Written Answers of 27 October 1998

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Infrastructure Project
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the President of the Council when the Ernst and Young report on the Government's millennium infrastructure project will be published. [56673]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The report was published on 10 September, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

WALES

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Welsh Development Agency concerning the implications for its activities of the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56156]

  Mr. Hain
  The Welsh Development Agency has regular discussions with the Welsh Office on a variety of issues. The implications of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) has been discussed in that context. The Welsh Office continues to keep the Agency advised of developments on the MAI proposal.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce changes in the map of assisted area status; and if he will make a statement. [56493]

  Mr. Hain
  Announcing changes to the Assisted Areas map is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The new map must be notified to the Commission by 31 March 1999, and will come into force on 1 January 2000.

  Apprentices (Deeside)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps his Department proposes to facilitate increases in apprentices on Deeside; and if he will make a statement. [56492]

  Mr. Hain
  The Welsh Office in collaboration with the Welsh TECs actively promotes Modern Apprenticeships to both employers and young people. However, the demand for apprentices on Deeside, as elsewhere, is determined by employers. CELTEC, the local Training and Enterprise Council, works with these employers to meet emerging needs.
  90

  Nuclear Waste
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to call in any application to store nuclear waste at Trecwn in Pembrokeshire. [56692]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  No. However, I am prepared to consider whether an individual application should be called in. As yet, I understand that no application has been made.

TREASURY

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to raise the financial threshold for service industry businesses to register for value-added tax. [56435]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs and Excise are currently undertaking a public consultation on future changes to the VAT registration threshold. Decisions on the various proposals will only be taken after careful evaluation of the representations received.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning the impact of the strength of the pound on manufacturing industry. [56845]

  Ms Hewitt
  Treasury Ministers receive many representations from business organisations on a range of issues, including the exchange rate. The Government understand the difficulties caused by sterling's appreciation. The recent easing of the exchange rate should help to relieve some of the concerns of manufacturers.

  Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made to the(a) definition and (b) objectives of the public sector borrowing requirement since its inception; and what are the current objectives. [56659]

  Mr. Byers
  The definition of the public sector used for the public sector net cash requirement (formerly known as the public sector borrowing requirement) has always been consistent with the definition used in the national accounts prepared by the Office for National Statistics.

  No changes have been made to the objectives of the public sector net cash requirement, which are to measure the cash needs of the whole public sector.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Government's Economic and Fiscal Strategy report (Cm 3978, p.37), if it remains Government policy to sell part of National Air Traffic Services during the financial year 1999–2000; and what sale proceeds are forecast. [56689]
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  Ms Hewitt
  It is still the Government's intention to introduce a public private partnership for NATS based on a 51 per cent. sale of shares. A consultation paper has been published. The timing of the sale will depend on the legislative timetable. It would not be appropriate to give estimates of proceeds, which are commercially sensitive, before the sale takes place.

  Exports
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the value of the United Kingdom's exports to OECD countries currently in recession as defined by two successive quarters of negative growth, in each of(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [56693]

  Ms Hewitt
  Three OECD countries Japan, South Korea and New Zealand have recently had two successive quarters of negative growth. The value of UK exports of goods to these countries in 1997–98 was estimated at £5,579 million: £4,057 million for Japan; £1,100 million for South Korea, and £422 million for New Zealand. The Treasury does not publish forecasts for the value of trade with individual countries.

  GDP Growth
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what account will be taken of the forecast for EU GDP growth issued by the European Commission on 21 October in his Department's forecasts for UK GDP growth in 1999; and if he will make a statement; [56768]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the European Commission's forecasts of 21 October of the UK and EU rates of GDP growth; and if he will make a statement. [56767]

  Ms Hewitt
  New forecasts for growth will be published on 3 November as part of the Pre-Budget Report. These will take account of developments since the Budget forecast was published in March.

  Unclaimed Assets
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with banks, building societies and insurance companies about the amount of assets held by these organisations on behalf of people whose whereabouts are no longer known. [56944]

  Ms Hewitt
  None.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of money held by financial institutions on behalf of individuals whose whereabouts are presently unknown. [56956]

  Ms Hewitt
  We have no comprehensive data on the amounts involved.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish details of the proposed scheme for employers to pay the working families tax credit and the disabled person's tax credit through the wage packet. [57150]
  92
  Dawn Primarolo
  WFTC and DPTC will replace Family Credit (FC) and Disability Working Allowance (DWA) in October 1999 and will be administered by the Inland Revenue. From that date the Inland Revenue will process applications and pay the 26-week awards direct to all successful applicants. But from April 2000 employers will pay the tax credits to employees through the wage packet unless a couple chose to have them paid direct by the Revenue to the self-employed or non-earning partner.

  The Inland Revenue has been consulting employer representatives on the design of the scheme, with the aim of minimising extra burdens on employers. The main features are as follows:
  The Inland Revenue will notify employers of when to start paying a tax credit, and will give them time to adjust their payroll. The notification will tell the employer how much tax credit to pay and when to stop. In order to preserve the applicant's confidentiality the notification will refer only to 'tax credits'. It will not distinguish between WFTC and DPTC, nor will it list the various elements of the award.
  Once notified when to start payments, the employer will add the amount of the tax credit (calculated using the daily rate supplied by the Revenue) to the employee's net wages for each pay period.
  Employers will continue to pay the tax credits until the end of the 26-week award unless notified by the Inland Revenue to stop paying sooner. A recipient who changes jobs or leaves employment will be responsible for letting the Revenue know of these changes.
  When the employer is not paying the tax credit—at the beginning of an award, or where the employee has left the employer—the Revenue will be responsible for making direct payment to the recipient, thus ensuring that there is no gap in payments.
  Employers will set off the amounts of tax credit they pay against their PAYE and NIC liabilities. Employers whose liabilities are too small to cover the WFTC and DPTC due will be able to apply to the Revenue for funding.
  The Inland Revenue will be providing information and support, both before and after April 2000, to help employers meet their new obligations.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support (Mortgage Interest)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the losses in respect of income support with mortgage interest arising from(a) fraud, (b) claimant error and (c) agency error in each of the last five years; what efforts are being made to reduce these losses; and if he will make a statement. [55218]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of Income Support is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Andrew Love, dated 26 October 1998:
  The Secretary for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimates he has made of the losses in respect of Income Support (IS) with mortgage interest from (a) fraud, (b) claimant error and (c) agency error in each of the last five years; what efforts are being made to reduce these losses.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The Benefits Agency (BA) estimates of the level of fraud within major benefits are informed by the BA's Benefit Review programme.

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  However, the IS reviews did not separately identify losses arising from fraud where mortgage interest was included. BA's Quality Support Teams provide estimates of agency error on certain benefits including IS. Estimates relating to claimant error could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Estimates for agency error are enclosed on the attached table.
  The Agency is actively looking at ways of working with mortgage lenders to prevent losses where the benefit includes mortgage interest. The vast majority of IS claimant's eligible housing costs have been paid direct to their mortgage lenders under the Mortgage Interest Direct (MID) arrangements since May 1992.
  The Agency undertook a comprehensive mortgage scrutiny during 1994.The findings of the scrutiny supported the streamlining of the MID scheme. From October 1995 the MID scheme was simplified by introducing a standard interest rate (SIR) which eased the administration of the scheme and removed the reliance on customers for up to date mortgage information.
  BA have introduced a number of measures to tackle fraud and incorrectness across all benefits including the introduction of a mandatory pre-payment check and a review of the poorest performing districts. Other initiatives introduced are enhancements to our computer system (relating to deductions from benefit), automating case reviews, increasing the number of pre-payment checks, funding additional training initiatives, new claim visits and targeted reviews, new checks on identity and new evidence based checks on claim details.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Estimates of Income Support mortgage interest losses due to official error

  £million

  Year

  Official error

  April 1995—March 1996

  92.46

  April 1996—March 1997

  33.27

  April 1997—March 1998

  21.10

  Notes:

  1.This information has been provided by the BA's Quality Support programme of visits, it is provisional and may be subject to change.

  2.This information has been extracted from samples checked by the BA's Quality Support programme to provide national accuracy results in percentage and monetary accuracy terms. These results reflect the accuracy of benefit processing by BA staff, based on the documentation and information available.

  3.BA monetary value of error results between 1995 and 1998 were based on samples of between 30,000 and 60,000 cases and are subject to a margin of error of plus or minus ten per cent.

  4.Extracting data from the sample in respect of one type of error, substantially reduces the statistical validity of the resulting figures. The monetary values quoted for mortgage error give an indication of the scale of the over and underpayments identified in the course of the Quality Support programmes. However, these values should be treated with caution. A substantial checking exercise would be required to provide figures with greater statistical validity.

  5.The information for 1995–96 is based on a twelve month sample period and includes all claimant groups including the unemployed and reflects the introduction of the Standard Interest Rate in October 1995.

  6.The data for 1996–97 are based on a six month period but has been annualised to project a full year. The estimate is based on the latter half of the year following the introduction of Jobseeker's Allowance in October 1996 and does not include information relation to unemployed claimants.

  7.The data for 1997–98 are based on a six month period at the start of the year and annualised to project a full year. This is because the end of year data are still being finalised.

  Information (Benefits)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about his 94
  proposals to improve access to general information about benefits; and if the restoration of the freephone social security line is being considered. [56022]

  Angela Eagle
  Questions on Benefits Agency operational matters are the responsibility of its Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 26 October 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about his proposals to improve access to general information about benefits and if the restoration of the freephone social security line is being considered.
  The Benefits Agency is currently simplifying and refocusing its provision of benefit information. The information will focus on what customers want and need to know to claim benefit. It will give them clear sign posts about where to get more information. This work is being taken forward under the title of "Project Access". The first new leaflets are being introduced at the end of November 1998.
  Our intention for the future would allow customers to obtain accurate information through various media including by post, in person, by telephone, and electronically.
  There are no current plans to reintroduce the national Freeline service which would lack the information links needed to provide the individual, customer-focused advice, which is critical to our vision of an active modern service.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have(a) applied for and (b) been awarded incapacity benefit in each of the last three years. [55935]

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

  Number of claims to and awards of incapacity benefit (IB)

  New claims

  IB awards1

  1 March 1995–29 February 19962

  1,072,456

  535,100

  1 March 1996–28 February 1997

  1,067,919

  495,600

  1 March 1997–28 February 1998

  1,012,827

  455,380

  1 Figures exclude a small number of clerical cases and cases entered onto the system after the extract periods

  2 Includes period, 1 March 1995 to 12 April 1995, before Incapacity Benefit replaced Sickness Benefit and Invalidity Benefit on 13 April 1995

  Sources:
  New claims figures are received from Central Data Unit, these figures are subject to change.
  IB Awards figures are taken from a quarterly 5 per cent. sample of the computer system.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will exempt Huntington's disease sufferers from the benefit integrity project; and if he will make a statement. [55704]

  Mr. Timms
  The question of making further exemptions to the Benefit Integrity Project in cases of Neurological disease, which includes Huntington's disease, was raised at the last meeting of the Disability Benefits Forum on 23 September. We undertook to look at the case for making further amendments and we will be making an announcement in the near future.
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  Pensions
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research he has undertaken into the preferred method of payment of state pensions in(a) urban areas and (b) rural areas; and what is his policy on the method of payment of state pensions. [55773]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department has commissioned one study of claimants' preferences with respect to methods of payment. This study is presently under way. The Government remain committed to providing a secure, convenient and cost effective method of payment for all our customers.

  Benefits
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost to public funds of introducing for(a) all new claimants and (b) all claimants, a requirement to look for work for (i) all state benefits and (ii) incapacity benefit; if he will estimate the number of people who (1) would lose and (2) be denied incapacity benefit indicating their average financial loss; and if he will make a statement. [56246]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available.

  Care Costs
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the capital threshold for long-term care cost contributions; and if he will make a statement. [55706]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  A Royal Commission has been established to carry out a fundamental review of the arrangements for providing and financing long-term care. We have no plans to reconsider the thresholds in advance of the report by the Royal Commission, which is expected at the end of the year. Under the current local authority charging rules no account is taken of capital below £10,000. For capital of between £10,000 and £16,000, an income of £1 a week is assumed for each complete £250, or part of £250, held. The capital thresholds which are applied by local authority social services departments in determining an individual's ability to contribute to long-term residential care currently match the thresholds which apply to Income Support for people in residential care. The higher threshold—above which residents qualify for neither income support nor assistance with their fees from the local authority—is currently £16,000.

SCOTLAND

  Water Meters
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to require the Scottish water authorities to(a) ensure that their domestic mechanical water meters are accurate and durable, (b) assess the damage caused by particulate matter in water to their domestic water meters, (c) ensure that the domestic meters which they purchase from manufacturers have been tested using unfiltered water, (d) devise a strategy to reduce meter replacements arising from meter failure, (e) assess the viability of other forms of metering equipment and
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  (f) evaluate the effects of increased flow through of layer particulate matter arising from the use of electro-magnetic and solid state meters. [55747]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The installation and replacement of water meters is a matter for the water authorities, who also keep under review any alternative metering devices as they become available. There are provisions covering the accuracy and testing of water meters installed for domestic customers by the Scottish water authorities in section 54 of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980, which also provides for customers to challenge the accuracy of meter readings. The Government are currently undertaking public consultations about whether to extend to Scotland the provisions of the Measuring Equipment (Cold-water Meters) Regulations 1988 which apply in England and Wales. We have no other plans to introduce new controls.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been the annual running costs for each year since their establishment, of each of the European programme directives or partnerships for the disbursement of European structural funds; and by what means such costs are scrutinised. [56252]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The information set out in the table is based on claims received:

  Expenditure (£)

  Calendar year

  Strathclyde European partnership

  Eastern Scotland European partnership

  Dumfries and Galloway European partnership

  Highlands and Islands partnership programme

  1993

  365,217

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  325,242

  10,000

  91,400

  259,630

  1995

  400,580

  398,000

  155,000

  371,000

  1996

  530,630

  428,000

  171,000

  384,900

  1997

  951,840

  718,353

  190,500

  524,000

  Programme Executive budgets are approved by the respective Boards or Joint Management Boards drawn from, and with responsibility, to the various programme partnerships for the operation of the Programme Executives. The partnerships meet 50 per cent. of the costs.

  Programme Executive funding is also supported at 50 per cent. from technical assistance from the European Structural Funds. The technical assistance application, and by extension, the overall budget is considered and approved by the Programme Monitoring Committee.

  Expenditure and claims for technical assistance are scrutinised in accordance with recognised payment and audit procedures as laid down by the Scottish Office, the National Audit Office and the European Commission.

  Prescription Charges (Cancer Treatment)
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the projected cost to the National Health Service in Scotland of extending prescription charge exemptions to include those recovering from cancer. [56165]
  97
  Mr. Galbraith
  It is not possible to identify separately the cost of items prescribed and dispensed for those people recovering from cancer. The NHS prescription form does not record the medical diagnosis for which a drug has been prescribed.

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department has evaluated into the effectiveness of Tamoxifen as an anti-cancer treatment; and if he will assess the advantages of extending the exemption from prescription charges to include those who are required to use it as part of their continuing treatment. [56163]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Scottish Office Department of Health has not evaluated any research into the effectiveness of Tamoxifen as an anti-cancer treatment.

  The current prescription charge exemption arrangements were reviewed as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. Following the Review, all current prescription charge exemptions will be protected for the rest of the Parliament and existing patient charges will rise by no more than the rate of inflation over the next 3 years.

  Extending the list of conditions giving rise to medical exemption would provide help only to those whose income is about the level for help on low income grounds. In the light of competing demands for increased NHS spending, extending the list would not be making the best use of NHS resources.

HEALTH

  Breast Cancer
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the £100 million extra National Lottery funds announced by the Prime Minister to be allocated to breast cancer treatment will be used to increase the drug budget for cancer drugs. [56043]

  Mr. Boateng
  An extra £400 million will be made available to the new opportunities fund (NOF) between now and 2001 to be spent on cancer prevention, treatment and care; green spaces and sustainable communities; and community access to lifelong learning. A consultation paper setting out the new NOF initiatives will be published in the next few weeks before Parliamentary approval of the initiatives is sought. Decisions on funding will be taken once the consultation is completed.

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what method of public accountability he intends to introduce to monitor the use of resources by primary health care groups. [56211]

  Mr. Milburn
  As a committee of the health authority, the primary care group board will be accountable through its chair to the chief executive of the health authority.

  Oncologists
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he intends to take to increase the number of oncologists per head of population. [56041]
  98
  Mr. Boateng
  The Specialty Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG) makes recommendations to the Department about the number of higher specialist trainees needed to meet future requirements for consultants in each specialty, including medical oncology and radiotherapy (clinical oncology). Estimates of future requirements are informed by the views of National Health Service management, the medical profession and other interested parties, who are represented on SWAG. Over the past three years SWAG has made recommendations for increases in medical oncology and radiotherapy, which will result in extra numbers of qualified candidates for consultant posts from 1999/2000 onwards.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he proposes to publish the White Paper on Tobacco Control; and if he will make a statement. [56035]

  Ms Jowell
  We expect to publish the White Paper before the House rises for the Christmas recess. It will set out our comprehensive tobacco control strategy including the timescale for implementation of the tobacco advertising and sponsorship directive in United Kingdom law.

  AIDS Support Grant
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to announce the level of AIDS support grant for the next financial year. [56765]

  Ms Jowell
  The level of AIDS Support Grant for the next financial year will be £15.5 million (an increase of almost 12 per cent. on 1998–99) and the planning figures for 2000–01 and 2001–02 are £16 million and £16.5 million respectively.

  Health Improvement Programmes
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the main criteria for the establishment of health improvement programmes; and what progress has been made in the establishment of such programmes. [56652]

  Mr. Milburn
  Health improvement programmes will be the local strategies for improving health and health care. Health authorities have lead responsibility for their development. They will be expected to do this through a fully inclusive process, engaging primary care groups, National Health Service trusts, local authorities, the voluntary sector, local employers and others, users, carers and local communities. Full guidance on the new arrangements has been issued in Health Service Circular 1998/167 Local Authority Circular (98)23: "Health Improvement Programmes: Planning for Better Health and Better Health Care". Copies are available in the Library.

  The first health improvement programmes (HImPs) are to cover the three year period beginning April 1999. They are to be developed through a rolling programme and the first HImPs will need to include plans for their future development.
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  Physiotherapy Services (West Sussex)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the end of GP fundholding on the provision of physiotherapy outpatient services for patients in West Sussex. [56642]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: The Government are committed to building on those elements of the general practitioner fundholding scheme that worked and to extending them to the whole community. Where benefits have been achieved for patients the aim will be to maintain and spread these advantages under the arrangements for shifting fundholders' responsibilities to primary care groups (PCGs) and health authorities.

  Whether services, such as physiotherapy, are affordable within the resources available to a PCG will be for the PCG to decide, taking into account equality of opportunity of access to services. The West Sussex Health Authority is concerned to work with its PCGs to offer continuity in services, if at all possible. A first step will be identifying their range and cost. The health authority will then be discussing with each PCG the relative priority they will place on them.

  Overhead Power Lines
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the dangers to health from overhead power lines. [56848]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has responded to several representations during this Administration about the possible health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from power lines and the alleged health effects of EMFs generally, including 9 Parliamentary Questions and 8 letters.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many former incapacity benefit recipients have(a) transferred to IS/JSA and (b) entered employment at the end of their claim, in each of the last three years. [55939]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The number of people who actually made a claim to unemployment benefits and the number who were placed into employment, in each of the last three operational years, is shown in the table.

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Total number of new claims taken on behalf of ex-IB claimants

  40,257

  76,551

  109,995

  Total number of job placings of ex-IB claimants

  920

  3,535

  5,323

  Social Fund
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library copies of EU Objective 3 Social Fund application forms used by other European Union member states. [55716]
  100
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Officials in the Department of Education and Employment's European Social Fund Unit have written to each member state to request a copy of their current Objective 3 application form. Copies will be placed in the Library when they are received.

  GNVQ Courses
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to require the publication of GNVQ results and league tables for institutions offering GNVQ courses. [56206]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment will publish the Secondary School and College Performance Tables shortly, which will include institutions' results in relevant GNVQs.

  The tables for pupils of compulsory school age will include the Part One GNVQ and Foundation and Intermediate GNVQs combined with GCSEs. The tables for 16–18 year olds will include results for Advanced level GNVQs.

  Reading
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice his Department gives to education authorities on the optimum age at which to commence reading in schools; and what changes there have been in this advice in the last 10 years. [56342]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The National Curriculum has always required reading to be taught from the start of compulsory schooling. The National Literacy Strategy "Framework for teaching" sets out reading objectives for each year, including Reception.

  Sure Start Programme
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff will be employed as outreach workers to visit families under the Sure Start programme; what the cost of the staff will be; and what will be their terms of reference. [56847]

  Ms Hodge
  Outreach will be a key part of Sure Start and will build on existing infrastructures including those in the health and voluntary sectors. Costs will be met from within the Sure Start budget for England of £452 million over the next three years. The Government will be issuing guidance for Sure Start projects in due course. The exact arrangements for outreach work will be for local projects to decide.

  School Standards and Effectiveness Unit
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff are currently employed in the School Standards and Effectiveness Unit; and what is the budgeted cost of publications issued by the unit in the current financial year. [56846]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  As of 30 September 1998 there were 137 staff employed in the Standards and Effectiveness Unit (SEU).
  101
  The total budgeted cost of SEU publications in the current financial year is £3.8 million, of which £2 million relates to the implementation of the Literacy and Numeracy Strategies in primary schools.

  National Learning Targets
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to announce new national learning targets. [57038]

  Mr. Mudie
  My noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment will be announcing new National Learning Targets for England tomorrow. They will cover 16-year-olds, young people post-school, adults and organisations, in addition to the targets for 11-year-olds already announced. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Schools (Hackney)
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he has authorised the Chief Executive of OFSTED to make public statements on the future control of Hackney's schools; and if he will make a statement. [56910]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools is free to report on the situation in any school or LEA which OFSTED has inspected.

  It is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to make decisions about the use of his powers under the new School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase resources for Hackney's schools and to raise morale among pupils and teachers. [56911]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Hackney currently receives over 40 per cent. more education SSA funding per pupil than the national average. Decisions on resources for individual authorities for 1999–2000 will be announced later in the autumn. At this stage, nothing has been ruled in or out.

  Before the end of the year we intend to publish a Green Paper which will set out our vision for the future of the teaching profession. The paper will detail plans for improving the status and morale of teachers by rewarding good teachers in difficult schools and providing a new structure of promotion opportunities. It will also give details of investment to support improved professional development to build on measures already in hand on training, induction and appraisal. I hope that Hackney teachers will play a full part in the consultation process.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he or his officials have had with the Chief Executive of OFSTED on handing over control of Hackney's schools to a private company; and if he will make a statement. [56909]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  No such discussions have taken place.
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CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Piers
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his policy in respect of the preservation of traditional British seaside resort piers. [55709]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Government fully support the preservation of historic seaside piers. Public funding is available from English Heritage (or the equivalent agency in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland) and from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund. To date, the National Heritage Memorial Fund has made three awards, totalling £1.2 million, for the restoration of historic piers, and the Heritage Lottery Fund eight awards, totalling £15 million.

  Medieval Villages
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans next to conduct a survey of deserted medieval villages in England; and if he will make a statement. [56171]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Following an earlier survey of deserted medieval settlements in England, English Heritage has identified about 2,000 such sites as possible candidates for either new or continuing statutory protection. Following further research into these sites, 104 such recommendations have so far been made to my Department and a further 50 recommendations are in preparation. Studies are continuing into the other sites.

  Dance and Drama Training
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the Arts Council report "Fitness for Purpose" by Edward Birk on the provision of dance and drama training; and if he will make a statement. [56413]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: My Department and the Department for Education and Employment are working towards establishing a long term solution to the funding difficulties being experienced by students undertaking vocational studies in dance, drama and stage management. The Arts Council of England's "Fitness for Purpose" report is a helpful contribution to this debate and will inform our consideration of the issues.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Housing Development
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 20 October 1998,Official Report, column 1067, concerning housing development, when he last met members of the housebuilding industry to discuss future housing developments; and if he will make a statement. [56518]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I last met members of the housebuilding industry at the British Construction Industry Awards on 21 October 1998.
  103
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 20 October 1998,Official Report, column 1067, concerning housing development, if he will list the organisations which were present at the meeting on 19 October to which he referred; where the meeting was held; and if he will make a statement. [56519]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The meeting was the launch reception of the London Young Labour Councillor Network held in the Jubilee Room of the House of Commons, where I met representatives of the House-Builders Federation and Laing Homes.

  Right to Roam
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will place in the Library the complete set of responses to his consultation document on the Right to Roam. [56363]

  Mr. Meacher
  Copies of responses to the consultation paper Access to the Open Countryside in England and Wales were placed in my Department's Library on 12 October, with the exception of those from respondents who asked that they should not be made available in this way. A list of non-confidential responses has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Housing (South-West)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will meet the delegation of South-West Liberal Democrat Members to discuss housing targets in the region. [55696]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Secretary of State has no plans to meet the delegation of hon. Members and I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State's letter of 5 October to the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) concerning our approach to planning for England's housing needs.

  British Rail Property
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which former British Rail sites, since the privatisation of British Rail, have been sold or leased for developments serviced by road haulage. [56343]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is not available.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what acreage of unutilised former British Rail land has been allocated to(a) Railtrack and (b) the British Transport Property Board. [56344]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria have been used to divide British Rail land between Railtrack and the British Transport Property Board. [56242]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand that when Railtrack was created in 1994 by the previous Government, it was allocated the operational land and those non-operational sites and disused sections of line which stood a realistic 104
  prospect of future railways use; BR only retained sites and sections of line which were not thought at the time to meet that criterion.

  School Transport
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what alternatives to transporting children to and from school by car his Department is actively promoting. [56071]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A wide range of local initiatives to reduce car use on the journey to and from school already exist. My Department is drawing on this work to develop separate guidance on best practice for both local authorities and schools. The School Travel Advisory Group will move forward quickly to raise the profile of school travel issues and identify practical means of influencing behaviour.

  Freight Haulage
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which United Kingdom freight hauliers have informed him of their intention to register their fleets outside the United Kingdom. [56646]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: There is no notification requirement for United Kingdom freight hauliers who intend to register their fleets outside the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are his Department's estimates of the number of continental European road freight vehicles carrying United Kingdom loads to United Kingdom destinations as a proportion of total road freight. [56648]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: It is estimated that 0.04 per cent. of total road freight activity in the UK is undertaken by European vehicles carrying United Kingdom loads to United Kingdom destinations.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will monitor the effect of increasing the allowed maximum weight of lorries on British roads on the balance between rail and road freight haulage. [56159]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department will continue to monitor domestic freight transport by mode including the balance of freight between road and rail as well as other modes such as water and pipeline. The effect of heavier lorries on rail will be an important part of the review of the case for heavier lorries which we will be asking the Commission for Integrated Transport to undertake.

  Social Housing
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent of a reduction in demand for social housing; and if he will publish the sources and nature of the evidence his Department has collated. [56277]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Much of the current research on low demand is small scale and based on a diverse range of definitions and methodologies, including estimates
  105
  extrapolated from a small number of sample case studies. There is, therefore, a range of disparate figures on the scale and distribution of the apparent reduction in demand for social housing. Evidence from 1997 local authority Housing Investment Programme returns to my Department suggests that the incidence of vacancies in social housing is increasing, particularly in the northern regions.

  My Department has recently commissioned Heriot-Watt University to carry out research that will provide robust data on the nature and extent of low demand across all tenures. The research will also identify practical solutions for tackling the complex problems connected with reduced demand. The study will report in late 1999. The research will inform the work of an Action Team set up to tackle the problems of unpopular housing as part of the new national strategy for neighbourhood renewal being brought together by the Social Exclusion Unit.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Department's press release of 21 October 1998 in respect of genetically modified crops,(a) when the first commercial planting will take place, (b) what specific measures are to accompany any such release to prevent possible cross-contamination and (c) for what length of time the long-term monitoring arrangement for each individual release is planned to continue. [56653]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: The answer is as follows:

  (a) We have reached agreement that there will be no commercial planting of insect-resistant genetically modified crops for 3 years and no commercial planting of herbicide-tolerant genetically modified crops for at least 1 year in the first instance and only then if we are satisfied that the evidence shows that they would be unlikely to pose a risk either to human health or the environment either directly or indirectly.

  (b) The crops will be grown in compliance with a code of practice being drawn up by the industry body Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops (SCIMAC). This includes specific measures to ensure separation between genetically modified and non-genetically modified crops to prevent cross-pollination. The exact distances will be determined on a crop by crop basis, but based on current protocols for production of certified seed.

  (c) The details of the long term monitoring of the farm-scale plantings to be undertaken in 1999 have yet to be agreed with English Nature and the other conservation interests. We will review the results at the end of the first year. However, I would expect monitoring to continue for about 3 years.

  Investment
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the comparative levels of investment in(a) roads and (b) railways in each member state of the European Union in the last year for which figures are available. [56759]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  1995 data published by European Conference of Ministers of Transport are given in the table.106

  1995 investment expenditure in million ecus

  Member state

  Roads

  Railways

  Austria

  477

  475

  Belgium

  965

  699

  Denmark

  335

  227

  Finland

  772

  235

  France

  9,088

  1,539

  Germany

  13,924

  5,924

  Greece

  516

  —

  Ireland

  347

  35.9

  Italy (1993)

  6,400

  1,775

  Luxembourg (1994)

  139

  18

  Netherlands

  1,565

  504

  Portugal

  654

  200

  Spain

  4,254

  763

  Sweden

  1,071

  1,067

  Great Britain

  5,314

  1,108

  Source:

  ECMT 'investment in Transport Infrastructure in the ECMT member countries' Working document No. 1

  Drug Driving
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportions of drivers were found to have used(a) heroin, (b) cannabis and (c) alcohol to the breathalyser limit in the tests undertaken on drug driving in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [56505]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Substances found in drivers, by proportion, are:(a) opiates—4.4 per cent. (from existing experience approximately one-third of these can be expected to have used heroin); (b) cannabis— 12.5 per cent.; (c) alcohol below the legal limit— 8.8 per cent.

  This information has been taken from the Department's ongoing survey into the incidence of drugs found in the bodies of road accident fatalities (drivers, riders, passengers, cyclists, pedestrians). In the survey, some drugs are classified by group only.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department intends to publish proposals for changes to the law relating to compulsory purchase; and if his proposals will include a wider power for local authorities to purchase empty homes. [56701]

  Mr. Raynsford
  An interim report of the fundamental review of compulsory purchase and compensation will be submitted at the end of the year. This will set out recommendations as to changes which can be made in the short term to deliver increased speed, efficiency and fairness to the operation of the system, as well as outlining longer term options for changes to primary legislation. It is too early to predict what recommendations might be forthcoming, although I can confirm that the remit for the review embraces the range of local authorities' compulsory purchase powers, including those relating to housing.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate
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  his Department has made of the increase in continental European HGVs on United Kingdom roads since the abolition of cabotage rules on 1 July. [56649]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: Estimates of the number of European HGVs on United Kingdom roads are given in Table 2 of 'Road Goods Vehicles Travelling to Mainland Europe', published by the Department, and available in the Library. Figures are not yet available for the period since 1 July. We expect little, if any, change since cabotage accounts for only 0.04 per cent. of total UK road freight activity.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made for the costs for a 40-tonne truck and trailer operating in each EU country represented by(a) VED rates, (b) fuel duty and (c) other operating charges. [56645]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: My Department does not have the necessary information on these factors in all Member States to make such a comparison.

  Any meaningful comparison of the costs of operating a 40 tonne, 5-axle, articulated lorry in all Member States would need to include a wide range of factors. As well as Vehicle Excise Duty, fuel duty and their equivalents, it would need to include tolls, road user charges and normal business and employment taxes and charges. Other important variables include fuel efficiency (some hauliers are nearly twice as fuel-efficient as others), distances travelled, loading factors, and the overheads of the haulier.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made of the number of jobs lost in the United Kingdom road freight haulage business since May 1997. [56647]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: I regret that information for the period in question is not yet available. The latest figures, which are collected in the annual Employment Survey, relate to 1996. Statistics for 1997 will be available later this year.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's estimate of the increase in the cost to United Kingdom HGV operators of each class of vehicle in respect of(a) fuel duty, (b) vehicle licence duty and (c) other environmental charges since the Budget. [56651]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: Since the Budget, UK HGV operators have incurred increases in fuel duty of 6 per cent. above the rate of inflation, for all classes of vehicle. The last Budget did not change VED rates for HGVs, other than to introduce a £500 rebate for vehicles meeting certain emission standards, to be available from January 1999. No other relevant environmental charges were introduced in the Budget.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of United Kingdom road freight travelling exclusively on 108
  United Kingdom roads which is being commissioned by United Kingdom companies using foreign HGV operators. [56650]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: The information is not available.

  A12 (Hatfield Peverel Junction)
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the improvement scheme for the junction to the A12 at Hatfield Peverel to be carried out. [56441]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. John Whittingdale, dated 27 October 1998:
  The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, has asked the Chief Executive to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the A12 Hatfield Peverel Junction. I am replying in Lawrie Haynes' absence.
  At this early stage it is not possible to give you an indication of when work could start. We have just commissioned consultants to look at ways of improving the A12 between Hatfield Peverel and Witham Link Road, including the A12 Hatfield Peverel junction. That work will take about eighteen months to complete. Progress thereafter will depend on the outcome of any statutory procedures which might be necessary, we will take the proposals forward as quickly as practicable. I shall ensure that you are kept informed of developments.

  Foxhounds
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many foxhounds he estimates were killed or injured on railway tracks in England and Wales in each of the last five years. [56268]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No official records are kept, but based on the figures provided by the British Transport Police the number for foxhounds killed or injured on the railways in England and Wales are:

  Year

  Foxhounds killed or injured

  1998 (to date)

  18

  1997

  14

  1996

  22

  1995

  4

  1994

  18

  Road Safety
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives he is taking to improve road safety in England. [56548]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are taking a number of initiatives to improve road safety. The Integrated Transport White Paper announced that there will be new casualty reduction targets for the year 2010, which will be underpinned by a road safety strategy. The strategy will set out a range of measures for meeting the targets. In addition, my noble Friend the Minister for
  109
  Roads and Road Safety last week announced the start of a comprehensive review of speed policy, promised in the White Paper.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to establish the value of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. prior to privatisation. [56690]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The final sale route of NATS depends crucially on the details of the public private partnership, on which we are consulting at the moment. It would not be appropriate to give an estimate of the value of the company, which is commercially sensitive, before the sale takes place.

  Rail Fares
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he first evaluated the research by OPRAF published on 22 October concerning trends in fare levels for rail passengers. [56691]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend received briefing on this research earlier in October.

  Highways Agency
  Mr. Dennis Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he proposes to undertake a periodic review of the Highways Agency. [57039]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My noble Friend the Minister for Roads and Road Safety has announced today that we are to commence a periodic review of the Highways Agency. The performance of the Agency since its launch will be evaluated and a review of the options for the best management of its functions will be undertaken. It is also an appropriate moment for a review, as we set the Agency a new aim and objectives this Summer, reflecting this Government's new vision for integrated transport in relation to the English trunk road network. The Review will build on the work done during the Integrated Transport and Roads Reviews. We hope to announce the results of the review next Spring.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government will respond to the reports by the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development on(a) Getting the Best out of Indicators and (b) Economic Regulators. [57286]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government have today published responses to these two reports by the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development.

  "Getting the Best out of Indicators" has made a valuable contribution to the Government's development of a new set of Indicators as the report focused on strategic issues relating to their use and development and gave particular regard to policy and communication. The new Government indicators will, for the first time, include economic and social aspects of sustainable development together with a small group of headline Indicators. The
  110
  full set of Indicators will be launched early in the new year together with the revised UK Sustainable Development Strategy.

  The report on Economic Regulators was considered very carefully in light of the consultation for "A Fair Deal for Consumers" published by DTI in March. We are pleased to have been able to respond positively to many of the Round Table's recommendations, for instance setting up a framework for regulation and issuing statutory guidance on the social and environment objectives.

  The Government value the work of the Round Table in helping to take forward the Sustainable Development agenda and I wish to express my gratitude to Sir Richard Southwood and the Round Table for their continued work.

  I am placing copies of both the responses in the Library.

  Road Tax
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of plans to reduce road tax for vehicles with engines of 1600 cc or less. [56036]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  In his Budget speech, on 17 March 1998, Official Report, columns 1097–112, the Chancellor announced his intention of introducing a fairer and more environmentally sensitive system of vehicle excise duty. A consultation document setting out the options for reform will be published shortly. Details of the new VED scheme will be determined as a result of that consultation.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Masters of Foxhounds
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) how many masters of foxhounds have been prosecuted for criminal damage caused by packs of foxhounds in each of the last five years; how many such prosecutions were successful; and what penalties were imposed; [56266]

  (2) how many prosecutions have been brought by the CPS against masters of foxhounds for hunt trespass on railway land in each of the last five years; how many prosecutions were successful; and what penalties were imposed. [56269]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service holds no central records in respect of the number of masters of foxhounds prosecuted for criminal offences. The information is held on individual case files and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

DEFENCE

  Chemical and Biological Weapons
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been(a) made and (b) proposed to tighten the regulations on chemical and biological weapons since May 1997. [55048]
  111
  Mr. George Robertson
  The United Kingdom is a State Party to both the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). These Conventions prohibit, respectively, biological and chemical weapons. They are applied in the UK by the Biological Weapons Act 1974 and the Chemical Weapons Act 1996. The 1997 Annual Report on the operation of the Chemical Weapons Act was laid before Parliament in February 1998.

  The White Paper on Strategic Export Controls, presented to Parliament by the then President of the Board of Trade on 1 July 1998, includes proposals to strengthen the Chemical Weapons Act by making it an offence
  "to aid, abet, counsel or procure a foreigner overseas to develop, produce or use a chemical weapon".

  The White Paper also proposes that prohibitions in relation to biological weapons should be brought into line with the strengthened Chemical Weapons Act.

  The UK is playing an active role in the current negotiations in Geneva on measures to strengthen the BTWC, as set out in paragraph 37–38 of Supporting Essay 5 of the Strategic Defence Review. Implementation in the UK of these measures when agreed is likely in due course to require further domestic legislation. The content of that legislation will depend on the content of the agreements reached.

  Air Travel Costs
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what fees were charged to Bath Travel for the use of the facilities at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency at Boscombe Down for a commercial flight by Concorde in August; and if those fees have been paid. [55469]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 19 October 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Robert Key, dated 27 October 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your question about fees charged to Bath Travel for the use of facilities at DERA's airfield at Boscombe Down for a commercial flight by Concorde in August of this year.
  The flight, which took place on 12 August, was organised by Bath Travel, a local travel agency, acting on behalf of the tour operator, Cunard Line Ltd.
  Bath Travel made no use of DERA facilities at Boscombe Down, having carried out passenger reception and baggage check prior to the arrival of the passengers at the airfield and consequently no charges were levied.
  As the tour operator, Cunard Line Ltd. were charged £3,482.18 inclusive of VAT for the airfield services relating to the Concorde flight. The level of charging was determined in accordance with standard Ministry of Defence policy guidance. An invoice was raised on 21 August and payment is awaited.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Royal Marines
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Marines personnel have left the service on health grounds in each of the last five years. [55809]
  112
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  RAF Pilots
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which RAF squadrons currently have a shortage of trained pilots; and what is the total extent of the shortfalls. [55816]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  As at 1 September 1998, 78 established pilot posts on RAF operational squadrons were vacant, out of a total establishment of 957. The following squadrons were affected: nos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 41, 43, 47, 51, 54, 70, 72, 78, 101, 111, 120, 202, 206, 216, 230, 617.

  Nuclear Disarmament
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the World Court statement of 8 July 1996 relating to the obligation to pursue negotiations on nuclear disarmament under effective international control.[56027]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We have consistently made clear that we welcome the International Court of Justice's recognition of the importance of the obligations of all States under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the Nuclear Weapon States' obligations on nuclear disarmament.

  Star Wars
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what involvement Britain has in the continuing US SDI-star wars programme.[55788]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Britain's involvement in the US SDI-star wars programme (now known as Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD)) consists of research into BMD technologies where there is a common interest.

  Aircraft Tyres
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum recommended usage for tyres for each type of RAF aircraft; and what was the(a) mean, (b) median and (c) maximum recorded usage in each of the last three years. [56059]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No maximum recommended usage is prescribed for RAF aircraft tyres. Aircraft tyres are inspected to assess wear and damage after each flight. If the wear or damage exceeds the limits set by the tyre manufacturer, then the tyre is replaced. Detailed information about the levels of tyre usage is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual requirement for tyres for each type of RAF aircraft; and what is the total RAF requirement for aircraft tyres. [56052]
  113
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The RAF's total estimated annual requirement for tyres, by aircraft type, is recorded in the table.

  Aircraft

  Number of tyres

  BAe 146

  35

  Hercules

  185

  Nimrod

  343

  Harrier

  4,561

  Tornado

  4,049

  Puma

  92

  Sentry

  60

  Wessex

  29

  Canberra

  23

  Dominie/HS125

  113

  VC10

  279

  Bulldog

  155

  Hawk

  728

  Jaguar

  500

  Tucano

  245

  Tristar

  185

  Chinook

  121

  Jetstream

  167

  Sea King

  255

  Total

  12,125

  Note:

  Figures include new and retreaded tyres

  The number of tyres used by each aircraft type each year is not recorded centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Armed Forces Personnel (Marital Breakdown)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into a correlation between marital breakdown among armed forces personnel and the undertaking of extended spells of overseas duty. [55866]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: To the best of my knowledge my Department has not commissioned or evaluated any specific research of this nature.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of known incidences of marital breakdown in the armed forces(a) in total and (b) relative to the rate in the population as a whole in each of the last five years. [55864]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: My Department does not hold statistics of the nature requested.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are in place to ensure that the armed forces provide counselling and support for personnel involved in marital breakdown. [55865]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: The Armed Forces attach great importance to the welfare of their people.

  All three Services provide specialist welfare staff, in the UK and overseas, who offer Service personnel counselling and support on a wide range of social issues, including marital breakdown. The Royal Navy and the Army have recently set up confidential support telephone helplines for Service personnel and their dependants for
  114
  all welfare related issues, whilst the Royal Air Force has a similar facility for personnel which deals with cases of racial or sexual harassment.

  As part of the overall welfare provision, the Armed Forces also provide personnel and their families with advice on coping with separation while personnel are away from home on duty, and managing homecomings.

  The full range of healthcare and social services provided by central and local government in the U.K., are available to the Service community; the Services seek to replicate these facilities overseas wherever practicable.

  Within the U.K., Service families will be subject to the requirements of the Family Law Act 1996 when it comes into effect next year. Responsibility for implementation of this rests with the Lord Chancellor's Department. Overseas, where MOD voluntarily aims to replicate U.K. practice where possible, the Armed Forces are actively examining how the Act can be implemented in light of circumstances and conditions of service.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Terrorist Suspects (Interviews)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to make available audio-recording facilities for interviews with persons arrested under the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [55994]

  Mr. Straw
  A number of steps have recently been taken with regard to the tape recording of interviews with terrorist suspects. These would therefore apply in circumstances where a suspect was being questioned in connection with the offence of being a member of a specified and proscribed organisation, as set out in section 2 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 (PTA) or section 30 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996, as amended by sections 1 and 2 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 respectively.

  In Scotland, interviews with terrorist suspects have not thus far generally been audio recorded. However, in the context of the passage of the 1998 Act, it was decided that such interviews should be tape recorded in future. Police forces in Scotland are currently considering what arrangements need to be put in place to accommodate this change in practice.

  In Northern Ireland, section 53A of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996, as inserted by the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1998, makes statutory provision for police interviews with terrorist suspects to be audio recorded. Section 53A requires a draft Code of Practice to be drawn up, put out for consultation and brought into effect by Orders subject to the affirmative resolution procedure. The draft Code of Practice was published yesterday for public consultation.

  In England and Wales, the police already audio record, on a voluntary basis, interviews with those arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989.
  115
  It is envisaged that interviews with suspects arrested in connection with the conspiracy provisions in sections 5–7 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998, but in respect of non terrorist-related offences, would be dealt with under the usual arrangements in each jurisdiction for police interviews of non-terrorist suspects. As such, where in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, the suspect is being interviewed in connection with an indictable offence (including an offence triable either way), or in Scotland an imprisonable offence, interviews would be audio recorded.

  The forthcoming consultation paper on permanent United Kingdom wide counter-terrorist legislation will look at the audio recording of interviews with terrorist suspects in the context of a wider review of detention arrangements.

  Metropolitan Police
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) recruitments to, (b) retirements from, (c) resignations from and (d) applications to join the Metropolitan Police there were in each month from January to October. [56241]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police provided the information requested, as follows:

  1998

  (a) Recruits

  (b) Retirements

  (c) Resignations

  (d) Applications to join

  January

  98

  98

  19

  438

  February

  75

  68

  25

  623

  March

  3

  123

  18

  757

  April

  1

  67

  31

  315

  May

  159

  94

  30

  269

  June

  160

  80

  35

  768

  July

  186

  126

  28

  704

  August

  184

  127

  32

  554

  September to 22 October

  176

  107

  27

  411

  inclusive

  —

  62

  11

  319

  Total

  1,042

  952

  256

  5,158

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his most recent projection of the number of staff to be employed in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each of the next four years; [56186]

  (2) what is his most recent projection of the number of immigration officers in each of the next four years. [56187]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Detailed plans, including staffing projections, for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate have still to be finalised.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were employed in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on 1 May 1997; and how many were employed at the most recent available date for which figures are available. [56185]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Figures for May 1997 are not readily available, but on 1 April 1997 the total number of staff employed in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate was 5,687. The current number is 5,615.
  116
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many computer systems have been installed in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate since 1 May 1997 which were not planned for on 1 May 1997; and how many have been planned for the directorate since 1 May 1997. [56169]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate's (IND) Information Technology (IT) needs over the next few years will be met mainly through the Casework Programme System. We also announced in the White Paper "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum" that we would undertake a study of options for using IT to support the integration of pre-entry, on-entry and enforcement activity and to help modernise the labour intensive process of passenger clearance.

  In addition, the following 11 major systems have been both planned and installed in IND since 1 May 1997:

  File Tracking System Upgrade

  E-mail External Links and enhancements

  Home Office Directory 2

  Operational Planning and Support Service

  Corporate Desktop

  Angel Square Presenting Officer Unit Desktop Support

  Strategy and Legislation Team Desktop Support

  Asylum and Appeals Policy Desktop Support

  Asylum Support Team Desktop Support

  Carriers' Liability Replacement

  Immigration Service Enforcement Forgery System

  Internet Information Services.

  The following 10 major systems have been planned in the IND since 1 May 1997, but are yet to be fully implemented:

  Building and Accommodation Services Help Desk

  Personnel Management Training Support System

  INDIS—Intelligence Section Database

  Personnel Open Learning System

  Delmis—Detention Management Database

  Detention Accounts Replacement

  POISE Desktop in IND (Corporate Desktop Applications including Internet)

  IT2000 in IND (Corporate Desktop and Business Changes for the new Millennium)

  Applix Help Desk—IT Service Help Desk

  Asylum Fingerprinting Bureau Replacement.

  214 individual applications and small system implementations have been planned and installed since 1 May 1997; 120 have been planned since 1 May 1997 but are yet to be implemented.

  Asylum Casework
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much investment in the determination of asylum casework has been made since 1 May 1997; and how much new investment has been planned since 1 May 1997. [56167]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The estimated cost to the Home Office of processing asylum applications, excluding most overheads in 1997–98, was about £14 million. In 1998–99, up to £15 million is available.
  117
  We announced in the White Paper "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—a Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum" that the Immigration and Nationality Directorate spending limits will increase by £120 million over three years from April 1999. One of the key objectives of this investment is to speed up the handling of asylum applications. By increasing the number of asylum cases decided to 59,000 in 1999–2000, 65,000 in 2000–01, and 65,000 in 20001–02 the Government aim is (on current intake forecasts) that, by April 2001, the backlog will be cleared and decision times will be two months or less.

  Extradition (Spain)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests the United Kingdom has received from Spain for the extradition of persons to Spain in each of the last five years; and how many have been(a) granted and (b) refused. [56254]

  Mr. Straw
  The information is given in the table.

  Year

  Number of requests sought by Spain

  Requests granted

  Requests refused

  1993

  7

  1

  2

  1994

  11

  —

  2

  1995

  8

  2

  —

  1996

  6

  —

  1

  1997

  6

  —

  —

  Total

  38

  3

  5

  Note:

  Of the 30 requests unaccounted for:

  7 were withdrawn;

  23 are outstanding

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests by the United Kingdom for the extradition of persons from Spain are currently outstanding. [56253]

  Mr. Straw
  The number of extradition requests to Spain outstanding is 25.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests by the UK for the extradition of persons from Spain have been(a) granted and (b) declined in each of the last five years. [56274]

  Mr. Straw
  The information is given in the table.

  Year

  Requests by United Kingdom

  Requests granted

  Requests refused

  1993

  7

  4

  —

  1994

  13

  9

  1

  1995

  15

  6

  —

  1996

  17

  8

  1

  1997

  8

  2

  —

  Total

  60

  29

  2

  Of the 29 requests unaccounted for:

  1 fugitive was discharged by Spanish courts;

  1 fugitive returned voluntarily;

  14 requests were withdrawn by the United Kingdom; and

  13 remain outstanding.

  118

  Policing
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the targeted policing of areas; and if he will publish it. [56181]

  Mr. Michael
  The Home Office has carried out many studies of various aspects of targeted policing. Relevant studies carried out in the last three years are:

  Combating burglary: an evaluation of three strategies (Operation Bumblebee)—published 1995.

  Policing problem housing estates—published 1996.

  Problem Oriented Policing: Brit Pop—published 1996.

  Tackling local drug markets—published 1997.

  Biting back: reducing repeat victimisation in Huddersfield— published 1997.

  Tackling street robbery: an evaluation of Operation Eagle Eye— published 1998.

  Most recently, we launched "Brit-Pop II: Problem Oriented Policing in practice" at the first United Kingdom National Problem Oriented Policing conference, attended by many police forces, local authorities and representatives of other organisations.

  Current work—all due for publication in 1999—is set out as follows:

  Reducing domestic violence in Killingbeck.

  Solving residential burglary—targeting in-progress burglaries.

  Preventing repeat burglary in Cambridge.

  Proactive policing on Merseyside.

  Policing anti-social behaviour.

  Evaluation of crackdown and consolidation strategy in Boggart Hill.

  Evaluation of burglary reduction in Middlesborough.

  Market reduction initiative against theft in the Medway towns.

  Drug markets and street prostitution.

  Situational approaches to policing drug markets.

  Reducing repeat bank robbery.

  Illegal parking in disabled bays.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the letter of 24 August 1998 from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), if the 20 people of Albanian origin who were located in Hounslow after entering the country clandestinely remain in the United Kingdom. [56256]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Shortly after the incident on 3 July, a group of 22 ethnic Albanians from the Kosovo region of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia reported to Lunar House in Croydon, saying they had been directed there by the Hounslow police. I believe the two groups are one and the same. They applied for asylum and I understand that their applications are awaiting consideration.
  119
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employers have been(a) investigated, (b) charged, (c) prosecuted and (d) convicted under section 8(1) of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, to the latest convenient date. [56464]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To date, the approach of the Immigration Service towards the enforcement of section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 has been that where, in the course of normal operational activity, an employer is found to have breached section 8, they will be advised of its provisions and issued with a warning letter. Among other things, this warns them that, if they continue to offend, consideration will be given to prosecution. There is no central record of the number of such letters which have been issued: and there have been no prosecutions to date.

  This will continue to be our normal approach. However, as we made clear in the White Paper "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum", where there is evidence of organised racketeering and the exploitation of vulnerable groups of overseas workers, we will encourage the early referral of the case to the prosecuting authorities.

  Handguns
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences involving(a) airguns, (b) handguns and (c) shotguns were committed in the period (i) 12 months prior to the imposition of the ban on the ownership of handguns and (ii) 12 months following the imposition of the ban. [56175]

  Mr. Michael
  The readily available information relates to the period nine months before and nine months after the prohibition of the larger calibre handguns (those in excess of. 22 calibre) on 1 July 1997. (All handguns were prohibited from 1 February 1998.)

  543 notifiable offences were recorded by the police in which shotguns were reported to have been used in the period 1 October 1996 to 30 June 1997, and 420 in the period 1 July 1997 to 31 March 1998.

  The figures for handguns were 2,200 and 1,951 respectively.

  Similar information is not available centrally for air weapon offences, as only annual returns are made by police forces.

  Prisoners (Drug Prescriptions)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what levels of dose of(a) Largactil, (b) chloral hydrate, (c) tranquillisers and (d) other neuroleptic drugs are given to women prisoners on (a) admission to prison and (b) discharge from prison. [56056]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The dose of medication required in any particular case is a matter for the responsible prison doctor to decide in the light of 120
  the diagnosis, the assessed clinical needs of the patient and the guidance provided by the British National Formulary.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recommendations are laid down by his Department for the prescribing of(a) Largactil, (b) tranquillisers, (c) chloral hydrate and (d) neuroleptic drugs to prisoners. [56054]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Prison Service Health Care Standard 9 provides general guidance about prescribing practices, which must comply with legal requirements and conform to relevant professional codes. In prescribing particular drugs, prison doctors would be guided by the assessed clinical need and the information provided by the British National Formulary.

  Holloway Prison
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the disturbance by prisoners in HMP Holloway on 13 August; and what action he is taking to avoid a re-occurrence. [56055]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There has been a series of incidents at Holloway prison in recent months which were connected to the non-issue of medication to prisoners. Clearly, there are concerns about the failure to provide medication. As a result, the governor has instituted an inquiry which will be conducted by the deputy governor, with the assistance of a senior nursing adviser from Prison Service headquarters. This inquiry commenced today.

  Emma Humphries
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what drugs were prescribed for the late Emma Humphries during her years in prison; and for what periods they were prescribed. [56053]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Medical information about individual prisoners is confidential and rights of access are given only to those eligible under the provisions of the Access to Health Records Act 1990. It would not therefore be appropriate to publish the information sought.

  Deportations
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners currently in the United Kingdom are expected to be deported on completion of their prison sentence; and how many of these had deportation orders added to their sentence without the recommendation of a court. [56063]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Reliable information on those persons currently serving a prison sentence who may be liable to, or are subject to, deportation action can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The available information, relating to persons recommended for deportation by a court, and to persons issued with notices of intention to deport on grounds conducive to the public good following conviction for a criminal offence, is given in the table.

  121

  Deportation recommended by a court1 or on grounds conducive to the public good2 following conviction for a criminal offence,1994–19983

  Number of persons

  1994

  1995

  1996

  19974

  19984,5

  Court recommendations made1

  350

  390

  370

  360

  170

  Notices of intention to deport—on grounds conducive to the public good following a criminal conviction2

  120

  80

  120

  90

  50

  1 Under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1971

  2 Under section 3(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1971

  3 Data are rounded

  4 1997 and 1998 data are provisional

  5 1998 data are for 1 January to 30 June only

  Essex Police Authority
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much additional finance will be allocated to the Essex Police Authority when it becomes responsible for areas of the county currently served by the Metropolitan Police. [56151]

  Mr. Michael
  The change to the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police District will result in a re-allocation of grant between Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police from 2000–01, but it is too early to give an estimate of the amounts involved. I discussed this point with the outer London Metropolitan Police Group last week. There are complex issues of detail arising from the transfer and my officials will be discussing these issues carefully with both the Metropolitan Police and the relevant county forces during the coming months.

  Police grant is allocated according to a formula which reflects the relative policing needs of different areas. The formula is built up from a number of components. We are considering the implications of the changes to the boundaries for the distribution of police grant under the formula.

  Immigration
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases involving organised immigration racketeering his Department has referred for prosecution in each year since 1990; and with what results. [56465]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration Service and the police work closely together to investigate cases of suspected immigration racketeering. However, it is for the police to decide whether or not to refer a case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and for the CPS to decide whether or not a prosecution should be brought.

  Under Section 25(1) of the Immigration Act 1971, it is an offence to secure or facilitate the entry of illegal entrants to the United Kingdom. The table shows the numbers of prosecutions and convictions in England and Wales under this section since 1990.
  122

  Number of defendants prosecuted at magistrate's courts and convicted at all courts for offences1 under Section 25(1) of the Immigration Act 1971 as amended2,1990–19973 England and Wales

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  1990

  46

  32

  1991

  73

  47

  1992

  63

  56

  1993

  33

  28

  1994

  124

  38

  1995

  175

  111

  1996

  153

  123

  19971

  181

  130

  1 Principal immigration offence

  2 As added by Section 5 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996

  3 Provisional

  City Status
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the next award of city status will be made. [57155]

  Mr. Straw
  Her Majesty has expressed the intention of marking both the Millennium and the 50th Anniversary of Her Accession to the Throne by grants of city status. Towns which have expressed an interest in this honour will be contacted in due course and invited to submit formal applications.

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list his engagements and the engagements of his ministerial team on Wednesday 21 October. [56849]

  Mr. Straw
  I had two meetings in the Home Office in the morning and then went to the House for three more meetings and to attend Prime Minister's Questions. I remained in the House for the Report and Third Reading of the Human Rights Bill.

  The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael), held a number of meetings in the Home Office, spoke at a Crime and Disorder seminar and at a Foreign Press Association Conference on Youth Crime, and was with me during one of my meetings in the House.
  123
  The Minister of State, my noble Friend Lord Williams, had meetings in the Welsh Office, the Home Office, Millbank, the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

  The Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), joined me for meetings on the Human Rights Bill and attended the report and third reading in the House. He also had a hospital appointment in preparation for an official visit to Africa next week.

  The Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth), spent the day in Sheffield visiting the Fire Service.

  The Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey), held meetings in the Home Office for most of the day, and joined me for one of my meetings in the House.

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he received regarding Augusto Pinochet prior to his arrival in the United Kingdom for his current visit; and when he received such representations. [56234]

  Mr. Straw
  I received no such representations.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests his Department received for Augusto Pinochet to be interviewed; when he received such requests; and what factors he will take into account in responding to such requests. [56263]

  Mr. Straw
  Requests made by judicial and law enforcement authorities overseas for persons in the United Kingdom to be interviewed on a voluntary basis in connection with criminal investigations or proceedings are made through the United Kingdom Central Bureau of Interpol (Interpol London) at the National Criminal Intelligence Service and executed directly by the police or other law enforcement agencies. Where such requests are made directly to the Home Office they are referred to the police to execute.

  The 5th Central Magistrate's Court in Madrid contacted the Metropolitan Police via Interpol on 14 October.

  Requests made by courts overseas for statements to be made on oath or to be conducted before a judicial authority in England and Wales are made directly or indirectly to the Home Office. The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, nominate a court in England and Wales under section 4 of the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 to receive such of the evidence requested as the court considers appropriate for the purpose of executing the request.

  On 19 October, Interpol London received a request for Augusto Pinochet to make a statement. The request was made under the 1959 European Convention for Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, for which the Home Secretary is the designated United Kingdom Central Authority.

  As the Secretary of State I will consider whether the request is for evidence to be taken before a court in England and Wales and one for which the exercise of his powers under section 4 of the 1990 Act would be
  124
  appropriate. If the Secretary of State considers the request is not one for which the nomination of the court would be appropriate, or the requesting authority clarifies that a voluntary statement would be sufficient for its purpose, the request will be passed to the Metropolitan Police to execute.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times Augusto Pinochet visited the United Kingdom since 1 May 1997, prior to his present visit; and when he was notified of each such visit. [56237]

  Mr. Straw
  In reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 22 October 1998,Official Report, column 1206 about visits made by Senator Pinochet to the United Kingdom in the last five years, I explained that I understood that there had been five such visits, including the current only. I set out the dates on which I understood he had made the other four visits as: February and June 1994; October 1995; and October 1996. In answering the question, I took account of all the information available within my Department at the time.

  I regret that it is now clear that, although my answer properly reflected my—and my Department's— understanding of Senator Pinochet's visits to the United Kingdom during the period in question, it did not take account of one further visit made by Senator Pinochet in the period since 1 May 1997, which had not been brought to the attention of the Home Office. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to clarify the position for the benefit of the House.

  I can confirm that Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have, since my answer, informed officials in the Home Office that, in addition to those visits made prior to 1 May 1997 of which the Home Office had been made aware, Senator Pinochet had also visited the United Kingdom in September 1997. There is, however, no Home Office record of that visit. A landing card should have been completed, as for any other visit, but these are not retained by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in the case of routine visits.

  Had I been aware of this visit I would, of course, have included a reference to it in my reply to the earlier question.

  I have written to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North to express my regret for this inaccuracy. A copy of my letter has been place in the Library.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made concerning Augusto Pinochet; and when he made them. [56271]

  Mr. Straw
  I have made no such representations.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he was notified of the intention of Augusto Pinochet to travel to the United Kingdom to make his current visit. [56236]

  Mr. Straw
  Neither I nor my Department was notified in advance of Senator Pinochet's intention to travel to the United Kingdom. As a Chilean national, Senator Pinochet does not require a visa to visit the United Kingdom.
  125
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he plans to take in respect of the proposed extradition of Augusto Pinochet. [56265]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick), on 22 October 1998,Official Report, column 1205.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he received from the Spanish authorities on the possible issue of a warrant for the arrest of Augusto Pinochet prior to the issue of such a warrant; and when. [56853]

  Mr. Straw
  I received no such representations.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he was informed of Augusto Pinochet's planned date of departure from the United Kingdom on his most recent visit; and if he passed that information to(a) the authorities of another country and (b) another body. [56854]

  Mr. Straw
  I was not informed of Senator Pinochet's planned date of departure from the United Kingdom on his most recent visit.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the public statements made by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry concerning the arrest of General Pinochet in London represent Government policy. [56694]

  Date

  The Home Secretary met:

  20 June 1997

  John Howard, Australian Prime Minister

  24 June 1997

  The Hon. Jan Wade MP, Victoria State Attorney General

  11 September 1997

  Bangladeshi Foreign Minister

  25 September 1997

  Luxembourg Minister of Justice

  3 November 1997

  Mauritius Prime Minister

  1 December 1997

  Jose Maria Gil-Robles, President of European Parliament

  8 December 1997

  Frank Jensen, Danish Minister of Justice

  18 December 1997

  Georges Romeos, Greek Public Order (Security) Minister

  20 January 1998

  Istrvan Nikolits, Hungarian Security Minister

  4 March 1998

  Gustav Krajci, Slovak Interior Minister

  7 April 1998

  Mme Guigou, French Minister of Justice

  7 April 1998

  Canadian Minister, Andy Scott

  11 May 1998

  Major Rafiqul Islam, Bangladeshi Minister for Home Affairs

  11 June 1998

  Wong Kan Seng, Singaporean Minister for Home Affairs

  18 June 1998

  Russian Interior Minister, Sergei Stepashin

  17 September 1998

  Bahrain Minister of the Interior

  14 October 1998

  President Zedillo, Mexico

  20 October 1998

  Jan Kavan, Czech Foreign Minister

  Alun Michael met

  3 June 1997

  Dr. Nsinela, South African Minister of Justice

  13 August 1997

  Mr. Foss, The Attorney General, Australia

  7 April 1998

  Mme Guigou, French Minister of Justice

  16 June 1998

  Nelson Mandela

  10 July 1998

  Frank Fahy, Irish Minister for Health

  24 August 1998

  Paul Varul, Estonian Justice Minister

  126
  Mr. Straw
  The arrest of Senator Pinochet is not a matter of Government policy. The decision to issue a provisional warrant is for the Bow Street Magistrate, under section 8(1)(b) of the Extradition Act 1989, in response to a request from an extradition partner.

  Foreign Visitors
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions he has declined the request of a visiting group of MPs from another country for a meeting with a minister from his Department. [56851]

  Mr. Straw
  Whenever requests for meetings are received from Members of Parliament of another country, I and my colleagues and officials in my Department do our best to fulfil them. On some occasions this unfortunately proves not to be possible. For example, on Tuesday 20 October my office was asked by the Chilean Embassy if I was available to see a delegation of Chilean Opposition Parliamentarians to take receipt of a letter. My office said that I was not available but that my Private Secretary could take receipt of the letter. I have written further to the hon. Member about this matter. My Department does not, however, keep records for visits from MPs from other countries which are declined.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions on which he or a member of his ministerial team have met Members of Parliament from another country in the course of their visit to the United Kingdom. [56850]

  Mr. Straw
  No central record is kept of meetings held with Members of Parliament from other countries. The list cannot therefore be guaranteed to be comprehensive.
  127

  Date

  Lord Williams met:

  7 January

  Vjjal Dosanijh—Attorney General

  Maureen Maloney—Deputy Attorney General, British Columbia

  21 January

  Dr. Raul Granillo Ocampo—Minister of Justice, Argentina

  19 March

  Mr. Marat Baglai—Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Russia

  9 April

  Mr. Chris Sidoti—Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Australia

  28 April

  Mr. Zhang Geng—Vice Minister of Justice, China

  29 April

  Dr. Fernando Maurett—Member of the Lower Chamber of Parliament, Argentina

  21 May

  M. Montebourg—Deputy French Parliament. France

  2 July

  Mr. Murray Thompson MP, Australia

  Hon. Maree Luckins, Australia

  Mr. Carlo Carli MP, Australia

  Mr. Bob Cameron MP, Australia

  21 July

  Justice Sophia Akuffo—Justice of the Supreme Court, Ghana

  30 July

  Mr. Khalid Anwer—Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights, Pakistan

  Waseem Afzal—Joint Secretary, Pakistan

  Javeed Iqbal—Deputy High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Pakistan

  2 October

  Chaudry Mohammad Farooq—Attorney General, Pakistan

  Pakistan Khraar Quireshi (Aide)

  George Howarth met:

  7 July 1997

  Rodney Lopes Ambassador, Cuba

  15 September 1997

  Timothy E. Wirth, United States Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs

  29 October 1997

  Dr. Carlos Tablante, Minister for Venezuela

  12 November 1997

  Widar Andersson, Political Adviser, Swedish Prime Minister

  19 January 1998

  His Excellency Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister for Cambodia

  4 March 1998

  Mr. Vorobiev, Russian Minister

  15 May 1998

  Snr. Costa Bauer, Peru

  20 May 1998

  Peino Arlacchi, Executive Director of United Nations Drug Control Programme

  8 July 1998

  Snr. Sottolongo, Cuban Justice Minister

  7 October 1998

  Kurban Boymuradov, Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister

  Joyce Quin met:

  3 June 1997

  Dr. Mzimela, South African Prisons Minister

  David Simmons, Barbadian Attorney General

  26 June 1997

  Colonel Turlajs, Latvian Interior Minister

  18 September 1997

  Kurt Schelter, German Interior Minister

  12 November 1997

  Valeriu Stoica, Romanian Minister of Justice

  25 November 1997

  European Parliament Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs Committee

  1 December 1997

  Jose Maria Gil-Robles, President of the European Parliament

  18 December 1997

  Georges Romeos, Greek Public Order Minister

  18 March 1998

  European Parliament Institutional Affairs Committee (6 MEPs)

  23 March 1998

  Bogomil Bonev, Bulgarian Interior Minister

  24 March 1998

  Alan Turk and Michel Dreyfus-Schmidt, French Senators

  25 March 1998

  George Anastassopoulos, Greek MEP

  6 April 1998

  Andy Scott, Canadian Prisons Minister

  20 April 1998

  Jussi Jarventaus, Finnish Justice Minister

  31 June 1998

  Hon. Dr. Peter Machungwa, Zambian Home Affairs Minister

  21 July 1998

  Polish Minister of the Interior and Deputy Prime Minister

  Mike O'Brien met:

  4 November 1997

  Mr. Bratinka, Minister Without Portfolio, Czech Republic

  12 November 1997

  Chief Buthelezi, Interior Minister, South Africa

  11 May 1998

  Home Affairs Minister, Bangladesh

  18 May 1998

  Mr. Atanasov, Interior Minister, Bulgaria

  27 May 1998

  Security Minister, Ivory Coast

  9 June 1998

  Mr. Bradford, Immigration Minister, New Zealand

  24 June 1998

  Mr. Winkler, Deputy Foreign Minister, Czech Republic

  19 October 1998

  Mr Kavan, Foreign Minister, Czech Republic and Mr. Uhl, Human Rights Monitor, Czech Republic

  Speed Cameras
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of(a) the effectiveness and (b) the cost-effectiveness of speed cameras as (i) a deterrent to speeding and (ii) a means of reducing accidents. [56547]

  Mr. Michael
  The Home Office study, "Cost Benefit Analysis of Traffic Light and Speed Cameras", which was published in August 1996, has shown that the use of speed
  128
  cameras is cost effective and highly successful in detecting offences. It is also successful in modifying the behaviour of drivers and reducing road casualties. A copy of the Study has been placed in the Library.

  The Government are committed to improving road safety and strongly support the police service in their use of enforcement technology. We are reviewing the current funding arrangements for these cameras to see what more might be done.
  129

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Defence Exhibitions
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) the value of financial support provided to United Kingdom companies attending, (b) those Ministers and other Government officials who attended and the cost of their attendance and (c) any other costs incurred by his Department in connection with (i) IMDEX Asia 97, (ii) Paris Air Show 1997, (iii) IDEF 97, (iv) IMDEX 97, (v) the Underwater Defence Technology Conference and Exhibition, (vi) the International Defence and Security Technology Fair, Brno, Czech Republic, (vii) the 3rd International Civil and Military Aerospace Exhibition, Prague and (viii) the 3rd Central European Defence Equipment and Aviation Exhibition and Conference, Budapest. [54165]

  Mr. Wilson
  The financial support provided by my Department under the Trade Fair Support Scheme (TFSS) to companies attending the Paris Air Show 97 and IDEF 97 is as follows:

  Event

  Companies supported

  Total funding(£)

  Paries Air Show 97

  38

  133.187

  IDEF 97

  8

  67,850

  No support was provided under the Trade Fair Support Scheme for any of the other events listed.

  The then President of the Board of Trade, the Minister for Energy and Industry and the Permanent Secretary attended the Paris Air Show 97; in addition 22 DTI Officials also attended at an approximate total cost of £12,000. My Department has been unable to identify a record of any DTI Ministers or Officials attending any of the other listed events.

  Massachusetts (Burma Law)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the EU pursuing a complaint at the World Trade Organisation against the US Government over the State of Massachusetts' Burma Law. [53664]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: The UK and EU consider that the Massachusetts Burma Selective Purchase Law breaks the United States' obligations under the World Trade Organisation's Government Procurement Agreement. On 8 September, after lengthy efforts to resolve the problem informally, the EU (and Japan) requested a formal WTO Panel. This request was agreed at the meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body on 21 October.

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the sponsors who are committed by written agreements to supporting the Millennium Experience, indicating in each case(a) the zones or activities concerned, (b) the amount of sponsorship and (c) the penalty laid down for non-performance of the agreement. [55678]
  130
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the total sponsorship guaranteed unconditionally to each zone of the Millennium Experience under written agreement, indicating the companies or organisations concerned, the zone they have agreed to sponsor and the value of the sponsorship. [56681]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has announced that the following companies have committed sponsorship to zones of the Dome and national programme strands at Board level:

  Zone

  National programme

  Sponsor

  Learn

  Tesco Schoolnet 2000

  Tesco

  Work

  UK Skills 2000

  Manpower

  Communicate

  FutureTalk

  BT

  National Identity (part sponsor)

  Children's Promise/ Voices of Promise

  Marks & Spencer

  Additionally BSkyB are sponsoring Babydome and both they and the sponsors listed above are Official Sponsors giving a sponsorship value of £12m each to the Millennium Experience project. Other sponsors announced and committed at Board level are: the Corporation of London; BA; BAA; GEC; BAe; Camelot; and Thames Water. The total commitment across the Official and other sponsors, already announced, is just over £100m. A further £60m of sponsorship is the subject of detailed negotiation. In addition, discussions between the NMEC and many other companies about further sponsorship opportunities are underway.

  The normal process of full and final negotiations between the NMEC and the committed sponsors is progressing. The scope and nature of each contract will differ according to a number of factors—including the zone, the associated national programme, and the value and type of sponsorship. To reveal details of individual aspects of the contracts under discussion with the individual sponsors would run contrary to the strict confidentiality the sponsors have sought and would harm the NMEC's negotiating position on sponsorship generally.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings he has attended in the course of his official duties at which there has been discussion of sponsorship of the Millennium Experience; how many of these meetings included lobbying organisations; and what contribution he made to these discussions. [55688]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have not attended any meetings in the course of my official duties as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at which sponsorship of the Millennium Experience was discussed. The New Millennium Experience Company are responsible for procuring sponsorship for the new project and they keep me regularly informed of progress.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what performance targets regarding(a) time and (b) budget have been set for the delivery of the Millennium Experience; and what penalties will be incurred by directors, executives, and employees of the New Millennium Experience Company in the event of failure to meet those targets. [55687]
  131
  Mr. Mandelson
  The two overriding time and budget targets are: that the Millennium Dome is completely ready for opening by 31 December 1999; and that the entire project (including the Dome and the national programme of events and activities) is delivered within the £758 million budget. More detailed targets across the different programmes of the project are agreed between the New Millennium Experience Company and the Millennium Commission as part of the planning process. The Company published their Corporate Plan for 1997–98 to 2000–01 in early August, copies of which were placed in the Libraries of the House. The consequences for individuals of failure to meet targets is a matter for the NMEC and its Board.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the sponsorship of the Spirit Zone of the Millennium Experience. [55679]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Millennium Experience project overall is progressing well, and that includes the Spirit Zone. The development of the zone design and storyline is on track and being taken forward in full consultation with the Lambeth Group. Positive discussions with a number of potential sponsors are also underway.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government have taken to ensure that the electricity supply will not be disrupted by the millennium bug. [55793]

  Mr. Battle
  The electricity industry has made extensive preparations over several years to ensure that the millennium bug does not disrupt normal service. This work is continuing. My Department, the Director General of Electricity Supply and Action 2000 are monitoring these preparations and are discussing with the industry what more needs to be done to provide an independent assessment of progress, of what has been completed and of what more needs to be done. The Department and the Director General are also discussing with the industry the timing and nature of statements needed to reassure consumers that any potential problems are being tackled effectively.

  Euro Fact Sheets
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many information packs inviting businesses to order fact sheets on preparation for the launch of the euro have been sent out; and how many businesses have requested those fact sheets. [55795]

  Mr. Mandelson
  In September, my noble Friend Lord Simon sent letters to 1.6 million small and medium sized businesses inviting them to find out what the introduction of the euro on 1 January next year would mean for them. The letter invited firms to send for a set of the "business preparations for the euro" fact sheets prepared by the Treasury's Euro Preparations Unit (EPU). In addition to this, the DTI has sent to exporters and business organisations more than 140,000 leaflets on the euro which direct businesses to the fact sheets for further information. To date, more than 220,000 fact sheet packs have been asked for by UK businesses and intermediaries.
  132

  British Petroleum
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to British Petroleum concerning the Company's internal investigation into arms sales and military activity in Colombia. [56258]

  Mrs. Roche
  No representation has been made to British Petroleum concerning the Company's internal investigation into arms sales and military activity in Colombia. The British Government believe that this matter is best dealt with by BP and the Colombian Government.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about progress in negotiating the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56321]

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's present policy towards the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56539]

  Mr. Wilson
  The French Government announced, on 14 October, their decision to withdraw from the MAI negotiations. Together with our partners in the OECD, we are considering the full implications for the Agreement. The intention of MAI negotiators had been to present an Agreement to Ministers for signature in May 1999, but this now seems most unlikely. The Government—together with our EU partners—remain committed in the longer term to promoting negotiations on investment through the WTO and to the development of a liberal, rules-based framework for international investment that takes full account of social, environmental and development issues.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from regional development agencies concerning the implications for their activities of the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56152]

  Mr. Wilson
  None.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list forthcoming intergovernmental meetings at which his Department will be represented to discuss the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56155]

  Mr. Wilson
  No dates have been set for any further meetings of the MAI Negotiating Group. I understand that the OECD Secretariat plan to organise a meeting in December for consultations between MAI negotiating parties. I also understand that the Austrian Presidency may call a meeting at EU level in November.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what means he consults the Governments of developing countries in respect of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [56154]

  Mr. Wilson
  The OECD Secretariat have organised a number of "outreach" sessions to developing countries during the course of the MAI negotiations. UK government officials have participated actively in a number of these sessions. In addition, the Department for
  133
  International Development has ongoing bilateral discussions with a number of developing countries on investment-related issues.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to announce the new map for RSA. [55960]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: Regional Selective Assistance is available in the assisted areas. Following the introduction of new European Commission guidelines on national regional aid, the Government is required to submit to the European Commission by 31 March 1999 proposals for designating new assisted areas. Once the proposals are agreed, the Government will announce the new map.

  Working Time Regulations
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representation he has received from agencies and other involved in temporary placements concerning the working time regulations. [55957]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: The Department has received many representations from agencies, both in the form of responses to the consultation on the draft Working Time Regulations, other correspondence and meetings with officials. These responses were taken into account in drafting the final Regulations.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect on the average cost of employing temporary employees of the working time regulations. [55956]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: There was no specific assessment of the cost of employing temporary workers. An assessment for the whole of British industry was made, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who has responsibility for setting the level of grant offered to inward investors in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland; and what arrangements ensure that they are not competing for the same business. [55963]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: Decisions on the level of Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant to be offered to a potential inward investor are taken once a single site in the UK has been chosen. Responsibility for final decisions rests with me, as the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if the site is in England, with the Secretary of State for Scotland if the site is in Scotland, and with the Secretary of State for Wales if the site is in Wales. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for the final decision on the level of Selective Financial Assistance to be offered to a potential inward investor if the site is in Northern Ireland.
  134
  The Invest in Britain Bureau chairs the Committee on Overseas Promotion, part of whose role is to monitor rules agreed by Departments to avoid wasteful competition between the inward investment agencies of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the English regions.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for the extent of the coverage of the assisted areas map. [55959]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: Under new European Guidelines on regional aid published in March, the proportion of Great Britain's working population covered by the assisted areas (currently some 34%) must be reduced; the maximum reduction is 25%. The actual figure will depend on statistics to be produced by Eurostat and the Commission will inform us of the outcome by the end of the year.

  Regional Aid
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he plans to undertake with those regions from which he proposes to withdraw regional aid. [55958]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: The Government published a consultation document seeking views on the basis for the new map in July. A copy was sent to the right hon. Gentlemen.

  Lord Sainsbury of Turville
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 1050, and the recommendations in the Fifth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life concerning blind trusts, if an alternative arrangement to the blind trust for Lord Sainsbury's shareholdings will be made. [56377]

  Mr. Mandelson
  No. The blind trust for Lord Sainsbury's shareholdings was set up in accordance with the guidance in the Ministerial Code as one of the means of avoiding actual or potential conflicts of interest between a Minister's public responsibilities and private interests. The recommendations in the Fifth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life do not require any changes in blind trusts of this type.

  BSkyB and Manchester United
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 1037, if he will stand aside in his regulatory role in respect of the takeover by BSkyB of Manchester United; and if he will make a statement. [56006]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: As in all cases I have carefully considered whether there is any reason why I should stand aside from a decision on whether the proposed acquisition by BSkyB of Manchester United should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, and have discussed it with officials. I have decided that there is no reason for me to stand aside.
  135

  Dounreay
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to publish the UKAEA initial response to the Dounreay Safety Audit. [55851]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: UKAEA plan to publish their response and action plan on 30 November 1998, the date for submitting it to the regulators for discussion. HSE/SEPA acknowledge in their report that it will take some time to deal with the recommendations. HSE/SEPA intends to keep the public informed of progress against the action plan by publishing

  Thousand

  Standard Industrial Classification (1992)

  Description

  September 1996

  June 1998

  Motor car industry (including major component industries)

  SIC(92)25.11

  Manufacture of rubber tyres and tubes

  14.7

  n/a

  SIC(92)31.61

  Manufacture of electrical equipment for engines and vehicles not elsewhere specified

  15.1

  n/a

  SIC(92)34

  Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers

  222.8

  1222.4

  Telecommunications industry

  SIC(92)32.20/1

  Manufacture of telegraph and telephone apparatus and equipment

  235.5

  n/a

  SIC(92)64.2

  Telecommunications

  182.9

  225.1

  1 226.5 thousand for United Kingdom

  2 Annual Business Inquiry; relates to United Kingdom

  source:

  Office for National Statistics. Unless otherwise indicated, data are taken from the Annual Employment Survey 1996 and subsequent Short-term Employer Surveys

  Water Charging
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 907, what response the Director General of Electricity Supply has given to his letter concerning the use of pre-payment meters to recover water debts. [56412]

  Mr. Battle
  The Director General of Electricity Supply will be writing direct to my hon. Friend, with a copy to me, shortly.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sums are expected to be paid to the Government in sales levies to recoup launch investment by(a) British Aerospace, (b) Rolls-Royce and (c) other UK aerospace companies in each of the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [56479]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: Launch investment returns depend on the level of sales of the various aerospace products in which the Government have previously invested. We are expecting to receive, in total, over £100m in levies in each of the next ten years from a number of aerospace companies. Information about possible levies from individual companies is commercially confidential.

  £ million

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  BBSRC

  185.739

  198.299

  202.994

  208.189

  ESRC

  65.990

  69.754

  71.174

  72.901

  EPSRC

  382.982

  397.584

  410.850

  427.179

  MRC

  290.208

  304.538

  319.173

  334.068

  NERC1

  168.819

  178.530

  181.757

  187.457

  136
  report from time to time and also through the normal quarterly reports to the Dounreay Local Liaison Committee.

  Motor Car and Telecommunications Industries
  Mr.Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary for Trade and Industry how many people are employed in the UK in(a)the motor car industry,and (b) the telecommunications industry,broadly defined. [56510]

  Mr.Battle
  The information available is as follows Unless otherwise stated, figures relate to Great Britain.

  Science Budget
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will announce the allocation of the Science Budget; and if he will make a statement. [56842]

  Mr. Mandelson
  As a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Science Budget was increased by £700 million over the next three years. This is solid evidence that science is a major priority for the Government. Of these additional funds, £300 million is the Science Budget contribution to a ground breaking £600 million partnership with the Wellcome Trust to upgrade university research laboratories and equipment. I am most grateful to the Trustees of the Trust for their contribution, and also their further contribution of £110 million towards the cost of a new high intensity X-ray source. Over the period of these allocations, £35 million of the Science Budget has been reserved for this DIAMOND project. A further £20 million of the additional money for the Science Budget is earmarked for the Science Budget's contribution to "University Challenge", a joint project to provide seed corn funding to enable universities to exploit ideas emerging from their research.

  After receiving advice from action from the Director General of Research Councils, I have decided that the Science Budget should be allocated as follows:
  137

  £million

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  PPARC1

  194.220

  196.306

  200.687

  204.228

  International/Contingency

  3.028

  (9.185)

  15.000

  15.000

  CCLRC

  1.462

  2.000

  2.000

  2.000

  Royal Society

  22.621

  23.850

  24.622

  25.745

  Royal Academy of Engineering

  3.436

  3.706

  4.025

  4.270

  OST Initiatives

  2.376

  2.750

  2.800

  2.850

  Superannuation Supplement

  12.298

  11.991

  14.368

  14.750

  Foresight LINK Awards

  1.000

  1.000

  3.000

  4.000

  University Challenge

  —

  10.000

  10.000

  —

  DIAMOND

  —

  —

  15.000

  20.000

  Joint Research Equipment Initiative

  4.147

  7.000

  10.000

  10.000

  Joint Infrastructure Fund

  —

  75.000

  100.000

  125.000

  Total

  1,338.326

  1,473.123

  1,587.450

  1,657.637

  1 NERC and PPARC figures for 1998–99 have been adjusted for cash flow changes to show the underlying baseline Further details are available in a booklet on the allocations, which I have placed in the Library of both Houses

  Supermarket Monopolies
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with the Director General of Fair Trading relating to potential monopolistic behaviour amongst the four leading supermarkets. [56356]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: Since taking up current Ministerial posts, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met the Director General of Fair Trading, whilst I have met him twice. My right hon. Friend and I are aware of the Office of Fair Trading investigation into the profitability of the major supermarkets in the grocery sector. The Director General exercises his powers independently of Ministers. I have not raised the matter of potential monopolistic behaviour amongst the four leading supermarkets with him.

  Fuel Cell Technology
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance he is giving to the development of fuel cell technology as a means of powering vehicles. [56729]

  Mr. Battle
  Fuel cells and reformers are supported by the Department's Advanced Fuel Cells Programme covering both transport and stationary applications. Since 1992, the programme has supported over 92 projects with a total value of about £34m, including industry contributions. Current work in the transport area includes a bus design studies project to evaluate fuel processing and fuel options for urban bus applications, and the programme is in negotiation with a leading UK bus manufacturer to develop and test the first UK fuel cell powered urban bus. Future support for fuel cells is being considered as part of the Government's review of policy for new and renewable energy.

  In addition, the Foresight Vehicle acts to co-ordinate publicly funded automotive R&D in the UK. Under the Department's supporting Foresight Vehicle LINK Programme up to £11.5 million is being made available, to be matched by industry, for research into system technologies for future vehicles. Proposals are currently being sought in the area of hybrid, electric and alternatively fuelled vehicles which includes technologies for onboard storage of gas and development of fuel cell electric vehicle powertrain systems.
  138
  The DTI's LINK Applied Catalysis and Catalytic Processes programme is providing a grant of £227k over two years to a consortium developing a low cost hydrogen generator for cars to support fuel cell deployment.

  In addition, the EPSRC has been supporting basic and applied research in its "directed" fuel cells programme for the past 4 years. It has funded 26 projects totalling £3.7m. Fuel Cells are expected to form part of its £3.5m p.a. Renewable and New Energy Technologies Programme which is due to be launched next year.

  South Africa
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department is taking to encourage bilateral trade with South Africa. [54308]

  Mr. Wilson
  A three year trade and investment promotion campaign was launched in May this year promoting partnerships between business and government in the two markets. At the launch, an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) was ratified and the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) announced its intention to enter into a co-operation agreement with counterparts in South Africa to establish co-financing mechanisms to support joint UK/South Africa projects in other parts of Southern Africa. The agreement was subsequently signed in September. An Internet based Gateway search engine was launched to assist smaller enterprises to research the South African market and a pilot study was launched to look at the scope for promoting partnerships between smaller enterprises, including South African enterprises operated by previously disadvantaged groups. Visits by ministers included an outward investment mission to Johannesburg and Durban led by the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry in July, followed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's visit to Johannesburg in September to co-host the first Partnership Week under the campaign with the South African Minister for Trade and Industry. Workshops on privatisation, design and tourism were extremely well attended by South African business and government officials alike. Ministers have also hosted several visits by South African central and provincial government ministers and VIPs. Underpinning these visits are eight trade missions to both markets, and six sector based initiatives involving workshops and follow-up missions planned for the year ending March 1999. The British and South African Departments of Trade and
  139
  Industry are working together on trade and investment promotion, including hosting inward missions from South Africa to train new entrants on trade promotion, human resource and policy issues.

  Electricity Imports
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with large energy users about the implications of current reductions in supply availability arising in part from French nuclear outages for future energy costs. [56773]

  Mr. Battle
  The impact on electricity prices of possible reductions in imports of electricity from France over the coming winter has been raised with my officials. It is not yet clear whether the current reductions in imports will persist and what the impact on pool prices will be if they do.

  Ariane 5
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential benefits to those British industries which work in the fields of structures, propulsion and avionics, of participation in the Ariane 5 Evolution Programme. [55383]

  Mr. Battle
  The British National Space Centre has considered the views of the United Kingdom space industry on the likely benefits to the United Kingdom of participation in Ariane 5 Programmes. There are no current plans to join the Ariane 5 Evolution Programme.

PRIME MINISTER

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish an updated list of Ministerial Committees of the Cabinet. [55929]

  The Prime Minister
  [pursuant to his reply, 21 October 1998, c. 1123–35]: The Minister of Transport was inadvertently omitted from the composition of the Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs. The correct composition for this committee is as follows:

  Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EA) Composition

  Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

  Minister for the Cabinet Office

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Health

  Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip

  Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Secretary of State for Social Security

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  140

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

  Minister of Transport

  Minister of State, Cabinet Office

  Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest. The Chief Scientific Adviser attends for issues relating to science and technology.

  Terms of Reference
  "To consider issues relating to the Government's economic policies".

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the allocation of European matters to Cabinet committees and Ministerial sub-committees in the period since 1992, listing changes in that allocation and the reasons for them. [57020]

  The Prime Minister
  The composition and terms of reference of Cabinet Committees and their Ministerial Sub-Committees were first published by the previous Government on 19 May 1992,Official Report, columns 110–18. Since then updated details of these Committees have been published periodically, most recently on 21 October 1998, Official Report, columns 1123–35, when I announced the details of the Ministerial Committees which I have established to date. European Union matters will be considered by these Committees from time to time. The principal Committee for considering questions relating to the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union is the Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Issues which is chaired by the Foreign Secretary and which reports to the Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy.

  China
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister what were his priorities for his recent visit to China; and which Chinese Ministers he met. [56428]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: My visit was intended to mark a new chapter in the United Kingdom's relations with China following the successful handover of Hong Kong. As set out in our joint statement, we agreed to enhance co-operation in areas of bilateral, regional and global interest including financial issues, trade and investment and environmental protection, and encourage closer cultural and educational contacts. At the same time, we shall continue to pursue our bilateral dialogue on human rights. In addition to my meetings with the Chinese President and Premier, I met the Vice Premier (Mr. Li Lanqing), the Vice Foreign Minister (Mr. Wangfan), the Minister of Foreign Trade (Mr. Shi Guangsheng), the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr. Liu Jianseng) and the Vice Minister of Justice (Miss Liu Yang).

  Sudan
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 915, on the US air raid on Sudan, what was the volume of the soil sample acquired clandestinely at the Al Shifa plant; and what steps were taken to establish that (a) it came from the Al Shifa plant and (b) it was untampered with before laboratory tests by American staff. [56774]
  141
  The Prime Minister
  It is established practice under Section 1(c) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose or discuss information received in confidence from foreign Governments.

  Minister of State, Cabinet Office
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Prime Minister, to which Cabinet committees the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office has been appointed; and if he will make a statement. [56696]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Mr. Clarke) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, columns 1123–35.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Middle East
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the future role of the European Union in the middle east peace process. [54302]

  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the future role of Her Majesty's Government in the middle east peace process. [54306]

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the future role of Her Majesty's Government in the middle east peace process. [54315]

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east peace process. [54323]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I welcome the Wye River memorandum signed in Washington last week. I pay particular tribute to President Clinton whose personal engagement was crucial to success of these talks. We now need to see swift implementation of the agreement, accompanied by progress on the outstanding issues and a successful start to the final status negotiations, to maintain forward movement in the peace process. The EU is ready to sustain the momentum generated at Wye by helping with implementation, and will be discussing with the US how best to integrate its contribution into the next stages.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet the Israeli Prime Minister to discuss the middle east peace process; and if he will make a statement. [54309]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend has no current plans to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth (Mrs. McKenna).

  European Union
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards European Union enlargement; and if he will make a statement. [54303]
  142
  Mr. Robin Cook
  Britain negotiated the launch of the enlargement process during our Presidency and progress in the accession talks has been good. We expect that next month we can move from the screening process to substantive negotiations with six of the candidate countries.

  Last week I visited two other candidate countries—Bulgaria and Romania—whose governments both expressed their warm appreciation of Britain's support for the enlargement of the European Union.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of talks between Spain and the United Kingdom about Gibraltar. [54305]

  Ms Quin
  We continue to discuss Gibraltar with Spain as agreed in the Brussels Communique of 27 November 1984. We expect to hold a further meeting early next year.

  Institute of Export
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet the Institute of Export to discuss the trade promotion role of his Department. [54310]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary at present has no plans to do so. In my role as FCO Minister responsible for trade promotion, I met the Institute's Director General (Ian Campbell) in June at the "Open for Business" presentation which I hosted for MPs and business representatives.

  Lockerbie
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in seeking to resolve the issue of a trial of alleged perpetrators of the Lockerbie bombing. [54311]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer given to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), 27 October 1998,Official Report, column 152.

  Entry Visas
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received regarding entry visas to the United Kingdom. [54313]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Since 1 January 1998 we have received 7,756 letters from Members about entry clearance matters.

  Iran (Ballistic Missiles)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the proliferation of ballistic missiles in Iran on the balance of power in the middle east. [54314]

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the proliferation of ballistic missiles in Iran on the balance of power in the Middle East. [54307]
  143
  Mr. Fatchett
  We were extremely concerned by Iran's flight test of its Shahab 3 ballistic missile in July. The acquisition of this system, with an approximate range of 1300 km, threatens the stability of the whole of the Middle East. We assess that the Shahab 3 is still in its development phase and, consequently, Iran will not be able to deploy the system in the immediate future. Whilst we understand Iran's legitimate security concerns, we have repeatedly urged the Iranian authorities to refrain from developing ballistic missiles. It is in nobody's interest for an arms race to develop in this already volatile region.

  The UK, as a founder member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), works with its partners to halt the proliferation of ballistic missiles programmes of concern. The MTCR has done much to deny, amongst others, the Iranian ballistic missile programme, key technologies and equipment.

  United States
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on the United Kingdom's relations with the USA. [54316]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We receive numerous representations about individual aspects of our relations with the United States; but we have received none recently about the overall state of our relations in general.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the status of residents of the island of St. Helena. [54317]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Most residents of St. Helena are British Dependent Territories Citizens. The issue of British citizenship for residents of all UK Overseas Territories who do not already have it is a complex one. It is being considered sympathetically in the current Review of UK Overseas Territories and the result will be published in the White Paper.

  Caribbean
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with his counterparts in the European Union relating to policy in the Caribbean. [54318]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular meetings with his EU counterparts, including on Caribbean issues. In June these included an EU mandate for the re-negotiation of the Lomé Convention. In February, he and Ministerial colleagues held discussions at the UK/Caribbean Forum in Nassau.

  European Commission
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the European Union to reform the European Commission in respect of the number of members represented on it. [54319]
  144
  Ms Quin
  The Protocol on the Institutions with the Prospect of Enlargement of the European Union, attached to the Amsterdam Treaty, sets out a framework for tackling institutional issues not resolved at Amsterdam. It foresees agreement on the number of Commissioners before the first enlargement of the Union.

  At the Cardiff European Council, Heads of State and Government agreed that, once the Amsterdam Treaty had entered into force, an early decision would be required on how and when to tackle these issues.

  Colombia
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet the new Government of Colombia to discuss United Kingdom relations with that country. [54320]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have just returned from a visit to Colombia where I met several members of the new government including President Pastrana and the Foreign Minister, with whom I discussed a wide range of subjects of bilateral interest.

  Agenda 2000
  Miss Mcintosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the timetable for adopting Agenda 2000 with regard to enlargement. [54321]

  Ms Quin
  The Cardiff European Council agreed to adopt the Agenda 2000 proposals by June 1999. The reform of key policies is essential if enlargement is to be successful. The accession process is making good progress. The date of the first accessions will depend on the speed and success of the applicants' continuing preparations.

  Indonesia
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's role in promoting political reform in Indonesia. [54322]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have welcomed the reforms announced in Indonesia since President Habibie came to power, particularly the announcement of elections next year. To show our commitment to the process of political reform, I visited Jakarta on 8 October and met President Habibie, members of his Cabinet and leading Opposition figures. I announced that Britain was ready to give practical assistance to help Indonesia hold free and fair elections.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives he has taken to end political violence in Kosovo. [54324]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave in an oral answer today to the hon. Member for Taunton (Jackie Ballard), 27 October 1998,Official Report, column 139.
  145

  Drugs
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made by his Department's special representative on international drugs issues in reducing the supply of drugs to Britain. [54289]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Special Representative identified the source and transit countries which pose the greatest threat to this country and has focused our international anti-drugs effort where it has the greatest impact on supply to the UK. A recent example of such targeted spending was announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in Bulgaria on 20 October: we are providing a package of training worth £37,500 to help the Bulgarian law enforcement agencies to develop their anti-narcotics capabilities. In the financial year 1998–99 we expect to spend about £6 million on anti-drugs projects.

  Sierra Leone
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Sierra Leone donors conference. [54294]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I attended the United Nations Special Conference on Sierra Leone in New York on 30 July. It focused on the need for reconciliation and the restoration of democracy following the brutal rule of the military junta. Britain is leading the way in this. At the Conference, I announced a Department for International Development pledge of £6.5 million over two years to support the Government of Sierra Leone's Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration plan. In total, Britain has committed over £20 million for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Sierra Leone since March 1998.

  Camilla Carr and Jon James
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the welfare of Camilla Carr and Jon James. [54304]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Camilla Carr and Jon James are in remarkably good health after their long and traumatic ordeal. They have displayed admirable resilience and strength of character. They have now returned home, where they are continuing their recovery with the support of family and friends. The Foreign Office remains in regular contact.

  Overseas Visits (Advisers)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [55998]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 22 October 1998]: I was accompanied by my Special Adviser, Mr. David Clark, when he travelled to Brussels for meetings, including calls on the NATO Secretary General Sonana
  146
  and SACEUR General Wesley Clark to discuss Kosovo. My party travelled on an RAF 125 official aircraft. The cost to the FCO budget for Mr. Clark was £229.

  Since the visit was completed in a day, no accommodation costs were incurred.

  Argentina
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there have been any new exceptions to the arms embargo on Argentina. [57153]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have recently granted two exceptions to the embargo. The first was in respect of the sale of a further 24 nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protections suits and 8 pairs of boots for use by the Argentine contingent of the UN task force in Kuwait. The second exception was in respect of the export of 745 shotgun cartridges to an Argentine sporting goods retailer for sport and hunting use. These decisions represent exceptions but not changes to the embargo.

  General Pinochet
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department informed the Spanish authorities that General Pinochet was visiting the United Kingdom in October 1997. [57011]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department provided to the Spanish authorities about General Pinochet's intention to leave the United Kingdom on 20 October; when this information was provided; and by whom. [57010]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We provided no information to the Spanish authorities of any plan for Senator Pinochet to leave the UK.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department provided to Amnesty International about General Pinochet's travel arrangements prior to 17 October. [57012]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No information was passed to Amnesty International by the FCO about Senator Pinochet's travel arrangements.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department was informed, and by whom, that General Pinochet was leaving the United Kingdom on 20 October. [57016]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials were informed on 15 October by the Chilean Embassy that consideration was being given to Senator Pinochet leaving the UK on 20 October.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department(a) arranged for and (b) paid for the use of a VIP suite at the airport for the visits of General Pinochet to the United Kingdom in (i) October 1997 and (ii) September 1998. [57014]
  147
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The VIP suite in each case was put at the disposal of Senator Pinochet, and paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as usual.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department was informed that General Pinochet was visiting the United Kingdom during October 1997. [57013]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We were notified on 17 September 1997.

  Foreign Visitors
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what status is afforded by his Department to foreign visitors travelling to the United Kingdom under special resolutions of the Chilean Foreign Affairs Ministry. [57009]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  None. Special arrangements are made according to the status of a visitor, e.g. Heads of State, Royalty, government ministers, heads of armed forces, chief justices, governors of central banks and heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines are set by his Department for the reception of foreign members of parliament visiting the United Kingdom. [57015]

  Letters from Members of Parliament

  Replies sent within:

  15 days

  20 days

  25 days

  MPs' letters received

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Work outstanding over 25 days

  October 1997

  1,055

  399

  33

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  November 1997

  1,318

  261

  27

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  December 1997

  507

  207

  31

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  January 1998

  943

  202

  31

  269

  41

  350

  54

  n/a

  February

  664

  190

  28

  246

  36

  312

  46

  n/a

  March 1998

  857

  328

  30

  423

  38

  534

  48

  270

  April 1998

  708

  416

  45

  492

  53

  603

  65

  128

  May 1998

  717

  390

  54

  458

  64

  538

  75

  84

  June 1998

  881

  515

  57

  624

  69

  725

  80

  91

  July 1998

  867

  410

  45

  601

  66

  701

  77

  125

  August 1998

  936

  382

  42

  522

  58

  622

  69

  142

  September 1998

  698

  437

  48

  564

  62

  641

  70

  112

  Cyprus
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken by the UK to press the Turkish authorities to implement the UN and Security Council resolutions relating to Cyprus and the restoration of human rights. [56777]

  Ms Quin
  We are committed to using the UK's unique position—as a Guarantor Power, a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council and as a member of the European Union—in strong support of the UN Secretary-General's efforts to achieve a comprehensive political settlement in Cyprus in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

  We therefore warmly welcome the UN Secretary-General's recent announcement of a UN process of contact between the parties aimed at reducing tensions
  148
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Members of foreign parliaments visiting the UK are treated like any other visitor on arrival unless they form part of the suite of a visiting VIP guest for whom special arrangements have been made, or are entitled to special facilities as result of past functions.

  India
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with India. [54284]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have warm relations with India. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Deputy Chairman of India's National Planning Commission, Jaswant Singh, on 2 October. I expect to visit India again in November.

  Immigration and Visa Unit
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of hon. Members' correspondence received by the Immigration and Visa Unit was replied to within 15 working days, for the last month for which figures are available; and what were the corresponding figures for each of the preceding 12 months. [56226]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Statistics for the period October 1997 to September 1998 are given in the table.

  and promoting progress towards a political settlement. We firmly support this process and urge all parties to co-operate with the UN in a constructive and flexible manner.

  We also fully endorse the steps taken through the Good Offices of the UN Secretary-General to address human rights issues in Cyprus and urge all concerned to co-operate in support of these.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken by the UK to press the Turkish authorities to disclose the fate of Greek Cypriots who have been missing since the invasion of 1974. [56776]

  Ms Quin
  We have the greatest sympathy for all Cypriots who have lost members of their family over the past 30 years or more. We fully support the steps taken through the Good Offices of the UN Secretary-General to
  149
  address human rights issues in Cyprus. We strongly endorse the efforts of the UN Committee on Missing Persons set up in 1981 to establish the fate of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots listed as missing from 1963 to 1975, and continue to urge all concerned to co-operate fully with it. We welcome the exchange carried out in January and April 1998 through the UN by the two communities of information on the fate of the missing and encourage the parties to make further progress on this important issue.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken by the UK to seek the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the occupied areas of Cyprus. [56775]

  Ms Quin
  We believe that the key to assuring the lasting security of all Cypriots is through a comprehensive political settlement. We fully support the UN Secretary-General's efforts to this end and urge all parties to co-operate in a constructive and flexible manner. We recognise eventual demilitarisation as an important objective in this context and encourage the Secretary-General to continue to promote efforts in this direction. UN Security Council

  Department

  Target (working days)

  Total volume

  Percentage of responses within target

  Target 1998–99

  Agencies included

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food1

  15

  65,410

  89

  15

  yes

  Cabinet Office (OPS)

  15

  6,226

  95.6

  15

  yes

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport2

  18

  21,162

  68

  18

  no

  Customs and Excise

  10

  572,430

  89

  10

  n/a

  Ministry of Defence3

  20

  5,922

  86

  20

  yes

  Department for Education and Employment

  15

  116,417

  88

  15

  no

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions4

  15

  672,980

  96

  15

  yes

  Department of Health1

  20

  46,675

  66

  20

  yes

  Home Office

  20

  5173,285

  81

  20

  6—

  Inland Revenue

  20

  785m

  873.7

  20

  n/a

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  20

  10,200

  77

  20

  no

  Northern Ireland Office (including Northern Ireland Departments)

  15

  198,160

  94

  15

  9—

  Department of Social Security

  20

  1032,168

  77

  20

  no

  Scottish Office

  20

  200,000

  71

  20

  yes

  Department of Trade and Industry

  15

  133,200

  95

  15

  no

  Welsh Office

  15

  65,087

  86

  15

  yes

  Benefits Agency2

  20

  25,816

  92

  20

  n/a

  Child Support Agency

  10

  11—

  67

  10

  n/a

  Child Support Agency (Northern Ireland)

  10

  2,981

  89

  10

  n/a

  Contributions Agency

  20

  259,302

  92

  20

  n/a

  Court Service

  10

  74,534,387

  99.5

  10

  n/a

  Employment Service

  10

  12—

  91

  10

  n/a

  Social Security Agency (Northern Ireland)

  15

  41,609

  96.5

  15

  n/a

  1 Correspondence received between 1 November 1997 and 31 March 1998

  2 Figures relate to correspondence addressed to Ministers

  3 Correspondence addressed to Ministers, e-mailed to the MOD web site, and mail on defence issues received by other departments between 1 August 1997 and 31 March 1998

  4 As a result of the large increase in correspondence after the General Election it was often impossible for letters to be passed to the answering division within 15 days. Consequently many parts of the Department have interpreted the target as being a response within 15 days of receipt in the responding division, rather than from when the letter was actually received in the Department

  5 The number of letters received by the Central Correspondence Unit from members of the public, and the percentage of letters meeting the target, was taken from a statistically monitored sample

  6 Includes all Home Office agencies except the Prison Service

  7 This is the number of items of post received by the Department's network of offices

  8 Holding replies are not counted in order to maximise the incentive to issue full replies quickly

  9 Includes all Northern Ireland departments' agencies except the Prison Service, and the CSA(NI) and SSA(NI) whose performance is shown separately

  10In addition 17,151 letters were received from DSS HQ but were passed on to the Department's executive agencies for reply and are therefore included in the agencies' return

  11 Total volumes are not recorded. Performance is calculated through a sample, which in 1997–98 was just under 25,000 letters

  12 Total volume not known. The performance against target was calculated by evaluating 4,000 letters sent out by a research company. In the same period some 780 letters were received addressed to Ministers—80.6 per cent. of these were cleared within 15 days

  150
  Resolution 1178 of 29 June 1998 called upon all concerned to commit themselves to a reduction in defence spending and a reduction in the number of foreign troops in the Republic of Cyprus.

CABINET OFFICE

  Service Standards
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the performance of the main departments and agencies against the six service standards for central Government. [55135]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  [pursuant to his reply, 31 July 1998, c. 647–48]: I regret that a previous reply was misleading in two respects. It showed the percentage of letters from members of the public replied to within the target date by the Ministry of Defence as 96 per cent. when it should have read 86 per cent. The total volume of letters received by the Department for Social Security read 32,618 when it should have read 32,168. The table shows the performance of all Departments and their Agencies with these amendments made.
  151

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Salmon
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number and total weight of(a) salmon and (b) grilse taken by (i) anglers and (ii) commercial nets in (1) drift and (2) estuary nets for each of the last five years and for 1985, 1980 and 1975 or as much of such information as is readily available; and

  Declared catches of salmon (including grilse) for the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1993–97 in England and Wales

  Rods

  Drift nets

  Other nets1

  All nets

  Numbers caught

  Total weight caught (kg)

  Numbers caught

  Total weightcaught (kg)

  Numbers caught

  Total weight caught (kg)

  Numbers caught

  Total weight caught (kg)

  1975

  24,300

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  88,762

  340,091

  1980

  21,145

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  69,073

  266,850

  1985

  19,601

  81,788

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  75,932

  279,318

  1993

  214,059

  3(78%)

  51,091

  43,561

  157,667

  13,005

  44,644

  56,566

  202,311

  1994

  24,891

  3(75%)

  94,022

  46,674

  174,189

  19,783

  67,728

  66,457

  241,917

  1995

  16,006

  3(70%)

  61,009

  51,435

  187,597

  16,224

  58,139

  67,659

  245,736

  1996

  17,444

  3(63%)

  71,469

  18,801

  73,920

  13,879

  51,788

  32,680

  125,708

  19974

  13,047

  3(73%)

  41,996

  21,866

  75,057

  9,593

  32,177

  31,459

  107,234

  1 All nets other than drift nets, including fixed engines

  2 Likely torepresent a minimum figure due to low rate of catch returns by anglers

  3 Estimated proportion of grilse in rod catch for the years 1993–97

  4 Provisional figures n/a = not available

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers he has to prohibit the distribution or sale within the United Kingdom of genetically modified plant products for animal or human foodstuffs; and what proposals have been made by the Commission of the European Community for further regulations or directives permitting their growing or sale. [55693]

  Mr. Rooker
  Following EU approval under Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Organisms into the Environment or the Council Regulation 258/97 on Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients, the sale of such products can be temporarily prohibited by a Member State if new scientific evidence is provided which demonstrates that human health or the environment is likely to be endangered. Such evidence must then be examined and accepted by other EU Member States before any such prohibition can be made permanent. Moreover, under the Food Safety Act 1990, the distribution and sale of genetically modified food, or food products derived from animals fed on genetically modified materials, could be prohibited if there was an imminent risk of injury to human health.

  A Commission proposal for a Council Regulation on Novel Feeds, including genetically modified materials fed to animals, is expected by the end of the year. Discussions are also taking place on a revision of Directive 90/220/EEC with a view towards providing improved procedures for the regulation of genetically modified
  152
  if he will provide the same information for fish classed (x) 1 sea winter, (y) 2 sea winter and (z) 3 sea winter fish. [55569]

  Mr. Morley
  Available information for England and Wales is given in the table. All figures relate to salmon and grilse although the estimated proportion of grilse in rod catches for the period 1993–97 has also been included. It is not possible to provide any further reliable data on catches broken down by age-class.

  organisms, particularly a timetable for approval, whilst providing a framework necessary to address the concerns of public and industry.

  Calf Processing Aid Scheme
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the total cost of the calf processing aid scheme has been in the United Kingdom in each year to date. [55947]

  Mr. Rooker
  Expenditure on payments to operators in the UK for each financial year to date has been as follows:

  Year

  £million

  1996–97

  51

  1997–98

  53

  1998–99 (to 30 September)

  21

  Agrimonetary Compensatory Amounts
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is(a) the maximum permissible and (b) the actual or anticipated total of agrimonetary compensatory amounts paid out in 1997–98 and 1998–99. [55945]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is not possible to split the agrimonetary compensatory amounts into periods as specified in the question. The total amount that was available to the UK over the period in question is around £958 million, half of which could be reclaimed from the EU budget. This is broken down in the table. The bulk of this compensation was generated by green pound revaluations in 1997.
  153
  On 18 December 1997 we announced our intention to access some £85 million of this aid. Payment of this compensation has now been made, with £72.5 million of the aid resulting from the four revaluations of 1997 being paid to suckler cow producers, and £12.5 million being paid to sheep producers to compensate for the drop in their 1998 SAPS payments.

  Table showing agrimonetary compensation available to the UK over the period from 1997 to date

  £million

  First year compensation1

  Second year compensation

  Trigger event

  Deadline for initial notification to commission

  Payable

  Eufunded

  Payable

  EU funded

  Revaluation of 21 January 1997

  31 January 1998

  2131

  265.5

  87.3

  43.7

  Revaluation of 29 March 1997

  31 March 1998

  2123

  261.5

  82

  41

  Revaluation of 5 June 1997

  30 June 1998

  298.6

  249.3

  65.7

  32.9

  Direct Payments (arable aid) 1997

  31 December 1997

  53.4

  26.7

  nil

  nil

  Direct Payment (flax and hemp) 1997

  31 January 1998

  0.4

  0.2

  nil

  nil

  Revaluation of 21 August 1997

  31 August 1998

  2112

  256

  74.6

  37.3

  Direct payments (livestock, agri-environment and structural) for 1998

  30 June 1998

  237.9

  219

  nil

  nil

  Revaluation of 3 May 1998

  31 May 1998

  1.5

  0.7

  0.7

  0.3

  Direct payments (arable aid)1998

  31 December 1998

  89.2

  44.6

  nil

  nil

  Direct payments (flax and hemp) 1998

  31 January 1999

  0.9

  0.5

  nil

  nil

  Sub total

  647.9

  310.3

  Total over both periods

  958.2

  1 i.e. during the first 12 month period following the trigger event

  2 Package of aid which was partly accessed to fund the £85 million aid to live stock producers in early 1998

  Horses
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the European Union classification of horses as food-producing animals. [55806]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have received representations from the British Equine Veterinary Association, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and individual horse owners. Under European law, the horse is classified as a food producing animal. However, the Government have been guided by a statement by European Commission officials that, if a horse is not destined for human consumption, maximum residue limits are not required. It would of course be a requirement that the product should be clearly marked as not to be used on any horse that might be intended for human consumption.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the numbers and types of veterinary medicines used for horses which do not currently have a maximum residual limit; and what estimate he has made of the proportion which will not have a submitted MRL by 1 January 2000. [55807]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are 244 veterinary medicinal products authorised for use in horses in the United Kingdom containing a variety of active ingredients. 197 active ingredients for use in horses have been evaluated under the MRL Regulations. Under European law, the horse is classified as a food producing animal. However, the Government have been guided by a statement by European Commission officials that, if a horse is not destined for human consumption, maximum residue limits
  are not requried.
  154
  This aid has provided substantial additional assistance to the livestock sector. As we indicated at the time, it was an exceptional response to exceptional circumstances.

  Nevertheless, recognising the difficulties being faced by the industry we are maintaining close contact with the farming unions and other interested organisations and keeping the situation under review.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which drugs used to support blood pressure during anaesthesia used in the United Kingdom for horses do not currently have a submitted maximum residual level; how many he expects to have a MRL by 1 January; and how many presently have a submitted MRL. [55804]

  Mr. Rooker
  There is no veterinary medicinal product authorised in the United Kingdom to support blood pressure during anaesthesia of horses. Applications for authorisation should be submitted to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and would be assessed against statutory criteria for safety, quality and efficacy.

  Farm Subsidies
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give a breakdown of the £2 billion provided in 1997–98 to support British agriculture. [55749]

  Mr. Rooker
  Full details of the financial support for agriculture in 1997–98 can be found in the MAFF/Intervention Board 1998 Departmental Report to Parliament, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what means his Department intends to promote the take-up of the new arrangements in support of farmers switching to organic farming.[55751]

  Mr. Morley
  At the end of July, we announced proposals for a new Organic Aid with substantial improvements in the rate of aid for conversion of most
  155
  types of land. The proposals are subject to the approval of the European Commission but it is hoped that the new scheme will be able to begin early next year.

  The enhanced rates should in themselves encourage take up of the scheme. But the scheme will be actively promoted and the Government are already giving extra resources to the Organic Conversion Information Service, which provides free advice for those considering farming organically.

  Pigs
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on which day he wrote to the Ministry of Defence to ask it to look at the sources from which they buy pork and other pig meat products. [56364]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 26 October 1998]: Immediately following my attendance at the Adjournment Debate on the pig industry in the House on 29 July 1998, Official Report, columns 346–354, I spoke to colleagues at the Ministry of Defence about their sourcing policies. Inter-departmental discussions at Ministerial and official level followed over the summer, culminating in my writing to my right hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement on 23 September to confirm arrangements for the sourcing for the Armed Forces of pork and other pigmeat products.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Council held in Luxembourg on 22 October. [57154]

  Mr. Morley
  I represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 22 October together with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald).

  Major progress was made towards agreeing measures to amend the fisheries control regulation paving the way for their formal adoption by the end of the year. The proposals are aimed at strengthening control arrangements throughout the fisheries sector, including the more effective monitoring of third country vessels operating in Community waters, improved transparency of enforcement activity, a stronger role for Commission inspectors, and increased co-operation among Member States. Importantly, I was able to secure agreement that Member States may apply national designated port controls to all vessels landing into their territory along with more rigorous Community requirements for vessels landing abroad where designated port arrangements do not operate.

  Political agreement was reached on supplementary measures which may be introduced in those Member States affected by the decision at the June Fisheries Council to phase out the use of high seas drift nets. Such measures must be confined to fishermen who suffer a real loss as a result of the drift net ban. They are additional to the options already available under existing structural provisions. A decision will be taken on implementation in the UK after consultations with the fishermen concerned.
  156
  The Council had an exchange of views on the future of structural policies in the fisheries sector in the context of proposals tabled by the Commission in March for reform of the EU Structural Funds within the framework of Agenda 2000. Discussion focused in particular on the need for simplification of procedures and for an appropriate balance between measures to achieve restructuring of national fleets and those specific to regional programmes. The Presidency will be reporting these concerns to the General Affairs Council, which is responsible for taking decisions on the Agenda 2000 framework. However, the Fisheries Council will itself return to the subject in the context of a further proposal expected from the European Commission shortly which will set out the detailed proposals for fisheries structural measures.

  Tuberculosis
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to improve the collection of information about tuberculosis risk factors from cattle breakdown farms. [57228]

  Mr. Rooker
  During November the Ministry will be carrying out a pilot study using new survey forms designed to collect information on cattle movements, husbandry practices, wildlife on farms, and the local environment from farms which have suffered TB incidents, and from others which will act as controls. Comments on the forms are being invited from the farming and scientific communities and the public.

  In December we will review the forms, and from January we intend to use them to gain information following all TB breakdowns. The information collected will be analysed alongside other data on local weather conditions and patterns of badger activity to determine which factors seem to be associated with a higher TB risk. These factors can then be investigated more closely.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the implications of the Comprehensive Spending Review for his Department's expenditure plans for the next three years. [57156]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I explained in broad terms the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) for MAFF in my written statement to the House on 29 July 1998,Official Report, columns 341–45. Since then my officials have been translating the baselines for current, capital and ring-fenced BSE expenditure into budgets for the Department's individual programmes of activity. This process is complicated by the need to revise the programme structure to fit the Department's new aim and objectives. A detailed breakdown of planned expenditure will be published in MAFF's 1999 Departmental Report.

  In the meantime I am setting out the key financial implications of the CSR for MAFF.
  Current: running costs
  The settlement includes £360.4 million in 1999–2000, £358.7 million in 2000–01 and £349.6 million in 2001–02 for MAFF's gross running costs, a change of £+5.2/+3.5/-5.6 million from the Department's 1998–99 running cost ceiling. Using the Treasury's
  157
  GDP deflator, this represents a year-on-year cut in real terms of 1.1/2.9/4.9 per cent. and a cumulative reduction compared with the 1998–99 baseline of 1.1/4.0/8.7 per cent. Included in the Departmental running costs baseline for the next three years is an additional £20.5/29.6/22.1 million for new work (including implementation of the Krebs report, food safety and modernising the administration of CAP payments). That means that the amount available for existing work is £339.9/329.1/327.5 million, a reduction of £15.3/26.1/27.7 million compared with the baseline for 1998–99.

  This is a challenging target which will require the Department to find significant savings to cope with price increases, pay awards and other demands over the period. A thorough review of running cost baselines throughout the Department is currently in progress in order to ensure that resources are directed where they are most needed.

  As part of the CSR settlement on running costs, MAFF is required to agree with Treasury a set of service delivery targets and an aggregate efficiency target. This work is in hand and will form part of the Department's Public Service Agreement, a new feature of the post-CSR arrangements which will set out in a single published document the Department's aims and objectives, resources, targets and efficiency plans for the three years 1999–2000 to 2001–02.

  Current: scheme
  Scheme expenditure (or programme expenditure as it is also known) includes non-CAP support and compensation payments to farmers (for example, under the agri-environment schemes) and MAFF's payments for work undertaken on its behalf by its Executive Agencies.

  The plans a——allow for additional funding over and above the 1998–99 baseline in the following areas:

  (i) food safety—a total of £3.9 million (plus £8.4 million in running costs—included in the Departmental running cost figures above) over the next three years to support work on protecting the public which will transfer to the Food Standards Agency, when established, and to help rebuild public confidence in the safety of the food supply;

  (ii) animal health—an extra £4.4/4.6/4.4 million for implementing the Krebs Report on badgers and bovine tuberculosis, additional TB testing and on-farm surveillance work related to foodborne zoonoses;

  (iii) countryside—an extra £7.6/14.3/19.5 million to fund improvements and enhancements to the agri-environment schemes as described in the Minister's statement on 29 July 1998, Official Report, column 349, including extra funds to enhance the payment rates under the Organic Aid scheme. In addition the sum available for new Countryside Stewardship agreements in 1999 will be raised by £1.0 million to £7.5 million.

  (iv) export promotion—£0.6/1.0/1.0 million to restore sums transferred from Food from Britain's core funding in 1996 to support the Sector Challenge scheme.

  Since the CSR settlement on scheme expenditure is insufficient to meet all the requirements for additional funding, the Department's plans allow for the following offsetting savings:

  (i) £0.0/-2.4/-3.5 million from the closure of the Nitrate Sensitive Areas scheme;

  158

  (ii) £-0.4/-0.9/-1.5 million from the closure of the Postgraduate Agricultural and Food Studentships Scheme to new applicants; and;

  (iii) £-1.0/-2.0/-3.0 million as a result of seeking to transfer to industry the responsibility for funding some of the MAFF research from which industry benefits directly.

  In addition to the Department's expenditure plans assume the transfer to industry of the cost of milk testing for brucellosis and Enzootic Bovine Leukosis in 2000 and extending the range of chargeable work for the inspection of plant imports.

  Capital
  The Department's capital spending plans allow for the following increases in funding compared with the current baseline:

  (i) flood defence—an extra £5.0/8.0/10.0 million in grant aid for flood and coastal defences;

  (ii) marine research vessel—additional provision of £0.4/11.5/11.6 million for the commissioning of a new vessel to replace the two aging vessels currently operated by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS);

  (iii) CAP administration—£2.6/3.4/1.5 million (plus an extra £15.5 million in running costs over the three years—included in the Departmental running cost figures above) to modernise the administration of CAP payments to farmers by setting up a new integrated IT system, incorporating a Geographical Information System;

  (iv) Objective 5 (b)—£12.4/13.3/0.3 million for legally binding commitments that must be met in respect of payments under the EU's rural development programme in Objective 5(b) areas;

  (v) fishing vessel decommissioning—new provision totalling
  £10.5 million over the three years towards restructuring of the
  fishing fleet, to complement the effort control arrangements already introduced.

  Under the new public expenditure arrangements MAFF, like other
  departments, is required to produce a Departmental Investment Strategy (DIS) setting out how its capital resources will be spent and managed over the next three years. The DIS will cover all aspects of the Department's capital budget, including planned expenditure on buildings and IT and the disposal of assets. On the latter the CSR settlement incorporates certain assumptions about assets disposal.These include the sale of the Covent Garden Market site in 2000–01, subject to the passage of enabling primary legislation, and the sale of the MAFF office site at Tolworth also in 2000–01.

  BSE

  Over the next three years the baseline for ring-fenced BSE expenditure by MAFF and the Intervention Board will fall by £194/223/230 million compared with 1998–99. This reduction assumes that there will be savings on the Over Thirty Month Scheme as a result of green rate adjustments, that the costs of some of the control measures will be recovered from the industry through charges and that the Calf Processing Aid Scheme will close. I am reviewing with colleagues the precise timing of some of these savings in the light of representations I have received from the NFU about the state of the UK farming industry.

  Despite the continued fall in the number of BSE cases overall expenditure remains high (£460–500 million a year) because of the precautionary measures that remain in place.

  HIV: Incidence in East Africa
  HIV: Incidence in East Africa
  HIV in Uganda: UK Aid
  HIV in Uganda: UK Aid
  Breast Cancer Radiotherapy: Legal Aid Board Action
  Breast Cancer Radiotherapy: Legal Aid Board Action
  Non-cash Vouchers: National Insurance Liability
  Non-cash Vouchers: National Insurance Liability
  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Training and Enterprise Councils
  National Learning Targets
  National Learning Targets
  AIDS: Support Grant
  AIDS: Support Grant
  MMR Vaccine
  MMR Vaccine
  National Blood Authority
  National Blood Authority
  Autism: Incidence
  Autism: Incidence
  Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs
  Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs
  Sustainable Development: UK Round Table Reports
  Sustainable Development: UK Round Table Reports
  Highways Agency
  Highways Agency
  EU Candidate Countries: Twinning Programme
  EU Candidate Countries: Twinning Programme
  Strategic Export Controls: Torture Equipment
  Strategic Export Controls: Torture Equipment
  Iraq: Kuwaiti Detainees
  Iraq: Kuwaiti Detainees
  Private Military Companies
  Private Military Companies
  Turkey: Internal Warfare
  Turkey: Internal Warfare
  UN Charter and Use of Force
  UN Charter and Use of Force
  Argentina: Arms Embargo
  Argentina: Arms Embargo