Written Answers of 19 October 1998

DEFENCE

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the outcome of the inquiry into the leak of the Strategic Defence Review White Paper. [55672]

  Mr. George Robertson
  A copy of the Strategic Defence Review White Paper was leaked to the Opposition Front Bench and to the press on the afternoon and early evening of Tuesday 7 July. As soon as I learned about the leak, I asked the Cabinet Secretary to authorise an immediate and thorough investigation into how it came about. This inquiry has been conducted by two independent investigators. It has now been completed.

  I regret that, after extensive inquiries, the investigators were not able to identify the person responsible for the leak. They have, however, established the course of events on the afternoon and evening of 7 July with a high degree of probability.

  The investigators concluded that on 7 July a photocopy of the White Paper was sent by an authorised recipient within Government to the Opposition Front Bench; and that subsequently four copies were made within the House and made available to selected journalists. The first newspaper to receive a copy was The Daily Telegraph. Further copies went to The Times, the Financial Times and the Daily Mail, apparently in phased distribution because of the bulk of the document being copied. The investigators found no evidence to suggest that, in addition to the copy sent to the Opposition, a second authorised recipient sent copies to the newspapers.

  The investigation revealed some small weaknesses in the generally very successful procedures for the distribution of the White Paper. None of them was a likely cause of the leak. The necessary steps will be taken to ensure that these small errors are not repeated. In itself the leak was of no significance to national security. But I am naturally most concerned that someone working for the Government breached security in this way. Ten thousand copies of the White Paper were circulated under embargo in advance of its publication. It appears that only one of the authorised recipients did not respect its confidentiality.

  The leak was a gross discourtesy to Parliament; and I once again express my anger and my apologies for the fact that it occurred.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant) of 28 July 1998,Official Report, columns 198–99, what public opinion research was undertaken in May in respect of the public presentation of the SDR; how much it cost; and what was the purpose of the research. [54667]
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  Mr. George Robertson
  My Department commissioned two items of public opinion research: a qualitative focus group study which reported in May 1998, and a questionnaire in an omnibus survey conducted over one week (28 May to 3 June 1998). The combined cost was £49,655.50. The purpose of the research was to explore the public's attitudes, feelings and knowledge regarding the key issues covered in the Strategic Defence Review. This was in keeping with the Government's declared objective of achieving a national consensus on the defence of the country.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment's evaluation of whether short-term exposure to mustard gas causes bone marrow depression and the resulting immunosuppression in the long term. [54539]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 7 August 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your question about DERA's evaluation of whether short term exposure to mustard gas causes bone marrow depression and the resulting immunosuppression in the long term.
  DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence sector (CBD) has not performed any research into either bone marrow depression or immunosuppression following short term exposure to mustard gas. However, CBD is aware from both the available literature on the subject and the experience gained through assisting in the clinical management of Iranian casualties in the UK during the late 1980s that bone marrow depression and severe immunosuppression can result from a single high does exposure to mustard, particularly after liquid exposure under occluded conditions.
  A total of four out of approximately thirty Iranian casualties treated in the UK developed bone marrow depression as a result of contamination of a large proportion of their body surfaces with mustard. This depression of their bone marrow and immune competency progressed rapidly and resulted in their deaths from overwhelming infection with a few days; such rapidly decreasing bone marrow function proved to be resistant to treatment with both blood and cell transfusions.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment's evaluation of whether short-term exposure to mustard gas causes chronic skin ulceration and scar formation. [55329]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your question about the effects of short term exposure to mustard gas.
  I informed you in my letter of 20 August 1997, printed in the Official Report Col 660 dated 27 October, that DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence sector (CBD) has reviewed the available literature documenting the effects of short term exposure to mustard gas. In my earlier letter I explained that historical evidence from the

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  First World War, and more recent nursing of Iranian patients in the UK in the mid 1980s, indicates that short term exposure to mustard gas affects the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. The effects on the skin consist of reddening followed by blistering; similar effects are seen at the other affected areas. Once the blisters rupture, ulceration of the skin following; these injuries take a long while to heal.
  The long term effects of mustard exposure have most frequently been documented in people previously employed in the manufacture of mustard gas. In a study of 488 workers from the Okuno-jima war gas plant, 115 showed pigmentary skin changes and 22 showed evidence of basal cell cancer and Bowen's disease (pre-invasive cancer). Thus far, there has only been one report describing the long term effects of mustard exposure on the skin of war veterans. A group of Iranian solders were monitored for almost two years following exposure to mustard during the Iran-Iraq war of 1984–1988. Of the exposed casualties, 41% developed pigmentary disorders. No other clinical abnormalities have so far been identified.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment's evaluation of the effect on human health in(a) the long-term and (b) the short-term of exposure to phosgene. [55320]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your question about possible effects on human health of long term and short term exposure to phosgene.
  I informed you in my letter of 21 July 1998, printed in the Official Report Col 472 dated 21 July, that DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence sector (CBD) was undertaking studies to determine the short term effects of exposure to phosgene as part of an ongoing research programme. These studies are not yet complete.
  CBD's evaluation of the long term effects is based on information available from the First World War when phosgene was used extensively. Inhalation of the gas causes immediate irritation of the respiratory passages. The effects on the lung, which can be fatal, may not become apparent for two to six hours after exposure.
  If exposure does not prove fatal the lung usually recovers within a few weeks. However, the results of long term reviews of the health of First World War veterans exposed to phosgene have indicated that the incidence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema is higher in these veterans than in age matched control groups.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Women (Recruitment)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to encourage women to join the armed forces. [55359]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Armed Forces are committed to maximising career opportunities for women. In April this year, the number of posts in the Army open to women increased from 47% to 70%. Three quarters of posts in the Royal Navy are now open to women. Additionally, as part of the Strategic Defence Review, we announced that 1,300 posts filled by Royal Navy and Army personnel in specialists units attached to the Royal Marines would be open to women. In the RAF, women are eligible for 96% of all posts. Women are excluded 884
  from posts only where their presence would be detrimental to combat effectiveness, or for practical or medical reasons.

  All three Services welcome applications from women, and are making considerable efforts to encourage them to apply to join the Armed Forces. In particular, the Army regularly publishes recruitment advertisements and editorials in national and female titles. The RAF has published a recruitment brochure specifically targeted at female inquirers entitled "The World at Your Feet—Women in the RAF", and has recently run an advertising campaign featuring the most senior RAF female officer.

  Royal Ordnance, Bridgwater
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has come to a decision on the sale of Royal Ordnance, Bridgwater to a French company. [54920]

  Mr. Spellar
  The position remains as set out in my previous answer to the hon. Member on 19 December 1997,Official Report, column 383. The strategic implications of any joint venture between Royal Ordnance and an overseas company would be examined with great care as part of the consideration by the appropriate regulatory authorities.

  Medical Officers
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the restructured pay scales for qualified general medical practitioners and general dental practitioners in the rank of major. [54915]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The restructured daily pay scales for qualified general medical practitioners and general dental practitioners in the rank of major will come into effect on 1 December 1998, and will be:

  1 December 1998

  Pay scale

  Qualified general medical practitioners:

  On appointment

  131.51

  After 1 year in rank

  133.53

  After 2 years in rank

  135.55

  After 3 years in rank

  137.59

  After 4 years in rank

  140.45

  After 5 years in rank

  143.31

  After 6 years in rank

  145.05

  After 7 years in rank

  146.78

  After 8 years in rank

  148.51

  Unqualified general medical practitioners:

  On appointment

  106.09

  After 1 year in rank

  112.81

  After 2 years in rank

  119.59

  After 3 years in rank

  121.62

  After 4 years in rank

  123.64

  After 5 years in rank

  125.66

  After 6 years in rank

  127.70

  After 7 years in rank

  130.56

  After 8 years in rank

  133.43

  General dental practitioners:

  On appointment

  124.36

  After 1 year in rank

  126.38

  After 2 years in rank

  128.40

  After 3 years in rank

  130.44

  After 4 years in rank

  133.30

  After 5 years in rank

  136.16

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  1 December 1998

  Pay scale

  After 6 years in rank

  137.90

  After 7 years in rank

  139.63

  After 8 years in rank

  141.36

  Gulf Veterans Medical Assessment Programme
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what resources have been made available to the Gulf Veterans Medical Assessment Programme for work from 1 September; what is the duration of Professor Harry Lee's contract; what is the total value of his contract; and if he will make a statement on the progress of the programme. [55421]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Ministry of Defence has been running a Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) for Gulf veterans since Autumn 1993. In that time, over 2,600 patients have been seen by the Programme's physicians. A detailed paper covering the diagnostic results of the first 1,000 patients seen at the MAP has been submitted to an independent medical journal for publication. The MOD also plans to commission a thorough audit of the MAP later this year, focusing on all aspects of patient care and on the service it provides.

  Following an open competition, Professor Harry Lee took up his post as Head of the MAP on 1 September this year. He has been employed on a two year fixed term appointment which, as is usual with contracts of this kind, is extendable. The salary range for the grade at which Professor Lee has been employed—Principal Medical Officer—is £41,606 to £64,346.

  The annual cost of running the MAP is approximately Cm. This level of resources is appropriate to handle the current rate of new referrals to the Programme. Accordingly, no additional resources have been allocated to the MAP as a direct consequence of Professor Lee's appointment.

  The MAP currently forms part of the Baird Health Centre at St. Thomas' Hospital, London.

  Armed Forces (Homosexuals)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his consultations with the chiefs of staff on the treatment of homosexuals in the armed forces. [52218]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The issue of homosexuality and the Armed Forces will be reviewed in this Parliament, as part of the policy reviews undertaken in preparation for the passage of the next Armed Forces Bill due in 2001. The Government will form a view on the weight of the evidence, taking into consideration EC and national law as well as the views of the Armed Forces. We will then seek to establish the way forward in consultation with the Chiefs of Staff.

  Trident
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's estimate of the explosive power of the nuclear warheads deployed on the Trident submarine system. [51884]
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  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 24 July 1998]: The 48 nuclear warheads deployed on each Trident submarine will have an explosive power one third less than the 32 warheads carried on each Polaris submarine under the Chevaline modification. Details of the explosive yield of our Trident warheads are covered by Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department expects to spend in each year from 1998–99 to 2000–01 on vehicle replacements. [54990]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have written to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55260]

  Mr. Spellar
  Motorcycle parking facilities exist at a number of Ministry of Defence and Agency sites. However, records of the precise numbers and types of space are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The provision of parking facilities in general will be considered during the preparation of my Department's Green Transport Plans.

  Shipyards (Aircraft Carriers)
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the United Kingdom shipyards with the capacity to design and build the two larger aircraft vessels planned for service from 2012 as announced on 8 July. [55278]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are a number of UK Shipyards with the capacity to design and build the two larger aircraft carriers planned to enter service from 2012. These include VSEL at Barrow-in-Furness; Harland and Wolf Belfast; Swan Hunter Tyneside; and the ship construction yard in Birkenhead previously owned by Cammell Laird.

  The Procurement Strategy being developed for the acquisition of the carriers envisages a design, build and initial support contract being placed competitively with a prime contractor who need not be a shipbuilder. It is not, therefore, necessarily the case that the shipbuilder will be responsible also for the design of the new carriers.

  Naval Field Gun Crews
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the cost of each of the three Royal Navy field gun crews in each of the last five years; [55645]

  (2) how many service personnel have been involved and over what period in the field gun competition of the Royal Tournament in each of the last five years; and what was the cost of those personnel. [55646]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
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  Gulf War (Compensation Claims)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims for compensation from Gulf War service personnel and civilians his Department has received to date. [55649]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Up to 15 October 1998, my Department had received 116 claims for compensation arising from a variety of incidents from Service personnel and civilians following Gulf War service. These include claims relating to road traffic and other accidents which occurred in the Gulf region in 1990/1 and claims alleging medical negligence in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition, at 15 October 1998, my Department had registered 1,736 current notices of intention to claim compensation from Service personnel, members of their families, and civilian Ministry of Defence employees and contractors in respect of illnesses allegedly arising from the Gulf War.

  Royal Tournament
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what injuries have been incurred by military personnel participating in the Royal Tournament in each of the last five years; and how many working days were lost through those injuries; [55650]

  (2) what was the total cost to his Department of support for the Royal Tournament in each of the last five years. [55647]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Royal Navy (Undermanning)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships are currently undermanned; of which types; and to what extent. [55648]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The major ships of the Surface Flotilla all experience a degree of gapping which, on average, amounts to 5 per cent. of the full crew complement, and in the case of minor ships this average is 4 per cent. There are no submarines operating below their full crew complement.

  Military Satellites
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the UK's decision not to participate in the tri-national project to develop a military satellite. [55361]

  Mr. Spellar
  In the period up to August this year, the UK had been considering a range of procurement options, covering collaborative, National conventional, and Public Finance Initiative (PFI) options, for satisfying the Project Definition (PD) phase requirements for the next generation of UK military satellite communications, known generically as Skynet 5. The preferred option had been a collaborative programme involving France and Germany, known as Trimilsatcom.

  Following a thorough evaluation of the options by the UK, it was clear that Trimilsatcom would not meet the UK's requirements in an affordable way, and would not be ready in time to replace our existing satellites when
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  they went out of service. The assessment also showed that a National PFI approach had the potential to offer an affordable and timely solution. It was therefore decided that the UK would not proceed with the Trimilsatcom PD programme.

  Future Offensive Air System
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the timetable for the development of the Future Offensive Air System; [55352]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's evaluation of the Future Offensive Air System. [55351]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Future Offensive Air System, FOAS, will replace the capability currently provided by the Tornado GR fleet in the offensive support role in about twenty years' time. As confirmed in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper (Cmd 3999), a wide range of options to fulfil the FOAS requirement will continue to be examined, including manned aircraft, remotely piloted/unmanned air vehicles and cruise missiles. Feasibility studies into the various options are underway and are progressing well.

  Joint Strike Fighter
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the timetable for the introduction of the Joint Strike Fighter. [55353]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Joint Strike Fighter, JSF, is a US Department of Defense project. The UK is participating in the Concept Demonstration Phase of the US programme as a full collaborative partner, JSF being a strong contender to meet our Future Carrier Borne Aircraft requirement. First flights of the JSF concept demonstration aircraft are scheduled for the year 2000. Subsequently, a decision will be taken on whether to join the next phase of the US programme, or to follow one of the alternative options currently being studied. The Future Carrier Borne Aircraft is due to enter service around 2012.

  Training Exercises
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 30 July 1998,Official Report, column 444, what was the outcome of the review of his Department's training methods; and what is his policy on future defence exercises involving the shooting of pigs. [55396]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  UK military participation in the Danish Armed Forces medical exercises involving the use of pigs remains suspended pending the completion of our review.

  HMS Cromer (Submarine)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the remote-operated submarine abandoned by HMS Cromer has been replaced. [54923]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  On 17 March 1998, HMS Cromer was obliged to temporarily abandon her Remote Controlled Mine Disposal Vehicle (RCMDV) while assisting in the location of the wreck of a fishing vessel. As soon as HMS Cromer returned to base port her
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  RCMDV was replaced by a spare, in order to restore the warship's capability. As the original vehicle was recovered and will be returned to service shortly, it will not be necessary to purchase a replacement.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what disciplinary action has been taken concerning(a) the logs of and (b) the decision to abandon HMS Cromer's yellow submarine. [54922]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  None.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Cromer's remote-operated submarine was purchased and at what cost; and what it would cost to replace. [54924]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  HMS Cromer's Remote Controlled Mine Disposal Vehicle was purchased in 1996. As configured, the unit cost of a vehicle on this contract was some £230K. As the vehicle was recovered and will be returned to service shortly it is not necessary to purchase a replacement.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Cromer lost her yellow remote-operated submarine; what attempts were made to find it; when the decision was taken to abandon it; and if he will make a statement. [54925]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  On 17 March 1998 the Mine-hunter, HMS Cromer, dispatched a Remote Controlled Mine Disposal Vehicle (RCMDV) in an attempt to assist the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch in locating the wreck of the fishing vessel Margaretha Maria. In the process of making a positive identification of the wreck, the RCMDV became entangled in the sunken trawler's nets. Its location was confirmed but, as it could not readily be recovered at that time, it was temporarily abandoned to enable HMS Cromer to continue with each scheduled duties. The RCMDV was subsequently picked up by a trawler. The salvors have submitted a salvage claim but as yet no settlement has been agreed.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has settled the salvage claim in respect of the yellow submarine lost from HMS Cromer; and for what sum. [54921]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No settlement has yet been reached with regard to this salvage claim.

  Chinook Helicopters
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to purchase Allied Signal Incorporated upgraded gas turbine engines for the Chinook helicopter fleet; and when the Royal Air Force will lift the reduced weight limit on British Chinooks. [55467]

  Mr. Spellar
  We have no plans to upgrade the Allied Signal 712F engines fitted to the RAF's Chinook HC Mk2 fleet, but we are pursuing the procurement of minor modifications to improve commonality, thereby reducing spares holdings, with the 714A engines fitted to the eight Chinook HC Mk3 aircraft to be delivered to the RAF in early 2001.
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  The Chinook HC Mk2 was cleared to operate to its full flight envelope at an all up mass of 24,500 kg under an amended Controller Aircraft Release which was signed on 30 September.

  Training (Private Land)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many landowners, and in respect of what acreage, have withdrawn their consent to military training on private land since 30 April; and what impact this will have on man training days. [54912]

  Mr. Spellar
  Four landowners have withdrawn consent for military training to take place on their land since 30 April 1998. The total land area withdrawn was 6,376 acres and 650 man training days were lost. Two of these landowners have since reinstated permission for training to take place on their property. The continued withdrawal of the remaining land is not expected to have any lasting effect because military exercises have been rescheduled to take place elsewhere.

  Chevaline Nuclear Warheads
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the specific plans for the dismantlement of Chevaline nuclear warheads are deemed to be covered by exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [55431]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Specific details of the programme to dismantle Chevaline nuclear warheads are classified as they could be used to provide insights into the UK's nuclear weapon production capabilities. The information was therefore withheld under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Trimilsatcom Collaborative Programme
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to(a) United Kingdom public funds and (b) each of the two tri-national consortiums of the UK's participation in the Trimilsatcom collaborative programme with France and Germany; and what were the equivalent costs to (i) France and (ii) Germany. [55472]

  Mr. Spellar
  Expenditure by the UK Ministry of Defence on work specifically associated with Trimilsatcom initiative has amounted to approximately £3.0M. Of this sum, approximately £2.7M was spent on studies, and the information obtained will be utilised on future stages of the UK Skynet 5 national programme. The balance of the money was spent on the Joint Programme Office which was set up in Paris to manage the programme. While no definitive information is available, it is believed that expenditure by both France and Germany will have been of similar magnitude. The MOD has no knowledge of the expenditure by the two trinational consortia in support of their commercial bids for the project.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the cost of his decision not to enter the project definition stage of the Trimilsatcom collaborative programme with France and Germany. [55471]
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  Mr. Spellar
  The cost to the UK of its decision not to enter the project definition stage of the Trimilsatcom collaborative programme with France and Germany is limited to those administrative costs associated with the Joint Programme Office, JPO, in Paris, which was set up to manage the project. These costs are currently estimated to be approximately £0.3M, of which approximately £33k is attributable to the UK's share of the direct costs of winding up the JPO.

  VC10 Aeroplane (Repairs)
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work has been carried out since 1 May 1997 on XV.108; who instructed that the work be done; what was the nature of the work; and what was the cost of the work and on which departmental budget it fell. [55563]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55174]

  Mr. Spellar
  The use of purchasing procurement cards was one of my Department's SMART procurement initiatives which was endorsed by the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and we are implementing a pilot scheme.

  A number of sites in support areas have been selected to pilot the Government Procurement (GPC) cards, which will be used to purchase goods and services such as motor transport spares, office machinery, books and training courses. The GPC will not be used to buy major items of equipment.

  Cards will be issued under the Pilot scheme this month, and the scheme will be reviewed after three months. Introduction of the GPC across the Department will follow and will be based upon the experience gained from the Pilot scheme.

  Procurement Costs
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 July 1998,Official Report, column 720, to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd), for which equipment items he estimates that overseas orders have reduced the procurement costs in each of the last three years; and what is his estimate of the savings. [55644]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Buried Ordnance Clearance
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will commence the clearance of buried ordnance 892
  in fields next to the Defence Nuclear Chemical and Biological Centre at Winterbourne Gunner; and if he will make a statement. [54918]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have written to the hon. Member and the operation to clear buried wartime ordnance at Winterbourne Gunner will commence in November. A copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Material
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 28 July 1998,Official Report, column 199, if he will list the names of the contractors holding nuclear materials owned by his Department. [54866]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am withholding the full list of contractors holding MOD owned nuclear material under the terms of Exemption Category 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. However, nuclear fissile material is held by the following contractors:

  British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Hunting BRAE Ltd.

  Rolls Royce & Associates Ltd.

  Royal Ordnance plc.

  AEA(T).

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60 birthday. [53058]

  Mr. Spellar
  [pursuant to his reply, 30 July 1998, c. 451–52]: I regret that the response I provided to the hon. Member's question on employees over 60 contained an inadvertent error.

  My answer stated that civil servants have no formal contract of employment. Whilst this is correct for the vast majority of civil servants, following the formation of the Senior Civil Service on 1 April 1996, staff at that level have been provided with formal contracts of employment.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department expects to spend in each year from 1998–99 to 2000–01 on vehicle replacements. [54982]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 28 July 1998,Official Report, column 151, and of 31 July 1998, Official Report, column 620. Information on vehicle replacement costs will be available when property managers have reviewed their replacement policy in preparing Green Transport Plans. The first plans are to be completed by end March 1999.
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  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the environmental cost in terms of emissions if no new planning consents for gas-fired power stations are granted before April 2000; and if he will make a statement. [55239]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Environmental Appraisal contained in the Government's White Paper on Energy Policy, which was published on 8 October.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress on the Birmingham Northern Relief Road and projected completion of its various stages. [55314]

  Dr. Reid
  Progress on the BNRR depends on the outcome of the statutory challenge to the Orders for the Scheme, which was heard on 5 and 6 October. Assuming the decision is in the Department's favour, and there is no appeal, then the Orders for the scheme can be implemented. This should take about a year, with the road opening about three years after that.

  Water Companies
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers private water companies have to require customers to pay for water in advance under the Water Industry Act 1991. [55562]

  Mr. Meale
  Water and sewerage undertakers' powers to charge are provided under section 142 of the Water Industry Act 1991, which enables an undertaker to adopt such methods and principles for the calculation and imposition of the charges as appear to the undertaker to be appropriate. But these powers must be exercised within the framework of the regulatory system overseen by the Director General of Water Services.

  The long-established practice of water companies is to charge unmeasured bills in advance. Companies offer a range of payment options, of which payment in six-monthly instalments is the most widely used. Measured bills are paid in arrears.

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55255]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A summary of the spaces available for parking motorcycles is as follows:

  Department/Agency

  Number of spaces

  Secure spaces

  DETR (Central)

  211

  187

  DETR (Agencies)

  340

  161

  Government offices for the regions

  26

  24

  894

  Department/Agency

  Number of spaces

  Secure spaces

  A breakdown of the summarised information is as follows:

  (1) DETR Central

  Headquarters (Eland House)

  20

  20

  Headquarters (Ashdown House)

  15

  15

  Headquarters (Great Minster House)

  30

  30

  Headquarters (Hastings)

  20

  10

  Headquarters (Other)

  41

  41

  ASD (Hemel Hempstead)

  2

  0

  Highwood Pavilions (Bristol)

  0

  0

  Traffic Area Network (various)

  16

  16

  Procurement and Prequalification System Division

  12

  0

  Air Accidents Investigation Branch

  45

  45

  Construction Market Intelligence Division

  10

  10

  (2) Agencies

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency

  6

  0

  Driving Standards Agency

  189

  53

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  39

  16

  Highways Agency

  76

  72

  Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency

  20

  20

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  0

  0

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  10

  0

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  0

  0

  (3) Government Offices for the Regions1

  GO-North East

  0

  0

  GO-North West

  0

  0

  GO-Merseyside

  0

  0

  GO-Yorkshire and Humberside

  13

  13

  GO-West Midlands

  0

  0

  GO-East Midlands

  4

  4

  GO-Eastern

  2

  0

  GO-South East

  7

  7

  GO-South West

  0

  0

  GO-London

  0

  0

  1 The Secretaries of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Trade and Industry, and Education and Employment share responsibility for Government Offices in England.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55177]

  Mr. Meale
  (a) DETR (Central) is not currently using the GPC but plans to implement a pilot scheme using the Card and it is intended that the business case will be prepared by December 1998.

  (b) The Agencies are not currently using the GPC, but some have plans to implement the Card as follows:
  Highways Agency
  The Agency is not using the GPC at present, but plans to use it as soon as Visa have undertaken an evaluation in support of the agency's Business Case.
  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
  The Agency is not currently using the GPC; it has plans to introduce it although no specific date has been agreed.
  Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency
  The agency is currently using the GPC but intends to pilot its use by December 1998.

  895
  Driving Standards Agency
  The Agency has no plans to implement the GPC at present but may do so at a later date.
  Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  The Agency is not currently using the GPC. It will be reviewing the benefits of using the GPC as a result of work being done by DETR and will decide by the end of 1998 whether to implement it.
  Vehicle Certification Agency
  The Agency is not currently using the GPC and has no plans at this time to do so.
  Planning Inspectorate
  The Agency is not currently using the GPC and has no plans at this time to do so. It is aware of its possible benefits and will continue to assess its suitability for use.
  QE11 Conference Centre
  The Agency is not using the GPC and has no plans to implement it.

  Gospel Oak to Barking Line
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with(a) Railtrack and (b) train operating companies concerning the electrification of the Gospel Oak to Barking line. [55515]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. Railtrack is investing £40 million on the North London Lines over the next 3 years, mainly to improve clearances and remove line speed restrictions, of which £2.9m is allocated for electrification work between now and 2001. Railtrack is considering AC electrification for the route between Harringay and Wembley, but electrification east of Harringay is not proposed at present.

  Bletchley to Bicester Line
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive proposals on the re-opening of the railway line from Bletchley to Bicester; and if he will make a statement. [55512]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Re-opening of this section of railway line forms part of the proposals received from the East-West Rail Consortium for a rail link from Ipswich/Norwich to Swindon. My officials, and those from the Franchising Director's office, are discussing with the Consortium the detailed business case for the project.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the operation of the standard spending assessment formula for Inner London; and if he will make a statement. [55519]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have received a number of representations about possible changes in Standard Spending Assessments and their effect in relation to authorities in Inner London and elsewhere. We are considering the arguments for and against the changes and expect to announce our proposals at the end of November or the beginning of December.
  896
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the latest ONS figures for change in population by county since the 1991 Census will be reflected in the standard spending assessment calculations for 1999–2000. [55426]

  Ms Armstrong
  We will announce our proposals on standard spending assessments around the end of November or the beginning of December. We have, however, received no suggestions that we should change the past practice of using the most up-to-date population estimates published by the Office for National Statistics. These are currently the mid-year 1997 estimates which were published on 27 August 1998 in the Population Estimates Monitor PPI 98/1 (corrected in September for four local authority areas and two health authority areas).

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will reform the area cost adjustment to the standard spending assessment for local authorities to reflect the specific costs they incur and the costs they meet arising from the general labour market pressures in their area, in time for the 1999–2000 financial year. [55427]

  Ms Armstrong
  A wide range of options for changing standard spending assessments were set out in the report of the Standard Spending Assessment Sub-Group. I recently met with the Local Government Association and the Association of London Government to hear their views on the 1999–2000 SSA Settlement. We are now considering the merits of all of the options for change, including possible changes to the area cost adjustment, and expect to announce our conclusions around the usual time in late November or early December.

  Virgin Railways
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what meetings have been held by(a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department with Virgin Railways to discuss their performance levels; and if he will make a statement. [55511]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Franchising Director is responsible for overseeing train operators' performance levels. Following unacceptable performance levels, the Franchising Director has required all train operators to produce action plans setting out how they will deliver improved performance. He has also agreed improved Passenger's Charter compensation arrangements with Virgin Rail as part of the package of passenger benefits secured in exchange for his agreement to the acquisition by Stagecoach Holdings of 49 per cent. of the Virgin Rail Group.

  GTRM (Steve Hedley)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the dismissal of Steve Hedley by GTRM; and if he will make a statement. [55516]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No such representations have been received.
  897

  Rail Traffic
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the projects currently being evaluated for the re-opening of(a) disused, (b) mothballed and (c) freight-only lines to regular passenger rail traffic. [55513]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Proposals under consideration for developing the rail network to extend passenger services are set out in the Railtrack's 1998 Network Management Statement. Copies of the Statement have been sent to all MPs and placed in the Parliamentary Libraries. Further copies are available upon request from Railtrack.

  Detergents, Paints and Plastics
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the review of British Chemicals' policy on compounds in detergents, paints and plastics announced in July. [55365]

  Mr. Meale
  A consultation document "Sustainable Production and Use of Chemicals" was published on 27 July, and the consultation will last until 27 October.

  The document seeks views on a range of proposals relating to environmental policies on common industrial and commercial chemicals. It addresses a number of key areas: European legislation on new and existing chemicals; eco-efficiency in the chemicals industry; research needs; streamlining procedures for addressing the risks posed by chemicals; and ways of improving the transparency of the process.

  A Seminar was held on 12 October to stimulate responses to the consultation. A copy of the proceedings will be placed in the House Library.

  Timber
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions pursuant to his Department's letter EE/p50/134/14/98 of 24 July what was the result of his Department's inquiries into permethrin timber treatments in Germany. [55364]

  Mr. Meale
  The Health and Safety Executive has obtained and considered a copy of the Study carried out by the Fraunhoffer Institute of Toxicology and Aerosol Research. The products tested were public hygiene insecticides which, where they are applied to surfaces, are formulated and applied specifically to create an exposed surface residue of active ingredient which kills insects when they come in contact with it. These differ from wood preservative insecticides which are formulated to penetrate the surface of the wood. Thus the study is of limited value for those considering the use of permethrin as a wood preservative in Great Britain.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he intends to give to the proposed regional development agencies to ensure equality of opportunity for women in relation to employment, training and access to managerial positions. [53476]
  898
  Mr. Meale
  Each RDA will be required, by its Financial Memorandum, to develop and implement an equal opportunities policy covering all aspects of its work, to be committed to and promote equality of opportunity, and, in the exercise of all its functions, to ensure fair treatment for all.

  Highway Authorities
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to amend the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to enable highway authorities to recover costs for time expended on dealing with(a) the issue of notice requiring the avoidance of unnecessary delay or obstruction by an undertaker executing street works, (b) the recovery of costs of a joint inspection to agree the apportionment of financial liability regarding permanent reinstatement, (c) the recovery of costs for time spent providing traffic management advice relating to street works and (d) the recovery of income lost during the suspension of on-street parking bays to facilitate street works by the statutory undertaker. [53764]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department has no plans for primary legislation to amend the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. However items(a), (b) and (c) referred to in the question appear capable, in principle, of being met by regulations under section 150 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. We are willing to consider a reasoned case for making such regulations if one is put forward.

  We have already made regulations under the 1989 Act concerning item (d). Item 6 of Table 2 in the Schedule to the Local Authorities (Transport Charges) Regulations 1998 provides that a local authority may charge for costs involved in suspending the use of a parking place. There is, however, no power for local authorities to recover income lost while a parking place is suspended. A major reason for this is that motorists can generally be expected to pay to park at other parking places in the area, which would increase the occupancy rate at those places.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish his Department's analysis of PFI projects and the final data on the preferred deals. [55205]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department has not commissioned a formal analysis of PFI projects. General information is provided each year in the Department's annual report. The details of significant PFI deals are set out in Departmental press releases.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what timescale the Government intend to publish PFI contracts. [55203]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department will make available on request all new contracts, including PFI contracts, to which it is a party. Those parts of contracts for which there are legitimate reasons for confidentiality will not be disclosed, although I would expect this information to become available after a limited period. This is in
  899
  accordance with the Department's policy to make available contract documents which was set out in a statement by Lady Hayman on 23 July.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the commercial confidentiality restraints on the publication of the risk assessment in respect of the Government guarantee of the £3.8 billion loan to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link consortium no longer to apply. [55204]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As my right hon. Friend the then Chief Secretary explained in his answer of 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 28, the Government's participation in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was assessed using a model of London and Continental Railway's future finances. The risk assessment was likewise based on that model, which will remain confidential until such time as disclosure would not affect the commercial interests of the company.

  Rural Schools
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the effect on Norfolk's SSA calculation of the introduction of a sparsity factor in relation to rural schools. [55028]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Ward Sparsity factor in the Education SSA calculations contributes approximately £13.422m towards Norfolk CC's Education SSA for 1998–99 of £270.064m.

  A120
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the start date for the A120 Stansted to Braintree road improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement. [55286]

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

  St. John's Wood Underground Station
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ascertain from London Underground what the cost was of the most recent refurbishment of escalators at St. John's Wood Underground Station; what will be the cost of the newly announced refurbishment; and why the work has to be repeated. [55333]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1990–91 and in 1995, major essential maintenance work had to be carried out simply to keep the escalators running. At the time, London Underground did not have the investment funds available for the sort of work now planned for the St. John's Wood escalators.
  900
  Between 1 December 1990 and February 1991, £50,000 had to be invested in one of the escalators to replace life expiring wiring and systems connected to that wiring and also to fit replacement brakes. This enabled the escalator to continue operating to safety standards.

  Between January 1995 and March 1995, £120,000 had to be invested on essential maintenance work on a second escalator. This work, to enable the escalator to continue running was, again, replacing life expired wiring and systems connected to that wiring as well as modifying the escalator controller. Had funds then been available for replacement, obviously London Underground's engineers would have preferred that route rather than the 'patch and mend' solutions which technical staff have been forced to implement over years of under-funding.

  The work that is now planned is, rather than a repeat of this refurbishment, virtually a full replacement of the two machines. At a cost of £2.3 million each, every part of the escalators is being replaced, the step chain, the motors, the panelling, the DC to AC power supply conversion and the wooden steps which will now be replaced with metal steps. Only the metal frames that support the escalators themselves will not be replaced.

  This is much more fundamental work than that carried out earlier in the decade and should keep the escalators running safely for another 40 years. The only closure necessary in the future should be for routine maintenance rather than the more fundamental work carried out in 1991–92 and 1995 or the almost replacement and rebuilding scheduled to be carried out now.

  Salisbury Transport Study
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funds he will make available for integrated transport and environmental schemes as part of the Salisbury Transport Study in(a) the current financial year, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01. [55297]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  An allocation of £250,000 was provided for 1998–99 for capital transport expenditure within the Salisbury package area. For 1999–2000, a bid of £2.844 million has been made by Wiltshire County Council for the Salisbury package, as part of the Transport Policies and Programmes (TPP) bids. These are currently being assessed and details of the settlement are likely to be announced in December. It is expected that bids for 2000–01 will be submitted in July 1999.

  Roads (Wiltshire)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how he will include a bypass of Chicklade in his A303(T) road improvement west of Stonehenge; [55296]

  (2) how he will fund the A303(T) improvement at Stonehenge announced on 31 July; [55294]

  (3) if the A303(T) improvement at Stonehenge will include a grade-separated junction at Long Barrow Roundabout; and what are the reasons for this decision. [55295]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The scheme will be taken forward on the understanding that at least a third of the costs will be funded from Heritage sources. The precise
  901
  sources will be for consideration nearer the time but are likely to include contributions from the Heritage Lottery Fund and from English Heritage's receipts from a new visitor centre at Stonehenge.

  A grade separated junction to the west of Stonehenge at Long Barrow Roundabout will be one of the options to be considered at the detailed design stage in taking forward the Stonehenge proposals. A decision will be based on the five criteria used for the Roads Review.

  A series of studies was announced in the Roads Review to look at the problems on the trunk road network not addressed by the targeted programme of improvements. One of these studies will be the corridor London to South West and South Wales. Amongst its aims will be to consider capacity problems on the single carriageway sections on the A303, matters of safety, and the impact caused by seasonal traffic. This will include the section A303 through Chicklade. A decision on a bypass around Chicklade will be taken in the light of the results of that study.

  A14
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of(a) accidents, and (b) resulting (i) injuries and (ii) fatalities recorded on the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon in each of the last two years. [55428]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Complete records are available only for accidents involving personal injuries. The Police do not necessarily keep statistics about damage-only accidents. The number of injuries resulting from Personal Injury Accidents (PIAs) recorded on the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon in the last two full calendar years is:

  Year

  Total PIAs

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  1996

  79

  0

  15

  107

  122

  1997

  80

  1

  14

  108

  123

  Total

  159

  1

  29

  215

  245

  Roads Programme
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the quantitative criteria on which he based his selection of projects for inclusion in the Roads Programme. [55430]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is included in a document entitled A New Deal for Trunk Roads: Understanding the New Approach to Appraisal. Copies are available in the Library.

  Countryside Commission
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the funding and resources of the Countryside Commission; and if he will make a statement. [54927]

  Mr. Meacher
  Since coming into power, the Government have undertaken a comprehensive review of countryside and rural expenditure. As a result of this review, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister 902
  announced, on 27 March 1998, Official Report, columns 289–91, the merger of the Countryside Commission and parts of the Rural Development Commission to create a new body to champion rural England and the English countryside. On 29 July 1998, Official Report, columns 246–47, I subsequently announced that the new agency would, in addition to the grant-in-aid it will inherit from the two existing agencies, be given almost £9m extra in 1999–2000. Part of this money will be used to cover necessary restructuring costs; the remainder will enable the agency to make an effective start by strengthening its work in promoting and conserving the natural landscape, supporting rural communities and promoting access to and enjoyment of the countryside.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what circumstances the Countryside Commission is obliged to take into account the assets of organisations to which it provides grant-aid when determining the amount of grant it allocates; and if it made such an assessment in respect of the grant to the CLA to promote the Access 2000 scheme. [55411]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Countryside Commission satisfies itself before offering any grant that the applicant organisation appears to be financially sound and has the capacity to manage the project to completion and to the standards required by the Commission's grant conditions. It made a full assessment in this case.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's current evaluation of the extent to which(a) short-term and (b) long-term exposure to organophosphorus compounds produces chronic illnesses. [55334]

  Mr. Meacher
  Organophosphorus (OP) compounds are toxic and on present available evidence it seems very likely that exposure to high doses can result in long-term ill health in addition to acute toxic effects. What is still questioned in some quarters is the long-term effect of prolonged low-level exposure, and research has been commissioned into this. The research is being carried out by the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh. Its report is expected next summer.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the reviews and research into the effect of organophosphorus compounds on human health which his Department has initiated since 1 May 1997, indicating who is carrying out the research and when it is expected to be completed. [55335]

  Mr. Meacher
  Two such projects have been initiated since 1 May 1997 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The first, an in-vitro investigation of the relative inhibitory effects of organophosphates (OPs) and carbamates towards pseudocholinesterase in human blood, is being carried out by HSE's Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) in Sheffield. This project began in August 1997 and ended in June 1998. The HSL report is expected later this year. The second, a study of sheep farmers to investigate the hypothesis that genetic
  903
  differences lead to variations in individual responsiveness to OPs, is due to begin in November 1998 and end in October 1999. The study is being carried out by the University of Manchester's School of Epidemiology and Health Sciences.

  Although not initiated within the timescale indicated, there is also under way a major 3-year epidemiological study by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) in Edinburgh on the health effects of prolonged low-level exposure to OPs in sheep dippers. The IOM report is expected next year. This research is jointly funded by HSE, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health.

  Empty Dwellings (London)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) local authority, (b) registered social landlord and (c) private dwellings have been empty for (i) less than six months, (ii) less than one year and (iii) over one year in each London borough for the past five years. [55290]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mortgages (Insurance Protection)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact since October 1995 of private insurance protection in reducing mortgage arrears and re-possessions of owner-occupier housing; and if he will make a statement. [55291]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This Department has made no such assessment. However, DETR and DSS Ministers will be meeting the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Association of British Insurers later this month to discuss their proposals to improve the cover and take-up of Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance.

  Household Waste (Greater London)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for dealing with the disposal of household waste in Greater London; what is the projected future use of(a) landfill, (b) incineration and (c) recycling in dealing with that waste; and if he will make a statement. [55289]

  Mr. Meale
  At present, decisions on the projected future use of landfill, incineration and recycling in Greater London are not for DETR but for the local authorities.

  However, we recognise that there is a need for a strategic lead on municipal waste in London. That is why we will be giving the new Mayor for London a statutory duty to prepare and implement an integrated municipal waste management strategy for London. The strategy will encourage use of the various recovery, treatment and disposal options in line with the waste strategy for England and Wales which will be published by the end of 1999.

  In the meantime, we are providing London Boroughs with up to £12 million under the Capital Challenge Programme to introduce kerbside waste collection schemes as part of an initiative to promote recycling
  904
  across the city. In the first 18 months of the 3 year programme, over 1 million homes have been brought into the scheme and the recycling rate has risen from around 5 to 11 per cent. The future use of landfill, incineration and recycling will depend on several factors, including the Mayor's strategy, efforts to reduce the amount of waste produced, efforts to promote recycling and find markets for recovered materials, and the availability of landfill.

  Bus Employees Superannuation Trust
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been spent in legal fees, to date, from public funds, in respect of the case of the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust(a) in defending the case of the Department of Transport and (b) by the Official Solicitor, and others, facilitating and supporting the case of the Trustees. [55603]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The then Secretary of State announced on 27 November 1996,Official Report, columns 271–72, that the Department was prepared to meet the legal costs of the NBC pension trustees, in order to pursue litigation in respect of the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust. Expenditure to date on meeting the legal, actuarial, and other costs of the litigation on the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust and the closely related litigation on the National Bus Pension Fund is as follows:

  (a) DETR costs: £131,000

  (b) NBC pension trustees (reimbursed by this Department through the Official Solicitor): £415,000

  This expenditure represents 0.5 per cent. of the original NBC pensions surplus (after tax) of £122 million.

  Transport (Women)
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures in the New Deal for Transport will benefit women using public transport. [53473]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our New Deal for Transport will benefit women using public transport by putting a greater emphasis on better quality transport services; providing safer public transport through initiatives such as the Secure Station Scheme; improving the quality of the pedestrian environment; and promoting land use policies which encourage local services. These measures are in addition to the mainstreaming of women's transport needs throughout the development and application of transport policies and programmes through, for example, gender audit checklists for transport planners and operators and revised Planning Policy Guidance taking full account of women's transport needs.

  We are committed to improving transport services for women—the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Women's Issues considered the issue at its inaugural meeting.

  Area Cost Adjustments
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is(a) the level of area cost adjustment and (b) the proportion

  905
  of standard spending assessment comprising area cost adjustment for each local authority to which it is applied in 1998–99. [55284]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A table showing these figures for each local authority has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce his plans to consult on possible changes to the calculation of area cost adjustments. [55285]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A wide range of options for changing standard spending assessments were set out in the report of the Standard Spending Assessment Sub-Group. We recently met with the Local Government Association and the Association of London Government to discuss their views on the 1999/2000 SSA Settlement. We are now considering the merits of all of the options for change, including possible changes to the area cost adjustment, and expect to announce our conclusions around the usual time in late November or early December.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact in the UK of Euratom Directive 96/29 on(a) radioactive waste management policy for low activity, short-lived waste, (b) the recycling of mildly radioactively contaminated metals and (c) the existing regulations covering exposure of nuclear industry workforce to radiation. [54865]

  Mr. Meale
  Council Directive 96/29 Euratom, to be implemented by Member States by 13 May 2000, constitutes an updating of earlier standards in the light of more recent knowledge and its impact will not, therefore, be great. It lays down basic safety standards for the protection of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation; this area is already well regulated and the strict international standards governing it are, and will continue to be, applied rigorously.

  The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 currently regulate exposures to ionising radiations in all industries, including nuclear. Since 1985, the exposure of nuclear workers has decreased considerably, and therefore, the impact of the Directive will be limited. Earlier this year, the Health and Safety Commission published a Consultative Document containing proposals for revised Ionising Radiations Regulations and supporting Approved Code of Practice in response to the revised Directive. The Health and Safety Executive is currently considering the responses.

  Consideration is being given to those aspects of the Directive implemented by the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA 93) and associated regulations which control the disposal of radioactive substances on non-nuclear sites. A consultation document will be issued in due course on the principles involved.

  "Access to the Open Countryside"
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many 906
  responses he has received to his consultation paper, "Access to the Open Countryside in England and Wales". [55486]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department has received over 2,000 formal responses to the consultation paper.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made to improve access to the countryside; and what plans he has for legislation on access to open land. [55020]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government are considering carefully responses to the consultation paper, "Access to the Open Countryside in England and Wales". We are examining all options, both statutory and voluntary, for achieving greater access. We shall announce our conclusions as soon as possible.

  Ministerial Visit to China
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his visit to China. [55031]

  Mr. Prescott
  The central theme of my visit to China was the environment. I was accompanied by a water industry trade mission and held talks with Zhu Rongi, Wu Bangguo and other senior Chinese leaders on climate change, water and other issues. All the talks were marked by warmth and goodwill, with excellent access to Chinese thinking on the issues we discussed.

  On climate change, we had a useful in-depth discussion. The Chinese confirmed they were committed to a range of policies whose effects would limit the rate of growth of greenhouse gases. They agreed to an informal dialogue on climate change and indicated a willingness to co-operate more closely with the UK in related areas. Further talks between officials took place last month. These exchanges are demonstrating the kind of trust between key developed and developing nations which is essential to keep the negotiations on climate change on track.

  The Chinese have accorded high priority to the provision of water and waste water services. They are suffering severe shortages, and climate change could make these worse. There is recognition at the highest levels that their aims can be achieved only with the help of the private sector and foreign expertise. Following my visit, I am exploring new ways in which we might assist the process, to help the Chinese learn from UK experience and to provide new opportunities for UK companies.

  During the visit, we achieved a major success on air services with confirmation that a new agreement between Britain and China would go ahead, opening Shanghai to British carriers for the first time and providing extra services to Beijing for British airlines.

  In other areas, I received confirmation of a freight forwarding licence for P&O.

  My visit and discussions laid the ground for my right hon. Friend's visit earlier this month.

  Advertising Structures
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make
  907
  a statement on his policy regarding the granting by highways authorities of licences under section 50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 for commercial advertising structures and private street signs, or other structures promoting a commercial or sectional interest, upon land having public highway or trunk road status. [55480]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A structure bearing an advertisement may sometimes constitute apparatus for the purposes of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. Any decision about whether it is appropriate to grant a street works licence under section 50 of that Act in any particular case is entirely for the street authority (normally the highway authority) concerned.

  In the case of trunk roads in England, the Highways Agency, acting for the Secretary of State as the highway authority, does not permit advertisements on land having trunk road status, with the sole exception of small signs identifying the sponsors of environmental improvements, usually at roundabouts, for which section 50 licences are not used. Erection of these signs is granted under individual agreements between Highway Agency and the sponsor, and the design and content are subject to Highway Agency approval.

  Concessionary Bus Fares
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to implement a nationwide scheme of concessionary bus fares for pensioners; what impact this scheme will have on pensioners currently receiving travel tokens of a fixed monetary value; and if he will reimburse local authorities in full for the costs of implementing and administering the scheme. [55433]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our White Paper 'Transport: The Way Ahead' proposed a minimum concessionary fare scheme for pensioners of half fare for bus travel, with a maximum £5 per year charge for a bus pass. Implementation of this proposal will depend on Parliamentary time being found for the necessary primary legislation. There will be consultation with local government and other relevant organisations about what future arrangements there should be for token schemes and other aspects of the proposal, including finance.

  Water Charging
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will outlaw the practice of companies placing weekly water arrears payments on customers' electricity meters. [53913]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have been asked to reply.

  This is a matter for the Director General of Electricity Supply.

  However, I understand that the use of electricity pre-payment meters to recover water debts may not be consistent with the provisions of the Electricity Act 1989. My Department has written to the Director General.
  908

  Renewable Energy
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to increase the share of renewable energy sources in United Kingdom energy consumption; [48894]

  (2) what Government incentives will be given to encourage the use and development of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies. [48895]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government are committed to a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources. At 30 June 1998, 235 projects, comprising 570 MW (declared net capacity) of renewables generating capacity had been commissioned under the four Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) Orders for England and Wales, two Scottish Renewables Obligation (SRO) Orders and two Northern Ireland NFFO (NI-NFFO) Orders. In addition a further 261 projects comprising 1177 MW of contracted capacity have been made in England and Wales under the fifth Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO-5) Renewables Order, which I laid in Parliament on 24 September 1998. The purpose of NFFO Orders is to secure additional generating capacity from renewables in order to help them enter the commercial electricity generating market. NFFO-5 is the first step in our new and strong drive for renewables. I have also launched a consultation document on arrangements for incorporating the development of offshore wind energy into the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) Order process.

  Fossil Fuel Levy support for renewables under NFFO was around £116m in 1997–98. Separately, the DTI's new and renewable energy programme supports research, development, demonstration and technology transfer activities (£11.1m provision for 1998–99). I have already reversed the planned cuts in the renewables R&D budget which the previous Government had made.

  Today about 2% of our electricity comes from renewables, mostly from large scale hydro. Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) Orders already laid or in train will add about 3% by around 2003 (equivalent to about a further 1000 MW).

  Within weeks of coming into office, I instigated a review to consider what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10% of UK's electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010 and how renewables can make an effective contribution to meeting requirements for future greenhouse gas reductions. The review, which is nearing completion, is examining the status of all the new and renewable energy technologies and the UK industry and their future prospects in both the home and export markets. It has also been considering what further research and development, and demonstration is needed. I expect to announce the outcome of the review later this year.

  The use of energy efficient technologies is encouraged through a range of Government programmes, including the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, and support for the Energy Saving Trust. The Government will be seeking views on further possible measures within their consultation on climate change later in the year.
  909

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Cervical Smear Tests
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cytology laboratories in Northern Ireland are sending their cervical smears to other laboratories for interpretation. [55307]

  Mr. McFall
  None.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average time taken for a patient to receive the results of their cervical smear test; and what percentage take longer than the recommended four weeks. [55209]

  Mr. McFall
  The average time taken for a patient to receive the results of her cervical smear test is three weeks. Less than 10 per cent. take longer than the recommended four weeks.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for each health and social services board in Northern Ireland, what is the average time taken for a patient to receive the results of their cervical smear test; and what percentage take longer than the recommended four weeks. [55213]

  Mr. McFall
  The information requested is as follows:

  Health and Social Services Board

  Average time for results

  Percentage over 4 weeks

  Eastern

  2 weeks

  Nil

  Northern

  2 weeks

  Nil

  Southern

  4 weeks

  20

  Western

  4 weeks

  20

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which her Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55258]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  There are no separate records maintained of the total number of secure motorcycle parking spaces at government premises in Northern Ireland and this information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. Motorcyclists are, however, able to leave their machines in all government owned car parks and to have there the same level of security for their machines as for motor vehicles.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use(a) her Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings she estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans she has to expand use of the card by her Department and its agencies; and if she will make a statement. [55181]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government Procurement Card was formally launched in Northern Ireland on 2 April 1998 and a contract signed with Ulster Bank to provide full purchasing card facilities for all NI Government Departments and Agencies.
  910
  A pilot implementation is being undertaken by the Department of Health and Social Services, using the free consultancy available under the agreement to facilitate the introduction of the card. This should be completed by the end of October 1998.

  Guardsmen Fisher and Wright
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what occasion she has met(a) relatives of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright and (b) the Scots Guards Association to discuss their case since 1 August. [55023]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since 1 August 1998, the Secretary of State has not met with the relatives of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright or the Scots Guards Association.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many candidates applied, in May 1997, for promotion to Civil Service Grade 7, and if she will provide a breakdown of the successful candidates by their religious background. [55542]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  A competition for promotion to Administrative Grade 7 in the Northern Ireland Civil Service was launched in May 1997. The competition is a two-stage exercise with candidates deemed eligible at the end of Stage 1 to compete in individual Departmental competitions for promotion to Grade 7. A total of 414 candidates participated in the competition and, of these, 97 were deemed eligible to participate in Stage 2 Departmental competitions. Up until 30 September 1998, a total of 53 candidates have been promoted to Administrative Grade 7 following departmental competitions. The competition will remain open until July 1999. The community backgrounds of those participating, those deemed eligible to participate in Stage 2 competitions and those successful in obtaining promotion to date are as follows:

  Community background

  Number participating in the competition

  Number eligible to participate in stage 2 competitions

  Number successful to date (30 September 1998)

  Protestant

  265

  54

  28

  Roman Catholic

  134

  42

  25

  Not determined

  15

  1

  —

  Totals

  414

  97

  53

  Fraud
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she has taken in reported cases of(a) doctors, (b) opticians and (c) pharmacists who have defrauded the National Health Service; and if such incidents are reported to their professional bodies. [55532]

  Mr. McFall
  General medical, dental and ophthalmic practitioners and community pharmacists are independent contractors, whose contracts for services are with their respective NI Health and Social Services Board. Consequently, where cases of suspected fraud are detected, the responsibility for having these investigated lies with the HSS Boards. Following internal investigations, individual cases, where appropriate, are
  911
  referred to the police. In addition, each case is also considered for referral to the appropriate professional body.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of possible fraud have been identified in boards or agencies of the DHSS since 1995; and what steps were taken to investigate them. [55576]

  Mr. McFall
  The following table provides the information requested in relation to Health and Social Services bodies.

  No cases of possible fraud have been identified in respect of the Child Support Agency or the Health and Social Services Estates Agency.

  In the Social Security Agency (SSA) 8 cases of internal fraud have been identified since 1995 in relation to the administration of social security benefits. When internal fraud is suspected, a formal investigation is carried out in accordance with set procedures and under the direction of an Agency Director.

  As far as external fraud is concerned, a total of 43,581 cases of possible benefit fraud were identified in the Social Security agency for the tax years from 1995 to 30 September 1998.

  The Agency investigates all allegations of benefit fraud. Investigations are carried out by fraud officials and where evidence of fraud is found prosecution of offenders is considered.

  HSS bodies

  Year

  Total number of cases

  Number of cases confirmed as erroneous

  Action taken

  1995

  1

  —

  Officer dismissed

  1996

  2

  —

  1 No further action possible.

  Individual responsible not traced 1 Police investigation handled nationally

  1997

  6

  1

  2 Currently at court

  1 Disciplinary Hearing—officer resigned

  1 No criminal offence—referred to Disciplinary Committee

  1 Under police investigation

  1998

  9

  1

  4 under police investigation—one of which referred to General Medical Council

  3 under internal investigation— one of which referred to Disciplinary Committee

  1 Officer dismissed

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the report "Controls to Prevent and Detect Fraud in Family Practitioner Service Payments". [55578]

  Mr. McFall
  I welcome the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General "Controls to Prevent and Detect Fraud in Family Practitioner Service Payments". The 912
  report has been laid before Parliament and may be considered by the Public Accounts Committee. Parliamentary convention precludes me from commenting on the specific detail of a Northern Ireland Audit Office report at this stage.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of possible fraud have been identified in agencies of the DED since 1995; and what steps were taken to investigate them. [55577]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested is as follows:

  1995–96: nil

  1996–97: 2

  1997–98: nil

  1998–99: (to date) nil.

  Recidivism
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many convicted prisoners released since 1 January 1997 have re-offended; what was the nature of their new offences; what illegal organisations they were associated with before their imprisonment; and what association they have with such organisations now. [55492]

  Mr. Ingram
  Statistical information in the precise form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I am, nevertheless, able to provide statistical information on similar themes.

  The following table includes information on numbers of convicted prisoners released since 1 January 1997 and whether or not they were convicted of scheduled offences. It also includes information on the numbers of life sentence or Secretary of State's Pleasure prisoners released since that date and those who have had their life licence revoked.

  No information is routinely available on the overall reconviction of prisoners released since 1 January 1997; their reconvicted offences; or their current association with illegal organisations.

  Table 1: Numbers of prisoners discharged from sentences of immediate custody since 1 January 1997 according to scheduled1 or non-scheduled offences

  Offence type

  Number

  Scheduled offences

  898

  Non-scheduled offences

  1,490

  Total

  2,388

  Number of life sentence/SoSP prisoners released

  247

  Number whose licences were revoked

  0

  1 As listed in Schedule 1 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996

  2 All scheduled offences

  Notes:

  1. Releases up until 7 September 1998

  2. Excludes those committed and released from custody in default of the payment of fine

  3. A licence may be revoked if the Secretary of State considers that continued liberty would be a risk to public safety. In many cases, the licensed prisoner will have been charged with or convicted of a new criminal offence, but this is not required by law
  913

  Social Security Officers
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers worked from each social security office during(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [55585]

  Mr. McFall
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Thompson, and I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Chris Thompson to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 13 October 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the number of officers employed in each social security office during the years 1995, 1996 and 1997.
  The total number of staff employed in each of our local social security offices and centralised benefit offices in the years 1995, 1996 and 1997 are shown on the attached table. The figures which include part-time and casual employees reflect the numbers of staff in post at 31 March for each of the years in question.
  I hope this information is helpful for your purposes.

  Staff figures for 1995, 1996 and 1997

  Total

  Social security and central benefit offices

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Andersonstown

  121

  115

  134

  Antrim

  75

  74

  85

  Armagh

  67

  68

  70

  Ballymena

  69

  75

  64

  Ballymoney

  53

  52

  44

  Ballynahinch

  30

  26

  25

  Banbridge

  47

  43

  35

  Bangor

  69

  71

  67

  Carrickfergus

  52

  50

  39

  Coleraine

  97

  102

  102

  Cookstown

  44

  44

  42

  Corporation Street

  162

  168

  175

  Downpatrick

  45

  46

  58

  Dungannon

  90

  83

  89

  Enniskillen

  95

  97

  82

  Falls Road

  122

  124

  80

  Foyle

  175

  184

  183

  Holywood Road

  110

  114

  101

  Kilkeel

  33

  32

  18

  Knockbreda

  88

  91

  80

  Larne

  59

  58

  48

  Limavady

  48

  50

  43

  Lisburn

  89

  88

  67

  Lisnagelvin

  58

  54

  53

  Lurgan

  74

  72

  53

  Newcastle

  36

  38

  37

  Newry

  124

  127

  126

  Newtownabbey

  76

  79

  64

  Newtownards

  68

  68

  63

  Omagh

  68

  75

  84

  Portadown

  55

  51

  60

  Magherafelt

  72

  80

  62

  Shaftesbury Square

  107

  106

  79

  Shankill

  71

  75

  53

  Strabane

  74

  68

  61

  Castle Court

  1,079

  1,092

  1,068

  Castle Buildings Pensions

  142

  116

  10

  Commonwealth House Child Benefit Office

  124

  130

  20

  Windsor House Child Benefit and Pensions

  0

  0

  259

  Belfast Benefit Centre3

  641

  675

  596

  Total

  4,709

  4,761

  4,449

  1 Pensions Branch was relocated to Windsor House

  2 Child Benefit Office was relocated to Windsor House

  3 The Belfast Benefit Centre provides "back office" benefit processing services for several London offices of the Benefits Agency in Great Britain

  914

PRIME MINISTER

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those who have accompanied (i) him and (ii) his departmental Ministers on overseas visits since 1 January indicating(a) the venue of the visit, (b) the purpose of the visit, (c) the names of those involved, (d) the job of those involved, (e) the reasons why they were included in the visit and (f) the cost to public funds. [53840]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 July 1998]: All overseas visits by Ministers are conducted in accordance with the principles set out in the Ministerial Code. Information is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  However, I can confirm that since 1 January 1998 I have been accompanied by officials and others on the following overseas visits:

  Date

  Place visited

  Purpose

  8–13 January

  Japan

  Bilateral visit

  20 January

  The Hague

  Bilateral visit

  4–7 February

  Washington1

  Bilateral visit

  20 March

  Bonn

  Bilateral visit

  24 March

  Paris

  Bilateral visit

  10–15 April

  Southern Spain

  Meeting with Spanish Prime Minister/Holiday

  17–21 April

  Middle East

  Tour in capacity as Presidency of the European Council

  1 May

  The Hague

  Bilateral visit

  2 May

  Brussels1

  Special European Council on EMU

  19 May

  Geneva

  50th Anniversary of GATT

  1–9 June

  Various European capitals

  Pre-European Council Tour

  17–18 June

  Strasbourg

  Speech to European Parliament

  30 June

  Frankfurt1

  Opening of European Central Bank

  1–15 August

  Italy

  Meeting with Italian Prime Minister/Holiday

  15–25 August

  France

  Meeting with French Prime Minister/Holiday

  26 August

  Republic of Ireland

  Bilateral visit

  21 September

  New York

  Addressing UN General Assembly

  5–11 October

  China and Hong Kong

  Bilateral visit

  1 Indicates that a Ministerial colleague accompanied me

  On each occasion, I was accompanied by Private Office staff and security and secure telecommunications staff who travel with a Prime Minister on an overseas visit. This is in line with the practice adopted by previous Administrations.

  Minister of State, Cabinet Office
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the duties and responsibilities of the new Minister of State in the Cabinet Office. [54704]

  The Prime Minister
  My noble Friend Lord Falconer of Thoroton QC will work with the Minister for the Cabinet Office in pressing forward the coherent formulation and implementation of policy across Government and the delivery of better services across the public sector. He will play a key role in ensuring greater co-ordination of policies across Government.
  915
  He will also lead in monitoring the overall performance of the Government in terms of specific policy objectives and policy outcomes, building on the Government's Annual Report published in July.

  My noble Friend Lord Falconer will answer in the House of Lords for those matters on which the Minister for the Cabinet Office answers in this House.

  Sudan
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister what factors underlay his support for the bombing by the United States of America of the pharmaceutical factory in Sudan; and what assessment he has made of the evidence that the factory produced materials designed to facilitate terrorist activities. [55308]

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he made of the United States evidence on the role of the Sudanese pharmaceutical factory prior to giving support to the United States attack on the factory. [55440]

  The Prime Minister
  Our ally, the United States, said at the time of the strike against Al Shifa that they had compelling evidence that the chemical plant was being used for the manufacture of chemical weapons materials. It is established practice under Section 1(c) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose or discuss information received in confidence from foreign Governments.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the evidence provided by the United States Government on the role of the Sudanese pharmaceutical factory in the recent attacks on United States embassies. [55441]

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what information was passed to his office, and when, by the United States prior to his endorsement of their air strike on Sudan. [55464]

  The Prime Minister
  It is established practice under Section 1(c) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose or discuss information received in confidence from foreign Governments.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister in what quantity o-ethyl methyl phosphonothioic acid was identified in the Sudanese factory attacked by a cruise missile. [55456]

  The Prime Minister
  The Americans have said publicly that o-ethyl methyl phosphonothioic acid (EMPTA) was present in a soil sample acquired clandestinely at the plant and that this substance is not used in commercial applications; does not occur naturally in the environment; and is not a bi-product of another chemical process.

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the Cabinet Committees on which the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) presently sits; [55460]
  916
  (2) what changes to membership of Cabinet Committees have been made since the Cabinet reshuffle. [55462]

  The Prime Minister
  I will make a statement shortly.

  Counter-terrorism
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date it was decided to include measures to address counter-terrorism abroad under the emergency legislation to deal with the security situation in Northern Ireland; what factors led to the decision to include such measures; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  It had long been the intention of the Government to legislate against conspiracy here to commit terrorist and other offences overseas. We had made it clear that we would legislate as soon as the programme allowed. The decision to include the provision to make it an offence to conspire in the United Kingdom to commit offences abroad, in what is now the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998, was taken once it was clear that anti-terrorism legislation would be brought forward following the bombing at Omagh.

  In the wake of terrorist activity abroad, including the bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in August, the Government concluded that it was timely and right to legislate in this way in order to underscore further our total commitment to defeating terrorism wherever it is plotted or executed. The Government's decision was subject to extensive explanation and debate in both Houses of Parliament on 2–4 September. I refer the hon. Member to the Official Reports of the proceedings. [55463]

  American Air Strikes (Sudan and Afghanistan)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact on British nationals in(a) Sudan and (b) Afghanistan of his support for American air strikes on those countries. [55507]

  The Prime Minister
  The British Government's determination to fight terrorism in all its forms, wherever it may occur and whatever its motivation, is well-known. So is our commitment to the rule of law and to the UN Charter. The Government of the United Kingdom will continue to vigorously support firm action against international terrorism. Terrorists must not be allowed to act with impunity.

  There are no reports of British nationals being directly affected as a result of or in reaction to the American action. However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been advising against travel to Afghanistan since 1990 and to Sudan since 21 August 1998. On 25 August 1998 it advised British nationals in Afghanistan to leave immediately. On 27 August British nationals in Sudan were advised to leave unless they had a compelling reason to remain.

  There is currently no resident British mission in either country. The British High Commission in Islamabad reports that they are unaware of any British nationals resident in Afghanistan but knows that a small number have visited for short periods since 25 August. The British High Commission in Nairobi reports that there are at present approximately 180 British nationals in Sudan.
  917

  Anglo-American Relations
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with the United States Government; and when he next plans to meet President Clinton. [55509]

  The Prime Minister
  Having met President Clinton on a number of occasions, most recently in New York in September, I have no immediate plans to meet him again. However, we are in regular contact.

  Government Annual Report
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Prime Minister what responses he has received to the Government Annual Report 1997–98; and if he will place them in the Library. [55508]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received many constructive responses to the Government's Annual Report 1997–98 in the form of letters, faxes and e-mails to the No. 10 website. It would not be appropriate to place copies in the Library as those who replied did so on the understanding that their comments were in confidence. However, I plan to include a summary of the replies received in next year's Report.

  European Union (UK Presidency)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from other European Union countries on the representation of member states in the logo for the United Kingdom presidency. [55394]

  The Prime Minister
  A number of EU Governments commented on the logo. I am happy to say it was a considerable success.

  European Movement
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions since 1 May when his Office has held meetings with representatives of the European Movement; and if he will make a statement on the issues discussed. [55330]

  The Prime Minister
  My staff and I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals.

  Cabinet Meetings
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 31 July 1998,Official Report, column 604, if he will list those occasions when the Cabinet has met when Parliament was not in session. [55566]

  The Prime Minister
  Cabinet has met on a number of occasions when Parliament is not in session.

  House of Lords Reform
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what(a) consultations he has held and (b) reports he has commissioned on (i) abolition of the sitting and voting rights of hereditary peers in the House of Lords and (ii) other reforms of the membership of the House of Lords; and when he proposes to take action on these issues. [55393]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government will fulfil their Manifesto commitment to abolish the rights of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords as a918
  self-contained measure, without further consultation. The Manifesto also made clear our commitment to a wide-ranging review leading to proposals for further comprehensive reform of the House. We intend to establish a time-limited Royal commission to undertake a full examination of the longer term issues. In the meantime we are committed to changing the way that peers are appointed to the transitional House to ensure that the process is modern, transparent and fair.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received calling for the Government to establish a statutory register of lobbyists; if he will list them; and if he will make a statement. [55202]

  The Prime Minister
  As far as I am aware, none.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the rules governing the use of(a) RAF planes and (b) private charter flights by Ministers; if rules have changed since 1 May 1997; and if departments have to meet the full cost of such use. [55510]

  The Prime Minister
  The Ministerial Code requires Ministers always to make efficient and cost effective travel arrangements. This principle applies to the use of RAF aircraft and private charter flights. The rules have not changed since 1 May 1997. When Departments charter private aircraft for Ministerial travel they meet the charter costs in full. They also pay for RAF aircraft charges, which are calculated by the hour.

  Cabinet Office
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) of 28 July 1998,Official Report, columns 132–34, what new resources will be committed to funding the New Centre for Management and Policy Studies within the Cabinet Office; if the research the centre will commission will be published; and if the centre will be covered by the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [54867]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The cost of setting up the new Centre for Management and Policy Studies will be within the CSR settlement agreed for the Cabinet Office. My officials are continuing discussions on implementing the changes announced in the House by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. Decisions to publish research commissioned by the Centre will be based on its appropriateness. The Centre is expected to abide by the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Timetable
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Council what progress he has made in proposals for announcing the annual parliamentary timetable in advance. [53590]
  919
  Mrs. Beckett
  The Modernisation Committee is considering proposals on the parliamentary calendar and I hope it will be able to report soon.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery Distribution Fund
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his current forecast of the percentage of the National Lottery Distribution Fund which will be given to each of the good causes in each year from 1999 to 2003. [55589]

  Mr. Banks
  The National Lottery Act 1998 provided for Lottery income for good causes to be apportioned as follows:

  Percentage

  Arts

  16⅔

  Sport

  16⅔

  Charities

  16⅔

  Heritage

  16⅔

  Projects to mark the Millennium

  20

  Health, education or the environment (New Opportunities Fund)

  13⅓

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has announced that the arts, sport, heritage and charities are each guaranteed 16⅔ per cent. of Lottery proceeds for good causes after the current licence expires in 2001. He has also announced that, due to an increase in forecast Lottery income, these good causes will each receive £50 million more than previously forecast during the licence period, and that the New Opportunities Fund will receive an additional £400 million. This will require adjustments to the current percentage shares and the Government will lay an Order in due course, after consulting the Lottery distributors, to give effect to the necessary changes. When the Millennium Commission has received £2,017 billion, its share will go to the New Opportunities Fund.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his current forecast of the date on which the Millennium Commission will cease to receive income from the National Lottery Distribution Fund. [55590]

  Mr. Banks
  The Millennium Commission has been guaranteed a total income of £2.017 billion. When this is reached, its share of income from the National Lottery will go to the New Opportunities Fund. The National Lottery etc. Act 1993 provided for the Commission's funding to continue until 31 December 2000. If it is necessary to extend the Commission's funding life beyond that date, the Government have the power by Order to do so. The Government are currently considering the implications for the Commission of the revised forecast of Lottery income and will make a further announcement in due course.

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many motorcycle parking spaces 920
  exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure. [55252]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department does not provide any formal motorcycle parking spaces. However, up to five motorcycles can be securely accommodated in one of our HQ buildings.

  A303(T)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money and from which budget head he will commit to the dualling of the A303(T) through the world heritage site at Stonehenge. [55293]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  At least one third of the costs will be funded from heritage sources. The precise sources will be for consideration nearer the time, but we envisage that this funding is likely to include contributions from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage's receipts from a new visitor centre.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55173]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department plans to implement the Government Procurement Card by the 1999–2000 financial year subject to the outcome of a consultancy exercise which is currently taking place to look at our current processes in order to establish an estimate of any savings. The Royal Parks Agency is also working towards its implementation, but no planned adoption date has yet been established.

  BBC
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will urgently review the regulatory role of the BBC Board of Governors; and if he will make a statement; [55277]

  (2) if he will add proposals for reform of the BBC's self-regulatory structure into his Department's Green Paper. [55276]

  Janet Anderson
  There are no plans to review the regulatory role of the BBC Board of Governors.

  The Green Paper on the future regulation of broadcasting and telecommunications was published on 21 July. It argues that the present system of regulation has sufficient flexibility to deal with developments in these markets for some time. Views are invited on when it will become necessary to make fundamental changes to the regime, and what regulatory aims, methods and structure might then be appropriate. Decisions on these broad issues must precede consideration of specifics such as the future regulation of public service broadcasting.
  921

  World Heritage List Sites
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what role his Department plays in ensuring the protection of sites listed on the World Heritage List outside the United Kingdom; which international bodies have a co-ordinating responsibility; and what liaison takes place between his Department and other departments in protecting such sites. [55416]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My Department liaises closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on current and possible future World Heritage Sites in the UK Overseas Territories. The protection of World Heritage Sites outside the UK and its overseas Territories is the responsibility of the countries concerned. My Department, by agreement with the Home Country Departments, represents the UK as an Observer at meetings of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee (which inter alia considers the protection of sites in accordance with the World Heritage Convention) and pays an annual subscription (£111,215 for 1998) to UNESCO's World Heritage Fund which is used to assist endangered sites. These meetings are also attended by the International Council on Monuments and Sites, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, who are the official advisers to UNESCO on cultural and natural heritage issues respectively.

TREASURY

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department expects to spend in each year from 1998–99 to 2000–01 on vehicle replacements. [54981]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer expects that his Departments will spend the following amounts on vehicle replacement in the years shown:

  1998–1999: £5.9m

  1999–2000: £6.1m

  2000–2001: £6.2m.

  Museum, Arts and Sport Funding
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his oral statement of 14 July 1998,Official Report, column 193, what proportion of the £290 million extra resources will come from savings made through cutting quangos. [54926]

  Mr. Byers
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been allocated £290 million extra resources over the next three years. Further details were announced and consultation papers were issued on 24 July, explaining that, in return for the additional funding, cultural, heritage, tourism and sports organisations will be expected to reform, cut bureaucracy including streamlining quangos and meet the Government's objectives of improving access and achieving excellence. Proposals were set out for new streamlined structures in the arts, in film and in museums and libraries, and to streamline the public body structure in the built heritage, tourism and sports. Final decisions will be made in the light of this consultation.
  922

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55166]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Treasury and its agency, the Debt Management Office, introduced the Government Procurement Card in May of this year and it is now in its third month of live use. There are currently 41 cardholders. The potential savings made until the 23 July were in the region of £4,000 on 129 transactions with a value of £13,800. The departmental policy encourages anyone to have a card who needs to buy low value items for operational reasons.

  Childcare Tax Credits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of the childcare tax credit element of the proposed working families tax credit; and how much of this expenditure will go to those who would otherwise be(a) non-taxpayers, (b) lower rate taxpayers, (c) standard rate taxpayers and (d) higher rate taxpayers. [55386]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The latest estimate of the cost of the childcare tax credit in the Working Families Tax Credit is £200 million in 2000–01, the first full year of the tax credit. Reliable estimates of the cost by the marginal rate of tax of the recipient are not available.

  Terrorism Reinsurance Premiums
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has authorised the Pool Reinsurance Company Limited to change the terrorism reinsurance premiums in 1999; and if he will make a statement. [55670]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have agreed that premiums in 1999 should, as in 1998, be discounted provided the good claims experience of the past two years continues.

  Therefore, from 1 January 1999, the premiums payable for all zones will be discounted by 85 per cent. The discount will be withdrawn if, in the course of the year, significant new claims are notified to Pool Re. This would affect subsequent new or renewed policies.

  In addition, other changes to the premium tariff will be introduced which should help simplify the administration of the scheme and reduce its costs.

  Arrangements for subsequent years will be determined in the light of experience.

  Despite the relatively low level of terrorist activity on the mainland recently, experience has shown that businesses in Great Britain would be well advised to maintain full insurance cover against terrorist damage. This applies whether it is bought through the Government backed arrangements operated by Pool Re or through the alternative arrangements that have been appearing in the insurance market.
  923

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the EMU preparation unit in his Department will have access to funds to print material for general distribution. [55341]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's communication campaign on the euro, which is managed by the Euro Preparations Unit, is aimed not at the general public but at ensuring that UK businesses, especially small and medium sized firms, are aware of the implications of the introduction of the single currency from 1 January 1999.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw) of 16 June 1998,Official Report, column 135, if he will make a statement on the nature of his most recent discussions on the political implications of economic and monetary union with (a) EU colleagues and (b) hon. Members. [55390]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor continues to meet ECOFIN colleagues on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of matters relating to Economic and Monetary Union. Details of ECOFIN meetings are reported to the House.

  The House debated all aspects of Economic and Monetary Union on 30 April 1998, Official Report, columns 477–519, in advance of the EMU Special council meeting held on 1–2 May. On 21 July 1998, Official Repot, columns, 978–1022 the House held a further debate on EMU as part of an Opposition day debate.

  The Government recognise that membership of a single currency has important constitutional implications. We recognise that, to share a common monetary policy with other Member states represents a major pooling of economic sovereignty. But we believe that if the economic case for joining the single currency is clear and unambiguous, then Britain should be part of it. There is no constitutional bar to British membership of the single currency. Nevertheless, we have said that the constitutional implications of joining the single currency are such that any decision by the UK Government to join would require the endorsement of both Parliament and the British people in a referendum.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria will be used to select non-civil servants serving on the EMU preparation unit in his Department. [55344]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in November last year that the Euro Preparations Unit would be set up to raise awareness and encourage preparatory activity across the UK economy. The unit is staffed by officials from DTI, DfEE and HM Treasury as well as a secondee from HSBC Midland with extensive small business experience.

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55265]

  Ms Hewitt
  There are 22 motorcycle parking spaces at the Treasury's Headquarters Building in Parliament Street. All spaces are secure. No parking spaces 924
  specifically for motorcycles are provided at the Allington Towers office in Victoria, but space can be made available according to demand.

  Taxation Relief (Training)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action his Department has taken to introduce tax relief for employers who invest in training of their work force; and what proposals he has in this area. [55045]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Expenditure of employers on the training of their employees is already likely to attract tax relief. When calculating business profits for tax purposes, a deduction is allowed for revenue expenditure incurred wholly and exclusively for business purposes. Expenditure an employer incurs on training employees would generally satisfy this business expenses tax rule and qualify for a tax deduction.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action his Department(a) has taken and (b) proposes to introduce (i) grants and (ii) tax relief for workers on training courses. [55047]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The current position is that individuals can claim Vocational Training Tax Relief (VTR) on the cost of certain training courses. VTR is not restricted to those in work and benefits non-taxpayers as well as taxpayers. Where an employee's expenditure on job-related external training is not eligible for VTR, it may still qualify for tax relief under an Inland Revenue extra-statutory concession (A64) if the conditions are satisfied.

  The current scope of tax relief for individuals' training expenses is being reviewed in relation to individual learning accounts. Our recent consultation paper on the Learning Age (CM 3790) indicated that we are considering targeted public support, which could take the form of grants or tax relief, to encourage people to open individual learning accounts. Officials from the Inland Revenue, Department for Education and Employment and the Treasury are currently exploring options.

  Employee Share Ownership
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action his Department(a) has taken and (b) plans to take to encourage more employee share ownership schemes. [55046]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are keen to encourage employee participation through share ownership. In this way, employees are able to share in the success of firms they work for and feel part of the common effort. The existing Inland Revenue approved share ownership schemes enable around 2½ million ordinary men and women to benefit directly, and in a tax-efficient way, from any increase in the value of their companies which their own efforts have helped to bring about.

  We remain committed to increasing employee participation through share ownership schemes, and all tax reliefs are kept under review. A tax break is not, however, the only way to encourage the spread of employee participation.
  925

  Arthur Andersen and Andersen Consulting
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Government contracts have been awarded to Arthur Andersen and Andersen Consulting since 2 May 1997. [55157]

  Ms Hewitt
  No contracts have been awarded to either of these firms since the 2 May 1997.

  Financial Services Authority
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has held with the Registrar of Friendly Societies regarding the transfer of its functions to the Financial Services Authority to ensure continued recognition of and sensitivity to the special features of organisations currently regulated and supervised by the Registrar; and if he will make a statement. [55220]

  Ms Hewitt
  Treasury officials have regular discussions with the Registry of Friendly Societies (RFS), the Building Societies Commission (BSC) and the Friendly Societies Commission (FSC), about the transfer of their functions to the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSA has also been working with them to develop the new regulatory structure and to ensure a smooth transition to a single regulator, when the Financial Services and Markets Bill becomes law.

  In the meantime, as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced on 30 July 1998, Official Report, columns 410–11, the FSA plans to enter into contracts with the BSC, the FSC and, in relation to credit unions, the FRS to enable it to carry out functions on their behalf, from January 1999.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has held with the Financial Services Authority regarding harmonisation of the costs of incorporation of the different types of organisations regulated by the Financial Services Authority; and if he will make a statement. [55215]

  Ms Hewitt
  A draft regulatory impact assessment was contained in part 3 of the consultation document on the Financial Services and Markets Bill. This concluded that the creation of the single financial services regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), would mean savings for a significant proportion of authorised persons in compliance costs and regulatory fees. There would also be some efficiency savings due to co-location of the regulators.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has held with the representative bodies for credit unions regarding the development of a share protection scheme; and if he will make a statement. [55219]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Credit Union Act 1979 provides for credit unions establishing a share protection scheme, if they wish to do so, and officials from the Registry of Friendly Societies have held a number of meetings with representative bodies for credit unions on this subject—although the movement has not, so far, introduced such a scheme. A consultation document will be issued shortly on how credit unions should be regulated in the future.926
  This will seek views on whether or not credit unions should be included within the Financial Service Authority's Compensation scheme.

  Bootlegging
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been prosecuted for re-selling alcoholic beverages and tobacco brought in from France in the latest available year. [55357]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested is not available in this form. However, figures are available for the number of prosecutions generated by Excise Verification Officers for the smuggling and/or illicit resale of alcohol and tobacco from the European Union; in the year ending 31 March 1998 there were 417.

  Euro
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the euro will be legal tender in Britain after 1 January 1999. [55405]

  Ms Hewitt
  No. If, however, parties agree amongst themselves to settle transactions in euro they will be at liberty to do so: just as they can currently choose to deal in other foreign currencies.

  Economic Estimates
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes he has made to estimates for(a) growth, (b) unemployment and (c) inflation for (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999. [55381]

  Ms Hewitt
  New forecasts for growth and inflation will be published later this autumn as part of the Pre-Budget Report. These will take account of developments since the Budget forecast was published in March.

  Payable Tax Credits
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the proposed abolition of payable tax credits on dividends from April 1999. [55652]

  Dawn Primarolo
  My hon. Friend the Paymaster General has this under review and will make an announcement as soon as he is in a position to do so.

  Individual Savings Accounts
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if an estimate has been made by the Inland Revenue as to the likely ongoing running costs of ISAs compared to those of PEPs. [55535]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Inland Revenue published a compliance cost assessment for the individual savings account on 31 July. A copy is available in the Library.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on how the Inland Revenue's figure for the start-up costs of ISAs being £250 million for the savings industry was derived and provide a breakdown of the costs incurred for new computer installation, staff and sales force retraining and administration. [55534]
  927
  Ms Hewitt
  The assessment reflects discussions with several potential managers, and comments received during the consultation process. Details of the breakdown of costs in the format requested are not available, since they were generally not known to this degree of precision by potential managers in the savings industry.

  Pensions Mis-selling
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with regard to the current pensions mis-selling review what is the Savings and Investment Board's estimate of the likely total cost of the compensation that will be paid by the life assurance industry; what is the breakdown of this estimate between with profits and unit linked policies; and what proportion of the costs incurred by with profits policies the Savings and Investment Board has estimated will ultimately be met by policy holders through reduced future bonuses. [55536]

  Ms Hewitt
  The FSA estimates that the total industry bill for the pensions mis-selling review will be in the range of £8 billion to £11 billion. These figures were contained in the FSA consultation document, copies of which were placed in the Library in March. There has been no estimate made of the split between with profits policies and unit linked policies. Nor is it possible to predict what proportion of the estimated total cost incurred by with profits policies will be met by policy holders through reduced future bonuses, due to uncertainties about the ultimate cost to firms.

  Financial Services
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with regard to the sale of financial services through intermediaries, what is the Personal Investment Authority's figure for the proportion sold on commission and those sold by advisers taking a fixed fee. [55537]

  Ms Hewitt
  No such figures are collected.

  Customs
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes there were in the number of customs officers between January 1988 and January 1998. [55656]

  Dawn Primarolo
  HM Customs and Excise employed 26,654 permanent staff (including Fixed Term Appointees) in April 1988 and 24,112 staff in April 1998, a drop of 2,542.

  In respect of "Customs officers" engaged on operational duties (as opposed to VAT, Excise or non-operational staff), 7,754 staff were employed in the preventive (anti-smuggling and baggage check) and frontier customs functions in April 1998, and at the start of the present financial year Customs and Excise employed 3,990 staff in these functions.

  On the surface, this represents a fall of 3,764 in the numbers of "Customs officers". However, the figures for the two years are not directly comparable as some former frontier work has moved inland, a change in operational policy meant that more customs work is now undertaken by staff in specialist investigation and intelligence units and the Department's vessels have also been moved to a
  928
  specialist unit with its own permanent crews. There are no figures available for the number of officers employed on customs work in these areas.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the number and proportion of all families headed by a lone parent indicating how many children live in them, based on the most recent available figures; [55584]

  (2) if he will estimate the number and proportion of one parent families headed by a teenage lone parent (a) under 20 years and (b) under 16 years based on the most recent figures. [55583]

  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 John Fox to Mr. David Rendel, dated 19 October 1998:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary questions on lone parent families. I am replying in his absence.
  It is estimated that there were 1.6 million one-parent families with dependent children in Great Britain in 1996, with 2.8 million dependent children living with them. One-parent families formed 21 per cent. of all families with dependent children in 1996. Further details, including definitions, are published in Population Trends, 91, a copy of which is contained in the House of Commons Library.
  It is estimated that there were around 40 thousand one-parent families with dependent children headed by a lone parent aged under 20 in Great Britain in 1996, just under 3 per cent. of all such one-parent families. Estimates have not been made of lone parents aged under 16 because of the proportionately larger uncertainty associated with very small sample sizes.

  British Household Panel Survey
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means tabulations of data from the British Household Panel Survey will be made available to hon. Members. [55638]

  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. Steve Webb, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking by what means tabulations of data from the British Household Panel Survey will be made available to honourable Members.
  The British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and conducted by the Institute for Social and Economic Research (formerly the ESRC Research Centre on Micro-social Change). The data are available from the Data Archive at Essex University. Further information on the BHPS, and details of research which has been carried out using the data, can be obtained from the Institute for Social and Economic Research (telephone number 01206 872957).
  Tabulations from the BHPS are regularly published in two annual Government Statistical Service publications: Households Below Average Income (the latest edition was published on 15 October 1998) and Social Trends. Data are also published in the ESRC Working Papers series. These publications and papers are available in the House of Commons Library.
  929

  Earnings (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees in Shrewsbury and Atcham currently earn less than(a) £3.60 per hour, (b) £2.50 per hour and (c) £1.50 per hour. [55243]

  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 Mike Pepper to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 19 October 1998:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics has been asked to reply to your parliamentary question requesting information about the earnings of employees in Shrewsbury and Atcham. I am replying in his absence.
  Estimates of the percentage of employees in Shrewsbury and Atcham earning less than the hourly rates you requested are given below. I am unable to provide numbers because appropriate grossing factors for the New Earnings Survey (NES) sample are not available at very detailed levels of disaggregation such as parliamentary constituencies.
  The latest information, from the New Earnings Survey 1998, is contained in the following table.

  Employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey pay-period was unaffected by absence—New Earnings Survey—April 1998 Parliamentary constituency of Shrewsbury and Atcham

  Percentage of employees with hourly earnings (excluding overtime) less than:

  £1.50

  £2.50

  £3.60

  All employees

  0.4

  1.5

  9.8

  Source:

  New Earnings Survey, Office for National Statistics.

  I will arrange for a copy of this letter to be placed in the Library.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made to his Department's estimates of the level of economic growth in 1997. [55485]

  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 John Kidgell to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 19 October 1998:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary question on changes to the level of economic growth in 1997. I am replying in his absence.
  The most recent data for 1997, published on 24 September 1998, show that gross domestic product (GDP) at constant market prices rose by 3.5 per cent. compared to 1996. Previous estimates published on 20 August 1998 showed growth in 1997 of 3.4 per cent.
  The quarterly path of GDP growth during 1997 shows quarterly growth rates of 1.0, 1.2, 1.0 and 0.7 per cent. in quarters 1 to 4 respectively. This compares with previously published estimates of 0.7, 1.0, 0.8 and 0.6 per cent.

  Registered Maternities
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the numbers of registered maternities to women resident in(a) St. Albans, (b) Dacorum, (c) Watford, (d) Hertsmere and (e) Three Rivers local authority districts which took place in (i) Hemel Hempstead General Hospital, (ii) St. Albans City Hospital, (iii) Watford General Hospital, (iv) Mount Vernon Hospital, (v) Barnet
  930
  General Hospital, (vi) Chase Farm Hospital, (vii) Northwick Park Hospital, (viii) Luton and Dunstable Hospital, (ix) Stoke Mandeville Hospital, (x) Wycombe General Hospital, (xi) other NHS hospitals, (xii) RAF Halton Hospital, (xiii) other non-NHS hospitals, (xiv) at home and (xv) elsewhere for each of the last five years for which data are available. [55315]

  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 John Fox to Mr. Kerry Pollard, dated 19 October 1998:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on numbers of registered maternities. I am replying in his absence.
  The information requested would only be available at a disproportionate cost.

  Abortions
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many women had abortions in each parliamentary constituency and what percentage of these were carried out by the NHS in the last year for which figures are available. [55538]

  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 John Fox to Mr. Phil Woolas, dated 19 October 1998:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on abortions by parliamentary constituency. I am replying in his absence.
  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.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Animal Experiments
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that his Department's proposed freedom of information legislation includes a statutory right of access to information relating to the scientific basis for research involving animal experiments within the United Kingdom. [55346]

  Mr. Straw
  Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prevents the disclosure of information supplied in confidence in relation to applications for licences to carry out scientific experiments on animals.

  The Government are committed to review the need for all statutory bars to disclosure as part of the development of legislation on Freedom of Information. That legislation is likely to contain a power to repeal by Order specified existing bars to disclosure.

  It is too early to say, however, whether section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 will be repealed in this way.
  931
  In reaching a decision on this issue, I shall need to be satisfied that those who are involved in lawful scientific experimentation are not put at risk from the violent activities of some animal rights extremists, or that British science and industry is not damaged by the disclosure of information.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Department's letter AP98 1/10/333 PO 13469/98 of 23 July, if he has forwarded Neil Boyce's report, Freeze-dried Mice, relating to the overbreeding of animals, to the Animal Procedures Committee; and if he will make a statement. [55363]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Neil Boyce's report was forwarded to the Animal Procedures Committee at its meeting on 23 July. The Committee is looking at the issue of overbreeding as part of its review of the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55254]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Home Office Central London Estate provides designated areas within it secure car parks for some 50 motorcycles.

  Generally, there is provision for parking motorcycles at most offices and sites throughout the rest of the Home Office Estate (including those occupied by the Agencies). However, details are not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55180]

  Mr. Straw
  The Home Office is not currently using the Government Procurement Card (GPC), but it is being used in some agencies.

  The extent to which the non-agency Department uses the GPC will depend on an evaluation of its benefits compared with a policy of obtaining consolidated invoices from suppliers with whom we conduct a high volume of transactions. Our preliminary findings are that by reducing the volume of invoices the Department can achieve savings similar to those obtainable from the use of the GPC, whilst retaining the benefit of the detailed management information which our suppliers provide with their invoices.

  A pilot project to test the consolidated invoice option and its estimated savings began in August of this year and will conclude by March 1999. Further consideration will then be given to the scope for using the GPC in circumstances where its use would be the most cost-effective solution.
  932
  The position in the Department's agencies is as follows:

  The Forensic Science Service introduced a procurement card in April 1996, but have since adopted the GPC. Some 60 cards have been issued and account for an average of 300 transactions a month, valued at £50,000 producing savings in excess of £10,000 a month. Up to a further 10 cards are expected to be issued.

  The Prison Service is currently piloting the use of the GPC at three prison sites with a view to establishing a business case for possible implementation early in 1999. Full rollout would take approximately 18 months and would enable some 200,000 transactions a year to be processed using the card.

  The United Kingdom Passport Agency and Fire Service College also have the use of the GPC under consideration.

  Gaming Board
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the names, qualifications and experience of members of the Gaming Board appointed in the last 12 months; if he will list the(a) vacancies and (b) expected vacancies for the Board; and what arrangements are in place for filling them. [54862]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Mr. Robert Lockwood and Mr. Peter Dean were appointed as Gaming Board members from 1 January 1998 and 18 May 1998 respectively, with Mr. Dean becoming Chairman from 1 July 1998.

  Mr. Lockwood's background is as a licensing magistrate, Chief Executive of the London Red Cross and former local authority chief executive. Mr. Dean has a legal background, is the Investment Ombudsman and was Deputy Chairman of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  All five Board posts are currently filled. One is expected to become vacant on 31 December 1998 and another on 31 August 1999. Both have been advertised and will be filled by competition.

  Child and Youth Workers
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals to strengthen the controls and procedures for vetting those employed and working directly or indirectly with children and young people; and if he will make a statement. [55453]

  Mr. Michael
  On 4 June 1998,Official Report, columns 304–05, I announced the establishment of an Interdepartmental Working Group on Preventing Unsuitable People from Working with Children and Abuse of Trust. The Group has made a good start on its work and has been asked to make recommendations by the end of the year.

  Prison Service
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Prison Service intends to take to encourage recruitment to the service from ethnic minority communities. [55323]
  933
  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Secretary announced at the Labour party conference that he would be setting recruitment targets across the Home Office, with the aim that the workforce properly reflects Britain's multi-racial society.

  As an equal opportunities employer, the Prison Service is committed to increasing the numbers of ethnic minority staff which it employs at all levels, consistent with fair and open competition and with recruitment and promotion on merit. Latest figures for the year to 31 March 1998 indicate that 7.8 per cent. of prison officers recruited were from ethnic minorities—more than double the figure for any previous year.

  In the last few years, there has been considerable progress on measures taken to encourage ethnic minority staff. These include the following:
  as part of the guidance on devolved recruitment, governors have been encouraged to take positive action to redress the current under-representation of people from the ethnic minorities, such as the recent open day organised by prisons in the Doncaster area;
  competence-based job simulation and assessment centres for the recruitment of prison officers support the devolved recruitment of prison officers and are increasingly used for promotion at all levels;
  the Prison Service has provided placements for three Windsor Fellows this year, and continues to provide mentors from management level staff for ethnic minority undergraduates under the National Mentoring Scheme.

  As a result of many years of sustained outreach work, the Service has two members of ethnic minorities who successfully applied for the Accelerated Promotion Scheme in the last year.

  In August 1997, the Home Secretary established a monitoring group on the position of ethnic minority staff in the Home Office with the following terms of reference:
  "To examine the position of ethnic minority staff in the Home Office, the measures taken to ensure their full representation and employment and to reduce real and perceived disadvantage and to make further proposals for action".

  The Prisons Board is fully committed to the monitoring group and is carrying out a comprehensive review in the Prison Service. The review, which is now well underway, will lead to the development of a racial equality action plan which will recommend further measures to stimulate the recruitment of staff from ethnic minorities.

  In July 1998, the Prison Service set up a new Race relations group. Its purpose is to ensure that the Service's race relations policies are as good as they can be, and to check that they are operating effectively across all establishments. It will also help to monitor and direct the range of initiatives which are underway, in relation to both staff and prisoners.

  Administration of Justice
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to expedite the administration of justice. [54859]

  Mr. Michael
  This Government have a strong commitment to speeding up justice, particularly in relation to cases involving young offenders where delays have been scandalous in recent years. We aim to tackle delays 934
  throughout the criminal justice system and we have pledged to halve the time taken to deal with persistent young offenders from arrest to sentence.

  Ministers across Government Departments are co-operating in encouraging all agencies to work together to cut delays. In October 1997, comprehensive guidance was issued in the circular 'Tackling Delays in the Youth Justice System'. This was prepared by six Government Departments and set out good practice to tackle delay in young offenders cases and asked local agencies to set up fast-tracking schemes for persistent young offenders. Many have responded positively: for instance, fast-track schemes for persistent young offenders have been established or are planned in 160 Youth Court areas, compared with 12 a year ago.

  The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 contains a number of specific measures for speeding up the system, including provisions to enable straightforward guilty pleas to be dealt with promptly; to improve case management in magistrates courts; and allowing indictable-only cases to start in the Crown Court. Before being implemented nationwide, most of these new procedures are being piloted in Tyneside; Croydon, Bromley and Sutton; Blackburn and Burnley; North Staffordshire; Northamptonshire; and North Wales. Piloting began on 30 September and will run for six months, except for the indictable-only procedure, for which the pilots will begin in January 1999 and will run for a year.

  To reinforce the effectiveness of the new procedures for case preparation and management, the Government intend to introduce overall statutory time limits for the prosecution of criminal cases, for which provision is made in the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 but which has been improved through the Crime and Disorder Act. These time limits, which will also be piloted, will be tougher for young offenders than for adults, and tougher still for persistent young offenders.

  Anti-terrorist Legislation
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has held with(a) the RUC, (b) the police in Great Britain, (c) civil liberties organisations, (d) the Irish Government, (e) members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, (f) other hon. Members and (g) the United States Government, concerning the new anti-terrorist legislation. [55349]

  Mr. Straw
  There was some informal consultation with a number of individuals and bodies, including some hon. and right hon. Members in the short timescale for the preparation of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998. I met the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Commissioner of the Garda Siochana and the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Mr. David Veness, on 28 August. The consultation document on permanent United Kingdom-wide counter-terrorist legislation, to be issued later this year, will provide a further opportunity for comments on the provisions of that Act in the context of broader consideration of the future shape of legislation against terrorism.
  935

  Domestic Violence
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make an announcement on the review of domestic violence policy. [53497]

  Mr. Michael
  Our intention is to do everything we can to give an impetus to policy on domestic violence and implement initiatives as soon as possible, rather than to conduct a formal time-limited review. To address domestic violence, we have implemented the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996. We have issued guidance on the Crime and Disorder Act setting out our expectation that local crime reduction partnerships will identify the level of domestic violence in their area and incorporate a strategy for tackling it in their wider crime reduction strategy.

  We are now seeking further research evidence about domestic violence and improved statistics; and to publicise this and raise awareness of how domestic violence can best be tackled in future.

  Women have a more severe experience of domestic violence than men. Our policy is to reflect that fact in everything we do. Our policy is being developed in parallel with measures to address all forms of violence against women.

  Terrorist Prisoners
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are serving prison sentences in Great Britain for terrorist offences connected with Northern Ireland; how many of them are serving(a) life sentences and (b) other indeterminate sentences; to which terrorist group these prisoners belong and how many are in categories (a) and (b); how many he estimates will be transferred to Northern Ireland inside the next two years; and how many of those transferred will be eligible for release under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. [55024]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Six prisoners convicted of terrorist related offences connected with Northern Ireland are currently held in prisons in England and Wales, none of whom is serving a life sentence or other indeterminate sentence. The Prison Service does not record centrally information on organisations to which prisoners may belong. One of the six prisoners has requested a transfer to Northern Ireland. This application is currently under consideration and it is not possible to speculate on the outcome. The eligibility of an prisoner for release under the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 is entirely a matter for the Sentence Review Commissioners.

  Traffic Officers
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that police traffic officers are given training in the collecting of evidence equivalent to that provided to CID officers responsible for investigating homicides. [55019]

  Mr. Michael
  We are keen to keep the training of police officers under review to ensure that they receive training in all the skills necessary to carry out their duties. I understand that National Police Training are planning to introduce a new course early next year on Policing Road 936
  Deaths in response to a demand from a number of forces for such training to be provided nationally. It is hoped that this course will be attended by both traffic and CID officers of the rank of inspector and above, who might be appointed to supervise such inquiries. The course is intended to provide a thorough grounding in all aspects of road death investigations and to raise awareness of the trauma likely to be caused by such incidents, both to victims and to police officers.

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary is also currently undertaking a thematic inspection of traffic related police duties, including the training of traffic officers.

  It should be remembered that decisions on the nature and extent of the training received by police traffic officers are primarily the responsibility of individual chief police officers. In most forces, if not all, the investigation of the scene of a serious road traffic accident is carried out by Road Accident Investigation Officers, who may be either police officers or civilian support staff, who use mathematical and physical theories and formulae to determine the speed and road position of vehicles at the time of collision. In general, police officers are skilled in managing the scene of a serious road accident and can call on specialist support skills, such as vehicle examiners, where necessary.

  If there are suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths of road users, it is open to chief officers to bring in officers with the appropriate skills, if necessary by appointing a senior detective to serve as the senior investigating officer in order to direct and control all the necessary inquiries.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of males aged(a) 16, (b) 17, (c) 18, (d) 19, (e) 20, (f) 21, (g) 22, (h) 23, (i) 24, (j) 25, (k) 26, (l) 27, (m) 28, (n) 29, and (o) 30 years or over (i) are currently in prison, (ii) have served a prison sentence or are currently in prison and (iii) have a criminal record. [55432]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Information on the male prison population (excluding foreign nationals), by age, in England and Wales on 30 June 1998 as a percentage of the projected general population of England and Wales for the same date is given in table 1.

  Information on criminal careers is also published in "Criminal Statistics England and Wales" (Chapter 9 of the 1996 edition, CM 3764), a copy of which is in the Library. These analyses are based on a sample of those born in selected years.

  The proportion of males who have ever been sentenced to custody for those born in selected years between 1953 and 1978 is shown in table 2. Rates for the 1973 and 1978 birth cohorts are lower than for those born in earlier years and are consistent with the reduction in custody for these age groups in the late Eighties and early Nineties. The

  937
  proportion of males who have been convicted of a "Standard List" offence is shown in table 3. Rates for 1973 and 1978 are also lower than for those born in earlier years and the lower proportion who have a conviction in these age groups reflects the increased use of cautioning in recent years.

  Table 1: Male prison population1 in England and Wales on 30 June 1998, by age, as a percentage of the projected general population in England and Wales on 30 June 1998

  Age

  Percentage2

  16

  0.21

  17

  0.44

  18

  0.70

  19

  0.89

  20

  0.88

  21

  0.88

  22

  0.89

  23

  0.80

  24

  0.78

  25

  0.72

  26

  0.66

  27

  0.63

  28

  0.58

  29

  0.55

  30+

  0.16

  Total

  0.28

  1 Excludes foreign nationals

  2 Based on comparisons between the prison population in England and Wales on 30 June 1998 and the Government Actuary population projection for England and Wales in mid 1998

  Table 2: Estimates of the proportion of the male population who have served a prison sentence or are currently in prison for a standard list offence1

  England and Wales

  Percentage

  Year of birth

  Age

  1953

  1958

  1963

  1968

  1973

  1978

  16

  1.6

  1.3

  1.6

  1.4

  0.5

  0.2

  17

  2.4

  2.3

  2.6

  2.2

  1.0

  0.5

  18

  3.2

  3.0

  3.5

  2.9

  1.6

  1.0

  19

  3.8

  3.6

  4.4

  3.6

  2.3

  1.8

  20

  4.1

  4.1

  5.0

  4.2

  2.8

  —

  21

  4.4

  4.4

  5.6

  4.5

  3.5

  —

  22

  4.7

  4.8

  6.0

  4.9

  4.0

  —

  23

  4.9

  5.2

  6.3

  5.2

  4.2

  —

  24

  5.1

  5.5

  6.6

  5.5

  —

  —

  25

  5.3

  5.7

  6.9

  —

  —

  —

  26

  5.4

  5.9

  7.0

  —

  —

  —

  27

  5.6

  6.1

  7.2

  —

  —

  —

  28

  5.8

  6.3

  7.4

  —

  —

  —

  29

  5.9

  6.4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30

  6.1

  6.5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  31

  6.2

  6.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  32

  6.4

  6.8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  33

  6.5

  6.9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  34

  6.5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  35

  6.6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  36

  6.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  37

  6.8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  38

  6.9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  39

  6.9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 The standard list consists of all indictable and some of the more serious summary offences. See Appendix 5 of Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1996 (Cm. 3764) for further details

  938

  Table 3: Estimates of the proportion of the male population with a criminal record for one or more standard list1 offences England and Wales

  Percentage

  Year of birth

  Age

  1953

  1958

  1963

  1968

  1973

  1978

  16

  11.9

  13.4

  12.8

  10.6

  5.5

  4.1

  17

  14.9

  16.7

  16.3

  13.8

  8.7

  6.6

  18

  17.7

  19.7

  19.9

  16.7

  11.8

  9.9

  19

  19.9

  22.2

  22.8

  19.2

  13.9

  —

  20

  21.7

  24.3

  25.0

  21.2

  15.6

  —

  21

  23.3

  26.1

  26.6

  22.9

  17.2

  —

  22

  24.7

  27.4

  27.9

  24.2

  19.0

  —

  23

  25.9

  28.6

  28.9

  25.3

  19.8

  —

  24

  27.0

  29.7

  29.8

  26.0

  —

  —

  25

  27.8

  30.5

  30.7

  —

  —

  —

  26

  28.7

  30.5

  31.4

  —

  —

  —

  27

  29.4

  31.7

  32.1

  —

  —

  —

  28

  30.0

  32.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  29

  30.6

  32.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30

  31.0

  33.2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  31

  31.5

  33.6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  32

  32.0

  34.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  33

  32.3

  34.4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  34

  32.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  35

  33.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  36

  33.2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  37

  33.5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  38

  33.8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  39

  34.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 The standard list consists of all indictable and some of the more serious summary offences. See Appendix 5 of Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1996 (Cm. 3764) for further details

  Computers (Scanning)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take in respect of the practice of HM Customs officials routinely scanning computer laptops brought into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [55459]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  HM Customs and Excise do not routinely scan laptops brought into the UK; Customs' anti-smuggling checks are guided by risk profiles and intelligence assessments, in order to concentrate their effort in the most productive areas and cause the minimum delay to the travelling public.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the practice of HM Customs officials routinely scanning laptops brought into the United Kingdom; what record is kept of information so gleaned and for what purposes; and what safeguards are in place to prevent the misuse of such information. [55461]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  HM Customs and Excise do not routinely scan laptops brought into the UK; Customs' anti-smuggling checks are guided by risk profiles and intelligence assessments, in order to concentrate their effort in the most productive areas and cause the minimum delay to the travelling public. The aim of checks on laptops is to detect indecent or obscene material, in particular material featuring children; no record is kept of any other information encountered. Officers regularly encounter private or commercial correspondence and similar material in the course of their duties and are bound by their normal duty

  939
  of confidentiality. Anyone misusing such information would be subject to Departmental disciplinary proceedings and, if appropriate, dismissal.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Buxton County Court
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to improve access to justice at Buxton County Court for people who have(a) physical, (b) visual and (c) hearing disabilities. [53390]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Court Service is currently undertaking an audit of all courts to establish what facilities exist at each location for people who have physical, visual or hearing disabilities. The audit is scheduled for completion in February 1999. Where requirements for additional or upgraded facilities are identified, these will be addressed, where reasonably practicable, according to priority.

  Royal Family
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review for possible release records relating to the Royal Family and Royal Household which are currently closed in the Public Record Office; and if he will make a statement. [53367]

  Mr. Hoon
  The 1993 White Paper Open Government (Cm 2290) stated that records relating to the Royal Family would be treated in the same way as all other records and closed for longer than 30 years only if they fell into one or more of the three criteria governing closure (para. 9.22). It also stated (para 9.28) that all Departments would, as resources could be made available, review all material currently withheld for longer than 30 years to see whether its sensitivity had passed and, if possible, release it. The review process is the responsibility of the Department where the records originated. This process is continuing.

  Shrewsbury County Court
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will estimate the effect on the legal aid budget of the closure of Shrewsbury County Court and the relocation of its work to Telford, Ludlow and Oswestry. [53392]

  Mr. Hoon
  No estimate of the impact on legal aid has been made. Any savings or additional costs to the legal aid fund are likely to be marginal since business will simply transfer elsewhere. Whilst financial implications are important considerations, the costs and practical implications of running a court, the public facilities, waiting times, workload levels and overall standard of service that can be made available over the area as a whole also need to be taken into consideration.

  External Legal Advisers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the external legal advisers he has consulted since 940
  1 May 1997, indicating (a) the names of those firms used, (b) dates of consultation, (c) the cost of using each firm and (d) the areas of discussion.

  Mr. Hoon
  The only firm of external legal advisers consulted by the Lord Chancellor's Department since 1 May 1997 is Messrs Masons who have been retained since November 1996 to provide drafting and general legal advice on a contract for the provision of corporate and financial services and general legal advice on IT contracts for Crown and county courts. Advice has been provided on numerous occasions since 1 May 1997. The total cost since that date is £234,362. [55400]

  Possession Orders
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average length of time between the serving of a notice of seeking possession on the tenant of a local authority and the granting of possession where the application was successful(a) in England and Wales, (b) in the West Midlands County and (c) in Birmingham in each of the last five years for which records are available; and if he will make a statement on measures he is proposing to speed up the process. [55504]

  Mr. Hoon
  No figures are collected for waiting times for possession actions. Although there are no current plans to introduce measures to reduce the length of time the possession process can take, it is intended to consider this process in the second stage of the Civil Justice Reforms. No timetable has yet been fixed.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55175]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government Purchase Card (GPC) is not yet being used. The Court Service plans to introduce the GPC in one area later this financial year, and will assess the scope for further use next year. The Public Record Office will pilot the card later this month, and introduce it in June 1999 if that is favourable. The Land Registry will pilot in January 1999 and introduce it in April 1999 if the test succeeds. The Northern Ireland Court Service and the Public Trust Office are currently reviewing their procurement procedures, and will consider the introduction of the GPC.

  Personal Injury Actions
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement concerning the implementation of section 10 of the Civil Evidence Act 1995 and section 1 of the Damages Act 1996 following the recent judgments in the House of Lords on multipliers in personal injury actions. [54863]

  Mr. Hoon
  Section 1 of the Damages Act 1996 came into force in September 1996. The Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Scotland decided not to exercise
  941
  the power conferred by that section until they had been able to consider what was said by the House of Lords in Wells v Wells and other pending appeals, in which opinions were delivered on 16 July. The section requires them to consult the Government Actuary and the Treasury before any exercise of the power. They are now doing so.

  Legal Aid Board
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Legal Aid Board has responded to the Lord Chancellor's request for advice on how best to achieve exclusive contracting of civil advice and assistance; and if he will make a statement. [55673]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Legal Aid Board have responded to the Lord Chancellor's request for advice on how best to give effect to the Government's policy of exclusive contracting for civil advice and assistance. A copy of their report, and an exchange of correspondence between the Lord Chancellor and the Chairman of the Board, have been placed in the Library of both Houses. The Lord Chancellor welcomes the report and generally accepts the Board's proposals. They will provide an effective way of achieving the Government's policy of targeting quality assured services on people's priority needs for help with basic legal problems. In particular, the proposals will secure our objective of channelling a greater share of funding to the not-for-profit advice sector, and of opening up new ways of delivering advice to people, for instance when they cannot conveniently reach the adviser's office. These are only first steps, but are essential components in building the community legal service promised by the Government in our election manifesto.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how much his Department expects to spend in each year from 1998–99 to 2000–01 on vehicle replacements. [54984]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information is as follows:

  £

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  The Court Service

  4,050,000

  1,551,000

  535,000

  The Lord Chancellor's Department HQ

  16,000

  32,000

  64,000

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  0

  0

  0

  HM Land Registry

  154,600

  175,000

  175,000

  Planned expenditure by the Court Service reflects a change in August this year from leasing vehicles to outright purchase.

WALES

  Cervical Smears
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cytology laboratories in Wales are sending their cervical smears to other laboratories for interpretation. [55305]
  942
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  One laboratory in Wales is currently sending cervical screening work to an adjacent laboratory on a temporary and short-term basis. This is due to end this month.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for each health authority in Wales, what is the average time taken for a patient to receive the results of their cervical smear test; and what percentage take longer than the recommended four weeks. [55210]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The information requested is as follows:

  Health authority

  Average time taken (weeks)

  Percentage (longer than 4 weeks)

  Bro Taf HA

  3.5

  16

  Dyfed Powys HA

  3

  0

  Gwent HA

  4

  20

  Morgannwg HA

  3.5

  20.6

  North Wales HA

  3.75

  10

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average time taken for a patient to receive the results of their cervical smear test; and what percentage take longer than the recommended four weeks. [55206]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The average time taken in Wales is 4 weeks; and about 13 per cent. are over 4 weeks.

  Motorcycles
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55253]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  There are several secure areas of the car park at my Department's head quarters in Cathays Park specifically dedicated to motorcycles. There is provision at other offices for motorcycling parking.

  Measures to increase the proportion of motorcycle users are being considered as part of the development of green transport plans for buildings occupied by my Department and its agency.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what reasons motorcycles were not included in the policy document "Transporting Wales into the Future"; and if he will make a statement. [55399]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Chapter 3 of the transport White Paper "A New Deal for Transport—Better for Everyone" covers the role motorcycling can play in the development of an integrated transport policy. Paragraph 1.3 of our Welsh Transport Policy Statement "Transporting Wales into the Future" explains that the general policies set out in the White Paper apply equally in Wales. I did not think it necessary to repeat them all in the Welsh document.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result;

  943
  what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55167]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  My Department does not, currently, use the Government Purchase Card. However, we have accepted the offer via the Treasury of a consultancy to undertake a cost/benefit analysis of the introduction of the card. A decision on whether or not to introduce the card will be made in the light of the consultancy report.

  Carmarthen-Aberystwyth Rail Track
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to safeguard the trackbed of the former rail link from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth; and if he will make a statement. [55514]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Preservation of disused railway trackbeds is a matter for the local planning authorities concerned, within the framework of planning guidance which encourages them to promote public transport opportunities, including the exploration of opportunities to re-open rail routes. I understand that the bulk of the land underlying the former railway line between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth was sold some years ago, although Rail Property Limited retain ownership of a number of railway bridges along the route.

  Dyfed Powys Health Authority
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cash limit of the Dyfed Powys Health Authority for 1997–98; and what figure has been set for 1998–99. [54913]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The initial revenue cash limit authorisations for Dyfed Powys Health Authority were as follows:

  Financial year

  £000

  1997–98

  274,301

  1998–99

  283,391

SCOTLAND

  Temazepam
  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prescriptions for Temazepam(a) capsules and (b) tablets were issued in Strathclyde in each year since 1992 and in 1998 to date. [55164]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information for Greater Glasgow Health Board for the years 1992 to 1997 and January to June is shown in the table.

  Year

  Capsules

  Tablets

  1992

  112,712

  99,911

  1993

  67,401

  119,146

  1994

  41,312

  122,848

  1995

  20,356

  110,801

  1996

  1

  112,017

  1997

  0

  105,035

  January-June 1998

  0

  49,803

  944

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55171]

  Mr. Dewar
  My Department began using the Government Procurement Card on a pilot basis in September 1998. The pilot is taking place in two executive agencies and three business areas in the core Department. The pilot exercise will help to determine what savings and other benefits might accrue from using procurement cards, and whether there is a case for expanding their use throughout the Department.

  Diffuse Pollution
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his proposals(a) to combat diffuse pollution and (b) to implement the recommendations of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency of 31 August 1998 on diffuse pollution, in relation to nitrate enhancement. [55475]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Government are addressing the need to combat diffuse pollution, through the use of preventative and advisory approaches together with legislation. We are also exploring the use of economic instruments ("green taxes"). Our approach will be developed further when we come to implement the EC Water Framework Directive, which is at present in draft form. This will be a matter for the Scottish Executive.

  We are currently consulting on proposals for a statutory Nitrate Action Programme in the Scottish Nitrate Vulnerable Zone at Balmalcolm. The programme is specifically aimed at reducing nitrate use.

  Antimicrobial Resistance
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the replies by the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, my hon. Friend the Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Mr. Galbraith), FP 060705 of 13 May and FR 021609 of 18 September, if he will list the Chairman and members of the UK Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance. [55544]

  Mr. Galbraith
  There is no UK Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance. My letter to my hon. Friend referred to an internal Steering Group of officials which has been set up by the Department of Health to advise Ministers on the terms of the Government's response to the House of Lords Report"Resistance to Antibiotics and other Antimicrobial Agents" and is considering other significant developments in the field of antimicrobial resistance.

  The Group includes representatives from the Public Health Laboratory Service, the Joint Foods Safety and Standards Group, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Medicines Control Agency, Office of Science and Technology and The Scottish Office.
  945

  Teacher Training
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reviews he has initiated into teacher training in Scotland since May 1997. [55013]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In February this year, the Government responded to a report on teacher education and training, prepared by Sir Stewart Sutherland for the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education. As part of this response we set up a short term working group to look at two specific issues relating to initial teacher education in Scotland—quality assurance and arrangements for managing and developing the type and pattern of provision. I expect to receive a report from the working group within the next few months.

  In March we issued for consultation revised draft guidelines for initial teacher education courses in Scotland. These guidelines set out the requirements which

  Scottish Office funding to colleges in cash terms

  £ million

  College

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Aberdeen College

  11.804

  13.126

  13.591

  17.406

  17.310

  16.393

  Angus College

  2.637

  2.979

  3.308

  4.693

  4.767

  4.860

  Anniesland College

  3.520

  4.415

  4.292

  4.947

  5.099

  5.238

  Ayr College

  4.025

  4.531

  4.852

  5.650

  5.626

  5,767

  Banff and Buchan College of Further Education

  2.752

  2.960

  3.382

  4.548

  4.704

  4.638

  The Barony College

  1.258

  1.053

  1.589

  1.695

  1.324

  1.256

  Bell College of Technology

  4.887

  5.576

  5.937

  5.217

  4.762

  4.478

  Borders College

  3.644

  3.901

  4.086

  5.190

  5.229

  4.782

  Cambuslang College

  3.841

  4,018

  4.208

  4.840

  4.767

  4.489

  Cardonald College

  5.530

  6.213

  6.304

  8.479

  10.700

  10.252

  Central College of Commerce

  3.578

  4.268

  4.687

  5.148

  5.100

  5.225

  Clackmannan College of Further Education

  2.245

  2.489

  2.500

  3.076

  2.950

  2.956

  Clydebank College

  6.142

  7.006

  7.420

  7.949

  7.485

  7.602

  Coatbridge College

  3.533

  4.299

  3.807

  4.600

  4.582

  4.673

  Cumbernauld College

  2.303

  2.529

  2.874

  4.003

  3.508

  3.583

  Dumfries and Galloway College

  4.768

  5.166

  5.452

  6.280

  6.262

  5.842

  Dundee College

  10.471

  11.405

  10.911

  12.929

  11.785

  11.592

  Elmwood College

  3.084

  3.131

  3.170

  3.689

  3.517

  3.394

  Falkirk College of Further and Higher Education

  7.482

  8.332

  8.693

  9.816

  9.035

  9.237

  Fife College of Further and Higher Education

  6.217

  7.078

  7.681

  8.409

  7.613

  7.195

  Glasgow College of Building and Printing

  5.071

  6.189

  5.979

  5.937

  6.293

  7.101

  Glasgow College of Food Technology

  2.939

  3.491

  3.802

  4.240

  3.760

  3.776

  Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

  3.707

  4.140

  4.087

  4.318

  4.299

  4.531

  Glenrothes College

  4.480

  4.478

  5.068

  6.121

  5.931

  5.968

  Inverness College

  6.457

  6.893

  6.857

  8.006

  7.387

  6.852

  James Watt College of Further and Higher Education

  5.032

  6.189

  7.759

  9.757

  10.464

  11.810

  Jewel and Esk Valley College

  7.609

  8.117

  8.014

  8.321

  8.078

  8.003

  John Wheatley College

  2.785

  3.170

  3.494

  3.872

  4.025

  4.025

  Kilmarnock College

  4.201

  4.804

  5.337

  6.685

  7.032

  7.160

  Langside College

  5.216

  5.892

  6.988

  7.196

  7.434

  7.005

  Lauder College

  4.601

  5.225

  5.420

  6.530

  6.579

  6.489

  Lews Castle College

  2.058

  2.140

  2.391

  2.287

  3.037

  3.509

  Moray College

  4.335

  4.776

  5.154

  6.530

  6.250

  5.748

  Motherwell College

  6.358

  6.708

  7.378

  9.390

  9.840

  9.780

  North Glasgow College

  5.796

  6.766

  6.455

  6.682

  6.266

  5.909

  Oatridge Agricultural College

  2.085

  2.418

  2.114

  2.047

  2.017

  1.986

  Perth College

  5.166

  5.559

  5.917

  7.312

  6.962

  6.396

  Reid Kerr College

  6.978

  7.941

  8.210

  9.646

  9.703

  9.195

  Stevenson College

  9.642

  10.515

  10.260

  11.614

  13.832

  13.310

  Stow College

  3.233

  4.295

  4.468

  5.231

  5.306

  5.423

  Edinburgh's Telford College

  12.168

  13.408

  13.764

  14.932

  15.186

  15.340

  Thurso College

  3.437

  2.715

  3.096

  3.306

  2.898

  2.929

  West Lothian College

  4.795

  6.254

  5.324

  5.475

  5.096

  4.938

  946
  courses must meet if they are to be approved by the Secretary of State. We have carefully considered responses to the consultation and finalised revised guidelines will be issued very shortly.

  Further and Higher Education
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the amount each further and higher education college in Scotland has acquired from the Scottish Office budget in each year since incorporation in(a) cash terms, (b) real terms at 1998–99 prices and (c) as a percentage of their total income. [55007]

  Mr. Dewar
  The total of recurrent grant-in-aid and funding in respect of bursaries, restructuring and capital projects made available to incorporated colleges by the Secretary of State, since incorporation, in cash and real terms (at 1998–99 prices) and as a percentage of colleges' total income is shown in the following tables.
  947

  Scottish Office funding to colleges in real terms at 1998–99 prices

  £ million

  College

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Aberdeen College

  13.395

  14.674

  14.783

  18.394

  17.812

  16.393

  Angus College

  2.992

  3.330

  3.599

  4.959

  4.906

  4.860

  Anniesland College

  3.994

  4.935

  4.668

  5.228

  5.247

  5.238

  Ayr College

  4.567

  5.066

  5.277

  5.970

  5.789

  5.767

  Banff and Buchan College of Further Education

  3.123

  3.309

  3.679

  4.806

  4.841

  4.638

  The Barony College

  1.428

  1.177

  1.729

  1.791

  1.363

  1.256

  Bell College of Technology

  5.546

  6.234

  6.458

  5.514

  4.900

  4.478

  Borders College

  4.135

  4.362

  4.444

  5.485

  5.380

  4.782

  Cambuslang College

  4.359

  4.492

  4.577

  5.115

  4.906

  4.489

  Cardonald College

  6.275

  6.945

  6.857

  8.960

  11.010

  10.252

  Central College of Commerce

  4.061

  4.771

  5.098

  5.440

  5.248

  5.225

  Clackmannan College of Further Education

  2.547

  2.782

  3.251

  3.251

  3.035

  2.956

  Clydebank College

  6.969

  7.832

  8.071

  8.400

  7.702

  7.602

  Coatbridge College

  4.009

  4.806

  4.141

  4.861

  4.715

  4.673

  Cumbernauld College

  2.614

  2.827

  3.126

  4.231

  3.610

  3.583

  Dumfries and Galloway College

  5.410

  5.775

  5.930

  6.637

  6.443

  5.842

  Dundee College

  11.882

  12.750

  11.868

  13.664

  12.126

  11.592

  Elmwood College

  3.499

  3.500

  3.448

  3.899

  3.619

  3.394

  Falkirk College of Further and Higher Education

  8.490

  9.315

  9.456

  10.373

  9.297

  9.230

  Fife College of Further and Higher Education

  7.055

  7.913

  8.354

  8.886

  7.834

  7.195

  Glasgow College of Building and Printing

  5.754

  6.919

  6.504

  6.274

  6.475

  7.101

  Glasgow College of Food Technology

  3.335

  3.902

  4.136

  4.481

  3.869

  3.776

  Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

  4.207

  4.628

  4.446

  4.563

  4.423

  4.531

  Glenrothes College

  5.084

  5.307

  5.513

  6.469

  6.102

  5.968

  Inverness College

  7.327

  7.706

  7.459

  8.461

  7.601

  6.852

  James Watt College of Further and Higher Education

  5.710

  6.919

  8.439

  10.311

  10.767

  11.810

  Jewel and Esk Valley College

  8.634

  9.075

  8.717

  8.794

  8.312

  8.003

  John Wheatley College

  3.160

  3.544

  3.800

  4.092

  4.142

  4.025

  Kilmarnock College

  4.767

  5.371

  5.805

  7.065

  7.236

  7.160

  Langside College

  5.919

  6.586

  7.601

  7.605

  7.650

  7.005

  Lauder College

  5.221

  5.841

  5.896

  6.901

  6.770

  6.489

  Lews Castle College

  2.336

  2.392

  2.601

  2.417

  3.125

  3.509

  Moray College

  4.919

  5.339

  5.606

  6.901

  6.431

  5.748

  Motherwell College

  7.215

  7.499

  8.026

  9.923

  10.125

  9.780

  North Glasgow College

  6.577

  7.563

  7.021

  7.061

  6.448

  5.909

  Oatridge Agricultural College

  2.366

  2.703

  2.299

  2.163

  2.076

  1.986

  Perth College

  5.862

  6.215

  6.436

  7.727

  7.164

  6.396

  Reid Kerr College

  7.919

  8.877

  8.930

  10.194

  9.984

  9.195

  Stevenson College

  10.941

  11.755

  11.160

  12.273

  14.233

  13.310

  Stow College

  3.668

  4.802

  4.860

  5.528

  5.459

  5.423

  Edinburgh's Telford College

  13.807

  14.990

  14.972

  15.780

  15.626

  15.340

  Thurso College

  3.900

  3.035

  3.367

  3.493

  2.982

  2.929

  West Lothian College

  5.441

  6.991

  5.791

  5.786

  5.244

  4.938

  Scottish Office funding as a percentage of total income The total income figure is derived from audited accounts, the latest complete set of which is for the year 1996–97

  Percentage

  College

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Aberdeen College

  64

  65

  67

  72

  Angus College

  68

  67

  62

  74

  Anniesland College

  71

  74

  69

  70

  Ayr College

  63

  64

  64

  64

  Banff and Buchan College of Further Education

  73

  76

  75

  75

  The Barony College

  49

  46

  54

  55

  Bell College of Technology

  48

  56

  60

  47

  Borders College

  74

  74

  73

  74

  Cambuslang College

  72

  73

  73

  76

  Cardonald College

  62

  63

  65

  69

  Central College of Commerce

  53

  60

  63

  64

  Clackmannan College of Further Education

  68

  70

  76

  80

  Clackmannan College of Further Education

  68

  70

  76

  80

  Clydebank College

  69

  70

  70

  69

  Coatbridge College

  71

  72

  72

  73

  Cumbernauld College

  70

  73

  76

  78

  Dumfries and Galloway College

  70

  69

  70

  70

  Dundee College

  73

  73

  69

  71

  Elmwood College

  69

  61

  57

  59

  Falkirk College of Further and Higher Education

  69

  74

  72

  70

  948 949

  Scottish Office funding as a percentage of total income The total income figure is derived from audited accounts, the latest complete set of which is for the year 1996–97

  Percentage

  College

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Fife College of Further and Higher Education

  53

  58

  61

  59

  Glasgow College of Building and Printing

  52

  55

  58

  55

  Glasgow College of Food Technology

  60

  69

  72

  73

  Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

  62

  64

  57

  56

  Glenrothes College

  59

  63

  60

  61

  Inverness College

  68

  69

  69

  71

  James Watt College of Further and Higher Education

  56

  61

  67

  68

  Jewel and Esk Valley College

  64

  69

  70

  66

  John Wheatley College

  77

  78

  78

  75

  Kilmarnock College

  67

  67

  68

  70

  Langside College

  71

  73

  71

  76

  Lauder College

  60

  58

  53

  50

  Lews Castle College

  65

  60

  61

  65

  Moray College

  72

  72

  71

  75

  Motherwell College

  63

  64

  64

  70

  North Glasgow College

  70

  73

  73

  76

  Oatridge Agricultural College

  51

  51

  49

  45

  Perth College

  66

  69

  70

  68

  Reid Kerr College

  70

  70

  71

  72

  Stevenson College

  73

  74

  76

  78

  Stow College

  54

  61

  66

  68

  Edinburgh's Telford College

  70

  71

  72

  71

  Thurso College

  73

  72

  65

  63

  West Lothian College

  70

  73

  71

  73

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list each of the further and higher education colleges participating in the University of the Highlands and Islands Project; when they signed contracts to participate in the project; and when these contracts(a) expired and (b) were renewed; [55002]

  (2) who appointed the current principals of further and higher education colleges in Scotland; and where each current principal of a further and higher education college was previously employed; [55003]

  (3) what powers (a) he and (b) the board of management from further and higher education colleges have to (i) appoint, (ii) approve or (iii) dismiss the principal and members of the boards of management from their further and higher education college; [55004]

  (4) if he will list the current members of the boards of management for each further and higher education college in Scotland indicating how their appointment met the criteria of being fully representative of local interests in accordance with the terms of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992; [55005]

  (5) how his Department monitors use of public money granted to further and higher education colleges in Scotland to ensure propriety in its expenditure; [55006]

  (6) what accounts have been presented to his Department by Moray College on the use of Scottish Office funding for further and higher education since the incorporation of the college; [55008]

  (7) what guidelines his Department has given to the principals and members of the boards of management of further and higher education colleges on expenses incurred by the principals and members of the boards of management; [55009]

  (8) what is the expected deficit for Moray College for the years (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; [55010]
  950
  (9) what guidelines his Department has issued to the principals and members of the boards of management of further and higher education colleges on employment and personnel appointment procedures, with particular reference to guidance on the employment of family members; [55011]

  (10) what guidelines must be followed by the boards of management of further and higher education colleges on the payment of performance-related pay and bonuses to college managers when the college is running a financial deficit; [55012]

  (11) if he will investigate the alleged link between adhesive arachnoiditis and the use of Myodil; [55037]

  (12) if he will fund the greater use of chronic pain management programmes for sufferers of adhesive arachnoiditis; [55039]

  (13) what reassessment of the "Higher Still" reforms has been made since May 1997; [55014]

  (14) what changes his Department has made to the requirement for young offenders to be tested for drugs; and what plans he has to require young offenders taking drugs to undertake treatment programmes; [55016]

  (15) how much money has been paid by his Department to Moray College for special needs education in each of the years since incorporation expressed in (a) cash and (b) real terms based on 1998–99 prices; and what audited accounts he has received from Moray College on how this has been spent on special needs education; [54999]

  (16) what procedures he has in place to ensure that money granted by his Department to further and higher education colleges for special needs education is spent properly; [55000]
  951
  (17) what (a) guidelines and (b) statutory procedures must be followed by the boards of management of further and higher education colleges when consulting staff and union representatives on management and staff restructuring within the colleges. [55049]

  Mr. Dewar
  I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 12 October, a copy of which was placed in the House Library.

  Crime Victims
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes his Department has made to(a) the amount of information provided to and (b) the protection by law for victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses since May 1997. [55015]

  Mr. McLeish
  At the end of February we produced a general information leaflet for victims of crime, which explains the criminal justice process in simple terms and provides information about getting help. The leaflet is distributed mainly by the police, who are the first contact a victim or witness who reports a crime has with the criminal justice system. It is also available through Victim Support Scotland and Citizens Advice Bureaux.

  I am advised by my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate that, in January, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in conjunction with the Scottish Court Service launched a Joint Statement on Crown Witnesses, outlining the joint and individual responsibilities of procurators and clerks of court in relation to Crown Witnesses cited in court. The document introduced an undertaking that witnesses at court would be provided with an update on the progress of their case at least once every two hours.

  As at 31 March 1997

  Council

  Estimated stock

  Number of houses with rent arrears1

  Total rent arrears £

  Rent arrears as a percentage of 1996–97 rental income

  Aberdeen City

  30,305

  8,354

  1,314,613

  3.20

  Aberdeenshire

  17,218

  4,490

  666,484

  2.61

  Angus

  10,721

  1,428

  117,831

  0.89

  Argyll and Bute

  7,375

  3,146

  344,601

  2.59

  Clackmannanshire

  6,767

  1,750

  463,209

  4.64

  Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

  2,115

  453

  130,502

  3.27

  Dumfries and Galloway

  14,588

  4,797

  556,007

  2.20

  Dundee City

  23,509

  8,277

  1,538,703

  3.58

  East Ayrshire

  20,142

  5,386

  768,475

  2.93

  East Dunbartonshire

  6,840

  1,445

  711,253

  6.63

  East Lothian

  10,817

  4,810

  629,792

  4.16

  East Renfrewshire

  4,591

  1,195

  258,438

  4.01

  Edinburgh City

  33,320

  17,025

  1,855.64

  2.62

  Falkirk

  23,170

  3,792

  949,005

  3.00

  Fife

  42,678

  10,993

  2,485,779

  3.92

  Glasgow City

  105,819

  56,482

  11,083,000

  5.33

  Highland

  20,097

  7,184

  1,031,656

  2.71

  Inverclyde

  13,427

  5,018

  1,523,861

  6.89

  Midlothian

  8,423

  2,867

  296,430

  2.98

  Moray

  7,821

  1,351

  201,764

  1.80

  North Ayrshire

  17,837

  8,766

  1,188,745

  4.45

  North Lanarkshire

  53,774

  19,219

  2,201,944

  2.60

  Orkney Islands

  1,049

  256

  49,568

  2.70

  Perth and Kinross

  10,702

  1,933

  180,453

  1.17

  Renfrewshire

  23,655

  6,982

  1,186,429

  3.33

  Scottish Borders

  8,609

  1,923

  272,265

  2.13

  Shetland Islands

  2,375

  637

  152,301

  3.59

  952
  The Lord Advocate's Department also refined and improved the information that is provided to child witnesses and, in March 1998, he launched two new information leaflets for child witnesses who are cited to court. One leaflet is aimed at children under 12 and one is for use by children between 12 and 16. The leaflets provide information about what the child can expect when coming to court to give evidence.

  A Scottish Office-led inter-departmental Working Group was set up in late 1997 to examine the issue of vulnerable or intimidated witnesses. The Group's report will be issued as a consultative document on 2 November 1998.

  Spinal Treatment
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will fund the replacement of invasive procedures carried out in the course of spinal treatment with non-invasive practices. [55038]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Health Boards in Scotland are given an annual general revenue allocation and it is for the Health Boards themselves to decide on how best to deploy this funding in meeting the health care needs of their resident population.

  Rent Arrears
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a breakdown for rent arrears for each Scottish local authority indicating(a) the estimated stock on 31 March 1997, (b) the number of households in rent arrears, (c) the total rent arrears and (d) the percentage in each category of rental income. [55034]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The available information, taken from returns made by local authorities, is set out in the table.
  953

  As at 31 March 1997

  Council

  Estimated stock

  Number of houses with rent arrears1

  Total rent arrears £

  Rent arrears as a percentage of 1996–97 rental income

  South Ayrshire

  11,932

  5,369

  814,714

  4.38

  South Lanarkshire

  39,714

  10,841

  1,665,169

  2.48

  Stirling

  8,974

  4,520

  950,475

  6.20

  West Dunbartonshire

  15,685

  8,781

  1,575,786

  5.85

  West Lothian

  17,249

  8,956

  1,213,945

  4.85

  Scotland

  621,291

  228,426

  38,378,838

  3.75

  1 May include former council houses with outstanding arrears

  Police Funding
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total funding at current prices, made available or planned to Scottish police forces for each year from 1998–99 to 2001–02(a) from central Government and (b) via local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [54929]

  Mr. McLeish
  Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) figures and budgets for the Scottish police forces for 1998–99 are shown in the table.

  £ million

  GAE

  Agreed budget set by police authorities

  Central

  31.559

  30.607

  Dumfries and Galloway

  19.353

  19.353

  Fife

  37.631

  36.028

  Grampian

  59.171

  59.171

  Lothian and Borders

  124.833

  124.833

  Northern

  36.465

  34.074

  Strathclyde

  328.336

  328.336

  Tayside

  53.652

  52.536

  Total

  691.000

  684.938

  The GAE levels for the police in Scotland for future years have been set as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  GAE

  1999–2000

  714.7

  2000–01

  741.9

  2001–02

  762.8

  Decisions have not yet been made about the split of the GAE for individual forces for these three years. Central Government pay police grant of 51 per cent. of actual expenditure up to the specified GAE limit. Local authorities meet the balance with the assistance of revenue support grant from central Government. The amount of revenue support grant paid on police expenditure is not separately identifiable because it is paid on the total eligible expenditure of each local authority.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each(a) liability, (b) undertaking and (c) contract with a value over £1 million of the United Kingdom Government that will be transferred to the Scottish Parliament. [54928]
  954
  Mr. Dewar
  It is not possible to provide at this time a list of each liability, undertaking and contract with a value over £1 million which will transfer to Scottish Ministers. The items to transfer will depend on the situation pertaining at the time of transfer.

  Property will be transferred by subordinate legislation under the provisions of the Scotland Bill when it receives Royal Assent. Work is underway to identify the categories of property which will transfer. It is expected that the property transfer orders will be laid before Parliament in the Spring of next year.

  Beef and Sheep Premiums
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on delays in the payment of beef and sheep premiums to farmers. [54861]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Payments were made timeously, meeting established payment targets.

  Cervical Smear Tests
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average time taken for a patient to receive the results of their cervical smear test; and what percentage take longer than the recommended four weeks. [55208]

  Mr. Galbraith
  For the year ended 31 March 1998 the average reporting time for the results of cervical smear tests in Scotland was 17 days. Figures are collected only for the time from the date a smear test is received by the laboratory to the date the report is issued by the laboratory and does not therefore include the time it takes GPs, family planning clinics etc. to issue the results to patients once they receive them from the laboratory. For this reason, no information is available on the percentage of patients who take longer than 4 weeks to receive their results.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security many cases were raised by hon. Members with the Child Support Agency(a) in the 12 months from 1 May 1997 and (b) in each of the four previous 12 month periods. [53493]

  Angela Eagle
  In the twelve months to the end of April 1998, the Child Support Agency received 21,933 letters from hon. Members concerning operational issues. In the
  955
  previous year the figure was 18,473. During the same two year period, the number of cases on the Agency's books rose by around 300,000.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many representations he has received from(a) organisations, (b) individual men and (c) individual women on the proposals in the CSA Green Paper. [53501]

  Angela Eagle
  The Green Paper sets out our proposals for a modern Child Support service. The Government want a wide debate on these proposals and welcome all views.

  Responses to the consultation exercise should reach this Department by 30 November. Up to the end of September, 741 representations had been received, including 34 from organisations, 649 from individuals, 36 from Departmental staff and 22 from hon. Members.

  It is not possible to state how many representations have been made by individual men and women since the gender of respondents cannot always be identified. Of the respondents, 119 gave a parent with care's perspective, 498 a non-resident parent's perspective and 124 were broadly neutral in their point of view.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is CSA policy to overrule divorce settlements which provide for higher maintenance payments than those calculated according to the CSA formula. [55498]

  Angela Eagle
  Parents with care who are receiving Income Support can be required to co-operate with the Child Support Agency in seeking maintenance unless they have good cause for not doing so. When a valid application is received the Agency is bound by law to assess child maintenance in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

  In many cases, the liability that results is substantially higher than that agreed in divorce settlements, but there is no provision for retaining an existing divorce settlement where the child support assessment is for a lower amount.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the extension of the New Deal to people with disabilities. [53494]

  Mr. Timms
  This Government are committed to removing barriers to work and providing active help to people with a long-term illness or disability who want to work. That is why we introduced the New Deal for Disabled People, funded by £195 million from the Windfall Tax.

  Over the next two years we will pilot a new Personal Adviser service in twelve areas which will offer support and advice to over a quarter of a million people on incapacity benefits. The first six pilots, to be run by the Employment Service, were launched on 28 September. A further six have been put out to competitive tender and should start early next year. In addition, we are testing ways of helping disabled people into work by funding a number of Innovative Schemes. 10 contracts to run schemes were announced in July and further contracts will be announced next year.
  956

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what targets for cost-effectiveness for the new deal for lone parents have been set with regard to the cost per job of the scheme. [53495]

  Angela Eagle
  The New Deal for Lone Parents aims to help lone parents improve their employability and move from welfare to work. The cost-effectiveness of the New Deal for Lone Parents will be measured by various methods including the reduction in lone parents on Income Support over and above what would have happened in the absence of the programme, and through performance targets. Independent research already shows that the New Deal for Lone Parents is having a moderate but marked effect on the number of lone parents moving off Income Support.

  A Cost Benefit Analysis of the New Deal for Lone Parents in the phase 1 prototypes will be available with the rest of the phase 1 evaluation results in Autumn 1999. It will look at the costs and benefits to the exchequer as well as performing an economy wide cost benefit analysis. The structure of the Cost Benefit Analysis for the phase 3 national roll out of the New Deal for Lone Parents is still in the planning stages. This will build on the Cost Benefit Analysis of phase 1, consider the resource implications of the programme generally, judge whether it is cost effective and explore its economic impact.

  Income Support
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department spent on income support in the last three months; and what is the projected figure for 1999–2000. [53496]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is available annually. It is estimated that expenditure on income support will increase from £12.2 Billion in 1998–99 to £12.6 billion in 1999–2000. The figures are consistent with those set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review White Paper published by the Government on 14 July 1998.

  Social Security Spending
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the annual real terms rate of increase in social security spending since April 1998. [53498]

  Mr. Denham
  The average rate of real growth of spending on social security benefits over the rest of this Parliament is forecast to be 2 per cent. a year.

  Pensions
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the publication of the Green Paper on pensions. [53499]
  957
  Mr. Denham
  As set out in the Green Paper "New Ambitions for our Country: A New Contract for Welfare" (Cm 3805) we will publish a Green Paper on pensions later this year. There will be a period of further consultation before final proposals are developed.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his assessment of the cost of re-linking the annual calculations of the state pension based on(a) a 1980 and (b) a 1998 base line. [53490]

  Mr. Denham
  If the basic State Pension had been uprated in April 1998 in line with the higher of prices or earnings movements since 1979, the net additional cost would have been £9.5 billion in 1998.

  If the basic State Pension had been uprated in April 1998 in line with the higher of prices or earnings movements over the preceding year only, the net cost would have been £130 million.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his Department's assistance for pensioners. [53502]

  Angela Eagle
  The £2.5 billion package of measures we announced in July will help all pensioners, but particularly the poorest 1.5 million pensioners entitled to income support will benefit from an above-inflation increase next April and we will begin a programme of action to tackle the problem of pensioners' not claiming their income support entitlement. In addition, all pensioner households will receive an annual winter fuel payment of £20 and all pensioners will be eligible for free eye tests and concessionary travel.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the number of(a) single male pensioners, (b) single female pensioners and (c) married pensioners who are aged (i) 60 to 64, (ii) 65 to 69, (iii) 70 to 74, (iv) 75 to 79 and (v) 80 or above, who are failing to take up the income support to which they are entitled; and what is the total amount unclaimed in each category. [55636]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is set out in the table. We recently announced a £2.5 billion package of help for pensioners. The package includes action to help pensioners get the Income Support to which they are entitled.

  Number of pensioners not claiming income support

  Category

  Number of non-recipients

  Total unclaimed (£)

  Single men 60–641

  20,000

  25,000,000

  Single men 65–691

  10,000

  5,000,000

  Single men 70–741

  10,000

  5,000,000

  Single men 75–791

  20,000

  5,000,000

  Single men 80+

  40,000

  25,000,000

  Single women 60–641

  30,000

  25,000,000

  Single women 65–69

  50,000

  25,000,000

  Single women 70–74

  110,000

  65,000,000

  Single women 75–79

  150,000

  90,000,000

  Single women 80+

  290,000

  250,000,000

  Couples 60–641

  50,000

  95,000,000

  Couples 65–691

  30,000

  40,000,000

  958

  Number of pensioners not claiming income support

  Category

  Number of non-recipients

  Total unclaimed (£)

  Couples 70–741

  20,000

  15,000,000

  Couples 75–791

  20,000

  15,000,000

  Couples 80+1

  30,000

  20,000,000

  Total

  880,000

  705,000,000

  1 These figures are based on small samples and should be treated with particular caution

  Notes:

  1. The figures for the number of recipients rounded to the nearest 10,000. The figures for amounts not taken up are rounded to the nearest £5 million. These estimated figures are based on the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey and are subject to some degree of error

  2. The age of the couple has been defined by the age of the oldest partner

  Welfare Dependency
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans the Government have to reduce the number of families dependent upon welfare. [53503]

  Angela Eagle
  We are determined to do everything we can to help those who can work to do so. That is why we want to modernise the structure of working age tax and benefits to create the right incentives, to reward work while at the same time provide security for those who cannot.

  The New Deal for Lone Parents offers a tailor-made service of help and advice for people who are bringing up children on their own to make the move from Income Support into employment. Around 4,000 lone parents have already used the New Deal for Lone Parents and gone on to get jobs. The final phase of the rollout of the service (to lone parents who were already on Income Support before April 1998) takes place on 26 October.

  The New Deal for 18–24 year olds gives young unemployed people real help and choices to improve their employability and their chances of fully participating in the labour market. By the end of August over 23,000 young people had found jobs and over 8,900 are improving their job prospects in other New Deal options.

  From June, we have introduced a New Deal for those aged 25 and over who have been unemployed for 2 years or more. This provides a £75 subsidy for employers who recruit people from this group and opportunities to undertake full-time education and training for up to a year while on benefit. From November, £129 million is being made available to pilot a further development of the New Deal approach over the next two years for people aged 25 and over, reaching the 12 and 18 month stages of unemployment and those unemployed for longer.

  The Chancellor announced in the budget a New Deal for the partners of the unemployed. Partners of the unemployed who are themselves out of work (90 per cent. of them women) have not had access to employment programmes on the same basis as the claimant unemployed. To address this imbalance, the Chancellor has set aside £60 million from the Windfall Tax receipts to ensure that partners over 25 have the option to receive the help they need to get back to work. Childless partners aged under 25 will be included in the New Deal for Young People.
  959
  The Working Families Tax Credit will be introduced from October 1999 and will guarantee working families a minimum income, above and beyond the level of the minimum wage. The new childcare tax credit will increase substantially the support available for childcare.

  From next April, the National Minimum Wage will begin to end the scandal of poverty wages without adversely affecting inflation or jobs.

  Our objective is to help people prepare for and get work as well as making work pay.

  Disablement Benefits
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made in the review of disablement benefits. [53504]

  Mr. Timms
  We continue to review benefits for sick and disabled people, in the context of our broader programme of welfare reform.

  We will bring forward proposals for consultation in due course.

  Benefits
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements he proposes to improve communication between his Department and local authorities in relation to the payment of(a) income support, (b) council tax benefit and (c) housing benefit when claimants move between welfare and work. [53505]

  Angela Eagle
  We recognise the need to modernise Housing Benefit and improve its delivery in ways which support the transition from welfare to work and transform the services provided to the public. We are testing ways in which staff from the Benefits Agency and local authorities can work across the boundaries of central and local government to deliver a more efficient customer focused service. We will make increasing use of new technology to help people through the system, including the move into work. We have already set up a project giving local authority staff on-line access to the Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance data they require for their administration of Housing and Council Tax Benefits.

  Scotland
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will assess the advantages of devolving responsibility for the administration of social security in Scotland to the Scottish Office. [53475]

  Mr. Darling
  It would be impracticable and inefficient to split responsibility for policy and administration of Social Security between Westminster and Holyrood. It is in Scotland's interest that the Social Security system covers the whole of the United Kingdom. Were Social Security spending to be devolved, the Scottish Parliament would have to find additional money to meet the substantial costs involved. These would have to be found from resources otherwise available for other priorities such as Health and Education.

  Mrs. H. Nasrin
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons he has not provided a960
  substantive reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, following his holding answer of 30 July 1998 with regard to Mrs. H. Nasrin, 58 Clitheroe Road. [55392]

  Mr. Darling
  A substantive reply was sent to my right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Kaufman) on 16 September.

  I have written today to all right hon. and hon. Members setting out targets for improving the Department's service in relation to correspondence.

  Pensioner Income Series
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish the next edition of the Pensioner Income Series. [55642]

  Mr. Denham
  We intend to publish the 1996–97 Pensioners' Incomes Series on 26 November 1998.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will meet(a) the CBI, (b) the Institute of Directors and (c) other representative bodies to discuss the practice of employers paying staff offshore in order to avoid making payments to the National Insurance Fund; [55610]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost in each of the past 10 years to the National Insurance Fund of the practice of employers paying staff offshore; and what plans he has to limit this practice; [55612]

  (3) when he plans to meet the Chairperson and other directors of (a) Cable and Wireless and (b) P and O to discuss the payment of staff offshore and its impact on the National Insurance Fund; [55609]

  (4) what representations he has received from operators of services on the Channel Tunnel about competitors' practice of paying some employees offshore to avoid employees' contributions being paid to the National Insurance Fund. [55611]

  Mr. Timms
  We are aware of the increasing use being made of offshore employment contracts by British shipping operators as a means of avoiding employers' National Insurance contributions for British resident seafarers. The issue of seafarers National Insurance contributions is one of a number of matters being considered in the context of the Government's strategy for reviving the shipping industry as announced in the White paper on the Future of Transport.

  We have not received any representations from the operators of Channel Tunnel services about the use of offshore employment contracts by shipping operators; nor are there any plans to meet the CBI, the Institute of Directors or the Chairperson and other directors of Cable & Wireless and P&O about this matter.

  The information requested about the National Insurance Fund could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what consideration his Department has given to taking the value of subsidised works canteens and refectories into account when assessing National Insurance contributions; [55604]
  961
  (2) what assessment he has made of the views contained in the First Report of the Low Pay Commission in relation to luncheon vouchers remaining free of National Insurance contributions; [55606]

  (3) what safeguards are proposed to ensure that the impact of bringing luncheon vouchers and other non-cash vouchers into Class 1 National Insurance liability will not result in such benefits being consolidated into pay for those whose incomes are below the proposed national minimum wage; [55608]

  (4) what assessment has been made of the impact on low-pay workers of the proposal to bring luncheon vouchers into Class 1 National Insurance liability; and if he will make a statement; [55614]

  (5) if the consultation timetable and procedure embarked on on 13 August in relation to the draft regulations to bring non-cash vouchers and luncheon vouchers into Class 1 National Insurance liability, meets the requirements of the Better Regulation Guidance advice published on 10 August. [55607]

  Mr. Timms
  We announced on 22 July 1997,Official Report, columns 789–90, at second reading of the Social Security Bill our intention to bring non-cash vouchers into liability for Class 1 National Insurance in the same way as cash vouchers. The key principles of the proposals are to bring about greater alignment of tax and National Insurance and to bring greater fairness in the National Insurance treatment of earnings. We are currently considering our response to the points raised in the public consultation which ran from 14 August to 14 September.

  We propose to continue to mirror the tax treatment of the value of subsidised works canteens and refectories.

  The First Report of the Low Pay Commission suggested that the national minimum wage should not include non-cash vouchers. We are considering this point alongside other issues in the consultation exercise.

  The vast majority of low paid workers do not receive luncheon vouchers and are therefore liable for National Insurance on all their earnings.

  An explanatory and financial memorandum and a regulatory appraisal covering non-cash vouchers were published alongside the Bill in July 1997. A copy of that regulatory appraisal accompanied the consultation paper on the draft regulations issued in August. The four weeks consultation period should not be looked at in isolation as Ministers' intentions to introduce changes to the National Insurance Contributions liability on non-cash vouchers were clearly suggested in the passage of the Social Security Bill. We shall in due course present the draft regulations before the Social Security Advisory Committee as part of the Department's legislative consultation process.

  Family Poverty
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his Department's strategy for tackling family poverty. [53481]

  Angela Eagle
  We have already taken major steps towards tackling poverty amongst families. The best path out of poverty is work, where that is appropriate. Our 962
  initiatives such as the New Deal for Lone Parents, the working Family Tax Credit, the Childcare Tax Credit and National Childcare Strategy will help families into work and ensure that work pays. For those families who may be unable to work, or whose opportunity to maximise their income from work is limited, we are increasing the child personal allowance and family premium in the income related benefits. And, from April 1999, child benefit for the eldest child will be increased by £2.50 a week.

  European Union (UK Presidency)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his Department's work and achievements during the UK presidency of the European Union. [54281]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department's objective for Social Security business during the UK Presidency was to promote measures which facilitated legitimate social protection coverage for EU citizens living and working in another Member State. This supported the UK's overall Presidency objectives of promoting employment, completing the single market and making the EU more relevant to its citizens.

  Three Social Security measures were adopted by the Council in June.

  (1) The Supplementary Pensions Directive is a first step in protecting the occupational and personal pension rights of EU citizens living and working in another Member State. It requires: preservation of pension rights for people moving to another Member State; the cross-border payment of pensions to pensioners living in another Member State; and the facility for people to remain in their "home" scheme while working for the same employer on a short-term basis in another member State.

  (2) The existing Community provisions which co-ordinate statutory social security rights for EU citizens across the Member States—Council Regulation 1408/71—were extended to civil servants in special social security schemes, thus resolving an issue that had been under discussion in the Council for 7 years.

  (3) A package of miscellaneous amendments to Council Regulation 1408/71, designed to keep the regulations in good working order, was adopted.

  At a meeting of the Social Affairs Council on 7 April, the UK Presidency adopted Conclusions on the importance of proceeding with a wide-ranging review of Council Regulation 1408/71, to ensure that the co-ordination mechanism continues to meet the needs of today's citizens.

  Outside the Council, Departmental officials took the opportunity of the UK Presidency to launch initiatives to improve the effectiveness of EU-wide bodies in which the Department represents UK interests, including the Administrative Commission on Social Security (which oversees the operation of Council Regulation 1408/71) and the advisory board which supervises the Consensus programme of technical assistance to central and eastern European states. The Department also hosted the, bi-annual MISSOC (Mutual Information System on Social Security) conference in York in May.
  963
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each Ministerial visit made outside Great Britain in connection with the UK presidency of the European Union. [54282]

  Angela Eagle
  Visits related to Social Security business are set out in the following table. My hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Bradley), the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security, made the visits in his capacity as the Minister responsible for co-ordinating the Department's EU social security business.

  Date

  Place visited

  Purpose of visit

  23 September 1997

  Brussels

  Allan Larsson, Director-General of Directorate-General V of the European Commission (employment, training and social policy)

  8 October 1997

  Bonn

  Horst Gunther, German Minister for Labour and Social Affairs

  17 December 1997

  Strasbourg

  Padraig Flynn, European Commissioner for Social Affairs and MEPs on the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee

  24 February 1998

  Vienna

  Eleonora Hostasch, Austrian Minister for Labour, Health and Social Affairs

  28 April 1998

  Paris

  Raoul Briet, Director of Social Security

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated total additional cost to his Department arising from meetings and events specifically connected with the UK presidency of the European Union. [54283]

  Angela Eagle
  The total additional expenditure was approximately £29,000, excluding the activities of the Ministers for Women.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55168]

  Mr. Timms
  Since 1995 this Department has obtained Corporate Purchasing Cards under an existing banking services contract. All DSS business units have now agreed to transfer to the Government Procurement Card (GPC). A business case for this was prepared in July 1998. Subject to business case approval it is planned to run a competition for the DSS requirement between banks in the Treasury's GPC Master Framework.

  Based on past experience in DSS cards like the GPC can improve the conventional order process and allow staff to achieve efficiency savings of about £10 per transaction. About 33 per cent. of DSS purchase orders are expected to be suitable for GPCs. The business case
  964
  indicates potential efficiency savings of about £1 million per year. The cards will save staff time and allow them to focus on higher value activity. The use of GPCs and related benefits and savings will be piloted in selected business areas. Subject to successful evaluation of these pilots general roll-out is planned for mid 1999.

  Funeral Payments
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes have been made to the Social Fund in respect of the payment of costs for funerals by his Department since May 1995; and what plans he has to make further changes. [55044]

  Angela Eagle
  The Funeral Payment scheme has been amended four times since May 1995. Details of the main changes are set out.

  In June 1995, a £500 cap was placed on specified funeral directors' services, and the payment of reasonable costs for other specified disbursements was introduced. A new priority order reflected that the responsible person would be the surviving partner or, where there was no partner, a close relative or close friend. A contact test was also introduced to help determine whether it was reasonable for the claimant to have taken responsibility for the funeral costs where there was no surviving partner.

  In October 1996, a number of minor changes were introduced, including adding income-based Jobseeker's Allowance to the list of qualifying benefits; making provision for a fee or donation for a minister, but restricting the amount allowed to that laid down in the Parochial Fees Order.

  In April 1997, the scheme was simplified to allow the cost of a small number of specified items or services, plus up to £600 for other funeral expenses. The specified items included the necessary costs of a burial or cremation. A new "immediate family member" contact test was introduced where there was no surviving partner, to help determine whether it was reasonable for the claimant to have taken responsibility for the funeral costs. This change prevented payment if there were other immediate family members (parent, son or daughter of the deceased), and neither they nor their partner had been awarded a qualifying benefit.

  In November 1997, following a decision of the Social Security Commissioner, the provision was extended to allow a Funeral Payment where a funeral took place outside the United Kingdom (UK), provided it was within the European Economic Area. In such cases, the amount allowed would be limited to that which would have been awarded if the funeral had taken place in the area where the deceased lived in the UK.

  As with all areas of Government policy, this area is kept under review, but we have no immediate plans to make further changes.

  Housing and Council Tax Benefits
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each local authority in Scotland, for 1996–97, housing and council tax benefit expenditure relating to(a) good cause backdated awards, (b) exceptional circumstances awards and (c) exceptional payments, under Regulation 61(1),

  965
  indicating the percentage in each category as a proportion of overall housing and council tax benefit expenditure. [55035]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the tables. Regulation 61(1) does not relate to exceptional payments. Regulation 61(3) relates to Rent Allowance Exceptional Hardship payments. There is no equivalent Regulation for Rent Rebate or Council Tax Benefit.

  (a) Good cause backdated awards

  Benefit expenditure in category £

  As a proportion of overall benefit percentage

  Authority

  HB

  CTB

  HB

  CTB

  Aberdeen

  118,370

  24,524

  0.49

  0.33

  Aberdeenshire

  3,024

  84,770

  0.02

  1.65

  Angus

  2,177

  42,199

  0.02

  1.18

  Argyll-Bute

  100,057

  3,137

  0.76

  0.10

  Clackmannanshire

  18,954

  23,933

  0.27

  0.89

  Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar

  12,788

  9,814

  0.40

  0.72

  Dumfries and Galloway

  11,984

  95

  0.06

  0.00

  Dundee

  40,969

  251,498

  0.10

  2.41

  East Ayrshire

  10,613

  3,416

  0.06

  0.06

  East Dunbartonshire

  13,578

  6,433

  0.18

  0.24

  East Lothian

  8,715

  109,861

  0.07

  2.69

  East Renfrewshire

  4,852

  950

  0.08

  0.04

  Edinburgh

  114,736

  784,687

  0.12

  3.11

  Falkirk

  16,575

  48,973

  0.09

  0.77

  Fife

  146,258

  6,307

  0.28

  0.04

  Glasgow

  381,606

  22,709

  0.16

  0.04

  Highland

  72,767

  101,146

  0.24

  1.09

  Inverclyde

  30,551

  6,256

  0.17

  0.12

  Midlothian

  5,707

  83,911

  0.06

  2.28

  Moray

  9,078

  4,743

  0.10

  0.18

  North Ayrshire

  40,818

  10,245

  0.18

  0.15

  North Lanarkshire

  24,189

  9,217

  0.04

  0.05

  Orkney

  10,578

  3,035

  0.54

  0.67

  Perth and Kinross

  63,062

  71,736

  0.46

  1.59

  Renfrewshire

  91,229

  5,387

  0.30

  0.06

  Scottish Borders

  28,933

  5,648

  0.25

  0.17

  Shetland

  1,288

  191

  0.07

  0.05

  South Ayrshire

  4,459

  27,366

  0.02

  0.51

  South Lanarkshire

  25,559

  0

  0.05

  0.00

  Stirling

  18,712

  27,938

  0.15

  0.82

  West Dunbartonshire

  42,373

  0

  0.21

  0.00

  West Lothian

  25,965

  147,194

  0.13

  2.25

  Source:

  1996/97 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Audited Subsidy Claims

  (b) Exceptional circumstances awards

  Benefit expenditure in category £

  As a proportion of overall benefit percentage

  Authority

  HB

  CTB

  HB

  CTB

  Aberdeen

  80

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Aberdeenshire

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Angus

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Argyll-Bute

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Clackmannanshire

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,561

  0

  0.01

  0.00

  Dundee

  27,232

  958

  0.06

  0.01

  East Ayrshire

  5,405

  1,261

  0.03

  0.02

  East Dunbartonshire

  4,781

  0

  0.06

  0.00

  East Lothian

  1,807

  0

  0.01

  0.00

  East Renfrewshire

  0

  16,823

  0.00

  0.76

  Edinburgh

  71,852

  893

  0.07

  0.00

  Falkirk

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Fife

  3,411

  0

  0.01

  0.00

  Glasgow

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Highland

  4,353

  0

  0.01

  0.00

  966

  (b) Exceptional circumstances awards

  Benefit expenditure in category £

  As a proportion of overall benefit percentage

  Authority

  HB

  CTB

  HB

  CTB

  Inverclyde

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Midlothian

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Moray

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  North Ayrshire

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  North Lanarkshire

  3,343

  0

  0.01

  0.00

  Orkney

  58

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  814

  0.00

  0.02

  Renfrewshire

  2,072

  0

  0.01

  0.00

  Scottish Borders

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  South Ayrshire

  0

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  South Lanarkshire

  27,478

  0

  0.06

  0.00

  Stirling

  602

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  West Dunbartonshire

  1,892

  0

  0.01

  0.00

  West Lothian

  0

  224

  0.00

  0.00

  Source:

  1996/97 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Audited Subsidy Claims

  (c) Exceptional payments under Regulation 61(3)

  Authority

  Benefit expenditure in category £ HB

  As a proportion of overall benefit Percentage HB

  Aberdeen

  3,401

  0.01

  Aberdeenshire

  814

  0.00

  Angus

  1,406

  0.01

  Argyll-Bute

  0

  0.00

  Clackmannanshire

  0

  0.00

  Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar

  1,208

  0.04

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,128

  0.01

  Dundee

  11,390

  0.03

  East Ayrshire

  3,265

  0.02

  East Dunbartonshire

  11,267

  0.15

  East Lothian

  584

  0.00

  East Renfrewshire

  6,360

  0.10

  Edinburgh

  42,420

  0.04

  Falkirk

  7,338

  0.04

  Fife

  5,832

  0.01

  Glasgow

  48,217

  0.02

  Highland

  3,454

  0.01

  Inverclyde

  213

  0.00

  Midlothian

  2,304

  0.03

  Moray

  1,135

  0.01

  North Ayrshire

  4,985

  0.02

  North Lanarkshire

  1,381

  0.00

  Orkney

  211

  0.01

  Perth and Kinross

  175

  0

  Renfrewshire

  2,458

  0.01

  Scottish Borders

  1,003

  0.01

  Shetland

  0

  0.00

  South Ayrshire

  8,175

  0.04

  South Lanarkshire

  0

  0.00

  Stirling

  4,748

  0.04

  West Dunbartonshire

  675

  0.00

  West Lothian

  426

  0.00

  Notes>:

  1. Expenditure in categories (a), (b) and (c) above expressed as a percentage of overall Housing and Council Tax expenditure for each authority

  2. Expenditure under Regulation 61(3) is expressed as a proportion of total HB expenditure, although it only applies to Rent Allowance

  Source:

  1996/97 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Audited Subsidy Claims
  967
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give a breakdown of the reasons for refusal given to the applicants whose claim for housing benefit/council tax benefit extended payments were refused in the period January 1997 to December 1997. [55317]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. However, of the 163,000 claims for extended payments made between January 1997 and December 1997 140,000 (85 per cent.) were successful.

  Notes

  1. Caseload figures have been rounded to two significant figures, percentages to a whole per cent.

  2. Figures refer to a benefit unit which may be a single person or a couple

  3. All figures are provisional

  Sources:

  1. Local Authority Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit quarterly Administration data returns January 1997 to December 1997

  2. Housing Benefit Administration returns 1997/98

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of raising the earnings disregard in housing benefit and council tax benefit for lone parents to(a) £30, (b) £35 and (c) £40. [55582]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Lone parent earnings disregard

  Housing benefit/council tax benefit cost (£ million)

  (a) £30

  15

  (b) £35

  30

  (c) £40

  45

  Notes:

  1. Estimates based upon 1995/96 Family Resources Survey data uprated to 1998/99 prices

  2. Estimates rounded to nearest £5 million

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55256]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Such information as is available suggests that there are very few parking spaces on the general estate that are specifically designated for motorcycles. Invariably, most motorcyclists make use of car parking facilities or sheds where bicycles are secured. However, at the Department's major sites at Newcastle, Washington, Lytham and Preston a total of 29 secure motorcycle parking spaces are provided and a further 80 bays, in a secure environment, can be utilised for either motorcycles or bicycles.

  Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for income-based jobseekers allowance and income support were withdrawn in the period January 1997 to December 1997. [55316]

  Angela Eagle
  The information requested is not available.
  968

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of organophosphorous compounds since 1 May 1997; which organisations are carrying out the research; and what is the timetable for its completion. [55338]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department of Social Security has commissioned no research on the impact of organophosphorous compounds since 1 May 1997. To ensure that policy is medically sound and based on the latest research, the Department's medical advisers regularly monitor the scientific and medical literature, and liaise with colleagues in other government departments, and in universities and research institutions. In June 1998, the report of the Official Group on Organophosphates was published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This report contains a list of all research funded by Government Departments into organophosphates.

  Childcare Disregard
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost to the Exchequer of the childcare disregard in family credit; and what proportion of that cost is in respect of childcare provided by grandparents or other relatives of the children concerned. [55388]

  Angela Eagle
  The annual expenditure in 1997–98 for extra awards made in Family Credit for formal childcare charges was £33.3 million.

  Information on the proportion of that cost which is in respect of childcare provided by grandparents or other relatives is not available. However, for the purposes of the childcare disregard, Family Credit claimants can claim for help only with the cost of "formal" childcare. Formal childcare is classified as that provided by registered childminders and nurseries and by out-of-hours clubs on school premises, run by school or a Local Authority, and schemes run on Crown property. In most cases care provided by grandparents or other relatives is likely to be informal childcare and would not attract a disregard.

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent.

  3. Expenditure figure based on an average of four quarters

  Source:

  Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards.

  Independent Tribunal Service
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors led to the decision by the Independent Tribunal Service to employ a customer services manager; and if he will make a statement on the nature of the customer relationship which applies in the case of a judicial body. [55402]

  Angela Eagle
  This is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS). The President of ITS, His Honour Judge Michael Harris, will write to my right hon. Friend shortly.
  969

  War Pensions
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the war pension disablement disregard was set at £10; and what it would be at current prices if it had been increased in line with inflation since then. [55488]

  Mr. Timms
  The war pension disregard was set at £10 in April 1990. It would now be worth £12.75 if it had been uprated by the RPI. However, as the war pension disregard is applied to earnings related benefits it would, therefore, have been updated by ROSSI and now be worth £13.15.

  The £10 disregard is not the only disregard war pensioners may receive when claiming art income related benefit. There is also a total disregard of the whole of the supplementary pension of £54.70 per week awarded to "pre 1973" war widows (widows whose late husband's military service was completed before 31 March 1973 and who are not entitled to an attributable widow's pension from the Ministry of Defence), as well as a disregard of any mobility supplement and payment of war disablement pension based on the need for attendance.

  Child Maintenance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of disregarding child maintenance for all(a) lone parent family credit and (b) working families tax credit claimants. [55581]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Cost (£ million per annum)

  Family Credit

  40

  Working Families Tax Credit

  40

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest £5 million and are at 1998/99 prices, benefit levels and caseloads

  2. Based on the May 1998 5 per cent. scan of the Family Credit Computer System

  3. Figures do not take into account the effect of the minimum wage

  4. Costs include a small element of spousal maintenance which it is not possible to identify separately on the Family Credit dataset

  5. Figures do not include couples

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of a(a) £10, (b) £15 and (c) £20 child maintenance disregard in income support. [55580]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is set out in the table.

  The estimated full year costs of child care disregard

  Disregard (per week)

  Cost (per annum)

  £10

  £100 million

  £15

  £140 million

  £20

  £170 million

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest £5 million and are at estimated 1999–2000 caseloads.

  2. There would be offsetting savings of around £20 million if the Child Maintenance Bonus were also to be abolished.
  970

  Luncheon Vouchers
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of those people in receipt of luncheon vouchers as part of their contract of employment(a) are categorised as being low paid and (b) have incomes below the level of the national minimum wage. [55605]

  Mr. Timms
  According to the latest Family Resources Survey (1996–97), less than 1 per cent. of all employees responding to the survey had received luncheon vouchers from their present employer in the last six months. Of these employees, in the region of 2 per cent. had calculated hourly earnings below levels consistent with the national minimum wage. This is based on an extremely small sample size and should therefore be treated with caution. The independent Low Pay Commission have concluded that there is no standard definition of low pay.

  Pension Contributions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the distribution of ages at which employees first make second tier pension contributions to schemes other than the state earnings-related pension scheme. [55635]

  Mr. Denham
  At present the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the Department has commissioned the Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University, to carry out an analysis, using data from the Survey of Family and Working Lives, of how people are building up pension rights over their lifetime. This analysis is looking at the age at which people join occupational and personal pensions. This work is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and the report will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

  Households Below Average Incomes
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the latest figures on households below average incomes to be published; and if he will make a statement. [55664]

  Angela Eagle
  The latest figures in the Households Below Average Income series, covering the period from 1979 to 1996–97, were published on 15 October 1998, and copies have been placed in the Library.

  The figures bear out our belief that there is a need to tackle poverty by helping people into work, and by getting help to the poorest pensioners. By introducing the New Deals, the Working Families Tax Credit and the Guaranteed Minimum Income for pensioners we are making real progress in addressing this situation.

  The figures also show that the ever increasing Social Security Bill has had little impact on reducing inequality. This confirms our approach that welfare reform is required.
  971

  Correspondence
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Wakefield will receive a reply to his correspondence of 8 May 1998, on behalf of his constituent Mr. Wright, from(a) the Disability Living Allowance Unit and (b) the Benefit Agency Medical Service. [55032]

  Mr. Timms
  The administration of the Disability Living Allowance Unit and the Benefits Agency Medical Services is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 19 October 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when you will receive a reply to your correspondence of 8 May, concerning your constituent Mr. Wright, from (a) the Disability Living Allowance Unit (DLA) and (b) the Benefits Agency Medical Service (BAMS).
  The Benefits Agency Customer Charter sets out targets for response to complaints. They are an acknowledgement within two working days and a full response within seven working days (twenty working days for BAMS). I am sorry, on this occasion, you have failed to receive the standard of service which you are entitled to expect.
  972
  Repiles to your letter were issued from the BAMS on 7 August 1998 and from the DLA Unit on 11 August 1998.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's policy on future levels of incapacity benefit. [55434]

  Mr. Timms
  We are committed to modernising benefits for incapacity and disability. The current system has failed to give severely disabled people the support they need, failed to encourage and help sick and disabled people to work, and failed to keep pace with social and economic change. We will announce our proposals for reforming Incapacity Benefit in due course.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the impact on public funds of reducing incapacity benefit by £15 per week on recipients. [55435]

  Mr. Timms
  We estimate that the impact on public funds of reducing all the rates of Incapacity Benefit by £15 a week in the current year would have been a reduction in the region of £950 million.

  Source:

  Based on the May 1998 caseload data from the DSS INCAP computer system.
  973

HEALTH

  Asbestos
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sum from the money allocated to his Department following the Comprehensive Spending Review will be used to remove asbestos from buildings within the National Health Service. [51865]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service Estates Agency collects information on backlog maintenance which is recorded in three categories: physical condition, statutory and non-statutory standards, together with fire safety. The cost of removing asbestos is contained within the statutory and non-statutory standards element.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced additional resources for the NHS totalling £17.7 billion over the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02 on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 187–211. Details on the allocation of these resources will be announced in due course. However, ultimately it will be for trusts to determine what proportion of their backlog maintenance capital allocation should be apportioned to asbestos removal, depending on local circumstances determined as part of their health and safety risk management strategies.

  Mental Health Act Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has assessed of the extent to which local authorities have been charging for section 117 Mental Health Act 1983 residential or domiciliary services; and if he will give guidance to those who have paid for such services. [54971]

  Mr. Boateng
  This information is not held centrally in the Department. Any individuals who think they have been wrongly charged for services provided under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 can seek legal advice and take legal action if so advised.

  Hospital Discharges
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what number and percentage of people admitted to hospital were readmitted within 28 days of being discharged(a) in total and (b) for those people aged (i) up to 64 and (ii) 65 years and over in the last year for which figures are available; [54972]

  (2) what number and percentage of NHS trusts employ a hospital discharge co-ordinator or equivalent. [54975]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Hospital Aftercare
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many hospital aftercare schemes or hospital at home schemes exist within the NHS; and if he will provide a breakdown by NHS region; [54973]

  (2) what number and percentage of hospital aftercare schemes or hospital at home schemes are run by (a) NHS trusts, (b) voluntary organisations and (c) others. [54974]
  974
  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Vitamin B12
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the relationship between vitamin B12 and the control of fibroids and the consequences of hormone replacement therapy for fibroids. [54684]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department has not centrally directly commissioned or undertaken any evaluation into the relationship between vitamin B12 and the control of fibroids and the consequences of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on fibroids.

  The Government fund health and medical research through the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Department of Health's Policy Research Programme (PRP), and the National Health Service Research and Development (R&D) Programme.

  The MRC is not currently funding any research directly addressing the problems of fibroids. It is supporting a major, long-term trial on the effects of HRT: this will include particularly close monitoring by general practitioners of participants at risk from fibroids, but is not specifically looking into the links between HRT and fibroids. Additionally, the MRC funds research into female reproductive biology, including menstrual problems, which is generally relevant to fibroids.

  The Department's PRP and centrally managed NHS R&D programmes are not currently directly commissioning any work in this area. Information is not currently available about other, devolved programmes, including whether any NHS providers are using service support costs funded from the R&D levy to support work in this area. Data are currently being collected and will be available during 1999.

  Cervical Screening
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he proposes to increase the take-up of(a) breast screening and (b) cervical cancer testing amongst women with learning disabilities. [54908]

  Mr. Boateng
  We are aware of the need to increase the take-up of breast and cervical screening amongst women with learning disabilities. Work is due to proceed in consultation with the Advisory Committees on Breast Cancer and Cervical Screening to develop good practice frameworks in order to improve equity of access for people with learning difficulties.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he expects to announce the findings of the Cervical Screening Action Team; [55300]

  (2) if he will set out the terms of reference of the Cervical Screening Action Team; and if he intends to publish its report; [55299]

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to(a) receive and (b) publish the report of the action team convened by Sir Kenneth Calman on cytology services. [55140]
  975
  Mr. Boateng
  The Cervical Screening Action Team (CSAT) was set up in December 1997 to monitor action to improve the quality of and public confidence in the National Health Service cervical screening programme; consider what action should be taken to address staff resource issues for the cervical screening programme nationally; and identify any particular areas of the cervical screening programme where further action is needed. Members of the team included representatives from the Women's Nationwide Cancer Control Campaign, the relevant professional bodies and the National Co-ordinating Office of the cervical screening programme.

  The report of the Cervical Screening Action Team was published by the Chief Medical Officer on 24 August 1998. It noted the progress made so far, particularly in the areas of quality assurance and training. The team made a number of recommendations about further improvements in quality assurance; training of cytology and other staff; and information for women, the general public and health professionals.

  Copies of the report are available in the Library.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of recruitment and retention problems in cytology services. [55142]

  Mr. Milburn
  A research programme to assess future service needs and issues surrounding recruitment to and retention within the workforce involved in the provision of cytology services is to be commissioned. This will report to the National Health Service Executive through the National Advisory Group for Scientists and Technicians.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average time taken for a patient to receive the results of their cervical smear test; and what percentage take longer than the recommended four weeks; [55207]

  (2) for each health authority in England, what is the average time taken for a patient to receive the results of their cervical smear test; and what percentage take longer than the recommended four weeks. [55212]

  Mr. Boateng
  This information is not available centrally. Officials are shortly to begin a formal review of the information available about the cervical screening programme and data collection will be included as part of this review.

  Guidance issued by the national co-ordinating team for the National Health Service cervical screening programme state that at least 80 per cent. of women should receive their smear test results within four weeks of the smear being taken and 100 per cent. should receive their results within six weeks. As at 31 March 1997 (the latest information available), 77 per cent. of laboratories were reporting results within four weeks of the date of the smear test and 95 per cent. within six weeks.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cytology laboratories in England are sending their cervical smears to other laboratories for interpretation. [55301]
  976
  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  However, the National Health Service cervical screening programme has recently conducted a survey of laboratories in England. Of 180 questionnaires sent out, 114 have been returned. Preliminary results show that 16 laboratories send cervical smear slides to other laboratories for assessment.

  Pharmaceutical Wholesalers
  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pharmaceutical wholesalers ceased to operate in each year between 1990 and 1998. [55182]

  Mr. Milburn
  The numbers of wholesaler dealers whose licences ceased are not available for the years 1990–1994. For subsequent years the numbers are:

  Number

  Year ending 31 March 1995

  77

  Year ending 31 March 1996

  131

  Year ending 31 March 1997

  78

  Year ending 31 March 1998

  73

  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pharmaceutical wholesalers were established in the United Kingdom in each year between 1990 and 1998. [55162]

  Mr. Milburn
  The numbers of wholesaler dealers licensed are not available for the years 1990 and 1991. For subsequent years the number are:

  Number

  Year ending 31 March 1992

  109

  Year ending 31 March 1993

  125

  Year ending 31 March 1994

  123

  Year ending 31 March 1995

  161

  Year ending 31 March 1996

  146

  Year ending 31 March 1997

  135

  Year ending 31 March 1998

  94

  Thalassaemia
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department has provided for research into thalassaemia. [55505]

  Ms Jowell
  Research may be ongoing in individual National Health Service units but there is currently no central funding for research into thalassaemia from either the Department's policy research programme or the central NHS research and development programmes. The Medical Research Council, which is funded by the Office of Science and Technology, commissions most of the Government's research into bio-chemical and clinical issues. The Council is not supporting any thalassaemia research at present but it is always willing to consider
  977
  sound scientific proposals, in competition with other applications.

  Vaccinations
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make public funding available to meet the costs incurred by parents choosing to travel to France to obtain the single measles vaccination for their children, following its withdrawal from the United Kingdom. [55503]

  Ms Jowell
  None. Single measles vaccine has not been recommended in the United Kingdom since 1988. Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine is recommended to protect against measles.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his Department's policy that parents who are concerned about the possible side effects of the MMR vaccination should have access to other forms of vaccination for their children. [55502]

  Ms Jowell
  The United Kingdom health departments are advised on immunisation policy by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, an independent expert statutory committee. The use of single vaccines in place of Measles, Mumps and Rubella is not recommended since there is no evidence that doing this has any benefit and it may even be harmful. This Department's policy is to ensure parents are provided with factual information about immunisation and that immunisation recommendations are backed up by sound scientific research. The administration of separate measles, mumps and rubella vaccines instead of MMR is not supported by any studies into its safety or efficacy.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with Pasteur Merieux MSD to discuss the withdrawal of the single measles vaccination from the United Kingdom(a) before and (b) since the withdrawal was announced. [55501]

  Ms Jowell
  On 20 August 1998, representatives of Pasteur Merieux informed Departmental officials that they had decided not to supply unlicensed measles vaccine to the United Kingdom. Single measles vaccine has not been recommended in the United Kingdom since 1988.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contact he has had with the Pasteur Merieux Company concerning the withdrawal of general availability of the single measles vaccine. [55481]

  Ms Jowell
  Ministers have had no contact with Pasteur Merieux about this issue. On 20 August 1998, representatives of Pasteur Merieux informed Departmental officials that they had decided not to supply unlicensed measles vaccine to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the decision of some parents to take their children to other countries for the single measles vaccine. [55482]

  Ms Jowell
  Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine is readily available in the United Kingdom to protect children against not only measles, but also mumps and 978
  rubella, all of which are potentially serious diseases. Single measles vaccine has not been recommended in the United Kingdom since 1988.

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55264]

  Ms Jowell
  The majority of buildings and sites for which the Department has management responsibility have facilities for parking motorcycles either in the form of dedicated secure spaces (see table) or by other local arrangements such as use of space in car parks.

  Building

  Dedicated secure motorcycle spaces

  Richmond House, London, W1A

  8

  Skipton House, London, SE1

  10

  Wellington House, London, SE1

  0

  Market Towers, London, SE8

  4

  Eileen House, London, SE1

  10

  Hannibal House, London, SE1

  0 (but shares Skipton's facilities)

  Trevelyan Square, Leeds

  0

  Capital Drive, Milton Keynes

  0

  Premier Buildings, Lancashire

  0

  Bartholomew House, Birmingham

  0

  John Snow House, Durham

  1

  Maid Marion House, Nottingham

  0

  Hesketh House, Lancashire

  6 (covered spaces) + 30 open spaces

  Westward House, Bristol

  4

  J. Rothschilde House, Nottingham

  0

  Glenthorne YTC, Birmingham

  0

  Berkely Square, Bristol

  0

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55179]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department is about to begin a study which will identify the scope for introducing the Government Procurement Card in the Department. A decision about the use of the card will be made in the light of this work.

  Health Action Zone
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his announcement of a health action zone for Camden and Islington, how much money will be available for the project. [55520]

  Mr. Milburn
  Camden and Islington Health Authority has been invited to develop a full programme, with the expectation of being awarded second wave health action zone status from 1 April 1999, subject to a satisfactory programme being submitted. Second wave health action zones will receive a share of £15 million programme funding in 1999–2000. In 2000–2001, first and second wave health action zones will share £60 million programme funding.
  979

  Suicide
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young people in care committed or attempted to commit suicide, broken down by social services authorities, in the last monitoring year; and what recording mechanisms are in place in the Social Services Inspectorate to monitor such data. [55362]

  Mr. Boateng
  Under paragraph 20 of Schedule 2 to the Children Act 1989, local authorities are required to notify the Secretary of State for Health of all deaths of children who are being looked after by the local authority.

  Local authorities are also required under Regulation 19 (2) (a) and (c) of the Children's Home Regulations 1991 to notify the Department of the death of, or serious injury to, a child in a children's home.

  There is no statutory requirement for the cause of death to be identified although local authorities generally do provide it. Information on the number of attempted suicides is not held centrally.

  The Department's records show that two children committed suicide whilst being looked after by local authorities in 1997–98, the last monitoring year. One child was in the care of Somerset, the other in the care of the London Borough of Bromley.

  These notifications, along with others relating to incidents of child deaths and serious harm where abuse is suspected, are recorded on the Department's Child Protection Database. This computer database links the Department's Social Care Regions and the Social Care Policy branches and has been operational since April 1998.

  Spinal Treatment
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will fund the replacement of invasive procedures carried out in the course of spinal treatment with safer practices. [55041]

  Mr. Boateng
  Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the methodology of choice in the investigation of spinal conditions; however, we have no plans to replace invasive procedures entirely. For some patients unsuitable for MRI invasive procedures may remain necessary. It is for clinicians to use their skill, knowledge and experience to weigh carefully the likely benefits of any treatment or procedure against the anticipated risk for the patient and, following discussion with the patient, to exercise their clinical judgment accordingly.

  Adhesive Arachnoiditis
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will fund the greater use of chronic pain management programmes for sufferers of adhesive arachnoiditis. [55042]

  Mr. Boateng
  Multi-disciplinary pain management programmes have been shown to be effective. The funding of such services, including those for arachnoiditis sufferers, is the responsibility of health authorities in consultation with trusts and health professionals.
  980
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the alleged link between adhesive arachnoiditis and the use of Myodil. [55040]

  Mr. Boateng
  Arachnoiditis can arise from a number of causes. There are no plans to investigate links between Myodil and arachnoiditis: the association between the use of Myodil and the occurrence of arachnoiditis is recognised. The product information for Myodil contained a warning about the possibility of post-myelography arachnoiditis for many years.

  Social Services (Liverpool)
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he intends to take to ensure that the criticisms of Liverpool Social Services contained in the recent Social Services Inspectorate report are addressed. [55235]

  Mr. Boateng
  Ministers have agreed an action plan with Liverpool Social Services which addresses the main issues raised by the report of the Social Services Inspectorate/Audit commission Joint Review, published on 23 July 1998. Progress is being monitored by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) and will be formally evaluated by SSI and the local auditors after six months.

  Cardiac Surgery (Bristol)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the terms of reference of the inquiry into cardiac surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmary include the role played by his Department. [55229]

  Mr. Milburn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the terms of reference of the Public Inquiry into heart surgery in Bristol on 12 August 1998 as follows:To inquire into the management of the care of children receiving complex cardiac surgical services at the Bristol Royal Infirmary between 1984 and 1995 and relevant related issues; to make findings as to the adequacy of the services provided; to establish what action was taken both within and outside the hospital to deal with concerns raised about the surgery and to identify any failure to take appropriate action promptly; to reach conclusions from these events and to make recommendations which could help to secure high quality care across the NHS.

  It is for the Inquiry to determine how it meets the terms of reference. We have instructed the Department to cooperate fully with the Inquiry and to make available all relevant documents.

  General Dental Council
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what criteria he takes into consideration to ensure that the composition of the General Dental Council represents and reflects the public interest; [55196]

  (2) if he will increase the number of lay persons serving on the General Dental Council. [55197]

  Mr. Milburn
  In the consultation document A First Class Service: Quality in the NHS published in July we suggested that, for professional regulation to continue to enjoy public confidence, regulatory bodies must be open to public scrutiny and responsive to changing clinical practice and public needs. In this context we welcomed proposals from the General Dental Council to make a significant increase in their lay membership.
  981

  Taxol
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice is to be given to the National Health Service following the review by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee of the use of Taxol/cisplatin for ovarian cancer. [55347]

  Mr. Boateng
  An updated analysis of the survival benefit of using Taxol in combination as a first line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer was presented at the May 1998 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. This research indicates that Taxol given in combination with platinum increases life expectancy by around one year. In July 1998 the Standing Medical Advisory Committee considered guidelines prepared by the Joint Council for Clinical Oncology (JCCO) which take into account these latest research results. The JCCO guidelines were published in September and sent to Oncologists in the United Kingdom. A letter updating regional directors of Public Health in England on this issue was sent out by the National Health Service Executive on 18 August 1998.

  Hidradenitis Suppurativa
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action his Department is taking to raise awareness and educate(a) the public and (b) general practitioners regarding the skin disease Hidradenitis Suppurativa; [55227]

  (2) what action his Department (a) has undertaken and (b) is planning to take with regard to the skin disease Hidradenitis Suppurativa. [55226]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department has not and is not planning to undertake action specifically relating to Hidradenitis Suppurativa. However, the National Health Service provides a wide range of services for people with skin diseases. It is for the clinician to decide exactly what treatments are appropriate for patients with these conditions and it is the responsibility of health authorities to assess the health care needs of their population and to commission services, including the provision of care for Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

  Ambulance trust income per head of the population, by NHS region

  Region

  Population (000s in 19961)

  Aggregated ambulance trust income (£000) 1995–96

  Aggregated ambulance trust income per head2

  Aggregated ambulance trust income (£000) 1996–97

  Aggregated ambulance trust income per head2

  Northern and Yorkshire

  6,338

  85,511

  13.49

  87,977

  13.88

  Trent

  5,121

  54,958

  10.73

  57,770

  11.28

  Anglia and Oxford

  5,361

  51,754

  9.65

  53,370

  9.96

  North Thames

  6,934

  31,528

  34.55

  33,671

  34.86

  South Thames

  6,819

  48,654

  37.14

  51,825

  37.60

  South and West

  6,594

  69,634

  10.56

  72,472

  10.99

  West Midlands

  5,317

  51,116

  9.61

  53,363

  10.04

  North West

  6,605

  65,163

  9.87

  67,041

  10.15

  1 1991 Census-based resident population estimates for mid 1996

  2 Cross-boundary ambulance working arrangements, where they occur, have not been taken into account apart from the parts of North and South Thames regions served by the London Ambulance Service

  3 Large parts of North and South Thames regions are both served by the London Ambulance Service, rendering these calculations extremely difficult to interpret reliably

  982
  The provision of general practitioners' education is the responsibility of the relevant professional statutory bodies, such as the Medical Royal Colleges.

  Medicines (Children)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 1998,Official Report, columns 407–08, what steps he is taking to monitor the way pharmaceutical companies comply with EU guidance on the licensing of medicines in children; which companies have so far complied with this guidance; which products are being developed in accordance with this guidance; and when the application of the guidance will be extended to products already on the market. [55199]

  Ms Jowell
  When an application for a new medicinal product is assessed by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), the presence or absence of a paediatric section to the dossier is noted.

  Some companies have already complied with the guideline but neither the MCA nor the European Medicines Evaluation Agency keeps a list of those who do.

  The MCA does not hold information on those products which are being developed in accordance with the guidance. Companies are not obliged to reveal product development plans to regulatory agencies.

  The scope of the guidance applies to marketed products as well as to products in development.

  The guidance is not legally binding.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money per head was allocated for ambulance services in each health region in England in each of the last three years. [55478]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information given in the table shows allocations in the form of ambulance trust income per head aggregated by National Health Service Region. Copies of the figures for 1997–98 will be placed in the Library when they become available.
  983
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the amounts of money allocated to each ambulance trust in England in each of the last three years. [55479]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information given in the table shows allocations in the form of ambulance trust income for the years 1995–96 and 1996–97. Copies of the figures for 1997–98 will be placed in the Library when they become available.

  NHS Ambulance trust income (£000) in 1995–96 and 1996–97

  Trust

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Cleveland

  6,297

  6,409

  Durham County

  7,257

  7,305

  Cumbria

  7,713

  8,070

  North Yorkshire

  7,771

  8,919

  Humberside

  13,106

  12,353

  Northumbria

  18,317

  18,620

  West Yorkshire

  25,050

  26,301

  Leicestershire

  9,309

  9,761

  Lincolnshire

  9,538

  9,786

  Derbyshire

  10,746

  11,533

  Nottinghamshire

  12,489

  12,968

  South Yorkshire Metropolitan

  12,876

  13,722

  Oxfordshire

  5,844

  6,135

  Royal Berkshire

  8,690

  9,295

  Two Shires

  11,222

  11,799

  East Anglian

  25,998

  26,141

  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

  14,407

  15,271

  Essex

  17,121

  18,400

  Surrey

  13,668

  14,574

  Kent

  16,525

  16,829

  Sussex

  18,461

  20,422

  London

  1,2n/a

  103,189

  Gloucestershire

  6,606

  6,805

  Wiltshire

  7,086

  7,215

  Dorset

  7,974

  8,159

  Avon

  10,041

  10,338

  Hampshire

  12,702

  13,143

  West Country

  25,225

  26,812

  Warwickshire

  4,716

  4,893

  Hereford and Worcester

  8,228

  9,348

  Staffordshire

  12,119

  12,605

  West Midlands

  26,053

  26,517

  Lancashire

  16,087

  17,001

  Greater Manchester

  24,589

  24,955

  Mersey Regional

  24,487

  25,085

  1 Not available

  2 LAS became a Trust in 1996

  Note:

  Most ambulance trusts receive income from a number of health commissioners. These figures exclude income received for non-patient services (charitable income, income generating schemes, education, training and research, etc)

  National Institute for Clinical Excellence
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will judge the cost-effectiveness of new drugs and treatments. [55272]

  Mr. Boateng
  Our proposals for the appraisal process will shortly be published for discussion with interested parties. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence will itself be responsible for developing the precise criteria to be applied in judging clinical and cost effectiveness, drawing on international experience and methodology and guidance on the methods of appraising effectiveness in public expenditure.
  984
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will take of royal colleges' recommendations in formulating best practices. [55271]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has yet to be established. However, the Government's reforms for health, including the establishment of NICE, are centred around a partnership between the health professions (including professional bodies like the Royal Colleges), the public, the National Health Service and the Government themselves.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has to ensure consistency in the response it receives on developing best clinical practices. [55274]

  Mr. Milburn
  The public and Government expect to see health services that are consistent with our research knowledge and best professional practice. The Government's proposals introduce a comprehensive National Health Service agenda for quality, with local duties to ensure quality, backed up by a new Commission for Health Improvement which will monitor clinical standards set by NICE.

  National Performance Framework
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if NHS staff satisfaction surveys will be incorporated into the National Performance Framework. [55247]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Framework for Assessing Performance focuses on outcomes for patients. The management and welfare of National Health Service staff is a direct responsibility of their employers at a local level. The results of staff satisfaction surveys will be used locally to provide benchmarks against which to measure and report local improvements in the quality of working life.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account he will take of existing customer satisfaction programmes in NHS trusts in drawing up the National Performance Framework. [55245]

  Mr. Milburn
  The national framework for assessing performance provides a basis for assessing National Health Service performance over six areas: health improvement, fair access, effective delivery of appropriate healthcare, efficiency, patient/carer experience and health outcomes of NHS care. Over time, the framework will be supplemented by a range of high level indicators over all the dimensions to support benchmarking and performance improvement. Results from the first national survey of NHS patients will be used to develop comparative indicators of patient/carer experience. These high level indicators can be supplemented locally, for example by indicators from health authorities or NHS trust surveys of patient/carer experience.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if additional funding incentives will be given to the best-performing health authorities based on the standards achieved in the National Performance Framework. [55251]
  985
  Mr. Milburn
  The White Paper "The New NHS: Modern and Dependable" stated that:"… Health Authorities which demonstrate most progress against the targets and objectives agreed with the NHS Executive will be eligible for modest extra non-recurrent funding for local projects which support their Health Improvement Programme".

  Progress in implementing the local improvement programme will be considered across the six areas of the national performance assessment framework.

  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the new national performance framework to tackle inconsistencies in health services will include abortion services. [55366]

  Mr. Milburn
  The national framework for assessing performance provides a basis for assessing the performance of the National Health Service across six dimensions: Health Improvement, Fair Access, Effective Delivery of Appropriate Healthcare, Efficiency, Patient/Carer Experience and Health Outcomes of NHS Care. The framework can be used to assess NHS performance at a number of levels—for example, by health authority or NHS trust, by client group (eg services for elderly people), or by disease area (eg cancer services). In reviewing local abortion services, health authorities, primary care groups and NHS trusts should seek to assess performance across all the dimensions of the framework to assess areas for improvement.

  NHS Staff (Rewards)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial rewards will be given to NHS staff who exceed quality standards set by NHS trusts. [55249]

  Mr. Milburn
  This is a matter for individual National Health Service trusts ensuring that any incentives for staff are based on efficiency and health gains as outlined in the Health Improvement Programme.

  National Survey of NHS Patients
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to break down the results of the National Survey of Patient and User Experience into individual health trusts. [55304]

  Mr. Milburn
  As stated in the White Paper "The New NHS: Modern and Dependable", the Government will be publishing the results of the survey at national and health authority level. In addition, consideration is currently being given to how information from the survey relating to individual NHS trusts can best be made available.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will undertake the National Patient and User Experience Survey; and what was the selection procedure. [55273]

  Mr. Milburn
  As announced on 12 August, a consortium led by Social and Community Planning Research, with Imperial College and Picker Europe Ltd. has been selected to undertake the National Survey of NHS Patients.

  The Department's requirement for this work was advertised in the European Journal of the European Communities in accordance with European Commission and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade rules on
  986
  public procurement on this scale. The contract award was based on the most economically advantageous bid in terms of technical quality, service delivery and experience.

  NHS Trusts (Clinical Governance)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to ensure NHS staff are consulted on the implementation of clinical governance for each NHS trust. [55250]

  Mr. Milburn
  The White Paper "The New NHS: Modern and Dependable" stated that local clinical governance arrangements should engage professionals at ward and clinical level. The consultation document "A First Class Service: Quality in the new NHS" (copies of which are available in the Library) set out in more detail our proposals on clinical governance. Further guidance on clinical governance will be issued later in the year.

  Consultants
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 30 July 1998,Official Report, columns 506–07, regarding consultants, if he will list the number of consultants by specialty and for each specialty their ratio to population in each shire county health authority. [55302]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested will be placed in the Library. The data have been calculated by aggregating the annual census figures collected from trusts within the geographical area covered by the respective health authorities. The tables will need to be interpreted with care as some trusts provide services to residents of other health authorities.

  NHS Staff (Process Management)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is planned to be given to NHS staff on process management and process improvement. [55246]

  Mr. Milburn
  Training on process management and process improvements is a matter for local employers and can have a role in the continuous professional development of health professionals.

  Professional Self-regulation
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to ensure that professional self-regulation will be subject to public scrutiny under the proposals in the White Paper "A First Class Service". [55270]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Government are committed to working in partnership with the health care professions, the National Health Service and patient interest groups to modernise the systems of professional self-regulation. We have already opened the dialogue with the regulatory bodies to find the best way to ensure that the legal framework is responsive to changing public expectations of greater openness and accountability.

  Hospital Admissions
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the numbers of(a) day cases and

  987
  (b) in-patient admissions indicating the average lengths of stay of residents of (1) St. Albans, (2) Dacorum, (3) Watford, (4) Hertsmere and (5) Three Rivers local authority districts in acute, geriatric and maternity departments in (i) St. Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals, (ii) Watford and Mount Vernon hospitals, (iii) the West Hertfordshire Community Trust, (iv) East Hertfordshire/Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Welwyn Garden City, (v) North Hertfordshire/The Lister Hospital, Hitchin, (vi) the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, (vii) Stoke Mandeville Hospital, (viii) Barnet Healthcare Trust, (ix) Chase Farm, (x) Wellhouse Trust, (xi) Northwick Park Hospital, (xii) The Royal Free Hospital, (xiii) other NHS hospitals and (xiv) private hospitals for each of the past five years for which data are available; [55325]

  (2) if he will list the numbers of in-patient episodes of length (a) less than one, (b) 1, (c) 2 to 3, (d) 4 to 7, (e) 8 to 14, (f) 15 to 21, (g) 22 to 30, (h) 31 to 60 and (i) 61 days and over in (i) acute, (ii) geriatric and (iii) maternity departments in (1) St. Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals, (2) Watford and Mount Vernon hospitals and (3) West Herts Community Trust, for each of the past five years for which data are available; [55375]

  (3) if he will list the numbers of (a) day cases and (b) in-patient admissions and the average lengths of stay of (x) residents of (1) Hertfordshire local government districts other than St. Albans, Dacorum, Watford, Hertsmere and Three Rivers, (2) Greater London, (3) Bedfordshire, (4) Buckinghamshire, (5) Berkshire and (y) those resident elsewhere in acute, geriatric and maternity departments in (i) St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals, (ii) Watford and Mount Vernon hospitals and (iii) West Herts Community Trust for each of the past five years for which data are available; [55374]

  (4) if he will list the numbers of (a) day cases and (b) in-patient admissions indicating the average lengths of stay for (1) acute, (2) geriatric, (3) mental illness, (4) people with learning disabilities and (5) maternity in (i) St. Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals, (ii) Watford and Mount Vernon hospitals, (iii) the West Hertfordshire Community Trust, (iv.) the Horizon Trust, (v) East Hertfordshire/Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Welwyn Garden City, (vi) North Hertfordshire/The Lister Hospital, Hitchin, (vii) the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, (viii) Stoke Mandeville Hospital, (ix) Barnet Healthcare Trust, (x) Chase Farm, (xi) Wellhouse Trust, (xii) Northwick Park Hospital and (xiii) The Royal Free Hospital for each of the past five years for which data are available. [55324]

  Mr. Milburn
  The available information requested has been placed in the Library. However, the Department does not collect information on activity in private hospitals.

  NHS Trust Chairmen
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many chairmen of NHS trusts appointed since 1 May 1997 are retired(a) civil servants and (b) local government officers; and what has been the percentage change in the figures for (a) and (b) relative to the previous year. [55358]

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

  Former British Child Migrants
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to respond to the third report from the Health Committee of session 1997–98 on the Welfare of Former British Child Migrants (HC 755); and what discussions he has held on this matter with(a) the Australian and (b) the New Zealand Government. [55165]

  Mr. Boateng
  Officials in the Department have approached officials in the Governments of Australia and New Zealand through our High Commissions in Canberra and Wellington. The discussions are ongoing.

  The Department is considering the report of the Health Select Committee on the Welfare of Former British Child Migrants carefully. The Government will publish their response shortly.

  Infertility Services
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of access to investigation for infertility in health authorities. [55141]

  Ms Jowell
  No formal assessment has been made but we are aware of the annual surveys of the funding and provision of infertility services commissioned by the National Infertility Awareness Campaign. Like most National Health Service treatments, infertility treatment is funded through the general funding of health authorities, and decisions about the allocation of resources and about who should be eligible for treatment are the responsibility of individual authorities.

  The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is shortly to issue the first two (of three) sets of clinical guidelines on the management of infertility. The guidelines will assist clinicians and health authorities in providing clinically effective infertility treatment. The Department will be issuing advice to the NHS to accompany the publication of the RCOG' s guidelines.

CABINET OFFICE

  Information Technology
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how much his Department spent on IT itemising(a) personal computers, (b) main-frame, (c) mini-computers and (d) file servers in the last year for which figures are available. [52893]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 30 July 1998,Official Report, column 502

  This answer is in respect of my duties when Minister Without Portfolio.

  2 Marsham Street
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the future of the former Department of the Environment building at 2 Marsham Street. [55201]
  989
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated October 1998:
  The Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Peter Kilfoyle, has asked me as Chief Executive of PACE with management responsibilities for 2 Marsham Street, to respond to your Parliamentary Question about the future of this building.
  2 Marsham Street is a Government freehold property which until April this year was occupied by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). While it remains vacant, this Agency is responsible for its general upkeep to ensure it remains wind and watertight and is not subjected to vandalism of any kind.
  There is a possibility that Marsham Street will be used as temporary decant accommodation for another Government Department while its premises are refurbished. A decision on this is expected early in the New Year. If reuse of the building cannot be justified in Exchequer terms, the building will be demolished. This is expected to take some eighteen months following the letting of a contract.

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55266]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Cabinet Office, its Agencies and the Central Office of Information, for which my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office has Ministerial responsibility, have a total of 65 motorcycle parking spaces in their buildings, of which 61 are secure.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55172]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Cabinet Office has completed an assessment of the potential for using the Government Procurement Card (GPC) in the Department. It will be commissioning shortly a detailed study to determine the arrangements for the introduction of the card.

  (b) i. CCTA introduced the card on 1 October.

  The Buying Agency has no immediate plans to use the card for the small number of domestic purchases.

  It has actively encouraged acceptance of the card by the suppliers with whom it contracts on behalf of all government purchasers.

  The other Cabinet Office Agencies are at various stages of the implementation process for the GPC. The extent of GPC usage will depend upon the outcome of the trials and reviews being undertaken by each Agency.

  ii. The Central Office of Information will be introducing the GPC into an area this year on a trial basis. Further introductions will depend on the result of this trial.

  Government Policies
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those policies in which he has played a co-ordinating role; and if he will make a statement. [54685]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  My role is to assist the Prime Minister and Ministerial colleagues in the implementation and co-ordination of Government policy and its effective presentation. In accordance with the House's resolution on Ministerial Accountability of 19 March 1997, it is for individual Ministers to account for the policies, decisions and actions of their departments and Next Step Agencies. I shall, of course, answer questions on my own responsibilities for the work of the Cabinet Office, including the Better Government agenda.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c) (ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [53867]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 30 July 1998]: The answers are as follows.

  a) None

  b) None

  c) i) None

  ii) None

  d) None

  e) The FCO is responsible for twelve non-departmental public bodies. These are:

  Britain-Russia Centre

  British Association for Central and Eastern Europe

  British Council

  Commonwealth Institute

  The Great Britain-China Centre

  Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy

  Diplomatic Service Appeal Board

  Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine

  Wilton Park Academic Council

  Foreign Compensation Commission

  Intelligence Services Tribunal.

  The Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective.

  Lockerbie
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposals which the United Kingdom and United States of America have made for the trial of the Lockerbie suspects in The Hague; and if procedures have been introduced to enable the Libyan Government to clarify the issues involved. [55309]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and the Netherlands continue to do all they can to take forward the initiative for trial of the two accused in the Netherlands, as announced on 24 August. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1192 has been adopted unanimously, the UK Order in Council made, the UK/Dutch treaty signed, and the site for the trial designated.

  The Libyan Government have sought and are obtaining clarification on a number of issues through the UN Secretary-General's Office—the channel specified in UNSCR 1192.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs where it is intended that persons found guilty in the proposed trial of the Lockerbie suspects at The Hague will be imprisoned.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  In the event of the Libyans accused of the Lockerbie crime being convicted by the Scottish court in the Netherlands, they would continue to be held at the Scottish facility pending any appeal; subject to which they would serve the remainder of their sentences in Scotland. [55310]

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if witnesses participating in the proposed trial of the Lockerbie suspects at The Hague will be protected during travel to The Hague from arrest in respect of other alleged crimes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Agreement between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, signed on 18 September, makes clear that any witnesses attending the trial of the two Libyans accused at the Scottish court, in the Netherlands would be immune from arrest in respect of any offence committed prior to their arrival in the Netherlands. [55312]

  Sudan
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the welfare of British nationals resident in Sudan. [55437]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Due to the withdrawal of UK staff from the British Embassy in Khartoum we are no longer able to provide consular assistance to British nationals in Sudan. All British nationals currently in Sudan were advised on 27 August to leave unless they have a compelling reason to remain. We are also still advising against all travel to the Sudan.

  Some British Nationals have chosen to stay in the Sudan. We are not aware of any who are in distress.
  992
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the United Kingdom representative at the United Nations gave to the Sudanese request for an early site inspection of the Sudanese pharmaceutical factory. [55439]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This issue has only been raised during informal consultations of Security Council members. The United Kingdom did not contribute to the consultations and no consensus was reached. We continue to encourage the Sudanese to sign up to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which requires members to be open to international inspections by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government first had evidence that chemical weapons were being manufactured in Sudan. [55484]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are aware of a number of reports, mainly from opposition groups, of Sudanese involvement in chemical weapons. We are concerned about these reports and will continue to monitor them.

  Amsterdam Treaty
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what EU funding has been provided for the(a) yes and (b) no vote campaign in the Danish Referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty; through which bodies such funding has been issued and according to what criteria; what proportion of the cost has been borne by the United Kingdom; and what has been the cost to United Kingdom public funds to date. [55376]

  Ms Quin
  No EU funding was provided for political campaigning in the Danish referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty. There was therefore no cost to UK public funds.

  European Community Legislation
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1998,Official Report, column 277, what proportion of European Community legislative acts which do not pass before the Council of Ministers do not fall into the category of detailed market management measures; and if he will list the categories they fall into. [55389]

  Ms Quin
  The majority of Commission legislation is made under specific implementing powers delegated to the Commission by the Council. In certain circumstances, proposed implementing measures can be referred back to the Council. The majority of Commission implementing legislation is concerned with detailed market management measures, in particularly in implementing the Common Agricultural Policy. Implementing measures which do not fall into the category of detailed market management measures cover a broad range of policies. Policy areas covered by implementing legislation are listed in the General Budget of the European Union (pp.500–517 of the 1998 Budget). This is published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (No. L44, 16 February 1998).

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1998,Official Report, columns 277–

  993
  78, on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 a Minister of his Department has intervened in the negotiations on Community legislative Acts being agreed outside of the Council of Ministers before that Act received final ministerial approval; on what proportion of occasions a Minister has rejected an agreement reached in this manner when presented with the final agreement; and what form of scrutiny by Ministers takes place during the course of the negotiations. [55398]

  Ms Quin
  Most Commission implementing measures are introduced under specific powers delegated by the Council of Ministers under primary legislation. Much of this legislation is of a technical and routine nature and does not involve Ministerial consideration.

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55263]

  Mr. Fatchett
  This Department has 25 motorcycle spaces at our offices in London and 17 at Hanslope Park (near Milton Keynes). The spaces are within either security controlled parking areas or security controlled grounds.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55178]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We plan to pilot use of the Government Procurement Card within the London-based procurement group of our overseas estate department in January 1999. Discussions have been held with several banks concerned with the scheme. Internal management information on volume and pattern of transactions with a value of up to £500 is being collated prior to an agreement with one of the banks being finalised. Guidelines to ensure satisfactory internal controls are also being developed.

  Once agreement is finalised the successful bank will need to ensure that the suppliers we use have the equipment necessary to handle the more sophisticated management information requirements of the Procurement Card compared with those needed for a personal use credit/charge card.

  Plans to roll out use of the card more fully and savings accruing from them will depend on our assessment of the results of the pilot.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Malaysia concerning the arrest and imprisonment of the Deputy Prime Minister. [55522]
  994
  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the case with the Malaysian Prime Minister on 21 September and the Malaysian Foreign Minister on 24 September. We have also consulted our EU partners, and the Austrians, as Presidency, issued a declaration on 2 October expressing deep concern about reports of physical mistreatment of Anwar and calling upon the Malaysian authorities to guarantee the rule of law and to respect the human rights of Anwar Ibrahim.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) contacts have been made and (b) meetings have been held by the High Commissioner and High Commission staff with human rights groups in Malaysia. [55521]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The High Commission has regular and close contact with a wide range of human rights groups in Malaysia.

  Malawi
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to encourage independent international monitoring of next year's presidential and parliamentary elections in Malawi. [55198]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The success of next year's elections will be important in consolidating multi-party democracy in Malawi.

  We have been monitoring developments in the run up to the elections, working closely with the Electoral Commission, and will continue to do so. We will encourage independent international monitoring should the Electoral Commission, and all political parties involved, agree that it is desirable.

  In the meantime, we shall be funding an adviser to the Chief Elections Officer.

  UNITA
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions his Department has taken to close the UNITA London office and ensure the removal from the United Kingdom of the UNITA representative Mr. Kandeya. [55228]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Officials have visited Mr. Kandeya's commercial premises and satisfied themselves that there was no sign of any continuing association with UNITA. The situation is being kept under review. As far as we are aware, there are no offices or premises being maintained in the United Kingdom under the name of UNITA.

  The Home Office have refused Mr. Kandeya's application for further leave to remain. Notice has been given that the Home Secretary intends to commence deportation proceedings against him. He has the right of appeal against this decision.

  EU Enlargement
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress made by Austria's presidency of the EU on enlargement. [54858]
  995
  Ms Quin
  EU enlargement remains a key priority for the UK, and the EU. We welcome progress already made during the Austrian Presidency. The General Affairs Council agreed on 5 October to open substantive negotiations with Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia and Cyprus on 10 November. Initially negotiations will focus on seven chapters of the acquis. We will continue to support the Presidency in its efforts to make further progress before the Vienna European Council.

  Meanwhile, the analytical examination of the acquis with those countries not yet in negotiations (Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia) continues. All the applicants are receiving pre-accession assistance within the targeted framework of the Accession Partnerships.

  The Austrian Presidency also organised a meeting of the European Conference at Foreign Minister level (for the EU, the 10 Central Europeans and Cyprus) on 6 October which agreed a number of actions in the fight against organised crime (especially child pornography) and regional cooperation on the environment.

  Israel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to Israel concerning nuclear disarmament. [55414]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We continue to urge Israel to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and to place all its unsafeguarded nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, in order to allay international suspicions about her nuclear activities.

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) of 16 July 1998,Official Report, columns 248–49, if he is able to provide details of the assessment of samples taken from Iraqi warheads undertaken in France and Switzerland. [55452]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The UN Special Commission has now received the final reports on the analyses of the Iraqi missile warhead fragments carried out in France and Switzerland. The results will be reviewed at a seminar of international experts in New York on 22 and 23 October, after which UNSCOM will report to the Security Council.

  Pakistan (Climbers)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department was first aware that two climbers were missing in North East Pakistan; what steps were taken to alert the Pakistan authorities and organise a search; on what date such a search began; when the first helicopter search was made; and for what reasons a helicopter search was not made earlier. [55483]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We first heard of the disappearance of the two climbers on 14 August, when Mrs. Lisette Rendle told the Department and the High Commission in Islamabad that Ian Rendle and Gordon Campbell had 996
  failed to catch their flight home. On 15 August the High Commission alerted local police who agreed to check all hotels and police posts on the climbers' itinerary.

  On 20 August the British Mountaineering Council confirmed that the two men were insured for any necessary searches and requested a helicopter search. The Pakistani Ministry of Tourism told the High Commission that the Ministry's helicopter was for rescue only, and not searches.

  The Ministry advised the High Commission to ask the Pakistani Army to search with one of their helicopters but warned that permission could take 15–20 days. The Defence Section of the High Commission submitted a request the same day.

  The Deputy High Commissioner called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 August to reinforce the request for military help. The High Commission sent a further written request on 27 August.

  The High Commission made simultaneous inquiries with a private company about chartering a helicopter. This proved impossible as the company's helicopters were not equipped to fly at an altitude high enough to enable the search to be carried out.

  On 31 August the Government of Pakistan gave the Army authority to conduct a helicopter search. Bad weather and use of the helicopters for military purposes delayed the search until 8 September, and it then had to be abandoned because of low cloud. Bad weather again set in but the search was resumed and completed on 16 September. No trace of the two men was found. Two foot searches were also conducted, one from 22 August to 1 September and the other from 14 to 28 September. The High Commission acted with the families and tour companies to get these searches organised. Neither found any trace of the missing men. A third foot search is being organised at the families' request.

  Diplomatic Service
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the successful candidates for the recent recruitment of middle managers for the Diplomatic Service were(a) men, (b) women and (c) over the age of 40 years. [55001]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Of the 13 candidates successful at the Middle Managers Recruitment Board, 69 per cent. (9) were men, 31 per cent. (4) were women and 31 per cent. (4) were over the age of forty.

  President Hegdar Aliev
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the visit to the UK of President Hegdar Aliev of Azerbaijan. [55022]

  Ms Quin
  President Aliev visited the United Kingdom from 19 to 24 July 1998. The visit helped to strengthen the commercial and political relationship between the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan. President Aliev was granted an audience of HM The Queen, and paid calls on my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for Defence, and the President of the Board of Trade; three major oil contracts were signed with British companies, as well as other agreements.
  997
  Discussions with President Aliev also focused on the conflict in Nagorny-Karabakh, democratic reform and human rights in Azerbaijan.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Secondary and Further Education (West Midlands)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average size of A-level classes in(a) secondary schools and (b) further education colleges in (i) the West Midlands and (ii) Staffordshire in each of the last five years. [46304]

  Dr. Howells
  The average sizes of classes of pupils aged 16 and over taught by one teacher in maintained secondary schools in the West Midlands and Staffordshire Local Education Authority (LEA) area are shown in the table. Information on the size of classes in further education colleges is not collected centrally.

  Average size of classes of pupils aged 16 and over taught by one teacher in maintained secondary schools

  Position in January each year

  West Midlands LEA area

  Staffordshire LEA area

  1994

  10.5

  9.9

  1995

  10.3

  9.6

  1996

  10.3

  10.6

  1997

  10.7

  10.6

  1998 (provisional)

  10.5

  111.4

  1 Stoke became a unitary authority separate from Staffordshire in April 1997; the provisional figure for the Stoke LEA area in January 1998 was 9.0

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average amount spent per pupil studying A-levels in(a) secondary schools and (b) further education colleges in (i) the West Midlands and (ii) Staffordshire in each of the last five years. [46305]

  Dr. Howells
  The information is not collected in the form requested.

  Higher Education Funding Council
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will undertake a Quinquennial Review of the Higher Education Funding Council for England. [43631]

  Dr. Howells
  In accordance with the Government's policy of quinquennial reviews of non-departmental public bodies, the Department will conduct a review of the Higher Education Funding Council for England in 1998. The first stage of the review will take the form of a 'prior options' study with the following terms of reference:to review the Higher Education Funding Council's functions and the likely need in future for those functions;
  to consider the powers, terms of reference, constitutional status, membership and activities of the Higher Education Funding Council for England; and
  to consider whether some or all of the functions of the Higher Education Funding Council for England can be performed through other means.
  998
  The second stage, depending upon conclusions from the prior options study, will involve a review of the system of financial management and control within the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

  The review will take account of recent relevant studies, including the report of the Dearing Inquiry.

  Anti-discrimination Legislation
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 18 November 1997,Official Report, column 164, what assessment his Department has made of the anti-discrimination legislation relating to disabled people in (a) Australia, (b) New Zealand and (c) Canada; and what visits officials from his Department have made to these countries to study the impact of such legislation there. [46405]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department has not made a comprehensive assessment of the Australian Disability Discrimination Act, or of those parts of the New Zealand Human Rights Act and the Canadian Human Rights Act which cover disability discrimination.

  The Disability Rights Task Force, which I chair, is considering how best to secure comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people within the context of our wider society. A recent discussion paper presented to the Task Force drew heavily on the approach to the definitions of disability and discrimination in other countries, in particular the Australian Disability Discrimination Act which was cited as an example in each part of the paper. This paper also included summaries of the relevant parts of the New Zealand and Canadian Human Rights Act. The paper is available on the Internet on www.disability.gov.uk.

  Officials have not visited these countries. The Australian Human Rights and Disability Rights Commissioner recently visited the UK to present a seminar on disability rights in Australia which was attended by officials and by several members of the Task Force. I myself met the Commissioner who also met senior officials working on disability policy.

  EU Social Fund
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for the transfer of responsibility for the European Social Fund to the Welsh Office; what are the proposed financial arrangements for the transfer; and if he will make a statement. [45457]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Following the announcement made by the former Secretary of State for Wales on 29 February 1996,Official Report, columns 1035–37, officials have been discussing the arrangements for transfer of the administration of Welsh European Social Fund programmes to the Welsh Office. Some functions have already been transferred and as soon as the financial arrangements have been agreed the rest will follow. We aim to have these arrangements completed as soon as possible.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what projects have received funds from the EU Social Fund in the Lincolnshire County Council area. [55342]
  999
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Projects that have received funding from the European Social Fund in 1998 are shown in the table. This shows that the amount of ESF funding allocated to projects in the Lincolnshire County

  1998 Applications—list of open projects with ESF approved amount for Lincolnshire

  Dossier

  Organisation

  Project

  Project reference

  Amount approved

  985211UK8

  Act

  Act/Centre Stage Rural Arts Outreach Worker

  A

  16,987.00

  980408UK5

  Boston College

  Developing Communications and Information Technology

  A

  21,937.00

  984253UK3

  Boston College

  Small Business Start-up Training for Ex-offenders

  A

  3,168.00

  984269UK3

  Boston College

  Vocational Training for Ex-offenders

  A

  3,168.00

  984303UK3

  Boston College

  Small Business Start-up Training for Young Ex-offenders

  A

  3,168.00

  984318UK3

  Boston College

  Vocational Training for Young Ex-offenders

  A

  3,168.00

  980411UK5

  East Lindsey District Council

  East Lindsey Environmental Study Centre

  A

  16,165.00

  985215UK8

  GFS Platform for Young Women

  GFS Platform Skegness

  A

  10,676.00

  984322UK3

  Grantham College

  Engineering (Modular Career Dev Prog)

  A

  14,450.00

  981289UK2

  Grimsby College

  Training for Hotel and Catering

  A

  83,725

  981290UK2

  Grimsby College

  Engineering Employment for the Unemployed

  A

  52,252.00

  981315UK2

  Grimsby College

  Training for Media, Entertainment & Music Tech

  A

  37,194.00

  981316UK2

  Grimsby College

  I want to Care

  A

  108,948.00

  981317UK2

  Grimsby College

  Hotel and Catering/Travel and Tourism

  A

  51,480.00

  981318UK2

  Grimsby College

  Media and Entertainment for Cultural Industries

  A

  97,466.00

  981324UK2

  Grimsby College

  Advanced Manufacturing Development

  A

  46,384.00

  981325UK2

  Grimsby College

  Tomorrows Manager

  A

  64,819.00

  981326UK2

  Grimsby College

  High Technology Training

  A

  16,899.00

  981327UK2

  Grimsby College

  Better Informed

  A

  13,299.00

  981328UK2

  Grimsby College

  Engineering Success

  A

  42,839.00

  984346UK3

  L.A.P.D.

  Moving Ahead

  A

  36,000.00

  984257UK3

  Lincoln City Council

  Access Programme for Unemployed People

  A

  34,873.00

  984348UK3

  Lincoln Self Build Project

  Lincoln Community Self Build:Training, Housing

  A

  14,586.80

  984351UK3

  Lincoln Voluntary Centre

  Lincoln Vol Centre Training and Access Network

  A

  85,773.00

  984260UK3

  Lincolnshire County Council

  Dual Initiative in Childcare & Employment (Dice) P

  A

  81,478.00

  980424UK5

  Lincolnshire Regional Access Centres

  Lincolnshire Access Network—Development & Delive

  A

  57,004.00

  985227UK8

  Lincolnshire Tec

  Business and Community Skills for Rural Areas

  A

  10,493.00

  981415UK8

  Lincolnshire Tec Ltd.

  Nu-form

  A

  38,817.00

  984363UK3

  Lincolnshire Tec Ltd.

  Lincolnshire Capacity Building Training Programme

  A

  12,000.00

  987106UK8

  Lincolnshire Tec Ltd.

  Respond

  A

  104,216.00

  987362UK8

  Lincolnshire Tec Ltd.

  Food Partnership

  A

  117,270.00

  987363UK8

  Lincolnshire Tec Ltd.

  Manufacturing Challenge II

  A

  72,090.00

  984357UK3

  Lincolnshire Training & Enterprise Council

  Lincolnshire Small Grant Scheme

  A

  35,500.00

  985222UK8

  Lincolnshire Training & Enterprise Council

  Countryside Job Bus

  A

  71,748.00

  982156UK8

  Lincolnshire Training & Enterprise Council

  Armed Forces Resettlement

  A

  20,587.00

  984225UK3

  Lincolnshire Training & Enterprise Council

  Lincoln Industrial Workshop

  A

  20,722.00

  984233UK3

  Lincolnshire Training & Enterprise Council

  Shaw Start 2 (Hartsholme Park)

  A

  18,900.00

  984234UK3

  Lincolnshire Training & Enterprise Council

  Urban Challenge

  A

  45,000.00

  984291UK3

  Lincolnshire Training & Enterprise Council

  Princes Trust Volunteers

  A

  23,400.00

  984310UK3

  Lincolnshire Training & Enterprise Council

  Engineering Training Centre

  A

  96,473.00

  980418UK5

  North Lincolnshire College

  Reskill

  A

  161,797.00

  980419UK5

  North Lincolnshire College

  Powerstart

  A

  199,109.00

  980420UK5

  North Lincolnshire College

  Tecstart

  A

  37,680.00

  980421UK5

  North Lincolnshire College

  Commcomm

  A

  38,847.00

  984356UK3

  South Holland Volunteer Bureau

  Voluntary Research Centre

  A

  12,255.00

  987249UK8

  The Growing Place Project

  Formulae

  A

  86,936.00

  2,241,746.80

  1000
  Council area so far this year is £2,241,746.80. This total excludes Objective 4 funding as the results of the 1998 application round will not be known until later in the year.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the 1997 National Curriculum assessment results in English, mathematics and science for seven, 11 and 14-year-olds aggregated at LEA level; and if he will make a statement. [27373]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The 1997 National Curriculum assessment results in English, mathematics and science for 7, 11 and 14-year-olds, aggregated at local education authority level, are contained in a number of tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  We have set challenging targets for 11-year-olds' attainment in literacy and numeracy by 2002. We have recently agreed local literacy targets with each LEA, and we will be agreeing later this year similar targets for numeracy. We want to share and maximise the use of National Curriculum assessment data. These data reflect the key role local education authorities have in supporting schools to raise standards.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much his Department expects to spend in each year from 1998–99 to 2000–01 on vehicle replacements. [54986]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Department, together with the Employment Service (ES), is constantly looking at the efficiency and effectiveness of the vehicle fleet and replace vehicles only where there is a clear business need to do so. Following reviews of officially provided vehicles in both DfEE and ES earlier this year, more stringent requirements have been introduced for the use of vehicles. These are likely to result in a significant reduction in the need to purchase replacement vehicles.

  In DfEE we now expect to spend less than £250,000 during 1998–99 while ES will spend about Elm during the same period. The budget for future years has yet to be agreed and will be based on operational needs of both DfEE and ES. Early indications are that the allocations will continue to decline.

  EU Projects
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the merging of Youth for Europe and the European Voluntary Service after 1999, with reference to the continuation of projects designed to foster European identity. [55343]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Youth for Europe and European Voluntary Service programmes provide opportunities for young people to forge links with others in the Community who share their interests and concerns and thereby to gain greater understanding of other cultures and ways of life. Such activities contribute to the personal and social education of young people and to the development of responsible citizenship. The programmes are scheduled to 1002
  conclude at the end of 1999. The Commission has published proposals for a successor youth programme which would incorporate youth exchange and voluntary service activities and other measures. The Government are participating positively in negotiations with other Member States on the terms of the new programme which is intended to come into force in the year 2000.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the introduction of the Europass to record work-related training; and if the Europass will contain(a) a microchip and (b) a photograph. [55404]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Europass will be a voluntary community-wide document, recording periods of work-linked training undertaken in a Member State other than the one in which the training is based. It comes into effect on 1 January 2000. The period of training will count towards a course of training being undertaken in the home Member State. It will complement at European level national systems for recording vocational training.

  It falls to each Member State to implement the Europass. My officials are currently considering which agency is best placed to manage this process over the next 15 months.

  There is no requirement for the Europass to contain a microchip or a photograph when it comes into effect.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the function and purpose of(a) the Eurodesk and (b) the youth card network of the Youth for Europe programme. [55379]

  Mr. Mudie
  These are matters for the European Commission.

  Music Services
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his Department's current policy towards safeguarding local education authority music services; and what changes his Department proposes to make. [55018]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government recognise the important contribution made by LEA music services; that is why we proposed new arrangements to safeguard them in our "Fair Funding" consultation document.

  We are considering the responses to this consultation and we will be making an announcement on the future funding of LEA music services in the near future.

  Schools (Gravesham)
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, for each of the schools in Gravesham, the amount of funding received in 1997–98 and for 1998–99 to improve security. [55322]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Kent Local Education Authority received £535,700 in 1997–98 and £445,458 in 1998–99 to improve school security. Information on amounts allocated to individual schools is not collected centrally.

  Primary Classes
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the primary schools in Cleethorpes constituency which have benefited from extra money to reduce class sizes. [55145]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Schools in the Cleethorpes constituency benefiting from capital allocations to reduce infant class sizes are:

  Coomb Briggs Primary: £55,178

  Elliston Infants: £70,682

  Healing Primary: £81,367

  Humberston CE Primary: £56,410

  Humberston Cloverfields Primary: £65,222

  Reynolds Infants: £65,222

  Stanford Infant and Junior: £65,222.

  Education Budgets
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for(a) Buckinghamshire County Council and (b) Milton Keynes Unitary Council since 1 May 1997, (i) the increase in money provided for non-HE and FE education under the SSA, (ii) the additional funding for non-HE and FE education provided in specific grants and (iii) the additional spending on non-HE and FE education allocated by each local authority. [55144]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  £ million

  Buckinghamshire

  LEA Milton Keynes

  Year-on-year education SSA change

  +7.8

  +3.2

  Year-on-year specific grant change

  +1.9

  +0.6

  Year-on-year education spending change

  -2.1

  +8.3

  Notes:

  1. All the figures show the year-on-year changes between 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  2. The education SSA figures take account of income from nursery vouchers in 1997–98.

  3. The specific grant figures show the year-on-year change in the total amount allocated through the Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) programme in 1997–98 and through the Standards Fund in 1998–99. The figures therefore include the LEA contribution as well as the grant.

  4. The spending figures represent the year-on-year change in budgeted net revenue expenditure on education, adjusted for income from nursery vouchers. The figures have been derived from each authority's General Fund Revenue Account (RA) returns. They exclude expenditure financed by specific grants but include the LEA contribution towards such expenditure. The figures also include a pro rata share of certain heads of expenditure, notably capital expenditure charged to the revenue account, which cannot be attributed to individual services.

  Maintained Schools
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list each LEA area in order of the performance of its maintained schools at(a) A Level and (b) GCSE. [55476]
  1004
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The GCE A level and GCSE information requested in respect of LEA areas is shown in the table. The results relate to 1997 exams. The results for the 1998 exams will be published later this year.

  LEA area

  Ranking

  (a) GCE A level GCE A/AS point score per entry for pupils aged 16–18 entered for at least 1 GCE A/AS in 1996–97

  Buckinghamshire

  6.0

  1

  Camden

  5.9

  2

  Kingston upon Thames

  5.9

  2

  Somerset

  5.9

  2

  York, City of

  5.9

  2

  Bournemouth

  5.8

  6

  Kensington and Chelsea

  5.8

  6

  Poole

  5.8

  6

  Sheffield

  5.8

  6

  Barnet

  5.7

  10

  Southampton

  5.7

  10

  Gloucestershire

  5.6

  12

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  5.6

  12

  Havering

  5.6

  12

  Manchester

  5.6

  12

  North Somerset

  5.6

  12

  North Yorkshire

  5.6

  12

  Stockton on Tees

  5.6

  12

  Sutton

  5.6

  12

  Wiltshire

  5.6

  12

  Trafford

  5.6

  14

  Berkshire

  5.5

  22

  Hertfordshire

  5.5

  22

  Lincolnshire

  5.5

  22

  Surrey

  5.5

  22

  Essex

  5.4

  26

  Kent

  5.4

  26

  Lancashire

  5.4

  26

  Swindon

  5.4

  26

  Bolton

  5.3

  32

  Brighton and Hove

  5.3

  32

  Bromley

  5.3

  32

  Durham

  5.3

  32

  Northumberland

  5.3

  32

  Oxfordshire

  5.3

  32

  Westminster

  5.3

  32

  Wirral

  5.3

  32

  Bath and North East Somerset

  5.2

  40

  Bexley

  5.2

  40

  Darlington

  5.2

  40

  Devon

  5.2

  40

  Dorset

  5.2

  40

  Gateshead

  5.2

  40

  Isle of Wight

  5.2

  40

  Redbridge

  5.2

  40

  Shropshire

  5.2

  40

  West Sussex

  5.2

  40

  Bedfordshire

  5.1

  50

  Birmingham

  5.1

  50

  Cornwall

  5.1

  50

  Croydon

  5.1

  50

  Derbyshire

  5.1

  50

  East Sussex

  5.1

  50

  Hampshire

  5.1

  50

  Hillingdon

  5.1

  50

  Hounslow

  5.1

  50

  Norfolk

  5.1

  50

  South Gloucestershire

  5.1

  50

  Warwickshire

  5.1

  50

  Cambridgeshire

  5.0

  62

  Cumbria

  5.0

  62

  Ealing

  5.0

  62

  Enfield

  5.0

  62

  Hereford and Worcester

  5.0

  62

  Kingston upon Hull

  5.0

  62

  1005

  LEA area

  Ranking

  Leicestershire

  5.0

  62

  Newham

  5.0

  62

  Oldham

  5.0

  62

  Staffordshire

  5.0

  62

  Suffolk

  5.0

  62

  Walsall

  5.0

  62

  Waltham Forest

  5.0

  62

  Barnsley

  4.9

  75

  Bristol, City of

  4.9

  75

  Coventry

  4.9

  75

  Greenwich

  4.9

  75

  Leeds

  4.9

  75

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  4.9

  75

  Rotherham

  4.9

  75

  Wandsworth

  4.9

  75

  Wigan

  4.9

  75

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  4.8

  86

  Liverpool

  4.8

  86

  Northamptonshire

  4.8

  86

  Nottinghamshire

  4.8

  86

  Solihull

  4.8

  86

  Brent

  4.7

  91

  Calderdale

  4.7

  91

  Kirklees

  4.7

  91

  Leicester City

  4.7

  91

  Milton Keynes

  4.7

  91

  North Tyneside

  4.7

  91

  Rochdale

  4.7

  91

  Sefton

  4.7

  91

  South Tyneside

  4.7

  91

  St. Helens

  4.7

  91

  Merton

  4.6

  101

  Stoke on Trent

  4.6

  101

  Wolverhampton

  4.6

  101

  Bradford

  4.5

  104

  Derby City

  4.5

  104

  North East Lincolnshire

  4.5

  104

  Sunderland

  4.5

  104

  Doncaster

  4.4

  108

  Southwark

  4.4

  108

  Portsmouth

  4.3

  110

  Wakefield

  4.3

  110

  Lambeth

  4.2

  112

  Barking and Dagenham

  4.1

  113

  Middlesbrough

  4.1

  113

  North Lincolnshire

  4.1

  113

  Hackney

  4.0

  116

  Lewisham

  3.7

  117

  Tower Hamlets

  3.6

  118

  Islington

  3.4

  119

  Sandwell

  3.4

  119

  Luton

  3.3

  121

  Knowsley

  3.1

  122

  Tameside

  2.8

  123

  (b) GCSE Percentage of 15 year olds achieving 5 or more GCSE/GNVQ grades AC 1996–97

  Isles of Scilly

  61.1

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  59.7

  2

  Kingston upon Thames

  57.5

  3

  Sutton

  54.7

  4

  North Yorkshire

  54.0

  5

  Harrow

  53.4

  6

  Bromley

  52.7

  7

  Redbridge

  52.5

  8

  Barnet

  52.0

  9

  Gloucestershire

  51.6

  10

  Trafford

  51.6

  10

  York

  51.4

  12

  Bath and North East Somerset

  51.3

  13

  Solihull

  51.2

  14

  Surrey

  51.0

  15

  North Somerset

  50.9

  16

  1006

  LEA area

  Ranking

  Hertfordshire

  50.7

  17

  Poole

  50.7

  17

  Wiltshire

  50.5

  19

  West Sussex

  50.3

  20

  Stockport

  50.2

  21

  Dorset

  49.8

  22

  Hampshire

  49.4

  23

  Shropshire

  49.3

  24

  Rutland

  49.0

  25

  Cornwall

  48.8

  28

  Cheshire

  48.5

  29

  Havering

  48.1

  30

  Bury

  47.8

  31

  Camden

  47.8

  31

  Bournemouth

  47.6

  33

  Suffolk

  47.4

  34

  Oxfordshire

  47.2

  35

  Lincolnshire

  46.7

  36

  Richmond upon Thames

  46.5

  37

  Kent

  45.7

  38

  Cambridgeshire

  45.6

  39

  East Sussex

  45.5

  40

  Sefton

  45.0

  41

  Staffordshire

  45.0

  41

  Wigan

  44.8

  43

  Leicestershire

  44.7

  44

  Essex

  44.6

  45

  Norfolk

  44.6

  45

  South Gloucestershire

  44.6

  45

  Bexley

  44.5

  48

  Warwickshire

  44.5

  48

  Wirral

  44.5

  48

  Bedfordshire

  44.3

  51

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  44.3

  51

  Hereford and Worcester

  44.1

  53

  Hounslow

  44.1

  53

  Devon

  44.0

  55

  Isle of Wight

  43.9

  56

  Kensington and Chelsea

  43.9

  56

  Lancashire

  43.8

  58

  Cumbria

  43.5

  59

  Derbyshire

  43.5

  59

  Northumberland

  43.2

  61

  Swindon

  43.0

  62

  North Tyneside

  42.7

  63

  Dudley

  42.5

  64

  Enfield

  42.3

  65

  Northamptonshire

  42.2

  66

  Southampton

  40.9

  67

  Croydon

  40.4

  68

  Hillingdon

  40.4

  68

  St. Helens

  40.2

  70

  Brighton and Hove

  40.1

  71

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  40.1

  71

  Bolton

  40.0

  73

  North Lincolnshire

  39.7

  74

  Kirklees

  39.5

  75

  Gateshead

  39.2

  76

  Stockton on Tees

  39.1

  77

  Redcar and Cleveland

  38.4

  78

  Calderdale

  38.2

  81

  Derby City

  38.2

  81

  Ealing

  37.9

  83

  Wakefield

  37.9

  83

  Tameside

  37.7

  85

  Nottinghamshire

  37.6

  86

  Darlington

  37.5

  87

  Merton

  37.5

  87

  Leeds

  37.4

  89

  Rotherham

  37.4

  89

  Coventry

  36.9

  91

  Durham

  36.3

  92

  Oldham

  35.8

  93

  South Tyneside

  35.7

  94

  1007

  LEA area

  Ranking

  Rochdale

  35.5

  95

  Waltham Forest

  35.5

  95

  Birmingham

  35.3

  97

  Milton Keynes

  35.0

  98

  Wandsworth

  35.0

  98

  Sunderland

  34.4

  100

  Luton

  34.3

  101

  Westminster

  34.1

  102

  Doncaster

  33.8

  103

  Walsall

  33.8

  103

  Newham

  33.4

  105

  Wolverhampton

  33.1

  106

  Leicester City

  32.8

  107

  Bristol, City of

  32.1

  108

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  31.6

  109

  Portsmouth

  31.6

  109

  Barking and Dagenham

  30.9

  111

  Greenwich

  30.8

  112

  North East Lincolnshire

  30.7

  113

  Salford

  30.7

  113

  Stoke on Trent

  30.5

  115

  Hackney

  30.4

  116

  Liverpool

  30.1

  117

  Lewisham

  29.4

  118

  Hartlepool

  29.1

  119

  Bradford

  28.9

  120

  Barnsley

  28.6

  121

  Lambeth

  28.6

  121

  Middlesbrough

  28.5

  123

  Southwark

  27.2

  124

  Sandwell

  26.9

  125

  Haringey

  26.7

  126

  Manchester

  26.3

  127

  Tower Hamlets

  25.7

  128

  Islington

  24.9

  129

  Knowsley

  23.4

  130

  Kingston upon Hull

  21.4

  131

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55259]

  Mr. Mudie
  The number of motorcycle parking spaces in DfEE HQ sites is 30.

  Number

  Darlington

  6

  London

  13

  Runcorn

  3

  Sheffield

  8

  Total

  30

  The spaces at the London HQ offices can be designated as secure as these are in an underground car park. Other HQ parking facilities are monitored by CCTV.

  The Employment Service (ES) does not keep records of motorcycle parking spaces at its 1,200 properties which cover a wide range of locations. Where a need is identified, and it is feasible, spaces are made available for staff use.

  New Deal
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the delivery of the New Deal Programme by(a) the Employment Service and (b) TECs. [54864]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Employment Service is responsible for the delivery of the New Deal across Great Britain with a distinct lead role for specific private sector providers in some areas. In every area partnerships of key local bodies play a vital part in the development of delivery of New Deal. TECs play a role to varying extents in each of those partnerships in England and Wales.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the contracting procedure in the voluntary sector option of the New Deal. [54854]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Voluntary Sector Option contracts are for three years with an annual break clause. Contracts for this sector may guarantee a minimum volume of participants. 158 main contracts have been signed with the Voluntary sector. We are working closely with the sector continuously to improve the contracting procedures.

  Training Courses
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will assess the advantage of introducing shorter, employment-specific, training courses in the New Deal. [548531

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  New Deal is designed to meet individual need, and to contain the widest possible range of help to enhance employability. Employment specific training is available through each of the New Deals, which are all being rigorously evaluated.

  Transport Costs
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if(a) grant-maintained and (b) locally managed schools are permitted to use money from their school budget to provide transport for children to school. [55281]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Yes, in both cases.

  Cambridge University
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he has held with the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University about measures to widen access in respect of undergraduate admissions. [55527]

  Mr. Mudie
  The issue of access has been raised alongside discussions about future funding. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has welcomed initiatives being taken by the University to attract applications from a wider range of potential students.

  TECs and Chambers of Commerce
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has issued
  1009
  to TECs and chambers of commerce about future applications for mergers; and if he will make a statement. [55151]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Government have announced that they will not be taking any further decisions on applications to merge from the TECs and Chambers of Commerce, until they have completed their consultation on the future rule of Training and Enterprise Councils and had time to consider the outcome. The only exceptions were those applications that had been formally received by Government for approval at the time this moratorium was announced.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the number of applications for mergers by TECs and chambers of commerce(a) received, (b) approved, (c) rejected and (d) awaiting ministerial approval to date. [55152]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Government have received a total of 18 applications to merge from TECs and Chambers of Commerce of which two have been withdrawn by the merger partners; 16 merger applications have been approved; no merger applications have been rejected; and no merger applications are currently awaiting ministerial approval.

  Prince's Trust (Exhibition)
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if his Department has considered making an application for an Exhibition relating to the Prince's Trust to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall. [55543]

  Mr. Mudie
  I understand that the hon. Member is sponsoring a parliamentary exhibition on the Prince's Trust next week. I recommend that hon. Members visit the exhibition to learn about the excellent work of the Trust, which works with the Department in a variety of areas ranging from study support to secondment of officials.

  Eleven Plus
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make secondary schools responsible for the payment and administration of the eleven plus examination; and if he will make a statement. [55021]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  LEAs and schools which test pupils for selective admission by ability will continue to make their own arrangements for administration and payment of costs.

  Child Care
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of children aged(a) 0 to 4, (b) 5 to 10, (c) 11 to 12 and (d) 13 years or above whose child care during the hours of parental employment is provided primarily by a grandparent or other non-parental family member. [55387]

  Ms Hodge
  Estimates of the number of children in the relevant age bands whose child care during the hours of parental employment is provided primarily by a grandparent or other non-parental family member are not 1010
  available. The British Social Attitudes Survey conducted in 1994 by independent researchers at Social and Community Planning Research asked working parents about their child care arrangements. The survey found that, in families where the youngest child was aged less than 5, 21 per cent. of children were cared for by relatives other than parents. Where the youngest child was between 5 and 12 years old, 18 per cent. were cared for in this way.

  We know that many parents prefer their children to be cared for by relatives whilst they are at work. This is why our National Childcare Strategy seeks to improve support for such carers.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's plans to improve child care. [53474]

  Ms Hodge
  The Green Paper "Meeting the Childcare Challenge", which was published in May, sets out the Government's plans for a National Childcare Strategy to raise the quality of care, to make child care more affordable, and to make it more accessible.

  The range of tasks envisaged in the National Childcare Strategy can be achieved only by drawing on the commitment and expertise of a wide range of partners with local knowledge and experience. We are therefore setting up in each English local authority area an Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership to take forward the local planning to implement the strategy.

  Last week I announced the launch of the 1999–2000 planning guidance for the partnerships and informed each about the funding available to them from the Department for child care development next year. The partnerships are currently assessing the local demand for child care and the supply of places available to meet it and will be going on to produce plans to begin filling the gap between the two. These plans will be sent to the Department by 1 February 1999, for approval prior to delivery from 1999 onwards.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has parallel plans for Wales.

  Supported Placement Scheme
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each year since 1993–94(a) the number of places supported by his Department in the supported placement scheme, (b) the cost per place to the Department, (c) the annual percentage increase in funding to placement sponsors and (d) the annual percentage increase in annual earnings of those supported by the scheme. [55572]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have set out the answers to the hon. and learned Member's questions in the table.

  Year

  (a) Number of SPS places

  (b) Cost per place (£)

  (c) Annual % increase in funding

  1993–94

  7,461

  13,480

  16.4

  24,310

  24.1

  1994–95

  7,748

  4,420

  127

  24.1

  1995–96

  8,036

  4,530

  2.5

  1011

  Year

  (a) Number of SPS places

  (b) Cost per place (£)

  (c) Annual % increase in funding

  1996–97

  8,191

  4,610

  1.8

  1997–98

  8,448

  4,680

  1.5

  1 Local Authorities

  2 Voluntary Bodies

  Information on the annual earnings of supported employees and the annual percentage increase is not collected from supported employment contractors and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to the Department and to its contractors. However, it is one of the fundamental conditions of the Supported Employment Programme that sponsors will, in placing disabled people with host employers, ensure that disabled people are paid the same wages as non disabled colleagues doing the same work.

  Inner London Education
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received concerning the funding for colleges of further education in Inner London; and if he will make a statement. [55517]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations about funding. The further education sector, including Inner London colleges, will benefit from the additional £255 million for 1999–2000, announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received concerning the ethnicity factor in the school funding formula for Inner London; and if he will make a statement. [55518]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Government have received a number of conflicting representations regarding the ethnicity factor in the education Standard Spending Assessment formula. Decisions as to the formula for 1999–2000 will be announced later this year.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55176]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Department for Education and Employment plans to implement the Government Procurement Card (GPC) on a pilot basis before the end of 1998. As the Department and its next steps agency, the Employment Service, already make extensive use of national contracts and electronic invoicing, DfEE will want to evaluate the pilot before considering full roll out of the GPC.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to prevent age discrimination in the workplace. [55154]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Our plans are given in the report of the consultation we carried out earlier this year on age discrimination and employment. The report, "Action on Age", was published on 13 August and a copy has been placed in the Library. We are developing a draft code of good practice with key partners, including the TUC, Age Concern, Institute of Personnel and Development and the CBI. It will cover recruitment, selection, promotion, training, redundancy and retirement. It will be issued shortly for wider consultation and a final version published early next year.

  PE Teachers
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the sports which trainee physical education teachers specialised in to gain their qualifications in the last year for which figures are available. [55403]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not available in the form requested. 1,644 students entered physical education Initial Teacher Training in England in 1997/98; however, the Department does not collect information on the sport in which these students specialised.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many qualified physical education teachers there are in English schools. [55377]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There were some 26,000 full and part-time teachers in maintained secondary schools in 1996/97 who had a post A level qualification in physical education. Similar information for primary schools is not available. However, primary teachers are trained to deliver the whole primary curriculum including physical education.

  Primary Schools
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to assist small rural primary schools. [55146]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We fully recognise the important contribution made by rural schools and have made it clear that under both the existing arrangements for deciding statutory proposals and those coming into force in September 1999 there will be a presumption against the closure of rural schools. Our educational policies are designed to assist all schools in raising standards, including small rural primary schools. Smaller infant class sizes will mean that all children get the best start at school, and the new information and communications technology we are supporting will be of particular help to rural schools in opening up new possibilities for enriching children's learning and overcoming rural isolation. The National Literacy Strategy, which began in schools this term, and the National Numeracy Strategy, to be implemented from 1999, are designed to raise standards in all primary schools.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Kakadu National Park
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from the Mirrar peoples of Australia in respect of the proposed development of the Jabiluka uranium mine in the Kakadu National Park. [55413]

  Clare Short
  I have received no such representations.

  Government Purchase Card
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what use her Department is currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings she estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans she has to expand use of the card by her Department and its agencies; and if she will make a statement. [55216]

  Clare Short
  We do not use the card at present but my Department is looking into introducing the Government Purchasing Card later this year for purchases in the UK. We are also considering a pilot operation of the Card overseas.

  It is not yet possible to say what savings would result from use of the Card.

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which her Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55262]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development has six dedicated motor-cycle spaces at its 94 Victoria Street headquarters all of which are in a garage block under the scrutiny of cameras and custody guards. The Department also has three dedicated spaces at its East Kilbride Headquarters which are relatively less secure.

  UNESCO
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what progress has been made on the setting up of a UK National Commission for UNESCO; and what role the(a) Department for Education and Employment, (b) Department of Trade and Industry, Office of Science and Technology and (c) Department for Culture, Media and Sport will have in selecting appropriate non-Governmental members of the Commission; [55231]

  (2) if she will list the Government departments which participate in UNESCO's activities and on what matters; [55230]

  (3) how many (a) officials, and (b) NGOs have attended UNESCO-related conferences on the United Kingdom's behalf since the UK rejoined UNESCO; and what encouragement she has given to groups outside Government to participate in these conferences. [55232]

  Clare Short
  I refer my hon. Friend to my letters of 7 August 1998.
  1014
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the(a) contribution made by and (b) benefits obtained by each Department which has participated in UNESCO's activities since the UK's resumption of UNESCO membership on 1 July. [55292]

  Clare Short
  Since the resumption of UK membership of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the financial costs of which are borne by my Department, a range of Government departments have contributed to activities of specific interest to them. We will be publishing a strategy paper in 1999 outlining our priorities for our work with UNESCO.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, column 98, in relation to the Cikampek to Padalarang toll road project in Indonesia, what expenditure has been (a) allocated and (b) incurred by her Department to date; what impact the delay to the project will have on the effectiveness of her Department's support for the project; and if she will place in the Library copies of the project appraisal, monitoring and evaluation reports completed to date. [55225]

  Clare Short
  I refer my hon. Friend to my letter of 16 August 1998.

  China and Vietnam
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her visits to China and Vietnam. [55030]

  Clare Short
  I refer my hon. Friend to my letter of 7 August 1998.

  Sudan
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the welfare of British aid workers engaged in relief work in Sudan. [55436]

  Clare Short
  The Security Unit of the UN Operation Lifeline Sudan is responsible for co-ordinating security procedures for all relief workers operating in southern Sudan. British NGOs active in Sudan are content with the support provided. Since February we have contributed £300,000 to the Unit.

  Britain has also contributed to the drawing up of a code of best practice in the management and support of aid personnel. This includes a commitment to the protection and well-being of aid personnel working in difficult and dangerous operations. Agencies seeking emergency funds for Sudan (or elsewhere) are asked to stipulate how they apply Code standards. Many of the NGOs offer advice and counselling as necessary to staff working in difficult circumstances such as those in southern Sudan.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money has been spent to date on advertising relating to the millennium bug problem. [46146]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: The total media spend by Action 2000 from launch of its advertising and publicity campaign in mid July to end of September has been £3.76 million.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will take steps to require listed companies to disclose their plans for the millennium compliance of their computer systems and associated contingency plans; and if she will make a statement. [50049]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have no plans to do so.

  In March, the Urgent Issues Task Force, a subcommittee of the Accounting Standards Board, published an abstract on accounting and disclosures in relation to Year 2000. The abstract (UITF abstract 20) explains that entities should disclose (a) the risks and uncertainties associated with the Year 2000 problem; if no such assessment has been made it should be stated, and (b) general plans to address Year 2000 issues relating to business and operations, and if material, their relationships with customers, suppliers, and other relevant parties.

  Although no legally binding abstracts issued by the UITF are authoritative. Abstract 20 has been endorsed by the Stock Exchange who have drawn it to the attention of all listed companies.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the Software Reliability Unit at City University, London, about computers at nuclear power plants failing to recognise the year 2000. [54682]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government have received no such representations. I understand, however, that Professor Bev Littlewood of the Software Reliability Unit at City University, London, and a member of the Health and Safety Commission's independent expert advisory body on nuclear safety matters, the Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee (NuSAC), has suggested that NuSAC consider the implications of the century date change for nuclear safety at a forthcoming meeting of the committee. This is, of course, a matter for NuSAC to consider.

  All UK nuclear operators have initiated major programmes of work to address the century date change problem. These programmes are being closely monitored by the UK's independent nuclear safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which has made it clear that it is satisfied with the actions being taken by operators. Operators anticipate that all essential work to address the problem will be completed by the end of April 1999.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the extent and cost of the current Get Your Business Ready for the Bug awareness campaign; if he will include a leaflet in telephone bills to businesses; and if he will make a statement on progress on awareness. [55148]
  1016
  Mrs. Roche
  The cost of the current Action 2000 advertising and publicity campaign to end of September was £3.76 million, made up as follows:

  £000

  Outdoor posters

  720

  National press

  1,220

  Regional press

  120

  TV

  1,700

  The reach and frequency achieved were:

  Outdoor Posters: seen by 51.5% of ABC1 adults on average 27 times.

  National Press: seen by 96% of businesspeople with responsibility for 10–300 employees on average 13 times.

  Regional Press: seen by 6.4% of ABC1 adults on average 2.6 times across UK.

  TV: seen by 84.2% of ABC1 adults on average 4.5 times.

  A number of free channels of communication to businesses via key influences have been used by Action 2000 with the following results:

  Barclays Bank has included Action 2000 leaflets with bank statements to reach over 400,000 business customers.

  NatWest Bank sent a message on all statements to 300,000 business customers highlighting the Millennium Bug and Action Line number. This was followed by a special letter about Action 2000 and giving Year 2000 advice to 500,000 business customers.

  BT published an article in its business customer magazine 'Talking Business' with a circulation of 160,000 copies.

  West of Scotland Water will include an Action 2000 leaflet with the water bills of all 27,000 business customers.

  Thames Water will send a letter to 170,000 commercial customers signposting Action 2000.

  Cable and Wireless will include leaflets in a mailing to 170,000 business customers.

  British Midland are distributing flyers in Business Lounges and check-in desks at UK airports on an on-going basis.

  The third phase, its 'state of the nation' survey is presently being completed, and the results will be announced by Action 2000 on 22 October.

  Oil Exploration (Sudan)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the United Kingdom companies involved in the exploration for oil in Southern Sudan. [51773]

  Mr. Battle:
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: To the best of our knowledge there are no British companies exploring for oil in Southern Sudan although we understand that two companies, Weir Pumps and Allen Power, supply equipment to the major exploration consortium in Sudan headed by CNPC of China.

  Textile Industry
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people were employed in textile finishing(a) in 1979, (b) in 1989, (c) in 1995 and (d) at the latest available date. [49622]
  1017
  Mr. Battle
  The number of people employed in the textile finishing industry were 23,500 in 1989, 18,800 in 1995 and 19,900 in 1996. Data for 1979 are not available on the same basis.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics, Annual Production and Construction Inquiries (PACSTAT).

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total output of grey unfinished cloth in Britain for each of the last 10 years for which figure are available. [49616]

  Mr. Battle
  This information is not available from official statistics.

  Foresight Panels
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes have been made to the remit of Foresight panels since 1 May 1997. [50018]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: None. Panel activities are currently based on action plans developed in the early part of last year and for the most part published before 1 May 1997. These focus in particular on action to engage business at all levels, including SMEs, and to promote cross working between Panels. This, in turn, is one of a range of initiatives designed to raise the profile of the Foresight Programme, both generally and within Government under the overall direction of the Ministerial Foresight Group. The progress report published in June describes the advances which have been made since the Foresight Audit was carried out last summer. Copies of the progress report are available in the Library of the House.

  Decisions on the scope and structure of the next round of Foresight will be taken shortly. The proposals currently out to consultation suggest, however, that there should be a new focus on themes relevant to quality of life as well as wealth creation and that issues such as education skills and training and sustainable development should be on the agenda of all Panels. The proposals also underline our intention to broaden the basis of participation in Foresight, in particular by encouraging contributions from young people and from individuals, SMEs and organisations with specialist expertise to offer.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many civil servants in her Department(a) have a degree in science and (b) have held a position using that expertise. [50895]

  Mr. Battle
  Systematic and reliable data in the form requested are not available for the Department as a whole.

  However, there are currently 27 staff within the Department's Fast Stream grades who have science degrees, of whom 23 have held positions where this expertise is likely to have been relevant to the content of the post.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked the Chief Executives of the Agencies of the Department to reply to my hon. Friend direct.
  1018
  Letter from Peter Joyce to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 19 October 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about the number of staff in the Insolvency Service who (a) have a degree in science and (b) have held a position using that expertise.
  I regret that the information held centrally by the Service on its staff is not maintained in a form which would provide details of those who have a science degree except at disproportionate cost.

  Letter from David Hendon to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 16 July 1998:
  You asked the President of the Board of Trade, how many civil servants in her Department (a) have a degree in science and (b) have held a position using that expertise. I have been asked to answer that question in respect of the Radiocommunications Agency.
  I am afraid that the Agency does not have available comprehensive data that would allow me to identify which of its staff have science degrees. I can inform you, however, that the Agency has 45 engineering staff with engineering degrees of various types. In addition, there is a small number of generalist administrators with a science or engineering degree who may find their specialist expertise relevant to some extent to the particular work the Agency does.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Letter from Ian Jones to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated July 1998:
  I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service to your question of 15 July 1998 to the President of the Board of Trade concerning civil servants who hold a science degree.
  We have no information readily available about the numbers of staff in the ETS with science degrees.

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated July 1998:
  I am replying for the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question to the President of the Board of Trade about civil servants in her Department who have a degree in science and have held a position using that expertise.
  A total of 217 of the 750 Patent Office permanent staff have degrees in science—ie in science, engineering or mathematics. Of these 207 are professional patent examiners who make use of their expertise on a day to day basis either in examining patent applications or in a supervisory capacity. Most of the remaining 10 staff with science degrees have at one time or another been patent examiners and are now in supervisory positions elsewhere in the Patent Office dealing, for example, with procurement contracts. For completeness I should add that we also have a small number of graduates in science-related subjects such as geography, botany and environmental studies who do not make use of their expertise on a day-to-day basis.

  Letter from Dr. Seton Bennett to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated July 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your question about the number of civil servants with science degrees.
  More than half of the staff in this Agency hold technical qualifications of one sort or another, but we have no readily accessible reliable data on the number with science degrees.

  Letter from John Holden to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated July 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your question to the President of the Board of Trade regarding the number of civil servants with a degree in science and would respond as follows:

  (a) 15 employees have a science degree.

  (b) One who has previously held a position using that expertise.

  United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in what capacity Dr. Douglas Graham is employed by UKAEA; and what is the nature of his duties. [50255]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: Dr. Douglas Graham is employed by the UKAEA at Dounreay as the Waste Strategy and Studies Department Manager in the Waste Studies Group. He is responsible for waste strategy and studies for the waste management group, including studies of technologies and waste treatment, and managing the investigation of records.

  Encryption
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 27 April 1998,Official Report, column 26, if it is her intention, as part of her proposals to regulate the use of encryption on public networks, to impose the escrow of encryption keys for data which comprises patients' personal medical information. [51793]

  Mrs. Roche
  No. The proposals we hope to bring forward in relation to secure electronic commerce will set up a voluntary licensing regime for organisations offering cryptography services to the public. It would be only those organisations seeking licences to provide confidentiality services that would be required to keep copies of the encryption keys of clients.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list for(a) her Department and (b) bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if he will indicate their (A) fuel types and (B) engine cubic capacities; and how

  Replacement

  Engine cc

  Fuel type

  Owned

  Leased

  1998/99

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  1994

  Diesel

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  2500

  Diesel

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  As regards the type of replacement vehicle; it is envisaged at this stage that the vehicle due for replacement in 2000/01 will be of similar type. At the time of replacement, reliable alternative technology would be considered.

  Letter from John Holden to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  In response to your Parliamentary Questions concerning vehicles owned or leased within the Department of Trade and Industry, I can confirm that in the Companies House Agency:

  1 We own a solitary 2 litre diesel Ford Transit panel van in Companies House colours and bearing the CH logo.

  2 There are no plans to replace this vehicle in the period 1998–2001.
  1020
  many vehicles are expected to fall due for replacement in each of the years (1) 1998–99, (2) 1999–2000 and (3) 2000–01. [49230]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: Disaggregated information in the form requested is not available for the core Department and the other bodies listed in the National Asset Register, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  I have asked the Agency Chief Executives to reply to the hon. Member, as they have their own management responsibility for assets.

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated July 1998:
  I am replying for the Patent Office to your question to the President of the Board of Trade about vehicles that are owned or leased.
  The Patent Office does not own any vehicles. We lease one 2500cc diesel-engined van which is due for replacement in the period 1999–2000 and, as yet, have made no decisions on whether it will in fact be replaced or by what type of vehicle.

  Letter from Ian Jones to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service to your question of 23 July 1998 to the President of the Board of Trade asking how many vehicles owned or leased will be replaced by vehicles using petrol, diesel, gas, electric batteries or other.
  The vehicles which are due for replacement in 1999–2000 will be considered for replacement only if replacement provides the most cost effective means of travel for the Employment Tribunals Service. At the present time the vehicles are not expected to be replaced.

  Letter from Dr. Seton Bennett to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated July 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your questions about; i) vehicles owned or leased by the Agency and, ii) what type of vehicle will be any replacement.
  The information you requested on vehicles owned or leased is set out in the following table:

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to your question about vehicles due for replacement by The Insolvency Service.
  The Service has no vehicles and no plans to acquire any so that the issue of replacement does not arise.

  Letter from David Hendon to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me in my capacity at Chief Executive of the Radiocommunications Agency to reply to your two Parliamentary Questions 97/4281 and 97/4630 about the number of vehicles owned and leased by this Agency, and the Agency's vehicle replacement programme.
  The Agency is responsible for the management and enforcement of the radio spectrum. Vehicles carry large amounts of specialist equipment; most are saloon cars but there are also mobile laboratories and off road vehicles.
  1021
  The information you requested is set out in the following table:

  Replacement due

  Engine cc

  Fuel type

  Owned

  Leased

  1998/99

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  1700

  Diesel

  15

  —

  2

  5

  7

  1800

  Diesel

  42

  —

  7

  2

  —

  1900

  Diesel

  33

  —

  10

  11

  7

  2000

  Diesel

  7

  —

  5

  3

  —

  2300

  Diesel

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2500

  Diesel

  16

  —

  1

  3

  1

  4000

  Diesel

  3

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3500

  Petrol

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  119

  0

  25

  24

  17

  Notes:

  1. All 66 vehicles being replaced between 1998/99 and 2000/01 will be with diesel models

  2. Not all the Agency's vehicles will be replaced during the three years in question

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the vehicles due for replacement by(a) his Department and (b) bodies listed in the National Asset Register in (i) 1998–99, (ii) 1999–2000 and (iii) 2000–01 will be replaced by vehicles using (1) petrol, (2) diesel, (3) natural gas, (4) electric batteries and (5) other. [52614]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: Disaggregated information in the form requested is not available for the core Department and the other bodies listed in the National Asset Register and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  I have asked Agency Chief Executives to reply to the hon. Member as they have their own management responsibility for assets.

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated July 1998:
  I am replying for the Patent Office to your questions to the President of the Board of Trade about vehicles that are owned or leased.

  Replacement due

  Engine cc

  Fuel type

  Owned

  Leased

  1998/99

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  1994

  Diesel

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  2500

  Diesel

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  As regards the type of replacement vehicle; it is envisaged at this stage that the vehicle due for replacement in 2000/01 will be of similar type. At the time of replacement, reliable alternative technology would be considered.

  Letter from John Holden to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  In response to your Parliamentary Questions concerning vehicles owned or leased within the Department of Trade and Industry, I can confirm that in the Companies House Agency:

  1 We own a solitary 2 litre diesel Ford Transit panel van in Companies House colours and bearing the CH logo.

  2 There are no plans to replace this vehicle in the period 1998–2001.
  1022
  The Patent Office does not own any vehicles. We lease one 2500cc diesel-engined van which is due for replacement in the period 1999–2000 and, as yet, have made no decisions on whether it will in fact be replaced or by what type of vehicle.

  Letter from Ian Jones to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service to your question of 23 July 1998 to the President of the Board of Trade asking how many vehicles owned or leased will be replaced by vehicles using petrol, diesel, gas, electric batteries or other.
  The vehicles which are due for replacement in 1999–2000 will be considered for replacement only if replacement provides the most cost effective means of travel for the Employment Tribunals Service. At the present time the vehicles are not expected to be replaced.

  Letter from Dr. Seton Bennett to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your questions about; i) vehicles owned or leased by the Agency and, ii) what type of vehicle will be any replacement.
  The information you requested on vehicles owned or leased is set out in the following table:

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to your question about vehicles due for replacement by The Insolvency Service.
  The Service has no vehicles and no plans to acquire any so that the issue of replacement does not arise.

  Letter from David Hendon to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me in my capacity as Chief Executive of the Radiocommunications Agency to reply to your two Parliamentary Questions 97/4281 and 97/4630 about the number of vehicles owned and leased by this Agency, and the Agency's vehicle replacement programme.
  The Agency is responsible for the management and enforcement of the radio spectrum. Vehicles carry large amounts of specialist equipment; most are saloon cars but there are also mobile laboratories and off road vehicles.
  1023
  The information you requested is set out in the following table:

  Replacement due

  Engine cc

  Fuel type

  Owned

  Leased

  1998/99

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  1700

  Diesel

  15

  —

  2

  5

  7

  1800

  Diesel

  42

  —

  7

  2

  —

  1900

  Diesel

  33

  —

  10

  11

  7

  2000

  Diesel

  7

  —

  5

  3

  —

  2300

  Diesel

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2500

  Diesel

  16

  —

  1

  3

  1

  4000

  Diesel

  3

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3500

  Petrol

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  119

  0

  25

  24

  17

  Notes:

  1. All 66 vehicles being replaced between 1998/99 and 2000/01 will be with diesel models

  2. Not all the Agency's vehicles will be replaced during the three years in question

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department expects to spend in each year from 1998–99 to 2000–01 on vehicle replacements. [54987]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Information in the form requested, which is not held centrally within the Department, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  I have asked Agency Chief Executives to reply to the hon. Member as they have their own financial responsibility for vehicles.

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  I am replying for the Patent Office to your question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on expected spend on vehicle replacements.
  During 1998–99 the Patent Office expects to spend £3840 on the lease of the diesel-engine van which it uses. It is possible that the Office will incur similar costs in following years but, as yet, it has taken no decision on whether to replace the van in 1999.

  Letter from John Holden to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  In response to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry concerning how much his Department expects to spend on vehicle replacements, I can confirm that in the Companies House Agency there are no plans to replace vehicles in the period 1998–2001.

  Letter from Ian Jones to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service to your question of 31 July 1998 to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry requesting how much the Agency expects to spend in each year from 1998–99 to 2000–01 on vehicle replacements.
  We will review whether there is a continued need for the use of the three vehicles leased by the ETS before they are due for replacement in 1999–2000. No decision has yet been taken on this matter.

  Replacement due

  Engine cc

  Fuel type

  Owned

  Leased

  1998/99

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  1700

  Diesel

  15

  —

  2

  5

  7

  1800

  Diesel

  42

  —

  7

  2

  —

  1900

  Diesel

  33

  —

  10

  11

  7

  2000

  Diesel

  7

  —

  5

  3

  —

  2300

  Diesel

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1024
  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to your question about expected spend on vehicle replacements by The Insolvency Service.
  The Service has no vehicles and no plans to acquire any, so that the issue of replacement does not arise.

  Letter from B. A. Maxwell to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 12 October 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me in my capacity as Director of the Radiocommunications Agency, Executive 3, to reply to your Parliamentary Question 97/4916 about expenditure on Agency vehicle replacements in each year from 1998/99 to 2000/01.
  The information you requested is as follows:

  Year

  £

  1998–1999

  402,000

  1999–2000

  455,000

  2000–2001

  342,000

  Most of the above vehicles will be saloon cars but there will also be two mobile laboratories and five off road vehicles.
  In order to set this answer in context, I thought you might welcome a copy of the answer to your previous questions and it is attached.

  Letter from David Hendon to Mr. Paul Burstow:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me in my capacity at Chief Executive of the Radiocommunications Agency to reply to your two Parliamentary Questions 97/4281 and 97/4630 about the number of vehicles owned and leased by this Agency, and the Agency's vehicle replacement programme.
  The Agency is responsible for the management and enforcement of the radio spectrum. Vehicles carry large amounts of specialist equipment; most are saloon cars but there are also mobile laboratories and off road vehicles.
  The information you requested is set out in the following table:
  1025

  Replacement due

  Engine cc

  Fuel type

  Owned

  Leased

  1998/99

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  2500

  Diesel

  16

  —

  1

  3

  1

  4000

  Diesel

  3

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3500

  Petrol

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  119

  0

  25

  24

  17

  Notes:

  1. All 66 vehicles being replaced between 1998–99 and 2000–01 will be with diesel models

  2. Not all the Agency's vehicles will be replaced during the three years in question

  Letter from Dr. Seton Bennett to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 October 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your question about our expected spend on vehicle replacements.
  I expect NWML to be replacing its car under the present leasing agreement in March 2001. Under the present leasing agreement the payments are set at £2,588.00 plus VAT per annum and every effort will be made to obtain the best possible rate of renewal.

  Investors in People
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the current status of(a) Companies House, (b) the Employment Tribunals Service, (c) the Insolvency Service, (d) the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, (e) the Patent Office and (f) the Radiocommunications Agency in respect of Investors in People. [49968]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: Responsibility for Investors in People in the Department's Agencies lies with the chief executives. I have asked the chief executives to write to the hon. Member in respect of Investors in people in their respective agencies. This will also update the answer given by the then Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs, my hon. Friend the Minister for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths), on 15 June 1998, Official Report, columns 97–98.

  Letter from Ian Jones to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked by the President of the Board of Trade to reply, in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS), to your question on the current status in respect of Investors in People.
  The Employment Tribunal Service is committed to training and developing all staff and has made a written commitment to meeting the Investors in People standard and will be seeking formal assessment in October 1998.

  Letter from David Hendon to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 17 July 1998:
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the current status of (a) Companies House, (b) the Employment Tribunals Service, (c) the Insolvency Service, (d) the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, (e) the Patent Office and (f) the Radiocommunications Agency in respect of Investors in People. 49968
  1. I have been asked by the President of the Board of Trade to respond to the above Parliamentary Question.
  2. The Agency made a formal commitment to achieve IiP in August 1996. It has just had its trial assessment and is on course for its target of full assessment in January 1999.

  Letter from John Holden to Mr. David Chidgey, dated July 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your question to the President of the Board of Trade regarding the current status of Investors in People.
  1026
  Companies House committed itself to progress towards IiP accreditation some 18 months ago. An initial diagnostic survey was undertaken at the start of our programme and steps taken to address issues which this raised.
  Companies House has subsequently had several reviews to measure our progress towards the IiP National Standard and will have a full pre-assessment in the Autumn of this year. If this shows that the Agency is close to meeting necessary standards, the intention would be to undertake a full assessment later in the year.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. David Chidgey, dated July 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me as Inspector General and Chief Executive to reply to your question about the current status of The Insolvency Service in respect of Investors in People (IiP).
  The Insolvency Service formally committed to work towards accreditation in June 1996 and is looking to assessment and recognition by December 1998, within the timescales set out by the Government's Development & Training White Paper.

  Letter from Dr. Seton Bennett to Mr. David Chidgey, dated July 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your question about the status of IIP at NWML.
  NWML was assessed in March 1998, but recognition was deferred. The proposal is to apply for re-assessment towards the end of the year.

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. David Chidgey, dated July 1998:
  I am replying for the Patent Office to your question to the President of the Board of Trade about the current status of Department of Trade and Industry agencies in relation to Investors in People. The position is that the Patent Office is currently being assessed for Investors in People status and I hope that we will shortly be accredited as an Investor in People.

  Internet
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what role her Department is playing in the development of Internet technologies for small and medium-sized businesses. [52907]

  Mrs. Roche
  Many recent studies have emphasised the crucial importance of new technologies to the competitiveness of smaller firms. Within DTI, we have a comprehensive package of programmes to encourage greater awareness and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), including the Internet, by both business and individuals in the UK. The ISI Programme for Business places particular emphasis on offering access and awareness opportunities for SMEs at locations throughout the UK, and on fostering the development of innovative multimedia products and services, frequently involving Internet technologies,
  1027
  through award schemes such as the Multimedia Demonstrator Programme and Information Society Creativity Awards.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of charges for local telephone calls on the development and use of internet services. [54643]

  Mrs. Roche
  Competition is already delivering lower call charges in the UK and, with liberalisation across the European Union, this is spreading across Europe too. The charging of services should not necessarily be regarded as a disincentive to access the Internet. It is not unusual in countries where there is no usage charge for people to be unable to access the Internet because some users remain permanently connected. Internet Service Providers have only a finite number of modems to which customers may connect, so customers who remain permanently connected can block access by others. Having a modest charge for the local telephone call required to connect to the Internet should therefore inconvenience only those who remain connected for long periods even when not actively using the Internet. In turn, this should help ensure that the majority are not prevented from accessing the Internet for extended periods of time.

  Cycling
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what parking facilities for cycles exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible and for each agency for which he is responsible. [52666]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: Full parking facilities for cycles are available for the Department and each Agency as shown in the table.

  Location

  Parking facilities

  Departmental HQ buildings

  All offices

  Departmental buildings outside London

  All offices

  Employment Service Agency

  11 out of 29 offices

  Insolvency Service

  14 out of 33 offices

  NMWL

  Yes (one office)

  The Patent Office

  All offices

  Radio Communications Agency

  6 out of 22 offices (but all could provide storage if required)

  Companies House

  All offices

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the employees of his Department and of the employees of each agency for which he is responsible cycle to work; and what measures he plans to increase that proportion. [52667]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: The proportion of staff cycling to work is set out in the table. Measures to increase that proportion are being developed in the context of the preparation of the Department's green Transport policy.

  Location

  Percentage

  Departmental HQ buildings

  4

  Departmental buildings outside London

  4

  Employment Service Agency

  3

  Insolvency Service

  3

  NMWL

  19

  1028

  Location

  Percentage

  The Patent Office

  1

  Radio Communications Agency

  2

  Companies House

  2

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 27 July 1998,Official Report, column 55, if he will make a statement on the security reasons prohibiting the leaving of bicycles around his Department's offices. [53903]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The proximity of my Department's offices to the Palace of Westminster and to other sensitive locations requires us to take a number of precautions such as this.

  Diesel
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what incentives he is providing for United Kingdom companies to produce ultra-low sulphur diesel. [53561]

  Mr. Battle
  At the last Budget, the Government increased the duty differential between ULSD and conventional diesel from one to two pence per litre.

  Post Office
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when he expects to implement the EU Postal Liberalisation Directive; [53983]

  (2) what plans he has to lower the £1 threshold for the postal monopoly. [53975]

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effect of the EU postal liberalisation directive on the position of the UK Post Office. [54469]

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to lower the Post Office's current £1 monopoly threshold. [54244]

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans he has to reduce the Post Office's current monopoly threshold; [54210]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the EU's postal liberalisation directive. [54452]

  Mr. Mandelson
  (holding answer 31 July 1998): EU Directive 97/67/EC, the "Postal Services Directive", sets out a common framework for postal services in the countries of the European Union.

  The Directive will not require major changes in the UK but the Government will need to modify the Post Office monopoly and introduce some other amendments. Officials in my Department are discussing with the Post Office the precise arrangements which will be necessary. The final proposals will be announced later this year.

  The Government must transpose the directive into UK law by February 1999. We expect to do this through secondary legislation using the European Communities Act 1972.
  1029
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his policy for the future of the Post Office. [54852]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Work on the Government's review of the Post Office is proceeding apace, and we will announce our plans as soon as we are ready to do so.

  Competitiveness
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Governments' policy on business competitiveness. [54070]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The issue of business competitiveness is being considered within the context of the Competitiveness White Paper which I intend to publish later this year.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current membership of the competitiveness working party for encouraging innovation; when it last met; what matters were discussed; and when it will next meet. [54505]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: The Competitiveness Working Party for Encouraging Innovation is chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Industry and has the following members.

  Bevan Braithwaite OBE, Chairman, TWI

  Dr. Peter Doyle CBE, FRSE, Director, Zeneca Group plc.

  John Golding, Chairman, Hewlett-Packard Ltd

  Anthony Greener, Joint Chairman, Diageo plc

  Jan Hall, Partner, Spencer Stuart and Associates Ltd

  Dr. Sue Ion, Director, Technology and Operations, BNFL

  Stephen Lusty, Managing Director, Airmaster Engineering Ltd

  Sir Roy McNulty, Chairman, Short Brothers plc

  Dr. George Poste, Chief Scientific and Technology Officer, SmithKline Beecham plc

  Professor Sir Gareth Roberts, Vice Chancellor, Sheffield University

  Jonathan Sands, Managing Director, Elmwood Design Ltd

  Dan Sequerra, Chief Executive, Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council

  John Sorrell, Chairman, Interbrand Newell and Sorrell, and Chairman, Design Council.

  The Working Party last met on 13 July to discuss improving the competitiveness of UK industry through innovation. Discussion focused on the importance of the exchange of best practice.

  No date has been arranged for any further meetings of the Working Party.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on the impact of legislation on competition in the media. [54857]

  Dr. Howells
  During the passage of the Competition Bill, the Department has received a number of representations concerning the Bill and pricing practices in the newspaper industry. These representations have been from members of the public, newspaper companies and members of both Houses. The Department has also received a small number of representations regarding the 1030
  newspaper merger provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 and also general representations on individual merger cases involving the media.

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53056]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 30 July 1998]: The normal retirement age of staff in the Senior Civil Service is 60, as it is for staff in Pay Band C (senior managers) and Pay Band B (junior and middle managers). Staff in Pay Band A (administrative and support staff) have a normal retirement age of 65. The headquarters of the Department currently has 445 men and 694 women in this Pay Band.

  I have asked Chief Executives of the Department's Agencies to reply to the hon. Member separately.

  Letter from David Hendon to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked by the President of the Board of Trade to reply to the above Parliamentary Question with information about the Radiocommunications Agency.
  The Radiocommunications Agency currently employs 50 men and 72 women whose Terms and Conditions of Employment permit them to retire after their 60th Birthday.

  Letter from Ian Jones to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS) to your question of 24 July 1998 to the President of the Board of Trade asking how many staff were employed on contracts which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday and how many staff aged over 60 were employed within the ETS.
  On the 1st January 1998 the ETS employed 161 men and 372 women whose contracts permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. Of these nine men and nine women were aged over 60.

  Letter from John Holden to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated July 1998:
  In response to your Parliamentary Question concerning contracts of employment permitting staff to retire after their 60th birthday, I can confirm that in the Companies House Agency we have:

  A) 249 men

  B) 581 women.

  Letter from Dr. Seton Bennett to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated July 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your questions about the number of men and women employed by the Agency who have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday, and the number of men and women employed by the Agency who were over 60 on 1st January 1998.
  Consistent with the Departmental policy, the right to retire in NWML after 60 is linked to grade/range. Staff in Band A (ranges 1–4) have a reserved right to be retained after their 60th birthday on the condition that their performance has been satisfactory. We currently employ 3 men and 12 women in ranges 1–4.
  One female member of staff over 60 years was employed by this Agency on 1st January 1998 on the basis of the reserved right for her grade/range.
  1031
  Letter from Peter Lawrence to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 27 July 1998:
  In the absence of the Chief Executive, I am replying for the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question which asked to provide (1) the number of (a) men and.(b) women employed by the Patent Office who have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday and (2) the number of (a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years who were employed by the Patent Office on 1 January 1998. The information is in the table attached which relates purely to the Patent Office.

  Patent Office staff who have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday

  Serving grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Al

  33

  25

  58

  A2

  50

  39

  89

  A3

  100

  62

  162

  Total

  183

  126

  309

  Staff aged over 60 years employed by the Patent Office on 1 January 1998

  Serving grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Al

  1

  2

  3

  A2

  0

  2

  2

  A3

  0

  1

  1

  C2

  0

  1

  1

  Total

  1

  6

  7

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated July 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your questions about 1) how many people within The Insolvency Service have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday and 2) how many people aged over 60 years were employed by The Insolvency Service on 1 January.
  The Insolvency Service currently employs 447 women and 244 men whose contracts of employment permit them to retire after their 60th birthday.
  On 1st January 1998, 8 women and 22 men aged over 60 years were employed by The Insolvency Service.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53061]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 30 July 1998]: On 1 January 1998, there were 42 men and 27 women aged over 60 years, employed in the headquarters area of the Department.

  I have asked Chief Executives of the Department's Agencies to reply separately to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Hendon to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked by the President of the Board of Trade to reply to the above Parliamentary Question with information about the Radiocommunications Agency.
  The Radiocommunications Agency currently employ 8 men and 5 women who at 1 January 1998 were aged over 60 years.
  1032
  Letter from Ian Jones to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 19 October 1998:
  I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS) to your question of 24 July 1998 to the President of the Board of Trade asking how many staff were employed on contracts which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday and how many staff aged over 60 were employed within the ETS.
  On the 1st January 1998 the ETS employed 161 men and 372 women whose contracts permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. Of these nine men and nine women were aged over 60.

  Letter from Dr. Seton Bennett to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated July 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your questions about the number of men and women employed by the Agency who have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday, and the number of men and women employed by the Agency who were over 60 on 1st January 1998.
  Consistent with the Departmental policy, the right to retire in NWML after 60 is linked to grade/range. Staff in Band A (ranges 1–4) have a reserved right to be retained after their 60th birthday on the condition that their performance has been satisfactory. We currently employ 3 men, and 12 women in ranges 1–4.
  One female member of staff over 60 years was employed by this Agency on 1st January 1998 on the basis of the reserved right for her grade/range.

  Letter from Peter Lawrence to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 27 July 1998:
  In the absence of the Chief Executive, I am replying for the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question which asked to provide (1) the number of (a) men and (b) women employed by the Patent Office who have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday and (2) the number of (a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years who were employed by the Patent Office on 1 January 1998. The information is in the table attached which relates purely to the Patent Office.

  Patent Office Staff who have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday

  Serving grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Al

  33

  25

  58

  A2

  50

  39

  89

  A3

  100

  62

  162

  Total

  183

  126

  309

  Staff aged over 60 years employed by the Patent Office on 1st January 1998

  Serving grade

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Al

  1

  2

  3

  A2

  0

  2

  2

  A3

  0

  1

  1

  C2

  0

  1

  1

  Total

  1

  6

  7

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated July 1998:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your questions about 1) how many people within The Insolvency Service have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday and 2) how many people aged over 60 years were employed by The Insolvency Service on 1 January.
  The Insolvency Service currently employs 447 women and 244 men whose contracts of employment permit them to retire after their 60th birthday.

  1033
  On 1st January 1998, 8 women and 22 men aged over 60 years were employed by The Insolvency Service.

  Letter from John Holden to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated July 1998:
  In response to your Parliamentary Question concerning the number of staff employed aged over 60 on I January, I can confirm that in the Companies House Agency there were:

  A) 12 men

  B) 33 women.

  CD Piracy
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce measures for the protection of the British music industry against CD piracy over the Internet. [53595]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 30 July 1998]: United Kingdom copyright law already protects music and other material which is transmitted over the internet, and the UK is supporting work at EU and international level to ensure comparable levels of protection elsewhere. The Government are working closely with the music industry on this issue and on action against CD piracy more generally. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for wider issues concerning the music industry, whilst my Department is responsible for copyright legislation.

  Trade Fair Support Scheme
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the funds extended by his Department under the Trade Fair Support Scheme in each year since 1990. [54163]

  Mr. Wilson
  The total amounts spent by my Department on support for UK firms at trade fairs abroad in each of the years were:

  Year

  £ million

  1990–91

  15.9

  1991–92

  12.6

  1992–93

  13.2

  1993–94

  14.0

  1994–95

  17.1

  1995–96

  19.9

  1996–97

  19.4

  1997–98

  15.5

  Joint Venture Funding
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if non-defence companies are eligible for Joint Venture Funding. [54407]

  Mr. Wilson
  Yes. In principle any firm involved in exporting for the UK can apply to be part of a supported group at a trade fair abroad.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the value of the joint venture funding support provided in each of the last two years to United Kingdom companies attending overseas trade fairs exhibiting military, security, police and paramilitary services or products. [54406]
  1034
  Mr. Wilson
  The value of the grants paid by my Department under the terms of the Trade Fair Support Scheme to UK firms exhibiting at trade fairs in the Safety, defence, fire and security and associated equipment, including civil defence, sector is as follows:

  £ million

  Expenditure in year

  1996–97

  1.4

  1997–98

  1.2

  My Department does not maintain records of grants paid towards the cost of exhibiting particular products or services.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c) (ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [53852]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 30 July 1998]: My Department is currently responsible for 40 non-departmental public bodies and 7 tribunals, all of which are listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1997". Since 1 May 1997, my Department has abolished one non-departmental public body—the Advisory Committee for the Joint Environmental Markets Unit—and established one new non-departmental public body—the Spectrum Management Advisory Group. Approval has also been given for the merger of the LINK Board and the Teaching Company Scheme Board. Responsibility for one executive body, the Policyholders' Protection Board, has been transferred to HM Treasury.

  Privatisation (Advertising)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the advertising budget for each of the privatisations since 1979. [54542]

  Mr. Byers
  I have been asked to reply.

  The table shows the cost to the Government of advertising in each privatisation or secondary sale since British Telecom in 1984. Information on advertising budgets and advertising costs of earlier sales is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Advertising costs in privatizations

  Share offer

  Year

  Costs (excl. VAT) £ million

  BT1

  1985

  9.7

  Britoil

  1985

  3.0

  Cable & Wireless

  1985

  2.2

  1035

  Advertising costs in privatisations

  Share offer

  Year

  Costs (excl. VAT) £ million

  British Aerospace

  1985

  1.7

  British Gas

  1986

  21.4

  British Airways

  1987

  2.8

  Rolls Royce

  1987

  1.6

  BAA

  1987

  4.9

  BP

  1987

  18.3

  British Steel

  1988

  4.9

  Water

  1989

  17.3

  Regional Electricity Companies

  1990

  20.6

  Generating Companies 1

  1991

  8.1

  Scottish Electricity Companies

  1991

  5.3

  BT2

  1991

  14.7

  Northern Ireland Electricity

  1993

  1.1

  BT3

  1993

  11.9

  Generating Companies 2

  1995

  8.0

  Railtrack

  1996

  4.4

  British Energy

  1996

  4.1

  Companies (Trademark Names)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the procedure to be followed by a foreign company applying to register a trademark name currently used by a British company. [54709]

  Dr. Howells
  The procedure for registering a trade mark in the UK is defined by the Trade Marks Act 1994. Anyone can apply for registration, but any applicant must be using or intend to use the mark in the United Kingdom. However, a mark is registered only when the Trade Marks Registry has established that there is not a conflict with earlier marks. Where conflicts with earlier marks are identified it may be possible for the application to proceed to registrations by use of the provisions in Article 37 of the Trade Marks Act 1994. These provisions include restricting the goods and/or services for the mark applied for, or demonstrating honest concurrent use of the mark applied for with the earlier mark.

  Further information on the trade mark application process is available from the Trade Mark Registry1 at the Patent Office.

  1 Contact: Raol Colombo, The Patent Office, Concept House, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP9 1RH Telephone+44(0)1633 811001 Fax+44(0)1633 811405 e-mail: trademarks@patent.gov.uk

  Insider Trading
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers he has to order(a) BT and (b) other phone companies to disclose records of telephone calls made by an individual under investigation by his inspectors for alleged insider trading. [54440]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: Under section 177(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 inspectors appointed to investigate insider dealing can require information, including documents, from any person they consider may be able to assist their investigation. This will include information from telephone companies.
  1036
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if inspectors' reports of alleged insider dealing carried out under the Financial Services Act 1986 are passed to the Public Record Office; and when they can be released for public scrutiny. [54439]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: Reports of insider dealing inspections are not passed to the Public Record Office and are not published. There are strict legal restrictions on disclosure of all information obtained in such inspections.

  EU Directives (Costs)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the cost to United Kingdom businesses which will arise from(a) the Parental Leave Directive, (b) the Works Councils Directive and (c) the Part Time Work Directive. [54246]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: Compliance Cost Assessments were attached to the Explanatory Memoranda submitted to this House and another place on 28 October 1997 (in relation to the Parental Leave and European Works Councils Directives) and 17 March 1998 (in relation to the Part Time Work Directive).

  We shall be carrying out further analysis to refine these estimates. The Government consider that these measures will benefit employers and employees alike, and will not impose under costs or burdens upon business.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the costs of the(a) Parental Leave Directive, (b) Works Council Directive and (c) Part Time Work Directive to British business. [53974]

  Mr. Mandelson
  (holding answer 31 July 1998): I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given today to Question 54246 from his hon. Friend the Member for Altrincham and Sale, West (Mr. Brady).

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to assist manufacturing industry. [54658]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The best way that Government can assist industry as a whole, including manufacturing, is by providing macroeconomic stability. This Government have put in place a credible framework for macroeconomic policy to deliver low inflation and sound public finances which are the necessary basis for high and sustainable levels of growth and employment. In addition, my Department is working in partnership with industry, including manufacturing companies, to improve the competitiveness of our firms in domestic and overseas markets.

  Aerospace Industry (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people within Gloucestershire were employed by the United Kingdom aerospace industry in each of the last five years. [54641]
  1037
  Mr. Battle
  This information is not available. Although the Office for National Statistics collects data on employment in aerospace businesses in Gloucestershire as part of the Annual Employment Survey and Annual Census of Production, the figures cannot be released because they would identify particulars of an individual undertaking, which are confidential under section 9 of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947.

  Manpower
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings Ministers in his Department have had with Manpower since 1 February; and on what matters. [54395]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: Ministers, their Special Advisers and other civil servants meet many people in the course of their work. This properly includes meetings with interest groups outside Government. This liaison is intended to help Ministers draw upon outside contributions—from academics, think-tanks, trade and industry associations, private sector organisations, trade unions and others, as well as relevant experience from other countries—during the process of policy analysis and development. But they must observe the requirements of propriety: for instance, they must not provide confidential information without authorisation, or allow improper influence on policy. It is not our policy to make information on meetings or their content public.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he will take in respect of his possible involvement in a regulatory role in respect of corporate sponsors of the New Millennium Experience Company Limited. [54397]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: As the hon. Member will be aware I wrote to him on 6 August enclosing a copy of the Press Notice regarding the BA/AA Alliance and my responsibilities for the New Millennium Experience Company. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

  Action 2000
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate Action 2000 has made of the number of businesses in(a) each region and (b) in total, which have yet to take action against the millennium bug. [54125]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: Action 2000 do not undertake monitoring on a regional basis. The research is aimed at providing a picture of the current state of UK preparedness by relevant sectors, size of business and other factors.

  The results of the second wave of monitoring carried out on a national basis under Action 2000's quarterly 'State of the Nation' research programme, primarily targeted at businesses with 1–500 employees, were announced by Action 2000 on 21 July.

  The findings showed that 29% of the total had yet to implement a formal Year 2000 programme.
  1038
  Awareness of the Millennium Bug is 100% but the Action 2000 research shows that there is a 'reality gap' between being aware and comprehension of the potential impact.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what budget Action 2000 has allocated for poster board advertising in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [54124]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: Poster advertising to date has incurred a total spend of £670,000 net media cost.

  The business packages for poster advertising purchased with the contracting companies have been targeted at industrial parts/sites and important commuting routes in order to maximise coverage against a key target audience identified by Action 2000.

  At present no further activity utilising poster sites is planned for this or the next financial year until a full evaluation of the impact and response has been carried out.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what budget Action 2000 has allocated for poster board advertising(a) in each region and (b) in total. [54126]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: The poster packages purchased by Action 2000 were targeted at business areas and key commuting routes. The total allocation of spend to date on this activity is £670,000 net media cost.

  Regional breakdown of that spend is:

  Percentage

  London

  47

  Midlands

  10.5

  North West

  10.5

  Yorkshire

  7.5

  Scotland

  7.5

  Wales and The West

  4.5

  Southern

  4.5

  East of England

  3

  North East

  3

  Northern Ireland

  1

  South West

  0.9

  Border

  0.1

  Export Forum
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with (1) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (2) the Department for International Development about the impact of the Export Forum's recommended target markets on their policies with regard to (i) development and (ii) democratisation in(a) Eastern Europe, (b) Africa and (c) South America. [53463]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: Although the Department works closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development it has had no discussions with either on these issues. The Export Forum's recommendations for target markets related solely to their

  1039
  potential for the promotion of exports and had no bearing on the government's policies on development and democratisation.

  Nuclear Reactors
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has(a) to close the nuclear reactors at Chapelcross and Calder Hall and (b) to replace them with new reactors. [53756]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: The future operation of the Chapelcross and Calder Hall nuclear power stations is a matter for their owner, British Nuclear Fuels plc, subject to meeting the relevant regulatory requirements. I understand from BNFL that they intend to operate these stations for the 50 year lifetimes approved by the regulator, subject to it being safe and economic to do so, and that BNFL currently have no plans to build any new nuclear power stations.

  Wind Turbines
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to support the development of the British manufacture of wind turbines. [54848]

  Mr. Battle
  Under the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) the Government are supporting the commercial development of wind energy in the UK. At 30 June 1998, there were 55 wind projects operational, comprising 132 MW Declared Net Capacity. In addition a further 69 wind projects, comprising 368 MW of contracted capacity will be developed in England and Wales under the NFFO-5 Order which I announced recently.

  As part of my current New and Renewable Energy Policy Review, I am considering both the status of the UK wind industry including its prospects in both the home and export markets and its potential contribution to meeting industrial and employment goals, and the need for further research and development. I expect to make an announcement later this year.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of his Department's publications have been made available in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print in 1997–98; and what percentage of the total number of publications this represents. [54272]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: Comprehensive information on the number of documents published in alternative formats is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  However, the Department of Trade and Industry has produced a publication entitled "Read Me" to provide guidance to staff about making publications available to the general public in alternative formats.

  The Department also has a range of information about its policies, programmes and publications on the Internet (www.dti.gov.uk). It is possible to print all DTI pages from the Internet in large print. The pages are also available in audio to those who have access to a Talking Computer.

  Electricity Industry
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many section 36 planning applications for clean coal technology power stations in England are under consideration. [53669]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: None has been submitted by any power generators.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on(a) gas-fired electricity generators and (b) the offshore gas supply industry if the present policy on new consents for gas-fired power stations continue beyond the electricity regulator's target date of April 2000 for the completion of market reforms; and if he will make a statement. [55238]

  Mr. Battle
  On 8 October, the Government published their White Paper Conclusions of The Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation (Cm 4071), which sets out the Government's broad energy policy, including radical reforms to the electricity market and, in the interim, a new stricter policy on consents for power stations. These reforms will bring greater competition to electricity generation and lower prices for consumers. Paragraphs 8.8–8.11 and 10.30 of the White Paper refer respectively to the possible impact on the offshore industry of the policy and to the fact that the interests of the promoters of particular new power generation projects will be one of the factors to be taken into account when applying the new consents policy.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what date he estimates that emissions from clean coal technology in power stations will be reduced to the level of gas-fired power stations. [53319]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: Although commercial clean coal plant can be made to operate to a very high environmental standard, as shown by a number of advanced supercritical plants now in operation around the world, as well as a number of gasification plants at the demonstration scale, for reasons of basic chemistry and economics, it is not practicable to match all the emissions to the levels of natural gas-fired plant.

  The table illustrates the differences in emissions between a commercially available combined cycle gas turbine plant with 55% thermal efficiency and those of a potential commercial clean coal plant with an assumed efficiency of 42%.

  Emissions

  Clean coal plant with 42% efficiency

  Combined cycle gas plant with efficiency of 55%

  CO2

  800g kWh-1

  360g kWh-1

  SO2

  600mg kWh-1

  0

  NOx

  600mg kWh-1

  less than 300mg kWh-1

  Note:

  Lower levels of emissions of SO2 and NOx are possible with more advanced coal plant now at the demonstration stage and which are expected to become commercially available over the next few years.

  Source:

  PowerGen plc.
  1041
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates he has evaluated of the cost of fitting FGD technology to all existing United Kingdom coal-fired power stations currently without FGD. [53310]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: The cost of fitting Flue Gas Desulphurisation equipment (FGD) to coal fired power stations is very site specific, but approximates to around 10% the cost of new plant. There is also a number of different technologies that could be used depending on the level of sulphur removal required. If a limestone-gypsum process was used the estimated costs would probably lie within a range of £80–£100 per kw. Assuming an average cost of £90 per kw, it would cost some £1.8 billion to fit FGD to the remaining 20GW of UK coal fired capacity. These costs exclude the additional running costs associated with coal fired plant subsequently fitted with FGD.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports he has received about the progress of the complaint to the European Commission against discrimination in favour of coal-fired generation in Spain and Germany. [53668]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: The UK Government formally complained to the European Commission in September 1997 that state aid paid to the Spanish coal industry is distorting, or is likely to distort, competition between producers in the single market. We argued that a subsidy of 1 peseta per kilowatt-hour for Spanish electricity plants using Spanish coal should also be available for the use of UK coal if discrimination between ECSC coal producers was to be avoided. We understand the European Commission broadly share this view, and we are pressing the Spanish Government for confirmation that the subsidy will be available on a non-discriminatory basis in respect of all ECSC coals.

  In the case of Germany, we drew the Commission's attention in September 1997 to the possibility of distortion against UK anthracite in the German power station market. Formal complaints against German state aid for power station anthracite were subsequently submitted by Consolidated Coal and Evans and Reid (the agents for Tower Colliery) and by RJB Mining in respect of state aids for German coal production more generally. In June 1998 the Commission approved state aid of DM 10.4 billion for German coal production. I understand that RJB Mining is lodging an appeal to the European Court against this Decision.

  Boardroom Pay
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his proposals for the public utilities to link boardroom pay to consumer performance standards will include linkage with the protection of vulnerable consumers; and if he will make a statement. [54057]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: The Government's proposals for encouraging a direct link between boardroom pay and consumer standards (set out in their response to the consultation on the Green Paper, A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation) will require price-regulated utility
  1042
  companies to disclose the nature of any links between the pay of the directors of the regulated business, and the service standards attained by that business, and if there is no such link, that fact. The proposals do not involve Government determining the nature of these links, which will be for individual regulated companies to decide.

  Minimum consumer performance standards are set for utility companies by the regulators following public consultation. These standards are concerned mainly with standards of service to all consumers, although a small number relate to the disadvantaged. Obligations to provide special services to the disadvantaged are generally imposed by the regulator through licence conditions, enhanced in some areas with voluntary industry initiatives. Licence conditions can be enforced in the event of a breach.

  European Health and Safety Reports
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response his Department has made to the reports of(a) the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Dublin) 1997 and (b) the Bilbao European Agency for Health and Safety at Work 1997; and if he will deposit in the Library a list of all programmes initiated as a result of (a) and (b). [55345]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The various reports of the Dublin Foundation do not require a formal Government response, but are used by the Department to inform its policies. Details of the Foundation's activities are provided on its internet website at http://www.eurofound.ie. Matters concerning the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work are largely a matter for the Health and Safety Executive, which is sponsored by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the conclusions of his review of renewable energy. [54030]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: I am currently considering options for the future development of renewables alongside other ongoing reviews. I expect to make an announcement later this year. In the meantime I announced the fifth Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO-5) Renewables Order in England and Wales on 24 September 1998. 261 projects comprising 1,177 MW of capacity have been contracted under NFFO-5.

  At 30 June 1998, 235 projects, comprising 570 MW (declared net capacity) of renewables generating capacity had been commissioned under the four Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) Orders for England and Wales, two Scottish Renewables Obligation (SRO) Orders and two Northern Ireland NFFO (NI-NFFO) Orders.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent on research into renewable energy technologies in each of the last five years. [55282]

  Mr. Battle
  Spend under the DTI New and Renewable Energy Programme, including research, development,
  1043
  dissemination and demonstration in each of the last five years (covering expenditure agreed before 1 May 1997) is shown in the table.

  £ million

  Year

  1993–94

  25.2

  1994–95

  19.1

  1995–96

  18.1

  1996–97

  114.8

  1997–98

  110.9

  1 These figures allow for the payment and recovery of VAT

  Since coming into office, I have reversed the planned cuts in the overall programme budget set by the previous Government, increasing provision for 1998–99 by £2 million to £11.1 million (net). Beyond 1998–99 expenditure will depend on the outcome of the current policy review.

  EPSRC commitment, through the General Engineering and Engineering for Infrastructure, the Environment and Healthcare Programmes, by financial year, for research into renewable and clean electricity generation is shown in the table.

  £ million

  Year

  1993–94

  1.576

  1994–95

  0.506

  1995–96

  1.935

  1996–97

  2.338

  1997–98

  3.114

  The figures for both the DTI New and Renewable Energy Programme and EPSRC include research into fuel cells—considered to be a clean generation technology.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to commission research into renewable energy technologies using the extra funding announced for the research councils in the Comprehensive Spending Review. [55283]

  Mr. Battle
  The current New and Renewable Energy Policy Review, which is considering the need for further research into renewable energy technologies, is taking account of the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is currently developing a new managed programme in "Renewables and New Energy Technologies". The programme is taking account of the progress of the Government's current New and Renewable Energy Policy Review. It is likely to cover fuel cells, photovoltaics, energy storage and recovery, and research into other renewable energy sources. The programme is due to be launched in 1999.

  EU Auto Oil Programme
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress in adoption of the EU Auto Oil Programme. [54671]
  1044
  Mr. Battle
  The Directives on passenger car emissions, light commercial vehicle emissions and fuel quality, all of which are part of the EU Auto Oil programme, were agreed and adopted on 17 September 1998 and will be published in the Official Journal in due course.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is responsible for implementing these directives in UK law.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what arrangements will be put in place to monitor(a) how long individuals remain on the national minimum wage and (b) the average annual wage increment for people previously receiving minimum rates; [54899]

  (2) what arrangements will be put in place to monitor the numbers of employees receiving the minimum rate of pay set out in the national minimum wage. [54898]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  In her statement of 18 June 1998,Official Report, columns 507–19, announcing the Government's response to the Low Pay Commission's recommendations, the then President of the Board of Trade announced that the Government will be asking the Low Pay Commission to monitor and evaluate the introduction and impact of the minimum wage.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the statements by the Bank of England about the inflationary implications of the minimum wage. [54455]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: The Bank of England is fully aware of the Government's labour market policies, including the National Minimum Wage. Any statements by the Bank on those policies are a matter for them. The Government do not believe that the decisions they have taken on the National Minimum Wage will have an adverse effect on inflation.

  Green Transport
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 59, on departmental transport arrangements, what further changes he has made. [54018]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: My Department is working towards the target announced in the White Paper 'A New Deal for Transport', that all headquarters buildings and main buildings occupied by Executive Agencies and Government Offices for the Regions should have green transport plans by March 1999 and all other key buildings by March 2000.

  Recent activities have included the drafting of a Green Transport Plan, the undertaking of a Travel to Work survey, arrangements for provision of a DETR speaker to all Property Centres on Green Transport Plans, registering with the Cyclists' Touring Club's "Post a Pot-Hole Campaign" and carrying out a traffic survey in the main car park in 1 Victoria Street building.
  1045

  Henly and Dennis Groups (Merger)
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer to the Office of Fair Trading the proposed merger between the Henly Group and the Dennis Group. [55313]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 13 October 1998 that he had decided, in accordance with the advice given by the Director General of Fair Trading, not to refer the proposed acquisition of Dennis Group plc by Henlys Group plc to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  National Broadband Strategy
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce a national broadband strategy. [55275]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government set out their strategy in this area in the policy statements 'Our Information Age' and 'Broadband Britain' which were published in April. The latter dealt specifically with the issue of lifting the broadcast restrictions from BT and other Public Telecommunications Operators. On this issue and in our Information Age strategy, more generally, we are committed to encouraging investment in both advanced communications infrastructure and new services, and ensuring widespread access to services at affordable prices. To ensure that we keep pace with these issues we have also launched a Green Paper reviewing the regulatory framework for telecommunications and broadcasting in response to digital convergence. I also expect, later this year, to launch a consultation on the use of significant additional radio spectrum for the delivery of broadband services which will help address those areas of the country currently with limited competitive provision. Just as important as provision of broadband is uptake and use. We promote this through our Information Society Initiative Programme for Business which now has 60 regional and local Support Centres. I have also relaunched the IT for All programme with £2.75 million of additional money, and now 2,700 access sites across the country.

  Vibration White Finger
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to have a handling arrangement in place to deal with claims for compensation against British Coal with regard to vibration white finger. [55487]

  Mr. Battle
  Following the Court of Appeal judgment handed down at the end of July, my officials, in conjunction with external advisers, have been considering how best to effect the court's findings in the comprehensive draft handling arrangements for the more than 25,000 claims involved. Our proposals on one of the most critical issues have been sent to the solicitors representing the mass of claimants and early discussions are expected to follow.

  We are keen to reach agreement as rapidly as possible on handling arrangements which are fair to all concerned and sufficiently robust to be able to process such a large group of claims.
  1046

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in consultation and negotiation on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment; and if he will make a statement. [53902]

  Mr. Wilson
  At the recent OECD Ministerial meeting (27–28 April 1998), it was agreed that negotiations should continue, seeking a successful and timely conclusion; no deadline was set but I foresee work continuing until the next Ministerial in May 1999, including a period for assessment and further consultation.

  My hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry reported to the Commons Select Committee on European Legislation on the negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) on 8 July and undertook to keep the Committee informed of further developments in negotiations.

  Nuclear Material
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 29 July 1998,Official Report, columns 357–58, if he will indicate the exact (a) quantities, (b) origins and (c) types of nuclear materials withdrawn permanently from safeguards; and if he will list those occasions when nuclear materials were put directly to military uses. [55444]

  Mr. Battle
  As part of the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) the Government initiated a process of declassification and historical accounting for defence fissile material production. Linked to this will be a study of data on past withdrawals from safeguards to determine what additional information on these withdrawals can be made public. In addition, as indicated in the announcement of the SDR, information on future withdrawals of nuclear material from safeguards will be published from time to time.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) of 16 July 1998,Official Report, column 282, what research his Department has carried out into the ways of safeguarding vitrified plutonium; and what assessment he has made of safeguards applied by (a) the International Atomic Energy Agency and (b) Euratom. [55451]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department has not undertaken detailed examination of the safeguards aspects of vitrification as an option for disposal of separated plutonium (UK experience has, to date, been in respect of using separated plutonium in the manufacture of MOX fuel and the measures necessary to safeguard the kind of facilities which are involved). We have, however, contributed to more general international studies, involving both the IAEA and Euratom, of safeguards issues associated with the disposal of irradiated fuel in geological repositories; i.e. issues not dissimilar to those raised by the vitrification option for disposal of separated plutonium. The output from these studies is being assessed by the international safeguards inspectorates.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of uranium the Energy Resources of Australia company proposes to import into
  1047
  the United Kingdom; how much has been imported to date; and what is the role of Euratom in respect of such imports. [55418]

  Mr. Battle
  The companies concerned regard information on the quantities imported as commercially confidential. I am satisfied that there is a reasonable expectation that disclosure of this information would harm their competitive position and that, in accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, the information requested should be protected from disclosure.

  The role of Euratom is set out in the Agreement between the European Atomic Energy Community and the Government of Australia concerning transfers of nuclear material from Australia to the European Atomic Energy Community which was signed in 1981 (Cmnd. 8799). Under the terms of the 1957 Euratom Treaty the uranium imported, like all civil nuclear material in the UK, is subject to Euratom Safeguards. In addition the imports are notified to the Euratom Supply Agency which monitors the supply of nuclear material to the Community.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority changed the name of its decommissioning and radioactive waste management programme from Drawmops to Safer; and when he expects to respond to the report by Arthur D. Little consultants on the programme, published on 19 August. [55419]

  Mr. Battle
  The UKAEA announced the change in name of its decommissioning and radioactive waste management programme from DRAWMOPS (Decommissioning and Radioactive Waste Management Operations) to SAFER (Safe Environmental Remediation) in December 1997 via its staff newspaper "Nucleus". The change of name is for UKAEA internal purposes; the DTI and other government Departments refer to this programme as the UKAEA Nuclear Decommissioning programme.

  The response, in the form of an implementation plan, of the DTI and the UKAEA to the report by Arthur D. Little consultants on the programme was included with the full evaluation report, released on 19 August 1998. Publication arrangements were set out in the DTI press releases P/98/646 and copies of both the summary and full reports are available in the House library.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether there is currently any Japanese highly enriched uranium spent fuel on site at BNFL's Sellafield plant which is due to be transferred to the United States of America; whether any further Japanese highly enriched uranium spent fuel is due to arrive at Sellafield on its way to the United States of America; and under what agreement this temporary storage of Japanese spent fuel at Sellafield takes place. [55491]

  Mr. Battle
  For many years it has been US policy that high enriched uranium fuel supplied by the US for research reactors in Japan and other countries should, when spent, be repatriated for safe management. BNFL have had contracts to ship the spent fuel from Japan (and elsewhere) to the US. This reactor fuel forms part of larger shipments of other material destined for Sellafield 1048
  and for operational reasons has been taken there in preparation for transhipment to the US. There is at present no fuel of this sort at Sellafield nor are any shipments scheduled (though they may take place in future). This and all other activities at Sellafield are regulated under the Nuclear Site Licence granted by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much highly enriched uranium spent fuel owned by foreign customers remains on site at Dounreay; how much is due to be transferred to the United States of America; and what is the condition of this spent fuel. [55490]

  Mr. Battle
  I have asked the Chairman of the UKAEA for this information and his reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will extend the date of implementation for the Working Time Directive to 1 January 1999 to allow employers more time to implement the framework for compliance. [55370]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Regulation implementing the Working Time Directive came into force on 1 October in line with the Government's timetable announced in February.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to assist employers with the additional costs incurred as a direct result of the Working Time Directive. [55369]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government are adopting a broad range of policies with the central aim of boosting the competitiveness of UK industry. Implementation of the Working Time Directive should help competitiveness through combating stress and absenteeism by ensuring that workers receive proper rest, and so reducing costs to industry. The CBI estimate that £25 billion was lost in 1996 due to absenteeism. The London School of Economics also suggest that current staff turnover levels cost employers up to £1,800 million per year. The Working Time Regulations should assist in reducing such figures.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the definition of the term continuous employment under the Working Time Directive. [55340]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Any worker who has worked continuously with their employer for 13 weeks will be entitled to 3 weeks' annual leave. Continuous employment is considered to be a period of time in which a worker has a contractual relationship with the employer.

  Silver (Lion Mark)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the EC Commission on the use of the lion mark for British silver; and what proposals he has in respect of the future use of the lion mark for British silver. [55348]
  1049
  Dr. Howells
  During negotiations on a Commission proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of Member States relating to articles of precious metal, my Department has consistently sought to ensure that the lion mark can continue to be struck on Sterling silver. Because single market rules now require the United Kingdom to accept a wider range of standards of finenesses for silver, I am, however, proposing to amend the Hallmarking Act to require that the fineness of silver articles be shown millesimally (as is already the case for gold) to aid consumer understanding. However, where requested, the UK assay offices would continue to strike the lion on Sterling silver alongside the figures "925".

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the maximum cost-per-job offered in grant under regional selective assistance was in 1997–98 in England. [55425]

  Mrs. Roche
  The maximum cost per job offered was £15,000.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the criteria to be used in the review of assisted area status; how the review will be conducted; who will be consulted; and if he will make a statement. [55288]

  Mrs. Roche
  On 30 July I launched a 3 month period of public consultation on the criteria and the geographical units which should be used in drawing up the new Assisted Areas map. In making a decision on both the geographical units and the criteria to be used, we shall be looking particularly at ways in which we can best target areas where regional industrial assistance is both needed and is an effective policy response. The consultation period finishes on 30 October and we shall listen carefully to views expressed. No decisions have yet been taken on the criteria to be used.

  4,800 copies of the public consultation document were produced. The document has been given a wide circulation to local authorities, business support organisations, Regional Development Agencies, rural development bodies, employers' and employees' organisations, academics, research bodies, members of the public and other interested parties. The document is also available on internet and, to date, 145 people have accessed the site.

  The review will be conducted in accordance with the Commission guidelines.

  Agenda 2000
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Agenda 2000 reforms to EU structural funds. [54855]

  Mrs. Roche
  Discussions are continuing between Member States and the Commission on the reform of the Structural and Cohesion Funds.
  1050
  The Cardiff Council at the end of the UK Presidency set a deadline of March 1999 for agreement on the Agenda 2000 package. The UK will make every effort to ensure that this deadline is met.

  Under the UK Presidency, we reached agreement on a number of principles for making the administration of the Funds simpler and more effective.

  In the discussions starting again this autumn, the UK will continue to seek an outcome that is fair and affordable to all future and existing Member States, but particularly the UK.

  Lord Sainsbury of Turville
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when Lord Sainsbury of Turville(a) took up his duties as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at his Department, (b) relinquished his business responsibilities and (c) divested himself of his beneficial shareholdings; [55280]

  (2) what arrangements he has made to ensure that there can be no conflict of interest between the ministerial duties of Lord Sainsbury of Turville and his business connections and shareholdings; and if he will make a statement. [55279]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Lord Sainsbury issued the following statement on 31 July that answered these questions:"When I was appointed as a Minister in the DTI on 28 July, I was still Chairman of J. Sainsbury plc and the owner of a major shareholding in the company together with a variety of lesser financial interests.
  In order to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interests with my Ministerial responsibilities I have arranged my private interests, in consultations with the Permanent Secretary.
  I resigned as Chairman of Sainsbury's yesterday, and prior to that date saw no official papers. I now hold no other company directorships.
  I have today created a blind trust into which I am placing all my shareholdings, including my shares in Sainsbury's. Overseas trusts, the income of which I am a beneficiary, are being treated similarly. I have today exercised my options over shares in Sainsbury's which have been sold.
  The size of my shareholding in Sainsbury's means that I shall retain, and know that I retain, a beneficial interest in that company via the blind trust. I shall therefore stand aside from decisions or discussions having any specific effect on the company, including eg competition decisions concerning the company or questions of planning policy, and my officials have been instructed to keep issues giving rise to potential conflicts away from me. On generic issues such as competition policy or corporate governance, I shall have to use my judgment, as have Ministers in the past, to decide whether the issues at stake involve the possibility of particular advantage for Sainsbury's, and whether I therefore need to stand aside.
  Ministers are not involved in decisions on individual science projects in accordance with the long established Haldane principle, such matters being for decision by the Research Councils; and Research Councils funding goes to universities and scientific institutes rather than firms. The wider science issues with which I shall be dealing are generic, and I am advised are unlikely to lead to potential conflicts of interest. In the event of such a potential conflict, decisions would be taken by the Secretary of State or another DTI Minister."

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 29 July 1998,
  1051
  Official Report, column 355, if he will list the scientific and industrial organisations consulted by his Department about the impact on the United Kingdom science base and the competitiveness of the United Kingdom's science-based industries of the increasing burden of regulation on applications for research and development projects involving animals. [55380]

  Mr. Battle
  The Department of Trade and Industry has not consulted any organisation specifically about the changes to the regulations in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and its impact on the UK science base and industry.

  The Home Office, who lead on this regulation, has received a number of representations on this subject. Both Ministers and Civil Servants have been in discussion with individual companies and representative associations on this matter and will continue to do so.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 23 July 1998,Official Report, column 610, on the export of Hawk aircraft to Indonesia, how many export licences were granted for each of the ancillary equipment controlled under each type of the entries; and when each type of those licences was granted. [55224]

  Mrs. Roche
  In my answer to my hon. Friend on 23 July 1998,Official Report, column 610, I stated that a number of licences were issued on 2 January 1996 and on 22 November 1996 covering the export to Indonesia of Hawk aircraft and ancillary equipment, and that the export of that ancillary equipment was controlled under entries ML4, ML5, ML10, ML15, ML16, ML18, ML22 and PL5017 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended.

  Seven licences were issued on each date, covering Hawk aircraft, weapons systems and spares: four covered equipment controlled under entries ML10, ML15, ML16, ML18, ML22 or PL5017; two covered ancillary equipment controlled under entries ML4, ML5 or ML10; and one covered Hawk aircraft and ancillary equipment controlled under entry ML10.

  Export Licences
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the application of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989 to the issuing of licences by United Kingdom companies for production overseas. [55217]

  Mrs. Roche
  A UK company does not require a licence under the Export of Goods (Control) Order to allow production of its products in another country. If, however, in order to enable the production to go ahead the company needed to supply controlled technology from the UK, it would need a licence. The export of most specialised components of controlled goods is also controlled.

  Government Purchase Cards
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being
  1052
  achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55170]

  Mr. Mandelson
  My Department plans to introduce the Government Procurement Card through Company Barclaycard November 1998—initially in four pilot areas. Assuming a successful pilot, full roll out throughout the Department is planned from February 1999 onwards. Consultants undertook a study in the Department in the summer of 1998 that indicated that process savings of up to 53 per cent. could be made by adopting the card for minor purchases.

  Of the Department's agencies, the Radio-communications Agency will introduce the GPC if the planned pilot demonstrates the value of doing so. The other agencies are awaiting the results of the central Department's adoption of the Card to assess its potential use in their areas.

  Trade (China)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the implementation of the recommendations of the Davies report on China trade promotion. [55474]

  Mr. Wilson
  Implementation of the main recommendations of the report on China trade promotion is now well underway:from 1 September the renamed China British Business Council (CBBC), under its new President Sir Charles Powell, began the task of identifying key sectors of business on which to focus the main thrust of our trade promotion effort;
  the CBBC is in the process of identifying a new Chief Executive, with the aim of appointing a suitable applicant before the end of the year;
  a major conference will take place on 8 December to assess the results of the recent visit by the Prime Minister to China, and how these can most effectively be followed up;
  during his visit the Prime Minister announced the appointment of Michael Heseltine to head the British side of the new China Britain forum;
  the Prime Minister secured the agreement in principle of the Chinese Government, to the opening of a new British Consulate in Chongqing which will further enhance our commercial and diplomatic efforts in inland China.

  These steps, and others currently being considered by the Government and other interested parties, are aimed at helping more capable British companies, in particular SMEs, to benefit from the continuing opportunities in the Chinese market along the lines recommended in the Davies report.

  Redundancies
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the number of notified redundancies in each of the last three years among(a) 18 to 24, (b) 25 to 35, (c) 36 to 54 and (d) over 54 year olds. [55153]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  This information is not available as employers notifying of prospective redundancies under the statutory duty are not required to specify the ages of those employees who may be affected.
  1053

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55267]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Dedicated spaces which can accommodate a flexible number of motorcycles are provided in two locations on the Departmental estate where car parks are small. In all other locations there is ample space within car parks to meet demand on the Departmental estate without dedicating spaces for the purpose of motorcycle parking. All of the Department's car parks are secure.

  Arbitration
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the role of(a) trade associations and (b) the Office of Fair Trading in respect of the referral of disputes to arbitration. [55586]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  A number of trade associations offer consumers who have unresolved complaints with their members the option of using arbitration to settle the matter.

  The Director General of Fair Trading encourages trade associations and others operating voluntary regulatory systems to adopt independent dispute resolution mechanisms to deal with such complaints and advises consumers of the existence of such schemes. He has no formal role in the referral of specific individual disputes to such arbitration or Ombudsmen schemes.

  Use by consumers of arbitration schemes is optional. The consumer may decide to litigate. There are advantages of both arbitration and litigation and it is for consumers to decide which option suits them best.

  Business Links
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to disseminate best practice amongst Business Links. [47143]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: The Business Link Network Company Ltd., together with the Business Links and National Partners, has developed a Good Practice Campaign to build upon the activity already taking place. The campaign is expected to be launched in the summer.

  The methods for dissemination of the resulting best practice include Best Practice Champions, workshops, case studies and the BLNC' s Intranet site.

  British Coal
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her Department's policy on the use of the proceeds from the sale of British Coal land and assets. [52448]

  Mr. Battle
  The net proceeds generated from the sale of British Coal's land and subsidiary undertakings were retained to help meet the Corporation's liabilities. The disposal programme was effectively completed by March 1998.
  1054

  Millennium Dome (Sponsors)
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the total level of sponsorship funding for the Dome's contents which has been contractually agreed; and if he will list the sponsors and the sums involved. [50736]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 16 July 1998]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) have identified over £100m of sponsorship, from companies such as BT, BSkyB, Manpower, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, BA and BAA. Negotiations on the detailed contracts between these companies and the NMEC are at an advanced stage. The unique scale of this project, including the sponsorship target, inevitably means that both sponsors and the NMEC are breaking new ground and careful and detailed work is therefore required before contracts can be confirmed.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cattle Cull
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of the cattle cohort cull, indicating(a) his original estimate of the number of animals to be slaughtered, (b) the number slaughtered to date and (c) the number remaining to be slaughtered; and if all of (c) have been identified. [51927]

  Mr. Rooker
  With regard to the estimate of the total number of animals to be slaughtered under the cull, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Levitt) on 19 March 1998,Official Report, columns 727–28, when a forecast of 80,000 to 85,000 animals was provided.

  The selective cull is progressing very well, with well over 74,000 animals slaughtered in the UK. The cull of animals in Northern Ireland is already complete.

  The number of animals which will ultimately be slaughtered under the cull depends on a variety of factors, including: the proportion of animals in the voluntary cohort year which are offered up for slaughter, and the number of animals sold out of their original herd which, when traced, are found to be already dead. Accordingly, while it is difficult to estimate the number of animals still to be slaughtered under the cull, it will be considerably less than the remaining 12,000 animals identified as being eligible for slaughter.

  Cereal Seeds
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tonnes of British cereal seed were used in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [52773]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Ministry does not collect statistics on the tonnage of cereal seed used in the United Kingdom but the majority used for sowing is produced in this country.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of imports to the United Kingdom of cereal seed comes from the USA; and if he will make a statement. [52771]
  1055
  Mr. Rooker
  In 1997, only 0.027 per cent. of cereal seed imported into the United Kingdom came from the USA. This figure, which is calculated on the basis of volume, includes imports of common wheat, meslin, barley, maize and sorghum seeds. The import of cereal seed into the United Kingdom from the USA is an extremely small proportion of total imports of cereal seed and has not fluctuated significantly in recent years.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the use of British cereal seed in the United Kingdom. [52772]

  Mr. Rooker
  The use of British or imported cereal seed is a matter for individual growers. I welcome the fact that the majority of cereal seed for sowing used in the United Kingdom is produced in this country.

  Growth Promoters
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of carcases in abattoirs are checked to ensure that antibiotics, coccidiostats, medical substances and growth promoters are not present in quantities above the maximum permitted levels. [54664]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is responsible for the surveillance of veterinary residues under Council Directive 96/23/EC. This requires Member States to carry out large scale sampling, on-farm and at slaughterhouses, to look for a wide range of veterinary medicinal products including antibiotics, coccidiostats, medicinal substances and growth promoters. Member states are required to take samples amounting to fixed percentages of animals (0.275% of cattle, 0.05% of pigs, 0.05% sheep, and for poultry 1 sample per 200 tonnes of dead-weight production, of which 90% are taken from abattoirs). The actual number of samples to be taken in a given year is determined by the number of animals slaughtered in the previous year, or which the Competent Authority forecasts will be slaughtered during the year, so that, within prescribed confidence limits, Member States can be satisfied that the results obtained are representative of what is happening nationally.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that meat from animals reared on growth promoters is labelled as such. [54666]

  Mr. Rooker
  The use of hormone growth promoters in food producing animals has been banned in the European Community since 1988. Any third country which permits the use of growth promoting hormones is required to guarantee that no animals to which they have been administered and no meat from such animals will be exported to the Community. Imports must be certified accordingly and Commission inspectors verify compliance with all the requirements.

  Antibiotic growth promoters used in animal feed act in the gut of animals and are not absorbed. Residues would not therefore be expected in meat. Antibiotics used in veterinary medicine are all subject to a period of withdrawal before treated animals may be slaughtered for human consumption, or their products are marketed, to ensure no residues are present.
  1056
  Given the above information, I do not believe it necessary to consider labelling.

  Pigs (Artificial Insemination)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what amendments to Schedule 6 of the Domestic Pig AI Regulations he is proposing to control the use of on-farm AI to reduce the risk of disease spreading through the movement of unlicensed semen. [54827]

  Mr. Rooker
  Schedule 6 of the draft Pig Artificial Insemination Regulations sets out revised controls on the unlicensed supply of porcine semen. The proposed controls would be more stringent than those currently in place. The Schedule received mixed reactions from the Industry at consultation and will be considered further when work on the draft Regulations is resumed.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons the review of the Domestic Pig AI Regulations has not been completed. [54826]

  Mr. Rooker
  The review of the Artificial Insemination of Pigs Regulations was suspended on 14 April in order to allow the temporary re-deployment of staff to work on the lifting of the EC beef export ban. The work has not yet been resumed.

  Alternative Crops
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what programmes of support his Ministry is currently making available for the development of alternative crops. [54828]

  Mr. Rooker
  This year, we have increased grants for the establishment of short rotation coppice near the UK's first biomass-fuelled power station. The Ministry has promoted alternative crops at agricultural shows, seminars, workshops and through a dedicated Website. Expenditure on strategic research and development totals £1.1 million annually.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons he has not requested that alternative crops are afforded the same treatment under the IACS payment scheme as existing comparable crops under Agenda 2000. [54830]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission has undertaken to produce a report on non-food and energy crops within the context of Agenda 2000. The Government are considering their approach towards this.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department expects to spend in each year from 1998–99 to 2000–01 on vehicle replacements. [54988]

  Mr. Morley
  The Ministry expects to spend just under £1.5 million in 1998–99 on vehicle replacements. Following the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review, plans for future years have yet to be finalised.

  Organophosphates
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the use of humans in trials involving organophosphates. [55029]
  1057
  Mr. Rooker
  The Government do not require data from trials carried out on human volunteers to be submitted by applicants for pesticides approvals or veterinary medicines licences.

  Applications for marketing authorisations for human medicines require data from trials in human volunteers; however regulatory approval is not required prior to undertaking such studies.

  Any trials that are carried out in the UK are subject to two levels of control. First, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (made under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974) apply as they would to any workplace activity. Second, good practice in respect of ethical standards is set down by the Helsinki Declaration and guidance from the Royal College of Physicians. Under these guidelines, studies require the approval of an ethics committee which takes full account of the rights of the volunteers.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's current evaluation of the extent to which(a) short-term and (b) long-term exposure to organophosphorus compounds produces chronic illnesses. [55336]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are advised by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) in relation to pesticides, and by the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) in relation to veterinary medicines. On current available evidence it seems very likely that exposure to high doses of organophosphorus compounds can result in long term ill health (in addition to acute toxic effects). The range of effects is described in paragraphs 2.4 to 2.6 of the Official Group on OPs Report to Ministers (copies of which are in the Library of the House). What is more open to question and now being reassessed by our advisory committees is the long term effect of low level exposure.

  As part of this reassessment the Government have invited a specialist sub-group of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) to consider a range of issues surrounding short term and long term exposure to OP compounds in general, including what evidence exists that chronic illness arises from long term exposure to OPs. The sub-committee has already begun its task.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the reviews and research into the effect of organophosphorus compounds on human health which his Department has initiated since 1 May 1997, indicating who is carrying out the research and when it is expected to be completed. [55337]

  Mr. Rooker
  Since 1 May 1997, we have commissioned a study at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency on the dose effect profiles for OP sheep dips on brain electrical activity and cognitive performance in non-human primates. This is due to be completed in May 1999.

  As part of the national arrangements for the review of existing approved pesticides, the regulatory Departments responsible for pesticides announced on 13 May 1998 the start of a review of those organophosphorus and
  1058
  carbamate pesticides approved for agricultural use. The first stage of this review is expected to be completed by January 1999.

  The use of OP sheep dips was last reviewed by the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) in February 1997. The VPC confirmed earlier advice that, provided they are used safely and in accordance with manufacturers' instructions, there is no scientific justification for withdrawing them from the market.

  Loan Guarantee Scheme
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to expedite the proposal for the establishment of a loan guarantee scheme under EAGGF Measure 3.1; what obstacles regarding the state aid criterion in this matter have been raised; and if he will make a statement. [55222]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have recently received a draft outline proposal detailing how the proposed loan guarantee scheme under the Objective 5b Programme for the South West region would operate. This is currently being considered by officials. If it is decided to proceed with the Loan Guarantee Fund Parliamentary approval will be required, as will the formal clearance of the Fund as a State Aid from the European Commission. The agreement of the Commission will also be required to amend the Single Programme Document (SPD) for the South West to enable the Loan Guarantee Fund to be included within the Objective 5b Programme.

  Rural Communities (Job Losses)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the net job losses in rural communities resulting from the BSE crisis. [55036]

  Mr. Rooker
  In March 1997, UK Agriculture Departments and HM Treasury commissioned an independent study from DTZ Pieda Consulting to assess the economic impact of BSE on the UK economy. The study was completed in March of this year and a copy of the published report has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The report did not separately identify rural employment impacts, but concluded that, whilst the potential for job losses across the economy was high, actual job losses as a result of BSE were limited. Some 1,000 net job losses (less than 0.5% of the jobs involved in the meat production process) were identified in the 12 months following the outbreak of the crisis. The shift in demand to substitute meats, and the provision of subsidies and compensation payments, both helped to retain jobs. However the report drew attention to the likelihood of future adjustments as the crisis support measures are gradually withdrawn.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the European Commission's progress on the pooling of milk quotas. [55033]
  1059
  Mr. Rooker
  Pooling of milk quotas would presumably involve over-production of milk by some member states being netted-off by the under-production of others. This is not provided for in the European Commission's Agenda 2000 proposals on the reform of the CAP dairy regime and there is little evidence of any enthusiasm for such a measure amongst member states.

  BSE
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his most recent estimate of the total cost to public funds of the BSE crisis. [55017]

  Mr. Rooker
  The current estimated cost of the BSE crisis is £4.6 billion over the period 1996/97 to 2001/2002. About 45 per cent. of this sum will be reimbursed by the European Community.

  Farmers (Compensatory Payments)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make an application to the EU for compensatory payments to farmers for the effects of the current value of sterling. [55223]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government fully recognise the effect that the recent strength of sterling is having on the agricultural industry. The EU agrimonetary rules permit the UK to pay compensatory aid within a maximum ceiling to offset the income effects of revaluations of the sterling "green" rate. Following sterling revaluations in 1997 and 1998 about £165 million of aid is currently available to the UK, most of which is payable only to the cereal and beef sectors. The operation of the UK's EU budget abatement means that even paying the EU-reimbursed element of this aid carries significant public expenditure implications for the UK exchequer. Broadly speaking, the UK exchequer would bear around 71 per cent. of the costs of the £118 million EU-reimbursed element of this aid, and 100 per cent. of the costs of the £47 million national element making up this package.

  It is against this background—and a tight position on public spending—that we have to take decisions about agrimonetary compensation. In recognition of the special circumstances facing the livestock sector, we announced on 18 December 1997 a one year, one-off package of aid to the beef and sheep sectors worth £85 million. This aid has provided substantial additional assistance to this sector.

  My colleagues and I continue to keep the situation under review and are listening to the representations being made by the farming unions.

  Cyber Fish
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has conducted on the(a) ethics and (b) economics of the cyber fish developed by a Norwegian scientist to lead fish into stationary nets. [55242]

  Mr. Morley
  MAFF has not undertaken any research into the ethics or economics of cyber fish, nor has it plans of doing so.
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  Fisheries
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for East Yorkshire (Mr. Townend) of 17 March 1998,Official Report, column 539, for what reasons the derogation in respect of the 6 and 12 miles limits will continue after 2002; and if he will list those Governments who have indicated they do not support extension. [55401]

  Mr. Morley
  It is clear that other Member States share our interest in protecting inshore fleets and therefore value the restrictions on access within 6 and 12 mile limits. None has indicated that it will not support the continuation of these provisions beyond 2002 and the European Commission has confirmed that it expects them to be maintained. There was unanimous agreement the last time they were renewed in 1992.

  Green CAP
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the expansion of co-financible activities for a green common agricultural policy in accordance with Corn (97) 620. [55327]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission's report of December 1997 on the implementation of agri-environment schemes within the European Union (Corn (97) 620) made a number of suggestions for the strengthening of agri-environment programmes both in financial terms and in terms of quality. It notes that these should be considered in the context of the proposals arising from Agenda 2000.

  Under the UK Presidency, Member States agreed that agri-environment measures should remain an important part of the CAP reform process, and also began detailed consideration, as part of the Agenda 2000 process, of the Commission's proposal for the future development of agri-environmental and rural development policy. This has brought together amended measures from nine existing Council regulations and aims to be the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy. The proposed rural development regulation will allow Member States to prioritise their requirements for environmental action, structural adjustment, diversification and other measures in support of rural communities. The Commission propose the allocation of an extra 180 million ecu (£124.2 million) for agri-environmental measures. Such measures will be a compulsory element of development plans drawn up under the regulation.

  In England, the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review for MAFF, which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 29 July 1998, Official Report, columns 341–45, established measures to sustain and enhance an attractive and accessible countryside as a key priority for MAFF. We will continue to expand the areas under agreement under the major agri-environment schemes.

  In the long term, we would like to see the Common Agricultural Policy reformed to phase out production linked support, allowing European farming to develop into a competitive industry that can survive and prosper in increasingly open markets. We would wish to see part

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  of the savings from a reduction in production support diverted to measures which will protect and enhance the environment and help the rural economy adjust, particularly in more fragile rural areas.

  Pigs
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to press the European Commission to introduce measures to limit the growth in pig numbers in the European Union. [55489]

  Mr. Rooker
  None, as I do not believe that it would be in the United Kingdom pigmeat industry's best interests to do so. However, in response to representations from the UK and other Member States the Commission have extended and increased export refunds for pigmeat, and introduced a private storage aid scheme.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) private pet owners and (b) commercial dog and cat breeders were prosecuted, and on what charges, under anti-rabies quarantine legislation in each of the last five years. [55470]

  Mr. Rooker
  Information on the breakdown of prosecutions between those of private pet owners and those of commercial dog and cat breeders is not held centrally. The number of prosecutions under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 reported to this Department by local authorities in each of the last five years is:

  1993: 53

  1994: 71

  1995: 64

  1996: 66

  1997: 50.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral statement of 30 July 1998,Official Report, columns 621–30, if he will make a further statement about progress on genetically modified crops. [55675]

  Mr. Rooker
  In my statement on 30 July I reported fully on the background to MAFF's non-enforcement of regulation 11(3) of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982. I stated then that I intended to put in hand immediate action to remove the requirement in regulation 11(3) to provide replicated trials data which is redundant and serves no useful purpose. I also indicated that we were considering urgently how the position of varieties already added to the National List or currently in tests and trials without replicated trials data should be regularised.

  A formal consultation on the revocation of regulation 11(3) was launched on 6 August, and a further consultation was launched on 17 September setting out proposals for the regularisation of varieties already added to the National List or currently in tests and trials. The proposals contained in the 17 September consultation would have regularised the position of varieties already added to the National List, but would have continued to
  1062
  require replicated trials data, albeit submitted after applications had been received, from tests and trials carried out prior to the date of application.

  However, in the light of representations received during the consultation process we concluded that there are no good reasons for differentiating between the treatment of varieties already on the National List, and those that are only part way through statutory tests and trials. Accordingly, we therefore issued revised proposals on 8 October which would revoke the requirement to submit replicated trials results (as already proposed in the 6 August consultation), and permit Ministers to determine all applications not yet determined by the date the regulations come into force, notwithstanding the absence of replicated trials data. These proposals are fully in line with the comments of the Court of Appeal that the position ought now to be resolved speedily and decisively across the board. The Court of Appeal also said that it would seem surprising if at least the possibility of retrospective amendment were not to be considered.

  This latest consultation will end on 30 October, following which Ministers will give careful consideration to the views expressed by respondents before deciding on the final form of the amending Statutory Instrument. In the meantime the data requirements of regulation 11(3) are being operated. (Copies of all three consultation documents have been placed in the Library of the House).

  So far as genetically modified varieties are concerned controls are addressed under separate legislation, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the regulations made under it. Genetically modified varieties are not accepted into National List tests unless they have been given the appropriate consents under this legislation.

  In my statement I also spoke of the need to ensure that organic farmers are not adversely affected by the introduction of GMO crops. I said that MAFF and DETR would be working with the farming community and representatives of organic farming to ensure that the expansion of organic farming was not compromised by the introduction of genetically modified crops. The Government's aim is to promote dialogue between the organic and GM sectors so that practical steps can be taken to avoid problems.

  This commitment is being taken forward in a number of ways. MAFF is commissioning research on the factors affecting the likelihood and consequences of gene transfer between genetically modified and organically produced crops and factors influencing the probability of such transfer. This research is being commissioned so that those concerned with defining and regulating organic crop production are able to draw on relevant data and information.

  Cattle Tracing System
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made at the British Cattle Movement Service since the launch of the computerised Cattle Tracing System for Great Britain on 28 September. [55676]

  Mr. Rooker
  The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) launched the new Cattle Tracing System for Great Britain on 28 September 1998. As of 14 October, the BCMS has issued 120,666 passports and processed
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  26,520 notifications of cattle movements. The BCMS has also dealt with over 50,000 calls to the local call rate Helpline since it opened on 1 July 1998.

  Passport production peaked on 10 October when 23,747 passports were issued. The busiest day for the Helpline was 29 September when 1,914 calls were received.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the objectives of the forthcoming consultation exercise on genetically-modified organisms; and if it will include consultation about(a) genetically modified organisms in human food
  1064
  products, (b) genetically modified organisms in animal foodstuffs and (c) labelling of products derived from genetically modified organisms. [53386]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The public consultation exercise will seek the views of the general public on advances in the biosciences, including genetic modification. It will not initially focus on any specific area such as health or food, but will ask for views on the information available on genetics and its applications. We will seek to explore the way that people use this information to inform their judgments relating to risk and trust. For example, we expect to explore the role of Government, industry and others in the public perception of the biosciences and seek views on how effective current mechanisms are.

  Wild Birds: Fisheries Protection
  Wild Birds: Fisheries Protection
  West Moors Bypass
  West Moors Bypass
  House Building: Funding
  House Building: Funding
  Housing Stock: Renovation
  Housing Stock: Renovation
  Legal Aid Board: Civil Advice
  Legal Aid Board: Civil Advice
  Harbour Porpoises: Pembrokeshire
  Harbour Porpoises: Pembrokeshire
  Union Flag: Constitutional Status
  Union Flag: Constitutional Status
  Airspace: Definition
  Airspace: Definition
  Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes: Membership
  Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes: Membership
  Salmon Fishing
  Salmon Fishing
  Sand Eel Population: Protection
  Sand Eel Population: Protection
  Unidentified Flying Objects
  Unidentified Flying Objects
  Defence Diversification
  Defence Diversification
  Military Attachments: Estonia and Latvia
  Military Attachments: Estonia and Latvia
  Northern Ireland: Abortion Laws
  Northern Ireland: Abortion Laws
  Minister for the Disabled
  Minister for the Disabled