Written Answers of 11 February 1999

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions he has given his consent for proceedings to take place under sections 5 to 7 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998; on how many occasions his powers under the Act have been revoked by order of the Secretary of State for the Home Department; and if he will make a statement. [70305]

  The Attorney-General
  I have so far received no requests for consent to prosecution as provided for by Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 as amended by Section 5(2) of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998, or as provided for by Article 12 of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 as amended by Section 6(2) of the 1998 Act. Section 7 of the 1998 Act relates to proceedings in Scotland and confers no powers on me.

  The Secretary of State has so far made no order under Section 4(6) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 as added by Section 5(2) of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 or under Article 12(6) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 as added by Section 6(2) of the 1998 Act which would have the effect of disapplying the requirement of my consent in relation to cases of any description specified in the order.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the cash and running costs limits for the Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland departmental services, the grants to voluntary bodies from social security, the Social Fund, certain national agricultural schemes and discretionary rent allowance payments for 1998–99. [71121]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Subject to Parliamentary Approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, it is proposed that the cash limit for Class XV Vote 1—the Northern Ireland Office—will be increased by £62,431,000 from £926,291,000 to £988,722,000. This reflects the take-up of end year flexibility on capital of £2,740,000 and departmental running costs of £5,000,000. Additional expenditure on compensation of £27,000,000 is also reflected in the increase, as is funding for the Prison 298
  Officers' redundancy scheme of £4,000,000 costs of £8,124,000 arising from the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, £4,724,000 to cover the costs of the Referendum and elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly and £5,000,000 for Victims' Support. Other minor changes to the NIO Cash Limit total £5,843,000.

  The cash limit which covers most Northern Ireland departmental services will be increased by £112,005,000 from £4,243,776 to £4,355,781,000. This increase reflects a rephasing of Student Loan Book sales of £38,500,000 and reclassification of Bus Fuel Duty Rebates of £7,209,000, the take-up of end year flexibility on capital of £14,645,500, departmental running costs of £30,000,000, European Structural Funds of £8,734,000, Health programme of £29,406,000 and Welfare to Work end year flexibility of £1,643,000. The increase also reflects additional resources of £5,389,000 for the Welfare to Work programme, £6,499,000 for DHSS Winter Pressures, £6,100,000 provided for the Chancellor's Initiative, the transfer of £38,829,000 to the Northern Ireland Office cash limit on Class XV, Vote 1 and other technical changes of £2,709,000.

  The cash limit for the Grants to Voluntary Bodies—Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services Vote 6—has been reduced by £873,000 reflecting lower than expected demands on this fund.

  The cash limit for the social fund—Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services Vote 6—has been reduced by £50,000 reflecting lower than expected demands on this fund.

  The cash limit covering national agriculture capital grant schemes and certain assistance for production, marketing and processing and the fishing industry will increase by £8,512,000 from £16,682,000 to £25,194,000 as a result of additions to the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance of £8,497,000 and the take-up of entitlement to end year flexibility on capital of £15,000.

  The cash limit for the discretionary rent allowance—Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services Vote 6—has been reduced by £634,000 reflecting lower than expected demands on this fund.

  The combined gross running costs limit for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland departments will be increased by £40,799,000 from £749,283,000 to £790,082,000. This reflects the take up in 1998–99 of £35,000,000 of the end year flexibility entitlement announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 134–36, transfers of £4,000,000 in respect of prison officer redundancies, £750,000 for increased Inland Revenue charges, £526,000 in the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, £470,000 in respect of accommodation costs and other minor transfers in totalling £53,000. Of the revised gross running costs provision, £181,391,000 is for the NIO and £608,691,000 is for Northern Ireland Departments. The gross running costs limit for the Welfare to Work programme which is outside the Northern Ireland Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased from £6,041,000 to £8,193,000.

  The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.
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HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Short Money
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the President of the Council how much Short money was awarded to Her Majesty's Opposition for the current financial year; and what steps are taken to ensure it is used for the purposes laid down by Parliament. [70356]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Under the formula set out in the resolution of 4 November 1993, the Official Opposition in the House of Commons are due to receive £1,112,885 in Short money in the current financial year; Cranborne money in the House of Lords amounts to £106,191 for the Official Opposition in 1998–99.

  Claims are made by the parties to the Accounting Officers of each House with both a certificate that the expenses have been incurred exclusively in relation to the party's parliamentary business and a report by an independent professional auditor.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome (Charles Darwin)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will recognise the work of Charles Darwin in the Millennium Dome. [66049]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is examining ways in which aspects of Darwin's work might be incorporated within the Millennium Experience project.

  Millennium Dome (Catering)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) black and (b) Asian people serve on the Food Advisory Committee of the Dome. [68182]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) does not have a Food Advisory Committee. However, it has set up a consultative Catering Review Group. The membership comprises senior representatives of industry-wide bodies including British Hospitality; the Restauranters' Association of Great Britain; Hospitality Training Foundation; and Catering International Management Association. Members serve in an unpaid, advisory capacity. Their input is sought on the basis of their experience and, in case of industry bodies, their representation of all members' interest. None of those industry bodies have so far put forward a black or Asian representative.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the dimensions of the Millennium dome are; when tickets for the Millennium dome will first go on sale; what event is planned to mark the first tickets going on sale; how he will recruit people to perform in the central show in the dome; how many jobs have been created by the Millennium dome project to date; and how many people will work in the dome when it opens. [66865]
  300
  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) plans to release tickets for sale to the general public from early Autumn 1999. The NMEC has no plans to hold a specific event to mark the sale of the first tickets direct to the public for the Millennium Experience. However, as part of the NMEC's planned marketing strategy there will be, during the summer and autumn of this year, a wide range of information on the Millennium Experience including ticket availability and processes; public transport routes; opportunities for travel and Dome ticket packages. This will be achieved through a wide range of media including television and national press.

  The NMEC announced on 18 June 1998 that it was starting a recruitment campaign throughout the UK for 100 young people to have the chance to appear in the Millennium Show in the central area of the Dome. The first phase of auditions took place in August 1998 at which 43 young performers were recruited and they are now well into their training programme. The second phase of auditions are currently underway.

  A total of 5,000 people will be employed at the Dome by the NMEC and catering companies during the year-long operation of the Millennium Experience. This includes performers, technical, operating and catering staff. The first phase of recruitment for operating staff begins in Spring 1999.

  As a direct result of the Millennium Experience around 2,000 construction jobs have been created and it is estimated that a further 3,000 jobs will be created in secondary markets.

  Millennium Dome (Disability Awareness)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many days training staff to be employed in the Millennium Dome will receive on disability awareness. [69702]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is finalising training programmes for operational staff. The current outline programmes provide for three hours training each for all staff in Disability Etiquette. This follows consultations with the company's Accessibility Advisory Group membership, details of which were published in the company's Annual Report and Financial Statements last year. Staff whose duties will focus on accessibility matters will undertaken more training; the nature and the scope of this will be appropriate to each role.

  Millennium Dome (Induction Loop System)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if induction loop systems will be available in the Millennium Dome to assist people with hearing loss. [69703]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) will provide induction loop systems in the Dome for those visitors who suffer from hearing loss.
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  Public Bodies
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [69903]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department sponsors 40 executive non-departmental public bodies, of which the following were set up by an Act of Parliament.

  British Library

  British Tourist Authority

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  English Tourist Board

  Football Licensing Authority

  The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England English Heritage)

  Millennium Commission

  British Museum

  Imperial War Museum

  Museum of London

  National Gallery

  National Maritime Museum

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  National Museum of Science and Industry

  National Portrait Gallery

  Natural History Museum

  Tate Gallery

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  Wallace Collection

  National Heritage Memorial Fund

  National Lottery Charities Board

  New Opportunities Fund

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Registrar of Public Lending Right

  Royal Armouries.

  The Parliamentary Commissioner is currently empowered to investigate the following DCMS sponsored executive NDPBs:

  Arts Council of England

  British Film Institute

  British Library Board

  Crafts Council

  English Sports Council

  English Tourist Board

  English Heritage

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  National Heritage Memorial Fund/Heritage Lottery Fund

  Registrar of Public Lending Right

  UK Sports Council.

  An Order being taken before the Privy Council this month will extend the Parliamentary Commissioner's jurisdiction to include all the executive NDPBs sponsored by my Department.

  Christian Broadcasting
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if overtly Christian companies are barred from obtaining nation radio frequencies. [70342]
  302
  Janet Anderson
  The Broadcasting Act 1990, disqualifies groups whose objectives are wholly or mainly of a religious nature from holding a terrestrial national radio licence issued by the Radio Authority.

  World Heritage Sites
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's consultation documents for World Heritage site nominations; and if he will list(a) the organisations consulted and (b) those which responded. [68811]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Copies of the Consultation Paper were placed in the Library of the House on 21 August 1998. The information is not presently available in the form requested. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member shortly with a list of those organisations across the United Kingdom and overseas which were consulted and those which responded, and will place copies in the Library of the House. Responses will be made available for public inspection in due course.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Interest Immunity
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received regarding the use of public interest immunity in trials arising from the bombing of(a) the Israeli Embassy and (b) Balfour House; and if he will make a statement. [70267]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am not aware of any representations about the use of public interest immunity certificates in the trial which arose out of these bombings.

  Mediation UK
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received regarding the future funding of Mediation UK; and what action he intends to take in this respect. [70203]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Department received correspondence from Mediation UK in April 1998 and January 1999 requesting funding as well as correspondence from various MPs and community mediation schemes. We are currently considering the role that alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, may play in the civil justice system. It would be inappropriate to take decisions on the funding of any particular mediation organisation until policy has been formulated.

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what changes are proposed to the cash and running costs limits of the Lord Chancellor's Department votes for 1998–99. [71263]
  303
  Mr. Hoon
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the cash limits for Class VIII Votes 1 and 2 will reduce, and for Vote 3 will increase. The running cost limits for Class VIII Votes 1 and 3 will increase. The increases will be offset by transfers and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Class VIII, Vote 1, Lord Chancellor's Department

  The cash limit will reduce by £665,000 from £558,861,000 to £558,196,000. The running costs limit will increase by £65,000 from £458,061,000 to £458,126,000.

  The cash limit reduction relates to: £1,000,000 to the consolidated fund, non cash limited provision, to offset salaries of the higher judiciary and stipendiary magistrates; £91,000 to the Home Office as a contribution towards the costs of the IBIS unit; £350,000 from Department of Social Security in final settlement of the transfer of civil legal aid means tested assessment; £165,000 from Department of Social Security for the costs of recruiting and re-appointing panel members for the Unified Appeals Tribunals; £11,000 from Home Office for the changes in the power of the Attorney-General relating to unduly lenient sentences; £100,000 to Department of Social Security for the salary costs of ITS chairmen currently on secondment.

  The running cost limit increase relates to: £91,000 to Home Office as a contribution towards the costs of the IBIS unit; £145,000 from Department of Social Security for the costs of recruiting and re-appointing panel members for the Unified Appeals Tribunal; and £11,000 from Home Office for the changes in the power of the Attorney-General relating to unduly lenient sentences.

  Class VIII, Vote 2, Northern Ireland Court Service

  The cash limit will reduce by £1,000,000 from £18,151,000 to £17,151,000. There is no change in the running cost limit. The cash limit reduction relates to an increase in appropriations in aid of £1,000,000.

  Class VIII, Vote 3, Public Records Office

  The cash limit will increase by £200,000 from £19,138,000 to £19,338,000. The running costs limit will increase by £800,000 from £24,968,000 to £25,768,000.

  The cash limit increase relates to the take up of £200,000 capital provision covered by end year flexibility as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36. The running cost limit increase relates to: £600,000 lottery grant in respect of the project to microfilm WW1 soldiers documents; and £200,000 generated by additional receipts for wholesale publishing and book purchases.

  Simon De Danser
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what were the total costs of the trial in connection with the 'Simon de Danser' drugs case. [70642]
  304
  Mr. Hoon
  Approximately £27,300. This figure includes judicial, staff and support costs, but not the cost of accommodation. The cost to the legal aid fund is not yet known.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Plastic Recycling
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on the recycling of plastic; and what discussions he has had with local authorities in England and Wales on initiatives undertaken by them. [69067]

  Mr. Meale
  We believe that recycling is critical to the task of making our waste management more environmentally acceptable and are committed to seeing a substantial increase in the role that recycling plays. It makes sense to recycle waste if this is the Best Practicable Environmental Option (for example in some cases the amount of energy needed to collect, transport and process materials for recycling, and the associated air emissions, are greater than those required for virgin material production).

  It is of course for individual local authorities to consider whether recycling of a particular material is a viable option, economically or on environmental grounds, within their particular district. Factors which will need to be considered in the recycling of plastic are, for example, the economic and environmental costs of transporting a large volume, lightweight material, of sorting the various polymer types and of washing the material which is very often contaminated by the food and drink it has contained.

  My officials discussed recycling, including of plastics, with local authorities for a recent Good Practice Guide, and in the Market Development Group which has been set up to consider and identify the barriers to expanding the markets for recycled materials and to develop practical proposals to overcome them.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions the Minister for Local Government and Housing has declined requests from local authorities to discuss the local government grant settlement(a) in person and (b) by video link. [70069]

  Ms Armstrong
  Three local authorities, Gloucestershire County Council, Babergh District Council and Greater Manchester Fire and Civil Defence Authority, were refused a meeting in consultation on the Local Government Finance Settlement for 1999–2000. The Department received their requests after the deadline of 5 January for the receipt of written requests, as set in the Department's letter of 2 December covering the consultation package on the proposals for the Settlement. It is important in a consultation process that all authorities are given equal treatment. To meet local authorities when their request had been received beyond the deadline would have been to single those authorities out for more
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  favourable treatment. Ministers in the Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions did, however, meet all seventy-two local authorities that had made a request that was received before the deadline.

  Millennium Compliance
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on insurance cover for local authorities against liabilities associated with the millennium bug; and if he will make a statement. [70261]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such representations. It is the responsibility of local authorities to ensure they take such measures as they consider necessary to deal adequately with the risks posed for them by the millennium bug.

  EU Tacis Programme
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from construction industry representatives about the late payment of invoices to United Kingdom companies under the EU Tacis Programme; and what initiatives he is taking to resolve the matter. [70093]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Nicholas Bennett, Chief Executive of the ACE, wrote to me on 25 January enclosing a copy of his letter to my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry. This is an important issue on which we share the concerns of the industry. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development which is the lead department on the Tacis and other external EC external aid programmes on 10 February 1999,Official Report, columns 280–81.

  Public Service Vehicle Operators
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many of the existing small public service vehicle operators meet the EU capital reserves criterion of £6,500 for the first vehicle and £3,500 for each additional vehicle; [70221]

  Midland Metro Line 1

  Manchester Metrolink to Salford Quays/Eccles

  Blackpool Tramway

  Croydon Tramlink

  Scheme Proposed Tyne and Wear Metro Extension to Sunderland 2

  DETR funding (£ million)

  1997–98

  14.54

  8.2

  0.1

  50

  0

  1998–99

  2.24

  6.2

  0

  33.5

  0

  1999–2000

  0.50

  2.9

  0

  16.5

  1

  Total DETR funding (£ million)1

  80

  17.3

  5.0

  125

  n/a

  Estimated total scheme cost (£ million)

  144.8

  134

  6.4

  200

  n/a

  DETR funding as percentage of estimated total scheme cost

  55

  13

  78

  63

  n/a

  1 Total DETR funding. This includes funding allocated by DETR in other financial years not requested.

  2 Provisional allocation subject to further assessment of project. Total scheme cost estimate is not yet available.

  306
  (2) when the provisions of the EU directive relating to certificates of professional competence of small public service vehicle operators will be implemented; and if he will make a statement. [70220]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Council Directive 98/76/EC which sets out, among other things, the revised capital reserve and professional competence requirements for the relevant operators of passenger carrying vehicles, does not apply to those operators who use only vehicles with fewer than 9 passenger seats ("small" public service vehicles). Those operators will however, continue to have to meet the appropriate requirements for grant of an operator's licence by the Traffic Commissioner, including those in respect of finance and professional competence.

  Diesel Emissions
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to encourage bus operators to reduce pollution from diesel fuel emissions; and if he will make a statement. [69670]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government have introduced a wide range of measures to encourage bus operators to reduce harmful emissions from diesel powered buses. We fully support the heavy diesel Directive agreed by the Council of Ministers in December 1998, which sets far more stringent emission standards for new buses and lorries from 2001. We are also encouraging the early introduction of ultra low sulphur diesel through the use of fuel duty differentials, and the fitting of particulate traps through the new Vehicle Excise Duty concession for low emission buses and lorries. In addition, my Department is funding the Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme which helps to cover the additional costs of converting vehicles, including buses, to use alternative fuels.

  Light Rail and Tram Systems
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the light rail or tram systems which were given or are proposed to be given Government funding in the(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 financial years, stating the value of such funding and the percentage it formed of the cost of each scheme. [70193]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have provided capital funding for light rail/tram systems as follows:
  307

  Tenancy Transfers
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications have been made by tenants to HOMES for a transfer of tenancy in each year since 1994; and what percentage of these applications were successful. [70095]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Information about the number of applicants for a transfer of tenancy through the HOMES mobility scheme is available only for the current year. Between April and December 1998 HOMES received 33,933 nominations and 5,319 people (6.4 per cent.) were housed through the scheme. For previous years information is available for the number of households successfully housed:

  Year

  Number

  1997–98

  10,304

  1996–97

  9,872

  1995–96

  10,128

  1994–95

  9,552

  HOMES also operates an exchange scheme, HOMESWAP. The number of households registering an interest in exchanging their homes through that scheme were:

  Year

  Number

  1998–99 April to January

  29,478

  1997–98

  38,675

  1996–97

  41,675

  1995–96

  46,169

  1994–95

  44,817

  Individuals arrange exchanges direct with other tenants and the landlords concerned, so no central record is available for the number of exchanges arranged through HOMESWAP.

  Aviation Fuel Tax
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice his Department has given to UK airlines with regard to the tax on aviation fuel recently imposed by the Norwegian Government [69705]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department has given no formal advice to UK airlines about the aviation fuel tax introduced by Norway on 1 January 1999. However, in conversations about the tax with UK airlines operating to Norway, DETR officials confirmed that the tax appeared to breach the UK/Norway Air Services Agreement, signed in Oslo on 26 January 1979, which exempts aviation fuel for international flights from tax. Officials wrote to the Norwegian authorities on 4 January drawing attention to this apparent breach and asking them to rescind the tax. I understand that the Norwegians are currently considering the position, in the light of this and other similar representations received.

  In principle, the Government are in favour of an aviation fuel tax, but believe this should be agreed at international level. Action by individual states or by
  308
  groups of states would infringe existing international agreements, distort airline competition and could have environmental disbenefits.

  Planning Policy
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which planning policy guidance notes are currently under review by his Department. [70197]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The following revisions of planning policy guidance notes will shortly be issued for consultation: PPG3—Housing; PPG11—Regional Planning; and PPG 12—Development Plans. Consideration is also being given to updating PPG13—Transport; PPG17—Sport and Recreation; and PPG23—Planning and Pollution Control. The Department has also consulted on proposals to strengthen protection for Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including possible changes to PPG9—Nature Conservation. A final revised version of PPG10— Planning and Waste Management, will be published in the Spring.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that regional development agencies take account of relevant strategic polices laid down in local authorities' development plans. [70196]

  Mr. Meale
  Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) must, like any other body, work within and alongside the framework provided by Regional Planning Guidance and local authority development plans.

  Guidance will be issued to RDAs under section 7 of the RDAs Act on the development of their strategies, which will clearly set out the relationship between RDAs' strategies and regional planning guidance and local authority development plans.

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make the need for new retail and leisure developments a material consideration to be taken into account by local planning authorities in determining planning applications. [70744]

  Mr. Caborn
  Our policy on town centres, including retail and leisure development, is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 6: Town Centres and Retail Development (PPG6). This aims to sustain and enhance the vitality and viability of our existing town centres by focusing new investment, particularly for retail and leisure uses within city, town and district centres. This statement is intended to add to and clarify the guidance in PPG6 in the light of a number of issues raised in recent litigation which concern the interpretation of PPG6 and Government policy.

  PPG6 advises local planning authorities to adopt a positive, plan-led approach to handling planning applications involving new retail and leisure developments. It advises them, in preparing planning strategies and policies, to consider the need for new retail and leisure development in the plan area over the lifetime of the plan. Having established that such need exists, local planning authorities should then adopt a sequential approach (as

  309
  explained in PPG6) to identify suitable sites. If there is no need for further developments, there will be no requirement to identify additional sites.

  Proposals for new retail and leisure development which accord with an up-to-date plan strategy or are proposed on sites within an existing centre, should not be required to demonstrate that they satisfy the test of need because this should have been taken into account in the development plan.

  However, proposals which would be located at an edge-of-centre or out-of-centre location and which:
  are not in accordance with an up-to-date development plan strategy; or
  are in accordance with the development plan but that plan is out of date, is inconsistent with national planning policy guidance, or otherwise fails to establish adequately the need for new retail and leisure development and other development to which PPG6 applies, should be required to demonstrate both the need for additional facilities and that a sequential approach has been applied in selecting the location or the site.

  In the context of PPG6 and this additional guidance, the requirement to demonstrate 'need' should not be regarded as being fulfilled simply by showing that there is capacity (in physical terms) or demand (in terms of available expenditure within the proposal's catchment area) for the proposed development. Whilst the existence of capacity or demand may form part of the demonstration of need, the significance in any particular case of the factors which may show need will be a matter for the decision-maker.

  In the circumstances referred to above, the need for such proposals should be considered carefully when determining planning applications. A failure to demonstrate both the need for such proposals and that a sequential approach has been applied in selecting the application site would normally justify the refusal of planning permission unless there were weighty additional material considerations.

  In applying the sequential approach, the relevant centres in which to search for sites will depend on the nature and scale of the proposed development and catchment that the development seeks to serve. The scale of such proposals should also be appropriately related to the centre—whether town, district or local—the development seeks to serve.

  The policy set out in PPG6, and the guidance above should be applied equally to proposals for extending existing edge-of-centre and out-of-centre development which creates additional floor space. Local planning authorities should consider the need for further retail or leisure facilities and then apply the sequential approach to identifying where any such development should take place. Where proposals for such extensions to existing developments are put forward, the Government will expect applicants to demonstrate the need for additional facilities, and that such additional facilities could not be accommodated on sites in more central locations, in accordance with the sequential approach. Need in this context, as in PPG6 generally, should be interpreted as already explained above. Local planning authorities should therefore treat extensions to existing retail and leisure facilities in edge-of-centre and out-of-centre locations as if they were new development.
  310

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many RDA board members have worked in business. [70545]

  Mr. Meale
  The Chairman of each of the Regional Development Agencies has a predominantly business background. In addition to the chairmen, 48 board members currently work in business. A number of the other board members have previously worked in business.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many RDA board members are trades union officials. [70543]

  Mr. Meale
  One member of each of the eight Regional Development Agency boards is a trade union official.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much RDA board members are to be paid per annum. [70624]

  Mr. Meale
  The pay for RDA members (other than the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen) is £7,000 per year for a commitment of two days a month.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many RDA board members are members of the(a) Liberal Democrat, (b) Conservative and (c) Labour parties. [70544]

  Mr. Meale
  Among the local councillors who are members of the boards of the Regional Development Agencies, 6 are members of the Liberal Democrat party, 4 are members of the Conservative party, 21 are members of the Labour party and one is an Independent. Other board members are not required to declare whether they are members of any political party.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give the(a) remuneration paid to and (b) the number of days per week required of RDA chairmen. [70623]

  Mr. Meale
  The pay for RDA Chairmen is £44,000 per year for a commitment of two days a week. For Deputy Chairmen it is £14,000 per year for a commitment of one day a week.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what methods he used to ensure that there was appropriate party political balance in the membership of each RDA board. [70546]

  Mr. Meale
  All appointments to the RDA Boards were based on merit. We considered party political balance only in relation to the four local councillors appointed to each board. We had in mind the number of council seats held by each political party, and the proportion of votes cast for each political party across the whole of the region; but also sought to reflect other factors such as geographical spread and other relevant background experience.

  Housing Unit Statistics
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) new housing units were built and (b) existing housing units were cleared in each calendar year from

  311
  1993 to 1998 in the local authority areas of (i) Plymouth, (ii) Teignbridge, (iii) Torbay and (iv) the South Hams. [69861]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Table shows the figures as reported to the Department by the local authorities concerned. Figures about demolitions are only available on a financial year basis.

  Housebuilding: Total Completions: Number of dwellings

  Year

  Plymouth

  Teignbridge

  Torbay

  South Hams

  1993

  262

  624

  242

  295

  1994

  355

  634

  434

  373

  1995

  515

  552

  312

  432

  1996

  551

  572

  297

  392

  1997

  437

  603

  373

  281

  1998

  259

  502

  302

  280

  Demolitions: Total: Number of dwellings

  Year

  Plymouth

  Teignbridge

  Torbay

  South Hams

  1992–93

  113

  0

  0

  0

  1993–94

  0

  6

  7

  10

  1994–95

  17

  1

  5

  0

  1995–96

  34

  0

  11

  40

  1996–97

  0

  0

  5

  0

  1997–98

  4

  0

  0

  0

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits and running cost limits for 1998–99. [71120]

  Mr. Prescott
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, my Department' s cash limits will change as follows. All references to the take-up of end year flexibility refer to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury's announcement of 14 July 1998,Official Report, columns 131–36.

  (i) the cash limit for class VI, Vote 1—Housing, construction, regeneration, countryside and wildlife, England—will be increased by £48,419,000 from £1,792,339,000 to £1,840,758,000. The principal changes are: an increase of £41,488,000 for expenditure in advance of EC receipts on European Regional Development Fund Objective 2 programmes incurred on behalf of this department (£22,395,000), the Department of Trade and Industry (£11,128,000), the Department of Culture, Media and Sports (£2,708,000) and the Department for Education and Employment (£5,177,000, including a small element for other old programmes); a transfer of £23,620,000 to the DETR/HC (Housing Corporation) cash limit mostly for Estates Renewal Challenge Fund grants to registered social landlords administered by the Housing Corporation from direct government expenditure on that programme; an increase of £16,994,000 for Single Regeneration Budget programmes, comprising the take up of £12,494,000 end-year flexibility and the transfer of £4,500,000 from the DETR/NC (New Towns) cash limit; and new provision of £17,657,000 for Coalfields Regeneration Trust expenditure. The Housing Action Trusts' external finance limit will be increased by £1,500,000 from £87,500,000 to £89,000,000 as a result of these changes. Lastly, £4,100,000 of Rent Assessment Panels provision, £1,500,000 of which is running costs, will be transferred to the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 5 (Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: administration).

  312

  (ii) the DETR/HC (Housing Corporation) cash limit will be increased by £24,138,000 from £709,773,000 to £733,911,000, reflecting a transfer of £23,620,000 from the Class VI, Vote 1 cash limit, most of which relates to a change in the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund payment arrangements described above, and £518,000 take up of end year flexibility.

  (iii) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 2—Planning, roads, local transport and vehicle safety—will be increased by £397,000 from £361,154,000 to £361,551,000. The increase reflects an inter vote transfer from Class VI, Vote 6 (Transport Industries), to bring forward the London wide implementation of the camera enforcement of bus lanes.

  (iv) the DETR/LACAP (T) (Local Authority Capital—Transport) non-voted cash limit will be reduced by £23,575,000 from £319,340,000 to £295,765,000, to reflect the earlier transfer of transport ERDF credit approvals to the DETR/ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) non-voted cash limit.

  (v) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 3—Environmental protection and water—will be increased by £1,181,000 from £334,774,000 to £335,955,000. The increase reflects a transfer of £951,000 from the DETR/OES (other environmental services) cash limit for remedial work on contaminated land (£912,000), funding for the local authority air pollution unit (£20,000), both to be undertaken by the Environment Agency, and pneumoconiosis compensation payments (£19,000); a transfer of £250,000 from Class VI, Vote 13 (Ordnance Survey) for pneumoconiosis compensation payments; offset by a transfer of £20,000 to Class VI, Vote 5 (Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: administration) to allow for increased Departmental running costs following the winding up of the UK Ecolabelling Board.

  (vi) the DETR/OES (other environmental services) cash limit will be reduced by £31,000 from £19,872,000 to £19,841,000. The decrease results from: the transfer of £912,000 from the contaminated land Supplementary Credit Approval programme to the Environment Agency for work on contaminated land; the transfer of £20,000 from the Isles of Scilly Supplementary Credit Approval programme to the Environment Agency towards the part-year costs of its take-over from DETR of the responsibilities of the local authority air pollution unit; the transfer of £19,000 from the Isles of Scilly SCA programme for pneumoconiosis grant payments; and the take up of £920,000 of capital end year flexibility entitlement.

  (vii) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 4—Local government and regional policy, England—will be reduced by £1,650,000 from £32,296,619,000 to £32,294,969,000. This decrease is the result of savings on special grant in support of Private Finance Initiative projects and on payments of valuation tribunals' expenses. It will allow an increase of £150,000 in provision for emergency financial assistance to local authorities outside the cash limit, and an increase of £1,500,000 in the DETR/LGR (local government reorganisation) non-voted cash limit.

  (viii) the DETR/LGR (local government reorganisation) non-voted cash limit will be increased by £1,500,000 from £125,800,000 to £127,300,000 to meet increased demand for Supplementary Credit Approvals in connection with the commutation of annual loan charges and grants to local authorities on 1 October 1992.

  (ix) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 5—Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: administration—will be increased by £20,907,000 from £440,492,000 to £461,399,000. The increase reflects the take up of £4,780,000 by the Health and Safety Executive and £9,892,000 by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions of running costs end year flexibility. In addition, an inter-vote transfer from Class VI, Vote 1 (Housing, construction, regeneration, countryside and wildlife, England) of £1,500,000 of running costs and £2,600,000 of other provision has been made to central administration; together with a transfer from Class VI, Vote 3 (Environment protection and water) of £20,000 in respect of the running costs associated with carrying out the residual functions of the UK Ecolabelling Board, following the decision to wind up this body; a transfer from the Department of Trade and Industry (Class V, Vote 1) in

  313
  respect of the capital costs of the Government Offices for the Regions; and an increase of £2,000,000 to provision in respect of increased claims arising from the sale of PSA businesses. Increases to provision for running costs and appropriations in aid for central administration have also been made to allow for the reclassification of recoverable VAT refunds in respect of the cost of contracted out services.

  (x) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 6—Transport industries—will be reduced by £3,397,000 from £75,190,000 to £71,793,000. This reduction consists of the transfer of £3,500,000 from a cash limited to a non-cash limited section of the vote; a transfer of £397,000 to Class VI, Vote 2 (Planning, roads, local transport and vehicle safety) to provide partial funding for the London wide implementation of bus lane camera enforcement, partially offset by an increase in provision of £500,000 to reflect the latest estimate of the legal costs of the National Bus Company pensions case. In addition a transfer of £1,000,000 will be made from the non-voted British Rail programme to the CTRL competition line of this vote for European Night Stock lease termination payments.

  (xi) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 7—Other Executive Agencies—will be increased by £1,205,000 from £117,472,000 to £118,677,000. The increase reflects a £700,000 transfer from Class VI, Vote 8 (Highways Agency) for a voluntary early retirement scheme in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; a £208,000 transfer from Class VI, Vote 8 and £200,000 take up of running costs end of year flexibility for the Planning Inspectorate because of responsibilities taken on by the agency from other parts of DETR; and a £97,000 transfer from Class II, Vote I (Foreign and Commonwealth Office: overseas representation) for costs associated with the provision of survey and certification services by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The running cost provision for this vote will increase by £1,205,000 from £84,063,000 to £85,268,000.

  (xii) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 8—Highways Agency—will be increased by £14,869,000 from £1,420,601,000 to £1,435,470,000. This increase reflects the take up of £7,769,000 capital end year flexibility; take up of £8,000,000 from the DETR/NT (New Towns) non-voted cash limit for the Limehouse Link—East India Dock tie-in road; offset by the transfer of £900,000 running costs provision from Class VI Vote 8 to Class VI Vote 7 (Other executive agencies) in respect of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (£700,000) and Planning Inspectorate (£200,000) to offset emerging pressures.

  (xiii) the cash limit on Class VI, Vote 9—Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency—will be increased by £1,000 from £98,799,000 to £98,800,000. The increase involves the take up of £1,425,000 to reflect the introduction of the vehicles first registration fee; additional provision of £385,000 arising from the introduction of graduated vehicle excise duty, increased running costs of £2,755,000 and additional programme costs of £6,218,000. The increases are offset by the inter vote transfer of £34,000 from the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland (NIDI) and increased appropriations in aid of £13,614,000. The running cost provision on this vote is increased by £3,591,000 from £192,111,000 to £195,702,000.

  (xiv) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 10—Passenger Rail Services—will be increased by £431,000 from £1,254,889,000 to £1,255,320,000. This increase reflects the take up of £431,000 running costs end year flexibility to meet increased in-year requirements in relation to preparations for the creation of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority. In addition, gross provision and appropriations-in-aid will be adjusted in respect of recoverable VAT and to reflect forecast outturn for Support for Passenger Rail Services.

  (xv) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 11—Office of the Rail Regulator—will be increased by £408,000 from £8,920,000 to £9,328,000. This increase reflects the take-up of £408,000
  314
  running costs end year flexibility to meet increased in-year requirements associated with ongoing consultancy programmes and additional accommodation costs and to adjust gross provision and appropriations-in-aid in respect of recoverable VAT.

  (xvi) the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 13—Ordnance Survey—will be reduced by £250,000 from £12,962,000 to £12,712,000. The decrease reflects an estimated underspend in running costs provision.

  (xvii) the DETR/NT (New Towns) non-voted cash limit will be reduced from minus £103,100,000 to minus £115,600,000. This decrease is a result of the achievement of £7,000,000 additional capital receipts, £4,000,000 of which will be transferred to Class VI Vote 1 (Housing, construction, regeneration, countryside and wildlife, England) for a capital project undertaken by the Castle Vale Housing Action Trust, and £3,000,000 will be added to the Commission's expenditure to help it disengage from its lease/leaseback programme. The Commission's receipts target will be increased from £157,000,000 to £164,000,000 and its approved capital expenditure will be increased from £33,000,000 to £36,000,000. £8,000,000 allocated for the East India Dock road will be transferred to the Highways Agency (Class VI, Vote 8), and £500,000 allocated for University College, Stockton will be transferred to Class VI Vote 1, reducing the Commission's Urban Development Corporation inheritance element of the cash limit from £20,900,000 to £12,400,000.

  (xix) as a consequence of the changes to Class VI, Votes 1,5,7,8 and 9, the gross running cost limit for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has been increased by £10,631,000 from £603,637,000 to £614,268,000. The gross running cost limit for the Health and Safety Executive has been increased by £4,780,000 from £156,945,000 to £161,725,000.

  The overall increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Greater London Authority
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will announce the date when the Greater London Authority will assume its responsibilities. [71248]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Subject to the passage of the Greater London Authority Bill, the Greater London Authority will assume its responsibilities on Monday 3 July 2000. This will maintain momentum while allowing some eight weeks after the elections on 4 May for necessary preparations.

  Rural England
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to consult on the future of rural England; and if he will make a statement. [71423]

  Mr. Meacher
  Together with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I shall be publishing "Rural England—A Discussion Document", on Wednesday 17 February. This will invite responses to help in the preparation of the White Paper for rural England announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on 27 November 1998,Official Report, columns 38–40. Copies will be placed in the Library and the Vote Office.
  315

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a regional breakdown of courts' progress in meeting the target of halving the number of days between arrest and sentencing of persistent young offenders. [67727]

  Mr. Boateng
  In the past, information on the length of time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offender cases has not been routinely collected. We have undertaken two special exercises to monitor performance nationally against the pledge on persistent young offenders and we have also put in place new arrangements to enable this information to be collected on a regular basis through the existing Time Interval Survey. The first special exercise showed the time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders was 142 days in 1996. The second showed an improvement to 138 days between May and December 1997. It is not possible from these data to provide a statistically reliable measure of progress towards the pledge at regional level. A third special exercise, which should produce the 1998 figures in the spring, will, however, allow an estimate to be made on the progress of individual regions in 1997–98.

  The new arrangements for the regular collection of data on the time taken from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders and all other young offenders were implemented in October 1998 after piloting. The first complete data from the new Time Interval Survey should be available by late 1999. These will allow for a breakdown of performance by area.

  Under guidance issued by the Home Secretary in October 1998, a half of all cases involving persistent young offenders should be dealt with in under 71 days by April this year. The Government fully expect to fulfil its pledge during this parliament.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest available figure for the number of days between arrest and sentencing for(a) persistent young offenders and (b) all offenders dealt with in the youth courts. [67726]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government are committed to halving the average time taken to deal with persistent young offenders from the 142 days it took in 1996. Figures for 1997 show that between May and December 1997 the average dropped to 138. These figures cover a considerable period when there were very few fast tracking schemes; at the time of the election there were only 8 in the whole of England and Wales. There are now around 150 covering almost half of all court areas.

  Under guidance published by the Home Secretary in October 1998, a half of all cases involving persistent young offenders should be dealt with in under 71 days by April this year.

  The Government fully expect to fulfil their pledge during this Parliament.

  Information about the average time for arrest to sentence for all young offenders in the youth court has not been collected nationally in the past. New arrangements to do so were introduced in October last year but are unlikely to produce reliable data until the end of this year at the
  316
  earliest. The magistrates' courts Time Interval Survey collects information on cases completed in one week samples each February, June and October, covering the date of charge or summons until the date of completion. The latest available results for the Youth Court come from the June 1998 survey, and reports an average of 81 days, compared with 92 days in June 1997.

  Prisoners (Segregation)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the longest period of time an(a) male and (b) female prison inmate has been held in a segregation unit (i) at the inmate's own request and (ii) at the decision of the prison authorities in a prison in England and Wales in the last 10 years. [69066]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested cannot be obtained from the centrally available data.

  Drugs (Northumbria)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total number of drug seizures within the Northumbrian Police Force area was in 1998; and what percentage of these were(a) hard and (b) soft drugs. [70357]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Figures for 1998 are not yet available. It is hoped to publish 1997 statistics in the next few months; I will write to my hon. Friend when they are published. The table shows the number of seizures by Northumbria Police for 1996.

  Number of seizures of controlled drugs by Northumbria Police by drug type in 1996

  Drug type

  Number of seizures

  All drugs

  3,134

  Class A

  Cocaine

  30

  of which "Crack"

  2

  Heroin

  128

  LSD

  22

  Ecstasy-type

  132

  Methadone

  13

  Other class A

  7

  Class A total

  322

  Class B

  Cannabis

  2,424

  Amphetamines

  569

  Other Class B

  9

  Class B total

  2,857

  Class C

  Benzodiazepines

  63

  Temazepam

  40

  Anabolic steroids

  12

  Other class C

  6

  Class C total

  114

  Class unknown

  2

  Note:

  As a seizure can involve more than one drug, figures for individual drugs cannot be added together to produce totals.

  Source:

  Table A1.3 of Statistics of drug seizures and offenders dealt with, United Kingdom, 1996—Area tables, published by Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate, April 1998.
  317

  Police (Training)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each police force in England and Wales the training which has been given on operation of the new police personnel procedures which come into effect on 1 April. [70579]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Training Support section of the National Police Training organisation has delivered half day seminars to appropriate members of all police forces (including "non-Home Office" forces) in England and Wales to inform them of the new procedures, and additionally have run two-day workshops which were attended by delegates from 41 police forces. The workshops were aimed particularly at force trainers to equip them to train members of their forces. The individual forces concerned are identified in the table. The national training was completed in January 1999 and forces are now engaged in training their personnel. Each force is responsible for its own training in terms of its nature and scope and, while all officers are understood to be receiving some information, police managers will naturally require more than police constables.

  Forces/organisations represented at a seminar on the new police personnel procedures

  Avon and Somerset Constabulary

  Bedfordshire Police

  Cambridgeshire Police

  Cheshire Constabulary

  City of London Police

  Cleveland Constabulary

  Cumbria Constabulary

  Derbyshire Constabulary

  Devon & Cornwall Constabulary

  Dorset Police

  Durham Constabulary

  Dyfed-Powys Police

  Essex Police

  Gloucestershire Constabulary

  Greater Manchester Police

  Gwent Constabulary

  Hampshire Constabulary

  Hertfordshire Constabulary

  Humberside Police

  Kent County Constabulary

  Leicestershire Constabulary

  Lincolnshire Police

  Merseyside Police

  Metropolitan Police Service

  Norfolk Constabulary

  Northamptonshire Police

  Northumbria Police

  North Yorkshire Police

  North Wales Police

  Nottinghamshire Constabulary

  South Wales Police

  South Yorkshire Police

  Staffordshire Police

  Suffolk Constabulary

  Surrey Police

  Sussex Police

  Thames Valley Police

  318

  Warwickshire Constabulary

  West Mercia Constabulary

  West Midlands Police

  West Yorkshire Police

  Wiltshire Constabulary

  Other forces 1

  British Transport Police

  Ministry of Defence Police

  Royal Parks Constabulary

  UK Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary

  Other interested organizations

  Royal Ulster Constabulary

  National Crime Squad

  National Criminal Intelligence Service

  1 Expected to introduce parallel provisions in their own areas.

  Forces/organisations represented at a workshop on the new police personnel procedures workshop

  Avon and Somerset Constabulary

  Bedfordshire Police

  Cheshire Constabulary

  Cleveland Constabulary

  Cumbria Constabulary

  Derbyshire Constabulary

  Devon & Cornwall Constabulary

  Dorset Police

  Durham Constabulary

  Dyfed-Powys Police

  Essex Police

  Greater Manchester Police

  Gwent Constabulary

  Hertfordshire Constabulary

  Humberside Police

  Lancashire Police

  Leicestershire Constabulary

  Lincolnshire Police

  Merseyside Police

  Metropolitan Police Service

  Norfolk Constabulary

  Northamptonshire Police

  Nottinghamshire Constabulary

  North Yorkshire Police

  North Wales Police

  South Wales Police

  South Yorkshire Police

  Staffordshire Police

  Suffolk Constabulary

  Surrey Police

  Sussex Police

  Thames Valley Police

  Warwickshire Constabulary

  West Mercia Constabulary

  West Midlands Police

  West Yorkshire Police

  Wiltshire Constabulary

  319

  Other organisations/forces 1

  Ministry of Defence Police

  Royal Parks Constabulary

  UK Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary

  Royal Ulster Constabulary

  1 Expected to introduce similar or parallel provisions in their own areas.

  Police (Pensions)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to remove or reduce the pension entitlement of police officers found guilty of an offence of breach of police disciplinary rules. [R] [70571]

  Mr. Boateng
  This is something we are considering. However, we are concerned that any measures we do propose should be both fair and proportionate. We will not reach any firm conclusions before taking the opportunity to consider he report of the Macpherson Inquiry and any recommendations it makes.

  £

  Purpose of grant

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Westminster City Council:

  Civil Defence

  35,000

  35,000

  335,000

  Section 11 grants under the Local Government Act 19661

  1,363,058

  1,398,498

  —

  Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea:

  Civil Defence

  35,000

  35,000

  35,000

  Section 11 grants under the Local Government Act 19661

  739,615

  758,845

  —

  Drugs prevention

  6,000

  —

  —

  Closed Circuit TV2

  75,600

  —

  —

  1 From 1999–2000 funding will be made by the Department of Education and Employment

  2 The CCTV competition will not continue in 1999–2000

  3 Planned

  Missile Incidents (Roads and Railways)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the maximum penalties for(a) throwing an object from a bridge, (b) throwing an object from a bridge causing serious or slight injuries and (c) throwing an object from a bridge causing death, on (i) motorways, (ii) other roads and (iii) railways; and what plans he has for changes in the maximum penalties. [70271]

  Offence

  Legislation

  Maximum penalty

  Placing wood, etc. on railway with intent to obstruct any engine etc.

  Section 35, Malicious Damage Act 1861

  Life imprisonment

  Obstructing engines or carriages on the railway.

  Section 36, Malicious Damage Act 1861

  2 years' imprisonment

  Placing wood, etc. on railway with intent to endanger passengers.

  Section 32, Offences Against the Person Act 1861

  Life imprisonment

  Casting stone, etc. on a railway carriage with intent to endanger safety.

  Section 33, Offences Against the Person Act 1861

  Life imprisonment

  Doing or omitting anything so as to endanger railway passengers.

  Section 34, Offences Against the Person Act 1861

  2 years' imprisonment

  Causing danger to road users.

  Section 22A, Road Traffic Act 1988

  7 years' imprisonment

  There are currently no plans to increase these maximum penalties.

  Prison Officers (Suspensions)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers who were serving in prisons in England and Wales, and who are now suspended
  320

  Ministerial Visits (India)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to visit India. [70401]

  Mr. Straw
  I hope to be able to visit India later in the year.

  Local Government Finance
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) grants and (b) other financial support by his Department to (i) Westminster City Council and (ii) the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, other than through the RSG settlement, in (1) 1997–98, (2) 1998–99 and (3) planned for 1999–2000 given; and for what purposes the funds were allocated. [70158]

  Mr. Straw
  The information requested in respect of grants directly paid by the Home Office is given in the table. No other financial support is provided.

  Mr. Boateng
  There is no separate offence of "throwing an object from a bridge". Where danger, injury or death results from such behaviour, it can be covered by a range of existing offences, including general offences against the person. There are also a number of offences which relate specifically to the roads and railways. Examples of these offences and their maximum penalties are set out in the table:

  from duty due to allegations as to their conduct, have been suspended 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. [69925]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested is given in the table, as at 8 February 1999.
  321

  Suspended Prison Officers: 8 February 1999

  Period

  Number

  Up to 3 months

  42

  3–6 months

  15

  6–9 months

  18

  9–12 months

  22

  12–15 months

  2

  Over 15 months

  22

  Prison Officers (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking to increase the number of prison officers in prisons in England and Wales who come from ethnic minorities; and if he will make a statement. [69811]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In the last few years, the Prison Service has made considerable progress on increasing the numbers of prison officers recruited from ethnic communities. Figures for the year to 31 March 1998 indicate that 7.8 per cent. of prison officers recruited were from ethnic minorities. More than double the figure for any previous year.

  The Prison Service Racial Equality Programme (RESPOND) was launched on 1 February 1999. £3 million has been committed to this programme over the next three years.

  A number of key actions have been identified. Those for 1999–2000 which look in particular at increasing ethnic minority representation include:

  appointing a Racial Equality Adviser;

  re-establishing a Recruitment Outreach Team (to assist establishments in recruiting ethnic minority staff); and

  setting targets in the areas of recruitment, representation by grade and retention which will be announced later this year.

  Mr. Waghela
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), plans to meet the hon. Member for Leicester, East to discuss the case of Mr. Waghela of Melrose Street, Leicester (ref. PO 16500/98 W 251588); and if he will make a statement. [70060]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I am writing to my hon. Friend about this case.

  Police Authority Members
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library for each police authority area in Wales the list of persons submitted to his Department for consideration as independent police authority members in each of the last five years. [70052]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is not our practice to publish the names of those put forward for consideration as independent members of police authorities. The selection panels which have put those names forward have treated applications in confidence. To publish those names would make known the names of unsuccessful candidates as well 322
  as those who were subsequently appointed, and I am not prepared to do this without their express consent. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [69908]

  Mr. Straw
  The following executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department have a statutory base:

  Alcohol Education and Research Council

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Criminal Cases Review Commission

  Gaming Board for Great Britain

  Horserace Betting Levy Board

  Horserace Totaliser Board

  Office of the Data Protection Registrar

  Parole Board

  Police Complaints Authority

  Police Information and Technology Organisation

  Youth Justice Board.

  Those currently within the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration are:

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

  Data Protection Registrar

  Horserace Betting Levy Board

  Police Information Technology Organisation.

  In addition, the following will be brought within his jurisdiction shortly by means of an Order in Council:

  Parole Board

  Community Development Foundation

  Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings and (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69971]

  Mr. Straw
  None of the advisory bodies sponsored by my Department admits members of the public to board or committee meetings.

  The Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England and Wales hold local public inquiries, under criteria set out in the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, at which any member of the public may attend, and the Metropolitan Police Committee holds two public meetings a year.

  The Advisory Board on Restricted Patients has two lay members on its board, and 12 out of the 20 members of the Metropolitan Police Committee are elected councillors.
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  None of the bodies are statutorily required to admit members of the public to their board or committee meetings, hold public meetings or have lay or consumer representatives on their boards.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [69976]

  Mr. Straw
  The Commission for Racial Equality and the Community Development Foundation admit members of the public to their meetings except, in the case of the former, where individual cases are being discussed. They also hold public meetings and conferences. The annual general meeting of the Police Information Technology Organisation is open to the public.

  There are no "consumers" of the services provided by the bodies on their boards, but where necessary appointments are made to reflect a broad spread of interest and expertise and to introduce an element of independence.

  The following executive Non Departmental Public Bodies operate some form of appeal complaints procedure:

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Criminal Cases Review Commission

  Gaming Board for Great Britain

  Horserace Totaliser Board

  Data Protection Registrar

  Parole Board

  Police Information Technology Organisation.

  There are also the Horserace Betting Levy Appeals Tribunal, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board/ Appeal Panel and the Data Protection Tribunal which deal with appeals in their respective areas.

  None of the bodies are statutorily required to admit members of the public to their meetings, hold public meetings, have lay or consumer representatives on their boards or operate some form of appeal/complaints procedure.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [69947]

  Mr. Straw
  Apart from the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales which posts Summary reports of its meetings on its own website, none of the executive Non Departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department publish minutes of meetings or agendas and other Documents for meetings. However, the Commission for Racial Equality, Community Development Foundation and the Youth Justice Board would consider making them available on request.
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  The Horserace Totalisator Board and the Police Information Technology Organisation publish members' details in their annual reports. No other bodies publish registers of members' interests but they would be available from the organisations on request.

  None of the bodies is statutorily required to publish minutes, agendas and other documents for meetings, or registers of interest.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the advisory 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 whether in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69833]

  Mr. Straw
  Apart from the Metropolitan Police Committee, which publishes the minutes of its meetings on the internet, none of the advisory Non Departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department publish minutes, agendas and other documents for meetings or registers of interest. Some are in the process of setting up registers of members' interests, in line with the commitment given in "Quangos: Opening the Doors", and will shortly have them in place.

  None of the bodies are statutorily required to publish minutes of meetings, agendas and documents for those meetings, or registers of members interest.

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for changes to the 1998–99 cash and running costs limits within his responsibilities. [71425]

  Mr. Straw
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the cash limit for Class VII, Vote 1 (Home Office administration, police, probation, immigration and other services, England and Wales) will be increased by £11,258,000 from £4,833,790,000 to £4,845,048,000, the cash limit for Class VII, Vote 2 (Prisons, England and Wales) will be increased by £119,310,000 from £1,703,670,000 to £1,822,980,000 and the running costs limit will be increased by £49,311,000 from £1,887,431,000 to £1,936,742,000.

  The changes in the Vote 1 cash limit are the net effect of the following transfers: £91,000 from the Lord Chancellor's Department, Class VIII, Vote 1, £66,000 from the Crown Prosecution Service, Class VIII, Vote 4 and £32,000 from the Prison Service, Class VII, Vote 2 in respect of contributions for the Integrated Business and Information Systems; £27,000 from the Prison Service, Class VII, Vote 2 in respect of the provision of internet services and contributions to the Prison/Probation Pilot Mentoring project; £25,000 to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Class II, Vote 1 in respect of contributions to the United Kingdom Special Representatives for International Drugs issues; £570,000 to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Class II, Vote 2, in respect of interdepartmental drugs prevention projects in Columbia and Pakistan; £84,000 from the Northern Ireland Office, Class XV Vote 1, in respect of the Criminal Cases Review Commission; £26,000 to the Lord Chancellor's Department, Class VIII, Vote 1 and £7,000 to Treasury

  325
  Solicitors, Class VIII, Vote 6, in respect of extending the Attorney-General's powers for referring unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal; £1,251,000 to the Prison Service, Class VII, Vote 2 in relation to the transfer of responsibility for Boards of Visitors; £10,000 from the Department of Trade and Industry, Class V, Vote 1 for start up costs of the Telecom and Data Protection Directive; and £647,000 from Her Majesty's Treasury Consolidated Fund Standing Service for advance training costs for implementation of the European Elections Bill. The Supplementary Estimate will also provide for increase of £6,080,000 in respect of home detention curfew, £3,800,000 in respect of compensation for miscarriages of justice and £2,300,000 in respect of the National Identification Service.

  The changes in the Vote 2 cash limit are the net effect of transfers to Vote 1 of £59,000 in respect of the provision of internet services, contribution for the Integrated Business and Information Systems and contributions to the Prison/Probation Pilot Mentoring project and a transfer from Vote 1 of £1,251,000 in relation to the transfer of responsibility for Boards of Visitors. The Supplementary Estimate will also provide for increases of £111,855,000 for increases in prison capacity, repairs to the prison estate and increased funding for regime activities to keep prisoners constructively occupied; £2,000,000 for work within prisons on the implementation of home detention curfew arrangements; and £13,263,000 to adjust the accounting treatment of Value Added Tax refunds on contracted-out services offset by increased receipt of £9,000,000 due to acceleration in the programme for the sale of staff housing.

  The increase in the running costs limit is the net effect of payments from the Lord Chancellor's Department of £91,000 and the Crown Prosecution Service of £66,000 for the Integrated Business and Information Systems; payment of £25,000 to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the United Kingdom Special Representative for International Drugs issues; payments of £26,000 to the Lord Chancellor's Department and £7,000 to the Treasury Solicitor in respect of extending the Attorney-General's powers for referring unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal; £460,000 reclassified from capital provision; increases of £10,000 for costs of the Edwards report, £2,580,000 for home detention curfew; £31,781,000 for increasing prison capacity, repairs and increased funding for regime activities, £118,000 in connection with transitional arrangements for a private finance initiative for the provision of heat energy to prisons, and £13,263,000 to adjust the accounting treatment of Value added Tax refunds on contracted-out services.

  These increases will add £118,118,000 to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Departmental Asset Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the items sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies from those listed in the National Assets Register of November 1997; if he will give in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total cash raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [70411]
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  Mr. Straw
  I regret that the information requested is not available centrally. It will be collected as soon as possible from each of the Home Office entities and executive Non Departmental Bodies listed in chapter 7 of the National Assets Register. As soon as the information becomes available, I will write to the hon. Member.

  Simon de Danser
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the costs of(a) police and security, including convoys between prison and court, and (b) holding the defendants in prison, in connection with the Simon de Danser drugs case. [70648]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The cost to the Avon and Somerset Constabulary of escorting the prisoners to and from court was £161,124.35.

  The total cost to the Prison Service of accommodating the prisoners and providing prison officers as escorts was £331,996.91. A separate figure for escorting costs cannot be provided as the cost of escort work is included in the cost per prisoner place at Bristol from which this figure has been calculated.

  Regional Headquarters (South-west)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the cost to public funds at the time of the compulsory purchase of land from the Squire family in order to build the Regional Headquarters for the South-west near Malborough, South Devon; and what was the cost of constructing and equipping the Headquarters for use; [69862]

  (2) when he expects to reply to the letter of 31 December 1998 from the hon. Member for Totnes about the future of the Regional Government Headquarters for the South-west near Malborough, South Devon; [69863]

  (3) what steps he is taking to ensure that the land on which the former Regional Government Headquarters for the South-west, Soan Mill, near Malborough, South Devon stood, is returned to the Squire family from whom it was compulsory purchased; [69864]

  (4) what plans he has for the future use of the site of the former proposed Regional Government Headquarters for the South-west at Soan Mill Cove, Malborough, Kingsbridge, South Devon; and will he make a statement; [69866]

  (5) what plans he has to demolish the former proposed Regional Government Headquarters at Soan Mill near Malborough, South Devon. [69867]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The site forms part of land that was acquired by the War Office under compulsory requisition provisions that prevailed during the last war. It was transferred to the Home Office in the 1960s. We are pursuing with the Ministry of Defence and our commercial agents in order to establish the cost of acquiring and adapting the site for use as a Regional Government Headquarters. I will cover these points when I reply to the hon. Gentleman's letter of 31 December, which I will do as soon as our inquiries are complete.

  We have asked our agents to bring to an early conclusion the discussions regarding the extent of the land which can be offered back to the Squire family. We wish

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  to be flexible as we can within the constraints on the former owner rules, which govern the sale of land acquired by compulsory purchase.

  We have no plans to demolish any buildings on the site prior to disposal.

  Prisoners (Early Release Scheme)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the reasons for the delay in the release of prisoner DK 5193 from HM Prison, Leeds under the early release scheme; and if he will make a statement. [70646]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Prisoner DK5193 has been provisionally assessed as suitable for home detention curfew and will be placed on the scheme on 15 February 1999, provided that the curfew address remains available and suitable. This decision may be reviewed should his behaviour or other new information indicate that he is no longer appropriate for home detention curfew. Where, as in this case, the period between sentence and eligibility date is very short, it is often not possible to complete the thorough risk assessment process necessary until very shortly before the prisoner is eligible for home detention curfew.

  Alcohol and Tobacco (Smuggling)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles impounded due to their involvement in tobacco and alcohol smuggling and bootlegging have been found to be(a) untaxed, (b) uninsured, (c) stolen and (d) driven by people with no driving licence or whose licences have been withdrawn in 1998. [70022]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  I regret that no central record is kept.

DEFENCE

  REME
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the availability of married officers quarters in Queensferry; [69330]

  (2) what accommodation is available for (a) NCOs and (b) other ranks in Queensferry. [69331]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There is no Service Family accommodation in Queensferry. The nearest accommodation is some five miles away at Hawarden and RAF Sealand, where there are 23 houses for officers, of which two are currently empty, and 160 houses for NCOs and other ranks, of which 62 are currently empty.

  Aircraft
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of RAF aircraft will be mission capable by 31 May. [68260]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 3 February 1999]: Under current plans, 100 per cent. of RAF aircraft will be mission capable by 31 May. An average of 82 per cent. of established aircraft are forecast to be
  328
  available for service on this date, with the other 18 per cent. of aircraft forecast to be undergoing routine major maintenance off-base.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Gosport to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 12 January, requesting an urgent meeting with him and the Minister for Health to discuss the future of the Royal Hospital, Haslar. [70628]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I wrote to the hon. Member earlier this week.

  Staff College, Camberley
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) the plans to convert the Staff College, Camberley into luxury flats, (b) the status of the Staff College, Camberley as a war memorial and (c) its security position. [70542]

  Mr. Spellar
  The position remains as set out by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid), the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces, on 16 July 1998,Official Report, columns 237–38. Options for the future of the former Staff College Buildings at Camberley are being studied. No proposals have yet been put to Ministers. Any decisions will clearly have to take into account both security requirements and the location of a war memorial in the Main Building.

  Public Sector Pay Award
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the implications are for other elements of the defence programme of the public sector pay award; and if he will make a statement. [70406]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The additional cost of the Service pay award will be contained within the Departmental Expenditure Limit announced in July 1998 and we will continue to meet the objectives and targets set out in the MOD's Public Service Agreements. The award reflects the Government's commitment—made during the SDR—to the people who deliver our defence.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Ministers in his Department next plan to visit(a) Chorley and (b) Queensferry. [69345]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My Ministerial colleagues and I have no plans at present to visit either but as I make regular visits to MOD establishments they could be included in a future visit.

  Departmental Asset Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the items sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies from those listed in the National Assets Register of November 1997; if he will give in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total cash raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [70415]
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  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Simon de Danser
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who authorised the use of HMS York and the Special Boat Squadron to monitor the motor vessel Simon de Danser in May 1997; and what their use for this purpose cost. [70630]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I understand that in response to a request for assistance from HM Customs and Excise military assistance in support of this UK counter-drugs operation was authorised at Ministerial level by the previous Administration. The additional costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence, some £127K, were recovered from HM Customs and Excise.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received about class sizes in primary schools in West Sussex. [68884]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Since August last year the Department has received 12 representations from West Sussex about class size policy.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on class sizes in primary schools. [68889]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have passed legislation to limit the size of infant classes for 5, 6 and 7-year-olds to 30 or under by September 2001 at the latest. We are providing £620 million which should enable the limit to be met in virtually all schools by September 2000. The limits apply to pupils in infant classes only. We have concentrated on these classes as it is in the early years that the benefit of smaller classes can have greatest effect.

  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he plans to introduce in respect of the additional funding for the reduction of class sizes to assist local education authorities and diocesan authorities. [68896]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We will be providing a total of £560 million over the next three years to enable schools and local education authorities to employ additional teachers and build extra classrooms to reduce infant class sizes. That comes on top of the £67 million already allocated to reduce class sizes for over 100,000 infants from last September.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when and for what reason he took the decision to cap the amount allowed per teacher in local education authority bids to reduce infant class sizes at £23,500. [68897]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have made clear that funding allocations will ensure that all local education authorities have sufficient resources to implement their class size plans as approved. We are working closely with 330
  authorities to reach agreed solutions which meet all our policy objectives and provide good value for money. Decisions about funding will reflect these priorities and the need to ensure equity across the country.

  Schools (Business Involvement)
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the involvement of business in schools. [68887]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There are many opportunities for businesses and schools to work together to the benefit of both partners.

  The hon. Gentleman will probably be aware of the many types of partnerships which exist generally, for example in work-related learning, governor programmes and systematic mentoring. He will also be aware of the partnerships which operate in an Education Action Zone and specialist schools programmes. We value the support of business in our drive to raise educational standards.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received about funding in 1999–2000 for grant-maintained schools which become foundation schools. [68891]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations since we issued draft regulations on 20 October 1998, from both GM schools and from local education authorities.

  Disability Rights Commission
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his proposals for the establishment of a disability rights commission. [68892]

  Ms Hodge
  The establishment of the Disability Rights Commission is an important step towards meeting our manifesto commitment to support comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people. It will help disabled people secure their rights and it will provide a central source of information and advice to employers, and service providers. Subject to Parliament enacting the Disability Rights Commission Bill, we would expect the Commission to be established in Spring 2000.

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his plans for the future status of grammar schools. [68893]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Our Manifesto said that parents would decide the future admission arrangements of grammar schools. The Education (Grammar School Ballot) Regulations, which came into force on 3 December 1998, set out the arrangements to deliver that commitment.

  Teachers (Recruitment and Retention)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to make teaching a more attractive career. [68894]
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  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking(a) to attract graduates into and (b) to raise the status of the teaching profession; and if he will make a statement. [68890]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In October 1998 we announced a package of measures to address particular recruitment difficulties, including financial incentives and funding for local recruitment advisers. Over time the proposals in the Teachers' Green Paper, 'teachers—meeting the challenge of change' will raise the status of the teaching profession, make it a more attractive profession and attract a greater share of the able and talented into teaching.

  After-school Child Care Places
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made on developing after-school child care places. [68895]

  Ms Hodge
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cleethorpes (Shona McIsaac) today,Official Report, column 452.

  Education Services (Torbay)
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the effect of the 1999–2000 revenue support grant on the provision of educational services in Torbay. [68898]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Education services in Torbay should benefit from the underlying increase of £3.4 million or 7.3 per cent. in Torbay's education standard spending assessment for 1999–2000. These figures illustrate the effect of allowing for local authority changes of function and taking account of new arrangements for funding music and student support.

  Education Services (Sheffield)
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the effect of the 1999–2000 revenue support grant on the provision of educational services in Sheffield. [68899]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Education services in Sheffield should benefit from the underlying increase of £11.1 million or 6 per cent. in Sheffield's education standard spending assessment for 1999–2000. These figures illustrate the effect of allowing for local authority changes of function and taking into account of new arrangements for funding music and student support.

  Learning Direct
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to extend and improve the services of Learning Direct. [68900]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Department intends to increase Learning Direct's capacity so it can handle 1.5 million calls a year by 2000–01. To do this we are in the process of extending our current call centre and have invited expressions of interest from organisations to operate additional call centres. From our ongoing evaluation, we know over 91 per cent, of all callers to the helpline think the overall quality of the service is good. However, the service is under constant review. We are currently improving the databases used by Learning Direct and are 332
  developing better management information systems. We further plan to make the Learning Direct data available on the Internet.

  Pupil Mobility
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to receive the findings of the research commissioned by his Department on high pupil mobility. [68901]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The research into pupil mobility, currently being undertaken by University College, London, is partly funded by this Department and partly funded by the Nuffield Foundation. The complete project is due to conclude in June 2000, but under the terms of the Department's contract, a report containing an overview of interim findings should be available by the end of June 1999.

  Employment Zones
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the number of employment zones. [68902]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  On 2 February my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I announced our future plans for Employment Zones. From April 2000, Employment Zones will target available resources more flexibly and effectively on unemployed people over 25 in at least 12 areas of the country which suffer from persistently high long-term unemployment.

  Initially, Employment Zones will operate in Southwark, Nottingham City, Newham, Haringey, Doncaster, Plymouth, Tower Hamlets, Brent, Birmingham, Liverpool and Sefton, Brighton and Hove, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland.

  My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales announced separately that zones would also operate in Glasgow and in Anglesey; Gwynedd; Conwy and Denbighshire and Blaenau Gwent; Merthyr and Caerphilly.

  Schools Investment (Birmingham)
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received regarding the level of capital investment in Birmingham schools. [68903]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received a letter of 8 January from the Leader of Birmingham City Council asking how the Council's Annual Capital Guideline had been calculated, to which he has responded.

  Education Services (Kingston)
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the effect of the 1999–2000 revenue support grant on the provision of educational services in the Royal Borough of Kingston. [68904]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Education services in Kingston should benefit from the underlying increase of £2.7 million or 5.2 per cent. in Kingston's education standard spending assessment for 1999–2000. These
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  figures illustrate the effect of allowing for local authority changes of function and taking account of new arrangements for funding music and student support.

  Young Unemployed
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress is being made to secure employer involvement in the new deal for the young unemployed. [68905]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I am delighted that almost 40,000 employers have signalled their support for New Deal by signing Employer Agreements. These agreements are leading to real job opportunities for unemployed young people, over 57,000 of whom have found work through New Deal.

  School Meals
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what means education authorities which do not operate a school meals service determine for the purposes of deprivation statistics the number of children in their area who would be entitled to free school meals; and if he will make a statement. [68907]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  All Local Education Authorities are required to provide a school meal service to those pupils entitled to free school meals. Information on the number of pupils known to be eligible and the number of pupils taking free school meals is derived from returns made by schools to the Department in January each year on the Annual Schools' Census (Form 7).

  The number of pupils eligible and taking free school meals is published by Local Education Authority area in the "Statistics of Education, Schools in England, January 1998", published in November 1998.

  Education Services (Sutton)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the effect of the 1999–2000 revenue support grant on the provision of educational services in the London borough of Sutton. [68908]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Education services in Sutton should benefit from the underlying increase of £4.6 million or 6.2 per cent. in Sutton's education standard spending assessment for 1999–2000. These figures illustrate the effect of allowing for local authority changes of function and taking account of new arrangements for funding music and student support.

  Lone Parents (Employment Opportunities)
  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his proposals to enable single women with children to take up employment opportunities. [68909]

  Ms Hodge
  For the first time lone parents are being given the same work opportunities as everyone else. The New Deal for Lone Parents, which became available nationwide on 26 October 1998, offers all lone parents on Income Support a personal adviser service to help them overcome the barriers to employment.
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  The support available includes help and advice with looking for a job, accessing training opportunities, finding child care and information about benefits.

  We have committed £470 million to the National Childcare Strategy to help us realise our vision of high quality, affordable child care available in every neighbourhood, enabling parents to take up opportunities of work, education or training.

  We are also committed to ensuring that the tax and benefits system takes account of the specific difficulties and extra costs some families face on account of their children. The introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit incorporating child care tax credit in October this year will provide £4.3 billion of help to around 1.4 million working families.

  Tuition Fees
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the savings in public funding in the current financial year from the introduction of tuition fees. [68911]

  Mr. Mudie
  Far from leading to savings in public funding, the introduction of private contributions to tuition fees has generated additional income for higher education institutions in England in 1998–99 of an expected £130 million, which will be retained by the institutions concerned.

  Health Hazards (Pupils)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has carried out or evaluated to assess the health hazards for pupils required to carry heavy bags of books to and from school, and between lessons; and if he will make a statement. [70190]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department has not carried out or evaluated any research to assess the health hazards for pupils required to carry heavy bags of books to and from school and between lessons.

  New Deal
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what money was spent on producing and distributing, "The New Deal: From Policy to Practice, Ideas in Action". [70550]

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

  Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Damian Green, dated 11 February 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked Leigh Lewis to reply direct to your question about the money spent on producing and distributing, The New Deal: Policy to Practice, Ideas in Action. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
  The document was produced as a result of requests from New Deal partnerships who were keen to learn how others have tackled New Deal issues. This document was distributed and has been well

  335
  received by all Employment Service Local, District and Regional offices, Government Offices, strategic partners, local authorities, MPs and a wide variety of external partners.
  The cost of the design and printing of 10,000 copies of The New Deal: From Policy to Practice, Ideas in Action was just over £15,000. The final invoicing for distribution has not yet been received, however, it is estimated to be almost £4,300.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Secondary Schools
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his Department's policy on the introduction of five-term years in secondary schools; and if he will make a statement. [68888]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Decisions about the number, length and dates of schools' terms and holidays are taken at local level, not by central Government. A five-term year can be introduced within the present legal framework.

  Absenteeism and Truancy
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the responsibilities of education welfare officers in respect of absenteeism and truancy. [68910]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Education Welfare Officers have a long history of working closely with schools and families to promote regular attendance. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently issued for consultation new draft guidance, "Social Inclusion: Pupil Support", which includes a section specifically concerned with the role of Education Welfare Officers; we look forward to responses to that.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average budget allocated to continuing professional development in further education colleges(a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of the total budget in each of the last three years. [69044]

  Mr. Mudie
  Currently there are no national data available on expenditure for staff development in FE college. Inspection reports published by the Further Education Funding Council Inspectorate since 1993 have quoted the allocations made to staff development activities as ranging from 0.15 per cent. to over 2 per cent. of institutions' income.

  The Government are investing £150 million in the FE Standards Fund over the next two years and one of the priorities for expenditure under this is training for principals and continuing professional development for lecturers.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many staff in further education colleges were employed on senior lecturer grades in each of the last five years; [69046]

  (2) how many further education colleges have not provided a pay increase to (a) teaching and (b) support staff in each of the last three years. [69045]

  Mr. Mudie
  The information requested is not collected centrally.
  336

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the targets his Department has set for each local authority for nursery provision for three year olds. [70643]

  Ms Hodge
  The following table shows the proposed targets for 1999–2000 for additional, free early education places for three-year-olds in all sectors which have been set for the 50 Local Education Authority areas with greatest social need. Some £40 million is available to support these places; additional funding will be distributed across all authorities in 2000–01.

  Local education authority

  Target additional places

  Funding available for places and training £

  Barking and Dagenham

  262

  224,945

  Barnsley

  885

  712,766

  Birmingham

  6,059

  4,851,595

  Blackburn with Darwen

  887

  707,823

  Blackpool

  1,058

  832,995

  Bolton

  748

  616,411

  Bradford

  1,220

  1,022,797

  Brent

  1,017

  820,534

  Camden

  831

  663,410

  Coventry

  1,384

  1,110,803

  Doncaster

  782

  644,683

  Ealing

  410

  358,855

  Gateshead

  625

  508,343

  Greenwich

  821

  668,891

  Hackney

  1,444

  1,152,735

  Halton

  713

  567,477

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  744

  597,570

  Haringey

  704

  578,683

  Hartlepool

  0

  16,506

  Islington

  1,043

  834,601

  Kingston upon Hull

  460

  392,309

  Knowsley

  65

  79,435

  Lambeth

  1,646

  1,315,337

  Leeds

  1,247

  1,061,853

  Leicester

  1,412

  1,139,121

  Lewisham

  1,566

  1,247,350

  Liverpool

  1,853

  1,508,063

  Manchester

  1,386

  1,147,048

  Middlesbrough

  7

  32,055

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,210

  972,403

  Newham

  1,618

  1,296,875

  Nottingham

  1,016

  830,671

  Oldham

  1,086

  872,358

  Redcar and Cleveland

  14

  36,083

  Rochdale

  1,042

  836,897

  Rotherham

  1,305

  1,040,590

  Salford

  311

  274,151

  Sandwell

  466

  408,489

  Sheffield

  2,565

  2,047,148

  South Tyneside

  73

  77,763

  Southwark

  958

  782,493

  St. Helens

  725

  582,617

  Stockton-on-Tees

  11

  39,095

  Stoke-on-Trent

  614

  509,289

  Sunderland

  850

  698,369

  Tower Hamlets

  275

  247,113

  Walsall

  102

  121,956

  Waltham Forest

  1,562

  1,240,493

  Wandsworth

  1,601

  1,276,377

  Wolverhampton

  100

  115,937

  337

  Child Care
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list by local authority from information supplied in early years development and childcare plans submitted to his Department, how many additional 0–2 years childcare places there will be overall, and, of these, how many will be(a) full-time, (b) part-time, (c) fully funded from the National Childcare Strategy and (d) dependent on other sources of funding; and if he will make a statement; [70667]

  (2) if he will list by local authority, from information supplied in early years development and childcare plans submitted to his Department, how many additional before and after school places may be expected overall, and, of these, how many will be (a) fully subsidised from central Government funds, (b) partly subsidised from central Government funds and (c) unsubsidised. [70668]

  Ms Hodge
  This information is not yet to hand. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as information is available and will place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Rainsford School, Chelmsford
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what applications he has received from the Governors of Rainsford School, Chelmsford, to sell part of their school playing fields. [70359]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has not received any application from the governing body of Rainsford School to sell part of its playing fields. The governing body is aware that it must obtain my right hon. Friend's consent before it can sell any land, including school playing fields.

  Physics Students
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement of the number of students studying physics, indicating those studying(a) radioactivity and (b) nuclear physics. [68999]

  Mr. Mudie
  The number of students studying physics in UK higher education institutions in 1997–98, the latest year for which data are available, is shown in the following table:

  Physics students 1 in UK higher education institutions 1997–98

  Level

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Postgraduate

  2,543

  1,452

  3,995

  Undergraduate

  9,731

  256

  9,987

  Total

  12,274

  1,708

  13,982

  1 Enrolments on HE courses as at 1 December 1997

  It is not possible to separately identify those studying radioactivity or nuclear physics.

  Mature Students
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of students over the age of 25 years applying for university places for the academic years(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02. [70547]
  338
  Mr. Mudie
  The planned number of students underlying the funding plans for higher education are not disaggregated by age groups. However, the funding plans announced on 8 December 1998 will allow for 61,000 extra students in 2000–01 compared with planned numbers for 1998–99 and for an extra 100,000 students in 2001–02 compared with 1997–98. The planned additional 61,000 students in 2000–01 include 37,000 part-time students, of whom the majority are likely to be mature students.

  Training Review
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he proposes to publish the outcome of the review of TECs and CCTEs—chambers of commerce, training and enterprise. [70552]

  Mr. Mudie
  We hope to announce the outcome of the TEC Review shortly.

PRIME MINISTER

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 18 January 1999,Official Report, column 343, on overseas visits, what were the costs of flights to New York; how many people travelled with him; and if he will make a statement. [67401]

  The Prime Minister
  The costs of the visit to New York in June 1997 were fully accounted for in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) on 14 July 1997,Official Report, column 46.

  For the visit in September 1997, I travelled on a scheduled flight to New York by Concorde, and was accompanied by four members of my office. In order to attend the United Nations General Assembly, which began with a speech by President Clinton at 10.30a.m., this was judged the most efficient cost effective way of travelling. This is one of the 14 occasions, I and 8 of my Ministers have used scheduled flights on Concorde since May 1997 and compares with 11 Ministers on a total of 13 occasions during the last two years of the previous Administration.

  For the return trip, I and five members of my office returned on a scheduled British Airways 747. The usual number of security and secure telecommunications staff accompanied me on both flights.

  The cost of the flights to New York in September totalled £56,000. This is part of this Government's expenditure on visits overseas of £6.1 million for the period 1 May 1997 to 31 March 1998. By comparison, in the last year of the previous Administration, expenditure on overseas visits was £7.8 million.

  Departmental Running Costs and Cash Limits
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to change the Cabinet Office security and intelligence services cash limits for 1998–99. [71262]

  The Prime Minister
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class XVIII, Vote 2 will be increased by
  339
  £1,880,000 from £707,906,000 to £709,786,000 and the gross running costs limit increased by £3,059,000 from £375,993,000 to £379,052,000.

  This change is to take on board transfers of; £310,000 to the Scottish Office Class XIII, Vote 5; £3,500,000 to the Inland Revenue Class XVI, Vote 4; take up of running costs end year flexibility of £5,690,000 as announced by the Chief Secretary of the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36.

  There will be an increase in Appropriation in Aid of £14,495,000 resulting from changes in accounting procedures and a net increase in other current expenditure payments of £25,878,000.

  The increases will be offset by transfers, and charged to the Reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  NATO (Membership)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister how he intends to mark the accession to NATO membership of(a) Poland, (b) Hungary and (c) the Czech Republic. [70423]

  The Prime Minister
  The three invited countries will join NATO simultaneously in early to mid-March. The precise date is not yet decided. Their accession will be marked by ceremonies at NATO Headquarters in Brussels and in Washington. The Heads of State and government of the invited countries will be welcomed by existing Allies as they take their places alongside their colleagues in the Alliance at NATO's 50th anniversary Summit in Washington on 23–25 April.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  EU Aid
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which country receives most overseas development aid from the European Union; and if she will make a statement on how the priorities for aid are determined. [69898]

  Clare Short
  In 1997, the latest year for which figures are available, Bosnia Herzegovina received most EU official development assistance, £132.34 million in EU official development assistance, which the share attributed to the UK was 15.12 per cent.

  The Government inherited from the previous Administration a situation in which EC aid spending is both skewed against the poorer countries and often of poor quality. In December we published and placed in the Library our strategy to improve that performance. We are actively seeking support for our strategy in the Commission and the European Parliament and among Member States.

  North Korea
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the British Government have provided to relieve the famine in North Korea. [70219]
  340
  Clare Short
  The main causes of shortages of food and other basic needs in North Korea arise from its economic policies, though the problems were exacerbated by natural disasters in the mid-1990s.

  Following the UK-led mission to North Korea last May during the UK Presidency, we are working with our European Union partners to provide, through the European Commission, a programme of food aid and related measures to enhance food security. In 1998 this assistance was worth about £21 million, of which UK's attributable share was about £3 million. We also support efforts to maintain a constructive dialogue with the North Korean authorities to ensure that aid is used effectively.

  We have recently initiated a complementary bilateral programme of humanitarian assistance in North Korea. $1 million (about £625,000) will be provided through the United Nations Development Programme to support selected activities within the Agricultural Recovery and Environmental Protection (AREP) programme. We are allocating a similar amount to support humanitarian projects managed by British non-governmental organisations which are already established in the country.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes will be made to the cash limits for her Department for 1998–99. [71261]

  Clare Short
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class III, Vote 1 will be increased by £143,758,000 from £1,633,307,000 to £1,777,065,000.

  £

  Take up of end of year flexibility in respect of an underspend against the 1996 EC attributed aid

  113,758,000

  Claim on the Reserve in respect of the Central American Trust Fund

  10,000,000

  Increase in respect of a reduction in CDC's EFL to account for additional funds given to CDC at the end of last financial year

  20,000,000

  Increase in Vote Cash limit

  143,758,000

  The increases will be offset by transfers and a claim on the Reserve and therefore will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Departmental Asset Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the items sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies from those listed in the National Assets Register of November 1997; if she will give in each case the amount of money realised; if she will estimate the total cash raised from such sales to date; and if she will make a statement. [70421]
  341
  Mr. Foulkes
  None of the items listed in the National Assets Register of November 1997 in respect of the Department for International Development (DFID) have been sold. DFID is not a capital intensive organisation and as such our capital baseline is relatively stable and turnover of assets relatively slow in comparison with others.

HEALTH

  Physiotherapy
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many physiotherapy posts are currently vacant in(a) England and Wales, (b) the North West and (c) North Cheshire Health Authority; and in each case what percentage of the total number of posts this vacancy level represents; [66831]

  (2) how many paediatric physiotherapy posts are currently unfilled in (a) England and Wales, (b) the North West region and (c) North Cheshire Health Authority. [66829]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 21 January 1999]: Information on vacancy rates for physiotherapists is not available centrally. For the information that is available on physiotherapy vacancy rates up to March 1997, I refer my hon. Friend to the 1998 annual report of the Review Body for Nursing staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Total expenditure on professions allied to medicine 1993–94 to 1996–97 and scientific, therapeutic and technical staff for 1997–98 not employed directly by individual NHS trusts and health authorities

  (1997–98) prices

  Health authority expenditure (£)

  NHS trust expenditure (£)

  Total expenditure (£)

  (a) England

  1997–98

  Scientific, therapeutic and technical staff

  859,098

  68,539,903

  69,399,001

  1996–97

  Professions allied to medicine

  783,852

  34,452,623

  35,236,475

  1997–96

  Professions allied to medicine

  390,478

  26,367,092

  26,757,570

  1994–95

  Professions allied to medicine

  2,390,596

  16,773,898

  19,164,494

  1993–94

  Professions allied to medicine

  4,487,217

  9,250,462

  13,737,679

  (b) North West Region

  1997–98

  Scientific, therapeutic and technical staff

  736,284

  4,089,925

  4,826,209

  1996–97

  Professions allied to medicine

  0

  2,017,288

  2,017,288

  1995–96

  Professions allied to medicine

  3,814

  934,553

  938,367

  1994–95

  Professions allied to medicine

  0

  574,537

  574,537

  1993–94

  Professions allied to medicine

  186,515

  418,672

  605,187

  Source:

  Annual financial returns of health authorities

  Annual financial returns of NHS trusts

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his target for investment in the modernisation of accident and emergency departments during 1999. [69586]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) on 2 February 1999,Official Report, column 573.
  342
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what in each of the past five years, was the percentage of students completing physiotherapy training who took up employment in the NHS. [66833]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 21 January 1999]: The information requested is not available centrally. For the information that is available on students completing physiotherapy training, my hon. Friend may wish to contact the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. For the information that is available on physiotherapists who take up employment in the National Health Service, I refer my hon. Friend to the Reports of the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total expenditure on agency physiotherapy staff in(a) England and Wales, (b) the North West region and (c) North Cheshire Health Authority in each of the past five years. [66830]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available in the form requested. The tables contain the total expenditure (1997–98 prices) on agency professions allied to medicine for the years 1993–94 to 1996–97 and agency scientific, therapeutic and technical staff for 1997–98 not employed directly by individual National Health Service trusts and health authorities. Expenditure on agency professions allied to medicine and scientific, therapeutic and technical staff by North Cheshire Health Authority for the years 1993 to 1998 is nil. Questions relating to Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are in place to assess the effect of geographical variations in access to, and quality of, disablement services on access by disabled people to(a) the New Deal and (b) Welfare to Work. [69584]

  Mr. Hutton
  All the New Deal initiatives are subject to full evaluation. As part of each evaluation we will be
  343
  able to identify whether there is a geographical variation in the effectiveness of Welfare to Work for a range of groups including disabled people.

  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings he has had with colleagues in other departments to discuss the effect of geographical variations in access to, and the quality of, disablement services on access by disabled people to(a) the New Deal and (b) Welfare to Work. [69585]

  Mr. Hutton
  My hon. Friends the Members for Barking (Mrs. Hodge) and City of York (Mr. Bayley), the Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State for Education and Employment and for Social Security and I will be meeting shortly to discuss how local health, employment and social services can work together through the various New Deal initiatives to improve the employment prospects of disabled people. In addition, a cross Departmental group of officials from the Departments of Health, Education and Employment and Social Security meets regularly to ensure effective liaison over the welfare to work agenda.

  Departmental Efficiency Gains
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to express efficiency gains as a percentage of his departmental budget; and if he will make a statement. [69629]

  Mr. Denham
  The planned efficiency gains are set out in the Department's Public Service Agreement at paragraph 4, chapter 4 of'Public Services for the Future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability' (Cm4181).

  Medical Aids
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how statistics on(a) prostheses, (b) orthoses, (c) wheelchairs and (d) electronic assistive devices are used

  Westminster

  £

  Description

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Capital

  Private Finance Initiative Credits

  1—

  4,500,000

  2—

  Annual Capital Guidelines

  287,000

  215,000

  217,000

  Supplementary Credit Approvals: AIDS/HIV

  250,000

  250,000

  2—

  Supplementary Credit Approvals: Mental Illness

  180,000

  120,000

  2—

  Specific and special grants

  AIDS/HIV Support Grant

  800,000

  770,000

  2—

  Alcohol and Drug Misusers Grant

  61,744

  27,421

  2—

  Training Support Programme

  215,091

  206,361

  126,476

  Mental Health Grant (previously Mental Illness Specific Grant)

  1,274,835

  1,192,401

  796,541

  Guardian ad Litem and Reporting Officer Services Grant

  28,784

  3—

  3—

  Community Care Special Transitional Grant

  2,304,652

  2,170,586

  3—

  Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children's Grant

  441,179

  2—

  2—

  Persons from Abroad Children's Grant

  2,835,433

  2—

  2—

  Asylum-Seekers' Accommodation Grant

  3,809,388

  2—

  2—

  Promoting Independence: Partnership Grant

  4—

  4—

  1,755,000

  Promoting Independence: Prevention Grant

  4—

  4—

  146,000

  Promoting Independence: Carers' Grant

  4—

  4—

  2—

  Children's Social Services (Quality Protects) Grant

  4—

  32,500

  775,000

  1 Not bid for

  2 Not yet decided

  3 Programme ceases

  4 Programme did not exist

  344
  to facilitate (i) clinical governance, (ii) the dissemination of good practice, (iii) performance management and (iv) cost-effectiveness within disablement services; [69665]

  (2) how many (a) prostheses, (b) orthoses, (c) wheelchairs and (d) electronic assistive devices were supplied by the NHS in each of the last three years. [69664]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are no statistics collected on prostheses, orthoses or electronic assistive devices. The only data collected centrally on the number of wheelchairs issued are for electrically-powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs. The total number of these issued so far to users is:

  1996–97: 714

  1997–98: 4,308

  1998–99: 2,022.

  Data are collected on the number of vouchers issued to users through the wheelchair voucher scheme and the number of these issued so far to users is:

  1997–98: 811

  1998–99: 1,550.

  Issues of clinical governance and performance management are managed locally, and dissemination of good practice is coordinated through regional offices of the National Health Service Executive.

  Local Government Finance
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) grants and (b) other financial support given by his Department to (i) Westminster City Council and (ii) the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, other than through the RSG settlement, in (1) 1997–98, (2) 1998–99 and (3) planned for 1999–2000; and for what purposes the funds were allocated. [70157]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information is shown in the tables.
  345

  Kensington and Chelsea

  £

  Description

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Capital

  Annual Capital Guidelines

  224,000

  166,000

  166,000

  Supplementary Credit Approvals: AIDS/HIV

  200,000

  20,000

  1—

  Supplementary Credit Approvals: Mental Illness

  115,000

  162,000

  1—

  Specific and special grants

  AIDS/HIV Support Grant

  890,000

  760,000

  1—

  Alcohol and Drug Misusers Grant

  68,378

  53,222

  1—

  Training Support Programme

  162,939

  160,254

  140,756

  Mental Health Grant (previously Mental Illness Specific Grant)

  929,082

  895,514

  692,769

  Guardian ad Litem and Reporting Officer Services Grant

  20,520

  2—

  2—

  Community Care Special Transitional Grant

  1,509,005

  1,413,818

  2—

  Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children's Grant

  255,613

  1—

  1—

  Persons from Abroad Children 's Grant

  1,276,670

  1—

  1—

  Asylum-Seekers' Accommodation Grant

  2,121,672

  1—

  1—

  Promoting Independence: Partnership Grant

  3—

  3—

  1,162,000

  Promoting Independence: Prevention Grant

  3—

  3—

  103,000

  Promoting Independence: Carers' Grant

  3—

  3—

  1—

  Children's Social Services (Quality Protects) Grant

  3—

  32,500

  560,000

  1 Not yet decided

  2 Programme ceased

  3 Programme did not exist

  Alcohol and Tobacco
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has evaluated of changes in the level of consumption of alcohol and tobacco by people(a) under and (b) over 18 years of age; and what assessment he has made of the cause of those changes. [70020]

  Ms Jowell
  Levels of consumption of alcohol and tobacco are measured in surveys carried out by the Office for National Statistics, on behalf of the Department. The results are presented and discussed in Statistics reports "Living In Britain—results from the 1996 General Household Survey", "Smoking among secondary school children in 1996: England" and "Young teenagers and alcohol 1996". Copies of these reports are available in the Library.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions have been held at meetings of EU health ministers on the implications for the health of EU residents of differences in excise duty on tobacco and alcohol; and at which meetings he has raised this issue. [70019]

  Ms Jowell
  In December 1996 the European Commission published its communication on the role of the Community in combating tobacco consumption, which considered a range of options for possible future action at Community level, including the level of excise duty on tobacco within Member States. I ensured that smoking reduction was discussed at the Health Council on 30 April 1998 during the United Kingdom Presidency. The Health Council has kept the issue under review since then. The Health Council has not discussed the issue of excise duty on alcohol during this period.

  CFS/ME
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to increase the number of specialist chronic fatigue syndrome/ME units for(a) children and (b) adults; [70163]
  346
  (2) how many people are currently on the waiting lists for specialist chronic fatigue syndrome/ME units; [70162]

  (3) if he will list the specialist units which provide services to chronic fatigue syndrome/ME patients. [70161]

  Ms Jowell
  The information is not available in the form requested. The organisation of health services, including services for people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, and the manner in which they are delivered are matters for National Health Service trusts and health authorities, taking account of the needs of the local population and the priorities set for the use of the available resources.

  Contact Lenses
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the sale of non-prescription contact lenses; and if he will make a statement. [70166]

  Mr. Denham
  Only plano lenses may be sold without prescription. Both ophthalmologists and opticians have let us know of their concern that the fashion for wearing plano tinted contact lenses could endanger eye health unless retailers know how to fit and care for the lenses. Retailers are required to provide appropriate advice to the purchaser on the care, maintenance warnings and precautions as well as the use of the products they sell. The Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and the Department's Medical Devices Agency will provide advice as necessary.

  Disabled People (Parking Spaces)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department gives to hospital trusts on the provision of parking spaces for disabled people. [69669]
  347
  Mr. Denham
  National Health Service Estates, an executive agency of the Department, provides building guidance to the NHS, principally through the Health Building Note (HBN), Health Technical Memoranda (HTM) and Health Facilities Note (HFN) series of documents. These represent best practice guidance, and through their adoption NHS trusts and health authorities should comply with current legislation affecting disabled people.

  NHS Estates has published specific guidance in: HFN 14 "Disability Access" (1996); HFN 21 "Car Parking" (1996); and HBN 40 "Common Activity Spaces, Volume 1: Public Areas" (1995), and Appendix 1 "Checklist of access and facilities for disabled people". This guidance examines the concept of accessibility for all, including car parking, with particular emphasis on the problems that face people with a disability.

  In February 1999, the NHS Executive will issue "Doubly Disabled—Equality for Disabled People in the new NHS—Access to Services". This guidance gives advice on accessibility for disabled people including "Transport, cars and parking". An access audit tool has also been developed by the NHS Executive, in partnership with NHS Estates Agency, and will be available to all NHS bodies in spring 1999.

  Schoolchildren (Bags)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has carried out or evaluated to assess the health hazards for pupils required to carry heavy bags of books to and from school, and between lessons; and if he will make a statement. [70191]

  Ms Jowell
  This Department has not carried out nor evaluated any such research.

  Anti-D Injections
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on the use of anti-D injections for rhesus negative mothers; and if he will make a statement. [70152]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department has commissioned evidence based guidelines for the use of anti-D from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists which will be available shortly.

  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what record his Department keeps of the number of anti-D injections administered in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [70153]

  Mr. Hutton
  Exact figures are not available centrally but an estimated 75,000 women in the United Kingdom are annually eligible for anti-D injections.

  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in securing plasma for anti-D from non-UK sources. [70151]

  Mr. Hutton
  Anti-D made from non-United Kingdom plasma will be available from the National Blood Authority's Bio Products Laboratory in April/May. Two other manufacturers have Anti-D products made from non-UK plasma which are licensed in the UK. Supplies of these are being made available.
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  Midwives
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long are the courses leading to(a) a diploma in midwifery and (b) a degree in midwifery; how much are the fees for such courses; and how the cost of the fees is allocated between the employer and the employee within the NHS. [70147]

  Mr. Denham
  Courses leading to a diploma in midwifery last 3 years. Courses leading to a degree last either 3 or 4 years. For those who already hold a registered nursing qualification there is also a 78 week programme in midwifery.

  The fees for midwifery degree or diploma courses vary from university to university. Where courses are commissioned by the National Health Service, students' fees are met in full from the non-medical education and training levy.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives have been appointed to primary care management groups. [70149]

  Mr. Denham
  Primary care group boards contain nurses who have a range of broad-based skills and specialities, including midwifery. Additional nurses with specialist skills have also been co-opted onto the boards.

  Hepatitis C
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with regard to compensating persons infected with hepatitis C as a result of NHS treatment; and if he will make a statement. [70051]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 17 November 1998,Official Report, columns 697–98.

  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with haemophilia are suffering from hepatitis C through receiving infected blood products through the NHS prior to 1986; and if their condition is being monitored. [70167]

  Mr. Hutton
  We estimate that 4,000 people with haemophilia were infected with hepatitis C through their National Health Service treatment with blood products before the introduction of viral inactivation processes in 1985. All patients infected in this way are referred to a specialist for further assessment, observation and treatment as appropriate.

  Young People (Employment)
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average number of hours worked by young people under 16 years of age in paid employment each week in each of the London boroughs; [70106]

  (2) if he will list the categories of employment available to persons under 16 years old and the percentages of young people under 16 years in each category for each of the London boroughs; [70104]

  (3) how many young people under 16 years of age in each of the London boroughs are in paid employment; [70107]
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  (4) what is the average hourly pay of young people under 16 years of age in employment in each of the London boroughs. [70105]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data on the employment activity of persons under 16 years of age are not collected centrally. The categories of employment available to persons under 16 are mainly contained in local authority byelaws. It is for individual authorities to decide in the light of local circumstances the categories of employment to permit, but the majority follow model byelaws issued by the Department of Health. Copies of the relevant part of that model have been placed in the Library.

  Partnership Grant
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish guidance on the operation of the Partnership Grant; and if he will make a statement. [69678]

  Mr. Hutton
  We aim to issue guidance on the Partnership Grant within the next few weeks. The Promoting Independence: Partnership Grant was announced in the White Paper, "Modernising Social Services", which was published on 30 November 1998. The White Paper included broad indications of the aims of the grant, which includes the development of services to promote the independence of social services clients in partnership with local health authorities. Local authorities were notified of their indicative allocations in Local Authority Social Services Letter (98)18, issued on 2 December 1998.

  Nurses
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the letter of 27 January from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health to the hon. Member for Christchurch, on the basis of what evidence he made his comparison between the present and previous Governments' treatment of nurses. [70111]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 February 1999]: The evidence we have received is the many conversations and correspondence we have had with nurses leaders and ordinary nurses up and down the country ever since the new Government took office.

  NHS Dentistry
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Government's strategy for NHS dentistry to be published. [70331]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Mrs. Brinton) on 15 December 1998,Official Report,columns 743–44.

  Foot Health Care
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities that have conducted surveys of the foot healthcare needs of their residents since 1994. [70341]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is not available centrally on those health authorities who have conducted foot health care surveys as part of developing a foot care strategy. We 350
  are conducting a review of the National Health Service chiropody services and in due course we intend to make recommendations on whether there is scope for improvement in their organisation and delivery.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expenditure was on community chiropody services by each NHS trust in 1997–98. [70339]

  Mr. Hutton
  Expenditure figures on community chiropody services for National Health Service trusts in England for 1997–98 have been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Cash Limits and Running Costs
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes will be made to the cash limits of his Department in 1998–99. [71119]

  Mr. Dobson
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the cash limit for Class XI, Vote 1 (Hospital, community health, family health and related services, England) will be increased by £273,468,000 (from £31,225,592,000 to £31,499,060,000). This allows for increases of £81,876,000 in respect of the take up of the NHS Trusts' External Financing Limit (EFL) End Year Flexibility, and £208,691,000 from the Reserve for the National Health Service Winter Pressures. In addition the following transfers will take place, £3,300,000 from Class IX, Vote 1 (Department for Education and Employment) for student bursaries (Dearing Report); £60,000 from Class XII, Vote 1 (Department of Social Security) for the Students Grant Unit and £63,206,000 from the non-voted element of NHS Trusts' EFL. These increases are partially offset by transfers of £82,346,000 following a re-appraisal of the drugs budget requirements; £1,021,000 to Class XII, Vote 3 for start up costs for the Compensation Recovery Unit; £79,000 to Class XIII, Vote 3 (Education, industry, arts and libraries, Scotland) for student bursaries cross border flows; £211,000 to Class XIV, Vote 4 (Hospital, community health, family health services and other health services (part) Wales) for student bursaries cross border flows and £8,000 to the Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland for the National Poisons Information Service.

  The cash limit for Class XI, Vote 2 (Department of Health, administration, miscellaneous health and personal social services, England) will be increased by £68,133,000 (from £1,152,250,000 to £1,220,383,000). This increase allows for a claim on the Reserve of £61,300,000 to support services for Unaccompanied asylum seeking children, Asylum seekers' accommodation grant and Persons from abroad children's grant; and £7,713,000 in respect of the end year flexibility arrangements for health as announced by my right hon. Friend the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36. The increase also allows for the following transfers, £1,183,000 (running costs) from Class XII, 3 (Department of Social Security: administration) for repayment services; transfers totalling £66,000 (running costs) for the National Screening Committee made up of £52,000 from Class XIII, Vote 4 (Hospital, community health, family health, other health services and welfare food, Scotland) and £14,000 from the Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland; transfers totaling

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  £26,000 for the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority made up of £14,000 from Class XIII, Vote 4 (Hospital, community health, family health, other health services and welfare food, Scotland), £8,000 from Class XIV, Vote 4 (Hospital, community health, family health services and other health services (part), Wales) and £4,000 from the Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland; and a transfer of £8,000 (running costs) from Class VIII, Vote 6 (HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor) for legal trainees. The overall increase is partially offset by a transfer of £2,163,000 to Class IV, Vote 2 (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) towards the costs of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) inquiry.

  The Department's gross running cost limit will be increased by £1,257,000 from £262,946,000 to £264,203,000.

  Overall the NHS Trusts' External Financing Limit has decreased by £63,206,000 from £121,920,000 to £58,714,000. The Medicines Control Agency External Financing Limit has been increased by £6,800,000 from £700,000 to £7,500,000.

  All increases will either be offset by savings, increased receipts, transfers to or from other Votes or charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Departmental Asset Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the items sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies from those listed in the National Assets Register of November 1997; if he will give in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total cash raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [70416]

  Ms Jowell
  A specific exercise was undertaken during 1997 to bring together information from National Health Service trusts, health authorities, the Department itself and a number of other public bodies to produce the Department's contribution to the National Asset Register, which was published in November 1997. Information on changes to this information is not held centrally.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the comparative(a) clinical effectiveness and (b) cost effectiveness of azathioprine and betainterferon in treating (i) relapsing remitting MS and (ii) secondary progressive MS. [70644]

  Mr. Denham
  As part of a research proposal a group of experts has made indirect comparisons between the available evidence on clinical effectiveness of beta-interferon and azathioprine in reducing relapse rates in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. They conclude from their analysis that there is no difference in efficacy in these indirect comparisons. Indirect comparisons of evidence from trials using different patient groups and protocols are less reliable than direct comparisons. The safety profiles of the respective drugs must also be considered.

  No such analysis is available for the treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.
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  New Hospital Facilities
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the approval of major capital schemes for the provision of new hospital facilities on sites away from existing hospitals. [70645]

  Mr. Denham
  Final decisions to proceed with major capital developments in the National Health Service are made on the basis of approved business cases, written in line with guidance set out in the capital investment manual.

  New capital schemes procured by NHS trusts require planning permission which has to be obtained from the local planning authority. Therefore the location of any scheme is also a matter for the local planning authority. Proposed locations are selected by NHS trusts in partnership with the local health authority taking account of their healthcare strategies and patient needs, coupled with analysis of existing owned sites, or where these are unsuitable, other sites which may be available.

  Nursing (Disabled Students)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students on nursing and midwifery degree courses are in receipt of disabled students' allowances; and what proportion they are of the total number of students on nursing and midwifery degree courses. [70435]

  Mr. Denham
  Of those students sponsored by the National Health Service, 3 or 0.2 per cent. currently receive disability allowances. Information on other publicly funded students is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students on nursing and midwifery diploma courses are disabled; and what proportion they are of the total number of students on nursing and midwifery diploma courses. [70436]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to extend the powers of the Medicines Control Agency. [70637]

  Ms Jowell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for New Forest West, (Mr. Swayne) on 18 January 1999,Official Report, column 380.

  Invicorp Intravenous Self-injections
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to general practitioners about prescribing Invicorp intravenous self-injections. [69496]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The Department has not issued any guidance to general practitioners about prescribing Invicorp intracavernosal self-injections.
  353
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State launched a six-week public consultation on 21 January, on new policy proposals for NHS prescription of Viagra and other drug treatments for impotence. As a drug treatment for impotence, Invicorp falls within these proposals.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from the(a) food and (b) retail industry over the creation of the Food Standards Agency. [69018]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government consulted widely, including with representatives of the food and retail industry, on the White Paper, "The Food Standards Agency: A Force for Change" in 1998. Meetings have been held with these and other interested parties on a number of occasions to discuss the proposals.

  On 27 January 1999 we launched a further consultation exercise on the draft Food Standards Bill and on proposals for a levy scheme. Copies of these two documents have been sent to all interested parties. The closing date for comments is 24 March.

TREASURY

  Hon. Member for Coventry, North-West
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the cost to the public purse of dealing with press inquiries regarding the private business affairs of the previous Paymaster General, the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson), between 1 May 1997 and the date of his resignation; [67325]

  (2) if he will review the accuracy of unofficial Treasury press briefings regarding the business affairs of the previous Paymaster General, the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson), prior to his resignation; [67326]

  (3) if he will review the accuracy of Treasury press releases and press briefings regarding the business affairs of the previous Paymaster General, the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson), prior to his resignation. [67327]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 27 January 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 5 February 1998, Official Report, column 780.

  Capital Expenditure
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the restrictions on departments channelling funds from capital expenditure to current expenditure listing(a) the restrictions, (b) what exceptions apply to these restrictions and (c) what margin for flexibility applies to these restrictions. [68383]

  Mr. Milburn
  Under the new public spending framework introduced in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Departments' capital and current expenditure are now planned and managed separately to ensure that the Government's fiscal rules are met, and to prevent capital 354
  investment being cut back to meet short-term pressures on current spending. As set out in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy, departments are able to channel funds earmarked for capital expenditure into current spending only within an agreed margin, to allow for managerial flexibility or to finance private-public partnerships. The margin agreed varies between departments depending on their circumstances but is on average around 5 per cent. of their total capital budget.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of personnel the Inland Revenue will(a) recruit, (b) transfer from other departments and (c) transfer from other duties in the Inland Revenue to administer the working families tax credit and the disabled person's tax credit. [67983]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: It is not expected that staff from other Government Departments or Inland Revenue will be transferred directly to the new Tax Credits Office but the recruitment programme is an open competition so anyone qualified can apply. It is not possible to establish how many of the successful candidates will be existing civil servants.

  Alcohol and Tobacco Industries
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings have taken place or are scheduled to take place between Treasury Ministers and representatives of the(a) alcohol and (b) tobacco industries in advance of his Budget statement. [69530]

  Mrs. Roche
  I met representatives of the alcohol industry (Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association, The Wine and Spirit Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The National Association of Cider Makers, The Scotch Whisky Association and The Gin and Vodka Association of Great Britain) on 3 and 4 February.

  Meetings with representatives of the tobacco industry will take place shortly.

  Investment Products
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) tax and (b) legal definitions of his proposals for the investment products oeics and puncs. [69993]

  Ms Hewitt
  Open ended investment companies (oeics) are defined in the Open Ended Investment Companies (Investment Companies with Variable Capital) Regulations 1996, laid under section 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972.

  For tax purposes oeics are defined in section 468(10) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (as that section is inserted by Regulation 10(4) of the Open Ended Investment Companies (Tax) Regulations SI 1997 No. 1154) under which an oeic is defined as an open ended investment company within the meaning given by section 75(8) of the Financial Services Act 1986 which is incorporated in the United Kingdom.

  The Financial Services and Markets Bill consultation document issued in July 1998 suggested that the Bill could give powers to provide for the incorporation of

  355
  unauthorised oeics which it suggested be known as pooled unauthorised companies (puncs). The Treasury will consult in due course on the main features of puncs, including how they could be defined.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay the decision to pay working families tax credit benefits through the pay packet. [69754]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Paying the Working Families Tax Credit and the Disabled Persons Tax Credit through the pay packet, rather than as a welfare benefit, will reduce the stigma associated with claiming in-work support. The clear link with employment should demonstrate the rewards of work over welfare and ensure that people move off welfare into work.

  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in(a) Stoke-on-Trent and (b) the West Midlands will benefit from the working families tax credit. [69729]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that for the West Midlands Region there will be about 120,000 families in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit in 2000–01, the first full year of the credit. This estimate is based on data from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey. Estimates below regional level are not available.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people who will gain from the introduction of the working families tax credit in the North West Region. [63198]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 11 January 1999]: It is estimated that for the North West Region there will be about 190,000 families in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit in 2000–01, the first full year of the credit. This estimate is based on data from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey.

  Public Consultations
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his Department's collation and assessment of responses to each of the Government's public consultations. [69779]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Smuggling (Tobacco and Alcohol)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets he set Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to assess their success rate in confiscating smuggled and bootlegged tobacco and alcohol in 1997–98; and what assessment he has made of their success in achieving those targets. [70015]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For 1997–98 Customs planned to make detections of smuggled excise goods worth £36.7 million in revenue. Results at the end of the year were £63.1 million.
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  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he is making at ECOFIN in persuading the EU finance ministers to increase excise duty on tobacco and alcohol; and at which meetings he has raised this issue since May 1997. [70018]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Member states are free to set excise duty rates at the level they feel are appropriate to their own particular circumstances subject only to agreed minimum rates. The UK believes that there should be a levelling up of most minimum rates. The mechanism for achieving this is the Commission's biennial review of duty rates. The latest tobacco review, due in December 1996, was published in June 1998 and is progressing through Council working group. It has yet to be discussed at ECOFIN. The alcohol review which was due in December 1996 is still awaited and has not been discussed at ECOFIN.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Customs officers were dealing with smuggled and bootlegged tobacco and alcohol originating in the EU(a) at the latest date for which figures are available and (b) one year earlier. [70016]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The primary responsibility for dealing with tobacco and alcohol smuggled from the European Union rests with Excise Verification Officers. At 1 April 1998 there were 330 employed by Customs. As a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review, this figure will be increased to 423 by 1 April 1999. These front-line officers are supported by specialist intelligence and investigation teams.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to paragraph 1.24 of the publication, "UK membership of the Single Currency: An assessment of the five economic tests", if he will list those studies which suggest that the UK economy(a) is and (b) is not more sensitive than other countries to interest rate changes. [69997]

  Ms Hewitt
  There have been a number of studies in recent years into the interest rate sensitivity of the UK relative to other European economies. These include a study by the Bank of England (Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin May 1997), a study by the Bank for International Settlements (Financial Structure and the Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism. BIS, 1995) and "EMU: prospects and challenges for the euro", Blackwell, 1998. Further references can be found in the bibliographies of these studies.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a White Paper setting out the case for the UK joining the single European currency. [70225]

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the Government's assessment of the constitutional factors involved in joining the single currency. [70235]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 9 February 1999]: The Chancellor of the Exchequer set out clearly the Government's position on membership of the single currency in his statement to the House of Commons on 27 October 1997, Official Report, columns 583–88.
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  Correspondence
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter of 26 October 1998 from the Head of the Treasury Enterprise and Growth Unit to Colin Balmer of the Ministry of Defence, entitled "Selling Services into the Wider Market". [69718]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 9 February 1999]: Our records do not show that a letter was sent from the Head of the Enterprise and Growth Unit to Colin Balmer on or around 26 October 1998. A policy and Guidance Note on "Selling Government Services into Wider Markets" was sent to Mr. Balmer and other PFOs on 31 July 1998 and placed on the Treasury's website shortly thereafter. I am placing a copy of the Guidance Note in the Library.

  Simon de Danser Case
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement concerning the unlawful activities of senior officers of HM Customs and Excise in connection with the seizure of the Simon de Danser vessel; and what action he will take as a result. [70640]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Chairman of the Commissioners of HM Customs and Excise has asked Sir Gerald Hosker KCB QC, previously the Treasury Solicitor, to conduct an independent inquiry into the actions of Customs and Excise officials in relation to the case. A summary of the report and its recommendations will be made available to the House.

  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will require HM Customs and Excise to pay compensation to the police authorities for the waste of police time in connection with the Simon de Danser case. [70641]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This was a joint police/Customs operation in which both parties contribute to costs.

  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who made the decision to ask for the Special Boat Squadron to be involved in the boarding and seizure of the Simon de Danser vessel in May 1997. [70639]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The decision was made by Customs, in conjunction with the police, to ask the Ministry of Defence for military assistance to board the vessel Simon de Danser. It is the Ministry of Defence who decide what assistance is appropriate.

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the cash and running costs limits of the Registry of Friendly Societies in 1998–99. [71257]

  Ms Hewitt
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class XVI, Vote 9, Registry of Friendly Societies, will be increased by £1,000 from £1,522,000 to £1,523,000 and the running costs limit will be increased by £505,000 from £7,203,000 to £7,708,000. The change in running costs provision arises from the transfer of support services for the Building Societies and Friendly Societies Commissions and the credit union section of the Central Office from the Registry of Friendly Societies to the 358
  Financial Services Authority. The increase will be offset by appropriating in aid additional receipts, and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the cash and running costs limits for the Inland Revenue in 1998–99. [71258]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash and running costs limits for Class XVI Vote 4 will be increased by £3,493,000 from £1,730,709,000 to £1,734,202,000 and from £1,810,580,000 to £1,814,073,000 respectively.

  The increase in running costs provision reflects (a) the transfer of £3,500,000 from the Cabinet Office, Class XVIII, Vote 2 for costs associated with the transfer of part of Euston Tower, (b) the transfer of £8,000 from HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor, Class VIII, Vote 6 to cover the costs of legal trainees being provided by the Treasury Solicitor, and (c) the transfer of £15,000 to the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Class X, Vote 1 for costs for services being provided by the Museums and Galleries Commission on pre-eminent testing.

  As the increase relates to interdepartmental transfers it will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the cash and running costs limits of HM Treasury in 1998–99. [71259]

  Mr. Milburn
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class XVI, Vote 1 will be increased by £8,205,000 from £63,065,000 to £71,270,000, and the running cost limit will be reduced by £1,364,000 from £66,330,000 to £64,966,000. The cash limit increase of £8,205,000 is a result of the partial take up of running cost end year flexibility, as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998,Official Report, columns 131–36. The changes are necessary mainly to provide for reclassification from running costs to other current expenditure on the euro information campaign and the transfer of the Insurance Directorate to the Financial Services Authority, and for additional provision required in these areas.

  Additional provision is also required for the UK banking review and payments in respect of paymaster; and capital provision mainly for Debt Management Office.

  The net increase will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed in the cash and running costs limits in 1998–99 for HM Customs and Excise. [71260]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class XVI, Vote 3 will be increased by £25,388,000 from £835,543,000 to £860,931,000 and the running cost limit for HM Customs and Excise by £15,167,000 from £755,905,000 to £771,072,000.
  359
  The Supplementary comprises:
  an increase of £9,000,000 to enable the Department to make and early start on implementing the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review (ATFR), which was launched in July 1998. The running costs element of this increase is £7,300,000;
  an increase of £7,867,000 in running costs from the take up of the Department's eligibility under the end year flexibility arrangements; and
  an increase of £8,521,000 in other current provision (which includes legal fees and costs for the storage and disposal of seized goods), which will be met in full by foregoing the Department's remaining eligibility to running costs end year flexibility.

  The Department has also made adjustments to allow for a Treasury change in the accounting treatment of VAT refunds on contracted out services. This adds £11,860,000 to expenditure subheads, offset by an equivalent increase in appropriations in aid.

  The increase will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Yemen
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to ensure allegations of torture of British prisoners held in the Yemen are investigated. [69382]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's answer on 18 January 1999, Official Report, column 344, to the question by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Sparkbrook and Small Heath (Mr. Godsiff). My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary put out serious concerns about the torture allegations to Prime Minister Iryani. Prime Minister Iryani gave his assurance that the allegations would be investigated and, if found to be true, those responsible would be prosecuted.

  We have pressed hard at all levels for an immediate medical examination in respect of these allegations. We are extremely disappointed that this has not happened. The detainees' defence lawyers have told us that they judge it would no longer serve the interests of the detainees for a medical examination of their torture allegations to be conducted at this late stage. They are pursuing this issue in court.

  Iraq
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 January 1999,Official Report, column 225, on Iraq, if he will place copies of the messages and letters received by Her Majesty's Government relating to Operation Desert Fox in the Library. [69787]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Many messages from governments were in the form of public statements. They are therefore already in the public domain. Other governments made their views known during telephone conversations, meetings or in personal letters. It would not be appropriate for me to make these exchanges public.
  360

  Indonesia
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between his Department and the Government of Indonesia in the past year on torture. [70425]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We regularly raise human rights issues with the Indonesian government.

  China (Human Rights)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current state of the EU' s human rights dialogue with China. [70553]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The EU/China dialogue has provided an opportunity for the EU to address many serious human rights concerns directly with the Chinese authorities. These include issues such as the death penalty, conditions of detention, Tibet and the cases of individuals, including those of recently imprisoned pro-democracy campaigners.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to review the results of the human rights dialogue between the EU and China in advance of the forthcoming session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. [70554]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are reviewing the results of the EU/China Human Rights dialogue in conjunction with our EU partners. We will decide on our approach to the Commission on Human Rights before the Geneva meeting begins and in the light of that review.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent crackdown on dissidents in China and Tibet; and what impact this will have on the human rights dialogue between the EU and China. [70625]

  Mr. Fatchett
  China's recent crackdown is unacceptable. In addition to public statements, we have expressed our serious concerns directly to the Chinese government, both bilaterally and in conjunction with the EU and others, and called for the release of those detained. The EU/China dialogue provides an opportunity for the EU to address many serious human rights concerns directly with the Chinese authorities. Through the dialogue, we have urged China to abide by the principles of the international covenants, which it has signed, that guarantee the freedoms of expression and assembly.

  UN Weaponry Convention
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom will formally accept Amended Protocol II and Additional Protocol IV of the UN Weaponry Convention. [71255]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I am pleased to inform the House that the United Kingdom's letter of acceptance of Amended Protocol II and Additional Protocol IV to the UN Weaponry Convention is being deposited with the UN Secretary General in New York today.
  361

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes he proposes to make in his Department's cash limits and running costs limits for 1998–99. [71250]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates the following changes will be made.

  The cash limit for Class II, Vote 1 (Overseas Representation) will be decreased by £10,541,000 from £588,004,000 to £577,463,000. This reduction takes account of negative Overseas Price Movements of £10,500,000. There have also been two transfers from this vote: a transfer of £97,000 to the Department of Transport (Class VI Vote 7) for the provision of Marine survey and certification services in the Dependent Territories and a transfer of £140,000 to Class II, Vote 3 to cover a shortfall in funding for the subscription to the BBC World Service Monitoring Service. These have been partially offset by three transfers in: £45,000 from the Cabinet Office (Class XVIII Vote 2), £125,000 from the DTI (Class VI Vote 1) to fund the Invest in Britain Bureau in Hong Kong and £25,000 from the Home Office (Class VII Vote 1) to fund the UK Special Drugs Representative. A token Supplementary of £1,000 has also been taken to increase expenditure and receipts.

  The gross running costs limit on Class II Vote 1 will be increased by £2,059,000 from £510,535,000 to £512,594,000. This increase has been fully offset by increased appropriations in aid.

  The cash limit for Class II, Vote 2 (Other External Relations) will be increased by £29,951,000 from £235,660,000 to £265,611,000. The increase is required to cover UK contributions to certain OSCE, United Nations, and WEU Missions of £31,781,000. There are also transfers in of £100,000 from the Ministry of Defence (Class I Vote 1) in respect of their contribution to the Atlantic Council of the UK and £570,000 from the Home Office (Class VII Vote 1) towards certain overseas drug assistance programmes. These increases are partially offset by a reduction of £2,500,000 because of negative Overseas Price Movements.

  The cash limit for Class II, Vote 3 has been increased by £2,140,000 from £167,836,000 to £169,976,000. This increase consists of £2,000,000 take up of capital end year flexibility as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36, and a transfer of £140,000 from Class II, Vote 1, as detailed above.

  The cash limit for Class II, Vote 4 has been reduced by £349,000 from £97,448,000 to £97,099,000 because of negative Overseas Price Movements of £349,000.

  The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Whaling
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to those countries that are seeking to increase their whaling operations. [70205]
  362
  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Government colleagues and I take every opportunity to draw to the attention of the Japanese and Norwegian Governments our continuing opposition to their whaling activities. I made our position clear during my visit to Norway on 16–17 September 1998, as did officials at a meeting with senior Japanese officials on environmental issues on 8 February.

CABINET OFFICE

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proposals there are to change the 1998–99 cash limit for the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and Health Service Commissioners; and for what underlying reasons. [71328]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The total cash limit for the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and Health Service Commissioners on Class XVIII Vote 4 will be reduced by £2,101,000 falling from £15,101,000 to £13,000,000.

  At the time Supply Estimates for 1998–99 were submitted, the Office was planning to procure its second generation computer system and Funds were sought for this. Detailed preliminary discussions have meant that a contract is not likely to be signed before early in 1999–2000, and the bulk of the expenditure will now therefore be incurred in that and the following year. This expenditure can be funded within existing provision in both years. The unused funds will be surrendered through a reduction in the cash limit for 1998–99.

  The changes will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proposals he has to change the 1998–99 cash limit or running costs limit for the Cabinet Office: Administration and Cabinet Office: Other Services Votes. [71329]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates:The cash limit for Cabinet Office: administration (Class XVII, Vote 1) will be decreased by £760,000 from £154,056,000 to £153,296,000 and the running costs limit has been decreased by £3,759,000 from £62,903,000 to £59,144,000.
  The cash limit for Cabinet Office: other services (Class XVIII, Vote 1) will be increased by £105,000 from £49,356,000 to £49,461,000 and the running cost limit has been increased by £484,000 from £48,639,000 to £49,123,000.

  This is mainly to take account of the following.

  Changes to the Ambit and Appropriation in Aids statement: The Cabinet Office has responsibility for the Royal Commission on the House of Lords Reform and the Public Confidence Programme work of Action 2000. Amendments have been made to the appropriations in aid description to reflect new guidance concerning the treatment of VAT refunds on contracted out services.

  Machinery of Government: The Cabinet Office has taken over responsibility for the Women's Unit and Women's National Commission from the Department of Social Security (Class XII, Vote 3) (£1,900,000).
  363
  Transfer payment: A transfer payment has been made to the Privy Council (Class XVIII, Vote 3) (£87,000) and to the Department of Trade and Industry (Class V, Vote 1) (£34,000) to provide for minor occupier charges. An intra Vote transfer from Cabinet Office: administration to Cabinet Office: other services has taken place in respect of shared central services (£226,000). Provision for ownership of Pithay in Bristol has transferred from the Property Advisors to the Civil Estate to the Employment Service (Class IX, Vote 3) for ownership of the Pithay in Bristol (07,000) and for occupation by the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner and Health Service Commissioners (Class XIII, Vote 4) of Millbank Tower in London (£457,000).

  The increases will be offset by transfers. Thus, they will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Occupational Pensions
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on what basis former public sector employees are entitled to annual increases in occupational pensions. [70194]

  Mr. Milburn
  I have been asked to reply.

  NHS in Scotland: Percentage of patients who received a first outpatient appointment within 9 weeks and within 18 weeks of referral by a General Medical Practitioner/General Dental Practitioner, by Specialty1

  31 March 1997 Percentage seen within

  30 June 1997 Percentage seen within

  30 September 1997 Percentage seen within

  Specialty

  9 weeks

  18 weeks

  9 weeks

  18 weeks

  9 weeks

  18 weeks

  Adolescent Psychiatry

  79.2

  96.8

  73.5

  94.4

  70.6

  97.1

  Anaesthetics

  36.2

  75.0

  39.0

  74.0

  33.0

  72.1

  Cardiac Surgery

  —

  —

  100.0

  100.0

  38.5

  100.0

  Cardiology

  80.9

  98.1

  83.2

  96.7

  72.1

  93.8

  Cardiothoracic Surgery

  90.7

  100.0

  94.2

  100.0

  89.7

  98.5

  Child Psychiatry

  71.2

  88.1

  70.2

  85.0

  65.7

  80.8

  Clinical Genetics

  37.5

  82.6

  41.4

  80.6

  48.3

  80.0

  Clinical Oncology

  —

  —

  99.2

  100.0

  98.3

  99.5

  Communicable Diseases

  89.7

  98.2

  92.3

  97.8

  93.3

  98.8

  Dermatology

  53.6

  81.8

  56.4

  86.4

  52.4

  88.1

  Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)

  67.5

  90.0

  63.9

  92.2

  53.1

  90.1

  Endocrinology and Diabetes

  —

  —

  76.6

  95.6

  72.8

  95.4

  Gastroenterology

  62.2

  94.4

  66.0

  94.9

  56.7

  92.4

  General Medicine

  78.2

  94.6

  81.7

  96.4

  73.3

  95.6

  General Psychiatry

  84.0

  97.6

  84.5

  98.4

  83.3

  96.6

  General Surgery

  81.7

  96.1

  87.9

  98.2

  82.7

  98.0

  General Surgery (excluding Vascular)

  —

  —

  85.1

  97.1

  80.8

  97.3

  Geriatric Medicine

  96.9

  99.2

  97.6

  99.3

  97.5

  99.5

  GP Obstetrics

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  99.0

  99.0

  GP—other than Obstetrics

  93.1

  98.3

  94.6

  100.0

  97.8

  99.6

  Gynaecology

  76.4

  96.9

  79.3

  97.8

  72.6

  96.5

  Haematology

  95.8

  99.0

  97.8

  99.7

  95.4

  99.6

  Homeopathy

  12.2

  31.0

  17.7

  41.2

  14.5

  35.6

  Learning Disability

  88.6

  88.6

  93.0

  98.6

  86.3

  92.2

  Medical Oncology

  93.3

  96.7

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  Medical Paediatrics

  87.1

  98.5

  83.0

  98.6

  78.3

  98.3

  Nephrology

  83.4

  97.9

  85.4

  98.3

  81.5

  98.0

  Neurology

  49.7

  70.2

  50.0

  79.3

  40.9

  71.2

  Neurosurgery

  74.9

  92.9

  80.2

  95.4

  70.3

  90.3

  Obstetrics—Antenatal

  97.7

  99.6

  97.8

  99.6

  96.9

  99.1

  Obstetrics—Postnatal

  86.4

  100.0

  80.0

  100.0

  95.5

  95.5

  Ophthalmology

  65.7

  92.6

  65.9

  93.8

  58.4

  90.0

  Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine Group3

  70.7

  94.2

  65.3

  94.0

  57.6

  91.5

  Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry Group4

  47.8

  71.3

  54.5

  85.0

  45.8

  77.8

  Orthopaedics

  49.2

  77.7

  51.2

  81.8

  46.7

  80.4

  Plastic Surgery

  58.3

  85.1

  60.5

  89.9

  59.1

  90.4

  Psychogeriatrics

  96.1

  98.8

  97.9

  99.2

  97.2

  99,4

  364
  The Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 and Social Security Pensions Act 1975 provide for increases in the public service pensions of retired public service employees each year by the rate of inflation as measured by the all-items measure of the Retail Prices Index (RPI).

SCOTLAND

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients(a) had not yet been seen following GP written referral and (b) were waiting between referral to consultation, broken down (i) by specialty and (ii) by quarter from 30 March 1997. [67365]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: Information on waiting lists is collected centrally only for hospital inpatients and day cases. Data are available on first outpatient referrals and the length of time that patients waited for their first outpatient appointment. The percentage of patients who received a first outpatient appointment within 9 weeks and 18 weeks following a General Medical Practitioner/General Dental Practitioner referral, by specialty, for each quarter from 31 March 1997, is provided in the tables.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  365

  NHS in Scotland: Percentage of patients who received a first outpatient appointment within 9 weeks and within 18 weeks of referral by a General Medical Practitioner/General Dental Practitioner, by Specialty 1

  31 March 1997 Percentage seen within

  30 June 1997 Percentage seen within

  30 September 1997 Percentage seen within

  Specialty

  9 weeks

  18 weeks

  9 weeks

  18 weeks

  9 weeks

  18 weeks

  Rehabilitation Medicine

  72.1

  94.4

  75.8

  96.4

  68.4

  94.9

  Respiratory Medicine

  92.5

  98.6

  91.9

  98.7

  89.4

  98.2

  Restorative Dentistry

  23.7

  78.1

  21.9

  67.4

  18.4

  58.0

  Rheumatology

  60.4

  85.5

  60.9

  87.3

  53.4

  84.7

  Surgical Paediatrics

  54.7

  95.5

  54.6

  91.1

  51.1

  82.6

  Thoracic Surgery

  —

  —

  98.3

  98.3

  96.1

  100.0

  Urology

  69.0

  95.0

  69.8

  95.7

  66.3

  92.7

  Vascular Surgery

  —

  —

  72.0

  95.4

  65.8

  96.2

  All Specialties

  70.7

  91.2

  72.3

  93.2

  66.5

  91.7

  31 December 1997 Percentage seen within

  31 March 1998 Percentage seen within

  30 June 1998 Percentage seen within

  30 September 19982 Percentage seen within

  Specialty

  9 weeks

  18 weeks

  9 weeks

  18 weeks

  9 weeks

  18 weeks

  9 weeks

  18 weeks

  Adolescent Psychiatry

  85.7

  96.2

  79.9

  96.7

  80.8

  94.0

  77.6

  95.2

  Anaesthetics

  32.0

  65.2

  31.4

  64.8

  39.8

  70.4

  30.1

  59.3

  Cardiac Surgery

  71.4

  92.9

  66.7

  100.0

  75.0

  100.0

  70.0

  80.0

  Cardiology

  78.0

  92.3

  76.9

  93.3

  76.6

  95.4

  69.0

  93.2

  Cardiothoracic Surgery

  91.6

  99.6

  96.9

  99.6

  95.0

  98.9

  91.1

  99.6

  Child Psychiatry

  75.2

  86.7

  76.5

  87.9

  71.9

  86.2

  64.6

  79.4

  Clinical Genetics

  37.4

  74.8

  43.6

  76.4

  33.6

  79.0

  37.3

  66.3

  Clinical Oncology

  96.3

  97.6

  97.7

  99.4

  97.6

  99.2

  98.8

  99.8

  Communicable Diseases

  90.0

  98.5

  88.3

  97.5

  89.0

  98.8

  78.5

  96.2

  Dermatology

  51.3

  81.8

  58.0

  83.8

  60.3

  87.9

  57.4

  88.2

  Ear Nose and Throat (ENT)

  56.0

  88.3

  56.8

  87.7

  56.5

  90.6

  51.6

  87.6

  Endocrinology and Diabetes

  69.4

  91.1

  70.3

  92.6

  72.2

  93.9

  65.5

  89.5

  Gastroenterology

  58.2

  87.7

  59.2

  89.6

  60.0

  88.6

  49.9

  83.3

  General Medicine

  75.9

  96.0

  76.7

  96.2

  77.0

  97.1

  70.7

  95.3

  General Psychiatry

  84.2

  97.3

  83.9

  97.0

  85.8

  97.4

  84.6

  97.2

  General Surgery

  79.9

  97.4

  80.5

  97.2

  83.0

  98.2

  79.9

  97.9

  General Surgery (excluding Vascular)

  82.6

  96.7

  82.8

  96.3

  82.6

  97.4

  77.1

  96.6

  Geriatric Medicine

  97.8

  99.5

  97.6

  99.6

  97.0

  99.6

  95.3

  99.5

  GP Obstetrics

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  GP—other than Obstetrics

  97.8

  98.9

  97.1

  100.0

  92.9

  96.9

  96.9

  99.6

  Gynaecology

  75.2

  95.9

  77.1

  96.3

  77.1

  96.8

  72.0

  96.2

  Haematology

  96.5

  99.5

  95.3

  98.9

  97.7

  99.8

  96.5

  99.5

  Homeopathy

  34.7

  60.1

  34.4

  60.2

  26.6

  57.5

  25.4

  46.0

  Learning Disability

  91.5

  94.9

  97.7

  100.0

  96.2

  98.1

  96.8

  100.0

  Medical Oncology

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  98.7

  100.0

  99.1

  100.0

  Medical Paediatrics

  84.1

  97.4

  82.6

  97.9

  75.7

  96.8

  72.2

  96.3

  Nephrology

  86.1

  97.8

  84.4

  97.7

  90.2

  99.0

  88.0

  97.0

  Neurology

  47.9

  72.8

  45.5

  72.9

  44.0

  71.6

  38.6

  68.2

  Neurosurgery

  64.9

  89.7

  67.1

  91.9

  67.1

  93.6

  70.3

  94.5

  Obstetrics—Antenatal

  96.8

  99.4

  97.3

  99.6

  97.6

  99.7

  97.8

  99.6

  Obstetrics—Postnatal

  95.2

  100.0

  89.3

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  94.1

  100.0

  Ophthalmology

  57.7

  89.0

  55.3

  88.6

  53.5

  87.0

  51.0

  85.5

  Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine Group3

  66.6

  92.0

  64.6

  92.2

  58.5

  92.7

  53.7

  88.9

  Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry Group"

  42.0

  74.4

  42.7

  76.3

  51.6

  83.3

  49.4

  80.7

  Orthopaedics

  45.7

  74.3

  45.8

  74.9

  48.5

  78.3

  43.0

  73.6

  Plastic Surgery

  50.8

  83.3

  51.4

  77.8

  57.1

  82.5

  53.2

  81.4

  Psychogeriatrics

  97.7

  99.8

  96.4

  99.2

  96.6

  99.2

  96.9

  99.3

  Rehabilitation Medicine

  72.5

  92.6

  78.3

  96.7

  89.2

  98.0

  80.4

  96.6

  Respiratory Medicine

  91.3

  97.7

  92.3

  97.7

  91.9

  98.3

  89.3

  97.7

  Restorative Dentistry

  19.2

  57.6

  17.1

  67.8

  23

  62.8

  36.4

  58.1

  Rheumatology

  54.8

  80.8

  55.8

  83.6

  58.7

  85.9

  53.8

  83.3

  Surgical Paediatrics

  57.5

  85.2

  91.6

  98.8

  90.7

  99.5

  92.9

  99.7

  Thoracic Surgery

  97.7

  97.7

  91.6

  98.1

  93.3

  100.0

  93.4

  99.3

  Urology

  71.5

  92.8

  73.5

  94.5

  72.7

  94.5

  63.8

  93.8

  Vascular Surgery

  65.8

  96.5

  70.8

  94.1

  73.1

  92.6

  68.0

  91.8

  All Specialities

  67.1

  89.7

  68.3

  90.2

  68.9

  91.5

  64.6

  89.8

  1 No entry for a specialty on 31 March 1997 indicates new specialty codes introduced on 1 April 1997.

  2 Provisional

  3 Oral Surgery and Medicine Group incorporates the oral surgery and oral medicine specialties.

  4 Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry Group incorporates the orthodontics and paediatric specialties.

  Source:

  Form SMRO/SMR01, ISD Scotland
  366 367

  New Deal
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in each local enterprise company area have started on the New Deal programme and then left it without going into employment, education and training or

  Immediate destinations of those leaving New Deal1

  Unit of delivery2

  Other benefits

  Other known destinations3

  Not known4

  Total leavers1

  Numbers joining programme

  Total leavers 1 as percentage of those joining programme

  Argyll and the Islands

  10

  6

  19

  35

  236

  15

  Ayrshire

  60

  105

  103

  268

  1,881

  14

  Borders

  5

  8

  15

  28

  301

  9

  Caithness and Sutherland

  1

  3

  5

  9

  85

  11

  Dumfries and Galloway

  18

  14

  26

  58

  487

  12

  Dunbarton

  31

  41

  58

  130

  934

  14

  Edinburgh, East and Midlothian

  70

  49

  129

  248

  1,478

  17

  Fife

  52

  49

  104

  205

  1,534

  13

  Forth Valley

  38

  41

  67

  146

  983

  15

  Glasgow

  198

  143

  264

  605

  3,530

  17

  Grampian

  57

  38

  92

  187

  682

  27

  Inverness and Nairn

  6

  8

  18

  32

  196

  16

  Lochaber

  1

  1

  13

  15

  46

  33

  Lanarkshire

  127

  136

  167

  430

  2,800

  15

  Moray, Strathspey and Badenoch

  7

  14

  11

  32

  224

  14

  Orkney

  0

  0

  0

  0

  31

  0

  Renfrewshire

  67

  64

  99

  230

  1,255

  18

  Ross and Cromarty

  4

  2

  14

  20

  150

  13

  Shetland

  0

  4

  5

  9

  32

  28

  Skye and Lochalsh

  0

  2

  5

  7

  36

  19

  Tayside

  118

  92

  200

  410

  2,315

  18

  West Lothian

  22

  14

  48

  84

  497

  17

  Western Isles

  1

  8

  9

  18

  97

  19

  Scotland

  893

  842

  1,471

  3,206

  19,810

  16

  1 Excluding those who gained employment or had taken up education or training or had worked with the voluntary sector or Environment Task Force.

  2 LEC areas correspond to New Deal units of delivery except for the area covered by Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Limited which is split into 2 New Deal delivery units: Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian, and West Lothian.

  3 Other known destinations include: starting on training programme outwith the New Deal; moving into full-time education; moving abroad; and entering prison.

  4 Some young people who find a job will not, for whatever reason, record this as the reason for termination of their JSA claim these will be counted as 'Not Known'. Past research shows that the destinations of those who do not give a reason for termination follows a similar pattern to those who do give a reason more than half of whom move to unsubsidised jobs. As more data are added the numbers in this category may be revised downwards for recent months.

  Forestry Commission Land
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the Scottish Office guidelines are for commercial non-timber activities on Forestry Commission land. [69071]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Forestry Commission's estate provides many opportunities for generating income from sources other than the production of timber. Ministers expect the Commission to maximise the return from its assets as long as this does not compromise its environmental and social objectives.

  Smoking
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action the Government are taking to reduce cigarette smoking among young people; and if he will make a statement. [69405]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Government's recently published Tobacco Control White Paper "Smoking Kills", identified young people as a key target group, and the Government
  368
  working with the voluntary sector or the environment task force. [66633]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 26 January 1999]: The information, which relates to the position at the end of October 1998 is as follows:

  will be devoting £5 million over the next 3 years to health education activity aimed at reducing smoking levels. The Scottish Office will also be working with key groups to draw up a new enforcement protocol for local authorities to deal with underage tobacco sales. The forthcoming Public Health White Paper will set out new targets for reducing smoking among children. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease in Scotland in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [69404]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The incidence of CHD is estimated using new hospital admissions and deaths which did not involve hospital admission. On that basis, the incidence rate for men has fallen from 689.3 per 100,000 population in 1987 to 585.6 in 1996 and for women from 502.3 per 100,000 population in 1987 to 480.2 in 1996.
  369
  Since the mid-1980s, significant progress has been made in reducing premature deaths from CHD. The mortality rate has reduced by 42 per cent. from the original baseline of 1986. The current target is to achieve a 40 per cent. reduction in deaths among the under-65s between 1990 and 2000. The latest figures show continued improvement, making it highly likely that the target will be met.

  CHD continues to be one of the clinical priorities of the NHS in Scotland, as is shown by the establishment last autumn of the CHD Task Force, which is looking at all aspects of the disease. One of its priorities is the creation of a national CHD database, which will make the monitoring of CHD incidence much more comprehensive.

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

  Tele-medicine
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to promote tele-medicine in the National Health Service. [69406]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Government's White Paper "Designed to Care" stated that the co-ordination of care could be improved through tele-medicine by enabling, for example, consultation with hospital specialists to take place in the GP's surgery. The Government's objective is to use technology to promote a seamless pattern of care. A Strategic Programme for Modernising Information Management and Technology in the NHS in Scotland has been published which requires all Health Boards and NHS Trusts to develop their own local comprehensive strategies which will include the use of tele-medicine. The government are also:Establishing a national tele-medicine advice centre
  Supporting proposals for development of tele-medicine applications in emergency medicine in Grampian and heart disease in Paisley
  Joining with other home countries (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) to consider: common technical standards, confidentiality and ethics as they relate to tele-medicine and the evaluation of tele-medicine.

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

  Departmental Fraud and Theft
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of fraud and thefts relating to (i) his Department, (ii) its agencies and (iii) other public bodies, in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [69265]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The table details the cost of fraud and thefts relating to the Scottish Office, its agencies and Associated Departments. The figures for other public bodies are not held centrally. No estimates for the cost of fraud and thefts have been made for 1999–2000.
  370
  From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  £

  Scottish Office

  Agencies

  Associated Departments

  1996–97

  22,190

  8,745

  0

  1997–98

  21,858

  24,329

  350

  1998–99 (year-to-date)

  22,442

  1,718

  360

  Departmental Absenteeism
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest absenteeism rates for each of his Departments, agencies and related public bodies; and what is his estimate of the total cost of this level of absenteeism to public funds in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [69202]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The published sickness absence rates for the Scottish Office and my other departments/agencies, for the latest available year (1997), are shown in the table. These figures are extracted from a published report on sickness absence patterns across the Civil Service. The report for 1997 has recently been released. Information on absence rates for Non-Departmental Public Bodies is not held centrally.

  Working days absence per staff year in The Scottish Office 1997

  Total

  The Scottish Office (including its executive agencies other than SPS)

  8.4

  Scottish Prison Service Agency

  10.9

  Working days absence per staff year in other departments/agencies of the Secretary of State for Scotland 1997

  Total

  Scottish Record Office

  9.9

  General Register Office for Scotland

  7.2

  Scottish Courts Administration

  7.8

  Scottish Courts Service

  15.5

  Registers of Scotland

  12.0

  The published report does not estimate the staff costs of sickness at a departmental level—the estimated total cost in 1997 across the Civil Service was £404 million. Estimates for each department above could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  The Scottish Office is developing proposals in response to the 1998 Cabinet Office Report "Working Well Together—Managing Attendance in the Public Sector" to introduce best practice. Targets for reductions in absence rates will be set in line with the recommendations in the report.

  Sports Funding
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate thd total revenue financial support which Scottish councils will provide to sport in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [69714]
  371
  Mr. Galbraith
  Estimates for future years are not available as this information is collected on an annual basis and councils do not submit their budget estimates for each financial year until the Spring. As from the 1 July this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Teachers
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to collect information on(a) the numbers of visiting specialist teachers in primary schools, (b) the numbers of class and specialist teachers in primary and secondary schools on short-term contracts and (c) shortages of teachers for particular types of post, or subject or as supply teachers. [69733]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Information on the number and characteristics of teachers in schools has been collected via a regular census of all teachers working in schools on a particular date. The last such census took place in September 1998 and did not categorise visiting specialists directly. Information on the number of class and specialist teachers in primary and secondary schools on short-term contracts was collected in the 1998 census and teachers were asked explicitly whether they were on a permanent or temporary contracts and whether they were on a supply list at the time. Provisional results from the 1998 census are expected to be available in Summer 1999.

  The Scottish Office and other main partners in the education system have also been working together to enable schools to supply data electronically through the National Management Information Systems (NMIS) Project. A number of schools already provide data in this way and it has been agreed that by 2002, all schools will do so. The data specification for the NMIS Project does allow visiting specialists to be identified. The Scottish Office will consult with its partners as to whether a further census of data from teachers is needed before 2002.

  While there can always be supply difficulties in particular subjects or areas, we are not aware that vacancies remain unfilled in any quantity because of shortages of teachers. The Scottish Office is aware that some authorities are having difficulty in maintaining adequate numbers of supply teachers to provide cover and will shortly be undertaking work to obtain better information from education authorities on the demand for the deployment of supply teachers. From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on the future of the 50 per cent. discount on council tax on second homes; and if he will make a statement. [69854]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 9 February 1999]: The Council Tax system is working well and we do not propose any changes at this time. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Dr. Lynda Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes he intends to make to the cash limits and running costs provision for 1998–99 within his responsibility. [71122]
  372
  Mr. Dewar
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, I intend to make changes to 9 voted cash limits, 1 non-voted cash block and 2 running cost limits:

  The cash limit for Class XIII, Vote 1, Agriculture, fisheries and environmental services, Scotland has been increased by £28,503,000 from £253,899,000 to £282,402,000. This Supplementary Estimate is required to take up end year flexibility for capital of £4,000,000 and for agency running costs of £328,000, within the overall Scottish Office running cost limit. It also reflects an additional increase in running costs provision of £162,000 for infectious Salmon Anaemia outbreak, an increase of £21,513,000 for the Scottish share of the increased spending on the 1999 Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance Scheme, an increase of £3,221,000 for increased expenditure on Agri-environment schemes, and a transfer to MAFF (Class III, Vote 2) of £721,000 being the Scottish contribution towards the costs of the UK BSE Inquiry.

  The cash limit for Class XIII, Vote 2, Local Government, Housing, Transport, Other Environmental Services and European Funds, Scotland will be increased by a net total of £40,642,000 from £5,590,865,000 to £5,631,507,000. The change reflects a net increase in Housing of £1,357,000; a net increase of £2,345,000 for Other Environmental Services (which includes £2,049,000 in respect of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust); a net decrease of £8,573,000 for Roads and Transport (which includes a net decrease in provision of £2,900,000 for Motorways and Trunk Roads, a net decrease of £1,773,000 for Transport and a decrease in the grant required by Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority of £3,900,000); an increase of £202,000 for Historic Scotland (which includes an increase of £44,000 in running costs); an increase of £17,281,000 for Revenue Support Grant (including £13,671,000 for the Spend to Save Scheme); and increase of £612,000 for final claims in respect of the District Equalisation Scheme; and an increase of £27,418,000 in Agency payments on behalf of the European Community to accommodate revised accounting arrangements for European Structural Fund Grants.

  The cash limit for Class XIII, Vote 3, Education, industry, arts and libraries, Scotland will be increased by a net total of £7,926,000 from £1,696,507,000 to £1,704,433,000. The net increase takes account of a transfer of £2,606,000 to Class XIII, Vote 4 in respect of the University of Edinburgh Medical School, a transfer of £600,000 to SO/LA1 in respect of advanced factory provision, a transfer of £35,000 from Class XIII, Vote 2 in respect of Livingston Development Corporation, a transfer of £11,026,000 from reductions in Water Authorities EFLs and a transfer of £71,000 from Class XIII, Vote 6 in respect of additional administration costs for the Scottish Office Pensions Agency. There will also be a number of intra-vote transfers to take account of presentational requirements.

  The cash limit for Class XIII, Vote 4, Hospital, community health, family health, other health services and welfare food, Scotland, will be increased by a net total of £33,876,000 from £3,997,607,000 to £4,031,483,000. The increase includes the cash limit increase of £22,246,000 announced on 3 November in respect of additional expenditure to reduce the effect of winter pressures on the

  373
  NHS; a transfer of £109,000 to Class XII, Vote 3 to meet the systems and operational set-up costs in preparation of the new arrangements to be provided for in the Road Traffic Accident Bill; a transfer of £2,606,000 from Class XIII, Vote 3 in respect of the unused element of the capital costs of providing teaching facilities resulting from the relocation of Edinburgh University Medical School; a transfer of £60,000 to Class XIII, Vote 6 for increased expenditure by the Mental Welfare Commission; a transfer of £14,000 to Class X1, Vote 2 for Scotland's contribution to the funding for the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority: a transfer of £52,000 to Class XI, Vote 2 for Scotland's contribution towards the National Screening Committee; a transfer of £12,000 to Class XIII, Vote 5 for part funding for the appointment of the COSLA Drugs Co-ordinator; and some adjustments to reflect increased receipts from National Insurance Contributions and increased refunds from of Value Added Tax. The NHS Trusts' External Financing Limit has also been decreased by £14,175,000 from -£13,343,000 to -£27,518,000.

  The overall increase for Class XIII, Vote 5, Law, order and protective services, police grant and social work services, Scotland, is £1,000. The cash limit has been increased by £5,538,000 from £671,549,000 to £677,087,000 and the gross running costs provision has been increased by £2,380,000 from £149,319,000 to £151,699,000. The cash limit increase takes account of a £1,500,000 increase for grants for asylum seekers and a £2,000,000 increase for publicity costs relating to the Scottish Parliamentary Elections. The changes also include transfers amounting to £800,000 to the Class VIII, Vote 7, The Crown Office, Scotland for ECHR cases, postal citations and for Lockerbie trial costs. There was also a transfer of £100,000 to Class XIII, Vote 9, Administration of Justice, Scotland and an increase in Section N both for Lockerbie trial costs. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury has agreed that access will be provided to the Reserve to assist in meeting the costs of the Lockerbie trial. A further transfer of £816,000 was received from SO/LA1 for additional funding on section G, police, section I fire and section M, social work services. There will also be a number of minor inter and intra Vote transfers.

  The cash limit for Class XIII, Vote 6, Scottish Office Administration, will be increased by £1,247,000 from £163,310,000 to £164,557,000. Within this total the gross running cost provision for Scottish Office Administration is being increased by £4,771,000 from £136,057,000 to £140,828,000. This increase includes end year flexibility of £982,000, a transfer to £140,828,000. This increase includes end year flexibility of £982,000, a transfer of £405,000 from Class IV, Vote 2, Ministry of Agriculture, Fishers and Food, to fund work carried out on the cattle tracing scheme, alterations to the treatment of receipts from recoverable VAT, virement from the capital subhead of £2,260,000 and a transfer of £71,000 to Class XIII, Vote 3 in respect of additional administration costs for the Scottish Office Pensions Agency. The additional running costs provision is required primarily to meet running costs pressures associated with the establishment of the Scottish Parliament. Provision for capital expenditure is reduced by £2,065,000 from £31,030,000 to £28,965,000. Provision for other current expenditure is being increased by £60,000 from £4,961,000 to £5,021,000 to finance ongoing IT purchases by the Mental Welfare Commission
  374
  for Scotland. The change in treatment of VAT and European Fast Stream receipts has resulted in an increase of appropriations-in-aid of £1,519,000 from £8,738,000 to £10,257,000.

  The cash limit for Class XIII, Vote 7, General Register Office for Scotland, will be increased by a token amount of £1,000 from £5,477,000 to £5,478,000. Within this total the running cost provision has been increased by £150,000 from £7,503,000 to £7,653,000 and a corresponding increase in appropriations-in-aid from £2,402,000 to £2,552,000. This supplementary is required to accommodate the change in treatment of recoverable VAT receipts.

  The cash limit for Class XIII, Vote 8; Scottish Record Office has been increased by a token amount of £1,000 from £4,072,000 to £4,073,000. This supplementary is required to give the authority to incur expenditure and receive income associated with the Scottish and European Archive Network.

  The overall increase for Class XIII, Vote 9 is £2,900,000, which is for expenditure associated with the Lockerbie trial. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury has agreed that access will be provided to the Reserve to assist in meeting these costs.

  The Scottish Office running cost limit will increase by £4,165,000 from £336,491,000 to £340,656,000.

  The Water Programme has been reduced by a net £12.6m arising from the postponement of the Hyundai Project. The External Finance Limit for each of the Scottish Water Authorities has been adjusted as follows:

  £ million

  Authority

  Existing EFL

  New EFL

  North of Scotland Water

  55.582

  55.514

  East of Scotland Water

  58,985

  55.345

  West of Scotland Water

  71.389

  71.401

  SO/LA1

  The non-voted cash limit SO/LA 1 which covers non-housing capital expenditure by local authorities will be reduced by a net total of £13,539,000 from £367,677,000 to £354,138,000. The reduction reflects transfers out of £12,471,000 to Class XIII, Vote 2 for Revenue Support Grant, £168,000 to Class XIII, Vote 2 for the Central Government Challenge Fund, £626,000 to non-voted Election Expenditure, £58,000 to Class XIII, Vote 1 and £816,000 to Class XIII, Vote 5 to cover pressures and a transfer in of £600,000 from Class XIII, Vote 3 in respect of assistance for Borders Council.

  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Lord Advocate proposes any changes to the Crown Office cash and running cost limits. [71123]

  Mr. Dewar
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate the cash limit for Class VIII, Vote 7 will be increased by £1,500,000 from £49,193,000 to £50,693,000. Within this total the running cost limit will be increased from £47,455,000 to £49,005,000. The Supplementary is required to meet the Department' s ongoing commitment to the Law and Order programme in Scotland and additional costs of preparatory work in holding criminal justice proceedings
  375
  in a third country (Lockerbie trial), additional costs relating to the Department's commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights initiatives. These additional costs will be met in the main from the Scottish Block though £400,000 is in respect of end year flexibility arrangements for capital and running costs as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the annual cost of reducing primary school class sizes to a maximum of 30 pupils for all children in primary schools; and if he will make a statement. [70354]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Based on the number of pupils in each school, as recorded in the September 1997 School Census, the estimated annual recurrent cost would be £26.1 million. This is the total cost of employing an additional teacher for each new class likely to be created. The figure assumes that the current general arrangements in place with respect to composite classes continue, but does not include an assessment of the additional capital costs of new classrooms. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Schools (Capital Investment)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of total capital investment in Scotland's schools for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [70355]

  Mrs. Liddell
  From returns made by local authorities to The Scottish Office, the estimated capital expenditure on schools in 1997–98 was £120.799 million and the forecast figure for 1998–99 is £166.881 million. Estimates for the later years are not collected centrally. However, following the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Government expect further additional expenditure by authorities on school buildings amounting to £185 million over the three years from April 1999. School Public/ Private Partnership projects with a capital value of almost £400 million are being supported in nine authorities. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Superquarry (Lingerbay)
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the conclusions of the Reporter to the public inquiry into the proposals for a superquarry at Lingerbay on the Isle of Harris; when he will make a decision; what assessment he has made of the costs of retaining the reporter since her retirement; and if he will make a statement. [70353]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Reporter expects to complete her report and recommendation for submission to my right hon. Friend by the end of March. Once the report has been received, every effort will be made to announce an early decision.

  The Reporter has, since her retirement in December 1996, received fees and expenses of some £51,000 in respect of her continuing work on the Lingerbay report.
  376
  From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  World Heritage Sites
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answers of 7 December 1998,Official Report, columns 31–32, on World Heritage sites, (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's consultation documents; [68839]

  (2) if he will list the organisations in Scotland which (a) were consulted and (b) responded; and if he will list whom at Scottish Natural Heritage was consulted. [68838]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have been asked to reply.

  Copies of the Consultation Paper were placed in the Library of the House on 21 August 1998. The information is not presently available in the form requested. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member shortly with a list of those organisations across the United Kingdom and overseas which were consulted and those which responded, and will place copies in the Library of the House. Responses will be made available for public inspection in due course.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will estimate the public expenditure costs for each of the next five decades of(a) SERPS and (b) the state second pension; [65014]

  (2) if he will list the projected public expenditure costs of (a) SERPS and (b) the state second pension over each of the next five decades. [65169]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 11 January 1999]: The information is in the table.

  The estimated gross public expenditure costs

  £ billion 1998–99 prices

  Year

  SERPS

  SSP

  Difference, net of income related benefit effects

  2010

  9.4

  9.0

  -0.4

  2020

  12.0

  11.9

  -0.3

  2030

  14.0

  15.6

  0.5

  2040

  14.0

  18.8

  2.5

  2050

  14.6

  25.1

  6.2

  Notes:

  1. This shows the net public expenditure effects of the difference between the costs of SERPS and Second State Pension (SSP), taking into account the effects of income related benefits.

  2. The SSP figures include all expenditure on State second-tier pensions, including SERPS pensions already in payment and pre-2002–03 SERPS accruals yet to come into payment.

  3. These figures exclude the effect of the introduction of stakeholder pensions, which is expected to lead to higher levels of contracting out.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of carers in each of the next five decades who will be credited in to the new state second pension. [64852]
  377
  Mr. Timms
  It is not possible to make a precise forecast of the numbers of carers who will qualify for credits into the new State Second Pension in each of the next five decades. For costing purposes, it has been assumed that around 2½ million carers each year will qualify for State Second Pension credits over the period concerned. This includes 2 million cases where Child Benefit is in payment for a child aged 5 and under.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number and proportion of workers who will qualify on grounds of low income for the new state second pension(a) at its inception and (b) at each 10 year interval for five decades after the scheme's introduction. [64940]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 11 January 1999]: At the scheme's inception, it has been assumed that around 20 per cent. of contributing employees (some 4 million) will be contracted in to the State Second Pension and have earnings below £9,000 a year in today's terms. This percentage may grow slightly over subsequent decades as real earnings increases bring proportionately more employees above the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance contributions.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate how many disabled people will qualify for credits for the second state pension in each of the next five decades. [64851]

  Mr. Timms
  It is not possible to make a precise forecast of the numbers of disabled people who will qualify for credits into the new State Second Pension in each of the next five decades. For costing purposes, it has been assumed that around 2 million disabled people each year will qualify for State Second Pension credits over the period concerned (with variations of up to 200 thousand in any single year).

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list over the next five decades the net impact on the employee National Insurance contribution rates following the introduction of State Second Pensions. [65170]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 11 January 1999]: The information is as follows:

  The estimated percentage employee National Insurance contribution rates for each of the next five decades following the introduction of the State Second Pension

  Year

  Current policy (SERPS)

  State Second Pension

  2010

  8.5

  8.5

  2020

  8.1

  8.3

  2030

  8.3

  8.7

  2040

  7.7

  8.3

  2050

  6.8

  7.9

  Notes:

  1. These figures exclude the effect of the introduction of stakeholder pensions, which is expected to lead to higher levels of contracting out.

  2. The current employee National Insurance contribution rate (not contracted out) is 8.95 per cent. (after excluding the NHS Allocation).

  378
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what principles will govern the annual indexation arrangements for the proposed State Second Pension once it has been implemented. [70597]

  Mr. Timms
  As explained in the Green Paper on pensions "Partnership in Pensions" the new thresholds of £9,000 and £18,500 for the State Second Pension, on which we are consulting, will be uprated in line with average earnings.

  Payments of the State Second Pension will be uprated in line with prices, as the Additional Pension earned from the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme is currently.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the value of the total income from basic state pension and stakeholder pensions relative to the value of the minimum pension guarantee of someone earning £10,000 per annum through their working life assuming (i) price indexation of the minimum pension guarantee and (ii) earnings indexation of the minimum pension guarantees, and, in each case, that the only sums paid into the stakeholder pension were National Insurance rebates. [70626]

  Mr. Timms
  The State Second Pension is designed to ensure that any person earning above the National Insurance Lower Earnings Limit, or caring, for a 49 year working life will have an income in excess of the Minimum Income Guarantee level.

  A person who earns £10,000 per annum in 1998 earnings terms throughout their working life would, on the basis of having paid only their National Insurance rebates into a stakeholder pension scheme, receive a total income from the basic State Pension and stakeholder pension of £83 per week (in 1998 earnings terms). This represents 110 per cent. of the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) level where the MIG is raised in line with earnings. If the MIG were raised in line with prices, this sum would be 240 per cent. of the MIG level. As explained in the Green Paper "Partnership in Pensions", the structure of contracting out rebates will be reviewed in light of stakeholder pension schemes.

  Notes:

  1. It has been assumed, in line with normal Government Actuary's Department (GAD) assumptions for calculating the contracted out rebates, that the amount received from a rebate-only stakeholder pension would be equal to the amount received from the State Second Pension. If the rate of return was higher than that normally assumed by GAD (ie, 4 per cent. above price inflation), the amount received would increase.

  2. The hypothetical individual in this example is assumed to begin work at 16 years old in 2002 and work for 49 years until retirement.

  3. Only National Insurance rebates are paid into the stakeholder pension scheme.

  4. Real earnings growth is assumed to be 1.5 per cent.

  5. Figures are rounded to the nearest pound.

  6. Percentages are rounded to the nearest 5 per cent.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what definition of average earnings will be used with respect to the commitment to uprate the minimum income guarantee in line with average earnings. [67759]
  379
  Mr. Timms
  The Minimum Income Guarantee will be increased year by year as resources allow. Our aim is that over the longer term, it should rise in line with earnings so that all pensioners can share in the rising prosperity of the nation. To do this we intend to monitor the movement on average earnings across the whole economy.

  Pensioners (Age Addition)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much it would have been possible to increase the age addition for pensioners aged over 80 years, taking account of savings in means-tested benefits and higher income tax revenues, if the £2.5 billion allocated to the pensioner income guarantee had instead all been allocated to this purpose. [68861]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: The £2.5 billion package of measures to tackle pensioner poverty over the next three years includes provision for the Minimum Income Guarantee and Winter Fuel Payments as well as free eye tests for the over 60s and concessionary travel. We have assumed expenditure of about £0.8 billion a year.

  A net increase in expenditure of £0.8 billion on the age addition in 1999–2000 would result in an estimated weekly increase of about £11.90.

  Men aged 54 at 5 April 1996

  Percentage

  Employed earners only Reckonable earnings from class 1 NICs during 1995–96

  Number of years worked

  Nil

  £1–£4,575

  £4,576 £9,151

  £9,152–£13,727

  £13,728 £18,303

  £18,304 and over

  0–5

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6–10

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11–15

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  16–20

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  21–25

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  26–30

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30 or more

  10

  2

  3

  8

  9

  15

  Total

  34

  3

  4

  8

  9

  16

  Women aged 54 at 5 April 1996

  Percentage

  Number of years worked

  All employed or self-employed

  Self-employed at any time

  Employed earners only

  0–5

  14

  —

  14

  6–10

  11

  —

  11

  11–15

  10

  1

  9

  16–20

  12

  1

  11

  21–25

  14

  1

  13

  26–30

  17

  1

  16

  30 or more

  22

  1

  20

  Total

  100

  5

  95

  Women aged 54 at 5 April 1996

  Percentage

  Employed earners only Reckonable earnings from class 1 NICs during 1995–96

  Number of years worked

  Nil

  £l-£4,575

  £4,576-£9,151

  £9,152-£l 3,727

  £13,728-£18,303

  £18,304 and over

  0–5

  14

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6–10

  11

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11–15

  7

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  16–20

  7

  2

  1

  1

  —

  —

  380

  Work Profiles
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of people have worked for(a) 0 to five years, (b) six to 10 years, (c) 11 to 15 years,(d) 16 to 20 years, (e) 21 to 25 years, (f) 26 to 30 years and (g) 30 years or more of their working life; and if these data can be presented for (i) (1) men and (2) women and (ii) those in each income quintile. [68635]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

  Men aged 54 at 5 April 1996

  Percentage

  Number of years worked

  All employed or self-employed

  Self-employed at any time

  Employed earners only

  0–5

  10

  —

  10

  6–10

  4

  —

  4

  11–15

  4

  1

  3

  16–20

  4

  1

  3

  21–25

  5

  1

  3

  26–30

  6

  2

  4

  30 or more

  66

  20

  48

  Total

  100

  26

  74

  381

  Women aged 54 at 5 April 1996

  Percentage

  Employed earners only Reckonable earnings from class 1 NICs during 1995–96

  Number of years worked

  Nil

  £l–£4,575

  £4,576–19,151

  £9,152–£13,727

  £13,728–£18,303

  £18,304 and over

  21–25

  6

  2

  2

  1

  —

  —

  26–30

  6

  3

  4

  2

  1

  1

  30 or more

  6

  3

  4

  4

  2

  2

  Total

  57

  10

  13

  8

  4

  3

  Notes:

  1. The answer is based on those aged 54 years old at 5 April 1996. This is the only age group at present on which full annual details of their National Insurance (NI) record is known, since the commencement of their working life i.e. aged 16 during the 1957/58 tax year.

  2. Those shown in the tables are those who have had earnings from employment or self-employment and paid National Insurance Contributions (NICs) during a tax year. It does not therefore contain details of anyone who may have had earnings below the weekly lower earnings limit for NICs in any one tax year or other source of income.

  3. It self-employed NICs have been paid in any tax year then details of the number of years worked, self-employed or employed, have been shown in the self-employed at any one time column.

  4. Those who have had employed earnings and paid NICs during their working life to date have been shown in each earnings quintile by the amount of earnings on which NI has been paid during the tax year 1995–96. The upper earnings limit for 1995–6 was £22,880.

  5. Percentages have been calculated as percentages of all 54 year olds which are held on the LLMDB. This may include some people who do not now reside in Great Britain although at some point in their working life have paid into the National Insurance system.

  6. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

  7. "—" denotes less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  Lifetime Labour Market Database (LLMDB) which contains a 1 per cent. sample of the National Insurance Recording System (NIRS) taken at February 1997.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list the groups of disabled people which will automatically be exempted from the new system of periodically reviewing awards of disability living allowance; [69224]

  (2) if the proposed system of periodically reviewing awards of disability living allowance announced on 28 January will include the safeguards announced on 9 February 1998 in respect of the Benefit Integrity Project. [69220]

  Mr. Bayley
  From April 1999 a new system of periodically reviewing entitlement to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will be introduced. We intend to incorporate the lessons already learned and to evaluate and refine the process as it develops. At the outset not only will DLA recipients whose cases were examined by the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) be excluded from the process but also people in any one of the specific categories previously excluded from the action of the BIP which are listed below.

  Groups to be excluded at the outset:

  1. People receiving the higher rate of the DLA mobility component and either the highest or the middle rate of the DLA care component who are:

  Paraplegic

  Tetraplegic

  Quadriplegic

  Both deaf and blind

  Double amputees

  Severely Mentally Impaired1

  Over the age of 65, or

  With an award made prior to April 1992

  2. People receiving the higher rate of the DLA mobility component and the highest rate of the DLA care component with:

  Cystic Fibrosis

  Dementia

  Haemodialysis

  382

  Hyperkinetic Syndrome

  Learning difficulty1

  Multiple Allergy Syndrome

  Multiple Sclerosis

  Motor Neurone Disease

  Neurological Disease (including Muscular Dystrophy)

  Parkinson's Disease

  Total Parenteral Nutrition, or

  Who are terminally ill1

  3. People with a fixed period award due to end within the next three years will also be excluded. Safeguards developed and introduced during the lifetime of the BIP will be carried forward into the new process. This will include the changes in evidence gathering introduced on 9 February 1998; which ensured that no decision to reduce or remove entitlement to DLA is based solely on the information provided by the claimant.

  1 This category applies only to certain people within these broad definitions.

  Minimum Wage
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the effect of the introduction of the minimum wage on the average gross weekly earnings of disability working allowance claimants. [69751]

  Mr. Bayley
  The average gross weekly earnings of Disability Working Allowance recipients will increase from £99 to £106.60 in 1999–2000 prices.

  Notes:

  1. Around 1.25 per cent. of DWA recipients will float off the benefit on payment of the minimum wage, and have been excluded in deriving the second figure.

  2. Unsuccessful claimants will remain as such on payment of a minimum wage.

  3. Analysis allows that partner's earnings may also increase on payment of minimum wage.

  4. Analysis based on 100 per cent. count of DWA recipients.

  Source:

  Disability Working Allowance Statistics Quarterly Inquiry, July 1998.
  383
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the effect of the introduction of the minimum wage on the average gross weekly earnings of the main earners in families in receipt of family credit. [69749]

  Angela Eagle
  Average gross weekly earnings of main earners in families in receipt of Family Credit are estimated to increase from £121 to £129 at 1999–2000 prices.

  Notes:

  Around 3 per cent. of Family Credit (FC) recipients are estimated to float off benefit after the introduction of the minimum wage. These have been excluded in deriving the second figure.

  Status of disability working allowance (DWA) recipients after payment of minimum wage for 1999–2000

  Earnings

  Group

  All

  Under £40

  £40 to £79.99

  £80 to £119.99

  £120 to £159.99

  All

  19,300

  530

  6,070

  5,130

  4,370

  Earnings above Minimum Wage

  10,840

  500

  2,190

  2,990

  2,350

  Gain from Minimum Wage, Same DWA

  2,170

  10

  2,130

  20

  *

  Gain from Minimum Wage, Less DWA

  6,050

  30

  1,720

  2,070

  1,940

  Gain from Minimum Wage, Float off DWA

  240

  *

  30

  50

  70

  Earnings

  Group

  £160 to £199.99

  £200 to £249.99

  £250 to £299.99

  £300 and over

  All

  1,900

  890

  300

  90

  Earnings above Minimum Wage

  1,660

  80

  260

  90

  Gain from Minimum Wage, Same DWA

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Gain from Minimum Wage, less DWA

  200

  60

  20

  *

  Gain from Minimum Wage, Float off DWA

  40

  30

  10

  *

  Notes:

  1. Figures may not add up due to rounding, and will not be accurate to nearest 10

  2. "*" represents a figure less than 5

  3. No benefit unit with a Disability Working Allowance (DWA) recipient will be worse off after the introduction of the minimum wage and those with higher earnings will have higher total income

  4. This is the first time the aggregate population figure has been used in the public domain, and is consistent with the Pre-Budget Report

  5. Unsuccessful claimants will remain as such on payment of minimum wage

  6. Analysis allows that partner's earnings may also increase on payment of minimum wage

  7. Some self-employed DWA recipients report no earnings, and it is assumed this practice will be unaffected by the introduction of the minimum wage

  8. Analysis based on a 100 per cent. count of DWA recipients

  Source:

  Disability Working Allowance Statistics Quarterly Inquiry, July 1998

  Family Credit
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has commissioned on the financial effect on families of the additional family credit benefits paid to those who work 30 hours or more. [69850]

  Angela Eagle
  There has been no research commissioned specifically to examine the financial impact of the 30 hour credit on couple family finances. However, starting in 1991 the Department has carried out a series of surveys as part of the Programme of Research into Low Income Families (PRILIF).

  The first survey, in 1991, included couple and lone parent families. Since that time the focus has been on lone parents. One of the key objectives of this research has been to explore the impact of Family Credit on lone parent family finances in relation to work. The report "Lone Parents on the Margins of Work", published in the
  384
  Estimates based on a 5 per cent. sample of FC recipients and the 1995–6 Family Resources Survey uprated to 1999–2000 prices.

  Estimates assume no restoration of earnings differentials above the minimum wage and no employment effects.

  Analysis shows that partners earnings may also increase on introduction of the minimum wage.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the effect of the introduction of the minimum wage on the number of disability working allowance claimants with gross weekly earnings of(a) under £40, (b) £40 to £79.99, (c) £80 to £119.99, (d) £120 to £159.99, (e) £160 to £199.99, (f) £200 to £249.99, (g) £250 to £300 and (h) £300 and over. [69752]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Department's Research Series in 1998, used data from the 1994 survey of lone parents' to make a preliminary estimate of the likely impact of the 30 hour credit on incentives to work among lone parents.
  1These data were collected prior to the introduction of the 30 hour credit in Family Credit.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average family credit award in 1997–98 in the Portsmouth area. [69687]

  Angela Eagle
  A complete set of data for the whole of 1997–1998 will not be available until April 1999. The latest information is for August 1998 at which time the average award of Family Credit in the Portsmouth Local Authority District was £59.80 per week.

  Note:

  Figure is based on a 5 per cent. sample of all Family Credit awards and as such is subject to a degree of sampling error.

  Source:

  Family Credit Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 1998.
  385

  Public Consultations
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish his Department's collation and assessment of responses to each of the Government's public consultations. [69770]

  Mr. Timms
  Lists of those organisations and academics who responded to our consultation papers, excluding those who requested confidentiality, have been placed in the House Libraries. Copies of their responses are available on request from the Department.

  Responses are assessed as individual policy areas are developed and announcements made.

  Minimum Pension Guarantee
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost to public funds of increasing the basic state pension to the level of the minimum pension guarantee. [70256]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer my hon. Friend the then Minister of State, Department of Social Security gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 18 November 1998,Official Report, columns 624–25.

  Widows' Pensions
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes there will be to widows' pensions after 2000 resulting from legislation enacted prior to 1 May 1997. [70326]

  Mr. Timms
  As a result of legislation enacted prior to 1 May 1997, the amount of SERPS which a widow can inherit from her late husband is being reduced from 100 per cent. to 50 per cent. for a woman widowed on or after 6 April 2000. Widows already receiving inherited SERPS will not be affected.

  This change was part of a package of SERPS reforms introduced by the Social Security Act 1986. Other changes included a phased reduction in the rate at which SERPS pensions build up, from 25 per cent. of reckonable earnings to 20 per cent., and the ending of the "best 20 years" provision.

  Housing Benefit
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about allegations concerning the claiming of UK housing benefit by non-EU citizens residing in EU member states; and if he will make a statement. [70426]

  Angela Eagle
  We have received no representations. Housing Benefit is available to help people living in Great Britain meet the rent liability on the dwelling they occupy as their home, provided they satisfy the other conditions of entitlement for that benefit.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of people in families with someone in full-time work receiving amounts of housing benefit of less than(a) £10 per week, (b) £15 per week, and (c) £20 per week. [70627]
  386
  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  The number of people in families in Great Britain in receipt of housing benefit but not Income Support nor income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and where either the claimant or partner has earnings

  Housing Benefit (per week)

  Number1

  Less than £10

  89,000

  Less than £15

  165,000

  Less than £20

  242,000

  1 Number rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Notes:

  1. It has been assumed that families means lone parents or couples with dependant children.

  2. Information on the number of hours worked is not collected, so it is not possible to distinguish between full-time and part-time work.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiry without Income Support, taken at the end of May 1997.

  National Insurance
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the additional income to public funds if(a) class 2 contributions and (b) class 4 contributions were levied at the same rate as class 1 contributions. [70427]

  Mr. Timms
  If the self-employed contributed at the combined employee and employer Class 1 rate, the estimated additional contribution revenue would be £5.1 billion for the year 1999–2000.

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons made national insurance(a) class 2 contributions and (b) class 4 contributions in each of the last five fiscal years. [70429]

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

  Million

  Fiscal year

  Class 2 contributors1,3

  Class 4 contributors2,3

  1991–92

  2.4

  2.1

  1992–93

  2.3

  2.0

  1993–94

  2.4

  2.0

  1994–95

  2.4

  2.0

  1995–96

  2.3

  2.0

  1996–97

  —

  1.9

  1 Figures for the number of people paying Class 2 contributions are taken from the Lifetime Labour Market database which contains a 1 per cent, sample of the National Insurance Recording System taken at February 1997. Information about the total number of Class 2 contributors is not yet available for 1996–97.

  2 The figures for Class 4 contributors are based on estimates derived from an analysis of income reported to the Inland Revenue. The information is based on samples of around 25,000 self-employed individuals for each year.

  3 Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of allowing national insurance class 4 contributors to be entitled to(a) Incapacity Benefit and (b) retirement pension. [70433]
  387
  Mr. Timms
  Class 4 National Insurance contributions are payable in addition to Class 2 contributions on profits from self-employment above a certain level. The self-employed can already qualify for Incapacity Benefit and basic State Retirement Pension through payment of Class 2 contributions.

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the total receipts from(a) class 2 contributions and (b) class 4 contributions in each of the last five fiscal years expressed (i) in cash terms and (ii) at September 1998 prices. [70428]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Total receipts of class 2 and class 4 national insurance contributions

  GB £ million

  Cash terms

  September 1998 prices

  Year

  Class 2

  Class 4

  Class 2

  Class 4

  1993–94

  652

  749

  757

  870

  1994–95

  663

  764

  749

  863

  1995–96

  681

  803

  746

  879

  1996–97

  711

  900

  761

  962

  1997–98

  720

  977

  745

  1,011

  Self-employed Persons
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many self-employed persons had earnings of(a) less than £9,000, (b) £9,000 to £12,000,(c) £12,000 to £15,000, (d) £15,000 to £18,000 and (e) over £18,000, in the last year for which figures are available. [70431]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Earnings(£)

  Number of self-employed persons

  Less than 9,000

  1,490,000

  9,000 to 12,000

  390,000

  12,000 to 15,000

  310,000

  15,000 to 18,000

  290,000

  Over 18,000

  730,000

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non response.

  2. The earnings of a person who was self employed in a job/business were calculated from respondents' answers to questions on either their monthly withdrawals from bank/building society accounts for non-business purposes, or their own estimate of monthly income from their job/business.

  3. Total earnings are based on the earnings of people who were self-employed in their main job, plus earnings that they might have had from any second or third jobs in which they could have been either self-employed or employees.

  4. Data on the number of self-employed persons are rounded to the nearest ten thousand.

  Source:

  1996–97 Family Resources Survey (GB), which is the latest year for which data are available.

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on changes in the(a) cash limits and (b) running costs of his Department for 1998–99. [71249]
  388
  Mr. Timms
  Subject to the Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate the cash limit for Class XII Vote 3 will be increased by £71,694,000 from £1,972,331,000 to £2,044,025,000.

  The Estimate takes account of increased requirements of £12,700,000 (running costs) for the administration costs associated with the Winter Fuel payments, £12,000,000 (running costs) towards the cost of the new payment card system, £175,000,000 (running costs) under the end year flexibility scheme as announced by my right hon. Friend, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36 and an increase of £4,078,000 (capital) under the capital end year flexibility scheme.

  Other changes result from a reduction of £6,798,000 (running costs) arising from the recalculation of JSA implementation costs offset by a corresponding increase on Class IX, Vote 3 (Education and Employment), a reduction of £ 102,000 (running costs) towards the cost of the National Childcare Strategy, offset by a corresponding increase on Class IX, Vote 1 (Education and Employment), a reduction of £415,000 (running costs) which represents an aggregate of a number of small transfers offset by a corresponding increase on Class VII, Vote 1 (Lord Chancellor's and Law Officers' Departments), an increase of £1,191,000 (running costs) offset by a corresponding reduction on Class XI, Vote 1, Class XIII, Vote 4 and Class XIV, Vote 4, a reduction of £310,000 (running costs) for costs relating to Decision Making and Appeals offset by a corresponding increase on Class IX Vote 3 (Education and Employment), an increase of £1,455,000 (running costs) in connection with the cost implication for DSS of the Scotland Bill offset by a corresponding reduction on Class XIII, Vote 6 (Scottish Office Administration), a reduction of £60,000 (running costs) for the expenses of the Student Grant Unit offset by a corresponding increase on Class XI, Vote 1 (Department of Health) and an increase of £334,000 (capital) as a result of a transfer from Class V, Vote 1 (Trade and Industry and Export Credit Guarantee Department). Further transfers arise from an increase in running cost cover of £196,000 for services provided to Department of Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland), £200,000 for expenses associated with the provision of legal services provided to Department of Health and £179,000 for services provided to other Government Departments. There is also a reduction of £1,900,000 (running costs) arising from the Machinery of Government change to transfer responsibility for the Women's Unit to Cabinet Office (Class XVII, Vote 1).

  There is an increase of £60,765,000 in running costs to take account of the reclassification of VAT refunds on contracted out services and an increase of £451,000 in the running cost limit due to a shortfall in running cost related receipts. Also an increase of £11,168,000 resulting from the virement from capital expenditure to running costs. Cash Limit changes of £190,195,000 arise from an increase in appropriations in aid and a change to the net running cost controlled area of the Vote.

  Changes in the Welfare to Work running cost provision arise from a reduction of £70,000 for costs associated with the Lone Parent project team costs offset by a corresponding increase on Class IX, Vote 1 (Education and Employment), an increase of £1,133,000 in the administrative costs associated with measures to help people with a disability or long term illness move into or

  389
  remain in work and a requirement of £413,000 for the costs relating to the programme for partners of the unemployed.

  As a result of these changes the running cost limit of this Department (within the Control Total) will be increased by £204,955,000 from £2,975,679,000 to £3,180,634,000 and the running cost limit for the Welfare to Work programme (outside the Control Total) will be increased by £1,476,000 from £27,620,000 to £29,096,000.

  The cash limit on Class XII, Vote 1 has been reduced by £10,350,000 from £22,200,000 to £11,850,000 as a result of a transfer of resources to Class IX, Vote 3 (Education and Employment) for costs associated with the Welfare to Work initiative for Lone Parents.

  Increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of Public Expenditure.

WALES

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what parts of the Representation of the People Acts will apply to the Welsh Assembly elections for the purpose of broadcasting in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [66181]

  Mr. Michael
  We propose to apply in the Assembly Elections Procedure Order provisions equivalent to those in section 92 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 which regulates broadcasting from outside the United Kingdom designed to influence voters in an election campaign.

  We have consulted the political parties and broadcasters about including in the Order provisions equivalent to those in section 93 of the 1983 Act and have concluded that it is impracticable in the context of party list elections to apply that section. Broadcasters will therefore simply be bound to fulfil the normal requirements of fair and balanced coverage in reporting particular constituency or regional contests. The broadcasters have been working on new guidelines to cover the circumstances of the coming elections and all have agreed to respect those guidelines. The Government intend to review the situation after the elections in the light of experience during the campaign.

  Section 93 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 lays down restrictions on broadcasting items about constituency campaigns during parliamentary elections; a broadcast focusing on a constituency may be vetoed by any candidate contesting that constituency. The original purpose of section 93 was to try to ensure equal treatment to candidates in the same electoral area. The broadcasters believe that section 93 is outdated (from a time when there were usually no more than 2 or 3 candidates per constituency) and inhibits their ability to provide meaningful coverage at election times. In an Assembly election, the section 93 provisions would enable any one of the list candidates in an electoral region to veto a broadcast about the campaign in that region.
  390
  Section 93 was not applied for the elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly. When we consulted on the draft Elections Procedure Order in October, we drew specific attention to the fact that we were proposing not to apply section 93 and invited comments. Only one political party responded, expressing mild concern but not outright opposition. The only other respondents were the broadcasters who were wholeheartedly in favour of non-application.

  Caesarean Section Live Birth
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, for each of the last 10 years, the percentage of live births delivered by caesarean section within each health authority in Wales. [67672]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  [holding answer 28 January 1999]: The following table shows, for each Health Authority and for Wales as a whole, the percentages of caesarean sections performed for those hospitals within the Health Authority which perform caesareans. Home births, births to Welsh residents outside Wales and births at other hospitals where caesareans are not undertaken are not included in the denominator. An additional Welsh total is given which shows caesarean sections performed in hospitals in Wales as a percentage of all live births to residents of Wales. Reliable data are not available for years prior to 1993.

  Per cent. of births delivered by caesarean section

  Health authority

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Gwent1

  14.9

  16.8

  17.7

  18.2

  20.5

  Bro Taf1

  17.5

  16.4

  17.6

  19.1

  20.0

  Dyfed Powys1

  14.9

  15.1

  15.1

  16.2

  17.1

  North Wales1

  17.9

  19.7

  18.5

  18.7

  17.7

  Morgannwg1

  13.6

  14.3

  15.5

  17.3

  18.1

  Wales1

  16.0

  16.6

  17.1

  18.1

  18.9

  Wales2

  15.1

  15.8

  16.2

  17.4

  18.1

  1Caesarean sections performed in hospitals which perform caesarean sections as a percentage of births that took place within those hospitals

  2Caesarean sections performed in hospitals in Wales as a percentage of live births to residents of Wales

  Sources:

  All Wales Perinatal Survey and Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy

  Office for National Statistics (live births to residents of Wales)

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

  Hip Replacement Operations
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hip replacement operations were performed in Wales in 1998; and if he will make a statement. [69536]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Data for 1998 are not yet complete. There were 1,925 primary hip replacements performed in Wales in 1997.

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

  Supernurses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on supernurses. [69546]
  391
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Prime Minister has asked the Secretary of State for Health to consider, in conjunction with the nursing profession, the introduction of nurse consultants. The Welsh Office are involved with the Department of Health and the profession in developing detailed proposals.

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

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to fund by levy the Food Standards Agency from chain stores or stores of over 10,000 square feet; and if he will make a statement. [69535]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Government's proposals for a levy scheme to fund the costs of the Food Standards Agency, including details of which premises would be required to pay, were published for consultation on 27 January. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

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

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the proportion of his Department's current budget which will be transferred to the Food Standards Agency under the proposed Food Standards Bill. [69591]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Current expenditure by the Welsh Office in relation to food safety (excluding that included in the local government revenue settlement) amounts to around £0.5 million per annum.

  Following the transfer of powers, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Cataract Operations
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cataract operations were carried out in 1998 in north-east Wales; and if he will make a statement. [69541]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Data for 1998 are not yet complete. There were 2,833 cataract operations performed in hospitals situated in north-east Wales (Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham Unitary Authorities) during 1997.

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

  Trainee Nurses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many trainee nurses there are in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [69548]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  There were 2,346 people training as nurses in Wales at 30 November 1998 of which 663 are due to qualify in 1999. In addition a further 999 students will begin nurse training in 1999.

  Student nurse numbers currently meet NHS Trusts' requirements for newly qualified recruits as identified in the Annual Workforce Plans. There are no recruitment problems to nurse training courses in Wales.
  392
  Following the transfer of powers, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Radioactive Discharges (Sellafield)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the potential risks to the Welsh coast from(a) radioactive discharges from Sellafield and (b) the transport of nuclear materials to and from Sellafield through the Irish Sea. [69602]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food monitors a range of food, sediment and biota samples, on behalf of my right hon. Friend, to assess radiation levels and the radiological dose to those sections of the population most exposed on account of their diet or lifestyle. The Environment Agency also carries out monitoring of the radiation levels to assess public exposure from non-food pathways. MAFF and the Agency both publish annual reports on these monitoring programmes.

  Government-funded research projects, during the past eight years, have assessed the effects of sea-spray aerosol in North Wales and of exposure to artificial radionuclides on marshland in the Dee Estuary. In addition, my right hon. Friend is currently funding the development of a mobile gamma radiation monitor in North Wales.

  The International Maritime Organisation's "Code for the Safe Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Flasks on board Ships" requires that vessels used to transport nuclear material have high standards of safety. This serves to protect any coastal areas past which they might sail. While on board ship, nuclear material is contained in packages which have been approved by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions as meeting relevant national and international regulations.

  Monitoring results confirm that radiation levels on the Welsh coast are a very small fraction of the exposure limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

  In future, the monitoring of radiation and assessment of dose levels will be matters for the National Assembly. The regulation of movements by sea will not be transferred to the Assembly.

  Welsh Assembly (Food Standards Legislation)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if under the proposed food standards legislation, the Welsh Assembly will have the powers to ban(a) irradiated foodstuffs and (b) food using genetically modified organisms from sale in Wales. [69592]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Welsh Assembly will have powers over food safety in Wales and will therefore have powers to make and amend secondary legislation relating to irradiated and genetically modified food. The Assembly's actions in respect of food safety will be subject to any obligations imposed upon the UK by EC legislation.
  393

  Acheson Report
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations of the report of the independent inquiry under Sir Donald Acheson into inequalities in health. [69589]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The recommendations are being considered as part of the Government's health strategy for England, on which a White Paper will be published soon. Although the report focused on inequalities in England, I am also considering the relevance of the recommendations to the public health strategy for Wales.

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

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the working conditions of the Ambulance Service in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [69534]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The working conditions for the ambulance services in Wales are a matter for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust. The Trust has recently completed a review of its estate and is consulting trade unions on a package to standardise the pay and conditions of service for staff across Wales. In addition, the Trust is developing a programme for replacing uniforms for all operational staff and has a vehicle replacement programme in place.

  Following the transfer of powers, overall responsibility for the Health Service will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list(a) the names of the special advisers in his Department and (b) the issues in which they specialise; and if he will set out the level to which they have been security cleared. [70045]

  Mr. Michael
  The two Special Advisers within my Department are Gareth Williams and Julie Crowley. They advise me on the full range of issues for which I am responsible. They have been subject to the usual security clearance arrangements.

  Public Consultations
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish his Department's collation and assessment of responses to each of the Government's public consultations. [69771]

  Mr. Michael
  My Department routinely publishes its collation and assessment of responses to public consultations where it is appropriate to do so across a wide range of responsibilities.

  ME
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the specialist units which provide services to chronic fatigue syndrome/ME patients in Wales. [70165]
  394
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  All district general hospitals will provide specialist secondary care assessment of such cases as recommended by the Report of the Joint Working Group of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Psychiatrists and General Practitioners in October 1996. Wales also has one tertiary clinic in the University of Wales which will accept referrals for specific cases.

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

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general practitioners were registered in Wales on 1 October 1998. [70058]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The latest available data relate to I October 1997 at which time there were 1,874 general medical practitioners in Wales, of which 1,753 were unrestricted principals. Data relating to 1 October 1998 will be available in the spring of this year and will be published by the NHS Executive in 'General Medical Services Statistics', a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

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

  Private Patients
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many private patients received non-urgent treatment in NHS hospitals in Wales in(a) the last six weeks, (b) the last three months and (c) the last six months. [69677]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Information on the number of private patients who were admitted, as in-patients or day cases, for non-urgent treatment in NHS hospitals in Wales is given in the following table:

  Number

  6 weeks to 31 December 1998

  380

  3 months to 31 December 1998

  919

  6 months to 31 December 1998

  1,720

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

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the advisory 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. [69939]

  Mr. Michael
  (a) The Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) publishes the minutes of its AGM. The Environment Agency Advisory Committee for Wales (EAACW) produces a summary of main issues in its Annual Report. The Welsh Committee for Professional Development of Pharmacy (WCPDP); the Welsh Dental Committee (WDC); the Welsh Medical Committee (WMC); the Welsh Nursing and Midwifery Committee (WNMC); the Welsh Optical Committee (WOC); the Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee (WPC); and the Welsh

  395
  Scientific Advisory Committee (WSAC) provide extracts from any minutes on request, plan to publish minutes in a newsletter and are investigating the use of a website. In addition the Social Services Inspectorate for Wales: Inspection Advisory Group (SSIW:AIG) is currently considering how best to make its minutes publicly available. This is not a statutory requirement;

  (b) LGBC and the Library and Information Services Council (Wales) (LISC(W)) both publish the agendas of their AGMs. This is not a statutory requirement;

  (c) all have, or are in the process of introducing, a Code of Practice for Board members, which requires the NDPB to maintain a register of members' interests which is open to the public. This is not a statutory requirement.

  Following the transfer of powers, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [69915]

  Mr. Michael
  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation (CBDC); the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW); the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC); the Further Education Funding Council for Wales (FEFCW); the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW); the Wales Tourist Board (WTB); the Welsh Development Agency (WDA); the Welsh Language Board (WLB); the Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (WNB): and the agricultural wages committees all have a statutory base. All other executive NDPBs have been established by Royal Charter or Royal Warrant.

  The Arts Council of Wales; CBDC; CCW; the Sports Council for Wales; WTB; WLB; and the agricultural wages committees are all open to the scrutiny of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (PCA). The Government of Wales Act establishes a new office of Welsh Administration Ombudsman whose jurisdiction will include all the bodies listed above other than the agricultural wages committees who will continue to be subject to the PCA's jurisdiction unless and until the Assembly decides otherwise and a transfer is effected by order. The Act also allows for the National Assembly to add more bodies to the list of those who will be within the Welsh Ombudsman's jurisdiction.

  Following the transfer of powers, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [69988]

  Mr. Michael
  (a) The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW); Welsh Language Board (WLB); the Sports Council for Wales (SCW); the Welsh Development Agency (WDA); and the Welsh National Board for
  396
  Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (WNB) admit the public to all Board meetings. This is not a statutory requirement.

  (b) All except the agricultural wages committees hold, or are making arrangements to hold, meetings with the public, press and customers. This is not a statutory requirement.

  (c) The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC); ACW; Cardiff Bay Development Corporation (CBDC); the Further Education Funding Council for Wales (FEFCW); the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW); the National Museums and Galleries of Wales (NMGW); SCW; WDA; and WNB. This is a statutory requirement for ACCAC, FEFCW, HEFCW, and the WDA; for the NMGW it is a requirement of its Royal Charter.

  (d) All except the agricultural wages committees have an appeal or complaints procedure in place. It is not a statutory requirement.

  It is now policy to encourage such bodies in Wales to be as open as possible in their work and to bear in mind that following the transfer of powers, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [69957]

  Mr. Michael
  (a) The Arts Council of Wales (ACW); Cardiff Bay Development Corporation (CBDC); the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW); the Further Education Funding Council for Wales (FEFCW); the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW); the National Museums and Galleries of Wales (NMGW); the Sports Council for Wales (SCW); the Wales Tourist Board (WTB); the Welsh Language Board (WLB); and the Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (WNB) all publish minutes or summary reports which are made available in a number of ways, for example, through newsletters, websites or press releases. The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC) and the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) have plans to issue summary reports in the near future. The publication of minutes is not a statutory requirement.

  (b)ACW; CCW; National Library of Wales (NLW); SCW; WLB; and WNB. Publication of the agendas and documents is not a statutory requirement.

  (c)All executive NDPBs have a Code of Practice for Board members, which includes the requirement to maintain a register of members' interests which is open to the public. This is not a statutory requirement.

  Following the transfer of powers, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Welsh Office(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold

  397
  public meetings and (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69970]

  Mr. Michael
  (a) There is no statutory requirement for any of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Welsh Office to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and I am advised that none of them do so.

  (b)The Library and Information Services Council (Wales) (LISC(W)) and the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) already hold public meetings. The Welsh Committee for Professional Development of Pharmacy (WCPDP): the Welsh Dental Committee (WDC); the Welsh Medical Committee (WMC); the Welsh Nursing and Midwifery Committee (WNMC); the Welsh Optical Committee (WOC): the Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee (WPC); and the Welsh Scientific Advisory Committee (WSAC) plan to hold an AGM from 1999 onwards. This is not a statutory requirement.

  (c)The Environment Agency Advisory Committee for Wales (EAACW) and the Social Services Inspectorate for Wales: Inspection Advisory Group (SSIW:IAG). This is not a statutory requirement.

  Following the transfer of powers, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Welsh Police Forces (Funding)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent consultations there have been with the Welsh Local Government Association with regard to the funding of Welsh police forces for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [70607]

  Mr. Michael
  The Welsh Local Government Association does not represent police authorities in Wales, consultation on the funding of police forces in England and Wales is a matter between the Home Office and the Association of Police Authorities, but I have recently responded positively to points raised by Welsh Police Authorities about technical calculations on the Welsh Office contribution to their financing.

  Standard Spending Assessment
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what agreement was reached with the Welsh Local Government Association via the Consultative Council on the standard spending assessment formula for 1998–99 and 1999–2000; [70606]

  (2) when he agreed with the Welsh Local Government Association not to update the standard spending assessment formula for 1999–2000; what consultations were entered into prior to such agreement; and if he will make a statement. [70605]

  Mr. Michael
  At a meeting of the Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government Finance on 27 October 1997 the Association agreed the SSA formula for 1998–99 and agreed that it would be rolled forward for 1999–2000 other than to reflect data changes. Accordingly the formula for 1999–2000, which was agreed at the Consultative Council on 13 November 1998, has remained unchanged other than to take account of data changes. I have commissioned an 398
  independent review of the formula in conjunction with the WLGA and following the transfer of powers, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent consultations there have been with the Welsh Local Government Association with regard to standard spending assessment. [70608]

  Mr. Michael
  There is regular contract between my officials and the WLGA on issues regarding local government finance in Wales. I met the Association's representatives in the Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government Finance on 15 December 1998, as part of the statutory consultation on the provisional local government revenue settlement.

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

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes are proposed in the allocation of the capital charges element of standard spending assessment between local government and the police authorities in Wales for 1999–2000. [70609]

  Mr. Michael
  I have revised the methodology for calculating capital charges following representations made by Police Authorities in Wales when it became clear that the application of a common formula had resulted in a disproportionate and unintended impact on the Welsh Office share of police finances. As a result of the changes:the formula now ignores interest receipts in the capital charges model for both police authorities and local authorities in Wales;
  for the police, the allowance for Capital Expenditure from the Revenue Account (CERA) has been removed. CERA was removed for councils in 1998–99, and this change means that both tiers are being treated equally;
  for the police, the assumption about repayment of loan debt principle has been reduced from 7 per cent. to 4 per cent. for 1999–2000. Again this means that both tiers are being treated equally.

  Local Government Finance Settlement 1999–2000
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received from the leader of the Welsh Local government Association on the question of the local government finance settlement 1999–2000. [70610]

  Mr. Michael
  I received a letter from the leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, Councillor Harry Jones CBE, on 4 February 1999. The letter covered the changes between the provisional and final local government revenue settlement in particular the changes to the way capital charges are treated in the formula. I have replied explaining my decision to Councillor Jones and to the WLGA.

  Social Housing (Heating)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to accelerate the provision of central heating in older social housing in Wales. [70919]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  It is for individual local authorities to decide on the priority they give to providing central heating from their housing capital programmes.
  399
  Following the transfer of powers, responsibilities in relation to Housing will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes he is proposing to make to(a) voted and (b) non-voted cash limits for his Department and the Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales for the current financial year. [71256]

  Mr. Michael
  Subject to Parliament's approval of the related Supplementary Estimates, I propose the following changes.

  The cash limit on class XIV, vote 1 will be increased by £14,737,000 from £42,735,000 to £57,472,000 as result of an increase in the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance Scheme announced as part of the Farmers Package on 16 November 1998.

  The cash limit on class XIV, vote 2 will be increased by £12,148,000 from £839,776,000 to £851,924,000. This increase results mainly from (a) an increase in the grant in aid of the Welsh Development Agency of £5,161,000 to compensate for receipts which will now be realised during 1999–2000 (b) an increase in the provision for Regional Selective Assistance of £8,775,000 to provide for the latest forecast of claims to be paid this year; (c) the take up of £1,962,000 to fund the Coalfields Regeneration Trust; and (d) a reduction in the Training budgets of £4,000,000 due to lower than expected demand for training courses funded out of Welsh Office budgets.

  The cash limit on class XIV, vote 3 will be increased by £55,494,000 from £414,195,000 to £469,689,000. This increase results mainly from (a) an increase in the Central Government Roads programme of £10,000,000 to fund essential maintenance work (b) a transfer of provision for Housing of £51,943,000 from non-cash limited budgets to cash limited provision to effect the merger of Tai Cymru with the Welsh Office from 1 November 1998 (this is offset by a reduction in the non-voted cash limit for Tai Cymru); (c) an increase of £2,100,000 for the North Wales Child Abuse Inquiry; (d) an additional £1,800,000 for the Mental Handicap Strategy (e) £1,000,000 for the Looked After Children Development Fund (f) an increase of £300,000 in the grant in aid for the Wales Tourist Board for additional marketing (f) a reduction of £7,500,000 in the grant in aid for Cardiff Bay Development Corporation because of slippage on the Cardiff Bay Barrage project (g) a reduction of £3,500,000 in the provision for Transport Grant because of slippage on approved projects and (h) a reduction of £1,400,000 in this year's provision for the costs associated with Devolution.

  The running costs limit on class XIV, vote 3 will be increased by £2,507,000 from £79,784,000 to £82,291,100 as a result of the merger of Tai Cymru and costs associated with the dissolution of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority.

  The cash limit on class XIV, vote 4 will be increased by £12,705,000 from £2,116,930,000 to £2,129,635,000 mainly as a result of the Winter Emergencies money for the National Health Service announced in November and a transfer of £211,000 from class XI, vote 1 in respect of
  400
  Professions Allied to Medicine. The external financing limit for NHS Trusts will be reduced by £3,006,000 from £52,676,000 to £49,670,000.

  The cash limit on class XIV, vote 6 will be increased by £1,125,000 from £7,768,000 to £8,893,000 as a result of payments due this year for VAT.

  There will be an increase in the non-voted local authority capital cash limit (WO/LACAP) of £4,200,000 from £373,444,000 to £377,644,000 to allow for an increase in the provision for Housing Renovation Grants.

  The non-voted housing cash limit WO/TC has been wound-up as a result of the merger of Tai Cymru with the Welsh Office on 1 November 1998. The remaining provision has been transferred to the cash limit on class XIV, vote 3.

  The increases will be offset by transfers or charges to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the overall level of planned public expenditure.

  Departmental Asset Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the items sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies from those listed in the National Assets Register of November 1997; if he will give in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total cash raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [70407]

  Mr. Michael
  The items sold during 1997–98 by the Welsh Office and Cadw, its sole Executive Agency, from those listed in the National Asset Register were:

  £000

  Welsh Office

  Land Rover (Plant and Machinery)

  2

  Cadw

  Cottage (Land and Buildings)

  39

  Miscellaneous mowers and dumpers (Plant and Machinery)

  5

  Total cash raised (Welsh Office and Cadw)

  46

  The Welsh Office has responsibility for over 50 associated public bodies included in the National Asset Register. The detailed information sought is not held centrally by the Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nursery Provision
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the annual cost of providing nursery provision in Wales for all three year olds whose parents want it, over and above the cost of the Government meeting its own target in this respect. [70246]

  Mr. Hain
  Over half of three year olds in Wales receive free, at least part-time, education in the maintained sector. This provision is at the discretion of individual local authorities and is funded from their available resources, essentially the annual local government revenue settlement.

  The question of provision for all three year olds will be a matter for the National Assembly.
  401

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  BSkyB/Manchester United
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which papers relating to BSkyB's takeover of Manchester United that were brought to his predecessor's attention and details of the meetings he attended with either BSkyB or Manchester United management will be published. [65643]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: My predecessor saw relevant papers. The policy of successive Secretaries of State has been not to hold meetings with interested parties on merger cases while matters are under consideration by the Director General of Fair Trading or the Secretary of State. My predecessor did not attend any meetings with either BSkyB or Manchester United management.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the export licences granted to Alvis Vehicles Limited or Alvis subsidiary companies for the export of Saracen and Saladin armoured vehicles to Indonesia; [68327]

  (2) if he will list the export licences granted to Alvis for the transfer of ammunition, machine guns and larger calibre guns to Indonesia since 1988. [68328]

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the(a) open individual export licences which have been given to Alvis for the export of armoured vehicles to (i) Indonesia, (ii) Kenya, (iii) Belarus, (iv) Colombia, (v) Turkey, (vi) Sri Lanka, (vii) Malaysia, (viii) Singapore and (ix) Nigeria and (b) equipment that has been exported under such licences, since 1988; [68779]

  (2) if he will list the export licences granted to (a) Alvis and (b) GKL Group for the transfer of (i) ammunition, (ii) machine guns and (iii) larger calibre guns to Indonesia since 1988; [68782]

  (3) if he will list the licences granted for (a) Alvis and (b) GKL Group for the export of (i) armoured vehicles, (ii) components and (iii) weapons to Singapore since 1988; [68781]

  (4) if he will list the licences granted to Alvis Vehicles Ltd. or Alvis's subsidiary companies for (a) the export of Saracen and Saladin armoured vehicles and (b) the supply of upgrade packages for Saracen and Saladin armoured vehicles to Indonesia since 1988. [68792]

  Dr. Howells
  Inquiries are being made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Where confidential information is involved, the parties concerned may be asked if they consent to its disclosure, and this can take some time. I will write to my hon. Friends as soon as possible, and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Intellectual Property Rights
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed EC copyright directive on rights of intellectual property in this country. [70112]
  402
  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 February 1999]: The draft copyright Directive seeks to harmonise basic rights and exceptions to rights, and to implement a number of international obligations resulting from two new treaties in the copyright field (World Intellectual Property Organisation). United Kingdom copyright law, the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, already meets most of the requirements of the draft Directive and the new treaties, but some amendments will be needed. In particular, changes to UK law would be necessary to comply with the regime of compulsory and permitted exceptions in Article 5 of the Directive. Amendments would also be needed to give performers exclusive rights to control "on-demand" transmissions of recordings of their performances, to cater for the fact that protection of technical systems in Article 6 extends beyond what is currently provided in UK law, and to provide for the protection of electronic rights management information as set out in Article 7 of the draft Directive.

  Electricity and Gas Industries
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to protect consumers from unduly-aggressive doorstep sales techniques on behalf of utilities companies following deregulation of the domestic electricity and gas markets. [69676]

  Dr. Howells
  Misleading and over-aggressive doorstep selling practices are unacceptable. In relation to the gas and electricity markets, I have made my concerns clear to the Regulators and the industry on numerous occasions. In both sectors licence conditions have been put in place to help regulate the doorstep selling and marketing activities of gas and electricity suppliers. Also, the Association of Energy Suppliers have modified their code of practice so that members' sales representatives calling on the doorstep provide to consumers, on request, clear written information in relation to prices.

  In addition, I have recently strengthened the Regulations governing doorstep selling, to improve the protection for vulnerable consumers. The amended Regulations came into force on 31 December 1998.

  These give consumers greater protection because consumers who agree to a trader visiting following an unsolicited doorstep selling approach retain the right to cancel the contract within seven days. In addition, it is now a criminal offence for a trader not to give the consumer written notice of their right to cancel, (subject to exceptions, including where the agreement is cancellable under the Consumer Credit Act 1974).

  I will shortly launch an information campaign informing consumers of their rights and warning them about the practices of unscrupulous doorstep sellers.

  Arms Export Licences
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the value of the order for arms exports is recorded at the time when licences are applied for; and if the value is shown on the licences. [70146]

  Dr. Howells
  Applicants for standard individual export licences are required to record on the application form the value of the goods for which a licence is sought; this information is recorded on ECO's computer databases.
  403
  However, where a licence is issued, the value of the goods covered by that licence may be less than the value of the goods covered by the original application. Exporters sometimes mistakenly apply for a licence to export goods for which no licence is required. In addition, goods are sometimes withdrawn from the coverage of an application during the licensing process, for example at the exporter's request or the value may change during the time taken to process the application because of changes in exchange rates. However, as it would in any case be misleading (because some licences are used only in part or not at all), the value of the goods licensed for export by each individual licence is not recorded on ECO's computer databases, although it is shown on the licence itself. HMC&E is responsible for the compilation of statistics on UK trade in goods.

  Open licences allow the exporters concerned to make multiple shipments of the specified goods to the specified destinations in accordance with the licence conditions. While such licences do not normally impose any limit on the volume of exports that may be made under the licence, exporters are required as a condition of the licence to maintain records of all controlled exports for a minimum of three or four years depending on the goods. While these records may be examined by compliance officers in the course of routine compliance visits, the Export Control Organisation does not compile any central record.

  Exports (Republic of Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) the 10 companies which exported most, by volume, from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland and (b) the 10 companies which exported most, by volume, from the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain, in the last financial year for which figures are available. [69709]

  Mr. Wilson
  The information requested is not available from any official sources. It is unlikely to be available from any other source.

  Currency and Interest Rate Revaluation
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the impact on industrial costs resulting from(a) a 1 per cent. revaluation of the pound and (b) a 1 per cent. increase in interest rates. [69812]

  Mr. Byers
  The tough and decisive action taken by the Government on macroeconomic policy, including giving the Bank of England independence, will bring benefits to industry through long-term stability, in sharp contrast to the damaging cycle of boom and bust that cost industry so dear under the last Government.

  Export Licence Applications
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the average times taken by other EU countries to process export licence applications to(a) Iran and (b) other countries. [70061]

  Dr. Howells
  The time taken by other member states to process export licence applications is a matter for them. The Government are committed to providing an efficient service to all applicants for export licences, irrespective of the destination.
  404
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the(a) average time taken and (b) target time in which to determine export licence applications for (1) Iran and (2) other countries in the last year for which figures are available. [70064]

  Dr. Howells
  Licences to export arms and other goods controlled for strategic reasons are issued by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, acting through the DTI's Export Control Organisation. All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by DTI to other Government Departments with an interest, as determined by them in line with their policy responsibilities. These include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development.

  While the average length of time taken to process export licence applications is not recorded, performance is measured against two aims:
  to provide a substantive response to an application for a standard individual export licence (SIEL) within 20 working days of receipt for applications circulated to other Government Departments according to their policy requirements; and,
  for non-circulated cases, to provide such a response within 10 working days.

  In each case, full documentation in support of the application must be provided by the applicant at the outset for these targets to apply. The performance measures also apply to written rating inquiries, but they do not apply to applications for Open Individual Export Licences (due to wide variations between goods and country coverage of such licences). The performance measures apply to all SIEL applications, irrespective of the destination, other than those concerning Iran or exports which are subject to control solely because of United Nations Sanctions.

  Iran (Exports)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what goods UK firms require an export licence for exports to Iran. [70066]

  Dr. Howells
  The export controls administered by my Department are set out in The Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended, The Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1996, as amended and Council Regulation (EC) 3381–94 and related Council Decision 94/942/CFSP, as amended.

  All the goods covered by these controls require a licence for export to Iran except aircraft simulators and related software and technology, where the control is limited to Libya (see entries 9A993, 9D993 and 9E993 in Schedule 2 to the 1996 Regulations).

  The Government's current policy with respect to Iran was set out in the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. King) on 28 January 1998, Official Report, columns 273–74.

  Export Licence Inquiry Forms
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licence inquiry forms his Department has received in each of the last three years for(a) Iran and (b) other countries. [70062]
  405
  Dr. Howells
  The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. Exporters' written rating inquiries do not always specify the intended destination nor is this necessary as advice is given with respect to all relevant destinations and controls. The total numbers of such inquiries received in each of the last three years and the numbers that specified Iran as the only destination are as follows:

  Year

  Iran

  Total

  1996

  216

  1,712

  1997

  278

  2,292

  1998

  311

  2,427

  DTI directorate

  Title

  Name

  Seconding company

  British National Space Centre

  Mr.

  Parker

  Matra Marconi Space

  Chemicals and Biotechnology

  Mr.

  Bartholomew

  Unilever

  Chemicals and Biotechnology

  Dr.

  Patel

  Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council

  Communications and Information Industries

  Mr.

  Marshall

  British Telecom

  Communications and Information Industries

  Mr.

  Reid

  ICL

  Communications and Information Industries

  Mr.

  Baker

  Ericsson Ltd.

  Communications and Information Industries

  Mr.

  Baxter

  BT plc

  Company Law and Investigations

  Mr.

  Steadman

  Lee & Allen Consulting Plc

  Company Law and Investigations

  Miss

  Gibbins

  Pricewaterhouse Coopers

  Company Law and Investigations

  Mr.

  Marks

  Silver Altman

  Engineering Industries

  Mr.

  Jordan

  Rover Group Ltd.

  Engineering Industries

  Mr.

  Hyatt

  Lockstair Ltd.

  Engineering Industries

  Mr.

  Armitage

  GKN Westland Helicopters

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Wilson

  Cable & Wireless plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Marsh

  Ove Arup & Partners

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Taylor

  Malcolm Hoyle Carpets Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Pape

  Pirelli Cables Limited

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Cohen

  The British-Israel Chamber of Commerce

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Simmons

  Rover Group Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Burton

  Jones Cranes Limited

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Fuga

  The Export Association

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Banfield

  Crosrol Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Burnham

  North Cape (Scotland) Limited

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Webber

  Boxhome Limited

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Blackwood

  John Laing International Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Rathwell

  Lancashire Enterprises plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Jordan

  Bank of Ireland

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Khosla

  Ove Arup & Partners

  Export Promotion

  Ms

  Fitzgerald

  Russo-British Chamber of Commerce

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Bayne

  John Laing International Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Lincoln

  East European Trade Council

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Evans

  The Institute of Export

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Scott

  Prince Associates

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Hall

  Drinks Marketing Consortium

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Brennan

  British Aerospace plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Suleiman MBE

  General Traffic Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  McClafferty

  European Gas Turbines (GEC Alstrom)

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Pearson

  Morris Singer Limited

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Johnson

  NHS Supplies

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Rosser

  Hyder plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Smeaton

  Greenwich NatWest Employment Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  d'Aronville

  Toyoboshi UK Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Slawson

  British Nuclear Fuels

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Watford

  Barclays Bank plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Roberts

  Frank Roberts & Sons Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Ms

  Fairbanks

  The Export Association

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Chislett

  Thomas Chislett

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Turley

  Moody Cashmere Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Sproston

  LG Mouchel & Partners

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Salmon

  Guiness Brewing Worldwide Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Steer

  Etrl Europe Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Miss

  Forbes

  General Accident

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Williams

  Beaumont Colson Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Dr.

  Sabberwal

  G K Communications Group Ltd.

  406

  Secondment of Officials
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) the names of officials in his Department who are currently on secondment from private companies, (b) the companies by which they are employed and (c) their current responsibilities. [70044]

  Dr. Howells
  There are at present 135 individuals on secondment from private companies into the DTI. This figure includes Headquarters and Agencies Interchange but not Government Office Interchange as responsibility has been delegated.

  Details of precise responsibilities are not held centrally but the following list shows the Directorates within which the secondees work.
  407

  DTI directorate

  Title

  Name

  Seconding company

  Export Promotion

  Miss

  Dorothy

  PWR (Electrical Services) Limited

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Fry

  British American Tobacco Company (Holdings) Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Cooke

  Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Holdings

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Kershaw

  ACO Technologies plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Lidderdale

  Crown Agents for Oversea Governments & Administrat

  Export Promotion

  Ms

  Lynch

  ICI Chemicals & Polymers Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Miss

  Moore

  Natural Animal Feeds Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Eadie

  Masters International (UK) Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Gazeley

  Epinet Communications plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Sharp

  GEC Marconi Avionics Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Parke

  Cookstown Enterprise Centre Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Bunting

  Sonic Communications (International) Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Thorning

  Unipart International

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Jones

  Eschmann Bros & Walsh Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Simpson

  Russo-British Chamber of Commerce

  Export Promotion

  Mrs.

  Ritchie

  The Hosiery Manufacturing Co Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Haymes

  The British Petroleum Company plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Rodwell

  British Marine Equipment Council Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Layden

  The Hosiery Manufacturing Co Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Reid

  Matheson & Co Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Wood

  The British Petroleum Company plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Gorin

  Ferryfast Produce Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Holstein

  E A Technology Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Malpass

  Knight Piesold Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Hooper

  East European Trade Council

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Robinski

  Polish Social and Cultural Association Ltd.

  Export Promotion

  Mrs.

  Brett

  Abercairn of Scotland

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Speirs

  Barclays Bank plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Smith

  Aspen Waite Chartered Accountants

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Moore

  East European Trade Council

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  MacKeown

  World Trade Development Ltd

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Hutchinson

  Gardenex

  Export Promotion

  Ms

  Laker

  Independent Power Corporation plc

  Export Promotion

  Mr.

  Woods

  Rover Group

  Infrastructure And Energy Projects

  Mr.

  McFadzean

  Enterprise Ayrshire

  Infrastructure And Energy Projects

  Mr.

  Smith

  British Aerospace Aviation

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Aitken

  ICL

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Bahu

  Oxis Partnership/Humana

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Beacham

  John Beacham Ltd.

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Brown

  Nuclear Electric

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Cameron

  Cameron and Cameron Best Practice

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Capewell

  Northern Quest Ltd.

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Crouch

  NCL Ltd.

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Dawson

  D A Dawson & Associates

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Duggan

  Duggan Creative

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Duncan

  Shawnee Associates Ltd.

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Green

  Queue Management Systems Ltd.

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Hoad

  Nat West Bank plc

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Lever

  Zeneca

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Maude

  Reginald Maude Ltd.

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Mocroft

  QuestBest Ltd.

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Mucci

  University of Southampton

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Orme

  Countrywide Porter Novelli

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Pratt

  Sunalex

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Price

  Bede

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Print

  Balfour Beatty

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Revitt

  Anglian Water

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Telling

  Artel Rubber Company

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Tubbs

  Innovamantex

  Innovation Unit

  Mr.

  Ward

  Digby Associates

  Innovation Unit

  Ms

  Wedgwood

  University of Sheffield

  Invest In Britain Bureau

  Ms

  Blundell

  BT International Business

  Invest In Britain Bureau

  Miss

  Bartlett

  Arthur Andersen

  Invest In Britain Bureau

  Mr.

  O'Sullivan

  British Telecom plc

  Invest In Britain Bureau

  Ms.

  Matsuoka

  British Consulate—General Osaka

  Low Pay Commission Secretariat

  Mr.

  White

  University of Greenwich Business Faculty

  Nuclear Industries

  Mrs.

  Macdonald

  AWE Plc

  Nuclear Industries

  Mr.

  Foyle

  British Nuclear Fuels plc

  Office Of Science and Technology

  Dr.

  Cooksley

  Glaxo Wellcome Research & Development

  Office Of Science and Technology

  Mr.

  Rogers

  AEA Technology plc

  Office Of Science and Technology

  Miss

  Murphy

  ICI Group

  Office Of Science and Technology

  Dr.

  Taylor

  Hewlett-Packard Ltd.

  Oil and Gas

  Mr.

  Morgan

  FINA plc

  Regional Assistance

  Mrs.

  Culshaw

  Pricewaterhouse Coopers

  408 409

  DTI directorate

  Title

  Name

  Seconding company

  Regional Assistance

  Mr.

  Sharman

  Deloitte & Touche

  Regional Assistance

  Mr.

  Robins

  Hambros Bank Ltd.

  SITPRO

  Mr.

  Doran

  CERN

  Small and Medium Enterprise Policy

  Mr.

  Dunn

  Grant Thornton

  The Insolvency Service

  Mr.

  Wright

  Kidsons Impey

  The Insolvency Service

  Miss

  Quinney

  Ernst & Young Services Ltd.

  Utilities Review Team

  Mr.

  Briggs

  Herbert Smith

  Sellafield
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 15 December 1998,Official Report, column 453, on Sellafield, if the relevant emergency planning officers were informed of the two shipments of mixed oxide fuel. [69765]

  Mr. Battle
  The relevant Home Office Chief Constables, rather than relevant Local Authority emergency planning officers, are given advance notification of such shipments. This is because it is for the police to initiate and take charge of the implementation of well rehearsed emergency plans in the unlikely event of any safety incident involving nuclear material.

  Consequently, only key nuclear operations personnel, the police and appropriate security authorities need to be or are informed of such movements in advance.

  Tacis Programme
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking in response to the recent representations from the Association of Consulting Engineers on the payment of invoices from United Kingdom companies under the EU Tacis Programme. [70092]

  Mr. Wills
  We share the concerns over the late payment of invoices from United Kingdom companies under the EU Tacis programme. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development on 10 February 1999,Official Report, columns 280–81.

  Redundancy Payments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on minimum levels of redundancy payments. [68906]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, an employer is obliged to pay only the statutory minimum redundancy payment to employees. This is based on age, length of service and rate of pay and is subject to a maximum (currently £220 per week).

  The amount of any redundancy payment over and above the statutory minimum is a matter between the employer and the employees, or their representatives. However, the Government hope that employees would adopt a consistent approach when determining redundancy payments regardless of where the employees are situated.
  410

  Environmental Standards
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will propose the establishment of common environmental standards among the G8 nations in respect of these countries' export credit agencies. [69525]

  Mr. Wilson
  At their meeting in May 1998, G8 Foreign Ministers concluded, inter alia, that"building on efforts in the OECD on taking environmental factors into account when providing official export credits, we encourage further work by the OECD to this end and ask for a report back next year".

  The UK will continue to support the OECD initiative, including through the 1999 G8 process.

  Export Credits Guarantees
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the export credits guarantees and insurance agreements reached with British firms in each year since 1995–96. [69578]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Export Credits Guarantee Department has issued 653 guarantees in support of exports of capital goods and services since 1995–96 as follows:-

  Date

  Number

  1995–96

  171

  1996–97

  162

  1997–98

  199

  1998–991

  121

  1 to 31 December

  Details of many of these guarantees can be found in ECGD's Annual Report and Trading Accounts for each of the years in question, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  ECGD does not report individual guarantees without consent of the firms concerned and, in view of the number of guarantees involved, disproportionate cost would be involved in obtaining this.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what environmental and sustainable development safeguards are employed in granting export credit guarantees and insurance to British exporters; if he will place the relevant documents in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [69523]

  Mr. Wilson
  Consistent with the Government's policy on the environment, the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) is supporting multilateral moves in
  411
  the OECD to establish common principles, to be adopted by Export Credit Agencies, to take account of environmental factors in export credits.

  ECGD takes account of environmental factors, particularly in its assessment of large project finance cases, and is undertaking further work, in consultation with environmental consultants and its customers, to determine the best means of further enhancing its policy and procedures, and of raising the awareness of UK exporters, investors and overseas buyers on its approach to environmental issues. Relevant documents will be placed in the Library of the House when this process is complete.

  It would be premature for me to make a statement at this point in time.

  Ilisu Dam
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what environmental and social impact studies have been required by the Export Credit Guarantee Department in respect of the granting of export credit insurance to Balfour Beatty arising from that company's involvement in the Ilisu Dam project in Turkey. [69524]

  Mr. Wilson
  ECGD is working with a number of other Export Credit agencies (ECAs) on this project.

  The Swiss ECA (ERG) supporting the Swiss led contracting consortium for the Ilisu Hydro Electric project, commissioned an expert review of the full Environmental Impact Assessment study produced by Hydro Concepts Engineering, Switzerland in March 1998. This review was made available to the other participating ECAs, including ECGD, in July 1998. ECAs have held a number of discussions on the environmental aspects, including the social impact, of the project as well as the monitoring arrangements during construction.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government are proposing to help those bodies which are having to wait for payment of European Union structural funds grants due to delays in receiving some of the funds from Europe. [71251]

  Mr. Wills
  The reform that I can announce is good news, particularly for charities, small businesses, local authorities and other bodies implementing projects vital to local communities. They have previously had to wait months or even longer to receive the final instalment of funding, even though their projects have been completed.

  From now on the Government will pay all Structural Funds claims that have been properly prepared once they have undergone appropriate checks and processing, even where the Funds have not yet been received from the European Commission.

  The Government have been well aware of the difficulties these delays are causing and their impact on local partners implementing Structural Funds projects. That is why we are taking action to protect them.
  412

  Science Enterprise Challenge
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made on the launch of the Science Enterprise Challenge. [71252]

  Mr. Byers
  I am launching the Science Enterprise Challenge today. This meets one of our key commitments in the recent White Paper to further strengthen exploitation of the science base. This £25 million Challenge is open to UK universities, to compete for funds to endow up to eight new Science Enterprise Centres. Centres will bring the teaching of entrepreneurship and business skills into the science curriculum and be centres of excellence for the knowledge transfer process.

  The Challenge is in two stages; applicants are invited to submit an outline business plan for Stage 1 by 14 April. Those who succeed in Stage 1 will be invited to submit a more detailed business plan in Stage 2. I hope to announce winners in the summer. The lead applicant must be a university. However collaborative bids can include, for example, other higher educational institutions. Copies of the Guidelines for Stage 1 have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  British Nuclear Fuels
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the external financing limit of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. for 1998–99. [71253]

  Mr. Byers
  BNFL's External Financing Limit has been tightened by £115.5 million from £178.91 million to £63.41 million. This reflects adjustments in the profile of payments from the UKAEA to BNFL for decommissioning and waste management of UKAEA liabilities at BNFL sites, and correction of historical imbalances between the relative shares the parties pay to Nirex. Provision for UKAEA expenditure has been increased accordingly in the Spring Supplementary Estimate for Class V Vote 1. The adjustments do not require any increase in public expenditure.

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes will be made to the cash and running costs limits for his Department, the Office of Telecommunications, and the Office of Gas Supply, and to the external financing limit of the British Coal Corporation. [71254]

  Mr. Byers
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates:(i) the cash limit for class V vote 1—Department of Trade and Industry: programmes and administration—will be increased by £136,634,000 from £1,286,873,000 to £1,423,507,000. This net increase results from:

  (a) an increase of £135,200,000 in the provision for Nuclear Liabilities;

  (b) a transfer of £1,851,000 from the Department of Trade and Industry's Science Vote (Class V Vote 2) in respect of the Teaching Company Scheme;

  (c) a transfer of £34,000 in running costs from the Cabinet Office (Class XVIII Vote 1).

  413

  (d) a transfer of £8,000 from the Department of the Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor (Class VIII Vote 6).offset by:

  (e) a transfer of £334,000 to the Department of Social Security (Class XII Vote 3) to cover the costs of a new service in respect of the setting up of a helpline for the National Minimum Wage;

  (f) a transfer of £115,000 to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Class VI Vote 5) to cover the capital requirements of the Government Offices;

  (g) a transfer of £10,000 to the Home Office (Class VII Vote 1) in respect of the enforcement costs of the Telecommunications Data Protection Directive.

  In addition, the Department will be increasing its gross expenditure provision for Sections A, B, C, D, G and L by £35,216,000, which will be offset by a corresponding increase in appropriations in aid, following the ruling that VAT receipts for contracted out services should not be carried on a net sub-head.
  Within this total, the gross running costs limit for the Department of Trade and Industry will be increased by £34,000 from £360,241,000 to £360,275,000.
  The increase of £135,200,000 in the provision for Nuclear Liabilities will be offset by reductions of £52,200,000 in the provision for Coal Liabilities in Section B of the Vote and £83,000,000 in the External Financing Limit of BNFL. It will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure;
  (ii) the cash limit for Class V Vote 2—Department of Trade and Industry: science—will be reduced by £1,038,000 from £1,368,497,000 to £1,367,459,000. This net reductions results from:

  (a)a transfer of £1,851,000 to the Department of Trade and Industry's Programmes and Administration Vote (Class V Vote 1) in respect of the Teaching Company Scheme;offset by:

  (b) a transfer of £813,000 from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Class IV Vote 2) to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) in respect of redundancy costs at BBSRC Institutes;

  In addition, the Department will be increasing its gross expenditure provision for Section K by £20,000, which will be offset by a corresponding increase in appropriations in aid, following the ruling that VAT receipts for contracted out services should not be carried on a net sub-head.
  (iii) the cash limit for Class V Vote 8—Office of Telecommunications—will be increased by £1,000 from £2,000 to £3,000 in order to implement the ruling that VAT receipts for contracted out services should not be carried on a net sub-head. In addition, the running costs limit will be increased by £17,000 from £10,949,000 to £10,966,000 which will be offset by a reduction of £17,000 in the capital expenditure provision. The token £1,000 increase will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure;
  (iv) the cash limit for Class V Vote 9—the Office of Gas Supply—will be increased by £1,000 from £1,000 to £2,000 and the running costs limit will be increased by £1,582,000 from £11,124,000 to £12,706,000. This is in order to meet the costs of handling an increase in calls to the Consumer Helpline service; to undertake a review of internal organisation; to meet increased legal costs; and to implement the ruling that VAT receipts for contracted out services should not be carried on a net sub-head. There will be an offsetting increase of £2,349,000 in appropriations in aid to cover the costs of funding these additional items. The token £1,000 increase will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure;
  In addition to these changes, the External Financing Limit of the British Coal Corporation has been reduced from £19,000,000 to £12,300,000 to reflect the transfer of responsibility for most of its property liabilities to the Coal Authority.
  414

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Parliamentary Questions have been tabled to his Department for answer on a named day in(a) the current and (b) the last session of Parliament; and what proportion received a substantive answer on that day in each case. [70629]

  Mr. Byers
  In the current session, 317 named day questions have been answered, 23 per cent. of which have received a substantive answer on the due date. This compares with a total of 1,973 named day questions in the 97–98 session, 32 per cent. being given a substantive answer on the due date.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Exports
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to(a) the French Government and (b) the European Commission in order to prevent UK sheep being slaughtered in France at this year's Aid-el-Kabir festival in breach of Council Directive 93/119 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing; and if he will make a statement. [67941]

  Mr. Morley
  My right hon. Friend the then Minister wrote to the French Minister and to the Agriculture Commissioner in March 1998 to express concern about poor slaughter practices during the festival and to support the measures being taken to improve matters. I am sure that the French authorities remain well aware of our concern on this subject and that they will continue to take steps to contain and reduce the problem. We will keep checking the matter with them in our ongoing contacts.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to contact(a) the National Farmers Union and (b) the National Sheep Association to urge them to try to persuade their members not to export live sheep to France for outdoor religious slaughter during the Aid-el-Kabir festival in March; and if he will make a statement; [67939]

  (2) what steps he plans to take to discourage UK farmers and exporters from sending live sheep to France for outdoor religious slaughter during the Aid-el-Kabir festival in March; and if he will make a statement; [67938]

  (3) what plans he has to contact Farmers Ferry Ltd. to urge them not to carry live sheep which are destined for outdoor religious slaughter in France during this year's Aid-el-Kabir festival in March; and if he will make a statement. [67940]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government look to all those who produce, market, transport or export sheep to avoid trading them on in a way which will lead to their being slaughtered inhumanely or in breach of the law in other ways. We attach importance to this and will take suitable opportunities, between now and the festival, to emphasise to those concerned that this is our very firm view.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria he will adopt relating to
  415
  the professional qualifications and experience of prospective candidates for the chairmanship of the Food Standards Agency. [69824]

  Mr. Rooker
  Responsibility for appointing the chairman of the Food Standards Agency will rest with the Secretary of State for Health, and his equivalents in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The appointment will be made in accordance with guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Government will be looking to appoint a person of high standing with relevant experience and qualifications who will command the confidence of the public.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has obtained which raises concerns about adverse human or environmental health implications from the introduction of genetically modified organisms into the food chain. [70047]

  Mr. Rooker
  Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are only approved for food use after a rigorous safety assessment. Consequently I am not aware of any such evidence for GMOs that have been approved for use in the food chain.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the link between bovine TB and birds; and what plans he has to commission research on this. [69706]

  Mr. Rooker
  Birds do not give bovine TB and there is no significant evidence of them being a carrier of this infection. However, birds infected with avian TB can pass infection to cattle. This rarely produces clinical disease in cattle but can cause cross reactions to the tuberculin skin test. To overcome this we conduct a comparative skin test so that if cattle react to the avian tuberculin test as well as the bovine tuberculin test the interpretation of the results can be adjusted. This reduces the number of false positive cattle which are slaughtered unnecessarily.

  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what data his Department has collated on change in the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle over the last two years; if he will list the areas severely affected; and what action he is taking to overcome the problem. [70350]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 10 February 1999]: The figures for new confirmed incidents of TB in cattle herds in Great Britain indicate a 9 per cent. increase between 1996 and 1997. Figures for 1998 are not yet available, but provisional estimates indicate an increase in the region of at least 46 per cent. over 1997. The areas most severely affected by TB are in the South West of England and parts of the West Midlands and South Wales, the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire having the highest number of new confirmed incidents in both 1997 and 1998.

  We need to know why TB is increasing. Last August I announced a new strategy. MAFF and DH are taking action to ensure public health is not put in jeopardy. We test cattle regularly for TB, and slaughter those at risk. We are spending over £10 million on work to underpin a
  416
  science based policy which can be sustained in the long-term, and control TB in the interests of cattle, badgers and people. There are three elements:

  work to develop a vaccine: although this will take 10–15 years and success is not guaranteed, many see it as the best long-term prospect;

  research to improve our understanding of the disease and how it spreads;

  a trial designed to show the most effective means of culling.

  It will be some time before we have results from the whole programme. But as results become available we can design policies around them.

  Meanwhile we have increased compensation for slaughtered animals from 75 per cent. to 100 per cent. of market value. We have a working group reviewing the frequency and effectiveness of testing, and have asked it to report by Easter. There is a lot more farmers can do themselves to reduce their TB risk and we are working with interested organisations to agreed new guidance on practical measures which can be taken.

  We shall continue to review other suggestions which might help in dealing with this exceptionally difficult problem.

  Women (Agriculture)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what funding is available from the European Union for schemes to help women into agriculture. [70258]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am not aware of any EU Schemes which provide funding specifically to help women into agriculture. However, EU funding for measures designed to promote employment in special occupational areas is available under Objective 3.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for the United Kingdom to take part in the European Union scheme to help women enter into agriculture. [70259]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have no plans to take part in any schemes designed to help women enter agriculture.

  Public Consultations
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish his Department's collation and assessment of responses to all the Government's public consultations. [69768]

  Mr. Morley
  It is my Department's practice to make responses to consultations available on request. For some consultations summaries of the responses are produced, and may also be put in the Library of the House or on the MAFF website. Key issues of concern raised during consultations are included in the Regulatory Impact Assessments which accompany any new legislation which either imposes a cost on, or reduces costs to, business. The next Departmental Report will contain a summary of the better regulation aspects arising from consultations during 1998.

  Pigs
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has
  417
  had with European Union farm ministers about (a) the treatment of pigs during farming and (b) the production methods of pig farming; and if he will make a statement. [69506]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: No negotiations have taken place on these matters in the Council of Ministers, because the European Commission has not yet brought forward its overdue proposals to update EU welfare standards for pigs. We will continue to press for proposals, which must at least meet the standards currently applying to the UK, to come forward as soon as possible.

  Poultry Imports
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests are carried out by port health authorities on poultry imports from countries outside the E.U. [69486]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: Live poultry may be imported into the EU only from approved third countries from flocks which are subject to regular disease monitoring. Member States are notified about all such imports and documentary, identity and physical checks are carried out at the point of entry. Similarly, poultry meat may only be imported from third countries, and from establishments in those third countries, which are approved by the European Commission. On arrival at a Border Inspection Post in the Community the documents and identity of every consignment of poultry meat must be checked. At least 50 per cent. of consignments must also be subject to physical checks to ensure that they are fit for their intended purpose.

  BSE
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the evidence to date of maternal transmission of BSE. [70177]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 9 February 1999]: SEAC's conclusions on maternal transmission were given in its statement of 16 April 1997. This information was published in MAFF News Release 108/97 on 18 April 1997, which can be accessed on the MAFF website at—http://www.maff.gov.uk/maffhome.htm. The News Release is also available to all Members in the Library of the House.

  There is no new evidence which calls these conclusions into question.

  Derelict Land (Tree Planting)
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hectares of urban land he intends to be covered by his Department's scheme for woodland and tree planting on derelict land. [70229]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 February 1999]: The Government's Forestry Strategy for England, published last December, identifies the opportunity to increase significantly the level of planting of woodland on derelict land, and puts forward a series of actions to achieve this. However, we have not set specific targets.
  418

  Civil Service Pay Awards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [69522]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 February 1999]: Since 1996 MAFF has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements. For the last pay round the core MAFF settlement included Pesticides Safety Division and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

  The headline pay settlement was 2.7 per cent. on the paybill. Together with the additional funds from staff turnover this settlement allowed performance related increases with an overall cost of 4.2 per cent. and one-off structural changes worth 0.5 per cent. of the paybill.

  Pay awards were not staged.

  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and food is also responsible for other Executive Agencies with their own negotiating remits. I have asked their Chief Executives to respond direct with information on their pay settlements.

  Letter from Peter Stanley to Dr. David Clark, dated 11 February 1999:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your question concerning the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants and to what extent the pay awards were staged.
  Since 1996 CSL has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements.
  CSL operates a performance related pay system which links pay awards to job performance. It is therefore not possible to provide a single average figure which is meaningful. For 1998/99, pay increases for satisfactory performers ranged from 3.5% to 5.4% with a few exceptional performers receiving an additional accelerated pay progression of 6%. For some unsatisfactory performers, no pay increase was received.
  Pay awards were not staged, being paid in full with effect from 1 August 1998.

  Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. David Clark, dated 11 February 1999:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on 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. I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
  CEFAS operates a performance-related pay system which links pay awards to job performance. It is therefore not possible to provide a single average figure that is meaningful. For 1998/99 the performance pay increases of satisfactory performers ranged from 2.39% to 7.21% with an underpinning minimum increase of 3.00% or £400 whichever was greater. Unsatisfactory performers received no increase.
  The average 1998/99 pay increase for non-industrials at CEFAS was 4.08%. Payments were not staged, being paid in full with December salaries.

  Letter from Sarah Nason to Dr. David Clark, dated 8 February 1999:
  Mr. Elliot Morley has asked me to reply, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service in 1998/99, and to what extent the pay awards were staged.419 FRCA has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements since the Agency's launch in April 1997. Payment date within the Agency is 1 August each year. The headline pay settlement for 1998/99 was 2.0% on the paybill and together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.0$. The increases were not staged.
  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Dr. David Clark, dated 11 February 1999:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on 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.
  Since 1996 the VLA has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements.
  The Agency operates a performance related pay system which links pay awards to job performance.
  For 1998/99 the pay increases for satisfactory performers ranged from 3.5% to 5.5% with a guaranteed cash increase of £400 per annum. Unsatisfactory performers received no pay increase.
  The average value of the pay increases, including some other improvements to terms and conditions for VLA staff, was 4%.
  The pay increases were not staged, being paid in full with August 1998 salaries.

  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Dr. David Clark, dated 11 February 1999:
  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food enquiring what the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial Civil Servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service for 1998/99, and to what extent the pay awards were staged, has been passe to me to reply as regards this Executive Agency.
  The MHS is continuing to discuss its 1998/99 pay deal with UNISON, the trade union which represents meat inspection staff. If the proposed pay deal tabled by the MHS were to be agreed, awards in the MHS would range from 3.65% to 8.4%. The average award would slightly above 3.65%.
  The pay award would not be staged.

  Calf Processing Aid Scheme
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had on the future of the calf processing aid scheme; and if he will make a statement. [71389]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Farmers' organisations have pressed for continuation of the Scheme in view of the uncertain situation facing the beef market. When I announced on 16 November 1998,Official Report, columns 624–40, a package of aid for the livestock sector, I extended the life of the scheme until 31 March 1999. I undertook then to keep the scheme under review. I have now concluded with my colleagues that, in view of market circumstances, we should further extend the scheme to 31 July 1999.

  In view of the need to give certainty about the final end-date of the scheme there will be no further extension. It will end on 31 July.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the monthly cost of the revised calf processing aid scheme and the proportion paid by(a) the Treasury and (b) the EU. [70634]

  Mr. Rooker
  At the current exchange rate, and assuming throughput at average 1998 levels, the monthly cost of the Calf Processing Aid Scheme is a little over £3 million. The Scheme is in principle 100 per cent. financed by the EU, but 420
  due to the operation of the Fontainebleau rebate mechanism the Exchequer effectively pays about 71 per cent. of the costs.

  Over-30-months Scheme
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost over the last year of the over thirty months scheme; and what proportions are funded by(a) the Treasury and (b) the EU. [70635]

  Mr. Rooker
  The cost of the Over Thirty Months Scheme in 1998–99 is estimated to be around £364 million, made up of payments to producers (£247 million) and slaughter and disposal costs (£117 million). Payments to producers are in principle reimbursed by the EU at a rate of around 70 per cent., although the effective rate of reimbursement is close to 20 per cent. after the operation of the Fontainebleau rebate mechanism. The costs of slaughter and disposal are fully funded by the Exchequer.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimate he has made of the annual cost of increasing the maximum weight limit under the over thirty months scheme by(a) 100 kg and (b) 200 kg; [70638]

  (2) what would be the annual cost of removing the weight limit under the over thirty months scheme. [70636]

  Mr. Rooker
  First, changes to this scheme are not within the gift of the UK Government; its rules are set by the European Commission.

  It is difficult to estimate precisely the likely extra costs of the three options that the hon. Member mentions, as each of the options may cause both slaughter weights and throughput to change. Nevertheless I estimate that increasing the weight limit by 100 kg would increase costs by around £15.5m; increasing the limit by 200 kg would do so by around £16.75m; and removing the limit altogether would increase costs by around £17m.

  Beef Export Ban
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the European Commission's criteria for the lifting of the export ban on British beef require dedicated abattoirs or dedicated slaughter and cutting lines within larger abattoirs. [70632]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Date Based Export Scheme requires that eligible animals are slaughtered, and their meat and products handled subsequent to slaughter, in plants which handle only export eligible cattle and beef, or other species and their meat. Abattoirs will be able to slaughter pigs or sheep but will not be able to slaughter cattle which are not eligible for export.

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes are proposed to his Department's cash and running costs limits for Class IV Vote 2, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, for 1998–99.

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Subject to the Ministry's Spring Supplementary Estimate being agreed be Parliament, the Cash limit for Class IV Vote 2 for 1998–99 will be increased by £35,523,000 from £711,300,000 to
  421
  £746,823,000 and the Gross Running Cost Control limit will be increased by £6,637,000 from £355,230,000 to £361,867,000.

  The changes are accounted for by transfers of £813,000 to the Department of Trade and Industry (Class V, Vote 2) for payments to the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council and £440,000 to the Scottish Office (Class XIII, Vote 6) and £200,000 to the Welsh Office (Class XIV, Vote 3) for the costs of the Cattle Traceability System; transfers of £2,163,000 from the Department of Health (Class XI, Vote 2), £721,000 from the Scottish
  422
  Office (Class XIII, Vote 1), £349,000 from the Welsh Office (Class XIV, Vote 3), and 360,000 from the Northern Ireland Office, as their contributions towards the cost of the BSE Inquiry and, £4,000 from the Treasury Solicitors (Class VIII, Vote 6); calls on the reserve of £15,268,000 to cover the Ministry's share of increases to Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances, £19,720,000, with a corresponding increase in EC receipts, to cover the Ministry's share of increases to the Suckler Cow Premium Scheme, £6,451,000 to cover the cost of the Offspring Cull and Date-Based Export System and £11,660,000 for the take-up of End-Year Flexibility.

  Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
  Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
  CEDAW Report
  CEDAW Report
  Mr. Ray Choto and Mr. Mark Chavunduka
  Mr. Ray Choto and Mr. Mark Chavunduka
  Falkland Islands
  Falkland Islands
  Treaty on European Union: Co-operation Provisions
  Treaty on European Union: Co-operation Provisions
  British Council Grants to Artists Scheme
  British Council Grants to Artists Scheme
  Burma: Refugees
  Burma: Refugees
  General Pinochet: Telephone Call
  General Pinochet: Telephone Call
  Luxembourg Compromise
  Luxembourg Compromise
  NATO: Operations with Partners
  NATO: Operations with Partners
  FCO Cash and Running Cost Limits
  FCO Cash and Running Cost Limits
  UN Weaponry Convention
  UN Weaponry Convention
  GLA Road Network
  GLA Road Network
  Airline Passengers: Violent and Disruptive Behaviour
  Airline Passengers: Violent and Disruptive Behaviour
  Wildlife and Genetically Modified Crops
  Wildlife and Genetically Modified Crops
  Home Office Cash and Running Cost Limits
  Home Office Cash and Running Cost Limits
  General Pinochet: Protection Costs
  General Pinochet: Protection Costs
  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Homosexual Practices by 16 and 17 Year-olds: Disposals
  Homosexual Practices by 16 and 17 Year-olds: Disposals
  Asylum Seekers: Country of Origin
  Asylum Seekers: Country of Origin
  Department of Health Cash Limits
  Department of Health Cash Limits
  Statutory Obligations: Government Compliance
  Statutory Obligations: Government Compliance
  Royal Parks Agency: Planning Control Exemption
  Royal Parks Agency: Planning Control Exemption
  Commonwealth Games, Manchester: Funding
  Commonwealth Games, Manchester: Funding
  Vaccine Interactions: Independent Panel's Terms of Reference
  Vaccine Interactions: Independent Panel's Terms of Reference
  Surplus US Defence Equipment: Disposal to EU Member States
  Surplus US Defence Equipment: Disposal to EU Member States
  General Pinochet: Arrest Warrant
  General Pinochet: Arrest Warrant
  Scotland: Housing
  Scotland: Housing