Written Answers of 9 November 1998

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Service Provision
  Mr. Dennis Turner
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps the Commission is taking to improve the machinery for the provision of services to hon. Members and the House. [58776]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  The House of Commons Commission has decided to set up a review of the present system of management of the House and its facilities.

  It has appointed Mr. Michael Braithwaite, a management consultant, who will be supported by a team of officials to review
  "the system of management and decision-making responsibilities for services to the House which was set up following the inquiry in 1990 by Sir Robin Ibbs".

  Members and staff will be consulted in the course of the review.

  The Commission will, in due course, put the findings of the review before the House.

  House Stationery
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if she will make a statement on the decision not to offer hon. Members the option of using bespoke House stationery printed on recycled paper. [58849]

  Mrs. Roe
  The Committee's decision to introduce a standard House of Commons paper was made against the following background;(a) the maintenance of quality and standards; (b) the provision of extra security by the insertion of a unique Portcullis watermark licensed to the House of Commons; (c) a reduction in cost and range of bespoke products; and (d) environmental concerns.

  The hon. Lady will wish to note that the new paper is recycled from pre-consumer waste, typically using off cuts and reel ends from a previous manufacturing process.

  New Parliamentary Building
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will report progress on the New Parliamentary Building. [58682]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 10 December 1997,Official Report, column 578, in which I reported that it is planned that the House will be able to occupy the building from the beginning of 2001. That remains so and the estimated cost is also unchanged.
  2
  The contractor who is erecting the frame of the building has experienced delays, including the supply of concrete below the specified strength, which subsequently had to be cut out and replaced. As a consequence, some contingent time has been absorbed, but an analysis of the programme has identified ways of saving time if this should become necessary to secure the planned occupation date.

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what progress has been made by the House of Commons Commission in selecting a candidate for the post of Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. [59404]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  A report recommending to the House Elizabeth Filkin, at present Adjudicator for the Inland Revenue and for Customs and Excise and the DSS Contributions Agency, is being published at 3.30 pm today as HC 1143. Copies are available from the Vote Office.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Afghanistan
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the European Commission about assistance to Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement. [58344]

  Clare Short
  We have had frequent discussions in recent months with the European Commission about assistance to Afghanistan. We and they are extremely concerned about the security of expatriate personnel in Afghanistan, and about the constraints which the actions of the Taliban and other factions have imposed on assistance activities. Our common objective is to secure an improvement in conditions in Afghanistan which will allow for the principled and effective delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance.

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Servants (Holidays)
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) how much holiday entitlement civil servants have been allowed to carry forward to their next holiday year; [59026]

  (2) on what date a civil servant's year starts for holiday purposes; and what the normal holiday entitlement is for new starters; [59025]

  (3) what changes have been made to holiday entitlement rules for civil servants because of the Working Time Regulations 1998. [59027]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for determining holiday entitlement for staff was delegated to departments and agencies on 1 April 1996, except for the amount of annual leave in the Senior Civil Service. In general, holiday entitlement within the Civil Service meets or exceeds the limits set by the Working Time Regulations; it is expected that most civil servants will be unaffected by the
  3
  Regulations. Responsibility for decisions on whether any changes are required to comply with the Regulations lies with departments and agencies.

  Compliance Cost Assessments
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list those compliance cost assessments published during the latest six month period. [59094]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Government are committed to ensuring that regulations are necessary, give effective protection, balance cost and risk, are fair and command public confidence. In accordance with this, we require Departments to produce and publish CCAs for all regulatory proposals likely to have an impact on business.

  I have presented to Parliament today a Command Paper listing 119 CCAs and regulatory appraisals incorporating CCAs published between 1 January 1998 and 30 June 1998. Also listed are 2 Regulatory Impact Assessments prepared in anticipation of the new guidance published on 10 August 1998. Copies of those listed have been placed in the libraries of the House. This is the ninth such Command Paper.

  Civil Servants (Pensions)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people have been affected by the exclusion of Crown Service prior to 1975 in the calculation of their Civil Service pension; and what plans he has to introduce retrospective legislation. [58106]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Information on the numbers so affected, particularly given the lapse in time, is not available.

  The Armed Forces pension scheme introduced arrangements, operative from 1 April 1975, which enable a transfer value representing accrued pension rights to be paid to another pension scheme. As with most improvements in pension arrangements, the change was not applied retrospectively. The Government have no plans for backdated changes to the Armed Forces (or other Crown service) pension arrangements.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Child Prostitution
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to ensure that judicial and magistrates' training programmes include training in awareness of the pressures on young people not to give evidence in cases involving child prostitution. [58328]

  Mr. Hoon
  Judicial training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB) which is an advisory non-departmental public body. The JSB also sets the syllabuses for, and monitors and evaluates the training of, lay magistrates.

  No training is currently given specifically on awareness of the pressures on young people not to give evidence in cases involving child prostitution. The JSB, however, runs regular induction and continuation courses for both full-and part-time judges in the Crown Court as well as seminars on serious sexual offences. These courses
  4
  include training on children as witnesses. All lay magistrates receive training on disadvantaged witnesses, including children, and those who sit in the Youth Court receive additional training in evaluating young people as witnesses.

  Since January 1998 the JSB's Equal Treatment Advisory Committee has had the responsibility of advising the Board on all aspects of equal treatment training, including training on the needs of children. The Committee keeps the content of all JSB courses under review and is currently revising the guidance provided to all judges on equal treatment issues.

  Internet Publishing
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to require all task forces and equivalent bodies sponsored by his Department to publish their working papers and minutes on the Internet. [58774]

  Mr. Hoon
  Information will be published on the Internet wherever practical and appropriate. Many documents published by the Department already appear on the LCD website at www.open.gov.uk/lcd.

  Libra
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects the Libra service to be fully operational in magistrates' courts(a) in Gloucestershire and (b) nationally. [57889]

  Mr. Hoon
  Subject to award of contract, I anticipate the Libra service will be implemented at the first Magistrates' Courts Committee towards the end of 2001. It will be for Gloucestershire Magistrates' Courts Committee, in consultation with the Department, to agree with the Libra supplier when the service should be implemented in Gloucestershire.

  Defamation Act 1996
  Mr. Gamier
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor' s Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 June 1998,Official Report, column 71, if he will list the dates when those parts of the Defamation Act 1996 not yet in force are to come into force; and when the attendant rules of court will become effective. [58153]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am not yet able to provide a list of dates but the remaining provisions will be brought into force as soon as reasonably practicable.

  Civil Enforcement Agents
  Mr. Gamier
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost to his Department of the review of the organisation and management of civil enforcement agents from its inception until the publication of his Department's considered response; and what plans he has(a) to conduct further reviews and (b) to introduce revised policies with regard to civil enforcement agents. [58154]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Review was established in February 1992 and was concluded in April 1996. The work was undertaken by salaried officials and the cost was met from the Department's general running costs.
  5

  (a) On 25 March 1998, Official Report, columns 141–42, I announced the terms of reference and timetable for the Review of the Enforcement of Civil Court Judgments. This will include a review of the law governing the activities of bailiffs; and its second phase, commencing in July 2000, will include consideration of the type of agent or form of agency which should be responsible for carrying out enforcement.

  (b) Changes to the Distress for Rent Rules 1988 governing the bailiff certification procedure are due to come into force next Spring.

  The transfer of responsibilities for the enforcement of warrants from the police to the Magistrates' Courts Committees will take place when a suitable legislative opportunity arises. The Committees will be empowered to authorise companies and firms which will in turn issue employees with written authority to execute warrants.

  Gloucestershire Magistrates Court
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his estimate of(a) the percentage of serious criminal cases being dealt with in Gloucestershire magistrates' courts within the 56 day performance indicator for each of the past five years and (b) the average delay in respect of collection of fines imposed by Gloucestershire magistrates' courts for each of the past five years. [57890]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information available is shown in the table.

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Percentage of serious criminal cases dealt with within 56 days in Gloucestershire1

  60

  56

  60

  61

  64

  Average delay in respect of collection of fines imposed by magistrates in Gloucestershire2 (days)

  275

  264

  242

  272

  297

  1The figures given in the table are the percentage of defendants in Indictable/Triable Either Way cases. The interval quoted is First Listing to Completion.

  2Average Debtor Days is the average time taken to enforce the collection of money owed to the court, including fines, fees, compensation awards and contributions to legal aid, not taking into account the delay between imposition and start of enforcement actions, known as 'time to pay'. The 1993–96 indicator values are artificially low because a proportion of the fines etc. which were imposed by magistrates would have been transferred out to other courts to collect, but were still included in the figures locally. The 1997 indicator shows a more accurate figure.

  Source:

  1TIS

  1MIS

  Conveyancing
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department when he plans to bring forward measures to reform the law affecting house purchase. [57751]

  Mr. Hoon
  My Department, together with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Department of Trade and Industry, will be issuing a consultation paper shortly that will canvass a range of proposals for changes to the conveyancing process. It 6
  would be inappropriate to make a statement about reforms until the Government have had an opportunity to consider the results of that conclusion.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  China
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Council what representations the Government have made to the People's Republic of China regarding that country's maternal and infant health care law in respect of compulsory premarital check-ups. [57882]

  Clare Short
  I have been asked to reply.

  None. The health and development agencies of the United Nations—the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Children's Fund—are working in China to secure respect for international standards of maternal and child health. The UK contributes to these programmes.

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Council (1) if she will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin of civil servants in her private office, as at 1 October 1997; [56789]

  (2) if she will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin of civil servants in her Department, by grade, as at 1 October 1997. [56787]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 5 November 1998,Official Report, columns 666–70.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Incinerator Emissions
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a breakdown of the content of unauthorised emissions from United Kingdom incinerators since January 1996. [56746]

  Mr. Meale
  The table sets out the content of unauthorised releases into the environment since 1 January 1996 from the incinerators in England and Wales regulated by the Environment Agency under the Integrated Pollution Control regime.

  Parameter

  Number of unauthorised releases

  Hydrogen Chloride

  370

  Particulate Matter

  47

  Oxides of Nitrogen

  33

  Carbon Monoxide

  27

  Sulphur Dioxide

  9

  Metals

  7

  Hydrogen Fluoride

  4

  Iodine

  2

  Estimates of the mass release, causes and likely environmental impact of each unauthorised release

  7
  have been reported to the Environment Agency under the terms of the operator's authorisations. Copies of the notifications will have been placed on the relevant Agency and local authority public registers, unless they are subject to commercial confidentiality arrangements provided for by the legislation.

  No central record is kept of unauthorised releases from the smaller incinerators regulated by local authorities in England and Wales under the Local Air Pollution Control regime. However, details of any such releases will have been entered on the relevant local authority public register.

  For details of unauthorised releases from incinerators in Scotland and Northern Ireland, I refer the hon. Gentlemen to my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland respectively.

  Edmonton Incinerator

  Substance

  Actual Emissions 1996 (Kgs)

  Actual Emissions 1997 (Kgs)

  Atrazine

  0.0559

  0.0700

  Cadmium

  3.8000

  6.0100

  Carbon Monoxide

  276000.0000

  330000.0000

  Dichlorvos

  0.0311

  0.0300

  Dieldrin

  0.0138

  0.0100

  Fenitrothion

  0.0332

  0.0300

  Hexachlorobenzene

  0.0081

  0.0100

  Hexachlorobutadiene

  0.0081

  0.0081

  Hexachlorocyclohexane

  0.0088

  0.0100

  Hydrogen Chloride

  2070000.0000

  24800.0000

  Hydrogen Fluoride

  1487.0000

  1800.0000

  Mercury (to water)

  0.1850

  0.1200

  Mercury (to air)

  60.3000

  139.0000

  Metals—Group 3 (AS+CR+CU+MN+NI+PB+2N)

  57.2000

  1100.0000

  Nitrogen Oxides (as NO2)

  478000.0000

  588000.0000

  Organic Tin Compounds

  0.0340

  0.0300

  Particulates

  263000.0000

  21900.0000

  Pentachlorophenol Compounds

  0.1080

  0.0400

  Polychlorinated Biphenyls

  0.0300

  0.0400

  Simazine

  0.0538

  0.0700

  Sulphur Dioxide

  250000.0000

  30700.0000

  TEQ (Toxic Equivalent of PCDD + PCDF)

  0.0055

  0.0003

  Trichlorobenzene—all isomers

  0.0308

  0.0400

  Triflualin

  0.0081

  0.0100

  Volatile Organic Compounds

  1570.0000

  11900.0000

  Lewisham Incinerator

  Substance

  Actual Emissions 1996 (Kgs)

  Actual Emissions 1997 (Kgs)

  Cadmium

  3.0000

  12.1000

  Carbon Monoxide

  26500.0000

  23400.0000

  Hydrogen Chloride

  15140.0000

  27360.0000

  Hydrogen Fluoride

  80.0000

  112.70000

  Mercury

  60.0000

  40.3000

  Metals—Group 3 (AS+CR+CU+MN+NI+PB+SN)

  340.0000

  57.7000

  Nitrogen Oxides (as NO2)

  986000.0000

  914400.0000

  Particulates

  14610.0000

  14000.0000

  Polychlorinated Dibenzo-P-Dioxin—All congeners

  0.00014

  0.00003

  Sulphur Dioxide

  13440.0000

  10640.0000

  Volatile Organic Compounds

  6150.0000

  6342.0000

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) 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; [56808]
  8
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a breakdown of emissions from(a) the Edmonton and (b) the Lewisham incinerators since January 1996. [56748]

  Mr. Meale
  Data on emissions from the Edmonton (London Waste Ltd.) and Lewisham (SELCHP) incinerators have already been published and are regularly updated. The data are available on public registers; either the Environment Agency's public register, Kings Meadow House, Kings Meadow Road, Reading or the local authority registers at Enfield and Lewisham Borough Council respectively.

  Information is also held centrally by the Agency on its Chemical Releases Inventory and the following table gives details of annual emissions from these two sites for 1996 and 1997. Details of the monitoring results on which these annual returns are based can be found on the public registers.

  (2) 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. [56810]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on 5 November 1998,Official Report, columns 666–70.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the safety of the packaging and containerisation of raw intermediate level waste for storage since March 1997. [57098]

  Mr. Meale
  None. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates the safety of Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) storage on sites licensed under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended). HSE policy is that raw ILW should be conditioned into a passively safe form as soon as it is reasonably practicable to do so. The HSE required that the research necessary to support the safety of the licensees' operations, which includes the storage of raw, packaged and containerised intermediate level wastes, is carried out by or on behalf of its licensees. The HSE has not commissioned or evaluated any research into the packaging and containerisation of raw ILW for storage since March 1997.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) number and (b) dates of meetings between Paul Hackett and Derek Draper since 2 May 1997. [58004]

  Mr. Caborn
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale), on 31 July 1998,Official Report, columns 606–07.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what work Paul Hackett has carried out for the Cranfield Institute of Management since 2 May 1997. [58005]

  Mr. Caborn
  Paul Hackett is a Fellow of Cranfield University School of Management and Director of the Cranfield Partnership Research Institute. These posts are a matter for the Cranfield University School of Management.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the carbon modelling consortium research showing potential absorption of carbon dioxide by carbon sink young trees; and if he will make a statement. [57878]

  Mr. Meale
  A preliminary assessment by the Hadley Centre of recently published research by the carbon modelling consortium suggests that the uptake of carbon by forests in North America may have been overestimated in this study. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is currently producing a special report on land use change and forestry issues to be published in 2000, and a full review of all relevant research on the global uptake of carbon by vegetation will be published by the Panel in its Third Assessment Report in early 2001.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the inclusion of absorption of carbon dioxide by carbon sink young trees in the Kyoto emission reduction negotiations between the European Union and the United States of America. [57879]
  10
  Mr. Meale
  The Kyoto Protocol allows the uptake in the commitment period, 2008 to 2012, of carbon by trees planted since 1990 to be taken into account in meeting commitments to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The text of the Protocol makes it clear that the natural regrowth of trees cannot be counted against commitments. Our policy is to ensure that the detailed rules on implementation of the Protocol reflect the fundamental principles agreed in Kyoto.

  Countryside Access
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish his Department's analysis of the responses to the consultation paper, Access to the Open Countryside in England and Wales. [57858]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government expect to publish their analysis of responses to the consultation paper shortly.

  A14
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what have been the recorded levels of traffic on the A14 (A1-M1 link road) from the opening of the road to date. [58082]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Recorded average annual daily (24 hour) traffic flows on the A14 (M1-A1 Link Road) from the opening of the last section on 15 July 1994 (between Ml/M6 and A6) to date indicate the following:

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Ml/M6 to A6 at Rothwell

  31,000

  1—

  36,000

  Kettering Southern Bypass

  45,000

  1—

  52,000

  Thrapston to A1

  29,300

  29,900

  33,000

  1Traffic counters were not available during part of the year—hence no accurate figures are available

  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the projected traffic flows on the A14 (A1-Ml link road) at the time of the construction of the road. [58083]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Projected average annual daily (24 hour) traffic flows on the A14 (M1-A1) Link Road, forecast during the planning stages of the road, were:

  On opening

  By 2007

  M1/M6 to A6 Rothwell

  24,000

  33,000

  Kettering Southern Bypass

  27,000

  44,000

  Thrapston to A1

  21,000

  35,000

  Rothwell/Desborough Bypass
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the start date for the construction of the Rothwell/Desborough bypass. [58085]

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

  A43, Geddington
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to de-trunk the A43 through Geddington, Northamptonshire. [58080]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The proposal to de-trunk the A43 through Geddington is subject to consultation with the local highway authority (Northamptonshire County Council). No timetable has been set for the process but we hope to begin negotiations shortly.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps will be taken to curb the number of accidents arising from cyclists using the pavement. [58197]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government intend to extend the scope of the Fixed Penalty Notice regime to cover the offence of cycling on the footway. This measure will help streamline enforcement procedures, and act as a deterrent to illegal behaviour by cyclists.

  We are encouraging all local highway authorities to improve conditions on the road for cycling. Better provision for cyclists should help reduce the incidence of cycling on the pavement. We are updating our advice to local authorities on the design and layout of facilities, such as cycle tracks, shared by cyclists and pedestrians.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guarantees Bechtel has provided in respect of the completion of the Jubilee Line extension on time; and what are the penalty provisions. [58203]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Responsibility for completing the Jubilee Line Extension on time remains with London Transport, as has been the case since the start of the project. The contract with Bechtel contains incentives for earlier completion of the Extension and penalty provisions for lateness. Details of these arrangements are commercially confidential.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tender process was carried out to appoint a project manager following the conclusion of the feasibility study into the Jubilee Line extension that the original management team would not be able to complete the project on time. [58201]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Bechtel's study recommended that a fresh approach be taken for the commissioning stage of the project, to enhance confidence that the line would open in good time for the Millennium Exhibition. Following consideration of the study's findings, London Transport appointed the company to provide resources to strengthen and refocus the project management team accordingly. This was done with regard to European Union procurement rules allowing derogation, where urgency in the procurement process can be demonstrated.
  12
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was paid to Bechtel to carry out their feasibility study into whether the construction of the Jubilee Line extension could be completed to deadline. [58200]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London Transport invited two companies to make proposals for a feasibility study and, having seen the proposals, selected Bechtel. The level of fee is commercially confidential.

  Air Traffic Control, Prestwick
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the contract for the development of the new air traffic control system at Prestwick will be signed before all major software flaws are rectified in the Swanwick system. [58216]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]NATS have assured the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee that no binding agreement with Sky Solutions would be signed until it was sure that the software at NERC could be made to work. Since then, the system has passed its acceptance tests, and preliminary findings by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) have concluded that there is no substantive reason to doubt that it will work.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the contractual dependencies between the contracts for the Swanwick and Prestwick developments. [58218]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: There are no contractual dependencies between the Swanwick and Prestwick contracts.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the contract with Lockheed-Martin for the development of the new air traffic control system at Prestwick will be signed. [58215]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: Negotiations between National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS) and Sky Solutions, the preferred bidder for the New Scottish air traffic control centre (NSC) at Prestwick, are nearing completion. NATS will then approach the Government for approval of the contract before it can be signed.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if there is a deadline by which the contract for the development of the new air traffic control system at Prestwick has to have been signed. [58217]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: No deadline has been set, but the Government are keen to see the development of the NSC in good time to avoid significant delays to air traffic over Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Swanwick
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on Swanwick of entering into a public-private partnership agreement for NATS; and if he will put a copy of his Department's assessments in the Library. [58219]
  13
  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: The Government are currently consulting on the details of the proposed public/private partnership for NATS. In consequence, no decision has been taken on the timing or details of any sale. NATS intends to bring the Swanwick centre into service at the earliest opportunity consistent with maintaining the safety of the system and meeting the requirements of its customers.

  Railway Track (Wales)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what sections of the railway track between(a) Carmarthen and Aberystwyth, (b) Pencader and Llandysul, (c) Carmarthen and Newcastle Emlyn and (d) Lampeter and Aberavon are no longer in public ownership; and what is the total mileage of those sections. [58436]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The British Rail Board has retained ownership of Pencader, Bryn Teify and Caradog Falls Tunnels since it is statutorily responsible for their maintenance. The collective lengths of these tunnels amount to less than one mile.

  The remaining sections of track were sold several years ago, mainly to adjoining land owners including public bodies such as the Forestry Commission and local authorities.

  More detailed information is not immediately available but I shall write to the hon. Member expanding on this in the near future.

  Leasehold Valuation Tribunals
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals Service is understaffed; and how many staff have(a) left the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals Service, (b) been redeployed and (c) been made redundant in the last year. [58443]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The provision of Leasehold Valuation Tribunals is one of the functions of Rent Assessment Panels. The workload of a number of Panels has reduced over the last 12 months and adjustments have been made to staffing numbers as a result. The current staffing levels are considered sufficient to carry out the administration of the tribunals but we are keeping the position under review. The administrative staff are civil servants from my Department and, of the 21 staff who have left the Panels over the last 12 months, 7 have transferred to other posts in the Department, 3 have resigned, 10 have taken

  New jurisdiction cases (Service charges/Appointment of a manager/Insurance)

  Panel

  1996–971

  1997–981

  1998–99(to date)

  Wales

  n/a

  No cases received

  No cases received

  North Western

  n/a

  No cases heard

  11 months

  Chilterns, Thames and Eastern

  n/a

  No cases heard

  No cases

  London

  n/a

  No cases heard

  8 months

  Merseyside and Cheshire

  n/a

  No cases heard

  No cases received

  West Midland

  n/a

  4 months

  6 months

  North Eastern

  n/a

  No cases received

  4 months

  East Midland

  n/a

  No cases heard

  No cases heard

  South Western

  n/a

  No cases heard

  7.5 months

  Southern and South Eastern

  n/a

  No cases heard

  9 months

  1An application to a leasehold valuation tribunal could be made only on or after 1 September 1997.

  14
  early retirement and 1 member of staff was dismissed. No staff have been made redundant and 17 new staff have been recruited to the Panel in the same 12 month period.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many appeals have been notified in respect of leasehold valuation tribunal decisions in the past year; what assessment he has made of the quality of the work of the tribunals; and if he will make a statement. [58442]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In the 12 months ending on 31 October, the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals (LVTs) have been asked for leave to appeal gainst 7 of their decisions in respect of service charge disputes. In total, 58 appeals against LVT decisions have been received by the Lands Tribunal during the same period—this latter figure includes both service charge cases and decisions on other matters for which leave to appeal is not required.

  The Leasehold Valuation Tribunals have provided an effective means of resolving a variety of disputes relating to leasehold property without the risks of high and uncertain costs associated with court proceedings. They have recently been given a new role in hearing service charge disputes and applications for the appointment of a manager under which they have, as yet, decided only a few cases. We are commissioning research to examine the effectiveness of the new regime, both directly and indirectly, in dealing with service charge disputes and we will continue to monitor their operation closely.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the budget for the leasehold valuation tribunals in each financial year since 1995; and what it will be for the year 1999–2000. [58444]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The cost of leasehold valuation tribunals is not separately identifiable within the overall cost of Rent Assessment Panels. The cost of the Panels in 1997–98 was £5.5 million. The resources allocated to the Panels in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 have been increased to £11.1 million in both years in anticipation of an increase in the volume of applications to leasehold valuation tribunals arising from the provisions in the Housing Act 1996.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average length of time before the cases of applicants to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals were heard(a) in the present financial year to date, (b) in 1997–98 and (c) in 1996–97. [58437]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The average length of time before the cases of applicants to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals were heard was as follows:
  15

  Old jurisdiction cases—(Enfranchisement/lease extensions)

  Panel

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99 (to date))

  Wales

  7 months

  7.5 months

  9 months

  North Western

  None heard

  10 months

  12 months

  Chilterns, Thames and Eastern

  8 months

  8 months

  9 months

  London

  8 months

  8 months

  8 months

  Merseyside and Cheshire

  No cases received

  No cases received

  No cases received

  West Midland

  4 months

  7 months

  6 months

  North Eastern

  8.5 months

  All cases withdrawn or no jurisdiction

  No cases heard

  East Midland

  No cases received

  No cases heard

  No cases received

  South Western

  4.5 months

  No cases heard

  11 months

  Southern and South Eastern

  4 months

  4 months

  4.5 months

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide a breakdown of the backgrounds of the members of the leasehold valuation tribunals; what expertise is sought for appointments; and what training is given(a) on appointment and (b) subsequently. [58445]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Leasehold valuation tribunals comprise qualified lawyers and valuers, and lay people, all drawn from the members appointed to the 9 Rent Assessment Panels in England. I have arranged for a copy of the current list of Panel members, which includes details of their backgrounds, to be placed in the Library. My Department is looking to recruit more lay people and to attract members from a broader constituency. The qualities looked for in members include relevant professional expertise, intellectual grasp, sound judgment, analytical skills, ability to work as a team member and, in the case of a chairman of a tribunal, the ability to control proceedings. On appointment, new members are subject to an induction programme, which includes the provision of guidance on the legislation and procedures relevant to tribunal work, attendance at tribunal hearings as an observer, ad hoc meetings on specific subjects and attendance on suitable courses where appropriate. This is supplemented by regular seminars for all members and the supply of guidance notes on legal, technical and procedural issues as they arise.

  Leasehold Reform
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Green Paper on leasehold reform will address the question of social housing leaseholders. [58438]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our consultation paper will seek views on a wide range of leasehold issues affecting social housing leaseholders and leaseholders generally.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations his Department has received on leasehold reform; and if he will make a statement. [58545]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have received a large number of representations on leasehold reform. We are currently conducting a comprehensive review of the leasehold system and are committed to thoroughgoing reform.
  16
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department proposes to publish the Green Paper on Leasehold Reform.[58544]

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

  Driving Licence Sight Tests
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under the proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences) Regulations 1996, what assumptions underlie the estimate of the savings if the work were undertaken by opticians. [58281]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The savings are based on the difference between the fees payable to doctors and specialists from April 1999 and an estimate on the costs provided by Opticians to undertake similar volumes of tests to an identical standard.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what fee is currently paid to the doctor or eye specialist when the Medical Adviser at the DVLA requests that a driver take a sight test to determine his fitness to drive. [58282]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The statutory eyesight standard for driving is the ability to read a car number plate at 20.5 metres. To establish if a driver's field of vision can meet the standard DVLA will pay a doctor or eye specialist a fee of £12.50 for a report from records or £56.25 if an examination is required.

  Construction Industry (Fatal Accidents)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the number of fatal accidents within the construction industry in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [58326]

  Mr. Meale
  The numbers of fatal accidents reported to the Health and Safety Executive and Local Authorities within the construction industry in England and Wales in each of the last three years are as follows:

  Year

  Number of fatal accidents

  1995–96

  68

  1996–97

  78

  1997–981

  69

  1Provisional data

  Alcohol (Air Passengers)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government will introduce legislation to ban the consumption of passengers' own alcohol in flight. [58416]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 5 November 1998]: The Government have no plans to introduce such legislation.

  The problem of drunken passengers is already dealt with in the Air Navigation (No 2) Order 1995. This makes it an offence to enter an aircraft while drunk, to be drunk on an aircraft and to endanger the safety of an aircraft or any person therein. This legislation applies to UK registered aircraft regardless of where in the world they are and to foreign aircraft in UK airspace or whose next landing is in the UK. In addition, the commander of an UK registered aircraft may require a passenger not to consume alcohol if it appears that he is likely to become drunk. Failure to comply with the lawful commands of the aircraft commander is an offence.

  More generally, there are various actions which the airlines themselves can take to deal with the problem of potentially disruptive passengers and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport will be discussing these options with the airlines shortly.

  Greater London Authority
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of respondents to the consultation exercise on the proposed Greater London Authority supported the additional member system of electing the authority. [58482]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our proposals to elect the Assembly by AMS were set out in the White Paper "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (Cm 3897). These proposals were endorsed by 72 per cent. of those who voted in the referendum on 7 May 1998.

  We received a total of 1,289 responses to the consultation exercise on the Green Paper "New Leadership for London" (Cm 3724). Of these, 103 respondents favoured a system of proportional representation to elect the Assembly, as opposed to 33 who supported first past the post. Nine respondents specifically supported the additional member system (AMS).

  Rail Services
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many routes the punctuality of rail services(a) improved and (b) deteriorated in the last period for which records are available. [58672]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The latest figures released by the Franchising Director cover the three rail industry periods from 28 June 1998 to 19 September 1998. Comparing the annual average at the end of the quarter with the average of the beginning of the quarter, 26 route groups have 18
  shown an improvement, 32 have deteriorated and six remained static. Comparing average punctuality for the year ending September 1998 with that for the previous year, 19 route groups have improved, 42 have declined and three have remained static.

  M20
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received about noise from the M20 through Ashford; and if he will make a statement. [58356]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 5 November 1998]: Since the Roads Review was announced in July 1998 we have received 65 representations and one petition containing over 50 signatures about traffic noise from the M20 within the District of Ashford (between Charing and Brabourne Lees).

  We recognise that traffic noise is a major source of concern to people. This is why in "A New Deal for Trunk Road in England" we announced that low noise surfaces would be used when roads are built or, where appropriate in those areas where noise is a particular concern, when they undergo major maintenance. I understand the Highways Agency plan to carry out technical surveys between Junctions 9 and 11 on the M20 later this year, which should determine the condition of the road surface and establish whether it should be included in the Agency's programme of future maintenance work.

  We also announced our intention, where re-surfacing cannot be justified on normal maintenance grounds, to establish a revised noise criteria and ring-fenced annual budget to enable the Highways Agency, over a reasonable period of time, to deal with some of the most serious and pressing cases.

  North West Trains
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had on the performance of North West Trains towards meeting the standards agreed on its franchise. [58692]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Since the General Election the Franchising Director and I have received 232 representations about the performance and service quality of North West Trains.

  Civil Subsonic Jet Aircraft
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy towards the proposed EU directive on civil subsonic jet aircraft. [58582]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To gain the benefits of early implementation the measure has been transformed into a Regulation which the UK supported when it was agreed at the Transport Council on 1 October as reported in the Parliamentary Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport on 20 October 1998,Official Report, columns 1099–101. It is essential to maintain progress in reducing aircraft noise at source. This measure will help to ensure that the environmental gains achieved by the phasing out of older, noisy Chapter 2 aircraft by 2002 are not lost.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the dates on which research has been commissioned by his Department, or its predecessor, into contained genetically modified organisms and their possible impacts on the environment if released; and if he will place a copy of the findings of such research in the Library. [59029]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department has commissioned research into contained genetically modified organisms and their possible impacts on the environment as follows:December 1994, The Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, a study to review current large-scale activities with genetically modified microorganisms in the UK and the potential for any environmental risks arising from incidental discharge in waste streams.
  October 1997, the Central Science Laboratory, to study the environmental risk of genetically modified plants in containment.

  The reports of these studies will be published in due course and copies will be placed in the library.

  Atmospheric Pollution
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions in each month, or other period for which the information is available since 1 May 1997 WHO guidelines for atmospheric pollution levels have been exceeded. [59016]

  Mr. Meale
  Air pollution data from national monitoring sites, from 1 May 1997, for four pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and sulphur dioxide) for which WHO have set guidelines, is presented in the tables. It should be noted that data are provisional from 1 April 1998.

  Nitrogen dioxide

  WHO 1-hour mean>=110.ppb

  Month

  Number of exceedences

  Number of days

  Maximum hourly ppb

  May 1997

  3

  1

  121

  June 1997

  2

  2

  249

  July 1997

  3

  2

  150

  August 1997

  4

  4

  144

  September 1997

  6

  6

  217

  October 1997

  35

  3

  249

  November 1997

  25

  8

  156

  December 1997

  6

  3

  154

  January 1998

  6

  5

  134

  February 1998

  9

  7

  132

  April 1998

  2

  2

  124

  May 1998

  3

  3

  122

  June 1998

  1

  1

  119

  August 1998

  3

  3

  123

  October 1998

  5

  4

  598

  November 1998

  1

  1

  190

  Carbon monoxide

  WHO 1-hour mean>=25.0ppm

  Month

  Number of exceedences

  Number of days

  Maximum ppm

  October 1998

  4

  4

  48.8

  20

  Carbon monoxide

  WHO 8-hour running average>=10.0ppm

  Month

  Number of exceedences

  Number of days

  Maximum ppm

  October 1997

  2

  2

  12.1

  November 1997

  1

  1

  12.1

  January 1998

  4

  4

  11

  October 1998

  3

  3

  47.1

  Ozone

  WHO 8-hour running average>=60.0ppb

  Month

  Number of exceedences

  Number of days

  Maximum ppb

  May 1997

  51

  8

  80

  June 1997

  28

  6

  77

  July 1997

  47

  9

  83

  August 1997

  204

  14

  100

  April 1998

  1

  1

  64

  May 1998

  78

  16

  84

  June 1998

  11

  2

  72

  July 1998

  1

  1

  60

  August 1998

  34

  4

  101

  September 1998

  6

  5

  71

  October 1998

  10

  9

  72

  November 1998

  1

  1

  65

  Sulphur Dioxide

  WHO 24-hour running average>=44.0ppb

  Month

  Number of exceedences

  Number of days

  Maximum ppb

  July 1997

  3

  3

  82

  September 1997

  1

  1

  45

  October 1997

  9

  8

  78

  November 1997

  16

  12

  94

  December 1997

  8

  6

  92

  January 1998

  22

  12

  93

  February 1998

  2

  2

  56

  May 1998

  9

  6

  66

  July 1998

  2

  2

  65

  September 1998

  7

  7

  89

  October 1998

  2

  2

  47

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each month or other period for which the information is available since 1 May 1997, the total quantity of(a) CO2, (b) CO, (c) benzene, (d) sulphur, (e) NO, and (f) particulates emitted by road traffic, broken down by (i) car, (ii) motorcycle, (iii) van and (iv) lorry. [59013]

  Mr. Meale
  National UK emissions data are published annually in my Department's "Digest of Environmental Statistics", copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. UK emissions data are also available on the Department's air quality web site at http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/airq/aqinfo.htm and in the annual research report "UK Emissions of Air Pollutants", produced by the National Environmental Technology Centre. Annual UK emissions data are not yet available for 1997. A table showing the latest available published UK annual road transport emissions for 1996 follows.
  21

  UK emissions from road transport in 1996 Figures report by the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory for UK Digest of Environmental Statistics

  Ktonnes

  NOx

  CO

  SO2

  Benzene

  PM10

  CO2 as C

  Cars

  523

  2,798

  14.6

  23.0

  13.2

  19,324

  Vans

  58

  306

  5.1

  1.5

  8.1

  3,329

  HGVs

  321

  85

  14.5

  1.4

  21.5

  6,904

  Buses

  63

  41

  3.0

  0.3

  4.6

  1,443

  Motorcycles

  1

  70

  0.1

  0.2

  0.4

  118

  All vehicles

  966

  3,299

  37.2

  26.3

  47.7

  31,118

  Internet Publishing
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to require all task forces and equivalent bodies sponsored by his Department to publish their working papers and minutes on the Internet. [58769]

  Mr. Meale
  Given the wide range of subjects and sensitivities involved, it would not be appropriate to publish on the Internet the working papers and minutes of all task forces and equivalent bodies sponsored by my Department. However, in line with the Department's commitment to Open Government, Task Forces' reports will be made available on the Internet where appropriate, and any requests for additional information will be dealt with individually under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Development Rights
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is his Department's policy towards permitted development rights on green belt land held by recently privatised companies, with particular reference to Railtrack; [58997]

  (2) what is his Department's policy towards development in the green belt under permitted development rights. [59000]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Permitted development rights may be exercised in accordance with the various conditions and limitations set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. In exceptional circumstances, where there is a real and specific threat that permitted development is likely to take place which could damage an interest of acknowledged importance those rights can be withdrawn and the relevant development would then require a planning application. This would apply regardless of the type of developer. One reason for withdrawing permitted development rights might be that the purposes of Green Belt designation were threatened.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responsibilities for consultations Railtrack inherited from British Rail regarding use of permitted development rights. [58999]

  Mr. Raynsford
  British Rail had no specific responsibilities for consultations regarding the use of permitted development rights. However, guidance for non-statutory consultation with regard to the exercise of permitted development rights by statutory undertakers is set out in DOE Circular 9/95: General Development Order 22
  Consolidation 1995, and in DOE Circular 15/92: Publicity for Planning Applications. They make it clear that both the local planning authorities and the public should be informed of proposals for permitted development which are likely to affect them significantly, before the proposals are finalised.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about Railtrack's proposals to build a ballast storage depot at Hinkley Sidings under permitted development rights. [58994]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As of 5 November, the Government Office for the South East had received 30 representations from local people, including my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith).

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's policy towards the payment of compensation by a planning authority to private companies when their permitted development rights are blocked by use of an Article 4 direction upheld by his Department. [59001]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The withdrawal of permitted development rights by a direction under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 may give rise to the local planning authority being liable to pay compensation under sections 107 and 108 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Any person interested in the land, or in any minerals in or under the land, may seek compensation for abortive expenditure, or other loss or damage directly attributable to the withdrawal of the permitted development rights. In order to claim compensation a planning application must have been made and permission refused, or granted subject to conditions other than those previously imposed by the Permitted Development Order.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responsibilities for environmental protection and what requirements to have regard for greenbelt policies were inherited by Railtrack from British Rail with regard to permitted development rights. [58998]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There were no specific responsibilities of this kind. It is the responsibility of the local planning authority to decide whether to withdraw certain permitted development rights where permitted developments are likely to have significant effects on the environment. I would refer the hon. Member to my earlier answers to questions 58997 and 59000.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a decision regarding the Article 4 direction from Oxfordshire County Council regarding the proposal to build a ballast depot at Hinkley Sidings. [58995]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A decision will he made as quickly as possible.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department received the Article 4 direction from Oxfordshire County Council relating to Hinkley sidings. [58996]
  23
  Mr. Raynsford
  The request to confirm the Article 4 Direction was received from Oxfordshire County Council on 2 November.

  Freight
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the development of new rail routes for freight transport. [59223]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The freight grants scheme is designed to assist companies in moving goods from road to rail where payment is justified by the environmental benefits. We overhauled the grants scheme on coming to office; we doubled the grant spend in our first year to £30 million; we have increased the budget to £40 million for the current year, of which £32 million is already committed; and we will make still further money available over the next three years, if there is demand.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what weighting is given to the individual criteria and sub-criteria in the appraisal summary tables for road schemes published following the roads review. [58700]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Explicit weightings were not given to the criteria and sub-criteria in the Roads Review.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each local authority in England the bids made in their TPP submission for expenditure in 1992–2000 for(a) major highway schemes (eligible for TSG), (b) major highway schemes (not eligible for TSG), (c) structural maintenance on carriageways, (d) strengthening and structural maintenance on bridges, (e) assessment programme on bridges, (f) major public transport packages, (g) minor works: packages, (h) minor works: non-packages and (i) minor works: local safety schemes. [58701]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I shall be glad to provide the hon. Member with this information. In view of its extent I will provide it by letter rather than including it in the Official Report. I will write to him shortly. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Airports
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish a policy document on airports. [58528]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In its White Paper "A New Deal for Transport", the Government said:"We will prepare a UK airports policy looking some 30 years ahead. This will develop the application to UK airports of the policies set out in this White Paper—of sustainable development, integration with surface transport and contribution to regional growth. It will provide the framework within which those concerned can plan for the future with greater certainty. We will consult widely in preparing the new policy and will take account of the Inspector's report on the Heathrow Terminal 5 inquiry."

  The Government are currently considering the precise scope, and the timing, of the policy statement and will
  24
  announce their conclusions in due course. They will also consider what steps might be taken to develop thinking and focus the debate on the way forward.

  Inland Waterways
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of freight facilities grant was applied to inland waterways in the period since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [58873]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  23 Freight Facilities Grants totalling some £19 million have been awarded since 1 May 1997. Two of the grants, worth about £240,000, were awarded to inland waterway applicants.

  Interest in grant for inland waterway schemes has historically been low. However, recent publicity drives by my Department have resulted in an increased interest in moving freight by inland waterway.

  We intend to consult on the details of a scheme to extend, the freight grants regime to coastal and short sea shipping.

  Commission for Integrated Transport
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the(a) membership of and (b) terms of reference for the Commission for Integrated Transport. [58697]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The remit for the Commission for Integrated Transport was set out in paragraph 4.4 of the White Paper 'A New Deal for Transport'. We expect to announce the appointments to the Commission early in the new year.

  Unpaid Utility Charges (Warrington)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the number of people resident in the Warrington, North constituency who received a court summons for unpaid water charges in each of the past five years; [58314]

  (2) how many (a) gas, (b) electricity and (c) water disconnections took place in the Warrington, North constituency in each of the past five years. [58315]

  Mr. Meale
  Information is not available by constituency and my Department has made no estimated constituency breakdown of the information. Available figures provided by the utility regulators are as follows:

  Year

  Gas disconnections

  1993

  16,088

  1994

  16,393

  1995

  14,511

  1996

  8,820

  1997

  29,771

  Note:

  Figures, from OFGAS, are for Great Gritain; regional breakdowns are not available.
  25

  Year

  Electricity disconnections

  1993–94

  23

  1994–95

  27

  1995–96

  30

  1996–97

  8

  1997–98

  7

  Note:

  Figures, from OFFER, are for the MANWEB area.

  Year

  Water Summonses

  Disconnections

  1993–94

  41,345

  515

  1994–95

  55,065

  649

  1995–96

  43,842

  839

  1996–97

  43,716

  410

  1997–98

  6,482

  469

  Note:

  Figures, from OFWAT, are for North West Water; the figures for summonses are for household customers only.

  Repair Work (Northern Line)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects repair work on the Northern Line escalator at Embankment Station to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the cause of delay. [58317]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Embankment Station escalator number 4, an up escalator from the Northern Line dating back to 1985, suffered a major component failure in September 1998. As the escalator type is now obsolete no replacement parts were readily available. At this time however a similar type of escalator was being replaced at Paddington and a decision was taken to attempt to cannibalise this machine and work was carried out between September to mid-October. Upon completion of work London Underground Limited's (LUL) Chief Engineer (Lifts and Escalators) examined the escalator. Unfortunately because the parts from the Paddington escalator were worn and could not comply with LUL's very strict standard, the machine could not return to service.

  Since failing in September (and obviously during repair work) the escalator had been covered by hoarding. In a bid to assist passenger flow through the station the hoarding has been removed and the escalator is currently in use as a fixed stairway.

  Work is well underway to replace the failed escalator. A contract, worth approximately £1 million has been placed with the lift and escalator manufacturer Otis, which will commence work on installing a brand new escalator in January 1999. (The lead-in time for major components is between 12 and 16 weeks). It is expected that the new escalator will be fully operational by the end of July 1999.

  Interconnector
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations his Department had with the Directorate of Safety, Environment and Fire Policy at the Ministry of Defence, prior to giving consent for the laying of the Scotland-Northern Ireland electricity interconnector. [58710]
  26
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. Consent was sought from the Department under Section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949. Consent under this Act is required if danger or obstruction to navigation is likely to result. The Department in making a decision under this section may consider only this question. It was concluded that the laying of the interconnector was not likely to cause such danger or obstruction and consent was accordingly given in February 1994.

  Minerals Planning Guidance 3
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish a revised version of planning document MPG3: Coal Mining and Colliery Spoil Disposal. [58709]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning published a draft revised MPG3 (Coal Mining and Colliery Spoil Disposal) for public consultation on 16 October. Comments on the draft guidance, which applies to England only, are requested by 15 January 1999.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland published draft revised planning policy guidance on opencast coal in Scotland on 23 October. Responses to that consultation paper are requested by 11 December 1998.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contingency plans have been made to get visitors to and from the Dome in the event that the Jubilee Line extension is not completed in time. [57279]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government welcome London Transport's revised strategy for phased opening of the Jubilee Line Extension project and their confirmation that it will open in good time for the Millennium Experience. It would however be irresponsible not to have in place contingency arrangements to manage problems on any of the main transport links to the Millennium site, including any major failure of the Jubilee Line. London Underground Limited are developing contingency arrangements for this, and other eventualities, in association with London Transport Buses, London River Services, the Government Office for London, the Highways Agency, the Association of Train Operating Companies, Connex South East, Docklands Light Railways and the New Millennium Experience Company.

  Road Deaths
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many road deaths and serious road accidents there were in each month or other period for which the information is available since 1 May 1997. [59015]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Information for 1998 is not yet available by month. Information for 1997 is as shown. Other casualties involved in these accidents who sustained slight injuries are not shown.
  27

  Accidents

  Fatal incidents

  Serious accidents

  May

  272

  3,034

  June

  263

  3,058

  July

  266

  3,256

  August

  296

  3,120

  September

  268

  2,893

  October

  295

  3,331

  November

  331

  3,244

  December

  287

  3,147

  Casualties

  Persons killed

  Persons seriously injured

  May

  292

  3,595

  June

  289

  3,633

  July

  304

  3,867

  August

  320

  3,785

  September

  291

  3,362

  October

  321

  3,924

  November

  354

  3,848

  December

  310

  3,697

  Car Sales
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many cars were sold in each month, or other period for which the information is available, since 1 May 1997. [59014]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The requested information, taken from DVLA records of new car registrations, is as shown.

  New car registrations: by month since May 1997

  Thousand

  1997

  1998

  January

  —

  227

  February

  —

  179

  March

  —

  214

  April

  —

  170

  May

  167

  172

  June

  149

  170

  July

  36

  40

  August

  526

  506

  September

  157

  166

  October

  158

  —

  November

  153

  —

  December

  89

  —

  Car Journeys
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many car journeys were completed in each month or other period for which the information is available since I May 1997. [59017]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is not available on a monthly basis. Information on journeys is provided by the National Travel Survey. Over the period 1995 to 1997, the estimated average number of car driver journeys was 401 per person per year in Great Britain.

  White Paper Documents
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he 28
  expects each of the subsidiary documents referred to in the White Paper, A New Deal For Transport, to be published; [58527]

  (2) when the publications listed in annex A of A New Deal for Transport will be published. [58698]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Government will launch their consultation on road user charging and the workplace parking levy shortly. In the following months we intend to issue further daughter documents on sustainable distribution, local transport plans, shipping, buses, road safety and inland waterways. We will also be issuing a paper on ports policy. In many of the documents we will be consulting on detailed aspects of policy, and we therefore intend to issue the documents in an orderly way so as not to overburden consultees and so as to encourage full and considered responses.

  Of the other relevant documents listed in Annex A, the response to the Royal Commission and the consultation paper on climate change have already been published. An action plan to encourage walking will be published shortly. The remaining documents—a report on the review of national air quality strategy, a revised strategy for sustainable development, consultation on draft or updated planning guidance, and progress reports from the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force—will follow over the next few months.

  Regional Planning Guidance (Transport)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the(a) timetable and (b) budget for the transport problems to be considered by regional planning conferences through regional planning guidance systems detailed in Annex C of A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England; [58694]

  (2) what is the (a) timetable and (b) budget for the study programme detailed in annex D of A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England; [58695]

  (3) what is the procedure for the implementation of recommendations made by the (a) regional planning conferences and (b) study programme listed in annexes C and D of A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England. [58696]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A New Deal for Transport and A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England describe the enhanced role that Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) will play in integrating transport planning with other types of land-use planning and identifying regional priorities for transport investment and management. Draft RPG will be prepared by regional planning conferences (RPCs), in consultation with the Government Offices and other regional stakeholders, and submitted to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will consider whether the draft should be modified in the light of an independent Panel report and issue the final version of RPG. The Secretary of State will be committed to taking forward those transport proposals in RPG for which central government are responsible. The precise timing will
  29
  depend on the circumstances of the particular public expenditure round. Other transport proposals will be delivered by local authorities through their local transport plans and by Railtrack and other transport infrastructure and service providers. Further guidance on the regional transport strategy element of RPG will be set out in a draft Planning Policy Guidance Note 11.

  It is for RPCs, in consultation with other stakeholders and Government offices, to decide the timetable for updating RPG. All regions, except London and the West Midlands, are currently reviewing RPG. Following the Comprehensive Spending Review, my Department will be providing significant additional funding to support the research efforts of the Government offices and the RPCs in developing RPG and we will also be meeting the administrative costs of the RPG public examinations.

  The programme of studies proposed in Annex D of A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England will assist RPCs in addressing the most serious and urgent regional transport problems in either the current round or future updates of RPG. The studies will be led by Government offices in partnership with RPCs and funded by the Department at a cost of some £30 million over the next three years. We will shortly be consulting RPCs about our proposals. The first studies will begin in 1999–2000.

  Traffic Forecasts
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the impact of the transport policy measures announced as part of A New Deal for Transport, on(a) forecasts of future traffic made in the 1997 National Road Traffic Forecasts and (b) future levels of congestion on the motorway and trunk road network as shown in the Highways Agency's stress maps. [58699]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Revising and updating the 1997 National Road Traffic Forecasts to reflect the impact of the New Deal for Transport will involve new approaches to forecasting traffic and its environmental and economic effects. The Department is currently developing plans to take this work forward, on which we will be seeking advice from the Commission for Integrated Transport, after it is established next year. Our revised forecasts will also need to take account of the non-statutory 'interim' road traffic reduction reports we expect to receive from local highway authorities in July next year as part of their provisional local transport plans.

  The Highways Agency's motorway and trunk road stress maps will be revised in line with the National Road Traffic Forecasts, which play a central role in their production.

  French Lorry Drivers' Dispute
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if all outstanding claims arising out of the French lorry drivers' dispute have been settled. [58990]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We understand that at 10 September some 200 claims from UK companies were still under consideration by the French authorities.

PRIME MINISTER

  Countryside Responsibilities
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Government have completed their review of countryside responsibilities; and if he will make a statement. [57230]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government completed their Comprehensive Spending Review of countryside and rural policy earlier this year. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 29 July 1998,Official Report, columns 246–47.

  The Government' s new strategic approach—based upon a belief in the importance of integrating policies for rural areas, and ensuring that the rural dimension is fully reflected in wider policy-making—will enhance opportunity in rural areas, improve access to and enjoyment of the countryside and conserve and manage wildlife resources there. At Departmental level, work is in hand to improve co-ordination and financial planning of DETR and MAFF development programmes for rural areas. We have announced that from 1 April 1999 the work of the Rural Development Commission and the Countryside Commission will be brought together in a new agency to champion rural England. Regional Development Agencies will also have a specific remit to serve the rural areas of their regions, and will be responsible for developing an integrated approach to economic development and regeneration throughout their regions.

  The Government believe in a living, working and sustainable countryside recognising the important links between rural and urban policy.

  Ministerial Hospitality
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) of 9 February 1998,Official Report, column 17, if he will give a definition of the term ministerial hospitality. [58730]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministerial hospitality covers expenditure on official entertainment hosted by Ministers including events organised by the Government Hospitality Fund. Hospitality is offered, and costed, on the same basis as it was by the last Administration.

  Life Peers
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what criteria he employs in selecting candidates to be proposed for appointment as life peers. [58683]

  The Prime Minister
  That the individual concerned should be able to make a significant contribution to the work of the House of Lords.

  Ministerial Appointments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 9 December 1997,Official Report, columns 502–03, concerning advice from the security forces, if he will set out the circumstances in which it is

  31
  deemed relevant that advice is made available to him; who is responsible for deeming it relevant; and if he will make a statement. [59004]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 402.

  "Supporting Families"
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he authorised inclusion of the Labour Party Manifesto 1997 in the list of related Government publications in the consultation paper "Supporting Families"; [59003]

  (2) if the Government supplied copies of the first document in the reading list at the end of the "Supporting Families" consultation document to the Vote Office for distribution with the other publications listed. [59002]

  The Prime Minister
  The Labour Party Manifesto should have been included separately in the bibliography rather than under "Related Government Publications". No copies have been supplied to the Vote Office, but Members may obtain copies from Labour Party Headquarters.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct the Social Exclusion Unit to send copies of consultation letters issued by the client to individual hon. Members. [58804]

  The Prime Minister
  The Social Exclusion Unit is currently consulting on the subject of Teenage Parenthood. A consultation letter was issued on 7 October, and a copy has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and on the Unit's website, as will all future consultations.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will provide a breakdown in numerical and percentage terms of the ethnic origin of civil servants in her private office, as at 1 October 1997; [56763]

  (2) if she will provide a breakdown in numerical and percentage terms of the ethnic origin of civil servants in her Department, by grade, as at 1 October 1997. [56761]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 5 November 1998,Official Report, columns 666–70.

  Hill Farmers
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the income for hill farmers in Northern Ireland as(a) a total and (b) an average per farmer in 1997–98; and what are the predictions for income in the present financial year. [58013]
  32
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  A total income figure for hill farmers in Northern Ireland is not available.

  Estimates of the average income per farmer in 1997–98 and the prediction for 1998–99 will be published by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland on 30 November 1998, with accompanying statistical tables placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Government are(a) taking, and (b) proposing to take, to support the income levels of hill farmers in Northern Ireland. [58016]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Hill farmers in Northern Ireland continue to receive Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances (HLCAs). Payments are based on numbers of cattle and sheep held and an annual review is ongoing on a UK basis as part of the process of determining the payment rates for the 1999 scheme.

  Under EU Agenda 2000 proposals such support will switch to payment based on areas rather than headage but will continue to be targeted at the LFA. Agenda 2000 negotiations are still at relatively early stages.

  Act of Union (Bicentenary)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Government have to celebrate the bicentenary of the Act of Union between Ireland and Great Britain. [58071]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government have no plans to do so. Local communities and non-governmental organisations may wish to organise their own celebrations.

  Proscribed Organisations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals have been(a) charged, (b) summarily convicted and (c) convicted on indictment under section 2 or the equivalent section of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 relating to membership of a proscribed organisation in each year since enactment; what percentage of those convicted in each year received a prison sentence; and what percentage of those were sentenced to a term of less than one year. [56320]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]The following table illustrates the information as requested.

  Persons:

  Year

  Proceeded against

  Found guilty

  Sentenced to imprisonment

  Percentage where sentence less than one year

  1989

  25

  23

  18

  0

  1990

  33

  30

  24

  0

  1991

  19

  16

  10

  0

  1992

  16

  15

  10

  0

  1993

  28

  24

  21

  0

  1994

  19

  17

  17

  0

  33

  Persons:

  Year

  Proceeded against

  Found guilty

  Sentenced to imprisonment

  Percentage where sentence less than one year

  1995

  28

  24

  17

  0

  1996

  7

  6

  6

  0

  1997

  6

  3

  3

  0

  Notes:

  1. Persons were sentenced for offences including membership of a proscribed organisation—not membership only—and hence the length of sentence in each case was more than one year.

  2. The figures may include suspended sentences.

  3. Persons have been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation based on evidence to substantiate that charge, e.g. a more serious charge of murder.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (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; [56813]

  (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. [56811]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 5 November 1998,Official Report, columns 666–70.

  Israel
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Israeli Government over the legality of their announcement of the addition of further Jewish housing units to the settlement of Kiryat Arba near Hebron. [58570]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have made no formal representation to the Israeli government specifically about the announcement of the addition of further housing units to the settlement of Kiryat Arba near Hebron. But our position on settlements is clear and well known to them. Settlements in the Occupied Territories and East Jerusalem are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. We note the clarification given by Prime Minister Netanyahu's Office on 1 November that no new building permits have been issued in Jerusalem. We expect the Israeli government to continue to refrain from granting such permits, and to abide by the new spirit of co-operation forged at Wye.

  East Timor
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of recent reports concerning changes in the number of Indonesian troops in East Timor. [58434]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are concerned at reports of an increase in the number of Indonesian troops in East Timor. I raised our concerns at troop levels with President 34
  Habibie and Foreign Minister Alatas in Jakarta last month. We endorse the UN Secretary-General's recent call for a substantial reduction in the Indonesian military presence in the territory.

  Mercenaries
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will sign the United Nations International Convention Against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries. [58423]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have no plans at present to sign the 1989 UN Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries because of widespread doubt that it is legally enforceable. The Convention has not attracted sufficient support to enter into force.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government policy relating to the use of mercenaries in armed conflicts. [58431]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We and our EU partners have always made it clear that we unequivocally condemn the recruitment, use and financing of mercenaries in armed conflict. We are concerned about the spread of mercenary activity.

  EU Treaties (Translations)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official translations of(a) the four principal treaties of the European Union and (b) the Regulations and Directives in force, were made available to the Governments of countries who were candidates to join the EU during the United Kingdom's presidency. [58678]

  Ms Quin
  The four principal treaties and all the Regulations and Directives in force are published in all 11 official languages of the European Union. During the UK Presidency the European Commission started the process of screening the candidates' legislation against the EU' s acquis, using the language versions agreed between the Commission and the candidate concerned.

  Abductions
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the special unit in his Department which deals with cases of alleged abduction covers British citizens with dual nationality; and how many such cases there are which the unit is currently aware of but which have not been concluded, broken down by country and gender. [59018]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Department's special unit covers British citizens with dual nationality taken hostage as well as those without. The unit is presently handling one such case. The male abductee, kidnapped in August 1998 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, holds both New Zealand and British nationality.

  Angola
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures Her Majesty's
  35
  Government have taken to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173 (1998) which imposed further sanctions on UNITA as from 1 July. [52366]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [pursuant to his reply, 23 July 1998, c. 689-91]Additional information has reached me since my answer of 23 July. The correct answer is as follows.

  Resolution 1173 imposed a freeze on the funds and financial resources of UNITA, its officials and their immediate families; a ban on most official contacts in Angola with UNITA; a prohibition on the import of diamonds outside the governmental certificate of origin regime; and prohibitions on the sale or supply of equipment which may be used in mining or transportation, and on transportation services.

  We have instructed all our diplomatic missions overseas to avoid any contact with UNITA, whether locally or in Angola. There is one exception: our Embassy in Luanda may continue to have contacts with UNITA officials in areas of Angola to which State Administration has been extended. This is in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1173 (1998) which prohibits certain official contacts with UNITA.

  The prohibition on the importation of diamonds will be given effect in the United Kingdom by amendment to the Open General Import Licence.

  The remainder of the prohibitions are to be implemented in the UK by the Angola (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1998 and in the Overseas Territories by the Angola (United Nations Sanctions) (Dependent Territories) Order 1998 made on 21 July and laid in July.

  Similar Orders have been made to give effect to the Resolution in the Crown Dependencies. These orders restrict the sale or supply of certain goods which may be used in mining or transportation and the supply of transportation services; impose a freeze on the funds and financial resources in relation to UNITA and persons connected with UNITA; and for the Overseas Territories and Channel Islands, restrict the importation of diamonds exported from Angola on or after 1 July 1998. There is provision for medical and humanitarian exceptions.

  EU Business (Scrutiny)
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the projected date of release of the White Paper on National Scrutiny of European Union Business. [58009]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have been asked to reply.

  I expect the White Paper will be published shortly.

SCOTLAND

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to reduce the administrative burden on staff in further education colleges of processing information requested by(a) the Scottish Office, (b) training agencies and (c) local enterprise companies. [56951]
  36
  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]In line with recommendations made by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in its Second Report, the Government take care to ensure that necessary monitoring and collection of information are undertaken in a way that is as simple as possible and which does not create unnecessary bureaucracy. However, as further education colleges themselves recognise, the fair and equitable application of the funding methodology for colleges is dependent on the accuracy and comprehensiveness of information which the Department receives from colleges on student activity. It is also appropriate that colleges' use of Government funding should be subject to proper monitoring and audit.

  Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have responsibility for the management and delivery of Government funded training programmes. Administrative arrangements and information requirements are operational matters for these agencies. I understand that, following their recent Skillseekers Evaluation, SE and HIE are presently reviewing administrative procedures, with a view to simplifying them.

  Pensioners (Reduced Taxi Fares)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will extend the travel discounts afforded to pensioners to allow for reduced fares on taxis. [57607]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Local authorities are able at present to provide pensioners with concessionary travel by taxi if they so wish. Local authorities have discretionary powers under section 93 of the Transport Act 1985 which allow any local authority, or any 2 or more local authorities acting jointly, to establish a concessionary travel scheme for eligible categories of person including pensioners. At present all Scottish local authorities, except Orkney Islands Council, operate concessionary travel schemes and a number include taxicards for pensioners.

  Autism
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce a charter for persons with autism in line with the charter adopted at the fourth Autism Europe Congress in May 1992; and if he will make a statement. [57614]

  Mr. Dewar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 558.

  Land Law Reform
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the terms of reference of the Scottish Law Commission's investigation of the reform of Scottish land law. [57760]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Law Commission's work on the reform of Scottish land law is part of its Fifth Programme of Law Reform submitted to the Lord Advocate on 7 February and published on 25 February 1997 published (Scot Law Com. No. 159). As stated in the programme under item No. 6 the Commission aims to make
  37
  recommendations for the abolition of the system of feudal tenure and its replacement with a modern system based on the principle of absolute ownership of land.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the disparity in support for organic farming as between(a) Scotland and (b) England; and what factors underlie such a disparity. [57342]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]There is no disparity. The Government are committed to supporting increased organic production. Support for organic farming conditions in Scotland takes account of the specific challenges facing producers. Interim measures to enhance the Organic Aid Scheme are being considered before the scheme is merged as from Spring 2000 with the mainstream agri-environment schemes with the aim of giving organic farming in Scotland a higher profile.

  Nursing Care
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have been assessed as being in need of long-term nursing care and are currently awaiting a placement(a) in total and (b) by local authority area. [58365]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Information on the number of patients awaiting a placement is not collected routinely. However, as at August 1998 Health Boards reported 1,716 patients in Scotland awaiting transfer from hospital to alternative continuing care. The information is not available by local authority care.

  However, different Boards use different criteria for a "blocked bed" and the figures need to be interpreted with caution.

  Not all the patients are assessed as requiring continuing nursing care. Those that are will have that care provided by an NHS Trust or by a registered nursing home under contract to the NHS.

  Others, depending on assessed needs, will transfer to nursing home, residential home or domiciliary care under the lead responsibility of the local authority.

  In every case, transfers to alternative care will be arranged only when the alternative planned care, support and accommodation are in place, appropriate and available.

  Every effort is made to minimise delays in this process.

  North East

  North West

  South East

  South West and Wales

  Midlands

  Bishop Auckland

  Barnsley

  Arundel

  Bath

  Bedford

  Bridlington

  Bolton

  Aylesbury

  Cheltenham

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  Darlington

  Bradford

  Brighton

  Fareham

  Peterborough

  Gosforth

  Calderdale

  Camberwell Green

  Newport

  South Worcester

  Hartlepool

  Dewsbury

  Essex

  Southampton

  Wolverhampton

  Humberside

  Leigh

  Folkestone

  Swansea

  —

  Leeds

  Liverpool

  Great Yarmouth

  Swindon

  —

  Northallerton

  Macclesfield

  Hammersmith

  Wrexham

  —

  North East

  Manchester

  Ipswich

  —

  —

  Trunk Road Review
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will publish the results of the Trunk Road Review for Scotland. [58703]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The consultation period on the Government's proposed framework for the appraisal of trunk road investment in Scotland ended on 16 October. The responses are now being analysed to enable the review to proceed and I expect the results to be available early next year.

  Opencast Coal Developments
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to publish a revised version of planning document NPPG4: Land for Mineral Working. [58708]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Draft revised guidance on the new planning policy for opencast coal and related minerals working in Scotland was announced to the House on 22 October 1998,Official Report, columns 1165–66. The guidance sets out the most robust framework yet within which planning authorities must consider all proposals for opencast coal developments. Consultation on the guidance continues until 11 December with the intention of final guidance being in place early in the New Year. The guidance replaces paragraphs 74–78 of NPPG 4 on coal. As with all planning guidance the remainder of NPPG 4 is kept under review although there are no plans at present to update the non-coal aspects of the guidance.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan can expect a reply to his letter of 20 August to the Minister with responsibility for agriculture, regarding Mr. Will, a constituent. [58829]

  Mr. Dewar
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Sewel, hopes to be able to reply to the letter shortly.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Secure Training Units
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the courts which have sentenced a young person to a period of detention in a secure training unit since April. [58466]

  Mr. Boateng
  As of 6 November, there have been 85 secure training orders made since the sentence came into effect on 1 March. The following Youth Courts have made one or more orders:
  39

  North East

  North West

  South East

  South West and Wales

  Midlands

  Nottingham

  Teesside

  Kings Lynn

  —

  —

  Scarborough

  Trafford

  Maidstone

  —

  —

  Sheffield

  —

  Slough

  —

  —

  Sunderland

  —

  Thames

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thanet

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tunbridge Wells

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Waltham Forest

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Kent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Whitham

  —

  —

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many young persons have been sentenced to a period of detention in a secure training unit since April; and if he will make a statement; [58463]

  (2) how many persons had been sentenced to a period of detention in a secure training unit but were waiting for a place at the latest available date. [58464]

  Mr. Boateng
  As of 6 November, 85 young people had been sentenced to a secure training order. There are currently 7 trainees in local authority secure accommodation for whom no places are available for them at present.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the range of offences committed by young persons sentenced to a period of detention in a secure training unit since April. [58465]

  Mr. Boateng
  The following range of offences have been committed by young people sentenced to a secure training order:

  Affray

  Arson

  Aggravated vehicle taking

  Attempted theft of motor vehicle

  Burglary

  Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal

  Common assault

  Criminal damage

  Dangerous driving

  Driving while disqualified

  Indecent assault

  No driving licence

  Obtaining property by deception

  Possession of a knife

  Possession of drugs

  Taking without the owner's consent

  Theft

  Violent disorder.

  Health Care Staff
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about pay differentials between health care staff in the Prison Service and the National Health Service. [58460]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Nurses employed by the Prison Service are paid at the same basic rates and on the same terms and conditions as applied in the National Health Service. Many prison healthcare centres are also staffed by healthcare officers. These are paid on the appropriate 40
  prison officer scale and, in addition, receive a specialist allowance of £1,041 per annum. The prison officers' pay scale ranges between £14,863 and £21,257. Direct pay comparisons between healthcare officers and nurses are not appropriate as different employment conditions apply.

  The Prison Service also employs doctors. From 1 January 1999 rates from Prison Service medical officers will range between £40,250 and £55,367. Rates for senior medical officers will range between £42,665 and £64,323. Individual salaries within these pay ranges will reflect qualifications, experience and performance. Rates for consultants in the National Health Service range between £45,740 and £59,040. In addition, discretionary points ranging between £2,370 and £11,810 can apply.

  Child Curfews
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have applied to introduce a local child curfew; and if he will make a statement. [58457]

  Mr. Boateng
  Local child curfews are a new provision which will help a local authority develop its community safety strategy. The aim of such curfews is twofold. They will address the need to prevent young children from being drawn into anti-social or criminal behaviour, and they will protect communities from the misery and distress which can be caused by groups of unsupervised children.

  The power of local authorities to make a local child curfew scheme is an enabling one. It only came into force on 30 September 1998. Not surprisingly, therefore, no applications for local child curfew schemes have been received so far.

  Policing
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposal to introduce targeted policing in 20 specific areas; what arrangements will be made for maintaining policing levels in other areas; and if he will make a statement. [58462]

  Mr. Boateng
  Research shows the value of targeted policing in addressing both complex community-wide problems, and specific repeated problems. Targeting policing effort at identified problems as part of a strategy to reduce crime and disorder enables chief officers to decide how to deploy their resources most effectively. The strategy should be based on an analysis of local crime and associated problems and the policing tactics adopted in the light of the analysis. The crime and disorder audits required by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 support this approach.
  41
  Equally, our approach is output-driven and we will expect careful evaluation to demonstrate how crime and disorder are effected as a result of any strategy and how that fits with the locally agreed targets for crime reduction.

  To help forces develop this approach, we are making over £30 million available over the next three years for targeted policing projects as part of the crime reduction strategy.

  This funding is in addition to the extra £1.24 billion which will be available to police authorities in England and Wales over the next three years under the Government's spending plans announced in the summer. This settlement, along with savings from the 2 per cent. year on year efficiency improvements which police forces will be asked to achieve, will help to ensure that more resources are focused on the front line against crime.

  As experience around the country shows that targeted policing does not require additional police officers or other resources to be successful, there is no reason to believe that the work we are undertaking will adversely affect existing policing levels.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of recorded criminal offences committed by people serving prison sentences in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [58456]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The available information for persons who have been charged with a further offence whilst on temporary release from prison is given in table 1.

  Information relating to offences committed whilst in prison which are too serious for a prison governor to deal with under the prison disciplinary system and are referred to the police for prosecution is given in table 2. This information is also published in successive volumes of "Statistics of offences against prison discipline and punishments England and Wales" up to 1996, and thereafter in "Prison statistics England and Wales" (chapter 8 of the 1997 edition, Cm 4017). Copies are available in the Library.

  Table 1

  Prisoners charged with a further offence whilst on temporary release from prison, 1 September 1995 to 31 December 1997

  Year

  Number

  September to December 1995

  6

  1996

  9

  1997

  9

  Table 2

  Estimated number of offences referred to the police for prosecution by prison governors

  Year

  Number

  1992

  250

  1993

  1—

  1994

  300 to 350

  1995

  450 to 500

  1996

  1,650

  1997

  1,540

  1not applicable

  42
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage and number of prisoners, at the latest available date, had previously served a non-custodial sentence; and if he will make a statement. [58455]

  Mr. Boateng
  The most recent available information relates to a sample of sentenced prisoners held in prison on 30 June 1997. The estimated percentage of sentenced prisoners identified as having previous non-custodial sentences is 74 per cent., corresponding to around 36,000 prisoners.

  Previous criminal history information is, however, derived from matching Prison Service records to offender details of the Home Office Offenders Index and a further 9 per cent. of prisoners could not be matched. A prisoner may not be matched because he or she may have been sentenced for an offence not on the 'standard list' and has no previous record for standard list offences or alternatively there may be an inconsistency between personal details held on the Offenders Index and those held on prison records.

  The percentage of prisoners identified as having no previous non-custodial sentences is 16 per cent. A slightly lower percentage (14 per cent.) of prisoners was identified as having no previous sentence of any kind (i.e. including custodial sentences).

  Prison population1 in Prison Service establishments under sentence on 30 June 1997: by past criminal history2 England and Wales

  Percentage3

  Population

  48,674

  Previous history not found4

  9

  Previous2 non-custodial sentence

  74

  No previous2 non-custodial sentence

  16

  No previous2 sentence of any kind

  14

  1 Excludes fine defaulters and is based on a sample of 13,832 prisoners.

  2Relates to convictions for 'standard list' offences only. These offences include all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences.

  3Percentages for previous history not found, previous non-custodial sentence and no previous non-custodial sentence do not add to 100 due to rounding.

  4Information on prisoners was matched to records on the Home Office Offenders Index. In some cases no set of matching records can be found.

  Health Care Services (Young Offenders)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to create a new position for the overseeing of the health care services for young offenders in custody; and if he will make a statement. [58461]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Health care in young offender institutions, in common with other Prison Service establishments, is delivered through the local operational line and supported by Prison Service area health care and nursing advisers. The Prison Service has no plans to create a new position specifically to oversee health care for young offenders. However, the future organisation of prison health care is currently under review.

  Medway Secure Training Centre
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the contract points requirements have been exceeded at the Medway secure training centre; and if fines(a) have been levied and (b) are being considered. [58471]

  Mr. Boateng
  The contract for Medway Secure Training centre provides for an evaluation of performance each quarter against a standard which assumes year on year improvement. At the end of the first quarter, contract payments were reduced by £5,869 to reflect performance points accumulated in that period. The evaluation of the second quarter has not yet taken place.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) assaults on staff and inmates and (b) acts of indiscipline there have been by young persons at the Medway secure training centre since its opening. [58468]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since Medway Secure Training Centre opened, the contractor has recorded a total of 97 assaults on staff by trainees. Twenty-six of these assaults resulted in staff being referred for medical treatment, and in 11 cases they led to criminal charges. Fourteen assaults on trainees by other trainees have been recorded, and in one case this led to criminal charges.

  Fourteen incidents of concerted indiscipline involving more than two trainees have been recorded. In three cases, this led to criminal charges.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people have absconded from the Medway secure training centre since its opening. [58467]

  Mr. Boateng
  Two trainees breached the perimeter security at Medway Secure Training Centre on 22 August. They were immediately pursued by members of staff and were quickly returned to the centre.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total staff complement at the Medway secure training centre. [58470]

  Mr. Boateng
  The agreed staff complement for Medway Secure Training Centre is 100.5 staff.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff have resigned or been dismissed from the Medway secure training centre since it opened. [58469]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since Medway Secure Training Centre opened, 35 staff have resigned. The contract of one member of staff was terminated by mutual agreement, and one member of staff employed by a sub-contractor was dismissed.

  Ex-service Men (Prisoners)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the average number of ex-servicemen and servicewomen serving prison sentences during the past year; and if he will make a statement. [58472]
  44
  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested is not available. Information regarding an individual's professional status, prior to reception into a Prison Service establishment, is not recorded on central computer records.

  Young People (Re-offending)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if figures are available for the re-offending rates of young people released from each young offender institution; and if he will make a statement. [58458]

  Mr. Boateng
  The most recent available information is given in the table. It relates to a sample of sentenced prisoners released during 1994. The table contains reconviction rates within two years of discharge for young offenders discharged from each institution.

  Differences between reconviction rates cannot simply be taken to show that one establishment is more effective than another as the characteristics of offenders vary between establishments.

  The sample was drawn to produce national results. Reconviction rates at individual establishments need to be interpreted with considerable caution due to small numbers in the sample at some establishments.

  Reconviction rates are affected by differences in age, sex, previous convictions and other characteristics of those sentenced (see Home Office Research Study 136, "Explaining reconviction rates: a critical analysis").

  It is important to note that:
  The establishment from which a prisoner is discharged will often not be the establishment in which he or she spent most of their sentence;
  The process of allocation of prisoners to establishments is far from random. In some instances, prisoners are virtually hand-picked as being suitable for a particular type of regime. Factors such as age, gender and previous criminal history have significant influence on the allocation process; and
  regional variations in reconviction rates are likely to be related to factors such as police clear-up rates and this, in turn, will have some effect on rates for individual establishments.

  Reconviction rates within two years1 for prisoners discharged from young offender institutions during 1994

  Establishment

  Number sampled2

  Reconviction rate

  Aylesbury

  50

  66

  Brinsford

  230

  87

  Castington

  128

  73

  Deerbolt

  593

  85

  Dover

  290

  65

  Drake Hall

  79

  54

  Feltham

  525

  68

  Glen Parva

  410

  74

  Guys Marsh

  278

  81

  Hatfield

  293

  66

  Hollesley Bay

  166

  60

  Huntercombe/Finnamore Wood

  357

  64

  Lancaster Farms

  81

  79

  Moorland

  82

  74

  Onley

  674

  78

  Portland

  380

  80

  Stoke Heath

  219

  80

  Thorn Cross

  417

  75

  45

  Reconviction rates within two years1 for prisoners discharged from young offender institutions during 1994

  Establishment

  Number sampled2

  Reconviction rate

  USK/Prescoed

  58

  60

  Warrington

  291

  87

  Wetherby

  374

  86

  Total

  6,135

  75

  1 For standard list offences only. These include all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences.

  2Figures are not given where the sample contains fewer than 50 offenders discharged from an institution.

  Conviction Rates
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the(a) conviction rate and (b) clear up rate (i) for each category of crime and (ii) on average (1) at the last available date and (2) in each of the previous two years; and if he will make a statement. [58459]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is given in the tables. Figures for clear-ups and convictions are not directly comparable because clear-ups relate to offences and convictions relate to offenders.

  Table A: Conviction rate1 for indictable offences by offence group, England and Wales, 1995–19972

  Offence Group

  1995

  1996

  19972

  Violence against the person

  48

  47

  49

  Sexual offences

  64

  68

  64

  Burglary

  67

  64

  64

  Robbery

  52

  52

  52

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  73

  73

  74

  Fraud and forgery

  70

  70

  70

  Criminal damage

  59

  58

  60

  Drug offences

  83

  84

  84

  Other (excluding motoring)

  54

  53

  54

  Motoring offences

  74

  74

  77

  Total indictable offences

  65

  65

  66

  1Offenders found guilty at all courts as a percentage of defendants prosecuted at magistrates' courts.

  2Provisional

  Table B: Clear-up rate for notifiable offences by offence group

  England and Wales Percentage offences cleared up1

  Offence Group

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Violence against the person

  77

  77

  78

  Sexual offences

  76

  76

  76

  Burglary

  21

  21

  23

  Robbery

  23

  26

  27

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  23

  23

  24

  Fraud and forgery

  50

  49

  48

  Criminal damage2

  19

  17

  19

  Other offences3

  96

  96

  95

  Total

  26

  26

  28

  1Offences cleared-up in one year may have been initially recorded in an earlier year.

  2Excluding criminal damage £20 and under.

  3Includes trafficking in controlled drugs.

  Immigration
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have received 46
  permission to enter or remain in the UK under the concession introduced in October 1997 for people in relationships. [58339]

  Kate Hoey
  In the 12 months ending September 1998, a provisional total of 383 people have been granted leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom under the concession for unmarried partners announced on 10 October 1997.

  Religious Cults
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to legislate to control religious cults; [58440]

  (2) if he will set up an inquiry into religious cults with a view to creating an acceptable framework for their operations. [58441]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have no plans to do so. The Government understand concerns expressed about the influence of some groups on individuals, but do not consider that it would be feasible or appropriate to introduce specific legislation or regulation. All such groups are subject to the general law, including harassment, obtaining property or money by deception, kidnap, false imprisonment, offences against the person and sexual assault. Any complaints about breaches of the law should be reported to the police.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received in the past year from hon. Members on behalf of constituents with family members who belong to religious cults. [58439]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Since 1 November 1997, we have received 17 such representations from hon. Members, including 12 on behalf of one constituent.

  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the members of the Independent Commission on the Voting System spent on foreign travel. [58350]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The total cost of the Independent Commission's foreign trips was as follows:

  £

  Australia

  10,009

  Germany

  4,175

  New Zealand

  8,782

  Republic of Ireland

  2,558

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what class the members of the Independent Commission on the Voting System travelled abroad by air on Commission business. [58352]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The members of the Independent Commission travelled in business class.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost to date of the Independent Commission on the Voting System to the British Exchequer. [58351]
  47
  Mr. George Howarth
  The final costs of the Independent Commission are still being calculated but we estimate that the total cost will be in the region of £0,000.

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to the British Exchequer of General Pinochet's police protection(a) since his arrival in the United Kingdom to date and (b) since the warrant for his arrest was issued to date. [58347]

  Mr. Straw
  The arrangements for the provision of protection are operational matters for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

  For security reasons, it has been the practice of successive Governments not to provide information about police operations relating to protection.

  Police Cadets
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police cadets there were in(a) May 1979 and (b) May 1997; how many there are at present; what plans he has to increase the number; and if he will make a statement. [58540]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information is set out in the table.

  Year

  Number of police cadets

  May 1979

  2,893

  March 19971

  261

  March 19981

  127

  1After March 1995 police personnel numbers were collected only twice a year (March and September). September 1998 figures are not yet available.

  In 1979, all forces had police cadets. By 1997, cadets were employed in only six forces, and by March 1998 in four forces (Bedfordshire, Durham, Staffordshire and West Midlands).

  Ministers have no direct control over numbers of police personnel. It has always been a matter for chief constables and police authorities to determine whether to employ police cadets.

  Internet Publishing
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to require all task forces and equivalent bodies sponsored by his Department to publish their working papers and minutes on the Internet. [58770]

  Mr. Straw
  Task forces and other equivalent bodies that are sponsored by my Department, even when independent from it, are encouraged to publish their reports and other documents through the Home Office's internet web site. The Youth Justice Task Force and the Community Fire Safety Task Force have already done so and arrangements are being made for others to do so.

  Lorry Stowaways
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has carried out 48
  with other EU members concerning individuals seeking to make a clandestine illegal entry into the United Kingdom in lorries. [58514]

  Kate Hoey
  In order to combat the problem of clandestine entry, the United Kingdom has taken forward several initiatives which have involved consultation with our European partners. These include:closer liaison and exchanges of information and intelligence with the Belgian, Dutch and French authorities;
  the placement of an Immigration Liaison Officer in Calais for a three month trial period which started in September, following an agreement reached by my right hon. Friend and his French counterpart;
  on-going negotiations with French authorities, including DICCILEC, to tackle the problem—the last meeting took place in Paris at the end of October;
  frequent discussion of such issues at various European fora, such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council, which last met in September;
  regular discussions with the port authorities in France, Belgium and Holland in order to target illegal entrants in lorries before they reach the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines have been given to the police for dealing with clandestine illegal entrants arriving in lorries. [58516]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are currently no formal guidelines to the police for dealing with clandestine illegal entrants arriving in lorries. As I said in my reply to the hon. Member on 28 October 1998,Official Report, column 183, the Immigration Service is consulting the police forces most affected by the arrival of clandestine entrants to ensure that incidents are dealt with properly. In areas where it is necessary, we hope to have a standard agreement in place shortly between the police and the Immigration Service to provide a clear mechanism for dealing with clandestine entrants.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the number of cases of clandestine illegal entry to the United Kingdom in lorries involving(a) Kosovans, (b) Albanians and (c) others in the most recent period for which figures are available; [58512]

  (2) how many clandestine illegal entrants have presented themselves at Lunar House, Croydon and (a) claimed asylum and (b) not claimed asylum in the most recent period for which figures are available. [58513]

  Kate Hoey
  There is no estimate of the total number of persons gaining clandestine illegal entry to the United Kingdom, by lorry or otherwise, since, by the very nature of the problem, it is not possible to establish that a person has entered clandestinely until they have been traced and interviewed. Regrettably, therefore, the information requested is not available.

  There is no central record of the total numbers of persons presenting themselves as clandestine illegal entrants at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate public caller facilities at Lunar House in Croydon and such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The available information relates to the total number of persons issued with notices of illegal entry as clandestine entrants, which between 1 January 1998 and 30 June 1998

  49
  totalled 3,540 persons. information on the numbers of these persons who are, or who claim to be, Kosovan, and the particular methods of clandestine entry, is not held centrally. However, 550 were identified as nationals of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; 290 were nationals of Albania; and 190 persons' nationalities could not be determined. Within the total of 3,540 persons, almost 90 per cent. have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom at some stage. These figures are provisional and rounded.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has carried out with representatives of(a) road haulage firms and (b) lorry drivers concerning clandestine illegal entrants arriving in the United Kingdom in lorries. [58515]

  Kate Hoey
  My right hon. Friend wrote to the Road Haulage Association in July this year, offering to meet it to discuss the issue of clandestine illegal immigration. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), and Home Office officials met representatives of the Road Hauliers Association, the Freight Transport Association and the freight companies Cavewood Ltd. and Rockold European Transport on behalf of my right hon. Friend on 28 October. We are committed to consulting with representatives of the road haulage industry as we seek to identify a solution to this problem.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to port authorities concerning clandestine illegal entrants arriving in the United Kingdom in lorries. [58517]

  Kate Hoey
  Discussions have taken place with port authorities outside the United Kingdom with the aim of preventing illegal entrants from reaching the United Kingdom. Arrangements are in place to ensure that port authorities in the United Kingdom are aware that if they encounter suspected immigration offenders within the port they should bring them to the attention of the Immigration Service.

  Children (Sex Abuse)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the Indecency with Children Act 1960 to protect those between the ages of 14 and 16 years. [58310]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government are concerned to ensure that children are protected from all kinds of sexual abuse. The law provides protection against sexual abuse of all kind. The Indecency with Children Act 1960 relates to gross indecency with or towards a child under the age of 14, or inciting a child to commit such an act; the maximum penalty for this offence has recently been increased to ten years.

  We recognise that the law on sexual offences contains many anomalies, and the differing ages at which children are protected from various kinds of unacceptable behaviour is one such anomaly. That is why we have said that we will be conducting a review of sex offences to consider all such offences, and this will be one issue we will consider. One of the principal aims of the review will
  50
  be to ensure that the legal framework, as far as possible, protects children and deals effectively with those who use and abuse them.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the issues of(a) valid legal consent and (b) informed consent as they relate to children subjected to sexual abuse. [58312]

  Mr. Boateng
  We are committed to undertaking a wide-ranging review of the sexual offences and penalties, with a view to reforming them and bringing them up to date. However, the Government will not consider reducing the age of consent below 16—indeed, one of the principal aims of the review will be to ensure that the legal framework, as far as possible, protects children and deals effectively with those who use and abuse them.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Conspiracy and Incitement) Act 1996 to the same offences being planned against young people in the UK. [58313]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government have no plans to extend the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Conspiracy and Incitement) Act 1996 to the same offences being planned against young people in the United Kingdom because these provisions already exist in the criminal law. Anyone in the United Kingdom planning to commit sexual offences against young people in this country may be liable for an offence such as conspiracy, as set out in section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977, or counselling or procuring an offence contrary to section 8 of the Accessories and Abettors Act 1861 or incitement to commit an offence contrary to common law.

  The Sexual Offences (Conspiracy and Incitement) Act 1996 extended the existing jurisdiction of the courts over conspiracies and incitement to commit crimes in the United Kingdom to conspiracies and incitement to commit certain sexual acts abroad against children, provided that the substantive act constituted an offence both under the law in the United Kingdom and in the country in which the act was to be committed. The Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 repealed the part of the 1996 Act dealing with conspiracy and extended the jurisdiction of the courts to include conspiracies to commit any crime abroad, provided that the substantive act constituted an offence both under the law in the United Kingdom and in the country in which the act was to be committed. The consent of the Attorney-General to proceedings under the 1998 Act will normally be required.

  Prostitution (Under-16s)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of girls under 16 years cautioned in relation to offences connected with prostitution or charged with similar offences over the past five years who have a background in local authority care. [58311]

  Mr. Boateng
  Statistics held centrally do not identify children in local authority care from the total number of those cautioned or charged for prostitution offences.

  The Government are determined to tackle the problem of children abused through prostitution and the measures we have announced in response to the Children's

  51
  Safeguards Review are intended to protect looked-after children from those who might seek to abuse them, including those who might seek to involve them in prostitution. In addition, the Home Office is working with the Department of Health to produce new comprehensive inter-agency guidance for the police and local authorities on the treatment of children abused through prostitution. That guidance will recognise that children abused through prostitution come from a variety of backgrounds, including local authority care, and offer guidance on how to deal with the problem.

  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average period of time taken for a sex offender's name to appear on the national register of sex offenders following a conviction for a sexual offence. [58529]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Sex Offenders Act 1997 requires offenders convicted of a relevant offence to notify the police of their name and address within 14 days of conviction or release from prison if a custodial sentence is passed. Although the information is held on the Police National Computer the original notification is made locally. The average time taken for registration could, therefore, be calculated only by reference to over 6,000 paper records held by police forces. Such an exercise would involve disproportionate cost.

  Drug Traffickers
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to bring forward proposals for new powers to confiscate the assets of drug traffickers and other criminals. [59214]

  Mr. Straw
  I will publish tomorrow the Third Report of the Home Office Working Group on Confiscation. This will be available in the Vote Office and in the Library. The Report recommends measures to strengthen the legislation on confiscation and money laundering and its practical operation. It also proposes extending powers for the forfeiture of criminal assets in civil proceedings. In view of the innovatory nature of some of the Working Group's recommendations, it is important that the public should be able to comment on what is proposed. There will be a consultation period until the end of February.

  Effective means of recovering criminal assets and depriving organised crime of its working capital are an essential tool of law enforcement. I attach great importance to ensuring that these powers are modernised.
  I am also determined that new powers should be subject to the right safeguards. The Government will take account of the responses to the Report before reaching decisions on its recommendations. In the meantime, I propose to initiate a separate study of the possibility, discussed in the Report, of establishing a confiscation or forfeiture agency.

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 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; [56792]
  52
  (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. [56790]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 5 November 1998,Official Report, columns 666–70.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Millennium Experience
  29. Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the size of the total lottery contribution to the Millennium dome. [57272]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have received many representations from members of the public and from Members of this House about all aspects of the Millennium Experience project. Of the £2 billion of lottery money which the Millennium Commission is distributing to flagship and community-based initiatives around the country, £449 million (gross) will go to the Millennium Experience project—this incorporates both the Dome at Greenwich and a linked programme of events and activities around the country.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to include information on cancer research in Britain in the Millennium dome. [57273]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The zones within the Dome will explore different aspects of our lives. The zones which will include a look at the world of medicine are those dedicated to the Body and the Mind. In developing the detailed content of these zones, the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is taking advice from a number of advisers—including Sir Kenneth Calman (the recently retired Chief Medical Officer for England), and Professor Catherine Peckham and Sir Michael Peckham.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the impact of the millennium experience on the regions. [57277]

  Mr. Mandelson
  One of the key commitments made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister when the decision to proceed with the Millennium Experience was announced was that it would be a truly national event. I am delighted to say that this commitment is being more than met through the New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) national programme of events and activities and the Millennium Festival. Both initiatives are an integral part of the Millennium Experience project and their impact is already being felt in all regions of the United Kingdom.

  The national programme consists of the Learning Experience and the UK Challenge which embrace a range of exciting projects. These include: Tesco SchoolNet 2000—enabling thousands of children across the UK to record their own ideas and those of their families about how they see life in the third Millennium; Marks and Spencer's Voices of Promise—a celebration of music talent in schools, encouraging young people to compose

  53
  songs and perform them locally: and Manpower's UK Skills Championships, which brings together a range of competitions covering specific skills and trades.

  The Millennium Festival, which is being run by the NMEC, in partnership with the Lottery Distributors, is offering grants to local and regional projects covering arts, sport, heritage and charitable activities and events taking place during the year 2000. More than 3,500 applications have been received in the first grant round.

  In addition, to those specific initiatives, the positive impact of the Millennium Experience on the tourism and leisure industries will undoubtedly benefit the UK as a whole. For example, the NMEC aims to ensure access to pre-employment training opportunities to people around the country in preparation for recruiting staff to operate the Millennium Experience at Greenwich during 2000.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the contract for catering in the millennium experience has been awarded; if it was put out to tender; and if he will make a statement. [57278]

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce the outcome of bids for the provision of catering facilities at the Millennium Exhibition at Greenwich. [57210]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The new Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) policy is to provide as wide a range of catering services as possible to meet the varied needs of visitors to the Dome. The NMEC intends to divide the provision of catering services between branded suppliers and a single catering services company. On 9 October the NMEC issued invitations to tender to thirty catering companies covering both branded suppliers and others. The deadline for tenders to be submitted is 16 November and the NMEC expects to reach decisions about contract awards by the end of this year.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if the New Millennium Experience Company has authority to receive sponsorship from anonymous corporate donors; [57017]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 2 September 1998, Official Report, column 866, if he will ensure that the name of each company which concludes a sponsorship agreement with the New Millennium Experience is published immediately thereafter; and if he will make a statement. [57019]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 27 October 1998]There are no formal qualifications attaching to the New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) remit to raise sponsorship towards the cost of the Millennium Experience project in its Memorandum of Association, in the Financial Memorandum issued by the Shareholder in February 1997 or in the Grant Agreement issued by the Millennium Commission in August 1997.

  The NMEC has not received any offers of sponsorship with anonymity of source as a condition; nor is it seeking such offers. Indeed, the whole basis on which the NMEC's sponsorship strategy is built concerns the benefits sponsors can achieve through public recognition of their support. The names of sponsors who have made a commitment to the project have been, and will continue to be, announced at such points in the negotiations between them and the NMEC which the two parties consider acceptable.

  Pledge 2000
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Pledge 2000. [58320]

  Mrs. Roche
  Pledge 2000™ was launched by Action 2000 on 29 July 1998 in response to industry demand for an approach companies could use to deal with the Millennium Bug. It is a public scheme designed to indicate statement of intent to work co-operatively with customers and suppliers to disclose, discuss and solve issues of mutual interest arising from the date change problem. Although not legally binding, Pledge 2000™ reduces the fear of litigation and enables work to continue towards ensuring business continuity up and down the numerous supply chains that underpin the UK economy.

  The pledge is in the form of a six point manifesto encouraging companies to share information, help other firms in their supply chains and avoid resorting to legal action wherever possible. Signing Pledge 2000™ represents a commitment at the highest level and is signed by a Board level person who is responsible for communicating the company's pledge internally. Action 2000 will continue to encourage businesses to use this valuable tool to resolve their Millennium Bug issues.

  Consumer Durables (Prices)
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the average change in prices of consumer durables as a result of last year's Government announcement of changes to resale price maintenance policies. [58984]

  Dr. Howells
  The RPI shows that retail prices of consumer durables have fallen by 4.4 per cent. in real terms in the year to September 1998. There has been no change in Government policy in relation to resale price maintenance. It is prohibited except where the Restrictive Practices Court has permitted an exemption.

  Doorstep Selling
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received relating to unacceptable practices in doorstep selling; and if he will make a statement. [58138]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 5 November 1998]My Department has received a number of representations from consumers about unacceptable practices in doorstep selling. The DTI recently consulted on proposals to strengthen consumer protection in this area. I hope to make Regulations by the end of the year to implement these proposals.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the steps available to an employee to seek redress against an employer who(a) refuses to implement the Working Time Directive and (b) seeks to avoid meeting the employee rights contained in the Working Time Directive. [57718]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 4 November 1998]An employee can seek redress against an employer for non-compliance with the Working Time Regulations
  55
  through two enforcement bodies. The limits (e.g. the weekly working time and night work limits) in the Regulations are enforced by the health and safety enforcing authorities e.g. the Health and Safety Executive and Local Authorities. The entitlements (e.g. the rest periods and breaks and the paid annual leave) are enforced through Employment Tribunals.

  Astra Holdings
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 1 June 1998,Official Report, column 118, what is the current estimated public cost of the disqualification proceedings against the directors of Astra Holdings. [57608]

  Dr. Howells
  Payments totalling £355,500 have been made to 5 of the 6 respondent directors in the disqualification proceedings. The only significant costs remaining outstanding are those of one legally aided respondent, Gerald James, whose solicitors have been paid £400,000 on account but the final figure has not yet been determined. In addition, the costs of the Treasury Solicitor acting for the Department are estimated at £280,000.

  Vibration White Finger
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants for compensation arising out of vibration white finger have received full settlement in respect of their claims. [58735]

  Mr. Battle
  As of 5 November, 1,828 VWF claimants have received full settlements.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants for compensation arising from vibration white finger fall in the age groups(a) 40 to 50, (b) 50 to 60, (c) 60 to 70, (d) 70 to 80 and (e) 80 years and over. [58726]

  Mr. Battle
  To date the numbers of claims received for VWF, for the age groups specified, are:

  (a) 4,557

  (b) 7,638

  (c) 8,296

  (d) 4,902

  (e) 496.

  Respiratory Diseases
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants for compensation arising out of chronic bronchitis and emphysema fall into the age groups(a) 40 to 50, (b) 50 to 60, (c) 60 to 70, (d) 70 to 80 and (e) 80 years and over. [58736]

  Mr. Battle
  To date the numbers of claims received for chronic bronchitis and for emphysema, for the age groups specified, are:

  (a) 2,303

  (b) 6,667

  (c) 13,759

  (d) 17,228

  (e) 5,762.

  56
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants for compensation arising out of chronic bronchitis and emphysema have received full settlement in respect of their claims. [58728]

  Mr. Battle
  Pending agreement on a medical assessment process, full and final settlements have so far been made only to the lead cases decided by the court. 7 such settlements have been paid. In addition the Department has made interim payments to 10,047 claimants.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects an agreement to be reached in respect of outstanding compensation claims relating to occupational respiratory disease; and how quickly medical reports could be produced following the conclusion of a handling agreement. [57575]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]My Department is fully committed to settling all valid occupational respiratory disease claims (COAD) as fairly and promptly as possible. To date this number in excess of 60,000. We have proposed to the plaintiff's solicitors that the claims should be dealt with through a single medical process which should expedite the processing of claims quite significantly compared with the conventional common law route where each party obtains their own medical report. Intense but constructive discussions are now taking place with the plaintiff's solicitors, on what are complex medical matters, within a framework agreed by the court. I hope that good progress will have been made towards resolving the outstanding issues by the end of the year. There will then be a need to procure through tendering the medical services required to deliver the records, reports and examinations required, and for the successful tenderer to put in place the staff and facilities to deliver the service. Subject to a prompt conclusion to negotiations with the plaintiff's solicitors I am hopeful that final settlement of valid claims will start flowing early in the second half of 1999. In the meantime we may be able to extend payment of interim awards.

  Motor Vehicles (Prices)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to monitor the comparative prices of motor vehicles in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the rest of the EU, (c) Japan and (d) the United States. [57939]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]The Department of Trade and Industry monitors the European Commission's six-monthly reports on car prices across the EU. These comprehensive reports compare the prices in each Member State (including the United Kingdom) of the best-selling models in the EU.

  The Department does not currently monitor the comparative prices of motor vehicles in either Japan or the United States.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will require industrial tribunals to maintain statistics on the size of employers involved in cases brought before them. [58137]
  57
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 5 November 1998]There is no requirement on an employer to disclose this information routinely to an employment tribunal and hence the Employment Tribunals Service does not maintain such statistics. I have no plans to introduce such a requirement.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on the levels of inward investment of the UK's decision not to join the single currency; and what steps he has taken to advertise the benefits of that decision to potential inward investors. [58679]

  Mrs. Roche
  The level of inward investment in the UK is unlikely to be significantly affected in the short-term as a result of the Government's decision not to recommend UK membership of the single currency in the first-wave.

  The UK attracts a significantly larger share of inward investment than other countries in the EU. This reflects a number of important benefits that we offer including low taxes, the English language, a flexible and adaptable work-force and a commitment to lasting economic stability.

  In the short-term, while the UK remains insufficiently converged with the rest of Europe there would be risks for stability in the UK if we joined EMU, and hence for inward investment. However, looking further ahead if the single currency succeeds in promoting stability and strengthening the Single Market, there may be a risk that inward investment decisions at the margin would move against countries perceived to be staying out for the longer term.

  The Invest in Britain Bureau continues to promote in all major international markets all the inherent strengths which have made, and will maintain, the United Kingdom as the most attractive European location for inward investment.

  Start-up Grants
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies have received start-up grants and closed within two years of opening in the last five years.[58119]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]Over the past five years, there have been 957 offers of Regional Selective Assistance grant for start-up projects. Of these, 61 companies closed within two years of the offer being accepted.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by whom the decision not to recover start-up grant from Siemens at present was made; what the company has been told as regards possible future repayment of that grant; and if he will make the relevant correspondence available in the Library. [58117]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]My officials are currently working with the company trying to find a buyer for the plant. Whilst that is the case, I have decided that it would be inappropriate to recover the grant. However, the company has been informed that if any of the grant aided assets are removed without prior permission, or the plant finally has to close, it would be 58
  in breach of the conditions set down in the offer letter and the Department would have the power to seek full recovery, plus interest if appropriate, of the £18 million grant paid.

  I will not be making the correspondence available in the Library. This is part of the official record and would add nothing to the answer above.

  Non-fossil Fuel Levy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the non-fossil fuel levy is allocated to the support of(a) renewable energy and (b) nuclear power in the current financial year; and what plans he has to vary these arrangements in future. [57095]

  Mr. Battle
  The Fossil Fuel Levy Act which came into effect on 1 April 1998 ensured that electricity supplied from nuclear sources continued to be subject to the Fossil Fuel Levy. From 1 April all of the proceeds from the Fossil Fuel Levy have been used for the support of generation of electricity from renewable sources. I have no plans to use the levy for other purposes.

  Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what communications Ministers or officials in his Department have had with(a) Euratom and (b) the International Atomic Energy Agency in respect of the proposals for the substitution of BNFL-owned plutonium for foreign-owned plutonium contained in wastes from the Sellafield Plutonium-Uranium mixed oxide fuel plant. [57105]

  Mr. Battle
  Ministers and officials in my Department have not had any communication with(a) Euratom or (b) International Atomic Energy Agency in respect of the proposals for the substitution of BNFL owned plutonium for foreign-owned plutonium contained in wastes from the Sellafield Mox Plant.

  Aviation Fuel
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research into alternatives to Jet Al aviation fuel is being funded by his Department. [55781]

  Mr. Battle
  None.

  Motor Manufacturers (Crash Test Standards)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to mitigate the impact of the new EC crash test standards on the costs of UK-based motor manufacturers. [57789]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 4 November 1998]I have been asked to reply.

  We welcome the introduction of the new European front and side impact standards which represent a valuable step forward in making cars which are subject to EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval safer. The standards have applied to new designs since 1 October this year, but will not apply to existing car designs until 1 October 2003. We believe the timescales in the Directive will allow vehicle manufacturers to incorporate modifications at the design

  59
  and development stage as models are changed or updated. As the new standards apply across the whole of Europe, the cost of designing to them must fall to industry.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Industrial Heritage
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his Department's support for Britain's industrial heritage. [57253]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Our industrial heritage is of unquestionable value in helping us to understand our history and the way our forefathers lived and worked. No industry has had a bigger influence on creating modern day Britain than coal. I was very pleased to be able to announce recently that my Department will pay an annual revenue subsidy grant to the National Coal Mining Museum for England from 1999–2000.

  The NCMME has a fascinating story to tell and DCMS support will provide the stability to allow it to plan for an exciting future.

  Arts Council
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the allocation of funding by the Arts Council for music. [57257]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Arts Council of England devotes a substantial part of its budget each year to supporting music. It will make a further contribution over the years ahead through its support of the Youth Music Trust.

  World Heritage Sites
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many natural sites the Government are putting forward to UNESCO as proposed new world heritage sites.[57258]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Together with Ministerial colleagues in the other interested Departments, I will need carefully to consider the results of the current consultation exercise before reaching a final decision on the number of natural sites to include in the list.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date he expects to announce the United Kingdom's list of world heritage sites for submission to UNESCO. [57517]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]Together with Ministerial colleagues in the other interested Departments, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will need carefully to consider the results of the current consultation exercise before reaching a final decision on the list; but we hope that an announcement can be made within the next two or three months.

  News at Ten
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the proposal to reschedule News at Ten. [57259]
  60
  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have received 2 letters from hon. Members on behalf of constituents and 19 letters from members of the public. Of these 21 letters, 19 were against the proposal to move News at Ten and 2 were in favour of allowing the move.

  New Opportunities Fund
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the progress of the new opportunities fund. [57260]

  Mr. Banks
  The New Opportunities Fund will invite grant applications for its first three initiatives early next year and plans to announce the first awards next spring.

  Scientific Centres
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to co-ordinate the work of scientific "hands-on" centres across the UK. [57261]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have no such plans. However, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) will shortly be publishing a consultation document, outlining, among other things, its proposals for a programme which aims to contribute to the UK public's knowledge and appreciation of science, technology and the arts. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, such "hands-on" centres may be able to bid for contracts being awarded by NESTA or enter into joint venture with them. This would obviously be a matter for the Chairman and Trustees of NESTA.

  BBC Licence Fee
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Government intend to review the BBC licence fee; and what form the review will take. [57262]

  Janet Anderson
  We shall be reviewing the future of the BBC licence fee after 2002 early next year. The issues will be examined initially by an independent review panel which will report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State no later than the end of July. We shall then consult on the panel's findings.

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he plans to include a pensioner representative in the membership of the independent review panel considering BBC funding after 2002; and if the panel will be required to consult pensioner organisations; [58492]

  (2) if he expects to implement changes in the current concessionary television licence scheme before 2002; [58660]

  (3) when he expects to announce the membership of the independent review panel considering BBC funding after 2002. [58493]

  Janet Anderson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be announcing the membership of the review panel shortly.
  61
  The review panel will no doubt wish to consider the views of various bodies and groups of people, including pensioners. In addition, pensioner groups will have an opportunity to feed in their views when the Government consult publicly on the panel's findings.

  The Government will consider any proposals to change the concessionary television licence scheme, and the implementation of any changes, following the consultation exercise.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to reduce the TV licence fee for blind people; and if he will make a statement. [58279]

  Janet Anderson
  Current concessionary arrangements, including those for blind people, will be examined next year as part of the review of the future of the BBC licence fee after 2002. The issues will be examined initially by an independent review panel which will report to the Secretary of State by the end of July. The Government will then consult on the panel's findings.

  Millennium Projects
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in what ways millennium projects will benefit people in the north-west. [57263]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Millennium Commission capital projects in the North-West have been awarded grant totalling almost £115 million.

  These projects are creating opportunities for employment, education, entertainment and tourism which will benefit individuals and communities across the whole of the North-West region for many years to come. In addition 327 people in the North-West are taking part in Millennium Award schemes.

  It is expected that some 40,000 individuals around the country will receive Millennium Awards.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much partnership funding has been secured, and how much remains to be secured, for each of the following millennium projects(a) Bristol 2000, (b) British Museum Great Court, (c) Changing Places, (d) Dynamic Earth, (e) Earth Centre, (f) Eden Project, (g) Hampden Park Stadium, (h) International Centre for Life, (i) Lowry Centre, (j) Millennium Link, (k) Millennium Point, (l) Millennium Seedbank, (m) Millennium Stadium, (n) National Botanic Gardens of Wales, (o) National Discovery Park, (p) National Cycle Network, (q) National Space Science Centre, (r) New Technopolis, (s) Odyssey Park, (t) Remaking the Heart of the City, (u) Renaissance

  National Lottery Awards for Scotland breakdown by Local Authority and Good Cause

  Good Cause

  Local Authority

  Data

  Arts

  Charity

  Heritage

  Millennium

  Sports

  Grand Total

  Aberdeen City

  Total Value

  £1,056,852

  £3,632,221

  £882,507

  —

  £2,760,083

  £8,331,663

  No. of Awards

  11

  74

  6

  0

  13

  104

  Aberdeenshire

  Total Value

  £452,202

  £1,749,707

  £10,817,693

  £327,104

  £4,089,586

  £17,436,292

  No. of Awards

  14

  132

  7

  1

  39

  193

  Angus

  Total Value

  £208,036

  £1,130,599

  £30,300

  —

  £137,610

  £1,506,545

  No. of Awards

  6

  72

  2

  0

  7

  87

  Argyll and Bute

  Total Value

  £243,654

  £1,238,104

  £1,593,000

  —

  £2,103,779

  £5,178,537

  No. of Awards

  5

  91

  4

  0

  21

  121

  62
  of Portsmouth Harbour, (v) Tate Gallery of Modern Art and (w) University of the Highlands and Islands Project; [58958]

  (2) what is the outstanding amount of marketing funding required to complete the landmark projects sponsored to date by the Millennium Commission. [58860]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I will reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  National Lottery
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in what ways the national lottery will benefit millennium award-winners in London. [57265]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Millennium Awards scheme is funded by the National Lottery through the Millennium Commission. To date 244 individuals in London have been awarded a total of £750,000 towards schemes to: popularise science; attend Summer University; improve the environment; and promote understanding of mental illness.

  It is expected that some 40,000 individuals around the country will receive Millennium Awards.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action his Department is taking to ensure(a) communities and (b) individuals are made aware of the availability of lottery funds for communities eligible for small grants; and if he will make a statement. [57269]

  Mr. Banks
  We are working with the Lottery distributors on a new leaflet to highlight the availability of Lottery funding. It will publicise the one-stop shop scheme for small community grants which distributors in England are planning to introduce in the East Midlands on 18 November and extend to the rest of England next spring. The scheme will also be publicised at a conference which the Department is running in Barnsley on 10 November to explore how Lottery funding can help to regenerate coalfield communities.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will provide a breakdown, by local authority area in Scotland, of the grants awarded for each National Lottery good cause. [58294]

  Mr. Banks
  To date 4,710 awards worth a total of £497,705,355 have been made in Scotland. A breakdown by Scottish local authorities for each good cause is in the following table.

  Awards information is also available on the Lottery website at www.lottery.culture.gov.uk.
  63

  National Lottery Awards for Scotland breakdown by Local Authority and Good Cause

  Good Cause

  Local Authority

  Data

  Arts

  Charity

  Heritage

  Millennium

  Sports

  Grand Total

  City of Edinburgh

  Total Value

  £13,387,525

  £23,097,475

  £44,571,300

  £32,839,845

  £4,029,065

  £117,925,210

  No. of Awards

  97

  308

  50

  4

  23

  482

  City of Glasgow

  Total Value

  £23,981,932

  £15,957,965

  £24,150,607

  £68,802,773

  £19,191,738

  £152,085,015

  No. of Awards

  90

  338

  28

  6

  40

  502

  Clackmannanshire

  Total Value

  £6,000

  £1,798,473

  £122,100

  —

  £166,391

  £2,092,964

  No. of Awards

  1

  38

  2

  0

  3

  44

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Total Value

  1,693,580

  £2,917,610

  £294,893

  £547,000

  £1,751,365

  £7,204,448

  No. of Awards

  18

  214

  6

  1

  29

  268

  Dundee City

  Total Value

  £7,766,380

  £2,089,598

  £2,349,679

  —

  £3,626,250

  £15,831,907

  No. of Awards

  9

  77

  9

  0

  5

  100

  East Ayrshire

  Total Value

  £60,380

  £1,166,828

  £111,900

  —

  £104,982

  £1,444,090

  No. of Awards

  3

  119

  1

  0

  4

  127

  East Dunbartonshire

  Total Value

  £18,962

  £1,570,351

  —

  —

  £461,871

  £2,051,184

  No. of Awards

  3

  84

  0

  0

  9

  96

  East Lothian

  Total Value

  £1,247,737

  £864,693

  £8,406,774

  —

  £103,389

  £10,622,593

  No. of Awards

  4

  45

  6

  0

  7

  62

  East Renfrewshire

  Total Value

  £17,188

  £783,113

  —

  —

  £1,654,730

  £2,455,031

  No. of Awards

  2

  33

  0

  0

  10

  45

  Falkirk

  Total Value

  £272,522

  £1,858,160

  £250,000

  —

  £531,250

  £2,911,932

  No. of Awards

  5

  66

  1

  0

  3

  75

  Fife

  Total Value

  £3,548,433

  £2,993,892

  £1,583,927

  £1,793,450

  £3,058,128

  £12,977,830

  No. of Awards

  17

  205

  13

  1

  18

  254

  Highland

  Total Value

  £3,457,896

  £6,145,477

  £4,107,598

  £33,354,000

  £3,893,375

  £50,958,346

  No. of Awards

  35

  293

  16

  1

  69

  414

  Inverclyde

  Total Value

  £13,759

  £1,957,205

  —

  —

  £509,600

  £2,480,564

  No. of Awards

  2

  48

  0

  0

  5

  55

  Midlothian

  Total Value

  £77,068

  £364,633

  £5,142,764

  —

  £135,650

  £5,720,115

  No. of Awards

  3

  53

  11

  0

  4

  71

  Moray

  Total Value

  £118,990

  £1,122,248

  £511,729

  —

  £476,410

  £2,229,377

  No. of Awards

  7

  60

  3

  0

  13

  83

  North Ayrshire

  Total Value

  £644,380

  £928,944

  £228,186

  £5,340,037

  £1,386,540

  £8,528,087

  No. of Awards

  4

  88

  2

  1

  12

  107

  North Lanarkshire

  Total Value

  £623,019

  £3,016,957

  £704,100

  —

  £1,263,058

  £5,607,134

  No. of Awards

  8

  204

  3

  0

  13

  228

  Orkney Islands

  Total Value

  £649,600

  £866,387

  £924,613

  £3,700,000

  £489,750

  £6,630,350

  No. of Awards

  3

  37

  7

  1

  4

  52

  Perth and Kinross

  Total Value

  £363,642

  £1,736,574

  £11,826,130

  —

  £1,760,609

  £15,686,955

  No. of Awards

  8

  111

  14

  0

  19

  152

  Renfrewshire

  Total Value

  £178,694

  £1,784,160

  1,035,200

  —

  £482,725

  £3,480,779

  No. of Awards

  6

  77

  2

  0

  5

  90

  Scottish Borders

  Total Value

  £33,143

  £1,541,926

  £60,250

  —

  £1,290,634

  £2,925,953

  No. of Awards

  1

  100

  3

  0

  27

  131

  Shetland Islands

  Total Value

  £5,000

  £694,858

  £595,457

  —

  £501,000

  £1,796,315

  No. of Awards

  1

  40

  6

  0

  4

  51

  South Ayrshire

  Total Value

  £307,641

  £1,450,656

  £273,070

  —

  £996,583

  £3,027,950

  No. of Awards

  5

  72

  3

  0

  9

  89

  South Lanarkshire

  Total Value

  £572,372

  £2,369,269

  £4,567,520

  —

  £5,129,057

  £12,638,218

  No. of Awards

  10

  228

  4

  0

  21

  263

  Stirling

  Total Value

  £333,490

  £2,256,166

  £1,584,231

  —

  £1,351,782

  £5,525,669

  No. of Awards

  15

  67

  3

  0

  13

  98

  West Dunbartonshire

  Total Value

  £85,500

  £1,152,478

  £1,563,966

  —

  £501,725

  £3,303,669

  No. of Awards

  2

  70

  4

  0

  2

  78

  West Lothian

  Total Value

  £196,454

  £1,258,432

  £307,900

  —

  £1,502,655

  £3,265,441

  No. of Awards

  7

  90

  2

  0

  11

  110

  Western Isles

  Total Value

  £135,317

  £1,254,992

  £1,133,100

  —

  £1,321,783

  £3,845,192

  No. of Awards

  8

  58

  4

  0

  8

  78

  Total Value

  £61,757,348

  £92,750,151

  £129,730,494

  £146,704,209

  £66,763,153

  £497,705,355

  Total No. of Awards

  410

  3,592

  222

  16

  470

  4,710

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultations he undertook with National Lottery distribution bodies prior to his announcement that the Millennium share would be moved into the New Opportunities Fund. [58484]
  64
  Mr. Chris Smith
  We are regularly in touch with all the National Lottery distribution bodies and are conscious of the demands they are seeking to meet. We are also conscious of the potential for New Opportunities Fund (NOF) has to meet pressing needs in the fields of health,
  65
  education and the environment. That is why, as well as announcing that NOF will inherit the Millennium stream, we also announced that each of the arts, sport, heritage and charities can plan on an extra £50 million from the Lottery between now and 2001 and that they are each guaranteed 16 per cent. of Lottery revenues from October 2001 onwards.

  Employment
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people are employed in the cultural and creative industries. [57266]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  On Friday I published a document, produced on behalf of the Creative Industries Task Force, which I chair, which attempts to analyse for the first time the economic impact of the diverse and dynamic sectors which constitute the creative industries. We estimate the creative industries to turn over nearly £60 billion a year and to employ 1½ million people, making them an increasingly significant element in the national economy.

  Asylum Seekers
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will ascertain the number of asylum seekers in representative British national sports teams, or who have competed in such teams over the last two years; and if he will facilitate arrangements for their travel for overseas events. [58547]

  Mr. Banks
  Britain competes in a great many sports internationally and at many levels including youth teams. Unfortunately I do not have this information and I think it would be costly, and in some cases an imposition on the governing bodies of the sports concerned, to try to collate it. However, I would be delighted to discuss with the hon. Member any individual cases or difficulty of which he is aware and explore what action is open to the Government to facilitate arrangements for travel for overseas events.

  Sport (Women)
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when(a) he and (b) the Minister for Sport last met the Minister for Women to discuss the role of women in sport.[58483]

  Mr. Banks
  I have been in contact with my noble Friend the Minister for Women about women in sport and will be meeting with her to discuss this very soon. Officials in my Department are in contact with officials in the Government's Women's Unit to discuss issues relating to women and sport.

  I remain determined to find ways to encourage and promote women in sport. We shall be looking at further ways to do so.

  Lottery Funding (Witney)
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many bids for Lottery funding for arts projects in the Witney constituency(a) have been received, (b) have been awarded, giving amounts and (c) are still outstanding, since the establishment of the National Lottery; [57562]
  66
  (2) what proportion of total Lottery funding for arts projects and sports projects has been awarded to such projects in the Witney constituency since the establishment of the National Lottery; [57563]

  (3) how many bids for Lottery funding for sports projects in the Witney constituency (a) have been received, (b) have been awarded, giving amounts and (c) are still outstanding, since the establishment of the National Lottery. [57561]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]To date the National Lottery distributors have awarded £5.03 billion to 31,000 projects across the United Kingdom. In England, the Arts Council of England has announced grants totalling £963,271,382 to 7,411 projects. The English Sports Council has announced grants totalling £753,348,968 to 2,679 projects. The figures for the Witney constituency are set out in the table:

  Witney

  Arts projects

  Sports projects

  Number of applications

  30

  27

  Outstanding applications

  6

  0

  Successful applications

  12

  15

  Value of successful applications (£)

  817,552

  1,411,853

  Value as per cent. of England

  0.8

  1.87

  Information on successful Lottery applicants can be found on the Department's website www.lottery.culture.gov.uk.

  Running Tracks
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the safety checks introduced by British Athletics 98 on the number of all-weather running tracks available for use; and what assistance his Department will provide to local authorities to replace all-weather running tracks which have been declared unsafe by British Athletics. [57893]

  Mr. Banks
  No direct assessment has been made of the impact of the safety checks on the number of all-weather running tracks available for use. However, the English Sports Council (ESC) has provided financial and other support services to UK Athletics '98 over the last year to produce a national facilities strategy. This is due for publication and promotion in December 1998. The strategy recognises that the sport needs to encourage better management and maintenance of existing all weather tracks, which are predominantly owned and managed by local authorities.

  No direct assistance from the UK Sports Council (UKSC) or ESC has been provided to local authorities to replace all-weather tracks which have been declared unsafe. However, both the UKSC and ESC are planning to provide exchequer funding to the new national governing body, Athletics UK, to support a new staffing structure which will include a full-time Facilities Co-ordinator post. This post will enable the sport to provide more pro-active advice and better services to local authorities and other track providers as to what is best practice with regard to the management of athletics stadia. In addition, local authorities may also apply to the ESC for a grant from

  67
  the Lottery Sports Fund to help build new or upgraded facilities. Around £250 million of Lottery Grants will be awarded to sport in 1998–99.

  Sportsmatch
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the future of Sportsmatch; and what effect the changes in its operation will have on his departmental budget. [58019]

  Mr. Banks
  Sportsmatch is a successful scheme which brings in much needed business sponsorship to the previously neglected area of grass roots sport. We have made it clear that we would like to see distributors come forward with new ideas for opening up Lottery funds to smaller community sports initiatives and we believe there may be links here to be made with the Sportsmatch approach. We have consulted on the future of Sportsmatch in England on this basis.

  The starting point of the consultation was that greater synergy would best be achieved by transferring in full responsibility and funding for the Sportsmatch scheme from the Department to the English Sports Council with effect from April 1999. The funds would be ring fenced for the first financial year at least while the Council reviews with the scheme's managers the options for the future. Longer term arrangements would be decided following discussion of the review with Ministers. The aim would be to ensure that the grant-in-aid, lottery funding, and Sportsmatch money could be deployed in a synchronised way. Responses to the consultation have now been received and are being considered.

  Departmental Guarantees
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guarantees his Department has made in monetary terms to(a) arts, (b) sport, (c) charities, (d) heritage, (e) projects to mark the Millennium and (f) the New Opportunities Fund. [58020]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  As a result of my Department's overall settlement from the Comprehensive Spending Review, I have been consulting on my proposals for the allocation of the £290 million additional investment which I have received. This is investment for reform and modernisation and in exchange I expect to see improvements in efficiency, access and modernisation. I anticipate being able to provide institutional allocations in early December.

  The arts, sport, heritage and charities Lottery good causes can now plan on receiving an extra £50 million by the end of the present licence period in September 2001, bringing their forecast income by then to over £1.85 billion each. Thereafter they have each been guaranteed one sixth of Lottery revenues for good causes.

  The Millennium Commission has been guaranteed an income of £2.017 billion over its funding lifetime.

  The New Opportunities Fund will receive around £1.2 billion during the licence period. Once the millennium stream has closed down, NOF's share of Lottery revenues will rise to one third.

  Digital Broadcasting
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the extent to which the move to digital broadcasting will allow reception of appropriate regional variations of BBC and ITV in(a) West Norfolk and (b) other regions unable to receive local programming. [57264]

  Janet Anderson
  The Government's priority is the successful launch of digital television and the expansion in choice it will bring. By the end of 1999 digital terrestrial television will cover 90 per cent. of the UK population and be supplemented by digital cable and satellite services. At this stage, we have made no assessment of what additional benefits digital broadcasting might bring in terms of further local programming.

  Regional Orchestras
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy on regional orchestras. [57255]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Government policy on the arts is guided by a desire to promote excellence, access, innovation and education. Our regional orchestras play a valuable role in this, by opening up to a wide range of people the enjoyment of music of the highest standards.

  Football (Youth Development)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the English Sports Council's promised annual funding for youth development has been disbursed to lower league football clubs. [57159]

  Mr. Banks
  The English Sports Council has made available £20 million over the next four years from the Lottery Sports Fund for the establishment of new academies or centres of excellence for Football League clubs. This money is to be matched pound for pound by the FA Premier League. The English Sports Council take the final decision on applications from this source. The Council has recently allocated £5.8 million over the next four years to 22 Football League Clubs—the first allocation under this initiative. The Premier League will be allocating a similar sum.

  Artistic Heritage
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held in the past year on proposals to protect the United Kingdom's artistic heritage from export. [57180]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The UK's artistic heritage is already well protected by our present system of export controls. Ministers have not within the past year discussed proposals for improving them.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the new Film Export Trade body was established; and how often it has met. [58486]
  69
  Janet Anderson
  Film Export UK was established on 25 September this year as a division of the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT). To date it has held two meetings.

  Royal Parks (Car Parking)
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 29 October 1998,Official Report, column 267, what assessment he has made of the impact of weekend charges for parking in the Royal Parks on (a) parking and (b) road safety in neighbouring streets where no charges are levied; and what representations he has received from residents. [58225]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1998]The Agency undertook a consultation exercise to solicit the views of interested parties before making a final decision on the amendments to regulations affecting Hyde Park and Regent's Park.

  Those consulted include the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the neighbouring local authorities, local interest groups, including residents' associations, and the four local MPs. The original proposals were amended as a result of the responses received.

  The level of charges is designed to improve traffic management, and is pitched at a level to minimise displacement of traffic and avoid increasing on-street parking in the vicinity. The changes are consistent with government policy on traffic, parking and transport in London.

DEFENCE

  Air-to-air Missiles
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the criteria required in the invitation to tender for the Staff Requirement (Air) 1239 for a beyond visual range air-to-air missile. [58523]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson) on 6 July 1998,Official Report, column 354.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those companies which have been invited to tender for the SR(A) 1239. [58525]

  Mr. Spellar
  SR(A)1239 refers to our requirement for a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile for Eurofighter. Invitations to tender were issued in December 1995 to the following companies:

  a) BAe Dynamics, Stevenage.

  b) Hughes Aircraft Co., Tuscon, USA.

  c) Daimler-Benz, Germany.

  d) Alenia, Italy.

  e) Matra-Defence, France.

  f) GEC-Marconi, Stanmore.

  70

  g) Aerospatiale, France.

  h) Saab Dynamics, Sweden.

  i) Raytheon Electronic Systems, Bedford.

  Responses were received from Matra BAe Dynamics and Hughes Aircraft Co., now Raytheon Systems Ltd. Following initial evaluation, it was decided to conduct a project Definition/Risk Reduction phase, and further Invitations to Tender were issued to both companies in October 1997.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from other EU countries on the Staff Requirement (Air) 1239 for a beyond visual range air-to-air missile. [58524]

  Mr. Spellar
  Although SR(A)1239 is to meet a UK requirement for a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile for Eurofighter, our Eurofighter Partner Nations, Germany, Italy and Spain, have similar requirements, as do Sweden for their JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, and have agreed to be associated with our competition. We are assessing the bids jointly and are exploring the possibility of meeting our requirements through a common solution.

  Nuclear Warheads
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if there will be a reduction in the number of warheads produced at Aldermaston as a result of the alterations to the United Kingdom's nuclear posture announced in the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement. [58144]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We announced in the Strategic Defence Review that a stockpile of fewer than 200 operationally available nuclear warheads was required to meet our future needs, a reduction from the maximum of 300 announced by the previous Government. There will, therefore, be a reduction in the number of warheads produced at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (I) if all UK Trident missiles are(a) deployed, (b) held as part of a processing margin or (c) to be used in test firings; [58148]

  (2) if the total holding of operational nuclear warheads, as revised by the Strategic Defence Review, provides the potential to deploy more than 48 warheads per Trident submarine; [58149]

  (3) under what circumstances the Government would consider further reducing the number of nuclear warheads deployed on UK Trident submarines. [58150]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Our Trident operating posture, including the number of warheads deployed, is based on a rigorous assessment of the minimum necessary to provide credible deterrence. Should changes in strategic circumstances lead to a change in that assessment, we would make corresponding adjustments to our deployed posture. The Strategic Defence Review decisions on missile numbers and the stockpile of operationally available warheads are based on an assessment of the worst circumstances which might arise during Trident's life, however remote they may seem today, and thus provide potential to deploy additional weapons should that
  71
  ever become necessary. In addition, total stockpile numbers also take account of processing margins and, in the case of missiles, anticipated test firings.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the number of nuclear weapons held as a necessary processing margin or for technical surveillance purposes will increase as a result of the Strategic Defence Review. [55870]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 28 October 1998]There will be no increase in the number of nuclear weapons held as a processing margin or for technical surveillance purposes as a result of the Strategic Defence Review. However, there will be an increase in the number of nuclear warheads awaiting dismantlement.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any UK Trident missiles are deployed without nuclear warheads. [58151]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Disclosing the information requested would assist a potential adversary to calculate our capabilities and would therefore be harmful to deterrence. Consequently I am withholding the information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Defence, Security and International Relations).

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the United Kingdom's sub-strategic nuclear capability deployed on Trident missiles has been reduced as a result of the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review compared with the previous Government's deployments. [58152]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We stated in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper that each Trident submarine will carry the reduced load of 48 warheads when on deterrent patrol. This compares with the previous Government's announced ceiling of 96. The reduced load of 48 warheads will meet both our strategic and sub-strategic requirements in current Strategic circumstances. Details on the breakdown of this number is classified as this information could be used to provide insights into the precise capability of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. I am therefore witholding this information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the cost implications of reducing the number of warheads deployed on UK Trident submarines; [58143]

  (2) what financial savings will arise from the Government's revised total holdings of operational nuclear warheads. [58147]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The decision in the Strategic Defence Review that the operationally available stockpile will consist of less than 200 warheads is expected to result in financial savings of some £22 million in the cost of the nuclear warhead programme over the next ten years. There will also be savings of some £50 million from the associated decision to limit to 58 the purchase of Trident missile bodies.

  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Strategic Defence Review, Supporting Essays, Essay 5, paragraph 47, when the detailed review of national responses to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction will be completed; and when a summary of the conclusions will be made public. [58142]

  Mr. George Robertson
  As I indicated to the House during the debate on the Strategic Defence Review on 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 978, I plan to report the conclusions of the review to the House shortly.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many submarines of(a) the Royal Navy, (b) the US Navy and (c) other navies have docked at the Z-berth at Gibraltar during 1998. [58750]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The information requested is as follows: as at 1 November, 2 Royal Navy and 9 US Navy submarines had used the Z berths in Gibraltar during 1998. A number of US Navy submarines have visited Gibraltar on more than one occasion and in total they have made 15 visits this year. No submarines from other navies have docked at the Gibraltar Z berths during this period.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by month and name the Royal Navy vessels which have visited Gibraltar during 1998. [58751]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The following Royal Navy vessels have visited Gibraltar during 1998, up to and including 1 November:

  Month

  HMS

  RFA

  January

  Bridport

  Diligence

  Illustrious

  —

  Inverness

  —

  Sandown

  —

  February

  Cornwall

  —

  Illustrious

  —

  Richmond

  —

  Somerset

  —

  March

  Beaver

  Orangeleaf

  Cornwall

  —

  Richmond

  —

  York

  —

  April

  Beaver

  Bayleaf

  Cornwall

  —

  Grafton

  —

  Nottingham

  —

  May

  Bulldog

  Grey Rover

  Coventry

  —

  Marlborough

  —

  June

  Gloucester(3)

  Sea Crusader

  July

  Cardiff

  Fort Victoria

  Marlborough

  —

  August

  Cardiff

  Bayleaf

  Cornwall

  Oakleaf

  Somerset

  Orangeleaf

  —

  Sea Crusder

  —

  Sir Bedivere(2)

  73

  Month

  HMS

  RFA

  September

  Birmingham(2)

  —

  Cumberland

  —

  London

  —

  Somerset

  —

  October

  Nottingham

  Bayleaf

  Scott

  —

  York

  —

  HM Ships Ranger and Trumpeter are based at Gibraltar and have made the following port calls:

  Month

  Ranger

  Trumpeter

  January

  —

  —

  February

  —

  —

  March

  —

  —

  April

  1

  2

  May

  1

  2

  June

  1

  2

  July

  1

  1

  August

  —

  1

  September

  4

  4

  October

  3

  3

  In addition, two Royal Navy submarines have visited Gibraltar during this period. They were the Swiftshure class submarine, HMS Spartan, in January and HMS Turbulent (Trafalgar class) in November.

  Army Pilots
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Army squadrons currently have a shortage of trained pilots; and what is the total extent of the shortfalls. [57188]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  As at 27 October 44 established posts on Army squadrons were vacant, out of a total establishment of 544. Of 18 Army squadrons, the following 12 were affected: 651, 652, 661, 653, 662, 663, 659, 669, 655, 656, 657 and 664.

  RAF (Medical Retirement)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force personnel have left the service on health grounds in each of the last five years. [57161]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The following number of regular Royal Air Force personnel have been medically discharged in each year since 1993. These figures do not include RAF personnel who died in service.

  Year

  Medical discharges

  1993

  147

  1994

  121

  1995

  207

  1996

  200

  1997

  222

  1998 at 27 October 1998

  92

  Note:

  Based on information supplied to DASA as at 27 October 1998.

  TAVR
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people served in the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve in(a) May 1979 and (b) May 1997; and how many are serving at the present time. [57175]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The strengths of the Territorial Army in 1979, 1997 and at present are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1979

  159,400

  1997

  2255,900

  1998

  354,100

  1Figure as at 1 April 1979 which is the closest available to the May figure requested

  2Figure as at 1 May 1997

  3Figure as at 1 September 1998

  198 Field Park Squadron
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the net saving to the defence budget of removing 198 Field Park Squadron from the TA order of battle. [57582]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The operating costs alone for 198 Field Park Squadron in the financial year 1997–98 were £179,000.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of maintaining the garrison in the Falklands over each of the next five years.[57855]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The cost of the Falklands garrison in the current financial year 1998–99 is expected to be just over £70 million. In the absence of significant modifications to the size and shape of the garrison, which are not currently foreseen, its cost is likely to continue to be roughly of this order in each of the next five years.

  Menwith Hill
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) American military personnel, (b) American civilian personnel, (c) GCHQ personnel and (d) RAF military and civilian personnel are present at Menwith Hill Station. [57316]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]As at 9 October 1998, at RAF Menwith Hill there were 435 US military personnel, 935 US civilian personnel and 416 RAF and Ministry of Defence civilian personnel. I am withholding the numbers of operationally deployed GCHQ staff under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the name and rank of the officer in charge at Menwith Hill Station. [57317]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]Squadron Leader Ted Sumner is the senior RAF officer at the site while the US base commander is Colonel Joseph Brand of the United States Army.

  Infra Red System
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the two radomes which are to be part of the space-based infra red system will be constructed. [57313]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding reply 3 November 1998]Construction of the two radomes at RAF Menwith Hill is due to begin in November 1999 and is scheduled for completion in February 2000. The radomes will support the new US Space Based Infra-Red System, providing early warning of ballistic missile launches.

  Army personnel

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Total

  Officers court martialled

  13

  13

  9

  7

  12

  54

  Officers dismissed by court martial

  5

  8

  4

  2

  5

  24

  Officers dismissed for mis-conduct

  3

  8

  12

  2

  1

  26

  Other ranks court martialled

  646

  583

  414

  359

  287

  2,289

  Other ranks dismissed by court martial

  236

  275

  241

  159

  100

  1,011

  Other ranks dismissed for mis-conduct

  394

  308

  199

  149

  89

  1,139

  RAF Halton
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the terms and conditions of the original transfer from the Rothschild family to the Government of land at Halton, Buckinghamshire, now occupied by RAF Halton; and if he will make a statement. [58288]

  Mr. Spellar
  If the Rothschild Foundation agrees to the public release of this document which is a commercial agreement between us, then a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  RAF High Wycombe
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for new building works at RAF High Wycombe. [58691]

  Mr. Spellar
  A Framework Development Plan was presented to Wycombe District Council earlier this year, outlining key proposals for future development of the RAF High Wycombe site.

  There are two main proposals: first, to replace the site reception and RAF Police Flight Portakabin-style facilities with a permanent building; secondly, to replace two other buildings, used by Headquarters Strike Command, which are over 25 years old and nearing the end of their useful and economic life. The new buildings would provide modem facilities that meet current statutory legislation and provide suitable long-term office accommodation for staff. The proposals would address Wycombe District Council's concern over temporary buildings, the visual impact of the proposed developments when viewed from outside the site, and for landscape improvements, such as tree planting, on the RAF High Wycombe site.

  Planning permission has been sought from Wycombe District Council for the reception/RAF Police Flight facilities. It is intended to present Outline Planning Permission application for replacing the HQ Strike Command buildings in the near future.

  Dismissals and Courts Martial
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army(a) officers and (b) other ranks have been dismissed from the service or court-martialled in each of the last five years. [58299]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The table shows the total number of Army personnel who have been court-martialled (CM) and or dismissed from the service over the last 5 years.

  Legal Actions
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent in legal fees when dealing with legal action against it by current or former service men and women in each of the last 10 years. [58145]

  Mr. Spellar
  Information on legal fees relating to common law compensation claims submitted by current and former Service personnel has been held centrally only since 1 April 1994. The figures cover legal fees and disbursements.

  Year

  Total

  1994–95

  5,236,252

  1995–96

  5,850,585

  1996–97

  5,169,018

  1997–98

  6,328,685

  1 April 1998 to 4 November 1998

  4,269,161

  Total

  26,853,701

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims for damages have been brought against his Department by current and former service men and women in each of the last 10 years. [58146]

  Mr. Spellar
  The number of common law claims for damages brought against my Department from serving and former Service men and women in each of the last ten complete calendar years was:

  Year

  Total

  1988

  444

  1989

  606

  1990

  677

  1991

  926

  1992

  990

  1993

  1,195

  1994

  1,147

  1995

  1,275

  1996

  1,148

  1997

  1,117

  RAF (Training Accidents)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many RAF aircraft have been lost in training accidents in each of the last 10 years; [58140]

  (2) how many RAF flight crew have (a) killed and (b) injured in training accidents in each of the last 10 years. [58141]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I will write to the hon. and learned Member and a copy of my reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

  RNAD Trecwn
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what nuclear weapons or items were stored at the former RNAD Trecwn; and what licensing was required for them to be stored there. [58594]

  Mr. Spellar
  No nuclear weapons or items were stored at the former RNAD Trecwn. The question of licensing does not therefore arise.

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many companies and individuals other than WR Trust, including estate agents, were allowed access to the RNAD Trecwn site during the run-up to bidding in all bidding rounds. [58595]

  Mr. Spellar
  Access to RNAD Trecwn was granted to all companies and individuals who wished to visit the site during the run-up to bidding. From records kept of all visitors to the site, 114 individuals, including representatives from various companies and estate agents, took up the opportunity to inspect the site prior to bidding.

  Chile
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 441, if he will identify which of the 21 meetings General Pinochet was present at; where and when such meetings took place; and which ministers were present. [58777]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  General Pinochet was not present at any of these meetings.

  St. Dunstan's
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to provide grants to assist the work of St. Dunstan's in caring for men and women blinded in the service of their country. [58244]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We are very conscious of the great efforts made by organisations such as St. Dunstan's to assist former Service personnel, and know how greatly their work is valued both by the present service community and by ex-Service men and women.

  However, it is the longstanding practice of central Government not to finance charities' core activities. Therefore, as with all registered charities, St. Dunstan's—as a wholly independent charity—raises its own funding.

  Under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, there are powers for central Government to fund voluntary organisations whose activities support the Department of Health's policy objectives relating to
  78
  health, and personal and social services. However, the budget is finite and more applications are received than it is possible to meet. I am given to understand that an application from the Diana Gubbay Trust for the Blind which is administered by St. Dunstan's, and provides care for visually impaired people who are ex-members of the Armed Forces or civilian services but whose blindness is not attributable to their service has been received this year and will be given serious consideration.

  The Government provide considerable assistance for disabled ex-Service personnel, including St. Dunstaners. Personnel deemed to have sustained a disability due to service in the Armed Forces qualify for a tax-free War Pension from the War Pensions Agency. In addition, most Service personnel are members of The Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS), which ordinarily pays an immediate pension on completion of 16 years' service in the case of officers and 22 years in the case of non-commissioned personnel. The AFPS also provides pensions to most Servicemen or Servicewomen who are medically discharged from their Service. Additional benefits may be paid if a disability is deemed to be attributable to or aggravated by Service. Attributable benefits are payable irrespective of length of service or whether the individual is a member of the AFPS.

  Requisitioned Land
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list British Army military installations that are sited on requisitioned land; when his officials last had contact with the landowners of each site; and what plans he has to return the land to its original use. [56395]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]The Army's installations, that are entirely or partly sited on requisitioned land, are listed.

  County Armagh:

  Cloghoge Base, Newry

  Crossmaglen Base

  Keady Base

  Newtownhamilton Base

  County Down:

  Rathfriland Base

  County Fermanagh:

  Annaghmartin Patrol Base

  Clonatty Bridge Patrol Base

  Gortmullan Patrol Base

  Mullan Bridge Patrol Base

  Rosscor Bridge Patrol Base

  Wattle Bridge Patrol Base

  County Londonderry:

  Masonic Base

  County Tyrone:

  Aughnacloy Permanent

  Vehicle Check Point

  Cookstown Base

  St. Lucia Base

  Belfast:

  Fort Whiterock Base.

  Apart from the initial serving of the Requisition Order my officials do not have any contact with landowners except where a landowner wishes to raise a particular matter concerning that Order.
  79
  The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is responsible for compensation arising from Requisition Orders and payment of rents is made by the Compensation Agency on behalf of the NIO. The Compensation Agency would therefore have contact with the landowners due to their responsibility for the rent.

  The requirement for bases and installations is kept under constant review and the improvement in the security situation allowed for the planned removal of the Aughnacloy Permanent Vehicle Check Point which was announced by the Chief Constable on 30 September 1998. The closure and planned removal of the Fort Whiterock base in West Belfast was announced by the Chief Constable on 26 October 1998. As the security situation improves there may be scope for further measures; however, there are no plans for additional bases to be removed from requisitioned land at the present time.

  Royal Irish Regiment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) serving and (b) former members of the Royal Irish Regiment held personal protection firearms on 10 April; how many new weapons have been issued since then; and how many weapons have been handed in. [56296]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]There are two types of Personal Protection Weapons (PPWs) which can be held by personnel of the Royal Irish Regiment (R IRISH). These are MOD-issued PPWs, and privately owned and purchased PPWs held on Fire Arms Certificates (FAC) which are issued and renewed every 3 years by the RUC Firearms Licensing Branch.

  My Department does not hold details of R IRISH PPW holdings as at 10 April 1998. However, information on holdings based on returns collected from units between 21 April 1998 and 6 July are given in the table.

  Table 1

  MOD issued PPW

  PPWs held under Fire Arms Certificate

  Total

  1,172

  758

  1,930

  Details of PPW holdings as at 22 October 1998 are given in the table.

  Table 2

  MOD issued PPW

  PPWs held under Fire Arms Certificate

  Total

  1,083

  751

  1,834

  Table 2 shows holdings of 96 fewer PPWs on 22 October, than between 21 April and 6 July; this represents 97 weapons handed in, and one new weapon issued.

  My Department does not hold records of PPW issued under Firearms Certificates to former members of R IRISH.

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and 80
  percentage terms, of the ethnic origin of civil servants in his private office, as at 1 October 1997; [56801]

  (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. [56799]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 5 November 1998,Official Report, columns 666–71.

  Naval Bases and Supply Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects to make a decision on the proposed partnership between Matra-BAe UK Ltd and the Naval Bases and Supply Agency at RNAD Gosport; [57170]

  (2) what representations he has received concerning the proposed partnership between Matra-BAe UK Ltd and the Naval Bases and Supply Agency at RNAD Gosport. [57169]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We have now completed the formal consultation process with the Trades Unions over the proposed Partnering Arrangement between the Naval Bases and Supply Agency and Matra-BAe UK Ltd. The Trade Unions are fully supportive of the proposed arrangement, recognising that this presents an opportunity for both parties to secure the benefits of skills exchange and the optimum utilisation of resources and facilities.

  My Department has received no other representations on the Partnering Arrangement.

  We expect the formal signing of the Partnering Arrangement, between MBUK Ltd. and the Naval Bases and Supply Agency will take place shortly.

HEALTH

  Hospital Doctors
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior registrars are in post in each specialty; and how many have been given consultants posts in each of the last five years. [56741]

  Mr. Milburn
  Copies of the information requested will be placed in the Library. On 1 April 1996, the Specialist Registrar (SpR) grade was introduced. Existing registrars and senior registrars were given the option to enter the SpR grade. Since 1 April 1997, those Senior House Officers who are eligible and wish to enter higher specialist medical training have been able to do so only by entering the SpR grade.

  Clinical Psychologists
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the average life-time earnings of a clinical psychologist working in the NHS at current prices; [56449]

  (2) what are the mean and modal salaries of fully qualified clinical psychologists; [56575]

  (3) if he will list the real rates of increase in each pay award for clinical psychologists working for the NHS since 1990; [56444]
  81
  (4) what was the total salary bill for clinical psychologists in the NHS in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [56446]

  Mr. Milburn
  The current national pay scales for qualified clinical psychologists employed in the National Health Service range from £14,690 to £33,474 (in Grade A) and from £32,185 to £53,593 in Grade B. The latest Departmental survey of NHS earnings 1997 gives a mean salary figure of £33,100 and £42,600 for the modal salary, rounded to the nearest £100.

  Total salary bill information, including employers contributions, is collected and monitored locally by trusts. Information on the total salary bill is not collected centrally. The real rates at which clinical psychologists pay has changed as a result of pay awards since 1990 are shown in the table.

  Changes to Clinical Psychologists' pay in real terms: NHS pay awards 1990–98

  Percentage

  Clinical psychologists'pay awards in year change

  Pay settlement

  GDP factor

  Real terms increase

  1990–91 over 1989–90

  7.90

  7.83

  0.07

  1991–92 over 1990–91

  7.90

  6.20

  1.70

  1992–93 over 1991–92

  4.75

  3.31

  1.44

  1993–94 over 1992–93

  1.50

  2.66

  -1.16

  1994–95 over 1993–94

  2.35

  1.43

  0.92

  1995–96 over 1994–95

  3.00

  2.91

  0.09

  1996–97 over 1995–96

  2.80

  3.08

  -0.28

  1997–98 over 1996–97

  2.43

  2.60

  -0.17

  1998–99 over 1997–98

  3.47

  2.90

  0.57

  Notes:

  1. The pay awards have been compared with the gross domestic product deflator to obtain real terms increases/reductions.

  2. The pay awards represent annual changes of pay over each financial year (1 April to 31 March) since 1990 and includes the 1998 settlement.

  3. The effect of staging the 1997 and 1998 pay awards has been taken into account.

  Maternity Units
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital maternity units in(a) the North West of England and (b) England have been (i) closed and (ii) merged since 1 May 1997. [57179]

  Mr. Milburn
  No hospital maternity units in the north west of England have been closed or merged since 1 May 1997.

  Five hospital maternity units in England have closed since 1 May 1997, as part of local service developments. In one of these cases this change followed a merger.

  Midwives
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives have been subject to personal attack in the last year. [57599]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not collected centrally. However, officials in the National Health Service Executive are currently analysing the results of a survey of violent incidents in all trusts against all staff. The information from this survey will be used to 82
  set performance targets for the reduction of violent incidents. Violence to NHS staff is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current average pay for midwives; and how this has varied in percentage terms in each of the last two years. [57597]

  Mr. Milburn
  The great majority of midwives are graded E (salary range £14,705 to £17,030 from 1 December 1998), grade F (salary range £16,310 to £19,985 from 1 December 1998) or grade G (salary range £19,420 to £22,255 from 1 December 1998), with some at higher grades ranging up to the maximum of the Senior Midwife pay scale (currently £48,820 plus the possibility of local pay). Midwives may also receive significant extra earnings for evening, night or weekend duty. Midwives' on grades F, G, H and I are also eligible for discretionary points which could mean up to an extra £1,195 per year. Midwives' pay is based on the recommendations of the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine. The pay award for the 1997–98 year was 3.3 per cent. (paid as 2 per cent. from 1 April 1997, 3.3 per cent. from 1 December 1997) and for 1998–99 3.8 per cent. (paid 2 per cent. from 1 April 1998, 3.8 per cent. from 1 December 1998).

  Norwich Community Health Partnership NHS Trust
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Norwich Community Health Partnership NHS Trust positions are currently vacant. [57488]

  Mr. Milburn
  There is currently one vacancy for a non-executive director on the board of the Norwich Community Health Partnership NHS Trust.

  Dental Fluorosis
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the incidence of dental fluorosis in children, and its relationship to areas where the fluoride levels in the public water supply exceed one part per million. [57461]

  Mr. Milburn
  A national survey of children's dental health is undertaken every ten years. The 1993 survey, in which the teeth of over 17,000 children aged between five and fifteen years attending state schools throughout the United Kingdom were examined, was the first survey to include examination for enamel opacities. Some 1,700 12-year-olds were examined of whom 39 per cent. had one or more enamel opacity. We estimate that about half of these opacities could have been due to dental fluorosis which is a cosmetic effect which, where required, can often be removed by non-invasive dental procedures. The sample was not large enough to investigate any correlation between the incidence of opacities and the level of fluoride in drinking water, but this will be among the items considered in the planning of the next survey.

  Ongar War Memorial Hospital
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of the Ongar War Memorial Hospital. [57408]
  83
  Mr. Milburn
  We will announce our decision when we have given full and proper consideration to the proposals.

  NHS Funding
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average annual real terms percentage increase in funding for the NHS between 1979 and 1997; and what is the equivalent figure for the next three years. [57464]

  Mr. Milburn
  During the years 1979–80 to 1997–98, the annual average real terms increase in National Health Service total net expenditure in England was 3.1 per cent. The annual average real terms increase for 1999–2000 to 2001–2002 is 4.7 per cent.

  Pre-birth Care
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what payments are made to(a) doctors and (b) midwives for undertaking pre-birth care. [57595]

  Mr. Milburn
  Fees as set out in paragraph 1, Schedule 1 of the Statement of Fees and allowances are payable to general practitioners for the provision of maternity medical services.

  Basic salaries for midwives and hospital obstetricians already include payment for undertaking pre-birth care, as this is part of their normal duties.

  Nurses
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of nurses are employed in the National Health Service on a part-time basis; and if he will make a statement. [57863]

  Mr. Milburn
  The proportion of nurses directly employed by the National Health Service in England on a part-time basis (including those employed through a nursing 'bank') was 47 per cent. at September 1997. This is equivalent to 33 per cent. if part-time staff are counted in terms of full-time equivalents, for example where an employee working half the hours of a full-time employee is counted as 0.5.

  Palliative Care
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by former regional health authorities and NHS Executive Regions, the number of(a) palliative care in-patient beds and (b) day and respite care places per 100,000 population for each year since 1990. [58180]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of palliative care in-patient beds (and beds per 100,000) for each year from 1990 is shown in tables which are available in the Library. Information on the number of home care and day care services is available only for 1997 and 1998. This information is collected annually by the Hospice Information Service at St. Christopher's Hospice.

  Interpreters
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the(a) demand for, and (b) cost of, interpreters employed on (i) a contract and (ii) a casual basis by East Kent hospitals and the East Kent Health Authority. [57548]
  84
  Mr. Milburn
  The demand for foreign language interpreters in East Kent has increased since the arrival of asylum seekers from Eastern Europe.

  The health authority has paid a full year cost of £19,000 for an asylum seekers nurse. In addition to this the Health Authority has paid £7,000 on interpreting services. Local hospitals also use on an ad-hoc basis and at no significant cost, a telephone service provided by an external organisation.

  Organophosphates
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research the Government have commissioned on the effects of organophosphates using human subjects; [57867]

  (2) what reports the Government routinely receive from independent research bodies relating to the effects of organosphosphates on human subjects. [57866]

  Ms Jowell
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food publication PB 3814: "Official Group on OPs Report to Ministers" which gives details of all Government-funded research and development projects with a direct relevance to organophosphates. Copies are available in the Library.

  The Government do not routinely receive reports from independent research bodies relating to the effects of organosphosphates (OPs) on human subjects. However, as part of the approvals processes for products containing OPs, from time to time, data which have been obtained using human subjects may be submitted to the regulatory authorities by manufacturers. I also refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave him on 19 October 1998, Official Report, column 1057, which gave more information about the circumstances in which research data on human subjects may be required.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to modernise information technology in the NHS. [57740]

  Mr. Milburn
  The White Paper "The new NHS—Modern, Dependable" made it clear that the National Health Service has to be underpinned by modern information technology. Together with leaders from the clinical professions, we launched our £1 billion strategy for achieving this on 24 September 1998. Entitled Information for Health, our strategy will support the many important actions that need to be taken between now and 2005. Copies of the strategy are available in the Library.

  Ear, Nose and Throat Services
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had regarding the proposed transfer of ear, nose and throat services from Cheltenham General Hospital to Gloucester Royal Hospital. [57884]

  Mr. Milburn
  Officials at the south and west regional office of the National Health Service Executive have had informal discussions with Gloucestershire Health Authority about the proposed transfer of ear, nose and
  85
  throat services from Cheltenham General Hospital to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in the course of their normal performance management duties.

  Strokes
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the amount of funding provided for research into strokes in the last five years for which figures are available.[58105]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government fund health and medical research in a number of ways:

  The Department funds research and development to support its work on policy development and evaluation in health and social care. The Department also manages the National Health Service research and development levy which is used to support research and development of relevance to the NHS both in NHS hospitals, general practice and other health care settings, and to fund the NHS research and development programme.

  In addition, the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology in the Department of Trade and Industry, funds medical research as part of the Government's funding of the research base. The Scottish Office Department of Health (SO) also fund research.

  Central records show the following expenditure:

  Strokes

  £

  Year

  DH1

  MRC2

  SO

  1993–94

  3—

  n/a

  142,000

  1994–95

  3—

  2,086,000

  115,000

  1995–96

  3—

  2,207,000

  134,000

  1996–97

  3—

  2,560,000

  232,000

  1997–98

  3—

  43,319,000

  867,000

  1Further funding may be being provided by the Department of Health through the NHS R&D Levy detailed information about which is not held centrally.

  2The MRC also funds basic research including the study of molecules and cells, genetics and infections and immunity which will inform research in this area.

  3Approximately £6 million since 1994—It is not possible to give accurate annual spend. Projects include those in areas related to stroke.

  4Plus £2 million investment at Cambridge Cerebrovascular Centre

  Note:

  n/a indicates figures not available.

  Cancer
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the amount of funding provided for research into(a) breast cancer, (b) childhood leukaemia, (c) cervical cancer, (d) prostate cancer, (e) colon cancer and (f) lung cancer for the last five years for which figures are available. [58104]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government fund health and medical research in a number of ways:

  The Department funds research and development to support its work on policy development and evaluation in health and social care. The Department also manages the National Health Service research and development levy which is used to support research and development of
  86
  relevance to the NHS both in NHS hospitals, general practice and other health care settings, and to fund the NHS research and development programme.

  In addition, the Medical Research Council, which receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology in the Department of Trade and Industry, funds medical research as part of the Government's funding of the research base. The Scottish Office Department of Health (SO) also fund research.

  Industry and medical research charities also make a substantial investment in cancer research.

  Central records show:

  £000

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Breast cancer

  DH2

  725

  888

  972

  953

  832

  MRC3

  1n/a

  3,641

  2,854

  3,098

  3,328

  SO

  111

  148

  306

  274

  179

  All leukaemia4

  DH2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  48

  MRC

  1n/a

  2,925

  2,780

  2,384

  2,527

  Childhood leukaemia

  SO

  3

  0

  14

  15

  32

  Cervical cancer

  DH2

  99

  66

  0

  0

  0

  MRC3

  1n/a

  432

  445

  543

  460

  SO

  14

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Prostate cancer

  DH2

  1n/a

  8

  69

  68

  29

  MRC3

  1n/a

  0

  0

  73

  18

  SO

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Colon cancer (Bowel cancer)

  DH2

  46

  37

  35

  209

  197

  MRC3

  1n/a

  623

  873

  1,207

  1,469

  SO

  85

  59

  64

  81

  100

  Lung cancer

  DH2

  100

  160

  171

  428

  187

  MRC3

  1n/a

  990

  718

  691

  691

  SO

  0

  12

  43

  35

  0

  1n/a indicates figures not available.

  2Further funding may be being provided by the Department of Health through the NHS R&D Levy—detailed information about which is not held centrally.

  3The MRC are also supporting 11 trials in the relevant cancers. The MRC also funds basic research including the study of molecules and cells, genetics and infections and immunity which will inform research in this area.

  4 It is not possible to disaggregate figures for childhood leukaemia.

  Notes:

  The fluctuation in levels of spend reflects the cycle of commissioning as projects start and finish.

  Dentists
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances a dentist can enrol on a course on(a) peer review and (b) clinical audit without first being given a dental vocational training number. [58091]

  Mr. Milburn
  Participation in peer review and clinical audit schemes is of most benefit to principal general dental practitioners. A dentist without a vocational training certificate cannot join a peer review and clinical audit groups or receive expenses payments for attending
  87
  their meetings. However, arrangements can be made for dentists seeking to acquire a vocational training certificate to sit in as an observer on a group and attend relevant study days in the local vocational training scheme without charge.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the dates on which future waiting list numbers will be published. [58272]

  Mr. Milburn
  The current pattern of publication of National Health Service waiting list statistics was set out in the 31 August 1998 "Statistical Press Notice on NHS Waiting List and Activity Figures". Monthly in-patient waiting lists statistics are published during the fifth full week after the month end, unless the month coincides with a quarter end when the figures are published a week later with quarterly National Health Service activity figures. The timetable for the next three months will be as follows:

  Figures relating to end of month

  Publication date

  September (plus activity for July to September quarter)

  Week commencing 9 November

  October

  Week commencing 30 November

  November

  Week commencing 4 January 1999

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what day in the current month the waiting list statistics will be published. [58518]

  Mr. Milburn
  September in-patient waiting list statistics for the National Health Service in England were published today, 9 November 1998.

  Health Authority Appeals
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the occasions when appeals against health authority proposals were upheld by his Department between 1979 and 1997; [58429]

  (2) how many appeals were made to his Department following proposals put forward by each health authority between 1979 and 1997. [58430]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his Department's policy is on the appointment of elected councillors to primary care group boards; [58358]

  (2) how many health authorities have indicated to his Department their intention to reserve places on primary care group boards for elected councillors; [58360]

  (3) what guidance he has issued to health authorities on the appointment of elected councillors to primary care group boards; [58359]

  (4) what guidance he has issued to local authorities regarding the nomination of elected councillors to serve on primary care group boards. [58357]
  88
  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 5 November 1998]Guidance (Local Authority Circular 1998/21) has been issued to local authorities regarding the nomination of elected councillors to serve on primary care group boards. Guidance (Health Service Circular 1998/139) has been issued to health authorities on the appointment of elected councillors to primary care group boards. The Guidance makes it clear that elected councillors may serve as lay members of Primary Care Groups. We are not aware of any health authorities indicating their intention to reserve places on primary care group boards for elected councillors.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the budget for managing primary care groups will be spent on allowances and expenses for board members. [58361]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 5 November 1998]The management costs of health authorities and their constituent primary care groups must be contained within management cost ceilings set for each health authority.

  It is for health authorities and their constituent primary care groups to agree what proportion of their management cost allocation will be available for each primary care group. The proportion of primary care group's management budget spent on board members' allowances and expenses will vary for each primary care group depending upon local circumstances, the constitution of the board and the level of delegated responsibility taken on by the primary care group.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 3 November 1998,Official Report, columns 537–38, concerning local authority representation on primary care group boards, for what reasons he decided not to reserve a board place for an elected member of the relevant local authority. [58802]

  Mr. Milburn
  Primary Care Groups are concerned with the delivery of better local health services to their patients and how such services can be effectively integrated with social services. It is therefore important that at this operational level a local social services authorities officer should be the representative on the governing board of a Primary Care Group.

  Health authorities and local government authorities remain responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of these local care arrangements and it is at this level that we see local authority members as having an enhanced opportunity to influence the development and implementation of health care arrangements for their community.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 538, concerning primary care group boards, what plans he has to issue guidance to board members in dealing with potential conflicts of interest. [58801]

  Mr. Milburn
  Primary Care Groups, as committees of health authorities, are governed by existing guidance on corporate governance.

  Work-related Stress
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of
  89
  work-related stress in the NHS on levels of absenteeism; and what measures he is taking to reduce (a) work-related stress and (b) staff sickness. [57797]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 5 November 1998]Research has shown that National Health Service staff suffer substantially higher levels of stress than employees in the private sector and that this contributes to 40 per cent. of all sickness absence. The NHS Executive has issued guidance to all NHS trusts and health authorities on managing stress through its Health at Work in the NHS project and is piloting work based on this guidance at four trusts. The new strategic framework for managing Human Resources in the NHS is setting targets for reductions of sickness absence rates.

  Coal Burn (Pollution Effects)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the effect on rates of morbidity and mortality from cerebrovascular pulmonary and cardiac diseases of sustaining coal burn in the United Kingdom at present relative to continuing with change in the electricity generation mix towards gas-fired generation. [58707]

  Ms Jowell
  None. However, emissions from power stations will be taken into account as part of a review of the air quality strategy, which will be completed by the end of this year.

  Mid Essex Hospital Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 416, if he will publish the size of the waiting list at Mid Essex Hospital's NHS Trust calculated on the same basis as the figure provided in his answer. [58693]

  Mr. Milburn
  The total number of patients waiting at Mid Essex Hospital National Health Service Trust is 11,615 at September 1998.

  Internet Publishing
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to require all task forces and equivalent bodies sponsored by his Department to publish their working papers and minutes on the Internet. [58773]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department is committed to encouraging greater openness of those public bodies which it sponsors, whenever this is practical or appropriate. Any decision to publish information on any of those bodies on the Internet will be taken on a case-by-case basis, in line with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information1.

  1 Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, Second Edition (1997), The Stationery Office Ltd.

  Care Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 538, concerning care home placements, what research he has commissioned to establish the scale of the problems. [58803]
  90
  Mr. Hutton
  No research has been commissioned specifically to look at this issue. Following the passage of the Community Care (Residential Accommodation) Act 1998 we are unaware of any major problems in this area.

  Registration and Inspection
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health care establishments and services that are not covered by a regulation and inspection regime(a) currently and (b) under proposals made by his Department. [58775]

  Mr. Hutton
  Statistics on unregistered health care establishments are not collected centrally. Currently, independent sector hospitals, clinics and nursing homes are required to be registered under the Registered Homes Act 1984.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Partners in Europe
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the schools pack Partners in Europe; what feedback he has received from schools and pupils; how he intends to monitor the future success of the pack in schools; and if he will make a statement. [58747]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Partners in Europe pack for schools was distributed in January 1998 to all schools in the United Kingdom. No formal assessment of the impact of the pack has been made nor is any planned, as its use in schools is voluntary.

  The Partners in Europe information and resource pack for schools was produced in response to requests from teachers to update materials that were already in use in the classroom. The pack takes account of existing work in schools. It was produced in conjunction with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges.

  New Deal (Substitution)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the Government's evaluation of the New Deal for Young People will take into account the effects of substitution, dead-weight and displacement. [58876]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Yes: we are evaluating New Deal very thoroughly: that evaluation will take account of substitution, dead-weight and displacement. Details of the monitoring and evaluation of New Deal are contained in an article in the November issue of Labour Market Trends which has been placed in the Library.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pension Incomes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 3 November 1998,Official Report, columns 547–48, on pension incomes, if

  91
  he will provide corresponding figures based on income excluding income from capital; and if he will provide a more detailed breakdown of the results for those below £70 per week. [58881]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is in the table.

  Pensioner benefit units disqualified from the proposed minimum income guarantee because of excess capital but who have incomes below Income Support levels, excluding income from capital, by band of income

  Income

  Pensioners

  Up to £49.99

  250,000

  £50 to £59.99

  150,000

  £60 to £69.99

  220,000

  £70 and over

  180,000

  Total

  600,000

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are based on the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey and are almost certainly subject to a degree of error; the true figures could be higher or lower than those given.

  2. This estimate should be treated with some caution as it is based on small sample sizes.

  3. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest 10,000 cases.

  4. Sample sizes are too small to give a breakdown below £49.99.

  5. The estimates of income used here exclude income from savings and 'tariff income'. They also exclude any pensioners in full time work.

  6. A pensioner, for income support purposes, is a single person aged 60 or over, or a couple (married or living as married) where at least one of them is aged 60 or over.

  7. Of the total of 600,000, around 55 per cent. (340,000) have savings of over £20,000 and of these, approximately 190,000 have savings of more than £50,000.

  Estimated public expenditure effects of each of the proposed reforms over this period and in the long term

  £ million

  Measure

  1999–2000and 2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Long term

  Reform of Incapacity Benefit

  0

  -90

  -155

  -205

  -650

  -700

  Reform of Severe Disablement Allowance

  0

  -10

  -20

  -35

  -100

  -150

  Disability Income Guarantee

  0

  +60

  +65

  +70

  +70

  Disability Living Allowance: higher rate mobility component for 3 and 4 year olds

  0

  +15

  +15

  +15

  +15

  Notes:

  1. There are no effects in the first two years because the measures are not planned for implementation before 2001.

  2. There will also be administration costs arising from the implementation of these changes, the reform of the All Work Test, and measures to take forward a more active modem service for claimants of Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expect the final investigations under the Benefit Integrity Project to commence. [58972]

  Mr. Timms
  In his statement of 28 October 1998,Official Report, columns 339–55, and the exchanges which followed discussing the next phase of the Government's plans to reform the welfare state, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made it clear that we will introduce a modern, active approach to Disability

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the level of an adequate retirement income for the purposes of the stakeholders pension. [58828]

  Mr. Denham
  It is for individuals to decide for themselves what would be an adequate retirement income.

  At present many people who cannot join an occupational pension scheme also find personal pensions are too expensive or give poor value for money. The Government will set out their proposals in the Green Paper.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Government plans to introduce legislation for the implementation of the stakeholder pension. [58827]

  Mr. Denham
  We are committed to creating a framework for stakeholder pension schemes and will bring forward any necessary legislation at the appropriate time. Our proposals will be set out in the Pensions Green Paper.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his oral statement of 28 October 1998,Official Report, columns 339–42, if he will list the estimated public expenditure effects of each of his proposed reforms to disability benefits in each of the next five years, and for each the eventual effect once the measures are fully implemented. [58597]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is set out in the table.

  Living Allowance which puts greater emphasis on getting claims right first time and which allows for regular reviews of claims in payment. He also emphasised that there would be no return to the situation that existed before April 1997, when nothing was being done to check that people were getting the right benefit.

  The Benefit Integrity Project will be replaced by a new system which we will ensure is fair as well as sensitive. The characteristics of the new system and when and how it will be introduced will be the subject of future

  93
  discussions with the Disability Benefit Forum. We are keen to introduce this change as soon as possible but it is most important that we get it right.

  War Disablement Pensions
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) civilian internees and (b) former prisoners of war are in receipt of a war disablement pension relating to the Second World War. [58475]

  Mr. Timms
  At 31 October 1998 there were 254,209 War Disablement Pensions in payment. Statistics on the number of former civilian internees and prisoners of war receiving payment are not kept and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Social Security Benefits Expenditure 1978–79 to 2001–02

  1978–79

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  (Cash)£ million

  FIS/Family Credit

  24

  425

  494

  626

  929

  1,208

  1,441

  Disability Working Allowance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  7

  11

  WFTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  DPTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total Benefit Expenditure less DWA/FC/WFTC/DPTC

  15,681

  49,167

  52,832

  61,614

  69,839

  76,292

  78,439

  (Real terms–1997 to 1998 prices) £ million

  FIS/Family Credit

  75

  570

  614

  733

  —

  —

  1,568

  Disability Working Allowance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  8

  12

  WFTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  DPTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total Benefit Expenditure less DWA/FC/WFTC/DPTC

  49,176

  65,860

  65,655

  72,114

  79,135

  84,210

  85,342

  (As % of GDP) Percentage

  FIS/Family Credit

  0.01

  0.08

  0.09

  0.11

  0.15

  0.19

  0.21

  Disability Working Allowance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  WFTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  DPTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total Benefit Expenditure less DWA/FC/WFTC/DPTC as % of

  9.1

  9.4

  9.4

  10.4

  11.4

  11.8

  11.4

  Social Security Benefits Expenditure 1995–96 to 2001–02

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  (Cash) £ million

  FIS/Family Credit

  1,739

  2,084

  2,326

  2,498

  1,933

  —

  —

  Disability Working Allowance

  19

  34

  42

  51

  45

  —

  —

  WFTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  991

  4,042

  4,446

  DPTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  27

  100

  116

  Total Benefit Expenditure less DWA/FC/WFTC/DPTC/

  81,547

  84,702

  85,686

  88,218

  93,512

  97,174

  102,274

  (Real terms–1997 to 1998 prices) £million

  FIS/Family Credit

  1,840

  2,138

  2,326

  2,429

  1,832

  —

  —

  Disability Working Allowance

  20

  35

  42

  49

  43

  —

  —

  WFTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  939

  3,738

  4,011

  DPTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  26

  92

  104

  Total Benefit Expenditure less DWA/FC/WFTC/DPTC

  86,259

  86,902

  85,686

  85,778

  88,644

  89,868

  92,278

  (As % of GDP) Percentage

  FIS/Family Credit

  0.24

  0.27

  0.29

  0.29

  0.22

  —

  —

  Disability Working Allowance

  0.00

  0.00

  0.01

  0.01

  0.01

  —

  —

  WFTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.11

  0.43

  0.45

  DPTC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.00

  0.01

  0.01

  Total Benefit Expenditure less DWA/FC/WFTC/DPTC as % of

  11.3

  11.1

  10.5

  10.3

  10.6

  10.5

  10.4

  Notes:

  1. The Social Security Expenditure is purely DSS Benefit Expenditure and excludes Local Authority, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Welsh Office on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and its predecessors. Forecasts are consistent with the Pre Budget Report.

  2. Consistent data for years from 1979–80 to 1988–89 are not readily available.

  3. FIS—Family Income Supplement;

  WFTC—Working Family Tax Credit

  DPTC-Disabled Persons Tax Credit

  DWA-Disability Working Allowance

  FC-Family Credit

  Social Security Expenditure
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the total level of expenditure or planned expenditure(a) in cash terms, (b) in real terms and (c) as a share of GDP on (i) social security benefits excluding family credit and disability working allowance, (ii) family credit, (iii) disability working allowance, (iv) the working families tax credit, including tax expenditure and (v) the disabled persons tax credit, including tax expenditures in each year from 1978–79 to the end of the planning period. [57148]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 October 1998]The information is not available in the format requested. I have set out in the tables the information held by the Department.

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (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; [56825]

  (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. [56823]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Answers my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office gave him on 5 November 1998,Official Report, columns 666–70.

  Estimated numbers of benefit units in receipt of Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Working Families Tax Credit in October 1999 after the introduction of all proposed policy changes for 1999–2000

  Thousand

  Family type

  Income Support

  Housing Benefit

  Council Tax Benefit

  Working Families Tax Credit

  Single (no children)

  2,900

  2,350

  2,690

  0

  Couple (no children)

  490

  640

  1,090

  0

  Lone Parent (1 child)

  470

  440

  470

  300

  Lone Parent (2 children)

  350

  290

  330

  160

  Lone Parent (3 or more children)

  200

  180

  200

  50

  Couple (1 child)

  130

  140

  160

  200

  Couple (2 children)

  130

  130

  140

  290

  Couple (3 or more children)

  180

  130

  150

  210

  Total benefit units with at least 1 person receiving benefit

  4,850

  4,320

  5,230

  1,200

  Total number of adults in benefit units where at least 1 person receiving benefit

  5,770

  5,360

  6,760

  1,890

  Total number of children in benefit units where at least 1 person receiving benefit

  2,900

  2,550

  2,790

  2,290

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000 and based on the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey uprated to 1999–2000 prices, benefit levels and caseloads.

  2. Total caseloads of numbers in receipt of benefits are consistent with the Department's 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review forecasts.

  3. As estimates are based on survey data and then calibrated to forecasts based mainly on administrative data, the totals shown for each family type may differ from the true total.

  4. The total number of adults represents those aged 16 and over, except for those 16 to 18 year olds in full time education. The total number of children represents those aged under 16 or 16 to 18 year olds in full time education.

  Internet Publishing
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to require all task forces and equivalent bodies sponsored by his Department to publish their working papers and minutes on the Internet. [58772]

  Mr. Timms
  Working papers and minutes of task forces sponsored by this Department are internal policy documents and as such we have no plans to request their publication. When reports or documents are subsequently published or made available by conventional means, publication via the Internet is automatically considered.

  Single Gateway
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what funding has been allocated for nationwide implementation of the single gateway following the completion of the pilot scheme. [58986]

  Benefits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate is provided by his Department's Policy Simulation Model of the number of(a) adults and (b) children in benefit units receiving either means-tested benefits or the working families tax credit (i) in 1997–98, (ii) in 1998–99, (iii) in April 1999 after the introduction of the pensioner income guarantee, (iv) in October 1999 after the introduction of the WFTC and (v) once the changes to disability and incapacity benefits announced on 28 October have been fully implemented. [58598]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table. Benefit units may be in receipt of more than one of the benefits shown. Consequently, the sum of the totals will not represent an overall estimate for adults and children on income-related benefits.

  Angela Eagle
  We will use the single gateway pilots to find out what the costs are of operating such a service. We will then consider national implementation in light of these findings.

  Pensions (Age Additions)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answers of 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 547, and of 10 December 1997, Official Report, column 603, on age additions, for what reason the means-tested benefit offset resulting from a £5 age addition is estimated to be lower in 1999–2000 than it would have been in 1997–98. [58767]

  Mr. Denham
  The answers were based on different models (a full suite of models for 1999–2000 is not yet available) and calibrated to different forecasts. Both answers provided the best estimate available at the time.

  Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes there have been in the speed with which settlements of personal injury cases are made since the passage of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997. [58410]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about the working of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997. [58413]

  Mr. Timms
  Since the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act came into force on 6 October 1998, we have received a total of 168 representations about the working of the scheme. The majority concern individuals making representations about the way the scheme has affected their compensation payment.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have(a) applied for and (b) been awarded incapacity benefit in each year since April 1995 in (i) Staffordshire and (ii) the West Midlands. [58275]
  98
  Mr. Timms
  The administration of Incapacity Benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Brian Jenkins, dated 5 November 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for the number of people in the Staffordshire and West Midlands areas who have applied for, and been awarded, Incapacity Benefit (IB) in each year since April 1995.
  Information on the number of IB claims received is only available by each of the Agency's district, which do not match county boundaries. To obtain this information in the format requested would involve disproportionate cost.
  Information on the number of awards of IB broken down by geographical areas has only been available since November 1996. Information from that date is shown in the attached table.
  hope the information is helpful.

  Incapacity benefit awards

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  West Midlands

  24,516

  36,945

  5,053

  Staffordshire

  9,091

  15,809

  2,318

  Notes:

  Figures provided by Analytical Services Division.

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

TREASURY

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) 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; [56756]

  (2) 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. [56758]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to him by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 5 November 1998,Official Report, columns 669–70.

  Fixed-rate Preference Shares
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the repeal of section 255 of the Taxes Act 1988 on companies which have in issue fixed-rate preference shares created before 6 April 1973. [58349]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The effect of the repeal of section 255 of the Taxes Act 1988 was considered as part of the general assessment of the changes flowing from the Government's decision to abolish Advance Corporation Tax from 6 April 1999.

  The Government took into account the cumulative effect of twenty-five years' inflation on the value of any remaining shares to which section 255 applies, and subsequent changes, including those effective from 6 April 1999, to the taxation of companies and shareholders which mean that it no longer works as intended.

  Aviation Fuel
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue which would be raised if aviation fuel sold in the UK were subject to VAT at(a) 8 per cent. and (b) 17.5 per cent.. [58500]

  Ms Hewitt
  HM Customs and Excise have no estimate.

  Prudential
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Prudential over the disposal of its surplus funds; what sums are involved; and if he will make a statement. [58721]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Prudential announced in 1996 that it was opening discussions with DTI on the attribution of the inherited estate in its long-term business fund. These discussions are continuing with the Treasury, which took over responsibility for insurance regulation from DTI in January 1998. The total amount involved was estimated by an official of the Prudential when the company gave evidence to the Treasury Select Committee on 2 July 1998, to be between £6 billion and £8 billion.

  It is the Treasury's policy not to comment publicly on discussions which it may have with companies in its regulatory capacity, in the interests of effective regulation and commercial confidentiality. But the Government's position on inherited estates was set out in a statement by the then Minister for Corporate Affairs in February 1995,
  100
  and reaffirmed by the then Economic Secretary in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Halton (Mr. Twigg) on 24 July 1998, Official Report, columns 750–52. The Treasury will deal with the Prudential's proposals, and any other proposals for attribution of the inherited estates of life offices, in accordance with the principles set out in those statements. The Treasury will place particular emphasis on protecting the interests of policyholders.

  Charity Taxation
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current position with regard to the review of charity taxation policy; and if he will make a statement. [58543]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Sir J. Stanley) on 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 46.

  Landfill Tax (Salt Extraction Industry)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce measures to reduce the impact of the landfill tax on the salt extraction industry; and if he will make a statement. [58581]

  Ms Hewitt
  The landfill tax applies to disposals of waste at sites that are subject to waste management licensing. The salt extraction industry currently pays the lower rate of landfill tax on the liquid waste that it deposits in salt cavities. It pays only on the solids content of the waste. Customs carried out a review of the tax, involving other Government Departments with waste policy interests, which reported in March 1998. The review considered the case for certain exemptions from the tax, including for salt extraction industry wastes, but concluded that no further exemptions should be granted. I understand that the industry has made representations that its waste disposal operations should be exempt from waste management licensing. The provision of exemptions is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. I understand that his officials are examine the industry's case.

  Tax Burden
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answers of 5 May 1998,Official Report, columns 331–34, on taxation, when he intends to publish an updated version of estimates of the tax burden. [58329]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to table 2.8 of Inland Revenue Statistics 1998.

  Withholding Tax
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to veto the EU proposal regarding the introduction of a 20 per cent. withholding tax on interest payments paid to non-UK resident recipients residing in the EU. [58792]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are in favour of effective international action against tax evasion, and we are taking an active part in discussions on the draft
  101
  Directive. We will not agree to any course of action which would seriously damage the UK and other European financial markets.

  Growth Forecast
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will set out the basis for revising the growth forecast for 2001–02; [58795]

  (2) if he will set out the basis for revising upwards the growth forecast for 2000–01; [58794]

  (3) if he will set out the basis for forecasting growth of 2½ per cent. in 2000. [58798]

  Ms Hewitt
  Full details of the Treasury's new forecasts were set out in the Pre-Budget Report, published on 3 November.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the effect of his revised growth forecast on unemployment in 1999. [58796]

  Ms Hewitt
  The economy continues to expand and create new jobs. Employment has risen by 400,000 since the election and unemployment has fallen by 280,000. With regard to future employment prospects, the Government have been putting in place a wide range of measures to address structural problems in the labour market. The key is to ensure that people are well trained and able to adapt to the changing circumstances of a modern dynamic economy.

  Resource Accounts
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the dry-run resource account for 1998–99 will be published. [58797]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's intention is to implement Resource Accounting and Budgeting fully from 2001–02. In advance of full implementation, departments are producing dry-run resource accounts over the next three years when, subject to Parliamentary approval, resource accounts will replace Appropriation Accounts.

  For 1998–99, all departments will produce dry-run resource accounts which will be subject to a dry-run audit by the National Audit Office. There is no intention to publish these formally, although they may be made available to departmental Select Committees.

  Subject to the result of the NAO dry-run audit, accounts directions will be issued to departments in respect of the financial year 1999–2000. Two further full sets of dry-run resource accounts will then be produced by all departments in respect of the financial years 1999–2000 and 2000–01. These dry-run accounts will be published, along with a report by the Controller and Auditor General, following audit by the NAO.

  Petrol Smuggling
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide estimates of the cost to the Exchequer in lost revenue of petrol smuggling from the continent for the last year for which figures are available. [58519]

  Ms Hewitt
  HM Customs and Excise have no estimates for the revenue lost to the Exchequer through this activity.
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  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of revenue was lost in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) North West Region through petrol smuggling in the last year for which figures are available. [58520]

  Ms Hewitt
  HM Customs and Excise have no estimates for the revenue lost to the Exchequer through such activity in these regions.

  Imported Motor Vehicles
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to the Exchequer in lost revenue from the parallel import of motor vehicles from Ireland to the UK in the last year for which figures are available. [58521]

  Ms Hewitt
  No figures on the revenue loss from the parallel import of motor vehicles from Ireland to the UK are available.

  VAT (Hospitals)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the rules governing reclamation of VAT by hospitals. [58522]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The business activities of hospitals are governed by the same VAT rules as those for other organisations. Private care provided by all hospitals is exempt from VAT, which means that hospitals cannot recover any VAT associated with those supplies. However, when providing free health care, the funding NHS hospitals receive from the Department of Health takes account of VAT. In addition, when NHS Trusts contract out services to the private sector, the tax they incur can in most instances be reclaimed.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if all lower rate and higher rate tax payers will receive the full value of his proposed 10 pence starting rate of tax. [58600]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government will introduce a 10 pence starting rate of income tax when it is economically right to do so. The new rate will be incorporated in the income tax system in the way that best meets the Government's objectives of improving work incentives and promoting a fair and efficient tax system.

  Taxation (Estimates)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of which taxes Treasury ministers receive estimates from the Inland Revenue of monthly receipts. [58601]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 6 June 1997,Official Report, column 277.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the current rates of vehicle excise duty, or equivalent, for (i) a 1600cc engined car, (ii) a goods vehicle with a gross or train weight of between 3,500 and 7,500 kg, (iii) a three axle tractor unit with a two or more
  103
  axle semi-trailer with a weight of 38,000 kg and (iv) a single-deck bus with capacity for 50 passengers in each of the countries of the EU. [58706]

  Ms Hewitt
  The current rates of UK Vehicle Excise Duty for the vehicles quoted are as follows:

  (i) 1600cc car—£150 per annum.

  (ii) A goods vehicle with a gross or train weight of between 3,500kgs and 7,500kgs pays £160 per annum.

  (iii) A three axle tractor unit with a two or more axle semi-trailer with a weight of 38,000kgs pays £2,820 per annum.

  (iv) A single deck bus with seating capacity for 50 passengers pays £320 per annum.

  Vehicle Excise Duty in other member states is based on a variety of different factors such as types of fuel, power output, weight and noise. It is, thus, impossible to make direct comparisons across the EU member states.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates the yield will be in 1998–99 from (i) vehicle excise duty, (ii) fuel duty on petrol and diesel and (iii) VAT on sales of petrol and diesel. [58704]

  Ms Hewitt
  Table B10 of the November 1998 Pre-Budget Report forecasts that the yield in 1998–99 from vehicle excise duty will be £4.7bn and the yield from fuel duty on petrol and diesel will be £21.8bn. These figures do not include VAT receipts, which are not disaggregated to sales of petrol and diesel.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules will govern the decision as to which employer delivers the working families tax credit where an employee works for more than one employer. [58978]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This is one of the issues currently under discussion between Inland Revenue officials and employer representatives and decisions will be announced in due course.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures were taken to prevent fraud from collusion between employers and employees in designing the working families tax credit. [58977]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government recognise that most employers carry out their obligations honestly and properly. Working Families Tax Credit will build on Family Credit, but it will be administered by the Inland Revenue. The Inland Revenue has considerable experience of checking the operation of PAYE. It will use its expertise to detect and prevent collusive fraud in Working Families Tax Credit.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect the operation of the working families tax credit will have on the cashflow of small businesses with low-paid employees. [58974]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Inland Revenue officials have been consulting employer representatives, including representatives of small businesses. The effect on cash flow is one of the issues they are examining.

  Smaller businesses will benefit from the proposals that, while employer payments of WFTC will normally be set off against PAYE tax and NICs deducted, employers will
  104
  be able to apply to the Inland Revenue for funding if they have insufficient PAYE tax and NICs out of which to pay the tax credit.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (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; [56798]

  (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. [56796]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 5 November 1998,Official Report, columns 666–70.

  Food Production
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent meetings he has had with the supermarket industry to discuss its influence on the food production policies of farmers; and if he will make a statement. [57304]

  Mr. Rooker
  Our right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food met representatives of the British Retail Consortium on 3 November. I was present, as was our noble Friend Lord Donoughue.

  Meat Inspection Charges
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which other EU countries meat inspection charges are levied on the industry; and at what rate. [57724]

  Mr. Rooker
  Council Directive 85/73/EEC (as amended) on the financing of veterinary inspections and controls requires Member States to recover the costs of those hygiene inspections conducted at licensed fresh meat premises in accordance with harmonised EC meat hygiene rules. The Directive sets minimum standard charges (in ECU) applicable in all Member States for hygiene inspections of red meat, poultry meat and game meat dependent on the species and size of animals being slaughtered. Subject to meeting specified criteria such as the efficiency of operations at individual plants, the Directive provides for the standard charge to be abated by up to 55 per cent. Conversely, where the actual cost of inspection exceeds the standard charge, the Directive provides for actual costs to be charged. Similar principles apply in respect of charges for cutting plants.

  The actual level of hygiene inspection charges levied on individual meat plants is set by the competent authority in each Member State within the framework laid down by the Directive. Information about the level of such charges in other Member States is not yet available. I am seeking such information and will write to the hon. Member, although this may take some time.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to require manufacturers to inform consumers when the content of food has been genetically modified. [57953]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is already a requirement of the EC Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients Regulation (258/97) and EC Regulation 1139/98 concerning the compulsory labelling of foodstuffs produced from genetically modified soya and maize that foods are clearly labelled to show when they contain genetically modified materials.

  Maladministration Compensation
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that his Department's response to the instructions in the report of 28 August 1998 by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration with regard to compensation for Mr. D. J. Kennard conforms to Government Accounting Standards 3/97 amendment 7, chapter 36.3. [57970]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has already paid to Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Kennard the compensation recommended by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (in his report of 28 August 1998) relating to delays in the administration of the 1993 sheep quota national reserve. The payment was consistent with Treasury Guidance on financial redress.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy for compensating people whom the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration concludes have suffered an injustice as a result of maladministration by his Department. [57973]

  Mr. Rooker
  Where the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration concludes that an individual has suffered an injustice as a result of maladministration by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Ministry normally accepts and implements any recommendations for redress made by the Ombudsman, having regard to central financial guidance.

  Horses (Strangles)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigations his Department has carried out into the recent trend in the number of cases of strangles in UK-based horses; and if he will make strangles a notifiable disease. [57874]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am aware that the horse industry is concerned over the prevalence of strangles reported in horses in the UK and elsewhere. However, this is a matter for the industry which is best placed to control it, and Codes of Practice published by the Horserace Betting Levy Board already incorporate guidelines on strangles. I have no plans to make strangles a notifiable disease.

  Honey Bees
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the 106
  danger to the native honey bee arising from imported honey bees; and if he will make it his policy to ban the importation of honey bees. [58221]

  Mr. Rooker
  Imports of honey bees are currently allowed from other Member States provided they are accompanied by a health certificate. Imports of Queen bees with attendant workers are also permitted from Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, and New Zealand under licence and with a health certificate.

  I have no evidence that such legal importation of honey bees poses any threat and therefore have no grounds upon which to base a ban. Our technical advisers at the National Bee Unit are currently undertaking a risk assessment to help us determine whether we should also allow imports of bee packages from New Zealand. No decisions will be taken until we have that assessment.

  Livestock Producers
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance his Department is currently giving to livestock producers; and if he will make a statement. [58274]

  Mr. Rooker
  Government action to assist livestock producers is constrained by the rules of the CAP. Nevertheless, we have successfully lobbied the Commission to grant Private Storage Aid in the UK in both the pigmeat and sheepmeat sectors. In addition, following representation from the UK and others, the Commission agreed on two occasions, most recently on 15 October, to increase payments of export refunds on pigmeat.

  With regard to the beef sector, we have agreed with other Member States that advance payments under the 1998 Beef Special Premium and Suckler Cow Premium Schemes will be increased from 60 per cent. to 80 per cent. This means bringing forward some £100 million of payments to the industry which would otherwise not have been available until the spring of next year.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the estimated cost to his Department of the payment of grants to farmers who were unable to move cattle as a result of the radioactive fall-out from the Chernobyl accident. [58658]

  Mr. Rooker
  The only Food Protection Orders which came into force as a result of the Chernobyl accident concerned the movement, sale and slaughter of sheep. There were no Food Protection Orders on the movement of cattle. Therefore no payments of grants to cattle farmers were necessary.

  Imported Meat
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans the Government have to enforce United Kingdom meat production standards on non-EU imported meat. [58568]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Levitt) on 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 431.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what recommendations have been made to his Department by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee following the finding of abnormal prion protein in the appendix of a patient in Torbay; what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations; and if he will make a statement; [57202]

  (2) what meetings his Department has had, with which bodies, following the finding of abnormal prion protein in the appendix of a patient in Torbay; and if he will make a statement. [57128]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on 3 November 1998,Official Report, columns 532–36.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings his Department has had with representatives of(a) the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee and (b) the Central Veterinary
  108
  Laboratory following the finding of abnormal prion protein in the appendix of a patient in Torbay; and if he will make a statement. [57201]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on 3 November 1998,Official Report, columns 532–36. A member of the staff of the Central Veterinary Laboratory is a technical adviser at SEAC meetings.

  Beef Ban
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he estimates the European Union beef ban will be lifted. [56458]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission's proposal for a Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) is currently being considered by the Standing Veterinary Committee. The DBES would permit the resumption of exports of deboned beef from UK cattle born after 1 August 1996. We wish the ban to be lifted as quickly as possible and hope the scheme will be adopted by the end of the year. The export of deboned beef from certified herds in Northern Ireland has been permitted since 1 June.

  IACS Grants
  IACS Grants
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Annual Report
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Annual Report
  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Kevin Maxwell
  Mr. Kevin Maxwell
  Human Rights Actions: Costs
  Human Rights Actions: Costs
  Economic Activity, GDP and GNP
  Economic Activity, GDP and GNP
  Satellite Television Channels: Proscription
  Satellite Television Channels: Proscription
  Mirror Group Newspapers plc: Investigation
  Mirror Group Newspapers plc: Investigation
  Drug Crime: Confiscation of Assets
  Drug Crime: Confiscation of Assets
  Anti-discrimination Legislation
  Anti-discrimination Legislation
  Religious Discrimination
  Religious Discrimination
  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  Muslims and Racial Discrimination
  Muslims and Racial Discrimination
  Sexually Transmitted Disease in Prisons
  Sexually Transmitted Disease in Prisons
  Kosovo: Education Agreement Implementation
  Kosovo: Education Agreement Implementation
  Sudan
  Sudan
  Terrorist Weapons: Decommissioning
  Terrorist Weapons: Decommissioning
  Territorial Claims: RN Historical Records
  Territorial Claims: RN Historical Records
  Badger Carcases: RTA Survey
  Badger Carcases: RTA Survey
  IACS Payments at the Millennium
  IACS Payments at the Millennium
  Fish Stocks: Protection from Pollution
  Fish Stocks: Protection from Pollution
  Imported Foods: Pesticides Surveillance
  Imported Foods: Pesticides Surveillance
  Fisheries Council, 22 October
  Fisheries Council, 22 October
  Genetically Modified Crop Consents
  Genetically Modified Crop Consents