Written Answers of 1 February 1999

TREASURY

  Employee Transport
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies have been assessed by the Inland Revenue as providing a taxable benefit in kind by virtue of the provision to employees of(a) free work-to-home or home-to-work transport and (b) stage carriage bus services; and what estimate he has made of (i) the total tax receipts and (ii) the total employee mileage in each case for the last five years for which information is available. [67691]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that the information requested is not collected centrally within Inland Revenue.

  Hon. Member for Coventry, North-West
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he took to investigate the business background of the previous Paymaster General, the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson), at the time of his appointment as Paymaster General. [67331]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 27 January 1999]: All Ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister. The previous Paymaster General, like all Ministers of the Crown, was required to act in accordance with the principles set out in the Ministerial Code.

  Energy Efficient Products (Price Incentives)
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what price incentives the Government support to encourage consumers to purchase energy efficient products. [67966]

  Ms Hewitt
  On 1 July 1998 a reduced VAT rate of 5 per cent. was introduced for the installation of certain energy saving materials under Government funded grant schemes. The reduced rate is targeted at the less well-off.

  So far, over 135,000 people have benefited from Government-funded incentive schemes run by the Energy Saving Trust to encourage consumers to install energy efficiency measures. Current schemes include incentives to install insulation, efficient heating, efficient lighting and appliances and small scale Combined Heat and Power.

  The Government's Home Energy Efficiency Scheme provides grants for energy efficiency measures for householders receiving income related benefits, disability allowance, or who are over sixty years old. HEES has helped over 2.5 million households over the last seven years.

  VAT (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will table a replacement VAT (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order. [67954]

  Dawn Primarolo
  HM Customs and Excise are seeking comments on the draft VAT (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1999 with a view to the Order being laid before the House soon.

  Corporation Tax (Football Clubs)
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the annual corporation tax revenue received from football clubs. [67947]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Tax assessments for accounts to 1996 indicate that the total corporation tax liability of football clubs is between £5 million and £10 million.

  VAT
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 January 1999,Official Report, column 286, relating to VAT receipts, if he will indicate the amount of the £1.1 billion revenue relating to civil engineering projects. [67972]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is not possible to distinguish between VAT revenue relating to buildings and that relating to civil engineering works.

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will announce the outcome of HM Customs' review of the VAT exemption for charity welfare to include home help services; and if he will make a statement. [69047]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I am pleased to be able to announce today the conclusion of the consultation. Routine domestic tasks provided by charities on a not for profit basis are VAT exempt welfare services when an assessment has been carried out which shows that there is a risk to recipients' physical or mental health or welfare because they are unable to carry out the tasks safely or adequately, or without significant pain or discomfort. Customs will be publicising the details.

  VAT Refunds
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list latest estimates and forecast expenditure in cash terms for VAT refunded to general Government for each of (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001–02. [68387]

  Mr. Milburn
  Estimates and forecasts for VAT refunds, consistent with the Pre-Budget Report, are given in a table headed "Accounting and other adjustments in table B12 of the Pre-Budget Report" in the answer given by the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 18 November 1998,Official Report, columns 586–87.

  Government Capital Consumption
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list latest estimates and forecast expenditure for
  415
  the value of general Government non-trading capital consumption for each of (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001–02.[68386]

  Mr. Milburn
  Estimates and forecasts of general government non-trading capital consumption, consistent with the Pre-Budget Report, are given in a table headed "Accounting and other adjustments in table B12 of the Pre-Budget Report" in the answer given by the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 18 November 1998,Official Report, columns 586–87.

  Tax Credits
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the regulations under which working families' tax credit and disabled tax credit will operate. [69048]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have today placed in the Libraries of the House drafts of the Tax Credits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations and of the Tax Credits (Claims and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations which contain the main provisions for the introduction of these new tax credits.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Severely Disabled Children
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what(a) financial and (b) other assistance is available to severely disabled under-fives who have difficulties in walking to allow access to the Motability scheme. [68697]

  Mr. Bayley
  Access to the Motability Scheme is via receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement. We recognise that Disability Living Allowance does not help with the mobility needs of severely disabled children under five years old, and this is why we have proposed extending the higher rate mobility component (currently worth £35.85 a week) to three and

  Capital limits

  Benefit/Capital limit

  As at April 1988

  At April 1998 prices1

  As at April 1990

  At April 1998 prices

  As at April 1998

  Income Support

  Lower Limit

  3,000

  4,611

  3,000

  3,899

  3,000

  Upper Limit

  6,000

  9,221

  8,000

  10,398

  8,000

  Child's Capital

  3,000

  4,611

  3,000

  3,899

  3,000

  Housing Benefit

  Lower Limit

  3,000

  4,611

  3,000

  3,899

  3,000

  Upper Limit2

  6,000

  9,221

  16,000

  20,796

  16,000

  Upper Limit3

  8,000

  12,249

  —

  —

  —

  Child's Capital

  3,000

  4,611

  3,000

  3,899

  3,000

  Family Credit

  Lower Limit

  3,000

  4,611

  3,000

  3,899

  3,000

  Upper Limit

  6,000

  9,221

  8,000

  10,398

  8,000

  Child's Capital

  3,000

  4,611

  3,000

  3,899

  3,000

  Social Fund Regulated

  Under 60

  500

  768

  500

  650

  500

  Over 60

  1,000

  1,537

  1,000

  1,300

  1,000

  416
  four year olds to help combat the disadvantage which they suffer. The change is intended to take effect from April 2001. This help will be neither means-tested nor subject to a contribution condition, and it will be tax-free. It will also allow access to the Motability Scheme under the normal rules.

  Overseas Pensioners
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce annual adjustments to pensions for pensioners who now reside overseas; and if he will make a statement. [68520]

  Mr. Timms
  Of the 840,000 UK State pensions paid to people living abroad, about 380,000 already receive annual upratings. The total annual cost of unfreezing the remaining pensions paid abroad is £275 million. Due to competing demands and constraints on Social Security spending, in the UK there are no plans to do so.

  Tribunal Hearings (Travel)
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list the changes made to the mileage rate payable to(a) appellants, (b) companions, (c) witnesses and (d) unpaid representatives in tribunal hearings since 1 January 1979, indicating the date and amount of change in each case; [66482]

  (2) if he will list the changes made to the mileage rate payable to (a) tribunal members and (b) tribunal staff since 1 January 1979, indicating the date and amount of change in each case. [66483]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available has been placed in the Library.

  Capital Limits
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the current value of capital limits if restored to their value at(a) 1988 prices and (b) 1990 prices. [67560]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.
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  Capital limits

  Benefit/Capital limit

  As at April 1988

  At April 1998 prices1

  As at April 1990

  At April 1998 prices

  As at April 1998

  Social Fund Discretionary

  Under 60

  500

  768

  500

  650

  500

  Over 60

  1,000

  1,537

  1,000

  1,300

  1,000

  1 At May 1988 prices for the Housing Benefit Upper Limit of £8,000

  2 Upper Limit at April 1988

  3 Upper Limit at May 1988

  Notes:

  1.The capital limits have been placed into real terms using the RPI (all items) index, not ROSSI

  2. As the question does not relate to uprating, real values have not been rounded

  London Organised Fraud Investigation Team
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) for what reason the offices of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team were re-opened on the 9 November, and who had responsibility for this decision; [67718]

  (2) for what reason the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team's offices were shut down and sealed between 12 October and 9 November 1998; and what was the purpose of the closure; [67755]

  (3) what proportion of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team was kept on full pay during the closure of their offices between 12 October and 9 November 1998; and what was the total cost of employing the unit staff during this period; [67720]

  (4) what action was taken during the closure of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team's offices to protect the evidence held there from being tampered with by those who had access to the premises during the period of closure; [67757]

  (5) how many of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team's cases which were pending on 12 October have been dropped since the offices re-opened on 9 November; and what are the reasons for these cases having been dropped; [67719]

  (6) who had access to the offices of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team during its closure between 12 October and 9 November 1998; what visits were carried out during the closure; and what was the purpose of each such visit; [67756]

  (7) whether any action was taken following the closure of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team offices against any employees of the unit; [67717]

  (8) what was the total cost of the closure of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team's offices between 12 October and 9 November 1998; [67721]

  (9) which ministers in his Department were aware of the decision to shut down and seal the offices of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team between 12 October and 9 November 1998; and who was responsible for this decision; [67754]

  Mr. Timms
  While this Department provides support, including funding, the Association of London Government (ALG) is responsible for the management of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team (LOFIT). The ALG established a management committee to carry out this function on which this Department had observer status.
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  Decisions on all aspects of the management of LOFIT, including access to the premises, finance and personnel matters and handling of outstanding cases, were for the ALG to make as the managing body. The decision to close LOFIT down was taken by the ALG. The Secretary of State and the then Minister of State were made aware of the ALG's decision.

  Income-related Benefits
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will calculate the current proportion of the total population in receipt of one or more of the main income-related benefits. [68091]

  Angela Eagle
  As at May 1997, there were 7,990,000 recipients of one or more of the main income-related benefits in Great Britain. This represents 13.9 per cent. of the total population.

  Notes:

  1. Income-related benefits are Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Family Credit, Disability Working Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  2. Overlaps between benefits have been taken out.

  3. Caseload figure has been rounded to the nearest ten thousand.

  4. Numbers are based on benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

  5. Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit figures include estimates due to the data collection procedure in Scotland.

  6. Population is based on all residents in Great Britain at Mid-1997.

  Source:

  1. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, May 1997—5 per cent. sample.

  2. Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, May 1997—5 per cent. sample.

  3. Family Credit Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, May 1997—5 per cent sample.

  4. Disability Working Allowance 100 per cent. scan of awards.

  5. Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample of claimants without Income Support/JSA (IB), May 1997.

  6. Population Estimates unit, ONS.

  Income Support and Supplementary Benefits
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each year since 1979 the proportion of(a) the total population and (b) lone parent families in receipt of (i) income support and (ii) supplementary benefits. [68108]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.
  419

  Percentage population who claimed income support or supplementary benefit and the number of these claims which were made by lone parents, for each year since 1979

  Year

  IS and supplementary benefit (prior to 1998) claimants (Thousand)

  Percentage of total population claiming IS or supplementary benefit (prior to 1988)

  Lone parents claiming IS or supplementary benefit (prior to 1988) (Thousand)

  Percentage of population who are lone parents claiming IS or supplementary benefit

  Percentage of lone parent population claiming IS or supplementary benefit

  1979

  2,855

  5.2

  306

  0.6

  36.5

  1980

  3,118

  5.7

  316

  0.6

  36.4

  1981

  3,723

  6.8

  369

  0.7

  41.0

  1982

  4,267

  7.8

  415

  0.8

  44.6

  1983

  4,349

  7.9

  449

  0.8

  n/a

  1984

  4,609

  8.4

  492

  0.9

  52.4

  1985

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1986

  4,938

  8.9

  575

  1.0

  57.0

  1987

  4,896

  8.8

  629

  1.1

  59.9

  1988

  4,352

  7.8

  694

  1.3

  63.7

  1989

  4,161

  7.5

  756

  1.4

  65.2

  1990

  4,180

  7.5

  793

  1.4

  64.5

  1991

  4,487

  8.0

  871

  1.5

  67.0

  1992

  5,088

  9.0

  957

  1.7

  69.8

  1993

  5,643

  10.0

  1,013

  1.8

  70.3

  1994

  5,675

  10.0

  1,039

  1.8

  68.8

  1995

  5,670

  10.0

  1,056

  1.9

  67.7

  1996

  5,549

  9.7

  1,059

  1.9

  66.2

  1997

  3,958

  6.9

  1,014

  1.8

  n/a

  1998

  3,853

  6.7

  961

  1.7

  n/a

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Income support replaced supplementary benefit in April 1998.

  3. Data are not available for 1995.

  4. Numbers are given at a point in time. For 1979, the month was November. For 1980, to 1984 the month was December. In 1986 and 1996, the month was February and from 1987 to 1998, the month was May.

  5. Sample sizes: 1977–82 supplementary pension cases 1 in 200; supplementary allowance cases 1 in 50. 1983–87 supplementary pension cases 1 in 200, supplementary allowance cases 1 in 50. 1988–1993 1 in 100. 1994 to date 1 in 20.

  6. The numbers of income support and supplementary benefit claimants for the period prior to 1996 include claims for income support for the unemployed. In October 1996, jobseeker's allowance replaced income support as the benefit claimed by the unemployed. The figures from 1996 onwards therefore do not include any claims by the unemployed.

  7. The numbers of lone parents claiming income support for the period prior to 1996 may include claims by unemployed lone parents. The figures provided for 1996 onwards will not include unemployed lone parents.

  8. An estimate of the 1998 population of Great Britain has not published by the Office for National Statistics. We have therefore used the population estimate for 1997 when completing our calculation for 1998.

  9. LFS estimates subject to revision following released of Adjusted Household Database.

  Source:

  1. Supplementary Benefit Statistics Annual Enquiries, 1979 to 1987.

  2. Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiries, 1988 to 1993.

  3. Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiries from May 1994 to May 1998.

  4. Population figures are taken from the Office for National Statistics, Estimated Resident.

  5. Population figures for 1979 to 1997.

  6. Population Trends.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that those pensioners who will be affected by the changes in SERPS inheritance will not be affected further; and what plans he has to amend these changes. [67915]

  Mr. Timms
  We have no plans to alter those provisions of the Social Security Act 1986 which, from 6 April 2000, reduce inherited SERPS from 100 per cent. to 50 per cent.

  Notes:

  1. The previous Conservative Government introduced a number of changes to SERPS in the Social Security Act 1986 to reduce expenditure.

  2. The rationale behind this particular change was to bring SERPS in line with occupational schemes where inheritance of half occupational pension rights is the norm.

  3. The change does not take effect until 6 April 2000.

  420

  4. The halving of inherited SERPS was not widely publicised at the time. It was included in publicity about the Pensions Act 1995. From Spring 1996, information has been included in Leaflets NP46 (A Guide to Retirement) and NP45 (A Guide to Widows' Benefit). A bulletin has recently been issued to staff in the Benefits Agency to ensure that they are fully aware of the change and can advise claimants accordingly.

  Bereavement Benefits
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the responses to the consultation exercise on the reform of bereavement benefits; and if he will make a statement. [68915]

  Angela Eagle
  The consultation period ended on 13 January 1999 and 76 responses have been received. Thirty one were from organisations at national and local level, and local authorities. The rest were from individuals
  421
  including 3 from hon. Members. We thank all those who responded to the consultation document and can assure them that we are carefully considering the responses.

  A list of those who responded has been placed in the Library. Copies of this list and specific responses are available on request from The Widows' Benefit Consultation Team, 3rd Floor, The Adelphi, 1—11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT.

PRIME MINISTER

  Senior Salaries Review Body
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the report and recommendations of the Review Body on Senior Salaries. [68817]

  The Prime Minister
  The 1999 report of the Review Body on Senior Salaries, covering pay arrangements for the senior civil service, senior military officers and the judiciary, together with the annual uprating of Parliamentary salaries, has been published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House. I am grateful to the Chairman and Members of the Pay Review Body for the work they have put into their report.

  In the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Government made it clear that public sector pay settlements would need to be fair, affordable and consistent with the targets for public service improvements which we have set. The terms of reference of the Review Body on Senior Salaries were revised to ensure that, in making its recommendations, four key considerations set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review were taken into account:

  recruitment, retention and motivation of the groups concerned;

  the requirements on departments to meet their output targets for the delivery of services;

  the requirements on departments to stay within their three year expenditure limits; and

  the Government's inflation target, requiring responsibility in pay settlements across the public and private sectors.

  The main recommendations of the Review Body on Senior Salaries are:

  an increase of 2.8 per cent. in the minimum and maximum values of each of the pay bands for the senior civil service. Within the bands, Departments will determine individual awards on the basis of performance.

  an increase of 3.3 per cent. in the maxima of the pay ranges within which individual salaries are set for senior military personnel.

  an increase of 3.5 per cent. in judicial salaries.

  The Review Body recommended that these increases should take effect from 1 April 1999.

  The Government are satisfied that these recommendations reflect the key considerations set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review and we have therefore decided to accept them. The additional cost of the recommendations will be contained within the Departmental expenditure limits announced in July and it remains the Government's intention to meet the objectives
  422
  and targets set out in the Public Service Agreements. This is in line with the Government's prudent and disciplined approach to public spending and their commitment to delivering high quality public services and low inflation.

  The Lord Chancellor will respond in the next few weeks to the Review Body's recommendations on the fee structure for part-time judiciary which, although included in this report, was an exercise separate from the Review Body's consideration of senior salaries.

  Pay increases for Members of Parliament and Ministers are linked automatically to the increase in pay bands for the senior civil service. Their pay entitlement from 1 April 1999 will therefore increase by 2.8 per cent. in addition to the 1.5 per cent. increase due as the deferred second stage of the 1998 pay award.

  The Review Body on Senior Salaries will produce shortly a further report on the pay of junior Ministers in the House of Lords, office holders in the devolved administrations and on certain aspects of Parliamentary allowances.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what opportunity will be afforded to asylum seekers who have been able to demonstrate that they have been the victims of unscrupulous advisers to establish their claims without their case being prejudiced by the actions of those advisers. [67115]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Any representations made in support of asylum claims are considered, even if they are received after an initial decision has been taken. Consequently, it would be open to any asylum seeker who considered that they had been poorly advised to inform the Immigration and Nationality Directorate at any time. This information would be treated on its merits.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of asylum application made between January 1985 and 1 July 1993 have been disposed of to date; and with what result. [67733]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information is given in the table.

  Asylum applications made between 1 January 1985 and 1 July 1993 by status as at the end of 19981

  Case status as at 31 December 1998

  Granted asylum

  11%

  Granted exceptional leave

  43%

  Refused after full consideration

  28%

  Refused on 3rd country grounds

  1%

  Paragraph 340 refusal2

  17%

  Total decisions3

  125,800

  Undecided3,4

  6,600

  Total applications3

  132,400

  1 Percentages are estimates, rounded to the nearest whole number, based on cases for which information is recorded.

  2 Paragraph 340 of Immigration Rules. For failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period.

  3 Rounded to the nearest 100, excluding dependants.

  4 New estimate of the number of pre-July 1993 asylum applications that remain outstanding.

  Departmental Papers (Access for Visually Impaired)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for departmental(a) White and (b) Green Papers to be made available on floppy disk format in a form which facilitates access for the visually impaired. [67841]

  Mr. Straw
  The manner in which documents are produced and disseminated is decided upon by careful consideration of the individual merits and requirements of each publication.

  The Home Office has employed a number of alternative publication formats in recent years and it is now common practice to make White and Green Papers available via the Internet in a format that is accessible to the widest range of users.

  The Cabinet Office is currently producing guidance to Departments on the arrangements for production of White and Green Papers, as announced by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, on 27 January 1999, Official Report, column 296.

  Court Visits
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) Crown courts, (b) magistrates courts and (c) youth courts he has visited in the last year. [67581]

  Mr. Straw
  In the last year I have visited one Magistrates Court and two Youth Courts as follows:

  1 May 1998: Oxford Magistrates Court

  8 September 1998: Youth Court Sitting at Uxbridge Magistrates Court

  16 September 1998: Youth Court Sitting at Bristol Magistrates Court

  20 November 1998: Blackburn Magistrates Court

  In addition, I attended and addressed five regional magistrates' meetings as follows:

  23 June 1998: North West in Blackburn

  23 July 1998: London and South East in London

  1 September 1998: Wales in Cardiff

  16 September 1998: South West in Bristol

  22 September 1998: North East in Newcastle.

  Offenders (Deaths)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many deaths of ex-offenders occurred within(a) one month and (b) six months of release from custody in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [67920]

  (2) what research his Department is undertaking into the number of deaths of former prison inmates which occur shortly after release from custody; and if he will make a statement; [67921]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the number of deaths, indicating separately self-inflicted deaths, of ex-offenders which occur shortly after release from custody; and if he will make a statement. [67919]
  424
  Mr. George Howarth
  The available information relates to people who are under probation service supervision following release from prison, which, in the case of those sentenced to less than 12 months, is on a voluntary basis:

  Number of deaths of those under supervision by the Probation Service

  England and Wales

  Number of persons

  Time between release and death

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Under one month

  26

  33

  34

  One month and under six months

  53

  47

  63

  Six months or more

  29

  21

  27

  The Department is not currently carrying out research on deaths following release from prison.

  Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy Act) 1998
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers included in the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 have been used; on how many occasions; and if he will make a statement. [67922]

  Mr. Straw
  Records indicate that, as of today's date, no cases have come to court in the United Kingdom involving the use of the powers in sections 1–4 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 (concerning proscribed and specified organisations). However, investigations continue and use of the powers is of course, available for the future. As to sections 5–7 of the Act (conspiracy to commit offences outside the United Kingdom), information on their use is not collected centrally, but it is expected that data on convictions will begin to become available in Spring 1999.

  European Parliamentary Elections
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in(a) COREPER and (b) other working groups of the Council of Ministers concerning the proposals of the European Parliament for changes to arrangements for elections to the European Parliament after 1999. [67931]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The European Parliament adopted proposals for Common Principles for elections to the European Parliament on 15 July 1998. These were considered by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) on 10 September and 9 December 1998 and referred to the General Affairs Working Group of the Council. Discussion there is continuing and the General Affairs Working Group will report to COREPER in due course.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the property owned by the Metropolitan Police Force which is currently for sale; what representations he has received on such sales; and if he will make a statement. [68048]
  425
  Kate Hoey
  The Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District tells me that relevant information is updated monthly. As at 31 December 1998, the property for sale or planned for sale was:

  36 Abbotshall Avenue, Enfield

  20 and 24 Alverstone Road, Brent

  54 Beaconsfield Road, Epson and Ewell

  40 Beak Street, Soho

  65 Beaminster Gardens, Redbridge

  67 Belvedere Road, Bexley

  83 Beverley Gardens, Brent

  Biggin Hill Police Station

  37 Birchwood Grove, Richmond

  31 Blandford Road, Teddington

  33 Blandford Road, Teddington

  7 Boundary Way, Croydon

  28 Bow Street, Covent Garden

  156 Bridle Road, Croydon

  197 and 201 Broadwalk, Greenwich

  1–21 Broomfield Road, Poplar

  Bryn Conwy and Woodlands, Betws-y-Coed

  Bunns Lane (Site), Mill Hill

  128 Catford Hill, Catford

  22–24 Caxton Road, Wimbledon

  58A Cedar Drive, Harrow

  154 Central Road, Worcester Park

  18 Cheshunt Avenue, Richmond

  Chislehurst Police Station

  Collier Road Police Station, Havering

  1–27 Connaught House, Muswell Hill

  19 and 31 Cumberland Avenue, Havering

  1–6 Dinsdale Lodge, Wandsworth

  4 Downland Way, Sutton

  135 Dugdale Hill Lane, Hertsmere

  East Ham Police Station and Section House, Newham

  107, 113, 115 and 117 East Road, Chadwell Heath

  143 Ember Lane, Elmbridge

  Erith Police Station, Erith

  21 Fayerfield, Hertsmere

  8 Forest Edge, Epping Forest

  16 and 20 Frogmore Gardens, Hillingdon

  16 Glendale Mews, Bromley

  107 Goshawk Gardens, Hillingdon

  27 Griesdale Gardens, Croydon

  23 Grove Road, Harrow

  Ham Police Office

  4 Helgiford Gardens, Spelthorne

  250 High Street, Acton, W3

  Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey

  18 Hilton Way, Croydon

  61 Horns Road, Redbridge

  7 Hycliffe Gardens, Epping Forest

  16 Jews Walk, Lewisham

  32 Kingsgate Avenue, Barnet

  151A Knollys Road, Streatham

  39 Lechmere, Epping Forest

  100 Linden Way, Enfield

  371 Lonsdale Road, Barnes

  426

  19–21 Lyon Road, Merton

  Manchester Road, Isle of Dogs

  182 Manford Way, Redbridge

  Maurice Drummond House, Greenwich

  St. Johns Hall, Monck Street, Westminster

  101, 111 and 135 Morton Way, Enfield

  81 and 95 Mount Pleasant, Barnet

  MRD Rowdell Road, Northolt

  71 Mungo Park Way, Bromley

  54 Neasden Lane, Harlesden

  14–18 Shepherdess Place, 7 Nile Street, Shoreditch

  Northumberland Park Section House, Tottenham

  7 Oakways, Greenwich

  355 Old Street, Clerkenwell

  Olwen House, Loman Street, Southwark

  Paul Breen Section House, Sydenham

  1–8 Priory Close, Spelthorne

  Putney Police Station and Section House

  Pen-y-Gwaith, Gwenned

  10 Ramilies Place, Soho

  55A-H Redcliffe Road, Kensington

  Rochester Row Police Station, Westminster

  28 and 30 Roke Road, Kenley

  1–11 Rosslyn Crescent/24–34 Station Road, Harrow

  4 Saxonbury Avenue, Spelthorne

  1 Southbourne Close, Harrow

  86 Sparrow Drive, Orpington

  17 Springfield Gardens, Bickley

  St. Ann's Road, Hounslow

  361–367A St. Margaret's Road, Isleworth

  403 St. Margaret's Road, Richmond

  St. Mary's Lane Police Station, Upminster

  Staines Police Station

  68 Station Approach, Hillingdon

  24, 32 and 36 Stratton Avenue, Sutton

  2 Stumps Hill Lane, Bromley

  175A Swakeleys Road, Uxbridge

  21 The Briars, Broxbourne

  1–6 The Close, Redbridge

  9–10 The Close, Redbridge

  3 The Green, Spelthorne

  2 and 4 The Oaks, Ruislip

  Tottenham Court Road Police Station, Camden

  27 Trewenna Drive, Hertsmere

  2 Turks Close, Hillingdon

  28–30 Wanstead High Street, Wanstead

  70 Waterfall Road, Enfield

  108 Watling Street, Bexley

  Welling Police Station, Welling

  West Hendon Police Station and adjacent land, West Hendon

  53A Westbury Road, Kingston

  58 York Road, Barnet

  The Prime Minister has received a Petition signed by many people, calling for Collier Row Police Station to be retained.
  427
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has received several letters from Mrs. Burgess, and from an hon. Member on her behalf, about the proposed closure of Chislehurst Police Station.

  The Receiver tells me that in addition:
  "as to 28–30 High Street, Wanstead, following public objections to the sale of the site for redevelopment, a public inquiry took place in December 1998. The proposed purchaser's planning application has now been rejected; as to Manchester Road, Isle of Dogs, local residents are objecting to the sale of land adjoining a police office, for housing development; and
  as to 23–24 Station Road and 1–11 Rosslyn Crescent, Harrow, the members of a mosque adjoining the site have objected to the sale of land to a housing association by open tender as they wish to acquire the site for a mosque."

  Child Protection
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with police forces on their responsibility for bringing to the attention of local social services departments their concerns for the welfare and protection of children who might be at risk; and if he will make a statement. [67988]

  Mr. Boateng
  Home Office officials are involved in continuing dialogue with the Association of Chief Police Officers about issues of child protection.

  It has long been recognised that effective child protection work is best achieved through good inter-agency co-operation, a view most recently endorsed in the report of a thematic inspection of police child protection functions by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

  "Working Together under the Children Act 1989—A Guide to arrangements for inter-agency Co-operation for the Protection of Children from Abuse" provides guidance for inter-professional and inter-agency co-operation, including between the police and social services. That guidance is currently being revised following a consultation exercise last year. Both the police and social services are contributing to that work which is being led by the Department of Health.

  I am sure that the police are well aware of the need to bring to the attention of local social services departments any concerns they have about possible child abuse, in the same way that I would hope that social services would notify the police at the earliest opportunity when they come across a case which constitutes, or may constitute, a criminal offence.

  CID Officers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages of putting CID officers into uniform for part of the working week. [68052]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is an operational matter for chief constables whether they make provision available for transfer of officers between Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and uniform duties, and the rotation of staff within specialisms, to allow for career development leading to a wider experience of policing.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to visit the PEO of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate at Lunar House. [67953]

  Mr. Straw
  I visited Lunar House on 28 November 1997 and on 14 September 1998, and my visit on 28 November 1997 included a visit to the Public Inquiry Office. I plan to visit Lunar House and other Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices in Croydon, again when my diary permits.

  "From Murmur to Murder"
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he had with the Commission for Racial Equality on the drafting of the "From Murmur to Murder" document. [68184]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  None. "From Murmur to Murder" was produced by the Midlands Probation Training Consortium on behalf of chief probation officers in the region.

  South Yorkshire Police
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the costs to the South Yorkshire Police Authority of funding the defence of David Godfrey Duckenfield and Bernard Dean Murray in the cases of Adlington v Murray and Adlington v Duckenfield in the Leeds Magistrates Court. [68223]

  Mr. Boateng
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has made no assessment. It is a matter for the South Yorkshire Police Authority to consider how to fund the defence of Mr. Duckenfield and Mr. Dean Murray and for the Chief Constable to allocate resources to the policing of the force area.

  I understand from the Clerk to the South Yorkshire Police Authority, that the Authority has set aside £500,000 for legal costs work in connection with Hillsborough. This sum has been taken from the authority's reserves. There has, therefore, been no immediate impact on the resources available for day to day policing.

  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from(a) South Yorkshire Police Authority and (b) South Yorkshire Police about the adequacy of their grant settlement for 1999–2000. [68829]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have received one letter from the Clerk to the South Yorkshire Police Authority raising a number of issues about the proposed funding settlement for the South Yorkshire Police in 1999–2000.

  City Status
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is next proposed to create city status in England; and if he will make a statement on the criteria for judging successful applicants. [68246]
  429
  Mr. Straw
  Her Majesty has said that she intends to mark both the Millennium and the 50th Anniversary of Her Accession to the Throne, in 2002, by grants of city status to towns in the United Kingdom. City status is a rare mark of honour granted by Letters Patent; it is not a right which can be claimed by the fulfilment of certain conditions.

  Graffiti
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of changes in the incidence of graffiti over the past five years; [68458]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the Government's initiative to prevent graffiti on public property; and what is his estimate of the annual amount of money spent on cleaning up graffiti on public property; [68455]

  (3) what plans his Department has to introduce a national or regional graffiti tackling squad. [68457]

  Mr. Boateng
  Graffiti is a form of criminal damage, which is recorded in the Home Offices Statistical Bulletin "Notifiable Offences". According to the Bulletin covering England and Wales, April 1997 to March 1998, there were 861,800 offences of criminal damage recorded in 1997–98, a fall of 8.2 per cent. on the previous year. The Bulletin does not give a sub-total for graffiti. It is not possible, therefore, to comment on the changes of incidences of graffiti over the past five years. Nor is it possible to estimate with any degree of accuracy the amount of money spent on cleaning up graffiti on public property.

  The Government do, however, take this form of offence seriously. Under the Criminal Damage Act 1971, where the value of the damage is more than £2,000, the maximum penalty is ten years' imprisonment for those over 18, and up to two years' detention in a Young Offenders Institution for those aged 15–17.

  The Government have no present plans for a national or regional graffiti tackling squad. One of the most effective ways of tackling crimes such as vandalism and graffiti is through co-ordinated preventative action at local level involving all of the relevant agencies such as the police, local authorities, schools and other voluntary bodies leading to a plan of action.

  The police and local authorities now have a statutory duty under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to develop crime reduction partnerships. Where graffiti is identified as a major crime and disorder problem, we would expect the strategy to address it. The Act does not, however, specify what categories of crime and disorder must be included in the audit and strategy. This is a decision to be taken locally.

  Insider Dealing
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many successful prosecutions for insider dealing offences have been brought since 1986; [68140]
  430
  (2) if he will list the offences for which successful prosecutions for insider dealing have been brought since 1986. [68141]

  Mr. Boateng
  Available data taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database are given in the table.

  Number of defendants prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts for insider dealing1 offences, England and Wales, 1986–1997

  Year

  Prosecutions

  Convictions2

  1986

  —

  —

  1987

  1

  1

  1988

  —

  —

  1989

  11

  2

  1990

  3

  2

  1991

  8

  2

  1992

  —

  2

  1993

  2

  2

  1994

  2

  2

  1995

  2

  —

  1996

  1

  —

  1997

  —

  —

  1 The legislation covering offences of 'insider dealing' for the period 1986 to 1997 includes Companies Securities (Insider Dealing) Act 1985 which came into force on 1 July 1985 and was supplemented by provisions of ss173–178 of the Financial Services Act 1986; and Sec 52 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 which came into force on 1 March 1994.

  2 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years.

  Police Grant
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the allocation of police grant in 1999–2000. [68825]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today laid before the House the Police Grant Report (England and Wales) 1999–2000 (HC 179). The Report sets out my determination for 1999–2000 of the aggregate amount of grants that I propose to pay under section 46(2) of the Police Act 1996, and the amount to be paid to each police authority including the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the law on electoral registration. [68796]

  Mr. George Howarth
  My Working Party on Electoral Procedures has recommended to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary that he should introduce legislation to provide a rolling electoral registration scheme. We are working up detailed proposals and examining other possible changes to the registration system.

  Prison Service (Quinquennial Review)
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the Quinquennial Review of the Prison Service which he announced on 31 July 1998. [69049]
  431
  Mr. Straw
  The first two stages of the Quinquennial Review of the Prison Service have now been concluded and I am today placing in the Library copies of the Evaluation of Performance and the Prior Options Report. A revised Framework Document is being finalised and will be published shortly.

  The Evaluation of Performance concludes that since becoming an agency, and during a period of rising prison population, the Prison Service has achieved a remarkable turnaround in performance to which agency status has contributed for the following reasons:

  the delegated freedoms and flexibilities to the Director General;

  a focus on agreed outputs and targets for which the Director General is personally responsible to the Home Secretary; and

  a more cohesive organisation with a more visible Director General enables him to provide clearer leadership and to communicate with the organisation more effectively and to speak publicly for the Prison Service.

  The Prior Options Report reviews agency and other organisational options for the Prison Service and concludes that continued agency status offers the most appropriate and cost effective means of achieving Home Office aims. It notes and endorses the major agenda of work already in progress or planned as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review and the Prison Probation Review. It notes the need for further work in the next period of agency status on contractorisation issues taking into account experience with tighter "contracts" between Headquarters and individual prisons and the overall contribution of the private sector to prison services.

  In the light of these findings, I am accepting the recommendation of the Prior Options Report that agency status should be reconfirmed.

  France (British Citizens)
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has made in the last 12 months(a) through Interpol and (b) through other means to the French Ministry of the Interior concerning the handling of deaths of British citizens in France; and if he will make a statement. [68132]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I have been asked to reply.

  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary wrote to Mme Guigou, French Minister of Justice, on 4 August, stressing the importance of bringing to justice murderers of British nationals in France. On 30 November she met senior officials, in Paris, from the Ministry of Interior to discuss the handling of deaths of British nationals and to press for more vigorous investigations by the French authorities.

  On 21 and 29 April 1998, the Deputy Head of Mission at our Embassy in Paris, raised specific cases with senior officials from the French Ministry of Interior.

  Interpol London becomes involved in various aspects of cases involving death of British nationals abroad, particularly where crime is suspected. This is done on a case-by-case basis.

  Our Embassy in Paris continues to remind the French authorities of the importance we attach to investigating the death of British nationals in France.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Area Plans
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial and staff resources will be provided to the Planning Agency to undertake work on the area plan for Newry and Mourne; and when work will commence on it. [67752]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for these issues has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 29 January 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the commencement of work on the Newry and Mourne Area Plan.
  There is no individual Newry and Mourne Area Plan proposed rather, a combined plan for the Banbridge and Newry and Mourne District Council areas. The Development Plan Programme is currently under review, and will be approved by the Minister with responsibility for the Department of the Environment.
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman when the timing of commencement of the Banbridge/Newry and Mourne Area Plan has been decided.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when work is planned to commence on the new Down Area Plan; and what consultation will be held in respect of it. [67751]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for these issues has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 29 January 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the commencement of work on the Down Area Plan.
  I can confirm that work on the Ards/Down Area Plan commenced in December 1998. Throughout the Plan preparation process there will be opportunities for regular consultation with both Ards and Down District Councils in accordance with a programme to be agreed with each of them. There will also be ongoing consultation with a range of statutory consultees and, at key stages of the project, community groups, interested parties and members of the general public will also be consulted.
  I do hope this clarifies the position.

  Seamus Ludlow
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the RUC investigation into the murder of Seamus Ludlow in 1976; how many people have been questioned in the past 12 months; how many people have been charged; what representations she has received from the Irish Government; and what assessment the DPP has made of the feasibility of a trial within the Northern Ireland jurisdiction. [66486]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: Four persons were arrested and interviewed in February 1998; they were released without charge. A police investigation file in respect of the murder which was submitted by the

  433
  Chief Constable to the Director of Public Prosecutions in October 1998 remains under consideration. The Irish authorities are aware of the position.

  Firearms
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to consult outside bodies on regulations which are proposed as a result of the review of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. [66815]

  Mr. Ingram
  The national shooting organisations and governing bodies of the various shooting sports have already made a valuable contribution to the review of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 through the normal consultation process. Later this year, the Secretary of State intends to lay before Parliament a draft of a new Firearms Order. In line with the provisions of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the proposed Draft Order in Council will be referred to the Northern Ireland Assembly for their consideration. It will also be published and representations will be invited from all interested bodies.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the amount of farmland(a) converted, (b) under conversion and (c) considering conversion to organic; what assessment she has made of future trends in this area; and if she will make a statement on the geographical spread of such land. [67766]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information is as follows:

  Converted: 176 hectares

  Under Conversion: 20 hectares

  Considering Conversion: 607 hectares

  The indications are that there will be a significant increase in the amount of land in NI under organic production over the next few years.

  It is, however, not possible to assess the geographical spread of such land although from the approaches from farmers considering conversion the interest is across a range of commodities and it is well spread across NI.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on her Department's strategy for helping Northern Ireland's farmers to become organic; and if she will list her Department's current initiatives in this area. [67763]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  There has been very little uptake of organic farming in Northern Ireland. In recognition of this situation, and in line with the Government's policy of encouraging more organic production, the Organic Farming Liaison Group (OFLG) was established to co-ordinate and pursue increased uptake of organic farming. The OFLG bring together officials from the Department of Agriculture with representatives of conventional and organic farming.

  The existing Organic Aid Scheme has been reviewed and increased rates of payment will be available during the first five years to those who enter conversion after 1 April 1998.
  434
  The Department of Agriculture provides advice and guidance to prospective organic farmers. It has developed organic production information packs and has made available a two day course entitled "Introduction to Organic Production" which aims to provide basic information for farmers and growers, who are potentially interested in converting to organic production.

  I am pleased to record that, in recent months, there has been a marked increase in interest from conventional farmers and a number have submitted applications for registration of land for organic conversion. This interest has been across a range of commodities and from various parts of NI.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the report issued on 11 January which was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Security on lone parents and employment in Northern Ireland; and what action she will take in respect of the recommendations made. [67750]

  Mr. McFall
  The report "others on Benefit" is the most detailed investigation ever undertaken in Northern Ireland into the obstacles that lone parents face when considering taking up work. It will make a very useful contribution to the development of the wide range of services that are needed by lone parents in Northern Ireland.

  Many of the recommendations and conclusions reached in the report are being addressed under the New Deal for Lone Parents, the National Childcare strategy, the current review of the child support maintenance system and the proposed introduction of Working Families Tax Credit to replace Family Credit from 5 October 1999. I have arranged for copies of the report to be widely distributed so that its recommendations can be taken into account in the provision of future services for lone parents.

  Plastic Bullets
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the UN Committee Against Torture in respect of the use of plastic bullets for riot control. [67999]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 28 January 1999]: Plastic baton rounds are used by the police and Army in Northern Ireland only where life or property is at risk, and provide a means by which police officers and soldiers can protect themselves when under attack. Ideally, it would not be necessary to use them: if there were no violent disorder then there would be no requirement to deploy plastic baton rounds.

  The nature and scale of public order situations which can arise in Northern Ireland and the threat of terrorist attack often prevent the security forces from attempting to control rioters at close quarters. Plastic baton rounds have allowed the police and the Army to keep a distance between themselves and other lethal missiles. Alternatives methods of riot control have been employed and considered but have generally proved less effective in Northern Ireland conditions.
  435
  While the Government acknowledge that the use of plastic baton rounds give rise to considerable controversy, no-one has yet been able to suggest a viable alternative which meets the operational needs of the security forces.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Nairobi Office
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the total annual cost to her Department of its office in Nairobi; and if she will break down the figures into(a) staff and (b) other costs. [68097]

  Clare Short
  The total annual cost of the DFID Eastern Africa office in Nairobi is £2.87 million. The office is responsible for both the policy and implementation of development programmes for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to a combined value of £132 million (1999–2000).

  The estimated costs for 1999–2000 are broken down as follows:

  (a) Staff costs including house and other personnel overheads: £2 million

  (b) Other costs including office accommodation equipment, travel, etc: £870,000

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if her Department's budget in the financial year 1999–2000 includes any expected proceeds from the sale of the Commonwealth Development Corporation. [68086]

  Clare Short
  I refer to my reply to the hon. Member on 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 301. There was no expectation of any proceeds in 1999–2000. As I have made clear, the figures for the development budget announced at the time of the Comprehensive Spending Review took account of some of the anticipated proceeds in subsequent years from the sale of the Commonwealth Development Corporation. However, if the proceeds were not realised in full, the development budget would nevertheless be maintained at the levels announced for 1999–2000 to 2001–02.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures the Commonwealth Development Corporation will take to increase its return to investors following the introduction of the public/private partnership arrangements. [68102]

  Clare Short
  The Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) intends to achieve an increase in its investment returns, in part, through continuing the shift to equity investments. CDC's method of working, which relies on close management of equity positions, also improves its ability to identify and pursue good investments.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the need for post-trauma counselling in Rwanda. [68101]
  436
  Clare Short
  We have not been directly involved in assessing the need for post-trauma counselling although other donors, including United Nations Children's Fund, have been involved in this important area. Rwanda is a deeply traumatised society. The Rwandan Government's reconciliation agenda recognises this. The partnership we are developing with the Government is focused on the provision of long-term, flexible financing in support of this agenda. The objectives of our support are set out in my letter of 26 January to my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Ms King), a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Somalia
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian needs arising in Somalia. [68100]

  Clare Short
  The UN 1999 Consolidated Appeal for Somalia estimates that at least one million people will need emergency assistance, of whom more than 300,000 are at high risk. The main challenge is to prevent the deteriorating food situation in the south developing into a famine. I have recently agreed a £300,000 contribution towards United Nations Children's Fund supplementary feeding programmes in the area. The EC have provided 10,899 metric tonnes of food at a cost of £6 million which includes a UK contribution of £1.2 million.

  The World Food Programme have sufficient food stocks to last until March and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people were employed directly by her Department on(a) 1 September 1998 and (b) 1 January 1999. [68084]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development employed directly the following:

  Date

  Numbers of staff

  (a) September 1998

  1,095

  (b) January 1999

  1,130

  These figures do not include staff employed on contract terms both in the UK and overseas.

  Sudan
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking in response to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. [68099]

  Clare Short
  We have continued to be a key donor to the 1998 crisis. The World Food Programme currently holds enough stocks until the end of March. We have pressed the UN system to increase efficiency and effectiveness by producing an appeal for 1999 which is realistic and focused on humanitarian priorities and which makes full use of all delivery methods. The UN 1999 Consolidated Appeal was issued last week and we will
  437
  discuss it with other multilateral and bilateral donors at a meeting of the Operation Lifeline Sudan International Advisory Committee on 12 February.

  We continue to press all parties to the civil war in Sudan to come to a negotiated settlement. Peace is the only long-term solution to the humanitarian crisis.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what responsibilities which her Department had prior to the Comprehensive Spending Review are to be(a) discontinued by her Department, (b) transferred to another department, (c) transferred to an executive agency and (d) added to her Department over the period 1998–99 to 2001–02. [68408]

  Clare Short
  The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) looked rigorously at all of the Department's programmes to ensure they met the new Government's objectives. Changes were made to ensure that our resources are focused more explicitly on the overarching goal of eliminating poverty. Specifically:

  (a) programmes and projects which did not meet our objectives were ended. For example, the Aid and Trade Provision.

  (b) We concluded that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) should take full responsibility for the grant in aid to the British Council, previously shared between the Department for International Development (DFID) and FCO. This responsibility and expenditure provision has been transferred.

  (c) Nil.

  (d) The CSR endorsed the enhanced role for (DFID) set out the Government's White Paper on International Development. This includes promoting consistency in UK and international policies which affect poorer countries. In addition, the Department now gives greater emphasis to working with the international community towards agreed goals and to efforts to improve the effectiveness of the international system.

  Colombia (Earthquake)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department has taken to help the people of Colombia following the earthquake. [68569]

  Clare Short
  Our programme of support to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs helped ensure that these agencies moved speedily to conduct initial damage and needs assessments following the severe earthquake on Colombia on 25 January. We have responded quickly to the appeal for assistance from the Government of Colombia by contributing US$1 million through humanitarian agencies. In addition, the European Community's Humanitarian Office has contributed $1.25 million, of which the UK share is $187,500.

  Our funds are supporting the Pan-American Health Organisation to enable the deployment of epidemiology specialists, conduct damage assessment to health facilities, water and sewerage infrastructure and purchase medical supplies; the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to bring life-saving assistance to 100,000 people; Oxfam for a programme to provide drinking water for 80,000 people, as well as emergency shelter and household utensils, concentrating particularly on the poorer districts of the city of America and outlying
  438
  towns; and United Nations Children's Fund to cover the immediate needs of children including those orphaned or separated from their families. Funds allocated to the British Embassy are providing urgently needed medicines and chemical toilets.

  Inevitably a catastrophe of this nature and magnitude creates practical and logistical problems on the ground. Therefore, it is important that the relief is carefully targeted and effectively coordinated. We continue to work with the humanitarian agencies in Colombia and elsewhere to strengthen the international system to be better prepared and more effective in responding to disasters.

  We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and remain ready to offer further assistance in Colombia to help with unmet priority needs that may emerge in coming days.

  Nicaragua (Hurricane Mitch)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the assistance given by her Department to the relief effort in Nicaragua since Hurricane Mitch. [68454]

  Clare Short
  We have provided a grant to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for emergency repairs to water and sanitation infrastructure, and have agreed in principle a further grant to UNICEF to help restore primary health and education services. Regionally, we have given grants to the Pan-American Health Organisation to support national health authorities, principally for epidemic control, and to the United Nations Development Programme to support co-ordination.

  We were instrumental in setting up the Trust Fund to help countries affected by Hurricane Mitch meet their debt service payments to international financial institutions, and have committed £10 million to this purpose. Together with other members of the Paris Club, the UK Government have agreed to a moratorium on Nicaragua's debt service payments for the next two years.

  Coral Reefs
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to aid the preservation of coral reefs since 1 July 1998. [66996]

  Clare Short
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 25 January 1999,Official Report, column 21.

SCOTLAND

  Ward Beds
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many ward beds were available in Edinburgh in 1995; how many ward beds will be available in Edinburgh upon the completion of the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary; and what were the service costs for the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for each of the years between 1990 and 1995. [65957]
  439
  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 20 January 1999]: The average number of available staffed in-patient beds in hospitals in the city of Edinburgh in 1995 to 1998 and the proposed number from 1999 to 2003 when the new Royal Infirmary will be completed are set out in the table.

  Year1

  Acute beds2,3

  Non-acute beds4

  Total beds

  1995

  1,901

  2,591

  4,492

  1996

  1,806

  2,516

  4,322

  1997

  1,631

  2,462

  4,093

  1998

  1,621

  2,259

  3,880

  1999

  1,623

  2,269

  3,892

  2000

  1,623

  2,321

  3,944

  2001

  1,617

  2,313

  3,930

  2002

  1,617

  2,313

  3,930

  2003

  1,557

  2,264

  3,821

  The running costs for the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for each of the years between 1990 and 1995 are set out in the table.

  £000

  Year ending 31 March

  Total hospital running costs5,6

  1990

  48,984

  1991

  51,584

  1992

  66,169

  1993

  75,295

  1994

  88,780

  1995

  86,777

  1 Information provided by Lothian Health Board.

  2 Lothian Health Board's Acute Services Strategy proposes new patterns of health care and an increase in the provision of community health care services. The proposed number of acute beds (1999 onwards) has been determined by hospital doctors.

  3 1995–97 data for acute services include winter beds.

  4 Lothian Health Board has been transferring resources to local authorities to provide 843 places in the community by the year 2003. These places are included in the non-acute bed numbers.

  5 Total hospital running costs reflect hospital operating expenses after netting off re-charges.

  6 There have been service transfers and some re-organisation at this site during the time period, including a change from Directly Managed Unit to Trust status.

  Notes:

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

  Lambs (Tagging)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the welfare implications of the requirement that farmers tag or tattoo all lambs for sale; what representations he has received on this issue; what discussions he has had with the European Union about this requirement; what estimate he has made of the additional cost to Scottish farmers of this requirement; what is the legal basis for this requirement; and for what reasons the requirement is being introduced. [68002]

  Mr. Macdonald
  EC Council Directive 92/102, which requires all sheep to be tagged or tattooed before they leave the holding of birth, was adopted in November 1992. The Directive requires Member States to establish a system of identifying and registering animals. The Scottish agricultural industry is being consulted on how best to meet this legal requirement. Questions about the practicality of unique tagging of animals, the costs 440
  associated with doing so and the necessary additional record-keeping involved have all been raised during the consultations and are under consideration. The flexibility allowed within the Directive as to when to apply the tag should help minimise welfare concerns. It is estimated that tagging sheep in according with the Directive could cost about approximately £2 million.

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

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the amount of farmland(a) converted, (b) under conversion and (c) considering conversion to organic; what assessment he has made of future trends in this area; and if he will make a statement on the geographical spread of such land. [67765]

  Mr. Macdonald
  As at 31 December, there were 24,987 h.a. of converted organic land in Scotland as recorded by the United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards and 4,124 h.a. of land in conversion. Latest data on the number of farmers in Scotland receiving payments under the Scottish Organic Aid Scheme to convert to organic farming methods indicate there are currently around 53,000 h.a. entered into the Scheme, fairly evenly spread across the whole of the country. It is not possible to give numbers of those considering conversion. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his Department's strategy for helping Scottish farmers capitalise on the high demand for organic food in the UK; and if he will make a statement on current departmental initiatives in this area. [67748]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Farmers wishing to convert to organic farming methods can obtain assistance to do so from the Scottish Organic Aid Scheme and work is currently underway to introduce further improvements to the scheme. Assistance is also available to Scottish organic farmers to encourage better processing and marketing of their produce and organics are classed as a priority under the Scottish Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme. The Scottish Marketing Development Scheme is also available to help producers become more competitive and market orientated. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Dounreay
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 14 January 1999,Official Report, columns 233–34, on Dounreay what assessment he has made of the health dangers which could result from exposure of bait collectors to fuel fragments. [68139]

  Mr. Galbraith
  This matter was considered in the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Report "Fragments of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel in the Dounreay Local Environment", which was referred to in the Answer of 14 January. That report took account of advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) which, in
  441
  turn, was informed by work carried out by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE).

  The advice in the SEPA report was that the fuel fragments were not likely to affect the health of members of the public unless there was direct skin contact with, or accidental ingestion of, a fragment.

  The effect of contact or ingestion would depend on the nature and length of contact with, and the activity of, the fragment. In the event of accidental contact with a fragment the effect could be some blistering of the skin and possible infection, unless the contact was prolonged. The effect of ingestion would depend on the activity of the fragment and whether it passed through the body or lodged in the gut. The immediate effects could range from no detectable effect to severe gastro-intestinal illness. In the longer term, the risks of developing a cancer could be marginally increased. The annual probability of bait collectors within the intertidal zone at Sandside beach making skin contact with a fragment was estimated at 1 in 200,000 in the SEPA report. There have been no known cases of bait collectors or any other member of the public coming into contact with particles.

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

  NHSnet
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 21 January 1999,Official Report, column 518, on NHSnet, what assessment he has made of the number and proportion of hospital appointments being made through NHSnet; what the average waiting time is between placing a request for information on NHSnet and obtaining the information; and if he will make a statement. [68166]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Government are committed to developing an electronic booking system by 2002 which will allow patients to know the date and time of any hospital outpatient appointment before leaving their GP surgery.

  At present electronic appointment booking is taking place at a small number of pilot sites while a number of key building blocks are put in place to deliver this commitment, including:

  Linking all NHS in Scotland organisations to the NHSnet

  Electronic links between GPs and hospitals enabling the fast secure transmission of messages between primary and secondary care

  Using the Community Health Index (CHI) number in all NHS computer bases systems to identify patients and relevant information about them whenever they are treated

  Training for health care staff to carry out tasks using information technology

  An appropriate form of assessment will be put into place as the system develops. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Hospital Locums
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of agencies which provide locums for temporary employment in hospital trusts; and if he will make a statement. [67982]

  Mr. Galbraith
  No assessment has been made of agencies which provide locums for temporary employment in hospital trusts. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to issue regulations governing the conduct of agencies which provide locums for temporary employment in hospital trusts; and if he will make a statement. [68340]

  Mr. Galbraith
  There are no plans to issue regulations governing the conduct of agencies which provide locums for temporary employment in hospital trusts. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Farmers (Bank Borrowing)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the total level of bank borrowing by Scotland's farmers in each of the last 10 years; and what discussions he has had with the NFU and the Scottish clearing banks on this matter. [68003]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The only comprehensive survey of bank lending to Scottish agriculture is conducted annually by the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department. The results for the last ten years, in both current and at 1998 prices, are given in the following table.

  Total advance to Scottish agriculture, 1989–98

  £ million

  Advances

  Year (end-May)

  Current prices

  Real terms 1998 prices

  1989

  909

  1,292

  1990

  888

  1,150

  1991

  884

  1,083

  1992

  895

  1,050

  1993

  868

  1,006

  1994

  893

  1,009

  1995

  893

  976

  1996

  941

  1,006

  1997

  966

  1,007

  1998

  1,064

  1,064

  As the table shows, bank borrowings, in real terms, are now lower than they were 8 to 10 years ago, as are real interest rates.

  Ministers and officials meet the National Farmers Union of Scotland and the agricultural representatives of the four Scottish Clearing banks on a regular basis to discuss a variety of issues affecting Scottish farming including the level of bank borrowings. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met the Scottish NFU on 22 December 1998 while my noble Friend Lord Sewel last met them on 22 January 1999. Officials last met the banks on 25 January 1999.

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

DEFENCE

  Armed Forces Pay Review Body
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the report and recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. [68819]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The 1999 Report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body has been published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House. I am grateful to the Chairman and members of the Review Body for the work they have put into the report.

  In the Comprehensive Spending Review the Government made it clear that public sector pay settlements would need to be fair, affordable and consistent with targets for public service improvements we have set. The new arrangements announced in the CSR for the Pay Review Bodies were designed to ensure a closer and more effective link between pay settlements, departmental expenditure limits and service delivery targets. Under these new arrangements, the AFPRB now reports to me, as responsible Departmental Minister, as well as to the Prime Minister. The Terms of Reference of the AFPRB were revised to ensure that, in making their recommendations, four key consideration set out in the CSR were taken into account:

  recruitment, retention and motivation of the Armed Forces;

  the requirements for departments to meet their output targets for the delivery of services;

  requirement for departments to stay within their three-year expenditure limits;

  the Government's inflation target, requiring responsibility in pay settlements across the public and private sectors.

  The AFPRB has recommended an increase in basic military salary of about 3.5 per cent. for all ranks, with the exception of: Privates and Lance Corporals (and their equivalents) who should receive 3.6 per cent.; Lieutenants and Captains (and their equivalents) who should receive 3.7 per cent.; and Brigadiers (and their equivalents) who should receive 3.3 per cent. Additional Pay (eg Flying Pay and Submarine Pay) will also increase by 3.3 per cent.

  I am satisfied that these recommendations take account of the four key considerations and will support the Services' strategies to achieve full manning. The additional cost of this settlement will be contained within my Department's expenditure limits announced in July and we will continue to meet the objectives and targets set out in my Public Service Agreements. This is in line with the Government's prudent and disciplined approach to public spending and its commitment to delivering high quality public services and low inflation.

  The AFPRB's recommendations are to be accepted in full, with implementation effective from 1 April 1999.

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations the Government have had with other Governments on the subject of research and evidence of Gulf War Syndrome. [64997]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Ministry of Defence continues to liaise closely with the US Government on all aspects of Gulf veterans' illnesses. These links are of 444
  particular importance because the USA has the largest population of Gulf veterans—some 700,000 US personnel deployed to the Gulf in 1990–91—and there is a substantial federally funded research programme underway there.

  My predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid), visited the US in October 1997 to discuss Gulf veterans' illnesses issues and I intend to visit the US myself later this year to see at first hand how the US Government are responding to this complex and difficult problem and to discuss the way forward. The MOD has a full time Gulf Health Liaison Officer based in Washington, who works on a daily basis with US federal agencies and research teams. In addition, the UK is represented on the US Persian Gulf veterans Co-ordinating Board Research Working Group, which oversees all US federal research looking at Gulf veterans' illnesses, in order that the UK can have full visibility of that research, both to keep abreast of the latest developments and to avoid duplication of effort. In the course of dealing with this subject, MOD officials have also discussed Gulf veterans' illnesses issues with officials and researchers from a number of other counties, including France, Canada, the Netherlands and Denmark.

  The MOD continues to monitor all published research which may be relevant to the issue of Gulf veterans' illnesses. In June last year, my Department announced that it would be funding an independent systematic literature review of worldwide published research relating to Gulf veterans' illnesses. The review, commissioned through the Medical Research Council (MRC), will be carried out over a period of 3 years by a team led by Professor Glyn Lewis at the University of Wales School of Medicine in Cardiff. The findings of the review will be published at six-monthly intervals. An initial report to the MRC is expected in the Spring, with the first full report likely to be published in Autumn.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Gulf War veterans have subsequently tested positive for depleted uranium poisoning having not exhibited symptoms during examination by Medical Assessment Programme physicians which indicated a requirement for a specific referral to another agency or organisation for depleted uranium testing. [65974]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In general, the Ministry of Defence has no knowledge of any tests, including those to detect the presence of DU, which may have been carried out on Gulf veterans independently of the Gulf veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (MAP), through other organisations providing medical or radiological services. However, the Ministry of Defence is aware that a US physician is reported as having carried out tests for the presence of DU on some UK Gulf veterans. So far, however, my Department has not received any details of the methodology behind the tests which have been performed or of the results reportedly obtained. Hence, at present, the MOD is not able to comment on these reported findings.

  Nevertheless, as I explained in my reply of 16 December 1998, Official Report, column 521, I have asked my officials to collate the information which the

  445
  MOD possesses concerning mechanisms which could be used to test for the presence of uranium in the human body. I expect to publish this work shortly, and shall make arrangements for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the standard battery of tests routinely carried out on Medical Assessment Programme patients does not include a specific test to detect depleted uranium. [65973]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The medical programme which became the Gulf veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) was set up in July 1993 in order to examine veterans who were unwell and who believed their illness was related to their service in the Gulf. The intention was to provide a diagnosis wherever possible and to document all illness in veterans referred to the Programme. A veteran referred to the Programme was examined by a Consultant Physician and a number of tests and examinations were carried out. This essentially remains the case today.

  When the Programme was first established, Wg Cdr (now Gp Capt) Bill Coker (who ran it until December 1996) initially carried out those tests he felt necessary on clinical grounds to establish a diagnosis. When the number of patients referred to the MAP increased, he carried out a number of screening tests, similar to those then used by the US Department of Defense's Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Programme (the US DoD's equivalent to the MAP). These screening tests did not include a test to detect the presence of uranium because Gp Capt Coker had not previously seen any features in patients to indicate that such testing was clinically necessary. The US experience had suggested that the urinary excretion of uranium was only significantly increased in those veterans with retained DU fragments. As MOD was not aware of any UK Service personnel who had sustained shrapnel injuries from DU-based ammunition, it was not thought appropriate to screen routinely for uranium excretion, although testing could be carried out on a case by case basis if clinically indicated. Any other tests considered clinically appropriate would also be performed, these additional tests varying from patient to patient. This system of investigation was in place at the time of the Royal College of Physicians' (RCP) clinical audit in 1995.

  The RCP's subsequent report, published in July 1995, endorsed the MAP's professional independence and integrity and made specific comments on how the Programme could be improved. However, with the exception of a recommendation concerning psychiatric assessments, the RCP did not recommend any changes to the tests and examinations carried out by the MAP.
  446
  The baseline tests currently carried out on MAP patients by St. Thomas' Hospital on the MAP's behalf are very similar to those which were in place at the time of the RCP audit in 1995. They are as follows:

  Full blood count and sedimentation rate (FBC/ESR)

  Full biochemical screen, including renal function tests (urea, electrolytes and creatinine) liver function tests (LFT), calcium and blood sugar

  Immunoglobulin analysis

  Creatine kinase

  Thyroid function tests (TFT)

  Serological screening tests

  Chest X-ray (CXR)

  Ultrasound abdominal scan

  Electrocardiogram (ECG)

  Urinalysis

  Peak-flow lung measurement (to determine the necessity for vitalography)

  A thorough audit of the MAP is currently under way. It is looking at all aspects of patient care and the service provided by the MAP. The range of tests and examinations currently undertaken at the MAP will be reviewed in the light of the results of this audit process.

  I should stress that the tests listed are only baseline investigations; additional and/or referrals to other consultants/specialists are sometimes required. Any tests which are considered clinically appropriate by the examining MAP physician, including those to detect the presence of uranium, will be arranged, as I explained in my reply of 16 December 1998, Official Report, column 521.

  In the same answer, I also announced that I had asked my officials to collate the information which the MOD possesses concerning mechanisms which could be used to test for the presence of uranium in the human body. I expect to publish this work shortly, and shall make arrangements for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what research has been conducted into Aspartame as a possible cause of Gulf War Syndrome; [66676]

  (2) what evidence he has assessed of a possible link between Aspartame and Gulf War Syndrome. [66675]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Ministry of Defence is aware that Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, has been suggested as a possible cause of the illnesses being experienced by some Gulf veterans. However, this is only one of many such suggestions in this context and my Department is not aware of any published scientific evidence to support this theory. So far as the Ministry of Defence is aware, no specific research is being conducted to investigate a possible relationship between the consumption of Aspartame and Gulf veterans' illnesses.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if research on exposure of military personnel to organophosphates in the Gulf War has been completed; and whether it will be published. [67477]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  When it became apparent that organophosphate (OP) pesticides had been more widely used by UK forces during the Gulf conflict than had previously been thought, the Ministry of Defence carried out an urgent investigation into the circumstances in
  447
  which they had been used. The investigation team's report was published on 10 December 1996. Copies of this report were placed in the Library of the House. Broadly, the team found that OP pesticides were, in the main, used properly by personnel who are trained in the safe use of such products, including the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment.

  The Ministry of Defence is currently funding a programme of research into different aspects of Gulf veterans' illnesses. None of these studies is specifically aimed at investigating a possible relationship between exposure to OP pesticides and such illnesses.

  Research to investigate the effects of low level exposure to OP pesticides in the context of the health concerns of farm workers, funded jointly by the Department of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and the Health and Safety Executive, is well under way at the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh. This will be an important step towards understanding the possible effects of potential exposures during the Gulf conflict. Final data analysis is currently taking place and the study as a whole is expected to be completed in April this year. The study team's report is expected later in the Summer. The MAFF is also currently funding a study at the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) at Porton Down to determine whether a low dose of the OP diazinon will give rise to adverse long term effects.

  RN Hospital, Haslar
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many consultants, employed by his Department,(a) work and (b) are based for the majority of their time at the RN Hospital, Haslar. [65779]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by the Chief Executive of the Defence Secondary Care Agency on 12 January 1999,Official Report, columns 146–47. All those listed are consultants with the exception of the Civilian Medical Practitioners, Specialist Registrars, Senior House Officers and Pre Registration House Officers.

  All those listed work and are based at the Royal Hospital Haslar for the majority of their time.

  Military Training
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the status of military schools and the means by which students in such schools are able to leave before completion of their studies; [66064]

  (2) if military training comes under Ministry of Defence regulations with respect to notice periods and payments. [66065]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Astute Class (Submarines)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the crew number of the Astute Class of submarines. [66165]
  448
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The first 3 Astute Class submarines, out of a planned class of 5, are being designed and built under a Prime Contract awarded to GEC-Marconi in March 1997 with delivery expected in the middle of the next decade. Design work continues and the normal sea going complement is currently expected to be 98, although the submarine should be capable of taking up to 109 personnel to sea when required.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what budget has been allocated within his Department to deal with the millennium bug. [66881]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 21 January 1999]: The estimated additional cost of the total Year 2000 programme within MOD is £200m, which is being found from within existing defence provision by the rescheduling of other tasks. This sum does not include the cost of replacing or upgrading systems as part of a planned program.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his Department's systems are currently not millennium compliant. [66751]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 21 January 1999]: Work to date has concentrated on identifying which MOD equipments are critical to our Defence capability, and ensuring that these systems will be compliant. Currently, around 60 per cent. of such systems are reported as compliant and programmes are in place to ensure that the remaining business critical systems are made compliant in good time.

  Accommodation
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is his policy to provide single accommodation for all single service personnel. [66745]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 21 January 1999]: When we published the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review the supporting White Paper entitled "A Policy for People" stated that:
  "In future, new single accommodation will be built so that, in most instances, individuals of all ranks will be provided with a single room. There are plans in place now to raise the standard of some existing single living accommodation, and we have initiated a survey of all single living accommodation to inform our longer term aspiration to improve the whole estate."

  The Chief Executive of the Defence Estate Organisation is leading a study of the optimum approach to our single living accommodation improvement programme, which should report later this year. Our plans recognise the diverse needs and circumstances of our Service men and women and, whilst we aspire to single rooms for the majority, team-based accommodation may be more appropriate for some.

  CS Sprays
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names of the solvents which are used in CS sprays held by his Department. [67598]

  Mr. Spellar
  All the CS sprays currently held by the Ministry of Defence contain the solvent commonly known as methylene chloride.

  Non-lethal Warfare
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what co-operation there is between Britain and the United States of America on non-lethal warfare; how many collaboration agreements have been signed with the United States of America; what are the names of these agreements; when the agreements were signed and for what reasons; and if he will make a statement. [67599]

  Mr. Spellar
  On 18 November 1994, the UK and US Defence Secretaries signed a UK-US Master Information Exchange Memorandum of Understanding on the subject of non-lethal weapons. The first information exchange, which covers "Non-lethal weapons systems", was signed on 2 February 1998.

  International collaboration agreements help to inform our decisions on future strategies and equipment, as well as improving interoperability with our Allies and coalition partners.

  Military Airfields (Private Companies)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances private companies may export goods by air from military airfields. [68197]

  Mr. Spellar
  A private company wishing to export goods requires prior permission from HM Customs if the aircraft is to fly to a non-EU country from any UK airfield. The same rules apply regardless of whether the airfield is military or civilian.

  Nitroglycerine
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the advantages of the retention of a United Kingdom based capability to manufacture nitroglycerine. [68077]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are nitroglycerine manufacturing facilities currently operating at the Royal Ordnance factories at Summerfield and Bishopton. The retention of an indigenous capability to manufacture multi-based ammunition propellants, of which nitroglycerine is a part, were considered very carefully as part of the Modular Charge System contract decision.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the management of British Aerospace concerning the maintenance of a nitroglycerine manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom. [68078]

  Mr. Spellar
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has met with the management of British Aerospace on a number of occasions since May 1997. The maintenance of a nitroglycerine manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom has not been a topic of discussion.

  Project ASH
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to date of Project ASH; to whom the contract was originally let; which companies have subsequently been involved; when the database and management aid for handling unexploded ordnance will be in service; and if he will make a statement. [68074]
  450
  Mr. Spellar
  The cost to date of Project ASH is around £2.7m including VAT. A contract for development and production was placed with EDS Defence Ltd. in November 1994. Other companies which have been involved are Bactec International Ltd., for database population, VEGA Group PLC, providing technical support to the Ministry of Defence Procurement Executive, and Thompson-Thorn Missile Electronics Ltd., who are conducting work on training needs. Although ASH was accepted into service in October 1996, further work was required to be done to the database and for management aid for handling unexploded ordnance. Following user trials in February 1999 it is expected that an improved version of ASH will be accepted and subsequently deployed to Bosnia to assist Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams.

  Scottish Procurement
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent in Scotland on defence procurement in the last year for which figures are available; how much of that was passed to sub-contractors(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the total; and what estimate he has made of the percentage of sub-contracted work which remains in Scotland. [68076]

  Mr. Spellar
  The MOD spent £550 million, VAT-exclusive; to the nearest £50 million, on defence equipment from contractors based in Scotland during 1996–97. The MOD does not record payments made to sub-contractors and has not made an estimate of what those payments might be.

  Propellants
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the munitions currently used by Her Majesty's forces which are propelled by products from Royal Ordnance, Bishopton; and what steps have been taken by his Department to secure supplies of propellants following the end of production at Royal Ordnance, Bishopton. [68080]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Armed Forces use propellant produced at Royal Ordnance Bishopton to fire a range of 105mm and 155mm artillery projectiles and 120mm tank projectiles, the Naval 4/" Gun and rocket motors for the Royal Navy's Sea Wolf and Sea Skua missiles. It also produces raw propellant material used in a number of in-service missiles and small calibre ammunition manufactured at other locations. We have considered carefully the future supply of propellants currently made at Royal Ordnance Bishopton and are satisfied that, where necessary, sufficient and reliable alternative sources exist overseas to meet future MOD requirements should the facility close. Royal Ordnance remain responsible for meeting all its commitments under existing contracts with the MOD.

  Sully Hospital (Land Decontamination)
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to authorise decontamination works on his Department's land at Sully Hospital in the Vale of Glamorgan; [67861]
  451
  (2) what assessment he has made of the health and public safety risks associated with (a) the contamination of his Department's land adjacent to Sully Hospital in the Vale of Glamorgan and (b) the works required to decontaminate that land; [67864]

  (3) what is the nature and extent of the contamination of his Department's land adjacent to Sully Hospital in the Vale of Glamorgan; [67860]

  (4) what assessment he has made of (a) the work required to decontaminate his Department's land adjacent to Sully Hospital in the Vale of Glamorgan and (b) its cost. [67862]

  Mr. Spellar
  A Land Quality Assessment is being commissioned by the Oil Pipelines Agency to determine whether the Ministry of Defence land adjacent to Sully Hospital is contaminated and, if so, the extent of the contamination. It is expected that the outcome of the Assessment will be known by the end of the year.

  Panzer Tank (Disposal)
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons a German Panzer IV/70(V) was disposed of from the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, in August 1998; what other examples there are of this tank in other(a) national or local museums and (b) military establishments; and what was the disposal price of the tank. [68211]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham did not dispose of a German Panzer IV/70(V) tank in 1998. The only complete example of a Panzer MkIV in the UK held by us is at the Tank Museum, Bovington. The Imperial War Museum has a cut down (incomplete) example of the Panzer MkIV but neither is an example of the 70(V) variant (there are ten variants of the Panzer MkIV including the 70(V). There are no examples of the Panzer MkIV/70(V) held at military establishments.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Lottery Grants (Barnsley)
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals he has which would increase the distribution of lottery grants to Barnsley. [66770]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I want Lottery money to address the needs of communities across the whole of the United Kingdom. I welcome the National Lottery Charities Board's designation of Barnsley as a priority area for Lottery funding and will follow the progress of this initiative closely. I have also launched with the distributing bodies an investigation into the reasons for low take-up of Lottery funding in coalfield areas.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received following his meeting with local authorities in Barnsley last autumn when the equalisation of National Lottery grants was discussed; and if he will make a statement. [66784]
  452
  Mr. Chris Smith
  Representatives from the coalfields areas have confirmed the need for action to address the problems these areas face in obtaining Lottery funding and have supported the measures announced at the Coalfields Lottery Conference to address the balance.

  I welcome the National Lottery Charities Board's designation of Barnsley as a priority area for Lottery funding and will follow the progress of this initiative closely. I have also launched with the distributing bodies an investigation into the reasons for low take-up of Lottery funding in coalfield areas.

  Channel 4
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on Government plans for Channel 4. [66771]

  Janet Anderson
  Channel Four is a central element in the Government's vision for the broadcasting industry in the digital future. I expect it to continue to provide a vital role in providing distinctive and innovative public service programming of high quality.

  Architectural Design
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress he has made in implementing proposals to establish a national body to champion British architectural design. [66774]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We have advertised for a Chairman for the new body. We have set up an Implementation Group of seven people which will be able to present its conclusions to the Chairman on his or her appointment. The new body should be fully operational in the autumn.

  Social Exclusion
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made by the policy action team on the contribution that sports and the arts can make to tackling social exclusion. [66775]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Policy Action Team 10, led by DCMS, has met on several occasions. The Team includes a number of people engaged in local projects tackling issues of social inclusion, and experts on specific issues such as funding, building partnerships and community development. The group has undertaken visits to successful arts and sporting projects which are combating social exclusion around the country. The Team will report in early summer 1999 on its findings.

  Seaside Resorts
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support he has given to the tourism industry in seaside resorts. [66776]

  Janet Anderson
  Of the £3.8 billion of Single Regeneration Budget funding available over the next three years, 44 of the bids included proposals for the regeneration of seaside resorts. But the future of our seaside resorts depends on all those involved in both private and public sectors working together to develop the sort of products now needed and with the quality and value for money which visitors expect.
  453
  Our strategy for tourism, to be published on 26 February 1999, addresses this important industry sector and will help create the right framework in which tourism can flourish.

  Departmental Spending (Administration)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to reduce his Department's spending on administration. [66777]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department is committed to reducing its running costs as a proportion of its Department Expenditure Limit (DEL).

  Public Art (Economic Regeneration)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the role of public art in economic regeneration. [66778]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Arts Council of England is currently carrying out an independent evaluation of Lottery funded public art commissions. I am in no doubt, however, of the ability of public art to improve the urban landscape, enhance local neighbourhood identity, encourage inward investment, create local employment and develop skills through programmes of participation, education and training.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on Camelot's plans for the National Lottery in December 1999 and January 2000. [66779]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Decisions on licensing new Lottery draws and games are for the Director General of the National Lottery or, after 1 April 1999, the National Lottery Commissioners. I understand that the Director General has not received any applications from Camelot to run new Lottery games in December 1999 or January 2000.

  School Sport
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the playing of sports in schools. [66794]

  Mr. Banks
  Sport in schools is essential for a broad and balanced education to which all children are entitled.

  I want schools to provide more opportunities for their pupils to take part in sporting activities. It is important that young people have access to a range of physical activities within and beyond the school curriculum.

  Sport in schools is a key feature of our sport strategy paper and we are collaborating with the Department for Education and Employment, who have sole responsibility for the National Curriculum, to determine how school sporting activities can best be focused and supported. We have invigorated a range of initiatives to achieve this; these include the Sportsmark award scheme for high quality school sport, a new scheme for primary schools, the Sporting Ambassadors programme of visits to schools by prominent sportsmen and women and Study Support
  454
  for example in Premier League Football Clubs. We have also fed into the current review of the National Curriculum by the QCA.

  Arts (Access)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what policies his Department is pursuing to increase access to the arts for people on modest incomes. [66780]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The many activities which my Department supports have a fundamental impact on an individual's quality of life. Increasing access to the arts continues to be at the heart of our policy. Through the New Audiences Fund, more than 100 pilot schemes which increase access to a wide range of art forms have already benefited from over £3 million in additional project funding. Many arts events are now more affordable for those with modest or no income. Further grants from the New Audiences Fund, totalling over £1 million, will be announced later this month.

  QUEST
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure value for money and best practice in bodies sponsored by his Department. [66781]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I announced in December the establishment of the Quality, Efficiency and Standards Team (QUEST) to provide independent advice on the improvement of performance across all our sectors and to disseminate good practice. This will be in addition to the existing oversight of NDPBs exercised by my Department.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what areas of responsibility will be covered by QUEST. [66782]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  QUEST' s role will be to improve and sustain quality, standards and performance in all the fields for which my Department is responsible.

  Tourism Strategy
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that each region of the UK benefits from the tourism industry. [66783]

  Janet Anderson
  The new strategy for tourism which we shall publish on 26 February 1999 will help create the right framework in which tourism can flourish. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have their own strategies, reflecting differing regional priorities.

  Within England, as I announced on 14 December 1998, Official Report, column 352, following our Comprehensive Spending Review, there will be a transformed national tourism body and more resources will be used for support of tourism in the regions. The Regional Tourist Boards, working with their commercial members, local authorities and the Regional Development Agencies will together deliver the economic, environmental and social benefits well-managed and appropriately delivered tourism can bring to each region.

  Local Theatres
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to bring forward proposals to change the funding of local theatres through the Art Board. [66786]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Government believe strongly in delegation. The new Arts Council which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State appointed last year shares that view and has already proposed that a substantial element of the extra resources for the arts that the Government are providing should be delegated to the Regional Arts Boards. It will be for the Regional Arts Boards to take decisions on the funding for specific artforms or organisations within their regions, including theatre.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what role his Department will play in the development of the new Wembley stadium and related infrastructure. [66787]

  Mr. Banks
  I am keeping a very close eye on progress with the development of the new National Stadium, although my Department has no direct role in funding or constructing the stadium and relating infrastructure. The project is central to our plans to bring the major international sporting events to this country.

  Millennium Dome (Waste Disposal)
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on plans for waste disposal at the dome. [66792]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has implemented a number of procedures for controlling waste during the construction phase of the dome. All contractors are required to specify waste management practices within their tender documentation, and implementation of these practices is assessed by weekly inspections and spot checks.

  During the year of the Millennium Experience, NMEC will adopt a waste management strategy based on the concepts of waste reduction, re-use, recycling and efficient removal from the site. NMEC is currently investigating supply strategies that will minimise the quantity of packaging coming onto the site, but will then provide facilities to allow separation of those major waste streams that are generated in order that they can be processed or recycled efficiently.

  The final details of the operational strategy will be defined with the assistance of site caterers who are likely to have the greatest impact on waste generation. However, where it is practical to do so, NMEC's catering strategy will encourage use of re-usable cutlery and crockery. Where this is not possible caterers will aim to use cutlery and crockery made from recycled or recyclable materials.

  Millennium Dome (Concessionary Fares)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the New Millennium Experience Company with a456
  view to developing special concessionary fares and entry/travel packages for families and frequent visitors to the dome. [66793]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company aims to ensure that as many people as possible can, if they wish, visit the dome at Greenwich. In developing the ticket pricing strategy the Company has been concerned to include attractive discounts for a number of groups. The Company has also been in discussion for a number of months with the travel trade and I am confident that these discussions will result in combined travel and dome admission packages from all parts of the UK.

  Millennium Dome (Expenditure)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about parliamentary accountability for expenditure on the Millennium Dome. [66795]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My noble Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office is the sole shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) on behalf of the Government and is therefore accountable to Parliament for the Company's overall performance. I will be answering to this House on all matters relating to my noble Friend's responsibilities in respect of the NMEC.

  At official level, the arrangements for parliamentary accountability for expenditure on the dome mirror those which apply to all non-departmental public bodies. The Company's Chief Executive was appointed, by the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, as Accounting Officer for the dome. She is therefore personally responsible to Parliament for use of the company's money.

  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is not of course, in receipt of Exchequer funds. It receives Lottery funding from the Millennium Commission. The Director of the Millennium Commission has formal Accounting Officer responsibility for the Commission's use of Lottery money. In addition, the DCMS Permanent Secretary, as Accounting Officer for the National Lottery Development Fund has responsibilities in respect of the overall use of Lottery funds.

  Landmark Millennium Projects
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the organisers of the 23 landmark millennium projects about sponsorship money. [66797]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Millennium Commission, which I chair, makes it a condition of grant to capital projects that at least 50 per cent. of the total project cost is raised through partnership funding, and this includes sponsorship in some cases. The Commission works closely with each project and is therefore involved in ongoing discussions about matched funding.

  Dance (Scotland)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held
  457
  with the Scottish Office on the funding of dance following the takeover of responsibility by the Scottish Parliament. [66773]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Support for the arts in Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Football Task Force
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects the football task force to publish its report on the commercial aspects of the game. [66785]

  Mr. Banks
  I have been told the report will be ready by the end of March 1999.

  Millennium Dome (Life-span)
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the expected life of the millennium dome. [66791]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The structural steelwork of the dome has a life-span of at least 60 years; and the roofing material is expected to last at least 25 years before major maintenance is necessary.

  English National Stadium Development Company
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will make a statement on the role of the English National Stadium Development Company; [67556]

  (2) if he will list the directors and trustees who sit on the English National Stadium Development Company Board; [67557]

  (3) if he will list the terms of reference and details of the funding of the English National Stadium Development Company. [67558]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: The English National Stadium Development Company is the FA vehicle charged with creating a national stadium for football, rugby league and athletics, and required to meet the technical requirements for those sports under the Lottery Funding Agreement with the English Sports Council. The current estimate for the total cost of the project is £320m, of which £120m will be funded by the Lottery, the remainder by debt financing by the FA. Membership of the Development Company Board is as follows:

  Chairman:

  Ken Bates

  Members:

  Sir David Hill Wood

  David Richards

  David Sheepshanks

  Geoff Thompson

  Lord Harris

  Ernie Walker

  Sir Rodney Walker

  Ian Peacock

  Nicholas Coward

  Michael Cunnah

  Sponsorship Sports
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 14 December 1998,Official Report, columns 350–51, how many times his expert group on tobacco sponsorship and alternative sponsorship has met; who its members are; how many times he expects it to meet in 1999; when he expects to receive its conclusions; and when he expects to report his response to its conclusions to the House. [R] [67138]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: The group of experts met twice last year and members are now holding individual meetings with the seven sports which have sought our assistance to find alternative sponsors. To date these meetings have been very constructive. The meetings will be completed by the end of this month, after which the group will meet again to receive a report and to consider the nature and timing of help needed to replace existing contracts, many of which have several years to run. We will also consider the frequency of further meetings this year. I will keep the House advised of all significant developments.

  The terms of reference of the Task Force are:
  to assist sports currently in receipt of tobacco sponsorship to find replacement sponsors by:
  assessing the needs of each sport;
  offering advice on best practice in establishing commercial relationships with sponsors; and,
  assisting the sports in making links with potential new sponsors.

  Membership is:

  Tony Banks (Chairman)—Minister for Sport

  Gordon McCallum—Virgin Group

  Jon Smith—First Artist Corporation

  Maurice Lindsay—Central Council for Physical Recreation

  Mike Reynolds—Institute of Sports Sponsorship

  Derek Etherington—DCMS Sports Sponsorship Consultant

  New Opportunities Fund (ICT Training)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who prepared the specification of the skills training for the use by schools for information and communications technology funded by New Opportunities Fund moneys; and which bodies were consulted on the specification. [67390]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: A set of expected outcomes for the training have been developed that focus on the information and communication technology (ICT) knowledge, understanding and skills that teachers need to support their teaching. The outcomes are based on the new Initial Teacher Training National Curriculum, which was developed by the Teacher Training Agency. The outcomes also reflect national guidelines and in-service training in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  The expected outcomes include an understanding of how to use ICT in teaching the whole class; planning, including the use of ICT for lesson preparation; and assessing pupils' work when ICT has been used.

  Arts Guide (Millennium Year)
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if his Department will ensure the
  459
  production of a guide on access for disabled people to arts, entertainment and leisure venues for the millennium year. [67139]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: Increasing access to the arts is a key aim for my Department. Our commitment to access and equality of opportunity for disabled people is strong and my Department is keen to ensure that there is adequate information for disabled people on all the activities which we support and fund.

  There are already a number of useful guides for people with disabilities, some of which are published by Government Departments. The Department of Health has recently updated "A Practical Guide for Disabled People", which includes details of organisations which can offer advice on access to arts and leisure facilities, tourist accommodation and sports facilities. The Arts Council's publication "Arts and Disability" includes a chapter on access and details of useful contacts, including regional Access Committees, Trusts and voluntary organisations. Regional and voluntary organisations such as "Artsline" in London also offer invaluable advice.

  My Department will keep under review the availability of appropriate advice for disabled people in relation to our sectors, taking into account the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and of our new policy initiatives.

  Chess
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding the Government gave to promoting and running chess for(a) young people and (b) adults in each of the last five years. [67058]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 26 January 1999]: Since my Department took over responsibility for funding chess in 1996–97, the Government has invested £49,000 each year to help the British Chess Federation (BCF) promote the development of Chess. Expenditure by the BCF on junior chess and other initiatives, from the funding provided by my Department, is as follows:

  £

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Junior chess development

  14,542

  16,180

  13,870

  Other initiatives

  34,458

  32,820

  35,130

  An analysis for earlier years is not available. Whilst I am pleased that funding from my Department has been able to support initiatives specifically related to junior chess development, it has also been able to contribute to and benefit all age groups.

  Royal Society of Literature
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to reply to the question tabled by the right hon. Member for South-West Surrey on 11 January, concerning the Royal Society of Literature. [68311]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I replied to the right hon. Member on 27 January 1999,Official Report, column 264.

  English Sports Council
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to announce the appointment of a new chairman for the English Sports Council. [68115]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 28 January 1999]: We advertised for a new Chair for the English Sports Council last September. We received an excellent response, and have been carefully considering the candidates in accordance with the procedures laid down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. We will announce who is to be appointed as soon as we have finished the selection process.

  Tourism (Devon)
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department will take to ensure that the tourist industry in Devon is supported by the RDA for the West Country. [68081]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 28 January 1999]: As our strategy for tourism will set out, the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), Regional Tourist Boards, local authorities and other tourism partners will together deliver the economic, environmental and social benefits that well-managed and appropriately developed tourism can bring to each region.

  Because of the significant economic importance of tourism there is representation of tourism specialists on the RDA boards, including that of the South West RDA.

  UK Sports Institute
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held with the British Olympic Committee about the UK Sports Institute. [68114]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 28 January 1999]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Sport regularly has meetings with Craig Reedie, Chairman of the British Olympic Association, to discuss a wide range of issues including the UK Sports Institute.

  The BOA have a significant role to play in the development and success of the UK Sports Institute. Mr. Reedie is also deputy chairman of the UK Sports Council which is responsible for giving strategic direction to the UK Sports Institute. He is also a member of the newly formed UK Sports Institute Implementation Committee charged with the task of overseeing the development of the UK Sports Institute Headquarters.

  Staff of the BOA are closely involved with UK Sports Institute Development Groups, UK and Home County Sports Council staff, and Governing Bodies of sport, in developing the services that the UK Sports Institute will deliver to elite performers.

  Television Licences
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the cost of proposals to abolish the payment of television licence fees by old age pensioners; and if he will make a statement. [67928]
  461
  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 28 January 1999]: The estimated cost of providing free television licences for all pensioner only households would be £489 million a year. There are no plans at present for such a concession. The current review of the future of the BBC licence fee after 2002 will include a consideration of the current structure of the concessionary licence scheme and whether a suitable alternative structure could be available.

  Tourism (North-West)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to increase financing to the North West Tourist Board. [68471]

  Janet Anderson
  On 14 December 1998,Official Report, column 352, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the main decisions following the Departmental Spending Review. For tourism within England, these include a transformed national tourism body and more resources for the support of tourism in the regions.

  A team and advisory group have been set up to oversee implementation of these new arrangements. They are considering the remit and structure of the body, the funding mechanisms for tourism support and the implications for Regional Tourist Boards.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  House of Lords
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the President of the Council what representations she has received on the progress which has been made on reform of the House of Lords. [66798]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The publication of the Bill to remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote and the Government's White Paper on longer-term reform has been widely welcomed.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the powers of local government to impose lower speed limits; and if he will make a statement. [66710]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Local Highway Authorities already have the power to set speed limits of more than 30 mph within the national speed limit without the need to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State. We shall be introducing legislation shortly aimed at allowing local highway authorities to introduce 20 mph speed limits without have to obtain consent. We will be issuing guidance to local highway authorities on the need for such limits to be combined with road engineering methods to ensure compliance.

  Planning Inspectors
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning inspectors were in post on 1 January(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [67881]
  462
  Mr. Raynsford
  The provision of information on the numbers of planning Inspectors is a matter for the Planning Inspectorate. I have therefore asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Martin Brasher to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 29 January 1999:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has passed your Question about the number of Planning Inspectors to the Planning Inspectorate for reply. I am responding in Chris Shepley's absence on official business.
  The attached table sets out the information you require. A further recruitment programme is nearly complete.

  Planning Inspectors—in post

  Date

  Full-time salaried Inspectors

  Part-time salaried Inspectors

  Fee-paid Inspectors

  1 January 1997

  217

  14

  201

  1 January 1998

  224

  12

  188

  1 January 1999

  209

  45

  135

  Canals
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps are being taken(a) to preserve canals and (b) to increase the use of canals for (i) leisure and (ii) commerce. [67916]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government value the social, economic and environmental benefits that inland waterways can bring and are keen to maximise the full potential of the canal network. We believe the waterways are a substantial asset and have an important role in a number of areas such as leisure and tourism, heritage, amenity, conservation, regeneration and transport.

  We have provided financial help to a range of canal restoration projects through the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund, Land Reclamation Programme grant and the Environmental Action Fund. Projects are also eligible for funding from the various Lottery distribution boards, from local authorities and from Europe. The Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council's report on their prioritisation of restoration projects will help to ensure that available funding is more effectively targeted.

  The Government-sponsored British Tourist Authority (BTA) is actively promoting the waterways of Britain and Ireland. The campaign, involving partnerships with the main waterway industry operators, local authorities and National Tourist Boards, is promoted through most of BTA' s overseas offices. BTA' s brochure 'Waterways Britain and Ireland' presents waterway travel as an alternative, sustainable way of touring the British Isles.

  The day-to-day management and operation of the inland waterway network rests with British Waterways, the Environment Agency, the Broads Authority and a range of other public and private bodies. The three main navigation authorities work closely with BTA, regional and national tourist boards and with the private sector to promote leisure and tourism opportunities on their respective waterways.
  463
  The Association of Inland Navigation Authorities, which represents around 30 authorities, is finalising a strategy for the inland navigations of the United Kingdom. This will include objectives for the navigation authorities to meet in relation to developing leisure, tourism and commercial opportunities on the waterways network.

  The Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council is undertaking a report to demonstrate ways in which the waterways in West Yorkshire can be developed for leisure, tourism and community use.

  The Government are keen to encourage the greater use of inland waterways for carrying freight where this is a practical and economic option. We currently give Freight Facilities Grant for inland waterways schemes where freight would otherwise have gone by road. The Department will be re-examining the rules of the scheme to try to encourage more applications for inland waterways.

  In addition, the Department is working to update planning guidance on transport which will encourage more freight to be carried by water. Local authorities in their development plans will be expected to consider opportunities for new developments which are served by waterways; and to give better protection to sites and routes, both existing and potential, which could be critical in developing infrastructure to widen transport choices, including water transport.

  We intend to publish in the next few months the Transport White Paper daughter document on inland waterways policy, the aim of which will be to raise the profile of the waterways and increase their potential.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's policy with regard to the banning of the use of asbestos in the United Kingdom. [67986]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government are firmly committed to finding both a national and a Europe-wide solution to the problem of asbestos, which must be based on sound science. The European Commission's draft proposals for further restrictions on the marketing and use of white asbestos within the EU are likely to be voted on by Member States in March 1999. I expect to receive the Health and Safety Commission's recommendation on a British ban at around the same time, following its recent consultation exercise.

  Railtrack (Signal Wiring Safety)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the level of checks carried out by Railtrack on signal wiring. [68057]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Health and Safety Executive have advised me that they are satisfied with Railtrack's strategies for achieving the safety of their signalling systems, including the management of any problems.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the allocation of investment by Railtrack in signal wiring for the next three years; what action the Railway Inspectorate 464
  is taking to ascertain the safety of the existing system; and what actions have been undertaken to replace faulty signal wiring this year. [68054]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is Railtrack's responsibility to ensure the safety of its railway infrastructure and to allocate the resources needed to achieve this. Railtrack's investment plans, including forecast expenditure on signalling, are set out in its Network Management Statement (NMS) which was published last Spring. The new NMS is to be published in March.

  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have advised me that they are satisfied with Railtrack's strategies for achieving the safety of their signalling systems, including the management of any problems.

  In the light of recent allegations, the Railway Inspectorate has asked Railtrack for an update of its programme for dealing with a specific wiring degradation problem. Railtrack has already assured HSE that the special arrangements in force at relevant locations are adequate to ensure safety and will not prevent the completion of other work necessary for safe operation. HSE intends to inspect sample locations of its choosing to provide independent, external verification that appropriate systems and working methods remain in place to control risks.

  The replacement of signal wiring is an operational matter for Railtrack.

  Railway Incident, Bow Junction
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will call for a report from the Railway Inspectorate on the recent incident at Bow Junction. [68056]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A serious incident occurred at Bow Junction in East London on 8 October 1994 and was mentioned in paragraph 233 of the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways' Annual Report on Railway Safety for 1994–96. The cause of a failure of the signalling system was a series of failures in the design, commissioning and testing of intermediate stages of signalling works because of poor communications and lack of project management staff. The project was restarted only after all management and safety procedures had been examined, critically reviewed and rewritten or strengthened as necessary. In February/March 1995, HSE's Railway Inspectorate carried out a thorough audit of these new procedures. The audit team of four, led by a Principal Railway Inspector and including inspectors with railway signalling background, communicated their findings to Railtrack on 1 March 1995. The project has been continually monitored until its substantial completion last year.

  Greater London Authority Headquarters
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he received recommending that the final shortlist for consideration as the new headquarters for the Greater London authority should contain three proposals. [67948]
  465
  Mr. Raynsford
  Of the seven sites considered in detail, two schemes, London Bridge City and Victoria House, stood out. It would not have been right to have put other developers to the trouble and expense of working up their proposals when they had no chance of succeeding.

  M6 (Staffordshire)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress made by the Regional Planning Group on alternatives to M6 widening to relieve traffic congestion in Staffordshire. [68322]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My noble Friend the Minister for Roads and Road Safety on 10 December 1998,Official Report, House of Lords, column 110, as well as announcing the Programme of Trunk Road Starts in the West Midlands, took the opportunity to announce the start of the consultation with Regional Planning bodies on the programme of studies to address the most urgent problems on the Trunk Road network not addressed by schemes in the Targeted Programme of Improvements.

  The West Midlands to North West Conurbation Study is scheduled to begin in the Summer of 1999. Consultation with the Regional Planning Conference will take place during the preparation of the consultants brief and at regular time throughout the life of the study.

  As part of this multi-modal study, the consultants will be asked to indicate a comprehensive range of strategies that could be used to tackle the traffic problems of the area, including the possibility of modal shift especially for freight. All infrastructure improvements that are identified as a preferred option, whether road or other modes, will be assessed against the New Approach to Appraisal.

  Packaging Waste Regulations
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce changes to the Packaging Waste Regulations. [68247]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on Thursday 28 January 1999,Official Report, columns 335–37.

  Social Services (SSAs)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) by social services authority and (b) in total (i) the standard spending assessment for personal social services in 1998–99, (ii) the standard spending assessment for personal social services in 1999–2000, (iii) the difference between (i) and (ii), (iv) the difference expressed as a percentage, (v) the special transitional grant for 1998–99, (vi) the difference between standard spending assessment for personal social services in 1999–2000 and the standard spending assessment for personal social services in 1998–99 combined totalled with special transitional grant for 1998–99 and (vii) the difference in (vi) expressed as a percentage. [68367]

  Ms Armstrong
  The figures requested have been placed, in the form requested, in the Library of the House.
  466
  The comparison which they provide is, however, misleading. This is because they do not reflect the Comprehensive Spending Review's full provision for personal social services, which started from a zero base, looking at expenditure needs afresh. The only fair comparison is to look at total resources provided for social services which, in aggregate, show a 6.1 per cent. cash increase or a 3.5 per cent. real terms increase between 1998–99 and 1999–2000. The increased resources we are making available will meet the costs of looking after existing and new community care clients, and enable local authorities to deliver real improvements in services.

  Employees at Risk
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the opportunities available under current legislation to take steps to reduce the risk of violence to employees whose job brings them into face to face contact with the public. [68372]

  Mr. Meale
  I have looked carefully at this issue. There has been a lot of good work done by the Health and Safety Commission and Executive. However, I want to examine what other measures are available. I have therefore written to the Health and Safety Commission to ask for advice on options for further action that will have a positive impact on preventing work-related violence.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require the Health and Safety Executive to advise employers about measures that can be taken to reduce the risk to employees of violence at work. [68373]

  Mr. Meale
  None at present. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has already issued general guidance and sector specific guidance for the retail and finance sectors. The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has also issued sector specific guidance for the health care and education sectors. Health and Safety Inspectors also offer advice in the course of their normal contact with employers and employees.

  Once I have received advice from the HSC, I will be able to consider what further action is necessary.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with(a) trade unions and (b) employers about violence at work; and if he will make a statement. [68374]

  Mr. Meale
  When I replied to a Private Member's Debate on health and safety proposed by my hon. Friend on 4 November 1998,Official Report, columns 804–06, I stressed that this Government would not tolerate violence and aggression towards working people. I have continued to promote that message whenever I can, especially during the meetings I have with trade unions and employers. I also continue to draw attention to the issue in the many speeches I make about health and safety. Recent occasions when I have done so were speeches I made at the National Health and Safety Groups Council on 28 January and the AEEU National Academy of Safety and Health on 14 September 1998.
  467
  In addition, both trade unions and employers participate in the Interdepartmental Committee on Violence to Staff (ICVS) which is chaired by the Health and Safety Executive.

  Road Closures
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available were the(a) A62, (b) M62, (c) A66 and (d) A69 closed due to inclement weather. [68168]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  From the records that are available, the numbers of closures are as follows:

  A62
  The A62 is a local road except for a short length linking with junction 27 of the M62. The highway authorities for the high level sections of the road are Kirklees Metropolitan District Council and Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council.
  The reports that we have obtained are from Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council and cover the last three years only. During that time in the year April to April 1996–97, the road was closed for a total of four days and in 1997–98 for a total of half a day.

  M62
  The motorway was closed overnight between junctions 21 and 22 on 25 January 1995. This was necessary when a lorry jack-knifed in heavy early evening snow, blocking the carriageway and preventing further gritting.
  The motorway was also closed between junctions 20 and 22 on 12 and 13 January 1993 when lighting columns become unstable in high winds.

  A66
  Records are available for the last 6 years only:

  Full closure

  Partial closure (HGVs and caravans)

  Year

  Number of times

  Reason

  Number of times

  Reason

  1999 (to date)

  —

  —

  3

  High wind

  1998

  3

  Snow/ice

  19

  High wind

  1997

  1

  Snow/ice

  16

  High wind

  1996

  13

  Snow/ice

  26

  High wind

  1995

  6

  Snow/ice

  18

  High wind

  1994

  4

  Snow/ice

  No records available

  1993

  4

  Snow/ice

  No records available

  A69
  Records are available for the last six years only:
  The road has not been closed due to inclement weather.

  N-Viro
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that the N-Viro product from Great Stambridge is subject to the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 and the 1996 Code of Practice for agricultural use of sewage sludge. [68370]

  Mr. Meale
  All sewage sludge used on agricultural land, including that treated by the N-Viro process is subject to the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 and the associated Code of Practice. The regulations are enforced in England and Wales by the Environment Agency.
  468
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the appraisal by the Environment Agency into the Waste Management Licence application by Anglian Water for the N-Viro process at Great Stambridge will be completed and issued. [68371]

  Mr. Meale
  The Environment Agency expects to complete the appraisal of the application by Anglian Water for a Waste Management Licence for the N-Viro process at Great Stambridge by early summer. An interim report will be produced by the Environment Agency in February and processing of sludge from Southend will not begin until the Waste Management Licence has been granted.

  Barking to Gospel Oak Railway
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps are being taken by his Department to promote improved services on the Barking to Gospel Oak railway line. [68342]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Silverlink operate this line under a franchise agreement with the Franchising Director. This includes a contractual obligation to replace the existing slam door rolling stock with sliding door rolling stock by May 1999. It also includes contractual commitments to upgrade the passenger information systems at stations along the route. Railtrack have reinstated a signal between two of the stations on the line: this has increased the capacity of the track and should reduce delays caused by conflicts with other operators using the line.

  Leisure Complex (Crosby)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the PFI bid submitted by Sefton Metropolitan Authority to build a new swimming and leisure complex in Crosby. [66765]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Metropolitan Borough of Sefton was told on 27 August 1998 of the inter-departmental Project Review Group's decision to agree to my Department's recommendation that their project be included in the updated list of local authority PFI projects the Government intend to support. That list was the subject of a press release the same day. It is now for the local authority to bring the project to contract signature.

  Taxi Accessibility
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to produce further proposals for taxi accessibility; what discussions he has held with(a) vehicle manufacturers and (b) suppliers to ensure the availability of vehicles which conform with taxi accessibility regulations; and if he will make a statement. [68641]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have held extensive consultation on our proposals for taxi accessibility under the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 with manufacturers, operators, local authorities and with organisations representing disabled people.
  469
  We are reviewing our proposals in the light of this consultation and we will be publishing a further round of consultation, including draft regulations and a regulatory impact assessment, later this year.

  My Department is also in close and regular touch with vehicle manufacturers and converters and we believe that a range of vehicles which meet the regulations will become available to address the new market which will be created.

  Signal Equipment Safety
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the safety of signal equipment owned by Railtrack. [68466]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The proper design, installation and maintenance of the signalling system is paramount to railway safety. The responsibility for the railway infrastructure lies with Railtrack. The Health and Safety Executive have advised me that they are satisfied with Railtrack's strategies for achieving the safety of their signalling systems including the management of any problems.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safety guidelines his Department issues in relation to the maintenance and renewal of signal equipment on railway lines. [68467]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The responsibility for the safe maintenance and renewal of signalling equipment lies with Railtrack, who issue safety guidelines in these matters. The Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate undertakes routine monitoring of the way Railtrack discharges its responsibilities for the safe operation of the railway network and would take appropriate enforcement action if necessary.

  West Coast Line
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Rail Regulator concerning the cleanliness of trains on the West Coast Line; and if he will make a statement. [68001]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The cleanliness of trains if a matter for the Franchising Director rather than the Rail Regulator. Virgin is required under its franchise agreement to carry out regular customer satisfaction surveys. These measure satisfaction with, among other things, cleanliness of the trains. The latest available published figures (for the period to July 1998) show that the cleanliness level on Virgin Trains was at or above the agreed benchmarks.

  Virgin Trains
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Virgin Trains on the discounting of void days from punctuality and reliability tables; and if he will make a statement. [68000]
  470
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Train operators are entitled to declare days void where they have been unable to run an effective service for the day. For every void day, the operator has to offer one day extension or refund on season tickets. The number of days voided by each train operator will be included in the Franchising Director's next and future quarterly Performance Bulletins. OPRAF are considering how the statistics in the Bulletin can be made to reflect more accurately the experience of passengers.

  Concessionary Bus Fare Schemes
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the local authority areas in which no concessionary bus fare scheme for pensioners is in operation. [68590]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My information is that there are 10 local authorities that have no concessionary fare scheme for their resident pensioners. These are the District Councils for Caradon, Eden, Hambleton, Kennet, Kerrier, Malvern Hills, North Cornwall, Penwith, Scarborough and South Holland.

  Waste Incinerators
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incinerators used for disposing of public waste materials in the UK(a) are currently operational and (b) were operational five years ago. [68133]

  Mr. Meale
  In England and Wales, ten municipal waste incinerators are currently operational. Twenty three such incinerators were operational in 1994.

  Gas Vehicle Manufacturers (Tax Incentives)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tax incentives are available to manufacturers of motor vehicles powered by road fuel gases. [68163]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are no specific tax incentives available for manufacturers of motor vehicles powered by road fuel gases. Government action to support the wider uptake of these fuels focuses principally on assisting with the purchase and operation of gas powered vehicles. Duty on road fuel gases has been frozen for the last two Budgets, and the Government are committed to at least maintaining the 1997 duty differential between road fuel gases and ordinary diesel. My Department is also funding the Powershift programme which provides grants to help cover the additional cost of purchasing gas powered vehicles. These measures should provide some certainty to the road fuel gas market, and help to encourage manufacturers to invest in the production in gas powered vehicles.

  Waste Recycling
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list(a) the recycling targets and (b) the level of achievement of these targets currently being achieved by the Brighton and Hove Unitary Authority, for (i) glass (clear and green), (ii) plastics, (iii) aluminium cans, (iv) steel cans and (v) paper and cardboard; [68138]
  471
  (2) if he will list (a) the recycling targets for domestic and commercial waste and (b) the level of achievement of these targets by each of the unitary authorities in England (i) currently and (ii) five years ago; [68137]

  (3) if he will list the recycling targets for (i) domestic and (ii) commercial waste achieved by (a) each of the district and borough council authorities in East and West Sussex and (b) the Brighton and Hove Unitary Authority; and if he will list the comparable figures for 1994. [68165]

  Mr. Meale
  When the previous Government published their White Paper "Making Waste Work" in 1995, they set a number of indicative targets for waste. One of the primary targets was to increase recycling and recovery so that they dealt with 40 per cent. of municipal waste by 2005. There was also a subsidiary target to recycle or compost 25 per cent. of household waste by 2000. These indicative targets were set for the whole of England and Wales and it is up to each individual local authority to determine their own priorities in the light of these targets.

  The latest figures for municipal waste relate to 1996–97—the first year after publication of "Making Waste Work". Recycling and energy recovery of municipal waste stood at around 13 per cent., with recycling running at around 7 per cent. of household waste. No comparable figures are available for five years ago.

  The Department is not able to release details of the recycling rate of an individual authority, or for individual materials within this rate, because the figures that are supplied to it for the Department's Municipal Waste Survey are done so on a confidential basis.

  The Government are currently preparing a new waste strategy. The consultation paper "Less Waste: More Value" confirmed their support for the targets in "Making Waste Work", but considers that there is a need for a substantial increase in recycling and recovery, going beyond the targets set by the previous Government.

  We believe that, for targets to be effective in changing behaviour towards a desired end, they have to be challenging but achievable, underpinned by a clear course of action, and capable of proper measurement and public explanation. Targets also need to be justified against the principles of good regulation: accountability, transparency, targeting, consistency, and proportionality.

  Public Waste Incinerators
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the current official guidelines on the building of public waste incinerators near densely populated areas. [68136]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The building of public waste incinerators will normally require the grant of planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and an authorisation under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Government guidance on the location of incinerators is included in Planning Policy Guidance note 23 "Planning and Pollution Control". This will be updated soon when Planning Policy Guidance note 10 "Planning and Waste Management" is published. The Department also issued a guidance note to local authorities in August 1997, on the provision of incinerators in connection with the slaughter of cattle under the "Over Thirty Months Scheme".
  472
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many public waste incinerators have been constructed in the UK in each of the last five years. [68134]

  Mr. Meale
  Within England and Wales, one municipal waste incinerator was constructed in 1997. All other plants currently operating in England and Wales were significantly upgraded during the period in question, but no other plants were newly constructed during this period.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of public waste is currently processed through(a) recycling, (b) landfill and (c) incineration. [68135]

  Mr. Meale
  The table gives the percentage of municipal waste, collected by local authorities in England and Wales in 1996–97, which was treated or disposed of by different methods.

  Treatment and disposal of municipal waste, England and Wales, 1996–97

  Percentage

  Recycling

  7

  Landfill

  84

  Incineration without energy recovery

  3

  Incineration with energy recovery

  6

  Source:

  DETR/WO Municipal Waste Survey, 1996–97

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many HGVs have converted to road fuel gases since May 1997. [68164]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The number of HGVs able to run on road fuel gases increased from 41 vehicles in the first quarter of 1997 to 96 vehicles in the third quarter of 1998, according to the latest statistics from the DVLA vehicle register. While this increase is small, the Government expect that there will be strong growth in the number of HGVs converting to road fuel gases, particularly for those vehicles predominantly operating in urban areas.

  Buses (Road Fuel Gases)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many public transport buses have converted to road fuel gases since May 1997. [68162]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The number of public service buses able to run on road fuel gases increased from 20 vehicles in the first quarter of 1997 to 53 vehicles in the third quarter of 1998, according to the latest statistics from the DVLA vehicle register. While this increase is small, the Government expect that there will be strong growth in the number of buses converting to road fuel gases, particularly for those vehicles predominantly operating in urban areas.

  Local Authorities (Status Criteria)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the criteria which apply to(a) districts seeking to attain borough status and (b) boroughs seeking to attain city status; and if he will make a statement. [66804]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A district council may petition Her Majesty The Queen for the grant of a charter conferring upon the district the status of borough. The resolution authorising the petition requires a two-thirds majority of the members at a meeting specially convened for that purpose. The title of city is an honour conferred by Her Majesty The Queen, by Letters Patent; it is not a right which can be claimed by the fulfilment of specific conditions.

  Merchant Vessels
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many merchant vessels are registered under a British flag; and how many were so registered in May 1997. [68613]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The numbers of trading vessels registered at the end of the quarters nearest to May 1997 and at 30 September 1998, the latest available, are:

  Register

  31 March 1997

  30 June 1997

  30 September 1998

  United Kingdom

  377

  380

  375

  Isle of Man

  130

  139

  158

  Channel Islands

  3

  3

  3

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the contingency plans in the event of the Jubilee Line extension not being completed in time for the Millennium Exhibition. [66796]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government have welcomed London Transport's phased opening strategy of the Jubilee Line Extension project and their confirmation that it will open in good time for the Millennium Experience. It would, however, be irresponsible not to have in place contingency arrangements to manage problems on any of the main transport links to the Millennium site over the Millennium Year, including any failure of the Jubilee Line. I therefore asked London Underground Ltd., through my Millennium Access Co-ordination Group, to lead the production of contingency plans for this and other eventualities.

  London Underground have, in association with London's other transport operators, developed plans to cover a wide-range of possible scenarios and identified an underlying command and control strategy to direct the plans should they need to be invoked. An overview of the plans has recently been presented to my group, and we will be examining the detailed proposals shortly.
  474
  The next phase will be to test and validate the plans, and to implement the control measures so that they are in a
  'state of readiness for implementation'

  by the Autumn.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the outcome of consultation on the local government finance settlement for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [68858]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have today laid before the House the Local Government Finance Report (England) 1999–2000 and the Special Grant Report (No. 37). These reports establish the amounts of revenue support grant (RSG) and non-domestic rates (NDR) to be paid to local authorities in 1999–2000, and the basis of their distribution; and provide for Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) Reduction Grant and Central Support Protection Grant to be paid to certain authorities for 1999–2000. Drafts of these reports were issued for consultation on 2 December 1998. The Department received written representations from the Local Government Association and the Association of London Government, as well as from 215 individual local authorities and six local authority groups. My Ministerial colleagues at DETR also met the Associations, 72 delegations from local councils and four from local authority groups.

  My proposals included changes to grant distribution to give a fairer system. Having considered the views of the local authority associations and others who have commented on my initial proposals, I have decided to make only the changes in the SSA methodology which formed the basis of consultation, and no others. The SSAs for individual authorities may be slightly different from those at consultation, generally reflecting more accurate data that have become available since then.

  However, changes in the method of distribution mean that some authorities do much less well than others. The change to the formula for children's social services, in particular, has had a serious impact on some authorities. Following representations, I have concluded that I should make some changes to my proposals for a Central Support Protection Grant. This will ensure that authorities with education responsibilities can continue to provide services while they adjust their spending plans. I shall therefore provide an extra £30 million in Central Support Protection Grant to ensure that all authorities with education and social services responsibilities receive at least 1.5 per cent. more grant in 1999–2000 than they did in 1998–99. I can also confirm that no local authority will receive less grant in 1999–2000 than they did in 1998–99.

  I also received representations from local government on council tax benefit subsidy limitation. I have considered these carefully but decided to make no change to the scheme I proposed on 2 December.

  This year's local government finance settlement is the most generous since the introduction of the council tax. We have made grant distribution fairer. No authority will lose grant next year. Many will benefit from substantially increased resources, reflecting a 5.5 per cent. overall increase in funding.
  475
  For the longer term, we have published SSA totals for the next three years, and do not expect to make further changes in the method of distribution. Authorities therefore have a firm basis for planning long term, sustained service improvements.

  There is no excuse on the basis of this settlement for councils to inflict steep council tax rises on their local communities. Our increased funding for local government is generous, but affordable. We look to councils to strike the same balance.

  Last year we produced, for the first time, a Plain English guide to local government finance. This was widely welcomed, and I have arranged for an updated edition to be produced.

  I shall be sending copies of these reports and the Plain English guide to all authorities, together with tables showing each authority's Standard Spending Assessment and its entitlement to RSG, NDR and special grant. Copies of the reports, tables, and the guide are available in the Vote Office and the Library.

  Aer Lingus Crash
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) summaries and (b) microfiche records of the report of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch into the Aer Lingus Viscount crash of 24 March 1968 have been retained. [68834]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The investigation into the accident that occurred to the Aer Lingus Viscount aircraft on 24 March 1968 was conducted by Air Accident Investigation officials of the Irish Department of Transport and Power. The AAIB participated in the investigation. The Irish report was published in September 1970.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Calendar
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the President of the Council what proposals she has to introduce reform to the parliamentary year. [66807]

  Mr. Tipping
  I would like to see how the experiment on Thursday sittings agreed by the House on 16 December works before making further proposals.

  Standing Committee on Regional Affairs
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on her proposals for the reactivation of the Standing Committee on Regional Affairs. [66808]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I announced on 14 January 1999,Official Report, columns 446–47, that a proposal would be put to the Modernisation Committee to revive and adapt the standing committee on regional affairs. A memorandum setting out the proposal will shortly be sent to the Committee and I hope they will report on it in the near future.

  European Political Institutions (Travel and Communications)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the President of the Council when she plans to announce amended arrangements for travel to, and communications with, European political institutions. [66809]

  Mr. Tipping
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Council has said before that the scheme to allow Members to visit EU institutions would be extended. I can announce today that, from the next financial year, Members will be able to claim re-imbursement of travel and subsistence expenses for one visit either to the main EU institutions or to the national Parliament of any EU Member state. The Scheme will be reviewed after a year to see if it is possible to allow two visits in the second year.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Council what plans she has to introduce a question period for questions without notice. [66811]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I take questions without notice every Thursday after announcing the business. The Prime Minister also takes questions without notice every Wednesday. I have no plans to extend this procedure.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Council if she will establish an ad hoc Select Committee on military action against Iraq. [66810]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have no plans to do so.

  Parliamentary Procedures Reform
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the President of the Council what representations she has received concerning the procedure for putting non-contentious, technical law reform Bills recommended by the Law Commission before Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [67302]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have recently met the Chairman of the Law Commission to discuss this matter. There already exists an expedited procedure for Law Commission bills. This issue may also be considered by the Modernisation Committee in the course of its current inquiry into a second forum or main committee.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the President of the Council what plans she has to propose reforms of parliamentary procedure in respect of uncontroversial Bills implementing Law Commission recommendations. [67301]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Standing Order No. 59 already provides for the second reading of Law Commission bills to be taken in second reading committee rather than on the floor of the House. I have no immediate plans to propose other reforms of this procedure, but it may be relevant to the Modernisation Committee's current inquiry into the possibility of establishing a second forum or main committee.

  Law Commission Recommendations (Bills)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the President of the Council how many Bills based on Law Commission recommendations have been enacted in each of the last five years. [67304]
  477
  Mrs. Beckett
  The figures are set out in the table. The total of 20 includes two Statute Law Revision Acts and two Consolidation Acts with amendments giving effect to Law Commission recommendations.

  Year

  Number

  1994

  3

  1995

  7

  1996

  8

  1997

  1

  1998

  2

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the President of the Council what was the length of time of the debates which took place at each parliamentary stage of each of the Bills introduced to implement Law Commission recommendations in each of the last five years. [67303]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The figures in the table relate to the total amount of debating time on the floor of the House of Commons and do not include any committee proceedings. Law Commission proposals formed only part of some of the bills. Bills taken through all their stages without debate are recorded as having taken less than one minute.

  Debating time

  Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

  54 hours 54 minutes

  Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994

  1 hour 44 minutes

  Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994

  2 minutes

  Finance Act 1995

  36 hours 46 minutes

  Sale of Goods (Amendment) Act 1995

  Less than 1 minute

  Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995

  33 minutes

  Civil Evidence Act 1995

  3 minutes

  Law Reform (Succession) Act 1995

  1 minute

  Private International Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995

  1 minute

  Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1995

  1 hour 12 minutes

  Law Reform (Year and a Day Rule) Act 1996

  Less than 1 minute

  Family Law Act 1996

  19 hours 8 minutes

  Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996

  Less than 1 minute

  Damages Act 1996

  3 minutes

  Housing Act 1996

  25 hours 24 minutes

  Education Act 1996 (consolidation Act)

  Less than 1 minute

  Schools Inspection Act 1996 (consolidation Act)

  Less than 1 minute

  Theft (Amendment) Act 1996

  Less than 1 minute

  land Registration Act 1997

  Less than 1 minute

  Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998

  4 hours 8 minutes

  Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1998

  Less than 1 minute

  Salary Payments (Euros)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Council what plans she has to meet requests from right hon. and hon. Members for the payment of their salaries in euros. [67273]

  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make arrangements for right hon. and hon. Members to have the option of receiving their salaries in euros. [66509]
  478
  Mrs. Beckett
  There are no plans to offer right hon. and hon. Members the option of receiving their salaries in euros while the United Kingdom is outside the single currency zone.

  Lords Amendments
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the President of the Council how many amendments to legislation made in the House of Lords were(a) approved and (b) rejected by this House in the 1997–98 session; and how many of each were Government amendments. [67607]

  Mrs. Beckett
  In the 1997–98 session, the House of Commons considered 1,685 amendments made by the House of Lords to bills originating in this House. This House agreed to 1,615 of these amendments (four with amendments of its own) and disagreed to 70. To give precise statistics as to how many of each were Government amendments would incur a disproportionate cost. However, the House of Lords Public Bill Sessional Statistics for Session 1997–98 is a document which is in the public domain. This contains information concerning Government defeats in the House of Lords, stating in each case whether these were subsequently reversed by the House of Commons.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many persons appointed to chair immigration appeal tribunals have left office before the end of their respective terms during the period of office of the present president of the immigration appeal tribunal; and how many of them are(a) women and (b) members of ethnic minorities. [68482]

  Mr. Hoon
  No person appointed to chair Immigration Appeal Tribunals has left office before the end of their appointment during the period of the present President of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal, His Honour Judge David Pearl.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the duties of the Vice-President of Administration of the Immigration Appeals Authority; when the present appointment was made and at what salary; how many(a) informal and (b) formal complaints about the vice-president have been made since his appointment; and what was the outcome of the complaints. [68487]

  Mr. Hoon
  The post of Vice President of Administration of the Immigration Appellate Authority does not exist. The Immigration Appellate Authority consists of Immigration Adjudicators and the Immigration Appeal Tribunal. The Compliment of the Adjudicators consists of; one Chief Adjudicator; one Deputy Chief Adjudicator; 4 Regional Adjudicators; 29 full-time Adjudicators; and 213 part-time Adjudicators. The compliment of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal consists of one President; 4 Vice Presidents; 25 part-time legal members; and 26 part-time lay members. On the matter of complaints I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 1 February 1999.
  479
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) informal and (b) formal complaints have been made to his Department about the activities and attitudes of immigration appeal adjudicators by other adjudicators in each of the last five years; how many were from (a) women and (b) people from ethnic minorities; and what was the outcome of each complaint. [68486]

  Mr. Hoon
  No such complaints are recorded as having been made to the Lord Chancellor's Department between 1994 and 1996.

  In 1997 there were three informal complaints. Two of them were from a female member of a minority ethnic community. One of these complaints was resolved by agreement between the parties and the other was superseded by further discussions and correspondence. The third complaint was discussed with the individual concerned and no further action taken.

  In 1998 there were four informal and two formal complaints, all from a female member of a minority ethnic community. The complainant requested that the matters of substance raised in the informal and one of the formal complaints should be recorded but did not seek further action. The Lord Chancellor determined in relation to the other formal complaint that the adjudicator concerned should have made more careful enquiries in handling of complaint from solicitors and not have referred to the "promulgation" of a determination.

  The Lord Chancellor is considering one informal complaint made this year by a female member of a minority ethnic community.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department on what date the post of research and policy adjudicator at the Immigration Appeals Authority was created; how the person chosen was selected and by whom; and what steps were taken to ensure that the method of appointment was free from race and gender prejudice. [68485]

  Mr. Hoon
  Following an announcement in Parliament on 18 December 1996,Official Report, column 752, that the then Government intended to review Asylum and Immigration Appeals, the Regional Immigration Adjudicators asked one of their number, Dr. H. H. Storey, to prepare a paper which could be submitted to the Lord Chancellor's Department, setting out the Authority's response to that Review. Dr. Storey prepared the paper and it was submitted to the Lord Chancellor's Department in May 1997. From that date Dr. Storey has, with the endorsement of the present and previous Chief Adjudicator, continued to work on research projects for the Authority, in addition to his normal duties. Dr. Storey was originally chosen because the Regional Adjudicators considered him to be the person best qualified for the position. He is a former University Lecturer and an expert on European and Human Rights law.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department when the European panel of the Immigration Appeals Authority was established; for what purpose and by whom; how and by whom its membership was recommended and appointed; and what steps were taken to ensure that the method of appointment was free of race and gender prejudice. [68484]
  480
  Mr. Hoon
  A European Panel was established in 1997 by the Chief Immigration Adjudicator as a result of specific concerns expressed by practitioners that it occasionally happened that cases with complex European issues were listed before relatively inexperienced Adjudicators. The intention was to create a core of Adjudicators who could be trained in European law, and that this core be widened as quickly as possible. The first group of Adjudicators were nominated by Regional Adjudicators. All full-time Adjudicators in post as at November 1998 have now been trained and are on the Panel.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if it is mandatory for the Chief Adjudicator of the Immigration Appeal Authority to report the nature and number of complaints of race or gender prejudice or discrimination by members of the authority about other members to his Department. [68483]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Chief Immigration Adjudicator is responsible, in liaison with the Lord Chancellor, his officials and the Court Service, for the efficient operation of the Adjudicators' system. The Lord Chancellor would expect the Chief Immigration Adjudicator, and all other Tribunal Presidents or Tribunal Heads, to inform him of any complaint against a member of the judiciary, whether it is from a member of the public or a fellow member of the judiciary.

  Judiciary (Race and Gender Discrimination)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the standard of proof used to determine complaints of race or gender discrimination or prejudice against members of the judiciary by other members of the judiciary who are women or from a minority ethnic background. [68488]

  Mr. Hoon
  Having regard to the gravity of the allegation the Lord Chancellor requires clear and convincing proof before he would be satisfied that the complaint was made out.

  Barristers' Services
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the sets of barristers' chambers in London who have rendered services for his Department since 1 May 1997 and the remuneration made in respect of such services in each case. [68623]

  Mr. Hoon
  The remuneration received by sets of barristers' chambers in London which have rendered services to the Lord Chancellor's Department over this period is set out in the table. This includes work done for the Court Service Agency and work by the Treasury Junior.

  London Chambers

  Total paid (£)

  Blackstone Chambers, Blackstone House, (formerly 2 Hare Court)

  13,491

  4 Breams Buildings

  6,373

  1 Brick Court

  3,995

  1 Crown Office Row, Ground Floor

  5,551

  Devereux Chambers, Devereux Court

  1,486

  5 Essex Court

  164

  39 Essex Street

  20,180

  481

  London Chambers

  Total paid (£)

  Falcon Chambers

  2,361

  4–5 Gray's Inn Square

  3,624

  1 Hare Court

  3,348

  Keating Chambers, 10 Essex Street

  1,586

  1 King's Bench Walk

  3,965

  6 King's Bench Walk

  7,832

  11 King's Bench Walk, Ground Floor

  36,687

  11 King's Bench Walk, 1st Floor

  1,645

  Monckton Chambers, 4 Raymond Buildings

  1,879

  13 Old Square, 1st Floor

  2,393

  3 Pump Court, Upper Ground Floor

  2,173

  6 Pump Court, Ground and Lower Ground Floor

  2,350

  Queen Elizabeth Building

  23,735

  3 Raymond Buildings

  1,092

  3 Serjeants' Inn

  840

  7 Stone Buildings, Ground Floor

  1,175

  1 Temple Gardens

  31,531

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Carers (Further and Higher Education)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what policies the Government are implementing to encourage carers to enter further and higher education. [67971]

  Mr. Mudie
  We are committed to widening participation in both further and higher education and our plans will enable many people, including carers, to pursue their studies. We are promoting flexible learning opportunities through our new initiatives such as the University for Industry and other possibilities for distance learning. Our enhanced student support arrangements for FE and HE will also promote access to learning; and the introduction of Individual Learning Accounts will give people the flexibility to decide what, how and when to learn, and empower them to take greater control of their own career and personal development needs.

  Education (Portsmouth)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the increase in standard spending assessment for education for Portsmouth Education Authority for 1999–2000. [67241]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The provisional education SSA for Portsmouth in 1999–2000 represents an underlying increase of £4.1 million or 6 per cent. These figures illustrate the effect of allowing for local authority changes of function and taking account of new arrangements for funding music and student support.

  Teachers (PE)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students enrolled for PE teacher training (secondary) in each year since 1980. [67740]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows the number of new entrants to physical education (PE) initial teacher training for the years 1982–83 to 1998–99. Information for 1980–81 and 1981–82 is not available.
  482

  Recruitment to physical education initial training courses1, England, 1982–83 to 1998–99

  Year

  Intake

  1982–832

  866

  1983–842

  745

  1984–852

  711

  1985–862

  700

  1986–872

  738

  1987–882

  848

  1988–892

  863

  1989–902

  964

  1990–912

  898

  1991–922

  1,078

  1992–933

  1,153

  1993–943

  1,084

  1994–953

  1,309

  1995–963

  1,311

  1996–973

  1,384

  1997–983

  1,644

  1998–993,4

  1,491

  1 Includes School Centred ITT and Open University

  2 Between 1982–83 and 1991–92 all figures represent full-time equivalents

  3 From 1992–93 to 1998–99 figures represent head-counts; that is the total of full-time and part-time recruitment

  4 Provisional

  Sources:

  1982–83 to 1993–94: DFE Annual Recruitment Survey

  1994–95: Higher Education Funding Council for England's (HEFCE) Early Statistics Survey

  1995–96 to 1998–99: TTA Survey of ITT Providers

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding there is for in-service education for physical education. [67739]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not collected or held centrally.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 15 December 1998,Official Report, column 482, how many hours of training are given to primary teachers to deliver the whole physical education curriculum. [67858]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We do not specify the amount of training to be given for any subject. It is for individual providers of primary initial teacher training to ensure that their courses enable trainees to meet the standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

  Early Education (3-year-olds)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) of 14 January 1999,Official Report, column 261, what is the participation rate of 3-year-olds in early education in England. [67853]

  Ms Hodge
  The information is not available in the form requested. There were 222,000 or 35 per cent. of three-year-olds maintained nursery and primary schools in England in January 1998; this figure rises to 251,000 or 40 per cent. of three-year-olds if special and independent schools are included. In addition, the Government have set a target to double the national participation rate of three-year-olds in free early education places to 66 per cent. by 2002, using the maintained, voluntary and private sectors.
  483
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) of 14 January 1999,Official Report, column 261, what is the participation rate of 3-year-olds in early education in Southampton. [67857]

  Ms Hodge
  The information is not available in the form requested. There were 406 3-year-olds in maintained nursery and primary schools in the Southampton Local Education Authority in January 1998. In addition, the Government have set a target to double the national participation rate of 3-year-olds in free early education places to 66 per cent. by 2002, using the maintained, voluntary and private sectors.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the additional factors relating to young children used by his Department in determining the 50 local education authority areas which have been given preference in distributing funding for early education places for 3-year-olds. [68524]

  Ms Hodge
  The 50 Local Education Authorities which will receive Funding in 1999–2000 for early education places for 3-year-olds are those with the highest levels of social need measured by the Government' s Index of Local Deprivation (ILD) augmented by two factors: low birth weight and the proportion of births to teenage mothers.

  The indicators that were used to draw up the ILD are:

  housing lacking amenities;

  over-crowded housing;

  17-year-olds no longer in full-time education;

  derelict land;

  income support;

  dependent children of income support recipients;

  low educational attainment (percentage of children gaining GCSE passes at grades D-G only plus those not gaining any GCSE passes);

  long term unemployment;

  unemployment;

  insurance premiums;

  non income support recipients in receipt of council tax benefit;

  standard mortality ratios.

  Education Standard Spending Assessment
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much weighting is given to pupil numbers in calculating the education SSA. [67653]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 26 January 1999]: Some 81 per cent. of the education SSA related to schools is allocated on the basis of pupil numbers.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the possibility of the local authority funding regulations enabling a local education authority to receive funding based on the SSA for education where there are no maintained schools. [67655]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 21 January 1999]: The Government have no plans to change the current education SSA system under which most of the national total is allocated on the basis of the number of registered pupils educated at maintained schools.

  Autism
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that current school-aged children with autism have suitable provision made for them; and if he will make a statement; [68201]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that every local education authority will make available for each registered pupil with special educational needs, with particular reference to autistic spectrum disorder, the special educational provision which that learning difficulty calls for; and if he will make a statement; [68202]

  (3) what steps he is taking to ensure that every local education authority places the most important component of an autistic child's education on the statement of special educational needs of each child it has identified as having autism; and if he will make a statement; [68203]

  (4) what steps he is taking to ensure that every local education authority has a range of provision for children with autism that includes specialist provision; and if he will make a statement; [68204]

  (5) what steps he is taking to ensure that every local education authority ensures that sufficient schemes are available to provide the opportunity of appropriate education for all pupils with autistic spectrum disorder in their area; and if he will make a statement; [68205]

  (6) if he has obtained from each local education authority a copy of the guidance which they make available to the public on the educational services for children with autistic spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement; [68206]

  (7) what steps he is taking to ensure that the guidance on educational services for children with autistic spectrum disorder, available to the public from local education authorities, is fair and consistent throughout England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [68207]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Schools and local education authorities are under a duty to identify children with special educational needs, including those with autistic spectrum disorders, and to arrange provision which meets the needs of individual children. Statements of special educational need set out the range of difficulties and the special provision to be made for the education of children with the most severe and complex needs, including a proportion of the children whose needs arise from autistic spectrum disorders. When arranging provision, after consultation with parents, local education authorities are able to place children with autism in mainstream schools, SEN units in mainstream schools, special schools or specialist autism schools, either in the maintained, voluntary or independent sectors. The Department is funding five regional pilots which will be looking at arrangements for the co-ordination of SEN provision and services. It is expected that some of the projects will focus on provision for pupils with autism. The Department aims to extend regional co-operation arrangements to all areas from April 2000.

  Under the Education (School Information) (England) Regulations 1998 local education authorities are required to publish annually information about the arrangements they make for children with special educational needs, including those with autistic spectrum disorders.
  485
  Authorities may, if they wish, publish specific guidance on the arrangements they make for children with autistic spectrum disorders. Any such guidance must be consistent with authorities' duties under the law and have regard to the SEN Code of Practice.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what grants have been made by his Department to Shropshire County Council in addition to revenue support grant in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; [68439]

  (2) what grants have been made by his Department to Telford and Wrekin Council in 1998–99. [68440]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Details of the grants, in addition to revenue support grant, made available by the Department for Education and Employment to Shropshire County Council in 1997–98 and 1998–99, and to Telford and Wrekin Council in 1998–99 are shown in the tables. For the Standards Fund the figures shown include the grant made by the Department and the contribution made by the local education authority.

  Grants made available to Shropshire County Council in 1997–98

  £

  Grant title

  Shropshire

  Standards Fund

  School Effectiveness

  1,255,500

  School Improvement Initiatives

  50,000

  National Curriculum Assessment—Verification KS1

  74,300

  National Curriculum Assessment—Supply Cover KS1

  111,500

  Training for KS2 Teacher Assessment

  59,500

  KS3 Non-core Teacher Assessment

  18,600

  Primary Teachers' Subject Knowledge

  160,700

  Special Educational Needs

  123,300

  Qualifications—GNVQ Provision

  95,900

  Qualifications—Part One GNVQ Pilot

  46,000

  Pupil Behaviour and Discipline Centres

  54,500

  Bilingual Pupils

  27,900

  Drug Prevention and Schools

  44,200

  Training for Careers Teachers

  36,700

  Youth Service

  12,700

  National Professional Qualification for Headship

  41,500

  School Security

  195,300

  Child Protection

  26,000

  Specialist Schools

  115,600

  Baseline Assessment

  86,500

  Primary Performance Tables

  5,600

  Books for Schools

  232,996

  New Deal for Schools

  New Deal for Schools

  185,000

  Total

  3,059,796

  Grants made available in 1998–99 to Shropshire County Council and Telford and Wrekin Council

  £

  Grant title

  Shropshire

  Telford and Wrekin

  Standards Fund

  School Effectiveness

  922,707

  473,347

  School Leadership: NPQH

  60,307

  29,250

  School Leadership: Serving Heads

  20,102

  9,750

  Induction for Newly-Qualified Teachers

  32,150

  16,493

  486

  Grants made available in 1998–99 to Shropshire County Council and Telford and Wrekin Council

  £

  Grant title

  Shropshire

  Telford and Wrekin

  Early Years Training and Development

  80,150

  25,025

  Reduction of Infant Class Sizes

  —

  291,000

  Baseline Assessment

  63,632

  32,044

  Assessment: Verification KS1

  26,194

  23,088

  Assessment: Supply Cover

  69,059

  45,732

  Training for KS2 Teacher Assessment

  38,516

  21,398

  Effective use of National Curriculum Results

  40,786

  19,902

  National Literacy Strategy—Primary

  303,225

  181,723

  Summer Literacy Schools

  18,000

  20,000

  Family Literacy

  28,000

  28,000

  Special Educational Needs

  122,720

  —

  Qualifications: GNVQ, AS/A Level, Key Skills etc.

  92,141

  24,701

  Qualifications: Part One GNVQ Pilot

  10,000

  —

  Work Related Learning at KS4

  —

  50,000

  Improving Attendance

  —

  99,250

  Improving Behaviour

  —

  117,000

  Improving Attendance and Behaviour

  36,100

  —

  Behaviour and Discipline Projects

  —

  54,600

  Drug Prevention

  40,080

  21,098

  Youth Service

  12,807

  5,000

  School Security

  128,600

  65,972

  Specialist Schools

  116,900

  —

  National Grid for Learning

  672,000

  322,792

  Books for Schools

  152,911

  81,739

  Children's Parliament

  190

  110

  Year 6 Literacy and Numeracy Booster Classes

  94,449

  46,980

  Numeracy Consultants and Leading Maths Teacher

  3,740

  1,870

  Capital Work to reduce class sizes

  591,000

  328,700

  Removal of Outside Toilets

  329,725

  —

  Energy Management

  71,243

  40,025

  New Deal for Schools

  New Deal for Schools

  823,348

  442,200

  Total

  5,000,782

  2,918,789

  Public Employment Services
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of increasing the capacity of the Public Employment Services as suggested in the explanatory memorandum on European Community document Corn (1998) 641 final. [68350]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The measures referred to in the European Document are consistent with the existing role of the Employment Service in the delivery of the UK Employment Action Plan, which sets out the UK's approach to implementing the Employment Guidelines. No further costs are envisaged.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if his Department will continue to have the main responsibility in Wales for policy questions arising from the Commission
  487
  communication "Modernising Public Employment Services" to support the European Employment Strategy after the establishment of the Welsh Assembly. [68348]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The proposals for the future role of public Employment Services, outlined in the Commission communication "Modernising Public Employment Services" to support the European Employment Strategy, relates to reserved matters for which the Secretary of State for Education and Employment will retain policy responsibility after the establishment of the Welsh Assembly.

  Nursery Places
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the Government funds nursery places on the assumption of 100 per cent. take-up. [68326]

  Ms Hodge
  Early education places for 4-year-olds in maintained schools are funded through Education Standard Spending according to the number of eligible pupils in the Annual Schools' Census; places in the private and voluntary sectors, together with additional places in the maintained sector, attract a per capita grant calculated from termly headcounts.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provision his Department has made for the funding of early years provision in the private and voluntary sectors for 4-year-olds with special educational needs. [68323]

  Ms Hodge
  Local Education Authorities have a duty to arrange the provision specified in a child's statement of special educational needs. They also have the power to supply goods and services to providers of early years education in the private and voluntary sectors to help support 4-year-olds who have special educational needs but who do not have statements. The cost of providing additional support is reflected in each Local Education Authority's SSA allocation.

  Pay and Performance Management
  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the technical consultation document on pay and performance management following the Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change". [68913]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I am pleased to announce that, following up the Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change", my Department has today published a Technical Consultation Document on Pay and Performance Management. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Library.

  School Teachers Review Body
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the report of the School Teachers Review Body. [68914]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The 1999 report of the School Teachers' Review Body has been published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Library. I am grateful to the Chairman and members of the Review Body for their work.
  488
  In the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Government made it clear that public sector pay settlements would need to be fair, affordable, and consistent with the targets for public service improvements we have set. That is why new arrangements were announced in the CSR for the Pay Review Bodies, designed to ensure a closer and more effective link between pay settlements and departmental expenditure limits and service delivery targets. As part of these arrangements, the Prime Minister asked the School Teachers' Review Body to ensure that, in making its recommendations, four key considerations set out in the CSR were taken into account:
  recruitment, retention and motivation of the groups concerned the requirements on Departments to meet their output targets for the delivery of services
  requirements on departments to stay within their three year expenditure limits, and
  the Government's inflation target, requiring responsibility in pay settlements across the public and private sectors.

  I am satisfied that the recommendations meet these considerations. Accordingly I have decided to accept the Review Body's main recommendations to restructure the pay of headteachers from September, at a cost of 0.1% of the total teacher paybill in 1999–2000 and 0.2% in a full year, and to award a general increase of 3.5% to the pay of all teachers from 1 April. The full cost of the settlement in 1999–2000 will be 3.6%. This will be affordable within my Department's Expenditure Limits announced in the CSR in July (Cm 4011), and is fully consistent with the targets for improved services set out in my Department's Public Service Agreement published in December (Cm 4181). It is in line with the Government's prudent and disciplined approach to public spending and its commitment to deliver high quality public services and low inflation.

  The restructuring of headteachers' pay is necessary to enable schools, especially small primary schools, to recruit, retain and motivate headteachers of the quality that we need to improve standards of education. It recognises the role headteachers will play in making the proposals in the Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change" work, and it recognises the responsibility headteachers have always had for managing and improving the performance of their teachers and schools. The Review Body makes it clear that headteachers' pay should be linked to their performance against agreed targets, with no automatic increases. It recommends improvements in the performance management and review mechanism for headteachers and I propose those improvements, subject to consultation, with effect from September 1999.

  I am grateful to the Review Body for recommending a general increase at a level which is fair and which I can implement without staging. I hope teachers will welcome the fact that they will receive their pay increase in full on 1 April this year.

  The Green Paper published in December 1998 set out the Government's wide-ranging proposals for modernising and strengthening the teaching profession. An extensive consultation is now underway. This current pay settlement is an excellent springboard for the further changes from September 2000 which I hope to put in place following the consultation, and the continuing advice of the Review Body. These changes will make the

  489
  teaching profession better paid and more attractive, and they will also create better links between pay and performance. I welcome the Review Body's constructive approach to the need to reward good performance, and I look forward to next year's exercise extending this approach to the determination of the pay of all teachers.

  I will not initiate consultation with the teacher associations, the employers' organisations and other interested parties, as required under section (2)1 of the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1991, before I make provision by order for teachers' pay and conditions in 1999–2000.

  National Year of Reading
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the cost of the television advertisement and booklet accompanying the National Year of Reading. [68525]

  Mr. Mudie
  The cost of the television advertisement was £1,400,000.

  The cost of producing the accompanying booklet was £177,000 for the English language version with a further £46,000 for ethnic minority language, Braille and audio cassette versions.

  We had requests for 822,000 leaflets from parents and schools following the advertising campaign which emphasised the valuable contribution which parents can make to their children's reading.

  Teachers (Pay)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the total cost of increasing teachers' salaries by(a) 0.1 per cent.,
  (b) 3.5 per cent., (c) 4.0 per cent. and (d) 4.5 per cent. [68215]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The figures in England and Wales are as follows:(a) £12 million, (b) £423 million, (c) £484 million, and (d) £544 million. Figures for England alone are: (a) £11 million, (b) £398 million, (c) £454 million and (d) £511 million.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much of the extra expenditure on education over the next three years, announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review, has been set aside to fund increases in teachers' pay in each year. [68218]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The cost of teachers' pay awards in 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 will be contained within the Department Expenditure Limits announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review in July (Cm 4011). In respect of 2000–01 and 2001–02, up to £1 billion is available within the Departmental Expenditure Limits to support implementation of proposals in the Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change".

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the next teachers' pay award will be funded in full by central Government. [68718]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment today to my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Canning Town (Mr. Fitzpatrick),Official Report, columns 487–89.

  Failing LEAs (Contractors)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) profit-making organisations and (b) non-profit-making organisations have requested details of his Department's proposals to allow contractors to take over key functions of failing local education authorities, in response to his Department's recent advertisement. [68530]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Our recent advertisements asked for expressions of interest from organisations able to perform LEA functions and those able to provide management consultancy services. As of Wednesday, 27 January, my Department had sent out information about both consultancy and the provision of functions to 644 interested parties. The deadline for the receipt of formal expressions of interest is 15 February.

  Teachers (Upper Salary Scale)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimates his Department has made of the number of teachers who would qualify to transfer to the upper salary scale proposed in his recent Green Paper,"Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change". [68529]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  In order to pass the new performance threshold proposed in the Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change" (Cm 4164), teachers would have to demonstrate that they had consistently achieved national standards centred on strong classroom performance. The number of teachers transferring to the upper salary spine will depend on the outcomes of individual assessments against these national standards. The Government expect that, over time, a majority of teachers will be of a standard to pass the threshold if they wish to do so.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment whether supply teachers will be eligible to apply for the performance assessment for transfer to the upper salary scale proposed in his recent Green Paper; and who would be responsible for carrying out such an assessment. [68526]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Technical Consultation Document on Pay and Performance Management following up the Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change" was published today. In it we confirm that unattached teachers and supply teachers employed by the local education authority will be able to apply for threshold assessment provided that they have reached spine point 9 for qualifications and experience and if they can demonstrate that they meet the national threshold standards. Normally, their applications would be assessed by the relevant head, teacher in charge or senior manager with appropriate line management responsibility, and validated by an external assessor. In exceptional circumstances, the teacher may need to apply direct to the external assessor through the local education authority.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate his Department has made of the additional cost to the teachers' salary bill of(a) 25 per cent., (b) 50 per cent. and (c) 75 per cent. of teachers progressing to the upper salary scale proposed in his recent Green Paper. [68528]
  491
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change" proposes that teachers successful at the new performance threshold could receive a salary increase of up to 10 per cent. It would be for governing bodies to decide, on the advice of the head, where on the upper pay spine to place teachers who had passed the threshold assessment, assigned on a combination of excellent performance and extra responsibility. This decision will determine the exact salary level for each teacher.

  As estimated 220,000 full-time equivalent teachers in England will have reached spine point nine for qualifications and experience by September 1999 and will therefore be eligible to apply for assessment at the performance threshold to the new upper pay spine.

  For every £1,000 of average salary increase, the annual paybill cost of 25 per cent. or 50 per cent. or 75 per cent. passing would be some £65 million or £125 million or £190 million respectively.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what role he proposes for the School Teachers' Review Body in determining salaries for teachers on the upper salary scale proposed in his recent Green Paper. [68527]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Following the outcome of the consultation on the Green Paper "Teachers: Meeting the Challenge of Change", the Secretary of State will be asking the School Teachers' Review Body to make recommendations which would also cover the values of pay points on the proposed upper salary spine.

  Fair Funding Proposals
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will introduce regulations to prevent local authorities from funding the cost of any redundancies amongst local authority staff, arising from reduced use of local authority services by schools under the Government's Fair Funding proposals, from the Individual Schools Budget; and if he will make a statement. [68219]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The statutory guidance on school financing schemes recently issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does not envisage that redundancy costs should be met from schools' budget shares where the staff in question were not school-based. There would therefore seem to be no reason why local education authorities should wish to include provision for such costs in their Individual Schools Budgets. The Financing of Maintained Schools Regulations 1999 permit the central retention by LEAs of funds to meet redundancy costs which are not properly chargeable to individual schools.

  GCSE (Digital Broadcasts)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultation he has undertaken with and what representations he has received from(a) the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, (b) the teacher trade unions, (c) examination boards, (d) employers' organisations and (e) further and higher education institutions, on the principle of the establishment of digital broadcasting services to support the GCSE curriculum. [68214]
  492
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The potential role of digital broadcasting services was raised in consultation on the National Grid for Learning, launched in October 1997. As well as being publicly available, the consultation document ("Connecting the Learning Society") was widely distributed, including to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), teacher organisations, further and higher education institutions and examination boards, and employer organisations. DfEE received almost 1,000 responses to the consultation. The outcomes of consultation were published in 'The Grid—Your Views', and are available on the Internet at http://www.vtc.ngfl.gov.uk/vtc/library/pub.html.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment from which budgetary head funds will be made available for the provision of specific digital broadcasting services to support the GCSE curriculum. [68217]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Funds for any educational broadcasting service to support the GCSE curriculum will be paid from programme expenditure within DfEE's expenditure limit.

  Schools (Digital Broadcasts)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools currently have facilities to enable the reception of digital broadcasting services; and what is his estimate of how many will have such facilities by the end of(a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [68216]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Such equipment is only now becoming available and schools may deploy resources within the National Grid for Learning Standards Fund Grant to make appropriate purchases. Take-up will be assessed in the 1999 DfEE survey of information and communications technology (ICT) in schools.

  Adjudicators
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 3 December 1998,Official Report,
  column 244, if he will make a statement on the appointment of adjudicators as provided under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. [68531]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on Thursday 28 January 1999,Official Report, column 480.

  Equal Opportunities Commission
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the role of the Advisory Committee members of the Equal Opportunities Commission; and what remuneration members of the Committee receive. [68521]

  Ms Hodge
  The Equal Opportunities Commission is an executive non-Departmental public body established under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 with a statutory remit to work towards the elimination of discrimination, to promote equality of opportunity between men and women, and to keep under review the workings of the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Pay Act 1970. It is not
  493
  an Advisory Committee. The Commission comprises up to 15 Commissioners. The Chair's salary for 1998–99 was set at £48,930. The two Deputy Chairs receive a daily fee of £237. Other Commissioners receive a daily fee of £123.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Chevening House
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions he has made use of Chevening House; and how many of these occasions have included(a) official Government business and (b) the reception of official visitors. [66006]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The running costs of Chevening House and Estate are borne not by the Government but by the Chevening Trust. I meet the costs of food, drink and laundry for myself, my family and private guests.

  I chaired a meeting at Chevening House on 5 January 1999 to discuss medium-term strategy for the FCO.

  I hosted a dinner for the US Foreign Minister, Mrs. Madeleine Albright, on 27 December 1997, and had a meeting with the Dutch Foreign Minister, Mr. Jozias van Aartsen, on 17 August 1998.

  Government Communications Headquarters
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total cost of the compensation for loss of pension rights which his Department has agreed to pay to the 14 former employees of GCHQ. [66489]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: The additional pension benefits will be provided through a special scheme under the Superannuation Act 1972. That scheme will be limited to the fourteen who were dismissed. The level of compensation will reflect two factors; the impact on pensionable pay on retirement of the decisions about pay taken by GCHQ in the light of the refusal of the fourteen to resign from their trade union; and the loss of pensionable service. The cost will be met from within existing resources.

  European Commission (Firearms)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the eligibility of European Commission protection officers to carry firearms in the United Kingdom. [67451]

  Ms Quin
  The eligibility of European Commission protection officers to carry firearms in the United Kingdom is the responsibility of the Home Office, and subject to the issuing of a permit by the Metropolitan Police under the authority of the Home Secretary. To date, no such permit has been issued to a Commission protection officer. One would be issued only in exceptional circumstances, and then only if the protection officer were accompanied by an armed Metropolitan Police Special Branch Officer.

  Muslim Council of Britain
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent meeting with the Muslim Council of Britain. [67960]
  494
  Mr. Fatchett
  I met a range of representatives of the British Muslim Community including the Muslim Council of Britain on 20 January. I briefed them on the situation regarding the British nationals currently being held in Yemen, especially the efforts made so far by Ministers and FCO officials on behalf of the detainees. I reassured them that all British Citizens are given equal consular protection and support, regardless of their creed, race or religion.

  India
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India. [67958]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I had wide ranging talks with Mr. Mishra and Indian officials on various issues of mutual interest.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit India. [67959]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor I have any plans to visit India at present. I visited India in November 1998, when I was able to hold a range of bilateral talks.

  Entry Clearance Interviews
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to announce which post will be used as a pilot for the recording of entry clearance interviews. [67957]

  Mr. Fatchett
  This Department is consulting candidate Posts and preparing the necessary procedures for the pilot project. I expect this preparatory process to take several weeks. We will announce the name of the Post chosen for the pilot scheme as soon as possible.

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to announce the name of the new British High Commissioner to Bangladesh. [67961]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There is no date for this announcement yet. It is normal procedure to announce appointments three to four months in advance of change over.

  Electro-shock Batons
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what end use monitoring his Department has undertaken into the use of the electro-shock batons trans-shipped from the United States to Saudi Arabia via the United Kingdom in 1993. [68189]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not routinely undertake end-use monitoring once an export licence has been granted; potential end-use considerations are taken into account as part of the licence handling process before export. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced on 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 65–66, a ban on the export of electro-shock equipment and other equipment which could be used for torture.

  British Council
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the British Council's record of investment in(a) its premises and (b) information technology. [68307]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The British Council's investment strategy is discussed with the FCO as part of the process of agreeing the Council's Corporate Plan. The Council requires the prior approval of the FCO for investment of over £500,000 for property and £250,000 for other projects, and it is responsible for preparing post-project appraisals.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what responsibilities which his Department had prior to the Comprehensive Spending Review are to be(a) discontinued by his Department, (b) transferred to another department, (c) transferred to an executive agency and (d) added to his Department over the period 1998–99 to 2001–02. [68401]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The information is as follows:

  (a) None;

  (b) None;

  (c) None;

  (d) In 1998–99, the FCO became the sole sponsor Department for the British Council's work as the UK's principal agency for cultural relations abroad. This will not affect the level of Government funding (previously shared with DFID).

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional legislation, not currently before Parliament, was assumed in the production of his Department's spending allocation for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 in the Comprehensive Spending Review. [68417]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There is a long-standing convention that legislative proposals for each year are not announced before the Queen's Speech at the start of the relevant Session.

  Chevening Scholarships
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Chevening scholarships have been awarded, and at what cost, in each of the past five years. [68337]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The numbers and costs of Chevening Scholarships awarded in the past five years are:

  Year

  Scholars1

  £ million

  1998–99

  3,967

  27.2

  1997–98

  4,053

  27

  1996–97

  3,967

  25.8

  1995–96

  3,967

  26.9

  1994–95

  3,880

  24.9

  1 Including both new scholars and continuing awards

  These figures include the jointly funded Chevening awards, co-sponsored by the FCO, British universities, and commercial and other partners.
  496
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Chevening scholarship programme; how many scholarships, at what cost are planned for the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [68338]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Chevening scholarship programme is our main scholarship scheme overseas. It is co-funded by the FCO and DfID. It has a well developed procedure for selection of students, and for maintaining contact when they return home. Chevening Scholars benefit from studying at Higher Education Institutions in the UK, experience the British way of life, make valuable contacts with British counterparts, and return home with a better understanding of the UK and of British values. On return home they make an important contribution to the life of their own countries.

  The estimated numbers of Chevening awards and costs for the next three years, assuming the present basis of funding continues, are:

  Year

  Scholars1

  £ million

  1999–2000

  3,985

  30

  2000–01

  4,025

  30.2

  2001–02

  4,065

  30.6

  1Including both new scholars and continuing awards

  These figures include the jointly funded Chevening awards, co-sponsored by the FCO, British universities, and commercial and other partners. A cross-Whitehall study is being undertaken of how to attract more foreign students to the UK. An assessment of the Chevening scheme is included in this study.

  Arms Exports
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will publish the first annual report on arms exports. [68791]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The report will be published as soon as possible.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Dr. Marek) of 19 January 1999,Official Report, columns 436–37, for what reasons his Department describes the Bay of Gibraltar as the Bay of Algeciras; and when it first adopted this description. [68523]

  Ms Quin
  The bay to the west of Gibraltar is known both as the Bay of Gibraltar and the Bay of Algeciras. The extent of British Territorial Waters in the bay is as described in my answer of 19 January 1999,Official Report, columns 436–37, to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Dr. Marek).

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 1999,Official Report, columns 148–49, concerning Senator Pinochet, what discussions his

  497
  Department held with the Chilean Embassy on 15–16 October about the possible arrest of Senator Pinochet. [68491]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The discussions with the Chilean Ambassador on 15 and 16 October referred to in my earlier answer took place before the receipt of the request from the Spanish authorities for the provisional arrest of Senator Pinochet and did not relate to that subject.

  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 1999,Official Report, columns 148–49, concerning Senator Pinochet, if his Department informed the Chilean Ambassador on 16 October that the Metropolitan Police were interested in Senator Pinochet's possible diplomatic immunity. [68490]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No. The inquiry from the Metropolitan Police about Senator Pinochet's possible diplomatic immunity was received after the telephone conversation between this Department and the Chilean Ambassador.

  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 1999,Official Report, columns 148–49, concerning General Pinochet, if the discussions between his Department and the Metropolitan Police on 16 October 1998 took place before his Department was telephoned by the Chilean Ambassador on 16 October. [68489]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The contacts with the Metropolitan Police concerning immunity took place after the conversation with the Chilean Ambassador on 16 October. Contacts with the Metropolitan Police before the conversation on 16 October concerned only the request from the 5th Central Magistrate's Court in Madrid to interview Senator Pinochet, received on 14 October and of which the Chilean Ambassador was aware.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what export licences have been granted since 1 May 1997 for the export of land mines; if he will list the countries and the dates when the licences were granted; and how many land mines were included under each export licence. [64523]

  Dr. Howells
  I have been asked to reply.

  The export of land mines is controlled under entry ML4 in the Export of Goods (Control) Order, which also covers bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles and related equipment and accessories. The entry in the legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating.

  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 2 May 1997 and 4 December 1998, 890 individual licences were issued covering the export of goods with the relevant rating: 844 Standard Individual Export Licences and 46 Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs).

  It would entail disproportionate cost to determine if any of these licences covered land mines. However, I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to my hon. Friend the
  498
  Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Helen Jackson) on 21 May 1997, Official Report, columns 72–73, which set out the Government's policy on the import, export, transfer, manufacture and use of anti-personnel land mines.

  The information on licences should be considered in light of the answer given by the then Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.

  The Government are also committed to reporting annually on the state of strategic export controls and their application. As the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), stated in his answer of 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 149, to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones), the annual report will list by country of destination the numbers of export licences issued in each equipment category and give details of the military equipment for which licences have been granted. This information will also be given in future reports.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Hollis Industries Plc
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department received the letter of 15 July from the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory), passed on by the Registrar of Companies, regarding alleged accounting offences by Hollis Industries plc. [65593]

  Mr. Byers
  On 17 July 1998.

  Rt. Hon. Member for Hartlepool
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the Permanent Secretary to the Department of Trade and Industry was informed of the loan from the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) to the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson). [65598]

  Mr. Byers
  On 17 December 1998.

  Post Office
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what limits the Government have set on Post Office expenditure on acquisitions this year and next; and what is his current forecast of the Post Office contribution to the public sector's revenues; [66228]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the acquisition of German Parcels on (a) the Post Office's net cash generation and (b) the level of overall public borrowing. [66153]

  Mr. Byers
  Under the new financial framework for the Post Office, announced in the House on 7 December 1998,Official Report, columns 21–24, by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), the proportion of profits removed from the business will be halved, enabling it to finance greater levels of investment.

  499
  In addition, the Government recognise that larger growth investments may require prudent borrowing. Post Office proposals for the largest strategic investments, including acquisitions, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  The Post Office contribution to the public sector (apart from normal corporate taxes) was expected to be £310 million for 1998–99, and £207 million for 1999–2000, the latter based on an estimate of 50 per cent. of post-tax profits. Adjustments to these external financing limits to take account of UK borrowing to finance the purchase of German Parcels will be made shortly.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the cost to the Post Office of the acquisition of German Parcels. [66154]

  Mr. Byers
  The Post Office has asked that the precise details of this specific transaction not be released for reasons of commercial confidentiality. The financial implications of Post Office investments will properly be reflected in both published Government and Post Office accounts.

  Regional Aid
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he intends to submit to the European Commission on the designation of new assisted areas for regional selective assistance. [66132]

  Mr. Byers
  No decisions have yet been made on the areas that will be proposed to the European Commission.

  Siemens
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will require Siemens to repay their start-up grant. [66134]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to him on 9 November 1998, Official Report, columns 57–58.

  Armscor
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what investigations Her Majesty's Government have carried out into the affairs of Armscor; [65125]

  (2) what dealings representatives of Her Majesty's Government have had with Armscor. [65126]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: Since the April 1994 democratic elections in South Africa, the Government, primarily through the Ministry of Defence, have had some contact with Armscor.

  The DTI has not carried out any investigations into the affairs of Armscor. However, a Customs and Excise investigation into alleged breaches of UK export controls led to proceedings being initiated in 1984 against four South Africans connected with Armscor. The four were bailed, but failed to return for trial. The charges were withdrawn in December 1994.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the quantity of small arms for which 500
  export licences were granted in each of the last five years in respect of (a) China, (b) Zambia, (c) the Sudan and (d) Serbia and Montenegro. [65884]

  Dr. Howells
  The export of specified small arms is controlled under entries ML1 and PL5018 in the Export of Goods (Control) Order, which also cover specified accessories and specially designed components. The entry in the legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating.

  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1998, 60 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Zambia of goods covered by these ratings. Two Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were also issued covering such exports on which Zambia was a permitted destination. It would entail disproportionate cost to determine the quantity of small arms covered by these licences.

  Individual licences issued in each year covering the export to Zambia of goods with the ratings ML1 or PL5018

  Number of SIELs issued covering goods with rating

  ML1 Number of OIELs issued covering goods with rating

  Number of SIELs issued covering goods with rating

  Ratings PL5018 Number of OIELs issued covering goods with rating

  1994

  9

  0

  6

  0

  1995

  10

  0

  12

  0

  1996

  12

  0

  6

  0

  1997

  5

  0

  1

  0

  1998

  1

  2

  0

  0

  In the same period, no individual export licences were issued for the export of goods with these ratings to consignees or end-users in the People's Republic of China, Sudan or the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

  This information should be considered in light of the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.

  There is no internationally agreed definition of "small arms". It is possible that some weapons controlled under other ratings could be called small arms; for instance a 12-bore shotgun with a calibre greater than 12.7mm would be controlled under entry ML2.

  Certain Open General Export Licences (OGELs) cover, for a range of specified countries (including Zambia), the return of weapons controlled under entries ML1 and PL5018, subject to the conditions of the licence in each case. These include the Open General Export Licence (Export After Repair: Military Goods). Zambia is also a permitted destination on the Open General Export Licence (Export After Exhibition: Military Goods). The export of such weapons to Zambia is also covered by the Open General Export Licence (Export for Repair/Replacement Under Warranty: Military Goods). Copies of all Open General Export Licences valid at any time during the

  501
  period are in the Library of the House. No OGELs cover the export of such goods to the People's Republic of China, Sudan or the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences have been granted for the export of military and paramilitary goods to Sri Lanka for the last five years, in each case listing the categories under which the licences were issued. [66377]

  Dr. Howells
  The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating.

  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1998, 360 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and 34 Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Sri Lanka of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the Table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  Individual Licenses issued between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1998 covering the export to Sri Lanka of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  ML1

  73

  1

  ML2

  16

  1

  ML3

  35

  1

  ML4

  45

  4

  ML5

  14

  3

  ML6

  10

  3

  ML7

  4

  0

  ML8

  1

  1

  ML9

  4

  0

  ML10

  12

  8

  ML11

  102

  8

  ML13

  6

  6

  ML14

  5

  1

  ML15

  22

  1

  ML18

  0

  3

  ML21

  2

  2

  ML22

  3

  1

  PL5001

  2

  1

  PL5002

  8

  0

  PL5006

  1

  0

  PL5017

  2

  1

  PL5018

  6

  0

  PL5021

  3

  0

  PL5027

  1

  0

  PL5030

  2

  0

  This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict.

  This information should be considered in light of the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.
  502
  In addition, certain goods on the Military List may have been exported to Sri Lanka under certain Open General Export Licences; copies of all Open General Export Licences valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for the export of(a) paramilitary, (b) security and (c) police equipment to Indonesia have been (i) granted, (ii) refused and (iii) revoked since 10 May 1998; and if he will indicate the export licence category in each case. [66616]

  Dr. Howells
  The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating.

  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 11 May and 31 December 1998, 17 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and 8 Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Indonesia of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List. In the same period, no such licences were revoked and one standard individual export licence application, covering goods with a rating of ML1, was refused.

  Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the Table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  Individual licenses issued between 10 May and 31 December 1998 covering the export to Indonesia of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  ML4

  0

  1

  ML5

  1

  1

  ML6

  0

  1

  ML9

  1

  0

  ML10

  11

  3

  ML11

  3

  4

  ML14

  0

  1

  ML15

  0

  1

  ML21

  1

  2

  ML22

  0

  2

  PL5017

  2

  0

  This information should be considered in light of the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.

  In addition, goods on the Military List may have been exported to Indonesia under certain Open General Export Licences; copies of all Open General Export Licences valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.

  As my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green said in her answers to my hon. Friend of 8 April 1998, Official Report, columns 345–46, and 3 June 1998, Official Report, column 227, it is not possible to break

  503
  down these data in the manner requested as the equipment covered by many entries in the Military List could be used by military, paramilitary or police end-users.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what export licences are required for(a) military goods and (b) dual-use goods exported by the Crown. [66236]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: The export of controlled military goods is controlled under the Export of Goods (Control) Order, made under the provisions of the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939. As the 1939 Act does not bind the Crown, no licence is required. As regards exports of dual-use goods, I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 1 December 1998 to my hon. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Grogan), Official Report, columns 123–24.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what licences have been granted to the Crown Agents since 1 May 1997 for military or dual-use goods, by category; [66237]

  (2) if he will list the export licences for tear gas or plastic bullets (a) given to and (b) applied for by the Crown Agents since 1 May 1997; [66239]

  (3) how many export licences have been given to the Crown Agents since 1 May 1997 for goods in the ML7 category. [66240]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answers 19 January 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible, and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what export licences have been issued to International Military Sales Ltd. since 1 May 1997; [66242]

  (2) what documentation has been required for export licences issued to International Military Sales Ltd. [66243]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answers 19 January 1999]: The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated, and no standard or open individual licences are recorded as having been issued to this company between 2 May 1997 and 31 December 1998. This information should be considered in light of the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what military or dual-use goods have been exported without licences by the Crown Agents since 1 May 1997, by category. [66238]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: The Export Control Organisation of the Department of Trade and Industry maintains records of applications for licences required under the Export of Goods (Control) Order (1994), EC Regulation 3381–94 and related Council Decision 94/942/CFSP, or the Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1996. It does not compile records either of licensed exports or of exports for which no licence has been issued.
  504
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the export licences granted to Procurement Services International to export military equipment to Indonesia. [67573]

  Dr. Howells
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible, and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list military equipment exported to Indonesia since 1 May 1997. [67602]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then President of the Board of Trade on 2 December 1997,Official Report, columns 124–26, to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin) and my predecessor's replies of 8 April 1998, Official Report, columns 345–46, and of 3 June 1998, Official Report, column 227, and to PQ number 66616 tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd), answered today, Official Report, columns 502–03.

  I would also refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 149.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce legislation to regulate the overseas licensed production and export of military, security and police equipment by a UK company in a second country; and what representations he has received on these matters. [66891]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) on 12 January 1999, Official Report, columns 149–50, and to the answers given by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Ms Jones) on 14 December 1998, Official Report, column 364, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley on 12 January 1999, Official Report, column 151.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the operation by other states of a legal right to advance public scrutiny of export licence applications for military, security and police equipment transfers. [66893]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: In the course of our review of the proposals contained in the White Paper on Strategic Export Controls in the light of responses received, we are also examining, where it is relevant to do so, legislation and practice in other countries.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what measures are currently available to prevent British manufacturers of equipment entered in Part III of Schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, from licensing production in countries where such equipment might be used for internal repression or international aggression, or pose a risk to regional stability; [67896]
  505
  (2) what measures he is taking to ensure that UK and European export control mechanisms are not undermined by licensed production agreements; and if he will make a statement. [67892]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer of 12 January 1999,Official Report, columns 149–50, to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd).

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences for the export of goods entered in Part III of Schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 to Indonesia have been granted and denied since 1 May 1997. [67895]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 26 January 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then President of the Board of Trade on 2 December 1997, Official Report, columns 124–26, to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin) and my predecessor's replies of 8 April 1998, Official Report, columns 345–46 and of 3 June 1998, Official Report, column 227 and to PQ number 66616 tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd), answered today, Official Report, columns 502–03.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences for the export of goods entered in Part III of Schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 have been granted since 1 May 1997 in respect of(a) Afghanistan, (b) Angola, (c) Rwanda and (d) Yugoslavia. [67898]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 26 January 1999]: The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 2 May 1997 and 8 January 1999, 23 standard individual export licences (SIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in the specified countries of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List. In the same period, no such Open Individual Export Licences were issued.

  Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the Table in the total for all the relevant ratings.

  Individual licences issued between 2 May 1997 and 8 January 1999 covering the export of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  Afghanistan

  ML4

  1

  ML13

  1

  Angola

  ML4

  1

  ML6

  4

  ML11

  7

  ML13

  1

  PL5031

  1

  PL5033

  1

  Rwanda

  ML6

  1

  ML11

  4

  506

  Individual licenses issued between 2 May 1997 and 8 January 1999 covering the exports of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  ML10

  1

  This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict.

  This information should be considered in light of my predecessor's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the planned contents of the annual report on strategic export controls and their application as proposed in the White Paper "Strategic Export Controls". [66894]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 149.

  British Airways
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) on what issues more progress is needed before a final decision can be announced on the application for approval of the alliance between British Airways and American Airlines; [66641]

  (2) when he expects to be able to announce a final decision on the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines; [66642]

  (3) if he will place in the Library a copy of his predecessor's letter to British Airways in reply to a letter dated 2 December seeking deferment of a final decision on the alliance with American Airlines; and if he will make a statement. [66643]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: The Alliance cannot be implemented until my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions has concluded a new liberalised air services agreement with the United States. I could not take a final decision on the alliance until the picture on the negotiations is clearer. Assuming satisfactory progress on the air services agreement, there would also need to be further work to be done on the details of slot allocation, and the industry wide issues identified by the Commission also need to be progressed. Given the current position, it is not possible for me to assess when I will be able to take a final decision.

  The substance of my predecessor's letter to British Airways has already been made public. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), on 17 December 1998, Official Report, column 697.

  Former Ministers
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many severance payments have been made to Ministers who have quit office in his Department since 2 May 1997; and if he will list(a) the former ministers concerned and (b) the sums paid. [66593]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: Severance payments to Ministers are made in accordance with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 which provides that Ministers who have not attained the age of 65, and are not reappointed to a relevant Ministerial or other paid office within three weeks of their leaving office are eligible for a severance payment of one quarter of the annual salary being paid.

  Two Ministers who have left the Department since 2 May 1997 qualify for such payments—my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths), who was Under-Secretary of State at the time of his departure, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), who was Secretary of State.

  Minister for Science
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what dates the Minister for Science resigned from the boards of(a) Diatech and (b) Innotech Innovation. [66695]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 20 January 1999]: The Minister for Science resigned as a Director of Diatech Limited and of Innotech Investment Limited on 31 July 1998.

  Local Deprivation Indicators
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which measures of local deprivation his Department and its agencies use in considering allocation of funds to local projects. [66720]

  Mr. Wills
  The DTI does not use measures of local deprivation in considering allocation of funds to local projects. Applications for regional selective assistance are considered on their merits, in accordance with the requirements of the Industrial Development Act 1982.

  Energy Agencies
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will(a) list (i) the number of energy agencies in the United Kingdom and (ii) give details of how they are funded and (b) state what plans he has to increase the number of energy agencies in the United Kingdom. [67686]

  Mr. Meale
  I have been asked to reply.

  Seventeen energy agencies have been established in the UK under the European Commission's SAVE II energy efficiency programme, and I understand that a further five are completing the contractual procedures. Detailed funding arrangements are a matter for the Commission and the agency concerned, though, in general, the SAVE II programme provides up to 150,000 Euros of start-up funding: after three years, the agencies are expected to become self financing. We publicise the annual call for proposals under the SAVE H programme, and encourage and assist UK interests to submit effective applications.

  Electricity Supply (North Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what applications he has received for the continuation of the supply carried by the Lackenby-Picton-Shipton line beyond Shipton; [67466]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the requirement for the National Grid to apply for further consents to transfer electricity south of Shipton; [67464]

  (3) if the National Grid has obtained the necessary consents for its proposals for the transfer of power supply south of Shipton. [67465]

  Mr. Battle
  The Lackenby-Picton-Shipton line, for which various consents were granted on 26 March 1998, will connect with an existing line from Shipton to Osbaldwick which forms part of the national transmission system and which was granted consent in 1964. This will allow the transfer of electricity south of Shipton. No further applications have been received in respect of this transfer.

  Departmental Papers (Access for Visually Impaired)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for departmental(a) White and (b) Green Papers to be made available on floppy disk format in a form which facilitates access for the visually impaired. [67847]

  Mr. Byers
  We aim to make key departmental information as widely available as possible and to put departmental White and Green Papers on the DTI Internet web site. This is useful to people with visual impairments since they can adjust their software to increase the text size to meet their requirements.

  It has not been our usual practice to offer texts on floppy disk simply because there has not been a demand. Availability of texts via the Internet may now be satisfying that demand but if we receive an ad hoc request for a text on disk we are happy to produce and supply it.

  Officials are due to meet representatives of the RNIB in early February to discuss what further steps the Department could take to help the visually impaired access DTI material.

  Death Penalty Equipment
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce a ban on the brokering, promotion and installation of death penalty technology and equipment by UK companies; and what representations he has received on these matters. [66892]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson) on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 65–66, which announced a ban on the export of certain, specified equipment that has been used in torture. I understand that there is no present intention to extend the scope of this ban, and that there is no accepted definition of "death penalty technology", which could encompass technology relating to the production and use of a very wide range of items. The Government's proposals for new powers to control trafficking and brokering of the goods covered by the ban

  509
  announced by the Foreign Secretary were set out in the White Paper on Strategic Export Controls (Cm 3989), published in July 1998. The Government have received a number of responses to the White Paper, and regularly receive representations on various issues relating to strategic export controls.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 18 January 1999,Official Report, columns 359–60, concerning the tendering process for the award of a contract by Action 2000 (1) which of the companies invited to tender have previously done work for Action 2000; [67443]

  (2) what the closing date was for the receipt of tenders; and on what date a decision was made as to which tender was successful; [67445]

  (3) on what date the three companies were invited to tender; and in what way the tender opportunity was advertised; [67444]

  (4) on what date and where the three companies presented their proposals to Action 2000 and an independent representative from Business Link; [67442]

  (5) how many companies were visited prior to the issue of invitations to tender; and what criteria were used in deciding which companies should be invited to tender. [67446]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: This detailed commercial information is a matter for the company. The question has therefore been drawn to the attention of the Chairman of Action 2000.

  BSkyB (Manchester United)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his predecessor received advice from the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Trade and Industry that there was no conflict of interest which prevented him from dealing with competition issues arising from the proposed takeover by BSkyB of Manchester United. [67356]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), on 27 October 1998, Official Report, column 134.

  Departmental Staff (Travel)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating what changes have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. [67492]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 26 January 1999]: Mileage rates paid to staff using their own cars for official business are as follows:

  Engine Size

  Up to 4000 miles (standard rate) (p)

  over 4000 miles (lower standard rate) (p)

  Up to 1500cc

  35

  20

  1501–2000cc

  45

  25

  over 2000cc

  48

  34

  510
  The rates for the two smaller categories of engine are Inland Revenue calculated Fixed Profit Car Scheme (FPCS) rates. However, for the over 2000cc category, DTI pays significantly lower rates than those published by the Inland Revenue. The DTI rates are 48p and 34p per mile compared to the FPCS rates of 63p and 36p per mile respectively. This policy was introduced to discourage use of large engined cars.

  Other encouragements to use public transport, or less polluting forms of transport than cars are:
  a travel and subsistence policy that promotes the use of public transport over car use
  provision of interest free loans for season ticket and bicycle purchase
  provision of parking facilities for cycles in all DTI buildings and shower facilities in some;

  DTI is currently reviewing its travel policy and will shortly be producing a green transport plan.

  Football Clubs (Media Rights)
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Government policy on football clubs buying media rights to football coverage. [67334]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 27 January 1999]: I understand that the hon. Member is referring to the general issue of closer ownership ties between football clubs and media companies, and the possible impact which any such ties may have on the televising of football matches, football merchandising, and the choice available to football supporters.

  On the question of ownership, the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) advises on acquisitions which qualify for investigation under the Fair Trading Act 1973. Where a merger raises concerns it can be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) for investigation. All cases are considered on their individual merits.

  Separately from the arrangements for scrutinising mergers, if any links between media companies and football clubs were to lead to allegations of anti-competitive behaviour or abuse of a dominant position, then, in the first instance, it would be the responsibility of the DGFT to investigate the matter.

  In addition, in April 1996 the DGFT referred to the Restrictive Practices Court (RPC) the FA Premier League rules and certain restrictions in agreements between the Premier League, BSkyB and the BBC for televising football. The case is now a matter for the RPC. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has no role in the RPC's procedures. It is for the parties to the agreements to demonstrate to the RPC that the restrictions in the agreements are not contrary to the public interest.

  Nuclear Reprocessing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a specimen contract between BNFL and a German utility covering reprocessing services, excluding any commercially confidential information. [68427]
  511
  Mr. Battle
  The contracts between BNFL and its German customers are commercially confidential in their entirety, and therefore we are unable to do so.

  Electronic Warfare
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for the Home Department of 25 January 1999,Official Report, column 75, on electronic warfare, what responsibilities of his Department for measures against information warfare will come within the lead responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. [68313]

  Mr. Wills
  The Home Secretary's new responsibilities to coordinate action across government and work with the private sector to ensure adequate protection for the UK's critical infrastructure were set out in his reply of 25 January. The specific responsibilities of individual Departments have not changed. The Department of Trade and Industry's responsibilities include the promotion of BS7799 (the Code of practice for Information security management) and the c:cure scheme (the scheme for accredited certification against BS7799). Responsibilities also include the relevant initiatives falling within industry sectors (such as telecommunications, oil, gas, electricity). This includes ensuring that these sectors have sufficient systems and controls to protect themselves against the possibility of attack.

  Electricity Trading
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the reform of electricity trading arrangements are subject to an environmental assessment under the environmental policy guidelines. [68318]

  Mr. Battle
  An environmental appraisal was undertaken in respect of the Government's proposed electricity market reforms, including the reform of electricity trading arrangements, and this was published as part of the Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation (Cm 4071). Environmental concerns will continue to be a central consideration throughout the process of implementing new electricity trading arrangements.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of proposals to extend the Working Time Directive to the United Kingdom sector of the Continental Shelf in respect of(a) cost and (b) safety; and if he will make a statement. [68368]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  On 18 November, the European Commission proposed to extend the Working Time Directive to the excluded sectors. This includes an estimated 20,000 offshore workers in the UK. We are considering the proposals carefully, and will seek to ensure they are balanced, sensible and do not adversely affect the competitiveness or the safety requirements of the industries concerned.
  512
  Due to difficulty in identifying workers within the excluded sectors the cost of applying the Working Time Directive to offshore workers was covered in the original assessment. A copy of this assessment has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Central Arbitration Committee
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the current responsibility of the Central Arbitration Committee and his plans for extending it. [68628]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) currently hears complaints under section 181 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 that an employer has failed to disclose information to a recognised trade union for the purposes of collective bargaining. Under section 212 of that Act, it may also arbitrate in trade disputes referred to it by ACAS, though it has not done so for several years.

  The Employment Relations Bill introduced on 27 January contains the Government's proposals both to extend the role of the CAC to deal with applications for trade union recognition and to revise the statutory administrative provisions governing the CAC.

  Domestic Gas
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had about extending the domestic gas supply network in the United Kingdom; and what proposals there are for such extensions. [68377]

  Mr. Battle
  This is a matter for the Director General of Gas Supply (DGSS) who has duties under the Gas Act 1986 (as amended) to exercise his relevant functions to ensure that reasonable demands for gas conveyed through pipes are met where it is economical, and that there is effective competition in the conveyance of gas to new areas. There are now some seven Public Gas Transporters (PGTs). A consumer seeking a gas connection can either seek a connection from a PGT; purchase and lay the pipe himself, or his PGT can use the system of supplemental charges whereby the cost of the connection is recovered over a protracted period of time through an additional charge on each unit of gas used. I understand that a number of PGTs continue to be granted geographical extensions to their licences and that a growing number of premises is being connected to the main gas system.

  SMEs (Internet)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to assist the establishment of free local telephone calls to encourage wider use of the Internet among small and medium enterprises. [68464]

  Mr. Wills
  Providing a local call service is not cost-free. Where free local calls are offered, this is usually tied to higher monthly standing charges. BT are free to package their tariffs as they wish as long as their overall prices fall within the price cap set by OFTEL. Other operators are not subject to this price cap. However, BT are not able to price their services below cost as this would be anti-competitive. Average UK business and consumer telecommunications prices as a whole (combining standing charges and call charges on various tariffs) are below US, EU or OECD averages.

  Electronic Commerce Support Centres (North-West)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the local electronic commerce support centres in the North-West; and how many small and medium enterprises use their services. [68462]

  Mr. Wills
  Information Society Initiative centres are based in the following TEC areas:

  Bolton/Bury

  Cumbria

  ELTEC

  Manchester

  North and Mid Cheshire Oldham

  Rochdale

  South and East Cheshire

  Stockport and High Peak

  Wigan

  CEWTEC

  St. Helens

  The North West Technology Web also has a network of Technology Management Centres in:

  Blackburn

  Bolton

  Daresbury

  Manchester

  Oldham

  Preston

  Skelmersdale

  (A further centre is currently being set up in Cumbria)

  Other centres which provide similar support to businesses include Connect in Liverpool, which covers Merseyside, and ISaware and Gemisis, which cover Greater Manchester.

  Information on the number of companies using these centres will take time to compile and I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Job Creation (Chorley)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will bring forward proposals for grants towards the creation for new jobs in the Chorley constituency. [68461]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government are currently reviewing the Assisted Areas Map. Following a public consultation last summer, it will make proposals to the European Commission for new Assisted Areas Map which will operate from 1 January 2000. No decisions have yet been made on the areas to be proposed. The Competitiveness White Paper announced a range of measures to improve competitiveness and create new jobs throughout the UK.

  Indigenous Industries (Assistance)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for assistance to indigenous industries located outside areas qualifying for regional selective assistance. [68460]

  Mr. Wills
  As announced in the Competitiveness White Paper, the Government are considering new measures to support the growth of smaller businesses in selected areas with particular needs. By working in partnership with the private sector to support the 514
  Enterprise Fund, the Government are also committed to ensuring that small businesses have access to appropriate funding.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to reply to the letter of 8 January from the hon. Member for Aylesbury about an export licence application of Aylesbury Automation Ltd. [68769]

  Dr. Howells
  The hon. Gentleman was sent a reply to his letter on 1 February.

  Ex-miners (Compensation Scheme)
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the compensation scheme for ex-miners suffering from chronic bronchitis and emphysema to become operative. [68542]

  Mr. Battle
  We are close to agreeing with the plaintiffs' solicitors the arrangements for dealing with the 65,000 claims received to date and the further 35,000 claims expected. We are currently tendering for a national spirometry testing programme which we aim to start by the end of March. This should ensure that interim payments and, in some cases, full and final settlements, can begin to be offered to miners who are most severely disabled in the Spring. We hope that full examinations under the agreed Medical Assessment Process will commence in early Summer.

  EU Code of Conduct (Arms Sales)
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements will be made to make available in the United Kingdom the annual report on the EU code of conduct on arms sales. [68110]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  Member States have yet to decide whether the consolidated report to the Council on the operation of the Code should be made public. This is likely to depend on the content of the report, for example whether it contains information which Member States have agreed should remain confidential, such as details of individual licence refusals and consultations between Member States. Any changes to the Code as a result of the report will by definition be made public.

  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to extend the principles of the EU code of conduct on arms exports to non-EU nations. [68106]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  Following the adoption of the Code of Conduct in June 1998, the UK drew the Code to the attention of other arms exporting states and, in line with paragraph 11 of the operative provisions, encouraged them to subscribe to its principles. We understand that other EU Member States have taken similar action. The Associated Countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus have aligned themselves with the criteria in the Code of Conduct. The UK welcomes the decision of Canada to

  515
  subscribe to the principles and criteria developed in the Code of Conduct.

  East Timor
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment the Minister has made of the allegations by the Defence Attaché to the Indonesian Embassy in London that British-made military 516
  equipment, including Saracen and Saladin armoured vehicles, are currently in use in occupied East Timor; and if he will make a statement. [67935]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 28 January 1999, Official Report, column 394. Saracen and Saladin armoured vehicles were exported to Indonesia in the 1960s.

CABINET OFFICE

  Ministerial Group on Older People
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office who is the Chair of the Ministerial Group on Older People; and if he will list the Group's full membership. [67246]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Prime Minister has asked the Under-Secretary of State for Social Security, my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms), to take on the Chair of the Ministerial Group on Older People from Easter. The Minister of State, Department of Health is continuing to chair the Group until then.

  Membership of the Group comprises those Ministers who have particular responsibilities for policy areas which affect older people. It includes the Minister for Women, and Ministers from the Department of Health, the Department of Social Security, the Cabinet Office, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Home Office, HM Treasury, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Education and Employment, the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Ministry of Defence, the Northern Ireland Office, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office.

  Marsham Street
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what further progress has been made on formulating plans for vacating the Marsham Street offices and demolishing them. [68316]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. Edward Leigh, dated 29 January 1999:
  The Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Peter Kilfoyle, has asked me as Chief Executive of Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) to respond to your Parliamentary Question about further progress on the future of 2 Marsham Street as management responsibility for the building rests with this Agency.
  As you are already aware, 2 Marsham Street is a Government freehold and until April last year was occupied by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). Since your earlier question on 10 June the building has remained vacant, save for the use of a limited part as a winter shelter for some of London's homeless. This Government initiative will end on 31 March, by which time a decision may well have been taken about the possible reuse of Marsham Street as temporary decant accommodation for another Government Department while its premises are refurbished. Such temporary re-use might last for 3 to 4 years. If re-use of the building cannot be justified in Exchequer terms, arrangements will be made to commence demolition.
  PACE has already advertised the demolition contract through the Official Journal of the European Community (OJEC) and retains in its possession the expressions of interest that were received in
  518
  response to the advertisement. Should Marsham Street remain unoccupied, PACE will review these expressions of interest together with all the other considerations related to the demolition of such a large building in a heavily built-up area like Westminster. On completion of the review, our intention would be to seek Ministerial approval to announce a start date for demolition. The work would be expected to take some 18 months following the letting of a contract.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what responsibilities which his Department had prior to the Comprehensive Spending Review are to be(a) discontinued by his Department, (b) transferred to another department, (c) transferred to an executive agency and (d) added to his Department over the period 1998–99 to 2001–02. [68394]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  (a) The Security Facilities Division will be closed by 31 March 2001. (b) The Freedom of Information Unit transferred to the Home Office. (c) No responsibilities will be transferred to an executive agency. (d) The Women's Unit and Women's National Commission (NDPB) transferred from the Department of Social Security, UK Anti Drugs Co-ordination Unit from the Privy Council Office, and Head of Government Information &Communications Service from the Home Office. The Performance and Innovation Unit and the Centre for Management &Policy Studies have been newly established within the Department. The Royal Commission on House of Lords reform to be established in March 1999.

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what additional legislation, not currently before Parliament, was assumed in the production of his Department's spending allocation for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 in the Comprehensive Spending Review. [68410]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  There is a long-standing convention that legislative proposals for each year are not announced before the Queen' s Speech at the start of the relevant Session.

  Joint Consultative Committee
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he discussed working families tax credit with the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) as a policy which might be discussed by the Joint Consultative Committee. [68366]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  No.

HEALTH

  Dental Care
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the forthcoming White Paper on Health is planned to be published; and if it will contain a section on dental care. [67108]

  Ms Jowell
  The "Our Healthier Nation" Green Paper included oral health in an indicative list of areas which
  519
  might be suitable for local health improvement targets to tackle health inequalities. The consultation asked how opinion on fluoridation could best be tested at local level. The forthcoming "Our Healthier Nation" White Paper will take full account of the responses to the consultation. We plan to publish the White Paper in the spring.

  Neurology Services
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the specialist indicators which will be used to assess neurology services under the new NHS National Performance Framework. [66875]

  Mr. Denham
  "The New NHS Modern and Dependable: A National Framework for Assessing Performance" was published for consultation in January 1998 to signal our commitment to a broader based approach to assessing National Health Service performance. It included an initial set of high level performance indicators, which included two composite indicators in the "Effective Delivery of Appropriate Healthcare" area relevant to neurological services. The first was a chronic care management indicator including age and sex standardised admission rates for epilepsy. The second was a discharge from hospital indicator which included the rate of discharge home within 56 days of emergency admission from home with a stroke. Following consultation, the revised NHS performance assessment framework will be published shortly, together with a revised set of initial high level performance indicators. The high level performance indicators will continue to develop over time to ensure they focus on the outcomes that matter most to patients and the public.

  Hospital Merger (Leicester)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received on the proposed merger of NHS acute hospital trusts in Leicester; [66916]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact (a) on public funds and (b) on health service provision of the proposed merger of hospital trusts in Leicester; and if he will make a statement; [66919]

  (3) when he intends to start the consultation process on the proposed merger of acute hospital trusts in Leicester; who will be consulted; when he proposes to give his final approval for the proposal; and if he will make a statement. [67951]

  Mr. Denham
  When considering merger proposals the main factor must be the benefits any merger would bring to patients. Any proposal to merge National Health Service trusts will be expected to realise management cost savings of a minimum of £500,000 within two years. These savings would be retained locally for investment in frontline NHS services.

  Ministers have not received direct representation on this issue. However, on 28 January 1999 I announced that a public consultation would be initiated on proposals to merge Glenfield Hospital NHS Trust, Leicester General
  520
  Hospital NHS Trust and Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust. The consultation will be carried out by NHS Executive Trent and will last from 22 February to 22 May. There is a formal requirement for the Department to consult with the Community Health Council but arrangements will also be made locally for the wider public to be invited to make their views known. Ministers will make a decision after the consultation has completed and all representations have been fully considered.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health took 17 weeks to reply to the letter dated 9 September 1998 from the hon. Member for Christchurch about the continued availability of animal insulin for diabetics; and if he will make a statement. [67344]

  Ms Jowell
  I apologise to the hon. Member for the exceptional length of time taken to reply to his letter. Unfortunately it was misplaced within the Department. As soon as it came to light my noble Friend the Under-Secretary replied immediately.

  Organophosphate Poisoning
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what procedures are in place to inform doctors of the symptoms of organophosphate exposure; [67123]

  (2) what measures his Department has taken to educate doctors regarding the recognition and treatment of chronic organophosphate poisoning. [67121]

  Ms Jowell
  The Chief Medical Officer wrote to all doctors in England in 1991, and again with the Chief Executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in June 1993, to alert doctors to the possibility of adverse effects from exposure to pesticides and certain veterinary medicines and to remind them of the reporting schemes for human adverse reactions to veterinary products operated by the Employment Medical Advisory Service and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's Veterinary Medicines Directive. The Chief Medical Officers in Scotland, in Wales and in Northern Ireland also wrote to doctors in those countries.

  An article in the October 1995 edition of Chief Medical Officer's Update, a quarterly publication sent to all doctors in England, dealt with both the acute and chronic effects of organophosphates (OPs) and the methods for reporting adverse reactions to them.

  A further article, in the April 1996 edition of Update (England only) informed all doctors of the publication, in the same month, of the new edition of the book "Pesticide Poisoning: Notes for the Guidance of Medical Practitioners". This book contains a section on the acute and chronic toxic effects of OP insecticides and was sent by all United Kingdom Health Departments to general practices, accident and emergency departments and consultants in communicable disease control (and equivalents) with a covering letter.

  Copies of this book were also sent to the presidents of the Royal Colleges (Royal College of Physicians, Royal

  521
  College of Surgeons, Royal College of Anaesthetists, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Pathologists, Faculty of Public Health Medicine and Faculty of Occupational Medicine) under cover of an explanatory letter which encouraged them to draw the book to the attention of their Fellows/Members through their continuing medical education programmes.

  Copies of the book "Pesticide Poisoning: Notes for the Guidance of Medical Practitioners" are available in the Library.

  A report of a joint working party of the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Psychiatrists set up at the invitation of the Department to advise on clinical aspects of long-term low-dose exposure to OP sheep dips was published in November 1998. An article in the February 1999 edition of the CMO's Update will draw doctors' attention to the report and the recommendations it contains on diagnosis and management of patients.

  Over the coming months, we will also be discussing with other bodies such as the National Poisons Information Service, the working party's recommendations for improving awareness amongst general practitioners and other measures which might improve aspects of the diagnosis and management of this group of patients.

  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those NHS trusts in Britain which offer specialist treatment to patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. [67008]

  Ms Jowell
  The information is not available in the form requested. The organisation of health services, including services for people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, and the manner in which they are delivered, are matters for National Health Service trusts and health authorities, taking account of the needs of the local population and the priorities set for the use of the available resources.

  Orthopaedic Consultants
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the ratio of orthopaedic consultants to(a) adults and (b) pensioners in each health authority. [67000]

  Mr. Denham
  Copies of a table showing the latest available information on the ratio of orthopaedic consultants to(a) adults and (b) pensioners in each health authority will be placed in the Library.

  Ongar War Memorial Hospital
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce his decision on the proposed closure of Ongar War Memorial Hospital. [67640]

  Mr. Denham
  A decision on the proposed closure of Ongar War Memorial Hospital will be announced shortly.

  Winter Pressures Money
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much extra money was put into the NHS to help deal with the 1998–99 winter pressures; when this money was made available; and what it was spent on. [67375]

  Mr. Denham
  An extra £250 million (£209 million for England) was announced in November to help the National Health Service and social services manage this winter's pressures, £159 million of which was made available immediately in England. £50 million was held as a central contingency fund, £44 million of which has been allocated in January to relieve particular pressure points.

  The additional moneys have funded well over 2,000 projects to manage emergency admissions and maximise bed availability, including many joint NHS/social service schemes aimed at providing appropriate support for patients in the community.

  Aricept
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation he has made of the clinical trials regarding the use of Aricept in treating patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. [67993]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information regarding the use of Aricept in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease from clinical trials has been considered by the Medicines Control Agency.

  The Standing Medical Advisory Committee, which advises health ministers, also considered available evidence from clinical trials and has reflected these in the clinical statement issued in April 1998.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances the drug Aricept is currently available by prescription for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. [67992]

  Mr. Denham
  Aricept (donepezil) is licensed in the United Kingdom for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, and can be prescribed by doctors on the National Health Service. The Standing Medical Advisory Committee has recommended that this treatment should be initiated only following a specialist assessment.

  Practice Dispensing
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when arrangements were introduced through which general practitioners may earn additional income related to the volume and costs of drugs they dispense. [68448]

  Mr. Denham
  Payments to general practitioners in respect of practice dispensing have included arrangements to reflect the volume and cost of the drugs since the inception of the National Health Service.

  The level of fees and allowances payable to GPs are set by the independent pay review body to deliver and distribute their recommended level of net incomes for GPs, taking account of the costs, pressures and workload of practice in different areas. Earnings from practice dispensing are an integral part of the overall recommendations of the review body.
  523
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of GPs dispense drugs. [68443]

  Mr. Denham
  Based on October 1997 data, some 16 per cent. of general practitioners in England are dispensing doctors.

  Dental Services
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much was spent on NHS general dental services in each health authority in each year since 1995–96; [67260]

  (2) if he will list, by health authority, the number of dentists with an NHS list and the average number of patients on each dentist's NHS list for (i) the most recent period for which data are available, (ii) March 1994 and (iii) March 1997; [67261]

  (3) if he will list by health authority or council area the number of (i) children and (ii) adults registered, and the number of patients registered per 100 residents for (a) the last date for which figures are available, (b) March 1995, (c) March 1996, (d) March 1997 and (e) March 1998. [67262]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 28 January 1999]: Copies of the information requested have been placed in the Library. Data are not directly comparable from year to year because of health authority boundary changes.

  Residential Care
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will respond to the report of the Centre for Policy on Ageing on National Required Standards for Residential Care and Nursing Homes; and if he will provide an estimate of the costs of compliance. [68222]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Centre for Policy on Ageing submitted their report on national standards for older people in residential care only very recently. We intend to publish the proposed standards for consultation shortly. Following consultation, we will consider the cost implications of introducing the standards prior to taking any decision about their implementation.

  Beta-interferon
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will specify the unanswered questions about the appropriate use of beta-interferon referred to in his answer of 17 November,Official Report, columns 566–67, on which his Department is commissioning new research. [68429]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 26 January 1999,Official Report, column 211.

  A range of research questions are under consideration, broadly relating to the long-term clinical effectiveness of beta-interferon and its cost effectiveness relative to other treatments for multiple sclerosis.

  Nurses' Uniforms
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the charging of nurses for their uniforms by colleges. [68465]
  524
  Mr. Denham
  Uniforms are provided free of charge to nursing students. They are provided either by the local National Health Service trust or by the higher education institution; in the latter case, the costs are met through NHS contracts. A case came to our attention last week where a university was seeking to charge for nurses' uniforms, in a way not sanctioned by their contract. As soon as we heard about the proposal we asked officials to investigate and the university concerned has now withdrawn its proposal. NHS education commissioners have been reminded of the policy in this area.

  Pay Review Body Recommendations
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reports and recommendations of the Health Pay Review bodies. [68859]

  Mr. Dobson
  I am responding on behalf of my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Wales and the Secretary of State for Scotland to the reports of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) and the Review Body on Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine (NPRB), which have been published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Library. I am grateful to the chairmen and members of these Review Bodies for their hard work.

  Nurses are to get their biggest real terms increase for 10 years, and for the first time in 5 years the award is being paid nationally in full with no staging. The NPRB have recommended an across the board increase of 4.7 per cent. for nurses, midwives and health visitors. Around 70,000 D grade staff nurses will receive 8.2 per cent.-8.4 per cent., worth an extra £1,100–£1,200 a year. In addition, minimum starting pay for newly qualified nurses will rise to £14,400, an increase of 12 per cent. In inner London starting pay for a newly qualified nurse will be at least £17,325 including London Allowance. The guaranteed London Allowance affecting 50,000 nurses will increase by 15.4 per cent. On top of these pay increases, almost half of all nurses will receive pay increments worth at least a further 3.4 per cent. With these increases, more than two thirds of qualified nurses will earn £20,000 or more per year.

  The NPRB have also recommended an across the board increase of 4.7 per cent. for physiotherapists, radiographers and other professions allied to medicine (PAMs). Starting pay for basic grade PAMs with a degree after four years' training will increase on 1 April from £14,180 to £15,405, a rise of 8.6 per cent., with similar rises for other basic grade PAMs. The maximum of scale for highly skilled Senior 1 grade PAMs will increase from £21,485 to £23,130 from 1 April, a rise of 7.7 per cent.

  The Government have decided to accept all the NPRB pay recommendations for 1999–2000, with no staging. The headline settlement of 4.7 per cent. for nurses and other NPRB staff groups is significantly higher than for any of the other Review Body groups announced today, and more than we would expect for pay settlements in the public sector generally or elsewhere in the National Health Service. However, this is justified by the exceptional problems of nurse recruitment and retention which result from the failure of the last Government to put in place an adequate training and pay system for the

  525
  profession. We are pleased that the NPRB have recommended an exceptional increase for an exceptional problem.

  The Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body (DDRB) has recommended a general pay increase of 3.5 per cent. for salaried doctors and dentists and for the pay element of fees for general medical practitioners. General practitioners will also receive the £60 million additional income recommended by DDRB last year for payment from 1999–2000. General dental practitioners' fees will also increase by 3.5 per cent. once the 0.9 per cent. addition to the feescale, awarded in 1998–99 only, has been removed. The DDRB has also recommended an additional £500 per year on the consultant scale maximum. The Government have accepted these recommendations for the coming year in full, with no staging.

  The DDRB also recommended an extra £50 million a year from 2000–2001 to reward individual consultants for increases in workload and intensity of work. Our negotiations with the profession on a new consultant contract are covering these issues. We will consider this recommendation very carefully in the context of the negotiations, and are willing to make an investment in rewards and incentives if the negotiations deliver a better service for patients. We will, therefore, decide on the level of any extra funding for future years, and how such funding might be allocated, when the negotiations are complete.

  Health authorities and NHS trusts can now use these opportunities to support a modern approach to recruiting, retaining and motivating key staff. I can announce today we are backing this with an allocation from the Modernisation Fund of £100m already earmarked for staff, which will go to all health authorities in England. This is in addition to the 6.5 per cent. increase in allocations to health authorities; and it will not affect the sums already announced within the Modernisation Fund for waiting lists, capital, mental health, primary care and information technology which already come to almost £1 billion for the coming year. The pay increases are therefore affordable both nationally and locally.

  This extra funding will help us get the nurses and other staff in place to take forward effectively the Government's programme for modernising the NHS. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will be releasing an additional £20m to Health Boards from his Modernisation Programme. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is making £6m available as a contribution to modernising the service including recruitment and retention initiatives.

  Health authority

  1996–97 final cash limit £000

  Population 000s

  1996–97 funding per capita £

  West Midlands

  Birmingham Health Authority

  560,714

  1,008

  556

  Coventry Health Authority

  156,033

  300

  520

  Dudley Health Authority

  139,518

  314

  444

  Herefordshire Health Authority

  80,943

  166

  488

  North Staffordshire Health Authority

  242,022

  476

  508

  Sandwell Health Authority

  167,687

  293

  572

  Shropshire Health Authority

  189,099

  424

  446

  Solihull Health Authority

  107,132

  201

  533

  South Staffordshire Health Authority

  269,486

  587

  459

  526
  In its evidence to the Nursing Pay Review Body, the Department drew attention to recruitment and retention concerns and asked for changes to address this by starting to modernise the nursing pay scales. The Review Body has responded by improving starting pay for nurses, as well as continuing the discretionary points for staff at the top of pay scales.

  We are supporting local recruitment plans with a high-profile, recruitment campaign for nurses which starts tonight on television. The aim is to attract more people into nursing and encourage qualified nurses and midwives to come back to work in the NHS. The focus of the campaign is on the value and rewards of a career in nursing and is intended to help recruit the extra nurses and midwives the NHS needs. The TV campaign will run for a month, backed by activity through to March in the national and regional press, in magazines and on radio.

  These settlements are fair and are being paid in full. They provide a platform for us to move forward on pay modernisation. We will publish detailed proposals for modernising the NHS pay system shortly. The kind of pay system needed in a modern NHS will:
  enable staff to give their best for patients, working in new ways and breaking down traditional barriers
  get away from the rigid and outdated grading structures which restrict career progression for experienced staff
  pay fairly and equitably for work done, with career progression based on responsibility, competence and satisfactory performance
  simplify and modernise conditions of service, with national core conditions and appropriate local flexibility.

  These changes are crucial to the modernisation of the NHS. They respond directly to concerns expressed by the Review Bodies, and are the only realistic way to satisfy nurses' aspirations for fewer pay ceilings and better reward for the job done. They provide the essential background for future investment in pay and staff development.

  Health Authority Funding (West Midlands)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each health authority in(a) the West Midlands and (b) shire counties (i) the total funding allocation for health services and (ii) the funding per capita for (1) 1996–97 and (2) 1997–98. [68332]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  For the per capita figures crude populations have been used. No account has been taken of the differences in age or other factors which influence the allocations which have been made.
  527

  Health authority

  1996–97 final cash limit £000

  Population 000s

  1996–97 funding per capita £

  Walsall Health Authority

  126,240

  264

  478

  Warwickshire Health Authority

  278,731

  499

  559

  Wolverhampton Health Authority

  122,502

  244

  502

  Worcester Health Authority

  254,061

  542

  469

  Other

  Avon Health Authority

  481,077

  982

  490

  Bedfordshire Health Authority

  238,995

  550

  435

  Berkshire Health Authority

  344,651

  779

  442

  Buckinghamshire Health Authority

  299,560

  674

  444

  Cambridge and Huntingdon Health Authority

  193,472

  459

  422

  Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Health Authority

  244,556

  489

  500

  County Durham Health Authority

  322,967

  609

  530

  Dorset Health Authority

  348,685

  683

  511

  East and North Hertfordshire Health Authority

  240,453

  490

  491

  East Lancashire Health Authority

  270,795

  513

  528

  East Kent Health Authority

  314,507

  590

  533

  East Norfolk Health Authority

  309,456

  621

  498

  East Riding Health Authority

  288,988

  577

  497

  East Surrey Health Authority

  231,620

  410

  565

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority

  398,045

  728

  547

  Gloucestershire Health Authority

  261,482

  554

  472

  Isle of Wight Health Authority

  78,676

  125

  629

  Leicestershire Health Authority

  427,267

  927

  461

  Lincolnshire Health Authority

  309,385

  616

  502

  Morecambe Bay Health Authority

  166,678

  311

  536

  North West Lancashire Health Authority

  262,151

  468

  560

  North and East Devon Health Authority

  244,502

  473

  517

  North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority

  242,913

  546

  445

  North Cheshire Health Authority

  158,330

  310

  511

  North Cumbria Health Authority

  156,289

  319

  490

  North Derbyshire Health Authority

  189,999

  377

  504

  North Essex Health Authority

  399,569

  875

  457

  North Nottinghamshire Health Authority

  182,067

  392

  464

  North West Anglia Health Authority

  190,711

  411

  464

  North Yorkshire Health Authority

  350,923

  737

  476

  Northamptonshire Health Authority

  273,675

  608

  450

  Northumberland Health Authority

  164,590

  311

  529

  Oxfordshire Health Authority

  263,933

  603

  438

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority

  242,890

  533

  456

  South Lancashire Health Authority

  148,081

  312

  475

  Somerset Health Authority

  228,424

  485

  471

  South Cheshire Health Authority

  324,095

  672

  482

  South and West Devon Health Authority

  300,913

  592

  508

  South Derbyshire Health Authority

  279,009

  554

  504

  South Essex Health Authority

  320,552

  701

  457

  South Humber Health Authority

  157,602

  317

  497

  Southhampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  256,688

  533

  482

  Suffolk Health Authority

  299,969

  663

  452

  Tees Health Authority

  278,354

  558

  499

  West Hertfordshire Health Authority

  268,209

  518

  518

  West Kent Health Authority

  457,217

  964

  474

  Health authority

  1997–98 final cash limit £000

  Population 000s

  1997–98 funding per capita £

  West Midlands

  Birmingham Health Authority

  583,936

  1,016

  575

  Coventry Health Authority

  170,088

  301

  565

  Dudley Health Authority

  149,339

  314

  476

  Herefordshire Health Authority

  88,607

  166

  534

  North Staffordshire Health Authority

  262,359

  475

  552

  Sandwell Health Authority

  180,831

  293

  617

  Shropshire Health Authority

  202,587

  427

  474

  Solihull Health Authority

  111,409

  203

  549

  South Staffordshire Health Authority

  283,562

  588

  482

  Walsall Health Authority

  136,755

  263

  520

  528 529

  Health authority

  1997–98 final cash limit £000

  Population 000s

  1997–98 funding per capita £

  Warwickshire Health Authority

  286,325

  502

  570

  Wolverhampton Health Authority

  131,887

  243

  543

  Worcester Health Authority

  268,004

  537

  499

  Other

  Avon Health Authority

  514,405

  989

  520

  Bedfordshire Health Authority

  251,206

  552

  455

  Berkshire Health Authority

  373,403

  794

  470

  Buckinghamshire Health Authority

  316,000

  681

  464

  Cambridge and Huntingdon Health Authority

  202,555

  456

  444

  Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Health Authority

  256,486

  490

  523

  County Durham Health Authority

  335,707

  609

  551

  Dorset Health Authority

  376,612

  690

  546

  East and North Hertfordshire Health Authority

  256,160

  495

  517

  East Lancashire Health Authority

  292,617

  512

  572

  East Kent Health Authority

  331,487

  595

  557

  East Norfolk Health Authority

  324,385

  624

  520

  East Riding Health Authority

  302,002

  582

  519

  East Surrey Health Authority

  245,548

  412

  596

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority

  429,400

  735

  584

  Gloucestershire Health Authority

  276,951

  560

  495

  Isle of Wight Health Authority

  81,035

  126

  643

  Leicestershire Health Authority

  454,262

  934

  486

  Lincolnshire Health Authority

  328,866

  622

  529

  Morecambe Bay Health Authority

  181,637

  311

  584

  North West Lancashire Health Authority

  270,973

  470

  577

  North and East Devon Health Authority

  258,273

  476

  543

  North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority

  255,126

  549

  465

  North Cheshire Health Authority

  167,563

  312

  537

  North Cumbria Health Authority

  167,232

  319

  524

  North Derbyshire Health Authority

  198,239

  376

  527

  North Essex Health Authority

  424,367

  885

  480

  North Nottinghamshire Health Authority

  195,658

  389

  503

  North West Anglia Health Authority

  203,836

  413

  494

  North Yorkshire Health Authority

  372,067

  741

  502

  Northamptonshire Health Authority

  291,851

  610

  478

  Northumberland Health Authority

  174,657

  310

  563

  Oxfordshire Health Authority

  280,849

  609

  461

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority

  259,543

  538

  482

  South Lancashire Health Authority

  158,068

  311

  508

  Somerset Health Authority

  242,363

  488

  497

  South Cheshire Health Authority

  339,310

  674

  503

  South and West Devon Health Authority

  318,677

  594

  536

  South Derbyshire Health Authority

  294,228

  559

  526

  South Essex Health Authority

  348,101

  704

  494

  South Humber Health Authority

  172,232

  313

  550

  Southhampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  282,569

  541

  522

  Suffolk Health Authority

  317,614

  667

  476

  Tees Health Authority

  301,712

  534

  565

  West Hertfordshire Health Authority

  284,245

  525

  541

  West Kent Health Authority

  477,088

  967

  493

  Notes:

  1. Final cash limit is the sum of the initial cash limit plus all in year adjustments. Cash limit adjustments in respect of the temporary loan of cash limits to other authorities have been excluded.

  2. Health authorities are not co-terminous with local authorities. The list of health authorities under "other" is intended to broadly equate to shire counties. It excludes health authorities whose areas mainly relate to metropolitan councils and London boroughs.

  3. The 1996–97 population figures used are mid-year population projections based on 1993 estimates. The 1997–98 population figures used are mid-year population projections based on 1995 estimates.

  Stereotactic Radiosurgery
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities fund the use of stereotactic radiosurgery; and what constraints are imposed by him in respect of the funding of clinical procedures capable of being classified as in the realms of research. [67709]

  Mr. Hutton
  Stereotactic radiosurgery is available in eight of some fifty radiotherapy centres in the United Kingdom. The technique is well established for certain 530
  well-defined conditions which would be expected to occur in patients spread fairly evenly across all health authorities. Health authorities make resource allocation decisions according to local priorities.

  We encourage National Health Service bodies to undertake experimental treatments only within an evaluative framework. Any decisions to fund experimental treatments as research will be influenced by their importance to the health service and assessments on the value of the research.

WALES

  GPs
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general practitioners were registered in Wales in May 1997; and how many are currently registered in Wales. [68456]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Data on numbers of general medical practitioners were collected on a six monthly basis (as at 1 April and 1 October) until 1 October 1997 after which only annual data (at 1 October) are being collected.

  At 1 April 1997 there were 1,840 general medical practitioners in Wales, of which 1,740 were unrestricted principals. By 1 October 1997 the figures had risen to 1,874 and 1,753 respectively.

  In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received in respect of possible private prosecutions being taken out against General Pinochet; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement. [67970]

  The Attorney-General
  On 26 October 1998, I received an application from Winstanley-Burgess, Solicitors, acting for a number of individuals who complained of acts of torture in Chile in the period 1973–1990. The application was of Law Officer consent to prosecute Augusto Pinochet for offices of torture contrary to section 134 Criminal Justice Act 1988. By letter dated 28 October 1998, Winstanley-Burgess were advised that I had considered their application and had declined to grant consent on the basis that the application revealed insufficient admissible evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of a conviction.

  On 26 October 1998, I received an application from Bindman & Partners, Solicitors, acting for a number of individuals who alleged that they had suffered criminal offences in Chile at a time when Augusto Pinochet was in power. The application was for Law Officer consent to prosecute Augusto Pinochet for offences of torture, contrary to section 134 Criminal Justice Act 1988, and for hostage taking, contrary to the Taking of Hostages Act 1982. By letter dated 28 October 1998 Bindman & Partners were advised that I had considered their application and had declined to grant consent on the basis that the application revealed insufficient admissible evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of a conviction.

  Bindman & Partners have on a number of occasions renewed their application for Law Officer consent to prosecute Augusto Pinochet with further material. To date, their applications have been declined on the same basis as before. Their latest application is under consideration.
  532
  Individuals have communicated with me and my office concerning a prosecution of Augusto Pinochet in this jurisdiction. Replies have been limited to factual explanations of the decision making process and the state of any application for Law Officer consent to a prosecution.

  Councillor Frank MacGrath
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the cost to the public purse of the conduct and arrangement of proceedings in the case of Councillor Frank MacGrath of Preston. [66332]

  The Attorney-General
  [holding answer 20 January 1999]: Councillor Frank MacGrath was the subject of three separate sets of criminal proceedings which arose out of an investigation by the Lancashire Constabulary known as Operation Angel involving allegations of fraud and corruption. Expenditure identified by the CPS as attributable to this series of cases comprises Counsel's fees £250,134 and payments in relation to witness expenses of £2,496. However, the complexity and inter-relationship of these cases make it impossible to attribute specific expenditure to Councillor MacGrath. The CPS staff working on the case did so as part of their ordinary department duties and their salary and associated cost cannot be separately apportioned.

  I understand from the Lord Chancellor's Department that information about the passage of the case through the magistrates court is held only in manual records and therefore is not readily available. It could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  I am further informed by the Lord Chancellor's Department that, according to information readily available, Frank MacGrath was granted legal aid in the Crown Court and the total amount paid to defence lawyers was £120,936.46. In addition, there were payments amounting to £47,153.88 from Central funds. Just over 71 hours were spent in Crown Court hearings and this cost an estimated £21,200.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Aspartame
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what research his Department has commissioned into the possible(a) health dangers and (b) side-effects of Aspartame; [66678]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the health risks posed by Aspartame. [66677]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has not commissioned any research in this area. However, the Department regularly reviews new information on food chemical safety and, when appropriate, seeks advice from its expert advisory committees. In 1992 the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) completed a thorough review of the toxicity of aspartame and reaffirmed its earlier advice that aspartame was safe to use. The COT also considered reports linking aspartame with a variety of adverse effects such as headache, seizures and behavioural difficulties in children. There was insufficient evidence to support such claims. Aspartame has also been given safety clearance
  533
  by the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food. A study published in 1996 which suggested a link between aspartame and brain cancer was rejected by the Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the expected cost of(a) setting up and (b) annually operating the Food Standards Agency; and if he will make a statement. [67713]

  Mr. Rooker
  Setting up the FSA is expected to involve additional one-off costs of around £12 million per annum over three years and additional ongoing costs of about £29 million per annum, taking account of the collection costs associated with the proposed levy. In addition, current food safety and standards functions, and their associated expenditure, will transfer to the Food Standards Agency from MAFF, DH, and the devolved administrations.

  Slaughterhouse Closures
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many slaughterhouse premises have closed in the last 12 months; and what effect this has had on reducing journey times of livestock to slaughter within the UK. [67872]

  Mr. Rooker
  During 1998, 28 slaughterhouse licences (red meat and poultry meat) were revoked because they had ceased operating. The effect on journey times will vary according to the location of the farm of origin and the nearest slaughterhouse. Whilst we would prefer animals to be slaughtered close to the farm, this may not occur for a variety of reasons. Legislation lays down clear rules to protect the welfare of animals during transport, and there is no reason why animals should not be transported safely and humanely.

  Enrofloxacin
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received in support of a ban on the use of enrofloxacin in animals. [67741]

  Mr. Rooker
  None. However, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, in its report of 17 March 1998 "Resistance to Antibiotics and other Antimicrobial Agents", recommended extreme economy of use of fluoroquinolones in veterinary practice (recommendation 11.21). The report also recommended the development of a Code of Practice on when such compounds should be prescribed. The Government accept this recommendation and their response to the report is available in the Library of the House.

  Genetically Engineered Crops
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the(a) nutritional need for and (b) alternatives to the production of genetically engineered crops in the United Kingdom. [67660]
  534
  Mr. Rooker
  Genetically modified crops will not be grown until they have passed all the relevant statutory procedures. Once they have done so, it will be for the market to determine whether they provide nutritional or other benefits over alternative varieties.

  Research Projects
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the capability of the length of time for which(a) agricultural, (b) agroforestry and (c) horticultural research projects are funded by his Department with the biological systems which they are designed to assess; and if he will assess the benefits of more long term research funding in respect of the longer rotations in organic systems. [67661]

  Mr. Rooker
  Research is funded for an appropriate length of time bearing in mind the particular biological and agricultural systems being investigated. However, in many cases it is not appropriate to let an individual contract which covers the whole period of the research. Instead, the research is funded by a number of consecutive contracts. This assists the management of the research and allows changes of priorities and redirection during the course of the work. This holds for all of the Ministry's agricultural research including that on organic systems.

  Sustainable Agriculture
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those(a) persons and (b) organisations who submitted responses to his Department's consultation on indicators for sustainable agriculture; and if he will make a statement. [67662]

  Mr. Rooker
  A list of the individuals and organisations who responded to my Department' s consultation on a set of indicators for sustainable agriculture follows. Copies of the responses are available in the MAAF Main Library. These indicators are intended to complement the wider set of indicators on sustainable development for the UK which is being developed by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The aim is to publish the agriculture indicators as a pilot set later this year, and to develop them further over the next three to five years.

  Respondents to the MAFF consultation on the development of a set of indicators for sustainable agriculture (June-September 1998) Individuals

  Ms Margareta Jose-Baars

  Mr. Marcus Braun

  Mr. Peter F. Hepworth

  Mr. O. H. A. Dowding

  Institution/Organisation

  ACTIN

  ADAS Consulting Ltd.

  Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers

  British Agrochemicals Association Limited

  British Government Panel on Sustainable Development

  British Pest Control Association

  British Society of Soil Science

  Butterfly Conservation

  Central Scotland Countryside Trust

  Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

  535

  Cheshire County Council

  Consumers in Europe

  Consumers' Association

  Council for British Archaeology

  Council for the Protection of Rural England

  Country Landowners' Association

  Countryside Commission

  Countryside Council for Wales

  Cranfield University, Soil Survey and Land Research Centre

  Crofters Commission

  Dartmoor National Park Authority

  Elm Farm Research Centre

  English Heritage

  English Nature

  Environment Agency

  Farmers' Union of Wales

  Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group

  Fertiliser Manufacturers Association Ltd.

  Friends of the Earth

  Game Conservation Trust

  Green Adventure

  Historic Farm Buildings Group

  Institute of Arable Crops Research

  Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research

  Institute of Professional Soil Scientists

  Institute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology

  Isle of Man Government, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests

  Local Government Association

  National Consumer Council

  National Farmers' Union

  National Federation of Consumer Groups

  National Trust

  Natural Environment Research Council

  North York Moors National Park Authority (on behalf of the Association of National Park Authorities)

  Northern Ireland Environmental Link

  Pesticides Trust

  Plantlife

  Royal Agricultural Society of England

  Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

  Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  Royal Town Planning Institute

  Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Ltd.

  Rural Development Commission

  Rural, Agriculture and Allied Workers, TGWU

  SAFE Alliance

  Scottish Agricultural College

  Scottish Environmental Protection Agency

  Scottish Landowners' Federation

  Scottish Natural Heritage

  Soil Association

  Suffolk ACRE

  Tenant Farmers' Association

  Thames Water

  UKASTA Ltd.

  Ulster Wildlife Trust

  536

  University of Hertfordshire

  Watling Chase Community Forest (on behalf of Community Forests)

  Welsh Local Government Association

  Women's Farming Union

  Yorkshire Water.

  Orchards
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to increase the acreage of orchards in England. [68050]

  Mr. Rooker
  Decisions on the area to be cultivated are taken by growers in response to the needs of the market.

  Meat Inspection
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what date the UK will be in full compliance with EU rules on meat inspection. [68128]

  Mr. Rooker
  Full compliance with EU rules on veterinary supervision in licensed meat plants in Great Britain is not possible in the short term, essentially because of a shortage of veterinarians willing to undertake meat hygiene work in the UK. It is not known how long it will take to achieve full compliance, as this will depend on the Meat Hygiene Service's ability to secure the services of additional Official Veterinary Surgeons, and on future changes in the size and structure of the meat industry. Therefore, it may be some years before the levels and frequency of veterinary supervision required by the EU meat hygiene Directives are achieved in all GB licensed meat plants.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many abattoirs continue to operate under derogation for low throughput. [68130]

  Mr. Rooker
  At 1 January 1999, there were 210 permanently derogated (low throughput) slaughterhouses in England licensed to produce meat for sale for human consumption. Of these, 162 were red meat slaughterhouses and 48 were poultry slaughterhouses.

  Pork Imports
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce compulsory labelling for imported pork products which do not meet UK welfare, veterinary and feed standards. [68143]

  Mr. Rooker
  None; but I welcome the initiatives taken by many retailers to introduce voluntary labelling schemes giving consumers more information about rearing standards. My right hon. Friend the Minister has received assurances from the major supermarkets that all their own label fresh pork, bacon, ham, sausages and pork pies will come from stall and tether and meat and bone meal free production systems; also, they will not label as British processed products produced from imported fresh port.
  537
  I am sure the launch earlier this month by the Meat and Livestock Commission of the quality pigmark scheme will help consumers to identify pigmeat products in the shops which have been produced to British standards.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the annual tonnage of pork meat products entering the UK; and what estimate he has of the percentage of this imported meat which is produced from animals that would not meet UK(a) welfare, (b) veterinary and (c) feed regulation standards. [68142]

  Mr. Rooker
  In the five years 1994–98, the UK imported around 160,000 tonnes of pork on average every year from other EU member states (imports from third countries are minimal). All would have met EU welfare, veterinary and feed requirements. Since March 1996, the UK has not permitted mammalian meat and bone meal to be fed to farm animals, a ban which is not in place in all member states. Also, since 1 January 1999, the UK has had a ban on housing pigs in close confinement stall and tether systems; although it is impossible to say what proportion of imported pork has not met these production standards since their introduction, it is likely to be very small.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what statutory provisions prevent the 538
  introduction of a ban on the import of pork products where the pork does not meet UK welfare, veterinary and feed regulation standards. [68161]

  Mr. Rooker
  Single Market Legislation and European Court of Justice Rulings protect the free circulation of goods in the EU. In areas where there is a common market, such as pigmeat, if products conform to EU requirements, individual member states cannot introduce a unilateral ban. In respect of third country trade, the World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures gives WTO members the right to take measures necessary for the protection of human, animal or plant life or health, provided that these are based on scientific principles and are not maintained without sufficient scientific evidence.

  Welsh and English Lamb
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to assist Welsh and English lamb producers in meeting the demand for bulk food supplies. [68596]

  Mr. Rooker
  If there is a demand for bulk supplies of lamb, then it is surely a matter for the industry to find a means of supplying that demand.

  RAF Logistics Headquarters
  RAF Logistics Headquarters
  Armed Forces: Pay Recommendations
  Armed Forces: Pay Recommendations
  Food Standards Bill: Scrutiny
  Food Standards Bill: Scrutiny
  Raw Cow's Milk
  Raw Cow's Milk
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
  Nuisance Calls
  Nuisance Calls
  EU Structural Fund: Allocation
  EU Structural Fund: Allocation
  Dairy Cattle: TB Testing
  Dairy Cattle: TB Testing
  Child Labour
  Child Labour
  Eurostar: Regional Services
  Eurostar: Regional Services
  Airline Passengers: Violent and Disruptive Behaviour
  Airline Passengers: Violent and Disruptive Behaviour
  Planning System Improvement
  Planning System Improvement
  Severn Tunnel
  Severn Tunnel
  Northern Ireland: Castlereagh Holding Centre
  Northern Ireland: Castlereagh Holding Centre
  Police Grant
  Police Grant
  Prison Service Quinquennial Review
  Prison Service Quinquennial Review
  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Prisoners: Drug Test Results
  Prisoners: Drug Test Results
  Crime and Disorder Audit: Child Prostitution
  Crime and Disorder Audit: Child Prostitution
  Prisoners on Cellular Confinement: Religious Books
  Prisoners on Cellular Confinement: Religious Books
  Overseas Police Liaison Officers
  Overseas Police Liaison Officers
  Civil and Political Rights: Review
  Civil and Political Rights: Review
  Special Advisers to Ministers
  Special Advisers to Ministers