Written Answers of 26 January 1999

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the changes to the operational autonomy of National Air Traffic Services which will follow its reorganisation. [66859]

  Dr. Reid
  Detailed decisions on the public private partnership proposals for National Air Traffic Services will not be taken until after the consultation period closes on 31 January 1999. However, our preferred option, as set out in the consultation paper, would give NATS autonomy within a new framework, policed by an independent regulator.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlay his decision not to(a) retain National Air Traffic Services in public ownership and (b) privatise it completely. [66860]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government's reasons for proposing a public/private partnership for NATS, in preference to any other option, are set out in paragraphs 2–6 of the document "A public/private partnership for NATS: a consultation paper by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions", copies of which were placed in the Library of the House on 20 October 1998. In essence, we believe that a public/private partnership would provide an innovative solution to growing air traffic demands in the next century, while maintaining high standards of safety and performance through strong, independent, safety and economic regulation. A partnership would also:free NATS' investment and management decisions from Government financing constraints and enable private capital to be used in ways more appropriate to the business;
  provide the right structure of incentives and disciplines to maximise efficiency;
  provide NATS with the opportunity to develop its business, for example by expanding overseas, and manage itself in accordance with best private sector practice;
  clearly separate regulation from service provision so as to deliver greater accountability and transparency in NATS' operations;
  maintain sufficient rights and safeguards for Government to address public sector interests such as national security and the UK's international relationships;
  allow the taxpayer to share in the success of the company; and
  allow other transport schemes to benefit from the proceeds of the share sale.

  The consultation period ends on 31 January 1999.
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  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the ability of the reorganised National Air Traffic Services to guarantee necessary levels of investment. [66861]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government issued a consultation paper setting out our broad proposals for a public/private partnership (PPP) for National Air Traffic Services (NATS) on 20 October 1998. Decisions on the detail of the proposals will not be taken until after the consultation period closes on 31 January 1999. However, one of the main objectives of the PPP is to free NATS from public sector borrowing restrictions so that it can more easily invest for the future.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Civil Aviation Pension Scheme will continue to be open to(a) existing and (b) future members of staff of National Air Traffic Services after the proposed reorganisation of the service. [66862]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government are currently consulting on the details of future pension arrangements for staff of National Air Traffic Services (NATS), as part of the consultation exercise on the proposed public/private partnership for NATS. The Secretary of State hopes to make a statement in due course, after responses to the consultation have been considered.

  Pensioners' Travel Passes
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will preserve the rights of those low-income pensioners who are currently entitled to tokens redeemable against community bus and taxi fares when he implements his proposals for half-price travel passes. [66821]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are no statutory rights, as such, to a particular kind of arrangement for concessionary travel. It is for each local authority to decide what concessions to arrange for its residents. Consultation on the introduction of the standard minimum scheme will consider the future arrangements for token schemes.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to compensate local authorities in whose area there is a disproportionate number of pensioners when he implements his proposal for half-price bus travel permits. [66820]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Local authority expenditure receives support from the Government by means of Revenue Support Grant. All aspects of our proposal for a national minimum standard for concessionary travel, including finance and the formula for the distribution of RSG, will be subject of consultation with local government and other relevant organisations.

  Eurotunnel
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is Government policy that no vehicle powered by liquid
  155
  petroleum gas and no dual-powered vehicle may be transported on the Eurotunnel shuttle; and if he will make a statement. [67343]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Eurotunnel will need to obtain safety approval from the bi-national Intergovernmental Commission (acting on the advice of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority) before they can convey LPG- and dual-powered vehicles. Subject to this safety approval, the Government would welcome the opening of Shuttle services to these vehicles.

  Defence Estate
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned on the redevelopment of the Defence estate; and when it was published. [67128]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Fuller Peiser Property Consultants were commissioned in 1997 to review the existing policy context of Ministry of Defence disposals in England, and to advise Government on how they should seek to obtain value for money whilst having regard to the wider interest of Government. The Consultants' Report: "Development of the Redundant Defence Estate" has been received, and we are considering it. I expect to publish it shortly.

  Publicly Owned Sites
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had, and with whom, concerning the definition of public interest in the sale of publicly owned sites. [67129]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My officials will be discussing the definition of public interest as part of the remit of a working group of interested Departments. The group will be considering recommendations in the Fuller Peiser Property Consultants Report: "Development of the Redundant Defence Estate".

  Pesticides (Research)
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the research work which he has commissioned in connection with his pesticide minimisation policy; what are the terms of reference of that research; and if he will publish the results of the research. [67103]

  Mr. Meale
  My Department has commissioned several research projects in connection with the pesticide minimisation policy including: a study into the private costs and benefits of pesticide minimisation, carried out by RPA and Entec; an assessment of a range of economic instruments for pesticide minimisation, carried out by ECOTEC Research and Consulting; and research into the design of a tax/charge scheme for pesticides, also carried out by ECOTEC Research and Consulting. This last research considers the detailed design and potential impact of a charge or tax intended primarily to secure reductions in pesticide use, better targeting and substitution by less harmful pesticides or alternative techniques. A decision concerning publishing the results of this report will be made in due course.

  Waste Incineration
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the proposed EU directive on the incineration of waste; and if he will make a statement. [67038]

  Mr. Meale
  An Explanatory Memorandum (EM12791/98) on the proposal for a Council Directive on the incineration of waste was submitted to Parliament on 30 November 1998. Expert consultants are currently finalising a report on the proposal, on the basis of which a Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment will shortly be submitted to Parliament under a Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum.

  Highmoor Quarry, Oldham
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he has taken to ensure the compliance with the landfill site licence in respect of noxious smells at the Highmoor Quarry site in Oldham. [67225]

  Mr. Meale
  The Environment Agency is responsible for the supervision and enforcement of waste management licences and has provided the following information about odours at Highmoor Quarry.

  The licence for this site requires that
  "There shall be no offensive smells or other strong odours detectable outside the boundary of the site. All malodours detected shall be investigated and immediate steps taken to ameliorate the problem."

  The steps taken to ensure compliance with this licence condition include the Environment Agency's requiring the site operator to take measures to prevent the emission of odour. This resulted in the capping and covering of the leachate and monitoring wells and the engagement of "Entec" as consultants to carry out further investigation of odour emissions at the site. The consultants' report is due in the week beginning 25 January 1999.

  The Environment Agency is also carrying out its own investigations. It has established a "footprint" of odour sources at the site and submitted air samples for analysis of the odour constituents. This will enable the Agency to monitor for identified determinants at sensitive locations. As a part of its consideration of compliance with the licence, the Agency is registering all complaints about odours from the site and plotting their locations, with the intention of linking them to meteorological conditions.

  Parliamentary Travel Arrangements
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to recommend that hon. Members returning on parliamentary business to Heathrow and Gatwick airports are encouraged to return to Westminster by public transport. [67570]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: A key aim of our New Deal for Transport is to encourage individuals to switch modes, to drive less and to walk, cycle and use public transport more. The White Paper attaches particular importance to improving public transport links to airports for passengers and employees alike. Heathrow and Gatwick both already have excellent

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  public transport connections to Westminster, and major investments are now underway and planned to improve services further still.

  British Standard (Lead Replacement Petrol)
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to establish a British standard for lead replacement petrol in time for the withdrawal of leaded petrol for sale by 1 January 2000. [67360]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I am pleased to report that the British Standards Institution is well advanced with the preparation of a standard for lead replacement petrol. It is expected to be published during the summer months in good time for January 2000.

  Quality Partnerships (Freight)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to paragraph 1.43 of the White Paper, "A New Deal for Transport", what measures he proposes to facilitate quality partnerships for freight between local authorities and lorry operators. [67614]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: The draft guidance on Local Transport Plans, issued on 12 November 1998, explained that, as well as passenger transport, issues connected with freight distribution would need to be addressed within the plan. As stated in our Transport White Paper, our intention is that these be addressed through quality partnerships for freight.

  The draft guidance pointed to the practical guidance in "A Manual of Guidance for Local Authorities and Others: Lorries and Traffic Management" which was distributed to all local authorities in 1990, providing 256 pages of practical, low cost advice designed to promote efficient distribution of goods and minimise their environmental and social impacts. This manual is complemented by a booklet "Lorries in the Community" which provides the strategic context; explaining the potential impact of lorries in terms of congestion, pollution, noise, vibration and damage to the road infrastructure and the conflict that can arise between the need for access to town centres with the desire to improve safety for pedestrians and other road users. It explains the value of voluntary agreements and the value of the practical measures described in the manual in meeting the Government's goals for distribution.

  The Freight Transport Association has been promoting a best practice initiative "Delivering the Goods" which has helped put the ideas into practice.

  Over the coming months the Department will develop further guidance by drawing together best practice and experience on how to go about establishing quality partnerships. Through sharing this experience with as wide an audience as possible, we will provide further, practical advice to local authorities.

  By bringing environmental, social, planning and business objectives together, partnerships can play a key part in promoting a more sustainable system for goods distribution. We intend to develop this theme further in a follow up to the White Paper on sustainable distribution.

  Bridges
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the changes in mileage undertaken by(a) heavy vehicles and (b) freight trains as a consequence of the implementation of the bridge strengthening requirements of EU Directive 85/3/EEC. [67591]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department has no information on the extent to which heavy goods vehicle mileage or freight train mileage may have been influenced by any weight limits placed on bridges as a result of the higher lorry weights allowed since 1 January this year under EU Directive 85/3/EEC.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) amounts expressed at 1999 prices and (b) percentages of moneys were allocated to highway authorities under TPPs related to bridge strengthening works, for each year since 1987. [67592]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Separate figures cannot be given for bridge strengthening only. The following table shows annual allocations to English local highway authorities for bridge maintenance, assessment and strengthening, both in 1999 prices and as a proportion of the total allocations as part of the Transport Policies and Programme (TPP) system. Prior to 1991–92, these resources were allocated as part of the Revenue Support Grant settlement and could not be separately identified.

  Year

  Bridge maintenance assessment and strengthening allocations at 1999 prices (£ million)

  Percentage of total TPP allocations

  1991–92

  111

  12

  1992–93

  132

  13

  1993–94

  159

  13

  1994–95

  156

  15

  1995–96

  136

  13

  1996–97

  109

  12

  1997–98

  92

  12

  1998–99

  84

  13

  1999–2000

  128

  20

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the first bridge strengthening project began in implementation of EU Directive 85/3/EEC; what percentage by mile of work required has been completed to date; and when he expects work required under the Directive to be completed. [67594]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The first strengthening of a Highways Agency bridge under the current assessment and strengthening programme was carried out in 1989. Of the Highways Agency's bridges which require strengthening, some two thirds have been permanently strengthened to date and the remainder have been safeguarded pending permanent strengthening. The permanent strengthening work is expected to be completed in 2001. There is no estimate by mile of the work required to implement EU Directive 85/3/EEC but the whole motorway and trunk road network is operational for HGVs. This network carries 57 per cent. of goods vehicle traffic.
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  About 85 per cent. of the assessments of structures on local roads in England are complete and of these some 95 per cent. now meet the new load-bearing standard.

  As assessments are not yet complete, it is not possible to determine when local road bridge strengthening work will be completed. Not all of this work, however, is a requirement of Directive 85/3/EEC. Authorities' programmes include strengthenings which meet the needs of their local communities as well as those on routes of greatest strategic importance for HGVs.

  Railways (Rolling Stock)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals the Rail Franchising Director has received from the rolling stock companies to enable the replacement of Mark 1 rolling stock during the life of the existing franchises of Connex South Central and South West Trains. [67774]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Franchising Director has not received any such proposals from the rolling stock companies. As I said in the answer to the hon. Member on 12 January 1999,Official Report, columns 102–04, it is the responsibility of the train operators to make such arrangements with rolling stock companies as may be necessary to meet either their commitments to the Franchising Director or any requirements of the Health and Safety Executive. The Government are considering recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive that all Mark 1 rolling stock on the network should be modified or rebodied by 2003 and any modified stock replaced by 2007.

  Car Parks
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he gives to(a) train operating companies and (b) bus operators in respect of car parking charges at their stations. [67588]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. It is entirely a matter for the train operating companies and the bus operators concerned to determine car parking charges at their stations.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposal

  Cause

  Delays in 1995–96

  Delays in 1996–97

  Delays in 1997–98

  Delays in 1998–99 (36 weeks only)

  Anti-social behaviour

  5,254

  5,485

  5,645

  3,775

  Passenger ill/injured

  608

  604

  676

  539

  Person on track

  308

  327

  375

  266

  Unattended luggage

  446

  748

  482

  223

  Terminus management

  5,276

  5,656

  8,315

  8,709

  Driving technique

  602

  743

  747

  666

  Possession overrun

  115

  96

  114

  114

  Signal/points

  2,494

  2,323

  2,827

  1,941

  Other track

  959

  1,007

  907

  589

  Rolling stock

  15,102

  14,873

  18,088

  14,011

  All other incidents

  1,953

  1,505

  1,427

  1,189

  Total

  33,117

  33,476

  39,603

  32.022

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  he has for the future of the transitional relief system affecting business rates beyond 2000; and if he will make a statement. [67647]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No decision has yet been taken on whether to have a transitional rate relief scheme following the revaluation in April 2000. Before making a decision we need accurate and detailed information on how the revaluation will affect rate bills. This information will be available in the second half of this year, and we shall announce our decision then.

  London Underground
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on(a) train, (b) signal and (c) track failures in each year since 1994–95, for all the lines on London Underground. [67904]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London Transport works hard to minimise the incidence of equipment failure and its consequent impact on passenger service. I understand from London Transport that the figures from 1994–95 are as follows:

  Summary of numbers London Underground Ltd. train delays: track, signal/points and rolling stock only by incident group and financial year (1994–95/1998–99)

  Signal points

  Other track

  Rolling stock

  Delays in 1994–95

  2,349

  659

  16,123

  Delays in 1995–96

  2,494

  959

  15,102

  Delays in 1996–97

  2,323

  1,007

  14,873

  Delays in 1997–98

  2,725

  881

  17,801

  Delays in 1998–99 (36 weeks only)

  1,941

  589

  14,011

  Full 1998–99 statistics are not yet available as London Underground Ltd.'s data collection year covers 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999. Therefore the 1998–99 figures represents 36 weeks only

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the causes of disruption and delays on London Underground in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99. [67903]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London Transport monitors the causes of disruption and delay to London Underground under eleven categories. Its figures, for the years in question, are as follows:
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  Full 1998–99 statistics are not yet available as London Underground Ltd's data collection year covers 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999. Therefore the 1998–99 figures represent 36 weeks only.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Government plans for the funding of London Underground's investment for 1998 to 2003 and past spending from 1992 to 1997. [67905]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London Transport currently funds investment from a mix of Government grant, operating surplus, and private finance, through which investment in the Underground over the next two years (1998–99 and 1999–00) will be around £1 billion. Under our plans for a public/private partnership for London Underground, our aim is to secure high and stable investment in modernising and maintaining the system, managed and financed by the private sector, under-contracts through which they will be remunerated in accordance with the delivery of required performance levels:

  Over the period 1992–1997, Underground investment ran at an historically high level, in large part reflecting spending on the Jubilee Line Extension. But planned investment in the core network was scaled back dramatically in the light of the cuts imposed in the then Government's November 1996 budget. We have made available an extra £365 million grant for 1998–99 and 99–00 to help redress the shortfall in planned investment caused by this cut, and to cover preparation for implementing our public private partnership policy.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on establishing liability in the case of a serious infrastructure failure on London Underground after concessions have been awarded to private companies. [67906]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Public/Private Partnership contracts that London Underground are currently developing will specify the respective rights and responsibilities of the London Underground operating company and the infrastructure contractors. There will be a simple and robust procedure for allocating responsibility for asset failures that will form part of the day-to-day process for managing the contacts.

  Work is still continuing to develop the details, but, if a serious infrastructure failure results in damage to the operating company's property or injuries to its employees or members of the public, the general principle will be that the party responsibility for the failure will bear the financial consequences. An appropriate liability regime and insurance requirements will be put into place.

  Rail Passengers (Mobility Difficulties)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that train companies provide improved services for passengers with mobility difficulties. [66757]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations, which came into effect on 1 January this year, require new trains coming into service from that date to be fully accessible to disabled people, including those travelling in wheelchairs.
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  In addition, the Rail Regulator publishes a Code of Practice "Meeting the Needs of Disabled Passengers" which offers practical advice and guidance to train operating companies on the needs of disabled people. Operators are required to take the Code of Practice into account when producing their Disabled People's Protection Polices for approval by the Regulator, in accordance with the requirements of their operators' licences.

  The Strategic Rail Authority will inherit the Rail Regulator's duties relating to disabled passengers.

  Mersey Transport Authority
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with the Mersey Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement. [66756]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have held no recent formal discussions with Merseytravel although they were among many bodies who attend the North West Regional Transport Partnership Meeting in November last year.

  Public Transport (Service Levels)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which private(a) bus companies and (b) rail companies he has held discussions with during the last 12 months about the standard of services which they provide; and if he will make a statement. [67152]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My colleagues and I have met a number of bus operators over the last 12 months to discuss a range of issues, including standards of service and our policies for promoting bus Quality Partnerships. The Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Transport and I met all rail franchisees and Railtrack on 26 November to agree short term measures to improve performance. A larger rail summit will be held on 25 February to look at the long-term improvement of standards across the rail network.

  Gloucestershire County Council (Structure Plan)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he held with Gloucestershire County Council officers and elected representatives about its structure plan before appointing the panel to carry out its examination in public; and if he will make a statement. [67157]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Officials from the Government Office for the South West met officials of the County Council on various occasions and made formal objections to the deposit draft of the structure plan. I understand the report of the panel, who held the Examination in Public, was published on 11 January. I cannot comment further on the matter as the Secretary of State has a statutory role to play.

  Tewkesbury Borough Council (Local Plan)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Tewkesbury Borough Council about its Local Plan in the last year. [67061]
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  Mr. Raynsford
  Officials from the Government Office for the South West met officials of the Borough Council to discuss their consultation draft Local Plan last year.

  Land Use Planning Requirements
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received following the consultation paper, Draft Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations: 1999, to give effect to the land use planning requirements of the EC Directive (96/82/EC); and if he will make a statement. [68083]

  Mr. Caborn
  The consultation paper on the Draft Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations: 1999 was issued on 2 December 1998. To date, 27 responses have been received from business, local government and environmental organisations. A list of responses has been placed in the Library of the House and copies of all the responses have been placed in the DETR library. The Government are considering these responses.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting between the Minister of Transport and the Singapore Minister of Communications held on 21 January; and if he will allow bilateral negotiations with Singapore concerning airline services to proceed, notwithstanding the present deadlock in US/UK negotiations. [67652]

  Dr. Reid
  Mr. Mah Bow Tan, Singapore Minister of Communications, and I had a useful exchange of views during our meeting on 21 January. The bilateral negotiations concerning air service will take place next month as planned.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what assessment he has made of the steps taken by the National Audit Office to increase public awareness of its work. [65558]

  Mr. Sheldon
  The Commission attaches considerable importance to public awareness of the work of the National Audit Office and this is essential to the public accountability process.

  The National Audit Office has a constructive relationship with the media. Copies of reports are circulated widely along with a short press notice giving details of the key points.

  The National Audit Office also publishes an annual report. This is available to journalists, audited bodies, academics, interest groups, professional bodies and the public and can also be found on the Office's web site. The National Audit Office's most recent annual report, Helping the Nation Spend Wisely, was published in July 1998 and describes its work and how it has saved the taxpayer more than a billion pounds over the last three years.
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  In addition the Comptroller and Auditor General and the National Audit Office are always willing to speak, and write, about their work when invited to do so.

DEFENCE

  101 Battalion REME (Chorley)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many elements of the financial assessment of the move of HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry had been costed prior to the decision being taken; [65018]

  (2) what cost centres his Department plans to take account of when assessing the potential savings of moving HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry. [65013]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Prior to the decision being taken to transfer HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry, HQ Land Command assessed property disposal values, TA Centres running costs, projected refurbishment/improvement costs, and the cost of providing alternative facilities for those cadet units affected by the restructuring.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date the final draft of the Ministry of Defence publication, "Modern Forces for the Modern World: A Territorial Army for the Future" was(a) approved by Ministers, (b) approved by Commander in Chief Land Command and (c) sent for printing; [65011]

  (2) when the document on the future structure of the Territorial Army published on 17 November was sent to the printers; and how far in advance of that date the decisions announced therein were taken. [65314]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  It was for Ministers to approve the document "Modern Forces for the Modern World: A Territorial Army for the Future", which they did on 4 November. The document was sent to the printers on 6 November and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was able to announce his decisions on the future of the TA on 17 November 1998,Official Report, columns 749–70.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the average total cost, at full establishment and (b) what percentage of that relates to salaries in financial year 1998–99, of (i) an Armoured Infantry Battalion, (ii) Mechanised Infantry Battalion, (iii) Light Infantry Role Battalion, (iv) TA Infantry Battalion, (v) TA Fire Support Battalion, (vi) RAC Armoured Regiment (MBT), (vii) RAC Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (Scimitar), (viii) TA Reconnaissance (Landrovers), (ix) RA Regiment 1555mm AS90, (x) RA Regiment 105 Light Gun, (xi) RA Regiment MLRS, (xii) RA Regiment Javelin, (xiii) RA Regiment Rapier, (xiv) RA Regiment HVM, (xv) RE Armoured Divisional Engineer Regiment, (xvi) RE Field Squadron, (xvii) RE Amphibious Engineer Squadron, (xviii) RE EOD Squadron, (xix) RE AS Squadron, (xx) TA Field Squadron, (xxi) TA AS Squadron, (xxii) Royal Corps of Signals, (xxiii) Signal Regiment, (xxiv) Independent Squadron, (xxv) TA Independent Squadron, (xxvi) RLC,

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  (xxvii) General support regiment RLC, (xxviii) Divisional support Squadron, (xxix) Brigade support Squadron, (xxx) TA Ration Squadron, (xxxi) REME Support Battalion, (xxxii) RAMC Field Hospital, (xxxiii) RAMC Field Ambulance, (xxxiv) TA Field Hospital, (xxxv) TA Field Ambulance, (xxxvi) Royal Military Police Company and TA Company, (xxxvii) Intelligence Corps Company and TA Company, (xxxviii) Army Air Corps, (xxxix) Squadron Lynx/TOW and (xl) Headquarters and Staff. [66845]

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

  Armed Forces (Youth Recruitment)
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of those currently serving in the armed forces joined when under 18 years of age. [66221]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The numbers of those serving in the Armed Forces at 1 December 1998 who joined when they were under 18 years of age is as follows:

  Total

  Officers

  Other Ranks

  Total

  83,490

  12,560

  80,930

  Naval Service

  18,861

  1226

  18,635

  Army

  46,608

  2,247

  44,361

  Royal Air Force

  18,021

  187

  17,934

  1 The Naval Service and Royal Air Force figures exclude those Officers who have previously been promoted from the ranks as the relevant data is not held centrally.

  HMS Invincible
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if HMS 'Invincible' had a full ship's company on board when she left Portsmouth recently. [66698]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  HMS Invincible sailed from Portsmouth with a crew of 635, which represents 96.5 per cent. of her full crew complement.

  HMS Intrepid
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision on the future of HMS Intrepid. [66699]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Strategic Defence Review confirmed our plans to replace HM Ships Intrepid and Fearless with two new amphibious assault ships early in the next decade. It is planned that HMS Intrepid will remain in service, at low readiness, until 2001. On current plans, she will be replaced by HMS Albion in 2002.

  Trident
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid in each of the last five years to the US Government to guarantee the servicing of the UK Trident missile stock; and if this money is part of the estimated Trident running costs. [66825]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No payments have been made to the US specifically to guarantee the servicing of UK Trident missile stock. I refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 18 November 1998,Official Report, column 633,
  166
  to his earlier question and to my letter to him of 26 November 1998, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much of the money paid by the UK to the US Government on Trident to be spent during fiscal year 1999 is for items essential to maintain the continued operational availability of the UK Trident system; [67042]

  (2) if he will list the items to be purchased from the money authorised recently to be paid to the US Government as the UK share of the fiscal year 1999 Trident procurement programme. [67041]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 19 November 1998,Official Report, column 713, and to the letter I sent him on 26 November 1998, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House.

  Submarines
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the crew numbers of the Swiftsure class of submarines are up to full complement; how many officers and men are on each submarine; and if he will make a statement. [67249]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Crew numbers for operational Swiftsure submarines are maintained at the full complement level of 16 officers and 121 men. Submarines in refit and not required for sea duty have a reduced ship's company fluctuation around a core of eight officers and 58 men. Currently one of the five S class submarines is in refit and is manned by six officers and 44 men. Reduction in non operational crew numbers is an approved policy to help maintain operational complements at the full level.

  Atomic Weapons Establishment
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of AWE Company Security, Environment, Safety and Health Systems Analysis reports. [67213]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have arranged for this to be done.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of his officials is responsible for co-ordinating his Department's action on the millennium bug. [66753]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 21 January 1999]: As announced to the House last year, the MOD official responsible for our Year 2000 programme is the Director-General Information and Communications Services, Mr. Andrew Sleigh.

  National Defence Industries Council
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the membership of the National Defence Industries Council and its working parties; and how these have changed since 1996. [67297]

  Mr. Spellar
  Membership comprises, on the Government side, Minister and senior officials from the MOD, together with DTI representation. The industry
  167
  side consists of a number of senior company representatives, the President or agreed representatives of the four major trade associations in the sector, British Marine Equipment Council, Defence Manufacturers' Association, Federation of the Electronics Industry, Society of British Aerospace Companies, and the Secretary of the Defence Industries Council. All appointments to the National Defence Industries Council are of a personal nature and subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Defence.
  Membership, January 1999 Government

  Secretary of State for Defence (Co-Chairman)

  Minister for Defence Procurement

  Under-Secretary of State for Defence

  Permanent Under-Secretary of State

  Chief of Defence Procurement

  Head of Defence Export Services

  Deputy Chief of Defence Procurement (Support)

  Chief Scientific Adviser

  Minister for Energy and Industry, DTI

  Head of Aerospace Division, DTI

  Industry

  Sir Ralph Robins (Co-Chairman)

  Sir Colin Chandler

  Mr. Clive Dolan

  Lord Simpson of Dunkeld

  Sir Richard Evans

  Mr. M. Jay

  Sir David Lees

  Mr. David Marshall

  Sir Geoffrey Pattie

  Mr. J. E. V. Rose

  Membership, February 1996 Government

  Secretary of State for Defence (Co-Chairman)

  Minister for Defence Procurement

  Under-Secretary of State for Defence

  Permanent Under-Secretary of State

  Chief of Defence Procurement

  Head of Defence Export Services

  Deputy Chief of Defence Procurement (Support)

  Chief Scientific Adviser

  Minister for Energy and Industry, DTI

  Head of Aerospace Division, DTI

  Industry

  Sir Ralph Robins (Co-Chairman)

  Mr. Ken Batten

  Sir Colin Chandler

  Sir Barry Duxbury

  Mr. Tony Edwards

  Mr. Richard Evans

  Sir David Lees

  Mr. Ian MacBean

  Lord Prior

  Mr. D. J. Wright.

  168
  It would be a daunting task to list the great numbers of names of those who contributed to the important work of NDIC over the past three years and especially in relation to the Strategic Defence Review, SDR.

  Military Sales (United States)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total value of goods made in and exported from the UK ordered by the US Department of Defense in each of the last 10 years. [67418]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: The MOD is currently working with the FCO and the DTI to prepare the Government's first Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls. The Report will include details of export licence applications for UK Military List items and details of such equipment exported by customer country with annual values. When the Report has been issued I will write to my hon. Friend concerning the information requested for previous years.

  Departmental Estates
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total(a) asset and (b) rateable value of his Department's property and estates in (i) the UK and (ii) Scotland. [66844]

  Mr. Spellar
  The total asset value of the UK Department Estate measured in terms of its existing use to the Ministry of Defence as at 1 April 1998, is approximately £12 billion and the Scottish Estate is approximately £1.5 billion.

  The total rateable value of the UK Estate is approximately £430 million and that of the Scottish Estate is approximately £49 million.

  Both sets of figures include the TAVRA estate.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the PFI proposals under consideration in Renfrewshire; and if he will make a statement. [66995]

  Mr. Spellar
  There is currently one PFI proposal under consideration in Renfrewshire. My Department selected Bannockburn Homes (a Consortium led by John Mowlem and Co. PLC) as the preferred bidder for the provision of Service Family Accommodation for 164 Army families in Central Scotland. Part of the requirement was to be fulfilled by the construction of 61 houses at Craigton Farm, Bishopton, Renfrewshire but on 21 January 1999 Renfrewshire District Council rejected the planning application. Bannockburn Homes, led by Mowlem and Co. PLC are now considering alternative arrangements.

  Chemical and Biological Weapons
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his review of actions necessary to ensure a coherent UK response to threats from biological and chemical weapons. [67697]

  Mr. George Robertson
  This is an important area of work. I will publish the outcome of the review as soon as possible.
  169
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the formal programme of co-operation he has agreed with the United States on the threat to armed forces from chemical and biological weapons. [67694]

  Mr. George Robertson
  A US/UK Joint Venture Oversight Group on the defence response to the threat posed by chemical and biological weapons has been established. The first meeting took place in Washington on 14 December 1998 and agreed the basis on which work would be carried forward in the areas of policy, operational assessment and technical co-operation. We will build on this exchange as a means of developing further the already strong defence capabilities of both countries.

  We also continue to value highly our long-standing collaborative arrangements with the US through the trilateral (UK/US/Canada) Memorandum of understanding (MOU) and the quadripartite (UK/US/Canada/Australia) arrangements represented by the Technical Collaboration Programme (TTCP) on chemical and biological defence.

  Uranium
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if United Kingdom production levels of highly enriched uranium are adequate to meet current demand; and if he will make a statement. [67696]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, South-East (Mr. Iddon) on 25 January 1999,Official Report, column 12.

  Lieutenant Colonel K. R. Pople
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce the decision on Chapter 62 administrative action being taken against Lieutenant Colonel K.R. Pople. [67695]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No, this action is entirely a matter between the individual concerned and the Army authorities. I would therefore withhold such information under Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information as it relates to the privacy of an individual.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Prime Minister which Minister is to convene the Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification; what is the remit of the Group; and to which Minister it will report. [67352]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: The Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification is a Cabinet Committee chaired by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office. Its terms of reference are to consider issues relating to biotechnology, in particular those arising from genetic modification.

  Stephen Lawrence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Government will erect a memorial or name a building in a central part of London in memory of Stephen Lawrence. [67369]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary met Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence on 24 June 1997 and told them that they would have our full support if they wished to establish some form of memorial to their son Stephen.

  I understand that Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have decided that a charitable trust to award scholarships and bursaries to assist young people to study architecture is a fitting way to remember Stephen in a positive way. The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust was launched on 11 September 1998 and I was very pleased to send a message of support.

  There is also a memorial stone at the bus stop in Eltham where Stephen was attacked.

  However, if Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence want a further memorial we would, of course, consider the matter again and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will discuss this with them when he next meets them.

  Right hon. Member for Hartlepool
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of the dates on which he has discussed Government business with the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) since 1 January. [67769]

  The Prime Minister
  The business of Government is a matter for Ministers; however, I have meetings with hon. Members on a wide range of Government policies, and will continue to do so.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Former Colonies (Public Service Pensions)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the number of UK citizens resident in the United Kingdom who worked in administration, education or other public services in the former colonies who currently rely on pensions from that service for their income. [66630]

  Clare Short
  As at 15 January 1999, the Department for International Development (DFID) were paying 10,976 service pensions and 7,159 dependants' pensions to UK residents in respect of public service in the former colonies. Those involved are covered by HMG's pension protection arrangements. We do not hold information on the individual pensioner's citizenship, although most are likely to be British nationals. Nor can pension recipients be split by occupation as this information is not held centrally.

  In addition to those pensioners paid by DFID, there are many former colonial public servants who do not qualify under these arrangements and who are paid their pensions directly by the present day governments of the former colonial territories. We have no way of knowing the numbers paid in this way.

  Jubilee 2000
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress of the Jubilee 2000 Campaign. [66900]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  Jubilee 2000 campaigns continue to increase public awareness of the importance of securing effective debt relief for heavily indebted countries.

WALES

  National Assembly
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial provision he has made for informing the public about(a) the voting system for elections to the National Assembly for Wales and (b) general information about the Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [66481]

  Mr. Michael
  An overall budget of some £2 million has been allocated to the National Assembly Information Campaign to ensure that the electorate is able to vote in full knowledge of the Assembly's powers and of how the Additional Member system works. In addition, a public information and Education service will be established within the Office of the Presiding Officer. That service will publish a range of information factsheets to inform the public and educational institutions about the National Assembly. Financial provision for this service has not yet been finalised.

  Quangos
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the quangos which were operating in April 1997 which subsequently have had their powers transferred to other quangos. [67232]

  Mr. Michael
  Since April 1997, the powers of the Development Board for Rural Wales and the Land Authority for Wales have been transferred to the Welsh Development Agency.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that emergency services in Wales achieve millennium date change compliance. [67455]

  Mr. Michael
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has taken steps to ensure that all necessary measures are taken by the police and fire services in Wales to prepare for the Millennium date change. I have sought to reinforce the sense of urgency and the need for co-operation with local authorities and other public services in preparing for all possible contingencies.

  The Welsh Ambulance Trust has responsibility for ensuring Year 2000 compliance of emergency ambulance services. An All Wales Co-ordinating Group has been established to oversee the activities being undertaken by all NHS Trusts and Authorities. The Group is chaired by the Director of the Welsh Office Health Department. An independent assessment of preparations is also being provided by District Audit.
  172
  To ensure that there is no material disruption to any of these essential services over the Millennium period, I have invited senior members from the police, fire and NHS in Wales to participate in a high level co-ordinating forum. Representatives from other sectors with responsibility for the provision of key public services will also attend and I will keep progress under close review.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what strategic guidance and targets he has set for the enlarged Welsh Development Agency; and if he will make a statement. [68046]

  Mr. Michael
  I have written to the Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) informing him of the revised strategic guidance for the WDA until March 2000 and consolidated targets for 1998–99 following the merger with the Development Board for Rural Wales and the Land Authority for Wales. Copies of that letter have been sent to all right hon. and hon. Members representing Welsh constituencies. Copies have also been placed in the Library of the House.

  The strategic guidance is for eighteen months to March 2000; but it will be subject to review by the National Assembly, who will also set targets for financial year 2000–01 and beyond.

  The consolidated targets for 1998–99 take account of the half year pre-merger targets set by my predecessor and performance against them. I have, however, asked the WDA fundamentally to review the nature of the targets for 1999–2000 and beyond. In doing this I want the Agency to set very clear objectives which focus its work and reflect the Government's priority of spreading prosperity to all parts of Wales.

  Concessionary Bus Fares
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those councils which issue(a) bus passes and (b) bus tokens to pensioners. [67284]

  Mr. Hain
  All authorities in Wales provide bus passes as part of their concessionary travel schemes, with the exception of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys who issue tokens. I understand that each of these authorities is considering the possibility of switching from tokens to passes.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each local authority in Wales the amount of money allocated for meeting the costs of concessionary bus fares for pensioners for(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [67283]

  Mr. Hain
  It is for local authorities to make financial provision for their concessionary fares schemes from the resources available to them, and authorities will not yet have set their budgets for 1999–2000. Authorities are free to determine the nature of their concessionary fares schemes, although from April, 1 expect all local authorities in Wales to be operating schemes which at least meet the minimum standard of £5 for a bus pass and half fare for bus travel for pensioners. The increases in net total standard spending announced on 9 December included sufficient funds for this.

  Swansea City Council
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the outstanding(a) total and (b) per capita level of loan debt of Swansea City Council at 31 March 1997. [67285]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The table in the official record of the answer I gave on this matter on 19 November 1998,Official Report, columns 806–07, excluded the information for Swansea. The complete table including Swansea is as follows:

  Outstanding loan debt as at 31 March 19971

  £000

  £per head

  Blaenau Gwent

  62,544

  857

  Bridgend

  90,155

  690

  Caerphilly

  94,757

  560

  Cardiff

  210,456

  668

  Carmarthenshire

  114,822

  679

  Ceredigion

  44,380

  638

  Conwy

  75,111

  679

  Denbighshire

  69,231

  766

  Flintshire

  102,728

  709

  Gwynedd

  86,287

  733

  Isle of Anglesey

  55,723

  831

  Merthyr Tydfil

  41,480

  714

  Monmouthshire

  44,522

  513

  Neath Port Talbot

  108,393

  777

  Newport

  114,482

  837

  Pembrokeshire

  85,934

  756

  Powys

  101,715

  818

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  139,068

  579

  Swansea

  196,049

  852

  Torfaen

  76,066

  841

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  78,033

  657

  Wrexham

  83,316

  666

  Wales

  2,075,253

  710

  1 Outstanding loan debt on council fund. Includes amounts of debt inherited from predecessor authorities for which the authority has agreed to pay financing costs.

  Source:

  Outstanding loan debt as set out in The Local Government Finance Report (Wales) 1998–99 (Revised)

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Defence Exports
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed by Government departments and agencies to assist in supporting and promoting defence exports; and at what cost. [66038]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Defence Export Services Organisation DESO within the Ministry of Defence is principally responsible for co-ordinating Government support for British defence exports. For Financial Year 1997–98, DESO employed some 680 staff and the gross expenditure was £55.8 million. This was offset by receipts of £34.6 million from customer governments to meet in full the cost of Project Offices
  174
  dealing with Government-to-Government programmes. Of the remaining £21.2 million, £6.8 million was covered by receipts, leaving a net operating cost attributed to the DESO budget of £14.4 million.

  DESO costs are more than offset by benefits to the defence budget arising from DESO activity:
  Around £50 million annual cash receipts on average over the last five years from Commercial Exploitation Levy.
  About £70–90 million cash annually from disposal sales receipts over the last five years.
  Around £400 million in the last financial year saved on procurement costs by spreading fixed overheads across longer production runs.

  Other Government Departments carry out activities which support British defence exports but the information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Prepayment Gas Meters
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the standing charges for gas consumers who use prepayment meters. [65970]

  Mr. Battle
  I believe that it is essential to tackle issues surrounding fuel poverty. In this respect, I have on a number of occasions made my concerns clear to both the Director General of Gas Supply and to the gas industry. Following on from this, the Director General is currently looking at ways of revising of Ofgas Social Dimension Action Plan to identify actions which will provide solutions to the problems of the fuel poor, including looking at ways of reducing the costs of prepayment meters, and at addressing the needs of other low income customers who pay by other methods.

  Horizon Programme
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will implement the Horizon Programme throughout the network of Post Office Counters. [65881]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Benefits Agency/Post Office Counters Ltd. automation project was commissioned under the Government's private finance initiative with ICL Pathway Ltd. as the private sector partner. Current plans provide for all post offices to be automated by the end of 2000.

  Post Office Licences
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office licences, formerly operated by sole traders, have been transferred to multiple retailers in the last two years. [66926]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I understand from Post Office Counters Ltd. that 47 post offices formerly operated by sole traders have been transferred to multiple retailers in the last two years.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office licences formerly operated by sole traders have been transferred to Alldays in each Post Office Counters Ltd. region. [66924]
  175
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I understand from Post Office Counters Ltd. that 9 post offices formerly operated by sole traders have been transferred to Alldays. The breakdown by Post Office Counters Ltd region is as follows:

  Region

  Number

  North Thames Anglia

  2

  South East

  1

  South West

  5

  Scotland

  1

  Nanny Agencies
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of nanny agencies operating in the UK. [66932]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have made no such estimate but I expect to receive their views, along with those of other agencies, on the review to be published shortly of the statutory standards of conduct set under the Employment Agencies Act 1973.

  Working Time Regulations 1998
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what publicity the Government have given to the provisions of the Working Time Regulations 1998. [66866]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Department ran a public awareness campaign in the national press in September and October. Guidance material on the new legislation is available free through a number of public outlets (Libraries, Citizens Advice Bureaus etc), on the internet or can be obtained directly on 0845 6000 925.

  Garages (VAT Exemption)
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of(a) competition policy issues which arise from insurance companies which own their own garages and carry out in-house repairs being exempt from VAT on labour and (b) the impact which this has on independent garages; and if he will make a statement. [67247]

  Dr. Howells
  Under UK competition legislation, the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring markets and considering allegations of anti-competitive practices, abuse of monopoly position and restrictive trade practices.

  I understand that the possible VAT advantages which may be derived by insurers who carry out repairs in their own in-house body shops were considered by the Director General in 1998 as part of a review of the recommended repairer schemes operated by insurance companies. The Director General concluded that action under the competition legislation was not appropriate.

  Questions about exemptions from VAT systems are a matter for Customs and Excise. I understand Customs and Excise are currently looking further at this issue and would welcome evidence of the revenue and employment consequences.

  Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew), of 18 January 1999,Official Report, columns 364–65, on nuclear fuel, what is the basis for his statement that the Japanese Government's preferred means of using recovered plutonium is for it to be converted into MOX nuclear fuel. [67099]

  Mr. Battle
  The policy of the Japanese Government with respect to the nuclear energy industry is set out approximately every five years in a document published by Japan's Atomic Energy Commission. This is called the "Long Term Programme for Research, Development and Utilisation of Nuclear Energy". In the most recent of these documents, published in 1994, the Atomic Energy Commission confirmed Japan's policy on recycling nuclear fuel and noted the need to begin using MOX fuel. More recently, a full review of Japan's nuclear fuel recycling policy was undertaken and culminated in the publication on 31 January 1997 of a policy statement by the Atomic Energy Commission. This policy statement, which was subsequently endorsed by the Japanese Cabinet on 4 February 1997, proposed a prompt start to a programme for using MOX fuel in Japanese light water reactors. The contracts between the Japanese electricity utilities and both BNFL and COGEMA for the supply of MOX fuel are consistent with that programme.

  Transco
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he proposes to use his special share to protect consumers in the impending break up of Transco by British Gas plc. [67336]

  Mr. Battle
  The effect of the Government's special share in BG plc is to prohibit any person from having an interest in shares which carry 15 per cent. or more of the total votes attaching to the shares in BG plc. Given their market-sensitive nature, significant announcements about policy towards the special share would be made through the Stock Exchange. The interests of consumers are protected through the regulatory system; this is enforced by the Director General of Gas Supply, and is currently under review by the Government.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with British Gas plc about the break up and sale of Transco. [67335]

  Mr. Battle
  I meet the Chief Executive of BG plc from time to time to discuss matters of common interest.

  German Parcels
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the purchase by the Post Office of German Parcels requires clearance by European or UK regulatory or competition authorities. [66834]
  177
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 21 January 1999]: I understand from the Post Office that all necessary clearances have been obtained.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial obligations have been incurred by the Post Office in its acquisition of and indirect stake in General Parcel arising from its purchase of German Parcels. [66835]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 21 January 1999]: Through its acquisition of German Parcels, the Post Office has also acquired 23 per cent. of the shares in General Parcel. I understand that there are no material additional financial obligations directly resulting from that shareholding.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to promote exports of renewable energy technologies by United Kingdom companies in the United Kingdom. [67690]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department assists British renewable energy companies to win export orders worldwide, and since 1995 has had a focused programme of activities including, trade missions, overseas seminars and exhibitions, inward visits, market research and information dissemination. This programme is supported by two dedicated Trade Promoters, who have been concentrating their efforts on target markets such as China, India and Spain. For example, last autumn the Minister for Science opened a renewable energy seminar, and associated trade mission, in Peking. We also take advantage of other opportunities in overseas markets, which in the past year have included, Poland, United States and the Philippines.

  British renewable energy exports are estimated to have risen from an historic level of £10-£15 million p.a. in the early 90's to around £80-£100 million p.a. in the last two years.

  What further support the Government might give to help UK renewable energy companies to exploit overseas markets is being considered as part of the policy review on renewable energy. I plan to publish a Consultation Paper on the Review shortly, which will set out the options and pose a number of questions to industry and interested parties.

  Defence and Security Equipment Exports
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in respect of foreign(a) companies and (b) Governments which have been given guarantees in relation to defence and security equipment in the past three years (i) the name of the country to which defence and security equipment has been sold, (ii) the level of debt guaranteed for sales to each country in each of the last three years and (iii) the amount of that debt which was paid out by the ECGD in each of the last three years. [66981]
  178
  Mr. Wilson
  [pursuant to his reply, 25 January 1999, c. 28–29]: Unfortunately one of the figures given for Oman was wrongly transcribed, instead of an amount guaranteed of £908 million, the figure should read £0.9 million:

  £ million

  Year

  Country

  Amount guaranteed

  Amount paid as claims under these guarantees 1996–97 to 1998–99

  1997–98

  Oman

  0.9

  0

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what visits he or his predecessors have made(a) overseas to countries other than EU member states and the applicant countries of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Estonia and (b) to Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Estonia since those countries formally applied to join the EU. [67059]

  Mr. Byers
  Poland and Hungary applied to join the EU in April 1994. Since then the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has made the following visits to countries outside the EU.

  Finland—June 1994 (not in EU at that time)

  South Africa—July 1994

  Korea & Malaysia—October 1994

  Japan—January 1995

  India—February 1995

  Saudi Arabia—March 1995

  China—May 1995

  Singapore, Thailand & Malaysia—September 1995

  USA & Canada—November 1995

  India—January 1996

  Japan, UAE—April 1996

  Russia—May 1996

  China & Bahrain—August/September 1996

  Mexico & USA—October 1996

  Singapore—December 1996

  India & Pakistan—January 1997

  Japan—May 1997

  USA—September 1997

  India & Australia—November 1997

  China, Hong Kong & Pakistan—January 1998

  Moscow—March/April 1998

  Switzerland—May 1998

  Singapore—June 1998

  South Africa—September 1998

  USA—October 1998.

SCOTLAND

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the Crown Office in securing a trial of the suspects of the Lockerbie bombing. [65837]
  179
  Mr. McLeish
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate is responsible for the prosecution of the two suspects accused of the Lockerbie bombing. Securing the surrender of the two suspects for trial is, at this stage, a matter within the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

  Rural Public Transport
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote increased spending on rural public transport. [65839]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Government are providing new resources to support rural public transport over the next three years. £13.5 million will be available through the Rural Transport Fund. As part of this initiative, I am pleased to be able to announce today that I am awarding grants totalling over £500,000 to 22 rural community transport projects. Many different areas of Scotland will benefit, ranging from Wigtownshire in the south to Orkney and Shetland in the north. In addition, local authorities will be able to bid to the Public Transport Fund for rural transport projects. That Fund will provide £90m over three years. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote increased spending on rural public transport. [65846]

  Mr. Macdonald
  £13.5 million is being invested over a 3 year period through the rural transport funding package announced last year. Taking the allocations the Government have made from this fund in 1998–99 as a yardstick, totals of £10.5 million would be available to local authorities to provide additional public transport services, £1.8 million for community transport projects and £1.2 million to assist rural petrol stations. I know that this initiative is being warmly welcomed in rural areas, not least because these resources represent additional funding not previously made available. In addition, local authorities will be able to bid to the Public Transport Fund for rural transport projects. The Fund will provide £90m over 3 years. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Numeracy and Literacy
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures have been taken to improve performance in numeracy and literacy in Scottish schools. [65840]

  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he has taken to improve performance in numeracy and literacy in Scottish schools. [65843]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The early intervention programme, worth a total of £60m over five years, will establish the basic literacy and numeracy skills children will need. We have set targets to raise the level of achievement in literacy and numeracy in line with the national benchmark of 80 per cent. of children achieving the relevant stages in primary school and 75 per cent. at S2. We have invested £30m over three years from the Excellence Fund to support in-service training of teachers with particular emphasis on literacy and numeracy in the P6 to S2 stages, and £15m over three years to support family literacy 180
  schemes to help parents to help children to read. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  New Deal
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the New Deal in Scotland. [65841]

  Mr. Dewar
  I am very encouraged by the early results of the New Deal for 18-24-year-olds.

  Land Reform
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on his proposals to change the land ownership legislation in Scotland. [65842]

  Mr. Dewar
  The proposals which I launched earlier this month have received a wide welcome. Between the more extreme views, there is now a remarkable measure of agreement about the priorities for change.

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

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many landowners in Scotland will be affected by his recommendations for compulsory purchase in his recent land reform proposals. [65854]

  Mr. Macdonald
  It is expected that use of the new power of compulsory purchase in the public interest would be justified only in exceptional circumstances.

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

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to compensate landowners in Scotland who are adversely affected by his proposals for land reform. [65845]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Under these proposals, where land was acquired compulsorily, appropriate compensation arrangements would necessarily apply.

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

  Housing
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on housing policy in Scotland. [65847]

  Mr. Macdonald
  As I announced on 23 November, we shall shortly be publishing a Green Paper on housing in Scotland. The Green Paper will be the first major policy document on Scottish housing in over a decade and will provide a sound basis for the new Scottish Parliament to develop its own policies and programmes. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Roads Programme
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his Department's review of the roads programme. [65848]
  181
  Mr. Macdonald
  The consultation period on the Government's proposed framework for the appraisal of trunk road investment in Scotland ended on 16 October 1998. The responses have now been analysed and some useful suggestions from respondents incorporated into the appraisal framework. The outcome of the review will be announced as soon as is practicable. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Economic Prospects
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met senior representatives of the CBI in Scotland to discuss economic prospects. [65849]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend's most recent meeting with CBI Scotland was on 10 September when he was principal guest and speaker at their Annual Dinner. My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for business and industry met senior officials of CBI Scotland on 11 August and again on 26 October. Scottish Office officials are also in regular contact with CBI Scotland to discuss a range of issues relating to the Scottish economy. Economic development will be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

  Industrial Trends
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the most recent quarterly industrial trends survey by the CBI in Scotland. [65851]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I have noted the results of the January 1999 CBI Scottish Industrial Trends Survey which were released this morning.

  With one quarter of the world now in recession, no country is immune from the effects of the current instability in the world economy. I fully appreciate the difficulties this is causing for Scottish manufacturers.

  The Government are taking firm action to ensure that the economy is capable of sustained and steady growth. The recent cuts in interest rates are possible because of the tough decisions we have taken.

  Small Business Federation
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish Small Business Federation; and if he will make a statement. [65852]

  Table 1—PFI projects currently being considered for PFI funding in Scotland

  Project name

  Procuring agency

  SGH geriatric medicine and assessment facility

  Southern General Hospital NHS Trust Glasgow

  Dundee Ninewells Psychiatric Services

  Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust

  Inverness Psychiatric Unit

  Highland Communities NHS Trust

  Day Surgery and Maternity Unit

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust

  Larkfield Geriatric assessment facility

  Renfrewshire Healthcare

  Hospital Information Support System

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust

  Cumnock Community Hospital

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare Trust

  Car parking facilities

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust

  Midlothian Community Hospital

  East and Midlothian NHS Trust

  Southern General HISS

  Southern General Hospital NHS Trust

  Replacement of Forfar Infirmary and Whitehills Hospital

  Tayside Health Board and Angus NHS Trust

  Hawick Cottage Hospital

  Borders Community Health Services NHS Trust

  Livingston Further Education Centre

  West Lothian College

  North Ayrshire College, Kilwinning

  James Watt College

  182
  Mr. Macdonald
  Members of the Scottish Office Ministerial Team and officials are in regular contact with the Federation of Small Businesses and have met representatives of the Federation on a number of occasions. Most recently, my noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for business and industry opened the Federation's new premises in Glasgow on 20 October 1998, during which he met members of the Federation's Scottish Policy Team and national officials.

  Diabetes
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive advice from the national screening committee about the feasibility of introducing a national screening programme for Type 2 diabetes. [65853]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The National Screening Committee is currently considering the detailed aspects of this issue. I hope that the Committee will be able to make recommendations to Ministers by the end of this year.

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

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the projects currently being considered for PFI funding in Scotland, indicating the number of contracts with performance bonuses as well as penalties built in; which projects are build, own and operate; and if the service costs for PFI projects can be broken down into capital cost and service cost. [66000]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 20 January 1999]: The information requested on projects under consideration for PFI funding and on signed projects which are build, own and operate schemes is set out in the tables.

  Precise information on whether a scheme under consideration will be build, own and operate depends on the outcome of negotiations. No contract sponsored by The Scottish Office has a performance bonus regime. Payment mechanisms vary on the basis of usage, availability and performance. In general, payments commence on the delivery of services, with deductions thereafter for non-availability or poor performance. A feature of PFI projects is that they are not separable into components, and so service costs are not a separable element of the overall charge. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  183

  Table 1—PFI projects currently being considered for PFI funding in Scotland

  Project name

  Procuring agency

  Police Force Training Centre, East Kilbride

  Strathclyde Police

  Office Accommodation

  Perth and Kinross Council

  Rapid Transport System (CERT)

  City of Edinburgh Council

  Balfron School

  Stirling Council

  Dumfries and Galloway Waste Management/Recycling Project

  Dumfries and Galloway Council

  Mearns Primary and St. Ninian's High School

  East Renfrewshire Council

  Glasgow Schools Project

  Glasgow Council

  Argyll and Bute Waste Management Project

  Argyll and Bute Council

  Glasgow Energy Initiative

  Glasgow City Council

  Highlands Schools Project

  Highland Council

  Edinburgh Schools Project

  Edinburgh Council

  Fife Schools Project

  Fife Council

  Aberdeenshire Schools Project

  Aberdeenshire Council

  A701/A702 upgrading

  Midlothian Council

  A92 upgrading

  Angus Council

  Glasgow Southern Orbital Road

  East Renfrewshire Council

  West Lothian Schools Project

  West Lothian Council

  Larkhall-Milngavie rail route

  Strathclyde PTE

  Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Fraserburgh and Peterhead Sewage and Sludge Treatment

  North of Scotland Water Authority

  Daldowie/Sheifldhall Sludge Treatment Centres

  West of Scotland Water Authority

  Levenmouth Purification Scheme

  East of Scotland Water Authority

  Tay Projects

  North of Scotland Water Authority

  Dalmuir Sewage Treatment

  West of Scotland Water Authority

  Meadowhead (Irvine), Ayr, Stevenston and Inverclyde Sewage Treatment

  West of Scotland Water Authority

  Moray Coast and Montrose Wastewater Project

  North of Scotland Water Authority

  Almond Valley, Seafield and Esk Valley Sewage Scheme

  East of Scotland Water Authority

  Table 2—Signed build, own and operate PFI projects in Scotland

  Project name

  Procuring agency

  Inverness Main Drainage/Fort William Sewage Treatment

  North of Scotland Water Authority

  Stirling FE Centre

  Falkirk College

  Stonehaven Community Hospital

  Grampian Health Board

  Hospital Information System

  Yorkhill Hospitals NHS Trust Glasgow

  Hospital Information System

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare NHS Trust

  Hospital Information System

  Law Hospital NHS Trust

  Ferryfield House

  Edinburgh Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mearnskirk Hospital Geriatric Beds

  Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust

  New Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  RIE NHS Trust

  Law Hospital

  Law Hospital NHS Trust

  Hairmyres Hospital

  Hairmyres Hospital NHS Trust

  Multistorey car park/car parking facilities

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  Notes:

  Tables 1 and 2 do not contain those projects which are within Trust and Health Board delegated limits.

  Table 2 excludes projects sponsored by Local Authorities.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the disadvantages which are assessed in respect of potential PFI projects in the National Health Service. [65835]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The current hospital building programme is the biggest in the history of the NHS. It is funded by a mixture of public and private finance. PFI funding is used when projects are affordable, prove value for money, offer improved healthcare and provide significant advantages for patients. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress in improving energy efficiency in Scottish homes. [65844]
  184
  Mr. Macdonald
  Under the Government's Warm Deal, £2.5 million was spent last year on improving home energy efficiency in Scotland. This year's budget is just over £6 million and the same amount will be allocated next year. 25,000 households have already benefited and many more will do so. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Trials
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to expedite trials in criminal cases. [65858]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government are taking significant steps to reduce delay in criminal cases.
  185
  The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 contains measures to improve case management and bailed defendants will appear in court on the first available day after charge. In addition, fast tracking schemes are being introduced to halve the time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders.

  The Access to Justice Bill improves publicly funded criminal defence services through the introduction of contracting as well as taking powers to employ salaried defenders.

  Land Registry
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current workload of the Land Registry; and what assessment he has made of the employment prospects of Land Registry staff as a result of the change in demand and the increased use of information technology. [65862]

  Mr. Hoon
  The current workload of the Land Registry is 10.8 million transactions for the first nine months of 1998–99. This compares with 9.3 million transactions for the same period in 1997–98 and represents an increase in business of 15.6 per cent.

  Employment prospects for Land Registry staff have not changed as a result of its use of information technology. In response to increased property market activity in 1997-98, the Land Registry recruited 330 new members of staff to maintain service level requirements. Over the current financial year, the Land Registry intends recruiting some 240 staff to replace those lost through natural wastage. Information technology has enabled the Land Registry to develop the talents, skill and enthusiasm of its staff to provide a progressively improving service whilst maintaining a workforce in the region of 8,500.

  Magistrates Clerks
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received from interested parties with regard to the proposed changes to the qualifications required of a clerk to a magistrates court. [65863]

  Mr. Hoon
  My Department has received a number of representations on this matter. As of 15 January 1999 I have received 120 letters from MPs and 107 letters from members of the public. The Department also received 114 responses to the Consultation paper. These included representations from all seven of the representative bodies within the Magistrates' Courts Service.

  Guilty Pleas
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what was the average time taken to process guilty pleas for minor offences through the magistrates courts in the last year for which figures are available. [65864]

  Mr. Hoon
  For summary cases, in which the defendant entered an initial guilty plea, a sample taken in June 1998 found that the average time from first listing to completion was 16 days.

  Magistrates
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates have been suspended or dismissed in each of the last five years; and if he will provide a breakdown of the main reasons. [65865]

  Mr. Hoon
  The number of magistrates removed from office by the Lord Chancellor in each of the last five years is as follows:

  1994: 4

  1995: 1

  1996: 3

  1997: 13

  1998: 11.

  The main reasons for removal were:
  10 magistrates moved or emigrated and failed to notify the Clerk or resign;
  10 magistrates were found to have conducted themselves improperly;
  9 magistrates were convicted of criminal offences or had orders made against them in the civil courts.

  No magistrates have been suspended by the Lord Chancellor in the last five years, although some have been required to refrain from sitting pending inquiry.

  Solicitors
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress his Department has made in reviewing the current working practices of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors. [65867]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Office for the Supervision of Solicitors is an independent body, and its working practices are primarily a matter for the Office. There are no current plans to alter the current arrangements for handling complaints against solicitors. However, the Legal Services Ombudsman oversees the handling of complaints against members of the legal profession, and she has stated in her latest report that although the Office has made some improvements since it started operating in September 1996 there is still a long way to go. When the Ombudsman publishes her next annual report later this year, I will consider whether any further action is necessary.

  Legal System (Reforms)
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what cost savings he estimates will accrue from his planned reforms to the legal system and its administration. [65868]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government are undertaking a wide-ranging programme of reforms of the legal system and its administration. The most significant elements of that programme are: the establishment of the Community Legal Service and the Criminal Defence Service and the measures to reduce delay in the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) in the Access to Justice Bill currently before Parliament; and the implementation of the first phase of reform of the civil justice system in April 1999.

  Saving money is not the Government's objective. The reforms of the system should make it easier for those wishing to resolve disputes to do so effectively.

  187
  Those who need to seek assistance from a solicitor should find that costs are more predictable and the risks of litigation much less. No-win no-fee arrangements between lawyers and private clients in more cases will give greater access to justice. Contracting for publicly funded legal services will provide cost effective, quality assured and properly targeted help to those most in need and the taxpayer will get better value for money from what we spend. We will direct resources to areas of greater need or into areas where the market cannot provide necessary services.

  Sheriffs
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to review the role of sheriffs. [65869]

  Mr. Hoon
  Sheriffs have a role in the enforcement of High Court judgments. A review of enforcement is currently being undertaken by the Lord Chancellor's Department, which will examine that role in some detail.

  Law Commission reports not implemented by legislation

  Year

  Number

  Title

  1966

  5

  Landlord and Tenant: Interim Report on Distress for Rent1

  1969

  21

  Interpretation of Statutes

  1970

  32

  Civil Liability for Dangerous Things and Activities1

  1973

  52

  Family Law: first report on Family Property1

  1973

  53

  Family Law: Report on Solemnisation of Marriage in England and Wales

  1975

  65

  Transfer of Land: Report on "Subject to Contract" Agreements1

  1975

  67

  Report on Obligations of Landlords and Tenants

  1977

  83

  Criminal Law: Report on Defences of General Application

  1977

  84

  Law of Contract: Report on the Proposed EEC Directive on the law relating to Commercial Agents1

  1978

  89

  Criminal Law: Report on the Mental Element on Crime

  1979

  96

  Criminal Law: Offences relating to Interference with the Course of Justice

  1980

  104

  Insurance Law: Non-Disclosure and Breach of Warranty

  1981

  109

  Council of Europe Conventions on Foreign Money Liabilities1

  1981

  110

  Breach of Confidence

  1982

  115

  Property Law: The Implications of Williams and Glyn 's Bank Ltd. v Boland

  1984

  127

  The Law of Positive and Restrictive Covenants

  1985

  142

  Codification of the law of Landlord and Tenant: Forfeiture of Tenancies

  1985

  143

  Criminal Law: Codification of the Criminal Law: A Report to the Law Commission

  1985

  145

  Criminal Law: Offences against Religion and Public Worship

  1985

  149

  Criminal Law: Report on Criminal Libel

  1985

  152

  Property Law: Liability for Chancel Repairs

  1986

  154

  Law of Contract: The Parol Evidence Rule1

  1986

  156

  Law of Contract: Implied Terms of Contracts for the Supply of Services1

  1987

  158

  Third Report on Land Registration. A. Overriding Interests: B. Rectification and Indemnity: C. Minor Interests1

  1987

  162

  Landlord and Tenant: Reform of the Law1

  1987

  168

  The Law of Domicile

  1988

  173

  Fourth Report on Land Registration

  1988

  175

  Matrimonial Property

  1989

  177

  A Criminal Code for England and Wales

  1989

  178

  Compensation for Tenants' Improvements

  1990

  191

  Transfer of Land: Risk of Damage after Contract for Sale1

  1991

  194

  Landlord and Tenant: Distress for Rent

  1991

  201

  Transfer of Land: Obsolete Restrictive Covenants

  1991

  204

  Transfer of Land: Land Mortgages

  1992

  208

  Business Tenancies—A Periodic Review of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 Part II

  1993

  218

  Offences against the Person and General Principles

  1993

  219

  Contributory Negligence as a Defence in Contract

  1994

  221

  Termination of Tenancies

  1994

  222

  Binding Over

  1994

  225

  Personal Injury Compensation—How much is enough? A Study of the Compensation Experiences of Victims of Personal Injury1

  1994

  226

  Judicial Review and Statutory Appeals2

  1994

  227

  Restitution: Mistakes of Law and Ultra Vires Public Authority Receipts and Payments

  1995

  229

  Intoxication and Criminal Liability

  1995

  231

  Mental Incapacity

  1995

  236

  Fiduciary Duties and Regulatory Rules

  1996

  237

  Involuntary Manslaughter

  1996

  238

  Responsibility for State and Condition of Property

  188
  Work on this stage of the review will begin in July 2000. Any proposals that might change the role of Sheriffs will be subject to full public consultation as and when they arise. I am not aware of any proposals to review the functions that Sheriffs have in addition to their enforcement role.

  Law Commission Reports
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the titles and dates of publications of Law Commission reports on which legislation has not been enacted. [67308]

  Mr. Hoon
  A list is provided. The Law Commission has published 157 Law Reform reports and 18 Statute Law Revision reports, of which 57 have not resulted in legislation or have not been otherwise implemented. Of these, 14 were not intended for legislation and one further report, "Judicial Review and Statutory Appeals (Law Commission Report No. 226)", resulted in minor legislation but for completeness it is included in the list.
  189

  Law Commission reports not implemented by legislation

  Year

  Number

  Title

  1996

  241

  Statute Law Revision: Report on the Chronological Table of Local Legislation1

  1997

  245

  Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: Hearsay and Related Topics

  1997

  246

  Shareholder Remedies

  1997

  247

  Aggravated, Exemplary and Restitutionary Damages

  1998

  248

  Corruption

  1998

  249

  Liability for Psychiatric Illness

  1998

  251

  The Rules against Perpetuities and Excessive Accumulations

  1998

  253

  The Execution of Deeds and Documents by or on behalf of Bodies Corporate

  1998

  254

  Land Registration for the Twenty First Century: A Consultative Document1

  1998

  255

  Consents to Prosecution

  1 Reports which did not call for legislation

  2 Only part of the report resulted in legislation

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what arrangements are in place in his Department to respond to Law Commission reports; and if he will make a statement. [67307]

  Mr. Hoon
  Reports which relate to the Lord Chancellor's areas of responsibility are allocated to the Division within his Department's Headquarters most closely concerned with the subjects covered. Progress on each report is monitored, and there are regular meetings between the Commission and senior Departmental staff to clarify issues and discuss how consideration of reports is taken forward.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what staff and other resources in his Department are dedicated to responding to Law Commission reports. [67306]

  Mr. Hoon
  No staff or other resources are solely dedicated to dealing with Law Commission reports. Because the Law Commission's reports raise issues relating to particular policy areas, they are handled by the police Divisions most closely concerned with the subject.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to respond to the Law Commission's report of March 1998 on psychiatric injury. [67309]

  Mr. Hoon
  I expect that the Government's response to the Law Commission's Report on Liability for Psychiatric Illness will be published within the next three months.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement concerning the backlog of unimplemented Law Commission reports concerning uncontroversial issues. [67305]

  Mr. Hoon
  Last year, we reviewed all Law Commission reports for which my Department was responsible, and which were then outstanding. I informed this House of the results of that exercise on 19 March 1998,Official Report, column 709, in response to a question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Melanie Johnson). The Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, provided further information on unimplemented Law Commission reports in another place on 29 July 1998, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 201–02.

  Some aspects of the report on Restitution for Mistake of Law: Ultra Vires Public Authority Receipts and Payments (Law Commission report No. 227) remain outstanding from that review. We have consulted the Law
  190
  Commission further on that report, and will publish the Government's response on the remaining matters within the next month.

  Of the reports received since that review within the responsibility of my Department, there are two which are unlikely to prove controversial. These concern The Rules against Perpetuities and Excessive Accumulations of Income (Law Commission report No. 251) and Execution of Deeds and Documents by or on behalf of Bodies Corporate (Law Commission report No. 253). We expect to announce our decision on these reports in the spring.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to respond to the Law Commission's report of December 1997 on aggravated, exemplary damages. [67310]

  Mr. Hoon
  I expect that the Government's response to the Law Commission's Report on Aggravated, Exemplary and Restitutionary Damages will be published within the next three months.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what agreements exist between Government Departments and the Law Commission about the timing of responses to Law Commission reports. [67300]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Law Commission discusses such arrangements separately with the Departments concerned. The Lord Chancellor's Department aims to respond within six months of publication.

  Lands Tribunal Appeals
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many lands tribunal appeals were lodged between 1 April 1997 and 31 December 1997. [67775]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lands Tribunal registered 132 Rating Appeals and 52 Leasehold Reform Appeals between 1 April and 31 December 1997.

  Notary Public Services
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the Government's policy with regard to the maintenance of the monopoly enjoyed by the Worshipful Company of Scriveners on notary public services in London. [67203]
  191
  Mr. Hoon
  The Department has obtained the views of interested parties on this issue. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor is currently considering whether the monopoly should be abolished. He hopes to be able to announce his conclusions shortly.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Glidewell Report
  Mr. Beard
  To ask the Attorney-General what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Glidewell report in London. [65859]

  The Attorney-General
  My answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, East (Mr. Anderson) on 30 November 1998,Official Report, column 67, provided an interim progress report on the consideration and implementation of the recommendations in the Glidewell Report. A chart dealing with individual recommendations is in the Library of the House. Recommendations 54, 55 and 56 are specific to London. Recommendations 54 and 55 have been accepted and are being implemented. Recommendation 56 is under consideration. Work on the recommendations as a whole is currently being taken forward on a national basis. The post of Chief Crown Prosecutor for London and the Assistant Chief Crown Prosecutor posts are being filled through open competition and the selection process has begun. The intention is to make appointments by April 1999. In the meantime, preliminary planning is underway in CPS London to prepare for the implementation of changes locally. This will be taken forward by the new Chief Crown Prosecution for London when he or she takes up the post.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Human Rights
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will indicate(a) on what date she sought legal advice on possible conflicts between the recommendations of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights on contract compliance measures and European Union law, (b) on what date advice was received and (c) what were the principal conclusions; and if she will place a copy of the opinion in the Library. [64208]

  Mr. Ingram
  When the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights published its report "Employment Equality: Building for the Future" in June 1997 a working group and number of sub-groups, consisting of senior civil servants and legal advisers, were set up to study and advise Ministers on the Report's recommendations. The working group reported to Ministers on the recommendations on contract compliance in December 1997. Legal advisers were party to that advice but did not provide a specific opinion on the topic.

  Child Benefit (Renewal Claims)
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many renewal claims were made for child benefit(a) in 1997–98 and (b) from 1 April to 31 December 1998; how many (i) have been processed
  192
  with payments made and order books issued and (ii) are outstanding; and how long it takes to process a renewal claim. [67032]

  Mr. McFall
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Thompson. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Chris Thompson to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 26 January 1999:
  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the number of applications for renewal order books for child Benefit.
  The number of renewal order books issued for the period 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998 was 387,636 and for the period 1 April to 31 December 1998 it was 343,356. Figures are not available for those that are outstanding.
  Renewal order books are normally issued automatically so there is no need for a renewal claim. While most order books are issued in time to ensure that there is no break in payment, there can be a delay in the issuing if some order books. This occurs when a customer has reported a change in their circumstances and enquiries have to be made to clarify their entitlement to benefit. I am aware that these delays can cause distress to customers and we have recently set up a special section to deal with these cases. This will ensure that the number of such cases are kept to a minimum and are processed as quickly as is possible.
  I hope that this explains the position to you.

  Northern Ireland Electricity
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she has taken to ensure that Northern Ireland Electricity(a) undertakes a review of existing infrastructure and investment in new infrastructure and (b) implements an effective strategy for communications with consumers. [67250]

  Mr. Ingram
  The independent Director of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland has the statutory duty to protect the interests of consumers in respect of the continuity and quality of electricity supply services. He has sought a full and detailed report from Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) to be delivered before the end of January 1999 on the company's response to the problems encountered by consumers over the Christmas holiday period, including the communication arrangements for keeping customers informed during emergencies. He plans to publish the NIE report along with its conclusions on the improvements needed to NIE arrangements for dealing with future emergency situations. The Director also proposes to publish a Consultation Paper seeking views on the proper balance between the costs of supplying electricity and the range and quality of customer services.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions have taken place with senior management in Northern Ireland Electricity concerning the protracted interruptions to electricity supply over the Christmas 1998 period; and what was the outcome. [67027]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the Chief Executive of Viridian Group plc, the holding company of Northern Ireland Electricity plc, on 6 January 1999. She expressed her concerns about the problems faced by electricity consumers over the Christmas 1998 period and requested an urgent report on
  193
  the company's performance in response to the disruptions in supplies. NIE agreed to provide the Secretary of State with the requested report by 31 January 1999.

  Belfast Agreement
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations have taken place and with whom regarding the proposed document on the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland as envisaged in the Belfast Agreement. [67488]

  Mr. Ingram
  Discussions continue through a range of contacts at both Ministerial and official level.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to publish the proposed document on the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland as envisaged in the Belfast Agreement. [67487]

  Mr. Ingram
  We intend to publish soon a security strategy paper outlining our approach to normalisation.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  "Girls in Sport"
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his

  Occupation

  Employer

  Chairman

  Sir Richard Eyre

  Theatre, Film and TV Director

  Members

  David Brierley CBE1

  General Manager

  Royal Shakespeare Company

  Hilary Carty

  Director of Dance

  Arts Council of England

  Mark Elder CBE

  Conductor

  Matthew Evans

  Chairman

  Faber and Faber Ltd

  Gavin Henderson1

  Principal

  Trinity College of Music

  Melanie Leech

  Civil Servant

  DCMS

  Deborah, Lady MacMillan1

  Chairman of Dance panel

  Arts Council of England

  Kathryn McDowell

  Director of Music

  Arts Council of England

  Colin Nears CBE

  Chairman of Board

  Birmingham Royal Ballet

  John Newbigin

  Special advisor

  DCMS

  Trevor Phillips1

  Television Producer

  Noel Gay Television

  Michael Ratcliffe

  Freelance arts journalist

  Graham Vick

  Freelance Director

  1 denotes current or former member of Arts Council of England

  Local Deprivation Indicator
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which measures of local deprivation his Department and its agencies use in considering allocation of funds to local projects. [66723]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  A variety of statistics are used by public bodies sponsored by the Department in order to measure deprivation. For example:Index of Local Deprivation; and
  Index of Local Conditions for England and Wales; and various statistics used in Social Trends and Regional Trends.
  194
  Department has made of the "Girls in Sport" briefing document prepared by Nike UK in conjunction with Mary Peters, CBE. [64955]

  Mr. Banks
  I have read Nike UK's briefing document and welcome initiatives that lead to greater participation of women in sport.

  Officials in my department have met with Nike UK to discuss the document and the issue of women and sport generally.

  I understand that Nike UK will be evaluating responses to its document and publishing its findings in the Spring. I look forward to learning more about this in due course.

  Opera Companies Review
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the(a) occupations and (b) employers of members of the Independent Review of the Future of the Royal Opera House Companies and the English National Opera. [66692]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Members of the working group which reviewed the future of lyric theatre in London are listed, together with their occupations and employers, where applicable, at that time. The members were appointed to the working group by the Chairman, Sir Richard Eyre. Appointments were made in a personal capacity, taking into account members' expertise and experience. They did not represent specific organisations.

  Other statistics may also be taken into account, e.g., The English Sports Council uses the Index of Local Deprivation plus a table showing 85 local authority areas where there are pockets of urban deprivation together with a list of Rural Development Areas, the poorest non-urban places.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Stephen Lawrence
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the reasons for the length of time taken between the initial report of the
  195
  Police Complaints Authority into the police investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the decision of the PCA on what disciplinary action to take against officers still serving in the Metropolitan Police. [66477]

  Date

  Events

  22 April 1993

  The murder of Stephen Lawrence

  13 February 1997

  Complaint from Mrs. Lawrence received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and referred for investigation to the PCA.

  18 March 1997

  Kent County Constabulary agreed as investigating force. (Deputy Chief Constable Robert Ayling—Senior Investigating Officer, Chief Superintendent David Clapperton—Investigation Officer).

  29 September 1997

  First contact between the Lawrence family and Kent Constabulary with the Police Complaints Authority.

  1 December 1997

  The Authority's report made to the Home Secretary under section 97(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act issued to Parliament and the public.

  30 December 1997

  Statutory statement of satisfaction with the investigation issued by the PCA. Formal conclusion of the investigation.

  2 February 1998

  Memorandum from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) under section 90 of the Act received by PCA. This memorandum contains the recommendations of the force as to disciplinary outcomes of the investigation.

  10 March 1998

  PCA responds to MPS recommending charges of Neglect of Duty against DI Bullock and other informal disciplinary recommendations.

  12 March 1998

  Lawrence family informed of recommendations DI Bullock made aware of charge.

  16 March 1998

  Sir William Macpherson requests further action in disciplinary proceedings be delayed until his inquiry concludes Part 1.

  May/June 1998

  Correspondence/meetings between MPS and PCA as to whether MPS could respond to the PCA's recommended charges before or after the conclusion of Part 1 of the Macpherson Inquiry.

  6 July 1998

  Agreement reached that MPS would now respond to PCA recommendations in view of the completion of Phase 1 of the Macpherson Inquiry.

  20 July 1998

  MPS formally accepted charges in principle against DI Bullock.

  21 October 1998

  MPS respond with proposed charges against DI Bullock having taken counsel's advice.

  November/December 1998

  PCA recommended that further charges from MPS were insufficient to cover alleged matters of neglect by DI Bullock.

  Correspondence/discussion re further suggested charges. PCA decided to prepare detailed charges rather than accept MPS proposals.

  4 January 1999

  Final suggested charges submitted to MPS by PCA.

  7 January 1999

  Detailed charges, now 7 in number, accepted by MPS.

  12 January 1999

  PCA Press release announcing the number of charges and the direction that they will be heard by tribunal.

  Ministerial Expenditure
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the investigation which he has announced into claims of excessive expenditure by the right hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) will be completed; [66922]

  (2) if the results of the investigation into claims of excessive expenditure by the right hon. Member for Copeland will be published; [66921]

  (3) who will conduct the investigation he announced on 17 January into claims of excessive expenditure by the right hon. Member for Copeland; [66923]

  (4) if he will list the terms of reference of the investigation into claims of excessive expenditure by the right hon. Member for Copeland; [66920]

  (5) if the investigation into the claims of excessive expenditure by the right hon. Member for Copeland will take evidence from third parties. [66925]

  Mr. Straw
  The hon. Member is misinformed. I have not announced any investigation into the matter referred to. I said that there has now been a complaint and of course there will be a response. That response is now contained in the letter from my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member dated 20 January, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
  196
  Mr. Straw
  This is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the Police Complaints Authority (PCA). Following is a chronology of events provided by the Chairman of the PCA.

  Young Offender Institutions
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the length of time in each day for which remand prisoners in young offender institutions remain locked in their cells. [67045]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government are investing substantial funds to develop more effective regimes in Prison Service establishments. They are determined to pursue active regimes in establishments holding young people as part of their commitment to focus the youth justice system on the prevention of offending by young people. The Prison Service is currently working on new regime standards and the creation of a distinct estate for boys aged 15 to 17 in consultation with the Youth Justice Board. These measures will better meet the needs of the young people and provide a more purposeful and active day. An assessment is also underway of the needs of girls under 18 years old.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of time prisoners on remand in young offender institutions spent in custody awaiting disposal of their case in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [67044]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The available information for all untried and convicted unsentenced young persons held in prisons in England and Wales is given in the table.
  197

  Estimated average time spent in custody for untried and convicted unsentenced young persons in prisons in England and Wales, 1994–98 1

  Estimated average number of days in custody 1

  Untried2

  Convicted unsentenced3

  Year

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  1994

  46

  31

  30

  26

  1995

  42

  32

  34

  29

  1996

  42

  32

  31

  29

  1997

  41

  37

  28

  25

  19984

  36

  24

  37

  25

  1 Estimated from number of receptions and average population

  2 Time spent in Prison Service establishments before conviction

  3 Time spent in Prison Service establishments after conviction

  4 Provisional figures

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a requirement that all asylum interviews are tape-recorded. [67094]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My officials are considering the practical implications of piloting the tape-recording of asylum interviews. I will advise the House of my conclusions shortly.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he expects to have disposed of the outstanding applications for asylum made between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995; [67110]

  (2) when he expects to have disposed of the outstanding asylum applications made before 1 July 1993. [67096]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 18 January 1999,Official Report, column 332.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish guidelines to staff on implementing the new policy of considering compassionate circumstances at all stages of an asylum case. [67095]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As we made clear in our White Paper "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modem Approach to Immigration and Asylum" published in July, we are developing criteria which would allow due weight to be given to compassionate factors in cases involving children, including cases of asylum claims, where refusal of leave to remain would otherwise be the appropriate course. Once the criteria are decided, instructions given to staff will be published.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of time from asylum application to initial decision in each year since 1980. [67117]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information from 1984 onwards is given in the table. Regretfully, information for earlier years is not available.198

  Average decision times in months, 1984–1998 1

  Year of decision

  All applications 2

  Applications lodged pre-July 1993

  Applications lodged post-July 1993

  1984

  3

  3

  n/a

  1985

  9

  9

  n/a

  1986

  13

  13

  n/a

  1987

  14

  14

  n/a

  1988

  18

  18

  n/a

  1989

  13

  13

  n/a

  1990

  13

  13

  n/a

  1991

  16

  16

  n/a

  1992

  20

  20

  n/a

  1993

  20

  20

  2

  1994

  17

  28

  6

  1995

  18

  42

  9

  1996

  17

  53

  12

  1997

  22

  65

  15

  1998

  17

  79

  12

  1 The average length of time (in months) relates to the year in which the decisions were made.

  2 Excluding dependants

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the lowest Civil Service grade at which a decision to refuse asylum may be made. [67113]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Asylum decisions are taken by trained officers at the appropriate grade depending on the complexity of the issues raised. For the majority of decisions, a decision to refuse would not be taken below the level of executive officer, but in some less complex cases a decision to refuse would be taken by an administrative officer.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if an individual who has been granted exceptional leave to remain will be entitled to apply for reunion with family members abroad within four years. [67093]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under the family reunion concession, those who have been granted exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom may be joined by their pre-existing spouse and minor dependant children after they have spent four years in the United Kingdom provided that they can meet the maintenance and accommodation requirements of the Immigration Rules. Consideration is also given to allowing other family members to join a sponsor in the United Kingdom if there are compelling compassionate reasons for doing so.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications made between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 have been disposed of to date; and with what result. [67111]

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

  Asylum applications made between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 by status as at the end of 1998 1

  Case status as at 31 December 1998

  Granted asylum (%)

  6

  Granted exceptional leave (%)

  13

  Refused after full consideration (%)

  69

  Refused on 3rd Country grounds (%)

  4

  Para 340 refusal2 (%)

  8

  199

  Asylum applications made between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 by status as at the end of 1998 1

  Case status as at 31 December 1998

  Total with decisions3

  62,000

  Undecided3

  25,800

  Total applications3

  87,700

  1 Percentages are estimates, rounded to the nearest whole number, based on cases for which information is recorded.

  2 Paragraph 340 of Immigration Rules. For failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period, including failure to respond to invitation to interview.

  3 Rounded to the nearest 100, excluding dependants.

  Young Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of time spent by young people held in custody on remand before their case was decided in the last year for which figures are available. [67224]

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

  Estimated average time spent in custody for untried and convicted unsentenced young persons in prisons in England and Wales in 19981

  Estimated average number of days in custody2

  Untried3

  Convicted unsentenced4

  Year

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  1998

  36

  24

  37

  25

  1 Provisional figures

  2Estimated from number of receptions and average population

  3 Time spent in Prison Service establishments before conviction

  4 Time spent in Prison Service establishments after conviction

  Juvenile Prison Establishments
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the juvenile prison establishments which have workshops in England and Wales. [67221]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Establishments in England and Wales holding sentenced juveniles which have workshops are set out as follows.Prison establishments with workshops holding sentenced juveniles
  Name of establishment

  Castington

  Dover

  Drake Hall

  Feltham

  Glen Parva

  Highpoint

  Hindley

  Holloway

  Lancaster Farms

  Low Newton

  Moorland

  New Hall

  Onley

  Portland

  Stoke Heath

  200

  Styal1

  Swinfen Hall

  Werrington.

  1 Workshop currently used only by adult prisoners.

  Prisoners (Young People)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys aged(a) under 15, (b) 15, (c) 16 and (d) 17 years are currently imprisoned in adult prisons in England and Wales. [67231]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The currently available information relates to the population on the last day of December 1998 and is given in the table. Young persons held in adult prisons are normally accommodated separately from adults.

  Population of 15, 16 and 17 year old males in adult prisons on 31 December 1998 1

  Age

  Number

  Under 15

  —

  15

  25

  16

  57

  17

  254

  1Provisional figures

  Young Prisoners (Suicides)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those people aged under 18 years who committed suicide in prisons in England and Wales last year were(a) being held in adult gaols and (b) on remand. [67218]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Regrettably, three apparent self-inflicted deaths occurred last year among those aged under 18 years in prisons in England and Wales, of which one was in a young offender unit of an adult prison. Two of the prisoners were unsentenced.

  The inquest on the first death returned a verdict of suicide. The inquests on the remaining two deaths have not yet been held.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the incidence of suicide among people aged under 18 years in prisons in England and Wales. [67217]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government are committed to doing everything possible to reduce the incidence of suicide in prisons. My noble Friend, Lord Williams, chairs a regular meeting between the Prison Service and a range of representatives from groups interested in prison suicides including: the Samaritans; Howard League; Prison Reform Trust; Inquest; and the Board of Visitors, to discuss how they can work more closely together.
  201
  The Prison Service is currently re-examining instructions and guidance on caring for the suicidal to be issued as a new Prison Service Order (PSO). The special needs of under 18 year olds will be considered as part of that review. In addition, the Prison Service is currently developing new regime standards for under 18 year olds in consultation with the Youth Justice Board. These, along with the creation of a distinct juvenile estate, will improve the standard of care and quality of regimes for remanded and sentenced juveniles held in Prison Service accommodation.

  We welcome the current thematic review of suicide and self-harm conducted by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, the report of which is soon to be published. We look forward to any recommendations he has in this important area of work.

  Prisons (Probation Service)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons in England and Wales do not have a probation service operating within the prison; and if he will make a statement. [67222]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Probation services operate in all prison establishments.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision he has made for additional staff at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate during the transfer of files from Croydon. [67240]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  About 42 staff were made available to help with moving files out of Lunar House (which is to be refurbished). Crating and transportation of files was carried out by a commercial contractor.

  Deportation Orders
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 January 1999,Official Report, column 330, on deportation orders, if he will give the reasons for the deportation orders not having been given effect. [67337]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Reasons for orders not being given effect could be established only by examining each case individually at disproportionate cost. However, a delay may arise for one or more of the following reasons: an appeal or other legal challenge, an asylum application, difficulties in obtaining a travel document, the subject has still to complete a custodial sentence or cannot be traced. Some of the latter may have left the country without informing the Immigration Service. Orders issued later will inevitably be activated outside the reference period.

  Prison Service (Learmont Report)
  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to respond to the report of General Sir John Learmont on the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. [68123]

  Mr. Straw
  General Sir John Learmont's report on the escapes from Parkhurst and the management of the Prison Service has had a huge impact. His findings, together with those of Sir John Woodcock's inquiry into the escape 202
  from Whitemoor in September 1994, have led to greatly improved physical security and a significant change in the way staff in prisons consider security as they go about their day to day tasks. The number of escapes, the measure by which the Prison Service is most often judged by the public, has dropped significantly since the report.

  Of the 127 recommendations on prison security and the management of the Service, 118 have been accepted in full, in part or with some qualifications. The position on each recommendation is set out in a document which has been placed in the Library. Those recommendations which have been accepted but have not yet been implemented in full will be taken forward within existing resources. A revised Security Manual has now been published which will tie up a number of outstanding matters. I have decided not to accept Sir John's proposals for a High Security prison and a control prison, in the light of the significant improvements to security in the Category A estate and improvements in the management of the most seriously disruptive prisoners.

  There remains one substantive recommendation on which I have asked for further work to be done—No. 63, proposing that all staff, including Governors, should normally wear uniform. I hope to be able to announce a decision on this recommendation soon and a final report on the outcome of this inquiry will be provided then.

  Illegal Lotteries
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1999,Official Report, column 482, if he will list the (a) names and (b) location of those magistrates' courts where prosecutions for lottery offences under sections 2, 3, 4, 13 and 14 of the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 were tried in each of the years between 1994 and 1997, indicating the outcome of each hearing. [67587]

  Mr. George Howarth
  As the tables containing the information that we have from court reports are long, they have been placed in the Library.

  Parades
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will collate and publish data from police authorities on(a) the number of towns in which St. Patrick's Day parades are held each year, (b) police estimates of the number of participants in parades of over 1,000 persons for each of the last 10 years and (c) the number of parades which raised public order concerns. [66963]

  Mr. Boateng
  This information is not held centrally. There are no plans to request this information from police authorities, which could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Correspondence (Political Impartiality)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to his Department's officials on the inclusion of party political material in correspondence; how he monitors the political impartiality of his officials with respect to the letters they send out; and if he will make a statement. [67153]
  203
  Mr. Straw
  Civil servants are required under the terms of the Civil Service Code to conduct themselves with integrity, impartiality and honesty, and in such a way as to deserve and retain the confidence of Ministers and potential future Ministers. This is supported by a duty placed on Ministers not to use public resources for party political purposes, to uphold the political impartiality of the Civil Service and not to ask civil servants to act in any way which would conflict with the Civil Service Code.

  If the hon. Member has a specific letter in mind and would like to give me the details I will of course consider the matter very carefully.

HEALTH

  Blood Products
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice the Chief Medical Officer has issued to(a) public officials, (b) civil servants and (c) Ministers facing the risk of infection with hepatitis A on overseas visits, on the choice to be made between British-derived γ-(gamma-)globulin and the alternative hepatitis A vaccine. [61058]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: Advice to all these groups is the same as for other travellers.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what efforts have been made to obtain alternative supplies of hepatitis A vaccine as an alternative to British-derived γ-(gamma-)globulin; and with what results. [61052]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: There are circumstances where Hepatitis A vaccination is not clinically appropriate because of the time delay between its administration and the resulting protection becoming effective.

  Two licensed Hepatitis A vaccines and non United Kingdom sourced gammaglobulins are already available.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages of banning the use of British-derived γ-(gamma-)globulin; [61055]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the advantages of a ban on the use of British-derived Anti-D. [61048]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 December 1998]: On 26 February 1998 the Committee on Safety of Medicines advised that the National Health Service Bio Products Laboratory and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service's Protein Fractionation Centre take steps to source products from plasma derived from outside the United Kingdom including Anti-D and gamma globulin. The Committee further advised that this should be done within a timeframe to be agreed with the committee, giving regard to the effects on the supply of all products but especially of vital and less readily obtainable life saving products. In the meantime, the Committee did not advise withdrawal of licensed UK sourced Anti-D and gamma globulin products. I have accepted the Committee's advice and will keep the matter under review in the light of any further advice or changed circumstances.
  204
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the risk of contamination of British-derived γ-(gamma-)globulin stocks within the NHS with the infective agent of new variant CJD; [61056]

  (2) what assessment he has received of the risk of contamination of British-derived Anti-D stocks within the NHS with the infective agent of new variant CJD. [61049]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: The Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) completed its review of the sourcing of blood products in May and advised that the theoretical risk that new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease could be transmitted by blood products could not be discounted. The Committee further advised that The National Health Service Bio Products Laboratory and the Protein Fractionation Centre should move to sourcing products from plasma derived outside the United Kingdom within a time frame agreed between the CSM and giving due regard to the need for uninterrupted supply of all products including Anti-D and gammaglobulin.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Canadian Government on the importation of British blood products into that country. [61146]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: We have had no such discussions with the Canadian Government.

  No officials at the National Blood Authority (including the Blood Products Laboratory) have had discussions with the Canadian Government about the issue of importing blood products from the United Kingdom to Canada.

  However, officials will continue to maintain close contact with their counterparts in Canada and a number of other countries on issues related to blood products.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what efforts have been made to obtain alternative supplies of ready-made Anti-D from foreign sources; and with what results;

  (2) what efforts have been made to obtain alternative supplies of ready-made γ-(gamma-)globulin for hepatitis A protection from foreign sources; and with what results. [61051]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: In the case of anti-D it is crucial to maintain licensed supplies of this essential treatment and non United Kingdom sourced product made in this country will be available from mid 1999. In the meantime one licensed non UK derived product is already available, and we are exploring other sources. There are currently adequate supplies of licensed non UK sourced gammaglobulin products in the country.

  The Department's advice to doctors on all issues relating to immunisation is contained in "Immunisation against infectious disease" (1996) and is an Her Majesty's Stationery Office publication. This advice states that active immunisation with Hepatitis A vaccine is the preferred method of protection against Hepatitis A infection.

  Spongiform Encephalopathy (Transmission)
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the methods available to prevent transmission of spongiform encephalopathy between animals are suitable to be used for humans. [61057]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: No. The potential of prophylactic medicines has been demonstrated in rodents under laboratory conditions, but has not been developed for use in natural disease in either animals or humans.

  In so far as modes of transmission of spongiform encephalopathies are understood, any prevention or control measure must be carefully evaluated for its safety and efficacy (by research study where appropriate). This would be necessary to establish whether it has wider applicability beyond the species in which its effectiveness had apparently been demonstrated.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to implement the recommended autoclave regime set out in Annex B, Table B.1 of the joint Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens/ Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee Working Group document entitled "Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Agents: Safe working and the prevention of infection". [61059]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: The recommended autoclave regime set out in Annex B, Table B1 re-iterates previous advice from the Department, first issued in 1981. Therefore, the autoclave regime in itself is not new advice. The main change in the 1998 guidance with respect to surgical instruments is to advise disposal of all instruments used on patients with clinical symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and not just those used for neurological and ophthalmological surgery.

  The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens/ Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee guidance gives advice to employers on the precautions needed to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations with respect to the agents of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies.

  The Department has publicised the updated guidance. In particular, on 28 April 1998 the Department's Deputy Chief Medical Officer wrote to the National Health

  List of Health Authority and National Health Service Trust appointments which expired in 1998 and for which no appointment had been made by 1 January 1999

  Region

  Body

  Number of chairs

  Number of non-executives

  Eastern

  Addenbrookes NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Horizon NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Kings Lynn and Wisbech Hospitals NHS Trust

  0

  2

  West Herts Community Health NHS Trust

  0

  1

  North West

  Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust

  1

  1

  Chester and Halton Community NHS Trust

  1

  2

  Christie Hospital NHS Trust

  1

  2

  Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology NHS Trust

  1

  2

  Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Manchester Health Authority

  0

  1

  Mancunian Community Health NHS Trust

  1

  1

  Oldham Hospital and Community Services NHS Trust

  0

  2

  Tameside and Glossop Community and Priority Services NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Warrington Community NHS Trust

  0

  2

  Wirral Hospital NHS Trust

  1

  1

  206
  Service announcing publication of the updated guidance. He asked that it be drawn to the attention of relevant staff, specifically those with responsibility for infection control and those responsible for re-processing medical devices. In his letter he highlighted that the annexe on decontamination would be particularly relevant.

  It is the responsibility locally of trusts to ensure that such guidance is adhered to.

  Consultation Document MLX 249
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the Medicines Control Agency proposals set out in consultation document MLX 249 are modified to include a right of independent appeal against Medicines Control Agency decisions. [65176]

  Ms Jowell
  How the review panel is constituted, and its terms of reference, form an important part of the proposals. We will consider carefully all responses on these issues before deciding whether and what legislation should be brought before Parliament.

  Accident and Emergency Services
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what levels of spare capacity in terms of(a) beds and (b) staff hospitals are advised to maintain to meet surges in demand for accident and emergency services. [65493]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have published guidance and good practice on managing emergency pressures in the emergency services action team (ESAT) reports of 1997 and 1998. Within this broad framework it is for health authorities and National Health Service trusts to balance services to meet emergency demand throughout the year. Copies of the ESAT reports are available in the Library.

  Appointments
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all NHS trust and health authority appointments which were not made by the due date and which remained outstanding on 1 January. [65768]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  207

  List of Health Authority and National Health Service Trust appointments which expired in 1998 and for which no appointment had been made by 1 January 1999

  Region

  Body

  Number of chairs

  Number of non-executives

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority

  0

  1

  North Cumbria Health Authority

  0

  2

  London

  BHB Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  0

  1

  City and Hackney Community Services NHS Trust

  0

  2

  Croydon Community Health NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Enfield Community Care NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Hillingdom Hospital NHS Trust

  0

  2

  King's Healthcare NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust

  0

  1

  London

  Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust

  0

  1

  North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Pathfinder Mental Health Services NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Trent

  Central Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Grantham and District Hospital NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Leicestershire Health Authority

  0

  1

  Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, University Hospital NHS Trust

  0

  2

  South East

  East Surrey Health Authority

  0

  2

  South West

  Bath Mental Healthcare NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Gloucestershire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Gloucestershire Royal NHS Trust

  1

  0

  Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust

  0

  1

  West Midlands

  Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull (Teaching) Hospitals NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Walsall Community Health NHS Trust

  0

  1

  Warwickshire Health Authority

  0

  1

  Total

  7

  50

  Haslar Hospital
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investment his Department has made in facilities at the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar in each of the last five years. [65782]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department has made no investment in the facilities at the Royal Hospital Haslar in any of the last 5 years.

  The Portsmouth Hospital National Health Service Trust and Royal Hospital Haslar work closely together and staff from both organisations work across both hospital sites. Doctors provide cover in certain specialties and staff are exchanged, in particular in cardiology and urology. No revenue transfer is involved. Haslar charges the NHS trust for the use of its magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

  "Our Healthier Nation"
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend all relevant targets outlined in the Green Paper: "Our Healthier Nation", to include those aged 65 to 79 years. [66336]

  Ms Jowell
  The "Our Healthier Nation" Green Paper proposed four targets for improving health, three of which were expressed as reductions of mortality for people under 65. We received over 5,500 responses to the consultation, many of which commented on the implications of the proposals for older people and on the age range of the proposed targets.

  We are currently developing the "Our Healthier Nation" White Paper taking full account of the consultation responses, including those relating to age limits on the targets. We plan to publish the White Paper in the spring.

  Pain Killers (Pack Sizes)
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the impact of new regulations on aspirin and paracetamol pack sizes; what action he will take to ensure that pharmacists are aware of their discretion to supply up to 100 tablets at a time without a prescription; and if he will make a statement. [66674]

  Ms Jowell
  The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) is monitoring the impact of the new regulations on paracetamol and aspirin pack sizes and will review the effectiveness of the measures once sufficient data have been collected.

  The pharmacist's discretion to supply up to 100 tablets or capsules at a time without a prescription was publicised by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the professional body for pharmacists, in August 1998 in their publication, the Pharmaceutical Journal. The MCA will be highlighting the availability of this discretion in an article it will shortly be submitting to the Journal on this and other issues relating to the introduction of the new pack sizes.

  NHS Litigation Authority
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the role and responsibilities of the NHS Litigation Authority. [66580]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service Litigation Authority (NHSLA) is a special health authority established in November 1995. Its principal task is to administer schemes set up under Section 21 of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 to allow NHS bodies to
  209
  pool the cost of injury, loss or damage to property and liabilities to third parties arising from the carrying out of their functions. The NHSLA administers three schemes:
  a scheme covering liabilities for alleged clinical negligence where the incident occurred after 1 April 1995 (the clinical negligence scheme for NHS trusts);
  a scheme relating to existing incidents which occurred before that date (the existing liabilities scheme); and
  a scheme to manage residual clinical negligence liabilities of regional health authorities from 1 April 1996.

  From 1 April 1999 the NHSLA will also be responsible for establishing a scheme to provide cover for non-clinical risks.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names and remuneration of the members of the NHS Litigation Authority. [66579]

  Mr. Denham
  The membership of the National Health Service Litigation Authority is as follows.

  Sir Bruce Martin QC (Chairman);

  Mr. Steve Walker (Chief Executive);

  Mr. Ian McQuattie (Director of Finance);

  Mr. John Speedman (Non-Executive);

  Mr. R. S. Bradshaw (Non -Executive).

  The accounts for 1998 show that the Chairman's remuneration was £19,285 and the chief executive's remuneration was £81,614 (including benefits and pension contributions). Other members received remuneration in the ranges:

  £0–5,000: 2

  £5,001–10,000: 0

  £10,001–20,000: 1

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many cases since 2 May 1997 the NHS Litigation Authority has recommended the discontinuance of alternative disputes resolution proceedings; and if he will make a statement. [66582]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service Litigation Authority has authorised discontinuance on one alternative dispute resolution proceeding since 2 May 1997. I have written to the hon. Member separately on that case. The NHS Litigation Authority actively promotes alternatives to litigation for resolving disputes wherever possible.

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy towards the use of alternative dispute resolution procedures to deal with allegations of negligence in the NHS. [66581]

  Mr. Denham
  We are keen to find improved ways of handling clinical negligence claims which do not involve litigation. The National Health Service Executive launched pilot mediation schemes in the Anglia and Oxford and Northern and Yorkshire regions in April 1995 with the aim of exploring the scope for mediation as an appropriate alternative to litigation in the resolution of clinical disputes. The pilots ended last year and an evaluation project is in the final stages of reporting. We will look carefully at the findings and particularly whether there is scope to extend the use of mediation in the NHS.

  Funding
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department(a) gives and (b) intends to give to NHS authorities to take full account of the clinical and cost effectiveness of new and current health interventions when making decisions on funding. [66741]

  Mr. Denham
  Priorities and planning guidance is issued annually to health authorities. We expect all decision makers in the National Health Service—including health authorities—to take account of clinical and cost effectiveness when making decisions on clinical care.

  We are setting up the National Institute for Clinical Excellence which will, for the first time, provide the NHS with a single, coherent source for the development and dissemination of guidance about clinical and cost effectiveness.

  NHS Trusts (Cheshire)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many members on the(a) North Cheshire Health Authority, (b) Warrington Community Health Trust and (c) Warrington Hospital NHS Trust are resident in (i) the Warrington, North constituency, (ii) the Warrington, South constituency and (iii) other areas. [66832]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 21 January 1999]: One non-executive member of the North Cheshire Health Authority currently resides in the Warrington, North constituency, two reside in Warrington, South and two in other constituencies. The remaining non-executive post is not filled at present.

  One non-executive member of Warrington Hospital National Health Service Trust currently resides in the Warrington, North constituency, three reside in Warrington, South and two in other constituencies.

  Two non-executive members of Warrington Community National Health Service Trust currently reside in the Warrington, North constituency, and two reside in the Warrington, South. The remaining two non-executive posts are not filled at present.

  Fluoridation (Northumbrian Water)
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of the judicial review being brought by Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority against Northumbrian Water over the company's refusal to fluoridise water supplies. [65958]

  Ms Jowell
  The Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority estimate legal costs of around £10,000 for each of the six health authorities that have been involved in the joint legal action.

  Departmental Staff (Travel)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating what changes have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. [67494]
  211
  Ms Jowell
  Most staff in the Department are currently reimbursed for business use of their private car at the rate of 40 pence per mile for the first 4,000 miles in a year, and 22.5 pence thereafter.

  Staff are encouraged to use public transport where it is cost effective to do so. As part of its strategy to encourage staff to switch to public transport and less polluting forms of travel, the Department has also set up a working group to review the policies and operational arrangements for business travel by departmental staff.

  The Department encourages the use of bicycles wherever practicable and makes available an advance of salary of up to £500 for staff to purchase a bicycle and necessary safety equipment.

  Beta-Interferon
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the research being commissioned by his Department into the effectiveness of Betaferon (Beta-Interferon-lb) for relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, specifying the length of the research period, its cost and with whom the research is to be placed. [67425]

  Mr. Hutton
  Experts are still discussing the design of the proposed trial and no decision has therefore been made yet on its feasibility or value.

  Dental Services (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much in total out of Gloucestershire Health Authority's Investing in Dentistry bid he expects to allocate; when he expects that total amount to be allocated by; and if he will make a statement. [67490]

  Mr. Denham
  Only those Gloucestershire Health Authority investing in dentistry bids which have been approved by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health will receive funding. Payment of the grants will depend on the individual terms and conditions of each of the awards.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Illegal Fishing
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has taken and what further measures are planned to address the problem of illegal fishing by Spanish nationals in Gibraltarian waters. [67266]

  Ms Quin
  In addition to the normal enforcement measures of the Royal Gibraltar Police and Gibraltar Police and Gibraltar Security Police, we have sought to address this problem by encouraging dialogue with fishermen, both at a local level and via the authorities in Madrid. We have also reached an understanding with the Spanish authorities of the situation that had prevailed between 1991 (when the Gibraltar Nature Protection Ordinance was introduced) and 1997 during which Spanish fishermen respected the authority of the Police, and have been seeking to return to that situation.

  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 that a rescue attempt was to be made to release the hostages in Chechnya, employed by Granger Telecom; [66958]

  (2) when the Foreign Office 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
  [pursuant to his reply, 21 January 1999, c. 536]: An administrative error led to an omission in my answer of 21 January to the hon. Member. The correct answer should read as follows:

  On 7 December 1998, both HM Embassy Moscow and FCO officials in London saw the Interfax news agency despatch reporting Chechen assertions that the men were being held outside Chechnya and that Russian law-enforcement agencies might try to rescue the hostages.

  EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the subjects currently under discussion by common foreign and security policy working groups; and if he will make a statement on the nature of United Kingdom representation in each group. [66150]

  Ms Quin
  Twenty-eight Common Foreign and Security Policy Working Groups meet on a regular basis. The UK attends all these meetings. The UK delegations are composed of officials with the necessary expertise from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other Government Departments concerned.

  The subjects which the Working Groups cover are:

  Administrative Affairs

  Africa

  Armaments Policy

  Asia

  Central Europe

  Consular Affairs

  Conventional Arms Exports

  Communications

  Drugs

  Global Disarmament

  Eastern Europe and Central Asia

  Euro-Mediterranean

  Human Rights

  Latin America

  Law of the Sea

  Mashraq/Maghreb

  Middle East Peace Process

  Middle East/Gulf

  Non-proliferation

  OSCE

  Policy Planning

  Protocol

  Public International Law

  213

  Security

  South East Europe

  Terrorism

  United Nations

  Western Balkans.

  Fishing Dispute (Gibraltar)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to refer the dispute over Spanish vessels fishing in British waters around Gibraltar to the International Court at The Hague. [67350]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: We have no plans to refer this dispute to the International Court of Justice.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has put to the Spanish Government with a view to finding a solution to the current dispute over fishing by Spanish fishing boats in British waters around Gibraltar. [67349]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: We have reached an understanding with the Spanish authorities of the situation that had prevailed between 1991 (when the Gibraltar Nature Protection Ordinance was introduced) and 1997 during which Spanish fishermen respected the authority of the Police. We have been seeking, through continuing dialogue with the Spanish authorities, to return to that situation.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what British reinforcements have been sent to Gibraltar to enforce the law with regard to fishing in British waters. [67351]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: Primary responsibility for enforcing the laws concerning fishing in British waters around Gibraltar lies with the Royal Gibraltar Police. They have not been reinforced from the United Kingdom.

  Coral Reefs
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigation he has conducted into the effects of coral bleaching on the reefs of the British Indian Ocean Territory. [65823]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The British Indian Ocean Territory Government have made initial assessment of the extent of coral bleaching in the Territory. They have also agreed to sponsor a further, in-depth study into coral bleaching, which we hope will take place in February.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that commercial fishing close to the reefs of the British Indian Ocean Territory is adjusted to ensure the safe-guarding of the reefs. [65824]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The commercial inshore fishery occurs from dories drifting across the banks using only hook and lines, which are not considered harmful. We do not allow other methods such as trawling where nets could become entangled on the reef.
  214
  Controls are implemented by limited licensing, based on best available scientific information and adopting a precautionary approach to fisheries management.

  Right hon. Member for Hartlepool
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is employing the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) as an adviser. [67885]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  No, but I will continue to maintain close contact with all Parliamentary colleagues interested in foreign policy.

  Gibraltar
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to amend annexe II of the 1976 legislative measure of the EEC on Direct Elections to extend the franchise to the people of Gibraltar for elections to the European Parliament. [67396]

  Ms Quin
  We have no plans to seek to amend annexe II of the 1976 EC Act. Amendment would require the agreement of all Member States. In present circumstances there is no prospect of securing this.

  Arms Embargoes
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many arms embargoes were in force on 1 December 1997; who they were against; on what date each relevant Order in Council was made; on what date a copy of each Order in Council was sent to the relevant British embassy or high commission; and on what date each order in Council was first read by the relevant British ambassador or high commissioner. [67698]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  At 1 December 1997, the following arms embargoes were in operation:

  UN
  Iraq
  UNSCR 661 adopted on 6 August 1990. (The resolution imposed a general ban on exports, including arms.) The Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1990 was made on 8 August 1990.
  Somalia
  UNSCR 733 adopted on 23 January 1992. The United Nations Arms Embargoes (Liberia, Somalia and the Former Yugoslavia) Order was made on 20 July 1993.
  Libya
  UNSCR 748 adopted on 31 March 1992. The Libya (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1992 was made on 8 April 1992, replaced by the Libya (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1993 made on 16 November 1993.
  Liberia
  UNSCR 788 adopted on 19 November 1992. The United Nations Arms Embargoes (Liberia, Somalia and the Former Yugoslavia) Order was made on 20 July 1993.
  Angola
  UNSCR 864 adopted on 15 September 1993. The Angola (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1993 was made on 29 September 1993.

  215
  Rwanda (and neighbouring States if for use in Rwanda)
  UNSCR 1011 adopted on 16 August 1995, replacing UNSCR 918 adopted on 17 May 1994. The United Nations Arms Embargoes (Amendment) (Rwanda) Order was made on 22 June 1994 and the United Nations Arms Embargoes (Rwanda) (Amendment) Order was made on 12 February 1997.
  Sierra Leone
  UNSCR 1132 adopted on 8 October 1997. The Sierra Leone (United Nations Sanctions) Order was made on 30 October 1997.

  EU

  Afghanistan

  adopted on 17 December 1996

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  adopted 26 February 1996 but entered into force 13 March 1996 (maintaining earlier ban on Former Yugoslavia)

  Burma

  declared 29 July 1991

  China

  declared 27 June 1989

  Croatia

  adopted 26 February 1996 but entered into force 13 March 1996 (maintaining earlier ban on Former Yugoslavia)

  Nigeria

  adopted 20 November 1995

  Sudan

  adopted 15 March 1994

  OSCE

  Armenia

  agreed 28 February 1992

  Azerbaijan

  agreed 28 February 1992.

  In addition, the UK restricted the export of arms to the following countries:

  Argentina

  with effect from 3 April 1982

  Iran

  with effect from 1 March 1993.

  Orders in Council are made in respect of arms embargoes imposed by the United Nations Security Council. (Other embargoes are implemented under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994.) Until recently, it was the practice to circulate copies of the relevant resolutions, rather than copies of the Orders in Council, or summaries of them, to the relevant High Commissions or Embassies. Since July 1998 all FCO Departments and Posts overseas and all Whitehall Departments have been sent details of the scope and provisions of all new sanctions, including arms embargoes.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 December 1998,Official Report, columns 122–23, when he will publish a report on UK strategic exports; and if he will make a statement. [67893]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We will publish the report as soon as possible.

  Anglo-German Working Group
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of the persons appointed to represent Her Majesty's Government on the Anglo-German Working Group; and what are its terms of reference and the persons or bodies to whom it reports. [65746]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 18 January 1999]: I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and Chancellor Schroeder have authorised informal bilateral contacts. They are led on the British side by Lord Falconer on behalf of the Government. The exchanges also cover party political matters, which are handled on behalf of the Labour Party by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson).

CABINET OFFICE

  Departmental Staff (Travel)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating what changes have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. [67495]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The mileage rates currently applicable to staff are:

  Private car rate

  Miles travelled in a financial year

  Up to 1500cc

  Over 1500cc

  Up to 4,000 miles

  34p

  43p

  Over 4,000 miles

  19p

  23p

  The Cabinet Office, along with its Agencies, is in the process of developing a new environmental policy and green action plan in line with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' guidance. An integral part of this development is consideration of how best to develop a Green Transport Plan for the Department. It is also an issue which is already being addressed as part of the development of the Department's new headquarters building.

TREASURY

  Child Benefit
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) the number of married couples entitled to child benefit whose combined taxable income exceeds the higher rate threshold where neither spouse pays higher rate tax and (b) the number of married couples entitled to child benefit whose combined taxable incomes are (i) less than £35,000, (ii) £40,000, (iii) £50,000 fand (iv) less than twice the higher rate threshold, where one of the spouses is a higher rate taxpayer. [64672]
  217
  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of married couples entitled to child benefit whose combined taxable income exceeds the higher rate threshold for a single person and where neither spouse pays tax at the higher rate is estimated to be about 850,000 for 1998–99.

  Estimates for 1998–99 for the number of married couples entitled to child benefit and where one of the spouses is a higher rate taxpayer are given in the table.

  Combined taxable income

  Number of married couples

  Less than £35,000

  80,000

  Less than £40,000

  200,000

  Less than £50,000

  450,000

  Less than £62,5901

  675,000

  1 twice the higher rate threshold for a single person.

  Concordats
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the concordats for regulating competition between(a) the regional development agencies in England and (b) the RDAs and equivalent bodies for Scotland and Wales. [66184]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government will shortly publish a concordat on financial assistance to industry.

  Commercial Lobbyists
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules or guidance his Department has to govern the(a) formal and (b) informal interaction between his civil servants and commercial lobbyists. [66214]

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

  EMU
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the reasons for which Sweden was excluded from early entry into Phase Three of Economic and Monetary Union. [66387]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Council Decision of 3 May 1998, in accordance with Article 109j(4) of the EC Treaty, stated that Sweden did not fulfil the necessary conditions for adoption of the single currency. Unlike the currencies of Italy and Finland, neither of which were within the ERM for two years, the Swedish Crown exhibited insufficient exchange rate stability during the two year review period. In addition, national legislation in Sweden, including the statute of the Swedish national central bank, was not compatible with the requirements of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty and the Statute of the ESCB.

  EU Code of Conduct Group
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the taxes discussed by the EU Code of Conduct Group to date. [66345]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The EU Code of Conduct Group deals with business taxation and is therefore principally concerned with corporation tax and equivalent taxes in other Member States.

  Tax Competition
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide the Government's definition of harmful tax competition. [66340]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 17 December 1998,Official Report, column 752.

  Offshore Trusts
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on offshore trusts, with particular reference to trusts which will be exempt from new legislation. [66447]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is our policy to ensure that the UK tax liability of those who set up, or benefit from, offshore trusts, reflects the benefits which they, or their immediate family, may receive from the trust. In the last Finance Act we introduced a comprehensive and effective regime for taxing gains realised within offshore trusts. This is a difficult and complex area of the law, which we keep under continual review to ensure that the system operates as we intend.

  Asbestos Exposure
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of registered deaths in the United Kingdom within the last 12 months where the cause of death was due to exposure to asbestos; and if he will make a statement. [66650]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 26 January 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the number of registered deaths in the United Kingdom within the last 12 months where the cause of death was due to exposure to asbestos.
  In 1997, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 1,597 deaths in the United Kingdom that were certified with asbestos or asbestos related diseases as a main or contributory cause of death.

  Pesticide Tax
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when a decision concerning the imposition of a pesticide tax will be made. [66589]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: As was made clear in the Pre-Budget Report, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has commissioned research into whether a tax or charge on pesticides would be an effective way to reduce pollution. The Government are currently reviewing the findings of that research project, and will evaluate the results of other ongoing work in considering how best to proceed.

  Duty-free Sales
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on retaining duty free sales in the EU. [64597]
  219
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on retaining duty free sales in Europe. [64620]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 19 January 1999]: At the Vienna European Council meeting on 11 December 1998 the UK argued that there was a good case for looking once more at the decision to end duty-free sales in the EU. Heads of Government agreed that the Commission and ECOFIN should examine, by March 1999, the problems whtch could arise with regard to employment and to address, on the basis of proposals from the Commission, possible means of tackling these problems, including the possibility of a limited extension of duty-free sales.

  The UK is now actively pursuing these issues with the Commission and other member states in order to find an acceptable solution, which has unanimous agreement.

  Capital Assets (Devaluation)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the extent of the devaluation of capital assets worldwide as a result of the financial crisis in East Asia and South America; and what its principal effects have been on Her Majesty's Government policy. [66727]

  Ms Hewitt
  Despite recent gains in some East Asian and Latin American markets, stock values and currencies in these regions are still well below their levels of 18 months ago. But it is difficult to assess the direct effect of these price movements on global capital assets.

  Because financial turbulence in Asia and the Americas has negative consequences for the inhabitants of those regions and poses a threat to global economic stability, the UK has taken a lead in finding solutions to the present turmoil. The G7 Declaration of 30 October 1998, which the UK brokered as G7 Chair, contained commitments to fight financial market contagion through an enhanced IMF facility; increase the transparency of the international financial system; enhance global financial regulation, in particular through better co-ordination between international financial institutions, national regulators and international regulatory bodies; and improve financial crisis prevention and resolution mechanisms, including the involvement of private sector creditors. G7 Finance ministers and Central Bank governors have also committed themselves to
  "create or sustain the conditions for strong, domestic demand-led growth and financial stability",
  reflected in the interest rate cuts in G7 countries in recent months.

  Fixed Investments
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the excess of capital moneys over presently remunerative fixed investment opportunities worldwide; and if he will make a statement. [66726]

  Ms Hewitt
  International investment flows can bring huge benefits to all countries. But they also entail risks, as the events of the last 18 months have shown, when investors are insufficiently informed and educated and when institutions lack credibility.
  220
  The G7 declaration of 30 October 1998 set out a blueprint for the reform of the international financial architecture which will make a major difference in this regard. Increased transparency and openness in the public and private sector will provide better information on which the private sector can base its risk assessment and investment decisions. Better methods of involving the private sector in crisis resolution and prevention will also sharpen private sector risk-management and reduce moral hazard.

  In addition, the G7 declaration pledges to bring together the key international institutions and key national authorities involved in financial sector stability better to co-operate and to co-ordinate their activities in the management and development of policies to foster stability and reduce systemic risk in the international financial system and to exchange information more systematically on these risks.

  The Government believe that the opening of capital markets in emerging economies must be carried out in a careful and well-sequenced manner if countries are to benefit from closer integration into the global economy.

  ECOFIN Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 18 January; and if he will make a statement. [66819]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor attended the Economic and Finance Council—ECOFIN—of the European Union in Brussels on 20 January 1999.

  The German Presidency and the Commission presented their work programmes in public session. All Member States were able to present their views on the programme. The emphasis on tackling unemployment was particularly welcomed. ECOFIN adopted a Report on information requirements in Economic and Monetary Union.

  The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee presented Opinions on the Irish and Austrian Stability programmes. The Commission and several Member State gave their views on the Opinions. Both opinions, with minor amendments, were adopted by the Council. There was a brief discussion of Agenda 2000.

  Beer Duty
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for harmonising beer duty in the United Kingdom with that of other European Union countries. [66970]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Member states are free to set excise duty rates at the level they feel are appropriate to their own particular circumstances, subject only to the agreed minimum rates. This was the basis of the agreement reached by all member states in ECOFIN in 1992 and achieved harmonisation to the extent necessary for completion of the Single Market. Nevertheless, the UK continues to argue for a levelling up of most minimum rates but recognises that progress is likely only in the long term.

  VAT Returns (Euros)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons Customs and Excise is unable to accept VAT returns in euros; and if he will make a statement. [66983]

  Ms Hewitt
  Customs and Excise are unable to accept VAT returns in euros because to do so would present a real risk of serious revenue losses.

  The tax is accounted for in respect of monthly or quarterly periods but there is a period of one month in either case for a VAT return to be submitted. Exchange rates may move during this period, giving the business an opportunity to time the sending of the return to maximise the benefit of any fluctuation.

  Taxes (Final Reminders)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to ensure that the Inland Revenue does not issue final reminders from more than one tax office, in cases involving pensioners who receive pensions from more than one source. [66982]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue provides taxpayers with a unique taxpayer reference in the SA system from which the issue of final reminders and other forms is controlled. This unique reference should ensure that even where a taxpayer has more than one source of income and deals with more than one tax office, final reminders are generated only once.

  HIPC Initiative
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made towards the goal set out in the G8' s Birmingham Communiqu" of all the heavily indebted poor countries being admitted to the HIPC initiative by the year 2000. [66742]

  Ms Hewitt
  Sixteen out of the 20 countries originally identified by the World Bank/IMF as eligible for HIPC debt relief have embarked on the process: Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Four have not: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Sao Tome and Principe.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent amendments to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative have been made to give further support to post-conflict and post-catastrophe countries. [67037]

  Ms Hewitt
  At the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in October, the decision was made to allow IMF post conflict assistance programmes to count towards a country's track record under the HIPC initiative. This could bring decision point (and therefore debt relief) forward by up to 12 months for certain countries, including Rwanda.

  Following Hurricane Mitch, the Chancellor secured several measures to help mitigate the debt services burdens of post-catastrophe countries, including the establishment of an IMF/World Bank Trust Fund. The UK contributed £10 million to this. In December the UK
  222
  participated in a Paris Club agreement which granted a three year moratorium on debt service payments from Honduras and Nicaragua.

  Winter Mortality Rates
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exc00hequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Knowsley, South (Mr. O'Hara) of 8 December 1998,Official Report, column 140, regarding deaths from hypothermia, if he will provide the information by (i) region and (ii) parliamentary constituency. [67296]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply. The tables referred to in the letter are in the Library.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mrs. Linda Gilroy, dated 26 January 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the number of deaths from hypothermia by (i) region and (ii) parliamentary constituency in England and Wales in 1997.
  The information requested is shown in the attached table.

  Smuggling
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the quantity of beer smuggled into the United Kingdom for resale in the last year. [67229]

  Dawn Primarolo
  HM Customs and Excise estimate the volume of beer smuggled cross-Channel into the United Kingdom for resale in 1998 to be 2.6 million hectolitres.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions for smuggling(a) alcohol and (b) tobacco there have been in each quarter since January 1993. [67230]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested is not available in this form. Specific figures are available for the number of prosecutions generated by Excise Verification Officers for smuggling of alcohol and/or tobacco from within the European Union:

  Year

  Number

  1993–94

  44

  1994–95

  515

  1995–96

  438

  1996–97

  502

  1997–98

  417

  1998–99 (April-December)

  408

  Exports
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the level of business confidence in relation to UK exports; and if he will make a statement. [67630]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government welcome the improvement in exporters' sentiment revealed in recent surveys from the Confederation of British Industry and the British Chambers of Commerce.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he travelled from the Commonwealth Finance Ministers meeting in Mauritius in September 1997 to Bangkok for the ASEM meeting; who accompanied him; what was the cost; and what use he made of chartered helicopters for travel in and around Bangkok during the time he was there for the ASEM meeting. [67784]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  All arrangements for this journey fully complied with the provisions of the Ministerial Code and Cabinet Office guidance on travel by Ministers.

  Personal Investment Authority
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to introduce an independent appeals element into the decisions of the Personal Investment Authority; and if he will make a statement. [67646]

  Ms Hewitt
  As a self-regulating organisation, the Personal Investment Authority must have fair and reasonable rules for admission, expulsion and discipline over its member firms, with scope for appeals. The adequacy of these arrangements is a matter for the Financial Services Authority.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take in respect of sole traders, partnerships and small companies in the construction industry who do not qualify for tax certificates as regards their position under the new deduction regulations; and if he will make a statement. [66980]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We shall be introducing legislation in the next Finance Bill to amend the rules of the new construction industry scheme which is due to take effect from 1 August 1999. That will make it easier for many small and medium businesses to obtain gross payment certificates. Those who do not qualify for certificates will be paid with deductions made on account of tax and national insurance contributions (NICs), but they will not ultimately be liable for any more tax and NICs than if they held certificates. The Inland Revenue has consulted widely with construction industry representative bodies on the design of the new scheme and has published guidance and set up telephone helplines for contractors and subcontractors.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he anticipates that the Food Standards Agency will be in operation. [66554]

  Mr. Rooker
  The date when the Food Standards Agency is established will depend on how soon the necessary legislation can be approved by Parliament. We hope to introduce a Bill later this Session if sufficient extra time is available.

  CAP Reform
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will pursue with the European Commission proposals to reform the CAP by(a) abolishing the tobacco subsidy in Europe and (b) assisting pig farmers. [66895]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission is fully aware that the Government disapprove of the EU tobacco regime. The Commission is to report on the functioning of the common market organisation for raw tobacco before 1 April 2002, and we will continue to put forward our views.

  I am keeping closely in touch with the Commission on the current pig situation. However, I consider that it is better to use existing market instruments rather than attempting a reform of the regime.

  Tobacco (EU Subsidies)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on withdrawing the subsidy to tobacco producers in the European Union. [66903]

  Mr. Rooker
  This Ministry receives occasional correspondence about the EU tobacco regime. Last year, a number of letters from the public were received early in the year at the time of the proposals for reform of the regime.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress his Department made in encouraging installers of the Home Energy Efficiency scheme to take on young trainees as part of the Government's Welfare-to-Work programme. [66660]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  All employers are encouraged to take on young people under the New Deal and we have made strong progress in engaging employers nationally and locally. We also recognise the importance of the four New Deal options. Under the Environment Task Force option, two of the key environmental objectives to improve the physical condition and energy efficiency of buildings and to conserve energy through the promotion of energy efficient schemes.

  Travel-to-interview Costs
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discretion the Employment Service has to help with travel costs for interviews for people who have been unemployed for less than 13 weeks. [66822]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Employment Service Business Managers have the discretion to ignore short breaks in the 13 week unemployed qualifying period for access to the Travel to Interview Scheme (TIS). The Employment Service may also offer immediate access to the Scheme for victims of designated large redundancies.

  Higher Education (Complaints Procedures)
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what action is being taken to ensure that universities and other institutions of higher education have in place an internal complaints procedure available to(a) undergraduates and (b) postgraduates; [67205]

  (2) if he will list those universities and other institutions of higher education which do not currently have in place a formal internal complaints procedure available to (a) undergraduate and (b) postgraduate students; and what timetable has been set for the introduction of such complaints procedures in each case. [67207]

  Mr. Mudie
  In our response to the Report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (the Dearing Committee) we accepted the Committee's recommendation that, over the two years up to July 1999, institutions should review and, if necessary, amend their arrangements for handling complaints from students. We have encouraged them to take the necessary action in the light of guidance issued by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals on an independent review of student appeals and complaints, published in April 1998. The Department does not currently keep records of whether or not an institution has a student complaints procedure but we shall be reviewing this summer the progress made in following up the Dearing Committee's recommendation.

  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance is given by(a) the Quality Assurance Agency and (b) other bodies to universities and other institutions of higher education in relation to (i) the systems to be used in their internal complaints procedures and (ii) the ways in which complaints procedures should be publicised. [67206]

  Mr. Mudie
  We are not aware of any guidance issued by the Quality Assurance Agency. The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals published guidance on an independent review of student appeals and complaints on 23 April 1998. The guidance does not advocate uniform machinery for the higher education sector. Rather, it identifies six options for meeting the principle of independent review.

  GCSE/GNVQ achievements of 16 year old pupils1 in maintained schools in England, 1997–98

  (a)

  (b)

  Careers service areas

  Percentage of 16 year olds achieving no qualification

  Rank

  Percentage of 16 year olds achieving at least 1 grade G but fewer than 5 grades A*-C

  Rank

  Avon

  6.2

  40

  50.9

  37

  Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham

  9.6

  63

  56.6

  61

  Bedford and Luton

  4.4

  9

  53.1

  47

  Berkshire and Oxfordshire

  5.1

  22

  46.1

  11

  Birmingham

  8.1

  53

  56.4

  60

  Black Country

  7.7

  48

  56.9

  62

  Bolton, Bury and Rochdale

  6.5

  42

  52.6

  44

  Bradford

  11.0

  66

  59.6

  63

  Buckinghamshire

  5.3

  27

  43.3

  5

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  7.7

  49

  52.9

  45

  Physical Education
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the time actually spent by pupils on PE at Key Stages 1 and 2. [67737]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There is no prescribed statutory minimum or maximum time which schools should devote to PE. The National Curriculum for PE consists of six areas of activity and schools have a degree of freedom in deciding which physical activities to teach and how much time should be allocated to them and to other National Curriculum subjects. PE must be taught to all children throughout their compulsory schooling.

  Evidence from OFSTED inspections of the number of hours per week primary and secondary schools currently spend teaching PE as follows.

  Average hours of PE per week (approx.)

  Key Stage 1 (ages 5–7)

  1 hour 20 minutes

  Key Stage 2 (ages 7–11)

  1 hour 35 minutes

  These figures do not account for travelling and changing time incurred in the provision of swimming tuition.

  Tuition Fees (Liability Assessment)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students had not had their liability for tuition fees assessed by their local authority on 31 December 1998. [67409]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: This information is not collected centrally.

  School Leavers
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each careers services area the percentage of young people leaving school at age 16 with(a) no qualifications and (b) few qualifications as defined by his Department, in rank order. [67252]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: GCSE/GNVQ achievements of all 16 year old pupils in maintained schools by careers service areas are shown in the table:

  227

  GCSE/GNVQ achievements of 16 year old pupils1 in maintained schools in England, 1997–98

  (a)

  (b)

  Careers service areas

  Percentage of 16 year olds achieving no qualifications

  Rank

  Percentage of 16 year olds achieving at least 1 grade G but fewer than 5 grades A*-C

  Rank

  Cambridgeshire

  5.4

  29

  46.1

  12

  Cleveland

  9.2

  61

  55.4

  54

  Cornwall and Devon (including Isles of Scilly)

  3.8

  5

  48.6

  27

  Coventry

  8.6

  58

  55.5

  56

  Crewe, Congleton, Halton, Macclesfield, Nantwich, Vale Royale, Warrington

  4.0

  6

  46.6

  17

  Cumbria

  5.8

  32

  50.4

  34

  Derbyshire

  5.1

  24

  51.4

  39

  Dorset

  4.5

  11

  45.0

  7

  Durham

  8.0

  52

  56.2

  58

  East Lancashire

  6.0

  38

  52.3

  42

  East Sussex

  6.1

  39

  48.5

  25

  Essex

  5.4

  28

  47.5

  21

  Gloucestershire

  3.8

  4

  41.9

  4

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight

  4.8

  15

  48.1

  24

  Hereford and Worcester

  6.6

  43

  47.6

  22

  Hertfordshire

  4.4

  10

  41.6

  3

  Humberside

  8.2

  54

  55.4

  55

  Kent

  5.0

  17

  47.3

  20

  Leeds

  9.9

  64

  52.5

  43

  Leicestershire and Rutland

  6.6

  44

  51.4

  38

  Lincolnshire

  5.6

  31

  46.3

  14

  Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton

  10.6

  65

  55.6

  57

  London Area 1, Brent and Harrow

  5.0

  19

  46.6

  16

  London Area 2, Barnet, Enfield, Haringey

  6.4

  41

  49.7

  32

  London Area 3, City of London, Hackney, Islington

  8.5

  57

  66.8

  66

  London Area 4, Barking, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlet, Waltham Forest

  4.7

  14

  55.4

  53

  London Area 5, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark

  7.2

  46

  61.9

  64

  London Area 6, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Sutton

  4.5

  12

  46.4

  15

  London Area 7, Kingston, Merton, Wandsworth

  7.3

  47

  50.5

  35

  London Area 8, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Richmond

  5.3

  26

  48.8

  29

  London Area 9, Camden, City of Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea,

  8.3

  56

  49.8

  33

  Manchester, Salford, Tameside, Trafford

  8.3

  55

  54.3

  52

  Norfolk

  5.5

  30

  48.6

  28

  North Yorkshire

  4.1

  7

  41.3

  1

  Northamptonshire

  4.9

  16

  50.8

  36

  Northumberland

  6.0

  37

  49.6

  31

  Nottinghamshire

  8.0

  51

  53.7

  49

  Oldham

  9.3

  62

  54.0

  51

  Sheffield

  9.2

  60

  53.0

  46

  Shropshire

  3.8

  3

  46.8

  18

  Solihull

  4.1

  8

  46.2

  13

  Somerset

  3.3

  1

  45.8

  10

  St. Helens

  7.2

  45

  53.3

  48

  Staffordshire

  5.8

  35

  52.1

  41

  Stockport and High Peak

  5.0

  18

  45.1

  8

  Suffolk

  3.8

  2

  47.7

  23

  Sunderland

  5.9

  36

  62.1

  65

  Surrey

  5.1

  23

  41.4

  2

  Tyneside

  9.0

  59

  53.9

  50

  Wakefield

  5.8

  33

  56.4

  59

  Warwickshire

  5.2

  25

  49.1

  30

  West Lancashire

  5.0

  20

  48.6

  26

  West Sussex

  4.7

  13

  43.6

  6

  Wigan

  5.8

  34

  51.4

  40

  Wiltshire

  5.1

  21

  45.8

  9

  Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, City of Chester

  7.9

  50

  47.1

  19

  1 Age 16 at the end of the academic year i.e. 31 August 1998.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the importance of design, engineering, manufacturing and technology in the curriculum. [67783]
  228
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Engineering and manufacturing are not subjects of the National Curriculum, but related issues are commonly covered by National Curriculum design and technology (D&T) and information technology (IT). D&T and IT have occupied a justifiably important position in the National Curriculum since its inception in
  229
  1990. We are reviewing the National Curriculum for the year 2000 and are considering a range of issues. In reaching decisions on the future shape of the National Curriculum, we will listen to the views of a wide range of people. There will be a public consultation on the revised National Curriculum in the summer.

  Toddington and Didbrook Primary Schools
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from(a) Gloucestershire County Council and (b) other interested parties, on the proposal to amalgamate Toddington Primary School with Didbrook Primary School; what discussions with interested parties he intends to have before coming to his decision on the proposal; and when he expects to reach a decision. [67155]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  On 16 October, Gloucestershire Local Education Authority published statutory proposals to close Didbrook and Toddington County Primary Schools, and to establish a new school on the Didbrook site. We have received a number of representations. The local education authority has also received objections to the proposals, which they have passed on to the Department. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will give careful consideration to the proposals, to the objections to the proposals and to the local education authority's comments on the objections; and to any other comments he receives. He will reach a decision as soon as possible, consistent with full consideration of all the relevant issues.

  Design and Technology
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how design and technology scores at secondary level compared with other subjects at(a) Key Stage 3 and (b) Key Stage 4 in Ofsted reports on progress and on teaching quality. [67782]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Ofsted reports covering 1995–96 show that 58 per cent. of schools had good standards of achievement for design and technology (D&T) at Key Stage 3. More pupils reach this standard in English, art and physical education than in D&T, but fewer do so in other subjects. At Key Stage 4, 57 per cent. of schools had good standards of achievement for D&T. This is better than pupils' performances in mathematics, science, information technology and modern foreign languages but poorer than other subjects. We expect that the improvement at Key Stage 3 will gradually feed into Key Stage 4.

  Departmental Papers (Access to Visually Impaired)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for departmental(a) White and (b) Green Papers to be made available on floppy disk format in a form which facilitates access for the visually impaired. [67838]

  Mr. Mudie
  As the Department responsible for disability issues, we aim to make our most important documents available to the widest possible audiences including the visually impaired.

  Summaries of recent Green and White Papers have been made available free in Braille and on audio cassette. The texts are also available on the Department's website,
  230
  which many people with less severe visual impairments find very convenient, since they can adjust their own browser software to as large a type size as they require.

  It has not been our usual practice to offer texts on floppy disk simply because there has not been significant demand. Availability of texts via the internet may now be satisfying that demand but, if we receive an ad hoc request for a text on disk, we are happy to produce and supply it.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the capital sum which would be required, at current annuity rates, to buy a pension which would give a person retiring at the age of 65 years the same income after housing costs as someone entitled to income support, assuming an average level of housing costs and taking into account the cash value of the principal benefits in kind available to pensioner recipients of income support but not to other pensioners. [65423]

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

  Using a single life annuity rate, a capital sum of approximately £50,000 would be required to purchase an annuity paying £70.45 per week (the current level of Income Support applicable to a single 65 year old with no dependants or disability), indexed annually to the Retail Prices Index, for a person aged 65. A charge of 2 per cent. of the fund has been assumed to be deducted.

  Notes:

  1. Estimate is rounded to the nearest £5,000.

  2. No adjustment has been made to the basic Income Support entitlement for a person aged 65. Pensioners on this level of income would qualify for assistance with most housing costs and for the principal benefits in kind, even though not actually in receipt of Income Support.

  3. The annuity rate used is derived from the tables issued by the Government Actuary for determining the maximum annual income withdrawal from post-1997 protected rights held in an appropriate personal pension, based on the yield on UK gilts (High Coupon; 15 years) on 15 January 1999. These tables assume an annuity with Limited Price Indexation, ie an annual increase in line with the Retail Prices Index or 5 per cent., whichever is lower. Under current conditions, this gives a reasonable approximation to the cost of an annuity with full RPI linking.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to paragraph 17, on page 14 of "Partnership in Pensions", Cm 4179, what estimate he has made of the number of those reaching retirement age who, by 2025, will have to rely on means-tested benefits under his proposals. [65579]

  Mr. Timms
  The Green Paper proposals are designed to ensure that someone with a full working life, or years covered by credits, will receive a pension on retirement above the Minimum Income Guarantee. The full impact of the proposals will be felt when people have experienced a full working lifetime in the new scheme.

  The estimate referred to in the Green Paper was made using the Department's PENSIM model which can give only a broad indication of the impact so far into the future. Due to the degree of uncertainty surrounding estimates,

  231
  PENSIM cannot identify relatively small changes. The impact of pension policy tends to build up slowly over time and in 2025, after only 20 years of the new system, will be relatively small.

  However, estimates suggest that approximately 1.5 million pensioners (around 20 per cent.) will receive payments from the Minimum Income Guarantee when it is introduced in April 1999. On the basis of unchanged policies (ie. not taking into account the effects of our other proposals in the Green Paper) approximately 3.5 million pensioners (1 in 3) in 2050 could rely on the Minimum Income Guarantee. Even if no behavioural changes are assumed, the new insurance contract for pensions will mean that these estimates are reduced to approximately 2.5 million pensioners (1 in 4) receiving income from the Minimum Income Guarantee in 2050, and a lower proportion in years after 2050.

  As an illustration of the possible impact of the behavioural effects of the proposals in "Partnership in Pensions", if all those in work saved an additional 5 per cent., the figure would fall to approximately 2 million in 2050.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the numbers of pensioners who would be entitled to(a) existing income support and (b) the future minimum pension guarantee if (i) a pension disregard of (1) £10 per week and (2) £20 per week were introduced and (ii) if the disregard were confined to pension income paid to widows and widowers. [66460]

  Mr. Timms
  The tables show the number of pensioners who would be newly entitled to benefit under the proposed disregards.

  Estimated number of pensioners who would float onto benefit

  Existing Income Support gainers in 1998–99

  Future Minimum Income Guarantee gainers in 1999–2000

  £10 occupational pension disregard

  30,000

  35,000

  £20 occupational pension disregard

  75,000

  80,000

  Estimated state pension received

  £

  Current system

  Proposed system

  Earnings a(£s per year)

  Basic state pension

  SERPS

  Total

  Basic state pension

  State second pension

  Total

  £3,000

  29

  2

  31

  29

  43

  72

  £6,000

  31

  14

  44

  31

  50

  80

  £9,000

  31

  25

  55

  31

  50

  80

  £12,000

  31

  36

  67

  31

  56

  86

  £15,000

  31

  46

  76

  31

  61

  91

  £18,000

  31

  53

  83

  31

  64

  94

  £21,000

  31

  57

  87

  31

  67

  97

  £24,000

  31

  59

  89

  31

  68

  98

  Notes:

  1. Assumes a full working life of 49 years from April 2002. Figures shown in constant 1998 earnings, and rounded to the nearest £1—totals may not sum due to rounding. The State Second Pension Scheme as described on page 45 of "A New Contract for Welfare; Partnership in Pensions", with the exception of the upper earnings band, which is assumed to be £20,000 (in 1998 earnings).

  2. Although someone earning £3,000 is below the current LEL, their earnings would eventually exceed the LEL, as the £3,000 is assumed to grow in real terms by 1.5 per cent. per year, and the LEL stays constant.
  232

  Estimated number of widowed pensioners who would float onto benefit

  Existing Income Support gainers in 1998–99

  Future Minimum Income Guarantee gainers in 1999–2000

  £10 occupational pension disregard

  20,000

  20,000

  £20 occupational pension disregard

  50,000

  55,000

  Notes:

  1. The data are taken from the 1997 Quarterly Statistical Enquiries and 1995–96 Family Resources Survey, with administrative data adjustments. Figures are uprated to 1998–99 for Income Support and 1999–2000 for the Minimum Income Guarantee.

  2. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 5,000.

  3. The figures given are of pensioner benefit units (the individual pensioner or at least one of the couple is of state pension age or above), rather than individual pensioners.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what respects, other than the rate of accrual on annual earnings below £18,000 and the crediting-in of carers and disabled people, the state second pension is planned to differ from SERPS. [67887]

  Mr. Timms
  Compared with SERPS, the new State Second Pension will improve the entitlements of lower paid employees, give extra help to moderate earners and for the first time provide credits to carers and the long-term disabled with broken work records.

  Ultimately, we expect the State Second Pension to become a flat rate scheme for those on lower earnings, with moderate and high earners joining a funded pension.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish(a) the information in Chart 5 of "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions", for persons with annual earnings of (i) £3,000, (ii) £6,000, (iii) £9,000, (iv) £12,000, (v) £15,000, (vi) £18,000, (vii) £21,000 and (viii) £24,000 and (b) the income support rates for pensioners in 2050, in earnings-equivalent terms, if they rise in line with earnings between 1999 and 2050. [67886]

  Mr. Timms
  Information is not available in the from requested. Such information as is available is shown in the table.
  233
  (b) If the rates for the Minimum Income Guarantee were to increase broadly in line with the growth in average earnings between 1999 and 2050, they would be £75 in April 2050 for a single pensioner and £117 for a pensioner couple in constant 1999 earnings terms.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the statement on page 14 of "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions", that by 2025 well over half those reaching retirement age could have to rely on income-related benefits refers to income support or to all income-related benefits; and what would be the corresponding proportion if the link between the basic pension and average earnings were restored, assuming that income support rose in line with(a) prices and (b) earnings. [67889]

  Mr. Timms
  The statement on page 14 of "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions" refers to the estimated number of recently retired pensioners in 2025 who might expect to rely on any income related benefit at some point during their retirement.

  Assuming that the maximum rate of basic State pension were increased from the current level in line with average earnings growth from April 1999, (b) less than half of recently retired pensioners in 2025 might expect to rely on an income related benefit if income related benefits are uprated in line with average earnings growth, and (a) less than 1 in 10 if income related benefits are assumed to be uprated in line with prices. On current policies, less than a quarter of recently retired pensioners in 2025 might rely on an income related benefit during their retirement if income related benefits were uprated in line with prices.

  These estimates have been made using the PENSIM model. Due to the number of assumptions used in PENSIM, and the uncertainty surrounding estimates so far in to the future, estimates should be considered as broad brush, and as showing the likely order of magnitude of estimated figures.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what rate of real increase in average earnings is assumed in the illustrative pension forecasts on pages 89 and 104–105 of "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions"; and if he will provide comparable figures based on a real annual increase of 2 per cent. [67888]

  Mr. Timms
  The pension forecast shown on page 89 of "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions" is illustrative, and based on an individual who has already completed most of their working life. No assumptions have been made concerning the future growth in real average earnings for this illustration.

  The hypothetical examples on pages 104–105 are based on real growth in average earnings (and individual earnings in each example) of 1.5 per cent. per year. The effects of assuming 2 per cent. real growth in average earnings (and in individual earnings in each example) are given in the tables.
  234

  Example 1: Mechanic

  Current system (per week)

  New system (per week)

  State Pensions: £43

  State Pensions: £76

  Private Pensions: nil

  Private Pensions: nil

  Total: £43

  Total: £76

  Example 2: Office Manager

  Current system (per week)

  New system (per week)

  State Pensions: £25

  State Pensions: £35

  Private Pensions: £62

  Private Pensions: £71

  Total: £87

  Total: £106

  Example 3: Laboratory Assistant

  Current system (per week)

  New system (per week)

  State Pensions: £25

  State Pensions: £25

  Private Pensions: £107

  Private Pensions: £149

  Total: £133

  Total: £149

  Notes:

  1. Figures shown in constant 1998 earnings, and rounded to the nearest £1—totals may not sum due to rounding.

  2. The State Second Pension Scheme is as described on page 45 of "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions". Full details of the life histories assumed are on pages 104–105.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumptions are made in "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions", regarding the uprating of the lower and upper earnings limits for national insurance contributions between 1999 and 2050; and what the limits are expected to be in 2050, in terms of 1999 earnings. [67891]

  Mr. Timms
  The 1998–99 lower earnings limit of £64 a week and upper earnings limit of £485 a week were used for the costings in the Green Paper. These limits are increased in line with prices. On this basis and on the assumption that real earnings would grow by 1.5 per cent. a year, in 2050–51 the lower earnings limit would be £31 a week and the upper earnings limit £235 a week in terms of 1999–2000 earnings.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how the £30 billion cost of raising the basic pension in line with earnings, quoted in "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions", was calculated, including the period to which it relates and the assumptions made; and what would be the resulting reduction in the cost of means-tested benefits. [67890]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government Actuary's Department estimate that by 2030–31 the annual cost of uprating Retirement Pension and other National Insurance benefits paid to people over State Pension Age in line with earnings would be of the order of £33 billion.

  This estimate is in 1998–99 benefit rates, assumes a start date of April 1999 and is based on assumed real earnings growth of 1.5 per cent. Full details of the assumptions underlying the estimate will be available in the forthcoming Quinquennial Review which is prepared by the Government Actuary's Department.

  Income-Related Benefit offsets might be of the order of £8 billion, assuming earnings uprating of Income Support.
  235
  Estimates such as these are subject to broad margins of error because of the long time period under consideration.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are currently being underpaid in respect of their SERPS entitlements. [67901]

  Mr. Timms
  It is estimated that potentially some 172,000 pensioners could be being underpaid in respect of their SERPS.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioner households will receive a winter fuel payment(a) this year and (b) next year. [67781]

  Angela Eagle
  Both this winter and next, an estimated 7 million pensioner households will receive Winter Fuel Payments.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate how many pensioners in(a) each region, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales fail to claim the (i) income support, (ii) housing benefit, (iii) council tax benefit and (iv) other benefits to which they are entitled. [67780]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available. Following the discovery of an error in the published take-up statistics, we are working towards publication of revised statistics relating to 1996–97. Publication is likely in the Spring.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new retirement pension claims were made in each month since 1 April 1998; and how many of those are currently not receiving correct and final payments of retirement pension. [67900]

  Mr. Timms
  The number of new retirement pension claims made in each month since 1 April 1998 are as follows:

  Month

  Number

  April 1998

  51,236

  May 1998

  45,718

  June 1998

  55,605

  July 1998

  50,176

  August 1998

  42,988

  September 1998

  50,224

  October 1998

  51,318

  November 1998

  48,612

  December 1998

  36,672

  Source: Central Data Unit

  At 20 January 1999 it is estimated that 180,000 people are potentially not receiving correct and final payments of Retirement Pension.

  Local Deprivation Indicators
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which measures of local deprivation his Department and its agencies use in considering allocation of funds to local projects. [66716]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department administers a demand-led social security system based on national eligibility criteria. It therefore provides the main national means of alleviating the impact on families and individuals of insufficient personal financial resources.
  236
  However, there are a few instances where local criteria are used for the provision of funds. One such example is the annual allocation of the discretionary social fund budget to Benefit Agency District Offices. In this instance, one of the criteria used is individual demand for social fund loans amongst the local population in receipt of income support. This budgeting exercise occurs annually and full details on local budget allocations and how they are set are available in the Library.

  In addition, there are a number of discretionary provisions available to those local authorities who administer Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. For example, housing benefit can be increased up to the level of the contractual rent for people who would otherwise experience exceptional hardship under provisions like the local reference rent. Overall financial provision, and its distribution to individual local authorities, is made annually in full consultation with the Local Authority Associations. Authorities can also operate discretionary local schemes to disregard up to the full amount of a War Disablement Pension and War Widow's Pension not already subject to a statutory disregard within the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit provisions.

  Noise-induced Hearing Loss
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors underlay his decision not to fund research into(a) noise-induced hearing loss and (b) hearing loss due to the aging process. [66857]

  Mr. Bayley
  A War Pension can be awarded only for disablement which is due to service. A pension cannot be awarded for age related hearing loss alone.

  There is a long standing and proven mechanism in place under the War Pension Scheme to monitor any published scientific evidence which might affect entitlement to a War Pension. The Department does not, therefore, normally fund medical research in this area.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will amend the terms of reference of the review of noise-induced hearing loss to allow it to consider the level of compensation given in civilian courts to police officers and others suffering hearing loss from service-related damage. [66858]

  Mr. Bayley
  No. This would not be appropriate because civil action is based on negligence, the War Pension Scheme is a "no fault" State compensation scheme.

  Family Credit
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost of compensation for families in receipt of family credit for lost income while on parental leave assuming its application to children aged up to eight years and take up of 10 per cent. for men and 50 per cent. for women. [67002]

  Angela Eagle
  No such cost in respect of Family Credit is anticipated as, subject to passage of the necessary legislation, Working Families Tax Credit, administered by the Inland Revenue, will replace it from 5 October 1999. The Government are committed to implementing the terms of the Parental Leave Directive by 15 December 1999.
  237
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many of the couples with children currently in receipt of family credit(a) the man is the main wage-earner and (b) the woman is the main wage-earner. [67423]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is as follows.

  Family creadit couple recipients

  Number

  Male main wage earner

  304,000

  Female main wage earner

  90,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on a sample of 5 per cent. of family credit awards and as such are subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and may not sum to totals.

  Source:

  1. Family credit 5 per cent. sample of awards August 1998.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security of the couples with children currently in receipt of family credit paid by direct debit to an account of the claimant's choice, how many of the accounts are in the name of(a) the man, (b) the woman and (c) the man and the woman. [67424]

  Angela Eagle
  This question can be answered only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the lone parents currently in receipt of family credit are(a) women and (b) men. [67422]

  Angela Eagle
  All. The most recent figures available are for August 1998, at that time 16,000 lone parent family credit recipients were men and 374,000 were women.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of family credit awards and as such are subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and may not sum to totals.

  Source:

  Family credit 5 per cent. sample of awards.

  Child Support
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evaluation he has made of the responses to his Department's consultation on changes to the system of child support; and what reforms he proposes to make as a result and when. [67036]

  Angela Eagle
  We are currently considering the responses to the Green Paper "Children First: a new approach to child support" and will bring forward our final proposals for reform in due course.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people with multiple sclerosis are claiming(a) the long-term rate of incapacity benefit and (b) severe disablement allowance. [67761]

  Mr. Bayley
  At 31 August 1998 19,720 people with a main diagnosis of multiple sclerosis were receiving the long-term rate of Incapacity Benefit, and 9,780 were receiving Severe Disablement Allowance.

  Source:

  DSS—5 per cent. computer sample, excludes a small number of cases not on the system.

  Widows' Pensions and Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new(a) widows' pensions and (b) incapacity benefit claims were made in each month since 1 April 1998. [67899]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the tables.

  Widows' Benefits claims since April 1998

  Month

  Claims

  April 1998

  2,917

  May 1998

  2,701

  June 1998

  3,065

  July 1998

  2,743

  August 1998

  2,272

  September 1998

  2,795

  October 1998

  2,742

  November 1998

  2,855

  December 1998

  2,375

  Note:

  Widows' Benefits include Widow's Pension and Widowed Mother's Allowance.

  Incapacity Benefit claims since April 1998

  Month

  Claims

  April 1998

  74,588

  May 1998

  68,776

  June 1998

  78,552

  July 1998

  82,477

  August 1998

  71,181

  September 1998

  80,437

  October 1998

  81,324

  November 1998

  81,169

  December 1998

  66,767

  Note:

  The new claim figures are subject to amendment. A new claim may not necessarily result in the award of benefit.

  Invalidity and Incapacity Benefits
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people received invalidity benefit in the last year it operated; and how many people received incapacity benefit in each of the years since it was introduced. [66631]

  Mr. Bayley
  Incapacity Benefit replaced Sickness Benefit and Invalidity Benefit on 13 April 1995. The short-term higher and long-term rates of Incapacity Benefit are equivalent to Invalidity Benefit. The available information is set out in the table.

  Number of recipients of Invalidity Benefit/short-term higher and long-term Incapacity Benefit at the end of the statistical year

  Year

  Number

  1994–95

  1,766,900

  1995–96

  1,692,400

  1996–97

  1,632,060

  1997–98

  1,561,740

  Note:

  The 1994–95 statistical year ended 12 April 1995. From 1995–96 onwards the end of the statistical year is the last day in February.

  Source:

  DSS—Invalidity Benefit—1 per cent. sample of all claimants

  DSS—Incapacity Benefit—5 per cent. computer sample, excludes a small number of cases not on the system

  New Deal (Lone Parents)
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many initial letters inviting lone parents to participate in the New Deal for Lone Parents have been issued; how many initial interviews have been booked; how many initial interviews have been carried out; how many lone parents have agreed to participate; and how many jobs have been obtained by lone parents participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents. [68045]

  Mr. Darling
  The information is as follows.The National New Deal for Lone Parents started on 26 October 1998.
  Latest information shows that from 21 July 1997 to 27 November 1998:

  The number of letters issued1 is 64,765

  The number of initial interviews booked is 38,420

  The number of initial interviews carried out is 28,762

  The number of agreements to participate is 24,372.

  A total of 5,6892 jobs have been obtained by lone parents participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents.

  The vast majority of lone parents who attend an initial interview decide to take part in the New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP). This shows that we are offering a service that lone parents want.
  240
  Future NDLP results will be placed in the Library each month.

  Notes:

  1 The management information for phases 1, 2 and 3 of NDLP differs slightly. The figure for "letters issued" does—for phase 1 only—also include contacts made by lone parents who had not received a letter from NDLP. In phase 1, this figure was entitled "contacts made".

  2(i) Since 26 October 1998, the relevant period for the jobs obtained figure has differed slightly from that for the rest of the NDLP data. Therefore, while the "jobs obtained" figure relates to the period 21 July 1997 to 4 December 1998; all the other figures relate to the period 21 July 1997 to 27 November 1998.

  (ii) The definition of "jobs obtained" includes only Employment Service (ES) job placings. This means that this figure does not include jobs obtained by lone parents who participate in NDLP but who find the job through a non-ES source. Since 26 October 1998 for example, another 146 lone parents participating in the NDLP have found jobs through a non-ES source with the help of their adviser. This figure is therefore likely to be an undercount of the total number of jobs obtained by lone parents participating in the NDLP.

  (iii) From 21 July 1997 to 23 October 1998, the "jobs obtained" figure was defined as the first job obtained while participating in NDLP. However, since 26 October 1998 the "jobs obtained" figure has counted all ES placings, including those where a lone parent has obtained two jobs.

  Crime and Disorder Audits: Road Safety
  Crime and Disorder Audits: Road Safety
  Police Officers: Overseas Liaison Postings
  Police Officers: Overseas Liaison Postings
  Wales: Hospital Waiting Lists
  Wales: Hospital Waiting Lists
  Wales: Economic and Social Achievements
  Wales: Economic and Social Achievements
  River Wye Navigation Order
  River Wye Navigation Order
  General Pinochet
  General Pinochet
  Quantum Project
  Quantum Project
  Prison Security
  Prison Security
  Pension Rights of Employees Working Abroad
  Pension Rights of Employees Working Abroad
  General Pinochet: Arrest Warrant
  General Pinochet: Arrest Warrant
  General Pinochet and MoD
  General Pinochet and MoD
  Holy Loch: Removal of Debris
  Holy Loch: Removal of Debris
  General Pinochet and Royal Ordnance plc
  General Pinochet and Royal Ordnance plc
  Local Government Constituencies: Numerical Equality
  Local Government Constituencies: Numerical Equality
  Genetically Modified Foods: Labelling
  Genetically Modified Foods: Labelling
  Pesticides Research: Volunteer Protection and Warfare Implications
  Pesticides Research: Volunteer Protection and Warfare Implications
  WTO Rules and Precautionary Principle
  WTO Rules and Precautionary Principle
  Rhizomania Controls
  Rhizomania Controls
  Agency Nurses: Pay
  Agency Nurses: Pay
  Osteoporosis: Strategy
  Osteoporosis: Strategy
  Fluoridated Water
  Fluoridated Water
  Tebuthiuron
  Tebuthiuron
  Sheik al-Jamri
  Sheik al-Jamri
  Nedzad Hasic, Ahmo Harbasa and Behudin Husic
  Nedzad Hasic, Ahmo Harbasa and Behudin Husic
  Infectious Salmon Anaemia
  Infectious Salmon Anaemia
  Scotland: Human Rights Act 1998
  Scotland: Human Rights Act 1998
  Scotland: Access Policy
  Scotland: Access Policy
  Cycling and Horse Riding: Integration with Walking
  Cycling and Horse Riding: Integration with Walking
  Scotland: Footpath Maintenance
  Scotland: Footpath Maintenance