Written Answers of 20 July 1999

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Bicycle Allowance
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council how many hon. Members have claimed a bicycle allowance since its introduction. [91271]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Four hon. Members have claimed the bicycle allowance since its introduction.

  Hon. Members' Cars
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council how many hon. Members' cars were registered as being within each engine size capacity for which records are held in(a) May 1998 and (b) May 1999. [91272]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The information requested is not held as at May 1998 and May 1999 and could be produced only at disproportionate cost by an extensive clerical exercise.

  The relevant details as at 31 March are available:

  Engine capacity

  March 1998

  March 1999

  Up to 1300cc

  109

  92

  1301cc to 2300cc

  519

  530

  2301cc and above

  324

  292

  Disabled Access
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans there are further to improve disabled access to the Palace of Westminster. [91776]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 March 1998,Official Report, column 37. If the hon. Member has a specific proposal for any further improvement, the Director of Works would be pleased to consider it.

TREASURY

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he had made of the effect of paying a benefit directly through the pay-packet as a tax credit on incentives and behaviour. [90146]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 8 July 1999]: No benefits are currently paid as tax credits. The Government have, however, already announced that the new Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Persons Tax Credit will be paid through the pay packet from April 2000. This will demonstrate the link between reward and work, encourage take-up, and improve work incentives.

  VAT
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to lay the Value Added Tax (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1999; and if he will make a statement. [92280]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government laid the Order today. It will come into effect on 1 January 2000 and stop VAT avoidance by profit-making sports clubs, by laying down conditions for exemption from VAT which any non-profit making club can satisfy.

  Royal Mint
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the performance targets for the Royal Mint for 1999–2000. [92281]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have set the Royal Mint the target of achieving a rate of return on average net assets of 14.6 per cent. for 1999–2000 which is an increase over the target of 14.3 per cent. set for 1998–99.

  The Royal Mint's other performance targets have also been tightened. The new targets are for:
  96 per cent. of accepted orders from UK banks and the Post Office for UK circulating coin to be delivered within 11 working days;
  95 per cent. of UK collector coin orders from individual UK customers to be delivered within 25 days;
  97 per cent. of medals orders to be delivered by the agreed delivery date;
  99.7 per cent. of collector products accepted by individual UK customers.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals his Department has recruited under the New Deal for Young People. [91892]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) on 25 May 1999,Official Report, column 116.

  Gold Sales
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy relating to gold sales; and if he will estimate the job losses there(a) have been and (b) will be in third world countries which produce gold, with particular reference to South Africa. [91879]

  Ms Hewitt
  As they will be spread out over a number of years, UK gold sales will be modest in the context of the world gold market. The 125 tonnes to be sold this year amounts to around 5 per cent. of estimated annual mining supply and less than a tenth of 1 per cent. of IMF estimates of above ground stocks of gold. Sales on this scale are unlikely to have a significant sustained impact on the price of gold.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of reducing NI contributions by 0.5 per cent. [91648]
  457
  Dawn Primarolo
  Reducing the National Insurance Contributions rates for employees, the self-employed and employers by 0.5 per cent. would cost about £2.9 billion in 2000–01.

  Data Series
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by his Department since June 1997. [90826]

  Ms Hewitt
  HM Treasury has not commissioned any new internal data series separated by gender, race, disability and age since June 1997. However, the Department has long-established procedures for routinely monitoring staff in post numbers and the outcome of recruitment, promotion and appraisal exercises by gender and race. In addition, an Equality Audit of the posting, appraisal and promotion procedures, by gender and race, will be undertaken later this year.

  HM Customs and Excise has not carried out any national internal surveys, but several surveys have been carried out locally. Customs is also considering carrying out a national survey in the near future.

  The Inland Revenue has not completed a full Departmental internal staff survey separated by gender, race, disability and age since June 1997. However, a full Departmental survey is currently being issued to everyone in the Department. The survey will concentrate on human resource issues such as training and development, motivation, equality and impressions of the Revenue as an employer. Survey respondents are invited to state their sex, ethnicity, if they have a disability as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act, their age and if they work part-time or full-time. Key results of the survey will be made available to everyone in the Department.

  A disability survey will be taken forward later this year. As part of the survey everyone in the Department will be asked to state if they have any disabilities and the nature of those disabilities.

  The Revenue routinely monitors issues such as performance management results and staff in posts by band (grade) separated by gender, race, disability, part-time and full-time and since 1998, by age. The Revenue is in the process of monitoring vacancy filling by gender, race, disability, part-time and full-time and age.

  National Savings monitors its external recruitment to ensure there are no biases, but has carried out no internal surveys since June 1997 on gender, race, disability or age.

  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) routinely collects information from all applicants for jobs on gender, race and disability. Information about age is collected from those who take up posts. Internally it publishes annual information about performance marks by gender, ethnic origin and disability.

  In June of this year, all ONS staff were asked to complete a questionnaire about disability. The results of this are being analysed at present. At the same time, staff who had not previously declared their ethnic origin were asked to do so.

  District Banks
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has had from (i) consumer organisations and (ii) organisations representing(a) the elderly, (b) the disabled and (c) the visually impaired, regarding the closure and automation of district banks in (1) rural and (2) urban communities; and what responses he has made. [91695]

  Ms Hewitt
  Representations have been received from a number of organisations concerned about consumer interests. The Treasury's Policy Action Team's Report on "Access to Financial Service" is likely to be published in the autumn.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Student Grants
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons the software to carry out financial assessments for student grant applications has not been supplied to local education authorities to date. [92090]

  Mr. Mudie
  The three software companies used by most local education authorities have released the final version of their software to those LEAs. Those authorities are now finalising financial assessments for students who applied by the established deadlines so that they will receive cheques at the start of their courses. The remaining LEAs have their own in-house software provision or manual systems.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance his Department has issued to students who do not receive their grant by the first day of term. [92089]

  Mr. Mudie
  None. We expect all students who have applied to the required timetable to receive cheques on the first day of their course, and are making plans to ensure that even very late applicants receive a payment upon arrival at their universities and colleges.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment under what circumstances students are entitled to apply for compensation in relation to delays in the processing of their applications for a grant. [92093]

  Mr. Mudie
  There are arrangements for students to make complaints if they are not satisfied with the processing of their applications for student support. However, we expect all students who have applied to the required timetable to receive cheques on the first day of their course, and are making plans to ensure that late applicants also receive a payment upon arrival at their universities and colleges.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many local education authorities are expected to complete assessments for student grants using the new systems, in accordance with his Department's timetable. [92091]
  459
  Mr. Mudie
  We expect that all local education authorities will complete processing applications from students who submitted their forms by the required timetable, and that cheques will be issued to those students at the start of their courses.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of local education authorities which will have completed the processing of applications for student grants before the start of the university term. [92092]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Department is monitoring closely the progress being made by local education authorities. We expect that they will all complete processing applications from students who submitted their forms by the required timetable, and that cheques will be issued to those students at the start of their courses.

  Holocaust Remembrance Day
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's involvement in the proposed Government committee on Holocaust Remembrance Day. [92160]

  Mr. Mudie
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 400.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [90678]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: Of the non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) in existence on 1 May 1997:

  (a) the NDPB that has been simply disbanded is the Supported Employment Consultative Group, in June 1998 as intended. The Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research continues in operation but, following constitutional change, has been de-classified as an NDPB;

  (b) the Funding Agency for Schools has ceased funding activities, and will be disbanded in the autumn of this year;

  (c)(i) the functions of the disbanded National Advisory Council for the Employment of People with Disabilities have been transferred to the National Disability Council. The National Council for Vocational Qualifications and the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority have been merged to
  460
  form the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The Race Relations Employment Advisory Group has been disbanded and replaced by the Race Relations Education and Employment Forum;

  (c)(ii) no functions have been transferred to a democratically elected body;

  (d) the Education Assets Board has been renamed as the Education Transfer Council and the National Council for Educational Technology has been renamed as the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency;

  (e) unchanged NDPBs not mentioned above are the Construction Industry Training Board, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Further Education Funding Council, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Investors in People UK, Remploy Ltd., Student Loans Company, Teacher Training Agency, Registered Inspectors Appeals Tribunal, Special Educational Needs Tribunal, School Teachers Review Body now classified under this Department.

  New NDPB established since 1 may 1997 are; the Disability Rights Task Force, New Deal Task Force, Skills Task Force.

  The Department is responsible for 21 NDPBs.

  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 NDPBs established since 1 May are essential in helping the Government deliver their Manifesto commitments.

  Class Sizes
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children aged five to seven years in(a) Bath and North-East Somerset and (b) South Gloucestershire were in classes of 30 or fewer in each year from 1992 to date. [91155]

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

  The Government have pledged to reduce infant class sizes so that no 5, 6 or 7-year-old is in an infant class of more than 30 pupils. The number of infants in classes larger than 30 has already been reduced by some 130,000 between January 1998 and January 1999.

  Numbers of pupils in key stage 1 classes of 30 pupils or less taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire local education authority areas: January 1996–99 (provisional)

  Bath and North East Somerset classes of size

  South Gloucestershire classes of size

  1–30

  all

  1–30

  all

  1996

  3,689

  4,789

  5,460

  8,821

  1997

  4,025

  4,977

  5,279

  9,031

  1998

  4,118

  5,329

  5,931

  9,322

  19991

  4,163

  5,182

  8,050

  9,452

  1 Provisional

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census

  Experimental Science Teaching
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with the Minister for Science on the experimental
  461
  teaching of (a) biology, (b) chemistry, (c) physics, (d) environmental sciences and (e) other sciences in the past two years. [91280]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend and the Minister for Science meet from time to time to discuss a variety of issues of mutual interest.

  Drive For Youth Programme
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which departments funded the Drive For Youth programme in the past four years; what were the reasons for this investment; what amount of public funds was allocated to this in each year; and if he will make a statement. [90300]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 8 July 1999]: Drive For Youth is a registered charity. Government funding is through payment for services provided through contracts for the delivery of training courses for New Deal and other clients by the Employment Service, TECs, LECs and other bodies. Many of these contracts are concluded at local level, and information is not held centrally, so full details could be ascertained only at disproportionate cost.

  School year

  Board area

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Belfast

  Nursery school/units

  2,637

  2,689

  2,767

  Reception places

  92

  92

  92

  Funded places in voluntary and private pre-school education centres

  267

  465

  622

  North Eastern

  Nursery school/units

  1,813

  2,307

  2,879

  Reception places

  389

  389

  389

  Funded places in voluntary and private pre-school education centres

  421

  720

  908

  South Eastern

  Nursery school/units

  1,678

  2,172

  2,536

  Reception places

  475

  475

  475

  Funded places in voluntary and private pre-school education centres

  291

  443

  747

  Southern

  Nursery school/units

  1,720

  2,136

  2,630

  Reception places

  946

  946

  946

  Funded places in voluntary and private pre-school education centres

  378

  400

  543

  Western

  Nursery school/units

  1,446

  1,992

  2,512

  Reception places

  619

  619

  619

  Funded places in voluntary and private pre-school education centres

  514

  629

  647

  Total

  13,686

  16,474

  19,312

  Departmental Travel
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many kilometres have been travelled on her Department's business in each of the last three years broken down by(a) foot, (b) bike, (c) bus, (d) train, (e) tram, (f) light-rail, (g) plane, (h) motorbike, (i) car, (j) taxi, (k) river-taxi and (l) other modes of transport; what plans and targets her Department has to reduce the kilometres travelled by private transport by her Department's employees; and if she will make a statement. [91028]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: The information on business travel is not collected in the form

  National Childcare Strategy
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by LEA the number of additional out-of-school child care places created under the National Childcare Strategy. [88187]

  Ms Hodge
  Details of new child care places created under the National Childcare Strategy in 1998–99 are set out in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Pre-school Provision
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement setting out for each education and library board, the numbers of children in September 1998 and 1999 and the projected numbers for September 2000, placed in(a) nursery schools and units and (b) in other pre-school provision. [90737]

  Mr. McFall
  The numbers of children in free pre-school education provision in the 1998–99 school year and projected numbers for the 1999–2000 and 2000–01 school years are set out in the table. All figures for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 are estimates.

  requested and therefore cannot be provided. As published in the Integrated Transport White Paper in July 1998, the Government have set a target that all Government Department headquarters buildings and main buildings occupied by Executive Agencies should have green transport plans by March 1999 and all other key buildings by March 2000.

  Northern Ireland Departments are working to complete plans covering all headquarters and main buildings and they are developing plans for all other key buildings in line with the targets set out in the White Paper, and consideration is being given to measures to reduce single-occupancy car use by employees.

  Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she expects to receive the fifth report of the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside; and if she will make a statement. [91254]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I expect to receive the fifth report from the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside before the end of 1999.

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 the number of crimes attributed to paramilitary organisations committed in Northern Ireland. [91435]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: Statistics for crimes attributed to paramilitary organisations are collated under the headings in the following tables which show the number of incidents recorded as being of paramilitary style during the years (a)(b) 1998 and (c) 1999 to 15 July 1999.

  Crimes attributed to paramilitary organizations

  Deaths

  Shootings

  Bombings

  1997

  22

  225

  78

  1998

  55

  211

  127

  1999 (to 15 July)

  6

  74

  54

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks

  Shootings

  Assaults

  1997

  72

  156

  1998

  72

  144

  1999 (to 15 July)

  46

  89

  Notes:

  1. Figures may be subject to minor amendment.

  2. Figures cannot be attributed to specific paramilitary groupings.

  3. The above may not be exhaustive as there may be some offences, e.g. armed robbery, which may be linked to paramilitary groups but they have been recorded under the category of offence and it is not possible to be more specific.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 the number of (i) punishment beatings and (ii) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many in each category were committed by (1) Loyalist and (2) Republican groups. [91436]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: The table shows the number of casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks over the last three years.

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks

  Shootings

  Assaults

  Year

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Loyalist

  Republican

  1997

  46

  26

  78

  78

  1998

  34

  38

  89

  55

  19991

  25

  21

  56

  33

  1 Up to-incl. 11 July

  Note:

  1999 figures are provisional

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals her Department has recruited under the New Deal for Young People. [91897]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  As at 30 June 1999 the information on the Northern Ireland Civil Service (including its Agencies) participating as employers in the New Deal is as follows:

  Northern Ireland Civil Service

  New Deal 'starts' since programme began

  Number

  Age 18–24

  21

  25 and over

  12

  Total

  33

  I would also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) on 25 May 1999, Official Report, column 116.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Departmental Travel
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many kilometres have been travelled on his Department's business in each of the last three years broken down by(a) foot, (b) bike, (c) bus, (d) train, (e) tram, (f) light-rail, (g) plane, (h) motorbike, (i) car, (j) taxi, (k) river-taxi and (l) other modes of transport; what plans and targets his Department has to reduce the kilometres travelled by private transport by his Department's employees; and if he will make a statement. [91019]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: The information on business travel is not collected in the form requested and therefore cannot be provided. As published in the Integrated Transport White Paper in July 1998, the Government have set a target that all Government Department headquarters buildings occupied by Executive Agencies and Government Offices for the Regions should have green transport plans by March 1999 and all other key buildings by March 2000.

  We have completed a green transport plan covering all our headquarters and main buildings. Being located in central London, this Department is already well placed for staff commuting, with virtually all staff using public transport. Proposals therefore concentrate on discouraging business travel by private car by reviewing mileage rates, encouraging cycling, converting official vehicles to use cleaner fuels and reducing deliveries.

  Lilleshall National Sports Centre
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what investment is planned in Lilleshall National Sports Centre to improve standards among British sports people. [91508]
  465
  Mr. Banks
  Lilleshall National Sports Centre will be the part of the UK Sports Institute Network Centre serving the West Midlands. The Centre has a wide range of a sports specific and generic training facilities which include up to date gymnastics training facilities, natural and artificial turf pitches and indoor training halls.

  The key services of sports science and medicine will be co-ordinated by the Lilleshall Sports Injury and Human Performance Centre, supported by Staffordshire and Worcester Institutes of Higher Education; Birmingham University will play a crucial role in both service and facility provision. A network of Sports Medicine practitioners will be established to provide primary care services and formal links will be established with hospitals to provide essential secondary and tertiary care for athletes.

  Other sites will be incorporated into the regional network to complement the services available at Lilleshall and extend the range of sports available in the region.

  The sports expected to be included within the West Midlands Network are:

  archery

  athletics

  cricket

  football

  golf

  gymnastics

  hockey

  netball

  squash

  equestrian.

  Around 200 elite, international and national athletes currently living in the west midlands will be able to use the services available.

  Press Officer
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the criteria applied to the recruitment of his Department's new press officer; how many applicants there were for this post; how many were shortlisted; how this post was advertised; who was on the selection panel; and what salary this post carries. [91948]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: In selecting the Head of News for my Department in summer 1998 the following criteria were used: people management, resource management, ability to inspire confidence, ability to communicate with impact, ability to add value to decisions, and knowledge of the system. Thirty two candidates applied of which seven were shortlisted for interview, and five were actually interviewed. The post was advertised in The Guardian.

  The selection panel comprised two members of the Management Board of the Department, a senior representative of the Government Information and Communication Service and a Civil Service Commissioner.

  The post carries a salary in the range of £36,517 to £56,198.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  MOD Police
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been received by the Police Complaints Authority against the Ministry of Defence Police in each year since they were granted statutory constabulary powers. [92165]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand from the Police Complaints Authority that the number of complaints dealt with in respect of the Ministry of Defence Police since 1987 when they were granted statutory constabulary powers is as set out in the table:

  Year

  Number of complaints

  1987

  22

  1988

  93

  1989

  86

  1990

  225

  1991

  143

  1992

  75

  1993

  46

  1994–951

  58

  1995–96

  75

  1996–97

  44

  1997–98

  53

  1998–99

  47

  1 Statistics have been kept on a financial year basis from 1994

  Criminal Records Agency
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his planned timetable for the establishment of the Criminal Records Agency. [91988]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am reviewing the timetable for the implementation of the Criminal Records Bureau and will inform the House of the results when it returns after the recess.

  UK Passport Agency
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment was made of the required level of staff which would be needed following introduction of the new information technology systems by the UK Passport Agency; if he will publish a summary of the Agency's report on staffing requirements; and if he will make a statement. [90686]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have placed a summary of the business case for Private Sector Involvement in the Issue of the British Passport, produced by the UK Passport Agency in July 1997, in the Library. Paragraph 49 gives an estimate of Agency staffing levels under the chosen option as 930 permanent staff equivalents. This was based on demand estimated at an average 4 million services a year across the 10 year period of the contracts.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the forecast number of passport applications to be made in(a) 1998 and (b) 1999; what was the actual number of applications in 1998; what is the current estimate of the number of applications for 1999; and if he will make a statement. [90591]
  467
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK Passport Agency forecasts the number of passport applications on the basis of financial years. The forecasts published in the Agency's 1998–2001 Corporate Plan were 4.5 million in 1998–99 and 5.0 million in 1999–2000.

  During the year, the Agency revised its 1998–99 forecasts upwards from 4.5 million to 4.9 million to allow for a greater take up of children's passports than its statistical model forecast. In the event, the actual intake for 1998–99 was 4.8 million.

  The Agency continues to analyse the impact on its forecast for 1999–2000 of its recent operational problems and the measures implemented as a result.

  On available information, the Agency's latest forecast for 1999–2000 is for 5.2 million applications which again makes greater allowance for the effect of the child policy against the modelled 5.0 million.

  Young Offenders Institution Feltham
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions he and other Ministers in his Department have met the governor and senior management responsible for Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution Feltham since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [90580]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Ministers have visited Feltham Young Offender Institution on three occasions since May 1997 when they would have met the governor and staff. I visited Feltham in July 1997 and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary visited on 13 February 1998. My hon. Friend, the Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Mr. Michael), in his capacity as Minister of State, Home Office, visited Feltham on 6 April 1998.

  In addition, I met the governor on 26 May 1999 and the Minister for prisons and probation, Lord Williams, met the governor on 23 June 1999. Lord Williams has had meetings with the area manager on six occasions since February and the Home Secretary has met the area manager twice. Central records of attendance at office meetings are not available prior to this year.

  These meetings were in addition to the regular meetings my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and the Minister with responsibility for prisons, my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams and until July 1998, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), held with the Director General.

  Wormwood Scrubs
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions he and other Ministers in his Department have met the governor and senior management responsible for HMP Wormwood Scrubs since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [90579]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Since May 1997, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), the then Minister for prisons and probation, visited Wormwood Scrubs prison at night on 13 July 1998 when she would have met the governor and staff.
  468
  The current Minister for prisons and probation, my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams, has met the governor on two occasions on 14 April and 22 June 1999. My right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams, has also had meetings with the area manager on six occasions since February and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has met the area manager twice. Central records of attendance at office meetings are not available prior to this year.

  These meetings were in addition to the regular meetings my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and the Minister with responsibility for prisons, my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams and until July 1998, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West, held with the Director General.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the actions his Department has taken in respect of each of the recommendations made by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on Her Majesty's Prison Wormwood Scrubs in March 1997. [90970]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I have arranged for a copy of the action plan drawn up in response to the Chief Inspector of Prison's recommendations, contained in his 1996 inspection report, to be placed in the Library.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Somalia
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures she intends to take to improve the situation in Somalia with regard to(a) food, (b) seeds and (c) health assistance. [91296]

  Clare Short
  To date, we have committed £590,000 to emergency needs, including support for UNICEF's supplementary feeding programmes in the Bardera region; Action Contre le Faim's (ACF) emergency nutritional intervention in the Gedo and Bakool regions; and World Vision's primary health care project in Juba. We are currently considering providing support for the African Medical and Research Foundation to improve the health of internally displaced people in Luuq Town, South West Somalia, which will complement ACF's activities. In addition, the EC have provided 10,899 metric tonnes of food.

  We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to respond to needs as they arise.

  Water
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects supported by her Department for the provision of potable water. [91722]

  Clare Short
  The White Paper on International Development makes clear that fresh water resources are essential for sustaining life, development and the environment. Access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene education is vital to poor people's health and well-being. We ensure that our support for the provision of potable water is integrated with improved sanitation and hygiene education. With the increasing
  469
  demands on limited fresh water resources, we are also working to ensure that water resources are managed in an integrated and sustainable way.

  We are increasing commitments on water supply and sanitation projects. In all, we funded approximately 175 projects in 1998–99. Expenditure was £11 million on rural water supply and sanitation and £16 million on urban water supply and sanitation. In total, we spent £45 million in the water sector, including water resources management. Of this 52 per cent. was in Africa (notably, Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho, Uganda and Tanzania); 39 per cent. in Asia (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China) and the remaining 9 per cent. was spread between South America, Middle East and Eastern Europe.

  Small Grants Budget
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the small grants budget; and if she will make a statement. [91713]

  Clare Short
  The overall objectives set out in the Government's White Paper on International Development apply to the Small Grants Scheme which finances projects generally costing a few thousand pounds. Reports are considered on a country by country basis each year, and compliance with administrative and financial requirements is monitored by my Internal Audit Department.

  Sudan
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures she is taking to support the work of the World Food Programme in the Sudan. [92153]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The British Government committed £14.1 million through the World Food Programme (WFP) last year. This year, the situation is much improved. We have made available £5 million and have asked the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), who are co-ordinating the UN system's humanitarian response in Sudan, to let us have their priorities, including those of WFP, for the use of this money.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate the Commonwealth Development Corporation has made of the number of employees at(a) the (i) Abosso gold and (ii) Satellite gold fields in Ghana and (b) the East Africa gold mines in Tanzania. [92151]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Abosso gold and satellite gold fields in Ghana have, respectively, around 400 and 330 employees. The East Africa gold mines in Tanzania, where work is still in the exploration stage, has about 40 employees.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the current portfolio of Commonwealth Development Corporation investments together with the estimates of their current value and annual income. [92149]
  470
  Mr. Foulkes
  The Commonwealth Development Corporation's (CDC) Report and Accounts for 1998 list all the enterprises in which CDC had debt or equity investments at 31 December 1998.

  Information on the value and annual income of individual investments is commercially sensitive. In total, the cost of CDC's investments before provisions, as published in the Report and Accounts for 1998, was £1,520.6 million. Provisions of £319.2 million bring the net portfolio at cost less provision down to £1,201.4 million. These figures take no accounts of surpluses in value over cost on any of CDC's equity investments as CDC's accounts are based on the historic cost convention. However, as part of the process of moving towards valuation accounting, CDC valued its equity portfolio as at 31 December 1998 in accordance with the British Venture Capital Association guidelines and this showed an unrealised surplus in valuation of £99 million.

  The group revenue account confirmed portfolio loan investment income of £105.0 million and portfolio equity investment income of £31.5 million, giving an annual investment income for 1998 at £136.5 million.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the firms which have provided advice to her Department on the Commonwealth Development Corporation and the public-private partnership process together with the fees paid to those advisers to date. [92150]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We have received advice on preparation of the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) public private partnership from Credit Suisse First Boston (and before their merger, BZW) Allen and Overy, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Information on fees paid to individual companies while work is in progress is commercially sensitive. In total, costs to the Department for financial and legal advice in preparation of the CDC public private partnership (including costs of advice from the Treasury Solicitors Department) totalled £1.6 million as at 30 June 1999.

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to provide(a) loans and (b) other assistance to help (i) electrification and (ii) other projects in Bangladesh; what matters she discussed with the Bangladesh Prime Minister during his recent visit; and if she will make a statement. [91760]

  Clare Short
  Our development assistance for Bangladesh is provided on grant terms. We have given considerable support in the past to the Dhaka Electricity Supply Authority; however, we have no plans to make further investment until the high level of system losses has been tackled. Technical assistance has been offered on this issue. A new project has recently been agreed which aims to facilitate public/private partnerships. This will help in the power sector among others. This technical assistance will be geared primarily towards the establishment of appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks and the development, marketing and tendering of projects suitable for private sector participation.
  471
  We have a substantial development programme in Bangladesh, spending more than £65 million in 1998–99 on development projects, and on relief and rehabilitation activities following the floods of 1998. The programme has a strong emphasis on poverty reduction, in particular on primary health and education services, and help for sustainable livelihoods for the poor. Discussion with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, focused on how to assist her Government's plans to improve public service management and target the needs of the poor.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licences have been(a) requested, (b) granted and (c) revoked for arms to Indonesia since May 1997; and how many Hawk Fighter bombers were covered by these licences. [91215]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: Further to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Audrey Wise) on 2 July 1999, Official Report, columns 313–14, concerning licences issued between 2 May 1997 and 18 June 1999 for the export of military equipment to Indonesia; none of these licences covered the export of Hawk aircraft.

  Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) routinely cover exports to a number of countries. Any country initially specified on an OIEL application but not included as a permitted destination on the licence is not recorded on the Export Control Organisation's computer databases. Accordingly, the number of applications for OIELs covering exports to any particular country could be established only by manual examination of the paper records of all of the applications made in the period, which would entail disproportionate cost.

  Between 2 May 1997 and 18 June 1999, 114 applications were received for Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) covering the export to consignees or end-users in Indonesia of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List. None of these applications covered Hawk aircraft. In the same period, no Standard or Open Individual Export Licences covering such exports were revoked.

  Milk Marque
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors underlay the time taken to publish the report of the Competition Commission on Milk Marque. [91312]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State explained the position to the House. He said:"It was not an easy decision, as it is not usual to disagree with a clear recommendation from the MMC. It is one reason why the report took longer to publish than I would have liked; I understand the concerns expressed by many right hon. and hon. Members this afternoon and by the farming community, particularly the dairy farmers, about the delay in its publication. I wanted to publish the report as soon as possible and I have done that. I would have liked it to be sooner, but I wanted to make sure
  472
  when it was published and I had put on record my decision that all avenues had been properly investigated."—[Official Report, 7 July 1999, column 1091.

  Tidal Energy
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the size of community which would be served by a 100 MW tidal energy power plant. [91647]

  Mr. Battle
  A 100 MW tidal energy barrage might be expected to produce electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of 40,000 to 50,000 domestic customers assuming a capacity factor for the plant in the range 0.2 to 0.3 and average sales of 4,300 kWh/yr to domestic customers. While feasibility studies for such plants have been conducted in the UK no project is known to be in early prospect.

  Edmonton Incinerator
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) of 12 July 1999,Official Report, column 43, on the Edmonton incinerator, when he expects to announce his decision; and if he will make a statement. [91785]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department is still awaiting the formal views of the London Borough of Enfield, the relevant planning authority. Until the views of the relevant planning authority are known it is too early to say when a decision on the application will be taken.

  BP Alaskan Pipeline
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to BP concerning the safety and maintenance of the Alaskan pipeline; and if he will make a statement. [91423]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: There have been no representations made; the safety and maintenance of the Alaskan pipeline are matters for the State Government and relevant local authorities of Alaska to pursue directly with BP. As a matter of general policy, the UK Government would always encourage conformity to the highest standards.

  Textphones
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 12 July 1999,Official Report, column 42, concerning public textphones, for what reasons BT' s plans have been superseded; and how many public textphones he estimates will be in service in 2000. [91946]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: BT' s plans for public textphone provision are a matter for the company and for Oftel. I understand, however, that usage of the existing public textphones has been disappointingly low.

  It would be premature at this stage to estimate actual provision in 2000, which may be affected by a number of factors including use of existing public textphones, and any new measures which the Government decide to introduce.

  BNFL
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the stockbrokers consulted by KPMG as part of their work preparing the report into the Public Private Partnership Options for BNFL. [92059]

  Mr. Battle
  In carrying out their work, KPMG relied on views expressed in confidence by four leading stockbrokers in the belief that those views would remain private to Government. It would be a breach of that confidence to identify them now.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish in full the KPMG report into the Public Private Partnership Options for BNFL. [92056]

  Mr. Battle
  A summary of KPMG's report containing all its key points has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The full report constitutes advice to Ministers and contains commercially sensitive information, so it will not be published.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the reasons for selling a minority stake in BNFL, rather than a majority stake. [92057]

  Mr. Battle
  The Atomic Energy Act 1971, which set up BNFL, provides for the sale of up to 49 per cent. of the business. This would enable a Public Private Partnership to be introduced into the company, thereby bringing private sector skills and capital to bear on its commercial decisions.

  Bribery Convention
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans Her Majesty's Government have to inform United Kingdom companies of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. [92122]

  Mr. Wilson
  Negotiation of the OECD Convention was concluded during December 1997. Since then, officials have been informing UK companies of its scope. The scope of the Convention was accommodated within existing UK legislation. Therefore, there are no new obligations for UK companies.

  Shipbuilding (Credit)
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes he proposes to make to the Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme. [92465]

  Mr. Byers
  I am pleased to announce today some significant improvements in Government supported shipbuilding finance under the Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme.

  I am delighted to say that these improvements are one of the early outcomes of the Shipbuilding Forum, which I established last summer, to bring together all the major Industry, union and Government representatives to examine ways of improving the competitiveness of the shipbuilding sector. The Government are actively contributing to these outcomes. I believe that these
  474
  improvements, recommended by the Shipbuilding Forum, will put the UK Scheme on a par with the best finance schemes among our EU competitors.

  The Scheme, which currently offers soft credit financing support in pounds sterling and at fixed interest rates to help UK yards win new shipbuilding orders, will now be extended to offer support for loans in US dollars and euros and to provide DTI guarantees in support of loans at floating as well as fixed rates. It is moreover our aim that the Scheme should be more flexible in its operation and to this end loans under the Scheme will be considered in a combination of the permitted currencies. The Scheme will also guarantee loans for periods up to 12 years (previously eight and half years) for mobile offshore installations, including floating production storage and offloading vessels.

  Floating rate loans will be of particular assistance as it allows shipowners to take advantage of the current low interest rates and make the Scheme more competitive and attractive to all.

  Loans in US dollars recognises that shipbuilding is an international business and that the US dollar is the most widely used currency for financing the building of ships. It will bring our UK Scheme in line with other similar EU competitor schemes which already offer loans in US dollars as will the extension to loans in euros.

  I am certain that these new financing arrangements, which the Industry have called for, will help strengthen the hand of the UK shipbuilding sector. The Government will continue to give the Industry every encouragement to improve its competitiveness and I look forward to working with the Shipbuilding Forum to ensure that we continue to achieve this aim.

DEFENCE

  Military Personnel (Cyprus)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military personnel stationed in Cyprus have been charged with drug offences in each of the last three years. [90821]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No British military personnel stationed in Cyprus have been charged with drug-related offences during the last three years. However, seven Service personnel were administratively discharged in 1997, having failed a compulsory Drug Test (CDT). Since then there have been no CDT failures. Nearly 6,000 people have been tested over the three year period.

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 30 June 1999,Official Report, column 157, on the Chemical Weapons Convention, under what circumstances depleted uranium may be defined as a chemical weapon for the purposes of the Chemical Weapons Convention. [91763]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The use of depleted uranium ammunition is not prohibited under any international agreement, including the Geneva Convention, and there are no circumstances under which such ammunition may be defined as a chemical weapon. Article II of the
  475
  Chemical Weapons Convention includes definition of chemical weapons as munitions and devices specifically designed to cause death or other harm through the toxic properties of the chemicals specified. Depleted uranium ammunition is designed to penetrate Main Battle Tank armour, or when used in the Royal Navy's Vulcan Phalanx close-in-weapons-system to penetrate incoming missiles, and so is not defined as a chemical weapon.

  Trident
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on preparation for the refurbishment that will be required for Trident early in the next decade. [91565]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Work to provide upgraded refitting and refuelling facilities at Devonport for Trident submarines is progressing to plan in preparation for the first refit early next century.

  Suez Medals
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account he took, in reaching decisions about Suez Canal Zone medals, of Cabinet minute CAB 128 (1951) in the Public Record Office for 29 November 1951. [92041]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Minute in question had no bearing on my decision on the claim for a campaign award for operations in the Canal Zone of Egypt in the period 1951–54. It relates solely to the implications of a declaration of Active Service for the control of civilian labour. The matter of Active Service is not the deciding factor as to whether or not any such campaign award is made.

  Nuclear Weapons (Space)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to discourage the deployment of nuclear armaments in space. [91693]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The deployment of nuclear armaments in space is prohibited by the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. All the Nuclear Weapon States, and the four states yet to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as non-nuclear-weapon status, Cuba, India, Israel, Pakistan, are members of the Outer Space Treaty.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Official Documents
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will publish a list of all those official documents of the last Administration which have been seen by(a) him, (b) other Ministers in his Department, (c) special advisers in his Department and (d) non-career civil servants appointed since May 1997 in his Department. [92184]

  The Attorney-General
  A large number of official documents were generated during the period of the previous Administration, many of which were published or put in the public domain. Since May 1997, the Law Officers Departments have been guided by the convention governing access to the papers of a previous 476
  Administration, as set out in the then Prime Minister's reply to a written question on 24 January 1980, Official Report, columns 305–07.

  Documents recording the advice given by the Law Officers (the Attorney-General and Solicitor General) are, by convention, made available to the Law Officers and other Ministers of succeeding Administrations in the interest of continuity of legal advice. By convention, the content of Law Officers' advice and the fact that it has been sought is not disclosed outside government. These conventions are referred to in Paragraphs 22 and 24 of Ministerial Code (published by the Cabinet Office in July 1997).

HEALTH

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to issue a new health service circular in respect of multiple sclerosis. [89850]

  Mr. Denham
  In April we sent advance copies of a draft health service circular on beta-interferon to the MS Society and drug manufacturers. The draft circular was withdrawn as soon as it became clear that the circular had not been interpreted as we had intended. We plan to consult the MS Society, the pharmaceutical industry, the medical profession and health authorities on a revised draft circular. The revised draft circular will make it clear that it relates to the use of beta-interferon for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, and that existing guidance on the use of beta-interferon for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis [EL(95)97] continues to apply.

  Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1999,Official Report, column 566, how many students the Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service placed onto courses in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [90964]

  Mr. Denham
  The Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service does not place students onto courses. It provides a centralised service processing all applications from individuals seeking entry to pre-registration nursing and midwifery diploma programmes. Applications that meet the entry requirements are passed to higher education institutions. Each institution decides whether or not to accept students in accordance with their own recruitment processes.

  Each applicant can submit up to and including four applications for different higher education institutions. The number of applicants/applications that the Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service passed to higher education institutions is shown in the table.

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Applicants

  18,296

  31,577

  Applications

  45,414

  85,535

  Source:

  The Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service

  Dentistry
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that dental students on qualification are offered incentives to set up practices in areas of greatest dental need. [90779]

  Mr. Denham
  Dental graduates who wish to become principals in general dental practice have to undergo a period of vocational training comprising placement at an approved practice and attendance at a locally organised training course. The Committee on Vocational Training collaborates with health authorities on the organisation and funding of the courses and seeks to ensure that they are accessible from most parts of the country. We will explore with the Committee whether greater priority should be given to areas with shortages of NHS dentists.

  Incontinence Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor), 20 May 1999,Official Report, column 427, concerning continence services, what assessment he has made of the extent of compliance with guidance HSG (92) 50 and HSG (95) 8. [91947]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: Since Health Service Guidance (95)8 was issued in February 1995 National Health Service Executive Regional Offices have regularly monitored the implementation of local policies and eligibility criteria for continuing care. The most recent progress report was issued in 1997 (Executive Letter (97/62/CI97(24)). This report suggested that there should be three main areas where health and local authorities should target activity—the development of joint investment plans, the development of recuperation and rehabilitation services and multi-disciplinary assessment.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates he has made of the level of expenditure by the NHS on incontinence services in each of the last five years. [91944]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: Information on continence services is not collected centrally and no such estimates have been made. Local health authorities are responsible for commissioning continence services to meet the needs of their local population. The National Health Service Executive is reviewing continence service policy and plans to issue updated guidance shortly.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to issue updated guidance on continence services. [91945]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: Updated guidance is being developed in the light of the current review of continence policy services. We hope to issue this shortly.

  Beta-interferon
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the clinical guidelines on the use of beta-interferon recently published by the Association of British Neurologists. [91851]
  478
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: The Association of British Neurologists (ABN) acknowledge the evidence that the efficacy of beta-interferon is only partial, moderate and not curative, and that their guidelines do not address issues of cost effectiveness.

  The Department is likely to ask the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for advice on the place of beta-interferon among the range of interventions and services available for multiple sclerosis sufferers. NICE would be expected to look at all relevant sources of evidence, which would naturally include the ABN guidelines.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Lake District Traffic
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to reduce traffic in the Lake District. [90375]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are funding the Lake District transport package to promote the use of public transport. Cumbria County Council was allocated £957.384 for 1998–99 in Rural Bus Services Grant. It has also been allocated the same amount for 1999–2000. It is important for the local economy that sustainable tourism is encouraged. The Government believe that integrated transport, with attractive public transport options, is the key to managing unacceptable car growth.

  Great Leighs Bypass
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the criteria used to reject the Essex County Council local highway authority's 1999–2000 bid for capital funding for the Great Leighs bypass; and if he will make a statement. [90542]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 12 July 1999]: In the 1999–2000 local transport capital settlement, this Department was able to accept only five local transport major schemes. These included innovative public transport schemes where early acceptance was needed to lever in substantial financial contributions from other sources, the urgent replacement of a bridge on a vital route, and a regeneration scheme linked to a coalfields area.

  Home Building
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new homes were built(a) on brownfield, (b) greenfield sites and (c) in total in the United Kingdom in 1998. [91319]

  Mr. Raynsford
  It is provisionally estimated from data provided by local authorities and the National House-Building Council that 179,000 dwellings were completed in the UK during 1998. Information on the numbers of houses built on "brownfield" and "greenfield" sites is not available from this source.
  479
  Information on the proportion of new homes built on previously developed land in England is available from the Department's Land Use Change Statistics. The latest figures show that, in 1996, 56 per cent. of new dwellings were built on previously developed land (including new dwellings provided from the conversion of existing buildings, which account for 3 percentage points), and 44 per cent. were built on land that was not previously developed.

  Figures for Scotland and Wales are matters for the respective Assemblies.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new houses were built on(a) greenfield sites and (b) brownfield sites in Lancashire in 1998. [91399]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Information on numbers of houses built on "brownfield" and "greenfield" sites is not available. Information on the proportion of new homes built on previously developed land is available for Government Office Regions, but not for counties. Latest figures from the Department's Land Use Change Statistics show that, in 1994, 57 per cent. of new dwellings were built on previously developed land in the North West, and 43 per cent. were built on land that was not previously developed. These figures exclude new dwellings provided from conversion of existing buildings, for which reliable information is not available below national level.

  Cycle Routes
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued for highways engineers on developing cycling facilities as part of trunk road schemes. [91292]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Lock, dated 20 July 1999:
  The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Glenda Jackson, has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary question, about incorporating cycling facilities as part of trunk road schemes.
  Guidance on developing cycling facilities as part of trunk road schemes is incorporated across the sixteen volumes of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. In addition, Local Transport Notes and Traffic Advisory Leaflets, designed for use on local roads, also provide valuable guidance for some trunk road schemes. All documents are available in the House of Commons Library. Highway engineers are aware of the need to provide for crossings of trunk roads by the National Cycle Network.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Abandoned Homes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of homes in England that have been abandoned by their owners; and if he will make a statement. [91401]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This information is not collected centrally; however, the Government are committed to sustainable home ownership. Everyone with a mortgage 480
  or applying for a mortgage should consider carefully how they would cope if they experienced a drop in income. We are working with the mortgage lending and insurance industries to bring about better mortgage payment protection insurance, and encouraging lenders to provide more mortgages with flexible repayment arrangements.

  We expect local authorities in their housing strategies, to take into account any problems of abandonment in their area, particularly in areas of low demand, where there may be a surplus of housing.

  As part of the work of Social Exclusion Unit's report on neighbourhood renewal, a Policy Action Team was set up to look at the scale and spread of the problems of low demand and unpopular housing. Their work is being informed by a large scale research project commissioned by DETR in order to identify the causes and strategies for tackling low demand. The Policy Action Team will be reporting later this year.

  Private Hire Vehicles
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 January 1999,Official Report, column 304, on private hire vehicles, what progress has been made in respect of restoring the position which existed prior to the decision in the case in the Queen's Bench Division between C. Benson and Copeland Borough Council concerning the personal use of a private hire vehicle by the spouse of the licence holder. [91295]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The representations on the consultation on options for broadening the eligibility to drive licensed private hire vehicles raised complex legal issues. Once they have been resolved, I will make an announcement.

  Home Shopping
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has commissioned to assess the longer-term implications of home shopping for planning and transport services. [91447]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 54, we will commission research into the long-term implications of home shopping on our integrated transport policy in general and for planning and transport services in particular. The study will also cover environmental impacts and will be commissioned later this year.

  Cleaner Vehicles Task Force
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conclusions the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force has arrived at concerning ways of reducing the environmental impact of new vehicles and improving the emissions performance of vehicles in use. [91446]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Cleaner Vehicles Task Force is publishing its first report today.

  The Task Force has developed recommendations that are both practical and cost-effective for reducing the

  481
  environmental impact of new vehicles and improving the emissions performance of vehicles in use. The recommendations aim to:

  Inform consumers through:
  better information on fuel consumption, emissions and noise;
  a clear vehicle label showing environmental information;
  the promotion of improved maintenance and better driving styles;
  encouraging regular emission testing at minimal cost in standard vehicle servicing;
  increased low-cost emission testing facilities, and developing self-testing for emissions; and
  effective on-board driver information systems to give data on emissions.

  Improve enforcement by:
  developing road-side emission testing to target the worst polluters effectively;
  improving the MOT emissions test; and
  developing low emission zones, to improve air quality in urban areas.

  Promote technological solutions by:
  encouraging retrofitting for existing vehicles;
  promoting alternative fuels and the infrastructure to supply them; and
  supporting research and development into alternative fuel sources, new power sources and other technologies.

  Support fleet operators by:
  developing a greener fleet certification scheme;
  encouraging the adoption of voluntary targets;
  and providing best practice guidance.

  A copy of the Task Force's full report has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Wembley Stadium (Transport Infrastructure)
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the funding arrangements for planned transport infrastructure improvements for Wembley Stadium. [91497]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are awaiting Brent Council's borough interim transport plan submission due at the end of July. We expect this to include their transport proposals for Wembley Stadium and funding bids.

  Red Routes
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has decided to designate(a) Vauxhall Bridge Road and (b) Belgrave Road as red routes. [91504]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Both Vauxhall Bridge Road and Belgrave Road were designated as red routes in 1992 in the London Priority Route Order 1992 (SI 1992/1372).

  River Severn
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) Government Departments and (b) agencies which have statutory responsibility for the safety of the public on public highways adjacent to the River Severn in the Wyre Forest District Council area against dangers that can arise from the river. [91580]
  482
  Mr. Meale
  The Environment Agency has powers to undertake flood defence works on designated main rivers, including the River Severn and is also responsible for flood warning dissemination in England and Wales. MAFF have policy responsibility for flood defence in England. The National Assembly for Wales has equivalent powers for Wales.

  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what advice(a) his Department and (b) agencies responsible to his Department have issued for promoting and ensuring the safety of the public using the River Severn in the Wyre Forest District Council area; [91578]

  (2) which (a) Government Departments and (b) agencies have statutory responsibility for promoting and ensuring the safety of the public using the River Severn in the Wyre Forest District Council area. [91579]

  Mr. Meale
  Neither the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions or any of its agencies has statutory responsibilities for promoting and ensuring the safety of the public using the River Severn. The Environment Agency has, however, produced general leaflets on the dangers that rivers can present.

  Kapton Wiring
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to investigate the safety issues relating to Kapton wiring in planes; and if he will make a statement. [91541]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Civil Aviation Authority has no evidence that the use of Kapton wiring in civil aircraft is a safety issue. There has been only one case recorded on the Authority's occurrence database since 1979 where investigations have shown that a breakdown of Kapton wiring may have contributed to an incident (which was not an accident), and that was subsequently found to be the result of a manufacturing fault.

  The use of Kapton wiring in aircraft manufacture and maintenance is decreasing as new, improved products have become available.

  Construction Industry (Safety)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards the setting up of elected safety representatives and safety committees within the construction industry. [91717]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 25 January 1999,Official Report, columns 34–35.

  Public Transport (Passenger Behaviour)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence to put feet on seats in public transport. [91550]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The regulation of passengers' behaviour on trains is already provided for in legislation which gives railway companies the right to make byelaws. The existing railway byelaws and London Transport byelaws make it a criminal offence for any person to wilfully soil or deface any furniture on a train, and this
  483
  would normally catch behaviour such as placing feet on a seat. The train operating companies and London Transport are also in the process of making new byelaws, and have submitted them to the Secretary of State for approval. These include a provision that no person shall soil any part of the railway.

  With regard to buses or coaches, the Public Service Vehicle (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990 give drivers the power to remove passengers from their vehicle if they are causing a nuisance or intentionally interfering with any equipment fitted to the vehicle. These powers would be sufficient to deal with the problem of passengers putting their feet on bus or coach seats.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many individuals his Department has recruited under the New Deal for Young People. [91889]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minster for the Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) on 25 May 1999,Official Report, column 116. However, the current number of individuals recruited under the New Deal is eight 18–24 years olds.

  Countryside Traffic Strategies
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instruct the Government regional offices to hold seminars to assist the dissemination of best practice among local authorities in the production of countryside traffic strategies. [91799]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Government Offices have been working closely with Local Authorities in the preparation of local transport plans (LTPs). Provisional LTPs are to be submitted later this month and we are currently considering the most effective way of disseminating the "best practice" which emerges.

  The Countryside Commission, now the Countryside Agency, published, in 1997, an advisory booklet entitled "Rural Traffic: Getting it Right" which provides general advice on developing traffic strategies for rural areas. Further advice on good practice will be issued once the results of the studies carried out by the Countryside Agency's Countryside Traffic Measures Group are available. Officials from my Department are participating in these studies.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what action he is taking to prevent nuclear contamination to the area surrounding BNFL's reprocessing plant at Sellafield; [91596]

  (2) what studies he has commissioned to determine the effect nuclear wastes from Sellafield have had on the public (a) generally and (b) in Coventry. [91597]

  Mr. Meale
  Radioactive discharges must be authorised by the Environment Agency under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. When considering an application 484
  for authorisation, the Environment Agency must be satisfied that the possible radiation dose to those members of the public at greatest risk will not exceed levels prescribed by the Government. In addition, the operators must show that the exposure will be as low as reasonably achievable, taking into account economic and social factors.

  Radioactive discharges and their effect on the environment are monitored by the nuclear industry under the terms of their disposal authorisations. The Environment Agency and MAFF monitor radioactivity in the environment and in foodstuffs. The Environment Agency conducts monitoring of drinking water, rain water and air quality on behalf of my Department, in addition to the monitoring it undertakes in support of its regulatory functions under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The results of this monitoring are regularly published in "Radioactivity in the Environment" by the Environment Agency and in "Radioactivity in Food and the Environment" by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Also the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) publishes regular reviews "Radiation Exposure of the UK Population".

  The latest edition of NRPB's "Radiation Exposure of the UK Population", published in 1993, estimated the average annual doses to the UK population from all sources of ionising radiation as 2,600 micro Sieverts. Of this 0.4 micro Sieverts was estimated to come from discharges of radioactive waste, the majority of which emanates from Sellafield. In a summary publication in 1996, "Living with Radiation", the average dose remained the same but the contribution from discharges had fallen to 0.2 micro Sieverts.

  I am not aware of any reason why the effect on the public in Coventry should be different from the effect on the public generally.

  Central Railways
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what contacts there have been between Ministers in his Department and representatives of or advisers to Central Railways; [91991]

  (2) what contacts there have been between officials in his Department and representatives of or advisers to Central Railways. [91990]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This reply covers the period since 1 May 1997. No central record is kept of such contacts but I am aware that representatives of Central Railways have kept my officials informed, by way of meetings and correspondence, of their preparation of a scheme for a railway freight line between Liverpool and the Channel Tunnel. I understand that the last meeting took place last October. All contacts by my officials are without prejudice to consideration of any scheme that may eventually be submitted under the Transport and Works Act 1992. Central Railways have also written to Ministers in this Department enclosing an information brochure about the scheme. I am not aware, however, of any meetings between Ministers in my Department and representatives of Central Railways about the scheme.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the letter from the hon. Member for Thurrock to the Minister for London and Construction relating to the Minister's planned visit to Poland was received in the Department; to whom it was circulated; and for what purposes it was circulated to persons other than the Minister; [91977]

  (2) if the letter from the hon. Member for Thurrock to the Minister for London and Construction concerning the Minister's visit to Poland was brought to the Minister's attention prior to his discussion with the hon. Member for Thurrock on 13 July; [91980]

  (3) for what reasons the letter sent by the hon. Member for Thurrock to the Minister for London and Construction prior to the Minister's visit to Poland, concerning that visit, was not brought to the Minister's attention; [91979]

  (4) what the circumstances were in which his Department's response to the letter from the hon. Member for Thurrock concerning the visit of the Minister for London and Construction to Poland was mislaid; and if he will make a statement. [91978]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have now replied to the faxed letter received by the Department on 8 June. The letter was copied to the official in the Department who was dealing with the organisation of the visit to Poland for his information. However, as a result of an administrative error the letter was not brought to my attention until 15 July. I have asked officials to review procedures to ensure that no similar error occurs again.

  Brown-field Targets
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to achieve the Government's target of 60 per cent. of

  Performance figures for 1998–99 and targets for 1999–2000 for the disposal of Government empty homes

  Home Office

  DETR

  MOD

  Total stock at 1 April 1998

  3,189

  2,473

  64,238

  Total stock at 1 April 1999

  2,550

  1,901

  62,420

  Total empty stock at 1 April 1998

  217

  692

  13,225

  Total empty stock at 1 April 1999

  259

  480

  13,568

  Target for percentage empty at 1 April 1999

  Less than 5 per cent.

  Less than 18 per cent.

  To dispose of 1,200 empty homes

  Achievement against target

  10.2 per cent.

  25 per cent.

  Disposal of 1,323 empty homes

  Target for empty at 1 April 2000

  Less than 5 per cent.

  Less than 18 per cent.

  To dispose of 2,018 empty homes

  Target for percentage habitable homes empty for more than 6 months at 1 April 1999

  Less than 1 per cent.

  Less than 7 per cent.

  —

  Achievement against target

  2.7 per cent.

  4.5 per cent.

  —

  Target for percentage habitable homes empty for more than 6 months at 1 April 2000

  Less than 1 per cent.

  Less than 3 per cent.

  —

  Action being taken to dispose of habitable homes empty for more than 6 months

  1—

  2—

  3—

  1 Forty-four retained on security grounds or for use by Prison Chaplains. Thirteen on the market, 9 reallocated, 2 held to accommodate a decant from two blocks of flats that are to be sold with vacant possession, 1 being occupied temporarily for a police operation, 1 being used temporarily to house recruits during refurbishment of Peel Centre Residential blocks.

  2 ½ of all vacant properties are in the process of being sold. Clearer guidance being issued on demolition, selling and refurbishing options. Addressing with vigour the performance of agents (who manage of ⅔ HA stock).

  3 The Defence Housing Executive's Chief Executive is committed to reducing the total number of void properties and has set a publicly accountable target to reduce voids by 13 per cent. by 31 March 2002.

  486
  additional housing to be built on previously developed land; what assessment he has made of Urban Task Force's prediction of the percentage which will be achieved by 2021; and if he will make a statement. [92066]

  Mr. Caborn
  A range of measures which will help deliver the Government's 60 per cent. target have already been set out in revised Planning Policy Guidance on Housing (PPG3), on which my Department has recently consulted. The Government are still considering the report of the Urban Task Force and their response will be set out in due course in the Urban and Rural White Papers.

  Empty Government Homes
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department, the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence are taking to reduce the number of empty Government-owned homes. [92321]

  Ms Armstrong
  We are determined to reduce the number of empty Government homes, and today I have published revised guidance for Government Departments on how best to tackle their empty properties.

  I am concerned that the figures for Government empty homes released today show a small increase. We are determined to bring these figures down.

  Our new guidance is concise, user friendly and includes examples of innovative good practice.

  I expect all Government Departments, using the revised guidance along with challenging new targets, to make a real reduction in the number of vacant properties.

  Details of achievement against targets for 1998–99, and new targets for 1999–2000 are listed in the table.

  Copies of the new guidance—"Revised Guidance on Securing the Better Use of Empty Homes"—have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Best Value
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to set up a body to oversee inspections under the Best Value Regime. [92322]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Best Value Inspectorate Forum for England will be formally launched tomorrow. This forum will provide an opportunity for the Inspectorates involved in best value to consider strategic issues relating to the inspection of best value authorities in England and will be an effective channel of communication for the Inspectorates with central Government, local authorities and other interested parties, on best value.

  Separate arrangements are being made to oversee best value inspection in Wales.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are being made to appoint a chairman of the Environment Agency. [92358]

  Mr. Meacher
  The current chairman of the Environment Agency, Lord De Ramsey, has announced his intention to retire at the beginning of next year.

  I have appointed recruitment consultants to assist in identifying suitable candidates to succeed Lord De Ramsey, and the post is being advertised in the national press.

  This is a key appointment. The Environment Agency plays a central part in protecting and enhancing the environment in England and Wales. It has major responsibilities for managing and regulating the water environment, and for controlling industrial pollution and wastes. The role of chairman in determining the strategic direction of the Agency, inspiring its staff, and ensuring that it discharges its statutory duties is vital to the continued improvements in the environment which we are seeking.

  The successful candidate will need to have the skills, experience, ability and vision to lead a major public sector organisation with a budget of over £600 million per year and over 9,000 employees, and to develop a successful relationship with the wide range of bodies who have

  Illustration of costs for 400 resignations

  £

  Year

  Gross costs to be met from CC income

  Housing capital (funded by CC)

  Net costs for church

  Net housing capital (funded by CC)

  1994

  2,609,000

  5,011,000

  904,000

  5,011,000

  1995

  3,282,000

  2,094,000

  11,841,000

  1,745,000

  1996

  2,886,000

  952,000

  11,435,000

  232,000

  1997

  2,424,000

  636,000

  11,099,000

  (159,000)

  1998

  2,363,000

  399,000

  11,165,000

  (788,000)

  19991

  1,979,000

  317,000

  1,006,000

  (127,000)

  20001

  1,669,000

  231,000

  923,000

  (231,000)

  20011

  1,499,000

  137,000

  972,000

  (206,000)

  20021

  1,248,000

  36,000

  917,000

  (179,000)

  20031

  996,000

  37,000

  796,000

  (186,000)

  20041

  729,000

  0

  626,000

  (309,000)

  488
  dealings with the Agency. I welcome interest from people, from all sectors of the community, who measure up to the special and demanding requirements of this appointment.

  Trains (Safety Systems)
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the cup and cone safety system for passenger carriages on trains. [90763]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Health and Safety Executive has carried out tests of this safety system and is satisfied that it would significantly improve the safety of Mark 1 rolling stock.

  The Deputy Prime Minister has announced today the elimination of all Mark 1 rolling stock from the network by the end of 2004. We expect to see the bulk of such trains phased out substantially before then, but any remaining on the network after the end of 2002 will need to be safety modified in order to remain in operation until the end of 2004.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Women's Ordination
  Mr. Field
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell), representing the Church Commissioners, what is the cumulative cost to date of the financial compensation package for those priests unwilling to accept women's ordination; and if he will estimate the total cumulative cost at the end of the 10 year guarantee period. [91657]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  At 31 December 1998 the cumulative gross cost, to be met from the Commissioners' income, under the terms of the Ordination of Women (Financial Provisions) Measure 1993, was £13.5 million. The Commissioners' latest estimate of the total cumulative gross cost to the end of the guaranteed period is approximately £23 million. The figure is based on our current prediction of 400 resignations by 21 February 2004, and estimates for payments up to 21 February 2014.

  Actual expenditure up to 31 December 1998 and illustrative costings based on 400 resignations are set out in the following table. It should be noted that from 1 January 1998, these costings include pension contributions towards the new funded clergy pension scheme, approximately £0.49 million in 1998.
  489

  Illustration of costs for 400 resignations

  £

  Year

  Gross costs to be met from CC income

  Housing capital (funded by CC)

  Net costs for church

  Net housing capital (funded by CC)

  20051

  488,000

  0

  440,000

  (402,000)

  20061

  334,000

  0

  314,000

  (167,000)

  20071

  178,000

  0

  171,000

  (435,000)

  20081

  115,000

  0

  113,000

  (362,000)

  20091

  98,000

  0

  97,000

  (658,000)

  20101

  42,000

  0

  42,000

  (684,000)

  20111

  31,000

  0

  31,000

  (712,000)

  20121

  25,000

  0

  25,000

  (317,000)

  20131

  19,000

  0

  19,000

  (330,000)

  Total1

  23,014,000

  9,850,000

  12,936,000

  736,000

  1 Figures are estimates

  Notes:

  1. The number of resignations shown (400) is a broad estimate based on current assumptions and knowledge of proposed resignations.

  2. Actual costs are shown for 1994 to 1998 based on resignations shown, including housing subsidy. A similar pattern of costs has been projected for future years.

  3. The figures for 1998 onwards also include pension contributions for resigning clergy paid to the Pensions Board.

  4. The figures make allowance for future increases in house prices and stipends.

  5. The net figure takes account of such variables as stipends savings (assuming at least a temporary reduction in the payroll), allowance for retirement housing provision which would otherwise have arisen on retirement, and the possibility of some people redeeming loans or leaving rented accommodation once they have obtained alternative employment.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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 (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. [90798]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: My Department neither owns nor leases vehicles. Ministers use the Government Car Service which is within the responsibilities of the Cabinet Office.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [90794]
  490
  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Scottish Seed Potato Development Council, August 1997

  Scottish Economic Council, April 1998
  Scottish Agricultural Consultative Panel, August 1998
  Local Government Property Commission for Scotland, September 1998
  Secretary of State's Advisory Group on Sustainable Development, March 1999

  (b) The Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers Council. Provision for dissolution of this body was made in the Water Industry Act 1999.

  (c) (i) Nil.

  (c) (ii) Nil.

  (d) The Scottish Community Education Council was relaunched as Community Learning Scotland on 1 April 1999.

  (e) Bodies remaining unchanged are listed in the current edition of "Public Bodies", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  New non-departmental public bodies established since 1 May 1997:

  Scottish Further Education Funding Council

  Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission

  Scottish Childcare Board

  Scottish Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards

  Advisory Committee on Lifelong Learning Targets.

  My Department is currently responsible for two non-departmental public bodies—the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland and the Extra Parliamentary Panel—responsibility for the remainder having been transferred to the Scottish Executive on 1 July 1999.

  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 since 1 May are essential in helping the Government deliver their Manifesto commitments.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received regarding the use of the Welsh language in tribunal hearings; and if he will make a statement. [91564]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have received no representations regarding the use of the Welsh language in tribunal hearings.

  Judiciary Independence
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will place in the Library his paper on the Independence of the Judiciary prepared for the 22 Conference of European Ministers of Justice. [90005]

  Mr. Vaz
  A copy of the Report has been placed in the Library.

  Derbyshire Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the current timetable for the private finance initiative project for Derbyshire's magistrates courts. [91542]

  Mr. Vaz
  The current timetable is subject to change but it is expected that the Stage Two Invitation to Negotiate will be issued in August 1999. Selection of the preferred supplier is scheduled for early 2000 with contract completion by the end of the financial year 2000–01. The construction timetable will be the subject of negotiation with the preferred supplier.

  Official Documents
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish a list of all those official documents of the last Administration which have been seen by(a) him, (b) other Ministers in his Department, (c) special advisers in his Department and (d) non-career civil servants appointed since May 1997 in his Department. [92174]

  Mr. Vaz
  A large number of official documents were generated during the period of the previous Administration, many of which were published or put in the public domain. Since May 1997, the Department has been guided by the convention governing access to the papers of a previous Administration, as set out in the then Prime Minister's reply to a written question on 24 January 1980,Official Report, columns 305–07.

CABINET OFFICE

  Official Documents
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish a list of all those official documents of the last Administration which have been seen by(a) him, (b) other Ministers in his Department, (c) special advisers in his Department and (d) non-career civil servants appointed since May 1997 in his Department. [92181]
  492
  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  A large number of official documents were generated during the period of the previous Administration, many of which were published or put in the public domain. Since May 1997, the Department has been guided by the convention governing access to the papers of a previous Administration, as set out in the then Prime Minister's reply to a written question on 24 January 1980,Official Report, columns 305–07.

  Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what performance targets he has approved for the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency for 1999–2000. [92360]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I have approved the following key performance targets for the Central and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) for 1999–2000.

  1. To achieve financial breakeven on an accruals basis;

  2. To deliver CCTA services within the Voted provisions;

  3. To operate within CCTA Customer Charter at 75 per cent. level;

  4. To secure savings that will reduce cost of support services by 5 per cent,;

  5. To achieve a 3 per cent. of customer satisfaction evaluations in the top two boxes of a five box scale.

PRIME MINISTER

  Official Documents
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of all those official documents of the last Administration which have been seen by(a) him, (b) other Ministers in his Department, (c) special advisers in his Department and (d) non-career civil servants appointed since May 1997 in his Department. [92173]

  The Prime Minister
  A large number of official documents were generated during the period of the previous Administration, many of which were published or put in the public domain. Since May 1997, my office has been guided by the convention governing access to the papers of a previous Administration, as set out in the then Prime Minister's reply to a written question on 24 January 1980,Official Report, columns 305–07.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Fraud (Merseyside)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what collaborative projects his Department has undertaken with the Merseyside Police Authority to combat fraudulent activities; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of these projects. [90772]

  Mr. Timms
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
  493
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Claire Curtis-Thomas, dated 19 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question asking what collaborative projects his Department has undertaken with the Merseyside Police Authority on fraudulent activities; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of these projects.
  Benefit Fraud in Merseyside is investigated by the Benefits Fraud Investigation Service (BFIS) and Benefit Agency Security Investigation Services (BASIS). Neither are engaged in collaborative projects with Merseyside Police. However, both services do work closely with Merseyside Police on individual cases as operational requirements dictate.
  Joint projects also exist to tackle abuse in known areas of benefit fraud such as investigations into taxi drivers, small businesses and the manipulation of girocheques and orderbooks. Although no specific statistics are kept on the partnerships, the fact that these operations are regular and ongoing is a testament to their level of success.
  The Benefits Agency (BA) is negotiating a National Memorandum of Understanding with the Association Of Chief Police Officers. This will improve lines of communication, clarify the responsibilities of the police and BA and provide guidelines for co-operation on operational issues.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of(a) removing the upper age limit for disability living allowance, (b) increasing the upper age limit for disability living allowance to age 70 years and (c) increasing the upper age limit for disability living allowance to age 75 years. [90706]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information requested is in the table.

  Estimated costs for 2000–01 of extending the age limit for disability living allowance

  £

  Change to the upper age limit

  Estimated programme costs

  Estimated administrative costs

  No upper age limit

  2.7 billion

  75 million

  Age 70 years

  300 million

  8.5 million

  Age 75 years

  850 million

  25 million

  Incapacity and Disablement Benefit
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the total numbers of(a) incapacity benefit claimants and (b) disablement benefit claimants in (i) Barnsley, (ii) Rotherham, (iii) Sheffield and (iv) Doncaster; and what is the age profile of the claimants in each case. [91940]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of incapacity and disablement benefit claims is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Michael Clapham, dated 19 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for the total numbers and age profile of Incapacity Benefit and Disablement Benefit claimants in the Barnsley, Rotherham, Sheffield and Doncaster areas.
  494
  The information available is shown in the following tables: Figures for Incapacity Benefit for Local Authority areas are shown in the following table:

  Age group

  Barnsley

  Rotherham

  Sheffield

  Doncaster

  16–19

  0

  0

  0

  0

  20–24

  243

  101

  182

  162

  25–29

  465

  344

  263

  627

  30–34

  829

  404

  849

  788

  35–39

  1,132

  788

  930

  849

  40–44

  1,132

  748

  950

  1,213

  45–49

  1,900

  1,031

  1,940

  1,758

  50–54

  2,466

  1,860

  2,931

  2,183

  55–59

  3,234

  2,304

  3,133

  2,850

  60–64

  2,728

  2,385

  3,294

  3,315

  65+

  505

  485

  546

  687

  These figures are taken from a 5 per cent. scan of the benefit computer system at 30 November 1998. They are subject to a rating factor to account for missing postcodes, they may exclude a small number of cases held clerically.
  Figures for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit are not available in the format requested. Data is only available for the Yorkshire and Humber area and are shown below:

  Age group

  Yorkshire and Humber

  16–19

  18

  20–24

  154

  25–29

  540

  30–34

  856

  35–39

  1,296

  40–44

  1,759

  45–49

  1,968

  50–54

  2,855

  55–59

  2,998

  60–64

  3,404

  65–69

  3,065

  70–74

  3,487

  75–79

  2,737

  80–84

  1,071

  85 and over

  599

  Figures are based on a 10 per cent. sample of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit at 4 April 1998 and include an adjustment for late statistical returns.
  The statistical information has been supplied by DSS (Analytical Services Division).
  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Child Support
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to reform the Child Support Act 1991; [91594]

  (2) what plans he has to encourage parents to reach amicable agreements with free help and advice provided by the Government, in the matter of child maintenance. [91595]

  Angela Eagle
  The White Paper "A new contract for welfare: Children's Rights and Parents Responsibilities" (Cm 4349) published on 1 July 1999 sets out our plans to reform the child support system. We are creating a new, customer focused, child support service that will be simple, easy to understand, and ensure that more children receive regular and reliable maintenance.
  495
  Parents not on benefit will, as now, be free to make their own arrangements without involving the Child Support Agency, where necessary using the new, simple child support rates as a guideline.

  Under the provision of Part III of the Family Law Act 1996 publicly funded mediation is available for disputes relating to children and property arising on divorce or separation. These provisions are being implemented on an area by area basis throughout England and Wales.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many Child Support Agency cases were uncleared after(a) 78 weeks and (b) 104 weeks on 31 March; [92147]

  (2) how many, and what proportion of, applications for maintenance to the Child Support Agency dating from after (a) 31 March 1997, (b) 30 September 1997 and (c) 31 March 1998 were uncleared 52 weeks later. [92148]

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

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Frank Field, dated 20 July 1999:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  The information requested in your questions is not available. Whilst the Agency maintains systems to monitor and report on performance, the specific figures you have asked for would require a scan of our computer system. This would take several weeks to arrange and deflect resources from other important development work.
  In 1998/99 the Agency had a Secretary of State's target to have no applications over 52 weeks old by 31 March 1999. All Business Units put in place operational plans that were to guide them towards the achievement of this objective.
  The introduction of automated management information systems and the subsequent exercise to check and correct the status of our cases identified that the original estimate of 225,000 backlog cases (i.e. over 52 weeks old) was considerably understated. In fact CSA cleared 324,859 cases, but did not achieve a nil backlog.
  This left 47,720 cases outstanding at 31 March 1999.
  The Agency's ability to clear all these cases was impacted by "new" cases becoming over 52 weeks old and because those cases outstanding tend to be older, more complex cases which are difficult to progress.
  The introduction of Decision Making and Appeals (DMA) in June 1999 will significantly help the Agency to maintain a normal level of work.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Official Documents
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a list of all those official documents of the last Administration which have been seen by(a) him, (b) other Ministers in his Department, (c) special advisers in his Department and (d) non-career civil servants appointed since May 1997 in his Department. [92171]

  Mr. Darling
  A large number of official documents were generated during the period of the previous Administration, many of which were published or put in the public domain. Since May 1997, the Department has been guided by the convention governing access to papers 496
  of a previous Administration, as set out in the then Prime Minister's reply to a written question on 24 January 1980, Official Report, columns 305–07.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Dressed Lamb Carcases
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria are used by official veterinary surgeons employed by the Meat Hygiene Service to determine whether wool fibres on the surfaces of dressed lamb carcases, transferred during the slaughtering process, comprise unacceptable contamination; and what quantity of fibre is permitted. [88290]

  Mr. Rooker
  Official Veterinary Surgeons are required to use their professional judgment to determine whether wool fibres on the surfaces of dressed lamb carcases, transferred during the slaughtering process, comprise unacceptable contamination.

  Thames Barrier
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the design life of the Thames Barrier; and if he will make a statement. [91403]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 2 February 1999,Official Report, column 656. The design life of the Barrier is 60 years—i.e. to the year 2030. This design life was based on rates of sea level rise predicted in the 1970s, which were higher than those currently anticipated. With normal care and maintenance the Barrier should continue to provide London with a high level of protection from tidal flooding until at least the latter part of the next century. The Environment Agency is considering the wider long-term flood defence needs of London following consultation with interested parties.

  Flood Defences (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent by the Environment Agency on improving flood defences in Leicestershire since Easter 1998. [91313]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency has a regular programme of work to maintain and improve main river watercourses in Leicestershire. Since Easter 1998, this has involved expenditure of £570,000.

  Dairy Farming
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the prospects for the dairy farming sector. [91419]

  Mr. Rooker
  Dairy farmers face challenging times as a result of reduced milk prices, increasing liberalisation of world markets, and progress on CAP reform. But the dairy farming sector's ability to respond positively to these challenges will be helped by the high level of producer expertise and commitment, favourable farm structure and ideal climate for milk production.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances licences for the use of glufosinate or glyphosate on herbicide-tolerant genetically modified crops may be granted before the completion of the farm-scale trials with herbicide-tolerant genetically modified crops in 2003. [91414]

  Mr. Rooker
  No herbicide will be approved for use with genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops unless a thorough and specific evaluation of the possible effects on people and on the environment has identified no unacceptable risks. Moreover, until a genetically modified herbicide tolerant crop is itself legally on the market in this country I do not expect to grant an approval for use on that crop to any herbicide products containing glufosinate or glyphosate.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) of 8 July 1999,Official Report, column 626, on the Common Fisheries Policy, if his statement on the majority of fish discarded being undersize is based upon the (a) numbers and (b) weight of discard:, and what estimate he has made of undersize discards as a percentage of total discards. [91768]

  Mr. Morley
  Sampling of discards in the North Sea in 1997 by CEFAS indicated that, by number, the majority of discarded cod, haddock and whiting were undersized fish. The actual estimates of the proportions of discarded fish, by number, that were undersized were cod 82 per cent., haddock 57 per cent. and whiting 67 per cent.

  By weight the percentages were cod 73 per cent., haddock 46 per cent. and whiting 53 per cent.

  Badgers
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many incidents there have been where his Department's field staff in the randomised badger culling trial have been(a) threatened and (b) assaulted. [91712]

  Mr. Rooker
  It would not be appropriate to release this information for operational and security reasons.

  The safety of staff is the Department's paramount concern, and we take very seriously any incident where this is put at risk. The Department is committed to supporting prosecutions in the event of damage to property or threats to, and attacks on, staff.

  The Government are committed to the field trial as an important part of their comprehensive research and control strategy to tackle TB in cattle. The strategy, including the trial, is based on the best independent scientific advice. The aim is to place future TB policy on an effective and sustainable scientific footing. Disruption of the trial risks delaying its results and so helps neither badgers nor cattle.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons badger culling in the randomised culling trial has not started in the proactive area of the triplet in the Forest of Dean. [91706]
  498
  Mr. Rooker
  A range of work is being carried out in the four triplets so far identified. For operational and security reasons it would not be appropriate to give details of specific operations.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when badger culling in the Krebs Trial started in the Hartland reactive area of the North Devon triplet. [91707]

  Mr. Rooker
  The closed season for the Krebs/Bourne field trial ended on 30 April. Since then, culling has resumed in some areas. For operational and security reasons, it would not be appropriate to give details.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many new staff have been(a) sought and (b) appointed for the randomised badger culling trial; and what procedures have been established to ensure the training of new staff. [91705]

  Mr. Rooker
  Approximately 60 new staff are being appointed to work on the trial, 48 are already in post and others will start work shortly. All new staff receive comprehensive training which includes a period of supervised working alongside experienced colleagues.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle were slaughtered in 1997 and 1998 after testing positive in the tuberculin skin tests; and how many were found not to be infected on post mortem and culture examination. [91711]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information for 1997 was published on page 4 of Animal Health 1997, the annual report of the Chief Veterinary Officer. A copy was placed in the Library. The report for 1998 has not yet been published.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department is conducting into cattle to cattle transmission of bovine tuberculosis. [91725]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are conducting a wide programme of research, based on the recommendations in the Krebs Report and advice from the Independent Scientific Group on cattle TB chaired by Professor John Bourne. Specifically on cattle to cattle transmission the recommendations were:

  (i) analysing existing information (including cattle testing data and old TB49 incident management reports) to identify risk factors;

  (ii) deploying a new epidemiological questionnaire (TB99) to provide data which will assist in improving procedures for managing TB incidents and to help determine risk factors associated with them;

  (iii) working on the development of a blood test based on gamma interferon in order to improve the detection of infected cattle;

  (iv) developing the tools for improving the identification of different strains of m bovis to provide information on source of infection and route of transmission, and for application to other cattle data; and

  (v) implementing a number of projects related to the development of a cattle vaccine that include work on the pathogenesis on infection.

  The Independent Scientific Group believes, and the Government agree, that cattle to cattle transmission,

  499
  including the pathogenesis of the disease in cattle, is an area which merits further consideration as funds become available.

  Sulphuric Acid
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances farmers are permitted to spray sulphuric acid on potato fields. [91733]

  Mr. Rooker
  When applied to potatoes for the purpose of desiccating haulms, sulphuric acid falls within the definition of a pesticide. Pesticides may be used only if they are approved by Ministers following assessment of their impact on human health and the environment. The use of sulphuric acid on potato crops has been approved subject to a number of restrictions and requirements, of which the main ones are:only 77 per cent. clean "sulphur burnt" sulphuric acid may be used;
  application is permitted only between 1 May and 15 November;
  the maximum dose permitted is 340 litres/hectare (800 litres per hectare for potatoes grown for canning);
  a written COSHH assessment must be made before use. Operator exposure must be controlled by means of personal protective equipment and/or engineering controls;
  application must be by operators holding a recognised certificate of competence in the use of the relevant equipment;
  at least 24 hours written notice must be provided to immediate neighbours and notices must be posted on adjacent roads and paths and kept in place for at least 96 hours after treatment. Unprotected persons must be kept out of treated areas for at least 96 hours following treatment.

  Beef Export Ban
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the EU Commission has agreed to lift the beef export ban from 1 August. [91898]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission has agreed that exports of boneless UK beef produced under the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) may start from 1 August. The Commission announced this on 14 July, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food reported it to the House in his statement of 14 July 1999,Official Report, column 405–16.

  Non-food Crops
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to promote long-term development of non-food crops; and what assessment he has made of the potential for development of non-food crops in the UK. [91589]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: We believe there is considerable potential to develop the use of non-food crops in the UK. The Ministry's Agri-Industrial Materials Branch promotes the use of crop derived raw materials at workshops and other events and through its dedicated Website. The Ministry spends around £1.1 million per annum on strategic research on non-food crops with a number of projects looking at the potential for these renewable raw materials. Most recently the Ministry's Central Science Laboratory has led an EU project on the opportunities and constraints for non-food crops and the report will be published in the autumn. We
  500
  are currently examining the scope to support the establishment of energy crops under the new Rural Development Regulation.

WALES

  Official Documents
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of all those official documents of the last Administration which have been seen by(a) him, (b) other Ministers in his Department, (c) special advisers in his Department and (d) non-career civil servants appointed since May 1997 in his Department. [92168]

  Mr. Michael
  A large number of official documents were generated during the period of the previous Administration, many of which were published or put in the public domain. Since May 1997, the Welsh Office has been guided by the convention governing access to the papers of a previous Administration as set out in the Prime Minister's reply on 24 January 1980,Official Report, columns 305–07.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Union
  Mrs. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet his European counterparts to discuss institutional reform of the European Union. [90473]

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which institutional questions are on the agenda of the next IGC; and if he will make a statement. [90490]

  Ms Quin
  The Cologne European Council on 3–4 June decided that an Inter-Governmental Conference should begin in early 2000 to prepare the Union's institutions for enlargement.

  Preparations for the IGC are now beginning. We expect the Finnish Presidency to hold meetings at both official and ministerial level in the coming months.

  EU Enlargement
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what measures the UK has participated to assist candidate members of the EU to meet the terms of environmental directives prior to entry. [90475]

  Ms Quin
  The UK fully supports the important goal of helping all the applicant countries meet the EU's environmental standards, and we are working to achieve this through projects for the Know How Fund, through the EC's Twinning Scheme and through contributions to PHARE and other funding programmes.

  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet his European counterparts to discuss the enlargement of the European Union. [90479]
  501
  Ms Quin
  As I mentioned in the House earlier today, enlargement is a key priority of the Government and of the European Union. It, therefore, is a constant feature of all my contacts with my colleagues from EU member states and applicants. Our next full discussion will be at the Foreign Ministers' Informal Meeting in Finland on 4–5 September.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts in Pakistan and India concerning the situation in Kashmir. [90478]

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Kashmir. [90485]

  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United States Government on the conflict in Kashmir. [90494]

  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions the Government have had with representatives of the Indian and Pakistani Governments about the current military action over Kashmir. [90481]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer hon. Members to the answer given earlier by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough, (Fiona Mactaggart),Official Report, columns 956–57.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current state of bilateral relations between Britain and Spain over Gibraltar. [90480]

  Ms Quin
  Our bilateral relations with Spain are generally good. We work together on a wide range of EU, NATO and other issues and want our relations to continue to improve. But we have made clear to Spain on several occasions that recent actions affecting Gibraltar, notably at the border, are unacceptable and counterproductive. We will continue to defend Gibraltar's interests while looking for ways to ease tension and increase confidence through dialogue and co-operation.

  Kosovo
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Kosovo. [90482]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  NATO'S key objectives have been achieved. There are now 33,000 KFOR troops in Kosovo, under the command of General Sir Michael Jackson. KFOR' s objective is to provide robust and even-handed support for all the citizens of Kosovo regardless of ethnic, religious or cultural background. The Secretary-General of the UN has made appointments to the key positions to the UN Mission in Kosovo whose work is underway. The UK will continue to play a leading role in support of both KFOR and UNMIK.

  POWs (Japan)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to discuss the issue of former prisoners of war with the Japanese Government. [90483]

  Mr. Hoon
  The view of successive UK and Japanese Governments is that the issue of compensation under the San Francisco Peace Treaty has been settled.

  We regularly discuss with the Japanese ways to promote reconciliation.

  UN General Assembly
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on parliamentary participation in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. [90484]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We welcome and encourage parliamentary interest in the work of the United Nations (UN) and its organs. To this end, we organise and fund an all-party visit by Members of Parliament to the UN during the General Assembly every year. This provides an opportunity for participants to exchange views with senior UN representatives and to bring their insights back to their parliamentary work in London. We also support the strengthening of the ties between the Interparliamentary Union and the UN under their 1996 Co-operation Agreement; and between the Council of Europe and the UN.

  Middle East
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospects for peace in the middle east. [90486]

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the middle east peace process since the general election in Israel. [90489]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer given earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Morley and Rothwell (Mr. Gunnell),Official Report, column 960.

  Palestine National Authority
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to assist the Palestine National Authority to develop the economy in its territory. [90487]

  Mr. Hoon
  We support the Palestinian economy with a programme of bilateral aid and our contribution to EC aid programmes. We are providing £50 million in bilateral aid over the next three years. Aid projects include the development of health and infrastructure facilities, support for refugees and technical assistance for economic negotiations. Our total bilateral aid since the signature of the Oslo Accords amounts to over £122 million. In addition, we expect to contribute a further £55 million through EC aid programmes in the next five years.

  Cyprus
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report progress on initiatives to re-unite the island of Cyprus. [90488]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett),Official Report, column 966.

  UK/US Treaties
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the existing bilateral treaties between the United Kingdom and the United States of America. [90492]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  There are currently over 500 bilateral treaties with the United States, covering a wide range of subjects. One of the earliest is entitled, "Provisional Articles of Peace with the United States of America", which was signed in Paris on 30 November 1782. The most recent treaty is the "Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Government of the United States of America relating to investment incentives", which was signed in Washington on 20 April 1999. Bilateral treaties cover a diverse range of subjects including the final suppression of the African slave trade, visas, the carriage of ammunition, the use of military facilities on Ascension Island and drug trafficking.

  Western Sahara
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet(a) the Government of Morocco and (b) the POLISARIO to discuss the implementation of the UN Peace Plan for a Referendum in Western Sahara. [90439]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have no immediate plans to meet with either the Government of Morocco or the Polisario. However, FCO officials regularly meet with both sides to discuss the way forward in the Western Sahara.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government intend to take to secure the implementation of the UN Peace Plan for a Referendum in Western Sahara. [90437]

  Mr. Hoon
  We fully support the UN's efforts to hold a referendum in the Western Sahara. We keep pressure on both parties to adhere to the UN Secretary-General's deadlines both bilaterally and at the UN.

  Departmental Services
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he has made for the provision of (i) IT support, (ii) stationery and (iii) hospitality services for his Department; and what percentage of each is contracted from outside bodies. [90569]
  504
  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: FCO provision for IT support, stationery and hospitality for the Financial Year 1999–2000 is as follows:

  IT support
  £2.12 million, which provides 24 hour IT support and network management to more than 280 overseas missions and to the FCO Departments. Contract expenditure amounts to £1.12 million or 53 per cent. The remainder covers internal costs.

  Stationery
  £1.7 million. All stationery budgets at home and overseas are devolved. A centrally negotiated call-off contract is used. All stationery is contracted out.

  Hospitality1
  £2.286 million. All catering services are contracted out though wine and equipment are provided from the Government Hospitality cellar. All overseas Hospitality Budgets are devolved to Posts. No figures are held centrally.
  1 This figure includes the expenditure by the Government Hospitality Fund which provides for State Visits, Guests of Government and functions for all Government Departments.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in freezing the assets of members of the Milosevic regime; and if he will make a statement. [91240]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  EC Regulation 1294/99 concerning a freeze of funds and a ban on investment in relation to the FRY was adopted on 15 June and came into force on 19 June. The Bank of England issued a notice to banks and other institutions on 22 June giving details of the Regulation. Corresponding UK Regulations came into force on 25 June. All accounts identified as belonging to individuals and companies covered by the Regulation have been blocked.

  In addition, the Government have acted upon a request from the International Criminal Tribunal on the Former Yugoslavia to freeze the assets of Milosevic and four associates in respect of whom warrants and orders of arrest were issued on 24 May.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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) 2000–1 and (z) 2001–2 by vehicles using (al) 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. [90691]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: 1. The FCO and associated bodies have the following owned and leased vehicles; details of the fuel type and engine capacity are included where they are known.

  2. The FCO has 1,288 vehicles overseas, of which 29 are leased.
  505
  3. 543 vehicles use petrol and 362 use diesel; the remainder are unknown as more detailed information about vehicles purchased by FCO Posts overseas is not available. In each case, the type of fuel chosen will depend on the type of vehicle required and the availability of fuel types in each country at the time of purchase. Specific details of engine cubic capacity are not known in full, but is on average 2.5 or 3.5 litres.

  4. Planning for the replacement of vehicles has now been devolved to Commands. It is disproportionate in the time available to produce the information for the purchase of vehicles for overseas Missions.

  5. The FCO' s home fleet has 45 vehicles in total, of which 32 are diesel, the remainder is petrol. The replacement programme for the next three years is as follows: 1999–2000, four vehicles; 2000–01 and 2000–02 will be dependent upon budgetary allocation.

  6. The home fleet will replace two vehicles with duel fuel and will consider this further when a decision to purchase another vehicle is made.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [90680]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: (a) None.

  (b) The FCO is considering with the Commonwealth Institute a plan for the Institute to become a company limited by guarantee, while remaining a charity. Both sides are working to an early resolution of outstanding issues.

  (c) (i) None.

  (c) (ii) None.

  (d) None.

  (e) The FCO is responsible for 12 non-departmental public bodies. These are:

  Executive NDPBs

  Commonwealth Institute

  British Association for Central and Eastern Europe

  Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission

  British Council

  Britain-Russia Centre

  Great Britain-China Centre

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy

  Advisory NDPBs
  Wilton Park Academic Council Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine Diplomatic Service Appeals Board
  506
  Tribunals

  Foreign Compensation Commission

  Intelligence Service Tribunal.

  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.

  Ambassadors for British Business
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the (i) agenda and (ii) purpose of the ambassadors for British Business meeting with Ministers in July 1998; who attended; what documentation was available; what briefing material was provided; and if he will list those occasions(a) when the ambassadors have met in an official capacity and (b) where they have reported back, with an estimate of the total trade agreements reached consequentially. [91840]

  Mr. Hoon
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met 12 ambassadors for British Business in July 1998. The aim was to review progress and consider how the scheme could be developed, to hear the views of the Business ambassadors on promoting Britain's image overseas and to underline that the scheme should be used to boost inward investment as well as British business overseas. There was no formal agenda. No briefing material or documentation was provided for the Business ambassadors for the meeting.

  There is no requirement for the ambassadors for British Business to submit reports following their overseas engagements. The ambassadors for British Business are not involved in negotiating trade agreements.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those Ambassadors for British Business who also serve on other Government working groups, broken down by group. [91848]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information that is readily available is as follows:

  Sir David John

  FCO Panel 2000

  Member of Board of British Trade International

  Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge

  FCO Panel 2000

  Government Task Force on the Industrial Use of Energy

  Sir Iain Valiance

  Scottish Business Forum

  Board of Scottish Enterprise

  Lord Paul

  FCO Panel 2000

  Foreign Policy Centre Advisory Council

  Indo-British Partnership

  Adair Turner

  FCO Business Panel

  Sir David Alliance

  British Overseas Trade Group for Israel

  Sir Richard Sykes

  Central R&D Committee for the NHS

  National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education

  Council for Science and Technology

  Trade Policy Forum

  507

  Iain Dale

  FCO Business Panel

  Southern Asia Advisory Group

  British Council "BOND" scheme

  Nicholas Scheele

  Foresight Manufacturing Committee (OST)

  Sir Trevor Chinn

  Commission for Integrated Transport

  Cleaner Vehicles Task Force

  Sir Richard Greenbury

  Israel-British Business Council

  David Brown

  University for Industry Board of Directors

  Vocational Qualifications and Occupational Standards Committee

  Spectrum Management Advisory Group

  Industrial Development Advisory Board

  ITEC Skills Strategy Group

  Information Age Partnership Policy Group

  Lord Haskins

  Better Regulation Task Force

  New Deal Task Force

  Yorkshire and The Humber Regional Development Agency

  Paul Smith

  Creative Industries Task Force

  Sir Patrick Gillam

  British Business Council

  John M. Neill

  Manufacturing Panel

  Martin Sorrell

  FCO Panel 2000.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has had with visiting Ministers from the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement on relations with that country. [91829]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I met the then Foreign Minister for the Democratic Republic of the Congo in December 1998, and this year have met the Ministers of Finance and Human Rights during their visits to Britain. I visited Kinshasa in February 1999 and met President Kabila and other Ministers. We enjoy normal diplomatic relations with the DRC. Britain welcomes the signature of a ceasefire agreement in Lusaka on 10 July by the DRC and other countries concerned. We stand ready with the rest of the international community to help consolidate the peace.

  Michael Ashcroft
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Mr. Michael Ashcroft has used a diplomatic passport for entry to the United Kingdom and enjoyed diplomatic immunity within the UK in the last five years(a) when declaring himself to be an Ambassador on entry and (b) when entering not having so declared himself. [92070]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Records are not normally kept of visits to the UK by diplomatic passport holders and we have none of Mr. Ashcroft having entered the UK using a diplomatic passport. Nor do we have any record of Mr. Ashcroft having sought immunity at any time over the last five years.

  Diplomatic Passports
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what rules govern the use of overseas accredited diplomatic passports by UK nationals. [92071]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The rules governing the use of foreign diplomatic passports by UK or other nationals is a matter for the overseas issuing authority.

  British diplomatic passports are issued only to officers (and their spouses) serving overseas as accredited diplomats. They should be used only for journeys into and out of countries to which holders have been accredited.

  Holocaust Remembrance Day
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's involvement in the proposed Government committee on Holocaust Remembrance Day. [92159]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 400.

  Iraq
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what forms of telecommunications in Iraq will be permitted to be restructured under the extension of the oil-for-food programme. [92157]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is for the Government of Iraq to propose projects and equipment in the telecommunications sector as in all sectors for funding under the oil-for-food programme. The UN Secretary General approved Iraq's distribution plan for the sixth phase of the programme in April, subject to the caveat that each application will require the approval of the Iraq sanctions committee. We would be prepared to consider applications for telecommunications equipment directly related to the humanitarian programme.

  Chinese Embassy, Belgrade
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the stance of the United Kingdom delegation to the UN Security Council on 14 June, with reference to the debate over the Chinese Embassy bombing in Belgrade; and what was the United Kingdom vote on the relevant resolutions. [92156]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We understand Chinese anger and grief at NATO's accidental bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have both made clear to the Chinese Government our deep regret at this tragic event. These sentiments were underlined in the Presidential Statement of the UN Security Council, issued on 14 May. There have been no Security Council resolutions on the issue.

  International Criminal Court
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries
  509
  which have ratified the Rome Agreement to set up the International Criminal Court, indicating in each case the date of ratification. [92162]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Three countries have to date ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court: Senegal (on 2 February 1999); Trinidad and Tobago (on 6 April 1999); and San Marino (on 13 May 1999).

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the legislation for British ratification of the International Criminal Court will be published. [92161]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Legislation to enable the UK to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court will be introduced as soon as the parliamentary timetable permits.

  British Council
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 July 1999,Official Report, column 55, what projection he has made of the estimated loss of revenue over the next three years as a result of the withdrawal of DFID contracts from the British Council. [92164]

  Mr. Hoon
  The British Council estimates that the value of DFID contracts it will implement will decline from £56.7 million in 1998–99 to £25.8 million in 2001–02, a fall of £30.9 million. The revenue will decrease form £11.0 million to £4.9 million, a reduction of £6.1 million.

  In addition, based on trends in the decline of the number of trainees, the value of the Technical Co-operation Contract will decrease from £19.4 million in 1998–99 to £6.8 million. The revenue will decrease from £3.7 million to £1.3 million, a drop of £2.4 million.

  In total revenue will decrease from £14.7 million in 1998–99 to £6.2 million, a drop of £8.5 million.

  Human Rights
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions he is taking to protect the citizens of countries whose security services are guilty of crimes against them. [90799]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Various international human rights instruments, most notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture, contain provisions designed to protect individuals from abuse by public authorities, including security services. We consistently urge all Governments to ratify and implement these instruments. More generally, we are able to provide practical assistance to strengthen understanding of and respect for human rights among public officials.

  Official Documents
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of all those official documents of the last Administration which have been seen by(a) him, (b) other Ministers in his
  510
  Department, (c) special advisers in his Department and (d) non-career civil servants appointed since May 1997 in his Department. [92178]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  A large number of official documents were generated during the period of the previous Administration, many of which were published or put in the public domain. Since May 1997, the Department has been guided by the convention governing access to the papers of a previous Administration, as set out in the then Prime Minister's reply to a written question on 24 January 1980,Official Report, columns 305–07.

  War Crimes Tribunals
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total cost to date of the tribunals on(a) Rwanda and (b) the former Yugoslavia. [92163]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia are mainly funded by assessed contributions from member states of the United Nations. The cost to date of assessed contributions is as follows:

  International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

  Year

  $ million

  1995

  2.2

  1996

  24.5

  1997

  35.7

  1998

  50.4

  International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

  Year

  $ million

  1 May 1994–31 December 1995

  35.8

  1996

  30.4

  1997

  36.4

  1998

  59.4

  In addition, the International Criminal Tribunals are also funded by ad hoc donations from member states and other contributors to the Tribunals' Trust Funds as follows:

  International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

  Year

  $ million

  1995

  0.2

  1996

  0.8

  19971

  1.0

  1998

  2.4

  1 Estimate

  International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

  Year

  $ million

  1 May 1994–31 December 1995

  0.09

  1996

  1.7

  1997

  4.0

  1998

  4.4

  All figures are actual unless otherwise stated. The Tribunals also receive donations in-kind.

  French Wines: Control of Impurities
  French Wines: Control of Impurities
  Finance Bill: Human Rights Convention Compatibility
  Finance Bill: Human Rights Convention Compatibility
  PFI Projects: Private Sector Capital Spending
  PFI Projects: Private Sector Capital Spending
  Appellate Committee Hearings: Induction Loop Provision
  Appellate Committee Hearings: Induction Loop Provision
  Devolved Assemblies: Electronic Voting
  Devolved Assemblies: Electronic Voting
  National Attack Warning System
  National Attack Warning System
  NATO and the KLA
  NATO and the KLA
  Contingency Fees in Employment Tribunals
  Contingency Fees in Employment Tribunals
  Human Cloning: Expert Advisory Group
  Human Cloning: Expert Advisory Group
  Consultant Obstetricians in the NHS
  Consultant Obstetricians in the NHS
  Midwives in the NHS
  Midwives in the NHS