Written Answers of 17 November 1998

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Sandford Rectory
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Church Commissioners have transferred since 1968 the trust owning Sandford Rectory, Devon to(a) other trustees and (b) other parties. [60200]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  No. Since 1930 the property has been vested in the incumbent of the benefice of Sandford with Upton Hellions by virtue of his office.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Law Lords
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the(a) total number and (b) percentage of currently active law lords who have professional experience of (i) human rights work and (ii) commercial law. [59601]

  Mr. Hoon
  All sitting Law Lords have such experience.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Parole
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responses he has received to the consultation document "Improving Parole Decision Making"; and how he intends to proceed with the proposal to delegate authority in parole cases involving prisoners with determinate sentences of between four and 15 years. [60440]

  Mr. Straw
  The consultation period ended on 4 November 1998. We have received 38 responses to the paper: 33 supported the proposals in the paper in their entirety; five others offered differing degrees of support. Of these:three respondents had no objections to the proposals but suggested that ministerial involvement in all parole and lifer cases should cease.
  one respondent favoured further delegation to the Parole Board but suggested a cut-off point of 10 years rather than 15 years.
  one respondent suggested that the number of previous parole reviews should determine which cases should he decided by the Parole Board.

  In the light of the positive responses to the paper. I have today laid before Parliament a draft Order giving effect to the proposals.

  Medway Secure Training Centre
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of young offenders who have served a sentence at the Medway Secure Training Centre subsequently obtained a school place in each of the last five years. [59405]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since Medway Secure Training Centre opened on 17 April 1998, a total of 29 trainees have been released to serve the second half of the Secure Training Order sentence under supervision in the community. At the time of release, arrangements were in place for eight to go straightaway into full time education, with 16 receiving part time tuition for several hours per week. The remaining five had no firm arrangements for education at the point of release, but provision has since been made for four of them to receive education, including two who have been placed in full time education.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement; [60060]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement. [60062]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government Departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector. Departments' plans have been published in the Library. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Library and on the internet.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the problems which have arisen in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible from millennium compliance; if he will make a statement on progress to date in tackling such problems; and what are the priority areas for remedial work. [60061]

  Mr. Straw
  Four millennium compliance problems have occurred in my Department, affecting management information, statistical and payroll data. Three of these were solved before December 1997. In the fourth case, the few statistical records affected are being dealt with manually while the software is corrected. This correction is due to be completed by the end of December 1998. The agencies and public bodies for which my Department is responsible have not reported any compliance problems.
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  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60063]

  Mr. Straw
  Contingency planning is a major element of the response of my Department and its agencies to the millennium date change problem. In line with recent Cabinet Office recommendations, the target is to have initial contingency plans in place by the end of January 1999.

  Chief executives of national departmental public bodies and similar bodies sponsored by my Department provided quarterly progress reports against their Year 2000 plans, for publication on the Internet. These refer specifically to contingency planning.

  Asylum Seekers
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers ordinarily resident in a non-EU European country sought entry to the UK, by country of residence, in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what were(a) the numbers of Roma people and (b) the citizenship of the applicants, within each of the individual country totals. [59906]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information regarding persons applying for asylum in the United Kingdom gives a breakdown only by nationality. I regret, therefore, that the information requested is not available.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been provided with accommodation by local authorities in seaside towns since 1996. [60351]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  This information is not held by my Department.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on securing accommodation(a) directly and (b) by contracting with local agencies in seaside towns for asylum seekers under the proposed new national support scheme. [60350]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The project team is currently considering the issue of the provision of accommodation, but it is too soon to indicate precisely how accommodation will be supplied. The issue is appropriate accommodation availability, not proximity to the sea.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he or his Department have had with local authorities and other interested parties in seaside towns regarding the availability of accommodation for asylum seekers under the proposed new national support scheme; [60348]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the availability of accommodation in seaside towns for asylum seekers under the proposed new national support scheme. [60347]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There has been no such assessment on discussions directed at seaside towns.
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  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for consultation on the operation of the proposed new national support scheme for asylum seekers with(a) local authorities, (b) housing associations, (c) voluntary bodies and (d) the private sector. [60352]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have set up a stakeholder group, consisting of representatives of Government, local authorities, housing associations and voluntary bodies. That group will meet with the project team at key stages of the project. In addition, the project team will be consulting widely, including with representatives of the private sector, about the plans for the support system.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on directing local authorities and housing associations to provide surplus accommodation for asylum seekers under the proposed new support arrangements. [60349]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There will be a general duty on local authorities to assist the Secretary of State in discharging his functions to provide accommodation. That duty is to extend to registered social landlords, but only so far as is compatible with their memoranda and articles of association. A local authority is also to be under a duty to supply such information about its housing stock in such manner as the Secretary of State may reasonably direct. There will also be a power for the Secretary of State to direct local authorities to provide accommodation if he concludes that a particular local authority is unreasonably refusing to do so.

  Integrated Emergency Management
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place between the Home Office and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on national standards of integrated emergency management. [59590]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Officials at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) are aware that National Standards for civil protection in England and Wales are being developed. No formal discussions have taken place between the Home Office and DETR to date.

  Dr. Robert Gross
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Minister in his Department is responsible for the handling of the request from the United States of America for the extradition of Dr. Robert Gross; what discretion is available to him in extradition cases; and what are the factors which will influence the exercise of that discretion. [59525]

  Kate Hoey
  A request by the United States for the extradition of Dr. Gross is currently before the courts awaiting the hearing of a habeas corpus application. It will be my responsibility, if he is not discharged by the courts, to decide in due course whether his surrender should be ordered.

  At that stage, Dr. Gross would have an opportunity to make representations against surrender. In reaching a final decision under the Extradition Act 1989, I would have

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  regard to all of the circumstances in the case, including any grounds for concluding that it would be wrong, unjust or oppressive to order surrender.

  Offenders (Service Provision)
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve the provision of services for offenders diagnosed as having both mental health and substance misuse problems. [59699]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Prison Service is committed to improving services for prisoners with mental health problems who do not meet the criteria for transfer to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983. A joint Prison Service/National Health Service Executive working group has considered ways of increasing the NHS input to services for prisoners with mental health problems. The Government will consider the working group's report and recommendations very carefully.

  Prison Medical Officers are encouraged to establish links with their catchment area psychiatric units to enable the assessment of mentally disordered prisoners and, if appropriate, their transfer to psychiatric hospital. The number of prisoners transferred under the 1983 Act has risen from 325 in 1990 to 745 in 1997.

  The Prison Service is to be allocated an extra £76 million over the next three financial years to help implement its drugs strategy. This will allow a major expansion of drug treatment services. It will also deliver the Government's manifesto commitment on voluntary testing and improve throughcare arrangements for drug misusers.

  Drug Treatment and Testing Orders were introduced by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The aim of the orders is to provide effective treatment in the community, with rigorous testing to evaluate an offender's progress. Pilots have started in three probation service areas and funding of £1.75m has been provided for these pilots, which will run until March 2000. In addition, probation services are being encouraged to contribute from existing resources to partnership work with other agencies to address the problems of other drug misusing offenders under their supervision.

  Probation Service (Paedophiles)
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide additional funding for probation services which have significantly greater than average workloads as a result of the supervision of paedophiles. [59702]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Over the next three financial years, we are providing an additional £127 million in probation grant, which takes account of the work which area services have to undertake in supervising sexual offenders; but we have no present plans to adjust the formula used to allocate grant to probation areas to reflect the number or proportion of paedophile offenders under supervision in each area.

  Firearms Compensation
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average time currently taken to process claims under categories A and B of the Firearms Compensation Scheme; [59853]
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  (2) how many people under categories A, B and C of the Firearms Compensation Scheme have received full compensation for their claims; [59854]

  (3) what is the current delay in processing applications for compensation under Category C of the Firearms Compensation Scheme; and what was the delay (a) one month ago and (b) two months ago. [59852]

  Mr. Boateng
  Payments under Options A and B of the compensation scheme for large calibre handguns and the ex gratia scheme for small calibre pistols were completed at the end of May, apart from a small number of cases still under inquiry, in an average processing time of 19 weeks. Processing of the Option A and B claims under the statutory compensation scheme for small calibre pistols surrendered during February 1998 began in August, and around three quarters of these claims have now been paid in an average processing time of 30 weeks.

  The average processing time for claims processed so far under Option C of the compensation scheme for large calibre handguns and small calibre pistols is 53 weeks. In the great majority of these cases, payments have already been made under Options A and B. I regret that information is not available on the comparable processing times for earlier periods.

  Around 42,000 claimants under the large calibre and ex gratia schemes and around 7,000 claimants under the statutory small calibre scheme have received payment under Options A and B. Around 6,500 claimants under the large calibre and ex gratia schemes have received payment under Option C. Option C payments under the statutory small calibre scheme will begin when the overall work position permits.

  I outlined the measures we are taking to speed the processing of the compensation claims in my reply to a written question from the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 28 October 1998, Official Report, columns 179–80.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Junior Football Clubs (Injury Insurance)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will make it a requirement for junior football clubs that they provide adequate insurance against injury for their members; [59710]

  (2) what representations he has received concerning the adequacy of insurance against injury for the members of junior football clubs; [59709]

  (3) what requirements there are for junior football clubs to provide adequate insurance against injury for their members. [59708]

  Mr. Banks
  I have received no representations to date concerning the adequacy of insurance against injury for the members of junior football clubs. Responsibility for personal injury insurance for junior football club members rests with the clubs themselves. I understand that although there is no requirement for junior football clubs to take out personal injury insurance policies the Football Association is encouraging its County Associations to stress the importance of best practice in
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  this area to their affiliated clubs. A number of County FAs are working closely with insurance companies to develop personal injury insurance schemes on a corporate basis for all their affiliated clubs. These pilot schemes are an encouraging development.

  Coalfield Communities
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of lottery funds excluding Millennium Landmark projects has been received by coalfield communities in(a) South Yorkshire and (b) nationally. [59820]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 November 1998]: In the coalfield communities of South Yorkshire, which comprise the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, there have been 608 non-Landmark awards worth £112,812,862. This represents 2.78 per cent. of the National total of over £4.25 billion awarded to 31,788 non-landmark awards.

  Information on lottery awards is available on the Department's website www.lottery.culture.gov.uk.

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the(a) average value and (b) number of lottery grants of less than £1 million received by coalfield communities (i) in South Yorkshire and (ii) nationally. [59822]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 November 1998]: To date the National Lottery distributors have awarded over £5.07 billion to 31,788 awards. In the coalfield communities of South Yorkshire there have been 609 awards worth £162,812,862.

  The average value and number of grants in South Yorkshire coalfield communities and nationally are set out in the following table:

  Average value of all awards (£)

  Total number of awards under £1 million

  Coalfield communities in South Yorkshire

  267,344

  577

  Nationally

  159,684

  31,111

  Information on lottery awards is available on the Department's website www.lottery.culture.gov.uk.

  Sport (Injury Insurance)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what statistics are collected by, or reported to, his Department relating to minors sustaining personal injury while taking part in the activities of junior sports clubs. [59707]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Department does not collect information on injuries from sporting activities at junior clubs. Although the hospital episode statistics data system has information on injuries and accidents, these relate only to events which require medical treatment at a hospital. These do not specify the location of the accident. The Department of Trade and Industry's Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System records treatment for injuries from sporting activities from a sample of accident and
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  emergency departments in the United Kingdom. Under this system an estimated 215,000 children under 15 had sports injuries in 1996 in the UK. Although the database cannot identify whether they occurred in junior sports clubs, it can differentiate between organised and non-organised games.

CABINET OFFICE

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what are the figures for(a) the public sector, including local authorities, grant-maintained schools and NHS trusts and (b) the private sector for days lost due to absence from work through sickness, expressed as a number of days per employee in each sector in the most recent available year. [59584]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Information about the average number of days lost per employee due to absence through sickness in the public and private sectors is not collected centrally. However, the Office for National Statistics estimate from the Labour Force Survey that in the United Kingdom 5.5 per cent. of public sector employees and 4.4 per cent. of private sector employees were absent from work due to sickness or injury for at least one day in an average week between autumn 1997 and summer 1998.

  Better Regulation Task Force
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his oral statement of 10 November 1998,Official Report, column 168, what the remit will be of the better regulation task force's assessment of SMEs; and when he expects them to report. [60150]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The statement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to which the question refers was a reference to a review of the role of regulation in relation to productivity which will be undertaken by the Better Regulation Task Force, for
  which this Department has responsiblity. The review was first announced in the pre-Budget Statement on 3 November 1998.Official Report, columns 681–702.

  I can confirm that the Task Force has established a sub-group to take this work forward. They are currently agreeing the details of their terms of reference, including the timetable for this work. The review will examine the degree to which regulation acts as a barrier to business start-up, survival and growth. The Task Force will consider existing material and seek further evidence from a wide range of interested parties.

  I hope that the Task Force will present their first findings next Spring, and a final report as soon as practicable thereafter.

  Relocation
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the decision was taken to relocate parts of the Cabinet Office to Admiralty Arch, Ripley Block and Kirkland House; and if he will make a statement. [60470]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The relocation was announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 28 July 1998,Official Report, columns 132-33, in connection

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  with the review of the Cabinet Office by the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Richard Wilson. The funding for the project was agreed as part of this Department's Comprehensive Spending Review, in collaboration with HM Treasury. The buildings will be occupied by civil servants. Although these decisions were taken before my appointment to the Cabinet Office, I fully support this initiative to create a focus for the drive to modernise Government and to tackle the new challenges it faces. Ministerial accommodation will remain at 70 Whitehall.

DEFENCE

  Gulf War
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if British tanks fired depleted uranium shells during the Gulf War; and if he will make a statement. [59333]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Main Battle Tank used by UK forces during the Gulf conflict in 1990–91 was the Challenger 1, armed with the 120mm rifled-barrel L11 gun. However, when planning Operation GRANBY, it was assessed that the existing tungsten-based armour-piercing rounds in use with Challenger 1 might not be sufficiently powerful to defeat the most modern Iraqi tanks—Soviet designed T72s. It was therefore decided that MOD should undertake the emergency development and deployment of a new armour-piercing round for Challenger 1.

  This new round was based on a 120mm armour-piercing round, containing a solid depleted uranium (DU) penetrator core with a protective (non-DU) coating and known as CHARM 1, which was already being developed for use by the more powerful gun on the new Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, also then under development. In fact, the CHARM 1 round needed only minor modifications in order to fit the existing gun on Challenger 1, but a totally new charge needed to be developed. The new charge and slightly modified round, known as Jericho I and Jericho II respectively, were deployed to the Gulf and issued to UK armoured formations just before the start of Coalition operations against Iraq.

  The MOD's current assessment is that UK forces fired fewer than 100 Jericho II rounds against Iraqi military forces during hostilities, which equates to less than 1 metric tonne of DU overall, although additional rounds were fired during earlier work-up training to establish the round's Mean Point of Impact (MPI).

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors were taken into account in deciding to reduce the size of the TA force; and if he will make a statement. [59695]

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce his conclusions on the future of the Territorial Army. [60246]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the statement I made earlier today,Official Report, columns 749-70.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future 454
  of the Territorial Army building, Surbiton Road, Kingston-Upon-Thames. [59865]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the document concerning the future of the Territorial Army, placed in the Library of the House today.

  Training Review
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects his Department to complete its review of its training methods. [56348]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We have completed our initial review of my Department's training methods and now plan a further study involving representatives of the Royal College of Surgeons and other bodies to determine appropriate means of providing necessary training in surgical trauma skills. We intend that the study should be led by an independent figure and should be completed in the first part of next year. Meanwhile, UK military participation in the Danish Armed Forces medical exercises involving the use of pigs remains suspended.

  Gulf War Illness
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those hon. Members who have made representations to him on behalf of constituents concerning Gulf War illness. [58808]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My Department's record show that, since 1 May 1997, the following hon. Members have made representations to Ministry of Defence Ministers on behalf of one or more constituents concerning Gulf veterans' illnesses:

  Adams, Mrs. Irene (Paisley, North)

  Anderson, Donald (Swansea, East)

  Ashdown, Rt. Hon. Jeremy John Durham (Yeovil)

  Ashton, Joseph William (Bassetlaw)

  Atherton, Candy (Falmouth and Camborne)

  Ballard, Jacqueline Margaret (Taunton)

  Barnes, Harry (North-East Derbyshire)

  Benn, Rt. Hon. Anthony Neil Wedgwood (Chesterfield)

  Betts, Clive James Charles (Sheffield, Attercliffe)

  Brazier, Julian William Hendy, TD (Canterbury)

  Breed, Colin Edward (South-East Cornwall)

  Bruce, Ian (South Dorset)

  Byers, Stephen John (Tyneside, North)

  Cann, Jamie (Ipswich)

  Chisholm, Malcolm (Edinburgh, North and Leith)

  Clark, Rt. Hon. Dr. David George (South Shields)

  Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey, ARICS (Cotswold)

  Cooper, Yvette (Pontefract and Castleford)

  Curry, Rt. Hon. David Maurice (Skipton and Ripon)

  Dalyell, Tam (Linlithgow)

  Darling, Rt. Hon. Alistair Maclean (Edinburgh, Central)

  Davies, Rt. Hon. Ronald (Caerphilly)

  Davey, Mrs. Valerie (Bristol, West)

  Evans, Nigel (Ribble Valley)

  Ewing, Margaret Anne (Moray)

  Fisher, Mark (Stoke-on-Trent, Central)

  Fitzsimons, Lorna (Rochdale)

  Foster, Michael John (Worcester)

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  Foulkes, George (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)

  Gapes, Michael John (Ilford, South)

  Gilroy, Linda (Plymouth, Sutton)

  Griffiths, Winston James (Bridgend)

  Grocott, Bruce (Telford)

  Hancock, Michael Thomas, CBE (Portsmouth, South)

  Harman, Rt. Hon. Harriet (Camberwell and Peckham)

  Harvey, Nicholas (North Devon)

  Haselhurst, Sir Alan Gordon Barraclough (Saffron Walden)

  Heath, David Williams St. John, CBE (Somerton and Frome)

  Heppell, John (Nottingham, East)

  Home-Robertson, John (East Lothian)

  Hoyle, Hon. Lindsay Harvey (Chorley)

  Humble, Mrs. Jovanka (Blackpool, North and Fleetwood)

  Hunter, Andrew Robert Frederick (Basingstoke)

  Hutton, John (Barrow and Furness)

  Johnson, Alan Arthur (Hull, West and Hessle)

  Johnson, Melanie Jane (Welwyn Hatfield)

  Jones, Stephen Barry (Alyn and Deeside)

  King, Rt. Hon. Tom, CH (Bridgwater)

  Ladyman, Dr. Stephen John (South Thanet)

  Lawrence, Jackie (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

  Lewis, Terry (Worsley)

  Liddell, Mrs. Helen Lawrie (Airdrie and Shotts)

  Lilley, Rt. Hon. Peter Bruce (Hitchin and Harpenden)

  Linton, Martin (Battersea)

  Malins, Humfrey Jonathan (Woking)

  Mawhinney, Rt. Hon. Sir Brian Stanley (North-West Cambridgeshire)

  McCafferty, Christine (Calder Valley)

  McFall, John (Dumbarton)

  McIsaac, Shona (Cleethorpes)

  McNamara, Joseph Kevin (Hull, North)

  Moore, Michael Kevin (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale)

  Nicholls, Patrick Charles Martyn (Teignbridge)

  O'Neill, Martin John (Ochil)

  Paice, James Edward Thornton (South-East Cambridgeshire)

  Pendry, Thomas (Stalybridge and Hyde)

  Pickthall, Colin (West Lancashire)

  Plaskitt, James Andrew (Warwick and Leamington)

  Pope, Gregory (Hyndburn)

  Prescott, Rt. Hon. John Leslie (Hull, East)

  Quinn, Lawrie (Scarborough and Whitby)

  Randall, John (Uxbridge)

  Rendel, David Digby (Newbury)

  Ruane, Christopher (Vale of Clwyd)

  Russell, Christine Margaret (City of Chester)

  Shaw, Jonathan Rowlan (Chatham and Aylesford)

  Sheldon, Rt. Hon. Robert Edward (Ashton-under-Lyne)

  Smith, Rt. Hon. Andrew David (Oxford, East)

  Smith, Geraldine (Morecambe and Lunesdale)

  Smith, John William Patrick (Vale of Glamorgan)

  Smith, Llewellyn Thomas (Blaenau Gwent)

  Soley, Clive Stafford (Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush)

  Spring, Richard (West Suffolk)

  Squire, Rachel (Dumfermline, West)

  Stinchcombe, Paul (Wellingborough)

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  Strang, Rt. Hon. Dr. Gavin Steel (Edinburgh, East and Musselburgh)

  Swinney, John Ramsay (North Tayside)

  Todd, Mark Wainwright (South Derbyshire)

  Yeo, Timothy Stephen Kenneth (South Suffolk).

  Service Children's Education
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to set targets for pupils in schools operated by the Service Children's Education Authority; and if the Service Children's Education Authority is to be included within the inspection regime currently in operation for local education authorities. [59190]

  Mr. Spellar
  Service Children's Education is an Agency of the Ministry of Defence charged with the provision of education services to MOD personnel serving overseas and with the provision of advice to service personnel in UK on educational matters. Key Targets for the Agency are approved annually by Ministers and those for 1998 were announced in the House on 25 June 1998,Official Report, columns 565-66. In addition, the current Key Targets are set out in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts which were laid before Parliament on 30 July 1998.

  Whilst SCE schools are subject to inspection by Ofsted, the Agency falls outside Ofsted's remit to monitor Local Education Authorities. However, the Chief Executive reports on a termly basis to an Owner's Board whose membership includes representatives of the DfEE, Ofsted and an LEA. SCE is also subject to MOD's own internal management inspection and audit as well as being audited annually by the National Audit Office for the production of the Agency's Accounts.

  Officer Training Corps (Queen's University)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Officer Training Corps at Queen's University, Belfast. [57588]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Department has no plans to make changes to the University Officer Training Corps. Queen's University Officer Training Corps will continue to provide an opportunity for students to undertake a wide variety of military training, which will enable them to develop their self-confidence and initiative and to gain useful skills for any future profession.

  Major Eric Joyce
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he(a) has taken and (b) proposes to take following the recent appearance on television of Major Eric Joyce speaking on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party; and if this contravened Queen's Regulations. [58791]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 9 November 1998]: Serving members of the Armed Forces are not permitted under Queen's Regulations for the Army to take an active part in the affairs of any political organisation. Major Joyce's future in the Army is currently under consideration by the Army Board.

  Cruise Missiles
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will undertake a study of the potential environmental effects of cruise missiles landing on(a) oil wells and (b) petroleum-refining complexes. [59547]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 16 November 1998]: We have no current plans to undertake such a study.

  Field Park Squadron
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what receipts were generated for the Defence Budget by 198 Field Park Squadron in financial years(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [59467]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There have been no significant receipts generated to the Defence Budget by 198 Field Park Squadron in the last three financial years.

  Hurricane Mitch
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the marginal costs that will be incurred by the Ministry of Defence in assisting the provision of aid and relief to Central America following Hurricane Mitch. [59466]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Full details of the marginal costs to the Ministry of Defence of providing this humanitarian assistance are not yet available. We estimate, however, that the figure should be below £100,000, as help has been provided by forces which would otherwise have been engaged in operations or training in the Caribbean area.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Council (1) what is her latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in her Department, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if she will make a statement; [60052]

  (2) if she will list the problems which have arisen in her Department from millennium compliance; if she will make a statement on progress to date in tackling such problems; and what are the priority areas for remedial work; [60053]

  (3) what assessment she has made of the extent to which the computer systems in her Department will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if she will make a statement; [60054]

  (4) if she will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by her Department in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60055]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Work on ensuring the Millennium compliance of the Privy Council Office's systems is being taken forward as part of the Cabinet Office's Year 2000 Programme. No insurmountable problems are expected 458
  for the Cabinet Office and its agencies arising from millennium compliance. Plans are well advanced to replace non-compliant systems as part of an ongoing programme of work. Business continuity is not believed to be at risk, but the Cabinet Office and its agencies nevertheless have continuity plans that cater for possible disruption. Details of the Cabinet Office's programme, together with costs, were published following my last quarterly statement to the House on 9 September and are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Council what estimate she has made of the cost to the UK public sector of tackling the millennium computer problem and the embedded chip problem; and if she will make a statement. [59945]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The latest estimate of the cost of tackling the Millennium bug across central government departments and agencies is £400 million. This figure is based on departmental returns to the September quarterly review.

  Forecasts which have been made by independent experts and companies with experience of the costs of tackling the problem have put the total cost of tackling the Millennium bug across the whole of the UK public sector in the range of £1 billion-£0 billion. These figures appear to be reasonable. For example, the NHS Executive has estimated the cost across the NHS in England at around £310 million, while the Local Government Association has put the cost to local authorities at £500 million.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Council what action she is taking to increase the preparedness of(a) local authorities, (b) the Police, (c) defence forces and (d) the NHS in relation to the millennium computer problem; and if she will make a statement. [59946]

  Mrs. Beckett
  As the Cabinet Minister responsible for the co-ordination of Government policy in response to the Millennium Bug, I have been working with colleagues to drive forward action in both the public and private sector. As a key part of this work, I am responsible for monitoring and reporting on the progress across all central government departments and agencies and key parts of the wider public sector, including local authorities, the Police, the Ministry of Defence and the NHS. Details of the progress in each of these four sectors were included in the last quarterly statement which I issued on 9 September. I will be making my next quarterly statement on progress in tackling the Millennium Bug to the House shortly. Specific questions about progress in these four sectors are the responsibility of the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Home Affairs, Defence, and Health respectively.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Passes
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if she will publish the total number of House of Commons passes issued for persons
  459
  classified as assistants/research assistants to hon. Members, and the known number who work full or part-time in the above positions. [59944]

  Mrs. Roe
  [holding answer 16 November 1998]: 448 photo-identity passes have been issued for hon. Members' research assistants. The numbers who work full or part-time are not known, as an hon. Member is not required to give this information.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorist Offences
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been(a) killed by explosions caused by terrorists and (b) killed by bombs which they were constructing, transporting or placing in position, in each of the last 10 years and the current year. [59030]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following table illustrates the number of persons killed by explosions caused by terrorists and by their own bombs over the period in question:

  Year

  Number of deaths Caused by explosions

  Killed by own bomb

  Total

  1988

  39

  3

  42

  1989

  16

  1

  17

  1990

  22

  0

  22

  1991

  18

  0

  18

  1992

  11

  0

  11

  1993

  17

  2

  19

  1994

  5

  0

  5

  1995

  0

  0

  0

  1996

  1

  0

  1

  1997

  2

  1

  3

  19981

  30

  0

  30

  1 To 8 November

  Omagh Bombing
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the injuries suffered by the surviving victims of the Omagh bomb. [55477]

  Mr. Ingram
  (a) The following is a list of the injuries suffered by the surviving victims, admitted to hospital, in the immediate aftermath of the Omagh bomb:

  Abdominal Organ Injuries: 4

  Amputees: 5

  Blast Lung: 1

  Burns: 8

  Eye Injuries: 2

  Fractures: 24

  Fracture and Eye Injury: 3

  Head Injury: 1

  Soft Tissue Injury: 10

  Wounds/Shrapnel: 77.

  Many of the victims had multiple injuries. Injuries treated for those victims who were not admitted to hospital included wounds, shrapnel injuries, soft tissue injuries and ear injuries.
  460
  (b) Three of the surviving victims remain in hospital at the present time. Injuries suffered by the three patients are as follows:

  Burns [over 60% of body] and multiple injuries

  Amputation of lower leg and severe burns

  Amputation of lower leg and multiple shrapnel injuries.

  Regional and Minority Languages
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list(a) Ulster Scots and (b) Irish as two minority languages to benefit from the provisions of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages; and if she will make a statement. [59289]

  Mr. McFall
  The Government intend that the Charter will apply to the Irish language in Northern Ireland from the coming into operation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In regard to Ulster-Scots, arrangements are in hand to commission independent academic research which will help to determine whether Ulster-Scots should be treated as a language for purposes of the Charter. The Charter does not distinguish between regional languages and minority languages.

  Child Care
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what child care provision is made available by her Department for the use of staff; what is the cost to parents of this child care; how many parents used the facilities in the financial years(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; and what proportion of total staff used these facilities in the financial years (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98. [59730]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 16 November 1998]: In Northern Ireland, current policy is that Departments can contribute to staff child care costs where this is justified on value for money grounds.

  The Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments do not provide child care facilities. However, child care provision in the form of subsidy based schemes is only one of a range of family friendly measures that are available to staff. Others include flexible working hours, part-time and job sharing arrangements, paid and unpaid special leave and career breaks and reimbursement of expenses when the normal working routine is broken by the job demands. Information packs from the Northern Ireland Childminding Association are also given to staff applying for maternity or paternity leave.

  In addition, some Departments provide a range of assistance schemes as follows.

  In April 1998, NIO (Belfast) introduced a child care voucher scheme for staff which provided a contribution of £60 per month towards pre-school child care costs. Initially places on the scheme have been limited to 23 (2.8 per cent. of total staff) but it is planned to extend it to all staff with pre-school children within the next four years. NIO (London) introduced a similar scheme in July 1997 at the rate of £100 per month per child under the age of 5. Prior to July 1997, the NIO (London) subsidised 5 places in a nursery close to the office. The total proportion of staff that used these facilities in 1996–97 was 3 (2.9 per cent.) and in 1997–98 was 5 (4.4 per cent.).
  461
  In the Department of Health and Social Services, the Child Support Agency provides financial assistance to staff in the form of a subsidy towards the cost of placing a child in a registered nursery of the parents choice. The parents pay the first £30 of the cost, the Agency pays up to the next £30 (grossed up by 45.7 per cent. to cover Tax and NI Contributions) and the parent pays the balance. There are 40 subsidies available. In 1996–97, 30 (2 per cent. of staff) were taken up and 40 (3 per cent.) in 1997–98.

  The Department of the Environment provides a pre-school nursery subsidy scheme for up to 44 staff at any one time selected by a random draw. A reserve list is held to fill drop-outs from the 44. The subsidy is 35 per cent. of the weekly nursery fees up to a maximum of £30 gross per week. Forty-eight staff (0.6 per cent.) received subsidies in 1996–97 and 54 (0.7 per cent.) in 1997–98.

  The Department of Education, in May 1997, introduced an emergency child care subsidy scheme to provide the actual cost of emergency child care for a maximum of 2 days on any one occasion (limited to 4 occasions in a year) with the care provider being a registered childminder, playgroup or nursery. There has been no uptake of the subsidy. The scheme was introduced on a trial basis and the Department is presently reviewing the aspect of sufficient time off for staff to make alternative arrangements which has been identified as the main difficulty with the scheme.

  The Department of Finance and Personnel, through the Equal Opportunities Unit, financially assists 8 holiday playschemes. Subsidies of 50 per cent. accommodation costs and 40 per cent. staff costs are provided to each playscheme. Total financial assistance in 1997 was £20,250.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60145]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Following recommendations made by the PAC, the President of the Council wrote to Cabinet colleagues and Ministers in October asking all Departments to complete risk assessments and have initial year 2000 business continuity plans in place by the end of January 1999. This has been conveyed to all Northern Ireland Departments and they have been informed that future quarterly surveys by the Cabinet Office will require reports on progress against targets in this area. Millennium contingency planning has to cover the eventuality of system failures due to embedded chip malfunction.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is her latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies
  462
  for which her Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if she will make a statement; [60142]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the extent to which the computer systems in (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies to which her Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if she will make a statement. [60144]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. In Northern Ireland, the Departments and their agencies are directly responsible for much of the services provided by local government and the privatised utilities in Great Britain—e.g., Health and Personal Social Service, Housing Benefits, Water and Sewage. Electricity is the only privatised service in Northern Ireland.

  The information that the hon. Member requests will be found in the copies of departments' plans which have been published in the Libraries of the House. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Libraries of the House and on the Internet.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the problems which have arisen in(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which her Department is responsible from millennium compliance; if she will make a statement on progress to date in tackling such problems; and what are the priority areas for remedial work. [60143]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The problems are the same for all organisations striving for millennium compliance and the Northern Ireland departments are working closely with their Great Britain counterparts, sharing information and advice, to address these. Specifically, some departments in Northern Ireland have lost skilled computer staff to the private sector and this has impacted on some compliance programmes. However, steps are being taken by the individual departments and centrally by the Northern Ireland public service to address the situation.

  Northern Ireland Bill
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 34, concerning the human rights and equality provisions of the Northern Ireland Bill, if she will place in the Library copies of her correspondence with the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. [60270]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Copies of correspondence between myself and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe have been placed in the Library.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Montserrat
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the final version of the Sustainable Development Plan for Montserrat will be published. [60359]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Agreement has been reached between the Government of Montserrat and Her Majesty's Government on the final text of the Sustainable Development Plan. This followed a wide-ranging consultation exercise involving Montserratians on island, elsewhere in the Caribbean and in the UK, and regional and international aid agencies. The plan reflects the shared priorities of our two Governments for the social and economic recovery of the island and sets out a plan for the future of the island and the strategies needed to achieve its goals and objectives.

  Copies of the final text will be placed in the Libraries of the House today. The formal published version will be made available in early December.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what is her latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which her Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if she will make a statement; [60056]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the extent to which the computer systems in (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which her Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if she will make a statement. [60058]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right. hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Gartson (Maria Eagle), on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector. The information the hon. Member requests will be found in the copies of departments' plans which have been published in the Library of the House. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Libraries of the House and on the internet.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if she will list the problems which have arisen in(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which her Department is responsible for millennium compliance; if she will make a statement on progress to date in tackling such problems; and what are the priority areas for remedial work; [60057]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60059]
  464
  Mr. Foulkes
  We have recently reviewed the Year 2000 compliance programme. Work is well advanced on mission-critical systems and we have systems in place for testing at various milestone dates. Our key systems will be fully tested and independently audited before the Year 2000.

  Our current switchboard is not compliant, but will become so with the next installation of software which will be in place before the end of 1998. Our equipment to send telexes is not compliant, but is in any case to be discarded for more modern forms of communications. We shall provide fuller details in our next quarterly return.

  We have obtained assurances from our prime hardware and software suppliers. In several cases we are required to upgrade software to more modern versions. We have developed a programme of work to take this forward. Progress is reported in our quarterly return.

  Work will start in early December to develop a separate series of business continuity plans, which will complement the work already done on business critical systems. Progress will be reported in the appropriate quarterly return.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which forum the Government will propose as appropriate for future negotiations on a multilateral agreement on investment, in order to ensure(a) that the interests of developing countries are represented and (b) that developing countries are equal participants in the negotiations. [59183]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Government, and the EU as a whole, have a long-standing objective of pursuing investment negotiations in the WTO, and have called for investment to be on the agenda of any future multilateral Round of negotiations. This objective was reflected in the White Paper on International Development in November 1997, underlining the developmental value of a stable and transparent framework for international investment.

  Any decision to begin negotiations on multilateral investment disciplines in the WTO will require consensus among WTO members. Over three quarters of WTO members are developing countries. We are committed to helping strengthen the capacity of developing countries—many of which have limited resources—to participate effectively in the WTO. Specifically on investment, we have already agreed a contribution of over £0.5 million for a programme run by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to provide advice and training to developing countries on the issues posed by a possible multilateral framework for investment.

SCOTLAND

  Local Government
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's current estimate of the cost to be borne by Scottish local authorities arising from new central Government initiatives in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and

  465
  (c) the following three years, by initiative, indicating the contribution to be made towards such costs from central Government. [56952]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 3 November 1998]: In 1998–99 the following amounts were added to the local government finance spending plans inherited from the previous Administration:
  Additional resources for schools: £89 million (announced in the July 1997 Budget) plus £19 million (announced in March 1998 Budget).
  Recommendations resulting from the Pennington Report: £2.6 million.

  The cost of new central Government initiatives over the next three years was considered in the course of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. In total, following the review the following additional resources (each representing increases compared with 1998–99) have been provided over the next three years:

  £ million

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Education

  154

  266

  373

  Social Work

  51

  94

  130

  Police

  23.7

  50.9

  71.8

  Fire

  8.5

  16.9

  24.3

  Other Services including Loans Charges

  58.8

  163.5

  319.2

  Decisions for subsequent years have not yet been made.

  Youth Clubs
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make more money available to youth clubs in areas with high levels of juvenile crime. [57609]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 9 November 1998]: The Scottish Office does not provide funding for youth clubs. In the main youth clubs are run by local authorities or voluntary groups which have access to local facilities. The Scottish Office provides a grant to Youth Clubs Scotland, a national voluntary organisation which is involved with the informal education of young people. The grant towards headquarters expenditure is awarded under the Scottish Office community education recurrent grant scheme for voluntary organisations. Youth Clubs Scotland has been awarded a grant of £75,000 in 1998–99, an increase of 7 per cent..

  Youth Employment
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of young people who took up the employment option under the New Deal have secured full-time employment at the end of their placement(a) in total and (b) by local authority area. [58980]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 11 November 1998]: The latest New Deal figures published by the Government Statistical Service relate to August, and information on those completing their placement is not yet available. We plan in future to publish figures by units of delivery which in Scotland are based on local enterprise company areas.

  Intellectual Property
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the purpose and scope of the reservation of intellectual property in the Scotland Bill. [60441]

  Mr. McLeish
  The purpose of the reservation is to ensure the continuation of uniform intellectual property laws across the UK. This will avoid difficulties for owners of intellectual property rights arising from, for example, difference in what can be protected, the extent of the protection and remedies for breach of rights. Indeed, the benefits of harmonisation in this area are becoming increasingly recognised with the ever wider harmonisation of intellectual property rights and related matters across Europe and the rest of the world.

  Patents, designs, registered trade marks and copyright are well known examples of intellectual property rights and are reserved. The reservation also embraces all other existing and future analogous rights and matters, such as rights in performances and semi-conductor topographies, moral rights, the law of passing off and trade secrets, and the new database right. Moreover, rights such as those in utility models and matters such as technical measures for the protection of copyright works and information relating to the management of rights, all of which are included in recent draft EC Directives on intellectual property, fall within the scope of the reservation. Furthermore, all matters relating to the Patent Office are reserved, as are current and future ancillary matters.

  The existing major legislation on intellectual property, namely the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, the Patents Act 1977, the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Registered Designs Act 1949, exemplifies but does not limit the range of provisions relating to 'intellectual property' which falls or may in the future fall within the reservation.

  There is just one exception from the reservation, that is UK plant breeders' rights within the meaning of the Plant Varieties Act 1997. Agricultural Ministers, that is the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, are jointly responsible for UK plant breeders' rights. Devolution in this one area of intellectual property is therefore consistent with the joint responsibility which already exists for plant breeders' rights.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies to which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement; [60136]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and(c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [60134]
  467
  Mr. Dewar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, announcing the results of the most recent quarterly review of Government Departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the Year 2000 date change issue and providing information on progress and costs. Information on progress in the wider public sector in Scotland, including the National Health Service, water authorities, nationalised industries and some non-departmental public bodies, is available on The Scottish Office's Web site. The results of the next quarterly review of progress will be announced shortly to the House and updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Library of the House and on the Web.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60137]

  Mr. Dewar
  My Department and Agencies recognise the need to review and keep up to date their plans to deal with threats to business community, including the millennium date change. I expect them to have completed a review of key aspects of their operations, and to ensure that appropriate plans are in place, by the end of January 1999.

  Planning to ensure the continued delivery of key public services is primarily the responsibility of those who manage these services. The Scottish Office will continue to encourage organisations in the wider public sector in Scotland to ensure that their contingency plans are adequate in the light of the millennium date change issue.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the problems which have arisen in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible from millennium compliance; if he will make a statement on progress to date in tackling such problems; and what are the priority areas for remedial work. [60135]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Scottish Office has been working since 1996 to ensure that the service it provides to the public will not be materially affected by the Year 2000 computer problem. The Department expects that all of its important systems will be tested and proved to be Year 2000 compliant by March 1999. Agencies and other public sector bodies in Scotland including the water authorities, the NHS in Scotland, local authorities, the nationalised industries and certain non-departmental public bodies are responsible for ensuring that their services will not be materially affected by the problem. Their progress is monitored by The Scottish Office. A range of progress reports is published on the Web, including the Web sites maintained by The Scottish Office, the NHS in Scotland and the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency.

  Financial Management
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to ensure adequate training in 468
  financial management of those in charge of the financial management of projects receiving Government funding as a condition of grant; [59630]

  (2) what plans he has to insist on adequate external auditing and monitoring of projects receiving Government funding as a condition of grant. [59631]

  Mr. McLeish
  Grant conditions, and monitoring arrangements for different grant schemes operated by The Scottish Office are set taking into account all the circumstances surrounding the individual scheme. The conditions and monitoring arrangements are kept under review.

  Where the grant is towards a particular project the conditions normally include a requirement for external validation that the grant has been used for the purpose for which it was provided. Alternatively, in the case of grants to local authorities, the Scottish Office may make arrangements directly with the Accounts Commission for Scotland for the external auditing of councils' grant claims.

  In the particular case of grants under the Urban Programme to local authorities, the standard terms and conditions require local authorities to establish effective appraisal, monitoring and financial systems.

  These conditions also require the local authority to ensure that the expenditure by third parties receiving funding from the Council is accounted for properly; and that the accounts of third parties are either audited statutorily, or in the case of unincorporated bodies, reported on by a qualified accountant.

  The reporting accountants have to report if they are not satisfied: that proper records have been kept; that the accounts are consistent with the records; that they have received all necessary information; and that other information in the annual report is consistent with the financial statements.

  Training in financial management is a matter for the bodies concerned.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure that councils arrange for adequate auditing arrangements and training in financial management when giving grants to projects receiving public funds. [59629]

  Mr. McLeish
  Local authorities are fully responsible for ensuring that there is clear public accountability where they provide public funds to external bodies. I expect councils to follow the guidance laid out by the Accounts Commission and COSLA in the Code of Guidance on Funding External Bodies and Following the Public Pound. This sets out the procedures for specifying minimum standards of accountancy and audit arrangements in appropriate cases. Where these are found wanting in individual cases, I would expect councils to take firm corrective action.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the recent report by Edinburgh City Council into the financial management of publicly funded projects in the city. [59632]
  469
  Mr. McLeish
  The City of Edinburgh Council has identified weaknesses in the management of some projects. This is primarily a matter for the Council but the Government place the highest importance on the proper conduct and management of projects and organisations which are publicly funded and discussions are taking place with the Council on the issues raised in its report and the action it should take.

  Aspirin Poisoning
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many cases in Scotland in each of the past five years individuals have had to spend more than one night in hospital because of aspirin poisoning. [59638]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Information on the number of emergency admissions staying more than one night in hospital with a reported diagnosis of aspirin poisoning is shown in the table. The table refers to the number of emergency admissions during the specified year. It is possible that an individual patient may have had more than one admission in any year.

  The data exclude poisoning by compounds of aspirin with phenacetin-codeine which cannot be separately identified under the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision.

  Year

  Number1

  1992

  151

  1993

  179

  1994

  146

  1995

  160

  1996

  156

  1 Diagnoses are coded to the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision (1980–March 1996) code 965.1 and the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (April 1996-) code T30.9

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths have been recorded in Scotland from aspirin poisoning in each of the past five years, and in how many of these cases aspirin had been taken(a) in soluble form and (b) in dispensable form. [59633]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information available is given in the list. It is not possible to distinguish the form in which the aspirin had been taken.

  Deaths from poisoning involving aspirin1, Scotland

  1993: 6

  1994: 9

  1995: 2

  1996: 2

  1997: 6.

  1 Includes cases where aspirin was taken together with other drugs.

  Paracetamol Poisoning
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths have been recorded in Scotland from poisoning by paracetamol in each of the past five years. [59636]
  470
  Mr. Galbraith
  The information available is given in the list.

  Deaths from poisoning involving paracetamol1,2 Scotland

  1993: 89

  1994: 90

  1995: 81

  1996: 96

  1997: 102.

  1 Includes compound preparations containing paracetamol.
  2 Includes cases where paracetamol was taken together with other drugs.

  Sheriff Courts
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many summary criminal trials in each Scottish sheriff court have been adjourned on more than one occasion in each of the past four years; [59627]

  (2) how many summary criminal trials in each Scottish sheriff court have concluded at the first trial diet; and how many have been adjourned because of pressure of business in each of the past four years. [59628]

  Mr. McLeish
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Ewart to Mr. Donald Gorrie, dated 17 November 1998:
  Mr. McLeish has asked me to respond to your question about summary criminal trials. The attached tables show the number of:
  Summary cases with one trial diet;
  Summary cases with 2 or more trial diets;
  Summary trials adjourned through lack of court time for each Sheriff Court over the past years.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Summary cases with one trial diet

  Summary cases with two or more trial diets

  Summary trials adjourned through lack of court time1

  1995

  Aberdeen

  1,516

  390

  69

  Airdrie

  930

  360

  49

  Alloa

  294

  118

  22

  Ayr

  847

  233

  17

  Arbroath

  302

  91

  3

  Banff

  77

  20

  7

  Campbeltown

  82

  61

  2

  Cupar

  223

  56

  25

  Dingwall

  147

  46

  3

  Dornoch

  69

  30

  2

  Dumbarton

  1,009

  503

  61

  Dumfries

  606

  132

  12

  Dundee

  1,170

  386

  36

  Dunfermline

  619

  210

  32

  Dunoon

  185

  94

  8

  Duns

  55

  9

  1

  Edinburgh

  3,876

  950

  110

  Elgin

  269

  56

  14

  Falkirk

  915

  253

  43

  Forfar

  236

  73

  0

  Fort William

  174

  68

  21

  Glasgow

  6,533

  3,072

  558

  Greenock

  669

  158

  3

  Haddington

  336

  100

  6

  Hamilton

  2,288

  1,148

  167

  Inverness

  725

  216

  13

  Jedburgh

  118

  35

  4

  Kilmarnock

  1,432

  94

  13

  Kirkcaldy

  747

  240

  6

  Kirkcudbright

  84

  19

  29

  Kirkwall

  37

  12

  0

  Lanark

  374

  140

  18

  471

  Summary cases with one trial diet

  Summary cases with two or more trial diets

  Summary trials adjourned through lack of court time1

  Lerwick

  75

  37

  0

  Linlithgow

  872

  307

  20

  Lochmaddy

  52

  9

  0

  Oban

  135

  39

  16

  Paisley

  1,782

  814

  239

  Peebles

  48

  21

  0

  Perth

  644

  167

  34

  Peterhead

  169

  41

  9

  Portree

  43

  14

  0

  Rothesay

  65

  20

  3

  Selkirk

  103

  12

  3

  Stirling

  626

  215

  50

  Stonehaven

  174

  35

  2

  Stornoway

  82

  41

  15

  Stranraer

  228

  64

  5

  Tain

  118

  43

  12

  Wick

  102

  32

  3

  Summary cases with one trial diet

  Summary cases with two or more trial diets

  Summary trials adjourned through lack of court time1

  1996

  Aberdeen

  1,043

  313

  79

  Airdrie

  844

  341

  114

  Alloa

  260

  84

  13

  Ayr

  815

  200

  2

  Arbroath

  266

  37

  46

  Banff

  66

  25

  10

  Campbeltown

  89

  27

  5

  Cupar

  150

  65

  52

  Dingwall

  84

  195

  3

  Dornoch

  53

  37

  12

  Dumbarton

  919

  283

  60

  Dumfries

  497

  91

  4

  Dundee

  911

  399

  46

  Dunfermline

  554

  178

  39

  Dunoon

  169

  76

  20

  Duns

  61

  13

  2

  Edinburgh

  4,206

  1,044

  223

  Elgin

  194

  44

  18

  Falkirk

  750

  281

  93

  Forfar

  160

  34

  2

  Fort William

  141

  47

  30

  Glasgow

  6,614

  2,474

  445

  Greenock

  665

  143

  14

  Haddington

  353

  84

  3

  Hamilton

  2,276

  1,021

  278

  Inverness

  547

  168

  15

  Jedburgh

  105

  25

  13

  Kilmarnock

  1,204

  93

  15

  Kirkcaldy

  671

  177

  4

  Kirkcudbright

  92

  15

  87

  Kirkwall

  45

  8

  0

  Lanark

  356

  143

  37

  Lerwick

  83

  56

  2

  Linlithgow

  1,040

  263

  56

  Lochmaddy

  40

  6

  0

  Oban

  107

  43

  36

  Paisley

  1,613

  708

  293

  Peebles

  34

  12

  2

  Perth

  565

  182

  26

  Peterhead

  152

  41

  11

  Portree

  25

  11

  0

  Rothesay

  50

  11

  0

  Selkirk

  68

  15

  2

  Stirling

  545

  241

  85

  Stonehaven

  172

  32

  23

  Stornoway

  95

  48

  26

  Stranraer

  223

  58

  9

  Tain

  91

  29

  9

  Wick

  115

  18

  3

  1 Adjourned through lack of court time; figures available only from 1 April to 31 December 1995

  472

  Summary cases with one trial diet

  Summary cases with two or more trial diets

  Summary trials adjourned through lack of court time

  1997

  Aberdee

  998

  225

  58

  Airdrie

  833

  300

  31

  Alloa

  191

  72

  11

  Ayr

  754

  151

  25

  Arbroath

  245

  73

  30

  Banff

  43

  15

  5

  Campbeltown

  85

  13

  0

  Cupar

  146

  55

  32

  Dingwall

  187

  55

  28

  Dornoch

  54

  25

  10

  Dumbarton

  772

  305

  60

  Dumfries

  465

  79

  6

  Dundee

  958

  368

  42

  Dunfermline

  465

  190

  48

  Dunoon

  156

  56

  25

  Duns

  40

  13

  4

  Edinburgh

  3,804

  946

  322

  Elgin

  181

  48

  9

  Falkirk

  644

  233

  43

  Forfar

  118

  28

  2

  Fort William

  110

  47

  20

  Glasgow

  4,665

  1,729

  293

  Greenock

  563

  135

  26

  Haddington

  305

  85

  8

  Hamilton

  1,965

  848

  189

  Inverness

  384

  49

  5

  Jedburgh

  103

  26

  8

  Kilmarnock

  1,127

  98

  23

  Kirkcaldy

  569

  264

  0

  Kirkcudbright

  94

  12

  104

  Kirkwall

  49

  10

  2

  Lanark

  315

  81

  39

  Lerwick

  83

  36

  1

  Linlithgow

  671

  314

  84

  Lochmaddy

  34

  7

  3

  Oban

  113

  54

  23

  Paisley

  1,369

  497

  121

  Peebles

  29

  14

  5

  Perth

  531

  196

  32

  Peterhead

  209

  62

  14

  Portree

  22

  4

  0

  Rothesay

  35

  8

  2

  Selkirk

  56

  6

  0

  Stirling

  363

  156

  59

  Stonehaven

  154

  26

  9

  Stornoway

  72

  49

  8

  Stranraer

  260

  43

  9

  Tain

  82

  21

  5

  Wick

  120

  38

  2

  Summary cases with one trial diet

  Summary cases with two or more trial diets

  Summary trials adjourned through lack of court time

  1998 to date1

  Aberdeen

  1,259

  218

  44

  Airdrie

  1,127

  345

  29

  Alloa

  218

  46

  6

  Ayr

  845

  168

  18

  Arbroath

  317

  102

  26

  Banff

  86

  7

  0

  Campbeltown

  79

  18

  0

  Cupar

  148

  30

  14

  Dingwall

  126

  35

  3

  Dornoch

  55

  31

  13

  Dumbarton

  864

  252

  8

  Dumfries

  428

  59

  1

  Dundee

  1,144

  409

  48

  Dunfermline

  414

  93

  11

  Dunoon

  122

  47

  14

  Duns

  34

  0

  0

  473

  Summary cases with one trial diet

  Summary cases with two or more trial diets

  Summary trials adjourned through lack of court time

  Edinburgh

  3,875

  1,191

  285

  Elgin

  323

  68

  18

  Falkirk

  663

  163

  31

  Forfar

  111

  29

  5

  Fort William

  76

  27

  4

  Glasgow

  5,371

  1,504

  69

  Greenock

  621

  92

  16

  Haddington

  312

  56

  0

  Hamilton

  1,745

  757

  70

  Inverness

  504

  88

  18

  Jedburgh

  95

  12

  0

  Kilmarnock

  1,068

  71

  7

  Kirkcaldy

  506

  268

  0

  Kirkcudbright

  68

  11

  81

  Kirkwall

  49

  13

  0

  Lanark

  309

  68

  16

  Lerwick

  85

  18

  1

  Linlithgow

  696

  241

  44

  Lochmaddy

  34

  6

  0

  Oban

  83

  23

  7

  Paisley

  1,393

  422

  63

  Peebles

  44

  8

  1

  Perth

  647

  217

  33

  Peterhead

  273

  68

  23

  Portree

  16

  3

  0

  Rothesay

  36

  9

  0

  Selkirk

  86

  8

  1

  Stirling

  373

  104

  20

  Stonehaven

  118

  16

  0

  Stornoway

  87

  21

  0

  Stranraer

  236

  42

  1

  Tain

  146

  28

  9

  Wick

  85

  31

  0

  1 1998 figures cover the period 1 January to 9 October 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Coalfields Task Force
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he can report on implementing the recommendations of the coalfields task force. [58612]

  Mr. Prescott
  I will launch the Government's response to the Coalfields Task Force Report at the Second Coalfields Conference on Tuesday 1 December at the Peterlee Leisure Centre in County Durham. Copies of the written responses will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Leylandii
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation relating to Leylandii and other fast-growing trees. [58613]

  Mr. Meale
  We are considering whether there is a need for Government intervention in relation to problems caused by leylandii trees and other high garden hedges. We will announce our conclusions in due course.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the need to review council tax rates for(a) second and (b) mobile homes. [58614]

  Ms Armstrong
  On 30 July we published our Local Government White Paper—"Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People". In this we explained that the council tax is working well as a local tax and that it has been widely accepted. In reviewing council tax, we had to balance the expense and potential great disruption of a revaluation against various proposals for change. We have concluded that the current valuation base remains broadly acceptable, and is likely to remain so for the next few years. While we shall be keeping the fairness of the council tax under review we do not propose to change the council tax levels for second homes or mobile homes during the course of this Parliament.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the current arrangements for levying council tax on second homes. [58633]

  Ms Armstrong
  In response to the consultation paper on local government finance, we received 40 representations on second homes. Since the election, we have also received an additional 121 representations on second homes. Of the representations received, 118 were in favour of not applying the 50 per cent. reduction for second homes and 43 were in favour of retaining the reduction.

  Capital Receipts
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the capital receipts programme on housing to date. [58615]

  Mr. Prescott
  Having a decent home for everyone is a goal of a civilised society. We promised to release funds to restore and build new houses for rent, and that is what we are doing. Capital allocations of around £750 million have been made available to local authorities under the Capital Receipts Initiative in 1997–98 and 1998–99. I have today placed information in the Libraries of both Houses on the capital receipts allocations for Local Authorities in England for 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the capital receipts programme in the London region to date. [58623]

  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the capital receipts programme in the London region to date. [58630]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Under the Capital Receipts Initiative, London has received £220 million in 1997–98 and 1998–99. On average, around 70 per cent. of these resources will be spent by local authorities on renovations to their own housing stock, benefiting over 100,000 dwellings. Approximately 40 per cent. of this work will include energy efficiency improvements. The resources will also help to finance the building or acquisition of around 1,000 extra dwellings.

  Business Taxes
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had from the business community regarding his proposals for new business taxes. [58616]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Since the publication of the White Paper "Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People", we have discussed the proposals for local business rates with representatives of a number of business organisations.

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans to reform the structure of local government. [58617]

  Ms Armstrong
  As my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister told the House when announcing our White Paper on modern local government, on 30 July 1998,Oficial Report, columns 529-46, on 30 July 1998, Official Report, columns 529-41, our programme of reform today is about how councils work and how they can be more in touch with the people whom they serve. We have seen over the past few years what a distraction boundary and structure changes can be.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's actions to meet the carbon dioxide reductions agreed at Kyoto. [58618]

  Mr. Meacher
  On 26 October the UK became one of the first developed countries to launch a consultation exercise on policy options for meeting its climate change targets. The paper lists the steps the Government have already taken and sets out in detail further options.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure a more equal level of funding for local authorities in England. [58619]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We made a commitment to a fair distribution of grant for all authorities. We shall make changes only where we are convinced that it would be fair to do so and in keeping with our policy priorities.

  Opencast Coal Mining
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response he has had to the announcement of new planning guidance governing opencast coal mining. [58620]

  Mr. Caborn
  I published draft revised planning guidance on coal extraction in England on 16 October. Comments are requested by 15 January 1999. As yet we have received very few responses.

  Children's Parliament
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the purpose of the Children's Parliament. [58621]
  476
  Mr. Prescott
  The purpose of the Children's Parliament on the Environment is two-fold: first, to build on the interest that young people have in the environment and to stimulate them to think about what can be done, and in particular what they can do themselves, to secure a healthy future for everybody; and, secondly, to provide children with an opportunity to develop an understanding of, and take an active role in, the democratic process, and to understand their duties, responsibilities and rights as citizens.

  Housing Revenue Account
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the total amount paid from housing revenue account surpluses in housing benefits to council house tenants in the last financial year. [58622]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our latest information is that £1.226 billion of housing element surpluses in the Housing Revenue Account was used to offset the cost of rent rebates in 1997–98.

  Capital Allocation System
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the capital allocation system. [58624]

  Ms Armstrong
  Following the publication of the capital finance consultation paper "Modernising local government: capital finance", we received 353 responses from the English local authority community, 27 from organisations representing local authorities, 4 from business and their representative organisations and 40 from others with an interest in local government including members of the public and academics. The vast majority of these responses concerned the capital allocation system.

  Representations on the capital allocation in Scotland are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Standard Spending Assessments (London)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the formula for the computation of standard spending assessments for London borough councils. [58625]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have been considering a range of suggested changes to the calculation of Standard Spending Assessments, taking account of discussions that have taken place this year with local government representatives, to ensure a fair distribution among all authorities.

  Countryside Access
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received on access to the countryside for walkers. [58626]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department has received over 2,000 formal responses to our consultation paper "Access to the Open Countryside in England and Wales". In addition. since the closing date for responses to the consultation
  477
  paper on 5 June, approximately 340 letters have been received from members of the public on this subject, and approximately 230 letters from Members of Parliament. Ministerial colleagues and I have held meetings recently with organisations representing both landowners and recreational users.

  Sellafield
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the recent Environment Agency proposed decision concerning the MOX plant at Sellafield. [58627]

  Mr. Meale
  The Agency's draft determination was received in my Department on 2 November 1998. Requests have been made to Ministers to call in the application for their own determination. These requests are being considered carefully and my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will announce their decision as soon as they are able to do so.

  Regional Bodies (South-East)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to promote the public accountability of the Government's regional bodies in the south-east. [58628]

  Mr. Caborn
  We are committed to improving the openness, accountability and effectiveness of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). The South East Regional Development Agency—like other Regional Development Agencies—will be required to take into account the views of, and give an account of its activities to, the South East Regional Chamber which will represent those in the region with an interest in its work.

  Affordable Housing
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans to increase the supply of affordable housing. [58631]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We are making available nearly £5 billion extra for investment in housing over the lifetime of this Parliament. The majority of these resources are being directed through local authorities, who we expect to take investment decisions that reflect local needs and priorities. Where demand for affordable housing is high, local authorities may use a proportion of their resources to provide new social lettings. We have also boosted the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme relative to the spending plans of the last Government, thereby ensuring that it will continue to play a key part in support of social housing provision, complementing local authority housing strategies.

  Our revised Planning Circular on affordable housing (6/98) will enable local planning authorities to increase the supply of affordable housing secured through the planning process.

  Ports Policy
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response the Government have made to the EU Transport Commissioner's EU Green Paper on ports policy. [58642]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The European Commission issued its Green Paper on ports last December. We published a detailed response at the end of March 1998, setting out our broad support for the Commission's proposals for establishing fair competition between European ports. Copies of our response are in the Library of the House.

  Manchester Airport Eastern Link Road
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will visit Heald Green, Bramhall, Hazel Grove and Woodford to study the effects of cancelling the completion of the Manchester Airport Eastern Link Road. [58643]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Roads Review led us to conclude that further consideration was necessary of the transport pressures around the airport and to the south-east of Manchester. We therefore proposed a study, which will look at potentials for increased use of public transport and address the problem of through traffic, while not encouraging further car commuting.

  Cycling
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress the Government are making towards its target in respect of cycling by 2002. [58644]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The target of doubling the number of trips by bicycle by the end of 2002, and doubling them again by the end of 2012, was established by the National Cycling Strategy. In the White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone", we endorsed that target. Good progress is being made in implementing the Strategy.

  Integrated Transport Strategy
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what part parkway stations play in his integrated transport strategy. [58645]

  Dr. Reid
  Carefully designed park and ride schemes can contribute to more sustainable transport. Local authorities should consider the potential of park and ride, as part of a package of traffic management measures, when preparing their local transport plans.

  Railtrack
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement regarding the permitted development rights of Railtrack. [58647]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants planning permission for classes of development described in Schedule 2 to the Order. No specific application for planning permission is required. Part 11 grants permission
  479
  for development authorised under local or private Acts or Orders subject to conditions. Part 17 grants permission for certain development by statutory undertakers, including development by railway undertakers on their operational land required in connection with the movement of traffic by rail. The question of permitted development rights and Railtrack is currently before the Secretary of State in relation to the Hinksey Sidings site in Oxford.

  Rail Industry
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further action his Department is taking to improve the performance of the rail industry. [58648]

  Dr. Reid
  We recently announced the creation of a shadow Strategic Rail Authority to get a grip on the rail industry. We have called all franchisees and Railtrack to a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and me on 26 November to identify solutions to their current poor performance.

  Strategic Rail Authority
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what remit the shadow strategic rail authority will have. [58649]

  Dr. Reid
  The shadow Strategic Rail Authority, to be formed by close working between the British Railways Board and the Franchising Director, will be operational by Spring 1999. It will lead changes to the way the privatised railway is controlled, in advance of legislation to establish the SRA on a statutory basis. We will announce the remit of the shadow SRA in due course.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to ensure that the north-west region benefits from the channel tunnel rail link. [58650]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The deal which my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 3 June 1998,Official Report, columns 367-84, secured the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link which will deliver economic, transport and environmental benefits for the whole country.

  North-West Trains
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take action to prevent reductions in services by North-West trains. [58651]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Train operators are contractually committed to maintain an agreed minimum level of service in their Passenger Service Requirement (PSR), which is a key component of the franchise agreement. These minimum levels are broadly based on those that were operated prior to privatisation. To deviate would put the train operator in breach of its contract. Where additional services above the PSR have been added for commercial reasons, operators have the freedom to reduce them, after informing the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and rail user groups.

  Cleaner Vehicles
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce measures to encourage the purchase of more fuel-efficient, less polluting cars. [58652]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government have already introduced fiscal measures including fuel duty incentives and are consulting on a lower rate of Vehicle Excise Duty to encourage less environmentally damaging cars. We have also supported more stringent European vehicle emission and fuel quality standards and welcome the recent voluntary agreement from motor manufacturers to improve the fuel efficiency of new cars. The market for less polluting vehicles will be further stimulated through the Cleaner Vehicle Task Force, a partnership between the Government and the private sector to promote environmentally friendly vehicles people will want to drive and buy.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what future role he envisages for regional airports. [58653]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We promised in the White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" that, taking account of the emerging findings of a series of regional air services studies, we would encourage the growth of regional airports to meet local demand for air travel where consistent with sustainable development principles. The aim is to maximise the contribution which regional airports make to local and regional economies, to relieve pressure on congested airports in the south-east of England and to reduce the need for long surface journeys, particularly by road, to south-east airports. The south-west England study was already under way when the White Paper was published and the Welsh study is now also under way. Work on setting up the other four studies is in hand. We announced last week the details of our proposals to free soundly financed local authority airports from public sector borrowing controls. The new financial regime will come into effect, subject to Parliamentary approval, on 1 April 1999 and we have invited applications from those airport companies which wish to benefit from the new freedom.

  Connex South Central
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to improve commuter services on lines operated by Connex South Central. [58654]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In August the Franchising Director asked each train operating company to submit to him an action plan indicating how they intend to improve performance. Connex South Central has submitted an action plan which the Franchising Director is currently reviewing. We have announced our intention to establish a Strategic Rail Authority which will be responsible for overseeing the performance of the franchise agreements and the strategic development of the rail network. In any new or re-negotiated franchise contracts we expect to see much better performance requirements and arrangements to enable passengers to hold operators responsible for the services they run. We also propose to amend the Railways
  481
  Act so that financial penalties for poor performance can be imposed much faster, and infringements penalised. Ministers are to meet with representatives from all train operating companies on 26 November to discuss future railways policy and in particular ways of improving poor performance generally.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many routes operated by Connex South Central the punctuality of rail services(a) improved and (b) deteriorated in the last period for which figures are available. [60296]

  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. The Connex South Central franchise is split into two route groups—South London lines and Sussex Coast for the purpose of performance monitoring. Comparing the annual average at the end of September 1997 with the annual average at the end of September 1998, both route groups improved. Copies of the Franchising Director's latest report—issued on 4 November—are in the House Library.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 10 November 1998,Official Report, column 116, concerning Connex South Central, if, when Ministers meet Connex South Central, he will ensure that the company puts in place an action plan to improve services in the coming winter. [60301]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Franchising Director has required all train operating companies to produce and implement an action plan setting out how they propose to deliver improvements in performance. These have been received and are being evaluated. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will be meeting representatives from the train operating companies on 26 November, and will impress the importance of delivering improved performance on them then.

  Road Freight Hauliers
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from road freight hauliers regarding the impact of the proposals in the White Paper on integrated transport strategy on their industry. [58655]

  Dr. Reid
  The industry is generally satisfied with the Government's approach to sustainable distribution as set out in the White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone".

  This Government's policy towards the haulage industry is to promote an industry which is sustainable, which is efficient and effective and which meets the Government's environmental and social objectives at the same time.

  For example, industry has welcomed the fact that 40 tonne 5-axle lorries will be allowed for domestic use as well as for international movements. Industry has endorsed our intention to improve enforcement in the industry through improvements in the efficiency of the enforcement agencies. We are ensuring that modern IT systems are introduced which will allow better co-ordination and sharing of data between the agencies. They have endorsed our intention to impound illegally operated vehicles used by cowboy operators. The industry
  482
  has been very constructive in helping us to formulate these proposals. Such a scheme will help to ensure that, within the UK, hauliers operate within a competitive regime which is both fair and honest.

  Leisure Craft
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency will have on leisure craft. [58656]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  On 7 October, at the official launch of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), I announced the Government's continuing commitment to improve the safety of recreational craft. The MCA will develop a voluntary Code of Conduct for all recreational craft which will include best practice and a voluntary registration and identification scheme. The Agency will also continue safety education initiatives. The Code will be developed by the Sea Safety Liaison Group which, in addition to the MCA, comprises representatives of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Royal Yachting Association, the Royal Life Saving Society UK and the British Marine Industries Federation and will be subject to external consultation before being launched next Summer.

  In due course the Government also intend to pursue the primary legislation needed to enable local authorities to have better control, through byelaws, of their coastal waters.

  I believe this strategy will do a great deal to improve the safety of the increasing numbers of people who use our coastal waters for recreation.

  Community Transport Schemes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the costs of implementing a comprehensive nationwide network of community transport schemes. [58657]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have commissioned a major review of voluntary and community transport nationwide. The review, which was carried out in collaboration with the Community Transport Association, has looked at both the range and the scope of work currently undertaken by voluntary and community transport operators and at what measures should be considered to enable them to deliver their invaluable services most effectively. A report will be published early in the New Year.

  Vehicles (Safety Checks)
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of the Government's policy on safety checks on the roadworthiness of vehicles. [58646]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government's policy is to require vehicles to undergo periodical tests for roadworthiness and for exhaust emissions. This contributes towards well-maintained, safe vehicles and relatively low levels of pollution.

  Rural Areas (Parliamentary Representation)
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his
  483
  oral statement of 20 October 1998, Official Report, column 1062, on what definition of rural areas his statement that more Labour Members than Conservative Members represent rural areas was based. [57958]

  Ms Armstrong
  There are more Labour Members of Parliament representing the non-metropolitan counties of England than there are Conservative MPs representing similar constituencies. There are no Conservative MPs representing any rural or urban constituencies in Scotland and no Conservative MPs representing any urban or rural constituencies in Wales.

  Compensation Claims
  Mr. Townend
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost to public funds of claims by employees and the public for compensation in respect of(a) personal injury and (b) employment protection in the latest year for which figures are available. [59054]

  Mr. Meale
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy in the Library.

  Supermarket Developments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received from supermarket chains regarding planning policy for supermarket store developments. [58884]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Secretary of State has received a number of letters from representatives of the retail sector, but has had no direct representations about planning policy for supermarket store developments. My colleague the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning and I have met representatives of the retail sector recently.M

  M65 (Blackburn)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons resurfacing work is being carried out on parts of the M65 at Blackburn. [59473]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 17 November 1998:
  I have been asked by the Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the M65 at Blackburn.
  Small areas of the road surface of the M65 Blackburn Southern Bypass have proved to be sub-standard and have had to be replaced for safety reasons. The problems only became apparent after traffic started to use the road, which was opened in December 1997.
  The cost of the work was met by the Contractor who originally constructed the Motorway.
  The work was carried out at night to keep inconvenience to traffic to a minimum and was completed in the early hours of Friday 13 November.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate 484
  was made of the final construction cost of the Jubilee Line Extension in each year since the project was started. [59588]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  At project go-ahead in October 1993, the project was expected to cost £1.9 billion plus a further £219 million on improvements to the core network related to the JLE project. This estimate remained unchanged until August 1995 when cost increases were identified, bringing the total to £2.3 billion. In 1996 a revised forecast of £2.69 billion was made. This increased to £2.76 billion in 1997. London Transport's latest estimate of final cost is £2.85 billion, but this is being reviewed, having regard to the rephased programme for line opening in 1999.

  Drinking and Driving
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to be in a position to publish the responses to his Department's consultation document on tightening the laws relating to drinking and driving; and if he will make a statement as to what action he proposes to take. [59700]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We shall make an announcement when we have finished considering the responses to our consultation exercise.

  Childhood Cancers
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the degree of correlation between the incidence of childhood cancers and proximity to industrial sites. [59609]

  Mr. Meale
  The Small Area Health Statistics Unit at the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine has carried out a number of studies of cancer incidence and mortality around industrial sites at the request of Government Departments. A study of lymphohaematopoietic cancers around all industrial complexes in Great Britain which include major oil refineries specifically examined rates in children aged 0 to 14 years of age. It found no evidence of association between residence near oil refineries and the overall incidence of lymphatic and haematopoietic malignancies in this age group.

  The results of this work are due to be published early next year and a copy will be placed in the House Library.

  Visual Display Units
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require the manufacturers and retailers of visual display units to affix to the front of the screen surround a notice advising users of the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. [59653]

  Mr. Meale
  There are no plans to require manufacturers and retailers of visual display units to affix any information about the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 to the front of the screen surround. The Regulations place duties on employers rather than on manufacturers or suppliers. Employers are required to provide health and safety
  485
  information and training to all their employees who habitually use display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publicise more widely the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, Guidance on Regulations and Supplementary Practical Advice Guide. [59654]

  Mr. Meale
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently revised and reissued its free guidance booklet "Working with VDUs". Since February, over 174,000 free copies have been sent out and over 25,000 priced packs of 10 leaflets have been sold. "Working with VDUs" includes details of HSE's comprehensive priced guidance on the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 and explains how to obtain copies. In addition, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspectors and Local Authority Enforcement Officers raise awareness of the Regulations and guidance during their inspections of workplaces.

  Railway Property Maintenance
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to extend the duties to clean railway stations and other railway property under the Environmental Protection Act

  Arrivals–25 December 1997

  Airline

  Aircraft Type

  Origin

  Actual Time of Arrival (ATA)1

  Scheduled Times of Arrivals (STA)2

  Gama Aviation

  Ciation

  Dublin

  0132

  0200

  Virgin Atlantic

  A340

  Hong Kong

  0407

  0415

  British Airways

  B747

  Hong Kong

  0415

  0450

  British Airways

  B747

  Hong Kong

  0418

  0435

  British Airways

  B777

  Riyadh

  0428

  0455

  British Airways

  B777

  Boston

  0500

  0520

  Cathay Pacific

  B747

  Hong Kong

  0503

  0515

  British Airways

  B747

  Kuala Lumpur

  0505

  0525

  British Airways

  B747

  Johannesburg

  0515

  0525

  British Airways

  B747

  Singapore

  0518

  0535

  British Airways

  B747

  Bangkok

  0524

  0540

  Qantas

  B747

  Singapore

  0528

  0530

  Singapore Airlines

  B747

  Singapore

  0532

  0530

  Saudia

  B747

  Riyadh

  0551

  0545

  British Airways

  B777

  Dhahran

  0600

  0625

  American Airlines

  A300

  New York

  0602

  0620

  British Airways

  B747

  Cape Town

  0603

  0620

  Virgin Atlantic

  A340

  Johannesburg

  0605

  0635

  Malaysian Airlines

  B747

  Kuala Lumpur

  0607

  0555

  EL AL

  B757

  Tel Aviv

  0608

  0620

  British Airways

  B777

  Kuwait

  0610

  0620

  Thai Airways

  B747

  Bangkok

  0618

  0620

  Canadian Airlines

  DC10

  Toronto

  0620

  0625

  British Airways

  B747

  Singapore

  0622

  0620

  Cathay Pacific

  B747

  Paris

  0624

  0630

  Air Canada

  B747

  Montreal

  0625

  0645

  British Airways

  B747

  New York

  0627

  0700

  Air Canada

  B747

  Toronto

  0628

  0640

  Qantas

  B747

  Bangkok

  0630

  0630

  British Airways

  B747

  Bombay

  0632

  0650

  United Airlines

  B777

  San Francisco

  0634

  0640

  Vigin Atlantic

  B747

  Miami

  0636

  0655

  Gulf Air

  A340

  Bahrain

  0638

  0620

  United Airlines

  B777

  Washington

  0639

  0630

  American Airlines

  B767

  New York

  0641

  0650

  British Airways

  B777

  Bahrain

  0642

  0700

  486
  1990 to companies which took over responsibility for maintenance of property previously managed by British Rail. [59614]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  An Order to place a duty on the privatised railway companies to clear litter from their land will be laid before Parliament early in the new year.

  Coastguards
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the dates during the last six months when there was no officer on duty at Tyne-Tees coastguard station qualified above the rank of coastguard watch assistant. [59886]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  During the last six months, there has been no period when the watch complement at the Tyne-Tees coastguard station fell below the required criteria.

  Heathrow Airport
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the aircraft movements at Heathrow airport between midnight and 7 a.m. on Christmas morning 1997, indicating(a) airline, (b) aircraft, (c) origin or destination and schedule and (d) actual times of arrival and departure. [60185]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information from Heathrow Airport Ltd is as follows:
  487

  Arrivals–25 December 1997

  Airline

  Aircraft Type

  Origin

  Actual Time of Arrival (ATA) 1

  Scheduled Time of Arrival (STA)2

  British Airways

  B737

  Paris

  0644

  0655

  British Airways

  B747

  Washington

  0646

  0645

  United Airlines

  B767

  New York

  0647

  0655

  British Airways

  B777

  Dubai

  0650

  0625

  Virgin Atlantic

  B747

  New York

  0652

  0710

  South African

  B747

  Cape Town

  0657

  0655

  1 Actual Time of Arrival—time of touchdown of aircraft.

  2 Scheduled Time of Arrival—refers to the time aircraft was scheduled to reach the stand after taxiing from the runway exit.

  There were no departures during the period midnight and 0700.

  Of the above landings between midnight and 0600, all of the flights except for the Citation (a small business jet) counted against the movements limit and against the noise quota, in accordance with the night flying restrictions.

  Teesside Development Corporation
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 10 November 1998,Official Report, columns 114-15, for what reasons the names of the companies which submitted bids for Teesside Development Corporation equipment are commercially confidential. [59864]

  Mr. Meale
  The firms that submitted the bids would have presumed that they were tendering on a commercially confidential basis, in accordance with normal practice. It would be improper for me to release their names without their approval.

  Radioactive Gases (Cap La Hague)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evaluation he has made of the spread of radioactive gases over the South Coast from the French nuclear power station at Cap La Hague. [60107]

  Mr. Meale
  No specific evaluation of the kind referred to has been made. The Government are not aware of any unauthorised release of radioactive gases from a French nuclear installation which might have affected the South Coast of England. The UK would be notified of any such incident by the French authorities, under the terms of a bilateral agreement. In addition, any elevation in the background levels of radioactivity in the UK would be detected by the RIMNET network of continuously operating gamma dose rate monitors, many of which are located along the South Coast and in the Channel Islands.

  Routine aerial releases of radioactivity from the reprocessing plant at Cap La Hague and other sites in France are subject to stringent controls by the French competent authority, to ensure that the levels of radioactivity to which the public are exposed are below safety levels set by the European Union and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Under Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, the European Commission must be satisfied that no contamination of another Member State will result, before any routine releases of radioactivity can
  488
  be authorised. Environmental monitoring programmes carried out in southern England and the Channel Islands have detected no elevated levels of radioactivity.

  Local Government Debt
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to reduce the level of local government debt. [59856]

  Ms Armstrong
  Local authorities' new borrowing is regulated by the issue of credit approvals, in accordance with the policy established by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Under this Act, authorities also have a statutory duty to make provision to meet their existing debts. It is for them to decide whether it would be prudent to repay any loan before they are contractually required to do so. Incentives to reduce the level of debt include the greater freedom for debt-free authorities to spend their capital receipts.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the problems which have arisen in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible from millennium compliance; if he will make a statement on progress to date in tackling such problems; and what are the priority areas for remedial work. [60081]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department and its agencies report fully on problems arising from millennium compliance in the quarterly review process organised by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council. As part of the initial planning process, possible problems were identified, corrective action put in hand and in many cases work is complete. All remedial work has been prioritised with business critical areas being tackled first. Information on specific problems, priorities and progress will be found in the copies of departments' plans which have been published in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies to which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement; [60082]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in (a) his Department, (b) its

  489
  agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [60080]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector including CAA, London Transport, the Environment Agency and Local Authorities. The information the hon. Member requests will be found in the copies of Departments' plans which have been published in the Library of the House. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Library of the House and on the Internet.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60083]

  Mr. Meale
  I am mindful of the advice given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to Cabinet Colleagues and members of MISC4 in October in response to the PAC recommendations. DETR, its agencies and associated public bodies have been asked to review their existing contingency plans to take account of possible problems arising from millennium compliance. It is my intention that they will have completed risk assessments and have initial Year 2000 business continuity plans in place by the end of January 1999.

  Airline Safety
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what guidance he has issued to the Civil Aviation Authority concerning the responsibilities of UK airlines safely to transport exceptionally tall people; [59603]

  (2) what representations he has received relating to the responsibilities of UK airlines in respect of the safe transport of exceptionally tall people. [59602]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have not received any representations about the responsibilities of UK airlines in respect of the safe transport of exceptionally tall people.

  The detailed safety regulation of aircraft and their operations is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA has set minimum requirements relating to the spacing of passenger seats for UK registered aircraft and carries out regular checks to ensure compliance.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to prevent airlines from charging a premium to passengers requesting the allocation of mergency exit row seats. [59604]
  490
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The practice of charging a premium for allocating specific seats to passengers, particularly on charter flights, is essentially a commercial issue for the airlines and provided the seat spacing does not fall below that stipulated by the Civil Aviation Authority, the Government would not wish to intervene.

  Pigeon Proofing
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Railtrack's responsibilities with regard to the pigeon proofing of bridges. [59866]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  While Railtrack is responsible for the safety and general condition of their railway bridges, the main responsibility for minimising the nuisance and mess caused by pigeons rests with the local authorities. Railtrack has in the past entered into agreements to provide anti-pigeon netting, providing the local authority is willing to bear the cost of the project. For operational reasons (urgent safety works may require Railtrack to remove the netting) any installation is subject to a legal agreement.

  Multiple Occupation
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish for consultation the national mandatory licensing scheme for buildings in multiple occupation. [60269]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We hope to publish a consultation document on our proposals for a national mandatory licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation early next year.

  Roads (Noise Abatement)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ring-fence money provided for the Highways Agency to carry out noise abatement measures on existing roads; when he expects to announce how much will be provided; and if he will make a statement. [59598]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We announced our intention to establish a ring-fenced budget and revised criteria for this purpose in "A New deal for Trunk Roads in England". Work on this is currently in hand and we shall make a full announcement as soon as possible.

  Parish Council Audits
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average charge made by the District Auditor on behalf of the Audit Commission to carry out audits of parish councils' yearly accounts; what percentage this charge represents of the average annual precept for parish councils; what options for redress are open to parish councils in the case of disputes over audit fees; and if he will make a statement. [59599]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The average audit fee for the audit of parish councils' accounts was £175 in 1997–98 which represents some 1.25 per cent. of the average annual precept of parish councils in England. The number of hours required for any audit are agreed between the
  491
  auditor and the audited body at the time of the audit. The first option for redress for a parish council would be to discuss the matter with the auditor. Subsequently they should pursue any complaint through the formal procedure operated by the Audit Commission.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment will be looking retrospectively at all the genetically modified crop approvals given to date in the light of its new remit. [59751]

  Mr. Meale
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked ACRE to look at not only direct and indirect effects of releasing genetically modified organisms but also the possible resultant changes in agronomic practice and subsequent effects of biodiversity. This will apply only to applications to market GM crops for cultivation in the UK. When the results are known of the farm-scale ecological monitoring we will be asking ACRE to consider whether there are any implications for approvals given to date.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if companies are still required to give information about the progress of a genetically modified crop to his Department after the crop has been given marketing consent by his Department. [59749]

  Mr. Meale
  Companies are required to inform my Department if new information becomes available concerning the risk assessment on which the original marketing consent was based.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the monitoring of genetically modified crops; and if he will ensure that this includes the monitoring of gene transfers. [59753]

  Mr. Meale
  All experimental releases of GM crops must be monitored by consent holders, and reports must be submitted to my Department on the outcome of the monitoring. In addition, my Department is funding the monitoring of releases of Plant Genetics Systems' herbicide tolerant oilseed rape which is being grown in the UK under a marketing consent for seed production only. This work is being carried out by the National Institute for Agricultural Botany and includes monitoring for evidence for gene transfer. Other genetically modified crops will be included in this programme when they enter commercial production.

  Negotiations are now underway on the European Commission's proposal for amending Directive 90/220 on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms to the environment. The Government support the proposals for post-market monitoring of GMO products including monitoring for gene transfers.

  At the House of Lords Select Committee, my right. hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment announced his intention to allow farm scale plantings of GM crops to take place in order to carry out ecological monitoring. The Government are still in the early stages of developing the specifications for how the ecological monitoring will be carried out.
  492
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what acreage of the genetically modified oilseed rape (Ref. 95/m1/1) marketed by Plant Genetic Systems Ltd has been licensed to be grown on a commercial scale in the United Kingdom. [59750]

  Mr. Meale
  The genetically modified oilseed rape developed by Plant Genetic Systems has been granted a consent for commercial seed production only. No specific acreage has been licensed by the Secretary of State for growth in the UK.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the earliest dates that herbicide-tolerant or insect-resistant crops could have been grown legally in the UK. [59752]

  Mr. Meale
  Legislation has permitted the growing of genetically modified crops, under consent from the Secretary of State, since February 1993. They could have been grown prior to this under the Genetic Manipulation Regulations 1989 and a voluntary agreement covering risks to the environment. The first release of a GM crop under this scheme was in 1987.

  New Forest (Car Parking)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will give a decision on the appeal by New Forest District Council against Hampshire County Council on the question of car parking charges which the Government Office of the South East has referred to him. [60164]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A decision will be issued shortly.

  Traffic Congestion (Southend)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of traffic congestion within Southend-on-Sea; and if he will promote a bypass road from Shoeburyness to the Al27. [58635]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  These are both matters which are the responsibility of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Essex County Council. Essex County Council have withdrawn their proposal for a £75 million road and both authorities are now pursuing sustainable transport solutions in the South East Essex package.

  Night Flights
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to issue detailed proposals on the next night restrictions regime for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted; and what his plans are for consulting on the introduction of runway alternation at night at Heathrow and the continuance of westerly preference at night. [60384]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is the second consultation in the two-stage process announced earlier this year on 27 February 1998,Official Report, column 404.

  Part 1 of this consultation invites comments on detailed proposals for future night restrictions at the three airports. Part 2 deals with Heathrow only, and invites views on options for the possible introduction of night-time runway alternation and on changing westerly preference at night.

  493
  It also includes a summary of the assessment of the continuing trial procedure for landings over London in the early morning. The Government wish to consider all responses to Part 2 before reaching a view.

  In developing these proposals we have taken into account the responses received to the preliminary consultation paper. We have sought to strike the right balance between the need to protect local communities from excessive aircraft noise at night and the need to allow air services to operate at night where they benefit the local, regional and national economy.

  A ban on night flights is not considered practicable but further steps are proposed to restrict operations by the noisiest types of aircraft at night and to encourage the use of quieter types.

  Our aim is to put in place arrangements which, over time, will bring about improvements in the noise climate during the night quota period (11.30 pm-6.00 am) around Gatwick, and further improvements around Heathrow. We also wish to provide for the planned development of Stansted, broadly as envisaged in 1993, while maintaining and strengthening the incentive for airlines to use quieter aircraft.

  The main proposals are:
  to reduce the seasonal noise quotas for Heathrow to nearer the level of current usage, in order to safeguard the improvements in the night quota period achieved since 1993;
  to reduce the seasonal noise quotas for Gatwick from winter 2001–02 onwards and to balance the movement limits pro rata per season, from winter 1999–2000 onwards;
  to increase the Stansted noise quotas gradually from winter 1999–2000 onwards, while maintaining the incentive for airlines to use quieter aircraft;
  to ban aircraft classified QC/4 in the noise quota count (QC) system from being scheduled to land or take off during the quota restricted period from the start of the 2002 summer season at all three airports, subject to the technical reviews of the quota count system; and
  to reduce to 5 per cent. the amount of end of season flexibility permitted, except when there are calendar reasons for retaining 10 per cent.

  Copies of the consultation paper will be placed in the House Library. The closing date for responses to the consultation is 12 February 1999.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on the economic development activities of local authorities of the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [59533]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Following the French withdrawal last month from the negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) in the OECD, it appears most unlikely that the Agreement will be concluded.

  The Department looked closely at the possible impact of the draft MAI on local government activity, in consultation with the Local Government Association. We reached the conclusion that there should be no conflict between the broad principles of the MAI and the social and economic development objectives of local governments. However,
  494
  there were some respects in which we felt that the draft text required greater clarity in order to provide increased certainty.

PRIME MINISTER

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans there are for a ministerial visit to St. Helena. [59436]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 12 November 1998]: At present there are no plans for a Ministerial visit to St. Helena.

  All elected members of the St. Helena Legislative Council have visited the UK during the last year at the invitation of the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd). While they were here they were able to meet a number of British Government Ministers.

  Senior officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development visit St. Helena regularly. The next visit by officials will be in December to review the three year Country Policy Plan and the Government's £26 million aid grant.

  "Europe in Ten Points"
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's input into section A, People's Europe, in the European Communities document "Europe in Ten Points"; and what discussions were held on the subject during the recent Heads of Government meeting at Pörtschach. [59996]

  The Prime Minister
  The present Government made no contribution to the pamphlet "Europe in Ten Points".

  The meeting of Heads at Pőrtschach was an informal meeting in preparation for the full European council in Vienna, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken. There was discussion of how to enhance democratic legitimacy, make a reality of subsidiarity and improve the efficiency of the Community institutions.

  Millennium
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has made for a specific Minister in each Department to be on duty at midnight on 31 December 1999 to deal with emergencies arising from the millennium bug. [59908]

  The Prime Minister
  In line with the practice of the previous administration, the Civil Contingencies Committee (previously the Civil Contingency Unit) is always on standby for any emergency event which warrants a contribution from central Government. The existence of the Year 2000 problem is of course one of the matters which the Civil Contingencies Committee has taken into account in its planning arrangements.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Prime Minister how he will ensure that essential services are able to maintain adequate staffing levels on New Year's Eve 1999. [59855]
  495
  The Prime Minister
  Individual Ministers are responsible for ensuring that their departments have plans in place to deal with possible Year 2000 failures. Where appropriate, these plans will make provision for essential staff to be on duty over New Year's Eve 1999.

  Across the wider public sector, Chief Executives of Local Authorities and NHS Trusts, and Chief Police and Fire Officers will be responsible for ensuring that staff are on duty on New Year's Eve 1999.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will send a delegation of officials to Iraq to discuss the areas of disagreement between the UK and Iraq. [60090]

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions Her Majesty's Government have held with Arab states aimed at obtaining overflying rights in the event of an attack on Iraq. [60228]

  The Prime Minister
  We regularly discuss these and other bilateral matters with Arab states.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will investigate allegations that(a) Polish and (b) other members of UNSCOM have provided information to the US on the location of possible targets for attack. [60198]

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter for UNSCOM. I am, however, aware that UNSCOM has dismissed these allegations as groundless. I am satisfied that UNSCOM has been operating in accordance with its mandate from the United Nations Security Council.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the German Foreign Minister's statement in aDie Zeit interview that an attack on Iraq would mean that UN weapons inspectors would be unable to return to Iraq for a long time. [60199]

  The Prime Minister
  The ultimate aim of our policy, and that would include any use of military force against Iraq, is the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions. We attach great importance to UNSCOM and IAEA being able to carry out their work effectively.

  Child Care
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Prime Minister what child care provision is made available by his Office for the use of staff; what is the cost to parents of this child care; how many parents used the facilities in the financial years(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; and what proportion of total staff used these facilities in the financial years (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98. [59720]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 November 1998]For the purpose of this question, my office is part of the Cabinet Office.

  Staff in the Department, with children between the ages of 5 and 12, may use the Westminster Holiday Playscheme during the school half terms and major holidays.
  496
  Six programmes within the Westminster Holiday Playscheme ran in the financial year 1996–97 and six ran in the financial year 1997–98. The cost borne by Cabinet Office parents in total in the financial year 1996–97 was £1,789.25 and the number who used the scheme was 28. The cost to parents in the financial year 1997–98 was £2,056.79 and the number who used the scheme was 45. The proportion of total staff who used the playscheme in the financial year 1996–97 was 2.8 per cent. and in the financial year 1997–98 it was 4 per cent.

  The Department places great importance on maintaining and developing a wide range of family friendly policies. Child care is just one element of these policies. Others include maternity leave at full pay, career breaks of up to five years, special leave to help those caring for elderly dependants, five days' paid paternity pay and special leave for domestic emergencies. In addition staff are able to claim help with additional child care costs associated with activities such as attendance at a training course or while on special duties. Other measures to help staff balance work and family life include a range of flexible working patterns.

  Savers
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer to the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) of 3 December 1997,Official Report, column 349, by what date he expects his target of six million new savers to be achieved. [60084]

  The Prime Minister
  We have designed the Individual Savings Account and the Cost, Access and Terms standards to respond to the concerns of those who are not currently saving, or who are only saving very little. Half of this country's population have savings of less than £200. We are confident that ISAs will be attractive to significant numbers of new savers over the coming years.

  Select Committee Reports
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the implementation of the recommendations contained in departmental Select Committee reports which have been accepted by Government departments. [59841]

  The Prime Minister
  Implementation of recommendations is a matter for individual departments and the relevant Select Committees. Departments set out in the Government response to a Select Committee report how they propose to implement the recommendations and, where appropriate, indicate a timetable. Select Committees then monitor progress as they see fit.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 11 November 1998,Official Report, column 365, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Working Time Directive on the rate of inflation in each of the next three years. [60201]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government do not believe that the Working Time Directive will have any significant impact on the rate of inflation over the next three years.

  Charities (Ex-Service Men)
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 11 November 1998,Official Report, column 361, if he will list the support given to (a) St. Dunstan's and (b) other such organisations. [60202]

  The Prime Minister
  We are very conscious of the tireless and highly professional way organisations such as St. Dunstan's assist their former colleagues and know how greatly their efforts are valued both by the present Service community and by ex-Servicemen and women.

  There is, however, a considerable amount of Government assistance for those ex-service personnel who are disabled, including St. Dunstaners, including payment of tax-free War Pensions and enhanced occupational pensions through the Armed Forces Pensions Scheme (AFPS). Taken together, the AFPS and the War Pension Scheme provide a system of compensation for anyone disabled or widowed as a result of service in the Armed Forces. All War Pensioners are entitled to priority treatment through the National Health Service for treatment of their disability.

  However, in keeping with the long standing practice of successive Governments, that public funds, raised through taxation, are not provided to assist charities' core activities, St. Dunstan's, in common with all registered charities, be they concerned with the Armed Forces or otherwise, is required to raise its own funding. The Charity Commissioners advise there are some 180,000 charities and it would be impossible for central Government to assist with fairness to any measurable degree. Again in common with all other charities, St. Dunstan's does receive support from the Government by way of certain tax reliefs.

  Under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, there are powers to fund voluntary organisations whose activities support the Department of Health's policy objectives relating to health and personal and social services. However, the budget is finite and more applications are received than it is possible to meet. Earlier this year, an application from the Diana Gubbay Trust for the Blind, which is administered by St. Dunstan's, was reluctantly turned down as it was for more than the total amount of money available. A further application has been received by the Department of Health and will be given serious consideration.

  Joint Statement (Liberal Democrats)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on the constitutional and practical implications of the agreement between the Government and the Liberal Democrats; [60239]

  (2) if Liberal Democrat Members who sit on Cabinet sub-committees are in receipt of classified material not available to all hon. Members belonging to the Government party; [60236]

  (3) which members of the Liberal Democrat party will sit on Cabinet sub-committees as a result of his recent agreement with the leader of the Liberal Democrats; [60238]

  (4) if the constitutional convention of collective Cabinet responsibility extends to Liberal Democrats serving on Cabinet sub-committees. [60240]
  498
  The Prime Minister
  Members of the Liberal Democrat Party sit on only one Cabinet Committee: the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC). It is a matter for the Liberal Democrats as to which of their members attend. These arrangements will not change as a result of my recent joint statement with the leader of the Liberal Democrats.

  Members of the Liberal Democrat Party who attend the Joint Consultative Committee are not bound by the constitutional convention of collective responsibility for decisions of the Government. However, they naturally receive the papers and minutes of the Committee, which, as is usual for Cabinet Committees, are classified documents.

  No new constitutional implications arise as a result of my joint statement with the leader of the Liberal Democrats. Any practical implications will emerge from the review of the work of the JCC which is being undertaken by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith).

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance Fund
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost to the National Insurance Fund of the 2 per cent. inducement to purchase personal pension schemes; and how much of it was provided in respect of schemes which were mis-sold. [59759]

  Mr. Denham
  For tax years 1987–88 to 1992–93 inclusive, most people who contracted-out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) with an Appropriate Personal Pension (APP), qualified for an additional 2 per cent. incentive payment of minimum contributions. Up to the end of January 1998 (the last month for which figures are available) the total amount paid was £3,396.8 million.

  Figures are not available for the amount paid to schemes that were mis-sold. People who were previously in their employer's contracted-out pension scheme for two years or more, and who were entitled to stay in that scheme but left voluntarily after 5 April 1988 while continuing to work for the same employer, would not have qualified for the incentive. The majority of people who were mis-sold an APP would have left their employer's scheme and would not therefore have qualified for the 2 per cent. incentive.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the cost to the National Insurance Fund for 1999–2000 and subsequent years, of the changes in(a) employers' and (b) employees' contributions announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Financial Statement on 17 March 1998, Official Report, columns 1097-111, and his pre-Budget statement on 3 November 1998, Official Report, columns 681-88. [59756]

  Mr. Timms
  The proposed changes to employees' National Insurance contributions from April 1999 are broadly revenue neutral for employers as a whole. The
  499
  changes to employees' contributions will reduce contribution revenue to the National Insurance Fund by £1.2 billion in 1999–2000 and by £1.4 billion a year in 2000–01 and 2001–02.

  Source:
  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost to the National Insurance Fund of the reduction in employers' contributions in April 1997 for the years 1997–98 and 1998–99. [59818]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  £ million

  Year

  Reduction in employers' contributions

  1997–98

  590

  1998–99

  640

  Source:
  Government Actuary's Department

  National Insurance Recording Computer
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 1998,Official Report, column 603, in how many cases new claimants for incapacity benefit have claims remaining to be processed, or have been referred to income support, as a result of the problems with the implementation of NIRS2; and when those claimants will be given correct payments of incapacity benefit. [59297]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 11 November 1998]95 per cent. of Incapacity Benefit claims received since 19 June 1998 have been processed normally by obtaining the contributions information from other sources. The remainder are either awaiting processing as normal or have been referred to Income Support. It is estimated that approximately 8,000 claimants have been referred to Income Support because the contributions information could not be obtained from other sources. These claimants will have their Incapacity Benefit claims reviewed as soon as the NIRS2 system is available.

  It is planned that all new claims to Incapacity Benefit should be processed through NIRS2 from 18 November.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what contingency plans the Contributions Agency and Benefits Agency developed to accommodate the phased implementation of the introduction of NIRS2. [59285]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 11 November 1998]Due to the scale, complexity and sensitivity of the NIRS2 system it has been thoroughly tested prior to acceptance by the Contributions Agency (CA). During the first year of operation the system is being introduced through a series of pilots leading to national implementation.

  Contingency plans were developed by both the CA and the Benefits Agency (BA) in order to accommodate the phased implementation and the attendant difficulties. The CA appointed a Continuity Planning Manager in January 1998 with the aim of ensuring that CA, BA, Inland Revenue and other major stakeholders involved
  500
  with NIRS2 developed robust and comprehensive contingency plans. These plans have been systematically updated to ensure minimum impact on contributors and benefit claimants.

  The BA's contingency plans are based upon long-standing emergency procedures. As part of those procedures, managers and staff were provided with comprehensive guidance to enable them to deal with claims that could be affected by problems with the introduction of NIRS2. The guidance was issued at the beginning of the year and has been revised as required.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 1998,Official Report, column 603, how much of the NIRS2 system remains to be switched on. [59286]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 11 November 1998]On the 13 July 1998, the majority of the new system was switched on. With effect from 14 September 1998 further parts of the system were integrated with those already available.

  The system is now being used to process Employers' End of Year National Insurance Returns. It is debiting the self-employed on a monthly basis and issuing National Insurance bills to the self-employed on a quarterly basis as well as making monthly payments to the pensions industry in relation to age-related rebates. NIRS2 has been processing all new and repeat claims for Jobseeker's Allowance since 9 November 1998, and it is planned that Incapacity Benefit will be processed from 18 November 1998.

  There are still some functions within NIRS2 which are being piloted. These relate to the processing of Retirement Pensions, Widows Benefits and other functions to maintain individual National Insurance accounts. As soon as piloting is complete the functionality will be made available to system users.

  Benefits (Entitlement Rules)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on those changes to benefit entitlement rules he currently proposes, indicating for each proposal the number of people who(a) will lose and (b) will be denied benefits as a result of proposed changes and their average financial loss. [56250]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government set out their proposals for taking forward the reform of the Welfare State in the document "A new contract for welfare: Principles into Practice" (Cm 4101). These proposals are based on the principles of work for those who can and security for those who cannot. Details of proposals which affect benefit entitlement are as follows:

  Severe Disablement Allowance—we propose to reform Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) to provide more help to young people disabled at birth or early in life who do not have the opportunity to work and to build up entitlement to Incapacity Benefit. In the first year we estimate that there will be around 8,000 new claims from this group of people who will gain from the proposals. In the second year of the scheme almost 20,000 existing SDA recipients will be transferred on to the higher rate of Incapacity Benefit. These people will see increases of up to £25.60 a week at April 1998 rates.
  501
  We estimate that around 16,000 people per year aged 20 or over will no longer be able to claim SDA following the introduction of these changes. However, around 70 per cent. of those currently receiving SDA also receive Income Support (IS) and it is likely that the same proportion will continue to qualify for IS. This group will therefore see no change to their overall level of income. For those whose other income means they do not qualify for IS, the average loss will be in the region of £50 a week.

  At the point of change, no one on SDA aged 20 or over will lose the benefit as a result of the changes.

  Disability Income Guarantee—we propose to introduce a new Disability Income Guarantee for the poorest severely disabled people who have the highest care needs. We estimate that around 175,000 people under age 60 will benefit from the Guarantee in the first year. For adults, the Guarantee will mean an extra £5.75 a week for a single person and £8.30 for a couple, at April 1998 rates. Families will receive an extra £5.75 a week for each disabled child that qualifies.

  Disability Living Allowance—we propose to extend the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance to severely disabled children aged 3 and 4. We estimate that around 8,000 children will gain from this change during the first year by £35.85 a week at April 1998 rates.

  Incapacity Benefit—e propose to modernise the Incapacity Benefit rules to strengthen the link between work and entitlement and to introduce a fairer partnership between State and private provision. These measures will apply only to new claims for benefit. At the point of change, no one already on Incapacity Benefit will lose benefit as a result of these changes.

  In the first year following the introduction of the changes, we estimate that around 30,000 claimants will not qualify for Incapacity Benefit as a result of the change to the contribution conditions. Approximately 70 per cent. of them will already be on income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support when their claim to Incapacity Benefit is made, and their entitlement to these benefits would continue. Over the same period, we estimate that a further 35,000 claimants will have their Incapacity Benefit reduced as a result of taking some account of their occupational and personal pensions.

  The average net loss will be around £27 a week at April 1998 rates.

  The single gateway—from April 2000, in the pilot areas, new benefit claimants of working age who are out of work will be required to participate in an interview with a personal adviser as a condition of receiving benefit. This will affect approximately 400,000 new claimants per year over the 12 pilot areas.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by(a) his Department,(b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60125]
  502
  Mr. Timms
  The major systems key to the payments of benefits and pensions are designed to hold dates in a format unaffected by the turn of the century. The first part of our contingency is that testing has been built in to allow for a full year's running before 31 December 1999 except for the National Insurance Recording system which is not expected to be confirmed compliant until 31 October 1999, or earlier if possible. Additional testing including business assurance testing will continue to provide further confidence.

  The Department expects to complete the programme of work to upgrade or replace business critical desktop computer systems by the end of March 1999. This target allows adequate contingency before the dates these systems might otherwise fail.

  We have a range of plans to support the continuity of Social Security operations and are working closely with other Departments, public bodies and Action 2000 to identify and if necessary deal with specific Year 2000 related threats. Our target for having rehearsed Millennium-related business continuity plans is the end of March 1999. However, even beyond this date we will continue to assess the potential impact of residual risks arising from external factors over which we have no direct control, for example, electricity supply. We will continue to update plans and if necessary take action as more and better intelligence becomes available.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement; [60122]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement. [60124]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government Departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector. The information the hon. Member requests will be found in the copies of Departments' plans which have been published in the Library of the House. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Library of the House and on the Internet.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the problems which have arisen in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible from millennium compliance; if he will make a statement on progress to date in tackling such problems; and what are the priority areas for remedial work. [60123]
  503
  Mr. Timms
  This Department's Year 2000 activity is being progressed on the basis of business critical first. There have been no problems to date arising from Millennium compliance which have affected the Department's operations.

  A problem which this Department has encountered in dealing with the Millennium date change concerns reliance on third parties. We have identified those suppliers which pose the greatest risk and where impact of external failure on the business would be greatest. We have successfully identified and contacted 99 per cent. of these business critical suppliers. In common with other organisations, it is proving difficult to obtain from some of our suppliers a precise account of the progress of their Year 2000 compliance work. We are validating risk assessments and ensuring relevant business continuity plans incorporate the necessary contingencies.

  We anticipate that initiatives led by Action 2000, such as Pledge 2000 and the National Infrastructure Forum, to which this Department is contributing, will improve the quality of compliance information available.

  SERPS
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates he has made of the number of pensioners contracted out of state earnings related pension scheme who are being underpaid sums of(a) £0.01 to £4.99, (b) £5 to £9.99, (c) £10 to £19.99, (d) £20 to £29.99, (e) £30 to £39.99. (f) £40 to £49.99, (g) £50 to £59.99, (h) £60 to £(i) £70to £79.99,(j)£80 to £80.99 and (k)£90 to £100 per week. [59259]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 11 November 1998]It is estimated that there are 7,000 cases of people contracted-out of SERPS where the calculation of the amount of SERPS payable has been prevented.

  These are cases where a claimant paid into a personal pension or occupational pension schemes and there are unresolved issues relating to the membership of that scheme. The theoretical underpayment can range from £0.01 to £100 a week. Procedures are in place which allow Benefits Agency offices to obtain a clerical calculation in cases of financial hardship or where the claimant is not prepared to wait. An estimated 1,500 clerical calculations have been carried out enabling the correct payments to be made to these claimants. Approximately 5,500 claims are potentially underpaid. As soon as the system is operating satisfactorily any underpayments will be made.

  A detailed breakdown of the amounts of underpayments is not yet available. A more accurate assessment will be available in due course. Considerable effort is being made to ensure that full normal operations can resume as soon as possible.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the real annual growth in the Social Security budget from(a) 1993–94 to 1998–99 and from (b) 1998–99 to 2001–02, after adjusting for the transfer from family credit to the working families tax credit; and if he will make a statement. [59431]
  504
  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 12 November 1998]Following real growth in the Department's benefit expenditure of 10.1 per cent. between 1991–92 and 1992–93 and 6.7 per cent. between 1992–93 and 1993–94, average annual real growth in the Department's benefit expenditure is estimated to be 0.6 per cent. from 1993–94 to 1998–99 and 1.5 per cent. from 1998–99 to 2001–02. Benefit expenditure grew by 4 per cent. over the last Parliament. It is estimated that it will grow by less than 2 per cent. in this Parliament.

  Private Pensions
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the review of private pension provision will be completed. [59322]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government's Pension Review is looking at all aspects of pensions, including second tier pensions. As set out in the Green Paper "New Ambitions for our Country: A New Contract for Welfare" (Cm 3805), we intend to publish a Green Paper on pensions later this year.

  Child Maintenance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 1998,Official Report, column 606-07, (1) what is the average loss in child maintenance to parents under the formula proposed in the Green Paper on child support, broken down into those now receiving (a) under £5, (b) £5-£9.99, (c) £10-£19.99, (d) £20-£29.99, (e) £30-£09.99, (f) £40-£49.99, (g) £50-£59.99, (h) £60-£69.99, (i) £70-£79.99, (j) £80-£89.99, (k) £90-£99.99 and (i)£100 and above per week; [59382]

  (2) what the basis is of his estimate that compliance with child maintenance orders will rise to 80 per cent. or more under the new scheme. [59648]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Current banded assessment(£)

  Average change in maintenance assessment

  Under 5.00

  *

  5.00-9.99

  2.50

  10.00-19.99

  4.50

  20.00-29.99

  7.00

  30.00-39.99

  11.00

  40.00-49.99

  14.50

  50.00-59.99

  19.00

  60.00-69.99

  21.00

  70.00-79.99

  24.50

  80.00-89.99

  24.50

  90.00-99.99

  24.50

  100 and over

  22.00

  All cases

  16.50

  Notes:

  1. Average changes in maintenance assessments calculated from February 1997 5 per cent. scan of the child support computer and based on estimated 1997–98 caseloads and do not take account of, for example, the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit.

  2. Average changes have been rounded to the nearest 50p. '*' denotes a change of less than 50p a week.

  3. Caseloads include parents with a full maintenance assessment in place and for whom the non-resident parent has a positive assessable income.

  4. Reflects benefit status of the parent with care at date of first assessment.

  505
  This table does not include parents with care on Income Support whose maintenance assessment is reduced; these cases will experience an overall increase in income because of the proposed introduction of a £10 maintenance premium. Also the information above defines cases as losers based on assessed maintenance, rather than maintenance paid, and before allowing for any changes in compliance which may occur as a result of the new formula.

  Our estimates of increased compliance are based on the simpler, transparent rules of the new scheme. Non-resident parents will be able to see at a glance how much their assessment should be. Information on which the basic assessment is calculated will be more straightforward and there will be little opportunity for those who simply do not wish to pay to thwart the Agency's efforts in securing maintenance for the children. Assessments will be made faster and all the evidence is that non-resident parents are more willing to pay, and pay regularly, if they are contacted quickly.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals claimed invalidity benefit or its equivalent as a year on year figure from 1995 to 1998 in(a) each London borough,(b) each London parliamentary constituency and (c) nationally. [59356]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 12 November 1998]The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables.

  Number of new claims to incapacity benefit in Great Britain

  Period

  Number

  13 April 1995–31 March 1996

  1,054,340

  1 April 1996–31 March 1997

  1,062,817

  1 April 1997–31 March 1998

  1,012,981

  Number of incapacity benefit recipients

  Area

  1996

  31 May 1997

  1998

  Great Britain

  1,794,460

  1,732,740

  1,644,600

  All London Boroughs

  141,550

  138,796

  129,796

  City of London

  101

  61

  124

  Barking and Dagenham

  4,438

  4,716

  4,658

  Barnet

  4,579

  4,312

  3,906

  Bexley

  4,277

  4,109

  4,088

  Brent

  4,478

  4,513

  4,000

  Bromley

  4,922

  4,677

  4,648

  Camden

  3,974

  4,048

  4,092

  Croydon

  5,426

  5,466

  4,882

  Ealing

  6,959

  6,479

  6,291

  Enfield

  5,709

  5,488

  4,868

  Greenwich

  5,204

  5,122

  5,180

  Hackney

  4,135

  4,151

  3,800

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  3,853

  3,564

  3,426

  Haringey

  4,418

  4,495

  4,285

  Harrow

  3,268

  3,138

  2,925

  Havering

  5,426

  5,082

  4,962

  Hillingdon

  4,357

  4,595

  4,279

  Hounslow

  4,902

  4,715

  4,356

  Islington

  4,297

  4,555

  4,024

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2,158

  2,207

  2,139

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,755

  1,842

  2,106

  Lambeth

  5,971

  5,607

  5,284

  Lewisham

  5,346

  5,223

  4,944

  Merton

  3,147

  3,117

  2,714

  506

  Number of incapacity benefit recipients

  Area

  1996

  31 May 1997

  1998

  Newham

  6,677

  6,660

  6,047

  Redbridge

  4,720

  4,657

  4,430

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,997

  2,024

  1,570

  Southwark

  6,052

  5,891

  4,943

  Sutton

  2,421

  2,489

  2,202

  Tower Hamlets

  3,714

  3,199

  3,582

  Waltham Forest

  5,104

  5,041

  4,589

  Wandsworth

  4,962

  4,879

  4,063

  Westminster

  2,804

  2,510

  2,390

  Notes:

  1. The source of the number of new Incapacity Benefit claims is the Benefits Agency Central Data Unit. These figures are subject to change.

  2. The source of the number of Incapacity Benefit recipients is a 5 per cent. sample of the INCAP computer system. Excludes a small number of cases not on the system.

  3. An individual may make more than one claim to Incapacity Benefit during a year.

  4. Incapacity Benefit replaced Sickness Benefit and Invalidity Benefit on 13 April 1995.

  Pensions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the additional cost of the guaranteed minimum income for pensioners if 100 per cent. take-up were achieved. [59819]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is in the table.

  Estimates of the additional cost of 100 per cent. take-up of the guaranteed minimum income for pensioners, above the cost for take up included in the comprehensive spending review (CSR) package

  £ million

  Estimated expenditure across Income Support/Housing Benefit/ Council Tax Benefit

  Year

  Mid-range estimate

  1999–2000

  750

  2001–2001

  550

  2001–2002

  350

  Notes:

  1. 100 per cent. take-up could be achieved only if all eligible pensioners took up their entitlement from the very first day they became entitled. There will always be some pensioners who choose not to claim because they are entitled only to small amounts.

  2. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest £50 million, and are based on the 1995–96 and 1996–97 Family Resources Survey, and forecasts of pensioner benefit units consistent with estimates produced for the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  3. Estimates decrease over the three-year CSR period, reflecting the build up to 85 per cent. take-up by expenditure assumed in the CSR costings. Estimates are normally given in ranges, but for consistency with the CSR published figures, the mid-point estimate is quoted in the reply.

  4. As all estimates based on household survey data are subject to a degree of uncertainty, these estimates should be treated as indicative of broad magnitudes only.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list changes in employee contribution National Insurance rates from 1979 to the present day. [59526]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.
  507

  Employee National Insurance Contributions rates

  Financial Year

  Earning per week

  Contribution rate percentage

  1979–80

  Under £19.50

  —

  £19.50-£135

  6.5

  Over £135

  —

  1980–81

  Under £23

  —

  £23-£165

  6.75

  Over £165

  —

  1981–82

  Under £27

  —

  £27-£200

  7.75

  Over £200

  —

  1982–83

  Under £29.50

  —

  £29.50-£220

  8.75

  Over £220

  —

  1983–84

  Under £32.50

  —

  £32.50-££235

  9

  Over £235

  —

  1984–85

  Under £34

  —

  £34-£250

  9

  Over £250

  —

  1985–86

  Under £35.50

  —

  £35.50-£265

  9

  Over £265

  —

  5 October 1985

  Under £35.50

  —

  £35.50-£54.99

  5

  £55-£89.99

  7

  £90-£265

  9

  Over £265

  —

  1986–87

  Under £38

  —

  £38-£59.99

  5

  £60-£94.99

  7

  £95-£285

  9

  Over £285

  —

  1987–88

  Under £39

  —

  £39-£64.99

  5

  £65-£99.999

  7

  £100-£295

  9

  Over £295

  —

  1988–89

  Under £41

  —

  £41-£69.99

  5

  £70-£104.99

  7

  £105-£305

  9

  Over £305

  —

  1989–90

  Under £43

  —

  £43-£74.99

  5

  £75-£114.99

  7

  £115-£325

  9

  Over £325

  —

  5 October 1989

  Under £43

  —

  £43-£325

  2% on first £43 + 9% on balance

  Over £325

  —

  1990–91

  Under £46

  —

  £46-£350

  2% on first £46 + 9% on balance

  Over £350

  —

  1991–92

  Under £52

  —

  £52-£390

  2% on first £52 + 9% on balance

  Over £390

  —

  1992–93

  Under £54

  —

  £54-£405

  2% on first £54 + 9% on balance

  Over £405

  —

  508

  Employee National Insurance Contributions rates

  Financial Year

  Earnings per week

  Contribution rate percentage

  1993–94

  Under £56

  —

  £56-£420

  2% on first £56 + 9% on balance

  Over £420

  —

  1994–95

  Under £57

  —

  £57-£430

  2% on first £57 + 10% on balance

  Over £430

  —

  1995–96

  Under £58

  —

  £58

  —

  Over £440

  £440 2% on first £58 + 10% on balance

  1996–97

  Under £61

  —

  £61

  Over £455

  £455 2% on first £61 + 10% on balance

  1997–98

  Under £62

  —

  £62

  align="right">—

  Over £465

  £465 2% on first £62 + 10% on balance

  1998–99

  Under £64

  —

  £64

  —

  Over £485

  £485 2% on first £64 +10% on balance

  Notes:

  1. Figures shown are standard non-contracted-out rates

  2. The National Insurance Contribution rates have been extracted from Social Security Statistics 1994 and 1998

  3. Reduced banded rates were introduced from October 1985

  4. The rates structure was further revised in October 1989

  Photosensitivity
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the mobility allowance regulations to ensure that people who cannot walk in daylight because of disability arising from photosensitivity are included within the scope of the allowance. [59711]

  Mr. Timms
  Regulations provide entitlement to the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance mobility component where a person's"ability to walk out of doors is so limited, as regards the distance over which or the speed at which or at the length of time for which or the manner in which he can make progress on foot without severe discomfort, that he is virtually unable to walk".

  It is accepted that a severe reaction to sunlight may cause severe discomfort, however, the discomfort is not related to the act of walking. This was also the view of the Court of Appeal and we will not therefore be reviewing the regulations.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will eliminate the difference in entitlement to social security benefits between those resident in local authority residential houses and those in private residential homes. [59712]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) on 10 November 1998,Official Report, columns 163-64.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people, awaiting an appeal hearing on refusal of applications for, or withdrawal of, the mobility element of disability living allowance, have been waiting
  509
  (a) between six and 12 months and (b) over 12 months, for their appeals to be heard; and if he will make a statement. [59615]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, at the end of August 1998, the number of people awaiting an appeal hearing on refusal of applications for, or withdrawal of, the mobility element of Disability Living Allowance totalled 277. Of these. 121 had been waiting less than six months, 88 between six and 12 months and 68 over 12 months.

  Source:
  Appeals—Data supplied by Analytical Services Division (ASD) from the Independent Tribunal Service Generic Appeals Processing System.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the current child dependency increases for widowed mothers allowance; and what additional uprating would have been needed to restore the combined value of child benefit and child dependency increases in April to their November 1979 level relative to(a) prices and (b) earnings. [59814]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  £

  First child

  Subsequent child(ren)

  November 1979

  Child Dependency increase

  7.10

  7.10

  Child Benefit

  4.00

  4.00

  Total

  11.10

  11.10

  April 1998

  Child Dependency increase

  9.90

  11.30

  Child Benefit

  11.45

  9.30

  Total

  21.35

  20.60

  If increased by earnings to April 1998

  Child Dependency increase

  26.70

  26.70

  Child Benefit

  14.95

  14.95

  Total

  41.65

  41.65

  If increased by prices to April 1998

  Child Dependency increase

  19.30

  19.30

  Child Benefit

  10.60

  10.60

  Total

  29.90

  29.90

  Notes:

  1. The Retail Prices Index (all items) was used to put Child Benefit and Widowed Mother's Allowance child dependency addition into real terms as at April 1998

  2. The average earnings of full time adult employees was calculated using the New Earnings Survey and Average Earnings Index (AEI), both produced by the Office for National Statistics

  Benefit Uprating
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish details of the April 1999 benefit uprating. [59816]

  Mr. Darling
  The information requested was placed in the Library, and the Vote Office and copies of the schedule were sent to all right hon. and hon. Members of the House in October. These details are now reproduced.510

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates— April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Attendance Allowance:

  higher rate

  51.30

  52.95

  lower rate

  34.30

  35.40

  Child Benefit:

  only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable (couple)

  11.45

  14.40

  only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable (lone parent)

  17.10

  17.10

  each subsequent child

  9.30

  9.60

  Child's Special Allowance:

  see note on Child Dependency Increase1

  11.30

  11.35

  Council Tax Benefit:

  Personal allowances

  single

  18 to 24

  39.85

  40.70

  25 or over

  50.35

  51.40

  lone parent–18 or over

  50.35

  51.40

  couple—one or both over 18

  79.00

  80.65

  Dependent Children birth to September following 11th birthday

  17.30

  20.20

  from September following 11th birthday to September following 16th birthday

  25.35

  25.90

  from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  30.30

  30.95

  Premiums

  family

  11.05

  13.90

  family (lone parent rate)

  22.05

  22.05

  pensioner

  single

  20.10

  23.60

  couple

  30.35

  35.95

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  22.35

  25.90

  couple

  33.55

  39.20

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  27.20

  30.85

  couple

  38.90

  44.65

  disability

  single

  21.45

  21.90

  couple

  30.60

  31.25

  severe disability

  single

  38.50

  39.75

  couple (one qualifies)

  38.50

  39.75

  couple (both qualify)

  77.00

  79.50

  disabled child

  21.45

  21.90

  carer

  13.65

  13.95

  Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital

  higher rate

  16.20

  16.70

  lower rate

  12.95

  13.35

  Non-dependant deductions aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

  gross income: £255 or more

  6.00

  6.50

  gross income: £204 - £254.99

  5.00

  5.40

  gross income: £118 - £203.99

  4.00

  4.30

  gross income less than £118

  2.00

  2.15

  others, aged 18 or over

  2.00

  2.15

  511

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates—April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Alternative maximum Council Tax Benefit second adult on Income Support or income based Jobseekers Allowance

  25% of Council Tax

  second adult's gross income: under £118

  15% of Council Tax

  £118 to £154.99

  7.5% of Council Tax

  Capital

  upper limit

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit for perm. res. of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded for perm. res. of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Earnings disregards

  where disability premium awarded

  15.00

  15.00

  various specified employments

  15.00

  15.00

  lone parent

  25.00

  25.00

  where the claimant has a partner

  10.00

  10.00

  single claimant

  5.00

  5.00

  where carer premium awarded

  15.00

  15.00

  childcare charges

  60.00

  60.00

  childcare charges (2 or more children)

  100.00

  100.00

  other income disregards

  maintenance disregard

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  certain voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  30 Hr Adult Allowance in DWA

  10.80

  11.05

  30 Hr Adult Credit in FC

  10.80

  11.05

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.25

  9.25

  Dependency Increases:

  Adult Dependency Increases

  For spouse or person looking after children, with; retirement pension on own insurance, long term incapacity benefit, unemployability supplement

  38.70

  39.95

  severe disablement allowance

  23.20

  23.95

  invalid care allowance

  23.15

  23.90

  short-term incapacity benefit if beneficiary over pension age

  37.20

  38.40

  maternity allowance/short-term incapacity benefit

  30.20

  31.15

  Child dependency increases, with; retirement pension, widows benefit,short-term incapacity benefit at the higher rate &long term incapacity benefit invalid care allowance severe disab. allowance, higher rate industrial death benefit, unemployability supplement and short-term incapacity benefit if beneficiary over pension age1

  11.30

  11.35

  512

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates— April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Disability Living Allowance:

  Care Component

  Highest

  51.30

  52.95

  Middle

  34.30

  35.40

  Lowest

  13.60

  14.05

  Mobility Component

  Higher

  35.85

  37.00

  Lower

  13.60

  14.05

  Disability Working Allowance:

  Adult allowance

  Single people

  50.75

  51.80

  Couples/Lone Parents

  79.40

  81.05

  30 Hours Allowance

  10.80

  11.05

  Child allowance

  from birth

  12.35

  15.15

  from September following llth birthday

  20.45

  20.90

  from September following 16th birthday

  25.40

  25.95

  Applicable amount (ie taper threshold)

  Single people

  59.25

  60.50

  Couples/Lone Parents

  79.00

  80.65

  Disabled Child's Allowance

  21.45

  21.90

  Capital

  upper limit

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Disregards

  maintenance disregard

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  certain voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  childcare charges

  60.00

  60.00

  childcare charges (2 or more children)

  100.00

  100.00

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.25

  9.25

  Earnings Rules

  Invalid Care Allowance

  50.00

  50.00

  Limit of earnings from councillor's allowance

  48.00

  49.50

  Therapeutic earnings limit

  48.00

  58.00

  Industrial injuries unemployability supplement permitted earnings level(annual amount)

  2,496.00

  3,016.00

  War pensioners' unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount)

  2,496.00

  3,016.00

  Adult dependency increases with short-term incap.benefit where claimant is

  (a) under pension age

  30.20

  31.15

  (b) over pension age

  37.20

  38.40

  maternity allowance

  30.20

  31.15

  513

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates— April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  retirement pension, long-term incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, unemployability supplement where dependant

  (a) is living with claimant

  50.35

  51.40

  (b) still qualifies for the tapered earnings rule

  45.09

  45.09

  retirement pension, long-term incap benefit and unemployability supplement where dependant not living with claimant

  38.70

  39.95

  severe disablement allowance where dependant not living with claimant

  23.20

  23.95

  invalid care allowance

  23.15

  23.90

  Child dependency increases level at which CDIs are affected by earnings of claimant's spouse or partner for first child

  140.00

  145.00

  for each subsequent child

  18.00

  19.00

  Family Credit

  Adult credit

  48.80

  49.80

  30 hours credit

  10.80

  11.05

  Child credits

  from birth2

  12.35

  15.15

  from September following 11th birthday

  20.45

  20.90

  from September following 16th birthday

  25.40

  25.95

  Applicable amount (ie threshold)

  79.00

  80.65

  Capital

  upper limit

  8,000.00

  8,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  Assumed income from capital £1 for every £250 or part of £250 disregarded and capital upper limit

  Disregards

  maintenance disregard

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  certain voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  childcare charges

  60.00

  60.00

  childcare charges (2 or more children)

  100.00

  100.00

  Expenses for subtenants furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.25

  9.25

  Guardian's Allowance

  11.30

  11.35

  see note on Child Dependency Increase

  Hospital Downrating

  20% rate

  12.95

  13.35

  40% rate

  25.90

  26.70

  Housing Benefit

  Personal allowances

  single

  16 to 24

  39.85

  40.70

  25 or over

  50.35

  51.40

  lone parent

  under 18

  39.85

  40.70

  18 or over

  50.35

  51.40

  514

  Schedulde of main proposed social security benefit rates— April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  couple

  both under 18

  60.10

  61.35

  one or both over 18

  79.00

  80.65

  dependent children birth to September following 11th birthday

  17.30

  20.20

  from September following 11th birthday to September following 16th birthday

  25.35

  25.90

  from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  30.30

  30.95

  Premiums

  family

  11.05

  13.90

  family (lone parent rate)

  22.05

  22.05

  pensioner

  single

  20.10

  23.60

  couple

  30.35

  35.95

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  22.35

  25.90

  couple

  33.55

  39.20

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  27.20

  30.85

  couple

  38.90

  44.65

  disability

  single

  21.45

  21.90

  couple

  30.60

  31.25

  severe disability

  single

  38.50

  39.75

  couple (one qualifies)

  38.50

  39.75

  couple (both qualify)

  77.00

  79.50

  disabled child

  21.45

  21.90

  carer

  13.65

  13.95

  Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital

  higher rate

  16.20

  16.70

  Lower rate

  12.95

  13.35

  Non-dependant deductions rent rebates and allowances aged 25 andover, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or gross income less than £80.00

  7.00

  7.20

  aged 18 or over and in remunerative work gross income: less than £80.00

  7.00

  7.20

  gross income: £80 to £117.99

  16.00

  16.50

  gross income: £118 to £154.99

  22.00

  22.65

  gross income: £155 to £203.99

  36.00

  37.10

  gross income: £204.00 to £254.99

  41.00

  42.25

  gross income: £255.00 and above

  45.00

  46.35

  Service charges for fuel

  heating

  9.25

  9.25

  hot water

  1.15

  1.15

  lighting

  0.80

  0.80

  cooking

  1.15

  1.15

  Amount ineligible for meals three or more meals a day single claimant

  17.95

  18.35

  each person in family aged 16 or over

  17.95

  18.35

  each child under 16

  9.05

  9.25

  less than three meals a day single claimant

  11.95

  12.20

  each person in family aged 16 or over

  11.95

  12.20

  each child under 16

  6.00

  6.15

  breakfast only—claimant and each member of family

  2.15

  2.20

  515

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates— April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Capital

  upper limit

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit for perm. res. of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amt disregarded for perm. res. of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Earnings disregards

  where disability premium awarded

  15.00

  15.00

  various specified employments

  15.00

  15.00

  lone parent

  25.00

  25.00

  where the claimant has a partner

  10.00

  10.00

  single claimant

  5.00

  5.00

  where carer premium awarded

  15.00

  15.00

  childcare charges

  60.00

  60.00

  childcare charges (2 or more children)

  100.00

  100.00

  Other income disregards

  maintenance disregard

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  certain voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  30 Hr Adult Allowance in DWA

  10.80

  11.05

  30 Hr Adult Credit in FC

  10.80

  11.05

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.25

  9.25

  Incapacity Benefit

  Long-term Incapacity Benefit

  64.70

  66.75

  Short-term Incapacity Benefit (under pension age)

  Lower rate

  48.80

  50.35

  higher rate

  57.70

  59.55

  Short-term Incapacity Benefit (under pension age)

  Lower rate

  62.05

  64.05

  higher rate

  64.70

  66.75

  Increase of Long-term Incapacity Benefit for age

  higher rate

  13.60

  14.05

  Lower rate

  6.80

  7.05

  Invalidity Allowance (Transitional)

  higher rate

  13.60

  14.05

  middle rate

  8.60

  8.90

  lower rate

  4.30

  4.45

  Income Support

  Personal Allowances

  single

  under 18—usual rate

  30.30

  30.95

  under 18—higher rate payablein specific circumstances

  39.85

  40.70

  18 to 24

  39.85

  40.70

  25 or over

  50.35

  51.40

  lone parent

  under 18—usual rate

  30.30

  30.95

  under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances

  39.85

  40.70

  18 or over

  50.35

  51.40

  516

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates—April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  couple

  both under 18

  60.10

  61.35

  one or both 18 or over

  79.00

  80.65

  dependent children birth to September following 11th birthday

  17.30

  20.20

  from September following llth birthday to September following 16th birthday

  25.35

  25.90

  from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  30.30

  30.95

  Residential Allowance

  except Greater London

  57.50

  59.40

  Greater London

  64.00

  66.10

  Premiums

  family

  11.05

  13.90

  family (lone parent rate)

  15.75

  15.75

  pensioner

  single

  20.10

  23.60

  couple

  30.35

  35.95

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  22.35

  25.90

  couple

  33.55

  39.20

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  27.20

  30.85

  couple

  38.90

  44.65

  disability single

  21.45

  21.90

  couple

  30.60

  31.25

  severe disability

  single

  38.50

  39.75

  couple (one qualifies)

  38.50

  39.75

  couple (both qualify)

  77.00

  79.50

  disabled child

  21.45

  21.90

  carer

  13.65

  13.95

  Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in residential care homes

  old age

  213.00

  218.00

  very dependent elderly

  247.00

  252.00

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  225.00

  230.00

  drug/alcohol dependence

  225.00

  230.00

  mental handicap

  257.00

  262.00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  292.00

  298.00

  (b) (over pension age)

  213.00

  218.00

  others

  213.00

  218.00

  maximum Greater London increase

  44.00

  45.00

  nursing homes

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  319.00

  326.00

  drug/alcohol dependence

  319.00

  326.00

  mental handicap

  325.00

  332.00

  terminal illness

  318.00

  325.00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  359.00

  367.00

  (b) (over pension age)

  318.00

  325.00

  others (including elderly)

  318.00

  325.00

  maximum Greater London increase

  49.00

  50.00

  Amounts for meals where these cannot be lone parent purchased within the accommodation (Daily Rate)

  breakfast

  1.10

  1.10

  midday meal

  1.55

  1.55

  evening meal

  1.55

  1.55

  517

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates— April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in

  private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes

  personal expenses

  14.45

  14.75

  dependent children

  (a) under 11

  5.95

  6.05

  (b) 11 to 15

  8.65

  8.85

  (c) 16 to 17

  10.05

  10.25

  (d) age 18

  14.45

  14.75

  hospital

  higher rate

  16.20

  16.70

  lower rate

  12.95

  13.35

  local authority (Pt III) accommodation

  64.70

  66.75

  of which, Personal Expenses

  14.45

  14.75

  Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in:

  the Polish home Ilford Park max amount for accommodation and meals

  359.00

  367.00

  personal expenses for claimant

  17.35

  17.35

  personal expenses for partner

  17.35

  17.35

  personal expenses for dep children

  (a) under 11

  5.95

  6.05

  (b) 11 to 15

  8.65

  8.85

  (c) 16 to 17

  10.05

  10.25

  (d) 18

  15.55

  15.55

  Housing costs

  deduction for non-dependants aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance

  aged 18 or over, not in work or gross income less than £80.00

  7.00

  7.20

  aged 18 or over and in remunerative work:

  gross income: £80 to £117.99

  16.00

  16.50

  gross income: £118 to £154.99

  22.00

  22.65

  gross income: £155 to £203.99

  36.00

  37.10

  gross income: £204.00 to £254.99

  41.00

  42.25

  gross income: £255.00 and above

  45.00

  46.35

  Deduction for direct payments arrears of housing, fuel and water costs council tax and fines default

  2.55

  2.60

  deductions for child maintenance(standard)

  5.10

  5.20

  deductions for child maintenance (lower)

  2.55

  2.60

  Arrears of Community Charge

  court order against claimant

  2.55

  2.60

  court order against couple

  3.95

  4.05

  Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments ordinary overpayments

  7.65

  7.80

  where claimant convicted of fraud

  10.00

  10.40

  Reduction in benefit for strikers

  27.00

  27.50

  Capital

  upper limit

  8,000.00

  8,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit for perm. res. of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amt disregarded for perm. res. of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  Tariff income £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  518

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates— April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Disregards

  standard earnings

  5.00

  5.00

  couple's earnings

  10.00

  10.00

  higher earnings

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.25

  9.25

  Industrial Death Benefit

  Widow's pension

  higher rate

  64.70

  66.75

  lower rate

  19.41

  20.03

  Industrial Disablement Pension

  18 and over, or under 18 with dependants

  100%

  104.70

  108.10

  90%

  94.23

  97.29

  80%

  83.76

  86.48

  70%

  73.29

  75.67

  60%

  62.82

  64.86

  50%

  52.35

  54.05

  40%

  41.88

  43.24

  30%

  31.41

  32.43

  20%

  20.94

  21.62

  Under 18

  100%

  64.15

  66.20

  90%

  57.74

  59.58

  80%

  51.32

  52.96

  70%

  44.91

  46.34

  60%

  38.49

  39.72

  50%

  32.08

  33.10

  40%

  25.66

  26.48

  30%

  19.25

  19.86

  20%

  12.83

  13.24

  Maximum life gratuity (lump sum)

  6,960.00

  7,180.00

  Unemployability Supplement

  64.70

  66.75

  plus where appropriate an increase for early incapacity

  higher rate

  13.60

  14.05

  middle rate

  8.60

  8.90

  lower rate

  4.30

  4.45

  Maximum reduced earnings allowance

  41.88

  43.24

  Maximum retirement allowance

  10.47

  10.81

  Constant attendance allowance

  exceptional rate

  84.00

  86.60

  intermediate rate

  63.00

  64.95

  normal maximum rate

  42.00

  43.30

  part-time rate

  21.00

  21.65

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  42.00

  43.30

  Invalid Care Allowance

  38.70

  39.95

  Jobseekers Allowance

  Contribution based JSA—pers. rates

  under 18

  30.30

  30.95

  18 to 24

  39.85

  40.70

  25 or over

  50.35

  51.40

  519

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates—April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Income-based JSA—pers. allowances

  under 18

  30.30

  30.95

  18 to 24

  39.85

  40.70

  25 or over

  50.35

  51.40

  lone parent

  under 18—usual rate

  30.30

  30.95

  under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances

  39.85

  40.70

  18 or over

  50.35

  51.40

  couple

  both under 18

  30.30

  30.95

  both under 18, one disabled

  39.85

  40.70

  both under 18, with resp. for a child

  60.10

  61.35

  one under 18, one 18-24

  39.85

  40.70

  one under 18, one 25+

  50.35

  51.40

  both 18 or over

  79.00

  80.65

  dependent children birth to September following 11th birthday

  17.30

  20.20

  from September following 11th birthday to September following 16th birthday

  25.35

  25.90

  from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  30.30

  30.95

  Residential Allowance

  except Greater London

  57.50

  59.40

  Greater London

  64.00

  66.10

  Premiums

  family

  11.05

  13.90

  family (lone parent rate)

  15.75

  15.75

  pensioner

  single

  20.10

  23.60

  couple

  30.35

  35.95

  pensioner (enhanced)

  couple

  33.55

  39.20

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  27.20

  30.85

  couple

  38.90

  44.65

  disability

  single

  21.45

  21.90

  couple

  30.60

  31.25

  severe disability

  single

  38.50

  39.75

  couple (one qualifies)

  38.50

  39.75

  couple (both qualify)

  77.00

  79.50

  disabled child

  21.45

  21.90

  carer

  13.65

  13.95

  Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in residential care homes

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  225.00

  230.00

  drug/alcohol dependence

  225.00

  230.00

  mental handicap

  257.00

  262.00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  292.00

  298.00

  (b) others

  213.00

  218.00

  maximum Greater London increase

  44.00

  45.00

  nursing homes mental disorder (not handicap)

  319.00

  326.00

  drug/alcohol dependence

  319.00

  326.00

  mental handicap

  325.00

  332.00

  terminal illness

  318.00

  325.00

  520

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates—April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  359.00

  367.00

  (b) others (including elderly)

  318.00

  325.00

  maximum Greater London increase

  49.00

  50.00

  Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation (Daily Rate)

  breakfast

  1.10

  1.10

  midday meal

  1.55

  1.55

  evening meal

  1.55

  1.55

  Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes

  personal expenses

  14.45

  14.75

  dependent children

  (a) under 11

  5.95

  6.05

  (b) 11 to 15

  8.65

  8.85

  (c) 16 to 17

  10.05

  10.25

  (d) age 18

  14.45

  14.75

  hospital

  higher rate

  16.20

  16.70

  lower rate

  12.95

  13.35

  local authority (Pt III) accommodation

  64.70

  66.75

  of which, Personal Expenses

  14.45

  14.75

  Housing costs deduction for non-dependants

  aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance

  aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or gross income less than £80.00

  7.00

  7.20

  aged 18 or over and in remunerative work gross income: less than £80.00

  7.00

  7.20

  gross income: £80 to £117.99

  16.00

  16.50

  gross income: £118 to £154.99

  22.00

  22.65

  gross income: £155 to £203.99

  36.00

  37.10

  gross income: £204.00 to £254.99

  41.00

  42.25

  gross income: £255.00 and above

  45.00

  46.35

  Deduction for direct payments

  Deductions from JSA (IB)arrears of housing, fuel and water costs council tax and fines default, and

  2.55

  2.60

  Deductions for Child Maintenance

  deductions for child maintenance (standard)

  5.10

  5.20

  deductions for child maintenance (lower)

  2.55

  2.60

  Arrears of Community Charge court order against claimant

  2.55

  2.60

  court order against couple

  3.95

  4.05

  Deductions from JSA (Cont.)

  Arrears of Comm. Charge, Council Tax & fines

  Age 16-17

  10.10

  10.31

  Age 18-24

  13.28

  13.56

  Age 25+

  16.78

  17.13

  Maximum deduction for arrears of Child Supp. Maintenance

  Age 16-17

  10.10

  10.31

  Age 18-24

  13.28

  13.56

  Age 25+

  16.78

  17.13

  Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments

  ordinary overpayments

  7.65

  7.80

  where claimant convicted of fraud

  10.00

  10.40

  Reduction in benefit for strikers

  27.00

  27.50

  521

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates—April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Capital

  upper limit

  8,000.00

  8,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit for perm. res. of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amt disregarded for perm. res. of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  Tariff income £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Disregards

  standard earnings

  5.00

  5.00

  couple's earnings

  10.00

  10.00

  higher earnings

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  Expenses for subtenants furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.25

  9.25

  Maternity Allowance

  Lower rate

  50.10

  51.70

  Higher rate

  57.70

  59.55

  Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis, Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation) and other schemes

  Total disablement allowance and major incapacity allowance (maximum)

  104.70

  108.10

  Partial disablement allowance

  38.70

  39.95

  Unemployability supplement

  64.70

  66.75

  plus where appropriate increases for early incapacity

  higher rate

  13.60

  14.05

  middle rate

  8.60

  8.90

  lower rate

  4.30

  4.45

  Constant attendance allowance exceptional rate

  84.00

  86.60

  intermediate rate

  63.00

  64.95

  normal maximum rate

  42.00

  43.30

  part-time rate

  21.00

  21.65

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  42.00

  43.30

  Lesser incapacity allowance

  maximum rate of allowance

  38.70

  39.95

  based on loss of earnings over

  51.30

  52.95

  Retirement Pension

  Category A or B

  64.70

  66.75

  Category B (lower)—husband's insurance

  38.70

  39.95

  Category C or D—non-contributory

  38.70

  39.95

  Category C (lower)—non-contributory

  23.15

  23.90

  Additional pension

  Increase by:

  3.20%

  Increments to:

  Basic & additional pensions

  Increase by:

  Contracted out deductions (CODs) (Pre April 1988 earnings)

  3.20%

  Graduated Retirement Benefit (GRB)

  522

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates—April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Increments to CODs (April 1988-April 1996 earnings)

  Additional increase

  (3.0% paid by schemes)

  0.2% to that paid by schemes

  Graduated Retirement Benefit (unit)(pence)

  8.40

  8.67

  Graduated Retirement Benefit (Inherited)

  Increase by:

  3.20%

  Addition at age 80

  0.25

  0.25

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  Basic rate

  39.10

  40.35

  Age-related addition (from December 1990)

  Higher rate

  13.60

  14.05

  Middle rate

  8.60

  8.90

  Lower rate

  4.30

  4.45

  Statutory Maternity Pay

  Earnings threshold

  64.00

  66.00

  Lower rate

  57.70

  59.55

  Statutory Sick Pay

  Earnings threshold

  64.00

  66.00

  Standard rate

  57.70

  59.55

  War Pensions

  Disablement Pension (100% rates)

  officer (£ per annum)

  5,797.00

  5,985.00

  other ranks

  111.10

  114.70

  Age allowances

  40-50%

  7.40

  7.65

  over 50% but not over 70%

  11.45

  11.80

  over 70% but not over 90%

  16.30

  16.80

  over 90%

  22.90

  23.60

  Disablement gratuity

  specified minor injury (minimum)

  707.00

  730.00

  specified minor injury (maximum)

  5,284.00

  5,453.00

  unspecified minor injury (minimum)

  294.00

  303.00

  unspecified minor injury (maximum)

  6,871.00

  7.091.00

  Unemployability allowance

  personal

  68.65

  70.85

  adult dependency increase

  38.70

  39.95

  increase for first child

  9.90

  9.90

  increase for subsequent children

  11.30

  11.35

  Invalidity allowance higher rate

  13.60

  14.05

  middle rate

  8.60

  8.90

  lower rate

  4.30

  4.45

  Constant attendance allowance

  exceptional rate

  84.00

  86.60

  intermediate rate

  63.00

  64.95

  normal maximum rate

  42.00

  43.30

  part-time rate

  21.00

  21.65

  Comforts allowance

  higher rate

  18.00

  18.60

  lower rate

  9.00

  9.30

  Mobility supplement

  39.95

  41.25

  Allowance for lowered standard of occupation (maximum)

  41.88

  43.24

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  42.00

  43.30

  Severe disablement occupational allowance

  21.00

  21.65

  523

  Schedule of main proposed social security benefit rates— April 1999

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Clothing allowance (£ per annum, maximum)

  142.00

  147.00

  Education allowance (£ per annum, maximum)

  120.00

  120.00

  War widow's pension

  Widow (private)

  83.90

  86.60

  Widow (NCO)

  84.20

  86.90

  Widow—Officer (£ per annum, maximum)

  5,190.00

  5,356.00

  Childless widow u-40 (private)

  19.41

  20.03

  Childless widow (NCO)

  19.70

  20.33

  Childless widow (Officer maximum £ perannum)

  5,190.00

  5,356.00

  Supplementary Pension

  54.70

  56.45

  age allowance

  (a) age 65 to 69

  9.60

  9.90

  (b) age 70 to 79

  18.40

  19.00

  (c) age 80 and over

  27.40

  28.30

  children's allowance increase for first child (adjusted for ChB increase)

  14.25

  14.35

  increase for subsequent children

  15.65

  15.80

  Orphan's pension

  increase for first child

  16.05

  16.20

  (adjusted for ChB increase) increase for subsequent children

  17.45

  17.65

  Unmarried dependant living as spouse (max)

  81.85

  84.55

  Rent allowance (maximum)

  31.75

  32.75

  Adult orphan's pension (maximum)

  64.70

  66.75

  Widower's pension

  private (maximum)

  83.90

  86.60

  officer (£ per annum, maximum)

  5,190.00

  5,356.00

  Widow's Benefit

  Widow's payment (lump sum)

  1,000.00

  1,000.00

  Widowed mother's allowance

  64.70

  66.75

  Widow's pension

  standard rate

  64.70

  66.75

  age-related3

  age 54 (49)

  60.17

  62.08

  53 (48)

  55.64

  57.41

  52 (47)

  51.11

  52.73

  51 (46)

  46.58

  48.06

  50 (45)

  42.06

  43.39

  49 (44)

  37.53

  38.72

  48 (43)

  33.00

  34.04

  47 (42)

  28.47

  29.37

  46 (41)

  23.94

  24.70

  45 (40)

  19.41

  20.03

  1 The Overlapping Benefits Regulations provide for the rate of child dependency increases, guardian's allowance and child special allowance to be adjusted where the increase or allowance is payable for the eldest eligible child for whom ChB is also payable. The weekly rate of the increase or allowance is reduced by the differential (less the 75p derived from the Oct 1991 increase in Chb and the £2.60 above normal uprating) between the rate of ChB payable for the oldest eligible child and that payable for a subsequent child.

  2 Includes £2.50 increase from 9 November 1998.

  3For deaths occurring before 11 April 1988 refer to age-points shown in brackets.

  524

  Earnings top-up (ETU) rates

  £

  Old rates 1998

  New rates 1999

  Scheme A

  Credit

  couple

  48.80

  49.85

  single 25 and over

  29.45

  30.00

  Single under 25

  23.90

  24.40

  for working 30 hours+ pw

  10.80

  11.05

  Applicable amount (ie taper threshold)

  couple

  79.00

  80.65

  single 25 and over

  61.15

  62.45

  single under 25

  50.65

  51.70

  Scheme B

  Credit

  couple

  58.90

  60.15

  single 25 and over

  29.45

  30.00

  single under 25

  23.90

  24.40

  for working 30 hours+ pw

  10.80

  11.05

  Applicable amount (ie taper threshold)

  couple

  79.00

  80.65

  single 25 and over

  79.00

  80.65

  single under 25

  79.00

  80.65

  Both Schemes

  Capital

  upper limit

  8,000.00

  fixed rates

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  fixed rates

  Tariff income £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  fixed rate

  Widowed Mothers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the percentage increases in April 1999 in(a) benefits, including child benefit, for the first and subsequent children of widowed mothers and (b) child benefit for two-parent families; and what is the reason for the differences between the percentages in
  (a) and (b). [59815]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is set out in the table.

  April 1998 (£)

  April 1999(£)

  Increase

  Percentage increase

  Widowed mother

  First child

  21.35

  24.30

  2.95

  13.82

  Subsequent children

  20.60

  20.96

  0.35

  1.7

  Two parent family

  First child

  11.45

  14.40

  2.95

  25.76

  Subsequent children

  9.30

  9.60

  0.30

  3.2

  From April 1999 both Child Benefit and the Child Dependency Increases, including those paid to widowed mothers, will be uprated by the Retail Prices Index.

  The Child Dependency Increases provide a "top up" to Child Benefit for those who are unable to take up employment. The reason for the difference between the percentages in (a) and (b) is that legislation specifically provides for the rate of Child Benefit to be taken into account when determining the levels of child dependency increases. The method is to calculate what the child

  525
  dependency increase would be if the general uprating percentage were applied, and then to deduct the actual cash increase in Child Benefit. However, from next April, the standard rate of Child Benefit for the eldest child will increase by an additional £2.50, increasing to £2.60 after uprating. To ensure that families on other benefits, including widowed mother's allowance, gain equally from this additional measure they will receive the full £2.60 in addition to the normal uprating.

  Expenditure on the above benefits for the period 1992–93 to 1996–97

  £ million

  Expenditure (1997–98 prices)

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Industrial Injuries Benefits

  756

  758

  769

  773

  762

  Disability Living Allowance

  2,236

  3,060

  3,401

  4,021

  4,615

  Incapacity Benefit

  —

  —

  —

  8,062

  7,861

  Invalidity/Sickness Benefit

  7,450

  8,205

  8,758

  299

  —

  Income Support

  16,761

  17,784

  17,836

  17,654

  14,820

  Widows Benefit

  1,145

  1,148

  1,112

  1,075

  1,007

  Notes:

  1. Sickness Benefit and Invalidity Benefit were replaced by a single Incapacity Benefit in April 1995.

  2. Income Support to the unemployed was replaced by Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based) in October 1996.

  Source:

  Departmental Report 1998

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 10 November 1998,Official Report, column 167, concerning the Benefit Integrity Project, when the special working group will be set up. [60302]

  Mr. Timms
  At the Disability Benefits Forum meeting on 9 November 1998 it was agreed that a separate working group, comprising a small number of the Forum members and officials, should discuss proposals for a new, active, modern service for Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance; including the replacement of the Benefits Integrity Project. Forum members who expressed an interest have been contacted and the first meeting of the working group, planned for December, is currently being organised.

  Residential Living Allowance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 10 November 1998,Official Report, columns 163-64, concerning residential living allowance, when officials were asked to consider whether residential allowance is meeting the objectives of community care, and for what reasons. [60304]

  Angela Eagle
  Officials began reviewing whether Residential Allowance meets the objectives of community care as part of the comprehensive spending review launched last year. This was in the context of identifying if there were any perverse incentives in the system, and of ensuring that resources are used in the most cost-effective way to produce the best outcomes for adults receiving community care services.

  Benefits (Parliamentary Scrutiny)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to ensure that all

  Benefits (Expenditure)
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money has been paid out in(a) industrial injuries benefit, (b) disability living allowance, (c) incapacity benefit, (d) income support and (e) widows pension in each of the last five years for which figures are available at current prices. [59995]

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

  changes to the eligibility criteria for disability living allowance and attendance allowance are subject to parliamentary scrutiny. [60274]

  Mr. Timms
  All legislation is subject to Parliamentary scrutiny. It is already possible to change the eligibility criteria for Disability Living Allowance through regulations which are subject to the negative resolution. We propose to introduce similar powers for Attendance Allowance.

  Disability Living Allowance (Children)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to extend the mobility component of disability living allowance to children aged under five years; and when such changes will take effect. [60273]

  Mr. Timms
  Entitlement to the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance will be extended to 3 and 4-year-old severely disabled children who have difficulties walking. There is no firm date for implementation, but it is unlikely to be before April 2001.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 1998,Official Report, column 1182, concerning the absence of revisions to social security expenditure plans since the Comprehensive Spending Reviews, what factors underlie the difference between the social security benefit line in Table 2 of the Comprehensive Spending Review and Table B 12 of the pre-Budget report. [60295]

  Mr. Darling
  Revisions to the forecasts of Social Security expenditure published in the Pre-Budget Report reflect new information about caseloads and economic assumptions.

  Mr. M. E. Hatcher
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will reinstate the(a) medium rate and (b) high rate of disability living allowance awarded for life on 11 March 1997 to Mr. M. E. Hatcher, 1 Raddicombe Drive, Brixham, Devon; and if he will make a statement on the reasons underlying its withdrawal. [59715]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 16 November 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will reinstate the (a) medium rate and (b) high rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) awarded for life on 11 March 1997 to Mr M.E. Hatcher, I Raddicombe Drive, Brixham, Devon: and if he will make a statement on the reasons underlying its withdrawal.
  It may be helpful if I explain that entitlement to DLA does not depend on the diagnosis of a condition but on the way in which that condition affects a person on a day to day basis. Decisions are made by Adjudication Officers (AOs) who are statutory office holders. It would be improper for me to comment on, or interfere in their decisions. I can confirm that although an award of DLA may be given for life an AO may reduce or revoke an award on review if the information received indicates that a person's entitlement to DLA has changed.
  Mr Hatcher's DLA was reviewed on 29 July 1998 after he requested his care component be uprated to the highest rate. It is for the AO to decide what evidence is required in order to reach a
  528
  decision. The evidence used by the AO included the review request, a DLA claim pack received on 19 May 1998, and a report the AO requested from Mr Hatcher's GP. The evidence indicated that Mr Hatcher's care and mobility needs had reduced and he was no longer entitled to benefit.
  A further review request provided more information from Mr Hatcher. The AO considered this evidence and decided that he had sufficient night needs for an award of middle rate care only from 2 May 1998 to 1 November 1999 but maintained the decision relating to the mobility component.
  Since Mr Hatcher's latest request for a review, the AO decided, with advice from a Benefits Agency Medical Advisor, that a report from the Examining Medical Practitioner should be obtained. Mr Hatcher was invited to attend an examination on 6 November 1998. The doctor who was to carry out the examination has confirmed that the appointment was cancelled on 5 November 1998. A further appointment will not be arranged.
  I am sorry I cannot be more conclusive within this reply.

  Pension Schemes (Annuities)
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans the Government have to change the rules governing small self-administered pension scheme annuities. [59323]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  For many types of pension scheme the purchase of an annuity is the only means to guarantee that a pension can be paid for life (which is a requirement of pension scheme rules). This includes small self-administered schemes, but the trustees of these pension schemes have broad flexibility over the timing of an annuity purchase. We have no plans to change this flexibility.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies to which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement; [60120]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [60118]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector including British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. and the Post Office. The information the hon. Member requests will be found in the copies of departments' plans which have been published and placed in the Libraries of the House. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Libraries of the House and on the internet.

  Miners' Widows (Compensation)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the exclusions regarding the compensation claims for widows of miners, other than miners who have suffered from chest diseases. [59373]

  Mr. Battle
  There are no exclusions regarding valid compensation claims from widows of miners for any diseases or accidents where British Coal have been found liable or liability has been accepted.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what value for money criteria Ministers have introduced regarding the compensation for widows of miners who have suffered chest diseases; [59369]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the savings resulting from excluding widows of miners from compensation claims; [59371]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the consultation undertaken by his Department regarding the exclusion of widows of miners from compensation claims; [59368]

  (4) when he expects to reach a conclusion on policy concerning the exclusion of widows of miners from compensation claims; [59370]
  530
  (5) what limits his Department has introduced for compensation claims for widows of miners.[59372]

  Mr. Battle
  There has never been any intention to exclude widows with valid claims from receiving compensation. Our policy has always been that widows should be compensated fairly and in accordance with their legal entitlement. With regard to the British Coal respiratory disease litigation, we have put our proposals for dealing with claims from widows to the plaintiffs' solicitors and these are currently under discussion. We must ensure that the final arrangements are robust enough properly to validate claims and are fair to claimants. To this end, medical advisers met last week to address certain issues which should help to iron out the remaining problems quickly and put us in a position to begin making offers very shortly. We have made it clear previously that the necessary funds are available for settling all these claims.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on the motor industry of the proposed multilateral agreement on investment;[59534]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact on the textile and clothing industry of the proposed multilateral agreement on investment. [59535]

  Mr. Wilson
  In developing their policy towards the MAI, the Government considered the impact that it might have on all sectors of the UK economy. We did not identify any particular sectoral impact to be expected from the MAI in either the motor industry or the textiles and clothing industry.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the changes to his Department's policies on the proposed multilateral agreement on investment. [59656]

  Mr. Wilson
  It is now most unlikely that an MAI will be concluded and it is better to start afresh in another forum, following full and open consultation with interested parties. The Government's support for separate negotiations on investment in the WTO as part of a comprehensive Round of multilateral negotiations has remained unchanged.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the relative merits of conducting negotiations on the proposed multilateral agreement on investment through(a) OECD, (b) WTO and (c) UNCTAD. [59536]

  Mr. Wilson
  Following the French withdrawal last month from negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment in the OECD, it appears most unlikely that the Agreement will be concluded. There is no prospect of the MAI being negotiated in any other forum. However, the Government—and the EU as a whole—have a long-standing objective of pursuing investment negotiations in the WTO, and have called for investment to be on the agenda of any future multilateral Round of negotiations. Although UNCTAD is not a negotiating
  531
  forum for rules of this kind, it has been carrying out analytical work on investment issues and the Government would expect it to add its expertise to any WTO negotiation.

  Change Bureaux
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate possible price-fixing of commissions charged by change bureaux at Heathrow airport. [59522]

  Dr. Howells
  Under the competition legislation, the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring markets and considering allegations of anticompetitive behaviour, abuse of monopoly power or restrictive trade practices.

  If anyone has evidence of anti-competitive behaviour by change bureaux at Heathrow Airport, they should send this to the Director General.

  Turkey
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans ministers in his Department have to visit Turkey. [59542]

  Mr. Wilson
  I am planning to visit Turkey in Spring 1999.

  Supermarkets
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to refer the profit margins enjoyed by supermarkets to(a) the Office of Fair Trading and (b) the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement. [60313]

  Dr. Howells
  Under UK competition legislation, the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring markets and considering allegations of anti-competitive behaviour, abuse of monopoly power or restrictive trade practices. The Office of Fair Trading is currently examining the profitability of the major supermarkets in the grocery sector. The decision on whether to make a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission is a matter for the Director General.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement about the responses of the credit card companies to the recent reductions in the base interest rate; [59902]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the readiness of the different sectors of the financial services industry to reduce interest rates charged by them following reductions in the base interest rate; [59901]

  (3) if he will consult with representatives of the credit card companies with a view to securing reductions in the interest rates that they charge; [59903]

  (4) if he will introduce legislation to control the interest rates charged by credit card companies. [59904]

  Dr. Howells
  It is for lenders themselves to determine the interest rates they will charge according to their own commercial judgment.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many projects in receipt of RSA have received offers of regional selective assistance from sources in more than one of England, Scotland and Wales. [59875]

  Mrs. Roche
  We do not keep a record of such projects and to obtain details would involve disproportionate costs.

  Robert Maxwell Companies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) on what dates the noble Lord Donoughue was interviewed by Department of Trade investigators in connection with Robert Maxwell companies; [57666]

  (2) on what dates the right hon. Member for Airdrie and Shotts (Mrs. Liddell) was interviewed by Department of Trade investigators in connection with Robert Maxwell companies. [57665]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 2 November 1998]Inspectors were appointed under Companies Act powers to investigate and report on the affairs and membership of Mirror Group Newspapers plc. They were asked to look, in particular, at the offers for sale of the company's shares in early 1991.

  They have not yet completed their inquiries, which are conducted in private. It is not our policy to comment on which individuals may or may not have been seen by the inspectors.

  Royal Observatory
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which body will have responsibility for the former buildings and remaining equipment on the site of the former Royal Observatory at Greenwich following its removal to Herstmonceux Castle. [60102]

  Mr. Battle
  The National Maritime Museum became responsible for the former Royal Observatory buildings at Greenwich and for much of the historically important scientific equipment they housed, following the removal to Herstmonceux Castle in 1948 of the Royal Greenwich Observatory with its continuing scientific programme.

  The Royal Greenwich Observatory moved from Herstmonceux to Cambridge in 1990 and ceased operating there at the end of October 1998 with the transfer of the major elements of its scientific programme and associated equipment to other institutions, including the new Astronomy Technology Centre at Edinburgh, the telescope facilities on the island of La Palma, the University of Cambridge, the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils and the National Maritime Museum. The RGO' s remaining historical artefacts have also been returned to Greenwich.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the
  533
  impact on manufacturing supplier industries of Railtrack's halt in spending on its track and signalling renewal programme. [58842]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 11 November 1998]I am not in a position to offer an assessment of Railtrack's ordering policy, or its ongoing infrastructure investment programme. Railtrack is now a private sector, commercial company, and will make its investment decisions in the light of its own priorities and obligations under its network Management Statement, produced for the Rail Regulator, under its Network Licence, and the Government will expect Railtrack to meet these obligations.

  Compensation Claims
  Mr. Townend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total cost to public funds of claims by employees and the public for compensation in respect of(a) personal injury and (b) employment protection in the latest year for which figures are available. [59053]

  Dr. Howells
  In the Financial Year 1997–98, the DTI (including its Executive Agencies) paid a total of £10,590 to its employees or ex-employees in respect of compensation for personal injury. In the same period, no awards were made to employees or ex-employees by the Civil Service Appeals Board or Employment Tribunals in respect of employment protection compensation.

WALES

  Farming Subsidies
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the amount of money lost by Welsh farmers as the result of delays in the administration of farming subsidy payment system; and if he will make a statement. [59317]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I appreciate the problems which can be caused but Welsh farmers do not lose their entitlement to subsidies because of delays. The vast majority of payments are made within EC deadlines.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will assess the amount of fanning subsidy currently being lost by Welsh farmers as the result of farmers inaccurately filling out subsidy claims; and if he will make a statement. [59318]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  This information is not collected. An average of between 1 and 2% of claims are rejected annually in Wales. These may be rejected for a number of reasons including instances where farmers inaccurately fill out subsidy claims.

  Wrexham to Bidston Rail Link
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he plans with North West Rail concerning the future of Sunday services on the Wrexham to Bidston rail link. [59515]

  Mr. Hain
  None. Sunday services on the Wrexham to Bidston line are supported financially by a consortium of local authorities, and I understand that an agreement is 534
  now in place which should ensure the continuation of these services up to and including the Summer 1999 timetable.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his recent efforts to transfer freight from road to rail. [59510]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government's proposals to encourage more freight to transfer from road to rail were set out in the Transport White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" and the Welsh Transport Policy Statement "Transporting Wales into the Future". The plan for a European rail freight terminal at Wentloog will provide a major boost to the rail freight industry in Wales. There has also been a significant increase in the level of interest in our Freight Facilities Grant which should result in further projects to transfer freight from road to rail.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many houses have been built by the local authority housing departments in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [59514]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Information on the number of new dwellings completed annually by local authorities may be found in table 2.3 of Welsh Housing Statistics, 1998, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Schools (Delegated Funding)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the response to the Welsh Office consultation paper, Fair Funding: Improving Delegation to Schools; if the Government plan a further consultation document reflecting the response to the initial proposals; what further opportunities local education authorities and others will have to discuss the changes before they are implemented; when any changes are expected to come into force; and if he will ensure that the National Assembly for Wales is able to discuss them before a final decision is taken. [59379]

  Mr. Hain
  I announced my decisions on the proposals contained in the consultation paper Fair Funding: Improving Delegation to Schools on 23 September. A copy of my press release is in the Library. From April 1999, the new funding framework described in Fair Funding will replace the present systems of Local Management of Schools and grant-maintained school funding which operate under the Education Act 1996. The changes meet our commitment to fairer funding and greater delegation whilst ensuring that local education authorities have the resources to provide those services which have to be delivered centrally.

  Since my announcement, the Welsh Office has issued the following documents to LEAs and others for consideration:
  the outline scheme and draft regulations under section 48 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 which contain detailed provisions relating to schemes of delegation;
  draft regulations under section 46 of the Act which define the Local Schools Budget and identify those items that an authority may deduct from the LSB in order to arrive at the amount to be delegated to its school;

  535
  draft regulations under section 47 of the Act which prescribe the factors, criteria and requirements that LEAs need to take into account when deciding their budget allocation formulae;
  a consultation paper on the delegation of funding for school meals; and
  a consultation paper on the funding of grant-maintained schools in 1999–2000.

  Copies of each of these have been placed in the Library.

  Under section 138 of the Act, the first regulations to be made under sections 46-48 have to be approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. The draft regulations will be laid shortly.

  We want to make the budgeting of the LEAs for education more transparent; to relate the budget to the role of LEAs in improving standards; and to secure improved delegation to schools. We want schools and local authorities to reap the benefits from the changes as soon as possible. The National Assembly will be able to review what has been done and make changes if it wishes using its secondary legislation powers.

  European Development Funds
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps his Department is taking to secure for(a) Gwynedd and (b) other areas in Wales, full development area status in his current review of the assisted areas map. [59378]

  Mr. Hain
  Derogation 92(3)(a) is the highest level of Assisted Area status. To qualify, a NUTSII area must have per capita GDP of less than 75 per cent. of the EU average. The UK agreed a new set of NUTS boundaries with Eurostat on 29 June. The Government have written to the EC confirming that they wish the new NUTS boundaries to be used in the definition of areas to be assisted under derogation 92(3)(a). Recent ONS GDP figures indicate that the West Wales and the Valleys NUTSII area, which includes Gwynedd, could be eligible for derogation 92(3)(a).

  Teachers (Funding)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, by county, the names of schools that have received extra funding to employ Key Stage 1 teachers. [59579]

  Mr. Hain
  The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Economic Inactivity
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the current economic inactivity rates are for each(a) county and (b) constituency in Wales. [59580]

  Mr. Hain
  It is estimated from the Labour Force Survey that 26 per cent. of the working age population in Wales were economically inactive in the period July-September 1998. The corresponding rate for all people aged 16 or over was 42 per cent. The latest economic inactivity rates for each unitary authority in Wales are for 1996 and are shown in the following table. Inactivity rates are not available at a constituency level.536

  Economic inactivity rates by unitary authority, 19961

  Percentage, not seasonally adjusted

  Economic inactivity rate2

  Unitary authority

  All aged 16+

  All aged 16-59/64

  Blaenau Gwent

  49

  33

  Bridgend

  35

  21

  Caerphilly

  46

  32

  Cardiff

  36

  20

  Carmarthenshire

  44

  25

  Ceredigion

  41

  21

  Conwy

  46

  25

  Denbighshire

  49

  24

  Flintshire

  37

  21

  Gwynedd

  43

  25

  Isle of Anglesey

  50

  31

  Merthyr Tydfil

  41

  28

  Monmouthshire

  38

  22

  Neath Port Talbot

  46

  33

  Newport

  37

  25

  Pembrokeshire

  39

  24

  Powys

  36

  18

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  46

  31

  Swansea

  46

  28

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  42

  24

  Torfaen

  34

  19

  Wrexham

  43

  26

  Wales

  42

  25

  1 Data relate to the period March 1996-February 1997

  2 Total economically inactive as a percentage of all persons in the relevant age group

  Source:
  Labour Force Survey 1996 Local Authority Database, Office for National Statistics

  Long-term Illness
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the incidence is of limiting long-term illness in each of the 22 authorities in Wales [59578]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The latest available information on long-term illness is provided by the 1997 Welsh Household Interview Survey, a sample survey of people living in domestic properties throughout Wales. People living in institutions or communal establishments, such as residential homes for the elderly, are excluded, as are people living in second or holiday homes. The available information is given in the following table:

  Estimated numbers and percentages of people in occupied first homes with a long-standing illness or disability, by local authority

  Local authority area

  Number of people with a long-term illness or disability

  As a % of the total population in occupied first homes

  Total population in occupied first homes

  Isle of Anglesey

  11,400

  16.6

  68,700

  Gwynedd

  15,300

  13.7

  112,000

  Conwy

  15,500

  13.7

  112,800

  Denbighshire

  14,200

  15.7

  90,600

  Flintshire

  20,700

  15.1

  137,400

  Wrexham

  20,300

  15.7

  129,300

  Powys

  14,200

  11.8

  120,300

  Ceredigion

  7,900

  12.7

  62,300

  Pembrokeshire

  13,500

  12.5

  107,800

  Carmarthenshire

  35,200

  20.9

  169,000

  Swansea

  41,300

  18.4

  225,000

  Neath Port Talbot

  28,200

  20.0

  141,200

  Bridgend

  23,000

  17.0

  135,400

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  17,900

  15.2

  117,700

  Cardiff

  40,400

  13.1

  307,300

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  46,200

  19.3

  239,100

  Merthyr Tydfil

  12,500

  20.9

  59,600

  537

  Estimated numbers and percentages of people in occupied first homes with a long-standing illness or disability, by local authority

  Local authority area

  Number of people with a long-term illness or disability

  As a % of the total population in occupied first homes

  Total population in occupied first homes

  Caerphilly

  33,700

  20.0

  168,100

  Blaenau Gwent

  16,100

  22.7

  70,800

  Torfaen

  16,400

  18.1

  90,600

  Monmouthshire

  8,000

  9.8

  81,300

  Newport

  22,300

  16.0

  139,300

  Wales

  474,100

  16.4

  2,885,500

  Source:
  1997 Welsh Household Interview Survey

  Flooding
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what help is being offered to those who have suffered from the recent floods. [59612]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  It is recognised that the recent floods caused much distress and that there are those who were not insured. To people receiving income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance, help for flood victims may be available from the Social Fund by way of community care grants, or interest-free budgeting loans. People not on income support may be eligible for a crisis loan. There has been recent guidance to all Social Fund staff on the payment of grants to disaster victims.

  Education Funding
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the projected increase in education funding for each county in Wales for each of the next three years. [59582]

  Mr. Hain
  In July this year, we announced indicative increases in education spending of £110m in 1999–2000, £250m in 2000–01 and £370m in 2001–02. These include increases in local authority spending on education.

  Final decisions on allocations for education and other services will be made taking account of the consultation on the comprehensive spending review and will be announced later in the Autumn.

  Pwllheli Planning Appeal
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will arrange for the planning appeal public inquiry, scheduled to be heard at Pwllheli on 2 February 1999, to be conducted by an inspector who is proficient in both the Welsh and English languages. [59760]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Chief Planning Inspector has written to the right hon. Gentleman explaining that no bi-lingual Inspector is available to conduct this inquiry but that simultaneous translation facilities will be provided. I will put a copy of his letter in the Library. In error, the Chief Planning Inspector's letter gives the date of the inquiry as 2 February; in fact the date is 9 February.

  The provision of Inspectors is a matter for the Planning Inspectorate and the arrangements proposed are consistent with the Inspectorate' s approved Welsh Language Scheme.

  Midwives (Salary)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which NHS trusts in Wales(a) have and (b) have not implemented the Government's recommendation to ensure that midwives working as the lead professional are awarded a minimum F-grade salary. [59986]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The information is not available in the form requested. The Government accepted last year's nurses pay review body recommendation, which urged the Health Departments to ensure implementation of the 1995 agreement, whereby any changes in midwives' roles and responsibilities should be reflected in their grading and pay. A recent questionnaire sent to NHS Trusts seeking information on the grading and role of midwives is still being analysed. A summary of the responses will be submitted as supplementary evidence to the pay review body and will be placed in the Library of the House at the same time.

  Water Budget Payment Units
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many homes in Wales had their water disconnected following the installation of water budget payment units by Hyder in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [59911]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  This information is not available to the company. Its present technology does not enable the interruption of supplies to customers to be monitored directly.

  The Government's recent consultation paper "Water Charging in England and Wales—A New Approach" welcomed the High Court ruling that budget payment meters which cut off the flow of water were unlawful. A response to this consultation exercise is to be published by the Government shortly.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many homes in Wales have water budget units. [59912]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I am advised that Dwr Cymru presently has 24,243 watercard customers in its area of supply. Neither of the other two water supply companies operating in Wales, Severn Trent and Dee Valley Water, offers water budget units to its customers as a means of paying for water.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies to which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement; [60148]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [60146]

  Mr. Michael
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston
  539
  (Maria Eagle), 21 October 1998, Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government Departments' and Agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector including Local Authorities and the NHS in Wales. The information the hon. Member requests will be found in the copies of Departments' plans which have been published in the libraries of the House. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Libraries of the House and on the internet.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the problems which have arisen in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible from millennium compliance; if he will make a statement on progress to date in tackling such problems; and what are the priority areas for remedial work. [60147]

  Mr. Michael
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Council presents quarterly reviews to Parliament of progress on tackling all issues, including progress on remedial work, relating to the Millennium date change problem across central Government and the wider public sector. The information the hon. Member requests will be found in the copies of Departments' plans, which have been placed in the Libraries of the House and on the Internet. The next review to Parliament will be presented shortly and will provide a report on progress to date in my Department.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by(a) his Department,(b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60149]

  Mr. Michael
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Council presents quarterly reviews to Parliament of progress on tackling all issues relating to the Millennium date change problem across central Government and the wider public sector. The next review to Parliament will be presented shortly. In accordance with the response of my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to the PAC recommendations in October, my Department will complete risk assessments and have initial year 2000 business continuity plans in place by the end of January 1999.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the demand for the full-time education and training option under the new deal(a) nationally, (b) by region and (c) for each category of intake during 1998–99 and for each of the next three years. [59188]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The choices will be for the young people to make, but we expect nationally around a fifth to make up the education and training option. This may vary a little regionally.
  540
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average cost per 18 to 24 year old of options completed under the new deal for young people(a)nationally, (b) by Pathfinder area and (c) by new deal option. [59197]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The unit costs for each option, which apply to all units of delivery, are as follows:

  Voluntary Sector (VS) Option; £2,750

  Environment Task Force (ETF) Option; £2,750

  Full Time Education and Training (FTET) Option; £2,300

  Subsidised Employment Option; £2,070.

  Contracts were negotiated around these costs and will be monitored accordingly as new deal clients flow into, and subsequently complete, the options. The actual costs incurred will be monitored and systems are being put in place to do so. Information will be available early next year. Significant numbers will not complete new deal options until the first quarter of next year.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people aged 18 to 25 years have enrolled on the New Deal; and what percentage of these are(a) male, (b) disabled and (c) from ethnic minorities. [59783]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The number of young people joining New Deal for 18-24 years olds between January and the end of September is 165,600. A breakdown of this figure is possible only for the 148,100 starting before the end of August. Of these(a) 72% are male, (b) 13% are disabled, and (c) 13% are from ethnic minorities.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by region those employers which had unfilled vacancies for new deal trainees and the number of vacancies involved in each case at the latest available date. [59185]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 11 November 1998,Official Report, column 236. Over 29,000 employers have signed up to New Deal leading to 54,000 New Deal job pledges. New Deal participants are also, of course, eligible to apply for other jobs. At present, further employer-related information is unavailable.

  Lip Reading Classes
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what measures he is taking to ensure that all people who lose their hearing have the opportunity to attend lip reading classes; [59314]

  (2) what advice he has given to local education authorities on (a) the provision of and (b) the charging for lip reading classes; [59315]

  (3) what proposals he has to promote courses on lip reading through the Further Education Funding Council. [59316]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State acknowledges the importance of training in lip reading in helping to secure the communication needs of deaf people.

  The availability of courses in further education colleges is a matter for local decision, although the Further Education Funding Council has a duty to secure adequacy

  541
  and sufficiency of provision for which it is responsible; and, in doing so, to have regard to the needs of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

  Similarly, the range of adult education courses offered by local authorities is decided locally, and the Secretary of State has issued no guidance on how they might do so. All authorities are, however, required to publish annual statements containing details of the further educational provision that they make for disabled people, and the relevant facilities which are available.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the changes which have been made to Form 7 data collection for the calculation of class sizes in England since January. [59193]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Copies of the data collection forms for maintained primary and secondary schools for January 1998 and 1999 have been placed in the Library.

  Head Teachers (Secondment)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by local education authority the percentage of head teachers on secondment for one term or longer for the most recent year for which the information is available. [59194]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not held centrally.

  Rural Schools
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what factors are taken into account when deciding whether to allow the closure of a village or rural school; and what the timescale is for such a decision-making process. [59600]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  When considering proposals for the closure of a rural school, all factors bearing on the proposals will be taken into account, although the presumption will be against closure. Factors that will be considered will include the overall supply of school places in the area and the likely future demand for places; any points made by the Local Education Authority or by the school proposed for closure or by other schools; the standard of the school that is proposed for closure and the standards and accessibility of alternative schools; the views of parents and other interested parties; the overall effect of the closure on the local community; and the cost implications of the possible options. The aim is to reach a decision within five months of the date of publication of the proposals.

  Access to Work
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 10 November 1998,Official Report, column 137, if a councillor who is disabled and can prove that his activities as a councillor are his main paid employment will be eligible for Access to Work support. [60300]

  Ms Hodge
  Access to Work provides help for disabled people in, or about to start, paid employment. It is designed to encourage employers to take on, or retain,542
  disabled people by meeting some or all of the extra costs resulting from disability. The aim is to help disabled people in activities from which they earn their living. Activities as a councillor are not themselves regarded as paid employment, but disabled councillors may be eligible for Access to Work support where they are also in paid employment.

  Education Action Zones
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each education action zone the financial contribution from business in the form of(a) cash and (b) services or donations in kind. [60268]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Each of the first 25 Education Action Zones must raise £250,000 from the private sector in the first year, whether in cash or kind. They are well on the way to achieving this. I will publish a complete set of information as soon as it is available.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what reason underlies the rule that a person who has been in prison has to have been unemployed for two years prior to his or her imprisonment in order to qualify for support under the Welfare to Work Scheme. [59380]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  There is no such rule. Anyone leaving prison and claiming JSA will be able immediately to take advantage of a whole range of help including work-based training, trial periods with employers and help with jobsearch. If, after a year, they are still unemployed and claiming JSA, they can, at ES's discretion, begin on the New Deal advisory process when they will, in addition to the provision mentioned before, qualify for the £75 a week employer subsidy and the opportunity to study or train full-time on JSA. All this is regardless of their previous work history. If, however, they have experienced a number of spells of unemployment-related benefits in the past, interrupted only by short periods, they may qualify for the New Deal as soon as they claim JSA.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress in developing and publishing a Special Educational Needs Action Programme. [59761]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Consultation on the Green Paper,Excellence for all children: meeting special educational needs, generated many thoughtful ideas and comments. In the light of these, and the advice of the National Advisory Group on Special Educational Needs (SEN), we published Meeting Special Educational Needs: A programme of action on 5 November. The Action Programme sets out the practical steps we will take to support and promote developments in SEN over the next few years. Copies were sent to all MPs and are also available in the Library.

  Education Funding (Bids)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those additional funds that have been made available to(a) local education authorities and (b) schools through a bidding process

  543
  since May 1997 indicating for each aspect of funding the numbers of bids received and the number of recipients of funding. [59832]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 16 November 1998]The information requested is currently being collected and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  National Grid for Learning
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many hits each week were recorded on the National Grid for Learning website between April and October. [59191]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Between the weeks beginning 2 April and ending 4 November, 11,285,679 hits were recorded on the main servers for the prototype National Grid for Learning at BECTA, at an average rate of 364,054 hits per week. This excludes hits on numerous other servers to which the NGfl provides onward direction. A weekly breakdown is provided in the following table.

  'Hits' on the National Grid for Learning website between 2 April and 4 October 1998

  Date

  Number of 'hits'

  2-8 April

  247,257

  9-15 April

  159,401

  16-22 April

  229,988

  23-29 April

  245,941

  30 April-6 May

  257,864

  7-13 May

  294,393

  14-20 May

  278,607

  21-27 May

  313,633

  28 May-3 June

  322,644

  4-10 June

  300,961

  11-17 June

  313,210

  18-24 June

  343,108

  25 June-1 July

  351,735

  2-8 July

  376,178

  9-15 July

  341,823

  16-22 July

  335,454

  23-29 July

  355,927

  30 July-5 August

  358,764

  6-12 August

  302,818

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Degree subject

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Chemistry

  470

  3.1

  530

  3.3

  580

  3.4

  520

  3.1

  Physics

  360

  2.4

  430

  2.7

  430

  2.5

  360

  2.1

  Biology

  980

  6.5

  1,130

  7.0

  1,330

  7.7

  1,330

  7.9

  Engineering

  450

  3.0

  620

  3.8

  690

  4.0

  570

  3.4

  Medical sciences

  100

  0.7

  110

  0.7

  150

  0.9

  180

  1.1

  General sciences

  260

  1.7

  260

  1.6

  490

  2.8

  390

  2.3

  Figures for 1997 are not yet available. Graduates qualified in more than one subject are counted against each relevant subject listed above.

  The £130 million package of measures announced by my department on 27 October includes measures intended to increase the number of science graduates recruited to initial teacher training courses.
  544

  'Hits' on the National Grid for Learning website between 2 April and 4 October 1998

  Date

  Number of 'hits'

  13-19 August

  308,894

  20-26 August

  258,089

  27 August-2 September

  306,171

  3-9 September

  397,292

  10-16 September

  443,707

  17-23 September

  437,001

  24-30 September

  486,867

  1-7 October

  594,884

  8-14 October

  513,444

  15-21 October

  651,156

  22-28 October

  582,455

  29 October-4 November

  576,004

  Total

  11,285,679

  European Citizenship
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the teaching of European Citizenship in European Community projects in schools.[59808]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Under the EU SOCRATES programme, UK schools are co-operating with schools in other European countries on a wide range of subjects of mutual interest. No current project under this programme involving UK schools has European citizenship as its subject.

  Science Teachers
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many science graduates completed teacher training broken down by subject into(a) chemistry, (b) physics and (c) biology, (i) in total and (ii) as a percentage of the total graduates completing teacher training in each year between 1993 and 1997. [57079]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The number of graduates in Chemistry, Physics and Biology and other related sciences who completed a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) in England and Wales between 1993 and 1996 and the number expressed as a percentage of all graduates completing a PGCE are given in the table:

  Employment Service
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many Employment Service staff have responsibilities which do not include work on the new deal;[59184]

  (2) how many and what proportion of Employment Service staff are currently working exclusively on the new deal. [59187]
  545
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  New Deal is an integral part of the Employment Service's work. No figures are available which show separately staff working exclusively on new deal.

TREASURY

  Paracetamol and Aspirin Poisoning
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many deaths have been recorded in England and Wales from poisoning by paracetamol in each of the past five years; [59634]

  (2) how many deaths have been recorded in England and Wales from aspirin poisoning in each of the past five years; and in how many of these cases aspirin had been taken in (a) soluble and (b) dispersible form. [59635]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Donald Gorrie, dated 17 November 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary questions on deaths from poisoning by paracetamol and from aspirin.
  The information requested is shown in the tables below.

  Deaths by year of occurrence from paracetamol poisoning in England and Wales, 1993–97

  Year

  Deaths mentioning paracetamol

  1993

  316

  1994

  275

  1995

  324

  1996

  279

  1997

  335

  Figures relate to the number of deaths in England and Wales where paracetamol was mentioned on the death certificate. They do not include deaths with a mention of a paracetamol-containing compound e.g. co-proxamol.

  Deaths by year of occurrence from aspirin poisoning in England and Wales, 1993–97

  Year

  Number of deaths

  1993

  25

  1994

  28

  1995

  19

  1996

  32

  1997

  12

  It is not possible to determine from the information collected at death registration whether aspirin was taken in soluble or dispersible form.
  The deaths were identified as those with an underlying cause of death coded to drug dependence, non-dependent abuse of drugs, accidental poisoning, suicidal poisoning and poisoning of undetermined intent.
  The figures for deaths where paracetamol or aspirin was mentioned on the death certificate include deaths attributed to the substance in combination with other drugs. Where two or more substances are listed together, the contribution, if any, of each to the death is unknown. Even where one substance is listed alone there may well be other factors with an important bearing on death.
  546
  Moreover, coroners do not always record all specific drugs associated with a death on the death certificate. Therefore, with the information available from death registration, it is only possible to give an approximation of the number of deaths associated with or directly due to any particular substance.

  Cancer (Survival Rates)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the five-year survival rate for cancer is in (a) the UK and (b) other OECD countries. [59849]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Jonathan Sayeed, dated 17 November 1998 As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary question on the five-year survival rate for cancer.
  I refer you to my answer of 5 November to Dennis Skinner MP (Hansard number 233, column 682), which gave information on the survival of cancer patients.

  Cot Deaths
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rate of cot death in(a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998 to date. [60012]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Ronnie Fearn, dated 17 November 1998 As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on rates of cot deaths.
  The infant mortality rate1 for England and Wales due to sudden infant death is as follows:
  1996 0.65 1997 0.61
  1998 Data are not yet available
  1per 1,000 live births
  This information is published in the ONS monitor DH3 98/2 Sudden infant deaths 1993–1997, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Abortions
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of abortions for women in Walthamstow were funded by the NHS in the last three years for which figures are available. [60031]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Neil Gerrard, dated 17 November 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on NHS abortions in Walthamstow.
  Information on the number of abortions performed on residents of each parliamentary constituency is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  547
  The ONS routinely publishes abortion statistics by regions and health authorities (HA). The following table shows the percentage of abortions funded by the NHS for residents of Redbridge and Waltham Forest HA.

  Percentage of abortions funded by the NHS for residents of Redbridge and Waltham HA, 1995–97

  Year

  Percentage

  1995

  42

  1996

  34

  19971

  42

  1 Provisional figure

  Figures for each year from 1995 and 1996 are published in the ONS Annual Reference Volumes: Abortion statistics series AB nos. 20-23. Provisional figures for 1997 were published in the ONS Monitor Series AB 98/4 Legal abortions 1997: residents of regions and health authorities on 26 June 1998. These are available in the House of Commons library.

  Landfill Tax
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on landfill tax in relation to salt extraction companies. [58629]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 9 November 1998,Official Report, column 100.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out his estimates of additional public expenditure for each Department on the basis of the same assumptions as underly the calculation that spending on health and education will rise by £40 billion by the end of the Parliament,(a) on the Government's proposed accounting conventions and (b) treating public expenditure and tax expenditures on the working families tax credit in the same way as expenditure on family credit is currently treated. [58599]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 9 November 1998]Estimates of the cumulative increase in each department's Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) for the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02 over and above expenditure planned for the current year, 1998–99, can be calculated from Table B 17 in the Pre-Budget Report, which updates Table A4 in the Comprehensive Spending Review White Paper. The figure of £40 billion for additional spending on education and health includes estimates of spending in these areas by the Scottish Office, Welsh Office and Northern Ireland departments, and by local authorities, as well as by the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Health.

  Expenditure on family credit in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is included not in DEL but in Annually Managed Expenditure (AME). Payments of working families tax

  Progress by pensions firms in resolving cases of personal pensions mis-selling in the period to the end of October 1998

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  50-75% of cases resolved

  Countrywide

  5,205

  2,644

  351

  202

  149

  121

  2

  57

  DBS

  2,410

  914

  939

  225

  714

  514

  21

  69

  Over 75% of cases resolved

  IFA Network

  382

  119

  167

  112

  55

  55

  14

  75

  Burns Anderson

  1,278

  435

  612

  242

  371

  292

  23

  76

  548
  credit from 1999–2000 onwards will also score in AME, in line with the new European System of Accounts. The cumulative increase in AME for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 over 1998–99 can be calculated from Table B12 of the Pre-Budget Report.

  International Monetary Fund
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government will press the IMF for(a) the publication of all Article IV reports and (b) greater transparency of the IMF's accounts. [56528]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]In his statement to the Interim Committee of the IMF on 4 October, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the case for publishing in a timely and systematic way all key surveillance and programme documents, including Article IV reports, should be considered. He also said that ways should be found to improve the IMF's own accountability, to ensure that it performs its responsibilities in an open and transparent way that enhances public confidence. As part of that effort, the Chancellor is encouraging the IMF to continue looking for ways to improve the format, readability and clarity of their financial data.

  Pensions Mis-selling
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest progress in the review of personal pensions mis-selling. [60382]

  Ms Hewitt
  Further advances have been made towards completion of the first phase of the review.

  On the regulators' advice, a further eight firms who have met their targets for phase 1 of the review have been removed from the Treasury's published list. The eight are Albany Life, Allied Dunbar, Canada Life, Gan, M&E Network, National Westminster, Royal London and Wesleyan Assurance.

  Of the 21 firms whose results are set out in the table, only two have resolved less than 75 per cent. of their cases. Seven have now resolved over 90 per cent of their cases.

  Substantial progress is now being made with phase 1 of the review. But firms should be clear that it is essential the remaining cases are resolved in line with the regulators' timetable. That means all firms completing phase 1 by the end of December.

  The published figures measure firms' progress in assessing whether people are entitled to redress, and, if so, reaching agreement on offers of redress, but that is not the end of the process. It is also important that the redress is delivered as a matter of priority. The regulators will continue to take action against laggards to ensure that investors are properly protected.
  549

  Progress by pensions firms in resolving cases of personal pensions mis-selling in the period to the end of October 1998

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  Financial Options

  549

  330

  134

  31

  72

  57

  10

  76

  Windsor Life

  9,645

  4,104

  4,608

  326

  4,282

  3,532

  37

  83

  Abbey Life

  18,152

  6,434

  9,696

  1,307

  8,389

  7,408

  41

  83

  Sun Life of Canada

  28,993

  11,163

  14,722

  2,645

  12,077

  10,636

  37

  84

  Lincoln National

  13,581

  2,218

  10,423

  1,409

  9,014

  7,824

  58

  84

  London and Manchester

  8,568

  1,578

  6,484

  703

  5,781

  5,080

  59

  86

  Standard Life

  7,466

  901

  5,876

  1,289

  4,587

  4,312

  58

  87

  Hill Samuel

  6,120

  914

  4,818

  712

  4,106

  3,742

  61

  88

  Colonial

  8,728

  3,149

  5,161

  606

  4,555

  3,933

  45

  88

  Sedgwick

  16,884

  9,824

  5,512

  1,865

  3,647

  3,255

  19

  89

  CIS

  44,681

  7,745

  36,121

  14,132

  21,989

  18,425

  41

  90

  Berkeley Independent

  186

  123

  47

  32

  15

  13

  7

  90

  Friends Provident

  7,120

  1,327

  5,414

  828

  4,586

  4,315

  61

  91

  Hogg Robinson

  2,324

  861

  1,381

  472

  909

  799

  34

  92

  Equitable Life

  7,628

  1,967

  5,400

  1,816

  3,584

  3,351

  44

  94

  Pearl

  47,541

  4,640

  41,991

  5,912

  36,079

  34,186

  72

  94

  Legal & General

  37,044

  15,251

  21,321

  1,993

  19,328

  17,726

  48

  94

  Notes:

  A: cases identified as requiring review.

  B: of A, cases where investor was informed that information gained during assessment excluded cases from review.

  C: number of assessments completed.

  D: cases where the investor has been informed that no redress is due.

  E: cases where redress has been offered.

  F: cases where redress has been accepted.

  G: cases where redress has been accepted as a percentage of cases identified for review ((F/A)x100).

  H: cases completed, including exclusions, as a percentage of cases identified for review (((B+D+F)/A)x100).

  Petroleum Revenue Tax
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes he plans to make to petroleum revenue tax legislation for pipelines in the North Sea. [60383]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In the next Finance Bill, the Government intend to make a minor change to legislation introduced in the Finance Act 1994 which helped remove possible distortions in North Sea pipeline competition. This change is to ensure that, for pipelines subject to the 1994 rules, tariffs received for transporting oil and gas to the UK from fields in other countries are taxed in the same way as tariffs for transporting oil or gas from new UK fields. This change will allow these pipelines to compete more fairly for the transportation of non-UK oil or gas.

  Excise Duties
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue the Government have obtained from the United Kingdom road haulage industry through(a) vehicle excise duty for heavy goods vehicles and (b) excise duty on diesel since 1 May 1997. [59345]

  Ms Hewitt
  The amount of revenue raised from VED on Heavy Goods Vehicles from May 1997 to September 1998 was £818 million.

  It is not possible to separate the revenue raised from excise duty on diesel paid by the road haulage industry from the total revenue received.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on 550
  the competitiveness of the United Kingdom road haulage industry of differences in (a) vehicle excise duty on heavy goods vehicles and (b) excise duty on diesel, between EC nations. [59344]

  Ms Hewitt
  Impact on competitiveness is one of the factors that the Chancellor takes into account when making decisions on Budget measures.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the rates of(a) vehicle excise duty on heavy goods vehicles and (b) excise duty on diesel, for each EU country. [59352]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Essex, North (Mr. Jenkin) on 10 November 1998,Official Report, columns 152-53.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the cost of collection of vehicle excise duty as a result of the proposed changes to the duty set out in the pre-Budget statement. [59666]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 16 November 1998]The cost will depend on the precise options chosen as a result of consultation.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department contributed to the section on economic and monetary union in the European Communities booklet, "Europe in Ten Bints"; what assessment he has made of the contents of the document; and how many copies of that document have been distributed in the UK. [59789]

  Ms Hewitt
  HM Treasury did not contribute to the section on Economic and Monetary Union in the European Communities publication "Europe in Ten
  551
  Bints". The document is largely factual. It sets out the institutions of the EU and their origins and identifies some of the challenges now faced by the Union. The document is distributed in the UK by the London office of the European Commission. The Commission estimate that around 4,000 copies have been distributed throughout the UK.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 339, concerning national deposits and share capital in the European Central Bank, if he will tabulate the percentage of the share capital subscribed by each participating state on 1 January 1999. [60112]

  Capital subscription to the European Central Bank

  euro

  NCB

  Key percentage

  Subscribed capital

  Percentage to be paid up

  Total amount due

  Germany

  24.4096

  1,220,480,000

  100

  1,220,480.000

  France

  16.8703

  843,515,000

  100

  843,515,000

  Italy

  14.9616

  748,080,000

  100

  748,080,000

  Spain

  8.8300

  441,500,000

  100

  441,500,000

  Netherlands

  4.2796

  213,980,000

  100

  213,980,000

  Belgium

  2.8885

  144,425,000

  100

  144,425,000

  Austria

  2.3663

  118,315,000

  100

  118,315,000

  Portugal

  1.9250

  96,250,000

  100

  96,250,000

  Finland

  1.3991

  69,955,000

  100

  69,955,000

  Ireland

  0.8384

  41,920,000

  100

  41,920,000

  Luxembourg

  0.1469

  7,345,000

  100

  7,345,000

  Euro NCBs

  78.9153

  3,945,765,000

  —

  3,945,765,000

  Non-euro NCBs

  21.0847

  1,054,235,000

  5

  52,711,750

  Total

  100.0000

  5,000,000,000

  —

  3,998,476,750

  Exchange Trading Schemes
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to expand the experiments in local exchange trading schemes under which unemployed participants in a local area work for each other. [59530]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government are investigating whether Local Exchange Trading Systems (LETS) can play an effective role in fostering community cohesion and encouraging unemployed people back into economic activity. The use of LETS is one of the issues being taken forward by the "Jobs" Policy Action Team, one of 18 teams set up as a follow up to the Social Exclusion Unit's report on deprived neighbourhoods "Bringing Britain together: a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal". This team is being headed by my right hon Friend, the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities and will report to the Prime Minister in July 1999.

  Monetary Policy Committee
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to measure the effectiveness of the Monetary Policy Committee (i) annually and (ii) over four-year periods; [59528]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Monetary Policy Committee to date. [59583]

  M0s Hewitt
  The task of the Monetary Policy Committee is to set short-term interest rates to meet the Government's inflation target. The success of the new monetary framework is demonstrated by the fact that
  552
  Ms Hewitt
  In accordance with Article 29 of the ESCB Statute, the formula for the subscription of capital to the ECB is based on Member States' population and GDP. The table gives details of the weightings assigned to national central banks.

  The national central banks of participating Member States will be required to pay up the full amount of their subscribed capital in the ECB. In accordance with Article 48 of the Statute of the ESCB, the ECB General Council decided in September that the national central banks of non-participating Member States should pay up 5 per cent. of their shares in the subscribed capital of the ECB. This payment will be made by offset against the proceeds of the liquidation of the EMI.

  inflation is at its target, long-term interest rates are currently at their lowest level for over 35 years and inflation expectations have fallen.

  Airports (Borrowing)
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will allow airports owned by local authorities to borrow on normal commercial terms. [59659]

  Mr. Byers
  Subject to Parliamentary approval, public sector borrowing controls on financially sound local authority airports would be relaxed from 1 April 1999. This will allow qualifying local authority airports to raise development capital on the money markets to cater for growing demand.

  Local authority airport companies will have to meet strict financial criteria before the controls on them are relaxed. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has launched a consultation exercise into the qualifying criteria.

  Euro Preparations Unit
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the selection of non-civil servants to serve on the Euro Preparations Unit; on what terms the HSBC Midland secondee is serving; what is his area of expertise; how many other candidates were considered; and if additional non-civil servants will be brought in. [59836]
  553
  Ms Hewitt
  The Treasury encourages inward secondments to promote the exchange of ideas and experience. The secondee from HSBC Midland has been seconded for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension. and was selected from a field of candidates with extensive experience in providing advice to SMEs. As with other secondees, he remains the employee, and retains the employment terms, of his parent organisation.

  European Central Bank
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assets the United Kingdom is obliged to hand over to the European Central Bank; and at what stage. [59823]

  Ms Hewitt
  In accordance with Article 48 of the Statute of the ESCB, the ECB General Council decided in September that the national central banks of non-participating Member States should pay up 5 per cent. of their shares in the subscribed capital of the ECB. Unless the UK joins the single currency, the UK will not be required to forward any foreign reserves to the ECB.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in(a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement; [60064]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in (a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies to which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement. [60066]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector. This included the Bank of England. The information requested can be found in the copies of Departments' plans which are available in the Library of the House. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Library and on the Internet.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by(a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60067]

  Ms Hewitt
  Business contingency work is under way in all the Chancellor's Departments and agencies. Existing contingency plans are being reviewed to ensure they cover all the risks the Millennium may bring. This includes embedded chip systems.
  554
  Plans include:

  manual workarounds;

  ensuring key staff are available in the changeover period;

  identifying the affect of possible increased demands on business in the period prior to 1 January 2000;

  reducing the pressure on normal business processes;

  backing up key data;

  The Chancellor's Departments comprise:

  HM Treasury (and Debt Management Office)

  Inland Revenue (and Valuation Office)

  HM Customs and Excise

  Office for National Statistics

  Royal Mint

  National Savings

  National Investment and Loans Office

  Government Actuary's Department

  Registry of Friendly Societies.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (1) estimate he has made of the effect of the millennium bug on the rate of economic growth; [60168]

  (2) if the growth forecasts contained in his Pre-Budget Report take account of the effects of the millennium bug; and if he will make a statement. [60169]

  Ms Hewitt
  The effect of the Millennium bug on the rate of economic growth is considered in the Pre-Budget Report, paragraph A56 and box A2 ("Impact of the 'Year 2000' problem").

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate what the growth of United Kingdom GDP would be in 1999, on the basis of the rates of growth of exports and imports assumed in the March 1998 Budget. [59625]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 16 November 1998]Analysis of all the effects on the UK economy of the deterioration in the world economic outlook was given in the Pre-Budget Report.

  Age Allowances (Pensioners)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the current value of the age allowances for pensioners(a) aged 65 years and over and (b) aged 75 years and over in respect of those on a single income of (a) £4,045 to £5,220, (b) £5,221 to £9,320, (c) £9,321 to £15,600 and (d) £15,601 to £17,950 and on joint incomes of (i) £7,545 to £10,075, (ii) £10,076 to £14,175, (iii) £14,176 to £15,895 and (iv) £15,895 to £32,555; [60034]

  (2) if he will list the value of the age allowance for single pensioners with joint incomes at five yearly intervals for the last 30 years. [60032]

  Ms Hewitt
  In 1998–99, for a single pensioner aged 65 to 74 years, the personal allowance is as shown in the table:
  555

  £

  Range of income

  Personal allowance

  For incomes up to the aged income limit (16,200)

  5,410

  For incomes between 16,201 and 18,630

  5,410 less half of the difference between total income and 16,200

  For incomes above 18,630

  4,195

  In 1998–99, for a single pensioner aged 75 years and over, the personal allowance is:

  £

  Range of income

  Personal allowance

  For incomes up to the aged income limit (16,200)

  5,600

  For incomes between 16,201 and 19,010

  5,600 less half of the difference between total income and 16,200

  For incomes above 19,010

  4,195

  For a married pensioner, the value of the allowances available will depend on the ages of the husband and wife and the distribution of income between them.

  The historical series are available in the 1997–98 edition of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual which is available in the Library.

  Financial Services Authority
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the pay bands for each tier of employees at the Financial Services Authority. [60049]

  Ms Hewitt
  This is a matter for the FSA.

  Electronic Commerce
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of a worldwide tax treaty on electronic commerce. [60259]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is the key forum in which discussions are taking place. A framework for the taxation of electronic commerce was presented to Ministers at the OECD conference on electronic commerce in Ottawa last month, and a future work programme endorsed.

  United Kingdom Excessive Deficit
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the amount of the excessive deficit for the United Kingdom decided by the Council of the European Union under Article 104C(6) of the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of the European Union; what plans Her Majesty's Government have, pursuant to Council Declaration 11393/97 to comply with the Council recommendation to bring that situation to an end; within which time scale; and what assessment he has made of the impact on UK(a) taxation and (b) public expenditure. [60008]

  Ms Hewitt
  As a result of the Government's prudent approach to fiscal policy, the public finances have improved markedly. The Council Recommendation 556
  11393/97 is concerned with the Council Decision of 26 September 1994 on the existence of an excessive deficit in the UK. This Decision was abrogated on 1 May 1998.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statutory force attaches to the EU Council's recommendation of 28 October 1997 that the UK Government achieve a Government deficit that is close to balance when an allowance is made for the economy's cyclical position as projected in the convergence programme; and what extra measures will be required to fulfil this. [60109]

  Ms Hewitt
  The EU Council's recommendation of 28 October 1997 was non-binding.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he took to implement the EU Council recommendation of 28 October 1997 on an excessive Government deficit in the UK; and if he will publish the new convergence programme he submitted in September 1997. [60105]

  Ms Hewitt
  As a result of the Government's prudent approach to fiscal policy, the public finances have improved markedly. The decision that the UK had an excessive deficit was abrogated by the Council on 1 May 1998. The September 1997 Convergence Programme was sent to the European Legislation Committee of the House of Commons and the Select Committee on the European Communities of the House of Lords on 4 September 1997.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the EU Council's conclusions of 13 October 1997 on the UK Government deficit. [60108]

  Ms Hewitt
  The conclusions of the ECOFIN of 13 October 1997 on the UK deficit were concerned with the Council Decision of 26 September 1994 on the existence of an excessive deficit in the UK. This Decision was abrogated on 1 May 1998.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the council decision of 26 September 1974 on Britain's excess in deficit was abrogated; when he applied for this to be abrogated; and if he will make a statement on its impact. [60113]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Council's decision of 26 September 1994 that the UK had an excessive deficit was abrogated on 1 May 1998.

HEALTH

  Aspirin and Paracetamol
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the increase in the retail price for aspirin and paracetamol following the new Department of Health guidelines on pack size; and if he will make a statement. [57872]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has received a number of letters from hon. Members and from members of the public since the introduction of new pack sizes for most aspirin and paracetamol products which became a statutory requirement on 16 September 1998.
  557
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many cases in England and Wales in each of the past five years individuals have had to spend more than one night in hospital because of aspirin poisoning. [59637]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of finished consultant episodes in National Health Service trusts in England with a primary diagnosis of poisoning by aspirin is shown in the table.

  Information relating to health services in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Year

  Number

  1993–94

  1,374

  1994–95

  1,328

  1995–96

  1,503

  1996–971

  1,439

  1997–981

  1,505

  1 For 1996–97 and 1997–98 no adjustments have been made for shortfalls in data

  Source:
  Hospital Episodes Statistics

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons soluble and effervescent products are exempt from the regulations restricting the number which may be sold in one package to 32; and for what reasons dispersible products are not exempt. [59639]

  Ms Jowell
  The new measures for aspirin and paracetamol are aimed at reducing toxicity in overdose by limiting pack size for solid (tablet and capsule) formulations available over the counter.

  Effervescent and some soluble formulations (which contain at least 75 per cent. carbon dioxide-forming ingredients) are exempt from the new pack size restrictions because they are difficult to swallow in quantity. These tablets will foam, making it difficult to take more than a small number. Powders, granules and suppositories are also exempt for similar reasons.

  Dispersible and some soluble preparations are not exempt because, although designed to be dissolved in water, they can easily be swallowed in solid form and so there is potential for abuse.

  Loughborough General Hospital
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards the completion of a full business case to replace Loughborough' s general hospital through a private finance initiative. [57742]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service Executive is expecting to receive a revised full business case from Fosse Health NHS Trust for the scheme to replace Loughborough' s General Hospital under the private finance initiative in the next month. It is understood that the best and final offer from the private partner was submitted on 3 November 1998 and the trust are currently considering the case in the light of this information.

  Administrative Staff
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many administrative staff were employed by the NHS(a) in May 1997, (b) in May 1998 and (c) in September 1998. [58250]
  558
  Mr. Milburn
  The number of clerical and administrative staff employed by the National Health Service in England as at 30 September 1997 was 131,860 whole-time equivalents. Figures relating to other times of the year are not collected centrally. Figures for September 1998 are currently being collected and will be published in due course.

  Capitation Formula
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes he proposes to the NHS capitation formula. [58343]

  Mr. Milburn
  There were three changes to the target setting process for 1999–2000 health authority allocations:the speciality cost weights in the hospital and community health services age adjustment were updated;
  a new additional need adjustment for prescribing was introduced;
  a supplement to the formula was introduced for the extra costs of interpretation, advocacy and translation services for ethnic minority populations who experience difficulties with the English language.

  No further changes will be made to the target setting process at least until 2001–02. This is because on 10 November 1998 we announced a wide ranging review of the formula.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many unannounced inspections of(a) local authority and (b) private sector residential homes for the elderly took place in 1997; and how many and what percentage of the inspection reports were critical of the way in which the elderly residents were treated. [58504]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally. However, my hon. Friend may like to refer to the Social Services Inspectorate publication—Local Authority Social Services Department Registration and Inspection Units Key Data 1996–97—copies of which are available in the Library, for limited information on the number of inspections carried out.

  Sensory Loss
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into loss of(a) smell and (b) taste, as a result of (i) sinusitis and (ii) influenza. [59149]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department's policy research programme and the central National Health Service research and development programmes are not currently supporting any such research.

  The Medical Research Council (MRC), which is funded by the Office of Science and Technology, commissions most of the Government's research into bio-medical and clinical issues. The MRC is always open to new sound scientific proposals in competition with other applications. In deciding priorities and taking decisions, the MRC takes account of the Department's priorities, together with input from the health research community in general. The Department's policy research programme supports the formulation of health and social care policy and the

  559
  NHS programmes support the needs of the health service. Records are not held centrally of all research carried out in the NHS.

  Dentists (Retirement)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have retired before retirement age in each of the last five years; and how many retired on health grounds. [58746]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of general dental practitioners retiring before retirement age in England and Wales and the number of these retiring on health grounds are shown in the table.

  Year ending March

  Early retirements

  Of which on grounds of ill-health

  1994

  141

  40

  1995

  200

  106

  1996

  212

  80

  1997

  183

  91

  1998

  159

  87

  Ministerial Visit (West Byfleet)
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), visited the West Byfleet Health Centre; and if he gave prior notification to the local hon. Member. [58807]

  Mr. Hutton
  My hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South visited West Byfleet on 14 October 1998. Ministers are fully aware of the need to notify hon. Members of their intention to visit their constituencies. I understand that on this occasion prior notification was not given. I apologise for any embarrassment and inconvenience caused to the hon. Member.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of NHS computer systems which will be millennium-compliant on 1 April 1999. [58846]

  Mr. Milburn
  The precise information requested is not held centrally. National Health Service organisations are making good progress to ensure that their systems are compliant or that they have contingency arrangements in place by 30 September 1999.

  Hospitals (Doncaster)
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of operating theatre time in NHS hospitals in the Doncaster area, is devoted to the treatment of(a) waiting list patients, (b) emergencies, (c) other NHS patients, and (d) other non-NHS patients, for the most recent period for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [59308]

  Mr. Milburn
  The central collection of returns relating to theatre use has been discontinued. Since 1994, collection of this data within districts has been a matter for local discretion. My hon. Friend may wish to contact 560
  the Chairman of the Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital National Health Service Trust, Mr. David Kitson.

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what number of waiting list patients were treated by hospitals in the Doncaster area as(a) day patients and (b) in-patients for the years (a) 1977, (b) 1987 and (c) 1997, respectively; and if he will make a statement. [59309]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on the number of patients treated by hospitals is available only from 1990–91. The table shows the available information for Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital National Health Service Trust and Doncaster Healthcare Trust for 1996–97. 1997–98 data are not yet available.

  Number of waiting list and elective admissions to Doncaster Trusts: 1996–97

  Trust

  Ordinary admissions

  Day cases

  Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu NHS Trust

  10,272

  16,513

  Doncaster Healthcare NHS Trust1

  75

  0

  1 Doncaster Healthcare Trust is a community and mental health trust

  Source:
  1996–97 Hospital Episode Statistics

  Ear, Nose and Throat Consultants
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants have been employed in NHS ear, nose and throat departments in each of the last five years. [59349]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information about the number of consultants employed in otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat), on 30 September in each of the last five years for which data are available is shown in the table.

  Number of consultants in otolaryngology (ENT) in the National Health Service in England as at 30 September (whole time equivalents):

  Year

  Wte

  1992

  380

  1993

  370

  1994

  370

  1995

  380

  1996

  380

  1997

  400

  Note:
  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  Source:
  The Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census

  NHS Trusts
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance he has issued to NHS trusts about setting goals for the representation of(a) women, (b) people from ethnic minorities and (c) people with disabilities in the workforce; and if he will make a statement; [59361]

  (2) what guidance he has issued to NHS trusts on monitoring and evaluating information collected about the (a) gender, (b) ethnic origin and (c) disability of job applicants. [59360]
  561
  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 12 November 1998]We have recently issued the first ever human resource strategic framework for the National Health Service. One of the strategic aims of Working Together: Securing a Quality Workforce for the NHS is that the NHS should have a quality workforce, in the right numbers, with the right skills and diversity, organised in the right way to deliver the Government's service objectives for health and social care. The framework commits trusts to demonstrate year on year progress towards achieving a workforce that is fully representative of the community it serves, at all levels of the organisation. Further guidance on equal opportunities monitoring will be issued in 1999 as part of the work on implementing the human resources framework and integrating it with performance management systems within the NHS.

  Mid Essex Hospital Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 1998,Official Report, columns 1180-81, what are the latest figures for the number of people in the Mid Essex Hospital NHS Trust area waiting to see a consultant for (a) 13 to 25 weeks and (b) 26 or more weeks. [59546]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 22 October 1998,Official Report, columns 1180-81. This provides the latest published figures for outpatient waiting times. Figures for the end of September 1998 will be available shortly.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 1998,Official Report, column 1180, how many people in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area had been waiting for treatment for 12 months or more at the latest date for which figures are available. [59905]

  Mr. Milburn
  At Mid Essex Hospital National Health Service Trust, a total of 1,155 people have been waiting for treatment for 12 months or more as at 30 September 1998.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the total number of people in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area awaiting treatment on(a) 31 March 1997 and (b) 30 September 1998. [59867]

  Mr. Milburn
  Mid Essex Hospital National Health Service Trust's total waiting list was 8,391 as at 31 March 1997, and was 11,615 as at 30 September 1998.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his officials have concluded their review of the impact of the introduction of the VAT Order SI 1997/2744; and if he will make a statement. [59895]

  Mr. Milburn
  Officials have concluded their review of the impact of the introduction of the Value Added Tax Order Statutory Instrument 1997/2744.

  They are now working closely with Her Majesty's Treasury officials to finalise the administrative procedures to ameliorate the effect of the VAT Order on the supply
  562
  of certain renal and cancer drugs and on the supply of pharmaceutical products by retail pharmacists to residents of nursing homes.

  The VAT Order also affected certain incontinence supplies. A review of continence policy is currently underway which is intended to ensure that the most appropriate and effective continence services are being planned and delivered.

  Nurse Training
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce(a) part-time and (b) term-time nurse training to assist mature students with family responsibilities. [59331]

  Mr. Milburn
  We encourage and support the provision of part-time, flexible training. We have announced plans to expand on the existing provision of part-time and flexible pre-registration nursing and midwifery diploma programmes by up to 200 places in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 and by up to 500 places in 2000–01.

  Psychiatric Wards
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the number of temporary staff employed on psychiatric wards; and if he will make a statement. [59440]

  Mr. Hutton
  None. The Government are committed to securing the mental health staff needed to provide high quality services and are therefore increasing training levels for new health professionals and investing in significant additional resources on new initiatives to improve recruitment, retention and return to practice of trained staff.

  Influenza Vaccinations
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to local health authorities about the categories of patients who are entitled to receive a free influenza vaccination. [59532]

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

  The final decision on whether influenza immunisation is offered rests with the individual's doctor/medical practitioner.

  The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) wrote to doctors and nurses advising them of this extension in policy in a joint letter in August 1998 (Personal Letter/CM098/4 Personal Letter/CNO/98/6)

  563
  and a Health Services Circular (HSC 1998/140) was sent to health authorities. The Department has issued a poster and updated its two leaflets about influenza: 'What should I do about flu' and 'Flu vaccination', available from surgeries and health centres. Copies are available in the Library.

  Private Sector Surgery
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the surgical procedures carried out during the last quarter for which published data are available on NHS patients who had been waiting more than 12 months for surgery were carried out in the private sector at the cost of NHS trusts and health authorities. [59585]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mixed Wards
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral answer of 10 November 1998,Official Report, column 141, whether the NHS Executive has issued guidance to NHS trusts only in accordance with the Secretary of State's assurance in the House on 28 April 1998, Official Report, column 134, that he would put a stop to the creation of any new mixed wards in NHS psychiatric units. [59643]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service Executive has recently issued guidance to health authorities and trusts about the elimination of mixed sex hospital accommodation, including psychiatric units. The guidance re-emphasises the importance of providing safe facilities for patients in hospital who are mentally ill and which safeguard their privacy and dignity. Guidance to the NHS on the use of capital allocations will ensure capital is invested to eliminate mixed sex accommodation.

  Physical Activity (Children)
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Department for Education and Employment concerned with ensuring that all children and young people have the opportunity of at least one hour of physical activity per day. [59698]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department collaborates closely with the Department for Education and Employment to develop ways of increasing levels of physical activity among children and young people. As part of the healthy schools initiative, both Departments are working on plans to develop an active and safe travel to school challenge. This work complements the "Young and Active" report, which I launched in September, and which set out a framework for improving physical activity levels among children aged between 5 and 18.

  Mental Health (Leeds)
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of(a) the Audit Commission's comparison between Leeds and other major cities in respect of expenditure per head on mental health services and (b) the recent net closure of eight acute
  564
  psychiatric beds in Leeds prior to the reprovision of community alternatives; and why there was not formal public consultation over the closure. [59763]

  Mr. Hutton
  Decisions about mental health care and the use of the increased resources made available by this Government are best taken at local level, because it is at local level that people's needs are best known and where services can be tailored to them. It is the responsibility of Leeds Health Authority to assess the health care needs of their population, to draw up strategies and commissioning plans in collaboration with local people, general practitioners and other organisations, and to secure a range of hospital and community health services to meet those needs.

  The Leeds Community and Mental Health Trust is currently developing a modernisation programme that includes a range of capital developments to reprovide mental health services in Leeds. The introduction of these schemes will allow the closure of the existing facilities which are outdated and in much need of replacement. The health authority has discussed its plans with the community health council.

  New-variant CJD
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the information collected under paragraphs 11(1) and 11(3) of Schedule 9 to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 allows his Department to trace other patients on the same operating list as the patient carrying the infective agent of new-variant CJD at Torbay; and if the hospital concerned has listed the employees involved in the operation in accordance with these paragraphs. [59978]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 16 November 1998]No. The patient's diagnosis was unknown at the time and no such Control of Substances Hazardous to Health record was kept.

  Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons he did not re-appoint Mr. Martyn Long CBE DL for a second term as Chairman of the Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust. [60045]

  Mr. Milburn
  Mr. Long's application was considered alongside other possible candidates according to the Department's procedures for the appointment of National Health Service board members, details of which are available in the Library.

  It is made clear to all those invited to serve on National Health Service boards that the appointment is for a set term of office, and there can be no presumption of re-appointment.

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued on how pharmacists should be represented in primary care groups. [60191]

  Mr. Milburn
  Primary Care Groups will need to draw upon all the experience and expertise of their stakeholders
  565
  to develop and implement local policies. Pharmacists are recognised as important stakeholders in the community.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 November 1998,Official Report, columns 87-88, concerning Primary Care groups, if he will set out the ways in which elected members of local authorities will have an enhanced opportunity to influence the development and implementation of health care arrangements. [60298]

  Mr. Milburn
  The local strategy for improving health and healthcare will be set through the Health Improvement Programme (HImP). The development of the HImP will be led by the health authority in partnership with the local National Health Service, relevant local authorities and the wider local community. This offers the opportunity for the local community and its leaders e. g., local Councillors, to influence the strategy. This approach will be underpinned, subject to Parliamentary approval, by new statutory duties of partnership between NHS bodies and local authorities to promote the health and wellbeing of their local populations.

  EC Health Council
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the outcome of the EC Health Council meeting on 12 November. [60471]

  Ms Jowell
  I attended the meeting of the Health Council on 12 November in Brussels, on behalf of the United Kingdom.

  The Council adopted its common position on the Commission's proposal for an injury prevention programme. The Council discussed the development of future public health policy and adopted conclusions which stressed the importance of better prioritisation and co-ordination of public health activities by the Community to complement action taken by the Member States. The Commission reported on progress in combating smoking within the Community and announced that it intended to propose measures on the tar and nicotine content of cigarettes and labelling of packets; it also intended to bring forward measures on smuggling, additives, and the prohibition of "light" and "mild" markings on cigarettes. Conclusions which stressed the need for a more focused approach were adopted on the European Union-United States Task Force. The Council agreed to continue to consider TSEs (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies) at each meeting and asked the Commission to provide it with a detailed annual report on the issue. The Council noted a progress report on the draft Recommendation on limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. A response to the Commission's report on the revision of the homeopathic medicines Directives was also agreed. The Council welcomed the recommendations of the conference held in Copenhagen on 9-10 September 1998 on "The Microbial Threat". It also discussed co-operation between the European Union and the World Health Organisation. The International Therapeutic Solidarity Fund—a French
  566
  Government initiative to provide anti-retroviral therapies to people with HIV/AIDS in developing countries—was also discussed. A discussion on the outcome of the conference on "Quality in Health Care" held by the Austrian Presidency on 24 July 1998 was held over lunch.

  Training Support Programme
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources he will make available to the Training Support Programme (TSP, Specific Grant) for local authorities in the next three years. [60472]

  Mr. Hutton
  The training support programme budget for 1998–99 is £35.45 million. It is set to rise to £39.0 million for 1999–2000 and there are planning figures of £42.5 million and £44.5 million for the two subsequent years. This provides a sound basis on which local authorities can plan their local expenditure.

  Joint Procedures (NHS and Personal Social Services)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 10 November 1998,Official Report, column 178, concerning National Priorities Guidance, what informal consultations were undertaken prior to its publication. [60297]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government sought the personal advice and views of a range of key people from professional, National Health Service and social services organisations prior to the publication of Modernising Health and Social Services: National Priorities Guidance 1999/00–2001/02.

  Continence Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current level of continence care provision. [60272]

  Mr. Hutton
  On 2 September 1998 we announced the details of the review of continence policy which involves representatives from the health service, social services and voluntary organisations. This review will lead to updated guidance which we plan to issue in Spring 1999.

  Betaferon
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation his Department has made of the recently published research into the beneficial effects of Betaferon; and what plans he has to issue revised guidance. [60271]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department has considered the results from the recently published research on treatment of multiple sclerosis with Betaferon (Beta-Interferon- 1 b). The research adds to the growing body of data about this medicine, but there are still many unanswered questions about its appropriate use in both relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The Department will be commissioning new research to address this. When the results of the research are available, we will issue revised guidelines which will take into account this and all other soundly based research evidence.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated for injuries caused by fireworks in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [60265]

  Dr. Howells
  I have been asked to reply.

  The DTI's annual census of firework injuries is conducted over a four week period taking in the run-up to 5 November and a few days afterwards. In the last ten years the number of people treated in Accident and Emergency departments in Great Britain during this period was as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1987

  960

  1988

  877

  1989

  800

  1990

  805

  1991

  723

  1992

  942

  1993

  1,058

  1994

  1,574

  1995

  1,530

  1996

  1,233

  1997

  908

  No reliable estimates of injuries outside this period can be made because the numbers involved are too small to be extrapolated from data in the Home Accident Surveillance System.

  DH: Childcare provision and cost to parents: 1996–97 and 1997–98

  Playscheme (cost to parent per child)

  Subsidised nursery (cost to parent per child)

  Childcare vouchers (value of vouchers)

  London

  24 place on-site holiday playscheme 5-12 years (£6 per day)

  25 subsidised places (50% of costs of £105-£169)

  Leeds

  40 place off-site holiday playscheme 5-14 years shared with Benefits Agency (£6.50 per day until 1/98, then £8.00 per day)

  30 place on-site nursery shared with Benefits Agency (£84.45 per week)

  NHSPA

  c.20 places taken up at off-site holiday playscheme (£5.50 per day)

  North Thames Regional Office

  c.22 x £25 vouchers, for those in post at 1/4/96, one per family per week 0-5 years

  South Thames Regional Office

  As above

  Notes:

  1. The Department' staff in London also had access to the Westminster holiday playscheme. Around 4 parents took up places in each scheme.

  2. During 1996–97 and part of 1997–98, the Department's staff had use of the Childcare Solutions telephone helpline. This provided information and advice on childcare in local areas free of charge and was used by 70 staff.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Israel
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 9 November 1998,Official Report, column 33, what assurances his Department has received from the Israeli Government that no new building permits will be issued for Jewish housing units in (a) Gaza and (b) the Occupied West Bank. [59559]

  Child Care
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what childcare provision is made available by his Department for the use of staff; what is the cost to parents of this childcare; how many parents used the facilities in the financial years(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; and what proportion of total staff used these facilities in the financial years (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98. [59728]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department has made provision for subsidised nursery places and an on-site holiday playscheme in London, and an on-site nursery and a holiday playscheme, funded jointly with the Benefits Agency, in Leeds. Childcare vouchers are available to staff in North and South Thames Regional Offices of the National Health Service Executive. The NHS Pensions Agency provides a subsidy towards the cost of a holiday playscheme for its staff. The Department also provides a range of family friendly policies including 16 weeks' paid maternity leave; extended career breaks (up to 5 years); 5 days' paternity leave; and other measures to help staff balance work and family life including jobshare, part-time working, homeworking and term-time only working.

  The table shows the cost to parents of provision. Information on the use of facilities is not available in the form requested. The places available are set out in the table. The number of staff in post in the Department is 4,768.

  A review of the Department's current childcare provision is underway.

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have received no further assurances from the Israeli government that no new building permits will be issued for Jewish housing units in Gaza and the West Bank. But the Israeli Cabinet endorsed the Wye River Memorandum on 12 November and we expect the Israeli government to abide by the letter and the spirit of the agreement, which prohibits either side from taking any steps to change the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. We have made it clear to Israel that we regard the initiation and encouragement of settlement activity as a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace,
  569
  and we recently informed them of our concern at the issuing of tenders for construction at Har Homa in East Jerusalem.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Israel on the implementation of the Wye Accord. [60163]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has written twice to the Israeli Prime Minister since the Wye Memorandum was signed in Washington on 23 October to congratulate him on this achievement, and to stress the importance of swift implementation. Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv has also been in touch with key political contacts in Israel to express our concern at the delays in implementation. We trust that, following Cabinet approval of the Wye agreement on 11 November, full implementation will begin in accordance with the timeline established at Wye.

  Foreign Policy Centre
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the annual budget of the Foreign Policy Centre; what proportion is charged to public funds; and if he will list the source of private funding. [57585]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Foreign Policy Centre is an independent foreign policy institute. The Centre's annual budget and contributions are matters for the Foreign Policy Centre. None of the Foreign Policy Centre's budget is charged to public funds.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the proposed annual salary of the Director Designate of the Foreign Policy Centre. [57584]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Foreign Policy Centre is an independent foreign policy institute. The Director Designate' s salary is a matter for the Foreign Policy Centre.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the advantages of the policy input available from the Foreign Policy Centre relative to that from(a) his Department's (i) Policy Board, (ii) Policy Planning Unit, (iii) Research Department, (iv) High Commissioners, Ambassadors and overseas missions and (v) London-based desk offices, (b) his special advisers, (c) the intelligence services, (d) other Government departments, (e) the Royal Institute of International Affairs and (f) other academic institutions for the study of international affairs. [57590]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  It is established practice for Foreign Office officials and Ministers to have contact with a wide range of policy institutes and NGOs and to consider their views when developing policy. These contacts occur at all levels of the Foreign Office and are an important and valued part of the policy making process. Policy institutes and NGOs contribute to a wider public debate which can also influence policy. The nature of these contacts means it is not possible to assess the influence of one particular policy institute in isolation from other institutes.

  Russia
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion he has had with EU member countries about reducing illegal currency transfers from Russia to western banking institutions. [59276]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 November 1998]There have been frequent discussions of Russia's economic problems and how the EU might best assist Russia to overcome them at meetings of the General Affairs Council, most recently on 9 November. During these discussions co-operation with Russia in fighting organised crime, including financial crime, has been discussed.

  Through its TACIS programme, the EU funds training for Russian banking staff to help them identify evidence of money laundering and take action to prevent it.

  An existing EU money laundering directive requires member states to implement legal measures to prevent criminal funds from being laundered by their financial institutions.

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what public access there is to European Council documents pertaining to the discussions after the Amsterdam IGC on interpreting the treaty negotiations relating to the opt-in to the Schengen Agreement by opt-out states. [59807]

  Ms Quin
  Members of the public may apply for access to any Council document under the provisions of Council Decision 93/731/EC of 20 December 1993. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

  The two draft Decisions identifying and incorporating the Schengen acquis have been made available to Parliament.

  EU Youth Forum
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on t`he meeting by a Minister from his Department with the European Youth Forum on 14 June; [59799]

  (2) what representations (a) he and (b) his Ministers have received from the European Union Youth Forum as part of its EU-funded lobbying activities. [59992]

  Ms Quin
  My predecessor, the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson), met representatives from the European Youth Forum on 14 June 1998 in the margins of the Cardiff European Council. The EYF briefed him on the conclusions of a conference which they had held from 11 to 14 June in Cardiff, entitled 'Fighting for our Future'. A central theme of the conference was youth and employment.

  People's Europe '98 Conference
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of speakers at People's Europe '98(a) endorsed and (b) opposed closer European integration; and what measures he will take to ensure balance in future conferences. [60000]
  571
  Ms Quin
  Decisions on speakers for the People's Europe '98 conference were the responsibility of the organisers. At the Government's suggestion the organisers sought to ensure that a wide range of speakers from across Europe were invited, representing diverse points of view.

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for visit visas have been refused at the High Commission in Lagos; and what proportion of the total applications this represents, in each of the last four years, and in the current year to date. [60027]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The information requested by my hon. Friend is as follows:

  British High Commission—Lagos

  Year

  Number of non-settlement visas issued

  Number of refusals

  Refusals as percentage of total applications processed

  19981

  30,668

  5,877

  16.1

  1997

  27,101

  8,681

  24.2

  1996

  33,249

  7,963

  19.3

  1995

  23,787

  8,165

  25.6

  1994

  31,202

  10,232

  24.7

  1 1998 figures are from January-September

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement; [60076]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies to which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement. [60078]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector. The information the hon. Member requests will be found in the copies of departments' plans which have been published in the Library. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Library and on the internet.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the problems which have arisen in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible for millennium compliance; if
  572
  he will make a statement on progress to date in tackling such problems; and what are the priority areas for remedial work. [60077]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The year 2000 problems which have arisen in the FCO are non compliant hardware, software and operating systems in the following:

  Office automation systems

  Business-critical database applications

  Telecommunications

  Embedded systems.

  All the above have been classed as high priority.

  The Agency for which the FCO has responsibility had a problem with its telecommunication. This is being corrected.

  Information on the FCO's progress in tackling these problems was given in the FC0's last quarterly update of its plan, which will be found in the Library. My right hon. Friend the President of the Council will announce the results of the next quarterly review shortly. The updated plan will be placed in the Library and on the internet.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60079]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The FCO plans to have all its business-critical IT and embedded systems compliant before the millennium either by correction or by replacement.

  The greatest risk has been identified as the limited time available to replace systems around the world. Contingency plans have been drafted to ensure workarounds can be implemented wherever replacements cannot be accomplished in time.

  As requested by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council, the FCO will have completed risk assessments, and will have initial year 2000 business continuity plans in place, by the end of January 1999.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) pursuant to his oral statement of 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 708, what evidence he received from (a) the CIA and (b) other sources, to support his statement that Saddam Hussein had imported specialist surgical equipment for cosmetic surgery on those around him; [60275]

  (2) what evidence he received from (a) the CIA and (b) other sources to support the statement he made at his recent press conference that Saddam Hussein had imported surgical equipment for breast enlargement operations. [60276]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Iraqi Government have submitted Distribution Plans of goods to be supplied under the United Nations "Oil for Food" programme which include Silicone breast implants (sizes 4, 5, 6 and 7), a Liposuction machine (worth over 16,000 USD) and
  573
  a teeth whitening laser worth (126,000 USD). These ignore the fact that the purpose of the "Oil for Food" programme is to provide essential humanitarian goods to those who need them in Iraq. The UN would not of course approve these items at the expense of more pressing needs. Saddam Hussein's perverse priorities are to provide luxury goods for his cronies rather than food and medicine for suffering children.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response has been sent to the Russian Foreign Minister about his objections to military action against Iraq. [60161]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have made clear our own position on the use of military force in the Security Council and in public statements. We have discussed Iraq regularly with the Russians, among others.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the objectives of a possible air attack on Iraq. [60162]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The ultimate aim of our policy, including any use of military force against Iraq, has always been the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions.

  Burma
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to increase aid to the Karen refugees in Burma. [59551]

  Mr. Fatchett
  In recent years, the Government have channelled support for refugees on the Thai-Burma border primarily through the Burma Border Consortium. In 1998, the Department for International Development has provided over £250,000 for the Consortium. DflD is considering a request from the Consortium for further support in 1999.

  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to bring pressure to bear on the SPDC regime in Burma to implement a ceasefire and enter into political dialogue with the Karen people. [59552]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are concerned at the political situation in Burma and the plight of the ethnic minorities. We consistently exert pressure on the regime to enter into substantive dialogue with the different parties concerned to reach a solution and an end to fighting. Our efforts include support for UN involvement and a recent strengthening of the EU Common Position.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what facilities exist on St. Helena for citizens to be able to have access to files relating to them. [59433]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 12 November 1998]St. Helenians have no right of access to files relating to them such as criminal records, benefit payments and passport applications. Public Servants are subject to open appraisal but do not have right of access to their files.
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  If my hon. Friend has any specific concerns, I would invite him to raise this issue with this office directly.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Seals
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of each type of seal found in United Kingdom waters, the total weight of fish consumed by these animals each year and the weight of each prey species this represents; and of these prey species, which, and in what numbers, weights or quantities, are exploited by(a) commercial fisherman and (b) anglers. [59032]

  Mr. Morley
  1997 estimates (1996 for Northern Ireland) indicate UK populations of some 115,000 grey seals and 50,000 common seals.

  Based on 1985 diet data it is estimated that in 1997 232,000 tonnes of fish was consumed by grey seals and 55,000 tonnes of fish by common seals. The predominant prey species were sandeels, cod and whiting. A significant proportion of the fish taken by seals are likely to have been juveniles which, given their high rates of natural mortality, may not in any case have reached a size at which they would be available to either commercial fishermen or anglers.

  Mink
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of recent reports of the use of carbon dioxide gas for the gassing of mink in fur farms; and if he will ban the use of such gas as a method of killing mink. [59085]

  Mr. Morley
  A recent article (Veterinary Record, 26 September) concluded that under experimental conditions mink detect high concentrations of carbon dioxide gas and avoid them when given the opportunity to express a preference. It suggests that alternative methods of killing may be preferable on welfare grounds, but acknowledges that the degree of aversion to other methods of killing has not been studied. The matter needs to be considered at the European Community level, as the permitted methods of killing which include carbon dioxide gas, are specified in EU regulations. We shall ensure that this new report is considered by the European Commission: however, the Government are in any case committed to banning the farming of animals for their fur.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans the Government have to commission research into the direct and indirect effects of releasing genetically modified organisms into the open. [59224]

  Mr. Rooker
  In addition to studies currently underway or about to be commissioned, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to her on 12 November 1998,Official Report, column 316. We recently announced that the Government will be carrying out farm-scale evaluations

  575
  of the first commercial plantings of genetically modified crops for ecological effects along with commercial plantings of conventional crops.

  European Fund for Fisheries Enforcement
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much the United Kingdom has been awarded in 1998 to date from the European Fund for Fisheries Enforcement; and if he will list(a) the projects that will receive assistance, indicating the amount of grant (i) applied for and (ii) received, and (b) those projects that were put forward but not accepted. [59557]

  Mr. Morley
  Information about Community assistance towards fisheries enforcement expenditure awarded to the United Kingdom in 1998 to date under the provisions of Commission Decision 98/439/EC is set out in the tables.

  Decisions on the eligibility of planned expenditure, the rate of Community financial contribution, and the conditions to which contributions may be subject are determined by the Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 18 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3760/92.

  Central Government Departments including Executive Agencies

  Total number of projects on which grant aid has been awarded

  Total planned expenditure (£)

  Total planned expenditure eligible for grant aid (£)

  Total grant aid awarded (£)

  10

  9,280,077

  5,367,054

  2,797,882

  Total number of projects on which grant aid has not been awarded

  Total planned expenditure (£)

  Total planned aexpenditure eligible for grant aid (£)

  Total grant aid awarded (£)

  13

  1,974,254

  0

  0

  Local Authority Fisheries Committees

  Total number of projects on which grant aid has been awarded

  Total planned expenditure (£)

  Total expenditure eligible for grant aid (£)

  Total grant aid awarded (£)

  7

  9,700

  9,700

  4,850

  Total number of projects on which grant aid has not been awarded

  Total planned expenditure (£)

  Total planned expenditure eligible for grant aid (£)

  Total grant aid awarded (£)

  19

  2,389,391

  0

  0

  Note:
  Amounts based on ecu exchange rate applied by Commission at time grant awarded.

  Sea Fisheries Committees
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what money has been allocated to each of the United Kingdom's sea fisheries committees for 1998–99. [59558]

  Mr. Morley
  Sea Fisheries Committees are committees of local government. They are funded by their constituent local authorities. No funds are provided directly by central Government.

  The Statutory Instruments establishing each committee specify the proportionate contribution that each constituent local authority has agreed to make towards its committee's costs.

  Meat (Hygiene and Inspection)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will publish comparisons of the extent to which the United Kingdom and other EU countries use(a) veterinary surgeons and (b) meat inspectors in the public health inspection of the meat slaughter process; [58449]

  (2) if he will publish comparisons of the different qualifications for (a) meat inspectors and (b) veterinarians involved in meat inspection in Britain and other EU countries. [58450]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Harmonised EC meat hygiene rules, which apply equally in all EU Member States, lay down detailed and specific requirements for the supervision of licensed abattoirs by official veterinarians (ie fully qualified veterinary surgeons). The rules also specify the duties and responsibilities of such official veterinarians, including in respect of ante mortem and post mortem veterinary inspections. Council Directive 78/1026/EEC provides for the mutual recognition of the qualifications of veterinarians applying in different EU Member States.

  The meat hygiene rules also provide for official veterinarians to be assisted in the performance of certain, specified, tasks by 'auxiliaries' whose qualifications must comply with the minimum qualifications laid down. In Great Britain the role of such 'auxiliaries' is performed by MHS Meat Hygiene Inspectors. My Department has no information on the qualifications of 'auxiliaries' employed on meat hygiene work in other EU Member States.

  Information obtained by my Department recently about the implementation in other Member States of the veterinary supervision requirements laid down in EC meat hygiene rules shows that supervision levels and frequencies vary between States as one would expect. It does not support the claim that supervision levels in Great Britain premises are significantly higher then in other member States. I have arranged for this information to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish comparisons of the proportion of farm gate prices for meat in the United Kingdom and other EU countries that results from meat inspection. [58451]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The information requested is not available.
  577
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish comparisons of the quality and cost of meat hygiene standards across the EU. [58448]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Information about the quality and costs of enforcing meat hygiene standards in Great Britain is set out in the Annual Report and Accounts of the Meat Hygiene Service.

  It is the European Commission's responsibility to ensure that Member States comply with their Community obligations as laid down in harmonised EC rules. The Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carries out regular programmes of inspection visits to all Member States. If necessary, the Commission will take infraction proceedings against those Member States whose arrangements are considered inadequate. Reports of FVO visits are published on the Commission's website on the Internet (http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/vi/reports) and a list of such reports will appear in MAFF's Meat Hygiene Enforcement Report and BSE Enforcement Bulletin, both of which are published monthly.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to review the impact of the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 within one year of its implementation date. [58237]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  In common with all legislation, we will keep the impact of the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 under review.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of the differences between the methods of implementing the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 in different EU countries; [58239]

  (2) what assessment his Department has made of the cost to consumers of compliance with the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations in 1998 in each EU Member State; [58235]

  (3) what assessment his Department has made of the cost of compliance with the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 in each Member State of the EU. [58241]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 implement in Great Britain the provisions relating to charges for meat hygiene/ welfare inspections of Council Directive 85/73/EEC (as amended) on the financing of veterinary inspections and controls.

  The level, method of calculation and compliance costs of such charges in other EU countries are matters for the relevant competent authority in each Member State. It is the European Commission's responsibility to ensure that individual Member States comply with their Community obligations as laid down in Directive 85/73/EEC.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment his Department has made of the cost to British industry of the implementation of the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998; [58240]
  578
  (2) what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 on small and medium enterprises. [58232]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  A Regulatory Appraisal in respect of the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 has been prepared by my Department and will be placed in the Library of the House. The Regulatory Appraisal includes an assessment of the likely compliance costs for business of the Regulations and the likely impact on small businesses.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received about the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 since they were implemented. [58233]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  My Department has received a small number of representations about the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 since they came into force.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the European Commission reasoned opinion document on which the interpretation of the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 is based. [58238]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  No. The Reasoned Opinion is the formal legal document in which the European Commission has set out its case against the UK Government in respect of our failure to implement fully the veterinary supervision requirements laid down in EC meat hygiene rules. Such formal communications between the European Commission and Member State Governments are confidential and not for publication.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the effect on prices received by livestock farmers of the implementation of the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998. [58242]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) Regulations 1998 relate to charges levied by the Meat Hygiene Service in Great Britain on licensed slaughterhouses, cutting plants and cold stores in respect of the hygiene/welfare inspections carried out in those premises. The prices received by livestock farmers for animals slaughtered in licensed slaughterhouses are a commercial matter for those involved.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60141]

  Mr. Morley
  The primary aim of the Ministry's millennium programme is to ensure that effective countermeasures are implemented to prevent any Year 2000 date-related problems from occurring. However, a formal risk management methodology has been introduced in core-MAFF and its Agencies which will identify the need for contingency plans where countermeasure action may not be fully effective.
  579
  Risk assessment will be completed and initial contingency plans will be in place by the end of January 1999; these will be fully developed by mid-1999, with key elements tested in the same timescale.

  Non-departmental public bodies are being advised to progress contingency planning and their progress will be monitored.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies to which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement; [60140]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [60138]
  580
  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government Departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector. The information the hon. Member requests will be found in the copies of Departments' plans which have been published in the Library of the House. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Library of the House and on the Internet.

  Rabbits and Rodents
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the annual economic loss sustained by the agricultural sector from the activities of(a) rabbits, (b) voles, (c) rats and (d) mice. [57923]

  Mr. Morley
  The damage caused by rabbits to agriculture is estimated at £40 million per annum. An assessment has not been made of the economic loss to agriculture caused by voles, rats and mice, but damage caused by small rodents can be considerable.

  Hereditary Peers
  Hereditary Peers
  Kurdish Community, London: Response to Letter
  Kurdish Community, London: Response to Letter
  Parole Decision Making
  Parole Decision Making
  Central America: Debt Remission
  Central America: Debt Remission
  Unemployment Statistics
  Unemployment Statistics
  Health Council, 12 November
  Health Council, 12 November
  Training Support Programme Budget
  Training Support Programme Budget
  Airport Night Flight Restrictions
  Airport Night Flight Restrictions
  New Towns Pension Fund
  New Towns Pension Fund
  Street Furniture and Abnormal Loads
  Street Furniture and Abnormal Loads
  Burma: Refugees
  Burma: Refugees
  The British Council
  The British Council
  Closure of Diplomatic Posts
  Closure of Diplomatic Posts
  Sandline International: Ownership
  Sandline International: Ownership
  NATO
  NATO
  Caspian Oil Pipeline Routes
  Caspian Oil Pipeline Routes
  UNITA: Embassy Contacts
  UNITA: Embassy Contacts
  Human Rights Covenants: Ratification Records
  Human Rights Covenants: Ratification Records
  Intellectual Property, Scotland
  Intellectual Property, Scotland
  Scotland: Analysis of Standard Grade Results
  Scotland: Analysis of Standard Grade Results
  Northern Ireland: Arrests under PACE
  Northern Ireland: Arrests under PACE
  Northern Ireland: Prison Deaths
  Northern Ireland: Prison Deaths
  Northern Ireland: Analysis of A-Level Results
  Northern Ireland: Analysis of A-Level Results
  Northern Ireland: Analysis of GCSE Results
  Northern Ireland: Analysis of GCSE Results
  Mr. Francis McDonnell
  Mr. Francis McDonnell