Written Answers of 26 February 1999

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Horseracing
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the British Horseracing Levy Board's financial plan. [73513]

  Mr. George Howarth
  It is the British Horseracing Board (BHB) which has produced a financial plan for British racing. We are having constructive discussions with the Chairman of the BHB on the issues it raises.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met members of the British Horseracing Levy Board; and what was discussed. [73514]

  Mr. George Howarth
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary met the Horserace Betting Levy Board in October 1997. I met the Board on 24 March 1998 and have subsequently had several meetings with the Chairman—most recently on 23 February. We discussed a range of betting and racing issues which impinge on the Board's work.

CABINET OFFICE

  Minister for Science
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions since July 1998 he has attended a meeting with the Minister for Science where GM foods and crops were discussed; and if the Minister for Science left the room during those occasions. [73126]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]: On the one occasion that policy on GM Foods was discussed in the Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification, the Minister for Science left the meeting.

  Genetically Modified Goods
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the outcome of the departmental stocktake meeting on genetically modified goods held on 22 February. [73724]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  It is not the normal practice of Governments to give details of the outcome of internal meetings.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many air miles have been earned by him and each of his ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73286]
  456
  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Government's policy on the use and disposal of air miles was set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12 January 1999,Official Report, columns 141–42.

  Detailed information on any air miles earned by Ministers in this Department as a result of official travel is not recorded centrally.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Human Rights
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's policy of linking aid to good governance and human rights in(a) Zimbabwe, (b) Burma, (c) Vietnam and (d) Cuba. [73731]

  Clare Short
  The Government's White Paper on International Development makes it clear that raising standards of governance is central to the elimination of poverty. All our development assistance programmes take good governance and human rights issues into account. We do not have bilateral aid programmes in Burma or Cuba. We have published a detailed Country Strategy paper for our programme in Vietnam and will shortly be publishing one for Zimbabwe which set out our approaches in those countries.

  Sudan
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how she defines leakage in respect of food aid diversion in southern Sudan. [73175]

  Clare Short
  In Sudan, we regard "leakage" as being synonymous with "diversion" which refers to food aid that is deflected from reaching its intended beneficiaries.

  Zimbabwe
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to visit Zimbabwe. [73729]

  Clare Short
  I made a brief visit to Zimbabwe in January 1998 and have no immediate plans to visit again. I will make arrangements to visit when and if it would contribute to the reduction of poverty and the promotion of sustainable development in Zimbabwe.

HEALTH

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the shortages of general practitioners and the action the Government are taking to encourage more doctors to(a) remain and (b) become general practitioners. [70082]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 10 February 1999]We believe that there is no overall shortage of general practitioners at present; and the supply of new GPs is adequate in the short term. However, there are difficulties
  457
  in certain localities at present and, potentially, more widespread problems in the future without effective action.

  Recent policy initiatives to improve GP recruitment and retention include the salaried doctors scheme and Personal Medical Services Primary Care Act pilots, both of which provide opportunities for doctors to work in general practice in more flexible ways, without committing themselves to long-term financial investment, and to provide services in the areas where there is most need. They also include improvements to the GP retainer scheme, allowing GPs to work in general practice on a limited sessional basis, keeping in touch with practical and educational developments. On a longer time scale, the continuing support of out of hours developments is having a real impact on GPs' conditions and their morale.

  In addition, we announced on 22 July 1998 that undergraduate medical school intake to United Kingdom universities would be increased by about 1,000 places, a 20 per cent. increase. Intake is now planned to rise from the 1997 level of 5,050, to about 6,000 places by 2005.

  Mumps Vaccine
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the manufacturers from which the NHS purchased the single mumps vaccine for use in the UK, and the dates when it did so; and what is the cost of a dose sufficient to immunise a child; [71314]

  (2) between which dates the single mumps vaccine (a) has been available in the UK and licensed for use by the Medicines Control Agency and (b) has been available on the NHS; [71311]

  (3) what percentage of immunisations against mumps in the UK on the NHS are by way of (a) the single mumps vaccine and (b) the MMR vaccine. [71310]

  Ms Jowell
  The vaccines recommended in the childhood immunisation programme in England are centrally purchased and supplied to doctors free of charge. Single antigen mumps vaccine has never been recommended as part of the childhood programme and has, therefore, never been centrally purchased and supplied to doctors. Medicines Control Agency (MCA) records show that a single mumps vaccine. Mumpsvax (supplied by Pasteur Mérieux MSD), has been licensed in the United Kingdom since October 1972, when the licensing of medicines, and records, began and would have been available on prescription. The British National Formulary (September 1998) gives the price of a single-dose vial of Mumpsvax as £4.00. The administration of the vaccine would be a matter between the individual doctor and patient.

  During the period 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998 553,000 children in England received a first dose of mumps, measles and rubella vaccine. Overall, around 1 million children would have received MMR vaccine over the year, taking those who received a second dose into account. Equivalent data on mumps vaccine coverage are not collected, since it is not a recommended vaccine, but, in the same period, a total of 440 prescriptions for mumps vaccine were dispensed. It is not possible to say how many children received the mumps vaccine.
  458
  Mumpsvax was available in the UK until recent changes were made to the manufacturing process. Last year the Department was alerted that, owing to production changes, the US mumps vaccine no longer matched the UK licence and that Pasteur Mérieux has no plans to relicense the product. The vaccine has been unavailable on the UK market since August 1998. A small amount of stock may be held by local wholesalers but the Department does not hold this information.

  Sodium Consumption
  Mr. Martin Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what studies his Department has assessed which indicate health outcome benefits from a reduction in the dietary sodium intake of the general population; [72325]

  (2) if he will request the COMA Panel to review the recommendations on sodium consumption set out in its 1994 report on Nutritional Aspects of Cardiovascular Disease. [72320]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government's source of independent expert advice on food and nutrition policy is the Committee of Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA). It considered the dietary requirements for sodium amongst the general population in its 1991 report on Dietary Reference Values, and the relationship between sodium and blood pressure in its 1994 report on the Nutritional Aspects of Cardiovascular Disease. Both of these reports are available in the Library and contain full references of the studies considered. We have no plans to ask COMA to review its recommendations.

  However, at the Department's request, the Faculty of Public Health Medicine (a faculty of the Royal College of Physicians) and the British Heart Foundation convened a seminar to review the evidence on the relationship between dietary sodium and blood pressure. This confirmed that there is a large body of authoritative opinion which favours a general reduction in salt consumption, and we have, therefore, asked officials to explore with the food industry the scope for reducing the levels of salt in processed foods.

  Schizophrenia
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many current occupants of National Health Service hospital and unit beds had a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses in the last year for which figures are available. [72587]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected centrally. However, there were 34,000 estimated finished consultant episodes and estimates occupied bed days of 1,600,000 with the primary diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses in 1997–98, the latest date for which figures are available.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to recover money from tobacco companies for the NHS treatment of illnesses resulting from tobacco use. [72649]

  Ms Jowell
  Section 1(2) of the National Health Service Act 1977 requires that the National Health Service be provided free of charge except to the extent that charging is authorised by or under statute.
  459
  The Government have no plans to amend the legislation to enable the NHS to recover treatment costs for any cause of ill health.

  National Carers Strategy
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by authority the proposed allocations of the additional £140 million for the National Carers Strategy. [72945]

  Mr. Hutton
  The £140 million covers the years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02. A special grant report, giving details of the allocation of the £20 million for the first year, will be laid before Parliament shortly. As the results of the allocation formula change from year to year because of new data, any figures for 2000–01 and 2001–02 could only be indicative at this stage.

  Nurses and Ancillaries (Injuries)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days lost and early retirements there were in the past 10 years arising from nurses and ancillary staff suffering injury consequent upon their lifting or moving patients; and if he will make a statement. [73705]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Deaf and Blind People
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide funding for centres for deaf and blind people(a) in Gloucestershire and (b) nationally; and if he will make a statement. [73136]

  Mr. Hutton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to provide specific funding for centres for blind or deaf people. It is for local authorities to determine how their funds under the standard spending assessment should be spent. Gloucestershire County Council's personal social services resources will increase by 6.5 per cent. next year.

  Gloucestershire Health Authority
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with officials from the Gloucestershire Health Authority regarding the impact on services of the 1999–2000 financial settlement; and if he will make a statement. [73139]

  Mr. Denham
  Officials at the South West Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive have had discussions with Gloucestershire Health Authority in the course of their normal performance management duties. Gloucestershire Health Authority has been allocated £334.6 million for 1999–2000, which represents an increase of £17.4 million (5.5 per cent).

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received proposing the making of the(a) basic state pension, (b) SERPS/state second pension, (c) private personal pensions, (d) LISAs,
  460
  (e) contracted-out/contracted-in occupational pensions, money-purchase/final salary, (f) FURBs, (g) AVCs and (h) FSAVCs into a more simplified system of pension provision. [73394]

  Mr. Timms
  We have received a number of representations to the Pensions Review calling for greater simplification of some elements of the pensions system. We expect to receive more in response to the Pensions Green Paper consultation exercise.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Aylesbury of 22 December about his constituent (N.I. reference ZW755428A), receipt of which was acknowledged by the Benefits Agency on 8 January ref. 7932. [73630]

  Angela Eagle
  The Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency replied to the hon. Member on 24 February 1999.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of those who will no longer be eligible for(a) severe disablement allowance and (b) incapacity benefit have savings of (i) over £8,000 and (ii) between £3,000 and £8,000. [73512]

  Mr. Bayley
  No information is available on the capital assets of potential future claimants of Incapacity Benefits.

  Some of those who in future will be ineligible for Incapacity Benefit (IB) or Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) will also be unable to receive Income Support (IS) because of the level of their income and/or capital. However, at least 70 per cent. of those who do not qualify for SDA and 70 per cent. of those who do not qualify for IB because of changes to the contribution conditions are expected to be entitled to IS.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the overpayments of disability living allowance and other benefits, which have come to light as a result of benefit reviews; and if he will make a statement. [74164]

  Mr. Bayley
  The need to ensure that the amount of benefit paid to claimants is correct at the outset, and remains correct, is an important element in our programme of welfare reform. This requires systems of review which are fair, sensitive and appropriate to the individual circumstances of the claimant.

  These requirements are particularly important where the claimant is a severely disabled person. Accordingly, on 28 January 1999, Official Report, column 321, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced that the existing, unsatisfactory system of review of entitlement to Disability Living Allowance—the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP)—would end on 31 March, to be replaced in April by a new, fairer system of periodic review.
  461
  There is however an outstanding issue which has arisen from the operation of BIP. This is where because of the claimant's condition, or a change in that condition, entitlement to DLA reduces or ceases altogether. This might be because of an improvement in their physical or mental condition or because the disability proves not to be as severe as was originally thought. Guidance from the Chief Adjudication Officer on this question has indicated that any such changes to entitlement would, to comply with the law, need to be backdated to the point where the change in the condition had actually occurred, or where an erroneous statement had been made on the basis of which the entitlement was awarded. This means that, in any such case, an overpayment is created, which in the normal course of events we would need to take steps to recover.

  In the context of DLA, this situation has the potential to cause severe hardship and exceptional difficulty for many severely disabled claimants. For example, a successful operation, the purchase of special aids or equipment, or gradual rehabilitation from a crippling injury can all constitute a change which potentially affects entitlement. Often, the claimants will be quite unaware that this is the case; or even that his or her needs have actually changed. Moreover, because no system of reviewing DLA entitlement existed until 1997, such a change may have gone unnoticed for months or years, resulting in the need to recover sums of money which can amount to many thousands of pounds, often from very vulnerable people who had no idea that this was likely to happen to them.

  We regard this situation as unacceptable, and are not prepared to seek recovery in such cases. We have therefore decided to act swiftly, and in the interests of fairness, in two ways.

  First, we intend to deal with existing cases, and those which will continue to arise until the arrangements for determining DLA overpayments can be changed in line with our new system of periodic review. We have issued a Direction to the Accounting Officer to ensure that no recovery action is taken in such cases. Thereafter, we intend to seek Parliamentary approval for this approach by taking powers through the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill, currently before this House.

  Second, we want to make sure that this situation cannot recur in the future, and that in the longer-term, our approach to overpayments of DLA, and also Attendance Allowance (AA) for severely disabled elderly people, is in line with our proposals for a new, fairer review system for these benefits. We therefore intend to lay regulations as soon as possible. These will provide for a fairer system of review and recovery more closely based on the claimant's understanding of his or her condition, and more regularly and sensitively reviewed, to minimise the scope for large overpayments to accrue, but also to ensure that public money is protected and that fraud and abuse does not pay.

  These measures will apply not only to DLA and AA, but also to overpayments of other benefits which have arisen as a consequence of a review of DLA or AA.
  462
  It is, however, important to be clear that they will apply only to those cases where a review is made in respect of factors directly related to the disability of the claimant. In particular, they will not apply to overpayments created by any fraudulent claims for DLA and AA; or to the much larger number of cases where an overpayment results from changes in the claimant's situation where it was clear that entitlement might be affected and notification required—for example, change of address, going abroad or into hospital.

  Although this situation has arisen in the context of DLA, there are potentially similar issues for other benefits such as Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance. We therefore intend to extend the new arrangements to clarify that people do have a duty to report changes which they know could affect their entitlement to these benefits. At the same time we will ensure that when entitlement is reviewed, this is done in a fair and sensitive way.

  Bereavement Allowance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number those who will lose the bereavement allowance after six months who will have savings of(a) between £3,000 and £8,000 and (b) over £8,000. [73523]

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

  The information provides figures on the proportion of capital holdings among existing Widow's Pension recipients which might be indicative of the position of future Bereavement Allowance recipients. The information is subject to a wide margin of error.
  Around 13 per cent. report between £3,000 and £8,000
  Around 26 per cent. report more than £8,000

  Note:
  Figures are derived from the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey and are presented in 1996–97 prices.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what savings he has estimated as a result of his proposal measures to reduce under-occupation of social housing; and on what assumptions his estimate is based. [73524]

  Angela Eagle
  Under the Housing Benefit under-occupation pilot scheme, tenants living in social housing, who move to smaller accommodation may be entitled to a payment equal to approximately half the Housing Benefit saving in respect of the next three years.

  This Department has worked with a number of local authorities to devise the scheme and identify the cost factors. We propose to operate the scheme initially as a pilot in order to evaluate its housing and financial effects.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of
  463
  people claiming social security benefits while receiving a wage paid in cash; and what measures he plans to take to reduce the number. [71098]

  Mr. Timms
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security will publish a fraud strategy document which will outline this Department's approach for creating a secure benefit system.

  The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for its Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. I have asked him to write to the right hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Maclean, dated 25 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate he had made of the number of people claiming social security benefits while receiving a wage paid in cash; and what measures he plans to take to reduce the number.
  The information is not available in the format requested as it is not possible to identify how many claimants of any benefit are receiving a wage paid in cash.
  For 'in-work' benefits, for example Family Credit, the claimant may be entitled to work and, should they so wish, receive their wage in cash.
  The Benefits Agency employs investigators specially trained in the investigation of employers who are suspected of colluding with people committing benefit fraud. The investigations encompass all benefits with the majority of them involving an element of wages being paid in cash. A significant number of employers are prosecuted each year.
  In the current financial year to date (at 31/01/99) there have been 356 collusive employer prosecutions and achieved estimated savings of £27.05 million.
  As regards individual customer fraud, so far this year out of a total of 852,216 cases investigated by the Benefit Fraud Investigation Service 434,247 (or 50.9%) related to undisclosed earnings. No doubt many of these involved wages being paid in cash.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

WALES

  Mixed-sex Wards
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many mixed sex wards there were in hospitals in Wales in each of the last five years. [71395]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

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

  Over-Thirty-Month Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost over the last year of the Over-Thirty-Month scheme in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [72034]

  £ per hectare

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Total

  (a)AAPS eligible land

  225

  135

  50

  20

  20

  450

  (b) ineligible land

  175

  105

  40

  15

  15

  350

  (c) unimproved grassland/rough grazing

  25

  10

  5

  5

  5

  50

  464
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The total cost over the last year of the Over-Thirty-Month Scheme in Wales was £26,770,716

  Caesarean Sections
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) in how many health authorities in Wales, and in which ones, the rate of caesarean section exceeds the World Health Organisation recommended rate; [72535]

  (2) how many caesarean sections took place in Wales in each of the last five years; and what they were in each year as a percentage of all deliveries. [72536]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The following table shows the number of caesarean sections performed in NHS hospitals in Wales in each of the last five years for which data are available. Two percentage figures are shown: (a) as a percentage of births which took place in those hospitals which perform caesareans (home births, births to Welsh residents outside Wales and births at other hospitals where caesareans are not undertaken are not included in the denominator) and (b) as a percentage of all live births to residents of Wales (some of which may have taken place outside Wales).

  Percentage

  Year

  Number of caesarean sections

  (a)

  (b)

  1993

  5,508

  16.0

  15.1

  1994

  5,591

  16.6

  15.8

  1995

  5,601

  17.1

  16.2

  1996

  6,062

  18.1

  17.4

  1997

  6,239

  18.9

  18.1

  Source:

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

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

  The World Health Organisation (WHO) does not make specific recommendations about rates of caesarean delivery which will inevitably vary from place to place and will reflect health, nutritional status of pregnant women and the level of maternity care provision. Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Organic Aid Scheme
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what payments he has proposed under the Organic Aid Scheme for(a) Arable Area Payments Scheme eligible land, (b) ineligible land and (c) unimproved grassland or rough grazing. [72619]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  [holding answer 24 February 1999)Subject to approval by the European Commission, the new payments rates available under the Organic Aid Scheme will be as follows:
  465
  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Ministerial Visit
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he decided to visit the United States of America. [73008]

  Mr. Michael
  In January I agreed to undertake an inward investment mission to North America fulfilling a promise given by my predecessor. Dates in March were decided upon following advice from officials and from the Welsh Development Agency. I took the decision to do so in January.

  Title

  Reports published to date

  Reviews

  Audit of the Foresight programme

  "The Report on the Whitehall Audit of the Foresight Programme"; published 22 October 1997

  Review of the Utilities regulation

  "A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation". A Green Paper, published 25 March 1998

  "A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation—The Response to Consultation". A White Paper, published 27 July 1998

  "A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation—Public Consultation Paper on Consumer Councils", published 30 September 1998

  "A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation—Public Consultation Paper on the Future of Gas and Electricity Regulation", published 21 October 1998

  Review of energy sources for power regeneration

  The outcome of the review was reflected in the White Paper,

  "Conclusions of the review of energy sources for power generation and the Government's response to the Fourth and Fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071), published on 8 October 1998

  Review of electricity trading arrangements

  "Review of electricity trading arrangements: Proposals"; published on 29 July 1998

  Review of the Post Office

  No published reports, but the outcome of the review was summarised in a Parliamentary statement on 7 December 1998, Official Report, columns 21–39

  Review of clean coal technology

  The outcome of the review was reflected in the White Paper, "Conclusions of the review of energy sources for power generation and the Government's response to the Fourth and Fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071); published on 8 October 1998

  Review of the Technical Help for Exporters Scheme

  None

  Review of company law

  None

  Review of new and renewable energy

  None

  Joint DTI/Treasury review on company resuce mechanisms

  None

  Review of the effect of insolvency law on enterprise

  None

  Review of Assisted Areas

  None

  Review of the framework for overseeing developments in biotechnology (joint review by the Cabinet Office and the Office of Science and Technology)

  None

  Review of metrication

  None

  Review of UK weights and measures legislation

  None

  Task forces and advisory groups

  President's Advisory Group

  None

  Competitiveness Working Parties

  None

  Interdepartmental Task Force on Competitiveness in Europe

  None

  Tech Stars Steering Group

  None

  Oil and Gas Industry Task Force

  None

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [71511]

  Mr. Byers
  Details of the reviews and task forces established by my Department since 1 May 1997, and of the reports published to date, are set out in the table. Expenditure on these reviews and task forces is not separately recorded, and could not be calculated without incurring disproportionate cost.
  467

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [71275]

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

  The Department has recently circulated guidance on mainstreaming to those with responsibility for policy development. This ensures that all new and existing policies and programmes are assessed for any adverse impact not only on disabled people, but on any minority or disadvantaged group and, where necessary, action is taken to remove or reduce any such impact.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what amounts in his Department's budget for 1998–99 can be attributed to spending on disabled people; and what proportion this represents of total departmental spending. [71291]

  Mr. Byers
  During the year 1998–99 the Department allocated the sum of £31,000 for adjustments to information technology and specialist equipment for its staff with disabilities, excluding alterations to premises.

  The Department does not separately record the proportion of its total expenditure which goes to the disabled people. However, the Department aims to take account of the needs of those with disabilities in the design of its programmes.

  The above excludes the DTI's Executive Agencies, whose Chief Executives have delegated responsibility for disability issues in their Agency.

  Ministerial Meetings (USA)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times Ministers in his Department have met their counterparts in the US Administration since 1 June 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the Ministers involved, and the name of the US counterpart. [71962]

  Mr. Byers
  My Ministers and I meet our US counterparts as and when necessary. Since 1 June 1998, there have been the following meetings:The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry met William Daley, Commerce Secretary on 13 September 1998, (Johannesburg);
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry met Mrs. Charlene Barshefsky, US Trade Representative on 22 October 1998, (London);
  The Minister for Science met Dr. Neil Lane, President's Scientific Adviser, on 4-6 December 1998, (Kyoto, Japan).

  Biosafety Protocol, Colombia
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who will represent his Department at the Biosafety Protocol meeting in Colombia; and if he will make a statement. [72230]

  Mr. Battle
  A senior official from the Department of Trade and Industry was present in Cartagena, Colombia throughout the negotiations.

  Media Allegations (Rebuttals)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) those units in his Department and (b) the number of departmental staff which are concerned with preparing rebuttals of allegations in the media; and what is (i) the total cost of their work, including salaries, and (ii) the number of rebuttals issued since May 1997. [71856]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]My Department has no units or staff who are exclusively required to prepare rebuttals of allegations in the media.

  Lord Simon
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what systems are in place to ensure that Lord Simon does not see papers which could relate to his financial interests. [72801]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]Following the sale of Lord Simon's shareholding in BP, and the transfer of his other shareholdings into a blind trust, no such arrangements are required.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Air Miles have been earned by him and each of his ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73325]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government's policy on the use and disposal of Air Miles was set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12 January 1999,Official Report, columns 141–42.

  Detailed information on any Air Miles earned by Ministers as a result of official travel is not recorded centrally.

  Tobacco and Alcohol Industries
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with representatives of the tobacco and alcohol industries concerning the future of their industries since his appointment. [72199]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]None, although my Officials continue to have regular contact with the Scotch Whisky Association to assist them in resolving many trade problems in a number of exporting markets. For example, at our request the EU has successfully challenged, through the World Trade Organisation, Japanese and Korean discriminatory tax regimes on spirits, and is presently pursuing another against Chile.

  My officials also have contact with the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association to discuss issues of current concern to the industry.

  Raw Cows' Milk
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many representations he received, and from whom, between 30 January 1998 and 31 January 1999 concerning the Monopolies and Mergers Commission investigation into the supply of raw cows' milk in Great Britain. [73350]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received a number of letters from hon. Members and from members of the public regarding the investigation by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) into the supply of raw milk in Great Britain. Those representations have been passed to the MMC for them to consider.

SCOTLAND

  Radioactive Waste
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the conclusions of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee regarding the source of and pathways for highly active particles found at Dounreay and Sandside Beach; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [72332]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]My right hon. Friend expects to receive advice from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee shortly. The Committee itself publishes all the advice it gives to Government. A copy of the Committee's report will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reports he has received from Dr Arpad Pusztai of the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen; when he received them; and if he will place copies in the Library. [72337]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]A copy of the report produced by Dr. Pusztai in response to the report of the Rowett Research Institute's Audit Committee was received by The Scottish Office on 26 October 1998. A copy of Dr. Pusztai's report together with the Audit Committee's response to the report has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

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

  National Lottery Funding
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much National Lottery funding has been distributed by(a) the National Lottery Charities Board (Scotland), (b) the Scottish Sports Council and (c) the Scottish Arts Council for projects in (i) Paisley, South Constituency and (ii) Renfrewshire Council area. [71429]

  Mr. Banks
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Local Authority of Renfrewshire (which includes the awards for Paisley, South) has received £3,880,033 covering 123 awards; of these Paisley, South has received £2,210,097 covering 43 awards.
  470
  A breakdown of these is set out in the following table:

  Distributing Body

  Data

  Total

  Paisley, South Constituency

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  Value of awards

  £1,000,00

  Number of awards

  1

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Value of awards

  £1,140,577

  Number of awards

  40

  Scottish Arts Council

  Value of awards

  £69,520

  Number of awards

  2

  Total value of awards

  £2,210,097

  Total number of awards

  43

  Renfrewshire Council area

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  Value of awards

  £1,035,200

  Number of awards

  2

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Value of awards

  £1,500,324

  Number of awards

  104

  Scottish Arts Council

  Value of awards

  £510,784

  Number of awards

  10

  Scottish Sport Council

  Value of awards

  £833,725

  Number of awards

  7

  Total value of awards

  £3,880,033

  Total number of awards

  123

TREASURY

  Simon de Danser Case
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the cost of escorting prisoners in the Simon de Danser case can be recovered from HM Customs and Excise by the Avon and Somerset Police on the same basis as additional costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence have been recovered. [72285]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No. The arrangement for escorting the prisoners to and from court in the Simon de Danser case was made by the police who are responsible for the costs. The Ministry of Defence costs were incurred during the investigation phase of this case and their arrangement with HM Customs and Excise is for cost recovery.

  EU Code of Conduct Group
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1999,Official Report, column 217, on the EU Code of Conduct Group, if he will list those taxes other than corporation tax and equivalent taxes due for consideration by the Group. [72326]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Group is considering business taxation measures which affect, or may affect, in a significant way the location of business activity in the Community.

DEFENCE

  Defence Medical Services
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what security clearance will be required for the NHS representative on Defence Medical Services management boards established under the review of defence medical services. [70897]
  471
  Mr. Spellar
  The NHS representative will be subject to the normal security clearance procedures in the same way as an MOD employee.

  Centre for Defence Medicine
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the shortlisted candidates for NHS hospitals to be associated with the Centre for Defence Medicine. [70870]

  Mr. Spellar
  A Statement of Requirement for the new Centre for Defence Medicine is currently being prepared. Expressions of interest from NHS Trusts will be sought once it is complete.

  Ocean Wave Deployment
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the Ocean Wave deployment; what assessment he has made of the benefits and value of it; and what military tasks were not carried out because of the involvement of personnel in it. [71939]

  Mr. Spellar
  Ocean Wave was the deployment of a Royal Navy Task Group to the Gulf, Far East and Asia Pacific regions between 13 January and 28 August 1997.

  Clear military and strategic objectives were set for the Task Group prior to the deployment. Ocean Wave demonstrated the UK's continued commitment to the Asia-Pacific region after the hand-over of Hong Kong. It underlined our interest in the promotion of regional peace and stability, the protection of freedom of international trade, and promoted bilateral relations by the joint working between military forces in the Asia-Pacific region. There was also considerable benefit to the UK defence industry.

  In addition, the Royal Navy were able to test their readiness and to assess how well equipment, procedures and personnel stand up in a realistic scenario with integrated forces. Such interactive training is achievable only when a number of diverse assets are deployed together over a prolonged period.

  The additional costs directly attributable to Ocean Wave were about £9.8 million. The main elements of this additional sum were port and harbour dues, Suez Canal transit fees, operational support, additional fuel costs, local overseas allowances, ships taken up from trade and travel subsistence.

  Planning for Ocean Wave commenced 2½ years prior to the deployment taking place, so that we were able to ensure that all routine or contingent tasks were also undertaken.

  Army Dismissals (Bullying)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army personnel have been dismissed for bullying, or related offences, in each of the last five years. [72932]

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

  Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency; and what was the figure at its inception. [72957]

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

  Letter from B. J. Cash to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 26 February 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about how many people are currently employed by the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency; and what was the figure at Its Inception, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency.
  The number of people currently employed by the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency as at 31 January 1999 is 574, comprising of 221 military and 353 civilians.
  The number employed at its inception on 1 July 1992 was 541, comprising of 285 military and 256 civilians.
  The increase in total numbers of staff is as a result of the Agency expanding its responsibilities to include some overseas locations and the absorption of the MOD Van and Mail Services in the UK.

  Army Training and Recruiting Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Army Training and Recruiting Agency published its report for 1998–99; and what was the cost of production of the report. [71904]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. A. Gordon to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 26 February 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the date of publication, and cost, of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency's report for 1998–99 as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Deputy Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The 1998–99 Annual Report and Accounts for the Army Training and Recruiting Agency are due to be published in July this year. As yet no accurate estimate of the cost of their production is available.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the impact on her Department's policies of the goods and services provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to be implemented in October 1999. [71266]

  Mr. McFall
  Northern Ireland Departments are acting to ensure that their policies meet the needs of disabled people and that they comply with their legal requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act. Departments already take positive steps to make it easier for disabled people to make use of their services. They shall continue to do so, not only by complying fully with new duties in the Act but by aiming to exceed them where appropriate.
  473
  Northern Ireland Departments are committed to equality of opportunity and treatment and are required to promote fair treatment and avoid unfavourable impacts not only on disabled people but on other minority or disadvantaged groups. "Policy Appraisal and Fair Treatment" guidelines aim to ensure that issues of equality and equity condition policy making and actions, whether in regulatory and administrative functions or in the delivery of services to the public.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the parliamentary constituencies which she has visited in an official capacity in the past 12 months. [71344]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]I have visited the following Parliamentary constituencies in an official capacity in the past 12 months:

  Northern Ireland

  East Antrim

  North Antrim

  South Antrim

  Belfast, East

  Belfast, North

  Belfast, South

  Belfast, West

  North Down

  South Down

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  Foyle

  Lagan Valley

  East Londonderry

  Newry and Armagh

  Strangford

  West Tyrone

  Upper Bann

  England

  Warrington, South

  Scotland

  Edinburgh, Central

  Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

  Glasgow, Kelvin

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  Wales

  Torfaen.

  Under-age Smoking
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Government have to discourage smoking by those aged under 16 in Northern Ireland in 1999–2000. [71536]

  Mr. McFall
  The Government set out their proposals for a comprehensive strategy to tackle smoking across the United Kingdom in the White Paper"Smoking Kills".the White Paper identifies a range of measures that will help protect young people. These include:

  minimal tobacco advertising in shops;

  tough enforcement on under age sales;

  proof of age cards; and

  strong rules on the siting of cigarette vending machines.

  474
  A consultation paper setting out a proposed Northern Ireland implementation programme will be produced later this year and will include measures to ensure a regional focus for the proposed national public information campaign, a prime target of which will be young people.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the incidence was of cigarette smoking among(a) children under 16 and (b) adults in 1998 in Northern Ireland. [71535]

  Mr. McFall
  The latest available data for children's smoking are from 1997–98 and are available only for children aged 10 to 16. The latest available data for adults are from 1996–97. The incidence of cigarette smoking in Northern Ireland was(a) 19% among children aged 10 to 16–17% males and 21% females—and (b) 29% among adults—31% males and 27% females.

PRIME MINISTER

  Overseas Publications
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 3 February 1999,Official Report, column 642, on overseas publications, if he will deposit in the Library copies of the English versions of the articles he has written for foreign newspapers and journals. [71144]

  The Prime Minister
  We do not keep a systematic record of the final printed versions or articles written by the Prime Minister for foreign newspapers.

  Devolution
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the continuing responsibilities of the Lord Chancellor in relation to devolution. [70848]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 February 1999]The Lord Chancellor chairs the Cabinet Committee on devolution policy. Its terms of reference are:"To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's policies for devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the regions of England and to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation."

  Correspondence
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) of 14 January, on the subject of EU fraud and mismanagement. [73265]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 23 February 1999,Official Report, column 230.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions, when he has met the Minister for Science, genetically modified foods or crops have been discussed. [73025]
  475
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]I have regular meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others on a wide range of subjects. As with previous administrations it is not my practice to provide details of confidential discussions.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions, he or his officials have held discussions with(a) Monsanto, (b) Novartis and (c) Agrevo. [73036]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 23 February 1999,Official Report, columns 232–33.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the NMEC has to offer concessionary tickets to the Millennium Experience to families on means-tested benefits. [69672]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) ticketing strategy and pricing structure aims to ensure that as many people as possible who wish to visit the Dome will be able to do so. The structure will include a range of group, family, student and other discounts. In addition, the company is working closely with the travel trade to ensure that attractive packages combining travel and Dome entry are available. In drawing up its pricing structure and discount categories the Company has been informed by the experience and systems of other major visitor attractions both in the public and private sectors. Concessionary tickets for families on means-tested benefits is not standard practice and would be particularly difficult to introduce in a way

  Percentage

  English Sports Council

  Actual 1997–98

  Est. 1998–99

  Prov. 1999–2000

  Prov. 2000–01

  Prov. 2001–02

  Regional Development and Field Staff

  12

  13

  13

  13

  13

  National Development and Field Staff

  4

  4

  5

  5

  5

  Public Information/Communication/Research

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Corporate services (Finance/IT/Audit/Human Resources/Office Services)

  5

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Total Staff Costs

  24

  25

  26

  26

  26

  Administrative Expenses

  6

  11

  9

  9

  9

  Rent/Rates/Running Costs

  Publicity/Promotion/Communications

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  Communications Programme

  Grants to National Governing Bodies

  19

  17

  19

  19

  19

  Complementing Grant in Aid provided by UKSC

  Grants to National Coaching Foundation

  5

  5

  4

  4

  4

  Complementing Grant In Aid provided by UKSC

  Sports Science/Sports Medicine

  2

  1

  2

  2

  2

  Complementing Grant In Aid provided by UKSC

  Sports Medicine

  476
  that would prevent abuse. The NMEC does not therefore propose to introduce such concessions. The Government, and the Millennium Commission, have endorsed this approach.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications have been made for(a) branded restaurants and (b) other catering facilities at the Dome. [67267]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) announced on 18 December agreement with Granada Food Services Ltd., and Letheby Christopher for the provision, respectively of public service catering and hospitality catering. On 26 January the NMEC announced contracts for ten branded catering outlets at the Dome. Contracts for the remaining catering outlets will be announced shortly. The process prior to the appointment of these caterers involved the company in discussions with about one hundred potential caterers; the issue of thirty-one invitations to tender; and interviews with and presentations from sixteen companies in support of their tenders.

  English Sports Council
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the English Sports Council's grant-in-aid was spent on(a) staff costs, excluding national centres, (b) administrative expenses, (c) publicity/promotions/communications, (d) grants to national governing bodies, (e) grants to the National Coaching Foundation, (f) sports science, (g) sports medicine, (h) national centres, (i) grants to other national sports bodies, excluding NGBs and (j) regional support in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) what are the provisional spending plans for 1999–2000 to 2001–02. [71745]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: The information the hon. Member requested on the English Sports Council's grant-in-aid expenditure is included in the following table.
  477

  Percentage

  English Sports Council

  Actual 1997–98

  i Est. 1998–99

  Prov. 1999–2000

  Prov. 2000–01

  Prov. 2001–02

  National Centres

  8

  10

  10

  10

  9

  Total Net Costs

  Grants to Other National Sports Bodies excluding NGBs

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Includes the following:

  Central Council for Physical Recreation

  Sports Aid Foundation

  Commonwealth Games Council for England

  Community Sports Leadership Award Scheme

  Youth Sport Trust

  English Federation of Disability Sports

  National Youth Games

  Panathlon Foundation

  Regional Support

  27

  23

  23

  23

  23

  Includes the following:

  Regional Grants

  Facility Planning and Development

  Equity (including Disability Grants)

  Volunteer and Community Development Work

  Total

  124

  125

  126

  126

  126

  BBC
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has made to the BBC about the amount of money they intend to spend on their Internet and on-line services. [72678]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]None. In granting approval for the launch of BBC Online, my right hon. Friend was satisfied that proposed expenditure on BBC Online represented effective value for money in delivering a key part of the BBC's public service remit.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list the representations he has made to the BBC on political content since 1 May 1997; [73689]

  (2) what representations he has made to the BBC concerning the programme, "One Man and His Dog". [73691]

  Janet Anderson
  None.

  Radio Licences
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the Statutory Instruments made under paragraph 11(5) of Part III of Schedule 2 of the Broadcasting Act 1990; and what plans he has for further statutory instruments under that provision. [73146]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Paragraph 11(5) of Part III of Schedule 2 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 sets out the restrictions on participation in companies holding digital radio multiplex licences. There have been no Statutory Instruments under that paragraph to date. As my hon. Friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting 478
  announced on 28 January 1999, Official Report, columns 322–23, I intend to lay an order revising these restrictions before the House shortly.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to consult on the relaxation of restrictions on ownership of national(a) analogue radio licences and (b) digital radio multiplex licences. [73145]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I consulted broadcasters, broadcast regulators, consumer groups and other interested parties on the relaxation of the restrictions on participation in companies holding digital radio multiplex licences on 26 November last year. I have no immediate plans to consult on the present restrictions on the ownership of analogue radio licences.

  Religious Broadcasting
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) which(a) bodies and (b) individuals advise the (i) Independent Television Commission and (ii) Radio Authority on religious broadcasting; [73147]

  (2) who appoints members of the Central Religious Advisory Committee; and if he will list the membership of that body. [73195]

  Janet Anderson
  The Central Religious Advisory Committee (CRAC) advises the Independent Television Commission, the Radio Authority and the BBC on policy matters relating to religion. The members of the Committee are appointed by the ITC and the BBC. The membership of CRAC is as follows.
  479

  Membership

  Chirman

  The Most Reverend and Rt. Hon. Dr. David Hope

  Anglican Archbishop of York

  Deputy Chairman

  The Rt. Rev. Peter Smith

  Catholic Bishop of East Anglia

  Members

  Sister Helen Costigane SHJC

  Lecturer in Christian Ethics, Heythrop College London Roman Catholic

  The Rev. Joel Edwards

  General Director, Evangelical Alliance. Pastor in the New Testment Church of God

  The Rev. Emma Hebblethwaite

  Chaplain of Kings College Cambridge Anglican

  The Rev. Brian Howell

  Minister of Kelvin Grove Christian Fellowship House Church

  Dr. Musharaf Hussain

  Director of the Karimia Institute Muslim

  The Rt. Rev. Harold Miller

  Church of Ireland Bishop of Down and Dromore

  The Reverend Andrew McLellan

  Minister of St. Andrew and St. George, Edinburgh. Former convenor of the Church and Nation Committee of the Church of Scotland

  The Very Rev. Gilleasbuig Macmillan

  Minister of St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh Church of Scotland

  Dr. Darshan Sachdev

  Senior Research Officer, Barnado's Hindu

  Mr. Indarajit Singh

  Director, UK Network of Sikh Organisations

  Diana St. Ruth

  Publisher and writer Editor of Buddism Now

  The Rev. Ian Tutton

  Tutor in Christian Doctrine South Wales Baptist College

  The Rev. Michael Wilkinson

  Methodist Minister and Chaplain at Kingswood School, Bath

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Kent Magistrates' Courts' Committee
  Mr. Marshall-Andrews
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list incidents of(a) fraud and (b) gross mismanagement reported or referred to (i) his Department and (ii) HM Magistrates' Courts' Inspectorate relating to (1) payments by and (2) funding of the Kent Magistrates' Courts' Committee from 1 January 1996 to date. [72655]

  Mr. Hoon
  One potential incident has been reported in respect of the Kent MCC. It has not yet been resolved. There have been exchanges between the Department, the Magistrates' Courts' Inspectorate, the Magistrates' Court Committee and the paying authority and advice has been given and recommendations made. What further action is

  Date submitted

  Competent Notifier

  Description of GMO

  Scope of application

  authority

  24 October 1997

  Denmark

  LF Trifolium A/S Monsanto Europe SA Danisco Seed

  Fodder beet modified for tolerance to glyphosate herbicides

  Production of fodder beet in EC

  17 December 1997

  Spain

  Monsanto Europe

  Cotton modified for tolerance to glyphosate herbicides

  The same purposes as non-GM commercial cotton varieties

  17 December 1997

  Spain

  Zeneca Plant Science

  Tomatoes modified for delayed ripening

  Manufacture into food products

  17 December 1997

  Spain

  Monsanto Europe

  Cotton modified for insect resistance

  The same purposes as non-GM commercial cotton varieties

  23 June 1998

  Netherlands

  Dekalb Genetics corporation

  Maize modified for resistance to European corn borer and for tolerance to
  glufosinate-ammonium herbicides

  The same purposes as non-GM maize grain and processed maize products

  14 August 1998

  Netherlands

  Florigene Europe BV

  Carnations modified for increased vaselife

  For production of cut flowers and horticulture

  14 August 1998

  Netherlands

  Florigene Europe BV

  Carnations modified for altered flower colour

  For production of cut flowers and horticulture

  480
  needed will depend on decisions by the MCC and the paying authority in the light of legal advice they have taken.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the applications he has received for commercial planting of genetically modified crops since 1 May 1997. [72207]

  Mr. Meacher
  Applications for commercial planting of genetically modified crops need to be submitted to a Member State acting as a competent authority under Directive 90/220/EEC. The UK has not directly received any such applications. It has received dossiers forwarded from other competent authorities for an opinion on whether approval should be granted, as follows:
  481
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by(a) title, (b) name of author and (c) date of receipt the advice that he has received about the (1) environmental and (2) health consequences of the (i) growth and (ii) sale of genetically modified crops in the United Kingdom; and if he will publish that advice. [73511]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Secretary of State is advised on the environmental and health consequences of genetically modified crops by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE). The Committee publishes an annual report which is available in the Library. DETR and the Committee have also produced a series of guidance notes and DETR has produced a number of research reports to inform ACRE's advice. These are all published and are listed in the annual reports.

  The Deliberate Release legislation requires the Secretary of State to seek advice from ACRE on all consent applications. ACRE advise as to whether or not a consent should be granted and the conditions which should be attached to a consent. As the legislation requires certain information to be made available to the public, DETR maintains a public register of all consent applications and the advice on them from ACRE.

  English Nature has also published advice calling for the regulatory process to include an assessment of the risks to wildlife in its "Position Statement on Genetically Modified Organisms", which is also available in the Library.

  Greater London Authority
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions where the new Greater London Authority will be located; and if he will make a statement. [73922]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have decided to proceed with the scheme for a new building on the London Bridge City site proposed by CIT Markborough Ltd., incorporating an outstanding design by Foster and Partners. The building, on a major brown field site on the south bank of the River Thames, by Tower Bridge, will be very energy efficient, include the provision of significant civic space in and around the building and improve public access to the river.

  We shall be working with the developer and his architect over the coming weeks to develop the building design taking account of comments that have been expressed about it, and to agree the detailed terms on which the building will be available. Subject to a satisfactory resolution of these discussions and the developer securing planning permission quickly, I anticipate that the building will be ready for occupation in 2001.

  This concludes a major and very competitive search for a suitable location for the headquarters of the Greater London Authority (GLA). From a long list of 55 initial sites, we invited the developers of seven sites to submit outline proposals which, after a careful assessment, was reduced to a short-list of two. The developers were then invited to submit detailed designs by two of the country's leading architects, for London Bridge City and Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square to show how they would meet the GLA's needs.
  482
  Both schemes have since been carefully assessed against the following criteria: location, interior and external design concepts, accessibility, operational suitability, the impact on the environment and value for money. I have also taken into account the views of my design advisory group and the views of Londoners who were invited to give an opinion on both schemes when visiting exhibitions about them late last year.

  The new building will not be ready before the Greater London Authority assumes its responsibilities on 3 July 2000. We are currently considering the options for accommodating the new Authority in the interim period and I will make a further announcement in due course.

  Wheelchair Access
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with bus companies about introducing wheelchair-accessible low-level buses; what plans he has to speed up the introduction of such buses; and if he will make a statement. [73141]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are introducing regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 for all new buses to be wheelchair accessible. An informal consultation on regulations to require improved access to buses and coaches took place in 1998. Copies of the consultation document were circulated widely, including to all bus and coach operators. Meetings were also held with representatives of both manufacturing and operating industry, and a formal consultation on the draft regulations is planned for this year.

  The regulations will progressively require a lower first step height, provision for wheelchair users and other passengers with a wide range of disabilities, starting in January 2000. End dates are also being proposed for all regulated buses and coaches to ensure that over a reasonable timescale they all become fully accessible.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with local councils about the design of kerbs with regard to wheelchair accessibility; if he has discussed kerb design with charities for the blind; and if he will make a statement. [73142]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department first issued advice on dropped kerbs almost twenty years ago. Last month we issued new technical guidance to local authorities "Guidance on the use of tactile paving surfaces". The first chapter of that document deals with the design of dropped kerbs for wheelchair users and the provision of tactile paving at such installations to warn blind and partially sighted people that they have reached the edge of the footway. The advice was produced after consultation with local authorities, disability organisations, including those representing blind and partially sighted people, and other interested parties.

  We propose to support the advice contained in this document on dropped kerbs with a Traffic Advisory Leaflet which will be issued to local authorities. The leaflet should be available later this year.
  483
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to ensure that all new buildings have wheelchair access to all floors via front and back doors. [73137]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Part M of the Building Regulations, which applies to all new buildings, requires that reasonable provision shall be made for disabled people to gain access to and to use the building. The Approved Document which gives guidance on meeting this requirement says that the requirement will be met by making it reasonably safe and convenient for disabled people: to gain access to and within buildings other than dwellings and to use them; and from 25 October 1999 to be able to visit new dwellings and to use the principal storey. For the purposes of Building Regulations disabled people are defined as people who have an impairment which limits their ability to walk or which requires them to use a wheelchair for mobility or who have impaired hearing or sight.

  The provisions for access and facilities in buildings other than dwellings are for the benefit of disabled people who are visitors to the building or who work in it. One of the objectives of Part M is that disabled people should be able to use the principal entrance provided for visitors or customers and an entrance which is intended, exclusively, for members of staff. The provisions are not described in terms of front and back doors. Another objective of Part M is that in designing buildings, it is important that disabled people are able to reach the facilities that are provided within them and to use them. To this end reasonable provision is to be made for vertical circulation within a building other than a dwelling.

  In view of this, I have no plans to introduce further legislation.

  Train Information (Blind People)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Railtrack regarding the displaying of information which can be understood by blind people; what discussions he has had regarding the quality of broadcasts made on stations about the relaying of train information; and if he will make a statement. [73144]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We work closely with Railtrack on a wide range of issues affecting the needs of disabled rail travellers, including those who are blind. Railtrack, in common with other service providers, are subject to the provisions of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. From October 1999, service providers will have to take reasonable steps to change practices, policies or procedures which make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service and provide auxiliary aids or services, for example induction loops or information in Braille, which would enable disabled people to use a service.

  My Department (in collaboration with representative bodies of local authorities and the professional institutions) is also producing advice for service providers in the transport sector on best practice in meeting the
  484
  needs of disabled people. That advice, which is due to be published later this year, will include guidance on both audible and visual information.

  Foleshill Gasworks
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give the reasons for not calling in the planning applications for a new ground for Coventry City Football Club, retail and other development at Foleshill Gasworks. [73564]

  Mr. Prescott
  It is not my Department's practice to give reasons for not calling in planning applications. The Courts have endorsed this view.

  Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, my power to call in planning applications is discretionary and I exercise it very selectively. My policy is not to interfere with the jurisdiction of local planning authorities unless it is necessary to do so.

  Having had regard to our procedures and all our planning policy guidance, I did not consider that it was appropriate to call in the application for Arena 2000.

  Water Companies (Investment Programmes)
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will decide the detailed investment programmes for water companies to undertake between 2000 and 2005; and if he will make a statement. [74163]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government published "Raising the Quality" on 23 September 1998. This document gave guidance to the Director General of Water Services on the environmental and quality objectives to be achieved by the water industry between 2000 and 2005.

  The Director General of Water Services requested that decisions on the detailed programmes needed to achieve these objectives should be made by the end of February, to enable water companies to prepare their business plans.

  I shall make a detailed announcement on Monday of the investment programmes to be delivered by 2005. The terms of the announcement will be placed in the Library of the House.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  LEAs (Competitive Bidding)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many bids in respect of the initiatives in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 involving competitive bidding from local education authorities were (i) made and (ii) successful in each education action zone. [63981]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Table 1 shows the bids from local education authorities for schools in education action zones for the School Inclusion: Pupil Support Standards Fund Grant 1999–2000. Table 2 shows bids from local education authorities for the Early Excellence Centre Programme.
  485
  There are no other initiatives for which this information can be given as bids are either: (i) made by local authorities but not in respect of named schools; or (ii) made by local education authorities in respect of named schools, but the information on which schools is not held by the department and/or identifying them would incur disproportionate cost.

  Table 1: Social inclusion: pupil support standards fund grant 1999–2000

  Name of EAZ

  Name of school

  Successful bid (y/n)

  1998 Starters

  Middlesbrough

  Keldholme Comprehensive

  Yes

  Langbaurgh Comprehensive

  Yes

  Ormesby Comprehensive

  Yes

  St. Anthony's RC School

  Yes

  Brackenhoe Comprehensive

  Yes

  Leicester

  Mary Linwood School

  No

  Newham

  Eastlea Community School

  No

  Blackburn with Darwen

  Queen's Park High School

  Yes

  1999 Starters

  Halifax

  Mixenden Junior and Infant School

  Yes

  Halifax High School

  Yes

  South Halifax High School

  No

  Kingston upon Hull

  Perronet Thompson School

  No

  Winifred Holtby School

  No

  Plymouth

  Marlborough Primary School

  Yes

  Tamarside Community College

  Yes

  North Southwark

  Aylwin Girls' School

  Yes

  Geoffery Chaucer School

  Yes

  Note:

  The data are for bids by local education authorities
  for schools to receive targeted support under section 19a of this grant (paragraph B214 of DfEE Circular B198)

  Table 2: Bids made for early excellence centre in education action zones for 1998–99

  Name

  Status of bid

  Sheffield

  Successful

  South Tyneside

  Successful

  Barnsley

  Unsuccessful

  Salford and Trafford

  Unsuccessful

  Plymouth

  Unsuccessful

  Au Pairs
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to regulate the use of au pairs for childcare; and if he will make a statement. [71974]

  Ms Hodge
  Following our consultation on the regulation of day care services, we are considering the scope of the regulatory framework and will announce our plans in due course.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children aged 8 to 11 years in South Gloucestershire were in classes of(a) 35 or above and (b) 31 or above in (i) September 1996, (ii) September 1997 and (iii) September 1998. [69694]
  486
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The available information for January 1996–98 and September 1998 is shown, information for September was collected for the first time in 1998.

  Number of pupils in classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools by key stage and size of class

  Key Stage 1 Size of class

  Key Stage 2 Size of class

  South Gloucestershire Local Education Authority Area

  31 or more

  36 or more

  31 or more

  36 or more

  January 1996

  3,361

  225

  5,214

  407

  January 1997

  3,752

  329

  5,525

  365

  January 1998

  3,391

  295

  5,525

  365

  September 1998

  11,387

  2—

  2—

  2—

  1 Estimate uprated from returns from 99 per cent. of primary schools with at least one infant class taught by one teacher

  2 Not available

  Education SSAs
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the secondary school (11 to 15) standard spending assessment per pupil in(a) City of London and (b) Rotherham; and if he will make a statement. [72958]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  £9,837 for the City of London and £2,891 for Rotherham when calculated using the overall secondary SSA and the number of pupils aged 11–15 educated by each authority. However, after stripping out the effect of the SSA element for resident pupils, the difference between the two authorities would fall to 1.6:1, which in this case is a better measure of the real difference in secondary SSA funding per pupil.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each English local authority the percentage of the standard spending assessments for education per pupil for(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools which was transferred by the local education authority to schools in the last year for which figures are available. [72885]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This question cannot be answered in the form in which it has been tabled. Education SSAs have a wider coverage than funding which is delegated to primary and secondary schools. They have to cover costs such as home-to-school transport, school meals, special schools, and some central costs which cannot be delegated to schools, such as the LEA contribution to the Standards Fund. In addition, pupils are counted at different dates for the purposes of calculating education SSAs and delegated school funding respectively.

  Education Budget (Staffordshire)
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much new spending on education in Staffordshire since May 1997 has resulted from(a) changes in the standard spending assessment distribution, (b) ring-fenced programmes and (c) other central Government funding. [73111]
  487
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table sets out the information requested.

  £ million

  SSA distribution changes

  2.1

  Extra ring-fenced programmes

  23

  Other central government funding

  10.7

  Notes:

  1. Education SSAs were changed in 1998–99 to distribute the under fives sub-block on the basis of provision rather than population.

  2. The increase in ring-fenced funding through the Standards Fund includes the LEA contribution, as well as Government grant. For most Standards Fund grants in 1997–98 the DfEE contribution was 60 per cent., whereas in 1998–99 it was 50 per cent.

  3. Other central government funding consists of additional loan sanction above the 1997–98 baseline figure and the New Deal for Schools to fund additional investment in school buildings. New Deal for Schools grant was fully funded by DfEE.

  Wheelchair Access
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of Employment Service offices are accessible by wheelchair. [73143]

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

  Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Laurence Robertson, dated 25 February 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked Leigh Lewis to reply direct to your question concerning the percentage of Employment Service offices that are wheelchair accessible. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
  For each of the past three years, the Employment Service has carried out an annual audit of the progress on its planned programme of works to improve the accessibility of Employment Service offices to people with disabilities. The annual audit is undertaken to ensure that we comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act within the timescales set. The audit indicates whether our buildings have wheelchair access, loop hearing and disabled toilets.
  The latest audit results show that from a total of 1180 premises, 93% have either equal or special wheelchair access for clients. The remaining 7% which do not allow wheelchair access offer alternative arrangements for access to our services, to clients with special needs, either arranging interviews at a nearby office with disabled access or by visiting clients in their homes. Of these offices, there are proposals to remedy difficulties in 12 of them next year. The remaining offices will present longer term difficulties because structural or other constraints mean that it is not possible to replace steps with ramps, or the office is located on an upper floor of a building where it is not physically possible to install a lift or chair lift.
  488
  We are of course, exploring all feasible means of overcoming these obstacles to access. Some 64% of Jobcentres have disabled toilets, and 72% have loop hearing facilities. It is planned to increase the provision to 66% and 90% respectively by April 1999 as part of our planned improvement programme.
  I hope that this information will help reassure you that the Employment Service is doing all it practically can to provide access to its buildings for people with disabilities.

  Didbrook School
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 16 February 1999,Official Report, column 706, what figures have been submitted by Gloucestershire County Council to his Department as to the cost of upgrading Didbrook School, following the proposed closure of Toddington School and a subsequent amalgamation of the two schools on the Didbrook site. [73156]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Gloucestershire County Council has indicated that the overall gross capital cost of implementing these proposals would be £670,700, offset by capital receipts of some £244,000 and savings in recurrent expenditure.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  India (Christians)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of India regarding attacks made on Christians; if he has discussed the provision of protection for India's Christians; and if he will make a statement. [73148]

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

  Panel 2000
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the members of the Panel 2000 Task Force, on how many occasions it has met since its establishment; who was present at each meeting; what was discussed; what its work in progress is; and what conclusions it has reached to date. [72966]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]The members of Panel 2000 are listed. There have been five plenary meetings of the Panel; members, or their representatives, were present as indicated. Panel members received no fee. Additional ideas were generated by sub-groups and input from others in the public and private sectors. The work of the Panel is reflected in a Consultation Document published on 10 September 1998 and placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Following the consultation period the Panel met on 17 December and confirmed the recommendations it had contained. These are now in the process of being implemented, with the contribution of expertise from individual Panel members.
  489

  Attendance by member (X) or representative (R)

  Member

  1 April

  6 May

  11 June

  29 June

  17 December

  Derek Fatchett MP

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  Lord Alli

  X

  X

  —

  X

  —

  Zeinab Badawi

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  Martin Bell MP

  —

  X

  X

  X

  X

  Baroness Blackstone

  X

  X

  —

  —

  —

  Baroness Chalker

  —

  —

  R

  X

  X

  Lord Clinton-Davies

  X

  X

  —

  —

  X

  Frances de Souza

  X

  X

  —

  X

  X

  David Drewry/Tom Buchanan

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  Mark Fisher MP

  R

  X

  X

  —

  —

  Andrew Fraser

  X

  R

  X

  X

  X

  Claire Fulton

  X

  X

  —

  X

  X

  Priya Guha

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  Tom Harris

  X

  X

  —

  X

  X

  Sir Michael Jay

  X

  X

  —

  X

  —

  David John

  —

  R

  X

  X

  X

  Sir John Kerr

  X

  X

  X

  X

  —

  Mark Leonard

  X

  X

  X

  X

  —

  Lord Levy

  X

  X

  X

  X

  —

  Roger Liddle

  X

  X

  X

  X

  —

  Vivien Life

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  Peter Mandelson MP

  X

  —

  —

  X

  —

  Lord Marshall

  —

  R

  R

  R

  R

  Ruth Mackenzie

  —

  —

  X

  —

  —

  Lord Paul

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  David Quarmby

  R

  X

  X

  R

  X

  Shahwar Sadeque

  X

  X

  X

  X

  —

  Judy Simpson

  X

  R

  X

  —

  —

  John Sorrell

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  Martin Sorrell

  —

  —

  X

  —

  X

  Baroness Symons

  X

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Harriet Ware-Austin

  X

  X

  X

  —

  —

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to reduce the central administration costs of his Department. [73270]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]The Department's efficiency programme is set out in the White Paper "Public Services for the Future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability" (Cm 4181, page 77). It includes consolidation of business units that supply services within the FCO into a Service Organisation which will lead to a smaller central administration. Together with on-going efficiency reviews and further devolution of budgets for support services to operational consumers, these changes are expected to yield efficiency gains of some £7 million by 2001–02.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total expenditure of his Department on(a) property and land purchases and (b) vehicle purchases, from 1 April 1997 to the latest date for which information is available; and what expenditure on property purchases is planned for the next two years. [72813]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]Since 1 April 1997 the total expenditure by the FCO on(a) property and land purchases was £9.41m and on (b) vehicles £7.42m. We are planning to buy property in the next two years but, if we were to announce the details in advance, it could prejudice our ability to secure better value for money. Decisions to purchase will be taken in the light of value for money considerations including local
  490
  market conditions, prevailing exchange rates and if, it is a replacement property, the ability to sell the existing building.

  Pakistan
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the USA about the request by Pakistan to lift the restrictions under the Pressler amendment. [73273]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]We have made no such representations.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indonesian Government concerning the investigation into the deaths of Malcolm Rennie and Brian Peters. [73272]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]We have regularly raised the matter of the deaths in 1975 of the British journalists at Balibo, East Timor, with the Indonesian government. I did so with President Habibie in October and he undertook to look into the matter again.

  Privatisations
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to privatise the provision of(a) language training, (b) translation, (c) interpretation, (d) IT, (e) deployment

  491
  of security officers, (f) security vetting procedures, (g) conference organising and (h) visit organising and (i) printing and publishing. [73271]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]With the exception of London based security guards (intended to be privatised next year), there are no plans for wholesale privatisation of any FCO support services.

  Human Rights Workshop (New Delhi)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Human Rights Workshop organised by the UN High Commissioner's office in New Delhi. [73193]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]Our High Commission in New Delhi has had contacts with some of the participants in the workshop, which was organised by the Indian Government and opened by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The High Commission was not invited to attend the workshop.

  Technology Export Curbs (Russia)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of allegations that Russian companies have broken curbs on technology exports. [73253]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]We are concerned that a number of Russian companies and institutions may have exported technology and goods to organisations in countries of proliferation concern. Our concerns have been raised with the Russians by Ministers and officials.

  Leakage of this kind is to not consistent with Russia's commitments under the terms of the export control regimes of which Russia is a member.

  Intelligence constraints prevent us naming any institutions which we suspect of involvement in technology leakage.

  Middle East Conference
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards the Palestinian Authorities' request for an international conference to discuss 4 May 1999. [73192]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]We have received no request from the Palestinian Authority for a conference to discuss 4 May, nor are we aware of any such conference.

  British Embassies
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he authorised the creation of a new organisation to supply logistical support to British embassies. [73269]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]Setting up a Service Organisation to deliver service to the FCO and Posts abroad was agreed as part of the CSR process in March 1998, and included in the CSR Implementation Plan given to Parliament.

  China
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese Government concerning(a) the ratification of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, (b) the detention of political prisoners, (c) the policy of re-education through labour and (d) the China Democracy Party. [73194]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]Through our bilateral human rights dialogue, we have urged China to ratify and implement the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, suggested reforms to the system of re-education through labour and raised the cases of individuals detained in China, including a review of the cases of all those detained for "counter-revolutionary" offences. The recent imprisonment of pro-democracy activists is unacceptable. We have made our views clear to the Chinese authorities, both bilaterally and in conjunction with EU partners and others. I have also raised our concerns with the Chinese Ambassador.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in China. [73276]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]We continue to have many serious concerns about human rights in China, and the recent imprisonment of Chinese pro-democracy activists is a particularly worrying development. We have been addressing these concerns directly with the Chinese authorities through the continuing bilateral and EU human rights dialogues. With our EU partners, we are reviewing the progress made in these dialogues and shall be deciding in due course what position the EU will take on China at the forthcoming UN Commission on Human Rights.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other EU foreign ministers regarding human rights in China and the possibility of a resolution on the subject at the United Nations; and if he will make a statement. [73245]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are concerned at recent developments in the area of human rights in China. We are in regular contact with our EU partners on how best to bring about positive change there. Together with our partners, we are reviewing the progress made in our dialogue with the Chinese authorities on this subject, and shall be deciding in due course what position the EU will take at the UN Commission on Human Rights.

  Yemen Trial
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the findings of Dr. Christopher McIlroy following his examination of the five British citizens on trial in the Yemen. [73274]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]The decision to publish Dr. McIlroy's report belongs to the families and representatives of those detained, who commissioned the report.

  Morocco
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has taken to secure a copy of the autopsy report and other information relating to the death of Sara Barhandi in Morocco and to make that available to her family. [73082]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The British Consulate-General in Casablanca has obtained copies of the police and autopsy reports into the death of Sara Barhandi. Copies of these reports are being sent to the FCO and will be forwarded to Sara Barhandi's mother as soon as possible.

  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Morocco requesting an inquest into the reported death of Sara Barhandi. [73081]

  Mr. Fatchett
  None. The autopsy report shows that Sara Barhandi died of natural causes.

  EU Commissioners
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made on the suitability of(a) Padraig Flynn, (b) Edith Cresson and (c) Manuel Main as EU Commissioners; and if he will make a statement. [73178]

  Ms Quin
  None. The Committee of the Wise set up by the European Commission and European Parliament is to establish by 15 March the extent to which the Commission, either collectively or individually, bears responsibility for the recent allegations of fraud, mismanagement and nepotism.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [71270]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has already taken positive steps to meet the needs of disabled people using its services—for example, the provision of information in alternative formats such as Braille where requested—and is improving access to its buildings. These efforts will continue to ensure compliance with the law and wherever possible, best practice.

  The Department has in place guidance on mainstreaming to ensure that all new and existing policies are assessed for any adverse impact on different groups. Policies must comply with the law, and action taken to remove or reduce any adverse impact on these groups where necessary. This complements the guidance "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment" which the Cabinet Office issued to all Government Departments last November.

  Flood Defences (Edgware and Burnt Oak)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress on the flood defence plans for Edgware and Burnt Oak. [72296]
  494
  Mr. Morley
  The Ministry provided the Environment Agency with feedback in January on the technical, economic and environmental aspects of their outline flood alleviation strategy for the whole of the Silk Stream Catchment. The Agency are continuing to prepare a more detailed strategy with a view to obtaining the necessary approvals.

  Mink
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will write to appropriate district councils and other relevant authorities outlining his Department's contingency plan for dealing with the release of large numbers of fanned mink. [72280]

  Mr. Morley
  Officials are in correspondence with appropriate local authorities and arranging meetings to discuss contingency plans in respect of released mink.

  Biosafety Protocol, Colombia
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who will represent his Department at the Biosafety Protocol meeting in Colombia; and if he will make a statement. [72226]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 23 February 1999,Official Report, column 207.

  Genetically Modified Material
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the names of those he has nominated to the Advisory Committee to Her Majesty's Government on Releases of Genetic Material into the Environment, together with(a) their qualifications (b) details of relevant (i) public and (ii) private interests and (c) dates of appointment; if he will make a statement on the resources allocated to the Committee; and if he will set out the references to any of the Committee's published reports. [72557]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 23 February 1999,Official Report, columns 205–06.

  Pilot Projects
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the pilot projects instigated by his Department since 1 May 1997, indicating the area in which each pilot took, or is taking, place. [72635]

  Mr. Morley
  The list of pilot projects instigated by MAFF since 1 May 1997 is as follows:Arable Stewardship Pilot Scheme— This project aims to help restore wildlife in arable farmland areas. Grants are available in two areas, East Anglia and West Midlands. This is a three-year pilot scheme, launched in January 1998.
  The Uplands Experiment—This project involves an integrated approach to a number of existing grant schemes including Countryside Stewardship rather than a new scheme and will be

  495
  available in two areas, Forest of Bowland in Lancashire and Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. This is a 2 year pilot due to be launched on 1 March.
  "Operation Gangmaster"—This project seeks to clamp down on exploitative agricultural gangmasters: co-ordinated enforcement by up to 8 agencies of legislation relevant to casual and seasonal workers, in East Anglia/East Midland area. It began in the 1998 summer season.
  Flood and Coastal Defence Capital Programme—The Environment Agency, in liaison with MAFF, is undertaking a formal test of the market on two pilot Public Private Partnership (Private Finance Initiative) projects—at Pevensey Bay in Sussex and Broadland in Norfolk. Both schemes have been included on the HM Treasury list of "significant projects" and have been given "pathfinder status". Invitation to Negotiate documents were issued on Pevensey in September 1998 and Broadland in October 1998, and the Agency will continue negotiations with selected consortiums with a view to contracts being let in Autumn 1999. The wider application of this procurement approach to the flood and coastal defence programme will be examined in the light of experience gained from these two pilot projects.
  A pilot study in the UK is being conducted in preparation for a National Survey on the "Microbiological quality and Heat Processing of Cows Milk".
  A project on the development and testing of a manual designed to help farmers minimise waste was completed in February 1998. Areas covered were Cheshire, Herefordshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Dyfed.
  A large-scale anonymous postal survey of British sheep farmers concerning the incidence of scrapie took place in November/December 1998 from which the data are presently being analysed. Two pilot studies preceded this survey:

  (i)In February 1998, a pilot study of 20 farmers in England and Wales nominated by their veterinary surgeons was conducted to investigate whether a survey of sheep farmers could obtain a valid estimate of the incidence of sheep scrapie.

  (ii)A pilot study conducted in May-June 1998 trialled questionnaires amongst 300 sheep farmers throughout Great Britain.

  Economic Evaluation of Access Provisions in the MAFF Agri-Environment Schemes—England.
  Economic Evaluation of the Milk Quota System—England and Wales.
  Customer Satisfaction Survey of MAFF's Regional Service Centres—England.
  Economic Evaluation of Nitrate Sensitive Areas Scheme—England.
  Farmers' Attitudes to Arable Options in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme—England.
  EU Survey of Farmers' Attitudes to and Comprehension of the Agri-Environmental Programme—Northern England.
  Interim Evaluation of the PESCA Community Initiative—United Kingdom.
  Economic Evaluation of Stage IV Environmentally Sensitive Areas—All six Stage IV ESAs in England: Blackdown Hills; Cotswold Hills; Dartmoor; Essex Coast; Shropshire Hills; and Upper Thames tributaries.
  Pilot Study of Countryside Maintenance and Management—The South West: Cornwall; Devon; Somerset; and Dorset.
  Arable Land Management Initiative: Norfolk Pilot Study.
  Pilot Study of Livestock Marketing Channels and Marketing Practices—North of England.
  Earnings and Hours of Agricultural and Horticultural Workers—England and Wales.
  496
  Property and Pollution in Arable Agriculture—Arable farms in East Anglia.
  Estimating the Value of Environmental Features: Stage One—England.
  Economic Evaluation of Farm Animal Welfare Policy: Baseline Study and Framework Development—United Kingdom.
  Farmers' Irrigation Decisions and Attitudes to Risk under Conditions of Water Scarcity—England.
  Economic Evaluation of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme—England.
  Economic Evaluation of MAFF's Contract with ATB Landbase—Great Britain.
  Hedgerow Management: a Study of Farmers' and Contractors' Attitudes—England: Devon; Dorset; Somerset; Leicestershire; Northamptonshire; Nottinghamshire; Yorkshire.
  Economic Evaluation of the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme—United Kingdom.

  Inhumane Slaughtering
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the total number of cattle and sheep inhumanely slaughtered in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [72715]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]Inhumane slaughter would contravene the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 which implement the provisions of a 1993 EU Directive. The Meat Hygiene Service enforces these rules on a daily basis in licensed slaughterhouses and the State Veterinary Service monitors compliance on farms and other premises. It is not feasible to assess how many animals may have been slaughtered in contravention of the law: however, the Government seek full compliance with these regulations and does not hesitate to take action where there is evidence of contraventions. Prosecution action has been taken in 13 case since the regulations were introduced in April 1995.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what payments he has proposed under the Organic Aid Scheme for(a) Arable Area Payments Scheme eligible land, (b) ineligible land and (c) unimproved grassland or rough grazing. [72620]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]The proposed rates of aid under the Organic Farming Scheme in England are as follows:

  £/ha

  Type of land

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Total

  Eligible for AAPS or under permanent crops

  225

  135

  50

  20

  20

  450

  Improved land not eligible for AAPS

  175

  105

  40

  15

  15

  350

  Unimproved land

  25

  10

  5

  5

  5

  50

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what(a) financial and (b) other support he is currently giving to organic farming. [72960]
  497
  Mr. Morley
  Support for organic farming is delivered in the following ways:under the Organic Aid Scheme, payments are made to farmers who convert to organic farming methods. Payments in England for this financial year total £776,567 to end December 1998. The amount paid in 1997–98 was £570,614. Subject to the approval of Parliament, a new scheme, the Organic Farming Scheme, will be introduced in Spring in which the rates of aid for most types of land will be almost doubled. Payments in England are estimated to increase to a total of £9 million by year 2000;
  there is a dedicated research and development programme. Expenditure for the current financial year is estimated at £1.5 million and expected to increase to £2 million in 1999–2000;
  MAFF funds the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS) which operates a "Helpline" providing advice to potential organic farmers and offers free on-farm advisory visits.

  Minister for Science
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have been held between his Department and the Minister for Science concerning GM foods or crops since July 1998. [73124]
  498
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]This Department has had no discussions with the Minister for Science on either of these two issues.

  Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to validate safety tests in the USA and Canada on Monsanto's genetically engineered bovine growth hormone recombinant bovine somatotropin prior to consideration of its approval in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [73259]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]The use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) is subject to a European Union moratorium, which is likely to be reviewed before it expires on 31 December. There could be no unilateral decision in the UK to approve its use. I have asked the Veterinary Products Committee to review recent scientific evidence, including evidence from the USA and Canada, on the safety of rBST in order to inform the Government in preparation for EU discussions on the moratorium.