Written Answers of 19 January 1999

DEFENCE

  101 Battalion REME (Chorley)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the officers and staff in Land Command who recommended the transfer of HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry. [65025]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  It is not our practice to identify individual officials in this way under Exemption 2 (Internal discussion and advice) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officer vacancies exist in 101 Battalion REME in Chorley; and if he will estimate the number of officer posts in 101 Battalion REME that are likely to become vacant during 1999. [65022]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There are currently no officer vacancies at 101 Battalion REME in Chorley. It is not possible to gauge the number of officer posts in 101 Battalion REME that may become vacant in 1999, but we expect to have no difficulty achieving full staffing.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will refer back to Commander in Chief Land Command the decision to transfer HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry. [65020]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I am satisfied that the advice that Land Command provided Ministers to inform their decision on the transfer of Headquarters 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry was sound.

  RAF (Support Personnel)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many technical support personnel are required to support the deployment away from existing RAF bases of flights of four or eight Tornado aircraft; and how many will be required for similar flights of Eurofighter aircraft. [65754]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The number of technical support personnel deployed to support four or eight Tornado aircraft is dependent on several factors, including the operational requirement, the flying task, the number of hours to be worked in any one day and the amount of support available from the Host Nation. However, a flight of four or eight aircraft would be likely to generate a minimum of 82 and 144 technical support personnel respectively. An exact assessment of the numbers of technical support personnel required for Eurofighter has yet to be carried out, but preliminary studies indicate that approximately the same number of personnel will be required.
  392
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many technical support personnel are required to support the deployment away from existing RAF bases of flights of four or eight Jaguar aircraft. [66177]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The number of technical support personnel deployed to support four or eight Jaguar aircraft is dependent on several factors, including the operational requirement, the flying task, the number of hours to be worked in any one day and the amount of support available from the Host Nation. However, a flight of four or eight aircraft would be likely to generate a minimum of 65 and 110 technical support personnel respectively.

  Aircraft
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast service life of(a) Eurofighter and (b) Jaguar aircraft engines. [65732]

  Mr. Spellar
  The forecast service life of the Eurofighter engine will be aligned to the predicted life of the whole aircraft, which is 25 years or 6,000 flying hours.

  The Jaguar aircraft entered RAF service in 1973. On current plans, the Jaguar fleet, including the engines, will leave service in the later part of the next decade.

  Modern aircraft engines are of modular design. Each module has an approved life and may be replaced during the life of the whole engine in accordance with established maintenance policy.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast service life of(a) Harrier GR7 and (b) Jaguar aircraft airframes. [65731]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Harrier GR7 aircraft entered RAF service in 1987. On current plans, the Harrier GR7 fleet will achieve a service life of some 30 years.

  The Jaguar aircraft entered RAF service in 1973. On current plans, the Jaguar fleet will leave service in the later part of the next decade.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what service life has been achieved to date and what is forecast for Canberra aircraft in service with the RAF. [65733]

  Mr. Spellar
  The RAF Canberra fleet comprises two marks of the aircraft, the T4 and the PR9. The T4s entered service between 1954 and 1955 and have served some 44 years. The PR9s entered service between 1959 and 1960 and have served some 39 years. On current plans, the Canberra fleet will leave service in the early part of the next decade.

  Ships
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the interval between major refits for HMS Ark Royal. [65730]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The first refit of HMS Ark Royal has not yet taken place.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast service life of each of the three aircraft carriers in service with the Royal Navy; and
  393
  what will be the (a) design life and (b) design interval between major refits of the proposed replacement carriers. [65910]

  Mr. Spellar
  The forecast service life for HMS Invincible, HMS Illustrious and HMS Ark Royal is approximately 30 years. We plan to replace these carriers from around 2012 with two new, larger vessels. The planned service life of the new ships is a minimum of 30 years. The new carriers will not undergo lengthy major refits in the traditional sense, but will instead undergo shorter, but more frequent periods of maintenance lasting about six months every five or six years.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average time between major refits for(a) Type 22 and (b) Type 23 ships. [65753]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Typically, the average time between major refits for RN Frigates and Destroyers is in excess of 7 years.

  Surveillance Towers (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the intended strategic purpose of the surveillance towers on hilltop sites in the South Armagh area; and what factors would be taken into account in a review of these towers. [65998]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The primary function of the towers on hilltop sites is to protect Security Force bases in the South Armagh area and patrols conducted from them. As with all military establishments in Northern Ireland, the requirement for the towers is kept under continuous review to ensure the level of support provided to the RUC is consistent with the prevailing security situation and the assessment of the threat posed by terrorist organisations.

PRIME MINISTER

  Special Advisers
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the assumed or equivalent civil service grades of each of the special advisers employed in his Office; [65915]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 15 December 1998, Official Report, columns 458–59, on special advisers, if he will list the assumed or equivalent civil service grade of each of the listed special advisers. [65916]

  The Prime Minister
  Special Advisers are employed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Special Advisers stand outside the departmental hierarchy and do not equate to particular civil service grades.

  Former Ministers
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he made of the extent to which there was a conflict of interest in the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), having a loan from the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) at a time when the right hon. Gentleman's Department was investigating the business affairs of the hon. Member. [66456]
  394
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: Since the former Secretary of State was not involved in the Department of Trade and Industry's inquiries into certain allegations relating to companies with which my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) had been involved, I am satisfied that no conflict of interest existed.

  Defence Restructuring
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the current composition of the Ministerial Group on the Restructuring of the European Aerospace and Defence Industry (MISC 5). [66847]

  The Prime Minister
  As the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry may have to take decisions under the competition legislation on the proposed merger which BAe and GEC have announced in principle, I have decided that, while these issues are under consideration, it would be preferable for the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry not to participate in the work of MISC 5 in order to avoid any risk of it appearing that he had prejudged the issues involved. I have therefore appointed the Secretary of State for Defence as the Chairman of the Ministerial Group. The DTI will continue to be represented by the Minister for Energy and Industry.

  Devolution
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the draft concordats drawn up to govern relations between the Government and the Executives of(a) the Scottish Parliament and (b) the National Assembly for Wales. [66189]

  The Prime Minister
  Work is progressing on concordats both within the Scottish and Welsh Offices and in Whitehall Departments, as it is of course in Northern Ireland as well. None of them have yet been published.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what consultations he had with(a) leaders of the British Muslim community and (b) British Muslim academics before endorsing the bombing of Iraq. [65393]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government make every effort to ensure that they are aware of the views of the British Muslim community and that their policies are understood by that community. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary met members of the Muslim press before and after Operation Desert Fox, and gave an address to the Muslim Council of Britain. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) also holds regular meetings with representatives of the Muslim community at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 12 January 1999,Official Report, column 143, concerning military action against Iraq, by whom the reasons are well understood. [66493]

  The Prime Minister
  I was referring to our European Union partners in my answer of 12 January. They know why we took military action against Iraq because we have briefed them fully on our reasons for doing so.

  Fish Conservation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 16 December 1998,Official Report, column 962, what steps he plans to take to reduce the discarding of edible fish under the quota system. [66114]

  The Prime Minister
  Government policies which will reduce discarding of edible fish include reducing fishing effort, improving the selectivity of fishing gear and introducing fixed quota allocations.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 16 December 1998,Official Report, column 962, what steps he plans to take with other European countries to reform the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement. [66113]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government will continue to work with other Member States and the European Commission to achieve more effective and consistent enforcement of fisheries rules across the Community; integrate environmental considerations more fully into the Common Fisheries Policy to make it a more effective instrument for conserving fish stocks and the wider marine environment; apply structural and conservation measures in a way that achieves a sustainable future for the fishing industry; and improve the regional dimension of the CFP so that it is more sensitive to local differences.

TREASURY

  Financial Services
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what responses he has received to the draft Financial Services and Markets Bill; and if he will make a statement. [66812]

  Ms Hewitt
  The response to publication of the draft Bill in July 1998 showed strong support for the creation of a single statutory regulator. There is widespread interest in ensuring that the Financial Services Authority continues to operate a fair, open and accountable manner. The Government intend to clarify and, where necessary, to amend the Bill to meet valid concerns raised on consultation and in response to the current inquiry by the Treasury Committee and the intended pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both Houses.

  In the meantime, we have decided to strengthen further the openness and accountability of the new regulatory regime. We intend to include in the Bill a statutory requirement for the FSA to establish practitioner and consumer panels, underpinning the arrangements the FSA has already put in place. We also intend to include in the Bill a requirement for the FSA to hold an annual open meeting at which the Chairman and others can be questioned on the FSA's policy and performance. The Bill will also include a requirement that the non-executive members should form a majority on the FSA Board.

  The statutory requirements in the draft Bill for the FSA to consult on rules will be improved and will include a requirement that proposed rules and rule changes be accompanied by an explanation of how they relate to the FSA's objectives. The consultation requirements will also be extended so as to apply to standing guidance of general application.
  396
  The draft Bill requires the FSA to have in place arrangements for independent investigation of complaints. The FSA will be required under the Bill to consult on these arrangements. We also intend that in addition to publishing the conclusions of his investigation the investigator should be able to report on the FSA's response to any recommendations made.

  The FSA will be accountable to Ministers and through them to Parliament. Its annual report under the Bill will be a key aspect of that accountability. The draft Bill enables the Treasury to require the FSA to report on specific matters. We will begin discussions with the FSA with a view to publishing an agreed list of matters to be covered in the report. We also intend that the Treasury should be given new powers to commission and publish periodic independent value for money audits of the FSA.

  The draft Bill provides the Treasury with a number of powers to make statutory instruments. Drafts of key orders will be published for public consultation shortly. We will also undertake appropriate consultation on the other orders.

  Former Ministers
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when he was first informed of the loan by the previous Paymaster General to the previous Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; [66457]

  (2) if he will list the Ministers and officials in his Department with whom he discussed the loan by the previous Paymaster General to the previous Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the dates on which he had such discussions; [66461]

  (3) what discussions he had about the loan by the previous Paymaster General to the previous Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with the Prime Minister; and on what date he first had such discussions; [66459]

  (4) what discussions he had about the loan by the previous Paymaster General to the previous Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with his adviser, Mr. Charlie Whelan; and on what date he first had such discussions. [66458]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: This was and is a matter involving the former Paymaster General and the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. It is not a matter for Treasury Ministers.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what matters or correspondence involving building societies were dealt with by the previous Paymaster General between 1 May 1997 and the date of his resignation. [66445]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The previous Paymaster General had no ministerial responsibility for building societies.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contact he has had with the Inland Revenue regarding the taxation position of the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson), the hon. Member's business interests and those offshore trusts connected with the hon. Member. [66446]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Treasury Ministers have no ministerial responsibility for or involvement in the tax affairs of individuals.

  Financial Support
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to disclose what financial support he has received since 1 May 1997 for the development of his economic policies and the sources of that financial support. [66448]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  My policy is to act in accordance with the Ministerial Code and with the House of Commons rules for registration of interests.

WALES

  National Assembly
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the appointments of officials to the National Assembly made to date; and if he will estimate, in each case, their annual cost. [64503]

  Mr. Michael
  In preparation for the National Assembly for Wales, the following appointments have been made to the Office of the Presiding Officer and the Executive Secretariat of the Assembly.

  Pay band £

  Counsel General

  77,840–113,680

  Office of the Presiding Officer

  Senior Director Assembly Business

  71,250–107,300

  Director, Assembly Business (and project manager for the establishment of the Office of the Presiding Officer

  54,230–90,400

  Assistant Director, Public and Research Services

  40,420–63,490

  Chief Translator

  27,043–41,935

  Deputy Head Translation Services (Interpretation)

  20,723–31,978

  Executive Secretariat

  Head of Executive Secretariat

  40,420–63,490

  Implementation Unit

  2 x Pay Band F (G7)

  27,043–41,935

  2 x Pay Band D (HEO)

  15,990–24,464

  3 x Pay Band C (EO)

  12,240–18,360

  2 x Pay Band B (AO and PS)

  9,536–13,700

  The full year costs of the Implementation Unit would be £215,400 based on the 1998–99 projected average grade costs. The unit has a limited life span and will exist for 6 months.

  A number of further appointments, for example for translators and for general administrative staff, are currently in train.

  All of these costs are included in the estimated additional running costs.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his estimate is of(a) the number of people who will be employed by the National Assembly and (b) the total cost of their employment to public funds. [64529]

  Mr. Michael
  The bulk of the existing staff of the Welsh Office will transfer to work for the Assembly but the Assembly will require more staff than those currently employed in the Welsh Office; the Explanatory & Financial Memorandum to the Government of Wales Bill 398
  estimated the number at about 100. The annual additional running costs of the Assembly have been estimated as £15 million to £20 million more than the costs of running the Welsh Office, which are currently some £70 million. These additional costs include the pay and allowances of Assembly members and the accommodation and information technology requirements of members and staff as well as the additional staff costs.

  Crickhowell House
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the arrangement originally entered into by the Welsh Office for the lease of Crickhowell House, Cardiff, were in line with Treasury rules for the leasing of such property; what study was undertaken of comparable buildings in the area; and what rents were sought for leases of such alternative options. [65282]

  Mr. Michael
  A copy of the option appraisal prepared by Welsh Health Common Services Authority (WHCSA) in respect of moving to new accommodation on a single site was submitted by the Department to Treasury for approval on 17 May 1991. Treasury advised that there were no objections to the proposed option provided that the Department's Accounting Officer was satisfied that taking into account all elements of the appraisal, financial and non-financial, the option represented the best value for money.

  Eight developers with 11 sites were approached in January 1991 and seven of these made outline proposals. Refinements of the brief and the proposals led to a short list of three by June 1991. Of the three proposals, one was eliminated for financial reasons, and 2 were broadly similar. Having taken independent legal and property advice and having considered rents and other financial aspects, WHCSA's Board recommended the Grovesnor Waterside bid for providing leased accommodation at Crickhowell House.

  I have asked the Chief Executive of WHCSA to send the right hon. Member a copy of the post project evaluation report prepared by the Authority.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the members of the European Objective I Task Force and the organisation or councils they represent. [65413]

  Mr. Hain
  The Wales European Task Force, which was set up to look at the use of Structural Funds across all of Wales, consists of the major social and economic partner organisations with an interest in economic development. Except where indicated membership is for organisations, not individuals. The membership is as below:

  WDA

  WLGA

  Council of Welsh TECs

  Heads of Higher Education institutions in Wales

  Fforwm

  Welsh Council for Voluntary Action

  TUC

  CBI

  Federation of Small Businesses

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  399

  Wales Tourist Board

  National Farmers' Union

  Farmers Union of Wales

  Countryside Council for Wales

  Mr. Hywel Ceri Jones

  Wayne David MEP (representing all Welsh MEPs)

  The Four Regional Economic Fora

  The Environment Agency.

  This membership may be varied as the work of this task force moves forward.

  Ministerial Flights
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the use of private jets by ministers in his Department since 2 May 1997. [65673]

  Mr. Michael
  As part of visits to British Aerospace the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), joined the company's regular shuttle services between Filton, Hawarden and Toulouse. These flights were at no cost to the Department and were not in place of scheduled flights. Private jets have not been used by Welsh Office Ministers on any other occasion since 2 May 1997.

  Long-stay Care Hospitals
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he proposes in his policies for long-stay care hospitals. [66034]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Many long stay units are small, modern or updated facilities which have a clear, locally agreed, role and these will continue. The remaining large mental and learning disability hospitals will be closed as and when resources allow but only when there are facilities in place to deliver a safe and effective service.

  Nurses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on nurses' pay. [66030]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Review body for Nursing Staff, Midwives and Health Visitors which considers nurses pay has recently submitted its report to the Prime Minister. A decision on its recommendations is likely to be announced shortly.

  NHS (Resources)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new money is scheduled for the NHS in the forthcoming financial year; and if he will make a statement. [66032]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Comprehensive Spending Review provided an additional £175 million to NHS Wales in 1999–2000 bringing total provision to £2,654.9 million. This represented a 7.1 per cent. increase on 1998–99 provision.

  Pensioners (Free Transport)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated annual cost of the proposal to allow 400
  unlimited free public transport in Wales to people of pensionable age; from what sources those costs would be met; and if he will make a statement. [65907]

  Mr. Hain
  I am consulting local authorities and bus operators on how best to move to free concessionary bus travel for pensioners, which I expect to see phased in over the next two to three years. Until this work has been completed it is not possible to put a precise figure on the cost of the proposal. The method of funding the additional costs will be a matter for the National Assembly to determine.

  Housing (Flintshire)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) starts and (b) completions of Housing Association homes there have been in Flintshire in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement. [66418]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Starts and completions achieved by Housing Associations in the last three financial years are as follows:

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1995–96

  Starts

  Flintshire

  145

  118

  207

  Wales

  2,468

  3,200

  3,688

  Completions

  Flintshire

  90

  213

  250

  Wales

  2,989

  3,717

  3,799

  Over this period Flintshire has received approximately 5 per cent. of the Housing Association programme in Wales. Resources have been made available to Housing Associations in Flintshire to achieve a similar outcome in financial year 1998–99.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what ways he plans to assist Flintshire County Council to repair and modernise its housing stock; and if he will make a statement. [66416]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Flintshire County Council's Basic Credit approval (BCA) for 1999–2000 is £8.833 million. It is for the Council to decide on the capital expenditure that it wishes to support from its BCA, including housing. In addition to the BCA supplementary Credit Approvals (SCAs) of £100 million are also available to local authorities in Wales to support strategic housing projects. All local authorities have been invited to submit proposals by the end of January for the use of those SCAs.

  Job Opportunities
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to increase the diversity of job opportunities outside the M4 and A55 corridors. [66398]

  Mr. Hain
  Increasing job opportunities and spreading economic prosperity to all parts of Wales is a key objective for the Government. It is being pursued through the Strategic Guidance to the WDA and will be fundamental to the aims of the National Development Strategy covering EC Structural Funds, currently being prepared by the European Task Force.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Motor Neurone Disease
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will respond to the Motor Neurone Disease Association's report on the effect of the Benefit Integrity Project on people with Motor Neurone Disease. [65591]

  Mr. Bayley
  I responded to the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association on 19 January 1999.

  The Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) has been subject to continuous review and prior to the Association's report being published in November 1998, significant improvements had been made to the way in which the BIP operated. Since 5 October, people with MND who are receiving the higher rate of mobility component together with the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance were exempt from the operation of the Project.

  We plan that BIP should be replaced by a new system of review which is part of the routine administration of the benefit and which is both sensitive and fair. We are currently discussing our proposals with the Disability Benefits Forum.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) of 1 December 1998,Official Report, columns 145–47, on the Benefit Integrity Project, what estimates his Department made of the level of successful reviews and appeals following decisions made by the Benefit Integrity Project, when calculating estimated benefit savings; and what plans his Department has to revise the current estimate for benefit savings to reflect the latest statistics on appeals against decisions made under the Benefit Integrity Project. [66413]

  Mr. Bayley
  The most recent estimate of benefit savings from the Benefit Integrity Project is £8 million for 1997–98, £30 million for 1998–99 and £35 million for 1999–2000. A further estimate of the savings attributable to this Project will be calculated when it ceases.

  Notes:

  1. The estimate is based on information on reviews and appeals to the middle of 1998. This showed awards were increased in 32 per cent. of review decisions and 73 per cent. of appeal decisions. Cases processed as part of the Benefit Integrity Project after this date were assumed to follow a similar pattern in terms of review and appeal decisions.

  2. This estimate was made on the assumption that the Project would continue to March 2000.

  Disability Benefits
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if recipients of Severe Disablement Allowance will be compelled to attend work-focused job interviews through the Single Gateway to Work. [66245]

  Angela Eagle
  Through the Single Work-Focused Gateway we want to offer help to the widest range of people possible—no one should be denied the offer of help and assistance.
  402
  Attendance at a Personal Adviser interview will be a condition of receiving benefits for claimants of working age who are out of work including those claiming Severe Disablement Allowance. However, this requirement may be waived or deferred in appropriate cases.

  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the responses to the consultation document on disability benefits. [66708]

  Mr. Bayley
  Consultation on our proposals for the reform of benefits for disabled people ended on 8 January and 342 responses have been received. Just over half came from organisations representing disabled people, at both national and local level, from local authorities, and from the insurance industry. Most of the remaining responses came from individuals. Nearly 50 hon. Members submitted responses, many from their constituents. The All Party Disablement Group also submitted a response. We thank hon. Members and all those who took the time and trouble to respond to the consultation document and can assure them that we are studying the responses carefully.

  A list of the organisations who responded has been placed in the Library. Copies of the list and copies of specific responses are available, excluding those that requested confidentiality, on request from the Disability Benefits Consultation Team, Department of Social Security, 6th Floor, The Adelphi, 1–11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT.

  Commercial Lobbyists
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what rules or guidance his Department has to govern the(a) formal and (b) informal interaction between his civil servants and commercial lobbyists. [66217]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer from my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 27 July 1998,Official Report, column 4.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Disabled People (Employment Services)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the services that will be available to a disabled person attending an interview through the Single Work-focused Gateway announced on 13 January; and how these differ from those under the Single Gateway to Work announced in "A New Contract for Welfare: The Gateway to Work" (Cm 4102). [66200]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  For clients of working age accessing the benefit system, including people with disabilities, the work focused interview with a personal adviser will consist of an in-depth investigation of individual needs and an exploration of ways to overcome any barriers that prevent participation in the labour market. The adviser will access information on a wide range of options available locally and provide a personalised calculation of potential in-work income. The aim will be to draw up and agree a tailor-made plan of steps which the individual can take.
  403
  The personal adviser will help people gain access to relevant services. Thus, for disabled people, it may be appropriate to seek the advice and support of a disability employment specialist or to get some kind of mentoring support.

  The announcement on 13 January was that £79 million has been made available from the Invest to Save budget to finance the piloting of the Single Work Focused Gateway described in "A New Contract for Welfare: The Gateway to Work" (Cm 4102), which are thus one and the same.

  New Deal (Hart)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have entered the New Deal Gateway in the Hart district council area since its inception; and how many took up each New Deal option. [65296]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  It is not possible to provide separate figures for individual towns or council areas.

  The latest Government Statistical Service figures for the Guildford Unit of Delivery, which covers Hart, show that to the end of October 1998 (a) 461 young people had entered the Gateway and 126 have secured unsubsidised employment; (b) 69 had joined one of the four options: 14 on the Employment option; 9 on the Voluntary Sector option; 3 on the Environment Task Force; and 43 on the Full-Time Education and Training option. 150 young people were on the Gateway, 22 had left New Deal to claim other benefits, 19 had gone to other known destinations and 75 had gone to unknown destinations.

  Jobcentres (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many job centres are fully accessible for the disabled; and what percentage have the equipment and trained staff to offer a gateway interview to disabled people. [65086]

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

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Geraint Davies, dated 19 January 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply direct to your question regarding the number of Jobcentres that are fully accessible for the disabled; and what percentage have the equipment and trained staff to offer a gateway interview to disabled people. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  It may be helpful if I explain that for the last three years the Employment Service has carried out an annual audit of progress on its planned programme of works to improve the accessibility of Jobcentres to people with disabilities. This is 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 aid facilities and disabled toilets.
  The latest audit results showed that from a total of 1180 premises, 93% have wheelchair access for clients. The remaining offices offer alternative arrangements to clients with special needs—either arranging interviews at a nearby office with disabled access or by visiting the clients in their homes.
  404
  In addition, 64% of Jobcentres have toilet facilities for disabled people and 72% have loop hearing facilities. We expect these proportions to increase to 66 and 90% respectively by April 1999 as part of our planned improvement programme.
  With regard to the percentage of offices which have staff trained to offer New Deal gateway interviews to disabled people, I can confirm that we are normally able to provide such a service in all of our offices.
  I hope this is helpful.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Children (Parental Contact)
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reasons the courts and other authorities are not able to take action when one parent takes unilateral action in preventing the other parent from having contact with their child. [65880]

  Mr. Hoon
  Contact arrangements normally work best when both parents are willing to co-operate, and in approaching the enforcement of contact orders the courts will seek to secure this. But the courts can, and will, enforce orders granting a parent contact with a child, including imprisonment as a last resort. Courts take their decisions in the best interests of the child and in the light of all the evidence and the particular circumstances of each case.

  Decennial Census Records
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what powers he has to reduce the closure period of official decennial census records; what representations he has received requesting the reduction of the closure period of official decennial census records; and if he will instruct the Public Record Office to reduce the closure period of official decennial census records to 75 years. [65913]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor has powers under section 5(1) of the Public Records Act 1958 to reduce the closure period of official records with the approval, or at the request, of the Minister primarily concerned.

  The Lord Chancellor has received a number of representations from family historians requesting a reduction in the closure period of official decennial census records.

  The Lord Chancellor does not intend to change the existing closure period, which corresponds to the guidelines established in the White Paper Open Government of 1993 (Cm 2290). This assigned a 100-year closure period for decennial census returns on the grounds that they consisted of documents supplied in confidence the disclosure of which would constitute a breach of good faith.

  The intention of the Minister primarily concerned with the decennial census returns, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, was expressed in a written answer to Lord Teviot on 14 October 1997, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 138–39.

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Servants (Hearing Impairment)
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate his Department has made of the total cost of introducing retrospective changes to the superannuation scheme for civil servants so as to ensure that former and current civil servants are granted pension entitlements for the years they were designated as having permanent unestablished status solely on the basis of a hearing impairment. [65268]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  No estimate has been made of these costs (or of extending any concession to the large numbers of civil servants who in other circumstances did not qualify for a pension). I am afraid that I can hold out no hope of any relevant improvement in the statutory provisions. In superannuation matters, it is rarely, if ever, possible to make changes with retrospective effect.

  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate his Department has made of the total number of civil servants who have not yet reached retirement age who have at some point in their career been given permanent unestablished status solely on the grounds of a hearing impediment. [65267]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The distinction between established and unestablished service disappeared in 1972 when a new pension scheme was introduced. Staff serving in an unestablished capacity, including those on permanent unestablished terms, were admitted to the scheme. Their earlier unestablished service then became pensionable. There are no centrally held records of the numbers of staff serving in a permanent unestablished capacity who resigned before this change was made and who subsequently returned to the Civil Service.

  The Stationery Office
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what controls are used to assess(a) competitiveness and (b) relative costs, and what measures he takes to limit those costs when purchasing printed matter from The Stationery Office. [66093]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Cabinet Office seeks to achieve best value for money from all of its purchasing activities whether it is buying printed matter or other goods and services.

  Cabinet Office Print Procurement arrangements are currently handled via the Central Office of Information which places work with suppliers who have been appointed after competition and in accordance with EC Public Procurement regulations. The Stationery Office Ltd. is just one of those suppliers and is only used when it is able to provide the most cost-effective solution.

  In addition, the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, acting in her capacity as Queen's Printer, has a number of Print and Publishing contracts with The Stationery Office Ltd. These cover the "Civil Service Year Book", Acts of Parliament, Measures of the Synod of the Church of England, Statutory Instruments, Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland, Command Papers, and the London, Belfast and Edinburgh Gazettes. The contracts, which were let on 30 September 1996 as part of the privatisation exercise undertaken by the last Administration, expire
  406
  on various dates between 30 September 2000 and 30 September 2001. The process of re-tendering under EC Public Procurement procedures will commence in April 1999.

  If The Stationery Office Ltd. decides to bid for any Cabinet Office contract it is treated no differently from any other company submitting tenders for the work.

  Commercial Lobbyists
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what rules or guidance his Department has to govern the(a) formal and (b) informal interaction between his civil servants and commercial lobbyists. [66205]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 27 July 1998,Official Report, column 4.

SCOTLAND

  National Lottery (Staffing)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff are employed by the Scottish Office, the Scottish Sports Council, the Scottish Arts Council and other public bodies in connection with administration of the National Lottery; and what are the annual costs involved in administering and allocating grants within Scotland under the various National Lottery schemes. [63855]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 15 December 1998]: The number of staff employed and the annual costs involved in connection with the administration of the National Lottery are as follows:

  Number of staff

  £

  The Scottish Office

  11.5

  50,000

  Scottish Arts Council

  135

  21,908,000

  Scottish Sports Council

  135

  21,206,647

  1Staff numbers are full time equivalent. The numbers of staff involved in Lottery issues fluctuate throughout the year.

  2Figures relate to 1997–98.

  The Millennium Commission, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the National Lottery Charities Board also distribute Lottery funds in Scotland. These bodies operate on a UK-wide basis. It is not possible to estimate precisely the numbers of staff or administration costs associated with their work in Scotland.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Service (Race Relations)
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report of the Prison Service Race Relations Group. [66707]

  Mr. George Howarth
  A copy of the eighth report of the Prison Service Race Relations Group to the Prisons Board has been placed in the Library.

  Young Offenders Institution
  Mr. Thorn Cross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours a week are spent by prisoners at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institution, Cheshire, on education, community work, preparation for employment and work to change offending behaviour; and how this compares with time spent on similar activities at other young offenders institutions. [66248]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Prison Service does not record separately the time spent on all of the activities listed.

  For the financial year 1998–99 to the end of December, the average weekly time spent in education by prisoners at Thorn Cross was 13.2 hours. This compares with an average across all young offender institutions of 5.9 hours.

  This includes daytime education, vocational training courses, construction and industrial training courses and evening education classes.

  The average weekly time spent on total purposeful activities at Thorn Cross for the same period was 49.3 hours. The average for all young offender institutions was 22.0 hours.

  Total purposeful activity includes education, training, employment in prisoner enterprise service workshops, employment in prison farms, gardens, kitchens and messes, cleaning and domestic work in the prison, resettlement and rehabilitation activity and physical education.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost for each place on the high-intensity training pilot scheme at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institution, Cheshire. [66250]

  Mr. George Howarth
  £22,700 per year.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average weekly cost of keeping a prisoner at a young offenders' institution. [66244]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which are in the Library, provide information on the average annual cost per place by establishment type, however, this includes establishment costs only and excludes Prison Service headquarters overheads. The average annual net operating cost per place in a young offender institution for 1997–98 was £18,400.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis prisoners are selected for a place on the high-intensity training pilot scheme at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institution, Cheshire. [66249]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Young offenders are considered on the basis of applications made by the young offender himself or on the recommendation of his probation officer, personal officer, court or family. Applicants must be category D prisoners suitable for open conditions. Those serving sentences for sexual offences, offences against children or offences involving serious violence are not eligible. Applicants must have a sufficient period of their sentence remaining to enable them to complete the course before release. Those applicants who meet these criteria are interviewed and assessed by a team of staff 408
  from Thorn Cross, which includes a psychologist, to identify those with the greatest potential to benefit from the high-intensity training scheme.

  Cellphone Jammers
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the letter of 20 September to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what he has done to keep under review the possible use of cellphone jammers to disrupt criminal activity. [65396]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Home Office is looking at these devices to determine their suitability for police use.

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the(a) target time and (b) average actual time between applications for renewal of visas and decisions for nationals of (i) Bahrain and (ii) China currently in the United Kingdom. [65755]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  2,280 applications for further leave to remain by nationals of Bahrain and of China were decided in the public enquiry offices on the day of application in 1998; and 1,260 postal applications were decided within 16–17 weeks in respect of both nationalities. We aim to decide all applications in the shortest possible time.

  State of Emergency Regulations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which department of Government have responsibility for keeping the UK State of Emergency regulations under review; when the last review was made; if he will undertake his own departmental review of the regulations; and if this matter has been included in the general review of international obligations announced on 3 July 1997. [65999]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Office has overall responsibility for any emergency regulations that might be made under the powers contained in the Emergency Powers Act 1920. However, as the Act covers a wide range of subjects, a number of other Departments might also be involved if regulations were needed.

  A review of the potential requirements was carried out in 1995. A fresh review involving departments generally, which includes considering Millennium related issues, is in progress. Until a situation requiring the use of emergency powers arose, any link with international obligations would be hypothetical.

  Diarmuid O'Neill
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date findings of the police investigation into the shooting on 23 September 1996 of Diarmuid O'Neill were received by(a) the Police Complaints Authority, (b) the Crown Prosecution Service and (c) Her Majesty's Coroner; and what decisions have been made by each of these bodies concerning criminal or disciplinary action. [66085]
  409
  Mr. Boateng
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that the police investigation report was sent to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) on 2 November, and to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Her Majesty's Coroner on 20 November.

  As at 18 January, no decisions had been taken in relation to criminal action by the CPS, or to disciplinary action by the PCA, with the Metropolitan Police. Her Majesty's Coroner has no role in relation to such action.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each other European Union country, how many asylum seekers have been accepted in each of the last two years. [66112]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The most recent available information, for 1995 and 1996, is given in the table. This was taken from the report of the Secretariat of the Inter-Governmental Consultation on Asylum, Refugee and Migration Policies in Europe, North America and Australia, entitled "Report on Asylum Procedures—September 1997". No figures were published for Austria, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg or Portugal.

  Cases recognised as refugees and granted asylum in countries in the European Union, 1995 and 1996

  Country

  1995

  1996

  Belgium

  604

  313

  Denmark

  4,810

  1,214

  Finland

  4

  11

  France

  4,742

  4,344

  Germany

  23,468

  24,000

  Italy

  287

  157

  Netherlands

  7,980

  8,806

  Spain

  464

  n/a

  Sweden

  8,460

  130

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been allowed into the United Kingdom in the last two years; and from which countries they came. [66115]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information is given in the table.

  Table 1: Applications1 for asylum, received in the UK, excluding dependants, by nationality and location where made, 1997 and January to November 1998

  Number of principal applicants (Total)

  Europe

  Bulgaria

  700

  Cyprus

  580

  Poland

  1,880

  Romania

  1,450

  Former USSR

  4,535

  Turkey

  3,215

  Former Yugoslavia

  9,430

  Others

  3,175

  Total

  24,970

  Americas

  Colombia

  1,725

  Others

  2,005

  Total

  3,735

  410

  Table 1: Applications1 for asylum, received in the UK, excluding dependants, by nationality and location where made, 1997 and January to November 1998

  Number of principal applicants (Total)

  Middle East

  Iran

  1,260

  Iraq

  2,235

  Lebanon

  300

  Others

  1,055

  Total

  4,850

  Africa

  Algeria

  1,855

  Angola

  330

  Cameroon

  255

  Democratic Republic of Congo

  1,265

  Ethiopia

  460

  Gambia

  170

  Ghana

  555

  Ivory Coast

  155

  Kenya

  1,430

  Liberia

  275

  Nigeria

  2,755

  Rwanda

  335

  Sierra Leone

  1,340

  Somalia

  6,680

  South Africa

  100

  Sudan

  460

  Tanzania

  165

  Togo

  85

  Uganda

  405

  Zimbabwe

  135

  Others

  1,225

  Total

  20,445

  Asia

  Afghanistan

  3,155

  Bangladesh

  985

  China

  3,755

  India

  2,250

  Pakistan

  3,440

  Sri Lanka

  5,060

  Others

  830

  Total

  19,480

  Other and unknown nationalities

  270

  Grand Total

  73,745

  1Figures rounded to nearest 5

  London Fire Brigade
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that the London Fire Brigade can meet any additional fire risk associated with the Millennium Dome. [66090]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The statutory responsibility for ensuring efficient fire services rests with the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each derogation from Article 8 of the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC which he plans to provide to the Commission, pursuant to Article 8(6) of that Directive; and if he will make a statement. [65981]
  411
  Mr. George Howarth
  I am not yet in a position to provide a full list. The derogations will include processing covered by paragraphs 7 and 9 of Schedule 3 of the Data Protection Act 1998, and by any order made under paragraph 10 of that Schedule. Such an order is likely to include the processing of information about criminal offences and criminal convictions for the purpose of preventing or detecting criminal offences; the processing by political parties of information about political opinions in connection with canvassing; and certain processing by the police or other investigating organisations. I am considering further suggestions made in the responses to last August's consultation exercise on subordinate legislation under the Data Protection Act 1998.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the uses made of the Electoral Register for non-electoral purposes and (b) those bodies which have indicated to his review of the use of the Electoral Register for non-electoral purposes that they access the Register; and if he will make a statement. [65967]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Office Working Party is continuing to examine the case for a change in the way in which the electoral register is made available for non-electoral purposes. The main uses so far identified include credit referencing, direct marketing, and the prevention of fraud and money laundering. There is also some use made by charities for fundraising, and by genealogists for research purposes.

  Most of the organisations which have responded do not purchase copies of the register directly: those indicating that they use data at least partially based on the register, but excluding local authorities and other Government Departments, were:

  Abbey National

  Advertising Association

  Age Concern

  Alliance and Leicester

  American Express

  Association of British Insurers

  Bank of Ireland

  Bank of Scotland

  Blue Cross

  Britannia Building Society

  British Bankers' Association

  British Retail Consortium

  Brooks and Bentley Ltd.

  CACI Ltd.

  Cadogan Estates Ltd.

  CBI

  Celebration File

  Charity Commission

  Communicator

  Computing Group Ltd.

  Consumer Credit Trade Association

  Council of Mortgage Lenders

  Credit Card Research Group

  Credit Services Association

  Direct Marketing Association

  412

  Direct Select

  Equifax

  EuroDirect

  Evand Hunt Scott Ltd.

  Experian

  Finance and Leasing Association

  Foxtons Ltd.

  GB Information Management

  George Walker and Co.

  Grattans PLC

  HFC Bank

  Hopewiser Ltd.

  Imperial Cancer Research Fund

  Institute of Credit Management

  Institute of Sales Promotion

  Integral Marketing Ltd.

  IPA

  JICPOPS

  Lewis Group Ltd.

  Library Association

  List Experts Ltd.

  Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society

  Lowe Direct Ltd.

  Mailbird Organisation

  Mail Order Traders' Association

  Market Research Society

  MBNA International Bank

  National Consumer Credit Federation

  National Geographic Society

  Newspaper Society

  NSPCC

  Oxfam

  Periodical Publishers Association

  Post Office

  QVC the Shopping Channel

  Reader's Digest

  Registry Trust Ltd.

  Response Marketing Ltd.

  Rothmans (UK) Ltd.

  Sainsbury's Bank

  Sears Financial Services Ltd.

  Small Business Bureau

  TBDA Ltd.

  Telegraph Group Ltd.

  Valldata Services Ltd.

  Waddies Print Group

  WWAV Rapp Collins.

  Police Records
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the practice of enforced subject access to police records for purposes which are not related to employment; and if he will make a statement. [65964]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is difficult to know, in any particular case, whether a subject access application has been "enforced" but in the opinion of the police, the majority
  413
  of enforced subject access applications are made for employment purposes. We have not undertaken any further research into this practice.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of Slovenia are currently being detained in the UK as illegal immigrants; and what were the equivalent figures for each of the last three years. [657361

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

  Greyhound Races
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will legislate to ensure that all greyhound tracks are required to subscribe to a national registration scheme. [65877]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have no plans for such legislation.

  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will implement a betting levy on greyhound races to be used in establishing a national monitoring authority to supervise races in respect of animal welfare issues. [65876]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have no plans to legislate for a levy on greyhound betting.

  Overseas Electors
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British citizens entitled to vote in British elections currently live overseas. [66098]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The number of British citizens included as overseas electors in the current register published in February 1998 was 17,315. The Office for National Statistics will publish figures for the new register, which comes into force on 16 February 1999, by the end of April.

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by each police authority area how many breathalysed drivers were deemed to have exceeded the legal limit between Christmas and the New Year in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [65873]

  Mr. Boateng
  Figures collected by the Home Office do not enable the Christmas and New Year period to be separately identified. The Association of Chief Police Officers, however, has collected figures on the number of positives tests of drivers who had been involved in collisions dealt with by the police during the Christmas Drink Drive campaign for the last two years, and these are in Table 1. Comparable figures for 1996–97 are not available.

  The Home Office does, however, collect and publish figures for the month of December, and they are given on Table 2. Figures for 1998 are not yet available, but will be published in the spring.
  414

  Table 1: Drivers involved in collisions during the Christmas drink drive campaign period who gave a positive breath test (or who refused a test) in England and Wales

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Avon and Somerset

  30

  35

  Bedfordshire

  13

  3

  Cambridgeshire

  17

  12

  Cheshire

  30

  19

  Cleveland

  4

  9

  Cumbria

  11

  7

  Derbyshire

  17

  15

  Devon and Cornwall

  43

  49

  Dorset

  8

  8

  Durham

  15

  9

  Essex

  20

  27

  Gloucestershire

  15

  7

  Greater Manchester

  63

  50

  Hampshire

  66

  55

  Hertfordshire

  20

  10

  Humberside

  37

  24

  Kent

  33

  38

  Lancashire

  34

  31

  Leicestershire

  12

  19

  Lincolnshire

  16

  10

  London, City of

  —

  2

  Merseyside

  23

  14

  Metropolitan Police

  247

  161

  Norfolk

  16

  12

  Northamptonshire

  12

  14

  Northumbria

  47

  12

  North Yorkshire

  16

  17

  Nottinghamshire

  23

  26

  South Yorkshire

  25

  11

  Staffordshire

  20

  15

  Suffolk

  11

  10

  Surrey

  21

  24

  Sussex

  41

  31

  Thames Valley

  60

  49

  Warwickshire

  9

  15

  West Mercia

  46

  34

  West Midlands

  69

  59

  West Yorkshire

  64

  53

  Wiltshire

  27

  20

  Dyfed-Powys

  16

  10

  Gwent

  12

  36

  North Wales

  43

  6

  South Wales

  28

  13

  Total

  1,380

  1,081

  Source:

  Association of Chief Police Officers

  Table 2: Total number of positive/refused breath tests in England and Wales during December

  1996

  1997

  Avon and Somerset

  270

  280

  Bedfordshire

  80

  120

  Cambridgeshire

  110

  130

  Cheshire

  200

  120

  Cleveland

  90

  80

  415

  Table 2: Total number of positive/refused breath tests in England and Wales during December

  1996

  1997

  Cumbria

  80

  80

  Derbyshire

  180

  160

  Devon and Cornwall

  200

  100

  Dorset

  100

  130

  Durham

  100

  110

  Essex

  260

  310

  Gloucestershire

  130

  120

  Greater Manchester

  580

  630

  Hampshire

  340

  310

  Hertfordshire

  110

  120

  Humberside

  100

  110

  Kent

  150

  140

  Lancashire

  320

  230

  Leicestershire

  180

  170

  Lincolnshire

  90

  90

  London, City of

  50

  50

  Merseyside

  220

  190

  Metropolitan Police

  1,720

  1,440

  Norfolk

  90

  110

  Northamptonshire

  90

  120

  Northumbria

  310

  310

  North Yorkshire

  170

  170

  Nottinghamshire

  240

  220

  South Yorkshire

  210

  200

  Staffordshire

  170

  170

  Suffolk

  120

  100

  Surrey

  130

  120

  Sussex

  240

  170

  Thames Valley

  570

  450

  Warwickshire

  120

  110

  West Mercia

  200

  140

  West Midlands

  330

  340

  West Yorkshire

  320

  470

  Wiltshire

  110

  110

  Dyfed-Powys

  80

  70

  Gwent

  130

  110

  North Wales

  140

  120

  South Wales

  230

  340

  Total

  9,640

  9,140

  Source:

  Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate

  Probation Officer Statistics
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many probation officers are currently in training; [65764]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the prospects for a national shortage of qualified probation officers based on current projections of annual turnover, natural wastage and numbers in training; [65786]

  (3) how many probation officers were in training in each year from 1990 to the latest year for which figures are available. [65765]
  416
  Mr. George Howarth
  There are at present 274 trainee probation officers. A work force planning study is currently being undertaken, and this will provide national data on the number of new probation officers needed over the next five years.

  Under the previous training scheme for probation officers, the Home Office sponsored students on Diploma in Social Work courses. The numbers of students starting sponsored courses from 1990 to 1995 was:

  1990: 336

  1991: 434

  1992: 451

  1993: 470

  1994: 305

  1995: 300.

  The scheme ended with the 1995 students. It should, however, be noted that research indicated that only about 60 per cent. of those sponsored went on to become probation officers.

  Firearms (Compensation)
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many compensation claims have been made to each police force in England for firearms reloading presses indicating the number(a) approved and (b) paid; [65775]

  (2) how many claims for compensation have been received to date for (a) Lee Progressive and (b) RCBS Firearms reloading presses; and how many have been (i) approved and (ii) paid. [65776]

  Mr. Boateng
  Payments have been made in respect of 578 reloading presses surrendered under Option B of the compensation scheme to police forces in England. Lee and RCBS presses are not included within this total as these types of press must be claimed under Option C of the compensation scheme. I regret to say that information is not at present available on the numbers and types of press surrendered and paid under this Option.

  Millennium (Policing)
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the extra costs to police forces in England and Wales of policing millennium celebrations; and what plans he has to provide additional resources to meet those costs. [65883]

  Mr. Boateng
  The police service have estimated that the costs of policing millennium celebrations across England and Wales on 31 December 1999 could be around £12 million out of total available expenditure of over £7 billion.

  The Government's spending plans for the police announced last July, and re-stated in a reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Ms Blears) on 2 December 1998, Official Report, columns 194–97, will allow Total Standard Spending on the police in England and Wales to increase by £186 million next year, a 2.7 per cent. increase over 1998–99. Police authorities will be able to increase their spending power by achieving the 2 per cent. efficiency target which has been set and re-investing the savings in front-line policing. There is also some scope for increased

  417
  spending from council tax. However, the Government expect police authorities to set budgets that are responsible, prudent and reasonable and which do not impose an excessive increase in council tax.

  Dr. Bavo Omoviola
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the proposed deportation of Dr. Bavo Omoviola (H.O. Ref 0138995); and if he will make a statement. [66327]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Home Secretary and I have received a number of representations both from Members of this House, friends and supporters of Dr. Omoviola, and representatives of his local community. Full and careful consideration is being given to these representations.

  Crime Reduction (Flintshire)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been made available for the crime reduction programme in Flintshire; and if he will make a statement. [66421]

  Mr. Boateng
  Under the crime reduction programme, £250 million is available over the next three years for England and Wales for projects which offer a significant and sustained impact on crime. We will be announcing in due course the allocation of funding as each of the programme's initiatives is launched.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been made available for the Targeted Policing Scheme in Flintshire; and if he will make a statement. [66422]

  Mr. Boateng
  £32 million is available over the next three years for the development of targeted policing in England and Wales as part of the crime reduction programme. The closing date for police forces to apply to be one of the first 10 projects, due to start from April, is 29 January and, as a result, no decisions have yet been taken on the location of the projects.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cumulative cost to his Department of ministerial use of RAF flights in the year to 1 May 1997. [64739]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 11 January 1999]: As my answer of 9 December 1998, Official Report, column 214, made clear, Ministers are required under the terms of the Ministerial Code always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. The rules on travel for Ministers are the same as those that applied to the previous Administration. Travel by Ministers on Royal Air Force flights between the 16 month period between 2 May 1997 and 30 September 1998 is not directly comparable with the 12 months of the previous Administration.

  The cumulative costs in the year to 1 May 1997 was £7,343.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Books (Funding)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on future funding for school books and library books in Northern Ireland. [65109]

  Mr. McFall
  The Block Grant allocations to Boards in total will enable the School Library Service to receive £2.8 million in 1999–2000, an increase of 2.6 per cent. In addition, specific provision of £0.5 million has also been made to enhance the school library book stock. The amount is expected to increase to £1 million in each of the following 2 years.

  In addition £1.45 million is being allocated to support projects within the National Year of Reading and the School Improvement Programme to enhance literacy and numeracy skills.

  Employment Statistics (Foyle)
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many job losses there were in the constituency of Foyle in 1998. [65313]

  Mr. Ingram
  In 1998 there were 756 confirmed redundancies in the constituency of Foyle.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each ward in the constituency of Foyle the percentage of(a) people of working age in employment, (b) males of working age in employment, (c) females of working age in employment, (d) people unemployed, (e) males unemployed and (f) females unemployed, in (i) December 1997 and (ii) December 1998. [65347]

  Mr. Ingram
  The latest figures available for those of working age in employment in the Foyle Parliamentary Constituency relate to summer 1998. These are given in the table below, together with corresponding figures for summer 1997. Estimates at ward level are not available.

  Percentage of working age in employment

  All persons

  Males

  Females

  Summer 1988

  58.5

  67.6

  50.0

  Summer 1997

  56.7

  61.6

  52.1

  Source:

  Labour Force Surver

  The percentage of the work force unemployed is not available at ward level. However, the following table shows the numbers of male, female, and total claimant unemployed in each ward in the Foyle Parliamentary Constituency Area at December 1997 and December 1998.

  Derry district council—unemployment

  Ward

  Male

  Female

  Total

  As at December 1997

  Altnagelvin

  120

  47

  167

  Ballynashallog

  152

  43

  195

  Banagher

  101

  23

  124

  Beechwood

  147

  20

  167

  Brandywell

  178

  30

  208

  Carn Hill

  185

  39

  224

  419

  Derry district council—unemployment

  Ward

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Caw

  141

  40

  181

  Claudy

  104

  15

  119

  Clondermot

  103

  15

  118

  Corrody

  160

  37

  197

  Creggan Central

  185

  33

  218

  Creggan South

  133

  24

  157

  Crevagh & Springtown

  422

  71

  493

  Culmore

  198

  49

  247

  Ebrington

  111

  27

  138

  Eglinton

  126

  30

  156

  Enagh

  123

  25

  148

  Faughan

  85

  20

  105

  Glen

  181

  32

  213

  Lisnagelvin

  46

  13

  59

  New Buildings

  84

  26

  110

  Pennyburn

  118

  46

  164

  Rosemount

  176

  44

  220

  St. Peter's

  122

  28

  150

  Shantallow East

  158

  23

  181

  Shantallow West

  269

  35

  304

  Strand

  222

  64

  286

  The Diamond

  268

  72

  340

  Victoria

  136

  32

  168

  Westland

  186

  36

  222

  Total

  4,740

  1,039

  5,779

  As at December 1998

  Altnagelvin

  73

  30

  103

  Ballynashallog

  151

  36

  187

  Banagher

  97

  13

  110

  Beechwood

  130

  23

  153

  Brandywell

  148

  24

  172

  Carn Hill

  155

  31

  186

  Caw

  89

  30

  119

  Claudy

  111

  18

  129

  Clondermot

  125

  25

  150

  Corrody

  182

  40

  222

  Creggan Central

  160

  31

  191

  Creggan South

  122

  22

  144

  Crevagh & Springtown

  399

  70

  469

  Culmore

  182

  50

  232

  Ebrington

  64

  11

  75

  Eglinton

  136

  35

  171

  Enagh

  77

  20

  97

  Faughan

  101

  35

  136

  Glen

  194

  51

  245

  Lisnagelvin

  31

  6

  37

  New Buildings

  97

  35

  132

  Pennyburn

  102

  40

  142

  Rosemount

  178

  51

  229

  St. Peter's

  131

  21

  152

  Shantallow East

  143

  29

  172

  Shantallow West

  228

  37

  265

  Strand

  222

  70

  292

  The Diamond

  280

  58

  338

  Victoria

  139

  23

  162

  Westland

  168

  30

  198

  Total

  4,415

  995

  5,410

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average income for people in employment in the constituency of Foyle(a) in the constituency as a whole, (b) per ward, (c) per ward for males and (d) per ward for females in the most recent year for which figures are available. [65315]

  Mr. Ingram
  Estimates of total income (including income from sources other than salaries and wages) are not available at Parliamentary Constituency level. In 420
  1998, the average gross weekly earnings of full-time adult employees in the constituency of Foyle was £339.8. The average for males was £381.9 and the average for females £281.3. Similar information at ward level is not available.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time higher education places are available to students in the Northern Ireland Western Education and Library Board area. [65308]

  Mr. McFall
  There were 2,864 students enrolled on full-time higher education courses at institutions located in the Western Education and Library Board area in 1997–98. Enrolment figures for 1998–99 are not yet available.

  Student Nurses
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at which locations student nurse training places are provided; how many of the places at each location have been filled by applicants; if there is a shortage of nurses in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [65291]

  Mr. McFall
  Pre-registration student nurse training is commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Services through a contract arrangement with Queen's university of Belfast. For 1998–99 the number of pre-registration places included in the contract were 425, of which 419 were taken up by applicants.

  I am satisfied that we do not face the same nursing recruitment and retention difficulties as there may be in other parts of the United Kingdom. There is no immediate concern about a shortage of nurses available to meet the requirements of the HPSS in Northern Ireland. However, I have asked my Department to monitor the situation.

  Schools (Preparatory Departments)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at which schools there are facilities for preparatory departments; and how many pupils are enrolled in each of these preparatory departments. [65484]

  Mr. McFall
  Schools with preparatory departments and their enrolments are as follows:

  School name

  Enrolment1

  Ballymena Academy

  94

  Bangor Grammar School

  115

  Belfast Royal Academy

  235

  Bloomfield Collegiate

  79

  Campbell College

  159

  Balriada School

  125

  Down High School

  105

  Foyle and Londonderry College

  50

  Friends School

  187

  Glenlola Collegiate

  94

  Hunterhouse College

  88

  Larne Grammar School

  36

  Lurgan College

  35

  Methodist College

  534

  Portadown College

  37

  Raincy Endowed School

  29

  Regent House School

  160

  Royal Belfast Academical Institution

  238

  Royal School Armagh

  49

  421

  School name

  Enrolment1

  Royal School Dungannon

  22

  Strathearn School

  151

  Sullivan Upper School

  190

  Victoria College

  157

  Wallace High School

  198

  1Figures exclude nursery and reception pupils

  Electricity
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints she received about Northern Ireland Electricity services during December 1998; what proposals she has to nationalise the electricity distribution systems in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [65485]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received some 30 complaints and inquiries about the disruption to power supplies caused by the storms in late December. In addition, the independent Director General of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland, who has the statutory duty to protect the interests of consumers in respect of continuity of supply and quality of supply services provided, has received some 1,050 complaints and inquiries. The Director has sought a full and detailed report from ME by 31 January 1999 on the company's response to the problems encountered by consumers over the Christmas holiday period. The Secretary of State met NIE on 6 January and expressed her concern about the difficulties faced by consumers. NIE agreed to provide the Secretary of State with a copy of the report being prepared for the Director. The Government have no plans to nationalise the electricity distribution system in Northern Ireland.

  Natural Gas
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the estimated populations of the boroughs of(a) Ards, (b) Castlereagh and (c) North Down; what proposals there are to provide a natural gas supply in these three boroughs; and if she will make a statement. [65482]

  Mr. Ingram
  According to figures produced at the 1991 Population Census the population of these Boroughs is as follows:

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Ards

  31,527

  33,237

  64,764

  Castlereagh

  28,946

  31,853

  60,799

  North Down

  34,284

  37,548

  71,832

  Under the terms of the Development Plan contained in the combined licences for the conveyance and supply of gas to the Greater Belfast area, issued to Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd. on 5 September 1996, the company is required to provide gas to these Boroughs as follows:

  Ards by the end of the year 2006

  Castlereagh by the end of the year 2005

  North Down by the end of the year 2003.

  Grammar Schools (Boarders)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at which grammar schools there are facilities for boarders; and how many boarders there are at each of these schools. [65483]

  Mr. McFall
  There are facilities for boarders at 9 grammar schools in Northern Ireland and the number of pupils who board are as follows:

  School

  No. of boarders as at 1 January 1999

  Campbell College, Belfast

  46

  Friend's School, Lisburn

  35

  Hunterhouse College, Belfast

  54

  Methodist College, Belfast

  137

  The Royal School, Armagh

  64

  The Royal School, Dungannon

  31

  St. Colman's College, Newry

  47

  St. Patrick's Grammar, Armagh

  41

  Victoria College, Belfast

  36

  Policing Commission
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she received the report of the June 1998 police investigation into the circumstances of departmental leaks concerning her telephone conversations about appointments to the Policing Commission; and if she will list(a) the principal conclusions of the report and (b) her responses to each recommendation. [66086]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  An internal Government investigation into the matter is ongoing. A separate rigorous review of document handling and distribution within the Department has been completed and its recommendations are being considered.

  Equality Working Group
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she expects to receive the report of the equality working group chaired by Dr. Joan Stringer; and if she will make a statement. [65993]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Equality Commission Working Group has had four meetings and intend to consult interested parties before finalising its recommendations. They anticipate reporting to me in early March. However, the Secretary of State expects to receive an interim report shortly recommending a structure for the Board, following which the Secretary of State hopes to advertise Commissioner posts.

  Wrongful Convictions (Compensation)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 10 December 1998,Official Report, column 270, on compensation for wrongful conviction, how many persons have had their convictions quashed by the Court of Appeal in each of the last 10 years. [65994]
  423
  Mr. Ingram
  The numbers of persons whose convictions have been quashed by the Court of Appeal for Northern Ireland during the last 10 years are, by year:

  Year

  Number of persons

  1992

  3

  1994

  1

  1997

  1

  1998

  1

  One person had a separate conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal for England and Wales, has made an application for compensation to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in respect of the quashing of both convictions. In the case of another person, the court quashed his conviction but ordered a retrial.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Country Strategies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list those country strategies which have been prepared in consultation with ambassadors for British business; and if those consultees have business interests in the country assessed. [66343]

  Clare Short
  We have, so far, published fifteen country strategy papers (Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, Vietnam). In developing these country strategies, we have consulted widely including the business community, both in-country and in the UK. Our approach has been to work with established business groups, rather than with individual companies. In developing countries we have consulted with British business associations and local chambers of commerce. In the UK, we have worked with the DTI Area Advisory Groups for specific countries as well as with business groups with a regional or country interest.

  Overseas Students
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many students from sub-Saharan Africa were in receipt of her Department's awards to study in Britain in(a) 1989–90 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available; what was the percentage change in awards; and if she will make a statement. [66198]

  Clare Short
  The number of students from sub-Saharan Africa who were in receipt of my Department's awards to study in Britain in 1989–90 and 1997–98 are as follows:

  1989–90: 7,671

  1997–98: 1,585.

  The percentage change in awards is—79 per cent.

  This reflects the positive commitment shift from UK-based training to "in-country" and regional training and workshops over the past ten years.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of her Department's awards to students from sub-Saharan Africa for study in Britain are managed by the British Council. [66219]
  424
  Clare Short
  All the Department for International Development's awards for training in Britain for students from sub-Saharan Africa are managed by the British Council.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will increase the number of her Department's awards to students from sub-Saharan Africa to study in Britain. [66220]

  Clare Short
  The provision of awards for study in Britain is determined by the priorities identified in our Country Strategy Papers, in line with my Department's White Paper on poverty elimination. We shall continue to address the needs of Sub-Saharan Africa for skills development by ensuring that training awards and centrally funded scholarship schemes are targeted on those countries which need them most.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what factors underlie her Department's policy for making awards to sub-Saharan Africans to study in Britain; and what assessment she has made of the benefits to(a) the students and (b) Britain. [66224]

  Clare Short
  The provision of awards for study in Britain is intended to support the development goals and priorities outlined in the White Paper. For Sub-Saharan Africa the need is to build up skills which will contribute to their countries' social and economic development, including scientific and technological development.

  Scholarship schemes are reviewed periodically by my Department; the latest review was carried out by Sir William Taylor in August 1997. A number of benefits were identified.

  The benefits of interest to DFID are the enhancement of skills and capacity to promote the development of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is the proper objective of all spending of DFID's development assistance.

  British Council
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on British Council work, funded by her Department, to support civil society, human rights and democracy in East and West Africa. [66199]

  Clare Short
  The British Council manage, under contract to the Department for International Development (DFID), a number of projects in East and West Africa which involve support for civil society, human rights and democracy. In East Africa these include a £1.4 million civil society programme in Kenya which funds a range of democratisation and human rights initiatives, a project to strengthen the capacity of the Ugandan National Electoral Commission and programmes to empower women in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

  The focus in West Africa is Nigeria. There, the British Council manages a fund for small scale good government initiatives to strengthen accountability and transparency, human rights, democracy and training in conflict management. The annual budget was increased to £500,000 for this financial year, in particular to help with the transition to democratic rule now under way.
  425
  In addition, good government is an operational area for the British Council's grant in aid funding in East and West Africa, part of whose costs have been met by my Department.

  Palestinian Authority (EU Funds)
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the use of funds donated to the Palestinian Authority by the European Union. [64594]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The European Union, including individual Member States, has made a major contribution to supporting the Middle East Peace Process by providing 54 per cent. ($1.7 billion) of total development assistance to the Palestinians since 1993. This includes over 650 mecu provided directly by the European Commission to the Palestine Authority. My Department maintains good links with EC officials in Brussels and the West Bank and Gaza, and participates in the Maghreb/Mashreq Working Group at which aid policy towards EC projects for the Palestine Authority is discussed. To enable Member States to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of EC aid we pressed for an evaluation of the EC's recently expired five-year programme of assistance for the Palestinians. We understand that this evaluation is soon to be finalised, and expect to receive the findings shortly.

  Misappropriated Aid
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 11 January 1999,Official Report, column 23, if she will list (a) the countries and (b) the projects in respect of which overseas expenditure was misappropriated through corruption or fraud in 1996–97 and 1997–98; what prosecutions have taken place in respect of these amounts, and with what outcome; and if any of the money has been recovered. [66595]

  Clare Short
  In each of the following projects the amount shown was not properly accounted for and we have concluded that this was, or may have been, due to fraud. To date no prosecutions have been mounted and none of the money has been recovered although some locally engaged staff have been dismissed in two of these cases. Investigations are still proceeding into each of the 1997–98 cases. I cannot of course give details of these ongoing cases which could prejudice any proceedings which might take place.

  1996–97: Zambia: Health and Population Sector, £6,287. The loss from a locally operated imprest account was investigated thoroughly but there was insufficient evidence against any individual for a successful prosecution. Arrangements for financial management have since been tightened.

  1997–98: (1) Bangladesh: Population and Health Consortium, £45,633; (2) Kenya: National Museums, £1,000. The figure for 1997–98 in my answer of 11 January 1999 included an estimated amount of £11,660 which has since been fully and properly accounted for.

  Zimbabwe
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her oral answer of 16 December 1998,Official Report, column 954, on
  426
  Zimbabwe, when the review of the Government's overall relationship with Zimbabwe was announced; what are the terms of reference of the review; what progress has been made; what plans she has to publish its conclusions; and if she will make a statement. [66488]

  Clare Short
  As I said in my letter of 14 January 1999, I am not quite sure how to make the position any clearer than I did in the House on 16 December. I had hoped that the hon. Lady would by now understand the process in which my Department is currently engaged.

  Since this Government's creation of the Department for International Development and publication of the White Paper on International Development, we have been engaged in a process of consulting and reviewing our country strategies across the world, to bring them into line with the new principles, policies and objectives contained in the White Paper. As part of this process, we are reviewing our Zimbabwe strategy, as I mentioned in my answer to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) on 16 December 1998. Some of the new strategies have already been published, and the new Zimbabwe strategy will be published in early 1999. This will help to make clear the differences between our approach and that of the previous Administration.

  I have already explained to the House that our policy in Zimbabwe will be based on eliminating poverty, partly by promoting a transparent and poverty-focused approach to land reforms. We have also made this clear to the Government of Zimbabwe. We are not reviewing that policy: it has been clear since we formed our Government.

HEALTH

  Mental Health Code of Practice
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in relation to paragraph 26.3 of the Mental Health Code of Practice for England, he will indicate(a) who takes the decisions on what would be in the child's best interest, (b) who the subsection is primarily aimed at and (c) for what reasons the subsection is drafted in wide terms. [65181]

  Mr. Hutton
  Paragraph 26.3 of the revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice, laid before Parliament on 3 December 1998, was included to ensure that visits by a child to a patient detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 are considered in relation to the child's best interests as well as the patient's, and that such decisions are recorded and monitored. The child should be treated as an individual with his or her own needs, and any decision to allow a child to visit a patient should be a positive one that it would be in their best interests.

  Directions have already been issued to the three special hospitals regarding arrangements for visits by children. We intend to issue separate guidance as soon as possible to assist all other hospitals that take detained patients, and social services departments, in drawing up child visiting policies. This will be subject to prior consultation. Decisions on whether a child should visit will be the responsibility of the hospital managers, and hospital policies will set out the arrangements for deciding whether a child should visit a patient. Such arrangements will need to take account of the significant role that those

  427
  with parental responsibility have in allowing such visits. Written hospital policies will also set out those circumstances when parental consent alone will be sufficient to allow a child to visit a patient, and where this is not sufficient, who else should be involved in the decision-making process.

  Recording of visits will allow hospital staff, with local social services departments, to monitor visits and regularly review the desirability of continuing visits by a child should the particular circumstances surrounding the patient, or the ward, change. The environment in which visits by children take place will be important when considering the child's best interests.

  Paragraph 26.3 of the Code is drafted in wide terms to ensure that all visits by children are considered in this way. In the majority of cases, decisions will be straightforward, and will not affect current visiting practices. However, where hospitals or units care for mentally disordered offenders or those patients with more severe forms of mental illness policies on visiting will need to be more detailed and rigorously enforced.

  Cancer Services
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the implementation of the Calman/Hine report on the organisation and delivery of cancer services in the North London region; and if he will make a statement. [65063]

  Mr. Hutton
  In that part of the London Region which was formerly within the North Thames Region, the majority of health authorities have focused initially on breast cancer services and have agreed standards of care for their cancer units based on the guidance "Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer" published in July 1996. Progress has also been made on the designation of those units that will provide services for colorectal, lung and gynaecological cancers. Work is planned within the new London Region to harmonise the standards and processes adopted by the different health authorities and to jointly agree future milestones for the designation process. Also provisionally designated centres are continuing to develop protocols of care for each cancer.

  The network of care and centre unit links in London are complex, particularly north of the Thames. Further work will be carried out jointly by the new London Regional Office, health authorities, centres and units to clarify these networks, and to ensure that the protocols of care and centre unit links are developed properly.

  Paediatric Physiotherapy
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government have taken to ensure that children receive paediatric physiotherapy in line with their statements. [65499]

  Mr. Hutton
  Following the consultation on the Green Paper "Excellence for All Children", my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Health and Education and Employment set up a joint working group to consider how to improve arrangements for providing speech and language therapy to children with special educational needs. This will include discussion of other therapies, including physiotherapy, which may form part of a statement of special educational needs.

  Electroconvulsive Therapy
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people received ECT(a) with and (b) without consent in each of the last five years. [65908]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally. The Department is undertaking a one-off survey on electroconvulsive therapy to cover activities in mental health trusts and other private hospitals and clinics over a three month period from January to March 1999. The results will be available later this year.

  Older People (Care)
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives he is taking to improve the recuperation and rehabilitation services available for older people. [65323]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: A letter issued by the Government in 1997 entitled "Better Services for Vulnerable People" presented a programme of work which included as one of its objectives the improvement of recuperation and rehabilitation services for older people. It focused on three specific initiatives:
  the development of joint investment plans in continuing care and mental health;
  a national development programme which focuses on rehabilitation;
  the development of a national framework for multi-disciplinary assessment in acute and community health care settings, jointly with social services.

  This initiative was aimed at all vulnerable people but specifically mentioned older people as a priority for early work.

  Through the additional £159 million winter pressures funding announced in November 1998 and the £65 million additional funds made available in the summer to support sustained reductions in waiting lists, health authorities and National Health Service trusts working with social services have been required to target investment in better community rehabilitation and recuperation schemes to enable patients to return home safely.

  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the timetable for National Health Service trusts to take action to ensure they have in place adequate resources and quality assurance systems for older people in hospital. [65319]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: A Health Circular (HSC 1998/220) was distributed to chief executives of all health authorities and NHS trusts on 27 November 1998, together with a copy of the report commissioned from Health Advisory Service 2000 "Not Because They Are Old" concerning the care of older people on acute wards in hospital, requiring immediate appropriate remedial action where the essentials of care are not being provided.

  The national service framework for older people will set standards for the care of older people. Progress against these standards will be monitored and performance will be made public. The national service framework will be developed over the next year to be operational from April 2000.
  429
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will carry out a review of the merits of integrating care of the elderly with acute medical services. [65335]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: The new national service framework for older people will focus on those parts of the National Health Service that are particularly important to older people. It will look at how services are organised and delivered, and where appropriate define service models based on best practice.

  Mental Health (Nutrition)
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will commission trials to assess the efficacy of nutritional therapy in treating mental health problems; [65975]

  (2) what action he is taking to ensure that doctors are aware of evidence linking nutrition and forms of mental illness. [65976]

  Mr. Hutton
  There is no strong evidence that nutritional deficiencies play a role in the causation of schizophrenia nor that nutritional therapy has a role in its treatment. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutritional Policy have set up a subgroup to look at folic acid and the prevention of disease, which includes mental illness.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what Government funding is available for voluntary organisations that assist child abuse sufferers. [65968]

  Mr. Hutton
  Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 (S64) gives Ministers the power to make grants to voluntary organisations.

  During the financial year 1998–99 the Department is providing a total of £416,324 in funding to six voluntary organisations assisting children at risk of, or who have experienced, child abuse;

  The organisations are:
  Childline, established in 1986 to listen to, comfort and protect children in trouble or danger. Funding for 1998–99, £163,000 core funding and £10,000 for the dedicated line for children in care.
  St Christopher's Fellowship, providing care and accommodation to vulnerable children and young people. Funding for 1998–99, £25,000.
  Kidscape, a registered charity founded in 1984 to prevent child abuse and bullying. Funding for 1998–99, £30,000.
  Parentline UK, a national helpline established in 1993 to contribute to the prevention of child abuse and neglect by providing a service for anyone parenting a child. Funding for 1998–99, £25,000.
  Churches Child Protection Advisory Service helps leaders of churches and children's organisations by providing advice and guidance on issues of child abuse and protection, and supporting individual children and families. Funding for 1998–99, £26,550.
  Barnardos, a project to support children vulnerable to sexual exploitation and those involved in prostitution. Funding for 1998–99, £111,774.

  Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new funding will be made available in 1999–2000 for grants under the Opportunities for Volunteering scheme. [66092]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department will provide funding of £6.9 million for the Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme in 1999–2000. The funding will enable existing grant commitments to be met while the Department develops, in consultation with the Opportunities for Volunteering, national voluntary organisations and other interested parties, its overall strategy to promote volunteering and targeting of the scheme. While the strategy is being developed it would not make sense for new Opportunities for Volunteering grants to be made, committing future funding. The position from 2000–01 will be included in the consideration of the strategy.

  Young Carers
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives the Government are undertaking to address problems faced by young carers. [66059]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Strategy for Carers, announced by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister last June, has been looking in depth at the needs of young carers, including, among other issues, at what action is already being taken through schools and how that can be enhanced. A United Kingdom consultative conference was held on 19 November 1998 to discuss how the needs of all carers might be better met and among the delegates present were representatives of young carers organisations. Through our national priorities guidance for health and social services authorities, we are also asking general practitioners, primary care teams and social services authorities to identify carers. We are also testing a new data collection system, the Referrals, Assessments and Packages of Care, in social services departments. Under this system, social services authorities will collect information about the assessments undertaken and carers identified. The data will be broken down by broad age group, including for young people under 18.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cuba
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with representatives of the Cuban Government on their relations with the United States of America and Britain. [64587]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State visited Cuba in October and held discussions with the Vice-President and a number of Cuban Ministers. In November she received Sr. Cabrisas, Cuban Minister for Foreign Trade and discussed UK bilateral relations, among other subjects. Our Ambassador in Havana last month raised Cuba/US relations with the Cuban Government.

  Middle East Peace Process
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he has provided to the Palestinian Authority in combating terrorism. [64601]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We make a significant contribution to the $8 million EU package of counter-terrorism assistance to the Palestinian Authority to help it deliver its security commitments.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospects for peace in the middle east following the Wye agreement. [64608]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave in the House today to my hon. Friends the Members for Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon) and for Milton-Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey).

  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the middle east peace process; and if he will make a statement. [64613]

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to support the Palestinian Authority in developing a sound economy. [64615]

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the middle east peace process. [64618]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friends to the oral answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to my hon. Friends the Members for Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon) and for Milton Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey),Official Report, column 694.

  Government Hospitality (Wine)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the purchase of wine for Government hospitality purposes. [64603]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The policy is intended to ensure availability of wines of appropriate quality at reasonable cost for official hospitality hosted by Ministers on behalf of HMG.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the economic future of the Falkland Islands. [64604]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Licence revenue from a well managed fishery has enabled the Falkland Islands Government to build up healthy reserves of more than £143 million without receiving any aid from the UK budget since 1992. The islanders are diversifying their agriculture, promoting tourism and the service sector and investing in better infrastructure and public services, while safeguarding their environment. It is too early to say whether there is oil in recoverable quantities in Falklands waters.
  432
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the Government have received from President Clinton concerning negotiations over, and the sovereignty of, the Falkland Islands. [65819]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have received no proposals from President Clinton concerning negotiations over, or the sovereignty of, the Falkland Islands. The American Government have reiterated that they would like to see two of their close friends overcome their differences, but that it is not appropriate for them to be involved.

  Franco-British European Defence Initiative
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for the United Kingdom's foreign policy of the Franco-British European defence initiative. [64606]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the foreign policy implications of the Franco-British European defence initiative. [64619]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  It is firmly in Britain's interests for Europe to speak and act more effectively on the world stage. But, as recent events in Kosovo have shown, a stronger and more coherent European voice in international foreign policy must be backed by a more effective European military capability. The St. Malo Declaration of 4 December set out a framework for building this capacity.

  This initiative has been welcomed by the US Government, to whom we have it made it clear that NATO will remain the cornerstone of European security and the basis of our collective defence.

  Ethiopia and Eritrea (Border Dispute)
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts have been made by his Department(a) bilaterally and (b) in cooperation with EU partners to encourage the Eritrean Government to respond positively to the proposals presented by the Organisation of African Unity to Ethiopia and Eritrea on 7 and 8 November relating to the settlement of their border dispute. [64607]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have taken advantage of bilateral meetings with Eritrea Government representatives in Asmara and London to reinforce the message that full acceptance of the OAU proposals provide the way forward.

  After the OAU issued its proposals on 7–8 November we supported an EU Presidency statement urging both parties to commit themselves to full acceptance. The Presidency Declaration of 16 December reiterated this position.

  Syria
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Syria. [64609]
  433
  Mr. Fatchett
  I visited Syria from 8 to 10 December and had useful meetings with President Asad and Foreign Minister Shara'a. Our talks focused on the Middle East Peace Process, Iraq and bilateral issues.

  Iraq
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Iraq. [64610]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  We remain committed to maintaining international pressure on Iraq to fulfil its obligations and to preventing Iraq from threatening its neighbours once again. We are at one with our friends and allies on this. Our main priorities are to resolve outstanding disarmament questions and to improve further the humanitarian situation in Iraq. Discussions in the Security Council are focusing on both issues. We are also looking with EU partners at proposals for alleviating the suffering to which Saddam Hussein continues to subject the Iraqi people.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the claim by Mr. Scott Ritter that UNSCOM supplied information to five countries in return for intelligence from their sources; and if he will make a statement. [66102]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  UNSCOM is entitled to seek information and advice from all possible sources in pursuit of its mandate to destroy Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction capability.

  UNSCOM Executive Chairman Richard Butler has made it clear that he has always insisted on all UNSCOM activity being carried out strictly in pursuit of its disarmament mandate, not to benefit any individual member state.

  Afghanistan (Women)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the position of women in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [64611]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We receive frequent representation about the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan. At the start of our EU Presidency last year we drew up and agreed a new Common Position on Afghanistan. This urges the Afghan factions to end discrimination and promote equal rights. We ensured that UN Security Council Resolutions 1193 and 1214 did the same. We will continue to urge all factions fully to respect human rights.

  Sudan
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Sudan. [64612]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The situation in Sudan continues to cause us great concern. While humanitarian conditions in some of the areas worst hit by famine have stabilised, UN agencies expect there to be continuing substantial need in 1999. The suffering is, of course, made much worse by the continuing civil war.
  434
  We are therefore working with the UN and others to improve the delivery of aid at the same time as pressing all sides to work towards a peaceful settlement to the civil war—the only long-term solution to the humanitarian crisis.

  We continue to support the IGAD peace process as the best way to bring about a negotiated end to the civil war. In this context, UN Special Envoy Vraalsen will shortly be visiting the region, as will an IGAD Partners Forum mission. We are lending our full support to these initiatives.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the British Ambassador to Sudan to return to Khartoum. [66490]

  Mr. Fatchett
  When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary ordered the withdrawal of British staff from our Embassy in Khartoum on 27 August 1998, he said that it was only a temporary withdrawal and that he hoped the necessary conditions for the return of staff would be re-established before too long.

  We are in regular contact with the Sudanese Government through their Embassy in London. British staff from our Embassy in Khartoum, who are currently based in Nairobi, have also made a number of visits to Sudan.

  Arms Control and Disarmament
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what current discussions he is having on arms control and disarmament; and if he will make a statement. [64614]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are committed to the measures set out in the Strategic Defence Review, and are pursuing these with a wide range of interested parties. In particular, we will participate fully in forthcoming negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty, and on a verification Protocol to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, and are working for the successful completion of talks on the adaptation of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty.

  United Nations (Subscriptions)
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of the United States of America concerning the payment of arrears to the United Nations. [64616]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last raised this issue with Madeleine Albright early last year. Since then we have used our Presidencies of the EU and the G8, and numerous other contacts at ministerial and official level, to urge the US quickly to settle its arrears to the UN. We will continue to raise this issue with the US Administration and Congress when we judge this will be effective.

  Burma
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage democracy in Burma. [64617]
  435
  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Gillian Merron) in the House today,Official Report, columns 701–02.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has reached a conclusion on the citizenship rights of St. Helenans. [64621]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer I gave earlier in the House today to the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Russell),Official Report, column 689.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he proposes to have with representatives of Pakistan and India on their forthcoming discussions about Kashmir. [64622]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer I gave in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell),Official Report, column 695.

  Russia (Weapons Command and Control)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances he has received from the Russian Government about the integrity of its command and control over its weapons of mass destruction. [64623]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have not received any direct assurances. We have, however, taken careful note of statements made by senior Russian representatives assuring the safety and control of Russia's weapons of mass destruction, including a statement of 25 November made by the Russian Minister for Atomic Energy, Mr. Adamov.

  Dubai
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about relations with Dubai. [64624]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our relations with Dubai, as with the United Arab Emirates as a whole, are very close. We work together closely on a range of international issues. In addition, British exports to Dubai were worth over £900 million in 1997. Despite the general down-turn in the global economy 1998 saw another strong trade performance with UK exports until the end of October alone worth over £1.3 billion. We expect a similar result this year.

  Embassies (Business Promotion)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in improving the business promotion activities of British embassies. [64605]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There is a number of initiatives in progress to strengthen further the export promotion services offered by our 219 commercial posts overseas. Implementation of Export Forum recommendations has 436
  given a sharper focus on priority markets, and following the Comprehensive Spending Review we will be creating over 120 new commercial slots overseas. To strengthen our professionalism we have increased interchange between the private sector and FCO/DTI staff and refocused staff training and development programmes. Our expanded Quality Management System shows increased levels of customer satisfaction. 1999 will see further improved levels of service provision with greater use of information technology/Internet based services by overseas commercial posts based on the TradeUk service launched in September 1998.

  South Africa (Trade Negotiations)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress in the EU-South Africa trade negotiations. [65659]

  Ms Quin
  We remain actively committed to finalising a Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and South Africa. We regret that the deadline agreed at the Cardiff European Council for conclusion of the negotiations by the end of 1998 was not met. The Vienna European Council in December 1998 called for the negotiations to be finalised as soon as possible, and no later than the informal Council to be held in March 1999. We will continue to press for a rapid and liberal outcome which honours the EU' s commitments to help the South African transition from apartheid, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister reiterated to Deputy President Mbeki during his recent visit to South Africa.

  British Council (Damascus)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of recent damage to the British Council offices in Damascus. [65386]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: The cost of the damage to the British Council property in Damascus is still being evaluated.

  Mr. Bruce Harris
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Guatemalan Government concerning the legal case of Mr. Bruce Harris; and if he will make a statement. [65912]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Our Ambassador in Guatemala City has raised the case of Bruce Harris and made known our concerns to the President of the Guatemalan Supreme Court, the President of the Guatemalan Presidential Commission on Human Rights and to the Guatemalan Fiscal General. We shall continue to follow the case closely and to make known our concern to the Guatemalan authorities that the case is conducted in conformity with the human rights standards to which Guatemala is committed under its domestic law and international obligations.

  Gibraltar (Fishing)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will define the extent of British waters around Gibraltar. [65505]
  437
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: British waters extend to a limit of three nautical miles around Gibraltar. The limit is restricted to two nautical miles on the west side, in the Bay of Algeciras, where a median line exists between British and Spanish waters. I have placed copies of a map showing territorial waters in the Gibraltar area in the Libraries of the House.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of Spanish fishing boats based in Algeciras Bay. [65510]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: We do not have a reliable figure. We are aware of 33 fishing vessels based in Algeciras port which have been sighted and recorded as entering British waters around Gibraltar. Similar numbers of other vessels based in both La Linea (also in Algeciras Bay) and La Atunara (to the east of Gibraltar) have also been seen in British waters.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many incursions into British waters around Gibraltar have been made by Spanish fishing boats in each of the last three years. [65509]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: The royal Gibraltar Police recorded 520 occasions on which Spanish fishing boats entered Gibraltar waters in 1998. Detailed records were not kept in previous years.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many arrests of Spanish fishermen unlawfully fishing in British waters around Gibraltar have been made in each of the last three years. [65508]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: Figures for the arrest of Spanish Fishermen for illegal fishing in British waters around Gibraltar are as follows:

  1996: None

  1997: 4 fishermen in one incident

  1998: 6 fishermen in two incidents.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the definition of the status quo with regard to the activities of Spanish fishing boats in British waters around Gibraltar. [65507]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: Between 1991 and 1997, Spanish fishermen entered Gibraltar waters and fished in moderate numbers, kept away from the harbour and Admiralty waters, and respected the authority of the law enforcement agencies. We have been seeking to return to that situation, including through discussion with the Spanish authorities.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has evaluated of the use by Spanish fishermen in British waters around Gibraltar of unlawful fishing equipment. [65506]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: Section 10(b) of the Gibraltar Nature Protection Ordinance 1991 provides that the use of, inter alia, any seine or gill net or any pot or device for raking of sea bed, for the purpose of killing or taking any wild animal, constitutes an offence. The use of any fishing equipment other than fishing lines is therefore unlawful. Spanish fishing boats have used a variety of nets and rakes.
  438
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Spanish Foreign Minister on the possibility of a licensing and quota agreement for Spanish fishing boats in British waters around Gibraltar. [66247]

  Ms Quin
  I have discussed the fishing dispute on several occasions with the Spanish Minister for European Affairs. In these discussions, the possibility of a licensing regime has been raised as one option for the way forward.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Millennium Compliance (Emergency Calls)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to ensure that the telephone network in Lancashire is millennium compliant, with particular reference to emergency calls. [66025]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: In Lancashire, as elsewhere in the UK, Oftel has responsibility for safeguarding the integrity of the core telecommunications network and has established a Year 2000 project to monitor and assess the telecommunications industry's preparations. Oftel has taken steps to ensure that telecoms services are not disrupted over the millennium. All the main network operators, who are co-operating with Oftel and the Home Office, are taking the issue seriously, and have outlined their plans to meet this challenge. The main network operators already have sophisticated systems in place to safeguard the provision of emergency services over their networks and their current work on the Millennium Bug is building on the resilience already built in to these companies' systems. Oftel is keeping the preparations of the network operators under review.

  Action 2000 is working closely with Oftel to ensure rigorous assessment programmes are in place, and a peer review of the telecom operators is already being undertaken, permitting the industry's most technically able experts to collaborate in checking peer companies' systems. It is difficult to make a precise assessment of the likelihood of interruption. Oftel expects that the principal sectors of the industry will be Year 2000 compliant during the first half of 1999.

  Miller Dywidag
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the official trading status of Miller Dywidag Joint Venture. [66337]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: Companies House has no record of Miller Dywidag as having incorporated status.

  Ministerial Appointments
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs was appointed; when he received his first red box; and when he first went to his departmental office. [65622]
  439
  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 14 January 1999): The Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs was appointed on 28 July 1998. He first went to the Department on 29 July 1998 and received his first red box on 30 July 1998.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister for Science was appointed; when he received his first red box; and when he first went to his departmental office. [65621]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: The Minister for Science was appointed on 28 July. He received his first Ministerial box on Tuesday 11 August and first went to his departmental office on 30 July.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry was appointed; when he received his first red box; and when he first went to his departmental office. [65624]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: The Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry was appointed on 4 January 1999. He has not received any red boxes to date, preferring to work from the Department. He first went into his departmental office on 5 January 1999.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he was appointed; when he received his first red box; and when he first went to his departmental office. [65623]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 14 January 1999]: I was appointed on 23 December 1998. I received my first red box on Christmas Eve, having been in my departmental office during the course of that day.

  BAe-GEC Marconi
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer the proposed merger of BAe and GEC Marconi to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. [65749]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: In the event of such a proposal, it would be necessary to determine whether the merger fell for consideration by the Commission under the EC Merger Regulation, or by the UK authorities under the Fair Trading Act 1973. If a merger fell for consideration under the Fair Trading Act, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry would decide whether or not to refer it to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the light of the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading. Each case is considered on its own merits.

  Competition (Defence Industries)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the purposes of the proposed Competition Bill will include the creation and encouragement of competition in the United Kingdom in the defence industries. [66330]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: The Competition Act will establish a more effective regime to deter and tackle anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant market position widely across the economy, including within the defence sector.
  440
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the compatibility of EU policy on defence industrial company mergers with his approach to competition matters in the United Kingdom. [66331]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: We share the European Commission's view of the importance of taking into account competition policy issues in considering restructuring in the defence industry. Any merger proposals will be considered on their merits by the relevant competition authorities.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 18 November regarding mineshafts. [66585]

  Mr. Battle
  After having the issues raised in my hon. Friend's letter fully looked into, I replied on 14 January.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 14 December regarding trades union legislation. [66584]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I will write very shortly.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if the term "average cost", with reference to flights by Ministers in his Department, refers to the average cost per passenger; [64721]

  (2) what was the total cumulative cost to his Department of ministerial use of RAF flights in the year to 1 May 1997. [64737]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 11 January 1999]: As my answer of 19 November 1998, Official Report, column 838, made clear, Ministers are required under the terms of the Ministerial Code always to make efficient and cost effective travel arrangements. The rules on travel for Ministers are the same as those that applied to the previous Administration. A comparison of travel by Ministers on RAF flights between the 16 month period between 2 May 1997 and 30 September 1998 is not directly comparable with the 12 months of the previous administration.

  The average cost contained in my earlier reply referred to the cost per trip and not the individual cost per passenger. This Department was created from the former Departments of the Environment and Transport in June 1997 and also has the additional responsibilities of the Deputy Prime Minister. A direct comparison with previous years is not therefore possible. I am advised that the total cost of Ministerial flights provided by the RAF for the Departments of the Environment and Transport in the year to 1 May 1997 was £6,302. Cabinet Office was responsible for any expenditure incurred by the then Deputy Prime Minister.

  Countryside Access
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on Access to the Open Countryside in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [65674]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department has received over 2,000 formal responses to our consultation paper,Access to the Open Countryside in England & Wales. In addition, since the closing date for responses to the consultation paper on 5 June, approximately 370 letters have been received from members of the public on this subject, and approximately 400 letters from Members of Parliament. Ministerial colleagues and I have held meetings with a number of organisations representing both landowners and recreational users.

  Sewerage Network
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much of the public and private sewerage network is currently subject to(a) infiltration and (b) exfiltration. [65885]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department does not collect this information. Under section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991, sewerage undertakers are responsible for the effectual drainage of their areas and for maintaining their pipework. From meetings held with the water and sewerage industry last year, there appears to be no evidence that exfiltration or infiltration in public sewers is causing any major problems. I understand that Water UK will be carrying out research in this area later this year.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the necessary change in investment in the sewerage system following the inclusion of the condition of sewerage assets in the new sustainable development indicators. [65886]

  Mr. Meale
  Levels of investment in the public sewerage system are a matter for sewerage undertakers and the Director General of Water Services. In "Raising the Quality" (September 1998), we published guidance to the Director General of Water Services which covered sewer maintenance as well as investment in new assets. The Director General subsequently published his own forward look at the necessary investment programmes of water companies and their price implications in "Prospects for Prices" (October 1998).

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the water companies OFWAT has penalised for failing to meet their targets on flooding from sewers and collapses(a) between 1990 and 1995 and (b) from 1995 to date. [65887]

  Mr. Meale
  Companies' performance is reported each year in the Director General of Water Services' annual Report on Levels of Service. The 1997–98 Report shows that the proportion of properties at risk from sewer flooding more than twice in every ten years has fallen substantially from 0.13 per cent. in 1990–91 to 0.06 per cent. in 1997–98.
  442
  The annual Report also explains regulatory action taken in respect of companies about whose performance the Director has concerns. Where the Director has concerns over levels of sewer flooding, he requires the company to take remedial action. The Director does not currently have powers to impose fines, but has indicated his intention to take sewer flooding and other aspects of companies' past performance into account when setting price limits.

  Sewer flooding that affects customers' properties is penalised by compensation available to customers in the Guaranteed Standards Scheme. In 1997–98, payments of up to a maximum of £1,000 were made to 4,367 customers who made claims.

  There are no targets for sewer collapses but they are taken into account when OFWAT assesses the serviceability to customers of the companies assets. Serviceability is in turn taken into account when the Director sets companies' price limits.

  Water Extraction
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many gallons of water have been extracted by Thames Water from the River Darenth in each of the last five years; and how many gallons it is estimated will be extracted in each of the next five years. [66008]

  Mr. Meale
  Thames Water Utilities Ltd. make no direct abstractions from the River Darenth itself but the company does abstract groundwater from the river's catchment. The actual and forecast groundwater abstractions by the company from this catchment are set out below. Phase 1 of the Darenth Action Plan came into operation on 1 January 1997 and the forecast figures assume that Phase 2 will become operational, as planned, in 2001–02.

  million gallons

  Year

  Actual abstraction

  1993–94

  5002.3

  1994–95

  6231.7

  1995–96

  6339.8

  1996–97

  5499.6

  1997–98

  4792.1

  million gallons

  Year

  Forecast abstraction

  1998–99

  4818.0

  1999–2000

  4818.0

  2000–01

  4818.0

  2001–02

  4095.0

  2002–03

  4095.0

  Unadopted Roads
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is his estimate of the number of unadopted roads in England; [65896]

  (2) what is his current estimate of the number of unadopted roads made up in each of the last five years, excluding newly-built estates; [65897]
  443
  (3) what estimate he has made of the number of people who live on unadopted roads in England. [65895]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer to a written question on the same subject on 14 July 1998,Official Report, column 118, from my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Derbyshire (Mr. Barnes).

  Given that no central records of unadopted roads exist, it is also not possible to give an overall estimate for England of the number of people who live in them.

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the financial allocation made to local authorities for the making up of unadopted roads in the local government settlement 1999–2000. [65898]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Financial allocations to local authorities in the 1999–2000 Revenue Support Grant settlement are based on characteristics of local authorities including the lengths of adopted roads weighted to reflect their classifications. RSG is however an unhypothecated grant. The settlement takes no account of unadopted roads, whose upkeep is, in the majority of cases, the responsibility of the frontagers.

  Previously undeveloped land used for new housing

  Year

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  19962

  Average 1992–1996

  Percentage of new dwellings1 built on land not previously developed

  47

  48

  51

  47

  47

  48

  Percentage of land used for new housing that was not previously developed

  54

  53

  56

  52

  53

  54

  1Excludes conversions

  2Provisional estimate

  Source:

  Land Use Change Statistics

  Waste Strategy
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responses he has received to his consultation paper on a waste strategy, "Less Waste: More Value"; what is the time scale for implementation of that waste strategy; what conclusions he has reached on the subjects of(a) waste minimisation and (b) recycling; and if he will make a statement. [65769]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government's consultation paper on reviewing the waste management strategy for England and Wales, "Less Waste: More Value", was launched by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 9 June 1998. During the consultation period over 28,000 copies of the document were distributed. The consultation period ended on 25 September 1998, by which time 652 submissions had been received by my Department, including 267 submissions from local authorities. In addition, 137 members of the public wrote to Ministers following the launch of the consultation document and its attendant publicity in the media.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish his consultation paper on the treatment of contaminated land. [66091]

  Mr. Meale
  Our target date for publication of a consultation paper, which will set out a revised draft of the statutory guidance to be issued under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, is the end of February at the latest.

  New Housing
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of new housing was built on greenfield sites in each year from 1992 to 1998. [65759]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There is no specific definition of 'greenfield' land. The information available relates to housing built on land that has not been previously developed. The Department's Land Use Change Statistics for England provide information on (a) the percentage of new dwellings (excluding conversions) built on land not previously developed for urban uses and (b) the proportion of land used for new housing that was not previously developed. The table shows results for the above measures for the period 1992 to 1996 (the most recent available).

  "Less Waste: More Value" set out a range of options and questions on what policies the Government should pursue, in order to:
  encourage, and emphasise the importance of, actions to minimise the waste that we produce (both in terms of volume and hazardousness); and
  substantially increase the recycling and composting rates for waste, as part of an integrated strategy which also addresses the issue of waste that it does not make sense to recycle.

  We are now in the process of developing these policies, which will be published for consultation, as part of the draft of the new waste strategy for England and Wales. The Government intend to publish a draft of the new waste strategy during the Spring of 1999 and will consult with all interested parties during the Summer. We plan to publish a final version of the new waste strategy as a Command Paper before the end of 1999.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has sought regarding the strategy to be pursued to achieve the Government's waste recycling targets for Greater London; how the Government intend to achieve these targets without placing greater reliance on landfill sites;
  445
  what is his strategy regarding incineration and the development of combined heat and power; and if he will make a statement. [65771]

  Mr. Meale
  The new Mayor of London will have a duty to prepare an integrated municipal waste management strategy for London. This will have regard to the national waste strategy, due to be published later this year, and local authority waste recycling plans. In the meantime, the Government are providing London Boroughs with £12 million under the Capital Challenge Programme to boost recycling levels in London.

  Waste to energy incineration must be considered in the context of an integrated approach to waste management, which encourages waste minimisation, re-use and recycling. Where waste incineration with energy recovery is the best practicable environmental option, the potential for incorporating CHP should always be considered in order to maximise the energy which is recovered.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what role he envisages for incineration in achieving his waste strategy for London; what plans he has to place a moratorium on the development or expansion of incinerator capacity; what advice his Department will issue to local authorities on(a) the scale of any future facilities and (b) the length of disposal contracts for incineration; and if he will make a statement. [65770]

  Mr. Meale
  Waste incineration is currently an integral part of waste disposal in London and in the consultation paper issued last year on the national waste strategy the Government took the view that there was likely to be a need for higher levels of incineration with energy recovery in future. We do not plan to place a moratorium on the development or expansion of incinerator capacity in London, nor do we plan to issue advice to local authorities on the scale of future facilities or the length of disposal contracts.

  Bus Fuel Rebate Scheme
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was paid(a) in total and (b) to individual bus companies under the bus fuel rebate scheme in each of the last five years. [66017]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested in(a) is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1993–94

  220

  1994–95

  224

  1995–96

  229

  1996–97

  228

  1997–98

  227

  Expenditure is expected to be £270 million in this financial year, reflecting the increase in the rate of rebate in line with this year's increase in duty.

  The amount paid to individual bus companies is regarded as commercially confidential.

  Biosafety Protocol
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if Her Majesty's Government support the application of the Biosafety Protocol's proposed procedures for Advanced Informed Agreement to agricultural commodities and commodities designated for processing, where such commodities contain genetically modified organisms or parts thereof; and if he will oppose any attempts in the protocol negotiations to exclude such commodities from the AIA procedures. [66036]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government's view is that the Protocol should cover the transboundary movement of all living modified organisms (LMOs), including LMOs that are agricultural commodities and commodities intended for processing. The Advanced Informed Agreement procedures should apply to transboundary movements of LMOs intended for deliberate release, including commodities. The UK is still considering its position on appropriate procedures for commodities intended for processing and will press hard for adequate coverage to secure environmental safety. Commodities that consist of non-living products of LMOs should not be covered by the protocol since the scope set out in the mandate from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity is to develop a protocol focusing specifically on the transboundary movement of living modified organisms.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if Her Majesty's Government supports proposals to include provisions in the Biosafety Protocol to allow countries to take socio-economic considerations into account when reaching a decision on whether to grant advanced informed agreement to allow the proposed import of a GMO to proceed. [65963]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government consider that the basis for decision-making under the Protocol should be a scientific risk assessment, but recognise that some countries may wish to consider socio-economic aspects in reaching their decision on whether to grant advance informed agreement.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether his Department will support proposals to include provisions for a regime for strict liability within the Biosafety Protocol. [65962]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government acknowledge the importance of the issue of liability and redress in the context of damage to biological diversity and its relevance to the Biosafety Protocol. For this reason, the UK and the European Commission last year hosted a small international workshop to explore the issues arising in relation to the Protocol. The Government consider that provisions for a regime for strict liability cannot be developed in the short time remaining to complete the negotiations. I hope, however, that it will be possible at the final meeting of the Biosafety Working Group developing the Protocol to agree how the matter might be taken forward, bearing in mind the ongoing discussions in the context of Article 14 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

  Driving Instructors
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 9 December 1998,Official Report, column 194, over the four year period under consideration (a) how many driving instructors were accepted for registration, (b) how many of these were subsequently removed from registration within (i) six months, (ii) one year, (iii) 18 months, and (iv) two years, (c) what was the average period that those removed from the register had previously been registered, and (d) how many people paid examination fees to the Driving Standards Agency. [65725]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: During the four years up to 30 November 1998, 7,225 new instructors have been added to the Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI). Of these six have been subsequently removed as a result of failing a check test of their instructional ability following three successive check test failures. None were removed in the first 18 months of their registration. Three were removed within their first two years of registration, and the other three were removed between two and four years of registration. The average period they were on the Register was 26 months.

  To join the register, a person has to pass a three part examination—a written test, a practical test of driving ability and a practical test of instructional ability for which the fees are currently £50 for the written test and £62 for practical test. During the same 4 year period, some 24,000 people started the ADI qualifying process, taking a total of 46,000 written tests and the Driving Standards Agency also conducted 58,164 practical tests (figures for the two practical tests are not compiled separately). Some of the tests would have been further attempts by unsuccessful candidates.

  Chapter 2 Aircraft
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions from what date all Chapter 2 aircraft are currently planned to be banned from United Kingdom airports; and what proposals there are in(a) the UK and (b) the EU to review that date. [66149]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  From 1 April 2002, Chapter 2 aircraft will be banned from UK airports other than in the most exceptional circumstances. There are no proposals in the UK or the EU to review that date.

  London Underground
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the amounts of compensation payable by London Underground as a result of the breakdown of the tube system on 12 January. [66390]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Statistics regarding compensation claims arising from specific incidents are not routinely analysed by London Underground. It is too early to establish how many people will request compensation for service problems experienced on 12 January, An average claim under the Customer Charter is, however, £2.60.

  Commercial Lobbyists
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what rules or guidance his Department has to govern the(a) formal and (b) informal interaction between his civil servants and commercial lobbyists. [66215]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 27 July 1998,Official Report, column 4, in response to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice).

  Pesticides
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the relative effectiveness of economic instruments over other measures designed to minimise pesticide use; [66213]

  (2) what plans he has for a compensation regime for farmers and agricultural producers to offset the effects of a pesticide tax. [66229]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government have commissioned extensive research work on economic instruments as a component of its pesticide minimisation policy to be used in combination with other measures. In considering the possible introduction of a pesticide tax, we shall look very carefully at the potential impact on farmers and other pesticide users.

  Bus Fuel Duty Rebate
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what proportion of bus operators receiving bus fuel duty rebate are using standard diesel fuel; [66104]

  (2) how much is spent annually through the bus fuel duty rebate in supporting bus operators using standard diesel fuel. [66106]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: Most of the claims for bus fuel duty rebate are for use of standard diesel fuel. The estimated spend this financial year is £267 million.

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage bus operators in receipt of bus fuel duty rebate to adopt ultra low sulphur diesel fuel. [66105]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: A number of possible changes to bus Fuel Duty Rebate, to encourage the use of cleaner fuels and vehicles, are being examined with a view to consultation in due course.

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many bus operators are receiving bus fuel duty rebate. [66103]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: There are currently 1,800 claimants receiving bus fuel duty rebate. This figure includes subsidiaries or other operating units of larger companies.

  School Transport Working Group
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list
  449
  the members of the working group on school transport; and if he will publish the remit of the group, its target deliverables and timetable for action. [65936]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: I announced the membership and remit of the School Travel Advisory Group (STAG) in a press notice on 18 December (Working together to improve the journey to school). A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  STAG will work to identify practical ways of reducing car use and improving safety on the journey to school, with a view to making a report to Ministers. It will also oversee the preparation of guidance for local authorities and schools. It is hoped to complete both in the course of the year.

  Water Meters
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate how many people will financially(a) benefit and (b) be worse off as a result of the introduction of water meters; if he will provide this information (i) for the population as a whole and (ii) for the population over state retirement age; and if he will make a statement. [66382]

  Mr. Meale
  The following estimates are taken from the report, "Incidence Effects of Charging for Domestic Water and Sewerage Services" published by my Department in July 1998. This reported the results of modelling work undertaken on behalf of the Department by Maxwell Stamp Plc. The figures relate to households in England and Wales where there is a choice between measured and unmeasured options. The estimates assume no consequent reduction in consumption or tariff rebalancing. The outcome depends on the tariffs adopted by companies for unmeasured and for measured charging.

  (i) Under the current tariffs of water undertakers: 40 per cent. of households would pay less on a measured than they would on an unmeasured basis of charging. 55 per cent. of pensioner households would pay less on a measured than unmeasured basis of charging.

  (ii) Assuming a measured basis without standing charge: 44 per cent. of households would pay less on a measured than they would on an unmeasured basis of charging. 63 per cent. of pensioner households would pay less on a measured than unmeasured basis of charging.

  The Government's policy, reflected in the Water Industry Bill, is that domestic consumers presently charged on an unmeasured basis should have the option of requesting a measured basis of charging. The Bill would also give new rights to customers paying an unmeasured charge, to continue paying on an unmeasured basis on their present homes where they are using water only for essential household use.

  Valuation Appeals
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many valuation appeals have been lodged since 11 March 1998 in which the appellant cites the decision in the Benjamin vs Anston Properties Ltd. case. [66511]
  450
  Ms Armstrong
  A total of some 135,000 proposals to alter the rating list were made during the period 1 April to 31 December 1998. It is not possible to say how many of these proposals will rely on the Lands Tribunal decision in Benjamin vs Anston Properties in support of their proposals.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 11 January 1999,Official Report, column 71, if he will publish the evidence and working papers on which he based his estimate of the number of properties which might be in a sufficient state of disrepair to encourage owners to appeal against their valuation for rating purposes. [66513]

  Ms Armstrong
  It is not possible to say with any accuracy how many properties are in disrepair at any one time. However, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) believe that most non-domestic properties will require routine repairs to be carried out within a 3 to 5 year cycle, and it is likely that some properties would not have such work carried out within this normal repair cycle.

  The VOA estimate that a maximum of 15 per cent. of the total of 1.7 million non-domestic properties may fall into this category at any one point in time, and that their condition may be such that the occupiers may seek to obtain a reduction in their rate liability as a result.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information an appellant must supply in order to lodge a valuation appeal. [66512]

  Ms Armstrong
  The information to be provided in making a proposal to alter the rating list is specified in regulation 5A of the Non-Domestic Rating (Alteration of Lists and Appeals) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/291 as amended). A proposal should include the name and address of the proposer and the capacity in which he makes the proposal; the identity of the property, and the respects in which it is proposed that the list be altered. The proposal should also include a statement of the grounds on which the proposal is made, although this does not restrict the grounds on which an appeal can be argued at a Valuation Tribunal.

  Air Services Agreement
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects negotiations with the United States towards a new air services agreement to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [66640]

  Dr. Reid
  Negotiation with the US broke off last November. It is not known at this stage when formal negotiations will resume or be completed.

  A1 (Tyneside)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which categories of traffic he proposes to ban from the A1 corridor between Lobley Mill and North Brunton, Newcastle; if that ban will extend to the New Tyne Crossing; over what hours the ban will be in force; what alternative routes he
  451
  proposes; when the ban is to be introduced; and what consultation he proposes to have with local residents and schools that may be affected. [66600]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 19 January 1999:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked Lawrie Haynes, the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question. I am replying in Lawrie's absence from the office. You asked "Which categories of traffic he proposes to ban from the A1 corridor between Lobley Hill and North Brunton, Newcastle; if that ban will extend to the New Tyne Crossing; over what hours the ban will be in force; what alternative routes he proposes; when the ban is to be introduced; and what consultation he proposes to have with local residents and schools that may be affected".
  You will know of the considerable peak hour congestion that occurs on the A1 in Tyneside. It is felt that slow moving vehicles exacerbate this problem and we propose to introduce a ban, by means of an experimental Temporary Traffic Order this Spring.
  It is proposed that any vehicle which cannot attain a speed of 30mph on the level in free-flowing conditions will be prohibited from entering the A1 Gateshead and Newcastle Western By-Passes. This will include the sections between Lobley Hill, the Tyne Crossing at Blaydon and North Brunton. The ban, when introduced, will be in force between the hours of 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm from Monday to Friday and is expected to be introduced this Spring.
  Consultations will be held with local authorities and other representative bodies with the issue or alternative routes being discussed before the ban is introduced. This temporary scheme will be implemented under the powers of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order. During this time we will monitor the impact on traffic movements and views of any interested individuals or organisations will be welcomed. Any comments received will be taken into account before deciding whether to make the ban permanent.

  Clean Development
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the letter of 22 September 1998 (IYR/PSO/16123/98) from the Minister for the Environment to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, if he will give examples of what has been achieved in making progress towards clean development mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol. [65394]

  Mr. Meacher
  In Buenos Aires, Parties agreed to give priority to the clean development mechanism (CDM) within the wider work programme on the Kyoto Protocol. The aim is to have all the modalities and procedures established by the sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6—which will probably be in late 2000). The UNFCCC secretariat will convene two technical workshops on, the CDM, and the other Kyoto mechanisms, before April of next year.

  The EU will submit further proposals on the CDM to the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change by the end of March as input to these workshops.

  Air Freight
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had from Sir Crispin Tickell on comparisons of cost in carrying(a) air freighted
  452
  vegetables and (b) other air freight between (i) Scotland and London and (ii) Asia/Africa/Caribbean/South America and London. [66495]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None.

  World Environment Organisation
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had from Sir Crispin Tickell on the concept of a World Environment Organisation. [66494]

  Mr. Meale
  I have not received any direct representations from Sir Crispin Tickell on this matter. I am aware, however, that he has spoken publicly on a number of occasions about such an initiative as a counterweight to the World Trade Organisation.

  Greater London Authority
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce his decision in respect of the recommendations of the Local Government Commission for the boundaries of the electoral areas for the Assembly of the Greater London Authority. [66596]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government have decided to accept the Commission's recommendations. Subject to the passage of the Greater London Authority Bill as introduced, they will be implemented by secondary legislation after Royal Assent. A copy of the recommendations has been deposited in the Library of the House.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Badger Culling Scheme
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what auditing of the Government's badger culling scheme has been carried out since 2 December; and if he will make a statement. [64837]

  Mr. Rooker
  Systematic management checks were undertaken in December last year to assess compliance with trial procedures and their uniform application. In addition, members of the Independent Scientific Group, who are monitoring the trial, undertook field visits to check the work.

  Coastal Protection
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much in percentage terms(a) the highest rate of grant for coastal defence work and (b) the normal rate of grant have been reduced since 1997. [66042]

  Mr. Morley
  The rates of grant available to maritime district councils for approved capital coast protection works have remained unchanged at 35 per cent., 45 per cent., 55 per cent., 65 per cent. and 75 per cent. since 1992. The formula used to determine which rate of grant is applicable to specific works was subject to significant change with effect from 1 April 1997, with a view to bringing the direct government contribution to the national programme within the range 50 to 55 per cent. The announcement of that change was made in November 1996
  453
  by the previous administration. The only change to the formula since then was an adjustment by 2 per cent, in line with inflation, made with effect from 1 April 1998.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish his proposals for coastal protection co-ordination for the rest of the period covered by the Comprehensive Spending Review. [66040]

  Mr. Morley
  Coast protection authorities are encouraged to work within the policy framework published in the "Strategy for Flood and Coastal Defence in England and Wales". As confirmed in the response to the Agriculture Select Committee's report on Flood and Coastal Defence, the Government consider there is scope to enhance the effectiveness of the current arrangements, to improve the co-ordination that takes place and to help ensure delivery of the national strategy. This will be achieved by developing the way in which the Environment Agency exercises its current general flood defence supervisory duty and seeking to establish national targets for all operating authorities. These targets will be published in due course.

  The Ministry's concept of Shoreline Management Plans and strategic planning was developed to encourage operating authorities to work together, to consider the impact of their schemes on neighbouring authorities and overall to improve decision-making. The first generation of such Plans is now nearing completion, and all should be published by Spring 1999.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will initiate a review of the Halcrow study on coastal defence. [66043]

  Mr. Morley
  The Ministry commissioned Halcrows, as lead consultants, to produce the "Coast Protection Survey of England"; it was published in 1994. The survey was reviewed in 1995 and 1996, but these updates showed that the rate of change in the state of defences did not warrant such frequent reviews. Action in 1997 was therefore confined to a review of authorities' plans in respect of defences identified as being in most urgent need of repair. Consideration will now be given to the future development of an asset database of all flood and coastal defences irrespective of operating authority.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which Minister is in overall charge of the UK's strategy for meeting the challenge of climate change and sinkage in coastal areas. [66045]

  Mr. Morley
  Within Government, overall responsibility for climate change rests with my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister. So far as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is concerned, I oversee policies, including the implications for flood and coastal defence, though my right hon. Friend the Minister has overall policy responsibility.

  Animal Transport
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which EU countries have implemented EU directive 95/29/EC on live animal transport; and what representations he has made to those which have not. [65735]

  Mr. Morley
  By the end of 1998, the majority of Member States had implemented the Directive. The crucial point, with live exports from Great Britain in mind, is enforcement of the rules on the ground. We repeatedly remind the other Member States concerned of their responsibilities in this respect.

  Animal Exports
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) live sheep and (b) live pigs were exported from (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) the port of Dover in 1998 for (1) slaughter, (2) further fattening and (3) breeding; and how many (x) live sheep and (y) live pigs in each of these categories were exported to each individual country of destination. [65787]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested by my hon. Friend will take some time to put together. With his permission, I will write to him once it is available.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the prospects for decentralising the control of fisheries to zonal management committees within EU member states. [66408]

  Mr. Morley
  Zonal management committees are one of the ideas being examined by the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation. The Federations have been assessing their ideas with their counterparts in other Member States and I shall be interested to see the outcome of these contacts.

  Abattoirs (Inspection Charges)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of increased inspection charges on small abattoirs. [66158]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government recognise that increases in veterinary supervision levels in small abattoirs will have significant cost implications for their operators, and we have received many representations on this issue. The impact on individual premises will depend on the circumstances prevailing at those premises, including the current level of veterinary supervision, the size and throughput of the premises, the complexity and standard of hygiene of operations, and the type of animal being slaughtered. We continue to keep the matter under review and, bearing in mind our EU legal obligations, to seek to minimise the impact on abattoir operators wherever possible.

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