Written Answers of 16 July 1999

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Television Licences
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee, pursuant to her answer of 12 July 1999,Official Report, column 22, what is the cost of the multiple licence held throughout the Parliamentary Estate for television sets used for leisure or recreational purposes. [91507]

  Mrs. Roe
  The cost of a multiple licence throughout the Parliamentary Estate for television sets used for leisure or recreational purposes for the last financial year was £1,462.50.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Prisoner Releases
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total number of people(a) killed and (b) injured as a result of crimes committed by prisoners who were subsequently successful in their application for an accelerated release date. [91439]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners who successfully applied to the Prison Sentences Review Commission for an accelerated release date have reoffended since their release; and what was the nature of their new offences. [91437]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: Three of the 280 prisoners who successfully applied for accelerated release to the independent Sentences Review Commission, and who have now been released from prison, have since reoffended. The nature of the charges against two of the three includes assault against police officers and breach of the peace; Grievous Bodily Harm with intent; Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm; and Affray. The third person was convicted of receiving stolen goods and of deception. None of the three has broken the terms of their licence conditions.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list, for each prisoner who successfully applied to the Prison Sentences Review Commission for an accelerated release date, the nature of their offence, the term of imprisonment to which they were sentenced, and the term of imprisonment that they served prior to their release. [91451]
  338
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: The information requested is not readily available in the format in which it has been requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  However of the 424 successful applications that have been made to the Sentences Review Commission for an accelerated release date, (282 determinate sentence prisoners and 142 indeterminate sentence prisoners), a total of 280 prisoners (190 determinate sentence prisoners and 90 determinate sentence prisoners) have been released.

  As per section 4(1) of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, of the 190 determinate sentence prisoners who have been released all have served at least one third of their sentence, and in some cases in excess of one third had been served before they were released. Again, as per section 6(1) of the 1998 Act, of the 90 indeterminate sentence prisoners who have been released, all have served at least two thirds of the period they could otherwise have been expected to serve, and in some cases in excess of two thirds had been served before they were released.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners have to date applied to the Prison Sentences Review Commission for an accelerated release date; in how many cases the Commission made a determination; and, for unsuccessful applications, what reasons were given. [91440]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: A total of 518 prisoners have to date applied to the Sentences Review Commission for an accelerated release date. The Commissioners have issued determinations in 440 cases. Of those applications that have been unsuccessful, the reasons given are that the Commissioners are not satisfied that the offences were committed in connection with terrorism and the affairs of Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of prisoners who successfully applied to the Prison Sentences Review Commission for an accelerated release date were released having served less than(a) a quarter and (b) one half of their sentence. [91438]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: A total of 280 prisoners have to date been released in accordance with the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, of which 190 were serving fixed term sentences. No fixed term prisoners who successfully applied to the Sentences Review Commission were released early having served less than a quarter of their sentence. All 190 fixed term prisoners released early would have served less than one half of their sentence at the time of accelerated release.

  A total of 90 indeterminate sentence prisoners have also been released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

  Victims' Remains
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) policing costs and (b) other costs have been incurred through action taken to locate victims' remains under the Northern Ireland (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999; what progress has been made; and if she will make a statement. [91453]
  339
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: Following implementation of the Northern Ireland (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999, the cost to the UK for the operation of the independent Commission amounts to £694.50 to date. Of this, £610.50 has been spent on transport and associated expenses for the UK Commissioner, Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. The other £84 has been spent on setting up a Post Office Box. There have been no policing costs to the United Kingdom arising from the operation of the Act.

  The remains of one individual, believed to be Eamon Molloy, were recovered in Dundalk on the first day of the Commission's operation, Friday 28 May. On June 29, human remains were found by Gardai at Colgagh in County Monaghan. This was the site which had been indicated as the location of the remains of Brian McKinney and John McClory. The State Pathologist was called to the scene and the Commission later confirmed that the remains of two individuals had been located. Work is ongoing to confirm the identities of the two individuals.

  In light of this encouraging development, I understand that the Commission has asked the Garda Siochana to reassess the plans for the continuation of excavations at any site where available information indicates a prospect of making further discoveries and to report the conclusions to the Commission. The Commission has undertaken to communicate further information as events evolve.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Asbestos Directive
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure the speedy passage of the Asbestos Directive through the European Commission. [89343]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government are determined to apply further, necessary restrictions to the importation, marketing and use of white asbestos. I am hopeful that the European Commission will ratify, without undue delay, the vote of their technical committee to adapt to technical progress Council Directive 76/769/EEC. The UK continues to encourage the Commission to act swiftly on this vitally important measure. I have received advice from the Health and Safety Commission about domestic implementation of the Directive (when ratified) in the form of draft regulations. I will act on that advice as soon as the European Commission has ratified the vote of its technical committee.

  M1 Link Road
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in relation to the link road to Scratchwood Services M1, from Ellesmere Avenue NW7(a) what vehicles are authorised to use the road, (b) who authorises use, (c) who polices unauthorised use, (d) for what purpose the link road was built, (e) whether rat running to gain access to the M1 by the link road is authorised use, (f) what consideration has been
  340
  given to closing the link road and (g) what consideration has been given to measures to prevent rat running; and if he will make a statement. [89716]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Andrew Dismore, dated 16 July 1999:
  The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Glenda Jackson, has asked me to reply to your recent question about the link road to the Scratchwood Services on the M1 Motorway.
  The link road was built to provide vehicular access to Scratchwood. Those authorised to use the road under a legal agreement between the Secretary of State and Welcome Break, who operate the services, are service area employees, delivery vans, maintenance depot employees and the emergency services. Guests at the Welcome Break Lodge are also allowed to use the access. Rat running to gain access to the M1 motorway is not an authorised use and Welcome Break are legally required to police the road by providing and maintaining a suitable barrier or gate across the link road to prevent such use. This means Welcome Break must keep the barrier shut except to admit authorised users.
  It would not be possible to close the link road permanently as Welcome Break are required to maintain access at all times to authorised users. The Highways Agency is working with Welcome Break to provide a more efficient means of preventing unauthorised use of the link road.

  Road Traffic
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) by what percentage he estimates road traffic will increase in the London area over the next 30 years; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this on the speed of traffic; [90648]

  (2) by what percentage his Department estimates that road traffic levels will increase over the next 30 years; what assessment it has made of the impact that will have on current rates of traffic movement; and if he will make a statement; [90649]

  (3) if he will estimate (a) the cost of building roads to accommodate the projected increase in road vehicles over the next 30 years to maintain current rates of traffic movement and (b) the number of miles of road this would require. [90650]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]: The National Road Traffic Forecasts published in 1997 predicted that on the basis of the capacity of the road network as it then stood, and in the absence of the new policies set out in the Integrated Transport White Paper, road traffic in Great Britain could increase by nearly 50 per cent. over the next 30 years. This growth was forecast to result in a reduction in average speeds of 10 per cent., although the reduction during the peak on the busiest roads would be substantially greater. The Department is currently working on a new set of traffic forecasts which will reflect the potential of the New Deal for Transport to tackle congestion and pollution.

  The 1997 National Road Traffic Forecasts were not designed to provide forecasts at a local level. However, it is possible to use the 1997 forecasts to produce crude estimates of what they imply for traffic growth and speeds in different area types and regions. These estimates suggest

  341
  that the national figures quoted would imply traffic growth in London of about 30 per cent. over the next 30 years and a decline in average speeds of 14 per cent.

  No estimate has been made of the additional road capacity that would be required to accommodate the rates of traffic growth in the 1997 forecasts at unchanged speeds, nor has the Department attempted to quantify the enormous environmental, economic, and social costs that would be involved. Adding road capacity in congested conditions generates additional traffic, thereby adding to the road traffic growth to be accommodated. This link highlights one of the fundamental flaws in the predict and provide philosophy and is a key reason why simply building more roads is not the answer to traffic growth.

  Traffic Calming
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average cost of traffic calming schemes approved in the last financial year for which figures are available. [90855]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]: This information is not held centrally. Local highway authorities are responsible for the decision to introduce a traffic calming scheme, and do not need the Secretary of State's approval unless, exceptionally, they wish to use a traffic calming feature which is not covered by regulations under the Traffic Calming Act 1992.

  Stansted Airport
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings the Minister for Transport in London had with officials and others regarding the draft Stansted Airport Aircraft Movement Limit (Amendment) Order 1999. [91049]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 14 July 1999]: By convention, Government do not comment on internal discussions between Ministers and officials.

  My right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid) met a delegation of local MPs led by the right hon. Member for Saffron Walden (Sir A. Haselhurst) on 14 April.

  Buses
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he intends to improve the enforcement of bus priority schemes. [91496]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Bus priority measures are important for helping to make bus services quicker and more reliable. Their implementation is the responsibility of the local highway authority which should liaise with the local police on their enforcement.

  Trials of enforcement cameras for bus lanes have been carried out successfully in London. This involves prosecuting offenders using camera evidence. Cameras will be installed across London over the next few years. Further trials using existing CCTV cameras are also being undertaken.
  342
  Outside London we are encouraging local authorities to take up decriminalised parking enforcement powers. This would enable them to target parking offences that affect the operation of bus priority schemes.

  We hope to see a wider use of these approaches to improve enforcement.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department is holding with bus and coach manufacturers on developing vehicles to cater for the needs of elderly and disabled people. [91774]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Bus and coach manufacturers have been closely involved in discussions with my Department over the past two years on the development of standards for accessibility that will form the basis of the regulations we will be bringing forward under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

  In addition to a large number of one to one meetings with manufacturers, there has been an extensive round of informal consultation on the proposals. There will shortly be a further round of consultation on the final proposals and the draft regulations which will come into effect from next year.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many bus journeys were made on local stage bus journeys in English shire counties in the year 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [91728]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Estimates of bus passenger journeys in 1998–99 will be published later this year. The latest available estimate shows that 1.25 billion passenger journeys were made on local, or stage, bus services in English shire counties in 1997–98. Our bus policy proposals, together with additional funding for rural transport, are aimed at better bus provision and increased bus use.

  Greater London Authority
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much the Greater London Authority will pay to his Department for leasing Romney House until the London Bridge City building is ready for occupation. [91511]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: It is anticipated that staff from the GLA and some associated bodies will occupy around 60 per cent. of the available space in Romney House from next year. This is expected to cost around £2 million per annum to provide and will be taken into account when the budget for the GLA is set later this year.

  Housing
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of Single Regeneration Budget funds for schemes currently in operation has been spent on capital projects for(a) housing improvement and (b) new dwellings. [91701]

  Mr. Meale
  The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) currently funds over 500 (Rounds 1–4) regeneration schemes managed by local partnerships. A large number
  343
  of these are likely to have multiple objectives, and cover a wide range of activities depending on local regeneration needs and priorities. It is not possible to break down expenditure to say how much has benefited one objective, therefore no information is available on the amount spent on capital projects for housing improvement or new dwellings.

  Green Ministers Committee
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Green Ministers Committee last met; and what was discussed. [92119]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Green Ministers Committee met on 6 July. The main item on the agenda was finalising our plans for publishing our first annual report later this month. Publication of the report will be another important step in the greening Government process, making our work more open and transparent. It will set out our future programme of work as well as what we have achieved so far.

  The Committee also discussed the recent report from the Environmental Audit Committee on the greening Government initiative, how Departments can raise awareness of sustainable development and the role that Departments have in promoting biodiversity. Each Department will prepare a strategy statement on raising awareness of sustainable development and action plans on biodiversity.

  Seven of the 15 English Departments were represented by Ministers (and a further five by officials) and Lord Dubs attended for the Northern Ireland Office.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Counsel (Remuneration)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to ensure that leading counsel are remunerated on the basis of the work they have carried out on a case and its complexity. [91582]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Rules of Court provide sufficient powers to ensure that lawyers are paid for the weight and complexity of the work they have undertaken and not simply because of their status. The new Civil Procedure Rules specifically require the Court awarding costs to have regard to what is proportionate to the issues at stake and the complexity of the particular case. This is in addition to the existing tests that it must have been reasonable to incur the expense at all and that the sum being claimed is itself reasonable in amount. If these tests are applied robustly, they ought to be sufficient. However, if there is any evidence that these tests are insufficient, I am happy to consider what more may be needed.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the rules of court governing the levels of fees charged by leading counsel. [91583]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Civil Procedure Rules do not govern the levels of fees charged by leading counsel, other than in the specific case of fast track trial costs. However, the 344
  new Rules do require the court, when deciding the amount of costs, to have regard to what is proportionate for the particular case. This is in addition to the existing tests that it must have been reasonable to incur the expense at all and that the sum being claimed is itself reasonable in amount. Where the court believes costs incurred are not proportionate, it has the discretion to amend the costs allowed accordingly.

  In criminal matters, graduated fees apply in the vast majority of cases of up to 10 days' duration. In the remaining cases, the level of fees allowed is currently at the discretion of the Crown Court Determining Officer, based on the weight and complexity of the case. For the future we are considering what steps we shall take by way of contracting, or other means, to achieve better control over the costs of all criminal cases.

  Counsel (Instruction)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to ensure that the instruction of two counsel in the same case by litigants is permitted only in cases of sufficient complexity to merit two counsel. [91585]

  Mr. Vaz
  All litigants have the right to choose their own counsel in civil cases, including the number of counsel. The Civil Procedure Rules, while retaining this principle, set out an overriding objective of proportionality. If a party uses counsel in a way which is disproportionate to the nature, complexity or value of the claim, or to the financial position of the other party, the court could, for example, refuse to award the payment of the excessive costs.

  Equality of Arms
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to ensure equality of arms in the instruction of counsel by litigants. [91584]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government believe that litigants should be free to choose their advocate—whether barrister, solicitor or other authorised advocate. The professional bodies ensure that all advocates have attained a specified standard of advocacy sufficient to enable them to present their client's case effectively.

  Court Dress
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will conduct a consultation on the rules relating to court dress. [91651]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Lord Chancellor is aware of the opinions of my hon. Friend and others about the rules relating to court dress. The Lord Chancellor is considering how best to take this issue forward.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  British Citizenship (Applications)
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were made for British Citizenship by non-British nationals under the age
  345
  of 18 years in (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997 and (d) 1998; and how many such applications have been (i) granted and (ii) refused in each of these years. [91289]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  Applications are not always completed in the year of receipt. The table shows the number of grants and refusals for the years in question.

  Year

  Grants

  Refusals

  1995

  8,765

  1,285

  1996

  9,106

  1,383

  1997

  9,364

  1,240

  1998

  11,857

  1,169

  The refusal figures include many children who were formally recorded as Refused because they were British Citizens already.

  Matthews v. UK
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effects of the decision by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Matthews v. the United Kingdom on(a) Jersey, (b) Guernsey, (c) the Isle of Man and (d) Gibraltar. [91250]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The judgment in the Matthews case applies to Gibraltar and the Government have already announced their intention to seek to give effect to it by extending the franchise in European parliamentary elections to Gibraltar.

  The judgment does not affect the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man since they are not, except for a few limited purposes, part of the European Union.

  Benefits Agency

  Extra-statutory1

  Actual financial loss

  Loss of statutory entitlement1

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  1993–94

  —

  —

  1,477

  945,000

  983

  655,000

  1994–95

  —

  —

  1,779

  849,000

  632

  955,000

  1995–96

  —

  —

  2,867

  1,257,000

  1,307

  1,497,000

  1996–97

  —

  —

  4,574

  1,334,000

  2,111

  3,770,000

  1997–98

  565

  92,000

  3,579

  662,000

  2,957

  2,044,000

  1998–99

  1,333

  259,000

  3,836

  701,000

  1,879

  1,809,000

  Compensation for Delay

  Consolatory2

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Total payments

  Total amounts paid3

  1993–94

  7,683

  3,151,000

  n/a

  n/a

  10,143

  4,751,000

  1994–95

  4,856

  2,574,000

  n/a

  n/a

  7,267

  4,378,000

  1995–96

  22,414

  8,152,000

  n/a

  n/a

  26,588

  10,905,000

  1996–97

  8,583

  3,801,000

  22

  9,000

  15,290

  8,914,000

  1997–98

  4,435

  1,577,000

  122

  29,000

  11,658

  4,405,000

  1998–99

  2,496

  1,032,000

  300

  80,000

  9,844

  3,882,000

  Child Support Agency

  Extra-statutory1

  Actual financial loss

  Loss of statutory entitlement1

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  1993–94

  0

  0

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  1994–95

  0

  0

  35

  4,000

  n/a

  n/a

  Data Series
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by his Department since June 1997. [90532]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Since June 1997, my Department has commissioned the following internal staff surveys or monitoring information:

  (i) A survey of central Home Office staff was carried out in early 1997. This included details by gender, race and age and also included a question on disability. The results of the survey were published in the September 1998 issue of "Personnel News", the Home Office staff magazine. A second staff survey is planned for September 1999.

  (ii) For each recruitment campaign, applicants' information is collected on gender, ethnicity and disability to augment the data already held. This included recent recruitment campaigns for Administrative Assistants, Assistant Immigration Officers and Immigration and Prison Officers. Similar information was collected for recent promotion boards.

  (iii) A staff disability survey, to update and collect new information, is currently being prepared.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Compensation
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 12 July 1999,Official Report, column 61, on compensation payments, if he will provide similar information on compensation payments for each of the last five years; and if he will list for each of the categories of compensation the total amount paid in each of those years and in 1998–99. [91650]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the format requested. Detailed central records are kept of the date that payments are authorised, as opposed to when payment was made. This information is summarised in the tables.
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  Child Support Agency

  Extra-statutory1

  Actual financial loss

  Loss of statutory entitlement1

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  1995–96

  0

  0

  664

  174,000

  n/a

  n/a

  1996–97

  394

  278,000

  551

  363,000

  n/a

  n/a

  1997–98

  194

  136,000

  750

  678,000

  n/a

  n/a

  1998–99

  170

  218,000

  4,264

  3,261,000

  n/a

  n/a

  Compensation for Delay

  Consolatory2

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Total payments

  Total amounts paid4

  1993–94

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  0

  1994–95

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  35

  4,000

  1995–96

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  664

  174,000

  1996–97

  34

  4,000

  21

  2,000

  1,000

  647,000

  1997–98

  302

  45,000

  350

  72,000

  1,596

  931,000

  1998–99

  1,144

  343,000

  4,235

  565,000

  9,813

  4,387,000

  Contributions Agency

  Extra-statutory1

  Actual financial loss

  Loss of statutory entitlement1

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  1993–94

  —

  —

  91

  4,000

  13

  9,000

  1994–95

  —

  —

  126

  5,000

  15

  10,000

  1995–96

  —

  —

  154

  13,000

  13

  105,000

  1996–97

  —

  —

  271

  40,000

  6

  2,000

  1997–98

  0

  0

  406

  58,000

  0

  0

  1998–99

  1

  1,000

  653

  223,000

  1

  under 1K

  Compensation for Delay

  Consolatory2

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Total payments

  Total amounts paid

  1993–94

  7

  6,000

  n/a

  n/a

  111

  18,000

  1994–95

  397

  226,000

  n/a

  n/a

  538

  241,000

  1995–96

  474

  921,000

  n/a

  n/a

  641

  1,040,000

  1996–97

  733

  461,000

  1

  under 1K

  1,011

  503,000

  1997–98

  560

  302,000

  21

  7,000

  987

  367,000

  1998–99

  2,635

  111,000

  95

  16,000

  3,385

  351,000

  War Pensions Agency5

  Extra-statutory1

  Actual financial loss

  Loss of statutory entitlement1

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  1993–94

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1994–95

  —

  —

  1

  under 1K

  1

  2,000

  1995–96

  —

  —

  8

  5,000

  0

  0

  1996–97

  —

  —

  19

  1,000

  731

  87,000

  1997–98

  1,477

  99,000

  5

  1,000

  2

  3,000

  1998–99

  1,210

  69.000

  8

  19,000

  2

  4,000

  Compensation for Delay

  Consolatory2

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Total payments

  Total amounts paid

  1993–94

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1994–95

  12

  82,000

  n/a

  n/a

  14

  84,000

  1995–96

  6

  15,000

  n/a

  n/a

  14

  20,000

  1996–97

  11

  20,000

  0

  0

  761

  108,000

  1997–98

  74

  14,000

  1

  under 1K

  1,559

  117,000

  1998–99

  191

  55,000

  3

  under 1K

  1,414

  147,000

  Independent Tribunal Service

  Extra-statutory

  Actual financial loss

  Loss of statutory entitlement

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  1993–94

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  1994–95

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  348 349

  Independent Tribunal Service

  Extra-statutory

  Actual financial loss

  Loss of statutory entitlement

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  1995–96

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  1996–97

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  1997–98

  n/a

  n/a

  1

  1,000

  n/a

  n/a

  1998–99

  n/a

  n/a

  21

  10,000

  n/a

  n/a

  Compensation for Delay

  Consolatory2

  Financial year

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Number of payments

  Amount paid

  Total payments

  Total amounts paid

  1993–94

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  0

  1994–95

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  0

  1995–96

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  0

  1996–97

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1997–98

  0

  0

  3

  1,000

  4

  2,000

  1998–99

  2

  under 1K

  12

  2,000

  35

  13,000

  1 Prior to 1997–98 figures for extra-statutory payments and payments for loss of statutory entitlement were not kept separately.

  2 New categories of consolatory payments were introduced in January 1997.

  3 In 1993–94 there were 182 payments to war pensioners totalling £21,140 where the reason for the payment is not available.

  4 In 1997–98 there were 121 other payments totalling £76,729 where the reason for the payment is not available.

  5 The War Pensions agency was launched in April 1994

  Note:

  Payments are rounded to the nearest thousand

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list expenditure on housing benefit per 1,000 resident adults in each region and nation in each of the last three financial years. [90933]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Housing benefit expenditure per 1,000 resident adults by region

  £000 (cash)

  Regions

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  North East

  250

  265

  260

  North West

  245

  265

  260

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  200

  210

  210

  East Midlands

  165

  175

  170

  West Midlands

  210

  220

  215

  Eastern

  185

  190

  185

  London

  475

  485

  465

  South East

  195

  205

  195

  South West

  195

  200

  195

  England

  245

  255

  250

  Wales

  205

  210

  210

  Scotland

  215

  225

  240

  Great Britain

  240

  250

  245

  Sources:

  1. 1995–96 to 1997–98 Housing Benefit Subsidy claim forms from Local Authorities and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Wales Office Housing Revenue Account figures. The 1997–98 figures vary slightly from those in the Departmental Report because more recent Local Authorities' data has been incorporated in these figures.

  2. Population Trends, Summer 1998 edition.

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the combined value of a full basic state pension and the maximum possible second state pension as a proportion of the value of the minimum income guarantee in(a) 2040, (b) 2050 and (c) 2060 based on current assumptions about the indexation of each of these benefits. [91137]
  350
  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  The combined value of a full basic state pension and the maximum possible state second pension (i.e. a person who has earned at or above the upper earnings limit throughout their working life), as a proportion of the minimum income guarantee (MIG) for a person retiring in the years indicated

  Year of retirement

  State retirement pension as a percentage of the MIG

  2040

  132

  2050

  117

  2060

  110

  Notes:

  1. The individual concerned is assumed to work for 49 years from age 16 and retire at age 65 in the years indicated, earning at or above the Upper Earnings Limit for National Insurance contributions throughout their working life.

  2. Earnings are assumed to grow 1.5 per cent. faster than prices.

  3. It is assumed that State Second Pension is introduced in 2002.

  4. It is assumed that the individual concerned remains contracted-in to the State Second Pension when the second stage is introduced (assumed to be in 2006) although, on the assumptions stated, it would be in the individual's interests to contract out.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners claiming income support in the Coventry, South parliamentary constituency will benefit from(a) winter fuel payments and (b) the guaranteed minimum pensioner income. [89456]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of Income Support and Winter Fuel Payments is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jim Cunningham, dated 15 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking how may pensioners in receipt of Income Support (IS) in the Coventry South constituency will benefit from (a) a winter fuel payment and (b) the guaranteed minimum pensioner income.

  351
  As at February 1999, the latest date for which administration data is available, it is estimated that there were approximately 2,800 pensioners in receipt of IS in Coventry South parliamentary constituency. "Pensioner" in this context means either a single person aged over 60 or a couple where one or both partners are over 60. We would expect a similar number to be receiving the minimum income guarantee for pensioners from April, and these pensioners will also benefit from the £100 winter fuel payment this winter.
  The minimum income guarantee for pensioners, delivered through IS, was introduced in April to provide a single pensioner with a weekly income of a least £75 a week, and a couple £116.60 a week. The threefold increase in the normal price uprating of the IS rates for pensioners will mean that this year, a single pensioners could be £160 a year better off in real terms. In addition to those pensioners already in receipt of IS in April, nationally it is estimated that a further 65,000 will become entitled due to the increase in benefit rates.
  It is also estimated that within your constituency there are a further 13,790 pensioners who will also receive a Winter Fuel Payment next winter on the grounds that they are in receipt of a different qualifying benefit, for example Retirement Pension. Some of these pensioners may have a possible entitlement to minimum pensioner income.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Benefits Agency (North-East Scotland)
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Perth (Ms Cunningham) of 2 July 1999,Official Report, columns 305–7, if he will indicate the (i) number of staff

  AD12

  £

  Expenditure

  Salaries

  Goods/services

  Estate costs

  Sub-total

  CSUS

  District spend

  GLW North

  8,403,000

  649,000

  2,757,000

  3,406,000

  —

  11,809,000

  GLW South

  9,990,000

  787,000

  2,470,000

  3,257,000

  —

  13,247,000

  GLW East

  5,399,000

  444,000

  1,609,000

  2,053,000

  —

  7,452,000

  Argyll and West

  6,181,000

  610,000

  1,866,000

  2,476,000

  —

  8,657,000

  Highlands and Islands

  4,966,000

  587,000

  1,428,000

  2,015,000

  —

  6,981,000

  SW Scotland

  8,071,000

  895,000

  2,023,000

  2,918,000

  —

  10,989,000

  Clyde Coast and Renfrew

  7,121,000

  563,000

  1,918,000

  2,481,000

  —

  9,602,000

  Other

  6,718,000

  5,835,000

  375,000

  6,210,000

  —

  12,928,000

  Total

  56,849,000

  10,370,000

  14,446,000

  24,816,000

  35,703,000

  117,368,000

  Notes:

  Other: This covers all expenditure on Centralised Area Teams, Accommodation and Office Services and Central Support Unit Scotland Central Services: This covers all Operational Support Directorate and centrally funded projects costs

  AD13

  £

  Expenditure

  Salaries

  Goods/services

  Estate costs

  Sub-total

  CSUS

  District spend

  East Edinburgh and Borders

  7,090,000

  659,000

  730,000

  1,389,000

  —

  8,479,000

  Lothian West and North Edinburgh

  5,709,000

  546,000

  1,606,000

  2,152,000

  —

  7,861,000

  Fife

  5,072,000

  539,000

  1,506,000

  2,045,000

  —

  7,117,000

  Tayside

  6,077,000

  599,000

  1,738,000

  2,337,000

  —

  8,414,000

  Grampian and Shetland

  4,616,000

  577,000

  1,336,000

  1,913,000

  —

  6,529,000

  Lanarkshire

  8,870,000

  822,000

  2,793,000

  3,615,000

  —

  12,485,000

  Forth Valley

  4,260,000

  525,000

  1,205,000

  1,730,000

  —

  5,990,000

  Other

  1,585,000

  904,000

  2,458,000

  3,362,000

  —

  4,947,000

  Total

  43,279,000

  5,171,000

  13,372,000

  18,543,000

  —

  61,822,000

  Note:

  Other: This covers all expenditure on Area Personnel Unit, Area Director's Support Team and secondment and voluntary early retirement
  352
  employed, (ii) wage costs and (iii) running costs of each of the branch network offices of the Benefits Agency in the North East of Scotland Region. [91201]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Andrew Welsh, dated 15 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question asking, pursuant to his answer of 2 July to the honourable Member for Perth, if he will indicate the (i) number of staff employed, (ii) wage costs and (iii) running costs of each of the branch network offices of the Benefits Agency (BA) in the North East of Scotland Region.
  The number of staff employed in each BA office within North East of Scotland, is as follows:

  Office

  District

  staff

  Peterhead

  Grampian and Shetland

  64

  Aberdeen

  Grampian and Shetland

  236

  Data on wage and running costs cannot be provided by individual office. Costs are calculated on a District basis. That information is provided for the District within Area Directorates 12 and 13 which cover Scotland. Please see the attached tables covering the 1998–99 financial year.
  I hope this information is helpful.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Staff
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are employed in Scotland(a) by his Department and (b) by executive agencies responsible to his Department; where these staff are located; and how many staff are employed in (i) England, (ii) London and the South East, (iii) Wales, (iv) Northern Ireland and (v) United Kingdom in total. [90564]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: The MOD employed 23,220 civilian and military staff in Scotland as at 1 April 1998, of which 8,527 staff were employed by executive agencies at that date. These staffs were employed in the following numbers at the locations listed:

  Location

  Number

  Aberdeen

  43

  Aberdeenshire

  495

  Angus

  1,107

  Argyll and Bute

  6,709

  Dumfries and Galloway

  67

  Edinburgh

  1,490

  Falkirk

  4

  Fife

  2,639

  Glasgow

  2,666

  Highland

  767

  Inverclyde

  32

  Midlothian

  212

  Moray

  4,458

  North Ayrshire

  641

  North Lanarkshire

  8

  Perthshire and Kinross

  544

  Renfrewshire

  108

  Shetland Islands

  194

  South Ayrshire

  461

  South Lanarkshire

  7

  Stirling

  386

  Western Isles

  182

  Total

  23,220

  The information in relation to the other locations as at 1 April 1998 is as follows:

  Location

  Number

  England

  219,023

  London and the South East

  97,336

  Wales

  9,636

  Northern Ireland

  17,670

  United Kingdom

  269,549

  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
  [pursuant to his reply, 14 July 1999, c. 226–27]I regret to inform the hon. Gentleman that there was an error in the information given. The inception date for the Defence Housing Executive should read 1995 not 1985.

  Low Flying Aircraft
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were conducted by service low flying aircraft(a) over Wales and (b) over mainland Britain in each of the years 1990 to the present. [91476]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information is not held in the precise form requested. Military low flying activity is recorded by Low Flying Areas (LFA) and number of movements. LFA 7 covers all of Wales apart from a small area in the north-east of Powys. The annual number of day movements within LFA 7 since 1990 is shown in the table, along with the number of movements booked in the UK Low Flying System as a whole.

  Year in UKLFS2

  Day movements1 in LFA 7

  Day movements

  1990

  265,155

  30,218

  1991

  215,391

  23,795

  1992

  240,477

  26,668

  1993

  207,808

  22,348

  1994

  184,515

  18,801

  1995

  182,516

  18,020

  1996

  162,903

  16,953

  1997

  156,781

  15,649

  1998

  140,153

  14,390

  1 A movement is recorded each time an aircraft crosses an LFA boundary and a low flying sortie will often be made up of a number of movements

  2 The UK Low Hying System covers the whole of the country, including both mainland Britain and the various islands

  Environmental Programmes
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of neon light tubing is currently recycled by his Department. [88443]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department does not have any significant uses of neon light tubing, but the MOD Disposal Sales Agency (DSA) has set up a recycling scheme across government Departments for fluorescent light tubing in conjunction with the waste companies Biffa Ltd. and Mercury Recycling Ltd. DSA take every opportunity to encourage tube recycling and are planning to widen the scheme to include different designs of tubing. Within MOD, existing disposal contracts are considered for the recycling scheme as and when they come up for renewal.

  Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what shipyards in the United Kingdom have the capacity to construct the proposed new aircraft carriers. [90938]

  Mr. Spellar
  The size of the new aircraft carriers is currently estimated to be up to 40,000 tonnes. On this basis the UK shipyards with sufficient capacity to construct the vessels are: Harland and Wolff; Kvaerner Govan: Marconi Marine (VSEL) Ltd, Cammell Laird and Swan Hunter. Depending on the design selected there may be a need for these facilities to be enhanced.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  World Class Performance Programme
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many athletes and in which sports have benefited from the World Class Performance Programme. [90608]

  Mr. Banks
  The World Class Performance Programme at England and UK level is administered by Sport England and UK Sport whose records indicate that the number of England and UK athletes who have benefited from the World Class Programme is as follows:

  England and UK athletes who have benefited from the World Class Performance Programme

  Sport

  Number of athletes

  Athletics

  418

  Badminton

  85

  Bobsleigh

  6

  Boxing

  13

  Canoeing

  107

  Cricket

  18

  Cycling

  106

  Equestrian

  50

  Golf

  16

  Gymnastics

  165

  Hockey

  103

  Ice Skating

  64

  Judo

  61

  Karate

  34

  Modem Pentathlon

  25

  Netball

  97

  Orienteering

  32

  Rowing

  192

  Rugby Union

  49

  Sailing

  87

  Shooting

  20

  Skiing

  3

  Squash

  106

  Swimming

  206

  Table Tennis

  45

  Ten Pin Bowling

  4

  Triathlon

  18

  Water Skiing

  22

  Weightlifting

  10

  Wheelchair Basketball

  20

  Total

  2,182

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Power Stations
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Baglan Cogeneration Ltd.'s application to build a new combined cycle gas turbine power station at Baglan Bay, South Wales. [92027]

  Mr. Battle
  I have today granted consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Baglan Cogeneration for the construction of a 500 MW combined cycle gas turbine power station at the BP Chemicals site at Baglan Bay, Port Talbot in South Wales. I have also deemed planning permission to be granted subject to 44 planning conditions agreed with the Neath Port Talbot County Borough 356
  Council. The reasons why there were no energy policy objections to the proposal were given in the decision letter of 7 April 1999.

  Copies of the Press Notice and the Section 36 decision letter are being placed in the Library.

  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is yet in a position to make his decision on Eastern Generation Ltd.'s application for the Drakelow C coal-fired power station to be dual-fired by gas. [92026]

  Mr. Battle
  I have today granted consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Eastern Generation Ltd. for the conversion of Drakelow C coal-fired power station to allow it to be dual fired by gas.

  I have taken into account the arguments for and against the conversion. I concluded that as long as strict conditions were attached to the consent, then the benefits of the conversion, such as extending the life of the power station and thereby protecting jobs, outweighed the disadvantages. I also consider planning permission to be granted, subject to five planning conditions agreed with South Derbyshire District Council.

  This decision has been taken in line with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government Response to Fourth and Fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071).

  Copies of the Press Notice and decision letter are being placed in the Library.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry following his announcement of a stricter power station consents policy for a limited period while other reforms of the electricity market are put in place, what criteria must be met before he will relax the policy; and when he will carry this out. [91573]

  Mr. Battle
  It is the expectation that the stricter power station consents policy will be relaxed as soon as the Government conclude that their programme of reform of the electricity market is substantially complete and the distortions identified in the White Paper (cm 4071) have been removed.

  Single Currency
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [91421]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: Following the publication of the Government's Outline National Changeover Plan, my Department is considering what preparations may be necessary.

  MOX Fuel
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library the unclassified material produced by the Safeguards Department on the subject of MOX fuel. [91077]
  357
  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Hoon), to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 7 July 1999,Official Report, column 578.

  Sports Shoe Manufacturers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have been held by his Department with the manufacturers of sports shoes on the employment practices of their suppliers in non-European countries. [90348]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]: The Government have made clear in the House and elsewhere that we are firmly opposed to the use of abusive labour practices around the world, particularly those which exploit child labour. We have strongly supported initiatives in the International Labour Organisation aimed at improving countries' compliance with internationally recognised labour standards. We have also supported initiatives such as the Ethical Trading Initiative to encourage importers to develop effective and verifiable codes of conduct with their overseas suppliers.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what principles will determine the allocation of EU Structural Funds to each of the UK's Objective 1 areas. [91455]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: On 1 July the Commission announced financial allocations of European Structural Funds for all member states.

  The Commission used a methodology to calculate each member state' s financial allocation for Objective 1 which was based on eligible population, regional and national prosperity, and the relative severity of the structural problems, especially the level of unemployment. The allocations for each UK Objective 1 area have been calculated on the same basis.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what allocation the United Kingdom has received of European Structural Funds; and what percentage take-up he estimates there will be for each year in the programme. [91454]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: From 2000 to 2006, the total allocation for the UK from EU Structural Funds will be over £10 billion (over fifteen and a half billion euros).

  I see no reason why there should not be 100 per cent. take-up.

  Trade Mission (Turkey)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which companies will be represented on his Department's outward mission to Turkey between 28 September and 2 October organised in conjunction with the Defence Manufacturers' Association. [91176]
  358
  Mr. Wilson
  A number of companies have requested further information about the exhibition. A number of applications are expected before the cut-off date at the end of July.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish a Code of Practice, under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, explaining the duties of trade organisations. [92081]

  Ms Hodge
  A Code of Practice is being published for trade organisations today. These are organisations of workers or of employers, or any other organisation whose members carry on a particular profession or trade. They include bodies such as trade unions, employers' associations and chartered professional institutions.

  The Code provides guidance to trade organisations about new responsibilities that they will have under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 from 1 October this year towards their disabled members or applicants for membership. From this date, they may have to make reasonable adjustments to prevent any arrangements they make placing a disabled member or applicant at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to those who are not disabled.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class sizes were for five to seven-year-olds within the city of Sunderland in(a) May 1999 and (b) May 1997. [90278]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The available information is shown in the following table.

  Average size of key stage 1 classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in Sunderland Local Education Authority area, January each year

  Year

  Average size

  1999 (provisional)

  24.7

  1997

  25.6

  Career Development Loans
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list(a) the number of successful applicants for career development loans for the years (i) 1995, (ii) 1996, (iii) 1997, (iv) 1998 and (v) 1999, broken down by (1) sex, (2) age, (3) previous employment sector and (4) loan issued and repayment period and (b) the number of recipients of career development loans who defaulted on repayment of their loans, broken down by (A) sex, (B) age, (C) previous employment sector and (D) loan amount and repayment period. [91164]
  359
  Mr. Mudie
  The information is provided in the tables.

  Career development loans taken out

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Total loans

  15,169

  13,287

  12,189

  12,656

  12,747

  Male (percentage)

  63

  61

  58

  59

  65.5

  Female (percentage)

  37

  39

  42

  41

  37.5

  Under age 20 (percentage)

  2

  2

  2

  3

  5

  Age 20–24 (percentage)

  33

  33

  34

  31

  25

  Age 25–29 (percentage)

  25

  25

  24

  25

  25

  Age 30–39 (percentage)

  25

  25

  26

  27

  29

  Age 40–49 (percentage)

  12

  12

  11

  11

  12

  Age 50 and over (percentage)

  3

  3

  3

  3

  4

  Employment status at application

  Full-time (percentage)

  31

  32

  32

  35

  39

  Part-time (percentage)

  8

  9

  11

  13

  13

  Self-employed (percentage)

  5

  4

  4

  5

  4

  Unemployed (percentage)

  33

  32

  31

  26

  21

  Students (percentage)

  20

  18

  16

  16

  17

  Others (percentage)

  3

  4

  4

  5

  6

  Average loan (£)

  3,468

  3,555

  3,635

  3,860

  3,921

  Loans

  Under £1,000 (percentage)

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  6

  £1,001–2,500 (percentage)

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  34

  £2,501–5,000 (percentage)

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  31

  £5,000–8,000 (percentage)

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  29

  1 Breakdown of loan amount for years prior to 1998–99 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost

  Note:

  Information about loan repayment periods is not held as loans are with the banks rather than DfEE. The maximum repayment period is 5 years.

  Career development loans defaulted

  Year

  Total number defaulted

  1994–95

  2,174

  1995–96

  2,322

  1996–97

  2,166

  1997–98

  1,647

  1998–99

  1,654

  Breakdown of defaulted loans in 1998–99

  Percentage

  Male

  68

  Female

  32

  Under age 20

  1

  Age 20–24

  14

  Age 25–29

  31

  Age 30–39

  34

  Age 40–49

  15

  Age 50 and over

  5

  Employment status at application

  Full-time

  26

  Part-time

  9.5

  Self-employed

  4

  Unemployed

  40

  Student

  17

  Other

  3.5

  Original loan amount

  Under £1,000

  8

  £1,001–2,500

  27

  £2,501–5,000

  30

  £5,001–8,000

  35

  360
  Notes:

  1. Years relate to year in which loan defaulted, not year in which loan was taken out.

  2. Breakdown of defaults for years prior to 1998–99 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  3. Information about loan repayment periods is not held as loans are with the banks rather than DfEE

  Student Numbers
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students aged 18 to 21 were in full-time education in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and what percentage this represented of that age group in each case. [91147]

  Mr. Mudie
  The information is given in the table.

  Full-time home domiciled students aged 18–21 in England

  Academic year

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Students in full-time education1 Numbers

  707,662

  730,539

  As percentage of age group

  31.1

  31.1

  1 In higher education, further education and schools.

  Overseas Students
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the joint working groups between the Department for International Development, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and his Department
  361
  on matters relating to (a) overseas students in the United Kingdom and (b) the provision by the United Kingdom of educational services abroad. [90975]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Departments for Education and Employment, for International Development and for Trade and Industry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office work together formally and informally on a wide range of issues relating to overseas students in the UK, and UK education abroad. They are joined by the Home Office and other partners, including the British Council and British Trade International on an inter-departmental working group on the strategy to attract more overseas students to the UK. In addition, the Education and Training Export Group is an advisory group of business people and experts which reports to the Departments of Education and Employment and Trade and Industry on the promotion of UK education and training abroad.

  Sixth Form Colleges
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons there is no separate section for sixth form colleges on his Department's website; and if he will make a statement. [90868]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Department's website is navigated through a search engine, which allows searches via a key word. Information on a wide range of topics, including sixth form colleges, can be accessed in this way. The site also contains an alphabetical site index and a "what's new" section.

  Key Stage 1 Class Sizes
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much Government money was invested in initiatives to reduce Key Stage 1 class sizes in(a) Bath and North East Somerset and (b) South Gloucestershire in each year from 1997 to date. [91156]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have pledged that, by September 2001, no five, six or seven year old will be taught in an infant class of more than 30 children. We have already reduced the number of children taught in such classes by some 130,000 between January 1998 and January 1999. The allocations to date of revenue and capital funding to Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire are set out in the following table.

  £

  Revenue

  Capital

  1998–99

  (a) Bath and North East Somerset

  —

  140,476

  (b) South Gloucestershire

  500,000

  873,414

  1999–2000

  (a) Bath and North East Somerset

  336,000

  344,190

  (b) South Gloucestershire

  1,008,000

  814,000

  Laboratory Teaching
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of science laboratory teaching per pupil in England and Wales in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in each of the last three years. [91288]
  362
  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on the cost of science laboratory teaching per pupil is not held centrally.

  LEAs (Administration Expenditure)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his definition is of those items which at the level of the local education authority constitute spending on administration. [91073]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The core administrative expenditure of a local education authority is identified on line 1.2.1.1 of the budget statement that all local education authorities are required to publish under section 52 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. When deciding what to include on this line, a local education authority may deduct from its local schools budget the planned expenditure in relation to the matters described in paragraphs 25(a) to (j) and (1) to (u), 27, 32 and 37 of Schedule 1 to the Financing of Maintained Schools Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No 101) which were laid before Parliament on 24 January 1999.

HEALTH

  Skin Cancer
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to promote awareness of the risk of skin cancer associated with exposure to the sun. [90275]

  Ms Jowell
  Skin cancers are largely preventable and we continue to work closely with a wide range of public bodies in raising public awareness of the sun's harmful effects and the ways in which the risks from those effects can be reduced. The Health Education Authority's annual "Sun Know How" campaign financed through the Department provides a range of information, fact sheets, posters and guidance for health professionals, for local health promotion initiatives and direct to the general public. This includes both general and targeted advice on the measures a person can take to lessen risks of sunburn. The new Ultra Violet Solar Index developed with the Meteorological Office and now provided through weather broadcasts is a further example of the work the Department is supporting to provide people with information to assess their own risk, giving forecasts on the day to day strength of the sun's rays and its capacity to burn.

  For those who do develop skin cancer, even the most dangerous type, malignant melanoma, prompt recognition and diagnosis provide the best chance of successful treatment. Information for the public on how and what to recognise as the early signs of skin cancer and on when to consult their general practitioner, together with more detailed advice for health professionals plays an important role through the health promotion messages on skin cancer.

  This work will continue and build on people's increasing level of awareness of the risks of skin cancer from excessive sun exposure further promoting the simple preventative measures that can be taken-cover up, seek shade particularly around mid-day, protect children and when in the sun use sunscreen.

  Human Embryos
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many human embryos are currently in storage; when the licensing authority last met; and if he will list the applications made to the authority in the past year, indicating which were(a) granted and (b) refused. [90646]

  Ms Jowell
  Embryos may only be stored in accordance with a licence issued by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Clinics are required to notify the HFEA of the number of embryos placed in storage. There are some embryos which were stored before the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 came into force. Clinics were not required to notify the HFEA of these.

  According to the most recent verified information held by the HFEA, between 1 August 1991 and 31 March 1997 the number of embryos put into storage during the course of IVF treatment cycles was 144,297.

  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority last met on 24 June 1999. All licensing decisions are made by Licence Committees which comprise at least three to five HFEA members. The Licensing Committee last met on 8 July 1999.

  Over the period July 1998 to June 1999 the HFEA received a total of 126 applications for licences. No applications were rejected. The applications granted were as follows:

  Treatment Service Centres—licence renewals: 105

  Treatment Service Centres—new applications: 6

  Research licences—licence renewals: 10

  Research licences—new applications: 5

  In total, 92 of the 126 licences granted included provision for storage of embryos. Out of these, 77 were issued to treatment service centres and 15 of these licences were issued exclusively for research purposes.

  Water Fluoridation
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to paragraph 9.11 of the White Paper: "Reducing Health Inequalities: An Action Report", how strong local support is to be defined in respect of the fluoridation of water supplies; and by what mechanisms this support will be measured; [90512]

  (2) if he will indemnify water companies which are obliged to add fluoride to water supplies under his proposals against legal claims made by their customers in respect of perceived side-effects; [90513]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the extent to which water company operational responsibilities and local authority boundaries coincide; [90511]

  Ms Jowell
  As the White Paper indicates, we have commissioned a review of fluoride and health. If it is confirmed that there are benefits to health from fluoridation and no significant risks we would consult the water industry about indemnities and any constraints imposed by the water distribution network. We would then submit to Parliament proposals for amendment to Sections 87 to 91 of the Water Industries Act 1991, which would show how we consider public opinion should be measured and the extent of the public support necessary before a water company would be required to fluoridate.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to provide a substantive answer to the question from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge tabled on 13 April (ref 80286). [91726]

  Mr. Denham
  I replied to the hon. Member on 15 July.

  Primary Care Groups (Management Allowances)
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are(a) the maximum and (b) the minimum per capita management allowances for 1999–2000 paid to primary care groups in England. [91727]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not yet available centrally.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EU Codes of Conduct
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) of 20 January 1999,Official Report, column 506, on the European Commission, if he will make a statement on progress made on drawing up the three Codes of Conduct. [90744]

  Ms Quin
  Two of the three Codes of Conduct (those governing the conduct of Commissioners and relations between Commissioners and their Departments) were adopted in March. They are available on the internet at:http//europa.eu.int/comm/codesofconduct/index—en.htm.

  The third Code, on the conduct of Commission staff, is still being negotiated.

  Intergovernmental Conferences
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the procedures through which access is permitted to tape recordings of intergovernmental conferences. [90702]

  Ms Quin
  The Presidency and Council Secretariat are the only bodies which are allowed access to the tape recordings of intergovernmental conferences.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to invoke Article 227 against Spain in respect of delays at the border with Gibraltar. [91245]

  Ms Quin
  We continue to press the Commission to take action to ensure that Spain fulfils its EU obligations in respect of traffic crossing the Gibraltar/Spain border. We take every opportunity to make clear to Spain that the current delays are unacceptable. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be raising the issue with members of the Commission.

  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]
  365
  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 Representative was in regular contact with the Commission in the intervening period.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what data he has collated on the expulsion of non-Serbian inhabitants from the Sanjak region; and if he will make a statement. [91232]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Although we do not keep extensive data, our Embassy in Sarajevo noted reports that by May of this year, almost 16,000 refugees from the Sanjak had arrived in Sarajevo. Other reports suggest that the FRY authorities used emergency powers to intimidate non-Serbs into leaving the region for Bosnia, and have made the possibility of their return very difficult.

  We support the right of return for all displaced persons in the region regardless of their ethnic background.

  Alexander Nikitin
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Russian authorities concerning the case of Alexander Nikitin. [91721]

  Ms Quin
  The Foreign Secretary raised Nikitin's case when he visited Murmansk on 3 March. I raised the subject with the Russian ambassador in October. As EU Presidency, we led representations to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about his case on 24 February last year. We are following his case, and are ready to raise the issue again should this be necessary.

  Mr. Michael Ashcroft
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will conduct an inquiry into the disclosure of Foreign and Commonwealth Office documents referred to in press reports on 13 July, relating to Mr. Michael Ashcroft; [91544]

  (2) if Special Advisers in his Department had access to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office documents referred to in press reports on 13 July relating to Mr. Michael Ashcroft. [91547]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  An inquiry was instituted on 13 July into the circumstances of the leak. We need to await the result of that inquiry. The rules applying to Ministers as regards access to papers of a previous Administration also apply to Special Advisers.

  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the disclosure of Foreign and Commonwealth Office documents referred to in press reports on 13 July, relating to Mr. Michael Ashcroft, was authorised by Ministers. [91545]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Ministers did not authorise the disclosure of the documents referred to, nor were they aware in advance of the unauthorised release of official documents.
  366
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Foreign and Commonwealth Office documents relating to Mr. Michael Ashcroft referred to in press reports of 13 July were disclosed by(a) Departmental Special Advisers, (b) another third party with the knowledge of Departmental Special Advisers and (c) other means. [91546]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are not aware who disclosed these documents. An inquiry is being conducted.

TREASURY

  Gold
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for the timing of further sales of British gold reserves; and if he will make a statement. [91771]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Mr. Caplin) on 7 May 1999,Official Report, column 485.

  ECOFIN Council
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 12 July; and if he will make a statement. [91824]

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 14 July; and if he will make a statement. [91849]

  Ms Hewitt
  The programme for the Finnish Presidency was discussed in open debate and given a broad welcome.

  There was discussion of economic and financial issues arising in the draft common strategy for Ukraine.

  There was a discussion of the economic and financial aspects of the crises in Kosovo and the Western Balkans. A mandate for the Presidency for the 13 July High Level group was agreed.

  There was general endorsement of the key elements of a Presidency proposal on the guarantee from the Community Budget for EIB loans to third countries.

  A technical report on the provision of statistics in the euro area was agreed and published.

  Two presidency reports on the implementation of OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Office) and the appointment of a supervisory Committee were considered. Following slight amendment, the Reports were approved.

  The Commission made a brief presentation of the draft decision on Own Resources, adopted by the Commission last week. The Presidency said it would proceed swiftly to a more detailed examination by the Council.

  With regard to VAT on labour intensive services, Coreper was asked to reach agreement on a list of such services in time for agreement on the proposal at ECOFIN on 8 October.

  Venture Capital Bank
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans for establishing a state-owned venture capital bank under the PFI, indicating the proposals for accountability to Parliament. [91689]

  Mr. Milburn
  There are no plans for a state investment bank. I will be announcing the Government's response to Sir Malcolm Bates's report on the PFI shortly.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Data Series
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by his Department since June 1997. [90531]

  Mr. Morley
  MAFF has not commissioned any new internal surveys separated by gender, race, disability or age since June 1997. It is an area which is kept constantly under review.

  MAFF established a database of information relating to the ethnic origin of staff in 1989. The information is collected voluntarily and is updated annually. The database currently holds information on 95 per cent. of staff.

  MAFF undertook a Disability Survey of all staff in 1996. All new staff are issued with a Disability Questionnaire and staff can provide new or updated information at any time.

  MAFF has records on gender, race, disability and age for each member of staff which are used to provide statistical data on the composition of the work force, performance and promotion, location etc.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect upon small abattoirs of imposing full-time veterinary supervision; and if he will make a statement. [R] [90389]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 19 January 1999,Official Report, column 454.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the cost implications to abattoirs of full-time veterinary supervision; and if he will make a statement. [R] [90385]

  Mr. Rooker
  Based on the current size and structure of the meat production and processing industry in Great Britain, it is estimated by the Meat Hygiene Service that it will be necessary to secure the services of an additional 300 Official Veterinary Surgeons in order to bring veterinary supervision levels in licensed fresh red meat and poultry meat plants (ie slaughterhouses, cutting plants and cold stores) up to the levels required by the EU meat hygiene Directives. In accordance with EU rules, the costs of this additional veterinary supervision, estimated at £21 million in a full year, will have to be recovered from plant operators in the normal way. However, given the shortage of veterinarians willing to undertake meat 368
  hygiene work in the UK, full compliance with EU requirements is not possible immediately and it may be some years before the required levels and frequency of veterinary supervision is achieved in all licensed plants.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of traceability in(a) craft abattoirs and (b) plant abattoirs. [R] [90388]

  Mr. Rooker
  The traceability and accurate identification of individual carcases throughout the slaughter process depends on the integrity of the commercial service offered by the slaughterhouse rather than its size.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the role which small abattoirs will play in the future of the British meat industry. [R] [90387]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government recognise the valuable contribution which small abattoirs make to the rural economy and will do what it can to encourage such businesses, consistent with the need to protect public health and with EU legislation.

  Set-aside
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of agricultural land in Leicestershire is currently subject to set-aside; and what was the annual cost to public funds in the last year for which figures are available. [91175]

  Mr. Rooker
  The area of set-aside in Leicestershire on claims made in 1998 under the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS) was 6,501 ha, or just over 6 per cent. of the total area claimed for. But because not all agricultural land is either eligible or claimed for under AAPS, the proportion of set-aside in relation to agricultural land in the country as a whole is estimated at around 3 per cent. Comparable figures for 1999 are not yet available.

  At the 1998 payment rate, the payment from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund for this area of set-aside would have been £1,962,000.

  Milk Marque
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on Milk Marque's application to expand into processing milk products. [91413]

  Mr. Rooker
  In his statement of 6 July, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry stated that Milk Marque, while it remains a monopoly supplier of raw milk to the processing sector, should not be allowed to extend its milk processing activities in the way planned. He therefore asked the Director General of Fair Trading to seek undertakings from Milk Marque that it would not take any further steps towards making or carrying out any agreement to acquire or build processing plant without prior agreement by the Director General.

  BSE
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Clwyd, South (Mr. Jones), of 21 January 1999,Official Report, column 574, on BSE, if he will make a statement on the results to date of random sampling for BSE of cows slaughtered under the over thirty months scheme [91477]

  Mr. Rooker
  The first stage of the survey is now complete. Between January and March a total of 4,163 heads were collected from cattle slaughtered in the Over Thirty Month Scheme. In accordance with SEACs wishes, the sample was not random but cattle that were five years of age or older were targeted. This was to ensure that we were sampling cattle that were most likely to be close to clinical onset and would therefore be positive by examination of brain tissue, if infected.

  Of the brains removed, a total of 3,951 were in a suitable condition for examination. So far we only have results of histopathological examinations. These examinations have identified a total of 18 positive and 3,933 negative brains. We are not yet in a position to interpret the data fully because we await the results of two other diagnostic tests and a statistical analysis of the age structure of animals slaughtered under the OTM Scheme.

  Cloned Animals
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria are used for determining the age of cloned animals; and if he will make a statement. [91732]

  Mr. Rooker
  The age of a cloned animal is determined from the date of its birth. There have been suggestions backed up by recently published results, albeit based on a very small sample, that animals cloned from adult cells may be genetically older than their birth age. Further research, and the passage of time, will be needed to determine whether cloned animals do have a shorter life span.

  Mink
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the circumstances under which mink carcases may be disposed of at(a) landfill sites and (b) incinerators. [90074]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: The Animal By-Products Order 1999 requires animal by-products, such as mink carcases, to be disposed of by one of a number of routes including incineration. Burial, including landfill, is permitted only where the animal by-product is in a place where access is difficult or where the quantity of by-product and the distance to premises in which disposal is otherwise permitted do not justify transporting it.

  Business Appointments Advisory Committee
  Business Appointments Advisory Committee
  Legal Aid in Cases of Public Importance
  Legal Aid in Cases of Public Importance
  Royal Courts of Justice: Claims Form
  Royal Courts of Justice: Claims Form
  Household Division: Soldiers from Ethnic Minorities
  Household Division: Soldiers from Ethnic Minorities
  Territorial Army Personnel Serving Abroad
  Territorial Army Personnel Serving Abroad
  Armed Forces: Membership of Organisations of a Secretive Nature
  Armed Forces: Membership of Organisations of a Secretive Nature
  Kosovo: Temporary Field Accommodation for Troops
  Kosovo: Temporary Field Accommodation for Troops
  Territorial Army: Non-regular Permanent Staff Redundancies
  Territorial Army: Non-regular Permanent Staff Redundancies
  Organophosphate Sheep Dips
  Organophosphate Sheep Dips
  Medicinal Products: Borderline Cases
  Medicinal Products: Borderline Cases
  Medicines Commission: Annual Report
  Medicines Commission: Annual Report
  Medicines Control Agency: Annual Report
  Medicines Control Agency: Annual Report