Written Answers of 3 February 1999

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Departmental Papers (Access for Visually Impaired)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she 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. [67849]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 27 January 1999,Official Report, column 296.

  Pigs
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish a table in the Official Report to show for each month in 1998 the (a) profit and (b) loss in respect of (i) each weaner pig produced and (ii) each finished bacon pig from the Government Agricultural College Pig Unit or as much of such information as is readily available. [67779]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government College Pig Unit operates a birth to bacon system and the financial records are accurate only for finished bacon pigs. Financial records are not maintained for weaner pig production.

  Monthly figures are very variable in a 100-sow unit because numbers sold in a month can vary markedly and meal deliveries can also distort the picture.

  Quarterly figures give a clearer picture and are provided for gross margin/bacon pig and net margin/bacon pig.

  Table to show profit/loss per bacon pig—1998

  £

  Quarter

  Gross margin1/pig

  Profit/loss/pig

  January-March 1998

  8.57

  -8.43

  April-June 1998

  16.34

  -0.66

  July-September 1998

  -11.96

  -28.96

  October-December 1998

  -13.19

  -30.19

  1 Gross margin is net output less variable costs e.g. feed, vet bill, replacement costs.

  Assumed fixed costs of £17 per pig are used to calculate profit/loss per pig. This is typical of pig units. Fixed costs for the college herd are difficult to isolate from teaching costs. Fixed costs include labour, buildings, water, electricity etc.

  For 1998 overall, the College Pig Unit recorded a gross margin of -£1.01 and a loss of £18.01 per pig.

  Health Technology Assessment
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the research and development by 608
  (a) her Department and (b) the NHS, indicating separately that on health technology assessment each year since 1992. [68209]

  Mr. McFall
  The research expenditure of the Department of Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland) in the period 1992–93 to 1997–98 was as shown in the table. Expenditure on health technology assessment could be identified only at disproportionate cost. In 1996–97, total Health and Personal Social Services expenditure on research was estimated to be approximately £12 million. Totals for other years, and separate identification of expenditure on health technology assessment for 1996–97, cannot be produced except at disproportionate expense.

  Research expenditure by Department of Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland)

  Year

  £ million

  1992–93

  1.62

  1993–94

  1.83

  1994–95

  1.50

  1995–96

  2.25

  1996–97

  1.30

  1997–98

  2.10

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [68409]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Comprehensive Spending Review did not lead directly to any of the Secretary of State's responsibilities being discontinued, transferred or added over the period 1998–99 to 2001–02. Under devolution, many of the functions currently the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will transfer to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what additional legislation, not currently before Parliament, was assumed in the production of her Department's spending allocation for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 in the Comprehensive Spending Review. [68425]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  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.

  Criminal Records Office Forms
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the rules governing the use of the CRO form by the RUC; what protection exists for
  609
  vulnerable witnesses against its misuse; and how many CRO forms were completed by how many individuals in the last year for which figures are available. [67435]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: The RUC use a number of different forms associated with the Criminal Records Office (CRO). Unfortunately it is not clear to which of these my hon. Friend refers and it is not therefore possible to answer his question. If he would care to write giving further details I will ensure he receives a full response, a copy of which will be placed in the library.

WALES

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the percentage of(a) five-year-olds, (b) six-year-olds and (c) seven-year-olds educated in class sizes of 30 or less (i) currently and (ii) in May 1997. [68612]

  Mr. Hain
  The January 1998 annual Schools' Census showed the following percentages of pupils in Wales were being educated in classes of 30 or less.

  Year

  Usual age of pupils

  Percentage

  Reception

  5

  74.3

  Year 1

  6

  66.4

  Year 2

  7

  62.5

  Other key stage 1 classes of mixed year groups

  —

  74.9

  Comparable information is not available for earlier years.

  At January 1998, there were 30,734 pupils in key stage 1 classes of over 30 pupils. On the basis of grant approvals for local authorities to employ additional teachers from September 1998, it is estimated that 23,525 fewer pupils are being educated in classes of this size than would have been the case without grant. The 1999 schools' Census will give the actual position.

  In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate(a) how many schools in Wales have requested additional funding in order to reduce infant class sizes to under 30 pupils in the last 12 months and (b) the number of such requests that were successful. [68730]

  Mr. Hain
  Local education authorities bid for 413 schools to receive funding for infant class size reduction in 1998–99. Bids for 302 schools were successful. LEAs have bid for 570 schools to receive Infant Class Size Reduction Grant in 1999–2000. Bids are currently being assessed and LEAs will be advised of the successful schools in March.

  In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.

  Education Action Zones
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many education action zones have been set up in Wales. [68611]

  Mr. Hain
  None.

  In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce education action zones in Wales. [68610]

  Mr. Hain
  We have made it clear that any decision on the introduction of Education Action Zones in Wales will be taken only after full and extensive consultation.

  In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.

  North Wales Child Abuse Inquiry
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the report of the North Wales Child Abuse Inquiry to be published. [68841]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will arrange for publication of the Tribunal's report when it has been completed: this is not yet the case.

  Local Government Expenditure
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on local government revenue spending and grant support in 1999–2000. [69460]

  Mr. Michael
  I met the Welsh Local Government Association on 15 December and Welsh police authorities on 4 January to discuss the proposed settlement that I announced in December. I have given very careful consideration to their comments on it and to the many comments that I have received from hon. Members and others.

  I have decided that, net of specific grants, total standard spending (TSS) for 1999–2000 will be £2,986.6 million and net aggregate external finance will be £2,570.2 million. These final figures represent increases on 1998–99 of 5.1 per cent. and 4.8 per cent. respectively.

  Both figures are £0.2 million higher than the provisional amounts I announced on 9 December, because of a small increase in funding to match grants for education, support and training. The extra amount within net TSS for education is also increased, to £70.2 million.

  In response to concerns expressed to me during the consultation period, I have decided to alter the formula for calculating the capital charges element of standard spending assessments (SSAs). The effect of the change is to increase SSAs for police authorities by £1.8 million. Details of final SSAs for councils and police authorities are shown in the table.

  It also takes account of other minor changes between provisional and final SSAs caused by data changes.

  The House will have the opportunity to debate my decisions when it considers the Local Government Finance Report (Wales) 1999–2000 on 11 February.
  611
  The breakdown of net TSS is:

  £ million

  SSAs for county and county borough councils

  2,804.7

  SSAs for police authorities

  180.1

  Payments to bodies specified under section 76 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988

  1.8

  Total standard spending net of specific grants

  2,986.6

  Net aggregate external finance for 1999–2000 will consist of revenue support grant (RSG) of £1,892.0 million, council tax reduction scheme grant (damping grant) of £22.2 million and redistributed non-domestic rates of £656.0 million.

  The details of the council tax damping scheme remain as I announced in December. The total amount of damping grant and the damping grant entitlement for each council have changed because of changes between provisional and final SSAs. The entitlement for each council is shown in the table at the end of the answer.

  The settlement represents a significant real-terms increase for local government, and delivers the Government's priorities for education, social services and other key local services. Within the increase in net TSS, there is £70.2 million extra for education which will cover the cost of the review body's recent recommendations on teachers' pay.

  I am not announcing capping criteria in advance for 1999–2000. I expect councils and police authorities to budget prudently. Capping powers remain available to me if any authority makes an excessive increase in its council tax.

  Finally, the arrangements for council tax benefit subsidy limitation remain as set out in my answer of 14 December 1995, Official Report, column 390. Guideline figures
  "are consistent with an average increase of 7.2 per cent. in council tax which, in broad terms, equates to a budget increase of 5.9 per cent. over this year for each council, subject to allowing each council to spend the increase in its SSA in full;
  on council tax above the guideline figure, subsidy would be withdrawn at the rate of 50 per cent."

  The guideline figure for each council is shown in the table.

  £ million

  Council/police authority

  SSA for 1999—2000

  Entitlement to damping grant1

  Guideline figure2

  Isle of Anglesey

  68.0

  —

  70.2

  Gwynedd

  118.9

  —

  126.8

  Conwy

  104.9

  —

  104.9

  Denbighshire

  91.6

  —

  97.1

  Flintshire

  135.0

  —

  140.7

  Wrexham

  112.6

  —

  118.4

  Powys

  131.2

  —

  134.1

  Ceredigion

  70.3

  0.1

  75.8

  Pembrokeshire

  114.6

  —

  116.9

  Carmarthenshire

  169.0

  —

  177.9

  Swansea

  214.3

  0.2

  226.7

  Neath Port Talbot

  133.6

  3.1

  148.4

  Bridgend

  123.5

  0.0

  131.0

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  110.0

  —

  112.0

  612

  £ million

  Council/police authority

  SSA for 1999–2000

  Entitlement to damping grant1

  Guideline figure2

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  230.3

  9.1

  254.0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  59.0

  3.8

  67.1

  Caerphilly

  164.0

  0.1

  172.8

  Blaenau Gwent

  70.3

  5.8

  79.4

  Torfaen

  89.9

  —

  92.1

  Monmouthshire

  75.4

  —

  75.4

  Newport

  130.6

  —

  134.2

  Cardiff

  287.8

  —

  299.0

  All county and county borough councils: total

  2,804.7

  22.2

  Not applicable

  Dyfed-Powys

  25.8

  —

  —

  Gwent

  34.8

  —

  —

  North Wales

  37.6

  —

  —

  South Wales

  81.9

  —

  —

  All police authorities: total

  180.1

  Not applicable

  Not applicable

  1Damping grant is paid to councils only

  2Guideline figures have been set for councils only for 1999–2000.

  The National Assembly will be able to extend the arrangements for council tax benefit subsidy limitation to police authorities for 2000–01.

  In future this will be the responsibility of the National Assembly.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the operation of the Social Exclusion Unit in Wales. [69036]

  Mr. Hain
  The remit of the Social Exclusion Unit covers England only. However, its members and officials from the Welsh Office keep in regular contact to ensure that best practice and good ideas are shared. From time to time, the Unit also draws on expertise from Wales or visits projects in the Principality.

  I am a member of the Ministerial Network which guides the work of the Unit. This ensures that Wales has a voice at an early stage in the development of policy with an impact beyond England and that Welsh experience and innovations can be considered as part of the wider process of policy formulation.

  The Secretary of State has ensured that policies to combat social exclusion are given renewed priority in the Welsh Office and in future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.

  North West Wales NHS Trust
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of(a) the applicants and (b) those interviewed for the Chairmanship of the North West Wales NHS Trust were (i) male and (ii) female. [69034]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Eight people applied for the Chair of the North West Wales NHS Trust, all male. Three were shortlisted and interviewed for the Chair appointment.

  In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.

  Health Authority Funding
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was distributed to each health authority and NHS trust in Wales in each of the last three years. [69035]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Department provided funding to health authorities to purchase health care as set out in the following table. NHS trusts receive most of their funding from their local health authority with additional amounts from other health bodies under contracts to provide health care. A table showing the total income of NHS trusts is also provided.

  £ million

  Health authorities

  1995–961

  Clwyd

  269.954

  Dyfed

  240.122

  Gwent

  292.284

  Gwynedd

  167.592

  Mid Glamorgan

  374.718

  Powys

  92.384

  South Glamorgan

  305.089

  West Glamorgan

  246.401

  £ million

  Health authorities

  1996–972

  1997–98

  Bro Taf

  547.699

  552.929

  Dyfed Powys

  350.832

  362.580

  Gwent

  380.139

  393.071

  Morgannwg

  375.359

  376.415

  North Wales

  465.655

  487.461

  1 District health authority and family health services authority income

  2 On 1 April 1996 the eight DHAs and eight FHSAs merged to form five health authorities

  £ million

  NHS trust

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Bridgend & District NHS Trust

  69.062

  84.179

  89.648

  Cardiff Community NHS Trust

  58.194

  59.998

  62.647

  Carmarthen & District NHS Trust

  40.503

  41.688

  43.911

  Ceredigion & Mid Wales NHS Trust

  24.056

  25.679

  25.961

  Clwydian Community Care NHS Trust

  65.521

  66.532

  68.910

  Derwen NHS Trust

  22.964

  24.405

  —

  East Glamorgan NHS Trust

  50.903

  51.516

  53.416

  Glan Clwyd NHS Trust

  62.492

  68.483

  70.027

  Glan Hafren NHS Trust

  95.989

  73.612

  74.022

  Glan y Mor NHS Trust

  —

  73.612

  74.022

  Gwent Community NHS Trust

  60.289

  61.103

  62.080

  Gwynedd Community NHS Trust

  50.116

  52.768

  53.908

  Gwynedd Hospitals NHS Trust

  61.204

  65.455

  66.420

  Llandough Hospital NHS Trust

  59.690

  64.400

  66.940

  Llanelli Dinefwr NHS Trust

  31.774

  33.515

  33.985

  Mid Glamorgan Ambulance NHS Trust

  8.627

  9.307

  9.974

  Morriston Hospital NHS Trust

  73.724

  77.993

  85.089

  Nevill Hall NHS Trust

  43.435

  46.735

  47.988

  North Glamorgan NHS Trust

  —

  61.703

  62.802

  North Wales Ambulance NHS Trust

  13.028

  13.787

  14.207

  Pembrokeshire NHS Trust

  43.154

  44.853

  —

  Pembrokeshire/Derwen NHS Trust

  —

  —

  69.073

  Powys Healthcare NHS Trust

  43.248

  44.920

  44.544

  Rhondda Healthcare NHS Trust

  31.910

  32.839

  34.954

  South East Wales Ambulance NHS Trust

  18.140

  18.374

  18.941

  Swansea NHS Trust

  59.342

  63.946

  68.507

  614

  £ million

  NHS trust

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  University Dental Hospital NHS Trust

  8.492

  8.984

  9.184

  University Hospital of Wales NHS Trust

  166.848

  187.587

  189.136

  Velindre Hospital NHS Trust

  13.826

  17.310

  18.536

  West Wales Ambulance NHS Trust

  10.989

  12.308

  12.880

  Wrexham Maelor NHS Trust

  57.714

  61.091

  63.815

  Note:

  A dash denotes that the trust was not operational in the year.

  Source:

  Audited annual accounts of health authorities, family health services authorities and NHS trusts 1995–96 to 1997–98

  In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Electronic Warfare
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 1999,Official Report, column 75, on electronic warfare, if he will take lead responsibility for electronic warfare attacks on (a) the banking system, (b) utilities, (c) telecommunications, (d) air traffic control, (e) areas currently the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence and (f) areas currently within the responsibility of the Cabinet Office. [68312]

  Mr. Straw
  Following my answer on 25 January 1999,Official Report, column 79, there is to be no change of responsibilities between Departments. I believe that it is better to build upon the relationships and responsibilities that Departments already have with the relevant parts of the private sector. I see no good reason to change this.

  My taking the lead responsibility within Government for the measures proposed serves to put onto a more formal footing the liaison over the security arrangements necessary to protect our vital national assets.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 1999,Official Report, column 75, on electronic warfare, if his answer was the statement referred to by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Warley (Mr. Spellar), on 4 November 1998, Official Report, column 992. [68347]

  Mr. Straw
  Yes.

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of(a) initial inquiries, (b) applications and (c) successful applications, for new police force recruitment, in each police force, in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [68950]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information is not held centrally on the number of initial recruitment inquiries made to police forces. Information on the number of applications and the number of new recruits to police forces is shown in the tables.
  615

  Applications made to police forces in England and Wales

  Forces

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Avon and Somerset

  2,186.00

  —

  621.00

  Bedfordshire

  427.00

  21.00

  284.00

  Cambridgeshire

  416.00

  1,099.00

  473.00

  Cheshire

  1,339.00

  829.00

  829.00

  City of London

  780.00

  446.00

  638.00

  Cleveland

  291.00

  1,393.00

  —

  Cumbria

  354.00

  1,053.00

  389.00

  Derbyshire

  1,384.00

  807.00

  612.00

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,596.00

  1,064.00

  1,000.00

  Dorset

  279.00

  377.00

  665.00

  Durham

  1,149.00

  1,343.00

  848.00

  Dyfed-Powys

  405.00

  573.00

  861.00

  Essex

  1,756.00

  1,241.00

  304.00

  Gloucestershire

  405.00

  322.00

  1,013.00

  Greater Manchester

  3,049.00

  2,366.00

  2,614.00

  Gwent

  1,081.00

  932.00

  308.00

  Hampshire

  2,431.00

  1,797.00

  929.00

  Hertfordshire

  836.00

  659.00

  314.00

  Humberside

  315.00

  194.00

  219.00

  Kent

  984.00

  1,016.00

  261.00

  Lancashire

  1,254.00

  1,765.00

  1,307.00

  Leicestershire

  1,636.00

  962.00

  711.00

  Lincolnshire

  379.00

  1,236.00

  1,077.00

  Merseyside

  0.00

  41.00

  3,064.00

  Metropolitan Police

  10,556.00

  3,941.00

  4,633.00

  Norfolk

  398.00

  603.00

  408.00

  Northamptonshire

  469.00

  469.00

  432.00

  Northumbria

  1,706.00

  1,486.00

  2,044.00

  North Wales

  489.00

  316.00

  638.00

  North Yorkshire

  360.00

  434.00

  607.00

  Nottinghamshire

  1,166.00

  927.00

  867.00

  South Wales

  3,669.00

  2,208.00

  1,654.00

  South Yorkshire

  982.00

  1,180.00

  786.00

  Staffordshire

  530.00

  620.00

  1,260.00

  Suffolk

  1,067.00

  1,576.00

  834.00

  Surrey

  581.00

  543.00

  731.00

  Sussex

  1,791.00

  442.00

  2,108.00

  Thames Valley

  837.00

  1,556.00

  1,889.00

  Warwickshire

  0.00

  201.00

  695.00

  West Mercia

  —

  600.00

  867.00

  West Midlands

  3,111.00

  2,212.00

  3,272.00

  West Yorkshire

  1,465.00

  1,660.00

  975.00

  Wiltshire

  —

  264.00

  293.00

  England and Wales Total

  53,909.00

  42,774.00

  44.334.00

  New recruits to police forces in England and Wales

  Forces

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Avon and Somerset

  120.00

  141.00

  105.00

  Bedfordshire

  66.00

  12.00

  46.00

  Cambridgeshire

  45.00

  96.00

  58.00

  Cheshire

  115.00

  103.00

  87.00

  City of London

  49.00

  42.00

  29.00

  Cleveland

  25.00

  80.00

  56.00

  Cumbria

  0.00

  74.00

  46.00

  Derbyshire

  52.00

  77.00

  61.00

  Devon and Cornwall

  120.00

  94.00

  172.00

  Dorset

  18.00

  60.00

  75.00

  Durham

  80.00

  106.00

  105.00

  Dyfed-Powys

  36.00

  45.00

  33.00

  Essex

  92.00

  185.00

  108.00

  Gloucestershire

  28.00

  60.00

  27.00

  Greater Manchester

  290.00

  345.00

  436.00

  Gwent

  81.00

  68.00

  31.00

  Hampshire

  194.00

  235.00

  182.00

  Hertfordshire

  76.00

  126.00

  63.00

  Humberside

  98.00

  72.00

  70.00

  Kent

  128.00

  268.00

  118.00

  Lancashire

  121.00

  182.00

  111.00

  Leicestershire

  173.00

  135.00

  115.00

  616

  New recruits to police forces in England and Wales

  Forces

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Lincolnshire

  19.00

  109.00

  36.00

  Merseyside

  30.00

  57.00

  160.00

  Metropolitan Police

  1,212.00

  670.00

  1,164.00

  Norfolk

  77.00

  95.00

  55.00

  Northamptonshire

  41.00

  65.00

  52.00

  Northumbria

  258.00

  177.00

  227.00

  North Wales

  0.00

  0.00

  63.00

  North Yorkshire

  67.00

  63.00

  65.00

  Nottinghamshire

  91.00

  89.00

  0.00

  South Wales

  246.00

  152.00

  170.00

  South Yorkshire

  166.00

  200.00

  135.00

  Staffordshire

  65.00

  99.00

  220.00

  Suffolk

  7.00

  100.00

  69.00

  Surrey

  47.00

  55.00

  112.00

  Sussex

  318.00

  158.00

  136.00

  Thames Valley

  26.00

  183.00

  258.00

  Warwickshire

  0.00

  0.00

  54.00

  West Mercia

  50.00

  110.00

  62.00

  West Midlands

  507.00

  388.00

  445.00

  West Yorkshire

  283.00

  267.00

  182.00

  Wiltshire

  68.00

  20.00

  60.00

  England and Wales Total

  5,585.00

  5,663.00

  5,859.00

  Prisons Inspectorate (Reports)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates his Department received each report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons and the date each report was published since May 1997; how many reports are currently being considered by his Department prior to publication; and when they were received by his Department. [68955]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Since 1 May 1997, 71 reports have been received from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons. To date, 60 reports have been published. The remaining 11 reports will be published in due course, in line with the agreed protocol. The detailed information is set out in the table.

  Publication of reports by HM chief Inspector of Prisons

  Establishment

  Date inspection report received by the Secretary of State

  Date report publishsed

  Buckley Hall

  6 May 1997

  3 October 1997

  Littlehey

  6 May 1997

  30 October 1997

  Blantyre House

  2 June 1997

  14 October 1997

  Feltham

  2 June 1997

  23 September 1997

  Full Sutton

  2 June 1997

  22 August 1997

  Swaleside

  2 June 1997

  21 August 1997

  Lincoln

  23 June 1997

  16 October 1997

  Exeter

  21 July 1997

  23 October 1997

  Cardiff

  29 July 1997

  23 October 1997

  Dorchester

  29 July 1997

  23 October 1997

  Aldington

  29 July 1997

  6 November 1997

  Northallerton

  11 August 1997

  30 October 1997

  Castington

  11 August 1997

  6 November 1997

  Bull wood Hall

  11 August 1997

  11 December 1997

  Morton Hall

  13 August 1997

  16 October 1997

  Pentonville

  14 August 1997

  4 December 1997

  Hewell Grange

  27 August 1997

  6 November 1997

  Brockhill

  27 August 1997

  18 February 1998

  Haverigg

  28 August 1997

  13 November 1997

  Garth

  15 September 1997

  11 December 1997

  Acklington

  16 October 1997

  11 December 1997

  Kingston

  24 October 1997

  3 March 1998

  Wealstun

  28 October 1997

  2 December 1997

  Grendon/Spring Hill

  24 November 1997

  12 February 1998

  Erlestoke

  3 December 1997

  4 March 1998

  617

  Publication of reports by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons

  Establishment

  Date inspection report received by the Secretary of State

  Date report published

  Swinfen Hall

  3 December 1997

  11 March 1998

  Canterbury

  5 December 1997

  13 February 1998

  Lewes

  9 December 1997

  1 April 1998

  Stoke Heath

  9 December 1997

  25 February 1998

  Cookham Wood

  7 January 1998

  19 March 1998

  Dartmoor

  12 January 1998

  20 March 1998

  Wakefield

  28 January 1998

  30 April 1998

  Glen Parva

  28 January 1998

  11 March 1998

  Manchester

  5 February 1998

  7 April 1998

  Frankland

  10 February 1998

  15 May 1998

  Holloway

  18 February 1998

  3 June 1998

  Blundeston

  27 February 1998

  22 May 1998

  Featherstone

  24 March 1998

  1 May 1998

  Shrewsbury

  21 April 1998

  1 July 1998

  Winchester

  21 April 1998

  24 June 1998

  Gloucester

  11 May 1998

  17 June 1998

  Wellingborough

  11 May 1998

  18 June 1998

  The Mount

  11 May 1998

  18 June 1998

  The Verne

  2 June 1998

  8 July 1998

  Long Lartin

  5 June 1998

  17 August 1998

  Werrington

  7 July 1998

  23 September 1998

  Bedford

  8 July 1998

  9 September 1998

  Everthorpe

  3 August 1998

  13 October 1998

  Belmarsh

  5 August 1998

  8 October 1998

  Aylesbury

  13 August 1998

  28 October 1998

  Eastwood Park

  14 August 1998

  29 September 1998

  Highpoint

  14 August 1998

  29 September 1998

  Sudbury

  19 August 1998

  16 October 1998

  Nottingham

  20 August 1998

  2 December 1998

  Woodhill

  1 September 1998

  2 October 1998

  Haslar

  14 September 1998

  11 December 1998

  North Sea Camp

  30 September 1998

  8 January 1999

  Norwich

  1 October 1998

  16 December 1998

  Thorn Cross

  19 October 1998

  12 January 1999

  Birmingham

  19 October 1998

  13 January 1999

  Leicester

  2 December 1998

  —

  Kirkham

  8 December 1998

  —

  The Wolds

  11 December 1998

  —

  Blakenhurst

  14 December 1998

  —

  Albany

  17 December 1998

  —

  Askham Grange

  17 December 1998

  —

  Feltham

  18 December 1998

  —

  Chelmsford

  21 December 1998

  —

  Doncaster

  4 January 1999

  —

  Elmley

  15 January 1999

  —

  Weare

  26 January 1999

  —

  Premier Prison, Doncaster
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the procedures used at Doncaster Coroner's Court in relation to the completed inquests into the suicides of prisoners held in the Premier Prison in Doncaster in 1997. [68580]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have no plans to do so. Any dissatisfaction with the exercise of the coroner's discretion is a matter for the courts. Complaints about the conduct of the coroner or the administration of the court may be referred to the Home Office.

  Town Centres (Safety)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward proposals on safety in town centres. [68783]

  Mr. Boateng
  Our proposals on community safety in towns and elsewhere are contained in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which lays a duty on the local 618
  authority and police in every area, in partnership with a wide range of other bodies, to carry out a full audit of the levels and patterns of crime and disorder in that area. Based upon the findings of the audit and after consultation with the community about them, police and council must then formulate and implement a strategy for the reduction of crime and disorder. Where the audit identifies crime or disorder problems in town centres as a major concern, we would expect the strategy to address them.

  Immigration Offences
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he has issued on access of persons detained at police stations for immigration offences to hon. Members. [68797]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Home Office has not issued guidelines on access to Members of Parliament by persons detained under Immigration Act powers and held at police stations. Such detainees may be allowed to contact a Member of Parliament, or anyone else and to receive a visit from a Member of Parliament, or anyone else, at the discretion of the police custody officer.

  Home Office booklets have been issued providing "Information for Members of Parliament about immigration and nationality enquiries" and "Guidelines on the handling of representations by Members of Parliament in immigration cases". These booklets seek to help Members of Parliament decide whether or not to make representations in immigration cases and to decide whether those representations should be directed to Home Office Ministers or direct to the Immigration and Nationality Department.

  Police Authority Funding
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the final funding allocations for police authorities in England and Wales will be in 1999–2000. [69600]

  Mr. Straw
  Allocations for each police authority are set out in the table. The table also shows allocations approved by Parliament for 1998–99.

  £ million

  Police authority

  1998–1999 allocation1

  1999–2000 allocation1

  English Shire forces

  Avon & Somerset

  164.3

  168.4

  Bedfordshire

  60.9

  61.4

  Cambridgeshire

  71.9

  74.8

  Cheshire

  104.7

  109.0

  Cleveland

  80.4

  81.7

  Cumbria

  59.0

  60.1

  Derbyshire

  97.7

  102.1

  Devon & Cornwall

  167.4

  174.3

  Dorset

  67.8

  70.1

  Durham

  78.1

  81.3

  Essex

  158.4

  163.0

  Gloucestershire

  61.5

  62.4

  Hampshire

  189.1

  194.5

  Hertfordshire

  94.1

  100.0

  Humberside

  110.6

  113.0

  Kent

  178.9

  183.1

  Lancashire

  174.9

  178.2

  Leicestershire

  99.1

  102.3

  Lincolnshire

  60.7

  63.4

  619

  £ million

  Police authority

  1998–1999 allocation1

  1999–2000 allocation1

  Norfolk

  80.9

  83.4

  North Yorkshire

  75.6

  77.6

  Northamptonshire

  62.8

  65.3

  Nottinghamshire

  123.0

  126.3

  Staffordshire

  111.1

  113.0

  Suffolk

  66.0

  68.6

  Surrey

  84.2

  91.9

  Sussex

  162.6

  166.4

  Thames Valley

  219.3

  224.6

  Warwickshire

  51.1

  52.2

  West Mercia

  110.0

  113.0

  Wiltshire

  63.4

  64.9

  English Metropolitan forces

  Greater Manchester

  364.8

  375.7

  Merseyside

  233.3

  236.3

  Northumbria

  205.4

  213.0

  South Yorkshire

  165.4

  171.3

  West Midlands

  371.9

  380.6

  West Yorkshire

  279.5

  286.3

  London forces

  Metropolitan Police2

  1,715.3

  1,743.9

  City of London3

  57.1

  55.4

  English total

  6,682.6

  6,852.8

  Welsh forces

  Dyfed-Powys

  51.1

  51.7

  Gwent

  67.3

  69.7

  North Wales

  73.2

  75.5

  South Wales

  161.3

  163.8

  Welsh total

  353.0

  360.8

  Total

  7,035.5

  7,213.6

  1 Rounded to the nearest £100,000. The Allocation is the sum of: Police Grant, Transitional Grant, Police SSA, Capital Finance SSA, SSA Reduction Grant and Central Support Protection Grant.

  2 Figure for the Metropolitan Police does not include funding allocated to the Receiver under the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services SSA for school crossing patrols, Magistrates' Courts and the Probation Service. It does include its Special Payment.

  3 Figure for the City includes Police SSA, Grant and SSA Reduction Grant, but excludes other SSAs (e.g. Capital Financing) and Central Support Protection Grant. These are allocated to the Common Council of the City of London as a whole in respect of all its functions.

  Security Service Files
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the report of the Advisory Council on Public Records on their review of the criteria used by the Security Service in deciding whether to retain files on grounds of historical interest. [69601]

  Mr. Straw
  On 29 July 1998,Official Report, columns 251–54, I announced to the House that, with the approval of the Lord Chancellor, I had invited the Advisory Council on Public Records to review the criteria which the Security Service employs to select files for permanent preservation on grounds of historical interest. The Chairman of the Council, the Master of the Rolls, accepted the invitation and submitted the Council's report to me on 21 December.
  620
  The Council's Report concludes with the following recommendations:

  1. The following criteria should be added to those which currently guide the selection of files of historical interest:

  i. Organisations and individuals on which security action was required but which were not of great significance nationally or internationally at the time when the action took place.

  Selection should be carried out to show the geographical, national and social range of individuals and organisations with which the Service had dealings. Full details of this criterion to be developed within the operational selection policy.

  ii. Events with which the Service had an active involvement but which were neither newsworthy at the time nor historically significant if considered in isolation.

  Selection should be carried out in order to reflect both developments in the Service's own activities and policies and the social, economic and political context within which the Service operated. Full details of this criterion to be developed within the operational selection policy

  iii. A sample taken from all files on individuals on whom, after initial investigation, no security action was taken and from the files on individuals not selected under other criteria.

  At a minimum this should be a sample of one out of 100 of such files. The details of the sampling method should he considered as part of the development of an operational selection policy. The taking of a sample is dependent on the preservation of all means of reference.

  iv. All policy and subject files, other than those of an ephemeral nature.

  v. All registers and other means of reference to policy files and to files on subjects, organisations and individuals.

  2. The Security Service should work with the Public Record Office to develop an operational selection policy based on the criteria as amended, for completion in 2000–01.

  Having consulted the Director General of the Security Service, I have decided to accept that Council's recommendations in full. Additionally, and in response to an observation elsewhere in the report, officials of the Public Record Office with the necessary security clearance will, in future, be invited to examine files which have been earmarked for destruction following review by the Security Service. This will provide a useful measure of external scrutiny of the selection process.

  I am most grateful to the Advisory Council for undertaking this valuable review, and for its helpful and constructive recommendations. I am placing a copy of the Report in the Library.

  European Elections
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what educational publicity campaign he plans, at what cost, to inform electors of the proportional voting system to be used to elect United Kingdom members of the European Parliament in June. [69033]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Carmarthen and Dinefwr (Mr. Williams) on 18 January 1999,Official Report, column 327.

  School Crossing Patrols
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many school crossing patrol positions there are in England and Wales; and how many vacancies there are. [68814]
  621
  Mr. Boateng
  I understand from the Local Government Management Board that in 1996, the most recent year for which a figure is available, there were 18,786 school crossing patrol wardens in England and Wales. Information on the number of vacancies is not collected centrally.

  Prisons (Charter Marks)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the criteria used in assessments of prisons in England and Wales for the awarding of a Charter Mark; and if he will make a statement. [68952]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The criteria used in assessment of prisons in England and Wales for the award of a Charter Mark are the same as are used in assessing all other public sector applications. For the 1998 assessment process these criteria were:

  Performance standards

  Information and openness

  Consultation and choice

  Courtesy and helpfulness

  Putting things right

  Value for money

  User satisfaction

  Improvements in service quality

  Planned improvements and innovations.

  For all applicants the assessment process includes checking with sponsoring Departments, regulatory bodies, statutory user groups and other relevant bodies to ensure that any shortcomings or service failures are known and taken into account. The particular circumstances, including statutory obligations, of each applicant are also taken into account.

  Applicants are required to submit a written application supported with evidence. The written application is assessed independently by two different assessors followed by a visit from one or more assessors who review the service on site, examine any additional evidence and meet a cross-section of users. For a prison, users would include the prisoners themselves, Prison Visitors and relatives of prisoners.

  The decision to award a Charter Mark is made by an independent panel of judges.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times he or his junior Ministers, or predecessors in the post, have paid official visits to(a) the Czech Republic, (b) Poland, (c) Hungary, (d) Slovenia, (e) Estonia and (f) Cyprus since May 1997; and what was the purpose of each visit. [67700]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 27 January 1999]: Since May 1997 DTI Ministers have made the following visits to Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
  622

  Ministerial visit

  Purpose of visit

  December 1997

  Hungary

  Trade Promotion

  Czech Republic

  Trade Promotion

  Poland

  Trade Promotion

  January 1998

  Czech Republic

  Trade Policy

  Hungary

  Trade Promotion

  September 1998

  Poland

  Address a Seminar on Entrepreneurship and meeting with the Polish Minister for the Economy

  There have been no visits to Slovenia, Estonia or Cyprus.

  BAT Industries and Rothmans International
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the regulatory procedures which must now be followed in respect of the proposed merger between BAT Industries and Rothmans International. [67949]

  Dr. Howells
  It will be necessary to determine whether this proposed merger falls for consideration by the European Commission under the EC Merger Regulation, or by the UK authorities under the Fair Trading Act 1973. If it falls to the EC Merger Regulation it is for the parties to notify the European Commission. The UK plays a formal role in the Commission's assessment process. If it falls to the UK authorities my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry would decide whether or not to refer it to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the light of the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading. Each case is considered on its own merits.

  Export Licences (Records)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for how long a British company or agency which has supplied military, security or police equipment which has been exempted from export licence requirements is required to maintain records of such transfers. [68303]

  Dr. Howells
  Export of controlled military and paramilitary goods is subject to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, made under the provisions of the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939. The 1939 Act does not bind the Crown. In addition, a number of international organisations have had immunity from export prohibitions conferred upon them by means of Orders in Council made under the International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Act 1968. The Government and those immune international organisations are under no legal obligation to maintain records of their exports.

  No other agencies or companies are exempt from the provisions of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994.

  Electro-shock Batons
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the companies granted export licences for the export of electro-shock batons to(a) Egypt, (b) Botswana and (c) Saudi Arabia; [68230]

  (2) which British company brokered the trans-shipment of electro-shock batons to Saudi Arabia under the trans-shipment licence granted by his Department in 1993. [68194]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to the letter to her, dated 16 July 1998, from my noble Friend Lord Clinton-Davis. A copy of this letter was placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many visits his officials have made to British Aerospace to check that electro-shock batons were not transferred to Saudi Arabia as part of the Al Yamamah deal. [68331]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Officials from both the Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Defence contacted BAe Royal Ordnance following allegations made in a Channel 4 "Dispatches" programme, screened on 11 January 1995. The Company has gone on record to deny the allegations made in the programme.

  PVC Toys
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment in respect of the sale of soft PVC toys. [68917]

  Dr. Howells
  The independent Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (SCTEE) was asked by the European Commission to provide an opinion on the use of phthalate plasticisers in soft PVC toys, including tethers. The SCTEE made a number of recommendations and observations. These include concerns about the possible use of one phthalate (DEHP) in toys intended to be mouthed by children and a recommendation on a safe migration level for DINP. The SCTEE's assessment of the toxicity of phthalates is consistent with the views of the EU Scientific Committee for Food.

  Tests of PVC toys and tethers have been commissioned by DTI, based on the SCTEE's recommendations. These indicate that DEHP is no longer used in PVC toys and to date no toys have been found on the UK market which release DINP in levels above those recommended by the SCTEE. A programme of testing to monitor phthalates release levels is continuing.

  Export Licences (Alvis)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the visits his officials have undertaken to audit open individual export licences held by Alvis since 1988. [68787]

  Dr. Howells
  Since 1988, ECO Compliance Officers have made 6 routine compliance visits in total to Alvis Logistics Ltd. and Alvis Vehicles Ltd.
  624
  Alvis Logistics Ltd. were visited on 24 July 1996; 29 April and 16 December 1997.

  Alvis Vehicles Ltd. were visited on 24 July 1996; 29 April and 16 December 1997.

  Electronic Equipment
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to encourage recycling of electronic equipment. [68626]

  Dr. Howells
  Electrical and electronic equipment is one of the sectors targeted in the Government's Producer Responsibility initiative. Through this initiative, the Department of Trade and Industry has encouraged industry-led action to increase re-use and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. Recently, the Department issued a guide to the re-use of unwanted computer equipment.

  The Government are currently developing a new waste strategy, and has made clear that they are committed to achieving substantial increases in recycling. In this context, the Government are currently assessing options for developing the markets for recycled materials and products.

  Director General of Research Councils (Hewlett-Packard)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the arrangements by which the Director General of Research Councils will avoid conflicts of interest while on secondment from Hewlett-Packard. [69352]

  Mr. Byers
  The DGRC, Dr. John Taylor, will continue to be paid by Hewlett-Packard while on secondment from Hewlett-Packard to the DTI. For the duration of this appointment, the DTI will reimburse Hewlett-Packard at a rate within the relevant Senior Civil Service pay band for his post.

  In addition, Dr. Taylor will stand aside from discussions or decisions having any specific effect on Hewlett-Packard for the duration of his appointment. In practice, since the Department is not involved in decisions on individual science projects in accordance with the Haldane principle, and since Research Councils funding goes to universities and scientific institutes rather than firms, no material difficulties are foreseen.

  Should, unusually, funding be granted directly from the Research Councils to Hewlett-Packard, I will report this to Parliament and give details of the circumstances.

  Vibration White Finger
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in the north-west Region are claiming compensation for suffering from vibration white finger. [69172]

  Mr. Battle
  The total number of Vibration White Finger claims received by IRISC, the Department's claim handlers, from people in the north-west region is 1,247.

  Arms Exports
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the EU code of conduct on arms exports. [68929]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  We are committed to the implementation of the provisions of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Line of Route (Summer Opening)
  Mrs. Gordon
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on opening the Line of Route during the summer adjournment. [69171]

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on proposals to open the Palace of Westminster to visitors on Saturdays, Sundays and during periodic adjournments; and what plans there are to charge such visitors. [68598]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  The Commission has approved in principle the re-opening of the Line of Route during the Summer Recess. The need to comply with EU procedures in letting contracts makes it impossible, however, to achieve the re-opening earlier than the summer of 2000.

  On the advice of the Administration Committee, the Finance and Services Committee will look at the viability of a project prepared by a firm of outside consultants on how the Line of Route re-opening is to be managed. It will report its conclusions to the House of Commons Commission.

  In respect of the specific matter of charging visitors who wish to use the Line of Route, the Commission has taken the view that this is a matter which the House itself should decide. A motion will be put before the House in due course.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Motor Scooters
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the speed limit that applies to drivers of 49cc motor scooters. [67666]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There is no specific speed limit for 49cc motor scooters, which are classed as motor cycles. The road speed limits, either set nationally or locally by traffic authorities, therefore apply. Motorcycles of under 50cc are not permitted on motorways.

  Local Authority Databases
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if a local authority is permitted to merge databases containing 626
  personal data which were originally collected for diverse functions, on the grounds that such a merger would improve the economy, efficiency or effectiveness of that authority; and if he will make a statement. [68049]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In discharging their functions, local authorities must make such arrangements as necessary to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Where these arrangements involve the merging of databases containing personal data the Data Protection Act must be complied with. In November 1997 the Audit Commission published a Code of Data Matching Practice for local authorities, and the Data Protection Registrar has indicated that she expects them to comply with the Code's provisions.

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in how many cases a driver, found to be over the legal limit for alcohol, has caused the death of another person in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [68308]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The numbers of accidents which involved a driver who was over the legal limit for alcohol and in which one or more people killed were not themselves drivers above the legal limit were: 170 in 1994, 200 in 1995 and 190 in 1996.

  These are estimates rounded to the nearest ten and are given for the last three years for which figures are available.

  HGVs (Channel Crossings)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the average daily number of Heavy Goods Vehicles arriving in Kent from(a) continental ports and (b) the Channel Tunnel. [68304]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The average daily number of powered goods vehicles, i.e. excluding unaccompanied trailers, arriving in Kent is 1,800 from continental ports and 800 through the Channel Tunnel.

  Trunk Roads (Herefordshire)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with Herefordshire Council on improvements to trunk roads in Hereford. [68232]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Highways Agency and the Government Office for the West Midlands are discussing with Herefordshire Council measures to ease traffic congestion in Hereford. These measures include both those on the A49 trunk road and those on the local road network being promoted by the local authority through the Hereford package. A meeting was held on 21 December to establish priorities and set a realistic timetable for improvements to the A49 and complementary measures on the local road network.

  Belmont Roundabout
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the
  627
  Highways Agency will present for public consideration schemes to improve the junction of the A49 and A465 at the Belmont Roundabout. [68233]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Paul Keetch, dated 3 February 1999:
  The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson has asked me to reply to your recent question about when the Highways Agency will present for public consideration schemes to improve the junction of the A49 and A465 at the Belmont Roundabout.
  Representatives of the Agency have already held preliminary discussions with officers of Herefordshire Council about ways to take forward a package of measures to ease traffic congestion on the A49 trunk road in Hereford, and will continue to work with them to identify solutions to complement their local road network.
  The Council is bringing forward changes to their traffic management arrangements within Hereford and these will impact on the A49. The Agency will take these into account before bringing forward measures to improve the A49 trunk road through Hereford, including improvements to the A49/A465 junction.
  We currently expect to consult all interested parties, including members of the public, early next year. We will improve on this timetable if possible. I will keep you informed of progress.

  Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will (i) account for the difference between outturn departmental spending in Table A1 of the Comprehensive Spending Review and outturn departmental spending in Table 1.2 of the 1998–99 Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis for his Department excluding local government and regional policy for(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95, (c) 1995–96 and (d) 1996–97 and (ii) provide forecast figures for departmental spending for his Department excluding local government and regional policy for (1) 1997–98, (2) 1998–99, (3) 1999–2000, (4) 2000–01 and (5) 2001–02 on a comparable basis to Table 1.2 of the 1998–99 Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis. [68381]

  Dr. Reid
  Information in the 1998–99 Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis was provided on the basis of the existing financial control framework. The comprehensive spending review introduced new departmental expenditure limits which (i) included elements previously outside the control total and (ii) excluded elements previously within the control total. For this Department the new elements included within its departmental expenditure limit were provision for the Capital Receipts Initiative and bus fuel duty rebate. The elements excluded from this Department's departmental expenditure limit were provision for Housing Revenue Account Subsidy and National Air Traffic Services Ltd.

  The Department's detailed spending plans for 1998–99 and, estimated outturn for 1997–98, are published in the Departmental Annual Report 1998 (Cm 3906). The Department's detailed spending plans for 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 will be included in the Departmental Annual Report 1999 due to be published in late March.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [68405]

  Dr. Reid
  The only significant planned changes in the Department's responsibilities are in respect of the Rent Officer Service Agency, to be established in October 1999, and, subject to legislation, the transfer of certain responsibilities for railways to the Strategic Rail Authority.

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [68421]

  Dr. Reid
  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.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals his Department has to further regulate houses in multiple occupation. [68842]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We expect to issue a consultation paper on proposals for licensing of houses in multiple occupation in the early part of this year.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has made to ensure that an up-to-date register of all genetically modified food test sites is available to the relevant local authority; [68615]

  (2) what plans he has to provide statutory consultee status to local authorities before genetically modified food test sites are authorised; [68616]

  (3) what action his Department has taken in response to objections from residents near to genetically modified food test sites; [68617]

  (4) if he will introduce measures to give residents within 800 metres of a genetically modified food test site the right to object to authorisation of the site. [68618]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department maintains a statutory register of prescribed information concerning applications for consent to release genetically modified organisms. The full register is maintained at the Department's London Office in Victoria Street. Registers are also maintained at Regional Offices of the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive's Office in Edinburgh.
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  Copies of items on the register are provided by post on request. Information on release sites and their locations is also available on the Department's Internet Website.

  All applicants for consent to release genetically modified organisms must place an advertisement giving the prescribed information in a newspaper circulating the area of the proposed release site. Any one, including nearby residents and local authorities, may raise an objection by writing to the Secretary of State. All objections received are considered before a decision is made on whether or not to grant consent; where appropriate, the views of the statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment are sought.

  There are no plans to give local authorities or nearby residents statutory consultation status.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will report on his consideration of a moratorium on commercial licences for genetically modified crops. [68619]

  Mr. Meacher
  A number of organisations have called for a moratorium on the commercial growing of genetically modified crops. There are at present no genetically modified crops which have received all the necessary approvals to be grown commercially in Britain. The announcement I made on 21 October 1998 to the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities set out a programme of managed development of herbicide tolerant genetically modified crops with additional safeguards to ensure full protection of the environment. The situation will be kept under review.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 17 December 1998,Official Report, column 629, when he expects the paper on the possible wider implications of genetically modified crops to be made publicly available. [68776]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: I expect this discussion paper which was prepared by the Secretariat to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) to be made available via ACRE's page on my Department's website as soon as possible.

  Council Tax Benefit
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those(a) local authorities, (b) local authority organisations, (c) local authority interest groups and (d) other organisations which have made representations in support of proposals to limit the payment of council tax benefit subsidy in 1999–2000. [68634]

  Ms Armstrong
  We have not received any representations supporting our proposals to limit the payment of council tax benefit subsidy in 1999–2000.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those(a) local authorities, (b) local authority associations,
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  (c) local authority interest groups and (d) other organisations which have made representations (i) opposing and (ii) seeking postponement of proposals to limit the payment of council tax benefit subsidy in 1999–2000. [68633]

  Ms Armstrong
  I have today placed in the library a list of those(a) local authorities, (b) local authority organisations, (c) local authority interest groups and (d) other organisations which have made representations (i) opposing or (ii) seeking postponement of the proposals to limit the payment of council tax benefit subsidy in 1999–2000.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the aggregate amount of council tax subsidy to be withdrawn from local authorities in each of the years(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02 as a consequence of the proposal to limit council tax benefit subsidy; and what plans he has to return the withdrawn sums to local authorities in aggregate. [68632]

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the annual amount of council tax benefits subsidy to be withdrawn from local councils in the next financial year. [68733]

  Ms Armstrong
  Only local authorities exceeding the guideline will have to make a contribution to the costs of council tax benefit. We have not made any estimate of this. It is up to local authorities to decide what council tax to set and they will have to consider the impact of the Council Tax Benefit Subsidy Limitation scheme when making these decisions.

  Airports
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he intends to publish the White Paper on aviation and airport policy; [68341]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that there is sufficient airport capacity to meet forecast air traffic growth in the South East up to and beyond 2015; and if he will make a statement; [68333]

  (3) if he plans to publish a White Paper on aviation and airport policy during the current Parliament. [69027]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: In our White Paper "A New Deal for Transport" we set out a number of key policy principles relating to airports. We also announced that we will prepare a new statement of UK airports policy, and a large amount of preparatory work is now under way. We are considering the precise scope and timing of the policy statement, and how to undertake the necessary preparatory work relating to South East England, and will make a further announcement in due course.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the findings of the 1993 Study of Runway Capacity to Serve the South East. [68334]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: The study of Runway Capacity to Serve the South East was prepared at the behest of the previous Government. In preparing a

  631
  new UK airports policy statement, we shall wish to take a fresh look at the issue, in the light of the principles we have set out in the "New Deal for Transport" White Paper.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the timetable for planning for new airport capacity in the South East on the competitiveness of the region. [68335]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: The Government recognise the importance of airport capacity for competitiveness in the South East. The impact of the timetable for planning new airports capacity will therefore be an important factor informing the precise scope and timing of the new UK airports policy statement.

  Global Warming
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of global warming on sea levels. [68695]

  Mr. Meale
  The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in its 1995 assessment, reported that global mean sea level has risen 10–25cm over the last 100 years, and that it is likely that this rise has been largely due to the concurrent increase in global temperature over the same time period.

  The Panel's projections for the future, for a wide range of emission scenarios, are that global mean sea level will rise by 15–95cm by the year 2100. Research funded by my Department at the Hadley Centre suggests that, for a "business as usual scenario", global mean sea level will rise by about 50cm by the year 2100.

  Estimates of sea level rise for regions of the UK were prepared for the UK Climate Impacts Programme and published in 1998, for various climate change scenarios which take account of expected land movements. Similar allowances to the changes now estimated have been used since 1989 for the construction or improvement of sea defences.

  Eurostar Services
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what information he has received from the Eurostar consortium regarding the viability of direct Eurostar services from West Coast Main Line stations north of Watford to mainland Europe; [68847]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the possible use of public subsidy to support direct Eurostar services from the West Coast Main Line to mainland Europe; [68848]

  (3) what plans he has to invite other service providers to submit proposals for direct Eurostar services from the West Coast Main Line to mainland Europe. [68849]

  Dr. Reid
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister received a report from Inter-Capital and Regional Rail Ltd. (ICRR), the consortium appointed by London and Continental Railways to manage and operate Eurostar, on 13 November 1998 entitled "Review of Regional Eurostar Services". On 28 January 1999,Official Report, column 340, he announced the commissioning of a thorough and independent review. In addition to
  632
  consideration of a broad range of key elements, this review will address itself in particular to the study completed by ICRR and to the alternative proposals put forward by the Virgin Group. He has asked for a report to be presented to Government as soon as practicable.

  Disabled Parking
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make it his policy to make it an offence to park in disabled parking boxes without authorisation; [69051]

  (2) what recent representations he has received in favour of making unauthorised parking in disabled parking boxes a criminal offence. [69052]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is already an offence under Section 47 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to park a vehicle which is not displaying an Orange Badge in an on-street designated disabled persons' parking bay.

  The Orange Badge Scheme does not, however, apply to off-street car parks, whether local authority or privately owned, and enforcement of those disabled persons' parking bays is a matter for the operator concerned. In the case of local authority off-street car parks, their off-street parking place orders normally make it either an offence for someone not displaying a valid Orange Badge to park in a disabled persons' parking bay or make it subject to the payment of an "excess charge". In private car parks, we understand it is possible in law for the owners to agree with the local authority that a parking place order be made in respect of that car park. Conditions of use can then be enforced as if it were a local authority car park, with penalties or excess charges levied on offenders.

  Pipework Materials
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what monitoring he is conducting of the Water Industry Specifications Committee's emerging standard for plastic pipes; [68116]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the percentage of sewers which are made from thin wall plastics; [68118]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the susceptibility of each of the principal sewerage drainage pipe materials to damage by rodents. [68121]

  Mr. Meale
  The development of Water Industry Specifications, choice of pipework materials, durability and susceptibility to damage is a matter for the water and sewerage undertakers. The Department does not collect information on materials used by the water industry.

  Rats
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he proposes to ensure that rats do not escape into properties from sewers. [68117]

  Mr. Meale
  Sewerage undertakers have ongoing programmes to control and reduce the number of rats in public sewers. These include baiting, which is usually targeted only in those areas where there is evidence of
  633
  rats so as to avoid unnecessary waste of funds. In following up one of the recommendations of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee Report on Sewage Treatment and Disposal, my officials are initiating discussions between the Local Government Association and Water UK to establish what further action may be needed, who should carry it out and whether local authorities need greater powers. The water industry is also conducting research into the most effective ways of controlling rats in sewers.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will incorporate a rodent damage test for drainage pipes in the review of Part H of the Building Regulations. [68119]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In considering whether the advice on preventing rodent damage needs to be strengthened, the review of Part H will consider all relevant issues.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of recent trends in the level of rat infestations of homes and businesses. [68120]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The DETR's 1996 English House Condition Survey collected data on the incidence or rodents and the types of treatments that are being used to treat any infestation. Results should be published later this year.

  Drinking Water (Contamination)
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are in place to monitor the contamination of drinking water supplies by leaking sewers and drains; and what has been the results of such monitoring in each of the last three years. [68122]

  Mr. Meale
  Water companies are required to notify the Drinking Water Inspectorate of any event or incident which affects or threatens to affect drinking water quality. In 1998, 1997 and 1996 water companies reported 7, 4 and 7 occasions respectively when a leaking sewer threatened drinking water quality and precautionary measures were taken to protect consumers, but on all of these occasions there was no evidence that public health was affected.

  Water companies are required to monitor routinely drinking water quality at consumers' taps for faecal coliforms, the main indicator of microbiological contamination. If faecal coliforms are detected water companies take immediate action to protect consumers and rectify the cause. The table shows the results for the last three years for which data is available and includes detections where companies found that the consumers' taps were contaminated.

  Year

  Number of samples from consumers taps

  Number (%) of samples in which faecal coliforms detected

  1995

  156,306

  111(0.07)

  1996

  157,342

  97(0.06)

  1997

  157,252

  97(0.06)

  Air Services (Punctuality)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to monitor the punctuality of scheduled air services in the same way as rail services are currently monitored. [68533]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Civil Aviation Authority has published monthly and annual punctuality statistics for scheduled and charter passenger services from principal airports since January 1998. Reports are published monthly on the CAA's website (www.caa.co.uk) and a press notice outlining trends in delays is issued quarterly.

  Highways Agency Projects
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list Highways Agency projects in 1998, including the 1998 national travel survey, which made use of (a) automatic traffic counters, (b) roadside interviews, (c) manual classified counts and (d) additional surveys undertaken outside the normal hours of 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays. [67710]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The following is a table based on the information which is readily available, of the Highways Agency's projects for which surveys were undertaken in 1998. The table uses the types of surveys defined in the question but the headings describing the types of survey have been abbreviated to(a) ATCs, (b) RSIs and (c) MCCs.

  There were no additional surveys undertaken in connection with Highways Agency projects outside the normal hours of 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday.

  Project

  ATCs

  RSIs

  MCCs

  A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  A14 Route Management Strategy

  Yes

  Salisbury Transport Study

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  A2/A282 Dartford Traffic Surveys

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Bristol Severnside Study

  Yes

  A596 Wigton Bypass before/after

  Yes

  Yes

  A5 Fazeley before/after

  Yes

  Yes

  A1M Washford-Dishforth

  Yes

  M621/M1 Link before/after

  Yes

  M65 Blackburn Southern Bypass

  Yes

  M1/A1 Link (Loftbouse/Branham) before/after

  Yes

  A564 Derby Southern Bypass

  Yes

  A1033 Hendon Road Improvement

  Yes

  Yes

  M62 J8 and J8–9 widening

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  A56 Manchester Sub-Regional Highway Model

  Yes

  Yes

  A140 Newton Flotman

  Yes

  Yes

  A13 Wennington-Mar Dyke before/after

  Yes

  A11 Roudham Heath-Attleborough

  Yes

  A12 Hatfield Peveral-Witham Link Road

  Yes

  The National Travel Survey is undertaken by DETR and consists of household interviews only. As part of DETR's continuous collection of traffic data, the following surveys were undertaken during 1998:
  Continuous automatic traffic counters at 134 sites;
  Approximately 6,000 manual classified counts between 7am and 7pm weekdays;
  Manual classified counts (16 or 24 hour) at approximately one third of the 523 sites on screen lines and cordons across London; and
  Twenty four hour manual classified counts at 50 sites four times per year within London

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Aid (EU)
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the provision of value for money in the EU aid budget. [67509]

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the cost-effectiveness of the EU development aid programme. [67521]

  Clare Short
  We have inherited from the previous administration a commitment that 30 per cent. of my budget is channelled through the EC and a situation where EC aid spending is skewed against the poorest countries and is often of poor quality. In December we published our strategy to improve EC performance.

  We are actively seeking support for this strategy in the Commission, the European Parliament and among Member States. I welcome the report of the Development Select Committee supporting the Government's strategy.

  Development Education
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to promote awareness of development issues among young people. [67512]

  Mr. Foulkes
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have visited many schools and colleges on each of our visits to towns and cities throughout the UK and found great enthusiasm for development issues. Expanding the coverage of these issues in the school curriculum is our top priority and we are pursuing this with other Departments and agencies in relation to each part of the United Kingdom.

  Sudan
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what medical aid projects the Government are currently supporting in Sudan. [67515]

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will provide pharmaceutical products as aid to Sudan. [67516]

  Clare Short
  Our humanitarian response to the crisis in Sudan last year, which amounted to £37 million, included an allocation of £5.5 million for health care to the most vulnerable groups. The Government of Sudan, by its own admission, is spending 80 per cent. of the national budget on the civil war. The major priority for improving life for the people of Sudan is an end to the war.

  Education (Girls)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in what ways her Department is supporting the education of girls in poorer countries; and if she will make a statement. [67517]

  Clare Short
  As we make clear in the Development White Paper, we are strongly committed to the key international targets of Universal Primary Education by 636
  2015 and gender equity in primary and secondary education by 2005. We are working in the international system to try to increase the commitment to meeting this target and prioritising these targets in all our programmes. For example, we have recently committed over £200 million to basic education in a number of countries including Ghana, India, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and our largest ever single education commitment of £67 million for Uganda.

  We are also working co-operatively with the World Bank, UNICEF, and the Rockefeller Foundation, to develop practical strategies which will encourage the enrolment of girls in school in countries with very low enrolment rates.

  Debt Relief
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with voluntary organisations in relation to the reduction of the debt burden on developing countries. [67518]

  Clare Short
  In December, I met the directors of the voluntary organisations which comprise the British Overseas Aid Group (BOAG)—ActionAid, Oxfam, the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development (CAFOD), Christian Aid and Save the Children Fund. Also in December, I met BOND—which represents the smaller NGOs. They agreed with the need to develop and strengthen the link between debt relief and poverty reduction and welcomed the fact that we are pressing for this issue to be considered during the forthcoming comprehensive review of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Debt Initiative, and for civil society in developing countries to be involved in the review.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the new German Government about debt relief and poverty reduction. [67528]

  Clare Short
  I met the German Development Minister in Bonn in November last year. The discussions covered poverty reduction, debt relief and a number of other development issues. I was pleased to find a new convergence of UK and German views on development policies. In December, officials from my Department and the Treasury followed up in discussions with their German counterparts proposals for taking forward the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC).

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with ministers of the German Government concerning an initiative on debt relief for developing countries at the European Council meeting in Cologne. [67530]

  Clare Short
  I met the German Development Minister and her officials in Bonn in November last year. The discussions covered poverty reduction, debt relief and a number of other development issues. We shall continue to work closely with the German government during their Presidency of the European Union and of the G8 on their proposals for debt relief, which are similar to those in our own Mauritius Mandate.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to reduce the debts of the poorest countries. [67531]
  637
  Clare Short
  The Chancellor and I are working to see international agreement to speed up the implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt initiative so that all eligible countries will be on track for debt relief by 2000. We are pressing for this and other key issues, including the level of debt relief and the link to poverty reduction, to be examined during the comprehensive review of the HIPC initiative which is to report by July this year. Over the past two years, the Department for International Development (DFID) has cancelled some £30 million of bilateral aid debts and provided some £36 million to help the African Development Bank meet its share of the cost of implementing the HIPC debt initiative. We are also providing around £100 million to help a number of developing countries meet their debt service payments to international financial institutions. In addition, DFID is providing technical assistance in debt management to poor countries and funding research on the key issues of debt sustainability and internal debt. In the run-up to the Cologne Summit, we are working closely with the German government, whose proposals for debt relief are similar to those in our own Mauritius Mandate.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to support the recent initiative of the German Chancellor on debt relief for developing nations. [68098]

  Clare Short
  We welcome the recent German proposals for debt relief. In many of their elements, they reinforce the Mauritius Mandate, launched by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in September 1997. It is encouraging to see that the German proposals call for the cancellation of aid loans to Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) but we should like to see them extending aid debt relief to more countries.

  My greatest concern remains that debt relief should be linked to poverty reduction. This aspiration was contained in Chancellor Schroeder's proposals. We have pressed that the IMF/World Bank review of HIPC should give more emphasis to the link between debt relief and poverty reduction.

  Kosovo and Montenegro
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made to support the continuing humanitarian relief effort in(a) Kosovo and (b) Montenegro. [67519]

  Clare Short
  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that there were 200,000 persons displaced within Kosovo as at 22 January.

  We are working closely with international organisations, led by UNHCR, to ensure that the humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict in Kosovo are met. During 1999, UNHCR-led convoys have provided food and other items to more than 40,000 people throughout Kosovo. These supplies were provided through UNHCR, World Food Programme, Mercy Corps International, Catholic Relief Services, Children's Aid Direct, Doctors of the World, World Vision and Oxfam.

  It has been reported that refugees have begun entering Montenegro once more in the light of deteriorating security in Kosovo. UNHCR are financing an operation
  638
  to register refugees from Kosovo who will be provided with an identity card to confirm that they are entitled to assistance.

  The World Health Organisation is co-ordinating regular visits by medical teams, which are currently providing mental outreach services and organising education and hygiene programmes for those living in collective centres.

  Intermediate Technology
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what initiatives her Department is taking to support intermediate technology. [67522]

  Clare Short
  We believe the poor need access to technology appropriate for the development of sustainable livelihoods. As part of our effort we are funding a three-year programme with the Intermediate Technology Development Group to develop policy and technologies within eight key engineering sectors which span domestic and small-scale industrial applications.

  Medical Services (Children)
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's support for medical services for children in(a) countries suffering emergencies from natural causes and (b) war zones. [67523]

  Clare Short
  The provision of medical assistance for children caught up in emergencies is considered alongside other needs as an integral part of our humanitarian assistance provided in response to crises caused by conflicts and natural disasters. We channel support through United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and non-governmental organisations; looking first to agencies that are well established in the country and have the local knowledge and expertise to deliver assistance most effectively. Children affected by armed conflict have special needs for protection, and we strongly support the efforts of the Special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on children in armed conflict, and UNICEF, to promote the safety and welfare of children in war zones.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the future tax position of the Commonwealth Development Corporation. [67524]

  Clare Short
  We are working with HM Treasury and the Inland Revenue to produce a tax solution that will encourage investment in the poorest countries through the CDC public-private partnership. Parliament will have the opportunity to scrutinise our proposals.

  The Commonwealth Development Corporation needs to be tax efficient if it is to be able to achieve its goal of investing in developing countries using private capital raised within the context of a competitive private investment market dominated by offshore funds. In order to compete directly with offshore funds for private capital for investment in its area, CDC would need to provide a similar financial return. A material UK tax charge within CDC would make this less achievable.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received on aid to Zimbabwe. [67525]

  Clare Short
  Since 1 December, I have answered 10 Parliamentary Questions and replied to letters from hon. Members on both sides of the House. We have also been engaging in a consultation process within Zimbabwe on our country strategy.

  Great Lakes Region
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the crisis in the great lakes region of Africa. [67526]

  Clare Short
  We are deeply disturbed about the impact of the ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the consequences for the people throughout the Great Lakes region. The involvement of so many other countries in the continuing conflict in the DRC and the risks of escalation are very serious. We are ready to provide humanitarian assistance where this is possible. But a ceasefire is needed urgently. Britain is supporting efforts by President Chiluba and other regional leaders to secure this ceasefire and to find a political solution which will protect the sovereignty of the DRC, ensure the rights and protection of all Congolese and address the security concerns of neighbouring countries.

  An important part of the solution will be progress on reconciliation in Rwanda. Rwanda needs international support to help it achieve peace and reconciliation and I have agreed to provide £30 million in three annual grants to help. The rationale and objectives for our support to Rwanda are set out in my letter dated 26 January to you as the Chair of the All-Party Group on Rwanda. A copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

  In Burundi, the Arusha peace process continues to make progress. The decision by regional Governments to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Burundi reflects the progress being made and is a positive step forward.

  In the longer term there is a need to address the root causes of the conflict; re-unite the region; and promote development for long-term stability. We support the convening of an International Conference on Security and Co-operation under UN/OAU auspices to this end.

  Tanzania
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she had about development when she visited Tanzania in 1998. [67527]

  Clare Short
  During my visit in August last year, I met with the President, ministers, politicians, officials and private sector, civil society and donor representatives and outlined Britain's new development policy. I visited various programmes and urged action to tackle corruption and speedy reform of the health and education sectors, where we have a major involvement and which are vital to improve the quality of basic services and to achieve our shared goal of poverty eradication.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to visit the island of St. Helena to discuss the provision of air links and improved sea links. [67529]

  Clare Short
  I have no plans to visit St. Helena. Last year my Department and the St. Helena Government agreed the terms of a preliminary desk study into the technical viability of improving access, including possible air access, to St. Helena.

  Angola
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the current humanitarian assistance to Angola. [67510]

  Clare Short
  The recent fighting in Angola has resulted in a significant increase in the numbers of internally displaced people. The United Nations is co-ordinating efforts to meet these needs. We will help where there is adequate access and safety for agencies to operate. Since the first UN Humanitarian Appeal for Angola in 1993 we have committed some £41 million bilateral emergency assistance to Angola.

  Clean Water Supply
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of her Department's policies on accessibility and clean water supply in developing countries. [67514]

  Clare Short
  Access to clear, safe, water is a major focus for our programme as it is crucial to health, agriculture and freeing women and girls' time for education and production. We are giving increased focus to water and sanitation in our work. Worldwide 1½ billion people benefited from improved water supply during the UN Decade for water but 1 billion still lack access to clean water and 3 billion to sanitation. It is estimated that by 2025 1 in 3 people will be living in countries subject to chronic water scarcity unless water resources are used more efficiently.

  Multilateral Agreement for Investment
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current status of negotiations concerning the impact on developing countries of the planned Multilateral Agreement for Investment. [67506]

  Clare Short
  The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) announced on 3 December that negotiations on the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) had ended.

  Discussions are continuing in the World Trade Organisation on the links between trade and investment, including the case for possible new multilateral rules on investment. These discussions are still at an analytical stage. My Department is working with the WTO Secretariat and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to help ensure developing countries have the support necessary to participate actively in the discussions.

  Southern Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the cessation of funding from her Department to the non-governmental organisation Merlin working in Southern Sudan. [69029]

  Clare Short
  We funded the NGO Merlin for a 6 month programme of humanitarian assistance in Southern Sudan last August. This project ended on 31 January. As needs were much reduced, an extension of this project is not required.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to assist with the construction of secure roads and bridges in Southern Sudan. [69032]

  Clare Short
  Help to improve the infrastructure necessary to deliver food, including road and bridge repairs, is included in the UN World Food Programme's transport and delivery costs. We have paid the full costs associated with the provision of our food aid.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to assist with vaccination of children against measles and polio in Southern Sudan. [69031]

  Clare Short
  Our humanitarian assistance last year included an allocation of £125,000 towards the WHO Global Polio Eradication Programme.

  The 1999 UN Consolidated Appeal covers the treatment of polio and measles. We are currently evaluating the Appeal document.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has for the continuation of humanitarian aid to Southern Sudan; and if she will make a statement. [69028]

  Clare Short
  We received the UN 1999 Consolidated Appeal for Sudan on 28 January and we are considering it carefully. We will make a statement as soon as possible.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement regarding funding by her Department of simple fishing equipment in Southern Sudan. [69030]

  Clare Short
  The provision of fishing equipment is included in the 1999 UN Consolidated Appeal. We are currently evaluating the Appeal document. I will write to the hon. Lady about difficulties over efforts to provide fishing equipment in the past.

  Non-governmental Organisations
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if she will list the 10 UK based non-governmental organisations which received the greatest amounts of money from her Department in the year 1997–98; [68085]

  (2) what percentage of her Department's budget was paid to United Kingdom non-governmental organisations in 1997–98. [68068]
  642
  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development expenditure through UK NGOs was £172,336 million in 1997–98. This was 16.5 per cent. of the total Bilateral Programme or 8.4 per cent. of the total DFID programme for 1997–98.

  I attach a list of the 10 NGOs who received the greatest amounts of money in 1997–98.

  DFID expenditure through UK NGOs 1997–98

  £000

  1. British Red Cross Society

  23,351

  2. Voluntary Services Overseas

  20,274

  3. Save the Children Fund

  18,037

  4. CARE International UK

  12,348

  5. OXFAM

  10,498

  6. Christian Aid

  8,488

  7. International Planned Parenthood Federation

  6,017

  8. London School of Hygiene

  4,287

  9. Medical Research Council

  3,702

  10. Marie Stopes International

  3,103

  Note:

  Organisations registered as a charity with the Charity Commission in England or the Inland Revenue in Scotland, excluding the British Council which is a public body.

PRIME MINISTER

  Life Peers
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the total number of life peers that have been created since 1 May 1997, indicating the number that subsequently took the(a) Conservative Whip, (b) Labour Whip, (c) Liberal Whip, (d) other party whips and (e) sit on the Cross Benches in the House of Lords. [65029]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 11 January 1999]: The information is as follows:

  Life peers created since 1 May 1997

  Number

  Labour

  163

  Conservative

  31

  Liberal Democrat

  17

  Cross Bench

  26

  Law Lords

  4

  Other

  6

  Total

  3127

  1 Includes Baroness Lester, now deceased

  2 Excludes Law Lords who are listed separately

  3 Includes the Dissolution List

  Overseas Publications
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those articles he has written for foreign newspapers since becoming Prime Minister. [66375]

  The Prime Minister
  I have written for many overseas publications. Usually an article is circulated by my office, or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to overseas posts who then place the article in a newspaper in their country. We do not have a comprehensive list of these articles.
  643
  In addition, I have written a small number of articles on specific issues for foreign newspapers and journals. These include over the last year:

  Stern (Germany): Europe

  Welt Am Sonntag (Germany): Europe

  DNES (Czech Republic): The Third Way

  Wall Street Journal (USA): The Euro

  The Sowetan: South Africa.

  Joint Consultative Committee
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if papers considered by the JCC are prepared by civil servants. [67475]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: The papers tabled by the Government are prepared by civil servants and approved by Ministers, as is routine for Government business.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Prime Minister how many ministerial visits have been made to each South American and Caribbean country by each Government Minister since 1 May 1997. [67332]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 January 1999]: A fully updated list of Ministers who have undertaken individual official visits to Latin American and Caribbean countries over the 20 months since 1 May 1997 is listed below.

  The purpose of these visits was to strengthen our bilateral relations, promote British interests and play our leading role in international affairs.

  The rules on travel for Ministers are the same as those that applied under the previous Administration.

  To ensure comprehensive coverage, a trawl has been undertaken across diplomatic posts in the regions. I regret that some of these visits were not included in earlier answers.

  Argentina

  Lord Clinton-Davis

  Tony Banks MP

  Baroness Blackstone

  Tony Lloyd MP

  The Rt Hon. John Prescott MP

  Glenda Jackson CBE MP

  The Rt Hon. Michael Meacher MP

  Belize

  Tony Lloyd MP

  Brazil

  Barbara Roche MP

  Tony Lloyd MP

  Baroness Blackstone

  The Rt Hon. Peter Mandelson MP

  Lord Clinton-Davis

  Elliot Morley MP

  George Foulkes MP

  Nick Raynsford MP

  The Rt Hon John Morris QC MP

  Chile

  Lord Clinton-Davis

  Tony Lloyd MP

  644
  Colombia

  Tony Lloyd MP (x2)

  George Foulkes MP

  The Rt Hon Nick Brown MP

  Brian Wilson MP

  Costa Rica

  Tony Banks MP

  Tony Lloyd MP

  Lord McIntosh

  Ecuador

  The Rt Hon Nick Brown MP

  Tony Lloyd MP

  El Salvador

  Tony Lloyd MP

  Guatemala

  Tony Lloyd MP

  Mexico

  The Rt Hon John Morris QC MP

  Tony Lloyd MP (x2)

  Panama

  The Rt Hon Robin Cook MP

  Paraguay

  Tony Banks MP

  Peru

  Tony Lloyd MP

  Uruguay

  Tony Lloyd MP

  Venezuela

  Tony Lloyd MP

  Caribbean Countries

  Antigua and Barbuda

  The Rt Hon Robin Cook MP

  George Foulkes MP

  Bahamas

  The Rt Hon Robin Cook MP

  Baroness Symons

  George Foulkes MP

  Barbados

  The Rt Hon Clare Short MP

  George Foulkes MP

  The Rt Hon Frank Dobson MP

  The Rt Hon John Morris QC MP

  Cuba

  Baroness Symons

  Brian Wilson MP

  Grenada

  George Foulkes MP

  Guyana

  The Rt Hon Clare Short MP

  Jamaica

  Baroness Symons

  The Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Baroness Symons

  Tony Banks MP

  The Rt Hon the Lord Irvine of Lairg

  St Lucia

  The Rt Hon Jack Cunningham MP.

  645
  All visits were in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code.

  Maxwell Pensions
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Prime Minister what briefings he has received from civil servants or Ministers on the former Paymaster General, the hon Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson), and Maxwell pensions. [67320]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 January 1999]: Whether or not such briefings have been provided, it is established practice under successive administrations not to disclose details of confidential discussions between Ministers or advice received from civil servants.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what discussions he has had with President Clinton about genetically modified food; [68433]

  Title

  Author

  Date commissioned

  Estimted publication date

  UK Accession to the EEC Volume 1

  Professor Alan Milward

  1993

  1999

  UK Accession to the EEC Volume 2

  Professor Alan Milward

  1997

  2006

  Falklands Campaign

  Professor Lawrence Freedman

  1997

  2002

  North Sea Oil and Gas

  Professor Alexander Kemp

  1999

  2004

  External Economic Policy since the World War volume 2

  Professor Leslie Pressnell

  1974

  2000

  Defence Organisation since the War

  Professor Donald Cameron Watt

  1974

  2000

  SOE in Europe

  Professor W. Mackenzie (edited and introduced by M. R. D. Foot)

  1998

  1999

  SOE in the Low Countries

  Professor M. R. D. Foot

  1987

  1999

  SOE in Italy

  Christopher Woods

  1989

  2000

  SOE in Greece

  Professor Richard Clogg

  1984

  2000

  The cost of preparing official histories is borne mainly by the Cabinet Office with royalties payable by the publisher offsetting the costs. It is not possible without disproportionate cost to itemise the cost of all the individual histories.

  Iraq
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 14 January 1999,Official Report, column 266, to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), what was the basis for his statement that the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) had argued that action against Saddam Hussein should be taken only if he were removed from power. [68721]

  The Prime Minister
  In public statements following Operation Desert Fox the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) said that the removal of Saddam Hussein from office should become "a clear policy objective".

  Oman
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit Oman. [68786]

  The Prime Minister
  There are no plans at present. However, the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), hopes to make a visit in the near future.
  646
  (2) what representations he has received from industry about genetically modified food. [68432]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 3 November 1998,Official Report, columns 471–72.

  Official Histories
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Prime Minister how many Government-sponsored official histories are currently in preparation; when each was commissioned; who are the authors; what are the estimated dates of completion; and what is the estimated cost in each case. [68213]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: The original programme of official histories, commissioned by the War Cabinet and covering military and civil histories of the second world war, was extended in 1966 by the then Prime Minister to include selected periods of episodes of peacetime history. The following are currently in preparation:

  Yemen
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent communications he has received from the President of Yemen; and if he will make a statement. [68846]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received no communication from the President of Yemen since November 1997. I have, however, asked my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to keep me fully apprised of developments in Yemen. We were delighted to hear the news yesterday that Mr. and Mrs. Rosser and the other Dutch captives have been released safe and well after their kidnap ordeal which began on 17 January. I have asked to be kept informed of our assiduous efforts to provide proper consular services for the eight UK nationals recently detained in Yemen on alleged terrorist charges.

  India
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit India; and if he will make a statement on bilateral relations. [68784]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no current plans to visit India. However, we have regular and bilateral dialogue on a wide variety of issues of mutual interest and my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury is currently making a visit to India.

  Non-government Bodies
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the appointments to non-government bodies he has made since 1 January. [68785]

  The Prime Minister
  The right hon. the Baroness Williams of Crosby and the right hon. the Lord Mayhew of Twysden took up appointments as members of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments with effect from 1 January. Lord Gillmore of Thamesfield was appointed Chairman of the Committee with effect from 1 February.

  Acheson Report
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) which of his Ministers is co-ordinating the Government response to the Acheson report; [68938]

  (2) if the Acheson report will be submitted to the Social Exclusion Unit. [68939]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health is co-ordinating work across Government to reduce health inequalities. This includes follow-up of the report of the independent inquiry into health inequalities, led by Sir Donald Acheson which he commissioned. A range of initiatives by other Departments, including aspects of the Social Exclusion Unit's strategy for neighbourhood renewal, is already helping to give effect to a number of Sir Donald's recommendations. The Government's response to the Acheson Inquiry's report will be included in a White Paper on the Government's new health strategy and will be published shortly.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3 February. [68570]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I will have further such meetings later today.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Radio Authority
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list the members of the Radio Authority; who appoints them; what is their period of appointment; and what are the terms of reference of the authority; [67679]

  (2) if he will list the members of the Radio Authority from ethnic minorities. [67683]

  Janet Anderson
  The Radio Authority was established under the Broadcasting Act 1990 to licence and regulate independent radio services in the UK. The Authority is responsible for interpreting its statutory duties under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, and is independent of Government.
  648
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State appoints members of the Radio Authority. It is not the Department's current policy to reveal details of an individual's ethnic origin, but only to collect information for monitoring purposes. The present Radio Authority Members, with their period of appointment are as follows:

  Members

  Period of appointment

  Sir Peter Gibbings (Chairman)

  1 January 1995 to 31 December 1999

  Mr. Michael Moriarty (Deputy Chairman)

  18 January 1996 to 17 January 2000

  Ms Sheila Hewitt

  1 December 1998 to 30 November 2003

  Mr. Andrew Reid

  16 August 1994 to 15 August 1999

  Mr. Michael Reupke

  18 May 1994 to 17 May 1999

  Mr. Fergal Sharkey

  1 December 1998 to 30 November 2003

  Lady Sheil

  16 August 1994 to 15 August 1999

  Mrs. Helen Tennant

  1 December 1995 to 30 November 2000

  Mr. David Witherow

  1 January 1998 to 30 November 2003

  Tourism (North-west)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the projected annual revenue from tourism in the north-west in each of the next three years. [68475]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: While we do not make detailed predictions of what future earnings from tourism may be for any region of the UK, an increase on the 1997 total revenue of £1,490 million is expected. One of the aims of our new strategy, to be published on 26 February 1999, will be to ensure that tourism delivers the greatest possible benefits both to local communities and the economy as a whole.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the benefits which result in the north-west from Government funding to the North West Tourist Board; and what checks are made to see whether value for money is achieved. [68474]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: The North West Tourist Board receives Government funding through the English Tourist Board (ETB) which is responsible for ensuring that it is spent effectively delivering the programmes agreed. Clear measurement of performance and delivery is required.

  As we announced on 14 December 1998, as well as establishing a new national strategic body for tourism in England, we shall be directing more resources for the support of tourism in the English regions.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to bring in grants to create new jobs and attractions in the tourist industry in the north-west. [68477]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: My Department has no plans to introduce any new grants. However, tourism in the north-west has benefited, both directly and indirectly, from National Lottery funding (nearly £450 million in total has gone to the region) and from support under the European Regional Development Fund.

DEFENCE

  Sully Hospital (Land Decontamination)
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the value of his Department's land adjacent to Sully Hospital in the Vale of Glamorgan after the site has been decontaminated. [67863]

  Mr. Spellar
  I do not consider it appropriate to place a value on this site before it is brought to the market in late spring this year. The value of the site is best determined by the market, in full possession of the site details.

  Military Bases (Children)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with senior officers of the Armed Services on their responsibilities in ensuring the welfare and protection of young children living with families on military bases; and if he will make a statement. [68047]

  Mr. Spellar
  No specific discussion have been held between Ministers and Senior Officers on their responsibilities in ensuring the welfare and protection of young children living on military bases. The Ministry of Defence does, however, takes very seriously its responsibilities of duty of care towards its personnel and their dependants. Commanding Officers are made well aware of their duty towards the welfare of all personnel and their dependants, through instructions issued through the chain of Command.

  In the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Defence does not have statutory responsibility in matters of child welfare and protection. This responsibility falls to the relevant local authority. Under the Children Act 1989, it is the statutory duty of the local authority, to investigate cases where it believes a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, harm. Service authorities are, however, required to notify the local Director of Social Services off any cases of abuse of which they become aware and any further action is to be taken in collaboration with the other agencies involved.

  Overseas, the Ministry of Defence acts as a de facto local authority and replicates those statutory responsibilities falling to local authorities in the United Kingdom. All statutory health care and social services are provided for, and on behalf of, the Department under contract by the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association—Forces Help, which employs appropriately qualified social work staff. The SSAFA-FH social work service works in close co-operation with military authorities, Service police, medical and health professionals in accordance with Defence Council Instructions and The Armed Forces (Protection of Children of Service Families) Regulations 1996.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many children living in military-based accommodation have been the subject of reports by senior officers as to their welfare and protection in each of the last three years. [67987]

  Mr. Spellar
  Information of the nature requested is not held centrally by my Department. Within the United Kingdom, statutory responsibility in matters of welfare and protection of children of Service families rests with local authorities.
  650
  Overseas, where the Ministry of Defence assumes the responsibilities of a local authority, the following numbers of children were placed on Child Protection Registers for the years 1996, 1997 and 1998:

  Year

  Number

  1996

  51

  1997

  46

  1998

  58

  Numbers of children overseas, subject to child protection inquiries, or the subject of concern, but whose names were not placed on the Child Protection Register, for the years 1996, 1997 and 1998 are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1996

  41

  1997

  76

  1998

  82

  Exports (Saudi Arabia)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) military, (b) security and (c) police equipment exported to Saudi Arabia by British Aerospace as prime contractor for the Al-Yamamah agreement, that was exempt from export licence requirement. [68200

  Mr. George Robertson
  Al-Yamamah is a Government to Government programme for the supply of Tornado and Hawk aircraft, Minehunters, associated infrastructure and armaments, and support equipment, including spares. All supplies under this programme are exempt from export licensing.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many electro-shock batons were transferred via the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia as part of the Al-Yamamah deal. [68221]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No electronic shock batons have been supplied under the Al-Yamamah programme.

  Trident (Successor)
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to make a decision on a successor system to Trident. [68837]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No decision on any successor system to Trident will be needed for several years. Any decision on a successor to Trident would be taken in the light of progress towards the Government's goal of verifiable global nuclear disarmament.

  Captured Weapons
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy relating to the retention or disposal of captured military weapons and equipment. [68212]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: Decisions on how to deal with captured military weapons and equipment would be taken in the light of circumstances at the time. Disposal of such material by scrapping or sale for further use is subject to the same

  651
  stringent political and security constraints as apply to the disposal of surplus military equipment from our own inventory.

  Sudan
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response Her Majesty's Government gave to the letter of the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs of 27 October 1998 asking for clarification of his comments made on 23 October, to the effect that Her Majesty's Government had independent evidence that the Al Shifa factory in Khartoum was making chemical or biological weapons before the United States air strike. [68860]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have discussed with Sudanese counterparts the points raised in Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail's letter on a number of occasions. As we have said on several occasions, the United States told us at the time of its action last August that it had based its decision to act on compelling evidence.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the mission statement for the Kosovo extraction force based in Macedonia. [68802]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The exact mission statement of the NATO-led Extraction force, operation "Joint Guarantor" is classified. However, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 18 January 1999,Official Report, column 578, to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson).

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the report from the British contingent in the Kosovo Verification Mission on the circumstances of the recent killings. [68758]

  Mr. George Robertson
  In December 1998, the British contingent of verifiers became the first to be fully integrated into the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Kosovo Verification Mission and does not, therefore, produce separate reports. Reports by the Kosovo Verification Mission, including those covering the Racak killings, are not releasable beyond the OSCE and it is therefore not possible to place a copy in the Library.

  The circumstances of the Racak killings were, however, covered in a statement made by the Chairman of the Permanent Council of the OSCE on 18 January, and I am arranging to place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Operational Costs
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the estimated costs of(a) Operation Deliberate Forge, (b) Operation Radome and (c) Operation Kingower; how the costs will be apportioned between (i) named international bodies and (ii) named countries; and if the costs to the United Kingdom will be met from his Department's budget or from the Government's contingency funds; [68254]
  652
  (2) what is the cost to date of the NATO extraction force in Macedonia; and how the cost is divided between the participating states. [68253]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Operation Kingower is the name given to the United Kingdom planning for support of any action that may be undertaken in Kosovo. It incorporates a range of operations including Operation Radome, which is the UK contribution to the NATO Kosovo Air Verification Mission, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Kosovo Verification Mission and the NATO Kosovo Extraction Force. Operation Deliberate Forge is the UK contribution to NATO air operations over Bosnia.

  We calculate that the extra costs to Defence Votes of the activities covered by Operation Kingower will amount to some £7 million in the current financial year; the costs of Operation Deliberate Forge in same period are likely to amount to some £10 million. These operations are funded on a national basis. Their costs were included in the overall forecast of costs for unprogrammed overseas operations in the current financial year for which the Secretary of State has sought a contribution from the Reserve.

  Multi-launch Rocket System
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the multi-launch rocket system future phase one rocket (FFOR); and if he will list the project milestones. [68756]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Future Phase One Rocket project has been re-titled the Guided Multiple-Launched Rocket System programme. The United Kingdom is participating in a five-nation collaborative Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract, which was placed by the United States Government in November 1998. On current plans, this collaborative programme will start initial production in 2004, with initial deliveries to the UK in 2006. The system is expected to enter UK service in 2010.

  Project Horizon
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessments he has made of building a new national warship following a decision to withdraw from Project Horizon; [68515]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the cost of withdrawing from Project Horizon. [68514]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We have made no decision to withdraw from Project Horizon. I am urgently addressing the way forward with our French and Italian partners.

  A preliminary assessment has indicated that, as an alternative to Project Horizon, a national warship option, together with the continued collaborative development of the PAAMS anti-air missile system, could provide the Royal Navy with the capability it needs, in an affordable and effective manner.

  Iraq
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which nations participate in the patrolling of the northern
  653
  and southern no-fly zones in Iraq; what has been the total cost of the operations to date; and how the cost is apportioned between each nation. [68249]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Both British and United States aircraft currently patrol the No-Fly Zones. Since patrolling of the northern and southern No-Fly-Zones began (in 1991 and 1992 respectively), the extra costs of UK participation amount to some £70 million. It is not possible to confirm costs for the US contribution.

  Gulf Forces
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost each year since 1991 of the deployment of British Forces to the Gulf. [68250]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Bosnia and Herzegovina
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost of the SFOR de-mining programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [68252]

  Mr. George Robertson
  SFOR does not have a "de-mining programme" and does not undertake de-mining in Bosnia and Herzegovina other than in support of its own operations. Under the General Framework Agreement for Peace (the Dayton Accords) the responsibility for mine clearance lies with the Entity Armed Forces. SFOR's involvement is limited to monitoring their progress and to the provision of mine awareness training.

  Albania
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when NATO's standing Mediterranean force, Stanavformed, visited the Albanian port of Durres; and what was the purpose of the visit. [68803]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Elements of Standing Naval Force Mediterranean visited Dunes, Albania from 8 to 10 July 1998. The visit was a demonstration of co-operation within Partnership for Peace with Albania.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if NATO's partnership for peace activities in Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have been(a) fulfilled, (b) extended and (c) expanded. [68760]

  Mr. George Robertson
  NATO/Partnership for Peace (PfP) activities in Albania and Macedonia have expanded in line with NATO's wider efforts to stabilise Albania, Macedonia and regional security. The development of PfP Exercise Co-operative Best Effort 98 in Macedonia and PIP Exercise Co-operative Assembly 98 in Albania are two examples; as is the recent extension of the mandate and staff numbers of the NATO/PfP Co-ordination Cell in Albania. As part of an expanded series of expert team visits to both countries, the United Kingdom has contributed to a PfP logistics seminar in Macedonia and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Team to Albania.

  Operation Desert Fox
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was(a) the total cost and (b) the average daily cost to the United Kingdom of Operation Desert Fox. [68248]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The extra cost to the United Kingdom of Operation Desert Fox was £3 million. UK participation in the operation lasted for three days, giving an average daily cost of some £1 million.

  Nerve Gas Attacks (Japan)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 December 1998,Official Report, colunm 651, regarding nerve gas attacks, if the chemical and biological defence sector will undertake to analyse and assess the results of the Japanese long-term follow-up programme once they are published. [67628]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Government will undertake an analysis and assessment of the data once these are published.

  Disposal Sales Agency
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the private companies that ship Disposal Sales Agency equipment overseas. [68199]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Disposal Sales Agency does not employ private companies to ship equipment abroad. All sales are based on the "as and where lying" principle, which puts the responsibility on the buyer for collection from the location of disposal.

  Private companies may subsequently export the equipment under licence but, in doing so, make their own arrangements for shipping.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Disposal Sales Agency uses MOD airfields to export goods. [68193]

  Mr. Spellar
  No. The DSA offer surplus military equipment to the home and overseas market on an "as and where lying" basis and the responsibility for collection from MOD premises is with the buyer.

  Propellants
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from whom tenders for propellant for(a) Seawolf, (b) Sea Skua, (c) Starstreak, (d) ASRAAM, (e) Rapier and (f) MR Trigat have been invited. [68079]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: Except in the case of Sea Skua, supply of propellant for the missile systems listed is the responsibility of the relevant prime contractors. For Sea Skua, the MOD has contracted directly with Royal Ordnance Summerfield for refurbishment of the rocket motors.

  Chapelcross and Calderhall Reactors
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast operational life of the reactors at Chapelcross and Calderhall. [68835]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 28 January 1999,Official Report, columns 328-29.

  Short Range Air Defence Systems
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Future Short and Very Short Range Air Defence Systems; and if he will list the project milestones. [68511]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Future Very Short and Short Range Air Defence Missile System is intended to succeed the Rapier and High Velocity Missile systems. Feasibility Studies have been carried out under an 8 nation Memorandum of Understanding, for which UK is the pilot nation. On current plans, future studies will be conducted prior to approval of the Assessment phase, which will be sought in 2001. Approval for the Demonstration and Production phase is planned for 2006.

  Air Missilės
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the beyond visual range air-to-air missile; and if he will list the project milestones. [68504]

  Mr. Spellar
  We are currently evaluating proposals from Matra BAe Dynamics, on behalf of a European consortium consisting of DASA LFK, Alenia, Saab and CASA, and from Raytheon Systems Ltd., to meet our requirement for a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile for Eurofighter.

  We hope to announce the award of a contract to the successful bidder later this year. In advance of this decision it is not possible to give any useful information on the likely project milestones.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the conventionally armed stand off missile; and if he will list the project milestones. [68502]

  Mr. Spellar
  The RAF have a requirement for a highly effective stand off weapon to attack high value fixed targets while minimising the risk of aircraft losses and civilian casualties. Following an international competition involving seven companies, a development and production contract was awarded in February 1997 to Matra BAe (UK) Ltd for their Storm Shadow missile. It is intended to be fitted on Tornado GR4, Harrier GR7 and Eurofighter. The major programme milestone is to finalise development and commence production in the spring/summer of 2001.

  Anti-tank Guided Weapon System
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Medium Range Third-Generation Anti-Tank Guided Weapon System; and if he will list the project milestones. [68506]

  Mr. Spellar
  Medium Range TRIGAT is a collaborative programme with France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands to meet our Medium Range Anti-Tank Guided Weapon System requirement. It is in the later stages of development and we are currently considering whether to participate in the production phase.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Thames Barrier
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the date by which the Thames Barrier will no longer fulfil its primary function; and if he will make a statement. [68053]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Thames Barrier is a robust and flexible installation with a design based on rates of sea level rise predicted in the 1970s which were higher than those currently anticipated. It provides London with a high level of protection from tidal flooding and with normal care and maintenance should continue to do so until at least the latter part of the next century. Even then, although the barrier may need to be closed more frequently it will continue to fulfil its primary function.

  The Environment Agency is currently considering the wider long-term flood defence needs of London in consultation with interested parties.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Marshall-Andrews
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what action has been taken by(a) his Department and (b) HM Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate from January 1996 to date in respect of reported incidents of fraud or gross mismanagement in relation to payments by or funding of magistrates' courts committees. [68720]

  Mr. Hoon
  Two incidents have arisen since 1 January 1996. The first was investigated by the Department's Internal Audit Division but was resolved without the Department having to take action. The second has not yet been resolved. There have been exchanges between the Department, the Inspectorate, the Magistrates Courts Committee and the paying authority and advice has been given and recommendations made. What further action is needed will depend on decisions by the Magistrates Courts Committee and the paying authority in the light of legal advice they have taken.

  Mr. Marshall-Andrews
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the incidents of fraud or gross mismanagement that have been brought to the attention of the Lord Chancellor's Department or Her Majesty's Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate relating to payments by and funding of magistrates courts committees from 1 January 1996 to date. [68719]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since 1 January 1996, there have been two incidents relating to payments by and funding of Magistrates Courts Committees which have been brought to the attention of the Lord Chancellor's Department or Her Majesty's Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate. In the first case there was no loss to public funds and there were no proceedings for fraud. In the second case, both the Magistrates Courts Committee and the paying authority have taken legal advice and the matter has yet to be resolved.
  657
  Mr. Marshall-Andrews
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he proposes to take to reform the system of financial and administrative accountability of magistrates courts committees; and what steps he plans to take to implement the recommendations of the Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate Thematic Review of May 1998. [68752]

  Mr. Hoon
  We have issued guidance on the content of Magistrates Courts Committee published annual reports which are the principal means by which committees account to their paying authorities, to the Lord Chancellor and to the public. We will take forward the recommendations of the MCSI' s thematic review in consultation with the Inspectorate themselves, the Central Council of Magistrates Courts Committees and the Local Government Association.

SCOTLAND

  Waiting Lists
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the(a) surgical waiting list figures and (b) specialist outpatient consultation figures for Scotland for (i) March 1997, (ii) September 1997, (iii) March 1998 and (iv) September 1998. [66886]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: Information on the number of patients on the inpatient/day case waiting list for surgical specialties, on the dates requested, is given in Table 1.

  Information on waiting lists is collected centrally only for hospital inpatients and day cases. Data are available on first outpatient referrals and the length of time that patients waited for their first outpatient appointment. The percentage of patients who received a first outpatient appointment within 9 weeks and 18 weeks following a General Medical Practitioner/General Dental Practitioner referral, for the quarters requested, is provided in Table 2.

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

  Table 1

  NHS in Scotland: Inpatient and day case waiting list

  Date

  Number on waiting list for surgical specialties1

  Total Number on waiting list

  31 March 1997

  68,562

  84,649

  30 September 1997

  69,213

  84,981

  31 March 1998

  71,797

  89,525

  30 September 1998

  67,620

  84,931

  1 Surgical Specialties comprises general surgery (excluding vascular), vascular surgery, accident and emergency, anaesthetics, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, ear nose and throat (ENT), neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, plastic surgery and surgical paediatrics.

  Source:

  Form SMR3, ISD Scotland.
  658

  Table 2

  NHS in Scotland: Percentage of patients who received a first outpatient appointment within 9 weeks and within 18 weeks of referral1

  Date

  Percentage seen within 9 weeks

  Percentage seen within 18 weeks

  31 March 1997

  70.7

  91.2

  30 September 1997

  66.5

  91.7

  31 March 1998

  68.3

  90.2

  30 September 19981

  64.6

  89.8

  1 Provisional

  Source:

  Form SMRO/SMR01, ISD Scotland

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 18 January 1998,Official Report, column 358, on the Skye Bridge Toll Order, if a copy of the Assignation Statement was made available for inspection with the Order from 26 June to 7 August 1992. [67968]

  Mr. Macdonald
  No. Paragraph 14A(3) of Schedule 1 to the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 only requires the Assignation Statement to be made available with the draft Order. This was done from 1 November to 13 December 1991.

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

  Scottish Natural Heritage
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects Scottish Natural Heritage to bring forward detailed proposals to widen access to the countryside in Scotland. [68051]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland asked Scottish Natural Heritage to advise him on whether changes in legislation were required to provide greater opportunity for people to enjoy the countryside. Scottish Natural Heritage published its advice early this year and we announced our response on 2 February 1999.

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

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [68397]

  Mr. Dewar
  Almost all of the current responsibilities of The Scottish Office and its agencies and associated departments will, from 1 July 1999, be the responsibility of Scottish Ministers following devolution. Scottish Ministers will also assume responsibilities which currently fall to other Government Departments.

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [68413]

  Mr. Dewar
  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.

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

  Housing Repairs
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by the councils of(a) Edinburgh, (b) Glasgow, (c) Aberdeen and (d) Dundee on assistance to private sector housing repairs, indicating separately (i) replacement of lead water pipes and (ii) adaptations to help people with disabilities in each of the past 10 years. [68536]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Total expenditure on private sector grants in the most recent 10 years for which information is available is as follows. Grant expenditure on replacing lead pipes and adaptations for disabled people is not recorded separately.

  Private sector repair grants: 1988 to 1997

  Amount of Grant paid (£000)

  Year

  Aberdeen

  Dundee

  Edinburgh

  Glasgow

  1988

  787

  934

  31,138

  19,886

  1989

  751

  658

  15,209

  30,197

  1990

  824

  1,022

  26,476

  18,691

  1991

  1,365

  1,115

  10,289

  13,932

  1992

  1,121

  1,175

  19,138

  13,723

  1993

  510

  1,075

  10,868

  10,587

  1994

  307

  1,137

  6,140

  11,105

  1995

  599

  1,957

  12,169

  1,019

  1996

  976

  1,531

  3,274

  2,396

  1997

  382

  1,335

  1,149

  2,763

  Housing (Disabled People)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to ensure that enough ground floor dwellings remain in public sector housing to enable houses adapted for occupation by people with disabilities to be provided to those who need them. [68534]

  Mr. Macdonald
  A range of policies is in place with the aim of ensuring adequate housing provision in the future for people with disabilities.

  All new housing funded by Scottish Homes will have to be built to barrier free standards that are contained within the Agency's new housing design guidance. We have also proposed amendments to the building regulations for all new dwellings which will address issues such as access, the provision of a downstairs WC, corridor and door widths, turning circles, sockets and switches.

  There are a number of safeguards within the right-to-buy provisions to enable local authorities to retain houses required for specific purposes. Under Section 61(4) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, the right to
  660
  buy does not apply to groups of houses provided with facilities designed or adapted for the needs of elderly or disabled people. These properties are generally known as sheltered housing.

  Section 69 of the Act allows public sector landlords to apply to the Secretary of State for permission to refuse to sell individual houses with features suitable for occupation by persons of pensionable age. Such houses must have facilities which are substantially different to those of an ordinary house.

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

  Domestic Water Supply
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has(a) to give the latest EU directive allowing less lead in domestic water supplies legal effect and (b) to provide funding to those councils which are already trying to operate within the new directive. [68535]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The UK is required to transpose the standards set in the new EU drinking water directive into national law by 25 December 2000. Any new burden on local authorities arising from the directive will be discussed within the Expenditure Committee of the Working Party on Local Government Finance.

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

  A9 (Improvement Scheme)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of the proposed A9 improvement scheme, Helmsdale to the Ord of Caithness. [68993]

  Mr. Macdonald
  £11.4 million excluding Value Added Tax.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's preferred engineering scheme for the A9, Helmsdale to the Ord of Caithness, currently under assessment as part of the Trunk Road Review. [68991]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I have today arranged for a copy of the plan and profile of the preferred route to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the status of the(a) Brora bypass, (b) Portgower-Green Park and (c) Craickaig-Culgower proposed A9 improvement schemes. [68992]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Brora bypass, Portgower to Green Park and Crackaig to Culgower schemes were progressed to outline feasibility stage in the early 1990s. However in 1995 the Government announced the A9 Dornoch to Scrabster Route Action Plan (RAP). The objectives of this plan were to consider (i) road safety, (ii) consistent journey times, (iii) improved overtaking opportunities, and (iv) traffic calming through the communities. The 3 schemes are being assessed against this criteria. Improvement schemes identified in the RAP will be implemented subject to competing priorities on the trunk road network and the availability of appropriate levels of funding.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Local Deprivation Indicators
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which measures of local deprivation his Department and its agencies use in considering allocation of funds to local projects. [66718]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  This Department's policies are central to local activity in addressing social exclusion and in stimulating the regeneration of deprived communities. As well as our mainstream funding of education and employment initiatives, the Department leads on a number of local area-based initiatives which aim to raise educational standards, improve skills and employability and encourage lifelong learning. This Department is keen to ensure that disadvantaged communities benefit, and therefore includes measures of deprivation when selecting areas in which initiatives will operate. As well as using a variety of data sources, including the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Index of Deprivation, the Department also recognises that the identification of pockets of deprivation in otherwise non-deprived areas needs local knowledge.

  The range of indices used for each initiative varies depending on the policy objectives, as the following examples illustrate.
  (i) Assessment of Education Action Zones draws on indicators of deprivation at school level, such as eligibility for free school meals.
  (ii) The second round of New Start partnerships which are focused on areas which show relatively high levels of disengagement from learning by young people. Government Offices also used information available to them on levels of deprivation to select the project areas.
  (iii) The selection of Employment Zones used indices based on the level of long-term unemployment (12 months and over, and 18 months and over) and the local employment rate.

  The selection of successful bids for running most pilots or area-based initiatives is also based on the quality of plans and feasibility of proposals. A final criterion for selecting pilot areas is an assessment of what is already happening in the area to avoid partnerships being overburdened by the bureaucracy involved in participating in different initiatives. This Department is very supportive of the DETR's work in improving the co-ordination of area-based initiatives so that communities can benefit from a coherent approach to regeneration in their area.

  New Deal
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many persons aged 18 to 24 years have started the New Deal since its inception; [66964]

  (2) how many persons aged 18 to 24 years have (a) been invited to join the New Deal and (b) failed to keep their appointments following such an invitation; [66965]

  (3) how many persons aged 18 to 24 years who started the New Deal subsequently (a) dropped out and (b) failed to complete the arrangements for any other reasons; [66966]
  662
  (4) how many entrants to the New Deal have completed the arrangements and been placed in (a) subsidised employment, (b) training, (c) the environmental task force and (d) the voluntary sector; [66967]

  (5) how many offenders who are subject to supervision by the Probation Service have (a) commenced the New Deal and (b) completed the arrangements. [66968]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. James Clappison, dated 1 February 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply direct to your questions regarding the progress of New Deal for young people aged 18 to 24. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The latest Government Statistical Service (GSS) figures to the end of November 1998 and provisional Management Information to the end of December 1998 showed that over 213,320 young people had started the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds. This includes those invited to join New Deal but who ceased to claim Jobseeker's Allowance before their first New Deal interview. Of the total, 13,660 had entered the Employment option; 27,070 and entered Full-Time Education and Training; 7,130 had joined the Environment Task Force; and 7,660 had joined the Voluntary Sector option. Based on the Government Statistical Service figures, of the young people who had left New Deal by the end of November, 40,660 had moved into unsubsidised jobs; 10,050 had left to claim other benefits, 7,450 had left Jobseeker's Allowance to other known destinations and 22,760 to unknown destinations.
  You have also requested details on ex-offenders as a specific group of people. I should explain that offenders, ex-offenders and those on probation do not have to declare their status to the Employment Service except when requesting early entry onto an employment programme, including New Deal. The latest GSS figures to the end of November 1998 show that 3,505 young people in these categories had requested early entry to New Deal. At present we do not separately monitor this group of entrants by outcome.
  Of the 203,100 young people who had started New Deal by the end of November 14,170 signed off Jobseeker's Allowance before attending their initial appointment.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when his Department expects training and enterprise councils to be able to invite bids for adult training in the financial year 1999–2000. [68723]

  Mr. Mudie
  The planning round for work based learning for adults is under way now. The Secretary of State wrote to all TEC Chairs on 18 January 1999 to give details of national budgets and targets for TEC managed programmes.

  Standards and Effectiveness Unit
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff are currently employed in the Standards and Effectiveness Unit in his Department; and what is the budgeted cost of the Unit for 1998–99. [68934]
  663
  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: As at 30 December 1998, the total number of people employed in the Standards and Effectiveness Unit was 143. The complement is drawn mainly from existing Civil Servants together with some 14 members of staff who have recent experience of the wider world of education such as headteachers, researchers and inspectors.

  The total budgeted cost of the Unit for this financial year is £4.8m.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will ensure that the funding per pupil in grant maintained schools for 1999–2000 is increased in line with inflation; and if he will make a statement. [68866]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: Grant-maintained schools' recurrent funding per pupil for 1999–2000 will be protected at its 1998–99 level in cash terms. Where a grant-maintained school's budget for 1999–2000, as calculated through its local education authority's Fair Funding allocation formula, is greater than its protected level of funding, calculated from its 1998–99 funding per pupil, it will receive that higher amount.

  The policy of protection against undue turbulence continues a process of managing the transition of grant-maintained schools' budget arrangements into alignment with those for other schools begun by the previous Government, which set in hand a phased removal of the cash protection applied to the central element of annual maintenance grant.

  Teacher Training Agency
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he proposes to undertake a review of the Teacher Training Agency. [69145]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  In accordance with the Government's policy of conducting quinquennial reviews of all non-departmental public bodies, the Department is launching today, in conjunction with the Welsh Office, a review of the Teacher Training Agency. Following Cabinet Office guidelines, the first stage of the review will take the form of a "prior options" study with the following terms of reference:

  to review the Teacher Training Agency's functions, and the likely future need for those functions;

  To consider the powers, remit, constitutional status, membership and activities of the Teacher Training Agency;

  to consider whether, on efficiency grounds, some or all of the functions of the Teacher Training Agency can be carried out within an alternative organisational framework including by another public, private or voluntary sector body or otherwise within government;

  to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Teacher Training Agency in carrying out its functions.

  We have asked that the review should have particular regard to:
  the establishment next year of the General Teaching Councils for England and for Wales and of the National College for School Leadership; and
  the major agenda for modernisation of the teaching profession set out in the recent Green Papers for England and for Wales on which the government is currently consulting.
  664
  We should welcome comments on those matters to be covered by the review from all those with an interest in the Teacher Training Agency's work. Comments, which may be made public unless respondents specifically request otherwise, should be sent by Friday 12 March 1999 to:

  Graham Holley

  Teachers Group

  Department for Education and Employment

  Sanctuary Buildings

  Great Smith Street

  Westminster

  London SW1P 3BT.

  We have asked that this first stage of the review should be completed by 30 April 1999. The findings will be published and made available to Parliament.

  Teachers
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, for each of the last three years, the percentage of full-time and part-time teaching staff in(a) schools and (b) further education colleges without a first degree. [68731]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Teachers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in England, without a first degree or equivalent are as follows:

  Percentage

  Full-time

  Part-time

  31 March 1995

  40

  51

  31 March 1996

  38

  49

  31 March 19971

  36

  47

  1 1997 data are provisional

  Teaching staff in further education colleges in England, without a first degree or equivalent are as follows:

  Percentage

  Full-time

  Part-time

  1994–95

  25

  21

  1995–96

  26

  23

  1996–97

  26

  24

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, for each of the last three years, the percentage of full-time and part-time teaching staff in(a) schools and (b) further education colleges with a postgraduate certificate in education. [68732]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Teachers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, in England, with a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) for schools are as follows:

  Percentage

  31 March 1995

  31 March 1996

  31 March 19971

  Full-time

  30

  32

  33

  Part-time

  25

  26

  28

  1 1997 data are provisonal

  665
  Teaching staff in further education colleges in England, with a PGCE (for schools or FE) are as follows:

  Percentage

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Full-time

  17

  18

  19

  Part-time

  6

  6

  7

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, for each of the last three years, the percentage of full-time and part-time teaching staff in(a) schools and (b) further education colleges with no teaching qualifications. [68754]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Teachers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, in England, who do not have Qualified Teacher Status are as follows:

  Percentage

  31 March 1995

  31 March 1996

  31 March 19971

  Full-time

  1

  1

  1

  Part-time

  3

  4

  4

  Teaching staff in further education colleges in England, without a teaching qualification2 are as follows:

  Percentage

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Full-time

  9

  9

  9

  Part-time

  15

  14

  14

  1 1997 data are provisional

  2 There is no equivalent to qualified teacher status for FE. The teaching qualifications include postgraduate certificate of education, degrees with qualified teacher status, certificates of education and other vocational teaching qualifications.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff in the Employment Service have been employed for less than(a) three months, (b) six months, (c) one year and (d) two years. [68940]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 2 February 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked Leigh Lewis to reply direct to your question regarding the number of staff in the Employment Service who have been employed for less than (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) one year and (d) two years. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
  The information given in the table below is the latest available (as at 31 December 1998) and includes both permanent and temporary staff.
  666

  Number

  Total number of staff

  35,994

  of whom:

  employed less than three months

  2,969

  employed three but less than six months

  1,948

  employed six but less than 12 months

  1,452

  employed 12 but less than 24 months

  2,639

  I hope this is helpful.

HEALTH

  Drugs Prescriptions
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the average proportion of non-generic drug prescriptions in 1997–98 in(a) prescribing practices and (b) dispensing practices; [68445]

  (2) what were the average comparative costs of drugs per patient in 1997–98 in (a) prescribing practices and (b) dispensing practices; [68444]

  (3) what was the cost to the NHS in 1997–98 of drugs (a) prescribed by doctors and (b) dispensed by doctors; [68442]

  (4) what was the average cost of non-generic drugs in 1997–98 in (a) NHS hospitals, (b) pharmacies and (c) dispensing practices. [68449]

  Mr. Denham
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Drugs prescribed in general practice1 in England and dispensed in the community, 1997–982

  Prescribing Practices3

  Dispensing practices4

  Average net ingredient cost5 per patient6

  £78

  £118

  Average net ingredient cost per non generic item prescribed7

  £11.42

  £10.49

  Percentage of prescribed items which were non generic7

  34 per cent.

  74 per cent.

  Total net ingredient cost

  £3,791 million

  £387 million

  1 Information for items prescribed and dispensed in National Health Service hospitals is not available.

  2 The prescription information was obtained from the Prescribing Analyses and Cost (PACT) system and is based on a full analysis of all prescriptions written by general practitioners and Practice Nurses in England which are dispensed in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. All figures exclude dressings and appliances.

  3 Drugs prescribed by prescribing practices which are dispensed by community pharmacists.

  4 Includes drugs prescribed by dispensing practices which are dispensed by community pharmacists.

  5 The net ingredient cost is the basic cost of a drug. This cost does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charge income.

  6 The number of patients is derived from patient lists and includes temporary patients. The patient list size is based on information submitted by practices to the Prescription Pricing Authority. List size as at March 1998 has been used. Figures for average net ingredient cost per patient have been rounded to the nearest £.

  7 In PACT, prescription items can be prescribed generically, and recorded as a generic, but dispensed and reimbursed as a proprietary because a generic does not exist. The percentage of non generic drugs prescribed in the reply does not include these items.

  667
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the total NHS expenditure on drugs in 1997–98; [68441]

  (2) what was the total (a) expenditure and (b) allocation for drugs in (i) the NHS and (ii) each health authority in 1997–98. [68451]

  Mr. Denham
  In 1997–98 total National Health Service expenditure on drugs was £5,195 million. Drugs prescribed by Family Health Services (FHS) practitioners account for £4,107 million of the total, and those prescribed by hospital and community health service (HCHS) providers account for £1,088 million.

  The total allocation for FHS drugs (which includes an amount retained centrally) in 1997–98 was £4,123 million. The table shows health authority allocations and expenditure for FHS drugs.

  HCHS allocations do not specify an amount for drugs. HCHS expenditure on drugs occurs mainly in NHS trusts and cannot be attributed accurately to health authorities.

  FHS allocation and expenditure for drugs by health authority, 1997–98

  £000

  Health authority

  Allocation 1

  Expenditure 2

  Avon

  72,863

  70,898

  Barking and Havering

  29,596

  29,994

  Barnet

  24,611

  25,517

  Barnsley

  21,800

  22,365

  Bedfordshire

  42,072

  42,582

  Berkshire

  56,145

  56,871

  Birmingham

  85,921

  86,071

  Bradford

  39,235

  39,364

  Brent and Harrow

  35,012

  35,757

  Bromley

  22,748

  23,336

  Buckinghamshire

  47,904

  47,633

  Bury and Rochdale

  33,583

  34,711

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  49,029

  50,171

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  31,682

  33,419

  Camden and Islington

  26,444

  26,442

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  46,136

  47,567

  County Durham

  55,412

  54,583

  Coventry

  25,169

  25,343

  Croydon

  23,416

  23,270

  Doncaster

  29,608

  29,991

  Dorset

  63,075

  62,823

  Dudley

  24,667

  25,402

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  50,425

  50,817

  East and North Hertfordshire

  38,530

  39,906

  East Kent

  53,012

  55,032

  East Lancashire

  47,234

  49,032

  East London and City

  46,236

  47,351

  East Norfolk

  55,020

  55,750

  East Riding

  48,568

  50,232

  East Surrey

  32,672

  33,132

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  65,991

  67,956

  Enfield and Haringey

  34,227

  36,014

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  32,304

  31,649

  Gloucestershire

  44,565

  46,448

  Greenwich and Bexley

  32,811

  32,785

  Herefordshire

  12,745

  12,686

  Hillingdon

  17,857

  18,005

  Isle of Wight

  12,488

  12,813

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  23,622

  23,398

  Kingston and Richmond

  24,081

  24,036

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  54,492

  54,025

  Leeds

  62,028

  63,887

  Leicestershire

  71,977

  74,334

  Lincolnshire

  56,806

  58,541

  Liverpool

  44,574

  46,192

  Manchester

  42,076

  44,669

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  44,988

  45,307

  Morecambe Bay

  29,677

  29,970

  668

  FHS allocation and expenditure for drugs by health authority, 1997–98

  £000

  Health authority

  Allocation 1

  Expenditure 2

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  40,889

  40,223

  North and East Devon

  40,287

  40,116

  North and Mid Hampshire

  37,452

  38,289

  North Cheshire

  26,898

  27,885

  North Cumbria

  26,605

  27,238

  North Derbyshire

  30,722

  30,189

  North Essex

  68,922

  70,824

  North Nottinghamshire

  32,658

  33,527

  North Staffordshire

  38,760

  38,988

  North West Anglia

  33,275

  34,352

  North West Lancashire

  44,073

  44,947

  North Yorkshire

  57,949

  57,756

  Northamptonshire

  45,322

  46,049

  Northumberland

  27,498

  27,582

  Nottingham

  47,582

  48,419

  Oxfordshire

  41,685

  41,368

  Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire

  42,524

  43,609

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  32,678

  32,945

  Rotherham

  21,119

  21,978

  Salford and Trafford

  42,771

  44,071

  Sandwell

  24,524

  24,655

  Sefton

  26,508

  26,933

  Sheffield

  43,836

  43,605

  Shropshire

  35,403

  36,900

  Solihull

  18,114

  17,441

  Somerset

  39,109

  39,251

  South and West Devon

  53,144

  53,626

  South Cheshire

  57,370

  59,522

  Southern Derbyshire

  46,086

  46,406

  South Essex

  53,674

  55,234

  South Humber

  27,403

  27,784

  South Lancashire

  26,282

  27,208

  South Staffordshire

  43,844

  45,543

  Southampton and South-West Hampshire

  43,285

  44,973

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  34,184

  35,527

  Stockport

  26,145

  27,170

  Suffolk

  55,761

  58,078

  Sunderland

  27,077

  27,036

  Tees

  50,773

  51,773

  Wakefield

  27,863

  27,968

  Walsall

  22,107

  22,020

  Warwickshire

  41,751

  42,416

  West Hertfordshire

  39,083

  38,620

  West Kent

  77,214

  78,451

  West Pennine

  38,095

  39,341

  West Surrey

  49,217

  50,034

  West Sussex

  61,163

  62,300

  Wigan and Bolton

  49,533

  51,142

  Wiltshire

  44,693

  45,921

  Wirral

  32,852

  33,632

  Wolverhampton

  21,178

  21,602

  Worcestershire

  40,426

  40,921

  Source:

  1EL(96)107

  2 PPA PACT Data

  Note:

  Figures relate to prescriptions dispensed in 1997–98, which were paid for in a different period (approx. June 1997 to May 1998)

  Herbal Medicines
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change the regulations on the sale and use of herbal medicines. [67854]

  Ms Jowell
  Ministers have asked the Medicines Control Agency, in the light of the expansion in the range of herbal remedies on the market in recent years, to consider whether there is a need to update the lists of specified potent or toxic herbs which are subject to restrictions on sale and supply. The lists of herbs, which are set out in the Schedule to the Medicines (Retail Sale
  669
  or Supply of Herbal Remedies) Order 1977, have not been reviewed since they were first established. If the Agency identifies a need to amend the lists, the proposals will be subject to public consultation.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [68406]

  Mr. Denham
  Following the comprehensive spending review, there are two areas where the Department will be transferring responsibility. First, support for local authorities which accommodate adult asylum seekers and asylum-seeking families will be funded through the Home Office. Secondly, the London rough sleepers Initiative which has to date been funded by the Department, will become the responsibility of the London rough sleepers unit, an agency which will report to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [68422]

  Mr. Denham
  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.

  PVC Toys
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment in respect of harmful chemicals in soft PVC toys. [68916]

  Dr. Howells
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him today to PQ number 68917, Official Report, column 623.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Independent Adjudication Officers
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what level of qualifications and experience is required for those undertaking the role of independent adjudication officers in social security cases; what medical training or guidance they receive with regard to their duties; and if he will make a statement. [67370]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.
  670
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 2 February 1999:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what level of qualifications and experience is required for those undertaking the role of independent adjudication officers in social security cases, what medical training or guidance they receive with regard to their duties, and if he will make a statement.
  The relevant experience of Benefits Agency staff appointed to be Adjudication Officers (AOs) is taken into account in deciding the level of duties undertaken. AOs considering Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance claims and questions in relation to claims for Industrial Injury Disablement Benefits are of an executive grade. The minimum qualifications for direct entry into this grade are five '0' levels/GCSEs and two A levels.
  Prior to commencing their duties all AOs receive a full adjudication training programme as well as periodic refresher training as and when appropriate, for example when changes in legislation occur. In addition to training, both general and specific adjudication guidance is provided in the Adjudication Officer's Guide issued by Central Adjudication Services.
  Non medical adjudication officers have access to Medical Services as a source of advice when considering adjudication decisions on claims to disability benefits including Incapacity Benefit (IB). This advice may take the form of specific advice on a particular query, or a full medical report following examination of the claimant. For the All Work Test on IB the medical report forms part of the evidence of AO uses in reaching their decision.
  Guidance is also available to AOs dealing with DLA in the form of the Disability Handbook which provides information on the likely effects on a variety of medical conditions. The Handbook has been written by medical staff of the Department of Social Security with advice from the DLA Advisory Board and contributions from many organisations representing people with disabilities. Decisions on entitlement to DLA are not medical decisions although AOs may consult Medical Services doctors for advice when considering more complex cases. Medical services doctors, who are all experienced medical practitioners, receive special training for this role.
  Some adjudication decisions, in claims for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance, are made by Adjudicating Medical Authorities (AMAs). These individuals are fully qualified medical practitioners with wide experience of general medicine. In addition the AMA will undergo specific training to enable them to undertake this specialised form of assessment. The Chief Medical Advisor to the Department of Social Security formally appoints the AMA on successful completion of this training and the length of the appointment is dependent on the doctor maintaining the quality and professional standards laid down for them. In addition to their formal training AMAs are issued with Handbooks, for each of the above benefits, which acts as an aide memoire to the doctor and which cover all aspects of this work.
  Under the Government's Decision Making and Appeals (DMA) provisions medical examinations will remain the same. However for IIDB and SDA instead of making a decision under DMA the AMA will instead offer advice in the form of a doctor's report. The Decision maker will be guided by the Doctor's Report in reaching their decision on any entitlement to benefit.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Benefits Overpayments
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how he intends to deal with the backlog of debt owed to the Benefits Agency due to overpayment of benefits; and if he will detail his plans for the write-off of old debts. [67758]

  Angela Eagle
  Administration of the Benefits Agency and recovery of overpayments is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison. He will write to my right hon. Friend.
  671
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 2 February 1999:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how we intend to deal with the backlog of debt owed to the Benefits Agency (BA) due to overpayment of benefits; and if I will detail our plans for the write-off of old debt.
  We are determined to tackle the management of debt recovery in a structured, effective way. To support this, BA introduced a new debt strategy early in 1998.
  An Accounts Receivable Controller (ARC) in April 98, with responsibility for the whole process of debt, including control, management, and recovery. As a result BA has a more co-ordinated and cohesive organisation to deal with debt issues.
  A new Debt Accounting and Management system to account for and assist in the prompt identification and actioning of debt is also currently being developed. It will provide an automated, cost-effective capability to obtain control of debt, and improved Debt management information to enable detailed root cause analysis of debt. The result will be to minimise the causes of debt and maximise recoveries.
  The number of overpayment cases awaiting calculation is now under control and is expected to fall to a number equivalent to one month's intake of work by March 1999. A package of administrative easements agreed with Treasury have played a significant part in assisting BA reduce stocks of arrears of outstanding overpayments whilst ensuring recovery was actively pursued where possible.
  There is no longer a need to write-off old recoverable debts under the easements package, although debts may be written off under the criteria laid out in current instructions; these are

  debts over £25 less than £100 abandoned 6 years after last effective recovery;

  debts between £100 and £300, abandoned after 10 years;

  debts over £300 abandoned after 20 years;

  debts under £25

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Vaccine Damage Payments
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to announce the outcome of the review of compensation for vaccine damaged children. [68239]

  Mr. Bayley
  Consideration is still being given to this complex and sensitive issue and an announcement will be made in due course.

  Severely Disabled Children
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors underlie the postponement until April 2001 of the extension of the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance to three and four-year-old severely disabled children who have difficulties walking. [68698]

  Mr. Bayley
  The proposed extension will require legislation. If approved by Parliament, the new provision will come into operation at the same time as other benefit changes for disabled people are made as part of a co-ordinated package to help the most severely disabled people. These changes would help ensure that resources are better targeted at those who most need help.

  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what financial assistance is available to severely disabled under-fives to enable them to attend playgroups and other pre-school provision. [68696]
  672
  Mr. Bayley
  There is a wide range of financial assistance available which contributes towards the extra costs faced by families with severely disabled children under five. No attempt is made to specify how families should spend the benefits which include:Within Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, groups identified as likely to have extra expenses receive help through the disability premium structure.
  The new Disability Income Guarantee will provide extra help in these premiums for families with disabled children getting the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance.
  We are also proposing to extend the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (currently £35.85 a week) to severely disabled 3–4 year olds with a mobility problem.

  In addition, some assistance may be available from the Local Authority.

  London Organised Fraud Investigation Team
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the report produced by Cheryl Weaver into the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team. [68564]

  Mr. Timms
  None. Cheryl Weaver was attached to the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team as a temporary secondee to gain a personal understanding of its role and function.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the current situation of the employees of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team. [68565]

  Mr. Timms
  The current situation of employees of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team (LOFIT) is a matter for the Association of London Government (ALG) as the body responsible for the management of LOFIT and for Westminster City Council as the formal employer of the staff.

  Pensions (Minimum Income Guarantee)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of pensioners who(a) will be eligible for the new pension income guarantee and (b) will claim the guarantee. [68821]

  Mr. Timms
  We estimate that around 1.5 million pensioners will be receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee at April 1999. Estimates of the numbers of pensioners who will be eligible for, but not claiming, the Minimum Income Guarantee, and estimates of the numbers who will make a claim are currently being revised following the discovery of an error in the published take-up estimates. We expect to be publishing revised estimates in the Spring.

  Kenneth Gilbert
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the appeal by Kenneth Gilbert of Brixham in relation to his disability care allowance will be heard; and if he will ensure the hearing takes place before a disability appeals tribunal. [68798]
  673
  Angela Eagle
  The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 2 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when the appeal by Kenneth Gilbert of Brixham in relation to his disability care allowance will be heard; and if he will ensure the hearing takes place before a disability appeals tribunal.
  It may be helpful if I explain that there are 4 tiers to the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) adjudication process; new claim, first tier review, second tier review, and appeal to a Disability Appeal Tribunal.
  Mr. Gilbert submitted a DLA claim on 21 February 1995 and was awarded the higher rate of the mobility component from and including 7 February 1995.
  On 29 February 1996, Mr. Gilbert requested a review and asked for care needs to be considered. He was awarded the lowest rate of the care component from and including 1 March 1996. His entitlement to the mobility component was unaffected.
  On 29 October 1998, Mr. Gilbert asked for a review of his entitlement to the care component. He completed a claim pack with details of his current care needs but on 9 December 1998 an adjudication officer (AO) was unable to find grounds to review the previous decision. The decision was notified to Mr. Gilbert on 23 December 1998 with details about his right of review within 3 months.
  I should explain that if a review is requested more than 3 months after the previous decision was notified, the decision may only be reviewed if specific criteria are satisfied. For example, the previous decision must have been made in ignorance of a material fact, or based on a mistake as to a material fact, or there must have been a relevant change of circumstances.
  On 13 January 1999, a request for an appeal to a Disability Appeal Tribunal against the decision dated 9 December 1998 was received from Mr. Gilbert. The team leader of the operational section responsible for Mr. Gilbert's claim telephoned him on 28 January and explained that the correct next stage in the adjudication process was a review and that this would include a full explanation of the reasons for the decision. Mr. Gilbert said he was happy about this and had merely been confused about the procedures when he requested an appeal. The team leader explained that if Mr. Gilbert was dissatisfied with the outcome of the review decision, he would then have the right to request an appeal to a Tribunal within 3 months of the notification date.
  On 28 January a different AO considered all the evidence, including further clarification of his care needs given by Mr. Gilbert during his telephone conversation with the operational team leader. A review decision, upholding the previous decision, was completed on 28 January and was issued to Mr. Gilbert on 1 February 1999. The decision carries the right of appeal to a Disability Appeal Tribunal.

  Numbers of families with children receiving income support by family type, family size and age of each child as at August 1998

  Thousand

  Number of:

  Number of children aged

  Families

  Children

  Under 12 months

  1 to 2 years

  3 to 4 years

  5 to 10 years

  11 to 15 years

  16 to 18 years

  All Families

  All Children

  1,248

  2,379

  126

  293

  295

  883

  624

  159

  With 1 child

  552

  552

  53

  106

  74

  149

  128

  41

  With 2 children

  406

  812

  37

  94

  110

  315

  204

  52

  With 3 children

  189

  566

  20

  55

  64

  238

  157

  34

  With 4 or more

  101

  450

  16

  39

  47

  182

  135

  32

  674
  If Mr. Gilbert does request an appeal against the decision of 28 January, the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) will be responsible for the administration of the appeal hearing and for inviting Mr. Gilbert to attend. The ITS is wholly independent of the Benefits Agency.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  BASIS Southern Command
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many arrests have been made each month by BASIS Southern Command since its establishment to date. [68930]

  (2) how many of the investigating team of BASIS Southern Command were restricted to work in their office and unable to pursue investigations in the field from September 1998 to date; and if he will make a statement. [68931]

  Mr. Timms
  Questions on Benefit Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. lain Duncan Smith, dated 2 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking, how many arrests have been made each month by Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service (BASIS) Southern Command since its establishment to date, and how many of the investigating team of BASIS Southern Command were restricted to work in their office and unable to pursue investigations in the field from September 1998 to date.
  In the period April to December 1998 BASIS investigations resulted in 667 arrests. BASIS investigators do not have powers of arrest and therefore these arrests were effected by the police. Of these, 350 arrests related to investigations conducted by the Southern Unit teams and a monthly breakdown of these is shown on the attached table.
  No BASIS team has been restricted to work in their office other than where this has been necessary to complete the detailed court preparation work following an intensive investigation.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Income Support
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of families with children in receipt of income support distinguishing between(a) one-parent and (b) two-parent families broken down by families with (i) one child, (ii) two children, (iii) three children and (iv) four or more children; and within each group if he will list the number of children aged (1) under 12 months, (2) one to two years, (3) three to four years, (4) five to 10 years, (5) 11 to 15 years and (6) 16 to 18 years. [67793]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.
  675

  Numbers of families with children receiving income support by family type, family size and age of each child as at August 1998

  Thousand

  Number of:

  Number of children aged

  Families

  Children

  Under 12 months

  1 to 2 years

  3 to 4 years

  5 to 10 years

  11 to 15 years

  16 to 18 years

  Couples

  All Children

  200

  445

  17

  41

  41

  148

  144

  54

  With 1 child

  69

  69

  4

  8

  4

  12

  25

  16

  With 2 children

  63

  127

  5

  12

  13

  41

  41

  15

  With 3 children

  38

  113

  4

  10

  11

  43

  36

  10

  With 4 or more

  30

  137

  4

  11

  14

  53

  43

  13

  Single Parents

  All Children

  1,048

  1,934

  109

  252

  254

  735

  480

  105

  With 1 child

  483

  483

  49

  98

  70

  137

  103

  26

  With 2 children

  343

  685

  32

  81

  97

  274

  164

  37

  With 3 children

  151

  453

  16

  44

  53

  195

  121

  24

  With 4 or more

  71

  313

  11

  28

  33

  129

  92

  19

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and as such are subject to a degree of sampling error.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry August 1998.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of families with children in receipt of family credit distinguishing between one-parent and two-parent

  Number of families with children in receipt of family credit

  Thousand

  Number of:

  Number of children aged

  Families

  Children

  Under 12 months

  1–2 years

  3–4 years

  5–10 years

  11–15 years

  16–18 years

  All families

  All children

  782.5

  1,576.9

  74.3

  169.4

  178.1

  587.6

  450.8

  116.7

  With 1 child

  296.7

  296.7

  23.4

  48.8

  33.9

  81.9

  78.2

  30.5

  With 2 children

  278.2

  556.3

  24.9

  57.9

  66.8

  207.2

  158.5

  41.0

  With 3 children

  136.0

  408.1

  15.2

  36.8

  45.2

  169.2

  117.2

  24.6

  With 4 or more

  71.6

  315.8

  10.9

  25.9

  32.1

  129.3

  96.9

  20.7

  Couples

  All children

  393.1

  926.5

  59.2

  119.4

  116.6

  337.5

  236.2

  57.6

  With 1 child

  97.2

  97.2

  15.8

  24.2

  10.1

  16.4

  22.3

  8.4

  With 2 children

  144.7

  289.4

  20.1

  42.1

  43.8

  99.5

  66.0

  17.9

  With 3 children

  92.4

  277.3

  13.3

  29.9

  34.9

  114.1

  70.3

  14.7

  With 4 or more

  58.7

  262.6

  10.0

  23.2

  27.7

  107.5

  77.5

  16.6

  Lone Parents

  All children

  389.4

  650.3

  15.1

  50.0

  61.5

  250.1

  214.7

  59.1

  With 1 child

  199.4

  199.4

  7.6

  24.6

  23.8

  65.5

  55.8

  22.1

  With 2 children

  133.4

  266.9

  4.8

  15.8

  23.0

  107.8

  92.5

  23.0

  With 3 children

  43.6

  130.9

  1.8

  6.9

  10.3

  55.0

  47.0

  9.8

  With 4 or more

  12.9

  53.2

  9.0

  2.7

  4.3

  21.8

  19.4

  4.1

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred

  2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and as such are subject to a degree of sampling error

  Source:

  Family Credit Statistics Quarterly Enquiry August 1998

TREASURY

  Local Authority Capital Receipts
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his latest estimates and forecast expenditure
  676
  families between families with (a) one child, (b) two children, (c) three children and (d) four or more children and between children aged (i) under 12 months, (ii) one to two years, (iii) three to four years, (iv) five to 10 years, (v) 11 to 15 years and (vi) 16 to 18 years. [67794]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  in cash terms for the capital receipts initiative for (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001–02. [68384]

  Dr. Reid
  I have been asked to reply.
  677
  The following capital allocations have been made to local authorities in England under the capital receipts initiative:

  £

  1997–98

  174,270,000

  1998–99

  569,359,000

  1999–2000

  570,169,000

  The total resources for housing capital allocations in 2000–01 and 2001–02, which show substantial increases on the 1999–2000 figure and deliver the remainder of the additional £5 billion for investment in housing that we are making available during the current Parliament, were announced last summer following the Comprehensive Spending Review. Decisions have yet to be made about the distribution of these resources between different programmes. We have recently consulted on a proposal to combine capital receipts initiative and other housing capital support (apart from that for disabled facilities grants) into a single funding regime from 2000–01 onwards. The outcome of this consultation exercise will be announced shortly.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action the Government are taking to speed up the implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. [67520]

  Ms Hewitt
  At the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in October 1998 the Chancellor secured agreement on his proposals for a comprehensive review of the HIPC initiative in 1999, and is currently pressing for the review to address, among other things, the timing of debt relief given under the initiative.

  The decision was also taken to allow IMF post conflict assistance programmes to count towards a country's track record under the HIPC initiative. This could bring decision points (and therefore debt relief) forward by up to twelve months for certain countries such as Rwanda.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. [67513]

  Ms Hewitt
  31 out of 40 countries originally identified by the IMF/World Bank as being eligible for inclusion into the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative have begun the process of securing a sustainable exit to their debt burden. Two countries have reached the end of the process. A further seven countries have reached Decision Point.

  The IMF/World Bank are to carry out a comprehensive review of the HIPC initiative this year.

  Pension Investment
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to publish the consultation document on pension investment mentioned in the Pensions Green Paper (Cm. 4179). [69527]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Government have today published a consultation document, "Helping to deliver stakeholder pensions: flexibility in pension investment". Copies are 678
  available in the Vote Office and in the Library of the House. This takes forward the remit in the Green Paper "A new contract for welfare: partnership in pension", Cm 4179, chapter 7, paragraph 39. This contribution to the Government's pension reform strategy opens up potential for greater transparency in the pensions market which should in turn improve labour market flexibility and contribute to the strategy for improving productivity discussed in the Pre Budget Report, Cm 4076.

  The financial instrument proposed in the document will be suitable for any kind of defined contribution pension: personal, occupational and, in time, stakeholder. It is not a pension in its own right. It will hold units in pooled investment schemes, making it possible for scheme members to move easily and at low cost between different kinds of pension, for example on a change of employment or a move into self employment.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iraq
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the number of Scud missiles held by Iraq. [68750]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The UN Special Commission on Iraq believes it has accounted for all but two of Iraq's 819 Soviet origin SCUDs and all declared launch vehicles. However, owing to the indigenous production of components and uncertainties attending the verification of the destruction of complete missiles, it is possible that Iraq has concealed a small number of 650km range SCUD type missiles. It is also possible that components were removed from missiles that were unilaterally destroyed.

  Turkey (Death Penalty)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations via the British Embassy in Ankara to the Turkish Government to request that the death penalty will not be used against the suspect accused of murdering Edgar Fernandes. [68169]

  Mr. Fatchett
  It is for the Maltese Government to make representations to the Turkish Government to request the death penalty is not used against the suspect. The UK, along with our EU partners, opposes the use of the death penalty, and calls upon all States to abolish it.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the meeting between Baroness Symons and the Turkish Ambassador on 7 January 1999 in respect of the Edgar Fernandes case; what was the result of that meeting; and what action his Department has taken since then. [68170]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State had a private meeting with the Turkish Ambassador on 7 January 1999 at which they discussed a variety of bilateral issues. Our staff in Ankara and Valletta remain in touch with the Turkish and Maltese Governments respectively about the extradition of Mr. Mohammed Abdul Monem Abbas Aly.

  Entertainment Budgets
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the entertainment budgets for each of his Department's posts abroad in the last financial year. [68171]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Overseas posts' budgets, including entertainment budgets, are devolved to each post. No central record is kept of detailed budget allocations for each post, and they could only be provided at excessive cost. However, central records are kept of posts expenditure, and the figures for 1997–98 are set out below.

  Post

  Spend 1997–98

  Abidjan

  12,575

  Abu Dhabi

  30,398

  Abuja

  5,920

  Accra

  24,015

  Addis Ababa

  16,239

  Alexandria

  9,845

  Algiers

  5,972

  Almaty

  9,917

  Amman

  38,907

  Amsterdam

  13,655

  Anguilla

  11,187

  Ankara

  33,882

  Antananarivo

  2,375

  Ashgabat

  15,311

  Asuncion

  5,726

  Athens

  73,370

  Atlanta

  56,803

  Auckland

  31,784

  Aus Africa: Rmo

  1135

  Bahrain

  13,249

  Baku

  2,704

  Bandar Seri Begawan

  15,475

  Bangkok

  59,262

  Banjul

  5,354

  Barcelona (Inc. Andorra)

  24,902

  Beirut

  16,285

  Belgrade

  35,446

  Belmopan

  6,536

  Berlin

  77,693

  Berne

  70,812

  Bilbao

  3,706

  Bogota (Inc. Medellin)

  15,947

  Bombay

  30,388

  Bonn

  132,293

  Bordeaux

  28,988

  Boston

  43,673

  Brasilia

  49,634

  Bratislava

  12,336

  Bridgetown

  45,025

  Brisbane

  39,013

  Brussels

  2394,845

  Brussels Jmo

  408

  Bucharest

  19,988

  Budapest

  35,710

  Buenos Aires

  78,205

  Cairo

  69,343

  Calcutta

  13,637

  Canberra

  59,207

  Cape Town

  15,418

  Caracas

  28,265

  Casablanca

  15,040

  Castries

  11,551

  Chicago

  41,899

  Cleveland

  14,792

  Colombo (Inc. Maldives)

  26,599

  Conakry (Bhc Freetown)

  246

  Copenhagen (Inc. Torshavn)

  37,389

  Dakar (Inc. Conakry)

  15,422

  680

  Post

  Spend 1997–98

  Damascus

  19,916

  Dar Es Salaam

  18,810

  Dhaka

  26,918

  Doha

  21,844

  Dubai

  67,820

  Dublin

  40,379

  Durban

  5,512

  Dusseldorf

  19,213

  Ekaterinburg

  15,849

  Frankfurt

  33,477

  Freetown

  3,238

  Gaborone

  5,162

  Geneva Cg

  3218,055

  Georgetown

  8,598

  Gibraltar

  41,087

  Grand Cayman

  1,589

  Grand Turk

  4,866

  Guangzhou

  17,204

  Guatemala City

  8,097

  Hamburg

  54,777

  Hanoi

  22,445

  Harare

  22,839

  Havana

  27,426

  Helsinki

  48,769

  Ho Chi Minh City

  25,380

  Hong Kong Btc

  90,105

  Honiara

  342

  Houston

  65,068

  Islamabad

  59,998

  Istanbul

  33,140

  Jakarta

  65,308

  Jedda

  67,547

  Jerusalem

  12,557

  Johannesburg

  36,787

  Kabul

  146

  Kampala

  18,387

  Karachi

  14,475

  Kathmandu

  10,228

  Khartoum

  13,224

  Kiev

  24,655

  Kigali

  4,380

  Kingston

  24,732

  Kingstown

  7,491

  Kinshasa

  9,222

  Kuala Lumpur

  69,053

  Kuwait

  28,793

  La Paz

  9,967

  Lagos (Inc. Cotonou)

  48,987

  Lille

  28,710

  Lilongwe (Inc. Blantyre)

  14,526

  Lima

  31,047

  Lisbon

  74,361

  Ljubljana

  13,462

  Los Angeles

  24,369

  Luanda

  20,448

  Lusaka

  24,986

  Luxembourg

  15,170

  Lyon

  38,213

  Madras

  16,691

  Madrid

  130,255

  Managua

  13,432

  Manila

  28,010

  Maputo

  9,953

  Marseilles

  37,093

  Maseru

  3,987

  Mbabane

  4,766

  Melbourne

  50,336

  Mexico City

  44,683

  Milan

  31,621

  Minsk

  4,459

  Montevideo

  13,920

  Montreal

  36,387

  Moscow

  151,364

  Munich

  44,061

  681

  Post

  Spend 1997–98

  Muscat

  42,543

  Nairobi

  43,896

  Naples

  23,650

  Nassau

  11,063

  New Delhi

  155,005

  New York Cg

  4259,174

  Nicosia

  76,269

  Nuku'Alofa

  1,168

  Osaka

  121,138

  Oslo

  42,416

  Ottawa

  60,570

  Palma

  10,904

  Panama City

  9,903

  Peking

  83,780

  Perth

  33,026

  Phnom Penh

  4,972

  Plymouth

  4,542

  Port Louis

  9,217

  Port Moresby

  7,960

  Port of Spain

  12,781

  Prague

  34,363

  Pretoria

  35,716

  Quito

  8,886

  Rabat

  13,378

  Rangoon

  7,394

  Reykjavik

  9,096

  Riga

  14,705

  Rio De Janeiro

  19,386

  Riyadh

  84,815

  Rome

  100,644

  San Francisco

  67,800

  San Jose

  3,779

  San Salvador

  10,383

  Sana'A

  32,949

  Santiago

  57,206

  Santo Domingo

  3,492

  Sao Paulo

  81,278

  Sarajevo

  19,218

  Seattle

  16,709

  Seoul

  95,443

  Shanghai

  32,469

  Singapore

  55,607

  Skopje

  3,498

  Sofia

  14,788

  St. George's

  7,920

  St. John's

  14,618

  St. Petersburg

  35,726

  Stanley

  3,500

  Stockholm

  34,201

  Strasbourg-Council of Europe

  14,810

  Suva

  15,488

  Sydney

  95,523

  Taipei Btco

  32,416

  Tallinn

  2,411

  Tashkent

  8,321

  Tbilisi

  12,330

  Tegucigalpa

  4,057

  Tehran

  12,629

  Tel Aviv

  47,444

  The Hague

  73,533

  Tirana

  2,962

  Tokyo

  670,142

  Toronto

  42,038

  Tortola

  6,629

  Tripoli

  9,469

  Tunis

  13,131

  Ulaanbaatar

  7,099

  Valletta

  13,837

  Vancouver

  36,718

  Victoria

  6,025

  Vienna

  87,978

  Vila

  8,211

  Vilnius

  8,843

  Warsaw

  69,614

  682

  Post

  Spend 1997–98

  Washington

  254,762

  Wellington

  49,362

  Windhoek

  8,143

  Yaounde

  9,969

  Yerevan

  4,864

  Zagreb

  14,533

  Zurich

  11,918

  Total

  8,271,861

  1 Charge for entertainment at an overseas post (signed off by NAO)

  2 Includes UKMIS and UKREP

  3 Including UKMIS and IKDIS Geneva

  4 Including UKMIS and BIS New York

  Missing Arms Consignment (South Africa)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the South African authorities concerning a cargo of military equipment flown from RAF Manston in May 1998 destined for South Africa which failed to arrive; and if he will make a statement. [68235]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Neither I nor others in the Foreign Office have had discussions with the South African authorities on this matter. Customs and Excise, who are responsible for investigating breaches of export control restrictions, are aware of these allegations.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when an official from the British High Commission last visited the town of Famagusta; and if he will make a statement; [68310]

  (2) what recent discussions he has held and with whom, on the possibility of the return of the town of Famagusta to the Republic of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [68309]

  Ms Quin
  We remain active in support of UN efforts in search of a political settlement in Cyprus. The details of any settlement would have to have the agreement of both communities. The question of Varosha/Famagusta would be included in that.

  Members of the High Commission in Nicosia visit Famagusta from time to time as part of their contacts with the Turkish Cypriot Community.

  East Timor
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide details of the end-use monitoring undertaken by his Department into the use of Alvis armoured vehicles in Indonesia and East Timor since 1988. [68789]

  Mr. Fatchett
  No formal mechanisms exist at present for monitoring the end use that has been made of British defence equipment once it has been exported.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the deployment of British Saladin and Saracen armoured vehicles in East Timor by the Indonesian security forces since 1988. [68788]
  683
  Mr. Fatchett
  Saladin and Saracen armoured vehicles were exported to Indonesia in the 1960s. No formal mechanisms exist for monitoring the use of British defence equipment once it has been exported. We have made clear to the Indonesian authorities that British supplied equipment should not be used against civilians to prevent the exercise of their rights of free expression, assembly and association, or in violation of other international human rights standards.

  NATO Enlargement
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what modifications to the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty will be required following the accession of new NATO member states. [68740]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No amendments to the CFE Treaty are required before the accession of new members to NATO. But our aim is that the process of adapting the Treaty, under way since 1996, will result in an agreement which better reflects the realities of today's European security environment, by moving the Treaty from a structure based on the Cold War military alliances to one based on national limits.

  Arms Exports
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to change the criteria for applications for licences for the export of conventional arms; and if he will make a statement, with specific reference to his procedure for consultation. [68928]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  There are no plans to make any substantive changes to the criteria. The Government are considering, however, whether it would be necessary or desirable to consolidate the arms export licensing criteria announced on 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 26–29, and those in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.

  Diplomatic Posts (Eastern Mediterranean)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many personnel currently employed at the British High Commission in Nicosia have previously worked at the British Embassy in(a) Ankara and (b) Athens; and if he will make a statement on the inter-change of staff between the High Commission in Nicosia and the embassy at (i) Ankara and (ii) Athens; [68959]

  (2) if he will make a statement on proposed changes in personnel employed at the British High Commission in Cyprus; and to which embassies or high commissions the existing personnel are being transferred; [68961]

  (3) how many persons are employed at the United Kingdom High Commission office in Nicosia; how many of these are (a) Greek Cypriots and (b) Turkish Cypriots; and if he will make a statement. [68960]

  Ms Quin
  There are 25 UK based staff at the British High Commission in Nicosia. Two speak fluent Greek, one speaks fluent Turkish. One has served previously in 684
  Athens; another has served in Ankara. Of those leaving this year most will return to London; one will transfer to Athens.

  Including part-time employees, there are 39 locally-engaged staff (the majority Greek Cypriot) in the High Commission office in Nicosia and 12 staff (the majority Turkish Cypriot) at separate premises in north Nicosia.

  International Terrorism
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries which his Department considers to sponsor terrorism. [68744]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We do not have a list of countries which sponsor terrorism. This Government condemn state sponsorship of terrorism and monitors closely any evidence of such activities. Where there is evidence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office makes the governments in question aware of our concerns as and when they arise.

  Salman Rushdie
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those organisations which have maintained their fatwa on Salman Rushdie. [68748]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The fatwa against Salman Rushdie was decreed by the late Ayatollah Khomenei, not by any organisation or group of organisations. Ayatollah Khomenei died in 1989. A number of groups, Iranian and non-Iranian, have made statements about the fatwa over the years; many of them are of obscure status. The Iranian government have made clear their position, that they have no intention of taking any action against Salman Rushdie, nor will they encourage or assist anybody else to do so. We welcome these assurances.

  Middle East
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts he has made to ensure transparency in the use of EU aid to the Palestinian Authority. [68714]

  Clare Short
  I have been asked to reply.

  We, other EU member states and the European Commission, continue to press the Palestinian Authority to consolidate its accounts and manage its finances in a transparent and accountable manner. We welcome the recent production of a five year Development Plan by the Palestinian Authority and the availability of more information on their budgetary process.

  The EC only rarely provides direct financial assistance to the PA. Where it does so, special mechanisms are set up to ensure that the funds are properly spent.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of EU aid to the Palestinian Authority; and if he will place a copy of the reports on the effectiveness of the aid in the Library. [68713]

  Clare Short
  I have been asked to reply.
  685
  The European Union, including individual member states, has made a major contribution to supporting the Middle East Peace Process by providing 54 per cent. ($1.7 billion) of total development assistance to the Palestinians since 1993. This includes over 650 mecu provided directly by the European Commission to the Palestinian Authority.

  To enable member states to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of EC aid, we have pressed for an evaluation of the EC's last five-year programme of assistance for the Palestinians, which ended in December 1998. We understand that this evaluation is soon to be finalised, and expect the findings to be formally presented by the Commission shortly. As soon as they are available, we will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress made by the Palestinian Authority in combating terrorism. [68711]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We commend Palestinian efforts to clamp down on terrorism and their compliance so far with the security commitments signed up to in the Wye River Memorandum. Measures taken by the Palestinian Authority include the arrest of terrorist suspects, collection of illegal weapons, anti-incitement laws and provision of security plans to the Israelis. Meetings of the bilateral and trilateral committees on security issues continue to take place. We are glad to be able to assist the Palestinians in their efforts through major EU programmes of counter-terrorism assistance and security assistance. But there is still room for improvement and we urge continued co-operation between the parties to implement Wye.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian Government not to provide support to organisations whose objectives are to destabilise the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority. [68767]

  Mr. Fatchett
  During the EU/Iran talks of 18 December 1998 in Vienna, we and our EU partners discussed the Middle East peace process with the Iranian representatives. We urged them not to obstruct the peace process. The Iranians said that they were not against peace, but it must be a just and justifiable peace. Iran welcomed the continued EU involvement in the Middle East peace process. We and our EU partners will continue to raise this issue with our Iranian interlocutors.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the percentage of Palestinians in(a) the West Bank and (b) Gaza living under the governance of the Palestinian Authority. [68765]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We assess that approximately 97.5 per cent. of Palestinians in the West Bank, and 100 per cent. in Gaza, live under the governance of the Palestinian Authority.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress towards democracy in areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority. [68751]
  686
  Mr. Fatchett
  Since its establishment in May 1994 the Palestinian Authority has taken its first steps towards democracy and in January 1996 held free elections. The elections led to the establishment of the Palestinian Legislative Council. We continue to support the process of institution-building in the Palestinian Authority both bilaterally and through EU programmes.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Syria. [68747]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our relations with Syria are good. I visited Syria in December 1998 and met President Asad and Foreign Minister Shara'a, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have been glad to receive Mr. Shara'a here on his visit to London today.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the preconditions placed on the normalisation of relations with Syria following Lockerbie, indicating which preconditions have been met and which have yet to be met. [68768]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There has at no stage been any consideration of attaching such conditions on the positive development of our relations with Syria.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the Foreign Minister of Syria. [68746]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I will meet the Foreign Minister of Syria today during his visit to London.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the number of Syrian troops in Lebanon. [68749]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We believe that under the terms of the Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Co-ordination signed by the Lebanese and Syrian Governments in May 1991, there are approximately 22,000 Syrian troops in Lebanon.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the(a) financial, (b) military and (c) strategic assistance given by Iran to (i) Hamas and (ii) Hezbollah. [68742]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) on 1 December 1998,Official Report, column 158.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans(a) he and (b) ministers in his Department have to visit Israel. [68766]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has any plans to visit Israel at the present time.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation he has made to the Palestinian Authority about the early release of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, leader of Hamas. [68712]
  687
  Mr. Fatchett
  We have not made any representations to the Palestinian Authority about the release of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, leader of Hamas.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about Iranian efforts to procure weapons of mass destruction. [68717]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We continue to encourage Iran to respect all the international treaties it has signed relating to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and to comply fully with its obligations under them.

  With our European partners, we have urged Iran to negotiate an additional safeguards protocol with the IAEA which would significantly enhance the organisation's ability to detect activities not permitted under the NPT.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the acquisition of long-range ballistic missiles by Iran; and if he will make a statement concerning their effect on the stability of the Middle East. [68716]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We remain extremely concerned by Iran's flight test of its Shahab-3 ballistic missile in July of last year. The acquisition of this system, with an approximate range of 1300km, threatens the stability of the whole of the Middle East. We assess that though the Shahab-3 is at a relatively advanced stage of its development, Iran will not be able to deploy the system in the immediate future. Whilst we understand Iran's legitimate security concerns, we have repeatedly urged the Iranian authorities to refrain from developing ballistic missiles. It is in nobody's interest for an arms race to develop in this already volatile region.

  The UK, as a founder member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), works with its partners to halt the proliferation of ballistic missile programmes of concern. The MTCR has done much to deny, among others, the Iranian ballistic missile programme, key technologies and equipment.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ascertain the whereabouts of Israeli airman Ron Arad. [68745]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I take every opportunity to raise the issue of Ron Arad with anyone who may be able to provide information on his whereabouts. We also raise the cases of other missing servicemen.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to monitor Palestinian compliance with the agreement entered into at the Wye River Plantation. [68710]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are in close contact with both sides and also with the US which plays a key role in monitoring compliance with the Wye Memorandum. Our Missions in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem also carefully monitor the level of compliance on the ground. Both the US and the Israelis declared themselves satisfied with Palestinian compliance with their commitments under Wye prior to the first redeployment on 20 November. Since then we continue to believe the Palestinians have made good progress.
  688
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make Iranian recognition of Israel a precondition for the restoration of ambassadorial links with Iran. [68743]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Iranian Foreign Minister, as part of the New York agreement on 24 September 1998, agreed to exchange Ambassadors. We remain committed to all elements of that agreement.

  Sudan (Religious Freedom)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Government of Sudan regarding the rights of Christians to religious freedom, over the last 18 months. [68639]

  Mr. Fatchett
  FCO officials have regularly raised these important issues with the Government of Sudan and will continue to do so.

  Pakistan (Christian Community)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Government of Pakistan regarding the application of Sharia Law and its impact upon the Christian minority. [68640]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We continue to ensure that the Pakistan authorities remain aware of our concerns on human rights and religious minorities. We are following closely the progress of the Shariah Bill which has yet to pass Pakistan's Senate. We are aware of the concerns expressed by minorities and human rights groups about the possible effects of the Bill.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what independent international investigation was conducted into the killings in Kosovo at Gornje Obrinje and what were the results; and if an investigation into killings at Racak has been commenced. [68804]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  An EU forensic team from Finland was admitted to Kosovo in December last year to conduct examinations of Gornje Obrinje and other massacre sites. They have not yet been able to complete their work at Gornje Obrinje but hope to do so in the spring. The same team have been conducting autopsies on those killed at Racak and will report to the FRY authorities, the OSCE and the EU when their examinations are complete.

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has encouraged the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in her continuing efforts to investigate these and other incidents and to bring those responsible to justice.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the legal basis for the possible use of military force in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. [68759]
  689
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The legal basis for any military action against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia would need to be considered in the light of the circumstances at the time. Any military action by British forces would have to be lawful under international law.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Slaughterhouse Inspections (Assaults)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of his(a) Department's and (b) Agencies officials have been assaulted in the course of slaughterhouse inspections in each of the last five years; how many prosecutions followed the assaults; and what action his Department is taking to minimise the number of assaults. [63379]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 15 January 1999]: The number of Departmental, mainly State Veterinary Service officials who have been subjected to intimidation at slaughterhouses is as follows:

  1993–94: 0

  1994–95: 7

  1995–96: 0

  1996–97: 1

  1997–98: 0.

  No prosecutions followed these incidents.

  The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), which was established on 1 April 1995, does not have information available on a year by year basis.

  However, in response to evidence that MHS operational staff were being subjected to violence and/or intimidation, a survey was sent out to all 1,540 MHS operational staff in January 1998. It sought information on all incidents which inspectors had been involved with throughout their entire careers, not just since the launch of the MHS.

  759 responses were received. 1 in 4 operational staff indicated that they had been subject to some form of violence and/or intimidation at some point. However, the most common instances related to verbal abuse/threats and not physical assault or obstruction. 17 MHS staff had been subjected to physical assault at some point.

  Reported cases of physical assault are investigated with a view to prosecution under the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Obstruction of MHS staff in the performance of their duties is an offence under the Food Safety Act 1990. All reported cases are thoroughly investigated by MAFF Investigations Officers and prosecutions taken where it can be shown that MHS staff have been hampered from carrying out their meat inspection duties.

  To date, 5 successful prosecutions have been taken.

  British Retail Consortium
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the British Retail Consortium; and if he will make a statement. [67773]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 January 1999]: The Minister last met with the British Retail Consortium on 3 November 1998. At this meeting, the major retailers
  690
  gave important assurances about the pigmeat they sell, not least that all their own label fresh pork, ham sausages and pork pies will come from stall and tether and MBM free production systems. They also gave an undertaking not to market as British, processed products produced from imported meat.

  More generally, the retailers are making efforts to ensure that their sourcing practices meet or exceed consumer expectations in areas such as quality, traceability and local supply, and concern for animal welfare and the environment.

  Mink Farming
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at how many mink factory farms the killing of mink was witnessed by Ministry officials over the past three months; how long officials were in attendance at each mink factory farm; and what methods were used to carry out the killing, broken down by county in each case. [68148]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 January 1999]: All licensed mink farms were inspected during the killing period. The actual killing operation was observed on six farms in Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire, Northumberland, Lancashire and Yorkshire. The following killing methods were used: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and pentabarbitone injection.
  Background Note
  Welfare inspections of fur farms (in practice licensed mink farms) are made twice a year, once at the time of killing (November). Although the actual killing operation will not be observed in all cases, the veterinary officer carrying out the inspection is charged with ensuring that those responsible are aware of, and follow the requirements of, the welfare legislation. No central records are kept of the duration of visits but at a minimum they would take at least an hour.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many mink and fox fur factory farms there are by county in England and Wales. [68146]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 January 1999]: There are currently the following number of mink farms in England:

  County

  Number of licensed mink farms

  Cornwall

  1

  Dorset

  1

  Hampshire

  1

  Isle of Wight

  1

  Lancashire

  5

  Northumberland

  1

  South Yorkshire

  1

  Staffordshire

  1

  West Yorkshire

  1

  Total

  13

  There are no licensed mink farms in Wales.

  There is no requirement to register fox fur farms. However, I am not aware of any in England or Wales.

  Non-modified Organisms
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will require food manufacturers who support the use of non-modified organisms to make
  691
  public the systems they use to ensure that their commitments to non-modified organisms can be verified. [68620]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: EC Regulation 1139/98, which establishes the legal requirements for labelling foods containing GM soya and maize, and sets a precedent for the labelling of all GM foods, recognises that any food labelled as not containing GM soya or maize must be verifiable by scientific or other means. Enforcement of this requirement is a matter for Local Authorities.

  Levy Scheme
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions were held with the major supermarkets about the principle of a flat rate levy for the Food Standards Agency before publication of the consultation paper, "Proposals for a Levy Scheme". [68973]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: No such discussions were held.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the total cost of the proposed levy to fund the Food Standards Agency on(a) the charitable, (b) the voluntary and (c) other not-for-profit sectors. [68974]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: The data are not available to make estimates of the number of food premises falling in these categories. The purpose of the public consultation exercise is to invite views on the proposals, including those from the sectors affected.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provisions(a) exist and (b) are planned to require companies producing animal feeds to label products as containing ingredients produced as a result of genetic modification. [68773]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: Current EU and UK legislation on animal feeding stuffs does not require the presence of genetically modified material to be labelled. It is anticipated that this issue will be addressed by a proposed regulation which the Commission is expected to submit formally to Council later this year.
  Labelling of genetically modified (GM) animal feed
  Background Note
  Viable GM feed materials—ie., those capable of replication—are regulated under Council Directive 90/220 on the Deliberate Release of GMOs. Following a 1997 amendment to this Directive, any viable GM materials subsequently issued with a marketing consent are required to be labelled, although these provisions are non-specific. Because this amendment was not retrospective, the Monsanto soya and Ciba-Geigy (now Novartis) maize already authorised are not subject to these requirements for feed use. However, this is largely academic, as the vast majority of feed materials are processed by-products (ie., non-viable).
  There is at present no product legislation regulating the authorisation of non-viable animal feed materials. These are likely to be covered in a forthcoming Commission proposal for a Council Regulation on
  692
  Novel Feeds, which we expect to be formally submitted to Council later this year. This will to some extent parallel the existing Novel Foods Regulation, and regulate not only GM materials but also other novel feeds. We anticipate that the proposed labelling requirements will be consistent with the Commission's global approach (ie., does contain/does not contain).
  In the absence of crop segregation and comprehensive legislative requirements, it is not possible to know the extent to which GM material is being used in animal feed in the UK. However, given the widespread use of materials derived from soya and maize, the probability is that some is present, although most likely in processed form (eg., maize gluten feed). Moreover, there could also be by-products from GM crops, such as cotton seed, which have been grown in the USA but for which marketing consent has not been sought in Europe under 90.220.
  With regard to the effects of processing on GM material, it is known that this disrupts DNA. In the case of the Ciba-Geigy (now Novartis) maize, tests were conducted on maize gluten feed which indicated that the antibiotic resistance gene plus its replicator could not have survived processing. Further work on the effects of processing for a number of crops is being undertaken.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library the results of the Government-commissioned toxicology tests carried out on Monsanto's genetically modified(a) cotton and (b) corn crops. [68775]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: The Government do not commission research into an individual company's crops but can require additional work to be undertaken by all companies themselves when this is considered to be necessary. All toxicology data submitted for safety evaluation is required to have been produced to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards. Under GLP, all studies must follow written standard procedures and all laboratory records and samples must be archived. All UK GLP certified laboratories are subject to independent inspections by Department of Health inspectors in accordance with EC requirements. Laboratories in the USA are subject to GLP inspections by the US authorities.

  All data considered by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, except that considered to be commercially sensitive, are published on the DETR Public Register. In addition, the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes strongly encourages companies seeking food safety assessment to deposit a copy of their submissions with the British Library.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure that consumers can purchase animal produce which does not originate from animals fed genetically modified feed. [68777]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: All genetically modified (GM) animal feed is rigorously assessed to ensure that the safety of consumers is not compromised by its use. However the Government recognise the desire of some consumers to be able to purchase products that have not been produced in this way. We therefore welcome the EC Commissions intention to draft a regulation on the labelling of GM Feed which will enable this wish to be satisfied. This is expected to be presented to the Council for agreement later this year. In the meantime, organic food producers and some others are already offering products which meet the needs of consumers who do not wish to purchase food produced using this feed.

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