Written Answers of 9 February 1999

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Arrest Warrants
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the procedure for the review of an outstanding warrant of arrest issued by the RUC; how frequently an outstanding warrant is reviewed; and in what circumstances and by what criteria an outstanding warrant could be set aside. [69881]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: There are various types of arrest warrant:

  1. Bench/arrest warrant

  2. Committal warrant

  3. Distress warrant

  4. Extradition warrant

  5. Enforcement of Justice warrant.

  Different procedural arrangements for review apply to each. However, it should be noted that, generally, warrants issued under the appropriate legislation are returned if not executed, within the time specified therein.

  Data held by central statistics unit of the Royal Ulster Constabulary

  Court statistics

  CS Reference Number

  Crime statistics Ref No—Unique number created by the system to identify each court record

  Year

  The year in which the case went to court

  Court Code

  The location of the court in which the case was heard, i.e. Bangor or Belfast etc.

  Bill No.

  Court Service reference number.

  Court Date

  The date on which the case was held.

  Sex

  Male, Female or other (businesses etc.)

  DOB

  The offenders date of birth.

  Age

  Age of offender—generated by the computer.

  Occupation

  The occupation of the accused, this only applies to members of the security forces, i.e. police, army or prison officer.

  Ethnicity

  The ethnic origins of the accused.

  FCN

  Force computer number—criminal record number issued to the defendant.

  Offence Date

  Date on which the offence occurred.

  Sub Division

  The radio call sign of the Sub-Divisional headquarters where the offence took place.

  Previous Convictions

  State if the defendant has any previous convictions.

  TIC

  The number of offences taken into consideration.

  Scheduled

  States whether the offence is scheduled or non scheduled. Scheduled offences are heard in crown courts and are of a more serious nature, i.e. terrorist or other serious crimes.

  Additional

  As the system can only hold seven offences, any additional charges are noted here.

  Plea

  Guilty or Not Guilty.

  Prefix

  States if the offences was attempted, siding and abetting, conspiring or inciting.

  Offence Code

  Numeric code of each offence.

  Suffix

  States if the offence was armed robbery or aggravated burglary.

  Finding

  Decision of the court—guilty, not guilty or sent to trial.

  Type of Offence

  States if the offence is primary or secondary and also if it is indictable/summary/motoring.

  Disposal

  Numeric code to identify the sentence.

  Unit

  Specifies if the penalty is monetary or of time duration.

  Amount or duration

  States the amount of the fine or the duration of the sentence.

  126
  If a time limit is not specified the unexecuted warrant is returned to a court or issuing Justice at the end of twelve months for cancellation or re-issue.

  Generally, warrants are not executed after a lapse of two years without instruction from the issuing authority in cases:

  (a) to enforce appearance at Magistrates' Courts; and

  (b) to arrest for trivial offences.

  Except in cases of a serious crime or where delay in execution may result in the escape of the accused, a warrant which has been on issue for more than four years is not executed without instructions from the issuing authority.

  The setting aside of an outstanding warrant is a matter for the issuing authority.

  Police and Court Databases
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the headings under which police and court databases in Northern Ireland record(a) arrests, charges and convictions, (b) the personal details of individuals who are arrested, charged or convicted and (c) the employment details of individuals arrested, charged or convicted; and if the databases contain information on the numbers of individuals (i) whose employment may change from the time of their arrest to the time of their conviction and (ii) arrested, charged or convicted who may have served part-time or full-time in Her Majesty's armed forces or the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [69879]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Details of the fields of information held by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in its Court database are as follows:
  127
  This database does not contain information on the numbers of individuals whose employment may change from the time of their arrest to the time of their conviction.

  Information recorded on court databases

  Belfast Crown Court

  Belfast and Newtownabbey magistrates courts

  (a) Arrests

  Not recorded

  Not recorded

  Charges

  Number against each defendant per offence category:

  Number against each defendant per offence category:

  Murder

  Indictable—Crown Court only

  Manslaughter

  Indictable—Tried Summarily

  Wounding

  Major motoring

  Burglary and Robbery

  Minor motoring

  Fraud and Forgery

  Other Summary

  Sexual Offences

  Criminal Damage

  Offences against the State

  Drugs

  Theft and unauthorised taking

  Convictions

  Number per defendant

  Number per defendant

  (b) Personal details of individuals arrested, charged or convicted

  Not recorded

  Not recorded

  (c) Employment details of individuals arrested, charged or convicted

  Not recorded

  Not recorded

  These databases do not contain information on the numbers of individuals (i) whose employment may change from the time of their arrest to the time of their conviction or on those individuals (ii) arrested, charged or convicted who may have served part-time or full-time in Her Majesty's armed forces or the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in her Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69512]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The headline pay settlement for the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) was 3 per cent. on the paybill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases, averaging 4 per cent. of which 0.5 per cent. was paid as non-consolidated non-pensionable bonuses. The increases were not staged.

  The headline pay settlement for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) was 2 per cent. on the paybill and together with the additional funds from staff turnover staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 3.5 per cent. The increases were not staged.

DEFENCE

  RN Base Clyde
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which organisation maintains and refits nuclear
  128
  The following information in respect of the databases of the Courts has been provided by the Northern Ireland Court Service, a unified and distinct civil service of the Crown, responsible to the Lord Chancellor.

  submarines at RN Base Clyde; when the contract commenced; and what previous experience of such work the organisation had. [69062]

  Mr. Spellar
  Nuclear submarines are not refitted at HM Naval Base Clyde. Repair and maintenance on nuclear submarines at the Clyde Naval Base is conducted by Royal Naval personnel and Civilian contractors. To meet fluctuations in workload and when it has been considered cost effective to do so, contracts for maintenance work have been placed with civilian companies. These are principally Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd., Devonport Management Ltd. and Rolls Royce and Associates, all of whom have wide experience in this work.

  REME
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice he received from TAVRA North West on the proposal to transfer HQ 101 Battalion REME to Queensferry. [69344]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This advice was given in confidence, as part of internal discussion. I am therefore withholding the information under exemption 2 (internal discussion and advice) of the Code of Practice on access to Government information.

  Procurement Contracts
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation of past performance is included in the assessment of bids for defence procurement contracts; and what criteria are included when considering bids from contractors who have not previously supplied his Department. [69411]
  129
  Mr. Spellar
  The MOD takes account of a company's capability and capacity, including past performance, when deciding which companies should be invited to tender. Where there is uncertainty about the ability of firms to meet the requirement, companies that have expressed interest, including potential new suppliers, are normally asked to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire to provide information on, among other matters, their technical capability and delivery history. As part of the implementation of Smart Procurement, we are seeking, jointly with Industry, to reinforce our procedures for taking account of past performance in assessing tenders.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the profit margins included in bids made by tenderers for defence procurement contracts. [69410]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry is unaware of the level of profit included in competitive bids for defence procurement contracts since this is a judgment for the tenderers to make. In non-competitive contracts the level of profits is negotiated in accordance with the Government Profit Formula, on a company-by-company basis.

  RN Base Faslane
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if installed personal IPM7 monitors are in use at RN Base Faslane; if personnel are monitored by IPM7 when they leave the yard; and if he will make a statement on the practice at other nuclear establishments. [69465]

  Mr. Spellar
  One IPM7 walk through monitor is installed in the Clyde Naval Base. When leaving classified areas all personnel are monitored for contamination by trained Health Physics staff using hand held instruments. They also have the option of using the IPM7 at this stage. In the very unlikely event that personnel are contaminated, they are taken to the Health Physics Group for decontamination, which includes compulsory monitoring by the IPM7.

  At MOD-owned nuclear establishments, it is the practice to monitor the working environment and exposed personnel for possible contamination. Contamination monitors are used as part of the overall monitoring arrangements.

  Landmines
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made in finding alternatives to landmines for use in military operations. [69561]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: There is no single weapon which can replace the capability previously provided by anti-personnel landmines. Work is continuing to establish how best to provide the required capability in the future, consistent with our obligations under UK and International law. Where necessary, anti-tank mines will continue to be used in military operations.
  130

  Royal Ordnance, Bishopton
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the overseas sources which will meet his Department's requirements for propellants following the closure of Royal Ordnance, Bishopton. [69569]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The supply of sub-components, including propellant, for equipment supplied under existing MOD contracts is a matter for Royal Ordnance and other prime contractors until the completion of the contract. Future MOD requirements for propellant will be subject to procurement decisions in due course. We expect that alternative sources of propellant will be available from friendly and reliable sources in Europe, or further afield.

  Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when access will be restored to the website of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. [69570]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Work is underway to restore access to the website of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). This work is a matter for the SHAPE authorities.

  Biological Detection Systems
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the prototype biological defence vehicles which his Department intends to purchase; [69560]

  (2) what progress his Department is making on the development of personal biological weapons detectors. [69558]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: A number of vehicle-mounted Prototype Biological Detection Systems were accepted into service on 7 December 1998. They provide a deployable detection capability to supply field commanders with the information necessary to institute protective and medical countermeasures. These prototype systems provide an interim capability until the vehicle-mounted Integrated Biological Detection System enters service. This is currently the subject of a competition for full development and production.

  MOD work on a personal biological agent detection system is currently at the research stage.

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69519]

  Mr. Spellar
  The headline pay settlement was 2½ per cent. on the paybill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 4½ per cent. The increase was not staged.
  131

  Competitive Sport (Armed Forces)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of competitive sport in the armed forces. [70122]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Participation in competitive sport within the Armed Forces has long been recognised as playing a very considerable part in Service life. In addition to being a key means of promoting physical fitness, team spirit and of great benefit to maintaining high levels of morale, sport within the Armed Forces contributes to military effectiveness by developing personal qualities such as motivation, courage, resilience, stamina and co-ordination.

  Market research indicates that opportunities for competitive sport within the Services is high on the list of factors which attract many potential recruits to join the Armed Forces. It is my Department's firm policy to promote fitness and a healthy lifestyle among personnel and to encourage fully the participation by members of the Armed Forces in structured sporting activities, together with adequate time to do so.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Wednesday afternoons are still set aside for competitive sport for armed forces personnel. [70128]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Armed Forces have traditionally set aside Wednesday afternoons, on an informal basis, to give personnel the opportunity to partake in competitive and non-competitive sporting activity. This is still encouraged although the level of participation is very much dependent on operational requirements and training commitments within the various chains of Command, with whom the final decision rests. In some cases representative sports are played on other days of the week in order to reduce the effect of absence from primary duties.

  Northern Division
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the cost of relocating and retasking existing brigades in establishing the proposed northern division. [70123]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No existing brigades are to be relocated as a result of the establishment of the northern division. Rather, there will be a transfer of responsibility for some existing tasks between Divisional and Brigade Headquarters; small numbers of staff will transfer accordingly, but the costs will not be significant.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the cost of providing new and refurbished buildings in Edinburgh when 2 Divisional HQ moves from York to Edinburgh. [70127]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We estimate that the initial cost of refurbishing office accommodation at the Headquarters Scottish District in Craigiehall will be some £250,000; there is a project to rebuild the headquarters in due course 132
  and it was assumed in the review of the Army's divisional/district structure that this project would proceed at a cost of £7 million during the second half of the next decade.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what criteria he based his decision to move the Army's 2 Divisional HQ from York to Edinburgh. [70124]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The criteria were that the headquarters of the Northern Division should be able to carry out its role effectively and at reduced cost when compared with existing arrangements.

  Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the past five years the Ministry of Defence Observer has attended a board meeting at the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research. [70023]

  Mr. Spellar
  Four.

  Armed Forces Pensions
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost of backdating the changes which became operative from 1 April 1975 to the Armed Forces pension arrangements to cover all those who retired before 1 April 1975. [70230]

  Mr. Spellar
  The only change to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme which became operative on 1 April 1975 was the introduction of preserved pensions for those with insufficient service to qualify for an immediate pension. In line with public service pension scheme practice the improvement was not applied retrospectively to those who had already left the Armed Forces. An estimate of the cost of backdating the change is not available and could be obtained, if at all, only at disproportionate cost.

  Furthermore, costs to MOD could not be considered in isolation from other Government Departments. It is the general practice for all public service pension schemes, when introducing improvements, to apply them only to those serving at the date of the change. If the pensions of all retired Scheme members were retrospectively increased each time a new improvement was introduced, changes to schemes would become very expensive and probably unaffordable.

  Guards Battalions
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of trained officers and soldiers currently serving in the Guards battalions by nationality. [69856]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The following figures are limited strictly to those personnel serving with their battalions. It does not cover officers or soldiers from the Foot Guards posted to units or establishments away from their battalions, staff, headquarters, diplomatic staff, or training organisations. Where no nationality is know it is categorised as No Nationality.
  133

  1 Grenadier Guards

  Nijmegan Coy Grenadier Guards

  1 Coldstream Guards

  7 Coy Coldstream Guards

  1 Scots Guards

  F Coy Scots Guards

  1 Irish Guards

  1 Welsh Guards

  Total

  Strength of all trained officers

  English

  31

  4

  29

  3

  28

  3

  33

  25

  156

  Scottish

  —

  —

  1

  —

  11

  —

  1

  —

  13

  Welsh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  8

  10

  British

  1

  1

  2

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  8

  N Irish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Manx

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  No Nationality

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Indian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Channel Island

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  British/Irish Rep

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Brit/US

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Total

  33

  5

  35

  3

  40

  4

  43

  33

  196

  Strength of all trained soldiers

  English

  475

  63

  565

  96

  178

  39

  420

  130

  1,966

  Welsh

  3

  1

  4

  —

  6

  —

  8

  407

  429

  Scottish

  10

  3

  21

  1

  290

  49

  19

  6

  399

  N Irish

  2

  —

  3

  —

  3

  —

  148

  1

  157

  British

  11

  —

  13

  1

  14

  3

  9

  9

  60

  Citizen Irish Rep

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  39

  —

  421

  Irish Rep/Foreign

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Irish Rep/Resident

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  3

  British/Irish Rep

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Manx

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  Australian

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  British Hong Kong

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  New Zealander

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Rhodesian

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Trinidadian

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Eireian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  S African

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Channel Islander

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  British/British Commonwealth

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Brit Nat/Foreign Restr

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Total

  507

  67

  609

  99

  491

  93

  654

  553

  3,073

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is(a) the establishment and (b) the current strength of each of the regiments in the Foot Guards; and if he will list each element of company strength serving with them, indicating where each battalion has soldiers attached to it from another battalion, which battalion they are from and in what numbers. [69855]

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

  Royal Tournament (Gun Competition)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the naval gun competition in the Royal Tournament. [70121]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We announced in September last year that the Royal Tournament in its current form will end in 1999. A special event will be held in the year 2000 to celebrate the millennium. As we said at the time of the announcement, the nature of events in 2001 and beyond are subject to further work on timing, location and format. The future of the naval gun competition is being considered as part of that process. At present nothing has been ruled in or out.
  134

  South Coast Biological Defence Trials
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the independent review conducted by Professor Brian Spratt of the South Coast biological defence trials. [70568]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Professor Brian Spratt has now completed his review of the microbiological defence trials conducted along the South Coast in the 1960s and 1970s. The MOD welcomes his main findings:That the trials would have caused no harm to the vast majority of people.
  That, although there may have been an unquantifiable risk of infection in a small number of people who had a serious underlying disease, such as cystic fibrosis, any such infections would have been infections of the chest or blood and would have occurred within days of release of the bacteria.
  That it is extremely unlikely that there is any link between the bacteria released in the trials and health problems reported by people who have suffered chronic ill health, miscarriages, or who have had children with disabilities.

  I have arranged for a copy of Professor Spratt's full report to be placed in the Library of the House.
  135

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Recycling
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee (1) what proportion of the consumption of each of the following materials on the Parliamentary Estate is currently recycled(a) paper, (b) kitchen oils, (c) lightbulbs and fluorescent tubes, (d) glass drinks bottles, (e) drinks cans, (f) refrigerant gases and (g) plastic products; [68734]

  (2) if she will set targets for each of the next five years for the recycled proportion of (a) paper, (b) kitchen oils, (c) lightbulbs and fluorescent tubes, (d) glass drinks bottles, (e) drinks cans, (f) refrigerant gases and (g) plastic products consumed on the Parliamentary Estate. [68735]

  Mrs. Roe
  These are matters for the Serjeant at Arms. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were(a) declarees at the point of entry and (b) non-declarees who were subsequently identified as seeking assistance in each quarter since 1 January 1997. [68584]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  Asylum seekers may generally receive benefit in the form of income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit, if they are port asylum applicants, or support from local authority social services departments, if they are in-country asylum applicants or asylum appellants.

  The information requested on those who seek support from local authority social services departments is not available. But on those who seek income support, statistics available on the number of urgent case payments that are claimed, awarded and refused are shown in the table. Only a small proportion of urgent case recipients are not asylum seekers.

  The number of total urgent case payment claims broadly reflects the total number of asylum seekers who have sought income support; the numbers awarded indicate how many were on-arrival asylum applicants, the

  Asylum applications1received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, May 1997 to December 1998, by month, for selected nationalities

  Principal applicants

  Applications

  Poland

  Romania

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  Croatia

  Slovenia

  FYROM (Macedonia)

  Albania

  Hungary

  May 1997

  55

  40

  10

  95

  5

  15

  —

  35

  —

  June 1997

  30

  55

  15

  110

  5

  —

  —

  50

  —

  July 1997

  40

  65

  10

  150

  5

  —

  —

  40

  —

  August 1997

  40

  65

  10

  200

  10

  *

  *

  40

  —

  September 1997

  35

  25

  5

  220

  10

  5

  *

  55

  —

  October 1997

  35

  85

  10

  240

  5

  *

  5

  30

  —

  November 1997

  40

  70

  10

  220

  20

  —

  5

  40

  —

  December 1997

  90

  75

  10

  295

  50

  *

  10

  50

  —

  January 1998

  90

  40

  5

  270

  5

  —

  *

  30

  —

  February 1998

  95

  55

  5

  270

  5

  *

  *

  30

  —

  136
  numbers refused are indicative of those who were in-country applicants (although this may also include a number of on-arrival applicants who do not satisfy the other rules of entitlement). But the latter do not include those in-country applicants who applied for support direct to local authority social services departments.

  Number of urgent case payment claims, awards and refusals January 1997 to December 1998

  Number of urgent case payment claims

  Number of urgent case payment awards

  Number of urgent case payments refused

  1997

  January

  2,051

  1,347

  685

  February

  1,879

  1,103

  594

  March

  1,682

  1,257

  623

  April

  2,475

  1,348

  731

  May

  2,431

  1,458

  645

  June

  2,121

  1,300

  675

  July

  2,621

  1,305

  1,166

  August

  2,376

  1,192

  841

  September

  2,642

  1,399

  1,048

  October

  2,480

  1,458

  1,060

  November

  2,448

  1,062

  776

  December

  2,379

  1,112

  711

  1998

  January

  3,077

  1,248

  933

  February

  2,544

  1,288

  953

  March

  2,900

  1,504

  1,142

  April

  2,723

  1,221

  1,146

  May

  2,401

  1,110

  1,050

  June

  3,064

  1,449

  1,134

  July

  3,348

  1,437

  1,806

  August

  3,372

  1,719

  1,796

  September

  3,418

  2,215

  1,829

  October

  3,698

  2,168

  2,314

  November

  3,270

  1,922

  1,883

  December

  2,899

  1,959

  1,447

  Note:

  Please note data are subject to amendment

  Source:

  Benefits Agency Management Information Statistics

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from nationals of(a) Poland, (b) Romania, (c) Bosnia and Herzegovina, (d) Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, (e) Croatia, (f) Slovenia, (g) FYROM, (h) Albania and (i) Hungary in each month since 1 May 1997. [69990]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is given in the table.
  137

  Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, May 1997 to December 1998, by month, for selected nationalities

  Principal applicants

  Applications

  Poland

  Romania

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  Croatia

  Slovenia

  FYROM (Macedonia)

  Albania

  Hungary

  March 1998

  95

  45

  15

  280

  10

  —

  5

  55

  —

  April 1998

  140

  70

  10

  385

  10

  *

  —

  30

  —

  May 1998

  85

  60

  15

  315

  5

  5

  *

  40

  —

  June 1998

  100

  50

  15

  680

  15

  *

  *

  55

  —

  July 1998

  80

  115

  10

  845

  15

  5

  25

  35

  —

  August 1998

  140

  95

  15

  905

  15

  —

  *

  55

  —

  September 1998

  160

  70

  20

  870

  25

  —

  5

  65

  —

  October 1998

  200

  115

  15

  1,160

  30

  —

  *

  70

  —

  November 1998

  140

  125

  20

  735

  80

  —

  5

  55

  —

  December 1998

  265

  170

  10

  675

  115

  —

  5

  40

  —

  Total

  1,945

  1,500

  245

  8,920

  450

  35

  65

  900

  —

  1 Figures rounded to nearest 5, with *=1 or 2

  Source:

  Immigration Research Statistics Service, RDS

  Police Conduct
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many metropolitan police officers have been suspended from duty due to allegations as to their conduct and for(a) up to three months, (b) up to six months, (c) up to nine months, (d) up to 12 months, (e) up to 15 months and (f) over 15 months. [69069]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the total number of officers suspended from duty as at 1 February 1999 was 106, and that the other information requested is as follows:

  Period of suspension

  Number

  Up to 3 months

  29

  Up to 6 months

  19

  Up to 9 months

  14

  Up to 12 months

  13

  Up to 15 months

  14

  Over 15 months

  17

  The suspension of a particular officer from duty does not imply that action will be taken against that officer. That depends on the outcome of investigations on the case.

  Strip Searches
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the conclusions and recommendations of the review evaluated by his Department of strip searching procedures; and if he will place a copy of the final report in the Library. [69608]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Prison Service has completed its report on searching in prisons, but it has still to finalise recommendations and submit its proposals on how these will be implemented. A copy of the final report and its recommendations will be placed in the Library when this process has been completed.

  Bus Lane Offences
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions of private motorists charged with driving in a bus lane during the hours when 138
  such lanes are not authorised for use by private vehicles in the Greater London area there have been in each of the last three years. [69400]

  Mr. Boateng
  Prosecutions of private motorists are not separately identifiable in the statistics collected on motoring offences, nor can this offence be distinguished from other offences connected with neglect of traffic directions in the statistics collected centrally.

  However, most bus lane offences are dealt with by fixed penalty notice, and information obtained from both the Metropolitan and City of London Police shows that 15,218 fixed penalties notices were issued by them for contravening a bus lane in 1996, 15,061 in 1997 and 14,846 in 1998.

  Driving (Drugs)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of driving whilst under the influence of illegal drugs. [69543]

  Mr. Boateng
  We are working closely with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Association of Chief Police Officers. The Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch is researching into the possible development of roadside drugs screening technology and we support the Association of Chief Police Officers in its work to ensure that officers have the appropriate training to enforce the current legislation as effectively as possible. We will consider possible changes in legislation in the light of the results of the DETR research into the incidence of drugs in road fatalities.

  Channel Islands (Separation of Powers)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proposals he has to review the constitutional separation of powers between Judiciary and Legislation in Jersey following the European Court of Human Rights decision in McConnell v. the United Kingdom; [69555]
  139
  (2) what proposals he has to review the constitutional position of the Bailiff of the Royal Court of Guernsey and the separation of powers in that island following the European Court of Human Rights decision in McConnell v. United Kingdom. [69556]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The European Court of Human Rights has not yet made a decision in this case. On 4 December 1998, the European Commission of Human Rights decided to refer the case to the Court and it will be examined in due course.

  Home Detention Curfews
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he plans to monitor the effectiveness of the Home Detention Curfew Scheme. [69480]

  Mr. George Howarth
  An evaluation of the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme is being carried out by the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. The study will cover a variety of issues including the impact on prisoners and on the prison and probation services, assessments of suitability for HDC, the extent to which home detention curfews are successfully completed, recalls to prison, the rate of re-offending and the cost effectiveness of the scheme.

  We expect results on the first year performance of the scheme to be available in mid-2000.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 1999,Official Report, columns 76–78, concerning the home detention welfare provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, when he proposes to write to the hon. Member for Hertsmere. [70280]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 8 February. A copy of this letter is in the Library. I will write again to the hon. Member when the remaining information becomes available.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of the prisoners released under the home detention curfew provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have been released subject to supervision by a probation officer; [70115]

  (2) how many of the prisoners released since 28 January under the home detention curfew provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 are serving sentences as a result of convictions for offences (a) of violence, (b) of burglary and (c) to which Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 applies; [70117]

  (3) how many of the prisoners released since 28 January under the home detention curfew provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have previous convictions for offences (a) of violence, (b) of burglary and (c) to which Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 applies. [70116]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The data are not yet available and I will write to the hon. Member when they have been collated.
  140

  Departmental Efficiency Gains
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to express efficiency gains as a percentage of his departmental budget; and if he will make a statement. [69630]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department's Public Service Agreement (published in the White Paper "Public Services for the Future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability") includes a target for the Home Office to achieve efficiency improvements of 3 per cent. a year; as well as targets for improvements against total spending on the police and the fire services of 2 per cent. a year, and on the probation service of 4 per cent. a year.

  The White Paper describes the range of projects and targets which are in place to achieve these efficiency gains. For example, a Modernisation Programme has been launched which will develop better management, accommodation, personnel and Information Technology systems. Specific targets have been set, or are being developed, for correspondence, telephone response, sickness absence, procurement, processing of immigration casework and a number of other areas.

  I have no plans to express these efficiency gains as a percentage of my budget, as this would be misleading in relation to the work that is underway. Rather, the efficiency improvements will be made up of a range of increases in output relative to input, budgetary savings and transfers of existing resources to meet new priorities.

  Police Authority Contingency Reserves
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requirements his Department has laid down in respect of the contingency reserves to be kept by police authorities in England; and what guidance his Department provides in relation to the use to which such moneys should be put. [69473]

  Mr. Boateng
  Section 43 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires Police Authorities to have regard to the level of reserves needed for meeting estimated future expenditure when calculating their budget requirement. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has recently re-issued to police authorities advice in determining the appropriate level of reserves and balances. CIPFA recommends that the level of balances for a Police Authority should be around 2 per cent. to 5 per cent., depending on local circumstances.

  The Home Office provides no separate guidance to police authorities on the use to which reserves and balances should be put. The allocation of all resources, including reserves, is entirely a matter for the Chief Constable and the Police Authority.

  Casinos
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licensed casinos there are in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) the North West of England. [69377]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There are 100 licensed casinos in England and 4 in Wales.
  141
  16 casinos are in the north west of England, (Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside; Cumbria and Cheshire have none). One more is due to open in May or June this year.

  Amusement Arcades
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licensed amusement arcades there are in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) the North-West of England. [69374]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government do not collect figures on the numbers of amusement arcades.

  However, BACTA (the trade association for the amusement machine industry) estimate that there are between 1,800 and 2,000 amusement arcades in Great Britain. They have no geographical breakdown.

  Prison Statistics
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted prisoners are housed in cells designed for two people but housing in excess of that number. [69462]

  Mr. George Howarth
  No centrally held data are available on the number of convicted prisoners housed in cells designed for two people but housing in excess of that number. This information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  The Prison Service does record the numbers of prisoners housed in cells designed for single occupancy but housing two prisoners. Separate figures for convicted or unconvicted prisoners are not available. The average number of prisoners held two to a cell designed for one for the 1998–99 year to December is 12,080. No prisoners have been held three to a cell designed for one since March 1994.

  Metropolitan Police (Legal Costs)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases in each of the last five years the Metropolitan Police has funded in whole or in part the legal costs of serving or former police officers facing criminal charges; and in how many cases funding is still continuing. [69843]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: At my request, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is arranging for information about the number of cases there are being funded in the current financial year to be collated, and I will write to the hon. Member when that is available. Relevant information for the previous four years is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The Commissioner tells me that the Metropolitan Police are currently reviewing their system for recording such information.

  Stephen Lawrence
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to make a statement on the inquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence. [69342]
  142
  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The Inquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence is expected to report shortly. I will make a statement when I publish the report.

  Public Consultations
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish his Department's collation and assessment of responses to all the Government's public consultations. [69777]

  Mr. Straw
  The Home Office issues public consultation documents from time to time. It usually publishes a synopsis of views when it gives a Government response to such consultation and those views made available in the Library. It would be of disproportionate cost to give a collation and assessment of all such documents.

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69514]

  Mr. Straw
  In the non-agency Home Office, the headline pay settlement was 2.7 per cent. on the paybill. Together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4 per cent. 0.5 per cent. of these increases was staged and will be paid with effect from 1 April 1999.

  Back Beat Club Raid
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on(a) the surveillance operation and (b) the raid on the Back Beat Club in December 1998; how many police officers were involved; and what was the value and types of controlled drugs seized. [69311]

  Mr. Boateng
  This is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. He tells me that a number of people have now been charged following this police operation. As the matter is now before the court, I cannot comment further at this stage on matters which may be material to the case.

  General Pinochet
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons he was not informed of the contacts on 14 October between the Metropolitan Police and his Department relating to the former's contacts with the 5th Central Magistrate's Court in Madrid; and what was the nature of the information passed on. [70254]

  Mr. Straw
  I was informed on Friday 16 October of the contacts between the Metropolitan Police and the 5th Central Magistrates Court. These contacts over the period 14–16 October related initially to a request to interview Senator Pinochet. Such requests for interview are, as a matter of routine, executed directly by the police or other law enforcement agencies. Where such requests are made directly to the Home Office they are referred to
  143
  the police to execute. This was set out in my reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison), on 27 October 1998, Official Report, column 123.

  Disclosure of information that passed between the Metropolitan Police and the 5th Central Magistrate's Court is a matter for the Metropolitan Police.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost to date to public funds of the arrest and detention of General Pinochet. [70282]

  Mr. Straw
  Costs in extradition proceedings are generally treated on a reciprocal basis. In this case, the United Kingdom is responsible for the costs of processing extradition requests made from Spain. In return, Spain is responsible for the costs of processing extradition requests made from the United Kingdom. The costs incurred in police operations are a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, and, in this case, for the Chief Constable of Surrey.

  Figures on legal costs are not yet available. The costs of the hearings in the House of Lords have not yet been settled and no costs order will be made until the conclusion of the case.

  As of today, the fees of Counsel instructed by the Treasury Solicitor's Department on my behalf are £69,125, of which £18,000 subject to agreement or taxation, is recoverable under a costs order made against Senator Pinochet in the Divisional Court in my favour. As of today, the fees of Counsel instructed by the Treasury Solicitor's Department as amicus curiae are £54,500.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who signed the initial warrant for the arrest of General Pinochet; where and at what time; with representatives from which bodies in attendance; with what prior warning to the person who signed the warrant; and at whose request. [70236]

  Mr. Straw
  The issue of a provisional arrest warrant is a matter for the police and the magistrate. The first provisional arrest warrant was signed by Mr. Nicholas Evans, Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate, at his home at around 9–9.30 pm on 16 October 1998. I understand

  Minister

  Dates

  Places visited

  Purpose of visit

  Secretary of State and Joyce Quin

  26.5.97 to 27.5.97

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council Meeting

  Joyce Quin

  9.6.97 to 11.6.97

  Prague

  Council of Europe Justice Ministers Meeting

  Lord Williams of Mostyn

  15.9.97 to 19.9.97

  Paris, Germany, Oslo

  Fact-finding to look at procedures for investigating suspicious deaths, human rights and community sentences

  Alun Michael

  16.9.97 to 18.9.97

  New York

  Visit New York Cares Scheme and New York Police

  Joyce Quin

  17.9.97

  Paris

  Debate at Ecole Nationale d'Administration

  Joyce Quin

  26.9.97 to 28.9.97

  Sienna

  Pontignano Conference

  Secretary of State and Joyce Quin

  9.10.97 to 10.10.97

  Luxembourg

  Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council

  Joyce Quin

  20.10.97 to 21.10.97

  Strasbourg

  Meeting with MEPs prior to UK Presidency

  Secretary of State

  20.10.97 to 21.10.97

  Paris

  Meetings with French Interior Minister and Minister of Justice

  Joyce Quin

  4.11.97 to 6.11.97

  Stockholm

  Studying of tagging and prison organisation

  Alun Michael

  16.11.97 to 17.11.97

  The Hague

  To present European Crime Prevention Awards and visit juvenile delinquents computer system and day training centre

  Joyce Quin

  3.12.97 to 5.12.97

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  Secretary of State

  4.12.97 to 5.12.97

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  Alun Michael

  5.12.97 to 8.12.97

  Bosnia

  To visit British Police serving in Bosnia

  Secretary of State

  9.12.97 to 10.12.97

  Washington

  G8 Meeting on Organised Crime

  144
  that officers from the Metropolitan Police Extradition Squad and clerks from Bow Street Magistrates' Court were in attendance. The Metropolitan Police applied for the warrant following receipt, via Interpol, of a request for the provisional arrest of Senator Pinochet issued by the fifth Magistrate's Court in Madrid.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which body served the arrest warrant for General Pinochet; at what time; with how many people in attendance; and with what armed backup. [70237]

  Mr. Straw
  The service of the arrest warrant is an operational matter for the Metropolitan Police. The first provisional arrest warrant for Senator Pinochet was served by two officers of the Metropolitan Police Extradition Squad at 11.45pm on 16 October 1998. In attendance were the head of the Metropolitan Police Extradition Unit and another officer; a civilian interpreter; a doctor; and two nurses. There was no armed backup.

  Road Deaths (Penalties)
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a mandatory life ban on driving for those guilty of causing road deaths. [68262]

  Mr. Boateng
  Disqualification from driving is obligatory where a driver is convicted of causing death by dangerous driving or causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. The period is, however, currently a matter for the courts discretion. The Government keep all penalties under review but have no plans currently to impose a mandatory life ban.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions on which he and Ministers in his Department have undertaken overseas visits in the course of their ministerial duties since 1997; and if he will give details of the purpose and duration of each visit. [67746]

  Mr. Straw
  [pursuant to his reply, 28 January 1999, c. 361–64]: On closer examination, the list provided contained three inaccuracies. The correct list of Home Office Ministerial visits overseas between 2 May 1997 and 25 January 1999 is now given in the table:
  145

  Minister

  Dates

  Places visited

  Purpose of visit

  Mike O'Brien

  18.12.97 to 19.12.97

  Luxembourg

  Conference on European Year Against Racism

  Mike O'Brien

  4.1.98 to 14.1.98

  Pakistan, India, Bangladesh

  To observe entry clearance posts

  Secretary of State

  13.1.98 to 14.1.98

  Madrid

  Meetings with the Spanish Minister of the Interior and Minister of Justice

  Secretary of State

  26.1.98

  Brussels

  Meetings with the European Parliament Civil Liberties Committee, the EPLP and the ELDR

  Joyce Quin

  28.1.98

  Brussels

  To address the European Presidency Racism and Xenophobia Debate

  Secretary of State

  4.2.98 to 6.2.98

  Washington, USA

  Accompanying Prime Minister: Meetings with National Institute of Justice, Baltimore Police Department, Department of Justice and Attorney General Reno

  Mike O'Brien

  10.2.98 to 11.2.98

  Brussels

  To attend the 'Lets Kick Racism Out of Football' seminar

  Lord Williams of Mostyn

  15.2.98 to 16.2.98

  Paris

  To address the OECD Workshop on Global Network Society

  Secretary of State and Joyce Quin

  18.3.98 to 19.3.98

  Brussels

  To attend Justice and Home Affairs Council Meeting

  Lord Williams of Mostyn

  21.3.98 to 25.3.98

  Thailand

  To launch a UK funded course on Child Sex Exploitation

  Joyce Quin

  26.3.98

  Amsterdam

  To address the Dutch Probation Conference

  Joyce Quin

  8.4.98 to 9.4.98

  Prague

  To discuss EU enlargement

  Joyce Quin

  16.4.98 to 17.4.98

  Warsaw

  To discuss EU enlargement

  Joyce Quin

  21.4.98 to 22.4.98

  Vienna

  To address the UN Crime Commission

  Joyce Quin

  28.4.98 to 1.5.98

  Budapest

  To discuss EU enlargement

  Secretary of State

  14.5.98

  Vienna

  Meetings with the Austrian Interior Minister and Minister of Justice

  Lord Williams of Mostyn

  26.5.98 to 27.5.98

  Milan

  To visit the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM)

  Secretary of State and Joyce Quin

  27.5.98 to 29.5.98

  Brussels

  To attend the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting

  George Howarth

  7.6.98 to 10.6.98

  New York

  To attend the UN Special Session on Drugs

  Joyce Quin

  29.6.98 to 30.6.98

  Brussels

  To address the European Presidency Civil Liberties and Legal Affairs Committee

  George Howarth

  30.6.98

  Brussels

  To address a meeting of the EU Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs Committees

  Secretary of State and Kate Hoey

  23.9.98 to 24.9.98

  Brussels

  To attend Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting

  Secretary of State

  15.10.98 to 16.10.98

  Avignon

  To attend and address a seminar on Family Law and Organised Crime

  Kate Hoey

  28.10.98 to 30.10.98

  Vienna

  Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council

  Mike O'Brien

  3.11.98 to 6.11.98

  Ethiopia and Nigeria

  To attend entry clearance conference and observe entry clearance posts

  Kate Hoey

  4.11.98 to 5.11.98

  Strasbourg

  Council of Europe Ministers meeting on tackling organised crime

  Secretary of State and Kate Hoey

  2.12.98 to 4.12.98

  Brussels

  To attend Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting

  Kate Hoey

  6.12.98 to 8.12.98

  Budapest

  Visit to firm up co-operation on organised crime following successful bid for twinning project

  Mike O'Brien

  11.1.98 to 15.1.98

  Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland

  Meetings with Government Ministers regarding asylum seekers

  Secretary of State

  27.1.99

  Strasbourg

  To visit the European Court of Human Rights

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Planning
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for the reform of the planning system. [68277]

  Mr. Caborn
  The statement "Modernising Planning", published in January 1998, set out a comprehensive agenda for action to improve the operation of the planning system at European, national, regional and local levels. Following consultation, changes are now being implemented. I propose to publish a report on progress shortly.
  146

  Urban Design
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government are taking to improve the quality of urban design. [68278]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government take every opportunity to encourage higher standards of urban design and will be considering what further measures might be appropriate when the Urban Task Force reports in the early Summer. In the meantime, the Government are encouraging good design by publishing good practice guidance, including: "Places, Streets and Movement", a companion guide to "Design Bulletin 32", published last autumn, which aims to improve the design of housing layouts; and a more general "Good Practice Guide on Design in the Planning
  147
  System", which we expect to publish in the Spring. In addition, design competitions were held for the Millennium Villages in Greenwich and Allerton Bywater, which demonstrate he Government's commitment to encouraging better quality development.

  Air Freight (Regional Airports)
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to promote air freight trade at regional airports. [68279]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In "A New Deal for Transport", the Government said that they would encourage the growth of regional airports to meet local demand. This applies to both passenger and cargo traffic. My Department has just commissioned a study to improve our knowledge of the UK freight industry and the ways in which Government action could support it.

  Capping
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans to cap local authority budgets in 1999–2000. [68281]

  Ms Armstrong
  As promised in our Manifesto we have abolished crude and universal capping. We will decide whether there is any need to use our capping powers once authorities have set their budgets.

  Crossrail
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposal by a consortium of local authorities, led by the Corporation of London, to achieve a private finance initiative for the Crossrail project. [68282]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Representatives of the Corporation of London told my officials last summer that there is interest in the City in investing in Crossrail. My officials asked the Corporation to invite those willing to invest in the project to approach the Department. We have heard nothing about this since.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of re-routing traffic from the M6 and M42 to the Birmingham northern relief road. [68283]

  Dr. Reid
  Assessments of the impacts of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road are set out in the Department's Evidence and Environmental Impact Assessment Statement presented to Public Inquiries held into the proposals during 1994 and 1995.

  Council Tax Benefit Subsidy
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will postpone the implementation of proposals to limit the payment of council tax benefit subsidy in 1999–2000 to allow for consultation on the impact of its introduction. [68284]
  148
  Ms Armstrong
  We have consulted fully on our proposals. There is no reason to delay introduction of the scheme.

  Leisure and Tourism
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department is undertaking on planning for leisure and tourism. [68285]

  Mr. Caborn
  A research project on Planning for Leisure and Tourism is currently being undertaken for my Department. It is looking at how planning policy guidance for England could best facilitate leisure and tourism developments whilst achieving more sustainable patterns of development and travel. The final report is expected in July.

  Fishing Vessel Accidents
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the findings of the consultations he undertook concerning the consultative document "Fishing Vessel Accidents and the Recovery of Those Lost at Sea". [68288]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have today published an analysis of the responses made to the consultation paper. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The Government's response to the consultation exercise will be published in due course.

  SSAs (West Sussex)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the revision of standard spending assessments for West Sussex county council. [68290]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Standard Spending Assessment for West Sussex County Council for 1999–2000 is £464.8 million, an increase of 3.7 per cent. from the previous year.

  Planning Fees
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the level of planning fees. [68291]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government's aim has been to raise planning fees gradually over a number of years until they enabled 100 per cent. recovery of local authorities' total estimated costs of determining planning applications. The two fee increases introduced in 1997 have brought us to this point and we have no immediate plans to raise fee levels. However, in the context of Best Value, my officials are currently working with the Planning Officers' Society on more systematic ways of measuring planning costs. This work may form the basis of a revision of planning fees in due course.

  Passenger Rail Services
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to enhance the reliability and quality of passenger rail services. [68292]
  149
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A National Rail Summit will be held on 25 February to build upon the short-term measures agreed with franchisees and Railtrack last November and to kick start a long-term effort to improve standards across the railway network. We will be looking to the rail industry to demonstrate at the Summit how they propose to deliver year-on-year improvements in performance.

  North West Regional Development Agency
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he next intends to meet the members of the North West Regional Development Agency to discuss arrangements between sub-regional structures and the region. [68293]

  Mr. Caborn
  I plan to meet the North West Regional Development Agency Board within the next few weeks.

  Urban Renaissance
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the urban renaissance report produced by the urban task force. [68294]

  Mr. Caborn
  An urban renaissance is vital in order to improve city environments and to tackle the problems of social exclusion. I welcome the Urban Task Force's Halfway Report 'Urban Renaissance'. The report shows that the Task Force's consultation exercise has gathered valuable contributions from a wide range of sources. This gives assurance that the Task Force's final recommendations will have a sound base. The Task Force will produce their final report and recommendations to the Deputy Prime Minister in the early summer.

  Public Transport (Derbyshire)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to improve access to public transport in rural parts of Derbyshire. [68295]

  Dr. Reid
  We have already allocated just over £1.5 million for improved bus services in rural Derbyshire as part of the additional funding for rural transport of £50 million announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in his last budget. Over half of Derbyshire's allocation will be used to fund the Southern Derbyshire Rural Access Initiative, a scheme aimed at improving transport links to help combat social exclusion in rural areas. There will be further allocations in future financial years. In addition, £600,000 has been allocated to Derbyshire for rural and non-package minor works in the local transport capital settlement for 1999–2000.

  Rail Services (Northampton)
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the west coast main line upgrade on rail services to Northampton. [68296]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. I understand that Railtrack is shortly to provide the Rail Regulator and the Franchising Director with a report on its Strategic Review 150
  of services between London and Northampton. The Review will identify options for meeting future demand and improving services.

  As part of his assessment of the type and level of services the network should provide, the Franchising Director, acting as part of the shadow SRA, will consider the options identified by Railtrack against the planning criteria already approved by Ministers. A report to Ministers is expected during the second half of the year.

  London Borough Councils (Elections)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for annual elections to borough councils in London. [68297]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government's White Paper, "Modern Local Government—In Touch with the People" (Cm 4104) sets out our policy for more frequent elections for councils, including for London boroughs which would have elections by thirds in each of the years between elections to the Greater London Authority.

  Buses
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role of buses in the integrated transport policy. [68298]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our Transport White Paper last year made it clear that we see buses as having a central role in an integrated transport policy, with a renewed emphasis on quality services meeting passengers' needs. We shall be issuing a further paper shortly setting out our proposals in more detail.

  Waterways (Freight Transport)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he intends to introduce targets for the increased use of waterways for freight transport. [68299]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are committed to encouraging greater use of inland waterways, and will be re-examining the rules of the freight grant scheme with a view to increasing the number of applications for inland waterways projects. There has been a significant increase in the 1998–99 budget. However, as the scheme is demand-led it is not possible to set meaningful targets.

  Planning Enforcement
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government have taken to encourage the dissemination of good practice on planning enforcement. [68300]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government have encouraged good practice on planning enforcement by publishing "Enforcing Planning Control: Good Practice Guide for Local Planning Authorities", in July 1997. The Guide covers good practice on investigation, negotiation and formal action, illustrated by actual cases. A copy of the Guide is available in the Library.
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  Pension Funds (Bus Employees)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the return of the bus employees superannuation trust pension funds to its members. [68301]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 12 January 1999,Official Report, column 167.

  Company Cars
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government plan to take to reduce excessive mileage by company cars. [68289]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Brake) today,Official Report, column 117.

  Disruptive Passengers (Airlines)
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with airlines regarding problems caused by disruptive passengers. [68280]

  Dr. Reid
  On 25 November 1998 I held a meeting with representatives of the airline industry, and other interested organisations to discuss ways in which the problem of disruptive behaviour by airline passengers could be addressed. As a result a working group was established to consider ways of gaining reliable data about the number of incidents of disruptive behaviour and to consider the need for research into their causes. Its first meeting was on 1 February.

  PPG 13
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish planning policy guidance No.13 on transport. [68286]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The draft consultation PPG 13 will be published in the summer.

  Trunk Roads
  Mr. Ruffly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding levels of public spending on trunk roads. [68287]

  Dr. Reid
  We have had, and continue to have, many representations regarding the levels of public spending on trunk roads—some arguing for more expenditure, others for less.

  Integrated Transport
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the proposals in his Integrated Transport White Paper which(a) require primary legislation, (b) require secondary legislation and (c) can be implemented under current legislation. [66044]
  152
  Dr. Reid
  The great majority of the proposals can be implemented under current legislation. I have today written to the right hon. Member with details of the proposals in all three categories, and have placed a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

  Bull Bars
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to announce his conclusions following the consultation on bull bars. [69407]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 8 February 1999,Official Report, column 8.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings his Department's Ministers have had with National Air Traffic Services since May 1997 in connection with NATS' investment programme and commercial future; and what plans they have to consult United Kingdom airline representatives before any policy decision is taken. [69474]

  Dr. Reid
  Ministers have had 16 meetings with NATS since May 1997. These meetings covered a broad range of topics including the company's investment programme and commercial future. The Government issued a consultation paper on the future of NATS in October 1998. Airlines were invited to comment; and a number of them have done so.

  Contaminated Metals
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 January 1999,Official Report, column 562, if he will make a statement on the five incidents involving interception of illegally imported radioactive contaminated metals; when and where the metals were discovered; what their origin was; and what steps have been taken to prosecute those responsible. [69628]

  Mr. Meale
  The five cases referred to in my answer of 21 January are:

  Date

  Location discovered

  Origin

  July 1997

  Willenhall

  Possibly Russia

  July 1997

  Sheffield

  Probably Russia

  September 1997

  Sheffield

  Probably South Africa

  July 1998

  Sheffield

  Georgia

  August 1998

  Hathersage, N. Derbyshire

  Probably Russia

  The people discovering the above incidents in the United Kingdom are not considered to be at fault; they acted very responsibly in declaring an inadvertent importation of radioactive materials, to the Environment Agency. They could not have known about the radioactive content before receipt. Therefore no enforcement action has been taken in the UK. No information is available about what action was taken overseas.
  153
  The assistance of the metals industries in protecting the environment and the public from the potential consequences of such incidents is welcomed. The Environment Agency works with overseas enforcement authorities, by exchanging information via the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) and INTERPOL, to help them pursue regulatory investigations in the countries of origin.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) for the 50 local authorities with the highest and (b) for the 50 local authorities with the lowest dependency on council tax benefit, the proportion of actual 1998–99 council tax that was funded by council tax benefit; and if he will make the information available to local authorities in electronic form. [69364]

  Ms Armstrong
  The actual proportion of council tax in 1998–99 funded by council tax benefit will not be available until later this year when local authorities have finalised their financial accounts for 1998–99. However, I have placed in the Library of the House, two tables which show for the authorities requested, the proportion of council tax yield to be funded by council tax benefit which is consistent with the budgets and council taxes set by local authorities for 1998–99. The information is also consistent with data to be used in the Council Tax Benefit Subsidy Limitation Scheme for 1999–2000 and will be made available to local authorities on the Department's Internet site.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate for the most recent year for which figures are available(a) the total amount paid in business rates in South Gloucestershire and (b) the amount received by South Gloucestershire Council from central Government out of the total yield of business rates. [69475]

  Ms Armstrong
  The authority calculated £44.7 million to be its provisional contribution to the rating pool for 1998–99 as a result of collecting business rates from the businesses in its area, and it will receive £55.4 million back from central Government as its share of the distributable amount of non-domestic rates. In 1999–2000, the latter figure will rise to £60.9 million; estimates of the former figure are not yet available.

  Biosafety Protocol
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which ministers will be attending, and what position the Government will be advocating, at the forthcoming meeting in Colombia to discuss the Biosafety Protocol. [69821]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The Government are eager to ensure that the final meeting of the Open-ended Ad hoc Working Group on Biosafety developing the Biosafety Protocol reaches a successful conclusion. I refer the hon. Member to replies given to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on
  154
  19 January 1999, Official Report, column 446, that set out the Government's position on commodities, liability and redress and socio-economic considerations.

  We believe the scope of the protocol should be broad, covering all transboundary movements of LMOs resulting from modern biotechnology which may have an adverse effect on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health, with a mechanism for granting exemptions.

  The UK believes that the Protocol should refer to the precautionary principle. The EU has proposed its inclusion in the preamble to, and in the objectives of the Protocol.

  On AIA procedures, our aim is to establish a predictable, science-based and transparent regime which establishes controls proportionate to the risks.

  We will argue strongly for the inclusion of provisions requiring the exporter to indicate, either through labelling or accompanying documentation, whether the movement/ shipment contains LMOs. This will also help to show that a movement is in conformity with the Protocol and will provide transparency and openness on LMOs.

  It is clear that Parties must have or develop the capacities to be able to make informed decisions about proposed transboundary movements. We therefore believe that the protocol should reflect the need for the strengthening of human and institutional capacities.

  We will, alongside our European partners, seek in negotiations to obtain an instrument that provides the necessary environmental safeguards without hampering trade. We would be against any provision that could be taken as a subordination to other international agreements. In our view agreements should be regarded as being of equal standing and treated in a complementary manner.

  No UK Ministers will be present at the meeting.

  Water Abstraction
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish his final proposals for reforms to the water abstraction licensing systems for England and Wales following his consultation paper of June 1998. [R] [69999]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government will publish their decisions on the reform of the water abstraction licensing system in England and Wales within the next few weeks.

  Foreign Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals his Department has to restrict the use, in the United Kingdom, of foreign and EU trucks running 11.5 tonne axles in a 4X2 configuration. [69270]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Other than the application of local weight restrictions the Department has no proposals to restrict the use of vehicles running with 11.5 tonne axles in a 4X2 configuration. From 1 January this year vehicles operating with that configuration and at that weight, of all nationalities, are permitted in the UK.
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  Packaging Waste
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which businesses operating in Pudsey constituency are subject to the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997; what monitoring has taken place to assess their compliance; and what was the outcome of such monitoring. [70204]

  Mr. Meale
  I understand that Environment Agency records indicate that there are 10 companies within the constituency of Pudsey which are obligated under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997. The 10 obligated companies are members of the Valpak compliance scheme. During 1998, the Environment Agency concentrated its monitoring efforts on those businesses which had failed to register and, those which were individually registered. None of the above companies fell into either of these categories.

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69517]

  Mr. Prescott
  The headline pay settlement was 2.55 per cent. on the paybill, and together with some of the additional funds from staff turnover, staff-in-post received performance-related increases averaging 3.7 per cent. On top of this, some staff benefited from a number of restructuring changes which brought total average earnings growth to 5.3 per cent. The increases were not staged but were implemented in 2 phases, both backdated to 1 August 1998.

  Planning (Streamlining)
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on proposed changes to speed up the preparation and adoption of local plans and urban development plans. [68267]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As part of the Government's agenda to modernise the planning system, we published a consultation paper last year outlining proposals to improve the arrangements for the delivery of local plans and UDPs. We intend to take those proposals forward. A full revision of PPG12 on development plans will be issued for public consultation shortly.

  Razor Wire
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to bring the use of razor wire in non-military establishments under the jurisdiction of the planning authorities. [70243]

  Mr. Raynsford
  It is for local planning authorities to decide whether the use of razor wire in particular cases constitutes development requiring planning permission. In some circumstances, development involving the use of razor wire may be carried out in the exercise of permitted development rights granted by the Town and Country 156
  Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. In such cases, it would be for the local planning authority to consider whether to withdraw those permitted development rights by giving a direction under article 4 of the Order. However, we advise in Circular 9/95 that permitted development rights should be withdrawn only in exceptional circumstances.

  Housing (North-West)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the capital receipt initiative on the availability of housing in the North West region. [68517]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The forty three housing authorities in the North West received a total of £101 million under the Capital Receipts Initiative (CRI) in 1997–98 and 1998–99 (£22.4 million and £78.6 million respectively). Returns from authorities show that over the two years around 70 per cent. of the resources are being used to refurbish and improve Council housing stock. The remaining resources are supporting Registered Social Landlord activity, including provision of new units, through Local Authority Social Housing Grant (9 per cent.), renovation grants and home repair activity in the private section (15 per cent.) and other housing-related regeneration activity (6 per cent.). The North West's total CRI allocation for 1999–2000 is £78.6 million.

  Public Interest Immunity
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provisions govern the use of public interest immunity certificates by his Department; and to what extent these relate to files held by local authorities. [70226]

  Mr. Meale
  The principles governing public interest immunity certificates for documents in my Department's possession are those mentioned in the Attorney-General's written answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, Central (Mr. Davies) on 11 July 1997,Official Report, column 616. It is for local authorities to decide, applying established legal principles, whether to make claims in respect of files which they hold. In all cases, a claim to public interest immunity is subject to the Court's supervision.

  SSA (Oldham)
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consideration he has given to changing the sites of measurement for snow days in calculating the standard spending assessment for Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council. [68378]

  Ms Armstrong
  We considered the proposals put forward by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council for changing the weather stations whose records are used in the calculation of their Standard Spending Assessment.

  We concluded that, if the weather stations were to be reconsidered, it should be done on a basis that dealt with all local authorities consistently, with the benefit of meteorological advice.
  157

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations have been received by the NMEC concerning food at the Dome. [67270]

  Janet Anderson
  A small number of representations have been made about food and catering at the Dome, in addition to those received from potential caterers and suppliers.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Millennium Dome will contain a display or other information on biotechnology. [67483]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is seeking to ensure that as many aspects of science and technology as possible are reflected in the Millennium Experience at the Dome.

  BBC Transmission
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the BBC on the standards of transmission quality; and if he will make a statement. [68305]

  Janet Anderson
  There have been no such discussions. The BBC is responsible for the transmission of its television services and for ensuring that standards of transmission quality in terms of picture and sound are maintained, as far as is reasonably practicable.

  I know of particular concern about the transmission of programmes in widescreen format which results in the appearance of black bands above and below the picture on conventional television receivers. I understand the BBC minimises the size of the bands where possible, in order to strike a balance between delivering improved services offered by new technology and continuing to meet the needs of viewers using conventional systems.

  Olympic Bid (London)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had in respect of a bid by London to host the 2012 Olympic Games. [68187]

  Mr. Banks
  I have regular contact with the British Olympic Association, who have to submit UK bids for the Olympic Games. With my support, they are currently conducting comprehensive studies on what is already in place and what needs to be in place to mount a winnable London bid. Following these studies, and taking into account recent developments within the IOC, a decision will be taken on whether to bid for the 2012 Games.

  Whilst I am one of the strongest supporters of a top quality bid at the earliest opportunity, I have made it clear to the BOA that Government support will also depend on the introduction by the IOC of a bidding system which is seen to be transparent, honest and can enjoy the confidence of all bidding cities as well as the entire Olympic movement itself. I have stressed this position to Mr. Samaranch, President of the IOC.
  158

  Departmental Papers (Access for Visually Impaired)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for departmental(a) White and (b) Green Papers to be made available on floppy disk format in a form which facilitates access for the visually impaired. [67844]

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

  My Department has produced White and Green Papers in both Braille and large print and would be happy to make the texts of documents available in floppy disk format on request.

  Sport (Women)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the benefits to young women and girls of participating in sport. [65077]

  Mr. Banks
  Whilst this Department has not carried out specific research, the English Sports Council (ESC), through which central Government funding for sport is channelled, undertakes a range of activities aimed at promoting the benefits of sport and encouraging more women into sport. The ESC will be carrying out its Young People and Sport Survey later this year. The survey will focus on the participation rates of girls in sport.

  The Government remain determined to increase the opportunities for women in sport at all levels. We shall continue to work closely with the Sports Councils and others to make progress on this issue and will look closely at women in sport as part of our Strategy for Sport, due to be published in the Summer.

  I have had useful discussions with a number of groups to discuss women and sport, including the Womens Sports Foundation and have valued proposals about how the Government can do more for women in sport. I shall be meeting shortly with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Women to discuss this.

  Tobacco Sponsorship
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many meetings have taken place with the group established to examine alternative funding to tobacco sponsorship in sport in the last 12 months; and if he will list the dates of these meetings; [68452]

  (2) what progress has been made so far with the group established to examine alternative funding to tobacco sponsorship in sport. [68453]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: We have made significant progress with the Task Force. Having negotiated the necessary lead time for the sports to adjust, seven have sought our assistance to make the transition—rugby league, clay pigeon shooting, billiards and snooker, pool, darts, ice-hockey and angling. We have been in contact with the sports since the announcement in November 1997 and the expert group first met informally on 19 June 1998. Following this meeting, we sought detailed information on the sports' existing sponsorships,

  159
  and what commercial benefits they can offer new sponsors, in order to assess their needs and how a Task Force could help. We completed this stage of the exercise before Christmas and the group met again on 10 December 1998. Since then members of the Task Force have held individual meetings with the sports on the following dates:

  Clay Pigeon Shooting Association: 18 January 1999

  Rugby Football League: 19 January 1999

  English Pool Association: 21 January 1999

  National Federation of Anglers: 21 January 1999

  Ice Hockey Superleague Ltd.: 25 January 1999

  World Professional Snooker & Billiards Association: 27 January 1999

  British Darts Organisation: 29 January 1999.

  I am pleased to confirm these meetings have been very positive. The sports recognise our determination to end the totally inappropriate links with smoking in a way that minimises the impact on them, and are working with us to help them establish new commercial relationships that can be sustained. The group will meet again shortly to consider the nature and timing of help needed to replace existing contracts, many of which have several years to run. We will also consider the frequency of further meetings this year. I will keep the House advised of all significant developments.

  Sporting Ambassadors
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list(a) the people who have been made sporting ambassadors since May 1997, (b) the sporting ambassadors still in post, (c) how many official visits they have made and (d) where they made official visits. [69100]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The Sporting Ambassadors Scheme was successfully piloted in four English Sports Council (ESC) regions in 1997. It involved 37 schools, of which 23 were primary; 11 were secondary; two were special and one was a community college.

  The pilot phase involved a total of 18 Ambassadors representing 15 different sports. The Ambassadors were as follows:

  Sport

  Allison Curbishley

  Athletics

  Arnie Sidebottom

  Cricket

  Chris Leonard

  Rowing

  Danielle Sanderson

  Athletics

  Dave Rice

  Athletics

  Eve Miller

  Athletics

  Jill Atkins

  Hockey

  Jo Durie

  Tennis

  Joe Lydon

  Rugby League

  Kenneth Churchill

  Paralympic Athlete

  Kevan Baker

  Paralympic Athlete

  Liz Talbot

  Athletics

  Mick Hill

  Athletics

  Mike McFarlane

  Athletics

  Paula Blank

  Athletics

  Samantha Adamson

  Athletics

  Steve Sylvester

  Cricket

  Sue Rolph

  Swimming

  160
  Around 2,110 pupils attended school assemblies, awards ceremonies or question and answer sessions involving a Sporting Ambassador. A total of 1,567 pupils also enjoyed first hand contact with Ambassadors through coaching or participation. Feedback from the pilot stage suggested that most benefit was gained when the Sporting Ambassadors lived locally, could be seen out training and who could identify with the school and pupils.

  The Sporting Ambassadors Scheme is now being rolled out on a national basis and the English Sports Council aims to set up 10 visits in each of the 10 Sports Council regions. These visits are currently being set up and will take place during the spring and summer school terms.

  A list of the sportsmen and women who have agreed to become Sporting Ambassadors as at 5 February is as follows. In addition, Rob Andrew MBE, Tanni Grey MBE and Denise Lewis MBE are the lead Ambassadors and will work with the ESC to promote the scheme and forge links with sport.

  Sport

  Kendra Slawinski OBE

  Netball

  Katy Roberts

  Hockey

  Mark Palmer

  Paralympics

  Isabel Newstead

  Paralympics

  Danielle Sanderson

  Athletics

  Joanne Goode

  Athletics

  Paula Blank

  Athletics

  Julian Halls

  Hockey

  Fleur Horner

  Rounders

  Sarah Price

  Swimming

  Karen Pickering MBE

  Swimming

  Donna Kellogg

  Badminton

  Eleanor Harvey

  Rounders

  Paula Radcliffe

  Athletics

  Jo Mould

  Hockey

  Emma Shepherd

  Rounders

  Linzi William

  Rounders

  Karen Frape

  Rounders

  Ian Harrison

  Paralympics

  Joanne Davies

  Badminton

  Colin North

  Cricket

  James Brindle

  Cricket

  Thomas Evans

  Paralympics

  Paul Ratcliffe

  Canoeing

  Tim Brabants

  Canoeing

  Rachel Crosbee

  Canoeing

  Ian Raspin

  Canoeing

  Heather Corrie

  Canoeing

  Tim Reddish

  Paralympics

  Clare Ryan

  Rounders

  Julian Golding

  Athletics

  Billy Waugh

  Hockey

  Nick Thompson

  Hockey

  Kelly Holmes MBE

  Athletics

  Debbie Bampton MBE

  Football

  Richard Nerurkar

  Athletics

  Julia Mann

  Badminton

  Anna Hemmings

  Canoeing

  Tricia Davey

  Canoeing

  Joanne Zinzan

  Netball

  Paula Woods

  Swimming

  Jenny Hunter

  Swimming

  Kathy Osher

  Swimming

  Donna Fraser

  Athletics

  Lorna Boothe

  Athletics

  James Clark

  Canoeing

  Stephen Harris

  Canoeing

  Rebecca Train

  Canoeing

  Ivan Lawler

  Canoeing

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  Sport

  Karen Brown

  Hockey

  Tanya Woodward

  Badminton

  Deborah Keeley

  Ice Skating

  Ken Churchill

  Paralympics

  Emma Haworth

  Rounders

  Nicola Simms

  Rounders

  Martyn Smith

  Gymnastics

  Dominic Flood

  Fencing

  Mark Flores

  Gymnastics

  Scott Holmes

  Triathlete

  Graeme Storm

  Golf

  Gayle Adamson

  Swimming

  John Quinn

  Badminton

  Stephen Miller

  Paralympics

  Kirsty Wade

  Athletics

  Hazel Robson

  Athletics

  Graham Ratcliffe

  Mountaineering

  Alan Hinkes

  Mountaineering

  Allyn Condon

  Athletics

  Robert Crutchley

  Hockey

  Vicki Horner

  Swimming

  Colin Haughton

  Badminton

  Steve Shaw

  Paralympics

  Angela Jones

  Rounders

  Helen Don-Duncan

  Swimming

  Sara Sankey

  Badminton

  Rob Anderson

  Paralympics

  Jeanette Chippington

  Paralympics

  Steven Sylvester

  Cricket

  Paul Morris

  Gymnastics

  John Shaw

  Hockey

  Steve Redgrave CBE

  Rowing

  Anthony Downs

  Paralympics

  Sion Brinn

  Swimming

  Neil Willey

  Swimming

  Paul Palmer

  Swimming

  Mark Stevens

  Swimming

  Jo Jackson

  Paralympics

  Rebecca Pantaney

  Badminton

  Allison Curbishley

  Athletics

  Lucy Newcombe

  Hockey

  David Hempleman-Adams

  Mountaineer

  Katherine Merry

  Athletics

  Sarah Blanks

  Hockey

  Janet Mcmorran

  Paralympics

  Rachel Dunn

  Rounders

  Nigel Capewell

  Paralympics

  Alan Ash

  Paralympics

  Lorraine Cole

  Badminton

  Adam Ruckwood

  Swimming

  David Byas

  Cricket

  Daniel Cook

  Rugby Union

  Arnie Sidebottom

  Cricket

  Joe Lydon

  Rugby League

  Meghan Fenoughty

  Rounders

  Suzzana Thorpe

  Rounders

  Graham Nash

  Hockey

  Dean Thomas

  Paralympics

  Kevan Baker

  Paralympics

  Ian Wilson

  Swimming

  Linda Hindmarsh

  Swimming

  Clare Taylor

  Cricket, Football, Hockey

WALES

  New Deal
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what projects have been approved under the New Deal for Communities Programme in Wales. [69274]
  162
  Mr. Hain
  None. New Deal for Communities is an England-only Programme run by DETR. The parallel Welsh Programme is "People in Communities" and its eight demonstration projects are:

  Gurnos and Galon Uchaf—Merthyr Tydfil

  Duffryn—Newport

  Blaenymaes and Portmead—Swansea

  Peulwys Estate—Conwy

  Southsea and Brynteg—Wrexham

  Rhiwgarn Estate, Trebanog—Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  Rhymney—Caerphilly

  Deiniolen, Dinorwig and Clwt Y Bont—Gwynedd.

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

  Hospitality
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has spent on hospitality in each of the last five years. [69216]

  Mr. Michael
  Welsh Office expenditure on hospitality for the last five years is as follows:

  £000

  1993–94

  27

  1994–95

  29

  1995–96

  22

  1996–97

  21

  1997–98

  15

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

  Genetically Modified Foods
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the food industry relating to genetically modified foods; and if he will make a statement. [69544]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  My right hon. Friend and I have had no such discussions. The Government's policy in respect of genetically modified food is based on ensuring the protection of public health and the provision of adequate labelling for consumers.

  In future, the safety and labelling of genetically modified foods will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many primary care groups he plans to establish in Wales. [69547]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  There will be 22 Local Health Groups in Wales, covering areas which are broadly coterminous with Local Authority boundaries.

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

  Regeneration Programmes
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on plans for the
  163
  regeneration of former industrial sites in Wales; and what consultation takes place with local communities in the development of regeneration programmes. [69590]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Welsh Development Agency's highly successful Land Reclamation Programme is progressively removing the remaining scars on the Welsh landscape. Since 1976, over £300 million has been spent on reclaiming some 18,000 acres of land and the Agency plans to spend £18 million in the current financial year reclaiming a further 370 hectares of land. Sites currently being reclaimed include the former British Coal Workshops in Tredegar.

  The Programme is being developed in conjunction with local authorities who consult with the local community during the planning process. The Agency also consults local communities direct on a wide range of community-based regeneration programmes such as the Slate Valley's Initiative in North Wales. More generally, I welcome the fact that working more closely with local communities is one of the priorities identified in the WDA's current Corporate Plan.

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

  Environmental Task Force
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many New Deal places on the Environmental Task Force(a) have been taken up to date and (b) are in the process of being taken up, in Blaenau, Gwent. [69587]

  Mr. Hain
  Information on the number of people entering the options within the New Deal for 18–24s is not held by local authority area but is available by Employment Service District (Unit of Delivery).

  In the Heads of the Valley and Caerphilly Unit of Delivery, which covers Blaenau Gwent, 122 people had taken up places on the Environment Task Force by the end of November 1998 (the latest available figures).

  No information is held on the number of people in the process of entering the Environment Task Force.

  National Assembly (Elections)
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the appointment of regional returning officers for the first elections to the National Assembly for Wales.[70567]

  Mr. Michael
  Subject to parliamentary approval to the draft National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order, which will shortly be laid before both Houses, I propose to appoint the following returning officers to the posts of regional returning officer at the first elections to the National Assembly for Wales on 6 May.

  Mid and West Wales: Mr. Bryn Parry-Jones, returning officer for Pembrokeshire.

  North Wales: Mr. Philip McGreevy, returning officer for Flintshire.

  South Wales Central: Mr. Byron Davies, returning officer for Cardiff.

  164

  South Wales East: Mr. Lawrence Nippers, returning officer for Newport.

  South Wales West: Ms Vivienne Sugar, returning officer for Swansea.

  The formal designation of the regional returning officer appointments will be made once the Order has been approved and come into force.

  Exports
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total value of exports from Wales to(a) EU countries and (b) the rest of the world in each of the last five years. [69788]

  Mr. Hain
  Export data on a regional basis are not currently available. HM Customs and Excise Department are reviewing the way export data are collected to enable regional data to be available after devolution.

  Although responsibility for export promotion in Wales will be a matter for the National Assembly, the provision of export data will remain the responsibility of HM Customs and Excise Department.

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69507]

  Mr. Michael
  Staff have received performance-related increases averaging 4.1 per cent. from 1 August 1998. The increases were not staged.

HEALTH

  Medicines (Children)
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he will take to ensure that the existing licensing framework for medicines minimises the risks posed to children's health. [67187]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: The safety of medicines is monitored via the "Yellow Card" adverse reaction notification scheme by medical staff at the Medicines Control Agency (MCA). This has recently been extended on pilot basis in Trent Region to cover adverse reactions specific to use of medicines in children.

  There is currently no obligation on companies to apply for a licence for use of their product in children, although it is desirable wherever possible that medicines should be used under the terms of the licence. There can be practical difficulties in conducting such clinical trials—as well as significant ethical concerns. However, because of the concern about extensive "off-label" use of medicines in children, in 1997 European guidelines were developed to encourage the conduct of clinical trials in children. This is a major step forward and requires an applicant for a marketing authorisation (licence) in the United Kingdom or elsewhere in Europe, to justify reasons for not supplying data on use of the product in children. If the industry's response to the guidelines fails to result in

  165
  the timely availability of licensed medicines for children, the UK will consider what further steps can be taken to minimise the risks posed to children's health from use of such medicines.

  Slimming Products (Teenage Magazines)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to dissuade the publishers of teenage magazines from promoting slimming products to young teenagers by way of articles or competitions. [68850]

  Janet Anderson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Magazines are wholly independent of Government and subject only to the general law of the land and to the voluntary Code of Practice of the newspaper and periodical industry. My hon. Friend may wish to bring his concerns to the attention of the Periodical Publishers' Association, Imperial House, 15–19 Kingsway, London WC2B 6UN.

  Blood Transfusion Service
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will make a statement on the future of the Blood Transfusion Service in Liverpool. [69315]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are considering a report by Professor Bellingham on the Liverpool Blood Centre. We shall be making a statement shortly.

  Body Piercing
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers exist to license and regulate body piercing activities; what plans there are to empower local authorities to license and regulate body piercing activities; and if he will make a statement. [69476]

  Ms Jowell
  Local authorities in London have powers either to licence or to register and inspect cosmetic body piercing businesses. Local authorities outside London do not have similar powers. Following the Department of Health/Welsh Office consultation exercise in October 1996, we have concluded that legislation to give local authorities outside London powers to regulate cosmetic body piercing businesses should be introduced, if Parliamentary time allows.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy in the Portsmouth area. [69680]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Compulsory Treatment Orders
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce proposals for the implementation of compulsory treatment orders in advance of the enactment of a new Mental Health Act. [69696]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have appointed an expert group, chaired by Professor Richardson, Professor of Law at Queen Mary and Westfield College, to advise on the changes necessary to mental health legislation including how measures might be introduced which will, for a very 166
  small number of people, require compliance with agreed treatment plans whether they are detained in a hospital or live in a community setting, with appropriate safeguards. The group will submit their recommendations by 1 July 1999. Any new measures can only be introduced once the necessary legislation has been enacted.

  North and East Devon Health Authority
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the implications for the duty placed on the NHS to provide nursing care of the judgment in R v. North and East Devon Health Authority ex parte Coughlan; and if he will make a statement; [70227]

  (2) what plans he has to issue guidance to health authorities and local authorities on their responsibilities following the judgment in R v. North and East Devon Health Authority ex parte Coughlan. [70228]

  Mr. Hutton
  Following the judgment in Rv. North and East Devon Health Authority ex parte Coughlan, the Health Authority submitted an application for leave to appeal against the High Court's decision. In light of the impact on policy of the High Court's view on funding of nursing care, we decided to support the Health Authority's application for leave to appeal, given the importance of clarifying the judgment and making the legal position clear. This application for leave to appeal was granted on 4 February. We will consider the need for guidance to Health and Local Authorities once the result of the appeal is known. In the interim, Health Authorities and Social Services Departments are advised to seek their own legal advice if they have any concerns. The overall implications of the case are still being assessed.

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69515]

  Mr. Denham
  The headline pay settlement was 2.4 per cent. on the paybill and together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related pay increases averaging 4.1 per cent. The increase was not staged.

  Teenage Mothers
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children aged under two years in local authority care were born to teenage mothers. [69892]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally. Although the Department collects statistical information on the care histories of children who are looked after by local authorities in England, this does not include information about the children's parents.

  Xenotransplantation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will suspend consideration of the recent application to conduct a clinical trial of a xenotransplantation
  167
  procedure on humans until the code of practice on the welfare of xenotransplantation source animals is in place;[69313]

  (2) what legislation would govern the treatment of animals used to provide cells or tissue for any clinical trial of a xenotransplantation procedure on humans approved by the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority, before the establishment of the code of practice on the welfare of xenotransplantation source animals. [69312]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulates any use of living vertebrate animals plus octopus vulgaris in procedures which might cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. Responsibility for the Act, including the welfare of animals which may be used as sources of xenotransplantation, lies with the Home Office in Great Britain and the Department of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland.

  The Code of Practice on the welfare of high health status pigs as xenotransplantation source animals is currently being developed by the Home Office Animal (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate. Members of the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA) have met representatives of the Inspectorate to discuss specific elements of the proposed code of Practice and welfare issues concerning source animals for xenotransplantation in general.

  In considering any application to undertake a xenotransplantation procedure involving humans, the UKXIRA would expect to see evidence of animal welfare standards at least equal to those discussed with the Home Office Animal (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate. The Code of Practice is expected to be published later this year.

  David Lewis Centre, Cheshire
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's investigations into the David Lewis Centre, Cheshire. [69310]

  Mr. Hutton
  The David Lewis Organisation has carried out an internal review of the standard of care provided to a 19-year-old patient following an allegation of neglect made by her family. South Cheshire Health Authority has now received the report and has accepted its findings. The Health Authority is in the process of commissioning a comprehensive independent expert review to assess whether the services provided by the David Lewis Centre are modern, effective and appropriate in meeting the needs of the children and adults in their care. That review is now expected to be completed by the end of April.

  Nurses (Probation)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the value of a probationary period for nurses; and if he will make a statement. [69791]

  Mr. Denham
  We have received no representations concerning the value of a probationary period for nurses.
  168

  Nursing Assistants
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of NHS trusts(a) currently have staff classified as nursing assistants or nursing auxiliaries and (b) have incorporated nursing assistants or nursing auxiliaries into a health care assistants scheme. [69792]

  Mr. Denham
  There were a total of 424 National Health Service Trusts in England as at 30 September 1997. Of these, 383 (90.3 per cent. of the total number of trusts) employed staff classified as nursing assistants and/or nursing auxiliaries.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-medical workforce census.

  It is a matter for local decision as to whether trusts incorporate nursing assistants or nursing auxiliaries into health care assistant schemes. No figures are kept centrally.

  Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (Registration)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the report commissioned from J. M. Consulting on the review of legislation covering the registration of nurses, midwives and health visitors. [69790]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government have carefully considered the independent Review Report and have decided to publish it, together with a detailed response, later this week. Copies of the Report entitled "The Regulation of Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors" are available in the Library.

  In the Lords today, my noble Friend Baroness Hayman announced a new, modernised and strengthened system of self-regulation for nurses, midwives and health visitors. The review recommends new legislation to replace the current arrangements. The criteria and principles for new legislation echo the Government's clear commitment to work with the professions and the regulatory bodies to strengthen the existing systems of professional self-regulation. The new arrangements will be designed to:

  acknowledge and strengthen the accountability of practitioners;

  strengthen the involvement of users and employers in the processes;

  put public protection explicitly, and for the first time, at the heart of regulation.

  The report recommends, and the Government accept, that the current dual regulatory structure (of a Council and four National Boards) be replaced with a new United Kingdom-wide body, with ultimate responsibility for regulating the professions, but national arrangements may be made in respect of some functions previously carried out by boards.

  The Government have, however, decided not to accept recommendations relating to health visitors, who will continue to be a separate profession, retaining separate registration and representation on the new Council. A further review to explore the scope for the regulation of health care support workers is recommended, and we plan to commission this work shortly.
  169
  This is a thorough and thoughtful review, based on very extensive consultation. It was undertaken in the context of rapid developments and changes in the education and roles of the professions, and against the background of Government policies on the National Health Service and on devolution. This means that in Scotland and Wales, the new Council will be expected to commission educational quality assurance work in relation to nursing and midwifery from bodies whose structure and other functions will be determined by the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales. Within Northern Ireland it will be up to the Northern Ireland Assembly, once it is fully operational, to determine the arrangements. No separate body is envisaged for England, although it would be open to the Council to collaborate with the Quality Assurance Agency.

  Many of the recommendations in the report reflect issues of good practice and are addressed to the new Council, which will be smaller and more streamlined and strategic, both in its structure and functions. Others cannot be achieved without new legislation to replace the current Act. It is widely accepted that there is a need to find a way to implement these changes and a power has been included in the Health Bill, currently subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, to effect changes to primary legislation by Order. We will be bringing forward an amendment to the Health Bill to enable us to repeal the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1997 once the new arrangements are in place.

SCOTLAND

  Government Projects
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each of the projects currently operating under (1) the National Childcare Strategy, (2) the Social Inclusion Partnerships, (3) New Deals in Scotland, (4) New Housing Partnerships, (5) Alternatives to Exclusion from School, (6) Early Intervention Schemes and (7) the Community Schools Initiative, indicating for each(a) the number of people benefiting, (b) the amount of money to date provided by (i) the Government and (ii) other bodies, (c) the estimated total number of people who will benefit and (d) the estimated total financial contribution of (x) the Government and (y) other bodies. [68943]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Since the information requested is lengthy, I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible, placing a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Scottish Parliament (Voting)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what educational publicity campaign he plans to undertake, and at what estimated cost, to inform electors of the new voting system for the Scottish Parliament. [69053]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Government believe that voters have a right to understand how the new electoral arrangements will work and is therefore planning a substantial publicity campaign to inform voters about the new voting system for the Scottish Parliament. I am pleased to say that we have had helpful and constructive discussions with the Opposition parties
  170
  about our proposals. The campaign will feature a mix of press, television, radio and leaflets and will begin in mid-February. There will also be information about registration and absent voting. We estimate the total cost will be approximately £2.5 million.

  Scottish Enterprise
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will break down by subhead the expenditure on administration by Scottish Enterprise in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [69239]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 4 February 1999]: The overall budget allocations to Scottish Enterprise for 1997–98 and 1998–99 included £59.29 million and £61.29 million for administration respectively. The allocation of the resources within the Administration Block is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and I have asked the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

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

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of the planned budget for Scottish Enterprise for(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [69184]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 4 February 1999]: The Scottish Enterprise budget for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 was announced as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review and is £427 million and £435 million respectively. The detailed breakdown for 1999–2000 is at present being finalised and will be published in The Scottish Office Departmental Report.

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

  NHS (Administrative Expenditure)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the total administrative expenditure in the Scottish NHS for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [69240]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 4 February 1999]: Health Boards in Scotland receive an annual general revenue allocation and it is for Health Boards themselves to decide on how best to deploy funding made available to meet the health care needs of their resident population. No estimate is made centrally for administrative expenditure. Outturn figures for total administrative expenditure for Health Boards and NHS Trusts are available for 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98. These are detailed in the table.

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

  Year

  Expenditure £000

  1995–96

  486,963

  1996–97

  490,077

  1997–98

  488,710

  171

  Industry, Enterprise and Training
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the level of cash spending on Industry, Enterprise and Training for(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [69241]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 4 February 1999]: Planned net provision and estimated expenditure for Industry, Enterprise and Training is £544 million in 1999–2000, £545 million in 2000–01 and £595 million in 2001–02.

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

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of expenditure on Industry, Enterprise and Training for(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [69236]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 4 February 1999]: Planned provision for 2000–01 and 2001–02 following the Comprehensive Spending Review is shown in the table. Provision for 2002–03 will be decided in the context of the next review of expenditure which will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Industry, enterprise and training programme: expenditure summary

  £ million

  2000–01 plans

  2001–02 plans

  Scottish Enterprise

  388

  425

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  61

  61

  Investment Assistance

  70

  84

  Innovation

  5

  5

  Scottish Tourist Board

  19

  19

  Other

  1

  1

  Total

  545

  595

  Note:

  All figures are shown net of receipts which for the enterprise bodies includes business receipts.

  Totals may not add due to roundings.

  Industry, Enterprise and Training provision is focused on building industries and jobs for the future.

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was collected in tolls on the Skye Bridge in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [69245]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 4 February 1999]: The latest published accounts of Skye Bridge Ltd. show that toll income for the year to 31 December 1997 was–3,253,993. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 1999,Official Report, column 589, on the Skye Bridge, if he will place in the Library copies of the Deputy Crown Agent's letters of 6 November 1995 and 5 January 1996 to the Procurator Fiscal in Dingwall. [69886]
  172
  Mr. McLeish
  As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, all communications between the Crown Office and Procurators Fiscal are strictly private and confidential. Despite that, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate provided the information contained in the written answer of 2 February 1999,Official Report, column 589, in an attempt to be as helpful as possible.

  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate considers that it is not appropriate to go further and to place copies of the letters requested in the Library.

  Scottish Parliament (Income Tax)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the(a) gross and (b) net annual (i) full year and (ii) first year, revenue yield from a decision to raise income tax by one penny by the Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [69237]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 4 February 1999]: It is currently estimated that adding 1 p to the basic rate of income tax in Scotland in 2000–01, the first year in which the tax-varying power could be exercised, would yield £180 million gross (£175 million net of payments of income-related benefits) of additional tax revenue.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is his policy that the Scottish consolidated fund will receive the full-year revenue from any use of the Scottish Parliament tax-varying powers in the first year for which these can be used; and if he will make a statement. [69186]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 4 February 1999]: Section 77 of the Scotland Act 1998 provides that if the Scottish Parliament uses the tax-varying power in any year to increase the basic rate of income tax in Scotland, the Board of the Inland Revenue will be required to pay into the Scottish Consolidated Fund an amount equal to an estimate by the Board of the proportion of income tax receipts for that year that is properly attributable to the tax-varying resolution of the Parliament.

  School Books and Equipment
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the expenditure of Scottish schools on books and equipment for the latest year for which figures are available. [69417]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Total expenditure by education authorities in Scotland on text and library books, and educational tools, equipment and materials for nursery, primary, secondary and special schools was £52.2 million in 1996–97, the latest year for which information is available. Estimates are not available for such expenditure in future years, but future expenditure should reflect additional resources for education made available in the Budgets of 1997 and 1998 and the Comprehensive Spending Review. In particular, additional resources of £2.4 million are being allocated to local authorities this financial year for books for school libraries, in support of the National Year of Reading. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  173

  Second Home Owners
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost of a rebate of 50 per cent. on the council tax of second home owners in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [69497]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Information is collected centrally only in respect of the total number of dwellings in receipt of the 50 per cent. council tax discount and we cannot identify how many of these are second homes. The percentage of all dwellings receiving a 50 per cent. discount is around 2 per cent. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the spending on education in each of the current local government areas of(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–2000. [69498]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The available information is given in the following table. The current local government areas were not responsible for education spending in 1995–96. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for The Scottish Parliament.

  Local authority education spending

  £000

  Councils

  1996–97 Final Outturn

  1997–98 Provisional Outturn

  1998–99 Budget Estimates

  Aberdeen, City

  87,162

  86,437

  88,210

  Aberdeenshire

  109,686

  112,025

  111,739

  Angus

  48,012

  48,192

  49,866

  Argyll and Bute

  49,507

  47,188

  49,095

  Clackmannanshire

  24,084

  24,458

  25,198

  Dumfries & Galloway

  67,532

  69,214

  70,643

  Dundee

  70,320

  69,074

  69,169

  East Ayrshire

  59,089

  58,104

  60,657

  East Dunbartonshire

  53,343

  51,531

  53,922

  East Lothian

  37,557

  36,970

  37,881

  East Renfrewshire

  42,645

  41,980

  44,144

  Edinburgh, City

  159,099

  159,859

  164,035

  Scottish Office

  Agencies

  Associated Departments

  Year

  Item

  Value (£)

  Item

  Value (£)

  Item

  Value (£)

  1997–98

  April

  —

  —

  Scanner

  300

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Computer

  3,000

  —

  —

  May

  Laptop

  1,727

  —

  —

  —

  —

  July

  Disk Drive

  200

  Netting

  3,000

  —

  —

  Hard Disk

  179

  Computer

  1,100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Printer

  500

  —

  —

  August

  Speakers

  65

  Bench

  400

  —

  —

  Mobile

  33

  Microwave

  200

  —

  —

  Laptop (2)

  3,500

  —

  —

  —

  —

  September

  PC trackball

  106

  —

  —

  Dictaphone

  350

  Ansaphone

  60

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Modem

  170

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Laptop

  1,949

  —

  —

  —

  —

  October

  PC board

  70

  Trailer

  1,800

  —

  —

  Modem

  132

  Laptop

  1,500

  —

  —

  PC CD (2)

  280

  Netting

  2,000

  —

  —

  Pager

  80

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Car

  1,275

  —

  —

  —

  —

  174

  Local authority education spending

  £000

  Councils

  1996–97 Final Outturn

  1997–98 Provisional Outturn

  1998–99 Budget Estimates

  Eilean Siar

  23,591

  23,523

  24,604

  Falkirk

  62,762

  61,704

  64,222

  Fife

  167,748

  164,946

  167,128

  Glasgow City

  290,555

  273,361

  288,201

  Highland

  114,011

  113,125

  115,812

  Inverclyde

  42,823

  42,884

  45,504

  Midlothian

  40,623

  40,721

  41,236

  Moray

  41,888

  39,903

  41,716

  North Ayrshire

  65,239

  67,212

  68,906

  North Lanarkshire

  161,135

  159,380

  165,241

  Orkney

  15,372

  14,980

  15,358

  Perth and Kinross

  56,188

  56,677

  58,795

  Renfrewshire

  82,644

  82,199

  84,651

  Scottish Borders

  48,314

  46,928

  47,702

  Shetland

  23,886

  23,384

  23,821

  South Ayrshire

  52,534

  50,656

  47,151

  South Lanarkshire

  145,592

  143,589

  140,775

  Stirling

  40,639

  36,802

  39,539

  West Dunbartonshire

  49,655

  50,439

  53,287

  West Lothian

  83,209

  77,700

  79,355

  Scotland

  2,416,444

  2,375,145

  2,437,559

  Notes:

  1. All figures are net current expenditure excluding loan & leasing charges as returned by the individual local authorities to The Scottish Office

  2. The provisional outturn figures for 1998–99 and the budget estimates for 1999–2000 are not yet available

  Departmental Theft
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the items and their estimated value stolen from (i) his Department, (ii) its agencies and (iii) associated public bodies during(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 to date; and if he will make a statement. [69266]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: A variety of items are periodically reported missing. Security procedures remain under constant review and revised procedures are introduced as necessary. The following items have been formally recorded as losses due to theft from The Scottish Office, its agencies and associated Departments in 1997–98 and 1998–99 to date.
  175

  Scottish Office

  Agencies

  Associated Departments

  Year

  Item

  Value (£)

  Item

  Value (£)

  Item

  Value (£)

  November

  Printer

  250

  Light

  350

  —

  —

  Laptop (2)

  5,500

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Modem (2)

  300

  —

  —

  —

  —

  December

  Car

  3,975

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Keyboard

  41

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Tiles

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Stamp

  60

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Soldering Iron

  93

  —

  —

  —

  —

  January

  Dictaphone

  42

  Labelmaker

  151

  —

  —

  Guillotine

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Stapler

  25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  March

  —

  —

  Cash

  66

  —

  —

  1998–99

  April

  —

  —

  Paint

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  VCR

  200

  —

  —

  May

  Adaptor

  50

  —

  —

  Hard Drives 2

  360

  Laptop

  1,500

  —

  —

  —

  —

  June

  Audio Kit

  700

  —

  —

  —

  —

  July

  Ansaphones

  105

  —

  —

  —.

  —

  Laptop

  1,329

  —

  —

  —

  —

  August

  —

  —

  Mobile

  200

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Picture

  200

  —

  September

  DAT Drive

  1,292

  —

  —

  —

  Audio Kit

  700

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mobile

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Laptop

  1,600

  —

  —

  —

  October

  Laptops (2)

  3,240

  —

  —

  —

  November

  Laptops (2)

  3,807

  —

  —

  —

  December

  Stamps

  585

  —

  —

  —

  January

  Fax

  400

  Camera

  400

  —

  —

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

  Health and Educationr
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his priorities for improving the(a) health service and (b) education system in Scotland. [69416]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The Government's strategic aims and clinical priorities for the National Health Service in Scotland are set out in "Priorities and Planning Guidance for the NHS in Scotland 1999–2002". Our plans to reform the structure of the National Health Service in Scotland to replace the internal market were detailed in "Designed to Care: Renewing the National Health Service in Scotland" (Cm 3811). I intend to publish proposals related to the broader health agenda shortly, taking account of the responses to consultation on "Working Together for a Healthier Scotland" (Cm 3584). All these documents are in the Library.

  The Government's priorities for improving school education are set out in our White Paper "Targeting Excellence: Modernising Scotland's Schools" (Cm 4247) which was published on 27 January. Our priorities for post-16 education and training are set out in our Green Paper "Opportunity Scotland" (Cm 4048) published in September 1998. I sent the hon. Member copies of these documents, and copies are also available in the Library of the House. For higher education, our priorities are set out in the Government's responses to the Dearing and Garrick reports, published in February 1998. I sent the hon. Member a copy of the Garrick report, and copies of both reports are available in the Library of the House.
  176
  We expect shortly to publish our strategic framework for further education which will set out our challenge to colleges to widen participation, improve links with each other and other sectors, and to raise standards and quality.

  Our priorities for health and education contribute to our overarching aims to promote social inclusion and excellence, and will be delivered within the enhanced resources allocated as a result of our Comprehensive Spending Review.

  From 1 July 1999 these will be matters for the Scottish Parliament.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce dual registration for residential and nursing homes for the elderly. [70024]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Proposals for improving the regulation of residential care and nursing homes will be set out in the White Paper which we intend to publish next month.

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

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69511]
  177
  Mr. Dewar
  The average performance related pay increases received by staff in post are set out in the table.

  Percentage

  The main Scottish Office pay bargaining unit

  4.20

  Historic Scotland

  3.05

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  4.10

  Scottish Prison Service

  4.25

  The increases were not staged.

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

  Medical Waste Disposal
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the (i) longest, (ii) average and (iii) shortest distance over which the higher risk clinical waste for incineration is transported from the(a) Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) Law Hospital NHS Trust and (c) Monklands Hospital NHS Trust. [69208]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The incineration of such waste for these Lanarkshire NHS Trusts is currently carried out at a plant on the Crosshouse Hospital site. This is 35 miles from Monklands Hospital, 30 miles from law Hospital and 20 miles from the Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the future disposal of healthcare waste from the(a) Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) Law Hospital NHS Trust and (c) Monklands Hospital NHS Trust; what sites will be used for (i) the incineration and (ii) the landfill disposal of medical waste; and if he will make a statement. [69210]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Following a recent tendering exercise which was carried out in consultation with public health doctors, specialist engineers and environmentalists, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, a contract was awarded to Eurocare Environmental Services Limited which will, from 1 April 1999, service the clinical waste disposal needs of two-thirds of Scotland's NHS Trusts. All of the Lanarkshire Trusts have given a commitment to be part of the contract which across Scotland is expected to realise savings of around £6m for re-investment in patient care. Under the arrangements the bulk of the clinical waste from Lanarkshire will be treated at a disinfector/heat treatment plant in Cumbernauld. When processed, the safe, inert residue will be disposed of at a licensed landfill site near Cumbernauld. There are also low volume, higher risk clinical waste materials which will be disposed of by incineration at plants in the Midlands of England.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the regulations pertaining to the current practice for the disposal of healthcare waste by the(a) Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) Law Hospital NHS Trust and (c) Monklands Hospital NHS Trust. [69207]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The following legislation applies:

  Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974

  Environmental Protection Act 1990

  The Radioactive Substances Act 1993

  Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure Vehicles) Regulations 1991 (SI 1991 No 1624)

  178

  Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 (SI 1991 No 2839)

  Management of Health & Safety At Work Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No 2051)

  Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No 1056)

  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No 3246)

  Special Waste Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 972)

  Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 2095)

  Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (Drivers Training) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 2094).

  Barnett Formula
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each project over £50,000 payments under the Barnett Formula to his Department in the two most recent years and moneys already allocated under the formula for the financial years 1999–2000 and 2000–01. [69858]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Barnett formula is used to calculate the Scottish share of changes to the baselines of those English or English and Welsh programmes which are comparable to Scottish programmes. It is not applied to specific projects. The Departmental Expenditure Limit figures for Scotland for the years 1999–2000 to 2000–01, which were calculated in accordance with the Barnett formula, are set out in Table 22.1 of the Comprehensive Spending Review White Paper "Modern Public Services for Britain: Investing in Reform" (Cm 4011).

  Nationalised Industries (Funding)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by(a) administration costs and (b) by funded project over £50,000 the moneys given by his Department over the two most recent years for which figures are available to each of the nationalised industries in Scotland; and if he will list the sums allocated for each of these headings in (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [69860]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The two nationalised industries sponsored by the Scottish Office are Caledonian MacBrayne Limited (CalMac) and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL).

  The Scottish Office does not specifically allocate an element of grant to meet CalMac and HIAL' s administration costs. Account is taken of administrative costs when the Department considers and approves the revenue deficit grant paid to each company each year.

  The following projects were funded in 1996–97 and 1997–98 at a total cost of over £50,000.

  Cal/Mac Projects over £50,000 funded by capital grant

  £

  Project title

  Capital grant

  Harbourworks

  1996–97

  Tiree passenger walkway

  57,658

  Fishnish slipway widening

  100,341

  1997–98

  Castlebay berthing dolphin

  84,022

  Lochboisdale berthing dolphin

  56,693

  179

  Cal/Mac Projects over £50,000 funded by capital grant

  £

  Project title

  Capital grant

  Vessels

  1996–97

  MV Loch Alainn

  860,250

  MV Clansman

  600,000

  1997–98

  MV Clansman

  9,900,000

  HIAL Projects over £50,000 funded by capital grant

  £

  Project title

  Capital grant

  1996–97

  Barra—3 storey VCR visual control room Phase I

  241,504

  Barra—Fire appliance

  75,504

  Barra—Fire appliance

  75,504

  Barra—Fire appliance

  63,426

  1997–98

  Barra—Visual control room Phase II

  122,421

  Campbeltown—DME (Distance Measuring Equipment)

  129,960

  Inverness—Ambulift

  55,900

  Islay—Standby generator

  63,504

  Kirkwall—Control tower building

  648,621

  Kirkwall—Ambulift

  53,900

  Sumburgh—PAMOS (Partially Automated Meteorological Observation System)

  151,554

  Fast rescue craft

  77,750

  Ambulift

  54,760

  Allocations for 1999–2000 for Cal/Mac and HIAL have not yet been finalised. Allocations for 2000–01 will be drawn up in the course of 1999–2000.

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

  Local Enterprise Companies (Funding)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each local enterprise company in Scotland the(a) rural development (b) research and development, (c) business start up, (d) business support and (e) other projects of value greater than £10,000, by project heading, in 1998–99; and if he will list in each case the sums allocated for (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [69921]

  Mr. Dewar
  Contractual arrangements for individual projects are an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the local enterprise companies. I have asked the Chairmen to write to the hon. Member.

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

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the(a) current premises, (b) staff numbers by grade and responsibility and (c) administration costs, indicating separately office costs, staff costs and other
  180
  costs for each non-departmental public body for which he is responsible for (i) 1998–99, (ii) 1999–2000 and (iii) 2000–01. [69859]

  Mr. Dewar
  This information is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide for the two most recent financial years a breakdown of spending by project over £20,000, or if necessary to protect commercial or other sensitivities, by regional total, on(a) research, (b) grants to, (i) individuals, (ii) organisations and businesses and (iii) public bodies, by project aim, (c) capital projects, (d) maintenance and (e) security, by each non-departmental public body for which he is responsible, listing those allocations which have already been made for (1) 1998–99, (2) 1999–2000 and (3) 2000–01; and what is the total budget of each of these organisations for each year over the period. [69857]

  Mr. Dewar
  The budget figures for NDPBs for 1998–99 can be obtained from Appendix 7 of "Serving Scotland's Needs, The Government's Expenditure Plans 1998–99" (Cm 3914). Plan figures for 1999–2000 and 2000–01, as set in the Comprehensive Spending Review, will be published in Spring 1999 in "Serving Scotland's Needs, The Government's Expenditure Plans 1999–2000 to 2001–02". The remainder of the information requested is held locally by Non-Departmental Public Bodies and, as such could be gathered centrally only at a disproportionate cost.

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

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Appeals (Trinidad and Tobago)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement of the Government's policy on the withdrawal of the jurisdiction of the Privy Council over appeals from Trinidad in respect of criminal matters only; and what representations he has received from the Attorney-General of Trinidad in support of such a withdrawal. [69649]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the final court of appeal of Trinidad and Tobago. It is for Trinidad and Tobago to exercise its sovereign right to decide whether or not it wishes to retain this avenue of appeal. The Government do consider, however, that if Trinidad and Tobago were to decide to withdraw from the appellate jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee, it would be appropriate first to ensure access to an appeals procedure of equivalent stature. There have been discussions to that effect between my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney-General of Trinidad and Tobago on several occasions.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions he has had with the Attorney-General of Trinidad on the cessation of the jurisdiction of the Privy Council over appeals from Trinidad. [69648]
  181
  Mr. Hoon
  I have had no such discussions. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has met the Attorney-General of Trinidad and Tobago on several occasions during which various matters, including the appellate jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, were discussed.

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) if he will list for the last year,(a) the highest figure and (b) the average figure given as the gross fee income by successful applicants for Queen's Counsel; [69360]

  (2) if he will list for the last year, what was (a) the highest figure and (b) the average figure given as the gross fee income by unsuccessful applicants for Queen's Counsel; [69359]

  (3) if he will list for the last year, (a) the highest figure and (b) the average figure given as the gross fee income by all applicants for Queen's Counsel. [69356]

  Mr. Hoon
  The figures are as follows:

  £

  Highest

  Average

  Successful applicants

  >589,000

  >246,000

  Unsuccessful applicants

  >665,000

  >165,000

  All applicants

  >665,000

  >175,000

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to introduce a limit on the number of applications an individual may make for Queen's Counsel status. [69355]

  Mr. Hoon
  My noble and learned Friend has no plans to introduce a limit on the number of applications an individual may make for the award of Queen's Counsel.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department in each of the last five years(a) in how many civil litigation matters the use of Queen's Counsel was authorised by the Legal Aid Board and (b) of (a) how many had authorised the use of junior as well as Queen's Counsel; what were, in civil litigation cases, in each of the last five years, (i) the highest amount for an individual civil litigation case authorised to be paid to a QC, (ii) the average amount for an individual civil litigation case authorised to be paid to a QC and (iii) the highest amount paid in total to an individual QC; and if he will list in relation to each category above, the figures for criminal litigation. [69358]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am unable to answer the majority of that part of the question which relates to civil legal aid as the Legal Aid Board do not record separately payments to Queen's Counsel. Therefore, the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Records of the amount paid in total to an individual Queen's Counsel in respect of civil proceedings are available for the last two years only and were as follows:

  Year

  £

  1996–97

  350,000

  1997–98

  394,952

  182
  For criminal legal aid in the higher criminal courts,

  (a) The number of criminal cases in which a payment was made to a QC in each year from 1993–94 to 1996–97 was as follows:

  Year

  £

  1993–94

  1,472

  1994–95

  1,349

  1995–96

  1,375

  1996–97

  1,331

  Note:

  Information is not yet available for 1997–98

  (b) Information on the number of cases where junior as well as Queen' s Counsel were authorised is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  (i) The highest amount paid to an individual QC1 in a criminal case in each of the last five years was as follows:

  Year

  £

  1993–94

  315,987

  1994–95

  463,849

  1995–96

  295,218

  1996–97

  561,415

  1997–98

  348,471

  (ii) The average amount paid to QCs in each year from 1993–94 to 1996–97 was as follows:

  Year

  £

  1993–94

  14,883

  1994–95

  20,333

  1995–96

  19,188

  1996–97

  21,069

  Note:

  Information for 1997–98 is not yet available

  (iii) The highest amounts paid in total to individual QCs1 in each year from 1993–94 to 1996–97 was as follows:

  Year

  £

  1993–94

  over 440,000

  1994–95

  over 660,000

  1995–96

  over 500,000

  1996–97

  over 500,000

  Note:

  Information for 1997–98 is not yet available

  1 Payments made to individual banisters are in respect of closed cases only; that is where the case has been disposed of and all bills, including those of defence lawyers, have been determined. It should be clearly understood that any payment to an individual recorded in any year could well reflect payments received in earlier years. In those instances, payments have been aggregated in the year in which the final payment was made.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department in each of the last five years(a) how much was spent by the Government on fees to Queen's Counsel and (b) what was the highest amount paid in respect of an individual case to a single QC. [69363]
  183
  Mr. Hoon
  No central record is kept of fees paid to Queen's Counsel by the Government. The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Judicial Appointments
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for each of the last five years,(a) how many (i) High Court judges and (ii) circuit judges have been appointed and (b) of (i) and (ii), how many were (A) women, (B) from ethnic minorities and (C) solicitors. [69361]

  Mr. Hoon
  The table shows the figures for the numbers of women, ethnic minority practitioners and solicitors appointed as High Court Judges and Circuit Judges in each of the last five years.

  Year

  Total

  (a) Women

  (b) Ethnic minority origin

  (c) Solicitors

  (i) High Court Judge appointments

  1994

  6

  1

  0

  0

  1995

  12

  1

  0

  0

  1996

  9

  0

  0

  0

  1997

  7

  0

  0

  0

  1998

  7

  0

  0

  0

  (ii) Circuit Judge appointments

  1994

  35

  2

  0

  4

  1995

  48

  4

  1

  16

  1996

  45

  1

  0

  5

  1997

  27

  3

  1

  3

  1998

  37

  6

  0

  3

  Court Dress
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the rules relating to advocates' court dress; and if he will make a statement. [69362]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor has no present plans to review the rules relating to advocates' court dress.

  Public Trust Office
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions he has had with officials from the Public Trust Office; how he monitors the performance of that office; what plans he has to review the role of the office; and if he will make a statement. [69502]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The arrangements for the Lord Chancellor's monitoring of the performance of the Public Trust Office are set out in its Framework Document. Ministerial discussions with Public Trust Office officials take place from time to time within this framework.

  The Public Trust Office is a "Next Steps" Executive Agency which attained agency status in 1994. A Quinquennial Review of the Agency is due this year. The Review will be conducted by someone external to the Department, and will comprise an evaluation of the performance of the agency and a Prior Options Review which will examine all options for discharging the
  184
  agency's functions. The Review will start shortly. It will be able to take account of the forthcoming report of the National Audit Office into aspects of the work of protecting the financial welfare of people with mental incapacity, and the subsequent views of the Public Accounts Committee.

PRIME MINISTER

  Official Entertainment
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister how much was spent on official entertainment at 10 Downing street in 1997–98. [69162]

  The Prime Minister
  The cost to my office of official hospitality, including official entertainment, at 10 Downing street and Chequers in 1997–98 was £43,777.

  This compares with total expenditure on entertainment at 10 Downing street during the 1996–97 financial year of £50,126.

  Ministers (Public Funds)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to ensure that activities undertaken by Ministers on behalf of the Labour Party do not involve the expenditure of public funds. [69818]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The Ministerial Code makes it clear that Ministers must not use public resources for party political purposes.

  Duty Free
  Mr. Peter Bottomley:
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will estimate the consumption effects and health outcomes of the abolition of duty free imports of tobacco, alcohol and other goods with the EU. [70056]

  The Prime Minister
  The decision to end duty free sales within the European Union was taken by the Council of Finance Ministers in 1991, with the support of the Conservative Government. It was a fiscal measure deemed necessary for the effective operation of the Single Market and took no account of levels of consumption or health issues.

  St. Malo Declaration
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions has he had with the German Government on the recent British/French St. Malo declaration; and if he will make a statement. [69924]

  The Prime Minister
  Since St. Malo I have had discussions with a number of European colleagues, including the German Chancellor, on European defence. French and British officials have also discussed with the German EU/WEU Presidency how best to take the issue forward in the run up to the WEU Ministerial at Bremen (10–11 May) and the European Council at Cologne (4 June).

  Monetary Policy
  Sir Brian Mawhinney:
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 3 February 1999, Official

  185
  Report, column 932, if he will list those factors which he has assessed as detrimental to economic stability if monetary policy were to be transferred from the independent Bank of England to Her Majesty's Treasury. [70102]

  The Prime Minister
  The benefits of the Government's new monetary policy framework are clear: inflation has been at or close to its target; inflation expectations have fallen; the differential between yields on German and British long-term government debt has closed markedly; base rates are at their lowest level for over four years; and long term interest rates are at their lowest level for over 40 years and mortgage rates their lowest for over 30 years.

  The UK's past experience of monetary policy, when short-term political considerations detracted from longterm stability, suggests that any move to take back control of interest rates from the Bank of England would risk jeopardising those achievements.

  General Pinochet
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister at what time(a) he and (b) his Office was informed of (1) the police decision to arrest and (2) the arrest of Senator Pinochet. [70283]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 403.

  Pensioners' Parliament
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister if a Minister will be attending the Pensioners' Parliament to be held in Blackpool between 11 and 13 May. [69577]

  The Prime Minister
  To date no Minister has been invited to attend the Pensioners' Parliament, which I understand is organised by the National Pensioners Convention.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in her Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69513]

  Clare Short
  The headline pay settlement was 2 per cent. on the paybill and together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 4 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  EU Aid Budget
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the 10 countries which received the most EU aid in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [69040]
  186
  Clare Short
  In 1997, the latest year for which figures are available, the 10 countries which received the most EU official development assistance are set out in order. Our proposals to seek to change this situation are set out in our EU Strategy Paper "Working in Partnership with the European Community", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  1. Bosnia and Herzegovina

  2. Morocco

  3. Egypt

  4. Tunisia

  5. Palestinian administered areas

  6. Slovenia

  7. India

  8. Jordan

  9. Bangladesh

  10. Mauritania.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the EU aid budget is currently invested in low-income countries; and if she will make a statement. [69039]

  Clare Short
  In 1996 45 per cent. of EC external assistance (official development assistance plus official aid) went to low income countries, compared with 71 per cent. for the Department for International Development's bilateral programme. Our strategy to increase EC spending in low income countries is set out in our EU Strategy Paper, "Working in Partnership with the European Community", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with her European counterparts concerning the proportion of the EU' s aid budget which is invested in low income countries. [69041]

  Clare Short
  I discussed the EU aid budget with all my European colleagues in the last meeting of the Development Council, on 30 November 1998. I and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State also meet our counterparts individually. We raise this issue at every possible opportunity.

  Morocco
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with her French counterpart concerning Morocco. [69042]

  Clare Short
  On 23 December 1998 I met Monsieur Charles Josselin, my French counterpart, and we discussed a range of development assistance issues including EC aid to the Mediterranean and the Middle East, but we did not specifically discuss Morocco.

  Central America
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the long-term rehabilitation needs of the countries in Central America affected by Hurricane Mitch. [69038]
  187
  Clare Short
  Following our initial response in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch, (£4.2 million bilateral emergency aid and £10 million towards the World Bank's multilateral trust fund) we have been carefully considering our future assistance.

  Part of the £4.2 million assistance included rebuilding secondary roads and bridges, repairing water and sanitation infrastructure, restoring primary health and education services and work on epidemiological surveillance and epidemic control. A Department for International Development mission is planning to visit Honduras and Nicaragua on 22 February to check on the progress of this work and look at possible longer-term assistance. The team will hold meetings with the relevant government ministries and non-governmental organisations.

  Before Hurricane Mitch struck, we had already planned to spend £6 million in Central America over the next two years, working with some of the key multilateral organisations. We will now refocus our assistance in the light of the need for reconstruction. We have recently signed an agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in which DFID will provide funds to strengthen the capacity of local organisations to enable them to make more effective use of loans provided by the IDB.

  We are also currently looking at supporting a regional rural development and natural resources technical assistance unit (RUTA), possible co-operation with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) on health projects in the region as well as long-term support alongside the emergency road-building project announced in December. A project aimed at regenerating crop production by providing appropriate seed has also recently been approved.

  Palestinian Authority
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she has taken to prevent corrupt use of EU and British aid to the Palestinian Authority. [68715]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The UK and the European Commission rarely provide direct financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority. In cases where assistance has been so provided, special payment and accounting mechanisms have been incorporated to ensure that funds have been properly spent. UK aid to the Palestinians is largely in the form of technical co-operation and support to non-government organisations, who are major deliverers of services in the West Bank and Gaza. EC and UK projects and programmes are regularly monitored, including site visits, to ensure that funds are used for agreed purposes.

  Donors have repeatedly made it clear to the Palestinian Authority their concern about financial management and the importance of transparency.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Card
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on progress on introducing the Benefit Card. [68822]
  188
  Angela Eagle
  At present, 204 post offices (89 in the North East, 115 in the South West) are operating Benefit Payment Service for Child Benefit. There are now nearly 36,000 Child Benefit customers using the Benefit Payment Card.

  Mrs. Swati Pankhania
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons maternity benefit has not been paid to Mrs. Swati Pankhania of Rushey Mead, Leicester who made an application under reference PW916526C/STBFC/DN; and when he expects payment to be made. [69228]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of Maternity Benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 8 February 1999:

  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for what reasons maternity benefit has not been paid to Mrs Swati Pankhania of Rushey Mead. Leicester.

  Maternity Benefit (MB) has not been paid because the independent Adjudication Officer (AO) decided on 2 November 1998 that Mrs Pankhania was not entitled to Maternity Allowance (MA) from 7 December 1997 to 11 April 1998 because she was entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from her employer in respect of the same pregnancy.

  I should explain that AOs are statutory office holders. They are required to make impartial decisions based on the application of the law to the facts of the individual case. It would be improper for me, or indeed a Government Minister, to comment on, or interfere in, their decisions.

  However, the AO's decision to refuse MA is not a formal decision on the employer's liability to pay SMP. A customer who wants a formal decision on this separate issue must request it from the AO within six months from the earliest day in respect of which liability for SMP is in dispute. The time limit is absolute. I understand that Mrs Pankhania recently made such a request.

  Mrs Pankhania now needs to complete form SMP14 explaining fully why she thinks she is entitled to SMP and what she has done to pursue it with her employer. The information that she provides will then be sent to her employer for their comments. Once these have been received the AO will give a formal decision on SMP. If the AO decides that the employer is liable, they have three months in which either to pay SMP or appeal against the decision. If the employer does not appeal and does not pay SMP, the Benefits Agency will take over responsibility for paying it.

  I understand that Mrs Pankhania is currently in India. We have sent form SMP14 to her husband who is arranging to forward it to her. Every effort will be made to resolve this issue timeously.

  I hope that this is helpful.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will instruct the Benefits Agency to investigate allegations that the holidaymakers who were recently ejected from an Airtours flight to Jamaica were fraudulently claiming income-related benefits; and if he will make a statement. [69893]

  Mr. Timms
  Questions on Benefit Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to the hon. Member.
  189
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. lain Duncan Smith, dated 8 February 1999:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will instruct the Benefits Agency (BA) to investigate allegations that the holidaymakers who were recently ejected from an Airtours flight to Jamaica were claiming income-related benefits; and if he will make a statement.

  The information that the BA holds about its customers is confidential and there are strict rules about its disclosure. I am therefore unable to provide any details about this case.

  In general terms, whether fraud is involved in the case of a benefit customer taking a holiday abroad depends on the eligibility rules of the individual benefits involved.

  The BA takes benefit fraud very seriously and where proof of wrongdoing is established, a very firm line is taken against the culprits. I can assure you that the BA will fully investigate suspected fraud where there are reasonable grounds to support an enquiry.

  I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money has been received by the Treasury from CSA payments to offset the cost of single parents met by public funds for each year of the CSA's existence. [69666]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my right hon. Friend.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. Frank Field, dated February 1999:

  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about maintenance collected by the Child Support Agency.

  Since launch in April 1993 to 31 December 1998, a total of £1,927.46 Million (M) in child maintenance has been collected and arranged by the Agency for payment from the non resident parent to the parent with care. Where maintenance has been collected by the Agency £438.72M has been retained for the Secretary of State to offset benefits that have already been paid. A yearly breakdown is provided in the table below.

  Child Maintenance collected and arranged since launch

  £ million

  Collected and arranged

  Retained for SofS

  Total

  1,927.46

  438.72

  1993–94

  12.57

  5.75

  1994–95

  187.4

  47.94

  1995–96

  301.5

  68.12

  1996–97

  399.88

  95.71

  1997–98

  547.14

  121.31

  1998–99 up to 31 December 1998

  478.96

  99.89

  The problems encountered by the Agency during its first 2–3 years are a matter of public record. From a slow beginning, the amounts of maintenance collected and arranged rose to just over £301M in 1995/6, and to just under £400M in 1996/7.

  The £547.14M collected and arranged in 1997/98 represented an increase of 37 per cent on the amount in 1996/97, while the amount retained by the Secretary of State in the same period grew by 27 per cent.

  Our emphasis is on getting maintenance flowing, and in doing this supporting the Government's aims for keeping lone parents off benefit and the New Deal arrangements for helping those on benefit into work.

  I hope this is helpful.
  190

  Mr. William Gallacher
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the final resolution in the case of Mr. William Gallacher of Westgate on Sea of his benefit claim; and if he will make a statement relating to the speed with which benefit claims made by the disabled are processed. [69697]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of disablement benefits is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Roger Gale, dated 8 February 1999:

  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when the Secretary of State expects the final resolution to be made in the case of Mr. William Gallacher of Westgate on Sea of his benefit claim; and if he will make a statement relating to the speed with which benefit claims made by the disabled are processed.

  Mr. Gallacher's claim for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) was received by the Benefits Agency on 8 May 1997. The Adjudication Officer's decision, based on the findings of the Adjudicating Medical Authority on the claim, was issued to Mr. Gallacher on 14 October 1997. This length of time was needed to arrange a medical examination, confirm details of his employment, and contribution history. This information is required in all IIDB claims to confirm if the case satisfies the conditions for entitlement. In Mr. Gallacher's case, the history since 1940 was potentially relevant and needed to be scrutinised.

  Mr. Gallacher lodged an appeal, received at the BA processing office on 28 November 1997, against the findings of the Adjudicating Medical Authority. The case was referred to the Independent Tribunal Service on 28 November 1997. A hearing date has been set for 5 March 1999.

  The target times for completion of the processing of all Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit claims are, 60% in 85 days and 90% in 175 days. In Mr. Gallacher's case the decision was issued to him within the second target time.

  I hope you find this reply is helpful.

  Benefits Agency Staff
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what surveys the Benefits Agency has carried out of the level of job satisfaction among its staff since 1992; and if he will place the results in the Library. [69667]

  Angela Eagle
  The Administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. I have asked him to reply to my right hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 8 February 1999:

  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what surveys the Benefits Agency has carried out of the level of job satisfaction among its staff since 1992; and if the results will be placed in the Library.

  The Department of Social Security carried out a Department-wide staff attitude survey in 1994 which included Benefits Agency staff. Between 1994 and 1998 the Agency has only carried out local surveys. However, towards the end of last year the Benefits Agency commissioned a national staff survey. The report of the results is currently being prepared.

  I can confirm that a full copy of the results will be placed in the House of Commons Library. I will ensure that a copy of the BA results from the DSS 1994 survey is also placed in the Library.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  191

  Family Credit
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what percentage of couples receiving Family Credit benefits one partner is not working. [69686]

  Angela Eagle
  As at August 1998, there were 393,000 couples receiving Family Credit of which 92.3 per cent. (363,000) were cases where the partner was not working.

  Note:

  Figure is based on a 5 per cent. sample of all Family Credit claimants.

  Source:

  Family Credit Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 1998.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the average duration of claim for Family Credit payment. [69937]

  Angela Eagle
  As at August 1998, the average duration of a claim to Family Credit was 19.9 months.

  Note:

  Figure is based on a 5 per cent. sample of all Family Credit claimants.

  Source:

  Family Credit Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 1998.

  Disability Benefits
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those disability benefits on which there was an underspend in 1997–98 and the sums involved. [70120]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Over this Parliament, expenditure on the four principal disability benefits—Attendance Allowance (AA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)—is forecast to grow in real terms by 7.0 per cent. This is equivalent to a real increase in annual spending of over £1 billion. Within this wider trend, in 1997–98 there were small differences between forecast and outtum spending for these benefits.

  £ million

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  (4)

  Benefit

  Published forecast for spending in 1997–98

  Outturn spending

  Difference, column (3) minus column (2)

  AA

  2,704

  2,521

  -183

  DLA

  4,959

  4,953

  -6

  IB

  7,617

  7,412

  -205

  SDA

  991

  999

  7

  Note:

  Forecasts in column (2) are the figures that were published in the 1997 Departmental Report, Cmd 3613.

  Family Credit Childcare Disregard
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, under the rules for the family credit childcare disregard, a mother who worked for at least 16 hours a week as a registered childminder, and who entered into a contractual relationship with her husband, and who cared on a professional basis for her own children at 192
  premises other than the parental home, will be able to disregard the costs to the family of childcare for the purposes of family credit assessment. [70079]

  Angela Eagle
  For the purposes of the Family Credit disregard, Family Credit General Regulation 13A(2) provides a definition of eligible childcare. Childcare charges paid by a Family Credit claimant to a partner or by a partner to a Family Credit claimant in respect of any child for whom either or any of them is responsible, are not defined as eligible childcare.

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69510]

  Mr. Timms
  The headline pay settlement for this Department, its Agencies and its Non-Departmental Public Bodies was 2.5 per cent. on the paybill and together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.6 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  Disabled Children
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultations he has held with groups representing disabled children under five years of age; and what plans he has to make finance available to help the parents of severely-disabled under-fives with the costs of transportation for hospital visits. [68801]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Government's proposals for people with long-term illnesses and disabilities were outlined in the recent consultation document "A New Contract for Welfare: Support for Disabled People". Consultation ended on 8 January and 342 responses were received. Many of these came from organisations representing disabled people, including three from organisations specifically representing disabled children.

  Our proposals included extending the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (currently £35.85 a week) to severely disabled 3–4 year olds with a mobility problem. This has been widely welcomed. This help would be neither means tested nor subject to a contribution condition, would be tax free and would give access to the Motability Scheme. No attempt is made to specify how families should spend Disability Living Allowance.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Education Welfare Service
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the work of the Training Advisory Group for the Education Welfare Service. [69623]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Training Advisory Group for the Education Welfare Service has an important role to play in co-ordinating training provided for education welfare officers and dealing with related questions of
  193
  professional development. The Department is one of a number of bodies represented on TAG and we are pleased to contribute to its work.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the projects which are funded by the School Inclusion: Pupil Support grant programme which relate(a) to an enhanced role for education welfare officers and (b) to all other objects. [69624]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The grant will support multiple projects in 134 local education authorities. Many of these involve enhanced roles for education welfare officers (EWOs), particularly as part of multi-disciplinary behaviour support teams. Given the large number of projects and the overlapping, often integrated, work of EWOs and other agencies, identifying and listing individual projects in the manner requested in the question would involve disproportionate cost.

  Digital Broadcasting
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from the ITC regarding the provision of digital broadcasting for educational services. [69692]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 8 February 1998]: There have been a number of contacts with the Independent Television Commission over the last year, including both a meeting and exchanges of correspondence.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many tenders his Department has received for the provision of digital broadcasting services. [69691]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Responses to tendering exercises conducted by the Department for Education and Employment are treated as commercial in confidence.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people on the New Deal Scheme have been employed(a) as classroom assistants in schools and (b) as childcare providers. [70010]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mrs. Theresa May, dated 9 February 1999:

  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply direct to your question about the numbers of young people on New Deal who have been employed as classroom assistants in schools and as childcare providers. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.

  Up to 8 January 1999, 852 young people on New Deal had been placed as childcare assistants (427 in unsubsidised jobs and 425
  194
  on the Employment option). A further 731 had been placed on Full-Time Education and Training and Voluntary Sector options in the childcare area.

  Unfortunately, similar, information on classroom assistants is not readily available.

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69518]

  Mr. Mudie
  The headline pay settlement was 2.5 per cent. on the paybill; and together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 3.6 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  SSA and LEA Budgets
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list(a) his Department's recommended standard spending assessment percentage budget increase and (b) the percentage increase set by the local education authority for each English local education authority. [69576]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table sets out the underlying increase in the education SSAs for 1999–2000, after allowing for local authority changes of function and new arrangements for music and student support services. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to all English Local Education Authorities to urge them to match the cash increase in their education SSA with a corresponding cash increase in their education budgets. We will be monitoring the spending plans of authorities when they set their final education budgets to see whether they actually use the cash increases for education services.

  Final Education SSAs for 1999–2000

  LEA

  Education SSA £ million

  Change £ million

  Change %

  City of London

  0.8

  0.0

  1.7

  Camden

  87.4

  4.0

  4.8

  Greenwich

  126.2

  6.0

  5.0

  Hackney

  103.6

  5.0

  5.0

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  63.2

  3.4

  5.7

  Islington

  91.7

  4.2

  4.7

  Kensington and Chelsea

  40.2

  2.7

  7.1

  Lambeth

  111.4

  6.9

  6.6

  Lewisham

  127.5

  6.9

  5.7

  Southwark

  124.2

  7.8

  6.7

  Tower Hamlets

  145.6

  8.0

  5.9

  Wandsworth

  98.2

  4.9

  5.3

  Westminster

  66.8

  4.3

  6.9

  Barking and Dagenham

  84.3

  5.2

  6.6

  Barnet

  135.9

  7.4

  5.8

  Bexley

  105.9

  6.0

  6.0

  Brent

  123.1

  5.8

  4.9

  Bromley

  125.8

  7.5

  6.3

  Croydon

  140.4

  8.0

  6.1

  Ealing

  129.4

  7.0

  5.7

  Enfield

  139.3

  8.0

  6.1

  Haringey

  110.6

  7.5

  7.2

  Harrow

  81.1

  3.5

  4.5

  Havering

  99.0

  4.5

  4.8

  Hillingdon

  107.9

  5.6

  5.5

  195

  Final Education SSAsfor 1999–2000

  LEA

  Education SSA £ million

  Change £ million

  Change %

  Hounslow

  107.1

  5.4

  5.3

  Kingston upon Thames

  53.4

  2.7

  5.2

  Merton

  66.3

  3.2

  5.1

  Newham

  156.6

  10.3

  7.0

  Redbridge

  118.4

  8.6

  7.9

  Richmond upon Thames

  52.5

  2.8

  5.7

  Sutton

  78.8

  4.6

  6.2

  Waltham Forest

  111.1

  7.0

  6.8

  Birmingham

  506.0

  23.3

  4.8

  Coventry

  136.1

  6.1

  4.7

  Dudley

  120.4

  6.5

  5.7

  Sandwell

  136.0

  6.4

  4.9

  Solihull

  88.0

  5.5

  6.7

  Walsall

  124.6

  6.8

  5.8

  Wolverhampton

  111.9

  5.7

  5.4

  Knowsley

  85.2

  4.0

  5.0

  Liverpool

  238.3

  9.3

  4.1

  St. Helens

  76.5

  3.0

  4.1

  Sefton

  122.2

  6.1

  5.2

  Wirral

  148.7

  6.8

  4.8

  Bolton

  117.5

  6.0

  5.4

  Bury

  71.5

  3.9

  5.8

  Manchester

  207.7

  9.6

  4.9

  Oldham

  108.6

  5.3

  5.1

  Rochdale

  96.9

  5.1

  5.6

  Salford

  95.2

  4.6

  5.1

  Stockport

  104.4

  5.5

  5.5

  Tameside

  95.6

  5.4

  6.0

  Trafford

  91.1

  6.5

  7.7

  Wigan

  125.3

  6.3

  5.3

  Barnsley

  87.4

  4.4

  5.3

  Doncaster

  136.1

  6.2

  4.7

  Rotherham

  116.1

  6.6

  6.0

  Sheffield

  195.0

  11.1

  6.0

  Bradford

  233.8

  9.5

  4.2

  Calderdale

  88.2

  5.0

  6.0

  Kirklees

  164.3

  8.3

  5.3

  Leeds

  292.4

  14.8

  5.3

  Wakefield

  129.0

  6.5

  5.3

  Gateshead

  78.3

  3.4

  4.6

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  111.0

  5.0

  4.7

  North Tyneside

  77.6

  3.4

  4.6

  South Tyneside

  68.8

  3.4

  5.1

  Sunderland

  129.1

  5.7

  4.6

  Isles of Scilly

  1.2

  0.0

  0.8

  Cambridgeshire

  190.9

  11.3

  6.3

  Cheshire

  263.8

  13.8

  5.5

  Cornwall

  189.8

  11.1

  6.2

  Cumbria

  195.5

  10.0

  5.4

  Devon

  243.8

  15.9

  7.0

  Essex

  524.1

  29.2

  5.9

  Gloucestershire

  214.8

  12.7

  6.3

  Herefordshire

  61.1

  4.1

  7.3

  Worcestershire

  198.2

  10.9

  5.8

  Hertfordshire

  446.5

  23.6

  5.6

  Kent

  553.5

  29.7

  5.7

  Lancashire

  468.5

  25.3

  5.7

  Lincolnshire

  250.7

  15.3

  6.5

  Norfolk

  286.5

  17.4

  6.5

  Northamptonshire

  257.8

  14.8

  6.1

  Northumberland

  129.3

  6.3

  5.2

  Nottinghamshire

  296

  16.4

  5.9

  Oxfordshire

  217.4

  10.2

  4.9

  Shropshire

  100.8

  5.7

  6.0

  Somerset

  175.6

  10.9

  6.6

  Suffolk

  250.3

  14.1

  5.9

  Surrey

  358.3

  21.1

  6.3

  Warwickshire

  187.6

  10.1

  5.7

  West Sussex

  269.2

  15.5

  6.1

  North Yorkshire

  219.6

  13.6

  6.6

  196

  Final Education SSAs for 1999–2000

  LEA

  Education SSA £ million

  Change £ million

  Change %

  Bedfordshire

  161.0

  7.4

  4.8

  Buckinghamshire

  193.6

  10.4

  5.7

  Derbyshire

  272.4

  15.6

  6.1

  Dorset

  135.3

  9.2

  7.3

  Durham

  203.4

  9.6

  4.9

  East Sussex

  174.3

  10.1

  6.2

  Hampshire

  446.8

  24.9

  5.9

  Leicestershire

  228.2

  13.6

  6.3

  Staffordshire

  323.1

  18.2

  6.0

  Wiltshire

  159.1

  10.1

  6.8

  Isle of Wight

  53.2

  2.6

  5.1

  Bath & North East Somerset

  62.3

  3.3

  5.6

  Bristol

  134.2

  7.0

  5.5

  North Somerset

  68.0

  3.6

  5.6

  South Gloucestershire

  93.8

  6.3

  7.2

  Hartlepool

  42.6

  2.2

  5.4

  Middlesbrough

  68.5

  3.1

  4.8

  Redcar and Cleveland

  66.2

  2.9

  4.6

  Stockton-on-Tees

  82.1

  4.5

  5.8

  Kingston-upon-Hull

  114.8

  5.2

  4.8

  East Riding

  121.3

  7.4

  6.5

  North East Lincolnshire

  73.0

  3.1

  4.5

  North Lincolnshire

  65.0

  3.2

  5.2

  York

  60.3

  3.5

  6.1

  Luton

  87.6

  4.3

  5.2

  Milton Keynes

  92.7

  4.3

  4.9

  Derby

  96.8

  5.3

  5.8

  Poole

  50.0

  3.2

  6.9

  Bournemouth

  55.8

  3.3

  6.3

  Darlington

  39.7

  2.2

  6.0

  Brighton and Hove

  82.8

  4.9

  6.3

  Portsmouth

  72.8

  4.1

  6.0

  Southampton

  87.4

  5.0

  6.1

  Leicester

  134.9

  5.6

  4.3

  Rutland

  11.6

  0.4

  3.8

  Stoke on Trent

  99.5

  3.9

  4.1

  Bracknell Forest

  41.6

  2.0

  5.1

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  51.1

  2.4

  4.8

  West Berkshire

  60.9

  3.5

  6.1

  Reading

  48.0

  2.7

  5.9

  Slough

  59.0

  3.3

  5.9

  Wokingham

  58.5

  3.0

  5.4

  Peterborough

  78.9

  2.5

  3.2

  Halton

  59.4

  2.5

  4.5

  Warrington

  78.5

  4.6

  6.2

  Plymouth

  107.7

  5.9

  5.8

  Torbay

  49.9

  3.4

  7.3

  Southend

  68.9

  3.9

  6.1

  Thurrock

  60.5

  3.9

  6.8

  Medway Towns

  118.0

  6.0

  5.3

  Blackburn

  70.7

  2.7

  4.0

  Blackpool

  52.8

  3.4

  6.9

  Nottingham City

  116.7

  6.1

  5.5

  The Wrekin

  66.2

  3.9

  6.2

  Swindon

  73.3

  5.7

  8.5

  England

  20,414.0

  1,100.0

  5.7

  Schedule 2a Students
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for each of the last three years, how many students in further education colleges were registered as students on schedule 2a courses without having been entered for the appropriate examination. [68736]
  197
  Mr. Mudie
  Information on the number of students in English further education (FE) sector colleges registered as students on schedule 2a courses without having been entered for the appropriate examination is not available. The number of students enrolled on schedule 2a courses in English FE sector colleges for each of the last three years is:

  Year

  Thousand

  1994–95

  1,226.0

  1995–96

  1,664.5

  1996–97

  2,315.2

TREASURY

  Unemployment (Scotland)
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland and (b) 18 to 24-year-olds in Scotland are unemployed according to the ILO definition. [68771]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Malcolm Chisholm, dated 9 February 1999:

  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on young people who are unemployed in Scotland.

  The ONS measure of unemployment, derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are: a) without a paid job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.

  The Autumn 1998 (September-November) quarterly Labour Force Survey estimates that the number of ILO unemployed in Scotland aged (a) 16–17 year olds is 22,000 and (b) 18–14 year olds is 48,000. These estimates are not seasonally adjusted.

  Standard Chartered Bank
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has(a) met the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss the activities of Standard Chartered Bank and (b) called for a report from the Governor of the Bank of England on Standard Chartered Bank's involvement in India; when he last met the Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank; and what changes to the system of banking supervision he plans following the involvement of Standard Chartered Bank in India. [69084]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor has regular meetings with the Governor of the Bank of England at which a wide range of issues is discussed. He also receives regular reports from the Bank. There is no record of him meeting the Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank since his appointment as Chancellor. On coming into office, the Government announced their proposals to reform the system of financial supervision. The first stage was the Bank of England Act 1998 which transferred banking supervision to the Financial Services Authority. A further Bill implementing the reforms in full was published, in 198
  draft, for consultation last July. The Government are considering the response and will introduce the Bill in the next Session of Parliament.

  Travel Insurance
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the percentage of travel insurance which was bought from(a) travel agents and tour operators and (b) other sources in (i) 1992, (ii) 1995 and (iii) 1998. [69376]

  Ms Hewitt
  A report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on Foreign Package Holidays published in December 1997 (Cmnd 3813) gives the following information:

  Distribution of sales of travel insurance by outlet, 1992 to 1996

  Percentage

  1992

  1994

  1996

  Travel agent

  63

  61

  58

  Tour operators

  25

  23

  19

  Sub-total

  88

  84

  19

  Direct

  5

  5

  7

  Bank/Building Society

  3

  4

  6

  Others

  4

  7

  10

  Source:

  Mintel

  Aviation Tax
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government will support proposals for an aviation tax in future European Union negotiations. [69472]

  Ms Hewitt
  There no proposals for an aviation tax as such. As was made clear in the White paper on the future of transport, the Government support international action through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to remove the international tax exemption for aviation fuels.

  In June 1997 we welcomed the initiative by the Dutch Presidency of the EU which led to the study on the competitive and environmental effects on the EU of a unilateral aviation fuel tax and look forward to its publication later this year. We will consider our position in the light of the conclusions of this study.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base; and which are subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner. [69912]

  Ms Hewitt
  One executive non-departmental body sponsored by the Chancellor' s departments has a statutory base. It is the Policyholders Protection Board, created by the Policyholders Protection Act 1975.

  The ambit of the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration does not extend to the conduct of the Board's business.
  199
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings, (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards and (d) operate some form of appeal or complaints procedure; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69982]

  Ms Hewitt
  There is one executive non-departmental body sponsored by the Chancellor's departments. It is the Policyholders Protection Board. The Board:

  (a) does not admit members of the public to board meetings or committee meetings;

  (b) does not hold public meetings;

  (c) includes a representative of policyholders interests in accordance with the Policyholders Protection Act, 1975;

  (d) does not operate a formal appeal or complaints procedure.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) the minutes of meetings, (b) the agendas of meetings and documents for those meetings and (c) a register of members' interests; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69942]

  Ms Hewitt
  There is one executive non-departmental body sponsored by the Chancellor's departments. It is the Policyholders Protection Board.

  The Board does not publish the minutes of meetings, agendas of meetings, documents for those meetings, or a register of members' interests. It does, however, publish an annual report, and there are statutory provisions on disclosure of members' interests in matters falling to be considered by the Board.

  Industrial Action
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many cases of industrial action involving random one-day strikes called over a period have taken place; and in how many cases the period of random action has exceeded eight weeks, in each year from 1993 to 1998; [69563]

  (2) in how many cases industrial actions in the form of strikes have extended beyond eight weeks in each year from 1993 to 1998. [69564]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 8 February 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 Chidgey, dated 9 February 1999:

  As Director of the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary questions on industrial action in each year from 1993 to 1998.

  I am unable to provide information in the form requested. The duration of a dispute is classed as the total number of days of strike action, not the length of time the parties were in dispute. I have provided information on this basis in the attached tables.

  Table 1

  The following table shows the number of stoppages beginning in each year from 1993 to 1997, which involved forty days or more of strike action1, whether or not these covered consecutive working days.
  200

  Year

  Stoppages beginning in year

  1993

  7

  1994

  2

  1995

  8

  1996

  4

  1997

  3

  19982

  n/a

  1 It is assumed that an eight week period includes forty working days. The duration of a dispute is classed as the total number of days of strike action, not the length of time the parties were in dispute.

  2 Provisional data for 1998 will be available mid-March 1999, final data for 1998 will be available mid-April 1999.

  Table 2

  The following table shows the number of stoppages in progress, in each year from 1993 to 1997, which did not exceed one day in duration.

  Year

  Stoppages in progress

  1993

  119

  1994

  118

  1995

  139

  1996

  118

  1997

  106

  19981

  n/a

  1 Provisional data for 1998 will be available mid-March 1999, final data for 1998 will be available mid-April 1999.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to which public expenditure vote the cost of the use of RAF and charter flights by Treasury Ministers is charged. [70076]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Treasury Ministers' travel costs are charged to Class XVI Vote 1.

  Green-field Development
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will abolish capital gains tax roll-over relief on the sale proceeds of green-field development land. [68799]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Capital gains roll-over relief is available when the proceeds from the disposal of assets used only for the purpose of a trade are invested in new assets which, on acquisition, are taken into use, and used only, for the purposes of a trade. There are no plans to change that.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received regarding building societies during the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement; [68436]

  (2) what recent discussions his Department has had with building societies; and if he will make a statement; [68438]

  (3) what proposals he has for legislation to protect the principle of mutuality; and if he will make a statement. [68437]
  201
  Ms Hewitt
  The Treasury has regular discussions with building societies and their representatives, who have put forward a number of proposals for legislation in recent years. Many of them, however, involve reducing Boards' accountability, or otherwise limit the rights of members—especially the less well off. This seems to the Government to be incompatible with the fundamental principles of mutuality. The Government have, however, increased the turnout threshold on conversion votes from 20 to 50 per cent., to ensure that conversions can occur only with the clear endorsement of members.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Exports
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to introduce(a) reforms to the way in which veterinary surgeons are nominated to carry out pre-export inspections of farm animals and (b) new guidelines as to how such inspections should be conducted; and if he will make a statement. [67937]

  Mr. Morley
  We are actively working to finalise the new procedural guidelines and administrative arrangements, together with proposals on the charges livestock exporters would need to pay. Introduction of the proposed new charging arrangements would require the adoption of a statutory instrument, and the timing of this would be influenced by the devolution arrangements for Scotland and Wales.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the principal(a) domestic and (b) export markets for tobacco grown in the European Union under subsidy. [69326]

  Mr. Rooker
  The specific information requested is not available. However, the European Commission's 1997 report on the common organisation of the market in raw tobacco says that the European Union consumes about 23 per cent. of its tobacco production. The main export markets for EU raw tobacco are the former-USSR, Central and Eastern European Countries, North Africa and the USA.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the member states of the EU which will benefit from financial support from the FEOGA budget in the current financial year for their tobacco growing industries. [69324]

  Mr. Rooker
  The eight producer Member States under the EU tobacco regime are: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people are employed as a result of grant-assisted tobacco growing in the European Union. [69325]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission's 1997 report on the common organisation of the market in tobacco says that there are about 135,000 tobacco farmers in the Community, and that the number of people who earn their living farming tobacco exceeds this figure. In addition,202
  the report says that some 30,000 people were employed in the first processing of tobacco in 1990 (including seasonal jobs).

  There is no information to relate employment in the EU tobacco sector to availability of the Community support to tobacco production.

  Dairy Farms (Closures)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many dairy farms were closed as a result of action taken following farm inspection reports in each year since 1995–96. [69704]

  Mr. Rooker
  The table shows the number of production holding registrations withdrawn by financial years. Certain of these withdrawals were temporary as production holdings may be re-registered once they have made the necessary adjustments to comply with legislative requirements.

  Year

  Number

  1994–95

  62

  1995–96

  29

  1996–97

  73

  1997–98

  51

  Ministerial Flights
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for Worsley on 25 January concerning ministerial flights (ref. 67363). [69627]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Shortly.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Documents (Right hon. Member for Hartlepool)
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish all his Department's internal documents relating to the loan by the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) to his predecessor, the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson). [67333]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 27 January 1999]: No. All information in the DTI's possession on matters of substance relating to the loan is already in the public domain.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library details of the licensing of military contracts to Jakarta in the last five years. [68843]

  Dr. Howells
  The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 1 January 1994 and 31 December
  203
  1998, 301 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Indonesia of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the Table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  SIELs issued in each calendar year covering the export to Indonesia of goods on the Military List

  Number of SIELs issued in each year covering goods with this rating

  Rating

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  ML1

  4

  4

  1

  0

  2

  ML2

  5

  2

  3

  3

  2

  ML3

  3

  3

  1

  0

  1

  ML4

  3

  1

  0

  2

  1

  ML5

  6

  4

  1

  3

  1

  ML6

  4

  13

  9

  4

  1

  ML7

  1

  0

  2

  1

  0

  ML8

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML9

  4

  0

  1

  0

  1

  ML10

  10

  8

  27

  17

  16

  ML11

  22

  13

  15

  19

  9

  ML13

  1

  1

  6

  4

  2

  ML14

  4

  4

  3

  2

  2

  ML15

  2

  6

  4

  1

  2

  ML16

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML17

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML18

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  ML21

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  ML22

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  ML24

  0

  1

  3

  1

  0

  PL5001

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  PL5002

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  PL5006

  1

  2

  2

  0

  2

  PL5017

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  PL5024

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  PL5027

  2

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Total number of such licences

  68

  60

  77

  55

  41

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

  As regards Open Individual Export Licences, I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

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

  Fireworks
  Mr. Nigel Grigffiths:
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps, including a campaign of public information, to ensure that the code of practice on fireworks as it relates to the timing of firework sales is not breached in connection with the celebration of the new millennium. [69615]
  204
  Dr. Howells
  The present voluntary code of practice relates to sales of fireworks in the run-up to Bonfire Night. Officials in the DTI will be contacting fireworks suppliers to discuss the issue of the sale of fireworks for the Millennium celebrations.

  Lucas Varity
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 1999,Official Report, columns 584–85, regarding Lucas Varity, if it is his policy that his Department would not intervene in the takeover on grounds other than competition. [69699]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: If any proposed acquisition were to fall to the UK authorities under the Fair Trading Act 1973, the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) would advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether or not the merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation. In formulating his advice on merger cases, the DGFT takes into account any representations he receives on competition and other public interest issues. The Secretary of State would take his decision in the light of the DGFT's advice. Each case is considered on its own merits.

  If any proposed acquisition were to fall to the EC Merger Regulation the European Commission would assess the acquisition's effect on competition. In commenting on the acquisition we would therefore not normally give our views on grounds other than competition.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 1999,Official Report, columns 584–85, regarding Lucas Varity, if he will take steps to establish whether the takeover will fall within the jurisdictions of (a) the UK authorities and (b) the European Commission. [69698]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The European Commission would decide whether any proposed acquisition fell within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation. If it were not to fall within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation it would fall to the UK authorities under the Fair Trading Act 1973.

  Dismissals (Breach of Contract)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employees were dismissed for breach of contract on the ground that they took industrial action by going on strike, in each year from 1993 to 1998. [69594]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: These figures are not collected.

  Unfair Dismissal
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases of unfair dismissal were brought before industrial tribunals in each year from 1993 to 1998; how many cases were proven in each year; what was the average award in each year; and what was the total of the awards made in each year. [69595]
  205
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]Information for financial years commencing 1 April 1993 is shown in the table. The outcome of a case may appear in a later year than the one in which it was registered.

  Year

  Applications registered

  Number successful at hearing (%)

  Average award

  Number of awards

  1993–94

  41,801

  5,952 (44.0)

  2,773

  3,113

  1994–95

  38,363

  4,829 (39.3)

  3,289

  2,998

  1995–96

  39,580

  4,325 (38.0)

  2,499

  2,099

  1996–97

  39,018

  12,910 (34.6)

  12,575

  11,696

  1997–98

  37,366

  4,418 (40.1)

  2—

  2—

  1 Information on tribunal outcomes is not available for the whole of 1996–97 as a result of procedural changes. The information given relates to cases registered before 1 September 1996 and disposed of in that year.

  2 Information is not yet available.

  Petrol Industry
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the report of the Inquiry by the Director General of Fair Trading into the 1966 undertakings by petrol suppliers; and if he will publish it. [69761]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]My right hon. Friend and I expect to receive advice from the Director General of Fair Trading regarding the 1966 petrol undertakings within the next month. The Director General's advice is given in confidence. I will announce my decision on the undertakings in due course.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what studies he has(a) made and (b) commissioned into contractual arrangements introduced by petrol suppliers since 1 January 1989; and what assessment he has made as to their conformity with fair competitive practice; [69758]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the terms of the partnership licence agreement currently used by Esso Petroleum; [69756]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answers 8 February 1999]: My Department has neither made nor commissioned such studies or assessments since 1 January 1989. The Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for keeping the operation of markets and the state of competition under review.

  The Office of Fair Trading was asked by Esso in 1992 to consider its new partnership licence agreement. OFT concluded that the terms were not manifestly unfair or unreasonable and therefore not in breach of paragraph 19 of the 1966 undertakings. The Petrol Retailers Association were informed of OFT's view on 8 December 1992. The OFT's view remains unchanged.

  No other new petrol licence agreements have been considered by OFT.

  The Director General has examined the petrol market a number of times since the MMC last reported in 1990, and on each occasion concluded that competition in the petrol market was effective and serving consumers well.
  206
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how his Department monitors retail petrol industry gross margins and pump prices; and what assessment he has made of the monitoring's effectiveness in assuring consistency of treatment under(a) UK and (b) European competition law. [69757]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]My Department collects information about pump prices from retailers. This information is published in Energy Trends and in the Advanced Energy Statistics Press Notice.

  The Office of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring markets and considering complaints about anti-competitive practices in the UK. OFT monitors gross margins on petrol and petrol pump prices using information from published sources and my Department. Successive studies of the supply of petrol in the UK by OFT, including that published in May 1998, have led OFT to conclude that competition in the petrol market is effective and serving consumers well.

  The application of EC competition law is the responsibility of Directorate General IV of the European Commission.

  Employment Relations Bill
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates his Department has made of the current compliance costs of the Parental Leave Directive to the United Kingdom, in the context of the Employment Relations Bill; how many newly-entitled employees there will be; how many are expected to be(a) full-time and (b) part-time workers; and how many in each category are expected to be employed in firms with workforces (i) up to 10, (ii) up to 20, (iii) up to 50, (iv) up to 250 and (v) over 250. [69562]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Estimates are not available in the form requested. However, the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Employment Relations Bill, which has now been published, estimates the compliance costs of our proposals to implement the Directive at £36 million per year to employers. The estimate assumes that beneficiaries will include some 61,500 parents per year who will take up the new entitlement to parental leave, and 560,000 employees who will be protected by the statutory right when they take time off to deal with a domestic emergency. Full-time and part-time employees will be entitled to the new rights on the same basis.

  Welsh Stamps
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ensure that Welsh stamps are available in all Welsh post offices. [70054]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Post Office is fully committed to implementation of its Welsh Language Scheme and reports progress annually to the Welsh Language Board. Welsh definitive stamps are already widely available at post offices in Wales and The Post Office is currently reviewing its supply process to improve the availability of stock.
  207

  Internet Watch Foundation
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to publish the review of the Internet Watch Foundation; and if he will make a statement. [70364]

  Mr. Wills
  Copies of the review of the Internet Watch Foundation, conducted by KPMG and Denton hall, were placed in the Libraries of the House of Commons and the House of Lords this morning. The report is also available on the Department's website. The report commends the success of the IWF since its inception in 1996, and makes recommendations for improvement to keep pace with the rapid developments taking place in the Internet industry.

  The IWF's structure, hotline operations and relationship with the Internet industry, Metropolitan Police and National Criminal Intelligence Service were all examined as part of the review. Work on developing rating systems, future activities and funding arrangements were also considered.

  Findings show a steady increase in the number of reports of potentially illegal material received and processed by the IWF, mainly from outside the UK. Other key points include:
  there were 453 actionable reports of illegal material on the Internet from December 1996 until end of August 1998;
  the IWF has made an important contribution in tackling child pornography, which accounts for almost 90 per cent. of material that is assessed by the Foundation as illegal;
  the IWF has played a leading role in developing content rating and filtering systems for Internet content that is legal, but that may be harmful or offensive; and
  low public and industry awareness of the IWF (particularly among non-users of the Internet).

  The report puts forward a series of recommendations, including:
  raising awareness of the IWF through a publicity campaign, to include: printed and electronic material for current and new users; web pages with hot links to the IWF site; mailings and promotional material with CD Roms;
  further work on developing rating systems and filtering technologies and deciding how to tackle real time Internet chat services which could pose a danger to children;
  drawing in UK Internet Service Providers not tied into IWF;
  improving Police/IWF communication; for example, through developing working procedures and regular formal feedback;
  further work on potentially illegal adult pornography;
  better co-operation with watchdogs responsible for illegal material other than child pornography: for example, financial scams, copyright infringement and racism; and
  improved management structure and funding, including a higher representation of public bodies and charities on the Policy Board.

  The report demonstrates the IWF's success to date in dealing with complaints about child pornography on-line and in developing content rating and filtering systems which will enable people to filter out legal, but offensive material from their PCs. But the Report also shows that a good deal more work needs to be done. I welcome the report's recommendations for the further development of the IWF and encourage the Internet Industry and the IWF to consider them carefully as a basis for developing the IWF's work in future.
  208

  Mobile Telecommunications Networks
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made towards issuing licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts for operators of third generation mobile telecommunications networks. [70363]

  Mr. Wills
  Good progress has been made in consultation with industry in developing detailed plans for an auction of licences for third generation (3G) mobile telecommunications. The Government have been considering further how to provide benefits to the full range of customers from increased and sustainable competition in view of the opportunities presented by the Information Age.

  Key issues addressed in consultation have included:

  (i) means of helping potential new entrants to the mobile market in the UK compete on a fair basis;

  (ii) the opportunities provided by technical development affecting the proposed number and design of licences.

  In the light of these consultations the Government remain committed to their overall aim and objectives, which are those previously described to the House by my hon. Friend the present Financial Secretary on 18 May 1998, Official Report, column 233. In particular, the Government continue to attach great importance to the further development of competition in the sector, including promotion of sustainable market entry. To this end it is minded to ensure the availability for a period of roaming onto second generation networks by any new entrants to the mobile market. It is also initiating a further brief consultation on the specific proposal that five licences be offered, a larger one being reserved for a new entrant.

  The Government expect that, subject to market and other developments and to final decisions nearer the time, the auction will take place in the second part of the financial year 1999–2000.

  In carrying out its further work, the Department will continue fully to consult industry, and to publish all relevant information on the Radiocommunications Agency website at "www.open.gov.uk/radiocom/".

  Insolvency Service Disqualification Unit
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the income and expenditure of the Insolvency Service has been in each of the last three years attributable to the disqualification of directors; and what proportion of the costs were borne by(a) the Disqualification Unit of the Insolvency Service and (b) official receivers. [69641]

  Dr. Howells
  The income attributable to the disqualification of directors is the recovery of costs awarded against disqualified directors and is shown in the annual published accounts of The Insolvency Service as follows:

  Year

  £000

  1995–96

  479

  1996–97

  671

  1997–98

  1,456

  209
  The expenditure of The Insolvency Service attributable to the disqualification of directors is as follows:

  £000

  £000

  Disqualification Unit official receivers total

  1995–96

  10,185

  4,878

  15,063

  1996–97

  14,885

  4,218

  19,103

  1997–98

  17,727

  4,286

  22,013

  The Insolvency Service is funded through the DTI's Vote.

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69509]

  Mr. Byers
  For the main DTI bargaining unit, the headline pay settlement was 2.55 per cent. This, taken together with additional funds from staff turnover, resulted in staff in post receiving performance related increases averaging 4 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  Maternity Leave
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the costs of maternity leave to the United Kingdom in each year since 1994; and what proportion of these costs relate to employees in firms with workforces(a) up to 10, (b) up to 20, (c) up to 50, (d) up to 250 and (e) over 250. [69596]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The information requested is not available. However, the costs of providing maternity leave will differ according to the arrangements in individual companies, many of which provide more than statutory entitlements.

  We estimate that there are about 370,000 pregnant employees in any one year. The costs of meeting the statutory requirement to pay out Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance to women who qualify for them are set out in the table. Employers are reimbursed 92 per cent. of the cost of Statutory Maternity Pay, with small employers reimbursed in full. The Department of Social Security pays out Maternity Allowance.

  £ million

  Tax year

  Statutory Maternity Pay expenditure

  Total Maternity Allowance expenditure

  Maternity Allowance expenditure for employees

  1994–95

  480

  27

  10

  1995–96

  524

  29

  12

  1996–97

  341

  33

  14

  Notes:

  1. Expenditure on Statutory Maternity Pay for any year may take into account adjustments made by the Government Actuary in respect of recoveries made by employers for earlier years.

  2. Figures are for Great Britain.

  3. Expenditure on Maternity Allowance for employees is estimated from a 1 per cent. sample of awards to Maternity Allowance.

  4. The latest year for which information is available for both Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance is 1996–97.

  Source:

  National Insurance Fund Accounts
  210

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69521]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The headline pay settlement (excluding Agencies) was 3 per cent. on the paybill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 4.5 per cent. The increases were not staged.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Private Military Companies
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will publish the guidelines which were introduced following the Legg report for his officials when dealing with representatives of private military companies. [69354]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The guidelines introduced on 24 July were intended for internal use only pending preparation of more detailed guidance in consultation with other Government Departments.

  We intend to make the revised guidance available to Parliament and to companies or individuals who request it. The Foreign Affairs Committee will also receive a copy of the final version.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the operational involvement of British private military companies in the recent hostilities in(a) Sierra Leone, (b) the Democratic Republic of Congo and (c) Angola; and if he will set out the Government's definition of a private military company. [69391]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have no confirmed reports of the involvement of British private military companies in combat operations in the recent hostilities in Sierra Leone, Angola or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

  There is currently no agreed Whitehall-wide definition of a private military company. The Government are drawing up guidance on private military companies. This will be made available to Parliament and to companies or individuals who request it.

  Trinidad and Tobago
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Trinidad Government about the cessation of the jurisdiction of the Privy Council over appeals from Trinidad and Tobago; and if he will make a statement. [69647]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, the Lord Chancellor's Department,Official Report, column 181.
  211
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made relating to prisoners on death row in Trinidad; and if he will make a statement. [69646]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We call on all countries to abolish the death penalty. Where the death penalty is used we urge that it should be used only in accordance with the State's international obligations and international standards. Together with our EU partners we have made a number of representations in Trinidad and Tobago on the cases of individual death row inmates.

  Last year, together with our EU partners, we also urged Trinidad and Tobago to revoke their decisions to withdraw from the American Convention on Human Rights and to denounce and re-accede to the first Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with a reservation on death penalty issues.

  We have also held a number of bilateral discussions on the subject of the death penalty with members of the Trinidadian Government, including discussions at the Caribbean Forum in Nassau, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, and attended by members of the Trinidadian Government. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Baroness Symons, also invited the Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to call on her in response to their individual cases where death warrants had been served. We are currently considering, with EU partners, what further representations to make to the Trinidad and Tobago Government.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February 1999,Official Report, column 496, when the Bay of Gibraltar was first described as the Bay of Algeciras in a paper laid before Parliament. [69661]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Usage of this geographical term is as described in my answer to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks of 1 February 1999, Official Report, column 496. This has no implications for our position on sovereignty over British waters around Gibraltar. It is not practical to conduct a survey of past usage, but I understand that both terms have been used in public documents in the past.

  Chechnya
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1999,Official Report, column 212, for what reasons his Department received the Interfax report on the hostages in Chechnya over 24 hours after it was issued. [70239]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This media report from Chechnya was accessed in the FCO at about 0900 GMT on 7 December, when the relevant FCO officials started work.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, (1) pursuant to his answer of 21 January 1999,Official Report, column 536, what action was taken by the Moscow Embassy on receipt of the Interfax report on the hostages in Chechnya; [70240]
  212
  (2) pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1999, Official Report, column 212, what action was taken by his Department on receipt of the Interfax report on the hostages in Chechnya.[170241]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This Interfax report was inaccurate in several important respects, as current investigations into the murders of the hostages in Chechnya confirm. Our information at the time of the report supported this assessment. We had seen nothing then, or since, to indicate that the hostages had ever been held outside Chechnya. H.M. Embassy had been in recent close contact with the Russian authorities, who had undertaken to inform us if they obtained any detailed information on the location of the hostages. It was clear then, as now, that no Russian rescue operation was planned. The media report followed a long series of similarly unreliable reports from Chechnya seen by the FCO during the previous 18 months.

  As is usual in such cases, FCO officials circulated the report in Whitehall. A copy was also faxed to Granger Telecom.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 21 January 1999,Official Report, column 536, for what reason the Moscow Embassy received the Interfax report on the hostages in Chechnya 24 hours after it was issued. [70238]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Interfax media report was issued at 12:56 GMT on Sunday 6 December. The Embassy received the report as soon as it was open, at about 06:00 GMT on Monday 7 December.

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998–99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. [69516]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The headline pay settlement was 2 per cent. on the paybill and, together with additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance-related increases averaging 4 per cent. The increases were not staged.

  General Pinochet
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the Metropolitan Police contacted his Department concerning their communications with the 5th Central Magistrate's Court in Madrid on 14 October. [70294]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Metropolitan Police informed the FCO that they had received, via Interpol, a request from the 5th Central Magistrate's Court in Madrid to interview Senator Pinochet.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the (i) nature and (ii) frequency of the contacts made by the Metropolitan Police with his Department, between the time when the police were contacted on 14 October by the 5th Central Magistrate's Court in Madrid and the issuing of an arrest warrant for General Pinochet. [70288]
  213
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This Department does not keep a comprehensive record of telephone calls made by officials. Until the inquiry concerning Senator Pinochet's entitlement to diplomatic immunity on the afternoon of 16 October, contacts between the Metropolitan Police and the FCO concerned only the request from the 5th Central Magistrate's Court in Madrid to interview Senator Pinochet, received on 14 October. All such contacts were by telephone.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature of his Department's investigations into the well-being or otherwise of General Pinochet following the incorrect news reports of the general's death in early October. [70286]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  On 9 October, our Embassy in Santiago sought clarification from the FCO about inquiries from the press in Chile about reports that Senator Pinochet had died in hospital in London. FCO officials contacted the Chilean Embassy who confirmed that the reports were untrue and that Senator Pinochet was recovering from surgery in a London hospital.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance was provided by his Department towards the travel arrangements for Senator Pinochet's planned return to Chile in late 1998. [70293]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Trend) on 25 January 1999,Official Report, column 149.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will deposit in the Library those sections of the four reports from the British Embassy in Madrid to his Department which deal with the investigations by Judge Garzon. [70291]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 2 February 1999,Official Report, columns 597–98.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the diplomatic protests from the Chilean authorities following the arrest of General Pinochet made reference to promises from Her Majesty's Government to assist in the travel arrangements for Senator Pinochet's return to Chile. [70292]
  214
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No such promises were made. Following Senator Pinochet's arrest on 16 October, the FCO received two Notes from the Government of Chile (on 17 and 23 October). Neither of these refers to promises from HMG to assist in the Senator's travel arrangements.

  Malaysia (Human Rights)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Malaysia since 2 October 1998 about human rights and the application of the rule of law. [70244]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We take all appropriate opportunities to raise such issues with the Malaysian authorities. Most recently, we have expressed concern about a number of aspects of the trial of former Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim and related developments. Our High Commission have attended the trial regularly and fully associate themselves with the statements issued by the European Union on 2 October and 27 November.

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the activities of Arab militias in Southern Sudan. [69037]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Military activity in Southern Sudan continues to be a cause for concern.

  We have not recently received any representations on this specific issue but we continue to urge all sides to work towards a peaceful settlement to the ongoing civil war.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current status of the arms embargo on Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [69043]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We fully support and comply with the EU arms embargo which was implemented in 1994. The embargo was introduced as a result of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, the lack of any movement towards a peaceful settlement to the conflict and the resulting humanitarian crisis.

  We expect the embargo to remain in place until the conflict has been resolved.

  Sudan: Kidnappings
  Sudan: Kidnappings
  Iraq: No-Fly Zones
  Iraq: No-Fly Zones
  Sudan: Al-Shifa Chemical Factory
  Sudan: Al-Shifa Chemical Factory
  Iraq: Military Operations
  Iraq: Military Operations
  Embassies: Terrorist Threats
  Embassies: Terrorist Threats
  Hearing Aids: Prescriptions
  Hearing Aids: Prescriptions
  Propellant: Procurement
  Propellant: Procurement
  Spratt Report: South Coast Biological Defence Trials
  Spratt Report: South Coast Biological Defence Trials
  House of Lords Appellate Committee: Composition
  House of Lords Appellate Committee: Composition
  Scotland: Pig Industry
  Scotland: Pig Industry
  Scottish Department of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries: Funding
  Scottish Department of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries: Funding
  A.7 Trunk Road: Improvements
  A.7 Trunk Road: Improvements
  Drug Treatment and Testing Orders
  Drug Treatment and Testing Orders
  General Pinochet
  General Pinochet
  Teachers: Pay Award
  Teachers: Pay Award
  Class Sizes
  Class Sizes
  European Social Fund: Repayments by London Boroughs
  European Social Fund: Repayments by London Boroughs
  European Union: VAT Rates
  European Union: VAT Rates
  Tuberculosis Organisms in Milk and Cheese
  Tuberculosis Organisms in Milk and Cheese
  Meat Hygiene Directive
  Meat Hygiene Directive
  Organophosphate Sheep Dips: Adverse Reactions
  Organophosphate Sheep Dips: Adverse Reactions