fund and the National Health Service Partnership Fund. Total expenditure is £64 million.

  Accident and Emergency Units
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital accident and emergency units in(a) the North West of England and (b) England have been (i) closed and (ii) merged since 1 May 1997. [57178]

  Mr. Milburn
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Midwives
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are made to protect midwives undertaking night calls. [57598]

  Mr. Milburn
  National Health Service employers are legally obliged to provide a safe system of work, a safe working environment, safe premises, adequate training and instructions and information which allows employees to ensure their safety at work. The guidance "Safer working in the Community" launched on the 28 October 1998, contains a great deal of information on how to reduce the risks from violence which community staff, including midwives, may encounter in their work.

  Social Services
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the level of personal social services expenditure for each local authority in England and Wales for(a) 1994–95,(b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97 and (d) 1997–98; and what is the percentage variation against standard spending assessment in each case. [58092]
  677
  Mr. Hutton
  Details of personal social services expenditure by each local authority in England for 1994/95, 1995/96 and 1996/97 are available in the form of computer tables on the DH World Wide Web pages Internet reference http://www.open.gov.uk/doh/public/pss stat.htm. Actual expenditure figures for 1997/98 are not yet available.

  Copies of four tables which set out for each year by local authority, standing spending assessment, net expenditure and the percentage variation in each case have been placed in the Library. The figures on expenditure in the tables placed in the Library have been adjusted by Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions statisticians to make them comparable with standard spending assessments. This has meant excluding expenditure supported by special and specific grants and making some other technical changes.

  Figures for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Influenza Vaccines
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued through what channels, on the vaccination of pensioners against influenza. [57862]

  Ms Jowell
  Influenza vaccine is recommended for all those in whom the disease is more likely to be a serious illness, so immunisation is recommended for:those with chronic respiratory or heart disease or renal disease, diabetes and those who are immunosuppressed
  those living in long stay residential accommodation
  from this year, all those aged 75 and over.

  The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Nursing Officer wrote to doctors and nurses advising them of this extension in policy in a joint letter in August 1998 (Personal Letter/CM098/4 Personal Letter/CNO/98/6) and a Health Services Circular (HSC 1998/140) was sent to health authorities. The Department has issued a poster and updated its two leaflets about influenza: 'What should I do about flu?' and 'Flu vaccination', available from surgeries and health centres. Copies are available in the Library.

  On 19 October, the CMO launched 'Flu Awareness Week' at a press conference organised jointly with AIMS (the Association for Influenza Monitoring and Surveillance).

  Liverpool Blood Transfusion Centre
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for investment in the Liverpool Blood Transfusion Centre; and if he will make a statement. [58074]

  Mr. Hutton
  Professor Alastair Bellingham, transitional director of the Liverpool Blood Transfusion Centre, is preparing a report for the National Blood 678
  Authority. We will consider the recommendations and options for investment when that report is ready.

  Spitting
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the public health risks caused by individuals spitting in public places; [58183]

  (2) if he will introduce measures to eradicate spitting in public places; and if he will make a statement. [58182]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has no plans to introduce measures to eradicate spitting in public places.

  Whilst spitting is an anti-social and disagreeable habit, it is very unlikely that diseases are spread via this route. Tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases are spread through breathing infected aerosolised droplets in the air, which are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Since tuberculosis and other diseases are unlikely to be spread by spitting, measures aimed at eradicating spitting are unlikely to have any effect on the spread of disease.

  Wheelchair Service
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the terms of reference for the current review of the wheelchair service for indoor and outdoor powered wheelchairs; when the contract for the review project was let; and what the deadline is for receipt of the contractor's report. [57772]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]: In 1996 the then Government announced additional funding to enable health authorities to introduce the provision of electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs and a voucher scheme for wheelchair users. An evaluation study of the implementation and operation of these initiatives has now begun. The evaluation will critically examine the performance of health authorities and wheelchair service providers in meeting the objectives of the two initiatives; identify the features of successful implementation; and make recommendations on any further action which may be necessary either in relation to the objectives or to improve implementation across the National Health Service.

  The contract for the evaluation study was formally awarded on 29 October 1998. The work is expected to be completed by 31 March 1999.

  Learning Disabilities
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review provision for those with learning disabilities and give guidance to health and social service authorities on best practice. [57747]
  679
  Mr. Hutton
  We already have a substantial programme of work in hand to ensure the continued, appropriate development of health and social services for people with learning disabilities. This includes:follow up to Moving into the Mainstream, the report of a Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) inspection of learning disability services in 1997;
  follow up to Signposts for Success, good practice guidance on meeting the health needs of people with learning disabilities issued by the Department in January 1998;
  a project to improve our understanding of the service models which have developed in recent years and give us a clearer picture of the services available for people with learning disabilities. The first phase involved a review of plans for learning disability hospital closures; the second is looking at the range and balance of health and social care services for people with learning disabilities in 24 local authority areas; and
  an advisory group involving key interests, including people with learning disabilities, has been set up to advise the Department on this programme of work. We will keep the need to issue further guidance under review.

  Unwanted Pregnancies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to reduce the numbers of unwanted pregnancies. [56942]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: In November 1997, I announced the Government's commitment to reduce the rate of teenage conceptions and invited four individuals to make recommendations for the action which needs to be taken across four areas: sex and relationships education; counselling, advice and contraceptive services; vulnerable and hard to reach groups; and research. Their recommendations were received in the summer in a draft report drawn together by the Health Education Authority.

  On 31 July, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister asked the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) to work with other Departments building on the work undertaken by the Department of Health to develop an integrated strategy to cut rates of teenage parenthood, particularly under-age parenthood, towards the European average and to propose better solutions to combat the risk of social exclusion for vulnerable teenage parents and their children, reporting to Ministers by December. The SEU is consulting widely to develop its recommendations. Copies of the consultation letter have been placed in the Library.

  The Department is also in the process of reviewing existing guidance on the provision of family planning services to all age groups. This updated guidance will be produced early in the New Year and will be aimed at Primary Care Groups as well as health authorities. The Department also continues to fund the Contraceptive Education Service, which provides information for health professionals and the general public.

  NHS Trusts (Damages Awards)
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to mitigate the impact of large awards of damages on the budgets of NHS trusts and health authorities; and if he will make a statement. [57799]
  680
  Mr. Milburn
  On 29 April 1998 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to a number of organisations representing professional, legal, National Health Service and patient interests seeking their views on what can be done to reduce the number of incidents which give rise to claims against NHS trusts and health authorities, how to manage patient expectation and how to improve the handling of claims which do arise. Officials are in the process of studying replies in order to identify suggestions which might be taken forward in the future.

  Juveniles (Secure Accommodation)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer from the former Under-Secretary of State for Health, the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), on 11 March 1998,Official Report, column 203, how many places in local authority secure accommodation which were planned for after 1 May 1997 (a) have been provided and (b) were planned for on the latest date for which figures are available. [58414]

  Mr. Hutton
  All six places will be available for use early in 1999. The two projects that are providing these additional places have been in the planning stage since early 1997. The latest published Departmental statistics on children's secure accommodation provides details for year ending 31 March 1997.

  Breastfeeding
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the advantages of breastfeeding for infants; and what steps his Department has taken to encourage women to breastfeed. [57793]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government are fully committed to the promotion of breastfeeding which is universally accepted as the best form of nutrition for infants. The Government's source of independent expert advice on infant feeding is the Panel on Child and Maternal Nutrition, which is a standing committee of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA). It recommends that babies should be breastfed exclusively for the first 4–6 months of life. In coming to a view and making recommendations, COMA reviews the published information and also seeks advice from experts in the field to ensure that it fully takes into account the latest research.

  The Department offers support for research into breastfeeding through the Quinquennial Surveys of Infant Feeding Practice; the report of the 1995 survey was published last year. A project was commissioned in 1996 which has been ongoing until this year. This is a study on the impact of maternal nutrition (including breastfeeding) on health and development in healthy pre-term infants.

  As part of the Government's research initiative on health inequalities, it has commissioned research, which started on the 1 November, aimed at identifying the barriers to breastfeeding in low income groups. Through the health technology assessment programme, in collaboration with the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, the Department is planning to fund a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to promote the uptake of breastfeeding. It has also funded a review of practices which promote or

  681
  inhibit breastfeeding, and this report will be published soon. Further work is also being carried out, however, as part of the mother and child health programme.

  The Department funds the National Network of Breastfeeding Co-ordinators (NNBC). The NNBC has been established to promote breastfeeding at a local level and to share ideas nationally with a view to increasing both the number of mothers breastfeeding and the length of time they continue to breastfeed.

  Each year the four United Kingdom Health Departments support National Breastfeeding Awareness Week to increase public awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, which this year took place between 17–23 May. This year, as in other years, the Department funded and provided the publicity materials used during the week. These included posters and postcards aimed at promoting breastfeeding with the slogan "Free fast food for babies".

  The Department also provides financial support to the three main voluntary organisations in this area, the National Childbirth Trust, La Leche League and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers. Close links are also kept with United Nations Children's Fund Baby Friendly Initiative which includes a Departmental observer sitting on the Steering Committee of the UK Baby Friendly Initiative.

  The "Informed Choice Initiative" produces a series of leaflets (including one on breastfeeding), designed to allow women to make informed choices about their own maternity care.

  Osteoporosis
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what programmes he has promoted to educate men and women aged between 25 and 40 years on the importance of diet in the prevention of osteoporosis. [57794]

  Ms Jowell
  A healthy and balanced diet is important for all age groups to help reduce the risk of a number of illnesses, including osteoporosis. For this reason, we continue to promote healthy eating messages to all age groups and in particular to commission the Health Education Authority to incorporate healthy eating messages in their health education materials. None of these programmes have been specifically aimed at men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 years. However the health advice that promotes the importance of diet in the prevention of osteoporosis is valuable for people of all ages.

  The Osteoporosis Strategy I launched earlier this year highlighted the various factors which play an important role in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Maintaining a healthy diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D is just one aspect. Also as important is regular exercise, particularly weight bearing exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Such factors may play a part in the prevention of osteoporosis. Therefore the Osteoporosis Strategy provides valuable advice on lifestyle measures for reducing the risk of osteoporosis which applies to all age groups.

  Work-related Stress
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local health authorities provide workplace counselling and effective employment assistance programmes to combat work-related stress in the NHS. [57798]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not collected centrally. As part of the new strategic framework for managing human resources in the National Health Service the NHS Executive has identified the provision of counselling services for all staff as a priority for local action.

  Cancer
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list (1) the success rates for curing the most common form of childhood leukaemia in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) Sweden, (f) Denmark and (g) the United States of America in the last five years for which figures are available; [58110]

  (2) the success rates for curing lung cancer in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) Sweden, (f) Denmark and (g) the United States of America in the last five years for which figures are available; [58100]

  (3) the success rates for curing cervical cancer in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) Sweden, (f) Denmark and (g) the United States in the last five years for which figures are available; [58111]

  (4) the success rates for curing prostate cancer in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany,(d) Italy, (e) Sweden, (f) Denmark and (g) the United States of America in the last five years for which figures are available; [58099]

  (5) the success rates for curing colon cancer in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) Sweden, (f) Denmark and (g) the United States in the last five years for which figures are available; [58101]

  (6) the success rates for curing breast cancer in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) Sweden, (f) Denmark and (g) the United States of America in the last five years for which figures are available. [58103]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Dennis Skinner, dated 5 November 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent questions on success rates for treating cancer.
  The latest available information on the survival of cancer patients in Europe is given in "Survival of cancer patients in Europe—The EUROCARE Study" (International Agency for Research on Cancer Scientific Publications No. 132); a copy is available in the House of Commons library. Results for the United States are given on pages 188 and 189 of "Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention" (2nd edition)

  683
  edited by D Schottenfeld and JF Fraumeni—copies of these pages are attached and copies will be placed in the House of Commons library.
  Figures are not available on whether or not patients are cured—although when the relative survival curve "flattens off the patients are dying at the same rate as the general population (same age and sex). Also, for most cancers (but not breast cancer or multiple myeloma), five year relative survival rates are often taken to be 'cure' rates.

TREASURY

  Growth Forecasts
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made by his Department of the IMF's recent downgrading of forecasts for growth in the UK economy in comparison with other EU countries. [56874]

  Mr. Byers
  The IMF's latest forecast for growth in the UK in 1999 is broadly in line with the Government's forecast as set out in the Pre Budget Report published on 3 November.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on forecasts for growth. [56885]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer receives numerous representations on all aspects of UK economic developments, including growth prospects.

  European Central Bank
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the methods the European central bank will employ to achieve price stability in Europe. [56875]

  Ms Hewitt
  The European Central Bank (ECB) made a preliminary announcement on their monetary policy strategy on the 13 October. They set out their definition of price stability as a year-on-year increase in the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) of less than 2% and announced that, in order to achieve this, they will give prominence to a broad monetary aggregate target and will also monitor a wide range of economic and financial variables.

  Economic Stability
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to encourage economic stability. [56877]

  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to encourage economic stability. [56873]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Pre-Budget Report sets out how the Government are taking action to steer a stable course for lasting prosperity.

  International Financial Institutions
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has put forward for the reorganisation of international financial institutions. [56878]

  Ms Hewitt
  As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer reported to the House earlier this week on 2 November 1998,Official Report, columns 559–63, significant reforms to strengthen the international financial system and improve the effectiveness of the international financial institutions were announced on 30 October by the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the G7 countries. These reforms reflect the shared determination of the G7 countries, under the Presidency of the UK, to put in place new rules and procedures and to modernise the international financial architecture to meet the challenges of the global economy.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss exchange rates. [56880]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor has regular meetings with the Governor of the Bank of England, where they discuss a wide range of issues.

  PSBR
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has held with Scottish local authorities relating to the Treasury's definition of the public sector borrowing requirement. [56881]

  Mr. Byers
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has not held any discussions relating to the definition of the PSBR with Scottish local authorities but he would be interested in receiving their views.

  Government Statistics
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to improve the accuracy of Government statistics. [56882]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government are committed to enhancing the integrity of official statistics. The Green Paper "Statistics: A Matter of Trust" was published in February and set out options to ensure that official statistics are of assured quality and produced and presented in a way which is free from political interference. In the light of the subsequent consultation exercise, the Government's proposals will be set out in a White Paper.

  Global Credit
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to prevent a global credit crunch. [56883]

  Ms Hewitt
  G7 Finance Ministers and central bank Governors have emphasised their commitment to create or sustain conditions for strong domestic demand led growth and preserve financial stability in their own economies.

  Pensions Mis-selling
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the measures he has put in place to ensure that people who have been mis-sold private pensions are compensated. [56884]

  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to ensure that compensation is paid to people who were mis-sold private pensions. [56890]

  Ms Hewitt
  The regulatory system for investment firms was set up under the Financial Services Act (1986), and the regulators have implemented the review of pensions mis-selling under the provisions of the Act.

  The latest evidence is that, in 78 per cent. of priority cases, reviews have been completed.

  Productivity
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about his policy to use the tax system to promote productivity increases in UK firms. [56886]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  With business, we are putting in place a strategy to tackle the long-term economic weakness of a 40 per cent. productivity with our most successful competitors. The Pre-Budget Report sets out what we must do over the coming year to help equip the British economy for the challenges ahead.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England so far in the current year. [56887]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor has had regular meetings with the Governor of the Bank of England throughout the course of this year.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about his policy on the single currency. [56888]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's policy on UK membership of the single currency was set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a statement to the House on 27 October 1997,Official Report, columns 583–88.

  The Government believe that, in principle, British membership of a successful single currency could be beneficial to Britain and to Europe. Our national economic interest will be the key factor in deciding whether or not we should join. There is no constitutional bar to UK membership of the single currency.

  The Government have concluded that the UK economy has neither the flexibility nor the convergence with the other European economies to make joining in 1999 in our
  686
  national economic interest. The UK needs a period of stability and settled convergence before we can join. Barring some fundamental and unforeseen change in economic circumstances making a decision to join during this Parliament is not realistic. The job for this Parliament is to prepare in order to create a realistic option of joining early in the next Parliament, if Government, Parliament and the British people agree.

  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Government plan to inform the public about the single European currency. [56894]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's communication campaign on the euro is not a general public education campaign but is specifically targeted at ensuring that UK businesses, especially small and medium sized firms, are aware of the implications of the introduction of the single currency from 1 January 1999 and have the information they need to address the issues arising from this.

  Withholding Tax
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards the proposed European withholding tax. [56889]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We are in favour of effective international action against tax evasion. Action confined to the Community will be limited in its effectiveness but may be useful as part of a move towards wider action. However, we will not agree to any course of action which would seriously damage the UK and other European financial markets.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the proposed European withholding tax. [56879]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are taking an active part in discussions on the draft Directive. We have made it clear on a number of occasions that we will not agree to any course of action which would seriously damage the UK and other European financial markets.

  Dividend Income (Pensioners)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made with measures to address the anomaly of low-income pensioners facing taxation of their dividend income. [56891]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 37.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee to meet more frequently to determine UK interest rate policy; and if he will make a statement. [56892]
  687
  Ms Hewitt
  The Bank of England Act 1998 states that the Monetary Policy Committee should meet at least once a month. The Act also states that the Governor of the Bank may summon a meeting at any time on giving such notice as in his judgment the circumstances may require.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the factors that underlie the level of interest rates in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Germany. [56896]

  Ms Hewitt
  Interest rates in the UK are set by the Bank of England to deliver the Government's inflation target of 2½ per cent. RPIX inflation. The Bundesbank sets interest rates in Germany in pursuit of price stability.

  Low-income Families
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to assist working families on low incomes. [56893]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  From April, as a result of abolishing the entry fee to National Insurance, all employees will receive a tax cut of more than £1 a week. The Working Families Tax Credit will be introduced guaranteeing a minimum income of at least £190 a week for the working families. This will back-up the national minimum wage which will be introduced in April next year, helping 1.9 million employees.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what forecast he has made for unemployment in 1999. [56895]

  Ms Hewitt
  In line with the convention adopted by previous administrations, the Government do not publish a forecast for unemployment.

  Economic Activity
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss levels of economic activity. [56897]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor has regular meetings with the Governor of the Bank of England where they discuss a wide range of issues.

  Farming (Young People)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people under the age of 25 years have taken up farming as a career in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate he has made of the figure in the current year. [58136]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 4 November 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Maclean, dated 5 November 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on young people taking up farming as a career.
  688
  The precise information requested is not available. However, the Labour Force Survey (LFS), which is the ONS's major up to date source of occupational data, can provide estimates of those employed in farming occupations who were not employed in such occupations a year earlier. The attached table shows estimates from the spring LFS back to 1988. The vast majority of those covered are classified as agricultural workers rather than farmers according to the Socio-Economic classification of their stated occupation. These figures may include some full-time students and others not intending taking up farming as a career.
  As with any sample survey LFS estimates are subject to sampling variability. The sampling variability (expressed as the range within which 95% of estimates taken from different samples would be expected to fall) of these estimates is roughly +/-20%.

  People aged 16–24 employed in farming who were not soone year previously, Spring 1997-Spring 1998,not seasonally adjusted, United Kingdom

  Thousand

  Spring 1988

  40

  Spring 1989

  34

  Spring 1990

  32

  Spring 1991

  30

  Spring 1992

  27

  Spring 1993

  28

  Spring 1994

  28

  Spring 1995

  25

  Spring 1996

  23

  Spring 1997

  19

  Spring 1998

  21

  Source:

  ONS, Labour Force Survey

  Labour Statistics (Scotland)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were registered as unemployed in each constituency in Scotland(a) in May 1997 and (b) at the most recent available date. [58341]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 5 November 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question on how many people were registered as unemployed in each constituency in Scotland.
  The information you have requested can only be derived from the monthly claimant count of people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Jobseeker's Allowance or National Insurance credits). Essentially, all people who were claiming these benefits on the count day are counted.
  The number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits in each Parliamentary Constituency in Scotland can be obtained from the Nomis database which is accessible by the House of Commons Library.

  Registered Maternities
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 19 October 1998, Official

  689
  Report, columns 929–30, concerning numbers of registered maternities, if the information can be provided for the most recent single year for which data are available. [58078]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Maternities occurring in 1997 in selected hospitals for selected areas of usual residence of the mother

  Place of mother's residence

  Place of maternity

  St. Albans

  Dacorum

  Watford

  Hertsmere

  Three Rivers

  i) Hemel Hempstead General Hospital

  1,215

  1,512

  13

  12

  48

  ii) St. Albans City Hospital

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  iii) Watford General Hospital

  102

  32

  1,078

  588

  884

  iv) Mount Vernon Hospital

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  v) Barnet General Hospital

  1

  0

  1

  32

  0

  vi) Chase Farm Hospital

  3

  1

  0

  95

  0

  vii) Northwick Park Hospital

  3

  2

  11

  14

  16

  viii) Luton and Dunstable Hospital

  29

  13

  0

  1

  2

  ix) Stoke Mandeville Hospital

  0

  154

  0

  0

  1

  x) Wycombe General Hospital

  0

  1

  0

  0

  3

  xi) Other NHS Hospitals

  234

  21

  14

  299

  45

  xii) RAF Halton Hospital

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  xiii) Other non-NHS hospitals

  4

  4

  0

  20

  6

  xiv) At home

  84

  66

  17

  10

  15

  xv) Elsewhere

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Total

  1,675

  1,807

  1,134

  1,072

  1,021

  High-payment Annuities
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to facilitate high-payment annuities for people of over 75 years of age with low incomes. [58264]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: I would expect the annuities market to determine what rates of annuity are paid to individuals who buy annuities at a later time of life.

  Mortality Rates
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the probability of(a) a man and (b) a woman who reaches the age of 18 years in 1998 living up to or beyond the age of (i) 60, (ii) 65, (iii) 70, (iv) 75 and (v) 80 years. [57940]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: Using the projected future mortality rates underlying the 1996-based population projections for the United Kingdom carried out by the Government Actuary's Department, it is estimated that the probability of someone aged 18 in the United Kingdom living up to or beyond the age of 60, 65, 70,76 and 80 is as follows:

  Probability of someone aged 18 in the UK reaching age

  60

  65

  70

  75

  80

  Male

  917

  875

  806

  703

  556

  Female

  942

  919

  877

  808

  703

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the
  690
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Kerry Pollard, dated 5 November 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary question on maternities in 1997.
  The information requested is shown in the table below.

  staffing levels of HM Customs and Excise offices along the South Coast. [56867]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The deployment of Customs' anti-smuggling staff around the UK is determined by the assessed risk of smuggling in any one area, and is reviewed regularly. Furthermore, the management by Customs of import and export cargo controls has been the subject of a detailed analysis over the past two years to ensure that efficiency and effectiveness at South Coast ports provides a good service for the users and value for money to the taxpayer. HM Customs and Excise are satisfied that current Customs resourcing levels along the South Coast are sufficient.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what arrangements employers whose PAYE and NIC liabilities are too small to cover the statutory maternity pay and statutory sick pay due to their employees may apply to the Inland Revenue for funding; and if he will set out for each available year since 1990 the number and total, average and median amounts of such funding payments and the numbers of employers and employees in respect of whom such funding arrangements were made. [58139]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Employers whose PAYE and NICs liabilities for a month/quarter are too small to cover the statutory maternity pay and statutory sick pay due to their employees would refer to The Employee's Quick Guide to PAYE and NICs (Card 18). This would instruct them to deduct the amount owed to them from the following month/quarter payment to the Inland Revenue. If this will not be possible they are instructed to write to the Accounts Office with which they deal explaining their calculations and requesting an advance to enable them to make the payment to the employee.
  691
  The numbers and values of such payments made by the Accounts Offices in each of the last 4 years are recorded as:

  Year

  Cumbernauld

  Shipley

  Total

  Amount (£)

  1995

  7,024

  4,336

  11,360

  5,553,414

  1996

  6,968

  4,537

  11,505

  5,728,183

  1997

  7,641

  4,843

  12,484

  6,865,685

  1998

  7,956

  5,231

  13,187

  7,529,098

  It is not possible to break these figures down further to say how many employers or employees were involved or whether the payments were for refunded PAYE, statutory maternity pay or statutory sick pay.

  Disabled Person's Tax Credit
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultation his Department has had with disability groups over the formulation of the disabled person's tax credit. [56943]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Inland Revenue officials have begun a series of informal discussions with representatives of disability groups in addition to their continuing consultations with representatives of employers, who will be responsible for paying the disabled person's tax credit through the wage packet from April 2000.

  Charities Taxation
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of his announcement of a review of the VAT exemption on the position of those charities appealing to the VAT and Duties Tribunal against the imposition of VAT on welfare services provided by them. [58306]

  Ms Hewitt
  Customs and Excise are asking the VAT and Duties Tribunal temporarily to suspend appeals by charities, while they consult interested parties on the circumstances in which home support services will be exempt from VAT as charity welfare services.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much has been paid in VAT by charities for the provision of home support services in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [58307]

  (2) how many charities are currently liable for VAT for the provision of home support services. [58308]

  Ms Hewitt
  There are no specific data on the numbers of charities accounting for VAT on their supplies of home support services, or on the amount of that VAT. In light of a recent Tribunal decision Customs are reviewing their policy on charity welfare services and are consulting interested parties to agree the circumstances in which home support services will be exempt from VAT.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlie the delay in publishing the response to the consultation arising from the review of charities taxation; and if he will make a statement. [58194]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Sir J. Stanley) on 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 40.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the Vehicle Excise Duty payable on(a) 40 tonne and (b) 41 tonne heavy goods vehicles from 1 January 1999. [58309]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that he is reviewing the system for setting Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates for lorries to ensure that the environmental damage caused by lorries is reflected in their VED rates. The review is taking into account the wider environmental impacts of lorries, as well as considerations of their physical effects on the road infrastructure. The VED payable from 1 January 1999 for the new vehicles are set out in the table:

  £

  New Vehicles

  VED rates from 1 January 1999 (until the next Budget)

  Rigid 17–18t (2 axles)

  1,320

  Artic 36t (4 axles)

  5,170

  Artic 38t (4 axles)

  Artie 40t (5 axles)

  3,210

  Artie 41t (6 axles)

  1,280

  Artie 44t (5 axles)

  2,280

  New higher rates will be announced in the next Budget, to discourage strongly the use of vehicles with 11½ tonne axle weights, in view of the additional road damage that they cause.

  Golf Clubs
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on VAT treatment of subscriptions for(a) private golf clubs and (b) proprietary clubs. [58252]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Playing subscriptions to non-profit making sports clubs are exempt from VAT. Subscriptions to proprietary clubs are liable to VAT at 17.5 per cent.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on revenue as a result of the rejection on 6 May 1998 of an appeal by Keswick Golf Club and others to the VAT and Duties Tribunal relating to the VAT status of green fees at members' clubs in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01, and (d) 2001–02. [58172]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs estimate that the decision of the VAT and Duties Tribunal saved them from having to repay £30 million of VAT revenue to non-profit making golf clubs. They also estimate that the revenue yield from VAT on green fees charged by non-profit making golf clubs is £10 million a year.

  Taxation (Car Users)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the level of tax on car users. [57470]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor has received a number of representations about the excise duty on hydrocarbon oil and the impact on car users. All of the representations will be carefully considered in the run up to the next Budget.
  693
  Ms. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will calculate the total income received by Her Majesty's Government from all forms of car tax, vehicle excise duty, VAT on car sales, and hydro-carbon taxes in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 to date. [57471]

  Ms Hewitt
  Car tax was abolished with effect from 12 November 1992.

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99(to September1998)

  Vehicle excise duty

  4,487

  2,353

  Hydro-carbon taxes for road fuels

  19,245

  10,277

  It is not possible to estimate the Government's income from VAT on car sales except at disproportionate cost.

  Impoverished Countries (Debt)
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the figures calculated by the Jubilee 2000 Coalition in its report "In Our Own Backyard", concerning the cost of cancellation of debts owed to Britain by the most impoverished countries.[58076]

  Ms Hewitt
  Many of the figures in tables "In Our Own Backyard" have been taken from answers to parliamentary questions and/or from ECGD and DFID. Officials have not checked all the individual numbers produced by Jubilee 2000; nor is it possible, at this stage, to estimate reliably the final cost of debt relief to the Exchequer. The tables do not set out the extent to which the UK government support poor countries through their aid programme. The UK gives significantly more money in aid to the world's poorest countries than it receives in debt repayments. In 1997–98, for example, DFID's bilateral aid programme to the 40 countries identified under the HIPC initiative was just under £200 million while in the same period the UK received only £31 million in debt repayments from these countries.

  Anti-avoidance Rule
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual cost of the Inland Revenue providing pre-transaction clearances following the introduction of a general anti-avoidance rule on the basis of(a) a 30 day turn-round time and (b) a 60 day turn-round time, ensuring no charges are made to the taxpayer. [58021]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No such estimate has been made. Consultation on a possible General Anti-avoidance Rule (GAAR) is still in progress, and is addressing the general principles of a GAAR.

  VAT (Sport)
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times, and on what occasions, HM Customs and Excise has consulted(a) the European Commission and (b) the Association of Golf Course Owners since the withdrawal of the VAT (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1998 with regard to its redrafting. [58177]
  694
  Dawn Primarolo
  Although there have been no consultations, Customs have periodic discussions with the Association of Golf Course Owners.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amendment of the recent European Court of Justice ruling against the Kingdom of Spain (Case C-124/96, Judgment of the Court, Sixth Chamber, of 7 May 1998) has been made by HM Customs and Excise for the redrafting of the VAT (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1998; and if he will make a statement on the implications of that ruling for the redrafting. [58174]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs do not expect the ruling to have any implications for a replacement Order.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the HM Customs and Excise Press Release 06/98 regarding the VAT (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education, Order 1998, how the Government defines 'genuine' non-profit making clubs. [58164]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Non-profit making clubs will be defined in any replacement for the VAT (Sports, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1998.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on revenue as a result of the recent European Court of Justice ruling against the Kingdom of Spain (Case C-124/96, Judgment of the Court, Sixth Chamber, of 7 May 1998). [58175]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs do not expect the ruling to have any current effect on revenue.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of the costs that the Government were ordered to pay by the European Court of Justice (Case C-124/96, Judgment of the Court, Sixth Chamber, of 7 May 1998) as a result of HM Treasury's support of the Kingdom of Spain; and if he will list those costs. [58173]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government were not ordered to pay any costs.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those organisations with which HM Customs and Excise have liaised during their discussions with interested parties with regard to the redrafting of the VAT (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1998. [58176]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs have had discussions with the Central Council of Physical Recreation, the English Golf Union, the National Golf Clubs' Advisory Association, the Sports and Recreational Trusts Association and the Association of Golf Course Owners.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the names of those people he has appointed to public bodies since 1 May 1997, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed, and whether they receive remuneration. [56757]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the then Economic Secretary on 17 December 1997,Official Report, columns 189–90. Since then, the following additional appointments have been made.

  695

  Public body

  Names

  Position

  Whether remunerated

  Policyholder's Protection Board

  John Robins

  Chairman

  Remunerated

  Peter Foster

  Member

  Susan Ward

  Member

  Frances Harrison

  Member

  Board of Banking Supervision

  Gottfried Bruder

  Independent members

  Remunerated

  Sir Brain Pearce

  Financial Services Authority

  Mr. P.A. Thorpe

  Directors

  Remunerated

  Mr.R.H.Farrant

  Mr.M.D.Foot

  VAT and Duties Tribunal

  Mrs. Mary Christine Ainsworth

  Part-time lay members

  All unremunerated (but fee-paid per sitting)

  Mrs. Heather Cornwell-Kelly

  Mrs. Marilyn Crompton

  Kumar Sunil Das

  Mrs. Carol Jean Debell

  Mrs. Claire Elizabeth Howell

  Mrs. Penny Jonas

  Mrs. Carole A. Roberts

  John Gerald Robinson

  Mark Sischy (Scotland)

  The Hon. Mrs. Angela Widdows

  ONS Statistics Advisory Committee

  Dr. Diane Coyle

  Members

  Unremunerated

  Robert Chote

  Royal Mint Advisory Committee on the Design of Coins, Medals, Seals and Decorations

  Ms K. Eustace

  Members

  Unremunerated

  Mr. S. Devlin

  In addition, there were a number of re-appointments to the VAT and Duties Tribunals, which I shall write to my hon. Friend about separately.

  Act of Union (Bicentenary Coin)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government will commission a special coin from the Royal Mint to celebrate the bicentenary of the Act of Union between Ireland and Great Britain. [58072]

  Ms Hewitt
  No decisions have yet been made about which, if any, events will be commemorated in this way in 2001.

  VAT (Alcoholic Drinks)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when ministers last met representatives of the brewing and distilling companies to discuss the current and future levels of taxation levelled on alcoholic drinks. [58193]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I last met the Trade Associations representing the brewing and distilling industries just before the last Budget in order to discuss their Budget Representations. The exact dates are as follows: Wine and Spirits Association—8 February 1998; Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association—23 February 1998; Scotch Whisky Association and Gin and Vodka Association—24 February 1998.

  High Speed Ferries
  High Speed Ferries
  House Building: Funding
  House Building: Funding
  Bovine TB Survey Forms
  Bovine TB Survey Forms
  Pesticide Use on Genetically Engineered Crops
  Pesticide Use on Genetically Engineered Crops
  Public Analyst
  Public Analyst
  Defence Diversification
  Defence Diversification
  Territorial Army
  Territorial Army
  Senior Police Officers: Disciplinary Procedures
  Senior Police Officers: Disciplinary Procedures
  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Foreign Drivers: Moving Traffic Offence Penalties
  Foreign Drivers: Moving Traffic Offence Penalties
  Prisons: "Riots"
  Prisons: "Riots"
  Prisoners: PO Box Numbers Ban
  Prisoners: PO Box Numbers Ban
  Policing: Key Objectives
  Policing: Key Objectives
  Asylum Statistics: Monthly Data
  Asylum Statistics: Monthly Data
  Prison Service: Quantum Project
  Prison Service: Quantum Project
  Boundary Commission Report
  Boundary Commission Report
  Prevention of Terrorism Legislation: Annual Review
  Prevention of Terrorism Legislation: Annual Review
  Youth Justice Board
  Youth Justice Board
  The Monarchy
  The Monarchy
  Asylum Seekers: False Travel Documents
  Asylum Seekers: False Travel Documents
  Genetic Testing and Insurance
  Genetic Testing and Insurance