Written Answers of 24 February 1999

TREASURY

  Office for National Statistics
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decisions he has taken on the findings of the review into the efficiency of the Office for National Statistics. [73284]

  Ms Hewitt
  Having considered the findings of the efficiency review of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and met with the trade unions to discuss their reactions, I have decided to accept the recommendations made by the efficiency review Steering Group.

  The findings of the review indicate that there is scope within ONS to achieve efficiency savings rising to around £20 million per year. The achievement of such savings, which will be reinvested within ONS, will enable the Office to focus resources and management attention on improving the range and quality of the statistical information it produces. I have asked Dr. Tim Holt, the Director of ONS, to prepare and implement a programme of action designed to deliver these savings, in consultation with ONS staff and trade unions.

  I am today publishing a copy of the full report which was commissioned from the consultants KPMG by the review Steering Group. The recommendations made by the Steering Group draw on many of the KPMG proposals, but they do not include them all. In particular, the potential savings identified as a result of the outsourcing of data collection and processing are not part of the package of efficiency savings which the Steering Group recommended.

  I have also today accepted proposals from Dr. Holt to strengthen the senior management structure of ONS. This will involve the establishment of a restructured ONS Management Board comprising the Director of ONS and four other members: a Director of Economic Statistics, a Director of Social Statistics, a Director of Quality Assurance and Methodology, and Director of Finance and Corporate Services. This final post will be advertised externally, with business and commercial experience a key requirement.

  These changes to the management structure of ONS reflect the importance which the Government attach to implementing this programme of work. Ensuring the quality of ONS outputs is a key part of the Government's commitment to enhance the integrity of official statistics.

  Engineering
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the 286
  engineering profession since May 1998 on investment in the UK's engineering base. [70704]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Chancellor has had frequent discussions with representatives from business since May 1998, many of whom have been members of the engineering profession. The Chancellor has focused particularly on the UK's productivity record and how business and Government can work together to improve it. Investment by business, including the engineering sector, has featured as one of the key areas for improvement.

  Registration Records (Access)
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the Registrar General's options paper on access to registration records to be published. [72597]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have now considered the Registrar General's options paper on access to civil registration records. It is proposed that a limited amount of prior consultation with stakeholders should be undertaken over the next few months. The outcome of this consultation will be taken into account when the proposals for reform arising from the Civil Registration review are published in the summer.

  Budget (Explanatory Leaflet)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to issue an explanatory leaflet following his budget in March for delivery to each household in the United Kingdom. [72621]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 4 February 1999,Official Report, column 724.

  Air Passenger Duty
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what powers the EU is seeking to require Her Majesty's Government to double the current air passenger duty for return domestic flights within the United Kingdom; what powers Her Majesty's Government have to resist the demand; and if he will make a statement. [68210]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 1 February 1999]: The UK Government have an obligation to ensure that taxes are compatible with EU treaty obligations but how compatibility is achieved is entirely a matter for the Government.

  Amusement Machine Licence Duty
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses were affected by the amusement machine licence duty announced in the 1998 Budget; and if he will estimate the average cost per business. [70672]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: No figures are available for the number of businesses involved in the amusement machine industry.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Sitting Hours
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list the average number of hours the House sat daily in(a) January 1979, (b) January 1989 and (c) January 1999. [72701]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The House sat for a daily average of: 9 hours and 11 minutes in January 1979; 9 hours and 9 minutes in January 1989; and 8 hours and 59 minutes in January 1999. Not including sitting Fridays, the House sat for a daily average of 9 hours and 51 minutes in January 1979; 9 hours and 59 minutes in January 1989; and 8 hours and 59 minutes in January 1999.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  European Investment Bank
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's policy towards the European Investment Bank Third World loan packages, with particular reference to environmental impact assessments. [72288]

  Clare Short
  The Government scrutinise proposals coming to the European Investment Bank Board of Directors to assess their developmental soundness. This includes consideration of environmental issues. The European Investment Bank itself reviews all projects for environmental impact as an integral part of its appraisal process.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the additional costs to local authorities of having Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within their boundaries; and if he will make a statement. [72598]

  Mr. Meale
  No central assessment of additional costs has been made. However, a study undertaken last year for the Countryside Commission, the Government's statutory advisors on landscape protection, suggested that some £4.8m may be spent annually by local authorities in England on the core costs of the management and protection of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). The same study suggested that a further £9.5m may be spent annually on local authority countryside management services within AONBs.

  The Countryside Commission has provided advice to the Government on various aspects of the care of protected landscapes. We are considering the recommendations very carefully, together with all the other information available, before taking any final decisions. There are some complex issues involved but we hope to be able to announce some conclusions soon.
  288
  We have already announced an additional £2.5m for the new Countryside Agency to spend in AONBs and similar landscape areas in 1999–2000.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the problems experienced in obtaining planning permission for the Jubilee Line extension; and what assessment he has made of practice in this respect in Hong Kong. [71116]

  Dr. Reid
  In only one case, namely the development of the Canada Water bus station, was London Underground obliged to take steps to appeal against the refusal by the local planning authority to approve certain reserved planning matters relating to the development.

  I am not in a position to comment on practice in this respect in Hong Kong.

  Driving Licences (Women)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of women in each age group hold driving licences; and what assessment he has made of the consequences of differences between the percentage in each age group for the rate of growth in road traffic. [71117]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The table shows the percentage of women in each age group who held driving licences in Great Britain, over the period 1995–97.

  Age

  Percentage

  17–20

  36

  21–29

  67

  30–39

  74

  40–49

  74

  50–59

  61

  60–69

  46

  70 or over

  22

  All ages

  57

  Source:

  National Travel Survey

  Analysis of licence-holding by age band, for males and females separately, led to the published forecast that total licence-holding would increase from 67 per cent. to 73 per cent. of the adult population over a ten year period (1996–2006). This increase is one of the factors underlying the predicted growth in car ownership within the 1997 National Road Traffic Forecasts.

  The forecasts are in the process of being revised in the light of the measures announced in the Integrated Transport White Paper. More detailed modelling of the impact of increasing licence-holding is one of the options under consideration.

  Transport Networks
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to evaluate networks of transport on a regional basis; and what proposals he has had from the Professor of European Economics in the University of Kent on this topic. [71111]
  289
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the new arrangements published on Monday 15 February, in draft Planning Policy Guidance Note 11 (PPG 11) on "Regional Planning", major transport network improvements are to be planned as part of the overall regional transport infrastructure, taking all modes into account. Regional planning bodies will be in the lead in this, working with the Government Offices and transport operators, providers and users.

  I am unaware of any representations on this topic from the Professor of European Economics in the University of Kent.

  Study

  Report

  The potential benefits of road transport telematics

  TRL Report 220 1996

  Institutional and financial aspects of traveller information systems

  WS Atkins 1997

  Review of technologies for moving people in cities

  UCL Centre for Transport Studies 1997

  Review of telematics relevant to public transport

  TRL Report 342 1998

  Transport Interchange—Best Practice

  Colin Buchanan and Partners 1998

  Work is going on in a number of different projects to help local authorities and others make use of these results. For example, the Department is supporting work to assist local authorities identify and plan for the deployment of new transport technologies. We are also part funding research to enable electronic journey planning systems to communicate with each other automatically so facilitating `seamless' journeys.

  The Department has not undertaken any recent work purely to evaluate studies on this subject by other organisations. Account was however taken of such studies as appropriate in the commissions referred to.

  Road Building Programme
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account he takes of the predicted growth of road traffic in determining the road building programme. [71114]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our recent Roads Review was conducted against the high levels of predicted traffic growth forecast. Forecasts of the effects of schemes were an important part of the Review, but we did not follow a "predict and provide" approach. We have moved away from exclusive reliance on road building by looking at other, more sustainable ways of tackling traffic problems, finding ways of making better use of the existing trunk road network along with a smaller, targeted programme of improvement schemes where these have been proved to be necessary.

  Families (Average Space Occupied)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what data his Department has collated on the average amount of space occupied per family in the United Kingdom in 1999; and if he will make a statement on past trends in this respect. [71115]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Floor space data for dwellings in England are collected through the English House Condition Survey, which is carried out every 5 years. The most recent survey was carried out in 1996. This shows
  290
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated of how advanced technology and better information could help to make possible more seamless journeys using different modes of transport. [71113]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The following reports contain the results of studies commissioned by my Department which address aspects of the contribution of advanced technology and/or better information to improving travel by different transport modes.

  that households had 84 sqm on average in England. This is little different from 1991 when the average was about 81 sqm.

  Countryside Agency
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the new Countryside Agency is scheduled to begin work; [72674]

  (2) if he will list the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and board members of the new Countryside Agency. [72676]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Countryside Agency will come into existence on 1 April 1999. Work to establish the Agency successfully has been going on for some time, led by a Merger Steering Group comprising the Chairmen, board members and Chief Executives of the two existing Commissions.

  We will make an announcement about the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and board members of the Agency shortly.

  British Airways
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met representatives of British Airways; what was discussed; what help his Department is receiving from British Airways, and if British Airways is financially sponsoring initiatives run by his Department or its agencies. [72809]

  Dr. Reid
  I and my officials are in regular contact with representatives of all those with an interest in aviation. It is not normal practice of Governments to give details of specific meetings with private individuals or companies.

  Other than advice relating to official correspondence in relation to passenger services, this Department receives no help from British Airways. Neither am I aware of any initiative of this Department which receives financial support from British Airways.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he
  291
  has made of the number of (a) deaths and (b) serious accidents on the roads which are due to snow or icy road conditions. [72706]

  Dr. Reid
  Information on the cause of road accidents is not available. However, the numbers of reported accidents occurring on icy or snowy road surfaces are contained in the following table:

  Number of casualties

  Year of accident

  Severity

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Casualties on snowy or icy road surface

  Fatal

  77

  87

  43

  Serious

  1,206

  1,363

  612

  Slight

  7,323

  9,654

  4,414

  Total

  8,606

  11,104

  5,069

  Fatal and serious casualties by month: Great Britain 1993–97

  Casualties

  Severity

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  1993

  Fatal

  312

  252

  286

  289

  341

  270

  326

  290

  331

  351

  384

  382

  Serious

  3,515

  3,087

  3,417

  3,546

  3,978

  3,837

  3,955

  3,745

  3,868

  3,962

  3,890

  4,209

  1994

  Fatal

  341

  267

  270

  245

  255

  293

  304

  295

  331

  321

  365

  363

  Serious

  3,863

  3,273

  3,616

  3,552

  3,619

  3,820

  4,121

  3,914

  3,885

  4,319

  4,171

  4,378

  1995

  Fatal

  290

  267

  271

  250

  259

  306

  325

  354

  288

  321

  345

  345

  Serious

  3,484

  3,164

  3,673

  3,541

  3,624

  3,822

  3,950

  4,106

  4,121

  4,068

  4,141

  3,829

  1996

  Fatal

  282

  249

  259

  287

  256

  281

  294

  342

  325

  327

  316

  380

  Serious

  3,418

  3,270

  3,279

  3,413

  3,604

  3,635

  3,710

  4,054

  3,881

  4,248

  4,175

  3,786

  1997

  Fatal

  251

  290

  264

  313

  292

  289

  304

  320

  291

  321

  354

  310

  Serious

  3,137

  3,196

  3,556

  3,367

  3,595

  3,633

  3,867

  3,785

  3,362

  3,924

  3,848

  3,697

  Pollution (London)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information he has collated on pollution in London caused by(a) buses and (b) cars. [72673]

  Dr. Reid
  The London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, prepared by the London Research Centre, indicates that in 1995, emissions from buses and cars in London were as described in the following table. All figures are given in terms of tonnes of pollutant per annum.

  Buses

  Cars

  Nitrogen oxides

  5,464

  64,091

  Fine particulate matter (PM10)

  558

  1,497

  Carbon monoxide

  2,703

  473,895

  Non-methane volatile organic compounds

  419

  64,381

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 9 February 1999,Official Report, column 156,
  292

  Number of casualties

  Year of accident

  Severity

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Accidents on snowy or icy road surface

  Fatal

  69

  81

  41

  Serious

  993

  1,136

  526

  Slight

  5,188

  6,949

  3,115

  Total

  6,250

  8,166

  3,682

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on roads for each month of the last five years. [72709]

  Dr. Reid
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  on the standard spending assessment, what plans he has to review the weather stations whose records are used in the calculation of local authorities' standard spending assessment. [71589]

  Ms Armstrong
  We have no plans for such a review.

  Concrete Flues
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the safety of concrete flues in dwellings. [73567]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been made aware of concerns about the safety of certain flue liners, which are intended for use in chimneys serving appliances burning solid fuel. They are made of concrete, although those solely comprising kiln-burnt aggregate, pumice and cement (other than products used to facilitate manufacture) are not known to give rise to any problems.

  Despite these concerns, the two principal housing warranty providers have reported no change in the frequency of claims relating to defective chimneys and my Department is unaware of any marked change in the frequency of soot fires requiring chimney reconstruction.
  293
  However, a number of chemical analyses and performance tests of thermal insulation, thermal shock resistance and gas tightness of concrete flue components have been carried out independently by flue component manufacturers and by building control enforcement bodies over the last few months attempting to prove or disprove the adequacy of certain manufacturers' components. These tests have so far proved inconclusive. Nevertheless they have shown that building control enforcement bodies and warranty providers may have grounds for concern, and that further investigation would be prudent.

  My Department has already asked the expert technical committee within the British Standards Institution (BSI) to consider how the issues being raised impact on existing British Standards and prospective harmonised European Standards (ENs). These ENs will eventually become the performance criteria for compliance with the Construction Products Regulations which ensure that products are sufficiently safe to be placed on the market. The BSI Committee have also been asked for their opinion on the standards of performance presently referred to in the relevant Approved Document to the Building Regulations and whether these can be improved. I have asked the Committee to consider these matters swiftly and impartially and I look forward to their response with interest.

  My Department has also listened to the collective views of manufacturers, importers, building control bodies and housing warranty providers. There appears to be insufficient evidence at present to warrant advising householders to take any additional care in the ways that they use their fireplaces and that for the time being there is only the possibility that some chimneys lined with concrete may need attention to ensure satisfactory service life. However these uncertainties cannot be allowed to continue.

  I have therefore decided that the issues being raised should be explored by way of an expert risk assessment, and my Department is now proceeding to engage a suitable contractor. The aims of this study will be to establish how many dwellings already built or under construction have chimneys with potentially risky concrete components, to establish the nature of the risks to householders, to collect together and appraise the results of the tests on flue components carried out by the various parties, to seek national expert technical opinion on the ways that the risks to householders can be resolved into quantifiable flue component performance standards, to evaluate to what extent, if any, the possible problems raised are real, and to provide advice on possible remedial measures.

  At the same time I have asked my Department in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee to consider with builders, building control professionals, warranty providers, the Building Research Establishment and others what amendments it might be necessary to make to Part J of the Building Regulations and the supporting Approved Document to address these issues more directly for the future.

  I shall make a further announcement as soon as I can.

  Oil Extraction (Heritage Sites)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions 294
  have taken place between his Department and the DTI regarding oil extraction in the UK's world heritage sites; and if he will make a statement. [70753]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have been asked to reply.

  None. The Scottish Office is, however, considering its response to UNESCO's request for information about the impact of oil exploration near St. Kilda and has discussed this matter with the DTI.

DEFENCE

  Gulf Veterans
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the Gulf Veterans Medical Assessment Programme; and if he will make a statement. [67462]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Gulf veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) was established in 1993 to provide as full a diagnosis as possible to UK veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf conflict who are concerned about their health. So far, just under 3,000 Gulf veterans have been referred to the MAP, which continues to offer patients an appointment within six weeks of their referral. Fewer than 40 patients are currently waiting to be seen by the MAP for the first time.

  A paper describing the clinical findings from the first 1,000 patients examined at the MAP was published in the British Medical Journal on 30 January. A copy of the paper is available in the Library of the House.

  A full audit of the MAP, covering patient care and the service provided by the Programme, is currently under way. The results of this will be published in due course.

  Correspondence
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to reply to the letter dated 29 September 1997, from the hon. Member for West Derbyshire, written on behalf of his constituent, Mrs. Watt. [67969]

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

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Spanish citizens ordinarily domiciled in Spain and previously employed in HM Dockyard Gibraltar are in receipt of British pensions; and at what cost in the last year for which figures are available. [71694]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There are currently no Spanish citizens, ordinarily domiciled in Spain and previously employed in HM Dockyard Gibraltar, in receipt of pensions paid by the Ministry of Defence.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency published its report for 1998–99; and what was the cost of production of the report. [71906]
  295
  Mr. Spellar
  The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency has not yet published its Annual Report and Accounts for 1998–99. DERA's Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98, which the Agency also uses as a marketing brochure, was published on 30 June 1998 at a cost of £135,000 excluding VAT.

  Training Exercises
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel were deployed on the jungle training exercises in Belize carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [71897]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The number of personnel who were deployed on jungle training exercises in Belize carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998 was 1,003.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the value of the air defence exercise in central Europe carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [71895]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Several air defence exercises are conducted in central Europe each year. The major annual air defence exercise held in the region is the NATO exercise Central Enterprise. In 1997 Exercise Central Enterprise took place from 9–20 June. RAF participants comprised Tornado GR1, Harrier GR7 and VC10 aircraft, and flew a total of 18 sorties per day. The exercise offered a number of valuable training opportunities, particularly in the area of operations involving other NATO Nations.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the six armoured battlegroup exercises in Canada carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [71893]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Due to the deployment to Bosnia of a unit scheduled to take part in the armoured battlegroup exercises in Canada, only five armoured battlegroup exercises were carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. The cost of these five exercises was £73.46 million.

  Unfair Dismissal
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs have been incurred in each of the last five years on(a) damages paid out and (b) solicitors' costs relating to members of his Department's civilian staff who have been dismissed following disciplinary proceedings, despite a recommendation following appeal that they should be reinstated and who have then won industrial tribunal cases for unfair dismissal. [72319]

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

  Aircraft Flying Hours
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 1999,Official Report, column 21, for what reasons the average number of flying hours for Canberra aircraft was lower in 1998 than in 1997. [71978]
  296
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Canberra fleet is relatively small and flew fewer hours in 1998 than in 1997 because the fleet was undergoing modification.

  HMS Vernon
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 358, on the sale of HMS 'Vernon' in Portsmouth, on the basis of what advice he decided to withhold the information on the sale; and on how many occasions since 1 November 1997 his Department has withheld information under that exemption. [72203]

  Mr. Spellar
  It is currently the MOD policy to withhold such commercial information relating to property sales. Since 1 November 1997, such information has been withheld on two occasions under Exemption 14 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Departmental Land Disposals
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sites have been disposed of by his Department in each of the last three years; and in relation to which of the sites he has withheld information concerning the value of the receipts in an answer to a parliamentary question. [71977]

  Mr. Spellar
  Details of the sites disposed of in 1996–97 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The number for the Financial Year 1997–98 was approximately 200 and to date in the current Financial Year, 120 properties have been sold. The hon. Member would wish to note that individual married quarters are not counted separately but rather, a Married Quarters estate is counted as one property.

  There have been five occasions since 1997 when information has been withheld concerning the value of receipts.

  Atomic Weapons Establishment (Reports)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 January 1999,Official Report, column 18, if he will place in the Library a list of the 130 reports in the two series of papers produced by the Mathematical Physics Division of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, indicating the title of each paper and the date on which each paper was produced. [71960]

  Mr. Spellar
  Yes. I have asked for a list to be compiled. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will explain the abbreviations and acronyms(a) QA 175, (b) PZT software, (c) MOD QAR, (d) 1700 Series, (e) DSD, (f) DTech, (g) QA 303s, (h) COSHH, (i) SED, (j) DPR, (k) DSAC, (l) NAMAS, (m) NAFEMS, (n) NSC and (o) MMS, referred to in unclassified AWE Company Security, Quality, Environment, Safety and Health Systems Analysis reports, indicating in each case the function of the item to which they relate. [72599]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is as follows.
  297

  Abbreviation

  Explanation

  Function of item

  a

  QA 175

  MOD Quality Deficiency Report

  Form 175 is used by the MOD QAR to record quality deficiency

  b

  PZT software

  PZT is Lead Zirconium Titanite

  The software is used in the manufacture of PZT

  c

  MOD QAR

  Ministry of Defence Quality Assurance Representative

  The MOD quality assurance representative at AWE

  d

  1700 series

  A section of the AWE Quality Manual

  Covers handling, storage, packaging, preservation, labelling and delivery

  e

  DSD

  Director Sites Development

  Post/Directorate title

  f

  Dtech

  Director Technology

  Post/Directorate title

  g

  QA 303

  A form used by AWE Quality Assurance

  Form 303 is used in the audit and review process to record non-conformances and other observations

  h

  COSHH

  SI 1994/1248—Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

  SI 1994/1248—this is a Statutory Instrument under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

  i

  SED

  Systems Engineering Director

  Post/Directorate title

  j

  DPR

  Director Physics Research

  Post/Directorate title

  k

  DSAC

  Directorate Safety Assurance Committee

  An AWE committee

  l

  NAMAS

  National Accreditation of Measurement and Sampling—now superseded by the UK Assessment Service

  Responsible for setting standards for the calibration of equipment within the UK

  m

  NAFEMS

  National Agency for Finite Element Methods and Standards

  The agency promotes the use of finite elements as an engineering analysis technique, providing benchmarks and techniques for use in such work

  n

  NSC

  Nuclear Safety Committee

  An AWE committee

  o

  MMS

  Manager Media Services

  Post/Directorate title

  Defence Agencies
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which targets the Defence Estate Organisation did not meet in 1997–98; and what monitoring he has undertaken for those targets in 1998–99. [72794]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following Key Targets set for 1997–98 were either part achieved, or were not achieved in full:

  a. Key Target 1.

  b. Key Target 2.

  c. Key Target 5.

  d. Key Target 7.

  e. Key Target 8.

  Subsequently, a set of interim targets for 198–99 was published. These targets began the process of setting output driven targets which are measurable, within the Chief Executive's control, and incentivise performance to meet the needs of the department. This set of interim targets has allowed the Chief Executive to establish a baseline against which to measure progress in 1999–2000.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which targets the Defence Postal and Courier Service Agency did not meet in 1997–98; and what monitoring he has undertaken for those targets in 1998–99. [72792]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Brigadier B. J. Cash to Mr. Michael Hancock, dated 24 February 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about which targets the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency did not meet in 1997–98; and what monitoring has been undertaken for those targets in 1998–99, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility at Chief Executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency.
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  The Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency did not meet the following Key Targets in 1997–98:

  a. To complete the implementation of the Triennial Review by 31 March 1998.

  b. To rationalise the technical funding and responsibility across MOD Top Level Budgets following the Triennial Review.

  Progress against these targets is reviewed monthly by myself as Chief Executive at Board level.
  The two Key Targets failed were set on the assumption that the Prior Options Review of DPCSA would be completed during the course of the year 1997/98. As a result of the General Election and the subsequent Strategic Defence Review, the Prior Options process was delayed and continued agency status was not confirmed until 19 January 1999.
  Following agreement of the new framework document and proposed re-launch of the Agency on 1 July 1999 and after reorganisation under the Chief of Defence Logistics; technical funding and responsibility across MOD Top Level Budgets for Postal and Courier Services will be rationalised.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Army Personnel Centre; and what was the figure at its inception. [71899]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The number of personnel, civilian and military, employed by the Army Personnel Centre (APC) at 31 December 1998, the most recent date for which full staffing figures are available, was 1,277. The number of personnel involved in Army personnel functions at the time of the launch of the APC as a Defence Agency on 2 December 1996 was some 1,655 civilian and military personnel.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Army Base Repair Organisation published its report for 1998–99; and what was the cost of production of the report. [71902]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Army Base Repair Organisation report for 1998–99 will be published following the end of the financial year, probably in July 1999. The report for 1997–98 was published in September
  299
  1998. It was produced under contract by The Stationery Office; the cost of the contract is commercially confidential information, but was less than £2.50 per copy.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Army Base Repair Organisation; and what the figure was at its inception. [72807]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Army Base Repair Organisation. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. F. Drew to Mr. Michael Hancock, dated 24 February 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about how many people are currently employed by the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO); and what the figure was at its inception, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of ABRO.
  As at 1 January 1999, 2,625 people were employed by the Army Base Repair Organisation. 3,800 were employed by the Agency at its launch on 1 April 1993.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  REME Depot (Stirling)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the sale of and development plans for the REME depot at Stirling. [72753]

  Mr. Spellar
  Agreement for the phased purchase of part of the former REME Depot at Forthside in Stirling was signed by MOD and Stirling Council on 23 September 1998. The land is to be used as part of Stirling Council's Town Centre Redevelopment. The MOD retained site at Forthside is currently used by the Army Base Repair Organisation, the Army Base Services Distribution Agency and other small MOD units.

  Environmental Management Awards
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the awards and commendations which his Department has received over the past five years for good environmental management of its estates and wildlife, indicating the sites so commended. [72736]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following is the information.Shell Best of Better Britain (1994)—Salisbury Plain Training Area-East-Barn Owl Project.
  Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, Brecknock Branch—Rural Wales Award (1994) in recognition of the groups' contribution to conservation on the ranges at Mynydd Epynt, Sennybridge Training Area.
  Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames—Environmental Pride
  Awards (1994) Category Environmental Management by Industrial Concern. First place awarded to MOD at Chessington.
  British Gas Grassroots Action Award (1994)—Foxglove Covert, Catterick Garrison.
  Hampshire County Council—Countryside Award (1995) Commended for restoration and management of Eelmoor Marsh by grazing with Prezewalski's horses, (in conjunction with Marwell Zoo).
  Taunton Deane Borough Council—Conservation Commendation (1995) for conversion of stables at Norton Manor (Royal Marines).
  300
  The Forestry Authority—1996. Centre of Excellence—to Longmoor Army Training Area. Awarded in four Categories, for improving the quality of the landscape, creating benefits for wildlife, providing access for people, and growing timber in environmentally sound ways.
  Shell Best of Better Britain Commendation (1996)—Foxglove Covert, Catterick Garrison.
  Britain in Bloom (1998)—Aldershot Garrison won Southern England in Bloom.
  BTO Commendation (1998) for Constant Effort Site Ringing Station—Foxglove Covert, Catterick Garrison.
  Forestry Authority Commendation (1996) (Parkwood (Catterick)) for sound management of a renewable resource.
  English Nature—Site of Special Scientific Interest Manager's Award (1998) to Liz Peace, Chairman of the Farnborough Conservation Group.
  Sanctuary Award—Judged annually with English Nature, for best conservation project on MOD land.
  1998 winner—Bovington Training Area for Longterm heathland and wetland management.
  1997 winner—Sennybridge—Disgwlfa Visitor Centre.
  1996 winner—Porton Down—management of Chalk Grassland habitat for the benefit of the Stone Curlew population.
  1995 winner—DERA Farnborough for use of Prezewalski's Horse to graze the lowland heath.
  1994 winner—Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton—conservation management of Langport Rifle Range, Breech Wood and Merryfield Airfield.
  Ford—Environmental Management—Energy Plan (1994) Commendation—Boscombe Down.
  Northumberland County Council—Trees and Hedgerow Cup Competition (1996). Commendation in the broadleaved woodland category for Grasslees Oakwood and Yardhop Wood—Otterburn AFTC.

  Submarines and Diving (Women)
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the outcome of his review of the possible employment of women in submarines and in mine clearance diving. [73578]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We are committed to equality of opportunity in the Armed Forces. In the course of the Strategic Defence Review we examined the opportunities for maximising opportunity for women in each of the Services provided that this would not damage combat effectiveness. The results of this work were set out in the report on the Strategic Defence Review (Cmd 2999), in which we also announced our intention to review the exclusion of women from service in submarines and Royal Navy mine clearance.

  We have now completed our review of these matters and concluded that we should maintain our policy of excluding women from service in submarines and mine clearance diving for medical reasons.

  In reaching this conclusion I considered all the evidence very carefully and looked hard for options which might enable us to open service in submarines to women despite the medical risks involved. I was not able, however, to put to one side the MOD's statutory duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974.

  All RN submarines currently in service may remain submerged for up to 90 days for operational reasons. In the course of such deployments, contaminants build up in the internal atmosphere. Although there is careful

  301
  control of the materials allowed aboard and atmospheric filtration, the build up of contaminants such as carbon dioxide in this closed environment cannot be prevented. Such an atmosphere is not harmful to adults, but medical studies by the Institute of Naval Medicine show that for some contaminants the levels exceed those considered safe to the foetus of a pregnant woman, and therefore also place the woman's health at risk. In other cases there is insufficient data available to recommend with confidence maximum exposure limits which would prevent harm to the foetus and the woman.

  A woman, in at least the first days after conception, may not be aware that she is pregnant. If she were serving in a submarine there is, therefore, the small possibility that she might unknowingly expose here unborn child to levels on contamination above those considered safe. Even if some women were prepared to accept the risks and volunteer to serve in submarines the MOD could not compromise its duty of care by allowing them to do so.

  In the specialised area of mine clearance diving, (where there are far fewer posts involved), there are also substantial medical risks to an unborn child and, therefore, the mother, caused in this case by the very high pressures to which these divers are subjected. As far as women who are not pregnant are concerned, the medical risks are less well understood, but there may be a risk to a woman during menstruation. I have accepted the medical advice that women should, therefore, be excluded from working as Mine Clearance Divers at least until more definitive medical advice is available.

  The Government and the Armed Forces are determined that the widest possible employment opportunities should be available to women in the Armed Forces. The position on service in submarines and mine diving clearance will, therefore, be kept under review.

  Alternative Assumptions Budget Programmes
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the programmes earmarked under the Ministry of Defence alternative assumptions budget; and what is the estimated cost of each programme; [72196]

  (2) if he will list the programmes earmarked in the Ministry of Defence alternative assumptions budget in the years (a) 1997–1998 and (b) 1998–1999 indicating how many of these programmes have been actioned. [72195]

  Year

  RN

  Army

  RAF

  1994

  Expogast Luxembourg

  Hotelympia

  Gold Medal—Hot Buffet

  2 Gold Medals

  Silver Medal

  8 Silver Medals

  Gold Medal in Wedding Cake

  9 Bronze Medals

  Hotelympia

  National Chef of the Year

  La Parade de Chefs—Gold Medal and overall winners

  18 Senior and Junior open awards

  1995

  Hotelympia

  Heart of England—Birmingham

  11 Gold Medals

  5 Gold Medals

  8 Silver Medals

  5 Silver Medals

  24 Bronze Medals

  5 Bronze Medals

  3 Best in Class Trophies

  302
  Mr. George Robertson
  The Ministry of Defence does not have an alternative assumptions budget. Alternative assumptions are part of the department's Long Term Costing (LTC) process and provide the mechanism by which possible changes to the core Defence programme can be costed and assessed.

  The LTC represents projections which inform internal advice to Ministers on the affordability of the defence programme. It has been the policy of successive Administrations that such advice should not be disclosed, consistent with Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Bombs
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the(a) 1,000 pound and (b) 540-pound free-fall bombs will receive an upgrade package; how much his Department expects to spend in 1999–2000 on the upgrading of the stock of free-fall conventional bombs; and if he will make a statement on the Staff Target Air/Sea 1248 programme; [72198]

  (2) what is his assessment of the accuracy of the Air Force and Navy's 540-pound and 1,000-pound bombs (a) currently and (b) after the proposed upgrade package. [72197]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The UK's current 5401b and 10001b bombs are ballistic weapons deliverable either guided or unguided. The accuracy with which they can be delivered depends on many variables including the aiming system used by the delivery aircraft, the speed, dive angle, height and range from the target at release from the aircraft and type of attack profile. The weather conditions may also be a significant factor.

  The possibility of an upgrade programme is currently being examined. No decisions have, however, yet been taken.

  Cooking and Catering Awards
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the major cooking and catering awards won by the(a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) Air Force over the past five years. [72740]

  Mr. Spellar
  Awards have been won by individual Service participants and teams as shown in the following table.
  303

  Year

  RN

  Army

  RAF

  1996

  Culinary Olympics—Berlin

  Culinary Olympics—Berlin

  Hotelympia

  2 Gold Medals

  Winning Team

  2 Gold Medals

  1 Silver Medal

  Gold Medal in Military Class

  2 Silver Medals

  1 Bronze Medal

  1997

  Hospitality—Birmingham

  Heart of England—Birmingham

  8 Gold Medals

  3 Gold Medals

  2 Silver Medals

  4 Silver Medals

  2 Bronze Medals

  10 Bronze Medals

  1998

  Bournemouth Food Festival

  Hotelympia

  1 Silver Medal

  6 Gold Medals

  Scothot Glasgow

  3 Silver Medals

  1 Bronze Medal

  4 Bronze Medals

  In 1998 a Combined Services Culinary Arts Team was formed to rationalise available resources in the interests of efficiency and economy. The Team competed at Expogast in Luxembourg and won 9 Gold Medals and 3 Silver Medals.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what(a) reviews, (b) task

  Reviews, task forces and advisory groups

  Review/task force

  Report(s) published

  External costs

  Review of Civil Justice and Legal Aid

  Reported published October 1997

  —

  Review of Welfare Services to the Courts1

  —

  —

  Review of Procedures consequent on the Decision to Transfer or Commit Fraud Trials

  —

  —

  Study and Evaluation of the Current Tax Appeals System

  —

  —

  Review of the Lord Chancellor's Department Funding for Marriage Support and Research Services

  —

  External Reviewer (retired Permanent Secretary) paid £450 per day

  Review of Enforcement of Civil Court Judgments

  —

  £2,000 (members travel expenses)

  Representative Actions Working Group

  —

  £100 (members travel expenses)

  National Interdisciplinary Forum (NIDF)— Information Meetings Pilots

  —

  —

  Research Advisory Group—Information Meetings Pilots

  —

  —

  Ministerial Task Group on the Home Buying Process2

  Report to Ministers—October 1998 Public consultation due to close end of March 1999

  —

  Community Legal Service Quality Task Force

  —

  —

  1 Joint review with Home Office and DOH

  2 Joint LCD, DETR and DTI Group

  Mortgage Repossessions
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the numbers of mortgage repossession cases(a) commenced and (b) executed since 1997 and of the likely trend in such numbers in 1999–2000. [72317]

  Mr. Hoon
  The number of cases issued and executed since 1997 is as follows.
  304
  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. [71515]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]The information requested is in the table. Departmental costs (including the cost of around £75,000 for the review of civil justice and legal aid included in Lord McIntosh of Haringey's answer of 7 July 1997,Official Report, House of Lords, columns 51–55), are being met from existing Departmental budgets. External costs, where applicable, are shown in the table.

  Mortgage possession actions entered

  Possession warrants executed

  January 1997-December 1997

  67,073

  46,865

  January 1998-December 1998

  178,865

  59,701

  1 Figures for local authority mortgages have been estimated since the third quarter of 1998 at 3 per cent. of the total figure; historically since 1996 local authority mortgages have represented between 1 per cent. and 5 per cent. of the total.

  305
  The trend is upwards; but it is difficult to forecast with any accuracy for forward periods because of the factors which may affect the housing market.

  Mediation Services (Cumbria)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received on funding for mediation services in Cumbria. [72667]

  Mr. Hoon
  None. I have received two letters, one from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border and one from my hon. Friend the Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) about funding Mediation UK, a national umbrella organisation for community mediation.

  Land Registry
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the operation of the Land Registry. [72720]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Land Registry maintains and develops authoritative and effective land information systems for England and Wales. It was established as a separate government department in 1862, became an Executive Agency in 1990 and a Government Trading Fund in 1993. It is required by statute to cover all expenditure from its fee income and makes no call on moneys voted by Parliament. The Land Registry has joined with private sector and other government organisations to develop a National Land Information Service. This has led to an innovative conveyancing pilot, based in Bristol, which is effectively a one-stop conveyancing shop, reducing overall transaction times when buying a house. In November 1998 the pilot won a British Computer Society award which recognises excellence in computing.

  The Land Registry has also recently won an award from the Society for Computers and the Law for its on-line Direct Access Service. In January, the Land Registry became one of only 18 organisations in the United Kingdom to be awarded a third Charter Mark.

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what systems he has in place to ensure that policies being developed by his Department are subject to a crime impact(a) assessment and (b) audit and are not likely to lead to enhanced criminal opportunities. [72691]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply the Under-Secretary for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Minister for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien) has given to this question today,Official Report, column 311–12.

  Justice and Internal Affairs Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the issues for discussion before the Justice and Internal Affairs Council on 12 March, indicating the position he proposes to take on each issue. [72737]

  Kate Hoey
  I have been asked to reply.
  306
  Agendas for Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Councils, which are determined by the Presidency of the day, are nearly always finalised only very shortly before Council meetings themselves. The agenda for the JHA Council on 12 March is still in draft form, and is very likely to undergo substantial further revision. Current indications are that major items are likely to be Europol, questions relating to the transition from the Maastricht to the Amsterdam Treaty with regard to Conventions, and preparation of a meeting with central and eastern European countries and Cyprus, which will take place in the afternoon.

  An annotated agenda will be sent to the Select Committee on European Scrutiny in the normal way, as soon as possible.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  EEA Residents' Permits
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is(a) the average and (b) the longest time taken to determine applications for European Economic Area residents' permits in each year from 1995 to date. [70761]

  Kate Hoey
  I regret I am unable to provide the statistical information requested as it is not readily available in the form requested. Collation of the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for European Economic Area residents' permits were(a) granted and (b) refused for each month in the years from 1995 to 1998; and how many such applications are currently outstanding. [70719]

  Kate Hoey
  Monthly figures for grants and refusals of residence permits from January 1996 to August 1998 are listed in the table. A total figure for 1995 has been included as the monthly figures for that year are not readily available. The number of applications outstanding (as at October 1998) was 5,500.

  Grants/refusals of EEA residence permits 1995–98

  Granted

  Refused

  1995

  3,614

  68

  1996

  January

  204

  9

  February

  311

  5

  March

  238

  1

  April

  240

  1

  May

  238

  1

  June

  257

  1

  July

  237

  1

  August

  205

  1

  September

  254

  2

  October

  244

  3

  November

  243

  2

  December

  158

  1

  1997

  January

  177

  1

  February

  122

  5

  March

  192

  1

  April

  231

  2

  May

  167

  2

  June

  272

  1

  July

  250

  0

  August

  141

  1

  September

  95

  3

  October

  55

  2

  November

  78

  1

  December

  26

  5

  307

  Grants/refusals of EEA residence permits 1995–98

  Granted

  Refused

  1998

  January

  37

  6

  February

  81

  1

  March

  99

  0

  April

  211

  6

  May

  200

  2

  June

  108

  1

  July

  109

  2

  August

  86

  4

  Population of sentenced females in prisons in England and Wales by principal drugs offence on 31 January 1999, by sentence length1

  Offence

  less than 3 months

  3 months to less than 6 months

  6 months to less than 12 months

  12 months and over

  Total

  All drugs offences

  5

  5

  33

  782

  825

  of which:

  Unlawful supply

  —

  —

  14

  153

  167

  Possession with intent

  3

  3

  13

  138

  156

  Possession

  2

  2

  7

  38

  49

  Unlawful import/export

  —

  —

  —

  448

  448

  Other drugs offences

  —

  —

  —

  5

  5

  1 Provisional figures

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many female foreign nationals are serving sentences for drug related offences. [72360]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The latest available provisional information is for 31 January 1999. On that date, there were 274 female foreign nationals serving sentences for drug-related offences in prisons in England and Wales.

  Prisoner Releases (Home Detention Curfew)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners released subject to home detention curfew have been returned to custody; and how many so returned to custody had been subject to supervision. [72361]

  Mr. George Howarth
  As of 22 February, 1,289 offenders have been placed on Home Detention Curfew. 23 curfewees have had their licenses revoked by the Secretary of State, and 21 have been returned to custody. 15 of those returned to custody were subject to supervision whilst in the community.

  Justice and Internal Affairs Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the issues for discussion

  Population of sentenced females in prisons in England and Wales on 31 January 1999 by offence and sentence length1

  Offence

  Less than 3 months

  3 months

  Over 3 months to less than 6 months

  6 months to less than 12 months

  12 months and over

  Total

  Theft and handling

  31

  25

  48

  100

  134

  338

  Fraud and forgery

  6

  3

  10

  46

  75

  140

  Other offences

  36

  25

  37

  156

  1,659

  1,913

  Total

  73

  53

  95

  302

  1,868

  2,391

  1 Provisional figures

  Female Prisoners (Drug Offences)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many female prisoners convicted of offences involving possession, supply or trafficking of controlled drugs were serving sentences of(a) less than three months imprisonment, (b) three to six months imprisonment, (c) six to 12 months imprisonment and (d) more than 12 months imprisonment. [72359]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The available information is given in the table.

  before the Justice and Internal Affairs Council on 12 March, indicating the position he proposes to take on each issue. [72727]

  Kate Hoey
  Agendas for Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Councils, which are determined by the Presidency of the day, are nearly always finalised only very shortly before Council meetings themselves. The agenda for the JHA Council on 12 March is still in draft form, and is very likely to undergo substantial further revision. Current indications are that major items are likely to be Europol, questions relating to the transition from the Maastricht to the Amsterdam Treaty with regard to Conventions, and preparation of a meeting with central and eastern European countries and Cyprus, which will take place in the afternoon.

  An annotated agenda will be sent to the Select Committee on European Scrutiny in the normal way, as soon as possible.

  Female Prisoners (Offence Categories)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many female prisoners are serving sentences for(a) theft and handling, (b) fraud and forgery and (c) other offences; and if he will give a breakdown of these categories into sentences of (i) three months, (ii) three months to six months, (iii) six months to 12 months and (iv) more than 12 months. [72368]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The available information is given in the table.

  Immigration and Asylum Bill
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if hon. Members and their staff who give immigration advice or perform immigration services are exempt persons under the meaning of Clause 63(4)(a) or (b) of the Immigration and Asylum Bill
  1999. [72148]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Hon. Members and their staff may provide immigration advice in the course of their Parliamentary work without needing to meet any of the requirements of Clause 63 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill because under Clause 61(2)(b), such advice is not provided in the course of a business.

  Metropolitan Police Funding
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the 1999–2000 income of the Metropolitan Police will come from the areas that will be transferred out of the Metropolitan Police District on 1 April 2000; and what percentage of(a) the total income and (b) the total amount paid by council tax payers this represents. [71931]

  Kate Hoey
  The Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District tells me that precept income in 1999–2000 from the areas that, subject to enactment of the Greater London Authority Bill, will cease to be part of the Metropolitan Police District on 1 April 2000 will be £16.7 million. This represents 0.9 per cent. of the total income of the Metropolitan Police for the year 1999–2000 from police and revenue support grant, redistributed non-domestic rates and precepts on local authorities. It is 7.4 per cent. of total police precept income.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the 1999–2000 income of the Metropolitan Police will come from the Borough of Spelthorne; and what percentage of (i) the total Metropolitan Police income and (ii) the total amount paid by local authorities this represents. [71940]

  Kate Hoey
  The Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District tells me that precept income for 1999–2000 of £2,971,605.12 will come from the Borough of Spelthorne. This is 0.14 per cent. of the total income of the Metropolitan Police for the year 1999–2000 from police and revenue support grant, redistributed non-domestic rates and the precept on local authorities and is 1.31 per cent. of total police precept income.

  Deportation
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the deportation of families where there are children who have spent a long time in the United Kingdom. [73568]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  For a number of years, it has been the practice of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate not to pursue enforcement action against people who have children under 18 living with them who have spent 10 years or more in this country, save in very exceptional circumstances.

  We have concluded that 10 years is too long a period. Children who have been in this country for several years will be reasonably settled here and may, therefore, find it
  310
  difficult to adjust to life abroad. In future, the enforced removal or deportation will not normally be appropriate where there are minor dependent children in the family who have been living in the United Kingdom continuously for 7 or more years. In most cases, the ties established by children over this period will outweigh other considerations and it is right and fair that the family should be allowed to stay here. However, each case will continue to be considered on its individual merits.

  Essex Police
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra resources will be allocated to Essex Police in order that they can fulfil their duties, after reorganisation, in the areas of Essex presently covered by the Metropolitan Police. [72803]

  Mr. Boateng
  Police funding allocations are determined by a needs-based formula. The formula to be applied in 2000–2001 will take into account the changes to the boundaries of the Essex Police. The allocation of resources thereafter within the force area is a matter for the Chief Constable.

  The Government have recognised that the Essex Police Authority will incur transitional costs in the year preceding the boundary changes. In order to achieve a smooth implementation of the changes we have, in addition to Essex Police Authority's normal funding for 1999–2000, allocated an extra £2 million to the Police Authority for special transitional costs associated with boundary changes.

  Lawrence Inquiry
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the way Mr. Justice Macpherson conducted the Lawrence Inquiry. [72675]

  Mr. Straw
  During the proceedings of the Inquiry I received representations from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and from the parents of the five suspects in the case expressing concerns about some aspects of the Inquiry.

  The conduct of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry was a matter for the Chairman, Sir William Macpherson and I believe that he conducted the Inquiry with complete fairness.

  I have placed on the record my deep gratitude to Sir William Macpherson and his Inquiry team in my statement to the House today.

  Police Efficiency
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he intends to measure the efficiency of police forces in order to determine if they have reached his target of a two per cent. efficiency gain. [R] [72719]

  Mr. Boateng
  Monitoring and review of police efficiency plans from April 1999 will be undertaken jointly by the Home Office, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and the Audit Commission. Forces will be expected to demonstrate that they have achieved the two per cent. efficiency gains demanded, and that the resources released have been reinvested to improve
  311
  delivery of national and local frontline policing priorities. At the end of 1999–2000, efficiency plans will be audited and certified against actual outturn. Ministers will receive regular reports on forces' progress towards achieving the two per cent. target.

  Kurds
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Kurdish population in north London; how many came to Britain as asylum seekers; how many are still waiting to have their asylum status determined; and how many are estimated to be involved in serious crime. [72717]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that information on the number and immigration status of persons of Kurdish origin currently resident in north London is not available.

  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that information about victims and offenders in the Metropolitan Police District is not aggregated under the definition of "the Kurdish Community".

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the level of crime in London emanating from the Kurdish community. [72712]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that information about victims and offenders in the Metropolitan Police District is not aggregated under the definition of "the Kurdish Community".

  Anti-drugs Co-ordinator
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) initiatives taken and (b) advice received from the Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator over the last 12 months. [72699]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator and his Deputy report to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Drug Misuse, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office. The role of the Co-ordinator is to provide day-to-day leadership and focus on implementing and developing the Government's drugs strategy, published in April 1998, for which £217 million of new money has been provided for the next three years. The Co-ordinator will produce his first annual report and a national plan in the spring.

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what systems he has in place to ensure that policies being developed by his Department are subject to a crime impact(a) assessment and (b) audit and are not likely to lead to enhanced criminal opportunities. [72669]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Development of Government policy takes place with close co-operation between the Departments concerned. This can be through formal arrangements, such as those established between the Home Office, Lord Chancellor's Department and the Law Officers' Department, or via Ministerial or Official Groups or Working Parties. Less formally, they can be 312
  through close consultation with experts in the relevant areas and with those affected by the proposed measures, normally against a background of regular in-house or specially commissioned research. The Home Office works closely with the Cabinet Office or other Government Departments on the crime implications of policy developments.

  Our determination is that the implications for crime and disorder of any new measures are properly taken into account. This commitment is reflected in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Section 17(1) requires local and police authorities to exercise their functions with due regard to the likely effect on preventing crime and disorder.

  Greater emphasis is now being given to building up our knowledge of policies that work in tackling crime. The Crime Reduction Programme, supported by £250 million from the Comprehensive Spending Review, is based on systematic evidence of what is effective in reducing crime and tackling its causes, not just dealing with its effects. All the parts of the Crime Reduction Programme will be independently evaluated to assess their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in reducing crime and improving the operation of the criminal justice system. Those parts which are successful will form the basis of future mainstream programmes and those which are not will be dropped.

  Police (Sparsity)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when research by his Department on the sparsity factor for policing was initiated. [72732]

  Mr. Boateng
  External research to examine whether there are any additional costs associated with the policing of sparsely populated rural areas was commissioned in March 1998. The results will be available shortly.

  Prison Service (Dogs)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 4 February 1999,Official Report, column 764, how many active drug dogs are on active service at (i) Princeton Prison, Dartmoor, and (ii) Channings Wood Prison, Denbury; and if he will introduce a passive drug dog in Pritchton Prison, Dartmoor. [71880]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There are four active drug dogs at Dartmoor prison, and two active drug dogs at Channings Wood prison. Funds have been approved to provide Dartmoor prison with one passive drug dog and one handler.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Gas Levy
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses were affected by the change in the gas levy announced in the 1997 budget; and what is the average reduction in the levy per business. [70671]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]The Chancellor announced in his July 1997 Budget that
  313
  the Government proposed to cut the gas levy to zero, with full effect from April 1998. As he announced in the March 1998 Budget, the Government decided to implement this by abolishing the levy with effect from 1 April 1998, with a backdated reduction from four pence per therm to three pence per therm applying to 1997–98. Levy was paid by nine producers or purchasers of gas during 1997–98 and each of them has benefited from repayment of one quarter of the levy paid by them in respect of that year.

  Export Licences
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of applications for export licences were processed by the Export Control Organisation in accordance with their targets as to time in the four-week periods in(a) July 1998, (b) September 1998 and (c) January 1999. [71842]

  Dr. Howells
  The Export Control Organisation (ECO) of DTI measures its performance against two aims:to provide a substantive response to an application within 20 working days of receipt for applications that need to be circulated to other Government Departments according to their policy requirements as determined by them ('circulated' cases):
  to provide such a response within 10 working days of receipt for applications that are dealt with by DTI itself ('non-circulated' cases).

  In each case, full documentation in support of the application must be provided by the applicant at the outset for these targets to apply.

  ECO management data on the processing of licence applications are complied on the basis of four-week periods. The period closest to July 1998 is 27 June 1998 to 24 July 1998; for the period closest to September 1998 it is 22 August 1998 to 18 September and for the period closest to January 1999 it is 9 January 1999 to 5 February 1999.

  To the nearest point, the percentage of licence applications completed within the published targets were as follows:

  Circulated (20 day target)

  Non-circulated (10 day target)

  27 June 1998 to 24 July 1998

  43

  83

  22 August 1998 to 18 September 1998

  38

  82

  9 January 1999 to 5 February 1999

  62

  82

  This information was taken from the Export Control Organisation's management data, which are compiled in order to monitor performance at processing applications for Standard Individual Export Licences. The performance measures do not apply to applications for Open Individual Export Licences (due to the very wide variations between goods and country coverage of such licences), or for licences covering Iran or Iraq, or exports subject to control solely because of United Nations Sanctions.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licence applications were refused by the Export Control Organisation during each of the four-week periods used by his Department since March 1998. [71841]
  314
  Dr. Howells
  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the number of applications for individual export licences refused in full for each period are as follows:

  Period

  Standard Individual Export Licence applications

  Open Individual Export Licence applications

  7 March 1998 to 3 April 1998

  4

  1

  4 April 1998 to 1 May 1998

  8

  0

  2 May 1998 to 29 May 1998

  8

  0

  30 May 1998 to 26 June 1998

  9

  0

  27 June 1998 to 27 July 1998

  4

  0

  25 July 1998 to 21 August 1998

  10

  0

  22 August 1998 to 18 September 1998

  10

  0

  19 September 1998 to 16 October 1998

  10

  0

  17 October 1998 to 13 November 1998

  9

  0

  14 November 1998 to 11 December 1998

  11

  0

  12 December 1998 to 8 January 1999

  6

  0

  9 January 1999 to 5 February

  32

  0

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

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry(a) how many defence export licence applications have been withdrawn since 1 May 1997 and (b) if he will estimate the total value of the goods to which they related. [71839]

  Dr. Howells
  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 2 May 1997 and 8 February 1999,779 applications for Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) covering the export of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List, were withdrawn by the applicants. The total value of the goods as stated on these applications was £399 million. In the same period, 11 applications for Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) covering such exports were withdrawn. There is generally no cumulative limit to the quantity or value of exports permitted under OIELs, so no corresponding figure for the aggregate value can be determined.

  This information does not cover any applications for Media OIELs that may have been withdrawn during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict.

  Some applications may have been withdrawn before a determination had been made as to whether or not the goods were listed in the Military List. Such applications are not included in this answer.

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

  An application may be withdrawn for a number of reasons. For instance, an application for a SIEL may be withdrawn on issue of an OIEL or an Open General Export

  315
  Licence that covers the proposed export; or the potential export may simply fail to materialise. There is no requirement that the applicant should give the Department of Trade and Industry a reason for withdrawal.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licence applications were processed by the Export Control Organisation in each of the four-week periods used by his Department since March 1998, broken down by(a) those circulated to other Government departments and (b) those not circulated. [71840]

  Dr. Howells
  The information, beginning with the four week period nearest to the date specified, is as follows:

  Period

  Application circulated to other departments according to their policy requirements and completed during the period

  Applications not circulated to other departments and completed during the period

  7 March 1998 to 3 April 1998

  1,039

  111

  4 April 1998 to 1 May 1998

  704

  145

  2 May 1998 to 29 May 1998

  710

  94

  30 May 1998 to 26 June 1998

  670

  77

  27 June 1998 to 24 July 1998

  564

  119

  25 July 1998 to 21 August 1998

  858

  123

  22 August 1998 to 18 September 1998

  718

  93

  19 September 1998 to 16 October 1998

  675

  99

  17 October 1998 to 13 November 1998

  836

  86

  14 November 1998 to 11 December 1998

  756

  131

  12 December 1998 to 8 January 1999

  678

  97

  9 January 1999 to 5 February 1999

  854

  126

  The information has been taken from the Export Control Organisation's management data which are compiled in order to monitor performance of processing applications for Standard Individual Export Licences. The above data do not include applications for Open Individual Export Licences, for applications to export goods to Iran or Iraq or exports which are subject to control solely because of United Nations Sanctions.

  Hallmarks
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if articles of precious metal which have been hallmarked in Spain may be offered for sale in the United Kingdom without being further hallmarked in the United Kingdom; and if he will place in the Library illustrations of the Spanish hallmarks. [72588]

  Dr. Howells
  The Hallmarking Act 1973 was amended with effect from 1 January this year in accordance with Article 30 of the EC Treaty and European case law concerning the free circulation of goods, in order to allow articles of precious metal which have been struck with hallmarks by an independent body in an EEA State to be offered for sale in the United Kingdom without further hallmarking where the marks in question provide information which is equivalent to UK hallmarks and is capable of being understood by UK consumers.

  It is ultimately a matter for the UK courts whether articles hallmarked by an assay office in Spain would meet these conditions, but the British Hallmarking Council—the body established by the 1973 Act—is of the
  316
  opinion that they will. I am placing in the Library of the House a copy of the information about the hallmarks of other EEA States which has been published by the BHC. This includes illustrations of individual marks. The information is not yet comprehensive and DTI is currently attempting to obtain fuller information.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with his French energy counterpart on the Millennium-readiness of French nuclear power stations and on contingency plans and other related safety issues; and if he will make a statement. [72155]

  Mr. Battle
  Nuclear safety regulators regularly discuss Year 2000 issues both at international meetings and at bi-lateral meetings. A recent example was the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's workshop on "The impact of year 2000 on the Nuclear Industry", in Ottawa on 8–10 February 1999. All nuclear safety regulators present there, including the French Nuclear Safety Authority—Direction de la surete des installations nucleaires (DSIN)—gave reports on the readiness of their nuclear sector on millennium issues.

  The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate in the British Health and Safety Executive is satisfied that the French Authorities are taking seriously Year 2000 issues and are dealing with them in an appropriate and effective manner.

  Electricity Connections
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the average connection charge levied on domestic consumers by electricity suppliers. [72541]

  Mr. Battle
  Most of the public electricity suppliers charge in the region of £200 to £400 for a standard domestic connection. In all cases, charges will be made according to the degree of difficulty involved in the connection and this can make the cost considerably more. Some allowance may be made for future revenue received by the company as a result of a connection.

  In all cases where customers feel that the costs involved are not reasonable those costs can be referred to the Director General of Electricity Supply for determination.

  Travel Companies
  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the Office of Fair Trading to implement the recommendations of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission made in December 1997 on the display of travel company ownership links on the fascias of trading premises and sales brochures. [72016]

  Dr. Howells
  My hon. Friend the Leader of the House, in her capacity as the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, asked the Director General of Fair Trading to seek undertakings from the major travel groups regarding undertakings on transparency of ownership links. He is still in discussions with them. He will provide me with advice on the matter in due course and I will make an announcement.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the investments made by industry over the last five years in research by publicly and jointly funded laboratories into genetically modified foods and crops. [72038]

  Mr. Battle
  To answer the question it will be necessary to compile the information from the laboratories' records for the last five years, which will take some time. When the information is collected I shall write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the answer in the Library of the House.

  Agricultural Biotechnology
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money his Department has spent supporting the research and development of agricultural biotechnology since 1 May 1997. [72070]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 23 February 1999]: The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, principally funded from the Science Budget for which the Office of Science and Technology is responsible, spent £13.8 million on agricultural biotechnology in the financial year 1997–98 and expects to spend some £14.5 million in the current financial year, 1998–99. The Department itself does not sponsor food or agriculture companies, and none of its funding is directed specifically at agricultural biotechnology.

  DVD Video Disks
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what action he is taking to prevent regional coding of DVD video disks; [72749]

  (2) what steps he will take to ensure that consumers are made aware of regional coding of DVD video disks; [72743]

  (3) what discussions he has had with PC manufacturers to ensure that purchasers of DVD video disks can change their regional codes indefinitely; [72745]

  (4) what discussions he has had with manufacturers of consumer DVD video players to ensure that their machines will play disks from each of the six regions of the world; [72748]

  (5) if he will make a statement on DVD video disk technology and how consumers can be protected from DVD video disk manufacturers and film makers (a) operating a pricing cartel and (b) designing machines and disks which are not compatible outside their region; [72746]

  (6) what discussions he has had with Ministers in other countries on combating anti-competitive behaviour with regard to DVD video disks. [72799]

  Dr. Howells
  I understand that the region lock protection system to which the right hon. Member refers reflects the different release schedules for feature films in different areas, and that there are no proposals similarly to restrict blank DVDs or audio disks. Consumers can check that any disk they purchase will play on an 318
  appropriate player by matching up the regional code printed on the disk packaging with that shown on the front of their player.

  Under UK competition law, in the first instance it is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour. The market for DVDs is still young and the DGFT will be monitoring its development. To date he has seen no evidence of price cartels or any other anti-competitive behaviour. If the right hon. Member has any such evidence he should pass that direct to the DGFT. Neither I nor the Secretary of State have had discussions with PC manufacturers, or with Ministers in other countries, about the specifications for DVDs.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Argentinian Students
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what scholarships are made available by his Department to students from the Argentine to study at British universities; and if he will make a statement. [72545]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The British Chevening Scholarship Scheme (funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DfID) will provide some 20 new awards for Argentine Scholars to study in the UK in 1998–99 at a cost of about £270,000. The scholarships support postgraduate study in a range of fields from public administration to international law and environmental health. Argentine students are also eligible to apply for places on the FCO's central joint funded schemes co-sponsored with Dundee University and Rio Tinto plc, the Wessex Institute of Technology, the College of Petroleum Studies, and Oxford University and Citibank.

  During President Menem's visit to the UK in October 1998 a new scholarships scheme co-sponsored by the FCO, the Argentine Foreign Ministry and Warwick University was established.

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the name and position of the official to whom the Chilean Embassy spoke on 15 October with regard to Senator Pinochet's travel arrangements. [72278]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Chilean Embassy spoke to the Head of Latin America and Caribbean Department, Mr. Henry Hogger.

  Orlando Da Costa
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the investigation into the shooting of Orlando Da Costa during the Troika Ambassador trip to East Timor. [72663]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We naturally very much regret the death of Orlando Marcelino Da Costa who was shot in Baucau in June 1998. We asked the Indonesian authorities to carry out a full investigation into the incident. We still await the report.

  South Africa
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he is giving the South African Government to combat Islamic terrorism. [72698]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office assists a number of countries each year to combat terrorism more effectively. A team of Whitehall officials will visit South Africa next month as a part of this programme for exploratory talks on counter-terrorism issues. This will be the first such contact with the South African Government since President Mandela's election.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of civil rights abuses perpetrated by the Nigerian forces in Sierra Leone. [72711]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are aware of reports of abuses by ECOMOG forces in Sierra Leone. We are concerned at such reports, and have made our views clear on this to the Government of Sierra Leone and to ECOMOG.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Sierra Leone Government about the death sentence passed on Foday Sankoh. [72730]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Government of Sierra Leone can be in no doubt about our opposition to the death penalty in Sierra Leone and elsewhere. I raised the case of Foday Sankoh when I met Dr. Jonah, the Sierra Leone Minister of Finance, Development and Economic Planning, on 4 November, and again on 18 January. We do not believe that further executions will promote national reconciliation in Sierra Leone.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion he has had with President Kabbah of Sierra Leone on the execution of 24 army officers. [72725]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I spoke personally to President Kabbah on 16 October about the military courts martial, to ask him to show clemency. I also wrote to President Kabbah on the same day to reiterate our concern. The Government of Sierra Leone can be in no doubt about our concern over the imposition of the death penalty.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the trial procedures to which the 24 executed officers were subjected in Sierra Leone. [72726]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  United Nations and other international observers monitoring the trials process in Sierra Leone have indicated that fair trials have been held under difficult circumstances. There are concerns, however, about the lack of a proper appeals process for the military courts martial. We have taken this up with the Government of Sierra Leone; and will continue to remind them of the need to provide fair trials for all those accused.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received on destruction of property in Freetown following the ECOMOG invasion. [72735]
  320
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  ECOMOG have not invaded Sierra Leone; their forces were invited by the Government of Sierra Leone to assist in the restoration of peace and security. There has been significant damage to property during the current conflict. The most serious damage was caused in January, when rebel forces entered Freetown, and indulged in wanton destruction of property. The eastern areas of the city have suffered particularly: up to eighty per cent. of property has been reported as destroyed or damaged.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the support given by Britain to the(a) Nigerian military and (b) ECOMOG forces in Sierra Leone. [72714]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have not given any bilateral support to the Nigerian military, as they are subject to the EU Common position on Nigeria which bans military co-operation. ECOMOG in Sierra Leone comprises Nigerian, Ghanaian, Guinean and Malian contingents. We have provided it with practical support to enable it to protect the legitimate Government and people of Sierra Leone from rebel violence. We have provided £3 million worth of practical logistic support; this includes £1 million worth of vehicles and communications equipment, as well as emergency medical supplies for the people of Sierra Leone. On 19 January, the Foreign Secretary announced a further £1 million of logistic support for ECOMOG and humanitarian assistance. We have also funded the recent airlift of the Ghanaian contingent to ECOMOG.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the support given by Her Majesty's Government to President Kabbah since September 1998. [72731]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We continue to provide strong political and practical support to the democratically elected Government of Sierra Leone. Since the restoration of President Kabbah's legitimate Government in March 1998, we have committed over £20 million for rehabilitation and reconstruction following the military junta, of which £11 million has been spent. We have provided further humanitarian assistance to the people of Sierra Leone this year in response to the deterioration in the security situation.

  Usama bin Laden
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the whereabouts of Usama bin Laden. [72696]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  There have been a variety of reports about the whereabouts of Usama bin Laden, who moved to Afghanistan in 1996; we have no confirmation of his current whereabouts.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the placement by President Mugabe of Zimbabwe of top army officers in key civilian Government positions. [72729]
  321
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I receive regular reports about developments in Zimbabwe, including on senior government appointments. In November 1998 Brigadier Muzonini (Rtd) and Brigadier Bonyongwe were appointed Director and Deputy Director respectively of the Central Intelligence Organisation.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the report by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace on the murder and torture of civilians by the Zimbabwean Army and security agents. [72723]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are aware of the disturbing report by the Legal Resources Foundation and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace into the atrocities in Matabeleland during the 1980s. When I met President Mugabe in December 1998 I urged him to address the outstanding human rights issues, in the interest of national reconciliation.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the personal involvement of President Mugabe in civil rights abuses in Zimbabwe. [72722]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  President Mugabe has used emergency powers to curb industrial action, which we understand the Zimbabwean parliament has rejected. We have no reports that he was personally involved in the detention and apparent torture of journalists, but neither has he condemned these abuses. He has made a series of statements which undermine the independence of the Courts, Media, and civil rights groups.

  Christians
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries about which his Department has received reports of Christians suffering civil rights abuses because of their religion. [72704]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We routinely receive information from our posts overseas and from a very wide range of academic, NGO, media and other sources, on the human rights situations worldwide, including religious freedom and the position of Christians. Over the past year we have received reports about countries including: Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt, Indonesia and China.

  We always view such matters seriously and frequently take them up with the governments concerned.

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what systems he has in place to ensure that policies being developed by his Department are subject to a crime impact(a) assessment and (b) audit and are not likely to lead to enhanced criminal opportunities. [72687]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given today Official Report, columns 311–12, by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend for North Warickshire (Mr. O'Brien).

  Kenya
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Kenyan Government following the beating of Professor Wangare Maathai by security guards at Karura Forest. [72734]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  As part of the Democratic Development Group of diplomatic missions in Nairobi, we supported a collective statement expressing our deep concern over the violence at the Karura Forest. The statement underlined that the right to demonstrate peacefully arises directly from basic human rights, including freedom of expression and assembly. However, it also condemned the destruction of private property and the accompanying violence by demonstrators, as with the excessive reaction of the police. It also called for greater transparency and respect for the law in the allocation of public lands in Kenya, including the Karura Forest, something which our High Commissioner regularly raises with President Moi and senior Government Ministers.

  India
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government about the(a) torture and (b) murder of Christians in India. [72707]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 28 January 1999,Official Report, columns 395–96.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to the River Dart to discuss oyster farming. [71242]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no immediate to do so.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of pensioners he expects to have incomes at least as great as the minimum income guarantee in their year of retirement once his pensions reforms are fully implemented. [71181]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available.

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what systems he has in place to ensure that policies being developed by his Department are subject to a crime impact(a) assessment and (b) audit and are not likely to lead to enhanced criminal opportunities. [72683]
  323
  Mr. Bayley
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien) gave today,Official Report, columns 311–12.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Film and Television Freelance Training Courses
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many students are currently undertaking FT2 courses. [72217]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: I understand from FT2 that there are currently 32 students undertaking FT2 courses: 20 on the new entrants programme, 6 on the research scheme and 6 on the set craft apprenticeships scheme.

  Internet (Public Libraries)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to monitor the terms under which free connections to the Internet for public libraries are being made; and if he will make a statement. [72084]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is for Library Authorities to negotiate the terms governing connection to the Internet.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the average(a) capital and (b) running cost per link to the Internet for public libraries; and if he will estimate the range of such costs. [72082]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This is a matter for individual Library Authorities to determine following commercial negotiation.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of public libraries have been connected to the Internet free of installation charge to date. [72086]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  A survey conducted in 1997 suggested that 5 per cent. of service points had public Internet access. Information on the costs of installation is not held centrally.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the companies which have made connections to the Internet for public libraries free of installation charges; how many connections have been made in each case; and if he will publish the terms under which these connections have been made. [72085]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This information is not held centrally.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what encouragement his Department is providing to secure the making of large budget films in Britain. [72323]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: My Department is keen to create the conditions to secure the production of films of all types in Britain. In seeking to attract large budget films from overseas, my
  324
  Department provides funding to the British Film Commission to promote the benefits of filming in the UK internationally. In addition, my Department jointly funds the newly created British Film Office in Los Angeles, which promotes the UK within Hollywood.

  Recent large budget films made wholly or partly in this country include 'The Mummy' and 'Saving Private Ryan'. The new James Bond film 'The World is not Enough' is currently shooting here.

WALES

  Education, Flintshire
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the effect of the 1999–2000 revenue support grant on the provision of educational services in Flintshire. [72028]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend in his statement to the House on 11 February 1999,Official Report, columns 483–89, announced that the local government revenue settlement for 1999–2000 provided for an increase in net Total Standard Spending of £144 million, of which £70.2 million is identified for education. Flintshire County Borough Council's share of the £70.2 million is £3.494 million and I expect the authority to increase its education budget by at least this amount with the bulk being included in delegate schools budgets. Overall Central Government support for Flintshire has increased by £6.174 million or 5.67% over 1998–99.

  Pierhead Building, Cardiff Bay
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the future use of the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay. [72279]

  Mr. Michael
  The Pierhead Building is a unique and attractive building right at the heart of Cardiff Bay which stands next to the site for the new Assembly building. It provides a powerful visual link for the Assembly with the industrial and maritime heritage of Wales. Originally it has been thought that it could be used as the office accommodation for the First Secretary and Cabinet. After careful consideration I concluded that their offices should be in the same building as the offices of Assembly Members which will be located in Crickhowell House along with the temporary Chamber and committee rooms. This will encourage the Cabinet members and Assembly Members—and their staff—in working together as part of a single team.

  Appropriate arrangements have now been achieved in Crickhowell House, allowing the space in Pierhead Building to be used to address other issues. It is planned to bring forward detailed plans in the near future enabling Pierhead Building to be used for educational and public information purposes and as a function hall. It will also provide office accommodation for a small number of staff.

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what systems he has in place to ensure that policies being
  325
  developed by his Department are subject to a crime impact (a) assessment and (b) audit and are not likely to lead to enhanced criminal opportunities. [72684]

  Mr. Michael
  The Welsh Office will play a full part in arrangements across Government to drive forward initiatives on crime reduction led by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. My Department with its multifunctional remit routinely take account of cross-cutting issues as part of policy development and I have made it clear that our contribution to the reduction of crime and disorder has high priority.

  The Welsh Office is also taking a close interest in the audit reports and emerging strategies of the local crime and disorder reduction partnerships in Wales and considering the implications of these for wider policy development.

  The recent Audit Commission report "Safety in Numbers—Promoting Community Safety" cited the Green Paper "Better Health—Better Wales" as an example of good practice in drawing out the connections between the effects of crime and people's health and well-being. This report made a number of recommendations to central Government, which I will be considering. These include monitoring and assessing good practice and ensuring a corporate approach across central Government. I have stressed the Government's expectations that all public organisations will contribute to crime reduction, and I have stressed the responsibilities of local government in Wales with the full support of the Welsh Local Government Association.

  I have stressed the role of the NHS in Wales and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary recently joined me to visit the accident and emergency unit in Cardiff where hospital staff, police and victim support have joined in a project to reduce violence. All public bodies in Wales are being encouraged to take a similarly creative approach.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Renewables Obligation
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has made a decision on the Third Order under the Scottish Renewables Obligation; and if he will make a statement. [73452]

  Mr. Dewar
  I have made arrangements for an order to be laid before Parliament tomorrow requiring the 2 Public Electricity Suppliers (ScottishPower and Scottish Hydro-Electric) in Scotland to make arrangements to secure 150MW DNC of new renewable electricity generating capacity from a range of renewable sources. There has been an excellent response by bidders to the tender invitation for SRO3. This represents a considerable success for our policy of creating an initial market within each of the most promising renewable technologies by encouraging strong competition between various projects. This has allowed me to set a larger order than previously envisaged when SR03 was announced in December 1997.

  I am particularly pleased to report that bid prices for SRO3 have been once again reduced, with bids for large wind projects especially low. The cheapest bid was a remarkable 1.89 pence per unit generated making large wind projects by far the cheapest renewable technology
  326
  available under the order. I have, therefore, decided that large wind projects should make up a sizeable part of the order. A specific band for small wind projects is being introduced for the first time under SRO3. The aim is to encourage small, locally based companies and communities to get involved in electricity generation.

  The prices tendered for biomass projects were relatively high compared with wind and waste to energy projects. I have, however, taken account of the wider benefits to agriculture and forestry and to the environment of such projects, and the need to enable the technology to establish itself in Scotland. For this reason, I have decided to allocate almost 9 per cent. of the order to this technology.

  A band for wave power was proposed in SRO3 for the first time. Wave technology is very much at a formative stage and I am keen to help the technology gain a foothold in Scotland. I am pleased to report that bid prices were lower than expected and I have, therefore, decided to allocate a small part of the order to wave projects.

  I have also decided to include a sizeable number of waste to energy projects and a small number of hydro electric projects in the order.

  There are significant benefits stemming from the encouragement of renewable energy. These include a contribution to the Government's greenhouse gas emissions reduction target agreed following the December 1998 Kyoto conference. By making an order for a total of 150MW we are taking a considerable step towards meeting Government's new and strong drive for renewable generating capacity, while also promoting the renewable industry in Scotland.

  We are aware of concerns about the possible effects on the environment and landscape of the development of renewable energy projects and expect developers to give particular care and attention to these sensitive issues. Successful developers will need to obtain planning permission for their projects if they have not already done so; award of a contract as a result of the Order does not confer any special advantage in the planning process and approval must be sought in the usual way.

  I have made the order after considering carefully the advice of the Director General of Electricity Supply and after consulting the 2 Scottish Public Electricity Suppliers.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who will be disqualified from being a member of the Scottish Parliament. [73539]

  Mr. McLeish
  Section 15 of the Scotland Act 1998 specifies that holding certain offices disqualifies people from being members of the Scottish Parliament. These include judges, civil servants, members of the armed forces, members of police forces and members of foreign legislatures and others who would not be able to sit and vote in the House of Commons. It also gives Her Majesty power by Order in Council to designate further office holders who will be disqualified from being MSPs. On 16 February, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, laid a draft Order before both Houses of Parliament which lists those office holders who should be
  327
  disqualified from being MSPs. The Order will be subject to affirmative resolution procedure in both Houses before being put to Her Majesty in Council.

  In making these proposals, we have adopted broadly the same approach to disqualification as is applied in the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975, so following well established and well understood precedents. People holding disqualifying offices will be required to resign those offices on formal consent to nomination.

  Not all those office holders disqualified from being an MP will also be disqualified from being an MSP as we have adapted the disqualification to the circumstances of the Scottish Parliament. This Order will be for the first elections; it will be for the Parliament to consider the scope of the disqualification for subsequent elections.

  Scottish Consultative Council
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the outcome of the first stage of the policy and financial reviews of the Scottish Consultative Council on the curriculum and the Scottish Council for Educational Technology. [73540]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The 'prior options' studies of the Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum (SCCC) and the Scottish Council for Educational Technology (SCET) began in December 1997. These studies raised issues of sufficient importance that a consultation document seeking comments on options for the future of both bodies was issued in October 1998. Responses were received from over 80 organisations and individuals.

  The outcome of the consultation was unanimously in favour of integrating the development of curriculum and ICT materials and there was a majority view that advice on the curriculum and ICT should be located in one body.

  I have concluded that there is a continuing need for independent advice and the development of materials relating to both the curriculum and ICT. I have agreed, in principle, that the best way of achieving that is the merger of SCCC and SCET.

  I am therefore setting up a Merger Action Group to develop a detailed plan for the merger to be presented to the Scottish Executive by 15 September this year. The membership of the Action Group will be drawn from both bodies and will include others from the education sector. It will be chaired by a senior member of HM Inspectorate of Schools. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Organic Aid Scheme
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what payments he has proposed under the Organic Aid Scheme for(a) Arable Area Payments Scheme eligible land, (b) ineligible land and (c) unimproved grassland or rough grazing. [72618]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The payment rates currently in operation for the Organic Aid Scheme in Scotland are as follows. Consideration is being given to the options for enhancing the OAS in Scotland. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  328

  £ per hectare

  Arable land or improved grassland

  Rough grazing or unimproved grassland

  First year

  70

  10

  Second year

  70

  10

  Third year

  50

  7

  Fourth year

  35

  5

  Fifth year

  25

  5

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorist Violence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what evidence she has received of the involvement of paramilitary organisations in terrorist violence in recent weeks. [71205]

  Mr. Ingram
  There have been a number of acts of violence recently, including paramilitary assaults and attacks. I am in regular contact with security advisers to discuss these issues. I urge all those with evidence to come forward and help the RUC bring the perpetrators to justice.

  Punishment Beatings
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussion she has had with human rights organisation on investigations of punishment beatings in Northern Ireland. [71206]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Secretary of State has noted the interest taken in the subject of paramilitary assaults by human rights organisations. In particular, I have met in the past members of Families against Intimidation and Terror to discuss this subject and a further meeting is planned.

  Eleven City Tour
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the eleven city tour's impact on the competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy. [71207]

  Mr. Ingram
  Intense cultivation of contacts made on the Tour is well under way. Visits from prospective investors are flowing and a number of serious investment interests are under discussion. Securing projects can take several months or even years, however. It will therefore be some time before the Tour's full economic impact can be assessed.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Townend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of when the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives will begin. [71208]

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of when the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives will begin. [71213]
  329
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the progress of decommissioning. [71215]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have welcomed the start the LVF made to decommissioning which took place on 18 December, and I urge them to continue. Discussions continue between representatives of other groups and the Decommissioning Commission. It is now time for them to start to decommission: they know very well that the Good Friday agreement must be implemented in full and that decommissioning is an indispensable part of that agreement.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of when(a) PIRA and (b) the UDA will begin their decommissioning process. [71217]

  Drumcree
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made towards the resolution of the problems over the Orange Order parade at Drumcree. [71209]

  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken or are proposed by the Government to resolve the impasse at Drumcree. [71212]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Prime Minister met the Orange Order in November and, more recently, a delegation from the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition. The Government are continuing their efforts to foster communication between both parties because they believe that agreement is still possible if goodwill exists.

  British-Irish Council
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what meetings she has had to discuss preparations for the British-Irish Council. [71210]

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what meetings she has had to discuss preparations for the British-Irish Council. [71214]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  In December, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the Secretaries for Scotland and Wales, together with my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn), to discuss preparations for the British-Irish Council. She also had separate discussions with my right hon. Friends the Members for Glasgow, Anniesland (Mr. Dewar) and Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on recent visits to Scotland and Wales respectively. Last week, I visited the Isle of Man to bring the Isle of Man Government up to date on progress on the British-Irish Council, and I will be making a similar visit to Jersey and Guernsey in the near future. I will also be holding a meeting with a number of other Ministers on 25 February to take our preparations further.

  In addition, I have regular meetings with the Northern Ireland parties on progress on the implementation of the Belfast agreement at which preparations for the BIC are discussed.

  Victims of Violence
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what initiatives have been taken to help victims of violence and their families. [71211]

  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what initiatives have been taken to help victims of violence and their families. [71219]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have announced a number of significant funding initiatives to support victims and a newsletter outlining progress has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Work is progressing on all these initiatives, and I am pleased to say that a new Trauma Centre is now operational. I hope to announce further measures in the near future.

  New Deal
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many companies are signed up to the Government's New Deal initiative in Northern Ireland. [71216]

  Mr. McFall
  Since the launch of the New Deal on 6 April 1998, 1,851 Northern Ireland companies have each confirmed their support for New Deal by signing an Employer Agreement. This figure has steadily increased over the 10 months of New Deal's lifetime and already exceeds the target of 1,500 Agreements for the first full year.

  Energy Market
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what actions she has taken to improve the working of the energy market in Northern Ireland. [71218]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Quinn),Official Report, column 373.

  Employment Relations Bill
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to seek to extend the provisions of the Employment Relations Bill to Northern Ireland, with particular reference to carers. [71220]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Employment Relations Bill introduces a right to time off for domestic incidents, and carers would benefit, for example, by availing themselves of time off to take an elderly parent to hospital following a fall. Replication in Northern Ireland of the provisions in the Bill will be a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Peace Process
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the proposals for further progress in the peace process. [71221]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Leominster (Mr. Temple-Morris),Official Report, column 377.

  Trade Unions
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she last met the Northern Ireland trade unions; and if she will make a statement on the matters discussed. [71222]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Secretary of State met the Northern Ireland Committee of the fish Congress of Trade Unions on 2 December 1997. A range of topics was discussed including the peace process; fair employment including the report by the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights and the Policy Appraisal and Fair Treatment initiative; economic opportunities, trade union representation on public bodies; and policing.

  Health Service Pay
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what settlement has been agreed for chief executives' pay in the Northern Ireland health service this year. [71223]

  Mr. McFall
  In common with national policy, my predecessor the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) wrote to the Chairmen of Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) bodies in April 1998 asking that all practical steps be taken to ensure that the cost of individual pay rises for Senior Executives and other Senior Managers were restricted to 2.7% within the current financial year. Employers have been asked to include a compliance statement in their annual reports for 1998–99. I have recently announced a similar limit of 2.6% for next year for Chief Executives and other executives operating at board level.

  Violent Crime
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on her policy to reduce the incidence of crimes of violence against the person perpetrated by members of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. [71224]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is on record as condemning all acts of violence, including those against the person perpetrated by members of paramilitary organisations. She has met with representatives of political parties and impressed on them the importance of bringing their influence to bear on paramilitary groups to stop such practices.

  Good Friday Agreement
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations she has had with the Northern Ireland parties on legislation to implement the Good Friday agreement. [71225]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today,Official Report, column 329, to my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Judy Mallaber).

  Prisoner Releases
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the release of terrorist prisoners. [71226]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the extensive debate on the Floor of the House regarding this issue on 9 December 1998,Official Report, columns 329–59. I also refer my hon. Friend to the further related debate on 27 January 1999, Official Report, columns 344–97, and in particular to columns 358–59.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners have been released under the accelerated release scheme set up by the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 to date. [71227]

  Mr. Ingram
  To date there have been 242 prisoners released under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. This is drawn from information received by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State as at 15 February 1999 from the Sentence Review Commissioners to whom prisoners apply for early release.

  BCCI
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the support she has given to councils that have lost money with BCCI. [71201]

  Mr. Ingram
  Lisburn Borough Council was the only district council in Northern Ireland which lost its investment with the collapse of BCCI. No direct support was given by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland as councils have the authority to make their own investment decisions. However, the Local Government Auditor did assist in a review of the council's investment procedures and provided advice on the way forward.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Synthetic Pyrethroid Products
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies his Department has commissioned on the safety of synthetic pyrethroid products. [71541]

  Mr. Rooker
  Applications for Marketing Authorisations for all veterinary medicinal products including synthetic pyrethroids must satisfy statutory criteria for safety, quality and efficacy. Applicants are required to submit details of scientific studies to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, where they are carefully assessed by specialists in qualified various scientific disciplines including biology, pharmacy, veterinary practice, toxicology and ecotoxicology.

  Synthetic pyrethroids used as pesticides are similarly subject to strict statutory control. Ministers approve the marketing or use of a pesticide only after rigorous evaluation of scientific data. No approval is given to pesticides that pose any unacceptable risk to human beings, non-target species or the wider environment. All approved pesticides are subject to review and, if appropriate, approvals can be restricted or revoked entirely. Given the above statutory regulatory system no studies on the safety of synthetic pyrethroids have been commissioned by the Department.

  KPMG
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [72002]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: From records held centrally, the services of KPMG have been sought on just one occasion since 1 April 1996 for a personnel study undertaken in March 1997 at a total VAT inclusive cost of £11,750. Information on the use of KPMG prior to 1 April 1996 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Food and Drink Federation
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the Food and Drink Federation; and what issues were discussed. [72733]

  Mr. Morley
  My right hon. Friend the Minister met the Director General of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) for an introductory meeting on 3 August when discussions covered Genetically Modified Organisms and the Food Standards Agency. Since then he has had frequent contact with FDF on a wide range of issues. He is to be principal guest speaker at the FDF President's Dinner on 4 March.

  Inhumane Slaughtering
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Etherington) of 11 February 1999,Official Report, column 414, on inhumane slaughter, what plans he has to outlaw inhumane slaughtering in the United Kingdom. [72697]
  334
  Mr. Morley
  The inhumane slaughter of farmed animals has long been contrary to the law in the United Kingdom. The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995, and parallel regulations in Northern Ireland, implement EU requirements by making it an offence to cause any animal avoidable excitement, pain or suffering.

  The Government have this week laid a statutory instrument amending these regulations: this is not, however, because it is necessary to strengthen the law on inhumane slaughter, but is in order to confine the conduct of slaughter which is carried out without stunning for religious reasons to licensed slaughterhouses.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total number of staff(a) in his Department and (b) in each of the agencies for which he is responsible and their location in (i) London, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv) each of the English regions. [70484]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: Information on numbers of staff in my Department and their regional distribution is contained in the Cabinet Office publication "Civil Service Statistics 1998", which is placed in the Library of the House. Civil Service Statistics also contain staffing figures for each of my Department's agencies but does not have information on the regional distribution of their staff so I have asked Agency Chief Executives to reply separately on this.

  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 23 February 1999:
  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food requesting a list of the total staff and their locations in (i) London, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv) each of the English Regions has been passed to me to reply as regards this Executive Agency.
  The MHS is not able to provide information on staffing numbers which correlate to the Regions you have requested. MHS Regions were set up on a geographical basis depending on the location of licensed fresh meat premises at which the Agency is required to provide an inspection service. The Regions are North, Central, South and East, South and West, Wales and Scotland. Total MHS staff based in these Regions are as follows:

  Region

  Total staff

  North

  472

  Central

  316

  South and East

  268

  South and West

  243

  Wales

  250

  Scotland

  193

  MHS Headquarters staff are included in the Northern Region data. For operational reasons, the MHS includes some part of Cumbria in its Scotland Region and parts of Herefordshire and Shropshire in its Wales Region.

  Letter from G. K. Bruce to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 11 February 1999:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), to your question concerning the location of staff in this Agency.

  335
  There are currently 199 staff in the Agency all of whom are based in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

  Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 23 February 1999:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your question concerning the number of staff employed and their location.
  CSL employs a total of 565 staff. Details of the locations at which the staff are based are given below.

  Region

  Number of staff

  Wales

  1

  South East

  5

  South West

  8

  West Midlands

  2 North West

  North East

  1

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  425

  East Midlands

  1

  Eastern

  121

  These figures exclude casual staff and seasonal employees.

  Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 23 February 1999:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question concerning the total number of staff in his Department, and their location. I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
  The following table gives the regional distribution of CEFAS staff as at 10 February 1999:

  Permanent staff

  Non-industrial

  Industrial

  South East

  61

  5

  South West

  62

  1

  North West

  3

  0

  Eastern

  272

  31

  Wales

  15

  5

  Totals

  413

  42

  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 23 February 1999:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on the total number of staff employed by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. Figures are as follows:

  Number of staff

  England

  Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

  28

  Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

  2

  Langford, North Somerset

  22

  Luddington, Warwickshire

  35

  Newcastle, Tyne & Wear

  23

  Penrith, Cumbria

  22

  Preston, Lancashire

  25

  Shrewsbury, Shropshire

  31

  Starcross, Devon

  27

  Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire

  36

  Thirsk, North Yorkshire

  28

  Truro, Cornwall

  9

  Winchester, Hampshire

  28

  Weybridge, Surrey

  736

  Total number of staff in England

  1,052

  Scotland

  Lasswade, Midlothian

  27

  Total number of staff in Scotland

  27

  336

  Number of staff

  Wales

  Aberystwyth, Dyfed

  10

  Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire

  19

  Total number of staff in Wales

  29

  Total number of staff employed by VLA

  1,108

  Letter from Sarah Nason to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 11 February 1999:
  The Minister has asked me to reply, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question seeking the distribution of staff in London, Wales, Scotland and each of the English regions. The information, for permanent staff on a full time equivalent basis, is as follows:

  Number of permanent staff

  London

  22

  South East

  62

  Total London and SE

  84

  South West

  94.5

  West Midlands

  62.5

  North West

  13.5

  North East

  11

  Merseyside

  0

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  60

  East Midlands

  8

  Eastern

  64.5

  Wales

  45.5

  Scotland

  0

  Northern Ireland

  0

  Unreported/elsewhere

  0

  Total

  443.5

  Letter from J. M. Rutter to Mr. David Chaytor, dated
  12 February 1999:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the regional distribution of staff employed in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate as these figures are not held centrally.
  The Cabinet Office publication "Civil Service Statistics 1998" shows that the VMD employs 110 staff. 109 staff are located at Addlestone (South-East Region) and 1 member of staff is located at Carlisle (North-West Region).

CABINET OFFICE

  KPMG
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 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. [72003]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer on 22 February 1999]: The information requested for the period before 1 May 1997 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Since 1 May 1997, KPMG have provided the following services to the Cabinet Office, its Agencies and COI:

  1. Seminar on cross-departmental working

  2. Pilot study on the use of the Government Procurement Card in the central Cabinet Office

  3. Development of IS strategy for the Government of Barbados

  337

  4. Secondment to the Better Regulation Unit

  5. Internal audit needs assessment for TBA

  6. Assistance with TBA's Year 2000 contingency strategy

  7. Internal audit service to CCTA.

  There is no charge to the Cabinet Office for the services at items 1 and 2 above.

  The then Overseas Development Administration reimbursed the Cabinet Office the full cost of item 3.

  The total cost since 1 May 1997 of items 3 to 7 is £151,663, including VAT.

  Better Regulation Policy
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps the Government have taken to give priority to their better regulation policy. [71941]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1152.

  In addition, the Better Regulation Task Force is currently reviewing the role of regulation in relation to productivity, the operation of fit person regimes, the applicability of self-regulation, and law on anti-discrimination and enforcement practice. The productivity review was first announced in the pre-Budget Statement of 3 November 1998, Official Report, columns 681–702. The Task Force will shortly offer initial findings on the impact of regulations on business start-up, success and growth and will publish full reports on all reviews by the summer.

  We continue to work actively with our European partners to ensure further progress towards effective regulation across Europe.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions he has had with businesses with regard to improving the clarity of regulations. [71881]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  We are working with others to help business to understand and comply with regulations and to ensure constructive and consistent enforcement. We aim to make the regulatory system more transparent, accessible and helpful. The Access Business group of departmental Ministers, local government and business is looking at a number of issues, including Direct Access Government, which provides business and the self-employed with 24-hour access to regulatory guidance and forms via the Internet.

  The Enforcement Concordat sets out for businesses, and society in general, what they can expect of enforcers. Enforcers will give to business clear explanations of what they need to do and by when, opportunities to resolve differences before enforcement action is taken (unless immediate action is required), and an explanation of their rights of appeal. There are now 88 local authorities in England and Wales and 19 in Scotland who have signed up to the Concordat.

  My Department has actively promoted the setting up of local business partnerships between business and enforcement communities. These are designed to maximise regulatory understanding and compliance at least burden.
  338
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he has taken to ensure that regulations are enforced consistently across the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [71882]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Failure by a Member State to enforce adequate Community legislation is itself a breach of Community law. As such, it is primarily a matter for the European Commission. Where the UK becomes aware of such a breach, we can draw it to the attention of the Commission. Direct action by the UK can be taken by the UK pursuant to Article 170 TEC. Wider political, policy or legal concerns would influence whether such action would be appropriate in any particular case.

  In the area of the Single Market, we have a unit in the Department of Trade and Industry (Action Single Market) which co-ordinates complaints from UK companies and seeks bilaterally with the Member State in question and with the Commission to remove obstacles to provision of goods or services in that Member State.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps the Government have taken to improve regulatory impact assessment procedures. [71883]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  As part of their Better Regulation Initiative, the Government want to encourage good practice at all stages of regulatory work.

  Last August, the Better Regulation Unit published new guidance to help Departments in applying the Task Force's principles of good regulation and in assessing the impact of regulatory proposals.

  The publication of the Guide also heralds the introduction of a more comprehensive system of regulatory reporting. Every Department will be required to publish an account (in their Departmental Reports in March this year) of their regulatory activity with examples of how they have improved the quality and effectiveness of regulation through the application of the Task Force's principles.

  Almost all Departments have now received training on the new Guidance, with some Departments setting up their own training programmes.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what rules and regulations the Government have(a) abolished and (b) simplified since 1 May 1997 in order to reduce costs imposed on businesses. [72075]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Cabinet Office has been informed of 74 amending or repealing regulations made between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1998 which resulted in compliance cost savings to business and others. A list of these has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  EU Laws (Goldplating)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he has taken to prevent the goldplating of EU laws by member states. [71942]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Over-implementation of EC legislation—goldplating—may amount to a breach of Community law. If it does, it is primarily a matter for the European Commission. Where the UK becomes aware of such a
  339
  breach, we can draw it to the attention of the Commission. Direct action by the UK can be taken by the UK pursuant to Article 170 TEC. Wider political, policy or legal concerns would influence whether such action would be appropriate in any particular case.

  The Government are committed to ensuring that departments do not add any unnecessary measures—goldplating—when implementing EC legislation into UK domestic law.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Townend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact that asylum seekers, both legal and illegal, have made on levels of employment and unemployment. [72302]

  Mr. Blunkett
  No such assessment has been made.

  Post-16 Student Support
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to extend the post-16 student support provision pilots onto a national basis; and if he will make a statement. [72051]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Education Maintenance Allowance pilots will run in 15 pilot Local Education Authorities across England from September 1999. We intend at this stage to run the pilots for three years, covering two cohorts. We will be evaluating the pilots closely from the start, and if the evaluation shows them to be successful in significantly raising post-16 participation, retention and achievement, we plan to introduce the Allowance nationally.

  Sixth Forms
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on comparisons between class sizes for A level subjects in sixth form colleges and school sixth forms. [R] [72312]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has neither commissioned nor evaluated research on this issue.

  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made on the equalisation of funding in relation to 16 to 19 year old students in(a) school sixth forms and (b) sixth form colleges. [R] [72311]

  Mr. Mudie
  Future levels of funding available to school sixth forms and Further Education (FE) sector colleges, including sixth form colleges, for their 16–19 students will reflect the outcome of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review and local authorities' decisions on the level of spending they devote to schools from their overall spending settlement. The differential between school and FE sector unit funding is eased by the relaxation of the required efficiency gain in the FE sector in 1999–2000 as announced in December following the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  New Deal
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of those leaving the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds for a destination other than unsubsidised employment up to the most recent date for which information is available are now claiming welfare benefits; and at what cost. [71641]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The information on numbers leaving New Deal to claim benefits is contained in the Department for Education and Employment Statistical First Release. This release, prepared by the Government Statistical Service, was placed in the Library on 28 January. The latest set of figures will be placed in the Library on 25 February. It is not possible to give the cost of the benefits as it is not known how long those concerned will remain on them.

  School Transport (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his policy towards the provision of school transport to Roman Catholic schools for children in rural areas. [72700]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Local Education Authorities must by law have regard to the wishes of Roman Catholic parents for their children to attend Roman Catholic schools, including in rural areas. Where a school is beyond the statutory walking distance, but is not the nearest suitable school, authorities have discretion whether to provide free transport. In exercising that discretion they must consider each request seriously. The Department is monitoring carefully the provision of denominational transport in local education authorities in England.

  School Funding (Cumbria)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the effects of the 1999–2000 revenue support grant on the provision of education services in Cumbria. [72703]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have increased Cumbria's education SSA for 1999–2000 by well over £9 million which should help raise standards. My right hon. Friend has received a large number of representations from Cumbria schools welcoming the education SSA increase, but criticising Cumbria County Council's budget plans. We expect all Local Education Authorities, including Cumbria, to use all of the education SSA increase to support education services, especially schools.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons Cumbria was not included with other local authorities when allocating nursery funding for three years olds in 1999–2000. [72724]

  Ms Hodge
  In 1999–2000 the additional funding for early education for three-year-olds has been distributed between the fifty authorities with the highest levels of social need assessed by the Government's Index of Local Deprivation augmented by measures of low birth weight and births to teenage mothers. Funding will be distributed across all authorities from April 2000.

  Labour and Social Affairs Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the issues
  341
  for discussion before the Labour and Social Affairs Council on 9 March, indicating the position he proposes to take on each issue. [72739]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I am unable to attend this meeting of the Council because it clashes with the Budget Statement. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities will attend in my place.

  The first part of the meeting will be discussions with representatives of applicant countries, outside the formal enlargement screening process. The UK Government strongly support the enlargement of the European Union.

  The Presidency will give an oral report on the Informal Meeting of Social Affairs Ministers which my right hon. Friends the Minister of State for Trade and Industry and the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities attended in Bonn on 4–6 February.

  The Presidency will also report on their ideas for a European Employment Pact. The Conclusions of the Vienna Council call for the agreement of an Employment Pact in time for the Cologne European Council in June. We believe the Pact should be based in the existing process of European Employment Guidelines and National Employment Action Plans.

  There will also be a presentation of the 1999 Employment and Labour Market Committee work programme.

  The Council will discuss the proposed reform of the Standing Committee on Employment which aims to enable this tripartite body to make a more efficient and appropriate contribution to the employment strategy.

  There will be discussion of a Resolution on a Code of Conduct which invites Member States to improve administrative co-operation between their authorities in three areas: transnational hiring-out of workers, combating benefit fraud and illegal employment.

  The Presidency will report to the Council on the progress negotiations for measures on the organisation of working time for those sectors currently excluded from the Working Time Directive. No discussion is expected.

  The Presidency will also give information on how it plans to proceed in the second half of its Presidency on the proposed European Company Statute. No substantive discussion is expected.

  Internet Connections
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment at what cost to(a) the Government, (b) schools and (c) local authorities connections to the Internet for schools have been made. [72076]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information relating specifically to the cost of schools' connection to the Internet is not held centrally.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average(a) capital and
  342
  (b) running cost per link to the Internet for (i) primary schools and (ii) secondary schools; and if he will estimate the range of such costs. [72081]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Oftel and the telecoms industry have now reached agreement on how the commitment to wire up schools to the superhighway free of charge will be implemented. Schools will have a choice of free connections and of technologies, either ISDN2 or equivalent from BT or the cable companies. They are, of course, under no obligation to restrict their usage to these times, packages or telecoms providers included in this deal, and if this is the case, their costs will vary accordingly.

  The detailed terms of the offer are contained in the Oftel statement "Access to the Superhighways for Schools" (October 1997). Main features are:

  Company/technology

  £

  BT (10 hours per school day 8am-6pm)

  ISDN2

  790 p.a.

  PSTN

  445 p.a. plus £100 connection charge

  Cable companies

  ISDN

  600 p.a.

  PSTN

  100 p.a. for schools up to 250 pupils

  250 p.a. for schools from 251–500 pupils

  500 p.a. for schools with 501+ pupils

  Other companies may choose to offer similar tariff structures—as a commercial decision for the individual companies involved.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the companies which have made connections to the Internet for schools free of installation charges; how many connections have been made in each case; and if he will publish the terms under which these connections have been made. [72079]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under the agreement between Oftel and the telecoms industry schools will have a choice of free connections and of technologies, either ISDN2 or equivalent from BT or the cable companies.

  The detailed terms of the offer are contained in the Oftel statement "Access to the Superhighways for Schools" (October 1997). Main features are:

  Company/technology

  £

  BT (10 hours per school day 8am-6pm)

  ISDN

  790 p.a.

  PSTN

  445 p.a. plus £100 connection charge

  Cable companies

  ISDN

  600 p.a.

  PSTN

  100 p.a. for schools up to 250 pupils

  250 p.a. for schools from 251–500 pupils

  500 p.a. for schools with 501+ pupils

  Other companies may choose to offer similar tariff structures—as a commercial decision for the individual companies involved.

  The Department does not hold figures for schools' connection to the Internet by individual companies.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received
  343
  from (a) BT, (b) other providers, (c) schools and (d) local authorities on Internet connections. [72080]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department received representations from all the above groups and others on a range of issues including Internet connections as part of the consultation exercise on plans for the National Grid for Learning undertaken in 1997. A report on the outcomes of that consultation can be found on the National Grid for Learning website at: http://www.vtc.ngfl.gov.uldvtalibrary/pub.html.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to monitor the terms under which free connections to the Internet for schools are being made; and if he will make a statement. [72077]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Current arrangements for schools' connection to and use of the Internet at reduced cost were brokered by Oftel and allow for schools to benefit from access to the Internet for a fixed annual fee through a BT ISDN2 connection between 9am and 6pm or for unlimited access through an equivalent cable connection.

  The DfEE, in conjunction with other Government Departments, Oftel and the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, continue to monitor schools' use of the Internet, through statistical surveys and in other ways, and to explore with Oftel and the telecommunications industry the scope for extending such agreements.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many times he has met representatives of BT to discuss Internet connections to schools. [72087]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has met the BT Chairman for discussion on a range of issues. In addition, officials remain in touch with BT through correspondence and meetings, and through public consultation. Other Ministers have also had contact with representatives of the company. These meetings have typically covered a range of issues rather than specifically relating to Internet connections to schools.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of(a) primary and (b) secondary schools have been connected to the Internet free of installation charge to date. [72078]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department published last year the results of a survey of ICT in provision in schools which indicated that 17 per cent. of primary schools and 83 per cent. of secondary schools were connected to the Internet by March 1998. This is in comparison to the previous year's survey (published in 1997) which indicated that 5 per cent. of primary schools and 47 per cent. of secondary schools were connected to the Internet at the time. Subsequent annual surveys will indicate the change in growth of schools with such connections. The Government are committed to ensuring that all schools are connected to the Internet by 2002.

  Precise figures are not held on how many of these schools benefited from the free connection deals such as those offered by BT and cable companies.

  Education SSAs
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the funding made available in the 1999–2000 SSA for (i) a primary school with 250 pupils and (ii) a secondary school with 900 pupils in(a) Hertfordshire and (b) Staffordshire; and what factors underlie the differences in allocations between the two counties[72200]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table sets out the information requested. The differences in allocations are very largely due to the way the area cost adjustment is calculated, although the ethnicity factor also has a small effect in allocating more education SSA per pupil to Hertfordshire.

  £

  Local Education Authority

  SSA funding SSA funding for 250 pupil for 900 pupil primary school

  SSA funding for 900 pupil secondary school

  Hertfordshire

  593,000

  2,721,000

  Staffordshire

  538,000

  2,483,000

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what guidance he has issued to(a) job centres and (b) other parts of the Employment Service on their role in monitoring the introduction of the national minimum wage; [71496]

  (2) whether job centres will be permitted (a) to process and (b) to display job vacancies notified to them at pay rates below the national minimum wage. [71497]

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

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Richard Burden, dated 24 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 two questions concerning the Employment Service's preparations for the introduction and monitoring of the National Minimum Wage and whether the Service will advertise jobs at a wage below the legal minimum. These are issues which fall within the responsibilities delegate to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  We have already issued guidance to Jobcentres and other relevant parts of the Agency that from 1 April they must only process and display vacancies which comply with the requirements of the National Minimum Wage Act and its associated regulations. All Jobcentre Managers will be required to check that this guidance is being followed. Vacancy takers in Jobcentres will advise employers using the Employment Service who may seek to offer rates below the National Minimum Wage of the requirements of the legislation.
  The Employment Service is working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry, who have responsibility for the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, and through them with the Inland Revenue who are charged with its enforcement. Any complaints received at Jobcentres about employers who may not be meeting the requirements of the Act will be passed to the Inland Revenue to investigate.
  I hope this is helpful.

  School Teachers
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average annual cost of employing a school teacher in England. [72201]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The estimated average cost of employing a full-time teacher (including heads and deputies) in the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector in England at April 1999:

  £

  Average salary

  25,400

  Employer costs1

  3,800

  Total cost

  29,200

  1 Includes 7.6 per cent. National Insurance contributions and 7.2 per cent. pension costs

HEALTH

  Nurses
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses left permanent nursing jobs to work for agencies in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [67381]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on the number of nurses who left permanent nursing jobs to work for agencies is not available centrally.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacant nursing posts there are currently. [67374]

  Mr. Denham
  Based on various figures from various sources, there are probably in the region of 9,000 vacancies lasting three months or longer.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of the shortage of nurses. [67372]

  Mr. Denham
  We recognise that staff shortages, particularly in nursing, are a major concern for National Health Service employers seeking to deliver high quality patient care. Many of the problems stem from the decision, made under the previous Administration, to cut the number of training places. This year, 16,873 student nurses are expected to start training—the highest figure for six years. If nurse training since 1992 had matched the current level, there could now be an extra 11,000 nurses available in the NHS today.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was spent on agency nurses in each year between 1979 and 1999. [67377]

  Mr. Denham
  The table contains data outlining the expenditure on nurses not employed directly by the National Health Service for the years 1987–88 to 1997–88. Information on the cost of nurses not employed directly by the NHS prior to 1987–88 is not available.

  Year

  Expenditure 1997–98 prices (£)

  1997–98

  216,338,567

  1996–97

  196,475,548

  1995–96

  176,296,636

  346

  Year

  Expenditure 1997–98 prices (£)

  1994–95

  144,526,300

  1993–94

  116,764,528

  1992–93

  115,750,219

  1991–92

  121,044,540

  1990–91

  149,647,856

  1189–90

  180,869,011

  1988–89

  164,858,723

  1987–88

  142,003,654

  Note:

  The 1997–98 figure is provisional.

  Source:

  1. Annual financial returns of NHS trusts, 1991–92 to 1997–98.

  2. Annual financial returns of health authorities, 1996–97 and 1997–98.

  3. Annual financial returns of district and regional health authorities and the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals, 1991–92 to 1995–96.

  4. Annual accounts of district and regional health authorities and the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals, 1987–88 to 1990–91.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was spent by the NHS in 1997 and 1998 to recruit nurses, broken down by health authority. [67376]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to tackle the shortage of nurses; and how much this action has cost, broken down by project, over the last year. [67382]

  Mr. Denham
  We have agreed the best, real terms pay rise for nurses for 10 years, backed with a £100 million allocation from the Modernisation Fund. On 1 February, a high profile, multi-media nurse recruitment campaign was launched. This builds on the £50 million package which was announced last September to expand part-time training places, target enrolled nurses to retrain and return to the National Health Service (2,700 over the next three years) and widen access to training and support existing NHS staff to become qualified nurses (200 staff this year and 1,000 in the following three years). In addition, an extra £4 million was allocated in 1998–99 specifically to support "return to practice" initiatives on getting former nurses back to the NHS.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of UK trained nurses who are of working age and who are currently not working as nurses. [67383]

  Mr. Denham
  Analysis of the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Register suggests that up to 140,000 qualified nurses, under 55 years old, are not working as nurses.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce more family friendly employment practices for nurses. [67379]

  Mr. Denham
  The Human Resources Framework (Health Service Circular 1998/162) is a major step forward in our drive to meet the aspirations of both staff and employers in the provision of flexible employment policies and working practices to reconcile work and
  347
  family life. Work being undertaken by the Government's Women's Unit, and the development of a series of resource packs, aims to share innovation, good practice and support their local implementation.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list each of the research projects(a) conducted and (b) sponsored by his Department into the health implications of genetically modified food. [72526]

  Ms Jowell
  None by this Department. However, colleagues in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food sponsor research on food safety generally, including genetically modified foods.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish his response to the findings of the report, "A Survey of Multiple Sclerosis Provision in England 1998–99", published by the Association for Quality Care in Health. [66061]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: Under the present system it is for health authorities and general practitioners to plan the services for people in their care, taking into account the needs of the local population and the priorities set for the use of available resources. The move to new commissioning arrangements will bring about improvements in services for people with conditions like multiple sclerosis. Longer term agreements, reflecting dialogue between clinicians and focusing on health improvement will increase the emphasis on programmes of care that cross the traditional boundaries to meet patient's needs best.

  Nurse Recruitment Hotline
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of(a) the number of inquiries to the Nursing Recruitment Hotline since its inception and (b) the number of nursing vacancies in the NHS for each month since May 1997. [69785]

  Mr. Denham
  As at 23 February 1999, the number of inquiries to the National Health Service telephone response line for the national nursing recruitment campaign was 36,515. Based on various figures from various sources, there are probably in the region of 9,000 vacancies lasting three months or longer.

  Nurses (Herefordshire)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the current number of fully-trained nurses in hospitals in Herefordshire. [70741]

  Mr. Denham
  There are currently (as of 10 February 1999) 360 trained nurses in post in Herefordshire Acute Hospitals, and 18 vacancies. In Herefordshire Community Hospitals there are currently 48 funded posts and 3 vacancies.

  Source:
  Herefordshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

  Primary Care Groups (Derbyshire)
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many chief executives of primary health care groups have been appointed in South Derbyshire and North Derbyshire; [71434]

  (2) what is the annual cost to South Derbyshire and North Derbyshire Health Authorities of employing the chief executives for the primary health care groups in their area. [71436]

  Mr. Denham
  Within North and Southern Derbyshire health authorities there are a total of ten primary care groups. Each of these will have a chief executive whose salary will be approved by the Health Authority's Remuneration Committee.

  To date, seven chief executives have been appointed. National guidance gave a framework for salaries ranging between £34,000–50,000.

  All these costs will be met within the funds released by the closure of the general practitioner fundholding scheme.

  Winter Pressures
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much extra money was provided to the NHS in the Mersey region in connection with the 1998 winter pressures; and how and where it was spent. [71306]

  Mr. Denham
  £12.2 million was made available from winter pressure funds and management cost savings to the National Health Service in the Merseyside and Cheshire area (within the former Mersey Regional Health Authority boundary) to help cope with winter pressures. The tables show the purposes for which and the health authorities to whom it was allocated.

  Purpose of allocation

  £000

  Avoiding inappropriate admissions

  780

  Improved hospital care of emergencies

  3,820

  Intensive care

  700

  Facilitating hospital discharge

  2,860

  Community care

  2,250

  Maintaining elective activity

  1,280

  Other

  530

  Health authority allocation

  £000

  Liverpool

  2,740

  North Cheshire

  1,400

  Sefton

  1,260

  South Cheshire

  2,220

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  1,530

  Wirral

  3,070

  Patients (Nationality)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what records the NHS maintains of the nationality of patients. [71095]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service does not routinely maintain records of the nationality of patients.

  AIDS
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the amounts of funding provided, by each authority area, for AIDS support for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; [72308]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the allocation of the AIDS support grant for 1999–2000. [72309]

  Ms Jowell
  The level of AIDS Support Grant to local authorities for 1999–2000 will be £15.5 million (an increase of almost 12 per cent. on 1998–99) and the planning figures for 2000–01 and 2001–02 are £16 million and £16.5 million respectively. We expect to announce the 1999–2000 AIDS Support Grant allocations to local authorities shortly.

  Information on the amounts of funding provided, by each authority area, for AIDS Support Grant for 1997–98 and 1998–99 has been placed in the Library.

  Schizophrenia
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data he has collated as to how many people discharged from hospital following a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses and subsequently taken by the police under the Mental Health Act 1983 to hospital have been refused admission in the last year for which figures are available. [72580]

  Mr. Hutton
  This information is not available centrally. However, the Department has commissioned the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Research Unit to co-ordinate a programme of research into the use of the Mental Health Act 1983. The research will consider in detail variations in use, assessment and the decision-making process, and analysis of existing data sets. Interim reports will be made available to the expert group undertaking the first phase of the review into mental health legislation. The final reports are due to be made available to the Department on 31 December 1999.

  Carers
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to establish a national register of carers for the elderly; [72150]

  (2) what guidance his Department has issued on recommended procedures for ensuring a high standard of care when employing a carer for an elderly relative; [72151]

  (3) what vetting procedures and guidelines his Department recommends are required with regard to the employment of carers for the elderly. [72152]

  Mr. Hutton
  In 1993 the Social Services Inspectorate published "Developing Quality Standards for Home Support Services" which was sent to all social services authorities and made available to the independent sector.

  The Social Services White Paper, "Modernising Social Services", included a commitment to introducing a regulatory framework for domiciliary care for the first time. This framework will include legally enforceable standards for registered domiciliary care providers arid included in this will be procedures for the vetting and recruitment of care staff.
  350
  The White Paper also included proposals to establish the General Social Care Council. The purpose of the Council is to increase the protection of all service users, their carers and the general public. It will have a registration function based on the successful completion of approved training. The first task of the new Council will be to draw up enforceable codes of conduct and practice for all social care staff.

  The General Social Care Council will draw up a code of practice for employers that will set out the need for employers to have sound recruitment practices to prevent unsuitable people from entering the workforce. This code will be enforced through the registration and inspection of services.

  Caesarean Sections
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many caesarean sections took place in each of the last five years in England; and what they were in each year as a percentage of all deliveries. [72540]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information about the percentage of deliveries by caesarean section in England over the last 5 years is contained in the table.

  Year

  Estimated number of caesarean sections

  Percentage of deliveries by caesarean section

  1992–93

  86,200

  13.8

  1993–94

  93,000

  15.0

  1994–95

  93,500

  15.5

  1995–96

  94,800

  116

  1996–97

  101,000

  117

  1 Provisional figures pending further work to validate data.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (Maternity)

  Department of Health: Statistics Division SD2B

  Diesel Engine Emissions
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on health of a reduction in the use of diesel engines in urban areas. [71110]

  Ms Jowell
  Diesel engines are a major source of particles, particularly in urban areas and especially when air quality is poor. Particles have serious effects on health. The Report on the "Quantification of Health Effects of Air Pollution in the United Kingdom" published in 1998 by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) estimated that up to 8,100 people who are already very ill have their deaths brought forward each year in urban Great Britain as a result of exposure to particles and that they are also responsible for up to 10,500 admissions to hospital for respiratory conditions. A proportion of these will be the result of exposure to particles from motor vehicles and from diesel. The measures set out in the review of the United Kingdom National Air Quality Strategy published last month, including the agreement in Europe for tighter limits on vehicle emissions and improved fuel quality under the Auto Oil programme, will lead to reductions in levels of particles in the UK.
  351
  The relative merits of petrol-driven cars and light vehicles over diesel equivalents in urban areas was discussed at a meeting of COMEAP on 19 February and a full statement on this subject will be issued by the Committee shortly. In arriving at a conclusion, the Committee was unable to take account of the indirect effects of vehicle-generated air pollutants on health, such as climate change; it is also based on current knowledge and recognises that future technological improvements may mean the position will need to be reassessed at some future date. Nevertheless, it concluded that because of the damage to health from particles, at the present time petrol vehicles would be preferred to diesel where the majority of a vehicles' journeys take place in urban areas.

  Internet Connections
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the costs to(a) the Government, (b) hospitals and GPs' surgeries and (c) local authorities, of connections to the Internet for hospitals and GPs' surgeries to date; [71987]

  (2) which companies have carried out connections to the Internet for (a) hospitals and (b) GPs' surgeries free of installation charges; how many connections have been made in each case; and if he will publish the terms under which such connections have been made; [71991]

  (3) how many and what percentage of (a) hospitals and (b) GPs' surgeries have been connected to the Internet free of installation charge to date; [71989]

  (4) what steps he is taking to monitor the terms under which free connections to the Internet for hospitals and GPs' surgeries are being made; and if he will make a statement; [71992]

  (5) what is the average (a) capital and (b) annual running cost per link to the Internet for (i) hospitals and (ii) GPs' surgeries; and if he will estimate the range within which such costs fall. [71986]

  Ms Jowell
  Direct connection to the Internet by hospitals and general practitioners' surgeries is a matter for individual agreement between the National Health Service user and the Internet service provider. No information is collected or held centrally on the number of capital and running costs of such links.

  A secure route to the Internet is available for hospitals and GPs' surgeries through the NHS's own intranet, NHSnet, and the additional cost of this service is between £340 and £400 a year for each NHS organisation. The costs of these connections are met by the individual NHS user organisations.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many times he has met representatives of BT to discuss Internet connections to hospitals and GPs' surgeries; [71988]

  (2) what representations he has received from (a) BT, (b) other service providers, (c) hospitals and GPs' surgeries and (d) local authorities on Internet connections. [71990]

  Ms Jowell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met representatives of British Telecom to discuss Internet connections to hospitals and general practitioners'352
  surgeries, nor has he received representations from BT, other service providers, hospitals and GPs' surgeries or local authorities on Internet connections.

  Mental Health Services
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will(a) list the (i) number of working groups currently considering a national framework for mental health services and (ii) the names of those serving on each group and (b) state how many members of the (1) Black and (2) other ethnic minority communities are on each group. [72283]

  Mr. Hutton
  There were eight sub-groups contributing to the development of the National Service Framework for Mental Health. A list of the individuals is in the table. Individual members were not asked about their ethnic or cultural background, but they reflect a wide range of interests, experience and expertise, including those from a black and minority ethnic group perspective.Sub-group 1

  Professor Graham Thornicroft

  Ms June McKerrow

  Dr. David Melzer

  Dr. Jenny Bywaters

  Ms Sue Gallagher

  Mr. Gary Hogman

  Mr. Hari Sewell

  Mr. Eddie Kane

  Professor Glynn Harrison

  Sub-group 2

  Dr. Huw Lloyd

  Dr. Lynne Friedli

  Professor David Kingdon

  Mr. Tony Russell

  Mr. Robert McLean

  Mr. Phil Draper

  Dr. Alan Cohen

  Dr. Geraldine Strathdee

  Dr. Andree Tylee

  Sub-group 3

  Ms Marion Beeforth

  Ms Bernadette Collins

  Ms Pat Guinan

  Dr. Robert Dolan

  Ms Geraldine White

  Ms Pearl Baker

  Dr. Eleanor Cole

  Professor Glenys Parry

  Professor Jan Scott

  Dr. Janet Parrott

  Sub-group 4

  Mr. Cliff Prior

  Dr. Sarah Davenport

  Ms Madeleine Drake

  Mr. Bill Kilgallon

  Ms Cathy Ormston

  Ms Ruth Dixon

  Dr. Frank Holloway

  Dr. Elizabeth Kuipers

  Mr. Derry Murphy

  353
  Sub-group 5

  Dr. Paul Lelliott

  Ms Judi Clements

  Ms Margaret Pedler

  Mr. Tom Sandford

  Ms Ethna Kilduff

  Roberta Graley

  Ms Karen Campbell

  Professor Peter Huxley

  Dr. Sonia Johnson

  Professor Peter Tyrerl

  Mrs. Susan Knight

  Sub-group 6

  Mr. Don Brand

  Ms Cath Cunningham

  Ms Jeni Bremner

  Ms Jane MacKay

  Professor Martin Knapp

  Professor Geoff Shepherd

  Professor Louis Appleby

  Professor Tom Burns

  Sub-group 7

  Mr. Chris Heginbotham

  Ms Julia Essex

  Mr. Martin Barkley

  Mr. David Joaniddes

  Dr. Edward Peck

  Mr. Charles Waddicor

  Ms Veronica Dewan

  Ms Fiona Wise

  Dr. Simon Baugh

  Dr. Julie Hollyman

  Sub-group 8

  Dr. Matt Muijen

  Ms Jenny Bernard

  Ms Judy Croton

  Mr. David Burchell

  Ms Kay Beaumont

  Professor Kevin Gourney

  Dr. Robert Kendell

  Ms Mary Nettle

  Ms Marjorie Wallace

  Ms Premila Trivedi.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many members of the group currently considering a review of the Mental Health Act are members of(a) Black and (b) other ethnic minority communities. [72284]

  Mr. Hutton
  The twelve members of the expert group undertaking the first phase of the review of the Mental Health Act 1983 were appointed on the basis of their expertise in key areas rather than because they represent particular organisations. However, one expert group member is African.

  Showa Denko
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the NHS purchases drugs from Showa Denko. [72695]

  Ms Jowell
  We are not aware of the National Health Service purchasing any drugs from Showa Denko.

  Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of the alleged linkage of L-tryptophan to Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome; [72702]

  (2) how many Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome sufferers there are in the UK; and if he will estimate the number who contracted it from L-tryptophan; [72686]

  (3) what information he has collated on genetically modified L-tryptophan. [72685]

  Ms Jowell
  There is no system of mandatory notification in the United Kingdom of cases of Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome (EMS) and no central register. Cases of EMS are thought to occur only in association with exposure to L-tryptophan. There were 11 possible cases reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines by 1991, and there have been 7 possible cases subsequent to the reintroduction of Optimax in 1994, although a causal relationship for these cases has not been established. Several of the cases do not meet the internationally agreed definition of Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome. It is not known how many of these patients continue to have symptoms: several of the patients recovered completely after stopping their medicine.

  EMS was first recognised as a condition in late-1989. There was extensive investigation into the association between EMS and L-tryptophan by the Medicines Control Agency at that time and the issue was considered in detail by the Committee on Safety of Medicines. It is considered likely that the reported cases of EMS were caused by an impurity or contaminant in L-tryptophan made by a single manufacturer in Japan.

  The assessment then and subsequently included review of the worldwide published literature, examination of data submitted by the manufacturers of L-tryptophan and involved liaison with other regulatory authorities in Europe and the USA. In addition, there has been continuing evaluation of individual cases of adverse reactions reported in the United Kingdom under the Yellow Card scheme and via a monitoring scheme operated by the Marketing Authorisation Holder.

  L-tryptophan is a simple chemical which cannot be modified genetically. As for all medicines made using biotechnology methods, all the steps taken in the manufacturing process are carefully controlled and have to comply with the specifications stipulated in the marketing authorisation (licence) for the product. All the relevant information is made available by the manufacturers and assessed by the Medicines Control Agency at the time of submission of an application for marketing authorisation and may be subject to ongoing site inspections.

  Chronic Illnesses
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the 20 most prevalent chronic illnesses in terms of numbers of known sufferers. [72718]

  Mr. Hutton
  Hospital episode statistics record diagnostic information for those people admitted to hospital. Information is recorded using the international classification of diseases (ICD10). There is no category in this classification for "chronic illnesses".

  Hip Replacements
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average age of people receiving hip replacement operations. [72716]

  Mr. Hutton
  In 1997–98 the average age was 68.

  Mesothelioma
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the claims that SV40 virus is linked to Mesothelioma; and what estimates his Department has made of the future number of Mesothelioma sufferers. [72710]

  Ms Jowell
  This matter has been carefully considered by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the Government's independent expert advisory committee. Concern about the possible impact of Simian Virus 40 on the human population was raised in the early 1960s. SV40 was found in some inactivated polio vaccines produced in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Since the discovery of SV40 in 1960 it has been stipulated that all viruses in addition to poliovirus in inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), should be inactivated. When live oral polio vaccine (OPV) became available in 1962, it also had to be free of all known viruses (other than the three polio viruses the vaccine protects against). All the relevant samples of OPV in the UK repository, going back to 1966, have been checked by the National Institute for Biological 356
  Standards and Control and no infectious SV40 virus was detected. Currently used vaccines are rigorously checked to ensure their safety and efficacy and are free of SV40.

  Although SV40 has been isolated from some human tumours, there is no evidence that SV40 virus is causing the tumours. Research studies in people who received SV40 contaminated IPV have found no increase in cancers when compared with people who did not receive contaminated IPV. The JCVI agreed with the conclusions of these studies.

  Professor Julian Peto and colleagues have recently completed epidemiological research which was published in the British Journal of Cancer this year. They estimated that the number of men dying from mesothelioma in Western Europe will almost double over the next 20 years from 5,000 in 1998 to about 9,000 in 2018. For Britain, the predicted annual deaths from mesothelioma in years 2015–19 is 1,750, almost twice the current rate. This is around 6 per cent. of the current 30,000 lung cancer deaths annually. Mesothelioma rates are a quantitative indicator of the population's past exposure—mainly occupational—to asbestos.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds there are per 1,000 of the population in(a) Cumbria and (b) England. [72689]

  Mr. Denham
  The most recent available data are for the financial year 1997–98. In that year the average daily number of available beds per 1,000 of the population in (a) Cumbria was 4.32 and (b) England was 3.93.

  Coalfield Communities
  Coalfield Communities
  Victim Support
  Victim Support
  HM Prison Coldingley
  HM Prison Coldingley
  Women Offenders: Sentencing
  Women Offenders: Sentencing
  Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester
  Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester
  Mothers in Prison
  Mothers in Prison
  Deportation: Families with Children
  Deportation: Families with Children
  NATO Summit: Washington
  NATO Summit: Washington
  Iraq: US Policy
  Iraq: US Policy
  Nigeria: Support for Electoral Process
  Nigeria: Support for Electoral Process
  Submarines and Mine Clearance Diving: Employment of Women
  Submarines and Mine Clearance Diving: Employment of Women
  Land Command Order of Battle
  Land Command Order of Battle
  Muslim Children in Care
  Muslim Children in Care
  Less Favoured Areas
  Less Favoured Areas
  BSE Inquiry
  BSE Inquiry
  India and Pakistan: Aid and Compliance with Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
  India and Pakistan: Aid and Compliance with Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty