Written Answers of 22 October 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  M6
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the membership of the West Midlands regional planning conference with responsibility for the proposed M6 capacity study and (b) those parties he intends to invite to participate in the study partnership. [55602]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The West Midlands to the North West conurbation study will be taken forward in partnership with the West Midlands and North West regional planning conferences, the Regional Development Agencies, the Highways Agency and OPRAF. In the West Midlands the regional planning conference is the Regeneration and Environment Committee of the West Midlands Local Government Association. The members of the committee are:

  Birmingham City Council: Cllrs. B. F. Bird, A. Bore, B. Clarke, A. Coulson, F. Coyne, G. Coyne, J. Chapman, B. Harvey, R. Hassall, I. W. M. McCardle, D. Minnis, P. G. Murphy, R. Pinney, A. M. Rudge, R. Spector, T. J. Stewart, M. Whitby, M. Wells

  Bridgnorth District Council: Cllr. C. J. Lea

  Bromsgrove District Council: Cllr. R. Clayton

  Cannock District Council: Cllr. G. E. Roberts

  Coventry City Council: Cllrs. J. V. Gazey, J. McNicholas, H. N. Nolan

  Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council: Cllrs. G. H. Davies, A. J. Fletcher, M. C. Knight, D. H. Sparks, R. Tomkinson, C. L. Woodall, R. D. Burt

  East Staffordshire Borough Council: Cllr. P. Perry

  Herefordshire County Council: Cllrs. T. M. James, R. C. Summers, B. Tannatt Nash, D. W. Rule

  Lichfield District Council: Cllr. E. Drinkwater

  Malvern Hills District Council: Cllr. J. Ford

  Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council: Cllr. H. Matthews

  North Shropshire District Council: Cllr. D. Hollis

  North Warwickshire Borough Council: Cllr. D. Birkinshaw

  Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council: Cllr. M. J. Jones

  Oswestry Borough Council: Cllr. S. Jones

  Redditch Borough Council: Cllr. R. Passingham

  Rugby Borough Council: Cllr. B. Levy

  Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council: Cllrs. S. C. Eling, S. Smith

  Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council: Cllr. D. Moore

  Shropshire County Council: Cllrs. P. A. Engleheart, E. J. Everall, D. Hill, N. Hartin, R. Walker

  Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council: Cllrs. M. Corser, L. W. P. Kyles, J. A. Morris. G. E. Richards, J. Reed

  South Shropshire District Council: Cllr. J. H. Meredith

  South Staffordshire District Council: Cllr. W. F. Brownhill

  Stafford Borough Council: Cllr. P. A. Walker

  1158

  Staffordshire County Council: Cllrs. T. A. Dix, A. R. Hanchard, D. Heptonstall, C. E. Holland, W. Hughes, R. Roberts, T. J. Wakefield, A. G. Ward

  Staffodshire Moorlands District Council: Cllr. S. H. Proffitt

  Stoke-on-Trent City Council: Cllrs. B. Holmes, A. Jones, P. A. Shaw, B. G. Stockley, J. Edwards

  Stratford on Avon District Council: Cllr. T. Baxter

  Tamworth Borough Council: Cllr. S. R. Tonks

  Telford and Wrekin City Council: Cllrs. D. Blackwell, D. Davies, C. Smith

  Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council: Cllrs. M. R. Burley, B. Douglas-Maul, S. K. Peart, T. Perrett, I. Shires, H. Smith, H. Withnall

  Warwick District Council: Cllr. B. Evans

  Warwickshire County Council: Cllrs. G. D. Collett, D. A. Forwood, M. Heatley, J. A. Tandy, H. A. Thomas

  Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council: Cllrs. A. Hart, R. C. Lawrence, J. McCallum, M. Jaspal, P. Allen

  Worcester City Council: Cllr. M. Wills

  Worcestershire County Council: Cllrs. R. A. A. Bullock, C. R. Beardwood, P. H. Fallows, E. B. Tucker, H. Purcell, L. Townley

  Wychavon District Council: Cllr. J. Payne

  Wyre Forest District Council: Cllr. D. A. Lewis

  West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority: Cllrs. S. C. Stacey, P. Tilsley, R. Paice, R. Badham, D. Batten

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) timescale and (b) terms of reference for the proposed study of capacity problems on the M6 between the West Midlands and the North West conurbation. [55601]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We will shortly be consulting regional planning conferences on the timing for all the studies proposed in A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England. However, we expect to agree an early start date for this study.

  The study will consider the scope for modal shift to address environmental and congestion problems on the M6. The detailed terms of reference for the study will be drawn up in consultation with local authorities and other interests.

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what exemptions of specific materials are(a) in place and (b) being considered for the landfill tax. [55665]

  Mr. Meale
  There are currently exemptions from Landfill Tax for:(a) material dredged from harbours and inland waterways; (b) mining and quarrying waste; (c) waste arising from the reclamation of contaminated land; and (d) for disposal of pets in pet cemeteries. As announced in the last budget, there will be an exemption for the restoration of landfill sites and the backfilling of quarries. DETR and Customs have been consulting the landfill and quarrying industries in developing this new exemption. Full details will be announced in due course.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations his Department has received from contractors and trade associations about exemptions and rebates from landfill tax, with particular reference to top soil and inert natural materials. [55668]
  1159
  Mr. Meale
  DETR and Customs have been consulting the landfill and quarrying industries in developing the exemption from Landfill Tax for the restoration of landfill sites and the backfilling of quarries. In the course of that consultation there have been many representations from trade associations and individual operators in both industries. The exemption will be restricted in inert materials. Full details will be announced in due course.

  Sewage Treatment
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what timetable his Department plans to set for the installation of secondary treatment works at the Southern Water sewage treatment plant at Yaverland on the Isle of Wight. [55725]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government announced in September that secondary sewage treatment would be required for all significant coastal outfalls in England and Wales. In cases which were formerly potential derogations to a lower level of treatment, such as Yaverland, we will encourage water and sewerage companies to make as rapid progress as possible with installation of secondary treatment. The timing of investment is being discussed between the Environment Agency and individual companies and will be agreed by Ministers early next year, as part of an approved company investment programme.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses his Department received to its consultation on transitional provisions to cover the period before and following the extension of Part M of the building regulations to new dwellings; and what percentage of these were from(a) disability organisations, (b) building-related bodies and (c) housing providers. [55863]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Department has received 66 responses to its consultation on transitional provisions to cover the period before and following the extension of Part M of the Building Regulations to new dwellings. Of these responses: 29% were from disability organisations; 41% were from building related bodies (half of which were national or regional associations or professional bodies); and 8% were from housing providers.

  A full list of those who responded has been lodged in the House Library.

  House Building
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revise his Department's estimate that 4.4 million new homes will need to be built by 2016 to satisfy demand; and if he will make a statement. [55763]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The next set of household projections is due to be published early in 1999.

  Climate Change Consultation Paper
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish the Government's climate change consultation paper. [56627]
  1160
  Mr. Prescott
  On Monday 26 October I will launch a consultation paper seeking views on policy options for meeting our climate change targets. Copies of the document will be available from the Vote Office and placed in the Libraries of the House.

  National Bus Company Pensions
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons he has now decided to seek an out of court settlement to the current legal action on National Bus Company pensions. [56628]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Litigation was set in train by the decision of the previous Government to offer the trustees funding to pursue this matter through the courts. In view of this it would not have been appropriate to begin negotiations on a settlement until the details of this complex case had been fully prepared and all the relevant facts and arguments were known to and considered by both parties. The Trustees submitted the final part of their claims in July this year. The Government received strong legal advice that they should lodge their own response with the court before opening discussions on an out of court settlement. The Secretary of State initiated settlement discussions as soon as that stage was reached.

  Local Deprivation Index
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the technical report on revising and updating the Index of Local Deprivation will be published.[56629]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have placed in the House Library the report describing the technical details of revising and updating the Index of Local Deprivation, the results of which were published in June of this year.

  Environmental Pollution Report
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to respond to the Twentieth report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. [56677]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government have today published their response to the Twentieth Report, on Transport and the Environment. Copies of the Response have been Laid before the House.

  The Government's response to the Commission closely follows their recently published White Paper on Integrated Transport. The Government note the clear resonance between the themes emphasised in the White Paper and in this Royal Commission report and its predecessor, the Eighteenth Report. These include recognition that the consequences of future traffic growth are indeed unacceptable; the need to take action to secure more sustainable transport for the future; the need for integration, both within and between transport modes, and of transport policies with other policies; agreement that Government should aim to provide the framework for all those with an interest in transport to play their part; the potential for technology to provide solutions through innovation, amongst other things, in fuel efficiency and emissions; and the need to encourage awareness of transport issues, and to send consistent signals such that we all work to further sustainable development objectives.
  1161
  The Government have warmly welcomed the Royal Commission's reports, which have been influential in shaping the new mood for change, away from policies dominated by the short-term, and towards a more sustainable approach to transport policy that tackles both congestion and pollution. The Government look forward to developing this common ground as we all work to implement the new integrated transport policy.

DEFENCE

  Young Navy Personnel
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the deployment of young people under the age of 17 years in the naval service. [56418]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Following a recent review of the policy for the deployment of young people into operational service in Royal Navy vessels and Royal Marine units I have decided that, with immediate effect, Naval Service personnel will not be deployed below the age of 17. Recruitment and training at age 16 will, however, continue. This change brings the Naval Service into line with the Army and RAF, which do not deploy young people below the age of 17.

  Civilian Jobs (Scotland)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MOD civilian jobs there are in Scotland by location. [55410]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry does not keep central records of the number of posts. The table gives the total number of full time equivalent personnel, both permanent and casual, by the location recorded on their pay and personnel records as at 1 September 1998.

  Ministry of Defence personnel based in Scotland— 1 September 1998

  Location

  Number (Full time Equivalents1)

  Abbotsinch

  5

  Aberdeen

  90

  Almond

  263

  Arbroath

  95

  Aultbea

  1

  Aviemore

  5

  Ayr

  3

  Badenoch

  3

  Beith

  568

  Benbecula

  54

  Bishopton

  20

  Buchan

  79

  Burntisland

  6

  Carnoustie

  22

  Clyde

  27

  Clydebank

  1

  Coatbridge

  2

  Comrie

  13

  Coulport

  1,083

  Craigiehall

  148

  Crombie

  257

  Cupar

  2

  Dingwall

  4

  Dounreay

  3

  Dreghorn

  12

  Dumbarton

  6

  1162

  Ministry of Defence personnel based in Scotland— 1 September 1998

  Location

  Number (Full time Equivalents1)

  Dumfries

  3

  Dunblane

  71

  Dundee

  59

  Dunfermline

  34

  Dyce

  5

  East Kilbride

  6

  Eastriggs

  6

  Edinburgh

  372

  Edzell

  1

  Elgin

  22

  Eskdalemuir

  6

  Fairlie

  10

  Faslane

  1,885

  Galashiels

  1

  Garelochead

  4

  Glasgow

  1,794

  Glen Douglas

  2

  Glencorse

  43

  Grangemouth

  3

  Greenock

  59

  Hamilton

  1

  Helensburgh

  26

  Invergowrie

  3

  Inverness

  55

  Irvine

  2

  Isle of Tiree

  5

  Kinloss

  334

  Kinross

  6

  Kirkcaldy

  1

  Kirkcudbright

  26

  Kirkwall

  4

  Kyle of Lochalsh

  16

  Lerwick

  12

  Leuchars

  311

  Livingstone

  4

  Loch Goil

  26

  Lossiemouth

  313

  Machrihanish

  2

  Mitlon Bridge

  33

  Monkton

  6

  Motherwell

  1

  Nairn

  3

  North Gerwick

  10

  Paisley

  3

  Penicuik

  19

  Perth

  156

  Peterhead

  3

  Pitreavie

  5

  Prestwick

  57

  Rosneath

  154

  Rosyth

  515

  Saxa Vord

  40

  Stirling

  251

  Stornaway

  7

  Tain

  1

  West Freugh

  50

  Wick

  1

  Total

  9,612

  1 The total may not equal the sum of the parts due to rounding

  Accommodation (Scotland)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many single accommodation places exist for each of
  1163
  the services in Scotland, for (a) officers and (b) other ranks, by location; and if he will estimate the total number of service personnel that could be accommodated on shore in Scotland if all the available accommodation were utilised. [55407]

  Officers

  Other Ranks

  Ser

  Service

  Location

  Total SLA1

  Occupied SLA2

  Total SLA1

  Occupied SLA2

  1

  Navy

  HMS Neptune

  238

  144

  2,142

  1,417

  2

  HMS Caledonia

  28

  20

  509

  277

  3

  HMS Gannet

  21

  19

  264

  145

  4

  RM Condor

  80

  353

  1,082

  3514

  Total

  367

  236

  3,997

  2,353

  5

  Army

  HQ Craigiehall

  26

  16

  153

  39

  6

  HQ Edinburgh Castle

  8

  5

  113

  440

  7

  Dreghorn Barracks

  22

  19

  395

  278

  8

  Redford Infantry Barracks

  23

  22

  386

  356

  9

  Ford George

  25

  18

  468

  235

  Total

  104

  80

  1,515

  948

  10

  RAF

  Benbecula

  0

  0

  35

  35

  11

  Buchan

  30

  20

  233

  192

  12

  Kinloss

  101

  60

  771

  602

  13

  Leuchars

  155

  48

  692

  575

  14

  Machrihanish

  51

  0

  242

  0

  15

  Lossiemouth

  115

  50

  993

  853

  16

  Saxa Vord

  14

  4

  137

  90

  17

  Stornoway

  0

  0

  24

  18

  Total

  466

  182

  3,127

  2,365

  Tri-Service Total

  937

  498

  8,639

  5,666

  1 To show total number of available bedspaces

  2 To show occupied number of bedspaces

  3 As at 1 October 1998. Does not take account of elements of RM Condor who are currently deployed in Belize and Northern Ireland

  4 ORs occupancy figure increases to 80 during Edinburgh Tattoo

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what barrack accommodation is currently surplus to requirements in Scotland and awaiting disposal; and if he will estimate the potential single accommodation capacity of these barracks if modernised. [55409]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Navy and Army have no surplus single living accommodation awaiting disposal in Scotland. The RAF has 2 sites which are considered to be surplus and which are in the process of disposal, as follows:

  a. RAF Edzell. RAF Edzell was passed to the Defence Estate Organisation (DEO) for disposal in September 1998. If modernised, it is assessed that there would be 300 single bed spaces.

  b. RAF Stornoway. It was announced on 13 February 1998 that RAF Stornoway was to close on 31 March 1998; however further work is in hand to establish the MOD's legal position regarding Former Ownership of the land which requires resolution before proceeding with the sale. If modernised, it is assessed that there would be 15 single bed spaces.

  Lucknow Company (Officer Cadets)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officer cadets were in the Lucknow Company at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in(a) July 1996, (b) July 1997 and (c) July 1998. [55530]
  1164
  Mr. Spellar
  There are a total of 9,576 single accommodation places on shore in Scotland. Currently, 6,164 accommodation spaces are occupied. The breakdown by Service, location and by Officers and Other Ranks accommodation is shown on the table:

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Lucknow Platoon, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, is a holding platoon, to which officer cadets, out of training for any reason, belong, including those undergoing medical treatment, those awaiting disciplinary action, and those undertaking further education.

  The strength of the Lucknow Platoon in July 1996, 1997 and 1998 was as follows:

  Year

  Total number of cadets

  1996

  Between 33 and 36

  1997

  Between 35 and 37

  1998

  Between 46 and 48

  Training Camps (Scotland)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many places(a) are currently available and (b) will be available by 2000, in training camps in Scotland, for (a) Kirkcudbright, (b) Barry Budden and (c) Cultybraggan. [55408]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are 500 bed spaces available at each of the training camps at Barry Budden and Cultybraggan; and no plans to alter this by the year 2000. There is no training camp accommodation at the
  1165
  Kirkcudbright training area, but there are plans to provide accommodation for up to 240 which may reach fruition by the year 2000.

SCOTLAND

  Motorcycle Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many motorcycle parking spaces exist at each office or site for which his Department is responsible; and how many are secure spaces. [55257]

  Mr. Dewar
  There are 25 motorcycle parking spaces associated with the main administrative office buildings of which The Scottish Office is the major occupier. Of these, 19 are secure spaces. Information about other buildings for which my Department or its agencies are responsible is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Individual Pupil Compacts
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action his Department has taken to introduce individual pupil compacts setting out targets for pupils in Scottish schools. [55043]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 19 October 1998]: The Government in Scotland are committed to taking forward Personal Learning Plans which will bring together all the relevant information on a child's performance and enable parents, teachers and pupils to agree a programme of development which will include targets for attainment. Further guidance will be issued to education authorities in due course.

  Opencast Coal
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he has made on preparing revised planning policy guidance on opencast coal following last year's consultation exercise; and if he will make a statement. [56678]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Government are publishing today a consultative draft of proposed new planning policy guidance on opencast coal for Scotland. The proposed revised guidance is intended to supersede the current guidance on opencast coal as set out in National Planning Policy Guideline 4: Land for Mineral Working.

  The new guidance sets a more robust framework within which planning authorities must consider all proposals for opencast coal developments. The intention is to ensure that, in considering proposals, full weight is given, in particular, to the effect and potential disturbance on local communities as well as other environmental considerations including nature conservation and the impact on the landscape.

  Where a proposal would cause demonstrable harm, the guidance is clear that permission should not be granted except where the benefit of the development proposal to the community clearly outweighs the potential harm.
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  The highest environmental standards are expected for all opencast and related mineral operations including timely and sensitive restoration and aftercare of sites. A key feature of the policy is to introduce realistic separation distances between communities and sites for opencast extraction.

  To re-inforce this policy, the Secretary of State has today directed that, where planning authorities are minded to grant consent, they should notify him of proposals which fall into a number of defined circumstances. In addition, it is the Secretary of State's intention, once the policy guidance has been finalised, to issue a direction requiring those local authorities where proposals for opencast coal and related minerals occur to review their development plan policies and to report on the action taken within a set timetable.

  We believe that the proposals set out in the guidance represent a significantly stronger framework which will ensure that the consideration of opencast coal proposals is consistent with the Government's pre-Election commitments. We look to planning authorities and the opencast industry to work within this new policy context in promoting and approving only environmentally acceptable sites.

  A copy of the guidance is being placed in the House Library. Copies are being widely circulated to planning authorities, industry and environmental interests. The proposals are open for consultation until 11 December. We will then take steps to ensure that final guidance is in place early in the new year and well ahead of the elections for the new Scottish Parliament. In the meantime, the Secretary of State expects planning authorities to treat the draft guidance as a material consideration in their assessment of all current and future applications.

  Scottish Compact
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the launch of the Scottish Compact. [56679]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Scottish Compact sets out the principles underpinning the relationship between Government and the voluntary sector in Scotland. Command Paper No. 4083 will be laid before the House on Friday 23 October.

  The publication of the Scottish Compact (which will be complemented by sister Compacts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) meets another of the Government's pre-election commitments. It will help cement a closer partnership between the Government and the voluntary sector in areas of common concern for the benefit of society as a whole.

  Non-Domestic Rating
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the method used to define rural areas in the Non-Domestic Rating (Rural Areas and Rateable Value Limits) Scotland Order 1997; and if he will make a statement. [55303]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Village Shops Rate Relief Scheme was introduced on 1 April 1998 after extensive consultation, with the majority of consultees accepting that the General Register Office (Scotland) (GRO(S))
  1167
  postcode method of urban/rural classification was the best available for the purposes of the Scheme. The GRO(S) classification method will be reviewed after the 2001 Census.

  Study Support
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will report on progress in creating a national framework for study support. [55103]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Significant resources are being made available for study support in Scotland. In the three years from April 1999, the New Opportunities Fund will commit a total of £23 million and the Government will provide new resources of £27 million as part of the recently announced Excellence Fund to support out of school hours learning activities.

  In addition, we are giving The Prince's Trust—Action grant of £40,000 this financial year. The grant will support the development of networking arrangements to share ideas and good practice on study support and the dissemination of a CD ROM. The support arrangements will include regional seminars later this year.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Mediation Services
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the amount of training in mediation services which has been offered to members of the judiciary. [54677]

  Mr. Hoon
  Judicial training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board. As part of its programme to support the civil justice reforms, the Judicial Studies Board held a series of seminars for all full-time judges who deal with civil cases. They included presentations by three mediators and a report on the mediation pilot scheme at Central London County Court. For the second stage of training, the board is planning further seminars for all full-time civil judges to develop a common approach to the reforms. These seminars will include a presentation designed to assist judges in identifying cases suitable for mediation.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what studies have been undertaken or evaluated by his Department in respect of the potential role which could be played by mediation in medical negligence cases; and if he will make a statement. [54674]

  Mr. Hoon
  In her evaluation of the Central London County Court mediation pilot scheme, Professor Genn gathered data according to case type; only one case concerning medical negligence was mediated, and it did not settle. It would be inappropriate to draw conclusions from such a small sample. I await with interest the evaluation of the NHS Executive sponsored mediation pilot project which I understand will be completed shortly.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment his Department has made, or plans to make, of the potential implications of a compulsory mediation 1168
  stage in the litigation process in terms of reducing (a) delays and (b) costs in litigation; and if he will make a statement. [54678]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government are considering the role of mediation in the civil justice system in the light of Professor Genn's findings on the pilot mediation scheme at the Central London County Court.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment his Department has made of the pilot study of mediation services undertaken at Central London County Court; and if he will make a statement. [54675]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department funded Professor Hazel Genn to evaluate the mediation pilot scheme at the Central London County Court. Her report was published in July. It shows that, whilst only a small minority of cases were mediated, of those that were, 62 per cent. reached settlement at the mediation; that mediated settlements were achieved earlier than settlements in non-mediated cases; and that the litigants involved welcomed the opportunity to state their grievance in their own words and to participate in a relatively informal process.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what meetings have been held by his Department with providers of mediation services concerning the potential role of such services in the civil legal system. [54676]

  Mr. Hoon
  Officials from the Lord Chancellor's Department have met representatives of ADR Group, and of the Centre for Dispute Resolution to discuss the role of mediation in non-family civil disputes. The Department, with University College London, also organised a major symposium on mediation to which providers of such services were invited.

  Persistent Inquirers
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent inquirers for information. [53951]

  Mr. Hoon
  No specific procedures are in place to identify persistent inquirers.

  Legal Aid (Telephone Inquiries)
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many members of staff on(a) a full-time and (b) a part-time basis are employed to deal with telephone inquiries to the Legal Aid Board for the South East Region. [54065]

  Mr. Hoon
  The South East Region Area Office has three telephone lines used for Customer Services inquiries. One for legal queries, one for means assessment queries and one for questions relating to finance. The legal line is staffed by a full time receptionist who passes calls to one of eight full time legal caseworkers to take appropriate action. The finance and means assessment lines are each staffed by one full time caseworker.
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  Legal Aid (Pink Floyd Concert)
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is the amount awarded in legal aid, to date, to those pursuing legal action against Arena Promotional Facilities Ltd., co-organisers of the Pink Floyd concert at Earl's Court; and if he will make a statement; [54409]

  (2) what is the amount awarded in legal aid, to date, to those pursuing legal action against Harvey Goldsmith Entertainments Ltd., co-organisers of the Pink Floyd concert at Earl's Court; and if he will make a statement; [54410]

  (3) what is the total amount awarded in legal aid, to date, to those pursuing legal action against David McCullum Ltd., in connection with the Pink Floyd concert at Earl's Court; and if he will make a statement; [54158]

  (4) what is the amount awarded in legal aid, to date, to those pursuing legal action against Earl's Court Ltd., co-organisers of the Pink Floyd concert at Earl's Court; and if he will make a statement. [54411]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information is not readily available, as the Legal Aid Board's database records the name only of the applicant for legal aid. However, so far as the Legal Aid Board is able to determine, twelve certificates have been identified which relate to claims being made against a combination of one or more of the four defendants.

  Of the twelve certificates, one applicant has been successful in recovering damages and costs from the defendants and therefore no cost claim has been made on the Legal Aid Fund. One other applicant withdrew from the action and the certificate was subsequently discharged resulting in a cost to the fund of £150. The remaining ten certificates are currently in force with claims ongoing but no final bills have yet been submitted.

PRIME MINISTER

  Currency Flows
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his statement of 30 September on the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning world monetary stability, what plans he has to seek agreement between major trading nations to co-ordinate limited regulation of currency flows related to loans and investments of speculative character. [55683]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to seek to restrict currency flows in the global economy which I believe would damage prospects for stability and growth. Our priority is, instead, to create a more open, transparent and robust financial system, with better information and subject to better and more co-ordinated oversight by national regulators and international financial institutions.

  Libya
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his letter of 23 June, if he will discuss with President Clinton and M. Jacques Santer the sanctions imposed on Libya under UN Security Council resolutions. [54965]
  1170
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 21 October 1998]: UN Security Council Resolution 1192 states that the UN sanctions imposed on Libya will be suspended once the two Lockerbie accused are delivered to the Netherlands for trial before a Scottish court, and provided the French Government declare themselves satisfied with Libyan co-operation concerning the UTA bombing. I regularly discuss the need for Libyan compliance with UN Security Council resolutions in my bilateral contacts.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 27 April 1998,Official Report, column 17, what report he has received from Scotland Yard about the case of the murder of WPC Fletcher; and what is his current assessment of the case as a major obstacle to the United Kingdom's bilateral relations with Libya. [54966]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 21 October 1998]: The murder of WPC Fletcher remains a major obstacle to the normalisation of our bilateral relations with Libya. I understand from the Home Office that the Metropolitan Police inquiries are nearing completion.

  Transport White Paper
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Prime Minister what meetings he had with non-governmental bodies about transport policy and the Transport White Paper in the three months before the publication of the White Paper; and which of these meetings were attended by employees of professional lobby consultants. [55268]

  The Prime Minister
  We carried out an extensive consultation as part of the fundamental review of transport policy. Prior to publication of the Transport White Paper my Ministers and I met a large number of individuals and organisations to discuss a wide range of transport issues. The discussions and the written representations we received played an important role in informing the development of our integrated transport policy.

  China
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he made about human rights during his recent visit to China. [55952]

  The Prime Minister
  In my meetings with President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji, I welcomed China's signature of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and urged China to commence a dialogue with the Dalai Lama on Tibet. I raised the cases of individuals, including Xu Wenli, who was detained on 7 October and then released. In my speech on 7 October I emphasised the need to address human rights through continued dialogue and encouraged China to take further positive steps.

  Committee on Standards in Public Life
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if it is the Government's policy to accept the latest recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and if he will make a statement. [55758]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government strongly welcome the Committee's report on the funding of political parties in the United Kingdom which was published on 13 October. We intend to legislate on the main findings of the report so that robust and rigorous
  1171
  rules governing the funding of political parties can be in place before the next general election. To that end, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will publish a draft Bill before next year's summer recess.

WALES

  New Deal
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress with the New Deal in Wales. [55593]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Mr. Öpik) on 20 October 1998,Official Report, column 1073.

  Education Funding
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the current levels of funding per pupil for education in each Welsh local education authority. [55598]

  Mr. Hain
  The latest available information for local education authorities is the budgeted gross revenue expenditure per pupil in 1997–98. This is shown in the table.

  Gross revenue expenditure per pupil by local education authority, 1997–981

  LEA

  £ per pupil

  Blaenau Gwent

  2,252

  Bridgend

  2,250

  Caerphilly

  2,203

  Cardiff

  2,124

  Carmarthenshire

  2,558

  Ceredigion

  2,750

  Conwy

  2,144

  Denbighshire

  2,104

  Flintshire

  2,162

  Gwynedd

  2,486

  Isle of Anglesey

  2,418

  Merthyr Tydfil

  2,375

  Monmouthshire

  2,283

  Neath Port Talbot

  2,429

  Newport

  2,250

  Pembrokeshire

  2,486

  Powys

  2,627

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  2,456

  Swansea

  2,265

  Torfaen

  2,168

  Vale of Glamorgan

  1,977

  Wrexham

  2,121

  Wales

  2,297

  1 Provisional

  Job Creation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs, in each Welsh county, have been(a) created and (b) sustained, by (i) inward investment from abroad and (ii) investment from indigenous firms, in each year since 1993. [55591]

  Mr. Hain
  The information is not available in the form requested. Reliable information is available only in respect of offers of Regional Selective Assistance. Forecasts of employment from offers accepted by 1172
  companies since April 1993 are set out in the table. For the purposes of historical comparison the table gives information on the basis of the old counties.

  Jobs Forecast

  Indigenous1

  Foreign-Owned2

  Welsh Counties

  New

  Sustained

  New

  Sustained

  1993–94

  Clwyd

  1,139

  860

  423

  517

  Dyfed

  86

  15

  246

  320

  Gwent

  681

  787

  1,789

  514

  Gwynedd

  158

  268

  0

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,577

  413

  645

  304

  Powys

  107

  0

  0

  0

  South Glamorgan

  223

  4

  526

  0

  West Glamorgan

  229

  284

  171

  742

  Total

  4,200

  2,631

  3,800

  2,397

  1994–95

  Clwyd

  416

  13

  242

  435

  Dyfed

  352

  0

  92

  12

  Gwent

  686

  309

  296

  11

  Gwynedd

  200

  84

  181

  135

  Mid Glamorgan

  944

  469

  407

  672

  Powys

  50

  0

  0

  0

  South Glamorgan

  191

  15

  0

  0

  West Glamorgan

  262

  32

  8

  0

  Total

  3,101

  922

  1,226

  1,265

  1995–96

  Clwyd

  501

  65

  471

  390

  Dyfed

  480

  296

  21

  20

  Gwent

  790

  89

  722

  369

  Gwynedd

  80

  25

  37

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  983

  291

  811

  1,525

  Powys

  28

  0

  0

  0

  South Glamorgan

  300

  23

  1,050

  0

  West Glamorgan

  236

  126

  59

  250

  Total

  3,398

  915

  3,171

  2,554

  1996–97

  Glwyd

  742

  273

  541

  443

  Dyfed

  51

  5

  0

  0

  Gwent

  883

  231

  2,431

  868

  Gwynedd

  88

  27

  15

  78

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,676

  251

  2,719

  2,915

  Powys

  14

  0

  0

  0

  South Glamorgan

  714

  74

  326

  0

  West Glamorgan

  352

  174

  491

  312

  Total

  4,520

  1,035

  6,523

  4,616

  1997–98

  Clwyd

  713

  2

  320

  284

  Dyfed

  227

  24

  264

  0

  Gwent

  1,112

  691

  6,943

  517

  Gwynedd

  98

  33

  63

  200

  Mid Glamorgan

  459

  28

  676

  316

  Powys

  51

  0

  0

  0

  South Glamorgan

  324

  45

  159

  293

  West Glamorgan

  286

  95

  613

  63

  Total

  3,270

  918

  9,038

  1,673

  1998–99 (October)

  Clwyd

  60

  0

  310

  0

  Dyfed

  51

  2

  85

  0

  Gwent

  265

  120

  88

  15

  Gwynedd

  0

  10

  0

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  462

  34

  170

  0

  1173

  Jobs Forecast

  Indigenous1

  Foreign-Owned2

  Welsh Counties

  New

  Sustained

  New

  Sustained

  Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Glamorgan

  745

  0

  0

  0

  West Glamorgan

  109

  0

  117

  20

  Total

  1,692

  166

  770

  35

  Note:

  For the purpose of these tables:

  1 Indigenous companies are those where the ultimate holding company is registered in the UK

  2 Foreign-owned companies are those where the ultimate holding company is registered overseas

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the negotiations regarding securing Objective one status for western Wales and the valleys. [55596]

  Mr. Hain
  Today the Office for National Statistics announced GDP figures for all NUTS 2 regions of the United Kingdom. The figures for the West Wales and the Valleys NUTS 2 region make it very likely that it will qualify for Objective 1 status under the new EC regulations governing the Structural funds for 2000–06, assuming that the criterion for Objective 1 remains that an area should have GDP levels below 75 per cent. of the European Union average. The draft regulations are currently being considered by Member States. Negotiations are unlikely to be completed before the end of March next year.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Wave Energy
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans his Department has to announce investment in wave energy. [55677]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government propose to undertake a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources in line with their manifesto commitment. To this end, I have commissioned a review of policy towards new and renewable energy, including consideration of what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of UK electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010, and how renewables can make an effective contribution to meeting requirements for future greenhouse gas reduction commitments. The prospects for wave energy technology will be considered in that review, the outcome of which I hope to be able to announce later this year.

  In the meantime, Scottish Office Ministers have launched the third competition under the Scottish Renewables Obligation (SRO-3) and are minded that the SRO-3 Order should make limited capacity available to wave power projects, among others.

  Start-up Grant
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the Government's policy on repayment of start-up grant when companies close within five years of opening. [55962]
  1174
  Mr. Mandelson
  All offers of Regional Selective Assistance grant require the beneficiaries to accept terms and conditions under which we may vary, withhold or seek repayment of grant in circumstances where the project under-achieves. Normal policy is to clawback or withhold on a pro-rate basis to the progress achieved.

  Siemens (North-east Plant)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much start-up grant Siemens received for their plant in the North East. [55961]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The company has received £18 million Regional Selective Assistance from the offer of £30 million made in December 1995.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek repayment of start-up grant from Siemens following the planned closure of their plant in the North East. [55964]

  Mr. Mandelson
  A decision was made not to clawback the Regional Selective Assistance grant immediately while officials worked with the company to find a buyer. If, however, we are unsuccessful in this, recovery of grant will be considered in the normal way.

  Post Office
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the planned levels of annual borrowing and returned cash available to the Post Office for re-investment. [55954]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Post Office has no annual borrowing planned and expects to spend some £500 million on capital investment in the current financial year.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when he plans to introduce measures allowing greater commercial freedom to the Post Office; [55953]

  (2) when he plans to announce the conclusions of his review of the Post Office. [55955]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Work on the Government's review aimed at allowing the Post Office greater commercial freedom is proceeding apace. I will present our proposals as soon as I am ready to do so.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much the Post Office has proposed to reduce its negative EFL in 1999. [55965]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Post Office has made clear its wish to have an EFL set at a commercial dividend level.

  Fairness at Work White Paper
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the Fairness at Work White Paper. [55115]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Department has received 474 responses, reflecting a wide range of views, to the White Paper on Fairness at Work, published on 21 May. I am placing a list of respondents in the Library of the House.
  1175

  Manufacturing Employment
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the prospects for employment in manufacturing industry over the next 24 months. [55125]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government appreciate that the level of sterling and, more recently, the impact of financial problems in Asia have been causing difficulties for some manufacturers. We are ensuring that the necessary conditions are in place for a high and sustainable level of manufacturing employment over the long term: low inflation and sound public finances.

  As well as setting in place the framework for securing economic stability, the Government are committed to helping the manufacturing sector, and each worker within it, to become more productive. We encourage individuals to gain knowledge and skills to enhance their employability. Measures such as the University for Industry will assist in this and will help boost the productivity and competitiveness of business through a new approach to learning. The Government are intent on providing the best environment for research and development, to help ensure dynamic and innovative businesses are continually developing new products and services. The new University Challenge fund will provide £50 million in venture capital to help university scientists commercially exploit their research.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many special advisers and their staff are employed in his Department. [54467]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: There are two special advisers employed by my Department. They are given the usual level of administrative support by the Department.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Overseas Visits (Advisers)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the overseas visits between 1 July and 19 October on which Ministers have been accompanied by special advisers and, for each trip,(a) the name of the adviser, (b) the class and cost of travel booked for the adviser, (c) the class of travel actually used by the adviser and (d) the accommodation and ancillary costs for the adviser. [55996]

  Clare Short
  The Ministerial Code requires Ministers always to make efficient and cost effective travel arrangements. In line with the practice of successive Administrations, civil servants (including Special Advisers) accompanying Ministers on overseas visits are entitled to use the same class of travel as the Minister they are accompanying to facilitate briefings and discussions. Ministers in this Department were accompanied by two civil servants and a Special Adviser on an overseas visit to Tanzania and Kenya at a cost of £14,054.30. This is the total cost, including hotels, for all members of the delegation.
  1176

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department expects to spend in each year from 1998–99 to 2000–01 on vehicle replacements. [54983]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We plan to spend £4,384,833 on vehicle replacements in 1998–99. We are still formulating our spending plans for 1999–2000 to 2000–01 in light of the budgetary outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  EC Referendums
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on the basis of the distribution of European Community funds between opposing sides on referendums on EC issues. [55378]

  Ms Quin
  We have not taken any decision about policy on funding in any future referendums on EC issues. We are giving careful consideration to the Neill Committee's recommendations on the conduct of referendums generally.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with President Clerides on the subject of a demilitarisation of the Island of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [55616]

  Ms Quin
  We are in regular contact with President Clerides on all aspects of the situation in Cyprus, including the question of demilitarisation.

  We believe that the key to assuring the security of all Cypriots is not by increases in military forces and armaments, but through a comprehensive political settlement. We recognise eventual demilitarisation as an important objective in this context.

  We therefore warmly welcome the UN Secretary-General's recent announcement of a UN process for contact between the parties aimed at reducing tensions and promoting progress towards a political settlement. We strongly support this process and urge the parties to co-operated with it in a constructive and flexible manner.

  Lebanon
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Minister from his Department has visited the Lebanon since 1 May 1997. [55932]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited the Republic of Lebanon on 18 March 1998. I visited Lebanon on 29–30 May 1997.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Lebanese Government Ministers have visited the United Kingdom since 1 May 1997. [55931]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Lebanese Prime Minister visited the United Kingdom on 17–18 July 1997.
  1177

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations(a) he and (b) other Foreign Office Ministers have made in relation to the arrest and possible extradition of General Pinochet. [55950]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  None. The arrest and possible extradition of Senator Pinochet are a judicial not a political matter. There is no reason for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to intervene.

  Mr. Anwar Ibrahim
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Malaysia about the case of Mr. Anwar Ibrahim. [55951]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 October 1998,Official Report, columns 993–94, to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn).

CABINET OFFICE

  Overseas Visits (Advisers)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the overseas visits between 1 July and 19 October on which Ministers have been accompanied by special advisers and, for each trip,(a) the name of the adviser, (b) the class and cost of travel booked for the adviser, (c) the class of travel actually used by the adviser and (d) the accommodation and ancillary costs for the adviser. [56001]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  No special advisers accompanied me, or my predecessor, on overseas visits between 1 July and 19 October.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the non-departmental public bodies which have been(a) established and (b) abolished since 2 May 1997. [55730]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Since 2 May 1997, the Government have established 29 new non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and abolished 44. These are listed. The Government have also announced plans to abolish a further 37 NDPBs and Ministers are continuing to examine all the NDPBs they sponsor with a view to identifying further candidates for abolition.

  NDPBs established since 1 May 1997

  Advisory Committee for Disabled People in Employment and Training

  Better Regulation Task Force

  British Potato Council

  Civil Justice Council

  Civil Procedure Rule Committee

  Committee on Chemicals and Materials on Construction for use in Public Water Supplies and Swimming Pools

  Commission for Racial Equality for Northern Ireland

  Development Awareness Working Group

  1178

  Disability Rights Task Force

  Docklands Light Railway

  Expert Panel on Sustainable Development Education

  Expert Group on Airborne Particles

  Expert Group on Cryptosporidium in Water Supplies

  Football Task Force

  Historic Royal Palaces

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland

  New Deal Task Force

  New Opportunities Fund

  Police Information Technology Organisation

  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

  Race Employment and Education Forum

  Race Relations Forum

  Royal Commission on Long Term Care of the Elderly

  Security Vetting Appeals Panel

  Skills Task Force

  Spectrum Management Advisory Group

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Youth Justice Board

  NDPBs abolished since 1 May 1997

  Advisory Committee for the Joint Environmental Markets Unit

  Advisory Committee on Design Quality in the NHS

  Advisory Committee on Plant and Machinery

  Advisory Committee on Service Candidates

  Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales

  Assessment Panel for Construction Research

  Citizen's Charter Panel of Advisers

  Consultative Panel on Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis

  Deregulation Task Force

  Local Government Property Commission for Scotland

  Local Government Staff Commission for England

  National Advisory Council for the Employment of People with Disabilities

  National Council for Vocational Qualifications

  Northern Ireland Citizen's Charter Advisory Panel

  Overseas Project Board

  Race Relations Employment Advisory Group

  Regional Panels in MAFF (nine)

  School Curriculum and Assessment Authority

  Scottish Agricultural Consultative Panel

  Scottish Economic Council

  Scottish Seed Potato Development Council

  Staff Commission for Wales

  Supported Employment Advisory Group

  Treasure Trove Reviewing Committee

  Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  Ulster Museum

  Urban Development Corporations (nine)

  Welsh Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the members who have been(a) appointed and (b) dismissed from non-departmental public bodies since 2 May 1997, giving in each case their declared political affiliation if any. [55729]
  1179
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Commissioner for Public Appointments collects statistics on appointments to non-departmental public bodies within his remit on an annual basis, including the declared political activity of successful candidates. His last annual report (placed in the Library of the House) contains such information on appointments made during the year ending 31 March 1998. The Commissioner requires that all appointments should be for a fixed term. Information on any appointments which are terminated early is not collected centrally.

  Marsham Street Buildings
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement about the future of the former Department of the Environment and Transport buildings on Marsham Street. [55717]

  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 the hon. Member.

  Letter from John C. Locke to Sir Michael Spicer, dated 22 October 1998:
  The Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Peter Kilfoyle, has asked me as Chief Executive of PACE with management responsibilities for the former Department of the Environment and Transport (DETR) building on Marsham Street, to respond to your Parliamentary Question about the future of this building.
  The building at 2 Marsham Street is a Government freehold property which until April this year was occupied by staff of the 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.

HEALTH

  Music Therapy
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which Ministers have responsibility for music therapy. [55625]

  Mr. Boateng
  My noble Friend the Baroness Hayman is the Minister responsible for therapy services, including music therapy.

  Fraud
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he 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. [55531]

  Mr. Milburn
  Health authorities are responsible for investigating cases of fraud by practitioners. They may refer such cases to the relevant regulatory or professional body. Where criminal prosecution is being considered, the case will normally be referred for investigation by the police before being referred to a professional body.
  1180
  The Prescription Pricing Authority Fraud Investigation Unit provides expert advice and an investigative service to health authorities in England for prescription fraud.

  A director of counter fraud services within the National Health Service Executive was appointed on 1 September. A document outlining a comprehensive strategy for ensuring that the NHS in England has the professional resources it needs to prevent, deter and investigate all types of fraud will be published later this year.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England had been on hospital waiting lists for over one year at the latest available date. [55618]

  Mr. Milburn
  At the end of August 1998 there were 65,200 English residents waiting over 12 months for National Health Service treatment.

  Mid Essex NHS Hospital NHS Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Mid Essex Hospital NHS Trust area had been waiting to see a consultant for more than(a) 0 to six months, (b) six to 11 months and (c) 12 months or more, on (i) 31 March 1997 and (ii) the latest available date. [55760]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of people waiting to see a consultant at Mid Essex Hospital National Health Service Trust at 31 March 1997 and 30 June 1998 is given in the table:

  Number waiting at:

  13 to 25 weeks

  Time waited 26+weeks

  31 March 1997

  481

  74

  30 June1998

  1,348

  256

  Note:

  1. Figures refer to those waiting to see a consultant for first outpatient appointment following referral by a General Practitioner (medical or dental)

  2. Information on the number of patients waiting for less than 13 weeks is not collected centrally

  All health authorities and National Health Service trusts have agreed targets for reducing waiting lists by March 1999. Mid Essex Hospital NHS Trust is currently working with the North Thames Task Force and the National Patients' Access Team to ensure it meets its waiting list target.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Mid Essex Hospital NHS Trust area had been waiting for treatment for 12 months or more on(a) 31 March 1997 and (b) the latest date for which figures are available. [55759]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of patients waiting for inpatient treatment at Mid Essex Hospital National Health Service Trust at 31 March 1997 and 31 August 1998 is given in the table:

  Number waiting at:

  12+ months

  31 March 1997

  104

  31 August 1998

  1,063

  Note:

  The figures refer to the number of people waiting for treatment as an ordinary admission or day case
  1181
  All health authorities and National Health Service trusts have agreed targets for reducing waiting lists by March 1999. Mid Essex Hospital NHS Trust is currently working with the North Thames Task Force and the National Patients' Access Team to ensure it meets its waiting list target.

  Overseas Visits (Advisers)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the overseas visits between 1 July and 19 October on which Ministers have been accompanied by special advisers and, for each trip,(a) the name of the adviser, (b) the class and cost of travel booked for the adviser, (c) the class of travel actually used by the adviser and (d) the accommodation and ancillary costs for the adviser. [56003]

  Ms Jowell
  None.

  Oxfordshire Health Authority
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Oxfordshire Health Authority area were waiting to see a consultant for 12 months or more on(a) 31 March 1997 and (b) the latest available date. [55761]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on the number of patients waiting over 12 months for a first out-patient appointment following a general practitioner written referral is not collected centrally.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit Fraud
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what factors underlay her decision to withdraw the offer of extra subsidy to local authorities to detect housing benefit fraud; [53277]

  (2) if she will require retrospective introduction of weekly benefit savings for the 1997–98 financial year; [53274]

  (3) for what reasons subsidy to local authorities will be lost if housing benefit (a) ceases and (b) is reduced before a designated fraud officer becomes involved; [53272]

  (4) what incentive she will provide for local authorities to detect housing benefit fraud; [53273]

  (5) when she will reply to the Local Government Association representations on the Draft Weekly Benefit Savings Subsidy Guide. [53267]

  Mr. Denham
  [pursuant to his reply, 30 July 1998, c. 474–75]: This Government are committed to taking tough action against all benefit fraud including Housing Benefit. Significant incentives for local authorities to detect Housing Benefit fraud are already in place. A financial incentive scheme has been in operation since 1993 which rewards local authorities for good performance in detecting benefit fraud. Payments of additional subsidy to local authorities to reward them for their anti-fraud work has risen year on year (£5.9 million in 1993/94 to £65.6 million in 1997/98).
  1182
  Recent National Audit Office and Audit Commission reports questioned the interpretation of the Subsidy Order by some local authorities when claiming additional subsidy for anti-fraud work. We have therefore made the criteria explicit in the Subsidy Order 1998. To qualify for this additional subsidy authorities must show that benefit was reduced or stopped following investigation by a designated fraud officer. In each case they must show that benefit has been overpaid as a result of fraud or, in a case where benefit has not been put into payment, an attempt was made to claim fraudulently and this was prevented by their action.

  The Department is still awaiting comments from the Local Government Association on the draft instructions on claiming weekly benefit savings. When received they will be considered and a reply issued as soon as possible. We have, however, already had the opportunity to consider some of the initial comments made to me by the Local Government Association and, as a result of this, the strengthened criteria for claiming fraud weekly benefit savings will not now be introduced for the 1997/98 financial year but will commence from 1 April 1998.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's forecast for spending on jobseekers allowance in(a) 1999–2000,(b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02 on the basis of (i) the growth forecasts in the EFSR published in July and (ii) his revised growth forecasts. [55839]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Forecast expenditure on Jobseeker's Allowance

  £ million

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

  3,746

  3,841

  3,977

  Contributory based JSA

  516

  523

  535

  Income based JSA

  3,230

  3,318

  3,442

  Notes:

  1. The Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998 was published in June 1998 and sets out the framework for the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) in Chapter 4. These figures are consistent with those set out in the CSR White Paper published on 14 July 1998.

  2. There has been no revision to Social Security expenditure plans since the CSR.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for(a) Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) each region of England, the number of people whose main disabling condition is deafness who were awarded disability living allowance (i) between 1 June 1996 and 31 May 1997, (ii) between 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998 and (iii) since 1 June 1998 (1) on their initial application, (2) at review and (3) at appeal. [55858]
  1183
  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables.

  Awards of disability living allowance between 1 June 1996 and 31 May 1997 for people whose main disabling conditions is deafness

  Region

  All awards

  On initial claim

  At review

  At appeal

  United Kingdom

  3,178

  1,841

  728

  607

  England1

  2,420

  1,400

  500

  520

  Great Britain1

  2,980

  1,700

  680

  600

  Northern Ireland2

  198

  141

  48

  7

  Awards of disability living allowance between 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998 for people whose main disabling condition is deafness

  Region

  All awards

  On initial claim

  At review

  At appeal

  United Kingdom

  4,712

  2,447

  1,255

  1,010

  England1

  4,040

  2,100

  1,060

  880

  Great Britain1

  4,540

  2,320

  1,220

  1,000

  Northern Ireland2

  172

  127

  35

  10

  Awards of disability allowance between 1 June 1998 and 31 August 1998 for people whose main disabling condition is deafness

  Region

  All awards

  On initial claim

  At review

  At appeal

  United Kingdom

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England1

  120

  100

  0

  20

  Great Britain1

  1,020

  580

  220

  220

  Northern Ireland2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 DSS Analytical Services Division 5 per cent. data

  2 Northern Ireland DHSS 100 per cent. data

  Notes:

  1. Figures for awards made since 1 June 1998 are not available for Northern Ireland

  2. As the figures for regions within Great Britain are based on 5 per cent. data, the margins of error are too large for individual regions

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for(a) Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) each region of England the number of people who applied (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully in the last year for disability living allowance. [55859]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Applications for disability living allowance in 1997

  Region

  Successful

  Unsuccessful

  United Kingdom

  234,078

  282,469

  England1

  180,309

  209,494

  Wales1

  18,739

  21,627

  Scotland1

  21,179

  35,217

  Northern Ireland2

  13,851

  16,131

  1 DSS Analytical Services Division 100 per cent. data

  2 Northern Ireland DHSS 100 per cent. data

  Note:

  The only regional figures for Great Britain are those collected for the initial claims processed by the Disability Benefit Centres (DBCs) These serve different areas of the country and the boundaries are not clearly enough defined to be useful: the exceptions are Scotland which is served by Edinburgh and Glasgow DBCs and Wales which is served mainly by Cardiff DBC but to a small extent by Bristol DBC
  1184
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for(a) Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) each region of England the number of people whose main disability was deafness who applied (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully in the last year for disability living allowance. [55860]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Applications for disability living allowance in 1997 for people whose main disabling condition is deafness1

  Region

  Successful applications

  United Kingdom

  2,502

  England1

  2,040

  Great Britain1

  2,380

  Northern Ireland2

  122

  1 DSS Analytical Services Division 5 per cent. data

  2 Northern Ireland DHSS 100 per cent. data

  Notes:

  Figures relate to awards made on initial application and relate to the 12 months ending 30 November 1997

  Figures giving a breakdown by medical condition are not collected by the Department for people who are unsuccessful in their initial application. As figures for regions within Great Britain are based on 5 per cent. data, the margins of error are too large for individual regions

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for(a) Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) each region of England the number of disabled people who were awarded disability living allowance (i) between 1 June 1996 and 31 May 1997, (ii) between 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998 and (iii) since 1 June 1998 (1) on their initial application, (2) at review and (3) at appeal. [55857]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables.

  Awards of disability living allowance between 1 June 1996 and 31 May 1997

  Region

  All awards

  On initial claim

  At review

  At appeal

  United Kingdom

  309,514

  249,279

  45,699

  14,536

  England1

  233,040

  191,860

  30,500

  10,680

  North East

  19,080

  15,300

  2,320

  1,460

  North West

  32,700

  25,080

  5,680

  1,940

  Merseyside

  13,060

  9,540

  2,620

  900

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  27,640

  22,960

  3,160

  1,520

  East Midlands

  19,800

  16,940

  2,100

  760

  West Midlands

  27,300

  23,060

  3,160

  1,080

  East

  19,560

  17,120

  1,920

  520

  London

  31,300

  26,140

  3,980

  1,180

  South East

  22,960

  18,940

  3,280

  740

  South West

  19,640

  16,780

  2,280

  580

  Wales1

  23,780

  19,200

  3,640

  940

  Scotland1

  30,640

  22,920

  5,560

  2,160

  Northern Ireland2

  22,054

  15,299

  5,999

  756

  Sources:

  1 DSS Analytical Services Division 5 per cent. Data

  2 Northern Ireland DHSS 100 per cent. Data
  1185

  Awards of disability living allowance between 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998

  Region

  All awards

  On initial claim

  At review

  At appeal

  United Kingdom

  266,174

  211,173

  40,939

  14,062

  England1

  202,380

  163,840

  28,600

  9,940

  North East

  15,540

  12,020

  2,120

  1,400

  North West

  26,400

  20,740

  4,240

  1,420

  Merseyside

  9,960

  6,760

  2,320

  880

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  22,340

  17,180

  3,720

  1,440

  East Midlands

  19,940

  16,640

  2,660

  640

  West Midlands

  24,100

  20,320

  3,020

  760

  East

  18,360

  15,560

  2,180

  620

  London

  26,720

  21,980

  3,620

  1,120

  South East

  21,540

  17,620

  2,920

  1,000

  South West

  17,480

  15,020

  1,800

  660

  Wales1

  19,140

  15,540

  2,820

  780

  Scotland1

  26,500

  19,020

  4,980

  2,500

  Northern Ireland2

  18,154

  12,773

  4,539

  842

  Sources:

  1 DSS Analytical Services Division 5 per cent. data

  2 Northern Ireland DHSS 100 per cent. data

  Awards of disability living allowance between 1 June 1998 and 31 Augest 1998

  Region

  All awards

  On initial claim

  At review

  At appeal

  United Kingdom

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England1

  44,980

  36,500

  5,200

  3,280

  North East

  3,400

  2,800

  300

  300

  North West

  6,100

  4,480

  840

  780

  Merseyside

  1,820

  1,320

  260

  240

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5,100

  3,940

  680

  480

  East Midlands

  4,200

  3,680

  400

  120

  West Midlands

  6,160

  5,300

  640

  220

  East

  3,400

  2,820

  320

  260

  London

  6,460

  5,240

  780

  440

  South East

  4,860

  3,960

  620

  280

  South West

  3,480

  2,960

  360

  160

  Wales1

  4,180

  3,500

  500

  180

  Scotland1

  5,800

  4,080

  980

  740

  Northern Ireland2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Note:

  Figures for awards made since 1 June 1998 are not available for Northern Ireland

  Sources:

  1 DSS Analytical Services Division 5 per cent. data

  2 Northern Ireland DHSS 100 per cent. data

  Vaccine Damage
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to make a statement in respect of payment to vaccine-damaged children who are now adults other than those affected by payments in 1979. [55669]

  Mr. Timms
  Consideration is still being given to this complex and sensitive issue and an announcement will be made in due course.

  Pensions Review
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter to which the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) made reference in his Oral Question on 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 948. [56347]

  Mr. Denham
  Yes.
  1186

  National Insurance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the reduction in national insurance contributions resulting from the raising of the starting point for employees' contributions in April 1999; how much of this sum will accrue to the benefit of employees with earnings above the upper earnings limit; and what increase in the upper earnings limit would be required to neutralise the effect on the income of the National Insurance Fund. [55681]

  Mr. Timms
  In his Budget statement on 17 March 1998,Official Report, columns 1097–112, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced the most radical changes to National Insurance contributions in over 20 years. He made it clear that some of these changes will be introduced from April 1999, but that raising the starting point for employees' contributions to the level of the single person's tax allowance would take place at a later date.

  Overseas Visits (Advisers)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the overseas visits between 1 July and 19 October on which Ministers have been accompanied by special advisers and, for each trip,(a) the name of the adviser, (b) the class and cost of travel booked for the adviser, (c) the class of travel actually used by the adviser and (d) the accommodation and ancillary costs for the adviser. [56002]

  Mr. Denham
  No such visits have been made.

  Agencies
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the involvement of the private sector in providing office support services for the Benefits Agency and Child Support Agency. [56407]

  Angela Eagle
  My right hon. Friend the previous Secretary of State announced in July 1997 that we would proceed with PRIME (Private Sector Resource Initiative for Management of the Estate) and that we would explore whether further private sector involvement could improve the delivery of associated office support services, mainly in the Benefits Agency but also within the Child Support Agency.

  We said that in proceeding with this project we expected to see an improved quality of services. We therefore asked officials to proceed with the tender but also to invite prices from in-house teams.

  We want to ensure that the public gets the best services at the best price.

  In the case of Accommodation and Office Services (AOS) we have looked at what both the private sector and in-house teams can offer and treated each case on its merits. During the process we have emphasised our concern for the treatment of any staff who transfer and stressed our commitment to the ongoing monitoring of suppliers in this respect.

  Today's announcement demonstrates these policies. The services to Scotland, Fylde and Wales will be retained in-house and provided by BA staff under formal service

  1187
  level agreements (SLAs). In these areas in-house staff have demonstrated their ability to provide the best value for money.

  For the other services, contracts have been awarded to:

  Trillium for office services to:

  Yorkshire and Tyne Tees

  North West Coast and Greater Manchester

  West Midlands and Mercia

  Haden Facilities Management for office services to:

  The South East, London and East Anglia

  The West Country and Chilterns.

  In these cases staff from this Department and from other suppliers will transfer to the new suppliers with their terms and conditions protected by TUPE and with monitoring arrangements in place to ensure that staff are fairly treated.

  These arrangements will provide the flexible, quality office services needed to support our modernisation of Social Security and our programme of welfare reform. One of the benefits of this approach is the rationalisation of the 48 contracts we inherited into a more flexible and efficient contracts regime to meet the changing business needs of the Benefits Agency and the Department.

  The total cost of these contracts is £161 million over a three year period.

  NIRS II Computer
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what level of compensation, and to which pension companies, has been offered by his Department as a result of late payments and national insurance contributions due to the difficulties with the introduction of the NIRS II system. [55847]

  Mr. Timms
  Pension companies will start to receive compensation payments for the delay to age-related rebates from 1 November 1998. The payment calculation is based on the assumption that payments should have been made, on average, by October following the end of the tax year to which the rebate relates.

  Payments made at the beginning of November will be increased by 0.5 per cent. Payments will be increased by a further 0.5 per cent. for each subsequent month until the expected level of payment is reached.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the NIRS II computer system to be fully operational; and if he will make a statement. [55852]

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the NIRS II system to be handling the number of cases which it was originally planned to handle. [55849]

  Mr. Timms
  The NIRS2 computer system is being introduced using a phased release strategy. The final phase, combining Release 2 and Release 3, is planned for April 1999.
  1188

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Temporary Office Accommodation
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what was the nature of the work carried out on the Lower Ground Floor Secretaries' Room which necessitated the removal of personnel and equipment to temporary accommodation from 4 August to 1 September; on what date the work commenced; and for how many days the room was required to be unoccupied. [55391]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  An Automatic Fire Detection system was installed in the Lower Ground Floor Secretaries' area. The decanting process commenced on the 4 August with re-occupation on 1 September. The conditions of the contract give the contractor possession of the site from 4 August for 27 days and work started on 8 August.

  State Opening
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the President of the Council if she will announce the date of the State Opening of Parliament. [56672]

  Mrs. Beckett
  As I announced in my Business Statement today, the new session of Parliament will be opened on 24 November 1998. I anticipate the House will be Prorogued late in the week preceding that.

  Recall Costs
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Council what was the direct cost of recalling the House for the sittings on 2 and 3 September, separately identifying(a) staff and (b) works costs. [55356]

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the President of the Council if she will estimate the cost to public funds of the recall of Parliament for 2 and 3 September. [55493]

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council what is the estimated total cost to public funds of the current recall of Parliament. [55465]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The estimated total cost, excluding works projects, is £33,200. The works costs cannot be known with certainty until contractors' claims for prolongation and disruption have all been received and verified. However, the total works cost may be of the order of £375,000.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council how many parliamentary staff, including security staff, were required to be present as a result of the recall of Parliament; and how many of these were paid(a) no extra, (b) standard hourly rates, (c) overtime rates and (d) expenses; and if she will make a statement. [55466]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  I have been asked to reply on behalf of the President of the Council.

  Approximately 230 staff, excluding security staff, were present as a result of the recall of Parliament. Additional security costs amounted to £23,700. The only pay costs incurred for staff of the House were for night fees/allowances totalling £3,000 and overtime payments for Refreshment Department staff totalling £4,000.

  1189
  Expenses totalling £2,500 were incurred for overnight accommodation and late night transport etc. although further claims may still be submitted.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Further Education Funding Council
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to make the Further Education Funding Council more accountable to the regions. [55106]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has recently appointed a number of additional representatives from the local authority sector to the FEFC's regional committees. In the future, FEFC regional committees will be working closely with the Regional Development Agencies.

  National Literacy Strategy
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress achieved on the Government's National Literacy Strategy. [55107]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The daily Literacy Hour began in primary schools this September. To support schools, we have provided training for every primary teacher, distributed over 300,000 copies of the literacy Framework for Teaching and allocated almost £60 million of funding, including support for over 200 local literacy consultants.

  New Deal (West Midlands)
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the new deal in the west midlands. [55108]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds has made a promising start throughout the country and in the West Midlands over 14,000 young people have started on the path to employment.

  Lifelong Learning
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to ensure that technologies used in(a) the lifelong learning initiatives, (b) the university for industry and (c) the national grid for learning are inter-operable; and if he will make a statement. [55109]

  Mr. Mudie
  The National Grid for Learning, the University for Industry and lifelong learning initiatives will be accessible via a range of technologies including the Internet, which offers an interoperable standard accessible to all users.

  Education Welfare Officers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve the training of education welfare officers. [55110]
  1190
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Local Education Authorities, as the employers, are responsible for making arrangements for the training and professional development of education welfare officers. The Department is providing support for EWO training through the recently announced "School Inclusion: Pupil Support" grant programme. We also actively support the work of the Training Advisory Group for the Education Welfare Service.

  Rural Schools
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to preserve the ability of parents in rural areas to select schools of their choice. [55111]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have made it clear that our presumption is against the closure of rural schools. We have recently published interim guidance on school admissions which aims to maximise parental preference in all areas of the country.

  Child Care
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many new child care places will be created in 1997–98. [55112]

  Ms Hodge
  In 1997–98, 7,455 places were created through the Out of School Childcare Initiative in England, exceeding our target. This year, to support our National Childcare Strategy, we will create at least 40,000 new places through the Initiative and a further 20,000 places through other schemes.

  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of new child care places to be created this year. [55119]

  Ms Hodge
  In this financial year up to 2 August 1998, 4,270 new childcare places have been created through the Out of School Childcare Initiative (England). We have not yet received data from all the TECs for the summer holidays when many new schemes started, but we are confident that we are on course to meet the end of year target of 40,000 places.

  In addition, 10,000 new places will be created for pre-school children aged 0–3 and 4 year olds in full-time education through the £6 million in childcare grants allocated to local education authorities and Early Years Development Partnerships.

  A further 10,000 out of school childcare places will be created in further education colleges and other institutions in 1998 through a £5 million grant administered by the Further Education Funding Council.

  We will be making available £44 million to support Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships from next year. This money will help Partnerships to increase the number of childcare places beyond the 60,000 to be set up this year.

  Chief Inspector of Schools
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in which years since his appointment Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools has
  1191
  been awarded a bonus; and what was the value of each such bonus (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of his salary. [55113]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following bonuses have been paid to Chris Woodhead, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England: in 1996, in respect of the period 1 September 1994 to 31 March 1996, 7 per cent. of salary (£5,697); in 1997, in respect of the year ended 31 March 1997, 10 per cent. of salary (£8,550); and in 1998, in respect of the year ended 31 March 1998, 10 per cent. of salary (£8,621).

  Learning Age
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the responses he has received from the consultation on the learning age. [55114]

  Mr. Mudie
  We have had nearly 3,000 responses to the Learning Age Green Paper—from members of the public, employers, education and training organisations and others. Our proposals have been widely welcomed. We are analysing and considering carefully all the detailed comments made and we will publish a summary of the responses in due course.

  School Meals
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress is being made with bringing in nutritional standards for school meals. [55116]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We published "Ingredients for Success", our consultation paper on nutritional standards for school lunches, on 15 October.

  Education Action Zones
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the timetable and target numbers for additional schools to become part of education action zones. [55117]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I expect to invite applications for more zones in the New Year.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the current level of unemployment. [55120]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The internationally comparable Labour Force Survey measure showed 1.82 million people as ILO unemployed in June to August 1998 (a rate of 6.3 per cent.).

  The more recent claimant unemployment figure, for September 1998, was 1.3 million (a rate of 4.6 per cent.).

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations his Department has received on the percentage change in national unemployment during the last month. [55123]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have received no such representations in the last month.
  1192

  Employment Creation Measures
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the impact of his Department's employment creation measures. [55121]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest figures from the New Deal for Young Unemployed People show that over half of those leaving the Gateway did so to start work and most of those went into unsubsidised jobs.

  It is important, however, to consider the net overall effect of the New Deal and we have therefore put in place an extensive and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation strategy to realise this.

  Higher Education (Cornwall)
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the future of higher education in Cornwall. [55122]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations about the future of higher education in Cornwall. I welcome the initiative taken by the three higher education institutions in Cornwall to form a new partnership to develop plans for improving the quality and range of higher education opportunities in Cornwall.

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from grammar school heads about his policies towards grammar schools. [55124]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  100 responses have been received from grammar school headteachers and governing bodies about the draft Education (Grammar School Ballots) Regulations which were sent out for consultation on 3 June. Revised regulations will be debated in the normal way.

  University for Industry
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to expand the university for industry pilots. [55126]

  Mr. Mudie
  Following the European Social Fund ADAPT Third Call for Applications earlier this year, over 100 projects are being established to contribute towards the University for Industry's development. We expect further relevant projects to be funded through the ESF Objective 4 programme.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the Welfare to Work programme in helping unemployed people over the age of 25 years off benefit and back into work. [55128]

  Ms Hodge
  It is too early to make an assessment of New Deal for people aged 25 or more. It only started in June of this year. I expect to make a statement in November.
  1193

  Ministerial Visits
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will visit the Farnham and Godalming sixth-form colleges to discuss the allocation of funds for 16 to 18-year-olds. [55129]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no current plans to do so.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to the oral statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 17 March 1998,Official Report, column 1097, if he will make a statement on the training of 20,000 bug busters. [55948]

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have to date(a) applied to become millennium bugbusters and (b) successfully completed the training. [55867]

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many bugbusters have been trained to date; [55966]

  (2) how much money his Department has spent to date on grants to SMEs, under the bugbusters programme; [55967]

  (3) how much money his Department has spent to date on advertising and marketing its bugbusters programme; and how much it intends to spend in the rest of 1998–99; [55968]

  (4) how many SMEs have so far received grants under his Department's bugbusters training programme; [55969]

  (5) how many training organisations have become accredited providers under the bugbusters training programme to date. [55970]

  Mr. Mudie
  The infrastructure for the Bug Buster programme is now in place. 160 training providers throughout the country have been accredited by the IT National Training Organisation to offer courses. At 16 October, 284 people had started the training: 194 of them had completed courses. A further 620 were booked to go on courses. There is a short time lag between individuals completing courses and payments being made to training providers. As a result only a small number of grants have so far been paid out to small and medium sized enterprises.

  Our key objective has been to put in place a high quality programme in which employers would have confidence. It has inevitably taken time to design courses, to accredit training providers and for Training and Enterprise Councils to plan local provision and arrange contracts. However, take up by employers in the early stages of the full operation of the programme has been slower than expected. Some smaller employers still do not appreciate fully the threat posed by the year 2000 problem. Others are concerned about the costs of training.

  Action is being taken to address both of these issues. A major marketing and publicity campaign, is being launched at the end of this month. This is in addition to the local marketing carried out by TECs. Courses will now be offered free to employers. This change has been made possible by lower than expected fees being charged
  1194
  by training providers. In addition, IT consultancy firms will now be eligible to claim grant for trainees they take on to work with employers.

  The progress of the programme is being kept under constant review. Take up of places under the programme depends on employers' willingness to take this opportunity offered to provide their staff with the skills necessary to deal with an important business problem.

  Overseas Visits (Advisers)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the overseas visits between 1 July and 19 October on which Ministers have been accompanied by special advisers and, for each trip,(a) the name of the adviser, (b) the class and cost of travel booked for the adviser, (c) the class of travel actually used by the adviser and (d) the accommodation and ancillary costs for the adviser. [56004]

  Mr. Mudie
  No overseas visits were undertaken between 1 July and 19 October on which Ministers were accompanied by Special Advisers.

  Teachers (Fixed-term Contracts)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of teaching staff in(a) local authority schools and (b) grant maintained schools are currently on fixed-term contracts, broken down by local education authority. [55831]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The percentage of full and part-time fixed term contracts (of one month or over) for teaching staff in local authority maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England at January 1998 are given in the table. Teachers with more than one contract have had all contracts included in the calculation. Similar information for grant maintained schools is not held by the Department.

  Percentage

  LEA

  Full-time

  Part-time

  All contracts

  City of London

  21.4

  14.3

  19.0

  Camden

  3.9

  8.7

  5.0

  Greenwich

  4.0

  37.9

  11.9

  Hackney

  5.3

  11.6

  6.1

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  11.2

  84.6

  19.8

  Islington

  4.6

  7.4

  5.0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  4.8

  19.1

  8.0

  Lambeth

  6.0

  36.4

  10.7

  Lewisham

  7.1

  12.7

  8.3

  Southwark

  9.3

  28.4

  11.8

  Tower Hamlets

  8.0

  35.3

  11.9

  Wandsworth

  11.4

  32.5

  15.6

  City of Westminster

  6.5

  30.8

  10.5

  Barking

  4.9

  51.8

  8.6

  Barnet

  6.4

  25.3

  10.8

  Bexley

  4.5

  26.0

  7.7

  Brent

  9.2

  51.3

  15.8

  Bromley

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Croydon

  5.8

  46.6

  13.4

  Ealing

  6.4

  49.1

  13.1

  Enfield

  4.2

  21.1

  6.2

  Haringey

  3.2

  9.4

  4.0

  Harrow

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Havering

  3.9

  60.7

  13.9

  1195

  Percentage

  LEA

  Full-time

  Part-time

  All contracts

  Hillingdon

  4.0

  42.9

  10.5

  Hounslow

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Kingston

  6.2

  22.9

  10.0

  Merton

  8.5

  43.1

  15.0

  Newham

  3.3

  26.9

  4.5

  Redbridge

  3.1

  28.0

  6.5

  Richmond

  8.3

  64.2

  25.2

  Sutton

  5.2

  31.0

  9.4

  Waltham Forest

  3.1

  19.0

  4.9

  Birmingham

  6.1

  26.0

  8.1

  Coventry

  3.6

  23.6

  6.6

  Dudley

  9.7

  48.6

  13.2

  Sandwell

  8.0

  43.6

  11.2

  Solihull

  5.8

  42.9

  10.7

  Walsall

  5.7

  33.8

  8.8

  Wolverhampton

  4.3

  24.8

  6.6

  Knowsley

  5.6

  13.2

  6.1

  Liverpool

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  St. Helens

  4.0

  29.5

  5.5

  Sefton

  6.8

  26.3

  8.8

  Wirral

  1.0

  5.8

  1.5

  Bolton

  4.8

  30.7

  7.2

  Bury

  5.5

  30.5

  8.2

  Manchester

  8.6

  37.7

  11.0

  Oldham

  6.6

  59.3

  11.7

  Rochdale

  5.2

  36.0

  8.3

  Salford

  4.3

  33.8

  5.4

  Stockport

  8.5

  53.1

  13.9

  Tameside

  6.6

  38.0

  9.0

  Trafford

  9.6

  62.0

  13.4

  Wigan

  6.6

  38.4

  9.3

  Barnsley

  5.9

  30.1

  7.0

  Doncaster

  4.8

  33.3

  7.5

  Rotherham

  6.6

  33.2

  9.1

  Sheffield

  6.8

  31.3

  11.3

  Bradford

  8.9

  27.2

  11.5

  Calderdale

  6.9

  30.1

  9.7

  Kirklees

  8.2

  45.6

  13.5

  Leeds

  4.3

  20.9

  6.2

  Wakefield

  7.1

  76.4

  11.3

  Gateshead

  6.9

  55.6

  11.2

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  5.4

  40.8

  8.8

  North Tyneside

  6.0

  28.3

  8.3

  South Tyneside

  6.2

  52.6

  9.7

  Sunderland

  6.1

  45.0

  7.9

  Isles of Scilly

  0.0

  55.6

  17.9

  Bath and NE Somerset

  7.2

  32.0

  11.9

  City of Bristol

  9.5

  54.4

  18.8

  North Somerset

  4.9

  41.3

  10.7

  South Gloucestershire

  5.5

  37.2

  11.7

  Hartlepool

  8.3

  64.2

  12.0

  Middlesbrough

  7.7

  83.9

  11.4

  Redcar and Cleveland

  6.7

  38.5

  10.0

  Stockton on Tees

  5.4

  33.3

  8.9

  City of Kingston upon Hull

  3.6

  47.8

  7.5

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  5.9

  30.3

  9.3

  North East Lincolnshire

  5.7

  17.9

  6.8

  North Lincolnshire

  4.7

  36.2

  8.4

  North Yorkshire

  6.5

  58.4

  16.0

  York

  4.8

  37.7

  10.7

  Bedfordshire

  8.2

  36.4

  12.7

  Luton

  10.5

  36.3

  14.3

  Buckinghamshire

  10.1

  44.1

  17.8

  Milton Keynes

  4.6

  85.0

  16.8

  Derbyshire

  4.2

  21.7

  7.0

  Derby

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Dorset

  7.6

  39.7

  13.3

  Poole

  6.1

  39.6

  11.4

  Bournemouth

  5.7

  33.3

  9.9

  Durham

  9.6

  80.1

  14.4

  Darlington

  6.9

  12.5

  7.7

  East Sussex

  6.3

  41.2

  13.4

  Brighton and Hove

  0.2

  0.8

  0.3

  Hampshire

  5.7

  43.5

  11.8

  Portsmouth

  5.9

  38.2

  9.9

  Southampton

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Leicester

  7.9

  62.8

  21.4

  Leicester City

  10.1

  67.3

  21.3

  Rutland

  27.0

  0.0

  20.3

  Staffordshire

  6.6

  45.9

  11.1

  Stoke

  7.2

  34.8

  9.3

  1196

  Percentage

  LEA

  Full-time

  Part-time

  All contracts

  Wiltshire

  13.5

  50.8

  21.8

  Swindon

  8.2

  53.9

  14.3

  Berkshire

  6.6

  34.7

  12.5

  Cambridgeshire

  6.1

  39.6

  11.7

  Cheshire

  8.7

  53.9

  14.5

  Cornwall

  6.9

  50.6

  16.6

  Cumbria

  9.0

  75.4

  24.3

  Devon

  7.0

  42.0

  13.9

  Essex

  4.4

  34.8

  9.3

  Gloucestershire

  13.0

  36.5

  19.2

  Hereford and Worcester

  6.5

  37.5

  12.1

  Hertfordshire

  6.2

  35.4

  11.9

  Isle of Wight

  6.2

  48.1

  12.4

  Kent

  4.9

  47.0

  13.1

  Lancashire

  6.2

  46.8

  11.0

  Lincolnshire

  5.5

  34.6

  9.5

  Norfolk

  3.6

  77.0

  15.4

  Northamptonshire

  7.6

  50.5

  13.7

  Northumberland

  4.4

  43.6

  11.9

  Nottinghamshire

  2.4

  12.0

  3.7

  Oxfordshire

  6.2

  35.5

  11.4

  Shropshire

  9.8

  64.4

  18.6

  Somerset

  5.5

  37.0

  11.7

  Suffolk

  4.9

  48.6

  13.4

  Surrey

  5.4

  34.8

  11.5

  Warwickshire

  7.5

  47.6

  15.1

  West Sussex

  4.8

  26.5

  8.8

  Total

  6.2

  41.2

  11.5

  School Reserve Accounts
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimates he has made of the amount of money currently held in reserve accounts by schools in(a) England and Wales, (b) Cheshire and (c) Warrington; [55833]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the amount of money from delegated budgets underspent by schools in (a) England and Wales and (b) Cheshire in each of the past five years. [55834]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table shows the amount held as balances by LEA schools in(a) England and(b) Cheshire for each of the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97. Responsibility for schools in Wales rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. Information on the position at the end of the financial year 1997–98 will not be available centrally until local education authorities publish their outturn statements later in the Autumn. I will write to my hon. Friend when those figures are available, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

  Balances held by LEA schools

  £000

  Financial years

  (a) England

  (b) Cheshire

  1992–93

  605,304

  16,677

  1993–94

  646,810

  16,196

  1994–95

  649,949

  15,314

  1995–96

  581,456

  14,410

  1996–97

  523,679

  13,375

  School Finances (Auditing)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to
  1197
  introduce sample auditing of school finances; and if he will make a statement. [55832]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Under the Fair Funding arrangements to be introduced from 1999, local education authorities will be responsible for determining their own audit arrangements for school expenditure, and these arrangements (which normally include a cycle of school-based audits) will be authorised by schemes made under section 48 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. Individual schools may also be audited as part of the external audit regime for LEAs, which is determined by the Audit Commission.

  Headteachers (Salary Increases)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the average percentage salary increase received by(a) primary school headteachers and (b) secondary school headteachers for each of the past five years; [55836]

  (2) what was the average percentage salary increase received by (a) primary school deputy headteachers and (b) secondary school deputy headteachers in each of the past five years. [55835]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The average percentage salary increase from 31 March each year to 31 March the following year, for full-time headteachers and deputy headteachers in England and Wales, is as follows:

  Maintained nursery/primary

  Maintained secondary

  Headteachers

  1992 to 1993

  9.2

  9.6

  1993 to 1994

  4.3

  5.2

  1994 to 1995

  4.2

  4.6

  1995 to 1996

  3.7

  4.1

  1996 to 1997

  4.8

  5.4

  Deputy headteachers

  1992 to 1993

  9.8

  9.7

  1993 to 1994

  6.2

  5.1

  1994 to 1995

  3.9

  4.6

  1995 to 1996

  3.5

  3.6

  1996to 1997

  4.5

  4.7

  The percentage increases include the effects both of the annual teachers' pay award and the effects of individual postholders' movement up the pay spine.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the number of people under the New Deal in(a) England and (b) Wales who have entered full-time employment. [55105]

  Ms Hodge
  In England 18,500 young people under the 18–24 New Deal have entered employment. In Wales the figure is 2,000. This is a promising start.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of New Deal trainees were placed in subsidised employment at the latest available date. [55118]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Of those young people taking part in New Deal options 44 per cent. have entered subsidised jobs.
  1198

  LEA Schools (Managerial Responsibilities)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he plans to help LEA schools take on the managerial responsibilities required under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. [55147]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  LEA schools already have much experience in managing delegated budgets, and in exercising the staffing powers associated with financial delegation. They are therefore well-placed to take on the responsibilities resulting from the decisions on further delegation recently announced by the Government in the light of responses to the consultation paper "Fair Funding". A number of elements in the Standards Fund programmes for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are designed to support training for heads and governors relating to the Government's key priorities.

  New Deal (Widows)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if widows are eligible for the same benefits, incentives and advice as other lone parents under the New Deal; and if he will make a statement. [55155]

  Ms Hodge
  The term "lone parents" covers all those who are bringing up their child or children on their own, and this includes widows and widowers. All lone parents with dependent children who are on Income Support can join the New Deal for Lone Parents. Since April, the New Deal for Lone Parents has been available across the country to lone parents who make a new claim for Income Support. From 26 October, it will be extended to include those with existing claims for Income Support. Those lone parents whose youngest child is aged over five will be sent a letter inviting them to a meeting with a Personal Adviser. The service is also available to lone parents with children under five who wish to participate.

  Careers Services
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 28 July 1998,Official Report, column 137, if he will make a statement on the activities of commercial companies providing careers information which have been able to generate a surplus through the efficient delivery of their contracts, legitimate dividends to shareholders or cash transfers to a parent company, indicating the amount attributed to shareholders retained as company profits and the amount of cash transfers to parent companies in the last period for which figures are available. [55458]

  Mr. Mudie
  Twenty seven of the sixty six Careers Services operating under contract with the Department are run by companies limited by share with the power to distribute profits to the shareholders. The majority of these organisations have retained within the company any profits arising from efficient delivery of the Careers Service. The value of the contracts with the 66 Careers Services was just over £220 million in 1996-97. According to the latest information available, which is taken from the statutory accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 1997, dividends amounting to some £359,300 were paid in respect of contracts held by Lifetime Careers, Guidance Enterprises Ltd, Careers
  1199
  Management Ltd and Northumberland Guidance Company. West London Careers Service Ltd and CfBT Thames Careers Guidance Ltd made a transfer of £820,000 to their parent company CfBT which is an educational trust which includes within its objects the provision of careers information, guidance and advice.

  Middle and First Schools
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his policy on middle and first schools. [55099]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have no policies which relate solely to middle and first schools. Schools should be organised to deliver the highest possible standards of education and to reflect parental preference. Local Education Authorities and School Governing Bodies are best placed to decide on the most effective pattern of provision within their areas, taking account of local circumstances.

  Undergraduate Degree Students (Costs)
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average annual cost of a full-time undergraduate degree student at(a) Oxford and Cambridge universities, (b) all United Kingdom universities and (c) previously PCFC funded institutions. [55651]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 19 October 1998]: The average annual funding through HEFCE grant and tuition fees for teaching a full-time undergraduate degree student is around £4,000 in English universities and colleges, including previously PCFC funded institutions. The comparable figure for the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, which attract additional funding via the college fee, is around £5,800.

  Higher Education Staff
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to report to Parliament the recommendations of the Independent Review Committee on Higher Education Staff Pay and Conditions. [55762]

  Mr. Mudie
  The pay and conditions of staff in higher education are a matter for the employers. The Independent Review Committee was set up by the Universities and Employers Association (UCEA) to look into the framework for determining pay and conditions of service in the higher education sector. The Review Committee will report to UCEA and it will be for the employers and unions to respond to any recommendations.

  School Budgets
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make changes to the area cost adjustment in time to affect the 1999–2000 schools' budgets. [55127]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We will announce our decisions on the SSA formula, including the area cost adjustment, for 1999–2000 later in the autumn according to the normal timetable.
  1200

TREASURY

  Retail Prices Index
  Dr. Lienee Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the research by the Office for National Statistics into bias in the Retail Prices Index to be published. [56025]

  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 Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 22 October 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on when the Chancellor of the Exchequer expects the research by the ONS into bias in the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to be published.
  Our work programme into potential bias in the RPI is an expansive one that will look into a number of conceptual and technical issues relating to index number construction. We have identified those aspects of the current methodology which should be given the highest priority and will undertake research on these first. A description of the research programme will be published in the ONS publication Economic Trends.
  I am sorry that I cannot be more specific about the time of completion of particular research projects at this stage but further consideration will be given to the precise form and timing of dissemination as the work progresses further.
  As you know, our initial assessment of the potential for bias in the RPI was published in an article in the October 1997 edition of Economic Trends entitled Implications of the US Boskin report for the UK Retail Prices Index. A copy of Economic Trends is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Overseas Visits (Advisers)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the overseas visits between 1 July and 19 October on which Ministers have been accompanied by special advisers and for each trip(a) the name of the adviser, (b) the class and cost of travel booked for the adviser, (c) the class of travel actually used by the adviser and (d) the accommodation and ancillary cost for the adviser. [56007]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) on 24 July 1998,Official Report, column 750, and the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 31 July 1998, Official Report, columns 663–64. Special advisers, along with other departmental officials, have accompanied Ministers to meetings of European finance ministers and to international meetings including the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' Meeting and the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 15 September, ref. 3/05775/1998. [55752]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 20 October.
  1201
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a substantive reply to his letter of 1 July, ref. 3/05072/1998. [55753]

  Dawn Primarolo
  My hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) received an interim reply to his letter of 1 July on 14 July. A full reply will be sent when an announcement is made about the outcome of the Government's review of the withdrawal of payable tax credits from individuals after 5 April 1999.

  Transport White Paper
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings he held with non-Governmental bodies about transport policy and the Transport White Paper in the three months before the publication of the White Paper; and which of these meetings were attended by employees of professional lobby consultants. [55269]

  Mr. Byers
  Prior to the publication of the Government's White Paper "A New Deal for Transport", the Government were keen to hear the views of all interested parties and accordingly consulted widely before any policy decisions were taken. Between 21 August and 14 November 1997, the Government carried out a major consultation exercise resulting in over 7,300 written responses and a number of consultation meetings and seminars throughout the UK. It is intended that this consultation be an ongoing process. In the three months prior to the publication of the Government's White Paper, the Chancellor did not hold any meetings with non-governmental bodies specifically in relation to transport policy.

  Cross-border Smuggling
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the annual loss of UK hydrocarbon duty on(a) petrol, (b) diesel and (c) other fuels from cross-border smuggling. [55731]

  Ms Hewitt
  HM Customs and Excise have no estimates for the revenue lost to the Exchequer through these activities.

  Euro (Conversion Costs)
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the costs of converting to the euro for(a) Government departments, (b) the financial sector and (c) the economy as a whole; and if he will make a statement. [55727]

  Ms Hewitt
  The cost of the changeover should the UK decide to join the euro would depend on the manner in which businesses and other organisations were to approach the changeover. The extent to which organisations have considered the euro as a factor when making investment decisions prior to joining would also be a factor.

  The Government are committed to publish an Outline National Changeover Plan which will set out the steps involved should the UK join the single currency. Work on the plan is being carried out in consultation with a wide range of representative organisations. This will help
  1202
  the selection of changeover arrangements which would be practical and cost-effective for a wide range of businesses and other organisations.

  Tax Receipts
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's revised forecast for the public sector net cash requirement in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01, and (c) 2001–02 following the revisions to his growth forecast. [55838]

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his Department's current forecast for tax receipts in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02; [55722]

  (2) what is his Department's current forecast for (a) corporation tax receipts and (b) VAT receipts in (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [55724]

  Ms Hewitt
  A new forecast of the public finances will be published in the Pre-Budget Report on 3 November.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on UK interest rates of(a) the decision to introduce a statutory minimum wage and (b) his spending plans published in July. [55837]

  Ms Hewitt
  Interest rate decisions are a matter for the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee. The MPC sets interest rates to meet the Government's inflation target, taking into account all available information. We will continue to give the MPC one hundred per cent. support in whatever difficult decisions it has to make on interest rates.

  Revised Growth Forecast
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what briefing was given by his special advisers regarding the revised growth forecast. [55841]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The revised growth forecast will be published in the Pre-Budget Report on 3 November.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons his intention to publish revised growth forecasts was first announced(a) to the IMF and (b) on 6 October. [55844]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank always discuss the world economic situation. Previous Chancellors have used this occasion to comment on the prospects for the UK. And other Finance Ministers comment on their own economies. It would have been unusual for the Chancellor not to do so in his statement to the Annual Meeting on 6 October. And in view of the rapid deterioration in the world economic outlook since the summer, it would have been even less credible not to acknowledge that the Government's next published forecast would include a downward revision to growth in 1999.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the
  1203
  market's perception of the independence of the Bank of England as regards UK interest rates of his statements on the level of UK interest rates. [55842]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor does not comment on the month to month decisions of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee. Market expectations of inflation remain close to the inflation target and long-term interest rates are at the lowest levels in 35 years.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he had with the Governor of the Bank of England in the month prior to 8 October. [55840]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor has regular discussions with the Governor every month.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions have taken place between the Treasury and the Bank of England on the circumstances in which action would be taken under section 19 of the Bank of England Act 1998 relating to emergency powers. [56349]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor has no plans to use the emergency powers under section 19 of the Bank of England Act 1998.

  Pre-Budget Report
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish his pre-Budget report. [55845]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 111, to my hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Mr. Caplin).

  Savings Ratio
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his assessment of the impact on the savings ratio arising from(a) the abolition of repayment dividend tax credits and (b) the abolition of TESSAs and PEPs. [55723]

  Ms Hewitt
  Changing the tax treatment will encourage savings on a sustainable basis in the long term, promoting economic prosperity and rebalancing tax relief towards those who need it.

  European Single Currency
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what rate of exchange each of the 11 countries will join the European single currency on 1 January 1999. [55943]

  Ms Hewitt
  The bilateral conversion rates between currencies joining in the first wave were pre-announced in a declaration by the Finance Ministers and central bank governors of participating member states on 2 May 1998. Copies of the declaration have been placed in the Library of the House of Commons. Details of the rates are also available on the Treasury's Internet Web-site. These bilateral rates will be used to determine conversion rates against the euro on 31 December 1998.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria will be used to establish the rate of exchange at which the UK could join the single European currency. [55946]
  1204
  Ms Hewitt
  If and when the UK joined the single currency, the rate at which Sterling would join would be decided then, in conjunction with our European partners. The rate would need to be compatible with economic fundamentals in the UK and with sustainable convergence between the UK and other euro-area economies.

  Monetary Policy Committee
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the membership of the Monetary Policy Committee. [55792]

  Ms Hewitt
  The members of the Monetary Policy Committee have fixed terms of office which have been publicly announced. The Chancellor has no intention of changing these. Two members' terms are due for renewal in June 1999.

  Population Censuses
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those 1901–1991 decennial population censuses(a) for which the then Registrar General did not promise informants that the householders' forms would be treated as confidential for 100 years and (b) for which the Lord Chancellor has not granted, and is not intending to grant, the Registrar General statutory permission for an extended 100-year retention of the census forms. [55824]

  Ms Hewitt
  In the period 1901–1991, only the 1981 and 1991 Census forms have contained specific assurances from the Registrar General for England and Wales with regard to the 100 year closure period, as specified under the terms of the Lord Chancellor's Instrument 12 of the Public Records Act 1958.

  Access to the census returns prior to 1920 is governed by the Public Records Act 1958, section 5(1). They are closed to public inspection for 100 years by virtue of Lord Chancellor's Instrument No 12 of June 1966. The returns for 1901 and 1911 are in the custody of the Public Record Office.

  Access to the census returns of 1921, 1951 and 1961 is covered by the Census Act 1920, as amended by the Census (Confidentiality) Act 1991. The Public Records Act 1958 section 3(4) permits those public records selected for permanent preservation to be retained for more than 30 years by the person responsible for them, with the Lord Chancellor's approval. In the case of census returns that person is the Registrar General, and permission is sought from the Lord Chancellor for the retention of census records every 10 years. The Lord Chancellor has granted permission for the census records for 1921, 1951 and 1961 to be retained by the Registrar General. The census returns for 1931 were destroyed by fire, and no census was taken in 1941.

  The census returns for 1971, 1981 and 1991 are similarly covered by the Census Act 1920, and the Census (Confidentiality) Act 1991. No retention instrument is yet necessary for the returns for 1971, 1981 and 1991 since the records are less than 30 years old.
  1205

HOME DEPARTMENT

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the application for the extradition of General Pinochet from the United Kingdom. [55754]

  Mr. Straw
  Senator Pinochet was arrested on 16 October 1998 on the basis of a provisional warrant issued under section 8 of the Extradition Act 1989 by the Bow Street Magistrate, in response to a request transmitted to the United Kingdom police via Interpol, from the Spanish authorities. Under the European Convention on Extradition, the Spanish authorities have 40 days—until 25 November in this case—to submit a formal extradition request. If the deadline is not met, Senator Pinochet will be discharged.

  I will consider the formal extradition request against the requirements of the Extradition Act 1989. I must decide whether to issue an Authority to Proceed, exercising my discretion under the Act. I will consider, among a range of issues, whether the offences are extradition crimes; whether the request is properly authenticated; whether the offences are of a political character; and any compassionate circumstances. This will not be a political decision; I am exercising my statutory responsibilities.

  If I decide to issue an Authority to Proceed, the Spanish request will pass to the United Kingdom courts, where it will be considered, in the first instance, at Bow Street Magistrates' Court in a committal hearing, with routes of appeal to the Divisional Court and the House of Lords. If the request passes through the court stages, it reverts to me to take a final decision on surrender, again governed by the Extradition Act 1989. If I decide not to issue an Authority to Proceed, Senator Pinochet will be discharged.

  Senator Pinochet's legal representatives have now lodged a writ of habeas corpus against his detention. The hearing has been adjourned until Monday 26 October.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the charges against General Pinochet contained in the extradition application by the Spanish judicial authorities. [55757]

  Mr. Straw
  The formal extradition request for Senator Pinochet, which must be submitted by the Spanish authorities within 40 days of his arrest, will contain particulars of the offences of which he is accused under Spanish law. These will be converted into equivalent charges under English law when the formal request is considered. The provisional warrant issued by the Bow Street Magistrate on 16 October for Senator Pinochet's arrest cites the offence of murder; I will re-examine this in the light of the formal extradition request.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date General Pinochet last arrived in the United Kingdom. [55755]

  Mr. Straw
  Senator Pinochet last arrived in the United Kingdom on 22 September 1998.
  1206
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on(a) how many occasions and (b) what dates General Pinochet has visited the United Kingdom in the last five years. [55756]

  Mr. Straw
  I understand that Senator Pinochet has visited the United Kingdom five times in the last five years. In addition to his current visit, I understand that he visited in February and June 1994, October 1995 and October 1996.

  Overseas Visits (Advisers)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the overseas visits between 1 July and 19 October on which Ministers have been accompanied by special advisers and, for each trip,(a) the name of the adviser, (b) the class and cost of travel booked for the adviser, (c) the class of travel actually used by the adviser and (d) the accommodation and ancillary costs for the adviser. [55997]

  Mr. Straw
  Neither my Ministers nor I have been accompanied overseas by Special Advisers between 1 July and 19 October 1998.

  Prisoners (Health Care)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the report of the Joint Prison Service/Department of Health Working Group on the future organisation of prisoners' health care. [55830]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Ministers have been working closely with the Prison Service on these issues. I expect to receive the report of the Joint Prison Service/ Department of Health Working Group on the future organisation of prisoners' health care very shortly. The Government will consider the group's findings and recommendations and make an announcement in due course.

  Temazepam
  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many export licences were issued, and for what quantity, of Temazepam(a) capsules and (b) tablets in each year between 1990 and 1998; [55183]

  (2) how many Temazepam (a) tablets and (b) capsules were manufactured in the United Kingdom in each year since 1992. [55163]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Records for production of Temazepam, a drug contained in Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985, are required to be kept for a period of two years only. Export licence numbers are not routinely recorded as most consignments are covered by blanket export licences.

  The following information is available from existing records:

  1996

  1997

  Export

  Tablets

  47,150

  43,192

  Capsules

  3,288,500

  1,353,860

  1207

  1996

  1997

  Manufacture

  Tablets

  94,260,000

  48,580,000

  Capsules

  9,760,000

  —

  Young Offenders (Drugs)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [55139]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 introduced a new community sentence aimed at drug misusing offenders who commit offences to fund their drugs habit: the drug treatment and testing order. It is available to the courts in respect of offenders aged 16 or over and is currently being piloted under the management of the probation service in Liverpool, Croydon and Gloucestershire. Offenders who are considered to be susceptible to treatment and who express willingness to do so, will have to undergo treatment for their drug misuse, monitored by random and compulsory testing. Plans are also in hand to pilot the new order in Scotland.

  The Act also introduces the action plan order for 10 to 17 year-olds, which is a new community sentence aimed at addressing young offenders' offending behaviour. An action plan order will be tailored for the individual young offender and may include elements such as, for example, drug treatment programmes.

  In 1995, the Prison Service introduced a programme of mandatory drug testing. In this scheme all offenders, including young offenders, may be tested for drug misuse. The Prison Service is currently addressing access to, as well as availability and quality of, treatment programmes for young offenders held in Prison Service establishments. This is a key element of the Prison Service's Drug Strategy launched in May this year.

  Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which (i) communities and (ii) organisations in(a) Scotland, (b) Cornwall, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland, (e) elsewhere in the United Kingdom, (f) Isle of Man and (g) the Channel Islands, have been invited to submit evidence to the Government in preparation for its report to the Council of Europe on progress made by the United Kingdom under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities; [55447]

  (2) what measures he has taken to ensure that national minorities are able to submit comments on the Government's report to the Council of Europe on progress made by the United Kingdom since ratifying the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. [55448]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have written to the organisations listed to seek their views on the issues which might be covered in the United Kingdom's report and intend to consult them once the report has been drafted:1208

  Commission for Racial Equality

  The Runnymede Trust

  Churches Commission for Racial Justice

  West Indian Standing Conference

  National Council of Hindu Temples

  The Sikh Council for Inter-Faith Relations

  Board of Deputies of British Jews

  Joint Council for Anglo-Caribbean Churches

  Union Muslim Organisations

  The Sikh Forum (UK)

  Anti-Racist Alliance

  1990 Trust

  The Muslim College

  Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants

  Black Jewish Forum

  Interfaith Network

  Society of Black Lawyers

  Al-Khoei Foundation

  Inner Cities Religious Council

  Muslim Council of Great Britain

  Justice

  Liberty

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights (SACHR)

  SIA

  Institute of Race Relations

  Chinese Community in Britain

  The African and Caribbean Finance Forum

  Inter-Parliamentary Council Against Antisemitism

  Policy Studies Institute

  Greater Sylhet Development and Welfare Council in the United Kingdom

  The Consortium of Bengali Associations

  Northern Ireland Council of Ethnic Minorities

  CAJ, Belfast

  African Caribbean Leadership

  Commission for Racial Equality (NI)

  Belfast Travellers Education and Development Group

  The Islamic Foundation

  Minority Rights Group

  Confederation of Indian Organisations

  Charter 88 Ltd.

  Society of Asian Lawyers

  Central Scotland Racial Equality Council

  Fife Racial Equality Council

  Grampian Racial Equality Council

  Lothian Racial Equality Council

  Tayside Community Relations Council

  West of Scotland Community Relations Council

  Commission for Racial Equality, Scotland Office

  SCVO Race Equality Development Unit

  Common na Gaidhlig

  Welsh Development Agency

  Development Board for Rural Wales

  Wales Tourist Board

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  Land Authority for Wales

  National Museums and Galleries of Wales

  National Library of Wales

  1209

  Sports Council for Wales

  Welsh Language Board

  Bwrdd yr laith Gymraeg

  Arts Council of Wales

  Tai Cymru

  Countryside Council for Wales

  Qualification, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

  Residuary Body for Wales

  Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

  Further Education Funding Council for Wales

  Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

  Members of the Race Relations Forum

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what definitions are used of(a) culture, (b) ethnic and (c) ethnicity in his Department's work to support its ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities; [55446]

  (2) which groups are currently under consideration for acceptance by his Department as a National Minority in addition to those national minorities already recognised by his Department as existing within the United Kingdom under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities; [55449]

  (3) which national minorities his Department has identified within the United Kingdom for the purposes of its ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. [55450]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  "National Minority" is not a legally defined term within the United Kingdom. For the purposes of the Convention, our report will be based on the definition of racial group as set out in the Race Relations Act 1976. This defines a racial group as"a group of persons defined by colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins".

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what timetable he has set for the consultation and report on progress made by the United Kingdom since the ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. [55445]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We are due to report on progress under the Convention by May 1999. To meet this deadline, we have invited interested parties to suggest issues which might be included in our report and will consult them early next year on a draft.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps he is taking to encourage speedier responses to claims by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; [55150]

  (2) what is the current average time that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board takes to deal with a claim. [55149]
  1210
  Mr. Michael
  There are no meaningful average waiting times applicable to criminal injuries compensation claims. Applications range from the very straightforward ones, in which a decision may be issued within weeks, through to exceptionally complex cases where it may take a number of years for the injury to be fairly assessed. It is sometimes impossible to assess fully the level of permanent injury for some considerable time, and this can contribute to delay. Interim payments are usually made in such cases to assist the victim return in the shorter term.

  The work of the board is confined to the clearance of cases outstanding under the 1990 common law damages scheme at 31 March 1996. There were then some 110,000 such cases. By 30 September 1998 the board had reduced this figure to 17,500, most awaiting an appeal or other hearing. The aim is to clear these cases by 31 March 2000.

  The tariff-based scheme, effective for all claims received on or after 1 April 1996, is operated by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), with appeals being dealt with by the independent Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel (CICAP). The new scheme was designed to be simpler and faster. CICA' s target is to issue a first decision in 90 per cent. of claims within 12 months of receipt. In 1997–98, achievement was 86 per cent. CICAP' s target is to resolve appeals in 80 per cent. of cases within six months. In 1997–98, achievement was 82 per cent.

  Immigration Service
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change there was in the number of front-line immigration officers between January 1988 and January 1998. [55654]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On 1 January 1988, the Immigration Service employed a total of 1,350 permanent immigration officers for its combined on-entry and enforcement operations. On 1 January 1998, the total figure was 1,976, of which 1,764 were in the Immigration Service Ports Directorate and 212 were in the Immigration Service Enforcement Directorate. In addition, the Assistant Immigration Officer grade was introduced in 1991. On 1 January 1998, there were 154 Assistant Immigration Officers, of whom 129 were in the Immigration Service Ports Directorate and 25 were in the Immigration Service Enforcement Directorate.

  Drug Smuggling
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the(a) direct and (b) indirect cost of illegal drug smuggling to the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [55655]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Estimates of the costs of problematic drug misuse were produced by Professor Michael Hough of South Bank University and included in the Home Office Drug Prevention Initiative report "Arrest Referral: Emerging Lessons from Research", published in April 1998.

  The total annual cost was put at between £3.2 billion and £3.7 billion, made up of £100 million health costs, £600 million unemployment and sickness benefit

  1211
  payments, £500 million criminal justice system costs and costs of between £2 billion—£2.5 billion to victims of drug-related crime.

  These estimates do not distinguish between costs arising from drugs smuggled illegally and drugs produced in this country, although other studies suggest that the overwhelming majority of the drug misused in this country are produced overseas.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Growth Promoters
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many infringements of the regulations concerning the growth promoter Olaquindox have been recorded in each year since 1987. [54663]

  Mr. Rooker
  Olaquindox is a growth promoter permitted for use in feed for piglets up to 4 months of age under the requirements of Council Directive 70/524/EEC as amended. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain enforces the relevant provisions of the Directive in Great Britain and routinely monitors the use of zootechnical additives in feedingstuffs. There are no records of infringements specific to the use of Olaquindox.

  Persistent Inquirers
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent inquirers for information. [53949]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department's Executive Agencies are the responsibility of their Chief Executives. I have asked them to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from G. K. Bruce to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question about procedures to identify persistent enquirers for information.
  The Pesticides Safety Directorate aims to respond helpfully to all enquirers for information and has no procedures in place to identify persistent enquirers.

  Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your question concerning procedures to identify persistent enquiries for information.
  1212
  Requests for information under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information are routinely monitored, but it has not been found necessary to introduce specific procedures to identify persistent enquiries.

  Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 8 October 1998:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent enquirers for information.
  Although the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) monitors all requests for information under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it has not been found necessary to introduce specific procedures for persistent inquirers. The VMD follows the guidance on interpretation of the Code issued by the Office of Public Service.

  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food enquiring whether agencies have procedures to identify persistent enquirers for information has been passed to me to respond on behalf of this Executive Agency.
  The MHS receives many requests for information from various sources and aims to respond helpfully to all such requests. The Agency does not have any formal procedures to identify persistent enquirers.

  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on the procedures in place at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) to identify persistent enquirers for information.
  I can confirm that the VLA has a process in place for tracking all enquiries addressed to the Agency.

  Letter from Sarah Nason to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
  Mr. Nick Brown has asked me to reply, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent enquirers for information.
  In accordance with FRCA's Charter and Statement of Service Standards correspondence is recorded and monitored locally. FRCA Directors report on a quarterly basis to the Agency's Management Board so that service improvements and opportunities for efficiencies can be identified. This process should ensure the identification of persistent enquirers.

  Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
  As Agency Chief Executive, I am responding to your question to the Minister of Agriculture in relation to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
  With regard to the operation of monitoring of persistent inquirers for information, CEFAS receives many requests from individuals and organisations seeking information. These are monitored as required by the Agency's obligations under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, and the Environmental Information Regulations 1992.
  There are no specific procedures by which people who make frequent requests are identified, but any such cases would be evident from inspection of the records when annual summaries are prepared.

  European Commission: Prompt Payment to Small Businesses
  European Commission: Prompt Payment to Small Businesses
  M.1, Junctions 4 to 5: Road Surface
  M.1, Junctions 4 to 5: Road Surface
  Cycling and Walking: Local Authority Provision
  Cycling and Walking: Local Authority Provision
  Greater London Authority: Location
  Greater London Authority: Location
  Arms Exports: Licensing Criteria
  Arms Exports: Licensing Criteria
  Slovenia: Arms Exports
  Slovenia: Arms Exports
  Naval Service: Minimum Age of Deployment
  Naval Service: Minimum Age of Deployment
  Government Departments: US Computer Equipment
  Government Departments: US Computer Equipment
  New Zealand: Agricultural Subsidy Policy
  New Zealand: Agricultural Subsidy Policy
  Genetically Modified Plant Varieties: Seed Listing
  Genetically Modified Plant Varieties: Seed Listing
  Glufosinate Ammonium: Use as Pesticides
  Glufosinate Ammonium: Use as Pesticides