Written Answers of 4 February 1999

CABINET OFFICE

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made towards equality of opportunity in the Civil Service. [69526]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I am publishing today a statistical report on equal opportunities in the Civil Service: "Equal Opportunities in the Civil Service Data Summary 1998". Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of the House and will be made available on the internet.

  The report shows a continuing improvement in the proportion of people from those groups which are currently under-represented in most Civil Service management grades: women, ethnic minority staff and staff with disabilities. For example, the proportion of women at Higher Executive Officer level and above has risen to 26% in 1998 from 11% in 1984. In the Senior Civil Service, women now represent 18% of staff. The representation of ethnic minority staff at the first management level (Executive Officer) has increased to 5.1% from 2.9% in 1989. The overall proportion of staff with disabilities has increased to 4% from 3.8% in 1997.

  Progress has been made but much remains to be done before the Service, at all levels, reflects society.

  Later today, Sir Richard Wilson, the Head of the Home Civil Service and I plan to launch a Charter for action to redress the under-representation of ethnic minorities in the Senior Civil Service agreed with the Civil Service trades unions. The Charter has been endorsed by all Civil Service Heads of Department.

  I am personally committed to a fair Civil Service in which diversity and equality of opportunity are valued. I aim to ensure that equal opportunities issues generally receive a high profile.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  UK Sports Institute
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many sports have formally undertaken to participate in the United Kingdom Sports Institute. [68113]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 28 January 1999]: The United Kingdom Sports Institute will offer a network of first class services and facilities to a range of Olympic and other non-commercial sports. Major spectator sports will also be able to tap into the top quality sports science, medicine, nutrition and coaching expertise available.
  694
  The Sports Councils and Phoenix Sports Limited (the company established by the Sheffield Consortium) have been obtaining the views of Athletics, Netball, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis and Triathlon to confirm exactly what their requirements are at the site in Sheffield. In addition to this, my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport has written seeking confirmation that they are happy with current proposals.

  In parallel, the Home Country Sports Councils have been developing the proposed network centres throughout the country. Proposals for Scotland have already been made public. In England, the English Sports Council has been consulting widely with the governing bodies of sport over the past six months. This has included discussion with the newly appointed Performance Directors who have brought their own views on the most appropriate high performance structure for their sport. They are best placed to tell us what their sport needs and it is only sensible that we listen to what they have to say. I plan to make a more comprehensive announcement soon.

  Osborne House
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what are his plans for the King Edward VII Convalescent Home for Officers at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. [69804]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  After very careful consideration, my right hon. Friend has decided that it is no longer appropriate to run part of Osborne House as a convalescent and residential home for the benefit of members of the Armed Forces and Civil Service. My right hon. Friend will be seeking, therefore, Parliament's approval to repeal the provisions of the Osborne Estate Act 1902 which places this responsibility on him. In the meantime, the home will remain open. The demand for residential and convalescent facilities has declined. The current costs to the taxpayer of running the home are around £500,000 each year, net of income. English Heritage meets additional costs for the care of the fabric of the building.

  Our immediate concern is the care of the current residents of the home. I am grateful to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund, who run the home on our behalf, for offering to work closely with my Department in finding new homes for current residents when the need arises. The convalescent home will remain open to convalescents, but not new residents, and will be run by the Civil Service Benevolent Fund until such time as Parliament approves its closure. This would be carried out in an orderly way, respecting the wishes and needs of the residents as far as possible.

  The State Apartments at Osborne House will continue to be open to the public and managed by English Heritage who are currently making extensive plans to commemorate the centenary of Queen Victoria's death at Osborne in January 1901. I have also asked English Heritage to bring forward imaginative proposals for the use of the accommodation currently occupied by the convalescent home which will provide employment and help towards the costs of running the Osborne Estate.

  Ulster Orchestra
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Ulster Orchestra over its future sponsorship arrangements. [69293]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Matters affecting arts organisations in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. I have had no discussions with the Ulster Orchestra, but I am aware of their concerns.

  Tobacco Sponsorship
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with arts organisations over the timing of legislation to ban tobacco sponsorship. [69294]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Prior to the publication of the Government's White Paper "Smoking Kills" in December 1998, I received written representations from and on behalf of a small number of arts organisations and their sponsors. I also sought advice from the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts on the extent of arts sponsorship by tobacco companies.

  Through negotiation, the Government ensured that the EU Tobacco Advertising Directive provided a reasonable time for arts and sports organisations to adapt and the White Paper explained that sports and arts organisations would be given the full five-year period allowed under the Directive to find alternative sponsors.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the present value to arts organisations of sponsorship by tobacco companies. [69295]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts has estimated that the total current financial value of tobacco arts sponsorship in the UK is between £1 million and £1.5 million per annum.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Arms Exports
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what licences have been issued for the export of British Aerospace Gripen fighters and Hawk aircraft, and GKN Westland Maritime helicopters to South Africa. [64499]

  Dr. Howells
  I understand that none of these aircraft has previously been supplied to the South African Government by the UK. Some of the UK's leading defence companies have submitted bids against South African defence procurement requirements. No licences for the permanent export to South Africa of such aircraft have been issued by this Government. However, any subsequent applications for export licences will be considered against the criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 26–29, and against the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.
  696
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the amounts of export credit guarantee covers provided to Alvis for the export of armoured vehicles to Indonesia and for the provision of upgrade components since 1988. [68780]

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Export Credits Guarantee Department cover was provided to Alvis for the export of armoured vehicles to Indonesia and the provision of upgrade components. [68705]

  Mr. Wilson
  From data readily available the value of ECGD cover provided for such business since 1988 is as follows:

  Year

  Amount

  1988

  0

  1989

  0

  1990

  0

  1991

  £2 million

  1992

  0

  1993

  0

  1994

  £5.2 million

  1995

  US$105 million

  1996

  £65 million

  1997

  US$3.2 million

  1998

  0

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the total amount of funding available to(a) South Yorkshire, (b) Merseyside and (c) Cornwall from each of the EU Structural Funds in the last year for which figures are available. [68942]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: EU Structural Funds allocations (including Community Initiatives) for 1998 to the current Objective 1, 2 and 5b areas of Yorkshire and the Humber, Merseyside and South West England are shown in the table. It is not possible to identify specific allocations to South Yorkshire and Cornwall since under Objectives 2 and 5b the Community allocations are made to the whole of the Structural Funds' programme areas.

  Structural funds allocations for 1998

  £ million, current prices

  ERDF

  ESF

  EAGGF

  Total SFS

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  Objective 2

  80

  25

  0

  106

  Objective ¾1

  —

  28

  —

  28

  Total2

  80

  53

  0

  134

  Merseyside

  Objective 1 only

  66

  47

  0

  113

  South West England

  Objective 5b

  21

  5

  6

  32

  Objective ¾1

  —

  20

  —

  20

  Total2

  21

  25

  6

  52

  1 Estimated

  2 Excluding Objective 5a, regional figures for which are not readily available.

  Electro-shock Batons
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what end use monitoring his Department has undertaken on the use of the electro-shock batons trans-shipped from the United States to Saudi Arabia via the United Kingdom under the trans-shipment licence granted by his Department in 1993. [68198]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), on 1 February 1999,Official Report, column 494.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Punishment Beatings and Shootings
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ending 16 January the number of(a) punishment beatings and (b) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many in each category were committed by (a) Loyalist and (b) Republican groups. [67562]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of paramilitary style assaults and shootings which took place in Northern Ireland during the period 10 January to 16 January are shown:

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  Assaults

  0

  3

  Shootings

  2

  0

  Total

  2

  3

  Note:

  Figures may be subject to minor adjustment

  Fair Employment
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she plans to revoke the section 42

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style shootings, 1996–98

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Monthly Breakdown

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  January

  1

  —

  8

  1

  5

  7

  February

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  4

  March

  2

  —

  8

  —

  1

  4

  April

  —

  1

  4

  1

  3

  4

  May

  3

  —

  2

  1

  4

  1

  June

  2

  —

  6

  2

  4

  9

  July

  —

  1

  2

  11

  4

  1

  August

  —

  —

  5

  1

  4

  1

  September

  3

  —

  3

  1

  2

  —

  October

  3

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  November

  4

  1

  2

  2

  4

  3

  December

  3

  —

  2

  5

  3

  3

  Total

  21

  3

  46

  26

  34

  38

  Note:

  Figuers are subject to minor adjustment
  698
  of the Fair Employment (NI) Act notice in respect of the Tinnelly Brothers case of Newry, Co Down. [67749]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is not yet in a position to make a decision on this matter. When she does, I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ending 16 January the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved(a) Loyalist and (b) Republican groups. [67561]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland during the period 10 January to 16 January are shown:

  Paramilitary style attacks:

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  Shootings

  2

  0

  Assaults

  0

  3

  Total shooting incidents: 3

  Notes:

  Total shooting incidents include those recorded as paramilitary style attacks (2).

  Only the Paramilitary style attacks can as yet be attributed with certainty to Loyalist or Republican groups.

  The figures are subject to minor adjustment.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for each month of(a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998 the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [67604]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following tables give the numbers of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland in 1996, 97 and 98, indicating how many involved Loyalist and Republican groups.
  699

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style assaults, 1996–98

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Monthly Breakdown

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  January

  14

  11

  7

  12

  5

  3

  February

  8

  14

  12

  14

  7

  8

  March

  9

  18

  7

  11

  6

  3

  April

  5

  18

  5

  6

  6

  1

  May

  11

  11

  7

  4

  8

  3

  June

  10

  25

  2

  1

  8

  11

  July

  14

  15

  8

  5

  7

  7

  August

  11

  16

  4

  4

  11

  2

  September

  8

  10

  5

  7

  9

  2

  October

  20

  10

  6

  4

  8

  4

  November

  13

  12

  8

  7

  6

  5

  December

  7

  12

  7

  3

  5

  6

  Total

  130

  172

  78

  78

  86

  55

  Note:

  Figures are subject to minor adjustment

  Deaths due to the security situation, 1996–98

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Monthly Breakdown

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  January

  —

  2

  —

  —

  6

  1

  February

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  3

  March

  1

  1

  2

  —

  3

  1

  April

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  May

  —

  1

  3

  1

  —

  —

  June

  —

  1

  2

  2

  —

  —

  July

  2

  —

  3

  —

  4

  1

  August

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  28

  September

  1

  3

  1

  —

  —

  1

  October

  1

  1

  1

  —

  2

  —

  November

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  December

  —

  —

  3

  1

  —

  —

  Total

  5

  9

  16

  5

  17

  37

  Note:

  Figures are subject to minor adjustment

  Bombing incidents, 1996–98

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Monthly Breakdown

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  January

  —

  —

  1

  13

  2

  2

  February

  —

  —

  —

  7

  8

  3

  March

  —

  —

  2

  10

  7

  5

  April

  —

  —

  3

  —

  2

  2

  May

  —

  1

  2

  1

  2

  7

  June

  —

  1

  3

  2

  1

  3

  July

  —

  2

  3

  9

  56

  4

  August

  —

  —

  1

  1

  3

  4

  September

  1

  1

  —

  9

  4

  2

  October

  —

  1

  1

  3

  1n/a

  1n/a(1)

  November

  —

  3

  —

  3

  1n/a

  1n/a(-)

  December

  2

  2

  2

  1

  1n/a

  1n/a(4)

  Total

  3

  11

  18

  59

  85

  32

  1 The 5 bombing incidents during October to December 1998 are as yet not attributable to Loyalist or Republican groups, although 2 have been claimed by The Red Hand Defenders and the Orange Volunteers.

  Note:

  Figures are subject to minor adjustment

  Shooting incidents, 1996–98

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Monthly Breakdown

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  January

  4

  2

  9

  1

  17

  11

  February

  3

  2

  4

  1

  2

  8

  March

  5

  3

  9

  5

  8

  5

  April

  —

  2

  8

  5

  9

  8

  May

  5

  4

  6

  2

  7

  1

  June

  2

  1

  8

  5

  5

  10

  July

  7

  15

  11

  47

  29

  2

  700 701

  Shooting incidents, 1996–98

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Monthly Breakdown

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  August

  2

  1

  13

  1

  4

  3

  September

  8

  2

  4

  2

  2

  1

  October

  5

  —

  5

  2

  1n/a

  1n/a(9)

  November

  5

  1

  4

  2

  1n/a

  1n/a(18)

  December

  4

  1

  9

  6

  1n/a

  1n/a(14)

  Total

  50

  34

  90

  79

  83

  49

  1For the period October to December 1998, other than 7 recorded as paramilitary style shootings, incidents are as yet not attributable to either Loyalist or Republican groups.

  Notes:

  1. Includes all shooting incidents including those recorded as paramilitary style shootings

  2. Figures are subject to minor adjustment

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the RUC has any knowledge of the identity of the(a) persons and (b) organisations who have carried out punishment beatings and shootings during 1998. [67777]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Chief Constable has stated publicly that all paramilitary organisations have engaged in these activities. Organisations' involvement in paramilitary attacks was the subject of a debate on Wednesday 27 January 1999,Official Report, columns 347–97. I would add only that if the RUC had evidence as to the identity of persons involved in this activity they would have taken steps to have the suspects brought before a court. As for knowledge, the Government does not discuss intelligence matters.

  Prisoners (Early Release)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish a table in the Official Report to show as for Monday 25 January 1999 the number of persons released early from prison under the early release legislation passed as a result of the Belfast Agreement indicating how many were (a) male, (b) female, (c) Loyalist and (d) Republican; how many of each recognised faction there are in each such category; and how many more in each category she expects to be released by the end of March 1999 or as much as such information as is readily available. [R] [67776]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information in respect of subsections(a), (b), (c) and (d) is shown in Table A as at 27 January 1999. Information is held in relation to the perceived paramilitary association of prisoners, where applicable, for management purposes. It should be noted, however, that with the exception of HMP Maze, where links are more clearly defined, this information is based on a combination of factors including the offence, sympathies and associates.

  Perceived affiliation of prisoners released on licence under the 1998 Sentences Act as at 27 January 1999 Table A

  Perceived affiliation

  Males

  Females

  Loyalist

  UDA

  44

  —

  UFF

  17

  —

  UVF

  42

  —

  Loyalist

  4

  —

  RHC

  1

  —

  LVF

  1

  —

  702

  Perceived affiliation of prisoners released on licence under the 1998 Sentences Act as at 27 January 1999 Table A

  Perceived affiliation

  Males

  Females

  Republican

  PIRA

  107

  6

  Former INLA

  5

  2

  Republican sympathiser

  2

  —

  Total

  223

  8

  The information regarding how many more expected releases by the end of March 1999 is shown in Table B. This is based on cases in which the SRC have already issued substantive determinations which give dates for release on licence during the specified period.

  Table B

  Perceived affiliation

  Males

  Females

  Loyalist

  UDA

  3

  —

  UVF

  1

  —

  Republican

  PIRA

  4

  —

  Republican sympathiser

  1

  —

  Total

  9

  —

  Security
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she has consulted the Chief Constable of the RUC and the General Officer Commanding the Army in Northern Ireland about the proposed strategy document on the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland as envisaged in the Belfast agreement. [68637]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Chief Constable, the GOC and their representatives have been fully consulted about the security strategy document which the Secretary of State intends to publish shortly.

FOREGIN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Joint Consultative Committee
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) of 27 January
  703
  1999, Official Report, column 285, if he will make a statement on the outcome of his bilateral meeting with the Liberal Democrat spokesman on foreign affairs and defence. [68947]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The meeting agreed to recommend discussion of Common and Security Policy issues within the framework of the Joint Consultative Committee.

  Diplomatic Posts
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British nationals are employed in the British High Commission in Cyprus; and how many have a working knowledge of(a) Greek, (b) Turkish and (c) both languages. [69050]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 February 1999,Official Report, columns 683–84.

  Fishing Rights (Spain)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Spanish fishermen crossing the boundary between Spanish and Gibraltarian territorial waters without authority and his related discussions with the Spanish Government. [69155]

  Ms Quin
  We do not know of any incident in which Spanish fishermen crossed the border between Spain and Gibraltar without authority. On 29 and 30 January, there were demonstrations by Spanish fishermen on the Spanish side of the border which led to the border crossing being closed. While we respect the right of the Spanish fishermen to demonstrate near the border if they wish to do so, there can be no justification for demonstrators obstructing and delaying innocent travellers. We have pursued the matter with the Spanish authorities and have urged them to make it possible for movement across the border to take place in conformity with EU obligations.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Spain in response to indications that border restrictions may be imposed on Gibraltar following the arrest of Spanish fishermen. [69095]

  Ms Quin
  We have made it clear to the Spanish authorities that there can be no justification for restrictions on movement across the border between Spain and Gibraltar. We look to the Spanish Government to allow movement across the border in conformity with EU obligations.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out details of discussions on the issue of fishing rights which took place with the Spanish Government in October and the terms of any agreement reached. [69096]

  Ms Quin
  In October 1998, there was a series of confrontations in the waters around Gibraltar. We discussed these with the Spanish Government. We agreed with the Spanish Government that we should seek to revert to the more harmonious situation that had prevailed between 1991 and 1997. We reached an understanding on what that situation had involved.

  Zinoviev Letter
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he proposes to publish the memorandum on the Zinoviev letter which he commissioned from his Department's historians. [69659]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The memorandum is being published today and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to publish his fourth report to Parliament on Hong Kong and the implementation of the Joint Declaration. [69660]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The fourth report in this series, covering the period July-December 1998, was published today and a copy of the report has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The report includes a foreword written by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. I commend the report to the House.

  Yemen
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the President of Yemen concerning Sheikh Abu Hamza al Misary. [68794]

  Mr. Straw
  I have been asked to reply.

  No such representations have been received.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts (East Sussex)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the provision of magistrates courts in East Sussex. [67912]

  Mr. Hoon
  Magistrates courts are locally managed by magistrates courts committees under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Decisions concerning the future of magistrates courts in their area are for the relevant magistrates courts committee to determine. A local authority that contributes financially may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. In the absence of an appeal, the Lord Chancellor plays no part in the process.

  Following a period of consultation, the East and West Sussex Magistrates Courts Committees are currently considering whether to propose to the Lord Chancellor that a single magistrates courts committee should be formed. Any new Committee would still be subject to the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997.

  Summary Trials (Delays)
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the average time elapsed between persons being charged and coming to summary trial in each of the past five years. [67826]
  705
  Mr. Hoon
  The exact information requested is not available. The Lord Chancellor's Department Time Intervals Survey provides the nearest available information. This survey collects information on the duration of criminal cases proceeded against in magistrates courts three times a year. The February, June and October surveys cover indictable cases (including triable either way); the June survey also collects data on summary cases.

  The date of coming to summary trial is not recorded by the Time Intervals Survey. The nearest alternative collected by the survey is the date of verdict which the survey defines as including the date of a guilty or not guilty verdict (where there is a full trial), and the date of the acceptance of a guilty plea (where a guilty plea is entered).

  For the June 1998 sample week, the survey found that the average time from charge to verdict for defendants in summary proceedings was 62 days. This figures excludes defendants where proceedings were initiated by summons and defendants in proceedings that were withdrawn or discontinued. The figure of 62 days for June 1998 compares with 67 days in each of June 1997, June 1996 and June 1995, and 65 days in June 1994.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department which ministers in his Department made use of(a) RAF and (b) chartered aircraft between 1 October 1998 and 31 January 1999; and if he will list the dates, destinations and costs of such flights. [69075]

  Mr. Hoon
  Neither I nor the Lord Chancellor have made use of a RAF or a chartered flight between 1 October 1998 and 31 January 1999.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Adult and Community Education
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the co-ordination between Ofsted and the Further Education Funding Council on the inspection of adult and community education; and if he will make a statement. [68868]

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many inspections of local authority adult and community education services have been conducted by Ofsted in each of the last six years; and what proportion of Ofsted's total inspections this represents. [68870]

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the total number of inspections of local authority adult and community education services. [68871]

  Mr. Mudie
  As part of their current corporate planning process, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked Ofsted to increase the number of its inspections of Local Education Authority adult education services in 1999–2000. I have asked Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools to write to the hon. Member about planned and the number of past inspections carried out by Ofsted,706
  and to place a copy of the letter in the Library. As set out in "The Learning Age", my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State believes there is scope for some collaborative working between Ofsted and the Further Education Funding Council Inspectorate in relation to adult and community education and he will consult the Chief Inspector and the Council about ways of achieving this.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list each further education college with a category C financial rating, together with the current deficit of each college. [68869]

  Mr. Mudie
  Regular assessments to the financial health of colleges are made by the Further Education Funding Council; the details of individual colleges are treated as commercial-in-confidence. At the beginning of this year, 84 of the 435 further education colleges in England were assessed as falling into financial health category C. This is an improvement on the position at the beginning of last year when 95 of the then 444 further education colleges fell into this category.

  Every year the Council publishes extracts from each further education college's audited financial statements. The extracts include the operating surplus or deficit for the year. The most recent figures are for the year ending 31 July 1997 and were published in December 1998. A copy is available in the Library.

  School Closure Procedures
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received over the new procedures for proposed closures of local authority schools; and if he will make a statement. [69255]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have received no representations concerned specifically with changes in procedures for the closure of schools. Under the provisions of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, consultation in the local area and the publication of statutory proposals will continue to be necessary before a school may be closed, and anyone may object to such proposals. We are currently consulting on the detailed regulations concerning statutory proposals for changes to schools, and in formulating the final arrangements we shall be considering any points made by those responding to consultation.

  Sikh Pupils
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice has been given to schools by his Department over requests from the Sikh community for a day's absence in April for their children in order the celebrate the 300th anniversary of the beginning of their religion. [69256]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  None on this event as such. However, general advice on categorisation of absence was issued to schools in May 1994. This states that absence may be authorised where the pupil is absent on any day exclusively set aside for religious observance by the religious body to which the pupil's parents belong.

  Highcliffe School
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his oral statement of 27 January 1999,Official Report, column 306, on Highcliffe School, what factors account for the difference between his estimated figure for the school's balance this year and that contained in the letter dated 20 January 1999 from the Funding Agency for Schools to Dorset County Council. [68989]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: The figure in the letter from Funding Agency for Schools to Dorset County Council was for the cumulative deficit of income over expenditure for 1998–99, calculated on an accruals basis. My right hon. Friend was referring to the estimated cash balance of the school at 31 March 1999, after an £83,000 overpayment of Annual Maintenance Grant has been deducted.

  Nuclear Physics (University Staff)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the(a) number and (b) age distribution of university staff specialising in nuclear physics research. [68828]

  Mr. Mudie
  The data requested are not available centrally. The available data relate to academic staff in UK higher education institutions in 1996–97 whose primary academic discipline is physics. A breakdown by age and primary employment function is given for full time staff in the following table:

  Employment function and age of full-time academic staff in UK HEIs whose primary academic discipline is physics, 1996–97

  Age

  Teaching only

  Research only

  Teaching and Research

  Total

  Under 26

  2

  258

  9

  269

  26–35

  10

  1,583

  370

  1,963

  36–45

  10

  383

  614

  1,007

  46–55

  39

  145

  819

  1,003

  56 and over

  22

  58

  585

  665

  Total

  83

  2,427

  2,397

  4,907

  Problem Children
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment his Department has made of the current systems used by local education authorities to educate children with emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems who do not have recognised learning difficulties. [68574]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Early identification of children's difficulties which are, or have the potential to become, barriers to learning, and measures to address these, are key elements of the government's education policy. Pilot schemes to develop work in this field are being supported in 1999–2000 through the Special Educational Needs Standards Fund Grant. Guidance in the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice, a revised version of which is expected to come into effect in 2000–01, enables Local Education Authorities to assess whether children's wider difficulties, including emotional, behavioural and psychiatric conditions, are likely to affect their learning to the extent that they need extra support.
  708
  The Department will take a keen interest in the results of the current survey being undertaken for the Department of Health, Scottish Office and Welsh Office by the Office for National Statistics Social Survey Division on the development and mental health of around 10,000 children.

  Severe Hardship Payments (Scotland)
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland applied for severe hardship payments in the latest year for which figures are available. [68770]

  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. Malcolm Chisholm, 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 to your question regarding the number of 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland who applied for severe hardship payments. 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 latest figures available are for the calendar year 1998 and these show that 17,154 16 and 17 year olds applied for severe hardship payments in Scotland during this period.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what additional legislation, not currently before Parliament, was assumed in the production of his Departments spending allocation for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 in the Comprehensive Spending Review. [68423]

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

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [68407]

  Mr. Mudie
  Leaving aside the changes in the Department's responsibilities as a result of legislation in the 1997–98 and 1998–99 Sessions, the following changes since 1998–99 have taken or will take place:responsibility for the grant support in respect of projects to address educational disadvantage in ethnic minorities under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 transfers from the Home Office to DfEE from April 1999;
  responsibility for the regulation of day care under Part X of the Children Act 1989 transferred from the Department of Health to DfEE in April 1998; and

  709
  from April 1999, the Department has a new responsibility, jointly with HM Treasury and the Department of Health, for the Sure Start initiative to provide integrated services for children aged 0–3 in deprived areas.

  Surplus School Places
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the numbers and percentages of surplus places are in each local education authority in England; and if he will make a statement on his policy on surplus places in schools. [69657]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The supply of and demand for school places must be brought more closely into balance to maximise parental preference and ensure good quality education in the most cost-effective way. Empty school places represent a poor use of resources, especially where those schools with high levels of surplus are also performing poorly or where parental preference is not being met elsewhere in the authority. When planning school provision, authorities should initially focus on those schools with a quarter or more of their places unfilled, having particular regard to standards at those schools. The annual survey of surplus school places provides the Department with an opportunity to monitor action by each authority.

  Surplus places by local authority area (excluding GM schools in stage 1 authorities) at January 1998

  Primary 1

  Secondary

  Actual surplus 2

  Schools with surplus of 25% or more 3

  Actual surplus 2

  Schools with surplus of 25% or more 3

  LEA

  Number

  %

  Number

  %

  Number

  %

  Number

  %

  Barking

  1,059

  6

  4

  8

  658

  6

  0

  0

  Barnet

  1,389

  6

  4

  5

  1,458

  7

  2

  410

  Barnsley

  1,262

  6

  3

  3

  1,655

  11

  2

  14

  Bath and NE Somerset

  1,159

  9

  6

  9

  973

  8

  1

  48

  Bedfordshire

  3,463

  13

  22

  16

  5,340

  13

  10

  417

  Bexley

  1,206

  6

  2

  3

  746

  5

  1

  46

  Birmingham

  7,418

  7

  21

  6

  7,236

  10

  10

  413

  Blackburn

  840

  6

  5

  8

  499

  6

  0

  0

  Blackpool

  379

  3

  2

  6

  846

  11

  2

  25

  Bolton

  1,574

  6

  7

  7

  1,021

  6

  2

  413

  Bournemouth

  581

  6

  2

  7

  882

  9

  1

  410

  Bracknell Forest

  592

  6

  2

  6

  1,378

  19

  2

  433

  Bradford

  4,935

  13

  25

  16

  4,694

  10

  16

  420

  Brent

  1,776

  9

  4

  7

  1,502

  10

  1

  58

  Brighton and Hove

  1,877

  10

  8

  13

  1,402

  11

  2

  20

  Bristol, City of

  2,655

  8

  14

  11

  2,951

  15

  5

  23

  Bromley

  481

  2

  0

  40

  968

  5

  0

  50

  Buckinghamshire

  3,212

  7

  16

  8

  2,251

  8

  3

  49

  Bury

  538

  4

  3

  4

  357

  3

  0

  0

  Calderdale

  1,907

  10

  8

  10

  1,187

  8

  2

  413

  Cambridgeshire

  3,907

  9

  14

  7

  1,498

  5

  1

  43

  Camden

  551

  5

  1

  2

  1,313

  12

  2

  418

  Cheshire

  7,709

  12

  45

  16

  4,698

  10

  6

  14

  Cornwall

  2,205

  5

  10

  4

  404

  1

  0

  0

  Corporation of London

  17

  8

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Coventry

  2,963

  10

  11

  12

  2,715

  12

  4

  21

  Croydon

  2,065

  7

  7

  8

  2,044

  12

  3

  414

  Cumbria

  5,206

  12

  45

  17

  3,415

  10

  6

  414

  Darlington

  613

  7

  5

  13

  1,101

  17

  2

  29

  Derby, City of

  1,791

  9

  7

  9

  3,018

  18

  3

  421

  Derbyshire

  5,670

  9

  34

  10

  5,173

  11

  8

  417

  Devon

  4,503

  8

  17

  5

  991

  3

  2

  6

  Doncaster

  5,815

  17

  31

  27

  2,859

  13

  3

  19

  Dorset

  1,945

  8

  10

  7

  2,030

  7

  2

  45

  Dudley

  2,852

  10

  8

  10

  1,484

  7

  3

  414

  Durham

  6,690

  14

  54

  22

  4,740

  13

  8

  22

  Ealing

  3,028

  12

  11

  18

  456

  3

  0

  40

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  2,507

  9

  12

  9

  1,882

  8

  2

  11

  East Sussex

  2,508

  7

  8

  5

  2,285

  8

  1

  4

  710
  The tables set out the numbers of surplus places as at January 1998 for each local authority area, separately for primary and for secondary, together with the proportion that these represent of total capacity. They also include the numbers of schools which at that date had a surplus of 25% or more, and at least 30 surplus places, together with the proportion that these represent of the total number of schools. The data are drawn from the returns made during 1998 by local education authorities in respect of their schools and by the Funding Agency for Schools in respect of grant-maintained schools in stage 2 and 3 authority areas. Data on surplus places in grant-maintained schools in stage 1 authorities are not available. These returns indicate that there were 761,671 surplus school places in January 1998, representing 10% of the total capacity of 7.6 million places. This is an overall reduction of just over 12,000 places on 1997 figures. The number of schools with a surplus of 25% or more, and at least 30 surplus places, also fell by 167 to 2,529 which represents 12% of the total number of schools.

  The returns also provide the Department with details of what action authorities propose to take on schools with a 25% or more surplus. The returns indicate that in many cases action is being taken. Where there is no indication of action to reduce the surplus and no substantial reasons given, the Department will write to those authorities.

  711

  Surplus places by local authority area (excluding GM schools in stage 1 authorities) at January 1998

  Primary 1

  Secondary

  Actual surplus 2

  Schools with surplus of 25% or more 3

  Actual surplus 2

  Schools with surplus of 25% or more 3

  LEA

  Number

  %

  Number

  %

  Number

  %

  Number

  %

  Enfield

  529

  2

  1

  2

  1,709

  8

  1

  46

  Essex

  10,411

  9

  44

  49

  11,909

  13

  15

  419

  Gateshead

  2,052

  11

  11

  14

  2,858

  20

  4

  33

  Gloucestershire

  5,045

  10

  30

  412

  2,557

  7

  5

  412

  Greenwich

  2,038

  10

  4

  6

  1,661

  11

  2

  14

  Hackney

  1,673

  10

  7

  13

  1,360

  16

  2

  22

  Halton

  2,810

  19

  19

  35

  1,436

  16

  2

  25

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,293

  14

  6

  16

  1,295

  17

  2

  425

  Hampshire

  8,509

  8

  35

  8

  6,139

  9

  6

  48

  Haringey

  887

  5

  4

  5

  850

  8

  0

  0

  Harrow

  1,593

  8

  4

  7

  1,007

  12

  2

  22

  Hartlepool

  787

  8

  1

  3

  863

  12

  0

  0

  Havering

  1,096

  5

  4

  6

  2,150

  13

  3

  417

  Herefordshire

  1,506

  10

  9

  11

  1,412

  14

  4

  29

  Hertfordshire

  8,627

  9

  50

  12

  10,848

  13

  20

  423

  Hillingdon

  1,482

  7

  2

  43

  810

  5

  1

  57

  Hounslow

  2,167

  11

  7

  11

  1,049

  7

  1

  57

  Isle of Wight

  698

  9

  6

  13

  922

  8

  1

  5

  Isles of Scilly

  110

  44

  2

  50

  123

  52

  1

  100

  Islington

  1,709

  11

  10

  19

  1,182

  14

  2

  22

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1,171

  18

  6

  25

  720

  18

  1

  425

  Kent

  8,443

  8

  43

  10

  10,662

  11

  18

  417

  Kingston upon Hull

  5,173

  17

  21

  26

  3,309

  18

  6

  38

  Kingston upon Thames

  261

  3

  0

  0

  790

  9

  1

  410

  Kirklees

  2,462

  7

  8

  5

  2,138

  8

  2

  7

  Knowsley

  2,827

  15

  16

  26

  1,599

  15

  1

  10

  Lambeth

  2,784

  13

  9

  413

  2,466

  27

  4

  440

  Lancashire

  10,170

  10

  61

  12

  6,587

  9

  11

  13

  Leeds

  7,841

  11

  37

  15

  5,044

  10

  10

  23

  Leicester

  3,506

  12

  12

  14

  4,516

  20

  9

  43

  Leicestershire

  3,388

  6

  15

  7

  4,960

  11

  11

  22

  Lewisham

  1,233

  6

  7

  10

  2,714

  20

  5

  38

  Lincolnshire

  4,969

  9

  29

  410

  4,158

  9

  8

  413

  Liverpool

  7,422

  15

  33

  20

  4,488

  13

  7

  420

  Luton

  2,366

  12

  11

  16

  891

  7

  0

  40

  Manchester

  8,528

  18

  36

  23

  6,703

  23

  12

  43

  Medway Towns

  1,919

  7

  7

  8

  2,329

  11

  3

  411

  Merton

  655

  5

  2

  4

  1,050

  12

  2

  418

  Middlesbrough

  1,261

  8

  2

  4

  1,104

  12

  1

  9

  Milton Keynes

  3,248

  13

  14

  17

  1,696

  13

  2

  420

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,336

  15

  18

  23

  2,456

  12

  4

  19

  Newham

  1,081

  4

  2

  3

  1,530

  9

  2

  15

  Norfolk

  5,798

  9

  39

  10

  4,268

  10

  6

  412

  North East Lincolnshire

  2,507

  14

  14

  22

  1,822

  14

  3

  25

  North Lincolnshire

  1,502

  10

  5

  7

  1,393

  12

  2

  14

  North Somerset

  692

  5

  3

  5

  954

  7

  1

  10

  North Tyneside

  2,611

  15

  13

  23

  2,251

  14

  5

  23

  North Yorkshire

  5,324

  11

  40

  12

  2,494

  6

  4

  9

  Northamptonshire

  3,962

  8

  18

  7

  5,537

  9

  11

  418

  Northumberland

  3,439

  16

  32

  23

  4,279

  13

  10

  17

  Nottingham, City of

  3,132

  12

  23

  23

  4,559

  29

  8

  44

  Nottinghamshire

  5,238

  8

  24

  8

  10,277

  26

  15

  27

  Oldham

  2,085

  9

  10

  10

  1,113

  6

  2

  13

  Oxfordshire

  4,568

  9

  17

  7

  5,425

  13

  8

  18

  Peterborough

  1,612

  10

  5

  9

  854

  6

  1

  48

  Plymouth, City of

  4,034

  16

  19

  24

  1,665

  9

  3

  19

  Poole

  662

  6

  2

  7

  379

  5

  0

  40

  Portsmouth

  1,407

  9

  6

  12

  255

  3

  0

  40

  Reading

  764

  7

  4

  10

  1,629

  21

  2

  425

  Redbridge

  839

  4

  0

  0

  146

  1

  0

  0

  Redcar and Cleveland

  1,975

  13

  9

  17

  1,389

  12

  3

  23

  Richmond upon Thames

  354

  3

  0

  0

  357

  5

  1

  13

  Rochdale

  1,050

  5

  2

  3

  2,082

  13

  4

  429

  Rotherham

  2,189

  8

  10

  9

  1,544

  8

  2

  12

  Rutland

  695

  24

  5

  29

  216

  10

  0

  50

  Salford

  3,446

  14

  18

  21

  3,986

  26

  8

  47

  Sandwell

  1,624

  6

  4

  4

  3,077

  16

  5

  28

  Sefton

  2,754

  10

  15

  16

  2,173

  10

  4

  18

  Sheffield

  3,924

  9

  20

  14

  2,447

  9

  3

  12

  Shropshire

  2,525

  11

  18

  13

  1,162

  7

  1

  45

  712

  713

  Surplus places by local authority area(excluding GM schools in stage 1 authorities) at January 1998

  Primary 1

  Secondary

  Actual surplus 2

  Schools with surplus of 25% or more 3

  Actual surplus 2

  Schools with surplus of 25% or more 3

  LEA

  Number

  %

  Number

  %

  Number

  %

  Number

  %

  Slough

  1,205

  14

  3

  13

  540

  7

  1

  49

  Solihull

  1,625

  8

  5

  7

  972

  6

  1

  8

  Somerset

  2,160

  6

  11

  5

  2,510

  8

  5

  14

  South Gloucestershire

  1,345

  6

  5

  5

  1,071

  7

  1

  7

  South Tyneside

  1,597

  10

  9

  16

  1,499

  13

  1

  9

  Southampton

  2,238

  11

  11

  16

  728

  6

  0

  40

  Southend

  1,192

  8

  2

  45

  1,333

  11

  1

  48

  Southwark

  2,755

  13

  12

  18

  1,459

  14

  4

  431

  St Helens

  1,496

  9

  9

  15

  1,438

  11

  2

  17

  Staffordshire

  9,523

  12

  50

  16

  1,522

  3

  2

  3

  Stockport

  2,201

  8

  10

  9

  1,562

  9

  1

  7

  Stockton on Tees

  1,683

  9

  2

  3

  1,590

  11

  2

  14

  Stoke on Trent

  3,844

  15

  18

  20

  1,414

  10

  2

  13

  Suffolk

  4,506

  9

  19

  7

  5,205

  10

  7

  9

  Sunderland

  3,728

  12

  22

  23

  1,361

  7

  2

  12

  Surrey

  10,668

  13

  50

  16

  3,724

  7

  8

  415

  Sutton

  218

  2

  0

  0

  556

  4

  1

  47

  Swindon

  2,032

  11

  13

  19

  1,649

  13

  3

  427

  Tameside

  1,410

  6

  6

  8

  1,234

  8

  2

  411

  The Wrekin

  1,037

  7

  1

  2

  966

  15

  3

  423

  Thurrock

  1,432

  10

  5

  411

  1,969

  20

  4

  440

  Torbay

  144

  2

  1

  3

  333

  5

  0

  0

  Tower Hamlets

  2,479

  11

  8

  11

  1,717

  12

  1

  7

  Trafford

  1,243

  6

  3

  4

  1,432

  9

  2

  411

  Wakefield

  2,841

  9

  14

  11

  1,824

  9

  0

  0

  Walsall

  2,871

  11

  15

  15

  1,579

  8

  1

  45

  Waltham Forest

  1,480

  7

  4

  6

  1,202

  9

  1

  46

  Wandsworth

  1,068

  7

  3

  6

  960

  9

  1

  411

  Warrington

  2,390

  12

  14

  19

  1,054

  8

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  6,699

  14

  42

  22

  3,472

  10

  6

  416

  West Berkshire

  1,124

  9

  4

  6

  1,029

  9

  2

  418

  West Sussex

  5,119

  8

  17

  7

  5,860

  13

  6

  15

  Westminster

  674

  7

  3

  7

  837

  11

  2

  25

  Wigan

  3,913

  13

  19

  17

  1,240

  6

  2

  10

  Wiltshire

  4,322

  11

  26

  412

  2,091

  7

  3

  49

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  515

  6

  3

  7

  790

  8

  2

  414

  Wirral

  3,724

  11

  14

  14

  2,868

  11

  3

  413

  Wokingham

  524

  4

  3

  6

  514

  5

  1

  411

  Wolverhampton

  2,675

  11

  13

  14

  1,929

  11

  2

  411

  Worcestershire

  3,903

  9

  16

  8

  4,842

  12

  9

  16

  York

  2,157

  14

  12

  19

  1,517

  14

  3

  25

  Total

  418,386

  10

  2,005

  11

  343,285

  10

  524

  15

  1 Primary figures show surplus after taking account of any summer entry

  2 Actual surplus is defined as the difference between capacity and number on roll for all schools where capacity exceeds number on roll

  3 Schools with less than 30 surplus places are not included

  4 Stage two for planning purposes (see 6)

  5 Stage three for planning purposes (see 6)

  6 Stage 1 = LEA has sole responsibility for planning the supply of school places

  Stage 2 = LEA and the Funding Agency for Schools share responsibility for planning the supply of school places

  Stage 3 = The Funding Agency for Schools has sole responsibility for planning the supply of school places

  Ofsted Inspections
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many section 10 Ofsted inspections occurred in the last four school terms; [69001]

  (2) how many inspectors are currently employed by Ofsted (a) in total and (b) in the IQMD division. [69002]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  These are matters for HM Chief Inspector of Schools and I have therefore asked Chris Woodhead to write to my hon. Friend and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  New Deal (Basingstoke and Deane)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have entered the New Deal Gateway in the Unit of Delivery covering the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council area since its inception; and how many took up each New Deal option. [66369]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  It is not possible to provide separate figures for individual towns or council areas. The latest Government Statistical Service figures for the Mid Hampshire Unit of Delivery, which covers Basingstoke and Deane, show that to the end of November 1998(a) 267 young people had entered the Gateway and 66 have secured

  715
  unsubsidised employment; and (b) 26 had joined one of the four options: two on the Employment option; three on the Voluntary Sector option; and 21 on the Full-Time Education and Training option. 113 young people were on the Gateway, 13 had left New Deal to claim other benefits, nine had gone to other known destinations and 40 had gone to as yet unknown destinations.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the Derwent report on the re-organisation of the Coastguard Service and the Marine Surveyors the incorporation into the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. [68055]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The study referred to was carried out by officials and looked into the synergies between the Coastguard Agency, the Marine Safety Agency and their policy and financial sponsorship divisions in the parent Department. The output from the study was policy advice to Ministers in a previous Administration. In line with the normal convention such advice is not released.

  Automatic Ticket Barriers (Undergound)
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the percentage increase in revenue occurring to London Underground arising from the installation of automatic ticket barriers at stations operated by passenger train operating companies. [68518]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As part of London Transport's Prestige PFI project, automatic ticket barriers are being installed at the vast majority of London Underground Stations. These include stations managed by London Underground that are shared with Train Operating Companies (TOCs). LT expects that this will lead to a reduction in ticketless travel and an increase in revenue. LT is discussing with Train Operating Companies (TOCs) extending gating to join stations that are managed by TOCs.

  Taking a scenario in which none of the joint stations managed by TOCs on the Underground has automatic ticket barriers and comparing that with a scenario in which all of these stations had ticket barriers installed, LT estimate that the additional revenue to London Underground would be about 0.08 per cent. of total revenue or about £750,000 in one year. The calculation is based on current revenue and fares levels. There would also be revenue benefits to the TOCs, but no estimates are available.

  Driving Standards Agency
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress the Driving Standards Agency has made in locating a new test centre in Stafford. [68594]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The provision of driving test centres in Stafford and surrounding localities is being kept under review. I am glad to say that the Agency has 716
  identified a suitable property in Stafford and are in negotiations with the owner. Subject to satisfactory completion of those negotiations, a new test centre could open by the Summer.

  Sellafield
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made with the reduction of discharges of radioactive waste from the BNFL base at Sellafield to near zero by the year 2020; and how this target will be achieved. [68853]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government are fully committed to the agreement reached at the OSPAR Ministerial Meeting in Sintra, Portugal last year, on the reduction of radioactive discharges from all sources, including reprocessing plants. Nuclear operators, in discussion with the relevant Government departments and regulatory bodies, will produce 20-year discharge strategies, to assess the options for reducing discharges to levels consistent with the OSPAR strategy. We intend this to be fully transparent process.

  Polegate Bypass
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total amount of(a) compensation paid to date and (b) agreed to be paid to contractors in respect of the Polegate Bypass. [68568]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The overall levels of compensation are still being discussed with those tenders who submitted tenders for the cancelled Weald and Downland DBFO Project, which include the Polegate Bypass scheme. Interim on-account payments totalling £3.4 million have been made.

  Council Tax Benefit Subsidy
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each local authority the reduction in council tax benefit subsidy, expressed(a) in cash and (b) as a proportion of the yield from the standard council tax, that will occur in the event that each authority's budgeted expenditure in 1999–2000 exceeds by an amount equal to 1 per cent. of its standard spending assessment the point at which benefit subsidy begins to be withdrawn; and if he will make the information available to local authorities in machine-readable form. [68927]

  Ms Armstrong
  The information is not available.

  An authority's guideline increase and its council tax increase will depend on factors such as collection fund surpluses and deficits, information on which is not currently available to my Department.

  Aer Lingus Crash
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent communications(a) he and (b) other ministers have had with their counterparts in the Irish Government with regard to the crash of the Aer Lingus aircraft in 1968; and if he will make a statement. [68833]
  717
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Although my colleague, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the regions has not been in contact with the Irish Government over this issue, I met Mary O'Rourke, the Minister for Public Enterprise, to discuss this, and other issues on 25 January 1999.

  It was agreed at the meeting that UK officials (including British Air Accident Investigators) would meet with their Irish counterparts in order to review all the known evidence recorded about the crash. A meeting was held on 27 January 1999.

  The Officials will work together to try and narrow the possible options for the cause of the crash.

  Driving Tests (Impersonation)
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many and what percentage of candidates taking the(a) practical and (b) written driving test were arrested and charged for impersonation of the real candidate between (i) July 1996 and July 1997 and (ii) July 1997 and July 1998. [69009]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Between 1 July 1996 and 30 June 1997, 17 practical test candidates were arrested and charged with impersonation, one other candidate admitted the offence and was convicted of the offence, and two other candidates were arrested and cautioned. Sixteen cases of suspected candidate impersonation were reported to the police at the theory test stage, which resulted in two convictions. During that period, the Driving Standards Agency conducted 1.7 million practical driving tests and 1.4 million theory tests.

  In the period 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998, seven practical test candidates and six theory test candidates were arrested and charged from a total of 1.2 million practical and 1.1 million theory tests.

  These figures show that the percentage of tests where impersonations were suspected is well below 0.001 per cent. in all cases.

  Car Parking (Millennium Village)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many car parking spaces will be created for developments associated with the Millennium Eco-Village at Greenwich; and how many daily vehicle movements will be generated as a consequence. [69307]

  Mr. Meale
  The Greenwich Millennium Village will have 1,833 car parking spaces comprising 1,721 for residents, 80 for retail use and 32 for the school and health centre. 670 peak time vehicle movements are expected for the morning and 615 in the evening.

  Wild Animal Imports
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what provisions are in place to prevent the import of animals subject to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 to Great Britain via Northern Ireland; [69284]
  718
  (2) what measures are in place to prevent exotic animals being obtained from British zoos for sale outside the United Kingdom as pets; [69286]

  (3) what (a) measures are in place and (b) steps he is taking to prevent the importation of wild animals as pets. [69287]

  Mr. Meale
  The movement of animals between Great Britain and Northern Ireland or by zoos is not restricted, although the trade in species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is strictly regulated. Those species most endangered by trade, such as tigers, elephants, chimps, etc., are subject to sale control and the owner of any CITES specimen must be able to show that it was imported or acquired lawfully. There are no plans to prevent the importation of wild animals as pets, although the import of some species has been prohibited on conservation grounds. The sustainability of the current trade is kept under continuous review.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the genetically modified trial crops currently being grown in Devon, indicating in each instance(a) the specific location, (b) the crop involved, (c) the reason for the crop being grown and (d) which company is growing them. [69338]

  Mr. Meacher
  There are no genetically modified crops currently being grown in Devon.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Stinchcombe), of 25 January 1999,Official Report, column 40, concerning GMOs, if he will list the research studies which have indicated potential interference with ecological systems for genetically modified crops, indicating in each case (a) the date of the study, (b) the crop concerned, (c) the potential interference identified and (d) the degree of permanence in respect of potential interference. [69336]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am not aware of any research studies with genetically modified crops that have shown any more damaging interference with ecological systems than would be expected from the non GM crop in similar circumstances.

  My previous answer referred to research studies which indicate the potential to interfere with ecosystems if the results were to be translated to the wider environment. For example, the laboratory based study by Hilbeck et al., (1998) Environmental Entomology 27 p480–487 which showed increased mortality of immature lacewing insects fed on moth caterpillars that had in turn fed on genetically modified maize expressing insecticidal Bt toxin. There is no evidence that this non-target effect on lacewings can be detected in the field when the GM maize is grown, but there may be potential for interference and the Advisory

  719
  Committee on Releases to the Environment have advised due vigilance. Similarly, the report by Bergelson et al., (1998) Nature 395 p25 indicates that GM Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant used by scientists, might hybridise with neighbouring plants at a higher frequency than non GM Arabidopsis. If this were generally true for GM crops, and there is no evidence that it is, then hybridisation with wild relatives may be more prevalent than expected.

  Location

  Crop

  Consent holder

  Alleged infringement

  Holton-le-Moor, Lincolnshire

  Oilseed rape

  Nickersons Biochem

  Isolation distance of 400m not maintained, as GM oilseed rape trial planted close to non GM oilseed rape

  Incergowrie, Dundee (at two sites)

  Potatoes

  Scottish Crop Research Institute

  Field beans grown instead of bearley as the follow-on crop after the trial of GM potatoes

  Park and Ride (Millennium Dome)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many vehicles per day are expected to use the satellite park and ride sites at(a) Luton, (b) St. Albans and (c) Waltonon-Thames for access to the Millennium Dome; and how many park and ride buses are expected to carry visitors from each of the sites to the Dome each day; [69339]

  (2) if Woolwich football ground is to be used for a park and ride site for the Millennium Dome. [69340]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None of the quoted sites is included on a short-list of six formal park and ride sites recently compiled by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC). A car park at Woolwich Arsenal, but not the football ground, is included in NMEC's short-list.

  The NMEC is planning to control park and ride sites in each quadrant within the M25 into which Millennium Experience visitors will be able to book their cars before completing their journey to the Dome on convenient public transport or shuttle bus links. It is estimated that 4,000 spaces will be required on a peak day at the Dome.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much of the money allocated by Railtrack for the West Coast Main Line is classified by his Department as relating to(a) repair and maintenance and (b) upgrading. [69278]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Railtrack has confirmed that money allocated for the West Coast Main Line stands at:

  (a) £1.34 billion for repair and maintenance;

  (b) £0.8 billion for upgrading.

  Primate Imports (Research)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of each species of primate was imported from which countries to the United Kingdom for research purposes during 1998. [69280]
  720
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many test sites involving genetically modified crops were found to be breaking regulations in 1997; and if he will list in each case the(a) location, (b) crop type, (c) company involved and (d) infringement. [69279]

  Mr. Meacher
  Further to my answer on 17 December 1998,Official Report, column 630, in the opinion of the HSE inspector there were three such instances in 1997.

  Mr. Meale
  The number and species of primates imported in 1998 for research purposes were as follows:

  Species

  Common name

  Country of Origin

  Number

  Macaca fascicularis

  Crab-eating macaque

  Mauritius

  1,972

  Philippines

  144

  Israel

  80

  Macaca Mulatta

  Rhesus macaque

  China

  160

  Saimiri bolivensis

  Squirrel monkey

  USA

  6

  Total

  2,362

  Ecological Tax Reform
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what input he had into the position of Her Majesty's Government at the ECOFIN meeting on 26 January in respect of the discussion on ecological tax reform. [69248]

  Mr. Meale
  The meeting held on 26 January was a technical working group discussion on the draft Directive on Taxation of Energy Products. Treasury officials lead for the UK at this group, but their approach is agreed across departments.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the breakdown of the moneys spent by Railtrack by classification into(a) moneys spent on repairs and renewal of existing infrastructure and (b) investment into infrastructure enhancements. [69247]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. Railtrack is responsible for the repair, renewal and enhancement of the network and sets out its future investment plans in its annual Network Management Statement (NMS). The current NMS gives details of the forecast expenditure on maintenance and renewals and also gives details of forecast expenditure on enhancements. The form of the NMS has to be approved by the Rail Regulator who monitors Railtrack's investment and has powers to take appropriate action to
  721
  ensure that the network is maintained, renewed and developed in a way which meets the reasonable requirements of the railway industry.

  UPVC Window and Door Units
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the latest guidance issued to local authorities on the use of UPVC window and door units. [69181]

  Mr. Meale
  There are no restrictions on the use of UPVC windows and doors in the UK and we have not issued specific guidance to local authorities on its use.

  Master Mariners
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial assistance is available to existing master mariners who wish to meet the new international requirements coming into force on 1 February 2002. [68994]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the Government's Support for Maritime Training Scheme (SMarT), financial assistance of £25 a day (to increase to £26 a day from 1 April 1999) is paid to eligible SMarT Training Providers in respect of officers (including master mariners) already holding certificates of competency or service issued under STCW 78, who undertake approved shore-based training programmes in order to meet any extra requirements necessary for the issue of an equivalent certificate under STCW 95. Officers who are unemployed may apply for this assistance through Oceanair, a company operated by the officer's trade union, NUMAST.

  Marine Guidance Note MGN 53(M), (to be revised in April as MGN 103 (M)) gives full details of the scheme and how to apply. Copies of the Marine Guidance Notes are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of master mariner certificates which will become unrecognised on 1 February 2002, when the new validation requirements come into force. [68995]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The international Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention 1978, as revised in 1995 (STCW 95) came into force on 1 February 1997, and the UK, as a party to the Convention, was given 5 years (until 1 February 2002) to comply with the new certification requirements.

  Since certificates of competency are only valid for 5 years at a time, all current holders have been given the option of either revalidating them until 31 January 2002 under the old requirements, or for a full 5 years under STCW 95 provided they meet with the new requirements.

  All valid certificates will therefore be recognised on 1 February 2002 but it is not possible at this stage to estimate how many certificated master mariners will decide not to revalidate under STCW 95.

  Countryside Agency
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he expects to announce the chairperson of the Countryside Agency; [69333]
  722
  (2) if he will make a statement on the qualities required of a person appointed to chair the Countryside Agency. [69334]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department is looking for a candidate who:can demonstrate an excellent knowledge of, and commitment to, countryside and rural issues;
  has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and who is at ease in dealings with the media, Ministers and a wide range of partners in the public and private sectors;
  has experience of managing a large organisation, has the ability to lead and motivate members and staff to ensure that the two existing agencies are successfully integrated into one Agency that is well equipped to take forward its exciting new mandate.

  It has taken longer than we would have wished to find the right person for this challenging role, but we expect to make an announcement shortly.

  Small Public Service Vehicles
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take to regulate further who may drive small public service vehicles. [69801]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I am concerned that public service vehicles with fewer than 9 passenger seats which may be driven by the holder of an ordinary car driving licence (category B), are being used in the same way as private hire vehicles but without the checks on drivers' criminal records and medical fitness that a local authority would usually make for the issue of a private hire vehicle drivers' licence.

  I therefore propose to introduce regulations providing for criminal conviction and medical fitness checks for those driving small public service vehicles on a category B licence. The regulations would enable Traffic Commissioners to require such checks as a condition of a public service vehicle operator's licence. I will consult interested parties on this proposal.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  John Davies (European Commission Grant)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will pursue with the European Commission their decision to pay a grant of £140,000 to the convicted criminal John Davies in respect of a service to help prostitutes in Hungary; and if she will make a statement. [69195]

  Clare Short
  We have contacted the European Commission on this matter. We are informed that the Commission is undertaking a fraud inquiry into the payment of the funds and their alleged misuse.

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [68424]
  723
  Clare Short
  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.

  Colombia
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid(a) has been given and (b) is planned to be given to assist people affected by the earthquake in Colombia; and what discussions she has had with representatives of the Colombian Government regarding the earthquake. [69012]

  Clare Short
  In total so far, my Department has contributed US$1 million through humanitarian agencies. In addition, the European Community's Humanitarian Office is providing $1.25 million of relief, of which the UK's share is around $187,500.

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

  We have been in contact with the Colombian authorities managing the relief operation through our Embassy in Bogota. We continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with the humanitarian agencies involved in the relief effort. My Department is willing to consider further requests to assist vulnerable groups where specific unmet needs are identified.

TREASURY

  GDP Calculation
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has commissioned on methodologies for the calculation of gross domestic product which take account of social and environmental costs of economic and industrial activities. [67676]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 28 January 1999]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 4 February 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on the calculation of gross domestic product (GDP).
  The calculation of an adjusted GDP to take account of social and environmental costs would involve the choice of weights for a wide range of possible factors such as health, education, unemployment, air and water pollution, depletion of oil and gas reserves, loss
  724
  of natural habitats and biodiversity, and then the assignment of monetary values to each of these components. The ONS does not believe that it is feasible to produce such a measure.
  The Government Statistical Service is trying to take account of the social and environmental effects of economic activities by other methods. The ONS is working on extending and improving the environmental accounts, which link some of the major environmental impacts of economic and industrial activities, such as air pollution, to the standard National Accounts; while statisticians in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions have produced a set of Sustainable Development Indicators covering a range of economic, environmental and social factors to monitor progress in the Government's strategy for Sustainable Development.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of his Department's systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [68932]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: In common with other Government departments, the Treasury makes quarterly returns to the Cabinet Office on its progress in tackling the millennium bug. This information is placed in the Libraries of the House following the President of the Council's regular Quarterly Statement and published on the internet. The last review was published 2 December 1998.

  Tax Credits
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish a draft regulatory impact assessment of the costs arising from provisions in the Tax Credits Bill and the accompanying regulations in relation to the new working families tax credit and disabled person's tax credit. [69146]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have today placed in the Vote Office and in the Library of the House copies of a draft Regulatory Impact Assessment of the costs and benefits arising from the introduction of these two tax credits.

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish a draft of the regulations relating to employer payment of the working families tax credit and disabled person's tax credit. [69147]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have today placed in the Vote Office and the Library of the House copies of a draft of the Tax Credits Schemes (Payment by Employers) Regulations which contain the main provisions relating to payment by employers of the new tax credits.

  Budget Summary Leaflets
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of preparing, printing and distributing budget summary leaflets to United Kingdom households; and how many he plans to issue. [69276]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No definite plans have yet been made to issue a Budget leaflet.

  Bosnia and Herzegovina
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total cost of the United Kingdom's contribution in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1996; and if he will list the costs borne by each department. [68251]
  725
  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are listed as follows:

  Total cost of the United Kingdom's contribution in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1996 by department

  £ million

  1996–97

  1997–98

  FCO

  6.479

  10.171

  MOD

  224.000

  181.000

  DFID1 bilateral aid

  42.00

  22.00

  Total

  272.479

  213.171

  1 DFID figure excludes EC attributed aid

  Figures for 1998–1999 are not yet available.

  Financial Services Authority
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to include promoting sustainable development among the objectives of the Financial Services Authority. [68597]

  Mrs. Roche
  The proposed objectives of the FSA are market confidence, public awareness, the protection of consumers and the reduction of financial crime.

  ISAs
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the Inland Revenue order line cannot respond to requests for copies of leaflet IR165 on individual savings accounts. [68231]

  Mrs. Roche
  Copies of leaflet IR165 are now available from the Inland Revenue Orderline and I am sorry if my hon. Friend or a constituent should have been told otherwise.

  Pensions Mis-selling
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appeals have been made against compensation for pensions mis-selling; and with what results. [68805]

  Mrs. Roche
  At 31 December 1998, 1,461 appeals against offers of compensation had been referred to the PIA ombudsman, 736 of these have been resolved. In approximately 50 per cent. of cases the ombudsman found the firms' offers to be inadequate.

  Euro
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will prepare and publish an index of the relativities between the pound and the basket of currencies which constitute the euro so that the valuation of the pound in regard to the euro after 4 January can be compared with historical values. [68582]

  Mrs. Roche
  A proxy measure for the euro's exchange rate prior to 1999 can be derived by using the European currency unit's (ECU) exchange rate or using the Deutschmark and its euro conversion rate. Data on these are available in table 7.1A of the ONS publication "Financial Statistics".

  Sterling-Deutschmark Exchange Rate
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the exchange rate of the pound against the Deutschmark in each quarter since January 1997. [68428]

  Mrs. Roche
  The exchange rate of the pound against the Deutschmark since January 1997 is available in table 7.1A of the ONS publication "Financial Statistics".

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will account for the difference between the forecast of total receipts from asset sales in paragraph 2.31 of the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review and Table 4.4 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report. [68392]

  Mr. Milburn
  There is an error in paragraph 2.31 of the July 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review White Paper. The table in the EFSR is accurate. The error was corrected by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his evidence of 15 July 1998 to the Treasury Select Committee and his correction was published in its report "The New Fiscal Framework and the Comprehensive Spending Review" released on 27 July.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his latest estimates of the support costs for asylum seekers charged to each of(a) the Home Office, (b) the Department for Social Security and (c) the Department of Health for each of (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001–02. [68388]

  Mr. Milburn
  Asylum support costs are currently divided between the Department of Social Security and the Department of Health. In 1997–98, asylum support cost £374.6 million, of which £305 million was borne by the Department of Social Security. Figures for 1998–99 are not yet available on a comparable basis.

  From April 1999, the costs of support for adults and families will be funded from the new asylum seeker support budget managed by the Home Office. The sums of £350 million, £300 million and £250 million were allocated to this in the Comprehensive Spending Review on the basis of estimated costs for the period 1999–2002. Actual spend will depend on a number of factors, such as the number of asylum claims and the speed with which these can be handled. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary may revise these cost estimates in due course.

  Environmental Working Group
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times the interdepartmental working group on the environmental aspects of whole life costing has met; what progress has been made by the working group; when the working group will next meet; and what are the working group's future plans. [68107]

  Mr. Milburn
  The working group has met once, at which broad agreement was reached on the approach to be taken on the environmental aspects of whole life costing.

  My officials are arranging for the working group to meet again shortly, as which its future plans will be discussed.

DEFENCE

  Defence Secondary Care Agency Hospitals
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the main Defence Secondary Care Agency hospital sites with the number of clinical, professional and other whole time equivalent staff at each site, indicating in each case what decisions over the future of the site(a) have been taken and (b) are still under review; and if he will make a statement. [66468]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The details requested are as follows:

  Royal Hospital Haslar

  Service

  Clinical

  424

  Professional medical

  68

  Others

  43

  Civilian

  Clinical

  89

  Professional medical

  75

  Others

  367

  As part of his recent announcement of a strategy for the future of the Defence Medical Services, the Secretary of State for Defence has declared that this hospital will ultimately close. This is unlikely to be before 2002 and arrangements are in place. These figures update those provided to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 12 January 1999, Official Report, column 146.

  Duchess of Kents Hospital, Catterick

  Service

  Clinical

  110

  Professional medical

  13

  Others

  39

  Civilian

  Clinical

  55

  Professional medical

  13

  Others

  87

  These Details include personnel in the Defence Psychiatric Service units.

  A review by the DSCA of facilities provided by this hospital resulted in a decision to close acute in-patient services. Following a tendering exercise, a contract has been awarded to the Northallerton NHS Trust for the establishment of a Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit (MDHU) at the Trust's Friarage Hospital. It is planned to commence the major transfer of work by 1 July 1999.

  The Strategic Defence Review included provision for the enhancement of the Community Psychiatric Services. As a result, the DSCA are now in the early stages of a comprehensive review. An announcement will be made in due course.
  728

  Defence Services Medical Rehabilitation Centre

  Service

  Clinical

  22

  Professional medical

  8

  Others

  82

  Civilian

  Clinical

  11

  Professional medical

  3

  Others

  44

  Within the new DMS strategy, the DSMRC has a strong future and the DSCA will continue examining new areas in which to maximize use of the excellent facilities at the unit.

  Royal Naval Hospital, Gibraltar

  Service

  Clinical

  20

  Professional medical

  5

  Others

  10

  Civilian

  Clinical

  2

  Professional medical

  6

  Others

  28

  We have withdrawn from full collaborative arrangements with the Government of Gibraltar for the provision of secondary health care. Regrettably, it was not possible to agree mutually satisfactory arrangements. As a result, the RNH in Gibraltar has reopened. Plans are progressing to develop a combined facility that will provide primary care, dental care and essential secondary care to replace the RNH early in the millennium.

  Princess Marys Hospital, Akrotiri

  Service

  Clinical

  44

  Professional medical

  9

  Others

  27

  Civilian

  Clinical

  6

  Professional medical

  22

  Others

  16

  There are, at present, no re-examine the role this hospitl. Its continuing presence forms an inregral part of the new DMS strategy.

  MDHU Frimely Park

  MDHU Peterborough

  MDHU Derriford

  Service

  Clinical

  129

  79

  99

  Professional medical

  8

  7

  3

  Others

  22

  9

  11

  Civilian

  Clinical

  3

  0

  1

  Professional medical

  0

  0

  1

  Others

  5

  9

  7

  729
  The MDHUs are working well, providing an excellent clinical environment and representing good value for money. To emphasise our commitment to this concept, the DSCA are setting new contracts in place with the NHS Trusts.

  Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if representations from the public can be made to the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme; [67125]

  (2) when he expects to announce the conclusions of the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme; and what opportunities there will be for public consultation before final recommendations are implemented; [67126]

  (3) what representations he has sought from (a) members of the armed forces and (b) the public on the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. [67124]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, announced in September 1998, is under way and is expected to take about a year.

  The Armed Forces are fully involved in the current Review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. During the course of the Review, the MOD will be seeking the views of a wide range of groups including the ex-Service organisations and those responsible for other pension schemes in the public and private sectors. I wrote to a number of interested organisations and individuals when announcing the Review. In due course we shall invite comments from the public in the extensive consultation exercise, but the MOD will, of course, take account of views put forward by the public at any stage.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [68402]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Strategic Defence Review, which was a policy-led, fundamental reassessment of Britain's security interests and defence needs, considered the roles, missions and capabilities of our Armed Forces in the light of the changed strategic situation. The Review also constituted the Ministry of Defence's contribution to the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).

  The overall responsibilities of the MoD remain unchanged. Accordingly, under current planning assumptions, for the period 1998–99 to 2001–02 no responsibilities held by the Ministry of Defence before the CSR will be discontinued by this department or transferred to another department. Nor is it planned that any new responsibilities will be added to those held by the Department over this period.

  A number of responsibilities will, as announced in the Strategic Defence Review, be transferred to new agencies. These are as follows: the Defence Aviation and Repair Agency will take on the aviation repair activities currently
  730
  performed by the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation and the RAF Maintenance Group. Both these old agencies will then cease to exist.

  Responsibility for the storage, processing and distribution of non explosives will be taken up by the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency. On launching this agency, the Army Bases Storage and Distribution Agency will cease to exist. All explosives storage and distribution will be handled by the Naval Bases and Supply Agency.

  The Defence Transport and Movements Agency will be an amalgamation of the Defence Transport and Movements Executive, the Air Movements Executive and the Joint Transport and Movements Staff and will take on the current responsibilities of these organisations. The Procurement Executive is due to become the Defence Procurement Agency and will also subsume the activities of the Specialist Procurement Services Agency.

  Also as part of the development of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's relationship to the private sector, the Defence Diversification Agency began operating in December 1998. This agency aims to encourage the transfer of technology to and from industry.

  Although not part of the Strategic Defence Review, the Defence Housing Executive is due to launch as an agency on 1 April 1999.

  Posthumous Pardons
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those serving soldiers who were executed in the First World War in respect of whom posthumous pardons have been sought who were born or resident on the Wirral and (b) the (i) names, (ii) regiments and (iii) offences of serving soldiers executed in the First World War who were in the (1) Cheshire Regiment and (2) Liverpool Regiment. [69243]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The place of birth and home address of accused soldiers were not routinely included in the record of their Court Martial. This information would normally be available in the individual soldier's service records, but the destruction of the majority of First World War soldiers' documents due to enemy action in 1940 means that we have no complete authoritative source for this information.

  The following soldiers serving with the Cheshire Regiment and the King's Liverpool Regiment were executed in the First World War:
  Cheshire Regiment
  Pte. E. Bolton (10263), 1st Bn.
  CM for Desertion.
  Executed on 14/4/16.
  Pte. E. Bryant (20101), 10th Bn.
  CM for 2 x Desertion
  Executed on 27/10/17.
  Pte. J. Cuthbert (28719), 9th Bn.
  CM for Disobedience.
  Executed on 6/5/16.
  L/Cpl. (Pte.) J. Holland (13857), 10th Bn.
  CM for Cowardice and Leaving Post.
  Executed on 30/5/16.

  731
  Pte. (L/Cpl.) W. A. Moon (17790), 11th Bn.
  CM for Desertion.
  Executed 21/11/16.
  Cpl. G. H. Povey (10459), 1st Bn.
  CM for Leaving Post.
  Executed on 10/2/15.
  King's Liverpool Regiment
  Pte. J. Anderson (20062), 12th Bn.
  CM for Cowardice.
  Executed on 12/9/16.
  Pte. J. Brennan (4567), 1/8th Bn.
  CM for Desertion.
  Executed on 16/7/16.
  Pte. J. McFarlane (265427), 4th Bn.
  CM for Desertion x 3 (Guilty 1 x Desertion and 2 x AWOL).
  Executed on 22/5/18.
  Pte. B. McGeehan (2974), 1/8th Bn.
  CM for Desertion.
  Executed on 2/11/16.
  Pte. J. C. Smith (52929), 17th Bn.
  CM for Desertion and Disobedience.
  Executed on 5/9/17.
  Pte. J. Tongue (11850), 1st Bn.
  CM for Desertion.
  Executed on 8/1/17.

  Electro-shock Batons
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions his Department procured electro-shock batons between 1970 and 1986 for deployment in Northern Ireland. [68227]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No records have been found relating to the procurement of electro-shock batons by the MOD.

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [68418]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  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.

  Aircraft Flying Hours
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the average flying hours in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998 for Jaguar aircraft in service with the RAF. [69006]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In both 1997 and 1998, Jaguar aircraft have each flown an average of 20.5 hours per month.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the average flying hours in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998 for Tornado GR aircraft in service with the RAF. [69063]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Tornado GR aircraft each flew an average of 22 hours per month in 1997 and 21 hours in 1998.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total expenditure and the breakdown of expenditure in his Department since May 1997 on(a) public opinion research, (b) television, radio and newspaper advertising and (c) direct mail. [63925]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Between May 1997 and December 1998, my Department's expenditure on these items was as follows:(a) Public Opinion Research: £0.050m

  Note:

  This figure includes only centrally sponsored research.
  (b) Recruitment Advertising: £28.256m

  Note:

  Advertising undertaken by my Department is principally in support of recruitment of Service personnel and civilians. The figure given may also include some other small recruitment related costs, but may omit the costs of some recruitment advertising organised locally.

  Sales Promotions Costs: £0.928m

  Note:

  A significant element, but not all, of these costs are for advertising.
  (c) My Department has no central record of any direct mail campaign having been undertaken in the period.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of departmental personnel treated at NHS hospitals; how many operations were carried out on them; and what was the cost to his Department in each of the last five years. [65780]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In the case of Service personnel treated in MDHUs, the MOD pays the host NHS Trust for their treatment. The Department pays on the basis of the anticipated throughput of patients. These costs are adjusted at the end of each year in the light of the actual throughput. The number of patients treated in MDHUs and the cost of their treatment to date for each year since the first MDHU was opened is shown in the table. The available information does not differentiate between those patients admitted for surgical operations and those admitted for other treatments.

  Year

  Inpatients

  Daycases

  Outpatients

  Total throughput

  Cost £ million

  1995–96

  813

  878

  5,189

  6,880

  1.934

  1996–97

  4,246

  2,197

  22,887

  29,330

  12.050

  1997–98

  4,457

  2,571

  28,558

  35,586

  8.622

  1998–99

  4,457

  2,884

  27,146

  34,112

  9.976

  Service Personnel may also be treated in any other NHS hospital as an NHS patient. The DSCA does not have visibility or control over such referrals, which would be mostly for emergency or specialist treatment. The cost of such treatment is in general met by the Department of Health, as for all other NHS patients.

  Royal Hospital, Haslar
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cash limit placed on work by his Department at the RN Hospital Haslar in each of the last five years. [65783]
  733
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Defence Secondary Care Agency took over responsibility for Haslar in April 1996. Since then, the cash limits placed on the hospital's expenditure have been as follows:

  1996–97: £41.345m

  1997–98: £40.314m

  1998–99: £48.999m.

  These are at the price base appropriate to the respective year.

  Details for FYs 1994–95 and 1995–96 are the responsibility of another part of my Department. They are unable to provide the information in the timescale. I have, therefore, asked the DSCA Chief Executive to write to you separately when the information becomes available.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) doctors and (b) nurses have been employed and by which Government department at the RN Hospital, Haslar in each of the last five years. [65784]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The number of MOD civilian doctors and nurses employed at the Royal Hospital Haslar over the last five years are as follows:

  Year

  Doctors

  Nurses

  1997–98

  24

  57

  1996–97

  13

  16

  1995–96

  8

  3

  1994–95

  10

  4

  1993–94

  5

  5

  Until the last year, robust manpower recording systems were not in place to ensure the provision of accurate information. The details above are, therefore, the best that can be provided from central computer records.

  For military personnel, the information requested will take a little while longer to identify. I have, therefore, asked the CE DSCA to write to you separately when the information becomes available.

  No other Government Department has provided doctors or nurses for work at the Hospital.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost for non-departmental work at the RN Hospital Haslar and how many operations were performed on non-MOD personnel in each of the last five years. [65781]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Since the Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA) took over responsibility for the RH Haslar in April 1996 its total expenditure in each year since then has or is projected to be:

  1996–97: £43.081m

  1997–98: £41.287m

  1998–99: £48.999m.

  Figures for the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96 are not held by the DSCA. These are being obtained and the Chief Executive of the DSCA will write to the hon. Member when this information is available.
  734
  It is not possible accurately to divide this expenditure between the costs of treating Service personnel and NHS patients (including MOD civilians) admitted as inpatients or for day case surgery. However, these broadly divide between the number of patients treated, which were:

  Year

  Service personnel

  NHS patients

  1994–95

  2,630

  10,092

  1995–96

  3,524

  10,592

  1996–97

  5,054

  10,554

  1997–98

  5,174

  11,335

  1998–99

  3,982

  8,901

  The available information does not differentiate between those patients admitted for surgical operations and for other treatments.

  Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to public funds of the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 in each of the years since its enactment. [68306]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following amounts in compensation were paid in each of the financial years shown to Service and ex-Service personnel following the enactment of the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act in May 1987:

  £

  Financial Year

  Amount

  1987 to 1988

  5,000

  1988 to 1989

  710,000

  1989 to 1990

  1,627,000

  1990 to 1991

  2,020,000

  1991 to 1992

  3,413,000

  1992 to 1993

  6,998,000

  1993 to 1994

  8,960,000

  1994 to 1995

  14,338,426

  1995 to 1996

  12,184,000

  1996 to 1997

  14,678,000

  1997 to 1998

  25,807,329

  1998 to 31 December 1998

  21,220,346

  ACEATM
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Aimed Controlled Effect Anti-Tank Mine; and if he will list the project milestones. [68507]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Aimed Control Effect Anti-Tank Mine, ACEATM, is a collaborative programme with France and Germany. The development phase is expected to finish late this year, when France will withdraw from the programme. Subject to national approvals, the production phase would, therefore, proceed bilaterally with Germany.

  On current plans, we expect to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Germany for the production phase later this year. The first production deliveries are expected around 2,003 with UK taking delivery towards the end of the production phase leading to an in-service date no later than 2008.
  735
  ACEATM will be fully compliant with our commitments under the amended Protocol II of the United Nations Weapon Convention and the Ottawa Convention.

  FOAS
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Future Offensive Air System; and if he will list the project milestones. [68509]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Future Offensive Air System will replace the capability currently provided by the Tornado GR fleet in the offensive support role in about twenty years' time. As confirmed in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper (Cmd 3999), a wide range of options to fulfil the FOAS requirement will continue to be examined, including manned aircraft, remotely piloted/unmanned air vehicles and cruise missiles. Feasibility studies into the various options are under way and continue to progress well.

  Proposals for a technology acquisition programme are currently under consideration, leading to a project Assessment Phase commencing in 2001. To realise the benefits from advances in technology, and in line with Smart Procurement principles, decisions on the concepts to be taken forward as potential solutions to the FOAS requirements are unlikely to be taken for around ten years.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has held with NATO nations on the impact of the Year 2000 problem on interchange of defence-related electronic information and on equipment that is in common service; if interconnections between NATO nations are Year 2000 compliant; and if Year 2000 tests are included in multinational military exercises conducted with(a) NATO and (b) other nations. [68255]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The need for close examination of the inter-connections between NATO nations was highlighted at the Allied Year 2000 Steering Group, hosted by the MOD in November 1998. The question of the Y2K compliance of inter-connections between NATO nations is currently being examined by the NATO Command, Control and Communications board.

  The UK is planning its exercise programme to enable Y2K validation to be tested in many areas. Action is also in hand to include Y2K elements in combined exercises with US forces. Discussions with our Allies on other international exercises are continuing.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his Department's critical systems will be Year 2000 compliant by 1 April. [68261]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: Current progress indicates that around 75 per cent. of MOD's critical systems will be Year 2000 compliant by 1 April 1999.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department is collaborating with the Russian Ministry for Defence on assessing and rectifying systems affected by the Year 2000 computer problem. [68256]
  736
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: We recognise the benefit of co-operation with Russia on the Year 2000 problem and we have taken every opportunity to brief visiting delegations. MOD officials have recently taken part in discussions with Russia on the problem under the auspices of the NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council. The issue will continue to be discussed as a priority agenda item within that forum throughout the year.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the testing of all Year 2000 modified systems for which he is responsible was completed by 31 January. [68258]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The latest figures show that 60 per cent. of those MOD systems critical to providing defence capability, and which needed modification to make them Year 2000 compliant, had been modified and tested by the end of December 1998. Current prospects are that work on all such systems will be complete in good time to ensure that UK defence capability is maintained across the Millennium period and thereafter. Dealing with the Year 2000 problem is the MOD's highest priority, other than urgent operational needs.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has developed to support the civil community in case of emergencies associated with Year 2000. [68259]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: Long-standing arrangements exist under which civil authorities can request military assistance in the event of a civil emergency. The extent to which military assistance may be required as a result of Year 2000 problems depends on any identified shortfalls in the ability of the civil authorities to respond to emergencies.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if systems for(a) service members' pay and (b) service members' medical records are Year 2000 compliant; and if he will make a statement. [68257]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: A comprehensive programme of work is in place to ensure that all MOD systems, including those delivering a pay for Service and civilian personnel are Year 2000 compliant, and is on target for completion this year. This year Service pay records are archived to microfiche, for which Year 2000 compliance is not applicable.

  As medical records of Service personnel are paper based, Year 2000 compliance is not applicable.

  Journalists
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the expenditure by his Department on paying journalists(a) as an asset, (b) as an assistant, (c) as on side, and (d) on a keep your eyes open basis, over the period from June 1997 to June 1998. [65465]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: From time to time my Department employs journalists, for example to train personnel in media skills. Detailed information on such employment is not held centrally. No journalist paid for work by my Department is, however, appointed directly in the terms of the categories set out by my hon. Friend.

  Organophosphate Lubricants
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what organophosphate lubricants are used in the engines of military(a) fixed winged aircraft and (b) helicopters; and if he will make a statement on possible health hazards for air crews. [66599]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: The organic phosphate compound, tricresylphosphate, is present in all lubricants used regularly in military aircraft engines, to enable the lubricant to withstand the load placed on it and to prevent engine seizure. No viable alternative material is available at present.

  The inhalation of mist (containing tricresylphosphate), which can be produced by high pressure systems, or direct contact with the skin, would be hazardous. We therefore have in place a number of preventative measures to prevent air and ground crews from being exposed to these hazards and also regularly review the risks to health.

  Military Training (Indonesian Personnel)
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Indonesian military personnel have received training in the UK since 1 May 1997. [67601]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Since 1 May 1997, a total of 22 Indonesian military personnel have attended, or are currently attending, courses at UK military training establishments. Indonesian military personnel attending courses at non-military UK educational establishments are not the responsibility of my Department. However, based on the information available to us, we understand that a further 29 Indonesian military personnel attended, or are currently attending, courses at non-military educational establishments in the UK.

  RN Base Faslane
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1999,Official Report, column 460, if he will make it his policy to carry out radiation surveys at the entrance to reactor compartments every 12 hours to coincide with shift patterns during work on nuclear submarines at RN Base Faslane. [67955]

  Mr. Spellar
  I wish to assure the hon. Member that the radiation surveys carried out both within and outside the Reactor Compartments of submarines meet fully our Statutory requirements. In addition to regular surveys, we also conduct continuous monitoring of the air in the Reactor Compartment for any trace of radioactive contaminants. Routine work in this area at Faslane is not based on a 12 hour shift pattern, the normal pattern being one 8 hour shift per day. Radiation surveys are carried out daily. It is not considered necessary therefore to change the frequency of the surveys.

  MOD Land (Halton)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place in the Library a copy of the terms and conditions of the original transfer from the Rothschild family to the Government of land at Halton, Buckinghamshire. [67950]
  738
  Mr. Spellar
  The Rothschild Foundation has agreed to public release of the Conveyance dated 31 March 1919, a copy of which will be placed in the House of Commons Library shortly.

  Disposal Sales Agency
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the Disposal Sales Agency in exporting surplus Saladin and Saracen vehicles to other countries since 1988. [68790]

  Mr. Spellar
  Records show that neither the Disposal Sales Agency nor its predecessor within the Defence Export Services Organisation has had any role in exporting Saladin or Saracen vehicles from the United Kingdom to other countries since 1988. A total of 37 such vehicles have been disposed of since 1988, all of which were sold commercially either within the United Kingdom or in Hong Kong. If subsequently exported, that would have been a matter solely for the purchaser to arrange, including the necessary export licences.

  Clyde Nuclear Base
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the risk of(a) staff and (b) public exposure to fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel in and around the Clyde nuclear base. [68075]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: HM Naval Base Clyde conducts only maintenance and repair on nuclear powered submarines, during which irradiated nuclear fuel neither leaves the reactor nor is conveyed to or from the Naval Base. It is legislative requirement under the Public Information for Radiation Emergencies Regulations 1992 that all nuclear operators undertake an assessment of the probability of the release of radioactive material from their operations that could lead to the exposure of the public. On the basis of such assessments there is no risk to staff or public from exposure to fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which decisions on the future of the TA have been reviewed or altered by his Department since his announcement on 17 November 1998. [68480]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: No recommendations have been made to review the decisions announced on 17 November.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations were made to his Department by(a) right hon. and hon. Members and (b) other individuals and bodies on the future of the TA between 4 November and 17 November 1998. [68479]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: Between 4 and 17 November, my Department received 261 representations on the future of the Territorial Army. Of these, 95 were letters from hon. Members and noble Lords, and 166 were letters from other individuals and bodies. In addition to these representations, 14 Parliamentary Questions on the future of the Territorial Army were tabled between 4 and 17 November.
  739
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations have been made to him on the future of the TA arising from the announcement of his decision on its restructuring on 17 November 1998. [68481]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: Since the announcement of the restructuring of the Territorial Army on 17 November 1998, Official Report, columns 749–71, my Department has received 361 representations on the matter, as of 29 January 1999. Of these, 140 were letters from hon. Members and noble Lords, and 221 were letters from other individuals. In addition to these representations, 81 Parliamentary Questions on the future of the Territorial Army have been tabled since 17 November.

  Multi-role Armoured Vehicle
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Multi-role Armoured Vehicle; and if he will list the project milestones. [68508]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Multi-role Armoured Vehicle programme will provide a family of armoured utility vehicles to replace the FV430 series, Saxon and CVR(T) vehicles. The Memorandum of Understanding for the development and initial production phase has been signed and we are working with our French and German partners, and with industry, to place a contract shortly. Firm milestones will be identified during the development phase.

  FASH
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future amphibious support helicopter; and if he will list the project milestones. [68500]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Future Amphibious Support Helicopter, FASH, is intended to replace the Westland Sea King Mk 4 helicopter in around ten years' time in the role of support of amphibious operations. We are currently assessing a number of different solutions to meet the FASH requirement. Current planning would lead to the issue of an Invitation To Tender in 2001.

  Air-launched Anti-armour Weapon
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the air-launched anti-armour weapon; and if he will list the project milestones. [68503]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The air-launched anti-armour weapon is designed to reduce the fighting power of enemy armoured forces as early and as far forward as possible by defeating modern and future Main Battle Tanks, Armoured Personnel Carriers and Self Propelled Guns. It is intended to be fitted on Tornado GR4, Harrier GR7 and Eurofighter. Following international competition a development and production contract was awarded to GEC Marconi Radar and Defence Systems for their BRIMSTONE weapon system on 6 November 1996.
  740
  The first flight of the missile on a Tornado took place in December 1998. Forthcoming milestones for the project are:

  the completion of launcher development in April 1999,

  air firing trials starting in June 1999; and

  flight trials and the demonstration of seeker performance in August 1999.

  Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System; and if he will list the project milestones. [68512]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System programme is still at an early stage, but is currently expected to involve a mix of systems, including a lightweight 155mm howitzer. Other elements of the programme are less well defined at present. The UK entered into co-operation with the US on their Lightweight 155mm Howitzer development programme in 1998, to allow us to benefit from information generated by the US programme, before making a decision on the way forward. On current plans, we expect the howitzer to enter UK service in 2007.

  Bowman Project
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Bowman project; and if he will list the project milestones. [68510]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: Project Bowman will provide the Armed Forces with a new tactical combat radio communications system to replace the Clansman system, with a planned In Service Date of March 2002. The Prime contractor is Archer Communications Systems Ltd., who are currently completing system definition, including initiating key development work with sub contractors, commencing system integration, and demonstrating technical progress. On current plans, MOD intend to commit to the production and supply of the system towards the end of this year. The Bowman Project will be included in the first wave of Integrated Project Teams from 1 April 1999.

  Terrier Project
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Terrier project; and if he will list the project milestones. [68757]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: Terrier will replace the in-service Combat Engineer Tractor and will provide battlefield mobility/counter mobility by performing Engineer tasks. Tenders for the Project Definition phase have been received recently from three companies, Alvis, Marconi Marine and Vickers Defence Systems and are currently being assessed. It is planned to place two competitive Project Definition contracts later this year, leading to the selection of a contractor for Full Development and Production. The vehicle is currently expected to enter service in 2008.

  ASTOR
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the airborne stand-off radar project; and if he will list the project milestones. [68501]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Airborne Stand-Off Radar, ASTOR, project is a long range theatre surveillance and target acquisition system required to operate in all weathers by day and night. The airborne component of the system will be fitted in a commercial business jet, which offers the best balance of payload, survivability, height capability and endurance.

  The MOD is currently in the process of evaluating bids for the Full Development and Production phase of the project, and it would, therefore, not be appropriate to make specific comments on any aspect of the bids at this time. On current plans we aim to announce a decision on the project in the spring, and award a contract later this year. The In-Service Date will be dependent on the selected bid.

  Skynet
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Skynet 5 UK Military Satellite Communications System; and if he will list the project milestones. [68505]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The requirement for UK military satellite communications is currently met by the Skynet 4 Stage 1 system, which is being replaced by three new Skynet 4 Stage 2 satellites, the first of which entered service in May 1998. These, in turn will require replacement in the middle of the next decade. The programme to provide this future capability is known as Skynet 5. The preferred option is for the requirement to be met by a PFI service based solution.

  The MOD is currently in the process of evaluating proposals from industry for the Design Phase of the programme and it would, therefore, not be appropriate to make specific comments on any aspect of the bids at this time. The contracts for this phase are due to be placed in February 1999. The Implementation phase is planned to commence in 2002, with initial communication services commencing in 2006.

  Future Carrier-borne Aircraft
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Future Carrier-Borne Aircraft; and if he will list the project milestones. [68513]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: As announced in the Strategic Defence Review a Future Carrier Borne Aircraft will replace the Harrier. A decision on the aircraft type is expected to be taken in late 2000. The In-Service Date remains at 2012.

  COBRA
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the counter-battery radar (COBRA) project; and if he will list the project milestones. [68755]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: COBRA is a collaborative project between the UK, France and Germany to develop and produce a Counter
  742
  Battery Radar with a capability to locate hostile rocket, gun, mortar batteries at long range. The COBRA project entered the Industrialisation and Production phase with the prime contractor, EURO-ART, in March 1998. On current plans we expect delivery of the first UK Radar System Vehicle in late 2001, with the system expected formally to enter service about a year later.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of British troops which could be deployed indefinitely to Kosovo without causing the assumptions underlying the Strategic Defence Review to be revised. [69189]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The assumptions underlying the Strategic Defence Review were intended to guide force structure planning rather than decisions about individual deployments. A deployment to Kosovo would not invalidate these assumptions.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps have been named for duty in Kosovo. [69190]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Headquarters of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps has been involved in Nato planning in relation to Kosovo, but no decision has been taken to proceed with any operation.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British military forces the Nato Secretary General has authority to order into action following the response of both parties to the Contact Group's proposals on Kosovo. [69188]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The North Atlantic Council on 30 January agreed that the Nato Secretary General may authorise air strikes against targets on FRY territory. He will take his decision in the light of both parties' compliance with international commitments and requirements, including in particular assessment by the Contact Group of the response to its demands.

  The RAF assets dedicated to these air operations consist of eight Harriers and two tankers in Italy. Furthermore, HMS Iron Duke, a Type 23 frigate, which is part of the Nato Standing Force Mediterranean, is now situated in the Adriatic.

  Taiwan (Exports)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the restrictions placed on the United Kingdom defence industry in respect of exports of equipment and technology to Taiwan. [69008]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I have been asked to reply.

  Applications for export licences to supply defence-related equipment and technology to Taiwan are considered case-by-case. All decisions are made in the light of the criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 26–29. In scrutinising applications for Taiwan, we give particular weight to the implications for regional security.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Mortgage Applications (Fraud)
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases involving fraud on mortgage applications have been prosecuted by the CPS in each of the last five years. [67832]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service holds no central records in respect of the number of cases involving fraud on mortgage applications which have been prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last five years. The information is held on individual case files and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Nolle Prosequi
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions he has exercised the procedure of Nolle Prosequi since May 1997. [67834]

  The Attorney-General
  Statistics are not maintained of how many nolle prosequi are granted. However, a search of files held by my office has identified five occasions since May 1997 when a nolle prosequi has been granted.

  Al Shifa Factory (Khartoum)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on his communications with the Attorney-General of the United States in relation to the legality of the US military strike against the Al Shifa factory in Khartoum. [67835]

  The Attorney-General
  The legality of the US action against the A1 Shifa action factory in Khartoum is a matter for the United States. I had no communications with Attorney-General Reno on the matter.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to review aims and objectives of the Crown Prosecution Service. [67833]

  The Solicitor-General
  The overall aim of the Crown Prosecution Service is to contribute to the reduction both of crime and the fear of crime and to increased public confidence in the criminal justice system by fair and independent review of cases and by firm, fair and effective prosecution to court. The aim is consistent with, and supports, the wider aims which this Government have established for the first time for the criminal justice system as a whole.

  The objectives of the CPS have been revised to take account of the Glidewell recommendation that they should focus more on the CPS core business of prosecution.

  Ministerial Flights
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Attorney-General which ministers in his Department made use of(a) RAF and (b) chartered aircraft between 1 October 1998 and 31 January 1999; and if he will list the dates, destinations and costs of such flights. [69079]

  The Attorney-General
  None.

WALES

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those bodies in Wales to which the Welsh Assembly will be able to appoint members. [68349]

  Mr. Michael
  Responsibility for making appointments to the following bodies in Wales will transfer from the Secretary of State for Wales to the National Assembly for Wales when the Assembly assumes its functions:

  Welsh Executive NDPBs:

  Agricultural Wages Committees for Clwyd, Dyfed, Glamorgan, Gwent, Gwynedd, Powys.

  Arts Council of Wales

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  Countryside Council for Wales

  Further Education Funding Council for Wales

  Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

  National Library of Wales, Council

  National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Council

  Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

  Sports Council for Wales

  Wales Tourist Board

  Welsh Development Agency

  Welsh Health Commons Service Authority (residuary appointments to 30 June 1999)

  Welsh Language Board

  Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  Welsh Health Bodies:

  Health Promotion Authority for Wales (until 2000)

  Health Authorities:

  Bro Taf;

  Dyfed Powys;

  Gwent;

  Iechyd Morgannwg;

  North Wales.

  NHS Trusts:

  Bro Morgannwg;

  Carmarthenshire;

  Conwy &Denbighshire;

  Ceredigion;

  Gwent Healthcare;

  North Glamorgan;

  North East Wales;

  North West Wales;

  Pembrokeshire and Derwen;

  Pontypridd &Rhondda;

  Powys Health Care;

  Swansea;

  Velindre;

  Welsh Ambulance Services.

  Welsh Advisory NDPBs:

  Ancient Monuments Board for Wales

  Environment Agency Advisory Committee for Wales

  Hill Farming Advisory Sub-Committee for Wales

  Historic Buildings Council for Wales

  Library and Information Services Council (Wales)

  745

  Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales

  Place Names Advisory Committee

  Social Services Inspectorate Advisory Goup for Wales

  Welsh Committee for the Professional Development of Pharmacy

  Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse

  Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board

  Welsh Tribunals:

  Rent Assessment Panels for Wales

  Welsh Others:

  Community Health Councils. The responsibilities and scope of CHCs are currently under review, but the present councils cover the following areas:

  Brecknock/Radnor;

  Bridgend;

  Caerphilly;

  Cardiff;

  Carmarthen/Dinefwr;

  Ceredigion;

  Conwy;

  Dyffryn Clwyd;

  Gogledd Gwynedd;

  Llanelli/Dinefwr;

  Meirionnydd;

  Merthyr & Cynon Valley;

  Montgomery;

  Neath & Port Talbot;

  North East Wales;

  North Gwent;

  Pembrokeshire;

  South Gwent;

  Swansea;

  Taff Ely & Rhondda;

  Vale of Glamorgan;

  Ynys Mon;

  Council of St. David's University of Wales, Lampeter

  Court and Council of University of Wales, Aberystwyth

  Court of University of Wales, Bangor

  Court of University of Wales, Swansea

  Food Strategy Advisory Group

  NHS Complaints Procedure: Independent Review Panels

  National Library of Wales, Court

  National Museums and Galleries of Wales, Court

  National Park Authorities:

  Brecon Beacons;

  Pembrokeshire Coast;

  Snowdonia.

  Saundersfoot Harbour Commission

  Sea Fisheries Committee—South Wales

  Wales Multi Research Ethics Committee

  Wales New Deal Advisory Task-force.

  746
  It may be helpful to the right hon. Gentleman to note that the Cabinet Office publication 'Public Bodies 1998' explains the categories of public bodies as follows:
  Executive NDPBs: These bodies carry out a wide variety of administrative, regulatory and commercial functions. They generally operate under statutory provisions, employ their own staff and have responsibility for their own budgets.
  Advisory NDPBs:These are generally set up administratively by Ministers to advise them and their departments on matters within their sphere of interest. Some Royal Commissions are classified as Advisory NDPBs. Generally, advisory NDPBs are supported by staff from the sponsor department, and do not incur expenditure on their own account.
  Tribunal NDPBs: This category covers bodies with jurisdiction in a specialised field of law. In general, tribunals are serviced by staff from the sponsor department.
  Other bodies: These tend to be bodies which operate at a local level and include local authority planning bodies; CHCs and University Courts and Councils.

  Health and Education Spending Plans
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his public spending plans for health and education in the next three years. [68359]

  Mr. Michael
  The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) provided an extra £1.030 billion for the NHS in Wales—£175 million next financial year, £345 million in 2000–01 and £510 million in 2001–02. I am now considering in detail my spending priorities in view of the range of pressures and will make a further announcement in due course.

  For education I am making available an additional £117 million next financial year, £262 million in 2000–01 and £399 million in 2001–02. I will be announcing further details very soon.

  In future these decisions will be a responsibility of the National Assembly.

  Primary Health Care
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the role of primary health care provision in North Wales. [68362]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The North Wales Health Authority is responsible for assessing, monitoring and arranging for the provision of health services in its area in order to meet clinical needs. This responsibility extends over both the primary and secondary sectors.

  The Welsh Office maintains oversight of health authorities in Wales; in the exercise of these functions officials meet representatives of each authority on a regular basis to review and report on progress.

  The Government's White Paper "Putting Patients First" set out our proposals for restoring and modernising the NHS. The aim is to ensure that services are developed in partnership and driven by a concern for quality, effectiveness and efficiency. Primary health care provision has a key role to play in that process and Local Health Groups will be established on 1 April. These groups will harness the skills and experience of primary care professionals and will work with partners such as local

  747
  authorities and the voluntary sector, to ensure that the services provided are responsive to the needs and circumstances of local people.

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

  Health Care Provision
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to improve the provision of health care for children. [68364]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Our aim to improve the health and well-being of children in Wales is set out in the Green Paper "Better Health, Better Wales" (Cm 3922). Work is in hand to develop a children's strategy which will set clear objectives and principles to govern the development and delivery of children's services in Wales. A set of targets for children's health has been developed to measure improvements in children's health over the next five years.

  "The Health of Children in Wales" report sets out the statutory and policy requirements for high quality services for children and has been issued to all health authorities, health trusts and local authority social services departments in Wales. Progress in implementation of the report is being monitored.

  We have announced additional funding to establish a paediatric intensive care unit at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff (UHW). This unit will ensure that seriously ill children receive high quality specialised intensive care.

  We have set aside £25 million to establish a "Sure Start" programme in Wales over the next three years. The programme will aim to improve the health, welfare and social development of very young children particularly in areas of greatest disadvantage.

  Local authorities in Wales will have an extra £5 million of earmarked resources in 1999–2000 to begin making improvements to the quality and outcomes of services they provide for children. They will have to take into account the Government's response to the Children's Safeguards Review (Cm 4105), which includes range of proposals to improve the health of looked after children by local authorities and other public agencies. The response to the Review also sets out the new arrangements for monitoring and safeguarding the welfare of children in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices.

  We have published an action programme for improved planning of special education needs (SEN) provision for children with disabilities and will be funding pilot projects in Wales in 1999–2000.

  The recent White Paper "Smoking Kills" (Cm 4177) announced a comprehensive package of measures designed to discourage children from taking up smoking and to adopt healthier life styles.

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

  Theatres and Orchestras
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on the funding of regional(a) theatres and (b) orchestras. [68360]
  748
  Mr. Michael
  Welsh Office support for the arts is channelled through the Arts Council of Wales (ACW), which takes decisions on the detailed financial allocation to individual arts organisations. The ACW is in the process of consulting the public on its future strategy. I have helped that process by providing the ACW with the first real terms increase in its budget for a number of years. I have also announced a new programme on the next three years to develop and support orchestral and ensemble music involving children and young people.

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

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [68396]

  Mr. Michael
  No responsibilities will be discontinued. The great majority of functions administered by my Department, and some responsibilities which currently fall to other departments, will be transferred to the National Assembly for Wales later this year. These will be as set out in the Transfer of Functions Order which I published for consultation last November, and which I hope to lay before Parliament shortly. In addition, responsibility for section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966, as it applies to Wales, will be transferred to my Department by the Home Office from April 1999.

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [68412]

  Mr. Michael
  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.

  National Assembly
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to receive the report of the commissioners appointed to prepare draft standing orders for the National Assembly for Wales. [69805]

  Mr. Michael
  The Commissioners' chair, Mr. Gareth Wardell, wrote to me on 22 January, enclosing a comprehensive set of draft standing orders. I am very grateful to the Commissioners for the work they have undertaken on this extremely important task.

  I am arranging for copies of the Commissioners' report to be placed in the libraries of the House. I am also writing to the right hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) and the hon. Members for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Livsey) and for Woodspring (Dr. Fox), inviting their parties' views on the Commissioners' work. I expect to make the standing orders in their final form in March.
  749
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what educational publicity campaign he plans to undertake, at what estimated cost, to inform electors of the new proportional voting system to be used in the election for the Welsh Assembly. [69187]

  Mr. Michael
  Information about the voting system will be given as part of the overall information campaign to increase public awareness of the Assembly and its powers together with the greater accountability for decisions in Wales once the Assembly is in place. I have now allocated some £2 million for the National Assembly Information Campaign.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on waiting lists in Wales. [69542]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I am pleased to announce that, as a result of the £20 million invested in the NHS by the Government and the hard work of the NHS staff, the inpatient waiting list fell over the three months to November 1998 to stand at 71,264—the lowest figure since February 1998. The numbers waiting over 12 months and 18 months fell by 329 and 323 respectively in November.

  Outpatient lists have increased by 11 in November while the number waiting over 6 months for an appointment rose by 232, an increase of 1.3 per cent.

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

  Secretary of State (Responsibilities)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his responsibilities following the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales. [68552]

  Mr. Michael
  Immediately after the election of the National Assembly for Wales I will retain all my current functions. A few weeks later I will transfer most of these functions to the Assembly in accordance with the Transfer of Functions Order. The Assembly will then become the centre of democracy within Wales. After that, the Secretary of State for Wales will continue as a member of the UK Cabinet and will have responsibility for primary legislation where it is proposed that powers be given to the Assembly, for Parliamentary procedures relating to those subordinate legislative instruments made by the Assembly which are still subject to such procedures, for securing and giving the Assembly its annual budget, for consulting the Assembly on the Government's legislative programme, for Welsh matters connected with the Palace and for minority languages.

  Some of the powers under the Government of Wales Act 1998 which the Secretary of State will exercise as part of the transfer of functions are not time limited so that he or she may apply the Act to changed circumstances; for example, he or she may add to the powers of the Auditor General for Wales if a new function is transferred to the Assembly which involves the preparation of accounts and make provisions about the accounts of any new public body that may be created with functions that relate only to Wales.

  Arts Council
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the level of funding for the Arts Council of Wales for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [68812]

  Mr. Michael
  I have received no representations in response to my announcement that the Arts Council's grant in aid for 1999–2000 will increase by 3.1 per cent. to £14.8 million. This is the first increase given to the Arts Council since 1995–96.

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

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [68420]

  Mr. Straw
  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.

  My Department's spending allocation following the Comprehensive Spending Review does, however, take account of the Bill announced in the Queen's Speech on 24 November 1998 to modernise the law on immigration and asylum, including reform of the appeals system and new support arrangements for asylum seekers.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [68404]

  Mr. Straw
  From April 1999, my Department is transferring to the Department for Education and Employment and to the Welsh Office responsibility for funding grants under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 for educational projects to help members of ethnic minorities to overcome disadvantage due to differences of language or culture. This represents 97 per cent. of the total value of grants paid under section 11. My Department is currently considering what arrangements might best be made for funding such work in areas other than education.

  My Department took on responsibility for freedom of information from the Cabinet Office on 31 July 1998.

  From April 1999, my Department will manage the new asylum seekers' budget which will meet the costs of support for adults and families seeking asylum. These costs are currently met from budgets managed by the Department of Social Security and the Department of Health.

  Burglars (Sentencing)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has evaluated into the expected financial costs and savings which will occur due to implementation of the proposed mandatory sentence for repeat burglars; if he will indicate the assumptions underlying such research; and if he will make a statement. [68948]

  Mr. Boateng
  We estimate that the implementation of section 4 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 will add between 4,000 and 4,400 to the prison population over 10 years. These estimates are based on a sample of offenders convicted in four weeks in 1997 and include an allowance of 1,000 prison places for the indirect effects on convictions for similar offences, such as a second conviction for burglary. The range of figures reflects different assumptions about the deterrent effect of implementation: the higher figure assumes no reduction in the requirement for prison places as a result of deterrence.

  The latest long-term projections for the prison population are lower than had previously been the case. The Prison Service can now expect to cope with the extra prison places within existing provision at least for the next three years.

  Police Stations (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of police stations in each police force are accessible to disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [68957]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not collected centrally in the manner requested. The Audit Commission published details, in January 1999, of the number of police authority buildings open to the public and those which have access to and are usable by the disabled. These are set out in the table.

  Police authority

  Buildings open to public

  Accessible/ usable by disabled

  Percentage

  Avon and Somerset

  46

  7

  15

  Bedfordshire

  12

  1

  8

  Cambridgeshire

  29

  1

  3

  Cheshire

  40

  3

  8

  City of London1

  4

  3

  75

  Cumbria

  24

  5

  21

  Derbyshire

  29

  1

  3

  Devon and Cornwall

  51

  19

  37

  Dorset

  35

  23

  66

  Durham

  13

  0

  0

  Dyfed-Powys

  55

  1

  2

  Essex

  105

  7

  7

  Gloucestershire

  52

  3

  6

  Greater Manchester

  74

  6

  8

  Gwent

  58

  6

  10

  Hampshire

  54

  28

  52

  Hertfordshire

  23

  4

  17

  Humberside

  28

  14

  50

  Kent

  36

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  113

  17

  15

  Leicestershire

  27

  7

  26

  Lincolnshire

  24

  8

  33

  Merseyside

  47

  19

  40

  Norfolk

  46

  16

  35

  Northamptonshire

  12

  10

  83

  Northumbria

  51

  8

  16

  North Wales

  61

  46

  75

  North Yorkshire

  33

  0

  0

  752

  Police authority

  Buildings open to public

  Accessible/ usable by disabled

  Percentage

  Nottinghamshire

  69

  4

  6

  South Wales

  55

  13

  24

  South Yorkshire

  91

  12

  13

  Staffordshire

  49

  3

  6

  Suffolk

  28

  8

  29

  Surrey

  30

  0

  0

  Sussex

  32

  25

  78

  Thames Valley

  43

  7

  16

  Warwickshire

  20

  8

  40

  West Mercia

  54

  6

  11

  West Midlands

  68

  27

  40

  West Yorkshire

  50

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  25

  2

  8

  Metropolitan police

  191

  81

  42

  Totals

  1,987

  459

  23

  1Home Office figures

  Source:

  Figures published by the Audit Commission: January 1999

  HMP Coldingley
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results of the internal audit into the letting of the workshop contract at HMP Coldingley to Wackenhut UK. [68945]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The report by Prison Service Internal Audit on this matter is an internal management document, concerning actions which are the subject of a disciplinary inquiry as well as issues which are subject to discussion with the contractor. It is not intended to publish it.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sums are owed by Wackenhut UK to the prison service in lieu of the workshop contract at HMP Coldingley; what steps are being taken by his Department in relation to this contract; and if he will make a statement. [68944]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The contract for the management of the industries at Coldingley Prison ended on 31 January 1999 following the receipt of notice of termination from the contractor, Wackenhut (UK) Limited.

  At 29 January, invoices totalling £170,531.18 payable under the terms of the contract had been presented to Wackenhut, but not yet paid; however, none were beyond the 30-day payment period. Additionally, Wackenhut are liable to make a final payment of £26,250 in February to complete repayment of a loan.

  The Prison Service is in the process of establishing other sums due, in relation to operation of the contract during January, handover of assets at the end of the contract and other matters. Further invoices will be issued in due course.

  The Prison Service has also started a disciplinary inquiry relating to concerns raised by an internal audit report on the operation of the contract.

  Public Safety Radiocommunications Project
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces implemented all necessary measures under the new Public Safety
  753
  Radiocommunications project; what is the expected date of implementation in each police force; what is the total capital cost to each police force of implementing the system; what is the expected annual running cost of the system for each police force; and if he will make a statement. [68951]

  Mr. Boateng
  All forces in England and Wales have been actively involved in Public Safety Radiocommunications project through establishment of dedicated teams, participation in regional user groups, direct consultations with the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO), which is managing the project, and a programme of force visits by the prospective service provider, BT.

  PITO have provided the provisional implementation dates for each force which are shown in the table.

  Budgeting for the take up of the service will be based on the agreed roll-out programme and is the responsibility of each Police Authority. Definitive costs are not available at this stage and are the subject of on-going negotiation.

  Provisional implementation dates

  Force

  Force wishes

  Quadrant proposal

  Avon and Somerset

  2000

  2001 (Q1)

  Cambridgeshire

  2000–01

  2002 (Q1)

  Cleveland

  2000

  2000 (Q4)

  Devon and Cornwall

  2000

  2000 (Q4)

  Durham

  2001

  2001 (Q1)

  Dyfed Powys

  1999

  2001 (Q1)

  Northumbria

  2000

  2001 (Q1)

  Nottinghamshire

  2002

  2002 (Q1)

  Wiltshire

  2000

  2001 (Q1)

  Metropolitan Police Service

  2003

  2002–3

  Lancashire

  Pilot

  1999

  Derbyshire

  2000–01

  2000

  Gloucestershire

  2000

  2000

  Greater Manchester Police

  2000

  2000

  Leicestershire

  2000

  2000

  Merseyside

  2000

  2000

  North Yorkshire

  1999

  2000

  Suffolk

  2000–01

  2000

  West Mercia

  1999

  2000

  Dorset

  2000

  2001

  Gwent

  2000

  2001

  Hampshire

  2000

  2001

  Hertfordshire

  2001

  2001

  South Wales

  2001

  2001

  Thames Valley

  2001

  2001

  Bedfordshire

  2001

  2002

  Cheshire

  2002–03

  2002

  Cumbria

  2001

  2002

  Humberside

  2002

  2002

  North Wales

  2002

  2002

  South Yorkshire

  2003

  2002

  Sussex

  2001

  2002

  West Midlands

  2003

  2002

  West Yorkshire

  2003

  2002

  City of London

  2003

  2003

  Essex

  2003

  2003

  Kent

  2003

  2003

  Lincolnshire

  2003

  2003

  Norfolk

  2001

  2003

  Northamptonshire

  2003

  2003

  Staffordshire

  2003

  2003

  Surrey

  2003

  2003

  Warwickshire

  2003

  2003

  Police Efficiency
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list Her Majesty's National Inspectorate of Constabulary and Audit Commission proposals for improving police efficiency which are being implemented by his Department; arid if he will make a statement. [68956]

  Mr. Boateng
  On 4 November 1998, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary wrote to all police authorities and forces, with guidance on making efficiency plans to deliver the 2 per cent. reinvestment from efficiency gains which my right hon. Friend required for 1999–2000.

  This guidance drew heavily on areas for improved efficiency, suggested by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) in its 1998 thematic report on value for money and efficiency, "What Price Policing?". The Audit Commission also report on police performance, as required under the Local Government Act 1992. They compare force date in different police authority areas, and work closely with the Inspectorate to advise and support the Secretary of State. Both HMIC and the Audit Commission have identified that better use of assets and procurement practice, reviewing specialist units and administrative arrangements, reducing sickness and improved management of medical retirements can contribute to improved management of medical retirements can contribute to improved police performance. Copies of all the relevant reports are in the Library.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department has issued to police forces in respect of obtaining the 2 per cent. efficiency gains demanded by his Department in each of the next three years; what is his policy towards police forces reducing police officer numbers to achieve these gains; and if he will make a statement. [68949]

  Mr. Boateng
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary wrote to all police forces and authorities on 4 November 1998 with guidance to meet the 2 per cent. year-on-year efficiency target set by Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. A copy of the letter was placed in the Library. The guidance, which was prepared in consultation with Her Majesty's Treasury, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Association of Police Authorities and the Audit Commission, sets out the information required in the efficiency plan and a pro forma for completion. It also lists areas identified by HMIC and the Audit Commission where there may well be scope of significant efficiency improvements, and which forces are encouraged to consider in preparing their plans.

  Police forces can keep the resources released by achieving efficiency gains. The Government expect them to reinvest these resources to help improve delivery of frontline national and local policing priorities. The guidance makes clear that we will not consider cuts in officer numbers as an efficiency gain, except where forces can demonstrate that, in doing so, they have maintained or improved the existing level of service.

  Criminal Record Checks
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the full cost to the Criminal Records Bureau of each criminal conviction certificate issued on an individual; what is the standard fee to be paid by individuals requesting a check; how many certificates he estimates will be requested per year(a) from people wishing to work in the voluntary sector, (b) from unemployed people, (c) from disabled people, (d) from all other individuals and (e) in total; and if he will make a statement. [68953]

  Mr. Boateng
  Once established, the Criminal Records Bureau will be self-financing through charging for each certificate to be issued as provided for under the Police Act 1997. The fee set for each certificate type will reflect the full cost to the Bureau of providing the service. We estimate that certificates will cost between five and around ten pounds depending on the level of certificate sought.

  It is impossible to predict accurately likely demand for certificates once the Bureau is in full operation. We estimate however that there will be annual demand for around 5 to 6 million Criminal Conviction Certificates (CCCs), 2 to 3 million Criminal Record Certificates (CRCs) and 2 to 3 million Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates (ECRCs). Demand for certificates from any particular sector is ever more difficult to predict, but up to half the CRCs and ECRCs issued could go to those wishing to work, in a paid or unpaid capacity, in the voluntary sector. Based on figures prepared in 1996, we estimate there could be around 1 million applications a year for CCCs from the unemployed. No estimate has been made of the number of applications from disabled people.

  Prisons (Charter Marks)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons in England and Wales have been awarded a Charter Mark; if he will list them by date awarded; and if he will make a statement. [68954]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Ten Prison Service establishments in England and Wales currently hold the Charter Mark for part or all of the establishment. They are:

  1996

  Morton Hall prison

  Holme House prison—Education Department

  Exeter prison—Physical Education (PE) Department

  1997

  Erlestoke prison—Library

  Kirkham prison

  Wayland prison—PE Department

  1998

  Holme House prison—PE Department

  Haverigg prison—PE Department and Library

  Northallerton Young Offender Institution—Education

  Department

  Doncaster prison—Premier Prison Services Ltd.

  Garth prison.

  Sergeant Gurpal Virdi
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the(a) cause and (b) length of suspension of Sergeant Gurpal Virdi. [68739]

  Kate Hoey
  This is an operational matter for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. He tells me that Police Sergeant Virdi was arrested on 15 April 1998 and has been suspended from duty. As the case remains under investigation, I cannot comment further.

  Racist Attack (Hanwell)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report about events following a racist attack in Hanwell in March 1998; and if he will make a statement. [68738]

  Kate Hoey
  The investigation of a particular crime is an operational matter for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. He tells me that five racist incidents of which two were attacks were recorded in Hanwell in March 1998. If the hon. Member would like to let me have identifying details of the attack he has in mind, I will ask the Commissioner for the relevant information, and will write to the hon. Member accordingly.

  Asylum Seekers
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has, under interim funding arrangements for asylum seekers, to assist local authorities in respect of families who declared their intention to seek asylum at the port of entry and are eligible for benefits. [68579]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  At present, asylum seekers with families who declare their intention to seek asylum at the port of entry may, if they qualify, be eligible for income support, housing benefit and assistance under the homelessness legislation. Local authority costs for such services are covered by the local government finance settlement in the normal way.

  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers arrived in this country without any documentation during 1998; what countries they claimed to come from; and if he will make a statement. [69302]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that information on the number of asylum seekers who arrived in this country without any documentation could only be obtained by examination of individual case records and is, therefore, only available at disproportionate cost.

  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applicants for political asylum arrived as passengers at each(a) port and (b) airport in England and Wales, during the last quarter of (i) 1997 and (ii) 1998; and if he will make a statement; [69305]
  757
  (2) how many applicants for political asylum arrived as passengers at each (a) port and (b) airport in England and Wales, during (a) 1997 and (b) 1998; and if he will make a statement. [69304]

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

  Applications 1 received for asylum at pans in the England and Wales, excluding dependants, by location where made, 1997 and 1998

  Number of principal applicants

  Port

  19972

  October to December 1997

  1998

  October to December 1998

  Ashford

  25

  5

  35

  10

  Birmingham

  50

  15

  50

  10

  Bristol

  10

  5

  5

  *

  Cardiff

  10

  5

  10

  5

  Cheriton

  5

  —

  —

  —

  Dover

  1,355

  565

  4,205

  1,510

  East Midlands

  5

  5

  10

  *

  Felixstowe

  65

  15

  80

  25

  Folkstone

  5

  5

  30

  *

  Gatwick North

  1,935

  385

  1,930

  630

  Gatwick South

  1,065

  285

  1,310

  385

  Harwich

  100

  55

  600

  170

  Heathrow Terminal 1

  1,700

  530

  2,495

  915

  Heathrow Terminal 2

  2,435

  655

  3,300

  920

  Heathrow Terminal 3

  2,885

  860

  3,050

  745

  Heathrow Terminal 4

  1,605

  315

  1,775

  520

  Hull

  10

  5

  40

  15

  Humberside

  5

  —

  *

  —

  Immigham

  *

  —

  —

  —

  Leeds Bradford

  20

  5

  15

  5

  Liverpool

  10

  5

  10

  *

  London City

  215

  135

  395

  130

  Luton

  30

  15

  60

  10

  Manchester Terminal 1

  10

  *

  25

  10

  Manchester Terminal 2

  200

  50

  375

  110

  Newhaven

  5

  *

  50

  15

  Norwich

  *

  —

  10

  10

  Plymouth

  10

  5

  5

  —

  Poole

  *

  *

  —

  —

  Portsmouth

  15

  5

  70

  30

  Preston

  *

  —

  —

  —

  Prestwick

  *

  —

  —

  —

  Ramsgate

  55

  10

  5

  —

  Sheffield City

  10

  5

  15

  5

  Southampton

  5

  *

  *

  *

  Stanstead

  350

  120

  300

  85

  Swansea

  5

  5

  *

  —

  Teesport

  20

  —

  20

  —

  Tilbury

  *

  —

  *

  —

  Tyne

  5

  *

  35

  10

  Waterloo

  2,230

  465

  2,820

  705

  Total England and Wales

  16,485

  4,540

  23,145

  6,995

  Other ports

  100

  35

  200

  30

  Total port applications

  16,590

  4,575

  23,345

  7,020

  1Provisional figures, rounded to the nearest 5 with * = 1 or 2

  2Revised

  Source:

  Immigration Research and Statistics Service, RDS

  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers made applications in the last quarter of(a) 1997 and (b) 1998; and if he will make a statement. [69303]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The number of asylum applications made in the last quarter of 1997 was 8,455. In the last quarter of 1998 the figure was 14,400. After the then record year for asylum claims in 1991, the previous Administration introduced legislation to control abuse of
  758
  There was a temporary drop in asylum claims after the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 but the figures have since increased. We inherited the current asylum legislation and will seek to amend it in a new Bill shortly.

  the asylum system. It temporarily reduced the numbers applying after the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993, but those figures started to rise to similar levels after a time.

  After 1996, new legislation produced another temporary reduction in claims, but since then the figures have risen again. The asylum legislation currently in place is that of previous Administrations. The present Administration will introduce a Bill to amend it shortly.
  759
  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of dependants accompanying those who made applications for political asylum in each of the last two years. [69301]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It is estimated that in 1997, 8,980 dependants accompanied applicants for asylum in the United Kingdom. The estimate for 1998 is 11,970. This information relates to dependants applying with the principal applicant or arriving subsequently, before the principal application was decided. It excludes dependants who arrive after the principal decision.

  Special Advisers
  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the functions of his special advisers, together with their terms of contract, indicating(a) pay, (b) pension provision and (c) other benefits. [69337]

  Mr. Straw
  Justin Russell advises me on policy matters and Ed Owen is my adviser on media and political matters. They are employed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers, a copy of which had been placed in the Library.

  For information on salaries, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Ms King) on 16 November 1998, Official Report, columns 354–55.

  In line with the practice of successive Administrations, information on the salaries and the paybill costs for individual Special Advisers is not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

  Prison Radio Stations
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison radio stations are operated by inmates in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [68830]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Feltham young offender institution has the only radio station operated by inmates in establishments in England and Wales.

  The radio station is funded by a charity called Friends of Feltham. The inmates involved are paid by the establishment in the same way as all inmates involved in purposeful activity.

  Prisoners (Incarceration)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of hours per day during 1998 that prisoners in prisons were locked in their cells. [68857]

  Mr. George Howarth
  During the calendar year 1998, prisoners were locked in their cells for an average of 15.4 hours on weekdays and for an average of 16.3 hours at weekends.

  Prisons (Pre-release Programme)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons in England and Wales operate a pre-release programme; and if he will make a statement. [68832]
  760
  Mr. George Howarth
  There are no central records of the number of prisoners operating pre-release programmes. Preparing prisoners for release is extremely important and the Prison Service provides assistance in a variety of ways. These include the delivery, by specially trained prison and probation staff and specialists from a range of voluntary organisations, of a range of advice and information on, for example, accommodation, employment, parenting skills and substance abuses.

  Prisoner Complaints
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average period of time taken by his Department to respond to complaints made to them by an inmate serving a prison sentence in England and Wales was in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [68831]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This information is not recorded centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. However, the prisoner requests complaints procedure provides that prisoners should receive a reply within six weeks, and if that is not possible, they should receive an interim reply explaining the delay. There have been some delays in dealing with requests and complaints in Prison Service headquarters, and improved procedures are currently being put in place to keep prisoners informed of progress.

  Hillsborough Disaster
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place those in Liverpool City Library those documents held by his Department relating to the Hillsborough disaster. [68854]

  Mr. Boateng
  As much of the evidence as possible considered by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's scrutiny of the Hillsborough disaster has already been placed in the Library and it is open to Members to arrange for their constituents to view it there. We have no plans to place copies of the material in Liverpool City Library and I am sorry that my reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field), 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 3, gave that impression. I subsequently wrote to my right hon. Friend on 7 December setting out the position and placed a copy of that letter in the Library.

  South Yorkshire Police
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received from(a) the South Yorkshire Police Authority and (b) South Yorkshire Police, on the costs to the South Yorkshire Police Authority of funding the defence of David Godfrey Duckenfield and Bernard Dean Murray in the cases of Adlington v Murray and Adlington v Duckenfield; and on what dates he received those reports. [688441

  Mr. Boateng
  We have received no reports on the costs to the South Yorkshire Police Authority other than the information contained in my reply I gave on 1 February 1999,Official Report, column 428. This information was obtained from the South Yorkshire Police on 28 January and confirmed by the Police Authority on 1 February.

  Mercenaries
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those cases of criminal prosecution relating to the activities of mercenaries and private military companies which(a) have been brought and (b) have been brought successfully since 1987. [68694]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not held on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of convictions expressed as a proportion of the total number of recorded crimes in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [68608]

  Mr. Boateng
  The available information is given in the table:

  Offenders convicted for indictable offences1 as a proportion of the total number of notifiable offences recorded by the police2, England and Wales, 1993–97

  Year

  Percentages

  1993

  5.8

  1994

  6.2

  1995

  6.2

  1996

  6.2

  1997

  7.2

  1 Indictable offences including those triable-either-way.

  2 Excluding other criminal damage of value £20 and under. Includes estimates for criminal damage over £20 for Merseyside and Metropolitan Police.

  Circus Animals
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in respect of the treatment of circus animals; and what plans he has to review the regulations governing their use. [69015]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Representations have been received from the all party parliamentary group for animal welfare, Members of Parliament, animal defenders and members of the public.

  The legislation—the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925—make it a criminal offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive wild animal. Trainers and exhibitors of circus animals are required to be registered with the local authority. Officers of local authorities have the power of entry to premises in which performing animals are being kept for training or exhibition and powers to inspect those animals.

  The Home Office is planning to issue guidance to local authorities about these powers. The Department will also be seeking information about the welfare of circus animals which are kept in winter quarters. Once this information has been obtained, we will consider the matter further. In the meantime, we expect local authorities to be robust in their enforcement of existing legislation governing the use of animals in circuses.

  Drug Suppliers
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome has been of 762
  the consultation exercise that has been undertaken on the proposal to introduce a Drug Supply Offender Protection Order; and if he will make a statement. [69802]

  Mr. George Howarth
  An undertaking was given during the passage of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to consult on the proposal to introduce a Drug Supply Offender Protection Order. A consultation paper was issued on 23 June, copies of which were placed in the Library together with a list of the organisations to whom it was sent.

  The proposal would enable magistrates, on application, to impose an Order requiring anyone convicted or cautioned of a drug supply offence in this country or overseas to refrain from any act, if that was considered necessary to protect the public from the supply of drugs.

  The consultation exercise has revealed little support for such an Order. The overwhelming view expressed is that the present legislation is adequate and that the Order would have little impact on the present levels of misuse.

  This response to the exercise has confirmed our view that there would be no advantage in introducing such an Order at present.

  Wild-caught Primates
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions permission was given for the use of wild-caught primates for research purposes during 1998: and what was(a) the species of primate used, (b) the source country, (c) the number of primates used and (d) the research for which permission was given. [69282]

  Mr. George Howarth
  During 1998, one project licence authorising the use of wild-caught non-human primates was granted. Under this licence, four wild-caught baboons, obtained from Kenya, were used in heart xenotransplantation research during 1998. Two further wild-caught rhesus macaques were used in neuroscience research under the authority of a licence granted before 1998. These were obtained before 1996. It was not possible to check their country of origin in the time available.

  Primates (Xenotransplantation Research)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions inspectors of scientific procedures involving animals have asked for primates used in xenotransplantation research to be destroyed to prevent unacceptable levels of pain or distress in each of the last three years. [69290]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Transgenic Pigs (Medical Research)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many transgenic pigs have been released under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for export from the United Kingdom for use in medical research and experimentation in each month since May 1997. [69291]
  763
  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested is as follows:

  Month

  Number of Pigs

  Destination

  June 1997

  15

  USA

  August 1997

  17

  Japan

  November 1997

  4

  Netherlands

  April 1998

  112

  Canada

  April 1998

  10

  Spain

  April 1998

  121

  Spain

  May 1998

  2

  Netherlands

  June 1998

  121

  Italy

  June 1998

  5

  Spain

  September 1998

  18

  Canada

  1These animals were exported for use in breeding programmes rather than for use in scientific procedures

  Imported Primates (Journey Times)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the (i) longest and (ii) average recorded journey time of primates imported to the United Kingdom for research purposes during 1998 from(a) China, (b) Mauritius, (c) Indonesia and (d) the Philippines. [69281]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In accordance with the measures introduced in 1996, the Home Office only requires that an estimated total journey time be provided prior to each acquisition and that, after each acquisitions, confirmation be provided that the importation was in accordance with what had been authorised.

  The information requested is as follows:

  Country/journey details

  Average journey time

  China

  Longest—58 hours

  52 hours

  Mauritius

  Longest—38 hours

  28 hours

  Indonesia

  No importations during 1998

  —

  Philippines

  Longest—48 hours

  1Estimated 30 hours

  1It has not been possible to give an average journey time for acquisitions from the Philippines as the necessary information is still being collated

  As a result of pressure on airlines from animal protection groups, it is now impossible to fly primates directly to the United Kingdom. Instead, they are usually flown into mainland Europe and then transported to the United Kingdom by road and ferry, increasing the journey times and the associated stress for the animals.

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of the prisoners released on 28 January, subject to home detention curfew, had(a) one previous conviction and (b) more than one previous conviction for offences to which Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 applies; [69191]
  764
  (2) how many of the prisoners released on 28 January, subject to home detention curfew were serving a sentence of imprisonment for an offence of violence and had (a) one previous conviction for violence and (b) more than one previous conviction for violence. [69192]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Five of the 38 prisoners placed on home detention curfew on 28 January were serving sentences for offences of violence. Offenders required to register under the Sex Offenders Act 1997 will only be placed on home detention curfew in exceptional circumstances. No offender who was serving a sentence for an offence covered by Part 1 of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 was placed on home detention curfew on 28 January. The data on previous convictions are not immediately available and I will write to the hon. Member when this has been collated.

  Appeal Court
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the median time taken for the Criminal Cases Review Commission to reach a decision on reference to the Appeal Court. [67830]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand that since April 1997, the median time taken, from receipt of the application, to reach a decision on cases (other than those which the Commission has determined do not meet the eligibility criteria laid down by the Criminal Appeal Act 1995) was 212 working days.

  Prison Service (Dogs)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dogs are currently employed by Her Majesty's Prison Service in England and Wales. [69094]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The total number of dogs in the Prison Service at the end of January 1999 were 752. These are broken down as:

  462: German shepherd dogs of which 18 are dual purpose dogs.

  178: Active drug dogs.

  34: Passive drug dogs.

  78: Arms and explosive search dogs.

  Prisons (Illegal Drugs)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funds have been spent in each of the last three years on mandatory drug tests in prisons. [68996]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There is a central budget covering expenditure on laboratory analysis, a courier service, collection kits and stationery. Expenditure from that budget in the last three years has been as follows:

  Year

  £

  1996–97

  1,076,381

  1997–98

  1,599,137

  April 1998 to January 1999

  1,100,000

  These figures do not include the cost of staff who collect the samples and provide administrative support. Responsibility for meeting these costs is devolved to

  765
  each prison governor. Information on this element of expenditure is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the amount of illegal drugs discovered in each of Her Majesty's prisons in each of the last three years. [68997]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The table lists for each of Her Majesty's prisons in England and Wales for the last three years, the number of finds of illegal drugs discovered. No central record of the aggregate amount of the drug is kept.

  Drug finds in Prisons 1996–98

  Total drug finds per establishment per year

  Prison

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Acklington

  31

  37

  46

  Albany

  15

  4

  —

  Aldington

  10

  6

  5

  Altcourse

  —

  —

  65

  Ashwell

  32

  59

  52

  Askham Grange

  3

  2

  5

  Aylesbury

  36

  19

  24

  Belmarsh

  9

  6

  38

  Birmingham

  95

  120

  101

  Blakenhurst

  180

  193

  156

  Blundeston

  37

  55

  46

  Brinsford

  93

  65

  41

  Bristol

  47

  64

  79

  Brixton

  81

  41

  63

  Brockhill

  12

  17

  29

  Buckley Hall

  58

  48

  36

  Bullingdon

  47

  59

  74

  Bullwood Hall

  6

  5

  7

  Camp Hill

  25

  15

  7

  Canterbury

  47

  25

  11

  Cardiff

  227

  206

  136

  Castington

  15

  16

  13

  Channings Wood

  39

  36

  25

  Chelmsford

  92

  105

  73

  Colchester

  —

  6

  —

  Coldingley

  6

  9

  7

  Cookham Wood

  7

  6

  6

  Dartmoor

  45

  32

  25

  Deerbolt

  38

  29

  16

  Doncaster

  349

  293

  176

  Doncaster

  349

  293

  176

  Dorchester

  5

  1

  4

  Dover

  40

  26

  28

  Downview

  2

  1

  2

  Drake Hall

  23

  10

  2

  Durham

  252

  246

  133

  Eastwood Park

  7

  1

  1

  Elmley

  105

  39

  24

  Erlestoke

  21

  18

  20

  Everthorpe

  37

  39

  37

  Exeter

  57

  41

  51

  Featherstone

  29

  8

  9

  Feltham

  308

  231

  124

  Ford

  46

  110

  36

  Frankland

  57

  40

  49

  Full Sutton

  41

  13

  21

  Garth

  61

  46

  37

  Gartree

  37

  9

  14

  Glen Parva

  226

  183

  120

  Gloucester

  47

  55

  45

  Grendon

  24

  21

  19

  Guys Marsh

  42

  56

  42

  Haslar

  —

  1

  —

  Hatfield

  10

  4

  —

  Havering

  61

  47

  44

  Hewell Grange

  4

  2

  7

  Highdown

  98

  65

  3

  Highpoint

  36

  64

  63

  Hindley

  66

  41

  18

  766

  Drug finds in Prisons 1996–98

  Total drug finds per establishment per year

  Prison

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Hollesley Bay

  49

  53

  41

  Holloway

  97

  82

  56

  Holme House

  62

  91

  58

  Hull

  75

  41

  22

  Huntercombe

  6

  3

  1

  Kingston

  2

  —

  —

  Kirkham

  39

  46

  16

  Kirklevington

  4

  2

  —

  Lancaster

  21

  15

  14

  Lancaster Farms

  72

  47

  36

  Latchmere House

  —

  1

  —

  Leeds

  135

  96

  97

  Leicester

  171

  115

  63

  Lewes

  82

  75

  46

  Leyhill

  2

  —

  4

  Lincoln

  92

  86

  72

  Lindholme

  159

  119

  63

  Littlehey

  46

  23

  30

  Liverpool

  176

  145

  62

  Long Lartin

  10

  4

  15

  Lowdham Grange

  —

  —

  47

  Low Newton

  38

  11

  12

  Maidstone

  15

  15

  30

  Manchester

  84

  102

  100

  Moorland

  74

  88

  98

  Morton Hall

  3

  15

  11

  New Hall

  9

  8

  6

  North Sea Camp

  6

  15

  4

  Northallerton

  33

  38

  25

  Norwich

  63

  69

  83

  Nottingham

  14

  35

  67

  Onley

  51

  21

  28

  Parc

  —

  1

  64

  Parkhurst

  80

  48

  28

  Pentonville

  94

  124

  115

  Portland

  51

  25

  22

  Preston

  108

  104

  85

  Ranby

  34

  28

  26

  Reading

  41

  71

  18

  Risley

  122

  74

  100

  Rochester

  8

  4

  2

  Send

  2

  1

  —

  Shepton Mallet

  6

  9

  3

  Shrewsbury

  20

  29

  28

  Stafford

  88

  86

  50

  Standford Hill

  21

  26

  8

  Stocken

  30

  21

  19

  Stoke Heath

  37

  22

  4

  Styal

  26

  16

  18

  Sudbury

  1

  34

  15

  Swaleside

  22

  4

  23

  Swansea

  36

  47

  35

  Swinfen Hall

  6

  3

  19

  The Mount

  59

  44

  21

  The Verne

  41

  33

  37

  Thorn Cross

  57

  62

  40

  Usk

  4

  3

  2

  Wakefield

  16

  8

  5

  Wandsworth

  146

  55

  60

  Wayland

  66

  69

  89

  Wealstun

  19

  8

  11

  Weare

  —

  —

  9

  Wellingborough

  12

  11

  30

  Werrington

  3

  2

  3

  Wetherby

  10

  8

  10

  Whatton

  —

  1

  —

  Whitemoor

  35

  17

  21

  Winchester

  33

  12

  2

  Wolds

  124

  76

  55

  Woodhill

  104

  62

  35

  Wormwood Scrubs

  155

  111

  51

  Wymott

  4

  23

  4

  Total

  6,835

  5,840

  4,689

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Industry (Marketing)
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department is taking to improve marketing in the food industry. [67810]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  We pursue a range of activities to help the agri-food industry improve competitive performance, including marketing. We also work with industry initiatives in this area.

  Battery Hens
  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he has taken to improve the welfare of battery hens. [67811]

  Mr. Morley
  We are continuing to work with our EU partners to develop improved welfare standards for laying hens in battery cages and to set, for the first time, Community wide standards for non-cage systems. We have made it clear in these negotiations that our long term aim is to phase out cages altogether.

  Genetically Modified Foods
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the food industry in relation to genetically modified foods. [67812]

  Mr. Rooker
  The issue of genetically modified foods has featured on the agenda of various on-going meetings which I have had with the food industry.

  Meat Hygiene Inspectors
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about contingency plans in the event of a strike by meat hygiene inspectors. [67813]

  Mr. Rooker
  Contingency Plans were drawn up to minimise the effect of industrial action by some Meat Hygiene Service staff. Food safety, public health and animal welfare were fully protected.

  The MHS strictly enforced meat hygiene, specified risk material and animal welfare Regulations in all licensed plants whether or not they were able to operate on the day of strike action. The Contingency Plans were successful in achieving their objectives for the GB meat industry as a whole.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for studies of the work of meat inspectors. [67820]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are no proposals for studies of the work of meat inspectors with respect to the relationship between the inspectors and plant operators.

  The Meat Hygiene Service is an enforcement Agency carrying out a difficult but crucial job of protecting public health and animal welfare occasionally in a hostile environment. The MHS seeks to work in co-operation with plant management rather than confrontation. A balance must be struck between effective enforcement and unnecessary over-regulation and I believe that the MHS is getting it right.

  Non-European Union Imports
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about food safety standards for imports from outside the EU. [67814]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Protecting the public by ensuring that food is produced to high standards of safety is a priority for the Government. Imports from outside the EU are required to have been produced to the same, or equivalent, standards as domestic produce.

  Food and Animal Welfare Standards
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the cost to British farmers of compliance with food and animal welfare standards. [67815]

  Mr. Morley
  The cost of compliance with statutory food and animal welfare standards is considered as part of the full regulatory impact assessment we now provide on any proposed changes to legislation. It is, of course, also necessary to consider the cost and other implications of non-compliance in these important areas.

  British Beef
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department has taken to persuade local authorities in England not to place an arbitrary restriction on the purchase of British beef and beef products. [67816]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Ministry is not well placed nor resourced to lobby local authorities, which are obliged to look for best value for money in their procurement decisions. However, we continue to support the work of the Meat and Livestock Commission in its efforts to re-instate beef on school menus.

  Small Farm Sector
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to encourage innovation and diversification in the small farm sector. [67818]

  Mr. Morley
  Funding is available to the small farm sector to encourage a wide range of agricultural activities, including innovation and farm diversification, in the six areas designated to receive assistance under the English Objective 5b Structural Fund Programmes. No grant aid for farm diversification is currently available outside these areas but MAFF is consulting on options in the Agenda 2000 CAP reform rural development proposals. MAFF is working with the NFU to encourage collaboration among farmers. It is also organising seminars on farmers' markets and the speciality food sector.

  Hill Farmers
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current incomes of hill farmers in the United Kingdom. [67819]

  Mr. Morley
  The 1998 Autumn Review of Economic Conditions in the Hills and Uplands showed that, in the UK as a whole, net farm income on full-time cattle and sheep farms in the Less Favoured Areas was forecast to
  769
  fall by 67 per cent. in 1998/99. The statistical tables containing this, and other data, were laid before the House on 26 November 1998. This forecast did not include the payments to hill livestock farmers in the £120 million aid package announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 16 November 1998, Official Report, columns 624–40.

  On 28 January 1999, my Department published provisional estimates of UK farm incomes and output in 1998. These estimates, which include the extra payments under the aid package, forecast a fall of 38 per cent. in net farm incomes on cattle and sheep farms in the Less Favoured Areas in 1998–99.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to press for reform of the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement. [67821]

  Mr. Morley
  We are continuing to press for comprehensive reform of the Common Agricultural Policy at meetings of the EU Agriculture Council in Brussels, with a view to bringing productions closer to the market.

  We are seeking the gradual reduction and eventual phasing out of price and production-related agricultural support. We are also pushing for part of the savings from such a reduction in production support to be directed to measures which will protect and enhance the environment and help the rural economy adjust, particularly in more fragile rural areas.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received regarding reform of environmental measures under the CAP. [67824]

  Mr. Morley
  Representations on CAP reform, including reform of environmental measures, were most recently sought as part of a consultation process launched on 5 January. Responses have yet to be received or fully assessed.

  Foodstuffs Importation Ban
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about his Department's powers to ban importation of foodstuffs whose production standards are illegal in this country. [67822]

  Mr. Rooker
  Member States have powers to take protective measures under various pieces of EU legislation where there is a risk to public health.

  Sustainable Rural Development
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to promote sustainable rural development. [67823]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for City of Chester (Ms Russell) on 17 December 1998,Official Report, column 1083.

  Meat and Bone Meal
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to dispose of meat and bone meal; and if he will make a statement. [67825]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Intervention Board has awarded the first large scale contract for incineration with energy recovery of meat and bone-meal (MBM) derived from the OTMS and is considering proposals from other potential service providers. The majority of MBM from animals slaughtered for human consumption is being safely landfilled in appropriately licensed sites.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proposals he has to ensure that a pesticide tax does not disadvantage British growers relative to their European competitors; [68237]

  (2) what study he has made of the relative advantages of a pesticides tax as opposed to other measures adopted by other EU states to reduce pesticide usage. [68229]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Economic Secretary to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 26 January 1999, Official Report, column 218.

  Date Based Export Scheme
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made in implementing the Date Based Export Scheme. [67817]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are currently considering the responses to the consultation on the Date Based Export Scheme (DBES) and making the necessary arrangements for the scheme to operate. I expect to lay the legislation necessary to implement the DBES later this month. However, the EC Commission need to carry out an inspection, report and set a date on which exports may resume.

  Welsh and English Lamb
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to seek protection for(a) Welsh and (b) English lamb under European Union law relating to food labelling requirements. [68595]

  Mr. Rooker
  EC legislation on the protection of food names enables products from particular regions, with a specific quality or characteristic attributable to that region, to be protected against imitators. An application to protect "Welsh lamb" has been submitted to the European Commission for approval. Cases are being developed to protect lamb from a number of specific regions of England.

  As I have already announced to the House, we will shortly be implementing the recommendation of the

  771
  Review of the Organic Aid Scheme that rates of aid for farmers converting to organic farming should be substantially increased.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conversion payments have been made by region in each of the last five financial years to encourage farmers to switch to organic production; and if he will make a statement about the Organic Aid Scheme. [67711]

  Mr. Morley
  The Organic Aid Scheme was not in operation during the financial year 1993–94. Expenditure under the scheme in subsequent financial years, by region, is as follows:

  £

  Total amount paid

  Region

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–991

  Carlisle

  —

  7,975

  11,594

  12,383

  6,719

  Northallerton

  —

  0

  7,919

  7,763

  7,225

  Crewe

  —

  4,011

  6,556

  15,892

  11,267

  Worcester

  —

  69,831

  110,217

  97,617

  87,396

  Nottingham

  —

  16,229

  20,063

  21,532

  32,963

  Cambridge

  —

  7,459

  17,975

  46,855

  43,100

  Reading

  —

  32,427

  71,253

  124,722

  123,256

  Bristol

  —

  62,822

  85,902

  139,903

  152,535

  Exeter

  —

  39,264

  42,840

  105,667

  99,088

  Total

  2—

  240,018

  374,319

  572,334

  563,549

  1 To end October 1998

  2 No significant expenditure

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [68400]

  Mr. Morley
  In answer to parts(a) and (d) of the question, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) on 27 October 1998, Official Report, columns 156–58. With the exception of work on food safety and standards, which will transfer to the proposed Food Standards Agency, MAFF is not proposing to transfer any responsibilities to another Department or to an executive agency.

PRIME MINISTER

  Mr. Ewen Cameron
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since May 1997 he has met Mr. Ewen Cameron, and if he will make a statement on the matters discussed. [69341]

  The Prime Minister
  As under previous administrations, it is not the normal practice to provide details of private meetings with specific individuals or organisations.

HEALTH

  Head Lice
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 27 January 1999,Official Report, column 242, on head lice, what help is available to parents on low incomes for the purchase of head lice treatments. [68926]

  Ms Jowell
  All medication, which includes treatment for head lice, is available free of charge, on prescription to children aged 0–16 and to those aged 16–18 who are in full-time education.

  Prescribed medication is available free through the extensive charge exemption and remission arrangements which include those on low incomes. Details are in leaflet Health Circular 11, "Are you entitled to help with health costs", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Aricept
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which area health authorities in England and Wales fund the prescription of the drug Aricept to treat Alzheimer's Disease. [68919]

  Mr. Denham
  Donepezil Hydrochloride (Aricept) was prescribed on the National Health Service in all health authorities in England over the period October 1997 to September 1998. Questions relating to Wales are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Health Authority Wages
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 28 January 1999,Official Report, columns 324–26, on average wages, if he will list the source data used. [68963]

  Mr. Denham
  The table gives average wages for the 78 New Earnings Survey areas. In my answer of 28 January 1999,Official Report, columns 324–26, the figures for Brent and Harrow and Bedfordshire should have read £388.73 and £364.66 respectively.

  £

  Average

  Area

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1995–97

  City of London

  639.58

  672.3

  708.64

  673.51

  Hackney

  551.04

  549.74

  635.93

  578.90

  Tower Hamlets

  532.58

  521.50

  567.02

  540.37

  City of Westminster

  514.71

  517.16

  547.43

  526.44

  Islington

  476.06

  479.21

  522.40

  492.56

  Lambeth

  486.45

  469.92

  476.11

  477.49

  Camden

  467.33

  462.02

  488.32

  472.56

  Hammersmith

  428.56

  458.06

  516.66

  467.76

  Southwark

  456.69

  454.87

  475.64

  462.40

  Hillingdon

  432.43

  463.27

  490.12

  461.94

  Kensington & Chelsea

  395.58

  438.86

  457.93

  430.79

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  415.06

  406.98

  439.14

  420.39

  Berkshire

  399.12

  425.96

  432.52

  419.20

  Surrey

  387.62

  409.61

  431.72

  409.65

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  354.90

  435.52

  438.05

  409.49

  Ealing

  387.42

  411.76

  427.04

  408.74

  Hounslow

  387.22

  397.40

  435.16

  406.59

  Wandsworth

  373.06

  409.10

  430.22

  404.13

  Barking

  383.39

  385.98

  405.00

  391.46

  Harrow

  386.08

  387.86

  393.70

  389.21

  Sutton

  352.57

  389.76

  424.73

  389.02

  Brent

  372.19

  404.97

  387.59

  388.25

  773

  £

  Average

  Area

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1995–97

  Newham

  355.64

  366.31

  434.75

  385.57

  Buckinghamshire

  363.59

  392.02

  398.18

  384.60

  Hertfordshire

  362.35

  374.95

  402.12

  379.81

  Croydon

  348.70

  367.38

  381.62

  365.90

  Merton

  346.42

  372.86

  378.12

  365.80

  Bexley

  360.35

  368.45

  365.86

  364.89

  Bedfordshire

  343.16

  374.41

  376.42

  364.66

  West Sussex

  346.16

  361.27

  378.80

  362.08

  Haringey

  334.61

  345.23

  395.62

  358.55

  Greenwich

  330.29

  367.73

  372.36

  356.79

  Enfield

  333.38

  354.86

  372.54

  353.59

  Wiltshire

  327.65

  347.69

  377.83

  351.05

  Cheshire

  339.45

  349.81

  362.34

  350.53

  Lewisham

  358.53

  363.76

  324.22

  348.83

  Hampshire

  332.05

  344.72

  366.21

  347.66

  Essex

  335.08

  346.89

  356.59

  346.19

  Oxfordshire

  328.23

  346.99

  362.88

  346.03

  Gloucestershire

  331.71

  345.06

  361.32

  346.03

  Avon

  334.69

  338.95

  363.97

  345.87

  Cambridgeshire

  331.05

  340.16

  365.38

  345.53

  Barnet

  322.99

  342.01

  362.29

  342.43

  Redbridge

  327.72

  328.49

  355.96

  337.39

  Bromley

  345.17

  327.90

  332.23

  335.10

  West Midlands

  314.36

  328.46

  343.22

  328.68

  Northamptonshire

  314.39

  326.76

  340.13

  327.09

  Kent

  315.56

  322.99

  341.24

  326.59

  Warwickshire

  308.94

  325.48

  344.86

  326.43

  Waltham Forest

  301.63

  351.57

  324.93

  326.05

  Havering

  333.15

  312.04

  331.71

  325.64

  Cleveland

  302.50

  327.41

  344.62

  324.84

  Greater Manchester

  308.95

  321.58

  340.50

  323.67

  Merseyside

  310.15

  315.63

  336.19

  320.66

  Dorset

  302.42

  323.85

  327.56

  317.94

  Derbyshire

  298.88

  322.53

  329.85

  317.08

  Leicestershire

  294.97

  315.54

  333.11

  314.54

  West Yorkshire

  299.45

  313.15

  326.25

  312.95

  Humberside

  303.21

  305.75

  319.51

  309.49

  Tyne &Wear

  293.24

  312.13

  313.25

  306.20

  Lancashire

  294.87

  302.64

  318.60

  305.37

  East Sussex

  283.18

  311.02

  320.79

  304.99

  Suffolk

  288.22

  310.03

  314.69

  304.31

  Nottinghamshire

  291.85

  297.09

  320.70

  303.21

  Somerset

  292.32

  300.47

  316.04

  302.94

  North Yorkshire

  279.78

  301.56

  314.78

  298.71

  Cumbria

  292.74

  293.70

  309.18

  298.54

  Staffordshire

  285.77

  298.16

  309.57

  297.84

  Norfolk

  280.63

  300.71

  310.70

  297.35

  Lincolnshire

  271.37

  304.48

  315.92

  297.26

  South Yorkshire

  284.70

  293.03

  310.22

  295.99

  Hereford & Worcester

  285.59

  296.57

  304.90

  295.69

  Durham

  279.75

  295.17

  309.70

  294.87

  Shropshire

  275.77

  291.88

  299.97

  289.21

  Northumberland

  274.56

  282.50

  290.66

  282.57

  Devon

  272.92

  279.66

  294.33

  282.30

  Isle of Wight

  267.55

  284.76

  292.83

  281.71

  Cornwall

  249.00

  259.30

  274.29

  260.86

  Afro-Caribbean Women (Health Needs)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of mortality rates of Afro-Caribbean women; and what plans he has for health programmes to address these womens health needs. [68741]

  Ms Jowell
  Mortality rates are available not by ethnic origin but by country of birth. Compared to the national average for women aged 20–69 years, mortality from all causes in 1989–1992 in England and Wales was higher by more than 25 per cent. for those born in West Africa 774
  and lower by nearly 10 per cent. for those born in the Caribbean, but not significantly different for those born in East Africa.

  Last years Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation" set out the two over-arching aims for our health strategy: to improve health and to tackle health inequality, both of which are relevant to black and minority ethnic health. In addition, the Green Paper indicated that the strategy will focus on some key national targets—all of which are themselves relevant to different ethnic communities, supported by a range of locally-set targets based on local needs. This is particularly important for ethnic health since needs are not spread uniformly across the country. Each area needs to consider and tailor its responses to local circumstances. It is here where the local Health Improvement Programmes will be crucial to both assess and target specific health needs, such as those of Afro-Caribbean women.

  Autism
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) local health authorities provide placements for people with autism in communities in their area and (b) such placements there are, broken down by local health authority; and if he will make a statement. [68550]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available. It is for the local statutory authorities to determine the needs of people with autism in their area and provide appropriate placements.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with representatives of health authorities about the provisions for treatment of(a) children with (i) Kannens autism and (ii) autism spectrum disorder and (b) young persons and adults with autism spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement. [68553]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have not had any discussions with representatives of health authorities. It is for the local statutory authorities to determine the needs of children with autism in their area and work together effectively to ensure that these needs are met.

  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what timetable he has set for the production of reports by the Working Group on CFS/ME and its sub-groups; [68563]

  (2) by whom in his Department the reports produced by the CFS/ME Working Group and sub-groups will be considered; and what plans he has to publish them; [68562]

  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the terms of reference of(a) the CFS/ME Working Group and (b) its children's sub-group whose membership was announced on 4 November 1998. [68561]

  Ms Jowell
  The terms of reference for the chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) working group are; to review management and practice in the field of CFS/ME with the aim of providing best practice guidance for professionals, patients and carers to improve the quality of care and treatment for people with
  775
  CFS/ME. The children's sub-group has the same terms of reference although its primary focus will be issues specifically relating to children.

  The work of the groups should be completed by the summer of 2000 and the final report published later that year. The report will be considered by the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson. The Working Group was established by the previous CMO, Sir Kenneth Calman and its work has been taken forward by his successor, Professor Donaldson. The final report will be made freely available.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from mobile phone communications companies on the health aspects of the use of mobile phones. [69017]

  Ms Jowell
  Three mobile phone communications companies have made representations to the Department to discuss areas of common interest. In addition, Departmental officials have had discussions with the industry about possible research initiatives.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department has issued on the potential health effects of the use of mobile phones; and what plans he has to commission further research in this area. [69016]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government obtain advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) on the risks to health from exposure to electromagnetic fields, including those emitted by mobile phones. The NRPB's advice is that mobile phones currently used in the United Kingdom comply with their exposure guidelines (Restrictions on human exposure to static and time varying electromagnetic fields and radiation. Documents of the NRPB, 4, No 5,7–63 (1993)). Copies are available in the Library. These guidelines are intended to prevent acute adverse responses to increased heat load and elevated body temperature. The basis of these guidelines is the same as those of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Both organisations agree that the alleged (or potential) non-thermal effects which have occasionally been reported should not form the basis of exposure restrictions.

  Research into potential effects of microwaves such as those emitted by mobile phones is being undertaken on a worldwide basis. The Department is contributing to these international initiatives and is also supporting its own research programme. Research is also carried out at the NRPB.

  Beta-interferon
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if a waiting list for beta-interferon treatment has been drawn up by the West Sussex Health Authority. [69182]

  Mr. Denham
  No.

  Ministerial Flights
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which ministers in his Department made use of(a) RAF
  776
  and (b) chartered aircraft between 1 October 1998 and 31 January 1999; and if he will list the dates, destinations and costs of such flights. [69076]

  Ms Jowell
  There have been no occasions where a Department of Health Minister has used a Royal Air Force or privately chartered aircraft between 1 October 1998 and 31 January 1999.

  Xenotransplantation
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health from whom the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority has received applications for permission to conduct clinical trials of xenotransplantation; on what date each application was received; and for what types of procedure permission is being sought. [69292]

  Mr. Hutton
  To date, the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA) has received one application which complies with the requirements set out in"Guidance on making proposals to conduct xenotransplantation on human subjects".

  In addition, one applicant has been advised to re-submit an application in accordance with the requirements described in the Guidance.

  Information submitted to the UKXIRA is supplied in confidence. An announcement will be made if an application is approved.

  GP Fundholding
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he is making to abolish GP fundholding. [69658]

  Mr. Denham
  Further to the oral answer I gave on 2 February 1999,Official Report, column 711, the position is as follows. The current general practitioner fundholding schemes will be brought to an end on 31 March 1999 through secondary legislation. The Health Bill makes provision for the abolition of GP fundholding. A residual fundholding scheme, to be made by regulations under current legislation, will operate from 1 April until the first practicable date after the Health Bill receives Royal Assent.

SCOTLAND

  Local Enterprise Companies
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has provided to chairmen of local enterprise companies in Scotland on making public statements on political issues; and if he will make a statement. [67395]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 26 January 1999]: None. Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise delegate extensively the exercise of their powers and functions to local enterprise companies. Their activities are governed by the terms of their contractual relationships with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. LEC Board members are also expected to comply with the Code of Best Practice for Local Enterprise Companies Corporate Governance, which

  777
  focuses on integrity, accountability and openness. From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Student Fees
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the income to be raised by fees paid by students resident in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for their attendance at the fourth year or subsequent years of first degree courses at Scottish universities or colleges in the current year and each of the next five years. [675001

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 27 January 1999]: Students subject to the requirement to make a contribution to fees will not be in the fourth year of a course at a Scottish university or college until academic year 2001–02. The income to be raised in respect of fourth year fees from English, Welsh and Northern Ireland students for academic years 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 is therefore zero. At current prices it has been estimated that contributions which will be paid by students domiciled in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be approximately £2 million in academic year 2001–02 and thereafter. From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  McMillan Conversion Course
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, in relation to the McMillan two year open learning conversion course for second-level registered nurses(a) the level of funding provided, (b) the planned increase in funding and (c) the estimated number who will qualify each year; and if he will issue guidance to trusts on the selection of students for this course and on leave for attending. [67678]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The McMillan two-year open learning course is one of several different courses in Scotland for the conversion of second level to first level nurses. The Scottish Office funds some places on such courses through its contracts with Universities and Colleges for pre-registration nursing and midwifery education. However, education institutions have flexibility to decide, in the light of local demand, how many places to allocate to conversion courses and how many to other courses covered by their contracts. It is also for them to determine the nature of their second to first level conversion courses. Many do so through open learning, and some use the course published by McMillan.

  The number of places taken up in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 will depend on the demand for second level conversion courses. During 1996–97, 274 second level nurses in Scotland completed conversion courses. In 1997–98, the number was 310. These figures include nurses funded by their employer or privately as well as those funded by The Scottish Office.

  The only criteria required for entry to a second-level conversion course is that the candidate is a second level registered nurse. The nature of open learning is that students do not require leave to attend the course. They do, however, require to undertake a period of clinical experience. Most of this can be done in the area in which the second level nurse normally works.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [68414]

  Mr. Timms
  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.

  Pensions Review
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many representations were received on the Pensions Review; and how many recommended an increase in the(a) level and (b) scope of the basic state pension. [68704]

  Mr. Timms
  A total of 2,228 responses were received by the Pensions Review. The information on the content of the responses is not available in the form requested. 661 of the responses raised the issue of the uprating of the basic state pension; and 1,002 raised other issues relating to the basic state pension.

  Single Room Rent Provision
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years on (i) rent arrears and (ii) homelessness, on that age group. [68702]

  Angela Eagle
  Together with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department has commissioned the London Research Centre to investigate Housing Benefit and the private rented sector. The study includes interviews with young people who have had their Housing Benefit restricted under the single room rent (SRR) rules, as well as with other tenants, landlords, Housing Benefit Officers and Rent Officers. The study has been conducted in six case study areas and will provide evidence on the effects of the SRR and on rent arrears, though not directly on homelessness, which is difficult to establish. The report is expected to be published in the Spring.

  The Department has received a number of reports from outside organisations which present findings of studies into the impact of the single room rent provision. These reports are localised and they vary in their scope and quality. All these reports, together with the findings of a study funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, are being considered by the Department.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals have been subject to the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [68699]
  779
  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  As at 31 May 1997, 29,000 individuals aged under 25 years were subject to the single room rent provision, and of these 16,000 had their rent restricted. The May 1998 data will be published at the end of this month.

  Source:
  Housing Benefit Management Information System annual 1 per cent. sample taken at the end of May 1997.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what representations he has received on the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years; [68706]

  (2) what plans he has to review the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years; and if he will make a statement; [68700]

  (3) what plans he has to meet with welfare and voluntary sector organisations to discuss the single room rent provision for under 25 year olds. [68826]

  Angela Eagle
  Representations about the single room rent (SRR) provision for under 25 year olds have been received from hon. Members, members of the public and a variety of voluntary and charitable organisations. We are reviewing with the Local Authority Associations the Housing Benefit rules with a view to simplifying and improving the scheme. The SRR rules form part of that review. We have already met with a number of these organisations to invite their views.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years on the take-up of employment by that group; [68703]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the level of housing benefit fraud linked to the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years; [68701]

  (3) what assessment has been made of the number of persons who have changed accommodation as a result of the single room rent provision for those aged under 25 years. [68707]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available.

  Pension Payments (Computer Difficulties)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many payments to private pension schemes have been delayed due to computer difficulties; how many payments have been delayed(a) up to three, (b) three to six, (c) six to nine, (d) nine to 12 and (e) over 12 months, indicating the size of the compensation payments for each of these groups; and if payments will take account of changes in the equity market. [68823]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  The calculation of the National Insurance Rebates contains an assumption that they are paid in the October following the end of the tax year for which they are due. Normally around 90 per cent. of payments have been made by that date, and a further 95 per cent. by December.
  780
  This year by October, 14 per cent. had been paid, and by December, 46 per cent. Currently, 67 per cent. has been paid.

  We recognise the need to pay compensation for payments that have been delayed after October and arrangements are in place to pay 0.5 per cent. per month for each month of delay. The November payments therefore included compensation at the rate of 0.5 per cent., the December payment at 1 per cent., the January payment 1.5 per cent. and the February payment 2 per cent. Approximately £15.3 million in compensation has been paid to occupational and personal pension schemes in respect of individual scheme members up to February 1999.

  The level of compensation was discussed with the Government Actuary's Department who agreed that 0.5 per cent. per month represented a reasonable level of compensation given the prevailing market conditions in September 1998, and on the assumption that the arrangements put in place at that time were designed to cover a few months delay. This continues to be their view, and we have no plans to review this rate.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reform the Child Support Agency; and if he will make a statement. [68856]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) on 26 January 1999,Official Report, column 237.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff in the Benefits Agency have been employed for less than(a) three months, (b) six months, (c) one year and (d) two years. [68941]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 3 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many staff in the Benefits Agency have been employed for less than (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) one year and (d) two years.
  The information you have asked for is included in the attached table.
  As at 31 December 1998 the Agency employed 66,638 members of staff who had been employed for two years or more.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Benefits Agency permanent and fixed term appointment staff by length of service as at 31 December 1998

  Length of service

  Permanent and fixed-term contract

  Casual staff

  Less than 3 months

  1,478

  1,258

  3 to 6 months

  1,429

  1,251

  6 months to 1 year

  2,342

  1,093

  1 to 2 years

  1,718

  291

  Total

  6,967

  3,893

  Note:

  Figures are provisional and subject to change

  Benefits System
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on implementing the policy in the Green Paper, "A New Contract for Welfare", on making the cost of the benefits system more transparent, indicating what further measures are planned in the current year. [69097]

  Mr. Timms
  The Green Paper proposed "greater transparency about entitlement and costs" as one of the measures of success in tackling fraud and error in Social Security. We are committed to making the public more aware of the cost of fraud and error. We will be publishing our strategy on combating fraud and error shortly.

  Deprived Neighbourhoods
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on implementing the policy in the Green Paper, "A New Contract for Welfare", on introducing a better model for tackling effectively the linked problems of the most deprived neighbourhoods. [690991

  Angela Eagle
  The Social Exclusion Unit's report "Bringing People Together: a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal" was published on 15 September and provided a detailed picture of the concentration of problems in poor neighbourhoods. The report proposed 18 Policy Action Teams to focus on specific areas, and their findings, the last of which is expected at the end of this year, will form the basis of a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal.

  Ministers Flights
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which ministers in his Department made use of(a) RAF and (b) chartered aircraft between 1 October 1998 and 31 January 1999; and if he will list the dates, destinations and costs. [69078]

  Mr. Timms
  None.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of how many pensioners whose income has been affected by delays in the implementation of the NIRS2 system will have died before they receive(a) repayment and (b) compensation where it is due; and in how many of these cases the estate will revert to the Treasury. [69297]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if widows who have had to choose between receiving widows' pension, or receiving retirement pension without access to their and their husband's full national insurance contribution records, as a result of delays to the implementation of NIRS2, will be allowed to change their decision once the system is fully operational. [69296]
  782
  Mr. Timms
  Where a widow has had to make the choice between remaining in receipt of Widow's Benefit, transferring to Retirement Pension or deferring her pension to accrue increments based on incomplete information because of the NIRS2 problems, and her choice is shown to be disadvantageous to her when full details are known, she will be able to review her decision and revise her choice from the original date if she so wishes.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the indicator period set for each contributions-based benefit which the delay in payment of benefit due to the failure of the NIRS2 computer system must exceed in order for the possibility of compensation to be considered. [69298]

  Mr. Timms
  On Monday 1 February, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced a scheme to pay flat rate compensation of £10 to all Retirement Pensioners, Widows Benefit beneficiaries and Incapacity Benefit recipients who have suffered an unreasonable delay as a result of the problems with NIRS2.

  Within the normal Departmental Compensation Scheme, the indicator period which has to be exceeded before payment of compensation is considered is as follows:

  Period

  Retirement Pension

  8 months

  Widows Benefit

  4 months

  Incapacity Benefit

  4 months

  Jobseeker's Allowance

  3 months

  Information on the indicator periods for all benefits is contained in leaflet GL22 "Tell us your comments and complaints", which is available from Benefit Agency offices.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps the Contributions Agency plans to take to recover the cost of compensating benefit recipients who have lost out as a result of delays in the implementation of the NIRS2 system, from Andersen Consulting. [69300]

  Mr. Timms
  We are considering all appropriate steps within the terms of the NIRS2 agreement.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost to the Contributions Agency of compensating all benefit recipients who have lost out as a result of delays in the implementation of the NIRS2 system. [69299]

  Mr. Timms
  Full details of the additional compensation scheme announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security on Monday 1 February have not yet been finalised. Our best estimate is that the costs will be between £3 million and £4 million. Estimates of administration costs and additional amounts payable through the existing Departmental arrangements will be made when details of the scheme are finalised.

  Operation Lifeline Sudan
  Operation Lifeline Sudan
  Peter Mandelson MP
  Peter Mandelson MP
  Geoffrey Robinson MP
  Geoffrey Robinson MP
  Ministerial Code: Ministers' Obligations
  Ministerial Code: Ministers' Obligations
  Swaffham Wind Farm
  Swaffham Wind Farm
  Russia: Trade Figures
  Russia: Trade Figures
  NHS Hearing Aids
  NHS Hearing Aids
  Drug Supply Offender Order Proposal
  Drug Supply Offender Order Proposal
  Chile: Home Secretary's Visit
  Chile: Home Secretary's Visit
  McGonnel v. United Kingdom
  McGonnel v. United Kingdom
  Immigration Staff at Airports
  Immigration Staff at Airports
  Female Prisoners in Prison
  Female Prisoners in Prison
  Female Prisoners on Home Detention Curfew
  Female Prisoners on Home Detention Curfew
  Immigrants: Grant and Refusal of Leave to Remain
  Immigrants: Grant and Refusal of Leave to Remain
  Immigrants: Grant and Refusal of Asylum
  Immigrants: Grant and Refusal of Asylum
  Illegal Immigrant Numbers
  Illegal Immigrant Numbers
  Firearms: Central Register
  Firearms: Central Register
  Sudan
  Sudan
  Iraq
  Iraq
  Tallin: British Embassy
  Tallin: British Embassy
  Indonesia: Arms Export Licences
  Indonesia: Arms Export Licences
  Trilateral Commission
  Trilateral Commission
  Private Military Companies: Control
  Private Military Companies: Control
  Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems
  Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems
  British Citizens Detained Without Trial
  British Citizens Detained Without Trial
  Sierra Leone
  Sierra Leone
  Hong Kong
  Hong Kong
  Zinoviev Letter: Memorandum
  Zinoviev Letter: Memorandum
  Isokon Flats, Hampstead
  Isokon Flats, Hampstead
  Oliver Cromwell: Quatercentenary
  Oliver Cromwell: Quatercentenary
  Castle Urquhart
  Castle Urquhart
  Scottish Parliament: Use of Gaelic
  Scottish Parliament: Use of Gaelic
  BBC: Scottish Headquarters
  BBC: Scottish Headquarters
  Scotland: Shotgun Use
  Scotland: Shotgun Use
  Roadworks: Speed Incentives
  Roadworks: Speed Incentives
  Badger Culling
  Badger Culling
  Farm Incomes
  Farm Incomes
  Bovine TB
  Bovine TB