Written Answers of 23 February 1999

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  World Trade Organisation
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to support the eight elements of an ideal result as outlined in the European Commission Note from Directorate General I to the Article 113 Committee on investment and the World Trade Organisation; and if he will make a statement; [71755]

  (2) if her Majesty's Government supports the Investor-State Dispute Settlement set out in the European Commission Note from Directorate General I to the Article 113 Committee on investment and the World Trade Organisation; and if he will make a statement; [71753]

  (3) if Her Majesty's Government have asked the European Commission to redraft the leaked Note from Directorate General I to the Article 113 Committee on investment and the World Trade Organisation; and if he will make a statement; [71756]

  (4) if Her Majesty's Government have objected to the contents of the European Commission Note from Directorate General I to the Article 113 Committee on investment and the World Trade Organisation; and if he will make a statement. [71754]

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the European Commission Note from DG1 to the Article 113 committee on investment in the World Trade Organisation. [72249]

  Mr. Wilson
  It is the Government's policy, shared by our EU partners, that the meeting of World Trade Organisation Ministers in Seattle later this year should lead to a comprehensive new "Round" of WTO negotiations, and that investment should be included on the agenda. However, the Government's policy is that any investment negotiation must be based around a new set of objectives, derived by consensus. We are in the process of consulting with all interested groups within the UK on what the Government's objectives for a new negotiation might be. As part of our general consultations over the UK' s objectives for the new "Round". I am convening a series of meetings including other Ministers, NGOs, TUs and business organisations. No conclusions have been reached on the inclusion or exclusion of an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, or indeed on any other individual issue.

  The European Commission circulated an internal discussion paper on possible elements of a WTO investment agreement to Member States on 15 December 1998, with a view to stimulating discussion within the EU. The paper does not represent the views of the UK
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  Government. The UK has called for a discussion of the paper by EU investment experts, but such a discussion has not yet taken place.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons Chapters E and F were omitted from the publicly released European Commission Note from Directorate General I to the Article 113 Committee on Investment and the WTO; and if will make a statement. [72056]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The Note was issued by the European Commission and its contents are a matter for them. However, I have drawn their attention to my hon. Friend's interest and have asked them to respond directly to him.

  London First
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much funding(a) London First and (b) London First Centre has received from his Department per annum since 1992; and for what purposes the funding was specified. [72167]

  Mr. Wills
  Since its incorporation in February 1994, London First Centre (LFC) has received annual grants from the DTI's Invest in Britain Bureau for the coordination of inward investment activities in the Greater London area of £500k (94–95); £1,000k (95–96); £1,010k (96–97); £1,015k (97–98); and £1,015k (98–99).

  London First, of which LFC is a wholly owned subsidiary, has not received grant funding from the DTI. It is financed from members' contributions, donations, project and sundry income.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last three years; in how many cases court proceedings were recommended; and if he will make a statement. [72548]

  The Attorney-General
  The table shows the number of cases which the Crown Prosecution Service received from the police, and the number which the Service finalised, in each of the last three years. Both figures are inclusive of cases submitted for pre-charge advice and non-criminal proceedings, and the numbers of these completed in each year are shown separately.

  The table then shows the number and the proportion of cases in which a prosecution did not proceed. These outcomes are divided into those cases discontinued by the Service, and those which were written off because the defendant could not be traced or had died, or because proceedings were adjourned indefinitely.

  Finally, the table shows the number and proportion of cases in which a prosecution proceeded. These are divided

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  into cases in which the defendant was bound over to keep the peace, those which proceeded to a committal hearing, and those which proceeded to a trial or guilty plea.

  The Code for Crown Prosecutors requires that there should be sufficient reliable evidence to give a realistic prospect of conviction, and that the prosecution should be in the public interest. These criteria are applied in every case. Every case discontinued must be reviewed by a Crown Prosecutor and, wherever time allows, the police must be consulted before a decision is taken. The number of cases discontinued against the opinion of the police is very small: a survey conducted in 1994 showed that the police objected to discontinuance on only 4 per cent. of occasions when they were consulted.

  However, discontinuance is not primarily the result of a Crown Prosecutor's judgment. More than half of discontinued cases are unable to proceed because witnesses fail to appear at court, refuse to give evidence or change their evidence, defendants produce driving documents proving their innocence on the day of the trial; evidence is excluded because of irregularities in its collection; or due to lack of continuity evidence in the

  Crown Prosecution Service magistrates' courts cases 1996–98

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Did not proceed

  Discontinued

  153,274

  12.0

  161,461

  12.2

  162,661

  12.0

  Written off

  102,283

  8.0

  92,930

  7.0

  88,506

  6.5

  Total cases which did not proceed

  255,557

  20.1

  254,391

  19.2

  251,167

  18.5

  Cases proceeding

  Bind over

  20,016

  1.6

  22,747

  1.7

  24,914

  1.8

  Committal hearing

  98,575

  7.7

  107,979

  8.1

  95,073

  7.0

  Trial or Guilty plea

  900,215

  70.6

  942,665

  71.0

  987,943

  72.7

  Total cases proceeding

  1,018.806

  79.9

  1,073,391

  80.8

  1,107,930

  81.5

  Notes:

  1.The figures given in the draft reply represent cases handled by the 13 Areas of the CPS, but do not include the specialised cases handled by Central Casework.

  2.Cases discontinued are inclusive of those in which the CPS withdrew proceedings at court as well as those discontinued by way of a s23 notice.

  3.Discontinuance fell from 13.3 per cent. of completed cases in 1992 to 12.8 per cent. in 1993, and has remained almost unchanged at around 12 per cent. for each year since then.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Students
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many school students there were in each local education authority that attracts standard spending assessment resources in each of the last five years; what are the estimated figures for 1999–2000; in what years changes in the definition of qualifying students took place; and if he will estimate the effect of these changes on the total numbers. [71810]

  Ms Armstrong
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]The information requested has been placed in the Library.
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  prosecution case which cannot be provided by the police. In these circumstances, the Crown Prosecution Service has no choice but to discontinue proceedings.

  There is no connection between discontinuance and writing off a case. The latter does not represent the termination of proceedings, but is an administrative procedure whereby dormant cases are removed from the record of live proceedings, so giving a more accurate account of work on hand. The majority of write offs occur where the police cannot trace a defendant for service of a summons, or where a warrant for arrest remains unexecuted following the defendant's failure to surrender to bail. If the defendant is subsequently arrested, the prosecution can then recommence.

  Crown Prosecution Service magistrates' courts cases 1996–98

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Received

  1,348,558

  1,388,474

  1,427,837

  Finalised

  1,335,474

  1,387,557

  1,430,555

  of which:

  Pre-charge advice

  46,679

  48,316

  59,799

  Non-criminal proceedings

  14,433

  11,461

  11,660

  Sustainable Development
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government strategy on sustainable development will be announced. [72301]

  Mr. Meale
  Following the extensive "Opportunities for Change" consultation exercise on revision of the 1994 UK Sustainable Development Strategy, preparation of new UK sustainable development strategy is underway. Publication is expected shortly.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if developing countries can withhold agreement to import genetically modified organisms on the basis of detriment to traditional methods of farming. [72209]
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  Mr. Meacher
  The UK currently has a delegation in Colombia engaged in final negotiations on the UN Biosafety Protocol. This instrument will govern the transboundary movement of Living Modified Organisms (effectively the same as GMOs).

  While many of the developing countries want to see socio-economic factors such as the effect on traditional farming practices form part of the risk assessment, exporting countries disagree. My instructions are that the UK, on its own and as part of the EU negotiating group, should seek an outcome that includes some reference to socio-economic factors and encourages research into impacts on farming practices. We expect that countries will always be able to ban imports where there is evidence of serious damage to the environment or human health.

  Air Service Agreements
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the Singapore-UK air services agreement; and if he will make a statement. [72163]

  Dr. Reid
  A number of representations have been received on the UK/Singapore air services arrangements, which already provide for unlimited capacity from Summer 2001. At the bilateral negotiations which took place earlier this month my officials confirmed that we would review Singapore's request for transatlantic fifth freedom rights either when we have liberalised the air services arrangements between the UK and the United States or in January 2000, whichever is the sooner.

  Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the names of those he has nominated to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, together with(a) their qualifications, (b) details of relevant (i) public and (ii) private interests and (c) dates of appointment; if he will make a statement on the resources allocated to the Committee; and if he will set out the references to any of the Committee's published reports. [72556]

  Mr. Meacher
  Details of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) are as follows:

  Membership of ACRE, with qualifications and interests:

  Professor John Beringer (Chairman)
  Professor of Molecular Genetics and Dean of Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol. Member of Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification (ACGM). Member of the Council of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

  Dr. Philip Dale
  Senior Research Scientist, John Innes Centre. Consultant to EC DGX1 and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation

  Dr. Ian Garner
  Assistant Director of Research, PPL Therapeutics, Roslin. Member of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council's Genes in Developmental Biology Network.

  Professor Alan Gray
  Head of Furzebrook Research Station, NERC Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. Honorary Professor, University of Southampton.
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  Ms Julie Hill
  Programme advisor to Green Alliance. Member of the advisory committee for the Pesticides Trust, Environmental Law Foundation, centre for Ecology and Hytrology and environmental advisory bodies for Shanks and McEwan plc and Southern Electricity.

  Dr. Julian Kinderlerer
  Senior lecturer, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield. Assistant Director, Institute of Biotechnology Law and Ethics, University of Sheffield. Member of ACGM. Consultant to UNIDO.

  Mr. John MacLeod
  Director of National Institute of Agricultural Botany. Member of UK Plant Varieties and Seeds Committee. President of Groupe Consultatif International de Recherche sur le Colza.

  Professor Bev Moseley
  Retired, former head of the Institute of Food Research Reading Laboratory.

  Professor David Onions
  Head of the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Glasgow. Honorary Director of the Leukaemia Research Funds Human Virus Centre. Consultant to Q-One Biotec. Advisor to Intervet International BV.

  Professor Nigel Poole
  External and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Zeneca Plant Science, Bracknell Honorary Professor, University of Aberdeen Honorary Professor, John Moores University.

  Dr. David Robinson
  Principal Research Scientist, Scottish Crop Research Institute. Honorary Lecturer, University of Dundee. Member of Genetic Manipulation Safety Committee at Nickerson Seeds Castleton of Eassie site.

  Dr. Katherine Venables
  Senior lecturer in epidemiology, Imperial College School of Medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute. Honorary consultant physician at the Royal Brompton Hospital. Honorary Consultant in Public Health, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Health Authority.

  Dr. Ingrid Williams
  Principal scientist, leader of the Insect-Plant Interactions Group, Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted. Honorary Research Associate, Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research. Visiting Professor, Estonian University of Agriculture. Chairman of International Commission for Plant-Bee Relationships. Council member and company director of International Bee Research Association.

  Dates of appointment
  The chairman and members are appointed for three years, most recently with effect from 17 June 1996.

  Resources allocated
  The costs of ACRE for 1997–98 were as follows:

  £

  Members' fees

  8,805

  Travel subsistence and meetings

  7,338

  Estimated staff costs for servicing ACRE and
  processing cases (salaries, accommodation and
  overheads)

  144,097

  Published reports
  Annual reports for ACRE are placed in the Library. DETR/ACRE have also produced a series of guidance notes and DETR has produced a number of research reports to inform ACRE's advice. These are all listed in the annual reports.

  Biosafety Protocol Meeting, Colombia
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who will represent his Department at the Biosafety Protocol meeting in Colombia; and if he will make a statement. [72229]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am being represented by officials at the Biosafety Protocol meeting in Colombia. The only European Union Minister to attend, that I am aware of, is the German Health Minister, representing the EU Presidency.

  The Protocol is being prepared by an Open Ended Ad Hoc Working Group which has met five times and is meeting now in Colombia to complete its work. The negotiating brief was agreed by ministers in detail beforehand and is being monitored by ministers throughout the negotiations to ensure it is strictly adhered to. An extraordinary Conference of the Parties will be held immediately afterwards for the adoption of the Protocol. There is to be no high level segment in Colombia and my official acting as Head of Delegation in Colombia will sign for the UK.

  Assuming the Protocol is adopted, I shall sign it at the official ceremony in New York in three months' time.

  Maritime Industry
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the tonnage of UK (i) owned and (ii) registered vessels in the maritime industry; and in each case what the figure was(a) 10 years and (b) 20 years ago. [72074]

  Dr. Reid
  Information on a consistent basis is not available prior to end-1986 because vessels registered in the UK cannot be distinguished from those registered in the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man and Channel Islands). The information that is available is as follows:

  Tonnage of UK-owned and UK-registered vessels1

  000 deadweight tonnes

  UK-owned vessels

  UK-registered vessels

  Trading vessels

  All vessels

  Trading vessels

  All vessels

  31 December 1986

  18,609

  n/a

  10,458

  11,952

  31 December 1988

  16,593

  18,145

  5,709

  7,072

  31 December 1998

  9,761

  11,577

  2,699

  4,150

  1 All vessels 100 gross tonnes and above

  Source:

  Lloyd's Maritime Information Services Ltd.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many UK(a) officers and (b) ratings are currently employed in the maritime industry; and how many there were (i) 10 years and (ii) 20 years ago. [72073]

  Dr. Reid
  There is no consistent series of UK nationals employed in the maritime industry. The Chamber of Shipping collects data on employment on vessels operated by its members, and this is shown for selected years in 208
  the table. It is known that many UK nationals, especially officers, work on non-member vessels, but precise figures for earlier years are not known.

  UK officers and ratings on vessels entered with the Chamber of Shipping

  Year

  Officers

  Ratings

  1978

  32,188

  25,570

  1986

  10,871

  12,706

  1988

  8,885

  12,114

  1995

  7,724

  8,721

  19971

  6,186

  7,929

  1Forecast

  Note:

  Years refer to 31 December, except 1978 which is 31 September. From 1991 statistics of crew serving as back-up for non-UK flag vessels were specifically included.

  Source:

  Chamber of Shipping Fleet and Manpower Inquiry.

  Agricultural Biotechnology
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money his Department has spent supporting the research and development of agricultural biotechnology since 1 May 1997. [72068]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has not spent any money supporting the research and development of agricultural biotechnology since 1 May 1997.

  DETR-funded research has however been conducted to assess the risks and potential impact of genetically modified organisms on the environment. The annual budget for such work is of the order of £500,000.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Siemens Business Services
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what compensation his Department has(a) requested and (b) received from Siemens plc following delays to the development of a new casework system by Siemens for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [70907]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate Casework Programme is a privately financed business change programme supplied by Siemens Business Services (SBS). Although development of the full Information Technology application has been delayed, many elements of the Programme, and much new Information Technology, have been delivered.

  Some payments are made to SBS for services provided and milestones achieved, but SBS's earnings depend mainly on casework productivity improvements. The programme delay means that productivity has not improved as fast as expected.

  A commercial agreement has also been negotiated with SBS for changes to the contractual payments to reflect the delay in full implementation.
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  The payments made to SBS up to the end of 1998 were 4.5 million less than the contract target levels. SBS's earnings will continue to be depressed until the full Information Technology is delivered and productivity and output increase.

  Private Sector Criminal Justice Services
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the last date for which figures are available, how many former employees of his Department have taken new employment with companies involved in the provision of private sector criminal justice services which have contracts with his Department; if he will list

  Grade

  Position in Department

  Company

  Governor 1

  Her Majesty's Prison Wormwood Scrubs

  PPS

  Governor 1

  Prisons Inspectorate

  Group 4

  Governor 1

  Her Majesty's Prison Full Sutton

  PPS

  Governor 2

  Standards Audit

  Group 4

  Governor 2

  Her Majesty's Prison Bristol

  Securicor

  Governor 2

  Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution Aylesbury

  PPS

  Governor 2

  Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution New Hall

  UKDS

  Governor 3

  Her Majesty's Prison Gloucester

  PPS

  Senior Civil Service

  Area Manager

  PPS

  Grade 7

  Education Training Adviser, Prison Service

  Strode College

  Grade 7

  Education Training Adviser, Prison Service

  NESCOTT

  Grade 7

  Education Training Adviser, Prison Service

  Matthew Boulton College

  Senior Civil Service

  Director (Enforcement), Immigration Service

  Group 4 Securitas

  Grade 7

  Police Science and Technology Unit

  Forensic Alliance

  Colchester Young Offenders Institute
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisional conclusions from the research of Dr Kate Painter into the experimental regime at Colchester Young Offenders Institute are available; and if he will publish them. [72607]

  Mr. George Howarth
  No conclusions will be drawn from the research into the experimental regime at Colchester until all the data have been collected and analysed. It is our intention to publish the final research report.

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the rules are concerning the rights of prison officers employed in prisons in England and Wales to take in cigarettes, alcohol, food and other items for prison inmates; and if he will make a statement; [72546]

  (2) what private outside purchases paid for by the prisoners are being approved and made by prison officers at prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [72547]

  Mr. George Howarth
  All items provided to prisoners must be provided through the prison shop or the catering department only. No other external shopping on behalf of any prisoner is allowed, but the Governor may authorise shopping for ethnic minority goods where these would not otherwise be available.
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  those former employees by their position in his Department and their current position; and if he will make a statement. [71928]

  Mr. Straw
  The Home Office does not maintain comprehensive records on the employment destinations of members of staff who leave the Department. Subject to the constraints of the Business Appointment Rules, staff are free to seek and take employment outside the Civil Service without the need to seek permission. We are aware of 12 applications within the last two years under the rules, by staff managed by the Prison Service, for permission to work in the private sector. In the same period, elsewhere in the Department, applications were received from two former members of staff for permission to provide advice to private companies, one in connection with a project outside the United Kingdom.

  Crime Victims
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve services for victims of crime and witnesses; and if he will make a statement. [73168]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government are committed to improving the position of victims and witnesses within the criminal justice system. We are increasing very substantially our annual grant to Victim Support to enable them to establish in magistrates' courts a support service for victims, witnesses and other court users to complement the highly successful service they have already established at all Crown Court centres. Up to an additional £2.8 million a year will be provided for this purpose in 1999–2000, rising to up to £4.5 million in 2001–02.

  We shall also be providing an additional £1.8 million a year from 1999–2000 onwards to enable Victim Support further to develop their community based schemes and the support services provided at the Crown Court.

  By 2001–02, therefore, our grant to Victim Support will have risen to some £19 million a year, an increase of 50 per cent. over the current figure of £12.7 million. This substantial injection of new money will enable Victim Support to provide a more complete and seamless service for victims and witnesses, from the reporting of the offence through to the conclusion of the case in the courts and, as appropriate, beyond.

  Freedom of Information Bill
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the recent date set for the publication of a Freedom of Information Bill has been postponed. [72241]

  Mr. Straw
  Freedom of Information is a complex subject. There have been a great number of detailed issues to resolve before the Government could publish their draft Bill. It is essential to take the time to get this detail right so as to provide for an effective and workable Freedom of Information Act.

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases sent to the Criminal Cases Review Commission to date(a) have been dealt with, (b) are under consideration and (c) are awaiting consideration. [70852]

  Kate Hoey
  I understand that, at the end of January, the Criminal Cases Review Commission had completed 701 cases, had 482 under active review, and 1,055 awaiting review.

  Mink-keeping Licences
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) prosecutions have been brought and (b) convictions have been secured against individuals holding a mink-keeping licence or employed by the holder of such a licence for offences related to that activity in the last five years. [71313]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  Two prosecutions have been brought by this Department in the last five years against the categories of defendant identified. Both were for animal welfare offences. One conviction was secured. The second case has yet to be concluded.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Economy
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last held discussions with representatives of the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland on the development of the Scottish economy. [70829]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and my noble Friend the Minister with responsibilities for business and industry meet regularly with CBI Scotland. My noble Friend last met senior officials of CBI Scotland on 26 October.

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

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met Scottish Enterprise to discuss the Scottish economy. [70831]

  Mr. Dewar
  I meet the Chairman, Chief Executive and Members of Scottish Enterprise regularly to discuss a range of issues relating to the Scottish economy, most recently on 2 November. My noble Friend the Minister with responsibilities for business and industry meets the 212
  Chairman and Chief Executive on at least a monthly basis to discuss a range of issues relating to the Scottish economy.

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

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland to discuss the economy in Scotland. [70833]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Both my right hon. Friend and the Minister with responsibility for business and industry discuss economic matters with CBI Scotland from time to time. Arrangements for my right hon. Friend's next meeting have yet to be made, but the Minister with responsibility for business and industry is due to attend a CBI Scotland event on 12 March.

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

  Redundancies
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of local authority funded organisations created to overcome social exclusion which are currently issuing precautionary redundancy notices to their staff. [70830]

  Mr. McLeish
  While the Government acknowledge the valuable role that can be played by such organisations in the fight against social exclusion, decisions on the staffing levels of local authority funded projects are made by local authorities themselves, and information about such decisions is not held centrally.

  From 1 July 1999 funding for local authorities will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Council Housing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Scottish local authorities relating to their provision of council housing. [70832]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I discussed aspects of policy relating to the provision of council housing when I met representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities yesterday to brief them on the Green Paper on Housing. I am sure that CoSLA will participate fully in the consultation process which now commences.

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

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest position in relation to starting criminal proceedings on the Lockerbie bombing. [70834]

  Mr. McLeish
  The arrest warrants which were obtained in respect of the two Libyans accused on 13 November 1991 remain outstanding. We continue to look to the Libyan government to respond positively to the UK initiative of 24 August 1998 by arranging for the delivery of those two accused to the authorities of the Netherlands. Once the accused become available to
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  the Scottish authorities, the arrest warrants can be executed and the criminal proceedings can follow their usual course, subject only to the changes necessarily made to reflect the exceptional location of the proceedings.

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

  Education
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for education in Scotland. [70835]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government's plans for improving pre-school and school education were set out in our White Paper "Targeting Excellence: Modernising Scotland's Schools", which was published on 27 January. Our priorities for post-16 education and training are set out in our Green Paper "Opportunity Scotland", published in September 1998. Copies of both documents are available in the Library of the House.

  Sewage Disposal
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with water and drainage authorities on their plans for methods of sewage disposal other than dumping at sea; and if he will make a statement. [70836]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Ministers have regular discussions with the water authorities about their plans to dispose of sewage in safe and appropriate ways.

  Following the ending of sea disposal on 31 December 1998 each authority has put in place alternative disposal methods which fully comply with the relevant regulations and protect public health.

  Responsibility for these matters will pass to the Scottish Parliament.

  Electricity (Jobs)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the number of jobs in Scotland which depend on the sale of electricity from Scotland to other parts of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [70837]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The information is not held in the form requested. This is a commercial matter for the Scottish electricity generators but the Government welcome the contribution made by the electricity industry to the Scottish economy.

  Business Survey
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the most recent business survey by the Scottish Chamber of Commerce. [70838]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I have noted the results of the most recent Scottish Chamber's Business Survey, which were released on 13 January 1999.

  No country is immune from the effects of the current instability in the world economy. We fully appreciate the difficulties that this is causing for Scottish businesses and we are taking action to build a stable economy capable
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  of sustained and steady growth. The recent reductions in interest rates are possible because of the tough decisions we have taken. The publication of the Competitiveness White Paper is further evidence of the Government's determination to create a strong and vibrant economy.

  From 1 July economic development in Scotland will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Reid Kerr Further Education College
  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the consultants' report into the management of Reid Kerr Further Education College. [70839]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I am acutely concerned about the financial position at Reid Kerr College. That is why I agreed to the appointment of consultants last autumn. This report describes a number of steps to be taken by the College's Board of Management in order to draw up a recovery plan aimed at securing the College's future. We have offered financial assistance to the Board, but attached stringent conditions to ensure that the College's problems are addressed immediately, and have sought to ensure that the Board has access to appropriate expertise to assist in framing and implementing the recovery plan.

  Timber
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of log movements in Scotland are currently transported by B class roads; and if he will estimate the percentage which over the last 10 years has been transferred from carriage by sea to carriage on B class roads. [70840]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Most of the timber grown in Scotland is transported along 'B' or 'C' class roads for part of its journey from the forest. While "preferred haulage routes" are usually agreed with local authorities, no detailed records are kept of how much timber is transported along individual roads. The amount of timber carried by sea has not changed significantly over the past 10 years.

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

  Agriculture
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the National Farmers Union of Scotland to discuss the problems facing the agricultural sector. [70841]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my noble Friend Lord Sewel met the National Farming Union for Scotland and other industry bodies on 31 January 1999 to discuss agricultural policy.

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

  Criminal Justice System
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish Law Society to discuss the criminal justice system in Scotland. [70842]
  215
  Mr. McLeish
  The Government meet regularly with representatives of the Law Society of Scotland to discuss aspects of the legal system. I met the Law Society on 13 January.

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

  University Applications
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding the current level of university applications. [70843]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Figures released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service indicated that 59,702 applications to Scottish higher education institutions had been made as at 15 December 1998.

  This will become a matter for the Scottish Parliament from 1 July 1999.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress made by the Social Exclusion Unit in Scotland. [70844]

  Mr. Macdonald
  We have been developing a social inclusion strategy for Scotland to ensure that the action already underway achieves the greatest possible impact. We have established the Social Exclusion Network to co-ordinate policy and action to promote social inclusion across The Scottish Office, and have also set up the Scottish Social Inclusion Network to assist us in preparing a statement of our strategy which we aim to publish shortly.

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

  Trunk Road Maintenance Contracts
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the method of awarding trunk road maintenance contracts in Scotland. [70845]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I am satisfied that The Scottish Office's procedures for the award of trunk road maintenance contracts are fully in line with HM Treasury and European Union guidance.

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

  Council Tax
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate his Department has made of this year's percentage rise in council tax bills in Scotland. [70846]

  Mr. McLeish
  The council tax level for each council will depend on local circumstances and decisions and it is not possible to make reliable estimates at the individual council level. Provided councils heed the Expenditure Guidelines we have issued however, the Scottish average council tax increase should be no more than 5 per cent. in 1999–2000.
  216
  From 1 July this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what responsibilities will be given to the European office to be opened in July in Brussels to represent the Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [70847]

  Mr. McLeish
  There are no plans to open an office to represent the Scottish Parliament in Brussels. That possibility will be a matter for consideration by the Scottish Parliament itself.

  Arrangements are in hand to establish a representative office for the Scottish Executive, to be in operation when the Parliament assumes its full powers on 1 July 1999. The precise functions of that office will be determined by the Scottish Executive in due course.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) on what date the Scottish Executive will take responsibility for those matters currently the responsibility of his Department which are to be devolved under the Scotland Act 1998; [72512]

  (2) what the arrangements will be in respect of accountability to Parliament for matters which are currently his responsibility but which are to be devolved under the Scotland Act 1998, between 6 May and 1 July; [72513]

  (3) on what date he will cease to be responsible to the UK Parliament for those matters devolved to the Scottish Parliament. [72514]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The Scotland Act 1998 (Commencement) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/3178), which was made on 16 December 1998, provides that 1 July 1999 will be the principal appointed day for the purposes of the Act. It is on this day that the Scottish Parliament will acquire its powers to make laws and that functions will be transferred to the Scottish Ministers. Until the principal appointed day the Secretary of State for Scotland will remain accountable to Parliament for the matters within his responsibility which are to be devolved.

  The arrangements for financial accountability are set out in The Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Finance) Order 1999, a draft of which was approved by each House recently. The Secretary of State will render accounts to Parliament for expenditure up to the principal appointed day; and the Scottish Ministers to the Scottish Parliament for the period thereafter.

  Integrated Transport Network
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to work in partnership with local authorities to deliver an integrated transport network in Scotland. [70822]

  Mr. McLeish
  Last year's Scottish Transport White Paper recognises that local authorities will play a key role in the delivery of integrated transport.
  217
  We have recently issued consultation documents on Regional Transport Partnerships and Local Transport Strategies, and we are allocating £90 million over three years for a Public Transport Fund to assist local authorities in funding appropriate developments.

  Dental Services
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average waiting time for(a) an initial appointment with and (b) treatment by an NHS orthodontist in Scotland; how much has been allocated to the Scottish Dental Access Initiative; which health boards have applied for funds to date and for how much; how many applications have been successful in each health board area; and how much total funding has been approved and distributed to date. [69272]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 9 February 1999]A major proportion of orthodontic treatment is undertaken in general dental practice, rather than in hospitals or the Community Health Service and no information is held centrally on patient waiting times for such treatment. Most orthodontic treatments carried out within the Hospital and Community Health Service settings are undertaken on an outpatient basis. Provisional figures show that, at 30 September 1998, the mean waiting time for a first orthodontic outpatient appointment was 103 days.

  Funding of £1 million has been allocated to the Scottish Dental Access Initiative in 1998–99. Dentists, not Health Boards, apply for funds under the Initiative. Information on the number of applications for funding, offers and payments made, is given in the table. To respect the anonymity of the applicants, information on the Scottish Dental Access Initiative is not provided on an individual Health Board basis.

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

  Scottish Dental Access Initiative

  Number of applications received

  28

  Amount applied for (£000)

  970

  Number of offers made1

  13

  Amount offered (£000)

  379

  Payments made (£000)

  134

  1Offers number 6 in western, 5 in northern and 2 in eastern Health Board areas.

  NHS Managers
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many managers have been seconded to implement the new NHS structures in Scotland. [71887]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Five managers have been seconded to the NHS in Scotland Management Executive on a full or part-time basis to help with implementation of the new structures in Scotland. This represents 2.8 whole time equivalents.

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

  Fixed Penalties
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fixed penalties were imposed by Scottish 218
  courts last year in (a) Scotland as a whole and (b) each individual sheriffdom, broken down by offence; and what was (i) their total value and (ii) the total amount of money recovered. [71872]

  Mr. McLeish
  Scottish courts do not impose a conditional offer of a fixed penalty. The decision whether to offer an alleged offender a fixed penalty (fiscal fine) is a matter for the Procurator Fiscal. The police or the Procurator Fiscal can also offer a fixed penalty for certain road traffic offences.

  The numbers of criminal reports concluded by way of a fiscal fine in each of the sheriffdoms in Scotland and in total for 1997–98 are as follows:

  Sheriffdoms

  Number

  Grampian, Highland and Islands

  2,136

  Tayside, Central and Fife

  3,003

  Lothian and Borders

  1,582

  North Strathclyde

  2,651

  South Strathclyde Dumfries and Galloway

  4,088

  Glasgow and Strathkelvin

  5,501

  All Scotland

  18,961

  This information cannot be broken down by offence.

  In 1997–98 approximately £527,000 was collected by the district courts from the payment of fiscal fines.

  The 1997 provisional figures for fixed penalties dealt with by the police by force area and type of offence are as follows:

  Force area

  Moving vehicle offences1

  Stationery vehicle offences

  Central

  6,943

  16,349

  Dumfries and Galloway

  8,003

  7,206

  Fife

  5,543

  17,779

  Grampian

  14,938

  30,279

  Lothian and Borders

  22,305

  117,644

  Northern

  5,902

  11,138

  Strathclyde

  51,536

  210,567

  Tayside

  8,444

  27,719

  Scotland

  123,614

  438,681

  1Includes speeding vehicle excise licence, parking, motorway traffic, seat belt and other motor vehicle offences

  Information on conditional offers of a fixed penalty made by the Procurator Fiscal for road traffic offences is not held centrally.

  In 1997–98, the district courts received approximately £6.7 million in fixed penalty payments.

  From 1 July, Procurator Fiscal conditional offers (fiscal fines) will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament. Fixed penalties for road traffic offences will be reserved.

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many cases where a fixed penalty was imposed civil diligence was initiated in 1998 in(a) Scotland as a whole and (b) each individual sheriffdom; how much money was so recovered; and if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to recover the amount owing from fines. [71873]
  219
  Mr. McLeish
  The district courts in Scotland collect fixed penalty payments. In 1997–98, civil diligence was used to collect unpaid fixed penalties (including fiscal fines) in 34,071 cases.

  Information on the amounts recovered by diligence is not held centrally.

  Recovery of unpaid fixed penalties can be done in a number of ways. It is for the courts to determine how best to recover these fines taking account of the individual circumstances of each case.

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

  Nurses
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full-time nurses are employed by the NHS in Scotland. [71867]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The latest provisional data available indicate that as at 30 September 1998 there were 24,936 nurses and midwives employed on a full-time basis by the NHS in Scotland.

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

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of nurses who have completed nursing training in Scotland since May 1997 have then taken up a nursing job in the NHS in Scotland. [71866]

  Mr. Galbraith
  This information is not held centrally.

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

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many nurses have been(a) recruited and (b) trained in Scotland since May 1997. [71875]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The available information is as follows:

  (a) According to provisional figures, there were 2,845 nurses and midwives employed in the NHS in Scotland at 30 September 1998 who had joined since September 1997.

  (b) 2,855 student nurses have successfully completed basic training since 1 May 1997.

  The 2 sets of data are not comparable because they derive from different sources, and in particular because the figures on recruits to employment:

  (i) includes midwives as well as nurses

  (ii) includes rejoiners as well as new entrants

  (iii) excludes nurses working in general practices, banks and agencies.

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

  Source:
  Employment Data—Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency for the NHS in Scotland
  Training Data—National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland.

  Temporary Sheriffs
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a list of those holding commissions as temporary sheriffs on 15 January, including details of when each of the temporary sheriffs was first appointed. [71886]

  Mr. McLeish
  I have arranged to have placed in the Library a list of those holding commissions as temporary sheriffs on 15 January, showing dates of first appointment in that capacity.

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

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many temporary sheriffs held commissions on 15 January; and of these, how many were(a) solicitors, (b) advocates, (c) female, (d) under the age of 40 (e) 60 to 64 and (f) 65 years of age or over. [71888]

  Mr. McLeish
  On 15 January 131 commissions as temporary sheriffs were in force. Of these(a) 84 were solicitors, (b) 47 were advocates, (c) 16 were female, (d) 7 were under age 40, (e) 5 were aged 60 to 64 and (f) 7 were aged 65 or over.

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

  Waiting Lists
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money listed by each NHS trust in Scotland has been directed into the Waiting List Initiative. [71889]

  Mr. Galbraith
  An additional £44.5 million was made available to tackle waiting lists and waiting times. £40 million was allocated to Health Boards to enable them to implement their plans for achieving reductions. The funding issued to each Health Board is set out in Table 1. The remaining £4.5 million was issued to those NHS Trusts which had achieved waiting list reductions. The awards to NHS Trusts are set out in Table 2.

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

  Table 1: Waiting lists funding to Health Boards

  £ million

  Health Board

  Funding

  Argyll and Clyde

  3.3

  Aryshire and Arran

  2.4

  Boarders

  0.9

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1.3

  Fife

  2.4

  Forth Valley

  2.2

  Grampian

  4.0

  Greater Glasgow

  7.7

  Highland

  1.5

  Lanarkshire1

  4.2

  Lothian

  5.5

  Orkney

  0.5

  Shetland

  0.2

  Tayside

  3.2

  Western Isles

  0.3

  Common Services Agency2

  0.4

  1Includes £300,000 funding for the Scottish Ambulance Service

  2Funding for Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service

  221

  Table 2: Awards to NHS Trusts

  £

  NHS Trust

  Award

  Western General Hospitals NHS Trust

  450,000

  Royal Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

  300,000

  Queen Margaret Hospital NHS Trust

  300,000

  Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust

  300,000

  West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust

  300,000

  Monklands General Hospital NHS Trust

  300,000

  Edinburgh Sick Children's NHS Trust

  300,000

  West Lothian NHS Trust

  300,000

  Inverclyde Royal NHS Trust

  150,000

  Lomond Healthcare NHS Trust

  150,000

  North Ayrshire and Arran NHS Trust

  150,000

  South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  150,000

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust

  150,000

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  150,000

  Stirling Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  150,000

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  150,000

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust

  150,000

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust

  150,000

  Law Hospital NHS Trust

  150,000

  East and Midlothian NHS Trust

  150,000

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust

  150,000

  4,500,000

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what indicators have been used to measure value for money gained from funds directed towards the waiting list initiative in Scotland. [71871]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Health Boards, in conjunction with NHS Trusts, prepared detailed plans for achieving reductions in waiting lists and waiting times. A clinical and professional Support Force examined the plans and discussed them with representatives of Health Boards and NHS Trusts. Prior to recommending the plans for approval, the Support Force ensured that they were robust, deliverable and would achieve value for money, through an assessment of the project costs and the anticipated impact on waiting lists. Monitoring of expenditure by Health Boards on their plans, and the outcomes achieved, is ongoing.

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

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the money spent to reduce waiting lists in Scotland over the last year was allocated specifically for that purpose. [71870]

  Mr. Galbraith
  An additional £40 million was issued to the NHS in Scotland in 1998 specifically to tackle waiting lists and waiting times. In February 1999, an additional £4.5 million was issued as awards to those NHS Trusts which had achieved waiting list reductions.

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

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money has been directed towards reducing waiting list figures in the last three months in Scotland. [71884]
  222
  Mr. Galbraith
  An additional £20 million was issued to the NHS in Scotland in April 1998 for action to secure early reductions in waiting lists, and a further £20 million was issued in September/November 1998 to fund over 190 strategic projects designed to secure sustained reductions in waiting times and waiting lists. In February 1999, £4.5 million was issued as awards to those NHS Trusts which had achieved early reductions in waiting lists.

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

  Hospital Beds
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospital beds there are per 1,000 of the population in Scotland. [71869]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Provisional figures for the year ending 30 September 1998 indicate that there were 7.3 NHS inpatient beds per 1,000 population.

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

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average percentage of beds occupied in Scottish hospitals. [71868]

  Mr. Galbraith
  In the year ending 30 September 1998, provisional figures show that the average percentage of all NHS inpatient beds occupied was 79.9 per cent.

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

  Local Government Boundary Commission
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland with reference to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland's report to him on the Second Statutory Review of Electoral Arrangements, in which local authority areas consultants were engaged(a) to complete, (b) to validate and (c) to examine the local authorities' initial proposals to the Commission; and what was the cost of such work to the Commission. [71891]

  Mr. McLeish
  No consultants were engaged by the Commission for the purposes mentioned for any local authority area.

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

  HIV
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the anonymised programme of HIV surveillance in Scotland, setting out for each survey currently in operation or planned the(a) location, (b) targeted populations, (c) clinical reasons for initial collection of specimens, (d) number of specimen collection venues, (e) annual specimen numbers and (f) most recent prevalence data. [71910]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The statistical information is set out in the tables.

  The two principal targeted populations are genito-urinary clinic attenders and neonates. For the latter, prevalence of HIV antibody positivity among neonates is

  223
  an indicator of the prevalence of HIV infection among childbearing women. Up to 1997, additional unlinked anonymous HIV testing was performed on pregnant women in Edinburgh and Dundee. Because HIV prevalence among this group has remained relatively low and stable, these additional surveys were discontinued as at December 1997.

  Genito-urinary clinic attenders having a syphilis serology test or presenting with a new sexually-transmitted disease for the first time in a calender quarter are eligible for entry into the survey. HIV testing of

  Incidence of HIV infection among genito-urinary clinic attenders 1995–971

  1995

  1996

  1997

  N

  %+ve

  N

  %+ve

  N

  %+ve

  Greater Glasgow

  Homo/Bisexual Males (excl. IDUs)

  255

  4.31

  215

  4.65

  311

  1.93

  Hetero Males (excl. IDUs)

  2,035

  0.20

  1,519

  0.20

  2,105

  0.14

  Hetero Females (excl. IDUs)

  1,374

  0.07

  956

  0.21

  1,232

  0.00

  Injecting Drug Users(IDU)

  38

  5.26

  37

  2.70

  50

  0.00

  Other/Unknown

  64

  0.00

  77

  0.00

  101

  0.00

  Total

  3,766

  0.48

  2,804

  0.57

  3,799

  0.24

  Lothian

  Homo/Bisexual Males (excl. IDUs)

  292

  3.08

  477

  3.98

  437

  3.66

  Hetero Males (excl. IDUs)

  2,246

  0.40

  2,087

  0.29

  2,241

  0.22

  Hetero Female (excl. IDUs)

  1,971

  0.20

  1,876

  0.32

  2,231

  0.18

  Injecting Drug Users (IDU)

  27

  3.70

  35

  11.43

  55

  7.27

  Other/Unknown

  27

  0.00

  35

  0.00

  50

  0.00

  Total

  4,563

  0.50

  4,510

  0.78

  5,014

  0.58

  Tayside

  Homo/Bisexual Males (excl. IDUs)

  28

  7.14

  38

  2.63

  46

  0.00

  Hetero Males (excl. IDUs)

  515

  0.58

  468

  0.21

  550

  0.18

  Hetero Females (excl. IDUs)

  248

  0.40

  297

  0.00

  379

  0.00

  Injecting Drug Users (IDU)

  16

  0.00

  9

  0.00

  31

  9.68

  Other/Unknown

  17

  0.00

  22

  0.00

  52

  0.00

  Total

  824

  0.73

  834

  0.24

  1,058

  0.38

  Grampian

  Homo/Bisexual Males (excl. IDUs)

  34

  0.00

  83

  1.20

  50

  6.00

  Hetero Males (excl. IDUs)

  481

  0.21

  489

  0.00

  505

  0.40

  Hetero Females (excl. IDUs)

  336

  0.00

  428

  0.00

  425

  0.71

  Injecting Drug Users (IDU)

  14

  0.00

  46

  0.00

  57

  0.00

  Other/Unknown

  14

  0.00

  14

  0.00

  69

  1.45

  Total

  879

  0.11

  1,060

  0.09

  1,106

  0.81

  Other

  Homo/Bisexual Males (excl. IDUs)

  23

  4.35

  19

  15.79

  28

  0.00

  Hetero Males (excl. IDUs)

  363

  0.00

  303

  0.00

  477

  0.00

  Hetero Females (excl. IDUs)

  297

  0.34

  258

  0.00

  467

  0.00

  Injecting Drug Users (IDU)

  11

  0.00

  8

  0.00

  15

  0.00

  Other/Unknown

  8

  0.00

  4

  0.00

  9

  0.00

  Total

  702

  0.28

  592

  0.51

  996

  0.00

  Scotland

  Homo/Bisexual Males (excl. IDUs)

  632

  3.64

  832

  4.09

  872

  2.87

  Hetero Males (excl. IDUs)

  5,640

  0.30

  4,866

  0.21

  5,878

  0.19

  Hetero Females (excl. IDUs)

  4,226

  0.17

  3,815

  0.21

  4,734

  0.15

  Injecting Drug Users (IDU)

  106

  2.83

  135

  3.70

  208

  3.37

  Other/Unknown

  130

  0.00

  152

  0.00

  281

  0.36

  Total

  10,734

  0.47

  9,800

  0.58

  11,973

  0.43

  1Attenders at GUM clinics in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, Aberdeen, Falkirk, and Stirling Geographical categorisation is by the health board area in which the clinic is sited.

  224
  neonates is performed on dried blood spots collected on Guthrie cards used for neonatal metabolic screening tests for conditions such as hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria.

  For genito-urinary clinic attenders the collection venues are two genito-urinary clinics in Glasgow, one in Edinburgh, one in Dundee, one in Aberdeen, one in Falkirk and one in Stirling. For neonates, all Guthrie cards are sent directly to the neonatal metabolic screening laboratory at Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow.

  From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  225

  Incidence of HIV infection among women attending antenatal clinics or undergoing termination of pregnancy—Lothian and Tayside (excluding injecting drug users)1995–971

  1995

  1996

  1997

  N

  %+ve

  N

  %+ve

  N

  %+ve

  Lothian

  12,173

  0.06

  12,965

  0.08

  12,214

  0.07

  Tayside

  3,547

  0.08

  3,639

  0.14

  3,516

  0.06

  1This survey was confined to pregnant women attending clinics in Edinburgh and Dundee. Geographical categorisation is by the health board area in which the clinic is sited.

  Incidence of HIV infection among neonates 1995–97

  1995

  1996

  1997

  N

  %+ve

  N

  %+ve

  N

  %+ve

  Greater Glasgow

  Childbearing women (incl. IDUs)

  10,380

  0.01

  10,093

  0.01

  10,412

  0.01

  Lothian

  Childbearing women (incl. IDUs)

  9,266

  0.06

  9,224

  0.10

  9,332

  0.04

  Tayside

  Childbearing women (incl. IDUs)

  4,494

  0.04

  4,414

  0.07

  4,623

  0.04

  Grampian

  Childbearing women (incl. IDUs)

  6,139

  0.00

  5,998

  0.02

  6,146

  0.02

  Other

  Childbearing women (incl. IDUs)

  30,620

  0.02

  29,854

  0.01

  30,526

  0.02

  Scotland

  Childbearing women (incl. IDUs)

  60,899

  0.02

  59,574

  0.03

  61,039

  0.02

  Gaelic Medium Units
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the Gaelic-medium units in Scottish primary schools and the number of pupils studying them in each year since 1985. [71674]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 22 February 19991 The table shows numbers of Gaelic-medium units in Scottish primary schools and the total number of pupils in each year since 1985:

  Unit

  Pupils

  1985–86

  2

  24

  1986–87

  6

  64

  1987–88

  9

  112

  1988–89

  13

  169

  1989–90

  19

  286

  1990–91

  25

  431

  1991–92

  31

  614

  1992–93

  38

  824

  1993–94

  45

  1,080

  1994–95

  47

  1,258

  1995–96

  50

  1,456

  1996–97

  52

  1,587

  1997–98

  55

  1,736

  1998–99

  56

  1,816

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

  Media Allegations (Rebuttals)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) those units in his Department and (b) the number of departmental staff which are concerned with preparing rebuttals of allegations in the media; and what is (i) the total cost of their work, including salaries, and (ii) the number of rebuttals issued since May 1997. [71844]
  226
  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]In common with other departments, the work of press officers in my department includes responding to and correcting any misinformed or inaccurate media reporting of Government policy or activity. They are supported in this work by other officials as necessary.

  This is a routine part of a Department's work and it is not separately recorded from other tasks.

  Solicitors (Payments)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the criteria he has applied(a) in selecting the areas in which solicitors will receive an enhanced fixed payment for summary criminal legal aid cases and (b) in determining the level of the enhanced payment. [71860]

  Mr. McLeish
  The criteria were chosen to reflect a combination of small numbers of cases dealt with and time taken to travel to the court.

  The 15 Sheriff courts in Scotland with the lowest throughput of cases were therefore identified. Any courts which were less than 40 miles from the nearest other sheriff court and which could be reached without a sea crossing were eliminated from the list. The resultant list of courts for which an additional payment will be available is Campbeltown, Stornoway, Lockmaddy, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Oban, Portree, Lochgilphead and Rothesay Sheriff courts.

  The additional fee of £50 was determined to provide reasonable remuneration to solicitors who have to represent clients in these courts. The Sheriff Court core fee has also been increased to £500 for all courts. From 1 July 1999 legal aid in Scotland will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Foundation for Sports and Arts
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been granted by the Foundation for Sports and Arts in Scotland over the past five years. [72267]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The information is set out in the table.

  £

  Year

  Sport

  Arts

  1994

  2,937,337.13

  1,634,091.00

  1995

  1,867,394.00

  1,223,425.00

  1996

  2,148,410.78

  767,935.00

  1997

  738,363.32

  291,551.00

  1998

  544,021.75

  147,686.00

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

  Sports Council
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much the Scottish Sports Council has invested over the past five years as a percentage of its total expenditure in(a) Glasgow and (b) Scotland's other cities. [72266]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the Council's grant in aid expenditure in the form requested. The information in respect of awards from the Lottery Sports Fund is set out in the table.

  LSF awards to Scottish cities (to 18 February 1999)

  City

  LSF programme

  Total awards

  Percentage of total (per programme)

  Glasgow

  Capital

  19,387,144

  26.4

  Talented Athletes

  278,844

  6.4

  Major Events

  462,161

  49.4

  Safety at Sports Grounds

  0

  0

  Awards for All

  34,025

  5.7

  Sub Total

  20,162,174

  123.5

  Edinburgh

  Capital

  8,199,824

  11.1

  Talented Athletes

  830,123

  18.9

  Major Events

  160,720

  17.2

  Safety at Sports Grounds

  0

  0

  Awards for All

  23,160

  3.9

  Sub Total

  9,213,827

  110.7

  Aberdeen

  Capital

  2,198.608

  3.0

  Talented Athletes

  125,611

  2.9

  Major Events

  0

  0

  Safety at Sports Grounds

  0

  0

  Awards for All

  12,087

  2.0

  Sub Total

  2,336,306

  12.7

  Dundee

  Capital

  3,626,250

  5.0

  Talented Athletes

  61,202

  1.4

  Major Events

  0

  0

  Safety at Sports Grounds

  1,000,000

  47.5

  Awards for All

  5,559

  0.9

  Sub Total

  4,693,011

  15.5

  1As percentage of total commitments across all programmes

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

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of the Scottish Sports Council there are; when each was appointed; and by which Secretary of State for Scotland each was appointed. [72263]
  228
  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The information requested is set out in the table.

  Name

  Date of current appointment

  Appointment by

  Mr. Graeme M. Simmers, CBE (Chairman)

  June 1995

  Rt. Hon. Ian Lang MP

  Mr. Alan Grosset (Vice-Chairman)

  November 1998

  Rt. Hon. Donald Dewar MP

  Mrs. Evelyn Raistrick

  November 1997

  Rt. Hon. Donald Dewar MP

  Mr. David Arnott

  November 1997

  Rt. Hon. Donald Dewar MP

  Mrs. Jane Heaney

  May 1996

  Rt. Hon. Michael Forsyth MP

  Mr. Eamonn Bannon

  August 1996

  Rt. Hon. Michael Forsyth MP

  Mrs. Louise Martin

  November 1997

  Rt. Hon. Donald Dewar MP

  Mr. Ian Mason

  December 1998

  Rt. Hon. Donald Dewar MP

  Mr. Alastair Dempster

  December 1998

  Rt. Hon. Donald Dewar MP

  Mr. Ritchie Campbell

  December 1998

  Rt. Hon. Donald Dewar MP

  Miss Fiona Reid

  December 1998

  Rt. Hon. Donald Dewar MP

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

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff are employed by the Scottish Sports Council; and where they are based. [72274]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]In 1997–98 the Scottish Sports Council employed 187 staff at its headquarters in Edinburgh and at its three national centres at Aviemore, Largs and Cumbrae. More detailed information is contained in the Council's Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98, a copy of which is in the Library.

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

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much grant money was given or is planned to be given to(a) Scottish sports in total and (b) each sport in Scotland over (i) the past three years and (ii) the next three years. [72273]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The amount of grant aid given to governing bodies of sport by the Scottish Sports Council for the past three years is set out in the table. The projected total grant-in-aid, and the grant-in-aid to be made available to individual governing bodies of sport, for the next three financial years has not yet been agreed by the Scottish Sports Council.

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

  Grants offered to governing bodies from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1998

  GB Name

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Scottish Anglers National Association

  9,000

  9,000

  9,000

  Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers

  0

  26,500

  13,000

  Scottish Federation of Coarse Anglers

  3,000

  5,800

  2,800

  Scottish Archery Association

  4,850

  4,800

  4,000

  Scottish Athletic Federation

  164,850

  157,000

  46,943

  Scottish Badminton Union

  116,370

  116,250

  116,250

  Scottish Basketball Association

  60,000

  62,000

  61,500

  Scottish Women's Bowling Association

  4,500

  4,500

  5,723

  Scottish Bowls Coaching Committee

  6,500

  6,500

  6,500

  Scottish Boxing Association

  19,000

  0

  0

  Scottish Canoe Association

  41,700

  40,243

  41,700

  Scottish Cricket Union

  60,800

  58,700

  61,500

  Scottish Croquet Association

  1,500

  1,500

  1,500

  Royal Caledonian Curling Club

  12,000

  17,350

  40,225

  Scottish Cyclists' Union

  95,560

  57,825

  56,000

  229

  Grants offered to governing bodies from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1998

  GB Name

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Scottish Amateur Dancesport Association

  17,500

  10,000

  10,000

  Fitness Scotland

  45,000

  35,000

  34,500

  Health & Beauty

  2,670

  2,600

  2,600

  Scottish Fencing

  19,000

  20,000

  20,000

  Scottish Field Archery Association

  1,000

  800

  800

  Scottish Women's Football Association

  26,000

  27,500

  27,500

  Scottish Gliding Association

  3,000

  3,000

  2,000

  Scottish Ladies Golf Association

  3,000

  3,000

  0

  Scottish Gymnastics Association

  87,000

  78,450

  91,250

  Scottish Hang/Paragliding Association

  2,000

  0

  1,000

  Scottish Hockey Union

  8,771

  398,500

  210,300

  Scottish Judo Federation

  0

  145,650

  98,000

  Scottish Karate Board

  0

  11,400

  11,400

  Scottish Lacrosse Association

  10,100

  10,000

  8,500

  Scottish Lawn Tennis Association

  69,000

  64,000

  64,000

  Mountaineering Council of Scotland

  9,000

  10,000

  10,000

  Scottish Netball Association

  30,000

  24,600

  25,600

  Scottish Orienteering Association

  50,400

  28,000

  28,000

  Scottish Sports Parachute Association

  5,500

  0

  0

  British Horse Society (Scotland)

  18,500

  16,500

  16,500

  Scottish Amateur Rowing Association

  0

  28,200

  14,600

  Scottish Women's Rugby Union

  2,000

  2,000

  2,000

  Scottish Rugby Union

  0

  700,000

  700,000

  RYA Scotland

  62,350

  70,661

  66,200

  The Camanachd Association

  15,000

  15,000

  0

  Scottish Target Shooting Federation

  0

  41,500

  42,250

  Scottish Ice Skating Association

  4,000

  4,000

  4,000

  Scottish National Ski Council

  60,400

  60,400

  60,400

  Scottish Squash

  85,400

  83,000

  78,000

  Scottish Sub Aqua Club

  20,800

  20,800

  20,800

  Scottish Surfing Federation

  1,000

  700

  0

  Scottish Amateur Swimming Association

  176,550

  175,000

  188,800

  Scottish Table Tennis Association

  42,000

  42,000

  36,000

  Scottish Trampoline Association

  0

  40,000

  5,000

  Scottish Triathlon Association

  2,000

  2,000

  4,400

  Scottish Tug of War Association

  1,800

  0

  3,600

  Scottish Volleyball Association

  0

  80,000

  80,000

  Scottish Waterski Association

  0

  40,000

  20.000

  Scottish Amateur Weight-Lifters Association

  13,500

  0

  11.450

  Scottish Wrestling Association

  7,000

  12,000

  7,000

  Scottish School Sports

  1,200

  0

  0

  Scottish Sports Association

  41,000

  38,000

  36,200

  Scottish Sports Association for People with a Disability

  0

  20,000

  20,000

  Total

  1,543,071

  2,934,229

  2,530,291

  Note:

  The above are details of grants offered, but not necessarily paid, to governing bodies of sport for the Scottish Sports Council financial years as stated. The figures do not necessarily coincide with any governing body's financial year and may represent only part of, or more than, one year's funding.

  Talented Athlete Programme
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been invested in Glasgow under the Talented Athlete Programme(a) in each sport and (b) as a proportion of the total spent in Scotland on the programme. [72264]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information requested is set out.

  Talented athlete programme awards in Glasgow

  Sport

  Total awards (£)

  Angling

  1,734

  Aquatics

  7,896

  Athletics

  38,831

  Basketball

  2,000

  Canoeing

  4,500

  Cricket

  21,239

  Curling

  8,435

  Fencing

  9,000

  Golf, Men

  5,750

  230

  Talented athlete programme awards in Glasgow

  Sport

  Total awards (£)

  Golf, Women

  3,000

  Gymnastics

  2,000

  Hockey

  36,002

  Lawn Tennis

  2,000

  Movement and Dance

  2,975

  Netball

  20,975

  Rowing

  3,750

  Squash

  10,356

  Volleyball

  47,430

  Women's Rugby

  9,532

  Weightlifting

  9,000

  Wrestling

  9,670

  Total

  278,844

  Note:

  Percentage of total TAP awards 6.4 per cent.

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

PRIME MINISTER

  European Union Fraud
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to respond to the request dated 14 January from the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard), asking him to publish the letter he sent to Pauline Green MEP concerning the European Parliament's vote on EU fraud and the motion of censure. [70664]

  The Prime Minister
  I have not been able to identify any such request. However, I have replied in full to the letter of 18 December from the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) about the European Commission's vote not to accept the recommendations of its Budgetary Control Committee to grant discharge to the Commission for its implementation of the 1996 Budget. If the right hon. and learned Member wishes me to do so, I would be glad to put copies of the correspondence in the Library.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 10 February 1999,Official Report, column 313, what is his policy towards each of the criticisms of the Civil Service set out in the second report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on Sierra Leone (HC116 of Session 1998–99). [71687]

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will review the guidelines for the management of Departments by Ministers following the publication of the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone (HC116 of Session 1998–99). [71828]

  The Prime Minister
  A formal reply to the Foreign Affairs Committee Report HC116 is being prepared by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and will be submitted to Parliament in due course.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the statement by the Foreign Secretary that the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone uncovered no evidence which was not
  231
  contained in the Legg report and if this statement will be included in the formal Government response to the report. [71826]

  The Prime Minister
  I agree with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. As I told the House on 10 February 1999,Official Report, columns 313–14, the facts to which the Foreign Affairs Committee Report drew attention had already been covered by Sir Thomas Legg's inquiry, which confirmed that there was no conspiracy or cover up. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is preparing a formal reply to the Report which it will be submitting to Parliament shortly.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date and at what time(a) he, (b) other departmental Ministers and (c) his officials first had access to the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone. [72603]

  The Prime Minister
  My Office received advance embargoed copies of the report from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at approximately 0830 hours on Tuesday 9 February 1999.

  Notes of Dissent
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 1979 permanent secretaries have filed a formal note of dissent registering their disapproval of a ministerial instruction. [71681]

  The Prime Minister
  No central record is kept of any formal notes of dissent except where they lead to the issuing of a Ministerial instruction (or "Direction") as provided for in the procedures set out in paragraphs 12–15 of the Treasury document The Responsibilities of an Accounting Officer. Under these procedures the Treasury is informed when a Ministerial Direction is issued. Until December 1994 Departments were required to inform the Treasury about Ministerial Directions concerning propriety and regularity only, and not those concerning value for money. From December 1994 Departments were required to inform the Treasury of both kinds of Directions. Treasury records show that since 1981 the Treasury has been informed of 28 Directions. No central record is held of notes (if there are any) recording an Accounting Officer's dissatisfaction at a Ministerial Direction.

  Select Committees
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the future relationship between Ministers and parliamentary Select Committees. [71825]

  The Prime Minister
  In their dealings with Select Committees, Ministers will continue to abide by the Resolution on Ministerial Accountability adopted by the House on 19 March 1997.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister what action he has taken to establish an international test day for the millennium compliance of computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [72156]

  The Prime Minister
  It is clear that testing is the cornerstone of a successful Year 2000 programme. As such all Government Departments and agencies are required to have testing strategies in place. Testing is also 232
  highlighted in the advice on tackling the millennium bug that Action 2000 makes available to small businesses. We have also been encouraging other countries to take testing seriously. However, decisions on the appropriate level of testing are for individual organisations to make, whether they are in the public or private sector, depending on the business risks faced if a particular system, or the interfaces between that system and other organisations, fails. In a number of sectors, there has been a co-ordinated approach to testing.

  However, organising an international test day would not only be extremely difficult but might risk diverting resources away from on-going work.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 15 February 1999,Official Report, column 521, concerning Iraq, if he will seek to have the work of the Security Council's panel on the humanitarian situation in Iraq expedited. [72503]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The humanitarian panel is expected to start work on 1 March. In the interest of identifying measures to make the provision of humanitarian relief more effective and thereby improve the situation of the Iraqi people, the panel will wish to give full consideration to all the relevant issues. Meanwhile we are continuing to work with the United Nations to improve the present "oil for food" arrangements.

  Visits (Wales)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his visits to Wales over the past four months, and the cost of these visits. [72254]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]I have visited Wales on three occasions over the past four months. These were:

  Friday 27 November—Cardiff

  Friday 15 January—Mold and Clwyd

  Wednesday 3 February—Cardiff.

  It is not possible to give full costs for these visits as some of the invoices have not yet been processed.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the representations he has received during the last six months on genetically modified crops. [72206]

  The Prime Minister
  In the last six months my office has received over 100,000 items of correspondence from members of the public. Of these approximately 1,000 have related to biotechnology issues and of these approximately 50 have related specifically to genetically modified crops.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister if he has been present at meetings between members of the Government and representatives of the companies promoting genetically modified crops. [72235]
  233
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]I and my Ministers are in regular contact with representatives of all those with an interest in biotechnology—including environmental groups, consumer groups and biotechnology companies.

  Delegations
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the changes in the composition of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of the Western European Union. [73079]

  The Prime Minister
  My hon. Friends the Members for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson) and for Cannock Chase (Dr. Wright) have been appointed as substitute representatives in place of my hon. Friends the Members for Bristol, North-West (Dr. Naysmith) and for Stourbridge (Ms Shipley).

  Genetic Modification
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) on how many occasions he or officials of his Department have (i) spoken with and (ii) received representations regarding genetic modification from Cathy McGlynn of Bell Pottinger; [72061]

  (2) what was the (a) purpose and (b) outcome of the meeting between officials in the No. 10 Policy Unit and representatives of Monsanto; and if he will make a statement; [72243]

  (3) on how many occasions (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have (i) spoken with and (ii) received representations regarding genetic modification from Mr. Stan Greenberg of Greenberg Research; [72246]

  (4) on how many occasions he or officials in his Department have (i) spoken with and (ii) received representations regarding genetic modification from Dave Hill of Bell Pottinger. [72063]

  The Prime Minister
  I and my officials are in regular contact with representatives of all those with an interest in biotechnology—including environmental groups, consumer groups and biotechnology companies. It is not the normal practice of Governments to give details of specific meetings with private individuals or companies.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  County Court Closures
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on his policy on county court closures. [70856]

  Mr. Hoon
  In considering the future of any county court, the Lord Chancellor must take into account a variety of factors including accommodation, workload, the number of personal callers, judicial sittings, costs, and the alternative arrangements that could be made for court users after closure.

  House of Lords
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement about the role of his Department in respect of Government proposals for the future of the House of Lords. [70858]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor has had a prominent role in the formulation of the Government's proposals, as chairman of the Cabinet Committee on House of Lords Reform. I am helping to steer the House of Lords Bill in its passage through this House.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on recent discussions which he has had with the Church of England bishops on proposals for a reformed House of Lords. [70859]

  Mr. Hoon
  Neither I nor the Lord Chancellor has had such discussions.

  Adjudicators
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will reform the system of selecting adjudicators. [70860]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor has no plans to change the present system of selecting Immigration Adjudicators. Immigration Adjudicator posts may be occupied on a full or part-time basis. There are no statutory qualifications for appointment as an Immigration Adjudicator. However, in practice the Lord Chancellor will normally consider only persons who hold a seven year general qualification within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, who are advocates or solicitors in Scotland, or barristers or solicitors in Northern Ireland, of not less than 7 years' standing. Part-time posts are filled by application and interview following an open advertised competition, save on a few occasions the Lord Chancellor had directly seconded serving Circuit Judges and Recorders on the recommendation of the Chief Immigration Adjudicator, His Honour Judge Dunn QC. Full-time Immigration Adjudicators are normally appointed, following application and interview, from the ranks of those who have gained sufficient experience through service as part-time Immigration Adjudicators or part-time legal members of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal.

  Legal Aid
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to publicise his reform of the legal aid system. [70861]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government's planned reforms were first outlined in October 1997. Since then, my Department's and the Legal Aid Board's efforts to publicise them have included numerous speeches; interviews and articles in the national and legal media; consultation papers on various aspects of the reforms; and, most importantly, the White Paper "Modernising Justice", which was published last November. The full text of the White Paper is available on the Internet, and a shortened summary has been widely circulated. In addition, the Explanatory Notes for the Access to Justice Bill are publicly available, and set out details of the Government's intentions for the reformed scheme.

  Information Meeting Pilot
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his assessment of the work of the information meeting pilot for Merseyside and North Wales. [70862]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Merseyside and North Wales Information Meeting pilot is making a valuable contribution to an extensive pilot programme of information meetings. The pilots are being fully and independently evaluated by a research team from the Centre for Family Studies at the University of Newcastle.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made in the fast tracking of young offenders through the magistrates courts. [70857]

  Mr. Hoon
  In the youth court the average number of days from charge or summons to "completion" fell from 87 days in June 1997 to 77 days in June 1998.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 December 1998,Official Report, column 724, if he will list the expenditure not included in his answer incurred (a) by task forces and review bodies, (b) by focus groups, (c) on market research and (d) for publications and publicity; and if he will list the bodies which incurred the expenditure. [71031]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]I am not aware of any such expenditure by task force or review bodies. The review of civil justice and legal aid, by Sir Peter Middleton, was published by the Lord Chancellor's Department in-house print unit.

  Commonhold
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions his Department has had with(a) Ministers in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and (b) others on the preparation of a consultation document on the introduction of commonhold. [72313]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have spoken to colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to ensure that any possible overlaps between commonhold and the Government's policy on leasehold reform do not obstruct progress.

  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what timetable he has set for public consultation on the introduction of commonhold. [72314]

  Mr. Hoon
  Introducing commonhold is a manifesto objective to which the Government remain strongly committed. We are at present considering how best to consult the public whether by way of a general policy paper or a draft Bill, or both. Once that decision is taken, I will set and publish a timetable for consultation.

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average age of a QC on appointment in each of the last five years. [72612]

  Mr. Hoon
  The average age of a QC on appointment in each of the last five years is as follows:

  Year

  Age

  1994

  43.8

  1995

  43.8

  1996

  43.9

  1997

  43.6

  1998

  43.5

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the article in The Lawyer magazine of 15 February 1999, indicating that the Bar Council is prepared to meet the cost of administration of the QC system. [72516]

  Mr. Hoon
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has seen the article. He notes that, according to the article, the General Council of the Bar would like to see the costs of processing silk applications being recoverable from all silk applicants. He will continue to review the matter.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will(a) list the public inquiries conducted by (i) Government departments and (ii) local authorities over the last three years which were chaired by QCs, (b) list the name of the QC in each case and (c) indicate the fee paid to the QC for his or her services. [72515]

  Mr. Hoon
  This information is not collected centrally and, therefore, my hon. Friend's question could not be answered without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many QCs have had that distinction withdrawn in each of the last 10 years; and in each case, for what reason. [72613]

  Mr. Hoon
  There has been no occasion in the last ten years when my noble and learned Friend or his immediate predecessor has advised Her Majesty to revoke the award of Queen's Counsel.

  Community Legal Service
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to ensure equality of access to the proposed community legal service for those on low incomes. [70896]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Community Legal Service will be of particular benefit to people with low incomes, as its aim is to improve access to information and help with potential or actual legal problems through developing a comprehensive network of legal service providers of consistently good quality. This network will involve a variety of providers, including lawyers in private practice, Law Centres, Citizens Advice Bureaux, and other advice
  237
  centres, and will look to meet the needs and priorities of the local community, and not simply those currently eligible for civil legal aid.

  Asylum Appeals
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) how long on average people who(a) were refused leave to remain in the United Kingdom in (i) March 1997, (ii) June 1997, (iii) September 1997, (iv) December 1997, (v) March 1998 and (vi) June 1998, (1) for a year on the grounds of marriage, (2) indefinitely on grounds of marriage, (3) indefinitely as a child of parents settled here, (4) indefinitely as the parent of children settled here and (5) for a longer period as a student and (b) were refused asylum in the United Kingdom waited between the date of refusal and the date of determination of their appeal by an adjudicator or special adjudicator; and how long he estimates those refused in each category in (x) September 1998, (y) December 1998 and (z) January 1999 will wait; [71795]

  (2) how long, on average, people who were refused entry clearance at a British post abroad in (i) March 1997, (ii) June 1997, (iii) September 1997, (iv) December 1997, (v) March 1998 and (vi) June 1998 (a) to join a British or settled spouse in the UK, (b) to join a British or settled parent in the UK, (c) as the elderly parent of a British or settled adult child in the UK, (d) to come to follow a course of studies for more than six months, waited between the date of lodging the appeal and (1) the appeal papers being sent to the UK and (2) the date of the adjudicator's determination of their appeal; and how long he estimates those refused in each category in (x) September 1998, (y) December 1998 and (z) January 1999 will wait. [71783]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information is available only for the waiting times between asylum refusals and adjudicator appeal determinations. This is given in the table. Based on this information, it is projected that similar cases lodged in September 1998, December 1998 and January 1999, are likely to take approximately seven months.

  I regret that information on the total time period between refusal and the appeal hearing in non-asylum cases could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Average time to appeal determination in asylum refusal cases1, March 1997, June 1997, September 1997, December 1997, March 1998 and June 1998

  Month of asylum decision

  Average time to appeal determination (months)

  March 1997

  8

  June 1997

  8

  September 1997

  9

  December 1997

  8

  March 1998

  6

  June 1998

  5

  1Figures are estimates, based on cases for which information is recorded

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Legal Services
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list(a) the London barristers' chambers and (b) the London solicitors' firms that have performed services for his Department (i) since 1 May 1997 and (ii) in the equivalent period preceding that date, indicating the remuneration paid in each particular case. [70027]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]The information requested is not held centrally and could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

  My right hon. and Learned Friend the Attorney-General appointed Philip Sales as First Junior Treasury Counsel (Common Law) and Jonathan Crow as First Junior Treasury Counsel (Chancery) to advise and represent the government in their important civil cases. In addition, the Attorney-General maintains at present two London panels of junior Counsel whom departments are expected to use for the rest of the government's civil litigation. The panels currently comprise 103 barristers from 42 different sets of chambers. The Attorney-General will shortly appoint a third panel of very junior banisters. The Attorney-General's individual nomination is required before a barrister who is not on one of the approved panels can be instructed to appear for the government in litigation.

  Departments may use firms of solicitors in addition to the Treasury Solicitor and their departmental legal advisers, for example where the relevant expertise lies in the private sector. The relationship is subject to the usual confidentiality which operates between lawyer and client.

  Christian Broadcasters
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what regulations have been introduced which would implicitly exclude Christian broadcasters from the process of obtaining a national radio frequency. [71551]

  Janet Anderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 11 February 1999,Official Report, columns 301–02.

  Beefeaters
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the remuneration of the Beefeaters at the Tower of London. [72221]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]Including rostered overtime and allowances, the total salaries of Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London are typically in the region of £18,000 to £19,000 per annum. They occupy accommodation at the Tower for which they pay 8.5 per cent. of their basic pensionable salary. The Yeoman Warders also have a long established practice of receiving gratuities freely offered by visitors. These gratuities are shared by the Yeoman body, declared to the Inland Revenue and a small percentage is given to charities. This practice is under review.

  KPMG
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the services that KPMG have performed for his Department(a) since 1 May 1997 and (b) in the corresponding period prior to 1 May 1997, indicating the remuneration made in each case. [72004]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The services provided by KPMG for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport were as follows:(a) no services for the period 1 May 1997 to date.

  (b) for the corresponding period prior to 1 May

  £

  Performance Appraisal Training

  12,225

  Pay Delegation Consultancy

  9,554

  Research for Benchmarking Small Hotels

  110,673

  Research for Contracting Out Public Libraries

  2,954

  Research for Museums Documentation Association

  12,500

  Review of Broadcasting Standards

  Commission and Broadcasting Complaints Commission

  44,680

  Review of RCHME

  4,406

  Museums, Galleries and Libraries
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to encourage the use of National Lottery funds to help(a) museums, (b) galleries and (c) libraries add to their collections. [72021]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has already contributed, and will continue to provide, a large amount of capital investment to museums, galleries and libraries. The HLF is currently preparing its strategic plan; funding for the addition of important collections or single objects to museum and gallery collections and the acquisition of library collections of heritage importance will continue to be a significant part of its overall support for the heritage.

  The Government are committed to ensuring that every public library has access to the extensive resources of the National Grid for Learning. The New Opportunities Fund will be providing £70 million to assist in the development of new digital resources and the provision of relevant training for public library staff.

  Number of press releases issued

  Year

  Department

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Treasury1

  86

  107

  153

  140

  162

  185

  187

  184

  239

  Inland Revenue

  170

  240

  173

  271

  252

  270

  235

  138

  168

  Customs and Excise

  88

  77

  62

  76

  52

  62

  59

  37

  31

  Office for National Statistics

  181

  181

  193

  193

  285

  308

  282

  372

  441

  Debt Management Office

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  231

  National Savings

  51

  51

  57

  49

  44

  47

  47

  57

  68

  Royal Mint3

  13

  6

  6

  18

  10

  7

  20

  27

  23

  Valuation Office

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  413

  Government Actuary's Department

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Registry5

  5

  6

  9

  10

  11

  18

  9

  17

  6

  National Investment and Loans Office

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1The numbers include press releases issued on Budget and Pre-Budget Report days.

  2The Debt Management Office was launched on 1 April 1998.

  3Includes only press releases issued in the UK.

  4The Valuation Office started issuing its own press releases in April 1998. Before this they were issued by the Inland Revenue.

  5Includes Building Societies Commission and Friendly Societies Commission.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what measures his Department is taking to develop craft skills in the film industry; [72215]

  (2) what plans he has to improve the technical skills base of the film industry; [72219]

  (3) what plans he has to encourage the provision of apprenticeships in the film industry. [72216]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]One of the recommendations made of the Film Policy Review Group was for the formulation of an integrated training strategy for film and a Skills Investment Fund for training made up of voluntary contributions from film production. The training strategy we have now developed includes proposals for new provision for craft skills, the technical skills base and apprenticeships in the film industry. We are currently working towards agreement with the industry on the detail of how the Fund will work and how the training strategy will be implemented.

TREASURY

  Electronic Correspondence
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what difficulties have been encountered with the new electronic correspondence system in his Department; and to what extent they have been resolved. [71732]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]The Treasury, Inland Revenue and Custom and Excise have recently introduced a new electronic correspondence handling system which will strengthen the systems for processing and monitoring ministerial correspondence. The technical problems encountered at the outset have now been tackled.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many press releases have been issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies in each of the years 1990 to 1998. [71456]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]The information is as follows:
  241
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the conventions governing the propriety and cost of press releases issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies; and what is the total cost of the press releases issued since May 1997. [71471]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]Rules governing the work of the Government Information and Communications Service (GICS) were set out in guidance published by the Cabinet Office in July 1997. More specific guidance on the writing and issuing of press releases is given in the Working Guide for Government Information Officers. Copies of both documents are in the Library of the House.

  Since May 1997 (May 1997-December 1998) the Treasury has been billed a total of £22,819 for the services of the Central Office of Information, which distribute press releases electronically, by fax and by courier service. This figure does not include postage. The same information requested of the Treasury's agencies and non-departmental bodies is not held centrally and could be obtained only a disproportionate cost.

  Media Allegations (Rebuttals)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) those units in his Department and (b) the number of departmental staff which are concerned with preparing rebuttals of allegations in the media; and what is (i) the total cost of their work, including salaries, and (ii) the number of rebuttals issued since May 1997. [71857]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]In common with other departments, the work of press officers in the Treasury includes responding to any misinformed allegations concerning Government policy or activity which are published in the media. They are supported in this work by other officials as necessary.

  Because this is a routine part of a Department's work and it is not separately recorded from other tasks, to provide the further information requested would involve disproportionate cost.

  "Getting Ready for the Euro"
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the second edition of the six monthly report "Getting Ready for the Euro". [72995]

  Ms Hewitt
  It is being published today. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Fuel Duty
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate the levels of tax payable by way of duty and VAT on the current average price of a litre of(a) unleaded, (b) diesel and (c) leaded fuel in (i) the UK and (ii) each other EU state. [72294]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Essex, North (Mr. Jenkin) on 10 November 1998,Official Report, columns 152–53.
  242
  The levels of tax payable by way of duty and VAT on the current average price of a litre of (a) unleaded, (b) diesel and (c) leaded fuel in (i) the UK and (ii) each other EU state are:

  Pence per litre

  Unleaded petrol

  Standard diesel

  Leaded petrol

  Duty

  VAT

  Duty

  VAT

  Duty

  VAT

  Austria

  29.08

  8.95

  20.33

  6.93

  n/a

  n/a

  Belgium

  35.58

  10.01

  20.35

  6.89

  39.67

  10.92

  Denmark

  31.77

  12.11

  21.59

  8.32

  n/a

  n/a

  Finland

  39.27

  10.76

  21.37

  7.79

  n/a

  n/a

  France

  41.36

  10.52

  26.02

  7.43

  44.28

  11.07

  Germany

  35.15

  7.54

  22.24

  5.37

  25.42

  6.85

  Greece

  22.00

  6.33

  17.73

  5.04

  25.42

  6.85

  Ireland

  26.57

  8.49

  23.16

  8.02

  32.20

  10.16

  Italy

  37.04

  10.28

  27.08

  8.15

  40.27

  10.76

  Luxembourg

  24.37

  4.46

  17.74

  4.40

  28.02

  6.16

  Netherlands

  40.32

  9.66

  23.77

  6.49

  n/a

  n/a

  Portugal

  32.85

  8.06

  19.73

  5.50

  36.07

  8.36

  Spain

  25.61

  6.09

  18.60

  4.95

  27.89

  6.55

  Sweden

  33.18

  12.16

  19.83

  9.41

  n/a

  n/a

  United Kingdom

  43.99

  9.44

  44.99

  9.61

  49.26

  10.43

  The Excise duty rate in the United Kingdom for low sulphur diesel is 42.99 pence per litre, and the VAT on the current average price is 9.76 pence per litre.Rates of excise duty and VAT on low sulphur diesel are not available for the countries of the European Union other than the United Kingdom.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made on the impact of changes to tax relief on travelling and subsistence expenses on the British film industry. [71743]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The tax rules on employee travel expenses, introduced in April 1998, followed lengthy and thorough public consultations. Since the legislation, the Inland Revenue has had extensive contacts with film industry representatives to provide guidance for the industry on the operation of the new rules.

  Overseas Investment Exchanges
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if United States investment exchanges have applied to be recognised over the past year as overseas investment exchanges in the United Kingdom under sections 37 and 40 of the Financial Services Act 1986. [72996]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Cantor Financial Futures Exchange (CFEE) applied for recognition in September 1998 and, with effect from today, has been granted recognition as an Overseas Investment Exchange, having satisfied the conditions under sections 37 and 40 of the Financial Services Act 1986. CFFE is therefore able to carry out investment business in the UK.

  Married Couples Tax Allowance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Inland Revenue monitors(a) whether customers receiving the married couples tax allowances are living permanently together and if this is required before they receive the married couples tax allowance and (b) if customers receiving the additional personal tax allowance

  243
  in respect of dependent children are living with those children, and if it is a condition of the tax allowance that those claiming it live with such children. [71892]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The married couples allowance is available to a married couple who live together at some time during a year of assessment. A husband and wife are treated as living together for income tax purposes unless they are separated under a court order or by a deed of separation, or they are in fact separated and the separation is likely to remain permanent.

  The additional personal allowance is available to people who are not living with a spouse (or who live with a spouse who is totally incapacitated) and who have one or more qualifying children resident with them at some time during a year of assessment.

  The Inland Revenue treat claims to personal tax allowances in much the same way as other claims to relief, Revenue staff apply risk assessment procedures in order to identify potentially incorrect claims. If the Revenue have a reason to believe that an allowance is being falsely claimed, they have powers to make appropriate inquiries and recover any tax lost.

  Income Tax (Construction Industry)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the tax deducted from annual earnings in each £2,000 band between £10,000 and £30,000 by tax paying sub-contractors and individual craft workers in the construction industry. [69745]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The available data for 1997–98 are not yet of sufficient quality to yield estimates in such detail. The following estimates are for each £5,000 band of annual turnover.

  Gross annual turnover of sole trade business

  Total amount deducted, 1997–98 (£ million)

  £10,000 to 15,000

  240

  £15,001 to 20,000

  240

  £20,001 to 25,000

  130

  £25,001 to 30,000

  60

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the average annual expenses claimed against taxable gross earnings of £25,000 by tax paying sub-contractors and individual craft workers in the construction industry. [69746]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For the tax year 1996–97 the average value of annual allowable expenses (including materials) plus capital allowances claimed by a subcontractor with annual turnover of £25,000 was about £10,600.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will calculate(a) the tax deductible and (b) the tax payable for a sub-contracting carpenter/joiner with a turnover of £25,129, work expenses of £6,799 and personal pension payments of £3,470. [69747]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The maximum amount deductible on account of income tax and Class 4 national insurance contributions would be £5,780, depending on the amount of work outside the Construction Industry Scheme 244
  included in the turnover figure, and on the amount of expenses classified as materials for the purposes of the Scheme.

  Assuming that only the single person's allowance is claimed and that tax relief is available on the whole of the personal pension contribution the liability to income tax and Class 4 national insurance contributions for the 1998–99 tax year would be £2,972.

  If the deductions exceed the liability to income tax and Class 4 national insurance contribution then the individual can claim a repayment of the excess. If the business accounting period end date is early in the tax year, it should be possible to obtain some or all of this repayment within the tax year.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of tax paying sub-contractors and individual craft workers earning less than £30,000 per annum to be included in the new tax system for the construction industry. [69744]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that, very roughly, half a million individual subcontractors will be issued with registration cards (and paid with deductions on account of income tax and Class 4 national insurance contributions) under the new Construction Industry Scheme. This broadly equates to those remaining in the scheme and who have annual turnovers (less materials) of under £30,000.

  A more exact assessment is not possible because of the large number of formerly self-employed subcontractors who have moved into employment, and because of uncertainty about how many other individuals will decide to apply for registration cards.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total expenditure on the working families tax credit in Portsmouth in its first year of operation. [69689]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that such estimates are not available.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of family credit recipients will not be eligible for increased credit under the working families tax credit programme. [69753]

  Dawn Primarolo
  All family credit recipients will also be eligible for working families tax credit. Working families tax credit is more generous and will have a higher income threshold, and a slower taper than family credit. In addition, it will include a new childcare tax credit, which will provide up to 70 per cent. of eligible childcare costs up to maximum costs of £100 per week for one child and £150 per week for two or more children.

  No family credit recipients will receive less under working families tax credit. Seventy-five per cent. of family credit recipients will gain.

  Computerisation Projects
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many IT computerisation projects his Department has commissioned from the private sector; on which dates
  245
  they were commissioned; what was the expenditure on such projects to date; and what was the termination date of the projects. [71785]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Treasury has commissioned two IT computerisation projects from the private sector since the start of this Administration. The two systems are:

  (i) an upgrade to the Ministerial Correspondence System which was commissioned in November 1997; and

  (ii) a new Financial Information System, the underlying system for the Public Expenditure Survey information. This project was commissioned in January 1998.

  The two projects are still ongoing. The precise costs of the contracts cannot be given for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

  An IT computerisation project commissioned from the private sector has been taken to be one in which the software has been specifically written to address the particular needs of the Department. As such it excludes the purchase of small, general-purpose software packages.

  Expenditure (Scotland)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will(a) estimate the total spending on housing within the Scottish Block in each year from 1994–95 to 2000–2001 in (i) current and (ii) constant 1998–99 prices, (b) estimate the annual percentage change (i) for each of these categories and (ii) in total, (c) estimate (i) the cumulative change and (ii) in total between the years 1994–95 and 2000–2001 and between the years 1996–97 and 2000–2001 and (d) estimate the same as requested in (a) (b) and (c) for the housing expenditure in England; [71773]

  (2) if he will (a) estimate the total spending (i) by main category of expenditure and (ii) in total, across each of the main categories of the Scottish Block as determined by the Block and Barnett Formula arrangement in each year from 1994–95 to 2000–2001 in (1) current and (2) constant 1998–99 prices, (b) estimate the annual percentage change for (i) each of these categories and (ii) in total, (c) estimate the cumulative change (i) for each category and (ii) in total between the years 1994–95 and 2000–2001 and between the years 1996–97 and
  246
  2000–2001 and (d) estimate the same as requested in (a)(b) and (c) for the equivalent expenditure categories in England that form the basis for the determination of the Barnett Formula calculation, (i) for those categories that are available, (ii) and in total; [71772]

  (3) if he will (a) estimate the total spending on health across the Scottish Block as determined by the Block and Barnett Formula arrangement in each year from 1994–95 to 2000–2001 in (i) current and (i) constant 1998–99 prices, (b) estimate the annual percentage change (i) for each of these categories and (ii) in total, (c) estimate the cumulative change (i) for each category and (ii) in total between the years 1994–95 and 2000–2001 and between the years 1996–97 and 2000–2001 and (d) estimate the same as requested in (a) (b) and (c) for the equivalent health expenditure in England. [71774]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested by the hon. Member on total spending on health, housing and other main categories of the Scottish Block for the years 1994–95 to 1998–99 can be derived from data in the Scottish Office Departmental Report, published in April 1998 (Cm 3914). The allocation of expenditure to these programmes for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 14 July 1998,Official Report, columns 138–42; my right hon. Friend provided further information on allocations to programmes to the hon. Member on 10 November 1998, Official Report, columns 157–58. Further details will be available in the 1999 Scottish Office Departmental Report to be published at the end of March. Relative levels of spending on programmes funded by the Scottish Block are determined by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. From 1 July 1999 decisions on the allocation of expenditure will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Comparative data for public spending levels in England and Scotland were published in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) 1998–99 (cm 3901) in April 1998. New estimates up to 1997–98 will be published in PESA 1999–2000 at the end of March. The Reports of the Department of Health, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and other relevant departmental reports giving details of planned spending for 2000–01 and beyond will also be published at the end of March.

HEALTH

  Health Authority Wages
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 28 January 1999,Official Report, columns 324–26, on average wages, if he will list the actual average wage paid by each of the London health authorities in each year since 1995. [68962]

  Mr. Denham
  The precise information requested is not collected centrally. Information is collected about the annual total salaries and wages paid to National Health Service staff each year, and the number of directly employed staff at a single point in time, for example, 30 September. Workforce figures for individual health authority areas are not available centrally for 1995. The table uses these two pieces of information to produce estimates of average wages. These estimates should be interpreted with caution for the following reasons.

  NHS trusts and health authorities

  Directly employed staff salaries and wages and estimated average wages 1 by London health authority areas

  Health authority area

  Directly employed staff (wte)

  Salaries and wages (£000)

  Estimated average wage (per annum)

  1996–97

  Barking and Havering

  4,608

  96,266

  20,889

  Barnet

  3,789

  79,334

  20,936

  Bexley and Greenwich

  5,311

  110,701

  20,842

  Brent and Harrow

  5,948

  117,791

  19,804

  Bromley

  5,118

  104,245

  20,368

  Camden and Islington

  17,540

  369,425

  21,062

  Croydon

  3,395

  66,743

  19,659

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  5,364

  108,299

  20,192

  East London and The City

  12,436

  268,131

  21,561

  Enfield and Haringey

  5,272

  112,209

  21,285

  Hillingdon

  4,680

  97,211

  20,770

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  15,147

  328,182

  21,666

  Kingston and Richmond

  1,512

  32,597

  21,557

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  15,434

  330,654

  21,423

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  12,869

  271,615

  21,106

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  5,616

  113,241

  20,166

  1997–98

  Barking and Havering

  4,827

  97,763

  20,254

  Barnet

  3,459

  76,098

  21,998

  Bexley and Greenwich

  5,639

  121,194

  21,493

  Brent and Harrow

  5,487

  118,766

  21,645

  Bromley

  4,786

  99,729

  20,836

  Camden and Islington

  17,174

  386,822

  22,524

  Croydon

  3,411

  69,420

  20,350

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  5,341

  113,881

  21,322

  East London and The City

  12,056

  274,455

  22,766

  Enfield and Haringey

  5,524

  119,628

  21,655

  Hillingdon

  4,724

  100,579

  21,293

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  15,156

  338,777

  22,352

  Kingston and Richmond

  1,617

  34,215

  21,155

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  15,343

  349,159

  22,757

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  13,459

  282,342

  20,978

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  5,378

  114,796

  21,344

  1Estimates are based on total annual salaries and wages divided by directly employed staff (whole-time equivalents) as at 30 September each year and so need to be interpreted with caution.

  wte = whole time equivalent

  Mental Health Services
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what joint finance moneys and project funding are being provided to district health authorities and local authority services by his Department in the current year to improve the range and quality of day care and other facilities for the mentally ill. [72584]
  248
  The number of staff employed by individual organisations will change over the course of a year. These changes are not reflected in the point in time estimate for workforce numbers, but are reflected in the total annual salaries and wages.

  The coverage of the workforce numbers and salaries and wages differ slightly. For example, the costs of non-executive board members and non-nursing staff on short-term, flexible contracts who work on an "as and when" basis are included in the salaries and wages figures, but are excluded from the workforce figures.

  The figures collected by the Department for individual NHS trusts and health authorities were collected to provide national estimates and were validated accordingly. For example, small inaccuracies in the figures for individual organisations may not have been identified.

  Mr. Hutton
  Over £84.5 million in joint finance moneys and project funding are being provided to health authorities and local authority services by the Department in the current year to improve the range and quality of day care and other facilities for mentally ill people.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure has been authorised in(a) the current and (b) the next financial year in each health

  249
  region for improved mental health training for general practitioners and others responsible for providing primary care; and if he will make a statement. [72586]

  Mr. Hutton
  This information requested is not available centrally. In 1999–2000, £146 million extra funding will be invested in mental health services of which £12 million will provide additional support for education and training of doctors and nurses. This will include those working in primary health care.

  Personal Social Services
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the Performance Assessment Framework for Personal Social Services promised in the White Paper, Modernising Health and Social Services. [72898]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health has today published the consultation document ANew Approach to Social Services Performance setting out the details of our proposals for a new Performance Assessment Framework for social services and an associated set of 46 performance indicators. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  The Framework and its indicators will help Government, Councils and local people to assess how well local social services are performing. Councils and Government will be able to use the framework and the indicators to identify areas of possible good practice and areas where improvement is required.

  We are redefining and strengthening our approach to social services performance to improve the Department of Health's capacity to assess performance and to put in place the necessary structures to support Best Value in social services. The Performance Assessment Framework is one part of this. We will build upon the success of the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) Inspection programme and the SSI/Audit Commission Joint Reviews and enhance the performance role of the Regional Offices of the SSI.

  A New Approach to Social Services Performance describes these new arrangements and how they will help to ensure Best Value is delivered in social services.

DEFENCE

  Logistics Targets
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what targets he intends to set in the logistics area for the rationalisation of functions and processes on a defence-wide basis. [72049]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Chief of Defence Logistics will, from 1 April 1999, take financial and management responsibility for the three Service logistics organisations. He will contribute to the SDR targets for reductions in the value of stockholdings and the rationalisation of purchasing procedures. How he will achieve rationalisation will not be the subject of separate 250
  targets. During the transition to a unified logistics organisation by April 2000, CDL will develop defence-wide logistics targets for delivering outputs.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Strategic Defence Review, what criteria are to be set for(a) the Chief of Defence Logistics and (b) the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency for realising the benefits of SMART procurement in the logistics area. [72048]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Under the Smart Procurement Initiative, the Chief of Defence Logistics (CDL) will be creating Integrated Project Teams exactly as the Defence Procurement Agency will be doing. This will deliver support to in-service equipment and contribute to the overall savings for Smart Procurement Initiative. Each project team will be set performance targets. The criteria for these targets are still being developed. There are no specific procurement related targets for the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency.

  Defence Research Committee
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates the Defence Research Committee has met since 1 January 1998; and if he will place in the Library a list of items discussed at each of these meetings. [71959]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since 1 January 1998 the Defence Research Committee has met twice, on 31 March 1998 and on 16 November 1998. I will place a list of items discussed on each occasion in the Library of the House.

  Joint Force 2000 Initiative
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further progress has been made on the development of the Joint Force 2000 initiative; and if he will make a statement. [72992]

  Mr. George Robertson
  On 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 979, I announced that we would be forming the joint Royal Navy/Royal Air Force Harrier force to be known as Joint Force 2000. Since last October, work has continued on the organisational changes necessary to take forward the Joint Force 2000 initiative. I can confirm that the new Headquarters will form in RAF Strike Command on 1 April next year under the command of a Rear Admiral. This Headquarters will be located at RAF High Wycombe. He will have two subordinate force commanders, both of whom will be RAF Air Commodores, one of whom will command the combined Harrier force, Joint Force 2000, and the other the RAF's existing forces of Nimrod Maritime Patrol aircraft and Search and Rescue helicopters. As importantly, we have also decided, subject to a period of consultation with Trades Unions and other interested parties which begins today, that the RN's Sea Harrier force, currently based at RNAS Yeovilton, will join the RAF's Harrier force at RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering in 2003.

  We see the collocation of the existing Harrier fleets as realising significant operational benefits and as a practical and symbolic step toward the creation of a truly joint

  251
  force. For the longer term, and when the Joint Force is re-equipped with the Future Carrier Borne Aircraft, we have identified RAF Cottesmore as its most suitable home. We are making real progress on the development and creation of Joint Force 2000 and we are doing it significantly earlier than originally anticipated. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the two Services concerned for their far-sighted and constructive attitude which has made this possible.

  Courts Martial
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel court martialled in the last 10 years,(a) had joined the armed forces before their eighteenth birthdays, (b) were aged under 21 years at the time of the offence and (c) had applied unsuccessfully for discharge. [72615]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Military Corrective Training Centre
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of detainees at the Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester are held for offences covered only by military law with no civilian equivalent. [72614]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Of the 114 detainees held at the Military Corrective Training Centre on 19 February 1999, 55 (48.25 per cent.) were being held for offences covered only by military law, such as absence without leave, desertion, and disobeying a lawful command.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her 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. [69832]

  Clare Short
  [holding answer 10 February 1999]The Development Awareness Working Group publishes the agenda, documents for, and minutes of its meetings and maintains a register of members' interests. There are no statutory requirements for it to do so.

  There are no statutory requirements for the publication of documents or maintenance of a register of members' interests, and this is not done, in respect of:

  The Overseas Services Pensions Scheme Advisory Board

  The Indian Family Pensions Funds Body of Commissioners

  The Know How Fund Advisory Board

  The Advisory Committee on Overseas Economic and Social Research.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial assistance was made available in 1998 to other countries for land mine clearance in those countries; and if she will make a statement. [72558]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development (DFID) has committed over £6.2 million to humanitarian mine action, to date, in 1998–99. Clearance projects account for the major part of this programme.

  DFID's progress report on humanitarian mine action for 1998 and its future plans will be published on 1 March, marking the passing into international law of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Landmines and on their Destruction.

  Ambassadors for British Business
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the role of Ambassadors for British Business in the work of her Department; and how many such Ambassadors she has met since 1 May 1997. [72289]

  Clare Short
  My Department has begun to consult widely and developed new working relationships with the business community, both in-country and in the UK since 1997. As we make clear in our Development White Paper, business has a strong interest in successful development and the sustainable economic growth necessary to reduce poverty requires a thriving private sector. We consult through established business groups rather than on a company by company basis. I have so far met with six of the thirty-six Ambassadors for British Business to discuss areas of particular interest to my Department's objectives.

  Agricultural Biotechnology
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money her Department has spent supporting the research and development of agricultural biotechnology since 1 May
  1997. [72069]

  Clare Short
  Figures are not available in the form requested. My Department supports agricultural research which aims to generate benefits for poor people in developing countries by applying new knowledge to the management of their natural resources. Many forms of biotechnology are used as tools in this research but separate data are not maintained on their cost. Since May 1997 expenditure on agricultural research projects with some biotechnology content is estimated to be about £20 million. Expenditure over the same period on projects which involve genetic modification is estimated to be about £1.2 million.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has to
  253
  change the 1998–2000 External Financing Limit for the Commonwealth Development Corporation. [73221]

  Clare Short
  The External Financing Limit for CDC or 1998/99 will be reduced by £15,200 from zero to minus £15,200,000. This reduction takes account of an upward adjustment made last year to allow CDC increased borrowing in early 1998.

CABINET OFFICE

  Legal Services
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list(a) the London banisters' chambers and (b) the London solicitors' firms that have performed services for his Department (i) since 1 May 1997 and (ii) in the equivalent period preceding that date, indicating the remuneration paid in each particular case. [70026]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]The Department has spent £1,552,559 on legal advice since 1 May 1997. The detailed information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General appointed Philip Scales as First Junior Treasury Counsel (Common Law) and Jonathan Crow as First Junior Treasury Counsel (Chancery) to advise and represent the Government in their important civil cases. In addition, the Attorney-General maintains at present two London panels of junior Counsel whom Departments are expected to use for the rest of Government's civil litigation. The panels currently comprise 103 banisters from 42 different sets of chambers. The Attorney-General will shortly appoint a third panel of very junior banisters. The Attorney-General's individual nomination is required before a barrister who is not on one of the approved panels can be instructed to appear for the Government in litigation.

  Departments may use firms of solicitors in addition to the Treasury Solicitor and their departmental legal advisers, for example, where the relevant expertise lies in

  Reports

  Reviews:

  Review of the Code of practice

  No reports published

  on Access to Government information

  Review of the Charter Programme

  Service First—the new charter programme' (30 June 1998) and 'The Citizen's Charter—A consultation exercise: the Government's response' (30 June 1998)

  The Export Promotions Review

  The Review of Export Promotion (8 January 1999)

  Review of Quangos

  Quangos Opening The Doors (June 1998)

  Review of Existing Drugs Strategy

  White Paper Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain, Cmnd 3945

  Review of the Women's National Commission

  Report of the Review of the WNC (15 January 1999)

  Review of the Buying Agency

  Due to report early summer 1999

  Review of the Government Information Service

  Report of the Working Group on the Government Information Service (November) 1997)

  Task Forces:

  Better Regulation Task Force

  Long Term Care (May 1998)

  Consumer Affairs (May 1998)

  Early Education and Day Care (July 1998)

  Access to funding for the Voluntary Sector (July 1998)

  Licensing Legislation (July 1998)

  Annual Report (September 1998)

  Modernising Government Quality Schemes Task Force

  No reports published

  254
  the private sector. The relationship is subject to the usual confidentiality which operates between lawyer and client.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the parliamentary constituencies which he has visited in an official capacity in the past 12 months. [71339]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]The following constituencies have been visited in an official capacity either by my predecessor or me between 1 January 1998 and 5 February 1999:Wansbeck; Cambridge; Manchester, Central; Bristol, West; Carlisle; Edinburgh, Central; Torbay; Lancaster & Wyre; Workington; Copeland; Cheadle; and Stockport.

  Additionally, a number of constituencies in central and inner London were visited in the course of ministerial duties.

  Policy Discussions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will invite all hon. Members to recommend policy areas for detailed discussions using the Joint Consultative Committee mechanism. [71636]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I am always happy to consider suggestions from hon. Members.

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what(a) reviews, (b) task forces and (c) advisory groups have been established by his Department since 1 May 1997; what costs they have incurred to date; and what reports they have published. [71519]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The reviews, task forces and advisory groups, which have been established by my Department since 1 May 1997 and reports they have published are as follows.

  The costs incurred could be calculated only at disproportionate cost.
  255

  Reports

  Advisory groups:

  Security Vetting Appeals Panel

  No reports published

  The People's Panel Advisory Group

  No reports published

  Charter Mark Judging Panel

  No reports published

  The Interchange Steering Council

  No reports published

  Open Government Initiative
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the total number of releases under the open Government initiative. [73167]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The latest number of records released under the open Government initiative now stands at over 96,000 and relates to releases up to the end of September 1998. This represents an increase of about 13 per cent. over the previous total of over 85,000 which was announced by my right hon. Friend the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Dr. Clark) on 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 394, and related to the total figure as at the end of September 1997.

WALES

  Legal Services
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list(a) the London barristers' chambers and (b) the London solicitors' firms that have performed services for his Department (i) since 1 May 1997 and (ii) in the equivalent period preceding that date, indicating the remuneration paid in each particular case. [70039]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]Welsh Office records indicate that during the years in question the following London barristers' chambers have been instructed directly by the Welsh Office or via the Treasury Solicitor's Office:

  Breams Buildings

  1 Sergeants Inn

  Essex Street

  1 Grays Inn Square

  11 Kings Bench Walk

  2 Hare Court

  Monkton Court.

  There may also be other chambers who have been instructed by Treasury Solicitor's Office on behalf of the Welsh Office but for whom records are not readily available in the Welsh Office.

  No London Solicitors' firms have been instructed by or on behalf of the Welsh Office during the past four years. The Welsh Office does not maintain a central continuous record of fees paid to Counsel over the four year period. The Treasury Solicitor's Department does not have such a record either.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General appointed Philip Sales as first Junior Treasury Counsel (Common Law) and Jonathan Crow as First Junior Treasury Counsel (Chancery) to advise and represent the Government in their important civil cases. In addition, the Attorney-General maintains at present two London panels of junior Counsel whom Departments are expected
  256
  to use for the rest of the Government's civil litigation. The panels currently comprise 103 barristers from 42 different sets of chambers. The Attorney-General will shortly appoint a third panel of very junior barristers. The Attorney-General's individual nomination is required before a barrister who is not one of the approved panels can be instructed to appear for the Government in litigation.

  Departments may use firms of solicitors in addition to the Treasury Solicitor and their departmental legal advisers, for example where the relevant expertise lies in the private sector. The relationship is subject to the usual confidentiality which operates between lawyer and client.

  Open Countryside
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much land held by his Department he estimates would fall within the definition of open country as set out in the consultation document "Access to the Open Countryside" of February 1998. [71635]

  Mr. Michael
  The estimated total area of land held by my Department and falling within the definition of open countryside as set out in the consultation document is 300 acres (122 Ha).

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to report on the performance of training and enterprise councils in Wales. [73080]

  Mr. Hain
  I am pleased to announce that the first annual report on Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) in Wales, covering the 1997–98 financial year, is being published today.

  This report represents a significant step forward in explaining the work of TECs, and in making them more accountable to the people of Wales and their elected representatives.

  The report notes that an increasing number of young people entered the Modern Apprenticeship Programme in 1997–98—723 more than in the previous year and 18 per cent. more than the target for the year. Youth credit starts, at 17,265, were 15 per cent. above target, although decreasing levels of unemployment resulted in only 9,001 adults starting on the Training for Work programme against a target of 11,456. NVQs per 100 leavers rose from 55 per cent. to 57 per cent. for the youth training programmes and from 38 per cent. to 44 per cent. for the adult training programmes, by comparison with 1996–97. 52 per cent. of the adult trainees found jobs on leaving training as compared with 48 per cent. the year before.
  257
  Support was given to 1,648 new business start ups (an increase of 10 per cent. on 1996–97) and the Sole Traders Initiative, which was launched on an all-Wales basis at the start of the year, resulted in some 293 first employees being taken on by hitherto singleton businesses.

  Other significant achievements by the TECs in 1997–98 included:
  the levering in of some £1 million of private sector funding—and some £2.8 million of European funding for local projects.
  a good start to the implementation of the Action Plan for Manufacturing Training in Wales
  significant improvements in the rates of success of disabled young people and young people from ethnic minorities in achieving NVQs.
  60,403 school children undertook a work experience placement, against a target of 59,396.
  4,214 school teachers and further education college staff undertook an industrial placement, against a target of 3,068.
  27,000 adults were provided with careers information under the Adult Guidance Initiative and 7,858 of these were given bespoke counselling.

  In addition, the TECs supported a wide variety of projects from their Local Initiative Funds, including homework clubs, revision weeks, Saturday clubs offering contacts with local businesses, outreach work with disaffected young people and technician training to NVQ level 4 for adults in employment.

  The report provides a synopsis of all these activities and of the overall financial position of TECs in Wales. Copies will be distributed to all Members with constituencies in Wales and placed in the Library of the House. Further details are to be found in the individual annual reports of each of the TECs which are available from their company offices.

  Following the transfer of functions, this matter will be for the National Assembly.

  Departmental Asset Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 11 February 1999,Official Report, column 400, on Departmental asset sales, if he will list the location and previous use of the cottage sold by Cadw; and if he will make a statement. [71985]

  Mr. Michael
  This sale relates to two properties—21 and 23 Rosehill Street, Conwy. No. 21 was acquired in 1968, No. 23 acquired in 1969. The properties were subsequently converted into one unit to provide mess facilities and works depot to Cadw's workstaff.

  On completion of works in the area, the property was declared surplus and sold through agents, Beresford Adams. The sale was completed on 18 April 1997.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  United Nations Act 1946
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will introduce measures to amend the United Nations Act 1946 so that delegated legislation made under section 1 is subject to affirmative resolution in both Houses of Parliament; [71824]
  258
  (2) if he will introduce measures to amend the United Nations Act 1946 so that any sanctions order approved by a Minister of his Department is brought to the attention of the Foreign Affairs Committee. [71823]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are considering our response to the Recommendations of the Foreign Affairs Committee contained in their Second Report HC 116. This includes the recommendation that the United Nations Act 1946 be amended so that delegated legislation made under section 1 is subject to affirmative resolution in both Houses of Parliament, and that any sanctions Order approved by an FCO Minister is brought specifically to the attention of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The Government will address this in the formal response that they will be submitting to Parliament.

  Sierra Leone
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the changes to(a) communication procedures and (b) intelligence procedures made in response to the Legg report. [71838]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have acted on Sir Thomas Legg's recommendations. Guidance has been issued on communications with Ministers when overseas: these include ensuring that papers needing immediate attention are sent to Ministers when they are travelling and that time is built into Ministers' schedules abroad to deal with urgent papers from the UK. Guidance has also been issued to ensure that if more than one Minister needs to be aware of a paper it is specifically drawn to each Minister's attention. News Departments have clear guidelines to avoid using press lines that are misleading or incomplete. Procedures are also in place to ensure that reports received out of hours from the Ministry of Defence are correctly received, logged and distributed.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Liberia about the breaching of the UN arms embargo on Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [71817]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have on several occasions expressed our deep concern to the Liberian Government that shipments of arms have been made to Sierra Leone in breach of the UN Arms Embargo. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this matter with the Liberian Foreign Minister on 4 February, and has sent strong personal messages to President Taylor demanding that he withdrew support for the rebel forces.

  It is of vital importance for peace and security in the region that the arms embargoes on both Sierra Leone and Liberia are fully implemented. We will continue to support regional organisations in their efforts to address threats to stability in the region.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what disciplinary action he is taking against his Department's employees who have been criticised in the recent Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone (HC 116 of Session 1998–99). [71830]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in the House on 27 July 1999,Official Report, columns 19—34.
  259
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will respond to the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone (HC 116 of Session 1998–99). [71818]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Shortly.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what statements, relating to matters contained in the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone and his response to that report, were released by representatives of his Department to the media prior to the publication of the report; and if he will place in the Library copies of these statements. [71836]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  My office received in the second week of January a copy of a draft of the report. Shortly before the publication of the report, and at around the same time as leaks critical of FCO officials appeared in The Independent, Financial Times and The Times (on 5 and 6 February), we were also made aware of certain key conclusions of the report.

  Neither I nor any FCO Minister, official or special adviser took any action to publish or disclose any part of any version of the report; or to interfere with the Committee's deliberations or the report's preparation. In advance of the publication of the report on 9 February, we made no comment to the media about the report, except in response to leaks by others to the press.

  Copies of the report—embargoed until publication at 10.00—were released to officials from the Parliamentary Relations Department of the FCO at 0800 on 9 February. I was immediately sent a copy. An FCO spokesman subsequently briefed the press orally, under the same embargo, on my initial response to the report. After publication of the report, the FCO News Department released copies to the press of a minute from me to the Permanent Under-Secretary. A copy of that minute has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will publish the texts of the press briefings he or his Department gave on 8 February and before 8 am on 9 February relating to the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone; [72601]

  (2) if (a) he, (b) other departmental Ministers or (c) his officials have ever had access to (i) a draft report, (ii) a list of tabled amendments or (iii) other unpublished committee documents relating to the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone; [72604]

  (3) on what date and at what time (a) he, (b) other departmental Ministers and (c) his officials first had access to the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone. [72602]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave today to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan).

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date and at what time he, a ministerial colleague, a special adviser or departmental official were first shown a copy of the Foreign Affairs Committee's report on Sierra
  Leone; [72277]
  260
  (2) if he, a ministerial colleague, special adviser or departmental official were shown (i) a draft of or (ii) amendments to the Foreign Affairs Committee's report on Sierra Leone; [72275]

  (3) what information from the Foreign Affairs Committee's (a) report and (b) draft report on Sierra Leone was given to (i) him, (ii) a ministerial colleague, (iii) a special adviser or (iv) a departmental official before 8 am on Tuesday 9 February. [72276]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave today to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan).

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes within his Department(a) were made following the publication of the Legg Report and (b) he proposes to make following the publication of the second report 1998–99 of the Foreign Affairs Committee (HC 116). [71877]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have acted on the recommendations in the Legg Report. This action includes new procedures to improve communications inside the FCO; new guidelines for contracts with private military companies; new arrangements for the handling of intelligence; and a set of measures targeted at the rigorous enforcement of sanctions. A wider programme of modernisation involving sixty separate initiatives has also been launched.

  We are considering our response to the recommendations of the Foreign Affairs Committee contained in their Second Report HC 116. The Government will be submitting their formal response to Parliament.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to establish why the error in the minute of a Meeting held on 3 December 1997 was never reported to Sir Thomas Legg. [71878]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The error referred to, the abbreviation in one sentence of the minutes of what was said at the 3 December 1997 meeting, was drawn to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in December 1998. Sir Thomas Legg was informed that month. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary drew the Foreign Affairs Committee's attention to this abbreviation in his evidence to the Committee on 16 December 1998.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of those officials in his Department named in the Second Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Session 1998–99 (HC 116) have been promoted since 1 January 1998. [71879]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Of the eleven officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office named in the Report, five have been promoted since 1 January 1998.

  Disciplinary Actions
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the instances
  261
  from 1 May 1997 to date where his Department has taken disciplinary actions against employees and the reasons for those actions. [71831]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Forty-four employees have been disciplined since 1 May 1997. Questions of staff discipline are matters of confidence between employer and employee. It would be wrong to breach confidence by giving further details.

  Mr. Peter Penfold
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has investigated the delay in providing Mr. Penfold with secure communications equipment after his move to Conakry; and what factors underlay the delay. [71815]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Mr. Penfold arrived in Conakry on 5 June 1997. He discussed his communications needs with the FCO on 11 June. Equipment enabling him to send and receive material marked "restricted" was sent to Conakry on 26 June 1997, arriving on 7 July. For security reasons, the equipment needed to be housed in a protective steel cabinet. The slight delay arose from the need to assemble the various components (some of which had been returned for repair from other posts) and test them before dispatch.

  Mr. Penfold has said that staff in Conakry at that time, after consulting him decided not to use the equipment as it was too large for the hotel room. Mr. Penfold and his staff continued to use the commercial facilities available in the hotel.

  Ministerial Briefings
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms exist within his Department to ensure ministers are properly briefed for parliamentary debates. [71832]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Revised Guidance covering the need to brief Ministers fully was circulated to all FCO Departments in July 1998.

  UN Arms Embargoes
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that UN arms embargoes will be agreed to by the UK only if he determines the authorising resolution to be clear and unambiguous. [71822]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Kingdom works actively in the Security Council to ensure that resolutions relating to arms embargoes are clear and unambiguous.

  Secure Communications Equipment
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's policy of providing secure communications equipment to diplomatic missions forced to relocate through war or natural disasters. [71814]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are considering our response to the Recommendations of the Foreign Affairs Committee contained in their Second Report HC116. This includes the recommendation that all appropriate steps are taken to ensure that overseas posts are fully and properly supported in future if obliged to move temporarily from 262
  their normal office premises. The Government will address this in the formal Response that they will be submitting to Parliament.

  Working Hours
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his officials working in the United Kingdom have worked more than(a) 50 hours, (b) 60 hours, (c) 70 hours and, (d) 80 hours in any one working week since 1 May 1997. [71835]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Department does not have this information.

  Select Committees
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish his Department's guidelines for co-operating with select committees. [71821]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office follows the guidance on Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees circulated by the Cabinet Office in January 1997. Copies are in the Libraries of the House.

  Working Time Directive
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the impact on employment levels in his Department of compliance with the Working Time Directive. [71816]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Department will study the operational impact of the Directive and of the Working Time Regulations 1998 once their effect on working patterns becomes clear.

  Military Companies
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish his Department's rules on contacts with military companies(a) as they were at 1 January 1998 and (b) as amended in line with his press release of 9 February 1999. [71837]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Prior to 24 July 1998, there were no general requirements for Foreign Office officials to record contacts with private military companies. The guidelines introduced on 24 July were intended for internal use only pending preparation of more detailed guidance in consultation with other Government Departments.

  We intend to make this revised guidance available to Parliament and to companies or individuals who request it.

  East Timor and Indonesia
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of his discussion with the Indonesian Government on issues of the human rights in(a) East Timor and
  (b) Indonesia. [72232]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: During my visits to Jakarta last year I stressed our commitment to the process of political reform and support for the changes that have taken place in Indonesia since

  263
  May 1998. There have also been other positive developments (progress in the negotiations over East Timor, political prisoner releases, trade union reform and greater freedom of expression), but we remain concerned about the overall human rights situation in Indonesia and East Timor. Last October we arranged a Human Rights Workshop in Jakarta, whose participants included Indonesian Ministers, members of the armed forces, NGOs, academics and human rights activists. We continue to work for practical progress. We are looking at ways in which we can further assist democratic change in Indonesia.

  KPMG
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the services that KPMG have performed for his Department(a) since 1 May 1997 and (b) in the corresponding period prior to 1 May 1997, indicating the remuneration made in each case. [72008]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: KPMG provided the FCO with the following Consultancy Services in July 1996:

  (i) A study on pension compensation for DS spouses. Total remuneration paid £37,600;

  (ii) FCO Pay and Grading Review, Review of Specialist Salaries. Total remuneration paid £8,225.

  No Consultancy Services have been provided since 1 May 1997.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what practical measures he proposes to support the electoral process in Nigeria. [72897]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We fully support the democratic process in Nigeria. The FCO and DfID have spent around £900,000 on projects to support the electoral process.

  The FCO have funded a BBC World Service project on responsible journalism and voter education. We are working with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy to provide training for the new political parties and politicians. We have helped pay the cost of freighting ballot papers to Nigeria.

  We have funded a Commonwealth team which has provided training to electoral officials. With the UN and EU, we are providing observers to the National Assembly and Presidential elections on 20 and 27 February.

  DfID involvement has covered a wide number of projects. These include: a Commonwealth Local Government Forum observer mission; training for up to 1,200 local election monitors; a seminar to discuss the draft constitution; and the production of a manual for polling officials.

  China
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the human rights advances which have followed the introduction of his policy of constructive engagement with the Chinese Government. [72242]
  264
  Mr. Fatchett
  Since the UK/China human rights dialogue was established in September 1997, and the EU/China human rights dialogue resumed in October 1997, China has taken several positive steps. These include signature of two international covenants and agreement to report to the UN under those covenants in respect of Hong Kong. It has received visits by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, as well as allowing a visit to Tibet by EU Troika Ambassadors. It has also extended an invitation to visit to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. We have been able to discuss issues of serious concern including the death penalty, religion, Tibet and individual cases. China has begun to collaborate with the UK and EU on human rights cooperation programmes, which include projects in the areas of Civil and Political as well as Economic and Social rights, and has hosted two EU/China legal affairs seminars and a seminar on the rights of women.

  Spanish Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated value of fish caught by Spanish vessels fishing in British waters, out to 200 miles or the median line, in the last year for which figures are available. [71698]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is not available in the form requested. Under the Common Fisheries Policy, Member States are required to collect data only on the activities of their own vessels or in relation to other landings in their ports. In addition, catch information is required only by species and by ICES statistical areas, which may cover the waters of several countries.

  Furthermore, TACs and quotas are set by ICES areas, rather than by reference to national zones. Spanish vessels do not have access to all waters within British fishery limits.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Welfare Reform
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place the responses to the Green Paper "A New Contract for Welfare" in the Library. [71101]

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

  The Library advises that it is not standard procedure for them to hold such responses. The Department will willingly make them available should the Library request copies. I am also today placing copies in the Library of summaries of the responses received to "New ambitions for our country: A New Contract for Welfare" (Cm 3805), "A new contract for welfare: Support for Disabled People" (Cm 4103) and "A new contract for welfare: Support in Bereavement" (Cm 4104).

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the policy of the Benefits Agency in respect of telephoning people outside office hours; [71126]

  (2) if it is the policy of the Benefits Agency to comply with requests from people not to be telephoned with inquiries; [71128]

  (3) if he will make a statement on (a) access which the Benefits Agency has to ex-directory telephone numbers and (b) its policy on their use; [71125]

  (4) if it is the policy of the Benefits Agency when making telephone calls to people to give a reference number and contact address if requested. [71127]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 22 February 1999:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking, what is the policy of Benefits Agency (BA) in respect of telephoning people outside of office hours; the policy in respect of complying with requests from people not to be telephoned with inquiries; access which the BA has to ex-directory telephone numbers and policy on use; and the policy on making telephone calls to people, to give a reference number and contact address if requested.
  Studies have identified that people prefer to use the telephone as a means of conducting day to day business. We therefore seek to use this as a means to improve upon accessibility and provision of a quality service.
  BA does not have a policy on telephoning people outside Office Hours. For operational reasons, the vast majority of calls will be made during the day, Monday to Friday. However, offices do operate flexible working hours resulting in calls potentially being made outside of 'normal' working hours. It is also the case that certain units within BA will need to telephone people in the evening or weekends, for example, where we are seeking to contact people who are no longer in receipt of benefits, or where there is a time difference, eg, people abroad who need to be contacted by our Pensions and Overseas Directorate. In providing a quality service, staff will be sensitive to keep unsociable calls to a minimum.
  BA would seek to respect the wishes of people requesting not to be contacted by telephone and would attempt to deal with the business by other means, e.g. by letter or interview. The Income Support computer system includes a notes pad where these details could be incorporated, however, this service is not replicated across our current IT systems, clerical notes to this effect would be made however.
  The BA has no direct access to ex-directory numbers. The telephone number would have to be given to the Agency. If the number has been given to us, eg, in respect of a previous benefit claim, it will be held on the Departmental Central Index computer system, which supports our mainframe benefit systems. This would result in the telephone number being available across the BA.
  It is policy for BA staff when dealing with customers over the telephone to answer identifying their unit or section. If staff are asked at any time during the telephone call to give their name, or it becomes apparent that the customer needs a contact name to help progress their claim or business, staff are required to give their name. This can be first name only, surname, or full name, and staff can use a pseudonym as long as it is a name used in all their customer contacts, so they can be identified by colleagues.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Tribunals (Medical Evidence)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to ensure that all medical 266
  evidence submitted by his Department in tribunal cases is legible; and if he will ensure that all such evidence is typewritten. [70659]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 22 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what steps are taken to ensure that all medical evidence submitted to a tribunal is legible, and whether an assurance can be given that such evidence be typewritten.
  The Benefits Agency ensures that documents containing medical information used as part of the decision making process are clear and legible. Where the information is obtained from the Agency's Medical Advisors, contact specifications dictate that the information must be legible. Staff are advised to return information for clarification that falls below this criteria, before it is used to decide entitlement.
  Information provided from an outside organisation such as a hospital or customer's General Practitioner is also scrutinised for legibility. Should such reports contain illegible information confirmation would be sought from the author.
  There are no plans to introduce a requirement that all medical evidence should be typewritten.
  I hope the information is helpful.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents in Paisley, South were on income support in the periods(a) May 1995–96, (b) May 1996–97 and (c) May 1997–98. [71432]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Douglas Alexander, dated 22 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the numbers of lone parents on Income Support in Paisley South in the periods (a) May 1995–96, (b) May 1996–97 and (c) May 1997–98.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The information that is available is included in the attached table.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Lone Parents in receipt of Income Support in Renfrewshire Local Authority District

  Number

  May 1995

  4,100

  May 1996

  3,900

  May 1997

  4,000

  May 1998

  3,700

  Notes:

  1. Lone Parents are defined as single people with dependants who are not in receipt of a disability or pensioner premium. Some Lone Parent customers may also be included in load counts for Pensioner premiums and Disability premium. The number of Lone Parents is therefore potentially understated.

  2. Please note that Renfrewshire Local Authority District will also include claimants from other constituencies, e.g. Renfrewshire contains claimants from both Paisley South Constituency and Paisley North Parliamentary Constituency.

  3. The information has been provided by the Analytical Services Division 1 of the DSS.

  4. Figures are based on 1 5% sample and therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  267

  5. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.

  6. The information has been taken from the Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry in May of each relevant year.

  SERPS
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what advice his Department provides upon request to individuals with SERPS pensions with regard to the change of conditions of the pension on the death of a spouse from April 2000. [72018]

  Mr. Timms
  Information on the changes to the inheritance of Additional Pension (also known as SERPS) has been included in leaflets NP 45, "A Guide to Widow's Benefit", and NP 46, "A Guide to Retirement Pensions" available from April 1996.

  An internal bulletin highlighting the changes and directed at weekly training sessions was issued in January 1999 to Benefits Agency staff.

  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of paying the full entitlement to SERPS to widows/widowers whose spouse dies on or after 6 April 2000 based on the deceased contribution record to 5 April 1996. [72552]

  Angela Eagle
  The estimated cost is £50 million in 2000–2001, increasing to £2 billion by 2020.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates, provided by the Government Actuary's Department, are in 1998–99 prices and are rounded to the nearest £50 million.

  2. Estimates are gross, i.e. means-tested benefit offsets have not been taken into account.

  3. Estimates have been made on the basis of current legislation.

  4. Long term real earnings growth of 1.5 per cent. has been assumed.

  Annuities
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the sum required to purchase an annuity of(a) £116 per week rising in line with average earnings for a couple aged 65 years with £75 rising with average earnings for a survivor and (b) £65 per week, rising in line with average prices for a female aged 50 years. [72610]

  Mr. Timms
  Annuities which increase in line with national average earning are not generally available.

  An estimate has been made on the basis of current rates for annuities which increase in line with prices, adjusted to reflect assumed earnings growth relative to prices of 1.5 per cent. a year. It is estimated that a sum of £135,000 would be required to purchase an annuity of £116 a week, increasing in line with national average earnings, payable to a man aged 65, with an annuity of £75 a week payable on his death to his wife (assumed to be aged 62), also increasing in line with national average earnings.

  On the basis of current rates for annuities which increase in line with prices, it is estimated that a sum of £85,000 would be required to purchase an annuity of £65 a week, increasing in line with prices, payable to a woman aged 50.

  Note:
  Both capital sums quoted are rounded to the nearest £5,000.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if Benefits Agency staff will review all new and repeat claims for jobseeker's allowance received since 20 June 1998, and cleared(a) on the basis of information from his Department's systems other than NIRS II and (b) on the basis of information from the claimant. [72370]

  Mr. Timms
  A special exercise will be carried out to identify all new and repeat claims (system and clerical) to Jobseeker's Allowance processed during the NIRS closure period (20 June to 8 November 1998). Each claim identified will then be reviewed to ensure correct entitlement was paid. The special exercise will ensure that those claims paid on the basis of information provided by jobseekers are identified and reviewed.

  A date has not yet been finalised when the special exercise will commence, but it is not expected to be before April 1999. The position will be kept under review but, depending on other work priorities impacting on the field, the intention is to clear the relevant cases by the end of this year.

  Claims made since 9 November (the date NIRS2 became "live" for Jobseeker's Allowance) are automatically reviewed by the Jobseeker's Allowance computer system upon confirmation of contribution information supplied by NIRS2. These cases therefore will not require a special exercise to review entitlement.

  Claims made from January which could not be assessed using information from NIRS2 have been assessed using other evidence. These cases will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, when contribution information is updated to NIRS2, as NIRS2 automatically notifies the JSA computer system of the revised details.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Legal Services
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) the London barristers' chambers and (b) the London solicitors' firms that have performed services for his Department (i) since 1 May 1997 and (ii) in the equivalent period preceding that date, indicating the remuneration paid in each particular case. [70025]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General appointed Philip Sales as First Junior Treasury Counsel (Common Law) and Jonathan Crow as First Junior Counsel (Chancery) to advise and represent the Government in their important civil cases. In addition the Attorney-General maintains at present two London panels of junior counsel from whom the Ministry's Legal Department instructs counsel to assist with its civil litigation. When the Ministry wishes to instruct counsel who are not on the panel, a nomination is obtained from the Attorney-General. The Ministry also obtains such nominations from the Attorney-General in all criminal cases where representation by counsel is necessary.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what amounts in his Department's budget for 1998–99 can be attributed to spending on disabled people; and what proportion this represents of total departmental spending. [71284]

  Mr. Morley
  MAFF's Programme of Action for Equality of Opportunity includes a number of provisions for staff with disabilities.

  Managers are required to provide funding to meet reasonable adjustments for staff with disabilities from their own local budgets. This may be supplemented by funding from a central budget where there is a need for specialist equipment or additional help beyond the means of local budgets. No central record is kept of expenditure on staff with disabilities by local managers. The budgetary provision for central funding for 1998–99 is £67,500.

  In addition to the funds available to meet adjustments for individual members of staff, audits have been undertaken of the accommodation in which staff work to identify where improvements in access or the provision of facilities for people with disabilities are needed. A programme of work is underway on which £1.1 million has been spent in the last three years. The budget for this programme for 1998–99 is £450,000. This expenditure is of benefit to both staff and MAFF's customers.

  The Department also participates in the Employment Service's Supported Employment Scheme which provides work opportunities for people with severe disabilities. The 1998–99 budget is £53,000.

  As responsibilities and operations related to disability are spread throughout the Department it is not possible to give the proportion of total departmental spending.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many press releases have been issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies in each of the years 1990 to
  1998. [71443]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]: The number of press notices issued by MAFF, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each of the years since 1990 was as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1990

  408

  1991

  475

  1992

  436

  1993

  473

  1994

  493

  1995

  484

  1996

  430

  1997

  418

  1998

  499

  1999

  157

  1As at 17 February 1999

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the conventions governing the propriety and cost of press releases issued 270
  by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies; and what is the total cost of the press releases issued since May 1997. [71458]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]: Rules governing the work of the GICS are laid down in the guidance on the work of the Government Information Service published by the Cabinet Office in July 1997. More specific guidance on the writing and issuing of press releases is given in the Working Guide for Government Information Officers. Copies of both documents are in the Libraries of the House.

  The estimated total cost of press releases since May 1997 by MAFF and the agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for whom it distributes press releases is £55,000.

  Media Allegations (Rebuttals)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) those units in his Department and (b) the number of departmental staff which are concerned with preparing rebuttals of allegations in the media; and what is (i) the total cost of their work, including salaries, and (ii) the number of rebuttals issued since May 1997. [71845]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: In common with other departments, the work of press officers in my department includes responding to any misinformed allegations concerning Government policy or activity which are published in the media. They are supported in this work by other officials as necessary.

  Because this is a routine part of a department's work and it is not separately recorded from other tasks, to provide the further information requested would involve disproportionate cost.

  Brandy and Rum Butters
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to ensure that traditional British brandy and rum butters can continue to be marketed in the European Union. [73078]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am pleased to announce that, following discussions with the industry, the European Commission and other Member States, we have managed to secure a derogation that will lower the minimum milkfat content of brandy, rum and sherry butters from 34 per cent. to 20 per cent., thereby ensuring that these traditional alcoholic butters can continue to be made using the traditional recipes enjoyed by the UK consumers for many years.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Ofsted Annual Report
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools identified in the Ofsted annual report for the academic year 1997–98 which, through Ofsted inspection and performance in examinations and assessments, are providing a good quality education and achieving high standards. [70931]
  271
  Ms Estelle Morris
  In his annual report for 1997–98, which was published on 9 February, HM Chief Inspector named schools in three categories: schools which were shown by inspection to be providing a good quality of education and achieving high standards; secondary schools which stand out amongst the many re-inspected during 1997–98 which had improved the quality of education and standards achieved by pupils since the previous inspection; and schools which had been removed from special measures during 1997–98 having made substantial improvements.

  I warmly congratulate and thank all those who have played a part in the successes achieved by these schools.

  The schools named by HM Chief Inspector are shown in a list, a copy of which I have placed in the Library.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking to ensure that the computer systems of(a) schools, (b) colleges and (c) higher education centres, are millennium compliant. [71680]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department for Education and Employment has urged all Local Education Authorities in England to offer help and guidance to all the schools in their area, building on Local Authorities' own Year 2000 compliance programmes. We are about to write again to spread information on good practice, including on contingency planning. The Department is working with the Further Education Funding Council and Higher Education Funding Council for England to ensure that action is being taken in colleges and higher education institutions to reduce the threat to systems posed by the date change. The funding councils have conducted surveys in their respective education sectors and have issued guidance. If necessary, they are prepared to impose conditions of grant to secure an acceptable state of readiness.

  Durham County Council (Grants)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what grants have been made by his Department to Durham County Council in addition to the revenue support grant in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [71555]

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

  Grants made available to Durham County Council in 1997–98

  £

  Standards fund

  Allocation

  School Effectiveness

  1,665,700

  National Curriculum Assessment—Verification KS1

  79,800

  National Curriculum Assessment—Supply cover KS1

  129,300

  Training for KS2 Teacher Assessment

  74,400

  KS3 Non-core Teacher Assessment

  22,800

  Primary Teachers' Subject Knowledge

  190,000

  Special Educational Needs

  185,000

  Qualifications—GNVQ Provision

  169,900

  272

  Grants made available to Durham County Council in 1997–98

  £

  Standards fund

  Allocation

  Qualifications—Part One GNVQ Pilot

  85,000

  Truancy

  77,100

  Disruptive and Disaffected Pupils

  23,100

  Pupil Behaviour and Discipline

  60,000

  Bilingual Pupils

  8,200

  Drug Prevention and Schools

  50,000

  Training for Careers Teachers

  45,800

  Literacy and Numeracy Project Centres

  209,500

  Youth Service

  16,600

  National Professional Qualification for Headship

  66,550

  School Security

  259,100

  Child Protection

  25,000

  Family Literacy

  35,000

  Specialist Schools

  156,700

  Specialist Teacher Assistants

  19,500

  Baseline Assessment

  102,400

  Primary Performance Tables

  6,700

  Books for Schools

  305,039

  New Deal for Schools

  New Deal for Schools

  755,039

  Total

  4,823,189

  Grants made available in 1998–99 to Durham County Council

  £

  Grant title

  Allocation

  Standards Fund

  School Effectiveness

  1,852,012

  School Leadership

  152,632

  Induction for Newly-Qualified Teachers

  64,530

  Early Years Training and Development

  58,800

  Reduction of Infant Class Sizes

  250,000

  Capital Work to reduce class sizes

  167,160

  Baseline Assessment

  114,957

  Assessment: Verification KS1

  38,203

  Assessment: Supply Cover

  136,734

  Training for KS2 Teacher Assessment

  72,263

  Effective use of National Curriculum Results

  77,887

  National Literacy Strategy—Primary

  743,792

  National Literacy Project—Key Stage 3

  198,220

  Summer Literacy Schools

  50,000

  Family Literacy

  35,000

  Special Educational Needs

  209,580

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

  219,333

  Qualifications: Part One GNVQ Pilot

  64,000

  Work Related Learning at KS4

  49,995

  Improving Attendance and Behaviour

  272,080

  Drug Prevention

  73,912

  Youth service

  22,195

  School Security

  258,120

  Specialist Schools

  380,080

  Specialist Teacher Assistants

  3,179

  Travel to Study Support Centres

  1,692

  National Grid for Learning

  1,300,000

  Summer Numeracy Schools

  10,000

  Advanced Skills Teachers

  24,000

  Books for Schools

  313,335

  Health Education Partnerships

  75,000

  Children's Parliament

  330

  Year 6 Literacy and Numeracy Booster Classes

  172,072

  Numeracy Consultants and Leading Maths Teachers

  6,600

  Removal of Outside Toilets

  230,000

  Energy Management

  153,062

  Portable CD-ROM Systems for Special Educational Needs Coordinators

  34,000

  New Deal for Schools

  New Deal for Schools

  2,068,052

  Total

  9,952,807

  Students (Newcastle)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate(a) how many students resident in Newcastle are educated in local education authorities outside Newcastle, (b) how many students are educated in Newcastle local education authority schools who are resident in other local education authorities, (c) how many school students resident in Newcastle were educated in non-local education authority schools in 1996–97 and (d) how many school students resident in Newcastle who will be educated in local education authority schools in 1999–2000 in each local education authority in the City of Newcastle. [71703]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table sets out the estimated information requested for(a) and (b) for 1996–97, although the figures should be treated with caution since, following the reform of inter-authority recoupment in 1995–96, many authorities made representations that it was no longer possible for them to collect robust data on cross-border pupil movements. There are no comparable data for 1999–2000 and information on the residence of pupils attending independent schools has never been collected centrally.

  Local education authority

  Estimated exports aged 5–15

  Estimated imports aged 5–15

  Gateshead

  591

  608

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,377

  1,076

  North Tyneside

  807

  757

  South Tyneside

  185

  362

  Note:

  1. The figures are derived from the form 8A/539F returns received from local education authorities in respect of the 1996–97 financial year. Several authorities expressed reservations about the quality of the data or made incomplete returns based on estimates derived from previous years.

  "Public Relations Toolkit for Employers"
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those who attended the launch of the New Deal "Public Relations Toolkit for Employers"; and what was the cost. [71367]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The reception for small and medium-sized enterprises is estimated to have cost £1,400. It provided an opportunity to recognise and thank small and medium-sized enterprises for their involvement in New Deal. The Public Relations Toolkit was prepared to help them publicise their company through that involvement, or more widely, should they wish to do so. The following is a list of the companies and representative organisations that attended.

  AJS LoadTruck

  Artists Management

  Ashton Hart Dave Lee

  Association of British Chambers of Commerce

  Bodycare Health & Beauty Ltd.

  Burnaby Industrial Cleaning Ltd.

  Business Link Network Company

  BWIA (UK)

  Chores

  EMG

  Europa Foods

  274

  Federation of Small Businesses

  Goddard Export Services

  Griffin Fire

  Griffin Fire

  Hanlon Computer Systems

  Imago Ltd.

  J. J. Travel & Shipping

  John Parry Timber Ltd.

  Kernow Entertainment

  Mayday Group

  MB Coatings Ltd.

  Mobile Care Qualifications

  Mudu & Co. Solicitors

  Nyala Group Ltd.

  Original Eastern Foods

  Park Practice (Infinite Mind Ltd.)

  Park Practice (Infinite Mind Ltd.)

  Project Coins

  Quintdown Press

  Ramsey Finishings Systems

  Real Deal Travel Ltd.

  Red Fort

  Rion Travel

  Rob Hawkins Plumbing and Heating Engineers

  Russell Henry & Co. Solicitors

  Russell Henry & Co. Solicitors

  Soft Sheen International

  Somerset Country Furniture

  South East Lancashire Housing Association

  St. Michael's Day Nursery

  St. Kitts & Nevis Department of Tourism

  Supreme Imports Wholesales Ltd.

  Suzanne Russell

  TEC National Council

  The Institute of Directors

  The Park Inn

  The Park Inn

  Wray & Nephew.

  New Deal (Vietnamese and Chinese Nationals)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many individuals of(a) Vietnamese nationality and (b) Chinese nationality have (i) participated in the New Deal and (ii) found jobs through the New Deal. [71094]

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

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. David Maclean, dated 23 February 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about the numbers of people of Vietnamese and Chinese nationality who are participating and have found jobs through New Deal. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  While details of an individual's nationality are not held, people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance are invited to indicate their ethnic origin.

  275
  In the period to the end of November 1998, 374 clients who declared their ethnic origin as Chinese entered the New Deal for 18–24 year olds. In the same period, 59 of these clients left the Gateway for unsubsidised jobs and a further 11 for subsidised jobs. There may also be some people of Chinese origin among those who chose not to declare their ethnic origin.
  Vietnamese claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance are not identified as a separate ethnic group. It is not therefore possible to produce figures for New Deal participants and job starts for this group.

  Asylum Seekers (Children)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children of asylum seekers are currently attending school in the United Kingdom; and if he will estimate the cost of their attendance. [71092]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Local Education Authorities are funded to provide education for school-aged children of asylum seekers on the school roll, in the same way as they are for all other children on roll. We estimate that there are about 45,000 children of asylum seekers currently receiving education in the United Kingdom at a cost of around £97 million in the current financial year.

  New Deal (Gateway)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons individuals may stay on the Gateway to the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds for longer than four months. [71133]

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

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. David Maclean, dated 17 February 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about the reasons why the length of the Gateway period for those participating in New Deal for 18–24 year olds may be extended beyond four months. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  There are four main categories of young people whose stay on the Gateway may properly extend beyond the normal four month maximum. The first category covers young people who are not required to go on to an option at the end of four months because they are clearly intending to cease claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in the very near future. Examples, include young people who are due to start full time work; emigrate; or leave Jobseeker's Allowance to claim maternity allowance. The second category covers situations where entry to a New Deal option is, by agreement with a Personal Adviser, delayed for a short period where there is good reason. Examples include circumstances where a young person has suffered a bereavement; suffers a short-term illness; or where their planned provision is unexpectedly not available.
  The third category covers young people who refuse to enter a New Deal option. In these circumstances their case will normally be referred to an adjudication officer for a decision on the individual's benefit entitlement during which time the young person is regarded as still being on the Gateway. The fourth category covers returners to the Gateway. If a young person leaves the Gateway and subsequently returns within 13 weeks, they will re-enter the Gateway at the point which they left.

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the 276
  impact on his Department's policies of the goods and services provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to be implemented in October 1999. [71277]

  Ms Hodge
  We are acting to ensure that the Department's policies meet the needs of disabled people and that we comply with our legal requirements. The Department already takes positive steps to make it easier for disabled people to make use of its services. We shall continue to do so, not only by complying fully with new duties in the Disability Discrimination Act but by aiming to exceed them where appropriate.

  The Department issued internal guidance recently on mainstreaming which ensures that all new and existing policies and programmes are assessed for any adverse impact not only on disabled people, but on any minority or disadvantaged group. That includes the need to ensure that our policies and their outcomes comply with the law. Where necessary we shall act to remove or reduce the impact on these groups. This complements the guidance "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment" which the Cabinet Office issued to all Government Departments in November 1998, and which was signed jointly by the Minister for Women, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, and the Home Secretary.

  The Departmental Board monitors the Department's performance and will publish information on the progress being made in this area, as will other Government Departments.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what amounts in his Department's budget for 1998–99 can be attributed to spending on disabled people; and what proportion this represents of total departmental spending. [71289]

  Mr. Mudie
  Approximately £290 million of this Department's budget for 1998–99 can be attributed directly to spending on disabled people. This represents 1.9 per cent. of the Department's total budget for 1998–99.

  In addition, disabled people are able to benefit from the Department's mainstream expenditure on education, employment and training, but it is not possible to identify separately the amount of this.

  Education Action Zones
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of the Education Action Zones have applied to disapply(a) the national curriculum and (b) national terms and conditions for teachers. [68935]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 2 February 1999]: 11 schools in EAZs have informed QCA that they have disapplied the National Curriculum under Section 363 of the Education Act 1996 to provide wider opportunities for work-related learning at Key Stage 4 from September 1998. As regulations only came into force in September 1998, it is likely that more schools will take advantage of this provision during the remainder of this academic year and next academic year.

  A further two schools are currently considering making an application under Section 362 from September 1999 to disapply aspects of the National Curriculum for the purposes of curricular experimentation and development.
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  There have been no applications to disapply the national terms and conditions for teachers.

  Planning Assessments
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff in his Department are responsible for assessing local education authorities'(a) early years development plans, (b) asset management plans and (c) education development plans; and how much time is given on average to the assessment of each such plan. [70118]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 9 February 1999]: We estimate that the amount of staff time expected to be spent on assessing local education authority plans (expressed as full time equivalent) is as set out in the following table.

  Type of plan

  Average staff time per plan (hours)

  Staff numbers (as FTE)

  Early years development plans

  11

  1.10

  Asset management plans

  1—

  1.10

  Education development plans

  16

  1.59

  1Detailed assessment methods for asset management plans have not yet been determined.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will describe the procedure followed by the Employment Service for tracking claimants of jobseeker's allowance who are(a) unemployed for more than two years (i) in the 18 to 24 age group and (ii) aged over 25 years and (b) lone parents. [70740]

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

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Paul Keetch, dated 17 February 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about the procedure for tracking claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.

  Department for Education and Employment

  Type of asset sold

  Number of transactions or transaction detail

  Value realised (£)

  1997–98

  Freehold Property

  Swindon Skill Centre—land only

  1,435,850

  Fixtures and Fittings

  1

  925

  Vehicles

  63

  Cars

  62

  268,632

  Vans

  1

  2,139

  Office Machinery

  13

  49,602

  Other IT Equipment

  3,200

  152,374

  1998–99 (January 1999)

  Freehold Property

  Letchworth Skill Centre—land only

  150,070

  Office Machinery

  1

  275

  Other IT Equipment

  1,156

  15,426

  1These figures include the sale of some assets of the former Teachers' Pensions Agency which were sold to Capita Ltd. when they took over the function on a going concern basis.

  278

  The procedure for monitoring claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance starts when they make their first claim. The jobseeker is seen by an adviser for a New Jobseeker Interview and is subsequently seen fortnightly until they cease claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. The progress in finding work for jobseekers who remain unemployed is reviewed with them after 13 weeks, after six months and every six months thereafter. For those young people aged between 18 and 24 the six month review triggers their entry on to the New Deal.
  I should explain that Lone Parents do not normally claim Jobseeker's Allowance, since they are normally entitled to Income Support. New Deal for Lone Parents is a voluntary programme and participants continue to claim Income Support whilst participating on it. The only Lone Parents who claim jobseeker's Allowance are therefore those who voluntarily join the New Deal for 18–24 year olds or for those aged over 25, and those who are willing to meet the Jobseeker's Allowance benefit conditions by making themselves available for and actively seeking work.
  All claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance are recorded by the Employment Service on its Labour Market Computer System. This is used to record their progress in line with the structure of fortnightly attendance and regular reviews. In addition, jobseekers who are on New Deal are tracked by their Personal Adviser throughout their time on the programme.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Departmental Asset Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [70412]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 11 February 1999]: The total value of money realised from the sale of assets by the Department, its agencies, and associated public bodies since the publication of the information in the National Assets Register is £13,391,196.

  Asset management is kept under close review, and those which are surplus to requirements are disposed of as quickly as possible, subject to value-for-money considerations. They are normally disposed of on the open market by public auction or tender. The exception to this rule is that in DfEE, good working IT equipment is gifted to education and employment bodies and projects via third-party organisations. The following table lists items reported as sold by the Department, its agencies and associated public bodies since the information on assets was published in the National Assets Register of November 1997.
  279

  Employment Service

  Type of asset sold

  Value realised (£)

  1997–98

  Land and Buildings1

  3,244,480

  Fixtures and Fittings

  9,000

  Vehicles

  1,117,586

  Office Machinery

  2,779

  Other IT Equipment

  83,734

  1998–99

  Land and Buildings2

  1,575,000

  (December 1998)

  Fixtures and Fittings

  5,128

  Vehicles

  914,778

  Other IT Equipment3

  1,922

  1Employment Service Property Assets listed in National Assets Register disposed of in 1997–98: Airdrie UBO, Barking JC, Biggleswade ESJ, Blaenavon ESJ, Bradford Clifford St. ESJ, Cardiff JC, Cowdenbeath ESJ, Doncaster Trafford Way ESJ, Dumfries JC, Dunoon JC, Eastleigh JC, Ellesmere Port UBO, Epping JC, Gorleston ESJ, Kelso ESJ, Llandrindod Wells ESJ, Loughborough PACT, Milford Haven ESJ, Nelson ESJ, Newton Le Willows ESJ, (Historic Lease) Northallerton ESJ, Orpington (the Walnuts), Parkhead UBO, Peterhead UBO, Preston JC, Rushden UBO, South Kirby ESJ, Stanford Le-Hope, Walton ESJ, Wishaw ESJ, Witney ESJ and Worcester ESJ.

  2Employment Service Property Assets listed in National Assets Register disposed of in 1998–99 (up to December 1998): Camden Town ESJ, Malvern ESJ, and March ESJ.

  3From 1 August 1998 the Employment Service entered into a partnership agreement with EDS for a period of 10 years. Under the partnership agreement, ES computer equipment (with the exception of telecommunication equipment) transferred to EDS for a nominal charge. The assets had a net book value of approximately £20 million at the date of transfer. They were exchanged for equivalent savings in the net present value of service charges over the term of the agreement.

  Ofsted

  Type of assets sold

  Number of transactions

  Value realised £

  1997–98

  Vehicles—Cars

  7

  28,329

  1998–99

  Vehicles—Cars

  4

  20,318

  Organisation

  Type of asset sold

  Value realised (£)

  NCVQ/SCAR now

  QCA

  1997–98

  Office Machinery

  450

  Vehicles

  2,432

  1998–99

  Other IT Equipment

  3,500

  Vehicles

  19,297

  Teachers Training Agency

  1997–98

  IT equipment

  3,900

  Construction Industry Training Board

  1997–98

  Building

  140,000

  Plant and Machinery

  20,500

  Office furniture and equipment

  10,700

  Vehicles

  263,933

  1998–99

  Plant and Machinery

  8,200

  Office furniture and equipment

  750

  Vehicles

  108,300

  Funding Agency for Schools

  1997–98

  IT equipment

  9,000

  1998–99

  IT equipment

  3,400

  Higher Education Funding Council for England

  1997–98

  Vehicles

  4,200

  IT equipment

  25,500

  280

  Organisation

  Type of asset sold

  Value realised (£)

  Remploy Ltd.

  1997–98

  Buildings

  164,000

  Plant machinery and other equipment

  955,000

  Vehicles

  400,000

  1998–99

  Buildings

  538,000

  Plant machinery and other equipment

  886,000

  Vehicles

  119,000

  Student Loan Company

  1997–98

  Computer and other electronic equipment

  463,000

  Vehicles

  43,000

  Further Education Funding Council

  1997–98

  Equipment

  2,285

  1998–99

  Equipment

  502

  Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

  1997–98

  Plant and machinery

  118,000

  Gateway Interviews (Training)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what specific training will be given to personal advisers conducting interviews for the Single Work-Focused Gateway on advising people with learning disabilities. [71584]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]: Single Work-Focused Gateway Personal Advisers will have access to training materials to equip them with the skills and knowledge to help them identify people with learning disabilities.

  This training material will also equip Personal Advisers to refer people with learning disabilities to the most appropriate specialist support.

  The content of the training material includes the following:

  how to identify people with disabilities, including learning disabilities;

  the sensitivities around dealing with people with disabilities;

  specialist programmes available for people with disabilities; and

  the specific help specialist support can offer, e.g. through the Disability Employment Adviser.

  Education SSAs
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations he has received on the SSA level for the education provision in North Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement; [72165]

  (2) what plans he has to visit North Yorkshire to discuss the SSA settlement for North Yorkshire County Council. [72160]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received representations from concerned schools and parents complaining about the possibility that North Yorkshire County Council may not use all of the £13 million increase in the education SSA to support education. He has no plans to visit North Yorkshire, buthas written to the Leader of the County Council to make it clear that we expect the County Council to set a budget
  281
  which uses all of the education SSA increase to support education services, especially schools. I understand that the County Council will now do this.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what changes he plans to make to cash limits and running costs limits within his responsibility for 1998–99. [72993]

  Mr. Mudie
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class IX, Vote 1 (Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services), Vote 3 (Employment Service), and Vote 4 (Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England), will be amended as follows:

  Class

  Vote

  Existing cash limit (£)

  Change (£)

  New cash limit (£)

  IX

  1

  10,381,602,000

  94,807,000

  10,476,409,000

  IX

  3

  1,749,858,000

  25,811,000

  1,775,669,000

  IX

  4

  118,641,000

  -8,300,00

  110,342,000

  The cash limit for Class IX, Vote 1 (Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services) will be increased by £94,807,000 from £10,381,602,000 to £10,476,409,000. This is the net effect of the take up of £17,356,000 of the end-year flexibility eligibility on running costs and £5,265,000 of that on the New Deal for Schools announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36; a claim on reserve of £38,000,000 to cover European Social Fund payments in the current financial year for which the receipts from the EC will not arrive until next year; transfers of £8,300,000 from Class IX, Vote 4 (Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools) and £19,200,000 from Class IX, Vote 3 (Employment service) in connection with Books for Schools and Key stage 2 revision classes, of £20,000 from Class XIII, Vote 3 (the Scottish Office) for compensation due to a change in the student support funding regime and cross border flows of students, and of £102,000 to Class XII, Vote 3 (the Department of Social Security) for publicity of the National Childcare strategy; a switch of £4,224,000 from Supplementary Credit approvals in connection with the provision of schools capital; and an increase of £6,348,000 for Welfare to Work publicity and running costs of which £1,718,000 is transferred from Class IX, Vote 3 (Employment Service) and £70,000 from Class XII, Vote 3 (Department of Social Security), and £4,560,000 is extra provision financed from the windfall tax; offset by transfers of £250,000 to Class XIV, Vote 2 (the Welsh office) and £230,000 to Class XV, Vote 1 (the Northern Ireland Departments) for the University for Industry, of £470,000 to Class XII, Vote 1 (the Department of Social Security) for Bridging Allowances, of £4,260,000 of gross provision and £1,702,000 of receipts to Class IX, Vote 3 (the Employment Service) for restructuring and Grays Inn Road property, and of £500,000 to Class XI, Vote 1 (the Department of Health) for professions allied to medicine.

  The running cost provision within the control total has been increased by £25,791,000 from £250,548,000 to £276,330,000. This is as a result of the £17,356,000 take up of end-year flexibility and the transfers of £20,000 from the
  282
  Scottish Office and £4,260,000 to the Employment Service mentioned above, plus the reclassification of £3,000,000 from capital to running costs and an addition of £9,500,000 to take account of the change to the treatment of VAT receipts on contracted out services and of £175,000 for EC related initiatives which are offset by receipts. The Welfare-to-Work running costs provision (outside the control total) will increase by £1,479,000 form £1,283,000 to £2,762,000. This is as a result of the transfer of £219,000 from the Employment Service, the virement of £130,000 from the Millennium Volunteers programme and additions of £494,000, £70,000, £370,000 and £196,000 for the New Deals on Young People, Lone Parents, the Disabled and Partners respectively.

  The non-Voted cash limit DfEE/LACAP has also been decreased by £4,224,000 from £44,940,000 to £40,716,000 as a result of increase in provisions of schools capital.

  The cash limit for Class IX, Vote 3: Employment Service will be increased by £25,811,000 (of which £15,311,000 is in respect of the Welfare-to-Work programme and is outside the control total) from £1,749,858,000 to £1,775,669,000.

  The £15,311,000 for the Welfare-to-Work programme is the net result of the following: a transfer of £10,350,000 from Class XII, Vote 1 (Central government administered social security benefits and other payments) for the New Deal for lone parents; £4,871,000 direct from the Windfall Tax for the New Deal programmes to help people with disabilities and partners of unemployed people into work; the take up of £1,808,000 under the Welfare-to-Work end year flexibility scheme as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 131–36; a transfer of £1,718,000 to Class IX, Vote 1 (Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services) to cover the cost of work on New Deal programmes undertaken by Department for Education and Employment.

  The balance of the increase to the cash limit, £10,500,000, is the net result of the following: an increase of £19,957,000 in capital provision due to the sale of Information Technology assets; the transfer of £19,200,000 to Class IX, Vote 1 (Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services) in respect of additional spending on books for schools and Key Stage 2; the transfer from Class XII, Vote 3 (Department of Social Security; administration) of £7,108,000 for the recalculation of JSA core funding and other work ES undertakes for the Benefits Agency; a transfer of £4,260,000 in running costs and £1,702,000 in appropriations in aid from Class IX, Vote 1, to cover the transfer of the lease for 236 Grays Inn Road, London and the restructuring costs of surplus staff; and from Class XVIII, Vote 1 (Cabinet Office: other services), £77,000 in respect of accommodation costs of The Pithay, Bristol.

  The running cost provision within the control total for Class IX, Vote 3 will be increased by £24,873,000 from £777,673,000 to £802,546,000. This increase results from the transfers of £7,108,000 from the Department of Social Security, £4,500,000 from capital provision to fund additional expenditure on Information technology services now undertaken by an external provider; £4,260,000 from the Department for Education and Employment and

  283
  £77,000 from the Cabinet Office and an addition of £8,928,000 to take account of the change to the treatment of VAT receipts on contracted out services which are offset by receipts.

  The Welfare-to-Work running costs provision, outside the control total for Class IX, Vote 3 will be increased by £14,291,000 from £122,500,000 to £136,791,000. This is the result of the transfer of £9,725,000 from the Department of Social Security, the additional £4,476,000 from the Windfall Tax, the take up of £1,808,000 of end-year flexibility and the transfer to the Department for Education and Employment of £1,718,000.

  The gross running costs limit for the DfEE (comprising Class IX, Vote 1 and Vote 3) inside the control total has increased by £32,236,000 from £1,028,221,000 to £1,060,457,000 and outside the control total by £15,770,000 from £123,783,000 to £139,553,000. The gross running costs limit is net of the VAT changes of £9,500,000 on Vote 1 and £8,928,000 on Vote 3.

  The cash limit for Class IX, Vote 4 (Ofsted) will be reduced by £8,300,000 from £118,641,000 to £110,342,000 as a result of the transfer to Class IX, Vote 1 in connection with Key Stage 2 revision classes.
  284
  Increases to all Votes mentioned above will be offset by transfers and charges to the reserves and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Age Diversity
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the consultation on the draft Code of Practice on Age Diversity. [72994]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  We received a range of responses from individuals, employers, employers' organisations and campaigning organisations. For the most part, respondents felt the Code was clear, useful and covered the right areas, though a number of suggestions were made about how the Code could be further improved. With these comments in mind, we will be developing more detailed guidance on implementing the standards recommended in the Code, together with providing illustrative case studies.

  I have placed copies of the report on the consultation and a summary of its main outcomes in the Library.

  House of Lords Reform
  House of Lords Reform
  Export Promotion by Diplomatic Staff
  Export Promotion by Diplomatic Staff
  Personal Social Services Performance Assessment
  Personal Social Services Performance Assessment
  Farmed Salmon: Sea Lice Treatments
  Farmed Salmon: Sea Lice Treatments
  Bulgaria: Economic Monitoring
  Bulgaria: Economic Monitoring
  Bilateral Aid Allocations
  Bilateral Aid Allocations
  Joint Force 2000
  Joint Force 2000
  Operation Desert Fox
  Operation Desert Fox
  Iraq
  Iraq