Written Answers of 13 April 1999

PRIME MINISTER

  Policy Unit (Travel)
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions when his(a) Chief of Staff and (b) Chief Press Secretary formed part of the official party accompanying him on overseas visits, indicating the costs; and if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 8 December 1998, Official Report, column 143, to include the period from the end of October 1998 to the end of February 1999. [76816]

  The Prime Minister
  My Chief Press Secretary has accompanied me on all my overseas visits except three. My Chief of Staff has accompanied me on approximately a third. The costs of all officials, including my Chief Press Secretary and Chief of Staff, who accompany me on overseas visits are accounted for within the total costs of my overseas visits provided in previous answers.

  For the period 1 May 1997 to 3 March 1999, members of the policy unit have travelled overseas on official business on 44 occasions. The average cost of their official travel was approximately £600 per person.

  All visits have been made in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with representatives of the United States Government on genetically modified organisms since 31 July 1998; and if he will give the dates of these discussions. [80107]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer 1 gave to him on 3 November 1998,Official Report, columns 471–72.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what sorts of unforeseen circumstances were envisaged when adding that caveat to his statement that the United Kingdom will not join the Euro Zone during the present Parliament. [80165]

  The Prime Minister
  In his statement to the House of Commons in October 1997, the Chancellor of the Exchequer set out five economic tests which will have to be met before any decision to join a successful single currency can be taken. Applying the economic tests, the Government believe there is no realistic prospect of the UK economy having demonstrated, before the end of this Parliament, convergence which is sustainable and settled. Barring any fundamental and unforeseen change in economic circumstances, making a decision, during this Parliament, to join is not realistic.
  2
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister which Minister is responsible for advising the Cabinet on whether the five economic tests for the United Kingdom participation in EMU have been met; and what consultation in respect of that advice will be undertaken. [80175]

  The Prime Minister
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has responsibility for United Kingdom policy on European Community monetary and economic issues. The final decision on whether or not the UK should join the single currency is for the British people in a referendum.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what staff have been tasked to monitor progress in passing the five economic tests for joining the euro. [80147]

  The Prime Minister
  HM Treasury is the department responsible for economic and monetary union issues.

  European Commissioners
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what regulations or conventions exist to provide for the maintenance of political neutrality by European Commissioners in speeches targeted at a national audience in an area of domestic controversy. [80164]

  The Prime Minister
  Commissioners must act in accordance with the Community Treaties. They are required by Article 157 of the Treaty establishing the European Community to be completely independent in the performance of their duties. As such, they are not allowed to take instructions from any Government or from any other body, and must refrain from any action incompatible with their duties.

  European Movement and Federal Trust
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister when(a) he and (b) representatives from his office, next plan to meet representatives of (i) the European Movement and (ii) the Federal Trust. [80146]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Sir R. Body) on 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 917.

  Mrs. Rosemary Nelson
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he received from Garvaghy Road Residents Chairman, Mr. Brendan McKenna, on police protection for the solicitor, Mrs. Rosemary Nelson; and what action he took in response. [80233]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1999,Official Report, column 228, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer's oral statement of 27 October 1997, Official Report, columns 583–88, if he will set out the constitutional and political implications of the United Kingdom joining the European single currency. [80247]

  The Prime Minister
  As the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his statement to the House of Commons in October 1997, the determining factor underpinning any
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  Government decision on membership of the single currency is whether the economic case for the UK joining is clear and unambiguous.

  The October 1997 statement acknowledged that to share a common monetary policy with other states does represent a major pooling of economic sovereignty. It also stated that, if the economic benefits are clear and unambiguous, there is no constitutional bar to British membership of EMU.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Child Abuse
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases of child abuse in respect of children aged(a) zero to four years, (b) four to six years and (c) six to 10 years have been forwarded by police forces to the CPS in the last five years; and of those how many (i) have been dropped by the CPS and (ii) were prosecuted in court. [80088]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service holds no central records in respect of specific offences. The information requested could be obtained only by examining each relevant file in every CPS office, at disproportionate cost.

  Racial Incidents
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Attorney-General how many(a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for incidents of incitement to racial hatred which took place in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in (i) 1997 and (ii) 1998. [79875]

  The Attorney-General
  There have been no prosecutions or convictions for offences of racial hatred located in the Borough of Hammersmith or Fulham in either 1997 or 1998.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Attorney-General how many(a) black and (b) Asian people work in his private office. [79774]

  The Attorney-General
  Information relating to ethnicity is not usually given where numbers are small enough to enable identification of individuals. However, the staff in my private office have consented to the provision of this information. None of the three members of staff at present in my private office is Black or Asian.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Attorney-General how many(a) women and (b) members of ethnic minorities have been appointed as CPS chief crown prosecutors to date. [79779]

  The Attorney-General
  Of the 42 Chief Crown Prosecutors and 3 Assistant Chief Crown Prosecutors for London whose appointments were recently announced, 8 are women and 1 has self-declared as being from an ethnic minority. 4 of those appointed did not complete the Ethnic Minority Self-Declaration form.

  CPS Papers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General what the procedure is for inquiring into leaks of confidential Crown Prosecution Service papers. [79840]

  The Attorney-General
  Crown Prosecution Service security policy requires that all suspected leaks be reported to the Departmental Security Officer. Suspected leaks are then investigated by the CPS rapidly and thoroughly.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will investigate the leak of the internal Crown Prosecution Service report into the police investigation of electoral malpractice in east and north-east London; and if he will make a statement. [79839]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service is currently undertaking an inquiry into an alleged leak.

  Freemasons
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, column 2, on freemasons, what plans he has to publish the register of lawyers declaring their masonic status; and if he will make a statement. [79810]

  The Attorney-General
  The position remains as stated in my answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, column 2, that the CPS is considering the format of a register in conjunction with the Departments affected by the Government's policy.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Staff (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin, at 1 March, of(a) his Private Office, (b) Government special advisers, (c) his policy unit and (d) staff in total. [78498]

  Mr. Straw
  A voluntary self-classification system is used to record the ethnic origin of staff in the Home Office. For my Private Office1 the breakdown of staff by ethnic origin on 22 March is set out in the table. As the numbers of staff with ethnic minority origins within Private Office are small, only a percentage of staff are shown to protect the privacy of individuals (in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Civil Service Ethnic Monitoring Code of Practice).

  Home Office Private Office staff by ethnic origin1,2

  Ethnic origin

  Percentage in Private Office

  Asian-Bangladeshi

  1.6

  Asian-Chinese

  1.6

  Asian-Indian

  6.6

  Asian-Other

  1.6

  Asian-Pakistani

  3.3

  Black-Caribbean

  5

  All Ethnic Minority Groups

  20

  White

  80

  1Ministerial Secretariat (including the Permanent Secretary's Office)

  2 Of those whose ethnicity is recorded 89.5 per cent. of Private Office staff

  5
  With regard to special advisers, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, East (Mr. Livingstone). by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 39.

  With regard to Home Office staff as a whole, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 31 March 1999, Official Report, columns 710–11.

  I do not have a policy unit.

  Interpol
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many international warrants for arrest and extradition are held by Interpol for citizens of the United Kingdom. [78794]

  Kate Hoey
  I am advised by the National Criminal Intelligence Service that there are currently in circulation 107 Interpol notices in respect of persons who are United Kingdom citizens by birth. This is a figure for notices issued by Interpol bureaux world-wide, under what is known as the Red Notice procedure. In some countries, not including the United Kingdom, a Red Notice may serve as a provisional warrant of arrest for extradition purposes.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the procedures by which(a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) the citizen concerned are notified of international warrants for arrest and extradition held by Interpol in respect of UK citizens. [78791]

  Kate Hoey
  This is an operational matter as between Interpol bureaux world-wide. There is no procedure whereby Her Majesty's Government are notified that a United Kingdom citizen is the subject of an Interpol notice. The person concerned will become aware of the fact if and when he is located and arrested.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Matins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many telephone lines exist at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices in Croydon. [79303]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate Croydon has 377 telephone lines; these are:265 telephone lines which can take incoming calls
  25 telephone lines reserved for members of the public making general immigration inquiries or inquiries about progress of a particular case
  5 telephone lines for requests for an Application Form
  10 lines for inquiries from employers about Immigration Law
  12 lines giving recorded information about the more common type of inquiry
  60 telephone lines which are reserved for outgoing calls
  5,500 telephone extensions which can be directly dialled from outside.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many telephone operators work at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices in Croydon. [79302]
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  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are currently fifty-nine officers dealing with telephone inquiries received in the Integrated Casework Directorate based in Croydon. However, approximately 25 per cent. of an operator's time is spent on written work and therefore away from the telephone. In addition, the Croydon estate has two operators who deal with non casework telephone traffic.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle the backlog of work at Lunar House; and over what period. [80395]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have set up a task team of senior officials and Siemens Business Services to determine the measures necessary to improve services substantially and to tackle the backlog of cases. Steps already taken include special exercises to target priority cases such as work permit applications, changes in procedures that will result in higher productivity, and increased staffing. Levels of service to the public are gradually being restored and improved.

  Clandestine Entrants
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has made to(a) United Kingdom, (b) European Union and (c) other international business organisations regarding clandestine entrants seeking to enter the United Kingdom through consignments; [78612]

  (2) what advice he has given to United Kingdom businesses concerned in the consignment of goods to the United Kingdom through European Union ports of embarkation about the prevention of clandestine entrants. [78613]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: I have had a number of meetings with representatives of the road haulage industry and officials meet regularly with this group and with representatives of shipping and air transport companies. I understand that the transportation companies in their turn have discussions with their customers. There has been little, if any, direct contact between the Home Office and individual businesses regarding the problems of clandestine entrants; and we have not made any separate representations or issued separate advice to those bodies, beyond the representations and advice given to hauliers and other transportation companies.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the extent to which clandestine entrants change vehicles during ferry crossings. [78614]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: Neither the Immigration Service nor the major ferry operator at Dover has presented any evidence that would support the suggestion that clandestine entrants change vehicles during ferry crossings. It would be difficult for would-be clandestine entrants to leave one vehicle and enter another on a well-lit car ferry deck monitored by Closed Circuit Television cameras without being seen, and the individuals concerned would gain no advantage by doing so.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to lorry drivers and the road haulage industry as to(a) how to deal

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  with clandestine entrants discovered in vehicles on entry to the United Kingdom and (b) the physical risk to drivers in such circumstances. [78610]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: The advice given to date relates to safeguards to prevent would-be illegal entrants from securing entry in the first place. Where a driver discovers people in his vehicle whom he suspects may have entered the country illegally, he should inform the police or the local immigration office.

  I welcome the fact that the Freight Transport Association has issued guidance to its members. The Immigration Service will be working closely with the FTA and the Road Haulage Association to develop the proposed Code of Practice. In doing so, they will draw on the FI'A' s helpful advice.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to ferry operators in the last 12 months on improving security to prevent clandestine entrants gaining access to the United Kingdom; and if he will list the measure taken as a result. [78611]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: Immigration Service staff are in regular contact with the major ferry operators arriving at Dover. Following discussions about clandestine immigration through Belgian ports, a number of changes have been made to port security procedures at Ostend and Zeebrugge. These include increased police patrols on access roads, night patrols in the port area and systematic loading checks. I understand that ferry operators have also met the Calais Chamber of Commerce to discuss improving security at that port.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he received from voluntary organisations requesting exemption from charges to finance the Criminal Records Bureau; and if he will make a statement. [79533]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Coaker) on 30 March 1999,Official Report, columns 608–09.

  Police Contingency Reserves
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 105, if he will list those police forces where contingency reserves are lower than the level recommended by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy; and if he will make a statement. [79425]

  Mr. Boateng
  A list of forces with unallocated reserves or balances below the 2.0 per cent. minimum level recommended by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is set out as listed. Published figures on police authority reserves relate to a specific point in time and may not give any indication about future commitments. The list reflects the position as at 31 March 1998. The CIPFA advice to police authorities on reserves and balances was issued in December 1998.
  8
  Police Forces with general balances below 2.0 per cent. of net revenue expenditure at 31 March 1998:

  Avon and Somerset

  City of London

  Cumbria

  Dorset

  Dyfed-Powys

  Essex

  Humberside

  Lincolnshire

  Metropolitan Police

  Northumbria

  West Midlands

  West Yorkshire

  Source:

  CIPFA.

  Child Curfew
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department(a) how many local authorities had applied to introduce a local child curfew and (b) were undertaking local consultation on introducing a local child curfew at the latest date for which the information is available. [79426]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 16 March 1999,Official Report, column 590.

  Medway Secure Training Centre
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) assaults on staff by inmates, including those resulting in staff being referred for medical treatment and those leading to criminal charges, (b) assaults on trainees by other trainees and (c) incidents of concerted indiscipline, there have been by young persons at the Medway Secure Training Centre since his answer of 9 November 1999, Official Report, column 43; and if he will make a statement. [79427]

  Mr. Boateng
  In the period from 9 November to end February, the contractor has recorded a total of 18 assaults on staff by trainees. All staff involved were seen by medical staff as a matter of course. 17 assaults on trainees by other trainees have been recorded. None of the incidents led to criminal charges. Two incidents of concerted indiscipline have been recorded.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many trainees there currently are at the Medway Secure Training Centre. [79377]

  Mr. Boateng
  As of 31 March, there were 30 young people at the Medway Secure Training Centre.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff have resigned or been dismissed from the Medway Secure Training Centre since his answer of 9 November 1998,Official Report, column 43; and if he will make a statement. [79428]

  Mr. Boateng
  There have been 10 resignations since 9 November, two of whom have since successfully applied for reinstatement.
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  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress on implementing at the Medway Secure Training Centre each of the recommendations of the Social Services Inspectorate report. [79376]

  Mr. Boateng
  Progress against the agreed action plan is being monitored closely. Measures have already been taken to address the most urgent problems including the introduction of a new staffing structure to strengthen management of the centre, and to improve operational procedures. A programme of refurbishment work is underway, and new staff have been recruited. The Social Services Inspectorate will undertake a further inspection shortly to evaluate progress against the action plan, and the effectiveness of the action already taken.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the current number of staff at the Medway Secure Training Centre is the full complement. [79429]

  Mr. Boateng
  The current number of staff at Medway is 109.5. The agreed staff complement of 100.5 is subject to further review in the light of the Social Services Inspectorate report.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if further contract payments have been reduced since his answer of 9 November 1998,Official Report, column 43, to reflect performance points accumulated in the recent periods at the Medway Secure Training Centre; and if he will make a statement. [79430]

  Mr. Boateng
  At the end of the second and third quarters, contract payments were reduced by £14,730 and £22,691 respectively, reflecting performance points accumulated by the contractor in those periods.

  Police (Private Companies)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to transfer to private companies functions currently undertaken by police officers. [79380]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government have no such plans.

  Police (Efficiency)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department will take if police forces fail to make the target 2 per cent. year on year efficiency gains; and if he will make a statement. [79375]

  Mr. Boateng
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 21 July 1998,Official Report, column 915, that the police would receive an extra £ 1.24 billion over the next three years. Part of the additional funding for the second and third years will be dependent on forces achieving the target of 2 per cent. efficiency improvements a year set by the Comprehensive Spending Review. The arrangements we have put in place for the Home Office to monitor and review police efficiency plans jointly with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Audit Commission will give forces every opportunity to demonstrate that they are meeting this target, and that the resources released have been reinvested to improve delivery of frontline national and local policing priorities.

  Crime and Disorder Audit
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the deadline for each local crime and disorder audit to be submitted to his Department; if he will list those authorities which have submitted an audit; how many audits have been referred back to local authorities by his Department for further work; what representations he has received concerning the audits; and if he will make a statement. [79378]

  Mr. Boateng
  There is no provision in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 requiring the local crime and disorder reduction partnerships to submit their audits and strategies to my Department for approval. The Act requires that strategies be formulated by 1 April 1999 and published locally. My Department will continue to work with the Audit Commission, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and other key partners to support the local partnerships in their work and to monitor their effectiveness. I am impressed by what I have seen of their determination to carry out their tasks in an effective and timely manner, but, if there are indications that particular partnerships are failing to exercise their functions under the Act, the Home Secretary is empowered to ask them for a report on their progress.

  Immigration Staff
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of(a) immigration officers and (b) other immigration staff who will be employed in dealing with leave to enter in each of the next five years. [78648]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: None. The number of staff likely to be dealing with leave to enter over the next five years will depend upon a variety of factors, such as the extent of any growth in international passenger traffic as well as the impact of the measures set out in the White Paper 'Fairer, Faster And Firmer—A Modern Approach To Immigration And Asylum' designed to improve the operation of the on-entry control.

  Lancet Inquiry
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what charges have been made by the Lancet inquiry against the officer whose name has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement. [79412]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have not been sent any names of officers by the Operation Lancet inquiry. No police officers have been charged with offences as a result of Operation Lancet Inquiry to date, but the inquiry is continuing and I understand that a number of possible criminal and disciplinary matters are still under investigation.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the serving CID officers in Cleveland Police Force are under investigation in the Lancet inquiry; and if he will make a statement. [79409]

  Mr. Boateng
  31 Cleveland CID Officers are under investigation in Operation Lancet. Of these, 8 are suspended, which equates to 4 per cent. of the Force CID strength. The other 23 CID officers have not been suspended and continue to perform their daily duties. The
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  duties of the suspended officers are being undertaken by other officers to ensure that the operational effectiveness of the CID is maintained.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of person hours devoted to date to the Lancet inquiry regarding alleged police corruption in Cleveland; and if he will make a statement. [79410]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested on the number of person hours devoted to the Operation Lancet Inquiry is not readily available.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 23 March 1999,Official Report, column 173, on the Lancet inquiry, if he will provide a breakdown of the costs of the inquiry; and if he will make a statement. [79588]

  Mr. Boateng
  The breakdown of costs is as follows:

  £000

  Cost of Cleveland Officers (salaries, etc)

  692

  Cost of Northamptonshire Officers (salaries, accommodation and subsistence)

  426

  Other expenditure (overtime, consumable stores, etc)

  129

  Total

  1,247

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of that part of the Lancet inquiry known as the Redwood inquiry in terms of costs and number of police officers involved; and if he will make a statement. [79590]

  Mr. Boateng
  The "Redwood" inquiry is an on-going investigation and, for operational reasons, it would not be appropriate at this stage to make any further comment.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the special inquiry taking place in the Cleveland police force. [79589]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave him on 23 March 1999,Official Report, column 173.

  Motor Projects Research
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those taking part in the projects described in Motor Projects in England and Wales Research Findings No. 81 were offenders in(a) 1993 and (b) 1999. [79339]

  Mr. Boateng
  Research Findings No. 81, 'Motor Projects in England and Wales', examined two-year reconvictions for offenders sentenced to Probation run Motor Projects between the end of 1989 and 1993. No information is available centrally on what proportions of those were offenders in 1999. Of those in the sample, 433 (40 per cent.) were sentenced in 1993.

  Overall, Research Findings No. 81 showed that nearly 80 per cent. of offenders were reconvicted for an offence within two years.

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the projects included in the research base described in Motor Projects in England and Wales Research Findings No. 81 still operate. [79395]
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  Mr. Boateng
  Research Findings No. 81, "Motor Projects in England and Wales", examined 42 projects. Current information is available on only 21 of these projects which were jointly managed by probation services in partnership with other bodies. Of these 21, the following are still operating: West Yorkshire: "BUMPY" Project

  West Sussex: "Car Offenders Project" (now "Responsible Drivers")

  Shropshire: "Drive" Project

  Inner London: "Ilderton Motor Project"

  Somerset: "Mendip Motor Project" (now "Somerset Motor Project")

  Greater Manchester: "STOP" Project

  Oxfordshire: "TRAX" Motor Project

  Buckinghamshire: "Wheel-right"

  Nottingham: "Wheelbase".

  We are making inquiries about the other 21 projects and I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Satellite Network Interception
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposed agreement on the remote approach to satellite network interceptions at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council of 12 March; which country objected; on what grounds; and what is the Government's policy on this issue. [79490]

  Kate Hoey
  The remote access approach would enable member states to maintain an interception capability against serious criminals using satellite telephones on their territory. There would be no need to seek the technical assistance of the member state with the ground station in individual cases.

  Italy, which hosts the first satellite ground station in the European Union, took the view at the Council that the member state with the satellite ground station should be given a guarantee that the intercepting member state would protect its constitutional principles and national security when using the remote access approach.

  The Government share the view of other member states that there is no substantive role for the member state with the ground station in the remote access approach. The Government have explained their position to the European Scrutiny Committees in their Explanatory Memorandum of 3 March 1999 on Council document 6195–99. A copy is in the Library.

  EU Justice and Home Affairs Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the contents of the papers he intends to present to the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council on(a) mutual recognition of court decisions and judgments and (b) access to justice in civil matters. [79422]

  Kate Hoey
  The United Kingdom's discussion paper on the mutual recognition of court decisions and judgments in criminal matters was submitted to the Article K4 Committee of the European Union on 29 March. It follows up the initiative of the United Kingdom Presidency at the Cardiff European Council,
  13
  the conclusions of which called on the Council to identify the scope for greater mutual recognition of decisions of each other's courts. The paper and an Explanatory Memorandum were deposited for scrutiny on 31 March and a copy of each has been placed in the Library.

  The aim of the initiative is to develop a regime where each state recognises as valid certain pre and post conviction decisions of another member state's judicial authorities with the minimum of formality. Recognition would be given even though the decision has been taken under different laws and rules. The discussion paper develops this idea by setting out the current obstacles to judicial co-operation, current measures to improve judicial co-operation and suggestions on how mutual recognition could contribute towards the long-term development of judicial co-operation in the European Union.

  Mutual recognition of all court decisions is unlikely to be achievable in the near future, but the paper envisages a work programme that identifies short to medium term objectives as well as long term goals, and the preparatory work needed in order to achieve them. The paper proposes that such a programme should include an examination of the following possible proposals: the enforcement of sanctions following criminal convictions; the possibility of dispensing with formal letters of request and dual criminality requirements for mutual legal assistance; the possible abolition of grounds for refusing extradition such as the political offence exception, dual criminality and restrictions of the extradition of member states' own nationals; the possibility of fast track extradition through mutual recognition of arrest warrants and convictions, or a new "Eurowarrant" system; and the possible mutual recognition of orders or warrants concerning assets or evidence.

  The key underlying concept behind the paper is the principle that member states of the European Union should be able to have full confidence in each other's legal systems. Progress towards mutual recognition may therefore depend on agreeing common minimum standards and safeguards, for example on the treatment of suspects in custody and procedures for ensuring that the standards and safeguards are actually applied.

  The issue of access to justice in civil matters falls within the ministerial responsibility of the Lord Chancellor. The paper is still in preparation, but it is intended that it will invite the member states to consider ways of making it easier for people from one European Union country to bring litigation in another, making use of the other member state's legal system. Notwithstanding the Brussels Convention, the costs of such litigation often make it uneconomic to pursue small and medium sized claims and there is clear evidence that the perceived difficulty in obtaining redress if things go wrong is a major deterrent to buying goods abroad. It is, therefore, a significant obstacle to the proper functioning of the internal market.

  This initiative follows up a conference on resolving small claims across borders, hosted by the Lord Chancellor's Department during the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union last year, and other initiatives already adopted by the Community including the Action Plan on Consumers' Access to Justice.

  Immigration (Latvian Citizens)
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Latvian citizens entered the UK in each of the last five years; how many were refused entry to the United Kingdom; and if he will list the reasons for refusal. [79688]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Latvians were not separately identified in immigration statistics prior to 1998, when 21,800 passengers were admitted and 340 were refused leave to enter and removed from the United Kingdom. 280 of the latter were not considered to be genuinely seeking entry as visitors, nearly 20 had unsatisfactory arrangements or non-genuine intentions for entry as students and over 40 were refused for various other reasons.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79647]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

  CitizenCard
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what will be the legal status of the proposed CitizenCard; on what basis the cost of the scheme was agreed; and what plans he has to restrict future increases in the cost of obtaining a CitizenCard; [79636]

  (2) if the police will accept the proposed CitizenCard as a legal document; and what arrangements will be made to enable retailers to check the validity of the document.[79637]

  Mr. George Howarth
  CitizenCard is an industry sponsored proof of age scheme which was launched on 15 February. The Government have welcomed it but its operation is a matter for the promoters.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of basic training for police officers relates to mental illness; and what proportion of that training is about the Mental Health Act 1983. [79673]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand that probationers in both the Metropolitan Police and other forces in England and Wales receive formal training on mental illness amounting to a total of about half a day during the course of their probationer training. In both cases, this training is supplemented by practical role play exercises which can be used to reinforce learning. In addition, a considerable
  15
  time is devoted to vulnerable witnesses and arrested persons during the course of lessons on the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Codes of Practice and interviewing.

  It is also open to forces and Metropolitan Police areas to provide additional training on this subject if there is a particular need for it locally.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people from (i) black and (ii) other ethnic minorities were detained by the police under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in 1998; [79676]

  (2) how many people were detained by the police under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in 1998; [79675]

  (3) what change there was in the amount of police time spent dealing with mentally disordered people over the five years from 1993 to 1998; [79686]

  (4) how many injuries occurred to (a) persons being conveyed and (b) the police when police were involved in conveying people to hospital or a place of safety under the Mental Health Act 1983 in 1998; [79687]

  (5) what was the average number of hours per week that police officers were involved in conveying people to hospital or a place of safety under the Mental Health Act 1983 in 1998; [79685]

  (6) if he intends to issue guidance to police regarding the restraint of people known to have a mental illness for the purposes of conveying people to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983; [79674]

  (7) what the average number of hours per week spent by the police detaining people under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 was in 1998; [79677]

  (8) how many offences by the person concerned were recorded following a disposal under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in 1998. [79678]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested about police activity in respect of mentally disordered people detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 is not collected centrally. The Self-Defence and Restraint Committee of the Association of Chief Police Officers is currently revising its manual on "conflict resolution" and it is expected that this will contain guidance regarding the restraint of people known to have mental illness. I have been advised that this will be issued later this year.

  Smoke Alarms
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the(a) desirability and (b) practicality of making the installation of smoke alarms in domestic dwellings mandatory; and what steps he is taking to encourage the installation of smoke alarms in domestic dwellings. [79608]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Smoke alarms make a significant contribution to the protection of life and property from fire and I believe it is desirable for every household to have at least one smoke detector. Promoting the need to have a properly maintained smoke alarm is a centre piece of our new strategy to reduce dwelling fire deaths by 20 per cent. by 2003. The Home Office ran a16
  major campaign with the fire service on this theme at the start of the year. I also announced last December a £14 million investment in a new National Community Fire Safety Centre which is intended to help deliver the reduction in fire deaths in the home.

  Since 1992, Buildings Regulations have required all new dwellings in England and Wales to have a smoke alarm installed. This move, together with our wider publicity and educational efforts, has helped to raise smoke alarm ownership levels in all households to 82 per cent. However, ownership levels are much lower in those households which are actually having most fires and we are focusing on how to get the smoke alarm message to the hard to reach groups.

  The possibility of introducing a mandatory requirement on all households was considered by the Community Fire Safety Task Force whose 1997 report, Safe as Houses, outlined a new strategy on reducing fire deaths. The Government accepted their finding that, although such a proposal does have attractions, the enforcement difficulties and the infringements on personal choice were likely to be excessive. Instead, it advocated a far greater level of publicity and education to build upon the significant improvement on ownership levels which have already been achieved. The investment in the new National Centre is designed to deliver that outcome.

  Immigration and Asylum White Paper
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if officials in his Department prepared an assessment of the responses to the White Paper on immigration and asylum. [79710]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Home Office officials provided advice about the responses to the White Paper for consideration by Ministers.

  Rifle Licences
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licences have been granted for rifles since the commencement of the compensation scheme for handguns. [79635]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Firearm Certificate Statistics only differentiate firearm certificates and shotgun certificates. There is no centrally kept record of the type(s) of firearm kept on individual certificates. I can say that in the year ending 31 December 1997 (the latest year for which figures are available) 6,800 new firearm certificates were granted. This compares to an annual average of some 10,860 for the previous five years.

  Firearms Compensation
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many compensation payments of what average value have been made in respect of handguns to date. [79684]

  Mr. Boateng
  Compensation payments averaging £334.89 have been made in respect of 114,195 guns surrendered under Options A and B of the scheme for large-calibre handguns. Corresponding figures for payments under Option C of the scheme are not yet available.

  Feltham Young Offenders Unit
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average amount of time per week spent in purposeful activity by young offenders, in each unit, at Feltham Young Offenders Unit, in each of the last three years. [80020]

  Mr. George Howarth
  At Feltham, records of purposeful activity are not compiled by individual unit, but the figures can be broken down by sections of the population. For 1996–97 and 1997–98, figures can be provided for remand, convicted, therapeutic and new arrivals. For 1998–99, the categories are convicted, remand-short stay, health care centre and segregation/ Waite (anti-bullying) Unit. Purposeful activity is defined as work (including cleaning), education, physical education and church services. The figures are shown in the table.

  Average hours of purposeful activity: HMY01 Feltham

  Year/Section of population

  Average purposeful activity per inmate per week (hours)

  1996–97

  Convicted

  32.14

  Remand

  17.40

  Therapeutics

  28.01

  Arrivals

  15.12

  1996–97

  Convicted

  26.93

  Remand

  16.45

  Therapeutics

  20.01

  Arrivals

  14.66

  1997–981

  Units B, C, D and E (convicted)

  28.94

  Units F, G, Hon. and J (convicted)

  14.39

  Units K, 0 and S (rem/Short stay)

  16.64

  Units L, M and N (rem/short stay)

  10.36

  Units P, Q and R (rem/short stay)

  23.34

  Health care centre

  7.85

  Segregation/Waite Unit

  6.39

  1Up to and including February 1999

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on conditions at Feltham Young Offenders Unit. [79882]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There has not been a marked decline in conditions at Feltham as suggested in the recent report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons. It is accepted that progress has been slow in improving conditions in some areas, although there have been many improvements since the Chief Inspector's last visit. The general cleanliness of the establishment can and will be improved, but there is a problem in only a minority of areas within the prison. New cleaning schedules and arrangements for inspection have now been introduced to ensure that cleaning takes place.

  The problems experienced at Feltham are due mainly to the population pressures being experienced across the prison estate and the industrial relations climate at Feltham. There have also been difficulties in recruiting staff. Remedial action is being taken in an attempt to
  18
  improve recruitment at Feltham, and hence regime provision. Ten new officers are due to start training in April.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average amount of time per day that young offenders were locked in their cells, in each unit, at Feltham Young Offenders Unit, in each of the last three years. [80019]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Prison Service records time out of cell for purposeful activity (work, education and church services) and association. There is no record of other absences from cells, for example for meals, visits and court appearances.

  At Feltham, records of time out of cell are not compiled by individual unit, but the figures can be broken down by sections of the population. For 1996–97 and 1997–98, figures can be provided for remand, convicted, therapeutic and new arrivals. For 1998–99, the categories are convicted, remand/short stay, health care centre and segregation/Waite (anti-bullying) Unit. The figures are shown in the table.

  Average time out of cell: HMYOL Feltham

  Year

  Section of population

  Average time out of cell per inmate per week (hours)

  1996–97

  Convicted

  52.87

  Remand

  42.76

  Therapeutics

  46.16

  Arrivals

  29.08

  1997–98

  Convicted

  47.06

  Remand

  45.57

  Therapeutics

  38.53

  Arrivals

  29.56

  1998–991

  Units B, C, D. and E. (convicted)

  42.75

  Units F, G, H. and J. (convicted)

  24.51

  Units K, 0. and S. (rem/short stay)

  44.00

  Units L, M. and N. (rem/short stay)

  19.54

  Units P, Q. and R. (rem/short stay)

  30.57

  Health care centre

  9.07

  Segregation/Waite Unit2

  11.55

  1Up to and including February 1999

  2Sample figure for week 49; average figure unavailable

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take following the publication of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons' report on Feltham Young Offenders Unit; and if he will make a statement. [79881]

  Mr. George Howarth
  On receipt of the Chief Inspector's report, the Director General of the Prison Service established a taskforce to remedy the shortcomings which had been identified. The taskforce, led by a senior governor, has charted a plan for improvement which will be implemented over the next six months.

  Already, additional finance has been allocated for urgent capital spending, and major refurbishment work will start in the next financial year. More immediate improvements to cleaning schedules and mattress and

  19
  blanket provision are already in hand, and additional work and education for approximately 80 prisoners will be brought on stream in the summer.

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by Treaty Article, those elements of the Amsterdam Treaty in which, during the EU's Justice and Home Affairs Council of 12 March, he indicated a willingness to participate. [80150]

  Kate Hoey
  At the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 12 March, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary indicated that the United Kingdom was interested in developing co-operation with European Union partners on asylum and civil judicial co-operation, as well as in immigration policy and co-operation against illegal immigration. Such co-operation would be subject to the conditions laid down in the Protocol on the Position of the United Kingdom and Ireland and would take place only where there was no conflict with the maintenance of our frontier controls. The relevant Articles are Articles 61 to 69 of Title IV of the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam.

  My right hon. Friend also indicated the United Kingdom's intention to continue to play a full role in law enforcement and criminal judicial co-operation and, in accordance with the Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union, to seek participation in the Schengen acquis in the areas of police and criminal judicial co-operation, including the Schengen Information System. The legal basis for the Schengen acquis within the European Union Treaties has not yet been decided but the areas of police and criminal judicial co-operation are broadly covered by Articles 29-42 of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the reduction in the number of animals required for procedures, for the last year for which figures are available, as a result of the use of alternatives to animal testing. [80097]

  Mr. George Howarth
  It is not possible to make such an estimate primarily because the use of non-animal tests is not regulated under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and we are not, therefore, in a position to collect data on the use of these alternatives.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ban the LD50 animal test. [80136]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 3 December 1998,Official Report, column 110.

  Whilst we await the deletion of the LD50 test from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's guidelines, we will authorise the LD50 test only where the applicant can demonstrate a regulatory requirement to use this test rather than an alternative.
  20
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on how many occasions have the non-animal alternative skin corrosivity tests been used for the purposes of testing household products since their validation by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods in 1997; [80133]

  (2) on how many occasions has the non-animal alternative photoirritation test been used for the purposes of testing household products since their validation in 1997. [80134]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The use of non-animal tests is not regulated under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and we are not, therefore, in a position to collect data on the use of these alternatives.

  The use of animals in such tests will be allowed only if the applicant can demonstrate a regulatory requirement to use the animal test rather than an alternative.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the definition of household product used by his Department for the purposes of the statistics relating to scientific procedures on living animals. [80135]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There is no definition of household product in United Kingdom law or European Directives. The only formal guidance given to licence holders in collating figures for the annual statistics is that contained in the notes accompanying the annual "Return of procedures by project" form (published as Appendix C to the "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals", Great Britain, 1997). This instructs licence holders to use a particular code to record procedures carried out for a toxicological or other safety-related purpose (including efficacy, quality control, or other regulatory purpose) for substances "used in the household".

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of the animal tests to judge the safety of household products, listed in Table 10a of the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain 1997 were(a) photoirritation tests, (b) skin corrosivity tests, (c) LD50 tests and (d) fixed-dose procedure tests; and on which species of animal these tests were carried out in 1997; [80130]

  (2) on how many occasions in 1997 fixed-dose procedure tests on animals were used as replacements for LD50 tests (a) for household products and (b) otherwise. [80131]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information collected during the annual statistics collection exercise cannot be broken down in this way. For example: LD50, fixed-dose procedure and other tests can be returned as acute quantitative lethal toxicity tests. Similarly, photoirritation and skin corrosivity tests might be recorded under either tests for skin irritation or tests for skin sensitisation.

  Although the United Kingdom already demands a level of statistical reporting beyond the requirements of the European Directive 86/609 and European Convention ETS 123 (and beyond that required by other member states), the figures for 1999, to be published in 2000, will be further refined to distinguish LD50 tests from other acute quantitative lethal toxicity tests.
  21
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the animal tests for household products were for(a) finished household products and (b) ingredients for household products, in 1997. [80132]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In returning data for the annual statistics on animal use, licensees are not required to distinguish between finished household product testing and the testing of ingredients intended for household products.

  The Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals for 1997 show that 2,026 procedures were carried out for the testing of "substances used in the household" (both ingredients and finished products) for toxicology or other safety/efficacy evaluation.

  Ethnic Minority Police (Hammersmith and Fulham)
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ethnic minority police officers are currently stationed at(a) Hammersmith and (b) Fulham police stations. [79871]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that as at 31 March 1999 there were 11 ethnic minority police officers stationed at Hammersmith Police Station and 6 at Fulham Police Station.

  Stop and Search (Hammersmith and Fulham)
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of stop and search were recorded for(a) 1997 and (b) 1998 by (i) Hammersmith and (ii) Fulham police stations; and how many of these led to arrest for each of the years. [79873]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has provided the following information:

  1997

  1998

  (i) Hammersmith division

  Stop and searches

  4,332

  5,552

  Arrests resulting

  560

  656

  (ii) Fulham division

  Stop and searches

  3,030

  3,661

  Arrests resulting

  280

  337

  Note:

  Figures are for calendar year

  Racial Crime (Hammersmith and Fulham)
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many racially motivated assaults were recorded for(a) 1997 and (b) 1998 by(i) Hammersmith and (ii) Fulham police stations. [79872]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that in the calendar year 1997 there were 6 racially motivated assaults recorded in Hammersmith Division and 4 in Fulham Division. In the calendar year 1998, 53 racially motivated assaults were recorded in Hammersmith Division and 22 in Fulham Division.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of incitement to racial hatred were(a) reported, (b) investigated and (c) the subject of arrest in (i) Hammersmith and (ii) Fulham police stations in (1) 1997 and (2) 1998. [79874]
  22
  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has provided the following information about cases of incitement to racial hatred:

  Year

  Reported

  Investigated

  Arrested

  (i) Hammersmith Division

  1997

  50

  50

  9

  1998

  159

  159

  52

  (ii) Fulham Division

  1997

  24

  24

  0

  1998

  106

  106

  6

  Note:

  Figures are for calendar year

  Coroners
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many coroners are(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities, (c) medical practitioners or former medical practitioners, (d) solicitors or former solicitors and (e) barristers or former barristers; how many coroners there are in total; and if he will make a statement. [79802]

  Mr. George Howarth
  According to the latest available information, there are some 137 coroners, of whom seven are women, and 15 are, or have been, medical practitioners. No information is held centrally either on the number of appointments from within the ethnic minority communities or on the number of coroners who are by origin solicitors or barristers.

  Mr. John Kamara
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how long the Criminal Cases Review Commission has been considering the case of Mr. John Kamara. [80155]

  Kate Hoey
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave her on 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 124.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps the Criminal Cases Review Commission has taken to make progress on the case of Mr. John Kamara since 22 February; [80154]

  (2) when the Criminal Cases Review Commission expects to make a decision on whether to refer the case of Mr. John Kamara to the Court of Appeal. [80153]

  Kate Hoey
  I understand from the Criminal Cases Review Commission that the consideration of Mr. Kamara's case by a committee of three Commission members, which was due to take place last month, has had to be postponed until later this month for operational reasons. The case committee may decide either whether or not to refer the case to the Court of Appeal or that further investigation is required.

  Rape Crisis Centres
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide financial support to(a) rape crisis centres and (b) women's refuges in the UK. [79900]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Taunton (Jackie Ballard) on 30 March 1999,Official Report, columns 601–02.

  Prisoners (Diseases)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have taken place in the past 10 years in the proportion of prisoners suffering from(a) hepatitis, (b) HIV/AIDS and (c) TB. [80250]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Complete information is not available in the form requested. The information given in the table has been collated from a number of databases held centrally, based on returns from prison establishments. The table shows new cases of hepatitis B and tuberculosis in England and Wales for 1988–89 and 1997–98.

  New cases of hepatitis B and tuberculosis in prisons (England and Wales) 1988–89 and 1997–98

  1998–89

  1997–98

  Hepatitis B (acute/chronic)

  347

  246

  Average daily population of prison

  49,784

  62,584

  Proportion of population

  0.70%

  0.39%

  Tuberculosis

  22

  50

  Average daily population of prison

  49,784

  62,584

  Proportion of population

  0.0442%

  0.0799%

  Note:

  Arrangements for the collection of data on HIV/AIDS varied during the period. No statistics are provided since valid comparisons would be very difficult to make.

  Needle Exchanges (Prisons)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allow needle exchanges in prison. [80249]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 17 December 1998,Official Report, column 728.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review homicide law as it relates to victims of domestic violence who kill partners who have abused them. [80183]

  Mr. Boateng
  No. The law on murder can already respond with flexibility to the particular circumstances of domestic violence victims. Self-defence is a complete defence to a charge of murder which if successful, results in the acquittal of the defendant. Provocation is a partial defence to murder, which reduces the offence to manslaughter. The other partial defence to murder, that of diminished responsibility, is also successfully pleaded in some domestic homicide cases. In such cases, the onus is on the prosecution to prove beyond all reasonable doubt the absence of, for example, provocation or self-defence on the part of the defendant.

  Prison Deaths (Notification)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, column 31, on Prison Deaths (Notification), if the Follow Up To Deaths In Custody document includes (i) guidance on the timescale and (ii) a maximum delay for the notification of relatives following the death of a patient in hospital. [80565]
  24
  Mr. George Howarth
  Next of kin should be notified as soon as possible following a death in prison custody. Because individual circumstances may differ, the Prison Service Order does not set minimum or maximum timescales. The same principles apply if a prisoner dies in an outside hospital.

  British Summer Time
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining British Summer Time throughout the year. [79921]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The issues remain very much as set out in the previous Government's 1989 Green Paper "Summer Time—A Consultation Document". The responses revealed marked divergences of opinion. We will continue to listen to all sides of the argument, but have no current plans to publish a fresh analysis or to propose changing the present summer time arrangements.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the effect on(a) the number of accidents and (b) mortality rates if British Summer Time were to be maintained throughout the year. [79922]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I periodically receive representations from hon. Members, members of the public and interests groups in favour of continuous British summer time or Central European Time. They generally argue that lighter evenings would reduce road deaths and injuries overall.

  Liverpool Nationality Office
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 3 February from the hon. Member for Aylesbury concerning his constituents Mr. and Mrs. Sutton and the Liverpool Nationality Office. [79837]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I sent a reply to the hon. Member on 7 April. I regret the delay in responding.

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 1999,Official Report, column 299, if he has requested UK participation in aspects of the Schengen Agreement under Article 4 of the Protocol. [80108]

  Kate Hoey
  A formal application for participation under Article 4 of the Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union can be made only once the Treaty of Amsterdam comes into force.

  Charity Fund-Raising
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has for tighter regulation of charity fund-raising; and if he will make a statement; [80185]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Charity Commissioners regarding bogus fund-raisers; and if he will make a statement; [80186]
  25
  (3) if he will seek to provide the police with powers to confiscate takings from bogus charity collectors. [80187]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Home Office works closely with the Charity Commission and all Government Departments on matters relating to the charitable sector.

  The police already have the power to seize anything that is evidence of an offence. The decision on whether such property should be confiscated is a matter for the courts under section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 43 of the Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973.

  Under the Charities Act 1993 the Charity Commission can investigate when it appears that funds raised on charitable trusts may be at risk. The Commission can, and does, freeze bank accounts and appoint new trustees where this is necessary.

  The Commission also works closely with the police and local authorities to ensure, as far as possible, that money donated by members of the public is used for the purposes intended by the donors. It also seeks to raise the public's awareness of the problems posed by bogus fund-raising, and gives advice on how people may donate safely. Prosecutions are a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

  Defendants prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted1 at all courts for violent offences against children, 1993–97 England and Wales

  Number of persons

  Prosecutions

  Offences

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Indictable Offences

  Violence against the person

  Murder of Infant under 1 year of age

  12

  10

  11

  15

  14

  Infanticide

  2

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Child destruction

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Cruelty to, or neglect of children

  380

  470

  519

  505

  608

  Abandoning children under 2 years

  2

  4

  12

  3

  1

  Child abduction

  69

  82

  98

  89

  77

  Concealment of Birth

  4

  3

  —

  2

  1

  Sexual offences

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  294

  345

  125

  16

  —

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  15

  21

  6

  3

  —

  Buggery by a male of a male under 162

  5—

  5—

  48

  66

  107

  Buggery by a male with a female under 162

  5—

  5—

  25

  26

  35

  Indecent assault on male person under 16 years

  432

  449

  400

  325

  373

  Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 183

  5—

  5—

  10

  9

  30

  Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 183

  5—

  5—

  1

  3

  Rape of a female aged under 164

  5—

  5—

  336

  477

  592

  Rape of a male aged under 162

  5—

  5—

  18

  20

  45

  Attempted rape of a female aged under 164

  5—

  5—

  32

  44

  74

  Attempted rape of a male aged under 164

  5—

  5—

  —

  4

  5

  Indecent assault on a female under 16

  1,896

  2,036

  1,797

  1,604

  1,639

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under

  97

  88

  77

  40

  40

  Incest with a girl under

  52

  41

  22

  26

  14

  Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  2

  5

  3

  2

  7

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under

  8

  —

  4

  4

  3

  Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her
  prostitution etc.

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under
  18 of gross indecency with another male3

  5—

  1

  —

  6

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 16

  13

  27

  11

  9

  6

  Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under

  102

  87

  62

  61

  63

  Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under

  155

  129

  109

  97

  109

  Summary Offences

  Violent offences

  Cruelty to or neglect of children

  3

  7

  3

  4

  4

  26
  Part II of the Charities Act 1992, which came into effect on 1 March 1995, contains important controls in relation to professional and commercial involvement in charitable fund-raising. Part III of the Act, which has yet to be brought into force, seeks to rationalise the provisions for the licensing of street collections and house to house collections currently contained in the Police, Factories Etc (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 and the House to House Collections Act 1939. Consideration is currently being given to the implementation of Part III.

  Child Abuse
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful prosecutions have been achieved in cases of child abuse in respect of children aged (i) zero to four years, (ii) four to six years and (iii) six to 10 years, in each of the last five years. [80087]

  Mr. Boateng
  Those who abuse children can be charged with a number of offences. However, some of these offences, such as assault causing actual bodily harm and common assault, are mostly used to prosecute those who attack and injure adults and it is not possible to identify child victims from the overall statistics. The table shows the statistics for those offences where it is possible to identify a child victim. No further age breakdown is available centrally.
  27

  England and Wales

  Number of persons

  Convictions1

  Offences

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Indictable Offences

  Violence against the person

  Murder of Infant under 1 year of age

  2

  2

  6

  8

  11

  Infanticide

  5

  3

  2

  4

  3

  Child destruction

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Cruelty to, or neglect of children

  209

  238

  317

  293

  390

  Abandoning children under 2 years

  1

  7

  —

  1

  Child abduction

  32

  36

  66

  52

  40

  Concealment of Birth

  2

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Sexual offences

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  136

  135

  86

  5

  —

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a

  woman or an animal

  20

  16

  14

  2

  —

  Buggery by a male of a male under 162

  5—

  5—

  29

  66

  70

  Buggery by a male with a female under 162

  5—

  5—

  7

  17

  21

  Indecent assault on male person under 16 years

  293

  324

  339

  355

  363

  Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 183

  5—

  11

  11

  17

  Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 185

  5—

  5—

  —

  —

  2

  Rape of a female aged under 164

  5—

  5—

  113

  210

  198

  Rape of a male aged under 164

  5—

  5—

  2

  13

  24

  Attempted rape of a female aged under 164

  5—

  5—

  21

  35

  52

  Attempted rape of a male aged under 164

  5—

  2

  2

  5

  Indecent assault on a female under 16

  1,205

  1,355

  1,446

  1,597

  1,627

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  76

  64

  81

  54

  44

  Incest with a girl under 13

  51

  35

  21

  19

  19

  Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  2

  4

  5

  —

  3

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  6

  2

  3

  —

  1

  Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.

  1

  —

  3

  1

  1

  Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under

  18 of gross indecency with another male3

  5—

  5—

  2

  3

  6

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 16

  6

  9

  6

  3

  1

  Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under

  80

  77

  56

  53

  56

  Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under

  123

  112

  99

  109

  111

  Summary Offences

  Violent offences

  Cruelty to or neglect of children

  2

  2

  3

  3

  1

  1Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.

  2Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 143.

  3Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice Public Order Act Act 1994, Section 144.

  4Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 142.

  5Not available.

  Public Gatherings (Parliament Square)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the procedures governing the granting of permission for public gatherings in Parliament Square. [79167]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: I have been asked to reply.

  Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Viviane Robertson to Mr. Peter Ainsworth, dated 13 April 1999:
  In the absence of the Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch, I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to answer your Parliamentary Question about public gatherings on Parliament Square because this is a subject for which the Royal Parks Agency is responsible.
  28
  We rarely give permission for public gatherings in Parliament Square at any time, and particularly while Parliament is sitting, when Sessional Orders require the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to keep the roads leading to the House open.
  Although the Agency is responsible for the management of Parliament Square, we are not responsible for the roads that surround it. Consequently, on the rare occasions we do receive such a request, we consult the Parliamentary authorities and the Metropolitan Police before deciding whether to approve the gathering.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans the Committee has for arranging for power to be obtained for the House from renewable energy sources. [80001]
  29
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  Power for the House is purchased in the competitive market on the basis of lowest price and at present we have no plans to change this policy. Energy can be obtained from renewable sources at a premium price, depending on the source.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Death Penalty (Commonwealth Countries)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Council how many cases are currently under consideration by the Privy Council concerning the possible use of the death penalty in Commonwealth countries. [80025]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Thirteen appeals and a further 15 applications for leave to appeal in capital cases from Commonwealth countries are currently registered with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Judgment has yet to be given in two capital appeals already heard by the Committee.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the President of the Council if she will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) she, (b) her officials, (c) her advisers and (d) her PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79643]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168.

  The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates' courts in England and Wales still in use are over 100 years old; and if he will make a statement. [79697]

  Mr. Hoon
  The magistrates courts of England and Wales are a locally managed service in accordance with the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Buildings, that house magistrates courts are owned or leased by local authorities. The information requested is not collected centrally. It may be provided only at disproportionate cost by contacting each local authority.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79645]
  30
  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what environmental appraisals of policy his Department has(a) completed, (b) started and (c) planned. [79631]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions "Policy Appraisal and the Environment: Policy Guidance" leaflet has been circulated (in May 1998) to all senior officials with policy responsibilities with an instruction that environmental appraisals are to be carried out on all new policies and programmes likely to have a significant impact on the environment. The policies currently under consideration have no environmental impact.

  Judges
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) how many judges have been subjected to(a) formal and (b) informal sanctions for breaches of the rules restricting commercial and non-commercial activities in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [79797]

  (2) what (a) formal and (b) informal sanctions may be applied in the event of a judge breaching the rules or the restrictions relating to commercial and non-commercial activities; and if he will make a statement; [79798]

  (3) what plans he has to review the sanctions available in the case of a judge breaching the rules restricting commercial and non-commercial activities. [79799]

  Mr. Hoon
  If the Lord Chancellor believed that there was legitimate cause for concern about a judge's commercial or non-commercial activities, he would consider on an individual basis what action, if any, he might take. The only statutory sanction applicable to holders of full-time judicial office up to the level of Circuit Judge is removal from office, for misbehaviour serious enough to justify that course of action. If the Lord Chancellor had reason to believe that a judge had participated in activities which might be incompatible with judicial office, he would take account of the judge's comments before considering what further action, if any, was necessary. No holders of judicial office have been removed from office for reasons connected to their commercial or non-commercial activities within the last 3 years. Information is not available on the number of occasions on which informal clarification of the position on commercial or non-commercial activities may have been sought. The Lord Chancellor has no plans to review these arrangements.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps are taken on the appointment of(a) full-time and (b) part-time judges to bring to their attention the rules relating to the restrictions on commercial and non-commercial activities; and if he will make a statement. [79793]
  31
  Mr. Hoon
  All full-time judges are provided on appointment with documentation which includes guidance on outside activities and incorporates advice on the rule that no full-time judge should hold a commercial directorship. All holders of judicial office are able to consult either the Lord Chancellor or other senior members of the judiciary if they have any doubts about the application of the guidance in particular circumstances. These provisions do not apply to part-time judges.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the restrictions on the commercial and non-commercial activities of judges; and if he will make a statement. [79796]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor is satisfied in principle with the present provisions relating to activities considered incompatible with judicial office, which are of long standing, but he has decided to review the precise terms of the guidance issued to new appointees on these provisions so as to make sure they are both clear and up-to-date. These provisions are, of course, separate from any question of conflict of interest arising in individual cases, on which all holders of judicial office are expected to comply with the existing case law.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time judges have (i) non-commercial and (ii) commercial company directorships. [79800]

  Mr. Hoon
  This information is not collected. The information may be held in respect of those individual members of the judiciary who have volunteered the information to the Lord Chancellor's Department, but it is not possible to identify all such individuals from the Department's records without incurring disproportionate costs. All full-time judges receive on appointment guidance which advises them that they should not hold commercial directorships.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department in what circumstances a High Court Judge is permitted to conduct personal(a) social and (b) commercial meetings within the Royal Courts of Justice. [79801]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor expects judges to exercise personal responsibility for the use which is made of their chambers in the Royal Courts of Justice, having regard to the interests of the taxpayer. Chambers are made available to judges as an aid to the performance of their judicial duties, but it would be unobjectionable for them, in their discretion, to make occasional use of them for social or personal purposes not inconsistent with the performance of those duties and having due regard to the interests of the taxpayer.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what restrictions apply to(a) full-time and (b) part-time judges in respect of (i) holding company directorships, (ii) holding shares in private limited companies, (iii) holding shares in public limited companies, (iv) being members of barristers' chambers, (v) being members of solicitors' partnerships, (vi) being members of commercial partnerships and (vii) having other commercial interests; and if he will make a statement. [79804]
  32
  Mr. Hoon
  Holders of full-time judicial office are prohibited, under section 75 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, from practising as banisters or solicitors and from being indirectly concerned in any such practice. They are also advised on appointment that they should discontinue any professional or business links with their former chambers or firm. In addition, full-time judges are advised that they should not hold commercial directorships. There is no objection to judges holding shares in either a private or a public limited company, and there is normally no objection to taking part in the management of a family estate or farming their own land. The extent to which other commercial interests would be subject to the same constraint as applies to commercial directorships would depend on the individual circumstances, but a commercial partnership would normally be treated similarly. These various provisions do not apply to holders of part-time judicial office. However, all holders of judicial office are advised to refrain from participating in any activity which might conflict with judicial office. In addition, all holders of judicial office must have regard to the case law governing conflicts of interest, which will apply in any individual case in which the possibility arises of a conflict between the judge's private interests and those of any person or party involved in the case.

  Social Security Commissioners
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many social security commissioners are(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities, (c) solicitors or former solicitors and (d) banisters or former barristers; what is the total number of commissioners; and if he will make a statement. [79792]

  Mr. Hoon
  There are a total of 46 Social Security Commissioners in post. The breakdown is as follows: 12 are female and 34 are male; 26 are barristers (or former barristers); 16 are solicitors (or former solicitors); and the remaining 4 are neither barristers nor solicitors. So far as an ethnic breakdown is concerned, to enable the Lord Chancellor to monitor the effectiveness of policies designed to attract more members of the ethnic community to apply for judicial appointment, candidates are requested to indicate their ethnic origin on their application. This is a recent introduction to the appointment process and candidates are not compelled to answer. Therefore, from records currently held I cannot provide an ethnic breakdown. I do not propose to make a statement.

  Employment Tribunals (Chairmen)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time chairmen of employment tribunals are (i) women, (ii) from ethnic minorities, (iii) solicitors or former solicitors and (iv) banisters or former banisters; and what is the total number of (1) full-time and (2) part-time chairmen in post. [79784]

  Mr. Hoon
  There are a total of 84 full-time Chairmen of Employment Tribunals in post. The breakdown is as follows: 71 are male, of which 28 are former banisters and 43 are former solicitors; and 13 are female, of which 6 are former banisters and 7 are former solicitors. There are a total of 204 part-time Chairmen of Employment Tribunals in post. The breakdown is as follows: 170 are male, of which 47 are barristers (or former banisters) and
  33
  123 are solicitors (or former solicitors); and 33 are female, of which 9 are barristers (or former banisters) and 24 are solicitors (or former solicitors).

  So far as an ethnic breakdown is concerned, to enable the Lord Chancellor to monitor the effectiveness of policies designed to attract more members of the ethnic community to apply for judicial appointment, candidates are requested to indicate their ethnic origin on their application. This is a recent introduction to the appointment process and candidates are not compelled to answer. Therefore, full and detailed records are not available. However, from records that are available, I can indicate that, of the 84 full-time Chairmen, one is Asian, 29 are White and three are West Indian. Of the 204 part-time Chairmen, 22 are White and three are West Indian.

  Judicial Appointments
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to extend the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and Race Relations Act 1976 to the appointments procedures for(a) QCs and (b)judges; and if he will make a statement. [79795]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government are currently considering proposals for changes to the Sex Discrimination and Race Relations legislation, including whether these might have any implications for judicial appointments and appointments as Queen's Counsel.

  Public Record Office Files
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will place copies of the following Public Record Office files in the Library,(a) group LAB, class 10, piece number 2539, (b) group FS, class 24, piece number 19, (c) group FS, class 27, piece number 486, (d) group LAB, class 10, piece number 3106, (e) group LAB, class 10, piece number 3150 and (f) group LAB, class 10, piece number 1715. [80440]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Public Record Office will supply copies of the files to the Library on payment of the copying fees prescribed by The Public Record Office (Fees) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/691). The files themselves may be consulted free of charge at the Public Record Office.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the parliamentary constituencies which he has visited in an official capacity in the past 12 months. [71334]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: I have carried out official engagements as Foreign Secretary at venues in the following constituencies:

  Edinburgh, Central

  Birmingham, Ladywood

  Cardiff, Central

  Cotswold

  Hayes and Harlington

  Grantham and Stamford.

  Departmental Budget
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was his Department's budget in cash terms and at 1998–99 prices for the years(a) 1992–93 to 1998–99 and (b) his estimate for 1999–2000 to 2001–02. [77335]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 22 March 1999]: For the years 1993–94 onwards, I refer the hon. Member to the 1999 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Departmental Report, pages 4 and 5. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The figures for 1992–93, adjusted according to the same deflators as the figures in the Departmental Report, are:

  Total FOC budget (£m)

  Cash terms

  Real terms (1998–99 prices)

  1992–93

  1,242

  1,441

  GCHQ
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of potential interference to GCHQ transmissions from the development of technology to deliver high-speed internet connections via powerlines; and if he will make a statement. [78869]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Radiocommunications Agency has advised that any system providing high-speed internet access through mains electricity wiring has the potential to cause radio frequency interference. This means that any proposed system would need rigorous trials in order to avoid risk to the national user interest.

  Strategic Export Controls (Annual Report)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to include contributions from the Secretary of State for International Development in future strategic export controls annual reports. [79712]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Department for International Development will continue to be fully consulted in line with its policy responsibilities on the format and content of future reports on strategic export controls.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79649]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168.

  The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.
  35

  Greece
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what cultural exchange programmes he is currently planning with the Greek Government; and if he will make a statement. [79696]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The cultural exchange programme agreed with the Greek Government in 1998 provides a framework for the full range of artistic and cultural activity. We enjoy a dynamic bilateral partnership. For example, the next few months will see tours of Greece by British theatre and dance companies, and exhibitions and premieres of visual arts and music by Greek artists in the UK. Many of these events follow on from the "Britain and Greece" Festival in November and December 1998, devised and delivered by the British Council in Greece, and promoted by the British Embassy. The cultural components of this Festival included concerts, theatre, lectures, exhibitions, films and conferences. The Greek Prime Minister and other Government Ministers attended several events. Media coverage was strong, including 216 press articles on individual events and 70 on the general Festival, and 89 TV mentions across 7 channels.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide details of the equipment to be provided by the United Kingdom to ECOMOG, as part of the United Kingdom's £10 million package of assistance to Sierra Leone; and what assurances he has received about its use. [80720]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We continue to believe that lasting peace in Sierra Leone cannot be achieved by military means alone. But for a negotiated solution to be achieved, the people and Government of Sierra Leone must be secure.

  On 30 March 1999, Official Report, column 567, I announced that £5 million of the UK's new £10 million package of assistance for Sierra Leone would be made available to provide further equipment for ECOMOG; and that deliveries of equipment would be arriving shortly. This is to support ECOMOG's efforts to protect the people and the democratically elected Government of Sierra Leone. As part of our package of assistance to ECOMOG, we are providing logistic support in the form of vehicles, boots and rations, as well as light weapons and ammunition.

  We have secured assurances from ECOMOG that this equipment will be used only in accordance with internationally acceptable human rights standards and humanitarian law. We have made it clear to ECOMOG that our support is conditional on ECOMOG and the Government of Sierra Leone respecting human rights.

  In accordance with normal practice, we will notify the United Nations Sanctions Committee once we have precise details of the consignments. We have received assurances from ECOMOG and the Government of Sierra Leone that the equipment will remain in Sierra Leone when ECOMOG eventually departs.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish the Government's response to the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone (HC 116 of Session 1998–99). [80721]
  36
  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Government's response will be published today.

  Human Rights (China)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the position of the Government at the meeting of the UN Commission for Human Rights on 22 March in respect of China. [79663]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 24 March 1999,Official Report, column 301.

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Head of the Latin America and Caribbean Department plans to reply to the request by the Chilean Ambassador for assistance in obtaining return passage to Chile for Senator Pinochet. [80163]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are not aware of any such outstanding request.

  Military Intervention
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are applied by Her Majesty's Government in respect of any decision to intervene militarily in the internal affairs of sovereign states. [80266]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Any decision to use military force will take into account all the circumstances at the time and comply with international law.

  Iraq
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the Government's written submissions to the three United Nations panels on Iraq. [80514]

  Mr. Fatchett
  HMG were not invited to submit a written paper to the panel considering disarmament issues and did not do so. A UK paper on proposals for improving the humanitarian situation in Iraq was passed to the panel on humanitarian issues and shared with Security Council colleagues. A copy has been placed in the Library. The former UK representative to the Tripartite Commission gave an oral presentation to the panel concerned with the Kuwaiti missing and with property.

  East Timor
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had recently with the Indonesian Government regarding their proposal to grant independence to East Timor. [80112]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We stay in regular touch with the Indonesian Government. This was one of the issues I discussed with Indonesian Foreign Minister Alatas at the ASEM Foreign Ministers meeting in Berlin on 29 March and with President Habibie's foreign affairs adviser who called on me on 30 March.
  37
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indonesian Government about the activities of(a) the ABRI, (b) the Village Police and (c) the paramilitary militia in East Timor. [80113]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are very concerned at the deteriorating security situation in East Timor. We have called for restraint on all sides and for the leadership of ABRI to disarm and curb the activities of militias. We have made out position clear to the Indonesian Government.

  Visitors Visas
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for visit visas for people travelling from India were received by the New Dehli Embassy between January and December 1998; and how many were refused. [80058]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The British High Commission in New Delhi received 56,184 applications for visit visas during 1998, of which 7,680 were refused.

  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for visit visas for people travelling from(a) Poland, (b) Russia, (c) Ukraine and (d) Latvia have been received by the relevant British embassies between January and December 1998; and how many were refused. [79925]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The statistics requested are as follows:

  Visit visa applications 1998

  Country

  Received

  Refused

  Poland

  881

  105

  Russia

  92,679

  2,772

  Ukraine

  23,366

  2,567

  Latvia

  2,440

  169

  Citizens of Poland and Latvia are not visa nationals and not, therefore, required to apply for entry clearance for visits to the UK.

  French Immigration
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have been detained for interview by French immigration officials whilst travelling to the United Kingdom between January 1998 and February 1999. [79924]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are unable to provide figures for the number of British nationals detained for interview by the French immigration police. Under the terms of the 1951 Consular Convention between the United Kingdom and France, the French authorities must inform British Consular services when a British national has been arrested or detained in custody in France. They are not required to inform consulates when British nationals are detained for interview by French immigration police.

  Slovakia
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he 38
  has had with the Government of Slovakia regarding the United Kingdom's recent introduction of visa requirements for Slovak visitors to the UK. [80057]

  Ms Quin
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Mr. Cummings) on 15 March 1999,Official Report, column 512. I last discussed this issue when I met the Slovak Foreign Minister on 27 January.

  Private Military Companies
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when revised guidance will be issued to his Department's officials on contacts with private military companies. [80393]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I am pleased to inform my right hon. Friend that revised guidance, prepared in consultation with other Departments, was issued on 13 April. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House. The Ministry of Defence is issuing parallel guidance.

  Milan Speech
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will deposit in the Library a copy of his speech made at Milan on 2 March. [79938]

  Ms Quin
  The visit to Milan by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was cancelled.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if power supplies on St Helena are secure; and if he will make a statement. [80639]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The current electricity generating capacity on St. Helena can cope with existing demand.

  The provision of any further generating capacity that may be needed in the future will be considered as part of the public sector investment programme within the aid framework.

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each of his departmental responsibilities arising from the implementation of the Treaty of Amsterdam and the relevant sections of that Treaty and the consolidated treaties of the European Union and European Community. [80405]

  Ms Quin
  We do not expect implementation of the Treaty of Amsterdam to add significantly to this Department's responsibilities.

DEFENCE

  Defence Agencies
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the(a) Defence Analytical Services Agency, (b) Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency, (c) Defence Intelligence and Security Centre, (d) Army

  39
  Base Storage and Distribution Agency, (e) Defence Vetting Agency and (f) Defence Estate Organisation published their reports for 1997-98; and what was the cost of production of their reports. [72797]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the Agencies concerned. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Paul Altobell to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 13 April 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State, in which you asked on what date the Defence Analytical Services Agency published their report for 1997–98 and at what cost. As Chief Executive of DASA this falls within my area of responsibility.
  We published our Annual Report and Accounts on 29th July 1998 at a cost of £4,552.00.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Letter from M. J. Roycroft to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 13 April 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State about the date on which the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency published its report for 1997–98 and the cost of production of the report, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency.
  The report was published in October at a cost of £10,726.25.

  Letter from C. G. Holtom to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 13 April 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about Agency Reports as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Chief Executive of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre Agency.
  The Defence Intelligence and Security Centre did not publish an Annual Report and Accounts for financial year 1997/98. The Agency is planning to publish its first Annual Report and Accounts later this year.

  Letter from P. D. Foxton to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 13 April 1999:
  I refer to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about what date the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency (ABSDA) published their reports for 1997-98 and what was the cost of production of their reports. As Chief Executive of ABSDA I am replying as this falls within my area of responsibility.
  It is anticipated the ABSDA Annual Report and Accounts will be published shortly. The cost of production, which includes design and publication, is estimated to be £6,000.

  Letter from Michael Wilson to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 13 April 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Defence Vetting Agency's Annual Report for 1997/1998, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The Defence Vetting Agency's Annual Report for 1997/1998 was published on 17 July 1998. The cost of publication of the report was some £2,600.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Letter from Ian C. F. Andrews to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 13 April 1999:
  I am replying to your question put to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the date the Defence Estate Organisation published its report for 1997/98, and the cost of production, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Estate Organisation.
  40
  The Defence Estate Organisation's Annual Report for 1997/98 is to be finalised within the next few weeks and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons. There are no external costs associated with the production of the report, all the work being carried out in-house.
  You would wish to be aware that on 29 March 1999, the DEO was re-launched as Defence Estates. It remains an Agency of the MOD.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will set targets for the(a) Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency and (b) Defence Codification Agency for 1999–2000. [72825]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 1 March 1999]: I expect to set Key Targets for the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency by the end of April 1999. The Defence Codification Agency is currently being incorporated into the Logistics Support Services Agency (LSSA). I expect to set targets for the LSSA later this month, and these will include supporting targets for Defence Codification.

  Armed Forces (Criminal Convictions)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of Her Majesty's armed forces have been convicted and sentenced in a criminal court in each of the last 10 years; how many have consequently been dismissed for misconduct; how many have remained in the armed forces under Queen's Regulations provision to take exceptional reasons into account; and if he will list the conviction and length of sentence in each case where exceptional reasons were taken into account and the nature of the exceptional reason cited. [75019]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, information relating to convictions of Service personnel by criminal courts will in future be held centrally.

  Armed Forces (Textiles)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the proportion of United Kingdom manufactured textiles used by the armed forces. [77467]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 18 March 1999]: The Ministry of Defence has a policy of international procurement whenever possible. We are however, concerned to ensure that British defence industry remains healthy and competitive in world markets, and procurement decisions are taken in the light of this. My Department's Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency currently places 76 per cent. by value of contracts for clothing for the Armed Forces with UK companies.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries of origin of the fabrics manufactured for the production of garments under his Department's contracts in each of the last five years. [79868]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My Department does not hold the information requested. The great majority of purchases of textile based products are made-up garments, and my Department does not require contractors to specify the country of origin of the textiles used to make the items. The only contractural stipulation over the
  41
  country of manufacture is that 10 per cent. of garments must be made at the main contractor's accredited facilities.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the restrictions imposed by him on British(a) forces, (b) aircraft and (c) vessels travelling (i) to and (ii) from Gibraltar. [78349]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My Department imposes no restrictions on the movement of UK personnel or aircraft to and from Gibraltar. The normal UK rules on dress and status apply for Service personnel travelling to, from and within Spain. RAF aircraft and RN vessels are obliged to abide by Spanish restrictions placed on movements of NATO ships and aircraft to and from Gibraltar.

  Female Personnel (Dismissal for Pregnancy)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many women were dismissed from Her Majesty's forces on account of pregnancy in each of the past 10 years. [76956]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The policy of compulsorily discharging women from the Armed Forces on grounds of pregnancy ceased in August 1990. Three hundred and thirty three women were discharged from the Army and the Royal Air Force on grounds of pregnancy in 1990–911 and 433 from the Navy Service, Army and the Royal Air Force during 1989–90.
  1The figures represent compulsory discharges up to 1 August 1990 and voluntary exits thereafter until March 1991. No data are available for the Naval Service for the year 1990–91.

  European Court of Human Rights
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list decisions of the European Court of Human Rights over the past 10 years which relate to the responsibilities of his Department. [76954]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There have been seven judgments by the European Court of Human Rights during this period that relate to the responsibilities of my Department:

  McCann and others (27 September 1995)

  Findlay (25 February 1997)

  Coyne (23 September 1997)

  Cable and others (18 February 1999)

  Hood (18 February 1999)

  McGinley & Egan (9 June 1998)

  LCB (9 June 1998).

  Belloch Recommendation
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken on the recommendation for a single MOD Police source document for terms and conditions of service contained in paragraph 5.10 of the 1994 Belloch report into the MOD police. [78809]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Terms and Conditions of Service for the MOD Police are at an advanced stage of preparation. Chapters will be published as soon as consultation with the Defence Police Federation is 42
  completed. In due course, they will form part of the proposed MDP Policy Procedures Manual currently under preparation.

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings on nuclear safety have been held with local authorities, police forces, the Home Office and fire services over the past two years; and what future meetings are planned. [79513]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: In the context of local liaison committees and multi-agency groups maintaining or exercising nuclear accident response plans, meetings broadly encompassing nuclear safety issues are regularly held with representatives of local authorities, police forces and fire services in many parts of the country and with the Home Office. They will continue to be held as required.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of TA units and their establishment of regular permanent staff before the TA reforms in November 1998; and if he will list proposed TA units and their proposed establishment of regular permanent staff. [79702]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  As a result of our reforms of the TA, there has been a slight increase in the ratio of Permanent Staff to TA members across the TA. I have placed a copy of this list in the Library of the House.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what environmental appraisals of policy his Department has(a) completed, (b) started and (c) planned. [79626]

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

  Falklands (Flights)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the reduction in capacity in(a) general freight carriage and (b) carriage of post when Tristar flights to the Falklands are reduced. [79808]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The reduction in the number of RAF Tristar flights to the Falkland Islands from 7 to 6 per lunar month is likely to have some impact on freight capacity, but the precise details have yet to be determined. The greater payload of the improved Tristar aircraft and the take up of spare capacity on other air and sea movements should help offset any reduction in total freight capacity between the UK and Falklands. We do not expect there to be any reduction in capacity to carry mail or other high priority freight.

  Lee Clegg
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the total cost to his Department of the defence of Lee Clegg, breaking down the cost under different heads. [78736]
  43
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 31 March 1999]The payments made by my Department to date for the defence of Lee Clegg total £1,044,401.14. This figure does not include the cost of his first trial in 1993, the costs of which were met by the Northern Ireland Office. Nor does it cover his retrial, which began in November 1998 and lasted until February 1999 for which we have so far received bills for the costs up to the end of January 1999, but these have yet to be approved for payment.

  Depleted Uranium Weapons
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium weapons are being used by NATO in its current operations in Yugoslavia. [79859]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No depleted uranium based ammunition has been used by UK forces during Operation Allied Force. I cannot comment on behalf of other NATO nations.

  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what scientific research was commissioned by his Department following the use of depleted uranium weapons in Iraq in 1991 to assess(a) the short and (b) the long-term effects on people and the environment; and to whom the result of the research has been made available. [79858]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Ministry of Defence has not commissioned any scientific research to investigate the health and environmental effects of using DU-based ammunition during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict. However, the potential hazards of DU are well understood and are well documented in the scientific literature. In 1993, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's Radiation Protection Service (then the Defence Radiological Protection Service (DRPS)) published a summary report of its assessment of the potential hazards posed by DU. The report, copies of which have already been placed in the Library of the House, explained that there are two types of hazard posed by the use of DU: a radiation hazard, although DU is a low specific activity material (as defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency); and a chemical toxicity hazard, which is similar to that posed by other heavy metals, such as lead.

  DU-based ammunition is currently fired by the MOD at two ranges in the UK—Kirkcudbright in southern Scotland and Eskmeals in Cumbria—for test and evaluation purposes. In December 1993, the MOD commissioned independent environmental consultants, W. S. Atkins, to conduct a detailed review of the environmental impact of this test-firing. The consultants' resulting report, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library of the House, was published in 1995. It concluded that the radiation doses to members of the public, and the associated risks from exposure to DU released into the environment were extremely low. These conclusions were, and continue to be, substantiated by comprehensive monitoring programmes at both sites.

  The Ministry of Defence is, of course, well aware of suggestions, particularly in the Press, that the use of DU-based ammunition during the Gulf conflict has caused an increase in ill-health, including deformities, cancers and birth defects, in Iraq (particularly around Basra, Az Zubayr and Um Qasr). However, we have not seen any peer-reviewed epidemiological research data which
  44
  support these claims. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the illnesses of the types highlighted in Press articles are uniquely associated with exposure to DU. The Government would, of course, consider carefully any reliable medical or scientific data which may emerge concerning the incidence of ill-health in Iraq.

  The Ministry of Defence is also aware of the suggested link between exposure to DU and the illnesses being experienced by some Gulf veterans. However, this is only one of a number of factors which have been suggested as causes of Gulf veterans' illnesses and, pending further medical and scientific evidence, my Department is keeping an open mind on this issue. On 19 March, I published the detailed paper "Testing for the presence of depleted uranium in UK veterans of the Gulf conflict: The Current Position". The paper, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House, describes the scenarios in which UK troops may have been exposed to DU in the Gulf and the possible health effects of such exposures.

  Frigates
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what humanitarian roles are being included in the staff target for the future escort planned to replace the Type 23 frigates. [80205]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Staff Target for the Future Surface Combatant, FSC, formerly the Future Escort, is due to be approved in Autumn 1999. It will be derived from the Concept of Operations which is currently being prepared and includes Peace Support and Humanitarian Operations as one of the vessels' Defence Missions.

  Antonov 124–100s (Chartering)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times the RAF has hired or leased Antonov 124–100s in each of the last 10 years. [80470]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The RAF has chartered an Antonov 124-100 on the following number of occasions.

  1996–14

  1997–10

  1998–16.

  Records are not held for any charter prior to 1996.

  Centre for Defence Medicine
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of the Committee which is considering the statement of requirement for a new Centre for Defence Medicine. [80568]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  A project team comprising Service and civilian staff from my Department is responsible for drawing up a Statement of Requirement (SOR) for the Centre for Defence Medicine (CDM). An outline concept for the CDM has been completed and is being used as the basis for obtaining expressions of interest from NHS Hospital Trusts.

  Defence Medical Services
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what attitude surveys have been undertaken amongst
  45
  medical staff in the Defence Medical Services concerning the retention of a tri-service core hospital; and what were the results. [80574]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  A survey of the options for future secondary care provision was carried out in July 1998 among Defence Medical Services (DMS) personnel serving at Defence Secondary Care Agency units in the UK and the DMS Training Centre. The survey was conducted by BMRB International and their findings were published in a report entitled "Views of Military Secondary Care. Report on a survey conducted for the Surgeon General" dated September 1998, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what initiatives he has taken to recruit and retain staff in the Defence Medical Services; and what have been the results. [80570]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  A tri-Service recruitment campaign for regular nurses, General Medical Practitioners and consultants has been conducted over the last two months. In response, we have received inquiries from nearly 400 people, although it is too early to say how many will ultimately join the Defence Medical Services (DMS). Work is continuing on a range of other measures to improve recruitment and retention, as indicated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in his announcement on 14 December 1998,Official Report, columns 328–29, about the new strategy for the DMS. These measures include identifying the causes of overstretch and more effective ways of reducing it, harmonising different terms of service within the DMS and addressing concerns about the need to maintain military standards and ethos among DMS personnel working in MOD Hospital Units in NHS Hospitals.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the proportion of the arms and military equipment held by Yugoslavia which was acquired from(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other NATO member states. [80241]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Government are committed to both the EU arms embargo on Croatia and Bosnia and the UN embargo on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We interpret these embargoes to include any items included on the Military List.

  The Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, which was published on 25 March 1999, Official Report, columns 343–50, lists by country of destination the numbers of export licences issued in each equipment category and gives details of the military equipment for which licences were granted between 2 May and 31 December 1997. It also sets out the value of defence exports to each country between 1 January and 31 December 1997.

  My Department does not routinely record details of arms transfers by other NATO members.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the origin of the hits received by the Government website section devoted 46
  to Yugoslavia (a) before and (b) since it was translated into Serbo-Croat; and what plans he has to translate it into Albanian. [80239]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We are not able to determine the precise level of usage of specific parts of the Ministry of Defence website, and cannot therefore give access figures for the joint MOD/FCO section on Kosovo. We can, however, identify the origin of accesses to the MOD website as a whole. Information in Serbian was first added to the section on Kosovo on 29 March. The daily figures for accesses, for the days immediately before and after that date, are as follows:

  Date

  Daily accesses

  28 March 1999

  86,523

  30 March 1999

  149,503

  Accesses from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are currently running at about 1,000 per day, with a total of 17,129 having been recorded between 20 March and 8 April. About 400 accesses per day were recorded prior to the inclusion of Serbian-language information on 29 March, with about 50 per day recorded in the period 1–20 March.

  A total of 1,820,204 accesses were recorded in March 1999, of which the most frequently accessing countries (both before and after the inclusion of Serbian-language information) were: the UK (approx. 24 per cent.); the US (approx. 22 per cent.); Canada (2.5 per cent.); Switzerland (1.8 per cent.); Germany (1.7 per cent.); Australia (1.3 per cent.); France (1 per cent.). These proportions are fairly consistent from month to month, although the exact number of accesses can vary considerably.

  The translated pages are stored on an FCO web server and are measured using a different metric (page impressions rather than hits). They have received 3,300 page impressions in the last seven days. This translates, very approximately, to some 23,000 hits.

  There are no plans at present to translate any pages into Albanian.

  Military District Hospitals
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capital expenditure was(a) incurred by his Department and (b) undertaken by NHS trusts as a result of contractual arrangements with his Department, in setting up the Department's hospital units. [80619]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given the Minister of State, Department of Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham), on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 204.

  Hunt Class Sonar Upgrade
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the expected in-service date for the Hunt Class sonar upgrade; and what changes to the in-service date have taken place since the project's inception. [80204]

  Mr. Spellar
  The in-service date for the Hunt Class Sonar 2193 is now 2003, with a 2 year fitting programme for the whole class. This is the first change to the ISD since the project's inception. The original in-service date was 2001.

  Merlin ASW Helicopter
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many existing Type 22 and Type 23 Frigates will be equipped with the Merlin ASW helicopter. [80206]

  Mr. Spellar
  Type 23 Frigates are all designed to operate with Merlin helicopters. The number of ships which will be equipped with Merlin will, however, depend on the operational deployments of the individual vessels. Type 22 Frigates will not be equipped with Merlin helicopters.

  Larkhill Centre
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current role and future work of the Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Night Observation and Counter-surveillance Centre at Larkhill. [80017]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The current role of the Army's Surveillance Target Acquisition, Night Observation and Counter-surveillance (STANOC) Centre at Larkhill is to provide a focus for STANOC disciplines and technology, to provide advice on equipment needs and development, on training and on doctrine. The Centre also provides operational support and advice as required, to the Field Army and Other Government Departments.

  The STANOC Centre is currently the subject of a review to determine the most cost-efficient means by which STANOC needs can be delivered in the future. I will write again once the outcome of the review is known.

  Royal Hospital Haslar
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the Royal Hospital Haslar was not expanded to the number of beds specified in Defence Cost Study 15. [80569]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Royal Hospital Haslar was not expanded to the number of beds specified in Defence Cost Study 15 because activity levels in the Hospital have not warranted such an expansion and additional staff have not been available to increase local capacity and therefore throughput. In addition, NHS policy since the mid 1990s has increasingly been to promote large acute hospitals which can contain a critical mass of speciality and sub-speciality activity. The Royal Hospital Haslar falls outside this recommended scale.

  Weapons
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to seek international agreement to ban weapons of indiscriminate or mass destruction other than anti-personnel mines. [80210]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Government have a deep commitment to arms control as a vital element in increasing Britain's security through building wider security structures. Out comprehensive approach to the aims of arms control is evident through our commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the 1980 UN Weaponry Convention. We are also encouraging 48
  universal adherence to the NPT and urging those states who have yet to do so, to ratify the CTBT, which is a prerequisite for the treaty to enter into force. The United Kingdom is playing a leading role in the negotiations to establish a verification Protocol to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and is working for the re-establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee of the Conference on Disarmament to negotiate a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT). We stand ready to play an active role in these negotiations also.

  Meteorological Office
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Meteorological Office for 1999–2000. [80383]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office is responsible for providing meteorological and related services to a wide range of customers, including the armed forces, government, civil aviation, shipping, emergency services, media, commerce, industry and the public. It also undertakes research related to meteorology and climate. During 1999–2000 the Meteorological Office will be set the following challenging targets:

  Key Target 1:
  To achieve a value for the Global Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Index of at least 110.2 index points on 31 March 2000 from a baseline of 100.0 on 31 March 1995;

  Key Target 2:
  To achieve a value for the UK NWP Index of at least 104.0 index points on 31 March 2000 from a baseline of 100.0 on 31 March 1997;

  Key Target 3:
  To achieve a value for the Service Quality Index of at least 105.0 index points on 31 March 2000 from a baseline of 100.0 on 31 March 1997, in line with customer requirements. The index covers representative services and products for defence, civil aviation, public and business customers;

  Key Target 4:
  To achieve a value for the agreed Efficiency Index of at least 112.0 index points on 31 March 2000 from a baseline of 100.0 on 31 March 1997;

  Key Target 5:
  To achieve an overall return on capital employed (ROCE) of at least 2.9 per cent.;

  Key Target 6:
  To achieve a total contribution from commercial activities in 1999–2000 of not less than £2.2 million.

  Building and Property Group
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department currently has with Building and Property Group Ltd.; what services are currently provided to each defence establishment by the Company; and what is the total value of the contracts. [80045]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Building and Property Group Ltd. consist of a number of companies: Building and Property Ltd., Building and Property Defence Ltd. and Unicorn Consultancy Services. There are at present 24 Works Services Management, WSM, contracts, varying in length from three to five years, with Building and Property Defence Ltd. within the UK and 1 WSM contract in the
  49
  Falkland Islands. The total value of each contract comprises a management fee paid to the WSM and the value of repair, maintenance and works expenditure. The total annual value of these contracts is approximately £124 million.

  There are 9 Establishment Works Consultant, EWC, contracts with Unicorn Consultancy Services Ltd. These vary in length from 5 to 7 years. The EWC is responsible for auditing and monitoring works contracts on behalf of the Property Manager. The total annual value of these contracts is £2.3 million.

  There are 3 Project Management, PM, contracts; one is at Winterbourne Gunner, Salisbury, with Building and Property Services Ltd., at a total value of £225k. Another is with Building and Property Group Ltd. at Westmoors, at a total value of £140k. The third PM contract is with Unicorn Consultancy Services at the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation, Boscombe Down, at a total value of £247k.

  There is one Specialist Term Commission for Electrical Engineering Advisory Services, with Building and Property Ltd., for use throughout MOD. The contract period is for three years at an estimated value of £450k.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Redundant Farm Buildings
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on the green belt of the granting of planning consents for redundant farm buildings to be used for light industrial purposes. [78833]

  Mr. Caborn
  My Department has undertaken two research studies which, among other matters, have looked at the re-use of redundant farm buildings in the Green Belt and which have informed the drafting of relevant planning policy guidance.

  Freight Costs
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on freight costs in(a) the UK and (b) other EU member states. [78834]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr (Mr. Williams) and for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) today,Official Report, column 7.

  Genetically Modified Organisms (Monmouthshire)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what applications he has received to release genetically modified organisms at sites in Monmouthshire; and what objections he has received to such applications. [78835]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have received two applications to release genetically modified organisms at sites in Monmouthshire. Both applications were in respect of 50
  small research trials of Spring GM oilseed rape and both have been given consent. In one case 8 letters of objection were received relating to the Monmouthshire site.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the level of changes in council taxes in shire areas over the next three years. [78836]

  Ms Armstrong
  Decisions on the level of council tax are a matter for each authority.

  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what would be the average council tax for each local authority in England if each authority's net revenue expenditure in 1999–2000 was set at the provisional capping level and, excepting the receipts from each authority's share of NNDR, had to be met entirely from council tax receipts. [80277]

  Ms Armstrong
  We made a Manifesto commitment to abolish crude and universal capping. There were, therefore, no provisional capping levels for 1999–2000.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he proposes to use his capping powers for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [80718]

  Mr. Prescott
  This year, we fulfilled our Manifesto commitment to abolish crude and universal capping. We did not announce capping limits in advance. For the first time since the introduction of the council tax, authorities were not told what to do by the Government. They were able to make up their own minds on their budgets, taking account of their local circumstances and the views of local people.

  The vast majority of authorities in England have exercised this new discretion sensibly and a range of council tax increases have resulted. Indeed, some authorities have frozen or reduced their council taxes. Others have made large increases, which I trust will not be repeated. As a result, average Band D taxes rose by 6.8 per cent. this year, compared with 8.6 per cent. rises last year. I have therefore decided not to cap any authorities this year.

  Although the general response has been sensible, there are some exceptions. Despite the most generous Local Government Settlement for years, some authorities have made large increases both in their budgets and in council taxes. I have looked particularly closely at authorities with increases in council tax over 9 per cent. I have decided to call in twelve with the largest increases in budget requirement to the Department to discuss why they have made such large increases and put them on warning for next year. I will be telling these authorities that, when I use the new reserve powers to decide if their budgets for 2000–01 are excessive, I will look back at their increases over two years. This is a new power.

  The authorities are Ashfield, Herefordshire, Huntingdonshire, Kingston upon Thames, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Shropshire, South Cambridgeshire, Tewkesbury, Torbay, Tyne and Wear Fire and Civil Defence Authority and Woking.
  51
  Other authorities have also made large increases in council tax. I will not be calling these authorities in, but any authority which has increased its council tax by more than the average this year will need to be particularly careful when deciding next year's budget. All authorities, including police authorities, should remember that I will be looking at every local authority budget when I decide whether and how to use my new reserve powers next year. As well as looking at the latest increases, I will be able to look back at increases over two years. I will also be able to designate authorities both in year and for the following years. Authorities should be in no doubt that we will act if council taxes rise unacceptably.

  Overall, however, I am pleased that most authorities have behaved responsibly as expected, justifying the trust we placed in them when we did not announce capping limits in advance. As a result of the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review, local authorities will have two more years of good increases in grant. I am looking to them to continue to play their part in delivering better services with reasonable council tax increases.

  Buses
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has for increasing public use of buses. [78837]

  Dr. Reid
  In addition to increasing financial support for buses, we have put forward a package of policy measures aimed at improving bus travel and increasing bus use. They are set out in our policy document published on 23 March, "From Workhorse to Thoroughbred—A Better Role for Bus Travel".

  Road Haulage Industry
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met representatives of the road haulage industry to discuss prospects for the industry; and if he will make a statement. [78837]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply 1 gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Mrs. Butler). We had a very constructive first meeting of the Road Haulage Forum on Thursday 8 March.

  Mrs. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met representatives of the road haulage industry; and if he will make a statement.[78921]

  Dr. Reid
  I chaired a very constructive, long and in—depth first meeting of the Road Haulage Forum on Thursday 8 April. Together with my noble Friend the Under-Secretary and my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, I met representatives of the Freight Transport association, the Road Haulage Association and the Transport and General Workers Union.

  We are going to jointly examine, in the shortest period of time, the state of the competitiveness of the haulage industry and take external independent views where necessary to inform our discussions. We will take into account the influencing factors, with a view to looking at potential solutions.
  52
  In addition, we will look at a range of other issues, for example, offering special assistance to small haulage businesses.

  I hope that all hauliers will now agree that dialogue, not disruption, is the way forward.

  Public Transport (Access)
  24. Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement concerning access for disabled people to public transport. [78839]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are committed to comprehensive civil rights for disabled people. Accessible public transport, within the framework of our integrated transport policy, is fundamentally important to delivering that commitment.

  We are using powers in Part V of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to make "accessibility regulations" to require new trains, trams, buses, coaches and taxis to be accessible to disabled people, including those who travel in a wheelchair.

  Freight
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the transfer of freight from road to rail. [78840]

  Mr. Prescott
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, Southall (Mr. Khabra) today,Official Report, column 4.

  A47
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the further studies on improving the A47 east of Norwich will be completed. [78841]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State announced on 23 March 1999, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 150–52, that a study of the A47 between Norwich and Great Yarmouth was programmed to begin in 2000–01. The duration of the study will depend on the complexity of the issues identified, but it is anticipated it will take at least a year to complete.

  The Highways Agency is taking forward a separate, smaller-scale study for a safety scheme on the Blofield to Acle section of the A47. That study is due for completion this year. The Agency plans to implement other minor safety improvements on this section during Autumn 1999.

  Freight Vehicles (Excise Duty)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of recent changes to excise duty on freight vehicles on pollution emission targets. [78842]

  Dr. Reid
  Vehicle excise duty (VED) for heavy goods vehicles was frozen for all but the new classes of vehicles with 11.5 tonne axle weights. Rates for these classes were set in the Budget with the aim of discouraging their use,
  53
  in view of the significant additional road damage they cause. In the 1998 Budget, the Chancellor announced a general review of VED for goods vehicles, with the intention of ensuring that VED rates more accurately reflect these vehicles' environmental impact; this work is proceeding.

  The 1999 Budget also doubled the maximum VED concession for reduced pollution lorries and buses to £1,000. We expect this to act as a further incentive to operators to adapt their vehicles to meet stringent particulate emission standards.

  Local Government (Ethics)
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government are taking to raise ethical standards in local government; and if he will make a statement. [78843]

  Ms Armstrong
  On 24 March my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister published a consultation paper, "Local Leadership Local Choice", copies of which were placed in the Vote Office and the House Library. The paper sets out the Government's proposals and draft legislation for new forms of local governance and a new ethical framework for local government.

  Natural Habitats
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure the protection of natural habitats in the implementation of his policy on access to the countryside. [78844]

  Mr. Meacher
  In implementing its plans for a statutory right of access to open countryside, the Government will provide for the countryside agencies and national park authorities to be able to close land or otherwise restrict access to protect the interests of conservation of wildlife.

  North-west Regional Chamber
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the regional Chamber in the north-west will be officially established. [78845]

  Mr. Caborn
  We are currently considering proposals from the North West Regional Assembly for designation as the regional chamber for the North West under the RDA Act 1998, and I hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Road and Rail Network
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with European Commissioners on the future development of the United Kingdom road and rail network within the trans-European network. [78846]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport nor I have had any recent discussions with European Commissioners on the future development of the United Kingdom road and rail network within the Trans-European Network (TEN). But 54
  our officials have had discussions with officials of the Commission in the context of the 1999 TEN funding round.

  Home Shopping
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what appraisal he has made of the environmental consequences of the development of home delivery and home ordering of retail household goods. [78847]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In our document "Sustainable Distribution: A Strategy", published on 2 March 1999, we stated that we would commission research into the long term implications of home shopping and its variants on our integrated transport policy in general and for planning and transport services in particular. This would cover environmental impacts.

  Assembly (East Midlands)
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received requesting a directly elected assembly for the east midlands. [78848]
  Mr. Caborn: We have not received any representations for a directly elected assembly for the East Midlands.

  Train Journeys
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many train journeys were(a) cancelled and (b) seriously delayed in 1998. [78849]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1998 it is estimated that 70,000 train journeys were cancelled and 580,000 were delayed beyond the Charter targets.

  Road Maintenance
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made on improving road maintenance; and if he will make a statement. [78850]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government have made road maintenance a top priority and we are committed to restore the cuts in local road maintenance funding. New techniques are being introduced to minimise the need for maintenance and reduce the impact of maintenance works on the motorist.

  Lead Products
  Mr. Risley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to the European Commission regarding the ban imposed by the Danish Government on the importation, sale and production of lead products. [78851]

  Mr. Meale
  Representations have been made by the Department of Trade and Industry to the European Commission on this issue via the normal procedures. The UK supports reducing exposure to lead. However, we believe that the proposed restriction by Denmark does not meet the requirements of European Union legislation.

  Rural Public Transport
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of his measures to improve rural public transport. [78852]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department has been conducting an initial survey of the use of the new funding for the support of rural bus services. Replies received so far from 51 local authorities (out of a total of 73 English authorities in receipt of the funding) show there are over 550 new services, with a further 620 improved in frequency or coverage, as a result of the first year of the funding. We will be carrying out shortly a more detailed survey with local authorities to provide a fuller assessment of the impact of this new funding at the end of its first financial year.

  Sustainable Distribution
  38. Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's document, "Sustainable Distribution: A Strategy". [78853]

  Dr. Reid
  Our document, published on 2 March 1999, is the first of its kind. It takes a strategic look at the entire distribution industry of the United Kingdom and considers not only the role it plays today but its potential for the future. We intend to work in partnership with industry to ensure that our entire distribution network provides an efficient and competitive world class service:that it operates in a fair and open market, not only in the UK but abroad;
  that it is fully integrated in our transport and planning policies, both at national and local government levels; with road, rail, air and shipping being used to their best advantages on a system of infrastructure which is itself integrated and;
  that it operates in a manner which meets our environmental and social objectives to minimise pollution, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to manage development pressures on the landscape, to reduce noise and disturbance and to reduce the number of accidents and injuries.

  Public Transport
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that good-quality public transport is available as an alternative to motoring. [78827]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Government's integrated transport policy sets out the framework for delivering better public transport and a greater choice in transport for all. We are helping bring this about by investing an extra £1.8 billion in integrated transport over the next three years.

  Royal Society Report (GM Foods)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the report by the Royal Society in September 1998 on genetically modified foods. [73657]

  Mr. Meacher
  The report from the Royal Society contained some useful recommendations including the importance of research, the need to look for alternatives to antibiotic resistance markers, the need to keep consumers informed of developments in biotechnology linked with 56
  increased clarity in labelling and the need to look again at the remit of the advisory committees. The Royal Society has built upon this useful work by submitting a paper in response to the review of the framework for overseeing developments in biotechnology and genetic modification, announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 17 December 1998, Official Report, columns 644–45. The Royal Society's views are now being considered as part of that review.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the dates on which each site where genetically modified trial crops are being grown was(i) first subject to such cultivation and (ii) last inspected by a Health and Safety Executive inspector. [74866]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 March 1999]Since 1993 there have been approximately 620 sites where genetically modified crops have been grown for research purposes. In 1999 the figure is expected to be about 95. The locations and further details of these sites are available on the statutory public register. A report on the inspection activities in the past 12 months will be published shortly and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy that those responsible for the production of genetically modified crops be required to take out adequate insurance to cover the costs of any resulting damage to(a) the environment and (b) other crops. [75109]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 8 March 1999]There is already some protection though Civil law and general product liability. The issue of environmental liability is an important one and the principle that those who damage the environment should pay for remedying the damage caused is one that I would strongly support. The European Commission is currently finalising a White paper on environmental liability and this may offer a way forward. We expect the White paper to include the question of damage by genetically modified organisms but need to study the detail of the Commission's proposals before reaching any conclusions.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the scientific journals his Department has consulted in its investigations into the safety of genetically modified crops. [79267]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]The specific information requested is not available. Through my Department's library, officials have access to all scientific journals published worldwide.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish a comprehensive list of(a) trial sites of genetically modified crops in the United Kingdom in the year 1999–2000 and (b) details of genetically modified crops intended to be grown at these trial sites. [80103]

  Mr. Meacher
  This information is already available on the public register held in DETR and on the DETR website.

  special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total number of occasions when(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997. [76830]

  Mr. Prescott
  There have been no occasions since 2 May 1997 when Special Advisers in this Department have travelled abroad in an official capacity unaccompanied by Ministers. Costs are accounted for within the total costs for any overseas trips by Ministers.

  Inland Waterway Shipping
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the applicability of Council Directive 82/714/EEC in technical requirements for inland waterway vessels to controls imposed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on inland waterway shipping in the United Kingdom. [78729]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The UK is exempt from Directive 82/714/EEC, as provided for by Article 7 (1) a of the Directive.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what additional conditions the United Kingdom has imposed on navigability licences for inland waterway vessels, in the terms permitted by Article 3(6) of Council Directive 76/135/EEC, dated 20 January 1976; and if he will make a statement. [78731]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. The conditions for operating passenger ships of whatever flag on UK waters were amended following the "Marchioness" disaster. These regulations were applied by Statutory Instrument SI 1992 No 2358 which incorporated a phasing-in period which ended on 1 April 1998.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the applicability of Council Directive 76/135/EEC on reciprocal recognition of navigability licences for inland waterway vessels to controls imposed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on inland waterway shipping in the United Kingdom. [78730]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The technical requirements for the operation of passenger ships on UK waters were amended following the "Marchioness" disaster. These regulations were applied by Statutory Instrument SI 1992 No 1216 and incorporated a phasing-in period which ended on 1 April 1998 to allow for alterations to existing vessels.

  It is our policy to ensure that these high standards apply to all passenger ships of whatever flag which operate in UK waters. This accords with the stated aim of Directive 76/135 which is a
  "first step towards improving the safety of inland navigation in the Community".

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external 58
  members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up (a) sub-groups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees; [79253]

  (2) if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 (a)their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79276]

  Mr. Meale
  I have today placed in the Library of the House a list of the task forces and reviews with external members established by my Department since May 1997, along with the requested information for each such body.

  Bus Employees
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department has spent on legal fees relating to the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust(a) in total and (b) in connection with the High Court hearing, of 1 March.[79539]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The previous Government decided to fund litigation by the National Bus Company pension trustees following a decision by the Pensions Ombudsman. Expenditure to date by my Department on legal and other costs related to all aspects of the litigation concerning the two NBC pension schemes (the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust and the National Bus Pension Fund) has been £980,000. Of this, costs incurred by the trustees amount to £782,000 and the Department's own costs amount to £198,000. £67,000 of the total was incurred by the previous Administration. The total includes costs of £10,000 related to the High Court hearing of 1 March, which concerned the extent to which certain provisions of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 and the Pensions Act 1995 applied to the schemes.

  Countryside Access
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what environmental assessment has been carried out by his Department on the Government's Access to the Countryside proposals. [79597]

  Mr. Meacher
  Independent consultants undertook an assessment of the economic, environmental and social effects of different approaches to achieving greater access to open countryside. Their report has been published by my Department and copies have already been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Water Regulator
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the environmental responsibilities of the water regulator. [79600]

  Mr. Meale
  The Director General has a general duty, under section 3 of the Water Industry Act 1991, to further conservation and enhancement of the natural environment.
  59
  In September 1998, Ministers published "Raising the Quality", giving guidance to the Director General of Water Services on the environmental and water quality objectives to be achieved by the water industry in England and Wales in 2000 to 2005. On 1 March 1999 Ministers announced the detailed programmes of improvements to deliver the objectives.

  Car Parking
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review car parking provision in planning policy guidance; and if he will make a statement.[79595]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing, a consultation draft of which was published on 23 March, proposes maximum parking standards for housing development averaging 1.5 to 2 car spaces per dwelling. Planning Policy Guidance note 13:Transport is in the process of being updated.

  Water Customer Councils
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role of water customer councils and their relationship with Ofwat.[79601]

  Mr. Meale
  Section 29 of the Water Industry Act 1991 places a duty on each customer service committee (CSC) to keep under review, to consult and to make representations to water and sewerage companies allocated to the committee about all matters appearing to the committee to affect the interests of customers or potential customers of those companies; and to investigate any complaint made by a customer or potential customer relating to the carrying out of any of the functions of a water or sewerage undertaker.

  The CSCs are established by, and report to, the Director General of Water Services and advise him on issues which affect customers, to inform his decision making.

  Resulting from our review of utility regulation, the Government propose to establish a new, independent consumer council for the water sector. We propose to give the new council broad functions within the regulatory system. It will act as a public advocate for consumers, and will be expected to provide information and advice on consumer issues to regulators, Government, Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the media and others. It will have the specific task of handling consumer complaints about water companies where these have not been resolved by the company concerned. The council and regulator will need to collaborate, and will be placed under a duty to agree and publish a memorandum of understanding governing such matters as the practical arrangements for consultation between them. Similar arrangements will govern the council's relationship with the Drinking Water Inspectorate. We fully recognise the importance of the regional dimension in the provision of water and sewerage services and the structure of the water consumer council will reflect this.

  Bus and Cycle Lanes
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to produce regulations or guidelines relating to coloured markings on bus lanes and cycle lanes. [79634]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  White markings indicating bus and cycle lanes, and yellow markings indicating bus stops and bus stop clearways, are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations 1994. Guidance on their use is given in Chapter 5 of the Traffic Signs Manual and Local Transport Note 1/97 (Keeping Buses Moving). Coloured road surfaces have no meaning in law but may be used to increase the conspicuity of markings and give prominence to a section of the carriageway set aside for a particular purpose. The Highways Agency has included advice on the use of coloured surfaces for cycle lanes in their recently published guidance on Coloured Surfacing in Road Layouts.

  Bus Lanes
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the use of bus lanes by community transport vehicles. [79602]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The allocation of road space is a matter for highway authorities. Guidance on bus lanes and on the classes of other vehicles which authorities might wish to permit to use them was published in Keeping Buses Moving, Local Transport Note 1/97.

  Project Prestige
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Project Prestige and on its applicability to rail services. [79599]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the Prestige contract, the Transys consortium will update and renew ticket issuing and revenue collection systems throughout the London Transport network, leading to the introduction of contactless smartcards from 2002. Preliminary work to install ticket gates throughout the Underground network, new electronic ticket machines on services procured by LT Buses, and electronic point of sale (EpoS) machines in Pass Agents Sales Service (PASS) outlets is underway.

  Since the conception of the Prestige project in 1996, LT has planned for the 12 Train Operating Companies (TOCs) in the former Network SouthEast area to participate in the scheme. Discussions have taken place with the aim of developing technical solutions that would give the TOCs the full benefits of Prestige. At present, LT is committed to the installation of ticket gates at joint London Underground/TOC stations managed by the TOCs and to upgrade these later to accept smartcards, in line with plans for other London Underground stations.

  At present there is no general commitment from the TOCs to adopt Prestige ticket technology, although certain operators have expressed an interest in joint smartcard and equipment trials. In the meantime, LT will continue to ensure that the technology employed under Prestige will extension of smartcard technology to TOC stations.

  Water Planning Policy
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to introduce a planning policy guidance note on water. [79596]

  Mr. Raynsford
  None.

  New Building
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the building regulations to reduce the environmental impact of new developments; and if he will make a statement. [79594]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government are considering such amendments. Last year a comprehensive review was launched to see what contribution the building regulations could make towards achieving our targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The review is progressing well with consultation on some proposed amendments expected later this year.

  Wildlife Bill
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy plans for a Wildlife Bill and the timetable for its implementation. [79598]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have consulted on the better protection and management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and considered the proposals of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime to strengthen the enforcement of wildlife law. We are seeking an opportunity to legislate, where necessary, as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

  Smoke Alarms
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will estimate the cost of installing battery-powered smoke alarms in all local authority dwellings in England; [79605]

  (2) if he will estimate the proportion by region of local authority-owned dwellings fitted with smoke alarms; [79607]

  (3) if he will estimate the cost of installing mains-powered smoke alarms in all local authority dwellings in England. [79583]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The proportion of local authority owned dwellings fitted with smoke alarms is as follows. Estimates are taken from the 1996 English House Condition Survey. They relate to occupied local authority dwellings only and are as follows:

  Percentage

  Government Office Region

  Proportion of occupied local authority owned dwellings with a smoke alarm

  North East

  55

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  55

  North West

  65

  East Midlands

  65

  West Midlands

  65

  62

  Percentage

  Government Office Region

  Proportion of occupied local authority owned dwellings with a smoke alarm

  South West

  70

  Eastern

  55

  South East

  80

  London

  40

  England

  60

  In 1996, 40 per cent. of occupied local authority dwellings had no smoke alarm fitted. The estimated cost of installing battery-operated smoke alarms in these dwellings is £40 million. This is based on flats requiring one smoke alarm and houses requiring two.

  In 1996, 60 per cent. of occupied local authority dwellings had a smoke alarm fitted but only 16 per cent. of these were mains powered detectors. The estimated overall cost of installing mains-operated smoke alarms in the 90 per cent. of occupied local authority owned dwellings in which no mains powered smoke alarm is currently present, is £260 million.

  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of lives that would be saved each year if every local authority dwelling in England was fitted with a smoke alarm. [79606]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I have been asked to reply.

  Although no current estimate along those lines is available, fire statistics show that there were 465 fire deaths in dwellings in England in 1997 and these can be categorised by the presence or otherwise of a smoke alarm.

  Presence and operation of smoke detector

  Fatal casualties

  Present, operated and raised the alarm

  36

  (8%)

  Present, operated but did not raise the alarm

  18

  (4%)

  Present, but did not operate

  57

  (11%)

  Absent

  354

  (77%)

  Total

  465

  Research shows that around 82 per cent. of households in England and Wales now own a smoke alarm. However, the levels of ownership among those households in the United Kingdom having fires is much lower, at only 30 per cent.

  The 1997 fire fatality statistics show the very clear benefits of increasing smoke alarm ownership further as well as the need to make sure that alarms are properly maintained and sited. Such messages are an important part of the Government's new Community Fire Safety strategy which is designed to reduce fire deaths in the home.

  East of England Regional Chamber
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the regional chamber in the Eastern Region will be officially established. [79610]
  63
  Mr. Meale
  There is no formal date set for the official establishment of the East of England Regional Chamber. According to the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, before a body can become the Regional Chamber for a Regional Development Agency, it needs to be designated as such by the Secretary of State. This designation has not yet occurred in this case.

  However, a draft application and supporting papers were sent to DETR's Regional Policy Unit on 8 March. These papers are currently under consideration within the Department. A formal request for designation will be made by the Chamber in the next couple of weeks, once the minutes from the Chamber's inaugural meeting have been agreed.

  The process of designation is a lengthy one. After an application is received, consultations need to be made within the Department. A submission must then be put

  Red route

  Implementation

  A3

  Most fully operational. Remainder to have red line controls before the end of 1999.

  A24

  All red line controls fully operational. Implementation of remaining measures' to be complete by the end of 1999.

  A205

  All red line controls fully operational. Implementation of remaining measures' to be complete by the end of June 1999.

  A214

  Detailed design to begin shortly.

  A217

  Detailed design underway. Red line controls to be operational by end 1999.

  A306

  Fully operational.

  A3205

  ll red line controls fully operational. Implementation of remaining measures' to be complete by the end of 1999.

  A3220

  Detailed design to begin shortly.

  As well as red line controls, red routes consist of a package of measures, such as bus and cycle lanes, facilities for pedestrians and traffic calming, which will vary depending on local needs. These are aimed at improving the movement of people and goods and providing particular help for buses, cyclists pedestrians and people with disabilities.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to protect hedgerows in the Green Belt; and if he will make a statement.[79773]

  Mr. Meale
  The regime to protect important hedgerows, under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997, is not applied differentially to hedgerows in the green belt. Its requirements apply to all hedgerows which are of 20 metres or more in length or which meet another hedgerow at each end, if they are on, or adjoining, land used for agriculture or forestry, the breeding or keeping of horses, ponies or donkeys, common land, village greens, Sites of Special Scientific Interest or Local Nature Reserves. Garden hedges are excluded.

  Alcohol Consumption (Thames)
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what penalties and restrictions apply to the use of alcohol by river users on the Thames; and what plans he has to review these arrangements. [79703]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under existing Port of London Authority byelaws, which regulate operational matters on the River Thames, it is an offence for the master of a vessel to navigate, or be in charge of a vessel when unfit by reason of drink. If a harbourmaster has reasonable cause to suspect that a master's fitness to navigate the vessel is impaired through alcohol, he may direct the vessel to stop or to a designated berth in order to carry out a breath test. The limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol
  64
  before Ministers and a further consultation will follow. The Regional Development Agency must then be consulted before a final decision is made. Therefore it is not possible to state when the East of England Regional Chamber will be officially established.

  Red Routes (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what red route schemes are currently planned by his Department concerning the London Borough of Wandsworth. [79700]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The roads in Wandsworth designated as red routes are the A3, A24, A205, A214, A217, A306, A3205 and A3220. The current implementation timetable in Wandsworth is given in the table. The aim is to have the whole of the network operational in 2000.

  in 100 millilitres of breath. A person in breach of these byelaws will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 and a daily fine of £100.

  The Government are aware of public concern about the need to regulate alcohol abuse in the maritime industry. We intend to issue a consultation paper in the near future seeking views on whether there should be national legislation to combat alcohol abuse on board ship, and, if so, what form such legislation might take. We intend our proposals to apply to all seafarers, including those who operate leisure craft.

  Rents
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on the relationship of council rents to market rents; and if he will make a statement. [79603]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Councils and Registered Social Landlords have provided housing for several decades at below market levels to meet the needs of households who cannot afford the costs of owner occupation or market renting.

  The levels of rent charged by councils have evolved incrementally over many years without any necessary correlation with market levels or with the perceived value of the property.

  The Housing Green Paper to be published later in the year will look at options for strengthening the link between social rents and the size, location and condition of properties.
  65
  The Government will consult extensively on any proposals in the Green Paper. It is important that any reforms help make the housing market and labour market fairer for all concerned.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about rent levels in (i) the private sector, (ii) housing associations and (iii) local councils. [79604]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The mean rent for all types of private sector letting in England in 1997–98, as estimated from the Survey of English Housing, was £79 per week. This excludes water and other charges.

  The mean housing association rent in England at 31 March 1998 is estimated as £ 49.71. This excludes service charges. Housing associations will be expected to limit annual increases in their overall rent and service charges for their stock to no more than RPI + 1%.

  The mean local authority rent in England at April 1998 is estimated as £42.24. The Government's policy is that the average local authority Guideline Rent in England will increase by RPI + 1% in 1999–2000, by RPI + 2% in 2000–01 and by RPI + 2% in 2001–02.

  Local Authority Estate Disposal
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he plans to prevent financial rules on the disposal of land and buildings by local authorities resulting in gazumping. [79699]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government published for consultation on 7 December 1998 a package of proposals aimed at making the home buying and selling process easier and avoiding problems such as gazumping. We will consider carefully responses to the consultation in reaching conclusions on action required to improve the process in the interests of all responsible sellers and buyers.

  Right to Roam
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the proposed right to roam legislation to cover access to rivers by canoeists. [79693]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government's plans to introduce a statutory right of access to open countryside will extend only to those on foot for the purposes of quiet open-air recreation. Statutory duties of the Environment Agency with respect to water include a duty to promote the use of waters and associated land for recreational purposes. The Agency and the water and sewerage undertakers also have environmental and recreational duties which include a requirement, so far as is reasonably practicable and consistent with other enactments relating to their functions, to ensure that water and associated land to which they have rights is made available for recreational purposes. They must also have regard to the desirability of preserving freedom of access to places of natural beauty. A revised Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation, which gives guidance on the exercise of these duties, will shortly be issued for consultation.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what environmental appraisals of policy his Department has(a) completed, (b) started and (c) planned. [79615]

  Mr. Meale
  The available information is currently being collected by each Department to meet the Environmental Audit Committee's request for information on environmental appraisals as part of its second inquiry into the Greening Government Initiative.

  Green Belt
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the green belt land in each local authority area. [79841]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Information on the area of green belt land in each local authority is not currently available. Estimates under preparation, based on designated green belt areas shown in adopted and deposited local plans, should be finalised later in the year.

  Ports Policy
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 February 1999 to the hon. Member for Hull West and Hessle (Mr. Johnson),Official Report, columns 606–07, how he intends to secure public accountability in respect of the statutory powers and duties of Newhaven Port. [80111]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Answer to which reference is made announced preparation by the Government of a comprehensive ports policy paper, and a consultation paper including an invitation to comment. Details of the measures the Government will take on accountability and other key issues will be in that policy paper which will be issued later this year. These will not be limited to trust ports, although they have special obligations, but will cover company-owned ports such as Newhaven.

  Section 56 Grants
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the applications submitted for section 56 grants since 1 January 1990, indicating in each case which were successful and how much was awarded. [80096]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Schemes accepted for section 56 grants after 1 January 1990 and the grant allocated or paid are as follows:

  £ million

  Ivanhoe Line

  1.4

  Midland Metro

  40.0

  Robin Hood Line

  4.4

  Grant payments for a number of other schemes started before 1 January 1990 and continued after that date.

  During this period, a number of authorities have developed potential section 56 schemes and have discussed these with officials in my Department. We do not keep a centralised record of all such discussions.

  Metropolitan Railway Passenger Services Grant
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the Special Grant report (No. 45) (Metropolitan Railway Passenger Services Grant 1999/2000) does not cover a period of three years. [79721]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Special Grant Report (No. 45) was made under section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, as substituted by paragraph 18 of Schedule 10 to the Local Government Finance Act 1992. The use of that power is an interim measure pending establishment of a permanent power to pay the grant. Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary legislation, the Strategic Rail Authority will have a broad power to make payments, including grants to passenger transport authorities (PTAs).

  British Rail
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlie the scale of increase in the budget of British Rail in 1999–2000.[79722]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are several factors underlying the increase between the estimated outturn of £58 million for British Rail in 1998–99 and the planned expenditure of £93 million for British Rail in 1999£2000. The main factor is an increase in net interest charges. The long-term interest rate which British Rail pays on its debt will remain unchanged, whilst the short-term interest rate which it receives on its cash reserves is expected to fall. The differential between the two rates is therefore expected to widen, increasing net interest charges.

  Strategic Rail Authority
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what (i) guidance and (ii) instruction has been given to Sir Alastair Morton in respect of his role in connection with PTEs in the period prior to the creation of a Strategic Rail Authority.[79723]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role the Strategic Rail Authority will have in respect of passenger transport authorities. [79724]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary legislation, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) will work closely with other key organisations, including Passenger Transport Authorities, to promote rail within our integrated transport policy. Passenger Transport Executives are co-signatories to a number of franchise agreements, which the SRA will inherit.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy towards working time in the road transport sector, with particular reference to the current Commission proposals. [80157]
  68
  Dr. Reid
  The Government have implemented the extant Working Time Directive in the UK and accepts the principle of extending working time legislation to transport generally. However, we believe that any controls should reflect the needs of business and employees and the public and should include sufficient flexibility to take account of their particular operational needs. We have particular concerns about the scope, derogations and night work provisions. We are addressing these issues in the European Union with a view to securing a Directive in the currently excluded sectors which is balanced and sensible.

  Orange Badges
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the estimated total number of disabled orange badges in circulation in each of the last 10 years. [80200]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Details of the estimated total number of Orange Badges on issue in England over the last 10 years are:

  Thousand

  Year

  Total number of Orange Badges on issue in England

  1989

  929

  1990

  979

  1991

  1,102

  1992

  1,187

  1993

  1,275

  1994

  1,336

  1995

  1,463

  1996

  1,517

  1997

  1,636

  1998

  1,717

  The figures for Scotland and Wales are compiled, and held separately, by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales respectively.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to review eligibility criteria for disabled orange badges; [80199]

  (2) -what plans the Government have to review eligibility for disabled orange badges in respect of people who are severely but temporarily disabled through (a) waiting for treatments and (b) prolonged treatment and recovery. [80198]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria for an Orange Badge at this time.

  However, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), who are our statutory advisers on the transport needs of disabled people, have submitted a paper to us about the Scheme, which includes such matters as the eligibility criteria and abuse.

  To inform us in our consideration of DPTAC's paper, my officials are exploring with all local authorities in England their procedures for issuing Orange Badges. In the light of information received from local authorities we will want to consider DPTAC's paper very carefully before deciding what, if any, changes to the Scheme might be appropriate.
  69
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which psychiatric disorders have been accepted as valid criteria for the award of disabled orange badges. [80201]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. Apart from blind people and people with very severe upper limb disabilities, the key eligibility criterion to qualify for a badge is a permanent and substantial disability which causes either inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking. People with "psychiatric disorders" may be eligible for a badge but only if their walking ability is also very seriously affected.

  Terminal 5 Inquiry
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the public sector costs incurred on the Terminal 5 inquiry in respect of(a) attendance by civil servants, (b) the Government's legal costs and (c) tax relief accorded to BAA. [80152]

  Mr. Caborn
  The answers are as follows:

  (a) No estimate of costs has been made;

  (b) Approximately £961,000 excluding agencies;

  (c) Not possible to estimate any effect on taxation of BAA.

  Drivers (Database)
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made towards the operation of a computerised database to hold details of all insured drivers and their vehicles. [80473]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Plans for a motor insurance database have been prepared by the insurance industry with the support of my Department. Work is going ahead to set up the database as soon as possible.

  European Scrutiny Committee
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Presidency draft of a council directive on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the response of workers to risks arising from physical agents connected to the Explanatory Memorandum submitted by his Department to the European Scrutiny Committee is subject to the confidentiality of Council proceedings. [80588]

  Mr. Meale
  The Presidency draft text appears to be subject to the confidentiality requirements of the Council Rules of Procedure.

  Since the text is substantially different from that published by the European Commission in 1994, my Department, in line with Cabinet Office guidance, submitted an Explanatory Memorandum on this proposal in order to keep the European Scrutiny Committees informed about progress. The German Presidency has indicated that it wishes to reach common position on a compromise text during its term.

  Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the introduction of a national concessionary travel scheme for retired and disabled people. [80226]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have announced our intention to introduce a national standard minimum for concessionary fare schemes for pensioners. It will require each local authority to provide a scheme in their area under which pensioners would be entitled at least to half fares on buses on purchase of a £5 annual bus pass. However, local authorities will remain free to offer more generous schemes if they see fit. Primary legislation will be required for this minimum scheme; it will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

  Water Resources
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what policy conclusions he has drawn from his discussions during his recent visit to the Indian Sub-Continent on policies relating to dams on rivers and the allocation of water between countries. [79036]

  Mr. Meale
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister did not have discussions on these specific subjects. The United Kingdom supports the policies in the 1998 decision of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development on the sustainable management of freshwater. The United Kingdom also supports the 1997 UN Convention on the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses. We also await with interest the report of the international commission under Dr. Kader Asmal, Minister of Water Resources of the Republic of South Africa, on large dams.

  Regional Study
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the terms of reference and areas of study are for the London to South West and South Wales study. [80021]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The London to South West and South Wales study is included in the first tranche of the multi-modal studies programme announced last month. Work on the study will start before the autumn. The Government Office for the South West will set up a steering group to include representatives from the South West Regional Planning Conference and other regional and transport interests, to determine the terms of reference and areas of study.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the(a) highest and (b) lowest council tax at Band D for a council billing area, after transitional relief grant and council tax benefits in (i) Derbyshire, (ii) Lincolnshire (iii) Leicestershire, (iv) South Yorkshire and (v) Norfolk. [80621]
  71
  Ms Armstrong
  The highest and lowest Band D council tax for the shire and metropolitan districts within each of the requested areas in 1999–2000 are shown in the table. No district in these areas is eligible for

  County

  Highest

  £

  Lowest

  £

  Derbyshire

  Bolsover

  905

  Chesterfield

  855

  North East Derbyshire

  905

  South Derbyshire

  855

  Leicestershire

  North West Leicestershire

  828

  Hinckley and Bosworth

  770

  Lincolnshire

  West Lindsey

  806

  South Kesteven

  769

  Norfolk

  Norwich

  818

  Breckland

  750

  South Yorkshire

  Sheffield

  886

  Doncaster

  761

  A505
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will visit Baldock to inspect traffic congestion on the A505 road. [79789]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend is aware of the position of the proposed A505 Baldock Bypass. He has no plans at present to visit Baldock, but will bear this invitation in mind if a suitable opportunity arises.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he has travelled on the A505 road between Royston, Baldock and Letchworth in the past 12 months in his official capacity. [79790]

  Mr. Prescott
  I undertake visits to all parts of the country and records of the routes that I take are not retained.

  British Standards
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list(a) the organisations and people who form the British Standards Technical Sub Committee PTI/2/1, (b) the dates on which the Committee has met to date in 1999 and (c) the planned meeting dates for the remainder of 1999; [80466]

  (2) what active chemical elements are being considered for use with a British Standard for lead replacement; what concentration of these chemical elements were recommended by the British Standards Technical Sub Committee; and what is the ranking of the performance of these elements relative to lead; [80468]

  (3) what analysis has been made of motor vehicle engine wear and tear identified in Sweden since the introduction and use of lead replacement petrol; [80469]

  (4) what has prevented the agreement of a British Standard for lead replacement petrol to date; [80467]

  (5) what progress is being made to agree a British Standard for lead replacement petrol; and if he will make a statement. [80464]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Whilst it is not a prerequisite to the introduction of lead replacement petrol (LRP), a draft British Standard for LRP is being progressed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) Technical Sub-Committee. PTI/2/1. The BSI suspended work on the standard for approximately one year pending a legal action which was resolved towards the end of last year.
  72
  Reorganisation Transitional Relief Grant in 1999–2000 and figures for the amount of Council Tax Benefit that the authorities expect to provide during the year are not yet available.

  PTI/2/1 recommenced their work on 30 November 1998, and has since had three further meetings: on 18 January, 2 March and 7 April 1999. No further meetings have currently been scheduled.

  BSI do not publish the names of individuals attending their committee meetings, who are present to represent the associations to which they are affiliated. On PTI/2/1 these include the Association of UK Oil Independents, Automobile Association, Chemical Industries Association, Freight Transport Association, Institute of Petroleum, Petrol Retailers Association, Royal Automobile Club, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, UK Petroleum Industry Association, as well as officials from DETR, DTI and MOD.

  In reviewing the comments received following public consultation on the preliminary draft Standard for LRP issued last year, which included consideration of the early problems in Sweden associated with LRP, it was decided that the use of sodium as one of the active chemical elements be dropped from the Standard. The Standard will now include only potassium, phosphorus and, as a result of recent technical data as to its effectiveness as a valve seat lubricant, manganese. The recommended concentrations of each additive is in the process of being finalised, but this work is well advanced and it is anticipated that the standard for LRP will be published shortly.

  All of the additives currently being considered by PTI/2/1 are broadly similar in performance at similar mass concentration levels, although the maximum dosage levels and normal dosage levels will vary in order to avoid side effects on other engine components and take into account experience gained on other markets. While no additive has been shown to provide the same level of engine protection as lead under extreme engine operating conditions, in terms of the effectiveness of LRP, there is ample evidence to demonstrate that it is a satisfactory, and greener, alternative to leaded four-star petrol; and that owners of older cars will be able to switch seamlessly to this fuel for normal everyday motoring.

  Motorway Noise
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 1999,Official Report, column 8, for what reason he has not published the new criteria on noise reduction and ring-fenced annual budget for the Highways Agency before the start of the financial year 1999–2000; and when he expects to do so. [80519]
  73
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 22 March 1999,Official Report, columns 50–51, in which both criteria and the budget for noise mitigation measures were announced.

  Southall to Reading Main Line
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with Railtrack plc on extending electrification of the western main line from Southall to Reading and beyond, with particular reference to a connection for access to the Heathrow main line stations for trains originating from western England and South Wales. [80437]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. Railtrack's 1999 Network Management Statement, published on 25 March, sets out on pages 160–165 their investment plans for the Great Western Main Line. It does not contain any proposals for electrification of these stretches of line.

  B5404
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the traffic problems at the Plantation Lane section of the B5404 road at Hopwas; and what traffic calming measures he plans to put in place at this section of the road. [79861]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Highway Authority for the B5404 is Staffordshire County Council and as such it would be for that authority to conduct any assessment of traffic problems or to implement traffic calming measures. The County Council carried out an improvement at the A51/B5404 junction in 1994 but has no plans for any further significant works in the foreseeable future. The County Council has no plans for any traffic calming measures on Plantation Lane.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the traffic capacity of the B5404 road from Lichfield to Tamworth; and what is the current traffic flow, including the proportion of heavy goods vehicles. 179860]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Staffordshire County Council, the Highway Authority, has indicated that the B5404 (known as Plantation Lane), as a single carriageway road with a width of just under 7.3 metres, has a capacity of a little less than 13,000 vehicles per 24 hour day.

  The most recent classified count on the route took place in November 1995 and showed a flow of 5,383 vehicles per 12 hour day, equivalent to approximately 6,700 vehicles per 24 hour day. At the time the number of heavy goods vehicles was 324 per 12 hour day.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many accidents have been reported on the Plantation Lane section of the B5404 road at Hopwas in each of the last 15 years; and how many fatalities have resulted. [79862]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The following table shows the numbers of personal injury road accidents and fatalities on Plantation Lane in each of the last 15 years.
  74

  Injury road accidents and fatalities on Plantation Lane: 1983–1997

  Year of Accident

  Accidents

  Fatalities

  1983

  4

  0

  1984

  3

  1

  1985

  2

  0

  1986

  0

  0

  1987

  2

  0

  1988

  0

  0

  1989

  1

  0

  1990

  2

  0

  1991

  4

  1

  1992

  1

  0

  1993

  5

  0

  1994

  6

  0

  1995

  7

  1

  1996

  2

  0

  1997

  3

  0

  Plantation Lane
  Before 10/7/95, this was the B5404 between the Ordnance Survey grid references northing 30235 and 30495.
  On 10/7/95. the A5 was rerouted and the B5404 was re-defined. From this date, Plantation Lane was the B5404 between the Ordnance Survey grid references northing 30285 and 30495.

  Aviculture
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 February 1999,Official Report, column 436, on aviculture, if he will list the avicultural purposes for which the licences were granted and the specific conditions attached to each. [80055]

  Mr. Meale
  The purpose of aviculture is defined by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as meaning the breeding and rearing of birds in captivity.

  The conditions as stipulated on the licence to take redwing are as follows:

  (1) that the birds are taken only from the named county or counties; (2) that the birds are taken only for the reason given i. e. for the purpose of aviculture; (3) that the birds are taken only by a person authorised in writing by the licensee; (4) that the birds are taken only by the use of the named device i. e. a "whoosh net", which must be operated only by authorised individuals who are fully trained and competent in the use of such a device; (5) that any bird caught in the "whoosh net" which is of a species other than a redwing-Turdus illiacus must be released immediately; (6) that the land owner's written permission is obtained before entry upon any land; (7) that a report is sent to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 14 days after the expiry date of the licence.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many birds bred or reared in captivity following the issuing of a licence have subsequently been sold with the approval of his Department in each of the last five years for which information is available; for what use these birds were sold; and what subsequent checks were carried out in respect of their welfare. [79923]

  Mr. Meale
  No requests have been received within the last five years for approval for the sale of any offspring from birds taken under aviculture licences.

  Packaging Waste
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) of 28 January 1999,Official Report, column 335, on packaging waste, if he will provide details of the consultation process referred to in paragraph (viii); and when it will be concluded. [80384]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department will shortly be issuing a consultation paper covering the Advisory Committee's proposal to change the present percentage activity obligations. We expect the consultation period to last approximately 6 weeks.

  The consultation will consider the Advisory Committee's recommendation that there should be a 2 per cent. reduction in the convertor activity obligation (from 11 per cent. to 9 per cent.), a 1 per cent. increase each in the packer/filler activity obligation (from 36 per cent. to 37 per cent.) and retailer activity obligation (from 47 per cent. to 48 per cent.).

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to enforce standards of service on the West Coast Inter City main line; and if he will make a statement. [80276]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Franchise Agreement specifies performance and service quality standards which must be met. The Franchising Director monitors compliance with these standards and has powers to take enforcement action if they are not met.

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each of the new responsibilities which he will assume when the signed Treaty of Amsterdam takes effect and for each(a) the likely effect on departmental staffing, (b) the bodies or persons in the European Union principally concerned and (c) the relevant section of that treaty and the consolidated treaties of the European Union and European Community. [80417]

  Mr. Meale
  The Treaty of Amsterdam will have minimal impact on the responsibilities of the Department and its staffing. As far as the EU Institutions are concerned, there will be an increased role for the European Parliament in some of the areas covered by the Department due to the extension by the Treaty of the co-decision procedure to much of the EU legislation in the transport and environmental fields.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has received from IATA in relation to the impact of the millennium bug on airport and airline safety. [80031]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department has received no specific advice from IATA. The Department proposes to issue guidance on the millennium compliance situation of 76
  foreign aircraft and airports by 1 October, although the timing may be subject to the availability of relevant information. The guidance will be based largely on information received from governmental sources such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)—the major international aviation governmental organisation—and the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), supplemented by information from relevant sources such as IATA.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 29 March 1999,Official Report, columns 467–68, on road accidents, if he will break down the number of road deaths in 1997 by borough council areas. [80002]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Information for all borough council areas is not readily available. However fatalities in 1997 by county and unitary authority are shown in Table 46a of "Road Accidents Great Britain 1997: The Casualty Report". A copy of this publication may be found in the House of Commons Library.

  Rail Links
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to carry out a study on the rail link between London and Cheltenham/Gloucester; what discussions he has had with(a) train operators and (b)Railtrack about this line and the services on it; what discussions he has had about providing a dual track from Swindon to Kemble; and if he will make a statement. [80106]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have no plans to carry out a study on the rail link between London and Cheltenham/Gloucester, and we have had no discussions with the train operators or Railtrack about this line or the services on it, or about providing a dual track from Swindon to Kemble.

  Rural Bus Service Grant
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the level of tender prices for new and additional rural bus services in Bedfordshire funded by the rural bus service grant. [80248]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The award of contracts for subsidised bus services is a matter for the local authority concerned. However, a number of local authorities, of which I know Bedfordshire is one, have reported concerns about recent increases in tender costs. We will be considering this issue as part of our assessment with local authorities of the impact of the rural bus subsidy grant and in monitoring bus industry performance more generally.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whom he has consulted in the course of making his decision over the application by British Nuclear Fuels plc to operate a mixed oxide plutonium fuels plant at Sellafield; what
  77
  matters are currently under consideration in respect of the application; and when he expects to make an announcement on the matter. [80402]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 11 November 1998,Official Report, column 189.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to paragraph 9.51 of his Department's Annual Report 1999, Cm 4204, what international work on the implementation of the convention on the safe management of radioactive waste and spent fuel has been supported by the United Kingdom. [80203]

  Mr. Meale
  The Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management has yet to enter into force. The UK signed the Convention on 29 September 1997, the day it opened for signature. Preparations for UK ratification of the Convention are under way.

  Since the Convention opened for signature, the International Atomic Energy Agency has held two informal meetings to discuss preparations for implementation of the Convention's reporting and peer review requirements. UK experts have taken an active part in these meetings.

  Kingshurst Parish Council
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will order an extraordinary audit of the activities of Kingshurst Parish Council in the Borough of Solihull. [80421]

  Ms Armstrong
  The appointment and conduct of auditors is a matter for the Audit Commission, who may order an extraordinary audit where they consider that a departure from the normal audit cycle is required. My right hon. Friend has no reason to override the role and responsibility of the Audit Commission in the case of Kingshurst Parish Council.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is introducing to promote the increased transport of freight by rail. [78818]

  Mr. Prescott
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, Southall (Mr. Khabra) today,Official Report, column 4.

  Correspondence
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to reply to the letter of 20 August from the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East about a traffic reduction initiative in Essex. [79783]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department has no record of receiving a letter from the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East on this subject.

  Mobile Homes
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received concerning the commission payable by mobile home owners to site owners on completion of the sale of a home; [80099]

  (2) what review he has conducted of the working of the Mobile Homes Act 1983; [80098]

  (3) what steps he plans to take to ensure that mobile home owners have the right to choose the suppliers of public utilities to their homes. [80100]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department established the Park Homes Working Party last year to examine the concerns raised by national groups representing mobile home (or park home) owners and the large number of representations we have received from home owners themselves. These cover a wide range of issues including the commission payable when a home is sold on site and issues relating to the supply of utilities to individual homes.

  The Working Party will be considering how to make the most effective use of the existing legislation relating to park homes (including the Mobile Homes Act 1983) and whether there is a case, in the longer term, for changing the legislation. It will make recommendations to Ministers on the way ahead later this year.

  New Housing
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the implications are of his announcement of revised household projection figures on 29 March for the need for new housing developments in(a) Stevenage, (b) Devon, (c) West Sussex, (d) East Sussex, (e) Hertfordshire and (f) West Midlands. [80086]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As the Deputy Prime Minister said in his answer on 29 March 1999,Official Report, column 472, my Department will be writing to regional planning bodies setting out further information which may be relevant in the context of preparing regional planning guidance.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the proportion of pensioners who are, on his Department's definition, living in fuel poverty; and if he will provide separate estimates for pensioners aged(a) 65 to 69, (b) 70 to 79 and (c) 80 years or above. [80095]

  Mr. Meale
  Using data from the 1991 English House Condition Survey (EHCS) we estimate that some 77 per cent. of lone pensioners were in fuel poverty and a further 43 per cent. of older couples (at least one of whom was of pensionable age) were also fuel poor. Data are not readily available on the number of pensioners in larger households in fuel poverty.

  The EHCS relates to households and so detailed information on ages is readily available only for the head of each household. In 1991, of heads of household aged

  79
  (a) 65 to 69, (b) 70 to 79 and (c) 80 years or more, we estimate that some 50 per cent., 58 per cent. and 80 per cent. respectively were fuel poor.

  Provisional data from the 1996 EHCS show a welcome reduction in the number of households in fuel poverty. The data are currently being analysed and will be published in the 1996 EHCS Energy Report later this year.

  This information is based on the standard definition of fuel poor households being those needing to spend more than 10 per cent. of household income to achieve a satisfactory indoor heating regime.

  Sewers
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what correspondence he has had with Ofwat concerning the non-publication of the condition and grade of critical sewers in(a) Southern Water, (b) North West Water, (c) North Surrey Water, (d) Thames Water, (e) South West Water, (f) South East Water and (g) Mid Southern Water areas following advice to Ofwat by these companies that the information is confidential. 80444]

  Mr. Meale
  None. I have asked the Director General of Water Services to write to my hon. Friend.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's definition of a critical sewer. [80443]

  Mr. Meale
  Critical sewers are those which are either costly or difficult to repair, and/or are important to the performance of the network. The definition is given in the sewerage rehabilitation manual (Water Research Council) adopted by the industry in 1983.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to give further guidance to Ofwat on developing absolute standards for the sustainability of sewerage networks; and what discussions he has had on this matter with the Director General of Ofwat. [80442]

  Mr. Meale
  We published "Raising the Quality" in September 1998, giving guidance to the Director General of Water Services on the environmental and quality objectives to be achieved by the water industry in England and Wales in 2000 to 2005. Paragraphs 125 to 131 of this document set out the Government's views on the maintenance of water supply and sewerage assets.

  This guidance endorses the approach of the Director General, based on the serviceability of assets to customers and to the environment, as the correct framework for considering the financing of asset maintenance in the current periodic review.

  The guidance also sets out the Government's view that, in the longer term, it would be appropriate for the Director General to develop absolute standards for the serviceability of water distribution and sewerage networks. We shall discuss with Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Environment Agency the work needed to develop a strategic approach of this sort.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the meeting between Water UK and the Local Government 80
  Association on tackling rat infestation of sewerage networks proposed in his Department's response to the Environment Sub-Committee's report on Sewage Treatment and Disposal has taken place; and if he will make a statement. [80445]

  Mr. Meale
  The first meeting was held in March. The next will be in the Summer when information currently being obtained by Water UK and the Local Government Association will be considered.

  Inspection Charges
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will postpone the implementation of the proposed inspection charges under the Town and County Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations pending his comprehensive review of health and safety legislation. [80281]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Deputy Prime Minister announced on 30 March 1999,Official Report, columns 586–87, that he is to take forward a strategic appraisal of health and safety to mark the 25th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. It is not our intention to revisit the basic structures of the Act, or to conduct a comprehensive review of health and safety legislation. The aim is to inject new impetus and relaunch the health and safety agenda. The appraisal has no bearing on the implementation from 1 April of the Control of Major Accidents Hazards Regulations 1999.

  Public Bodies
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those members of advisory committees to his Department who have declared outside interests with(a) DiaDexus, (b) Cerebrus Ltd., (c) Cerebrus PLC, (d) Stanford University, (e) Human Genome Services Inc., (f) Glaxo Wellcome, (g) the Wellcome Institute, (h) Monsanto, (i) AgrEvo and (j) SmithKline Beecham. [80128]

  Mr. Meale
  The only member of an advisory non departmental public body sponsored by my Department who has declared an interest in one of the organisations listed in the question is:

  Name

  NDPB

  Organisation

  Sir Tom Blundell

  Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution

  SmithKline Beecham

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to report to Parliament on activities by energy conservation authorities under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [80719]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have today published a report covering activity in England under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) as at the end of 1998. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library of the House.
  81
  Local authorities were identified as crucial to the success of the Home Energy Conservation Act. Some authorities have achieved good results—but many need to do much more. Local authorities' reports point to an improvement of some 2% to 2,% in the energy efficiency of residential accommodation over the two years to the end of March 1998. This is a useful initial step, but progress is patchy, with too many areas reporting no improvement at all. Local authorities need to make faster progress towards achieving the potential they have identified.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Museums and Galleries (School Visits)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many(a) primary and (b) secondary school visits from each LEA have taken place to museums and galleries sponsored by his Department in each of the last five years; [76392]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils who have participated in school visits from each LEA to museums and galleries sponsored by his Department in each of the last five years. 76391]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]The visits over the last five years by school pupils to each of the museums and galleries sponsored by my Department has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Some of the museums and galleries have supplied more detailed information on the origin of the school visitors. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly to forward this information and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Operational Licences
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list for(a) small and medium enterprises and (b) larger companies (i) all licences and permits issued by his Department and its agencies to companies permitting them to carry out their business, (ii) the cost of each such licence or permit in

  Name

  Nature of business

  New Shakespeare Company

  Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

  The Zoological Society of London

  Regent's Park Zoo

  Kook Fang Won Chinese Restaurant

  Access to floating restaurant, Regent's Park

  British Waterways Board

  Access to Grand Union Canal

  Serpentine Gallery

  Art gallery, Kensington Gardens

  Hampton pool Ltd.

  Swimming Pool, Bushy Park

  Royal Collection Enterprises

  Buckingham Palace Ticket Office

  Mrs. A.M. Collins

  Flower seller, Bushy Park

  Cavan Bakery

  Baker's, Bushy Park

  Hearsum Family Ltd.

  Catering, Penbroke Lodge Richmond Park

  Golf Course Management Ltd.

  Management of Richmond Park Golf Course

  Original Bike Hire

  Bike Hire Richmond Park

  Crown Catering Group

  Hyde Park Deli cafeteria

  Golf Learning Centres

  Regent's Park Golf and Tennis School

  Said Lakhdar

  Kensington Gardens kiosk catering

  Park Café (formerly Kessler's Plc)

  Catering in Greenwich Park, Regent's Park Rose Garden and the Lido Pavilion; managing the Greenwich Park Visitor Centre; managing the Royal Parks' deckchair concession

  Sterling Food Services

  Mobile catering facilities in St. James's Park, Hyde Park and Bushy Park; the sports facilities in Hyde Park

  82
  (A) 1997–98 and (B) 1999–2000 and (iii) the current number of companies which are in receipt of each such licence or permit. [76849]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]My Department has issued the following licences and permits:

  Seventy-five permits for filming and photo shoots in Trafalgar Square were issued in 1997-98 at a total cost of £ 12,620. The permits are for one-off events for various organisations using Trafalgar Square for a day or part of a day for filming purposes. No permits have yet been issued for 1999–2000.

  Eighty-nine media passes for news broadcasts on Trafalgar Square—these are issued free of charge.

  A pigeon feed licence on Trafalgar Square in 1995 on a three year basis to BPR Investments—the value of which is commercial in confidence. This was renewed in December 1998 for a further six months.

  Licences are also issued to named individuals to carry out activities on designated wreck sites. They are not issued to businesses or companies and are issued free of charge.

  My Department's agency, the Royal Parks Agency, issued 362 still photography permits and 310 film licences in 1997–98 for a total of –128,000. The majority of these licences are issued to small enterprises or to individuals for such things as wedding photographs, fashion and other commercial advertisements. The majority of these licences are issued on an ad hoc basis and no figures are available centrally for 1999–2000. The licence fees are charged by the individual parks and the amount depends on the number of people and vehicles involved in the filming and the time spent in the park.

  The Royal Parks Agency also currently licenses 22 businesses to operate in the Royal Parks. Fees are classified as commercial in confidence and the majority are based on a percentage of the income generated by the business. They are issued following tender auction and are issued to established business on a term basis, usually between 3 and 7 years. The majority were issued before 1997–98 and are scheduled to run beyond 1999–2000.

  The details are as follows:
  83

  Name

  Nature of business

  Miss T. Rumsey

  Bushy Park mobile catering

  EC Soft Ice

  Mobile catering Victoria Tower Gardens

  Any Time Any Place Ltd.

  Catering, Richmond Park

  Bluebird Boats Ltd.

  Boating concession in Hyde park and Greenwith park

  Park Boats Ltd.

  Boating and catering concessions in Regent's Park

  Millennium National Bid Committee
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidelines he has issued to the Millennium National Bid Committee relating to the provision of information to applicants whose projects are not supported by the Committee. [62581]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 9 December 1998]The Millennium Festival is an initiative involving eleven of the National Lottery distributing bodies. Decisions on applications for grant under Round 1 (–5,000 and over) were taken individually by each of the participating distributors according to its own criteria, rules and procedures. There is no "Millennium National Bid Committee" with a decision-making function in relation to bids, although the participating distributors do co-ordinate their Festival programmes through joint meetings of a Millennium Festival Committee for each country of the United Kingdom. These committees have an advisory function only, and focus on strategic issues such as co-ordination of procedures and timetables, funding priorities, geographical patterns of distribution and joint publicity and marketing. No Ministerial guidance has been issued to the Committee.

  Millennium Dome (GM Foods)
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if genetically modified food will be served in the Millennium Dome; [77218]

  (2) if visitors to the Millennium Experience will be informed of the presence of genetically modified food in its catering facilities. [77219]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) aims to offer an exemplary experience for the forecast 12 million visitors to the Millennium Experience at Greenwich, covering all aspects of their visit. This includes the range and quality of, and information about, the food available, including genetically modified food. All caterers who will operate in the Dome will be required to meet the relevant statutory requirements concerning food labelling. In addition, the NMEC will aim to ensure that caterers in the Dome take further steps to

  Date of esablishment

  Final reports and date of issue

  Whether terminated and date of termination

  Expected reporting and termination date for those still in existence

  Reviews

  Reviews of Film policy

  May 1997

  'A Bigger Picture' published March 1998

  Yes, review

  recommendations taken forward by Film Policy Action Committee (see below)

  n/a

  Review of the List of Nationally Important Sporting Events which must be made available on Free-to-Air Terrestrial TV Channels

  12 December 1997

  Reported to Ministers on 20 March 1998 and announced 20 June 1998

  Yes. 20 March 1998

  n/a

  84
  implement any new guidelines which might be issued to the food industry, and to meet the public's concern for comprehensive and clear identification of food ingredients.

  EU Fraud
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what(a) discussions he has had and (b) proposals his Department has put forward at Council of Ministers' meetings in respect of EU fraud; and if he will make a statement. [77782]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 19 March 1999]I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary on 19 March 1999,Official Report, columns 858–59.

  Green Transport Plan
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what involvement fleet managers have had in drawing up his Department's Green Transport Plan. [77965]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 22 March 1999]The Department does not employ a dedicated fleet manager. The core Department leases no vehicles itself, but contracts with the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) for cars for Ministers and senior officials. The Royal Parks Agency leases its vehicles but manages them through an overall contract manager, who is currently reviewing the contract to include further green transport requirements.

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997(a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79270]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The following table gives the information required.
  85

  Date of establishment

  Final reports and date of issue

  Whether terminated and date of termination

  Expected reporting and termination date for those still in existence

  An independent review of the Future of the Royal Opera House and the English National Opera

  November 1997

  Report published on 30 June 1998

  Yes. 30 June 1998

  n/a

  Review of the Future Funding of the BBC

  January 1999

  n/a

  n/a

  Report not due to be published until July 1999

  Review of the efficiency and effectiveness of Government sponsored museums and galleries

  February 1999

  n/a

  n/a

  Report due to Ministers during 1999. Contract with consultants will conclude when report is produced

  Working Group on Legal Deposit

  January 1998

  Report published 17 December 1998

  Yes. July 1998

  n/a

  The Library and Information Commission's public library network implementation Committee

  May 1998

  Report 'Building the New Library Network' published October 1998

  Yes. July 1998

  n/a

  Task Forces

  Creative Industries Task Force: to recommend steps to maximise the economic impact of the UK creative industries at home and abroad

  June 1997

  Mapping Document into the Creative Industries published in November 1998

  n/a

  Ongoing group to advise the Secretary of State

  The Football Taskforce: established to investigate and recommend measures to deal with public concern on a number of issues associated with the game

  30 July 1997

  Eliminating Racism from Football report published 30 March 1998. Improving Facilities for Disabled Supporters report

  n/a

  The Football Taskforce finalreport—on the commercial aspects

  The Film Policy Action Committee:established to take forward the recommendations of the Film Policy Review

  April 1998

  n/a

  n/a

  Due to finish April 1999. No report. The Action Committee is overseeing the implementation of the Film Policy Review

  A group of sponsorship experts will assist sports currently in receipt of tobacco sponsorship to find replacement sponsors by: assessing the needs of each sport; offering advice on best practice in establishing commercial relationships with sponsors; and assist the sports in making links with potential new sponsors

  December 1998

  n/a

  n/a

  The group provides advice direct to the sports affected

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up(a) sub-groups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees. [79262]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The information required is as follows:

  Task forces

  (i) Creative Industries Taskforce

  (a) Creative Industries Export Promotion Advisory Group

  (b) None

  (c) None

  (ii) The Football Taskforce

  (a) The Football Taskforce Working Group

  (b) None

  (c) None

  86

  (iii) The Film Policy Action Committee

  (a) (i) Development

  (ii) Distribution

  (iii) Training

  (iv) Marketing

  (b) None

  (c) None

  2. Policy Reviews

  (i) Review of Film Policy

  (a) (i) Film Finance

  (ii) Achieving 20 per cent. Market Share

  (iii) Broadening the Audience

  (iv) Inward Investment

  (v) Export

  (vi) Training and Education

  (b) None

  (c) None

  87

  (ii) Review of the future funding of the BBC

  (a) (i) Future Funding Issues

  (ii) BBC commercial activities and the fair trading commitment

  (iii) Concessionary Licensing

  (b) None

  (c) None.

  Disabled Athletes (Lottery Funding)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the national centres for disabled athletes which(a) have received Lottery funding and (b) are receiving grant-in-aid. [79434]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]The English Sports Council are currently considering an application for Lottery funding from the British Wheelchair Sports Foundation to support the redevelopment of facilities at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

  The five National Sports Centres operated by the English Sports Council at Bisham Abbey, Crystal Palace, Holme Pierrepont, Lilleshall and Plas Y Brenin provide services for people with disabilities, including suitable accommodation. None of the Centres receives Lottery funding at present but they are all in receipt of exchequer grant-in-aid for both revenue running costs and capital maintenance costs.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations, and from whom, he has received calling for Lottery funding for the British Wheelchair Sports Foundation at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. [79435]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]Ministers in this Department have received no such representations. However, the English Sports Council, distributors in England of the Lottery Sports Fund, have been in discussion with the British Wheelchair Sports Foundation and agreed that an application for Lottery funding should be made.

  The British Wheelchair Sports Foundation have also been invited to take the development of the Stoke Mandeville site forward as part of a Southern Consortium Network site in the English Network of the UK Sports Institute. The Lottery application and UK Sports Institute development are currently being assessed.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will advise English Heritage that when an application is made for spot listing of a church or other place of religious worship it will suggest to the applicant that an application should first be made for a Building Preservation Notice to enable the owners of the building to enter into dialogue with English Heritage before a final decision is made. [78742]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 31 March 1999]Applications for listing buildings of special architectural or historic interest are made to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who must consult English Heritage before he reaches a decision. A local planning authority may serve a Building Preservation Notice (BPN) where it considers that a building is of special architectural or 88
  historic interest and is under threat of demolition or alteration. When my right hon. Friend decides not to list a building which is the subject of a BPN, the local authority is liable to the payment of compensation for any loss or damage directly attributable to the effect of the notice. Local planning authorities tend therefore to serve BPNs only in exceptional circumstances and I do not believe that an extension of their use in the manner suggested would be appropriate.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list for each of the past 10 years and the current year the number of buildings listed, the spot listings and Building Preservation Notices issued by his Department for buildings for religious worship or former religious worship, indicating how many spot listings became Grade II or starred buildings. [78741]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 31 March 1999]The Department's records do not indicate whether buildings for religious worship which are listed are still in use. Details of listings in respect of such buildings are as follows:

  Year

  Grade II

  Grade II*

  Grade 1

  Total

  1989

  172

  6

  3

  181

  1990

  80

  3

  —

  83

  1991

  65

  3

  —

  68

  1992

  74

  4

  —

  78

  1993

  127

  8

  1

  136

  1994

  159

  4

  —

  163

  1995

  119

  3

  —

  122

  1996

  77

  6

  —

  83

  1997

  59

  1

  —

  60

  1998

  119

  7

  —

  126

  1999 up to

  24 March 1999

  22

  2

  —

  24

  Building Preservation Notices are served by local planning authorities; the Department's records do not indicate which of these received were in respect of buildings for religious worship.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79653]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Ministers and civil servants meet many people as part of the process of policy development and analysis. All such contracts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists. Some of these discussions take place on a confidential basis, and in order to preserve confidentiality, it is not the normal practice of Governments to release details of specific meetings with private individuals or companies. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what environmental appraisals of policy his Department has(a) completed, (b) started and (c) planned. [79633]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The available information is currently being collected by each Department to meet the Environmental Audit Committee's request for information on environmental appraisals as part of its second inquiry into the Greening Government Initiative.

  Television Subtitling
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans his Department has to introduce an independent monitoring process for television subtitling for deaf and hard of hearing people across all forms of television broadcasting, including cable and satellite. [80081]

  Janet Anderson
  None at present. The Independent Television Commission requires all Channel 3 licensees, Channel 4 and Channel 5 to provide information on provision of subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing to ensure that licence requirements are being met. There is no similar licence requirement on cable and satellite broadcasters. We will be taking into account their proposals to consider further how we might encourage the cable and satellite broadcasters to improve on a voluntary basis the current provision of subtitling on their services and if they can be independently monitored.

  Television Licences
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the cost of providing half-price television licences for all pensioners over the age of(a) 70, (b) 75 and (c) 80 years. [80269]

  Janet Anderson
  The estimated cost of providing half-price television licences for households where all members have reached the ages indicated would be:

  (a) 70 years —£125 million

  (b) 75 years —£83 million

  (c) 80 years —£43 million.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the blind person's television licence discount was last uprated; and how its value in real terms has changed since that uprating. [80394]

  Janet Anderson
  The reduction in the television licence fee for blind people dates back to the time of radio licences, when registered blind people were entitled to a free radio licence or an equivalent reduction in the television licence fee. The reduction has remained unchanged at £1.25, the level of the radio licence on its abolition in April 1971. If the reduction had been increased in line with the All Items Retail Prices Index, it would now be £10.17.

  Sports Funding
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the money allocated by the National Lottery to Sport England is unspent. [79202]
  90
  Mr. Banks
  As at 28 February 1999, Sport England had received total income from the National Lottery of £1,116 million, of which £484 million (43 per cent.) had been spent. In addition, it had outstanding contractual liabilities of £518 million (which includes £103 million paid to the English National Stadium project during March) and had made further policy commitments totalling £271 million. Its total commitments therefore exceeded its income by £157 million, but because some of these commitments will not become due for some time, it will be able to meet them all.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what amount of interest has been generated from unallocated Lottery money by English Sport. [79201]

  Mr. Banks
  As at 28 February 1999, Sport England's share of interest on the National Lottery Distribution Fund was a total of £106,546,142. It is not possible to identify separately how much of this is attributable to funds which were unallocated at any particular time.

  Football
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress he has made with his plans to oversee the development of personal injury insurance schemes by county football associations on a corporate basis. [79909]

  Mr. Banks
  Further to my previous answer on this issue on 17 November 1998,Official Report, columns 450–51, responsibility for personal injury insurance for club members rests with the clubs themselves. The Football Association has established a Constitution Working Group which, among other things, is looking into insurance relating to football. A number of County FAs are already working closely with insurance companies to develop personal injury insurance schemes on a corporate basis for their affiliated clubs, and I understand that two County FAs have put in a statutory personal accident requirement for teams in their leagues. These are welcome developments.

  Radio Licences
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment he had made of the extent of compliance with the provisions of sections(a) 85 and (b) 88 of the Broadcasting Acts of 1990 and 1996 by the Radio Authority in its choice of successful bidders for selected area radio licences in the Solent/Mid-Hampshire area; [79814]

  (2) for what reason he has not yet responded to the letter of 23 January 1999 from four representatives of companies which had competed unsuccessfully for selected area radio licences in the Solent/Mid-Hampshire area. [79815]

  Janet Anderson
  I received a letter dated 25 January from four representatives of companies who applied unsuccessfully for radio licences in the Solent/MidHampshire area. I replied to this letter on 24 February and an additional copy of my reply was sent to each of the four parties on 30 March. My Department has no record of receiving a similar letter dated 2 January.
  91
  The Radio Authority is responsible for licensing and regulating all independent radio services under the terms of the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 and subject to review the courts. I understand the Radio Authority is content that the licence award to Southampton City Radio meets the terms of the Broadcasting Acts.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Trade Promotion
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to(a) India, (b) Indonesia, (c) Israel and (d) Jamaica; and what future trade delegations are planned.[76535]

  Mr. Wilson
  (a) The last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to India was 4–12 March 1999, when my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister led a senior business delegation to Delhi and Bombay.

  Future trade missions planned are Energy Industries Council (19–23 April 1999), DTI Environmental Technology (4–8 October 1999), Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce (1–5 November), Machine Tool Technologies Association (November 1999), Institute of Packaging (6–9 1999), Hull and East Riding Chamber of Commerce (December 1999), Northern Development Company (7–11 February 2000), Association of British Health Care Industries (February 2000), Business Link Sussex (February 2000).

  (b) The last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to Indonesia was 18–22 October 1997, for the launch of the Indonesian British Business Council.

  There is one future trade mission planned by the Association of British Offshore Industries (29 November–1 December 1999).

  (c) Lord Clinton-Davis, then Minister for Trade, led a delegation of 10 Export Development Counsellors to Israel During British Week in May 1998.

  Future trade missions planned are Northern Development Company (26–30 April 1999), Sheffield International Trade Centre (9–12 May 1999), Dorset Business Link and South West Region (21–25 June 1999), British Link Kent (5–9 July 1999), Hull and East Riding Chamber of Commerce Industry and Shipping (30 August–3 September 1999), Southern Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce Training and Enterprise (11–15 October 1999), Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire (1–5 November 1999), Central and West Lancashire Chamber of Commerce (22–26 November 1999), Business Link Stockport (17–21 January 2000), The Welsh Office (31 January-4 February 2000), Lincolnshire County Council Economic Development Office (27–31 March 2000).

  (d) The last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to Jamaica was in June 1995 when the hon. Member for Esher and Walton (Mr. Taylor) led an unsponsored CARITAG (Caribbean Area Advisory Group) and WIC (West India Committee) mission to Jamaica, St. Lucia and Barbados.
  92
  Future trade missions planned are Hull and East Riding Chamber (Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica, May 1999), British Consultants Bureau (Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica, October 1999), Bristol Chamber of Commerce (Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica, November 1999) and Croydon and South London Chamber (Trinidad, St. Lucia and Jamaica, February 2000).

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many civil servants in his Department have been invited to waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week on 17 consecutive weeks; how many civil servants in his Department have refused to waive the requirement; and what is the total cost of compliance with the Directive. [76799]

  Mr. Byers
  Thirty five staff in the Department have signed an agreement to disapply the 48-hour limit. The standard terms and conditions of service for staff employed by the Department are well within the limits set by the working time regulations. The regulations do not require employers to keep records of the number of workers who choose not to sign an opt-out agreement and no central records are kept by this Department. Compliance costs are not kept centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. This answer covers DTI headquarters and the Insolvency Service Agency, the Radiocommunications Agency, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, Companies House Agency, Employment Tribunal Service and ACAS.

  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Patent Office to write to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from J. C. Octon to Mr. Andrew Tyrie, dated 13 April 1999:
  In the absence of the Chief Executive, I am replying on behalf of the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the Working Time Regulations. Five Patent Office staff have volunteered to waive the regulations' requirement to work no more than 48 hours a week on average over 17 consecutive weeks. No staff have refused. There would be disproportionate cost in calculating the total cost to the Office of compliance with the Working Time Regulations, but we do not believe it to be significant.

  Workplace Surveillance
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received calling for guidelines on the use of surveillance cameras in the workplace; and if he will make a statement. [78492]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 25 March 1999]My Department has received fewer than 7 letters on this subject in the last 2 years.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what ECGD loans have been made available to British companies operating in Iraq whose investments were financed by the Banco Nationale di Lavoro of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. [78762]
  93
  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 26 March 1999]ECGD has no record of support being given to Banco Nationale di Lavaro of Atlanta, USA in relation to the financing of British companies operating in Iraq.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Biwater plants in Iraq have been financed by the ECGD. [78761]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 26 March 1999]ECGD support was given to Biwater for 3 water and sewerage treatment plants in Iraq over the period 1982 to 1987 at Al Qaim, Rustumiyah and Mamoudiya.

  Employment Agencies
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he intends to issue a prohibition order under section 3(a) of the Employment Agencies Act 1973 in connection with the case of baby Caroline Jongers; [79243]

  (2) what steps he intends to take to ensure that parents are informed by employment agencies of the previous employment history of prospective nannies; and if he will make a statement;[79241]

  (3) if he intends to exercise his powers under section 5 of the Employment Agencies Act 1973 to make regulations to secure the proper conduct of employment agencies and to protect the interests of clients of such agencies; and if he will make a statement; [79242]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate has carried out a thorough investigation into the employment agency concerned. I am satisfied that there are no grounds on which I should consider initiating action to prohibit the agency. A draft consultation document proposing measures to update the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations 1976 made under Section 5 of the 1973 Act was made available to hon. Members on 23 March, and will be formally published shortly. Included are new proposals to require details about the experience, training, ability and qualifications of those seeking to take up a position involving working with children, together with written references, where these can be obtained, to be communicated to potential employers or hirers.

  US Trade Sanctions
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (i) representations he has received from and (ii) steps he is taking to support(a) the Scottish cashmere wool industry, (b) the United Kingdom pork industry and (c) United Kingdom candle manufacturing following the imposition of trade sanctions on such products by the Government of the United States of America. [79158]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I received a number of letters and other representations on behalf of many of the sectors on the provisional US retaliation list, including cashmere knitwear, pork products and candles. We and the European Commission urged the US not to retaliate against industries that are completely unrelated to the issue under dispute. The Government also brought forward a scheme to guarantee the bonds requested 94
  by US Customs in respect of cashmere knitwear, produced both in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK, in view of the highly seasonal nature of that industry.

  These three sectors were all removed from the US retaliation list on 9 April. Whilst the removal of these and other sectors is very welcome, other industries remain targeted. The US is well aware of the harm which has already been caused to sectors on the list. There is now a fresh opportunity for the EU to work with the US and the other interested parties to avoid unnecessary damage to our industries and to our trade relations more generally. The UK Government will urge a swift resolution to this dispute in line with the EU's World Trade Organisation obligations and its responsibilities to African, Caribbean and Pacific suppliers.

  Angola
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on current ECGD liabilities in respect of exports to Angola. [79502]

  Mr. Wilson
  ECGD's exposure to Angola amounts to £53.5 million. This is entirely in the form of claims paid outstanding for recovery.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he will take to ensure employees remain aware of the minimum wage after his Department's initial advertising campaign. [79382]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  We are monitoring the effect of our advertising campaign and are confident that this will show that it has achieved high levels of awareness among employees. We are ensuring that copies of the detailed guidance and explanatory leaflets are widely available and the telephone helplines will continue to operate. Any future changes to the minimum wage will also be publicised.

  Dairy Industry
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the future of producer co-operatives in the dairy industry; and if he will make a statement. [79827]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations on the MMC's report into the supply of raw milk in Great Britain from hon. Members individually and on behalf of constituents. He has also received representations from interested parties and from members of the public.

  My right hon. Friend will announce what action, if any, he intends to take when he publishes the report.

  Renewable Energy Policy
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when the Government review of renewable energy will be published; [80267]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the minimum targets for the Government's renewable energy policy. [80268]
  95
  Mr. Battle
  I refer my hon. Friend to my written answer of 30 March 1999,Official Report, columns 577–78, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) in which I announced the publication paper "New and Renewable Energy—Prospects for the 21 Century", which reports on the outcome of the Government's review of new and renewable energy policy.

  The Renewables Review paper demonstrates that there is considerable potential for renewables to become a fully competitive part of UK energy supply, and to make an important contribution to secure, diverse and sustainable energy supplies in the UK. They are an essential element of a cost-effective climate change programme and will help the Government meet their environmental objectives at the least cost to the customer. Renewables play a vital role in enabling us to meet our environmental targets of reducing greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent. by 2012, and our goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. by 2010.

  The document shows that producing 10 per cent. of UK electricity from renewables appears to be feasible. The Government intend working towards a target of renewable energy providing 10 per cent. of UK electricity supplies, cost effectively, as soon as possible. I want to achieve this by 2010. However, this should not be seen as an end in itself, but a step forward on the road to making renewables a strong, world-beating industry. There are already considerable benefits of the renewables industry. The UK industry employs 3,500 people. Through creating an export drive, and by further developing the industry and the UK market, up to 45,000 jobs could be created.

  This report identifies key issues and challenges which the Government and industry would need to pursue. Issues examined in the paper include: planning arrangements; opportunities for developing energy crops; and arrangements to ensure that embedded generators (those directly connected to local distribution systems, often the case with renewables producers) receive a fair price for their electricity. It seeks views on the issues raised to enable the Government to frame its future policy.

  I look forward to receiving those views and plan to make a further announcement about our way forward in due course. The Government are committed to encouraging sustainable development, to ensure a better quality of life for us and our children.

  Milk Market Investigation
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish his decision on the MMC report on the market for milk. [80582]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will publish the MMC's report as soon as is practicable.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the proposals in Consultation Document MLX249 published by the Medicines Control Agency; if the proposals represent Government policy; and if he will make a statement. [80633]
  96
  Dr. Howells
  My officials have assessed these proposals, taken on board industry's views and made representations, both orally and in writing, to the Medicines Control Agency.

  We also understand that the Medicines Control Agency have consulted widely.

  Presstream Service
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when Royal Mail sought his approval to increase the mailing price of the Presstream service; and what account he took in giving his approval of earlier guarantees from Royal Mail about stability of prices. [80030]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Changes to postal tariffs are primarily a matter for the Post Office in consultation with the Post Office Users' National Council (POUNC), to whom the Post Office is statutorily required to refer major proposals for comment. The proposals are formally notified to my Department at the same time as they are referred to POUNC. The most recent tariff proposals, including those for the Presstream service, were referred to POUNC on 14 January. In indicating that he was content for the proposed tariff changes to be implemented, my right hon. Friend took account of the representations received about the proposed Presstream tariff increases and the arrangements made by Royal Mail, in response to representations, to mitigate their impact. He also took into account that the increases for this service were the first since September 1993.

  Chrysotile Asbestos Imports
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the tonnage of chrysotile asbestos imported into the United Kingdom in 1998; and if he will list the countries and the quantity involved. [80004]

  Mr. Wilson
  Chrysotile asbestos is not separately identified in the system under which United Kingdom trade is recorded. However, since 1986, trade in all other forms of asbestos has been prohibited. The figures in the following table, therefore, relate to chrysotile asbestos.

  UK imports of asbestos1 1998

  Tonnes

  Canada

  1,361

  South Africa

  268

  Zimbabwe

  193

  Chile

  18

  USA

  1

  World total

  1,841

  1Asbestos is defined as code 278.4 of the Standard International Trade Classification, Revision 3, (SITC Rev 3). This does not include asbestos cement and manufactures containing asbestos.

  Source:

HM Customs and Excise

  Caribbean Banana Growers
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the interests of the Caribbean banana growers are recognised in the European Union negotiations on new trading arrangements. [79097]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have been asked to reply.
  97
  The Government will continue to take the interests of Caribbean banana growers fully into account, along with our other international commitments, in any negotiations to change the EU banana regime.

HEALTH

  Pilot Projects
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the pilot projects instigated by his Department since 1 May 1997, indicating the area in which each pilot took, or is taking, place. [72637]

  Mr. Denham
  Pilot projects instigated by the Department since 1 March 1997 are:

  Personal Medical Services pilots (85):

  Collingham, Nottinghamshire

  Mansfield

  Ransom, Nottinghamshire

  Grimsby

  Sheffield

  Grantham

  Long Eaton

  Doncaster

  Rotherham

  Nottingham

  Southport (x2)

  Warrington (x3)

  Liverpool (x2)

  Kirkby

  Irlam

  Salford

  Wallasey

  Ormskirk

  Manchester

  Cleckheaton

  Huddersfield

  South Shields

  Leeds

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne (x2)

  Maryport

  Ashington

  Morpeth

  Sunderland

  Hartlepool

  Middlesbrough (x2)

  Edgbaston, Birmingham

  Coventry (x2)

  Dudley

  Stoke-on-Trent (x2)

  Smethwick, West Midlands

  Tipton, West Midlands

  Stafford

  Great Barr, Birmingham

  Willenhall, West Midlands

  Wolverhampton

  Croydon

  Abbey Wood, London SE2
  98
  Canterbury

  Worcester Park, Surrey

  Epsom

  Brighton

  Chertsey

  East Grinstead

  Sittingbourne

  Morden, London SW19

  Camberwell, London SE5

  Lewisham, London SE13

  Clapham, London SW9

  Lambeth, London SE1

  Hoxton, London N1

  Tower Hamlets, London E1

  Romford

  Haringey, London N15

  Marylebone, London NW1

  Hounslow

  Waltham Cross

  Welwyn Garden City

  Grays, Essex (x2)

  Ruislip

  St. Albans

  Hemel Hempstead (x2)

  Oxford

  Wendover, Buckinghamshire

  Christchurch, Dorset (x2)

  Bournemouth (x2)

  Shaftesbury

  Poole

  Dorchester

  GP Commissioning Group pilots (39):

  North Cumbria

  Durham & Chester-le-Street

  Langbaurgh Coast

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  North Amber Valley

  North Derbyshire

  North East Lincolnshire

  Nottingham

  Rotherham

  Dunstable & Houghton Regis

  Northampton

  Slough

  Barking & Havering

  Basildon

  Camden & Islington

  Harlow

  Harrow East and Willesden & Harlesden

  Hayes & Harlington

  Fulham

  Redbridge & Waltham Forest

  Battersea

  Croydon

  Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley

  Kennington & Clapham

  Mid Devon

  North West Bristol
  99
  Portsmouth & South East Hampshire

  Southampton

  Halesowen

  Ladywood, Birmingham

  Tipton, West Midlands

  Walsall

  Wolverhampton

  Blackburn & Darwen

  Chorley & South Ribble

  Stockport

  Salford

  West Pennine

  Wirral & Bebington

  NHS Direct pilots (7):

  Preston

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  Milton Keynes

  Dudley

  Chelmsford

  Nottingham

  West London

  Waiting List pilots (43):

  Teesside

  North Tyneside

  West Cumbria

  Sunderland

  Wakefield

  Gateshead & South Tyneside

  Cheviot & Wansbeck

  South Derbyshire

  Sheffield (x2)

  Leicestershire & Lincolnshire

  Leicester

  North Nottinghamshire

  Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire & Bedfordshire

  Northampton

  Ealing, Hammersmith & Hounslow

  Central Middlesex and Northwick Park

  Bexley & Greenwich

  Kingston & Richmond

  East Surrey & Sussex

  East Sussex, Brighton & Hove

  West Surrey

  East Kent

  Gloucestershire

  Somerset

  North & Mid Hampshire

  Wiltshire & Salisbury

  Portsmouth

  Devon

  southampton & South West Hampshire

  Birmingham & Solihull

  Shrewsbury

  Walsall

  Perston

  Manchester

  Salford

  Bury & Rochdale
  100
  Stockport

  Trafford

  North Cheshire

  Wirral

  St.Helens & Knowsley

  Liverpool

  Barrow-in-Furness

  National Booked Admission Pilots(24)

  Durham & Darlington

  Wakefied and Pontefract

  Leicester

  Sheffield

  Rotherham

  Norfolk & suffolk

  Slough

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  West London

  Homerton, City and East London

  Camberley

  Sidcup

  East Kent

  Dorset

  Devon

  Bath

  Birmingham and Solihull

  Birmingham

  Shrewsbury

  Manchester

  Liverpool

  Personal Dental Services Pilots(15)

  Bedfordshire

  Buckinghamshire

  Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

  Ealing,Hammersmith and Hounslow

  East London and Lewisham

  Liverpool

  North Essex

  Northumberland

  Shropshire

  south Cheshire

  South Derbyshire

  South Lancashire

  Tees

  Warwickshire

  Paediatric Spontaneous Adverce Reaction Reporting Pilot(1)

  Trent NHS Executive Region

  Pilot Chlamydia Screening Programme(2)

  Portsmouth

  Wirral

  Thallium Scans
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) average, (b) maximum and (c) minimum waiting times for thallium scans (1) for each

  101
  year over the last five years at each of the nuclear medicine centres that provide this facility in the United Kingdom; [73476]

  (2) in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) the Greater London area for those aged (A) 0–25 years, (B) 25–50 years and (C) over 50 years. [73475]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on waiting times for this procedure is not available.

  Myelography
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what warnings are given to patients of the dangers of myelography. [73950]

  Mr. Hutton
  Patients are entitled to receive sufficient information in a way they can understand about the proposed treatments/procedures (which would include myelography), the possible alternatives, and any substantial risks, so that they can make an informed decision. Clinicians should use their skill, knowledge and experience to weigh carefully the likely benefits of any treatment or procedure against the anticipated risk and, following discussion with the patient, to exercise their clinical judgment and expertise accordingly.

  Erectile Dysfunction Disorders
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current unit cost in the NHS of each accepted treatment for erectile dysfunction disorder by(a) prescribable drug and (b) other means. [76133]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available in any comparable form.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost per adult male of GP-prescribed drug treatments for erectile dysfunction disorders in(a) England, (b) each English region and (c) each English health authority area in the most recent complete year available. [76132]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Net ingredient cost per 1,000 adult males of drugs for erectile dysfunction disorders prescribed by General Practitioners England 1998

  £

  Regional Office/Health Authority

  Net ingredients cost per 1,000 males aged 18 and over

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Bradford

  671

  County Durham

  568

  East Riding

  702

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  730

  Leeds

  464

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  693

  North Cumbria

  487

  Northumberland

  448

  Sunderland

  495

  Tees

  409

  Wakefield

  367

  North Yorkshire

  522

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  492

  Average for Northern and Yorkshire

  545

  102

  £

  Regional Office/Health Authority

  Net ingredients cost per 1,000 males aged 18 and over

  Trent

  Barnsley

  387

  North Derbyshire

  321

  South Derbyshire

  385

  Doncaster

  881

  Leicestershire

  408

  Lincolnshire

  451

  North Nottinghamshire

  285

  Nottingham

  489

  Rotherham

  510

  Sheffield

  288

  South Humber

  518

  Average for Trent

  429

  Anglia and Oxford

  Bedfordshire

  452

  Berkshire

  460

  Buckinghamshire

  250

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  396

  East Norfolk

  701

  Northamptonshire

  496

  North West Anglia

  539

  Oxfordshire

  385

  Suffolk

  423

  Average for Anglia and Oxford

  452

  North Thames

  Hillingdon

  573

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  491

  Enfield and Haringey

  470

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  319

  Barking and Havering

  451

  Barnet

  481

  Brent and Harrow

  562

  Camden and Islington

  578

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  619

  East London and The City

  563

  North Essex

  492

  South Essex

  429

  East and North Hertfordshire

  424

  West Hertfordshire

  493

  Average for North Thames

  496

  South Thames

  Bexley and Greenwich

  518

  Bromley

  446

  Croydon

  415

  East Kent

  549

  West Kent

  487

  Kingston and Richmond

  442

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  588

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  532

  East Surrey

  438

  West Surrey

  445

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  466

  West Sussex

  544

  Average for South Thames

  499

  South and West

  North and Mid Hampshire

  478

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  443

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  552

  Isle of Wight

  566

  Somerset

  500

  South and West Devon

  583

  Wiltshire

  433

  103

  Net ingredient cost per 1,000 adult males of drugs for erectile dysfunction disorders prescribed by General Practitioners England 1998

  £

  Regional Office/Health Authority

  Net ingredients cost per 1,000 males aged 18 and over

  Avon

  511

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  517

  Dorset

  772

  North and East Devon

  500

  Gloucestershire

  550

  Average for South and West

  536

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  584

  Coventry

  630

  Dudley

  439

  Herefordshire

  273

  Sandwell

  451

  Shropshire

  541

  Solihull

  602

  North Staffordshire

  531

  South Staffordshire

  577

  Walsall

  388

  Warwickshire

  552

  Wolverhampton

  738

  Worcestershire

  481

  Average for West Midlands

  537

  North West

  South Lancashire

  556

  Liverpool

  588

  Manchester

  769

  Morecambe Bay

  490

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  1,062

  Salford and Trafford

  894

  Sefton

  530

  Stockport

  672

  West Pennine

  623

  Bury and Rochdale

  641

  North Cheshire

  737

  South Cheshire

  755

  East Lancashire

  458

  North West Lancashire

  726

  Wigan and Bolton

  671

  Wirral

  669

  Average for North West

  680

  Average for England

  525

  Notes:

  1. The information is from the Prescribing Analyses and Cost system (PACT) which is based on all prescriptions prescribed by General Practitioners which are dispensed.

  2. The population figures used are based on the Office for National Statistics mid year resident population projections for 1998, 1996 based.

  3. The net ingredient cost is the basic cost of a drug which does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.

  4. Drugs used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction are defined as those in the British National Formulary paragraph 7.4.5, "Drugs for impotence".

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for each of the last 10 years how many patients have waited(a) less than 12 months, (b) more than 12 months and (c) more than 18 months for treatment in each (i) region in England and (ii) health authority.[74733]
  104
  Mr. Denham
  Copies of available information on the number of patients waiting less than 12 months, 12 to 18 months and more than 18 months for hospital treatment at 31 December each year have been placed in the Library.

  Accident and Emergency Wards
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency (i) admission wards and (ii) admission ward beds announced on 15 March were(a) additional wards and beds and (b) re-designated wards and beds. [77317]

  Mr. Hutton
  Following the announcement on 15 March 1999, regions are preparing detailed plans for the accident and emergency modernisation programme in discussion with National Health Service trusts and health authorities. A list of schemes approved by Ministers will be announced in due course.

  Adoption
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were taken into long-term public care in each year from 1990 to 1998; and how many adoptions from the care system were effected in each of those years. [78322]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information for the years 1990 to 1998 is given in the table.

  Numbers of children starting to be looked after (most of whom will have returned home during the year in question) and children adopted from care, years ending 31. March 1990 to 19981

  England: Year ending 31 March

  Number of children starting to be looked after

  Number of children looked after and adopted during the year

  19902

  30,100

  2,500

  19912

  29,300

  2,400

  19923

  not available

  not available

  1993

  29.000

  2,500

  1994

  31,100

  2,300

  1995

  32,500

  2,000

  1996

  32,100

  1,900

  1997

  31,400

  1,900

  19984

  31,700

  not available

  1Figures for children looked after in this table exclude agreed series of short term placements but do not otherwise distinguish between children who will remain in care for relatively shorter and longer periods.

  2Data refer to children admitted to care under previous legislation.

  3Figures not available due to the implementation of the Children Act during this year.

  4Figures for number of children adopted during 1997–98 not available.

  Cancer Services (Funding)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the New Opportunities funding for cancer services will be allocated: what are the criteria for allocation of money under the New Opportunities Fund for cancer services; and what plans he has to increase the availability of cytotoxic drugs under this programme; [79074]
  105
  (2) what are the criteria for allocation of money under the New Opportunities Fund for cancer services; and what plans he has to increase the availability of cytotoxic drugs under this programme; [79181]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the impact of New Opportunities funding on NHS cancer services; and if he will make a statement. [79083]

  Mr. Hutton
  The New Opportunities Fund for cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care will contribute to the Government's drive to provide high quality cancer services for all and reduce cancer mortality. The New Opportunities Fund money will also help to reduce waiting times for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer by investing in replacement or additional high-tech equipment.

  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is leading the New Opportunities Fund initiative. £150 million has been allocated for National Health Service cancer services over the next three years. Application guidance will be available in the late Summer and bids will build on local initiatives to promote cancer prevention, improve access to screening and treatment, including the provision of new equipment, and help individuals and families to cope with the impact of cancer on their lives.

  The focus of the initiative in England will be the purchase of equipment, such as breast screening mammography units, scanners and linear accelerators. There are no plans to use New Opportunities Funding for cytotoxic drugs. 80 per cent. of the total allocation in England will be used to purchase equipment. It is anticipated that a large part of the funding will be allocated in the first year. The Directions make it clear that this is a one-off catch-up exercise in order to bring provision to an even standard across the country and that equipment should only be purchased which is in addition to that planned and funded within currently approved budgets.

  Herbal Medicines
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons a medicines product licence may be required for a product which is a blend of two ingredients neither of which would require a product licence, if sold separately. [79487]

  Ms Jowell
  A product containing two or more ingredients which, if sold separately, would not come within medicines legislation is not classified by the Medicines Control Agency as a licensable medicinal product unless it is presented for treating or preventing disease or, not being a food or toilet preparation, it may be administered with a view to restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions in humans. However, where a herbal product—whether or not it includes non-herbal substances—is classified as a medicinal product, it will be subject to medicines legislation. Herbal remedies, accordingly, require a marketing authorisation unless they are exempt from licensing under the terms of Section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968. Section 132 of the Act makes it clear that the exemption for herbal remedies does not extend to products which contain active non-herbal substances.
  106

  Cancer Treatments
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the availability of homoeopathic and herbal medicines for cancer treatments on the NHS. [79499]

  Mr. Hutton
  A Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services (Calman/Hine) reported that one of the general principles that should govern the provision of cancer care is that the development of cancer services should be patient centred and should take account of patients, carers and family views and preferences as well as those of professionals.

  Like other forms of treatment, the availability of homeopathic and herbal medicines on the National Health Service is a matter, firstly for the clinical judgment of the clinician in respect of individual patients and, secondly, upon decisions taken at local level on how resources should best be used to meet the health needs of the local population in the context of local health implementation programmes.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Government are undertaking to improve cancer treatment provision in the UK. [79497]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Calman/Hine report published in 1995 set out a framework for improving the organisation and delivery of cancer services in England and Wales. Similar arrangements are in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland. A key element has been the identification of cancer units and centres and local agreements about which cancers should be treated at each individual hospital. Implementation is being supported by the subsequent publication of evidence-based guidance for improving outcomes in breast, colorectal and lung cancer. Guidance on the gynaecological cancers will be published in April 1999 and cancers of the upper gastro-intestinal tract will follow in late autumn. Over the past 18 months, we have invested £30 million in breast and colorectal cancer services to speed access to diagnosis and treatment and improve quality of care. We announced on 5 March 1999 that a further £10 million was being made available to improve lung cancer services. Targeted funding will be used to improve access to lung cancer services, augment specialist teams and improve palliative care services in a similar way to the funding made available for breast cancer services. National Health Service trusts and health authorities will be asked to submit funding proposals and detail the tangible improvements that the funding will achieve.

  Our new White Paper "The new NHS" guarantees that everyone with suspected cancer will be able to see a specialist within two weeks of their general practitioner deciding that they need to be seen urgently and requesting an appointment. These arrangements have been guaranteed for everyone with suspected breast cancer by April 1999 and for all other cases of suspected cancer by 2000. A new monitoring system will be operational from April 1999 for measuring achievement of the breast cancer target. Health Authorities will demonstrate in their health improvement programmes that plans are in place to deliver quality and timely care in accordance with Calman/Hine and the White Paper target.
  107
  Full implementation will take some 10 years and national milestones for the mid implementation period 1999–2002 are currently being worked up. This includes ongoing development of national standards and work being taken forward within primary care.

  CS Spray
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the review of CS spray research to be concluded; and if it will be made available to hon. Members and to the public. [79683]

  Ms Jowell
  The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) is continuing its considerations on CS Spray. A statement will be put in the public domain as soon as the Committee has completed its evaluation. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the increase in police time to be spent dealing with mentally disordered people if compulsory treatment outside of hospital is introduced. [79682]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is not possible at present to estimate the implication for the police of introducing powers to treat mentally disordered people in the community. We are awaiting the report of the expert group appointed to consider the changes necessary to mental health legislation which has been asked to consider the issue of community assessment and treatment. There are various models of community treatment orders and their report will need to consider any role the police might have in their operation.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were conveyed to hospital in 1998(a) under a section of the Mental Health Act 1983 and (b) under a supervised discharge order. [79679]

  Mr. Hutton
  24,079 people were conveyed to hospital in 1998 under a section of the Mental Health Act 1983. People conveyed to hospital under a supervised discharge order are admitted under section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 and are included in this figure.

  Breastfeeding
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each of the last five years the rate of breastfeeding at (i) two weeks and (ii) four months for(a) Scotland, (b) England and Wales, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) each other EU country. [79592]

  Ms Jowell
  Rates of breastfeeding in the United Kingdom are monitored by the Quinquenniel Surveys of Infant Feeding Practice. Data from the most recent in 1995 are given for the countries of the United Kingdom in the table. Other European Union countries do not carry out representative surveys of breastfeeding practice.
  108

  Prevalence of Breastfeeding 1995 (per cent. of mothers)

  Age of infant

  England and Wales

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  2 weeks

  54

  44

  52

  4 months

  28

  24

  12

  Source:

  Infant Feeding 1995 London: The Stationery Office, 1997

  Radiography Treatment (Royal Shrewsbury Hospital)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to inform the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital of his decision on the provision of a second linear accelerator for radiography treatment; and if he will make a statement. [79593]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service Executive West Midlands Regional Office is carefully considering a business case and hopes to make a decision as soon as possible. The prime consideration will be establishing a safe and sustainable service. Work currently taking place on developing a national framework for radiotherapy services as well as a regional cancer strategy will inform the decision.

  Hepatitis C
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further representations he has received on help for patients with hepatitis C since 28 July; and if he will make a statement. [79719]

  Mr. Hutton
  Since 28 July 1998, hon. Members have asked 18 Parliamentary Questions (in addition to this one) and we have received 140 letters about help for people infected with hepatitis C through National Health Service treatment.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79648]

  Ms Jowell
  This information requested is not available in a collated form centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  However, all official meetings are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists. In order to preserve confidentiality it is not the normal practice of Government to release details of specific meetings with private individuals or companies. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

  Mental Health Institutions (Deaths)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, column 5, on Mental Health Institutions (Deaths), if the Health Service Guidelines (92)8 issued in January 1992
  109
  include (i) guidance on the timescale and (ii) a maximum delay for the notification of relatives following the death of a patient in hospital. [80560]

  Mr. Hutton
  Health Service Guidance (92)8 states that arrangements for informing relatives following the death of a patient in hospital should be a matter of urgency. Specific procedures are for National Health Service trusts to decide.

  Restraint Techniques
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 March 1999,Official Report, column 373, on restraint techniques, if his Department has issued (a) guidelines and (b) advice to mental health units on the use of control and restraint techniques. [80559]

  Mr. Hutton
  No advice or guidance has been issued. However, the Royal College of Nurses Education Institute has recently validated specific programmes and the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting has also validated an education programme of the management of violence. It is for each National Health Service trust to ensure that its staff are appropriately trained.

  Dietary Supplements
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce the outcome of the consultation on MLX249; and if he will make a statement. [79079]

  Ms Jowell
  We are currently considering the responses received to the consultation and will make an announcement in due course.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations(a) he and (b) the Medicines Control Agency have received in response to the Agency's consultation document MLX249; how many and what percentage of those representations opposed the proposals; and if he will make a statement.[80632]

  Ms Jowell
  Records held do not distinguish between representations received by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Medicines Control Agency. We have received 700 letters from Members of Parliament and 740 representations from other interested bodies and individuals. In addition, a recent campaign encouraging the public to write to my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health has generated in excess of 2,000 letters. Three representations broadly support the proposals. The remainder are critical of the proposals to some degree.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review medicines licensing legislation to give greater protection to the continued availability of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements and blends thereof; and what discussions he has had with the European Commission. [80634]

  Ms Jowell
  For the Government's position on regulatory arrangements which apply to herbal medicines I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bosworth (Mr. Tredinnick) on 26 March 1999,Official Report, columns 426–27. We have no additional plans at present to review the application of medicines legislation with respect to the licensing
  110
  of vitamins, mineral and herbal supplements and blends thereof, and we have had no discussions with the European Commission on this issue.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has received a copy of the report commissioned by the European Commission on the market in herbal remedies; what discussions he has had with the European Commission on EU legislation in this area; and if he will make a statement. [80635]

  Ms Jowell
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Bosworth (Mr. Tredinnick) on 26 March 1999,Official Report, columns 426–27. The Medicines Control Agency's discussions to date with the European Commission strengthen our preliminary view that the Commission's recent proposals to amend the Annex to Directive 75/318 European Economic Community would have a relatively limited impact in relation to herbal remedies in the United Kingdom.

  MMR Vaccinations
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for the last five years for which information is available the serious adverse reactions to vaccines containing components against mumps, measles or rubella; if he will list the trial products which have been withdrawn; and if he will make a statement. [80035]

  Ms Jowell
  Drug Analysis Prints, listing all serious suspected reactions reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1998 for vaccines containing components against mumps, measles or rubella, have been placed in the Library along with an information sheet to aid interpretation.

  There have been no trial products withdrawn or licences for these vaccines suspended or revoked in the last five years.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list each of the years since 1969 in which vaccinations or revised vaccinations were introduced for mumps, measles and rubella. [80032]

  Ms Jowell
  Measles vaccine for infants was introduced into the United Kingdom immunisation programme in 1968. Rubella immunisation was introduced in 1970 for girls aged 10 to 14 and non-immune women. Single antigen mumps vaccine has never been a part of the United Kingdom's immunisation programme. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 months was introduced in October 1988; this replaced single antigen measles vaccine. Routine rubella immunisation for girls aged 10 to 14 was discontinued in October 1995. A second dose of MMR vaccine at pre-school entry was introduced in October 1996. In addition, a special, one-off immunisation campaign of children aged 5 to 16 was conducted in November 1994 with measles/rubella vaccine to avert a measles epidemic.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list vaccines licensed since 1 February 1987 for mumps, measles and rubella, or a combination
  111
  of these, indicating for each product (a) the date on which a licence was granted, (b) the conditions for which it was licensed and (c) if the product licence is current. [80036]

  Product Name

  Date of Grant

  Pluserix MMR Vaccine Injection with Diluent1

  17 June 1988

  Rubavax Rubella Live Vaccine1

  18 September 1989

  Measavax Vaccine Injection1

  18 September 1989

  Immravax Measles Mumps Rubella Live Attenuated Vaccine Injection1

  18 September 1989

  Rubilin - Rubella Vaccine Live BP

  28 February 1992

  Immravax/Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine Live BP

  18 October 1993

  Rimevax Measles Vaccine

  25 October 1993

  Mevilin-L Measles Vaccine Live BP

  6 January 1994

  Eolarix Vaccine Injection

  22 July 1994

  Merieux Measles and Rubella Vaccine Injection

  I September 1994

  Measavax Vaccine 1000TC1D50/Dose

  13 October 1994

  Rubavax Injection [At Least] 100TCID50

  14 October 1994

  Almevax Rubella Vaccine 1000TCID50/Dose1

  2 November 1994

  MSD Meruvax II Vaccine1

  2 November 1994

  Mumpsvax Lyophilised Powder for Injection 20000IU1

  2 November 1994

  Ervevax Rubella Vaccine Live EP RA 27/3 Strain 1000TCID50

  2 November 1994

  Pluserix MMR Vaccine Injection1

  9 February 1995

  Pariorix Vaccine1

  20 February 1995

  MSD Attenuvax Vaccine Injection [At least] 1000TCID501

  24 March 1995

  M-M-R II Vaccine Injection1

  24 March 1995

  Meruvax II Vaccine 1000 TCID50

  7 April 1995

  Attenuvax Injection

  7 June 1995

  M-M-R Vaccine Injection

  1 March 1996

  Mumpsvax Vaccine Injection 20000TCID50/Dose

  I March 1996

  Priorix Vaccine Injection

  4 December 1997

  1Indicates that the product licence has been cancelled.

  Information relating to the conditions for which the products were licensed will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what announcements have been made by his Department since 2 May 1997 relating to vaccination against mumps, measles and rubella; and on which date each of these announcements was made. [80033]

  Ms Jowell
  Two announcements about measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine have been issued by the Department in the form of press releases from the then Chief Medical Officer, Sir Kenneth Calman. The first press release was issued on 12 March 1998 and stated that there was no scientific evidence to support giving measles, mumps and rubella vaccines in separate doses. The second was issued on 24 March 1998 and gave the Chief Medical Officer's conclusions following the meeting of an independent expert scientific group convened by the Medical Research Council (MRC). The group looked at the suggested link between measles, measles vaccine or MMR immunisation and either Crohn's disease or autism. Sir Kenneth said in the press release
  "Based on the views of the experts at the MRC meeting, and on previous material that I have studied, I have concluded there is no link between measles, measles vaccine or MMR immunisation and either Crohn's Disease or autism".
  Copies of the press releases are available in the Library.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many suspected adverse reactions to mumps, rubella and measles vaccines there were in the last five years for which figures are available. [80034]
  112
  Ms Jowell
  The available information listing the vaccines licensed since February 1987 and still current is shown in the table.

  Ms Jowell
  Suspected adverse reactions reports to measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are given in the table:

  Numbers of suspected adverse reactions reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines from 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1998 for MMR vaccine in the United Kingdom

  Year

  All suspected adverse reactions (serious and non-serious) where MMR vaccine was indicated as a suspect drug

  Number of reports where MMR vaccine was indicated as suspect drug

  1994

  224

  140

  1995

  237

  129

  1996

  242

  141

  1997

  331

  209

  1998

  232

  145

  A report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the vaccine. Each report relates to one patient. Patients may have more than one suspected reaction and the number of reactions given exceeds the number of patients affected as seen above. The number of reports is variable due to retrospective reporting.

  Chemotherapy Patients (Wigs)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to review the conditions attaching to the prescribing of wigs for patients receiving chemotherapy treatment; [79908]

  (2) what conditions his Department attaches to the prescribing of wigs for (a) in-patients and (b) day-care patients receiving chemotherapy treatment. [79907]
  113
  Mr. Hutton
  A wig may be provided as part of National Health Service treatment if it is considered to be clinically necessary. As with the supply of medication, patients will qualify for free wigs if they are hospital in-patients.

  Day patients or out-patients may qualify for full or partial exemption from charges on income grounds. If patients are in receipt of Income Support, Disability Working Allowance, Family Credit or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, they will be entitled to wigs free of charge. People who are not automatically exempt from charges may claim help with health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. We have no current plans to review these arrangements.

  Patient Examinations
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to remind hospital doctors of the necessity of washing their hands after examining patients. [80047]

  Ms Jowell
  Health Circular 1999/049, which was issued to the National Health Service on 5 March this year, referred to and enclosed a copy of advice on handwashing produced by representatives of the relevant professional bodies. Copies of both the Health Circular and the advice are available in the Library.

  Speech Therapists
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the salaries paid to speech and language therapists in the NHS; who advises him on such salaries; what discussions he had with speech and language therapists before deciding on their pay settlement for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [80049]

  Mr. Denham
  In deciding pay for National Health Service staff, the Government need to take account of fairness, affordability, the prevailing economic climate and recruitment and retention. We have offered a pay increase of 2.8 per cent. to most NHS staff in 1999–2000, plus additional increases for staff groups where there is evidence of recruitment and retention problems. Discussions with the representatives of speech and language therapists as with representatives of other staff groups are continuing.

  Advice from NHS management, including speech and language therapy service managers, is that there are no recruitment and retention problems with speech and language therapy. Their basic pay rates have increased by between 158 per cent. (minimum) and 170 per cent. (maximum) since 1984, more than those for any other NHS professional staff group.

  Negotiations are also in progress to resolve speech and language therapists' outstanding equal pay claims and to align the pay of clinical psychologists, health care pharmacists and speech and language therapists for the future.

  Quality Protects Plans
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the outcome of the evaluation of the Quality 114
  Protects management action plans submitted to his Department by local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [80518]

  Mr. Hutton
  All local authorities submitted their Quality Protects Management Action Plans (MAPs) to the Department by the end of January. The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) have now completed their evaluation of the MAPs and we have considered their findings. I am pleased to announce that all the MAPs have reached an acceptable standard, and I have written today to local authority chief executives to confirm that they will receive payment of their allocation of the children's special grant for 1999–2000, subject to Parliamentary approval. We shall be publishing a national overview report, summarising the key findings from the evaluation of the MAPs and identifying the development needs which will be addressed over the three years of the Quality Protects programme. The team of Quality Protects Regional Development Workers in partnership with SSI will be assisting local authorities in their work to deliver the high quality children's social services which the Government require.

  Pharmacy Remuneration
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the date of settlement of pharmacy remuneration negotiations for each year since 1994 and in each case the period covered; and when he plans to settle the next remuneration negotiations. [80101]

  Mr. Denham
  Pharmacy remuneration negotiations were settled on the following dates for the following financial years:

  Financial year

  Date

  1994–95

  4 May 1994

  1995–96

  28 June 1995

  1996–97

  21 October 1996

  1997–98

  7 October 1997

  1998–99

  30 November 1998

  We hope to settle this year's remuneration negotiations as soon as possible.

  Military District Hospitals
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 1999,Official Report, columns 803–04, which health authorities are to be compensated for the loss of free provision of MOD staff, indicating the amounts involved in each case. [80618]

  Mr. Denham
  The following health authorities are to be compensated for the loss of free provision of MOD staff for 1999/2000:

  £

  Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

  348,000

  South and West Devon

  1,235,000

  North and Mid Hampshire

  309,000

  West Surrey

  926,000

  North West Anglia

  666,000

TREASURY

  Excise Duty and VAT (Fuel)
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the rates of(a) excise duty and (b) VAT on petroleum in each member state of the European Union, the United States of America and Canada, taking account of the changes in his Budget. [76568]

  Ms Hewitt
  The United Kingdom rates shown are those applying since the Budget on 9 March 1999, published in Customs & Excise Budget Notice 6/99.

  For other European Union member states the figures relate to January 1999, as shown in the Oil Bulletin published by the European Commission. The rates for the United States of America and Canada are for the fourth quarter of 1998 from Prices and Taxes Table 1, published by the International Energy Agency.

  Leaded Petrol

  UnLeaded Petrol

  Excise Duty pence per litre

  VAT per cent.

  Excise Duty pence per litre

  VAT per cent.

  Austria

  NA

  NA

  29.19

  20.0

  Belgium

  39.83

  21.0

  35.73

  21.0

  Denmark

  NA

  NA

  35.68

  25.0

  Finland

  NA

  NA

  39.43

  22.0

  France

  44.85

  20.6

  41.52

  20.6

  Germany

  38.90

  16.0

  35.30

  16.0

  Greece

  25.92

  18.0

  22.44

  18.0

  Ireland

  32.22

  21.0

  26.68

  21.0

  Italy

  40.73

  20.0

  38.16

  20.0

  Luxembourg

  28.13

  15.0

  24.46

  12.0

  Netherlands

  41.31

  17.5

  41.33

  17.5

  Portugal

  37.21

  17.0

  35.12

  17.0

  Spain

  28.51

  16.0

  26.18

  16.0

  Sweden

  NA

  NA

  34.30

  25.0

  United Kingdom

  52.88

  17.5

  47.21

  17.5

  United States of America

  NA

  NA

  6.12

  —

  Canada

  NA

  NA

  10.45

  —

  Notes:

  NA: Leaded petrol is not available

  The United States of America does not have a tax comparable to VAT. The federal excise and provincial sales taxes in Canada vary for each of the ten provinces, therefore the rate of excise tax in the table is an average of all the rates used. The average sales tax in Canada is 1.4 pence per litre.

  The exchange rates used to convert foreign tax rates into sterling for the European Union member states are those published by the European Commission for 11 January 1999. Those for the United States of America and Canada are for January 1999, taken from the Office for National Statistics publication, "Financial Statistics, February 1999 edition", table 7.1A.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the rates of(a) excise duty and (b) VAT on (i) diesel and (ii) ultra-low sulphur diesel in each member state of the European Union, the United States of America and Canada, taking account of the changes in his Budget. [76572]

  Ms Hewitt
  The United Kingdom rates shown are those applying since the Budget on 9 March 1999, published in Customs and Excise Budget Notice 6/99.

  For other European Union member states the figures relate to January 1999, as shown in the Oil Bulletin published by the European Commission. The rates for the
  116
  United States of America and Canada are for the fourth quarter of 1998 from Prices and Taxes Table 1, published by the International Energy Agency.

  Excise Duty pence per litre

  Diesel VAT percentage

  Austria

  20.41

  20.0

  Belgium

  20.43

  21.0

  Denmark

  21.67

  25.0

  Finland

  21.46

  22.0

  France

  26.87

  20.6

  Germany

  22.33

  16.0

  Greece

  18.07

  18.0

  Ireland

  23.25

  21.0

  Italy

  28.40

  20.0

  Luxembourg

  17.81

  15.0

  Netherlands

  24.37

  17.5

  Portugal

  20.80

  17.0

  Spain

  19.01

  16.0

  Sweden

  20.51

  25.0

  United Kingdom

  50.21

  17.5

  United States of America

  7.03

  —

  Canada

  7.10

  —

  Notes:

  1. The excise duty rate in the United Kingdom for low sulphur diesel is 47.21 pence per litre and the VAT rate is 17.5%. Rates of excise duty and VAT on low sulphur diesel are not available for the other countries of the European Union, United States of America and Canada.

  2. The United States of America does not have a tax comparable to VAT. The average sales tax in Canada is 1.4 pence per litre.

  3. The exchange rates used to convert foreign tax into sterling for the European Union member states are those published by the European Commission for 11 January 1999. Those for the United States of America and Canada are for January 1999, taken from the Office for National Statistics publication Financial Statistics, February 1999 edition, table 7.1A.

  Civil Servants (Appraisal)
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the appraisal performance markings awarded to civil servants in 1998 for(a) each agency in his Department and (b) the Department broken down by (i) grade, (ii) gender, (iii) ethnicity, (iv) part-time/ full-time working and (v) disability; and for (1) each agency and (2) the Department whether the Cabinet Office's four fifths rule for detecting potential adverse impact was applied to the appraisal markings of civil servants in the 1998 report round. [78143]

  Ms Hewitt
  HM Treasury's appraisal year runs from 1 February to 31 January. The performance markings awarded in 1998 therefore apply to the 1997–98 appraisal year.

  (i) Breakdown by grade

  Below Senior Civil service (SCS)

  Box A

  Box B

  Box C

  Box D

  Box E

  A

  3

  10

  31

  12

  0

  B

  6

  51

  76

  51

  0

  C

  4

  24

  68

  22

  3

  D

  8

  49

  107

  24

  1

  E

  12

  44

  75

  29

  0

  117

  SCS (To preserve anonymity, these markings cannot be provided by grade)

  Box 1

  Box 2+

  Box 2

  Box 3+

  Box 3

  Box 4

  Box 5

  6

  16

  30

  16

  0

  0

  0

  (ii) Gender)

  Below SCS

  Box A

  Box B

  Box C

  Box D

  Box E

  Female

  12

  86

  162

  56

  1

  Male

  21

  92

  195

  82

  3

  SCS

  Box 1

  Box 2+

  Box 2

  Box 3+

  Box 3

  Box 4

  Box 5

  Female

  0

  3

  6

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Male

  6

  13

  24

  13

  0

  0

  0

  (iii) Ethnicity

  Below SCS

  Box A

  Box B

  Box C

  Box D

  Box E

  Ethnic minority

  0

  20

  38

  32

  0

  White

  29

  143

  286

  92

  4

  Unknown

  4

  15

  33

  14

  0

  SCS

  The number of ethnic minority staff in the Senior Civil Service is too small to allow an anonymous breakdown of markings.

  (iv) Part-time/full-time working

  Below SCS

  Box A

  Box B

  Box C

  Box D

  Box E

  Part-time

  1

  6

  19

  8

  0

  Full-time

  32

  172

  338

  130

  4

  SCS

  The number of part-time staff in the Senior Civil Service is too small to allow an anonymous breakdown of markings.

  (v) Disability

  Below SCS

  Box A

  Box B

  Box C

  Box D

  Box E

  Disabled

  1

  4

  13

  4

  0

  Not disabled

  32

  174

  344

  134

  4

  SCS

  The number of disabled staff in the Senior Civil Service is too small to allow an anonymous breakdown of markings.

  The Cabinet Office's four fifths rule was not applied to the 1997–98 appraisal markings. However, the Department's appraisal system will be reviewed in a wider equality audit in the Spring.

  Winter Fuel Payment
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what environmental impact assessment was carried out on the £100 winter payment announced in the Budget. [78887]
  118
  Ms Hewitt
  Table 5.1 of the 1999 Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report and Financial Statement and Budget Report contains an appraisal of those Budget measures which have a significant impact on the environment or whose aim is primarily environmental. The increase in the winter payment was not primarily an environmental measure, nor do we expect it to have a significant impact on the environment.

  Dividend Tax Credits
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the projected revenue implications in 1999–2000 and 2000–01 of the abolition of dividend tax credits of non-taxpaying pensioners(a) on the assumption that savers fully switch into ISAs and (b) on the assumption that there is no switching. [79087]

  Ms Hewitt
  To correct a bias in the tax system against the retention of profits for investment, payable tax credits on dividends paid to individuals have been withdrawn from 5 April 1999. The potential revenue impact of withdrawing payable tax credits from non-taxpaying pensioners after 5 April is about £25 million a year. The effect will, however, be reduced to the extent that investors who switched their investments into PEPs before 5 April this year, or into ISAs after that date, or into interest bearing investments on which non-taxpayers can reclaim tax deducted at source on interest paid. As a result the effect could be very much less than £25 million a year.

  Taxation (Motorists)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further plans he has to transfer taxation on motorists from vehicle excise duty to petrol; and if he will make a statement. [78915]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 26 March 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's recent Budget statement details current policy on vehicle taxation.

  Euro
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 3 March 1999,Official Report, column 808, if sterling will enter the single currency at (a) a lower level than the present exchange rate, (b) a higher level than the present exchange rate or (c) the present exchange rate; and if the rate will be maintained for two years before entry. [79404]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's position on the exchange rate of sterling was set out in my previous answers of 3 March 1999,Official Report, column 80.

  Income Tax (Pensioners)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 24 March 1999,Official Report, column 256, concerning the 10 pence tax rate, what factors he took into account when deciding not to extend the 10 pence rate to the savings income of people of pensionable age. [79268]
  119
  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: Most savers continue to enjoy the benefit of the lower rate of 20p on their savings which are already treated favourably and the introduction of the individual savings account means that all savers—including pensioners—can invest substantial amounts tax-free. The new Pensioner Bonds announced in the Budget offer pensioners the security of a guaranteed income but with greater flexibility by giving them greater access to their savings and formed part of a wider package for pensioners worth £1 billion.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 24 March 1999,Official Report, column 256, concerning the 10p tax rate, what estimate he has made of the cost of applying the 10p rate to the savings income of people of pensionable age; and how many people would benefit. [79269]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: Pensioners benefited from a package worth £1 billion a year in the Budget, including measures like the minimum income guarantee, winter fuel allowance and the minimum tax guarantee. It is estimated that if the 10p rate applied to savings income about 950,000 people of pensionable age would be affected, at a cost of around £55 million.

  Diesel Fuel Duty
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the factors behind his decision to raise diesel fuel duty at a higher rate than petrol duty; and if he will make a statement. [79542]

  Ms Hewitt
  The main factors behind the decision announced in the 1998 Budget to move to a fairer taxation of diesel relative to petrol are the higher energy and carbon contents of diesel, and the adverse affect that the use of diesel has on local air quality, caused by the high levels of particulates and nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel use.

  However, following the 1999 Budget the duty rate on ultra low sulphur diesel is the same as unleaded petrol. Ultra low sulphur diesel is now over 40 per cent. of the diesel market and some industry sources predict that this will rise to 100 per cent. before the end of the year.

  ECOFIN Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the agenda for the ECOFIN Council on 16 to 18 April. [79575]

  Ms Hewitt
  The ECOFIN meeting on 16-18 April is an Informal, and therefore has no formal agenda.

  Bus Employees Superannuation Trust
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent on legal fees relating to the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust,(a) in total and (b) in connection with the High Court hearing on 1 March. [79540]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is responsible for issues in relation to the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust.
  120
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today, Official Report, column 58, by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms Jackson), which provides details of expenditure by that Department.

  Historical Records
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received the Registrar General's report on options for improving the system of access to historical records; and if he will make a statement on the report. [79718]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 24 February 1999,Official Report, column 286.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79639]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to raise the maximum permitted deposit with a credit union. [79694]

  Ms Hewitt
  We have no current plans to do so.

  Departmental Investment Strategies
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish the Summary of Departmental Investment Strategies in the White Paper, Public Services for the Future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability, (Cm. 4181). [80717]

  Mr. Milburn
  Departmental Investment Strategies (DISs) set out how the additional resources allocated to finance capital projects in the Comprehensive Spending Review will be managed in order to deliver the Government's objectives. DISs also provide a statement of how Departments make the best use of their existing asset base. Each Department has included a summary of its DIS in its Departmental Report and has made arrangements for the full text of their DIS to be published.

  The Government today published a document entitled "Departmental Investment Strategies: A Summary" which provides an overview of the DISs published by
  Departments. Copies are available in the Vote Office.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual cost of extending the application of the 10p tax rate to include income from investment; and if he will make a statement. [77685]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 19 March 1999]: The 10p starting rate has been introduced to improve work incentives and help make work pay. Income from investment is already taxed generously. Most savers will continue to enjoy the benefit of the lower rate at 20p on their savings rather than the basic rate at 23p (22p from April 2000). And our introduction of Individual Savings Accounts in April this year means all savers can investment substantial amounts tax-free each year.

  The cost of extending 10p rate band to include income from investment would be £85 million for 1999–2000.

  Mortgage Interest Tax Relief (Scotland)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost of mortgage tax relief in Scotland in (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98; and what it is estimated to be for 1998–99. [78214]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The cost of mortgage interest relief in Scotland is estimated to be
  £A3180 million in 1996–97 and £200 million in 1997–98. These estimates are based on the regional distribution of the cost of mortgage interest relief from analysis of the Family Expenditure Surveys up to 1996–97. The estimates for 1997–98 are projections based on applying the same regional distribution as in 1996–97 to the total figure for 1997–98. It is not possible to provide reliable estimates below the United Kingdom level for 1998–99.

  Personal Taxation
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the work carried out by his Department since his answer of 5 May 1998,Official Report, columns 331–34, on taxation, in order to improve the quality of information on the personal tax payments for typical families. [78243]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 23 March 1999]: Estimating the impact of indirect taxes is imprecise as spending patterns vary widely between households with the same composition and income, with the consumption of the majority of goods and services far from universal. For example, only around one third of adults are smokers, just over half the adult population are in households paying vehicle excise duty and around 10 per cent. of households pay air passenger duty. This can be contrasted with direct taxes and benefits where at specified earnings and for particular household types there is a known benefit entitlement or tax liability. Treasury will keep under review what meaningful information on the indirect tax burden can be produced.

  Additional Person's Allowance
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of eligible single-parent households claimed the additional person's allowance in each of the last five years. [79041]
  122
  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Corporation Tax
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of numbers of the companies which will pay corporation tax at(a) 10 per cent. and (b) a marginal rate of 22.5 per cent. [79080]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Around 270,000 small and growing companies will pay less tax on profits as a result of the Chancellor's proposal to introduce a new 10 per cent. rate of corporation tax from 1 April 2000. Around 150,000 companies will pay corporation tax at 10 per cent. on profits of up to £10,000. Around 120,000 companies with profits between £10,000 and £50,000 will pay tax at an average rate of between 10 per cent. and the small companies' rate (20 per cent. from 1 April 1999) and have a lower tax bill as a result. This represents tax at 10 per cent. on the first £10,000 of profit and tax at 22.5 per cent. on the amount by which profits exceed £10,000 (with a 20 per cent. small companies' rate of corporation tax).

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what accounting convention underlies the treatment of working families' tax credit as a tax reduction; and when the Government adopted that convention. [79088]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Working Families Tax Credit will be part of the income tax system. It will be administered by Inland Revenue as a credit of income tax. And it will be perceived by recipients, who will receive a higher post-tax pay packet as a result, as a credit of income tax. Accordingly, in the presentation of Government receipts in the Financial Statement and Budget Report and elsewhere, the Working Families Tax Credit is treated as an income tax credit, and netted off from gross income tax receipts in the calculation of aggregate net taxes and social security contributions. This treatment of the Working Families Tax Credit was adopted in the March 1998 Financial Statement and Budget Report, and was explained in paragraph B59.

  714 Certificates
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average annual total tax liability of holders of 714 certificates for each of the last three years. [79720]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The average annual liability to income tax, of individual 714-holding subcontractors in the year 1995–96, was £1,800. Figures for later years are not yet available.

  Select Committee Reports
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 1999,Official Report, column 667, on the Social Security Committee on which public interest grounds under paragraph (1) section (IV) of the Ministerial Code he declined to give the information requested by the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green in the question answered on 19 March 1999, Official Report, column 857. [80145]
  123
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  As I explained in my answer of 30 March, I gave the hon. Member a detailed account of the position in my answer of 16 March.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Strategic Export Controls
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she(a) was first consulted about and (b) received the completed strategic export controls annual report. [79714]

  Clare Short
  My Department was involved from an early stage in discussion on the format and content of the Annual Report. I was informed about the proposed report in June 1998 and saw the completed report on publication.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what levels of aid her Department has given to those countries listed in the Strategic Export Controls Annual Report. [79711]

  Clare Short
  The latest figures can be found in Table 7 of Statistics on International Development, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House. No country breakdown is available for Pacific countries as bilateral assistance to the Pacific is provided under a single regional programme. Assistance to Ascension Island is included in St. Helena and Dependencies. All other countries listed in the Strategic Export Controls Annual Report, but not in Statistics on International Development, do not receive development assistance from my Department.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution her Department made to the strategic export controls annual report. [79713]

  Clare Short
  My Department was consulted during the drafting stages and contributed on areas of specific interest in line with its policy responsibilities.

  Non-governmental Organisations
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will state the value and percentages of her Department's 1996–97 total expenditure which were dispersed to(a) northern non-Governmental organisations, (b) southern non-Governmental organisations and (c) other civil society organisations taking into account all forms of aid her Department employs. [79715]

  Clare Short
  In 1996–97 the Department for International Development (DFID) expenditure through UK NGOs was £167 million which represented 15 per cent. of the bilateral programme and 8 per cent. of total expenditure. Information on spending through overseas NGOs and other civil society organisations is not held separately but is included in DFID' s bilateral country programme expenditure.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) she, (b) her officials, (c) her advisers and (d) her PPS have
  124
  held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79646]

  Clare Short
  I refer to an answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The Ministerial Code also applies to Parliamentary Private secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what environmental appraisals of policy her Department has(a) completed, (b) started and (c) planned. [79620]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development (DFID) policies for assistance to developing countries are set out in a number of public policy documents. These include: Country Strategy Papers (CSP's), which set out how DFID intends to achieve UK development objectives in the country concerned; Institutional Strategy Papers (ISPs), which detail how DFID will work with institutions such as the EU and UN, and sectoral strategy papers, including the DFID Policy Statement on the Environment, which was published in December 1998.

  These policy documents are not subject to discrete environmental appraisals. They are developed by multidisciplinary teams, including environment advisers, and take account of the positive and negative environmental impacts of the policies concerned, making use of a range of technical assessments of environmental conditions in developing countries. Eighteen CSPs and four ISPs were produced in 1998–99.

  Montserrat
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what advice she is currently giving to citizens of Montserrat contemplating returning to the island. [80385]

  Mr. Foulkes
  An information note has been prepared by the Government of Montserrat, describing the conditions currently existing on the island. In the UK, this will be available from the Montserrat Government UK Office, the Montserrat Community Support Trust and other Montserratian community groups. It will also be included with the application forms for people wishing to apply for assistance under the Evacuee Return Air Fare Scheme.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many citizens of Montserrat have returned to the island from(a) the United Kingdom and (b) elsewhere in the last 12 months. [80386]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Government of Montserrat estimate that the population has increased by approximately 1,300 in the last 12 months. This figure includes a significant number of regional migrant workers. The Government of Montserrat do not collect data on the origin of returning citizens. Information on citizens returning from the UK is not held by the UK Government.

  Macpherson Inquiry
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department of the Macpherson inquiry recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [80539]

  Mr. Foulkes
  None of the 70 recommendations contained in Chapter 47 of the Macpherson report falls directly within our Department's remit. However, the report has been examined to assess whether there are any indirect implications.

  We are fully committed to delivering the values set in its equal opportunities policy. It has accepted the Commission for Racial Equality's Leadership Challenge and the Charter for Action on Improving the Representation of Ethnic Minorities in the Senior Civil Service, and additional staff resources have recently been allocated to the Unit responsible for these matters.

  The Department maintains strict policies aimed at avoiding all forms of discrimination and a recent audit of recruitment systems carried out for the Civil Service Commissioners described these as commendable. DFID has participated in public events aimed at promoting the Civil Service as a career for members of the ethnic minorities. We also promote our equal opportunities policy through training, and other forms of positive action are to be developed with this aim. Through the publication of ethnic monitoring data we seek to account publicly for our performance in the field of employment.

  More widely, over the last two years, the Department has made important changes aimed at integrating the staff it engages overseas closely into its structures and management processes and affording them access to employment protection procedures by administrative action.

  Our White Paper, "Eliminating World Poverty" underlined the importance the Government attach to increasing development awareness in the UK. Ethnic minorities are represented on the Development Awareness Working group, whose terms of reference explicitly require the Group to advise on how ethnic and religious groups can be properly covered.

  We established a Development Policy Forum last year to enable individuals and representatives of groups from all parts of society, including ethnic minorities, to share

  Date

  Title

  1997

  July

  Resolution of the Council on Coherence

  December

  Resolution—Microfinancing

  1998

  May

  Conclusions—Follow up to the December 1995 resolution on Gender

  May

  Conclusions—Follow up to the 1993 resolution on the tight against Poverty

  July

  Human Rights regulation based on article 235

  July

  Human Rights regulation based on article 130

  October

  Draft guidelines for strengthening operational co-ordination between the Community and member states in the field of development co-operation

  November

  Presidency proposal for the resolution on indigenous peoples within the framework of the development co-operation of the Community and member states

  Conclusions of the Council and of the representatives of members states on the role of development co-operation in strengthening peace building, conflict prevention and resolution

  126
  thinking and ideas for development and draw on their wealth of knowledge and experience. We had a very useful consultation with the Commission for Racial Equality on suitable representatives for the Forum's Steering Committee and instructed the ten organising committees in the home counties and the English regions to ensure that ethnic minorities were properly represented. We will be continuing with this initiative in future years and will be looking for continuing active participation from ethnic minority representatives.

  Sri Lanka (NGOs)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the withdrawal from Sri Lanka during the past three years of non-governmental organisations engaged in humanitarian work. [80438]

  Clare Short
  We support several non-governmental organisations which provide relief and rehabilitation to those affected by the conflict in Sri Lanka. These include Oxfam, Save the Children Fund and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

  I am aware of only one organisation having withdrawn from Sri Lanka in recent years. Peace Brigades International, a human rights organisation helping non violent activists, withdrew in April 1998 because it felt unable to carry out its mandate effectively.

  European Scrutiny Committee
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 when her Department has made available to the European Scrutiny Committee unofficial texts of draft European legislation. [80551]

  Clare Short
  No unofficial texts have been made available by my Department to the European Scrutiny Committee.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 her Department has made available to the European Scrutiny Committee council working documents. [80544]

  Clare Short
  Since May 1997 my Department has made available the following Council working documents:

  Swaziland
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) of 23 April 1998,Official Report, column 680, on Swaziland, what efforts are being made by her Department to further participation by women in political institutions in Swaziland. [79940]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Department for International Development financed gender awareness training for members of Swaziland's parliament two years ago. We have not been asked specifically to help increase participation by women in Swazi political institutions but our future partnership with Swaziland, currently under discussion with Swazi partners, will aim to help women's groups advance women's legal and property rights.

  MED Programmes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the Court of Auditors reports into the MED programmes of the European Union; and if she will make a statement. [80003]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The only Court of Auditors report into the MEDA programmes during this Government was Special Report No. 1/98 in respect of bilateral financial and technical co-operation with non-member Mediterranean countries. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State submitted and explanatory memorandum on this report to Parliament's European scrutiny committees on 23 April 1998.

  The Government share criticisms of the MED programme made in this report, and in previous Court of Auditors reports into the MED programmes' structural adjustment support measures (1995) and decentralised co-operation (1996), and in the report by the Committee of Independent Experts published in March this year.

  The MED regulation expires at the end of 1999. In negotiations on its successor, the Government are seeking to improve the poverty focus and quality of management of the programmes. These reports have informed our approach.

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list each of the new responsibilities which she will assume when the signed

  £000

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  NHS Trusts

  Bridgend and District

  0

  4

  105

  8

  Cardiff Community

  —

  49

  99

  2

  Carmarthen and District

  0

  0

  24

  28

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales

  4

  2

  6

  12

  Clwydian Community Care

  0

  0

  0

  7

  Derwen

  0

  0

  1

  —

  East Glamorgan

  0

  1

  0

  110

  Glan Clwyd

  0

  24

  5

  387

  Glan Hafren

  5

  108

  3

  225

  Glan Y Mor

  —

  —

  437

  0

  Gwent Community

  0

  0

  0

  9

  128
  Treaty of Amsterdam takes effect and for each (a) the likely effect on departmental staffing, (b) the bodies or persons in the European Union principally concerned and (c) the relevant section of that treaty and the consolidated treaties of the European Union and European Community. [80413]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Treaty of Amsterdam will have minimal impact on the responsibilities of the Department and its staffing. As far as EU bodies are concerned, there will be an increased role for the European Parliament, following the amendment to Article 130u-y of the Treaty to extend the co-decision procedure to cover regulations agreed under these articles. This will include those for humanitarian aid, food aid, assistance to NGOs and environmental projects. The strengthening of the Common Foreign and Security Policy will also have some implications for DFID, for example in so far as it relates to assistance to third countries.

  Refugees (Kosovo)
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she plans to give to help(a) refugees from Kosovo and (b) the receiving nations. [79612]

  Clare Short
  Since 29 March we have committed £20 million to aid Kosovo Albanian refugees. Of this sum £6.4 million has already been allocated to priority needs, 24 per cent. specifically for activities in Albania, 22 per cent. for Macedonia and 54 per cent. for the region as a whole. Our share of EC contributions so far is an additional £2.9 million.

  We will continue to commit our resources to achieve the most effective possible results. Our decisions will be informed by our recent missions to the regions.

WALES

  Clinical Negligence Claims
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the cost of clinical negligence claims against the NHS in each region in Wales in each year since 1994–95. [76909]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]: The information is not centrally available in the format requested. However, the cost of cases which include clinical negligence claims is in the following table.
  129

  £000

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Gwynedd Community

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gwynedd Hospitals

  0

  20

  12

  1

  Llandough Hospital

  3

  0

  58

  35

  Llanelli Dinefwr

  0

  40

  0

  14

  Mid Glamorgan Ambulance

  0

  0

  0

  13

  Morriston Hospital

  0

  5

  21

  28

  Nevin Hall

  0

  0

  5

  37

  North Glamorgan

  —

  —

  0

  71

  North Wales Ambulance

  0

  0

  24

  0

  Pembrokeshire

  11

  12

  50

  —

  Pembrokeshire and Derwen1

  —

  —

  —

  131

  Powys Healthcare

  0

  0

  84

  0

  Rhondda Healthcare

  0

  0

  100

  47

  South East Wales Ambulance

  5

  121

  23

  48

  Swansea

  58

  0

  33

  837

  University Dental Hospital of Wales

  —

  2

  0

  2

  University Hospital of Wales

  —

  0

  51

  38

  Velindre Hospital

  0

  26

  0

  0

  West Wales Ambulance

  0

  0

  0

  16

  Wrexham Maelor

  0

  0

  38

  132

  Sub-total

  86

  414

  1,179

  2,238

  Health Authorities

  Bro Taf

  —

  —

  4,952

  3,861

  Dyfed Powys

  —

  —

  979

  758

  Gwent

  —

  —

  31

  506

  Morgannwg

  —

  —

  408

  147

  North Wales

  —

  —

  1,268

  279

  HPAW

  —

  —

  0

  0

  WHCSA

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Sub-total

  —

  —

  7,638

  5,551

  District Health Authorities

  Clwyd

  513

  624

  —

  —

  Dyfed

  250

  561

  —

  —

  Gwent

  394

  196

  —

  —

  Gwynedd

  85

  454

  —

  —

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,497

  1,498

  —

  —

  Pembroke

  48

  —

  —

  —

  Powys

  67

  27

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  724

  503

  —

  —

  West Glamorgan

  1,752

  955

  —

  —

  HPAW

  48

  0

  —

  —

  WHCSA

  0

  0

  —

  —

  Sub-total

  5,378

  4,818

  Total

  5,464

  5,232

  8,817

  7,789

  1Pembrokeshire and Derwen HNS trusts merged on 1 April 1997.

  Notes:

  1. Costs listed include: special payments—compensation under legal obligation; ex-gratia payments—clinical negligence with advice and other clinical negligence and personal injury. The first and third categories may contain cases other than clinical negligence.

  2. Figures from health authorities are taken from financial returns and receipts and payments returns.

  3. Figures from NHS trusts are taken from financial returns for 1995–96 to 1997–98: figures for 1994–95 are taken from the annual accounts and relate to clinical negligence costs written off in the year.

  Source:

  Audited annual accounts of NHS trusts, health and district health authorities from 1994–95 to 1997–98

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Health Authorities (Debts)
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the amount of(a) bad debts and (b) claims
  130]
  abandoned in Wales for each health authority in each region for the last five years. [76925]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]: The information is not centrally available in the format requested. However, the combined costs of bad debts and claims abandoned are shown in the following table.
  131

  Total amount of bad debts and claims abandoned

  £000

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  NHS Trusts

  Bridgend & District

  5

  45

  22

  5

  9

  Cardiff Community

  —

  —

  0

  10

  2

  Carmarthen & District

  10

  0

  3

  0

  2

  Ceredigion & Mid Wales

  1

  2

  0

  0

  2

  Clwydian Community Care

  39

  37

  3

  13

  4

  Derwen

  —

  6

  0

  1

  —

  East Glamorgan

  —

  15

  10

  24

  21

  Glan Clwyd

  30

  79

  21

  3

  6

  Glan Hafren

  54

  41

  44

  0

  0

  Glan Y Mor

  —

  —

  —

  2

  0

  Gwent Community

  50

  37

  4

  0

  1

  Gwynedd Community

  —

  0

  3

  20

  1

  Gwynedd Hospitals

  —

  5

  5

  10

  6

  Llandough Hospital

  50

  11

  3

  3

  11

  Llanelli Dinefwr

  8

  3

  4

  0

  5

  Mid Glamorgan Ambulance

  —

  52

  5

  0

  0

  Morriston Hospital

  —

  23

  5

  10

  21

  Nevill Hall

  —

  1

  8

  3

  2

  North Glamorgan

  —

  —

  —

  6

  7

  North Wales Ambulance

  —

  2

  0

  0

  1

  Pembrokeshire

  3

  0

  4

  2

  —

  Pembrokeshire & Derwen1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,237

  Powys Healthcare

  0

  0

  2

  3

  0

  Rhondda Healthcare

  —

  4

  1

  1

  0

  South East Wales Ambulance

  0

  61

  0

  0

  1

  Swansea

  0

  0

  6

  10

  9

  University Dental Hospital of Wales

  —

  —

  0

  0

  4

  University Hospital of Wales

  —

  —

  0

  173

  126

  Velindre Hospital

  —

  5

  8

  0

  4

  West Wales Ambulance

  —

  —

  0

  22

  1

  Wrexham Maelor

  23

  38

  0

  0

  33

  Total

  273

  467

  161

  321

  1,516

  Health Authorities

  Bro Taf

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Dyfed Powys

  —

  —

  —

  10

  3

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  13

  0

  Morgannwg

  —

  —

  —

  45

  2

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  0

  70

  HPAW

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  WHCSA

  —

  —

  —

  5,087

  32

  Total

  —

  —

  —

  5,155

  107

  District Health Authorities

  Clwyd

  33

  2

  0

  —

  —

  Dyfed

  8

  5

  8

  —

  —

  Gwent

  15

  6

  117

  —

  —

  Gwynedd

  12

  55

  31

  —

  —

  Mid Glamorgan

  463

  12

  27

  —

  —

  Pembroke

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Powys

  0

  0

  2

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  76

  154

  0

  —

  —

  West Glamorgan

  16

  2

  79

  —

  —

  HPAW

  0

  0

  452

  —

  —

  WHCSA

  0

  22

  0

  —

  —

  Total

  623

  258

  716

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS trusts merged on 1 April 1997.

  2. The loss of £1.235 million relates to repairs to the roof of Withybush hospital shown in the 1997–98 accounts.

  3. The loss of £5.087 million relates to remedial works at University Hospital of Wales shown in the 1996–97 accounts.

  4. Bad debts and claims abandoned information is collected under one heading in the annual accounts: the figures include claims against private patients, private non-resident patients, overseas visitors, Road Traffic Act claims and other claims.

  5. Figures from health authorities are taken from financial returns and receipts and payments returns.

  6. Figures from NHS trusts are taken from financial returns for 1994–95 to 1997–98: figures for 1993–94 are taken from the annual accounts and relate to bad debts only.

  Source:

  Audited Annual Accounts of NHS Trust, health and district health authorities from 1993–94 to 1997–98
  132 133
  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Civil Servants (Appraisal)
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the appraisal performance markings awarded to civil servants in 1998 for(a) each agency in his Department and (b) the Department broken down by (i) grade, (ii) gender, (iii) ethnicity, (iv) part-time/ full-time working and (v) disability; and for (1) each agency and (2) the Department whether the Cabinet Office's four-fifths rule for detecting potential adverse impact was applied to the appraisal markings of civil servants in the 1998 report round. [78145]

  Welsh Office

  Grade bands

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  Number of staff

  Disability

  Part time

  Full time

  Bands F and G (G7 and 6)

  Female

  6

  23

  15

  1

  0

  0

  54

  1

  13

  41

  Male

  22

  74

  26

  4

  0

  0

  134

  1

  4

  130

  Total

  28

  97

  41

  5

  0

  0

  188

  2

  17

  171

  Band E (SEO)

  Female

  9

  12

  5

  1

  0

  0

  28

  1

  4

  27

  Male

  6

  58

  34

  1

  0

  0

  107

  1

  0

  107

  Total

  15

  70

  39

  2

  0

  0

  135

  2

  4

  131

  Band D (HEO and HEO(D))

  Female

  15

  70

  31

  5

  0

  0

  130

  6

  26

  104

  Male

  14

  85

  47

  12

  0

  0

  168

  2

  1

  167

  Total

  29

  155

  78

  17

  0

  0

  298

  8

  27

  271

  Band C (EO)

  Female

  34

  117

  74

  33

  0

  0

  281

  3

  63

  218

  Male

  20

  90

  65

  36

  1

  0

  220

  3

  1

  219

  Total

  54

  207

  139

  69

  1

  0

  501

  6

  64

  437

  Band B (AO)

  Female

  31

  149

  78

  28

  0

  0

  332

  2

  76

  256

  Male

  7

  51

  48

  22

  1

  0

  134

  4

  3

  131

  Total

  38

  200

  126

  50

  1

  0

  466

  6

  79

  387

  Band A (AA)

  Female

  40

  67

  56

  21

  0

  0

  258

  3

  44

  214

  Male

  22

  59

  36

  17

  0

  0

  204

  2

  0

  204

  Total

  62

  126

  92

  38

  0

  0

  478

  5

  44

  434

  CADW

  Grade bands

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  Number of staff

  Disability

  Part time

  Full time

  Bands G, F and E (G6 & 7 & SEO)

  Female

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  4

  Male

  1

  13

  2

  0

  0

  0

  16

  0

  0

  16

  Total

  1

  15

  4

  0

  0

  0

  20

  0

  0

  20

  Band D (HEO)

  Female

  0

  3

  1

  1

  0

  0

  5

  0

  1

  4

  Male

  1

  10

  2

  0

  0

  0

  13

  0

  0

  13

  Total

  1

  13

  3

  1

  0

  0

  18

  0

  1

  17

  Band C (EO)

  Female

  0

  7

  3

  1

  0

  0

  11

  1

  9

  2

  Male

  1

  7

  2

  1

  0

  0

  11

  0

  1

  10

  Total

  1

  14

  5

  2

  0

  0

  22

  1

  10

  12

  134
  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is set out in the following tables. Comprehensive information is set out for performance markings by gender but it is not possible to provide the same detail for disability or part-time/full-time because of the small numbers of staff involved. No data on ethnicity can be provided as such data could breach confidentiality as the information would allow the identification of individuals. The top two bands in the Welsh Office and top three in CADW Agency, have been merged because of the small number of officials involved so as to allow for anonymity. We have not applied the Cabinet Office's four-fifths rule in either the Department or the agency because the figures for gender suggest that there is no adverse impact and the numbers involved in the other categories are too small to allow a meaningful assessment.
  135

  CADW

  Grade bands

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  Number of staff

  Disability

  Part time

  Full time

  Band A and B (AA and AO)

  Female

  1

  9

  3

  1

  0

  0

  14

  0

  6

  8

  Male

  4

  5

  1

  2

  0

  0

  13

  0

  0

  13

  Total

  5

  12

  4

  3

  0

  0

  27

  0

  6

  2

  Industrials and Museum

  Female

  1

  10

  5

  2

  0

  0

  18

  0

  5

  13

  Male

  0

  2

  2

  3

  0

  0

  7

  1

  3

  4

  Total

  1

  12

  7

  5

  0

  0

  25

  1

  8

  17

  Notes:

  The tables exclude casual staff

  Investment (Poland)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost to public funds of organising the event on investment in Poland on 10 March in Cardiff. [70061]

  Mr. Michael
  The main purpose of this event was to raise awareness of export opportunities and the practicalities of doing business in Poland. Direct costs (ie excluding staff costs) amounted to £1,982 and were met by the Department of Trade and Industry.

  In future the responsibility of organising events such as this will pass to the National Assembly for Wales.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the relationship between the increase of £80 million in expenditure in Wales announced in the Budget and the £852 million indicated as the figure for Wales for the year 1999–2000 in the Treasury's Comprehensive Spending Review on 14 July 1998; and if the £80 million is additional to the latter figure. [79040]

  Mr. Michael
  In the Comprehensive Spending Review published on 14 July 1998, the following spending plans were announced for the Welsh Office's Departmental Expenditure Limit:

  £ million

  1998–99

  6,675

  1999–2000

  7,036

  2000–01

  7,406

  2001–02

  7,781

  This represented a total cumulative increase of £2.2 billion from the 1998–99 provision. (The figure of £852 million quoted in the question related to the Welsh Office's planned capital expenditure for 1998–99). The £80 million announced in the March Budget is Wales's share of the Capital Modernisation Fund. These resources are additional to the provision set out above.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what environmental appraisals of policy his Department has(a) completed, (b) started and (c) planned. [79616]
  136
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The available information is being collected to meet the Environmental Audit Committee's request for information on environmental appraisal as part of its second inquiry into the "Greening Government Initiative".

  Green Belt Land
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the green belt land in each local authority area. [79849]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  There are no Green Belts in Wales.

  Mental Health Services
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what total NHS expenditure on mental health services in Wales was by health authority in the last year for which figures are available. [80192]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The information is not centrally available in the format requested. However, the total expenditure on healthcare provision, both acute and community services, for patients with mental illness is shown in the following table.

  £000

  Bro Taf

  53,012

  Dyfed Powys

  31,879

  Gwent

  28,278

  Morgannwg

  35,095

  North Wales

  36,398

  Total

  184,662

  Source:

  Annual accounts of health authorities 1997–98

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met representatives of the (i) black and (ii) other ethnic minority communities to discuss mental health treatment. [80195]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  There have been no requests from black or ethnic minority groups for meetings with Ministers to discuss mental health.

  I am setting up a Steering Group to establish for the first time, an All Wales Strategy for child and adolescent mental health services and I am considering at present

  137
  how best to update our Strategy for adult mental health services. The needs of ethnic minority patients will be addressed in both exercises.

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the major advances in treatment which have been implemented in mental health since 1995. [80188]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  It is difficult to define the term "major" in this context. There have been advances in drug treatment and in approaches to treatment since 1995. We work closely with Department of Health, the NHS and other interested parties to ensure that all developments are evaluated and, where appropriate, publicised.

  The next major development in disseminating best modern practice will come with the development of the National Service Framework for mental health services, whose standards we expect to introduce in Wales.

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Dental Services
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the percentage of dentistry in Wales which is carried out on the NHS. [80193]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  In Wales at the end of September 1998, 60 per cent. of children and 46 per cent. of adults were registered with NHS dentists, having visited them at least once during the preceding 15 months.

  NHS net spending on general dental services in Wales in 1997–98 rose to £56.2 million, a 6 per cent. increase over the previous year.

  Over the same period, the number of courses of NHS treatment, for adults in Wales, rose by nearly 7 per cent. to 1.446 million.

  The number of dentists treating patients under NHS arrangements in Wales reached an all-time high of 960 by the end of 1998.

  Data on private dental treatment are not collected by the Welsh Office.

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Local Health Groups
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what process of consultation was used in the appointment of people to local health groups in Wales. [79885]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The preliminary guidance on establishing Local Health Groups, issued for consultation in June 1998, elicited over 140 responses. The respondents are listed at Annex B to the final guidance, "Establishing Local Health Groups", which issued in October 1998. In addition, there was wide ranging discussion with stakeholders. The final guidance also sets out the processes to be employed when appointing members to Local Health Groups.
  138
  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the appointees to the local health groups in Wales. [79886]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Local Health Groups are sub committees of health authorities which have been responsible for their establishment in accordance with Welsh Office guidance "Establishing Local Health Groups" issued in October 1998. Details of membership are held by the individual authority.

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has undertaken concerning the level of the uniform business rate charged on Wales in respect of its impact on small shops in town centres; and if he will make a statement. [80213]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The White Paper "Local Voices, Modernising Local Government in Wales" (Cm 4028) said that when the Government introduce local rates they will consider introducing measures to reduce the rating burden on small businesses. Discussions on implementing these proposals are already underway with a range of business representatives, including the Federation of Small Businesses Wales.

  Following the transfer of functions this will be a matter for the National Assembly.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Public Relations
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on(a) publicity, (b) advertising and (c) press relations in each month of 1998, broken down by department. [73892]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Information Services spend on publicity and advertising for 1998 was as follows:

  £

  January-March

  nil

  April

  132.89

  May

  30,037.15

  June

  5,566.41

  July

  34,936.90

  August

  12,441.87

  September

  57,405.47

  October

  25,997.31

  November

  109,706.90

  December

  15,238.78

  Total

  291,463.78

  Departmental Staff (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will provide a breakdown, in numerical and
  139
  percentage terms, of the ethnic origin, at 1 March, of (a) her private office, (b) Government special advisers, (c) her Policy Unit and (d) staff in total. [78503]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Under the terms of the Civil Service Ethnic Monitoring Code of Practice it would be inappropriate to provide the information in the form requested because of the very small numbers involved.

  (b) I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, East (Mr. Livingstone) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 39.

  (c) I do not have a policy unit.

  (d) My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office will provide this information centrally.

  Proscribed Organisations
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been arrested for membership of proscribed organisations since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement; how many were arrested for this offence in each year since 1969; and if she will make a statement. [78912]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 March 1999]: We do not have figures on arrests. We do, however, have figures for the number charged with membership of a proscribed organisation as a primary offence. These figures do not

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Task force/Policy reveiew

  sub-groups

  working parties

  Other subsidiary committees

  Task forces

  Working Group to plan for a single NI Equality Commission

  Yes

  —

  —

  New Deal In NI Task Force

  Yes

  —

  —

  Policy review groups

  Economic Development Strategy Review

  —

  Yes

  Yes

  Youth Service Policy Review Group

  —

  Yes

  —

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by her Department since May 1997(a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  For those still in existence

  Task forces/Policy review

  Date of establishment

  Date of publication of final report

  Date of termination

  Expected date of final report

  Expected termination date

  Task forces

  Working Group to plan for a single NI Equality Commission

  November 1998

  Anticipated mid-April 1999

  Final meeting 26 March 1999

  —

  —

  New Deal in NI Task Force

  September 1997

  —

  —

  Not known

  Not known

  NI Skills Task Force

  February 1999

  —

  —

  Not known

  Not known

  Policy review groups

  Northern Ireland Drugs Strategy Review

  27 May 1997

  —

  —

  Spring/Summer 1999

  Spring/Summer 1999

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Review

  30 September 1998

  —

  —

  June 1999

  June 1999

  140
  include cases of people charged with membership alongside more serious offences. The figures go back only to 1990.

  Year

  Total number of persons charged with membership of a proscribed organisation as a primary offence

  1990

  7

  1991

  6

  1992

  6

  1993

  14

  1994

  12

  1995

  5

  1996

  10

  1997

  1

  1998

  6

  10 April 1998-23 March 1999

  4

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by her Department since May 1997 which have set up(a) sub-groups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees. [79254]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:

  terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79277]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Department is as follows;
  141

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  For those still in existence

  Task force/Policy review

  Date of establishment

  Date of publication of final report

  Date of termination

  Expected date of final report

  Expected termination date

  Review of Criminal Justice

  27 June 1998

  —

  —

  Autumn 1999

  Autumn 1999

  System in Northern Ireland

  Independent Commission on Policing

  3 June 1998

  —

  —

  Summer 1999

  Summer 1999

  Fundamental Review of the Economic Development Strategy in NI

  January 1998

  22 March 1999

  —

  End-April 1999

  Youth Service Policy Review Group

  June 1997

  —

  —

  April 1999

  April 1999

  Winter Mortality Rates
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death took place in Northern Ireland in(a) 1997, (b) 1992, (c) 1987, (d) 1982 and (e) 1977 amongst those (i) of all ages, (ii) aged 60 to 74, (iii) aged 74 to 84 and (iv) aged over 85 years; what were -the winter mortality rates for (1) the population as a whole, (2) people aged 60 to 74, (3) people aged 75 to 84 and (4) people aged 85 years and over; and what the percentage increase was in each group compared to non-winter deaths in (A) 1997–98, (B) 1992–93, (C) 1987–88, (D) 1982–83 and (E) 1977–78.[79420]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Statistics and Research Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Edgar Jardine. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Table 1: Death due to the effects of reduced temperature by ICD code

  Deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature

  1977

  1982

  1987

  1992

  1997

  ICD code 991.6—hypothermia

  0

  17

  15

  14

  22

  ICD code 991.9—unspecified

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  ICD code 991—sub-code not specified (excluding 991.6 and 991.9)

  14

  0

  0

  0

  2

  ICD code 991—all deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature

  14

  17

  19

  14

  24

  In response to part (2) of your question Table 3 shows the winter and non-winter mortality rates as requested and the percentage increase from non-winter to winter mortality rates in each of the categories.

  I trust this information is sufficient, however if I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Table 2: Deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature1

  Number of deaths

  Deaths by age

  1977

  1982

  1987

  1992

  1997

  Main cause

  0 to 59 years

  13

  2

  1

  3

  4

  60 to 74 years

  l

  6

  1

  1

  3

  75 to 84 years

  0

  5

  1

  3

  3

  85 or more years

  0

  4

  0

  1

  1

  All ages

  14

  17

  3

  8

  11

  142
  Letter from E. F. Jardine to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 2 April 1999:

  You tabled a parliamentary question asking the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland—

  (1) how many deaths where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death took place in Northern Ireland in (a) 1997, (b) 1992, (c) 1987, (d) 1982 and (e) 1977 amongst those (i) of all ages, (ii) aged 60 to 74, (iii) aged 74 to 84 and (iv) aged over 85 years; and

  (2) what were the winter mortality rates for (a) the population as a whole, (b) people aged 60 to 74, (c) people aged 75 to 84 and (d) people aged over 85 years; and what the percentage increase was in each age group compared to non-winter deaths in (i) 1997/98, (ii) 1992/93, (iii) 1987/88, (iv) 1982/83 and (v) 1977/78, respectively.

  Deaths are classified by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes.

  In answer to part (1) of your question Table I shows the number of deaths occurring in Northern Ireland, in each of the years specified, where hypothermia (ICD code 991.6) was either the main cause or a contributory cause of death. In 1977, there were no deaths attributed to hypothermia, but as the table shows, 14 deaths were attributed to ICD code 991 which covers all deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature. Consequently the detailed information requested on hypothermia has been produced for deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature, as shown in Table 2.

  Table 2: Deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature1

  Number of deaths

  Deaths by age

  1977

  1982

  1987

  1992

  1997

  Contributory cause

  0 to 59 years

  0

  0

  6

  0

  8

  60 to 74 years

  0

  0

  3

  2

  2

  75 to 84 years

  0

  0

  4

  4

  2

  85 or more years

  0

  0

  3

  0

  1

  All ages

  0

  0

  16

  6

  13

  All causes

  0 to 59 years

  13

  2

  7

  3

  12

  60 to 74 years

  1

  6

  4

  3

  5

  75 to 84 years

  0

  5

  5

  7

  5

  85 or more years

  0

  4

  3

  1

  2

  All ages

  14

  17

  19

  14

  24

  1Deaths shown have been coded as ICD code 991—Deaths due to effects of reduced temperature

  143

  Table 3: A comparison of winter and non-winter mortality rates (all causes)

  Rates per 1,000 population

  Year1,2

  Mortality rates

  1977–78

  1982–83

  1987–88

  1992–93

  1997–983.4

  Winter mortality

  0 to 59 years

  2.9

  2.4

  2.0

  1.6

  1.5

  60 to 74 years

  36.2

  34.4

  31.6

  25.9

  22.8

  75 to 84 years

  104.8

  102.0

  91.1

  77.6

  74.9

  85 or more years

  252.5

  246.8

  233.9

  189.0

  208.4

  All ages

  12.2

  12.0

  11.2

  9.7

  9.7

  Non winter mortality

  0 to 59 years

  2.6

  2.1

  2.0

  1.6

  1.5

  60 to 74 years

  29.3

  29.0

  26.6

  25.1

  20.7

  75 to 84 years

  85.8

  80.8

  74.6

  73.2

  65.3

  85 or more years

  195.5

  172.9

  192.6

  182.2

  178.3

  All ages

  10.1

  9.7

  9.6

  9.4

  8.7

  Percentage increase from non winter to winter rates5

  0 to 59 years

  11

  14

  2

  —0

  —1

  60 to 74 years

  24

  19

  19

  3

  10

  75 to 84 years

  22

  26

  22

  6

  15

  85 or more years

  29

  43

  21

  4

  17

  All ages

  21

  24

  17

  4

  12

  1Year incorporates December of year 1 and January to November of year 2. For example, 1997–98 incorporates December of 1997 and January to November of 1998.

  2 Winter months assumed to be December—March.

  31998 deaths figures are provisional.

  41998 population projection used as denominator for rate calculation as 1998 mid-year population estimate will not be available until June of 1999.

  5 The rounded percentages shown have been calculated using unrounded rates.

  Eurozone
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the impact of the eurozone on inward investment to Northern Ireland. [79400]

  Mr. Ingram
  The lead-time associated with securing inward investment is usually quite lengthy; therefore, it is too early to assess the impact that the introduction of the euro has had on investment.

  The Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland will continue to monitor the flows of inward investment to try to assess the impact, if any, of the introduction of the euro.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the role of community groups in facilitating the peace process. [79399]

  Mr. McFall
  The Good Friday Agreement recognises and values the work done by voluntary organisations to develop reconciliation and mutual understanding between and within communities. This work has a vital role in consolidating peace and political agreement. Furthermore, the District Partnerships, established with significant community sector participation as a delivery mechanism for the European Union Special Support Programme for 144
  Peace and Reconciliation, have harnessed the talents and energies of local people to achieve common goals. This has helped to underpin the peace process at local level.

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will list for the week ended 27 March the number of (1) punishment beatings and (2) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland indicating how many in each category were committed by(a) Loyalist and (b) Republican groups; [79709]

  (2) if she will list for the week ended 27 March the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [79708]

  Mr. Ingram
  The numbers of security incidents during the period 21 March-27 March 1999 are as shown:

  Shooting incidents: 3

  Bombing incidents: 3.

  The numbers of casualties as a result of paramilitary-style attacks during the period are as follows:

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  6

  nil

  Shootings

  nil

  1

  Total

  6

  1

  Notes:

  1. Figures may be subject to minor amendment.

  2. The shooting and bombing incidents cannot as yet be firmly attributed to a grouping.

  Green Belts
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the green belt land in each local authority area. [79842]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 13 April 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about a list of green belt land in Northern Ireland.
  The Planning Service, an Agency within the Department of the Environment, is the sole planning authority in Northern Ireland. The Department's policy on green belts is set out in Policy GB/CPA 1 of the publication entitled "A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland", a copy of which is available in the Library. There is no separate list of green belt land in Northern Ireland, as green belts around cities, towns and villages are designated by reference to the maps that accompany the Department's Development Plans covering district council areas.
  If, however, the Hon Member would find it helpful, further details can be provided on green belt land at specific locations.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) she, (b) her officials, (c) her advisers and (d) her PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79644]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

CABINET OFFICE

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what environmental appraisals of policy his Department has(a) completed, (b) started and (c) planned. [79628]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) today,Official Report, column 66.

  Modernising Government
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which of the public services to which he referred in his oral statement on 30 March 1999,Official Report, columns 859–61, it is planned to have delivered 24 hours a day, and seven days a week, where there is a demand. [80079]
  146
  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Modernising Government White Paper. launched on 30 March, includes a commitment to ensure that public services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, where there is demand. This will be achieved mainly through the use of information technology and call centres. To help bring about this fundamental change in delivering government services, we have proposed that 100% of basic dealings with government should be capable of being carried out electronically by the year 2008.

  Some specific targets relating to 24 hours a day, seven days a week services mentioned in the White Paper are:

  By the end of 2000 everyone will be able to phone NHS Direct at any time for healthcare advice;

  By 2001, job-seekers should be able to look and apply for jobs through the Employment Service using the internet;

  By 2002 it will be possible for the public electronically to book driving tests; file tax returns; get information about benefits; get on-line health information and advice; use the National Grid for Learning; apply for training loans and student support.

  In addition, by 2002 businesses will be able electronically to complete VAT registration and make VAT returns; file returns at Companies House; apply for regional support grants; and receive payments from government for the supply of goods and services.

  Melissa Virus
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Government departments have been infected by the Melissa virus; and if he will make a statement. [80225]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Each Government department is responsible for its own security, but departments are encouraged to report all IT security incidents, including virus infections, to the Unified Incident Reporting and Alert Scheme (UNIRAS), co-ordinated by the Security Service. UNIRAS issued a warning to Government departments about the Melissa virus on 29 March, giving advice on appropriate countermeasures. No department has so far reported any infection by Melissa, but the UNIRAS team anticipate that there might be a number of incidents, about which they would expect to receive routine reports in due course.

  KPMG
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what has been the total cost of services supplied to the Government by KPMG since 1 May 1997. [80399]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  This information for the cost of services supplied by KPMG to the whole Government is not held centrally.

  For information relating to the cost of services provided by KPMG to the Cabinet Office, its Agencies and NDPBs, I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 24 February 1999, Official Report, columns 336–37, to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmonds (Mr. Ruffley). Since then, there has been further expenditure of £31,999.95 (inc. VAT).

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list each of the new responsibilities which he will
  147
  assume when the signed Treaty of Amsterdam takes effect and for each (a) the likely effect on departmental staffing, (b) the bodies or persons in the European Union principally concerned and (c) the relevant section of that treaty and the consolidated treaties of the European Union and European Community. [80419]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Treaty of Amsterdam is not expected to have an impact on Cabinet Office staffing. The EU Institutions have to take account of the requirements of the "Protocol on Subsidiarity and Proportionality" and the "Declaration on the Quality of Drafting of Community Legislation", which fall under the responsibilities of the Cabinet Office.

  It was agreed at the Vienna European Council in December 1998 that the Protocol would come into force immediately, without waiting for the ratification of the Treaty. An Inter-Institutional Agreement putting the Declaration into effect was finalised in December 1998.

  One-stop Shops
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to co-locate local and central Government services in one-stop shops; and if he will list the places where this has been done successfully in the north-west. [80223]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  A key aim of the Modernising Government White Paper, launched on 30 March, is to deliver public services that meet the needs of citizens. The White Paper contained a number of initiatives to encourage joint working between central and local government, including through one-stop shops, for example: a big push on eliminating obstacles to joined-up working; a more co-ordinated approach to property management; 'learning labs' to encourage new ways of front-line working by suspending rules that stifle innovation; and changing our approach to, and guidance on, reviewing agencies and NDPBs to include a focus on the scope for improving services through collaboration. A second round of the Invest to Save Budget will fund new projects that involve partnership working. One of the projects receiving funds from the first round is a pilot project called INFOSHOP involving the Cabinet Office working with 16 local authorities, including the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley. This is developing a computer information system that local authority staff can use to answer complex customer queries.

  There are numerous examples of good practice from one-stop shops across the country, many of which are led by local government. The Government do not keep a central record of one-stop shops, so it is not possible to list those that operate in the north-west.

  Centre for Management and Policy Studies
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the Government first indicated its intention to set up the Centre for Management and Policy Studies. [80228]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Government first indicated their intention to set up the Centre for Management and Policy Studies on 28 July 1998,Official Report, columns 132–34. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister, in a written answer to a question on the future of the Cabinet Office, following the review of the Cabinet Office by Sir Richard Wilson.

  European Scrutiny Committee
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 when his Department has made available to the European Scrutiny Committee unofficial texts of draft European legislation; [80541]

  (2) on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 his Department has made available to the European Scrutiny Committee council working documents. [80548]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  My Department receives a large volume of both official and unofficial/working texts during the course of European Union negotiations on EU legislation and other matters. In order to facilitate the work of the European Scrutiny Committee and to keep it informed of the progress of negotiations, my Department submits Explanatory Memoranda (EMs) to the Committee. Since 1 May 1997, my Department has submitted 9 EMs to the European Scrutiny Committee. On one occasion, a Council working document covering draft joint guidelines on the quality of the drafting of Community legislation was attached to an EM submitted on 10 July 1998.

  European Legislation
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will place in the Library a copy of the rules which provide that working documents of the European Union in relation to draft legislation are the subject of confidentiality and cannot be disclosed for parliamentary scrutiny in member states. [80500]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Council works on the basis of proposals for legislation adopted by the Commission and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Article 5 of Council Decision 93/662/EC of 6 December 1993 setting out the Rules of Procedure of the Council notes that

  "deliberations of the Council shall be covered by the obligation of professional secrecy".

  This rule is held to apply not only to meetings of the Council itself, but also to preparatory meetings, eg COREPER, and Working Groups. The rules on public access to Council documents are set out in Council Decision 93/731/EC of 20 December 1993 and the Council's Code of Conduct on Public Access (93/730/EC). I have today placed copies of these documents in the Library of the House. The Government are committed to the principle of effective parliamentary scrutiny of European legislation, but decisions on the disclosure of particular documents to facilitate this process are for the individual Departments concerned.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Appeal Committee Chairmen
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeal committee chairmen are(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities, (c) solicitors or former solicitors and (d) barristers or former barristers; what is the total number of chairmen; and if he will make a statement. [79803]
  149
  Angela Eagle
  There are currently 686 full and part-time chairmen of tribunals working for the Independent Tribunal Service; 209 are women.

  The Independent Tribunal Service monitors ethnicity on a regular basis. Chairmen are not compelled to provide information on their ethnic origins and, therefore, full and detailed records are not available. However, available records show that 28 chairmen are from ethnic minorities.

  All chairmen are required to hold legal qualifications. Information is not available to indicate the split between solicitors and banisters (and advocates in Scotland). This information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  All chairmen are appointed by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor in consultation with the Lord Advocate. Appointments are made on merit in accordance with the Lord Chancellor's Department's equal opportunities policies.

  Fraud
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals in the Fraud Strategy Directorate had less than(a) one, (b) two, (c) five and (d) 10 years' direct experience of counter-fraud work before their appointment to the Directorate. [80390]

  Mr. Timms
  To develop, implement, audit and evaluate the Government's anti-fraud strategy, the Fraud Strategy Directorate requires people with a variety of skills and experience including knowledge of policy development, Social Security administration, legislation and programme and budget management. Most staff in the Directorate have previously had at least several years experience working in the administration of Social Security and dealing with customers, where countering fraud is the concern of all staff.

  Thirteen of the 48 staff in the Directorate have had prior experience of working in the field specifically on counter fraud work and their years of experience of this are as follows:

  Up to 1 year: 1 person

  1 to 5 years: 2 people

  2 to 5 years: 6 people

  5 to 10 years: 3 people

  More than 10 years: 1 person.

  SERPS
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will review the changes brought about by the Social Security Act 1986 to the state earnings-related pension scheme which will take effect on 6 April 2000; [79899]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the advice given by his Department on the legislative changes brought about by the Social Security Act 1986 to the state earnings-related pension scheme. [79943]

  Mr. Timms
  The Social Security Act 1986 modified SERPS for those reaching pension age from 6 April 1999 and 6 April 2000 onwards in several key areas. Most of these changes were incorporated into subsequent amendments to the leaflets NP46, "A guide to Retirement Pensions", and NP45, "A guide to Widow's Benefit".
  150
  However, the change affecting the rate of SERPS which can be inherited by a surviving spouse was not included until 1996.

  We are aware of cases where information has been given in response to inquiries by members of the public that did not reflect the change to inherited SERPS. The Benefits Agency has recently issued instructions to all staff to ensure that this does not recur.

  We hope to resolve the matter as soon as we can.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 26 March 1999,Official Report, column 440, on SERPS, for how long records of inquiries about SERPS entitlement are retained before destruction. [79658]

  Mr. Timms
  It is a requirement that written inquiries to the Benefits Agency (BA) Retirement Pension Forecast Advice Unit are retained for a minimum of 20 weeks. Approximately 2 years ago, the Unit began to retain a record of the inquiry and the answer given on computer for 18 months.

  Written inquiries to BA Local Offices are retained for a minimum of 20 weeks.

  Telephone inquiries of a general nature are not recorded. Normally, if specific information is given in a telephone call that affects a benefit claim then this is recorded. It is retained for the same period as written inquiries.

  Housing and Council Tax Benefits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to set up pilot projects in respect of the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit; and if he will make a statement. [80660]

  Mr. Timms
  As part of the Government's programme of work to modernise the administration of Social Security and to help reduce fraud and error, there are a number of pilots in progress. New ones are likely to be developed in the future. Pilots that have recently been established or are due to start soon include those outlined.

  From 12 April 1999 in 7 local authorities, we are testing the requirement of Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit (HB/CTB) claimants to provide sufficient information for a National Insurance number to be traced and confirmed, or be allocated. Testing will continue until the requirement is extended to all authorities from September 1999.

  Between July 1999 and September 1999, the Benefits Agency and local authorities will be piloting the incorporation of HB paid to claimants who are in receipt of Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based) into the Benefits Agency's Area Benefit Review programme which measures the level of fraud and error.

  Since 23 November 1998, the Department has been running a prosecution pilot, where selected local authorities can use Departmental solicitors free of charge to prosecute their cases of benefit fraud. The pilot is scheduled to run for a period of one year.
  151

  Pensions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the pension savings which will be needed to purchase an annuity equivalent to the difference between the value of the minimum income guarantee and passported benefits, and the value of the basic pension, in 15 years' time, assuming that the basic pension is raised in line with prices, the minimum income guarantee is raised in line with earnings, and that yields on Government bonds remain the same as at present. [79785]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is as follows:

  Projections of the levels of council tax, local authority and private sector rents in 15 years' time are not available. It is therefore not possible to estimate likely values of Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit so far into the future. However, these benefits are still available (at the differing rates) to people above the Minimum Income Guarantee. Free prescriptions are available to all pensioners, not just to those on Income Support.

  In 15 years' time, in order to purchase an annuity to provide an income equivalent to the difference between the basic State pension and the Minimum Income Guarantee would require a lump sum of approximately £15,000 in 1999 earnings terms, or £19,000 in 1999 prices.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000.

  2. Earnings grow 1.5 per cent. faster than prices.

  3. Annuity rates remain at the March 1999 level and are for a single man aged 65.

  4. Basic State pension rises in line with prices.

  5. Minimum Income Guarantee rises in line with earnings.

  Widows
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will make an announcement concerning compensation for widows who were misadvised by his Department on the halving of entitlement to their husband's additional pension after 5 April 2000. [80659]

  Mr. Timms
  We are making further inquiries and will make an announcement in due course.

  Lone Parents
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 1999,Official Report, column 706, on lone parents, how many lone parents receive income support (a) broken down by local authority area and (b) broken down by constituency. [79813]

  Angela Eagle
  The information has been placed in the library.

  Widowed Parents Allowance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) widowers and (b) widows he expects to be entitled to both widowed parents allowance and income support in (i) the first full year of implementation and (ii) 2020. [80654]
  152
  Angela Eagle
  There are estimated to be around 5,000 widows and 5,000 widowers expected to be entitled to both Widowed Parent's Allowance and Income Support in (i) the first full year of implementation and in (ii) 2020.

  Notes:

  1. The estimates presented above are broad orders of magnitude. They are rounded to the nearest 5,000 and are subject to a wide range of uncertainty.

  2. Estimates assume a constant proportion of cases are entitled to Widowed Parent's Allowance and Income Support.

  3. Estimates use information from the 1995–6 Family Resources Survey, the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Inquiry and forecasts from the Government Actuary's Department concerning the number of men and women affected by the proposed changes.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of(a) the proposed £10 disregard of widowed parents allowance in calculating entitlement to income related benefits and (b) the proposed premium for widows and widowers aged over 55 years in income related benefits in the first full year of implementation. [80657]

  Angela Eagle
  The estimated cost of introducing the proposed £10 disregard of widowed parents allowance in calculating entitlement to income related benefits is £10 million in the first full year of implementation.

  The estimated cost of introducing the proposed premium for widows and widowers aged over 55 years in income related benefits is £10 million in the first full year of implementation.

  Notes:

  1. The estimates presented above are broad orders of magnitude. They are rounded to the nearest £10 million and are subject to a wide range of uncertainty.

  2. Means-tested benefit offsets were estimated using the 1995–6 Family Resources survey and the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Inquiries.

  3. Estimates are based on forecasts from the Government Actuary's Department concerning the number of men and women affected by the proposed changes.

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each of the new responsibilities which he will assume when the signed Treaty of Amsterdam takes effect and for each(a) the likely effect on departmental staffing, (b) the bodies or persons in the European Union principally concerned and (c) the relevant section of that treaty and the consolidated treaties of the European Union and European Community. [80409]

  Angela Eagle
  The Treaty of Amsterdam will have minimal impact on the responsibilities of the Department and no additional staff are planned. Although Article 137 of the consolidated Treaty introduces an additional Community power to legislate in Social Security, we already have extensive experience of Community Social Security legislation under Article 42. The latter legislation will, in future, be subject to co-decision with the European Parliament.

  Benefit Fraud Inspectorate
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate inspections which have been initiated since

  Details of BFI inspections of local authorities and agencies

  Local authority

  Date inspection announced

  Date inspection started (questionnaire issued)

  Date on-site visit completed

  Date Secretary of State received report

  Blackpool

  17 September 1997

  6 October 1997

  5 December 1997

  1 April 1998

  Teesdale

  12 December 1997

  9 January 1998

  17 April 1998

  6 August 1998

  Ipswich

  12 December 1997

  30 January 1998

  8 May 1998

  16 December 1998

  Leicester

  12 December 1997

  6 March 1998

  5 June 1998

  16 December 1998

  Eastbourne

  12 December 1997

  13 March 1998

  12 June 1998

  12 February 1999

  Inverclyde

  12 December 1997

  29 May 1998

  28 August 1998

  12 February 1999

  Broxbourne

  12 December 1997

  9 January 1998

  17 April 1998

  5 March 1999

  East Dumbartonshire

  12 December 1997

  13 February 1998

  15 May 1998

  18 March 1999

  Croydon

  12 December 1997

  20 March 1998

  19 June 1998

  30 March 1999

  East Lothian

  12 December 1997

  12 June 1998

  11 September 1998

  18 March 1999

  South Ayrshire

  29 May 1998

  31 July 1998

  30 October 1998

  18 March 1999

  Elmbridge

  29 May 1998

  3 July 1998

  2 October 1998

  25 March 1999

  Oldham

  29 May 1998

  10 July 1998

  9 October 1998

  25 March 1999

  Thanet

  29 May 1998

  10 July 1998

  9 October 1998

  25 March 1999

  Tower Hamlets

  29 May 1998

  17 July 1998

  16 October 1998

  —

  The Wrekin

  29 May 1998

  14 August 1998

  13 November 1998

  —

  Trafford

  29 May 1998

  14 August 1998

  13 November 1998

  —

  Gateshead

  29 May 1998

  18 September 1998

  18 December 1998

  —

  East Devon

  29 May 1998

  25 September 1998

  8 January 1999

  —

  Stoke on Trent

  29 May 1998

  25 September 1998

  8 January 1999

  —

  Kirklees

  29 May 1998

  25 September 1998

  8 January 1999

  —

  City of Dundee

  11 November 1998

  27 November 1998

  26 February 1999

  —

  Richmond upon Thames

  11 November 1998

  4 December 1998

  5 March 1999

  —

  Swansea

  11 November 1998

  11 December 1998

  12 March 1999

  —

  Oxford

  11 November 1998

  18 December 1998

  19 March 1999

  —

  Bournemouth

  11 November 1998

  25 December 1998

  26 March 1999

  —

  Lichfield

  11 November 1998

  8 January 1999

  9 April 1999

  —

  Sandwell

  11 November 1998

  8 January 1999

  9 April 1999

  —

  West Wiltshire

  11 November 1998

  15 January 1999

  —

  —

  Powys

  11 November 1998

  22 January 1999

  —

  —

  Wigan

  11 November 1998

  5 February 1999

  —

  —

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  11 November 1998

  5 February 1999

  —

  —

  Norwich

  11 November 1998

  19 February 1999

  —

  —

  City of York

  11 November 1998

  26 February 1999

  —

  —

  Carlisle

  11 November 1998

  26 February 1999

  —

  —

  Rotherham

  11 November 1998

  12 May 1999

  —

  —

  Ellesmere Port

  11 November 1998

  26 March 1999

  —

  —

  St. Helens

  11 November 1998

  2 April 1999

  —

  —

  South Lakeland

  11 November 1998

  2 April 1999

  —

  —

  Babergh

  11 November 1998

  9 April 1999

  —

  —

  Agency

  Date announced

  Date inspection started

  Date on-site visit completed

  Date Secretary of State Received Report

  BA

  April 98

  April 1998

  August 1998

  March 1999

  CSA

  November 1998

  October 1998

  October 1998

  —

  CA

  November 1998

  October 1998

  February 1999

  —

  Benefit Payments (Post Offices)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answers of 25 February 1999,Official Report, columns 434–35, and 25 March 1999, Official Report, column 388, on the payment card trial, what factors underlie the discrepancy between the figure of £17 million for estimated total savings and the figure of £68,000 for savings already received. [79657]

  Angela Eagle
  The figure of £68,000 given in my Written Answer on 25 February represented fraud savings attributable to the Payment Card up to December 1998.
  154
  the establishment of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate, giving the dates (a) that they were commissioned, (b) the inspections started, (c) they were completed and (d) he received the completed reports. [80389]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  The figure of £17 million given on 25 March is an estimate, based on the latest agreed plans, of total fraud savings from the Payment Card during the pilot period, including savings from the trial of multiple benefit card payment.

  Bereavement Premium
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants he expects to be entitled to the premium in income-related benefits for widowed people over the age of 55 years in (i) the first full year of implementation and (ii) 2020. [80653]
  155
  Angela Eagle
  It is estimated that around 5,000 widowed people will be entitled to the Bereavement Premium in Income Support in the first full year of implementation.

  The Bereavement Premium will be available only to those men and women aged 55 or over at the start of the proposed new scheme of bereavement benefits who are widowed during the subsequent five years. It will not be available in 2020.

  Notes:

  1. The estimates presented above are broad orders of magnitude. They are rounded to the nearest 5,000 and are subject to a wide range of uncertainty.

  2. Estimates use information from the 1995/96 Family Resources Survey, the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry and forecasts from the Government Actuary's Department concerning the number of men and women affected by the proposed changes.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide data on the earnings levels of(a) all pensioners, (b) newly retired pensioners and (c) pensioners aged 75 years or over, in a format consistent with Tables VI and VII of the Pensioner Incomes Series, based on the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey. [80424]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Proportion of pensioners with earnings and the average amount of earnings

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Proportion with income from earnings (percentage)

  All pensioner units

  8

  8

  8

  Newly retired pensioner units

  20

  20

  20

  Pensioner units aged 75 years or over

  2

  2

  2

  Average earnings (£ per week) of those in receipt Mean amounts

  All pensioner units

  190

  177

  198

  Newly retired pensioner units

  206

  188

  209

  Pensioner units aged 75 years or over

  178

  150

  156

  Median amounts

  All pensioner units

  113

  100

  112

  Newly retired pensioner units

  140

  117

  139

  Pensioner units aged 75 years or over

  99

  76

  58

  Notes:

  1. All money amounts are given in £ per week at July 1996 prices.

  2. Earnings are defined as earned income from either employment or self employment.

  3. "Pensioner units" are defined as single people over state pension age (60 and over for women, 65 and over for men) and couples (married or cohabiting) where the man is aged over State pension age.

  4. 'Newly retired pensioner units' are defined as those less than five years older than State pension age; ie single women aged 60–64, single men aged 65–69, and couples in which the man is aged 65–69.

  5. 'Pensioner units aged 75 years or over' are defined as single people aged 75 or over, and couples in which the man is aged 75 or over.

  6. All figures, and particularly those for pensioner units aged 75 or over, should be treated with caution since they are based on small sample sizes.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey
  156
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the income sources which his Department has included in the category of investment income for the purpose of the Pensioner Incomes Series; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contribution of each to total investment income of(a) newly retired pensioners, (b) all pensioners aged under 75 years, including newly retired pensioners and (c) all pensioners aged 75 years or above. [80423]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  The Pensioners' Incomes Series 1996–97 is based mainly on data from the Family Expenditure Survey (FES). The following sources of income collected in the FES are included in the investment income category:

  Interest on money held in accounts:

  Bank accounts

  Building Society accounts

  National Savings Bank ordinary accounts

  National Savings Bank investment accounts

  Tax Exempt Special Savings Accounts

  Other savings or deposit accounts

  Income from stocks and shares, unit trusts, gilts, Personal Equity Plans.

  British savings bonds interest.

  Income from annuities, trusts covenants personal pensions.

  Property income.

  Other unearned income from royalties, sleeping partnerships, overseas pensions.

  The Pensioners' Incomes Series also includes tables based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS), which uses slightly different questions. Therefore, while the total investment income category is comparable between the two surveys, the individual sources listed may be grouped in different ways.

  It is not possible to estimate the contribution of each individual source to the total investment income estimates provided in The Pensioners' Incomes Series. This is because estimates relating to those pensioners with very high incomes are based on data from the Survey of Personal Incomes of the Board of the Inland Revenue. This survey does not provide a detailed breakdown of individual sources of investment income.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of the pensioner incomes coming from the state in 2050, as predicted in the Green Paper, Partnership in Pensions, will be delivered via means-tested benefits. [80391]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is not available.

  Projections forward to the year 2050 are subject to a high degree of uncertainty given the number of assumptions that need to be made in making these estimates. Some of those who will be pensioners in 2050 have yet to begin work, and most are today in their 20s and 30s.

  Estimates of the numbers of pensioners receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee have been made by extrapolating estimates from the PENSIM model, but these can give only a broad indication of the likely order of magnitude of figures so far into the future. The
  157
  PENSIM projections can be applied only to estimates of the proportion of pensioners on the Minimum Income Guarantee. Breakdowns of individual pensioner incomes into components including State pension payments and other income related benefits (such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) are not available as these projections would require many more assumptions to be made and would be surrounded by an unacceptable level of uncertainty.

  Pension Reform
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the feasibility of a faster implementation of his proposals for pension reform. [79865]

  Mr. Timms
  The Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill provides a framework for stakeholder pension schemes which should enable people to join the new schemes from April 2001. The Government propose to introduce the new State Second Pension from April 2002.

  We do not consider it practicable to implement our proposals any more quickly, given the extensive changes to operational systems that will be required following passage of the necessary legislation. These impact not only on Government but also on employers and the pensions industry.

  Select Committee Reports
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 1999,Official Report, column 623, on social security committee reports, for what reason he is unable to indicate on what occasions Ministers have discussed with hon. Members the contents of (a) draft reports, (b) reports prior to their issue and (c) embargoed copies of reports. [80092]

  Mr. Darling
  It would neither be practical nor serve any useful purpose to record every conversation between Ministers and hon. Members which might or might not touch on matters covered by subsequent Select Committee reports.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people in Eltham have had a change in their Disability Living Allowance entitlement in the last year; how many have resulted in(a) a reduction, (b) withdrawal and (c) no change; and how many have gone to appeal; [80497]

  (2) what is the average cost of an appeal against changes in Disability Living Allowance entitlement for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement; [80496]

  (3) how many people in Eltham have completed an appeal against an alteration in their Disability Living Allowance in 1998–99; and how many have resulted in (a) reinstatement, (b) complete withdrawal, (c) an increase, (d) no change and (e) a reduction in each component. [80498]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information on Disability Living Allowance claims and appeals is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
  158
  2,640 people were receiving Disability Living Allowance in the Eltham Constituency on 30 November 1998.

  For the 12 months ending 30 November 1998, 80 people in the Eltham Constituency had their award of Disability Living Allowance increased, 80 people had their entitlement decreased and 180 people had their award terminated.

  The average cost of a Disability Living Allowance appeal for 1998–99 is not currently available, but is estimated to be £300 per appeal.

  There are no data for the number of applicants in the Eltham Constituency who have had a change in entitlement during 1998 and who have then asked for a review or submitted an appeal.

  Note:

  The reason an award is terminated is not available. An award can be terminated because of death; residence or presence conditions no longer satisfied; relinquishment of benefit by claimant; or withdrawal of benefit by the Department.

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division: As the figures are below 500 the numbers are too small to be statistically reliable.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled people up to the age of 21 years are currently receiving state benefits due to their disability. [80027]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Number of recipients under 21 years of age for each of the relevant benefits

  Type of benefit

  Recipients under the age of 21

  Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit1

  762

  War Disablement Pension2

  *80

  Disability Living Allowance3

  255,600

  Incapacity Benefit4

  *300

  Severe Disablement Allowance4

  26,780

  Income Support Disability Premiums5

  Severe Disability Premium (Higher rate)

  Negligible

  Severe Disability Premium (Lower rate)

  1,000

  Disability Premium

  45,000

  Disabled Child Premium

  34,000

  Disability Working Allowance6

  958

  1Number of pensions in payment. Claimants may be in receipt of more than one pension. Based on 10 per cent. sample at 5 April 1997, and include an allowance for late returns.

  2Based on a 5 per cent. sample at 31 August 1998.

  3Based on 5 per cent. data at 30 November 1998.

  4 Taken from a 5 per cent. sample at 30 November 1998 of the benefit computer system, excluding a small number of cases held clerically.

  5 Based on a 5 per cent. sample from the Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry. November 1998, and rounded to the nearest thousand. Claimants may receive more than one type of disability premium and may therefore be counted in more than one total.

  6Based on 100 per cent. count of Disability Working Allowance claims at October 1998.

  Notes:

  1. Many people will be receiving more than one benefit.

  2. "*" Number is too small to be statistically reliable.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the total number of occasions when(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997. [76831]

  Mr. Blunkett
  There have been no occasions since 2 May 1997 when special advisers in this department have travelled abroad in an official capacity unaccompanied by Ministers. Costs are counted within the total of any overseas trips by Ministers.

  New Deal Helplines
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the cost of running helplines for the New Deal; how many staff have been employed in manning the helplines; and how many calls have been received since their inception. [77808]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 19 March 1999]: The total cost of providing the New Deal Information Line up to the end of February 1999 is £609,297.31. This has included significant numbers of calls for detailed and extensive information which result in long and complex calls.

  It has recorded 42,133 responses since it opened in October 1997. Seventy six per cent. of these responses have been from organisations requesting information or wanting to be involved in New Deal. The latter are diverted to the appropriate Employment Service regional office.

  The management and provision of the line is handled by a specialist outside company. The number of staff employed by them and dedicated to answering New Deal calls is currently four, but there is also a pool of 50 to 60 operators trained to take New Deal calls during peak periods.

  New Deal (Gateway)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the range of bids accepted by his Department to deliver the Gateway and each of the four strands of the New Deal. [77684]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 19 March 1999]: Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Phil Willis, dated 13 April 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about the range of bids accepted to deliver the Gateway and four options of the New Deal for 18–24 year olds. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.160 The New Deal is delivered in 143 areas, each with a local partnership whose method of delivery reflects local circumstances. Each partnership tendered and negotiated for its provision with different patterns of main and sub-contracts. Whilst I am unable, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, to provide details of individual contract prices, most should not vary greatly from the benchmark unit prices for each New Deal element set out in annex 1.It is important to note that the actual unit price depends not just on the prices which are agreed for these elements but, for example, on how long people stay and their success in terms of achieving outputs which attract a payment.The Employment Service will be reporting later this year on the overall financial performance of all Units of Delivery as part of our continuous improvement agenda.I hope this is helpful.

  Annex 1: New Deal for 18–24 year olds 1998–99

  Function

  Unit cost per entrant (£)

  Gateway

  228.26

  Employment option

  2,070

  Full-time education and training option

  2,300

  Voluntary sector/environment task force options

  2,750

  Notes:

  1. The figures represent GB-wide indicative planning assumptions and average unit prices.

  2. The unit cost for Gateway is available for each Gateway entrant.

  3. The total resource available will be dependent on the throughput of clients; these will differ between units of delivery.

  Child Care Clubs
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the extra cost to public funds to register clubs for children aged up to 14 years and up to 16 years in the case of disabled children. [78282]

  Ms Hodge
  It is proposed that out of school clubs should seek approval from quality assurance organisations which have been accredited by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. I do not anticipate any extra costs to public funds to arise from the approval process. There will be a small cost to public funds arising from the administration of the accreditation process. Quality assurance organisations are expected to charge childcare providers to cover the cost of administering their approval schemes.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to the oral statement by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 17 March 1999,Official Report, columns 1143–44, under which Education Act clubs making provision for eight to 14 year olds, and eight to 16 year olds in the case of disabled children, will be registered. [78283]

  Ms Hodge
  There will be no requirement for clubs making provision for children aged eight and over to be registered. The amendment to the Tax Credits Bill tabled on 17 March gives my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State the necessary power to set up a two tier approval scheme. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will accredit appropriate organisations to administer an approval system for childcare providers. Childcare providers will be able to seek approval from accredited
  161
  quality assurance organisations. The details of the scheme will be set out in regulations made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Organisations which wish to become accredited will need to demonstrate that their approval schemes set standards in the following areas: the health and safety and welfare of children, including the employment of suitable staff; the quality of the activities offered to children; and equal opportunities.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of quality threshold assessors available to assess child care clubs for children aged up to 14 years and up to 16 years in the case of disabled children. [78290]

  Ms Hodge
  In deciding whether quality assurance organisations should be accredited to approve child care providers for the purposes of the child care tax credit, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment will want to satisfy himself that the organisation has adequate arrangements to ensure sufficient trained quality assurance assessors are available.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of(a) the demand for child care clubs for children aged up to 14 years and up to 16 years in the case of disabled children and (b) the adequacy of current provision;
  [78291]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current geographical spread of child care clubs for children aged up to 14 years and up to 16 years in the case of disabled children in relation to projected demand. [78292]

  Ms Hodge
  Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships have been asked to produce local childcare audits. These audits represent the first ever comprehensive attempt to find out what forms of childcare are currently being used and the level of unmet demand in England.

  The audits, which have been used to inform Early Years Development and Childcare Plans for 1999–2000, show that there is currently an unmet demand in many areas. £170 million from the New Opportunities Fund is being made available between 1999–2003 to create new out of school childcare places in England. Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships will provide advice on the extent to which bids for NOF funding are consistent with priorities identified in their Plan. The extra help with childcare costs through the childcare tax credit element of the Working Families Tax Credit will help schemes, particularly in disadvantaged areas, to maintain their viability.

  Teachers' Salaries
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total cost of salaries of teachers in England and Wales in state schools in the last year for which figures are available. [78812]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The total cost of salaries of teachers in England and Wales in state schools at March 1997 is estimated at £9.9 billion.
  162
  This is based on salaries for all teachers employed in the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector including pupil referral units. It excludes employer national insurance and pension contributions.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the proportion of gross domestic product spent on compulsory age state education in each of the years 1995–96 to 1999–2000. [78707]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 25 March 1999]: The following table sets out figures for 1995–96 to 1997–98, the latest year for which outturn information is available. The figures represent recurrent spending on state schools across the UK expressed as a proportion of GDP. The resources announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review provide for the proportion of GDP devoted to education to rise over the Parliament, in fulfilment of the Government's manifesto commitment.

  Percentage

  Year

  Recurrent spending on state schools as a proportion of GDP1

  1995–96

  2.9

  1996–97

  2.8

  1997–98

  2.8

  1Includes spending on school sixth forms within secondary schools and nursery education within primary schools. Does not include capital expenditure.

  Teaching Staff and Students (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide a breakdown by ethnic origin and grade of(a) teaching staff at (i) primary, (ii) secondary and (iii) tertiary level and (b) students at university level. [79052]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The answers are as follows.

  (a) (i and ii) The ethnic origin of teaching staff at primary and secondary level is not available.

  (a) (iii) The grade of teaching staff at tertiary level is not available. Table 1 gives teaching staff in Further Education colleges in England by ethnicity.

  Table 1: Teaching staff in further education colleges, by ethnicity (headcount) England 1996–97

  Ethnic origin

  Number of staff1

  White

  91,400

  Black Caribbean

  1,000

  Black African

  500

  Black Other

  300

  Indian

  1,000

  Pakistani

  500

  Bangladeshi

  200

  Chinese

  200

  Other Asian

  700

  Other

  2,100

  Not known

  32,900

  Total

  130,700

  1Staff numbers are given to the nearest hundred.

  163
  (b) Table 2 gives Higher Education enrolments in English Higher Education institutions by ethnic group.

  Table 2: HE enrolments in English higher education institutions, by ethnic group (headcount) 1997–98

  Ethnic group

  Number of students1

  White

  1,037,300

  Black Caribbean

  18,000

  Black African

  27,800

  Black Other

  7,900

  Indian

  42,100

  Pakistani

  19,700

  Bangladeshi

  5,400

  Chinese

  22,100

  Asian Other

  25,600

  Other

  25,200

  Not known (UCAS code)

  7,500

  Unknown

  12,100

  Information refused

  120,100

  Information not yet sought

  104,600

  Missing

  21,500

  Total

  1,496,900

  1 Student numbers are given to the nearest hundred.

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up(a) sub-groups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees; [79263]

  (2) if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 (a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79287]

  Mr. Mudie
  The information requested is available only at disproportionate cost.

  School Sports Grounds
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice his Department issues to schools which have their own sports grounds on the use of those grounds by the local community; and if he will make a statement. [79058]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Individual school governing bodies control the use of their premises but, in doing so out of school hours, the law requires them to have regard to the desirability of making their premises available to the wider community. We value community use and want to see schools developing their community role. We are revising "Our School—Your School", which offers guidance on this matter, as part of a drive to promote community use.

  New Deal (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the New Deal in the Greater London area. [79076]
  164
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 13 April 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about the progress of the New Deal in the Greater London area. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.The New Deal has made an encouraging state in London. Government Statistical Service figures to the end of January 1999 show that in Greater London over 36,000 young people have joined the New Deal. Of these, nearly 6,000 have found unsubsidised jobs. Nearly, 7,000 have joined one of the four New Deal Options with 1,188 joining subsidised employment, 4,081 joining Full Time Education and Training and 1,726 joining the Voluntary Sector and Environment Task Force Options. The majority of remaining entrants are on the Gateway phase of the programme. In the older age group, over 20,000 people have joined the New Deal for long term unemployed people aged 25 or over, of whom over 1,300 have already found jobs and almost 1,000 have already taken up training or education opportunities. Of the remainder the great majority are, as we would expect at this stage, on the advisory phase of the programme.Our aim is to build on this progress through our programme of continuous improvement, working with the New Deal partnerships in each of our Units of Delivery. This work is being supported by the London Employers Coalition which is focusing on continuous improvement and on increasing business participation in New Deal in London.I hope this is helpful.

  Sure Start
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when Derbyshire County Council will be able to bid for Sure Start funding. [79077]

  Ms Jowell
  On 19 January, I invited the first applications for Sure Start funding from 60 areas of England. I plan to issue further guidance on the next round later in the year.

  Education (Middlesbrough)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has held with Middlesbrough Borough Council regarding improvements in education results; and if he will make a statement. [79411]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Within the past twelve months, the Standards and Effectiveness Unit's advisers for Middlesbrough have had five meetings with the local education authority in relation to the authority's Education Development Plan (EDP) and a number of meetings to discuss Middlesbrough's Education Action Zone (EAZ), its literacy and numeracy targets, and other standards issues.

  Middlesbrough has now established a rigorous process to support statutory target setting in order to make improvements on its results, and last week Middlesbrough's EDP was given approval for the full three years. I also understand that the work on the EAZ is progressing well.
  165

  Teachers Green Paper
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received concerning the length of time available for responses to the Green Paper on teachers. [79554]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Very little comment has been made about the four months available for responding to the Green Paper, Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to whom(a) the Green Paper on teaching and (b) the associated technical paper were distributed. [80093]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Copies of the Green Paper,Teachers: meeting the challenge of change, and the Technical consultation paper on pay and performance were distributed to all schools in England (both headteachers and chairs of governing bodies), local education authorities in England, the main teacher unions and, in addition, to several hundred bodies with an interest education. In addition, approximately 880,000 copies of the Green Paper summary have been distributed.

  Teachers' Pay Technical Paper
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which schools have been selected for consultation on the technical paper on teachers' pay; and on what basis were they chosen. [79381]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The schools selected as the sample group for consultation on the Technical Consultation Document on Pay and Performance Management have been given the opportunity to request that their responses remain confidential. We therefore do not wish to pre-empt this by announcing the participating schools.

  The sample was selected systematically from each of six school types: nursery (150 schools selected), primary (275), secondary (300), special (150), PRUs (150), and hospital schools (all). It covered a regionally representative range of LEAs, and avoided schools which had been selected to form the sample in other recent consultation exercises.

  School Science
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy to collect information on expenditure by local education authorities on school science. [79538]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Government have no plan to introduce such a policy. It is not practicable to isolate expenditure by local education authorities on specific areas of the curriculum. Decisions on the allocation of resources between curriculum areas are a matter for individual schools.

  Departmental Staff (Birth Certificates)
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what purposes his Department and its executive agencies require a birth certificate to be furnished by (i) employees, (ii) contractors, (iii) those applying for employment or contracts and (iv) other persons. [79556]
  166
  Mr. Mudie
  Before making any appointment, the Department must verify identity, age and nationality. Candidates have the option to produce a birth certificate to fulfil this requirement. It is not Departmental policy to ask contractors to produce Birth Certificates. A number of my Department's programmes have age eligibility criteria where again one of the applicants' options is to produce a Birth Certificate.

  People's Panel
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the research commissioned from the People's Panel by his Department; and in each case what was the purpose of the research and what was its cost. [79555]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The People's Panel has been set up to consult the public about how public services are delivered, and to use their ideas to help improve them. The Department has commissioned 2 pieces of research to help us do that:
  on the sources of help and advice on careers to young people at school. We wanted to know which were the most important to people, and what they thought could be done to improve the help and advice young people are given about their future careers. This was part of the first survey and was funded by the Cabinet Office who are responsible for setting up the People's Panel;6 focus groups were set up to investigate parent's attitudes towards including value added information in school performance tables, and the format in which they should be provided. The cost of the work was £13,000. It will help us develop measures that are useful to parents.

  School Funding
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that the extra money allocated by his Department for each of the schools in the boroughs of(a) Middlesbrough, (b) Stockton, (c) Redcar and Cleveland and (d) Hartlepool is passed on by the local education authority to each of the schools. [79659]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend has written to all English Local Education Authorities to urge them to ensure that the additional provision which we have made available is actually spent on education and, in particular, is used to support schools so that the resources can be spent directly on raising standards. We will be monitoring the financial returns of all authorities to see whether the cash increase in the education SSA has been used to support education, and how much has been passed through to schools.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the additional money to be allocated to each school in the boroughs of(a) Middlesbrough, (b) Stockton, (c) Redcar and Cleveland and (d) Hartlepool from 1 April 1999 relative to that allocated in 1998–99. [79660]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Local education authorities are currently in the process of submitting details of their budget proposals for the financial year 1999–2000 to the Department. I will write to the hon. Member when the figures he requests are available, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.
  167

  Teachers' Pensions
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment who are the members of the teachers' pension scheme long-term examination working group; when it last met; when it is due to meet next; and when its final report is due to be submitted to ministers. [79823]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Working Group is made up of representatives of:

  Department for Education and Employment

  Government Actuary's Department

  Chairman and Secretary of the Teachers' Panel of the Teachers' Superannuation Working Party

  National Union of Teachers

  Association of Teachers and Lecturers

  National Association of Head Teachers

  Secondary Heads Association

  National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers

  National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education

  Secretary of the Employers' Panel of the Teachers' Superannuation Working Party

  National Employers' Organisation for School Teachers

  Sixth Form Colleges' Employers' Forum

  Association of Colleges

  Universities and Colleges Employers Association

  Grant-maintained Schools Advisory Committee

  Independent Schools Council.

  The Working Group last met on 10 December 1998. I have received the Working Group's report and am currently considering its conclusions and recommendations. No dates have been set for further meetings of the Working Group.

  School Meals
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent by Derbyshire county council local education authority on subsidising school meals in each of the last 10 years. [79618]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows the difference between expenditure and income for all school catering services from 1990–91 to 1997–98. Comparable figures are not available before that date. From the financial year 1997–98, Derbyshire was reorganised into two local authorities, Derby and Derbyshire: figures for both are shown. Expenditure on, and income from, the school meal service will vary from year to year according to—among other factors—the proportion of children taking up an entitlement to free school meals.

  £000

  Expenditure

  Income

  Difference

  1990–91

  22,688

  7,560

  15,128

  1991–92

  26,921

  8,226

  18,695

  1992–93

  28,192

  9,873

  18,319

  1993–94

  22,959

  9,917

  13,042

  1994–95

  22,906

  9,700

  13,206

  1995–96

  21,803

  9,384

  12,419

  1996–97

  21,306

  9,199

  12,107

  168

  £000

  Expenditure

  Income

  Difference

  Derbyshire

  1997–98

  16,729

  8,191

  8,538

  Derby

  1998–99

  4,544

  1,997

  2,547

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the(a) total expenditure on, and (b) income from the local education authorities' school catering services in (i) Derbyshire, (ii) Nottinghamshire, (iii) Staffordshire, (iv) Surrey and (v) Hertfordshire in (1) 1994–95, (2) 1995–96, (3) 1996–97 and (4) 1997–98. [79619]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows total gross expenditure and total income for school catering from 1994–95 to 1997–98. Expenditure and income for the school meal service will vary according to the proportion of children entitled to free school meals.

  £000

  Expenditure

  Income

  1994–95

  Derbyshire

  22,906

  9,700

  Derby

  Staffordshire

  17,318

  9,784

  Stoke-on-Trent

  Surrey

  11,891

  8,950

  Hertfordshire

  14,833

  9,749

  Nottinghamshire

  19,892

  8,346

  1995–96

  Derbyshire

  21,803

  9,384

  Derby

  Staffordshire

  17,532

  11,559

  Stoke-on-Trent

  Surrey

  11,259

  8,985

  Hertfordshire

  14,430

  10,138

  Nottinghamshire

  17,316

  8,113

  1996–97

  Derbyshire

  21,306

  9,199

  Derby

  Staffordshire

  17,846

  10,910

  Stoke-on-Trent

  Surrey

  11,640

  9,867

  Hertfordshire

  13,265

  10,747

  Nottinghamshire

  17,399

  8,159

  1997–98

  Derbyshire

  16,729

  8,191

  Derby

  4,544

  1,997

  Staffordshire

  13,728

  9,011

  Stoke-on-Trent

  5,027

  2,668

  Surrey

  12,301

  10,315

  Hertfordshire

  14,313

  14,526

  Nottinghamshire

  18,765

  9,177

  Environmentally Friendly Industries
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in what ways the University for Industry will be used to encourage the growth of new
  169
  environmentally friendly industries through the provision of training programmes which relate to environmental services and waste management. [79891]

  Mr. Mudie
  Environmental technology and services form one of four key sectors identified as initial priorities for Ufl Ltd's early activity. The growth rate in this sector is strong and there is considerable potential to create jobs, win exports and protect the environment. Ufl development work will target the 5,000 or so companies in these markets, many of which are small and recently established. They are likely to need high quality learning materials in a range of areas including general business and organisation capabilities, and technical, management, finance and export skills.

  Monetary Policy Committee
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on what occasions he has met members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee; and what was discussed at each meeting. [79707]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the Governor of the Bank of England and other members of the Monetary Policy Committee in December 1997. They discussed a range of issues relating to employment and education.

  New Deal (Unsubsidised Employment)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of those individuals currently participating in each New Deal option other than subsidised employment he estimates will move on to unsubsidised employment. [79822]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I expect a significant proportion of young people on New Deal to move into unsubsidised employment from the Full Time Education and Training (FTET), Voluntary Sector (VS) and Environmental Task Force (ETF) options. Thus far, relatively few young people have completed this part of the New Deal process as participants can spend up to a year on FTET and six months on VS and ETF.

  National Minimum Wage (Job Advertisements)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what instructions he has issued to job centres to withdraw notices of vacancies advertised at less than the national minimum wage. [79698]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 13 April 1999:

  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply direct to your question regarding the instructions that have been issued to Jobcentres to withdraw notices of vacancies advertised at less than the national minimum wage. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.

  Guidance has been issued to Jobcentres and other relevant parts of the Employment Service explaining that, from 1 April, they must only process and display vacancies which comply with the requirements of the National Minimum Wage Act and its associated
  170
  regulations. All Jobcentre Managers have been instructed to check that this guidance is being followed. Vacancy takes in Jobcentres will explain the requirements of the legislation to any employers who may seek to offer rates below the National Minimum Wage.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79651]

  Mr. Mudie
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if people joining the New Deal for 18 to 25 year olds are compelled to state their educational qualifications. [80561]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Young people joining the New Deal are not compelled to provide information about their educational qualifications. However, this is routinely raised as a standard part of initial personal adviser interviews and there are few instances of the information not being supplied.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish statistics on the(a) employment and (b) benefit position of those who have completed a six month New Deal for 18 to 25-year-old option. [80562]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  We publish statistics on various aspects of New Deal performance on a monthly basis. The destination of those who leave an Option is contained in table 11 of the New Deal Statistical First Release, which is held in the Library.

  Youth Service
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he plans to issue his consultation paper on the future of the Youth Service; and if he will make a statement. [80264]

  Mr. Mudie
  We are currently reconsidering the nature and timing of our planned consultation on the future of the youth service in the light of our developing policies on support services for young people more generally. An announcement will be made in due course.

  Learning Standards Fund
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out the criteria used to determine allocation to local education authorities from the National Grid for Learning Standards Fund. [80387]
  171
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Allocations from the National Grid for Learning Standards Fund have been made with reference to the criteria set out in Department for Education and Employment Circular 13/98—The Standards Fund 1999–2000, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Modern Apprenticeships
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the reason for the fall in modern apprenticeship starts over the calendar year 1998; and if he will make a statement. [79916]

  Mr. Mudie
  Information from Training and Enterprise Councils about Government-supported training in 1998 is not yet final. I expect the June revision of these figures to bring them closer to the total for 1997 and that the number of MA starts in the 1998–99 operational year will match that in 1997–98.

  Students (Herefordshire)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students from Herefordshire are in receipt of grants for(a) full-time higher or further education and (b) part-time higher or further education; and if he will make a statement. [80262]

  Mr. Mudie
  The numbers of higher and further education awards in payment by Herefordshire Local Education Authority during the academic year 1997–98, the latest year for which figures are available, are shown in the table:

  Number of higher education 1 and further education2 awards made by Herefordshire3 academic year 1997–984

  Number

  Full-time Higher Education awards

  2,541

  Part-time Higher Education awards

  98

  Further Education awards5

  687

  1 Includes mandatory awards to personally eligible students attending full-time or sandwich courses leading to a first degree or comparable qualification, DipHE or HND courses and courses of initial teacher training; discretionary awards to students on courses eligible for mandatory awards but who do not fulfil the criteria for personal eligibility made under Section 1(6) of the Education Act 1962; and discretionary awards made under Section 2 of the Education Act 1962. Apart from certain courses of initial teacher training, only courses of full-time study are eligible for mandatory awards.

  2Discretionary awards made under Section 2 of the Education Act 1962.

  3Awards made to students normally domiciled in Herefordshire.

  4Data for 1997–98 are provisional.

  5Data are not collected separately for full-time and part-time awards.

  Examination Papers
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the performance of Edexcel in handling examination papers; and if he will make a statement. [79920]

  Mr. Mudie
  Edexcel is a commercial organisation, independent of Government, and responsible for its own procedures for handling examination papers. However, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has 172
  responsibility for ensuring that qualifications will be accredited only if they meet stringent criteria, and for subsequently monitoring the activities of the awarding bodies.

  The new accreditation criteria, which are being introduced this year, set out the necessary standards in the processes and procedures leading to awards and for ensuring high quality, consistency and rigorous standards in assessment and awarding.

  At the Government's request, QCA is also implementing a package of reforms to enhance the transparency, independence, speed and accountability of the inquiries on results and appeals system covering GCSE, A level and GNVQ.

  The new arrangements will be introduced in time to deal with cases arising from this summer's examinations.

  Schools (Spending)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what spending his Department plans to allocate for(a) increased access to information and communication technology in schools, (b) more teaching assistants and (c) more office staff in the next four years. [79906]

  Mr. Mudie
  Public expenditure plans have not yet been set beyond 2001–02. Over the next three years, we plan to allocate £555m to local education authorities in England to continue the process of equipping and networking schools to the National Grid for Learning. In addition, schools and their teachers and pupils will benefit from the £400m announced in the Budget as part of the Government's national IT strategy. The £400m will help widen access to ICT by establishing a network of learning centres; introducing a pilot project to supply recycled computers to homes, with families on low incomes having to pay only a very small charge; and providing subsidised loans to teachers for purchasing computers.

  We plan to allocate £350m over the next three years to provide an additional 20,000 teaching assistants in schools. We do not have plans for specific allocations for more office staff.

  Wirral Metropolitan College
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to receive the report of the most recent Further Education Funding Council inspection of Wirral Metropolitan College. [80516]

  Mr. Mudie
  We expect to receive the Further Education Funding Council's Inspection report on Wirral Metropolitan College later this month.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received about the retirement package for the retiring principal of Wirral Metropolitan College. [80214]

  Mr. Mudie
  We have not received any representations about the retirement package for the former principal of Wirral Metropolitan College.
  173

  Tertiary Colleges (Retiring Principals)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines his Department issues concerning retirement financial arrangements for principals of tertiary colleges. [80215]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Further Education Funding Council has provided guidance concerning such arrangements in its financial memorandum with colleges. This emphasises, among other things, affordability and the need to secure value for money.

  Village Schools
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the criteria for determining applications for change in status for small rural village schools. [79876]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Criteria for determining applications for significant changes in the character of a school will differ according to the nature of the change. Factors taken into account when deciding whether or not to approve proposals for the closure of rural schools will include the accessibility of alternative schools; the standard of the school that is proposed for closure and the standards of any alternative schools; the overall supply of school places in the area and the likely future demand for places; the overall effect of the closure on the local community; the cost implications of the possible options; any points made by the Local Education Authority or by the school proposed for closure; and the views of parents and other interested parties.

SCOTLAND

  Economic Diversification (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much public money has been spent in each of the last five years, in real terms, on(a) economic diversification in rural areas, (b) agricultural support indicating what percentage was from EU funds and
  (c) rural housing; what assessment he has made of the advantages of providing low-interest Government loans to encourage economic diversification in rural Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [68004]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: Information on Central Government funds spent in each of the last five financial years is as follows:

  (a) Spending related to Economic Diversification in Rural Areas

  £million

  Objective 1 and Objective 5b Programmes1

  Programme Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands expenditure2

  Total

  1993–94

  4.0

  79.3

  83.3

  1994–95

  4.0

  80.3

  84.3

  1995–96

  3.6

  79.1

  82.7

  1996–97

  2.5

  74.0

  76.5

  1997–98

  3.6

  77.0

  80.6

  1Total expenditure under the Rural Enterprise Programme, Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme (excluding Crofting Township Development Scheme) and the Rural Diversification Programme.

  174

  2 The enterprise agencies, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise (SE), do not attribute expenditure specifically to economic diversification. The HIE component of the aggregate figures above is based on actual spending under HIE's Growing Businesses programme which has as its objective an increase in the number, scale and competitiveness of businesses in the HIE area. All programme activities contribute to economic diversification. SE estimates that 16 per cent. of its project expenditure is spent in rural areas. The figures include an element of spend which is indicative of the level of support SE gives to businesses in rural localities within its area of operations.

  Note:

  Figures are at constant 1997–98 prices.

  (b) Agricultural Support

  Government spending on agricultural grants and subsidies is set out in the publication "Scottish Agriculture Output, Input and Income Statistics", copies of which are in the Library of the House. All of this expenditure is counted as UK public expenditure. In any year, the European Union's financial contribution to this spending is in the range of approximately 80–90 per cent.

  In addition to this support, the Government made available an additional £46 million in December 1997 and £35 million in November 1998.

  (c) Central Government expenditure on Rural Housing

  £million

  Housing1

  1993–94

  131

  1994–95

  132

  1995–96

  136

  1996–97

  111

  1997–98

  95

  1 These figures include Housing Support Grant, capital allocations made through the Housing Revenue Account (excluding receipts), Scottish Homes investment programme and the Capital Receipts Initiative (1997–98 only). They exclude personal subsidies such as Housing Benefit, Income Support for Mortgage Interest and Mortgage Interest Tax Relief. Figures are at constant 1997–98 prices.

  (d) Low Interest Loans
  Low interest loans are only one of a package of measures (including grants and equity investment) which the enterprise networks can use to provide financial support for enterprise and business development. The package of assistance designed for each case reflects the needs and opportunities of the individual applicant. The networks do not provide financial support where loan finance could otherwise be secured from the private sector.

  From 1 July 1999, economic diversification, agriculture and housing will be matters for the Scottish Parliament: relations with the EU will continue to be reserved to Westminster.

  Opinion Polls and Focus Groups
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the expenditure of his Department, its agencies and public bodies on opinion polling and focus groups for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000; and if he will list the work carried out or planned for each year. [69267]
  175
  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Neither my Department nor its agencies have undertaken any Public Opinion Polls in the period concerned. Departments have used Focus Groups to elicit the public's views as part of the following research studies:

  E1D

  Views of Parents on information required from schools and education authorities.

  D of H

  Acute Services Review.

  DD

  Public knowledge and perceptions of local government (for the Commission on Local Government and the Scottish Parliament).

  Development of Government Public Information Campaign relating to elections to the Scottish parliament.

  Public views on the operation of the Scottish Parliament.

  Review of Practice in Housing Management.

  Survey of Travellers Views.

  Evaluation of Rough Sleepers Initiative.

  The Young Teenager and Road Safety.

  AEFD

  Car dependency in Rural Scotland.

  Crime in Rural Scotland.

  Migration in Rural Scotland.

  Rural Water Review (Private supplies).

  HD

  Evaluation of the Jurors Leaflet.

  Teenwise Alcohol Projects.

  Hamilton Child Safety Initiative.

  Violence and Harassment of Gay Men.

  Joint Statement on Crown Witnesses.

  Impact and effectiveness of Reporter decision making.

  Evaluation of the Keep Warm This Winter Campaign.

  Victims reactions to Victim Information Leaflets.

  Evaluation of Dundee Family Project.

  Views from people with learning disabilities and their carers about service.

  Quality of care and quality of life for people in residential homes.

  The estimated cost of the focus groups is as follows:

  Year

  £000

  1996–97

  25

  1997–98

  50

  1998–99

  95

  1999–2000

  135

  1 Planned to date

  Detailed information for non-departmental bodies sponsored by The Scottish Office is not held centrally.

  Local Authorities (Public Relations)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount was spent on public relations and hospitality in each local authority in Scotland in the last year for which figures are available. [74983]
  176
  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 11 March 1999]: This information is not held centrally.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  City of Glasgow Council
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, indicating in each case the source, the amounts of public money spent in the City of Glasgow Council area in each year since the new city council came into being and the estimated amounts for 1998–99 and 1999–2000. [75711]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 15 March 19991]: I shall write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter and annexes in the House of Commons Library.

  Exports and Imports
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the last 10 years in real terms(a) the value of exports from Scotland to and (b) the value of imports to Scotland from (i) other United Kingdom countries, (ii) the European Union, (iii) the United States of America and (iv) the rest of the world. [76081]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 11 March 1999]: The Government do not maintain separate export or import figures for Scotland, as it is an integral part of the United Kingdom and we do not consider business between any part of the UK to be exports or imports. The following Scottish manufactured export figures are based on data, funded by Scottish Trade International and maintained by the Scottish Council Development and Industry.

  Scottish manufactured exports

  £ million

  Year

  European Union

  USA

  Rest of world

  Total

  1997

  11,670

  2,091

  5,497

  19,258

  1996

  10,756

  2,224

  5,435

  18,415

  1995

  10,454

  1,608

  5,254

  17,316

  1994

  7,843

  1,430

  4,991

  14,264

  1993

  6,101

  1,430

  4,009

  11,540

  1992

  5,687

  1,174

  2,821

  9,682

  1991

  5,379

  1,003

  2,451

  8,833

  1990

  4,967

  940

  2,667

  8,574

  1989

  4,215

  925

  2,524

  7,664

  1988

  4,156

  827

  2,183

  7,166

  For the last two years, with encouragement and support from Scottish Trade International, SCDI has produced export figures for the service sector and for the Primary sector. These figures are also derived from survey work but do not include the same level of detail as is provided for manufactured exports. The total figures are as follows:

  Service sector (including tourism)

  Year

  £ million

  1997

  2,070

  1996

  1,955

  In 1997, some 41 per cent. of service sector exports went to the EU with 25 per cent. to the USA.
  177

  Primary sector (including oil and gas)

  Year

  £million

  1997

  4,789

  1996

  6,090

  A destination breakdown is not available.

  Schools (Expenditure)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average expenditure in Scottish(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools (1) in total and (2) in each council area on (i) books, (ii) educational equipment and materials and (iii) other equipment (x) in each council area in 1997–98 and 1998–99 and (y) in total in (A) 1983–84, (B) 1988–89 and (C) each year since 1993–94 at 1998–99 prices. [76623]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 19 March 1999]: The information requested up to the year 1996–97 is given in the table, which has been compiled from local authority financial returns. There can be variations in the recording of expenditure under the two headings of books and expenditure. It is, therefore, possible that some expenditure on books may be included under expenditure on equipment or vice versa. Expenditure on other equipment is not identified separately in local authority returns to The Scottish Office. Information on actual expenditure by education authorities in Scotland in financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99 is not yet available.

  Ministers have announced since February that additional resources for books, totalling £7.8 million, are being made available in 1998–99 on top of local authority existing provision.

  Expenditure per pupil on text and library books and on educational tools, equipment and materials adjusted to 1998–99 prices using the GDP deflator

  £

  Primary

  Secondary

  Year

  Books

  Equipment

  Books

  Equipment

  1983–84

  17.04

  13.80

  25.30

  48.07

  1988–89

  16.57

  19.53

  27.37

  74.01

  1993–94

  10.98

  38.25

  16.06

  90.36

  1994–95

  9.56

  42.99

  12.95

  93.34

  1995–96

  9.09

  47.64

  13.72

  95.70

  1996–97

  6.47

  42.81

  9.09

  84.46

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mortgage Repossession Orders
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many mortgage repossession orders there were in each court district in each of the months of(a) January, February and March 1997, (b) January, February and March 1998, (c) May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 1998 and (d) January 1999. [76118]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]: Figures in relation to repossession of property by mortgage lenders have been collected by the courts since a revised system of collecting Civil Judicial Statistics was instituted on 1 January 1994. The figures for the number
  178
  of mortgage repossession orders in each Court District in each of the months of (a) January, February and March 1997, (b) January, February and March 1998, (c) May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 1998 and (d) January 1999 are shown in the tables.

  Court

  1 January 1997

  1 February 1997

  1 March 1997

  Aberdeen

  29

  13

  20

  Airdrie

  17

  18

  14

  Alloa

  3

  2

  1

  Arbroath

  8

  3

  5

  Ayr

  9

  12

  15

  Banff

  3

  1

  1

  Campbeltown

  0

  1

  0

  Cupar

  5

  2

  3

  Ding wall

  2

  1

  2

  Dornoch

  0

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  13

  6

  13

  Dumfries

  1

  4

  5

  Dundee

  16

  9

  13

  Dunfermline

  21

  18

  12

  Dunoon

  0

  2

  0

  Duns

  0

  1

  2

  Edinburgh

  29

  41

  42

  Elgin

  3

  3

  6

  Falkirk

  4

  7

  3

  Forfar

  3

  1

  1

  Fort William

  0

  0

  0

  Glasgow

  56

  70

  58

  Greenock

  3

  3

  3

  Haddington

  9

  2

  9

  Hamilton

  25

  24

  23

  Inverness

  0

  6

  4

  Jedburgh

  4

  2

  2

  Kilmarnock

  17

  21

  17

  Kirkcaldy

  15

  22

  10

  Kirkcudbright

  3

  1

  2

  Kirkwall

  0

  1

  1

  Lanark

  6

  9

  0

  Lerwick

  0

  0

  0

  Linlithgow

  15

  17

  0

  Lochmaddy

  0

  1

  0

  Oban

  1

  0

  4

  Paisley

  1

  0

  2

  Peebles

  0

  0

  2

  Perth

  11

  6

  6

  Peterhead

  7

  2

  4

  Portree

  0

  0

  0

  Rothesay

  1

  0

  1

  Selkirk

  0

  3

  2

  Stirling

  5

  8

  0

  Stonehaven

  0

  3

  7

  Stornoway

  0

  0

  0

  Stranraer

  3

  2

  1

  Tain

  0

  0

  0

  Wick

  0

  0

  0

  Grand Total

  348

  348

  316

  Court

  1 January 1998

  1 February 1998

  1 March 1998

  Aberdeen

  16

  19

  21

  Airdrie

  22

  11

  17

  Alloa

  2

  5

  4

  Arbroath

  0

  11

  3

  Ayr

  9

  7

  15

  Banff

  0

  0

  2

  Campbeltown

  1

  1

  2

  Cupar

  2

  1

  5

  Dingwall

  1

  1

  2

  Dornoch

  1

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  17

  21

  15

  Dumfries

  7

  1

  2

  Dundee

  5

  17

  10

  179

  Court

  1 January 1998

  1 February 1998

  1 March 1998

  Dunfermline

  19

  14

  12

  Dunoon

  1

  2

  5

  Duns

  1

  2

  1

  Edinburgh

  34

  55

  53

  Elgin

  5

  2

  2

  Falkirk

  11

  9

  6

  Forfar

  1

  4

  2

  Fort William

  0

  1

  0

  Glasgow

  52

  86

  70

  Greenock

  7

  8

  2

  Haddington

  10

  3

  4

  Hamilton

  1

  3

  6

  Inverness

  5

  10

  12

  Jedburgh

  1

  2

  1

  Kilmarnock

  24

  14

  28

  Kirkcaldy

  7

  22

  12

  Kirkcudbright

  0

  0

  0

  Kirkwall

  0

  0

  1

  Lanark

  3

  6

  3

  Court

  1 May 1998

  1 June 1998

  1 July 1998

  1 August 1998

  1 September 1998

  1 October 1998

  1 November 1998

  1 December 1998

  Aberdeen

  8

  6

  18

  15

  9

  14

  23

  14

  Airdrie

  18

  16

  42

  18

  29

  19

  27

  22

  Alloa

  4

  2

  4

  11

  10

  8

  9

  6

  Arbroath

  5

  2

  5

  3

  5

  6

  4

  6

  Ayr

  12

  12

  18

  13

  16

  7

  10

  12

  Banff

  4

  2

  1

  3

  2

  4

  1

  2

  Campbeltown

  0

  0

  2

  2

  1

  1

  0

  1

  Cupar

  1

  6

  5

  0

  4

  2

  2

  6

  Dingwall

  3

  0

  0

  2

  5

  3

  1

  2

  Dornoch

  1

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  22

  12

  15

  15

  10

  18

  16

  17

  Dumfries

  3

  9

  7

  4

  6

  2

  0

  5

  Dundee

  19

  18

  17

  19

  11

  16

  19

  5

  Dunfermline

  14

  17

  24

  12

  22

  7

  17

  16

  Dunoon

  2

  0

  2

  3

  2

  8

  3

  0

  Duns

  1

  0

  3

  1

  2

  1

  0

  3

  Edinburgh

  64

  56

  54

  61

  54

  41

  25

  35

  Elgin

  9

  3

  0

  0

  1

  4

  2

  5

  Falkirk

  13

  6

  9

  18

  23

  13

  18

  7

  Forfar

  2

  3

  4

  2

  4

  1

  2

  2

  Fort William

  0

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  3

  0

  Glasgow

  77

  94

  109

  92

  98

  86

  89

  135

  Greenock

  0

  9

  12

  7

  9

  5

  8

  8

  Haddington

  8

  4

  11

  5

  4

  10

  5

  4

  Hamilton

  3

  3

  2

  16

  4

  0

  27

  10

  Inverness

  5

  5

  12

  7

  13

  9

  10

  12

  Jedburgh

  1

  5

  3

  2

  2

  3

  5

  5

  Kilmarnock

  20

  21

  28

  19

  22

  31

  30

  21

  Kirkcaldy

  15

  23

  26

  22

  18

  22

  21

  13

  Kirkcudbright

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  Kirkwall

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lanark

  2

  4

  4

  1

  13

  5

  12

  7

  Lerwick

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  0

  2

  Linlithgow

  13

  25

  18

  30

  31

  15

  29

  16

  Lochmaddy

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Oban

  2

  2

  2

  2

  0

  4

  1

  0

  Paisley

  48

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Peebles

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Perth

  3

  9

  17

  5

  9

  7

  13

  6

  Peterhead

  1

  8

  8

  5

  5

  3

  3

  3

  Portree

  3

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  1

  Rothesay

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Selkirk

  0

  2

  3

  5

  4

  3

  7

  0

  Stirling

  8

  5

  8

  1

  12

  3

  6

  4

  Stonehaven

  1

  1

  0

  3

  0

  1

  4

  1

  Stornoway

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Stranraer

  5

  2

  2

  3

  2

  4

  0

  1

  Tain

  2

  2

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Wick

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Grand Total

  423

  399

  499

  437

  468

  393

  454

  419

  180

  Court

  1 January 1998

  1 February 1998

  1 March 1998

  Lerwick

  0

  4

  0

  Linlithgow

  15

  23

  11

  Lochmaddy

  0

  1

  1

  Oban

  0

  2

  0

  Paisley

  29

  41

  31

  Peebles

  0

  1

  1

  Perth

  9

  9

  11

  Peterhead

  6

  11

  5

  Portree

  0

  0

  1

  Rothesay

  0

  1

  2

  Selkirk

  3

  3

  5

  Stirling

  6

  2

  5

  Stonehaven

  3

  2

  1

  Stornoway

  1

  2

  1

  Stranraer

  1

  1

  2

  Tain

  2

  0

  1

  Wick

  0

  0

  0

  Grand Total

  340

  441

  396

  181

  Court

  1 January 1999

  Aberdeen

  13

  Airdrie

  26

  Alloa

  6

  Arbroath

  7

  Ayr

  3

  Banff

  2

  Campbeltown

  2

  Cupar

  3

  Dingwall

  6

  Dornoch

  1

  Dumbarton

  15

  Dumfries

  3

  Dundee

  13

  Dunfermline

  15

  Dunoon

  4

  Duns

  0

  Edinburgh

  41

  Elgin

  4

  Falkirk

  6

  Forfar

  2

  Fort William

  1

  Glasgow

  80

  Greenock

  3

  Haddington

  2

  Hamilton

  6

  Jedburgh

  1

  Kilmarnock

  30

  Kirkcaldy

  12

  Kirkcudbright

  1

  Kirkwall

  0

  Lanark

  5

  Lerwick

  1

  Linlithgow

  11

  Lochmaddy

  1

  September 1997

  September 1998

  P1

  P2

  P3

  P1

  P2

  P3

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  No.

  %

  Aberdeen City

  227

  10.5

  446

  21.4

  570

  29.2

  225

  10.9

  287

  14.3

  163

  8

  Aberdeenshire

  126

  5.6

  160

  9

  315

  16.2

  191

  9

  410

  22.6

  349

  18.6

  Angus

  124

  11.7

  193

  19.8

  31

  3.1

  158

  15.5

  254

  26

  220

  21.8

  Argyll and Bute

  62

  8.8

  127

  22.2

  255

  45.9

  31

  4.7

  131

  24.5

  160

  23

  Clackmannanshire

  33

  4.9

  64

  11.3

  64

  13.1

  65

  11.6

  94

  15.1

  64

  11.3

  Dumfries and Galloway

  322

  29.8

  227

  25.6

  420

  38.9

  95

  8.8

  223

  23.6

  160

  16.4

  Dundee City

  568

  33.8

  561

  34.6

  580

  38.3

  351

  24.2

  369

  24.9

  362

  22.8

  East Ayrshire

  162

  11.4

  189

  13.9

  349

  26

  221

  16.3

  189

  14.7

  126

  9.2

  East Dunbartonshire

  288

  20.5

  478

  35.9

  452

  33.5

  318

  23.4

  285

  22.3

  671

  51.1

  East Lothian

  127

  12.4

  192

  18.5

  192

  20.3

  159

  16

  256

  29

  191

  19.1

  East Renfrewshire

  361

  30.3

  655

  57.4

  446

  41.9

  432

  35.9

  553

  50.4

  483

  40.2

  Edinburgh, City of

  1,195

  27.9

  1,694

  40.9

  1,681

  42.1

  1,166

  28.3

  1,246

  31.6

  1,536

  38.4

  Eilean Siar

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Falkirk

  450

  28.1

  673

  45.3

  646

  42.6

  293

  19.5

  415

  29.7

  611

  41.3

  Fife

  155

  4.3

  318

  10.4

  758

  23

  94

  2.7

  124

  4

  345

  10.5

  Glasgow City

  1,327

  20.4

  1,217

  20.4

  1,484

  26.3

  1,486

  24.9

  1,315

  24

  1,284

  22.4

  Highland

  201

  12.1

  190

  12.3

  284

  18.5

  95

  5.8

  96

  7

  96

  6.4

  Inverclyde

  159

  15.2

  193

  19

  258

  25.1

  129

  13.4

  128

  12.8

  190

  20.1

  Midlothian

  160

  16.7

  98

  11.1

  351

  37.6

  —

  —

  126

  15.1

  126

  14

  Moray

  94

  9.4

  161

  18.1

  285

  37

  —

  —

  62

  6.8

  124

  13.6

  North Ayrshire

  258

  16.2

  345

  21.8

  383

  24.7

  163

  10.6

  320

  22.1

  348

  22.7

  North Lanarkshire

  589

  16.1

  706

  21.1

  1,035

  32.2

  424

  11.6

  419

  13.2

  750

  22.7

  Orkney Islands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Perth and Kinross

  378

  32

  196

  18.7

  348

  29.8

  226

  18.3

  318

  27

  382

  31.9

  Renfrewshire

  878

  40.7

  461

  24.8

  685

  32.5

  549

  27.2

  682

  34.1

  653

  34.2

  Scottish Borders

  158

  18.2

  129

  15.6

  157

  19.4

  71

  8.4

  32

  4.2

  191

  24.1

  Shetland Islands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Ayrshire

  255

  22.1

  260

  22.8

  516

  48.4

  478

  39.6

  286

  26.3

  287

  25.8

  South Lanarkshire

  352

  10.5

  414

  14

  799

  27.6

  418

  12.1

  318

  11

  602

  21

  Stirling

  63

  7.6

  125

  17

  189

  25.9

  96

  13.5

  155

  20.6

  254

  30.6

  West Dunbartonshire

  187

  16.8

  320

  31.4

  159

  17

  96

  9

  158

  16.5

  384

  38.1

  West Lothian

  516

  26.5

  709

  38.2

  773

  43.8

  777

  41.6

  613

  34.5

  613

  34.3

  182

  court

  1 January 1999

  Oban

  1

  Paisley

  0

  Peebles

  0

  Perth

  6

  Peterhead

  4

  Portree

  1

  Rothesay

  1

  Selkirk

  4

  Stonehaven

  1

  Stornoway

  2

  Stranraer

  3

  Tain

  0

  Wick

  0

  Grand Total

  356

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Pupils
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary for Scotland what is his estimate of (i) the number and (ii) the percentage of children in primaries(a) one, (b) two and (c) three in each local authority taught in classes of more than 31 pupils in (1) 1997–98, (2) 1998–99, (3) 1999–2000, (4) 2000–01 and (5)2001–02. [76153]

  Mrs. Liddell:
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]: The information requested is set out in the table. It is not possible to provide estimates for 1999–2000, 2000–01 or 2001–02. The figures for 1998 are provisional.
  183
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the secretary of State for scotland what is his estimate of(a) the number and (b) the percentage of children in each local authority taught in classes of 31 or more pupils in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001–02. [76143]

  Mrs. Liddell:
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]: The information requested is set out in the table. It is not possible to provide estimates for 1999–2000, 2000–01 or 2001–02. The figures for 1998 are provisional.

  September 1997

  September 1998

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Aberdeen City

  3,767

  23.8

  2,983

  19.1

  Aberdeenshire

  2,222

  10.4

  2,506

  11.7

  Angus

  1,429

  15.3

  1,431

  15.4

  Argyll and Bute

  1,215

  15.6

  1,058

  13.6

  Clackmannanshire

  780

  17.2

  993

  22

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,381

  18.5

  1,509

  11.8

  Dundee City

  3,583

  29.2

  3,111

  25.9

  East Ayrshire

  1,926

  16.9

  1,780

  15.9

  East Dunbartonshire

  2,873

  27

  2,656

  25

  East Lothian

  1,026

  12.9

  1,212

  15.1

  East Renfrewshire

  3,444

  40.1

  3,407

  39.1

  Edinburgh, City of

  8,713

  28.5

  8,513

  28.1

  Eilean Siar

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Falkirk

  3,432

  27.9

  3,415

  27.6

  Fife

  4,050

  13.2

  3,230

  10.6

  Glasgow City

  9,551

  19.5

  9,172

  19.3

  Highland

  1,818

  9.5

  1,400

  7.4

  Inverclyde

  1,331

  17

  1,389

  18.2

  Midlothian

  1,462

  19.7

  1,052

  14

  Moray

  1,363

  16.9

  815

  10.2

  North Ayrshire

  2,563

  20.3

  2,690

  21.4

  North Lanarkshire

  5,330

  17.9

  5,154

  17.5

  Orkney Islands

  32

  1.7

  31

  1.7

  Perth and Kinross

  1,856

  17.2

  2,177

  20

  Renfrewshire

  4,786

  30.3

  4,719

  30.4

  Scottish Borders

  889

  10

  937

  10.5

  Shetland Islands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Ayrshire

  2,771

  29.2

  2,666

  28.4

  South Lanarkshire

  4,329

  16.1

  3,796

  14.1

  Stirling

  630

  9.2

  890

  13

  West Dunbartonshire

  1,589

  17.9

  1,501

  17

  West Lothian

  4,652

  31.4

  4,387

  29.6

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Company Licences
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for(a) small and medium enterprises and (b) larger companies (i) all licences and permits issued by his Department and its agencies to companies permitting them to carry out their business, (ii) the cost of each such licence or permit in (A) 1997–98 and (B) 1999–2000 and (iii) the current number of companies which are in receipt of each such licence or permit [76854]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]: The information requested is rather lengthy; therefore, I am placing copies in the Library of the House.

  Timber Industry
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures his Department has taken to assist the export of softwoods by the UK softwood industry; and if he will make a statement. [77203]
  184
  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 23 March 1999]: My Department has had no requests for export assistance from the softwood industry. The Scottish softwood industry would, of course, be eligible for the range of export assistance available from Scottish Trade International, the Government's export agency in Scotland.

  Scottish processors are the most important market for Scottish softwoods, buying almost 80 per cent. of the harvest. The remaining 20 per cent. goes to processors in other parts of the UK. There have been no sales of Scottish softwoods (or hardwoods) outside the UK for some years.

  Scottish Parliament Building
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of the furnishings and fittings of the new Scottish Parliament buildings, indicating separately the cost of information technology and television facilities; and which of these are included in the £50 million cost referred to his answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) of 28 January 1999,Official Report, column 385. [77798]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 25 March 1999]: An initial estimate of £3½ million was made in March 1998 for budgetary purposes to cover the cost of purchasing furniture and fittings for the new Scottish Parliament building. The actual cost of the furniture cannot be calculated until the building designs are finalised, and will depend on the state of the market at the time of purchase and the extent to which we can re-use furniture from the interim accommodation.

  An initial estimate of £4 million was made in March 1998 for budgetary purposes to cover the purchase of Information and Communication Technology equipment, including televisual production equipment. The actual cost of the ICT equipment will depend on operational experience of the systems being used in the interim accommodation, on the decisions made by the Parliament itself in the light of that experience, and the state of the ICT market at the time of purchase. It is likely that a substantial portion of the hardware and software installed at the interim accommodation will be re-used at Holyrood, and this will also have a bearing on the final costs.

  Neither of these estimates is included in the estimated construction cost budget of £50 million excluding VAT and fees referred to in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 28 January.

  Home Repossessions
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many home repossessions there were in Scotland in each year since 1992. [77765]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 25 March 1999]: Figures in relation to repossession of property by mortgage lenders have only been collected by the courts since a revised system of collecting Civil Judicial Statistics was instituted on 1 January 1994. Figures are not available prior to this time.

  Figures for the number of home repossession orders granted in Scotland for each year since 1994 are shown in the table. Not all lenders who are granted decrees actually enforce them.
  185

  Court

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Aberdeen

  15

  90

  202

  186

  178

  Airdrie

  107

  106

  138

  200

  244

  Alloa

  12

  37

  31

  36

  70

  Arbroath

  20

  7

  14

  37

  60

  Ayr

  39

  106

  98

  142

  149

  Banff

  0

  17

  16

  15

  23

  Campbeltown

  7

  12

  7

  13

  Cupar

  33

  32

  52

  44

  37

  Dingwall

  16

  26

  14

  17

  22

  Dornoch

  3

  4

  1

  1

  4

  Dumbarton

  47

  125

  105

  106

  197

  Dumfries

  28

  58

  54

  42

  50

  Dundee

  69

  94

  165

  149

  168

  Dunfermline

  96

  124

  132

  157

  185

  Dunoon

  15

  14

  13

  18

  29

  Duns

  8

  10

  16

  11

  15

  Edinburgh

  245

  419

  501

  536

  574

  Elgin

  28

  30

  58

  35

  37

  Falkirk

  68

  112

  142

  118

  142

  Forfar

  9

  8

  29

  19

  31

  Fort William

  0

  4

  6

  4

  11

  Glasgow

  479

  689

  872

  869

  1,051

  Greenock

  3

  8

  50

  46

  80

  Haddington

  60

  64

  82

  88

  74

  Hamilton

  109

  236

  253

  171

  75

  Inverness

  23

  62

  64

  80

  110

  Jedburgh

  11

  21

  21

  22

  36

  Kilmarnock

  88

  194

  216

  221

  268

  Kirkcaldy

  53

  132

  155

  176

  224

  Kirkcudbright

  11

  11

  19

  16

  5

  Kirkwall

  5

  4

  13

  4

  2

  Lanark

  0

  49

  58

  52

  66

  Lerwick

  2

  4

  3

  2

  12

  Linlithgow

  91

  180

  209

  160

  251

  Lochmaddy

  2

  2

  7

  1

  3

  Oban

  8

  8

  12

  12

  18

  Paisley

  36

  203

  176

  198

  149

  Peebles

  10

  9

  10

  7

  6

  Perth

  44

  76

  109

  84

  108

  Peterhead

  48

  35

  65

  53

  62

  Portree

  4

  2

  8

  4

  8

  Rothesay

  5

  5

  2

  7

  10

  Selkirk

  18

  16

  17

  24

  38

  Stirling

  37

  39

  34

  47

  66

  Stonehaven

  21

  32

  42

  40

  22

  Stornoway

  0

  1

  13

  5

  9

  Stranraer

  18

  20

  20

  21

  26

  Tain

  5

  7

  13

  15

  11

  Wick

  2

  10

  2

  0

  1

  Grand Total

  2,058

  3,554

  4,339

  4,305

  5,030

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Civil Servants (Appraisal)
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the appraisal performance markings awarded to civil servants in 1998 for(a) each agency in his Department and (b) the Department broken down by (i) grade, (ii) gender, (iii) ethnicity, (iv) part-time/ full-time working and (v) disability; and for (1) each agency and (2) the Department whether the Cabinet Office's four fifths rule for detecting potential adverse impact was applied to the appraisal markings of civil servants in the 1998 report round. [78144]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 26 March 1999]: Information for the 1998 appraisal round is shown in the tables.
  186
  Departments and Agencies have authority to determine their own performance review arrangements for their staff outside the Senior Civil Service, subject to certain conditions. Within The Scottish Office, the Scottish Prison Service and Historic Scotland Executive Agencies have adopted different review arrangements from the remainder of the department.

  In order to protect individual anonymity, it has been necessary to combine the results for the agencies other than Scottish Prison Service and Historic Scotland.

  The four-fifths rule is not an absolute measure, but may be an indicator that further analysis is required. It is not the approach currently used within The Scottish Office. Instead, annual statistical analyses of all appraisal markings are routinely carried out, and the results reported to top management. This includes analysis by gender and grade. Detailed analysis for the 1998 round is not yet complete.

  From 1 July 1999, responsibility for the Civil Service is a reserved matter, but staff appraisal will be a delegated matter.

  Scottish Office Core

  Percentage gaining performance mark

  Box 1

  Box 2

  Box 3

  Box 4/5

  Grade

  Band A

  6.8

  58.4

  34.1

  0.6

  Band B

  5.5

  64.5

  1—

  1—

  Band C

  13.1

  67.3

  1—

  1—

  Gender

  Female

  8.8

  63.2

  1—

  1—

  Male

  5.6

  61.4

  32.6

  0.5

  Ethnicity

  Ethnic

  0.0

  50.0

  1—

  1—

  Other

  7.2

  62.3

  30.2

  0.3

  Full time/Part time

  Full Time

  7.0

  62.1

  30.5

  0.4

  Part Time

  8.7

  64.4

  26.9

  0.0

  Disability

  Not Disabled/Not Known

  7.2

  62.4

  30.1

  0.3

  Self-Declared Disabled

  1—

  57.8

  1—

  1—

  Total

  7.1

  62.3

  30.2

  0.4

  1Figures withheld to avoid disclosure

  Scottish Office Core and Agencies (excluding HS and SPS)

  Percentage gaining performance mark

  Box 1

  Box 2

  Box 3

  Box 4/5

  Grade

  Band A

  6.4

  58.9

  34.0

  0.7

  Band B

  5.4

  63.4

  1—

  1—

  Band C

  12.5

  67.6

  1—

  1—

  Gender

  Female

  8.4

  63.6

  27.8

  0.3

  Male

  5.3

  60.6

  33.5

  0.5

  Ethnicity

  Ethnic

  0.0

  52.9

  1—

  1—

  Other

  6.8

  62.0

  30.8

  0.4

  Full time/Part time

  Full Time

  6.7

  61.8

  31.1

  0.4

  Part Time

  7.5

  64.7

  27.8

  0.0

  187

  Scottish Office Core and Agencies (excluding HS and SPS)

  Percentage gaining performance mark

  Box 1

  Box 2

  Box 3

  Box 4/5

  Disability

  Not Disabled/Not Known

  6.8

  62.1

  30.7

  0.4

  Self-Declared Disabled

  1—

  58.5

  1—

  1—

  Total

  6.7

  62.0

  30.9

  0.4

  1Figures withheld to avoid disclosure

  Scottish Prison Service

  Percentage gaining performance mark

  A rating

  B rating

  C/D rating

  Grade

  Band A

  10.1

  77.5

  12.4

  Band B

  7.3

  71.5

  21.2

  Band C

  5.6

  68.3

  26.1

  Band D

  14.7

  80.7

  4.6

  Band E

  21.2

  74.9

  4.0

  Band F/G

  17.2

  73.5

  9.3

  Band H/I

  40.0

  60.0

  0.0

  Gender

  Female

  15.2

  68.5

  16.3

  Male

  12.7

  77.3

  10.0

  Ethnicity

  Ethnic

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Other

  13.1

  76.0

  10.9

  Full Time/Part Time

  Full Time

  13.2

  75.9

  11.0

  Part Time

  0.0

  1—

  1—

  Disability

  Not Disabled/Not Known

  13.4

  75.4

  11.2

  Self-Declared Disabled

  6.8

  86.9

  6.3

  Total

  13.1

  75.9

  11.0

  1Figures withheld to avoid disclosure

  Historic Scotland

  Percentage gaining Performance mark

  Box 1

  Box2

  Box3/4

  Grade

  Band A

  11.3

  1—

  1—

  Band B

  20.4

  79.6

  0.0

  Band C

  19.1

  1—

  1—

  Band D

  43.9

  1—

  1—

  Band E

  41.7

  58.3

  0.0

  Band F/G

  27.8

  72.2

  0.0

  Band H/I

  1—

  1—

  0.0

  Gender

  Female

  31.2

  68.8

  0.0

  Male

  17.6

  80.6

  1.8

  Ethnicity

  Ethnic

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Other

  21.1

  77.6

  1.3

  Full Time/Part Time

  Full Time

  21.1

  77.6

  1.3

  Part Time

  1—

  1—

  00.0

  Disability

  Not Disabled/Not Known

  21.2

  77.5

  1.3

  Self-Declared Disabled

  1—

  1—

  0.0

  Total

  21.1

  77.6

  1.3

  1Figures withheld to avoid disclosure

  188

  Senior Civil Service

  Percentage gaining performance mark

  Box 1

  Box 2+/2

  Box 3+/3

  Box 4/5

  Grade

  Senior Civil Service

  13.3

  58.2

  28.5

  0.0

  Gender

  Female

  19.0

  47.6

  33.3

  0.0

  Male

  12.4

  59.9

  27.7

  0.0

  Ethnicity

  Ethnic

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Other

  13.0

  58.2

  28.5

  0.0

  Full-Time/Part-Time

  Full Time

  12.0

  54.4

  26.6

  0.0

  Part Time

  1—

  54.5

  1—

  0.0

  Disability

  Not Disabled/Not Known

  13.3

  58.2

  28.5

  0.0

  Self-Declared Disabled

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Total

  13.3

  58.2

  28.5

  0.0

  1Figures withheld to avoid disclosure

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations will be undertaken by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in respect of the proposed incineration of Ministry of Defence radioactive waste at Grundons, Colnbrook. [78999]

  Mr. Macdonald
  In addition to consulting my right hon. Friend, and the Health and Safety Executive, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) also consulted the bodies shown in the list.

  In addition, SEPA placed notices in the Helensburgh Advertiser and the Edinburgh Gazette.

  Bodies consulted

  Argyll and Bute Council

  Copeland Borough Council

  Cumbria County Council

  Slough Borough Council

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board

  Ayrshire and Arran Health Board

  West of Scotland Water Authority

  Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee

  The National Radiological Protection Board

  Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation

  The Environment Agency.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he has commissioned on the health effects of the incineration of Ministry of Defence radioactive waste on people living in the vicinity. [79001]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend has commissioned no specific research. However, when authorising the Colnbrook facility to receive radioactive waste, the Environment Agency sought and received assurance from the site operator that the radiological implications were satisfactory.
  189
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultation will be undertaken with local authorities through whose areas Ministry of Defence radioactive waste is to be transported for eventual incineration at Grundons, Colnbrook. [79004]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Current regulations on the transport of radioactive material in Great Britain place no requirement on either the consignor or the transporter to consult with local authorities through whose area a shipment is taking place.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been received by(a) him and (b) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on the proposal to incinerate Ministry of Defence radioactive waste at Grundons, Colnbrook. [79002]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend received two sets of representations and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency received seven sets from consultees and others.

  The representations covered the health hazards of disposal, lack of consultation, suitability of material for incineration, proximity of incinerator to other premises, transport issues, nature of the decision-making procedures, availability of incineration facilities in Scotland, the position post-devolution, and the link between radioactive waste and the nuclear weapons programme.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he has commissioned into the health effects on the population of those areas through which Ministry of Defence radioactive waste is to be transported for eventual incineration at Grundons, Colnbrook. [79005]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend has commissioned no specific research into this area. A report by the National Radiological Protection Board, entitled "The Radiation Exposure from the Normal Transport of Radioactive Materials within the United Kingdom" (NRPB-R255), covered road and rail shipments in general. It found the radiological exposure arising from transport to be very slight in comparison with that from natural background radiation. A copy of that report is in the House Library.

  Court Proceedings
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate he has made for each area of the average time between receipt of police reports at the office of the Procurator Fiscal and the commencement of proceedings, in each of the last five years; [78803]

  (2) in each of the last five years, for those police reports made to procurators fiscal for which there were proceedings, what was the average time, area by area, between receipt of the report and commencement of proceedings for (a) district court summary cases,
  (b) sheriff court summary cases, (c) solemn cases at sheriff court and (d) High Court cases. [78805]
  190
  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: A single average for all cases is not readily available. Nor are we able to provide without disproportionate cost an average time for solemn cases.

  I have prepared tables containing average time between receipt of reports of crime and service of complaints in relation to summary cases in Sheriff and District Courts by Procurators Fiscal in each of the last 5 years (up to February 1999). As the information is rather lengthy, I am placing copies in the House Library.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of police reports made to procurators fiscal in each year since 1994; and how many of those were marked "no proceedings". [78804]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: I have prepared tables containing the total number of reports of crime made to Procurators Fiscal in each year since 1994 (to February 1999), and those marked "no proceedings". As the information is rather lengthy, I am placing copies in the House Library.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Birth Certificates
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what purposes his Department and its executive agencies require a birth certificate to be furnished by (i) employees, (ii) contractors, (iii) those applying for employment or contracts and (iv) other persons. [79557]

  Mr. Dewar
  My Department and its agencies require to see birth certificates of prospective employees only, to ensure that they meet the Nationality requirements for appointment to the Home Civil Service and for salary and pension purposes. There are no requirements to see birth certificates for contractors.

  For other persons, my Department does not require to see birth certificates. However, certain agencies require a birth certificate where the functions for which they are responsible make that necessary. The Scottish Office Pensions Agency requires to see birth certificates of members of the pension schemes it operates. The Student Awards Agency for Scotland needs sight of birth certificates for students who claim dependants allowances.

  Health Board Expenditure
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a detailed breakdown of expenditure by each health board in Scotland for the year until 31 July 1998. [79357]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: The table gives details of the health boards expenditure for the latest financial year available which is 1997–98.
  191

  £000

  Health Boards

  HCH expenditure

  FHS expenditure

  Other expenditure

  Total

  Argyll & Clyde

  253,260

  105,086

  10,100

  368,446

  Ayrshire & Arran

  211,948

  87,871

  11,411

  311,230

  Borders

  70,257

  23,481

  1,856

  95,594

  Dumfries & Galloway

  94,466

  36,312

  3,109

  133,887

  Fife

  188,589

  79,608

  9,299

  277,496

  Forth Valley

  148,262

  64,628

  7,203

  220,093

  Grampian

  293,394

  108,888

  17,414

  419,696

  Greater Glasgow

  585,186

  223,675

  40,262

  849,123

  Highland

  128,335

  50,512

  9,775

  188,622

  Lanarkshire

  298,646

  125,364

  11,308

  435,318

  Lothian

  454,032

  165,260

  22,205

  641,497

  Orkney

  13,601

  4,878

  2,122

  20,601

  Shetland

  15,840

  5,234

  1,586

  22,660

  Tayside

  268,582

  94,486

  7,224

  370,292

  Western Isles

  25,880

  7,841

  1,776

  35,497

  Scottish Totals

  3,050,278

  1,183,124

  156,650

  4,390,052

  Note:

  HCH—Hospital & Community Health

  FSH—Family Health Services

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Outpatient Appointments
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of people awaiting an outpatient appointment at each Scottish hospital on (i) 31 January 1997, (ii) 31 January 1998 and (iii) 31 January 1999; and in each case, how many outpatients had been waiting for(a) three to six months and (b) more than six months. [78734]

  NHS in Scotland: Waiting times for first outpatient appointment from general medical practitioner (GMP)/general dental practitioner(GDP) referral

  Quarter ending 31 December 1996

  Quarter ending 31 December 1997

  Quarter ending 31 December 19981

  NHS Trust/directly managed unit

  Number of patients who waited 3–6 months

  Number of patients who waited over 6 months

  Number of patients who waited 3–6 months

  Number of patients who waited over 6 months

  Number of patients who waited 3–6 months

  Number of patients who waited over 6 months

  South Ayrshire Hospital

  147

  21

  757

  96

  811

  54

  North Ayrshire and Arran Hospital

  121

  9

  816

  54

  250

  13

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Health Care

  21

  3

  16

  2

  2

  1

  Borders General Hospital

  450

  88

  363

  208

  340

  33

  Borders Community Health Services

  0

  0

  7

  0

  17

  9

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  1,944

  550

  1,138

  1,236

  977

  223

  Inverclyde Royal

  140

  8

  528

  193

  662

  47

  Renfrewshire Healthcare

  13

  23

  52

  13

  23

  15

  Lomond Healthcare

  200

  8

  247

  21

  676

  27

  Argyll and Bute

  205

  118

  355

  92

  392

  83

  Queen Margaret Hospital

  985

  74

  1,244

  159

  1,415

  309

  Fife Healthcare

  313

  35

  58

  4

  16

  1

  Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals

  889

  64

  2,242

  220

  1,779

  409

  Southern General Hospitals

  1,519

  532

  2,302

  647

  1,999

  986

  Yorkhill

  764

  65

  1,793

  399

  130

  55

  Victoria Infirmary

  2,186

  262

  2,092

  146

  2,316

  234

  West Glasgow Hospitals University

  2,429

  324

  2,526

  462

  3,349

  958

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University

  1,893

  553

  2,894

  632

  3,799

  974

  Stobhill

  532

  33

  906

  63

  849

  36

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Service

  66

  17

  76

  7

  113

  10

  Glasgow Dental Hospital and School

  842

  220

  1,306

  226

  1,581

  333

  Raigmore Hospital

  914

  338

  1,231

  429

  781

  574

  Caithness and Sutherland

  150

  64

  220

  20

  176

  66

  Highland Communities

  12

  6

  12

  2

  17

  5

  Monklands and Bellshill Hospitals

  850

  105

  1,526

  468

  1,473

  564

  Law Hospitals

  1,081

  330

  1,849

  472

  1,540

  192

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals

  867

  190

  1,143

  225

  1,463

  358

  192
  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: Information on waiting lists is collected only for hospital inpatients and day cases. Data are available quarterly on first outpatient referrals and the length of time that patients waited for their first outpatient appointment. The number of patients who received a first outpatient appointment within three to six months, and more than six months following a General Medical Practitioner/General Dental Practitioner referral, by NHS Trust, for the quarters ending 31 December 1996, 1997 and 1998, is provided in the table.
  193

  NHS in Scotland: Waiting times for first outpatient appointment from general medical practitioner (GMP)/general dental practitioner (GDP) referral

  Quarter ending 31 December 1996

  Quarter ending 31 December 1997

  Quarter ending 31 December 19981

  NHS Trust/directly managed unit

  Number of patients who waited 3–6 months

  Number of patients who waited over 6 months

  Number of patients who waited 3–6 months

  Number of patients who waited over 6 months

  Number of patients who waited 3–6 months

  Number of patients who waited over 6 months

  Lanarkshire Healthcare

  31

  15

  50

  9

  73

  23

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals

  2,393

  1,011

  2,257

  537

  2,692

  553

  Grampian Healthcare

  395

  51

  646

  41

  520

  69

  Moray Health Services

  127

  28

  350

  24

  454

  25

  Orkney Health Board Unit

  2

  1

  10

  2

  19

  0

  West Lothian

  1,067

  223

  1,187

  377

  1,635

  410

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  2,537

  615

  2,767

  835

  3,879

  1,717

  Edinburgh Sick Children's

  3

  2

  22

  0

  117

  1

  Western General Hospitals

  398

  162

  826

  249

  615

  398

  East and Midlothian

  154

  26

  266

  72

  230

  45

  Edinburgh Healthcare

  50

  34

  121

  17

  18

  1

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals

  2,271

  232

  1,683

  140

  2,574

  439

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare

  458

  102

  995

  183

  1,305

  159

  Dundee Healthcare

  70

  49

  88

  51

  90

  23

  Angus

  351

  25

  388

  56

  367

  126

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  110

  9

  844

  42

  771

  189

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

  772

  301

  888

  178

  273

  187

  Central Scotland Healthcare

  2

  1

  1

  2

  14

  22

  Western Isles Health Unit

  80

  1

  133

  33

  5

  1

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals

  191

  191

  419

  91

  200

  67

  Dumfries and Galloway Community Health

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  Shetland Hospitals and Community Services Unit

  27

  0

  22

  1

  15

  2

  1Provisional

  Source:

  ISD, Scotland

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Maternity Services
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of providing NHS maternity services in Scotland for each of the last five years. [79584]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information requested is as follows:

  £ million

  1994–95

  168.6

  1995–96

  173.0

  1996–97

  177.5

  1997–98

  181.9

  1998–99

  Not yet available

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Caesarean Sections
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the cost to the NHS of a Caesarean section in Scotland; [79585]

  (2) what is the cost to the Scottish NHS of a 1 per cent. increase in the annual rate of Caesarean sections. [79586]

  Mr. Galbraith
  This information is not collected centrally.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  194

  Breast Feeding
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial provision has been made for the promotion of breast feeding in each of the last three years in Scotland. [79587]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The figures in the table show the financial provision directly related to the promotion of breastfeeding in the last three years. They include expenditure in relation to the National Breastfeeding Adviser in Scotland, who provides training, advice and support to NHS personnel and lay workers and acts as a facilitator to local breastfeeding initiatives.

  These figures represent only a small part of our investment to promote breastfeeding, which is increasingly being integrated with mainstream health education campaigns. For example, a major publication on pregnancy and early childrearing 'Ready, Steady, Baby' produced and widely distributed by the Health Education Board for Scotland in 1998–99 included a section on breastfeeding; and a recent edition of 02 Magazine—which is sent to all S1 and S2 school pupils—featured breastfeeding in relation environmental, social and health issues. Breastfeeding is also linked with the criteria for eating establishments to achieve a 'Healthy Choices Award' and is identified as a workplace issue, with employers encouraged to provide appropriate facilities within 'Scotland' s Health At Work' award scheme. A dedicated website on breastfeeding to provide information for both public and professional use has also been set up.

  The Government are fully committed to the promotion of breastfeeding, which is universally accepted as the best form of nutrition for infants. Our recent White Paper "Towards a Healthier Scotland" identified the health of

  195
  children as a key area for action. It recognised that breastfeeding and good care in early life can significantly improve a child's chances in life; and it set out proposals for a health demonstration project to focus on the promotion of health from birth and throughout the first 5 years of childhood. One of the potential aims of this project will be to encourage good nutrition through breastfeeding.

  £

  1996–97

  75,000

  1997–98

  76,000

  1998–99

  60,000

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what environmental appraisals of policy his Department has(a) completed, (b) started and (c) planned. [79625]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The available information is currently being collected by Departments in response to the Environmental Audit Committee's request for information on environmental appraisals as part of its second inquiry into the Greening Government Initiative.

  From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Green Belt Land
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the green belt land in each local authority area. [79850]

  Mr. Macdonald
  1. There are currently 6 areas in Scotland designated as greenbelt land. These are shown in table 1.

  Table 1

  Greenbelt

  Area (to nearest ha)

  Edinburgh

  15,869

  Glasgow

  109,917

  Falkirk and Grangemouth

  3,803

  Ayr, Prestwick and Troon

  3,024

  Aberdeen

  23,039

  Clackmannan

  981

  Total

  156,633

  2. Greenbelt areas broken down by local authority are contained in table 2.

  Table 2

  Local authority

  Area of green belt (to nearest ha)

  Aberdeenshire

  13,283

  Aberdeen City

  9,756

  Clackmannanshire

  981

  Stirling

  1,544

  Argyll and Bute

  2,787

  Falkirk

  3,786

  West Dunbartonshire

  2,617

  North Lanarkshire

  22,187

  East Dunbartonshire

  10,365

  196

  Table 2

  Local authority

  Area of green belt (to nearest ha)

  City of Edinburgh

  9,995

  West Lothian

  31

  Inverclyde

  13,721

  East Lothian

  1,777

  Renfrewshire

  19,661

  Glasgow City

  3,510

  Midlothian

  4,094

  North Ayrshire

  94

  South Lanarkshire

  22,837

  East Renfrewshire

  10,478

  East Ayrshire

  21

  South Ayrshire

  3,024

  Coastal Sliver

  84

  Total

  156,633

  Note:

  As at March 1999—The Scottish Office Geographic Information Service

  The boundaries of individual greenbelts are defined in the relevant local authorities' local plans which can be viewed at the offices of the authority concerned.

  The figures given are based on the geographical overlay of two datasets from different sources held by the Scottish Office Geographical Information Service (SOGIS). The different scales of these two datasets cause very small differences in the figures for greenbelt areas, known as "slivers". Coastal slivers are areas where the greenbelt data crosses the coastline.

  As from 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Child Minding
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each local authority area, the number of pre-school child minding places available and express the figure as a percentage of the total number of pre-school children in the area. [80218]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The table gives the available information. Some authorities have yet to submit their returns.

  Registered child minding places for children under 5, as at 30 November 1997

  Local authority

  Number of registered places

  Number of registered places as a percentage of under 5 population %

  Aberdeen City

  735

  6

  Aberdeenshire

  1,266

  9

  Angus

  854

  13

  Argyll and Bute

  459

  9

  Clackmannanshire

  181

  6

  Dumfries and Galloway

  295

  3

  Dundee City

  n/a

  n/a

  East Ayrshire

  433

  6

  East Dunbartonshire

  698

  11

  East Lothian

  n/a

  n/a

  East Renfrewshire

  n/a

  n/a

  Edinburgh, City of

  n/a

  n/a

  Eilean Siar

  66

  4

  Falkirk

  721

  8

  Fife

  1,964

  10

  Glasgow City

  n/a

  n/a

  Highland

  n/a

  n/a

  197

  Registered child minding places for children under 5, as at 30 November 1997

  Local authority

  Number of registered places

  Number of registered places as a percentage of under 5 population %

  Inverclyde

  171

  3

  Midlothian

  n/a

  n/a

  Moray

  539

  10

  North Ayrshire

  346

  4

  North Lanarkshire

  655

  3

  Orkney Islands

  66

  6

  Perthshire and Kinross

  966

  13

  Renfrewshire

  438

  4

  Scottish Borders

  n/a

  n/a

  Shetland Islands

  128

  8

  South Ayrshire

  462

  8

  South Lanarkshire

  979

  5

  Stirling

  509

  11

  West Dunbartonshire

  235

  4

  West Lothian

  n/a

  n/a

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what regulations or guidelines he has issued regarding child minders and premises for child minding, with particular reference to the number of children and the number of child minders who can be accommodated on any premises. [80219]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Scottish Office issued guidance to local authorities on the regulation of services for children under the Children Act 1989 in June 1991. That guidance recommends adult: child ratios for child minding and other forms of day care for children under the age of 8. Advice on the number of child minders who may be accommodated on any particular premises is not, however, provided in the guidance.

  We issued a consultation paper on the regulatory arrangements for early education and child care in March this year. Follow up action could include revised guidance.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  EU Grants
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff in his Department are involved in processing the payment of(a) European Regional Development Fund grants and (b) Social Fund grants. [79934]

  inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total

  Ethnic officers as percentage of total strength

  Central

  —

  —

  2

  2

  0.28

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Fife

  —

  —

  2

  2

  0.24

  Grampian

  1

  —

  1

  2

  0.16

  Lothian and Borders

  —

  1

  5

  6

  0.23

  Northern

  —

  —

  1

  1

  0.15

  Strathclyde

  —

  1

  34

  35

  0.49

  Tayside

  —

  —

  3

  3

  0.26

  Total

  1

  2

  48

  51

  0.34

  198
  Mr. Macdonald
  Five and one half full time equivalent members of staff process the final payment of European Development Fund grants and 2 full time members of staff European Social Fund grants. In addition, 3 members of staff provide management and support services to the final payments process.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department pays out grants under EU funds before receiving the money from the EU. [79935]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Yes. Since February 1999, it has been Fund and European Regional Development Fund grants Government policy to make payment of European Social on receipt of valid claims from project sponsors. It is expected that this will lead to improvements in the overall payments process, with grant funds being paid earlier to project sponsors.

  From 1 July 1999 the administration of European Structural Funds will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.

  Traffic Projections
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what national guidelines are available to local authorities to help them to calculate the probable volume of traffic from a proposed development. [79918]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Guidelines are published by the Institution of Highways and Transportation on the preparation of Transport Impact Assessment (TIA) Reports. These are widely accepted as the national standards. A local authority consortia also maintain and update continuously a UK National Database of trips generated by different types of development. These data are used in the preparation of a TIA.

  A TIA report would normally be requested by the local authority from a developer in support of a planning application. The impact, if any, on trunk roads would be included within such reports.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Police Officers (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of the ethnic origin of police officers in each rank in each force in Scotland. [80650]

  Mr. McLeish
  The available information, which relates to officers from the ethnic minority communities and is for 31 March 1998, is shown in the table.
  199
  No one from the ethnic minority communities has been identified as holding rank above that of Inspector.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the ethnic breakdown is of police officers in each force in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [79932]

  Mr. McLeish
  The numbers and proportion of ethnic minority officers are shown in the table.

  31 March 1998

  Percentage ethnic officers of total police strength

  Central

  2

  0.01

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0

  0

  Fife

  2

  0.01

  Grampian

  2

  0.01

  Lothian and Borders

  6

  0.04

  Northern

  1

  0.01

  Strathclyde

  35

  0.23

  Tayside

  3

  0.02

  Total

  51

  0.34

  The recruitment and retention of ethnic officers in Scotland will be addressed in responding to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the overseas companies by sector which located business in Glasgow in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998 and the total number of jobs created in each category as a result. [80007]

  Mr. Dewar
  All our dealings with inward investors are undertaken on a commercially confidential basis and it would not therefore be appropriate to publish details of individual projects except in cases where details of the project have been announced by the company itself.

  The following table contains details of the inward investment projects attracted to Glasgow in 1997 and 1998 where the company in question is overseas-owned and where the project has been the subject of a public announcement.

  Company

  Jobs announced

  Sector

  1997

  Clintrials Research Ltd. (USA)

  240

  Healthcare

  Eaton Ltd. (USA)

  100

  Services

  1998

  TeleTech Europe Ltd. (USA)

  500

  Services

  Cable and Wireless Communications (USA)

  400

  Services

  Yoshitomi Pharmaceutical Ind. (Japan)

  12

  Healthcare

  Tasco Europe Ltd. (Netherlands)

  400

  Services

  FirstTel Systems Corporation (USA)

  50

  Software

  Note:

  The job figures are based on information provided by the companies concerned at the time of the investment decision and take no account of subsequent developments
  200
  In addition, there were a further 3 projects by overseas-owned companies which were not publicly announced. These projects involved the planned creation of over 20 new jobs and the safeguarding of over 500 existing jobs.

  There has also been a significant level of inward investment in Glasgow by companies based in other parts of the UK.

  The figures for total inward investment in Glasgow—both by overseas-owned and UK-owned companies—show that, in 1997 and 1998, the city has attracted 22 projects involving the planned creation or safeguarding of nearly 4,000 jobs.

  As from 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the number of patients with multiple sclerosis in each health board area who would benefit from the provision of beta-interferon in Scotland. [80010]

  Mr. Galbraith
  It is not possible to estimate the number of patients with multiple sclerosis in each Health Board who would benefit from the provision of Beta-Interferon.

  By no means all patients with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis benefit from the use of this drug and decisions as to individual patients' eligibility for this treatment depend on the clinical judgment of the medical practitioners concerned.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what discussions he has had with health boards regarding the prescription of beta-interferon; what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effectiveness of beta-interferon in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis in Scotland; and if he will increase the resources available to health boards to fund the provision of beta-interferon to patients with multiple sclerosis; [80009]

  (2) how much funding has been allocated to support research into the causes and treatment of multiple sclerosis in each of the last three years. [80011]

  Mr. Galbraith
  In 1995, The Scottish Office Department of Health (SODoH) issued guidance to health boards covering the use of beta-interferon for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The guidance states that the costs of prescribing beta-interferon for suitable patients are expected to be met from within health board allocations, taking account of local priorities.

  We have not funded research into the causes or treatment of multiple sclerosis in the past 3 years, and we have never funded research on the effectiveness of beta-interferon as a treatment. This is because no quality proposals on these subjects have been received. The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the SODoH is responsible for encouraging and supporting research aimed at improving the health of the people of Scotland and the services provided by the NHS in Scotland. CSO would be

  201
  happy to receive innovative, quality proposals on these subjects, which would be assessed in the usual way by an external, independent, peer review body.

  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients suffering from multiple sclerosis were prescribed beta-interferon by each health board in(a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997 and (d) 1998. [80008]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information for Scotland for the years 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 is shown in the table.

  In order not to disclose information that may relate to an individual patient the data are presented on a national basis and covers 14 of the 15 Health Boards. One Health Board was unable to provide the information in the desired format.

  Year

  Number of patients

  1995

  1

  1996

  4

  1997

  15

  1998

  97

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish parliament.

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is taking to reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease in Scotland. [80006]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) continues to be one of the clinical priorities of the NHS in Scotland, as is show by the establishment last autumn of the CHD Task Force, which is looking into all aspects of the disease. I announced on 5 February a £7m CHD initiative to tackle all aspects of the disease, from primary prevention to cardiac rehabilitation.

  The White Paper 'Towards a Healthier Scotland', published on 17 February, focused on a number of major health topics, including CHD, and announced our new target of reducing the age standardised mortality rate from the disease in people under 75 by 50 per cent. between 1995 and 2010, from 143 to 72 deaths per 100,000 population.

  One of the main vehicles for achieving this target is the demonstration project "The Heart of Scotland", outlined in the White Paper. The project will concentrate on primary prevention, and seek to disseminate best practice throughout Scotland, with the objective of driving down the rate of CHD.

  Other important White Paper initiatives, relevant to reducing the incidence of CHD, include action to implement the measures in the White Paper 'Tobacco Kills'; accelerate the ongoing work to improve diet; reduce alcohol misuse; and encourage greater physical activity.

  In addition, the Health Education Board for Scotland will step up its national media campaign which addresses the lifestyle factors which contribute to coronary heart disease.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish parliament.
  202

  Police Training
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research has been(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated by the Scottish Office in respect of racial and cultural awareness training for police officers since May 1997. [80649]

  Mr. McLeish
  There has been no such research commissioned but the present arrangements for training police officers in Scotland in racial awareness and cultural diversity will be addressed in responding to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Specialist Breast Cancer Unit
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the specialist breast cancer units in Scotland. [80005]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Detailed information is not held centrally. The information available suggests that breast clinics are held in most of the main teaching hospitals in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness as well as in the majority of district general hospitals throughout Scotland.
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Drug Treatment and Testing Orders
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many offenders have been given drug treatment and testing orders in each month since implementation of the orders; how many drug treatment centres are available in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement. [79870]

  Mr. McLeish
  The implementation of a 2-year pilot scheme in Glasgow for the introduction of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders is due to commence within 3 months. No orders have been made to date. The question of the most suitable arrangements for treatment provision is one of the issues currently being addressed by the implementation team. Options under consideration range from a centralised approach to one involving a group of agencies with relevant expertise in this field.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the estimated cost is of a drug treatment and testing order per offender; what the average cost is of a custodial sentence in such cases; and if he will make a statement. [79933]

  Mr. McLeish
  The estimated cost of a drug treatment and testing order is anticipated to be approximately £6,000 per offender. The annual cost of retaining a prisoner in custody during 1997–98 was £26,170.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  203

  Police Officers
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many police officers there were(a) in each force and (b) in total on the last date for which figures are available. [80105]

  Mr. McLeish
  The information is shown in the table.

  31 December 1998

  Central

  719

  Dumfries and Gallowal

  446

  Fife

  841

  Grampian

  1,226

  Lothian and Borders

  2,621

  Northern

  667

  Strathclyde

  7,186

  Tayside

  1,148

  Total

  14,854

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Prisons (Drug-free Units)
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those Prison Service establishments which have drug-free wings or units; and if he will make a statement.[80110]

  Mr. McLeish
  All Scottish Prison Service sites have drug-free areas, including the newly opened privately run prison, HMP Kilmarnock. At Shotts, the main establishment has both drug-free living accommodation and enhanced drug-free workplaces. The subsidiary establishments, HM Unit Shotts and the National Induction Centre, do not have drug-free accommodation because of the nature of these establishments and their particular regimes. Both offer prisoners facilities and support to become drug-free.

  After 1 July, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Police Duties (Private Companies)
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to allow private companies to undertake functions currently undertaken by police officers. [80042]

  Mr. McLeish
  We currently have no such plans but the Government have a commitment to reduce any unnecessary burdens on the police and we would be happy to consider any initiatives put to us by Chief Constables.
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  CCTV Projects
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much public money was spent on CCTV projects in each of the last three years; what is the expected expenditure on CCTV projects over the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [80039]
  204
  Mr. McLeish
  The following expenditure has been incurred by The Scottish Office in respect of CCTV projects in Scotland under the CCTV Challenge Competition in each of the last three years.

  Year

  Amount £000

  1996–97

  1,829

  1997–98

  1,920

  1998–99

  1,496

  A further £1.5 million has been awarded to CCTV projects for 1999–2000. Funding of £1.5 million will also be available for 2000–01 but the Competition will be expanded to include projects other than CCTV which aim to tackle wider issues of community safety.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Hamilton Child Safety Initiative
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his Department's research into the Hamilton Child Safety Initiative. [79931]

  Mr. McLeish
  In October 1997, Strathclyde Police, in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council, set up the Hamilton Child Safety Initiative (HCSI) within 3 peripheral housing estates in the town of Hamilton. The HCSI was a response to community concerns about the safety of young children, especially those under 12, out alone on the streets after dark. Secondary aims of the Initiative were to reduce opportunities for juvenile crime and disorder and to reduce the fear of crime in the communities concerned.

  Research was commissioned by Strathclyde Police and The Scottish Office to evaluate the impact of the HCSI. A Researching Findings paper was published on 15 October 1998 followed by the full research report on 11 February 1999. Both publications have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Fine Defaulters
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) men and (b) women received prison sentences for fine default in each of the last five years; what was the average length of sentence; what was the average amount of fine which was outstanding; what was the average cost of imprisonment and other cost to the public; and if he will make a statement. [79930]

  Mr. McLeish
  The information which is available on the number of(a) men and (b) women receiving prison sentences for fine default by length of sentence and amount of fine outstanding is provided in the tables. (Data are not meanwhile available for 1998).
  205

  Fine default receptions to penal establishments by sex and length of sentence, 1993–97

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Length of sentence

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Total

  8,878

  738

  8,174

  701

  6,808

  701

  8,332

  667

  9,983

  737

  Less than 7 days

  1,151

  102

  1,400

  152

  1,003

  150

  1,113

  83

  1,197

  88

  7 days

  3,515

  353

  3,466

  368

  2,805

  341

  3,638

  348

  4,511

  383

  8–13 days

  797

  48

  864

  47

  807

  61

  976

  67

  1,197

  58

  14 days

  1,516

  126

  1,567

  98

  1,481

  115

  1,872

  131

  2,238

  161

  15–29 days

  995

  45

  593

  26

  550

  25

  596

  32

  676

  38

  30 days/1 month

  592

  54

  90

  2

  25

  2

  12

  —

  14

  2

  31–59 days

  198

  6

  150

  5

  106

  5

  97

  6

  125

  7

  60 days/2 months

  64

  4

  11

  1

  2

  —

  6

  —

  4

  —

  Over 60 days

  50

  —

  33

  2

  29

  2

  22

  —

  21

  —

  Fine default receptions to penal establishments by sex and fine outstanding, 1993–97

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Fine outstanding

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Total

  8,878

  738

  8,174

  701

  6,808

  701

  8,332

  667

  9,983

  737

  Less than £50

  633

  63

  476

  70

  366

  43

  391

  22

  383

  35

  £50-less than £100

  1,835

  171

  1,627

  190

  1,209

  193

  1,336

  129

  1,636

  118

  £100-less than £200

  3,017

  292

  2,682

  249

  2,057

  253

  2,564

  268

  3,145

  286

  £200-less than £500

  2,778

  201

  2,748

  182

  2,546

  196

  3,267

  216

  3,919

  260

  £500-less than £1,000

  512

  10

  519

  6

  535

  12

  643

  30

  772

  36

  £31,000-less than £2,500

  94

  1

  102

  3

  81

  4

  107

  2

  116

  2

  £2,500-less than £5,000

  6

  —

  15

  1

  12

  —

  10

  —

  9

  —

  £5,000 or more

  3

  —

  5

  —

  2

  —

  14

  —

  3

  —

  Average cost per prisoner place1

  £

  1993–94

  26,006

  1994–95

  26,479

  1995–96

  25,786

  1996–97

  26,744

  1997–98

  26,170

  1Calculated on a financial year (to end March) basis.

  Police Funding
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the real terms change in funding for the police, excluding expenditure on police pensions, in each of the last three years; and what is the expected real terms change in spending over the years of the comprehensive spending review(a) excluding pensions and (b) in total. [80040]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Secretary of State pays police specific grant at 51 per cent. of net eligible expenditure by police authorities. Overall expenditure is determined by the level of Grant Aided Expenditure set by the Secretary of State and subsequently by the budgets set by police authorities.
  The figures for police grant are shown in the following table. The figure for 1997–98 includes £3.5 million for policing the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

  Year

  Cash £000

  Year-on-year percentage change

  Real terms £000

  Year-on-year percentage change

  1996–97

  1259,165

  —

  280,049

  —

  1997–98

  1287,633

  10.98

  302,932

  8.17

  1998–99

  2337,500

  —

  345,938

  —

  206

  Year

  Cash £000

  Year-on-year percentage change

  Real terms£000

  Year-on-year percentage change

  1999–2000

  2351,900

  4.27

  351,900

  1.72

  2000–01

  2365,600

  3.89

  356,683

  1.36

  2001–02

  2376,700

  3.04

  358,548

  0.52

  1Excludes expenditure on police pensions.

  2Includes pensions expenditure which cannot be identified separately at this time.

  Note:

  The cash figures have been recalculated to show equivalent real term figures at 1999–2000 prices.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Prison Population
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the prison population was(a) in each Prison Service establishment and (b) in total on the last date for which figures are available; and if he will list those establishments which were officially overcrowded. [79864]

  Mr. McLeish
  The information is correct as at Friday 2 April which is the last time statistics were formally gathered.

  Population

  Percentage of design capacity

  Barlinnie

  1,233

  130.75

  Comton Vale

  215

  99.08

  Dumfries

  119

  79.33

  Dungavel

  92

  68.15

  Greenock

  254

  109.01

  Kilmarnock

  69

  13.80

  Longriggend

  172

  97.73

  207

  Population

  Percentage of design capacity

  Low Moss

  363

  91.67

  NIC

  52

  96.30

  Penninghame

  90

  91.84

  Shotts

  452

  97.84

  Shotts Units

  9

  75.00

  Aberdeen

  181

  111.04

  Castle Huntly

  121

  80.67

  Edinburgh

  748

  117.43

  Friaron

  68

  75.56

  Glenochhi

  l421

  84.88

  Glenochil YOI

  154

  88.51

  Inverness

  115

  107.48

  Noranside

  93

  68.89

  Perth4

  68

  107.34

  Peterhead

  297

  100.68

  peterhead Unit

  7

  70.00

  Polmont

  471

  111.61

  All Scotland Total

  6,264

  Police (Efficiency Targets)
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action his Department will take if police forces do not achieve targets for efficiency gains; and if he will make a statement. [80043]

  Mr. McLeish
  Efficiency savings will be monitored by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary as part of their statutory inspection of each police force. Chief constables will be expected to respond in their annual reports to any comments or recommendations about efficiency savings made by HM Inspectorate in their reports to the Secretary of State on force inspections.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Prisoners
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average number of hours per day that prisoners were locked in their cells in each of the last three years(a) per prison establishment, and (b) in the Prison Service as a whole; and if he will make a statement. [80038]

  Mr. McLeish
  Figures covering the information required are not routinely collated or held. It is, however, the Government's policy to maximise the opportunities for prisoners to engage in purposeful activities, including work, outside their cells, and, to that end, they have in recent years set the Scottish Prison Service targets for prisoner programme participation.

  After 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Crime (Zero Tolerance)
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the policy of zero tolerance for particular crimes; what proposals he intends to implement which are based on zero tolerance approaches; and if he will make a statement. [79869]
  208
  Mr. McLeish
  No assessment has been made by The Scottish Office of the policy of zero tolerance in relation to certain crimes. However, the Government are satisfied that the strong measures they have introduced on handguns, sex offenders, racial harassment and anti-social behaviour will be successful. The Government's paramount concern is public safety and the way in which crime in Scotland is being tackled is set out in "A Safer Scotland: Tackling Crime and its Causes" which was published on 9 February. Copies of the publication were placed in the House of Commons Library.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Highlands and Islands Transitional Funding
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the allocation of cover for the recently announced transitional funding for the Highlands and Islands will be made through the Scottish Block. [80091]

  Mr. Macdonald
  As happens at present for the existing programmes, the allocation of public expenditure cover for the special European Structural funds programme for the Highlands and Islands will be one of the elements of the former Scottish Block which will make up the Assigned Budget of the Scottish Administration.

  From 1 July 1999, the administration of European Structural Funds will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the structural funds in each year since 1974 were(a) allocated for cover to the Scottish Office DEL and its previous equivalents through the Scottish Block arrangement; and (b) applied using specially negotiated agreements; and for those years where specially negotiated agreements were reached if he will list (i) that amount allocated for cover to the DEL and its previous equivalents under these agreements and (ii) the proportion this represented of the total structural fund cover. [80090]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Public expenditure provision for all European Regional Development Fund or Social Fund expenditure for which the Scottish Office was responsible in the period since 1974 has been within the Scottish Office DEL and its previous equivalents. There have been no "specially negotiated agreements" covering the application for European Regional Development Fund or European Social Fund receipts.

  From 1 July 1999, the administration of European Structural Funds will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list (i) the total European structural fund allocation to Scotland in each year since 1974 in cash and real terms and (ii) the share of the overall UK structural fund allocation that this amount represented in each year. [80089]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The information is set out in the table.
  209
  For the period 1975 to 1988, the European Commission approved individual European Regional Development Fund projects and it is the value of the award of these projects which is recorded. The figures for the years 1989 to 1999 reflect the programme allocation from the Commission.

  Million euro

  European structural funds allocation to Scotland

  Share of UK structural funds allocation

  Year

  Cash

  Real terms

  Percentage

  1975

  17.900

  82.321

  28

  1976

  24.150

  97.716

  25.4

  1977

  22.950

  81.740

  25

  1978

  37.750

  121.039

  24.8

  1979

  58.900

  161.714

  22.5

  1980

  46.760

  108.571

  16.9

  1981

  127,400

  270.144

  36.6

  1982

  129.600

  257.004

  28

  1983

  143.640

  272.231

  31.2

  1984

  174.070

  313.427

  27

  1985

  117.300

  200.625

  19.2

  1986

  126.000

  208.993

  22.5

  1987

  131.130

  206.492

  20.6

  1988

  143.450

  211.558

  24

  1989

  101.320

  139.446

  23.7

  1990

  130.945

  167.128

  12.3

  1991

  207.038

  248.230

  14.5

  1992

  141.505

  164.547

  8.2

  1993

  156.337

  177.196

  9.9

  1994

  140.023

  156.148

  7.2

  1995

  223.566

  241.333

  10.4

  1996

  256.897

  269.352

  11.2

  1997

  315.269

  333.872

  13.4

  1998

  575.323

  583.221

  23.3

  1999

  402.907

  408.713

  15.2

  Notes:

  1. For the period 1975 to 1989, the figures are exclusively ERDF.

  2. The years 1990 to 1999 include ERDF and ESF, as well as EAGGF and FIFG which are in the Objective 1 and 5b Programmes.

  3. From 1990 to 1993, ESF was the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (formerly the Secretary of State for Employment). Before 1990, ESF was administered by the European Commission and Scottish figures are not available.

  4. The figures have been converted to current prices using HM Treasury deflator tables dated 22 December 1998.

  Table 1: Current expenditure by education authorities on school books and equipment

  £000 at outturn prices

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Region

  Books and equipment

  (of which books)

  Books and equipment

  (of which books)

  Books and equipment

  (of which books)

  Books and equipment

  (of which books)

  Borders

  1,351

  216

  1,373

  213

  1,582

  0

  1,470

  0

  Central

  2,931

  100

  2,897

  125

  2,793

  60

  2,733

  62

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,198

  260

  2,577

  295

  2,533

  317

  2,284

  261

  Fife

  2,739

  540

  2,795

  2,136

  2,730

  2,094

  3,294

  2,412

  Grampian

  6,458

  0

  6,972

  0

  7,158

  0

  7,630

  0

  Highland

  3,141

  3,141

  2,786

  2,786

  2,885

  1,491

  2,633

  1,481

  Lothian

  5,371

  1,350

  5,671

  1,352

  6,676

  1,585

  7,594

  1,691

  Strathclyde

  21,449

  5,548

  20,059

  1,118

  21,932

  1,191

  26,133

  1,117

  Tayside

  3,581

  608

  4,545

  670

  4,026

  676

  3,569

  656

  Orkney

  166

  50

  152

  0

  284

  0

  290

  0

  Shetland

  471

  135

  678

  119

  534

  0

  511

  0

  Western Isles

  549

  91

  525

  99

  633

  242

  595

  192

  Scotland

  50,405

  12,039

  51,030

  8,913

  53,766

  7,656

  58,736

  7,872

  Notes:

  1. The books and equipment figures include expenditure on text and library books and educational tools equipment and materials in local authority nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.

  2. Where expenditure on books is shown as £0 it should be assumed that the expenditure is included as equipment.

  210
  From 1 July 1999, the administration of European Structural Funds will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.

  Schools (Books)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the total estimated capital expenditure on school textbooks in Scotland in each of the next three years; and if he will list the amount estimated to be spent by each Scottish local authority for each year;[79816]

  (2) if he will list the total capital expenditure on the school library book stock in Scotland for each year since 1992; and if he will list the amount spent in each local authority area for each year; [79817]

  (3) if he will list the total estimated capital expenditure on school library book stock in Scotland in each of the next three years; and if he will list the amount estimated to be spent by each Scottish local authority for each year; [79818]

  (4) if he will list the total capital expenditure on school textbooks in Scotland for each year since 1992; and if he will list the amount spent in each Scottish local authority area for each year. [79832]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Purchases of school text and library books would normally be made by local authorities from current expenditure resources. The available information on current expenditure by local authorities on school text and library books is given in tables 1 and 2, which are derived from local authority financial returns. The returns do not distinguish between expenditure on text books and on library books. The table also shows a combined figure for books and equipment because not all authorities' returns identify separately spending on books and it is possible that some expenditure on books may be included under equipment or vice versa. 1996–97 is the latest year for which information is currently available.

  The Government have made available to education authorities during the financial year 1998–99 additional resources of £7.8m for schools to purchase books and other written material for school libraries as shown in table 3.
  211

  Table 2: Current expenditure by education authorities on school books and equipment 1996–97

  £000 at outturn prices

  Councils

  Books and equipment

  (of which books)

  Aberdeen, City

  1,675

  0

  Aberdeenshire

  2,924

  0

  Angus

  1,134

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  1,481

  121

  Clackmannanshire

  453

  0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,112

  290

  Dundee

  1,199

  115

  East Ayrshire

  1,398

  0

  East Dunbartonshire

  1,348

  165

  East Lothian

  884

  0

  East Renfrewshire

  1,338

  1,338

  Edinburgh, City

  4,665

  858

  Eilean Siar

  604

  155

  Falkirk

  1,362

  49

  Fife

  3,199

  535

  Glasgow City

  4,501

  203

  Highland

  2,908

  16

  Inverclyde

  871

  114

  Midlothian

  570

  191

  Moray

  159

  14

  North Ayrshire

  1,311

  140

  North Lanarkshire

  4,033

  0

  Orkney

  241

  0

  Perth and Kinross

  849

  220

  Renfrewshire

  2,213

  278

  Scottish Borders

  945

  0

  Shetland

  471

  0

  South Ayrshire

  1,140

  89

  South Lanarkshire

  2,805

  305

  Stirling

  1,084

  25

  West Dunbartonshire

  901

  0

  West Lothian

  1,390

  437

  Scotland

  52,168

  5,658

  Notes:

  1. The books and equipment figures include expenditure on text and library books and educational tools equipment and materials in local authority nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.

  2. Where expenditure on books is shown as £0 it should be assumed that the expenditure is included as equipment.

  Table 3: Resources allocated centrally during 1998–99 for school library books

  Councils

  £ at outturn prices

  Aberdeen, City

  272,697

  Aberdeenshire

  405,151

  Angus

  177,643

  Argyll and Bute

  169,282

  Clackmannanshire

  75,465

  Dumfries and Galloway

  257,648

  Dundee

  205,505

  East Ayrshire

  191,932

  East Dunbartonshire

  191,696

  £000

  EID

  Views of Parents on information required from schools and education authorities

  9

  D of H

  Acute Services Review

  15

  DD

  Public knowledge and perceptions of local government (for the Commission on Local Government and the Scottish Parliament)

  5

  Development of Government Public Information Campaign relating to elections to the Scottish Parliament

  14

  Public views on the operation of the Scottish Parliament

  11

  Review of Practice in Housing Management

  5

  Survey of Travellers Views

  9

  Evaluation of Rough Sleepers Initiative

  6

  The Young Teenager and Road Safety

  9

  212

  Table 3: Resources allocated centrally during 1998–99 for school library books

  Councils

  £ at outturn prices

  East Lothian

  130,879

  East Renfrewshire

  152,457

  Edinburgh, City

  499,605

  Eilean Siar

  67,934

  Falkirk

  214,678

  Fife

  548,241

  Glasgow City

  791,418

  Highland

  401,837

  Inverclyde

  132,050

  Midlothian

  132,330

  Moray

  144,451

  North Ayrshire

  216,597

  North Lanarkshire

  523,962

  Orkney

  44,467

  Perth and Kinross

  201,053

  Renfrewshire

  268,523

  Scottish Borders

  169,846

  Shetland

  55,622

  South Ayrshire

  175,848

  South Lanarkshire

  476,873

  Stirling

  135,812

  West Dunbartonshire

  156,098

  West Lothian

  252,597

  Scotland

  7,840,197

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Opinion Polls
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the issues on which the Government have hired opinion poll organisations to test Scottish public opinion since they came into office; and how much they have spent testing public opinion on each issue. [80052]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Office has not undertaken any opinion polls in the period concerned. Information for other government departments and bodies in Scotland could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

  Focus Groups
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the issues on which the Government have consulted Focus Groups in Scotland since they came into office; and how much they have spent consulting on each issue. [80053]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Office has undertaken Focus Groups in the following research studies. The estimated cost of the Focus Groups is given in the table. Information for other government departments and bodies in Scotland could be collected only at disproportionate cost.
  213

  £000

  AEFD

  Migration in Rural Scotland

  3

  Rural Water Review (Private supplies)

  5

  HD

  Teenwise Alcohol Projects

  4

  Hamilton Child Safety Initiative

  5

  Violence and Harassment of Gay Men

  2

  Joint Statement on Crown Witnesses

  11

  Impact and effectiveness of Reporter decision making

  39

  Evaluation of the Keep Warm This Winter Campaign

  7

  Victims reactions to Victim Information Leaflets

  4

  Evaluation of Dundee Family Project

  5

  Views from people with learning disabilities and their carers about services

  10

  Quality of care and quality of life for people in residential homes

  5

  New School Building Projects
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the new(a) primary and (b) secondary schools completed in Scotland since 1 May 1997, indicating the cost of each individual school; [79833]

  (2) if he will list the new (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Scotland on which construction has started since 1 May 1997, indicating the expected cost of each school;[79834]

  (3) if he will list the new (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Scotland on which the Government expect construction to start during the next three years, indicating their expected starting dates and the expected cost of each school. [79835]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Detailed information about progress and costs of new school building projects is not held centrally.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Schools (Capital Expenditure)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list capital expenditure in(a) cash terms and (b) real terms on building new (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in Scotland for each year since 1992; [79828]

  (2) if he will list in (a) cash terms and (b) real terms the total capital expenditure on school building maintenance in Scotland for each financial year since 1992; and if he will list the amount spent in each Scottish local authority area in each year. [79830]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The available information is given in the following tables which have been derived from annual returns made by local authorities. Expenditure on capital maintenance and on new buildings is not recorded separately.

  Capital expenditure on nursery, primary and secondary schools

  £000 at outturn prices

  Regional/Islands Councils

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Borders

  2,718

  1,738

  3,051

  1,716

  Central

  5,877

  5,714

  7,034

  11,917

  Dumfries and Galloway

  3,787

  5,066

  6,756

  4,743

  Fife

  5,104

  7,752

  5,862

  8,411

  Grampian

  6,736

  9,581

  10,855

  19,875

  Highland

  5,119

  4,487

  3,825

  3,761

  Lothian

  18,011

  18,950

  18,310`

  14,849

  Strathclyde

  29,226

  34,435

  49,956

  44,473

  Tayside

  5,458

  5,775

  6,185

  6,523

  214

  Capital expenditure on nursery, primary and secondary schools

  £000 at outturn prices

  Regional/Islands Councils

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Orkney

  1,154

  2,092

  2,110

  1,919

  Shetland

  4,001

  3,657

  2,611

  1,740

  Western Isles

  2,499

  1,846

  1,363

  1,627

  Scotland

  89,690

  101,093

  117,918

  121,554

  Capital expenditure on nursery, primary and secondary schools

  £000 at 1997–98 prices

  Regional/Islands Councils

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Borders

  3,077

  1,917

  3,318

  1,813

  Central

  6,654

  6,302

  7,648

  12,591

  Dumfries and Galloway

  4,288

  5,587

  7,346

  5,011

  Fife

  5,779

  8,550

  6,374

  8,887

  Grampian

  7,626

  10,567

  11,803

  21,000

  Highland

  5,796

  4,949

  4,159

  3,974

  Lothian

  20,392

  20,900

  19,910

  15,689

  Strathclyde

  33,089

  37,978

  54,320

  46,989

  Tayside

  6,179

  6,369

  6,725

  6,892

  Orkney

  1,307

  2,307

  2,294

  2,028

  Shetland

  4,530

  4,033

  2,839

  1,838

  Western Isles

  2,829

  2,036

  1,482

  1,719

  Scotland

  101,544

  111,494

  128,219

  128,432

  Notes:

  1. The figures have been compiled from Capital Payments Returns (CPR5) submitted by local authorities and include gross capital payments both funded and not funded from revenue

  2. In addition to expenditure on work on buildings, the figures include expenditure on items such as the acquisition of land, vehicles and plant
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  School Building Maintenance
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will estimate the total amount it would cost in current cash terms, of effecting all school building maintenance outstanding on 1 May 1997 in Scotland, indicating the amount for each Scottish local authority area; [79829]

  (2) if he will list the total estimated expenditure on school building maintenance in Scotland in each of the next three years, indicating the amount estimated to be spent by each Scottish local authority in each year. [79831]
  215
  Mrs. Liddell
  The overall management of their school building stock is a matter for individual authorities. Detailed information of the kind requested is not held centrally.

  Capital expenditure on nursery, primary and secondary schools

  Councils

  1996–97 (at outturn prices)

  1996–97 (at 1996–97 prices)

  1997–98 (at outturn prices)

  Aberdeen, City

  4,385

  4,495

  4,375

  Aberdeenshire

  5,778

  5,922

  3,721

  Angus

  426

  437

  2,067

  Argyll and Bute

  2,190

  2,245

  3,138

  Clackmannanshire

  252

  258

  1,119

  Dumfries and Galloway

  5,990

  6,140

  6,459

  Dundee

  3,111

  3,189

  2,382

  East Ayrshire

  2,595

  2,660

  2,654

  East Dunbartonshire

  2,459

  2,520

  2,632

  East Lothian

  6,488

  6,650

  6,013

  East Renfrewshire

  677

  694

  2,737

  Edinburgh, City

  13,718

  14,061

  14,444

  Eilean Siar

  1,905

  1,953

  1,355

  Falkirk

  3,725

  3,818

  2,172

  Fife

  7,007

  7,182

  6,199

  Glasgow City

  12,045

  12,346

  8,576

  Highland

  5,159

  5,288

  6,085

  Inverclyde

  1,787

  1,832

  1,994

  Midlothian

  581

  596

  516

  Moray

  2,734

  2,802

  1,470

  North Ayrshire

  5,217

  5,347

  4,424

  North Lanarkshire

  3,313

  3,396

  5,314

  Orkney

  1,502

  1,540

  1,712

  Perth and Kinross

  493

  505

  1,444

  Renfrewshire

  1,912

  1,960

  2,396

  Scottish Borders

  1,007

  1,032

  1,137

  Shetland

  1,773

  1,817

  2,644

  South Ayrshire

  3,483

  3,570

  2,861

  South Lanarkshire

  7,610

  7,800

  5,847

  Stirling

  2,136

  2,189

  1,812

  West Dunbartonshire

  1,537

  1,575

  2,522

  West Lothian

  6,851

  7,022

  8,578

  Scotland

  119,846

  122,841

  120,799

  Notes:

  1. The figures have been compiled from Capital Payment Returns (CPR 5) submitted by local authorities and include gross capital payments both funded and not funded from revenue.

  2. In addition to expenditure on work on buildings, the figures include expenditure on items such as the acquisition of land, vehicles and plant.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Quarantine
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1999,Official Report, columns 302–03, to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer), when he expects to make an announcement on reform of the quarantine laws. [79374]

  Mr. Rooker
  My right hon. Friend (the Minister) made such an announcement, in the House, on 26 March 1999,Official Report, columns 649-50.

  "Dead Fish Patrol"
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he authorised the appearance of 216
  officials on the BBC2 programme "Dead Fish Patrol" on 22 March; and if the views expressed reflect Government policy. [79308]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: We receive many requests from the media to observe and film the activities relating to fisheries enforcement. In the interests of openness, we agree to these requests where we can and did so in this case. The programme was a "fly-on-the-wall" documentary and showed fishermen and enforcement officers going about their business and speaking frankly. Government policy is to enforce the fisheries management rules effectively. This is in the interests of those fishermen who obey the rules. It helps to protect the value of the investment which all fishermen have in the industry and in securing the longer term sustainability of the industry. The remarks by fisheries inspectors recorded in the film demonstrated a high level of commitment to implementing the management rules which is a difficult task, often undertaken in demanding circumstances. Regrettably, the film also showed evidence of how necessary the task is. Fisheries Inspectors do an important job, vital to the running of the fishing industry, and deserve our full support.

  Vitamins and Minerals Advisory Group
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will post on his Department's web site the background and other papers which are considered by the ad hoc expert advisory group on vitamins and minerals. [79485]

  Mr. Rooker
  A web site is currently being developed for the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals. In the meantime, copies of papers released by the Group are available on demand subject, where appropriate, to a small charge to cover the cost of copying and postage.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the National Pollen Research Unit's advice on the minimum advisable separation distance between genetically engineered maize crops and conventional crops. [79500]

  Mr. Rooker
  The National Pollen Research Unit's recent report provided a review of information regarding the dispersal of pollen and the distance it could travel. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) have been asked to consider this report and, when available, their advice will be published and placed in the Libraries of the House.

  The risk of cross-pollination, which can be affected by other factors such as pollen viability as well as separation distance, is considered by ACRE when examining each application for release of genetically modified (GM) crops. Appropriate conditions (e.g. separation distances) may be included in a consent, but a consent would not be granted if ACRE considered the risks associated with cross-pollination to be unacceptable. In addition, Government are funding research on the dispersal and viability of pollen of different crop species.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the (1) sites in the United Kingdom where genetically modified crops have been grown in breach of the licence conditions and (2) name
  217
  of (a) the promoter and (b) owner of the (i) trial and (ii) materials in the trial and (c) any other (A) body and (B) person responsible for conducting such trials. [72553]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 29 March 1999,Official Report, column 457.

  Pig Meat Imports
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what legal advice he has received on whether it would be possible to prevent the importation and sale of pig meat produced in ways that do not conform to United Kingdom animal welfare standards. [78933]

  Mr. Morley
  My legal advice is quite clear. Neither the Treaty of Rome nor the rules of the World Trade Organisation allow the UK to ban the import or sale of pigmeat that has not been produced to our own welfare standards.

  CAP Reform
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the impact of recent CAP reform proposals on farming in Staffordshire. [78340]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: The package of measures provisionally agreed in Brussels recently represents a good deal for farmers across the UK.
  Mr. Keetch: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the impact of the recent CAP reform proposals on (a) farming in Herefordshire and (b) potato cultivation. [78496]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 March 1999]: The package of measures agreed at the European Council on 24–25 March represent real reform to the Common Agricultural Policy which UK farmers will benefit from.

  There is currently no CAP regime for potato production and the agreement therefore has no direct implications for potato cultivation.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons reform of the sugar and the sheepmeat regimes was not included by the Council or the Commission in the latest CAP reform package. [79778]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is regrettable that the Commission did not include proposals for reform of the sugar and sheepmeat regimes within the CAP reform package. The Commission put forward proposals for the main commodities in structural surplus on the EU market, i.e. cereals, beef and dairy, which it considered were most under threat from market developments; namely enlargement and the present and likely future commitments to the WTO.

  During the negotiations the UK pressed for the sugar and sheepmeat regimes to be included in the package, and it continues to press for early reform. In the case of sugar the Commission are required to present proposals before the end of 2000. We believe that the case for early reform of the sheepmeat regime will be strengthened as a result of budgetary pressures arising from the knock-on effects of reforms agreed for the arable and beef sectors.
  218

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the annual cost to individual businesses of the proposed Food Standards Agency, indicating the level at which the levy will be set. [79244]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have recently consulted on proposals for a levy of £90 per year on food retail and catering premises that are required to register with the local authority under the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991. The money raised would fund the new costs of setting up and operating the Agency. The Agency's other costs will be met from existing food safety and standards budgets and related cost recovery schemes.
  Public consultation on the levy proposals ended on 24 March, and we are now considering carefully the responses we received.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the possible liability of Women's Institute markets for the levy included in his proposals for the Food Standards Agency; and if he will make a statement. [79613]

  Mr. Rooker
  Under the proposals, published for public consultation on 27 January, the levy in connection with the Food Standards Agency would apply to food retail and catering premises registered under the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991. Women's Institute markets, like other retail outlets, are required to register if held on five or more days in any five week period. Individual producers preparing food for sale from stalls run by WI Country Markets Ltd. are not themselves required to register, and are therefore outside the scope of the levy proposals.

  Consultation on the levy proposals closed on 24 March. We are considering the comments we received before deciding how to proceed.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many slaughterhouses and cutting plants were operating in the United Kingdom in the categories(a) full throughput red slaughterhouses, (b) low throughput red slaughterhouses, (c) full throughput white slaughterhouses, (d) low throughput white slaughterhouses, (e) full throughput cutting plants and (f) low throughput cutting plants in (i) December 1995, (ii) December 1996, (iii) December 1997 and (iv) December 1998; and what was the average throughput for each category in each year. [79081]

  Mr. Rooker
  The tables give the figures of licensed EC approved and low throughput slaughterhouses and cutting premises (red meat and poultry meat) operating in the United Kingdom as at 31 December 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. Details of licensed UK meat premises are published in the Meat Hygiene Enforcement Report, which is placed in the Library of the House each month. We are seeking to provide average throughput figures for each category and I hope to place them in the Library of the House immediately after Easter.
  219

  EC approved

  Low throughput

  Slaughterhouses—fresh meat

  1995

  295

  208

  1996

  272

  212

  1997

  267

  200

  1998

  263

  189

  Slaughterhouses—poultrymeat, fanned game bird meat and rabbit meat

  1995

  112

  67

  1996

  113

  71

  1997

  105

  65

  1998

  104

  67

  Cutting premises—fresh meat

  1995

  328

  146

  1996

  308

  150

  1997

  293

  145

  1998

  283

  146

  Cutting premises—poultry meat, farmed game bird meat and rabbit meat

  1995

  54

  24

  1996

  58

  30

  1997

  64

  35

  1998

  73

  46

  Guide Dogs (Quarantine)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in enabling blind ex-servicemen to be accompanied on visits to France by their guide dogs without those dogs having to be held in quarantine on their return to the UK. [79042]

  Mr. Rooker
  Guide dogs, like all domestic dogs are currently subject to six months quarantine. On 26 March 1999,Official Report, columns 649–50, my right hon. Friend the Minister announced to the House that, in the light of the Kennedy Group's analysis, it is desirable to move as quickly as possible to a system under which dogs and cats coming from European Union and certain other European countries and rabies-free islands could enter the UK without quarantine. Our objective is to bring the new arrangements into operation throughout the United Kingdom by April 2001. We also plan to launch a pilot scheme—or pilot schemes—within the next twelve months. As soon as the specific arrangements for these schemes have been established, these will be reported to the House.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make an immediate derogation from the quarantine regulations to enable Mr. T. J. Ireland, Ty Croes, Garwdol Benmaen, Gwynedd to attend the commemoration of the Normandy Landings with his guide dog, without the dog having to be held in quarantine on his return. [79043]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I have a great deal of sympathy for Mr. Ireland. If his dog met the requirements of the new arrangements I announced on 26 March, it could be exempted from quarantine when those new arrangements are in effect. However, I cannot agree to an exemption now for the reasons set out in my letter to the right hon. Member of 1 April.
  220

  Dairy Industry
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many meetings he has had in the last three months with(a) the President of the Dairy Industry Federation and (b) the Chairman of Milk Marque; and what plans he has to meet further with either. [79161]

  Mr. Rooker
  None.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls exist in respect of the sale of dairy products of US origin where bovine somatotropin may have been used in their production. [78983]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: All cows' milk contains small quantities of naturally occurring bovine somatotropin (BST). the manufactured form of BST (rBST) is not permitted for use in the EU. rBST is almost indistinguishable from naturally occurring BST and it is not practicable to establish through testing whether BST is present because of administration of rBST to the animal. Although rBST is permitted in the USA, the country of origin is normally given on most food labels or a manufacturer's address is given.

  Ragwort
  Mr. Cunliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take to encourage local authorities to combat the ragwort weed. [78814]

  Mr. Morley
  Ragwort is an injurious weed under the provisions of the Weeds Act 1959. That Act permits the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, rather than local authorities, to serve notice on any occupier of land to control injurious weeds from spreading. Where resources permit, local authorities can themselves play a positive part in eradication, for example, by active weed control alongside rural roads and on any other land which they own.

  Beam Trawlers
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce the next decommissioning scheme for beam trawlers; and by how many boats he intends to reduce the fleet. [80431]

  Mr. Morley
  I have no plans to introduce a decommissioning scheme for beam trawlers. UK targets for this fleet segment under the EU' s Multi-Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP IV) are currently being addressed by the arrangements for managing fishing effort which I announced on 24 February 1998,Official Report, columns 187–88.

  Food Advisory Committee
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the declared outside interests of the members of the Food Advisory Committee. [80630]

  Mr. Rooker
  The declared interests of the members of the Food Advisory Committee are published in the Committee's Annual Report, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
  221
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those members or advisers to the Food Advisory Committee who are involved currently with the European Commission Scientific Committee on foods in its work with vitamin and mineral supplement.[80221]

  Mr. Rooker
  None of the members of the Food Advisory Committee is involved with this work.

  Genetically Modified Food Substances
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 29 March 1999,Official Report, column 507, on genetically modified food substances, what steps are being recommended by his Department to establishments selling prepared food, who are required to disclose items containing genetically modified ingredients. [80050]

  Mr. Rooker
  Those establishments selling prepared foods will need to ask their suppliers about which of the ingredients they are using contain genetically modified material.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 30 March; and if he will make a statement. [79883]

  Mr. Morley
  I, together with my noble Friend Lord Sewel, the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, represented the UK. The Council adopted the Autonomous Tariff Quotas covering imports at reduced tariffs of fisheries products required by the processing industry in 1999. Ireland and Italy voted against. It had a first debate on Commission proposals implementing in the fisheries sector the reform of the EU structural funds. This revealed a wide range of views. The Commission presented its proposals on reform of the marketing regime and on the listing of serious infringements. The Presidency is aiming to reach agreement on these three regulations at the Fisheries Council on 10 June.

  I raised the need for the Commission to make early progress, taking account of forthcoming scientific advice, on measures to conserve sandeel stocks for seabirds which are dependent on them, particularly during the breeding season. I also pressed the Commission to bring forward its promised proposals on the allocation of the new Total Allowable Catches for spurdog and for Northern Shrimp and the existing Total Allowable Catch for blue whiting.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the cost to each fisherman of installing satellite surveillance equipment on over 24 metre vessels; and what plans he has to provide grants towards their costs. [80432]

  Mr. Morley
  The cost of installing new satellite monitoring equipment is likely to range from £3,000 to £8,000 depending on functionality and compliance with Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) requirements. Some vessels may already carry equipment that can be adapted at a lower cost. Following the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review,222
  the Government announced on 3 August last year that vessels subject to satellite monitoring would not receive Government assistance for their equipment.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the costs to(a) his Department of inspecting and (b) fishermen of filling in a logsheet and landing declaration. [80430]

  Mr. Morley
  Information on the costs of inspecting logsheets is not readily available since such inspections form part of the wider enforcement duties undertaken by the Ministry's Sea Fisheries Inspectorate and the Royal Navy's Fishery Protection Squadron.

  EU logsheets on fishing activity have to be brought up to date at least once every 24 hours and this should not entail any additional cost whilst the vessel is at sea. The average cost of submitting a logsheet at the end of a fishing trip is estimated at £2.80 and that for completing and submitting a landing declaration at £4.20 per trip.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost of an inspection by his Department of a fishing vessel(a) in port and (b) at sea.[80429]

  Mr. Morley
  The Ministry's Sea Fisheries Inspectorate undertake a wide range of enforcement and other duties, including inspections of fishing vessels in port. In 1998, the direct cost of running the SFI was some £3 million and in that period it undertook some 4,271 inspections of fishing vessels in port.

  Inspections at sea are undertaken by the Royal Navy's Fishery Protection Squadron on behalf of the Ministry. In 1998, the Squadron provided 1,081 patrol days at a cost of some £6 million and during that period undertook 1,828 inspections.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79656]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what environmental appraisals of policy his Department has(a) completed, (b) started and (c) planned. [79622]

  Mr. Morley
  Environmental appraisals are not usually carried out in isolation from the general process of reviewing policies. The Ministry seeks to take into account all important factors, including environmental ones, in the formulation of policy and its implementation. Thus, there is a considerable input into monitoring the environmental
  223
  impacts of policies, particularly where policy objectives are environmental in nature. As part of its regular policy review process, the Ministry carries out a rolling programme of economic policy evaluations. A number of these evaluations have been of agri-environment schemes or other policies with a significant environmental dimension. The evaluation programme is published on the MAFF website (http://www.maff.gov.uk/r&dieconomic.htm), with details of previous research and of policies which are due to be evaluated in the coming
  year. A copy has also been placed in the library of the House.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the organisations and companies which have made representations about the Meat Hygiene Service's charging regime due to be introduced on 1 April 1999; [79439]

  (2) what further consultations are taking place on the Meat Hygiene Services charging regime, due to be introduced on 1 April 1999, with special reference to low throughput abattoirs; and if he will make a statement. [79440]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 31 March 1999]: The level of Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) charges to apply in 1999–2000 for hygiene/welfare inspection and for the

  Date

  Purpose of visit

  Hotel

  15–16 July 1997

  Appearance before the European Parliament's Temporary Committee of Inquiry on BSE

  Strasbourg Hilton. Cost—£115.70

  15–16 June 1998

  Appearance before the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture as President in Office of the Council and bilateral with Commissioner Fischler

  Strasbourg Hilton. Cost—£106

  20–22 October 1998

  Minister's visit to the European Parliament and meetings with MEPs

  Strasbourg Hilton. Cost—£248

  Civil Servants (Appraisal)
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the appraisal performance markings awarded to civil servants in 1998 for(a) each agency in his Department and (b) the Department broken down by (i) grade, (ii) gender, (iii) ethnicity, (iv) parttime/full-time working and (v) disability; and for (1) each agency and (2) the Department whether the Cabinet Office's four fifths rule for detecting potential adverse impact was applied to the appraisal markings of civil servants in the 1998 report round.[78142]

  Mr. Morley
  The breakdown of 1998 overall performance markings for staff in MAFF including those agencies that use the core-Department's Human Resource computer system is as set out.

  My officials are considering current data, along with historic data, for any indications of possible adverse impact.

  I have asked the Chief Executives of those agencies who have their own HR computer systems to write to my hon. Friend separately.

  Breakdown of 1998 overall performance markings

  Box 1

  Box 2

  Box 3A

  Box 3B

  Box 4

  Box 5

  MAFF

  Grade

  AA

  24

  395

  315

  101

  0

  0

  AO

  42

  777

  615

  158

  9

  0

  EO

  28

  616

  421

  69

  4

  0

  224
  enforcement of Specified Risk Material controls has yet to be decided. Ministers are still carefully considering proposals made by the MHS to ensure they are fully cost justified. They will then be subject to full consultation with all plant operators. The results of that consultation will be reported back to Ministers who will then take final decisions on the level of rates to apply and their operative date.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) where his predecessor, as minister, stayed on his visit to Strasbourg in July 1997; what was the cost of that accommodation; and what expenses he incurred during that visit; [75864]

  (2) if he will list where ministers in his Department have stayed on their visits to Strasbourg and the costs of each of those stays since 1 May 1997. [75865]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 10 March 1999]: Ministers in this Department have made 3 overnight visits to Strasbourg since 1 May 1997, two by my right hon. Friend the Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) and once by me in October 1998. The details are as set out in the table. All travel was judged to comply with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Breakdown of 1998 overall performance markings

  Box 1

  Box 2

  Box 3A

  Box 3B

  Box 4

  Box 5

  HEO

  38

  463

  213

  33

  1

  0

  SEO

  23

  296

  150

  12

  3

  0

  Grade 7

  21

  159

  56

  7

  0

  0

  Grade 6

  7

  47

  24

  1

  0

  0

  SCS

  5

  35

  15

  0

  0

  0

  Sex

  Female

  100

  1,400

  880

  155

  5

  0

  Male

  88

  1,388

  929

  226

  12

  0

  Ethnic Group

  Minority

  5

  130

  117

  39

  1

  0

  Unknown

  8

  94

  52

  15

  1

  0

  White

  175

  2,564

  1,640

  327

  15

  0

  Part-time

  Full time

  164

  2,506

  1,603

  354

  17

  0

  Part time

  24

  282

  206

  27

  0

  0

  Disability

  No disability

  181

  2,596

  1,674

  331

  14

  0

  Disability

  7

  192

  135

  50

  3

  0

  Pesticides Safety Directorate

  Grade

  AA

  0

  3

  6

  0

  0

  0

  AO

  2

  15

  1

  3

  0

  0

  EO

  3

  13

  12

  2

  0

  0

  HEO

  9

  34

  11

  1

  0

  0

  SEO

  3

  21

  4

  0

  1

  0

  Grade 7

  2

  10

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 6

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  SCS

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  225

  Breakdown of 1998 overall performance markings

  Box 1

  Box 2

  Box 3A

  Box 3B

  Box 4

  Box 5

  Sex

  Female

  10

  43

  16

  1

  1

  0

  Male

  9

  55

  20

  5

  0

  0

  Ethnic Group

  Minority

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Unknown

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  White

  19

  94

  36

  5

  1

  0

  Part time

  Full time

  16

  88

  33

  6

  1

  0

  Part time

  3

  10

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Disability

  No disability

  17

  85

  30

  5

  0

  0

  Disability

  2

  13

  6

  1

  1

  0

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency

  Grade

  AA

  16

  110

  81

  17

  1

  0

  AO

  19

  168

  111

  26

  5

  0

  EO

  6

  80

  51

  13

  1

  0

  HEO

  1

  48

  23

  3

  2

  0

  SEO

  6

  32

  11

  1

  0

  0

  Grade 7

  7

  60

  30

  6

  0

  0

  Grade 6

  0

  6

  4

  1

  0

  0

  SCS

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Sex

  Female

  28

  277

  164

  36

  2

  0

  Male

  27

  228

  147

  31

  7

  0

  Ethnic Group

  Minority

  0

  9

  5

  4

  2

  0

  Unknown

  1

  16

  6

  3

  0

  0

  White

  54

  480

  300

  60

  7

  0

  Part Time

  Full time

  51

  445

  280

  58

  9

  0

  Part time

  4

  60

  31

  9

  0

  0

  Disability

  No Disability

  52

  477

  289

  62

  8

  0

  Disability

  3

  28

  22

  5

  1

  0

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  Grade

  AA

  0

  7

  3

  2

  0

  0

  AO

  2

  14

  5

  1

  0

  0

  EO

  1

  8

  3

  0

  0

  0

  HEO

  1

  3

  2

  2

  0

  0

  SEO

  1

  7

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Grade 7

  0

  14

  7

  1

  0

  0

  Grade 6

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  SCS

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Sex

  Female

  4

  35

  11

  4

  0

  0

  Male

  1

  21

  13

  3

  0

  0

  Ethnic Group

  Minority

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Unknown

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  White

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Part Time

  Full time

  5

  51

  21

  6

  0

  0

  Part time

  0

  5

  3

  1

  0

  0

  Disability

  No Disability

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Disability

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Notes

  1. Data have not been provided in any group where there are less than 5 reports in total or where totals of less than 5 could be ascertained to ensure that individual anonymity is protected. Such entries have been marked with an asterisk.
  226
  2. Data in the 'disability' group comprise staff who have declared a disability. Those in the 'no disability' group comprise all others.

  3. The definitions of the overall box markings for staff in grades AA-Grade 6 are as follows:

  Box 1 Outstanding

  Box 2 Performance significantly above requirements

  Box 3a Performance fully effective in all respects

  Box 3b Performance sufficient for the needs of the job

  Box 4 Improvements to performance required in some respects

  Box 5 Unsatisfactory

  4. Staff in the Senior Civil Service also have 2+ and 3+ but no 3b markings. The 2+ data have been included with the Box 2 data and the 3+ data with the Box 3a data.

  5. Data cover all reports with a 1998 report date and entered onto the computer system by 19 March 1999. Some of the 1998 reports will not yet be on the system and as such the data will be incomplete.

  6. Data include leavers.

  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. John McDonnell, dated March 1999 As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food requesting information on the appraisal performance markings awarded to civil servants in 1998 broken by down (i) grade, (ii) gender, (iii) ethnicity, (iv) part-time/full-time working and (v) disability and whether the Cabinet Office's four fifths rule for detecting potential adverse impact was applied to the appraisal markings of civil servants in the 1998 report round, has been passed to me to reply as regards this Executive Agency.
  The breakdown of the 1998 overall performance markings for staff in the MHS is attached. The MHS is considering the data for any indications of possible adverse impact.

  Breakdown of MHS performance markings

  Box 1

  Box 2

  Box 3

  Box 4

  Box 5

  MHS

  Grade

  TMHI

  1

  21

  14

  4

  0

  MTEC

  4

  72

  92

  11

  3

  PMI

  2

  60

  24

  2

  1

  MHI

  16

  363

  302

  27

  3

  SPMI

  1

  18

  2

  0

  0

  SMHI

  6

  87

  40

  2

  0

  OVS

  0

  6

  7

  0

  0

  Sex

  Female

  2

  36

  28

  1

  0

  Male

  28

  591

  453

  45

  7

  Ethnic Group

  Minority

  0

  2

  11

  2

  0

  Unknown

  0

  4

  1

  2

  0

  White

  30

  621

  469

  42

  7

  Commitment

  Full time

  30

  608

  462

  46

  7

  Part time

  0

  19

  19

  0

  0

  Disability

  No Disability

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Disability

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  Note

  Figures measured over 1,191 employees.

  Abbreviations

  TMHI Trainee Meat Hygiene Inspector

  MTEC Meat Technician

  PMI Poultry Meat Inspector

  MHI Meat Hygiene Inspector

  SPMI Senior Poultry Meat Inspector

  SMHI Senior Meat Hygiene Inspector

  OVS Official Veterinary Surgeon
  227
  Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. John McDonnell, dated March 1999 The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your question concerning appraisal performance markings awarded to staff in 1998.
  The breakdown of 1998 overall performance markings for staff in CSL is set out on the attached sheet.
  My staff are considering current data, along with historic data, for any indications of possible adverse impact.

  Breakdown of 1998 performance markings

  Box 1

  Box 2

  Box 3a

  Box 3b

  Box 4

  Box 5

  Central Science Laboratory

  Grade

  Level 1

  5

  64

  52

  9

  0

  0

  Level 2

  8

  123

  107

  19

  3

  0

  Level 3

  2

  38

  17

  4

  0

  0

  Level 4

  3

  16

  10

  2

  1

  0

  Level 5

  2

  12

  2

  1

  0

  0

  Gender

  Male

  11

  137

  112

  23

  3

  0

  Female

  9

  116

  76

  12

  1

  0

  Ethnicity

  Minorities

  Information not available

  Unknown

  Part/Full-time

  Part-time

  1

  15

  II

  3

  0

  0

  Full-time

  19

  238

  177

  32

  4

  0

  Disability

  Disability

  0

  2

  2

  0

  1

  0

  No Disability

  20

  251

  186

  35

  3

  0

  Notes

  1. A breakdown by box markings is not presently available in terms of ethnicity.

  2. The definitions of the overall box markings are as follows:

  Box 1 Outstanding

  Box 2 Performance significantly above requirements

  Box 3a Performance fully effective in all respects

  Box 3b Performance sufficient for the needs of the job

  Box 4 Improvements to performance required in some respects Box 5 Unsatisfactory

  3. Data covers all reports with a 1998 report date.

  4. Data includes leavers.

  5. Staff in the Senior Civil Service are included in the MAFF breakdown of 1998 overall performance markings.

  Letter from Sarah Nason to Mr. John McDonnell, dated 23 March 1999 The Minister has asked me to respond, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about performance appraisal markings awarded to civil servants in 1998 for his Department and each agency in his Department, broken down by grade; gender; ethnicity; part-time/full-time working and disability; and whether the Cabinet Office's four-fifths rule for detecting potential adverse impact was applied to the appraisal markings of civil servants in the 1998 report round.
  I enclose a breakdown as requested of performance markings from the 1997–98 reporting year for staff in FRCA. FRCA staff are in different grades to those in the core department, but for your ease of reference we have converted the grade data to the nearest MAFF equivalents.
  Work is in hand to analyse this data for any indications of possible adverse impact.
  228

  Breakdown of overall performance markings in FRCA:1997–98 reporting year

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Ethnicity

  White Origin

  21

  198

  112

  1

  0

  Ethnic minority origin

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Unknown

  10

  73

  65

  1

  0

  Disability

  None or none known

  31

  271

  176

  2

  0

  Disability known

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  Full or part time

  Full time

  29

  247

  152

  2

  0

  Part time

  2

  26

  25

  0

  0

  Gender

  Male

  16

  177

  100

  2

  0

  Female

  15

  96

  77

  0

  0

  Grade and equivalents

  AA

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  AO

  7

  55

  37

  0

  0

  EO

  10

  27

  9

  0

  0

  HEO

  4

  77

  90

  2

  0

  SEC,

  8

  76

  31

  0

  0

  G7

  2

  30

  10

  0

  0

  G6

  0

  7

  0

  0

  0

  Senior Civil Service

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Notes

  *Data not provided as this would enable individuals' report markings to be ascertained.

  Definitions of overall performance markings are as follows:

  Box 1—Outstanding

  Box 2—Very Good

  Box 3—Satisfactory

  Box 4—Improvement Necessary

  Box 5—Unsatisfactory

  Data covering 1997–98 reports input onto the Agency's computerised Human Resources System by 15 March 1999. Data do not include leavers.

  Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. John McDonnell, dated March 1999 The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and food has asked me to reply to your question on appraisal performance markings in 1998.
  I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
  The breakdown of overall performance markings for staff in CEFAS is set out overleaf.

  1

  2

  3A

  3B

  Total

  Current grade/overall assessment

  6

  1

  8

  6

  0

  15

  7

  1

  20

  7

  0

  28

  AA

  4

  3

  3

  3

  13

  AO

  11

  41

  8

  2

  62

  EO

  13

  47

  17

  4

  81

  HEO

  9

  31

  18

  0

  58

  Industrial

  8

  18

  6

  0

  32

  SCS

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  SEO

  2

  28

  8

  0

  38

  Total

  47

  168

  66

  9

  328

  sex/oversll assessment

  F

  18

  72

  19

  5

  114

  M

  31

  124

  55

  4

  214

  Total

  49

  196

  74

  9

  328

  229

  1

  2

  3A

  3B

  Total

  Full/part time/overall assessment

  Full

  46

  172

  70

  7

  295

  Part

  3

  24

  4

  2

  33

  Total

  49

  196

  74

  9

  328

  Ethnic origin/overall assessment

  White

  47

  188

  69

  9

  313

  Ethnic

  Minority

  —

  3

  —

  —

  3

  Unknown

  2

  5

  5

  0

  12

  Able bodies/overall assessment

  Disabled

  2

  13

  6

  —

  21

  Able Bodies

  47

  183

  68

  9

  307

  Total

  49

  196

  74

  9

  328

  AgrEvo
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the company AgrEvo has a marketing consent to grow genetically modified crops in the UK. [79501]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  AgrEvo (France) has one such consent under Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms. This consent is for a maize modified for tolerance to glufosinate ammonium herbicide. The consent is for agricultural use leading to animal and human consumption and was issued by the French authorities on 3 August 1998.

  Illegal Fishing
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many skippers of fishing vessels have been convicted in the sheriff courts for offences relating to illegal fishing activities in each of the past three years; what was the average financial penalty imposed; if 230
  he will list the nationality of the (i) skippers and (ii) vessels; if the gear and catch were confiscated in all cases; and if he will make a statement. [78403]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: I have been asked to reply.

  Substantial resources are devoted to fisheries enforcement and appropriate action is taken where infringements are detected. Information about fisheries prosecutions which have been dealt with in sheriff courts in the past 3 years is set out in the table.

  Number of skippers successfully prosecuted for one or more infringements1

  Average financial penalty imposed2 (£)

  1996

  62

  4,013

  1997

  87

  4,355

  1998

  73

  2,600

  1Includes skippers who are also owners

  2Calculated as the total value of penalties imposed (fines and any financial penalties to the value of the catch and/or gear (as appropriate)) divided by the number of skippers prosecuted

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Skipper

  Vessel

  Skipper

  Vessel

  Skipper

  Vessel

  Nationality of skippers and vessels

  UK

  55

  57

  82

  83

  71

  69

  Danish

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Spanish

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Faeroese

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dutch

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Irish

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  German

  —

  —

  2

  2

  —

  —

  Belgian

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Number of cases where gear and/or catch were confiscated

  Gear

  4

  2

  1

  Catch

  3

  2

  1

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

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