Written Answers of 16 April 1999

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Euro
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) of 24 March 1999,Official Report, column 283, what factors underlie her assessment that the impact of the euro on north-south relationships in the island of Ireland in the short term is likely to be limited. [80176]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Over the past two decades, North-South trade has been subject to exchange rate risk and business is therefore used to dealing with this. Many retail businesses in border areas currently transact using both currencies. Also the volume of North-South trade is unlikely to change significantly in the short term, due to the continuing importance of the Great Britain market to Northern Ireland.

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list each of the new responsibilities which she 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. [80411]

  Body

  Date

  Remuneration per annum

  The NI Human Rights Commission (its predecessor was the NI Standing Advisory

  1 March 1999

  Chairman £55,000

  Commission on Human Rights (SACHR))

  Members £8,000

  The Health and Safety Executive for NI (it replaces the Health and Safety Agency for NI)

  1 April 1999

  Chairman £15,000

  Members £3,930

  Administration of Justice (Databases)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list those public bodies concerned in the administration of justice which maintain computerised databases containing personal details and information about non-employees. [80609]

  Mr. Ingram
  Both the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and the Juvenile Justice Board (formerly Rathgael and Whiteabbey Training Schools Management Board) maintain a computerised database.

  Firearms (Private Individuals)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the(a) numbers and
  360
  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Treaty of Amsterdam will have minimal impact on the responsibilities of the Department and its staffing.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the impact in Northern Ireland of the proposals in the Government's consultation paper, New and Renewable Energy-Prospects for the 21st Century. [80240]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government intend working towards a target of renewable energy providing 10% of UK electricity supplies, cost effectively, as soon as possible; they hope to achieve this by 2010. So the proposals in the consultation paper will stimulate further interest in the potential of renewable technologies in Northern Ireland and complement the current range of initiatives such as the Northern Ireland Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation Orders (NI-NFFOs 1 and 2), the EU supported Energy Demonstration Scheme, the INTERREG programme and Northern Ireland Electricity's Eco Energy (Green Tariff) scheme. Following appraisal of the regional responses to the consultation paper, consideration will be given to the implications for sustained promotion of renewable technologies in Northern Ireland.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the public appointments for which her Department is responsible and which carry a fee or salary, indicating for each type of appointment the fee or salary band which applies. [80756]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 15 April 1999]: The information requested is contained in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1998", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Since publication, the following public bodies have been created:

  (b) type of firearms officially registered or held by private individuals in Northern Ireland, indicating how many are for personal protection. [80454]

  Mr. Ingram
  At 31 December 1998 there were 139,588 firearms held by private individuals in Northern Ireland on foot of 84,553 firearms certificates issued by the Chief Constable. The breakdown of the firearms figures is as follows:

  Firearm

  Number

  Shotguns and airguns

  112,657

  (90,548 and 22,109 respectively)

  Rifles

  14,254

  Handguns

  12,090

  (including 9,605 personal protection firearms)

  Miscellaneous

  58

  (mainly firearms used for the humane killing of animals)

  Macpherson Report
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Home Secretary's statement to the House on 24 February 1999,Official Report, columns 389–403, (a) how she plans to respond to Sir William Macpherson's recommendations and (b) whether she will consider amending the Fair Employment and Treatment Order 1998. [80610]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have been considering the report into the brutal murder of Stephen Lawrence in the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland. The Report focuses on the Metropolitan Police but it raises many issues for policing and, indeed, society generally. Many of the Lawrence Report's recommendations are pertinent in Northern Ireland, not only in terms of how racial differences are addressed, but also in terms of divisions along religious and other lines.

  The Government attach great importance to issues of racial equality in Northern Ireland and, in the context of policing, I welcome the first meeting of the Consultative Committee on Policing for Ethnic Minorities hosted recently by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and the RUC. This Committee will do much to ensure the views of ethnic minority groups are fully understood and their policing needs met. It will develop a greater understanding in the police service of the problems faced by ethnic minorities and provide a means by which these communities can work with the police to provide a better service and have their problems addressed.

  The Criminal Justice and Policing section of the Good Friday Agreement recognises that we have a unique opportunity to bring about a society,
  "which will recognise the full and equal legitimacy and worth of identifies, senses of allegiance and ethos of all sections of the community in Norther Ireland".

  This is why the Government established the independent Commission on Policing and the Review of Criminal Justice which will report later this year. The terms of reference of these two bodies cover many areas highlighted by the report into the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

  None the less, there are a number of areas where I will want to see comparable changes to those set out in my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's action plan for addressing the recommendations of the Lawrence Report. On the application of not only race relations legislation, but all Northern Ireland's stringent equality legislation to the police, I want to see as full a coverage as possible. Northern Ireland is already a leader in providing statutory guarantees of equality of treatment and I want to build on this.

  Improving community confidence in policing generally is an essential priority. The Police Authority has set an objective in the recently published Policing Plan requiring the Chief Constable to raise public confidence in the RUC in the year 1999–2000. However, in view of the recommendations contained in the Lawrence Report, I will examine with the Authority and the Chief Constable what more might be needed to promote racial, religious, sex and disability equality and what meaningful measures can be adopted to ensure this happens. There should be no doubt of the Government's commitment to tackling all forms of discrimination.
  362
  Turning to the recommendations which affect police complaints and discipline procedure, we are making important changes. On independent investigations we are pressing ahead with the establishment of a Police Ombudsman. This will provide for completely independent investigation of complaints against the police and will provide a model for other systems. We want this system to be as transparent as possible. We will also be introducing important reforms of the police conduct and performance procedures and will consider the further changes recommended by the Lawrence Report in this area.

  Whilst first-aid training in the RUC generally meets the standards recommended by the report, we are in touch with the RUC to ensure that any steps necessary to reduce intervals between refresher training are advanced as a matter of urgency. In other aspects of training, the police will build upon the initiatives taken as part of the Community Awareness Programme which already uses outside trainers from a wide variety of organisations. On inspection, similar changes to the role of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary will be made in Northern Ireland in line with those being made by the Home Secretary.

  The Report raises issues about communication between the prosecuting authorities and victims. In Northern Ireland victims or their families are informed about the progress of their case by the RUC at key stages during the process, and by staff of the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland if any decisions are taken once the case has actually come to court. The experience of those victims and witnesses who are made to feel particularly vulnerable because of the nature of the offence they are giving evidence about has been considered by a working group since last May. The group will be making recommendations to me in the Summer as to how the criminal justice system might better assist such witnesses.

  The Stephen Lawrence Report highlights the need for co-ordinated action across the public sector if reforms are to be truly effective. For this reason the Government will be seeking to work closely with the new Assembly in Northern Ireland on those recommendations dealing with education and equality law. Consultation with bodies outside central Government will also be required. I have already initiated this action.

  The Government consider the protection of human rights, equality of treatment and respect for difference cultures as fundamental aspects of the ethos of the police service in Northern Ireland. A service where, as the Chief Constable has indicated, there is no room for prejudice of any kind and cultural diversity is celebrated. The recommendations of the Report on Stephen Lawrence will help us in pursuing this aim.

  Irish-Medium Schools
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the Irish-medium(a) primary and (b) secondary schools and state the number of pupils enrolled in each at the start of the current school year. [80611]
  363
  Mr. McFall
  The information requested is as follows:

  Primary

  Pupils

  Bunscoil Phobal Feirste

  332

  Bunscoil Na Fuiseoige

  77

  Bunscoil Na Bhfal

  187

  Bunscoil Cholmiclle

  218

  Bunscoil An Tsleibhe Dhuibh

  118

  Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagain

  82

  Bunscoil An Iuir

  60

  Bunscoil Larigh

  31

  Bunscoil Ui Neill

  35

  Bunscoil An Droichead

  31

  Bunscoil Dhal Riada

  18

  Secondary

  Meanscoil Feirste

  268

  Meanscoil

  65

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many school pupils were being taught in the Irish language medium in each year since 1985. [80612]

  Mr. McFall
  Information on the number of pupils taught in Irish Medium schools is as follows:

  Year

  Pupils

  1985–86

  198

  1986–87

  253

  1987–88

  304

  1988–89

  339

  1989–90

  370

  1990–91

  378

  1991–92

  400

  1992–93

  527

  1993–94

  771

  1994–95

  847

  1995–96

  1,038

  1996–97

  1,167

  1997–98

  1,375

  1998–99

  1,522

  Figures on pupils in Irish medium units in English medium schools are not available.

  Arrest Warrants
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 9 February 1999,Official Report, column 125, on arrest warrants, if she will list the definition and procedural arrangements for review for each of the five categories of arrest warrant and indicate what bodies might constitute the issuing authority in each case; how many extradition warrants were issued to which countries in each of the last 20 years; and how many warrants led to successful extradition. [80613]

  Mr. Ingram
  Bench/Arrest warrants and Extradition warrants are issued by an RM or a JP and remain current until executed or withdrawn. There is no statutory 364
  requirement to periodically refer back to the issuing authority. The term "Extradition Warrant" includes, inter alia, an arrest warrant issued:

  (a) by JPs under Article 20 of the Magistrates Courts (NI) Order 1981; or

  (b) by Crown Court judges; or

  (c) by JPs under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 which seek the arrears of convicted persons who have escaped from or are otherwise unlawfully at large from prison.

  Committal warrants and Distress warrants are issued by an RM or JP or Clerk of Petty Sessions and are required to be returned to the issuing authority for cancellation or re-issue if they have not been executed within a reasonable time determined by reference to the circumstances of each case. Enforcement of Judgement warrants are issued by the Chief Enforcement Officer and are cancelled or re-issued if not executed within 12 months.

  The following table reflects the number of extradition requests made to foreign jurisdictions since 1979 (per person sought). The figures do not show the number of warrants issued in respect of each person as on many occasions a large number of warrants could be issued for the one individual.

  Country

  Persons sought

  Successful extraditions

  USA

  8

  11

  Holland

  2

  2

  France

  1

  —

  Germany

  1

  1

  Republic of Ireland

  238

  106

  1 4 on-going

  Note

  Formal records were not kept in this format prior to 1990. Figures before 1990 have been compiled from other sources and may therefore be subject to amendment.

  HMP Maghaberry
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will request HM Inspector of Prisons to investigate assaults and arson attacks on prison officers at HMP Maghaberry. [80602]

  Mr. Ingram
  No.

  I am satisfied that any assaults or arson attacks which have occurred at HMP Maghaberry, have been fully investigated by the Governor and his staff and appropriate remedial action taken. I shall not, therefore, be requesting HM Inspector of Prisons to investigate.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what form and where(a) complaints made under fair employment legislation, (b) friendly settlements and (c) decisions of the Fair Employment Tribunal are listed. [80604]

  Mr. Ingram
  Complaints to the Fair Employment Tribunal made under the Fair Employment legislation are entered in a public register.

  Decisions of a Fair Employment Tribunal are held in a separate public register. Both registers are available for inspection at the Office of the Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal.
  365
  There is no obligation on those who settle to provide or publish information on that settlement. However, settlements between the parties in cases conciliated by the Labour Relations Agency are also recorded in the decision register and the Fair Employment Commission also includes in its Annual Reports details of settlements in which it was involved.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assistance is available for employers to maintain a computerised record of monitoring under Fair Employment legislation and what assessment she has made of the practicality of developing a dedicated software package for these purposes. [80605]

  Mr. Ingram
  No assistance is currently available for employers to maintain a computerised record of monitoring under Fair Employment legislation. An assessment has not been made of the practicality of developing a dedicated software package for these purposes. However, a number of private sector concerns have developed dedicated software packages to assist employers maintain monitoring records.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in each year since 1990 the Fair Employment Commission has acted on section 33(3) of the Fair Employment Act (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 in(a) serving a notice containing directions under section 34 and (b) making an application to the tribunal under section 16. [80606]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since 1990 the Fair Employment Commission has not issued any notices under Section 33(3) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 and consequently no action has been required under Section 34 to serve a notice containing directions not to make an application to the Tribunal under Section 16.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in each year since 1990(a) the Fair Employment Commission has served a notice under section 36(2) of the Fair Employment Act (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 concerning goals and timetables and (b) a person has been (i) prosecuted and (ii) found guilty of an offence under section 36(7). [80607]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Fair Employment Commission has not issued any notices concerning goals and timetables under Section 36(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 and hence there have been no prosecutions.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in each year since 1990(a) the Fair Employment Commission has issued a notice under section 38 of the Fair Employment Act (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 stating an employer is not qualified under the Act and (b) an employer has won an appeal against such a decision. [80608]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since 1990 just one employer has been served with a not qualified notice under Section 38 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989. This was in 1991. Subsequently the required monitoring return was made and the notice was revoked. No employer has appealed.

SCOTLAND

  Macpherson Inquiry
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the Macpherson Inquiry recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [80528]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Office is currently considering the implications for Scotland of the recommendations of the Macpherson Inquiry. Our intention is to publish an action plan as soon as possible. From 1 July 1999 this will be a mater for the Scottish Parliament.

  I also refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 14 April 1999, Official Report, column 146.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Employment Tribunal Service
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets he has set the Employment Tribunal Service for 1999–2000. [81477]

  Mr. Byers
  I have set the following targets for the ETS for 1999–2000.

  To bring to a first hearing at least 85 per cent. of single employment tribunal cases within 26 weeks of receipt;

  In relation to the above target, all employment tribunal offices to achieve at least 75 per cent.;

  To issue at least 85 per cent. of decisions within 4 weeks of the final hearing;

  To reduce administrative unit costs in the employment tribunals by 5 per cent. in real terms;

  At least 80 per cent. of employment tribunal users to express satisfaction, in surveys, with the service offered by the ETS;

  At least 90 per cent. of appeals registered by the Employment Appeal Tribunal for preliminary hearing to be ready for listing within 6 weeks.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 31 March 1999,Official Report, column 803, on structural funds, when he expects to be able to indicate what the EU structural fund allocation to the United Kingdom will be in each of the years 2000 to 2004. [80593]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]: Following the agreement at the Berlin European Council, the Commission have yet to indicate when they will be able to inform Member States of what their individual EU Structural Fund allocation will be for the years 2000 to 2006. Until that time, the Government are not in a position to say how much the UK will receive.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what will be the allocation for(a) structural funds and (b) cohesion funds in the EU in 2000 expressed in 1999 prices; and what percentage of EU-15 GDP in 2000 this will represent. [80590]
  367
  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]: At Berlin, it was concluded that the total amount available for commitments under the Structural Funds for the year 2000 will be 29,430 million euros (1999 prices), and for the Cohesion Fund it will be 2,615 million euros (1999 prices). This equates to about 0.4 per cent. of EU-15 GDP in the year 2000.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 31 March 1999,Official Report, column 803, on EU structural funds if he will express the sum of 11,990 million euro in sterling, indicating the rates of exchange used. [80591]

  Mr. Byers
  11,990 million euro equates to £8,790 million using an £/euro exchange rate of £1 1.364 euro (the average rate from 1995 to date).

  Assisted Areas Map
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the reviewed assisted areas map; and if he will make a statement. [80265]

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the assisted areas map at the same time as it is submitted to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement. [80592]

  Mr. Wills
  Ministers are currently considering what proposals they will put forward. They will be published as soon as possible.

  Inward Investment
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the work he has done to secure(a) Korean and (b) Japanese inward investment into the United Kingdom. [81098]

  Mr. Wills
  The Invest in Britain Bureau (IBB), which is jointly managed by DTI and FCO, works to secure the UK's position as the number one European location for Japanese and Korean investment. IBB runs a programme of company visits (900 in Japan, 220 in Korea in 1998–99), promotional seminars, media campaigns and inward missions aimed at attracting inward investment, as well as working closely with existing investors alongside the UK Development Agencies.

  The Ministerial teams in both Departments support this, both here in the UK and when travelling overseas. For example, I recently met senior representatives of Honda Motors and intend to meet other Japanese and Korean companies located here.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [79640]

  Mr. Byers
  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.
  368
  Parliamentary Private Secretaries are bound by the requirements of the Ministerial Code when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the likely implications of the cultivation of genetically modified crops for the volume of pesticides used; and what studies he has commissioned on this matter. [74868]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 March 1999]: A scientific review of the impact of genetically modified crops on herbicide use was published by the Pesticides Safety Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 15 December 1998.

  Pesticide use has been monitored by MAFF's Pesticides Usage Survey Group for over thirty years. Discussions will be taking place in the near future to decide how this group's monitoring activities can be enhanced to monitor and provide information on the use of pesticides on genetically modified crops.

  The farm-scale evaluations into the ecological effects of genetically modified crops being set up by my Department, MAFF and Scottish Office will also provide information on herbicide use on genetically modified crops compared to conventional equivalent crops and the comparative impact of the different herbicide regimes on farmland wildlife.

  CO2 Emissions
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the estimated annual reduction in CO2 emissions in (a) 2000, (b) 2005 and (c) 2010 from continuing the duty escalator on road fuel; [77839]

  (2) what is the estimated annual reduction in CO2 emissions in (a) 2000, (b) 2005 and (c) 2010 from the increase in hydrocarbon duties on road fuels implemented in the 1999 Budget. [77838]

  Dr. Reid
  The fuel duty escalator is a long-term strategy introduced by the last Government whose impact on transport emissions can be expected to build up over time.

  The escalator is also part of a package of measures to reduce emissions, particularly of CO2, through the promotion of fuel efficiency and reduced congestion. Taken on its own, increasing fuel duty by six per cent. per annum in real terms between 1996 and 2002 is currently estimated to reduce 2010 road traffic CO2 emissions by between 2 and 5 million tonnes of carbon, as set out in the Climate Change Consultation Paper.

  Estimates of the incremental contribution of a single year's duty increases towards the savings estimated for the strategy as a whole are even more difficult. On average, however, we calculate that each year of the

  369
  escalator contributes between 0.3 and 0.75 million tonnes towards the savings estimated in 2010 for the strategy as a whole.

  Multi-modal 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 Reading multi-modal study. [80022]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The London to Reading multi-modal study is included in the second tranche of the multi-modal studies programme announced last month; work on which will start in 2000–01. The Government Office for the South East will set up a steering group to include representatives from the South East Regional Planning conference (SERPLAN), and other regional and transport interests, to determine the terms of reference for the study and to take the study forward.

  The London to Reading study will also take into account any emerging findings from the London to South West and the South Wales multi-modal study, which is included in tranche one of the studies programme and will start in 1999–2000.

  PFI Credits
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the allocation of PFI credits for the proposed Baldock bypass; [79788]

  (2) in what circumstances a local authority may bid for the allocation of PFI credits in respect of more than one major transport project; [79787]

  (3) if Hertfordshire County Council is limited to submitting only one major project bid for PFI credits; and if he will make a statement; [79791]

  (4) to what extent the (a) population, (b) level of car ownership and (c) scale of transport problems in a highway authority area are taken into account in setting the number of major schemes per authority which will be approved for the allocation of PFI credits; and if he will make a statement. [79786]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]The level of resources likely to be available for major transport projects during the 5-year period covered by Local Transport Plans is such that it is likely that there will be a significant number of plans for which no scheme is approved. Against this background there would need to be exceptional circumstances to justify approving more than one scheme in any one plan. No authority is precluded from submitting more than one scheme but they should consult their Government Office before doing so. All bids will be considered on their merits in line with the policies referred to in the guidance issued to local authorities.

  Any bid that Hertfordshire may make for a Baldock Bypass will be considered on this basis.

  Gaul
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Marine Accident Investigation Branch report of their 370
  survey of the 'Gaul' will be published; and what are his intentions regarding the reopening of the formal investigation into the loss of the vessel. [81161]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Marine Accidents Investigation Branch report is published today. The Chief Inspector recommends that there is new and important evidence meriting the reopening of the Formal Investigation into the loss of the vessel. I have today ordered the reopening of the Formal Investigation in full before a Wreck Commissioner.

  I have also decided that my Department will support an application to the Wreck Commissioner that the reasonable costs of a single legal team to represent the interests of the relatives of those lost with the vessel at the reopened investigation should be met from public funds.

  Mr. Roger Clarke, a senior official from my Department, will investigate why no searches were made for the Gaul after she sank. His results will be published. Mr. Clarke, assisted by a forensic scientist and forensic pathologist, will undertake the location and examination of three unidentified bodies found in Northern Russia following the loss of the vessel.

DEFENCE

  Drugs Operations
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times in each of the last five years his Department's personnel have been involved in counter-drugs operations; which units were involved; and what was the cost above normal expenditure for the operations. [80712]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary gave to him on 1 March 1999,Official Report, columns 504–05. The operational details of counter-drugs support to HM Customs and Excise are sensitive and I am withholding the identities of the units involved in accordance with exemptions 1 and 4 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The additional costs incurred by MOD in these operations are typically in the region of £70–140k, depending upon the duration of the task and the extent of military involvement. These costs are recovered from HM Customs and Excise. There are no additional costs incurred by the West Indies Guard Ship in carrying out counter-drugs tasks in the Caribbean.

  Personnel Records
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the headings or fields of information under which his Department's databases record personal details of serving and former members of HM armed forces. [80614]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Personal details of serving and former members of the armed forces are held on a variety of databases which contain a large number of different headings or fields of information. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1984, details of the Ministry of Defence's use of personal data are contained within the
  371
  Data Protection Register. The Register entry shows the purposes for which data are held by the Department and for each purpose:

  (a) the types of individuals about whom data are held;

  (b) the classes of personal data held;

  (c) where the data are obtained from;

  (d) who the data may be disclosed to;

  (e) any countries outside the UK where the personal data may be sent.

  Our Register entry covers both civilian and Service personnel. A list of headings or fields of information particular to databases used for recording personal details of serving and former members of the armed forces is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The Data Protection Register is publicly available from the Data Registrar's website on http://www.dpr.gov.uk. The Ministry of Defence's Register Entry is G0626166.

  Air Defence Exercise (Central Europe)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the cost of the air defence exercise in central Europe carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72788]

  (2) how many personnel were deployed on the air defence exercise in central Europe carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; and which countries had armed forces involved in the exercise. [72798]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Exercise Central Enterprise was the major annual NATO exercise held in central Europe in the period specified. The countries that participated in the flying activity were Belgium, Turkey, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Denmark, the USA and the UK. The total number of personnel involved in Central Enterprise is not available, nor are the national costs to other participating nations. Twenty RAF personnel were detached to participate in the exercise, with an additional cost to the RAF in the order of £20K. I understand from NATO that the cost to NATO Exercise Funds was some £41K.

  Service Personnel (Sick Leave)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel were on sick leave when their service with the armed forces ended in each of the last three years. [806961]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Details of the number of Service personnel deemed to be on sick leave at any one time are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Technically, however, Service personnel are not deemed to be on sick leave at the time of discharge, as they qualify for "terminal leave", or "invalidity leave" if being discharged for medical reasons.

  Sick Pay
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the amount of statutory sick pay which his Department would have been able to claim from the Department of Social Security in each of the last three years if service personnel were eligible for statutory sick pay. [80697]
  372
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My Department does not maintain records of the numbers of Service personnel deemed to be on sick leave at any one time and could only provide that information at disproportionate cost. However, under the Statutory Sick Pay Act 1994, payment of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) became the responsibility of employers and the ability for them to reclaim up to 80 per cent. of costs from the Department of Social Security ceased. Employers were compensated for the extra SSP costs by a reduction in employers' National Insurance Contributions. No estimate has therefore been made of any amount which would notionally have been recoverable.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Department of Social Security concerning the eligibility of service personnel for statutory sick pay. [80699]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  None. Service personnel are not covered by Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) regulations on the basis that they remain on full pay during periods of sickness, which would exceed any amount payable under the SSP scheme.

  Nuclear Accident Response
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent in each of the last five years on nuclear accident response; and if he will list the incidents and the cost involved with each. [80709]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There have been no incidents requiring nuclear accident response over the last five years and therefore no costs have been incurred. However, defence nuclear accident response capabilities are maintained in appropriate divisions within the Department and are regularly. exercised. Costs associated are borne by those divisions and no central record is maintained. Such a record could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Search and Rescue
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost in each of the last five years of his Department's search and rescue capability in the UK. [80713]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The figures requested for the search and rescue capability are as follows:

  £ million

  1995–96

  33.493

  1996–97

  34.058

  1997–98

  35.079

  1998–99

  36.066

  Figures are not readily available for financial year 1994–95, although they are not expected to differ substantially from 1995–96 (appropriately reduced to take account of inflation).

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the link between
  373
  exposure to depleted uranium and the development of cancer in Gulf War veterans; and if he will make a statement. [81048]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer my hon. Friend to paragraphs 7–19 and 31 of the detailed paper "Testing for the presence of depleted uranium in UK veterans of the Gulf conflict: The Current Position", which I published on 19 March. A copy of the paper was sent to my hon. Friend on the date of its publication and copies were also placed in the Library of the House.

  In addition, the Ministry of Defence is funding a major epidemiological study, led by Professor Nicola Cherry at Manchester University, which aims to determine whether Gulf veterans are experiencing greater ill-health than service personnel who did not take part in the conflict and to identify possible exposures and predisposing factors associated with any distinctive pattern of symptoms which may be found. This study will also investigate whether there is an increased incidence of cancer or mortality amongst Gulf veterans. Initial results are expected to be submitted for publication at around the middle of this year.

  Royal Armoured Corps Pool of Officers
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what criteria were used in deciding to disband the Royal Armoured Corps Pool of Officers; [80687]

  (2) what steps he has taken to replace the specialist armoured skills and experience at junior commander level which had been provided by the Royal Armoured Corps Pool of Officers. [80689]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Within the reforms of the Territorial Army, the operational requirement for the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) is to produce trained individual reservists to provide crewmen for Challenger 2 tanks and medium reconnaissance vehicles, and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) specialists. Against this background, there is no longer an operational requirement for an RAC pool of ex-regular officers since there will be sufficient expertise available within the new unit structure, and the Regular Army Retired Officers (RARO) will provide a continued source of specialist armoured skills and experience.

  Mr. Nicholas Davies
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will(a) set out his reasons for issuing an injunction on 23 February 1998 concerning plans for publication of a book to have been entitled "Ten Thirty Three", by Mr. Nicholas Davies, and (b) ensure that no investigation or inquiry into the death of solicitor Patrick Finucane is prevented from having access to unpublished material that is in Mr. Davies's possession. [80601]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  An injunction was sought (and subsequently granted) because the manuscript contained material which, had it entered the public domain, would have been damaging to national security and could have posed serious risks to the safety of individuals referred to in the book.
  374
  The murder of Patrick Finucane was investigated both by the RUC and subsequently by the investigation team led by John Stevens, then Deputy Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire. In the event of any future investigation into this case my Department would co-operate fully as we did with the earlier investigations including, where appropriate, over information held by third parties. In doing so the Ministry of Defence would continue to take into account our continuing duty to safeguard national security and the safety of individuals.

HEALTH

  Restraint Techniques
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, column 3, on restraint techniques, if he will publish the figures on deaths in mental health institutions held by the Mental Health Act Commission; and if he will provide a breakdown by ethnicity. [80664]

  Mr. Hutton
  The data for the year ending 31 January 1999 on deaths of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 have not yet been validated. The Mental Health Act Commission is currently in discussion with a number of academic bodies about the validation process. The Commission will then be in a position to publish the data and to provide a breakdown by ethnicity.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, column 3, on restraint techniques, what guidance his Department has issued to trusts on what constitutes appropriate staffing levels and policies. [80663]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have issued no guidance specifically in relation to restraint techniques.

  Chapter 19 of the Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice makes clear that hospitals should have written operational policies on all forms of restraint. It is for trusts to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of these policies and to determine appropriate staffing in accordance with the needs of patients.

  European Scrutiny Committee
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (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; [80553]

  (2) on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 his Department has made available to the European Scrutiny Committee Council working documents. [80546]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]: The Department receives a large volume of both official and unofficial/working texts during the course of negotiations on European Union legislation. In order to facilitate the work of the European Scrutiny Committee and to keep it informed of the progress of negotiations, the Department

  375
  regularly submits Explanatory Memoranda to the Committee. Since 1 May 1997, the Department has made no Council working documents available to the Committee and has made unofficial texts available on eight occasions:

  17 June 1997:

  Proposal for a Council Directive on health protection of individuals against the dangers of ionising radiation in relation to medical exposures, replacing Directive 84–466/Euratom.

  28 November 1997:

  Council Resolution concerning the report on the state of women's health in the European Community.

  4 December 1997:

  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on in vitro diagnostic medical devices.

  2 April 1998:

  Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a programme of Community action from 1999–2003 on rare diseases in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health.

  2 April 1998:

  Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a programme of Community action from 1999–2003 on pollution-related diseases in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health.

  20 April 1998:

  Proposal for a Council Recommendation on the suitability of blood and plasma donors and the screening of donated blood in the European Community.

  2 October 1998:

  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on in vitro diagnostic medical devices.

  9 November 1999:

  Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Council Regulation (EC) 297/95 on fees payable to the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products.

  Guy's and St. Thomas's NHS Trust
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the new chair of the Guy's and St. Thomas's NHS Trust was (i) appointed and (ii) told of her appointment; on what date the Trust was told of her appointment; on what date information was given by the NHS of the name of the person appointed; how many and which hon. Members discussed the appointment with Ministers during March, indicating the dates of the discussions; and for what reason the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey was not invited to discuss the appointment with Ministers. [80566]

  Mr. Denham
  Mrs. Patricia Moberly has been appointed as chair of the Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospital National Health Service Trust for the period from 1 April 1999 until 31 October 2002. Ministers reached their decision on 18 March and Mrs. Moberly was told of the appointment by the regional chairman on 19 March. The trust chief executive was told shortly afterwards. The decision was formally announced in a press release issued by the London Regional Office of the NHS Executive on 26 March and in an internal bulletin at the trust on the same day. On 24 February the regional chairman invited all local hon. Members to give their views by 7 March on the candidates for the chairmanship. No written replies were received by the deadline but a number of hon. Members made informal representations directly to 376

  Ministers. The hon. Member, for Southwark, North and Bermondsey sent a letter giving his views on 17 March. These were fully considered before the appointment decision was made.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who has been appointed to chair the Guy's and St. Thomas's NHS Trust from 1 April; how many shortlisted nominees were proposed by the regional office; how many others were Labour party members; and how many had served on NHS trust boards before 1 April as (i) chairmen and (ii) deputy chairmen. [80564]

  Mr. Denham
  Mrs. Patricia Moberly has been appointed to serve as chair of the Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospitals National Health Service Trust for the period from 1 April 1999 until 31 October 2002. Two other candidates for the chairmanship were put forward by the regional chairman for consideration by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. All three candidates had served as non-executive board members, Mrs. Moberly on the board of the Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospitals NHS Trust. One other candidate had served as a chair of another NHS Trust, and the remaining one as a vice-chairman of the Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospitals NHS Trust. Candidates for such posts are not required to declare party membership.

  Junior Football Staff
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is intended that county football associations and junior football clubs shall have access to the register to be established under the Protection of Children Bill when considering the appointment of staff to work with junior footballers. [79910]

  Mr. Hutton
  The vast majority of such clubs should have access to the list provided that they are "organisations" within the meaning of the Bill, and the post to which the individual is to be appointed meets the definition of "child care position" as set out in the Bill.

  Residential Care (Bedfordshire)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the compliance with the relevant registration standards of(a) nursing homes and (b) residential homes within mid-Bedfordshire. [80481]

  Mr. Hutton
  None. Residential care homes within the whole of Bedfordshire are registered and inspected by the Registration and Inspection Unit of Bedfordshire County Council. The registration and inspection of nursing homes within Bedfordshire is the responsibility of Bedfordshire Health Authority. Residential care homes and nursing homes are subject to the Registered Homes Act 1984.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will recommend to health purchasers that the new provisions for pooled budgets and lead commissioning be implemented in the case of multiple sclerosis patients. [80596]

  Mr. Hutton
  There is no restriction on the client groups that can benefit from the new provisions. It is for health and local government partners to agree how best to
  377
  provide services to meet the needs of people in their area. The new provisions give authorities the flexibility to do this and the opportunity to consider innovative new arrangements. Directing authorities, in the first instance, on how to use the flexibilities would run counter to this. However, as the flexibilities start to bed down and lessons are learnt we will wish to spread good practice.

  Methadone
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost to the NHS in each of the past five years of methadone prescriptions; and from which companies they were purchased. [80600]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 April 1999]: The net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed in the community in England from 1993 to 1997 for methadone hydrochloride is shown in the table.

  The majority of items for methadone hydrochloride are prescribed generically. Details of the manufacturers of drugs dispensed against these prescriptions are not known. Items prescribed by their branded names include products manufactured by Glaxo Wellcome, Martindale, Rosemont and Link.

  Net ingredient cost (NIC) of prescription items dispensed in the community for methadone hydrochloride, 1993–1997

  Year

  £000

  England

  1993

  6,803.6

  1994

  7,993.9

  1995

  9,086.9

  1996

  9,912.1

  1997

  10,668.2

  Notes

  1. The figures cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.

  2. The net ingredient cost (NIC) is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charge income.

  3. Methadone hydrochloride is contained in the following British National Formulary sections: BNF 3.9.1—Cough suppressants; BNF 4.7.2—Opioid analgesics; BNF 4.10—Drugs used in substance dependence.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list those people appointed chairman or non-executive director of an NHS trust or health authority since 1 May 1997 who are the spouse or partner of an elected local councillor, stating the party affiliation of the councillor in each case; [80931]

  (2) if he will list those people appointed chairman or non-executive director of NHS trusts or health authorities since 1 May 1997 who are the spouse or partner of an hon. Member stating the party affiliation of the hon. Member in each case. [80932]

  Mr. Denham
  No spouses or partners of hon. Members have been appointed as non-executive directors of National Health Service trusts or health authorities since the Government took office. Information on any such relationships between non-executive directors and elected local councillors is not collected by the Department.

  Listening to Women Roadshows
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1999,Official Report, columns 415–18, if he will list the women's organisations which have been invited to send representatives to the Listening to Women roadshows at (a) Newcastle, (b) Reading, (c) Leeds and (d) Nottingham. [80898]

  Ms Jowell
  In addition to organisations, we are publicising the event to individual women not involved in public life. To this end we have invited women who had previously contacted the Women's Unit; published articles in the local press, with an open invitation for local women to attend; publicised the event on local radio; asked local job centres to issue invitations to female jobseekers in the area; and been in liaison with the Commission for Racial Equality for them to suggest interested women.

  To date the following organisations have been invited to send representatives to the Listening to Women meeting in Newcastle on 19 April 1999:

  1. Fair Play North East Ltd.

  2. Northern Region Youth and Community Unit

  3. Young Women's Group

  4. Rosehill Young Women's Project

  5. South Tyneside Multi Cultural Project

  6. Muslim Women's Association

  7. Breast Care and Mastectomy Group

  8. Sahali

  9. Roshni Women's Centre

  10. Age Concern

  11. Apnar Ghar

  12. Working for Women

  13. Women of the North

  14. South Bank Women's Centre

  15. Newcastle Literacy Collaborative

  16. Them Wifies

  17. Tyneside Women's Health Project

  18. Newcastle upon Tyne Guide Association

  19. The Star Centre Ltd.

  20. Newcastle Youth Women's Project

  21. East End Women's Activity Group

  22. West Newcastle Women

  23. Scotswood Community Project. Women's Group

  24. Elswick Girls Project

  25. TWAFA

  26. Pre-School Play Group Association

  27. East End Parent and Toddler Forum

  28. WAG

  29. Chopwell Community Centre

  30. Felling Community Centre

  31. Gateshead Young Women's Outreach Project

  32. Interface Project

  33. Leam Lane Community Centre

  34. Lobley Hill Youth and Community Centre

  35. Streets Ahead

  36. Community Education Officer

  37. Local Initiatives Team

  38. Alnwick Voluntary Action

  39. Chester-le-Street Volunteer Bureau

  379

  40. Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service

  41. Sunderland Council for Voluntary Service

  42. Tynedale Voluntary Action

  43. Acomb Crescent

  44. Northumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  45. Northumbria Probation Service

  46. Ringtons Ltd.

  47. Regency Care Homes Ltd.

  48. South Tyneside College

  49. TSL Group (Staff Pension Scheme)

  50. Tynedale District Council.

  To date the following organisations have been invited to send representatives to the Listening to Women meeting in Reading on Friday 21 May 1999:

  1. Reading Women's Information Centre

  2. In Touch Helpline

  3. Women's Open House

  4. JSJS Black Women's Group

  5. East Reading Adventure Playground "Strictly Girls"

  6. Reading Muslim Women's Association

  7. Electrical Association for Women

  8. Girls Friendly Society

  9. Reading Women's Education Project

  10. Reading Women's Gas Federation

  11. Sonning Common Women's Group

  12. West Indian Women's Circle

  13. Black Women's Group

  14. Disabled Housing Trust

  15. MIND Drop in Centre

  16. Earley Women's Institute

  17. Soroptimist International

  18. British Federation of University Women

  19. Berkshire Women's Aid

  20. Abbey Women's Clinic

  21. Domestic Violence Forum

  22. Bulmershe College Women's Group

  23. Kennet Valley Free Church Women's Council

  24. National Register of Women

  25. Reading Cav. Heights Townswomen's Guild

  26. Berkshire Federation of Women's Institutes

  27. Reading University Women's group

  28. Life Pregnancy Care Centre

  29. Churches in Reading Women's Centre

  30. Padworth W.I.

  31. Caversham W.I.

  32. Maiden Erlegh W.I.

  33. National Register of Women

  34. Sahara Asian Women's Project

  35. Racal-Mobilcal Ltd.

  36. Honeywell Control Systems Ltd.

  37. Yellow Pages

  38. Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd.

  39. De La Rue Plc

  40. Reading College and School of Art and Design

  41. University of Reading

  42. Gyosei International College.

  380
  The invitations to the Leeds and Nottingham meetings will be issued shortly.

  National Institute for Clinical Excellence
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if disabled people and their organisations will have specific representation on the board of the newly-established National Institute for Clinical Excellence. [80930]

  Mr. Hutton
  No organisations or groups have specific representation on the board of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). The board is a management body, whose purpose is to manage the functions and business of NICE.

  NICE has a partners' council, which includes representatives drawn from key stakeholder communities in the NHS, including people with disabilities and their organisations.

PRIME MINISTER

  Cystic Fibrosis
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to exclude sufferers of cystic fibrosis from charges for medical prescriptions. [80620]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]: We reviewed exemptions from prescription charges in the Comprehensive Spending Review and concluded that the present arrangements should remain for the rest of this Parliament. We have committed ourselves to no increase in prescription charges above the rate of inflation for the next three years. In every year bar one under the previous Government, prescription charges were increased in real terms—the annual average increase being 12.3 per cent. in real terms.

  We continue to demonstrate our commitment to improving the care and quality of life of people with cystic fibrosis through our work with health professionals and all those with relevant interests including the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. This includes provision of Government grant support to the Trust's user involvement project. We have also charged regional offices of the NHS Executive with ensuring that arrangements for commissioning specialised services, such as those for people with cystic fibrosis, are in place. The National Screening Committee is also considering the evidence about antenatal and neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Primary Pupils (Spending)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the money spent per primary age pupil(a) from local education authorities, (b) from central Government and (c) in total (i) in 1996–97, (ii) in 1997–98 and (iii) estimated for 1998–99 for each local education authority ranked in order of total spend. [80102]
  381
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information for the years 1996–97 to 1997–98, the latest year for which the figures are available is contained in a number of tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library. Estimated expenditure figures for each authority in 1998–99 are not available, although nationally local authorities' average budgeted expenditure per pupil rose by £167.

  European Scrutiny Committee
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 his Department has made available to the European Scrutiny Committee council working documents; [80545]

  (2) 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. [80552]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]: The Department receives a large volume of both official and unofficial/working texts during the course of negotiations on EU legislation. In order to facilitate the work of the European Scrutiny Committee and to keep it informed of the progress of negotiations, the Department regularly submits Explanatory Memoranda to the Committee. Ninety-two such memoranda have been submitted since 1 May 1997. The Department has provided the Committee with one unofficial text of draft European legislation, in August 1998, and no Council working document since 1 May 1997.

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [80418]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Treaty of Amsterdam will introduce a chapter on employment which imposes new responsibilities on member states. The employment chapter formalises and builds on the strategy developed by successive European Councils since 1994; its effect on departmental staffing is likely to be unquantifiable. The other bodies principally concerned are the Council and the Commission. The relevant section of the consolidated treaties is Title VIII (ex Title VIa), Articles 125–130.

  Single Teacher Classes
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils in(a) maintained secondary schools and (b) maintained primary schools in (i) England and (ii) Wales were in single teacher classes of 40 or more pupils (A) in January 1999 and (B) in each of the six previous years. [80686]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 15 April 1999]: The available information is shown in the following table.

  Information on class sizes in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  382

  Numbers of pupils in classes of 41 or more taught by one teacher in maintained primary and secondary schools in England: 1993–991 Position as at January

  Year

  Primary schools

  secondary schools

  1999

  15,223

  1,451

  1998

  17,565

  1,630

  1997

  8,813

  470

  1996

  9,435

  816

  1995

  9,798

  1,234

  1994

  4,697

  881

  1993

  8,918

  2,546

  1Provisional

  Chief Inspector of Schools
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools. [81554]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Further to the reply of my hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards to my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) on 24 March 1999,Official Report, column 288, I have received papers over the period 6 April to 13 April from solicitors acting on behalf of Mrs. Cathy Woodhead. They relate wholly to the progress of the Woodheads' divorce in 1976 and 1977 and date from September 1976. They contain a number of exchanges between Mrs. Woodhead and her solicitor, plus a signed statement from Chris Woodhead admitting to adultery in November and December 1976, some months after he and Amanda Johnston left Gordano school. I have considered that material. No evidence has been presented to me that proves that Mr. Woodhead had a sexual relationship with Ms Johnston while she was his pupil. Both Mr. Woodhead and Ms Johnston have signed documents to the effect that there was no relationship until the late autumn of 1976.

  It is not for me as Secretary of State to intervene in the rights and wrongs of a divorce which took place 23 years age; nor to side with either Mr. or Mrs. Woodhead in a dispute about the facts surrounding that divorce. My responsibility is in relation to the role of the Chief Inspector as a Crown employee and to apply good management practice fairly and impartially. There is nothing in the papers I have seen which substantiates the allegations made against Chris Woodhead or calls into question his suitability to continue as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools. I do not, therefore, intend to carry out any further investigations of this matter.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible and which carry a fee or salary, indicating for each type of appointment the fee or salary band which applies. [80749]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 15 April 1999]: "Public Bodies 1998"—copies of which are already available in the Library of the House—provides information on the levels of remuneration paid to those serving on the boards of public bodies for which my Department is responsible. The majority of public appointments, however, are unpaid as most of those who accept a public appointment do so on a voluntary basis.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Death Penalty (US)
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US Government concerning the abolition of the death penalty; and if he will make a statement. [80024]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Foreign Office Ministers and officials discuss frequently the abolition of the death penalty with their US counterparts. Baroness Symons most recently raised HMG's opposition to the use of the death penalty in the United States with Harold Koh, Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, US State Department, during her visit to Washington in late March.

  Her Majesty's Government are opposed to the use of the death penalty in the United States and will continue to use their very close relationship with the US Government to take up death penalty cases whenever appropriate. As EU Presidency in 1998, the UK was instrumental in establishing a set of EU guidelines on death penalty cases, which now form the basis of all EU demarches to the US authorities. To date, the UK has been involved in eight EU demarches. The Foreign Secretary's Death Penalty Panel has also targeted the United States for action, and we are constantly reviewing the best way to tackle the US authorities over the death penalty.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible and which carry a fee or salary, indicating for each type of appointment the fee or salary band which applies. [80746]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 15 April 1999]: "Public Bodies 1998", copies of which are available in the Library of the House, provides information on the levels of remuneration paid to those serving on the boards of public bodies for which my Department is responsible. The majority of public appointments, however, are unpaid as most of those who accept a public appointment do so on a voluntary basis.

  Of the public bodies for which my Department is responsible. the following pay a remuneration to appointees: British Council (£35,000); Commonwealth Institute (£15,000).

  Chechnya
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report progress on the department's monitoring of the use to which its advice is put by Granger Telecom in respect of their staff working in Chechnya. [81148]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer to my replies of 21 January 1999,Official Report, columns 53–37, and 14 April 1999, Official Report, column 257. Granger Telecom have informed FCO officials that following Granger's meeting with FCO officials on 21 August 1998, Granger management did not re-consult their field staff about their willingness to work in Chechnya. The advice given by the FCO at the meeting was discussed by Granger Telecom
  384
  directors. Granger Telecom have reaffirmed that they drew to the attention of their field staff the FCO travel advice for Russia which stated:
  "We strongly advise against travel to the Chechen Republic… because of the unstable security situation. Visitors have been kidnapped in these areas recently."

  Granger Telecom have confirmed that they now have no staff working in Chechnya, and that they have no intention of sending staff to Chechnya.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  "Modernising Government"
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the Government's White Paper, Cm. 4310, "Modernising Government", what are his Department's targets for answering letters, seeing callers without appointments and answering telephone calls; and if he will make a statement. [80895]

  Mr. Timms
  The current commitments of the Department's Agencies providing a service to the public are:

  Answering letters from the public.

  Benefits Agency (BA)—to reply within 10 working days of receiving the letter.

  Child Support Agency (CSA)—60 per cent. of letters to be answered within 10 working days of receipt.

  War Pensions Agency (WPA)—to send an acknowledgement within 5 working days of receipt of the letter. If necessary to make a full response in writing or by phone within 10 working days.

  Headquarters—to reply to correspondence from the general public within 20 working days.

  Seeing callers without appointments.

  BA—receptionist to see callers without appointments within 10 minutes, although this might not be possible in busy periods, the caller should not have to wait more than 30 minutes.

  CSA—if the caller has not phoned to arrange an appointment, the Agency aims for a member of CSA staff to see the caller within 10 minutes of the receptionist telling the CSA that the caller has arrived.

  WPA—visitors to WPA will be seen within 10 minutes.

  Answering telephone calls.

  BA—all offices set and publish their own standard for how quickly they answer the phone.

  CSA—National Enquiry Line (NEL)—to respond to 80 per cent. of telephone calls within 20 seconds. 80 per cent. of telephone calls to client helplines to be answered first time.

  WPA—calls to the Helpline to be answered within 30 seconds. If the question cannot be answered straight away the Agency will call back, at a time convenient to the caller.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the Government's White Paper, Cm. 4310. "Modernising Government", what complaints procedure is to be implemented by his Department; how it will be publicised; and if he will make a statement. [80896]

  Mr. Timms
  Each of the Department's Agencies already has a complaints procedure. Details are set out in their Service First Charters. They are also publicised through a variety of media, such as leaflets, posters, and on the Internet.
  385
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the Government's White Paper, Cm. 4310, "Modernising Government", what changes he proposes to make to his Department's services for people with special needs; what methods of consultation he will undertake to assess the effectiveness of the changes; and if he will make a statement. [80897]

  Mr. Timms
  The "Modernising Government" White Paper makes clear our commitment to provide public services that address the needs of all groups in society. We are committed to improving opportunities and incentives for people who want to work, whilst providing appropriate support to those who cannot.

  Those with special needs will have access to the New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP), a joint initiative with the Department for Education and Employment to improve opportunities for disabled people who want to move into, or stay in work. In developing the NDDP we have been consulting closely with disabled people and the organisations that represent them. Consultation has taken place at key stages throughout the development of the programme and will continue in the future. As part of the NDDP we are piloting a Personal Adviser service for disabled people in 12 areas covering over 250,000 people receiving an Incapacity Benefit. The service is providing personal support to disabled people who wish to move into, or remain in work. We are also funding 24 Innovative Schemes to test the best ways of helping disabled people into work, of which four specifically cater for people with learning difficulties.

  We have arranged for independent evaluation of the initiatives under the NDDP that will include the views of the disabled people who have used them.

  In addition to the NDDP, we will be piloting the Single Work Focused Gateway in 12 areas, starting from June 1999. All claimants in the Gateway pilot areas will be allocated their own personal adviser who will help provide appropriate guidance and support for those who want to consider employment, training and rehabilitation.

  Through the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill we plan to modernise disability benefits so that they will provide more help for disabled people in greatest need. Certain young disabled people will be entitled to Incapacity Benefit without having to meet the usual contribution conditions; they will gain by up to £26.40 a week. And the higher rate of mobility component of Disability Living Allowance worth £37 a week will be available to severely disabled children aged three and four.

  Non-state Administered Pensions
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people earning between £9,000 and £18,500 are currently paying into some form of non-state administered pension provision; and if he will estimate the proportion which(a) will remain in this earnings bracket for more than five years and (b) will have an income above £18,500 within five years. [81123]

  Mr. Timms
  Information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
  386
  Analysis of the 1996 General Household Survey (GHS) and Summer 1998 Labour Force Survey (LFS) suggests that there are around 10.75 million people earning between £9,000 and £20,000. Of these, half are members of an occupational pension scheme, and 2.5 million contribute to a personal pension. Of these 2.5 million,1 million make no additional contributions above the contracted-out rebate. As the GHS and LFS do not track individuals over a number of years, it is not possible to use these surveys to reliably forecast changes in earnings from year to year.

  Estimates made by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)1 using data from the British Household Panel Survey suggest that of those employees earning between £9,000 and £18,500 at least once between 1992 and 1995, 38 per cent. had earnings within this range in all 4 years, and 26 per cent. earned above £18,500 at least once during this period.

  Note

  Partnership in Pensions: An Assessment, IFS commentary 78.

TREASURY

  Ethnic Groups
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the ethnic groups present in the United Kingdom and indicate the number of adult (i) males, (ii) females and (iii) children in each such group. [81156]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. William Ross, dated 16 April 1999

  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the ethnic groups present in the United Kingdom.

  The latest information available, from the first three quarters of the 1998 Labour Force Survey, is shown for Great Britain in the table.

  Estimated numbers of males and females aged 18 and over and the number of children aged under 18, 19981, Great Britain

  Thousand

  Ethnic group

  Adult male

  Adult female

  children under 18

  Total population

  White

  19,986

  21,019

  11,971

  53,066

  Black—caribbean

  169

  205

  134

  509

  Black—African

  121

  107

  123

  351

  Black—Other(non-mixed)

  53

  68

  177

  298

  Indian

  354

  332

  261

  948

  Pakistani

  171

  166

  219

  557

  Bangladeshi

  60

  53

  108

  222

  Chinese

  64

  74

  33

  171

  Other—Asian (non-mixed>

  74

  77

  50

  202

  Other—Other

  97

  108

  190

  395

  All ethnic groups2

  21,154

  22,305

  13,272

  56,731

  1Average of the first three quarters

  2Includes ethnic group not stated

  Source

  Labour Force Survey; covers population in private households only

  Correspondence
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the question from the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton of 11 March (Ref. 76246). [80894]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have done so.

  Income Tax (10 Per Cent. Band)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the introduction of a 10 per cent. income tax band will have on covenanted payments to charities made under existing arrangements by people who, after 5 April, pay a marginal income tax rate of 10 per cent. [80141]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]: The introduction of the 10 per cent. rate will have no effect on covenanted payments to charities.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to encourage the attachment of environmental and social conditions to the provision by official bodies of(a) international loans and (b) other financial assistance to Indonesia. [77643]

  Ms Hewitt
  The UK supports the importance attached by the IMF and World Bank to social and environmental issues in the context of its assistance to Indonesia.

  A number of the reforms on which Indonesia's IMF programme is conditional relate to policies aimed at mitigating the effect of the financial crisis on the poorest in society. All World Bank projects take account of environmental guidelines, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Overseas assistance is the responsibility of DFID, which is focusing on addressing a number of social and environmental issues in Indonesia.

  Taxation
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the amounts, (i) in current prices, (ii) in constant 1998–99 prices and (iii) as percentages of personal income, taken by(a) income taxes, (b) national insurance contributions, (c) value-added tax, (d) other central Government indirect taxes, (e) the aggregate of (a) to (d), (f) average council tax payments and (g) the aggregate of (a) to (d) and (f) for (1) a single person, (2) a married couple without children, both working, (3) a married couple with two children, husband in work, wife not working, in each case at 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 per cent. of average earnings for the financial year 1999–2000, taking account of changes announced in his Budget Statement on 9 March 1999, Official Report columns 173–190, and previously announced changes, and for each of the years (x) 1996–97, (y) 1997–98 and (z) 1998–99. [76246]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The available information, which shows income tax (including child benefit and family credit/working families tax credit) and national insurance contributions, at multiples of median full-time earnings of all employees is given in the table. The figures are shown in(a) current prices and (b) as percentages of income, for (i) the years 1996–97 to 1998–99 where the figures take account of all changes announced in and before the 1998
  388
  Budget, and (ii) for 1999–2000 where the figures taken account of all changes announced in the 1998 and 1999 Budgets which cover 1999–2000 to 2001–02;Estimating the impact of indirect taxes is imprecise as spending patterns vary widely between households with the same composition and income. The level of council tax payments will also vary depending on where families live.

  Changes announced in this and the last Budget will offer significant help to families. From October 1999 the WFTC will mean that no family with children will pay net income tax until their earnings exceed £235 per week or more than £12,000 per year. On average families with children will be £740 per year better off.

  Percentage of median earnings of all employees

  Applied percentages:

  50%

  75%

  100%

  150%

  200%

  Single person:

  1996–97

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  153.98

  230.97

  307.96

  461.94

  615.92

  Income Tax

  16.58

  35.06

  53.53

  90.49

  135.94

  NICs

  10.52

  18.22

  25.92

  40.62

  40.62

  percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  10.8

  15.2

  17.4

  19.6

  22.1

  NICs

  6.8

  7.9

  8.4

  8.8

  6.6

  Tax + NIC

  17.6

  23.1

  25.8

  28.4

  28.7

  1997–98

  £per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  160.37

  240.55

  320.73

  481.10

  641.46

  Income Tax

  16.63

  35.07

  53.51

  90.40

  137.78

  NICs

  11.08

  19.09

  27.11

  41.54

  41.54

  percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  10.4

  14.6

  16.7

  18.8

  21.5

  NICs

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  8.6

  6.5

  Tax + NIC

  17.3

  22.5

  25.1

  27.4

  28.0

  1998–99

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  166.73

  250.09

  333.46

  500.19

  66.92

  Income Tax

  17.31

  36.49

  55.66

  94.01

  143.42

  NICs

  11.55

  19.89

  28.23

  43.38

  43.38

  percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  10.4

  14.6

  16.7

  18.8

  21.5

  NICs

  6.9

  8.0

  8.5

  8.7

  6.5

  Tax + NIC

  17.3

  22.5

  25.2

  27.5

  28.0

  1999–2000

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  173.56

  260.34

  347.12

  520.69

  694.25

  Income Tax

  16.38

  35.47

  54.56

  92.75

  143.97

  NICs

  9.06

  17.73

  26.41

  43.77

  47.20

  percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  9.4

  13.6

  15.7

  17.8

  20.7

  NICs

  5.2

  6.8

  7.6

  8.4

  6.8

  Tax + NIC

  14.6

  20.4

  23.3

  26.2

  27.5

  Married with 2 Children:

  1996–97

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  153.98

  230.97

  307.96

  461.94

  615.92

  Gross Income Tax

  11.41

  29.89

  48.37

  85.33

  130.78

  FC

  40.46

  4.89

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Net Income Tax

  -29.05

  25.00

  48.37

  85.33

  130.78

  NICs

  10.52

  18.22

  25.92

  40.62

  40.62

  CB

  19.60

  19.60

  19.60

  19.60

  19.60

  389

  Percentage of median earnings of all employees

  Applied percentages:

  50%

  75%

  100%

  150%

  200%

  percentage of gross earnings

  Net Income Tax

  18.9

  10.8

  15.7

  18.5

  21.2

  NICs

  6.8

  7.9

  8.4

  8.8

  6.6

  Net IT and NIC—CB

  -24.8

  10.2

  17.8

  23.0

  24.6

  1997–98

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  160.37

  240.55

  320.73

  481.10

  641.46

  Gross Income Tax

  11.35

  29.79

  48.23

  85.12

  132.50

  FC

  39,74

  2.14

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Net Income Tax

  -28.39

  27.65

  48.23

  85.12

  132.50

  NICs

  11.08

  19.09

  27.11

  41.54

  41.54

  CB

  20.05

  20.05

  20.05

  20.05

  20.05

  percentage of gross earnings

  Net Income Tax

  -17.7

  11.5

  15.0

  17.7

  20.7

  NICs

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  8.6

  6.5

  Net IT and NIC—CB

  -23.3

  11.1

  17.2

  22.2

  24.0

  1998–99

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  166.73

  250.09

  333.46

  500.19

  666.92

  Gross Income Tax

  11.83

  31.01

  50.18

  88.53

  137.94

  FC

  39.26

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Net Income Tax

  -27.43

  31.01

  50.18

  88.53

  137.94

  NICs

  11.55

  19.89

  28.23

  43.38

  43.38

  CB

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  percentage of gross earnings

  Net Income Tax

  -16.5

  12.4

  15.0

  17.7

  20.7

  NICs

  6.9

  8.0

  8.5

  8.7

  6.5

  Net IT and NIC—CB

  -22.0

  12.1

  17.3

  22.2

  24.1

  1999–2000

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  173.56

  260.34

  347.12

  520.69

  694.25

  Gross Income Tax

  8.69

  27.78

  46.87

  85.06

  141.11

  WFTC

  68.95

  36.50

  4.04

  0.00

  0.00

  Net Income Tax

  -60.26

  -8.72

  42.83

  85.06

  141.11

  NICs

  9.06

  17.73

  26.41

  43.77

  47.20

  CB

  24.70

  24.70

  24.70

  24.70

  24.70

  percentage of gross earnings

  Net Income Tax

  -34.7

  -3.3

  12.3

  16.3

  20.3

  NICs

  5.2

  6.8

  7.6

  8.4

  6.8

  Net IT and NIC—CB

  -43.7

  -6.0

  12.8

  20.0

  23.6

  Married 2 Earners (0 Children):

  1996–97

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  153.98

  230.97

  307.96

  461.94

  615.92

  Income Tax

  0.00

  12.07

  28.96

  64.95

  101.90

  NICs

  5.64

  13.34

  21.04

  36.43

  51.83

  percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  0.0

  5.2

  9.4

  14.1

  16.5

  NICs

  3.7

  5.8

  6.8

  7.9

  8.4

  Tax + NIC

  3.7

  11.0

  16.2

  21.9

  25.0

  1997–98

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  160.37

  240.55

  320.73

  481.10

  641.46

  Income Tax

  0.00

  11.72

  28.83

  64.86

  101.74

  NICs

  6.12

  14.13

  22.15

  38.19

  54.23

  percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  0.0

  4.9

  9.0

  13.5

  15.9

  NICs

  3.8

  5.9

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  Tax + NIC

  3.8

  10.7

  15.9

  21.4

  24.3

  390

  Percentage of median earnings of all employees

  Applied percentages:

  50%

  75%

  100%

  150%

  200%

  1998–99

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  166.73

  250.09

  333.46

  500.19

  666.92

  Income Tax

  0.00

  12.27

  30.04

  67.49

  105.84

  NICs

  6.43

  14.77

  23.11

  39.78

  56.45

  percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  0.0

  4.9

  9.0

  13.5

  15.9

  NICs

  3.9

  5.9

  6.9

  8.0

  8.5

  Tax + NIC

  3.9

  10.8

  15.9

  21.4

  24.3

  1999–2000

  £ per week, current prices

  Gross Income

  173.56

  260.34

  347.12

  520.69

  694.25

  Income Tax

  2.08

  14.64

  32.76

  70.95

  109.13

  NICs

  2.11

  9.43

  18.11

  35.47

  52.83

  percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  1.2

  5.6

  9.4

  13.6

  15.7

  NICs

  1.2

  3.6

  5.2

  6.8

  7.6

  Tax + NIC

  2.4

  9.2

  14.6

  20.4

  23.3

  Notes

  1. Income tax payments are calculated on the basis that the households receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and only have income from employment. All earners, including wives, are assumed to pay Class 1 national insurance contributions at the contracted-in rate.

  2. Earnings are taken to be the median gross weekly earnings of all full-time employees on adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. (Median earnings are more representative of the population as a whole than mean male full-time earnings.)

  3. A family with 2 children is assumed to have both children aged under 11.

  4. In line with the convention in the Tax Benefit Reference Manual, child benefit is treated as negative income tax.

  5. Family Credit, although not part of the tax system, has been treated in the same way as WFTC so as to provide comparability with the tax system following the introduction of WFTC.

  6. The calculations assume earnings growth for 1998–99 onwards of an illustrative 4 per cent.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  IACS Maps
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officials are involved in IACS map checks; how many map checks have been carried out; and what was the financial saving as a result of the mistakes found. [73293]

  Mr. Rooker
  Under the programme carried out by the Department between 1994–1998, IACS map checks were undertaken in respect of 2,174,843 field areas and numbers to establish the accuracy of the details included in Area Aid Applications and entered on the IACS database. The number of officials involved in the programme and the total value of reductions to claims were not recorded centrally and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the object of the programme was to protect Community expenditure on the schemes governed by IACS not only for the period up to 1998 but also, by verifying the information recorded on the IACS database, which is used to validate claims in subsequent years.

  CAP
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish for each year between 1992 and 1999 what his Department assessed to be the world prices for the agricultural outputs, products and animals, which are the subject of its Common Agricultural Policy. [79777]

  Mr. Rooker
  Agricultural commodities can have a range of traded values on world markets depending on product quality, specification and seasonality. Our Department uses a number of sources of published information in order to assess this range. Sources include publications by the OECD, the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and specialist agricultural reports such as those provided by Agra Europe. World prices for agricultural outputs, products and animals for 1999 are not yet available.

  Copies of the OECD and WTO reports are available in the Library of the House. The World Bank and Agra Europe reports are available direct from those organisations.

  Macpherson Inquiry
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the Macpherson inquiry recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [80525]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 14 April 1999,Official Report, column 239–40. MAFF will be participating fully in all central initiatives to address race equality issues in the Civil Service, and will be actively addressing these issues within the Department.

  Farmers (Land Management)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what ways his Department plans to provide support for farmers in managing land so as to increase biodiversity. [79905]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government are fully committed to increasing biodiversity. MAFF operates a wide ranging package of voluntary environmental schemes aimed at encouraging farmers to conserve the countryside and its wildlife and thereby contribute to meeting the objectives of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Following the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, we have announced that we aim to expand the area protected and enhanced under the major agri-environment schemes. During the next three years an additional £40 million will be available in England for additional agreements under these schemes.

  MAFF also funds free initial on-farm conservation advice which is provided to farmers by ADAS and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG).

  Rendering Plants
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action the Government are taking to facilitate the establishment of porcine-only rendering plants. [80243]
  392
  Mr. Rooker
  Representations have been made by the pig industry and the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) to allow porcine MBM to be fed to poultry on the condition that processing takes place in rendering plants dedicated to pig waste. The existing ban was put in place on the recommendation of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, and the Government continue to base their handling of BSE on the advice of that Committee.

  Before we would be prepared to ask SEAC to look at the use of porcine MBM for export or poultry feed purposes the industry itself will need to address the key issues of how monitoring at all stages of production and distribution would be carried out to avoid the possibility of cross-contamination.

  Rendering
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of United Kingdom pig, poultry and beef waste is exported from the United Kingdom for rendering in other countries. [80487]

  Mr. Rooker
  In 1998 UK exports of poultry and non-bovine mammalian waste was 62,600 tonnes (provisional figure). The Overseas Trade Statistics do not further specify the derivation of this waste or the purpose for which it is exported. Since 27 March 1996 the export of products from bovine animals has been banned.

  Genetically Modified Oil Seed Rape
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the earliest possible date is for commercial planting in the UK of genetically modified oil seed rape. [80554]

  Mr. Rooker
  There will be no commercial planting of genetically modified oilseed rape in the UK before 2000.

  Krebs Report
  Mrs. Gordon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent on the(a) preparation and (b) implementation of the Krebs report to date. [79866]

  Mr. Rooker
  (a) The cost of preparing the Krebs report, including the committee expenditure and publication, amounted to approximately £370,000.

  (b) The cost of implementation to date is £3.5 million. This includes the culling trial and associated activities. The cost of some recommendations, such as the open competition necessary to ensure that research should be contracted with the people who are best able to carry them out, are met from central expenditure and cannot be separately identified.

  Mrs. Gordon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost of fully implementing the Krebs report. [79867]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have spent more than £3.5 million on implementing the Krebs report to date. It is estimated that £11.4 million will be spent on research and various projects recommended in the Krebs report in 1999/2000. I envisage that expenditure will continue at broadly this level for some years, but cannot provide a total figure, which will depend on the results and the speed at which those results are received and analysed.

  Bonemeal
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the(a) medical and (b) public health implications of feeding livestock with bonemeal from UK-produced pig and poultry. [80485]

  Mr. Rooker
  Mammalian meat and bonemeal (MBM) is considered to have been the main source of infection in the BSE epidemic. Controls on the use of mammalian MBM have been progressively tightened in the light of experience and the latest available advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC), the Government's independent advisor on BSE issues. The controls in place are: a prohibition on all mammalian protein, including MBM, in ruminant feed; and a prohibition on the feeding of mammalian MBM to all farmed livestock to prevent cross-contamination of ruminant rations. This ban was not introduced to protect the health of pigs and poultry. The existing bans on the use of mammalian MBM in feed for farmed animals do not extend to MBM derived from poultry.

  SEAC provided advice to the Government on the practice of intraspecies recycling of waste in the pig and poultry industries in December 1997. They considered that there may be a very small risk of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) arising spontaneously within a species and recommended that a strategy be developed to remove the small potential risk of TSE transmission from the recycling of pig and poultry waste as feed for the same species. The Government have accepted this advice.

  Copies of all SEAC advice are placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [80420]

  Mr. Rooker
  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 129 of the Treaty to extend the co-decision procedure to cover measures in the veterinary and phytosanitary fields which have as their direct objective the protection of public health.

  Pig Farmers
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what analysis he has made of support from the Government of the USA for pig farmers in that country; and if he will make a statement on the implications of that support for United Kingdom producers. [80246]
  394
  Mr. Rooker
  Late last year the USA Government introduced a variety of aid measures for small pig farmers. Although the USA is the EU's main competitor in world pigmeat markets, the impact of these aid measures on UK producers is likely to be indirect and relatively small.

  Pig Products
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to encourage caterers in the public sector to source British pig products. [80245]

  Mr. Rooker
  Ministers in MAFF have spearheaded a campaign that seeks to improve communication and understanding between the domestic pigmeat industry and the catering and food service sector, including companies involved in public sector catering. The ultimate objective of this campaign is to increase the usage of pigmeat products in the catering sector by stressing the quality and welfare benefits of British pigmeat, thereby improving market opportunities for UK pig producers.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce measures to ensure that the costs of the Food Standards Agency are not imposed upon farmers. [79879]

  Mr. Rooker
  Our detailed proposals for a levy scheme to fund the new costs of the Food Standards Agency, recently the subject of extensive public consultation, do not propose that the levy be applied to farms. However, farm shops required to register under the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991 would be required to pay the proposed levy.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received from(a) hon. Members and (b) others on the issue of genetically modified food; and what proportion of these representations called for a restriction on the development or sale of genetically modified products. [80211]

  Mr. Rooker
  Since the beginning of 1998, Ministers in this Department have received 1,100 letters from hon. Members about GM foods and biotechnology in general, and approximately 5,500 letters from members of the public and others. Although many of these expressed concerns about the technology of one sort or another, it is not possible to determine the exact proportion which called for a restriction to be placed on the development or sale of GM products without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Honey
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from UK honey suppliers regarding potential contamination of honey by genetically modified material, with particular reference to(a) DNA and (b) proteins; and if he will make a statement. [80555]
  395
  Mr. Rooker
  I have received occasional representations from beekeepers seeking advice on the implications of bees foraging GM crops. The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes hosted a workshop in 1991 to consider the safety of pollen from GM plants in honey. The workshop's conclusion was that the consumption of gene products from pollen in honey was likely to be negligible. The results from three research projects commissioned by MAFF to investigate this further subsequently confirmed this conclusion.

  Internal Drainage Boards
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will(a) list the members of internal drainage boards in England and Wales and (b) publish the register of interests for these members. [81052]

  Mr. Morley
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.