Written Answers of 21 January 1999

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Higher Education
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time students, normally domiciled in the Northern Ireland Western Education and Library Board area, enrolled in higher education courses for the current academic year. [65309]

  Mr. McFall
  This information is not available in the form requested. However, 2,534 full-time students domiciled in the area of the Western Education and Library Board applied for financial support to attend higher education courses in the current academic year.

  Clifton Special Care School, Bangor
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students are enrolled at Clifton Special Care School, Bangor; if a nurse is available in the school; and if she will make a statement. [65960]

  Mr. McFall
  98 pupils are currently enrolled at Clifton Special School. At present there is no nurse available in Clifton School, but the Eastern Health and Social Services Board and Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust are working with the South Eastern Education and Library Board to arrange provision of the required level of nursing support.

  Retired Teachers (Returnees)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the number of retired teachers who subsequently returned to teach for limited periods in primary schools for the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement about opportunities for recently trained teachers. [65959]

  Mr. McFall
  673 retired teachers were re-employed in primary schools on a temporary basis during the 1997–98 school year.

  Board/NHS trusts

  Linkage complete

  Linkage planned by 31 March 1999

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board

  Yes

  Argyll and Bute NHS Trust

  Yes

  Inverclyde Royal NHS Trust

  Yes

  Lomond Healthcare NHS Trust

  Yes

  Renfrewshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  Yes

  Royal Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

  Yes

  518
  The Department of Education has advised employing authorities and schools that, wherever possible, preference should be given to newly qualified teachers or experienced teachers seeking to return to employment, when filling vacancies, including those of a temporary nature.

  In the year after qualification, the vast majority of around 650 teachers who qualify each year should obtain teaching posts. For example, a total of only 11 primary and secondary school teachers of age 24 years or under were registered as unemployed for more than 6 months at the end of the 1997–98 school year.

  Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how she intends to fund the costs incurred by the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in caring for the dangerous wild animals that were taken into their care on behalf of public agencies, from Seskinore, Co. Tyrone, on 8 November 1997. [67440]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Costs incurred by the USPCA in caring for these animals until ownership formally passed to the Society on 26 October 1998 amount to £54,329. It is proposed to share these costs on an equal three way basis across the budgets for the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and the Departments of Agriculture and Environment for Northern Ireland. Parliament's approval to meet these costs in the current year will be sought in a Supplementary estimate for Department of the Environment Vote 4 (Environment and other Services). Pending that approval, payment will be made from repayable advances from the Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund.

SCOTLAND

  NHSnet
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which NHS trusts and health boards are currently connected to the NHSnet; when he expects every NHS trust and health board to have a link to the NHSnet; what future resources will be required to(a) complete and (b) support this service; and what resources have been allocated to this project (i) this year and (ii) in each of the next three financial years. [65762]

  Mr. Galbraith
  All Health Boards and NHS Trusts will be linked to NHSnet by 31 March 1999. The current position of Health Boards and NHS Trusts is set out in the table. Resources allocated to this project in this year are £6 million. The ongoing costs of supporting these links will be met by the Health Boards and Trusts.
  519

  Board/NHS trusts

  Linkage complete

  Linkage planned by 31 March 1999

  Ayrshire and Arran Health Board

  Yes

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Yes

  North Ayrshire and Arran NHS Trust

  Yes

  South Ayrshire and Arran NHS Trust

  Yes

  Borders Health Board

  Yes

  Borders Community Health Services NHS Trust

  Yes

  Borders General Hospital NHS Trust

  Yes

  Dumfries and Galloway Health Board

  Yes

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust

  Yes

  Dumfries and Galloway Community Health Services NHS Trust

  Yes

  Fife Health Board

  Yes

  Fife Healthcare NHS Trust

  Yes

  Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  Yes

  Queen Margaret Hospital NHS Trust

  Yes

  Forth Valley Health Board

  Yes

  Central Scotland Healthcare NHS Trust

  Yes

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Yes

  Stirling Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Yes

  Grampian Health Board

  Yes

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  Yes

  Grampian Healthcare NHS Trust

  Yes

  Moray Health Services NHS Trust

  Yes

  Greater Glasgow Health Board

  Yes

  Glasgow Dental Hospital and School NHS Trust

  Yes

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust

  Yes

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health NHS Trust

  Yes

  Southern General Hospital NHS Trust

  Yes

  Stobhill NHS Trust

  Yes

  Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust

  Yes

  West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust

  Yes

  The Yorkhill NHS Trust

  Yes

  Highland Health Board

  Yes

  Caithness and Sutherland NHS Trust

  Yes

  Highland Communities NHS Trust

  Yes

  Raigmore Hospital NHS Trust

  Yes

  Lanarkshire Health Board

  Yes

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust

  Yes

  Lanarkshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  Yes

  Law Hospital NHS Trust

  Yes

  Monklands and Bellshill Hospitals NHS Trust

  Yes

  Lothian Health

  Yes

  East and Midlothian NHS Trust

  Yes

  Edinburgh Healthcare NHS Trust

  Yes

  Edinburgh Sick Children's NHS Trust

  Yes

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust

  Yes

  West Lothian NHS Trust

  Yes

  Western General Hospitals NHS Trust

  Yes

  Orkney Health Board

  Yes

  Orkney Health Unit

  Yes

  Shetland Health Board

  Yes

  Shetland Hospitals and Community Services Unit

  Yes

  Tayside Health Board

  Yes

  Angus NHS Trust

  Yes

  Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust

  Yes

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  Yes

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare NHS Trust

  Yes

  Western Isles Health Board

  Yes

  520 521
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if full use of the NHSnet requires(a) GP practices and (b) NHS trusts connected to the NHSnet to have compatible software and hardware; and which companies have supplied the hardware and software for the project. [65763]

  Mr. Galbraith
  NHSnet provides a UK-wide secure private telecommunications network for NHS Organisations across the UK under contracts with BT, BT Syntegra and Cable and Wireless. Connection to NHSnet is achieved by connecting to a Service Access Point on the NHSnet. NHS organisations can either connect directly to an NHSnet Service Access Point or indirectly if they are already linked to a network, e.g. a private Health Board wide network, with a gateway connection to NHSnet. All networks (whether single GP Practices or Board level private networks) connecting to NHSnet must conform to the NHSnet Code of Connection which maintains the security and integrity of NHSnet.

  Full use of NHSnet requires each GP Practice and NHS Trust (or the local network to which they belong) to meet published standards for NHSnet which comply with the Internet suite protocols (IP). GP Practices and NHS Trusts must therefore have systems which are compatible with NHSnet (but not necessarily the same as each other). A variety of suppliers will have supplied parts of the overall network; details of these are not held centrally.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects all GP practices in Scotland to have a link to the NHSnet; what resources have been allocated to this project(a) this year and (b) in each of the next three financial years; what resources will be required to (i) complete and (ii) support this service; and what is the estimated cost saving over the next five years. [65760]

  Mr. Galbraith
  97 per cent. of GP practices are already connected and the remaining practices which asked to participate will be linked by March 1999. The total cost of this project was £7 million of which £0.415 million was spent in 1998–99. Resources required for ongoing support of the installed systems and NHSnet connections will be met through the usual arrangements between Health Boards and GPs for reimbursement of expenses.

  It is difficult at this stage to estimate the cost saving when the system is fully utilised. The main objective is to improve patient care through ensuring that clinicians have access to the information they need to care for patients wherever they are in the NHSiS. The benefits expected when the full infrastructure is put into place also include savings in costs and reductions in the bureaucracy of sending an estimated 10 million paper forms around the system each year, saving in staff time, and improved convenience for patients.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of GP practices are currently connected to the NHSnet. [65761]

  Mr. Galbraith
  My most recent information is that 1,040 GP Practices are now connected to the NHSnet. This represents 97 per cent. of all practices in Scotland. Of the remaining 34 practices, 4 practices did not ask to participate and the remainder will be linked by March.

  Psychiatrists (Young People)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many child psychiatrists are currently employed in the NHS in Scotland. [65879]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The number of consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists employed in the NHS in Scotland at 30 September 1998 was as follows:

  Whole time equivalent: 41.3

  Headcount: 48

  Notes:

  1. Data available do not distinguish between staff working in child psychiatry and adolescent psychiatry.

  2. Information on junior staff not yet available for 1998.

  3. Consultant data for 30 September 1998 are the latest available and are provisional.

  Source:

  Information and Statistics Division Scotland.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the availability of psychiatric services for young people, with particular reference to rural areas. [65878]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Within the context of their mental health strategies, all Health Boards in Scotland are determining and putting in place the appropriate levels of in-patient and community-based provision they require to meet assessed needs for child and adolescent psychiatric care.

  The growth of community-based psychiatric services should help promote better access for young people in rural areas. But, inevitably, in-patient facilities will tend to be close to population centres. Health Boards covering rural areas should take account of this in developing their plans.

  Quigley Committee
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will state the terms of reference of the Quigley Committee on higher education; and when he expects it to report; [65476]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the interim findings of the Quigley Committee on student applications. [65475]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on 1 December 1998,Official Report, column 138.

  The Quigley Committee has not made any statement of interim findings.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those areas for which(a) the New Deal Gateway and (b) one or more New Deal options are delivered entirely by private sector providers; and if he will list monthly expenditure and client outcomes for each of these private sector providers up to the latest date for which the figures are available. [63275]
  523
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 14 December 1998]: There are no areas where the New Deal Gateway is delivered entirely by private sector providers although in ten Units of Delivery the New Deal is private sector led. These are: Leicester, Colchester, West Lancashire, Exeter and East Devon, South Humber, North Tyneside, Forth Valley, Hackney and City, Solihull and Bridgend. Client outcomes for these are shown in the table. These figures are GSS from January to October 1998 and provisional Management Information for November 1998.

  Unsubsidised placings

  Number joining the Employment Option

  Leicester

  413

  27

  Colchester

  376

  19

  West Lancashire

  84

  12

  Exeter and Devon

  234

  32

  South Humber

  539

  4

  North Tyneside

  130

  42

  Forth Valley

  226

  66

  Hackney and City

  460

  35

  Solihull

  93

  19

  Bridgend

  317

  151

  Whilst I am unable, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, to provide details of payments to individual contractors, we will be reporting later this year on the overall financial performance of all Units of Delivery, including these ten private sector led areas as part of our continuous improvement agenda. This will include as a core performance measure the unit cost of placing a New Deal client into a job in each of the Units of Delivery.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have entered the New Deal Gateway in the Unit of Delivery covering Havant Borough Council area since its inception; and how many took up each New Deal option. [66367]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest Government Statistical Service figures for the Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Unit of Delivery, which covers Havant, show that to the end of October 1998(a) 1,229 young people had entered the Gateway and 217 had secured unsubsidised employment (b) 307 had joined one of the four options: 49 on the Employment option; 35 on the Voluntary Sector option; 10 on the Environment Task Force; and 213 on the Full-Time Education and Training option. 506 young people were still at the initial stage of New Deal support through Gateway, 32 had left New Deal to claim other benefits, 33 had gone to other known destinations and 134 had gone to unknown destinations.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have entered the New Deal Gateway in the Unit of Delivery covering the New Forest District Council area since its inception; and how many took up each New Deal option. [66368]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest Government Statistical Service figures for the Southampton and South West Hampshire Unit of Delivery, which covers the New Forest, show that to the end of October 1998(a) 820 young people had entered the Gateway and 162 had secured unsubsidised employment (b) 178 had joined one of the four options:
  524
  37 on the Employment option; 25 on the Voluntary Sector option; 18 on the Environment Task Force; and 98 on the Full-Time Education and Training option. 316 young people were still at the initial stage of New Deal support through Gateway, 27 had left New Deal to claim other benefits, 32 had gone to other known destinations and 105 had gone to unknown destinations.

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young unemployed people aged 18 to 25 years in Doncaster, Central have to date gained new skills from their participation in the New Deal programme. [66562]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Statistics from the New Deal are not available for individual constituencies.

  The latest Government Statistical figures to the end of October 1998, including the provisional Management Information to the end of November 1998, show that for the Wakefield and Doncaster Unit of Delivery, which covers the Doncaster Central area, 3,015 young people aged between 18–24 have already entered the New Deal Gateway. 961 young people have joined one of the four options and each participant on a New Deal option will work towards an NVQ or equivalent qualification which will assist them in gaining a new skill and increasing their prospects for sustainable employment.

  Outdoor Education
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the subject of outdoor education; what changes he proposes to make in the provision and funding of such education; and if he will make a statement. [66485]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Under the new maintained school funding system which takes effect from April 1999, local education authorities will be able to retain funding centrally to support outdoor education centres, as they have been able to do under present arrangements for Local Management of Schools. This reflects representations from Local Education Authorities and others following the publication last year of the consultation paper "Fair Funding".

  The Government is also committed to increasing the range of opportunities that young people have to take part in learning activities outside school hours. To this end, we are making £180 million of Lottery money available across the UK through the New Opportunities Fund to support such activities. The draft application guidance produced by the New Opportunities Fund includes adventurous outdoor activities among those which may be eligible for funding. The New Opportunities Fund will be formally inviting applications later in the Spring.

  School Performance
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what conclusions he has drawn from his Department's internal investigations of the relationship between socio-economic factors and school performance; and if he will place a copy of results of these investigations in the Library. [66602]
  525
  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 20 January 1999]: Historically, there has been a strong statistical relationship between socio-economic factors and school performance. This does not mean, however, that poverty can be used to excuse poor results.

  The Autumn Package of performance data, which was distributed in November last year, contains detailed information on national results and the performance of schools within similar bands of Free School Meals. The Package shows what is possible: many schools in the highest Free School Meals band can be seen to perform better than some of the schools in the lowest band.

  The Government are committed to raising standards in all schools. For example, we are ensuring that successful schools better share good practice. The beacon school initiative and the new Standards Site on the Internet encourage and enable schools to learn about "what works", regardless of the socio-economic context in which individual schools are located.

  We have placed a copy of the Autumn Package in the Library. It is also available via the Internet. The address is: http://www.standards.dfee.gov.uk/library/publications.

  Ethnic Monitoring
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans he has to introduce quality assurance procedures within Section 11-funded adult education; [66608]

  (2) what guidance he has issued to local education authorities relating to the means by which existing Section 11-funded adult education will be protected following the introduction of ethnic minority achievement grants; [66610]

  (3) if he will ensure that, within the new administrative arrangements for ethnic minority achievement grants, the level of existing funding of adult education within each participating local education authority is ring-fenced before the retained and devolved proportions of the authority's allocations are set. [66609]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department's letter of 12 November 1998 to Chief Education Officers set out details of the new Standards Fund Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant. Subject to the receipt of good action plans, local education authorities will receive broadly the same allocations for the support of ethnic minority education in 1999–2000 as the Home Office provided under section 11 in 1998–99, including that element for adult education.

  The Department's letter also set out the arrangements whereby up to 15 per cent. of allocations, or £150,000 whichever was the greater, might be held back to provide central services including adult education. This should be satisfactory for the vast majority of Authorities. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consider carefully, and on their merits, any cases which an Authority might make reflecting historically heavy investment in adult education.

  LEAs are required to ensure that all Standards Fund grants are spent for the purpose for which they are paid and to monitor the quality of provision. In addition, the Department monitors and evaluates all Standards Fund expenditure.
  526

  Teachers (Unfair Discrimination)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to the letter of 27 August (EM CC/614/2044) to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what interim results he has received in respect of the non-statutory code of practice on unfair discrimination on grounds of age in the teaching profession. [65404]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The draft Code of Practice we have been developing with key external partners was published for wider consultation, including amongst those with responsibilities for the employment of teachers, in November 1998. We were very pleased with the wide interest the Code prompted, with over 9,000 copies being distributed. The consultation ended on 8 January 1999 and we are currently analysing the responses. The analysis will be published in due course and the final version of the Code will be launched in the Spring.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, pursuant to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 12 January 1999,Official Report, column 152, he will state (a) the assumptions about the growth of the minimum income guarantee relative to prices and earnings and (b) the number and proportion of state second pensioners who will be receiving the pensioners' minimum income guarantee in the years up to 2050. [66469]

  Mr. Timms
  Information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  It is assumed that, from the announced rates for April 1999, the Minimum Income Guarantee is uprated in line with the growth in average earnings (assumed to be 1.5 per cent. per year more than the growth in prices).

  Estimates are not available of the number of pensioners who would be receiving payments of state second pension in future years. Overall, estimates taken from the PENSIM model suggest that under the new insurance contract for pensions approximately 1 in 4 pensioner units (2.5 million) would receive income from the Minimum Income Guarantee in 2050, and a lower proportion in years after 2050.

  Projections forward to the year 2050 are subject to a high degree of uncertainty, given the number of assumptions in making them. Some of those who will be pensioners in 2050 have yet to begin work, and most are today in their 20s and 30s.

  Estimates made by extrapolating projections from the PENSIM model can give only a broad indication of the likely order of magnitude of figures so far into the future.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the savings in income support or minimum pensioner income guarantee payments each year after 1 April 1999 till 1 April 2007 arising from the introduction of pensions splitting. [66462]
  527
  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  Legislation to enable pensions to be shared at the time of divorce will be included in the forthcoming Welfare Reform Bill.

  The financial implications of pension sharing are uncertain, and will depend on the number of spouses who obtain a pension share and the percentage of pension which is transferred. Current estimates are based on the assumption that there could be from 35,000 to 65,000 cases per year, with a central assumption of 50,000. All estimates made are also dependent on a large number of other assumptions and should be considered illustrative.

  It is expected that any impact on the minimum income guarantee will initially be small, as income support entitlement will not be altered until a pension share comes into payment. As most divorces take place before the age of 40, it is likely that, in most cases, there will be a significant time lapse between a pension share being made and income being received from the pension. Broad estimates of the impact 20 years after implementation suggest that, using the central assumption of 50,000 pension shares per year, pension sharing on divorce could lead to a saving on all income related benefits of around £10 million (within a range of £0—£30 million using alternative assumptions).

  Social Fund
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will extend Direction 25 of the Social Fund to include 16 to 18-year-olds who are on a youth training placement. [66156]

  Angela Eagle
  It is not appropriate to extend Direction 25 to include 16–18 year olds on youth training placements. Payments from the Discretionary Social Fund are made from a cash limited budget and available resources must be targeted on those most in need of help. Eligibility for Social Fund Community Care Grants is therefore restricted by Direction 25 to those entitled to Income Support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance.

  Provision already exists to allow vulnerable 16–17 year olds to receive Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and, in turn, access to Community Care Grants.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library a copy of the responses his Department has received following the consultation process for the paper, "A New Contract for Welfare: Support for Disabled People". [66828]

  Mr. Bayley
  I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Ms Blears) on 19 January 1999,Official Report, column 402.

DEFENCE

  Portsmouth Naval Base
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation he has made of the use of space and the state of the equipment in COB2 building at the Portsmouth Naval Base. [66178]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Naval Bases and Supply Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. A. Trewby to Mr. Michael Hancock, dated 21 January 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply to your Question on what evaluation he has made of the use of space and the state of the equipment in Central Office Block 2 (COB2) building at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, as this falls within my areas of responsibility.
  COB2 is an office administration building. A study was completed in 1997 which showed that the building's usage conformed with Departmental Standards for space utilisation. The equipment in the building compromises of normal office equipment, ie. computers, telephones, and service equipment such as lifts and lights. These are regularly maintained and updated as requirements demand.

  Submarines
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the displacement of the Vanguard class of submarines. [66172]

  Mr. Spellar
  The displacement of Vanguard class submarines, when submerged, is about 16,000 tons.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the anticipated hull life of the Trafalgar class of submarines. [66667]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The initial design life of Trafalgar class submarine hulls was 25 years, although there is sufficient margin to extend the life of the submarines as necessary, subject to monitoring to ensure the continuing safety of the submarines.

  Project Horizon Ships
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the expected average time between major refits for Project Horizon ships. [66665]

  Mr. Spellar
  The maintenance philosophy for CNGF is based on a continuous process of repair and update. It is expected that the length of upkeep periods will be reduced, scheduled maintenance will be minimised, and the docking period will be extended to five years. There will be no major refits, but there will be four docking periods, of six months each, at five year intervals during the planned 25 year life of the ship.

  Commercial Lobbyists
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules or guidance his Department has to govern the(a) formal and (b) informal interaction between his civil servants and commercial lobbyists. [66204]
  529
  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 27 July 1998,Official Report, column 4, to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice).

  Uranium
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has received requesting the use of its uranium stocks for cancer research, with particular reference to the detection and treatment of cancer; what response his Department gave; and what factors underlay this response. [66487]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: The Department of Trade and Industry asked my Department last year if we could provide highly enriched uranium, HEU, from defence stocks for use by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to produce medical radioisotopes.

  UK defence requirements for HEU were considered in detail in the Strategic Defence Review, which concluded that any material not required for nuclear weapons purposes would be needed for the nuclear propulsion programme. Therefore, as we stated in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) White Paper, the MOD holds no surplus stocks of HEU. We were, as a result unable to accede to the Department of Trade and Industry's request. We were, however, able to provide advice on a possible alternative source of HEU.

  Codes of Conduct
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he intends to publish a revised code of conduct on ethics and discipline for the Royal Air Force; [66746]

  (2) when he intends to publish a revised code of conduct on ethics and discipline for the Army; [66747]

  (3) when he intends to publish a revised code of conduct on ethics and discipline for the Royal Navy. [66748]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  As I explained in my previous answer on 14 January 1999,Official Report, column 269, each of the Services has its own procedure for providing information and guidance on matters relating to conduct and discipline within its individual Service environment. The Army and the Royal Air Force are currently revising and updating their current codes of conduct. When this work is complete, I will write the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  There are no immediate plans to publish a revised code of conduct for the Royal Navy.

  Outstanding Compensation Cases
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many outstanding legal cases are pending against his Department on grounds of(a) equal opportunities, (b) racial discrimination, (c) homosexuality and lesbianism, (d) post-traumatic stress syndrome and (e) physical injury. [66743]
  530
  Mr. Spellar
  The available information requested relating to the number of outstanding compensation cases being pursued against my Department, whether in litigation or not, by employees, former employees and members of the public as at 20 January 1999 is set out:

  Number

  (a) Sex discrimination, sexual harassment and equal pay claims submitted by Service and former Service personnel to Employment Tribunals

  138

  (b) Racial discrimination and harassment claims submitted by Service and former Service personnel to Employment Tribunals

  116

  (c) Homosexuality and lesbianism cases submitted by Service and former Service personnel to Employment Tribunals

  172

  (d) Post-traumatic stress disorder

  155

  (e) Physical injury

  23,716

  1 These figures exclude claims from MOD civilian and former civilian staff as the information is not held centrally.

  2 This figure excludes personal injury claims from members of the public being handled by MOD claims officers overseas as the information is not held centrally. Medical negligence claims and third party personal injury claims relating to road traffic accidents have also been excluded. Claims in respect of disease (e.g. asbestosis, mesothelioma) have been included but claims relating to psychiatric illness have been excluded.

  HMS Invincible
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the interval between major refits for HMS Invincible. [66666]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  HMS Invincible has undergone one refit. It took place some six years after she entered service with the Royal Navy.

  RAF Manston, Kent
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions RAF Manston, Kent, has been used by private freight aircraft in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998; what cargo they carried; and if he will make a statement. [66629]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 20 January 1999]: My Department does not record the information requested. Kent International Airport (KIA), a private company, operates from an enclave of leased land within the airfield site of RAF Manston and is responsible for all flight planning, acceptance of aircraft movements, handling and refuelling, loading and unloading.

  Chief of Defence Personnel
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to establish the post of Chief of Defence Personnel. [66744]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I have no current plans to establish a post of Chief of Defence Personnel.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the net effect of the review of the Territorial Army on the number of(a) TA centres and (b) TA units in North Wales. [65017]
  531
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Prior to the Strategic Defence Review there were seven Territorial Army Centres and five Territorial Army company-sized units in North Wales, plus a battalion Headquarters. As a result of the re-structuring there will be five Territorial Army Centres and four Territorial Army company-sized Units, plus a battalion Headquarters.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the strength of the TA prior to the Strategic Defence Review will remain after implementation of the Strategic Defence Review in(a) the North West of England and (b) North Wales. [65023]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  75 per cent. of TA strength will remain in the North West after the implementation of the findings of the Strategic Defence Review. 72 per cent. will remain in North Wales.

  Atomic Test Veterans
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will commission a re-assessment of the work of Dr Sue Rabbitt Roff, at the centre for medical education at Dundee University, on the causation of cancers in British atomic test veterans. [66431]

  Mr. Spellar
  No. My Department has made clear on a number of occasions its reservations about the work of Ms Rabbitt Roff and the conclusions reached. Nevertheless, consideration is being given to researching further the incidence of multiple myeloma among our nuclear test veterans and we have asked Ms Rabbitt Roff for access to her data. Any such research will be carried out by the National Radiological Protection Board but the results, which would be subject to external peer review, would be unlikely to be available until the latter half of next year.

  101 Battalion REME (Chorley)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations his Department had with North West and Isle of Man TAVRA on the move of HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry. [65012]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  North West and Isle of Man TAVRA were consulted on the move of Headquarters 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry during the consultation process which took place at Headquarters Land Command in October.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 December 1998,Official Report, column 54, concerning the cost of transferring 101 REME Battalion HQ, if he will define significant financial costs. [65016]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  These are costs of an order likely to influence the decision to relocate the unit.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Dome (Sponsorship)
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the total amount of sponsorship which he forecasts will be available for the Dome. [65228]
  532
  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company's target is to raise £150 million of sponsorship support. The Company announced, last November, confirmed sponsorship of £120 millio—or 80 per cent. of that total. The NMEC are in detailed negotiations for a further £15 million.

  Festival Fund
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will ensure that there is sufficient help and advice from the millennium festival on funding applications for regional and local events and activities to the Millennium Festival fund. [65229]

  Janet Anderson
  The Millennium Festival is a partnership initiative between the Lottery Distribution bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the New Millennium Experience Company. It aims to give as many people as possible financial and other support for events and activities within their communities during 2000. Promotional and administrative support for the Festival is provided by NMEC's twelve country-wide offices. Staff in those offices are available to advise anyone who is interested in the Millennium Festival and I have today placed contact details in the Libraries of the House.

  The funding round for larger awards—over £5,000—which opened on 5 May 1998 has now closed. Decisions on the Awards will be announced in February 1999. The funding round for smaller community schemes—seeking between £250 and £5,000—will open in the spring of 1999.

  Ferry Passengers
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of people who will travel to the Millennium Dome by ferry. [65230]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company estimates that about 1 million out of the estimated 12 million visitors to the Dome will arrive by boat from central London and by the shuttle service from historic Greenwich.

  Visitors
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the maximum number of visitors which the millennium site could handle on any one day. [65232]

  Janet Anderson
  Actual daily numbers will depend on the New Millennium Experience Company's policy regarding the number of tickets on sale for each day, on visitor safety and comfort, and on necessary approvals from the relevant authorities. The present estimate is for a maximum of 35,000 on those occasions when the Millennium Experience opens during daytime; on those occasions where the Millennium Experience is open during the daytime and the evening, the number of visitors is estimated at 55,000.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his most recent estimate of the number of daily visitors to the dome and the proportion of the visitors who will arrive by underground train service. [65234]
  533
  Janet Anderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) on 21 January 1999,Official Report, column 532. The number of visitors estimated to arrive at the Dome site by underground train is about 55 per cent.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of the total public and national lottery expenditure on the millennium celebrations will be spent on the dome at Greenwich. [65233]

  Janet Anderson
  The Millennium Commission has awarded a grant of £449 million (gross) to the Millennium Experience project, which incorporates the Dome at Greenwich and a linked comprehensive programme of events and activities around the country. This represents 20 per cent. of the Millennium Commission's total funds. The remaining 80 per cent. has been distributed to a wide range of projects around the UK. The New Millennium Experience Company has received, and will receive, no public funds from the Exchequer for the project.

  Sponsorship
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received on sponsorship of the Millennium Experience. [65231]

  Janet Anderson
  As shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, received many representations from members of the public and from Members of this House about all aspects of the Millennium Experience project, including sponsorship.

  Millennium Landmark Projects
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been paid out to date for each of the Millennium Landmark projects. [66672]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Commercial Lobbyists
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what rules or guidance his Department has to govern the(a) formal and (b) informal interaction between his civil servants and commercial lobbyists. [66208]

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

  Hotels (Rating System)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what account is given of value for money in the accreditation of crowns on a quality rating system for hotels. [66896]
  534
  Janet Anderson
  Rating assessments under both the English Tourist Board's current crown scheme and the new harmonised accommodation rating scheme are made on the range of facilities and level of services appropriate to each type of accommodation and not specifically on their value for money. Under the new harmonised scheme for serviced accommodation in England, hotels are given a rating of 1 to 5 stars covering the whole visitor experience (e.g. quality, level of services and range of facilities) and guest accommodation is rated entirely on quality, using 1 to 5 diamonds. The ETB, the AA and the RAC are currently carrying out inspections against the new harmonised scheme, which will be launched to customers later this year.

  Tourism (North West)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the annual revenue of the tourism industry in the North West for the last five years. [66898]

  Janet Anderson
  Estimated figures for annual expenditure in the North West Tourist Board region from 1993 to 1997 by tourists from the UK staying at least one night and by tourists from overseas are shown in the table. Figures for spending by UK residents on tourism day visits to the North West Tourist Board region are available only for 1996 and show an estimated £2,800 million for that year (Source: the UK Day Visits Survey).

  £ million

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Domestic tourism

  860

  995

  1,060

  1,020

  1,000

  Tourism from overseas

  287

  371

  331

  381

  455

  Total (rounded)

  1,147

  1,366

  1,391

  1,401

  1,455

  Sources:

  UK Tourism Survey (domestic tourism), International Passenger Survey (tourism from overseas).

  North West Tourist Board
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the value of the North West Tourist Board. [65988]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: My Department has made no specific assessment of the North West Tourist Board, which, like the other regional tourist boards, is an independent commercial organisation. However, I fully recognise the important work that the Board does to promote, develop and raise the profile of tourism in its region. I am pleased to say that I am opening the Great Days Out Fair in Bolton on 20 February.

  Football Task Force
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will extend the terms of reference of the Football Task Force to allow it to investigate the administration of professional football. [65061]

  Mr. Banks
  I expect the governing bodies to address issues relating to the administration of professional football and I urge them to take an early opportunity to review current structures and procedures. The Football Task Force has provided valuable advice in a number of
  535
  reports and I will give careful consideration to any arrangements that may follow the conclusion of its original remit.

TREASURY

  Transport Companies (Millennium Insurance)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the ability of transport companies to obtain insurance cover to operate services on 1 January 2000; and if he will make a statement. [65217]

  Ms Hewitt
  None.

  Paymaster General
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the changes made to the responsibilities of the Paymaster General since publication of the list of Ministerial Responsibilities in October 1998. [64490]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The Paymaster General, my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, South (Dawn Primarolo) has a portfolio with responsibilities which include the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise, tax and the Finance Bill.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  United Kingdom Overseas Territories
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish his White Paper on the United Kingdom overseas territories; and if he will make a statement. [66625]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to publish the White Paper on British Overseas Territories. [66697]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We expect that the White Paper will be published soon.

  Yemen
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when a representative of the British Embassy in Yemen first met with a member of the Yemeni Government to discuss the five detained British citizens; [66686]

  (2) what representations were made to the Yemeni Government between the kidnapping of the hostages on 28 December and their death on 29 December; and what response was received from the Yemeni Government. [66688]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement given to the House by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 11 January 1999,Official Report, columns 21–34.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when(a) he and (b) a Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister first spoke to a member of the Yemeni Government to discuss the situation in Yemen. [66687]
  536
  Mr. Fatchett
  (a) My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary first discussed events in Yemen by phone with the Yemeni Prime Minister, Dr. Iriyani, on 9 January. (b) The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), called on the Yemeni Ambassador on 1 January.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Yemen's application to join the Commonwealth. [66689]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  At their meeting in Edinburgh in October 1997, Commonwealth Heads of Government decided to keep Yemen's application to join the Commonwealth under review.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department's ministers have to visit Yemen. [66690]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have no current plans to visit Yemen.

  Gibraltar (Spanish Fishing Boats)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to send a fisheries protection vessel to Gibraltar to reinforce the protection of British waters from unlawful incursions by Spanish fishing boats. [66246]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: This situation remains under review. The deployment of a fisheries protection vessel, to aid in calming the situation in British waters around Gibraltar, remains one of a number of options we are considering.

  Chechnya
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when the British Embassy in Moscow learnt of the Interfax report of 6 December 1998 that a rescue attempt was to be made to release the hostages in Chechnya, employed by Granger Telecom; [66958]

  (2) when his Department in London learned of the BBC World Service report from the Caversham Monitoring Service that Interfax had reported that a rescue attempt was to be made to release the hostages in Chechnya employed by Granger Telecom. [66959]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  On 7 December 1998, HM Embassy Moscow saw the Interfax news agency dispatch reporting Chechen assertions that the men were being held outside Chechnya and that Russian law-enforcement agencies might try to rescue the hostages.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the advice he has placed in the Library in respect of people travelling to Chechnya was issued to individual visa applicants employed by Granger Telecom or was issued to the company that employed them. [66960]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The FCO travel advice for Russia, now in the Library, was shown to Granger Telecom management at a meeting with FCO officials on 21 August 1998. Granger Telecom have confirmed to FCO officials that, as a result of that meeting and the
  537
  advice given, Granger management re-consulted their staff about their willingness to work in Chechnya. The FCO was not made aware of individual visa applications to the Russian Embassy.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the advice given to travellers visiting Chechnya is the same as that given to people intending to work there. [66961]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Since 7 December 1994, we have advised British nationals not to travel to Chechnya. The travel advice is the same for visiting travellers and for British people intending to work there.

  Iran
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received from the Government of Iran for compensation for a stray missile which landed in or near the Iranian city of Khorramshahr [65400]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have received a request for compensation from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in respect of a stray missile that landed in or near the town of Khorramshahr.

  No missiles were fired by UK forces in the course of Operation Desert Fox. Questions relating to the circumstances of individual missile attacks and any subsequent claims for compensation are therefore a question for the US authorities.

  European Communities Working Groups
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many reports were submitted by European Communities working groups during the United Kingdom presidency; and if he will list them. [66374]

  Ms Quin
  During the UK Presidency approximately 6,700 documents with official document numbers were submitted by working groups. As agreed during our Presidency, from 1 January 1999, details of all documents will be listed on the Council's website, at http://ue.eu.int.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many working groups have been established at European Community level; what is the average number of meetings held each year; if he will list the 20 groups which met most frequently over 1998; and if he will indicate the level of United Kingdom participation at each of them. [66364]

  Ms Quin
  In 1998, 262 working groups met in Brussels, and a total of 2,138 meetings were held. The level of UK participation at each working group varied according to the subject discussed. According to the Council Secretariat, the twenty working groups which met most frequently were:Enlargement, Orient and Central Asia, Central Europe, Mashrak/Maghreb, Development, Oceania, Latin America, Balkans, CFSP Counsellors, Friends of the Presidency, Budgetary, Structural Actions, Financial Questions, Jurist Linguists, Environment, Social Questions, Telecoms, Research, Agriculture, Vetinary.

  European Commission
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the age of the target audience for the European Commission booklet, "The Raspberry Ice Cream War"; what was the aim of the booklet; how many copies have been distributed in the EU; and if he will make a statement. [66393]

  Ms Quin
  The European Commission booklet "The Raspberry Ice-Cream War" was written for young people. The aim of the booklet was to explain the advantages of European co-operation in the form of an adventure story. Information on how many copies have been distributed in the EU is not available.

  Franco-German Summit
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for the United Kingdom of the resolution at the Franco-German meeting at Potsdam to establish a binational working group on national sovereignty. [66344]

  Ms Quin
  We are not aware of any such resolution at the Franco-German Summit in Potsdam. The joint declaration issued at the end made no reference to it.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecutors
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Attorney-General what are the salary bands for the Chief Crown Prosecutor for London and for each of the CPS areas. [66573]

  The Attorney-General
  The salary bands for the 42 Chief Crown Prosecutor posts are linked to the likely job dimension. Relevant factors include anticipated caseload, budget responsibility and numbers of staff. The table sets out in relation to each of the 42 Areas the relevant pay band, together with the estimated bracket for caseload, budget and staff numbers.

  Chief Crown Prosecutors: Job dimensions

  Area

  Salary range

  Likely job dimensions

  Band 5

  London

  £54,230–90,400

  Budget: £50m+

  Staff numbers: 800+

  Total caseload: 200,000+

  Band 4

  Greater Manchester

  £49,130–80,400

  Budget: £10–15m

  West Midlands

  Staff numbers: 200–300

  West Yorkshire

  Total caseload: 65,000–100,000

  Band 3

  Merseyside

  £44,560–71,470

  Budget: £6–10m

  Lancashire

  Staff numbers: 140–200

  Northumbria

  Total caseload: 40,000–65,000

  South Wales

  Hampshire

  Band 2

  Thames Valley

  £40,430–63,490

  Budget: £2.5–7m

  South Yorkshire

  Staff numbers: 65–140

  Devon & Cornwall

  Total caseload: 20,000–50,000

  Kent

  Nottinghamshire

  Avon & Somerset

  Essex

  Cheshire

  539

  Chief Crown Prosecutors: Job dimensions

  Area

  Salary range

  Likely job dimensions

  Staffordshire

  Leicestershire

  West Mercia

  Sussex

  Humberside

  Derbyshire

  Cleveland

  Band 1

  North Yorkshire

  £33,456–54,323

  Budget: £l–3.5m

  Hertfordshire

  Staff numbers: 30–65

  North Wales

  Total caseload: 9,000–20,000

  Norfolk

  Gwent

  Dyfed-Powys

  Northamptonshire

  Surrey

  Cambridgeshire

  Dorset

  Durham

  Cumbria

  Bedfordshire

  Suffolk

  Gloucestershire

  Lincolnshire

  Wiltshire

  Warwickshire

  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the Chief Crown Prosecutors for London and the 42 police areas who are currently in post; and if he will list those areas where appointments have not yet been made. [66574]

  The Attorney-General
  An open competition is at present in progress to select a Chief Crown Prosecutor for each of the proposed 42 CPS areas. Following advertisement in the national and legal press in the week commencing 16 November 1998, a selection board is at present interviewing those candidates selected for interview. Appointments will be offered to the successful candidates at the conclusion of this process and they will be invited to take up their posts in April 1999.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Overseas Telephone Calls
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee if he will list the(a) average annual expenditure on overseas telephone calls per hon. Member and (b) greatest amount spent by an hon. Member in each of the last three years for which information is available; and what the annual administrative cost is of collecting payment for these calls. [66567]

  Mr. Allan
  The average annual expenditure for hon. Members for overseas calls for 1998 was £29.31. The greatest amount spent by an hon. Member in the preceding three years is £127.31 (1996), £403.51 (1997) and £1,289.90 (1998). The annual administrative cost of collecting payment for these calls is estimated to be £13,000 (excluding any administrative costs incurred by the Member).

PRIME MINISTER

  Cross-party Co-operation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of involving hon. Members from the Liberal Democrat Party in the development of Government policy on matters relating to access to the countryside. [66404]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 20 January 1999, Official Report, columns 483–84.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his letter of 13 January to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what was the outcome of discussions with(a) EU partners and (b) Security Council colleagues about making more effective arrangements for alleviating the suffering of the Iraqi people. [66491]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: Discussions are still continuing with EU partners on all aspects of Iraq policy, including ways to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people, on which we have made a number of proposals to the Presidency. The General Affairs Council will consider these matters further on 25 January. Following discussions in the Security Council on 14 January, the President of the Council reported that members had discussed the need to improve the humanitarian programme and looked forward to a full report from the UN Secretary General on how this might be achieved.

  However, it is important that these issues are put into context. Saddam Hussein has proven time and again that he is not prepared to provide adequately for his people's welfare. He has refused shipments of humanitarian aid, prevaricated over distribution plans for the "oil for food" programme, smuggled oil illegally out of Iraq for his own benefit and tried to sell wheat and barley to other countries at low prices, while complaining that his people are starving. The UN Special Rapporteur holds Baghdad responsible for the precarious food and health situation in Iraq. We are determined to do what we can to ease the suffering of the Iraqi people in the face of such neglect by their leader.

  Government Agencies
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy that Government agencies which choose not to pay costs ordered by a court at the end of a case must report the detailed circumstances and the reasons for any refusal to his office. [66872]

  The Prime Minister
  Government agencies are bound by Orders of the Court in the same way as any other litigant and have the same remedies available to them. Where they are aggrieved by an Order or are advised that the Order was incorrectly made, their remedy is to appeal against the Order or to apply to the Court to have the Order set aside. Otherwise, they must obey the Order.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Package Holidays
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in improving protection for consumers buying package holidays. [65195]

  Dr. Howells
  Overall, the Package Travel Regulations 1992 are serving consumers well. Around 30 million holiday and travel packages are sold in this country each year, and produce relatively few problems. However, I am keeping the effectiveness of the Regulations under review and will not hesitate to act if necessary.

  The Foreign Package Holidays (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Order which came into force on 16 November 1998 will help consumers to shop around to get the best deals.

  Parental Leave
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is proposing to provide rights for employees to take parental leave. [65202]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  We expect to introduce a Bill shortly which will create the framework for a package of measures implementing our family-friendly employment proposals. All of these measures will help employees to balance work and family life and bring about a culture in the workplace which will support employees wanting to take parental leave. The measures in the Bill will be supported by regulations setting out the detailed provisions.

  The package will introduce three months parental leave, enabling fathers, as well as mothers, to play an active role in raising their children and helping to encourage a workplace culture where it is acceptable for them to do so. And the Bill will recognise for the first time, the need for adoptive parents and their children to spend vital time together adjusting to their new circumstances.

  Parental leave builds on the maternity leave rights. Women, and their families, will benefit from the extension of basic maternity leave to 18 weeks, and from the reduction in the qualifying period for the longer period of maternity absence.

  The new right to time off to deal with family emergencies will allow people to take short-term time off to deal with emergencies without jeopardising their job security. It will apply to all employees and is a significant step which recognises that caring responsibilities may affect people at all stages of their working life.

  Libya
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on trade with Libya. [65203]

  Mr. Wilson
  Until we see actual progress in our political relations with Libya, my Department's position remains unchanged. We neither encourage nor discourage trade.

  Engineering Industry
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to safeguard jobs in the engineering industry; and if he will make a statement. [65204]

  Mr. Byers
  The slowdown in the world economy will lead to slower growth in the United Kingdom.

  We believe that the best way of safeguarding jobs in the long term in the engineering industry is to create a stable and strong monetary and fiscal regime.

  Post Office
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policies for making the Post Office internationally competitive. [65205]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The elements of the Post Office reform package—a combination of market disciplines and commercial freedoms—aimed at transforming the performance of the Post Office and its ability to carry out business both nationally and internationally—are set out in the Statement made by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 7 December 1998,Official Report, columns 21–24.

  The first fruit of our new policy has been Government approval for the Post Office's first major foreign strategic acquisition. The acquisition of German Parcel will significantly enhance the international parcels capability of the Post Office. [65220]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on the future of the Post Office. [65220]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The statement of this House on the future of the Post Office on 7 December 1998 by my right hon. Friend, the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry followed representations from and consultations with interested parties. These included the Post Office, Post Office Unions, the Post Office Users National Council, the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, representatives of business users and potential and existing competitors.

  We also took full account of the Trade and Industry Select Committee's 1998 Report on the Post Office (HC 380).

  Single European Currency
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on literature advising companies on the single European currency issued by his Department. [65206]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government have produced a number of publications and specialist information relating to the introduction of the single European currency. The Euro Preparations Unit in HM Treasury has published a series of factsheets to help small and medium businesses prepare for the euro. To supplement this work, DTI has produced leaflets aimed specifically at exporters. My noble Friend, the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe wrote to 1.6 million small and medium companies last year to alert them to the need to prepare for the euro and to the information available from the Government.

  Consumer Protection
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his work in protecting the consumers of goods and services in the UK. [65207]

  Dr. Howells
  We are taking forward a large number of measures aimed at improving the lot of consumers including work on clearer sale of goods rights, giving consumer bodies the right to seek injunctions against the use of unfair contract terms, increased transparency in pricing information by extending unit pricing, giving consumers clear rights when buying by mail order and other distance selling methods and strengthening consumer protection on doorstep selling.

  At the same time we are working on a broader consumer strategy aimed at giving consumers a fair deal. It will concentrate on three key areas: ensuring that consumers know their rights and have the information they need to make informed choices and demand their rights; taking rogue traders out of the market; and taking measures to give consumers confidence when shopping on the internet.

  South America
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to maintain and increase exports to South America. [65208]

  Mr. Wilson
  My Department offers a full range of services to British companies seeking business in South America, including support for trade missions and trade fairs. Opportunities in the markets are extensively promoted throughout the United Kingdom, supported by Ministers, other Government Departments, Export Promoters seconded from the private sector and various private sector multiplier organisations. This is underpinned by visits to the region by various Government Ministers and by visits to this country by both Heads of Government and Ministers from Latin America.

  Science (Women)
  Mrs. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the involvement of women in science. [65209]

  Mr. Byers
  Women are significantly under-represented in the physical sciences and engineering. Unless we can improve this situation, our industrial and research base will continue to be deprived of access to some of the best potential talent. We are encouraging young women to continue with science through A-levels into higher education, and are seeking to ensure that women can have satisfactory science and engineering-based careers, by encouraging family-friendly practices in both the public and private sectors.

  Personal Pensions
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made in his discussions with the Social Security Department in relation to S226 personal pensions being available to trustees in bankruptcy. [65210]
  544
  Dr. Howells
  Following those discussions the Government issued a Green Paper, "A new contract for welfare: Partnership in Pensions", which proposes that all tax-approved private pension rights should be treated equally on bankruptcy. A subsequent Consultation Paper, "Strengthening the Pensions Framework", set out that proposal in more detail.

  We propose that in the future all tax-approved private pension rights should remain with bankrupts and not be available to the trustee in bankruptcy for the benefit of creditors. This will include tax-approved Section 226 Personal Pensions. But as a safeguard against abuse the trustee in bankruptcy will be able to apply for a court to recover any excessive contributions made to the pension scheme.

  Regional Competitiveness
  Mr. Illisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to improve regional competitiveness. [65211]

  Mr. Byers
  The White Paper, "Our Competitive Future: Building the Knowledge Driven Economy", which was published in December 1998, sets out new proposals to improve regional competitiveness. These include a refocused Regional Selective Assistance, new measures to support the growth of smaller businesses in selected areas, new regional venture capital funds and extra funds for the new Regional Development Agencies in England to address their regional competitiveness needs.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he will ensure that his proposals for innovative start-ups from the public sector science and engineering base will enhance competitiveness in regional economies. [65213]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government are currently setting up new Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to enhance the competitiveness of the English regions. These will play an important role in encouraging innovation and the exploitation of our knowledge base. The help for innovative start-ups announced in the Competitiveness White Paper will be available through Business Links partnerships which will work closely with national and local partners to ensure the support they deliver meets regional needs.

  Venture Capital
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he will take to encourage the growth of venture capital in the regions. [65212]

  Mr. Byers
  I recognise the vital role that venture capital can play in support of growth businesses and the value that the formal venture capital industry adds in making larger investments. I am committed to ensuring that there is also adequate supply of venture capital, in smaller amounts, to meet demand across the regions.

  Scientific Discoveries
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to encourage commercial development of scientific discoveries. [65214]
  545
  Mr. Byers
  The commercial exploitation of scientific research is fundamental to a prosperous knowledge-driven economy. The Competitiveness White Paper set out a number of important measures including:A new "Reach-out" fund to encourage universities to work more effectively with business;
  A £25 million Science Enterprise Challenge to create up to eight enterprise centres at UK universities;
  Expansion of activities to promote collaborative partnerships and the transfer of knowledge between the science and engineering base and businesses.
  A look at how to make the most of the outputs of Public Sector Research Establishments.

  The White Paper announcements build on other activities such as the University Challenge launched last year to help universities turn good research into good business.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on the national minimum wage. [65215]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government have received a number of recent representations on the national minimum wage, both in response to its consultation on draft national minimum wage regulations and through general correspondence.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those groups which he plans to exempt from the provisions relating to the minimum wage. [65219]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  We have always made it clear that the national minimum wage should have the maximum possible application. The draft minimum wage regulations, upon which we consulted in autumn 1998, provided for the exemption of 16 and 17-year-olds, apprentices under the age of 26 in the first year of their apprenticeship and apprentices aged 18 in any year of their apprenticeship. We have given careful consideration to the responses we received during the consultation exercise and revised regulations will shortly be laid before Parliament.

  Sub-post Offices
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the sub-post office network. [65216]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government remain firmly committed to a network of post offices throughout the country in which sub-post offices will continue to be the key element alongside a core of Post Office owned and managed Crown offices.

  Competitiveness White Paper
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the Competitiveness White Paper. [65221]

  Mr. Byers
  My Department has received numerous representations from business and private individuals welcoming the wide-ranging programme to promote business competitiveness set out in the Competitiveness White Paper.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to make an official visit to(a) Brazil and (b) the USA in the next year. [65222]

  Mr. Wilson
  Proposals for overseas visits by the new Secretary of State, including Brazil, are still under discussion. There are provisional plans for the Secretary of State to visit the US in the Spring of 1999. The visit would be part of a continuing programme, building on the good working relationship we have with many American companies for the strategic alliances and joint ventures.

  High-tech Industry
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to improve the competitiveness of British high-tech industry. [65223]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government set out their agenda for helping to improve the competitiveness of the whole of British industry in the recently published White Paper "Our Competitive Future: Building the Knowledge Driven Economy". In the White Paper, we also recognised the need to look to the future, to those high-tech industries that have strong growth potential. This is why for example, as part of the Enterprise Fund announced in the White Paper, we are working with major financial institutions to set out a national venture capital fund to support very early-stage, high technology businesses. It is also why the Government in partnership with the Wellcome Trust will spend an additional £1.4 billion to modernise the science and engineering base and help fund leading edge research projects.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from business leaders in the last month on the level of UK interest rates. [65224]

  Mr. Byers
  Ministers regularly receive representations from business leaders on many aspects of economic performance, including the level of interest rates. Frequently we are told that one of the most important things the Government can do for business is to deliver economic stability. The Government have taken tough and decisive action to secure that much needed stability, including giving independence to the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England over interest rates. We shall support the Monetary Policy Committee in the difficult decisions they have to make.

  Postal Service
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he will take to ensure that postal service users pay an affordable, uniform price for services wherever they use the service in the UK. [65196]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  As my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made clear in his Statement to this House on 7 December 1998 on the future of the Post Office, the Government remain committed to the Post Office being subject to a universal
  547
  service obligation. A uniform public tariff across the UK, regardless of delivery distance, will be maintained for those activities that fall within this obligation.

  Nuclear Reprocessing Contracts
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will specify the procedures for recovery of losses incurred by BNFL on nuclear reprocessing contracts in the UK in the process of cancellation by German interests(a) under contract and (b) under inter-governmental agreements; if he will specify the amount of such losses; and if he will make a statement. [66836]

  Mr. Byers
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Industry and I met the German Environment Minister, Juergen Trittin, on 20 January to discuss BNFL's reprocessing contracts with Germany.

  We made clear to Mr. Trittin that the decision to phase out nuclear power was a matter for Germany herself to decide.

  But we also stressed that the costs of that decision should not be borne by BNFL which had entered into legally binding contracts in good faith. It would be wrong for the company to suffer financially from a change in German policy over which they had no control. We also emphasised the point that the contracts would be determined under English law. BNFL are firmly of the view that the German utilities are under a clear contractual obligation.

  We also made it clear that, if the 650 tonnes of German spent fuel in store at Sellafield were not to be reprocessed, then it would have to be returned to Germany. The UK will not act as a permanent storage depot for nuclear material. We were pleased to announce that Mr. Trittin agreed that a joint working group of UK and German officials be established to work out the practical details of returning the German material should this prove to be necessary.

  Researchers
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the letter of 7 October 1998 from the Minister for Science to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what response he has had from OST to his request about taking forward specific projects recommended by Sir Gareth Roberts's report on researchers. [65408]

  Mr. Battle
  The Office of Science and Technology has been principally involved in work to restructure the membership of the Research Careers Initiative, as recommended in the report. It has also had informal discussions with a number of organisations, in particular to take forward the report's recommendations relating to provision of career guidance and training for researchers. I understand that a new RCI steering group will be meeting in the next few weeks to consider more specific actions.

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the letter of 11 November (td-235-11) from the Minister for Energy and Industry to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what progress he has 548
  made in considering air products refrigeration systems using air as the coolant as an alternative to CFCs and other ozone-depleting refrigerants. [65407]

  Mr. Battle
  My officials have contacted Air Products Europe Inc. to obtain further information about the Closed Cycle Air Refrigeration (CCAR) system. Their response suggests that the current technology is not yet an economic proposition for domestic refrigeration, but has potential for specialised industrial and buildings applications such as large food storage facilities. The promotion of air cycle refrigeration is being addressed by 2 special interest groups set up with MAFF assistance at the Food Refrigeration and Process Engineering Research Centre at Bristol University, which has received UK and EU funding. Air Products have been in contact with the Centre and have given a presentation on the CCAR system.

  Domestic Gas Appliances
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the regulations covering safety standards for domestic gas appliances. [65331]

  Mr. Battle
  The safety of new domestic gas appliances is controlled by the Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995, ("the Regulations") which implement into UK law the European Council's Gas Appliances Directive.

  The Regulations contain "essential requirements" which manufacturers of gas appliances are required to meet. To ensure that gas appliances comply with these safety provisions, manufacturers are required to submit their product to a third-party Notified Body for type approval before it may be placed on the market. Manufacturers must also appoint a Notified Body to undertake periodic surveillance of the production process in order to ensure that the product continues to conform to the type that was originally approved.

  Millennium Trade Round
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list Her Majesty's Government's objectives in the proposed Millennium Round of trade negotiations. [65979]

  Mr. Wilson
  The UK Government are strongly in favour of a broad-based new Round of trade negotiations in the World Trade Organisation, and has backed the European Commission's calls for a comprehensive approach. Decisions are to be taken on the scope and timing of these negotiations at the third WTO Ministerial Conference, which will be held in the United States in November this year.

  Our objectives at this stage include further tariff reductions; reducing the burden on business and barriers to trade represented by industrial standards and technical regulations; opening up Government procurement markets in third countries; simplifying import and export procedures; ensuring proper enforcement of intellectual property rights around the world; seeking substantial progressive reduction in support and protection for agriculture and developing better regimes to cover issues such as food safety; deepening and broadening the liberalisation of trade in services; establishing a liberal, rules-based framework for international investment;

  549
  clarifying the interaction between environmental and trade policies to meet concerns that liberalisation should be pursued in a manner compatible with sustainable development; and clarifying the interaction between trade and competition issues. Throughout the Round we shall want to ensure that the interests of developing countries are taken into account and that every opportunity is taken to promote further engagement of the least developed countries.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to ensure full consultation with Parliament, relevant non-Governmental organisations and the public over developments in the proposed Millennium Round of trade negotiations. [65982]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government have always consulted fully on major trade policy developments. The proposed Millennium Round of trade negotiations will not get underway until after the third WTO Ministerial Conference in November 1999. In preparation for and during these negotiations, the Government will consult with interested parties as we have in the past. The timetable for these consultations has not yet been finalised.

WALES

  National Assembly
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish the consultation paper on the disqualification of persons from membership of the National Assembly for Wales under section 12 of the Government of Wales Act 1998.[66163]

  Mr. Michael
  The consultation referred to ran from 13 August to 2 October 1998. Views were invited on proposed offices and employment whose holders would be disqualified from also being members of the National Assembly by means of an Order-in-Council under section 12 of the 1998 Act.

  I expect to put a draft of the Order before Parliament. It will be subject to affirmative resolution procedure in both Houses.

  Wales European Centre
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place a copy in the Library of the letter from the Head of European Division concerning the recent appointment of the Chief Executive of the Wales European Centre. [66878]

  Mr. Michael
  No. The head of the European Division is not a member of the Board of the Wales European Centre but attends as an observer. He was unable to attend the meeting of the Board at which the appointment of a new director was under consideration. He therefore sent a letter on a personal and confidential basis to the Secretary of the Board of the Wales European Centre. It was made quite clear that it did not present a view on behalf of my Department. The letter did not express a view on the proposed appointment but(a) conveyed points that had been raised with us by certain members of the wider partnership and (b) set out a number of questions which he suggested should be considered by the Board in deciding
  550
  whether they should accept the recommendations of the appointments panel. I understand that each of these questions were fully considered by the Board in reaching a conclusion.

  I am sure that my hon. Friend would be the first to criticise any official who failed to pass on pertinent views in this way or who failed to suggest questions to which such a Board should seek answers. That he did so strengthens the appointment procedure and public confidence that the Board sought to appoint the best person for the job, in the best interests of Wales.

  The Wales European Centre is an independent body, headed by a Board which includes representatives of the partners who fund and support its work.

  Neither I nor my officials will interfere with its work but I strongly support the Centre as a partner in promoting the people of Wales in Europe and for that reason I visited the Centre two weeks ago to discuss how best to cooperate and complement each other's work. I hope my hon. Friend and all Welsh members will join in this endeavour.

HEALTH

  Psychotic Conditions
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that assessments of a patient's mental health, with particular reference to possible psychotic conditions, have excluded known genetic diseases which share the same symptoms. [R] [66148]

  Mr. Hutton
  The assessment of those presenting with mental health problems includes inquiries into family history of psychiatric and medical disorders.

  Deafness (Early Diagnosis)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the benefits of early diagnosis of deafness to language acquisition. [66192]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are aware that early identification and intervention is vital for normal language development, and age at identification and consequent age at which a hearing aid is fitted have become important indicators of screening and service performance.

  Most health authorities screen children who are at risk of permanent hearing impairment soon after birth. We are currently considering ways in which the screening system for children with hearing impairment can be improved and extended so that more children can be identified and treated earlier in life.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote the early diagnosis of deafness among children. [66191]

  Mr. Hutton
  A 1997 review commissioned by the health technology assessment programme suggested considering a system of universal neo-natal screening followed at seven months by a targeted screening using an infant distraction test. The National Screening Committee, through its sub-committee on child health screening, is now considering these suggestions for implementation across the National Health Service. Any proposed changes
  551
  to screening arrangements need to be considered very carefully to see whether they would be feasible and clinically cost effective. We do not expect the Committee to make a rushed decision on this important issue.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will implement a deafness screening programme for all children at birth. [66328]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Screening Committee advises United Kingdom Health Ministers on all aspects of the introduction, modification or withdrawal of screening programmes. The Committee is currently considering the case for replacing the present infant distraction test with universal neonatal screening. We expect to receive advice later this year.

  House Dust Mites
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the letter of 9 October 1998 (POH(6)5437/63) from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what assessment his Department has made of fabrics containing fungicide which kills house dust mites in new bedding materials. [65402]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have no plans to make such an assessment.

  Organ Preservation
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the letter of 1 December 1998 (POH(6)5437/66) to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what assessment he has made of Japanese research on organ preservation. [65409]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Japanese research is at too early a stage for making any meaningful assessments of its applicability to human transplantation. We are maintaining a close watching brief on its progress.

  Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his replies of 8 December 1998,Official Report, column 185, if he will (a) list the latest figures for people waiting 12 months or more for hospital treatment in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area and (b) the latest figures for people waiting (i) 13 to 25 weeks and (ii) 26 weeks or more to see a consultant in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area. [66130]

  Mr. Denham
  1,194 people were waiting 12 months or more for hospital treatment at the Mid Essex Hospital National Health Service Trust at the end of November 1998. The number of people waiting 13 to 25 weeks to see a consultant was 1,596 at the end of September 1998; the number of people waiting over 26 weeks was 341 at the end of September 1998.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the inspection 552
  procedure for accommodation for asylum seekers (a) before the introduction of and (b) under the asylum seekers support scheme. [66714]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Home Office currently has no responsibility for the accommodation of asylum seekers (other than those held in detention). Asylum seekers who are currently in need of accommodation support receive such support from local authorities.

  The new asylum seekers support scheme described in the White Paper, "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—a modern approach to immigration and asylum" (Cm 4018) is in the planning stage. It is too soon to indicate what plans we have for inspection of asylum seeker accommodation.

  Adult Education (Section 11 Funding)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of section 11 funding in each of the participating local education authorities is currently used to support adult education; [66611]

  (2) if he will list each local education authority currently using section 11 funding to support adult education; [66613]

  (3) what proportion of section 11 funding is currently used to support adult education; [66612]

  (4) what is the total amount of section 11 grant for the financial year 1998–99. [66614]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Section 11 grant funds projects in education and in other service areas including social services and housing. Total provision in the current financial year is £82.68 million. Projects with 118 local education authorities, as well as grant-maintained schools and colleges in the further education sector, cover a range of educational activity. Some local education authority projects principally concerned with other activities (eg English language support for school pupils whose first language is not English) include elements of adult education (eg family literacy work delivered through schools). Precise disaggregation of costs in such cases is difficult. The table lists local education authorities which have specific adult education projects; and shows, in relation to the 1998–99 financial year, the potential grant cost of these projects as a percentage of the total potential grant cost of the local education authority's section 11 projects. The potential grant cost of specific adult education projects in relation to the 1998–99 financial year represents 1.03 per cent. of the total potential grant cost of local education authorities' projects, and 0.95 per cent. of the total potential grant cost across the section 11 programme as a whole.

  Local education authorities with specific adult education projects, showing the potential grant cost of these projects in relation to 1998–99 as a proportion of the total potential grant cost of the authority's projects

  LEA

  Percentage

  Barking & Dagenham

  4.17

  Bolton

  13.21

  Brent

  13.86

  Bristol

  1.79

  Bromley

  43.75

  Croydon

  6.51

  Hillingdon

  12.56

  Kent

  8.72

  553

  Local education authorities with specific adult education projects, showing the potential grant cost of these projects in relation to 1998–99 as a proportion of the total potential grant cost of the authority's projects

  LEA

  Percentage

  Leeds

  3.04

  Leicester

  1.19

  Manchester

  9.35

  Norfolk

  13.78

  Peterborough1

  4.26

  Redbridge

  4.34

  Suffolk

  5.44

  1Most section 11-funded provision in Peterborough is covered by a project managed by Cambridgeshire, which pre-dated local government reorganisation. The table reflects the estimated potential grant cost of posts in Peterborough under that project.

  Note:

  In addition, some funding for adult education is currently paid under projects with further education colleges. In Birmingham, such funding would amount to 4.49 per cent. of the local education authority's funding if paid direct.

  Common Market Referendum
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the material held by the Security Services relating to the 1975 referendum on United Kingdom membership of the Common Market. [66396]

  Mr. Straw
  It is for the Director General to decide which Security Service files should be released for public scrutiny, and to determine when they should be released. In reaching these decisions, he is bound by the relevant provisions of the Public Records Acts of 1958 and 1967, including the 30-year rule. In common with records belonging to other public bodies, Security Service records are released to the Public Record Office.

  Life Sentences
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently serving life sentences(a) in total and (b) by category of offence for which sentenced. [66334]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The latest available information is for 30 November 1998. On that date, there were 4,011 life sentence prisoners (3,872 males and 139 females) in prisons in England and Wales. A breakdown by offence is given in the table.

  Population of life sentence prisoners in prisons in England and Wales on 30 November 1998, by offence1

  Offence

  Number

  Murder

  3,241

  Manslaughter

  135

  Other homicide and attempted homicide

  87

  Other violence against the person

  82

  Rape

  250

  Other sexual offences

  28

  Robbery

  45

  Arson

  92

  Other offences

  51

  Total

  4,011

  1Provisional figures

  Feltham Young Offenders Unit
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) juveniles and (b) young offenders had been on remand at Feltham Young Offenders Unit for (i) two to four weeks, (ii) four to six weeks, and (iii) eight weeks or more, (1) currently and (2) between October 1997 and October 1998. [66397]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested is given in the table. The latest available data are for November 1998.

  Population of young offenders at HMP Feltham by length of time since first reception

  Length of time since first remand into prison

  Juveniles1

  Young offenders2

  30 November 19983

  Up to 2 weeks

  28

  52

  2 weeks up to 4 weeks

  20

  40

  4 weeks up to 6 weeks

  24

  23

  6 weeks up to 8 weeks

  14

  36

  8 weeks or more

  65

  138

  31 October 19983

  Up to 2 weeks

  37

  45

  2 weeks up to 4 weeks

  23

  58

  4 weeks up to 6 weeks

  18

  25

  6 weeks up to 8 weeks

  10

  22

  8 weeks or more

  60

  150

  31 October 1997

  Up to 2 weeks

  23

  40

  2 weeks up to 4 weeks

  24

  42

  4 weeks up to 6 weeks

  9

  26

  6 weeks up to 8 weeks

  4

  23

  8 weeks or more

  55

  155

  1Persons aged 15–17 years

  2 Persons aged 18–20 years

  3Provisional figures

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current staffing level at Feltham Young Offenders Unit; and if it is at full strength to cover all regimes. [66444]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The prison officer staffing complement at Feltham Young Offender Institution is 243. There were 242 prison officers in post as at 15 January 1999. Of these, 230 are operational, nine are undergoing prison officer initial training and three are suspended. There are six members of staff on long-term sick leave.

  The health care department at Feltham is currently running seven health care officers/nurses short of complement; the gymnasium is two officers short of complement; and the industries and works departments are three instructors short of complement. In each case the regime has been affected. Steps are being taken to improve this situation; two officers are receiving training to become physical education officers and one additional instructor has been identified for works and industries.

  The governor is conducting a recruitment exercise for officers and is implementing measures to reduce the number of staff on long-term sick leave.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the length of time(a) young offenders and (b) juveniles spend on remand at Feltham Young Offenders Unit. [66391]
  555
  Mr. George Howarth
  One of the Government's top priorities is faster and more efficient youth justice proceedings. One of our key manifesto commitments is to halve the time it takes to deal with persistent young offenders from arrest to sentence. In 1996, the average time taken was 142 days—the objective is to reduce this to 71 days. In the Public Service Agreements for the Home Office and the Criminal Justice System, the Government are committed to achieving a national average of 71 days by March 2002.

  A range of measures have been introduced aimed at reducing delay in the youth justice system. The Home Office has prepared comprehensive best practice guidance on a range of issues—particularly the establishment of fast-tracking schemes in local areas. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 includes a whole range of measures to tackle delays—strengthening the ability of the courts to manage cases, and making procedural changes to ensure that unnecessary delays are avoided—we have just implemented some of these measures; others are being piloted.

  More specifically, the Government's plans for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place for remanded juveniles are being taken forward in the context of the wider programme of work arising from its review of all forms of secure accommodation for young offenders and young people held on remand or under sentence. The Government's aim is to implement provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 as soon as practicable, and by June 1999 at the latest, to allow the courts to remand directly to local authority secure accommodation 12–14 year olds, 15 and 16 year old girls and, where a place has been identified in advance, vulnerable 15 and 16 year old boys. The existing arrangements for remanding other 15 and 16 year old boys to Prison Service accommodation will continue for the time being, though the Government wish to move to a position where the practice of prison remands is no longer necessary.

  In the meantime, work is being taken forward, with the Youth Justice Board, to improve the standard of care and quality of regimes for remanded and sentenced juveniles held in Prison Service accommodation to ensure that these are appropriate to the needs of young people. The Government are also making available funds, which will be administered by the Youth Justice Board, to develop local bail support provision to help ensure that custodial remands are used appropriately for the most serious and persistent cases.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the percentage of uniformed officers from ethnic minority communities at Feltham Young Offenders Unit. [66401]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There are currently 15 uniformed officers, 6 per cent. of the total, from ethnic minority communities employed at Feltham Young Offender Institution.

  A local recruitment exercise is under-way and advertisements have been worded specifically to encourage applications from individuals from ethnic minority communities. Selection is always on merit.
  556
  The Prison Service has recently been reviewing levels of representation from the ethnic minorities and the opportunities it provides for its own ethnic minority staff. As at 1 January 1999, the Prison Service employed 1,246 members of staff, 3 per cent. of the total from the ethnic minorities. Proposals for action are being developed which will include the launch of a new national recruitment outreach strategy.

  Prison Accommodation (Elderly Inmates)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what provisions he has made for the conversion of prison accommodation to suit an elderly prison population; [66441]

  (2) what plans he has to authorise conversion of prisons or prison wings to cater for the needs of elderly inmates. [66434]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Prison Service meets the demands of elderly prisoners in the light of their particular circumstances and the facilities already available at the particular establishment where they are housed. At present, inmates over the age of 50 are held within the general prison population according to their legal status, security requirement and geographical location. This enables inmates to receive regular visits from professional advisers and maintain ties with their families. It also helps the Probation Service in their work to resettle offenders back into the community.

  Kingston prison, Portsmouth, has a unit for elderly life sentenced prisoners, which was created in recognition of the increasing number of these prisoners. The Prison Service is keeping the position under consideration.

  Prison Service (Recruitment)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the Job Simulation Assessment Centre system of recruitment for the Prison Service. [66435]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In its recent annual report, the Board of Visitors of Feltham Young Offenders Institution asked the Home Secretary to look closely at the arrangements for the recruitment of prison officers, which they feel exacerbate local staffing problems.

  Job simulation assessment centres form part of the new approach to the recruitment of prison officers. They have been developed to provide fairer, more objective and more reliable assessments of candidates than the recruitment process which they replaced.

  The Prison Service is aware, however, of the difficulties being experienced at Feltham and elsewhere in recruiting suitable prison officers and other grades of staff. It is therefore carrying out a short review in order to identify ways in which the situation can be improved.

  Commercial Lobbyists
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rules or guidance his Department has to govern the(a) formal and (b) informal interaction between his civil servants and commercial lobbyists. [66211]
  557
  Mr. Straw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 27 July 1998,Official Report, column 4.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate (Correspondence)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what target he has set the Immigration and Nationality Directorate for replying to correspondence. [66233]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) has a target of 15 working days for replying to letters from hon. Members. This includes correspondence addressed to Ministers and addressed to the Secretary of the IND Board, to which IND officials reply. In addition, the Whitehall Service Standards operated across Government under the auspices of the Service First Initiative means IND has a target of 20 working days for replying to correspondence from members of the public which does not specifically relate to individual applications.

  Date

  Minister

  Local authority or association

  Video link/in person

  Date request received from the local authority or association

  16 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Lincolnshire

  In person

  8 December

  21 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Brighton & Hove

  In person

  10 December

  21 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Broxtowe

  In person

  14 December

  21 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Gedling

  In person

  7 December

  21 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Harrow

  In person

  8 December

  21 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Leicester City

  In person

  9 December

  21 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  North Lincolnshire

  In person

  9 December

  21 December

  Alan Meale

  Rutland

  Video link

  15 December

  21 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Worcestershire

  In person

  8 December

  22 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Birmingham

  Video link

  17 December

  22 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Bradford

  In person

  9 December

  22 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Brent

  In person

  8 December

  22 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Cambridgeshire

  In person

  9 December

  22 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Haringey

  In person

  17 December

  22 December

  Alan Meale

  Havant

  In person

  10 December

  22 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Havering

  In person

  8 December

  22 December

  Alan Meale

  Herefordshire

  In person

  14 December

  22 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  Tyne & Wear FCD

  Video link

  8 December

  22 December

  Hilary Armstrong

  West Sussex

  Video link

  7 December

  22 December

  Alan Meale

  Wokingham

  In person

  8 December

  4 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Castle Point

  In person

  16 December

  4 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Derbyshire

  Video link

  30 December

  4 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Northamptonshire

  In person

  21 December

  4 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Nottinghamshire

  In person

  23 December

  4 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Oldham

  Video link

  23 December

  4 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Wansbeck

  In person

  18 December

  5 January

  Alan Meale

  Buckinghamshire

  In person

  18 December

  5 January

  Nick Raynsford

  County Councils Network

  In person

  17 December

  5 January

  Alan Meale

  Devon

  Video link

  21 December

  5 January

  Nick Raynsford

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  In person

  22 December

  5 January

  Alan Meale

  Hertfordshire

  Video link

  21 December

  5 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Lancashire

  In person

  11 December

  5 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Mansfield

  In person

  16 December

  5 January

  Alan Meale

  North East Lincolnshire

  In person

  21 December

  5 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Northampton

  In person

  24 December

  5 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Northumberland

  In person

  22 December

  5 January

  Alan Meale

  Nuneaton & Bedworth

  In person

  21 December

  5 January

  Alan Meale

  Plymouth

  Video link

  22 December

  5 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Poole

  In person

  22 December

  5 January

  Alan Meale

  Stroud

  Video link

  17 December

  5 January

  Alan Meale

  Torbay

  Video link

  21 December

  5 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Wandsworth

  In person

  24 December

  5 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Windsor & Maidenhead

  In person

  23 December

  558
  The hon. Member will be aware of recent notice given to Members of Parliament that moving offices and changing procedures in IND will cause delays in responding to correspondence for a few months. This is a temporary disruption, which should enable more efficient delivery against targets in the future.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the dates and (b) the Minister in attendance, indicating whether (i) in person or (ii) by video link, for meetings requested by local authorities to discuss the local government grant settlement; and if he will list in each case the date his Department received the request for such a meeting from the local authority. [65432]

  Ms Armstrong
  The information requested is as follows:
  559

  Date

  Minister

  Local authority or association

  Video link/in person

  Date request received from the local authority or association

  6 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Chesterfield

  In person

  24 December

  6 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Kent

  In person

  17 December

  6 January

  Nick Raynsford

  London FCD

  In person

  24 December

  6 January

  Nick Raynsford

  North Kesteven

  In person

  18 December

  6 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Norwich City

  Phone

  21 December

  6 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Shropshire

  In person

  23 December

  6 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Town and Country Finance Issues Group

  In person

  18 December

  6 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Wigan

  Video link

  21 December

  7 January

  Alan Meale

  Burnley

  Video link

  17 December

  7 January

  Alan Meale

  Coventry

  In person

  3 December

  7 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Cumbria

  Video link

  23 December

  7 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Hackney

  In person

  23 December

  7 January

  Glenda Jackson

  North East Derbyshire

  In person

  22 December

  7 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Reigate & Banstead

  In person

  30 December

  7 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities

  In person

  21 December

  7 January

  Alan Meale

  South Gloucestershire

  Video link

  17 December

  7 January

  Alan Meale

  Suffolk

  Video link

  11 December

  7 January

  Alan Meale

  West Berkshire

  In person

  15 December

  7 January

  Nick Raynsford

  West Midlands FCD

  Video link

  21 December

  8 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Swindon

  In person

  5 January

  11 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Bury

  Video link

  5 January

  11 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Copeland

  In person

  23 December

  11 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Derwentside

  In person

  22 December

  11 January

  Glenda Jackson

  E8 Group

  In person

  29 December

  11 January

  Nick Raynsford

  Harborough

  In person

  17 December

  11 January

  Glenda Jackson

  Kingston upon Thames

  Video link

  5 January

  11 January

  Hilary Armstrong

  Kirklees

  In person

  8 December

  11 January

  Alan Meale

  Milton Keynes

  In person

  22 December

  11 January

  Nick Raynsford

  North Somerset

  In person

  17 December

  11 January

  Lord Whitty

  Stockport

  Video link

  5 January

  12 January

  Hilary Armstrong

  North Yorkshire

  In person

  4 December

  12 January

  Hilary Armstrong

  Oxfordshire

  In person

  16 December

  12 January

  Nick Raynsford

  West Yorkshire FCD

  In person

  5 January

  13 January

  Hilary Armstrong

  Association of London Government (ALG)

  In person

  n/a1

  13 January

  Hilary Armstrong

  Local Government Association (LGA)

  In person

  n/a1

  1Meetings with the LGA and the ALG followed a precedent set in the previous year and no separate request was required.

  Rainham Marsh, Havering
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if English Partnerships has made any determination in respect of the suitability of land at Rainham Marsh in Havering for(a) development and (b) regeneration; and if he will place copies in the Library; [65900]

  (2) if English Partnerships supports the amended planning application made by Havering Borough Council for development on a site of special scientific interest at Rainham Marsh in Havering; and if he will make a statement. [65903]

  Mr. Meale
  No determination has been made by English Par44tnerships as to their possible involvement in the generation or development of the Havering Riverside site (known as Rainham Marsh). The Havering Riverside site is entirely in the ownership of the London Borough of Havering and, being included within the Unitary Development Plan prepared in 1993 has been considered to be of strategic importance to employment generation within the Thames Gateway area. Any development must meet the requirements for nature conservation also set out in the UDP. English Partnerships is one of the partner organisations examining options for its possible development. English Partnerships supports the strategic
  560
  commercial development of this site as far as it is in line with recommendations in the approved Unitary Development Plan.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons English Partnerships has made an application for planning permission on a site of special scientific interest at Rainham Marsh in Havering in identical terms to an application previously made by Havering Borough Council; and subsequently withdrew it. [65902]

  Mr. Meale
  Following LB Havering's initial outline planning application for development in January 1997, English Partnerships submitted a further identical application in November 1997 in an attempt to deal with the issue of securing benefits for the developing through a Section 106 Agreement. Clearly the Borough cannot submit such an application to itself; to assist the local authority, English Partnership, although in no way committed to this project, therefore became the applicant. That application has now been withdrawn in response to improvements embodied in the London Borough of Havering's amended scheme. The Council is in consultation with both English Nature, English Heritage and other environmental groups, on the environmental implications of the application proposals. All parties are
  561
  now collaborating to prepare a full environment impact assessment in an attempt to reconcile the competing interests on the site.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what powers English Partnerships possesses to(a) make and (b) support planning applications on land in respect of which he has not given directions or consent as to its suitability for (a) regeneration and (b) development; [65904]

  (2) what (a) directions and (b) consents have been given to English Partnerships relating to the possible (i) regeneration and (ii) development of Rainham Marsh; and if he will place copies in the Library. [65899]

  Mr. Meale
  The powers of English Partnerships, contained in the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 are directed at its main statutory objective of securing the regeneration of land, across England, which is contaminated, derelict, vacant, unused or likely to become so. In pursuit of this objective the Agency can acquire, hold, manage, reclaim, improve and dispose of land, plant machinery, equipment and other property; give financial assistance to other persons (including for use on environmental improvements); and generally do anything necessary or expedient for the purposes of its objects or for purposes incidental to those purposes. Section 167 of the Act provides for the Secretary of State to issue guidance or directions. Guidance was issued to English Partnerships in April 1994 on which land is suitable for regeneration or development or how it is to exercise its functions. No guidance or directions have been issued since that time, and no guidance, directions or consents have been issued with respect to Rainham Marshes. English Partnerships is free to make planning applications on the same basis as any other applicant.

  Countryside (Public Access)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1998,Official Report, columns 539–40, if he will make a statement on the way in which the Government will take into account future financial settlements with regards to the increased costs to local authorities of increased public access to the countryside. [66057]

  Ms Armstrong
  We shall be consulting further with the Local Government Association on the financial implications for local authorities of our proposals for increasing public access to the countryside. The need for revenue expenditure by local authorities will be taken into account, along with other spending pressures and the scope for efficiencies, in a future local government finance settlement.

  Jubilee Line Extension
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's current estimate for the(a) completion and (b) commissioning of the Jubilee Line Extension. [66639]

  Dr. Reid
  London Transport plan to open the Jubilee Line Extension in three phases (firstly Stratford to North Greenwich, then on to Waterloo and finally to Green Park and connection with the existing Jubilee Line).562
  Commissioning will thus overlap with the final completion of the construction and fitting out work. Commissioning work is already in hand. London Transport aims to have all three phases commissioned and in operation by the autumn.

  Barrage Schemes
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of the country's estuaries(a) have been and (b) are currently being investigated for barrage schemes. [66371]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This information is not kept centrally.

  A large number of estuaries have been investigated to varying levels of detail in connection with flood protection, tidal power generation and for amenity purposes. However, many of these have not been and are unlikely to be taken forward. Some examples are indicated in the following table but this is by no means comprehensive.

  Location

  Barrage type

  Status

  Hull

  Flood surge

  Built

  Breydon Water (Norfolk)

  Flood surge

  Under investigation

  River Colne (Essex)

  Flood surge

  Built

  Thames

  Flood surge

  Built

  River Truro (Cornwall)

  Flood surge

  Built

  River Hayle (Cornwall)

  Flood surge/amenity

  Built

  Swansea

  Amenity

  Built

  Cardiff Bay

  Amenity

  Under construction

  River Usk (Newport)

  Amenity

  Proposed

  Tees

  Amenity

  Built

  River Adur (West Sussex)

  Amenity

  Proposed

  Severn

  Tidal power

  Proposed

  Mersey

  Tidal power

  Proposed

  Duddon (Cumbria)

  Road barrage

  Proposed

  The Wash

  Water supply

  Proposed

  Morecambe Bay

  Water supply

  Proposed

  Contaminated Metals
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information he has received since May 1997 from(a) the Environment Agency and (b) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, concerning interception of illegally imported radioactively contaminated metals; and what arrangements are in place to stop the recycling of imported contaminated metals. [66430]

  Mr. Meale
  Reports of such incidents are received from the Radioactive Substances Sub-Group of the UK Interpol Environment Crime Group. Since April 1997 we have received information about 5 incidents involving the interception of illegally imported radioactive contaminated metals.

  Imports of radioactively contaminated materials into the UK are regulated by the Environment Agency (EA) in England and Wales and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland, under the Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste Regulations 1993 and Council Regulation 1493/93 on shipments of radioactive substances between Member States. The reuse or recycling of such materials is regulated by EA and SEPA under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that the benefits of wind power in terms of pollution are given greater weight by planning inspectors when considering planning applications for wind-farms. [66329]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Inspectors must give appropriate weight to all material planning considerations when considering wind-farm proposals on a case by case basis.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many wind-farm projects have been refused planning permission in each of the last five years; [66226]

  (2) how many wind energy projects have been built in the last three years. [66227]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This information is not held by the Department and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Most planning applications are dealt with by local planning authorities.

  Water and Sewerage Companies
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will meet the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health to discuss its proposal that the Water Industry Act 1991 be amended to place a duty on water companies and OFWAT to operate in such a way as to protect public health and the environment. [66556]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government are deeply committed to protecting both the environment and public health. However, the Water Industry Act 1991 already places the Director General under a duty to consider the environment when formulating or considering any proposal relating to water companies' functions. In the context of the current review of utility regulation, we intend to strengthen this so that the Director General will be under a statutory duty to have regard to statutory guidance on social and environmental objectives in the exercise of his statutory functions.

  The 1991 Act also places a number of duties on the water and sewerage undertakers, and the protection of public health is at the core of these duties. The Water Industry Bill will further protect public health by removing water companies' ability to disconnect people's homes in the event of non-bill payment. There are therefore already clear duties on both the Director General and the water companies to take account of public health and the environment. Apart from strengthening the duties on the Director General through the utility regulation review, I do not see a need for further duties.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what method is used by OFWAT to determine the adequacy of investment in the sewerage network by the water and sewerage companies; and if he will make a statement. [66558]

  Mr. Meale
  Ofwat's approach to assessing the adequacy of capital maintenance expenditure on the sewerage network is to consider trends in the serviceability of assets 564
  to customers and to the environment and, if appropriate, allow for the expenditure levels to be adjusted at the next price review.

  In "Raising the Quality" (September 1998) we published guidance to the Director General of Water Services which suggested that sewerage companies should take a strategic approach to the maintenance of their sewerage assets by, for example, developing an assessment system similar to the one already used for water supply.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those water and sewerage companies which have met their targets on flooding from sewers and collapses(a) between 1990 and 1995 and (b) since 1995. [66559]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 19 January 1999,Official Report, columns 441–42, in response to a Question from the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Brake).

  Marine Pollution
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 12 January 1998,Official Report, column 187, if his reference to historic levels relates to pre-1998 levels; and if it is his intention to reduce concentrations under paragraph 15 of the Sintra statement to pre-1998 levels by 2020. [66560]

  Mr. Meale
  The UK is working with the other OSPAR Contracting Parties to establish a common understanding of "historic levels" and how these levels will relate to Member States' obligations under the Radioactive Substances Strategy agreed at Sintra. The UK will fully meet its international obligations agreed at Sintra and elsewhere.

  Docklands Light Railway
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide a report on the progress of Docklands Light Railway Limited. [67025]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have today placed in the Library of the House the Docklands Light Railway Limited' s (DLR Ltd) Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98.

  The railway continues to make excellent progress. Passenger numbers increased from 17 million to 23 million during the year and continue to grow. Excellent progress is being made on the extension of the railway to Lewisham and it is expected to be operational in time for the Millennium. DLR Ltd., now directly owned by the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions, assumed its new role as a holding company, with effect from 6 April 1997 and successfully franchised the railway's operation and maintenance to the private sector.

  Atmospheric Tests (Crosby)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give details of(a) the atmospheric-tests which have been

  565
  carried out by his Department in Crosby, (b) the test results and (c) the action which is being considered as a result; and if he will make a statement. [66709)

  Mr. Meale
  There are four Nitrogent Dioxide (NO2) Diffusion Tube Network sites in or near Crosby.

  Grid reference

  Site name

  Site address

  East

  West

  Crosby 1N

  39 Crosby Road North, Waterloo

  3322

  3985

  Crosby 2N

  Sycamore Road, Waterloo

  3322

  3986

  Crosby 3N

  39 Elton Avenue, Waterloo

  3314

  3999

  Bootle 2N

  23 Norman Road, Bootle

  3345

  3971

  A summary of the monthly NO2 concentrations for these sites, for calendar year 1997, is as follows. Concentrations are given in parts per billion by volume (PPb).

  Monthy summary of nitrogen dioxide concentrations 1997 Number of exceedences and maximum for each month

  Site name

  Crosby 1N Location K

  Crosby 2N Location I

  Crosby 3N Location B

  Crosby 2N Location B

  January

  43

  36

  —

  34

  February

  24

  14

  15

  22

  March

  35

  18

  15

  23

  April

  33

  22

  19

  20

  May

  32

  21

  14

  16

  June

  36

  17

  13

  15

  July

  27

  12

  7

  13

  August

  29

  20

  11

  14

  September

  26

  20

  14

  20

  October

  35

  25

  19

  26

  November

  44

  32

  28

  36

  December

  34

  23

  —

  26

  UK Smoke and SO2 Network

  Suspended particulate matter (as black smoke) and sulphur dioxide (as total acidity) are measured at one site in Crosby, CROSBY 3 situated at Merchant Taylor's School, Liverpool Road. The site is part of the UK Smoke and SO2 Monitoring network and has been in operation since 1979. It is in a predominantly residential (suburban) area. Mean concentrations of SO2 and smoke at this site for the year April 1997–March 1998 were 8Tgm-3 for smoke (British Standard calibration) and 18Tgm-3 for SO2. These values are below the UK means for the same period, which were 9Tgm -3 and 21Tgm -3 for smoke and SO2 respectively, based on the whole network. A summary of the statistics for this period is as presented.

  Code

  85503

  Site name

  Crosby 3

  Region

  North-West

  Authority

  Sefton

  Grid reference

  East

  3321

  North

  3990

  Summary of smoke data 1997–98

  Valid days

  49

  Max. gap

  15

  Arith. Mean

  8

  Median

  5

  98th percentile

  35

  Max. day

  84

  566

  Code

  85503

  Site name

  Crosby 3

  Region

  North-West

  Authority

  Sefton

  Grid reference

  East

  3321

  North

  3990

  Summary of SO2 data 1997–98

  Valid days

  349

  Max. gap

  15

  Arith. Mean

  18

  Median

  20

  98th percentile

  40

  Max. day

  68

  Abbreviations:

  "Valid Days" denotes the number of valid days data obtained for the year.

  "Max. Gap" is the maximum number of consecutive days for which no valid value was obtained.

  "Arith.mean" is the arithmetic mean of all daily values.

  "Median

  "98th percentile" is the 98th percentile for all daily values.

  "Max. Day" is the maximum daily value measured during the year. Further information and daily data up to September 1998, can be obtained via the World Wide Web, at DETR's Air Quality Archive at http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/airy/aqinfo.htm.

  The Government's policies with respect to improving air quality in the UK were published on 13 January, in the "Report of the Review of the National Air Quality Strategy". Copies of the report have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the(a) costs to date and (b) projected costs to the public purse of work associated with the Birmingham Northern Relief Road, including (i) land purchase, (ii) legal costs and (iii) policing costs; and what contribution to these costs will be made by Midland Expressway Ltd. [66414]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 20 January 1999]: Under the Concession Agreement with Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) the costs and risks of constructing the Birmingham Northern Relief Road (BNRR) and its link roads fall to MEL, though certain non-works costs involved in promoting a private finance scheme fall to the Government.

  The total cost to date of selecting the private sector promoter, negotiating the Concession Agreement and contributing to the statutory Order-making process is estimated at £9.8 million, of which £1 million is attributable to legal advice. Land acquisition and management costs are recoverable from the concessionaire. Policing costs are a matter for the Police Authority and the Home Office.

  Projected costs to the public purse associated with the BNRR include a contribution towards the reconstruction of the existing M42 near Water Orton to enable its use by BNRR traffic. Under the concession agreement the major part of the cost of this work is to be met by MEL, but the Department is to contribute a share currently estimated at £20 million. This takes into account that much of the traffic on that section will not use the BNRR.

  Further costs to the public purse could result from any changes imposed by the Department to the requirements of the concession agreement, for example, changes

  567
  reflecting revised engineering standards. Any imposed changes which involve extra costs to the Concessionaire have to be paid for by the Secretary of State. The present estimate of the agreed changes is a maximum of £1.5 million.

  In addition to these costs, about £11.4 million in the period until June 1991 was spent on the earlier proposals for a publicly financed Birmingham Northern Relief Road.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will have the power to insist on minimum staffing levels for the reorganised National Air Traffic Services. [66863]

  Dr. Reid
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to take powers to set either minimum or maximum staffing levels for NATS. Except where safety regulations prescribe minimum staffing levels, it will—as now—be for NATS' management to determine the staffing levels the company needs to discharge its obligations.

  Fair Rents
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to limit increases in registered fair rents; and if he will make a statement. [66937]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 January 1999,Official Report, columns 216–17.

  Housing
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the current tabulation of the distribution of the SAP rating of the housing stock. [66885]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Details of the distribution of SAP ratings in the housing stock will be included in an energy report of the 1996 English House Condition Survey due for publication this spring.

  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to consult on a best value framework for housing as announced in his statement on Housing and Regeneration Policy on 22 July 1998. [67438]

  Ms Armstrong
  We are today publishing a consultation paper, "Best Value in Housing Framework", allowing until 16 April 1999 for comments. Best value is a central part of the Government's agenda for modernising local government. Its application to housing, as one of the key functions undertaken by local authorities, is therefore of prime importance. Under the provisions in Part I of the Local Government Bill, currently before Parliament, local authorities will have to set, in consultation with tenants and others, tough targets for their investment programmes and for the quality of their service delivery. They will be judged by their performance. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 11 June 1998 a new Housing Inspectorate, under the auspices of the Audit Commission, will be established which will monitor their performance.
  568
  The consultation paper explains the framework within which local housing authorities will need to operate in obtaining best value in housing. It takes account of key housing issues such as the relationship between best value and the housing investment programme process; the role of tenants and residents; the read across to registered social landlords; and principles around the operation and establishment of the Housing Inspectorate. I have placed copies of the consultation paper in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Private Rental Deposits
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 January 1999,Official Report, column 306, concerning rental deposits, if a date has been set for the meeting with Ministers; and how its conclusions will be reported to hon. Members. [66883]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My officials have had constructive initial meetings with the organisations representing landlords, agents and tenants. In the light of these discussions, some of the organisations have asked to consult their members further. A date for the meeting with Ministers will be fixed very shortly, when these further discussions have taken place. I cannot say at this stage how or when I will report conclusions back to hon. Members.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to letters of 15 December 1997 (EE/P50/17203/97) and of 9 June (EE/P50/9738/98) to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what action has been taken as a result of the Environment Agency's report on its research using earthworms as indicator organisms of contaminated land. [65403]

  Mr. Meale
  Results from the study highlighted the need for further chemical analysis of the soils and earthworms to enable the biological and chemical data to be fully understood. The analytical work was completed in mid-December and is currently being evaluated and interpreted. A final report is expected in March 1999.

  Transport Planners
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the letter of 17 July 1998 (R/J/P50/8480/98/98) to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what progress has been made in developing a gender audit to assist transport planners. [65405]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Transport Studies Unit at the University of East London has been commissioned to produce the gender audit to assist transport planners and operators. The audit is due to be finalised in the summer of this year. As part of the development of the audit, there will be a number of focus groups with professionals, users and transport providers, and the Unit is creating a website to aid the exchange of ideas and information on what women's public transport needs are and how they can be met. A Steering Group will shortly be convening to discuss progress of the audit.

  Air Transport Users Council
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding is provided to the Air Transport Users Council from public bodies; and if he will list those bodies. [66827]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Air Transport Users Council is entirely funded by the Civil Aviation Authority which operates on a commercial basis receiving its income from airlines' fees and services provided to other bodies including the Government. The Council does not receive any public funds.

  Air Travel
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which Department has responsibility for monitoring the Warsaw Convention as it relates to air travel. [66826]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Responsibility for the monitoring of the Warsaw Convention rests with the International Civil Aviation Organisation. My Department has responsibility for policy matters relating to the Convention and the implementation of it in United Kingdom legislation. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible for the signature and ratification of new instruments and, when new instruments enter into force, is the recipient of formal communications from the Government of Poland.

  Traffic Congestion
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost to British industry of traffic congestion. [65218]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Last year's White Paper on the Future of Transport explained, as background to the new policy framework set out in that White Paper, that traffic congestion is costing the economy billions of pounds every year, and that traffic forecasts based on pre-White Paper policies pointed to more congestion and increasing costs. As mentioned in para. 1.7 of the White Paper, published estimates of the costs include the CBI's of £15 billion per annum, and National Economic Research Associates' of £7 billion per annum.

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has(a) conducted and (b) commissioned into the possibility of biotechnology causing irreversible contamination of the ecosystem. [66679]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has an ongoing research programme to assess the risk and potential impact of genetically modified (GM) organisms on the environment:(a) Research conducted and reports published by the DETR

  i. GM Crops and their Wild Relatives—a UK Perspective

  ii. Genetic Modification of Fish—a UK Perspective

  iii. Dispersal of GM Microorganisms by Abiotic Factors and Soil Invertebrates

  570

  iv. Risk Assessment and the Release of GM Microorganisms into the Pylloplane

  v. Risk Assessment and the Release of GM Microorganisms into the Rhizosphere

  vi. Risk Assessment and the Release of GM Microorganisms into the Environment

  vii. Gene Flow in Natural Populations of Brassica and Beta

  viii. Selectable Marker Genes in GM Organisms

  Research conducted and awaiting publication by the DETR

  i. Environmental Impact of GM Crops

  ii. Safety of Plant Viral Inserts

  iii. Investigation of Feral Oilseed Rape Populations

  iv. Review of GM Bioinsecticides

  v. Review of Parasitic Nematodes for Biological Control of Invertebrates

  (b) Research commissioned by the DETR and ongoing

  i. Environmental Impact of Insect Resistance in GM Plants

  ii. Impact of Multiple Tolerance in GM Plants

  iii. Environmental Impact of Disease Resistance in GM Plants

  iv. Assessment of the Biocontainment of GM Microorganisms in a Model Ecosystem

  v. Monitoring Large Scale Releases of GM Plants.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential for biotechnology to produce herbicide resistant weeds. [66683]

  Mr. Meacher
  All applications for the release of plants genetically modified for herbicide tolerance are accompanied by a risk assessment that considers the potential for the herbicide tolerant crop to become a persistent weed or for it to cross-pollinate wild relatives and produce herbicide tolerant hybrids. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) considers these applications on a case by case basis and advises the Government on the likelihood that herbicide tolerant weeks will result from the release of the genetically modified plant.

  My Department also funds research into the potential of biotechnology to create herbicide tolerant weeds. Completed and current projects are as listed:

  (i) GM Crops and their Wild Relatives—a UK Perspective

  (ii) Gene Flow in Natural Populations of Brassica and Beta

  (iii) Environmental Impact of GM Crops

  (iv) Investigation of Feral Oilseed Rape Populations

  (v) Impact of Multiple Tolerance in GM Plants

  (vi) Monitoring Large Scale Releases of GM Plants.

  Car Travel
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has received of the average number of miles driven by a non-company car driver in each of the last five years(a) in the course of work, (b) for travel from home to work and (c) for other reasons. [66912]
  571
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The average number of miles driven in a non-company car in each of the last five years is:

  Average annual vehicle mileage of non-company cars by year and by journey purpose: 1993–97

  Miles

  Year

  In the course of work

  Travel from home to work

  Other mileage

  Total mileage

  1993

  924

  2,468

  5,065

  8,475

  1994

  903

  2,459

  5,260

  8,623

  1995

  874

  2,428

  5,094

  8,396

  1996

  861

  2,446

  5,071

  8,378

  1997

  760

  2,468

  4,989

  8,217

  1995–97

  832

  2,447

  5,052

  8,331

  Source:

  National Travel Survey

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the average number of miles driven by a company car driver each year(a) in the course of work and (b) not in the course of work. [66910]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The average number of miles driven in a company car each year during the period 1995–97(a) in the course of work is 11,380 miles, and (b) not in the course of work is 11,230 miles.

  Source:

  National Travel Survey.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has(a) to reduce the number of discretionary journeys made in company cars not in the course of work and (b) to reform the system of allowances for business-related journeys. [66911]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The White Paper, "A New Deal for Transport", contains a wide range of proposals to encourage more sustainable car use, many of which should help to reduce private mileage in company cars. More specifically, the Government are committed to increasing the taxation on free fuel provided by companies for private motoring annually by 20 per cent. above usual pump price increases over the next five years, to discourage its provision. The Inland Revenue is also continuing to review how the company car taxation regime, covering both business and private mileage, might be structured to send better environmental signals.

  Gosport Marina
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlie the timescale for issuing a section 34 consent under the Coastal Protection Act 1949 to The Gosport Marina Limited in respect of its proposed redevelopment and construction of a 400 m section of the Millennium Promenade at Gosport. [66882]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Before granting his consent under the Coastal Protection Act 1949 my right hon. Friend has to consider any objections to the proposed works made on the ground of whether obstruction or danger to navigation is likely to result. In addition, Regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994 requires him to determine whether the 572
  plan or project is likely to have a significant effect on a European site for nature conservation. In respect of the proposals submitted by The Gosport Marina Limited we are currently considering the submissions made by objectors and advice in respect of the likely impact on the Portsmouth Harbour Special Protection Area.

  Local Government and Public Policy
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the research his Department has commissioned on cross-cutting issues relating to local government and public policy. [67439]

  Ms Armstrong
  Today, I am publishing two reports looking at how effective joint working, at both central and local levels, is at tackling a number of serious issues facing society today. These issues, like social exclusion, community safety, disaffected youth and sustainable development, cut across Government Departments.

  We need to know how we can improve the design and delivery of policies aimed at tackling these issues and we need to shift the emphasis from attempting to solve problems to preventing them. The two reports contain lessons from the experience of joint working and advice about future co-operation in working towards agreed outcomes.

  The research encourages everybody to look beyond short term, single issue approaches using a number of separate agencies to a more coherent, unified approach setting these issues in the widest possible context.

  This joined-up approach is not only more desirable, but has already proved to be more effective in emerging policies like Health Action Zones and the Best Value pilots in my own specific area of responsibility, local government.

  Darwin Advisory Committee
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the forthcoming financial management and policy review of the Darwin Advisory Committee. [67552]

  Mr. Meacher
  As part of the Government's programme of regular five-yearly financial, management and policy reviews of non-departmental public bodies my Department will conduct a thorough review of the Darwin Advisory Committee. The first stage of the review will take the form of a "prior options" study. This will assess the extent to which the Darwin Advisory Committee functions are necessary for the achievement of the Government's policies, and whether there is scope for contracting out or transferring all or part of its functions to another body.

  The progress made by the Darwin Advisory Committee since it was set up will be examined and the results of that examination and of the prior options study will inform a detailed review of the Darwin Advisory Committee's policy and financial management systems.

  I expect the reviews to last about 6–8 weeks. In carrying out the study my Department will consult widely with those who have an interest in the Committee's work.

  Tenant Participation Compacts
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish the consultation paper on local authority tenant participation compacts. [67597]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Government's proposals for increasing tenant involvement in the management of local authority housing will be published in the consultation paper, "Tenant Participation Compacts" on 25 January 1999. The proposals link with the proposals contained in the consultation paper "Best Value in Housing Framework", which are being published today and on which I have made a separate announcement.

  The consultation period will end on 31 March 1999 and a further announcement on the proposals will be made in May. I am arranging for copies of the consultation paper to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the special advisers in his Department and the issues on which they specialise; and to what level they have been security cleared. [62845]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The two Special Advisers in my Department are: Mr. Kieran Simpson and Mr. Tom Greatrex. I am advised by the Department that they both have the level of security clearance appropriate to the matters with which they deal. The areas of MAFF responsibilities with which they respectively deal are set out below:Mr. Simpson

  Agricultural Policy and the CAP

  Countryside and Rural Policy Issues

  Agricultural and Horticultural Commodities Production

  Forestry

  Pesticide Safety, Veterinary Medicines, Plant Health

  Research and Science

  Animal Welfare

  Departmental Administration and Establishment Issues

  Mr. Greatrex

  Fisheries

  External Trade

  Food and Drinks Industry Competition Issues

  Export Promotion

  Food Safety and Standards; Meat Hygiene

  Animal Health (including BSE)

  Flood Defence.

  Fishing Industry Initiatives
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the changes referred to in his New Year message to fishermen were initiatives from the industry itself. [66407]
  574
  Mr. Morley
  Changes in a number of areas were prompted by concerns put forward from within the fishing industry. These included the introduction of fixed quota allocations, action to link the registration and licensing of fishing vessels to the declaration of maximum continuous or permanently derated engine power, restrictive licensing for scallop dredging and measures to assist the replacement or introduction of pelagic freezer trawlers. Additionally, changes were made to EU rules to increase the selectivity of fishing gear, to increase the minimum leading sizes of shellfish and to extend the quota system to additional species of fish in the North Sea.

  BSE
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to test randomly the brains of slaughtered dairy cows for BSE. [66503]

  Mr. Rooker
  A study of brain tissue from cattle slaughtered in the Over Thirty Months Scheme was started on 4 January 1999. The aim is to collect, by the end of March, samples from 4,000 animals. The brain samples will be tested for the presence of abnormal prion protein (PrPSc) by two or more of the recently developed diagnostic tests, and also studied by histopathology for evidence of vacuolation. In compliance with a recommendation from SEAC, the study is being confined, in so far as is possible, to animals 5 years of age or over. 5 years is the average incubation period of BSE and PrPSc has been detected in brain tissue only quite late in the BSE incubation period.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what methods are available to confirm the diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy using brain materials from slaughtered animals. [66499]

  Mr. Rooker
  At the moment, all diagnostic tests for BSE using brain tissue rely upon the infectious agent having reached the central nervous system. Current evidence indicates that this event occurs late in the incubation period, shortly before clinical onset. Any diagnostic test applied earlier in the incubation period is therefore likely to produce a negative result, even if the animal is infected. Once infectivity has reached the central nervous system, several diagnostic options are theoretically possible although none will be absolute. In other words, there may be some false negative results and interpretation of positive results is still open to question, given that some of the available tests have not been fully validated. The options available include mouse inoculation, which could take up to three years to give a result; histopathological examination of the brain stem; extraction of "scrapie-associated fibrils"; or one of a range of immunologically based tests for the detection of abnormal prion protein. None of the latter have been fully validated as yet.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the percentage of suspected BSE cases that have been subsequently confirmed in each year from 1988 to 1998. [66504]
  575
  Mr. Rooker
  Of the cases placed under restriction in each calendar year and subsequently slaughtered, the following percentages were confirmed:

  Percentage

  Year of restriction

  Confirmation rate for Suspected BSE cases

  1988

  91.92

  1989

  88.54

  1990

  85.22

  1991

  86.24

  1992

  85.00

  1993

  83.66

  1994

  83.40

  1995

  83.36

  1996

  78.95

  1997

  81.30

  1998

  177.16

  1The 1998 figure is provisional; some results are still pending. It is unlikely that the full figures for 1998 will be available before the end of May 1999.

  Note:

  Data as at 8 January 1999

  Consultation (Farmers)
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library full copies of the responses received to the Government's current consultation process with farmers, with the analysis carried out of the responses by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [66365]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Farmers in England are being asked for their views on the implementation of proposals to reform the Common Agricultural Policy. Over 175,000 questionnaires have been sent out to farmers in England, asking them to indicate, by placing a tick in the appropriate box, whether they agree or disagree with options. Equivalent consultation exercises are being undertaken in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Although it would not be meaningful to place copies of all individual returned questionnaires in the Library, summaries and analyses of the returned questionnaires will be deposited in the Library at intervals.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what funding will be available for the Integrated Farming Initiative to limit the use of pesticides. [66590]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: The Department is committed to the encouragement of integrated farming and has spent over £1 million on research in this area in recent1 years, much of it through the LINK programme. The findings of this research were featured in a conference sponsored by MAFF in October 1998. Careful management of pesticide use is only one element of integrated farming and it would not be appropriate to single this out for dedicated funding.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations have taken place with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions concerning the implementation of a pesticide tax. [66591]
  576
  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: Extensive study of the issues surrounding the introduction of a possible pesticide tax has been carried out by ECOTEC Research & Consulting on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. An interdepartmental group of officials, including those from my own Department, oversaw the conduct of this research. Ministers have not so far discussed the consultant's conclusions.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 18 to 19 January; and if he will make a statement. [67011]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I represented the United Kingdom at a meeting of the EU Agriculture Council in Brussels on 18 and 19 January 1999.

  The German Presidency informed the Agriculture Council of the work programme for the coming six months, of which the principal focus would be completion of the negotiation for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the framework of Agenda 2000. In addition, the Presidency made it clear that the Council would discuss proposals on the annual CAP price fixing, animal welfare, consumer protection and organic livestock standards.

  The Council resumed its discussions of the Agenda 2000 CAP reform proposals by conducting an in-depth debate on reform of the beef and milk sectors. On behalf of the UK, I supported the Commission's proposal to reduce prices and abolish intervention buying in the beef sector, though with appropriate arrangements to safeguard the systems of extensively-reared beef production which is characteristic of the UK. On reform of the milk sector, I pressed the case for a more thorough-going reform than that proposed by the Commission, referring specifically to the proposal made by the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy and Sweden for reform in this sector which would lead to the eventual abolition of milk quotas.

  The German Presidency outlined a programme of work on the CAP aspects of Agenda 2000, leading up to the meeting of the Agriculture Council beginning on 22 February. They indicated their intention to try to draw the negotiation to a conclusion at that Council in view of the timetable laid down by Heads of Government in Cardiff and in Vienna for completion of the whole package of measures by the end of March 1999. I welcomed their commitment to reaching early agreement on these proposals.

CABINET OFFICE

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what has been the total expenditure and the
  577
  breakdown of expenditure in the Cabinet Office since May 1997 on (a) public opinion research, (b) television, radio and newspaper advertising, (c) direct mail and (d) publicity. [64186]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [pursuant to his reply, 11 January 1999, c. 93]: I regret that a previous reply was incomplete in respect of amounts spent by the Cabinet Office since May 1997 on public opinion research. The amount showed £481,200 when it should have read £750,108 the expenditure on television, radio and newspaper advertising, £220,164; on direct mail, £794,319; and on publicity, £1,158,469 remain unchanged. All figures are net of recoverable VAT.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Jury Deliberations
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to permit licensed jury deliberation research. [66693]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government have no plans to amend section 8 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, which effectively bars research into how a jury has conducted its deliberations. It is possible to conduct research into certain other aspects of the jury system without contravening the Contempt of Court Act. Any proposals received by the Government for such research are considered individually.

  Winter Fuel Allowance
  Winter Fuel Allowance
  Quieter Road Surfaces
  Quieter Road Surfaces
  Human Rights Task Force, Scotland
  Human Rights Task Force, Scotland
  Terrorist Training Camps
  Terrorist Training Camps
  Feasts of the Church: Shop Opening
  Feasts of the Church: Shop Opening
  General Pinochet
  General Pinochet
  Extradition: Defective Warrant
  Extradition: Defective Warrant
  Glasgow: Housing Debt
  Glasgow: Housing Debt
  Scottish Local Authorities: Housing Debt
  Scottish Local Authorities: Housing Debt
  Breast and Prostate Cancer Screening and Treatment Costs
  Breast and Prostate Cancer Screening and Treatment Costs
  Fluoridated Water
  Fluoridated Water