Written Answers of 14 July 1999

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Police Interview Recordings
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 12 May 1999,Official Report, columns 170–71, if, in exceptional circumstances, by permission or on request by the interviewees (a) the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres, (b) the Chairman of the Independent Commission on Police Complaints, (c) the Police Ombudsman and (d) representatives of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture may have access to an audio recording of an interview conducted in a holding centre. [86136]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 June 1999]The circumstances in which the persons mentioned can have access to audio recordings of police interviews with terrorist suspects in the holding centres are as follows:(a) There are currently no arrangements in place for the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres to gain access to the audio recordings of police interviews with terrorist suspects.
  (b) Under the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Complaints, etc.) Regulations 1988, the Independent Commission on Police Complaints is to be supplied with such information and documents as it may reasonably require relating to a complaint or matter referred to it, for the purpose of enabling it to fulfil its functions. This could include listening to audio recordings of police interviews with terrorist suspects if considered relevant to such a complaint or matter.
  (c) Provision for a new Police Ombudsman has been made in the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998. Once appointed and operational, he or she will take over the functions of the Chairman of the ICPC, and in turn will have access to material (including audio recordings) considered relevant to a particular complaint or matter made or referred to him or her, as the case may be.
  (d) The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, established by virtue of Article 1 of the European Convention of that name, may have access to information which is necessary for the Committee to carry out its task. This would appear to include access to audio recordings if necessary for that purpose. In seeking such access, the Committee is required to have regard to applicable rules of national law and professional ethics.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Petrol Prices
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the amount by which petrol prices would have to rise in order to reduce UK road traffic levels by one per cent. per year, cumulatively for each of the next 15 years. [89364]
  190
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government's fuel duty policy is primarily intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from road transport, as part of our strategy to tackle climate change. It is, however, also one element of the package of measures we are implementing, following last year's Integrated Transport White Paper, to tackle traffic growth. We will publish our first report under the Road Traffic Reduction (National Targets) Act 1998, on the issue of whether to set a national traffic reduction target, by the end of this year.

  Seaforth Dock System
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responsibilities the Environment Agency has in respect of the dock system at Seaforth and its immediate environs. [90171]

  Mr. Meale
  The Environment Agency has powers and duties to prevent pollution of controlled waters including the River Mersey and adjoining dock area.

  Under Section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991, it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter or any solid waste matter to enter controlled waters. It is similarly an offence to cause or knowingly permit the discharge of any trade effluent or sewage effluent into controlled waters except in accordance with a relevant consent. The Environment Agency is the enforcing authority.

  The Agency has issued Discharge Consent (no. 6992575) for the discharge of treated sewage effluent from a septic tank at Berth S6 of the Container Terminal. The Agency has a duty to inspect the premises and take samples of the discharge on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the consent.

  A Waste Management Licence (no. 192–03) is held by the Sheppard Group Ltd, for the storage and treatment of scrap metal at Seaforth Area B. Agency officers are required to inspect licensed sites to ensure that licence conditions are complied with and that the authorised activities are carried out in ways that protect the environment and human health.

  Rural Public Transport
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what help is available from his Department to improve public transport in rural areas. [90376]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The aim of our integrated transport strategy is to increase transport choice for all—including those who live in rural areas. In addition to the extra £700 million of funding to assist local authorities with the implementation of their local transport plans, we have made available a further £170 million over three years to improve public transport in rural areas.

  The bulk of this £170 million is being used to provide additional bus services in rural areas. We are allocating £32.5 million each year to English local authorities in Rural Bus Subsidy Grant for the support of new rural bus services, as well as making £15 million available for this year's Rural Bus Challenge competition and £15 million

  191
  for next year's Challenge. We have also set aside £4.2 million a year for the Rural Transport Partnership fund, to assist community-based transport initiatives.

  Lancashire was allocated £751,438 in Rural Bus Subsidy Grant for 1998–99, and the same amount for 1999–2000. In addition, the authority was allocated a total of £481,606 for its two successful bids under the 1998 Rural Bus Challenge competition, involving the creation of a new bus and rail interchange facility at Clitheroe and the establishment of a high quality bus corridor to include low floor accessible vehicles, improved shelters, and better provision of information for passengers.

  Waste Recycling
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each of the past three years the proportion of waste(a) glass, (b) paper, (c) metal, (d) cloth and (e) biodegradable material that has been recycled in each London borough; what is his estimate for the current year; and what are the boroughs' predictions for 2000–01. [90351]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]This information will take some time to put together. I will write to my hon. Friend with the details and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications were received for(a) driving tests in each of the last 10 years and (b) driving theory tests in each year since their introduction. [90593]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]The number of applications for all categories of practical tests for the financial years 1989–90 to 1998–99, and for the theory tests for the years 1996–97 to 1998–99 are as follows:

  Number of applications for

  Year

  Practical tests

  Theory tests

  1989–90

  2,056,271

  —

  1990–91

  2,076,211

  —

  1991–92

  1,942,421

  —

  1992–93

  1,756,152

  —

  1993–94

  1,731,115

  —

  1994–95

  1,720,373

  —

  1995–96

  1,871,351

  —

  1996–97

  1,608,438

  1,231,186

  1997–98

  1,380,491

  1,237,709

  1998–99

  1,460,832

  1,220,514

  Water Prices Review
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the likely impact on domestic and business water users from 2000 to 2005 of the periodic review of water prices to set prices for that period. [91163]

  Mr. Meale
  Under the Water Industry Act 1991, the regulation of water and sewerage undertakers' price limits is for the Director General of Water Services. In setting price limits, the Director General is also under a duty to 192
  ensure that the interests of customers are protected, and he will therefore have regard to the impact of the periodic review on customers.

  We believe that reductions in average water and sewerage bills can be secured. The Director General expects to announce draft price limits for each undertaker later this month.

  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has given to the Director General of Ofwat concerning the periodic review of water prices to set prices for the period from April 2000 to 2005. [91162]

  Mr. Meale
  Under the Water Industry Act 1991 the regulation of water and sewerage undertakers' price limits is for the Director General of Water Services. The Government have given guidance to the Director General on the environmental and water quality improvements to be delivered by 2005. This guidance was published under the title "Raising the Quality" in September 1998, and was supported by more detailed announcements of company programmes on 1 March 1999.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the current situation is in respect of providing a Channel Tunnel rail interchange at Stratford, East London, to serve East Anglia. [90708]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A new international and domestic station at Stratford remains integral to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link project, with construction planned as part of Section 2. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996 provides powers for an open box over which the station is to be built. An Order providing powers for the station itself has been sought by London and Continental Railways (LCR) under the Transport and Works Act 1992. Following a public inquiry, the Secretary of State announced on 8 September 1998 that he was minded to approve the Order with modifications. But before reaching a final decision he required further information from LCR and other parties on pedestrian access, which is presently awaited.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whom he plans to consult before approving draft Regional Development Agency strategies. [91050]

  Mr. Meale
  The Regional Development Agencies are currently drafting their regional strategies which will be issued for public consultation over the summer. They intend to submit their strategies to Ministers in late October. There is no formal approval process but we aim to respond to the strategies by the end of the year.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the actual and planned Government expenditure on the home energy efficiency scheme in each of the years from 1990–91 to 2001–02. [91475]
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  Mr. Meale
  The total expenditure on the Government's Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) in each year from the start of the scheme in 1991 is as follows.

  £million

  Year

  Expenditure

  1990–911

  1.5

  1991–92

  26.1

  1992–93

  33.6

  1993–94

  41.5

  1994–95

  83

  1995–96

  107.2

  1996–97

  76.1

  1997–98

  76.1

  1998–99

  76.2

  1999–20002

  76.1

  2000–013 allocated new HEES

  125.0

  2001–023 allocated new HEES

  175.0

  1 Expenditure in 1990–91 was for 3 months only.

  2 Estimated

  3 The Government have allocated a total of £300 million over 2000–01 and 2001–02 to tackling fuel poverty through energy efficiency improvements. Since this is a devolved function, the most appropriate method of dividing the moneys between the proposed New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) in England and the separate programmes in Scotland and Wales will be considered shortly, taking account of the extent of fuel poverty in each.

  Voluntary and Community Transport
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the report commissioned by his Department on voluntary and community transport. [91548]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The report is being published today and copies of both the summary and full report will be placed in the Library of the House.

  The report contains a wide range of detailed information about the valuable role of voluntary and community transport operators and I very much welcome it as a focus for debate by all those involved in the funding and operation of this important area of transport.

  We will be circulating the report to all stakeholders in this area and inviting comment from them on its findings and recommendations.

  Outdoor Advertisements
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to improve the arrangements for control of outdoor advertisements. [91549]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have today issued a consultation paper with proposals to update, clarify and improve the arrangements for controlling outdoor advertisements. Comments are invited no later than Thursday 14 October 1999.

  The amendments which are proposed as part of the Government's drive to modernise the planning system also seek to make the current system more responsive to the rapidly changing nature of outdoor advertising. They would benefit business without spoiling the appearance of our towns and cities.

  Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library.

  Rights of Way
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish proposals for improving the rights of way system in England and Wales. [91759]

  Mr. Meacher
  I shall be publishing a consultation paper tomorrow setting out the Government's proposals for improving the rights of way system as part of legislation to provide a statutory right of access to open countryside for people on foot. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Sex Equality Legislation
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the Equal Opportunities Commission's proposals for changes to the sex equality legislation. [91643]

  Ms Hodge
  We have today placed in the Library copies of the Government's response on some of the issues addressed by the EOC in their proposals for changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Equal Pay Acts. In reaching our conclusions, the Government have taken into account the Better Regulation Task Force's report on anti-discrimination legislation and the Commission for Racial Equality's proposals for changes to the Race Relations Act 1976, on which we are also responding today.

  In considering the EOC' s proposals, our guiding principle has been to identify measures that will have the greatest practical impact on the lives of men and women. We will therefore: consult on changes in the way equal pay cases are dealt with to make them clearer and simpler; update the law to take account of developments in Europe on equal treatment; bring the functions of all public authorities within the scope of the Sex Discrimination Act; explore both legislative and non-legislative options to ensure public bodies promote equal opportunities between women and men; encourage the EOC to work with equality bodies and others to help employers and service providers meet their obligations under the current law by producing clear and accessible guidance and examples of good practice; and bring the EOC' s powers in line with the Disability Rights Commission. At this stage we do not consider that undertaking a major legislative overhaul, in the way the EOC suggests, will of itself achieve the practical changes that are needed.

  The Government are taking concrete steps to tackle key issues that affect women and men's lives. For example, the National Childcare Strategy created over 65,000 new child care places last year, enabling men and women to choose to work or study. The National Minimum Wage is benefiting women in particular, as they make up the highest proportion of those on low pay. Measures under the Employment Relations Bill on maternity and parental leave will help people to balance their working and home lives.

  Kosovo Refugees
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the EMAG arrangements for those local authorities which have taken on significant responsibility for the education of the children of refugees from Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [90788]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We are grateful for the positive way Local Authorities have responded in providing for the needs of evacuees from Kosovo and for securing school places for the children concerned. A meeting has been arranged on 20 July between the Local Government Association, the Home Office and other interested parties to discuss the costs incurred by Local Authorities.

  The Department's Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant is able to provide specialist support for refugee education. However, all allocations of the Grant for 1999–2000 were announced on 4 March, and we have no present plans to review these.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of statutory instruments introduced by his Department into Parliament in(a) 1998, (b) 1992, (c) 1985 and (d) 1973 had the European Union as their legislative source. [89162]

  Mr. Mudie
  The total number of all Statutory Instruments (SIs) registered as General Instruments in 1998, 1992, 1985 and 1973 are shown in the following table.

  Year

  Number of SIs

  1998

  1,565

  1992

  1,692

  1985

  1,204

  1973

  1,260

  Source:

  Statutory Publications Unit. Stationery Office: Statutory Instruments are classified as General Instruments if they are in the nature of a General Public Act. SIs may also be registered as Local Instruments in the nature of local or private Acts. SIs implementing EC legislation will always be classified as General Instruments.

  It is not possible, without incurring disproportionate cost, to determine how many of these SIs were introduced to comply with European Community obligations.

  New Deal
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of participants in the New Deal programme have left it to become self-employed. [89430]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  People who move off New Deal to start self-employment are recorded as having found work, and separate statistics are not collected. However, 2,635 young people have started on the Basic Awareness Session of the Self-Employment Route of the New Deal Employment Option; and 740 have started on the Test Trading stage. It is too early to provide meaningful figures of those who have subsequently moved from this stage into independent self-employment, but these will be available from later this year.

  "Learning to Succeed"
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the implications of his paper, "Learning to Succeed", Cm 4392, for community organisations that currently use the money they generate from training contracts via TECs to cross-subsidise community-based activities; and what steps he will take to ensure the use of community activities to increase access to education and training for Asian women and Asian Elders. [90357]

  Mr. Mudie
  "Learning to Succeed" makes clear that adult and community learning is a vital part of the Government's aim to create access to high quality, relevant learning opportunities for everyone. The new Learning and Skills Council will provide an opportunity to integrate adult and community learning provision more effectively with other learning opportunities. To this end, the Government propose to give the Council a national duty to arrange adequate and sufficient adult and community learning provision and to give to local authorities the changed duty to contribute to arrangements for provision at local level. The Council will develop a new funding system that caters for the needs of all post–16 learners, including those in adult and community education. Local Learning Councils will arrange provision in the light of plans drawn up by local Learning Partnerships. These new coherent arrangements should make it easier for individuals from all groups in the community to access a wide range of learning opportunities. We shall consult further on the detailed arrangements.

  Ethnic Community Teachers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action his Department has taken to encourage people from ethnic communities to enter the teaching profession; and if he will make a statement. [90357]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Teacher Training Agency (TTA) published a new Corporate Plan for 1999–2002 on 6 July. This makes promoting the recruitment of teachers the Agency's top priority. The Plan includes an aim to increase the recruitment of members of ethnic minorities to initial teacher training (ITT) from the present 6 per cent. to 9 per cent.

  The Agency has also persuaded the vast majority of providers to introduce an additional voluntary target for recruitment from the ethnic minorities. The average voluntary target for all primary and secondary ITT providers is 7 per cent. The TTA also allocates additional places to ITT providers if they achieve exceptional recruitment of ethnic minority trainees.

  Pre-school Education
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures the Government are taking to encourage the expansion of pre-school education. [90368]

  Ms Hodge
  We already fund three terms of free nursery education places for all four year olds whose parents want it. Over the next three years, we are making available £390 million to fund free early education places for three year olds. By April 2002, the participation rate of
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  three year olds will be very nearly doubled to 66 per cent. In 1999–2000, about £40 million of this additional funding will be allocated to the 57 Local Education Authorities with the highest levels of social need, creating around 48,000 places. From April 2000, Funding will be distributed across all Local Education Authorities.

  Age Diversity
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money has been spent on(a) producing and (b) promoting the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment. [90705]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The initial consultation on the draft Code cost around £22,000. This includes the cost of designing, printing and distributing 21,000 copies of the consultation document and carrying out the consultation exercise.

  Costs for the final version of the Code amount to £100,000. This includes the costs for printing and distribution of 35,000 initial packs of the Code and guidance, the production of publicity fliers and posters for display in Jobcentres, libraries and Citizens Advice Bureaux: and initial advertising in human resource journals. Beyond this, an additional £70,000 has already been committed to support initiatives by partners to take the Code forward with employers.

  Table A: Expenditure in each year and the amount of government support

  £000

  1997–971

  1997–981

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  LEA's Education Capital

  n/a

  21,000

  31,313

  n/a

  Programme, supported by the following government initiatives:

  Annual Capital Guidelines4

  n/a

  196

  335

  552

  Supplementary Credit Approvals5

  n/a

  89

  95

  607

  New Deal for Schools6

  n/a

  900

  1,159

  2,681

  Class Sizes

  n/a

  n/a

  141

  848

  Removal of Outside Toilets

  n/a

  n/a

  156

  0

  Energy Management

  n/a

  n/a

  80

  0

  Security in Schools7

  n/a

  67

  84

  87

  National Grid for Learning7

  n/a

  n/a

  250

  500

  Grant to Voluntary Aided Schools (inc. Voluntary Aided Challenge Fund)8

  16

  379

  800

  613

  Grant to Grant-maintained Schools

  265

  241

  49

  30

  1 1996–97 and 1997–98: Annual Capital Guidelines, Supplementary Credit Approval, and VA grant: For 1996–97, Stoke was part of Staffordshire; it is not possible to disaggregate what credit approvals and grants would have benefited Stoke schools. New Deal for Schools, Reduction in Class Sizes, National Grid for Learning, and Security in Schools: None of these initiatives were running in 1996–97; nor, in 1997–98, were the initiatives for Class Sizes and the National Grid for Learning operational.

  2 LEA's Education Capital Programme: Please note, the total education programme is less than the sum total of the amounts allocated under government initiatives. This is because LEAs are not obliged to use credit approvals for the purposes for which they were allocated (see notes 3 and 4); also some of the grants are used for revenue purposes (see note 7).

  3 Education Capital Programme 1998–99: Please note, this figure is provisional only, based on estimates by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  4 Annual Capital Guidelines: This is used in the calculation of the LEA's Basic Credit Approval (BCA), where the LEA's capital receipts are taken into account. Just because a project has been taken account of in calculating the ACG, it does not mean that the LEA has to use its BCA for that purpose.

  5 Supplementary Credit Approval (SCA): Unlike BCA, receipts are not taken into account when calculating the level of SCA. However, unless the SCA specifically says otherwise, the LEA is not obliged to use the SCA for the purpose for which it was allocated.

  6 New Deal for Schools: Some of the grant figures for VA schools would have changed slightly in order to reflect the actual costs of the project.

  7 National Grid for Learning and Security in Schools: While the majority of the expenditure supported by the grant will be capital in nature, some will be revenue, and it is not possible to isolate the two elements.

  8 VA Grant: Capital grant is paid in respect of Governors' liability at a rate of 85 per cent. Actual amount of grant paid may change depending on the costs of project on tender.

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  We are currently assessing the initial impact of the launch of the Code last month and will be developing a forward strategy to raise awareness and support employers who want to implement the principles of the Code.

  I hope to make an announcement about the next phase of the Code's development in the autumn.

  School Capital Investment (Stoke-on-Trent)
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what capital investment in schools in Stoke-on-Trent has taken place in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000 to date; and what the planned levels are for the next two years. [90785]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is shown in the following tables. Table A shows the capital investment the Government have made in schools in Stoke-on-Trent in the four years up to 1999–2000. Table B shows the level of investment the Government intend to make for the following two financial years, provided resources allow; this represents only commitments arising from existing projects; we cannot indicate what investment we will make to Stoke in respect of new projects. In 1996–97, Stoke was still part of Staffordshire; it is not possible to determine how much of the grant and credit approval allocated to Staffordshire LEA actually benefited schools in Stoke.
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  Table B: Provisional Indicators: Amounts already committed as part of future ACGs and Grant provided resources allow

  £000

  To be part of:

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Annual Capital Guideline

  1,023

  83

  VA Grant

  0

  0

  NDS Grant

  712

  0

  Class sizes

  238

  0

  Note:

  In addition to all this, PFI Credits of up to £75 million have been allocated to support Stoke on Trent's PFI scheme to repair and maintain all maintained schools within the LEA. Stoke anticipate signing a contract by the ent of this calendar year.

  International Labour Conference
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which Minister attended the 1999 ILO general conference; and on what days. [91139]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I attended and addressed the 87th Session of the International Labour Conference on 8 June 1999.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day between May 1997 and 14 April 1999; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that named day. [91059]

  Mr. Mudie
  Between 1 May 1997 and 14 April 1999, 2,026 parliamentary questions have been tabled to the Department for written answer on a named day; 75 per cent. received a substantive reply on that day.

  Home Tuition
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has issued to local education authorities on the provision of home tuition for children suffering post-traumatic stress as a result of bullying at school; and if he will make a statement. [90758]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We issued on 8 July to all local education authorities Circular 11/99, "Social Inclusion: the LEA role in Pupil Support". This offers advice, among other things, on arranging education for children out of school for any reason, including post-traumatic stress as a result of bullying.

  School Exclusions (Drugs)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children have been excluded from schools as a result of possession or supply of controlled drugs on school premises in each of the last five years. [91134]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not currently collected centrally. However, the Department will begin collecting this information in the autumn, for the current school year, 1998–99, as part of the Government's 10–year UK Anti-Drugs Strategy.
  200
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance has been given by his Department to headteachers regarding the exclusion of pupils found(a) in possession of and (b) supplying controlled drugs while on school premises. [91131]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Circular 10/99, "Social Inclusion: Pupil Support", which was issued on 8 July this year, addresses these issues.

  New Deal (Private Sector Companies)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what criteria will be used by his Department in assessing the performance of private sector companies delivering the New Deal. [91206]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  There are three main criteria on which I will base my assessment of the performance of private sector companies leading New Deal. Day to day performance is regularly reviewed against the individual delivery contracts; comparative performance between Units of Delivery is measured by the published core performance measures and the evaluation of New Deal will assess the effectiveness of different contracting strategies.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Kosovar Refugees
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects Kosovar Albanians who came to the United Kingdom under the Humanitarian Evacuation Programme to return to Kosovo. [91007]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Kosovar Albanians who came to the United Kingdom under the Humanitarian Evacuation Programme (HEP) were granted leave to enter in line with close family members already settled in the United Kingdom or granted exceptional leave to enter for 12 months to provide them with temporary shelter as requested by the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, in his announcement about the change of policy to the HEP and the consideration of asylum applications from citizens of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) on 15 June, stated that no Kosovar Albanian would have their stay curtailed nor would they be required to leave the United Kingdom until it was safe to do so.

  It is our intention to facilitate the return of any Kosovar Albanians who wish to return to Kosovo as soon as possible. In co-operation with voluntary organisations in the refugee sector, the British Red Cross, UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration, we will be providing a voluntary return programme. We expect the first flight to take place in the week commencing 19 July. For those without passports, the necessary travel documentation will be provided for those on the return programme. The programme will be available to those FRY citizens from Kosovo who arrived on the HEP as well as those who arrived in the United Kingdom independently.

  Prisons
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a system of
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  sanctions and rewards based on performance for public sector prisons, as considered by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons in his 1999 report on HMP Wormwood Scrubs; and if he will make a statement. [90582]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Prison Service already operates a system of performance-related pay for senior staff, which includes the governors of public sector prisons. In addition, the Prison Service has started to trial service delivery agreements which set clear targets for public sector prisons to deliver, both in terms of quantity and quality. These targets will translate into staff performance plans. A specific project has been established to explore further options to reward good, and sanction substandard, performance.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his estimate of the extra capacity which will be added to existing prisons in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement; [90584]

  (2) what is his estimate of the number of new prisons which will be built in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [90596]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Prison Service is building four additional prisons over the next three financial years. In 1999–2000, two new prisons are due to open. Forest Bank, near Salford, will provide 800 places and Ashfield, near Bristol, will provide 400 places. In 2000–01, a new prison will open at Onley, Rugby, which will provide 600 places. In 2001–02, a new prison at Marchington, Staffordshire, will open providing 800 places. Subject to legal agreements, the Prison Service also has outline planning permission for two further new prisons at Peterborough and Ashford (Staines) and an application for a new prison at Maghull in Merseyside is awaiting determination by the local planning authority. No decision has yet been taken on the start dates.

  The Prison Service is also providing an additional 1,100 new places at existing prisons in 1999–2000. No decision has been taken to build extra capacity at existing prisons beyond this period.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change procedures in his Department which relate to responding to details of serious problems in Prison Service establishments, with particular reference to those which are made in reports by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons; and if he will make a statement. [90583]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Responses to the reports and recommendations of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons are managed through a specific protocol which was introduced in November 1997. This requires a full response and action plan to be drawn up within 30 days of the publication of the report and updated at nine and 15 months afterwards. The original and updated action plan is sent to Ministers and to the Chief Inspector.

  The protocol was not applied retrospectively. It is currently under review.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken by Prison Service managers in response to the finding in Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons 1999 report on HMP Wormwood Scrubs that cell call alarms had been muted on A Wing in the prison; and if he will make a statement. [90588]
  202
  Mr. George Howarth
  A governor's order was issued immediately after Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons' inspection which required managers to make regular checks on the system. The checks include both random and regular visual checks of alarm panels in wing offices. Staff have also been briefed directly by the governor and reminded of their personal responsibilities to respond to cell alarms. Notices to prisoners have been published and displayed on wing notice boards reminding prisoners that cell call systems are for emergency use only.

  The broken mute switch referred to in the Chief Inspector's report has been repaired and the cell call system is now in full working order on A Wing.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those Prison Service establishments which are currently under special managerial attention; how long they are expected to remain under special managerial attention; and if he will make a statement. [90585]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The following Prison Service establishments are currently listed as requiring closer managerial attention:

  Brockhill

  Bullwood Hall

  Chelmsford

  Feltham

  Glen Parva

  Holloway

  Parc

  Wellingborough

  Wormwood Scrubs.

  All establishments are kept under review and no dates have been set for their removal.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the Prison Service's current projections for changes in the prison population in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [90597]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Research Development and Statistics Directorate of the Home Office provided revised projections of the prison population in England and Wales in May, and a summary of the projection is included in the April 1999 'Prison Population Brief which is available on the Internet at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm

  Projections are provided according to various alternative scenarios. The middle variant projection assumes that Crown Court custody rates increase at 0.6 per cent. for males and 1.1 per cent. for females, and that sentence lengths increase by 0.2 months per year in the first two years (but by no more thereafter). A higher variant assumes that from 2001, in addition to the custody rate increases assumed in the middle variant, sentence lengths continue to increase after the first two years at 1.5 per cent. per annum for males and 2 per cent. per annum for females. The results are as given in the table.
  203
  These scenarios both assume that the amount of courts' business remains constant over the period. A third scenario, that sentence lengths and custody rates do not

  Long term projections of male and female prisoners, projected through to 2006, England and Wales

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  2004

  2005

  2006

  Higher variant: Total

  64,900

  67,000

  68,800

  70,000

  70,800

  72,000

  73,500

  75,000

  Male

  61,600

  63,200

  64,800

  65,900

  66,600

  67,700

  69,200

  70,600

  Female

  3,300

  3,800

  4,000

  4,100

  4,200

  4,300

  4,300

  4,400

  Middle variant: Total

  64,800

  66,500

  68,100

  68,800

  69,200

  69,700

  70,200

  70,900

  Male

  61,600

  62,900

  64,300

  64,800

  65,200

  65,600

  66,100

  66,700

  Female

  3.300

  3,600

  3,800

  4,000

  4,000

  4,100

  4,100

  4,200

  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Prison Service takes to monitor prisoners who are transferred from private to public prisons, with particular reference to the honouring of risk assessments conducted in private prisons. [90988]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Risk assessments on prisoners are prepared at prisons for a variety of purposes, including categorisation, sentence planning, release on temporary licence and home detention curfew. Contracted out prisons are subject to the same rules, procedures, guidance and policy for risk assessments as public sector prisons. Assessment processes at contracted out and public sector prisons are monitored during standards audits. Where prisoners transfer, the assessment will be the responsibility of the prison with final accountability for the decision in question, but in doing so, it would normally be expected to take into account any previous assessment undertaken by other prisons. Prisoners dissatisfied with decisions at contracted out or public sector prisons can make use of the request and complaints procedures.

  Wormwood Scrubs
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 28 June 1999,Official Report, column 28, on Wormwood Scrubs, on what date he asked Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons to re-inspect HMP Wormwood Scrubs within six months of the publication of the 1999 report on the prison. [90710]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Chief Inspector indicated in the preface to his report his intention to return to Wormwood Scrubs in six months' time. The formal request made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary for him to do so was effective from the date of his statement to the House.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions he and other Ministers in his Department have met representatives of the Prison Service to discuss the report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on HMP Wormwood Scrubs published in 1997; and if he will make a statement. [90581]

  Mr. George Howarth
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and the Minister with responsibility for prisons, my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams—and, until July 1998, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin)—hold regular meetings with the Director General of the Prison Service in addition to quarterly performance meetings to discuss the Prison Service's quarterly performance
  204
  increase further, leads to a prison population of 67,400 by 2006. Projections take into account known legislative and policy changes.

  reports. Issues arising from the reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons are discussed at these meetings as appropriate. My right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams also has regular meetings with other senior Prison Service officials and chairs the Prison Service Strategy Board which meets eight times a year.

  Prisons (Hepatitis C)
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the percentage of the prison population with hepatitis C; and what(a) preventive measures are taken against and (b) treatment is available for hepatitis C in the Prison Service. [90425]

  Mr. George Howarth
  A voluntary, anonymous survey of HIV and hepatitis and risk behaviour was conducted in 1997–98 by the Public Health Laboratory Service at eight prisons. The survey found prevalence of hepatitis C to be 7.4 per cent. of the prison population overall.

  The Prison Service has a strategy for preventing the spread of communicable diseases which covers training, education, prevention, risk reduction and harm minimisation. A pilot project on the provision of disinfecting tablets to reduce the risk of spreading hepatitis C through prisoners sharing injecting equipment has recently been completed. The Prison Service hopes to be able to extend this initiative across the remainder of the prison estate during the coming year. Advice and guidance is sent to prison governors and doctors on an ad hoc basis and covers the management of blood-borne viruses including hepatitis C. Every prison is expected to have a communicable diseases management team to deal strategically with the management, medical and social challenges involved.

  The treatment available for prisoners with hepatitis C follows that provided to members of the general public by the NHS with decisions about initiating further investigations and treatment taken only by specialists.

  Prison Service (Litigation)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will conduct a further study of the use by convicted criminals of small claims court procedures to take actions against the Prison Service. [91075]

  Mr. George Howarth
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has asked the Prison Service to conduct an assessment of the extent of litigation of all types by
  205
  serving prisoners and to report to him by the end of July. We will decide whether any further study is necessary in the light of the results of this work.

  Citizenship Applicants
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used to determine whether an applicant for citizenship is a political extremist. [90982]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are no such criteria. "Political extremism" is not a matter which is included in the guidance to staff on the good character requirement.

  Race Relations Act (Review)
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the Government's response to the Commission for Racial Equality's Third Review of the Race Relations Act 1976. [91696]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today placed in the Library, a copy of the Government's response to the Commission for Racial Equality's Third Review of the Race Relations Act 1976. In deciding their response, the Government have

  Panel members

  Mrs. Hilary Eldridge

  Director, Lucy Faithfull Foundation

  Dr. Dawn Fisher

  Consultant Forensic Clinical Psychologist, Llanarth Court Psychiatric Hospital

  Professor Don Grubin

  Professor of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne

  Dr. Moira Hamlin

  Clinical Psychologist formerly with University of Bristol Health Trust

  Dr. Norman Hoffman

  Senior Adviser, Abt Associates Inc, Cambridge Massachusetts

  Dr. Doug Lipton

  Senior Research Fellow, National Development and Research Institutes Inc., New York

  Professor Mike Maguire

  Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Cardiff University

  Dr. Jancie Marques

  Chief of Programme Development & Evaluation, California Department of Mental Health

  Dr. William Murphy

  Professor of Psychiatry, University of Tennessee

  Dr. Frank Porporino

  Senior Partner, T3 Associates, Ottawa, Canada

  Professor Peter Raynor

  Professor of Applied Social Studies, University of Wales, Swansea

  Mr. Simon Shepherd

  Clinical Psychologist and Chief Executive, European Association for the treatment of Addiction

  The Panel will also include nominated representatives of the Home Office, the Prison Service, the Association of Chief Officers of Probation, and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation.

  The Panel will, under the Chairmanship of Sir Duncan Nichol, start work later this year.

  Metropolitan Police Committee
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the latest Annual Report and Annual Plan of the Metropolitan Police Committee; and if he will make a statement. [91698]

  Mr. Straw
  The Annual Report of the Metropolitan Police Committee for 1998–99, and the Annual Plan of the Committee for 1999–2000, are being published today.

  The Report gives information about the advice and other work which the Committee have undertaken for the past financial year. The Plan sets out the work which the Committee aims to undertake on tasks which we have agreed that it will undertake, again to support me in my role as Police Authority in the current financial year. A major task is to help prepare for the Metropolitan Police Authority, planned for July next year.
  206
  taken into account the Better Regulation Task Force's report on anti-discrimination legislation and the Equal Opportunities Commission's proposals for updating the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to which we are also responding today.

  The Government recognise that although significant progress has been made since the Race Relations Act 1976 was introduced 23 years ago, there is much to be done before we achieve a truly inclusive society. Institutional racism, as highlighted by the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report, has to be tackled in a number of ways, of which the legislative framework is only one.

  The Government want the public sector to set the pace and lead by example. This approach is reflected in our response.

  Prisons-probation Panel
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the appointment of a joint prisons-probation panel to accredit the design and delivery of work with offenders designed to reduce re-offending. [91697]

  Mr. Straw
  The following independent experts have been appointed to the Panel:

  Copies of the Report and Plan are being placed in the Library. The Chairman of the Committee is writing with copies to a wide range of interested people and organisations, including all Members with London constituencies, all Members of the European Parliament whose constituencies include London areas, all London Boroughs, all Police Community Consultative Groups and all Lay Visitor Panels.

  I am grateful to Sir John Quinton, the Chairman of the Committee and all his colleagues for their advice and other assistance to me, and look forward in particular to working with them on the transition to the new arrangements for the governance of London's policing.

  Drug-related Crime
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the action he is taking to tackle drug-related crime. [91699]

  Mr. Straw
  I made an announcement earlier today and copies have been placed in the Library.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member
  207
  for Lewes (Mr. Baker) of 5 July 1999, Official Report, column 332, what decision he has reached on whether there is a need to suspend, under the powers granted by section 13 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, the certificate of designation held by Harlan UK Ltd. [91709]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Based on advice received from the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate, I am satisfied that there are no grounds under section 13 of the Act to suspend the certificate of designation.

  While the investigation into the allegations made against this establishment continues, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

  Freedom of Information Bill
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the respects in which the proposals within the draft Freedom of Information Bill represent an increased restriction on access to information. [90719]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]There are no proposals in the draft Bill which represent an increased restriction on access to information.

WALES

  Deeside
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on objective 2 status for Deeside. [89670]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]New objective 2 areas will not be known for some time. The Government must first submit proposals to the European Commission for their approval. The Government have recently consulted widely on what our priorities should be. The National Assembly for Wales is fully involved in discussions.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on assisted area status and its effects on Deeside. [89671]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]We have today announced our proposals for new assisted areas to operate from 1 January 2000. The proposals have been submitted to the European Commission, which must now agree the final areas. I am confident that our proposal represents a good deal for Wales, with 71.5 per cent. population coverage, and a good deal for Deeside, as can be seen from the proposals which I have today copied to all Welsh MPs and MEPs.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of university and higher education entrants from each county in Wales in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [89940]

  Mr. Hain
  The number of entrants to higher education courses at Higher Education Institution in Wales from each county in Wales for the academic year 1998–99, is provided in the following table. Data for 1999–2000 are not yet available.
  208
  Further and higher education funding is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Number of entrants to higher education courses at Higher Education Institutions in Wales, by county, for the academic year 1998–991

  Unitary Authority

  Number of entrants

  Isle of Anglesey

  405

  Gwynedd

  798

  Conwy

  542

  Denbighshire

  485

  Flintshire

  440

  Wrexham

  677

  Powys

  770

  Ceredigion

  837

  Pembrokeshire

  845

  Carmarthenshire

  1,563

  Swansea

  2,594

  Neath Port Talbot

  1,125

  Bridgend

  1,240

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  1,589

  Cardiff

  3,282

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  1,819

  Merthyr Tydfil

  539

  Caerphilly

  1,608

  Blaenau Gwent

  357

  Torfaen

  855

  Monmouthshire

  952

  Newport

  877

  Wales

  24,199

  1 Provisional. Includes all higher education students in their first year of a particular programme of study.

  Source:

  Higher Education Statistics Agency, December Record 1998–99

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Mr. Jay Abatan
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Attorney-General if he and the CPS will meet the hon. Member for Worthing, West in connection with the fatal attack in Brighton on Mr. Jay Abatan. [90748]

  The Attorney-General
  Criminal proceedings are currently being brought against two defendants following the incident which resulted in the death of Mr. Jay Abatan. So long as these matters remain sub judice it would not be proper for me, the Chief Crown Prosecutor, or his staff, to discuss the case with either the hon. Member, or his constituent who is a vital witness in the case. I understand that the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Sussex will be pleased to meet the hon. Member or his constituent when the case has been completed.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Millennium Compliance
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress being made by United Kingdom offshore oil and gas producers and oil companies to deal with the millennium bug. [91663]
  209
  Mr. Byers
  DTI continues to fulfil the role of "responsible body" reporting to the Action 2000 National Infrastructure Forum on the preparations being made by the oil industry and UK's offshore oil and gas producers to avoid any disruption due to the Year 2000 threat to computer systems.

  At the National Infrastructure Forum meeting in January 1999, the industry attracted an overall "amber" assessment against the standard colour code adopted by Action 2000. I am pleased to report that WS Atkins Consultants Ltd. have confirmed that the industry continues to make substantial progress both onshore and offshore.

  In detail WS Atkins found that over 80 per cent. of the industry now merit a blue assessment (no identified risks of material disruption), and that the remainder are on track to attain that rating once work scheduled during the normal summer shutdown period has been completed, and that residual contingency planning and external dependency issues had been finalised.

  The DTI has arranged for WS Atkins to carry out a further review at the end of September, to monitor progress on those outstanding issues and carry out a further programme of independent check visits to confirm that the scheduled work has been completed successfully. DTI will report on this work at the National Infrastructure Forum meeting in October 1999, and will continue to monitor the industry's progress throughout the millennium period.

  A summary of their report has been placed in the Libraries of the House, and copies have been made available on the DTI internet site.

  EC Voice Telephony Directive
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out the progress that has been made in implementing Article 8 of the EC Revised Voice Telephony Directive. [90789]

  Mr. Wills
  Article 8 of the Revised Voice Telephony Directive (RVTD) requires member states to take specific measures where appropriate to ensure equal access to, and affordability of, fixed public telephone services, including directory services for disabled users and users with special social needs. Regulations implementing Article 8 were made in 1998 (The Telecommunications (Open Network Provision) (Voice Telephony) Regulations 1998).

  Following a consultation exercise in 1998, Oftel has proposed further specific measures to improve access to telecommunications for the disabled. The Government are planning to consult on the detail of these proposals later this year.

  Industrial Development Advisory Boards
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the arrangements are for remunerating the members of Industrial Development Advisory Boards for expenses that arise in the exercise of their duties. [90659]

  Mr. Wills
  Members of the Industrial Development Advisory Board and the Regional Industrial Development Boards are entitled to claim travel and subsistence 210
  expenses incurred in attending Board meetings or on visits on behalf of the Board. Expenses are reimbursed at the rates applicable to senior civil servants.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the policy of his Department is on decisions taken by members of the Industrial Development Advisory Boards which do not reflect the priorities of his Department. [90665]

  Mr. Wills
  The Regional Industrial Development Boards are kept informed of the Departments priorities, eg as most recently set out in the Competitiveness White Paper (Cmnd. 4176). My colleagues and I consider carefully the advice of the Regional Industrial Development Boards before reaching our decisions on regional selective assistance applications.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedures his Department follows to ensure that conflicts of interest cannot arise in the case of the(a) members of the Industrial Development Advisory Boards and (b) those who advise them. [90666]

  Mr. Wills
  In the case of members of the Industrial Development Advisory Board and the Regional Industrial Development Boards, guidance from the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments is followed to ensure that any potential conflict of interest is recognised.

  Officials who advise Board members are bound by the Civil Service Code which states that civil servants should not misuse their official position or information acquired in the course of their official duties to further their private interests or those of others.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will amend the membership criteria of the Industrial Development Advisory Boards to include representatives of elected bodies, trade union organisations and sub-regional development organisations. [90657]

  Mr. Wills
  The Industrial Development Advisory Board is appointed under Section 10 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. By virtue of Section 10(3) of the Act, the Board is to include"persons who appear to the Secretary of State to have wide experience of, and to have shown capacity in, industry, banking, accounting and finance".

  The Chairman and members of the Regional Industrial Development Boards (RIDBs) are selected for their regional knowledge of industry and commerce. I have made it clear that the RIDBs should take account of the strategic economic focus which is being provided by the new Regional Development Agencies in giving their advice on regional selective assistance cases.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance he has given the Industrial Development Advisory Boards on responding to approaches from hon. Members prior to the consideration of applications for regional selective assistance. [90667]

  Mr. Wills
  Hon. Members should approach my colleagues and me on issues which they consider relevant to an application for regional selective assistance.

  North West Industrial Development Board
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the members of the North West Industrial Development Board and the dates of their appointment; [90660]

  (2) when he next intends to announce an appointment to the North West Industrial Development Board. [90651]

  Mr. Wills
  The members of the North West Industrial Development Board and the dates of their appointment are as follows:

  Members

  Date of appointment

  Mr. Raymond Armstrong

  1 January 1999

  Mrs. Lorraine Clinton

  1 May 1998

  Mrs. Christine Coates

  1 January 1993

  Mr. John Dixon

  1 August 1997

  Mr. John Hancock

  29 March 1995

  NWIDB Attendance: May 1998—June 1999

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  December

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  Board Members

  G. Elliott

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  J. Dixon

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  P. Hynd

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  D. McCall

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  A. Pilkington

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  A. Strachan

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  Yes

  R. Armstrong

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  L. Clinton

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  C. Coates

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  A. Ruia

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  J. Hancock

  No

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  K. Pathak

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Officials

  D. Rae

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  D. Higham

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  P Styche

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  D. Harrison

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  C. Rushby

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  J. Lappin

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  A. Davis

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  J. Long

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  D. Cooke

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  M. McCrae

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  P. Money

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  L. Fallows

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  C. Aspey

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  P. Dobson

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  H. Nicholson

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  I. Wright

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  M Henesey

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  S. McKeow

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  F. Duffy

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  O. Davies

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what guidance he gives to members of the North West Industrial Development Board on the exercise of their responsibilities on behalf of the Secretary of State; [90662]

  (2) what guidelines he has given to members of the North West Industrial Development Board on the policy of his Department towards the allocation of regional selective assistance to areas of high unemployment in the North West of England. [90664]
  212

  Members

  Date of appointment

  Mr. David McCall

  1 August 1997

  Mr. Kirit Pathak

  1 January 1999

  Mr. Anthony Pilkington

  1 January 1994

  Mr. Anil Ruia

  1 January 1994

  Mr. Anthony Strachan

  1 August 1998

  At the present time, there are no definite dates for the announcement of further appointments to the Committee.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the persons who have attended each of the last 12 meetings of the North West Industrial Development Board when applications for regional selective assistance have been under discussion. [90661]

  Mr. Wills
  The attendees of the last 12 meetings of the North West Industrial Development Board are listed on the table. Please note that meetings were not held in October or November 1998.

  Mr. Wills
  Members of the North West Industrial Development Board, the other Regional Industrial Development Boards and the Industrial Development Advisory Board give advice to Ministers from a commercial perspective on higher value RSA cases, within the RSA Scheme criteria.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions in each of the last five years decisions taken by the North West
  213
  Industrial Development Board have been subject to amendment by the Secretary of State under the Industrial Development Act 1982. [90663]

  Mr. Wills
  There has been one such occasion.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list by name of recipient all allocations of regional selective assistance in the last five years to organisations in the North West of England, the value of the assistance and the date of the allocation, in development and intermediate areas separately. [90668]

  Mr. Wills
  As the list requested runs to some 900 companies, I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in what circumstances pressures from competitors on UK commercial undertakings can be taken into account by the members of industrial development advisory committees or those advising them when considering applications for regional selective assistance. [90652]

  Mr. Wills
  Applicants are only eligible for regional selective assistance if they are making new investments. As well as the viability of the project, competition and job displacement are factors taken into account when considering applications.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what statistics are collected by his Department in respect of rejections of applications for regional selective assistance which lead to the cancellation of the proposed investment projects and a consequential loss of potential jobs. [90653]

  Mr. Wills
  The Department keeps a record of all regional selective assistance applications. It is not part of the scheme procedures, however, to continue contacts with unsuccessful applicants, and subsequent developments are not, therefore, routinely recorded.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate his Department has made of the number of jobs or potential jobs lost as a result of refusals of applications for regional selective assistance which have led to the cancellation of the proposed investment in each of the last three years. [90654]

  Mr. Wills
  No estimate has been made. It is reasonable to assume, however, that the figure would be small. Within available funds, the Department gives a sympathetic hearing to any eligible application and the main reasons for rejection are either on grounds that a project will proceed in any event without grant or that a project is not viable and would not, therefore, provide sustainable jobs.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate his Department has made of the cost of regional selective assistance per job created in the North West of England in the last five years. [90655]

  Mr. Wills
  The average cost per job resulting from Regional Selective Assistance offers accepted in the North West over the last five years is £4,019.
  214
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions in the last five years members of the North West Industrial Development Advisory Committee or those who advise them have had to stand aside from the consideration of regional selective assistance applications for reasons of either personal or professional conflict of interest. [90656]

  Mr. Wills
  There have been nine occasions of such instances as quoted by my hon. Friend.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next intends to review the workings of the Industrial Development Act 1982 in relation to the allocation of regional selective assistance. [90658]

  Mr. Wills
  I have no plans to review the workings of the Industrial Development Act 1982 for this purpose.

  Miners (Compensation)
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long ex-miners will have to wait for payments once they have been assessed as eligible under the compensation scheme. [91161]

  Mr. Battle
  Details of the time-scales for claimants passing through the various stages of the assessment process for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease have still to be finalised. However, the intention is that individuals will receive an offer of compensation within 28 days of their detailed medical assessment having been completed and their eligibility for compensation established. Payment will then be made within 14 days of written confirmation that the offer has been accepted.

  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants he estimates will use the ex-miner compensation lung-test centre facility in Bristol; and when he expects testing of those people to be concluded. [91160]

  Mr. Battle
  To date a total of 108 claimants have been assessed at the Bristol spirometry centre and a further 19 claimants, who have yet to respond to a letter of invitation, remain to be tested. In addition, 12 claimants in the Bristol area have provided doctors' letters which mean they will receive domiciliary visits.

  Trade Mission (Turkey)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Ministers and Officials will be accompanying the outward mission to Turkey in September; and at what cost. [91177]

  Mr. Wilson
  British Trade International is supporting two outward missions to Turkey in September:

  Business Link Bedfordshire: 13–17 September

  Defence Manufacturers Association: 28 September–1 October.

  No Ministers or Officials from my Department will accompany either mission.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of spent fuel have been imported from Spain, and on what dates; what safeguards
  215
  arrangements cover the fuel; and what commitments there are to return the radioactive waste arising from reprocessing the fuel to Spain. [91171]

  Mr. Battle
  The timing and quantities of spent fuel imported to Sellafield for specific customers are a commercial and operational matter for BNFL and their customers. All civil nuclear material in the United Kingdom is subject to Euratom safeguards and to the terms of the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement. Since 1976 all new contracts for the reprocessing of overseas spent fuel have contained options for the return of wastes. BNFL's overseas reprocessing contracts prior to 1976, including those with Spanish utilities, do not contain return of wastes options.

  Post Office Appointments
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people have been recruited to the Post Office in the past 12 months from outside Northern Ireland; and what was their perceived religion. [91000]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I am informed that the hon. Member refers to recruitment to the Post Office within Northern Ireland. I understand from the Post Office that in the last 12 months it has not recruited anyone to fill a position in Northern Ireland who has recorded an address outside Northern Ireland.

  Manufacturing Jobs (Northern Region)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the number of manufacturing jobs in the Northern Region in May of each year since 1979. [91006]

  Mr. Battle
  Information on a consistent basis is available from June 1982 and is shown in the table. Estimates for May are not available as the data are collected quarterly. The estimates refer to the former North standard statistical region, which comprised the counties and former counties of Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Cumbria.

  Year (June)

  Employee jobs in manufacturing, not seasonally adjusted

  1982

  300,033

  1983

  272,535

  1984

  259,224

  1985

  260,229

  1986

  254,788

  1987

  254,120

  1988

  259,208

  1989

  258,890

  1990

  252,979

  1991

  239,463

  1992

  230,377

  1993

  218,251

  1994

  225,630

  1995

  227,592

  1996

  239,870

  1997

  236,213

  1998

  225,270

  Biotechnology Industry
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the value of public investment in the biotechnology industry in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 (i) in total and (ii) as a percentage of total investment in the industry. [87768]

  Mr. Battle
  This information is not available from official statistics.

  DTI and Research Council expenditure on support for technology transfer and innovation in the biotechnology industry is estimated at:

  £12.8 million for the year 1998–1999; and

  £15.6 million for the year 1999–2000.

  These figures do not include expenditure by other Departments or by the Research Councils on basic research in the bio-sciences. The figures do include Research Council co-funding of LINK programmes.

  Figures are not available for the total investment; but dedicated UK biotechnology companies themselves invested an estimated £319 million in R&D in 1997–78.

  Source:

  UK biotech '97—making the right moves, Arthur Andersen.

  Takeovers Directive (Spanish Reservation)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the(a) nature and (b) consequences of the Spanish Gibraltar-related reservation on the designation of competent authorities for the Takeovers Directive; and what representations he has (i) received and (ii) made on the issue. [90396]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  At the Internal Market Council on 21 June Spain maintained a general reserve on the proposed Takeovers Directive in respect of the designation of authorities for supervising bids in accordance with the Directive. Her Majesty's Government are considering currently whether any change to the relevant clause could be made which would safeguard Gibraltar's rights, while meeting Spanish concerns over the Directive. I have received no representations on this issue. Her Majesty's Government are liaising closely with the Government of Gibraltar and our European partners to find a solution which is acceptable to all parties.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what policies are being followed by her Department to prevent debt-relieved countries becoming indebted again. [89760]

  Clare Short
  The revision to the HIPC Initiative, which we hope will be finalised at the annual meeting of the World Bank and the IMF in September, will provide more debt relief to countries following sound pro-poor policies. This will increase the likelihood of countries achieving a permanent exit from their debt problems.
  217
  We provide all our aid through grants, not loans, and are encouraging others to do the same. We are also working to try to ensure that export credits are not provided for non-productive expenditure.

  We are working with the World Bank and the IMF to bear down on corruption and to ensure that the Bank and the Fund support economic policy and social spending that benefit the poor.

  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution her Department is making to the Government Review of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. [89764]

  Clare Short
  We are working closely with the Treasury to influence the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Review being carried out by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. In the first phase, we submitted a joint paper on the need for faster, deeper and wider debt relief, and I am pleased that there is now an international consensus that more debt relief is required for countries committed to eradicating poverty. The second phase of the Review is currently under way and is examining how the link between debt relief and poverty reduction can be strengthened. We have recently submitted a further joint DFID and Treasury paper to the Review team, setting out our ideas and proposals. Decisions on this will be taken at the Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank in September. Both papers are available in the Library.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will report progress in tackling and reducing the debt of the heavily indebted poorer countries, following the Cologne summit. [89766]

  Clare Short
  The Cologne Debt Initiative represents a major step forward in the effort to remove the debt burden of the poorest countries. We welcome the commitment to a major improvement in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative so that it delivers faster, wider and deeper debt relief to countries committed to eradicating poverty. If agreed at the annual meetings of the World Bank and the IMF, the HIPC initiative will provide twice as much debt relief, twice as quickly. It is also important that there was a call to cancel outstanding aid debts. These amount to —20 billion owed to the G7 countries alone. The UK has already cancelled the aid debts of the poorest countries, and we are pressing others to follow our lead. The UK has also made the largest pledge to the Millennium Trust Fund—a total of —171 million. It is important that everyone plays their part in funding the enhanced debt relief, and we are calling on the European Commission to make a substantial contribution.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with NGOs on the progress of the heavily indebted poor countries initiative. [89773]

  Clare Short
  I regularly meet representatives from the NGOs to discuss key development issues including debt. At a meeting last month with the Directors of those NGOs which form the British Overseas Aid Group (BOAG), we discussed the G7 initiative on debt launched at the Cologne 218
  Summit. We also considered the second phase of the HIPC Review, which is examining how the link between debt relief and poverty reduction can be strengthened.

  Serbia
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what humanitarian aid her Department is providing for Serbia. [89761]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We provide humanitarian assistance wherever it is needed, but it is essential to verify need and proper use. Applying these principles in Serbia is difficult in view of limited independent access. We shall consider requests for assistance through international humanitarian organisations. ECHO have allocated a total of 26.5 million euros for humanitarian assistance to Serbia, of which the UK share will be some £2.5 million.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about development assistance being given by her Department and the European Union to aid the return of Nigeria to democracy. [89762]

  Clare Short
  Britain and the EU provided significant support to the transition process which led to President Obasanjo's inauguration in May and the return of Nigeria to democracy.

  The challenge for the new Nigerian government is to redirect their resources towards growth and development aimed at removing inequalities and eliminating poverty. International assistance will be needed. Britain and the EU are ready to help Nigerian government efforts to bear down on corruption and adopt reforms that benefit the poor.

  AIDS
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what help the Government are providing to tackle the spread of AIDS in developing countries. [89763]

  Clare Short
  We are supporting HIV/AIDS work in 39 developing countries. We are also working with UNAIDS and other UN agencies to develop a more co-ordinated and intensified global response. We are funding research into development of new methods of protection against HIV, such as microbicides and an HIV/AIDS vaccine.

  Sub-Saharan Africa
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what spending on aid for sub—Saharan Africa by her Department(a) was in 1997–98, (b) is in the current year and (c) is planned to be in 2000–01. [89765]

  Clare Short
  Bilateral country programme expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa in 1997–98 was £332.36 million. A firm figure for 1998–99 is not yet available, but expenditure is estimated to be at least £400 million. Planned outturn figures for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 are expected to be £450 million and £477 million respectively. In addition,
  219
  we make substantial contributions to multilateral organisations, where our share of assistance in 1997 amounted to £217 million, much of which is spent in Africa.

  World Poverty
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress she is making with her plans for halving world poverty by 2015. [89767]

  Clare Short
  Great progress has already been made this century— more people have climbed out of poverty in the last 50 years than in the previous 500—but we mustcontinue with our efforts at every level to meet this ambitious target. The plans for halving world poverty by 2015 are in place and set out in the 1999 Departmental Report, working both with our partners in country and internationally. It is achievable if the international system works together. It requires greater coherence of aid, trade, environment, agriculture and economic reform policies. We are engaging positively with all our partners to this end.

  Balkans
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what additional requests for aid she has received since March for those countries in the Balkan area affected by the Kosovo conflict. [89770]

  Clare Short
  Requests for international assistance from countries affected by the Kosovo crisis have been handled within the framework of Donor's Conferences.

  We have responded through our contributions to the EU and World Bank pledges which, to date, total some —200 million to Albania and —250 million to Macedonia. Bilaterally, we have committed £90 million in humanitarian assistance, much of which has been spent in Albania and Macedonia. We have also committed £10 million for technical assistance to the Governments of Albania and Macedonia to help strengthen their capacity to take forward key reforms and to help them absorb international assistance through improvements to their budgetary planning and assessment processes.

  We expect that the proposed regional Stability Pact will provide a framework for discussing the regeneration of the Balkan region. The EU will be a key participant in this process and in the international reconstruction effort in Kosovo.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to visit the Indian sub-continent before the end of the year to discuss the consequences of the conflict in Kashmir. [89771]

  Clare Short
  I visited India in March, before the start of the present fighting in Kashmir. I have no plans at present to visit the sub-continent again before the end of the year.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the aid which she plans to make available for the reconstruction of Kosovo. [89772]
  220
  Clare Short
  The EU, with the support of the World Bank, will assume leading responsibility for reconstruction within the overall UN-led civil implementation structure. They are co-ordinating damage and needs assessment and will organise donor conferences over the coming months to mobilise the necessary international effort. We contribute to EC funds and also intend to provide technical assistance to try to ensure that EC funds are well spent.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department is taking to support reconstruction in Kosovo, with particular reference to assistance with mine clearance. [89776]

  Clare Short
  The EU, with the support of the World Bank, will assume responsibility for reconstruction within the overall UN-led civil implementation structure. They will organise donor conferences over the coming months to mobilise the international effort. We are working to ensure that the arrangements for managing EU assistance are effective.

  We have already committed over £1.7 million in support of humanitarian mine actions and we are ready to do more through the United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre (MACC) Kosovo programme.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to visit the island of St. Helena to discuss improved transport links. [89774]

  Clare Short
  I have no plans to visit St. Helena. Later this month, the St. Helena Government will be receiving the Final Report of the preliminary desk study into the viability of air access to St. Helena. We will then discuss the report and possible changes in the scheduling of the RMS St. Helena with them.

  Central America (Hurricane Mitch)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to assist countries in central America with reconstruction after Hurricane Mitch. [89777]

  Clare Short
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Watts) on 16 June 1999,Official Report, column 177.

  Montserrat
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her assessment is of the current humanitarian situation on the island of Montserrat. [89778]

  Clare Short
  The situation has improved considerably since the height of the volcanic activity in 1997. Accommodation has been or will have been provided by the end of the year for approximately 850 households—370 direct build houses, 338 self-build houses and permanent accommodation for 130 elderly people. Consideration is currently being given to providing the necessary infrastructure for a further 220 houses. It is
  221
  intended that all those remaining in shelters will be given the opportunity to build their own homes or move into direct-build housing by March 2001.

  We are supporting a health development programme to support the delivery of primary and secondary health care and to improve public health standards. Additionally, a major upgrade of the St. John's hospital is to be completed in August 1999. We are also assisting with the continued provision of education. A more targeted, comprehensive means-tested social support system is being developed to replace the current universal welfare scheme. Major investments have also been made to upgrade the infrastructure in the north of the island, including improvements to the roads, power and water supply and waste disposal.

  These measures will continue to be built upon, in the context of the Montserrat Country Policy Plan for the period 1998–99—2000–2001 agreed between HMG and the Government of Montserrat, to which DFID is contributing £75 million.

  IMF
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of IMF structural adjustment programmes on the economies of the third world. [89779]

  Clare Short
  Last year's review of the IMF's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) recommended that the IMF should take more account of the social impact of their programmes, consider the quality of government expenditure and protect budgets in high priority areas such as health and education. We strongly welcomed this and are encouraging the IMF to work more closely with the World Bank to ensure that, in designing structural adjustment programmes, they take account of the impact on the poor. Following a proposal put forward by the UK, the World Bank is working with the IMF and the UN to develop good principles and practices of social policy, which will be drawn upon in the design of World Bank and IMF programmes. We continually emphasise the need for the IMF to build support for reform programmes, through discussion and consultation with civil society, so that they lead to economic growth which benefits the poor. A report on the implementation of the recommendations of the ESAF Review is expected in September.

  Illegal Drugs
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has for additional measures aimed at encouraging developing countries to reduce the production and supply of illegal drugs. [89780]

  Clare Short
  We provide assistance to control the production of illicit drugs where this is part of sustainable policies for development. Current projects include support to farmers for alternative development in Pakistan, Peru and Bolivia; projects to reduce the demand for illicit drugs in South East Asia and Peru; and training and institution building projects for the Customs and the Police in the Caribbean. We will consider opportunities for the inclusion of drugs-related elements in current and future 222
  programmes, and we will continue to work with multilateral institutions which provide assistance to drugs-related activities.

  Water Supplies
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance Her Majesty's Government have given to assist in water distribution in those areas of the world suffering from drought and rationing of water supplies. [89781]

  Clare Short
  DFID provides support in a number of ways to assist in addressing drought. Good management of water resources and drought preparedness planning are essential to mitigate the impact of drought. We are currently funding projects in a number of countries, including Zimbabwe and South Africa, to assist governments in such planning. DFID also actively supports the work of the UN agencies and the Global Water Partnership in long-term sustainable use of freshwater resources at country and regional levels. We provide direct assistance in the provision of water supplies in situations of drought. Recent examples of support include projects implemented by non government organisations such as Save the Children Fund (UK) and International Committee of the Red Cross in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Guyana, and Bolivia.

  EC Development Assistance
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to improve the quality, effectiveness and poverty focus of EC development assistance. [89768]

  Clare Short
  There can be no doubt that the EC's development assistance programmes are not sufficiently poverty focused and are often ineffective. This is why we published a strategy paper at the end of last year containing 18 detailed proposals for strengthening our collaboration with the EC to improve the poverty focus and effectiveness of its programmes. We are pursuing implementation of this strategy vigorously, and I shall be making a speech in Brussels at the end of July setting out a reform agenda to strengthen the EC's role as we enter the new millennium.

  The share of EC official development assistance going to the poorest countries has fallen from 75 per cent. in 1987 to 50 per cent. in 1997. The UK has proposed that for the proportion of EC official development assistance going to low-income countries should increase each year from 2000 to 2006, reaching 70 per cent. by 2006.

  We will seek to ensure that poverty elimination is at the heart of the successor to the current Lomé Convention which provides the framework for the EU's aid, trade and political relations with 71 Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

  We will also seek to work with other member states and the Commission to implement the Council Conclusions on the Evaluation of the EC's development assistance programmes. These Conclusions were adopted at the Development Council on 21 May and provide a good basis to take the steps necessary to improve the EC's effectiveness.

  UN Development Programme
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the impact on international poverty alleviation of making available the United Nations Development Programme's estimated requirement of —80 billion in the current year. [89769]

  Clare Short
  The United Nations Development Programme, together with other UN organisations and the World Bank, has calculated that —80 billion per year would mean basic social services would be available to everyone in the world in the next 15 years. This would have an enormous impact on international poverty reduction and achievement of the International Development targets, particularly in the areas of health and education. Current international overseas development assistance is —50 billion.

  The United Kingdom Government have made firm financial provision for an additional £1.6 billion of development assistance over the years 1999–2000— 2001–02. But it is increasingly clear that aid spending is effective in reducing poverty only when sound policies are in place in recipient countries. Where this is lacking, aid is best spent on technical assistance to support reform and support for civil society so that it is able to press for the adoption of policy to reduce poverty.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day between May 1997 and 14 April 1999; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that named day. [91063]

  Clare Short
  Between May 1997 and 14 April 1998, 457 questions were tabled to my Department for a written answer on a named day; 95 per cent. received an answer on that day.

  Child Labour
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution her Department is making in the ILO's special programme for the eradication of child labour.

  Clare Short
  The ILO's special programme for the eradication of child labour—known as the International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC)—has been supported by a central donation and country based collaboration from the Department as follows:£ million towards the "core" activities of the IPEC programme in 1998–99;
  £58,000 for a baseline study of child labour in Tanzania in 1998–99 and preliminary planning expertise in 1999–2000;
  £750,000 over three years for collaborative work with Save the Children Fund in Pakistan, ILO/IPEC, Pentland Plc, the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce on removing children from the Football Stitching industry in Sialkot 1998–99 to 2000–01:
  £2.75 million to the IPEC programme in the Indian State of Andhra Pradhesh, 1998–99 to 2000–01;
  £100,000 to IPEC's Asia programme for collaborative initiatives to prevent child trafficking programme, 1997–98;
  £35,000 for IPEC preparatory work on child trafficking in Asia, 1998–99.

  Somalia
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken to secure representation for Somalia in the negotiations on the successor to the Lomé; Convention. [91090]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Somalia does not have a government and is not formally represented in the negotiations on a new convention. However, we are concerned that the Somali people should be able to benefit from Lomé. As part of the negotiations, we are therefore considering, with our EU partners, how to take account of countries like Somalia, who are members of the Lomé family but are not able to sign or ratify any future agreement. We are pressing hard to ensure that an equitable solution is reached.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to prevent growth in the number of deaths due to smoking in the developing world.

  Mr. Foulkes
  We view with great concern the estimate by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that, if current trends continue, tobacco will be the leading cause of disease burden by 2030, causing about one in eight deaths, and that 70 per cent. of tobacco-related deaths will be in developing countries. We strongly support the priority given to tobacco control by WHO through its "Tobacco Free" initiative, and the efforts to establish an International Framework Convention (ITC) for tobacco control.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to work towards a global ban on tobacco advertising. [91199]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We are committed to co-operating with other Governments in the establishment of an International Framework Convention (IFC) on tobacco control, which includes advertising. We have indicated our support to the World Health Organisation (WHO), who are co-ordinating this work and are discussing with them Britain's role in the first intergovernmental meeting to discuss the development of the framework. We are contributing £200,000 this financial year to WHO's "Tobacco Free" initiative.

  Nepal
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance is being given to Nepal to help improve its educational infrastructure. [89775]

  Clare Short
  Our Country Strategy Paper, a copy of which will be sent to the hon. Gentleman, highlights low levels of education as one of the main causes of poverty in Nepal. A large number of donors are active in the sector. Many are involved in primary education. We are working with the Asian Development bank to raise the quality of secondary education. We are also promoting community literacy by helping local NGOs to improve their delivery of literacy training. We plan to work with
  225
  Government, donors and civil society to promote a more co-ordinated approach to addressing needs across the entire education sector.

DEFENCE

  Tour Intervals
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average interval between operational tours for (i) Infantry battalions, (ii) Royal Armoured regiments, (iii) Royal Logistical Corps units, (iv) Adjutant-General Corps units and (v) Royal Army Medical Corps units. [85914]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 8 June 1999]In the past three years, tour intervals (in months) for Infantry battalions, Royal Armoured regiments, Royal Logistical Corps units and Royal Army Medical Corps units have been as follows:

  Arm/service

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Infantry

  21

  22

  27

  Royal Armoured Corps

  25

  19

  30

  Royal Logistical Corps

  18

  18

  12

  Royal Army Medical Corps

  —

  —

  —

  Field Ambulance

  24

  37

  30

  Field Hospital

  12

  12

  12

  The Adjutant General Corps deploy as individuals, rather than in units and there are therefore no recorded unit tour intervals.

  For the current year (1999–2000), the interval would depend on the circumstances of the individual unit and the overall level of commitment; however, if there is a continuation of existing levels of commitment and undermanning this would be likely to result in tour intervals (in months) for 1999–2000 as follows:

  Arm/service

  1999–2000

  Infantry

  15

  Royal Armoured Corps

  12

  Royal Logistical Corps

  11

  Royal Army Medical Corps

  Field Ambulance

  20

  Field Hospital

  12

  These statistics reflect an unprecedented level of commitment. We are actively seeking to reduce the Army's level of commitment, specifically in Bosnia, and particularly for those arms and services that are most heavily committed, with a view to reducing overstretch.

  MOD Hospital Units
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if(a) terms and conditions of service of his Department's employees and (b) arrangements for priority treatment of service personnel are laid out in (1) legally binding contracts or (2) Service Level Agreements at his Department's hospital units at (i) Peterborough, (ii) Frimley Park and (iii) Derriford; and if he will make a statement. [88422]
  226
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 28 June 1999]Revised Customer Supplier Agreements (CSA) are being introduced to replace the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) existing with the host NHS Trusts for our Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs) at Derriford, Peterborough and Frimley Park. The new financial model underpinning the CSAs is explained in Health Services Circular 1999/112 and is also being used for the CSA at our new MDHU at Northallerton. The agreements will not include details of the terms and conditions of service for military personnel. However, provision will exist in the agreements for the release of military personnel for operations, exercises and training. The agreements also include a commitment to the achievement of DSCA Key Targets 2 and 3, as set out on 20 May 1999,Official Report, column 436, and to the operational priority treatment of patients referred under specific criteria.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the contracts or Service Level Agreements governing relations between the relevant NHS trusts and his Department's hospital units at(a) Peterborough, (b) Frimley Park and (c) Derriford. [88424]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 28 June 1999]Following detailed discussions with the NHS during 1997 and 1998, the principles of a new Service Level Agreement (SLA) have been developed to form a revised contract from 1999–2000 at the three existing Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs) at Peterborough, Frimley Park and Derriford and at the new MDHU Northallerton. This model will also form the basis of all future MOD contracts relationships with the NHS for hosting staff or providing treatment. The new contract model which has been agreed with all partner NHS Trusts in principle, was published in a Health Circular 1999/112 dated 21 May 1999 and will form the basis of the agreements which will replace the existing SLAs. It is expected that the contracts between MOD and individual NHS Trusts will be signed shortly after minor financial negotiations have been completed. These contracts embody commercial arrangements between each Trust and the MOD negotiated on an individual basis and so I am withholding them under exemption of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Effective Management and Operations of the public service). However, a copy of Health Circular 1999/112 dated 21 May 1999 has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Married Quarters
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the number of married quarters, (b) the number empty and (c) the vacancy rate as a percentage in each year since 1992. [90629]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]The information requested is given in the table.

  DHE occupancy and voids tracking—by financial year

  Date

  (a) Total stock

  (b) Total void

  (c) Void percentage

  1991–92

  74,109

  11,180

  15.09

  1992–93

  70,806

  10,809

  15.27

  1993–94

  70,320

  11,789

  16.76

  1994–95

  70,586

  13,464

  19.07

  1995–96

  70,409

  13,943

  19.80

  227

  DHE occupancy and voids tracking—by financial year

  Date

  (a) Total stock

  (b) Total void

  (c) Void percentage

  1996–97

  65,800

  13,142

  19.97

  1997–98

  64,238

  13,225

  20.59

  1998–99

  62,420

  13,568

  21.74

  Since its inception in 1985, the Defence Housing Executive has disposed of 8,000 properties and has targets to dispose of some 2,000 a year thereafter. Despite this disposal programme the total number of voids has remained fairly constant over recent years because of falling Service demand for family accommodation and decisions awaited on future deployments arising out of the Strategic Defence Review.

  Out of the current total voids stock of some 13,568, 3,360 are temporarily vacant awaiting incoming Service occupants. A further management margin has to be allowed to cater for family size, work location and family choice in relation to schooling etc. 1,930 properties are temporarily empty while undergoing refurbishment and modernisation. A further 2,000 properties are in the process of return to Annington Homes Ltd., for sale or demolition. The remaining stock is being assessed under a long-term housing plan in relation to military need and condition from which further disposal decisions will be made.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by grade the condition of married quarters in(a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland, and (c) Northern Ireland giving the totals for (i) each grade and (ii) each of (a) (b) and (c); and what percentage the total of each grade represents of the whole stock. [90628]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]The grading of condition of married quarters, which is established for rent purposes, is as follows:

  England, Wales and Scotland

  Grade

  Number

  Percentage

  1

  27,942

  44

  2

  22,411

  36

  3

  8,857

  14

  4

  3,985

  6

  Total

  63,195

  Northern Ireland

  Grade

  Number

  Percentage

  1

  106

  4

  2

  1,299

  43

  3

  1,206

  40

  4

  376

  13

  Total

  2,987

  These figures do not refer solely to the condition of a property. They are based on a points system which identifies deficiencies and size and also takes into account the remoteness of the location to essential services.

  The figure for Scotland is not separately maintained. The Defence Housing Executive has additionally, for the internal programming and prioritising of upgrade projects,
  228
  put in place a marking system which is based on the Standard 1 for Condition definition, and which allocates points for a total of 106 property attributes dealing with for example Building Fabric, Kitchens, Energy Efficiency, etc. The worst marking of each individual group of the Standard becomes the overall Standard for the house for work scheduling. This is a very exacting standard which enables major deficiencies to be easily assessed and programmed.

  A stock condition survey has been undertaken to support and inform the Upgrade programme. This has been analysed by the marking system which prioritises against the deficiencies in the property and not simply its overall condition. For example,

  99.1 per cent. of the Building Fabric section complies with Standard 1

  98.0 per cent. of Bedrooms comply with Standard 1

  85.1 per cent. comply with Security requirements for Standard 1

  59.0 per cent. of Kitchens comply with Standard 1

  51.8 per cent. comply with Energy Efficiency requirements for Standard 1.

  DHE now has in place Regional Upgrade Construction Contractors and Project managers to progress the upgrade programme aimed at achieving Standard 1 for Condition in the major part of the Housing Estate by 2005.

  St. Malo Accord
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress made in(a) planning for non-combatant evacuation operations, (b) organising joint exercises, (c) improving links between operational headquarters, (d) co-ordinating naval deployments, (e) exchanging information on peacekeeping activities, (f) millennium computer compliance solutions, (g) common resourcing of logistics and (h) arrangements for dealing with the media in the light of the St. Malo Accord; which units, offices and desks are involved; and when the next ministerial meeting to discuss these issues is planned. [89822]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Signature of the Letter of Intent on crisis management and operations has allowed good progress to be made in co-operation with France, as shown particularly in Kosovo operations. Specific examples of co-operation covered by the Letter of Intent are: the posting of liaison officers into operational headquarters; the attachment of HMS Somerset, and latterly HMS Grafton, to the French FOCH Carrier Task Group in the Adriatic during the Kosovo conflict; the joint signing ceremony in New York on 25 June of Memoranda of Understanding between our respective Governments and the UN on troop availability for UN peacekeeping operations; and co-operation on media handling during the Kosovo conflict.

  Airborne Surveillance Capability
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government are taking to improve the UK's airborne surveillance capability. [90174]

  Mr. Spellar
  We are improving the UK's airborne surveillance capability in several ways. We have announced our intention to buy ASTOR, a high technology airborne ground surveillance system, which will substantially enhance our current capability. We are also
  229
  procuring RAPTOR, a long-range reconnaissance sensor pod to be fitted to Tornado GR4, which will provide a day/night real time capability. We are modifying the radar in the E-3D sentry aircraft to counter improvements in stealth technology and missile capabilities and we are also upgrading the electronic reconnaissance capability of the Nimrod R. Also, in addition to the Phoenix Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV system, which has already successfully entered service, we are considering procurement of further UAV systems for surveillance purposes.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much spending his Department(a) has incurred to date and (b) forecasts it will incur on preparations for possible United Kingdom entry into the European single currency; and if he will make a statement. [91181]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]Any costs incurred to date would have been minor and accommodated within existing budgets. Their extent is not known centrally. Work is in train to establish processes for the identification and forecasting of possible future costs.

  Chinook
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the reports on the US Army's experience of Chinook incidents and accidents which his Department has evaluated in the last 12 months. [90417]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Over the last 12 months, the US Army have issued the following Safety of Flight Messages (SoFM) and Aviation Safety Action Messages (ASAM) as a result of incidents and accidents to their CH47 fleet. Each message has been evaluated for applicability to the RAF HC Mk 2/2A Chinooks and where appropriate the action taken is described as follows:ASAM—CH-47–98-ASAM-05 dated 17 September 1998— de-restricting the CH 47 fleet from roll on landings. Same details repeated within CH-47-ASAM-99–05 dated 22 April 1999.
  MOD Action taken—issue of Servicing Technical Instruction (STI) STUCHINOOK/318A dated 3 March 1999.
  SoFM—CH-47–99–01 dated 30 January 1999—Main rotor synchronisation shaft bearing support bracket—check for adequate clearance.
  MOD Action taken—issue of Preliminary Warning Instruction (PWI) PWUCHINOOK/293 dated 27 May 1999.
  ASAM—CH-47–99-ASAM-01 dated 9 February 1999— Mandatory maintenance requiring a one time inspection of Lag Dampers.
  MOD Action taken—issue of PWI/CHINOOK/288A dated 4 June 1999.
  ASAM—CH-47–99-ASAM-02 dated 16 February 1999—Mandatory maintenance requiring modifications to Boost Actuators.
  MOD Action Taken—None required, no applicability, RAF only use post modified Boost Actuators.
  ASAM—CH-47–99-ASAM-03 dated 23 February 1999—One time and recurring inspection of hoist/cargo hood control panel and water intrusion in cockpit.
  MOD Action Taken—Awaiting advice from Boeing on applicability to RAF Chinook.
  230
  ASAM—CH-47–99-ASAM-04 dated 16 March 1999—CH47D and 47E Fwd and Aft Longitudinal Cyclic Trim Yoke Bushing—Inspection and aircraft manual changes.
  MOD Action Taken—None required—MOD already has adequate inspection procedures in place within the HC Mk2/2A aircraft maintenance manuals.

  My Department has also evaluated an extract from the United States Army investigation report of a non-fatal Chinook incident in which the aircraft suffered an uncommanded 360 degree barrel roll. This incident result in ASAM CH-47–99–02 detailed above where no remedial action was required as the Chinook Mk2s in service with the RAF have an improved standard of actuators fitted which overcome the suspected cause of the US army incident.

  Kosovo Deaths
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the type of explosives that killed Lieutenant Gareth Evans and Sergeant Balam Rai in Kosovo; and if UK forces have been fully trained in the techniques and methods of disarming these explosives. [90392]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The munitions were from CBU 87 cluster bombs. As it is not possible to disarm this type of munition, the method for disposal is to destroy them. All troops deploying to theatre are briefed on the correct procedures should they encounter mines, unexploded ordnance or other explosive devices.

HEALTH

  Waiting Times (By-pass Surgery)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes there have been to the waiting times for heart by-pass surgery in each health trust since his answer of 18 March 1999,Official Report, columns 736–38. [87891]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on waiting lists by specialty are published quarterly in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Drugs
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many drugs have appeared in the NHS category D list in each of the last six months; and what is the average number of drugs which have appeared in the list over the last 12 months. [90052]

  Mr. Denham
  Between February 1999 and July 1999 the number of category D entries appearing in the Drug Tariff published by The Stationery Office each month were:

  Month (1999)

  Number

  February

  46

  March

  79

  April

  74

  May

  76

  June

  109

  July

  131

  231
  The average number listed per month between August 1998 and July 1999 was 60.

  Suffolk Health Authority
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) income and expenditure deficit or surplus and (b) the recurring deficit or surplus for Suffolk Health Authority for each of the past five years up to and including 1999–2000. [90360]

  Mr. Denham
  The information available is given in the table.

  The income and expenditure surplus/(deficit) and recurring surplus/(deficit) for Suffolk Health Authority

  £000

  Year

  Surplus/(deficit) for the financial year

  Recurring surplus/(deficit)

  1995–96

  (3,698)

  (3,601)

  1996–97

  (4,300)

  (9,271)

  1997–98

  (178)

  (9,449)

  1998–99

  1—

  1—

  1999–2000

  1—

  1—

  1 Not available

  Notes:

  1. 1993–94 is not comparable with subsequent years as the accounts included the provision of services which were transferred upon the establishment of a trust.

  2. 1996–97 and 1997–98 are not comparable with previous years due to change in accounting policy and a reorganisation of health bodies. Departmental funding from cash drawing to an accrual figure.

  3. Latest available figures are for 1997–98, therefore there are no figures for 1998–99 or for 1999–2000.

  Sources:

  Annual accounts of district health authorities 1993–94 to 1995–96

  Annual accounts of the health authorities 1996–97 to 1997–98

  Embryonic Stem Cells
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the controls on the importation of embryonic stem cells; and what estimate he has made of the number of such cells imported in the past year. [90624]

  Ms Jowell
  Research involving the removal of cells such as stem cells from human embryos is subject to strict control under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Such research would require a licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The importation of human embryos is also subject to the provisions of the Act.

  The provisions of the 1990 Act do not extend to established cell cultures of embryonic origin. Such cell lines, including embryonic stem cells may be imported and used without requiring a licence from the HFEA.

  Emergency Admissions
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by health authority the total number of emergency admissions in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement [90401]
  232
  Mr. Hutton
  Figures for the years 1992–93 to 1997–98 have been placed in the Library.

  Nurses' Pay
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to limit the fees which NHS trusts may pay to nurses working for nursing agencies. [90528]

  Mr. Denham
  We are unaware of any occasions where National Health Service trusts have paid nurses fees while they are working for nursing agencies. Agency staff are normally paid directly by their agency, who in turn are paid by NHS trusts.

  The NHS Executive is working with the Social Partnership Forum to review the use of bank and agency staff and alternative approaches to employment flexibility, with a view to recommending good practice guidance to NHS employers.

  Cloning
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the new Commission of Inquiry into the HFEA/HGAC recommendations on cloning will be appointed. [90836]

  Ms Jowell
  I hope to announce the membership of the Chief Medical Officer's expert advisory group shortly.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mrs. Brinton) of 6 July 1999,Official Report, column 498, concerning national standards for care homes, what the closing date for the consultation will be. [90925]

  Mr. Hutton
  The consultation exercise has not yet begun. People will be given three months from the issuing of the consultation pack in which to submit their comments.

  Public Health Development Fund
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the proposed Health Development Agency will be responsible for spending from the new Public Health Development Fund. [90739]

  Ms Jowell
  The Public Health Development Fund will be administered by the Department.

  Health Development Agency
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to ensure that the proposed Health Development Agency will be able to operate independently of Government when exercising its public health monitoring functions. [90740]

  Ms Jowell
  We anticipate that the Health Development Agency will have the status of a Special Health Authority and operate at arm's length from the Department. The Agency will be accountable to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the delivery of its agreed work programme and objectives.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Museums
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the museums that have benefited from capital funding from the National Lottery and the amount which they have received. [90613]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Current records show that National Lottery distributors have awarded a total of £588 million of capital funding to 526 museum projects. I have placed a full list of projects, with the amounts awarded, in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many hits the 24 Hour Museum website has received since it was launched. [90610]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  In the period from its launch on 13 May to 4 July 1999, the 24 Hour Museum website received 3,436,155 hits.

  Libraries
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the(a) number and (b) percentage of local libraries that have IT capabilities. [90618]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The latest statistics on use of ICT in public libraries were collected late in 1997 and showed the following trends in the then 191 UK library authorities:

  Percentage

  Use of computerised book issue and discharge systems

  95

  Computerised catalogue system

  75

  Service points with public access to online catalogue

  48

  Public access to CDRom databases

  85

  Service points with access to Internet for public use

  5

  The Library and Information Commission is currently updating these data as part of the development of the Public Library ICT Network, which will link all public libraries, where practicable, to the National Grid for Learning by 2002.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much National Lottery money has been spent to date on grants for library ICT projects. [90617]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Lottery funding totalling £70 million for the ICT training of public library staff and the digitisation of material to support lifelong learning will be available through the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) from early 2000. A related £200 million NOF programme for Community Access to Lifelong Learning, focusing substantially on the development of the public library IT network and community grids for learning, will be the subject of consultation later this year.

  Digital Television
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the number and location of sites in Wales that can and will provide 234
  digital television services; and how many television viewers in Wales will not be covered by digital service transmitters. [90738]

  Janet Anderson
  Nine transmitters sites located in Wales are included in the launch phase for digital terrestrial television. They are as follows: Aberdare, Blaenplwyf, Carmel, Kilvey Hill, Llanddona, Moel-y-Pac, Pontypool, Pressely and Wenvoe.

  Coverage across each of the six multiplexes from the nine Welsh transmitters in the launch phase is as follows:

  Welsh transmitter

  percentage

  BBC

  70

  ITV/Channel 4

  63

  SDN (including Channel 4 and S4C)

  60

  MUX B ONdigital

  77

  MUX C ONdigital

  31.5

  MUX D ONdigital

  31

  British Library
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of the building costs of the new building for the British Library; and if he will estimate the value of contracts associated with this construction with companies based in(a) London, (b) the South East of England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland. [90858]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]The British Library St. Pancras project is working to a cash estimate of £511.1 million. The final figure may increase slightly when all the outstanding claims and final accounts have been settled. Some 160 contracts were let for the project which was completed two years ago. The construction cost data were not collected by company on a regional basis but by type of product.

CABINET OFFICE

  Anti-discrimination Legislation
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the Better Regulation Task Force review of anti-discrimination legislation. [91665]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I have today placed copies of the Government's formal response to the Better Regulation Task Force review of anti-discrimination legislation in the Libraries of the House. The Task Force has made a timely, constructive and challenging contribution to the Government's thinking on these highly important issues. The Government are committed to eliminating all unlawful discrimination, and have accepted the majority of the Task Force proposals. We believe this response to the Task Force, in tandem with our responses today on similar issues to the proposals put forward by the equality Commissions, sets out in the strongest possible terms our commitment to a modern and diverse society.
  235
  The Government have accepted the Task Force's main recommendation, that a major legislative overhaul is not necessary at this stage, either in relation to the individual regimes, or in bringing them together. However, the Government agree that much more can be done to make the existing regimes work more effectively, by setting a lead in their own actions as policy makers, a service provider and employer; by encouraging the equality Commissions to act in a more targeted, strategic and joined-up manner; and by encouraging business to seize the initiative and adopt best practices more widely in this area.

  To help businesses comply, the Government will further encourage the Commissions to consult with employers on producing simple, clear advice and guidance which everyone (especially small and medium employers) can quickly and easily act upon. This will include clarifying employer obligations in some key areas. Our Civil Justice and Legal Aid Reforms, along with the new Community Legal Service, will help ensure that ordinary citizens will have better and fairer access to justice.

  Access Business Group
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what changes there have been to the membership of the Access Business Group, set up to consider how central and local governments' regulatory advice and service can be made more transparent, accessible and helpful. [91666]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Access Business Group was set up in July 1997 under my chairmanship. I have recently invited my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to join the group in view of the importance of small businesses to the Government's growth and productivity agenda. The other members are the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) and my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry, in addition to Teresa Graham of the Better Regulation Task Force and Councillor John Ryan OBE, (Barnsley MBC) of the Local Government Association.

  Table 2: Staff in the Home Civil Service, by area—April 1998

  Scotland

  England

  London

  Rest of South East

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  UK1

  Permanent non-industrial staff

  41,940

  356,150

  83,960

  50,500

  23,030

  3,360

  430,460

  Permanent industrial staff

  3,500

  22,130

  1.410

  6,590

  3,460

  1,740

  32,800

  Casual staff

  1,930

  40,160

  2,310

  1,840

  1,270

  100

  17,670

  All staff

  47,370

  418.440

  87,680

  58,930

  27,760

  5,200

  480,930

  1 Includes staff in departments not on Mandate database

  Source:

  Civil Service Statistics and Mandate

  Table 3: Civil servant numbers by grade and area. Permanent, non-industrial civil servants—April 1998

  Scotland

  England

  London

  Rest of South East

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  UK1

  Senior Civil Service

  260

  2,640

  1,800

  140

  130

  10

  3,720

  Level 6–7

  1,410

  16,980

  6,890

  2,220

  820

  90

  21,130

  SEO/HEO

  5,440

  56,500

  15,830

  9,190

  2,470

  500

  70,060

  Data Series
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by his Department since June 1997. [90530]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Cabinet Office carried out a staff attitude survey in May 1999. The information that respondents were asked to provide included details of age, gender, ethnic origin and disability, and analyses of these categories were included in the survey's findings.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the number and percentage of civil servants employed at each grade in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) London, (d) the South East of England, (e) Wales, (f) Northern Ireland and (g) the United Kingdom in total at the latest available date. [90861]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Numbers and percentages of staff in the Home Civil Service in the areas and responsibility levels' specified are set out in tables 1 and 2. The full detail requested is not available for all staff. However, estimates covering 97 per cent. of permanent non-industrial staff in the Home Civil Service are set out in tables 3 and 4.

  1 Responsibility levels are an approximate assignment of staff to a level of seniority broadly equivalent to the former service-wide grades.

  Table 1: Staff in the Home Civil Service, by responsibility level—April 1998, UK

  Level

  Staff numbers

  Permanent non-industrial

  430,460

  of whom:

  Senior Civil Service

  3,720

  Level 6–7

  21,130

  SEO/HEO

  70,060

  EO

  105,070

  AO

  164,040

  AA

  66,440

  Permanent industrial

  32,800

  Casual staff

  17,670

  All staff

  480,930

  Source:

  Civil Service Statistics
  237

  Table 3: Civil servant numbers by grade and area. Permanent, non-industrial civil servants—April 1998

  Scotland

  England

  London

  Rest of South East

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  UK1

  EO

  11,530

  82,780

  16,960

  12,990

  5,310

  780

  105,070

  AO

  16,080

  133,930

  21,900

  18,470

  9,950

  1,150

  164,040

  AA

  7,560

  52,320

  9,230

  7,020

  4,540

  1,010

  66,440

  All grades1

  42,320

  348,900

  72,690

  50,090

  23,240

  3,530

  430,360

  1 Includes staff in departments not on Mandate database

  Source:

  Mandate

  Grade profile of each area. Permanent, non-industrial civil servants—April 1998

  Percentage

  Scotland

  England

  London

  Rest of South East

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  UK1

  Senior Civil Service

  0.6

  0.8

  2.5

  0.3

  0.6

  0.2

  0.9

  Level 6–7

  3.3

  4.9

  9.5

  4.4

  3.5

  2.4

  4.9

  SEO/HEO

  12.8

  16.2

  21.8

  18.4

  10.6

  14.1

  16.3

  EO

  27.3

  23.7

  23.3

  25.9

  22.8

  22.1

  24.4

  AO

  38.0

  38.4

  30.1

  36.9

  42.8

  32.4

  38.1

  AA

  17.9

  15.0

  12.7

  14.0

  19.5

  28.5

  15.4

  1 Includes staff in departments not on mandate database

  Source:

  Mandate and Civil Service Statistics

  Civil Service Salaries
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the current average salary by Civil Service grade. [90862]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The average1 salaries for non-industrial civil servants at 1 April 1998 are:

  £

  Responsibility level2

  Average salary

  Senior Civil Service

  56,120

  Grades 6 and 7

  37,520

  SEO/HEO

  23,850

  EO

  17,670

  AO

  13,140

  AA

  10,850

  1 Annual full-time equivalent salary including basic pay and pay related allowances

  2 Responsibility levels are an approximate assignment of staff to a level of seniority broadly equivalent to the former service wide grades

  Source:

  Cabinet Office—Civil Service Statistics 1998

  Departmental Salarie
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the number of his Department's employees by United Kingdom region, indicating the wage bill(a) in total and (b) by region in the most recent year for which figures are available, separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [90864]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Information in respect of the Department's agencies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Therefore this response relates to the core Department only.
  238
  The Cabinet Office employed 1,130 staff during financial year 1998–99. All staff are based in the south east of England. The vast majority of staff are located in central London, although there are small regional offices in Norwich and Basingstoke.

  The wage bill for the Department during this period was £37,404,000. This figure includes National Insurance and superannuation costs.

  London allowances were consolidated into basic pay with effect from 1 August 1997 and therefore it is not posible to provide a separate figure for these costs.

  Ministerial Drivers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many drivers allocated to Ministers have been(a) stopped, (b) cautioned, (c) charged and (d) convicted of motoring offences since 1 May 1997, giving in each case (i) the nature of the offence, (ii) the date of the offence and (iii) the minister to whom the driver was allocated. [91273]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 14 July 1999:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me in my capacity as Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the number of this Agency's drivers who have been convicted of motoring offences since 1 May 1997.
  The Agency only holds records for motoring convictions. It does not hold any information about drivers who have been stopped, cautioned, or charged but not successfully prosecuted with motoring offences. Since 1 May 1997 only one driver has been convicted of

  239
  two speeding offences whilst on official duty. Both convictions are dated 2 April 1999. I am reluctant to name the minister to whom the driver was allocated at the time because it would be easy to identify the individual concerned and this would constitute an invasion of privacy.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much expenditure his Department has(a) incurred to date and (b) forecast to be incurred, on preparations for possible United Kingdom entry into the European single currency; and if he will make a statement. [91089]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  Following the publication of the Government's Outline National Changeover Plan my Department is considering what preparations may be necessary.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 14 July. [89793]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I will have further such meetings later today.

  EU Meetings
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he will list the meetings which have taken place in the last month between his adviser on European affairs and EU ambassadors; and for each meeting, if he will list those who accompanied him, and specify the purpose of the meetings. [90121]

  The Prime Minister
  A number of civil servants and special advisers in my office provide me with information and advice on European matters. In the past month, in addition to attending the meetings I hold with EU ambassadors, my advisers have had bilateral discussions on matters of mutual interest with the Danish and Spanish ambassadors. There was also a meeting with the Swedish Ambassador to discuss the situation in Kosovo.

  Arms Exports (Eritrea)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his Government's response to the involvement of a British company in an arms consignment destined for Eritrea, seized at Antwerp on 7 February; what assistance has been supplied(a) to that company and (b) to the national authorities involved; and what changes to departmental procedures have resulted. [86643]

  The Prime Minister
  We have no information on the seizure of an arms consignment on 7 February in Antwerp. But we are aware that a shipment of goods originating in Germany, destined for Eritrea, was seized by Belgian Customs authorities in Antwerp in August 1998. The Belgian Embassy in London notified us in November 1998 that a British company was involved in organising the shipment. The matter is currently before the Belgian courts.
  240
  The British company, JMT Charlesworth Ltd., applied in 1997 for a DTI-funded Export Marketing Research Scheme grant. The grants are open to British companies with less than 500 employees wishing to research specific overseas markets and are payable after the work has been successfully completed. This was a legitimate request and the company received a grant of just over £1,000 following their study of the market for used, refurbished trucks for sale to Eritrea and Ethiopia. Since the seizure of the shipment the company has received no assistance from the British Government.

  In line with our ethical foreign policy we supported UN Security Council Resolution 1227 of 10 February 1999 which demanded a cessation of hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea and called for a voluntary arms embargo. We announced on 15 February that the United Kingdom had implemented this arms embargo. We were also instrumental in the adoption by the European Union of a common position on 15 March 1999 implementing an EU arms embargo on Ethiopia and Eritrea.

  Human Rights
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those countries held by the Government to be in breach of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. [90920]

  The Prime Minister
  While the Universal Declaration was not itself a legally binding treaty, it set the framework for human rights obligations in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESR). The ICCPR has been ratified by 143 states and the ICESR by 141 states. The UK ratified both these Treaties within 7 months of their coming into force in 1976. UN independent expert committees monitor the performance of individual states under these Treaties. The committees report their findings publicly, including failures of implementation. But neither they nor we attempt comparative assessments on what are wide ranging obligations.

  South Africa
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the discussions held by his advisers in South Africa in January on the issue of reconciliation; which policy advisers were involved; whom they met; what topics of United Kingdom interest were discussed; and what policy changes ensued. [90943]

  The Prime Minister
  I was accompanied by the Head of my Policy Unit and my policy advisers on criminal justice, and health and local government. As part of the ongoing and wide-ranging dialogue between the United Kingdom and South Africa, my advisers, together with FCO officials, had discussions with advisers in the Deputy President's office. These discussions, which took place in the run up to the recent elections, focused on the challenges facing an incoming Administration committed to a reforming agenda.

  Civil Wars
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those civil wars since May 1997 in which
  241
  he (a) made a decision to intervene and (b) decided against intervention; and if he will list the nature of the military intervention in each case. [90921]

  The Prime Minister
  Preventing and resolving violent conflict, including internal conflict, is a key foreign policy objective for this Government. Since May 1997 we have worked actively with our partners in the Security Council, European Union and elsewhere to find diplomatic solutions to conflicts around the world. Militarily, we have taken action with our NATO partners in Kosovo to prevent an overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe; and with the United States in Iraq to prevent repression of the civilian population and Iraq's posing a threat to its neighbours. We currently have troops deployed to UN authorised or led peacekeeping operations in Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Cyprus, Georgia, East Timor and on the Iraq/Kuwait border.

  Government Policies
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress made with putting into effect the Government policies set out in the Queen's Speeches in 1997 and 1998 [90869]

  The Prime Minister: Fifty-two Government bills became law in the 1997–98 parliamentary Session, including those to raise standards in education, delivering our manifesto commitment on constitutional reform, tackling crime, ensuring economic stability through Bank of England independence, and ensuring fairness at work through measures such as the national minimum wage.

  In the 1998 Queen's speech we undertook to bring forward legislation on a wide range of issues including modemising the National Health Service, delivering on our pledge to modernise the youth justice system, and through our welfare reform programme. Ten bills have reached Royal Assent and a further 18 are on course to do so before the end of the Session.

  The Government's Annual Report will be published towards the end of this month and this will detail progress on the Government's entire programme as set out in' the manifesto. The Report will also set out what the Government's priorities are for the coming years.

  European Commission
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the proposed appointments to the European Commission; and if he will list the experience and expertise of each nominated commissioner which is relevant to their portfolio. [91172]

  The Prime Minister
  Mr. Prodi announced on 9 July the people he and member states intended to nominate as Commissioners and their proposed areas of responsibility. The nominees will now be put to the European Parliament for approval, most probably at its September plenary.

  It is not for any Government to comment on other member states' nominees. The two British candidates are both extremely well suited to the posts for which they have been nominated.

  Advisory Committee on Business Appointments
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the members of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; and if he will make a statement. [91667]

  The Prime Minister
  Sadly, Lord Gillmore of Thamesfield, who became Chairman of the Committee in February, died shortly after taking up his appointment.

  Lord Mayhew has agreed to become the new Chairman, and I intend to appoint shortly a new member of the Committee to fill the vacancy left by Lord Gillmore.

  The current membership of the Committee is as follows:

  The right hon. Lord Mayhew of Twysden QC—(Chairman)

  Sir John Blelloch KCB—(Vice-chairman)

  The right hon. Lord Shore of Stepney

  The right hon. Baroness Williams of Crosby

  Admiral Sir Kenneth Eaton GBE, KCB, FEng, FIEE

  Sir Denys Henderson

  Sir Bryan Nicholson.

  All the appointments are unpaid, and I am grateful to the members for the time they give to the Committee.

TREASURY

  Air Passenger Duty
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to abolish the domestic flight return-leg exemption from air passenger duty; and if he will make a statement. [90813]

  Mrs. Roche
  We are considering how to respond to the European Commission's challenge to the domestic return leg exemption.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number of his Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill(a) in total and (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available, separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [90565]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]I refer the hon. Member to "Civil Service Statistics 1998" which is placed in the Libraries of the House. This will show total numbers of staff in Departments and Agencies and the number of employees by UK region for Inland Revenue, HM Customs and Excise, National Savings, the Office for National Statistics, HM Treasury and the Royal Mint.

  Figures indicating the wage bill, in total and by region are shown in the table. The costs of London allowances and weightings have been separately identified, where available.
  243

  Regional split of pay bill for Chancellor's Departments (1997–98)

  £ million

  Government office regions

  HM Treasury

  Inland Revenue (excluding Valuation Office Agency)

  Inland Revenue Valuation Office Agency

  Customs and Excise

  Debt Management Office1

  National Savings

  Office for National Statistics

  Royal Mint

  Government Actuary's Department

  London

  33

  170

  22

  160

  —

  3.9

  22.4

  0.5

  4.8

  South East

  —

  115

  18

  93

  —

  —

  16.3

  —

  —

  Eastern

  —

  61

  3

  93

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South West

  —

  72

  7

  23

  —

  —

  0.1

  —

  —

  West Midlands

  —

  71

  10

  22

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Midlands

  —

  75

  6

  19

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  —

  93

  12

  20

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North West

  —

  107

  10

  35

  —

  20.6

  2.3

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  56

  1

  23

  —

  —

  9.4

  —

  —

  North East

  —

  43

  2

  12

  —

  19.2

  —

  —

  —

  Wales

  —

  72

  5

  13

  —

  —

  16.3

  23.8

  —

  Scotland

  —

  113

  3

  30

  —

  29.9

  —

  —

  —

  Northern Ireland

  —

  24

  —

  12

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  33

  1,072

  102

  555

  —

  73.6

  66.8

  24.3

  4.8

  Cost of London weightings and allowances

  20.124

  3—

  42

  8.1

  —

  0.3

  5—

  5—

  0.025

  1 The Debt Management Office came into existence on 1 April 1998, so no figures are available for 1997–98.

  2 London weightings for Treasury staff below Senior Civil Service level were consolidated into the pay system at 1 April 1996. The figure given therefore represents London Weighting and London Allowance for Senior Civil Service Grades only.

  3 The Inland Revenue consolidated London Weighting into basic pay on 1 August 1994. Separate London Weighting was no longer paid after that date; therefore the cost cannot be separately identified.

  4 The Value Office Agency pay structure does not separately identify London Allowances and Weightings, but a best estimate has been provided.

  5 London Weighting is absorbed into the Royal Mint and ONS pay scales; therefore figures are unavailable.

  Note:

  All figures in £ million—because of roundings, the sum of entries in each column may differ slightly from the total.

  Child Carers
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the tax system with a view to removing measures which disadvantage single earner families where the wife remains at home to look after children. [89894]

  Dawn Primarolo
  All aspects of the tax system are kept under review and the Chancellor has announced a range of measures in his Budgets benefiting single earner families, in which one partner stays at home to look after children. They include the Working Families' Tax Credit from October 1999 and the new children's tax credit from April 2001. In addition, he has announced substantial increases in Child Benefit, the first of which took effect in April 1999. As a result of the measures announced, a single earner family on average male earnings with two children will be £460 a year better off.

  Married Man's Tax Allowance
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reassess the married man's tax allowance to take account of the added financial responsibility of supporting a non-earning and dependent wife. [89896]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The higher personal allowance available to a married man became the married couple's allowance with the introduction of independent taxation in 1990–91. The Chancellor announced in his Budget statement this year, 9 March 1999,Official Report, columns 173–91 that, as part of a package of reform of income tax reliefs, the married couple's allowance would be abolished from 6 April 2000 for couples aged under
  244
  65 at that date. It will be replaced from 6 April 2001 by the children's tax credit, which will be worth up to twice as much for families with children.

  Vehicle Repairs (VAT)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the liability for VAT on work done by vehicle repair shops owned by insurance companies; and if he will make a statement. [91315]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government have received a number of representations on the VAT treatment of vehicle repairs carried out by motor insurers.

  Customs are reviewing this issue.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of households which will become eligible for the new child care tax credit from October in each region of England and Wales; and what the projected change is in the number of claimants as compared with the family credit child care disregard. [90642]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that it is not possible to provide reliable estimates of the number of families who will receive the childcare tax credit as part of the Working Families' Tax Credit for each Government Region in England and Wales.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in each region of England and Wales he estimates will become entitled to working families tax credit in October; how many additional households in each region will receive working families tax credit
  245
  compared with family credit; and what proportions these figures represent of the number of households in work in each region. [90641]

  Government office region

  Number of families in receipt of Working Families' Tax Credit

  Percentage of families in work

  Number of families in receipt of Working Families' Tax Credit who would not have received Family Credit

  Percentage of families in work

  England

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North East

  70,000

  9

  20,000

  3

  North West

  170,000

  8

  40,000

  2

  Yorkshire and The Humber

  120,000

  9

  40,000

  3

  East Midlands

  110,000

  7

  50,000

  3

  West Midlands

  160,000

  9

  60,000

  3

  East of England

  130,000

  7

  50,000

  3

  London

  140,000

  7

  50,000

  3

  South East

  150,000

  5

  70,000

  2

  South West

  110,000

  7

  40,000

  3

  Wales

  60,000

  8

  30,000

  3

  Total England and Wales

  1,220,000

  7

  430,000

  3

  Note:

  Figures for families are rounded to the nearest thousand and may not sum to totals.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the(a) average and (b) maximum additional benefit is for claimants of working families tax credit as compared with family credit for each region in England and Wales. [90643]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that in 2000–01, the first full year of the Working Families Tax Credit, the average weekly gain for families in receipt of the credit, compared with Family Credit, is £24. This includes families who would not have been in receipt of Family Credit. Estimated average gains for each region of England and Wales are given in the table.

  The maximum gain from the Working Families Tax Credit depends upon the circumstances of individual families, in particular the number of children and the expenditure on eligible child care. It is not possible to forecast what this maximum gain will be.

  £

  Government Office Region

  Average weekly gain from Working Families Tax Credit

  England

  North East

  28

  North West

  22

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  24

  East Midlands

  25

  West Midlands

  24

  East of England

  22

  London

  23

  South East

  27

  South West

  22

  Wales

  22

  Correspondence
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from Mr. Barnes of Barton Court Road, New Milton, of 22 March. [90761]
  246
  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates for 2000–01, the first full year of the Working Families' Tax Credit, are given in the table.

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue were asked to reply to Mr. Barnes, and did so on 13 July. They have apologised to him for the delay.

  Household Statistics
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of and how many households in the UK are accounted for by(a) married couples with children, (b) cohabiting couples with children, (c) single mothers with children, (d) single fathers with children, (e) single men and women under pension age, (f) single pensioners and (g) pensioner couples; [90326]

  (2) what evidence he has of the percentage of (a) men and (b) women who work until pension age without a career break, and of those who have breaks in their careers; and what are the average total time spent out of work for each sex, and the average length of time of each break in career; [90325]

  (3) if he will list for the most recent available date the percentage and number of (a) married couples and (b) cohabiting couples in which (i) both work full-time, (ii) both are unemployed, (iii) the man works full-time and the woman works part-time, (iv) the woman works full-time and the man works part-time, (v) both work part-time, (vi) the man works full-time and the woman is unemployed, (vii) the woman works full-time and the man is unemployed, (viii) the man works part-time and the woman is unemployed and (ix) the woman works part-time and the man is unemployed, showing figures separately for those with and without dependent children. [90324]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 8 July 1999]The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
  247
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 12 July 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your three recent parliamentary questions (90324, 90325 and 90326) on households, families and career breaks.
  In answer to your question about couples according to the status of the 'husband' and 'wife' I attach two tables. Table la gives estimates from the spring 1998 Labour Force Survey (LFS) of actual numbers comparing the labour market status of the husband/man with that of his wife/partner for the four different couple types requested. For example, looking at the block for married couples

  Table 1a: Working age couples1 according to economic status of head and wife, marital status and presence of dependent2 children United Kingdom, spring 1998 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Thousand

  Status of wife/partner

  Status of husband/man

  All

  In employment: All

  In employment: Full-time

  In employment: Part-time

  ILO un-employed3

  Inactive4

  Married couple without dependent children

  All

  4,195

  3,092

  1,856

  1,236

  71

  1,033

  In employment

  3,417

  2,760

  1,691

  1,069

  55

  602

  working full-time

  3,226

  2,631

  1,634

  997

  48

  548

  working part-time

  190

  129

  57

  72

  *

  54

  ILO unemployed

  115

  54

  31

  23

  *

  53

  Inactive

  663

  278

  134

  144

  *

  378

  Married couple with dependent children

  All

  5,130

  3,562

  1,365

  2,196

  140

  1,428

  In employment

  4,617

  3,382

  1,279

  2,102

  111

  1,123

  working full-time

  4,476

  3,304

  1,243

  2,060

  104

  1,068

  working part-time

  140

  78

  36

  42

  *

  55

  ILO unemployed

  170

  56

  24

  32

  18

  97

  Inactive

  343

  124

  62

  62

  11

  208

  Cohabiting couple without dependent children

  All

  1,056

  938

  824

  114

  34

  85

  In employment

  964

  893

  791

  102

  21

  51

  working full-time

  932

  866

  771

  95

  21

  46

  working part-time

  32

  27

  20

  *

  *

  *

  ILO unemployed

  36

  19

  14

  *

  *

  *

  Inactive

  56

  25

  18

  *

  *

  27

  Cohabiting couple with dependent children

  All

  657

  388

  177

  211

  38

  231

  In employment

  537

  356

  163

  194

  22

  159

  working full-time

  512

  344

  157

  187

  21

  148

  working part-time

  25

  13

  *

  *

  *

  11

  ILO unemployed

  67

  16

  *

  *

  12

  39

  Inactive

  52

  16

  *

  *

  *

  33

  * Sample size too small for reliable estimate

  1 Working age couples are those in which the man is aged 16–64 and the woman is aged 16–59.

  2 Dependent children are those aged 0–15, and those aged 16–18 in full-time education.

  3 ILO unemployment—The International Labour Office measure refers to people who are without a job, available to start work within two weeks and who had either looked for work in the previous weeks or were waiting to start a job they had already obtained.

  4 Inactive—those who are neither in employment nor ILO unemployed are defined as being economically inactive.

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey Household Datasets

  Table 1b: Working age couples1 accordling to economic status of head and wife, marital status and presence of dependent2 children United Kingdom, spring 1998 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Percentage

  Status of wife/partner

  Status of husband/man

  All

  In employment: All

  In employment: Full-time

  In employment: Part-time

  ILO un-employed3

  Inactive4

  Married couple without dependent children

  All

  100

  74

  44

  29

  2

  25

  In employment

  81

  66

  40

  25

  1

  14

  working full-time

  77

  63

  39

  24

  1

  13

  working part-time

  5

  3

  1

  2

  *

  1

  ILO unemployed

  3

  1

  1

  1

  *

  1

  Inactive

  16

  7

  3

  3

  *

  9

  248
  without dependent children you can see that there were 997,000 couples where the husband worked full-time and the wife worked part-time. Table lb shows this information in terms of percentage breakdowns. These analyses have been based on all working age couples i.e. couples where both the husband and the wife are of working age. Working age is defined as 16–59 for women and 16–64 for men.
  LFS estimates have also been used to answer your question about households by type of household and family (see table 2).
  Regarding your third question about those reaching retirement age and the incidence and average length of any career breaks they may have taken, I regret that the ONS cannot provide any directly relevant information.
  249

  Table lb: Working age couples1 accordling to economic status of head and wife, marital status and presence of dependent2 children United Kingdom, spring 1998 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Percentage

  Status of wife/partner

  Status of husband/man

  All

  In employment: All

  In employment: Full-time

  In employment: Part-time

  ILO un-employed3

  Inactive4

  Married couple with dependent children

  All

  100

  69

  27

  43

  3

  28

  In employment

  90

  66

  25

  41

  2

  22

  working full-time

  87

  64

  24

  40

  2

  21

  working part-time

  3

  2

  1

  1

  *

  1

  ILO unemployed

  3

  1

  0

  1

  0

  2

  Inactive

  7

  2

  1

  1

  0

  4

  Cohabiting couple without dependent chidren

  All

  100

  89

  78

  11

  3

  8

  In employment

  91

  85

  75

  10

  2

  5

  working full-time

  88

  82

  73

  9

  2

  4

  working part-time

  3

  3

  2

  *

  *

  0

  ILO unemployed

  3

  2

  *

  *

  1

  Inactive

  5

  2

  2

  *

  *

  3

  Cohabiting couple with dependent children

  All

  100

  59

  27

  32

  6

  35

  In employment

  82

  54

  25

  29

  3

  24

  working full-time

  78

  52

  24

  29

  3

  22

  working part-time

  4

  2

  *

  *

  *

  2

  ILO unemployed

  10

  2

  *

  *

  2

  6

  Inactive

  8

  2

  *

  *

  *

  5

  * Sample size too small for reliable estimate

  1 Working age couples are those in which the man is aged 16–64 and the woman is aged 16–59.

  2 Dependent children are those aged 0–15, and those aged 16–18 in full-time education.

  3 ILO unemployment—The International Labour Office measure refers to people who are without a job, available to start work within two weeks and who had either looked for work in the previous weeks or were waiting to start a job they had already obtained.

  4 Inactive—those who are neither in employment nor ILO unemployed are defined as being economically inactive.

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey Household Datasets

  Households by type of household and family—Table 2 United Kingdom, spring 1998 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Thousand

  Per cent.

  One person

  Under pensionable age1

  3,266

  13.5

  Over pensionable age1

  3,497

  14.4

  Two or more unrelated adults

  769

  3.2

  One family

  Married non-pensioner couples2

  All

  8,881

  36.7

  of which with:

  No children

  2,743

  11.3

  Dependent children3

  4,934

  20.4

  Non-dependent children only

  1,203

  5.0

  Cohabiting non-pensioner couples2

  All

  1,619

  6.7

  of which with:

  No children

  930

  3.8

  Dependent children3

  640

  2.6

  Non-dependent children only

  48

  0.2

  Pensioner couples

  All

  3,219

  13.3

  of which with:

  No children

  2,859

  11.8

  Dependent children3

  30

  0.1

  Non-dependent children only

  330

  1.4

  Female lone parents with:

  Dependent children3

  1,363

  5.6

  Non-dependent children only

  559

  2.3

  250

  Households by type of household and family—Table 2 United Kingdom, spring 1998 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Thousand

  Per cent

  Male lone parents with:

  Dependent children

  156

  0.6

  Non-dependent children only

  146

  0.6

  At least one family plus others

  735

  3.0

  All households

  24,209

  100.0

  1 Pensionable age is defined here as 60 for women and 65 for men.

  2 Non-pensioner couples are those where neither the husband nor the wife is a pensioner.

  3 Dependent children are those aged 0–15 and 16–18 year olds in full-time includes those families with both dependent and non-dependent children.

  source:

  Labour Force Survey Household Datasets

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by her special advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89997]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model
  251
  Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speech writing and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the Party and helping to brief Party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

  Portcullis House
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will list the type and designation of the electrical cable used to wire (i) the lifts, (ii) the standby generation system, (iii) the emergency lighting system, (iv) the fire alarm system and (v) the smoke extraction system in Portcullis house. [90704]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  I have asked the Director of Works to write to the hon. Member and place a copy of his reply in the Library of the House.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Communities Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the European Communities working groups which met over the last 12 months with a representative from his Department in attendance; if he will list the number of times each met; if he will indicate the nature of the Government's representation; and if he will make a statement. [88474]

  Ms Quin
  Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly attend more than 50 working groups, most notably those dealing with the EU's external relations.

  The frequency of meetings varies from group to group. For example, the ad hoc Lomé working group meets weekly, while the Euro-Med group meets monthly. The Government are always represented at these meetings by officials from the FCO or by officials from the UK's Permanent Representation in Brussels.

  There is no record of the exact number of times each working group has met. Given the large number of groups involved it would be extremely difficult and time consuming to compile such a record.

  River Danube
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of when the River Danube in Serbia will be open for normal commercial traffic; what assessment he has made of the effect of the blocking of the River Danube to commercial traffic on the economies of adjacent states other than Serbia; and what help is being given by NATO and the EU to adjacent states whose commercial and industrial traffic has been affected by the blocking of the Danube by destroyed Serbian bridges. [90004]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We do not know when the River Danube will be open for normal commercial traffic. We are in close touch with all the countries surrounding 252
  Serbia, and with the international financial institutions who are carrying out economic impact assessments. We have already contributed to packages of support for those countries, other than Serbia, most directly affected, and will continue to do so.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much expenditure his Department(a) has incurred to date and (b) expects to incur in the future, on preparations for possible United Kingdom entry into the European single currency; and if he will make a statement. [91237]

  Ms Quin
  Following the publication of the Government's Outline National Changeover Plan, my Department is considering what preparations may be necessary.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the consolidated report to the Council on the EU Code of Conduct on arms sales will be made public. [90700]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Member states have yet to decide whether to make public the consolidated report on the operation of the Code of Conduct. This is likely to depend on the extent to which the report, which has not yet been agreed, contains information which member states have agreed should remain confidential, such as details of individual licence refusals and consultations between member states. Any changes to the Code as a result of the report will by definition be made public.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance supplied to posts overseas on the application of the Working Time Directive. [90699]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I am placing in the Library of the House a copy of the guidance supplied to posts overseas on the application of the Working Time Directive/ Regulations. [90941]

  Yugoslavia
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for future support of Radio B-92 in Yugoslavia; and what measures he is planning to encourage the restoration of former management. [90941]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Her Majesty's Government will not offer any support to Radio B-92 as long as it is being run by the Milosevic regime.

  FCO officials have met with the exiled representative of Radio B-92 and are discussing means of restoring the station to its rightful owners.

  International Labour Organisation
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy regarding adherence to International Labour Organisation legislation; and which
  253
  human rights instruments (a) have been rejected, (b) are under consideration and (c) have been accepted in principle, where the United Kingdom had not fully acceded, since May 1997. [90944]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Government are committed to supporting and promoting adherence to the standards and principles of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has lead responsibility for Government policy towards the ILO.

  Our commitment to the ILO is matched by action. At the International Labour Conference (ILC) in June 1999, we played a leading role in securing agreement to a new Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, which becomes one of the ILO's core labour standards. At that Conference, we also announced our ratification of the ILO Convention 111 on Discrimination in Employment, one of the core labour conventions. At the ILC in June 1998, we played a key role in the agreement of a Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. And we are currently reviewing our position on ILO Convention 138 on Minimum Age of employment, the only one of the seven existing core labour conventions that the UK has yet to ratify. The UK has ratified a total of 66 conventions, which bears favourable comparison with other industrialised countries.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department announced the outcome of the Government's review of international human rights instruments in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Halton (Mr. Twigg) on 3 March 1999, Official Report, columns 756–57. Since then, on 31 March 1999 we signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, and on 20 May 1999 we ratified protocol 6 to the European Convention on Human Rights. Both protocols concern abolition of the death penalty.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day between May 1997 and 14 April 1999; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that named day. [91066]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  2,351 parliamentary questions have been tabled to the FCO for named day answer since 2 May 1997. Our existing database does not allow us to determine which of them received a substantive response on that named day without manually checking each question. To do so would incur disproportionate cost.

  Immigration Office, Islamabad
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many entry clearance applications for indefinite leave to remain from Islamabad have been made in each year since 1992. [90981]
  254
  Mr. Hoon
  The following are the figures requested:

  Year

  Settlement applications

  1994

  6,973

  1995

  7,869

  1996

  7,988

  1997

  9,183

  1998

  10,837

  Notes:

  1. The figures relate to applications in Islamabad for settlement entry clearance. The term 'Indefinite leave to remain' refers to the removal of conditions of entry by the Home Office after an individual subject to immigration control has spent a qualifying period in the UK.

  2. Information for 1992 and 1993 is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  3. Further figures on settlement applications for the years 1994–98 inclusive can be obtained from the Global Entry Clearance Statistics, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the average turn-round time for processing applications for(a) visit visas and (b) marriage visas from Islamabad has changed over the last five years. [90974]

  Mr. Hoon
  Non-settlement visa applicants dealt with at Tier 1 or 2 will normally have their application processed within 24 hours. The percentage of visa applicants dealt with at Tier 1 and 2 has risen from 52 per cent. in 1994 to 54 per cent. in May 1999. Only those processed at Tier 3 (non-settlement) or Tier 4 (settlement) will be recalled at a later date for interview. Waiting times for these two tiers have been collated only since 1996 and are as follows:

  Tier 3 (non-settlement)

  Date

  Waiting time (days)

  At 31 December 1996

  3

  At 31 December 1997

  11

  At 31 December 1998

  18

  Tier 4 (settlement)

  Waiting time (months)

  Date

  Queue 2

  Queue 3

  At 31 December 1996

  4

  6

  At 31 December 1997

  4

  5

  At 31 December 1998

  6

  7

  Note:

  Settlement applications in Islamabad are dealt with in four queues:

  Ql: Right of Abode claimants, dependent relatives over 65, special compassionate cases.

  Q2: Spouses, children under 18.

  Q3: Fiance(e)s, other categories.

  Q4: Re-applicants.

  Persons applying for settlement in UK in order to join a spouse or parent are dealt with at queue 2; those coming to the UK to marry and settle are dealt with in queue 3. The latter also includes other visa applicants and is not solely for the categories mentioned. Waiting times fluctuate during the year. Further details on waiting times are obtainable from the Global Entry Clearance Statistics, copies of which are held in the House of Commons Library.
  255
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for visitor's visas have been(a) made and (b) granted in each year since 1992; and how many in each year were from Islamabad. [90980]

  Mr. Hoon
  The following are the figures requested:

  Worldwide

  Islambad

  Received

  Issued

  Received

  Issued

  1994

  1,086,381

  980,054

  35,472

  25,187

  1995

  1,167,295

  1,042,667

  35,597

  22,130

  1996

  1,372,056

  1,240,341

  31,354

  19,730

  1997

  1,372,314

  1,243,987

  23,828

  14,726

  1998

  1,397,431

  1,246,034

  38,250

  26,737

  Note:

  1. Information for 1992 and 1993 is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Further figures on non-settlement applications for the years 1994–98 inclusive can be obtained from the Global Entry Clearance Statistics, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Argentina
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Argentina. [91145]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  British and Argentine delegations met in London on 13 and 14 July to continue their dialogue on South Atlantic issues of common interest. I led the United Kingdom delegation, which included Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Council.

  I signed a Joint Statement with the Argentine Foreign Minister and exchanged letters recording understandings reached in these discussions on flights between the Falklands and South America, permission for Argentine passport-holders to visit the Falklands, co-operation against illegal fishing and other confidence-building measures. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

  This agreement has the approval of the Falkland Islands Legislative Councillors. It is an important advance for our relations with Argentina and will encourage friendship and trust between Argentina and the Falklands Islands. It has our whole-hearted support.

  Mr. Al-Sayegh
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlie his conclusion that Mr. Al-Sayegh of Bolton holds both British and Bahraini nationality. [91055]

  Mr. Hoon
  Mr. Al-Sayegh is a Bahraini national by birth and also a British national, having been granted British nationality in 1995 through his marriage to a British citizen. The Bahrainis have assured us that Mr. Al-Sayegh has not lost or been deprived of his Bahraini nationality.

  Diplomatic Staff Cars
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the 256
  purchase, and use of, official cars for United Kingdom ambassadors and high commissioners serving overseas; what make of cars have been purchased over the past 12 months for ambassadors, high commissioners and other senior diplomatic staff overseas; and to which individual diplomats they have been supplied. [90951]

  Mr. Hoon
  1. Flag cars are provided for official use of Ambassadors and High Commissioners and are not specifically assigned to individual diplomats.

  2. Government policy is to advertise our requirements for flag cars in the Official Journal of the European Commission and to set up framework contracts with successful bidders against which individual cars are purchased as the need arises. The FCO currently has framework contracts, negotiated in 1996, with Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Rover and Land Rover.

  3. The makes of flag car purchased during the last 12 months are Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Rover and Land Rover, Volvo, Opel, Ford and a Grand Marquis in Caracas. Details, including the Missions to which the cars have been allocated, are shown in the attached list. The few cars purchased outside the existing framework contracts are used in countries where European cars cannot be properly maintained.

  BACKGROUND NOTE

  1. The FCO has, in the last 12 months, bought the following 45 flag cars:

  2. 1 X Rolls Royce, 15 X Jaguars, 6 X Rover 800s, 2 X Volvos, 1 X Opel saloon cars, 6 X Land Rover Discoverys and 12 X Range Rovers. A Grand Marquis was bought for Caracas and a Ford Mondeo for Ascension Island, as neither UK nor European cars could be supported in those countries.

  3. The Embassies and High Commissions concerned were:

  Model

  Post

  Volvo V70

  Almaty

  Rover 825

  Amsterdam

  Rover Sterling

  Anguilla

  Jaguar

  Ankara

  Discovery

  Antananarivo

  Ford Mondeo

  Ascension Island

  Range Rover

  Asuncion

  Jaguar 4.0

  Athens

  Jaguar Xj8 L

  Atlanta

  Volvo S80 F

  Barcelona

  Range Rover

  Beirut

  Jaguar S Type

  Bordeaux

  Jaguar Xj8 3.2

  Brussels

  Grand Marquis

  Caracas

  Discovery F

  Casablanca

  Range Rover

  Dhaka

  Rover 820 Sil

  Gothenburg

  Rolls Royce

  Hong Kong

  Jaguar

  Johannesburg

  Range Rover

  Kampala

  Range Rover

  Kingston

  Range Rover

  Lagos

  Jaguar Xj8 3.2

  Ljubljana

  Range Rover

  Lusaka

  Rover Sterling

  Luxembourg

  Discovery

  Madras

  Jaguar Xjv8

  Madrid

  Discovery

  Managua

  257

  Model

  Post

  Rover 820

  Milan

  Range Rover

  Montserrat

  Jaguar Sov

  Nicosia

  Rover 825 Si

  Oporto

  Jaguar

  Oslo

  Jaguar Xj8

  Peking

  Jaguar F

  Rome

  Range Rover

  Sana'a

  Jaguar Xj8

  Sofia

  Jaguar

  Stockholm

  Opel Omega

  Strasbourg

  Range Rover

  Tegucigalpa

  Jaguar Sov

  The Hague

  Discovery

  Victoria

  Range Rover

  Vilnius

  Range Rover

  Yaounde

  Discovery F

  Yerevan

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published. [89696]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]Since May 1997, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has funded three pieces of public opinion research centrally. A survey of opinion formers in Pakistan and a public image survey in the Eastern Caribbean helped to establish how Britain is perceived in these two areas, to highlight misconceptions, and to measure Britain's profile. Results of these two surveys have not been published. A survey on British public attitudes to Europe in 1997 helped us prepare for the EU Presidency; a copy of the results has been placed in the Libraries of the House. It would involve disproportionate costs to provide the information requested for work carried out by individual FCO posts.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the European Commission concerning the obstruction of movement between Spain and Gibraltar. [90143]

  Ms Quin
  Our Permanent Representative to the EU, Sir S. Wall, wrote to the President of the European Commission on this subject on 11 February, and again on 22 June. Our Permanent Representation was in regular contact with the Commission in the intervening period.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Development concerning human rights in Zimbabwe. [90136]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the International Development Secretary meet to discuss issues that relate to the work of both departments. Officials from both departments co-ordinate policy closely in the UK and in a large number 258
  of countries worldwide, including Zimbabwe. The Government's commitment to human rights is central to the work of both departments.

  British Subjects (Death Abroad)
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the treatment of the widow of a British subject who died in April this year in the Gambia, a constituent, whose name has been supplied to him. [90359]

  Mr. Hoon
  When a British National who is the customer of a tour operator dies overseas, the tour operator's representative normally takes responsibility for the necessary formalities. Our Consular staff provide advice and additional assistance as necessary.

  In this case, our Consular staff played a supporting role in liaising with the tour operator's representative, the clinic and the mortuary. They also offered to speak to the police.

  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what services the Consular Service provides in the event of the death of a British subject abroad. [90358]

  Mr. Hoon
  The services provided are set out in the Consular Services leaflet "Death Overseas", copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Western Sahara
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to send a contingent to the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara. [90438]

  Mr. Hoon
  We have no plans at present to re-introduce a contingent to MINURSO because of heavy commitments elsewhere. The situation is kept under regular review.

  Kuwait
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the recent elections in Kuwait. [90446]

  Mr. Hoon
  Elections for Kuwait's 50 seat National Assembly took place on 3 July. Twenty five MPs retained their seats; 16 new members were elected; the remainder being former MPs who have served in earlier parliaments.

  Iraq
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent UN Security Council discussions on Iraq. [90445]

  Mr. Hoon
  Discussions are continuing within the UN Security Council on the various draft resolutions on Iraq. The UK resolution seeks to translate the work of the three UN assessment panels on disarmament, humanitarian and Kuwaiti issues into action. It is now co-sponsored by the Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil, Slovenia, Gambia and Bahrain. We do not consider that the Russian and French draft resolutions offer a realistic basis for agreement in the Council. We are working in the Council to rebuild
  259
  consensus on Iraq and hope that the remaining Council members will also move quickly to endorse our comprehensive approach.

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan concerning the camps which they have set up for people displaced in the civil war in Sudan. [90529]

  Mr. Hoon
  The return of UK staff to Khartoum, announced on 25 June, will allow us the opportunity to have a dialogue with the Government of Sudan on a whole range of humanitarian issues.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current security situation in the Kosovo town of Mitrovica. [91231]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  KFOR is tasked with providing robust and even-handed protection for everyone in Kosovo. There has been some tension in Mitrovica where Serbs have tried to keep Kosovo Albanians out of an area of the city. KFOR has been present and escorted a relatively peaceful march through the affected part of the city by 2,000 people on 7 July. Most recently French troops broke up a demonstration on the bridge dividing the two areas on 11 July. KFOR has a strong presence in the area and has kept the situation under control, in line with their mandate under UNSCR 1244 to provide a secure environment for all the people of Kosovo.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) malicious calls and (b) well intended but unfounded calls were made to the Benefit Fraud Hotline in each of the last three years; what was each category as a percentage of the total number of calls; and what was the average cost of investigating each such call. [90448]

  Mr. Timms
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 13 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked Mr. Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many malicious and well intended but unfounded calls were made to the Benefit Fraud Hotline in the last three years; what was each category as a percentage of the total number of calls; and what was the average cost of investigating each such call. As Mr. Mathison is currently away from the office on annual leave I am replying.
  Calls to the Hotline and investigations costs are not collated in the format you have requested. We do not seek to establish the motives and intentions of the caller.
  It may be helpful if I explain that from its introduction on 5th August 1996 to March 1999, the Benefit Fraud Hotline has received 550,000 calls. Each case is scrutinised to establish whether a fraud investigation is appropriate. Of the above total 69% have
  260
  been referred to the relevant fraud section for further action. Of these, 33% resulted in the reduction, cessation or the identification of an overpayment of benefit. The estimated average benefit staving per call was £218.
  The Benefits Agency (BA) does not disclose the results of any investigation to any caller to the Hotline. Our aim is to provide a vehicle by which the public can become involved in protecting the benefits system. The BA believes that the Benefit Fraud Hotline provides a valuable and popular service to the public in helping to reduce the level of fraudulent claims.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  Savings
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the percentages of households with(a) savings of up to £1,000, (b) savings between £1,000 and £20,000, in bands of £1,000 and (c) savings above £20,000; and if he will give the same data for households where the head of household is between 50 and 65 years. [91053]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Households by amount of savings and where head of household is between 50 and 65-years-old

  Percentage of households

  Capital

  Households with a head aged between 50 and 65-years

  Total households

  Up to £1,000

  38

  48

  £1,000 but less than £2,000

  5

  6

  £2,000 but less than £3,000

  5

  5

  £3,000 but less than £4,000

  4

  4

  £4,000 but less than £5,000

  3

  3

  £5,000 but less than £6,000

  3

  3

  £6,000 but less than £7,000

  2

  2

  £7,000 but less than £8,000

  2

  2

  £8,000 but less than £9,000

  2

  2

  £9,000 but less than £10,000

  2

  1

  £10,000 but less than £11,000

  2

  1

  £11,000 but less than £12,000

  2

  1

  £12,000 but less than £13,000

  2

  1

  £13,000 but less than £14,000

  1

  1

  £14,000 but less than £15,000

  1

  1

  £15,000 but less than £16,000

  1

  1

  £16,000 but less than £17,000

  1

  1

  £17,000 but less than £18,000

  1

  1

  £18,000 but less than £19,000

  1

  1

  £19,000 but less than £20,000

  1

  1

  £20,000 or more

  22

  14

  Total

  100

  100

  Notes:

  1. The estimates are based on sample counts which have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors that control for region, Council Tax band and a number of demographic variables. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non-response.

  2. It should be noted that questions on assets are a sensitive part of the FRS questionnaire and have relatively low level of response, and hence a higher level of imputation compare to other parts of the survey. Responses are imputed in around 1 in 10 cases. Past evidence has suggested some under reporting of capital by respondents, and figures for income from these sources for pensioners are lower on the FRS compared to other surveys such as the Family Expenditure Survey.

  3. In the 1997–98 Family Resources Survey the head of the household is classified using standard procedures:

  In a household containing only husband, wife and children under 16 (and boarders) the husband is always the head of the household. Similarly, when a couple have been recorded as living together/cohabiting the male partner is treated as the head of the household.
  261
  In all situations where there are other relatives in the household where some or all of the household are unrelated, except that a husband always takes precedence, the person in whose name the accommodation is owned or rented is taken as the head.

  When the accommodation is supplied with a job or provided rent free for some other reason, the person to whom the accommodation is given in this way becomes the head.

  Occasionally more than one person will have equal claim to be the head, in these cases, where they are of the same sec, the oldest is the head; where they are of different sexes, the male is the head.

  4. All percentages have been rounded to the nearest integer.

  Source:

  1997–98 Family Resources Survey (FRS)(Great Britain).

  Social Security Administration (Scotland)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Perth (Ms Cunningham) of 6 July 1999,Official Report, columns 506–07, if his estimate assumed that (a) a separate Scottish system would require the provision of new buildings or (b) a separate Scottish system would be denied access to existing computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [90926]

  Mr. Timms
  No detailed assessment has been made of the costs of administering the Social Security system separately in Scotland. The estimate of £600 million in my previous reply, 6 July 1999,Official Report, columns 506–07, was based on assumptions which were made about the apportionment of the Department's central and fixed costs which include these elements.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the procedural steps for assessing eligibility, reviewing, appealing and making payment of(a) child support allowance, (b) housing benefit, (c) council tax benefit and (d) income support; and which of the offices of his Department and its agencies in Scotland handle each of these steps. [90866]

  Mr. Timms
  Applications for Child Support in Scotland are administered from the Child Support Agency Centre in Falkirk. Details of the procedure for applying for child maintenance and for review of assessment and appeals are set out in the booklet CSA 2008 "A guide to child support maintenance".

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are administered by Local Authorities, or in some cases Scottish Homes in respect of Housing Benefit only. The procedural steps on a claim, including those for assessment, reviews, appeals and payments, are set out in the booklet RR2 "A guide to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit".

  Eligibility to Income Support is assessed and payments are made in each local office of Benefits Agency in Scotland. The steps involved are set out in the booklet IS20, "A guide to Income Support". All aspects of appeals are handled by the Independent Tribunal Service.

  Copies of all these documents are in the Library.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Perth (Ms Cunningham) of 6 July 1999,Official Report, columns 506–07, what were the total fixed costs for his Department in the UK; and if he will provide a breakdown by category of these costs for (a) his Department and (b) each relevant agency. [90928]
  262
  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the format requested. The costs of administering the Department and its agencies are set out in the Social Security Departmental Report 1999–2000 (Cm 4214).

  Social Fund
  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to publish his annual report on the Social Fund for 1998–99 and the Social Fund Commissioner's annual report. [91644]

  Angela Eagle
  The Secretary of State's annual report on the Social Fund for 1998–99 (Cm 4351) was published today and has been laid before Parliament.

  The report records that total gross expenditure in 1998–99 was £558 million. This included 225,000 non-repayable grants and 1,801,000 interest free loans together worth £501 million and funeral, maternity and cold weather payments totalling £57.2 million. In addition, around 10 million pensioners in over 7 million households received winter fuel payments totalling £200 million.

  The Social Fund Commissioner's annual report has also been published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

  Executive Agencies (Report and Accounts)
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will make available the 1998–99 annual reports and accounts for each of his Next Steps agencies. [91645]

  Mr. Darling
  The 1998–99 annual reports and accounts for the Benefits Agency (HC 580), Child Support Agency (HC 533), Information Technology Services Agency (HC 518), War Pensions Agency (HC 527) and Contributions Agency (HC 523) have been laid before Parliament today. The Contributions Agency transferred to the Inland Revenue on 1 April 1999.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Organophosphorous Sheep Dips
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 1999,Official Report, column 267, on a report from the Institute of Occupational Medicine on the effects of exposure to organophosphorous sheep dips, when he expects to receive advice from the Veterinary Products Committee; and if he will make a statement. [91660]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have received advice from the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) on the implications of the IOM report for marketing authorisations of OPs and, in particular, OP sheep dips. A copy of the VPC's advice has been placed in the Library of the House.

  I have accepted the VPC's recommendation that marketing authorisation holders should be asked to submit practical and workable plans to improve and standardise the design of sheep dip containers. If such plans are not submitted within three months, action will be commenced to revoke marketing authorisations.
  263
  I have also accepted recommendations on emphasising the importance of handling OP concentrate safely in advice to farmers and in training and the examination which leads to the issue of a Certificate of Competence. We are giving urgent consideration to the recommendation that handlers of OP sheep dip concentrate should be required to hold a Certificate of Competence.

  The VPC made it clear that this is interim advice. The VPC will be offering further advice together with COT and the other independent advisory committees before the end of the year.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce the outcome of his review of quarantine regulations applying to animals originating from the United States and Canada. [90501]

  Mr. Rooker
  An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (1) pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1999,Official Report, column 554, if he will list the amounts of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphoric acid in residues of glufosinate-treated conventionally bred soya and genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant soya and the residues of glufosinate in conventionally bred soya and glufosinate and n-acetyl glufosinate in genetically modified varieties treated with glufosinate ammonium; and what the maximum permitted United Kingdom levels of retained residue are for each chemical; [91183]

  (2) if he will list the chemical residues retained as a result of crop treatment of (a) imported genetically modified maize and (b) imported non-genetically modified maize; if he will give the amounts of each retained chemical and the current maximum permitted levels for each chemical. [91047]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: Glyphosate: Experimental studies indicate that two major residues may be found in soya and maize crops treated with glyphosate. The residues concerned are glyphosate itself and its metabolite aminomethylphosphoric acid (AMPA). These two residues occur in both conventionally treated and genetically modified (GM) glyphosate tolerant crops. However, the levels of the metabolite AMPA are generally higher in the GM crops.

  The maximum residue level (MRL) permitted for glyphosate in maize in the UK is 0.1 mg/kg. This was the lowest level at which glyphosate could be reliably detected at the time the MRL was set, so represents an effective 'zero'. No MRL has been set for AMPA, as it is of less toxicological significance to humans than glyphosate.

  The UK MRL for glyphosate on soya is 20 mg/kg. All maize and soya, including imports of GM and conventional crops, must comply with these MRLs.

  The Government carried out monitoring for residues of glyphosate in imported and home produced maize during 1998. The results of this monitoring, including information on the actual levels found, will be published
  264
  later this year. We are monitoring for residues of glyphosate and its metabolite in soya products during 1999. The results will be published next year.

  Glufosinate ammonium: In the case of glufosinate ammonium, the major residue in traditional soya varieties is glufosinate. In GM soya varieties, the major components of the residue are glufosinate and a metabolite n-acetyl glufosinate.

  No consent has been given to market genetically modified glufosinate ammonium tolerant soya in Europe, so setting an MRL for n-acetyl glufosinate has not been considered. There are currently no UK statutory MRLs for glufosinate ammonium, but any food treated with glufosinate ammonium must pose no unacceptable risk to consumers under general UK food safety legislation. The Government are monitoring for residues of glufosinate ammonium and its metabolite in soya products during 1999. The results will be published in the year 2000.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent reports he has received from the United States Department of Agriculture on(a) the yields of genetically modified crops grown in the United States and (b) the quantities of chemical treatments used for such crops compared to non-genetically modified crops; and if he will make a statement. [91048]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]I have received no such reports from the US Department of Agriculture.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what comparative assessment his Department has made of the herbicide-residue levels in(a) GM soya and (b) non-GM soya; and if he will make a statement. [90722]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]Data on residue levels of the herbicide glyphosate in both traditionally bred and GM soya have been submitted to the EU in support of the Maximum Residue Level (MRL). The data for traditionally bred soya were evaluated by EU experts and assessed by all EU member states, including the UK, by the MRL setting process. Subsequently, the data for GM soya were evaluated. The same MRL was set.

  No approval has been given for the marketing of glufosinate ammonium tolerant soya in the UK.

  Departmental Travel
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many kilometres have been travelled on his Department's business in each of the last three years broken down by(a) foot, (b) bike, (c) bus, (d) train, (e) tram, (f) light-rail, (g) plane, (h) motorbike, (i) car, (j) taxi, (k) river-taxi and (l) other modes of transport; what plans and targets his Department has to reduce the kilometres travelled by private transport by his Department's employees; and if he will make a statement. [91016]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]The information on business travel is not collected in the form requested and therefore cannot be provided. As published in the Integrated Transport White Paper in July 1998, the Government have set a target that all Government Department headquarters buildings and main buildings
  265
  occupied by Executive Agencies should have Green Transport Plans by March 1999 and all other key buildings by March 2000.

  We have completed Green Transport Plans for all our London headquarters buildings and our York building, which houses two of the Ministry's Executive Agencies and we are developing plans for all our other key buildings in line with the targets set out in the White Paper. The plans include measures to reduce single-occupancy car use by employees for commuting and business travel, including extending and encouraging wider use of the Department's video conferencing network and promoting suitable car sharing schemes.

  Fishing Discards
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate by area in relation to each species of fish covered by quota, the amount of fish discarded from United Kingdom registered fishing vessels in the last five years; what proportion of the fish discarded in each case were(a) of a marketable condition and (b) undersized; and if he will make a statement. [90733]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 17 June 1999,Official Report, columns 216–18, and 8 July 1999, Official Report, column 626.

  Research work is continuing on why fish are discarded.

  Glyphosate
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of the use of the herbicide glyphosphate when it is applied to the land as an aid in conservation tillage schemes. [90599]

  Mr. Rooker
  I believe my hon. Friend is referring to the herbicide glyphosate. All pesticides are subject to strict statutory control and are approved only following thorough scientific evaluation of the risk that they pose to people, wildlife and to the wider environment. Only if this assessment shows that there is no unacceptable risk will approval be granted.

  Glyphosate has been approved as a herbicide since 1974. The environmental impact of its use in conservation tillage schemes would have been assessed at that time. Glyphosate is currently being reviewed by the EU Commission and the UK is playing an active part in this work. The review is expected to be completed by about late 2000.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day between May 1997 and 14 April 1999; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that named day. [91067]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 15 April 1999,Official Report, column 322. All questions for a named day up to 14 April 1999 were tabled by 31 March 1999.

  Food and Drink Inspections
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those sectors of the food and drink industry which are obliged to pay for the inspection of their products. [R] [90383]

  Mr. Rooker
  In the food and drink industry, charges are made for the hygiene inspection of meat, milk production and fish. Where export certification is required, the necessary inspections are paid for by the industry. In addition, the industry also pays for the sampling and analysis of food of animal origin for residues of veterinary medicines, and the agrochemical sector pays part of the cost of the pesticide residue monitoring arrangements.

  Fruit and Vegetable Disposal
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount spent by the EU on the subsidising of dumping of surplus fruit and vegetables in the most recent year for which figures are available. [90421]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]Unpublished EU figures give the total cost of compensation for fruit and vegetables withdrawn from the market as £96.56 million1 for the financial year ending 15 October 1998.

  1 Source:

  EU Commission data, converted from ecu to £ using representative rate on 31 December 1998.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement explaining the total amount spent by the EU on the disposal of fruit and vegetables in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and if he will list the tonnage of each particular fruit and vegetable so disposed of. [90422]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]The Government have no wish to see good food go to waste and have consistently opposed the system of paying compensation for produce withdrawn from the market, arguing that it distorts the market and encourages surpluses. The reform of the EU fruit and vegetable regime in 1996 was a step in the right direction, providing for reductions in withdrawal prices and volumes withdrawn over the first six years of the reform. The reform also encouraged greater use of free distribution to charities and other non-profit making institutions. A considerable amount of produce withdrawn in the UK has been distributed to such bodies in the past year.

  Provisional quantities of each product withdrawn in the EU during 1997–98 marketing years

  Tonnes

  Cauliflower

  172,928

  Apricots

  16,965

  Nectarines

  72,688

  Peaches

  89,616

  Lemons

  7,866

  Tomatoes

  240,828

  Aubergines

  4,050

  Pears

  86.208

  Table grapes

  133

  Apples

  357,615

  Satsumas

  4,033

  Mandarines

  1,836

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  Provisional quantities of each product withdrawn in the EU during the 1997–98 marketing years

  Tonnes

  Clementines

  68,964

  Oranges

  144,819

  Melons

  17,030

  Watermelons

  6,850

  Source:

  EU Commission data

  Dairy Hygiene Inspection Charges
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the levels of dairy hygiene inspection charges, or equivalent, levied in each European Union member state in sterling. [90856]
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  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is not currently available. I have asked for inquiries to be made about charges in other member states and I will write to my hon. Friend when I have further information.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many invitations(a) he and (b) the Minister have received to visit slaughterhouses since their appointments; and how many each has visited. [88337]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1999, c. 554]My hon. Friend the Minister of State has visited slaughterhouses on nine occasions since 1 May 1997.

  Law Lords: Facilities and Resources
  Law Lords: Facilities and Resources
  Sevso Case: Decision not to Prosecute
  Sevso Case: Decision not to Prosecute
  Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill: Human Rights Act
  Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill: Human Rights Act
  Press Complaints Commission: Meetings with Home Office
  Press Complaints Commission: Meetings with Home Office
  Magistrates' and Crown Courts: Number of Defendants Prosecuted
  Magistrates' and Crown Courts: Number of Defendants Prosecuted
  Identity Cards
  Identity Cards
  Race Relations Act
  Race Relations Act
  Prisons/Probation Panel
  Prisons/Probation Panel
  Metropolitan Police Committee
  Metropolitan Police Committee
  Harlan UK Ltd.
  Harlan UK Ltd.
  Anti-discrimination Legislation Review
  Anti-discrimination Legislation Review
  Kosovo: MoD Expenditure
  Kosovo: MoD Expenditure
  KFOR
  KFOR
  Armed Forces: Catering for Vegetarians
  Armed Forces: Catering for Vegetarians
  Armed Forces: Membership of Organisations of a Secretive Nature
  Armed Forces: Membership of Organisations of a Secretive Nature
  Severe Disablement Allowance
  Severe Disablement Allowance
  London Underground: Penalty Fares
  London Underground: Penalty Fares
  Railway Land
  Railway Land
  M.4 Bus Lane
  M.4 Bus Lane
  Public Bills: Rules of Relevance and Scope
  Public Bills: Rules of Relevance and Scope
  Summer Recess
  Summer Recess