Written Answers of 19 July 1999

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Serious Fraud Office
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Attorney-General when the Director of the Serious Fraud Office intends to publish her Annual Report. [92060]

  The Attorney-General
  The Director Serious Fraud Office has today published her Annual Report and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Compliance
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her answer of 16 June 1999,Official Report, column 151, when she will publish the results of the May market research, tracking public perception of the Millennium Bug. [92123]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have placed copies of the Executive Summary of the May tracking research in the Libraries of the House.

  The latest results are broadly consistent with those for previous months, showing that concern among the public on this issue remains low.

  During the summer recess, copies of the monthly Executive Summary will continue to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Travel Office
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission has agreed which company should be offered the contract to operate the Travel Office following the expiry of the current contract with American Express; and if he will make a statement. [92196]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  The existing contract for travel agency services, currently provided by American Express, ends on 31 August 1999. Following a full open competition, the Commission has endorsed a recommendation by a tender board to award the new contract to American Express. The new contract will run from 1 September for a period of three years, although it is extendable for a further two years. Enhancements to the existing services provided have been insisted upon; for example, Eurostar tickets will be available on-site from this autumn, following the installation of a ticket machine. In addition, American Express travel consultants will, wherever 372
  possible, routinely give alternative quotations to ensure that best value for money is achieved. In the interest of the House, and therefore taxpayers, the Travel Office will also actively pursue options for further discounts and rebates from airlines and railway companies.

PRIME MINISTER

  Minister without Portfolio (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish an account of the official overseas visits made by the former Minister without Portfolio during the time he held that office, listing the venue, the event, the number of officials accompanying him and the total cost of the visit to public funds. [89841]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: I have accounted fully for all overseas travel undertaken by Ministers, and any accompanying officials, in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry) on 17 June 1999, Official Report, columns 196–97. This global figure of course included overseas visits by the former Minister without Portfolio.

  Listed in the table are the official overseas visits made by the former Minister without Portfolio during the period 2 May 1997 to 27 July 1998.

  Date

  Destination

  Purpose of Visit

  17–18 July 1997

  Paris

  Discussions on EU related matters/British Council Seminar

  11 September 1997

  Bonn/Munich

  Bilaterals with German Ministers. Represented HM Government at meeting of the Club of Three.

  10 October 1997

  Rome

  Address Institute of International Affairs/Bilaterals with Italian Ministers

  27 November 1997

  Paris

  Visit to Futuroscope as Minister responsible for Millennium Dome

  30 January 1998

  Florence

  Address European University Institute

  2–3 February 1998

  Brussels

  Bilaterals with EU Commissioners

  2–4 March 1998

  Bonn

  Address Seminar on Democracy and Legitimacy

  8–9 May 1998

  Amsterdam

  Address Congress of Europe

  8–9 June 1998

  Paris

  Address National Assembly

  18–22 July 1998

  Brazil

  Visit on behalf of the Government to promote political and economic relations between two countries

  The average cost of each visit was £1,365. All visits were fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code. On the November 1997 visit to Paris, the Minister was accompanied by an official. On other occasions he was supported by locally based diplomatic staff.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all the overseas visits since December 1998 by hon. Members funded by the Government. [89842]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: I have accounted fully for all overseas travel undertaken by Ministers, including members of the official party and I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry) on 17 June 1999, Official Report, columns 196–97. There is, however, no systematic and central record kept of every visit made by hon. Members which has funding support from a Government source.

  In exceptional circumstances, hon. Members can receive funding from Government. These can include official events where representation wider than just the Government is warranted, for example the handover ceremony of Hong Kong where the Government paid for the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the Liberal Democrats to attend.

  Members may also occasionally travel abroad as members of an official party observing elections in emerging democracies. The costs of such visits are usually met by the respective Government or by a national or international sponsoring organisation such as the European Union or United Nations. Again, no records are available centrally for such costs.

  Since December 1998, my Office has not funded any overseas visits by hon. Members.

  EC Legislation
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list proposals which have become legislation at European Community level, following the joint Franco-German letter at the Cardiff EU summit; what was the UK's policy on each proposal; and if he will make a statement. [90846]

  The Prime Minister
  All Community legislation is published in the Official Journal, copies of which are placed in the Library of the House. It is the Government's policy to consider each proposal on its merits, taking into account all relevant factors including the principle of subsidiarity as mentioned in the Franco-German letter to the Cardiff European Council.

  The Government attach importance to the proper application of subsidiarity, which is designed to ensure that decisions are taken at the most appropriate level, be that European, national, regional or local.

  Portschach
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those developments in policy and operational practice which are consequential to the Portschach meeting. [90942]

  The Prime Minister
  Following informal discussion of European defence arrangements at Portschach, the United Kingdom and France agreed a joint declaration at St. Malo on 4 December 1998. Following this, the NATO Summit in Washington on 25 April 1999 agreed on ways to take forward the initiative in NATO. The European Council at 374
  Cologne issued a Declaration on 4 June 1999 committing the EU to strengthen its common European security and defence policy.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister if progress in response to the threat of the millennium bug was discussed and an assessment of the millennium compliance of the global economy made at the recent Cologne Summit; and if he will make a statement. [91297]

  The Prime Minister
  The millennium bug was discussed at the G8 Summit in Cologne. It was noted that there had been real progress since the 1998 Birmingham Summit in tackling the millennium bug, but that some countries still had a lot of preparation to do. This was reflected in the strong language of the Communiqué G8 countries agreed to maintain vigorous programmes of action and urged all other Governments to do the same. The Communiqué also highlighted the importance of contingency planning to cope with potential system failures. The G8 will maintain close co-operation among members and with others. A special G8 Conference on contingency planning will take place in the autumn.

  International Legal Procedures
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals Her Majesty's Government have evaluated on the(a) creation of new institutions and (b) enhancement of existing ones in respect of the application of international legal procedures to the determination of the justification for possible interventions for humanitarian reasons, with particular reference to the relationship between such authority and considerations of national sovereignty. [91729]

  The Prime Minister
  I consider it hugely important that we should have a world ruled by law and by international co-operation, with the United Nations as its central pillar. We are a leading supporter of the International Court of justice, which has the central role in determining the conformity of action with international law. We are committed to working with our partners to find new ways to make the United Nations system work more effectively.

  Enterprise Fund
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his announcement of a new £50 million enterprise fund on 6 July, what provision is being made for Wales. [91420]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: On 6 July, I launched a consultation on proposals for support for the creation of Regional Venture Capital Funds in England. The proposed support will form one element of a package of measures to support small and medium enterprise finance. This package will be funded through the Department of Trade and Industry's Enterprise Fund, announced in the 1998 Competitiveness White Paper (Cm 4176).

  The legal basis for the new support is Sections 7 and 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. The power to provide support is a concurrent power, that is, it is shared by the Secretary of State and the devolved

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  administrations. Each administration therefore has the power to make similar assistance available to that proposed for England. Mechanisms to support venture capital in Wales are a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Other elements of the Enterprise Fund package of measures (including the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme) will be made available by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry across the United Kingdom, in consultation with the devolved administrations.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Company Director Disqualification
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes he intends to make to(a) section 8 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 and (b) section 83 of the Companies Act 1989. [90328]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 8 July 1999]: I have no specific intentions to amend section 8 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 but subject to available parliamentary time it would be my intention to introduce legislation to provide for a consent order regime.

  I have no intention at present to seek to amend section 83 of the Companies Act 1989.

  Data Series
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by his Department since June 1997. [90827]

  Mr. Byers
  In early 1999, DTI conducted a survey of the caring and child care responsibilities of its headquarters staff. This survey separated respondents by gender.

  In addition, since June 1997 data have been collected and analysed by gender, race and disability on recruitment, the operation of the Department's staff appraisal system and special bonus scheme, its system for deploying staff within the Department and on participation rates on in-house training courses.

  Information collected for the Department's Equal Opportunities Annual Report, which includes the composition of the Department and application and success rates for progression/promotion, is separated by gender, race, disability and age.

  A travel to work survey was carried out in July 1997 for Victoria street area HQ staff and is currently being carried out for some dispersed HQ staff. The data are separated by gender, disability and age.

  This excludes the Department's Executive Agencies.

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the statutory instruments introduced into Parliament by his Department in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 which gave effect to European Union legislation. [90745]

  Mr. Byers
  This question cannot be answered without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Research Councils (Environmental Performance)
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what environmental targets he has set for the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils. [91010]

  Mr. Battle
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry does not set environmental targets additional to those set by the Environment Agency. CCLRC conforms to limits for emissions set by the Environment Agency, and has reduced its annual spending on utilities.

  Airlines
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had this year with the European Commission about the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines. [91218]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: Shortly after I took office I met Commissioner Van Miert and discussed a number of topics including the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines. Since then I have not had any discussions with the European Commission about the proposed alliance.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list each occasion since he took office when he has met(a) British Airways and (b) Virgin Atlantic to discuss the proposed British Airways alliance with American Airlines. [91221]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: Since I took office I have met neither British Airways nor Virgin Atlantic to discuss the proposed British Airways alliance with American Airlines.

  Business Ambassadors
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what involvement his Department has had in the Ambassadors for British Business project. [91841]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Ambassadors for British Business scheme was launched by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in November 1997 and was administered by the Joint Export Promotion Directorate, a joint FCO/DTI directorate in the Export Command of the DTI. It is now administered by the new unified DTI/FCO operation, British Trade International.

  MOX Fuel
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans his Department has to monitor the movements of the imminent shipment of MOX fuel to Japan. [90200]

  Mr. Battle
  As part of the security plan for the shipment of MOX to Japan, the UKAEAC control centre in the UK, which is manned 24 hours per day, will receive reports from the ships every hour, via secure communications, detailing the position of the ships.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the arrangements for the provision of additional ECGD support to facilitate the completion of the Ungaren Klaten transmission lines and sub-stations contract between VA Tech Reyrole Projects and PLN of Indonesia. [92224]

  Mr. Byers
  I have been advised by the Export Credits Guarantee Department's Accounting Officer that, in his view, the risks involved in giving medium and long-term export credit guarantees for exports to Indonesia under Section 1(1) of the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991 do not currently meet ECGD's normal underwriting criteria.

  In view of the importance that we attach to our relations with Indonesia, I have instructed ECGD's Accounting Office to make arrangements to provide an additional US$1.1 million of support to enable VA Tech Reyrolle

  1998–99

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1995–96

  1994–95

  Number of testers employed

  438

  394

  393

  448

  1273

  Number of vehicles tested2

  988,491

  970,775

  968,426

  959,727

  981,298

  Number of voluntary tests3

  38,016

  36,902

  29,965

  425,124

  10,224

  Number of vehicle examiners employed

  252

  248

  235

  235

  229

  Number of traffic examiners employed

  169

  166

  162

  159

  163

  Number of HGVs and trailers examined for roadworthiness5

  132,826

  158,289

  171,203

  162,607

  166,099

  Number of HGVs checked for traffic enforcement6

  161,268

  192,573

  214,924

  248,674

  267,217

  Number of HGVs checked at emission spot checks

  12,149

  12,812

  13,887

  11,406

  n/a

  Number of PSVs examined for roadworthiness5

  26,394

  34,484

  35,921

  30,787

  32,338

  Number of PSVs checked for traffic enforcement6

  18,183

  30,436

  30,435

  38,306

  39,036

  Number of PSVs checked at emission spot checks

  7,940

  10,867

  11,001

  10,140

  n/a

  Number of LGVs7 examined for roadworthiness5

  13,810

  17,481

  19,964

  18,326

  19,992

  Number of LGVs checked for traffic enforcement6

  9,671

  10,879

  14,108

  21,830

  n/a

  Number of LGVs checked at emission spot checks

  76,253

  93,156

  99,446

  108,757

  n/a

  1 Figure does not include all grades of staff carrying out testing work due to the way in which information was recorded at the time.

  2 Includes tests and retests of HGVs, PSVs and LGVs. A vehicle may be retested more than once.

  3 Test carried out in VI's test stations designed to aid test preparation or for routine maintenance. Checks available for brake tests, headlamp aim, smoke check or multi-check.

  4 From 1995–96, voluntary brake tests were based on number of axles tested. Figures include brake checks on axles, headlamp aim checks, smoke checks and multi-checks.

  5 Figure includes vehicles inspected at the roadside and at operator's premises for mechanical condition. A vehicle will be counted in the figure for roadworthiness inspections and traffic enforcement inspections if it has been checked by both a VE and a TE.

  6 Figure includes documentation checks and weighings. Figure does not include the number of individual tachograph charts checked. TEs checked 1,417,646 tachograph charts in 1998–99.

  7 Cars, vans, taxis and non-testable vehicles (eg mobile cranes, mechanical diggers) n/a Figure not available.

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  Projects to undertake the necessary additional work to allow previously supplied equipment to become fully operational.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Vehicle Inspectorate
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many inspectors were employed or engaged by the Vehicle Inspectorate in each of the last 10 years; and how many vehicles were inspected in each year. [90413]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Information in a consistent form is available only for the last five years. Prior to that date the data are not available, or could be obtained only at disproportionate costs. The information for the period since 1993–94 is presented in the table.

  The Vehicle Inspectorate employs testers to carry out statutory annual tests on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), passenger service vehicles (PSVs) and some light goods vehicles (LGVs). This is a demand-led activity. Vehicle examiners (VEs) carry out enforcement inspections on all types of vehicles to check their mechanical condition and traffic examiners (TEs) check compliance with traffic regulations including weighing and tachograph charts. The Inspectorate's performance measures have, during the period covered, increasingly encouraged examiners to target those vehicles which are considered most likely to be committing offences. This has increased the effectiveness of the checks in terms of road safety and environmental protection.

  A6 Bus Lane, Loughborough
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect the A6 bus lane at Loughborough has had on journey times for(a) buses and (b) other road traffic in its first three months. [90502]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Andrew Reed, dated 19 July 1999:
  The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Glenda Jackson, has asked me to reply to your recent question about the effect the A6 bus lane in Loughborough has had on journey times for buses and other road traffic in its first three months of operation.
  The bus lane between Quorn and Loughborough opened on 1st March. It operates during peak hours between 7.30 and 9.30am and 3.30 and 6.00pm on Mondays to Saturdays. Before and after surveys have been undertaken to measure queue lengths, traffic flows and delays. A full analysis of the changes is still awaited from our managing agent for the A6, but general trends can already be identified.
  Bus journey time reliability has increased by 50%s on most journeys in the morning peak and the journey time between Quorn and Loughborough has been reduced by up to 7 minutes on a 15 minutes minimum journey.
  The effects on journey times for other traffic are less clear and data is still being assessed but initial indications are that overall journey times have not increased. In addition, there appears to have been an improvement in general traffic flow into Loughborough during the morning peak; a 20% increase in vehicle throughout has been achieved between 8am and 9am. It is considered that this is due to the more ordered nature of the queue towards the A6/Shelthorpe Road traffic signals.
  A full report on the A6 Quorn to Loughborough bus lane is being prepared and will be available shortly and I will ensure that you receive a copy. In the meantime, if you wish to discuss any aspect further, the Highways Agency's Route Manager for this A6 scheme is Peter Adams. He can be contacted at our office at Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1BL, or by telephone on 0121 678 8215.

  Data Series
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by his Department since June 1997. [90829]

  Mr. Meale
  In September 1998 the central core of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions commissioned diversity consultants Pearn Kandola to conduct an independent evaluation of the Performance Management and Appraisal System. This work involved an analysis of performance and promotion markings of grades below the Senior Civil Service by gender; ethnic origin; disability, and part-time/full-time status. A copy of the report is available in the Library.

  In the Department's Executive Agencies the following specific projects have been commissioned:
  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) commissioned Dr. Marie Stewart of Taylor Stewart Associates to review the application of their equal opportunities policies in two offices in the Agency's Local Office Network. This work
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  commenced in early 1999 and included a review of statistical information by gender, race, disability and part-time working patterns.
  The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) have undertaken two internal surveys of their staff during 1999 on ethnicity and disability.
  During 1997, the Highways Agency audited its previous appraisal system to ensure that it was fair regardless of gender, ethnicity and disability. In 1998 the Institute of Employment Studies were commissioned to produce a report as a result of the review on the introduction of the new appraisal system. Analysis included distribution of performance markings by gender and ethnicity. In the same year, the pay and reward team conducted an audit of performance pay and bonuses which included data on gender, ethnicity and disability.
  The Planning Inspectorate conducted a staff attitude survey which was categorized by gender and disability.

  DETR(C) and the Department's Executive Agencies continue to use their own management information systems to produce statistics by gender, ethnicity, disability and part-time/full-time status on an annual basis.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [91064]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 15 April 1999,Official Report, column 301.

  Green Ministers Committee
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what matters were discussed, what decisions were made and which departments were represented by officials at the meeting of Green Ministers on 6 July; and if he will make a statement. [91249]

  Mr. Meacher
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 16 July 1999,Official Report, column 341. The first annual report of the Green Ministers Committee, due to be published later this month, will set out the achievements and future plans of the Committee.

  Leasehold Reform
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many officials in his Department are working on leasehold reform proposals. [91260]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Currently, two officials work purely on leasehold reform and a further seven devote a significant proportion of their time to this area of work. We plan to expand this team further.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of leasehold properties as a percentage of the total. [91261]
  381
  Mr. Raynsford
  The most recent estimates from the Survey of English Housing are that there were approximately 1.78 million owner-occupiers in England in 1997–98 who were leaseholders, representing 12.8 per cent. of all owner-occupiers.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on his leasehold reform proposals. [91259]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Poole (Mr. Syms) on 13 July 1999,Official Report, column 139.

  Lead Shot
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the respondents to the recent consultation paper on the use of lead shot over wetlands. [91274]

  Mr. Meale
  My Department received 270 representations from members of the public in addition to those organisations that are listed in the table.

  A and C Sporting Services

  Amber Valley Shooting Club

  Ancholme Internal Drainage Board

  Anglian Wildfowlers Association

  Ashman Brothers Pest Control

  Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland

  Association of European Manufacturers of Sporting Ammunition

  Audley Gun Club

  Bantham Shoot

  Baxter Farms Ltd.

  Beccles Wildfowlers Club

  Black Isle and Mid Ross Wildfowlers Club

  Blairs Shooting Syndicate

  Blakeney Parish Council

  Bournemouth International Airport

  British Association for Shooting and Conservation

  Butterfly Conservation, Norfolk Branch

  Caerlaverock and District Wildfowlers

  Carmarthenshire Wildfowlers Association

  Carter Jonas

  Chichester Harbour Wildfowlers Association

  Church Farm Shoot

  Council of the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland

  Country Landowners Association

  Countryside Alliance

  Countryside Council for Wales

  CSC Forest Products

  Dacre, Son and Hartley

  Defence Estates, Estates Directorate

  Derwent Valley Shooting Club

  Devon Wildfowlers Association

  Didwells Property Consultants

  Dorset Wildfowlers Association

  East Grinstead Guns Ltd.

  English Nature

  Essex and Suffolk Water

  Essex Joint Council of Wildfowling Clubs

  Farmers Union of Wales

  Farming News, Miller Freeman UK Ltd.

  Fenland Wildfowlers Association

  Finlayson Hughes Chartered Surveyors

  Forest Enterprise

  Forestry Commission

  Furness Wildfowlers Association

  Fylde Borough Council

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  Gamebore Cartridge Company Ltd.

  Garnffoi Shooting and Conservation Club

  Gillingham Estate and Farms

  Gunners Pigeon Shooting Club

  Hendry, Ramsat and Wilcox

  Highbridge, Huntspill and Burnham District Wildfowlers' Club

  Holderness and Humber Wildfowlers Association

  Holland and Holland Ltd.

  Humber Wildfowlers

  Ilchester Estates

  Isle of Anglesey Wildfowling Club

  ITRI Ltd.

  Joint Nature Conservation Council

  Keadby Wildfowling and Conservation Society

  Kent Wildfowling and Conservation Association

  King's Lynn Consortium of Internal Drainage Boards

  Little Oakley and District Wildfowlers Association

  Lleweni Shoot Syndicate

  Longfield Service Station

  Lyddington Shoot

  Lymington and Keyhaven Wildfowlers Association

  Meltham Shooting Club

  Merevale and Blyth Estates

  Montrose and District Wildfowlers Association

  Morston Wildfowlers

  National Farmers' Union

  National Farmers' Union of Scotland

  Netley Shoot

  Newark and District Wildfowlers Association

  Newton-le-Willows Wildfowlers and Clay Pigeon Association

  Norfolk Wildlife Trust

  North Yorkshire County Council

  Northumberland and Durham Wildfowlers

  Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

  Owlpen Estate Shoot

  Pagham and West Sussex Wildfowling and Conservation Association

  Paslow Hall Shoot

  Payne's Boatyard

  Pearce Waterscapes

  Perth and Kinross Council

  R. Tilney and Son

  Rainford Shooting Association

  Reaseheath (PAS) Sporting Shooting Club

  Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  Scottish Association for Country Sports

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency

  Scottish Landowners' Federation

  Scottish Natural Heritage

  Shooting Sports Trust Ltd.

  Shropshire and Border Rough Shooting Club

  Shropshire County Council

  Smiths Gore Chartered Surveyors

  Somerset Wildlife Trust

  Scottish Countryside Alliance

  South Essex Wildfowlers' Club

  South Hams District Council

  South Hetton Wildfowl and Gun Club

  South Lincs Nature Reserves Ltd.

  Southport and District Wildfowlers Association

  Spalding and District Wildfowlers Association

  Stanford Training Area Shooting Association

  Stoneham Wildfowlers

  Strutt and Parker Chartered Surveyors

  Tamar Valley Association for Shooting and Conservation

  Tayport Wildfowling and Clay Pigeon Gun Club

  Technical Marine Services

  The British Shooting Sports Council

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  The Broads Authority

  The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association Ltd.

  The Cumbria Wildlife Trust

  The Engie Hundred Wildfowling Club

  The Durrington Shoot

  The Game Conservancy Trust

  The Grove Shooting Club

  The Gun Trade Association

  The Hartlepool and District Wildfowlers Association

  The Moorland Association

  The Moreton Shoot

  The National Gamekeepers' Organisation

  The National Trust for Scotland

  The Roche Abbey Syndicate

  The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland

  The Scottish Gamekeepers Association

  The Weld Estate

  The Welsh Assembly

  Tillingham Wildfowlers Association

  Tornashean Sporting Syndicate

  Treloweth Shoot

  UCW Aberystwyth SC, Mawddach and District

  Union of Country Sports Workers

  Welsh Local Government Associations

  West Baldridge Shooting Syndicate

  West Country Guns

  Whitemoor Estate

  Whittlesey Wildfowlers and Conservationists

  Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evidence his Department has assessed linking mortality of wildfowl and the ingestion of lead shot. [91262]

  Mr. Meale
  The toxic effects of ingested lead on birds have been known for over a century, and reported from many sources around the world. It would not be possible to list all the published research, but a selection of key papers is listed.

  The reference texts are:
  Bellrose, F. C. 1959. Lead poisoning as a mortality factor in waterfowl populations. Illinois Nat. Hist. Surv. Bull. 27, 235–288 Fawcett D. & van Vessem J. 1995. Lead poisoning in waterfowl: international update report 1995. JNCC Report No. 252., Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.
  Goode, D. A. 1981. Lead poisoning and swans. Report of the Nature Conservancy Council's Working Group. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough.
  HMSO 1983. Lead in the environment. Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution: Ninth Report. HMSO, London. Locke, L. N. & Friend, M. 1992. Lead poisoning of avian species other than waterfowl. In: Pain 1992.
  Mudge, G. P. 1983. The incidence and significance of ingested lead pellet poisoning in British wildfowl. Biological Conservation, 27, 333–372.
  Olney, P. J. S. 1968. The food and feeding habits of pochard. Biological Conservation, 1, 71–76.
  Olney, P. J. S. 1960. Lead poisoning in wildfowl. Wildfowl Trust Annual Report, 11, 123–134, cited in Thomas 1975.
  Pain, D. J. 1992a. Lead poisoning in waterfowl: a review. In: Pain 1992.
  Pain, D. J. 1992b. Lead poisoning in waterfowl: summary of national reports: In: Pain 1992.
  Pain, D. J.1992c (ed). Lead poisoning of waterfowl: Proc. of IWRB workshop 1991. IWRB Special Publication No. 16, International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau, Slimbridge.
  Pain, D. J. 1991. Why are lead-poisoned wildfowl so rarely seen: the disappearance of waterfowl carcasses in the Carmargue, France? Wildfowl, 42, 118–122. Pain, D. J., Amaird-Triquet, C.,
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  Bavoux, C., Burneleau, G., Eon, L. & Nicolau-Guillaumet, P. 1993. Lead poisoning in wild populations of marsh harriers Circus aeruginosus in the Carmargue and Charente-Maritime, France. Ibis, 135, 379–386.
  Sanderson, G. C. 1992. Lead poisoning mortality: In: Pain 1992. Thomas, G. J. 1975. Ingested lead pellets in waterfowl at the Ouse Washes, England 1968–1973. Wildfowl, 26, 43–48. Sears, J & Hunt, A. 1991. Lead Poisoning in Mute Swans Cygnus olor in England. Wildfowl, Supplement 1 (1991): 383–388.

  Local Authority Elections
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage more people to stand for election to their local authorities. [91299]

  Mr. Meale
  Our proposals for new rewarding roles for councillors and for addressing some of the potential disincentives to serve on councils, as set out in our White Paper: "Modern Local Government—In Touch with the People" (Cm 4014), will we believe encourage more people to stand for election to their local authorities.

  Home Building
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will estimate how many new homes will be built in the United Kingdom by the year 2006(a) in total, (b) on green-field sites and (c) on brown-field sites; [91318]

  (2) if he will estimate how many new homes will be built within Lancashire on (a) green-field and (b) brown-field sites over the next 10 years; [91317]

  (3) if he will estimate how many new homes will be built on green-field sites over the next 10 years, broken down by region. [91316]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department does not estimate the number of new homes to be built. Estimates of housing requirements are derived in Regional Planning Guidance following public examination.

  The Government's target is to provide 60 per cent. of new homes on previously developed land or by conversion of existing buildings. They have asked Regional Planning Bodies and local planning authorities to set their own recycling targets consistent with delivery of the national target. To assist in this process, my Department has established the first phase of the National Land Use Database to provide a comprehensive assessment of previously developed vacant and derelict land, and other developed land that may be available for recycling.

  PPG3
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the new PPG3 will be fully operational. [91412]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Over 600 responses have been received to the consultation draft of Planning Policy Guidance note 3 on Housing, which are now being analysed. I expect to issue the final version after the recess. In the meantime, the draft PPG3 can be cited as a material consideration in determining planning applications although it will have full effect only when the final version has been published.

  Post Bus Services
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the development of Post Bus services under the proposals for the reform of the Post Office. [91506]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Post Bus services are principally an operational matter for the Post Office. We recognise, however, that such services can provide important transport links for people in rural areas, and the Countryside Agency provides grants from the Rural Transport Development Fund towards the costs of starting up new Post Bus services in rural areas of England.

  Buses
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received regarding extensions to the 42-day notice period for bus service variations; and if he will pay compensation to operators compelled to continue running uneconomic services; [91478]

  (2) what studies he has commissioned into the commercial effects of repealing section 92(1) of the Transport Act 1985 or otherwise relaxing local authorities' duty not to inhibit competition in bus services; [91417]

  (3) what representations he has received regarding compensation for bus operators excluded from routes or areas under a re-regulated Quality Contract. [91418]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  These are among the matters on which we have consulted widely with the bus industry, local authorities and other interested parties in our publication "From Workhorse to Thoroughbred—A Better Role for Bus Travel". Several hundred responses have been received in total, and they will be carefully considered as we develop firm proposals.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to set national criteria for determining the social necessity of uncommercial passenger bus services. [91408]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. We intend that decisions about subsidising local bus services should remain a matter for the judgment of individual local authorities in the context of their local transport plans.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of 1999 rural bus challenge funds were allocated to projects in the(a) North West, (b) North East, (c) Yorkshire and the Humber, (d) West Midlands, (e) East Midlands, (f) Eastern, (g) South West and (h) South East Government Office regions. [91411]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The invitation to local authorities to submit bids for the 1999 Rural Bus Challenge was issued on 2 July. The closing date is 1 October 1999 and we expect to announce decisions by early December.
  386
  The breakdown of awards under last year's Rural Bus Challenge, as announced on 16 December 1998 are:

  Area

  £

  Percentage

  (a) North West

  1,154,510

  10

  (b) North East

  1,863,850

  16

  (c) Yorkshire and the Humber

  572,200

  5

  (d) West Midlands

  361,490

  3

  (e) East Midlands

  3,485,190

  31

  (f) Eastern

  1,646,850

  14

  (g) South West

  1,265,604

  11

  (h) South East

  1,069,000

  9

  Total

  11,418,694

  991

  1 Due to rounding

  Urban and Rural White Paper
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish (1) the Urban White Paper; [91393]

  (2) the Rural White Paper. [91392]

  Mr. Meale
  My right hon. Friend will publish the Urban and Rural White Paper when work has been completed. We expect this will be within the next twelve months.

  Pensioner Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the total cost to local authorities of introducing half-fare bus travel for all pensioners. [91449]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our estimate of the additional costs of introducing in England our proposed minimum standard for concessionary bus fares for pensioners is approximately £25 million a year.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the half-fare concessions scheme for pensioners will apply to forms of local passenger transport other than buses. [91410]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our proposal for a national minimum half-fare scheme for pensioners applies only to bus travel. It will remain open to local authorities to provide concessionary travel on other forms of local transport if they judge it right to do so in the light of their local policies and circumstances.

  Bus Drivers
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on driver recruitment for bus operators; and what plans he has to introduce new bus driver instruction regulations. [91489]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Ensuring that they have sufficient drivers to provide their services is primarily a matter for individual bus companies. We recognise however that there have been driver recruitment and retention difficulties in some areas and are discussing the issues involved with the industry and the relevant agencies.

  As stated in our policy document "From Workhorse to Thoroughbred: A Better Role for Bus Travel", we recognise the importance of driving standards and training. We intend to improve driving standards by

  387
  specifying a training syllabus for drivers and by introducing a statutory register of bus and coach driving instructors. We are holding discussions with the industry and intend to publish detailed proposals later this year.

  Quality Partnership
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what criteria he will use to evaluate the performance of Quality Partnership; [91322]

  (2) if employer-provided bus services will be required to meet Quality Partnership standards before being permitted to use Quality Partnership facilities. [91505]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It will be for local authorities to decide whether to introduce Statutory Quality Partnerships, once the legislation is in place, and to evaluate their effectiveness. Our proposals relate only to local bus services as defined in the Transport Act 1985.

  Quality Contracts
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how he will determine whether Quality Contracts are necessary in a local authority area; [91405]

  (2) how many Quality Contract pilot schemes he intends to approve, and when. [91323]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Quality Contracts for buses require primary legislation. As we said in our consultation document "From Workhorse to Thoroughbred—A Better Role for Bus Travel", we expect to give a very limited number of approvals initially to allow the Quality Contract approach to be tested. The broad criteria were set out in that document.

  Public Transport Timetables
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the national public transport timetable information system to be available. [91324]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Good progress is being made with the relevant parties, building on existing local and national information sources, including the National Rail Enquiry Service. We expect to be able to introduce a national, multi-modal information system in the course of next year.

  Household Waste
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many landfill sites(a) in Greater London and (b) outside Greater London receive household waste from Greater London. [91500]

  Mr. Meale
  This information is not available centrally. The Municipal Waste Survey collects data from waste disposal authorities about the amount of municipal waste sent to landfill, but does not collect information about the individual landfill sites used.

  Transmission Masts
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what national planning guidelines there are on the siting of transmission masts on schools and colleges; and if he will make a statement. [91501]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Planning policy guidance on telecommunications development is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (revised December 1992), supplemented by DETR Circular 4/99 "Planning for Telecommunications". In addition, my Department has published in March 1996 a Code of Best Practice for local planning authorities and telecommunications code system operators on telecommunications prior approval procedures as applied to mast/tower development.

  My Department has also issued for consultation the draft of a circular on land use planning and electro-magnetic fields (EMFs) prepared jointly with the Department of Health. The circular provides draft advice to local planning authorities in deciding applications for development giving rise to EMFs, such as telecommunications base stations. We are considering the responses received.

  Laboratory Accidents
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many accidents have been recorded in science laboratories in the last 10 years in(a) schools and (b) higher educational establishments. [91278]

  Mr. Meale
  The Health and Safety Executive's records for the years 1989–90 to 1998–99 show that there were 1,297 reportable accidents in school laboratories and 457 reportable accidents in laboratories in higher and further education establishments. These data include accidents to both students and employees.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the annual volume of carbon dioxide emissions which would be eliminated by the use of a 100MW tidal electric power plant. [91646]

  Mr. Meale
  A 100MW tidal electricity generating plant would make an annual carbon dioxide saving of between 80,000 and 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide depending upon the type of fossil fuel fired electricity generating plant displaced.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) English Partnerships and (b) Rural Development Commission offices (i) have closed and (ii) will close as a result of the creation of the regional development agencies. [91512]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: 14 offices were transferred from English Partnerships to the Regional Development Agencies on 1 April 1999 under

  389
  the Transfer Schemes made in accordance with the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. None of these has yet closed, but three are expected to do so.

  7 offices were transferred as assets from the Rural Development Commission to the Regional Development Agencies on 1 April 1999 under the Transfer Schemes. Three of these have closed and one other is expected to do so.

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the official engagements of each of his Ministers for the week beginning(a) Monday 12 July, (b) Monday 19 July and (c) Monday 26 July. [91527]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: It is not the normal practice of Governments to give details of forthcoming engagements.

  Regional Offices (Brussels)
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) regional development agencies and (b) regional chambers have offices in Brussels. [91516]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: Decisions on the establishment of offices in Brussels are a matter for the Regional Development Agencies and regional chambers themselves. I understand that no Agencies or regional chambers have dedicated offices in Brussels. However, two Agencies and two regional chambers share or have access to an office there.

  Regional Development Agencies (Relocation)
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) English Partnerships staff and (b) Rural Development Commission staff (i) have moved offices and (ii) will move offices as a result of the creation of the regional development agencies. [91513]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: Three hundred and seventy four staff transferred from English Partnerships to the Regional Development Agencies on 1 April 1999 under the Transfer Schemes made in accordance with the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. Of these staff, 61 have moved offices, and 43 others are expected to do so.

  One hundred and four staff transferred from the Rural Development Commission to the Regional Development Agencies on 1 April 1999 under the Transfer Schemes. Of these staff, 29 have moved offices, and 25 others are expected to do so.

  New Homes (Lancashire)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new homes were built in Lancashire in 1998. [91586]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 16 July 1999]: It is estimated that a total of 4,465 dwellings were completed in Lancashire in 1998.

  Planning
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to devolve powers to local authorities in relation to planning decisions. [91587]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 16 July 1999]: Most planning applications are determined by local authorities. My right hon. Friend has various powers in planning legislation. For example, he can make orders granting a general planning permission for specified categories of development and can make regulations setting fee levels for different types of application. Such powers are used primarily to ensure a consistent national approach to planning matters and we have no plans to devolve them to local authorities.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90676]

  Mr. Meale
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Eleven executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) sponsored by this Department have been wound-up since 1 May 1997; nine Urban Development Corporations (UDCs)— Birmingham Heartlands, Black Country, London Docklands, Merseyside, Plymouth, Trafford Park, Teesside and Tyne & Wear, which were wound-up on 30 June 1998, and Sheffield which was wound-up on 30 June 1997; North Hull Housing Action Trust was wound-up on 28 February 1999; and the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board was wound-up on 19 April 1999 and its functions were brought into DETR. In addition, the British Board of Agrement became an autonomous body, no longer classified as an NDPB, on 1 April 1999. Four advisory NDPBs have been wound up since 1 May 1997; the Assessment Panel for Construction Research wound up on 14 July 1997, the Advisory Committee on Plant and Machinery wound up on 14 May 1998, the Local Government Staff Commission (England) wound up on 12 May 1998, and the Export Action Group for Building Materials wound up on 31 May 1999.

  (b) The Rural Development Commission (RDC), which is non-operational at present, is due to be wound up in the Autumn of 1999.

  (c)(i) The RDC's programmes and most of its staff transferred to the Countryside Agency, which was formerly known as the Countryside Commission, and the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) on 1 April 1999; some of the functions and staff of English Partnerships also transferred to the RDAs on 1 April 1999; and the Commission for the New Towns was merged with English Partnerships, although the two bodies remain legally separate, on 1 April 1999 for operational purposes. (ii) No bodies have had their functions transferred to a democratically elected body.

  (d) Apart from the Countryside Agency, none have been renamed but continue to perform a similar function.

  (e) Details of other NDPBs in existence on 1 May 1997 sponsored by this Department are listed in "Public Bodies 1998".

  391
  Eight executive and six advisory NDPBs have been established since 1 May 1997. The eight executive bodies are the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs); One NorthEast, North West Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward, Advantage West Midlands, East Midlands Development Agency, East of England Development Agency, South West of England Regional Development Agency and South East England Development Agency. The six advisory NDPBs are the Commission for Integrated Transport, the Committee on Chemicals and Materials on Construction for use in Public Water Supplies and Swimming Pools, the Expert Group on Airborne Particles, the Expert Group on Cryptosporidium in Water Supplies, the Expert Panel on Sustainable Development Education, and the Zoos Forum. In addition, Docklands Light Railway was reclassified as an executive NDPB on 1 April 1998 to enable it to receive grant-in-aid direct from the Department following the wind-up of London Docklands Development Corporation.

  This Department currently sponsors 55 NDPBs—33 executive and 22 advisory bodies.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to sell 51 per cent. of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. [91854]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government issued a consultation document in October 1998 seeking views on our proposal for a public private partnership for NATS. The period for responses to that consultation has now closed and we are considering those received. We will make a detailed announcement on the way forward in due course.

  Aircraft Safety
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safety checks are made to guarantee the integrity of wiring in commercial aircraft. [91309]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Wiring installations are subject to detailed inspection and testing at the time of aircraft manufacture.

  Subsequently, the Civil Aviation Authority sets comprehensive maintenance requirements which ensure the continued airworthiness of all UK-registered commercial aircraft; this includes checks of the external physical appearance of wiring looms at scheduled intervals. In addition, electrical continuity checks are made on affected electrical circuits whenever modifications are made to the electrical system.

  Any serious faults in electrical wiring that occurred during aircraft operations would normally be detected because they are accompanied by system faults and warnings. In such cases, investigations will be made specifically directed at the relevant wiring. Individual electrical circuits are protected by automatic current limiting devices designed to isolate the associated circuit in the event of a current overload.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Kosovo
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is giving to the re-building of the civil administration in Kosovo; and if she will make a statement. [91293]

  Clare Short
  Our aim is to provide timely help to meet the basic safety and welfare needs of all Kosovars, while assisting in rapid stabilisation through the establishment of an effective and well-co-ordinated international civil administration. We provided a support package, including funds and equipment, to the UN Special Representative's Office. Through the World Health Organisation, we are helping the UN Mission in Kosovo to establish a central health administration. Our support includes experts, logistical support, essential equipment and supplies.

  The UN has recently requested qualified staff to build up the UN Civil Administration in Kosovo. The Government will shortly decide their response.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if she will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies her Department currently is responsible for. [90679]

  Clare Short
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) None.

  (b) The Crown Agents Holding & Realisation Board and the India Family Pension Funds Body of Commissioners are expected to be disbanded within the next year.

  (c)(i) None.

  (c)(ii) None.

  (d) None.

  (e) In addition to those listed at (b) the following bodies were in existence on 1 May 1997 and remain unchanged:

  The Advisory Committee on Overseas Economic and Social Research

  The Overseas Service Pensions Scheme Advisory Board The Know How Fund Advisory Board

  The Commonwealth Scholarships Commission in the United Kingdom.

  (f) One new body has been created since 1 May 1997—The Development Awareness Working Group.

  (g) My Department is currently responsible for seven non-departmental public bodies.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list for(a) her Department and (b) associated bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are

  393
  currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if she will indicate their (1) fuel types and (2) engine cubic capacities; how many of the vehicles due for replacement by (A) her Department and (B) associated bodies listed in the National Asset Register will be replaced in (x) 1999–2000, (y) 2000–1 and (z) 2001–2 by vehicles using (a1) petrol, (b2) diesel, (c3) natural gas, (d4) electric batteries and (e5) other; and how much her Department plans to spend in each year on vehicle replacements. [90690]

  Clare Short
  We own 50 vehicles used in the administration of the aid programme overseas. The other information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Church Investment
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how much of the Church's investment is in the defence and military hardware industries. [90234]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Commissioners do not invest in companies whose main business is the manufacture of armaments. The Commissioners' main investments in defence-related companies are presently in GEC and GKN. In addition, some of the companies in which the Commissioners hold shares may have small defence-related interests, ranging from electrical and electronic systems to engineering components, but these companies would not be described as military and certainly cannot be classified as armaments.

  Millennium Celebrations
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Commissioners are taking to support initiatives from the parochial ministry to celebrate the millennium. [90233]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  I would encourage every parish to take steps to mark the Millennium year as the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. Now that the funding for the Faith Zone at the Dome is secure, I hope my hon. Friend will encourage churches in his own constituency to see that, whatever happens at the Dome, local community activity is an essential part of a Christian marking of the Millennium. I understand from the Churches' Millennium Office that they are very encouraged by the level of activity in churches up and down the country.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published. [89694]
  394
  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: The Department conducts or commissions market or opinion research only when it is justified by the specific needs of a particular policy or programme and when this is the most economical, efficient and effective way to achieve the purpose. Consulting and involving the public helps inform both policy formulation and the delivery of better quality public services. Responsive public services are an important part of the Modernising Government initiative.

  For the available information, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply the then Minister of State, Home Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 23 February 1998, Official Report, column 50, and the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant) on 3 July 1998, Official Report, column 287. There are nine additional items to add to this list:

  1. A study of voter opinion looking into the possibility of introducing a Belgian style electoral system for elections to the European Parliament. The results from this research have been placed in the Library.

  2. Planning, development, tracking and measuring the effectiveness of publicity campaigns, including:

  (a) Fire Safety Attitude and Behaviour Monitor November 1998 (England and Wales).

  (b) Fire Safety Christmas 1998 Campaign Evaluation (January 1999).

  (c) A study of voter's experience in the recent European Parliamentary elections, including qualitative creative campaign development (March 1999) and Quantitative pre/post tracking (June 1999).

  (d) A study of Electoral Registration advertising involving quantitative campaign tracking before and after the campaign (July and October 1998).

  (e) Local Crime Reduction Partnerships advertising involving quantitative campaign evaluation (March 1999).

  This research was not published, but results may sometimes appear in press releases.

  3. National Fire Safety Centre Branding Research (June 1999).

  4. Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) staff survey, in two phases, to gauge staff perceptions of the organisation.

  5. Police Information Technology Organisation survey of police customers in England and Wales to establish a measure of the level of satisfaction with PITO's service. PITO's Annual Report for 1998–99, a copy of which is in the Library, reports the outcome under Performance against Key Performance Indicators.

  6. Quarterly analysis of United Kingdom Passport Agency Customer Service.

  7. Market research into clothing trends (October 1997) to investigate (by public opinion poll and other means) which trade names would encourage people to buy prison manufactured clothing.

  8. On-going focus group research with Young Offenders to learn about their background and experiences.

  9. Further 1999 Forensic Science staff survey published in the Forensic Science Service Magazine.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 May 1999,Official Report, column 156, on the private finance initiative, if he will list (i) the amounts by which the contract payments were reduced, (ii) the reason for each

  395
  reduction, (iii) the dates on which the reductions were made and (iv) the period of the contract they relate to; if he will list the decisions on further reductions in contract payments which are pending; and if he will make a statement. [90711]

  Description/amounts by which contract payment reduced

  Reasons for reduction

  Dates reduction made

  Contract period deductions relate to

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate

  £4.5 million

  Delay in delivering full implementation of programme

  Between 24 April 1996 and 31 March 1999

  24 April 1996–31 March 1999

  Medway Secure Training Centre

  1. £618,721

  1. Non-availability of places

  Between September 1998 and May 1999

  1. 18 July 1998–30 April 1999

  2. £61,161

  2. Failure to meet performance standards

  2. 17 April 1998–30 April 1999

  Data Capture (United Kingdom Passport Agency)

  £66,931 (service credits)

  1. Failure in systems availability (£47,235).

  March 1999

  5 October 1998–31 March 1999

  2. Accurancy errors in data passed to United Kingdom Passport Agency

  Manufacture of Digital Passports (United Kingdom Passport Agency)

  £4,489 (service credits)

  Faults in passport books

  Between 5 October 1998-to date

  5 October 1998-to date

  Altcourse Prison

  £28,089

  Failure to meet performance standards

  May 1998

  December 1997-February 1998

  Lowdham Grange Prison

  1.£702

  1. Unavailable place

  1. July 1998

  1. 14–22 June 1999

  2. £82,645

  2. Failure to meet performance standards

  2. Between October 1998 and March 1999

  2. June 1998-February 1999

  Parc Prison

  1. £54,782

  1. Failure to meet standard contract requirements

  1. March 1998

  1. February 1998

  2. £751,309

  2. Failure to meet specific performance standards

  2. Between May 1998 and October 1999

  2. 17 November 1997–30 November 1998

  3. £835

  3. Doubling cell occupation beyond permitted level

  3. Between August 1998 and June 1999

  3. July 1998-May 1999

  Prison PABX System

  £441,382

  Late delivery of systems

  Between April 1996 and October 1997

  April 1996-October 1997

  Of the contracts referred to in the table, further payment reductions are due to be implemented as follows:

  (a) Immigration and Nationality Directorate Case work Programme
  In response to the continued delay in full delivery of the programme, payments to the contractor will be made at a lower level until such time as delivery is complete.

  (b) Medway Secure Training Centre
  In response to failure in performance during the period 1 May 1999 to 31 July 1999, further payment reductions are due—amount yet to be determined.

  (c) Data Capture (United Kingdom Passports Agency)
  Further reductions relating to timeliness of delivery of data and system availability in respect of this contract are under negotiation.

  (d) Parc Prison
  Further reductions for double cell occupation and failure to meet performance standards for the period between 1 March 1999 and 30 June 1999 are due. Amount: £2,287.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department for written answer on a named
  396
  Mr. Straw
  The available information is as given the table.

  day between May 1997 and 14 April 1999; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that named day. [91065]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer to the reply given to you on 15 April,Official Report, column 316. A further 11 'Named Day' parliamentary questions were answered by my Department up to, and including, the 14 April 1999 and received a substantive reply on the day requested. This does not alter the figure of 75.4 per cent. as previously stated.

  Prisoners (Licence Period)
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the remission rates applied to prison sentences; and what monitoring his Department undertakes of remission rates in other European countries. [90989]

  Mr. Boateng
  Provisions in Part II of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 abolished remission. In the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 13 July,Official Report, column 109, I set out the new arrangements under the Act. We have no current plans to change these arrangements.
  397
  The Government do not currently monitor the release arrangements in other European countries. However, at its meeting in June, the Council of Europe's European Committee on Crime Problems mandated the Council on Penological Co-operation to examine
  the question of early (conditional) release (parole).

  Terms of reference for this examination have yet to be drawn up.

  Racial Incidents
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported racial incidents there were by region in each year since 1995; and how many led to a conviction. [91165]

  Mr. Straw
  Available information about the number of racist incidents recorded by each police force since 1995 is set out in the table. These are based on the Association of Chief Police Officers definition of a racial incident"any incident in which it appears to the reporting or investigating officer that the complaint involves an element of racial motivation; or any incident which includes an allegation of racial motivation made by any person."

  Last year, a breakdown of the number of racist incidents recorded by the police in each police area was included for the first time in the Home Office publication "Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System", a copy of which is in the Library. The statistics for 1998–99 will be published in the autumn.

  The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry recommended that these incidents are referred to as "racist" incidents and that simpler and clearer definition should be used;
  "A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person."

  The new definition was adopted by all police forces on 29 April 1999.

  Information on convictions arising from racist incidents is not available.

  The number of racist incidents recorded by each force in each year since 1995

  Forces

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Avon and Somerset

  286

  318

  310

  409

  Bedfordshire

  41

  43

  77

  75

  Cambridgeshire

  75

  160

  141

  147

  Cheshire

  62

  27

  92

  78

  City of London

  6

  2

  10

  6

  Cleveland

  62

  112

  68

  76

  Cumbria

  24

  27

  37

  46

  Derbyshire

  291

  192

  208

  174

  Devon and Cornwall

  44

  73

  82

  90

  Dorset

  37

  41

  67

  86

  Durham

  26

  23

  24

  37

  Dyfed-Powys

  3

  23

  18

  17

  Essex

  127

  178

  116

  160

  Gloucestershire

  37

  34

  34

  32

  Greater Manchester

  637

  776

  595

  624

  Gwent

  22

  32

  60

  45

  Hampshire

  210

  279

  178

  219

  Hertfordshire

  183

  234

  295

  288

  Humberside

  75

  58

  55

  72

  Kent

  173

  129

  256

  276

  Lancashire

  222

  320

  337

  311

  Leicestershire

  366

  270

  299

  237

  Lincolnshire

  2

  0

  7

  6

  Merseyside

  131

  130

  162

  241

  Metropolitan Police

  5,480

  5,011

  5,621

  5,862

  398

  The number of racist incidents recorded by each force in each year since 1995

  Forces

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Norfolk

  39

  41

  56

  89

  North Wales

  3

  5

  4

  12

  North Yorkshire

  30

  37

  43

  41

  Northampton

  146

  214

  195

  318

  Northumbria

  508

  475

  488

  444

  Nottinghamshire

  259

  362

  330

  391

  South Wales

  517

  443

  357

  367

  South Yorkshire

  156

  194

  169

  213

  Staffordshire

  164

  253

  225

  214

  Suffolk

  73

  74

  74

  54

  Surrey

  39

  77

  55

  45

  Sussex

  247

  263

  260

  298

  Thames Valley

  233

  266

  233

  279

  Warwickshire

  114

  99

  66

  107

  West Mercia

  35

  46

  64

  57

  West Midlands

  375

  489

  725

  632

  West Yorkshire

  254

  355

  623

  644

  Wiltshire

  64

  37

  35

  59

  England and Wales

  Total

  11,878

  12,222

  13,151

  13,878

  Freedom of Information
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from organisations concerned with health and safety on the draft Freedom of Information Bill. [90809]

  Mr. Straw
  Up to and including 12 July 1999 I had received one representation on the draft Freedom of Information Bill from an organisation concerned with health and safety. This was from the Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive (dated 7 July) and was a contribution to the public consultation exercise.

  The Health and Safety Commission/Executive expressed views primarily on the extent and nature of the exemptions.

  When the pre-legislative scrutiny and public consultation exercise have been completed, the Government will respond to the reports of the Select Committees and the submissions of the consultees. Consultation responses will be made publicly available at this time.

  Police Numbers (Sussex)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in Sussex in(a) May 1997 and (b) May 1999. [91450]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on police numbers is collected twice a year, in March and September. The information available is set out in the table:

  Date

  Number of officers

  31 March 1997

  3,085

  31 March 1999

  2,847

  The number of police officers in each force is a matter for local determination by the chief constable and the police authority. It is for chief officers to decide on the

  399
  balance between numbers of police officers and civilian support staff. The Sussex Police increased civilian numbers by 244 between March 1997 and March 1999.

  Transsexuals
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) of 14 April 1999,Official Report, column 257, what representations he has received regarding the working group on the status of transsexual people; what meetings he and his officials have had with groups representing transsexual people; and what plans he has made for such meetings in the future. [91294]

  Mr. Straw
  The Working Group on Transsexual People invited written submissions from interested parties. To date it has received representations from 10 organisations and 28 members of the public. A number of hon. Members have also written to me about the work of the Group. In addition, the Minister of State, Home Office, my right hon. Friend, Lord Williams of Mostyn, had a meeting with Susan Marshall, Vice-President of Press for Change, on 13 July. Consideration will be given to further meetings as appropriate.

  M4 Bus Lane
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 1999,Official Report, column 325, on the M4 bus lane, when information on the number of motorists that have been (a) charged and (b) cautioned for using the new bus lane on the M4 will be made available. [91409]

  Mr. Boateng
  The statistics collected centrally do not contain the location of offences and, therefore, offences committed on particular roads cannot be identified.

  I understand from the Metropolitan Police that they do not routinely keep statistics at this level of detail either, and have no plans to do so.

  Trials
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the last five years for which figures are available, of those defendants who pleaded not guilty at(a) the Crown Court and (b) the magistrates court, how many were acquitted and how many convicted. [91396]

  Mr. Boateng
  The table shows, in respect of cases handled by the Crown Prosecution Service, the outcome of contested hearings following a plea of not guilty in the Crown Court and in magistrates courts for each of the last five years. The table also shows the number of defendants convicted and acquitted, and expresses these as a proportion of all contested hearings.

  Crown Court—contested hearings

  Year ending March

  Convictions after trial

  Acquittals

  1995

  11,511

  8,462

  1996

  12,358

  8,399

  1997

  11,982

  8,012

  1998

  13,413

  9,012

  1999

  11,561

  8,668

  400

  Magistrates courts—contested hearings

  Year ending March

  Convictions after trial

  Dismissals

  1995

  72,307

  20,997

  1996

  61,417

  18,637

  1997

  53,393

  17,769

  1998

  53,702

  18,407

  1999

  47,889

  17,181

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned into the respective(a) rates of conviction, (b) levels of sentencing upon conviction following a plea of not guilty between (i) stipendiary and (ii) lay magistrates and (c) the levels of sentencing upon conviction following a plea of not guilty of (i) judges in the Crown Court, (ii) stipendiary and (iii) lay magistrates; and if he will publish it. [91397]

  Mr. Boateng
  Research is being commissioned jointly by the Home Office and the Lord Chancellor's Department to assess the relative costs, effectiveness and other benefits/disadvantages of stipendiary and lay magistrates. This will look, inter alia, at conviction rates and sentencing patterns, although it is unlikely that it will seek to distinguish between sentencing in contested and guilty plea cases. Some information about differences between sentencing by lay and stipendiary magistrates is to be found in "Sentencing Practice: an examination of decisions in magistrates courts and the Crown Court in the mid-1990's" by Flood-Page and Mackie (1998, Home Office Research Study No. 180), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Statistical data are available on the type of sentence, including length of custody, received by defendants in the Crown Court for various offence groups by type of plea. These are to be found in Table 7E of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 1997" (Home Office, 1998) a copy of which is in the Library. Data by plea are not yet available from magistrates courts.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the last five years for which figures are available, how many defendants have elected trial by(a) jury and (b) magistrates; and what proportion of defendants charged with either way offences (a) and (b) represent. [91395]

  Mr. Boateng
  The table shows, in respect of proceedings handled by the Crown Prosecution Service, the number of defendants charged with either way offences who elected trial by jury. These figures are also expressed as a percentage of all either way cases dealt with at the Crown Court.

  The table also shows the number of defendants charged with either way offences who consented to summary trial, and whose case proceeded to a contested hearing in magistrates courts. However, the Crown Prosecution Service maintains no separate record of either way proceedings dealt with in magistrates' courts by way of a guilty plea.
  401

  Crown Court

  Year ending March

  Either way-defendant elections

  As percentage of either way cases

  1995

  26,612

  34.2

  1996

  24,768

  33.1

  1997

  21,472

  30.5

  1998

  21,653

  27.9

  1999

  18,391

  29.4

  Magistrates Courts

  Year ending March

  Either way cases contested

  1995

  33,273

  1996

  27,057

  1997

  24,422

  1998

  25,693

  1999

  24,004

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of offences triable either way, what was, for the last five years for which figures are available, the average period between the plea of not guilty and the trial in(a) the Crown Court and (b) the magistrates courts [91398]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information on the time taken to deal with proceedings in the Crown Court and the magistrates court is not collected in a way which allows offences triable either way to be separately identified.

  The Court Service collects data on the average time between committal and arraignment or start of trial in the Crown Court. Table A shows the average time in the Crown Court from committal to start of trial for defendants pleading not guilty from 1994 to 1998. These data include both either way and indictable only cases.

  The Lord Chancellor's Department Time Intervals Survey collects data on the duration of criminal cases completed in magistrates courts in sample weeks in February, June and October. The interval between a plea of not guilty and the trial is not separately identified. Table B gives the average number of days from first appearance or mode of trial decision to verdict for defendants pleading not guilty in indictable and triable either way cases in magistrates courts from 1994 to 1998.

  Table A: Crown Court: England and Wales: Average time from committal to start of trial for defendants pleading not guilty, 1994 to 1998

  Year

  Average number of weeks from committal to start of trial

  1994

  21.4

  1995

  21.3

  1996

  19.1

  1997

  18.2

  1998

  18.4

  Note:

  Excludes bench warrants issued, no plea recorded, indictment to lie on file and found unfit to plead

  Source:

  Judicial Statistics
  402

  Table B: Magistrates courts: England and Wales: Average time from first appearance or mode of trial decision to verdict for defendants pleading not guilty in indictable and triable either way cases, 1994 to 1998

  Year

  Average number of days from first appearance or mode of trial decision to verdict

  1994

  68

  1995

  73

  1996

  73

  1997

  73

  1998

  72

  Notes:

  1. The date of first appearance is recorded for defendants in indictable only cases, whereas the date on mode of trial decision is recorded for defendants in triable either way cases.

  2. The date of verdict includes finding of guilt, information dismissed and committed for trial, among other decisions.

  3. Cases where offence to charge was over 10 years, or where charge to first listing or first listing to completion was over 1 year, are excluded from the analysis.

  Source:

  Lord Chancellor's Department Time Intervals Survey

  Human Rights Act 1998
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Human Rights Act 1998 comes into effect in(a) Wales and (b) Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [91687]

  Mr. Straw
  We plan to bring the remaining provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 into force throughout the United Kingdom on 2 October 2000. However, under devolution legislation already in force, the Scottish Parliament and Executive of the Welsh Assembly may not lawfully act in a manner incompatible with convention rights.

  Holocaust Remembrance Day
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress on the proposed consultation on plans for Holocaust Remembrance Day. [91692]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 16 July 1999]: Home Office officials have been working with colleagues from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Education and Employment; and representatives of the British Board of Deputies and the Holocaust Trust, among others, to develop a proposal for a Holocaust Remembrance Day. This proposal will be the subject of wide consultation shortly.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been

  403
  established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90670]

  Mr. Straw
  Since 1 May 1997, two non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), sponsored by my Department, have been disbanded—the Advisory Committee on Service Candidates (disbanded on 31 July 1998) and the Crime Prevention Agency Board (disbanded on 12 January 1999). During the next 12 months, I expect that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the Metropolitan Police Committee will be disbanded.

  No Home Office NDPB has had its functions transferred either to another NDPB or a democratically elected body, and none has continued to perform a similar function under a different name.

  Details of all NDPBs in existence on 1 May 1997, sponsored by my Department, are listed in "Public Bodies 1997". Since that date, we have established as NDPBs the Police Information Technology Organisation, the Race Relations Forum, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, the Office of the Surveillance Commissioners and the Sentencing Advisory Panel.

  Although the Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective, some of the new NDPBs established since 1 May are essential in helping the Government deliver their Manifesto commitments.

  My Department is currently responsible for 36 NDPBs, plus 134 Boards of Visitors to Penal Establishments.

  Firearms Compensation
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many claims for compensation under the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1997 Compensation Scheme(a) have been paid and (b) remain outstanding; [91852]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the value of claims under the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1997 Compensation Scheme (a) already paid and (b) still outstanding. [91853]

  Mr. Boateng
  11,813 claims have been paid under the Compensation Scheme for small-calibre pistols at a cost of £6,144,557.22. A total of 334 claims remain outstanding under the small-calibre scheme. Given the payments made so far, the estimated value of the remaining claims is in the region of £174,000.

  Electoral Registers
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals his Working Party on Electoral Procedures has made in relation to access by political parties to the full Electoral Register. [91857]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In its summary of recommendations, a copy of which is in the Library, the Working Party have proposed that the full register should continue to be available to electoral users as at present. This would include the names of those persons who choose to be excluded from the register that is made commercially available.
  404
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many responses he has received from business and charitable organisations to his consultation on the commercial sale of the Electoral Register. [91856]

  Mr. George Howarth
  As at 15 July, we had received a total of 99 individual written responses from 87 organisations working in the business and charitable sectors.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has placed on the Internet the responses to his consultation on the commercial sale of the Electoral Register, and publicised their existence, in accordance with the Cabinet Office guide on written consultation exercises. [91855]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The press release on 3 August 1998 which publicised the consultation was placed on the Internet. The summary of recommendations of the Working Party on Electoral Procedures, which includes recommendations about sale of the register, is being published on the Internet. The Working Party's final report will also appear there in due course. The Cabinet Office guide does not require the publication of responses to consultation exercises.

  UK Passport Agency
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the relocation of the London Passport Office and Passport Agency headquarters. [91812]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The United Kingdom Passport Agency has been looking at options to relocate its Headquarters and the London Passport Office to improved accommodation elsewhere in London. A property has been identified—Bridge Place, 89 Eccleston square, Victoria which is currently on the Government Estate. Under the Passport Agency's Framework Document, it is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to approve any changes in office locations, and the Agency will be discussing whether he will approve the proposals shortly.

  Health Care (Prisons)
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Prison Service will publish its proposed prison service instruction on complementary and alternative medicine. [91809]

  Mr. George Howarth
  A Prison Service Instruction is expected to be issued to prison establishments within the next three months, after consideration by senior Prison Service managers.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the composition and aims of the joint Prison Service/NHS health care policy and executive units. [91804]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The aims, objectives and composition of the new joint Prison Service/NHS Executive Prison Health Policy Unit and the Prison Health Care Taskforce are set out in framework documents. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.
  405
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to restrict the alternative and complementary medical treatments currently available in prisons and young offenders institutions; and if he will make a statement; [91807]

  (2) which (a) prisons and (b) young offender institutions currently employ complementary and alternative medical practitioners; and what plans he has to change the arrangements for offering such services in prisons; [91806]

  (3) what plans he has to reduce the current treatment modalities available through complementary medical services to prisoners at Her Majesty's Prisons Coldingley and Downview and Young Offenders Institution Feltham; and if he will make a statement. [91803]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government have accepted the recommendations of the joint Prison Service and NHS Executive Working Group on the future of prison health care, in particular that health care provision should be jointly planned and organised with the NHS according to formal health needs assessments. This means that complementary or alternative treatments, as is the case of other treatments, will only be made available on the recommendation of a prison doctor after he or she has taken account of an individual prisoner's health needs, and the demands upon available resources for other health services. Complementary and alternative treatments will not be given priority.

  In keeping with the Prison Service's duty of care, and the need to ensure that treatments being made available are safe, effective, appropriate to the custodial context and conducive to the orderly running of prisons, treatments other than acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic, yoga and meditation will only be made available in circumstances where a good case can be shown, following the approval of the Prison Service's director of health care.

  Complementary ana alternative inerapies avaiiaoie at prison estaoiisnments

  Prison

  Auricular acupuncture

  Aromatherapy

  Reflexology

  Movement therapy

  Herbal remedies

  Massage

  Osteopathy

  Chiropractic

  Meditation

  Relaxation therapy

  Aldrington

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Altcourse

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Bedford

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Blakenhurst

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Blundeston

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Brinsford

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Bristol

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Brixton

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  Brackhill

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Buckley

  Hall

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Canterbury

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Channings

  Wood

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Coldingley

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  Dartmoor

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Dorchester

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Dover

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Downview

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  Durham

  yes

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Erlestoke

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  Exeter

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Featherstone

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  406
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sole practitioners currently provide complementary and alternative medical treatments in Her Majesty's Prisons and Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institutions. [91811]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information is not available in the form requested. A survey of prison establishments completed in December 1998 showed that complementary and alternative treatments were provided by individual members of prison staff or sole practitioners from the public or private sectors at 44 Prison Service establishments.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the service providers currently offering complementary and alternative medical treatments in Her Majesty's Prisons and Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institutions. [91802]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Complementary and alternative medical treatments are currently known to be provided by: Complementary Medical Services for Prisoners (CMSP) at Coldingley and Downview prisons and at Feltham Young Offender Institution; by drugs project teams at Blakenhurst, Dartmoor, Gloucester, Leyhill and Standford Hill prisons; by individual practitioners at Buckley Hall, Dorchester, Durham, High Down and Holme House prisons; and by members of staff, including health-care staff, at Bedford, Blundeston, Brixton, Brockhill, Buckley Hall, Cookham Wood, Dartmoor, Dorchester, Dover, Erlestoke, Featherstone, Gartree, Gloucester, Hewell Grange, High Down, Highpoint, Hollesley Bay, Lancaster Castle, Leeds, Portland, Styal, Sudbury, Swansea and Weare prisons.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the complementary and alternative medical therapies offered in Her Majesty's Prisons and Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institutions, indicating the establishments in which they are offered. [91810]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The table shows the results of a survey carried out in December 1998 that indicated which establishments then provided each of the major complementary and alternative therapies.
  407

  Complementary ana alternative inerapies avaiiaoie at prison estaoiisnments

  Prison

  Auricular acupuncture

  Aromatherapy

  Reflexology

  Movement therapy

  Herbal remedies

  Massage

  Osteopathy

  Chiropractic

  Meditation

  Relaxation therapy

  Feltham

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  Foston Hall

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  Full Sutton

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  Gartree

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Gloucester

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Hewell

  Grange

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  High Down

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  High Point

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  Hollesley

  Bay

  yes

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  Holloway

  yes

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Holme

  House

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Lancaster

  Castle

  yes

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Leghill

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Long Larten

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Nottingham

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Portland

  yes

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Shepton

  Mallet

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Stafford

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Standford

  Hill

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Styal

  -

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  Sudbury

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Swansea

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Swinfen

  Hall

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Wealston

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Weare

  yes

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Wellingborough

  yes

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of Her Majesty's Prisons and Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institutions have applied for the Medical Directorate to establish a Complementary Medical Service for Prisoners unit; and if he will make a statement. [91808]

  Mr. George Howarth
  No applications to establish such units have been received by the Prison Service directorate of health care.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications were received from(a) Serbia and (b) Colombia in 1998; and how many of the applications (i) were agreed, (ii) were refused and (iii) await decision; and if he will make a statement. [88835]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [pursuant to his reply, 30 June 1998, c.192]: The table referred to asylum applications for nationals of Colombia for 1997, and not 1998 as requested. The figures for Columbia for 1998 are given in the table.

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2 3 for nationals of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Columbia, 1998

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  Colombia

  Applications received

  7,395

  425

  Total decisions

  1,570

  1,020

  Of which:

  Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum

  935

  150

  408

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2 3 for nationals of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Columbia, 1998

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  Columbia

  Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave

  75

  60

  Refused asylum and exceptional leave

  565

  810

  Applications outstanding at end of year4

  7,700

  1,620

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest five.

  2 Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

  3 Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications made in 1998.

  4 Estimated figures.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Oncologists
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the number of clinical and medical oncologists per 100,000 population for each health authority in Northern Ireland. [90807]

  Mr. McFall
  In the Northern Ireland Health and Personal Social Services, all clinical and medical oncologists are based within the Eastern Health and Social Services Board area, however they provide a regional service for the whole of Northern Ireland. At 30 September 1998, the relevant staff figures for Northern Ireland were 0.87 clinical oncology staff and 0.25 medical oncology staff per 100,000 of the population.

  Stroke Units
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the existing stroke units in Northern Health Board general hospitals which treat clients(a) in the acute phase, (b) in the rehabilitation phase and (c) in both; and in each case, what age criteria apply to admissions to the units. [90997]

  Mr. McFall
  Stroke patients in the acute phase are admitted to the stroke unit at Braid Valley, the Medical Admission Unit at Antrim Hospital, or the Acute Medical Wards in Coleraine, Whiteabbey and Mid-Ulster Hospitals.

  Patients in the rehabilitation phase receive care in the Stroke Unit at Braid Valley Hospital, or the assessment and Rehabilitation wards at Coleraine, Whiteabbey and Mid-Ulster Hospitals.

  There is no age criterion in any of the units providing treatment for stroke patients.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which general hospitals within the Northern Health Board have specialised stroke units; what plans there are to establish units where none presently exist; and what are the target dates for such plans. [91082]

  Mr. McFall
  There is one specialised stroke unit within the Northern Health and Social Services Board area, located at Braid Valley Hospital in Ballymena. Antrim Hospital has six designated stroke beds. There are no dedicated stroke units at Whiteabbey, Mid-Ulster or Coleraine Hospitals.

  It is anticipated that a fully specialised stroke unit will be developed at the new Causeway Hospital when it opens in November 2000.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the health boards have a written policy on the management and rehabilitation of strokes. [90998]

  Mr. McFall
  All four Health and Social Services Boards have written policies on stroke services.

  Fair Employment
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the latest figures from the Fair Employment Commission on the Post Office in Northern Ireland(a) in total and (b) in the head office in Tombe Street, Belfast, giving the numbers currently employed who are (i) Protestants, (ii) Roman Catholics and (iii) not defined. [90999]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Post Office in Northern Ireland is registered with the Fair Employment Commission as part of Royal Mail Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  The monitoring information for Royal Mail Scotland and Northern Ireland includes employees working in Northern Ireland in the Royal Mail, Post Office Counters Ltd., Parcelforce Worldwide, Subscription Services Ltd. and Group Centre. Annual monitoring returns do not include data for individual locations.
  410
  The composition of the Northern Ireland work force of Royal Mail Scotland and Northern Ireland in January 1998 was:

  Protestant—2,091 (53.3 per cent.)

  Roman Catholics—1,834 (46.7 per cent.)

  Non-determined—163.

  Cockles
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to prevent the destruction of the Zostera beds of Strangford Lough by mechanised cockle harvesting; and if she will make a statement. [91255]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Environment and Heritage Service under its acting Chief Executive, Mr. J. R. Lamont. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from J. S. Faulkner to Mr. Lembit Öpik, dated 15 July 1999:
  As Acting Chief Executive of the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), I am responsible for operational aspects of the conservation of statutory nature conservation sites in Northern Ireland. Although question No 873 involves the exploitation of a fishery for commercial purposes, your concern relates primarily to nature conservation and I have therefore been asked to reply on behalf of EHS and the Fisheries Division of the Department of Agriculture.
  A Court case in 1997 between the National Trust and a shellfish collector operating in Strangford Lough resulted in a judgment that this activity was a common law right and as such was not subject to control through the Trust's byelaws. Those engaged in shellfish collecting are currently seeking to have large areas at the north end of the Lough classified for the purpose of harvesting wild shellfish. This decision rests with the Eastern Group Environmental Health Committee as it relates solely to public health. At least one area has recently been classified and it is understood that harvesting of cockles with the aid of a tractor-mounted dredger will commence shortly.
  EHS has recently commissioned a literature review to determine the likely effects of mechanised cockle harvesting within Strangford Lough. This has revealed that the impact of tractor dredging on intertidal flora and fauna may depend on a number of factors, such as the time of year and the nature of the sediments. It is clear, however, that it can potentially be extremely damaging to beds of Zostera which are an important source of food for overwintering waterfowl within Strangford Lough.
  Despite the designation of the intertidal area of the Lough as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA), EHS cannot currently prevent the mechanical harvesting of shellfish from taking place. This is because those engaged in shellfish collecting are not lawful owners or occupiers of the foreshore but are operating under a common law right. EHS could introduce byelaws under the Habitats Regulations but this would be a lengthy process involving public consultation and would almost certainly be challenged by those intent on collecting shellfish.
  The Department of Agriculture also has no powers at present to regulate the gathering of shellfish from the intertidal zone in Strangford Lough. In view of recent developments, however, the Department is proposing to introduce new primary legislation as quickly as possible to enable it to regulate fisheries in the intertidal zone around the entire Northern Ireland coastline.
  I trust that you will appreciate from the above that the two Departments are aware of the potential seriousness of unregulated shellfish harvesting in Strangford Lough. Neither Department, however, may be able to prevent it taking place in the short term.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if she will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90793]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) NDPBs disbanded since 1 March 1997:

  1. NI Citizen's Charter Advisory panel on 2 May 1997

  2. Ulster Folk & Transport Museum on 31 March 1998

  3. Ulster Museum on 31 March 1998

  4. North Down & Ards Community HSS Trust on 31 March 1998

  5. Ulster, North Down & Ards Hospital HSS Trust on 31 March 1998

  6. Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights on 28 February 1999

  (b) NDPBs which will be disbanded in the next 12 months:

  1. Commission for Racial Equality in NI1

  2. Fair Employment Commission1

  3. Equal Opportunities Commission1

  4. NI Disability Council1

  5. Independent Commission Police Complaints

  1 The functions of these bodies will be assumed by a new Equality Commission

  (c) NDPBs which have had their functions transferred to:
  (i) another NDPB
  The functions of the North Down & Ards Community HSS Trust and the Ulster, North Down & Ards Hospital HSS Trust were transferred to the Ulster Community & Hospitals HSS Trust with effect from 1 April 1998;
  Ulster Folk and Transport Museums, and Ulster Museum were transferred to the National Museums & Galleries of Northern Ireland with effect from 1 April 1998;
  The Health and Safety Agency for NI was transferred to the Health and Safety Executive for NI with effect from 1 April 1999.
  (ii) A democratically elected body (naming the relevant successor body): None.

  (d) NDPBs which have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role:
  Rathgael & Whiteabbey Training Schools Management Board became the Juvenile Justice Board with effect from 1 August 1998
  The Health and Safety Agency was renamed the Health and Safety Executive for NI with effect from 1 April 1999 and now performs a wider role.

  (e) Details of all other NDPBs in existence on 1 May 1997 are listed in Public Bodies 1998.
  412
  (f) New NDPBs which have been established since 1 May 1997:
  The Community & Hospitals HSS Trust with effect from I April 1998
  Commission for Racial Equality in Northern Ireland with effect from 29 July 1997
  National Museums & Galleries of Northern Ireland with effect from 1 April 1998
  NI Human Rights Commission with effect from 1 March 1999

  (g) The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is currently responsible for 122 Non Departmental Public Bodies.

HEALTH

  Hospital Sports Sites
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital sports sites have been granted planning permission since 1 May 1997. [88495]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he has had with the General Dental Council regarding their jurisdiction in assessing whether a dentist meets minimum standards of practice; [90414]

  (2) what plans he has to review the statutory responsibilities of the General Dental Council in respect of the professional conduct of dentists. [90415]

  Mr. Denham
  The General Dental Council has proposed that it is empowered to test and identify dentists who demonstrate a consistently poor standard of performance (but are not suspected of serious professional misconduct). We have welcomed these proposals and intend to use Section 60 of the Health Act 1999 to make the necessary amendments to the Dentists Act 1984.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has made to the General Dental Council in respect of the adequacy of its procedures for dealing with serious professional misconduct. [90842]

  Mr. Denham
  We have full confidence in the General Dental Council's handling of serious professional misconduct cases, but it has let us know that hearing these cases is making heavy demands of the six lay members on the Council. Accordingly we will shortly be acting on the Council's proposal that its lay membership be increased to 12.

  NHS Site Sales
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the sites owned by the National Health Service which the NHS Executive is seeking planning permission for housing developments and the current status of each application. [90742]

  Mr. Denham
  A list of sites owned by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for which planning permission for housing development is being sought is given in the table. The list includes the current status of each application.
  413
  This list does not include sites owned by National Health Service trusts, since they would themselves be seeking planning permission, not the NHS Executive. Information relating to NHS trusts could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Region

  Current status of planning applications

  Eastern

  Hill End Hospital

  1-

  Runwell Hospital, Wickford

  1-

  Colchester sites

  1-

  Heath Hospital, Tendring

  1-

  Goston Manor, Watford

  1-

  Cassell Hospital, Richmond

  1-

  Queens Hospital, Croydon

  2-

  Bexley Hospital, Bexley

  1-

  Napsbury Hospital, Herts

  3-

  South East

  Lord Mayor Treloar, Alton

  1-

  Land at Graylingwell, Chichester

  1-

  Land at Haywards Heath

  1-

  Land at Southlands, Worthing

  1-

  Milford Hospital, Milford

  1-

  Mabledon Hospital, Dartford

  1-

  South West

  Pewsey Hospital, Pewsey

  1-

  Part Exminster Hospital, Exminster

  1-

  St. Anne's, Bournemouth

  2-

  St. Leonard's Hospital, Ringwood

  1-

  Henham Hall Hospital, Avon

  3-

  St. Margarets Hospital, Swindon

  1-

  PEOH, Exeter

  1-

  West Midlands

  Stollington, Staffordshire

  1-

  Chelmsley Hospital, Marston Green

  1-

  North West

  Florence Nightingale Hospital, Bury

  1-

  Lancaster Moor Hospital, Lancaster

  1-

  Whittingham Hospital, Preston

  3-

  Trent

  Manor/Kingsway, S. Derby

  1-

  Rauceby Hospital, Rauceby

  1-

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Newton Aycliffe Hospital

  1-

  Northowram Hospital, Northowram

  1-

  Seacroft Hospital, Leeds

  1-

  Middleston Hospital

  1-

  Rawcliffe Hall Hospital

  1-

  St. George's Hospital, Morpeth

  1-

  St. Mary's Hospital, Stannington

  1-

  Cherry Knowle Hospital, Ryhope

  1-

  1 A planning application has been made, and determination by the local planning authority is awaited.

  2 The local planning authority has resolved to approve the application subject to conditions including Section 106 planning obligations which are now being negotiated.

  3 The planning application is subject of an appeal, the outcome of which is awaited.

  Pen Needles
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the availability on the NHS of pen needles for children with diabetes. [90811]
  414
  Mr. Denham
  We have consulted on proposals which would allow insulin pen needles to be prescribed by general practitioners on the National Health Service for both adults and children. We have received representations from most of the organisations consulted. We are considering them, and are seeking clarification on certain points before we make our final decisions.

  Oncologists
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each OECD country the number of clinical and medical oncologists per 100,000 population; and if he will make a statement. [90804]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of clinical and medical oncologists per 100,000 population for each health authority in England. [90803]

  Mr. Denham
  The latest available information is shown in the table.

  Number of hospital medical staff in medical and clinical oncology specialties by health authority per 100,000 population in England at 30 September 1998

  Health authority

  Number

  Per 100,000

  England

  1,000

  2.0

  Avon

  20

  2.3

  Barking and Havering

  10

  1.8

  Barnet

  0

  0.3

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0.9

  Berkshire

  10

  1.2

  Bexley and Greenwich

  0

  0.2

  Birmingham

  50

  4.9

  Bradford

  10

  1.6

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0.1

  Bury and Rochdale

  0

  0.3

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  0

  0.5

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  30

  7.3

  Camden and Islington

  50

  12.5

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  0

  0.2

  Coventry

  10

  4.2

  Dorset

  20

  2.9

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  0

  0.3

  East and North Hertfordshire

  0

  0.4

  East Kent

  10

  1.5

  East London and The City

  30

  5.2

  East Norfolk

  10

  1.3

  East Riding

  10

  1.2

  East Surrey

  0

  0.5

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  10

  1.6

  Enfield and Haringey

  20

  3.5

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  0

  0.8

  Gloucestershire

  20

  3.4

  Hillingdon

  40

  17.0

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  120

  33.2

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  30

  4.2

  Leeds

  50

  7.4

  Leicestershire

  20

  1.7

  Lincolnshire

  10

  1.8

  Liverpool

  0

  0.2

  Manchester

  60

  14.2

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  10

  2.2

  Morecambe Bay

  0

  1.3

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  30

  7.2

  415

  Number of hospital medical staff in medical and clinical oncology specialties by health authority per 100,000 population in England at 30 September 1998

  Health authority

  Number

  Per 100,000

  North Cumbria

  10

  1.9

  North Essex

  10

  1.3

  North Nottinghamshire

  0

  0.5

  North Staffordshire

  10

  1.9

  North West Anglia

  0

  1.2

  North West Lancashire

  10

  2.1

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0.1

  Northamptonshire

  10

  1.3

  Northumberland

  0

  0.3

  Nottingham

  20

  2.8

  Oxfordshire

  30

  5.1

  Portsmouth and South East

  Hampshire

  10

  1.8

  Salford and Trafford

  0

  1.1

  Sandwell

  0

  0.3

  Sheffield

  30

  5.7

  Shropshire

  0

  0.7

  Somerset

  0

  0.6

  South and West Devon

  20

  4.0

  South Cheshire

  0

  0.1

  South Derbyshire

  10

  1.1

  South Essex

  10

  1.3

  South Humber

  0

  0.6

  South Lancashire

  0

  0.3

  South Staffordshire

  0

  0.5

  Southampton and South West

  Hampshire

  30

  5.0

  Suffolk

  10

  1.0

  Tees

  10

  1.8

  Warwickshire

  0

  0.2

  West Kent

  10

  1.0

  West Surrey

  20

  2.7

  Wiltshire

  10

  1.7

  Wirral

  30

  9.8

  Wolverhampton

  10

  3.3

  Worcestershire

  0

  0.7

  Notes:

  1. Figures rounded to nearest 10

  2. '0' denotes 5 or less

  3. Population per 100,000 calculated on unrounded figures

  4. Population per 100,000 figures based on 1998 projections

  5. Some doctors work in more than one health authority, but are only recorded once in the England total—hence the England figure is smaller than the total of health authority figures

  Sources:

  Department of Health HCHS Medical and Dental Workforce Census;

  Office for National Statistics mid-year population estimates.

  Pensioners (Free Treatment)
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the annual cost of extending free optical and dental treatment to all state pensioners. [90698]

  Mr. Denham
  From 1April everyone aged 60 and over has been eligible for free National Health Service sight tests. If this group were also made eligible for spectacle vouchers, regardless of income, the additional cost would be about £100 million per annum. Hospital optical treatment is provided free of charge to all NHS patients. The annual cost of extending free dental treatment to all state pensioners is estimated at a minimum of about £100 million assuming no increase in the volume of dental services provided to this age group.

  Severalls Hospital, Colchester
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will name the company to which it is intended to sell the former Severalls Hospital at Colchester; at what price it is to be sold; and when he expects the sale to be completed. [90707]

  Mr. Denham
  No contracts for sale have yet been signed nor have solicitors been instructed to draw up a contract. Discussions for a potential sale are continuing with terms yet to be agreed. It would be prejudicial at this stage to name the parties with whom negotiations are being conducted or to disclose terms of a potential sale including expectations on price or value. Parts of Severall Hospital are, of course, occupied for National Health Service needs and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

  If negotiations are successful, completion could be by early 2000.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90669]

  Ms Jowell
  Of the non-Departmental public bodies (NDPBs) in existence on 1 May 1997:(a) the Advisory Committee on Design Quality in the National Health Service was abolished on 20 July 1998, the Royal Commission on Long Term Care was abolished on 1 May 1999, and the Standing Committee on Postgraduate Medical Education was abolished on 1 April 1999; (b) The Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing, the Human Genetics Advisory Commission and the Clinical Standards Advisory Group will be disbanded in the next 12 months. The Central Council on Education and Training for Social Work (an executive NDPB) will be abolished by 31 March 2001; (c) None has had their functions transferred (i) to another non-departmental public body or (ii) to a democratically elected body; and (d) none has been re-named.

  Since 1 May 1997 the following NDPBs have been established: the Royal Commission on Long Term Care of the Elderly (now abolished); and the Genetics and Insurance Committee. The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, which was a departmental committee, has been reclassified as an advisory NDPB. The Nurses', Midwives and other NHS Professions' Review Body, Doctors and Dentists Review Panel and the Pharmacists' Review Panel were inherited by the Department from the Office of Manpower and Economics during the period. The Department is responsible for 7 executive and 39 advisory NDPBs.
  417
  The status of the Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening, the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group and the Microbiology Advisory Committee have been reclassified by the Cabinet Office and no longer have NDPB status: they are now regarded as Departmental bodies.

  Radiation
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will evaluate the recent study on the effects of radiation from VDUs at the offices of Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority; and if he will make a statement. [91923]

  Ms Jowell
  This recent study claims to show that office staff who use visual display units (VDUs) experience various adverse health reactions which can be relieved by a device fitted to the VDU screen.

  The Government obtain advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) on risks to health from exposure to electromagnetic fields. NRPB' s Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation evaluated in detail the health effects of working with VDUs and published a report in 1994 "Health Effects Related to the Use of Visual Display Units" (Documents of the NRPB Volume 5, No2—copies of which are available in the Library). The Advisory Group concluded that exposure to radiation resulting from the use of VDUs causes no significant health effects. In responding to this recent study NRPB have commented that since the publication of their 1994 report, no research published in peer reviewed journals has led to a change to this conclusion.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in its assessment of radiation, the National Radiological Protection Board takes account of non-thermal effects; and if he will make a statement. [91919]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been advised by the National Radiological Protection Board that there is a consensus among national and international expert bodies that standards for protection of people from electromagnetic fields (EMF) should be based upon sound scientific evidence of established effects on human health. This is also the view of NRPB. For low frequencies, standards are set to prevent effects on the central nervous system and to avoid shocks. For higher frequencies they are set to prevent damage due to heating of body tissues. Concerns about other, so-called athermal effects arising from exposure to EMFs have also been raised. These include suggestions of subtle effects on cells that could affect cancer development or of influences on electrically excitable tissue that could influence the function of the brain and nervous tissue.

  While mindful, therefore, that some scientific data challenge the conventional assumptions upon which protection standards are based, NRPB has concluded that biological interactions resulting from such effects are neither well defined nor understood. Additionally, there is no convincing biological evidence that electromagnetic fields could cause cancer or other athermal effects. The basis for its recommendations is therefore established biological effects.
  418
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports he has received of research by the USA National Institute of Environmental Health Systems into the effect of extremely low-frequency radiation; and if he will make a statement. [91921]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has been advised that the National Radiological Protection Board is aware of a report published by the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) on 15 June 1999. The Report to Congress on the US EMF (Electromagnetic Field) Research and Public Information Dissemination Programme indicates that"the NIEHS believes that the probability that EMF is truly a health hazard is currently small. The weak epidemiological associations and lack of laboratory support for these associations provide only marginal scientific support that exposure to this agent causes any degree of harm".

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to conduct research into the emissions from mobile phones and VDUs of extremely low-frequency radiation; and if he will make a statement. [91922]

  Ms Jowell
  Research into potential effects of microwaves, such as those emitted by mobile phones, is being undertaken on a worldwide basis. The Department is contributing to these international initiatives and is also supporting its own research. A programme of research and exposure assessment is being carried out at the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The NRPB has recently been asked to set up a working group to assess the current state of research into the use of mobile phones. The Chairman, Sir William Stewart has been appointed and the membership and terms of references will be announced shortly.

  The NRPB also keeps the safety of Visual Display Units under review. It has concluded that exposure to radiation resulting from the use of VDUs causes no significant adverse health effects.

  Complementary Medicine
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what part the provision of complementary and alternative medicines plays in the drug strategy for the South London area. [91805]

  Ms Jowell
  It is for health and local authorities to decide the type and level of drug treatment services that are provided and commissioned in their areas. This includes use of alternative and complementary therapies.

DEFENCE

  Smart Procurement
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the performance of the smart procurement initiative in improving value for money in procurement. [90208]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I am confident that the Smart Procurement Initiative will produce improved value for money through faster, cheaper and better acquisition of defence capability. We are on track to achieve the savings
  419
  of £2 billion to which we are committed, and early indications are that substantial further savings are in prospect.

  Unaccompanied Tours
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of personnel in the(a) infantry, (b) Royal Armoured Corps and (c) Royal Engineers are currently engaged in, or working up for, unaccompanied tours. [90209]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Twenty eight per cent. of the Infantry, 47 per cent. of the RAC and 67 per cent. of the Royal Engineers are currently engaged in, or working up for, unaccompanied tours. In view of the current level of commitment of the Royal Engineers, I have decided that our plans to create a fifth engineer logistic squadron following the Strategic Defence Review, should be brought forward two years from 2002 to 2000. This enhancement to the Royal Engineers will be achieved by establishing a second Queen's Gurkha Engineer Squadron to be based at Invicta Barracks, Maidstone. The nucleus of the new squadron will be formed immediately and the squadron will be available for operational tasking towards the end of next year.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the structure of the Territorial Army. [R] [90210]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The assumptions underpinning the reform of the Territorial Army, announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of state for Defence to the House on 17 November 1998,Official Report, columns 749–71 remain valid. There are therefore no plans at present to revisit this reform, nor to initiate a further review of the structure of the TA.

  Child Support Agency
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department takes to encourage serving personnel to meet their family responsibilities as required by the CSA. [90215]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Financial support by Service personnel for their dependants is essentially a private matter for the individuals. However, Service personnel are subject to child support legislation and where an individual fails, or refuses, to fulfil this requirement, my Department will make deductions from pay to meet child maintenance assessments when requested to do so by the Child Support Agency.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records are to be kept on the Kosovo military campaign; and where they are to be located. [90216]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Records of every aspect of the campaign are kept. They will be drawn upon in work undertaken as lessons to be learned and subsequently archived in accordance with the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967.
  420
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Kosovo. [90217]

  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Kosovo. [90223]

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Kosovo. [90213]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Security situation in Kosovo continues to improve as KFOR becomes larger and increasingly well established. While incidents such as looting and murder are still occurring, Serb and KLA compliance with their respective undertakings has been satisfactory so far. Around 700,000 refugees have returned and are vigorously rebuilding their lives. This is due in no small part to the efforts of KFOR troops who continue to do an excellent job.

  Improvements in the security situation, and the continuing arrival in theatre of troops from other nations, make it possible for me to announce some further withdrawals of British troops from Kosovo. Between August and October, we will be bringing home the 1 PARA, 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles, and the Irish Guards battle groups together with their supporting elements.

  These withdrawals, together with the withdrawals of units of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy announced last month, will go a long way to help relieve the overstretch in the Armed Forces. Further withdrawals, including that of HQ Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps, will follow.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution he and his Department are making to(a) the United States and (b) NATO post-Kosovo reviews. [91576]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Ministry of Defence is looking at the lessons learned from the Kosovo conflict, and is contributing to similar work at NATO. I and my Department will continue to have contacts with Allies, including the US, on a wide range of issues, including lessons learned.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops Russia has committed to Operation Joint Guardian; how many Russian troops have been deployed; what is the deadline for the deployment of Russian troops to Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [91571]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The total number of Russian forces committed to Operation Joint Guardian will not exceed 3,600. Five battalions (approximately 2,850 troops) will be deployed in the three sectors, and up to 750 troops for airfield and logistics base operations. There will also be 16 liaison officers.

  There is no NATO deadline for the deployment of Russian troops to Kosovo. As of 15 July 1999, 713 members of the Russian armed forces were deployed in Kosovo.

  NATO allies welcome the Russian contribution to Operation Joint Guardian. NATO and Russia have worked together successfully in Bosnia and look forward to doing the same in Kosovo.
  421
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel and at what grade or rank are currently reviewing the Strategic Defence Review following the Kosovo conflict. [91575]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave on 10 May 1999,Official Report, column 8, to the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Sir S. Chapman).

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if all Serbian paramilitary forces have left Kosovo; [91591]

  (2) how many members of (a) the Yugoslav army, (b) the SAJ anti-terrorist police and (c) the PJP combat police forces he estimates have left Kosovo. [91572]

  Mr. George Robertson
  COMKFOR declared on 20 June 1999 that all Serbian military and paramilitary forces had left Kosovo.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the proportion of Serb armour in Kosovo which survived the bombing campaign. [90211]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Now that K-FOR troops are deployed in Kosovo, a full assessment of the damage inflicted on Yugoslav forces, and the proportion of Serb armour in Kosovo that survived the campaign, is underway. This will take some time to complete.

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the delay in the entry into operational RAF squadron service of the Eurofighter 2000 Typhoon aircraft as against its first publicly announced projected in-service dates. [90218]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Since the start of the Eurofighter development programme in 1988, there has been slippage of 42 months against the original estimated entry into service date, defined as delivery of the first aircraft to the Royal Air Force. The current date is June 2002.

  Army Units (Personnel)
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which(a) Regular and (b) Territorial Army units are not at full strength. [90220]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Approximately 75 per cent. of Regular Army Arms and Services are currently under strength to varying degrees against their trained requirement. The Territorial Army, on the other hand, is generally over strength as the full impact of the Strategic Defence Review drawdown has not yet taken effect. I will place full details of each in the Library of the House.

  Gurkhas
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review conditions of service for Gurkhas in the armed services. [90221]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  As I announced to the House on 1 July 1999,Official Report, column 471, I have set up a group to examine Gurkha pensions and gratuities. I will chair the group which will take into account all
  422
  aspects of Gurkha pensions and gratuities within the context of the Tri-Partite Agreement between Nepal, India and the UK. I expect the work to be completed by the end of the year.

  War Crimes (Former Yugoslavia)
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance has been provided by British troops to those responsible for arresting people indicted for war crimes in the former Yugoslavia. [90222]

  Mr. George Robertson
  In Bosnia, SFOR has detained 14 persons indicted by the ICTY. Nine of these detentions have taken place in the British-commanded sector and involved British forces, either directly or in support. Most recently, Radislav Brdjanin was detained by British SFOR forces on 6 July.

  In Kosovo, British troops have helped to secure sites which may contain evidence of crimes, and British military personnel have assisted in obtaining witness statements and in supporting the ICTY's forensic investigations.

  National Audit Office Report
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the report of the National Audit Office on the cost of overruns and delays in his Department's projects. [90225]

  Mr. Spellar
  It is open to the Committee of Public Accounts to decide to take evidence on the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on the Major Projects Report 1998 (HC 519 Sessions 1998–99). In accordance with the usual convention on committee business I cannot offer any comment which might pre-empt the Committee's consideration. However, the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report makes clear that the cost overruns and time delays in question have accumulated over a number of years and acknowledges that the Smart Procurement initiative has been launched to tackle these problems.

  Armed Forces (Reductions)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is his policy to retain the immediate post-cold war reductions in the armed forces. [90226]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The complete force structure inherited from the previous Government was examined in the Strategic Defence Review. Increases against previous plans were agreed in a number of areas, notably the overall size of the Army to make the armed forces more flexible, usable and deployable. The Strategic Defence Review force structure is now being implemented.

  Defence Manufacturing (North-west)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to visit BAe Samlesbury-Warton to discuss defence manufacturing capacity in the north-west. [90227]

  Mr. Spellar
  The importance of BAe Samlesbury and Warton to defence manufacturing in the north west is well appreciated by this Department. However, there are no immediate plans for Defence Ministers to visit BAe Samlesbury/Warton.

  Child Labour Convention
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of applying the ILO convention on child labour to the British armed forces. [90228]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The new ILO Convention concerns the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. This includes the"forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict"
  which is clearly an unacceptable form of child labour. The recruitment of genuine volunteers, as undertaken here in the UK, is entirely different from the abusive, exploitative, forced or coercive involvement of children in armed conflict as members of militia or para-military forces. The new Convention will not, therefore, have an effect on our armed forces.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the Army does not hold depleted uranium munitions. [90229]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Army does hold stocks of depleted uranium based ammunition.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals(a) in or formerly with the armed forces and (b) in Southern Iraq have been tested specifically for evidence of depleted uranium contamination. [90363]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There is no central record of any health tests conducted for those still serving or for those who have left the armed forces.

  The Ministry of Defence is aware of the suggestion that exposure to depleted uranium (DU) is a cause of ill-health among some veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf conflict. Any Gulf veteran who is concerned that their health has been adversely affected by service during that conflict is entitled to seek a referral to the Ministry of Defence's Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) for a full medical assessment. During assessment, the patient receives a set of standard tests. If the examining physician considers it clinically appropriate for a patient to receive tests to detect DU, these would be arranged. Between one and five people so far examined by MAP physicians, have exhibited symptoms that, in the judgment of the examining physicians, have indicated a clinical requirement for testing to detect DU, and have been tested.

  However, a very small number of UK troops, who expressed concern that they might have inhaled DU dust during preparatory training in Saudi Arabia before the state of hostilities, were subjected to Whole Body Monitoring in February 1991. They showed no detectable contamination.

  The Ministry of Defence is also aware of reports of DU testing undertaken by Professor Sharma of the University of Waterloo, Ontario, and Dr. Durakovic of Georgetown University, Washington. Dr. Durakovic discussed their work in general terms with Ministry of Defence officials in February 1999, when he explained that they are carrying out a study into uranium levels among veterans of the Gulf conflict, in which it is understood a small
  424
  number of UK Gulf veterans and Iraqi nationals are participating. Dr. Durakovic indicated that they plan to publish their findings, including details of the methodology they are using and the results obtained, later this year. Their work is not being undertaken at the request of the Ministry of Defence and any UK Gulf veterans who choose to participate do so on a voluntary basis.

  The healthcare of Iraqi nationals, including any testing for the presence of DU, is a matter for the Iraqi Government.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1999,Official Report, column 148, on Kosovo, what measures have been taken to identify targets hit by depleted uranium ammunition; and whether non-standard issue NBC kit has been issued for troops in proximity to such locations. [90950]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Although British Forces did not fire depleted uranium ammunition in Kosovo, we await information through NATO channels as to whether any such ammunition was used in the British led sector.

  Service personnel deployed in Kosovo have been given appropriate guidance, and provided with standard NBC equipment, including protective gloves and respiratory equipment, which they should wear if contact with targets damaged by DU ammunition is unavoidable.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what investigations he is undertaking into the environmental impact of the use of weapons containing depleted uranium during the conflict in Kosovo and Serbia; [91764]

  (2) what decontamination work is taking place in Kosovo as a result of the use by US forces of weapons containing depleted uranium; what responsibility the US is taking for the cost of this work, and if (i) UK and (ii) other EU personnel are involved. [91765]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No decontamination work is currently taking place in Kosovo. A joint task force has been set up by the UN Environment Programme and the UN Commission on Settlements to assess the environmental and health aspects of the conflict. The UK stands ready to co-operate with that task force.

  Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in his Department's plans to procure two new aircraft carriers. [90230]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline, West (Ms Squire),Official Report, column 778.

  Officer Recruitment
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current state of officer recruiting and retention. [90219]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Officer recruitment to the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force is encouraging. Officer recruitment to the Royal Navy was 3 per cent.
  425
  higher in the year 1998–99 than in the previous year, and was 8 per cent. higher for the RAF. Officer recruitment to the Army, however, fell 23 per cent. during the same period, and addressing this is an important priority. As part of this work, we have introduced enhanced bursary and sponsorship schemes to increase the attraction of an Army career to potential officers.

  Procurement Projects
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the procurement projects in category C or above whose in-service dates have been postponed or notified to industry during 1999, indicating the (i) original and (ii) new in-service dates. [82897]

  Mr. Spellar
  The In-service dates, ISD, of equipment may be revised during procurement for a number of reasons: to reflect project changes; to reflect a more realistic assessment of delivery dates; or because of adjustments to our wider defence programme priorities. Contractors are notified of revised dates when there may be contractual implications.

  Since the start of this year, the forecast ISDs for those projects that have passed the initial concept phase and which have been postponed are as follows:

  Project

  ISD as at 31 December 1998

  1999 ISD

  Sonar 2193 for Hunt Class

  October 2001

  October 2003

  Survey Vessel 1

  July 2001

  July 2002

  Alternative Landing Ship

  September 2002

  February 2004

  Logistic 1

  Stingray Life Extension

  May 2004

  May 2005

  Royal Navy Joint Tactical Information Distribution System—ship fit

  December 2001

  December 2002

  Sonar 2087

  August 2004

  December 2004

  Radar Type 996

  January 2002

  May 2002

  Availability Improvements

  Radar Type 996 Track Extractor

  September 2001

  January 2002

  All Terrain Vehicle (Protected)

  December 2002

  June 2003

  Medium Range Third Generation Anti-Tank Guided Weapon

  August 2003

  June 2005

  Heavy Equipment Transporter

  December 2002

  May 2003

  Joint Tactical Information Distribution System for third Tornado Squadron

  December 1998

  December 1999

  Nimrod MRA4

  April 2003

  March 2005

  Two further projects have similarly been postponed, the Cooperative Outboard Logistic Update, with a delay of 12 months, and Project Botanical, with a delay of 37 months. Publication of the precise ISDs of these projects could give potential enemy an insight into a sensitive operational capability and I am, therefore, withholding this information under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Anglo-Irish Meeting
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the meeting at the home of Commandant Patrick Trears in the Republic of Ireland on 30 July 1974 involving Major Peter Maynard. [87461]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 18 June 1999]: An informal meeting was held with a view to the possibility of exchanging technical information between Irish and British explosives experts which would have been of benefit to both sides. No action was taken as a result of the meeting.

  Faslane Shiplift
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current status of the shiplift at Faslane; and if he will make a statement. [88132]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Clyde Naval Base shiplift is currently in use for the docking of a Vanguard class submarine.

  DLH Project
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much further over budget the Active Decoy Round-Outfit DLH Project has gone since the 1997 National Audit Office Major Projects report. [90968]

  Mr. Spellar
  The estimated cost of the Outfit DLH project has not increased since the NAO's 1997 Major Project Report. The current estimated cost for the project, at 1999–2000 prices, is £108 million. This is consistent with the projects in the 1997 NAO Major Project Report uplifted to the same 1999–2000 price base.

  US Strategic Defence Initiative
  Mr. Heseltine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of contracts awarded to British companies under the US Strategic Defence Initiative and their total value, in each year since 1985. [90760]

  Mr. Spellar
  The MOD does not maintain a central or comprehensive record of all contracts let by the US Government with UK industry and universities under the Strategic Defence Initiative.

  2nd Division
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additional annual staff costs will be incurred as a result of moving HQ command of the 2nd Division from York to Edinburgh. [91142]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The staff establishment of the new Headquarters 2nd Division in Edinburgh has yet to be finalised but annual staff costs are expected to be £650,000 lower than those of the existing Divisional Headquarters in York. Taking into account the other consequences of the amalgamation of the Scottish District and 2nd Division Headquarters, the resultant savings in staff costs are expected to be of the order of £3 million per annum.

  Military Visits
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the occasions on which the GOC Northern Ireland has met military officers of foreign countries, (b) the occasions on which senior officers have attended social gatherings and receptions for foreign military delegations and (c) the cost of entertainments for overseas delegations and visitors since 1 May 1997. [89913]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]: Records of the General Officer Commanding's (GOC's) meetings from 1 May 1997 to the end of March 1998 are not available. The GOC NI has met military officers of foreign countries on the following occasions since 1 April 1998:

  1 April 1998
  Dinner for visiting members of the Royal College of Defence Studies in Northern Ireland. Overall cost: £390.98

  6 May 1998
  Presentation to the Royal College of Defence Studies in England. Cost: £59.30.

  18 June 1998
  Presentation to the Joint Senior Command Staff College in England. Cost of refreshments (tea/coffee only) borne by individual students.

  24 March 1999
  Dinner for visiting members of the Royal College of Defence Studies in Northern Ireland. Cost: estimated at £360—invoice not yet received.

  4 June 1999
  Presentation to the Joint Senior Command Staff College in England. Cost of refreshments (tea/coffee only) borne by individual students.

  Other British senior military officers also attended the dinners with the Royal College of Defence Studies.

  Armed Forces Deployments
  Mr. ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many armed forces personnel he estimates will be committed to(a) Northern Ireland, (b) Kosovo, (c) Bosnia, (d) the Gulf, (e) Germany, (f) Gibraltar, (g) Cyprus, (h) other Mediterranean and Near East, (i) the Far East and (j) other locations in each of the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the numbers for each location; [90936]

  (2) how many armed forces personnel are currently committed to (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Kosovo, (c) Bosnia, (d) the Gulf, (e) Germany, (f) Gibraltar, (g) Cyprus, (h) other Mediterranean and Near East, (i) the Far East and (j) other locations. [90937]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The approximate numbers of Service personnel deployed on operations or garrisoned in these locations (as at 1 July 1999 unless otherwise stated) are as follows:

  (a) Northern Ireland—16,500

  (b) Kosovo—10,100 (including FYROM, Greece, Italy and RN personnel afloat)

  (c) Bosnia—3,590 (plus a further 1,000 in Croatia)

  (d) The Gulf—1,330 (as at 6 July 1999) (including personnel in Turkey to patrol the Northern No Fly Zone over Iraq)

  (e) Germany—27,700

  (f) Gibraltar—440

  (g) Cyprus—3,700 (1 January 1999)

  428

  (h) Other Mediterranean and Near East—0

  (i) The Far East—1,070

  (j) Other locations—1,530

  We keep these commitments under review and any adjustments made over the next two years will reflect changes to our operational and other requirements.

  Project Aquatrine
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is(a) the purpose and (b) the cost of Project Aquatrine; how many of his Department's sites are involved; and if he will make a statement. [91570]

  Mr. Spellar
  The purpose of Project Aquatrine is to allow the MOD to substantially reduce its direct involvement in the provision of water and sewerage services, which, while important is not regarded as a core activity. The underlying principle driving Project Aquatrine is the maintenance of current and future services with improved value for money. It is considered that the most effective and efficient way to deliver and support these services across our sites throughout Great Britain would be to adopt an innovative situation based on a Public Private Partnership. This approach would enable us to access external capital and commercial expertise and better manage our continuing environmental responsibilities.

  Royal Tournament
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the Royal Tournament. [92197]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Last year, I announced that the Royal Tournament in its current form would end on a high in 1999, but that a flagship Armed Forces event would continue in the future.

  The Royal Military Tattoo 2000 will be a flagship contribution by the Armed Forces to the country's Millennium celebrations. Within the setting of Horse Guards' Parade, the theme will be Defence of the Realm: Past, Present and Future, portraying a 1000 year story. The event will take place between 10–15 July 2000, with one performance each evening.

  From 2001 onwards, the spirit of the Royal Tournament will be carried forward in a showcase event in London. This will be a Military Tattoo at Horse Guards Parade, involving ceremonial, massed bands, and pageantry. It will be held in the summer inside a week.

  In addition, a Military Festival will be held annually outside London at different military locations, also in the summer. In 2001 this will be at Portsmouth, based on the Royal Navy's Festival of the Sea.

  These changes will mean that the final Royal Navy Field Gun Competition will take place at the 1999 Royal Tournament, in the centenary year of the action it commemorates.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded

  429
  in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90671]

  Mr. Spellar
  In line with Government policy, the Ministry of Defence is committed to keeping the number of Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective. MOD had 17 NDPBs on 1 May 1997. None has been disbanded, and there are no current plans for any to be disbanded in the next 12 months. The Royal College of Defence Studies Advisory Board was declassified as an NDPB in October 1998, but not disbanded. The Nuclear Weapons Safety Committee and the Nuclear Powered Warship Safety Committee merged to form the Defence Nuclear Safety Committee in November 1998. No other body has had its functions transferred or has been renamed in this period. In August 1998, the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (a body already in existence) was classified as an advisory NDPB. In addition to the above changes, MOD has taken over as lead department for the Armed Forces Pay Review Body which was formerly listed under HM Treasury.

  MOD is currently responsible for 17 NDPBs: Fleet Air Arm Museum, Royal Naval Museum, Royal Marines Museum, Royal Navy Submarine Museum, National Army Museum, Royal Air Force Museum, Oil and Pipelines Agency, Advisory Committee on Conscientious Objectors, Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, Armed Forces Pay Review Body, Dartmoor Steering Group, Defence Nuclear Safety Committee, Defence Scientific Advisory Council, Independent Board of Visitors for the Military Corrective Training Centre, National Employer Liaison Committee, Review Board for Government Contracts, Royal Military College of Science Advisory Council.

  Serbia
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received of environmental damage caused by the war in Serbia, with particular reference to radioactive material. [91588]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No solid evidence has so far been presented of damage to the environment as a result of NATO's air campaign. The environmental effects of the conflict in Kosovo are to be assessed by a joint task force set up by the UN Environment Programme and the UN Commission on Human Settlements. The UK stands ready to co-operate with that task force.

  TRIGAT Programme
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence If he will make a statement on the medium-range TRIGAT programme. [90199]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I announced on 10 June that the UK intend to join the Industrialisation and Production phase of the Medium Range TRIGAT programme. The 430
  UK, France and Germany have now signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering that stage of the programme. Subject to signature of the Memorandum of Understanding by the remaining partner nations, Belgium and the Netherlands, and satisfactory final negotiations with the Prime Contractor, Aerospatiale, we expect to place a contract for the Industrialisation and Production phase of the weapon system later this year.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cabinet Joint Consultative Committee
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the CJCC he has attended. [89273]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 5 July 1999,Official Report, column 362.

  MOX Fuel Shipments
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries whose Governments have made representations to his Department about the imminent shipment of MOX fuel to Japan; and which of those Governments have also requested meetings. [91144]

  Mr. Hoon
  To date, representations have been made by the Governments of New Zealand and the Republic of Korea about the forthcoming shipment of MOX fuel to Japan. A meeting with the New Zealand High Commissioner took place on 28 June.

  Though no specific representations have been made by Caribbean states on the MOX shipment, a meeting with Commonwealth Caribbean High Commissioners to discuss the more general issue of the movement of nuclear material through the Caribbean Sea will be held on 21 July.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance has been issued to embassies overseas on issues related to the imminent shipment of MOX fuel to Japan; and if he will place copies in the Library. [91079]

  Mr. Hoon
  Detailed guidance on the forthcoming MOX shipment has been provided to posts. As it includes confidential material for the information of governments along the possible routes, it would not be appropriate to place copies of it in the Library.

  Industry guidance has also been supplied to posts. Copies of this will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to reassure other Governments that the shipment of MOX fuel is neither an environmental nor a proliferation risk. [91154]

  Mr. Hoon
  Though under no obligation to do so, it has been our practice since 1996 to provide information in advance and on a confidential basis to coastal states, both on and off the route, on shipments of nuclear materials. This includes information on the internationally agreed physical protection measures in place to counter any
  431
  environmental or proliferation risk. We intend to continue with this practice in the case of the forthcoming MOX shipment.

  Sellafield MOX Plant
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the unclassified submissions made by his Department to the last two rounds of consultation on the proposed Sellafield MOX plant. [91078]

  Mr. Hoon
  No submissions were made by my Department to the last two rounds of consultation on the proposed Sellafield MOX plant.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he made to the European Commission about delays at the border between Spain and Gibraltar(a) before and (b) after it became apparent that the Commission's decision on whether to take action would be further delayed. [91244]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 14 July 1999,Official Report, column 256.

  Libya
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government concerning United Nations sanctions against Libya; and if he will make a statement. [91239]

  Mr. Hoon
  We remain in close consultation with the Governments of the United States and Libya and the United Nations Secretary-General with a view to securing full Libyan compliance with the requirements of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. We welcome the progress to date, as set out in the Secretary-General's report to the UN Security Council last week. When the remaining requirements are met, the United Kingdom will support the lifting of UN sanctions against Libya, which are currently suspended.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has made to the Government of Indonesia concerning the referendum in East Timor. [91241]

  Mr. Hoon
  We are in regular contact with the Indonesian Government about the UN supervised consultation in East Timor scheduled for August. We have emphasised that the Indonesian Government must fulfil their commitments to ensure a security situation in which a satisfactory consultation can take place.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Amnesty International about the situation in Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [91690]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 16 July 1999]: We have studied Amnesty International's report, published earlier this year, on disappearances in Kashmir. We share the
  432
  concern expressed there over aspects of the human rights situation in Kashmir, while welcoming the steps the Indian Government have taken in recent years to improve human rights observance in India. We continue to condemn all human rights abuses, whether by militants or the security forces, and to encourage the Indian authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the state of the conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [91691]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 16 July 1999]: We welcome the disengagement of infiltrators from their positions on the Indian side of the Line of Control, and India's suspension of airstrikes against them. We trust that the conditions for a complete cessation of fighting will soon be created, and that both sides will work to assure the integrity of the Line of Control. We continue to urge India and Pakistan to resume their bilateral dialogue on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, and hope for an early return to the process started at Lahore in February.

  Mr. Michael Ashcroft
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold an inquiry into the leaking of his Department's documents relating to Michael Ashcroft to the Press. [91938]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  An inquiry into the circumstances of the leak of protectively marked information to the press was instituted early on 13 July.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any of his special advisers prior to 13 July passed on to or discussed with a journalist the contents of documents referring to Michael Ashcroft. [91937]

  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.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any of his special advisers at any time prior to 13 July had access to, or were informed of, the contents of documents referring to Michael Ashcroft. [91936]

  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.

  Disarmament Conferences
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards an agreed formula for negotiations in the current session of the Conference on Disarmament on a Fissile Material Treaty; and if Russia remains a participating country. [91730]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We regret that the Conference on Disarmament has been unable to agree a work programme which would enable negotiations to begin on the Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty. In May, together with France
  433
  and the United States, we put forward proposals designed to break the deadlock in the Conference on Disarmament. We will continue to work for an early start to negotiations.

  Russia remains a member of the Conference on Disarmament and will be expected to participate in negotiations when they begin.

  UNHCR (Kosovo)
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the UNHCR in Kosovo have the expertise to deal with the dangers of depleted uranium from US armaments used in the recent Balkan conflict. [90362]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The UNHCR is the lead agency responsible for the return of refugees to Kosovo. We have passed to them a copy of the March 1999 paper "Testing For The Presence of Depleted Uranium in Veterans of the Gulf Conflict" which contains information which may be useful to them. We stand ready to provide them with whatever advice they judge necessary to help them complete their tasks. I should stress however that health risks from depleted uranium have been assessed as low.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90681]

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  The Court Service

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  HM Land Registry

  Public Trust Office

  Public Records Office

  Leased

  -

  238

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Owned

  15

  333

  1

  43

  -

  -

  Diesel

  -

  550

  1

  42

  -

  -

  Petrol

  15

  21

  -

  1

  -

  -

  Engine cc

  1200

  -

  1

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1400

  2

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1500

  -

  4

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1600

  2

  9

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1700

  3

  171

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1800

  7

  103

  -

  32

  -

  -

  1900

  -

  157

  -

  3

  -

  -

  2000

  -

  121

  -

  2

  -

  -

  2100

  -

  1

  -

  -

  -

  -

  2200

  1

  3

  -

  -

  -

  -

  2500

  -

  1

  -

  6

  -

  -

  5816

  -

  -

  1

  -

  -

  -

  434
  Mr. Vaz
  Two of the Lord Chancellor's non-departmental public bodies have been disbanded since 1 May 1997: the Supreme Court Rule Committee and the County Court Rule Committee were disbanded on 26 April 1999. Their functions have been transferred to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee. That Rule Committee and the Civil Justice Council, which were both provided for by the Civil Procedure Act 1997, were set up after 1 May 1997.

  Under the provisions of the Access to Justice Bill, the Legal Aid Board and the Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct would both be disbanded within the next 12 months, but their functions will be included in the functions of their replacement bodies, respectively the Legal Services Commission and the Legal Services Consultative Panel.

  Three of the Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace have been amalgamated into one committee.

  Non-departmental public bodies are listed in the Cabinet Office Publication "Public Bodies". The Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective. Many of the new NDPBs established across Whitehall since 1 May are essential in helping the Government deliver their Manifesto commitments.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for(a) his Department and (b) associated bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if he will indicate their (1) fuel types and (2) engine cubic capacities; how many of the vehicles due for replacement by (A) his Department and (B) associated bodies listed in the National Asset Register will be replaced in (x) 1999–2000, (y) 2000–01 and (z) 2001–02 by vehicles using (a1) petrol, (b2) diesel, (c3) natural gas, (d4) electric batteries and (e5) other; and how much his Department plans to spend in each year on vehicle replacements. [90692]

  Mr. Vaz
  The information requested is as follows:
  435

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  The Court Service

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  HM Land Registry

  Public Trust Office

  Public Records Office

  Replacement date

  1999–2000

  3

  146

  -

  10

  -

  -

  2000–01

  9

  49

  -

  18

  -

  -

  2001–02

  3

  42

  1

  8

  -

  -

  For the financial year 1999–2000, we expect the cost of replacing vehicles to be £1,795,000; of the vehicles to be replaced, 166 will be diesel fuelled and four will be petrol fuelled. For subsequent years, the decision on how much the Department plans to spend each year on vehicle replacements and, what means of fuel the replacement cars will have, will be made in light of the best environmental advice available and in accordance with our Green Transport Plan.

  Court Welfare Services
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the decision on the merger of the Official Solicitor, Guardian Ad Litem and Family Court Welfare will be finalised and the decision will be communicated to the relevant parties. [91939]

  Mr. Vaz
  Ministers and officials have been considering the key issues arising from last year's inter-departmental consultation paper on the future organisation of court welfare services. Discussions are proceeding and a decision is expected shortly.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received from Sainsbury's plc about the levels of herbicide residue present in GM soya. [90723]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: Perhaps the hon. Member will write to me regarding his concerns and specifying the herbicides he is referring to.

  Food and Drink Inspections
  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
  [pursuant to the reply, 14 July 1999, c. 265]: 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. In
  436
  addition, it is hoped that it will be possible to distribute fruit to schools in the coming season, following a recent change in the rules which allows transport costs to be claimed.

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

  Tonnes

  Cauliflowers

  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

  Mandarins

  1,836

  Clementines

  68,964

  Oranges

  144,819

  Melons

  17,030

  Watermelons

  6,850

  Source:

  EU Commission data

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Pre-school Places
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many extra pre-school places he plans to make available for three year olds next year. [89536]

  Ms Hodge
  The 57 Local Education Authorities receiving funding for three-year-olds for the autumn 1999 and spring 2000 terms have indicated that they can secure around 48,000 new free places for three year olds. From April 2000, further funding will be distributed across all Local Education Authorities. We are committed to ensuring that 66 per cent. of three year-olds have a free nursery place by 2002.

  Parental Choice
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures the Government are taking to increase parental choice in education. [90371]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Parents mainly exercise their right to parental choice when expressing a preference as to the school they would like for their child's education. The Government have ensured that local education authorities have a statutory duty to have regard to the principle that pupils should be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents as far as possible.
  437
  The Code of Practice on School Admissions confirms the need for: parents to be given sufficient information for informed choice; clear and objective admission arrangements; simple admission procedures with the minimum of bureaucracy; and an effective statutory right of appeal.

  The Greenwich judgment of 1989 has given many parents greater opportunity for choice as to their child's school. The funding we are providing to LEAs to meet our infant class size pledge for 5, 6 and 7 year olds will mean that more parents will achieve their first choice of school and will also result in 12,000 extra places at popular schools. And we have ensured, in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, that appeal panels will be visibly independent of those who took the original decision not to admit a child, giving parents greater confidence to pursue appeals.

  School Sports
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the proportion of schools' budgets spent on sport or PE The Minister for School Standards, [90782]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Budget data for estimating the cost of providing sport and PE in schools are not held centrally.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent by each local education authority on promoting sport or PE in schools in the last year for which figures are available. [90780]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on spending to promote sport and PE in schools is not held centrally.

  Laboratory Teaching
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what reports he has received from Ofsted on the need for improvement in the laboratory teaching of(a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) biology, (d) environmental sciences and (e) other sciences in the past two years; and if he will make a statement. [91281]

  Ms Estelle Morris: The teaching of science subjects in secondary schools is referred to in several of the reports published by Ofsted during the past two years, including HM Chief Inspector's annual reports for 1996–97 and 1997–98, Secondary Education 1993–97, and Standards in the Secondary Curriculum 1997–98.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the research which he has evaluated in the past two years into the provision of laboratory science teaching in(a) England and Wales, (b) the USA and (c) European countries; and if he will make a statement. [91287]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The only relevant research commissioned by the Department is "Labour Market for Engineering, Science and IT Graduates: Are there Mismatches between Supply and Demand?" which covers briefly some aspect of science teaching in schools. The research was carried out by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, and was published in June 1999.
  438
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to develop technical assistance for teachers in school scientific laboratories. [91283]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Government announced in their Green Paper on Teachers their intention to provide funding to increase the number of teaching assistants by 20,000 full-time posts (or equivalent) by 2002. Schools, as employers, may wish to use some of these posts for the provision of technical assistance to teachers of Science in schools.

  Science Teachers
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the range of qualifications held by those teaching science at(a) GCSE level and (b) A-level; and if he will make a statement. [91277]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Details of the amount of science tuition time taught at GCSE and A-level for the academic year 1996–97 and the qualifications of the teachers are given in tables 17 and 18 of the DfEE Statistical Bulletin '1996–97 Secondary Schools Curriculum and Staffing Survey', a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

  The Government have taken steps to encourage graduates with maths and science qualifications to become teachers. Following the introduction of financial incentives, applications to take Postgraduate Certificates in Education to deliver science are up by 24 per cent. on this time last year and for mathematics the increase is 37 per cent.

  Departmental Policy
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the arrangements for issuing correspondence setting out departmental policy in his name from his Parliamentary Office. [91670]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend has no plans for such a review.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children are in receipt of an assisted place. [91669]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  There are 29,795 assisted place holders in England in the current academic year 1998–99.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average cost of(a) an assisted place and (b) an assisted place to age 13 years according to the most recent figures. [91673]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The average cost of an assisted place in the current academic year 1998–99 is £4,145. Since the fees charged for the great majority of assisted place holders aged between 11 and 18 are similar across the age range, and almost 95 per cent. of assisted pupils are in that range, the average cost of a place to age 13 is estimated to be of a similar order to that for the scheme as a whole.
  439
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children in receipt of an assisted place due to end in the summer term of 1999 are attending the junior school of an all through school. [91674]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  There are estimated to be about 230 children in the junior departments of all through schools whose assisted places will end at the close of the current academic year.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils in receipt of an assisted place(a) applied for and (b) received an extension of their assisted place under Section 2(2)(6) of the Education (Schools) Act 1997; and in each case how many related to an extension to (i) age 13 and (ii) beyond age 13 years. [91671]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have received 343 applications for extension and approved 189 of them. 152 of the applications related to an extension to age 13, and 191 were for an extension beyond that age. Of the 189 cases approved, 117 related to an extension to age 13, and 72 were for an extension beyond age 13.

CABINET OFFICE

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90674]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Since 1 May 1997, Cabinet Office Ministers have abolished three NDPBs: the Citizen's Charter Panel of Advisers; the Deregulation Task Force; and the People's Panel Advisory Group. No Cabinet Office NDPB is due to be abolished over the next twelve months and none has had its functions transferred or has been renamed. A list of all NDPBs currently sponsored by the Cabinet Office is published on the Internet (www cabinet-office. gov. uk/quango).

  The Cabinet Office has set up three new NDPBs since 1 May 1997: the Better Regulation Task Force; the People's Panel Advisory Group; and the Security Vetting Appeals Panel. The People's Panel Advisory Group was only in existence for a short time and was abolished on 1 July 1999.

  The Cabinet Office currently sponsors ten NDPBs, although the Minister for the Cabinet Office is also responsible for a COI-Sponsored NDPB and for seventeen NDPBs sponsored by the Duchy of Lancaster Office. The Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those that remain are open, accountable and effective.

  Anti-drugs Strategy
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the allocation of funds is for programmes that have been announced as part of the Government's £217 million anti-drugs strategy. [91441]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Government provided additional funding of £217 million over three years as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The following table shows allocations to increase participation in programmes to improve health and break the links between drugs and crime. The breakdown is as follows:

  £ million

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Total

  PSS (purchase of community care services) Local Authority

  3

  5

  12.5

  20.5

  NHS: Health Authorities drug misuse special allocation

  12

  18

  20

  50

  Comprehensive provision for treatment of problem drug users in prison and effective links between prisons and community

  20

  20

  20

  60

  Voluntary drug testing in every prison

  2

  5

  5

  12

  Piloting of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders followed by comprehensive implementation subject to evaluation

  1

  20

  40

  61

  Development Funding for Drug Action Teams

  1.5

  1.5

  1.5

  4.5

  Department of Health prevention work

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Research

  2

  2

  2

  6

  Total

  217

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Carers' Benefits
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of allowing credited National Insurance contributions by carers in receipt of invalid care allowance to be included in determining entitlement for contribution based on jobseeker's allowance, when the caring responsibilities of the carer come to an end. [90769]

  Angela Eagle
  The net cost of allowing credited National Insurance contributions by carers in receipt of Invalid Care Allowance to be treated as earnings in determining entitlement to Jobseeker' s Allowance (JSA) is estimated at around £3 million at April 1999 benefit rates.

  Note:

  Estimate rounded to nearest £1 million.

  Sources:

  1. Lifetime Labour Market Database. 1 per cent. sample of National Insurance Recording System taken at February 1997.

  2. JSA quarterly 5 per cent. scan taken between February 1997 and February 1998.

  Child Support Agency (Birkenhead)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints have been received by the Birkenhead CSA in each month since May 1997; how complaints are classified; and what proposals(a) have been implemented and (b) are proposed to reduce the number of complaints. [91258]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mrs. Claire Curtis-Thomas, dated 19 July 1999:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency Centre at Birkenhead.
  The annex to this letter contains 2 tables. Table 1 is arranged to readily allow month on month comparisons of the number of complaints received from May 1997. Table 2 shows the general classification of complaint and for your information I have included the percentages for the last complete financial year.
  Birkenhead Child Support Agency Centre (CSAC) has introduced a number of initiatives to improve customer service and reduce complaints which I have listed below. Many of these have been implemented nationally and others are local improvements.
  Extending the opening hours of Client Helpline—now open 8.00am-8.30pm Mon-Fri and 9.00am-5.00pm Saturday.
  Decision-Making and Appeals (DMA)—a more direct and responsive service to address client concerns. Simplifies the procedures for clients to report changes to the Agency. The emphasis of the new scheme is to enable parents to have direct telephone contact to discuss their case, wherever possible with the person who has actually been dealing with it.
  Direct Telephone Numbers—staff are giving out their direct telephone numbers to customers. This ensures that clients can contact their case officer when needed to discuss their case and to resolve queries. Personal explanation of the decisions made in customer's cases should resolve the problems and queries of most parents.
  Positive Customer Contact—the Agency is using the telephone as the primary means of contacting customers. This enables staff to gather information more quickly and to explain to clients the reason why information is needed. Customers are being contacted before a final calculation is made to ensure that the maintenance assessment is based on correct and up to date information. Customers are being contacted earlier by telephone at all stages of the process. This will reduce delays and aid in compliance. Staff in Birkenhead have received appropriate training.
  Process Management Checks—team leaders have been given the freedom to target areas of work. In practice this means that cases are checked much earlier in the process to improve accuracy.
  Face to Face—customers have always had the opportunity to speak to a member of the Agency's staff at their local child support office. However, in the past customers faced difficulties in arranging this. The Agency has committed approximately 600 staff (Wales and North West Business Unit has approximately 106) to face to face contact with its customers. This initiative is currently being rolled out nationally. Interviews can either be conducted at the local child support office or the customer's home.
  Contacts with local stakeholders such as CAB—Birkenhead CSAC has dedicated customer service telephone numbers for CAB, New Deal for Lone Parent Advisors and MP's. CAB, New Deal Advisors and MP's have been invited into the CSAC. CSA staff have visited CAB and New Deal Advisors in order to forge closer links.
  Meetings with customers—forums have been held with MP's and Customers—two in Lancashire, one in Wales. Open meetings have been arranged where customers could raise
  442
  issues and ask general questions. Customers were also given the opportunity to speak to individual CSA staff who took away their queries and responded to them.
  Forces Focal Point—set up to meet the specified needs of Forces Personnel. A member of staff acts as liaison between the Business Unit and the various armed forces. A dedicated telephone number is available to forces welfare offices, the Police and Prison Service.
  Closer working with Benefits Agency—BA staff are completing CSA forms on the initial visit. They are also advising customers on CSA procedures in order to promote understanding and to simplify the information-gathering process.
  Customer Service Workshops—staff are attending a one day seminar in improving customer service.
  Customer Service Focus Group—staff meet to discuss customer service improvement initiatives. This group has conducted a Root Cause Analysis of customer complaints and has been tasked with devising and implementing solutions to the common complaints in order to reduce numbers.
  For the future Birkenhead and the rest of the Agency will continue to build on improvements already made.
  Customer Service workshops are continuing and further meetings are being arranged with clients and MP's.
  Staff will be attending BA stakeholder liaison meetings to foster good relations between CSA staff and stakeholder groups.
  Staff will be given customer focused performance indicators which will encourage practices which meet the needs of our customers.
  A programme of visits, talks and surgeries is planned by the Forces Focal Point for police welfare staff, prison officers and armed forces personnel.
  All computer generated notifications will provide the direct telephone number of an officer dealing with a client's case.
  On 1 July the Secretary of State announced the publication of the White paper which sets out the plans for Child Support reform. In the long-term, with a simplified scheme, benefits from DMA, focus on customer service and a new computer system, the number of complaints about CSA should reduce significantly.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Table 1-Number of complaints received by Birkenhead CSAC

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Month

  Number

  Month

  Number

  Month

  Number

  -

  -

  January

  287

  January

  179

  -

  -

  February

  274

  February

  180

  -

  -

  March

  303

  March

  212

  -

  -

  April

  247

  April

  217

  May

  342

  May

  178

  May

  164

  June

  272

  June

  214

  June

  155

  July

  314

  July

  232

  -

  -

  August

  238

  August

  186

  -

  -

  September

  245

  September

  207

  -

  -

  October

  235

  October

  211

  -

  -

  November

  224

  November

  228

  -

  -

  December

  211

  December

  164

  -

  -

  Table 2-Classification of complaints and percentage of total received 1998–99

  Reason

  Percentage of total

  Delay/failure to take appropriate action

  45.2

  Incorrect action

  15.8

  Child Support Policy

  17.7

  Communication

  16.1

  Complaint about staff

  4.0

  Disclosure of information

  1.0

  Good cause

  0.2

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the amount of money which would need to be credited to a stakeholder pension in a given year for a new entrant to the labour market to buy on retirement a pension equivalent to the value of the credit to the state second pension which would be given to someone with caring responsibilities during that year. [91136]

  Mr. Timms
  A carer who received a full year of credits for the State Second Pension in 2002 (the first year in which credits for the State Second Pension are likely to be available) would accrue rights to a pension of about £1 per week in today's prices, which rises in line with average earnings over the working life. This real rise in the value of the pension over the working life means that the cash value of the future pension accrued in 2002 will rise to approximately £2 per week in 1999 prices by the time of retirement (2051).

  The amount a 16-year-old female entrant to the labour market in the same year would need to contribute to a stakeholder pension scheme to accrue the same pension in 2051 is £402 in 2002 (or about £8 per week) and about £6 per week net of tax relief at the basicrate.

  Depending on earnings, part of this contribution could be made up of the National Insurance rebate if she was contracted-out of the State Second Pension.

  The precise amounts required in a stakeholder pension to match the value of State Second Pension credits vary depending on the year in which the contribution is made and on the gender of the contributor.

  Notes:

  1. All figures are rounded to the nearest pound.

  Month

  Claims not processed within 20 days

  Claims not processed within 60 days

  Total claims processed within month

  Total claims received within month

  June 1998

  16,007

  3,338

  49,068

  55,605

  July 1998

  11,607

  2,989

  40,412

  50,176

  August 1998

  9,305

  2,589

  33,421

  42,988

  September 1998

  14,227

  6,208

  42,269

  50,224

  October 1998

  25,374

  7,572

  62,646

  51,318

  November 1998

  12,821

  3,867

  50,460

  48,612

  December 1998

  6,536

  1,894

  35,880

  36,672

  January 1999

  1-

  1-

  41,120

  58,427

  February 1999

  10,661

  2,316

  45,725

  50,980

  March 1999

  14,537

  2,763

  52,823

  62,949

  April 1999

  2-

  2,394

  46,682

  54,025

  May 1999

  2-

  2,454

  46,152

  49,308

  1 Figures not available

  2 No longer maintained

  As mentioned in the previous reply, in the 10 months up to 31 March 1999 the Benefits Agency target of processing 65% of its claims within 20 days was met in all but one of the months. Since April, the target has been 95% processed in 60 days and for April and May the percentages achieved were 94.9 and 94.7 respectively.

  Information on the average time taken to process claims is taken across all the claims processed including those processed over 60 days. All claims are recorded on the Pensions Computer System and in respect of those not processed after 60 days, the system notifies the local Benefits Agency office management on a monthly basis to allow progress on the claims to be monitored. Management is also informed of the longest case outstanding but the cost in establishing
  444
  2. Figures are expressed in 1999 prices.

  3. The annuity rate used is GAD's projected female annuity rate for 2050.

  4. The real rate of return on Stakeholder funds is assumed to be 4 per cent.

  5. An annual charge of 1 per cent. on the accumulated stakeholder fund is assumed.

  6. Contributions are assumed to be gross; they would attract tax relief of 23 per cent.

  7. The State Second Pension entitlement is calculated on the basis that a carer will gain a pension equivalent to that which would be accrued on £180 per week (in 1999 earnings terms) over the year.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 2 July 1999,Official Report, column 307, on pensions, how many claims for pension payments were not processed (a) within 20 days and (b) within 60 days and, of those not processed within 60 days, what was (i) the average time and (ii) the longest time, for processing in the 12 months up to 31 May. [91482]

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

  Letter from Mr. Peter Mathison to Mr. Laurence Robertson, dated 16 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question, pursuant to his answer of 2nd July on pensions, how many claims for pension payments were not processed (a) within 20 days and (b) within 60 days and, of those not processed within 60 days, what was (i) the average time and (ii) the longest time, for processing in the 12 months up to 31st May.
  The table below sets out the number of Retirement Pension claims which, in the 12 months ending May 1999, had not been processed within 20 days and 60 days of their receipt:
  which is the longest outstanding case across the network of offices in the 12 months ending May 1999 is disproportionate to the effort involved.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Pensioners (Income Support)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the Green Paper, "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions", and with regard to the take-up of Income Support by pensioners, (1) if his Department has started to trigger claims automatically at points where pensioners are likely to become entitled; [91925]
  445
  (2) if his Department brought forward proposals to identify pensioners who are entitled and to encourage them to claim, in accordance with the stated timetable; [91926]

  (3) if his Department met his stated timetable of pinpointing more accurately those who may be entitled by April. [91924]

  Mr. Timms
  Work is continuing in all three areas. We will bring forward our proposals in due course.

  Housing Benefit (Chelmsford)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many successful claims there were for housing benefit in the Chelmsford local authority area broken down by tenants of(a) council houses, (b) housing associations and (c) the private sector in May of each year since 1994. [91920]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the following table:

  Number of cases by tenancy type from May 1994 to May 1998 Chelmsford Local Authority

  Quarter

  Local authority

  Housing association

  Private sector

  May 1994

  5,240

  650

  1,360

  May 1995

  5,110

  810

  1,350

  May 1996

  4,910

  920

  1,350

  May 1997

  4,750

  950

  1,230

  May 1998

  4,530

  1,030

  1,050

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System, Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload enquiries, with and without Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based), taken on the last working day of May until May 1997 and then the second Thursday in May 1998

  Family Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if there is a maximum number of child allowances an individual claimant can receive in family credit; and if there will be one in the working families tax credit. [91326]

  Angela Eagle
  Provided the entitlement conditions are satisfied, there is no maximum number of child credits that an individual claimant can receive in family credit, nor will there be any limit in the working families' tax credit.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90677]
  446
  Mr. Bayley
  Of the 15 non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) sponsored by this Department on 1 May 1997, none has been disbanded; six will be disbanded in the next 12 months; one has had its functions transferred; none has been renamed but continues to perform a similar role; and 14 have been unchanged.

  No new NDPBs have been established since 1 May 1997 and this Department is currently responsible for the 14 NDPBs detailed in Public Bodies 1998.

  The six NDPBs to be disbanded in the next 12 months will be Central Adjudication Services, Child Support Appeal Tribunals, Disability Appeal Tribunals, Medical Appeal Tribunals, Social Security Appeal Tribunals and Vaccine Damage Tribunals.

  Responsibility for the Women's National Commission has been transferred to Cabinet Office.

  The Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective.

TREASURY

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on(a) progress made on the second phase of the highly indebted poor countries review, with specific reference to enhanced structural adjustment facility and (b) how the Government intend to link debt relief and poverty eradication. [90508]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Köln Summit made clear that the link between debt relief and poverty reduction should be strengthened.

  The UK has put forward its own proposals for strengthening that link. Among other things, the UK has suggested that:

  i. Debt relief should be structured both to provide resources for anti-poverty programmes, and to revive business confidence. This requires a balance between debt stock reduction and debt service reduction in the early years. To achieve this:

  The World Bank and IMF should put forward a menu of options for achieving the required net present value reduction in their debt, taking into account the overall time profile of a country's debt service and creditor procedures;
  This menu should include an option which reduces multilateral debt service by 50–75 per cent. in early years, and another with as much stock reduction as possible;
  The indebted country should then be able to negotiate around these options.

  ii. Debt relief should provide an opportunity to invigorate the entire government anti-poverty programme. It should not be seen as funding a separate, add-on operation. This anti-poverty programme should be informed by the World Bank and UN's work on social principles, and by the thinking around the Comprehensive Development Framework. It should incorporate a medium-term expenditure framework for the whole budget. Macro policy—and hence ESAF—should be an integral part. It should be as widely owned as possible. Hence, the anti-poverty plan needs to be built on existing processes in-country, rather than on an international blueprint. Although final agreement on IFI support for the programmes should continue to rest with countries and Bank/Fund Boards, other main players should have the opportunity to feed their comments in directly on final drafts before they go to the Boards.

  447
  The UK's proposals are included in a paper which has been sent to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund as part of phase II of the HIPC review. Copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses and on the Treasury's website (www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/docs/1999/hipc2.html).

  Financial Services Authority
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of how the provisions in the document, "Freedom of Information: Consultation on Draft Legislation", Cm 3455, would affect the operation of the Financial Services Authority; and if he will make a statement. [91253]

  Ms Hewitt
  It is intended that the FSA should be subject to the Freedom of Information legislation and the implications of the proposed provisions for the FSA's operations are being considered. The FSA will be submitting their response to the Home Office consultations exercise in due course.

  Insurance Industry (Solvency Ratios)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in each of the last five years his Department has been notified that insurance providers have been in breach of the required solvency ratios; and what corrective action his Department took. [90935]

  Ms Hewitt
  Neither the Financial Services Authority (FSA), as contractor for the Treasury, nor the Department of Trade and Industry, as the Department previously responsible, maintains systematic information on notifications of such.

  The Insurance Companies Act 1982 provides for the authorisation and prudential supervision of companies carrying out insurance business in the United Kingdom. All UK authorised insurance companies are required to maintain a margin of solvency. If it appears that an authorised insurance firm has failed to maintain the required margin, it may be required to implement a plan or scheme for restoring a sound financial position. In the last five years, these requirements have been exercised as follows:

  Year

  Cases

  1994

  11

  1995

  5

  1996

  5

  1997

  3

  1998

  5

  Source:

  Insurance Annual Reports; published by The Stationery Office

  Additional action may be taken, depending on the circumstances of the case and the perceived risk to policyholders.

  Pesticide Tax
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of(a) farms which may become unprofitable and (b) jobs which may be lost if a pesticide tax is introduced. [91152]
  448
  Ms Hewitt
  No decision has been taken on whether to introduce a tax on the use of pesticides.

  Research commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on a possible tax or charge on pesticides was published on 24 March focusing on various design options for a charge scheme or tax, and attempting to evaluate the potential impact. Views were invited on the issues raised in the research and this consultation exercise closed on 24 June. The Government will consider the findings of the research project and the views expressed in the consultation exercise in deciding how best to proceed.

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income, or deemed income, is received from premium bonds per annum; and what percentage of this income is paid out in prizes. [91276]

  Ms Hewitt
  Money saved in Premium Bonds forms part of the Government's funding programme; as such no income is generated from them. The return to savers is in the form of the chance to win tax free prizes each month.

  The monthly prize fund is calculated by applying a variable notional rate of interest, currently 3.25 per cent. per annum, to the number of eligible bonds.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people, and what percentage of the population, held premium bonds in(a) 1979, (b) 1989 and (c) 1999; and what was the average holding. [91402]

  Ms Hewitt
  The number of holdings, percentage of the population holding Premium Bonds and the average holding are shown in the following table.

  Date

  Number of holdings (millions)

  Percentage of population

  Average holdings (£)

  March 1979

  25.5

  44.5

  56

  March 1989

  24.2

  42.2

  95

  March 1999

  23.0

  38.8

  559

  Royal Mint
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he will be taking to ensure that the new freedom being given to the Royal Mint to enter into the manufacture of jewellery and other non-coin products will not lead to unfair competition with private sector manufacturers. [91688]

  Ms Hewitt
  Proposals from the Royal Mint to expand their business in ways which require any change to the Trading Fund Order which currently restricts the Royal Mint's activities will be considered on their merits, taking into account both the viability of the proposals and any wider implications for competition. If agreed, a new Trading Fund Order would be laid before Parliament.

  Prince Programme
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason vulnerable sectors of the population are targeted in the Prince Programme information campaign. [91873]
  449
  Ms Hewitt
  The Prince Programme includes a series of projects with the aim of facilitating the changeover to the euro among vulnerable sectors of the population. These vulnerable groups are being targeted because they have special information requirements.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government will conduct a full review of the NIRS2 project. [91653]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 July 1999]: All of the conclusions and recommendations in the Twenty-Second report of the Public Accounts Committee will be considered, including the request for a review of the NIRS2 project, and a full response will be made to the Committee.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90675]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum, and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective.

  Details of Non-Departmental Public Bodies in existence since 1 May 1997 are listed in "Public Bodies 1998". In addition:

  (a) Disbanded:

  Statistics Advisory Committee—4 May 1999

  (b) Will be disbanded:

  Policyholders Protection Board

  Financial Services Tribunal

  Subject to enactment of the Financial Services and Markets Bill now before Parliament.

  The Bill provides for the creation of a Financial Services and Markets Tribunal under the Lord Chancellor's Department, and a Financial Services and Markets Compensation Scheme.

  (c) (i) Functions transferred:

  Responsibility for the following bodies has been transferred to:

  Ministry of Defence:

  Armed Forces Pay Review Body

  Department of Health:

  Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body

  Nurses', Midwives' and other NHS Professions' Review Body

  Pharmacists' Review Panel

  Department for Education and Employment:

  Schoolteachers' Review Body

  450

  Cabinet Office:

  Senior Salaries Review Body

  (c) (ii) Functions transferred to a democratically elected body: None

  (d) Renamed: None

  (e) Unchanged:

  Section 706 Tribunal

  Royal Mint Advisory Committee on the design of Coins, Medals,

  Seals and Decorations

  Air Passenger Duty
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown of air passenger duty raised by(a) region and nation and (b) airport since its introduction; and if he will make a statement. [91306]

  Mrs. Roche
  Estimated figures for the breakdown of air passenger duty by nation are shown in the table:

  Air passenger duty receipts

  £ million

  Nation

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1995–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  England

  76.6

  311.8

  324.3

  449.9

  763.8

  Scotland

  5.6

  23.0

  23.4

  32.8

  54.6

  Wales

  0.7

  2.7

  2.5

  3.5

  6.2

  Northern

  Ireland

  1.4

  5.6

  5.6

  7.1

  12.1

  Total

  84.3

  343.0

  355.8

  493.4

  836.6

  Notes:

  1. National breakdowns are based on location of airport

  2. Figures are independently rounded and may not sum to total shown

  Breakdowns for each region and airport could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will answer the letter from the right hon. Member for Wells to the Chief Secretary, sent on 27 April, about the reduction in the European Budget Rebate. [91901]

  Mr. Milburn
  No such letter has ever been received.

  Compensation
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 1999,Official Report, column 359, on compensation, how much compensation has been paid to customers in respect of inconvenience they have suffered as a result of NIRS2 delays. [91185]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: I have been asked to reply.

  By 30 June 1999, the Benefits Agency has paid £1,802,090 compensation to customers in respect of inconvenience they have suffered as a result of NIRS2 delays.

  The total compensation payments will not be known until the National Insurance Contributions Office (NICO) and the Benefits Agency (BA) have fully recovered backlogs.

WALES

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [89170]

  Mr. Michael
  The need to use different record sources for different periods has meant that some figures include local statutory instruments while others include only general instruments. Also we have only been able to identify instruments complying with EU obligations as those made under the European Communities Act 1972. Subject to these limitations, the following information is offered.

  1998—292 SIs (includes local SIs—approximately 70)—15 cite European Communities Act 1972, s2(2), as enabling legislation.

  1992—382 SIs (includes local SIs but no figures readily available for number of local SIs—2 cite European Communities Act 1972, s2(2), as enabling legislation.

  1985—135 SIs (excludes local SIs)—3 cite European Communities Act 1972, s2(2), as enabling legislation.

  1973—85 SIs (excludes local SIs)—8 cite European Communities Act 1972, s2(2), as enabling legislation.

  Note:

  These figures are for all SIs made by the Secretary of State for Wales, whether individually or in conjunction with an English Minister.

  Secretary of State's Office
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the running costs of the Secretary of State's Office for 1999–2000. [89856]

  Mr. Michael
  I have made budgetary provision of £2 million.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had on proposals for reform of the financial and organisational structures of further education colleges. [89853]

  Mr. Hain
  This is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [91061]

  Mr. Michael
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 15 April 1999,Official Report, column 336.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for(a) his Department and (b) associated
  452
  bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if he will indicate their (A) fuel types and (B) engine cubic capacities; and how many of the vehicles due for replacement by (a) his Department and (b) associated bodies listed in the National Asset Register will be replaced in (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02 and will be replaced by vehicles using (1) petrol, (2) diesel, (3) natural gas, (4) electric batteries and (5) other; and how much his Department expects to spend in each year on vehicle replacements. [90797]

  Mr. Michael
  Vehicles used by my Department area supplied by the Government Car Service (GCS) which is the responsibility of the Cabinet Office.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90795]

  Mr. Michael
  Since May 1997, no new non-departmental public bodies have been established, eight have been disbanded and 37 remain in existence. Several of these are technical or professional bodies rather than "quangos" in the normally accepted sense of that term. Future decisions will be a matter for the National Assembly for Wales. The specific organisations referred to are set out in the following list:

  (a) Since 1 May 1997 the following non-departmental public bodies have been disbanded:

  the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales, (May 1997);

  the Staff Commission for Wales, (July 1997);

  the Welsh Council for Post Graduate Medical and Dental Education, (August 1997);

  the Development Board for Rural Wales, (October 1998);

  the Land Authority for Wales, (October 1998);

  Tai Cymru, (November 1998);

  the Residuary Body for Wales, (December 1998);

  the Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse, (May 1999).

  (b) It is now a matter for the Assembly to decide whether further bodies will be disbanded.

  (c)(i) The Development Board for Rural Wales and the Land Authority for Wales were disbanded and their functions transferred to the Welsh Development Agency.

  (ii) Responsibility for the Residuary Body for Wales' remaining properties was passed on to Caerphilly County Borough Council. The functions of Tain Cymru have passed to the Welsh Office and latterly the National assembly.

  (d) none.
  453
  (e) The following bodies remain:

  Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committee

  Agricultural Land Tribunal (Wales)

  Agricultural Wages Committee

  Ancient Monuments Board for Wales

  Arts Council of Wales

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  Countryside Council for Wales

  Environment Agency Advisory Committee for Wales

  Further Education Funding Council for Wales

  Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

  Hill Farming Advisory Sub-Committee for Wales

  Historic Buildings Council for Wales

  Library and Information Services Council (Wales)

  Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales

  Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales

  National Library of Wales

  National Museums and Galleries of Wales

  Place Names Advisory Committee

  Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

  Registered Inspectors of Schools Appeals Tribunal (Wales)

  Rent Assessment Panel for Wales

  454

  Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

  Social Services Inspectorate for Wales Advisory Group

  Sports Council for Wales

  Valuation Tribunals (Wales)

  Wales Tourist Board

  Welsh Committee for Professional Development of Pharmacy

  Welsh Dental Committee

  Welsh Development Agency

  Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board

  Welsh Language Board

  Welsh Medical Committee

  Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  Welsh Nursing and Midwifery Committee

  Welsh Optometric Committee

  Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee

  Welsh Scientific Advisory CommitteeNo new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997.

  Responsibility for the 37 aforementioned bodies has been transferred to the National Assembly for Wales. There are now no non-departmental public bodies for which the Secretary of State for Wales has responsibility.

  Identity Cards
  Identity Cards
  Peter Clarence Foster
  Peter Clarence Foster
  Recorded Criminal Offences: Women and Young People
  Recorded Criminal Offences: Women and Young People
  Houses of Parliament: Age Limit
  Houses of Parliament: Age Limit
  Crime Reduction
  Crime Reduction
  Recorded Criminal Offences
  Recorded Criminal Offences
  Domestic Violence
  Domestic Violence
  Environmental Information: Access
  Environmental Information: Access
  Kosovo: Contact Group
  Kosovo: Contact Group
  Abdullah Ocalan
  Abdullah Ocalan
  Turkey: Minister of State's Visit
  Turkey: Minister of State's Visit
  Ecuador and Peru: Cross-border Co-operation
  Ecuador and Peru: Cross-border Co-operation
  War Crimes: Former Yugoslavia
  War Crimes: Former Yugoslavia
  Congo: Peace Process
  Congo: Peace Process
  Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
  Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
  Industrial and Commercial Attachments Programme
  Industrial and Commercial Attachments Programme
  HIPC Debt Relief
  HIPC Debt Relief
  Northern Ireland: Release of Prisoners
  Northern Ireland: Release of Prisoners
  Asylum Seekers: Free School Meals
  Asylum Seekers: Free School Meals
  Stenography Training
  Stenography Training
  Kosovo: Operation Agricola
  Kosovo: Operation Agricola
  Territorial Army: Classified Documents and IT Equipment
  Territorial Army: Classified Documents and IT Equipment
  Gulf Veterans' Health Concerns
  Gulf Veterans' Health Concerns
  Territorial Army: Non-regular Permanent Staff Redundancies
  Territorial Army: Non-regular Permanent Staff Redundancies
  Royal Tournament
  Royal Tournament
  Caesarean Births:
  Caesarean Births:
  Maternity Services: Midwife Attendance
  Maternity Services: Midwife Attendance
  Childbirth Initiative
  Childbirth Initiative
  Gulf War Illnesses: War Pensions Agency Appeals
  Gulf War Illnesses: War Pensions Agency Appeals
  London Underground
  London Underground
  Pedestrian Underpass: Westminster Bridge to Waterloo
  Pedestrian Underpass: Westminster Bridge to Waterloo
  Ragwort
  Ragwort
  Road Signs
  Road Signs
  Road Deaths
  Road Deaths