Written Answers of 25 February 1999

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Departmental Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what changes he proposes to make to his Department's cash limits and running costs for 1998–99. [71118]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class X, Vote 1 will be increased by £468,000 from £885,816,000 to £886,284,000.

  This is to enable the Tate Gallery to use the proceeds of £1,900,000 from the sale of its store at Acton to finance the remaining conversion works at their new store at Southwark and the relocation of library and archive facilities to Millbank; to provide for increases in provision of £97,000 for the Public Lending Right to maintain the rate per loan at 2.07 pence; £215,000 for works on occupied Royal Palaces and state monuments in line with end year flexibility as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36; £80,000 to English Heritage and £135,000 to the Royal Parks for the costs associated with public consultation on a memorial garden for the late Diana, Princess of Wales; £23,000 to the Library and Information Commission for the cost of movement of transfer values for staff into the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme; £120,000 and £450,000 in gross running costs for the transfer of provisions for refunds of VAT on contracted out services from net receipts to Appropriations in Aid; to provide for a reimbursement of £189,000 on payments made to the Inland Revenue for assets accepted in lieu of tax; to provide for a transfer of £15,000 from the Inland Revenue for services provided by the Museums and Galleries Commission on pre-eminent quality testing and to provide for a reduction of £97,000 in the requirement for the Department's contribution to the Council of Europe's Audiovisual Eureka in Brussels and the European Audiovisual Observatory in Strasbourg.

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

  Internet (Public Libraries)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport at what cost to(a) the Government, (b) libraries and (c) local authorities, connections to the Internet for public libraries have been made. [72083]
  358
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]: The Government have pledged £70 million of National Lottery funding to train public library staff and create digitised material which will support the development of the Public Libraries Network. In addition, £6 million of pump-priming investment in the network infrastructure is being provided over two years (1998–99 and 1999–2000) through the DCMS/Wolfson Challenge Fund. Information on the costs incurred by libraries and local authorities is not held centrally.

  Speedway
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received about the broadcasting of speedway events. [73114]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have received three representations on this subject since May 1997.

  Turner Collection of Scientific Manuscripts
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the whereabouts of the Turner Collection of scientific manuscripts. [73115]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Following Keele University's sale of the Turner collection, the exact present location of the collection is unknown. The disposal raises important issues about the future operation of the export licence system, which I am now considering.

  Centre for Young Musicians
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received about the future funding of the Centre for Young Musicians; and if he will make a statement. [73113]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have received several representations, each from the Centre for Young Musicians, regarding future funding. Government funding for the Centre is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

  Talk Radio
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to enable Talk Radio to become a member of the European Broadcasting Union. [73246]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  This is entirely a matter for the European Broadcasting Union.

  National Minimum Wage (Tourism Industry)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received regarding the effect of the national minimum wage on the tourism industry. [71614]

  Janet Anderson
  I have received representations on this subject from a number of companies and associations in the tourism, hospitality and leisure industry. I understand the Low Pay Commission (LPC) had a good and productive dialogue with many representatives of the
  359
  tourism industry. This is reflected in the recommendations the LPC made. All the industry's major representative organisations were included in the recent consultation exercise about the draft regulations which will implement the National Minimum Wage.

  Brit Awards
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those Ministers in his Department who were present at the recent Brit Awards in an official capacity, indicating the organisation acting as their sponsor or host. [73495]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting and I attended as guests of the British Phonographic Industry.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many planning applications for the sale of school playing fields have(a) been considered and (b) been objected to by the Sports Council since 1 January. [70980]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: Since 1 January 1999 the English Sports Council has considered 26 planning applications in respect of school playing fields and objected in 6 cases.

  Rank/Grade

  Complement December 1995

  Complement December 1996

  Complement December 1997

  Complement December 1998

  Actual December 1998

  ACC

  1

  1

  1

  1

  11

  Superintendent

  12

  12

  12

  11

  11

  Chief Inspector

  25

  26

  26

  26

  26

  Inspector

  10

  10

  10

  10

  16

  Sergeant

  9

  9

  9

  9

  10

  Constable

  9

  9

  9

  9

  16

  EO1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  EO2

  —

  3

  3

  3

  2

  AO

  —

  9

  9

  9

  9

  AA

  11

  12

  12

  12

  11

  Pers Secretary

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Typing Manager

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Typists

  10

  10

  11

  11

  11

  Total

  66 2(X)

  103

  103

  104

  3115

  1 Also covers B Department

  2Figures for the civilian staff complement are not readily available.

  3Includes officers temporarily seconded to assist with particular investigations.

  Action for Community Employment
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Action for Community Employment worker posts are attached to pre-school playgroups in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on future funding for ACE workers employed by pre-school playgroups. [71489]

  Mr. Ingram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  RUC (Complaints and Discipline Department)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate for each of the last four years for which figures are available the principal items of expenditure from the total annual budget of the Complaints and Discipline Department of the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and how many officers and staff were employed and at what salary grades. [69656]

  Mr. Ingram
  The main expenditure for the Complaints and Discipline Department of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is on staff costs. Other expenditure would include accommodation and supplies e.g. Stationery, and are dealt with on a force-wide basis.

  The personnel costs for both police and civilian support staff are estimated as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1997–98

  4.5

  1998–99

  4.8

  Note:

  Costs for the previous two years are not readily available.

  The personnel costs include salaries, allowances and ERNI.

  The numbers and grades of officers and support staff are as follows:

  Letter from Ian Walters to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 23 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your question about pre-school playgroups supported through the Action for Community Employment (ACE) programme.
  At 31 December 1998, the latest date for which figures are available, 118 ACE schemes were delivering programmes for children aged under 5, the majority of which were playgroups. The number of ACE participants directly involved with these schemes was 444.

  361
  The Minister, Mr. McFall, has set up a dedicated team of officials drawn from the Training and Employment Agency, the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Education. The team is undertaking a survey of the contribution which existing schemes currently make to their local communities.
  The team is also providing advice and assistance to ACE schemes which decide to make the transition to New Deal and the replacement for ACE, Worktrain. ACE schemes are being encouraged to become involved in the delivery of these new programmes so that their expertise is not lost and they can continue to serve the community. Approximately one third of ACE schemes are already members of the consortia which are delivering New Deal.
  I hope that you find this information useful.

  £

  Department

  Land and buildings

  Vehicles plan and machinery

  Furniture and equipment

  Total

  NIO

  Department

  362,000

  —

  —

  362,000

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland

  —

  —

  109

  109

  Juvenile Justice Board

  —

  735

  —

  735

  Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland

  —

  —

  36

  36

  Northern Ireland Prison Service

  1,400,000

  6,330

  —

  1,406,330

  Police Authority for Northern Ireland

  377,000

  752,985

  —

  1,129,985

  DANI

  Rivers Agency

  —

  177,967

  —

  177,967

  Forest Service

  425,596

  32,963

  —

  458,559

  Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority

  12,000

  —

  —

  12,000

  Fisheries Conservancy Board

  —

  2,000

  —

  2,000

  Breen Farm

  14,000

  —

  —

  14,000

  Livestock and Meat Commission

  580,000

  —

  —

  580,000

  Agri-Food Development Service

  740,000

  27,505

  —

  767,505

  DED

  DED HQ and IDB

  8,654,000

  8,000

  —

  8,662,000

  Training and Employment Agency

  2,000,000

  38,000

  36,000

  2,074,000

  Industrial Research Technology Unit

  10,000

  1,000

  —

  11,000

  Ulster Sheltered Employment Ltd.

  —

  —

  6,000

  6,000

  Enterprise Ulster

  —

  —

  2,000

  2,000

  Construction Industry Training Board

  —

  —

  14,000

  14,000

  DFD

  —

  2,500

  —

  2,500

  DHSS

  Core Department

  2,592,000

  —

  10,000

  2,602,000

  Social Security Agency

  —

  —

  1,000

  1,000

  Health and Social Services Trust

  No breakdown available

  321,000

  Northern Ireland Services Agency for the Health and Social Services

  No breakdown available

  8,000

  Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service

  No breakdown available

  5,000

  DOE

  Core Department

  3,196,137

  —

  —

  3,196,137

  Water Service

  690,715

  390,784

  —

  1,081,499

  Roads Service

  604,715

  98,391

  —

  703,106

  Environment and Heritage Service

  —

  7,879

  —

  7,879

  Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

  —

  200

  —

  200

  Rate Collection Agency

  —

  650

  1,139

  1,789

  Fire Authority of Northern Ireland

  —

  39,770

  461

  40,231

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  123,998,000

  4,000

  —

  124,002,000

  Laganside Corporation

  1,235,000

  —

  —

  1,235,000

  Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company

  3,350,533

  26,000

  —

  3,376,533

  Total

  152,264,100

  Departmental Asset Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the items sold by her Department, its agencies and associated public bodies from those listed in the National Assets Register of November 1997; if he will give in each case the amount of money realised; if she will estimate the total cash raised from such sales to date; and if she will make a statement. [704171

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information is not readily available in the format requested (by item). The following information was available from the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments, with the exception of The Department of Education for Northern Ireland who could answer the question only at disproportionate cost.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what directions she has given to her officials in the Road Service of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland to comply with best practice with regard to the needs of disabled people in the implementation of pedestrianisation in Belfast; [70723]

  (2) what steps she is taking to ensure that the standards with regard to vehicular access for disabled people to the centre of Belfast match those recommended by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions; [70721]

  (3) what representations she has received from the Disabled Drivers Association regarding the proposals for pedestrianisation of parts of central Belfast; and what plans she has to meet representatives of the association. [70722]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W. S. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from W. J. McCoubrey to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 18 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to respond to your 3 recently tabled Parliamentary Questions about the Department's proposals to restrict vehicular access to Belfast city centre.
  First, you asked what steps the Secretary of State is taking to ensure that the standards with regard to vehicular access for disabled people to the centre of Belfast match those recommended by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). Whilst the DETR has not published standards with regard to vehicular access, guidelines are contained in its Local Transport Note 1/87, "Getting the Right Balance". I can confirm that the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has taken these guidelines into account when formulating its proposals for Belfast city centre.
  Secondly, you asked what directions the Secretary of State has given to Roads Service officials to comply with the best practice with regard to the needs of disabled people in implementing the Department's proposals for restricting vehicular access to the city centre. The Secretary of State has not given any directions to officials on this matter. However, 2 Departmental Ministers were involved in the consultations between the Department and groups representing the disabled prior to the formal publication of the proposals.
  Thirdly, you asked what representations the Secretary of State has received from The Disabled Drivers' Association regarding the Department's proposals and what plans she has to meet representatives of the Association. The Disabled Drivers' Association wrote to the Secretary of State on 13 January 1999 asking her to examine the Department's proposals and to meet representatives of the Association to discuss the matter. In her reply, the Secretary of State advised that she was aware of the Department's proposals and indicated that the forthcoming public inquiry (to be held on 23 February 1999) will provide an ideal opportunity for all interested parties to air their views about the Departments proposals. The Secretary of State has no plans to meet representatives of the Association.
  I trust the above information is helpful.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 11 January 1999,Official Report, column 1, if she will list the expenditure not included in her answer incurred (a) by
  364
  task forces and review bodies, (b) by focus groups, (c) on market research and (d) for publications and publicity; and if she will list the bodies which incurred the expenditure. [71029]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information for the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:

  £

  Market Research

  Publications/Publicity

  (a) Task Forces and Review Bodies

  NIO

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Review

  0

  6,480

  NI Drugs Strategy Review

  20,497

  2,190

  Independent Commission on Policing

  0

  33,782

  Criminal Justice Review Group

  14,000

  8,000

  DED

  Review of Training Centres and FE Colleges in NI

  16.000

  7,341

  DENI

  Youth Service Policy Review Group

  8,460

  24,471

  DHSS

  Policy Development and Review Unit

  0

  1,089

  (b) Focus Groups

  DED

  Organisation of the Unemployed (New Deal Focus Group)

  1,260

  0

  NI Euro Preparations Forum

  0

  301

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 11 January 1999,Official Report, column 1, if she will list the expenditure not included in her answer incurred by (a) her agencies and non-departmental public bodies and (b) the Central Office of Information for relevant work carried out for her Department. [71028]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  (a) The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:

  Amount (£)

  Public Opinion Research1

  295,350

  Television radio newspaper advertising2

  5,140,390

  Direct mail3

  413,146

  1 The information for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  2 Includes a figure for the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, which was not previously available.

  3 The information for the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  All figures exclude the Department of Health and Social Services and the Education and Library Boards as the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  (b) £20,734 on media monitoring for the Northern Ireland Information Service.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list in real terms the annual percentage change in spending in Northern Ireland between 1996–97 and 2001–02 on(a) education, (b) health, (c) transport, (d) housing, (e) police and (f) local government. [71398]
  365
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information requested is contained in the following table:

  Annual percentage change in expenditure on previous year in real terms1

  Estimated

  Plans

  Outturn 1997–98

  outturn 1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–2001

  2001–2002

  (a) Education (including Culture & Recreation)

  -0.9

  0.3

  3.2

  4.2

  1.4

  (b) Health (including Personal Social Services)

  4.2

  3.4

  2.5

  4

  2.6

  (c) Transport (including Roads)

  -4.9

  2.2

  -6.3

  -0.3

  3.4

  (d) Housing

  -6.2

  -13.8

  -3.2

  -3.6

  -1.8

  (e) Police2

  1.3

  -3.8

  -2.5

  -3.8

  -2.9

  (f) Local Government3

  -8

  3

  -2.5

  0.3

  0.9

  1 Adjusted by GDP deflator series. Figures exclude the "ring-fenced" allocations for Welfare to Work, Chancellor's Initiative and EU Peace and Reconciliation programme.

  2 Police Authority for Northern Ireland (PANI) Grant.

  3 Central Government support to District Councils. Excludes local authority self-financed expenditure.

  Pedestrianisation (Belfast)
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many objections her Department has received to the proposed pedestrianisation of parts of Belfast; from whom they have been received; and what are the main grounds for objection put forward by each objector; [71552]

  (2) what instructions she has given her officials in the Roads Service of the Department of the Environment in respect of requests for meetings from organisations of disabled people to discuss the access needs of disabled people in the implementation of pedestrianisation in Belfast. [71554]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W. J. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from W. J. McCoubrey to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 22 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to respond to your two recently tabled Parliamentary Questions about the Department's proposals to restrict vehicular access to Belfast city centre.
  First, you asked what instructions the Secretary of State has given to officials in Roads Service in respect of requests for meetings from organisations representing disabled people to discuss the access needs of disabled people in implementing the Department's proposals. The Secretary of State has not given any such instructions. In the 3-year period prior to publication of the Department's proposals Departmental officials held a number of meetings with organisations representing disabled people in an endeavour to reach agreement. The Minister, Lord Dubs, and his predecessor each attended one of these meetings.
  Secondly, you asked the Secretary of State how many objections her Department has received to the Department's proposals; who they have been received from; and what are the main grounds for objection put forward by each objector. The Department published its Notice of Intention to make the proposed legislation restricting vehicular access to Belfast city centre on 17 June 1998, allowing 28 days for objections and other representations. During the prescribed period 31 objections and 6 letters containing general comments were received. Since then a further 43 representations have been submitted. The objections have been received from a wide range of organisations and individuals, including political representatives. The main ground for objection is that the Department's proposed legislation does not include an exemption to
  366
  permit Orange Badge holders to drive into and park in the streets within the pedestrian priority area. Other grounds for objection are that:
  taxis will not be allowed access to the city centre;
  the proposed seating and shelter provision for disabled people within the pedestrian priority area is inadequate;
  other modes of access to the city centre do not exist;
  parking spaces have not been set aside for the exclusive use of Shopmobility Belfast users;
  the distance between the proposed disabled parking bays and the shops is too great;
  an alternative 2-tier Orange Badge system is required to cater for the needs of people who are disabled and those who are more profoundly disabled;
  an overall review of the Orange Badge system is required.
  I trust the above information is helpful.

  New Deal
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many New Deal places have been offered in Northern Ireland, broken down by industry; and how many have been taken up in each month to date. [71412]

  Mr. Ingram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Mr. Malcolm Moss, dated 23 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training & Employment Agency to reply to your question on New Deal.
  The latest information available on the numbers of Employment Option vacancies offered by employers and placements, broken down by industry, are shown in the attached table. Out of the total of 1,749 vacancies 784 have been filled and decisions are awaited from employers on 1,800 submissions. (A submission is the referral of one New Deal participant for one vacancy. New Deal participants are often submitted for more than one vacancy).
  In addition, 1,668 New Deal participants had moved into unsubsidised jobs.
  Information on the uptake of Employment Option vacancies by sector each month is not currently available. A new computer system is being installed which will make this information more readily available.
  367

  Employment option vacancies and placements by sector

  Vacancies

  Placements

  Agriculture and Horticulture

  91

  62

  Forestry

  1

  1

  Fishing

  2

  —

  Mineral Oil Processing

  1

  —

  Production and Distribution of Electricity/Gas/Other Forms of Energy

  15

  13

  Water Supply Industry

  2

  —

  Metal Manufacturing

  10

  5

  Extraction of Minerals NES

  3

  1

  Manufacture of Nonmetallic Mineral Product

  31

  12

  Chemical Industry

  9

  5

  Production of Man-made Fibres

  4

  1

  Manufacture of Metal Goods NES

  18

  4

  Mechanical Engineering

  47

  18

  Manufacture of Office Machinery and DP Equipment

  15

  6

  Electrical and Electronic Engineering

  54

  25

  Manufacture of Motor Vehicles and Parts Thereof

  26

  16

  Manufacture of Other Transport Equipment

  4

  1

  Instrument Engineering

  4

  2

  Food/Drink/Tobacco/Manufacturing Industries

  50

  20

  Food/Drink/Tobacco/Manufacturing Industries

  11

  6

  Textile Industry

  40

  11

  Manufacture of Leather and Leather Goods

  1

  —

  Footwear and Clothing Industries

  24

  10

  Timber and Wooden Furniture Industries

  36

  18

  Manufacture Paper and Paper Products, Printing/Publishing

  39

  19

  Processing of Rubber and Plastics

  9

  4

  Other Manufacturing Industries

  13

  5

  Construction

  190

  102

  Wholesale Distribution x Dealing in Scrap/Waste

  41

  23

  Dealing in Scrap and Waste Materials

  6

  2

  Commission Agents

  2

  —

  Retail Distribution

  247

  109

  Hotels and Catering

  137

  49

  Repair of Consumer Goods and Vehicles

  20

  8

  Other Inland Transport

  23

  11

  Supporting Services to Transport

  4

  2

  Miscellaneous Transport Services and Storage NES

  2

  2

  Postal Service and Telecommunications

  4

  1

  Banking and Finance

  11

  2

  Insurance x Compulsory Social Security

  7

  3

  Business Services

  106

  41

  Renting of Movables

  11

  3

  Owning and Dealing in Real Estate

  4

  1

  Public Administration/National Defence/Compulsory Social Security

  30

  9

  Sanitary Services

  24

  12

  Education

  43

  29

  Research and Development

  3

  —

  Medical and Other Health Services: Veterinary Services

  41

  12

  Other Services to the General Public

  67

  33

  Recreational Services and Other Cultural Services

  67

  23

  Personal Services

  84

  42

  Domestic Services

  15

  —

  Total

  1,749

  784

  Note:

  These figures are based on the latest information available and are subject to audit.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if all Departments are Year 2000 compliant; and if she will make a statement on the progress of the Year 2000 bug-busters in Northern Ireland. [71529]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the quarterly statements made in the House by the President of the Council. These statements cover the whole of the United Kingdom. The President of the Council is due to 368
  make a further statement in March to update the House on progress towards compliance. Information on the compliance situation in each department is laid before the House each quarter and is published on the internet.

  The take up of Year 2000 bug buster training by small and medium sized companies in Northern Ireland has, since its launch on 16 October 1998, been extremely reassuring and compares very favourably with participation levels in the rest of the United Kingdom.
  369
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Year 2000 bug-busters have successfully completed their training; and how many are currently employed to tackle the problem in Northern Ireland. [71544]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  At 15 February 1999, 883 employees of Northern Ireland companies had successfully completed bug buster training with a further 293 due to complete training by the end of February 1999. There are 6 accredited providers appointed to deliver the Government's bug buster programme Northern Ireland. Approximately 65 local companies are offering solutions to Year 2000 problems.

  Computer Science Students
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students are studying for computer science degrees in Northern Ireland colleges; and how many of these are studying(a) business information systems and (b) programming; and how many computer science degrees have been awarded in the past five years. [71560]

  Mr. McFall
  Students enrolled on first degree and postgraduate courses in Computer Science at Northern Ireland institutions 1997–98:

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  First degree

  1,006

  90

  1,096

  Postgraduate

  274

  355

  629

  Total

  1,280

  445

  1,725

  Information on the number of these students studying (a) business information systems and (b) programming is not readily available.

  Students gaining higher education qualifications in Computer Science at the Northern Ireland universities:

  1993–941

  1994–952

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Postgraduate

  n/a

  207

  3144

  333

  445

  First Degrees

  208

  220

  220

  250

  238

  1 From returns made directly by the universities which relate only to the awarding of first degrees.

  2 Information from 1994–95 onwards is taken from the Individualised Student Record collected by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

  3 In 1995–96, it appears that students receiving interim awards on linked Postgraduate Certificate, postgraduate Diploma and Masters courses were not recorded by the University of Ulster.

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will publish for the week ended Saturday 13 February the number of(a) punishment beatings and (b) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many in each category were committed by (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups; [72551]
  370
  (2) if she will publish for the week ended Saturday 13 February the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (a) Loyalist and (b) Republican groups. [72550]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the period 7 February to 13 February, there were 5 shooting incidents and 4 bombing incidents. The number of casualties as a result of paramilitary-style attacks during this period are as illustrated below:

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  Assaults

  7

  1

  Shootings

  5

  0

  Total

  12

  1

  Notes:

  1. Figures may be subject to minor amendment in the light of further information becoming available.

  2. The bombings cannot as yet be attributed to any grouping.

  3. All 5 shooting incidents relate in this instance to paramilitary-style attacks (as illustrated in the table).

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Electronic Transactions
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his progress in developing a modernised commercial regime for electronic transactions. [71606]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government are committed to developing the UK as the best place in the world for trading electronically and to helping many more small businesses exploit the opportunities of electronic commerce, with the goal of tripling the number of SMEs wired up to the digital market place from 350,000 to 1 million by 2002. The White Paper "Our Competitive Future: Building the Knowledge Drive Economy" set out a wide range of actions to help achieve these goals. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be publishing an implementation plan for the White Paper shortly.

  Social Chapter
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate his Department has made of the annual cost of the social chapter's (i) parental leave directive, (ii) works councils' directive and (iii) part time workers' directive to British business. [71607]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Impact assessments for all these measures have been presented to Parliament. European Works Councils were estimated to cost £18 million per year. Measures to implement the Parental Leave Directive are estimated to cost £36 million per year. The costs of the Part Time Work Directive are likely to be small. We expect the benefits of all these and other social partnership measures to far outweigh any costs by combating unregulated absenteeism. For example, survey evidence from the CBI suggests that the annual cost of sick absence in the UK could be as much as £25 billion.

  Insolvency
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce measures to
  371
  ensure that companies with strong potential for long-term growth are not forced into insolvency because of short-term difficulties. [71608]

  Mr. Byers
  I have recently set up a review to consider existing procedures for business rescues and what more can be done to enable fundamentally sound business to survive short-term difficulties. It will report by the end of July.

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for helping entrepreneurs whose businesses fail through no fault of their own. [71619]

  Dr. Howells
  As announced in the Competitiveness White Paper, officials are considering whether insolvency law (and particularly bankruptcy law) and practice inhibit enterprise. An initial report will be made to Ministers by the end of April 1999, which will consider what changes might be made to current law and practice.

  Science and Engineering
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for encouraging young people to enter careers in science and engineering. [71610]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government have developed and supported a wide range of initiatives:The Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology programme, to raise general awareness of these subjects.
  A unit dedicated to Promoting SET for Women.
  I recently announced £1.5 million support for the promotion of engineering, with £425,000 p.a. allocated to Quinco, the engineering community's new five year campaign.
  We continue to support SETNET which aims to ensure that information on promotional schemes for school children to consider careers in science, engineering and mathematics is accessible to teachers and potential industrial sponsors.

  Employment Relations Bill
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the impact on small businesses of the measures included in the Employment Relations Bill; and if he will make a statement. [71611]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Businesses of all sizes will benefit from the measures in the Bill. Decent minimum standards protect responsible employers from being undercut by less responsible employers. The culture of partnership we are encouraging should raise employee commitment and thus promote greater staff retention, reduced absenteeism and greater productivity.

  Offshore Wind Power
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the prospects for offshore wind power generation. [71612]

  Mr. Battle
  I launched a consultation paper on incorporating offshore wind energy into future non-fossil fuel obligation arrangements at the British Wind Energy Association's conference in Cardiff on 2 September 1998. The responses which have been received are being assessed by my officials. Meanwhile, the Crown Estate have announced the arrangements they have made with 372
  developers to undertake wind speed measurements on five potential offshore windfarm sites. I expect to launch a consultation on future new and renewable energy policy shortly.

  Transco
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response he has made to the Ofgas report into anti-competitive practices by Transco; and what measures he proposes to assist and protect public gas transporters. [71613]

  Mr. Battle
  This report is a matter for the Director General of Gas Supply, who has since made and announced an Enforcement Order on Transco. The Competition Act 1998 will from next year provide tough new powers for the investigation and prohibition of anti-competitive agreements and abuse of market power, exercisable by the sectoral regulators (including the DGGS) concurrently with the Director General of Fair Trading.

  The Government have also conducted a review of utility regulation the main conclusions of which were set out in our response to consultation, "A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation", published in July 1998. We are committed to legislating on utility reform as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

  Sports Viewing Rights
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the ownership of sports viewing rights. [71615]

  Dr. Howells
  The sale of broadcasting rights is one way in which sport can generate the income that it needs in order both to publicise and encourage participation in sport and to secure finances to help improve facilities.

  Assisted Area Status (Lancaster)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of Lancaster's application for assisted area status. [71617]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government are considering carefully the needs of all areas, including Lancaster, under the current review of the Assisted Areas.

  Parental Leave Directive
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the costs to employers of the administration of the parental leave directive. [71618]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  We have published our estimate of the costs to employers of parental leave in the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Employment Relations Bill. We will be consulting on the details of the parental leave scheme in the draft regulations which we will publish before the Summer. We aim to keep employers' administrative costs to a minimum and will make a further assessment of these when the details are settled.

  Business Regulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what deregulation or better regulations his Department plans to help businesses compete more effectively with those of other nations. [71620]

  Dr. Howells
  The Competitiveness White Paper in December set out 75 commitments to help British business compete more effectively. Specific regulatory measures include:an effective modern competition framework;
  removal of obstacles that stand in the way of electronic commerce;
  reform of telecommunications regulation; and
  seeking the removal of remaining barriers on trade in future international trade negotiations.

  Dubelle Foundation
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken to investigate the activities of the Dubelle Foundation. [71621]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department of Trade and Industry does not comment on the affairs of an individual company in relation to possible investigations.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the minimum wage on the competitiveness of British industry; and if he will make a statement. [71622]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The introduction of the national minimum wage will enable companies to compete on the basis of the quality of the goods and services they provide not just on price based on low pay. The minimum wage will help to improve productivity. It will create a better rewarded and more committed workforce, which will encourage investment in training, reduce staff turnover and help raise productivity.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for monitoring compliance with the national minimum wage. [71631]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Inland Revenue officers will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the national minimum wage and that work will be monitored by means of a service level agreement with my Department. More generally, we have asked the Low Pay Commission to monitor and evaluate the introduction and impact of the national minimum wage.

  Trade Liberalisation
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what approach he intends to take in pursuing international trade liberalisation. [71623]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government seek actively to work with the EU and with the UK's major trading partners, through such mechanisms as the Transatlantic Economic Partnership and the Asia-Europe meeting, to encourage the reduction of barriers to trade in overseas markets. In particular, the Government share the European Union's support for a comprehensive new Round of trade 374
  liberalisation negotiations to be launched at the World Trade Organisation's next Ministerial meeting, to be held in Seattle, USA in November-December this year. A comprehensive Round offers the best chance of ensuring real gains for all participants, including developing countries.

  Libya (Sanctions)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with representatives of the British Libyan Interest Group to discuss the effects on trade between Britain and Libya of economic sanctions. [71624]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have not met representatives of the British Libyan Business Group. However, DTI Officials recently met the BLBG Secretariat to listen to their views and will continue with that dialogue. Officials keep me fully informed.

  Genetic Material (Patenting)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out his responsibilities in respect of issues relating to patenting of genetic material. [71625]

  Mr. Battle
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has responsibility for the Patents Act 1977 and associated Rules, and for making any amendments to this legislation which, for example, may be required to implement the European Directive (98/44/EC) on patents for biotechnological inventions. This legislation is administered by the Comptroller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks who has responsibility for granting patents under the criteria specified in this legislation. Rights granted can be challenged before the courts.

  Competitiveness White Paper
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for the implementation of the measures proposed in the Competitiveness White Paper in the areas of new technology. [71626]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government have appointed an Implementation Manager, as promised in paragraph 5.10 of the Competitiveness White Paper. We will publish the Implementation Plan for the commitments including developing new technologies we gave in the Competitiveness White Paper shortly.

  Manufacturing (West Midlands)
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to improve competitiveness in manufacturing in the west midlands. [71627]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government's support to help improve the competitiveness of West Midlands manufacturing companies is extensive, focused mainly through the 10 regional Business Link partnerships. The West Midlands Regional Supply Office also provides specialist help in linking purchasers with suppliers and supply chain development with a particular focus on a number of industrial sectors.
  375
  Specific initiatives to improve manufacturing performance in the West Midlands include:
  The World Class Supplier—Accelerate Project. This programme is designed to improve the competitiveness of automotive component manufacturers and is supported by many of the region's major manufacturing companies. The project aims to assist over 3,000 SMEs through establishing 40 networks with the aim of safeguarding 26,000 jobs and levering £10.3 million investment.
  The West Midlands Manufacturing Challenge is helping companies improve by offering a free analysis of their position undertaken by a manufacturing specialist who identifies areas for improvement. To date it has assisted over 750 companies and aims to support 2,000 by the end of this year. One firm which used the programme reduced delivery times by 3 weeks and another increased productivity by 50 per cent.

  Car Purchasing (EU)
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department has taken to make it easier for United Kingdom consumers to buy cars from elsewhere in the EU. [71628]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department seeks to ensure that all infringements of EC competition law which restrict imports of cars into the UK are vigorously pursued by the European Commission. We welcome the establishment of manufacturers' hotlines which will make it easier for consumers to purchase cars elsewhere in the EU. We have placed a list of the numbers for use of UK consumers in the House of Commons Library.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about reform of EU structural funds. [71629]

  Mr. Wills
  The discussions between Member States and the Commission on the reform of the Structural and Cohesion Funds will continue until the March 1999 deadline set by the Cardiff Council last June.

  The UK is negotiating for an outcome that is fair and affordable to all future and existing Member States, particularly the UK.

  Unsolicited E-mail
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he intends to take to tackle the costs to business of unsolicited e-mail known as spam. [71630]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government are aware that unsolicited email is a potentially difficult area for business. There are several industry initiatives aimed at tackling this problem. Most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have installed systems aimed at combating unsolicited email, and the London Internet Exchange (LINX) is producing a set of best practice guidelines for ISPs on this subject. In addition the Direct Marketing Association is working on an email preference scheme, to operate in a similar way to the conventional mail preference service but with global rather than national coverage. Such initiatives will be aided by the draft Electronic Commerce Directive which would require all unsolicited commercial communications by email to be indicated as such. The 376
  Government will monitor the effectiveness of these approaches and consider whether any further action is required in the light of their impact on the problem.

  Rover (Longbridge)
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the contribution of the partnership between unions and management at Rover Longbridge to the continuation of motor car production at the plant. [71616]

  Mr. Byers
  I have been most impressed by the positive response of the Unions and the management at Rover to the challenges now facing the company. There is no doubt that the agreement reached last year to introduce flexible working patterns and to reduce costs has played a significant role in helping to secure the Mini investment.

  Superphenix Fast Reactor
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if British Energy has retained the shareholding inherited from the Central Electricity Generating Board in the holding company NERSA in respect of ownership of the Superphenix fast reactor in France. [69603]

  Mr. Battle
  The shareholding was retained in Magnox Electric plc at the time of British Energy's privatisation, and is now held by BNFL.

  Energy Charges
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to remove the right of(a) water, (b) electricity and (c) gas suppliers to make standing charges payable by (i) pensioner households and (ii) households receiving income support; and if he will make a statement. [71054]

  Mr. Battle
  Clearly it is essential that special care should be taken to ensure that vulnerable groups of customers have access to reliable, affordable, water and energy supplies. That is why this Government have vigorously taken forward work on modernising the framework for utility regulation. The Government's review of water charging in England and Wales raised concerns about the effect of high standing charges on low income, low water users such as pensioners living alone. The Government will consider further how these effects can best be mitigated within the new framework proposed in the Water Industry Bill now before Parliament. Also, we are encouraging the regulator for gas and electricity to review the Social Dimension in his Action Plan, with a view to determining what further initiatives can provide effective help to the fuel poor.

  Standing charges have been the usual means of utility companies making a charge for the fixed costs of providing a service which do not vary according to the level of usage. Such costs generally include meter reading, accounting and billing, maintenance of infrastructure, and provision of emergency services, although there is no requirement for these costs to be recovered by means of a standing charge.

  With the spread of competition in the gas and electricity markets, many customers already have a choice of who should supply them with these important utility services.
  377
  Soon, that choice will extend to all such customers. Some gas and electricity suppliers recognise that standing charges are either not popular or appropriate for every individual customer, and have decided to offer different terms which exclude any standing charge. Customers will be able to choose what is best for their own particular needs.

  It is our objective that all groups of customers should benefit from increasing efficiency by receiving quality service at the best possible prices.

  Military Exports (Bahrain)
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences have been granted since 1 May 1997 for the export of arms to Bahrain; and if he will provide details of the arms covered by each licence and the declared purpose. [71301]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 2 May 1997 and 29 January 1999, 45 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and 26 Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Bahrain of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the Table in
  the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  Individual licences issued between 2 May 1997 and 29 January 1999 covering the export to Bahrain of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of SIELs issued covering Number of goods with this rating

  Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  ML1

  14

  1

  ML2

  8

  0

  ML3

  12

  0

  ML4

  1

  2

  ML5

  5

  7

  ML6

  1

  0

  ML7

  0

  1

  ML8

  0

  1

  ML9

  0

  1

  ML10

  0

  4

  ML11

  5

  11

  ML13

  3

  2

  ML14

  0

  1

  ML15

  0

  2

  ML18

  0

  1

  ML21

  0

  2

  ML22

  0

  2

  PL5006

  3

  0

  PL5017

  3

  1

  PL5030

  1

  0

  This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued 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.
  378
  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.

  Details of the military equipment for which licences are granted will be given in the Government's annual report on strategic export controls for the relevant period.

  As regards the additional information requested about the stated end use, this could be compiled only by examining the original case papers for each of the licences concerned, and this together with any inquiries necessary under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, would entail disproportionate cost.

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

  Military Exports (Indonesia)
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list(a) the licence applications for military exports to Indonesia which have been refused in the past five years and (b) the reasons for the refusals; [71923]

  (2) if he will list the export licence applications for military exports to Indonesia which have been refused in the past five years. [72017]

  Dr. Howells
  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. In the calendar years 1994 to 1998, 21 applications for Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and one application for an Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) were refused covering the export to consignees or end-users in Indonesia of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List. The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. Applications for individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the application is included in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  Number of applications for SIELs refused in each calendar year covering the export to Indonesia of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  ML1

  1

  2

  3

  3

  1

  ML2

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  ML3

  3

  0

  1

  0

  0

  ML4

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  ML5

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML6

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  ML7

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  ML14

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  ML15

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  PL5002

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  PL5017

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  PL5018

  3

  0

  1

  0

  0

  PL5021

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total number of applications

  5

  3

  4

  8

  1

  379
  The single application for an OIEL was refused in 1996, and covered goods with the ratings ML4, ML11, ML14 and ML24.

  This information does not cover any applications for Media OIELs that may have been refused 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.

  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.

  The decisions to refuse these applications were taken in accordance with the criteria applied at the relevant times.

  Renewable Energy
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department's review of renewable energy will be published. [72300]

  Mr. Battle
  I plan to publish a paper on my review of renewable energy policy shortly which will analyse the status and prospects for renewables and present policies for developing renewables further.

  Milk
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the supply of raw milk in Great Britain; and if he will make it his policy(a) to publish that report and (b) to undertake a public consultation on its recommendations before he makes a decision on them. [72310]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: The Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) is required to deliver its report on the supply of raw milk in Great Britain to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by 26 February 1999. The Secretary of State is required to publish all monopoly reports, and will announce what action he intends to take, if any, when he publishes the report.

  Hallmarks
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if articles of the 10 carat gold standard hallmarked in Ireland may be placed on the market in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the consequences for British competitiveness of such marketing. [72589]

  Dr. Howells
  Following the amendments to the Hallmarking Act 1973 which came into effect on 1 January, the United Kingdom, in accordance with Article 30 of the EC Treaty and European case law concerning the free circulation of goods, has permitted articles of precious metal hallmarked in Ireland to be marketed here without further hallmarking by a UK assay office. I can confirm that this would include articles of 10 carat gold.
  380
  Manufacturers can have articles of gold hallmarked by UK Assay Offices to standards of fineness including 9, 14, 18 and 22 carat (375, 585, 750 and 916.6 parts per thousand respectively) as well as new "pure" standards of 990 and 999 parts per thousand. Given that there is no reason to believe that UK consumers are likely to prefer the 10 carat standard over any of the standards of fineness available here, I do not believe that UK manufactures are likely to be placed at a competitive disadvantage as a result. It is generally agreed that a proliferation of standards is not in the interests of consumers and the United Kingdom seeks to give a lead in this matter by not introducing further standards into the UK hallmarking system. However, DTI will look very carefully at the position in the light of future experience.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if all the European Economic Area states have amended their laws to permit articles hallmarked in the United Kingdom to be sold in their states; and if he will make a statement. [72590]

  Dr. Howells
  Only those EEA States which have a mandatory requirement for hallmarking under their law and have in the past required imported articles to be re-hallmarked in their country before being placed on the market they would need to amend their laws to permit articles hallmarked in the United Kingdom to be placed on their markets without further marking. The DTI is obtaining up-to-date information from the Commission about which countries have now made the necessary changes to their legislation. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the information is available and will place a copy of the reply in the Libraries of the House.

  In any event, it should be noted that the legal position concerning the free circulation of goods in the EU Member States is set out in Article 30 of the EC Treaty and European caselaw. Notwithstanding whether a Member State has amended its national legislation the Treaty and caselaw will have effect and under these provisions I understand that UK hallmarks should be accepted throughout the European Community. The other EEA States (i.e. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) are governed by the EEA Agreement (1992).

  Electronic Publishing Industry
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the report sponsored by his Department on the electronic publishing industry. [73946]

  Mr. Wills
  The Report, The Advance of Electronic Publishing, which examines the barriers and drivers of the electronic publishing and content industries, was published today. Copies are available in the Library of the House. It can also be accessed on the Internet at www.isi.gov.uk/new/advance.html.

  European Airlines (State Aids)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on state aids to European airlines; and if he will make a statement. [71595]

  Dr. Howells
  State aid to the airline industry is a matter for my right hon. Friend of the Minister of Transport.
  381
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who has overall responsibility for State aid policy, has not received any representations.

  I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has received 6 representations in all; 2 from members of the public, 3 from MPs on behalf of constituents and one direct from the hon. Member herself.

  Benefit Payments (Post Offices)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have had the new Benefits Agency/POCL system installed to date; how many remain to have the system installed; how many have had the system installed in each week throughout the period of installation to date; and how many will have the system installed in each remaining week of the implementation period. [73031]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Post Office tell me that at present 204 post offices have been automated and are paying Child Benefit by Payment Card as part of a limited trial of the new Benefits Agency/Post Office Counters system; 18,610 post offices remain to have the system installed; the system was installed in the 204 post offices in the trial in 1997 at the rate of 20 offices per week; and national roll-out of the system to every post office, which will only commence once final acceptance trials have been completed, is scheduled to take place at a rate of some 300 post offices a week.

  Dounreay
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to reach a decision regarding the future of the PFR Reprocessing Plant at Dounreay; what consultation he will carry out prior to reaching that decision; when he expects to receive options studies from the UK Atomic Energy Authority with regard to this decision; if he will place a copy of the option studies in the Library; when he plans to announce his decision; and if he will make a statement. [72334]

  Mr. Battle
  A comprehensive review by UKAEA of the options for handling PFR and other fuels awaiting treatment at Dounreay is nearing completion. I await UKAEA's formal proposals which will be subject to full and careful scrutiny in due course. I also intend to consult relevant Government advisory bodies and allow sufficient time to give proper consideration to the issues before making a decision. In accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, the relevant facts and analysis of the facts important in framing the Government's decision on this issue will be published when we announce our decision.

  Au Pairs
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the cost of board, lodging and similar incidentals is taken into account in the regulation of the terms and conditions applying to the employment of au pairs; and if he will make a statement. [71976]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply.
  382
  Under the Immigration Rules, overseas nationals living in the United Kingdom as au pairs live as part of the family. The recommended weekly allowance is kept under review.

  Vaux Brewery
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had about the future of Vaux Brewery; and if he will make a statement. [73260]

  Mr. Byers
  I am aware of the importance that many in the region attach to the future of the Vaux brewery in Sunderland. I am also aware of reports that Vaux is looking to sell its brewing interests. I am conscious of my hon. Friend's personal interest in this issue and would be happy to meet him to discuss his concerns.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Early Education (Three-year-olds)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 1 February 1999,Official Report, column 483, what plans he has to measure the present participation rate of three-year-olds in early education in Southampton in order to measure progress with his target to double that rate. [71980]

  Ms Hodge
  The Government's target is to double the proportion of three-year-old children in free early education places to 66 per cent. across England by 2001–02; a target participation rate will be set for each Local Education Authority which will enable us to meet that national target. The present participation rate and plans for expansion will be described in each Local Education Authority area's Early Years Development and Child Care Plan.

  Education Expenditure (West Sussex)
  Mr. Soames
  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 West Sussex. [73129]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The revenue support grant settlement for 1999–2000 for West Sussex includes an underlying increase of £15.5 million or 6.1 per cent. in the education standard spending assessment, after allowing for local authority changes of function. This is sufficient to meet the pressures faced by education services in West Sussex if, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has urged it to do, the County Council uses all of the cash increase in the education SSA to support education, especially schools.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the provision of capital funding for schools in West Sussex in 1999–2000. [73130]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  An allocation of £3,329,969 was announced through the Annual Capital Guideline on 16 December 1998.

  Announcements on the Class Size and New Deal for Schools allocations for 1999–2000 will be made shortly.

  Grammar Schools (Ballots)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if additional funding will be made available to local education authorities to cover the administration costs of running ballots on the future of grammar schools; and if he will make a statement. [73188]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The responsibility for administering ballots on the future admission arrangements of grammar schools will not fall to local authorities. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has appointed Electoral Reform (Ballot Services) Limited to act as the ballot administration company. The Department for Education and Employment will reimburse the costs incurred by the company in providing this service.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration Consultation Papers
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the responses his Department received in respect of the consultation papers on(a) the Control of Unscrupulous Immigration Advisers, (b) the Review of Appeals and (c) the White Paper, Fairer, Faster and Firmer, indicating how many were (i) in favour and (ii) opposed to (1) a single tier of immigration appeals, (2) a presumption in favour of hearings on the papers rather than oral hearings for appeals, (3) the introduction of a charge towards the cost of an appeal against a refusal of an application for entry clearance as a visitor, (4) including the legal profession in a statutory regulation scheme for immigration advisers, (5) cash payments rather than benefits in kind being made to asylum seekers, (6) the dispersal of asylum seekers to accommodation throughout the United Kingdom without their consent, (7) magistrates hearing bail applications, (8) administrative removal for overstayers rather than deportation and a right of appeal and (9) the removal of a right of appeal against a decision which does not result in the applicant having to leave the United Kingdom. [70383]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on his Department' s policies of the goods and services provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to be implemented in October 1999. [71273]

  Review

  Actual report date

  Anticipated report date

  Comments

  Review of the law relating to bribery corruption

  31 July 1998

  Review of arrangements for confiscation of criminal assets

  1 November 1998

  Review of community fire safety

  3 November 1997

  Interdepartmental review of the treatment of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses

  10 June 1998

  384
  Mr. Straw
  We have already done much work to ensure that the Department's policies meet the needs of disabled people and that we comply with our legal requirements. We shall continue to do so, not only by complying fully with new duties in the Disability Discrimination Act but by aiming to exceed them where appropriate.

  We have promulgated within the Department the guidance "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment" which the Cabinet Office issued to all Government Departments in November 1998, and which was signed jointly by the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Minister for Women. All ministerial submissions on new policy initiatives or significant policy changes are now assessed for any adverse impact not only on disabled people but on any minority or disadvantaged group.

  Different areas of the Home Office have different requirements. Two examples of good practice where specialist provision is available are the Immigration and Nationality Department Public Inquiry Office at Croydon, which includes interview booths being wheelchair accessible and fitted with induction loops, the provision of hand rails, special access arrangements for callers with disability, low level pay phones and adapted toilet facilities.

  The Passport Agency provides, among other things, staff trained in sign language, textphones, the Typetalk service provided by BT and the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, literature in alternative formats and Braille stickers to identify a passport.

  My hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth), the Under-Secretary, chairs a Working Party on Electoral Procedures which considers disability access to electoral services of all kinds.

  Consolidated and enhanced guidance which includes advice on national access standards will be issued shortly to all returning officers.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) reviews, (b) task forces and (c) advisory groups have been established by his Department since 1 May 1997; what costs they have incurred to date; and what reports they have published. [71509]

  Mr. Straw
  A list of the reviews, task forces and advisory groups established by my Department since 1 May 1997 are listed in the table. Terms of reference have been given where a report date cannot be specified.
  385

  Review

  Actual report date

  Anticipated report date

  Comments

  Strategic review of national police training

  October 1998

  Interdepartmental review of police pensions

  Reported by way of a consultation paper on 31 March 1998

  Review of prison nursing services

  Subsumed into the review of long-term future of prison health care

  Review of prison service drug strategy

  Subsumed into the review of long-term future of prison health care

  Future of prison service review of long term health care

  Report completed in September 1998

  Announcement expected in March 1999

  Review of prison investigation strategy

  New procedure expected to be implemented by Summer 1999

  Review of sex offences

  Outcome expected to be announced in December 1999

  Working party on electoral procedures

  Due to report in Summer 1999

  Review of local civil protection in England and Wales

  21 July 1998

  Review on the interdepartmental working group on preventing unsuitable people from working with children

  25 January 1999

  Review on the control of unscrupulous immigration advisers

  Draft clauses for statutory regulatory scheme contained on the Immigration and Nationality Bill introduced on 9 February 1999

  Review on the control of unscrupulous immigration advisers

  Draft clauses for statutory regulatory scheme contained in the Immigration and Nationality Bill introduced on 9 February 1999

  Review of immigration and asylum appeals

  Consultation paper issued on 13 July 1998. Draft clauses for new system of immigration and asylum appeals contained in the Immigration and Asylum Bill introduced on 9 February 1999

  Review to consider permanent UK-wide counter terrorism legislation

  17 December 1998

  Review of measures to deal with protection of communities from known sex offenders who pose a continuing risk

  Measures announced in the Crime and Disorder Act on 31 July 1998

  Review of anti-social behaviour

  Measures announced in the Crime and Disorder Act on 31 July 1998

  Review on measures on community safety

  Measures announced in the Crime and Disorder Act on 31 July 1998

  Prisons—Probation Review

  Consultation paper published in August 1998

  Outcome expected to be announced shortly

  386 387

  Review

  Actual report date

  Anticipated report date

  Comments

  Review of welfare services to the courts

  Consultation paper published on 29 July 1998

  Outcome expected to be announced shortly

  Lord Chancellor's Department, Home Office and the Department of Health

  Review on the United Kingdom's position under various International Human Rights Instruments

  Originally expected to complete in 1998. Outcome now expected to be announced shortly

  Foreign and Commonwealth and Home Office

  Review of the Prison Service's Quantum Project

  Outcome expected to be announced shortly

  The Prime Minister's task force on the active community

  Initially announced by the Prime Minister on 26 March 1998 and subsequently. The subject of a speech he made on 21 January 1999 in which he announced the establishment of a working group under the Chairmanship of Lord Warner. The question of a separate task force remains under review

  Task force on youth justice

  Measures announced in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998

  To encourage and develop active citizenship and social responsibility amongst young people. Established in June 1997 and wound up in July 1998

  Ministerial task force on relations between Government and the voluntary, volunteering and community sectors

  To oversee, monitor the implementation of the compact between the Government and the voluntary sectors

  Advisory Groups Advisory board on restricted patients

  To provide the Home Secretary with advice to assist with decisions about those patients subject to special restrictions set out in Section 41 of the Mental Health Act 1983 whose potential risk to the public safety is considered to be particularly difficult to assess

  Advisory panel for the Youth Facilitator Programme

  To advise, promote and contribute to training networks and support facilitators via the programme advisers

  Older Volunteers Initiative Group

  To provide advice, support and ideas on how to support and encourage volunteering by older people provide

  Race Relations Forum

  To advise the Home Secretary on issues affecting ethnic minority communities

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate Complaints Audit Committee

  To satisfy itself as to the effectiveness of the procedures for investigating complaints and to draw the Immigration and Nationality Department's attention to any weaknesses, and to report to the Secretary of State

  I have also established a number of Non-Departmental Public Bodies to which I have not referred, but which provide regular advice and information to my Department. Details of these can be found in "Public Bodies 1998".
  388
  Details of costs incurred are generally subsumed within the Departmental running budget and are not held centrally. This could, therefore, be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Christmas Day Trading
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to prevent or control the opening of shops on Christmas Day. [72606]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Shops may choose their opening hours, except on Sundays if they are over 280 square metres in area. The restrictions affect Christmas Day but only when it falls on a Sunday. We have no plans to change the present law.

  Female Prisoner Accommodation
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all accommodation for female prisoners and females on remand showing(a) location, (b) nominal capacity, (c) actual number of

  Female prison population in England and Wales by establishment, 31 December 1996–31 December 1998

  31 December 1996

  31 December 1997

  31 December 1998

  Establishment

  All females

  Remand

  CNA

  All females

  Remand

  CNA

  All females

  Remand

  CNA

  Askham Grange

  118

  0

  130

  119

  0

  130

  123

  0

  130

  Brockhill

  151

  5

  159

  118

  54

  159

  141

  86

  145

  Bullwood Hall

  123

  0

  125

  140

  0

  140

  127

  0

  140

  Cookham Wood

  146

  0

  120

  130

  0

  120

  155

  0

  120

  Drake Hall

  224

  0

  281

  225

  0

  281

  231

  0

  295

  Durham

  44

  1

  49

  46

  1

  47

  93

  0

  44

  East Sutton Park

  86

  0

  94

  88

  0

  94

  90

  0

  94

  Eastwood Park

  117

  56

  135

  152

  60

  255

  252

  90

  255

  Foston Hall

  0

  0

  0

  121

  0

  134

  130

  0

  130

  Highpoint

  74

  0

  207

  202

  0

  207

  197

  0

  208

  Holloway

  576

  298

  517

  502

  273

  517

  505

  265

  517

  Low Newton

  41

  25

  36

  73

  23

  49

  65

  33

  49

  New Hall

  207

  58

  207

  341

  77

  327

  347

  93

  327

  Risley

  142

  109

  155

  146

  99

  155

  161

  112

  155

  Send

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  79

  0

  80

  Styal

  246

  2

  245

  279

  2

  284

  278

  2

  412

  Winchester

  79

  0

  66

  83

  0

  82

  92

  0

  82

  Total

  2,374

  554

  2,526

  2,765

  589

  2,981

  3,066

  681

  3,183

  Average projected female population in England and Wales, 1999–2001

  Date

  All females

  Remand

  1999

  3,200

  700

  2000

  3,400

  700

  2001

  3,500

  700

  Prisoner Releases (Home Detention Curfew)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice has been issued to prison governors concerning the arrangements for probation supervision of persons released on home detention curfew. [72357]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Prison governors have been advised that, where a prisoner is due to be subject to supervision by the Probation Service upon his or her discharge from custody, supervision will commence on the date that the prisoner is placed on home detention curfew. The duration of the supervision is unaffected by the home detention curfew, as the date that the supervision ends is set at the three quarter point of sentence less the period spent on home detention curfew, in accordance with the requirements of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.390
  inmates on 1 January (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 and (d) the forecast number of inmates on 1 January (x) 2000 and (y) 2001. [72306]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested for the female prison population and certified normal accommodation (CAN or uncrowded female prison capacity) is for the last day of the month and is given for the appropriate month ends in the table. The available information on the projected female prison population by alternative scenarios is given in table 1 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin 1/99 "Projections of long term trends in the prison population to 2006" published on 20 January 1999, a copy of which is in the Library, and on the Home Office Web Site: http://www. homeoffice. gov. uk/rds/index. htm.

  The table listing average projected populations gives figures for the central scenario, higher and lower scenarios. No projections are available by individual Prison Service establishment.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what home circumstances reports have been requested in respect of potential release on home detention curfew where prisoners have convictions for(a) sexual offences, (b) arson and (c) offences of violence. [72369]

  Mr. George Howarth
  No prisoner can be placed on home detention curfew without a home circumstances report from the Probation Service, whatever the prisoner's convictions. The Prison Service may also ask the Probation Service to comment on other issues of concern as appropriate, for instance due to the nature of the offence. The only cases where it is not necessary to obtain a home circumstances report are where it is apparent at an early stage in the assessment process that the prisoner is clearly unsuitable for home detention curfew.

  No offender required to register under Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 will be assessed for home detention curfew other than in exceptional circumstances. If the offender is considered for home detention curfew, a rigorous enhanced risk assessment will be undertaken, including consideration of the proposed curfew address.

  391
  In addition, such an offender would be placed on home detention curfew only following authorisation by the Director General of the Prison Service.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the prisoners released on home detention curfew on or after 28 January 1999 are subject to supervision. [72352]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested is not yet available. I will write to the hon. Member when it has been collated.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what prison risk assessment on inmates eligible for release on home detention curfew is carried out prior to a request for a probation home circumstances report; and if any advice has been given to clarify procedures. [72358]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Advice on the risk assessment of inmates eligible for the home detention curfew scheme is given in Prison Service Order 6700, a copy of which is in the Library. Before comments from the home probation service are requested, (a) the prisoner will have been asked to provide details of his or her home address, (b) information on the prisoner's suitability will have been sought from a member of prison staff in daily contact with the prisoner, and (c) the member of staff conducting the initial risk assessment will have reviewed the documentation available to determine whether there are any particular issues on which the Probation Service should be invited to comment.

  If it is decided from this review of the documentation that the prisoner is clearly unsuitable for home detention curfew and that information from the home probation service would add nothing to the assessment, the reviewing officer can forward the assessment to the governor for confirmation of this decision without the involvement of the home probation service. The decision not to seek input from the home probation service must be confirmed by the governor.

  Prisoner Discharges (Mental Hospitals)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate(a) the number of prisoners discharged to the care of mental hospitals in each of the last three calendar years, (b) the average length of each discharge and (c) the numbers of prisoners discharged to each receiving hospital; and if he will make a statement on the financial arrangements between prisons and hospitals for such discharges. [72609]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The latest relevant available information relates to numbers of prisoners transferred to hospitals as restricted patients and is as follows:

  Table 1: Numbers of prisoners transferred to the care of mental hospitals as restricted patients in years 1995 to 1997

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Transferred from prison to hospital after sentence1

  249

  264

  251

  Transferred from prison to hospital while unsentenced or untried2

  473

  481

  494

  All transfers from Prison Service establishments

  722

  745

  745

  1 Transfers from Prison Service establishments under section 47 of the Mental Health Act 1983 with restrictions under section 49

  2 Transfers under section 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

  392
  These figures do not include transfers to hospital where the prisoners are not admitted as a restricted patient or where prisoners are immediately admitted to hospital following discharge from prison at the completion of sentence.

  Discharges of prisoners to hospital are for an indeterminate amount of time. This means that it is not possible to calculate the average length of each discharge. It is, however, possible to tabulate at the end of each year the number of transferred prisoners who have been held in hospital for different periods of time.

  Table 2: Restricted patients detained in hospital at the end of the year who had been originally transferred from Prison Service establishments by period spent in hospital

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Unsentenced or untried

  Under 3 months

  111

  91

  99

  3 to 6 months

  34

  25

  42

  over 6 months

  39

  53

  89

  All sentenced or untried

  184

  169

  230

  Patients transferred after sentence

  Under 2 years

  176

  161

  152

  Over 2 to 5 years

  94

  97

  94

  Over 5 to 10 years

  55

  56

  66

  Over 10 to 20 years

  44

  57

  66

  Over 20 years

  11

  11

  11

  All patients transferred after sentence

  380

  382

  389

  All patients detained who were originally transferred from Prison Service establishments

  564

  551

  619

  The table relating to the numbers of prisoners discharged to each receiving hospital in the year 1995 to 1997 is lengthy so a copy has been placed in the library.

  The Prison Service meets the costs of a prisoner's health care inside prison walls itself. That would include any assessment or treatment for mental disorder. If a prisoner needs to be admitted to an outside hospital for treatment for mental disorder, either while in prison custody or on release, the costs of such treatment would be borne by the NHS.

  Au Pairs
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions on hours of work apply to au pairs; and if he will make a statement. [71969]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under the Immigration Rules, overseas nationals living in the United Kingdom as au pairs may help in the home for no more than five hours a day, with two days off per week, in return for a reasonable allowance.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to issue updated guidance on the employment and status of au pairs. [71968]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are no plans at present to change the immigration status of overseas nationals living in the United Kingdom as au pairs or to change the guidance.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the immigration status of au pairs; and if he will make a statement. [71967]
  393
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under the Immigration Rules, an au pair must be unmarried, aged between 17 and 27 and without dependants, and come from one of the designated countries. They may stay in the United Kingdom for up to two years, living as part of an English speaking family and learning the language. They may help in the home for more than five hours a day, with two days off per week, in return for a reasonable allowance.

  Offenders (Mental Illness)
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those people convicted of crimes in England and Wales in(a) 1998 and (b) each of the previous two years had previously been admitted to National Health Service mental illness hospitals and units with a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses. [72290]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested is not available centrally. National Statistics about convicted offenders do not categorise in terms of the past mental and psychological problems of offenders.

  Information is available on offenders who are admitted to hospital under the provisions of mental health legislation. In 1997, the number of mentally disordered offenders admitted to hospital under a court order, or by direction of the Home Secretary restricting their discharge, was 1,074. Most of these admissions related to patients with a diagnosis of mental illness or mental illness with another disorder (986 in total). Schizophrenia psychosis is a form of mental illness, but the statistics do not record diagnoses to this level of detail.

  Reconviction rates for restricted patients are available. The reconviction rate for standard list offences within two years of discharge for patients discharged between 1977 and 1993 was 12 per cent., with the rate for those with a diagnosis of mental illness being 7 per cent. Standard list offences consist of all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences.

  Sexual Abuse Offences
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that police statistics on sexual abuse offences identify the nature of the relationship between victim and offender. [72050]

  Mr. Boateng
  At present, the data are not collected centrally. However, work is in hand through the National Strategy on Police Information Systems, which will allow offender-victim relationships to be examined centrally in due course. Ad hoc information has previously been collected and published in publications such as "Victims of violent crime recorded by the police England and Wales 1990–1994" by Lorraine Watson, which was published in July 1996; a copy is in the Library.

  Severe Personality Disorder
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to include(a) paedophiles
  394
  and (b) hebephiles within his proposed criteria for assessing people with severe personality disorder; and if he will make a statement. [73151]

  Mr. Boateng
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made it clear in his statement to the House on 15 February 1999,Official Report, columns 601–13, that a consultation document will be published later in the spring on the options for the new framework within which indeterminate reviewable detention powers for dangerous severely personality disordered individuals will operate. The powers will be available whether or not someone was before the courts for an offence. Sexual deviancy alone does not constitute a mental disorder. However, assessments of both dangerousness and severe personality disorder would certainly take account of previous known criminal behaviour whether of a paedophiliac, hebephiliac or any other nature.

  Deportation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors he takes into account when considering whether a prisoner released from a life sentence will be deported. [72936]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration Rules require that, before a decision to deport is taken, full account must be taken of all relevant factors. These are listed in paragraph 364 of HC 395 Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules and include age; length of residence; strength of connections with the United Kingdom; personal history; domestic circumstances; compassionate factors; previous criminal record and the nature of any offence of which the person has been convicted and any representations received on the person's behalf. These factors would be taken into account in deciding whether a person released from a life sentence should be deported.

  Police (Chelmsford)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in the Chelmsford Division of the Essex Constabulary on(a) 31 March 1997, (b) 31 March 1998 and (c) the latest available date. [72889]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested, which has been provided by the Chief Constable of the Essex Police, is set out in the table:

  Essex police—Chelmsford 'C' division

  Number of police officers1

  31 March 1997

  209

  31 March 1998

  208

  31 January 19992

  207

  1 Full-time equivalents

  2 Latest available

  Police (Essex)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in the Essex Constabulary on(a) 31 March 1997, (b) 31 March 1998 and (c) the latest available date. [72890]
  395
  Mr. Boateng
  The information is set out in the table:

  Essex Police

  Number of police officers1

  31 March 1997

  2,961

  31 March 1998

  2,929

  31 March 1999

  2,925

  1 Full-time equivalents.

  Firearms (Licensing)
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary plans to reinspect the police forces covered in the 1993 study into the administration of firearms licensing to ensure that the deficiencies noted in the conclusions of that study have been rectified; and if he will make a statement; [72335]

  (2) what action has been taken to implement the conclusions of the 1993 report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary into the administration of firearms licensing; and if he will make a statement. [72336]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since 1993, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) have reported on 10 of the 12 firearms licensing departments covered by the 1993 report on the administration of firearms licensing. Forces were generally praised for their adoption of the recommendations of the report and for other measures to improve the functioning of the licensing system. Other forces have also been inspected on this matter as part of the regular inspection process. All inspection reports are published.

  Following the tragic events at Dunblane and subsequent legislation, HMIC have concluded that recommendations in the 1993 report have been largely overtaken by events. HMIC do not therefore intend to pursue the recommendations of the report further but will continue to look at all aspects of police administration, including firearms licensing, during their inspections. The Government have made clear that they intend to keep the issue of firearms controls under close scrutiny to see what further measures, if any, might be needed to protect public safety.

  British Horseracing Board
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the British Horseracing Board; and what was discussed. [73131]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Secretary last met the Chairman and Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Board on 28 October. I last met them on 23 February. We discussed a range of issues relating to the future financing of the horseracing industry in this country.

  The Tote
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the Tote. [73132]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Not at present. The Steering Group which is conducting a Review of the Tote has not yet reported to Ministers.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  East Timor
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the aid projects that her Department is currently supporting in East Timor, indicating those projects with a gender dimension. [72662]

  Clare Short
  We are supporting the preparation of a programme to develop the capacity of civil society in East Timor. Particular care is being taken by the design team to address gender issues. We are also supporting the Water and Sanitation Programme of the International Committee of the Red Cross in East Timor. All quality humanitarian and development projects must take account of the gender dimension. £300,000 has been made available in the current financial year.

  DFID are watching closely the political developments in East Timor and is considering what further assistance we can provide to the East Timorese people.

  Al-Shifa Factory
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received concerning reports that the US bombing of the Al-Shifa factory destroyed drug supplies. [72661]

  Clare Short
  Correspondence dated 11 November and 1 December was received on this subject from a Member in another place. This was copied widely and reported in the media. Subsequent representations have been received from Members of this House and from members of the public including a letter dated 29 December 1998 from the acting Head of Mission of the Sudan Embassy in London.

  North Korea
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to alleviate the famine in North Korea. [73281]

  Clare Short
  Details of the Government's humanitarian assistance to North Korea were set out in my answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck), 11 February 1999,Official Report, column 340.

  Democracy-building Projects
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the democracy-building projects her Department has supported in(a) Uganda and (b) Indonesia. [73279]

  Clare Short
  (a) Uganda: since May 1997 we have supported the following democracy-building projects in Uganda:

  Project

  Amount committed £

  Support to Parliament (ongoing)

  312,375

  Support to Local Government Elections (ongoing)

  250,000

  Support to Women Politicians (ongoing-preparatory)

  40,000

  Election Observers (finished)

  40,000

  397
  There are also some small democracy building elements to our portfolio of projects in Uganda aimed at supporting the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action for Women, to which we have committed £500,000.

  (b) Indonesia: I recently approved a contribution of up to £1 million to support a free, fair and inclusive election in Indonesia. Most of this will be channelled through the United Nations Development Programme and will support voter education, electoral administration and election monitoring. We are also supporting a three-year project implemented by the International Labour Organisation to develop workers capacity to organise and administer trade unions, and to represent workers interests effectively in consultations with employers and government.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [72670]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]: The normal management of the Scottish Office's wide-ranging responsibilities ensures a corporate approach to crime reduction. This is demonstrated in the report "A Safer Scotland: Tackling Crime and its Causes", published on 9 February 1999, which brings together the Scottish Office's policies on health, education, employment, housing criminal justice and other matters which have an impact on community safety and crime reduction. Internal Scottish office Groups on Crime Prevention and other relevant policies ensure that the opportunities for criminal acts are minimised.

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

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes are proposed to the cash limit for Class XIII Vote 10, Forestry Commission, for 1998–99. [73923]

  Mr. Dewar
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class XIII Vote 10 for 1998–99 will be increased by £3,900,000 from £47,425,000 to £51,325,000.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of total(a) central Government and (b) local authority expenditure on education for (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97, (iv) 1997–98, (v) 1998–99 and (vi) 1999–2000, expressed in 1997–98 prices. [72757]
  398
  Mrs. Liddell
  The information is as follows:

  £ million (1997–98 prices)

  Central government

  Local authority

  1994–95

  1,308

  2,481

  1995–96

  1,311

  2,423

  1996–97

  1,316

  2,364

  1997–98

  1,277

  2,319

  1998–99

  1,290

  2,368

  1999–2000

  1,375

  2,457

  As from July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Radioactive Waste
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the update of the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment to their 1995 report on the Potential Health Effects and Possible Sources of Radioactive Particles Found in the Vicinity of the Dounreay Nuclear Establishment; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [72333]

  Mr. Galbraith
  My right hon. Friend expects to receive advice from the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment shortly. The Committee itself publishes the advice it gives to the Government. A copy of the Committee's Report will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Legal Aid
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of legal aid granted in Scottish civil appeals to the House of Lords in each year of the last 10 years. [72555]

  Mr. McLeish
  The information is set out in the table.

  Total amount of legal aid paid in House of Lords cases

  Year

  £

  1988–89

  36,238

  1989–90

  8,217

  1990–91

  47,127

  1991–92

  43,607

  1992–93

  44,553

  1993–94

  55,069

  1994–95

  30,073

  1995–96

  6,136

  1996–97

  33,000

  1997–98

  109,000

  From 1 July 1999 legal aid in Scotland will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Fatal Accident Inquiries
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on the(a) production of and (b) charging for fatal accident inquiry transcripts. [73189]

  Mr. Dewar
  The arrangements are prescribed in the Fatal Accident and Sudden Deaths Inquiry Rules, 1977. A transcript of the evidence in a Fatal Accident Inquiry will be extended only if the Sheriff so directs or if
  399
  requested within a period of three months of the Sheriff's Determination by any party who has an interest in the Inquiry.

  Where the Sheriff has requested a transcript of the evidence the cost of transcription is met by the Scottish Court Service and interested parties may obtain copies at a cost of £1 per page for the first 10 pages and 30p per page thereafter. Where an interested party has requested a transcript they are responsible for the full cost of transcription.

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

  Leukaemia
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year between 1974 and the latest available date, the incidence of leukaemia ICD(9) 204 to 208 in children aged 0 to four years in Dumfries and Galloway (i) in total, (ii) by electoral ward and (iii) by sex; and how many cases would have been predicted in Dumfries and Galloway during that period on the basis of national rates for these diseases. [72329]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The table shows numbers of incident cases of leukaemia in children aged 0–4 years resident in the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board area in each of the years 1974–96, and the numbers of cases which would be expected on the basis of incidence rates for Scotland as a whole. Because of the small number of cases overall it is not possible to provide figures broken down by electoral ward without jeopardising the confidentiality of individuals.

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

  Observed and expected cases of leukaemia in children aged 0–4 years in the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board area in 1974–1996

  Males

  Females

  Observed

  Expected

  Observed

  Expected

  1974

  0

  .39

  0

  .18

  1975

  0

  .34

  0

  .28

  1976

  2

  .49

  1

  .24

  1977

  0

  .23

  0

  .23

  1978

  1

  A6

  0

  .18

  1979

  0

  .23

  0

  .33

  1980

  0

  .41

  0

  .23

  1981

  0

  .37

  0

  .13

  1982

  0

  .21

  0

  .27

  1983

  0

  .29

  0

  .25

  1984

  1

  .40

  2

  .24

  1985

  0

  .24

  0

  .16

  1986

  0

  .30

  0

  .19

  1987

  0

  .35

  0

  .53

  1988

  0

  .41

  1

  .27

  1989

  0

  .42

  1

  .27

  1990

  0

  .39

  0

  .33

  1991

  0

  .33

  0

  .22

  1992

  1

  .46

  0

  .30

  1993

  0

  .38

  0

  .25

  1994

  0

  .49

  0

  .36

  1995

  1

  .43

  0

  .17

  1996

  0

  .33

  0

  .14

  Total

  6

  8.38

  5

  5.76

  400
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of infant leukaemia (ICD(9)) 204 to 208 in children aged 0 to one year)(a) were reported in Scotland in each six-month period from 1974 to the latest available date and (b) would have been predicted during that period on the basis of average rates; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for discrepancies between the two. [72331]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The table sets out the information sought. Geographical variations and time trends in the incidence of cancer are monitored continuously by the Scottish Cancer Intelligence Unit (SCIU). Trends in the incidence of infant and childhood leukaemia in Scotland and other European countries are being evaluated in the European Childhood Leukaemia-Lymphoma Incidence Study (ECLIS), which is co-ordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and in which SCIU is participating. As will be seen, the total number of observed cases over the period is consistent with the number expected.

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

  Observed and expected numbers of leukaemia in infants aged less than one year in Scotland in six month intervals of time from January 1974 to December 1996 Both sexes

  Year

  Month

  Observed

  Expected

  1974

  January to June

  1

  1.06

  July to December

  0

  1.06

  1975

  January to June

  1

  1.02

  July to December

  0

  1.02

  1976

  January to June

  0

  1.00

  July to December

  3

  1.00

  1977

  January to June

  1

  0.92

  July to December

  0

  0.92

  1978

  January to June

  1

  0.94

  July to December

  1

  0.94

  1979

  January to June

  0

  0.99

  July to December

  0

  0.99

  1980

  January to June

  2

  1.02

  July to December

  0

  1.02

  1981

  January to June

  2

  1.03

  July to December

  2

  1.03

  1982

  January to June

  0

  1.00

  July to December

  0

  1.00

  1983

  January to June

  1

  0.98

  July to December

  0

  0.98

  1984

  January to June

  3

  0.96

  July to December

  0

  0.96

  1985

  January to June

  0

  0.98

  July to December

  1

  0.98

  1986

  January to June

  0

  1.00

  July to December

  0

  1.00

  1987

  January to June

  3

  0.98

  July to December

  3

  0.98

  1988

  January to June

  3

  1.00

  July to December

  1

  1.00

  1989

  January to June

  0

  0.97

  July to December

  2

  0.97

  1990

  January to June

  1

  0.96

  July to December

  1

  0.96

  1991

  January to June

  0

  0.99

  July to December

  0

  0.99

  1992

  January to June

  3

  1.00

  July to December

  0

  1.00

  1993

  January to June

  2

  0.96

  July to December

  1

  0.96

  401

  Observed and expected numbers of leukaemia in infants aged less than one year in Scotland in six month intervals of time from January 1974 to December 1996 Both sexes

  Year

  Month

  Observed

  Expected

  1994

  January to June

  0

  0.95

  July to December

  1

  0.95

  1995

  January to June

  1

  0.91

  July to December

  1

  0.91

  1996

  January to June

  3

  0.88

  July to December

  0

  0.88

  Total: 1974–1996

  45

  45

  Source:

  Cancer Surveillance

  Brain Cancer
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year between 1974 and the latest available date, the incidence of brain cancer ICD(9) 191 in children aged 0 to four years in Dumfries and Galloway (i) in total, (ii) by electoral ward and (iii) by sex; and how many cases would have been predicted in Dumfries and Galloway during that period on the basis of national rates for these diseases. [72330]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The tables show numbers of incident cases of malignant tumours of the brain in children aged 0–4 years resident in the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board area in each of the years 1974–96, and the number of cases which would be expected on the basis of incidence rates for Scotland as a whole. Because of the small number of cases overall it is not possible to provide figures broken down by electoral ward without jeopardising the confidentiality of individuals.

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

  Observed and expected cases of malignant brain tumours in children aged 0–4 years in the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board area in 1974–96

  Males

  Observed

  Expected

  1974

  0

  .10

  1975

  0

  .18

  1976

  0

  .15

  1977

  0

  .10

  1978

  0

  .03

  1979

  1

  .08

  1980

  1

  .13

  1981

  0

  .05

  1982

  0

  .11

  1983

  0

  .19

  1984

  0

  .13

  1985

  0

  .16

  1986

  0

  .05

  1987

  0

  .24

  1988

  0

  .16

  1989

  1

  .11

  1990

  0

  .08

  1991

  0

  .20

  1992

  0

  .11

  1993

  0

  .08

  1994

  0

  .16

  1995

  0

  .11

  1996

  0

  .05

  Total

  3

  2.79

  402

  Females

  Observed

  Expected

  1974

  0

  .08

  1975

  0

  .10

  1976

  0

  .10

  1977

  0

  .08

  1978

  1

  .13

  1979

  0

  .05

  1980

  0

  .10

  1981

  0

  .08

  1982

  0

  .11

  1983

  0

  .22

  1984

  0

  .13

  1985

  0

  .11

  1986

  0

  .11

  1987

  0

  .08

  1988

  0

  .14

  1989

  0

  .14

  1990

  0

  .22

  1991

  0

  .08

  1992

  0

  .14

  1993

  0

  .08

  1994

  1

  .19

  1995

  0

  .06

  1996

  0

  .14

  Total

  2

  2.66

  Source:

  Cancer Surveillance

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Road Safety Strategy
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to launch the road safety targets and strategy for the period up to 2010. [69408]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is now intended to publish the road safety strategy and targets later this year, in order to reflect the findings of the ongoing review of speed policy. It may be necessary to issue provisional guidance in the interim, which we are considering.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Road Safety Strategy will be announced. [71077]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: It is now intended to publish the road safety strategy and targets later this year, in order to reflect the findings of the ongoing review of speed policy. It may be necessary to issue provisional guidance in the interim, which we are considering.

  House Building
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of(a) the number of new house building starts to be made in 1999–2000 by (i) private developers, (ii) registered social landlords and (iii) local authorities and (b) the number of existing empty homes to be brought back into use in 1999–2000 by (x) private owners, (y) registered social landlords and (z) local authorities. [72318]
  403
  Mr. Raynsford
  The estimate of the number of existing empty local authority homes in England that local authorities propose to bring back into use in 1999–2000 is in preparation.

  The Department does not forecast new housebuilding starts, nor the number of empty dwellings that will be brought back into use for other tenures.

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [72751]

  Mr. Prescott
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]: Government Departments work closely on policy development and in those areas where my Department is involved it supports fully the Home Office's aim to reduce crime and the fear of crime. Our research programme monitors and evaluates the effects of new policy and other initiatives.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton of 12 November 1998. [73108]

  Ms Armstrong
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 18 February 1999, in reply to his letter of 18 January. As the hon. Member is aware, the Department has no trace of his original letter of 12 November.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each of the English regional development agencies the current estimate of(a) their total budget on a per capita basis and (b) the percentage of the budget attributable to their administrative function. [73004]

  Mr. Meale
  The budgets for 1999–2000 for each of the English regional development agencies will be announced shortly. The budgets for 1998–99 cover administration resources only, and are as follows. It is not meaningful to express these figures in per capita terms.

  Agency

  £

  North East Regional Development Agency

  520,000

  Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Development Agency

  529,000

  North West Regional Development Agency

  327,000

  West Midlands Regional Development Agency

  384,000

  East Midlands Regional Development Agency

  406,000

  Eastern Regional Development Agency

  350,000

  South East Regional Development Agency

  461,000

  South West Regional Development Agency

  411,000

  Total

  3,388,000

  Centre for Young Musicians
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans to transfer responsibility for the Centre for Young Musicians to the Greater London authority. [73112]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I am considering with colleagues the future provision for the Centre for Young Musicians.

  The Greater London Authority will be a strategic authority which will address London-wide issues and will, with the co-operation of the responsible statutory authorities, have the powers to co-ordinate and assist with the provision of specialist services which may need to be delivered on a London-wide basis. The Authority will have discretionary powers to pay grant to assist in the provision of such services.

  We would expect the Centre for Young Musicians, which is a centre of excellence for the encouragement and training of young musicians, recruited from across the whole of London, to fall into the category of organisations which the GLA may choose to assist in this way.

  London Transport
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list London Transport property(a) assets, (b) rights and (c) liabilities. [73258]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As at 31 March 1998 London Transport's assets were as follows:

  Assets

  Tunnels (including Jubilee Line Extension)

  305 kilometres

  Railway carriages

  3,886

  Track

  1,093 kilometres

  Bridges

  978

  Drainage Pumps

  700

  Underground stations

  245

  Escalators and lifts

  372

  Power stations

  2

  Sub-stations

  131

  Bus stations and stands

  63

  Bus shelters

  6,370

  Note:

  These figures are currently being updated for 31 March 1999.

  Property held by London Regional Transport and that of any subsidiary company is held subject to the provisions of the London Regional Transport Act 1984.

  Rights and liabilities attached to such property will arise from either the instruments by which that property is held or the enactments under which property was acquired for the statutory purposes of London Regional Transport or any subsidiary of London Regional Transport.

  To identify and list each and every right and liability connected with property assets held by London Regional Transport would incur disproportionate cost, however, general information about the management of such property can be obtained from the London Transport Annual Report 1997–98.

  Aside from property, LT has other assets and liabilities relating to staff contracts, small fixed assets and so on. Again, these could be listed only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the level of expenditure on education by local government area for each of the years(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99, expressed in real terms at 1997–98 prices. [72758]

  Ms Armstrong
  The requested information has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The information available on education expenditure by local government area relates to expenditure by local authorities. The changes in responsibility of local education authorities, reorganisation and concomitant boundary changes, means that expenditure by local authorities on education may not be directly comparable across the years in question. In particular, net current expenditure on education in 1997–98 did not include expenditure on the under five's education which was financed by the nursery voucher scheme. This produces, for most authorities, an apparent 'trough' in expenditure in that year. In addition, the level of expenditure on education by an authority across the years will be affected by changing pupil numbers.

  The all-England totals in £ million not including capital expenditure

  Year

  1997–98 prices

  1995–96

  20,991

  1996–97

  20,811

  1997–98

  20,625

  1998–99

  21,334

  Northern Line
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations have been received by his Department on the standard of service on the Northern Line of the London Underground; and if he will make a statement. [73155]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Over the last six months my Department has received a number of representations relating mainly to the standard of services on the Northern Line including 8 letters from Members of Parliament and 44 letters from the public.

  Disruption on the Northern Line did increase over recent months; however when the new fleet of trains is in service, the reliability of the line should improve considerably. It is expected that a full Northern Line service will be provided completely by new trains by Autumn 1999.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to meet UK airlines prior to taking any policy decision on the future of the National Air Traffic Services. [73184]

  Dr. Reid
  We concluded a public consultation on our proposals for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. on 31 January 1999. The responses received are currently being analysed and we are grateful to a number of UK airlines for their detailed responses. These have provided 406
  us with a clear understanding of the thinking of NATS' main customers as we consider how best to deliver our policies for the future of NATS.

  Pelican Crossings
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) adults and (b) children were (i) injured and (ii) killed on pelican crossings in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [73186]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Child/adult casualties on Pedestrian crossings1: GB 1988–97

  Casualties

  Child

  Adult

  Year

  Killed

  Injured

  Killed

  Injured

  1988

  9

  755

  39

  1,445

  1989

  7

  689

  39

  1,424

  1990

  8

  758

  48

  1,552

  1991

  2

  679

  59

  1,274

  1992

  9

  699

  40

  1,298

  1993

  6

  659

  48

  1,197

  1994

  8

  637

  41

  1,197

  1995

  3

  620

  27

  1,140

  1996

  1

  623

  48

  1,098

  1997

  6

  610

  32

  1,124

  Total

  59

  6,729

  421

  12,749

  1 Casualties include those on Pelican, Puffin or toucan crossings at the time of an accident, but exclude pedestrians on a refuge, central island or on zig zag markings on the approach/exit of a crossing.

  Congestion Charges
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to paragraph 2.7 of "Breaking the Log Jam", how many and what proportion of responses to "Developing an Integrated Transport Policy—an Invitation to Contribute", supported the view that congestion charges would be valuable and effective. [73183]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department's publication"The Government's Consultation On Developing An Integrated Transport Policy: A Report" contains a tabular analysis of the comments made by respondents on a number of demand management measures, including congestion charging and a levy on private non-residential parking. In each case a majority of those referring to those two measures were in favour. Copies of the report were placed in the Library at the time of publication, in July 1998.

  Eurostar (Wheelchair Access)
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that the Eurostar Channel Tunnel rail service is more widely available to wheelchair users; [73508]

  (2) when he expects provision to be increased on the Eurostar Channel Tunnel rail services for wheelchair users. [73507]
  407
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Eurostar trains were designed and built to be fully wheelchair accessible. Each train provides accommodation for two people to travel in their own wheelchairs. In the first 6 months of 1997 (the latest period for which figures are available) out of over 20,000 wheelchair spaces offered (120 spaces every day on 60 services), only 400 were taken up. Eurostar therefore have no plans to increase current levels of provision.

  Heritage Notifications
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he is making in reviewing the current heritage notification arrangements in London. [73593]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts and I have today issued a consultation paper proposing a number of changes in the current handling of listing building consent applications in London. Since the abolition of the Greater London Council, English Heritage has been working with the London Boroughs to build up their expertise in handling these applications. As a result, we now feel able to propose a significant reduction in the number which will in future need to be notified to English Heritage. This will enable decisions to be issued more quickly. However, certain changes, for example those to Grade I and II* buildings, will still need to be sent to English Heritage. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  This consultation is the first stage in a wider review of heritage notifications promised in the Modernising Planning policy statement by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning in January 1998 as one of a range of initiatives being taken to improve the effectiveness of local authority planning services. My officials are now talking to English Heritage about the notification arrangements outside London with a view to drawing up further consultation proposals for speeding up this aspect of the planning process.

  Greater London Authority
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the transitional arrangements proposed for financing the Greater London authority and the functional bodies in 2000–01 and for financing their predecessor organisations. [73921]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Subject to the passage of the Greater London Authority Bill, the Greater London Authority will assume its responsibilities on 3 July 2000. Special arrangements will be needed to cater for this start part way through the financial year. We shall therefore begin discussions with interested parties on the broad framework of transitional arrangements. Under these, the Secretary of State would set a budget and precept for the GLA, including the functional bodies, as if they were in existence for the full financial year 2000–01. He would receive precept income from the London Boroughs. That income, together with redistributed business rates, revenue support grant and other grants would be paid to the predecessor organisations in respect of the period up to 3 July, and to the GLA in respect of the remainder of the year. Following consideration of the broad framework, there will then be further discussions on the detailed application of the transitional arrangements.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral answer by the Minister for the Cabinet Office of 10 February,Official Report, column 308, on biotechnology and genetic modification of crops, what action Her Majesty's Government have taken in pressing (a) the European Commission, and (b) other EU institutions for enhanced statutory control; and if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government in respect of current (i) United Kingdom and (ii) Community legislation on those matters. [72179]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: The main instrument governing the release into the environment of GMOs is the EC Directive 90–220. This is currently undergoing revision following the publication of a Commission proposal in February 1998. The proposal seeks to make a number of significant changes to the Directive such as strengthening provisions on environmental risk assessment and monitoring, streamlining some procedures, ensuring greater transparency and better labelling requirements, and providing for the consultation of EU ethics and scientific committees.

  The UK is taking a leading role in negotiations in the Council on the revision, though progress depends on the priority given to the dossier by the EU Presidency. The European Parliament adopted its Opinion on the revision of the Directive on 11 February, which also proposes tougher controls on the release of GMOs.

  While negotiations on the revision of Directive 90–220 continue, European Environment Ministers agreed unanimously last December to use the flexibility within the existing directive to introduce new requirements for risk assessment and monitoring, based upon new texts which are likely to form part of the revised directive. The UK already requires such risk assessments to be carried out before a consent may be granted, and the Government are currently considering how the monitoring requirements may be introduced.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the terms of reference and membership of the Cabinet Committee on food standards; and if it will consider the adequacy and content of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and of Directive 90/220 of the European Community concerning rules for the growing of genetically modified crops. [72220]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: The terms of reference of the Ministerial Group on Food Safety are:
  "To co-ordinate Departmental consideration of issues arising from the establishment of a Food Standards Agency and other aspects of food safety, and to make recommendations to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)."
  Its composition is:
  President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
  Secretary of State for Education and Employment
  Minister for the Cabinet Office

  409
  Secretary of State for Scotland
  Secretary of State for Health
  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  Secretary of State for Wales
  Chief Secretary, Treasury
  Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry.

  The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip will also receive papers and may attend as necessary.

  However, matters relating to biotechnology and genetic modification are discussed collectively in the Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification, whose terms of reference are: "To consider issues relating to biotechnology, in particular those arising from genetic modification."

  The Group's composition is:
  Minister for the Cabinet Office (Chair)
  Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  Minister of State, Cabinet Office
  Minister of State, Department of Health
  Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  Economic Secretary, Treasury
  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
  Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office,
  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office
  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
  The Chief Scientific Adviser also attends.

  The Ministerial Group will consider the adequacy and content of Directive 90–220. Consideration of the Environmental Protection Act is, however, not on the agenda.

  The revision of Directive 90/220/EEC has, in addition, been considered in detail by European Scrutiny Committees in both Houses.

PRIME MINISTER

  Hospitality
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines he has established for the use of No. 10 Downing street for hospitality funded by non-Government sources; and if he will list those occasions on which such hospitality has been offered since May 1997. [71160]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministers under this and previous Governments have been allowed—at their own or party expense—to host non-official or party receptions or functions in Downing street, as set out formally by this Government in paragraph 63 of the Ministerial Code.
  410
  Since 1 May 1997, 22 political functions and 15 charity events have been held at 10 Downing street. All have been held in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code.

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister 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. [72721]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), to the right hon. Member on 24 February 1999, Official Report, columns 311–12.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will invite Lord Phillips to conduct an inquiry into the Government's handling of GM food. [72688]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]: I am entirely satisfied that the issue of genetically modified foods is being correctly handled and therefore see no need for an inquiry.

  Queen's Awards
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to carry out a review of the Queen's Awards for Export, Technological and Environmental Achievement. [73924]

  The Prime Minister
  On 15 December 1998,Official Report, column 460, I informed the House that there is to be a review of The Queen's Awards. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has been asked by Her Majesty The Queen to take charge of the review. The Prince of Wales is to chair a committee made up of business persons and senior Government officials. Their report will come to me, as it is on my recommendation that the Awards are made by The Queen. The members of the Review Committee are:
  Amir Bhatia OBE, Managing Director of Casley Finance Ltd, Chairman of the Simpler Trade Procedures Board, and member of the National Lottery Charities Board.
  Sir John Browne, Group Chief Executive, BP Amoco plc.
  Sir John Collins, Group Chief Executive, The Vestey Group, Chairman, National Power PLC and Member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee for The Queen's Awards.
  Sir Tom Farmer CBE, Chairman and Chief Executive, Kwik Fit Holdings plc.
  Carol Galley, Co-head, Merrill Lynch Mercury Asset Management.
  Graham Hawker CBE, Chief Executive, Hyder plc and Chairman of Business in the Community (Wales), Deputy Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency and Member of the Court of the Bank of England.
  The Right Honourable Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE, Chairman, British Invisibles and Member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee for The Queen's Awards.
  John Monks, General Secretary, Trades Union Congress.
  John Rose, Chief Executive, Rolls Royce plc and a Member of the Council of The Prince's Trust.

  411
  Sir Michael Scholar KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, and Member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee for The Queen's Awards.
  Sir Dennis Stevenson CBE, Chairman of Pearson plc.
  Sir Richard Wilson KCB, Secretary of the Cabinet and Chairman of the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee for The Queen's Awards.

  The Prime Minister's Advisory Committee for The Queen's Awards assists me in advising Her Majesty The Queen on the annual making of Awards. The Government have asked that the review should take account of their wish to encourage enterprise and innovation, as set out in the Competitiveness White Paper published in December 1998. The terms of reference of the Review are as follows:
  "To review the operation of The Queen's Awards Scheme; and, having regard to:
  the purpose of the Awards, which is to recognise outstanding achievements of UK businesses;
  the benefit of ensuring that the Awards are up to date and provide the best possible incentive for UK businesses;
  the wish of the Government to encourage enterprise and innovation; and
  the need for assessment of achievement to be effective, economical and fair, and based as nearly as possible on objective judgment;
  to make recommendations."

  The recommendations of the Review are to be made in time for any resulting changes to be implemented for the Awards in the year 2000.

  The Review is open for consultation to trade associations, businesses and the general public until 7 April 1999. All representations to the Review Committee about the current operation and future shape of The Queen's Awards should be addressed to:

  The Secretary

  The Queens Awards Review

  151 Buckingham Palace Road

  London SW1W 9SS

  E-mail: queens-awards-review@lond05.dit/gov.uk

DEFENCE

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ex-service people have been diagnosed as suffering from Gulf War Syndrome to date. [64996]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There is no central record of the health of UK Gulf veterans, either for those still serving or for those who have left the Armed Forces. However, just under 3,000 of some 53,000 UK Service personnel who deployed to the Gulf in 1990–91 have so far sought a referral to the Ministry of Defence's Medical Assessment Programme (MAP), which was established in 1993 to provide as full a diagnosis as possible to veterans who are concerned about their health. 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 this year. A copy of the paper is available in the Library of the House. The latest scientific evidence suggest that UK Gulf veterans report more illness than other comparable groups, but does not support the existence of a unique illness or syndrome.

  Female Chartered Engineers
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many female chartered engineers by discipline there are in the regular element of the(a) Royal Navy, (b) Army, (c) Royal Air Force and (d) Royal Fleet Auxiliary; and what proportion they represent of the total number of chartered engineers in each service. [70706]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There are 357 Chartered Engineers in the Royal Navy of whom one is female. She is a member of the Institute of British Computer Science.

  There are 371 chartered Engineers recorded in the RAF of whom two are female. The specialisms of the females are civil engineering and electrical engineering.

  For the Army the information is not held centrally and can be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Multiple Myeloma
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) of 21 January 1999,Official Report, column 531, if further research on the incidence of multiple myeloma among nuclear test veterans will be funded; and if Dr Sue Rabbitt Roff s data will be used. [72770]

  Mr. Spellar
  My hon. Friend's question is opportune since I have today given my approval to the funding of a study into the incidence of multiple myeloma among nuclear test veterans of the UK's atmospheric nuclear test programme in the 1950s. The work will be undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) on lines similar to those which applied to the two earlier studies published in 1988 and 1993.

  The study will be conducted under the guidance of an oversight committee whose membership will include eminent independent experts together with a representative of the MOD's Surgeon General's Department.

  The NRPB will wish to consider all the available relevant data and the results of this study, which will be peer reviewed and published in a suitable scientific journal, should be available by the end of next year.

  RN Aircraft Accidents
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy personnel have been killed in aircraft accidents in each of the last five years. [72933]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Six Royal Navy personnel have been killed in aircraft accidents in the last six years. The details are:1994=1. A Lieutenant in an off-duty private aircraft accident in Cornwall.
  1995=2. A Lieutenant and Sub-Lieutenant in an on-duty accident in a RN Gazelle helicopter in the Wye Valley on the Welsh border.
  1996=2. A Lt. Commander and a Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Artificer) in an on-duty Sea Harrier accident in Somerset.
  1997=None.
  1998=1. A Lieutenant in an on-duty RN Lynx helicopter accident in the Singapore Straits.

  No RN personnel have been killed in 1999 in aircraft accidents.

  Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to set targets for the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency for the year 1999–2000. [71898]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]: It is my intention to announce targets for the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA) before 1 April 1999, for the year 1999–2000.

  Defence Site Sales
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sites have been disposed of in each of the last three years other than to the highest bidder. [72929]

  Mr. Spellar
  In our efforts to achieve best value for money for the sale of surplus property, it is our normal practice to accept the highest bid made for the site. However, there are occasions when the conditions attached to the highest bid cannot be accepted, or the financial standing of the bidder is assessed to be such that the bid would not be substantiated. There are also occasions when our professional judgment leads us to conclude that on balance of risk, a lower bid offers the best return to the taxpayer.

  The specific information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Female Pilots (Army)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many female pilots are currently serving in the Army; and how many are in training. [72939]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There are currently nine qualified female pilots serving in the Army, all but one of whom are occupying flying appointments. In addition, a further six women are currently undertaking pilot training.

  REME Depot, Stirling
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the discovery of mustard gas at the REME depot in Stirling; and if he will list other toxic chemicals found on site. [72752]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]: The issue of the potential of Mustard Gas at the Forthside site came to light during a remediation contract which had been let by Stirling council for the removal of radioactive materials on the site. Excavation works uncovered a glass phial (now known to date from the 1940s), as well as a small quantity of Small Arms Ammunition.

  Analysis of the glass phial by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) determined that it was of a type found in a gas sample kit used for instructional purposed during the last war. The phial contents were found to be water. DERA, however, could not rule out the possibility that Mustard Gas at some concentration could have been present in the phial at some stage. A second phial was found on 23 February and this will be subjected to the same analysis and review. EOD inspections are being undertaken when appropriate but the likelihood of many more discoveries is considered to be a low risk.
  414
  This concern prompted a further inspection, which has concluded that the risk of additional similar discoveries is low.

  Surveys carried out at the site identified that some of the land was contaminated with heavy metals (lead and cadmium), phyto-toxic metals (copper, nickel, zinc and chromium), radioactive material (radium) from former luminising activities, and small quantities of petrol and lubricants consistent with past use of the site. A full list of chemicals detected on the site is as follows:

  normal background levels of Arsenic

  occasional detectable levels of Mercury

  background to highly significant levels of Copper

  background to highly significant levels of Zinc

  background to highly significant levels of Lead

  traceable quantities of Nickel

  traceable quantities of Cadmium

  traceable quantities of Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbons

  184 mega becquerels of Radium.

  Defence Animal Centre
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Defence Animal Centre; and what was the figure at its inception. [71901]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Animal Centre. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Squadron Leader P. C. Marks to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 25 February, 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of people currently employed by the Defence Animal Centre (DAC), and the number of people employed at its inception, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as acting Chief Executive of the DAC.
  I can confirm that the DAC became a Defence Agency on 1 June 1993. The number of people employed was 224 (as at 31 March 1994), as reported in the first DAC Annual Report and Accounts. The number of people currently employed by the DAC is 190.
  If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Defence Animal Centre published its report for the year 1998–99; and what was the cost of production of the report. [73023]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Animal Centre. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Squadron Leader P. C. Marks to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 25 February 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the publication of the Defence Animal Centre (DAC) report for 1998–99 as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as acting Chief Executive of the DAC.
  I can confirm that the Annual Report and Accounts has not yet been published and therefore I cannot give the cost of the publication. The report is due to be laid before Parliament before Parliament rises for the summer recess.
  If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Army Technical Support Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Army Technical Support Agency published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [72820]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Army Technical Support Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Brigadier A. D. Ball to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 25 February 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98 for the Army Technical Support Agency (ATSA), as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the ATSA.
  The Army Technical Support Agency's Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98 were laid before Parliament on 20 November 1998. We subsequently received 1,000 copies of the Report from The Stationery Office Limited at a cost of £4,595 (VAT exempt).
  I hope that you find this information helpful.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to set targets for the Army Technical Support Agency for 1999–2000. [71908]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Army Technical Support Agency, in common with other Defence Agencies, will be set Key Targets for 1999–2000 before the end of April 1999.

  Royal Hospital, Haslar
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to fix a date to receive a parliamentary delegation jointly with the Minister of Health, in relation to the Royal Hospital, Haslar, as requested by the hon. Member for Gosport. [73024]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The meeting has been arranged for 1700hrs on Monday 8 March 1999.

  Defence Analytical Services Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will set targets for the Defence Analytical Services Agency for 1999–2000. [72816]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I aim to announce the performance targets for 1999–2000 for the Defence Analytical Services Agency to Parliament by the end of April 1999.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food and Drinks Industry (Promotion)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to promote an increase in (i) the total sales and (ii) exports of the British food and drinks industry. [71604]

  Mr. Morley
  My right hon. Friend the Minister takes every opportunity to draw attention to and promote the innovativeness, high quality and safety of British produced goods in general. The Government, particularly through their export assistance agency, Food From Britain, provide on-going support to assist the British food and drinks industry to expand its export markets.

  British Frozen Food Federation
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the British Frozen Food Federation; and what issues were discussed. [72728]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]: Neither my right hon. Friend the Minister nor his ministerial colleagues at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have yet had the opportunity to meet with the British Frozen Food Federation.

TREASURY

  Pensions (Tax Reliefs)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to introduce a common system of tax reliefs for different types of pension plan as part of the stakeholder pension proposals; and if he will set out the age-related contribution limits which apply to the existing tax reliefs for pensions. [70013]

  Ms Hewitt
  A common system of tax reliefs for different types of pension schemes already exists. Where schemes are tax approved, contributions qualify for tax reliefs (within limits), the investment build-up is tax free, and part of the benefits may be paid as a tax free lump sum while pensions are taxable. We propose extending the same system of reliefs to stakeholder pension schemes.

  The age related contribution limits that apply to the existing pensions tax reliefs are as follows:

  Maximum Percentage of Earnings1

  Age

  Personal Pensions

  Retirement Annuities

  35 or less

  17.5

  17.5

  36–45

  20

  17.5

  46–50

  25

  17.5

  51–55

  30

  20

  56–60

  35

  22.5

  61–74

  40

  27.5

  1In the case of personal pensions, earnings for limits purposes are capped at £87,600

  ECOFIN (Brussels)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the ECOFIN held in Brussels on 8 February; and if he will make a statement. [70533]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor attended the Economic and Finance Council—ECOFIN—of the European Union in Brussels on 8 February 1999.

  There was a discussion of both expenditure and resources under Agenda 2000. The goal of budgetary stabilisation by 2006 was widely supported. The Presidency issued Presidency conclusions on Agenda 2000.

  The Commission and the Chairman of the Economic and Finance Committee presented draft Opinions on the Stability programmes of Italy and Portugal, and the Convergence programmes of Sweden and the UK. The Council adopted the Opinion on Italy with some minor amendments. The Council also adopted the Opinions on Portugal, Sweden and the UK.
  417
  There was an orientation debate on the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines to inform the full debate scheduled provisionally for the 10 May ECOFIN.

  Ministers also discussed four draft directives: the European Company Statute; the Takeovers Directive; the Winding-up of credit institutions; and the Winding-up of insurance companies directive.

  Financial Services Authority
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list all life offices fined by(a) the Life Assurance and Unit Trust Regulatory Authority, (b) the Personal Investment Authority, (c) the Financial Services Authority and (d) other statutory financial regulatory bodies since the Financial Services Act 1986 came into force, stating (i) the nature of the offence, (ii) the amount of the fine, (iii) the date it was imposed and (iv) the value of any costs awarded against the firm; [70928]

  (2) if he will list all fund management firms fined by (a) the Investment Management Regulatory Organisation, (b) the Financial Services Authority and (c) other statutory financial regulatory bodies since the Financial Services Act 1986 came into force, stating (i) the nature of the offence, (ii) the amount of the fine, (iii) the date it was imposed and (iv) the value of any costs awarded against the firm. [70927]

  Ms Hewitt
  Details of the fines imposed on fund managers and life offices have been placed in the Library. The Financial Services Authority has no power to fine directly regulated firms.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the expected reduction in total public expenditure on servicing debt for (i) those countries which have reached the completion point and (ii) all countries within, the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative for(a) 1998, (b) 1999, (c) 2000, (d) 2001 and (e) 2002. [71390]

  Ms Hewitt
  Only two countries have reached completion point under the HIPC initiative: Uganda and Bolivia. The IMF has not produced estimates of the expected reduction in total public expenditure on servicing debt for Uganda, or for other countries within the HIPC initiative. Their estimate of the expected reduction in total public expenditure on servicing debt for Bolivia (in $ millions) is as follows:

  Year

  £million

  1998

  4.5

  1999

  15.4

  2000

  17.9

  2001

  20.6

  2002

  6.8

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will press for the inclusion of Malawi in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. [71394]
  418
  Ms Hewitt
  The IMF does not currently consider Malawi to be eligible for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. However, should Malawi's debt burden become unsustainable, the UK would press strongly for Malawi to be considered for immediate HIPC relief.

  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the policy of the new Government in Germany towards debt relief for those countries included in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. [71391]

  Ms Hewitt
  The UK welcome the German debt initiative, which in many ways reinforces the Chancellor's Mauritius Mandate of September 1997. The UK and new German Governments share similar approaches to the issues of debt relief and development in the world's poorest countries.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Terms of Reference of the Fundamental Review of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative have been agreed; and if Her Majesty's Government will seek the integration of internationally agreed poverty reduction targets in a reformed HIPC Initiative. [72193]

  Ms Hewitt
  The IMF have not yet set the Terms of Reference of the forthcoming HIPC Review. The UK has taken the lead in pressing for the link between debt relief and poverty reduction to be a key focus of the review, and to be looked at by an external evaluator.

  Inland Revenue Staff
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff were employed in Inland Revenue Special Compliance Offices in(a) 1990 and (b) each year since 1993; and what was the turnover of staff in each year. [71787]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information for 1990 is not available from Special Compliance Office records. Special Compliance Office was formed in 1993 when Enquiry Office, Special Office and the Board's Investigation Office were integrated. Staffing figures for the previous sections are not available.

  "Man year usage"

  Leavers

  Starters

  1993–94

  501

  30

  33

  1994–95

  454

  50

  74

  1995–96

  430

  98

  85

  1996–97

  425

  52

  52

  1997–98

  423

  98

  94

  1998–99

  1426

  290

  290

  1Estimated

  2To date

  "Man year usage" does not equate to staff in post at any one time. The list includes all grades, covering investigators, accountants, managers and clerical support. "Leavers" includes people moving to different jobs in the Revenue, retirements and resignations. "Starters" are mainly recruited from the rest of the department, although we have recruited accountants and clerical staff directly into Special Compliance Office.

  Euro
  Mr. Radice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government intend to take(a) to allow firms based in the UK to make VAT payments in euros and (b) to allow Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue to receive payments in euros; and if he will make a statement. [71951]

  Ms Hewitt
  Customs and Excise have accepted payment in euro of VAT and other taxes and duties since the introduction of the euro on 1 January 1999. Both Customs and the Inland Revenue have made the necessary internal accounting arrangements to accept euro payments by any method made available by the banks, and have set up euro accounts with the Bank of England.

  House Prices
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of house price inflation since 1997 and the likely trend in 1999–2000. [72316]

  Ms Hewitt
  Alternative indices have shown different rates of house price inflation over the past two years, but it seems clear that real house prices have shown significant increases.

  Transfer Pricing
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the guidance relating to the clearance procedures and the approach of the Revenue regarding transfer pricing under the legislation brought into effect on 1 July 1998; what advice he has issued to large companies with connected subsidiaries around the world; and if he will make a statement. [72315]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The new transfer pricing legislation (Schedule 28AA to the Taxes Act 1988) is specifically allied to the advice on transfer pricing in the Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. These Guidelines establish internationally accepted rules for transfer pricing and provide multinational taxpayers with considerable assistance in making an accurate return in relation to arrangements with affiliates around the world.

  Additional guidance has been provided by the Inland Revenue in two articles in its Tax Bulletin. The first, dated October 1998, gave advice on funding arrangements and confirmed that existing clearance procedures (as described in an article in Tax Bulletin in June 1995) would continue. It also explained record-keeping requirements. The second article, dated December 1998, explained the application of the general penalty provisions in transfer pricing cases.

  As announced on Budget Day last year, legislation will be introduced in the forthcoming Finance Bill to govern Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) between taxpayers and the Inland Revenue. APAs enable taxpayers to agree in advance with the Inland Revenue how complexities in applying the arm's length principle to cross-border transactions which cannot be fully clarified by reference to the published guidance are to be clarified. Draft clauses and a draft Statement of Practice were issued for consultation on 17 December 1998.
  420
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of businesses which will be affected by the new rules on transfer pricing which were announced in the 1998 budget; and what will be the average cost per business. [70688]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: The new transfer pricing legislation is designed to ensure that arm's length prices are used in calculating the tax effects of international transactions between associated businesses. It will impact on those businesses at the larger end of the spectrum of UK multinational groups and UK subsidiaries of foreign parents. It is estimated that there are between two and three thousand of these.

  The average initial compliance cost per business is estimated to be in the range £11,000 to £27,000. The average recurring compliance cost is expected to be much less.

  Household Statistics
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of adults who live in households where there is at least one child aged under 16 years and also at least one higher rate taxpayer. [71195]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: It is estimated that there will be about 1 million households amongst couples and lone parents with at least one child under 16 and at least one higher rate taxpayer in 1999–2000.

  Export Guarantees Committee
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the functions of the Export Guarantees Committee, indicating the departments and agencies represented, the chairmanship and the number of times the committee has met since 1 January 1998. [71961]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Export Guarantees Committee (EGC) is an inter-departmental committee that considers the political, economic, financial and commercial factors that relate to markets where the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) might provide support under the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991. The Committee is chaired by the Treasury; other members come from the ECGD, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development, the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority.

  Since 1 January 1998 the EGC has met 4 times, and conducted other business by written procedure.

  Minimum Wage
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people who will benefit financially in the first year from the introduction of a national minimum wage in(a) the Northern Region, (b) Teesside area and (c) the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East. [72174]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
  421
  Letter from Tim Holt to Dr. Ashok Kumar, dated 25 February 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on the number of people who will benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage (NMW).
  The precise information you requested is unavailable. However, estimates of the proportion of people who are currently earning below the proposed NMW for (a) North East Region and (b) Teesside TEC area and (c) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Parliamentary Constituency are provided in the attached tables. It should be noted that the tables are based on the latest available information from the 1998 New Earnings Survey (NES) and the Labour Force Survey (LFS). It provides an historical position against 1998 values of the proposed NMW and makes no judgment on whether its introduction will have any effect on the number of jobs.
  The preferred method for assessing the coverage of the proposed NMW is to present adjusted NES and LFS data for the number of employees earning less than the proposed NMW rates. This method adjusts for the fact that the NES is based on a one per cent sample of employees in the PAYE system and is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff earning below the tax threshold, in particular those who work part-time. It is not possible to use this method for small areas, and information solely from the NES, has therefore been provided for Teesside and Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.
  The extent of the bias in the NES data may be estimated for the North East by using the adjusted NES and LFS data for all employees. This suggests that the estimate of the overall proportion of full-time employees aged over 21 years earning below £3.50 could understate the true position by as much as 5 percentage points. However, it is unlikely that the occurrence of lower paid jobs is uniform across the region, and so it would be wise to treat this figure as broadly indicative rather than as a precise estimate. I am unable to provide the bias for employees aged 18 to 21 years because the sample size is too small for a reliable estimate to be produced.

  Employees, whose pay for the survey period was unaffected by absence

  Hourly pay excluding overtime and shift pay (£)

  Percentage aged 18 to 21 on all rates earning less than £2.90

  Percentage aged 22 and over on adult rates earning less than £3.50

  Teesside TEC area

  9.4

  7.5

  Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland

  1—

  1—

  1Denotes that a reliable estimate is not available

  Source:

  New Earnings Survey, April 1998

  Number and percentage of employees aged 18 to 21 earning less than £2.90 per hour; Adjusted estimates

  North East: a reliable estimate is not available.

  Number and percentage of employees aged 22 and over earning below £3.50 per hour; Adjusted estimates; Spring 1998

  North East

  Lower Range

  Percentage

  10.2

  Number (Thousand)

  89

  Central Estimate

  Percentage

  11.1

  Number (Thousand)

  97

  422

  Number and percentage of employees aged 22 and over earning below £3.50 per hour; Adjusted estimates; Spring 1998

  North East

  Upper Range

  Percentage

  12.0

  Number (Thousand)

  105

  Sources:

  New Earnings Survey, 1998 and Labour Force Survey (Spring 1998).

  The adjusted estimates are produced in line with an article "Towards reconciliation of NES and LFS Earnings Data" by David Wilkinson in Labour Market Trends; May 1998 pp223–231.

  EMU
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the ECOFIN agreed report on Information Requirements in Economic and Monetary Union; and if he will make a statement. [72286]

  Ms Hewitt
  A copy of this Report, which was endorsed at the 18 January ECOFIN, has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the additional cost in a full year to the Exchequer of raising both rates of child benefit by £1; and by how much the net cost to the Exchequer would be reduced if the marginal increase was taxed at 40 per cent. for(a) recipients of child benefit who are higher rate taxpayers and (b) recipients of child benefit who either live as husband or wife with a higher rate taxpayer or pay higher rate tax themselves. [71196]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 February 19991 Estimates for the full year cost for 1999–2000 are given in the table:

  £ million

  Cost of raising both rates of child benefit by £1

  600

  Yield from taxing all child benefit, including £1 increase, at 40 per cent. for

  (a) child benefit recipients who are higher rate taxpayers

  40

  (b) lone parents who are higher rate taxpayers or couples where there is a higher rate taxpayer

  450

  Reduction in net cost by taxing £1 increase in child benefit at 40 per cent. For

  (a) child benefit recipients who are higher rate taxpayers

  less than 5

  (b) lone parents who are higher rate taxpayers or couples where there is a higher rate taxpayer

  35

  British Rebate (EU)
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy towards the British rebate in the EU budget negotiations. [72908]

  Ms Hewitt
  Despite the abatement, the UK remains a significantly larger net contributor to the EC than a number of other member states whose capacity to pay is greater. In these circumstances weakening the abatement would be unfair. The UK has made clear in the current Agenda 2000 negotiations that it would not accept any such unfair outcome.

  Financial Services and Markets Bill
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the scope of regulated activities under the draft Financial Services and Markets Bill. [73881]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Financial Services and Markets Bill provides for the scope of regulated activities to be set out in secondary legislation. This will make it easier to respond to developments in the financial services industry.

  The Treasury has today issued a consultation document with draft orders under the Bill. The deadline for initial comments is 30 April. We are consulting on this legislation well in advance so that we have the longest possible time to get it right.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria will be used to determine the eligibility of grandparents for the working families tax credit child care subsidy. [63199]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 11 January 1999]: The child care tax credit within the Working Families Tax Credit will help with up to 70 per cent. of the parent's costs of eligible child care. The same criteria for eligibility will be applied to all child care providers. Eligible providers will include registered childminders, registered nurseries and after school clubs.

  Russia and Brazil (Current Borrowings)
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if(a) Russia and (b) Brazil have fully met the terms and obligations associated with their current borrowings from (i) the IMF, (ii) the World Bank and(iii) other Government-funded financial institutions. [70299]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 10 February 1999]: Both Russia and Brazil have fulfilled all their financial obligations in servicing their current borrowings from all the institutions referred to. Failure to comply fully with loan conditionality has in both cases, however, led to the suspension or limiting of financing from some sources.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the contribution of the United Kingdom to(a) Russia and (b) Brazil via (i) the IMF, (ii) the World Bank and (iii) other Government-funded financial institutions. [70300]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 10 February 1999]: The table details the outstanding loans disbursed to (a) Russia and (b) Brazil by the IMF, the World Bank and other multi-lateral institutions.

  £

  (a) Russia

  (b) Brazil

  International Monetary Fund

  11.7 billion

  2.9 billion

  World Bank

  2.2 billion

  0.6 billion

  Bank of International Settlements

  n/a

  2.57 billion

  European Bank for Reconstruction and
  Development

  11.0 billion

  n/a

  Inter-American Development Bank

  n/a

  10.3 billion

  European Investment Bank

  n/a

  38.2 million

  1Loans and equity

  424
  The table uses exchange rates as of close of trading 11 February 1999.

  The table uses exchange rates as of close of trading 11 February 1999.

  The primary source of IMF resources is subscriptions (quotas) from member countries. The UK quota is equivalent to 5 per cent. of the total quotas. This subscription is not public expenditure, but constitutes part of the UK's foreign exchange reserves.

  In the case of Russia and Brazil, the UK and other major shareholders also provided bilateral loans to the IMF, respectively through the General Arrangements to Borrow (GAB) and the New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB). The NAB and GAB are mechanisms that enable the Fund to borrow from selected members when supplementary resources are needed to deal with an impairment of the international monetary system, or an exceptional situation that poses a threat to the stability of the system. To date, the UK has lent the IMF £117,248,801 under the GAB for Russia, and £200,465,904 under the NAB for Brazil. These loans are not public expenditure, but constitute part of the UK's foreign exchange reserves.

  The World Bank, the EBRD, and the IADB finance their loans principally from borrowings on the international capital markets. They also derive resources from the capital subscriptions of members, and from accumulated earnings (mainly from their loans). The UK shareholding at the World Bank is 4.5 per cent., at the EBRD 8.5 per cent., at the IADB 1.0 per cent. and 17.8 per cent. at the EIB (through the Loan Guarantee Reserve). A certain share of BIS moneys is underwritten by the UK treasury. This is not public expenditure, but we do hold contingent liability. Currently, we are underwriting £240,310,674.

  BP
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many shares the Government hold in BP; and if he will make a statement. [69722]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 11 February 1999]; None.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to relocate staff in(a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible to the regions of the United Kingdom with the highest levels of unemployment; and what plans he has further to decentralise the location of his Department and its agencies. [70457]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: There are currently no plans to move Departmental or agency staff to regions with the highest unemployment levels and no plans to decentralise.

  Pensions
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average annual contribution made to personal pension plans by(a) standard rate and (b) higher rate taxpayers. [70695]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: The information is in the table.
  425

  £

  Average contribution to personal pension schemes in 1996–97

  Basic rate taxpayers

  900

  Higher rate taxpayers

  4,200

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes for 1996–97 and other survey and administrative information.

  2. Includes contributions to retirement annuity contracts, but excludes free-standing additional voluntary contributions, "minimum contributions" by DSS to appropriate personal pension schemes and contributions made by employers.

  3. Covers contributions made by employees and the self-employed.

  4. Includes basic rate tax repaid to scheme administrators in respect of contributions made by employees to personal pensions under net contribution arrangements.

  5. Figures are rounded to the nearest £100.

  Cheque-cashing Companies
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the activities of cheque-cashing companies in respect of the provisions of the Cheques Act 1992. [71657]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]: The Treasury has from time to time received letters from MPs and members of the public on cheque cashing companies.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what regulatory mechanisms apply to the activities of cheque-cashing companies. [71658]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]: Cheque-cashing companies are unregulated.

  Unemployment (Cambridge)
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many young people aged between 18 and 24 years were out of work and claiming benefit in the Cambridge travel-to-work area who had been unemployed in excess of six months, at (i) April 1997, (ii) April 1998 and (iii) October 1998. [72365]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Andrew Lansley, dated 25 February 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on those claiming benefit in the Cambridge travel-to-work area (TTWA).
  The information you have requested is derived from the monthly claimant count of people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Jobseeker's Allowance or National Insurance credits). Essentially, all people who were claiming these benefits on the count day are counted.
  The date you have requested for those aged 18–24 in the Cambridge TTWA is given below and are not adjusted to take account of seasonal factors.

  Cambridge TTWA: Claimant count for over 6 months

  Age 18–24

  April 1997

  384

  April 1998

  216

  October 1998

  168

  National Statistical Service
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to establish the new independent national statistical service; and if he will make a statement on the degree and nature of the independence that is proposed. [72025]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: The Government produced a Green Paper "Statistics: A Matter of Trust" last year which provided options as to how best they might seek to enhance the integrity, both actual and perceived, of official statistics. They will be bringing forward their plans in this area as soon as they are finalised.

  Citizens Advice Bureaux
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to permit citizens advice bureaux to provide financial advice. [72363]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: Citizens Advice Bureaux already play an important role in advising and assisting consumers on financial matters. When the Financial Services and Markets Bill has been enacted, I hope that they will be able to work with the Financial Services Authority, which we propose should have a public awareness objective, to improve consumer education on financial services generally. However, the giving of personal financial advice is a regulated activity which requires, and will continue to require under the new bill, authorisation.

  Fuel Duty
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the Treasury's environmental appraisal on the effects of the policy to increase fuel duty by six per cent. per annum in real terms. [72293]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: The Pre-Budget Report, published on 3 November 1998, included an environmental assessment of the Government's environmental tax measures to date. The road fuel duty escalator, over the period 1996 to 2002, is estimated to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by between 2 million and 5 million tonnes of carbon in 2010. It is also estimated that the 2010 urban road transport emissions of oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter will be reduced by 1 per cent. and 1.2 per cent. respectively.

  Petrol Prices
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to require petrol retailers to display at the pumps the amount of tax paid on a litre of fuel. [72328]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 23 February 1999]: No.

  Transport (New Technology)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to provide fiscal incentives to use new technology in transport. [71112]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]: In his last Budget, several measures were announced by the Chancellor in keeping with the Government's commitment to reduce pollutant emissions, including a

  427
  freeze on duty for road fuel gases, a £500 reduction in vehicle excise duty for lorries that meet a low emission standard, a £50 reduction in vehicle excise duty for the smallest, cleanest cars and an increase in the duty differential between conventional diesel and ultra low sulphur diesel.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax payers paid income tax at the rate of 40 per cent. in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [73123]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The latest estimates, based on the 1996–97 Survey of Personal Incomes, for the number of taxpayers paying some income tax at the higher rate are 2.08 million for 1996–97 and 2.30 million for 1997–98.

HEALTH

  Domestic Violence
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the responses to the requests to local authorities to report their activity on tackling domestic violence. [70534]

  Ms Jowell
  The responses of the local authorities on their activities on tackling domestic violence were summarised in a report by the London Research Centre, "Tackling Violence Against Women". This report which was jointly funded by the women's unit in the Cabinet Office and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions was placed in the Library in November 1998.

  Neurological Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his officials will commence work on drawing up a compendium of good practice on the commissioning of neurological services; and when it will be published. [72564]

  Mr. Hutton
  Subject to resource availability next year, a compendium of good practice on the commissioning of neurological services is currently being considered for development in 1999–2000.

  Occupational Therapy
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many schoolchildren by(a) age and (b) health authority are awaiting the services of an occupational therapist at the Sunderland, Hartlepool and Durham Hospital Trusts following a recommendation from an educational special needs assessment; and what was the average waiting time in the last year for which figures are available. [72322]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information is not held by the Department. The health authorities involved should be able to provide the information requested for their own areas.

  Asthma (Children)
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of children under 16 years of age suffering from asthma in(a) England and Wales and (b) Sheffield Health Authority area. [71965]
  428
  Mr. Hutton
  There are no comprehensive data on the number of children with asthma. On the basis of all the information available, it has been estimated that "the prevalence of asthma sufficiently severe to require regular medical supervision is from 4–6 per cent. in children". This estimate is quoted in "Asthma: An Epidemiological Overview" (Central Health Monitoring Unit, 1995), which brought together a broad range of the best statistics on asthma in England. Copies are available in the Library.

  According to the report of the Health Survey for England 1997, 23 per cent. of boys and 18 per cent. of girls aged 2 to 15 years had been diagnosed at some time in the past as suffering from asthma. Copies of this report are also available in the Library.

  The equivalent figures for the Sheffield Health Authority area are not available centrally. Information on the number of children suffering from asthma in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mentally Ill (Homelessness)
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has obtained as to how many people discharged from mental illness hospitals in England in the last year after a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses, having been proved vulnerable homeless, subsequently became voluntary homeless. [72581]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Caesarean Sections
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what clinical guidelines his Department has given to obstetricians in assessing when a caesarean section is appropriate. [72537]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not issue clinical guidelines. The Department is funding the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to carry out a national audit of caesarean sections in order to develop caesarean section audit criteria for particular groups of women.

  Learning Disabilities Strategy
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish a strategy for people with learning disabilities. [72520]

  Mr. Hutton
  Our White Paper "Modernising Social Services" published in November 1998 set out our strategy for the development of social services for all client groups including people with learning disabilities. They will also benefit from wider developments such as the proposals in our National Health Service White Paper and Public Health Green Paper, and the Welfare to Work strategy. We have recently completed a review of learning disability hospital reprovisioning plans, are currently carrying out a survey in 24 local authorities and their matching health authorities and are awaiting the results of an evaluation of different types of residential provision for people with learning disabilities. We will then consider what, if any, further action needs to be taken in the light of this work and advice from the Learning Disability Advisory Group set up last November.

  Mother and Baby Units (Mentally Ill)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for mother and baby units for the mentally ill. [72521]

  Mr. Hutton
  Health authorities are required to assess the health needs of their population and arrange for the provision of adequate services. This should include the needs of mothers with a psychiatric illness.

  Long-term Nursing Care
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish his plans for long-term nursing care. [72592]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have already set in hand a number of initiatives to improve long-term care services—particularly those set out in our White Paper "Modernising Social Services". We also await the report of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care of the Elderly, due very shortly.

  Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) deaths and (b) hospital admissions have resulted from the abuse of gamma hydroxy butyrate in (a) the North West and (b) England in each of the last 10 years. [72900]

  Ms Jowell
  Between 1988 and 1997, one death is mentioned on the death certificate (in 1995) as being due to the abuse of gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB) in England, none in the North West. Figures for 1993 to 1997 are provisional.

  Figures for hospital admissions from the abuse of GHB are not identified separately in the information that is available centrally.

  NHS Charges
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase charges in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [73880]

  Mr. Denham
  We shall shortly lay before the House regulations to increase National Health Service Charges in England and Wales from 1 April 1999. There will be a cash increase in the charge of 10p, (1.72 per cent.) from £5.80 to £5.90 for each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed. This means that prescription charges will fall in real terms.

  The cost of prescription prepayment certificates will rise to £30.80 for a 4 month certificate and £84.60 for an annual certificate. These offer savings for those needing more than 5 items in four months or 14 in one year.

  Prescription charges are expected to raise some £377 million for the NHS in 1999–2000.

  Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and most fabric supports supplied through the Hospital Service will be increased similarly.

  The maximum patient charge for a single course of dental treatment begun on or after 1 April 1999 will increase from £340 to £348. Only about 1 in every 1,000 courses of treatment will attract the new maximum charge.
  430
  The increases are below the current rate of inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index for January 1999, 2.4 per cent.

  We will also be laying regulations to increase optical voucher values. Increases range from 2.5 per cent. to 18 per cent. with most help targeted towards people with serious sight problems who are prescribed the most complex, expensive glasses.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will lay regulations to increase charges in Scotland by the same amounts. Similar arrangements will apply in Northern Ireland.

  Details of the revised charges have been placed in the Library.

CABINET OFFICE

  Genetic Modification
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) on how many occasions(a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have (i) spoken with and (ii) received representations regarding genetic modification from Cathy McGlynn of Bell Pottinger; [72060]

  (2) on how many occasions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have (i) spoken with and (ii) received representations regarding genetic modification from Dave Hill of Bell Pottinger; [72064]

  (3) on how many occasions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have (i) spoken with and (ii) received representations regarding genetic modification from Mr. Stan Greenberg of Greenberg Research. [72247]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  [holding answer 23 February 1999]: I and my officials are in regular contact with representatives of all those with an interest in biotechnology—including environmental groups, consumer groups and biotechnology companies. It is not the normal practice of governments to give details of specific meetings with private individuals or companies.

  British Business (Regulations)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimates the Government have made of the cumulative impact on British business of changes in the degree and level of regulation since 1 May 1997. [71609]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Since the election, we have regularly published Command Papers listing all the regulations which have been introduced within the previous six months. We have also published Compliance Cost Assessments to accompany all new regulations with an impact on business. Since last August that requirement extended to the Regulatory Impact Assessment which better focused on benefits as well as costs.

  The cost of new regulations, as reported in Compliance Cost and Regulatory Impact Assessments, provides a helpful snapshot of the initial burden imposed by new regulations. However, the type and incidence of the burden imposed by each regulation can be quite different

  431
  and the costs cannot be added together so as to produce a figure which, on its own, has any real meaning. The Government do not therefore publish cumulative figures.

  However, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his Pre-Budget Report, asked the Better Regulation Task Force to examine the relationship between regulations and productivity. The Task Force will shortly offer initial findings on the impact of regulations on business start-up, success and growth and will publish a full report in the summer.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of extending entitlement to jobseeker's allowance to national insurance(a) class 2 contributors and (b) class 4 contributors. [70434]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 11 February 1999]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  It is possible to provide information only in respect of those who claim contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance but fail to qualify because they are class 2 contributors. It is estimated that the cost of extending contribution-based jobseekers allowance to this group is around £15 million per year.

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Average reduction in numbers receiving contributory bereavement benefits

  Less than 5,000

  20,000

  40,000

  Average increase in numbers receiving Income Support

  Less than 5,000

  Less than 5,000

  10,000

  Average increase in numbers receiving Housing Benefit

  Less than 5,000

  Less than 5,000

  Less than 5,000

  Average increase in numbers receiving Council Tax Benefit

  Less than 5,000

  Less than 5,000

  Less than 5,000

  Notes:

  1. Estimates use information from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey, the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry and forecasts from the Government Actuary's Department concerning the number of women affected by the proposed changes.

  2. Estimates assume that a constant proportion over time of those affected by the proposed Bereavement Benefits move on to each of the means-tested benefits.

  3. Estimates across means-tested benefits cannot be summed to provide an estimate of the total number of people affected by the changes.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's total expenditure on purchases of(a) vehicles, (b) computers and (c) properties, since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [72811]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the tables.

  £

  Departmental total

  Expenditure on purchases from I May 1997 to 31 March 1998

  Vehicles

  3, 7,331.67

  Computers

  16,506,705.25

  Properties

  0

  Expenditure on purchases from 1 April 1998 to 31 January 1999

  Vehicles

  2,365,947.68

  Computers

  12,242,485.77

  Properties

  0

  432
  There will be a further group of class 2 contributors who do not currently claim Jobseeker's Allowance, for example because they know that they would not qualify for benefit through either the contribution or income-based route. The figure provided will therefore underestimate the total cost of extending contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) to all class 2 contributors.

  Notes:

  1. Estimate based on JSA 1 per cent. sample of claimants, linked to the Lifetime Labour Market Database.

  2. Estimate rounded to nearest £5 million.

  3. Estimate is for Great Britain.

  Widows Benefits
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the numbers of individuals who will lose entitlement under his changes to widows benefits and the numbers who as a result will claim means-tested assistance. [72190]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: Precise estimates of this kind are not available. The estimates that follow give our best estimate of the numbers who might be affected but are subject to a wide range of uncertainty. They are based on survey data and the circumstances of those present in the survey may differ from those affected by the policy change. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 10,000.

  Private Sector Resource Initiative
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date the transfer of the Department's estate as part of the Private Sector Resource Initiative was agreed; and if he will make a statement. [72812]

  Angela Eagle
  The decision to transfer the ownership and management of the Department's estate and to procure a private sector supplier of serviced accommodation, via the PRIME (Private sector Resource Initiative for Management of the Estate) initiative, was first announced on 28 June 1996.

  All the projects that we inherited, and which involved the outsourcing of work, were reviewed and tested against the Government's new strengthened criteria for involvement of the private sector to ensure that they would work and that they were fair to customers, taxpayers and staff alike. PRIME fully passed this test and we agreed to proceed with the project in support of our commitment to modernise the delivery of Social Security.
  433
  The announcement was made on 31 July 1997, Official Report, columns 591–94, by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Social Security.

  A contract was formally signed with the preferred supplier PPM (Partnership Property Management), now Trillium Group, at midday on 24 December 1997 and the property transfer was effected on 1 April 1998.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportions of written parliamentary questions for answer on a named day have been given substantive answers on that day in the current session. [73122]

  Mr. Timms
  In the current Parliamentary year we have received 360 Parliamentary Questions for answer on a named day, of these 331 (92 per cent.) were given a substantive answer.

  This Department aims to give a holding reply to no more than 10 per cent. of all Parliamentary Questions for answer on a named day. However where detailed work has to be carried out by the Department's analytical branches or the Government's Actuary Department a full response cannot always be provided in the time allowed.

  Bereavement Benefits
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by income decile the numbers of(a) gainers and (b) losers, and the average amount gained or lost, from the proposed changes to bereavement benefits. [73262]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available.Notes:

  1. Information on current Widows' Benefits recipients is not available by income decile because the sample sizes involved are too small to allow a robust analysis. Moreover, estimating the position of Bereavement Benefits recipients would require estimates of the future distribution of income.

  2. In modelling income-related benefit effects, it is necessary to make broad assumptions about take up levels (which differ for each of Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit). Consequently, these assumptions do not directly relate back to individuals in different parts of the income distribution.

  Benefit Claimants
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of benefit claimants who do not have a bank account. [73015]

  Mr. Timms
  Estimates of the number of benefit claimants who do not have a bank account vary widely. The various sources of information available suggest the figure to be in the region of 10–20 per cent.

  Benefit Payments
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of(a) the transaction costs of benefit payment and (b) the costs of paying benefit using the current method if paid through automatic credit transfer. [73029]
  434
  Angela Eagle
  The transaction fees payable by this Department, to the various agents who supply benefit payment services, are commercial in confidence and cannot be disclosed.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what proportion of housing benefit claims are processed within 14 days; and what were the proportions in each year since 1992; [73034]

  (2) what proportion of housing benefit claims were processed within 14 days (a) in each year since 1992 and (b) at the latest available date. [73261]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  The percentage of new claims to housing benefit determined within 14 days of receipt of all necessary information in Great Britain

  Year

  Percentage

  1992–93

  not available

  1993–94

  not available

  1994–95

  80

  1995–96

  82

  1996–97

  78

  1997–98

  79 (most recent year)

  Note:

  The data will include estimates for non responding authorities.

  Source:

  Local Authority Administrative Returns.

  Means-tested Benefits
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumption about the value in real terms of means-tested benefits in 2025 has been made in the forecast in paragraph 17, chapter 1, of Cmd 4179. [73016]

  Angela Eagle
  Our aim, over the long-term and as resources allow, is to increase the Minimum Income Guarantee in line with average earnings. The forecast in paragraph 17, chapter 1, of Cm 4179 assumes that the level of income-related benefits is increased in line with average earnings (assumed to be 1.5 per cent. per year above the growth in prices) from April 1999 onwards.

  Benefit Payments (Post Offices)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the expected completion date of the installation of the Benefits Agency/POCL project; [73018]

  (2) what assessment he has made of how Benefits Agency staff judge the new Benefits Agency/POCL system; [73030]

  (3) if he will list the savings which have resulted directly from the Benefits Agency/POCL project; and if he will indicate how these savings are measured; [73032]

  (4) how many transactions using the new Benefits Agency/POCL system have been (a) single benefit claims, (b) two benefit claims, (c) three benefit claims and (d) four or more benefit claims; [73017]

  (5) what is the average amount paid to date to the ICL-led consortium for each transaction using the new Benefits Agency/POCL system. [73033]
  435
  Angela Eagle
  The working plans assume that all post offices will be automated by the end of 2000.

  An approach has been developed to assess the impact of the payment card and the supporting customer accounting and payment systems on the operation of DSS benefits and Benefits Agency offices. This will capture data on staff awareness, perception and satisfaction, which will begin to become available from the middle of this year.

  The trial of the payment card is estimated to have resulted in savings in benefit fraud of £68,000 during the period September 1996 to December 1998. The parallel introduction of the order book control service has separately resulted in savings in fraud of £1.4 million during the period May 1997 to December 1998.

  Savings are measured using system-produced data on volumes of payment card transactions and volumes of order books recovered as a result of barcoding.

  To date 750,000 payments of child benefit have been made via the payment card as part of a limited trial. No other benefits are presently involved in the trial.

  Commercial information such as the value of transaction charges is confidential.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  European Youth Parliament
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if the Committee will investigate whether the Chamber of the House could be made available to members of the European Youth Parliament for use when the House is not in session. [72549]

  Mrs. Roe
  I have to advise my hon. Friend that the Chamber of the House cannot be made available for this purpose. The Parliamentary Education Unit have recently started a programme of "Pupil Parliaments" for schools on six or seven Fridays each year in Committee Room 10, and any proposals from the European Youth Parliament for similar facilities would be considered by my Committee in the context of this programme.

WALES

  TECs
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the training provided by TECs; and if he will make a statement. [72037]

  Mr. Hain
  TECs contract with a variety of training providers for the delivery of youth and adult training programmes. In so doing, they must ensure that the training delivered meets the specifications for the various programmes that are set out in the TEC Contract and Operating Manual and the related planning guidance. They must also ensure that it complies with their contractual obligations in respect of accuracy of payments claimed for programme delivery, quality assurance and Health and Safety provisions. TEC performance in all of these respects is closely monitored by the Welsh Office 436
  and subject to the annual performance review; and, when cases of non-compliance with contract have arisen, appropriate remedial action has been taken.

  The content of the training provided is specified by the various industry lead bodies and the qualifications awarded on the completion of training are routinely subject to audit by ACCAC, the qualifications assessment body for Wales.

  The effectiveness of the training programmes in achieving their objectives is also subject to evaluation. Such evaluations are usually undertaken by the Department for Education and Employment on an England and Wales basis and the reports are routinely published. They influence both the subsequent design of programmes and the way in which they are delivered locally via the TECs through the identification of best practice.

  However, whilst these arrangements have provided reasonable assurance that the training delivered has accorded with its intentions, they have not provided any clear indication of the relative standards of training offered by different training providers. Evidence of compliance with training course requirements does not necessarily represent evidence of a good learning experience for the trainee. The quality assurance arrangements provide a limited assurance in this respect, but they are insufficiently independent of the parties involved in training delivery to provide an objective assessment of the standard of training achieved.

  It is for this reason that the Government have enacted legislation to enable the Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector to inspect the quality of training provision in Wales. The Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector will use a framework for inspection which is similar to that used by the Training Standards Council in England and which has been subject to consultation with TECs, training providers and ACCAC in Wales. Inspections will begin in the next financial year and it is intended to cover all providers of Government-sponsored training within a five year cycle. The Inspectorate's reports will provide the first independent assessment of training standards in Wales; and I will expect both the TECs and the training providers concerned to use these reports constructively in the interests of continuous improvement.

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

  Higher and Further Education
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of (i) higher and (ii) further education students in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [72035]

  Mr. Hain
  Provisional figures, as at 1 December 1997, indicate that the numbers of students studying at Welsh institutions were 95,546 for higher education and 137,660 for further education.

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

  New Deal
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many New Deal graduates have found permanent jobs; and if he will make a statement. [72036]
  437
  Mr. Hain
  Although there can be no guarantee of permanency, all jobs accessed through the New Deal are real jobs.

  The latest data published by the Department for Education and Employment show that some 2,700 young people had left the "New Deal for 18–24s" in Wales to enter unsubsidised work and more than 1,000 others were in a subsidised job under the Employer Option.

  I am very encouraged by this impressive start to the "New Deal for 18–24s" and, in particular, to the strong support being provided by employers in Wales, over 2,900 of whom have signed agreements to offer opportunities under the New Deal.

  Welsh Arts Council
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress for appointing a new chair for the Welsh Arts Council. [72768]

  Mr. Michael
  Interviews to select a successor to Sir Richard Lloyd Jones have taken place and I hope to announce a decision shortly.

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

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients in each health authority area were waiting for NHS treatment in December 1998 for(a) six months and under, (b) six to 12 months, (c) 12 to 18 months and (d) over 18 months; and if he will make a statement. [72756]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Data for the number of patients awaiting in-patient or day case treatment for up to 6 months are not centrally available. Data for the number of residents of each health authority area who were waiting for up to 12 months, 12 to 18 months and over 18 months at 31 December 1998 are given in the table.

  Number of residents in each health authority who were waiting for in-patient or day case treatment at 31 December 1998

  Health authority

  Up to 12 months

  12 to 18 months

  Over 18 months

  Total

  Gwent

  11,981

  1,356

  467

  13,804

  Bro Taf

  13,949

  2,114

  1,775

  17,838

  Dyfed Powys

  12,254

  996

  260

  13,510

  North Wales

  15,058

  733

  212

  16,003

  Morgannwg1

  9,471

  541

  197

  10,209

  Wales1

  62,713

  5,740

  2,911

  71,364

  1These figures incorporate revisions to the data from Morgannwg Health Authority and so differ from those published in the Welsh Office Statistical Release SDR 7/99 on 13 January 1999

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

  Welsh Assembly (Freemasons)
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he has received from Commissioners on a requirement for elected members to the Welsh Assembly to require disclosure and declaration if they are Freemasons. [R][73187]
  438
  Mr. Michael
  The National Assembly Advisory Group, established by my predecessor, advised that Assembly Members should have to register membership of the Freemasons but the Standing Orders Commissioners have now submitted draft standing orders which do not include a requirement on Assembly Members to register membership of the Freemasons.

  I have invited comments on the Commissioners' report; in so doing, I have indicated that I am minded to incorporate the views of the National Assembly Advisory Group, that such membership should be a registrable interest, into the standing orders in their final form.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Working Time Directive
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which categories of the Department's officials will be subject to the Working Time Directive. [71834]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Working Time Directive applies to all FCO staff.

  Imperial Measurements
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current state of negotiations regarding the extension of the derogation at European Union level for use of imperial measurements; which voting procedure will apply at the Council of Ministers; and which countries have already declared voting intentions. [72529]

  Dr. Howells
  I have been asked to reply.

  On 15 February the European Commission published a proposal to, inter alia, extend until 31 December 2009 the period during which imperial units of measurement may be used optionally as supplementary indications of quantity alongside but no more prominent than the primary indication in metric units. The proposal is subject to qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers and co-decision procedure with the European Parliament.

  At a Commission working group in Brussels last year Member States indicated that they would support the proposal unopposed.

  EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1999,Official Report, column 212, how many reports or proposals each group has produced since 1 May 1997; and if he will list them. [72321]

  Ms Quin
  Common Foreign and Security Policy Working Groups meet on a regular basis. After each meeting the Council Secretariat produces a report of the Group's discussion, which is sent to all Member States.
  439
  Since 1 May 1997 the Common Foreign and Security Policy Working Groups have met as indicated:

  Working Group

  Number of meetings since 1 May 1997

  Administrative Affairs

  13

  Africa

  27

  Armaments Policy

  8

  Asia

  31

  Central Europe

  20

  Consular Affairs

  5

  Conventional Arms Exports

  15

  Communications

  9

  Drugs

  11

  Global Disarmament

  21

  Eastern Europe and Central Asia

  21

  Euro-Mediterranean

  13

  Human Rights

  23

  Latin America

  17

  Law of the Sea

  3

  Mashraq/Maghreb

  17

  Middle East Peace Process

  24

  Middle East/Gulf

  19

  Non-proliferation

  15

  OSCE

  31

  Policy Planning

  5

  Protocol

  3

  Public International Law

  8

  Security

  19

  South East Europe

  18

  Terrorism

  17

  United Nations

  18

  Western Balkans

  40

  Luxembourg Compromise
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of occasions on which member states of the European Union have made use of their non-Treaty veto, established by the Luxembourg Compromise. [72287]

  Ms Quin
  No formal records are kept by the Government or the Council Secretariat of the occasions when Member States have invoked the Luxembourg Compromise.

  The United Kingdom has invoked the Luxembourg Compromise twice, in July 1978 and May 1982.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he gave and when to the letter of the Chief Minister of Gibraltar in January asking Her Majesty's Government to reject the Spanish proposals for joint sovereignty; and if he will publish his reply. [72210]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: I replied on 28 January to a letter of 27 January 1999 to me from the Chief Minister of Gibraltar. Official Ministerial correspondence of this sort is confidential and not normally published. But I can say that I underlined that our commitment under the 1969 Constitution, that we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes, remained steadfast.

  Ministerial Visits (Caribbean)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers from his Department have visited Caribbean countries since May 1997; and if he will list the Ministers and the countries they have visited. [72631]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The answer which the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for North Shropshire, (Mr. Paterson) on 3 February 1999,Official Report, columns 643–45, included a comprehensive list of all Government Ministers who have undertaken individual official visits to Latin America and independent Caribbean countries since 1 May 1997. No Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister has visited an independent country in the Caribbean region in an official capacity since that answer was given.

  For ease of reference the following visits have taken place to independent Caribbean countries by Ministers of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since May 1997.

  Antigua and Barbuda
  The Rt. Hon. Robin Cook MP

  Bahamas
  The Rt. Hon. Robin Cook MP
  Baroness Symons

  Cuba
  Baroness Symons

  Jamaica
  Baroness Symons

  Trinidad and Tobago
  Baroness Symons.

  European Council
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for March; and if he will list the major European Union events for the next six months. [73879]

  Ms Quin
  I refer my hon. Friend to the table.

  Monthly forecast of business

  March 1999

  Venue

  Event

  4

  Brussels

  Political committee

  8–12

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  9

  Brussels

  Social Affairs Council

  11–12

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  12

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  13–14

  Reinhartshausen

  Foreign Ministers (Informal)

  15

  Brussels

  ECOFIN

  15–16

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  22

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  22–23

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  24–25

  Berlin

  Special European Council

  26

  Brussels

  K4 Committee

  22–23

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  29

  Brussels

  Transport Council

  29–30

  Berlin

  Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers

  30

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council

  The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

  4

  Brussels

  Political Committee No agenda yet available

  8–12

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary No agenda yet available

  441
  9 March—Brussels—Social Affairs Council
  Dialogue with acceding countries on social issues
  Directive on employee involvement in the Societe European Political agreement
  Decision on the Standing Committee on Employment Adoption
  Code of Conduct on cooperation between authorities in the case of transnational hiring-out of workers and combating benefit fraud and illegal work
  Adoption of Resolution
  Proposal for Directives on the organisation of working time Progress report from the Presidency
  11–12 March—Brussels—Environment Council
  Proposal for a Council Directive on end-of-life vehicles Common position
  Amended proposal for a Council Directive establishing a framework for Community action in the field of auto policy
  Common position
  Community strategy on climate change
  Council conclusions
  Preparation of the 7th session of the Commission on Sustainable development (CSD) (19–30 April 1999)
  Council conclusions
  Proposal for a Council regulation allowing voluntary participation by organisations in a community eco-management and audit system
  Policy debate
  Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 88/609/EEC
  Policy debate
  Incineration Directives
  Policy debate
  Commission report on progress in accession negotiations in the environment sector
  Commission report
  12 March—Brussels—Justice and Home Affairs Council (possible)
  Adoption of the agenda
  Europol, pension fund
  Europol activities report 1998
  Europol: draft Council act adopting the rules governing the transmission of personal data by Europol to 3rd states and 3rd bodies
  Europol: draft decision of the Council instructing Europol to deal with forgery of money and means of payments
  Europol: preparation of the taking-up of activities
  EURODAC: draft Council act drawing up a protocol extending the scope ratione personae of the Convention concerning the establishment of "EURODAC" for the comparison of fingerprints of applicants for asylum
  Drugs: decision on MBDB
  Joint position on the EU-Convention on organised crime
  Draft explanatory report on the Second Protocol to the Convention on the protection of the European Communities financial interests
  Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters
  Questions relating to the transition from the Maastricht to the Amsterdam treaty with regard to conventions
  Revision of the Conventions of Brussels and Lugano
  Information on some ongoing activities in the field of internal market and consumer protection
  Preparation of the meeting with CEEC's and Cyprus
  Definition and integration of the Schengen Aquis (information by the Presidency)
  Any other business
  442
  13–14 March—Reinhartshausen Foreign Ministers (Informal)
  No formal Agenda
  15 March—Brussels-ECOFIN
  AGENDA 2000
  Financial Framework
  Institutional agreement
  Report on own resources
  (poss.) Stability and Growth pack: Examination of stability ad convergence programmes
  Report of the European Court of Auditors for the financial year 1997
  Presentation of report
  Recommendation on discharge and statement of assurance Follow up to Vienna European Council
  Duty Free Sales
  (poss.) Taxes
  Taxation of interest income
  Interim report on the discussions with third countries
  Energy Taxation
  Progress report
  (poss.) Euro 11
  Multilateral monitoring and coordination of economic policy
  15–16 March—Brussels—Agricultural Council
  No agenda yet available
  22 March—Brussels—Political Committee
  22–23 March—Brussels—General Affairs Council
  AGENDA 2000: Preparation of Special European Council (24 and 25 March, Brussels)
  (poss.) Enlargement
  Common Strategies
  Mediterranean Policy
  Situation/Prospect of TEP negotiations
  EU-Latin America Summit
  Progress of preparations
  EU-ASEAN relations
  Preparation of meeting Foreign Ministers (25 March)
  ASEM
  Preparation of meeting of Foreign Ministers (30 March) Western Balkans
  European security and defence policy
  24–25 March—Berlin—Special European Council
  Agenda not yet available
  24–25 March—Brussels—European Parliament Plenary
  Agenda not yet available
  29 March—Brussels—Transport Council
  Land Transport
  Proposals for Council Directive amendments: Policy debate
  Proposal for the amendment of: Directive 92/106/EEC and 96/53
  Political agreement
  Communication on the organisation of working time in the sectors and activities excluded from Directive 93/104/EC
  Policy debate
  Commission report on the use of buses and coaches of up to 15 metres in length
  Council conclusions
  Possible agreement on the transits lorries through Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria
  Political agreement on the draft text

  443
  Air Transport
  Mandate for the revision of the Warsaw convention on uniform rules on the transport of cargo in international air transport
  Agreement on the granting of the mandate to the Commission
  Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation 295/91
  Adoption of the common position
  Commission report on air transport and environment
  Debate
  All Transport Modes
  Report on a proposal for the amendment of Decision I692/96/EC
  Debate
  Global navigation satellite system (GNSS)
  Commission proposal expected at the beginning of 1999—Debate
  Negotiations between the EC and Switzerland on land and air transport
  Conclusion of the agreement
  Political agreement on the implementation of the agreement
  29–30 March—Berlin—Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers
  Agenda not yet available

  March-August 1999

  Venue

  Event

  March 1999

  4

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  8–12

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  9

  Brussels

  Social Affairs Council

  11–12

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  12

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  13–14

  Reinhartshausen

  Foreign Ministers (Informal)

  15

  Brussels

  ECOFIN

  15–16

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  22

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  22–23

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  22–23

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  24–25

  Berlin

  Special European Council

  26

  Brussels

  K4 Committee

  29

  Brussels

  Transport Council

  29–30

  Berlin

  Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers

  30

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council

  April 1999

  8

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  12–16

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  13

  Luxembourg

  Consumer Affairs Council

  15–16

  Stuttgart

  Euro-Med Foreign Ministers Conference "Barcelona III"

  16-18

  Dresden

  ECOFIN (Informal)

  19–20

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  20

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  22

  Luxembourg

  Telecommunications Council

  23–25

  Mecklenburg

  Environment Ministers (Informal) (TBC)

  24–25

  Luxembourg

  NATO Summit

  26

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  26–27

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  29

  Luxembourg

  Industry Council

  29–30

  Brussels

  K4 Committee

  May 1999

  3–7

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  6–7

  Berlin

  Political Committee

  6

  Brussels

  EU-ACP Ministerial meeting

  7–9

  Mecklenburg

  Environment Ministers (Informal) (TBC)

  10

  Brussels

  ECOFIN

  10

  Bremen

  WEU Council

  10–11

  Berlin

  Trade Ministers (Informal)

  11

  Brussels

  Energy Council

  17

  Brussels

  K4 Committee

  17

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  17–18

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  17–18

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  444

  30 March—Brussels—Fisheries Council
  Proposal for Council regulation laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding community structural assistance in the fisheries sector
  Policy debate
  Proposal for a Council regulation establishing a list of serious infringements in the context of the control system (Regulation (EEC) 2847/93) applicable to the common fishery policy
  Policy debate
  Proposals to amend Council regulation (EC) 850/96
  Final adoptionl
  Proposals opening and providing for the administration of autonomous community tariff quotas for certain fisheries products
  Final adoptionl
  Proposal for a Council Regulation on the collection of basic fisheries data
  Presentation by the Commission and initial debate
  European Calendar: March-August 1999
  This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.
  445

  March-August 1999

  Venue

  Event

  18

  Brussels

  EEA Council

  18

  Brussels

  Co-Operation Council with Russia

  18–19

  Weimar

  Culture Ministers (Informal)

  20

  Brussels

  Research Council

  21

  Brussels

  Development Council

  25

  Brussels

  Joint ECOFIN and Labour and Social Affairs Council

  25

  Brussels

  Social Affairs Council

  25

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  27

  Brussels

  Youth Council

  27–28

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  31

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  30 May-1 June

  Dresden

  Agriculture Ministers (Informal)

  June 1999

  1

  Dresden

  Agriculture Ministers (Informal)

  3–4

  Cologne

  European Council

  7

  Luxembourg

  Education Council

  8

  Luxembourg

  Health Council

  10

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  10

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  10–13

  European Parliament Elections

  14

  Luxembourg

  ECOFIN (possible)

  14–15

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  14–15

  Brussels

  K4 Committee

  17

  Bonn

  EU-Japan Summit

  17–18

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  18–20

  Cologne

  G8

  21

  Luxembourg

  Internal Market

  21

  Bonn

  EU-USA/Canada Summit

  21–22

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  22

  Luxembourg

  Labour and Social Affairs Council (possible)

  24–25

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  25–29

  Rio de Janeiro

  EU-Latin America/Caribbean Summit

  28

  Luxembourg

  Culture Council

  29

  Brussels

  Political Committee (possible)

  July 1999

  2–3

  Oulu

  Industry and Research Ministers (Informal)

  6–7

  Savonlinna

  Culture Ministers

  8

  Hameenlinna

  Political Committee

  9–10

  Oulu

  Labour/Social Affairs Ministers (Informal)

  12

  Brussels

  ECOFIN

  16

  Brussels

  Budget

  16–18

  Helsinki

  Environment Ministers (Informal)

  18–20

  Savonlinna

  Culture/Audiovisual Ministers (Informal)

  19

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  19–20

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  20–23

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  22–23

  Helsinki

  K4 Committee

  August 1999

  No Council Business

  Chechnya
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 9 February 1999,Official Report, columns 211–12, on Chechnya, how many rescue attempts were reported in respect of the hostages employed by Granger Telecom prior to 6 December 1998. [73256]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Two Chechen clans linked to Chechen Telecom were reportedly searching for the hostages a week after the kidnap. The Chechen authorities announced that they were planning operations around 24 October to free all hostages in Chechnya, following an unproductive ultimatum to kidnappers. Similar Chechen 446
  anti-kidnap operations were reported in late November 1998. On 25 November the Chechen Security Service claimed publicly that it had "operational information" on the hostages and was close to resolving the case.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1999,Official Report, column 212, on Chechnya, when his Department made contact with Granger Telecom following receipt of the Interfax report of 6 December 1998. [73254]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  FCO officials faxed a copy of the media report of 6 December to Granger Telecom, for information, before 1300 on Monday 7 December.

  United Nations Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to ensure that the United States of America pays its outstanding payments to the UN. [73252]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Ministers and senior officials have raised UN finance with both the Administration and Congress, urging prompt payment of US arrears. The European Union has taken similar action. We continue to promote the EU' s proposals for UN financial reform including tougher penalties for non-payment of UN dues.

  Regular budget, international tribunals, and peace keeping operations combined—Outstanding contributions as at 31 December 1998

  Member State

  Pre 1998

  1998

  Total

  United States of America

  783,878,060

  510,285,618

  1,294,163,678

  Ukraine

  207,284,595

  10,793,155

  218,077,750

  Russian Federation

  125,938,478

  7,311,045

  133,249,523

  Japan

  0

  98,379,789

  98,379,789

  Belarus

  53,153,899

  2,110,833

  55,264,732

  Brazil

  27,218,622

  19,449,061

  46,667,683

  Yugoslavia

  14,308,804

  769,274

  15,078,078

  Iraq

  11,420,613

  1,114,100

  12,534,713

  Iran (Islamic Republic of)

  8,143,596

  3,130,328

  11,273,924

  Argentina

  288,000

  9,793,615

  10,081,615

  Germany

  0

  9,362,249

  9,362,249

  Saudi Arabia

  672,048

  7,512,898

  8,184,946

  Georgia

  6,422,921

  740,949

  7,163,870

  Poland

  6,793,858

  134,315

  6,928,173

  Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

  5,561,625

  375,374

  5,936,999

  Kazakhstan

  4,847,286

  958,195

  5,805,481

  France

  0

  4,947,253

  4,947,253

  Israel

  1,004,279

  3,863,382

  4,867,661

  Azerbaijan

  4,140,008

  135,895

  4,275,903

  Indonesia

  2,264,880

  1,692,154

  3,957,034

  Spain

  0

  3,878,454

  3,878,454

  Venezuela

  726,898

  2,870,959

  3,597,857

  Republic of Moldova

  3,077,449

  81,498

  3,158,947

  Peru

  1,837,945

  1,039,743

  2,877,688

  Latvia

  2,592,256

  103,179

  2,695,435

  Italy

  0

  2,692,674

  2,692,674

  Portugal

  147,452

  2,474,136

  2,621,588

  Tajikistan

  2,470,391

  103,053

  2,573,444

  Uzbekistan

  2,370,934

  110,187

  2,481,121

  United Arab Emirates

  1,765,806

  296,083

  2,061,889

  Croatia

  1,886,813

  109,335

  1,996,148

  Armenia

  1,580,711

  310,889

  1,891,600

  Turkey

  1,067,089

  666,568

  1,733,657

  Lithuania

  1,046,067

  520,234

  1,566,301

  Nigeria

  1,402,832

  161,086

  1,563,918

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  1,436,710

  64,734

  1,501,444

  Greece

  382,852

  942,628

  1,325,480

  Democratic P. R. of Korea

  1,206,388

  71,710

  1,278,098

  Kyrgyzstan

  1,157,597

  22,724

  1,180,321

  Turkmenistan

  1,139,988

  31,992

  1,171,980

  Liberia

  1,095,854

  26,222

  1,122,076

  Estonia

  1,027,112

  53,592

  1,080,704

  Chile

  777,870

  205,298

  983,168

  Somalia

  948,057

  12,196

  960,253

  Syrian Arab Republic

  818,101

  115,094

  933,195

  Bulgaria

  817,501

  89,236

  906,737

  Guatemala

  614,493

  233,819

  848,312

  Netherlands

  0

  790,791

  790,791

  Comoros

  770,025

  12,196

  782,221

  Austria

  0

  773,879

  773,879

  Qatar

  635,162

  67,009

  702,171

  Cuba

  539,310

  153,757

  693,067

  Ecuador

  485,006

  176,433

  661,439

  Philippines

  6,707

  572,958

  579,665

  Sao Tome and Principe

  546,694

  12,196

  558,890

  Belgium

  0

  546,342

  546,342

  South Africa

  0

  532,657

  532,657

  448
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries owing payments to the UN, together with the amounts outstanding at 16 February. [73251]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The most recent complete data published by the United Nations, as at 31 December 1998, shows 178 Member States with unpaid contributions, including 135 owing contributions from before the start of 1998 (our normal definition of arrears). Total outstanding contributions from Member States, including 1998 assessments, were $2,031 million. The details are given in the table.
  449

  Regular budget, international tribunals, and peace keeping operations combined—Outstanding contributions as at 31 December 1998

  Member State

  Pre 1998

  1998

  Total

  Dominican Republic

  310,063

  204,427

  514,490

  Congo

  474,805

  39,054

  513,859

  Romania

  271,302

  174,180

  445,482

  Guinea Bissau

  416,322

  12,196

  428,518

  Gabon

  362,794

  53,005

  415,799

  Algeria

  163,124

  252,468

  415,592

  Yemen

  279,368

  119,481

  398,849

  Sweden

  0

  379,040

  379,040

  Trinidad and Tobago

  346,006

  28,438

  374,444

  Cambodia

  354,573

  13,377

  367,950

  El Salvador

  324,527

  28,399

  352,926

  Nicaragua

  311,951

  25,975

  337,926

  Costa Rica

  219,080

  116,462

  335,542

  Afghanistan

  280,140

  47,827

  327,967

  Honduras

  268,640

  51,421

  320,061

  The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

  304,505

  11,900

  316,405

  Guinea

  279,132

  36,038

  315,170

  Mongolia

  292,106

  18,202

  310,308

  Niger

  286,173

  24,107

  310,280

  Rwanda

  286,141

  23,984

  310,125

  Democratic Republic of the Congo

  206,948

  102,999

  309,947

  Vanuatu

  287,408

  12,196

  299,604

  Burundi

  286,450

  12,196

  298,646

  Dominica

  286,153

  12,196

  298,349

  Djibouti

  286,136

  12,196

  298,332

  Gambia

  285,658

  12,196

  297,854

  Sierra Leone

  279,535

  12,196

  291,731

  Central African Republic

  266,714

  23,984

  290,698

  Panama

  244,080

  33,348

  277,428

  Mauritania

  264,974

  12,196

  277,170

  Czech Republic

  0

  262,724

  262,724

  Sudan

  155,397

  103,564

  258,961

  Cameroon

  76,549

  179,787

  256,336

  Seychelles

  232,118

  24,107

  256,225

  Cape Verde

  235,822

  12,319

  248,141

  Togo

  206,663

  23,984

  230,647

  Vietnam

  206,607

  22,779

  229,386

  Madagascar

  199,981

  26,437

  226,418

  Lebanon

  170,561

  41,506

  212,067

  Tunisia

  145,652

  65,906

  211,558

  Haiti

  186,211

  24,107

  210,318

  Equatorial Guinea

  196,967

  1,394

  198,361

  Saint Vincent and Grenadines

  169,587

  12,196

  181,783

  Malaysia

  0

  181,673

  181,673

  Bolivia

  171,591

  5,626

  177,217

  Kuwait

  0

  163,829

  163,829

  Grenada

  148,078

  12,137

  160,215

  Luxembourg

  0

  155,711

  155,711

  Pakistan

  48,327

  101,590

  149,917

  Zimbabwe

  39,573

  104,975

  144,548

  Mali

  139,749

  4,367

  144,116

  Maldives

  135,901

  1,680

  137,581

  Swaziland

  108,357

  26,134

  134,491

  Burkina Faso

  130,681

  2,814

  133,495

  Lesotho

  105,604

  24,065

  129,669

  Senegal

  104,181

  8,694

  112,875

  New Zealand

  0

  110,127

  110,127

  Solomon Islands

  108,462

  1,658

  110,120

  Uruguay

  264

  107,335

  107,599

  Belize

  104,361

  1,680

  106,041

  Mauritius

  0

  100,897

  100,897

  Bahrain

  76,260

  23,837

  100,097

  Marshall Islands

  87,125

  2,736

  89,861

  Mexico

  0

  89,776

  89,776

  Oman

  56,395

  32,801

  89,196

  Antigua and Barbuda

  60,474

  24,065

  84,539

  Slovenia

  18,159

  65,922

  84,081

  Morocco

  8,847

  68,702

  77,549

  Kenya

  54,531

  15,673

  70,204

  Cöte d'Ivoire

  42,479

  27,353

  69,832

  Bhutan

  61,488

  1,680

  63,168

  Saint Lucia

  55,955

  3,174

  59,129

  Papua New Guinea

  43,091

  9,283

  52,374

  450 451

  Regular budget, international tribunals, and peace keeping operations combined—Outstanding contributions as at 31 December 1998

  Member State

  Pre 1998

  1998

  Total

  Guyana

  49,388

  2,817

  52,205

  Chad

  50,802

  50

  50,852

  Brunei Darussalam

  5,969

  41,657

  47,626

  Ethiopia

  34,551

  9,548

  44,099

  Uganda

  13,415

  28,320

  41,735

  Barbados

  20,117

  17,916

  38,033

  Bahamas

  15,394

  21,282

  36,676

  Albania

  23,169

  7,374

  30,543

  India

  0

  30,172

  30,172

  Mozambique

  23,644

  2,910

  26,554

  Lao People's Democratic Republic

  23,202

  1,657

  24,859

  Samoa

  20,354

  1,680

  22,034

  Fiji

  17,827

  3,425

  21,252

  Myanmar

  8,892

  9,508

  18,400

  Jordan

  2,127

  15,417

  17,544

  Suriname

  11,067

  5,771

  16,838

  Malta

  1,688

  13,509

  15,197

  Thailand

  0

  15,085

  15,085

  Jamaica

  1,712

  12,782

  14,494

  Sri Lanka

  0

  14,364

  14,364

  Eritrea

  5,849

  2,241

  8,090

  Egypt

  0

  7,309

  7,309

  Namibia

  736

  5,868

  6,604

  Angola

  0

  5,176

  5,176

  San Marino

  193

  4,455

  4,648

  Cyprus

  0

  3,392

  3,392

  Palau

  925

  1,142

  2,067

  Andorra

  0

  1,989

  1,989

  Ghana

  0

  1,533

  1,533

  Botswana

  0

  1,481

  1,481

  Paraguay

  0

  1,394

  1,394

  United Republic of Tanzania

  0

  1,194

  1,194

  Australia

  0

  1,015

  1,015

  Zambia

  0

  808

  808

  Nepal

  0

  658

  658

  Malawi

  0

  571

  571

  Republic of Korea

  0

  509

  509

  Finland

  0

  426

  426

  Saint Kitts and Nevis

  0

  312

  312

  Micronesia

  0

  258

  258

  Ireland

  0

  206

  206

  Denmark

  0

  166

  166

  Benin

  0

  98

  98

  Norway

  10

  52

  62

  Hungary

  0

  58

  58

  Singapore

  0

  53

  53

  Iceland

  0

  23

  23

  Liechtenstein

  0

  1

  1

  Bangladesh

  0

  0

  0

  Canada

  0

  0

  0

  China

  0

  0

  0

  Colombia

  0

  0

  0

  Monaco

  0

  0

  0

  Slovakia

  0

  0

  0

  United Kingdom

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  1,312,667,529

  718,269,143

  2,030,936,672

  Falklands
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with the Chilean Government concerning the continuation of flights to the Falklands by Lan Chile after 31 March. [73247]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This is a commercial matter for discussion between Lan Chile and the Falkland Islands Development Corporation. We have, however, expressed our regret to the Chilean Government over their decision 452
  to ask Lan Chile to suspend flights to the Falklands and said we do not believe this to be justified. We welcome assurances by Lan Chile that they will honour their contract with the Falkland Islands Development Corporation, which expires on 31 March. We hope that they will continue to fly to the Falklands thereafter.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to Chile concerning its formal recognition of the Argentine claim to the Falklands. [73248]
  453
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are aware of Chilean statements of support for the Argentine position on the Falklands in recent years. We have made clear to the Chilean Government that we have no doubt abut British sovereignty over the Falklands and have called on them to recognise the right of the Falkland Islanders to determine their own future.

  Iran (Russian Technical Adviser)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports that Russians are working on Iran's nuclear, chemical and biological programmes. [73250]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Russia has extensive commercial relations with Iran, including in the nuclear energy field. Russia's obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) forbid her to assist any other country's nuclear weapons programme. Its commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (BTWC) would prevent assistance to the development of chemical or biological weapons. Iran is also a party to the NPT, CWC and BTWC. We have detailed contact with both Russia and Iran on non-proliferation issues. As with other countries, we take up with them directly concerns we have of non-compliance with their obligations under such conventions.

  Russian Foreign Minister
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dates on which Ministers have(a) contacted and (b) been contacted by the Russian Foreign Minister since 1 November 1998. [73249]

  Ms Quin
  Contacts between Ministers and Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov are frequent. This continues the pattern established when Mr. Primakov was Foreign Minister. Over the last two weeks alone, the Foreign Secretary has been in contact with Ivanov or Deputy Foreign Minister Avdeev on an almost daily basis concerning the Rambouillet peace process and other international issues. Our contacts since 1 November 1998 are therefore far too numerous to itemise case by case.

  Belgrade (Embassy Staff)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British Embassy staff remain in Belgrade. [73275]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Eleven British Embassy staff remained in Belgrade following the withdrawal of non-essential staff and dependants on 19–20 February. Staff were withdrawn due to concern about security in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) as the deadline for the conclusion of the Rambouillet Peace Talks approached.

  Yemen
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice the Government have given to British nationals working in Yemen following the threat made by the group calling itself The Army of Suicides, Group Number 66, Bin Laden Militant Wing. [73185]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The safety of British nationals is of paramount importance to the Government. We monitor closely all potential threats to British interests in the UK and overseas.

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice is updated regularly. Currently, we advise against all travel to Yemen. British nationals resident in Yemen are advised to consider whether their presence in Yemen is absolutely necessary, and if not, to leave. If they choose to stay, they should review their security arrangements; be extra vigilant; and stay in close touch with the British Embassy in Sana'a or the Consulate General in Aden.

  Arms Sales (Annual Audit)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish the first annual audit of arms sales; and if he will make a statement. [71596]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 8 February 1999,Official Report, column 81.

  NATO Dialogue with Mediterranean Partners
  NATO Dialogue with Mediterranean Partners
  Gibraltar: British Residents
  Gibraltar: British Residents
  EU Enlargement
  EU Enlargement
  International Conflict: Causes
  International Conflict: Causes
  Malacca Strait: Chinese Military Activity
  Malacca Strait: Chinese Military Activity
  British Council Grants to Artists Scheme
  British Council Grants to Artists Scheme
  Turkey
  Turkey
  Togo: Banning of Female Genital Mutilation
  Togo: Banning of Female Genital Mutilation
  Gibraltar: Fishing Agreement
  Gibraltar: Fishing Agreement
  Anglo-Spanish Ministerial Meetings
  Anglo-Spanish Ministerial Meetings
  European Union: Forthcoming Council Business
  European Union: Forthcoming Council Business
  Tax Exempt Savings Accounts
  Tax Exempt Savings Accounts
  The Mall: Closure
  The Mall: Closure
  Royal Parks: Concerts
  Royal Parks: Concerts
  Protection of Wrecks
  Protection of Wrecks
  House of Lords: Tendering Procedure
  House of Lords: Tendering Procedure
  Scottish Parliament: Brussels Office
  Scottish Parliament: Brussels Office
  Scotland: School Class Numbers
  Scotland: School Class Numbers
  Scotland: Primary School Teacher Numbers
  Scotland: Primary School Teacher Numbers
  House of Lords Reform
  House of Lords Reform
  Lay Interviewers for Judicial Office
  Lay Interviewers for Judicial Office
  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary
  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary
  Crown Prosecution Service
  Crown Prosecution Service
  Gun Owners: Insurance
  Gun Owners: Insurance
  Airguns: Licensing Policy
  Airguns: Licensing Policy
  Great Western Railway Line: Modernisation
  Great Western Railway Line: Modernisation
  Bilateral Aid
  Bilateral Aid
  Water Management
  Water Management
  United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  Insulin Pens
  Insulin Pens
  NHS Charges
  NHS Charges
  Pupil Numbers in Maintained Schools
  Pupil Numbers in Maintained Schools
  DfEE Grants to LEAs
  DfEE Grants to LEAs