Written Answers of 20 April 1999

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Kosovo (Disaster Relief)
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the speed of the disaster relief response to events in Kosovo; and if she will make a statement. [80786]

  Clare Short
  The international response to the massive refugee outflows was regrettably slow to start with. But the international community has mobilised substantial humanitarian assistance for the refugees in a remarkably short time. The UK has been at the forefront of efforts to speed up the relief operations, notably by providing logistical and other practical support (through airlifts, cargo handling equipment, transport assets, and logistics experts) to overcome practical constraints in assistance delivery.

  Disaster Relief
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy to set up in partnership with NGOs a permanent disaster relief contact point.[80785]

  Clare Short
  We have an established and effective contact point for disaster and emergency relief in the Department for International Development's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department. We are also working in close partnership with NGOs concerned with humanitarian assistance, and arrangements for regular contact are in place. I do not believe it would be useful to merge government and NGO response to disasters. My department is able to move very rapidly in the early stages, NGO response takes longer but is highly valued and creates aid outlets for public contributions. Both have important roles to play.

DEFENCE

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which weapons currently targeted on Yugoslavia contain depleted uranium. [81087]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Valerie Davey), on 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 43.

  Defence Council Instructions
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of unclassified Defence Council Instructions which have been issued since 1 December 1998. [80827]
  472
  Mr.Spellar
  There have been 314 unclassified DCIs issued since 1 December 1998 and I am today placing a list in the library of the House.

PRIME MINISTER

  Berlin Summit
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister for which areas of gross receipts of EU moneys it was decided that the United Kingdom total would diminish as a consequence of the Berlin summit; by how much; and if he will make a statement. [81224]

  The Prime Minister
  The Berlin European Council decided the ceilings on spending across the EU on each major policy category. It did not decide how much was to be spent in each state: that is largely a matter for the Commission's management of the budget. While the Council did make decisions about the rules for allocating the structural and cohesion funds, the Commission has yet to announce the allocations from the Funds for each Member State. These figures will not be available until the regulations are finally approved in May.

  Political Honours Scrutiny Committee
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Prime Minister what changes he has made in the composition of the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee. [81680]

  The Prime Minister
  Members are traditionally Privy Counsellors who are not members of the Government. Following the resignation of Lord Pym, I have appointed the Lord Hurd of Westwell to be a member of the Committee. He will join Lord Thomson of Monifieth and Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde. Lord Thomson has been appointed to chair the Committee.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Victims Liaison Unit
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been allocated to the Victims Liaison Unit; and how much has been spent and on what projects.[80232]

  Mr. Ingram
  To date the Victims Liaison Unit has been allocated the £5 million announced by the Prime Minister in his statement of 12 May 1998. The Unit has been consulting widely with the victims community with a view to identifying needs and prioritising how this money can best be allocated. In the meantime, I have announced a number of significant funding initiatives to the value of £2,196,170, to support victims and a Newsletter outlining progress has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  The allocation to date can be summarised as follows:

  £

  Allocation

  Amount

  The Northern Ireland Memorial Fund

  1,000.000

  The Trauma Centre

  700,000

  The Educational Bursary Scheme

  250,000

  Community Groups Projects—to be administered by the Community Relations Council

  200,000

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  £

  Allocation

  Amount

  Wave(to extend their outreach service)

  30,000

  Disability Action (a pilot scheme for disabled victims)

  6,170

  Survivors of Trauma (a pilot scheme for elderly, household victims)

  5,000

  Shankill Stress Center (a pilot scheme for adolescent victims)

  5,000

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler) of 10 February 1999,Official Report, column 285, on research into the production of genetically modified grasses for grazing, what procedures would need to be adopted under what legislation for the production of such crops for (a) research, including legal grazing by animals and (b) sale for grazing; and what powers he has to prohibit such activity. [72181]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: All research releases of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are governed by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 (amended in 1995 and 1997) which give effect to Part VI of the Environment Protection Act 1990 and implement the EC Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms.

  Anyone intending to produce or grow genetically modified grasses for research purposes requires a consent from the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. This includes the requirement to carry out a detailed environmental risk assessment.

  For grazing to be permitted on grasses grown for research purposes, the consent would have explicitly to include this permission. This would be allowed only where the applicant could show that such activities would involve negligible risk.

  The sale of genetically modified grasses is governed by EC Directive 90/220 on the deliberate release of GMOs. No GMO may be sold without a consent issued under this Directive. A notifier may apply through any EC Member State, which then invites comments from all other Member State, before an agreement is reached at Community level. The marketing consent is then valid across the EC.

  The Secretary of State may prohibit or restrict the release of the GMO where information comes to light indicating risk to human health or the enviroment.Where this involves the sale of a GMO product, the provisional restriction must be cleared by the European Community in order to have permanent effect.

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of the State for the Enviroment, Transport and the Regions what measures 474
  he plans to take to raise public awareness of maximum national speed limits for various classes of road vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [79691]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Details of the national speed limits are contained in the Highway Code. The theory test for learner drivers of all classes of vehicles contains appropriate questions about different speed limits Although we have no immediate plans to publicise vehicle speed limits more widely, we will look at the issue of vehicle speed limit signing as part of the wider review of speed management policy which is currently under way.

  Crosby Driving Test Centre
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information was provided to staff at Crosby Driving Test Centre, prior to its closure, concerning the future of the test centre and its staff. [80722]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Staff at the Crosby centre were kept informed about its future in the months prior to March 1998 by their line management, and relocations to neighbouring test centres in the event of Crosby closing were discussed. On 10 March 1998, the Driving Standards Agency's Northern Area Deputy Manager wrote to staff at the Crosby test centre. The note confirmed oral briefings the staff had already received from their local Supervising Examiner and provided an update about the imminent expiry of the lease on the centre at the end of March.

  London Underground
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to establish a public interest company or trust for the London Underground.[81117]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our plan is to implement a public-private partnership for London Underground. This will require changes to the structure of London Underground as a company, so that it becomes an operations business, responsible for operating train services and stations. It will remain in the public sector and will transfer in due course to the Greater London Authority and Transport for London, restoring local democratic accountability for its performance. We have no plans to establish a trust.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the financial advice given to his Department and London Transport indicated that a public private partnership for London Underground represented best value. [81116]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The financial advice which informed our decision to pursue a public-private partnership for London Underground suggested that this route was likely to offer best value. The reasons for the Government's choice of the option currently being taken forward by London Underground were set out in a paper, "London Underground Public-Private Partnership: Facts and Analysis", which was deposited in the Library on 20 March 1998.

  London Transport
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 1999,Official Report, column 404, on London Transport, what is the asset value of buildings held by London Transport. [81115]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As at 31 March 1998, the total net value for the London Transport Group, net of depreciation and disposals and based on (1) infrastructure and other property and (2) assets in the course of construction, is £6,133.1 million.

  Water Metering
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations he has had with water companies and the Water Regulator about extending the scope of water metering to include homes which have undergone extensions and conversions since 1990. [80904]

  Mr. Meale
  Under the Water Industry Act 1991, water undertakers may fix charges by reference to such matters, and may adopt such methods and principles for the calculation and imposition of the charges, as appear to them to be appropriate. They therefore have considerable scope to extend metering to customers, including to those whose properties have been extended or converted since 1990.

  However, clause 7 of the Water Industry Bill, currently before Parliament, would introduce a new right for households to remain on an unmeasured charge in their present homes, save where they are meeting certain conditions. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment indicated during the Second Reading of the Bill, 7 December 1998, Official Report, column 46, that we envisaged the right to remain on an unmeasured charge would not apply where premises are used for commercial purposes, where there is a garden sprinkler or swimming pool use, where they have a power shower consuming more than 20 litres per minute or where there is use of a water-softening unit that requires backwashing.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had from each regional development agency concerning the budgets given to them by his Department; what his response has been; if he will list the regional development agencies with which his Department is in dispute over the budget allocation; what mechanisms he plans to introduce to enable regional development agencies to negotiate for their budgets in the future; what impact disputes between the regional development agencies and his Department on the budget allocation are having on the day-to-day running of the agencies; and if he will make a statement. [80795]

  Mr. Meale
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning has received a letter from the Chairman of the South West of England Regional Development Agency about funding for staff engaged on projects to regenerate the Royal William Yard, Plymouth and Temple Quay, Bristol. Discussions 476
  are taking place between officials of the Department and officers of the Agency and my right hon. Friend will reply to the Chairman as soon as these are complete.

  There have also been contacts between officials in the Department and officers in other regional development agencies about their budgets. These discussions have been constructive and do not amount to our being "in dispute" with the agencies.

  For future years, the agencies will bid for resources as part of an annual corporate planning round.

  Water Charges
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to cap the prices charged by water companies which raise their charges by unjustifiable amounts; and if he will make a statement. [80787]

  Mr. Meale
  Water companies in England and Wales are subject to economic regulation by the Director General of Water Services. The Director General sets annual price limits and oversees the operation of the tariff basket, to which overall price limits apply.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) expected and (b) actual receipts from council tax for each year since the council tax was introduced. [80789]

  Ms Armstrong
  The information requested is in the table.

  Expected receipts are the total amount that councils billed for, net of reliefs and council tax benefits, in respect of each financial year and do not, therefore, make an allowance for non-collection.

  The actual receipts are the amounts received in each financial year against that year's council tax bills. Five authorities in 1994–95 were unable to provide this figure, so a figure of their total council tax receipts minus receipts for arrears has been used. The same applies to one authority in 1995–96.

  £ million

  Expected receipts

  Actual receipts

  1993–94

  7,349

  6,807

  1994–95

  7,721

  7,220

  1995–96

  8,220

  7,770

  1996–97

  8,830

  8,404

  1997–98

  9,562

  9,134

  Shorthold Tenancies
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to seek powers to prevent the practice of charging rent premiums on assured shorthold tenancy renewals; and if he will make a statement. [81143]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have no plans at present to seek powers to prevent the practice of some landlords and letting agents charging fees to renew assured shorthold tenancy agreements. However, we will keep the situation
  477
  under review and if there is clear evidence that there is significant abuse, we will consider whether anything can be done to prevent excessive fees from being charged.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the objectors to the application to release genetically modified organisms in Monmouthshire. [81347]

  Mr. Meacher
  The objectors who wrote to the Department to raise concerns about the proposed release were private individuals and we do not have their authority to publish their names.

  Greater London Authority
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the interim location of the Greater London Authority. [81575]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I expect to be able to make an announcement shortly.

  Dolphins
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will investigate the appearance on beaches in the South West of beheaded dolphins; and if he will make a statement. [81393]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department continues to contract the Institute of Zoology to post-mortem small cetaceans that strand around the shores of England and Wales. The two animals found since the beginning of 1999 on the south Devon coast, which were reported to have been decapitated, were not post-mortemed because they were in too decomposed a state to yield reliable results.

  Pensioners (Fuel Poverty)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government have taken to tackle fuel poverty in pensioner households. [80944]

  Mr. Meale
  We have taken a number of actions to help people suffering from fuel poverty, including pensioner households.

  We have reduced the level of VAT on fuel, so that people can more easily afford to keep warm. We have also reduced the VAT on energy saving materials installed through Government grant schemes, so that they can more easily insulate their homes. We are now exploring with the European Commission the possibility of a wider reduction in VAT on energy saving materials.

  We have released substantial additional funds to help improve our housing stock; in total some £5billion is being made available over the lifetime of this Parliament for investment in housing. Most of the additional resources are going to local authorities and will be spent according to the needs and priorities identified in their housing strategy. We estimate that around one third of the money is likely to lead directly or indirectly to improvements in energy efficiency.
  478
  We have also allocated an additional £150 million specifically to tackling fuel poverty through domestic energy efficiency improvements. This is in addition to the existing £75 million a year expenditure on the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, our main programme to help insulate the homes of the neediest householders.

  But we recognise that many of today's pensioners face particular difficulties, and, in his recent Budget statement the Chancellor announced an increase in the annual Winter Fuel Payment to £100 for every eligible pensioner household.

  We are additionally reviewing our fuel poverty policy, to establish how our increased programme can deliver more help to the most vulnerable households. My Department has held discussions with over 60 organisations active in this field. We will shortly publish our proposals on the way ahead for consultation, reviewing them in the light of responses, with the intention being to act as soon as possible thereafter.

  Elderly People (Social Housing)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to improve the provision of adequate social housing for the elderly. [80945]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our aim is to offer everyone the opportunity of a decent home and so promote social cohesion, well-being and self-dependence. The provision of good quality, efficiently managed social housing plays an important part in meeting that aim for older people and for other groups.

  Over the life of this Parliament, we are making an additional £5 billion available for housing in England, fulfilling our manifesto commitment on the release of capital receipts from the sale of council housing. Most of these additional resources are being directed through local authorities, who need to develop housing strategies for meeting the needs of all groups in their area including older people and to make investment decisions based on robust local assessments of housing need.

  Organic Solvents
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received concerning the incidence of serious illnesses amongst women employed in the electronics industry who are, or have been, exposed to organic solvents and other chemicals; and if he will make a statement. [81127]

  Mr. Meale
  I have received no recent direct representations on this subject. I am, however, aware of media interest and public concern surrounding the issue.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information he has obtained concerning the possible link between the exposure to organic solvents of women employed in the electronics industry and the incidence amongst women of 0(a) leukaemia, (b) breast cancer, (c) other forms of cancer and (d) foetal abnormalities; and if he will make a statement. [81126]
  479
  Mr. Meale
  Some organic solvents used in the electronics industry at exposure levels above the legal occupational exposure limits can cause a variety of known health effects, but the Health and Safety Executive believes there is no link with leukaemia, breast cancer or other forms of cancer.

  There is a body of scientific literature suggesting a possible association between excessive exposure to various organic solvents and foetal abnormalities, but the evidence is inconclusive and it is not specific to the electronics industry.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned recently on the effects on workers of the use of organic solvents in industry; and if he will make a statement. [81129]

  Mr. Meale
  Over the past three years, the Health and Safety Executive has commissioned much research on the effects on workers of the use of organic solvents.

  Specific studies have included an investigation into spontaneous abortion in the UK semiconductor industry, an assessment of the hazards from cleaning chemical use in the catering industry, and the neurotoxicity of paint solvents.

  Semiconductor Industry (Miscarriages)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the risk of miscarriage to women working in the Scottish semiconductor industry relative to that of women working in other industries; and if he will make a statement. [81150]

  Mr. Meale
  In 1998, the Health and Safety Executive published the results of an investigation into miscarriages among women in the UK semiconductor industry, a copy of which is in the Library. No separate assessment was made for women who worked in Scotland. The study found no evidence that the incidence of miscarriage in workers in the UK semiconductor industry was higher than the national average.

  Railway Funding
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 5, what plans he has to issue a consultation paper on his proposals for the public funding arrangements for the railways; and if he will list the representations he has received on this matter. [81601]

  Dr. Reid
  We suggested in the White Paper (Cm 3950) "A New Deal for Transport" and in our response (Cm 4204) to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's Report on the Strategic Rail Authority and Railway Regulation that a proportion of access charges might be paid direct by the SRA rather than via the train operating companies. The Deputy Prime Minister asked the Rail Regulator for his views on the advantages and disadvantages of direct funding; we expect to receive them shortly. Since publication of the White Paper and our response to the Select Committee, we have received a number of representations on the public funding arrangements for the railways.
  480

  Steeply Sloping Plots
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the definition of a steeply sloping plot within Part M of the Building Regulations which come into force in October will be based solely on the topography of the site. [81445]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The new Approved Document for Part M of the Building Regulations makes no reference to the topography of the site, as this will change with excavation and earth moving. A steeply sloping plot is defined as a plot gradient of more than 1 in 15. Plot gradient is defined as the gradient measured between the finished floor level of the dwelling and the point of access, which is the point at which a person visiting a dwelling would normally alight from a vehicle prior to approaching the dwelling. This point may be within or outside the plot. The guidance in the Approved Document anticipates that in most circumstances it should be possible to provide a level or ramped approach and a stepped approach would be the exception, used only when unavoidable.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Compliance
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the President of the Council what information the Government will be giving to the general public about the millennium bug; and if she will make a statement.[81699]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The public should look principally to goods and services providers for advice about the likely effect of the date change on supply. The Government and Action 2000 are encouraging organisations to communicate with their customers. For instance, the British Bankers Association, APACS and the Building Societies Association have published (on 5 March) "Your Money and the Millennium", reassuring customers that cash machines will work and that there will be ample supplies of bank notes, so that customers do not need to hoard them.

  There is a role for the Government in bringing together basic information so that the public can have an overall picture of the likely impact of the Bug on their daily lives. In October 1998, Action 2000 published "Homecheck": this provided practical advice about the impact of the Bug on domestic appliances and PCs. The Government will build on this with the issue of further information, beginning in the late Spring, supported by limited TV and press advertising. This will cost around £5 million. The information will also be available from the Action 2000 Actionline and on its website.

  The information programme will be underpinned by market research tracking changes in public perception of the Millennium Bug, particularly among key sub-groups like the elderly. The first results from this market research are being placed in the libraries of the House and published on the Internet today.

  Action 2000 will continue to release information through the National Infrastructure Forum about the independent assessment of the readiness to meet the date change of providers of critical public services. It will also encourage them to communicate these messages to their

  481
  customers. Action 2000 will be using press advertising to give this important information maximum publicity. This will cost some £2 million.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Landmark Projects
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much money the Millennium Commission has paid to external consultants in respect of each of the Landmark projects; [80693]

  (2) what (a) external advice and (b) consultancy work has been procured by the Millennium Commission in respect of the Portsmouth Landmark Project; [80694]

  (3) what advice and guidelines the Millennium Commission has given to local authorities involved with Millennium Landmark projects; [80700]

  (4) what were the original guidelines agreed for Millennium Landmark projects; and which projects do not meet those guidelines; [80701]

  (5) which members of the Millennium Commission have been involved in the Portsmouth Landmark Project; [80702]

  (6) which Millennium Landmark projects will receive more than 50 per cent. of their funding from the Millennium Commission; [80703]

  (7) how much money the Millennium Commission has (i) paid and (ii) agreed to pay towards the Portsmouth Landmark Project; for what elements of the scheme the money was paid; and what percentage this represents of the total cost of the project; [80704]

  (8) what changes have been agreed with the Millennium Commission on the planned opening date for the Millennium Tower in Portsmouth since the project's inception; and what is the current target date; [80705]

  (9) what are the expected completion dates for each Millennium Landmark project; [80706]

  (10) how much money has been spent to date by the Millennium Commission on each Millennium Landmark project; [80707]

  (11) if he will make a statement on the progress of each Millennium Landmark project. [80708]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [80412]
  482
  Mr. Chris Smith
  We do not expect the Treaty of Amsterdam to result in any significant new responsibilities for this Department. The Department regularly reviews its staffing arrangements in relation to European Union business but has no plans to alter these specifically in relation to the Treaty.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day since May 1997; and what percentage of them received a substantive reply on that day. [80730]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 15 April 1999]: Between 1 May 1997 and 15 April 1999, a total of 828 named day parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by my Department. Of these, 26 per cent. (214) received a substantive reply on the day requested.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  National Family and Parenting Institute
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the constitution for the National Family and Parenting Institute; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [80812]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government announced the establishment of the Trustee Board of the National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) on 15 March 1999. The NFPI is an independent charity which will be supported by Government funding of £2 million over the next three years. The NFPI has just been incorporated as a company. As such, the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the NFPI are a public document held at Companies House. I have requested that a copy be sent to the Library.

  Body Piercing
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with local authorities concerning the body piercing of minors. [81422]

  Mr. Boateng
  In 1996, the then Government consulted on proposals affecting local authority control of skin piercing businesses. We have concluded that legislation which would give local authorities outside London powers to regulate cosmetic body piercing businesses, should be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time can be found. There has, however, been no consultation specifically relating to the body piercing of minors.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will introduce legislation to prohibit body piercing of minors without their parents' or guardians' consent; [81424]

  (2) if he will list the statutory provisions which cover the body piercing of minors; [81423]

  Mr. Boateng
  Tattooing of children under the age of 18 is an offence under the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969. As regards the piercing of one person's body by another person, this could, in certain circumstances, be held to be an assault.
  483
  When it comes to other forms of body piercing, the question of what is a valid consent is governed by common law. Whether an offence has been caused therefore depends on the circumstances of each particular case. The degree of competence that can be exercised by children will depend in each case on the relative maturity of the child concerned, as well as upon his or her age.

  In English law, the age of majority is 18 years. If a person under the age of 18 is capable of understanding the nature of the act that is being done, he or she is capable of giving a valid consent to it unless Statute provides otherwise.

  Other types of body piercing, however, are not necessarily subject to these provisions. For example, children under the age of 16 cannot consent to what would otherwise be an indecent assault; whether an indecent assault occurred would depend on the facts of the individual case. Any establishment offering certain types of body piercing would, therefore, need to satisfy themselves as to the age of their customer and that he/she was capable of giving a valid consent.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning body piercing of minors. [81425]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have received a small number of letters from Members of Parliament and members of the general public asking us to give further consideration to the introduction of the new legislation.

  Tattoos and Piercing
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations govern the minimum age at which a person can(a) be tattooed, (b) have their ears pierced and (c) have other parts of the body pierced. [80860]

  Mr. Boateng
  Tattooing of children under the age of 18 is an offence under the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969. There are no specific regulations setting a specific minimum age for other forms of body piercing. The question of what is a valid consent is governed by common law. Whether an offence has been caused therefore depends on the circumstances of each particular case. The degree of competence that can be exercised by children will depend in each case on the relative maturity of the child concerned, as well as upon his or her age. The Courts have held that if a person under the age of 18 is capable of understanding the nature of the act that is being done, he or she is capable of giving a valid consent to it unless Statute provides otherwise.

  Other types of body piercing, however, are not necessarily subject to these provisions. For example, children under the age of 16 cannot consent to what would otherwise be an indecent assault; whether an indecent assault occurred would depend on the facts of the individual case. Any establishment offering certain types of body piercing would therefore need to satisfy themselves as to the age of their customer and that he/she was capable of giving a valid consent.

  Lorry Drivers
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has obtained regarding the legality of demonstrations by lorry drivers. [81599]
  484
  Mr. Boateng
  None. The enforcement of road traffic and public order legislation is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police. It is for them to enforce the law in the light of any action taken by lorry drivers.

  Cleveland Police
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in Cleveland Police Force are under investigation in the Redwood inquiry; how many have been charged; and if he will make a statement. [81165]

  Mr. Boateng
  The "Redwood" inquiry is an on-going investigation and, for operational reasons, it would be inappropriate at this stage to make any further comment.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of serving CID officers in Cleveland Police Force are under investigation in the Lancet inquiry in the boroughs of(a) Middlesbrough, (b) Stockton, (c) Langbaurgh and (d) Hartlepool; and if he will make a statement. [81164]

  Mr. Boateng
  Operation Lancet is currently investigating 31 Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers. Eight of the 31 are suspended from duty. The remaining 23 officers are currently serving as follows:

  (a) 15 out of a total strength of 46 CID officers at Middlesbrough

  (b) 1 out of a total strength of 30 CID officers at Stockton

  (c) 6 out of a total strength of 32 CID officers at Langbaurgh

  (d) None at Hartlepool

  (e) 1 out of a total strength of 104 CID officers at Force Headquarters.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of the police operations which are directed towards disciplinary offences in the Cleveland Police. [80798]

  Mr. Boateng
  The identity of police operations directed towards disciplinary offences is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of Cleveland, but it is well known that Operation Lancet is an inquiry into allegations of criminal and disciplinary offences against some Cleveland Police officers.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are working on the(a) Lancet and (b) Redwood inquiries into Cleveland Police; and if he will make a statement. [80797]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are 21 police officers currently working on Operation Lancet. Three of those officers are from Northamptonshire Police. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 11.

  Immigration Services
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of applicants who will seek to register with the Immigration Services Commissioner in the first year of operation. [81405]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It is difficult to predict with any certainty how many immigration advisers will seek to register with the Immigration Services Commissioner in
  485
  that body's first year of operation. Our best estimate is that about 200 individuals and organisations will seek to register.

  Citizenship Ceremony
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a ceremony to mark the award of UK citizenship. [81353]

  Mr. Straw
  As I indicated in a lecture on Citizenship which I gave in Liverpool on 12 April, I am in principle in favour of such ceremonies. I have asked officials to look into the possibility of introducing them into the United Kingdom. Upon completion of their examination, I shall make a statement to the House.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the scanning of existing files in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate onto computer is scheduled(a) to commence and (b) to be completed. [80771]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There has never been any intention of scanning onto computer all 4.5 million of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's existing registered paper files.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will return to the level of casework it was achieving prior to the implementation of new work arrangements and its relocation to new offices. [80769]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are positive signs of improvement in many of the business areas of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. But before accurate projections can be made of output of casework in a team-based environment, the recovery team I have established needs to review and collect further data on productivity. Projections of output improvement will be available in June.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff employed in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate have(a) resigned and (b) requested a transfer to another department in (i) the last six months and (ii) each of the last five years. [80767]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A total of 112 staff resigned from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in the six months October 1998 to March 1999. Resignations for the previous five annual years is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1998

  363

  1997

  250

  1996

  149

  1995

  106

  1994

  110

  The significantly higher 1998 figure can be attributed to a higher than usual number of resignations in the junior grade of Administrative Assistant. This is largely due to
  486
  a significant increase in the number of casual staff employed during this period, a number of whom resigned during the period of their appointment.

  Information on the number of staff requesting transfers to other departments for the periods specified is not available.

  Hillsborough Disaster
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a list of all the documents(a) which have been made available for public consultation in respect of the Hillsborough disaster and (b) which have since been withdrawn. [81111]

  Mr. Boateng
  Following the Home Secretary's announcement of the outcome of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's scrutiny of the Hillsborough disaster, as much of the evidence considered by the scrutiny as possible was placed in the Library. The material is comprised of:Transcripts of interviews with those who gave evidence to Lord Justice Stuart-Smith;
  Other records of discussions held by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith, where transcripts were not made;
  Written evidence provided to Lord Justice Stuart-Smith by witnesses;
  Other written statements consulted at the request of the families;
  Statements by South Yorkshire Police officers (in their original and amended forms);
  Oral and written submissions made to Lord Justice Stuart-Smith by Counsel and others on behalf of the Family Support Group;
  Transcripts of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's Open Meeting on 6 October and meeting with Counsel for the Family Support Group on 30 September;
  South Yorkshire Police Operational Orders for the 1988 and 1989 semi-finals;
  Statements by the Police Complaints Authority;
  Report produced by David Phillips of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary at request of South Yorkshire Police;
  Report by Noel Burne (structural engineer) at the request of South Yorkshire Police Authority;
  Police videotapes TB 1, 2, 3 and 4;
  Written evidence provided to Lord Justice Stuart-Smith by those whom he consulted.

  The names of those who gave written or oral evidence to the scrutiny, and those whom Lord Justice Stuart-Smith consulted, are set out in Appendix 1 of his report.

  No documents have been withdrawn from the Library.

  Crime Figures (Middlesbrough)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish for the last six months Middlesbrough's monthly crime figures. [80799]

  Mr. Boateng
  The requested data are not available centrally. Recorded crime data for England and Wales for the 1998–99 year, which are collected quarterly by police force area, will be published by the Home Office in October 1999.

  Police Scientific Development Branch
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which scientific journals and
  487
  other open publications staff from the Police Scientific Development Branch (Sandridge) have published papers since January 1997; and on what date the papers appeared in each of the journals and publications. [80831]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Police Scientific Development Branch has published the following papers since January 1997:"Replacements for CFC113 in the Ninhydrin Process: Parts 1". D. F. Hewlett and V. G. Sears. J. Forensic Ident., 1997, 47, 287.
  "Replacements for CFC113 in the Ninhydrin Process: Parts 2". D. F. Hewlett, V. G. Sears and S. Suzuki. J. Forensic Ident., 1997, 47, 300.
  "Specification for a Police Video Enhancement System". T. Collins. European Conference on Security and Detection, 28–30 April 1997.
  Testing Times for Body Armour, M. J. Pettit, Police Review Magazine 1997.
  Self Defence Equipment—Performance Standards and Specifications, Dr. J. Tan, APPS Police and Industry Conference Proceedings 1997.
  "Low Angle X-ray Scatter for Explosives Detection: a Geometry Optimization". Luggar R. D., Horrocks J. A., Speller R. D. & Lacey R. J. Appl. Radiat. Osot, Vol 48, No.2, 1997.
  "Exploitation of X-Ray Technology for the Detection of Contraband—Aviation Security Applications". Murray N. C., Lacey R. J. & Mason P. H. ECOS '97 European Conference on Security and Detection, Vol. 437, April 1997.
  "Some Advances in the Use of Raman Spectroscopy in Security Screening Applications". Lacey R. J. ECOS '97 European Conference on Security and Detection, Vol. 437, April 1997.
  "Developments in Contraband Detection Using X-ray Technology". Murray N. C., Lacey R. J., Mason P. M., Rushbrooke J. G. 1997 ONDCP International Symposium, Applied Counterdrug Law Enforcement Technology.
  "The Police Use of CCTV at a Political Conference". R. Rodger. 13th Annual ADPA Symposium and Exhibition on Security Technology. 1997.
  "The Performance Limits of Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems". M. Thompson. 13th Annual ADPA Symposium and Exhibition on Security Technology 1997.
  "AMETHYST: System for Initial Automatic Video Assessment of Perimeter Alarms". G. Leach INMM Conference 1997.
  "Ergonomic Design Considerations for Public Area CCTV Safety and Security Applications". E. Wallace, C. Diffley, E. Baines and J. Aldridge. International Ergonomics Association, Tampere, Finland 1997.
  "AMETHYST. Automatic Alarm Assessment: becoming a reality" Michael Horner et al. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1997.
  "Physical Security—where are we going?" G. L. Thomas and M. J. Thompson. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1997.
  "Specification for a police video enhancement system". T. Collins. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1997.
  "Active fence structures and toppings" I. Wassell. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1997.
  "Sensitivity variations in linear microphonic cables". G. Leach & M. Homer. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1997.
  "Good practice for the management and operation of town centre CCTV". E. Wallace et al. ECOS '97 European Conference on Security & Detection April 1997.
  488
  "A single performance measure for perimeter intruder detection systems". G. J. Leach. ECOS '97 European Conference on Security & Detection April 1997.
  "Enhancing the performance of fences: effects and evaluation". I. J. Wassell. ECOS '97 European Conference on Security & Detection April 1997.
  "A digital fingerprint capture workstation". T. Kent & J. Rason. International Association of Investigations Conference 1998. Little Rock, USA.
  "The dependence of detection system performance on fence construction and detector location". S. Tarr & G. Leach. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1998.
  "Measuring the image quality of digital cameras". J. J. Rason. RPS Medical and Forensic Imaging Symposium. Both April 1998.
  "Detection of drugs and related compounds by Raman spectroscopy". R. J. Lacey et al. ONDCP International Conference on counter-drug technology. Washington March 1999.

  Kosovan Refugees
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans he has to house Kosovan refugees in British seaside resorts; and if he will make a statement.[80906]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government's priority remains to ensure that as far as possible, Kosovan refugees receive protection in the region so that they can return easily to their homes when it is safe for them to do so. However, contingency planning is well in hand if the United Kingdom needs to receive a programme of refugees from Kosovo.

  We have no specific plans to house refugees in British seaside resorts, but are looking at accommodation throughout the United Kingdom that could be used for reception centres where refugees could be cared for prior to moving into more permanent accommodation.

  Sergeant Virdi
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the time when (i) inappropriate material relating to Sergeant Virdi' s case was created on the police computer system and (ii) Sergeant Virdi was recorded as acting as custody officer at Acton early on 24 December 1997, (b) the time when Sergeant Virdi was first (i) interviewed, (ii) cautioned, (iii) arrested, (iv) first and (v) last put under surveillance, (c) the time when inappropriate material was created on the police computer system in January 1998, and which officers were (i) interviewed, (ii) cautioned, (iii) arrested and (iv) put under surveillance; whether he received a report on the investigation and recording of the racial attack in 15 March 1998 in which Sergeant Virdi was an arresting officer; when and why Sergeant Virdi was reprimanded for maintaining his interest in the police activity relating to the racial attack; on which occasions Sergeant Virdi's senior officers used any independent element in investigating the events and complaints; what were the numbers and ranks of police officers involved in searching Sergeant Virdi's home on 15 April 1998, and the time taken in the search; what was the normal purpose and use of a POLSA search; and when and how material from Sergeant Virdi' s locker at Hanwell was taken to the police station safe at Ealing. [80631]
  489
  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that disciplinary proceedings are still being considered in relation to Sergeant Virdi. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment: on the points(a)(i); (a)(ii); (c); (c)(i); (c)(ii); (c)(iii); (c)(iv); on the occasions when Sergeant Virdi's senior officers used any independent element in investigating the events and complaints: or on the numbers and ranks of police officers conducting the search of Sergeant Virdi's home on 15 April 1998.

  In relation to points (b)(i); (b)(ii); (b)(iii); (b)(iv); and (b)(v), the Commissioner tells me that Sergeant Virdi was first interviewed at 1.39 pm on 17 April 1998, arrested and cautioned at 10.53 am on 15 April 1998, and put under surveillance on 15 April 1998.

  The Home Secretary is not routinely informed of racial attacks and was not informed of the attack in Ealing Division. The Commissioner informs me that Sergeant Virdi has not been reprimanded in relation to this incident.

  The Commissioner tells me that a POLSA search is one conducted by a team of officers specifically trained to national standards. POLSA teams have a role in counterterrorist searches and undertake evidence gathering in searches in support of major investigations.

  The Commissioner has confirmed that property was taken from Sergeant Virdi's locker at Hanwell Police Station and placed in the safe at Ealing Police Station. This has been reported as a theft by Sergeant Virdi and is under investigation. As at 15 April, it has not been established who moved the property and when it was moved.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Kosovans have appealed for asylum in the United Kingdom per month since 1 January 1998. [80448]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information given in the table relates to applications for asylum submitted from nationals of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. To break this down into the number of Kosovans could be obtained only by examination of individual case records and is, therefore, available only at disproportionate cost.

  Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, 1998 and 1999, by month, nationals of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  Number

  January 1998

  270

  February 1998

  270

  March 1998

  280

  April 1998

  385

  May 1998

  315

  June 1998

  680

  July 1998

  845

  August 1998

  905

  September 1998

  870

  October 1998

  1,160

  November 1998

  735

  December 1998

  675

  January 1999

  710

  February 1999

  550

  Total

  8,650

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5

  Immigration
  Mr. Malin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of applicants' passports held at the Immigration and Nationality Department awaiting a decision; what arrangements he will make for temporary travel documents to be issued for those whose applications are delayed as a result of reorganisation at IND; and what proposals he has for offering compensation to those who are disadvantaged as a result of the delays. [76615]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [pursuant to his reply, 18 March 1999, c. 720-22]: There are approximately 139,000 cases awaiting action in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, of which approximately 22,000 contain passports. Travel Documents will be issued only to people who have valid leave to remain in the United Kingdom. It is, therefore, not possible to issue documents where an application for leave remains outstanding, although passports will be returned to applicants where they need to travel. Compensation will be paid only in cases of maladministration where the costs are reasonable and have been actually and necessarily incurred; each case will be treated on its merits.

TREASURY

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to paragraph 5.81 in Budget 99 (HC 298), what detailed procedures will be followed to undertake the environmental appraisals.[813961]

  Ms Hewitt
  The procedures to be followed when undertaking environmental appraisals are set out in Government guidance on "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" (Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, 1998). These guidelines make clear that a policy should be subject to a full environmental appraisal when it is likely to have a significant effect on the environment, and that the level of resources devoted to each appraisal should be proportionate to the policy or programme.

  This guidance applies equally to the Budget measures, and it is the approach used when evaluating the numerous options which are considered in preparation for the Budget.

  Financial Services Authority
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the additional income and staff required by the Financial Services Authority if it assumes regulatory responsibility for loans secured on land as(a) first mortgages within the scope of the Council of Mortgage Lenders Code, (b) other loans secured on land with a value over £25,000 and (c) consumer credit loans with a value below £25,000. [81591]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have asked the Financial Services Authority to carry out this analysis and will take it into account in the review, to be carried out later this year, of whether mortgage advice should be regulated.

  VAT Rules
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the procedure by which Customs and Excise informs businesses of changes to the VAT rules; and if he will make a statement. [81590]

  Ms Hewitt
  Customs and Excise use a variety of ways to inform business of changes to the VAT rules. In all cases, changes are notified by VAT Notes, which are sent to all VAT registered businesses. Changes which stem from the Budget are announced in Customs and Excise Budget Notices, available from local VAT offices on Budget Day, after the Chancellor has sat down. Other changes are notified to businesses by Business Briefs, also available from local VAT offices and issued to subscribers. All these publications are also available on the Internet.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what systems are in place to enable his Department to notify self-employed people paying National Insurance contributions by direct debit, that those payments are not being received. [80934]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]The Department is not aware of any occasions where payments by direct debit, from self-employed customers, have not been received.

  On those occasions when the Department, as a result of problems, has been unable to collect National Insurance Contributions from Self Employed Customers, it has identified and written to all those affected.

  Cigarettes
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average retail price of a packet of 20 cigarettes in each member state of the European Union. [81587]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information is as follows:

  Cigarettes

  Pence

  Member state

  Retail selling price per pack of 20 cigarettes

  Austria

  163

  Belgium

  184

  Denmark

  283

  Finland

  260

  France

  210

  Germany

  189

  Greece

  128

  Ireland

  280

  Italy

  134

  Luxembourg

  128

  Netherlands

  171

  Potugal

  122

  Spain

  80

  Swedan

  267

  UK

  364

  Source:

  European Commission (Directorate General XXI) Excise Duty Tables (December 1998).
  492
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the proportion of the average retail price of a packet of 20 cigarettes which is taken in tax on each member state of the European Union. [81589]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information is as follows:

  Cigarettes

  Percentage

  Member State

  Total Tax as proportion of retail selling price per pack of 20 Cigarettes

  Austria

  74.0

  Belgium

  74.6

  Denmark

  81.7

  Finland

  76.2

  France

  75.4

  Germany

  70.8

  Greece

  72.7

  Ireland

  77.3

  Italy

  74.7

  Luxembourg

  68.6

  Netherlands

  71.9

  Portugal

  79.7

  Spain

  73.1

  Sweden

  70.3

  UK

  79.3

  Source:

  European Commission (Directorate General XXI) Excise Duty Tables (December 1998).

  ISA Advertisements
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which authorised person under the Financial Services Act 1986 approved the Inland Revenue ISA advertisements. [81105]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]No such approval was needed.

  KPMG
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) consultancy and (b) other contracts his Department has had with KPMG since 1 May 1997; and if KPMG is a prospective candidate for contracts his Department is intending to let. [81421]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 19 April 1999]: The Treasury has let two contracts with KPMG since May 1997, one for consultancy on "Credit Risk Policy" for the Debt Management Office, and the other to carry out a telephone survey on "Small to Medium Enterprises".

  KPMG is a prospective candidate for future contracts. The contracts cannot be disclosed as they are commercially confidential until an award has been announced.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations he carried out into the levels of emissions from cars of under 1100 cc before reducing the vehicle excise duty on those vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [81258]
  493
  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 19 April 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor proposed reducing VED on the smallest cars in the 1998 Budget. He issued a consultation document setting out the options for reforming vehicle excise duty with the Pre-Budget Report in November last year and took into account a range of factors before deciding to reduce VED on cars under 1100cc by £55.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the public appointments for which his

  Public Bodies

  Body

  Status

  Appointment

  Salary/fee

  Bank of England Court

  Public Corporation

  1 Chairman

  £227,000 p.a.

  1 Deputy

  £191,500 p.a.

  1 Member

  £153,000 p.a.

  1 Member

  £142,167 p.a.

  1 Member

  £142,167 p.a.

  2 Members

  £125,500 p.a.

  12 Members

  £500 p.a.

  Policyholders Protection Board

  Executive NDPB

  5 Members

  £200 per day

  Financial Services Tribunal

  Tribunal NDPB

  1 Chairman

  £380 per day

  2 Members

  £275 per day

  Section 706 Tribunal

  Tribunal NDPB

  1 Chairman

  £900 p.a.

  8 Members

  £500 p.a.

  Non-Public Bodies
  The Financial Services Authority (FSA) Board consists of an Executive Chairman, two other Executives, one non-Executive Deputy Chairman and 10 other non-Executives. Salaries and fees are set by the FSA. The details of these are published in the Annual Report, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Euro
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means he plans to enable businesses which wish to use the euro in Britain to do so; what estimate he has made of the cost of such measures; what plans he has to make it possible for businesses which wish to use other currencies to do so; and if he will make a statement. [80667]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 15 April 1999]The introduction of the euro in 11 member states at the start of this year signalled a fundamental change in the business environment for UK firms. In recognition of this, the Government have taken a number of steps to facilitate UK business use of the euro. These steps are outlined in the regular Treasury report "Getting ready for the euro", copies of which are in the House Library.

  Where there is demand, and where it is sensible, Government Departments and agencies already deal with UK firms in major foreign currencies.

  New Bank Notes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long it takes the Bank of England on average to set up and print a new bank note after the initial design is completed. [76194]
  494
  Department is responsible and which carry a fee or salary, indicating for each type of appointment the fee or salary band which applies. [80745]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 15 April 1999]Much of this information is already available in Public Bodies 1998, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  The majority of public appointments are unpaid as most of those who accept a public appointment do so on a voluntary basis. The details of those appointments to public (and other) bodies that attract a fee or salary, which Treasury Ministers are responsible for, are as follows:

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 12 March 1999]The set-up time from approval of note design to the issue of the note is dependent on the specification, the complexity and the required launch volumes. The duration of the origination and plate-making process, and the set-up and proof printing for the Bank of England and other Central Banks in general, is between four and five months. However, if the banknote contains features that require additional equipment, then the lead time of that equipment must be included. Specialist equipment lead times can be up to one year.

  The actual printing can take up to eight months dependent on the number of notes required.

  Euro Notes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate number of each denomination of sample euro notes printed by the Bank of England. [76196]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 12 March 1999]The sample involved the Bank printing some 2 million each of the 20 and 50 euro notes and 5 million of the 5 euro note for pre-production trial purposes.

  European Scrutiny Committee
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 his Department has made available to the European Scrutiny Committee (1) Council working documents; [80542]

  (2) unofficial texts of draft European legislation. [80549]
  495
  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]HM Treasury receives a large volume of both official, unofficial and working texts during the course of negotiations on EU legislation. In order to facilitate the work of the European Scrutiny Committee, Explanatory Memorandums are often submitted on the basis of unofficial texts if an official text, formally circulated to Member States from the Council Secretariat, has not yet been received. HM Treasury keep the Committee informed of substantive progress in negotiations by supplementary Memoranda or Ministerial letter, sometimes accompanied by a draft text if appropriate. It would involve disproportionate cost to provide a definitive list of the unofficial draft documents made available to the Committee since 1 May 1997.

  Euro Task Forces
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the criteria for selection of members of the euro task forces. [81046]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government have consulted widely in taking forward euro preparations. For instance, in October 1997, the Chancellor set up a Business Advisory Group (BAG), headed by Lord Simon, to advise on the practical issues associated with UK membership. Representative organisations were invited to send their own nominated members.

  Red Book Changes
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list and quantify the revisions/forecasting changes referred to in Table 2.5 of the Red Book. [80865]

  Ms Hewitt
  Revisions to the forecasts of government receipts and expenditure since the Pre-Budget Report are shown in tables B11 and B13 of the March 1999 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list and provide an explanation of the changes to the components of Annually Managed Expenditure referred to in paragraph 2.57 of the Red Book. [80859]

  Mr. Milburn
  Changes to the forecast of Annually Managed Expenditure since the Comprehensive Spending Review are listed and explained in paragraph 2.9 and table 2.2 of "Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses 1999–2000" (Cm 4201), published in March 1999.

  Government Debt
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total level of Government debt in cash terms in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000, (e) 2000–01, (f) 2001–02, (g) 2002–03 and (h) 2003–04. [80889]

  Ms Hewitt
  The stock of public sector net debt at end-March 1997 is set out in the monthly Office for National Statistics First Release 'Public Sector Finances'. Estimates and projections of the stock of debt in subsequent years were published in table B8 of the March 1999 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  Public Sector Finances
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the figures used in preparing Chart 2.4 of the Red Book on the basis of(a) per cent. of GDP and (b) cash terms; and if he will estimate the effect of the same assumptions on the public sector net cash requirement over the same periods. [80866]

  Ms Hewitt
  Figures used in Chart 2.4 as a per cent. of GDP can be found in Table 2.6 of the Red Book and are reproduced from 1990–91 onwards in the following table. Figures for the cautious case can be calculated by applying the ready reckoners set out in Table 3.1 of 'Fiscal policy: public finances and the cycle', published on 9 March alongside the Red Book. Figures can be converted to cash terms using money GDP figures from Table 2.1 of 'Economic Trends', published by the Office for National Statistics, and Table B4 of the Red Book.

  The cyclical behaviour of the public sector net cash requirement matches (with opposite sign) that of the current budget. Figures for the cyclically adjusted public sector net cash requirement can thus be calculated by applying the difference between the actual and cyclically adjusted surplus on current budget to the public sector net cash requirement (set out in Tables B26 and B27 of the Red Book). Figures for the cautious case and in cash terms can be calculated by use of the methods set out.

  Cyclically adjusted surplus on current budget, central case

  Per cent. of GDP

  1990–91

  —0.8

  1991–92

  —1.2

  1992–93

  —3.5

  1993–94

  —3.7

  1994–95

  —3.3

  1995–96

  —2.8

  1996–97

  —2.4

  1997–98

  —0.7

  1998–99

  0.2

  1999–2000

  0.6

  2000–01

  1.0

  2001–02

  1.1

  2002–03

  0.9

  2003–04

  1.0

  Source:

  Table 2.6 and Chart 2.4 of the Red Book

  Engagements
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his official engagements for 9 and 10 March. [80883]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I delivered the Budget statement in the House on 9 March. Over the two days referred to, I also had a number of meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

  European Central Bank
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 17 March 1999,Official Report, column 658, on the European Central Bank, if he has been informed of the salary of the President of the Bank. [80396]
  497
  Ms Hewitt
  No. As I set out in my answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and the Border (Mr. Maclean) on 17 March 1999,Official Report, column 658, decisions on the terms and conditions of employment of the ECB Executive Board, including the President, are for the ECB. There is no obligation on members of the ECB Executive Board to reveal details of their terms and conditions of employment, including their salaries.

  Macpherson Inquiry
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the Macpherson Inquiry recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [80521]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 14 April 1999,Official Report, columns 239–40.

  Teenage Pregnancies (Wales)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many births to girls conceiving under the age of 16 years there were in each local authority in Wales in each of the past 10 years.[81332]

  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. Chris Ruane, dated 20 April 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on teenage births.
  The numbers of girls who conceived at under age 16 and went on to a maternity are shown in the table. The areas shown for each of the years 1992–97 are the Welsh Unitary Authorities which were created in 1996. Information on a comparable basis is not readily available before 1992.

  Deaths for persons under 65 in Welsh unitary authorities, 1990–97

  Unitary authority

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Blaenau Gwent

  198

  168

  178

  151

  166

  171

  180

  145

  Bridgend

  323

  282

  285

  282

  263

  267

  247

  268

  Caerphilly

  358

  358

  378

  373

  365

  359

  386

  352

  Cardiff

  649

  602

  577

  623

  576

  582

  540

  574

  Carmarthenshire

  401

  368

  384

  362

  345

  384

  364

  362

  Ceredigion

  116

  131

  128

  129

  122

  151

  115

  113

  Conwy

  245

  204

  197

  210

  219

  230

  181

  229

  Denbighshire

  181

  178

  179

  186

  182

  180

  197

  192

  Flintshire

  305

  299

  314

  320

  302

  274

  289

  273

  Gwynedd

  261

  264

  226

  220

  229

  225

  216

  188

  Isle of Anglesey

  167

  142

  145

  156

  159

  139

  121

  118

  Merthyr Tydfil

  146

  157

  130

  149

  145

  130

  158

  152

  Monmouthshire

  148

  142

  149

  145

  146

  145

  150

  156

  Neath Port Talbot

  325

  321

  327

  321

  329

  305

  337

  290

  Newport

  313

  303

  308

  317

  284

  262

  268

  294

  Pembrokeshire

  260

  237

  253

  227

  211

  232

  200

  212

  Powys

  257

  232

  236

  237

  227

  260

  227

  207

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  557

  573

  494

  566

  536

  555

  534

  511

  Swansea

  501

  478

  474

  497

  447

  481

  415

  473

  Torfaen

  213

  202

  189

  213

  206

  195

  180

  180

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  231

  218

  209

  226

  229

  196

  209

  218

  Wrexham

  269

  234

  256

  286

  252

  264

  267

  254

  Note:

  Boundaries as constituted at 1 April 1996
  498

  Conception by girls under 16 leading to maternity, Welsh Unitary Authorities, 1992–97

  Unitary authority

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Blaenau Gwent

  8

  11

  13

  13

  15

  9

  Bridgend

  17

  13

  16

  20

  25

  15

  Caerphilly

  27

  27

  25

  36

  33

  31

  Cardiff

  30

  26

  18

  38

  37

  37

  Carmarthenshire

  9

  9

  10

  7

  10

  12

  Ceredigion

  3

  1

  3

  0

  0

  5

  Conwy

  6

  9

  8

  12

  15

  11

  Denbigshire

  5

  6

  8

  4

  8

  7

  Flintshire

  8

  14

  9

  10

  12

  10

  Gwynedd

  10

  8

  7

  4

  12

  9

  Isle of Anglesey

  6

  8

  5

  5

  5

  1

  Merthyr Tydfil

  15

  11

  14

  12

  6

  9

  Monmouthshire

  5

  2

  4

  6

  9

  3

  Neath Port Talbot

  7

  11

  6

  21

  9

  10

  Newport

  15

  17

  23

  14

  14

  19

  Pembrokeshire

  1

  7

  6

  7

  10

  5

  Powys

  4

  5

  1

  6

  7

  4

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  23

  26

  24

  37

  38

  42

  Swansea

  11

  14

  18

  25

  31

  30

  Torfaen

  9

  9

  17

  11

  17

  9

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  9

  4

  12

  10

  11

  16

  Wrexhan

  12

  9

  8

  13

  13

  14

  Wales

  240

  247

  255

  311

  337

  308

  Premature Deaths (Wales)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many premature deaths there were in each local authority area in Wales in each of the past 10 years. [81337]

  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. Chris Ruane, dated 20 April 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question asking how many premature deaths there were for each local authority in Wales in each of the past 10 years.
  The information requested is given in the attached table.

  Unemployment (Wales)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households without work for two years or more there were in each local authority in Wales in each of the past 10 years. [81336]

  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. Chris Ruane, dated 20 April 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on workless households.
  The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the ONS's major source of labour market data. Data by local authority area is not available on the combined economic activity of household members, and categories such as that requested, would undoubtedly be too small to identify at local authority level for both reliability and confidentiality reasons.
  Household datasets are available for spring 1990, each spring quarter from 1992 to 1994 and spring and autumn quarters since spring 1995. An article was published in Labour Market Trends (January 1999 issue), a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library, giving a range of household data from the LFS using spring 1998 data. Table 8, on page 38, includes workless households by Government Office Region which may be of interest.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the criteria to be used in determining whether the single currency is successful in accordance with paragraph 2.39 of the Red Book. [80858]

  Ms Hewitt
  A successful single currency will act as a complement to the Single Market. It will reduce transaction costs and exchange rate uncertainty on trade within the euro zone. It will make prices more transparent, boosting competition and providing new opportunities for companies to trade and invest. A successful single currency will also deliver its Treaty aims of price stability as a foundation for sustainable, non-inflationary growth.

WALES

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up(a) subgroups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees; [79256]

  (2) if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 (a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79279]

  Mr. Michael
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House. In general, preparations for the advent of the National Assembly for Wales has led to a good deal 500
  of development work involving participants from business (employers and trade unions), local government and the voluntary sector. Generally, the groups which have been brought together to undertake this work have been short-term "task and finish" groups rather than formal bodies with sub groups or sub committees.

  Small and Medium Businesses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he is taking to assist small and medium businesses; and if he will make a statement. [79844]

  Mr. Hain
  In line with the new economic agenda for Wales, Pathway to Prosperity, the Government are keen to secure a more dynamic and competitive business base in Wales. To this end increased resources—£83 million in 1999–2000—are being made available to back business development. This substantial budget will support a wide range of activity, including:increased resources for the TEC enterprise programme supporting over 1,000 new business starts; help for 2,000 firms to tackle the Millennium Bug issue; help for over 500 Sole Traders to take on their first employee; and assistance for over 2,000 firms in addressing skills development and other business growth issues.
  increased resources for Regional Selective Assistance which are expected to create or safeguard 12,000 jobs
  continuation of the Cymru Prosper Wales programme to help small firms benefit from the skills of graduates
  the expansion of the Innovation and Technology Counselling Service assisting some 3–4,000 firms
  the implementation of the Know-How initiative designed to help small and medium sized firms tap into the expertise of Welsh academic institutions.

  In addition a new business-led Management Board—Business Connect Wales Ltd.—was established on 30 March to improve co-ordination of business support in Wales and to improve the operation of the Business Connect information, advice and support service.

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [79638]

  Mr. Michael
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. When a PPS attends a meeting in an official or semi-official capacity he or she has to do so in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

  Euro Task Force
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the Euro Task Force for Wales to complete its work. [80085]
  501
  Mr. Michael
  It is expected that the Task Force will complete its current role within the next six to nine months.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales from whom he sought advice on the appointment of the members of the Euro Task Force for Wales. [80083]

  Mr. Michael
  Advice on appointing the chairman and members of the Task Force was sought from a variety of organisations and individuals including the CBI and European Advisor to the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales from what budget the salary of Mr. J. Casterton, the Manager of the Euro Task Force for Wales, is paid. [80082]

  Mr. Michael
  Barclays Bank is paying the salary costs of Mr. John Casterton for the entire period of his secondment as Manager of the Euro Task Force for Wales.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the eligibility for Objective 2 and Objective 3 funding for Wales following the Berlin European Summit. [80235]

  Mr. Hain
  The agreements reached by Member States at the Berlin Summit provided an important step towards agreeing the whole Agenda 2000 package, including the new Structural Funds regulations. They represent a considerable success for the UK Government and its European partners after many months of hard negotiating. The agreements leave it open for the European Parliament to consider the whole package before the end of May.

  Although the regulations are still in draft form the Government are eager to make progress in the designation of Objective 2 areas and is currently consulting across the UK on criteria to be adopted for their identification. Eligibility under the Community criteria can be for any type of area, industrial or service based, rural, urban or fisheries. The Regulations specify that 50 per cent. of the Objective 2 population should cover industrial or rural areas where these meet the relevant Community criteria.

  All parts of the UK not receiving Objective 1 status will be eligible for Objective 3 funding.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations have taken place on the membership of, and appointments to, community health councils in Wales. [79884]

  Mr. Michael
  Members of the Community Health Councils (CHCs) whose terms of appointment were due to expire on 31 March 1999 have had their terms extended for one year in advance of the transfer of powers as this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly from 1 July. I announced proposals to develop a new and reinvigorated model of federated Community Health Councils on 15 March with a network of 28 Councils across Wales based on federations linked mainly to local authority areas.

  I intend to meet representatives of CHCs to discuss the implementation of these proposals.

  Complementary Medical Services
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on complementary medical services. [80840]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Government recognise that some people with conditions that do not respond to orthodox treatment can be helped by forms of complementary and alternative medicine and has sponsored research into the use of complementary medicine in general practice. GPs and hospital doctors may arrange for their patients to receive any of the complementary medicine treatments if they feel it is clinically necessary, and is the most appropriate method of treating the particular health need. The doctor should also take into account the patient's wishes, evidence of the safety and effectiveness of the treatment and its cost and availability locally.

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Job Creation
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of new jobs created since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [80846]

  Mr. Hain
  Seasonally adjusted figures show that between March 1997 and December 1998 the number of employee jobs in Wales increased by 24,000 to 1,005,000.

  Free Bus Travel
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales under what provision the National Assembly is given the power to introduce free bus travel for pensioners. [80511]

  Mr. Michael
  Following the transfer of powers, the National Assembly will be responsible for overseeing the administration of concessionary fares schemes operated by local authorities under the provisions of Part V of the Transport Act 1985. The nature of the schemes is at present a matter for local authority discretion, although the Government are committed to the introduction of legislation to set a minimum standard for pensioners travelling on buses. In the meantime, the Welsh Office has worked closely with local authorities and I have ensured that all authorities in Wales are in a position to operate schemes for pensioners which at least meet a minimum standard of a £5 bus pass entitling the holder to travel at half-fare. We are now working with local authorities and bus operators to prepare the way for the Welsh Assembly to support the introduction of free bus travel for pensioners over the next two to three years.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the funding for the scheme to provide free bus travel for pensioners will come from local authority funds. [80512]

  Mr. Hain
  At present it is for local authorities to make financial provision for their concessionary fares schemes from the resources available to them. I am currently consulting local authorities and bus operators on how best to implement free bus travel for pensioners, which I expect to see over the next two to three years. The method of funding the additional costs will be a matter for the National Assembly to determine.
  503
  Following the transfer of functions, the National Assembly will be responsible for overseeing the administration of concessionary fares schemes by local authorities.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what role the National Assembly will have in the operation of a scheme to provide free bus travel for pensioners. [80513]

  Mr. Michael
  Following the transfer of functions, the National Assembly will be responsible for overseeing the administration of concessionary fares schemes by local authorities in Wales.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Ministerial Meetings (US)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times ministers in his Department met their counterparts in the US Administration between 1 January 1998 and 1 June 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the ministers involved and the name of the US counterpart. [81081]

  Mr. Wilson
  I refer the hon. Member to the first sentence of the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to his question, on 26 February 1999,Official Report, column 467. In the period 1 January 1998 to 1 June 1998, these included the meeting between the then-President of the Board of Trade and Charlene Barshefsky, US Trade Representative, at the EU/US Summit in Birmingham on 18 May.

  Libya
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to promote exports to and trade with Libya. [80806]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]Following the end of UNSC sanctions, I am considering a range of support for UK companies wishing to trade with Libya. Our response to the end of sanctions will be a positive one.

  There remain issues to be resolved, including those arising from the WPC Fletcher case. We hope that these can be resolved successfully, so that we can move further towards restoring full diplomatic relations.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the benefits to British manufacturers of the ending of sanctions against Libya; and if he will make a statement. [80805]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]I believe there will be considerable commercial benefits to both Libya and the UK arising from the ending of UNSC sanctions. Libya has long been a traditional trading and investment partner of the UK in the Middle East. It is my hope that our long commercial history will give a sound foundation from which to re-build that relationship and restore Libya as one of our principle trading partners in the Middle East.

  I also welcome the fact that many Libyans continue to look to the UK for education and training opportunities.
  504
  There is no doubt that Libya's economy is a large, diverse and sophisticated one which will offer many opportunities for the UK across a range of sectors.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will establish a one-stop-shop to provide information, advice and support to British companies wishing to trade with Libya. [80804]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]The Department's trade desk for Libya will provide advice and support for British companies. Its contact details are:

  Libya Trade Desk

  Bay 413

  Kingsgate House

  66–74 Victoria Street London

  SWIE 6SW

  Telephone: 0171 215 8216

  Facsimile: 0171 215 4904.

  Inquiries about the sectors covered by the recently suspended UNSC sanctions and EC Regulations should be directed to:

  DTI Sanctions Licensing Unit

  Telephone: 0171 215 8512

  Facsimile: 0171 215 8386.

  Inquiries about the impact of the suspension of sanctions in the financial sector should be addressed to:

  Bank of England Sanctions Emergency Unit

  Telephone: 0171 601 4607/4768

  Facsimile: 0171 601 4309.

  Correspondence
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the hon. Member for West Derbyshire can expect a reply to his letter of 30 January and reminder of 9 March concerning the East Midlands Electricity Consumers' Council. [81444]

  Mr. Battle
  The correspondence to which the hon. Member refers was, of course, given full consideration as part of the Department's consultation on consumer councils for the utilities, along with many other submissions on this subject. As a matter of courtesy, following the recent publication of our response to the consultation, 14 April 1999,Official Report, columns 263–67, I am writing to the hon. Member in full explaining the situation.

  US Trade Sanctions
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the total cost to United Kingdom businesses of lost exports as a result of the imposition of trade sanctions on British products by the Government of the United States of America. [79186]

  Mr. Wilson
  US Customs are currently withholding liquidation on some $500m-worth of EU export goods. The United States is likely to be given World Trade Organisation authority on 19 April to retaliate against $191.4m-worth of EU goods. The sectors that are expected to be included in this authorised retaliation, and the annual value of UK exports is as follows.
  505

  £ million

  US tariff code

  Description

  US imports from UK 1997

  Total

  26.8

  85072080

  Batteries

  13.78

  33073050

  Bath Oils

  7.29

  49119120

  Lithographs

  2.20

  63022190

  Bed linen

  1.48

  48192000

  Cartons

  1.42

  85167100

  Coffee makers

  0.37

  42023210

  Wallets

  0.13

  42022215

  Handbags

  0.09

  48055000

  Felt Paper

  0.02

  Source:

  European Commission

  It is difficult to say what the actual impact on the targeted sectors will be, as much will depend on how long any retaliatory measures remain in place, what steps were taken to bring forward orders from the US, and the ability of affected companies to find alternative customers for their goods. Some limited damage will have been caused to sectors which were on but have now been removed from the retaliatory list, due to the uncertainty caused in recent months. However, we believe that the Government's prompt response in offering a bond and duty guarantee scheme for the cashmere knitwear industry pre-empted the serious risk of severe and lasting damage being done to that industry.

  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to announce measures to assist(a) the fine print industry and (b) other industries in respect of action taken by the US Government as a result of the banana dispute. [80023]

  Mr. Wilson
  The removal of some sectors from the US retaliation list on 9 April was welcome, but other sectors remain targeted, including lithographs. The Government brought forward a bond guarantee scheme in respect of cashmere knitwear in response to the particular circumstances of that industry, especially its highly seasonal nature. The need for the scheme has now been removed, and we have no plans to put in place something similar for other industries on the US list.

  We now need urgent consultations with all the parties involved in the dispute on the options for reforming the banana regime, and on a solution that would avoid US retaliation taking effect.

  European Scrutiny Committee
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 his Department has made available to the European Scrutiny Committee (1) Council working documents; [80547]

  (2) unofficial texts of draft European legislation. [80550]

  Mr. Wilson
  [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 keep it informed of the progress of negotiations, the Department regularly submits Explanatory Memoranda to the Committee. It would involve disproportionate cost to provide a definitive list of the unofficial/working documents made available to the Committee since 1 May.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Council
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Berlin European Council. [79958]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  At Berlin, we won a good deal for Britain.

  For the first time, spending on the existing member states has been brought under strict control, with a lower ceiling for spending in the existing member states in 2006 than in 2000.

  On agriculture, price cuts were agreed to bring milk, cereals and beef prices closer to world prices. A British family of four will benefit by £65 a year.

  We won a good deal for UK regions.

  The proportion of the UK living in regions covered by Objective 1 will increase by two-thirds and include for the first time Cornwall, West Wales & the Valleys and South Yorkshire.

  And we have preserved the British abatement.

  Kosovo
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Kosovo. [79959]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I discussed developments in Kosovo with European counterparts at a Special General Affairs Council on 8 April. I am in regular contact with them, given the very grave nature of the situation in Kosovo.

  Kosovo was also the main topic of discussion amongst EU Heads of Government at the European Council on 14 April.

  28. Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Foreign Minister of Russia regarding the situation in Kosovo. [79974]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has been in regular contact with the Foreign Minister of Russia, Mr. Ivanov. He last spoke to him on 15 April.

  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet European counterparts to discuss developments in Kosovo. [79981]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Ms King), Official Report, column 679.

  Armenian Genocide
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to make a statement on the Armenian genocide. [79964]
  507
  Ms Quin
  The British Government condemned the massacres of Armenians in Eastern Anatolia in 1915–16 at the time, and views the sufferings of the Armenian people then as a tragedy of historic proportions. But the British Government have not recognised the events of 1915–16 as a "genocide" a term which did not exist at the time and has no plans to make a statement.

  European National Parliaments
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new steps he is taking to improve communication between the national parliaments of Europe. [79968]

  Ms Quin
  The Government strongly support improvements in communication between the national parliaments of Europe and between Westminster and the European Parliament.

  In particular, the Government have recently extended the scheme which enables MPs to visit EU institutions so that it now includes visits to national parliaments of EU Member States. Such visits will complement the step change initiative which the Government have instigated in relations with our European partners.

  In addition, our European embassies regularly advise and make arrangements for UK parliamentarians and Select Committees who wish to make contact with national parliamentarians across Europe.

  The entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, with the Protocol on National Parliaments, on 1 May will further enhance the role of national parliaments in the EU.

  Closer links between national parliaments improve knowledge and awareness of European issues in Westminster and enable Westminster's views to be heard more clearly across Europe.

  Pakistan
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK relations with Pakistan. [79970]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Kingdom relations with Pakistan are long-standing and friendly. We have a continuing dialogue on a variety of issues of mutual concern.

  Agenda 2000
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the negotiations on Agenda 2000 relating to enlargement. [79971]

  Ms Quin
  The settlement reached at Berlin on Agenda 2000 provides for the costs of enlargement to be met within the existing 1.27 per cent. GNP Own Resources ceiling. It therefore paves the way for enlargement. Substantial funds will be available to help prepare applicant counties for accession and to provide assistance after they join—£14.6 million (21.8 million euro) and £38.7 million (58.1 million euro) respectively over the next financing period 2000–06.

  Colombia
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Colombian Government with regard to displaced people [79972]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The British Government take every opportunity to raise the issue of displaced people, and human rights in general, with the Colombian Government at senior level. I have raised these issues on both of my visits to Colombia and regularly raise them with the Colombian Ambassador in London.

  Middle East Peace Process
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the action proposed to be taken by the European Union as a result of the declaration on the middle east peace process at the Berlin European Council. [79973]

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the role of the EU in assisting a negotiated settlement in the middle east. [79975]

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the declaration on the middle east peace process at the Berlin summit. [79979]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mrs. Cryer),Official Report, column 690.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his oral answer of 16 March 1999,Official Report, columns 869–70, on Iraq, if he will define the humanitarian objectives of the no-fly zones. [79976]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  As my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow is aware from the answer given to his question on 18 March 1999,Official Report, column 764, by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), the No-Fly Zones were established in response to a situation of overwhelming humanitarian necessity. Coalition aircraft patrol the No-Fly Zones in support of SCR 688 which called on Iraq to end the repression of its civilian population. The humanitarian objective is therefore to limit this repression as far as possible. This remains a vital task. as the latest report from the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights makes clear, the]Iraqi security services continue to persecute opponents of the regime on the ground. Without our continued presence in the No-Fly Zones, they would be free to do so from the air as well. With past atrocities committed by Iraqi forces in mind, including the chemical weapons attack on the Kurds in Halabjah, we are not prepared to countenance that.
  509
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the sanctions imposed by the international community on Iraq have affected the supply of radioactive isotopes for the treatment of cancer there. [80161]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are not aware that sanctions have affected the supply of radioactive isotopes for the treatment of cancer in Iraq. Radioactive isotopes are included on the distribution plan for the present phase of the UN "oil for food" programme. We are not aware that any contracts for these isotopes have been put on hold or blocked in the UN Sanctions Committee.

  European Commission
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the disciplinary procedures applicable to employees of the European Commission. [79977]

  Ms Quin
  I believe that a review of these procedures for disciplinary offences should form part of the Commission reform process. Effective arrangements must be put in place under which those who do not meet the standard required of European public servants can be disciplined and, if necessary, dismissed within a reasonable timescale.

  European Union
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts about institutional reform of the European Union. [79978]

  Ms Quin
  Heads of Government met Mr. Prodi, the European Council's nominee for Commission President, on 14 April to discuss Commission reform. They agreed to take forward the reform process at the European Council in Cologne on 3–4 June on the basis of more detailed plans drawn up by Mr. Prodi.

  The timing of an Intergovernmental Conference to examine institutional reform prior to enlargement will be considered at the Cologne summit.

  The Government are pushing for profound reform of the way in which the Commission works. We believe that the Commission should be guided by the principles of efficiency, transparency and accountability. Achieving this will require changes in financial control systems, personnel management and structures.

  Nigeria
  34. Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with the new Government in Nigeria. [79980]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are working to build a strong relationship with President-elect General Olusegun Obasanjo, who will be sworn in to office on 29 May 1999.

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met him in Nigeria shortly after the February Presidential elections. General Obasanjo subsequently visited London and had a meeting with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, which I attended. He also met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the funding of the BBC World Service during(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [79982]

  Ms Quin
  Following the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review in July 1998, grant-in-aid to the BBC World Service was increased by £44.2 million to £175.5 million in 1999–2000, £174.0 million in 2000–01 and £177.7 million in 2001 –02, a real increase of on average nearly 3.9 per cent. in each year above the 1998–99 level. This compares with a CSR increase for the FCO of around 2 per cent. per annum.

  International Criminal Court
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress with the establishment of an international criminal court.[79983]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Eighty one States, including the UK, have signed the Statute of the International Criminal Court and two have ratified it. The first meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the Court took place in February; the next will begin on 26 July. The Government continue to lobby for international support for the Court, and are playing a full part in the work of the Preparatory Commission.

  Corpus Juris
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had on corpus juris; and if he will make a statement. [79951]

  Kate Hoey
  I have been asked to reply.

  The research study entitled "Corpus Juris", published in 1997 under the aegis of the European Commission, contains proposals for common penal rules and procedures to protect the financial interests of the European Community, including the creation of an office of European Public Prosecutor.

  The House of Lords European Communities Committee has recently conducted an inquiry into the Corpus Juris report. The Government provided both written and oral evidence to the inquiry and are awaiting the Committee's findings.

  Although the Government fully share the objective of fighting fraud against the Community budget, we disagree with many of the recommendations of the "Corpus Juris" study. None of the recommendations have been submitted to the Council of Ministers, but if this were to happen, unanimous agreement would be needed for them to be adopted and come into effect. The Government's agreement to the majority of the proposals in their present form is highly unlikely.

  Macpherson Inquiry
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the Macpherson Inquiry recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [80523]
  511
  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply to his question given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 14 April 1999,Official Report, column 239.

  Ambassadors for British Business
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the criteria for selection of Ambassadors for British business. [81038]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Ambassadors for British Business were elected to represent a wide cross-section of British commercial success. They are people who frequently go abroad on working visits and have a wealth of specialist knowledge backed up by the excellent contracts. They include the chairmen and executives of multinationals as well as smaller concerns. They have been very successful in helping to promote the United Kingdom as a place to do business.

  Papua New Guinea
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, column 61, on Papua New Guinea, what issues were discussed with the High Commissioner at the meeting of 3 March; what actions were requested of Her Majesty's Government; and what commitments were made on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. [80878]

  Mr. Fatchett
  On 3 March, the Papua New Guinea High Commissioner telephoned officials at FCO. In line with Government practice, I cannot reveal the substance of an exchange conducted in confidence with a representative of a foreign government.

  Chagos Islands
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to allow the Chagos islanders to visit their homeland; and if he will make a statement.[80803]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]Any person who wishes to visit the Chagos islands can apply for a permit to do so and each application will be considered on its merits.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the demand of the Chagos islanders to return to their homeland following the recent High Court ruling on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [80802]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]The recent High Court ruling concerned an application for leave to apply for a Judicial Review. Leave was granted and in due course the case will be heard by the full Divisional Court. In the meantime, it will be inappropriate for the Government to comment further.

  Libya
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Libyan Arab Jamahirya regarding the re-opening of a Libyan diplomatic mission in London; and if he will make a statement. [80809]
  512
  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]The re-opening of a Libyan diplomatic mission in London depends on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations which were broken off in 1984 after the shooting of WPC Fletcher outside the Libyan People's Bureau in London.

  Following the handover of the two Lockerbie accused, there remain a number of other bilateral issues between Libya and ourselves. Foremost of these is the WPC Fletcher case.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends(a) to re-open the British Embassy in Tripoli and (b) to re-establish full diplomatic relations with Libya; and if he will make a statement. [80807]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]The re-opening of the British Embassy in Tripoli depends on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations which were broken off in 1984 after the shooting of WPC Fletcher outside the Libyan People's Bureau in London.

  Following the handover of the two Lockerbie accused, there remain a number of other bilateral issues between Libya and ourselves. Foremost of these is the WPC Fletcher case.

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the UK and the EU to implement the suspension of UN sanctions against Libya; and if he will make a statement. [81677]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  UN sanctions against Libya imposed by Security Council resolutions 748 and 883 were suspended on 5 April, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1192 (1998), immediately the UN Secretary-General reported that the two Lockerbie accused had been delivered for trial before the Scottish court established in the Netherlands and that the Libyan Government had satisfied the French judicial authorities with regard to the bombing of UTA 772. The prohibition on payment of performance bonds in paragraph 8 of resolution 883 remains in operation.

  The provisions of those resolutions were implemented in the UK by restrictions imposed in the Libya (United Nations Prohibition of Flights) Order 1992, The Libya (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1993, The Libya (United Nations Sanctions)(Channel Islands) Order 1993 and The Libya (United Nations Sanctions)(Isle of Man) Order 1993. In accordance with Article 1(2) of each Order its operation was accordingly suspended; Article 13 of the three 1993 Orders, which imposes restrictions on the payment of bonds given in respect of contracts whose performance had been affected by the suspended provisions of the Orders, and the provisions in those Orders relating to the enforcement of Article 13, remain in operation. Details of the suspension of UN sanctions and of the Orders have been published in a notice in the London Gazette on 12 April and the Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes on 9 April. Action is in hand to gazette the suspension of the relevant provisions of the Orders implementing the UN sanctions in the Overseas Territories.

  On 16 April, The Council of the EU adopted a Common Position (7318/99) suspending the measures taken against Libya by the EU in response to UN Security Council resolutions 748 and 883.
  513
  The Common Position also specified that the measures agreed by Member States in 1986 in response to Libya's general implication in terrorism should remain in force (these measures are an arms embargo; restrictions on the freedom of movement of Libyan diplomats and consular personnel; reduction of the staff of diplomatic and consular missions; and stricter visa requirements and procedures). The Common Position will be reviewed in the light of the UN Secretary-General's report on Libyan compliance with the remaining provisions of UN Security Council resolutions 731 and 748, in particular Libyan renunciation of terrorism.

  The Common Position does not affect Regulation 3275/93 which prohibits the satisfying of claims with regard to contracts and transactions the performance of which was affected by UN sanctions.

  Based on this Common Position, the EC adopted a Regulation suspending the application of Regulation 3274/93 which prevented the supply of certain goods and services to Libya.

  In addition to the EU measures against Libya agreed in 1986, national controls on the supply of aircraft, aircraft parts and flight simulators to Libya under the provisions of Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulation 1996, as amended, remain in force.

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be issuing a press release on the suspension of EU sanctions against Libya.

  Inward Investment
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the work he has done to secure(a) Japanese and (b) Korean inward investment into the United Kingdom. [81104]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]The Invest in Britain Bureau (IBB) is jointly managed by the FCO and DTI. It has active promotion strategies aimed at securing the UK's position as the number one European location for Japanese and Korean investment. The 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 the FCO and DTI support this both here in the UK and when travelling overseas. For example, I have met a number of Japanese and Korean investors here and when visiting Japan and Korea.

  Prime Minister (Foreign Media Articles)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what correspondence his(a) Department and (b) office have received from (i) posts abroad and (ii) the Prime Minister's office on placement of articles written by the Prime Minister in the foreign media, which would facilitate identification of those articles; and if he will make a statement. [81237]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We do not maintain the records necessary to provide a comprehensive answer. To do so would be possible only at disproportionate cost.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Departmental Staff (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin, at 1 March, of(a) his private office, (b) Government special advisers, (c) his Policy Unit and (d) staff in total. [78513]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  (a) The composition of my Private Office on 1 March was as follows:

  Number

  Percentage

  White Origin

  5

  71.4

  Ethnic minority origin

  2

  28.6

  The figures quoted relate solely to my Private Office and do not cover the whole of the Secretariat in my Department.

  (b) I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 39.

  (c) My Department does not have a separate Policy Unit.

  (d) I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 31 March 1999, Official Report, columns 710–11.

  New Forest (Hunting)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many videos his Department has received since 1 May 1997 depicting the activities of the New Forest hounds; and which Ministers have viewed them. [80435]

  Mr. Morley
  Since 1 May 1997, the Forestry Commission has received about a dozen videos of activities during fox hunts in the New Forest. I have seen some of these videos.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons it took from 1 June 1998, when the Forestry Commission approved a licence for New Forest fox hounds, until October 1998 for that licence to be issued. [80436]

  Mr. Morley
  The Forestry Commission issues licences for fox hunting over its land. The terms of those licences are based on an Agreement between the Commission and the Master of Foxhounds Association. The Agreement for last season was concluded on 18 August, after which the licences and associated maps were prepared in accordance with the Agreement. The Commission completed the New Forest Fox Hounds' licence on 24 September.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what involvement Ministers have in the procedure by which the Forestry Commission issue hunting licences in the New Forest; [80433]

  (2) what involvement Ministers have in the process of issuing a hunting licence once the Forestry Commission have approved the terms of such a licence. [80434]
  515
  Mr. Morley
  None. The Forestry Commission does, however, keep Ministers informed about its policies on hunting and the terms of the licences that it issues.

  Advisory Committees
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those members of advisory committees to his Department who

  Advisory Committee

  Member

  Declared interest

  Veterinary Products Committee

  Mr. J. M. Jepson

  Glaxo Wellcome, SmithKline Beecham

  Dr. D. F. Wishart

  SmithKline Beecham

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee

  Dr. Peter Goodfellow

  SmithKline Beecham

  Prof. Roy Anderson

  The Wellcome Trust1

  Prof. John Collinge

  The Wellcome Trust1

  Farm Animal Welfare Council

  Dr. Agnes Winter

  Glaxo Wellcome

  1 Declared interest is in Wellcome Trust—not Wellcome Institute.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total payment for land put into set-aside in England and Wales in 1998. [80905]

  Mr. Rooker
  At 31 March, £75,589,275 had been paid on land set aside in 1998 under the Arable Area Payments Scheme in England and Wales.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of the safety of the antibiotic-resistant gene in Novartis's genetically modified maize;[80794]

  (2) what assessment the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes made of the safety of the antibiotic-resistant gene in Novartis's genetically modified food. [80793]

  Mr. Rooker
  The conclusions of the Advisory Committee on Novel Food and Processes (ACNFP) concerning this GM maize are recorded in the Committee's 1996 annual report which is available in the House of Commons Library. The ACNFP was satisfied that processed food ingredients derived from the maize were as safe as their conventional counterparts but expressed reservations about the use of the unprocessed maize as an animal feeding stuff because of what it considered to be a small, but finite, chance that this could lead to a transfer of antibiotic resistance.

  Subsequent to the ACNFP's consideration of this matter, this maize was assessed by three EC Scientific Committees, the Scientific Committee for Foods, the Scientific Committee for Plants and the Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition, who took into account the ACNFP's views. Whilst agreeing with the ACNFP's assessment that there was a finite risk of the transfer of antibiotic resistance to cattle fed on the raw maize, all three EC Committees felt that this was too small to warrant recommending a ban on its use for animal feed. EC approval was therefore granted. The Department has however commissioned some research work at the University of Leeds to look further into the issue of the potential for the transference of antibiotic resistance from GM crops. Should any scientific evidence emerge
  516
  have declared outside interests with (a) DiaDexus, (b) Cerebrus Ltd, (c) Cerebrus PLC, (d) Stanford University, (e) Human Genome Services Inc, (f) Glaxo Wellcome, (g) the Wellcome Institute, (h) Monsanto, (i) AgrEvo and (j) SmithKline Beecham.[80129]

  Mr. Morley
  The following members of advisory committees have declared relevant outside interests as listed below:
  from this which in the opinion of the ACNFP shows the risk to be greater than originally thought, the Government will consider taking action under the safeguard clause in the EC Deliberate Release Directive (90/220) to restrict the use of the raw maize in animal feed and press for an urgent reappraisal of the situation by the EC Scientific Committees and the Council.

  Synthetic Pyrethroids
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has carried out to determine the period which elapses before a river or stream's insect life recovers to its former levels after pollution by synthetic pyrethroids. [80875]

  Mr. Rooker
  All veterinary medicines and pesticides, including those containing synthetic pyrethroids, must satisfy statutory criteria including safety. The safety assessment includes safety to the environment. Pollution incidents should not occur if safety warnings on labels are heeded. The period of recovery after a pollution incident is a matter for the environment agencies but is likely to vary according to the conditions in the river or stream concerned.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the result of studies he has carried out into the effect of synthetic pyrethroids in(a) sheep dips and (b) sprays for plants on (1) aquatic insects, (2) soil invertebrates and (3) other animal life; what sums he has expended in each of the last five years on such studies; and what further work is being carried out to determine the effect on fish life in affected rivers and streams. [80874]

  Mr. Rooker
  No veterinary medicine is authorised unless it satisfies statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. Safety includes safety to the environment. As part of the process of approval, the applicant company is required to submit data to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate where they are carefully assessed by specialists qualified in various scientific disciplines including ecotoxicology. No studies are carried out by the Ministry.

  All pesticides are similarly subject to strict statutory control. In considering the approval or review of a pesticide, an assessment is made (on the basis of data

  517
  supplied by the applicant) of the risk to people, wildlife and to the wider environment. Only if this assessment shows that there is no unacceptable risk will approval be granted or allowed to continue following a review. The Ministry has carried out no studies of the kind specified into the environmental effects of synthetic pyrethroid pesticides. However, synthetic pyrethroid pesticides have been used in other MAFF funded research.

  Seals
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the quantities of fish eaten by seals in the waters of the United Kingdom annually.[80871]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 17 November 1998,Official Report, column 574.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [80759]

  Mr. Morley
  [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. Some public appointments, however, are unpaid as many of those who accept public appointment do so on a voluntary basis.

  Fisheries Agreements
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which African countries, other than Mauritania, British fishing vessels, British flagged fishing vessels and British registered companies have fisheries interests. [81086]

  Mr. Morley
  There are no UK vessels currently fishing in the waters of African countries.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which(a) British fishing vessels, (b) British flagged fishing vessels and (c) British registered companies have a beneficial interest in the fisheries agreement with Mauritania. [81085]

  Mr. Morley
  There are no UK vessels currently fishing in Mauritanian waters under the EU fisheries agreement.

  Sand Eels
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies his Department has carried out to determine the importance of sand eels as the prey of(a) salmon smelts and (b) sea trout smelts; and what was the conclusion of such studies.[80876]

  Mr. Morley
  No such studies have been carried out by the Department.

  Seed Certification
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to grant any more applications for provisional seed certification under the non-statutory seed certification scheme. [81263]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 19 April 1999]A number of applications in England and Wales for provisional seed certification under the non-statutory seed certification scheme are being processed through the current growing season. However, the Government will come forward quickly with proposals to amend secondary seeds legislation before the next round of applications are made. If these measures are adopted, there would be no need for the non-statutory scheme to continue.

  Pork Imports
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received on the compatibility with Article 36 of the Treaty establishing the European Union of placing restrictions on the import of pork products not produced to UK standards. [81364]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 19 April 1999]In certain circumstances Article 36 of the Treaty allows the maintenance of restrictions on the free movement of goods where these can be justified for the protection of the health and life of humans or animals or on grounds of public morality or policy. However, it is clear from Rulings by the European Court of Justice that we cannot use Article 36 of the Treaty to impose higher UK standards on imports where EU law has been harmonised as it has been in the field of farm animal welfare. Nor is it relevant to the UK ban on the use of Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) in animal feed as this ban is not in place because there is a known health risk to humans or animals in feeding MBM to pigs or poultry. The jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice also precludes reliance on the grounds of public morality or policy in the circumstances with which the hon. Member is concerned.

  Organic Aid Scheme
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect on the amount of grant made under the organic aid scheme of recent changes in the definition of unimproved land for the purposes of the scheme. [81272]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 April 1999]The amount of aid granted under the Organic Farming Scheme will be dependent on the number of applications and the type of land involved. We expect demand to be strong.

  Rivers (Over-fishing)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers he has to limit the over-fishing of rivers; what discussions he has had with fishing clubs and river authorities about over-fishing of elvers and salmon; and if he will make a statement.[81261]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 April 1999]The Environment Agency, which is responsible for the management of inland fisheries in England and Wales, has powers to make byelaws to regulate fishing for salmon and eels including elvers. It can also make net
  519
  limitation orders to limit numbers of net licences in salmon net fisheries. Both byelaws and net limitation orders must be confirmed by Ministers.

  Following advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) that extreme caution should be exercised in the management of multi-sea-winter salmon and that the level of exploitation should be significantly reduced in 1999, the Environment Agency proposed the introduction of byelaws to reduce exploitation of spring salmon by both nets and rods in England and Wales. There was extensive consultation on these proposals including advertising in local and national press. The byelaws were confirmed, with modifications, on 14 April.

  The Environment Agency and the Ministry have recently commissioned research into the state of eel and elver stocks and levels of exploitation. In addition, the independent group established by Ministers to review all aspects of salmon and freshwater fisheries legislation is considering whether the additional powers are needed to regulate fishing for salmon and eels. The group is expected to report to Ministers in the autumn.

  Free-range Hens
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's definition of free-range hens. [81270]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 April 1999]I assume that the hon. Member is referring to free-range egg production from hens. Before eggs can be marketed as free-range, EU Commission Regulations require, among other things, that the hens have continuous daytime access to open air runs, mainly covered with vegetation. They also specify maximum outdoor and indoor stocking densities.

  Goats and Sheep
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to prevent the illegal slaughtering of goats and sheep, involving the removal of hides by oxyacetylene blowtorches; and if he will make a statement. [81394]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (as amended) which implement the EC Fresh Meat Directive (64/433/EEC as amended) in Great Britain, make it an offence for any person to sell for human consumption fresh meat which has not been produced under veterinary supervision in licensed premises.

  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) will investigate any allegations relating to the illegal production of singed sheep and goat carcases, commonly known as `smokies'. Where there is sufficient evidence that such activity has taken place, and it is in the public interest to do so, MAFF will prosecute those involved, in co-operation with Local Authority Environmental Health Departments as appropriate.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will require the Advisory 520
  Committee on Pesticides to take account of the effects on biodiversity in reaching decisions about the clearance of pesticides. [81449]

  Mr. Rooker
  The remit of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides is to give advice to Ministers, either when requested to do so or otherwise, on any matters relating to the control of pests in furthering the general purposes of Part HI of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. These purposes include"the continuous development of means … to safeguard the environment … ".

  The Committee's members include people with expertise in environmental matters.

  All pesticides are approved on the basis of a thorough evaluation of the risk that they pose in use. No pesticide may be used unless Ministers, advised by the Committee, have given approval to that use. When considering whether to recommend that a pesticide should be approved by Ministers, the Committee will take into account, amongst other things, the possible effects of that pesticide on non-target wildlife and the environment. If the risk is considered to be too great, then no approval is recommended.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the compatibility of his plan to limit charges for stakeholder pensions with the need for those purchasing such pensions to be given proper advice. [81114]

  Mr. Timms
  We recognise that proper information and advice for those who need it will be an important part of the decision-making process for individuals considering a stakeholder pension scheme.

  Details of the minimum standards for stakeholder pensions are subject to further consultation. The standards will include a limit on the level of charges, and in setting that limit we shall consider carefully what allowance should be made for the costs of information and advice.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the implications of the growing use of tracker pension funds for the economy; and what account he has taken of such an assessment in designing his stakeholder pension scheme. [81113]

  Mr. Timms
  No such assessment has been made. We expect that stakeholder pension schemes will, like other pension schemes, have the option of investing in tracker funds.

  Fraud Investigation
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the result of his Department's investigation into the nature and extent of identity fraud. [81092]

  Mr. Timms
  The best available measure of the scale of Identity Fraud is provided by the Department's measurement regime (Benefit Reviews). The second
  521
  Income Support review recorded the level of ID fraud at between 1 per cent. and 9 per cent. of the stock of fraud. This translates to between £17.5 million and £154 million.

  Initial characteristics of an Identity Fraudster were identified and further research was proposed to refine these characteristics further. This is a valuable line of inquiry since if the characteristics of an Identity Fraudster can be established, then we can enhance our ability to prevent, detect and target resources at identity fraud.

  The Identity Fraud Management Unit has now been incorporated within the Benefits Agency Security and Investigation Service (BASIS), the organised and serious fraud investigation service, who have extensive intelligence and experience in dealing with Identity related benefit crime.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps have been taken towards establishing a criminal intelligence database for fraud investigation in the Benefits Agency and local authorities. [81090]

  Mr. Timms
  The Benefits Agency Security and Investigation Service (BASIS) uses an intelligence database to record all operational intelligence relating to investigations. BASIS liaises with the Benefit Fraud Investigation Service (BFIS) and local authorities and is developing further its interchange and use of intelligence for investigative purposes with BFIS and local authorities.

  Pensioners (Minimum Income)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of people who will benefit as a result of the new guaranteed minimum income for pensioners on income support. [80948]

  Mr. Timms
  The number of pensioner benefit units that will benefit from the Minimum Income Guarantee for pensioners in 1999–2000 is estimated to be 1.47 million. A pensioner benefit unit represents a single person aged 60 or over, or a couple where one or both members is aged 60 or over.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000 and exclude pensioners in residential care and nursing homes.

  2. The estimates are based on forecasts published in the March 1999 Departmental Report.

  Macpherson Inquiry
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the Macpherson Inquiry recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [80522]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 14 April 1999,Official Report, column 23.

  Pensioners (Benefits)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the increase in take-up of(a) income support and (b) other benefits among people of pensionable age since 1 May 1997. [80947]
  522
  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is currently unavailable. Estimates of take-up are published annually for Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Family Credit. The statistics for the year 1997–98 are in the process of being compiled and will be published later this year.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were receiving incapacity benefit in(a) the UK and (b) the West Midlands on 31 March. [81162]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table. Figures for 31 March 1999 are not yet available.

  Incapacity Benefit recipients

  31 August 1998

  United Kingdom

  1,716,488

  (Northern Ireland)

  98,588

  (Great Britain)

  1,617,900

  West Midlands

  141,680

  Note:

  Both systems exclude a small number of cases held clerically

  Source:

  Norther Ireland: 100 per cent. sample of the Benefit computer system

  Great Britain and West Midlands: 5 per cent. sample of the Benefit computer system

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Lifelong Learning
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures the Government are undertaking to promote lifelong learning and develop the skills base of older workers as a means of improving the levels of employment among the over 50s. [80946]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Government believe that lifelong learning contributes to national competitiveness, personal prosperity and to the development of a fair and harmonious society. The aim is to develop a "learning society" in which everyone regularly updates their skills and knowledge throughout life. Action to improve learning opportunities for the over 50s is an important part of our approach to "Better Government For Older People".

  Measures to promote lifelong learning and develop the skills base of older workers include: extending student loans to those aged 54, opportunities through the £15 million Adult and Community Learning Fund; access to Learning Direct and Career Development Loans; and opportunities through work based learning for adults, the New Deals and Employment Zones. In addition, the New Deal for the over 50s who are out of work for six months or more and are on income replacement benefits, and their dependent partners, announced in the budget, includes plans for a learning support of up to £750 for each person.

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many organisations for disabled people have received New Deal funding. [80890]

  Ms Hodge
  The information requested is not available in the form requested. However, under the New Deal for Disabled People, 22 of 24 Innovative Schemes involve organisations of or for disabled people. In addition, all the consortium contracted to deliver the second group of six Personal Adviser Service pilot areas also involve such organisations.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many consortiums led by disabled people received New Deal funding during the second tranche. [80891]

  Ms Hodge
  Under the New Deal for Disabled People, all six contracts awarded in the second tranche of the Personal Adviser Service and 13 of the 14 contracts awarded under the second tranche Innovative Schemes are two consortiums that include organisations of or for disabled people. Two Personal Adviser consortiums and seven Innovative Schemes are led by voluntary sector organisations.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average length of time spent on the Gateway of the New Deal for 18 to 25-year-olds by those(a) with no educational qualifications, (b) with Foundation Level qualifications, (c) with NVQ Level 1, (d) with NVQ Level 2, (e) with NVQ Level 3, (f) with NVQ Level 4, (g) with other qualifications and (h) who did not list any educational qualifications. [81108]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The information set out in the following table shows the average length of time spent on the New Deal Gateway by qualification level, for those young people who had left the Gateway by the end of January 1999.

  Highest qualification held

  Average length of time spent on Gateway (in days)

  NVQ/SVQ Level 4+ or equivalent

  87

  NVQ/SVQ Level 3 or equivalent

  92

  NVQ/SVQ Level 2 or equivalent

  91

  NVQ/SVQ Level 1 or equivalent

  95

  NVQ/SVQ Foundation Level or equivalent

  98

  Other

  92

  None

  100

  Those who did not list qualifications

  68

  Title

  Date of establishment

  Date of termination

  Expected date of termination where known

  Final report published

  Expected report date where known

  (a) Task forces

  Joint COSLA/Scottish Office Best Value Task Force1

  May 1997

  —

  Summer 2000

  —

  Summer 1999

  September 1999

  Prestwick Task Force

  June 1997

  December 1998

  —

  December 1998

  —

  Action Group on Standards in Scottish Schools

  July 1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Joint COSLA/Scottish Office Working Group on Council Tax Collection

  March 1998

  —

  September1999

  —

  July1999

  Task Force to Follow the Outcome of the Review of Protection Orders made under the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976

  June 1998

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Coronary Heart Disease Task Force

  July 1998

  —

  July 2000

  —

  July 2000

  Borders Working Party

  September 1998

  March 1999

  —

  March 1999

  —

  Gambling (Young People)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action his Department is taking to combat gambling by young people; and if he will make a statement. [80907]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Schools have an important role to play in helping to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they will require now and in later life. They are required to provide a curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, physical and mental development of pupils and to prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. Schools take these legal responsibilities concerning the curriculum very seriously. Many schools choose to meet them through programmes of personal, social and health education which can encompass a broad range of topics, including the dangers of gambling.

  Out-of-school Education
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he has issued revised guidance on the education of children out of school, including pupil referral units, following his consultation. [81191]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The consultation on the draft `Social Inclusion: Pupil Support' guidance, which covers advice on education out of school including pupil referral units, ended on 31 March. We are now considering the responses and intend to issue the final version before the summer break.

SCOTLAND

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997(a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates; [79281]

  (2) if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up (a) subgroups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees. [79258]

  Mr. Dewar
  The information requested is provided in the following table.
  525

  Title

  Date of establishment

  Date of termination

  Expected date of termination where known

  Final report published

  Expected report date where known

  (b)Policy reviews

  Scottish Homes' Support for Owner Occupation

  June 1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Homes' Support for Social Rented Housing

  June 1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Review of the Scottish Water Industry

  June 1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Review of the Processing of Cases in the Children's Hearings System

  July 1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Review to Identify Areas of Scotland Appropriate for Designation as National Parks

  September 1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Review of Countryside Access Legislation in Scotland

  October 1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Review into the System of Land Ownership and Management in Scotland

  October 1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Interdepartmental Review of the Treatment of Vulnerable and Intimidated Witnesses

  October 1997

  October 1998

  —

  November 1998

  —

  A Review of Aspects of Gaelic Broadcasting

  December 1997

  June 1998

  —

  May 1998

  —

  Review of Community Disposals and the use of Custody for Women Offenders in Scotland

  December 1997

  May 1998

  —

  May 1998

  —

  Review of Rural Water and Sewerage Grant Scheme

  January 1998

  —

  —

  —

  Summer 1999

  National Review of Health Resource Allocation

  January 1998

  —

  June 1999

  —

  June 1999

  Review of SSSIs in Scotland

  February 1998

  —

  —

  —

  Summer 1999

  Review of Community Education

  February 1998

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Review of Public Health Legislation

  February 1998

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Review of EA and SEPA Environmental Legislation (with DETR)

  May 1998

  —

  Late 1999

  —

  End 1999

  Strategic Study of Organic Wastes to Land

  May 1998

  October 1998

  —

  October 1998

  —

  Review of the Law and Practice of Compulsory Purchase and Land Compensation (with DETR)

  June 1998

  —

  —

  —

  1999

  Review of Domestic Violence

  June 1998

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Review of Public Health Function

  Summer 1998

  —

  —

  —

  Summer 1998

  HIV Health Promotion Review Group1

  August 1998

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Spring 1999

  Learning Disability Review1

  October 1998

  —

  —

  —

  December 1999

  Committee on Review of Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984

  December 1998

  —

  —

  —

  Summer 2000

  Lord MacLean's Committee on Serious Violent and Sexual Offenders

  January 1999

  —

  —

  —

  2000

  1One or more sub-groups have been set up

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Direct Labour Organisations
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by authority and service area the surpluses and deficits recorded in Scottish local authority direct labour or service organisations audited accounts for 1995–96. [81369]

  Mr. McLeish
  I have arranged for a detailed list, provided by the Accounts Commission for Scotland, of the audited surpluses and deficits achieved by direct labour and direct service organisations of Scottish local authorities in 1995–96 to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Genetically Modified Salmon
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate he has made of the number of genetically modified salmon presently being farmed; [81448]

  (2) how many genetically modified salmon he estimates have escaped from farms into the environment. [81447]

  Mr. Macdonald
  No genetically modified salmon are currently farmed in Scotland. A three-year land-based trial project was licensed in 1995, but this was terminated early. There were no escapes.

  As from 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

HEALTH

  South-west Health Authorities (Funding)
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes have been made to the way money is allocated to health authorities and NHS trusts in Devon and Cornwall; and on what basis changes were calculated. [74431]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 March 1999)A weighted capitation formula is used to calculate fair share targets of available resources.

  Three changes were made to the hospital and community health services formula for 1998–99:

  (a) the additional need weightings were applied to 100 per cent. of expenditure;

  (b) the number of staff market forces factor payzones was reduced from 61 to 51;

  (c) an adjustment was introduced to take the geographical cost variation of providing emergency ambulance services into account.

  These changes were carried out under the auspices of the Resource Allocation Group (RAG). RAG published their 1997 report in February 1998.

  From 1999–2000, health authorities received unified allocations covering:

  (a) hospital and community health services;

  (b) general practice infrastructure; and

  (c) prescribing.

  Three changes were made to the formula for 1999–2000:

  (a) the adjustment for age in the hospital and community health services component was updated;

  527

  (b) a new additional need adjustment for prescribing was introduced;

  (c) a monetary adjustment was introduced for the extra costs of interpretation, advocacy and translation services for ethnic minority populations.

  These changes were based on research conducted under the auspices of the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation, the successor body to RAG. The committee will publish their 1998 annual report shortly.

  We do not make revenue allocations direct to National Health Service trusts. NHS trusts receive most of their income through agreements with health authorities and their primary care groups.

  Herbal Medicines
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions in the last 12 months the Medicines Control Agency has taken action to commence the process of removing from the market products which it accepts as safe but which it considers to be unlicensed herbal medicines requiring a product licence. [79486]

  Ms Jowell
  The Medicines Control Agency cannot accept that a herbal medicine is definitively safe unless this has been proven through the licensing process. The MCA is bound to ensure, in accordance with the law, the withdrawal of all unlicensed herbal medicines which are not exempt from licensing. In the past 12 months, except for the two occasions when immediate removal on safety grounds has been effected, compliance with the law has been achieved without the need for the MCA to enforce immediate removal of a herbal medicine from the market.

  Nurses (Training)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department plans to make available (i) in East Sussex and (ii) nationally to support the training of nurses. [79489]

  Mr. Denham
  The Sussex Education Consortium, which covers East and west Sussex, plans to spend £16.5 million on the pre and post-registration education and training of nurses, midwives and health visitors in the 1999–2000 financial year. Consortia, nationally, plan to spend £513 million on nursing and midwifery training in 1999–2000.

  Viagra
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to make a statement on his policy proposals for the provision of Viagra by the NHS following the completion of his public consultation exercise. [80662]

  Mr. Denham
  The period of consultation ended on 25 March and work is now under way to collate the responses. We will make an announcement once we have had the opportunity to consider carefully all comments received during the consultation period.

  Cardiac Surgery (North Staffordshire)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the(a) average waiting time and (b) number of patients on the waiting list for cardiac surgery at the North Staffordshire hospital. [80585]
  528
  Mr. Denham
  On 31 December 1998, there were 411 patients waiting for cardiothoracic surgery at North Staffordshire Hospital National Health Service Trust, and they had been waiting for an average of 5.95 months. All urgent patients are currently being treated within four months.

  Source:

  Korner—December 1998.

  Biggleswade and Steppingley Hospitals
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the projected expenditure in mid-Bedfordshire for 1998–99 on care for the elderly in Biggleswade and Steppingley hospitals; and what is the projected cost per head. [80478]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the retention and expansion of existing services and the development of new services, by the three relevant primary care groups, in relation to Biggleswade and Steppingley hospitals; [80457]

  (2) if he will provide a breakdown of costs in relation to the services currently provided at Biggleswade and Steppingley Hospitals; [80490]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the financial impact on (a) Bedford Hospital and (b) other local acute hospitals of the (i) maintenance and (ii) development of services at Biggleswade and Steppingley Hospitals; [80447]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the consultation process on the review of Biggleswade and Steppingley Hospitals; [80446]

  (5) if he will assess the views of (a) general practitioners, (b) consultants and (c) other healthcare professionals towards the retention and development of continuing care facilities at Biggleswade and Steppingley hospitals; [80475]

  (6) if he will conduct (a) an audit of current provision of care and (b) a health needs assessment in relation to the review of Biggleswade and Steppingley Hospitals;[80491]

  (7) what estimate he has made of the projected income which would result from the sale of the Biggleswade and Steppingley Hospital sites; [80489]

  (8) if he will make a statement on progress in the review of acute care in Bedfordshire and the extent to which it informs the review of intermediate care; [80474]

  (9) what assessment he has made of the Option 9 proposals for Biggleswade and Steppingley hospitals in relation to the Government's (a) medium and (b) longterm plans for developing the NHS; [80480]

  (10) what assessment he has made of the basis for Bedford Hospital NHS Trust's support for the withdrawal of services from Biggleswade and Steppingley Hospitals; [80483]

  (11) what assessment he has made of the prospects for using the Biggleswade and Steppingley hospital sites as part of the healthy living centre programme. [80461]
  529
  Mr. Denham
  It is the responsibility of health authorities and primary care groups to assess the health care needs of their population, to draw up strategies and commissioning plans and to secure a range of hospital and community health services to meet those needs.

  I understand that the health authority has conducted a consultation exercise into the development of intermediate care services. However, I understand that no proposals for change have yet been made. If proposals for significant change are made, and if the Community Health Council contests the health authority's proposals, following consultation, the matter would be referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for a decision. We would consider all the views expressed during the consultation prior to making any decision.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons Bedfordshire Health Authority has employed a consultant in connection with the review of Biggleswade and Steppingley hospitals. [80459]

  Mr. Denham
  It is a matter for Bedfordshire Health Authority to decide whether or not it requires the use of consultancy services. I understand that consultancy services were used to carry out the third phase of the review process.

  Medical Negligence
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical negligence claims have (i) been brought and (ii) been successful against NHS practitioners in each of the last five years. [80648]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  Neurological Conditions
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the National Performance Framework on access to services for patients with neurological conditions. [80594]

  Mr. Denham
  A revised copy of the National Health Service Performance Assessment Framework document, reflecting comments received, was published on 8 April 1999. The associated high level performance indicator set is expected to be published later in the year alongside the Clinical Indicators. It is likely that a refined version of the "Discharge home within 56 days of emergency admission from home with a stroke" indicator will appear in both the amended set of Clinical Indicators and the high level performance indicators supporting the Performance Assessment Framework.

  The high level performance indicators will continue to develop over time to ensure they focus on the outcomes that matter most to the patients and the public.

  British Child Migrants
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Support Fund for the Former British Child Migrants to become operational; how the fund will be administered; what conditions will apply to determine who will be eligible to receive funding; and when the central information index and website will become operational. [81074]
  530
  Mr. Hutton
  The Child Migrant Support Fund became operational from 1 April 1999. It is administered by International Social Service (ISS) on behalf of the Department. Applications to the Fund must be made through the relevant national ISS office, which will process the claims, but decisions on applications will be made by ISS United Kingdom.

  In order to receive assistance from the Fund, the applicant must be able to show that he/she is a former British child migrant who does not have the means to fund his/her own arrangements for a first-time reunion with a close family member (mother, father, parents' siblings, or their own brothers and sisters).

  The central information Index is expected to become operational in the autumn. The website has been operational since 1 March 1999.

  Hospital Meals
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on charging patients for their meals(a) in National Health Service hospitals and (b) in publicly funded nursing homes. [81145]

  Mr. Denham
  National Health Service patients are not charged for their meals whilst in hospital. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 16 July 1998 that there would be no new NHS patient charges in the lifetime of this Parliament, and this included payment for meals.

  Individuals placed by local authorities in residential care homes or nursing homes are expected to contribute to the costs of their care package, subject to a means test. This care package includes accommodation and meals.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to health authorities about the criteria for NHS prescriptions for the drug Aricept. [81168]

  Mr. Denham
  In April 1998, we sent health authorities guidance from the Standing Medical Advisory Committee on the use of donepezil (Aricept). Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Sexual Health
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to set up the working party on sexual health strategy. [81070]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 19 April 1999]Preliminary consultations to develop a sexual and reproductive health framework are currently under way. An announcement on the composition of a small external reference group will be made shortly.

  NHS Investment (Pensioners)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways the £21 billion of extra investment in the NHS will be targeted on improving healthcare provision among those of pensionable age. [80942]
  531
  Mr. Hutton
  The £21 billion extra investment in the National Health Service will mainly be distributed through general allocation. People aged 65 and over account for approximately 41 per cent. of total expenditure on hospital and community health services, although they make up 16 per cent. of the total population, and therefore will benefit significantly from this new investment.

  Eye Test Charges
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of people who will benefit from the abolition of eye test charging for the over 60s. [80943]

  Mr. Denham
  We estimate that from 1 April 1999 some 6 million to 7 million more people aged 60 and over became eligible for free National Health Service sight tests.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1999,Official Report, columns 298–99, on the Private Finance Initiative, if the contracts for the schemes which have reached financial closure contain any provision for monitoring as to whether they will be completed on time. [81367]

  Mr. Denham
  All the contracts for the major private finance initiative schemes which have reached financial close contain provisions which enable monitoring whether the scheme will be completed on time.

CABINET OFFICE

  Annual Reports
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many annual reports were produced by (a) Government departments, (b) executive agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, and at what total cost, in the last year for which figures are available. [80857]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Information on the number and cost of annual reports is not held centrally. However, as a general rule, each of the 19 principal government departments and 135 executive agencies produces its own annual report, as do the vast majority of over 300 executive NDPBs. Smaller departments and advisory NDPBs either produce their own annual report or include information on their annual activities in a joint report or in the report of a parent department. Copies of all annual reports are available to Members from the Libraries of the House.

  Modernising Government Logo
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which organisations were approached to submit a tender for the contract to produce the Modernising Government logo; and where the tender for the contract was advertised. [80880]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The procurement of the design of the Modernising Government logo was organised and managed by the Central Office of Information (COI) on behalf of the Cabinet Office. The contract was not advertised.
  532
  Three design houses with a good track record of design on behalf of Government were chosen and invited to submit tenders. The design houses were Interbrand Newell and Sorrell, Pentogram, and Minale Tattersfield and Partners.

  Minale Tattersfield and Partners was the successful bidder.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if the Modernising Government logo was tested on the public; and how much this research cost. [80882]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  It was not.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what criteria were specified for the design of the Modernising Government logo. [80881]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The main criteria specified for the design of the Modernising Government logo were that it should remain fresh over the period of a change management programme lasting a number of years; be capable of application to a wide range of material such as literature, computer screens and stationery; be capable of complementing other logos and publication designs; and be upbeat, bold and distinctive.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the cost of developing the Modernising Government logo. [80879]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The direct cost of developing the Modernising Government logo was £41,020.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list which areas of expenditure in his Department in the non-criminal legal aid budget will be funded first when the criminal legal aid budget has been met; and if he will make a statement about how these areas have been determined. [R] [81120]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is an oversimplification to suggest that help through the Community Legal Service will be provided only after claims for criminal work. The Lord Chancellor has said that there will not be an overall budget for legal aid or a cash limit. In order to make the expenditure in each area transparent, the Lord Chancellor has made a commitment to inform Parliament immediately of any transfer of resources (other than a de minimis one) between the Criminal Defence Service and the Community Legal Service. The Lord Chancellor will direct national priorities for public funding taking account of the findings of need and the Government's intention to give priority to tackling social and economic exclusion. The White Paper "Modernising Justice" indicated that likely areas of priority would be social welfare cases; other cases of fundamental importance to the people affected (such as child protection, and protecting people from violence); and cases involving a wider public interest. The Access to Justice Bill places a duty on the Legal Services Commission to assess the need for legal services throughout the country and to

  533
  inform the Lord Chancellor of its findings, these findings will be used to direct resources so that identified priority areas receive funding.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what assumptions he has made about factors affecting the need for criminal legal aid with particular reference to(a) demographic trends, (b) economic trends, (c) social trends and (d) policy changes in arriving at the estimated expenditure on criminal legal aid for 1999-2000 and 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [R] [81118]

  Mr. Hoon
  No explicit assumptions are made about demographic, economic or social trends. However, forecasts do take account of inflationary pressures and planned policy change effects. The assumptions underpinning the likely impact of policy change effects take account of price, volume and behavioural changes.

  Mr. Gamier
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he has set a level of funding for(a) civil legal aid and (b) advice and assistance below which he does not consider it viable to reduce them for (1) 1999–2000 and (2) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [R] [81119]

  Mr. Hoon
  No minimum levels of funding for civil legal aid and advice and assistance have been set. Neither I nor the Lord Chancellor believe that any Minister in a responsible Government would be willing to guarantee that a given level of spending on a particular function would be maintained, whatever financial pressures might fall unexpectedly on his or her Department.

  We are, however, determined that the Community Legal Service, which will encompass civil legal aid and advice and assistance, will be properly funded. The available resources will be committed to the Community Legal Service through the system of contracting, and will be allocated to meet priority need. In order to provide contractors with reassurance that funding will not be suddenly cut or contracts terminated, the Lord Chancellor has asked the Legal Aid Board to extend from six to twelve months the notice that will need to be given to vary or terminate a contract, except in cases of misbehaviour or breach.

  Solicitors (Limited Liability)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to permit solicitors to practise as limited liability companies; and if he will make a statement.[R] [81097]

  Mr. Hoon
  Individual solicitors are already permitted to practise as limited liability companies although very few do. Limited Liability Partnerships are not at present permitted under English law. A Bill is currently being prepared by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to introduce Limited Liability Partnerships into Great Britain. It will be for the Law Society to decide whether solicitors will be able to take advantage of this new way of structuring their businesses.
  534

  Conditional Fees (Insurance)
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 1999,Official Report, column 610, if he will publish such details of insurance products to support the use of conditional fees as are available to him.[81146]

  Mr. Hoon
  If the right hon. and learned Gentleman requires details of the products available, I suggest he approaches the providers of the insurance products. Those of which I am aware are:

  First Assist;

  Collegiate Insurance Brokers Ltd;

  Abbey Legal Protection;

  Amicus;

  Eastgate Assistance;

  Saturn Professional Risks Ltd;

  Litigation Protection Ltd; and

  Greystoke Legal Services.

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make public the names of all applicants for silk during the assessment process of their applications; and if he will make a statement. [81500]

  Mr. Hoon
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has no plans to publish the names of all applicants for Queen's Counsel at any stage of the silk process.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will introduce fixed-term appointments for Queen's Counsel; and if he will make a statement. [81501]

  Mr. Hoon
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has no plans to introduce fixed term appointments for Queen's Counsel.

  Convicted Murderers
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) how many cases there have been in the last 10 years in which convicted murderers who have themselves been victims of abuse by those they have murdered have(a) had their abusive experience taken into account as a mitigating circumstance and (b) not been given a custodial sentence; [80184]

  (2) how many female victims of alleged domestic abuse by their partners who have been prosecuted for murdering that partner have been (a) acquitted and (b) convicted within the last 10 years; and what range of custodial sentence they have been given. [80182]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

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