Written Answers of 3 September 1998

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Northern Ireland Bill
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list those persons and organisations(a) she, (b) her ministers and (c) her officials have met concerning the role of the Equality Commission and Human Rights Commission in respect of undertakings given during the passage of the Northern Ireland Bill. [55457]

  Mr. Ingram
  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

HEALTH

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the vehicles due for replacement by(a) his Department and (b) bodies listed in National Asset Register in (i) 1998–99, (ii) 1999–2000 and (iii) 2000–01 will be replaced by vehicles using (1) petrol, (2) diesel, (3) natural gas, (4) electric batteries and (5) other. [52628]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: It is not possible to provide the information requested as each case is considered, on merit, at the time of replacement. Each replacement must be justified and economic and environmental factors will be taken into account by the Department.

  Tobacco White Paper
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates meetings have taken place between health(a) Ministers and (b) officials and (i) the British Medical Association, (ii) Action on Smoking and Health, (iii) the Health Education Authority, (iv) the Tobacco Manufacturers Association, (v) representatives of tobacco retailers and (vi) trade ministers representing tobacco workers in connection with the preparation of the prospective White Paper on Tobacco. [53382]

  Ms Jowell
  Ministers and officials have met, and are continuing to meet, representatives from the organisations listed above and others. A full list of the organisations with which the Government has consulted, as work on the Tobacco White Paper has progressed, will be in the White Paper when published.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by Her Majesty's Government in relation to the employment impact assessment of increased taxation and advertising controls on tobacco products prior to the publication of the White Papers. [53689]
  878
  Ms Jowell
  Discussions are taking place with interested parties on all aspects of the White Paper, which will include a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). Matters covered by the EC Tobacco Advertising Directive will be assessed in an updated RIA before being implemented in UK law.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the dates on which meetings have taken place between(a) Ministers and (b) officials and (i) the British Medical Association, (ii) Action on Smoking and Health, (iii) the Health Education Authority, (iv) the Tobacco Manufacturers Association, (v) representatives of tobacco retailers and (vi) trade unionists representing tobacco workers, in connection with the preparation of proposals that may be contained in the prospective White Paper on tobacco control. [53727]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 30 July 1998]: Ministers and officials have met, and are continuing to meet, representatives from the organisations listed above and others. A full list of the organisations with which the Government have consulted, as work on the Tobacco White Paper has progressed, will be in the White Paper when published.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the task forces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by his Department since 1 May 1997, indicating in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers, (iii) small business people or representatives of small businesses, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53289]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 30 July 1998]: Copies of the information requested have been placed in the Library.

  Continence Services
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will ensure that continence services are not commercially retailed by providers of continence products. [54843]

  Ms Jowell
  In common with all retail organisations, continence product suppliers are free to make decisions on the products and services that they supply.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to encourage businesses to contribute towards the Millennium Dome; and if he will list those which have done so. [54464]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: The Department of Trade and INdustry will have no role as regards sponsorship of the Millennium Dome. As sole shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) I will continue to receive advice on millennial matters, including sponsorship, from officials at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. I would also

  879
  refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope) today, Official Report, column 879.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department is now the sponsoring department for the Millennium Commission; and if he will make a statement. [54391]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will remain as the sponsoring department for the Millennium Commission. Officials from the Department will continue to support me in my role as the sole shareholder in the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC).

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the grant memorandum between the Millennium Commission and the New Millennium Experience Company will be altered following changes in departmental responsibilities; and if he will make a statement. [54390]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: No changes will need to be made to the grant memorandum between the Millennium Commission and the New Millennium Experience Company. I will remain as shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company, and will continue to be advised in this role by officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the shares in the New Millennium Experience Company were transferred from the Minister without Portfolio to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. [54392]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 31 July 1998]: No transfer was necessary as the shares are held in my name rather than my position in Government.

  Foreign Coal Producers (Subsidies)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ensure that coal subsidised by EU Governments is not imported into the UK. [54657]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Our commitments under our membership of the European Coal and Steel Community and the World Trade Organisation prevent us from imposing import controls in the way suggested. But we have taken, and will continue to take, a strong line against European state aid for coal where it distorts competition in the UK market.

  We have already taken action within the European Coal and Steel Community to prevent unfair competition from German graded anthracite in the UK market. We conveyed a complaint to the European Commission on behalf of Celtic Energy Ltd. setting out how state aid provided to Sophia Jacoba and Ibbenburen mines led to a distortion in the anthracite market in the ECSC and particularly in the UK. Following an investigation the Commission found there had been abuse of state aid and reached a decision on 29 July requiring repayment of DM20 million state aid by the German producers. This decision provides UK producers with an assurance that such unfair practices will not recur and should help to open up continental markets for competitive UK exports of anthracite. For the future it is important that the Commission interprets the Coal State Aids Code strictly; we question the continuing availability of large scale state aid for coal producers except in the context of clearly defined closure programmes. Elsewhere, we are examining carefully the extent to which Polish housecoal and power-station coal is being sold in the UK market at prices below production costs, and will pursue the matter vigorously. We will continue to press for an open and competitive coal market in Europe and an end to practices which discriminate unfairly against UK exports.

  Firearms Legislation
  Firearms Legislation
  Firearms Control Measures
  Firearms Control Measures
  Asylum Applications: Medical Evidence of Torture
  Asylum Applications: Medical Evidence of Torture
  Asylum Applications and Appeal Outcomes
  Asylum Applications and Appeal Outcomes
  Disabled Prisoners: Facilities
  Disabled Prisoners: Facilities
  Prison Rules
  Prison Rules
  Prisoners: Cases of Ill Treatment
  Prisoners: Cases of Ill Treatment
  Refugee Legal Centre: Funding
  Refugee Legal Centre: Funding
  Rough Sleeping in Westminster
  Rough Sleeping in Westminster
  CS Sprays
  CS Sprays
  Asylum Applications from Victims of Sexual Violence
  Asylum Applications from Victims of Sexual Violence
  Asylum Applications: Harmonisation of Procedures
  Asylum Applications: Harmonisation of Procedures
  Prisons: Mother and Baby Units
  Prisons: Mother and Baby Units
  Indictable Offence Sentences by Gender and Type
  Indictable Offence Sentences by Gender and Type
  Female Prisoners: New Accommodation
  Female Prisoners: New Accommodation
  Prisons Opened/Reopened Since 1995
  Prisons Opened/Reopened Since 1995
  New Prisons
  New Prisons
  Additional Prison Places
  Additional Prison Places
  Overseas Domestic Workers
  Overseas Domestic Workers
  CIREA: Asylum Information Exchange
  CIREA: Asylum Information Exchange
  Probation Officers Seconded to Prisons
  Probation Officers Seconded to Prisons
  Prison Officers
  Prison Officers
  Prisons: Education Data
  Prisons: Education Data
  Asylum Applications Backlog
  Asylum Applications Backlog
  Firearms: National Register
  Firearms: National Register
  Firearm and Shotgun Certificates
  Firearm and Shotgun Certificates
  Immigrants and Asylum Seekers: Reference Numbers
  Immigrants and Asylum Seekers: Reference Numbers
  Surrendered Handguns: Disposal
  Surrendered Handguns: Disposal
  Prison Service: Additional Funding
  Prison Service: Additional Funding
  Prisoner Population Data
  Prisoner Population Data
  Indictable Offence Sentences: Analysis
  Indictable Offence Sentences: Analysis
  Vitamin B6
  Vitamin B6
  Fluoridation of Water
  Fluoridation of Water
  Artificial Limbs: NHS Supplies
  Artificial Limbs: NHS Supplies
  Primary Case Groups
  Primary Case Groups
  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Patient's Charter: Review
  Patient's Charter: Review
  NHS Direct
  NHS Direct
  Child Labour
  Child Labour
  OECD Convention on Combating Bribery
  OECD Convention on Combating Bribery
  Shrimp Imports: Protection of Sea Turtles
  Shrimp Imports: Protection of Sea Turtles
  Junk Faxes
  Junk Faxes
  Short-term Engine Shut-off: Pollutant Emission
  Short-term Engine Shut-off: Pollutant Emission
  Roads Review
  Roads Review
  Westminster Underground Station
  Westminster Underground Station
  Single Vehicle Approval
  Single Vehicle Approval
  Premium Bonds: Holding Limits
  Premium Bonds: Holding Limits
  Banknotes
  Banknotes
  Banknotes: European Union
  Banknotes: European Union
  Tax Credits on Dividends: Amounts Reclaimed by Non-taxpayers
  Tax Credits on Dividends: Amounts Reclaimed by Non-taxpayers
  VAT on Hotel Accommodation
  VAT on Hotel Accommodation
  National Museums and Galleries: Trustees
  National Museums and Galleries: Trustees
  Kensington Gardens: Memorial Garden
  Kensington Gardens: Memorial Garden
  Commercial Radio: Services for People over 55
  Commercial Radio: Services for People over 55
  Millais' "Mariana at the Moated Grange"
  Millais' "Mariana at the Moated Grange"
  Palestine: Tourism
  Palestine: Tourism
  Republic of the Congo: Policy
  Republic of the Congo: Policy
  Space and International Law
  Space and International Law
  Korea: United Nations Command
  Korea: United Nations Command
  Kosovo
  Kosovo
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Sponsorship Money
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Sponsorship Money
  G8 Birmingham Summit: Sponsorship
  G8 Birmingham Summit: Sponsorship
  International Meetings: Costs Breakdown
  International Meetings: Costs Breakdown
  Magistrates' Courts: Derbyshire
  Magistrates' Courts: Derbyshire
  Magistrates' Courts: Statistics
  Magistrates' Courts: Statistics
  Breast Cancer: Compensation
  Breast Cancer: Compensation
  Legal Aid Board: Advice
  Legal Aid Board: Advice
  Legal Aid Act 1988: Section 17
  Legal Aid Act 1988: Section 17
  Medical Negligence Claims and Legal Aid
  Medical Negligence Claims and Legal Aid
  Incapacity Benefit Tracking Study
  Incapacity Benefit Tracking Study
  Habitual Residence Test: Review
  Habitual Residence Test: Review
  Report: No Entry: The Single Room Rent and Youth Homelessness
  Report: No Entry: The Single Room Rent and Youth Homelessness
  Scottish Herring Fishing Industry
  Scottish Herring Fishing Industry
  Infectious Salmon Anaemia
  Infectious Salmon Anaemia
  ISA and Gyrodactylus Salaris: Outbreaks
  ISA and Gyrodactylus Salaris: Outbreaks
  Edinburgh Castle Great Hall: Fund-Raising Events
  Edinburgh Castle Great Hall: Fund-Raising Events
  Scotland Bill: Consultation
  Scotland Bill: Consultation
  Turkish Authorities: Training Arrangements
  Turkish Authorities: Training Arrangements
  NATO Members: Defence Expenditure
  NATO Members: Defence Expenditure
  RAF Feltwell: Units and Roles
  RAF Feltwell: Units and Roles
  RAF Feltwell: Space Tracking System
  RAF Feltwell: Space Tracking System
  Unidentified Flying Objects
  Unidentified Flying Objects
  Medical and Dental Officers: Pay Awards
  Medical and Dental Officers: Pay Awards
  RAF Base: Bentwaters, Suffolk
  RAF Base: Bentwaters, Suffolk
  Dairy Products: Food Safety
  Dairy Products: Food Safety
  Medicines and Pesticides: Authorisation
  Medicines and Pesticides: Authorisation
  Agricultural Chemicals: Multiple Residues
  Agricultural Chemicals: Multiple Residues
  Millennium Volunteers Ltd.: Chairman
  Millennium Volunteers Ltd.: Chairman
  ECC Reports: Publicity
  ECC Reports: Publicity
  Cloning: Research Funding
  Cloning: Research Funding
  UNESCO: Cultural Policies Conference
  UNESCO: Cultural Policies Conference