Written Answers of 8 June 1999

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Paul Marc Hobson
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Attorney-General on what grounds he decided not to exercise his discretion under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996 to certify that the charge of murder of Robert Hamill against Paul Marc Hobson be not treated as a scheduled offence. [85494]

  The Attorney-General
  In determining whether or not to certify that an offence should be treated as a non scheduled offence, I take into account the circumstances of the case on the basis of a note and recommendation furnished on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland. In the case of Paul Marc Hobson, who faced a charge of murdering Robert Hamill, on the basis of the information available to me, I took the view that the offence was connected with the emergency and declined to issue a certificate.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her answer of 20 April 1999,Official Report, columns 480—81, when the Government will issue further public information on the likely impact of the millennium bug. [86303]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have today placed copies of the new public information booklet "The Millennium Bug—Facts Not Fiction" in the Libraries of the House. This has been compiled by Action 2000 on behalf of the Government for the general public and explains what the Millennium Bug is and how it could affect people in their everyday lives. It covers domestic appliances, home personal computers, shops and petrol stations, health, travel, personal finance, insurance and utilities.

  The booklet will be distributed as an insert in most Sunday newspapers on 13 June and in TV listings guides the following week. It will also be available at main Post Office counters from 14 June. The booklet will be supported by TV, radio and press advertising.

DEFENCE

  Vaccines
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent work of his Department's vaccine fact-finding team with particular 206
  reference to the findings relating to the presence of squalene in blood samples provided by US and British veterans. [83015]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The MOD's Fact Finding Team within the Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Unit (GVIU) was established in September 1997 to look into the implementation in-theatre of the 1991 immunisation programme against biological warfare agents, with particular reference to the level of coverage and uptake of vaccine across the various units of the UK Armed Forces that participated in the Gulf conflict. This review is based on oral testimony and extant documentary evidence, with a view to making public as much information as possible. The team's fieldwork was completed last autumn and a paper based on their work, and on other contemporary material that has been located, is in the course of preparation. This will be published once it is completed, which is expected to be within the next three months.

  This review is aimed at providing more information about how the immunisation programme was carried out in principle, not the compositions of the vaccines used, which have already been set out in the MOD paper "Background to the Use of Medical Countermeasures to Protect British Forces during the Gulf War (Operation GRANBY)".

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which vaccines were acquired from the USA for the use of British soldiers in the Gulf War; which vaccines were used; and which contained squalene. [83014]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Details of the Ministry of Defence's programme to immunise UK troops against the potential threat posed by Iraq's biological weapons during the Gulf conflict were published in October 1997, in the MOD paper "Background to the Use of Medical Countermeasures to Protect British Forces during the Gulf War (Operation GRANBY)". This describes in detail how a vaccine against plague was purchased from the US DoD for use by UK forces. None of the other vaccines used for this programme were acquired from the US. None of the vaccines used for this programme contained squalene. In addition, UK Service personnel would have received other immunisations against disease that potentially posed a public health threat. So far as has been ascertained, none of the latter vaccines were either acquired from the US or contained squalene.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if(a) his Department, (b) the Defence and Evaluation Research Agency and (c) the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment produced vaccines or components of vaccines for use on Gulf War troops which contained squalene preparations. [83013]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No.

  Strategic Export Controls
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those countries to which the sale of military aircraft has been stopped in each of the last five years, indicating the reasons for the decision in each case. [84524]

  Mr. Spellar
  On 25 March 1999,Official Report, column 343, my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced that the

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  Government had published its first Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls. The Report contains, by rating, details of all licences refused or revoked by the Government between 2 May and 31 December 1997, and none of these covered military aircraft. A report covering 1998 will be issued in due course.

  It would not be possible to provide validated data for previous years without significant inter-departmental effort and incurring disproportionate cost.

  Gulf War Illnesses
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what investigations have been undertaken into the physical rather than epidemiological aspects of illnesses exhibited by Gulf War veterans; [84354]

  (2) what research has been undertaken into appropriate treatments for illness exhibited by Gulf war veterans. [84353]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Government have pledged that appropriate research will be carried out into Gulf veterans' illnesses. In addition to two major epidemiological studies, the Ministry of Defence has in place a neuromuscular symptoms study. This study involves carrying out clinical tests on UK Gulf veterans. A separate study is examining the possible interactions between the various medical countermeasures used to protect UK personnel during the Gulf conflict, which includes laboratory research involving animals. These four research studies are complemented by an independent review of relevant research literature. A further study, which is being funded by the United States Government, is being undertaken by King's College, London. This study includes clinical tests on UK Gulf veterans.

  Any UK Gulf veterans concerned about their health can seek a referral to the Gulf veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) for advice and a full medical. The assessment comprises various standard investigations and any further tests considered clinically appropriate by the MAP physician to provide as full a diagnosis as possible of any medical symptoms which a patient may be exhibiting. MAP physicians provide diagnostic information and recommend any appropriate treatment to the veteran's doctor. It is the veteran's doctor's responsibility to arrange any treatment and to monitor progress. A paper on the clinical findings from the first 1,000 patients seen by the MAP was published in the "British Medical Journal" on 30 January. A copy of this paper has already been placed in the Library of the House.

  There is now strong scientific evidence, following the publication of a number of research papers over recent months, that Gulf veterans report more ill-health than other comparable groups. A further hypothesis, that Gulf veterans are not all suffering from a single illness, seems to be gaining support. However, there is still no medical or scientific consensus about the aetiology of the illnesses being suffered by some Gulf veterans. Nevertheless, the need for further research work in the light of emerging study findings in the UK and elsewhere (most notably from the United States), is kept under regular review by the Ministry of Defence and by the Medical Research Council (MRC), which advises the Government on its
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  overall strategy for Gulf health issues. So far, the MRC has not recommended that the Ministry of Defence commissions research into possible treatments.

  Nevertheless, the Ministry of Defence is aware that the United States Government announced in March that it would be beginning two medical treatment trials—an antibiotic treatment trial and exercise-behavioural therapy—in April to evaluate possible therapeutic approaches to improving Gulf veterans' health. The Ministry of Defence will monitor the outcome of these trials.

  Military Uniforms (Overseas Manufacture)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those British military uniforms which are produced by overseas countries; and if he will list the countries that make such equipment. [84965]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Roycroft to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 8 June 1999 I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence as this matter falls within my area of responsibility. You ask that we provide a list of those British military uniforms which are produced by overseas countries and the countries that make such equipment.
  Unfortunately, we are unable to provide the requested information. The Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency (DCTA) is responsible for the procurement of all clothing items for the Armed Forces. The vast majority of DCTA purchases are made-up garments, with MOD having no requirement for contractors to specify the country of origin of the textiles used to make the items, and there is no remit on DCTA to record such information.
  We can, however, provide some analysis of clothing contracts. Current figures indicate that around 73% by value of DCTA clothing contracts for 1998/99 were awarded to UK firms, leaving 27% to overseas firms. As required by Government Accounting, DCTA must advertise all potential contracts valued greater than £160,670 in the European Journal, which certainly attracts overseas contractors. There can, therefore, be no "buy British" policy for Defence Textiles. The only contractual stipulation regarding the country of manufacture is that 10% of garments must be made at the main contractor's accredited facilities.
  Of paramount importance is to ensure that fabrics meet the MOD's demanding specification, such as fibre content, wear quality and fire retardancy and the country of manufacture is secondary. All firms, from UK and abroad, utilise cloth manufactured overseas and whilst DCTA could certainly provide examples of countries supplying textiles, this information is considered nugatory as it would not give the comprehensive answer that you seek.
  I am sorry I am unable to provide the information in the form it was requested.

  Military Service
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what definition his Department uses of(a) active service and (b) conflict zone, in respect of military service. [84938]

  Mr. Spellar
  (a) I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) on 9 March 1998, Official Report, column 46. (b) The Department has no definition of a conflict zone, as this expression has no recognised meaning.
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  Gulf War (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder)
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilians were seconded to the armed forces during the Gulf Crisis; and, of those, how many are known to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. [84952]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Civilians, including foreign nationals, based in the UK and overseas, played a vital role in supporting British Forces during the 1990–1991 Gulf conflict, but the precise number seconded (that is attached to British Forces) has not been determined.

  However, a review of Ministry of Defence (MOD) records shows that on 22 February 1991, 931 MOD civilian staff were reported as being in the Gulf theatre, but not all were working in direct support of British Forces. Of these, 785 were members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. In addition, there were a significant number of civilian contractors' employees working in direct support of British Forces in the Gulf theatre. My Department conservatively estimates that the number of civilian contractors' employees involved would have been in excess of 1,000 people.

  MOD is aware of two civilians who claim to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of their time in the Gulf during the conflict. MOD has no mechanisms in place for routinely monitoring the health of its employees, ex-employees, contractors' employees or foreign nationals. However, civilians who provided direct support to British Forces in theatre during the Gulf conflict can be referred by their GP for examination at the MOD's Medical Assessment Programme (MAP). As at 26 May 1999, 14 civilians had been seen by MAP physicians.

  European Defence and Security
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his contribution to the debate at the WEU Council of 10 May on European Defence and Security after Amsterdam; what(a) matters and (b) documents were discussed; and what decisions were taken. [85523]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I was unable to attend the WEU Council meeting on 10 May because of Defence Questions in the House and was therefore represented by a Senior official from my Department. I was present at the session on 11 May.

  One of the major points of business was continuing the process of informal reflection on European security and defence issues, initiated at the WEU meeting in Rome last November. Particular points emphasised in the discussion included: the need to rectify shortfalls in European military capability; the need to strengthen the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, including by giving the EU the means to decide on military matters and take political control of crisis management operations; the importance of involving the non-EU European Allies, and the Associate Partners, in future arrangements; and the continuing importance of NATO as the cornerstone of European security and defence policy. No documents were considered or decisions taken on these matters. A number of papers relating to other aspects of WEU business were noted or endorsed by Ministers at their meetings.
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  Armed Forces (Manning Level)
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the(a) actual manning and (b) establishment levels of the (i) Royal Navy (excluding the Royal Marines),(ii) Army,(iii) Royal Air Force and (iv)Royal Marines as at 31 March. [85910]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Personnel statistics are produced for the beginning of each month. As at 1 April 1999, the trained and untrained strengths and establishment (trained requirement) levels for each of the Services were as follows:

  Service

  Trained strength (a)

  Untrained strength (b)

  Total strength (c)=(a)+(b)

  Trained requirement (d)

  RN

  33,204

  3,743

  36,947

  34,556

  Army1

  96,300

  13,422

  109,772

  2102,389

  RAF

  51,761

  3,452

  55,213

  53,024

  RM

  5,867

  887

  6,754

  6,387

  1 The Army figures are for UK Regulars; they do not include Gurkhas or Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service). If Gurkhas were included, the Army Strength would be 99,674, and Requirement would be 105,271.

  2 To implement the Post-SDR force structure, the Army's Requirement for UK Regulars will increase to 105,335 by 1 April 2005.

  Battalion Parachute Regiments
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the (i) established strength and (ii) recruited strength of(a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3, (d) 4 and (e) 10 Battalion Parachute Regiments. [85625]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The actual strength of the Battalions as at 1 April 1999, and their current and post-SDR liability, is detailed in the following table.

  Current Liability (1 April 1999)

  Post SDR Liability 1

  Current Strength (1 April 1999)

  1 PARA

  634

  624

  521

  2 PARA

  634

  646

  3

  3 PARA

  608

  646

  485

  4 PARA (TA)

  531

  2324

  224

  10 PARA (TA)

  530

  2—

  129

  1 These liabilities take into account new changes approved by the SDR which have yet to be implemented.

  2 On 1 July 1999, 4 and 10 PARA will merge and form a new 4 PARA with Regimental Headquarters and a Company at Pudsey with a detachment at Consett, a Company in Glasgow and a Company in London with a detachment in Croydon.

  3The strength of 2 PARA does not include the Gurkha Reinforcement Company (GRC) that is currently attached to it.

  Note

  Liability and strength figures include all capbadges except the Gurkhas referred to in footnote 3.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. [85648]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have nothing significant to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 5 May 1999,Official Report, columns 384–85. Our consultation with stakeholders

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  continues and my right hon. Friend still hopes to be in a position to make an announcement on DERA's future later in the year.

  Satellite Dishes
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of supplying and fitting a gyro-stabilised satellite television dish to a frigate. [82902]

  Mr. Spellar
  No MOD funded gyro-stabilised satellite television dishes have been fitted to RN frigates. However, this type of dish has been fitted to two aircraft carriers, HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious, and will be fitted to the third, HMS Ark Royal, during her current refit. The estimated cost of each dish is £36,000, excluding installation costs, which are included in the refit costs and are not separately identifiable. The majority of the RN's major warships are currently fitted with conventional domestic satellite equipment which provides reception whilst in harbour in European waters. We are planning to enhance this facility by providing reception whilst the ships are at sea. Under the revised arrangements, ships' crews would be able to see broadcasts within about 12 hours of transmission.

  Training Aircraft (India)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what negotiations he has held with the Indian Government over provision of new training aircraft for the Indian Air Force. [84525]

  Mr. Spellar
  Although officials from the Defence Export Services Organisation are aware of the Indian Government's potential interest in the Hawk Aircraft, no formal negotiations have been held between the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Government over the provision of a new training aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

  Atomic Energy (Co-operation)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent reports he has received from his United States counterpart in respect of the security of confidential nuclear weapons design information originating in the United Kingdom and shared with the United States Department of Energy under bilateral atomic energy co-operation agreements. [84726]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I have received no such reports.

  Honours, Decorations and Medals
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the roles and responsibilities of(a) Ministers and (b) officials in the process for determining eligibility for the award of the General Service Medal for a period of military service. [84934]

  Mr. Spellar
  The qualifying criteria for the award of clasps to the General Service Medal and General Service Medal 1962 are laid down in the appropriate Command Paper. Ministers have no responsibilities in the process of determining eligibility for these awards. Officials in the appropriate medal office are responsible for determining individual eligibility by comparing a person's Record of Service against the criteria published for the award of the medal and the relevant clasp.
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  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the terms of reference of the Committee of Honours, Decorations and Medals; [84936]

  (2) what criteria the Committee on Honours, Decorations and Medals uses to determine whether a military event or service is eligible for the award of the General Service Medal; [84937]

  (3) if he will list the members of the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals; and who was responsible for appointing them. [84933]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Committee on the Award of Honours, Decorations and Medals is an official committee that reports directly to the Queen. I have therefore asked the Chairman of the Committee, Sir Richard Wilson, to write to the hon. Member with the information sought, and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions the Prime Minister's Press Secretary has attended meetings in his Department at which ministers, officials and senior officers have been formulating policy on Kosovo. [85379]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: The Prime Minister's Press Secretary has attended a number of meetings in my Department, as the Prime Minister or I have required.

  Military Discipline
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to review military discipline for 15 to 18 year olds. [85496]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The UK does not recruit any personnel under the age of 16—and then only when an individual has completed his or her compulsory secondary schooling.

  Discipline procedures in all three of the Armed Forces are kept under review at all times and amended as necessary. Major changes which require amendments to primary legislation are normally affected by the quinquennial Armed Forces Acts, which continue in force the three Service Discipline Acts (SDAs)—the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955 and the Naval Discipline Act 1957—and which include any amendments to reflect changes to civilian law over the preceding five years. Where there is a need, however, changes can be made by other legislative means. It is my Department's policy to preserve consistency as far as appropriate, practical and sensible, between civilian and military law; this applies equally to measures concerning those under the age of 18.

  Pensions (Taxation)
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress made in discussions between his Department and the Inland Revenue regarding repayment of tax on pensions awarded prior to 31 March 1973 which have been reclassified. [85614]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The MOD is working closely with the Inland Revenue on the repayment of tax for the 179 Army pensioners identified as having had tax incorrectly deducted from their invalidity pension. The
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  affected pensioners will all receive a full refund of the tax wrongly paid since their discharge, together with a repayment supplement reflecting the interest which might have been accrued on the amount of tax wrongly paid. The repayment of tax is being processed in three stages: the first stage, the repayment of the current year's tax, has been completed; the second stage covers the period 1994–95 to 1997–98 for which records are held and repayments for this period will be made shortly. The final stage, which covers the period from the individual's discharge date to 1994, is more difficult to calculate as records of pension and tax paid are not held and therefore need to be recreated. This work is under-way and repayment will be made as soon as possible.

  RAF Quedgeley
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current status of the land that formerly constituted RAF Quedgeley. [85883]

  Mr. Spellar
  The areas formerly known as Sites 2, 4 and 6 and were sold on the open market during the latter part of 1997 and early 1998. That area of RAF Quedgeley known as Main Site was placed on the market in November 1997 and a preferred purchaser, Manor Farm Consortium, has been identified. Contract for Sale negotiations are now in hand.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with local councils and residents over the future of RAF Quedgeley during the last year. [85884]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Defence Estate officials have maintained close contact with both the County and Gloucester City Councils over the future of RAF Quedgeley. The City Council also jointly funded a feasibility study with MOD which made recommendations on appropriate forms of development for the re-use of the Main Site at Quedgeley.

  Agents acting for my Department were also invited to make representation at the Gloucester County Structure Plan Examination in Public in September 1998. My officials also attended, and supported the City Council's aspirations for residential and employment uses on the site.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will reply to the letters dated 4 February and 4 May from the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton to the Minister for the Armed Forces in respect of the playing fields amenity at the site known as ABRO Old Dalby. [86112]

  Mr. Spellar
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 1 June.

  Warships
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current operational life of(a) Sir Bedivere, (b) Sir Geraint and (c) Sir Percivale. [85959]

  Mr. Spellar
  It is planned to pay off RFA Bedivere in 2011, following an extension to her service life as a result of the recent Ship Life Extension programme. RFAs Sir Geraint and Sir Percivale have not been subject to 214
  similar life extension programmes and are expected to be withdrawn from service in 2003 and 2004 respectively, when they are due to be replaced by new vessels.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost and timescale for the Service Life Extension Programme for(a) Sir Bedivere, (b) Sir Geraint and (c) Sir Percivale; and when contracts will be let. [85956]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ship Life Extension Programme of RFA Sir Bedivere started in November 1994 and completed in June 1998, at a cost of £68.8 million. In the light of experience gained from this work, the decision was taken not to pursue similar life extension programmes on either RFA Sir Geraint or on RFA Sir Percivale. It is planned that these two vessels will be replaced by new ships in 2003 and 2004 respectively.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 14 May 1999,Official Report, column 215, on Porton Down, what was the date of the Minister of Defence Procurement's visit. [85555]

  Mr. Spellar
  My noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement visited Porton Down during his term in office between September 1976 and May 1979. The diaries from that period do not record the exact date of the visit.

  Trained Personnel
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the shortfall in numbers and percentage of trained personnel for the (i) Royal Navy, (ii) Army, (iii) Royal Air Force and (iv) Royal Marines. [85915]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The shortfall in numbers of trained personnel against the trained requirement as at 1 April 1999 (the latest figures available) is:

  Number/percentage

  Royal Navy

  1,352 (3.9%)

  Army1

  6,089 (5.9%)

  Royal Air Force

  1,263 (2.4%)

  Royal Marines

  520 (8.1%)

  1 The Army figure is for UK Regulars; it does not including Gurkhas or Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service). The Gurkha trained strength is 3,374, and trained requirement is 2,882, making a surplus of 492

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department has applied the tests set out in the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's September 1997 report on the Import and Export of Radioactive Waste to the reprocessing of German spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield. [82469]
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  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to introduce legislation to make mandatory the tests set out by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee in its 1997 report on The Import and Export of Radioactive Waste; and if he will make a statement; [85463]

  (2) what steps his Department takes to ensure that contracts for the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel are compatible with the policy set out in the 1995 White Paper Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy on the import and export of radioactive waste; [85462]

  (3) if he will order an independent inquiry to establish whether current contracts for the reprocessing of foreign spent nuclear fuel in the UK meet the tests recommended by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee in its 1997 report on The Import and Export of Radioactive Waste; and if he will make a statement. [85464]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 May 1999]: The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's September 1997 report on The Import and Export of Radioactive Waste suggests
  "specific tests which … the Government should, subject to consultation, give to the regulators as guidance on the practical application of policy on the import and export of radioactive wastes".

  As spent nuclear fuel has not traditionally been defined as radioactive waste, the tests outlined do not apply to the import of materials for reprocessing.

  Mr. Liew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with(a) BNFL and (b) the United States Nuclear Authorities in respect of BNFL proposals to import irradiated spent nuclear fuel from the US-based Yankee Power utility for storage at Sellafield. [85615]

  Mr. Meacher
  DETR has not entered into discussions with either party on this issue, neither has it been party to any discussions BNFL might have had.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 12 May 1999,Official Report, column 151, on genetically-modified crops, how much money the Government will spend in total on (a) funding and (b) subsidising (i) farm-scale evaluations and (ii) other trial sites for genetically-modified crops in 1999; and how much money has been allocated for the same purposes in 2000. [85272]

  Mr. Meacher
  The total cost to Government of funding ecological studies as part of the farm scale evaluations in 1999–2000 is £233,000, this includes all the farms, not just the one near Swindon. The expected figure for 2000–01 is £702,000. There is no subsidy. The industry grouping SCIMAC is covering the whole cost of growing the crops for the farm scale evaluations. SCIMAC are providing the GM seeds for the paired comparisons of GM and non GM crops, and funding their growing and management on the farm and the disposal of the produce.
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  The Government are not spending any public money on the funding or subsidising of other trial sites of genetically modified crops in either year.

  Road Noise Mitigation
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Mr. Shaw) of 22 March 1999,Official Report, columns 50–1, on road noise mitigation if tunnel roads include motorways; over what period the 80dB(A) noise level will be measured; and whether local authorities will be provided with the noise level predictions for the design years of the roads which may qualify in their area. [85439]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Nearly all motorways are included within the trunk road network.

  The noise level criterion of 80dB(A) is applied to an estimate of roadside noise based on readily available traffic information such as vehicle types, speeds and road surface. The estimate used is the average hourly L10 level over a typical weekday between the hours of 6am and 12 midnight.

  On request, local authorities can be provided with information in this form.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 on which(a) he and (b) his ministers have had meetings concerning the implementation of the Government's transport policy with the Road Haulage Association, indicating in each case (i) the purpose and nature of the meeting, (ii) the duration of the meeting, (iii) the location of the meeting and (iv) those who attended. [85484]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Full details in answer to this question can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and his transport ministerial team since the General Election, have had many meetings both formal and informal with senior representatives of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) at which transport issues have been discussed. The inaugural meeting of the Road Haulage Forum was recently chaired by the then Minister for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid) and attended by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 8 April. My right hon. Friend, the then Minister for Transport also attended the RHA annual dinner on 11 May.

  Barnet Football Club
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress in respect of its planning decision in relation to Barnet Football Club, Copthall Stadium. [85617]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State refused planning permission on 3 June. A copy of the decision letter has been sent to my hon. Friend.
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  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when regional development agencies will publish their required strategies. [86100]

  Mr. Caborn
  We expect RDAs to submit their initial strategies to Ministers in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions by October 1999. The RDAs have all begun involving regional partners in drawing up their regional strategies. Draft versions of the strategies will be produced for consultation over the summer.

  Thameslink
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of passenger loading on the Thameslink rail route. [85691]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Passenger counts are required by the terms of Thameslink's franchise agreement. The last counts were undertaken in the Autumn of 1998; and the results published on 29 March 1999 showed passenger loadings to be above the contractual threshold. In accordance with the contractual obligations of their franchise agreement Thameslink is producing for the Franchising Director a Feasibility Study considering options for additional capacity.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the planned reduction in service by Thameslink, to and from Hendon. [85712]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Thameslink have made marginal changes to peak services in their Summer 1999 timetable. One morning train no longer calls at Hendon. The minimum level of service which the operator must provide is set out in the Passenger Service Requirement (PSR) which is the key part of the franchise agreement under which services are provided. PSRs are based on the services which were being operated by British Rail at the time of franchising. Thameslink's PSR specifies a weekly half hourly service between Hendon and London. In the Summer 1999 timetable Hendon continues to receive 60 services from London Kings Cross Thameslink and 63 services to London Kings Cross Thameslink.

  Railway Rolling Stock
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Rail Regulator on the transfer of rolling stock between Train Operating Companies to reduce over-crowding. [85692]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Overcrowding is an issue addressed in franchise agreements between the Franchising Director and the Train Operating Companies (TOCs). The Franchising Director has facilitated discussions between TOCs for the transfer of rolling stock to address overcrowding. Such transfers are contractual matters between TOCs and discussions are currently taking place which if implemented would reduce overcrowding on some of the worst affected services in the South East.
  218

  Environmental Assessment
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the environmental assessment regimes for afforestation, land drainage, salmon farming, harbours, electricity lines, pipe-lines and applications under the Transport and Works Act 1992 comply with EU Directive 97/11 on environmental assessment. [86049]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Responsibility for the consent regimes referred to in this question falls to five Government Departments. For convenience, I am replying on behalf of the other Departments as well as my Department.

  Directive 97/11/EC amends Directive 85/337/EEC on environmental impact assessment. The amended procedures have been applied to land drainage projects which require planning permission and to fish farming in marine waters, which includes salmon farming.

  Regulations to implement the amended Directive for the other consent regimes have yet to be finalised but these should come into force by the end of the year. Meanwhile extant regulations ensure that projects considered under these consent regimes are subject to environmental impact assessment before they may proceed. Pending entry into force of the amending regulations, administrative arrangements provide for the additional requirements of Directive 97/11/EC to be complied with in most cases.

  Local Authority Debt
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the 10 most indebted local authorities in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998, indicating the cost (i) in total and (ii) per council tax payer of servicing the debt; and what plans he has to ensure that the debt level is reduced. [85776]

  Ms Armstrong
  The available information is given in the table. The cost of servicing the debt has been defined in terms of external interest paid by local authorities in the financial year 1997–98. It should be noted that authorities with high levels of debt are generally those which have undertaken capital investment and that longer term borrowing to finance capital expenditure is regulated by Government through the issue of credit approvals, for which support is provided through the Standard Spending Assessment mechanism.

  It is for local authorities to determine arrangements for the prudent management and repayment of debt. We are currently examining options for encouraging earlier debt redemption.

  Local authority1

  Total external interest payment 2 £ million)

  External interest payments per adult3 (£)

  Birmingham

  109.1

  145

  Manchester

  115.9

  370

  Lambeth

  78.4

  386

  Islington

  88.0

  640

  Sheffield

  77.7

  187

  Liverpool

  75.3

  214

  Leeds

  64.3

  114

  219

  Local authority1

  Total external interest payments 2 (£ million)

  External interest payment per adult 3 (£)

  Southwark

  71.8

  415

  Hackney

  59.4

  421

  Tower Hamlets

  63.6

  496

  1 10 authorities with highest level of outstanding debt as at 31 March 1997

  2 Source: Revenue Summary (RS) outturn form for 1997/98.

  3 Data on the number of council taxpayers is not readily available. The figures are based on the number of resident adults, mid-year 1997 population estimates.

  Airports (Runway Space)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans Her Majesty's Government have to secure the provision of extra runway space in the South-East of England. [85876]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  On 11 March 1999,Official Report, columns 360–61, we announced our decision to undertake a study of airport issues in the South-East and East of Egland. That study will consider future policies for these airports within the framework of the Government's sustainable development principles. It will, among other things, consider whether new runway capacity in the region might be justified, having regard to social, environmental and economic considerations.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ask the airport co-ordinator with responsibility for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted to make a statement on runway constraints. [85878]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Airport Co-ordinator is not the appropriate person to make such a statement. The capacity of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted is assessed twice a year, for the summer and winter operating seasons, by the airport operator, in consultation with airport users, air traffic control and the airport co-ordinator. Maximising use of runway capacity may be constrained by airspace availability, terminal capacity, and aircraft stand availability. The assessment is then used by the airport co-ordinator when he comes to allocate take off and landing slots for the season.

  Air Traffic
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take to protect the slots at present allocated to Regional Air Services in the South East from re-allocation to other services. [85836]

  Aircraft movements (Thousand)

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Heathrow

  330

  352

  368

  390

  382

  406

  411

  425

  435

  440

  441

  Gatwick

  189

  199

  205

  203

  174

  186

  185

  192

  203

  222

  239

  Stansted

  47

  47

  51

  47

  53

  61

  63

  75

  84

  96

  105

  Glasgow

  102

  101

  108

  111

  106

  107

  104

  95

  92

  92

  98

  Manchester

  126

  147

  155

  155

  154

  157

  160

  170

  170

  164

  168

  Belfast City

  23

  28

  29

  29

  38

  33

  38

  40

  43

  41

  38

  Belfast International

  80

  83

  96

  97

  95

  97

  92

  88

  98

  93

  95

  220
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The EC regulation that governs the slot allocation process permits Member States to reserve slots for domestic scheduled services on two grounds:That the slots concerned were being used for a particular route at the time of entry into force of the Regulation (1993), only one air carrier is operating on the route, and no other mode of transport can provide an adequate service.
  Or
  Where public service obligations have been imposed on a route (that is, a transport link between two cities or regions rather than an airport specific route).

  No slots are currently protected on either ground. The Government said in A New Deal for Transport (Cmnd 3950) that they would press for recognition in any revision of the Regulation of the case for maintaining access from regional airports into major hubs such as Heathrow and Gatwick. Proposals for revision are still awaited from the Commission.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safeguards exist to ensure that airspace management by NATS of airports and air traffic, where NATS does not provide the services, is impartial. [85841]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Directions to the CAA under section 72 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 state that NATS must provide air navigation services"without according preferential treatment to either civil or military users …".

  If an airport or user has a complaint about the management of airspace by NATS, it could refer to, for instance, the Directorate of Airspace Policy or the Economic Regulation Group, depending on the circumstances. If they were not happy with the outcome, they would have the right to appeal to the Chairman of the CAA.

  The ability of NATS to unfairly influence access to airspace from airports is limited. The allocation of slots in NATS airspace for aircraft leaving airports is beyond NATS' control—in fact it is decided by the Central Flow Management Unit in Brussels. The only legitimate circumstances under which NATS could restrict access to airspace would be for reasons of safety.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the change in air traffic movements at(a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick, (c) Stansted, (d) Glasgow, (e) Manchester and (f) Belfast airports in each of the last 10 years. [85871]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The most recent statistics published by the Civil Aviation Authority cover the period 1987 to 1997. The information requested is set out in the table.
  221
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has held with the British airlines holding slots at South-East airports about their re-allocation. [85837]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. The current regulation permits slots to be freely exchanged between carriers, or transferred by a carrier from one route or type of service to another. But British airlines should be aware of the Government's view, as set out in A New Deal for Transport, that any revision of the EC Regulation that governs the slot allocation process at congested airports should recognise the case for maintaining access from regional airports into congested hubs such as Heathrow and Gatwick.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the Public Service Obligation rules to protect air services for those airports to which they apply. [85925]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The conditions under which a Public Service Obligation (PSO) can be established on an air route are set out in European Council Regulation 2408–92. The European Court of Justice found (Case T—260/94 Air Inter v The Commission) that a "route" should be defined as a transport link between two cities or regions, and is not airport specific.

  A PSO on a regional service to London could therefore be fulfilled by services from any airport in the London airport system. A PSO may be imposed by a Member State in respect of scheduled air services to an airport serving a peripheral or development region in its territory, or on a thin route to any regional airport in its territory. The criterion is that the route must be vital to the economic development of the region in which the airport is situated. PSOs may be used to the extent necessary to ensure on a route the adequate provision of scheduled air services satisfying fixed standards of continuity, regularity, capacity and pricing, which standards air carriers would not assume if they were solely considering their commercial interest. There is provision for the carrier fulfilling the PSO to be reimbursed as appropriate for meeting the specified standards.

  "Adequacy" is assessed with regard to: the public interest; the availability of other forms of transport; air fares and conditions; and the combined effect of all air carriers operating or intending to operate on the route.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the(a) estimated and (b) actual aircraft movements at the three major south east airports for (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98. [85879]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The CAA produces forecasts for air transport movements in total UK airspace and for the London Air Traffic Control Centre (LATCC) for planning purposes, but does not break the figures down on an airport by airport basis. The LATCC figures which cover all airports in the London area are as follows:

  Estimated

  Actual

  1996–97

  1,504,000

  1,507,000

  1997–98

  1,618,000

  1,609,000

  222
  NATS keep records of the number of actual movements that they handle at each airport. The figures are as follows:

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Heathrow

  439,000

  443,000

  Gatwick

  224,000

  244,000

  Stansted

  98,000

  106,000

  Air Safety
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the occasions in the last five years where twin-engined transport aircraft have made single-engined approaches to Heathrow; [85846]

  (2) if he will list the number of incidents in the last five years in which aircraft have flown over central London with one engine inoperative intending to land at Heathrow. [85886]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Civil Aviation Authority has received 24 reports relating to transport aircraft approaching Heathrow airport with one engine inoperative in the last five years. Nine of these reports related to twin engined aircraft. It is not possible to deteottine which, if any, of these incidents involved flights over central London as approaches are also made from the west.

  The dates on which the incident involving twin engined aircraft occurred, together with the aircraft types involved, are as follows:

  Date

  Aircraft type

  22 September 1994

  B757

  25 January 1995

  B737

  1 November 1996

  B737

  24 November 1996

  B737

  5 July 1997

  A310

  26 August 1997

  B757

  15 May 1998

  A321

  9 July 1998

  A300

  20 January 1999

  A310

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of trends in the number of aircraft near-misses in the last year; and what action has been initiated to check the efficiency of the air traffic control system.[85847]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  All reported airprox incidents are fully investigated by the independent UK Airprox Board (UKAB). In 1998, UKAB investigated 202 airprox incidents, a figure slightly lower than at any time in the past decade, despite significant increases in traffic over that period. Of these, only 7 were assessed as being risk-bearing and attributable to National Air Traffic Services (NATS). This is the lowest figure in the 1990s despite record traffic levels. However, there is no cause for complacency and Ministers and NATS continue to ensure that the highest priority is given to maintaining and, where practicable, improving on the UK's outstanding safety record.
  223

  Coastguard
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provision HM Coastguard makes for the control of the operations room by experienced staff during meal breaks. [85839]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  HM Coastguard Operational Instructions are clear that during a temporary absence of a watch manager, such as meal breaks, the watch manager is to ensure that a suitable officer is nominated and has assumed full responsibility for the Watch, and that an entry to this effect is made in the Operations Room Log.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each occasion in the last 12 months on which untrained staff were substituted for trained Coastguard personnel. [85842]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  On no occasions were untrained staff substituted for trained Coastguard personnel over the last 12 months.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation has taken place with the Coastguard at Dover Maritime Rescue Control Centre about the implementation of the mandatory reporting regime. [85881]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Mandatory reporting has been discussed at each 3 monthly meeting of the Channel Navigation Information Service (CNIS) Technical Working Group since September 1997. Coastguard Operations Room Staff representatives are present at all these meetings. In October 1997, a special meeting took place involving Regional, District, Operations Room and the, then Coastguard Agency (TCA) Technical Staff to discuss the implications and any necessary changes to current procedures. The last two Dover District Management Board Meetings have included mandatory reporting as the main agenda item. Two circulars on the subject have been issued to all staff who also have access to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) source documentation.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions in the last six months the broadcast service for mariners in the Swansea area has been reduced. [85880]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There have been no occasions in the last six months when the broadcast service to mariners in the Swansea area has been reduced.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what extra staff will be required by HM Coastguard to fulfil their additional duties to deal with weather forecasts and meteorological reports; and what talks have taken place on this subject with staff representatives. [85840]

  Route

  Approximate scheduled journey time in 1999 (minutes)

  Change over last 10 years

  Heathrow-Glasgow

  75

  Increase of approximately 2 minutes in 1999

  Gatwick-Glasgow

  85

  Increase of approximately 2 minutes in 1998

  Stansted-Glasgow

  80

  No change

  Heathrow-Manchester

  55

  Increase of approximately 5 minutes in 1999

  Gatwick-Manchester

  65

  Increase of approximately 5 minutes in 1999

  224
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  HM Coastguard has recruited 40 additional Coastguard Watch Assistants (Operations) nationwide to supplement existing Co-ordination Centre watchkeeping complements to assist in the broadcast of Maritime Safety Information (MSI).

  The Coastguard Trade Unions were notified of HM Coastguard's future responsibilities for MSI in October 1998, and this was followed by a first meeting in November 1998. Consultation took place in February 1999 with Operations Room staff and District Management teams regarding the operational procedures, radio coverage, frequencies and scheduling required for the broadcast of Maritime Safety Information by HM Coastguard. As part of this process, the Coastguard Trade Unions were also invited to comment. The Maritime Safety Information radio broadcast instructions provided to HM Coastguard Co-ordination Centres are a direct result of this consultation.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the recommended staffing levels for the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre Co-ordinating stations at (i) Oban, (ii) Liverpool, (iii) Belfast and (iv) Stornoway for the period January to April 1999. [85843]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The recommended staffing levels at Oban, Liverpool, Belfast and Stornoway for the period January to April 1999 are as follows.Oban—1 District Controller (DC), 1 Deputy District Controller (DDC), 4 Watch Managers (WMs), 5 Watch Officers (WOs), 7 Coastguard Watch Assistants (Operations) (CWA (0)), 1 Coastguard Watch Assistant (Admin) (CWA(A))
  Liverpool—1 DC, 1 DDC, 4 WMs, 8 WOs, 8 CWA (O)s, 1CWA(A)
  Belfast—1 DC, 1 DDC, 4 WMs, 9 WOs, 6 CWA (O)s, 1CWA(A)
  Stornoway—1 DC, 1 DDC, 4 WMs, 5 WOs, 7 CWA(O)s, 1 CWA(A).

  A full-time CWA post may be split between 2 part-time staff.

  Domestic Air Routes
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what changes there have been in the published times for arrival and departure for domestic air routes in the last 12 months; [85927]

  (2) what has been the change in scheduled journey time between (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted and (i) Glasgow, (ii) Manchester and (iii) Belfast International airports in each of the last 10 years. [85926]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested in the first question is set out in the table. The data have been gathered from the Official Airline Guide. Due to the number of airports and different permutations of routes, the information requested in the second question could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
  225

  Route

  Approximate scheduled journey time in 1999(minutes)

  Change over last 10 years

  Stansted-Manchester

  60

  No change

  Heathrow-Belfast

  75

  No change

  Gatwick-Belfast

  No service

  Stansted-Belfast

  No service

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what principles and objectives underlie the review of standard spending assessments; and if he will make a statement. [85740]

  Ms Armstrong
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) on 24 May 1999,Official Report, column 8.

  British Rail Employees (Asbestosis)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 1999,Official Report, column 84, on British Rail employees, what information is available from the British Railways Board on compensation payments since 1991 to former employees of British Rail who are diagnosed as having mesothelioma, asbestosis or primary carcinoma of the lungs related to exposure to asbestos.[85935]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer to my answers of 17 May 1999,Official Report, column 245 and 25 May 1999, Official Report, column 84. I will ask the Secretary to the Board to write to my hon. Friend, to provide an opportunity for her to discuss any particular concerns she may have in this matter.

  School Budgets
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 May 1999,Official Report, column 471, on school budgets, if it is his objective in carrying out the present review of the formula for distributing central Government grant to local authorities to remove factors that cannot be justified by reference to actual cost and other objectively verifiable criteria. [85703]

  Ms Armstrong
  The objectives of the current review of revenue grant distribution are to investigate thoroughly whether there is a better way of determining the distribution of revenue support grant which is simpler, more stable, more robust and fairer than the present arrangements for SSAs. These objectives were set out in last year's White Paper, "Modern Local Government—In Touch with the People".

  Environment Task Force
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Green Ministers' Committee(a) has discussed and (b) plans to discuss, the New Deal Environment Task Force. [86040]
  226
  Mr. Meacher
  The Green Ministers Committee does consider policy areas of cross-cutting interest at its meetings, in addition to its main task of developing systems to integrate sustainable development and environmental concerns into Government policies and operations. We have not so far discussed the Task Force nor is it on the agenda for our next meeting in July. But we may wish to turn to it at a later date.

  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce an Environment Task Force Charter Mark to be awarded to projects achieving environmental benefit to the community. [86072]

  Mr. Caborn
  Charter Mark is the Government's award scheme for encouraging and recognising excellence in public service. All public service organisations which serve the public direct, including public service organisations which deliver Environment Task Force placements, can apply for a Charter Mark. However, the environmental benefit of the projects is not a criteria for the award of Charter Marks.

  Providers of Environment Task Force placements have also been able to apply for New Deal Awards which will soon be presented to employers and other organisations in recognition of the significant contribution they have made to the success of the New Deal.

  Ex-service Personnel
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has assessed of the number of(a) homeless people and (b) prisoners who are former members of the armed forces. [85665]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions does not routinely collect information on the number of homeless people who are former members of the armed forces. However, research on single homeless people and rough sleepers commissioned by the Department provides some information on the proportion of these groups which have a service background.Single Homeless People (HMSO, 1993) found that a fifth of a sample of single homeless people living in hostels or bed and breakfast hotels had been in the armed forces or merchant navy (not counting national service or the territorials). From Street to Home: An Evaluation of Phase 2 of the Rough Sleepers Initiative (TSO, 1996) found that a quarter of rough sleepers had been in the armed forces or merchant navy.

  As part of the Social Exclusion Unit review of Rough Sleeping (Cm 4008) the Department reviewed key research on rough sleeping. The review covered a number of studies dealing with rough sleepers with service backgrounds, including the two DETR studies described above, plus research commissioned by voluntary sector organisations including Falling Out: a research study of

  227
  homeless ex-service people, Randall & Brown (Crisis, 1994), and Homeless on Civvy Street, Gunner and Knott (Ex-Service Action Group, 1997). All these studies show that between a quarter and a fifth of rough sleepers have been in the armed forces at some stage.

  As for data on prisoners, the information requested is not available. No information regarding an individual's professional status, prior to reception into a Prison Service establishment, is recorded centrally.

  Parish and Town Councils
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has to monitor the composition of parish and town councils; and if he will make a statement. [85547]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Secretary of State has no powers to monitor the composition of parish and town councils.

  Concessionary Fares (Children)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to exempt children who are in full time education from paying full fares on bus and train services; and if he will make a statement. [85548]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Transport operators may offer discounted travel for young people commercially if they wish to do so. Local authorities may also provide discounted travel for young people up to the age of 18 who are in full-time education. It is for individual local authorities to decide whether to do so, what the size of any discount should be, and whether it should apply to train as well as bus travel. In addition, it is for Local Education Authorities to decide whether a child qualifies for free or assisted travel to school.

  Provision of reduced fares varies, and my Department is currently undertaking a survey of local authorities and operators. The results will be available to the School Travel Advisory Group, which comprises representatives of the relevant Government Departments and of parents, teachers, local authorities and other interested parties, so that the Group can identify and promulgate best practice.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people in his Department and its associated bodies and agencies have benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage. [86086]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  All staff in DETR(C), its associated bodies and agencies were already paid above the national minimum wage on its introduction on 1 April 1999.

  Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the cost to his Department of the inquiry into the Heathrow Fifth Terminal; and what is the estimated cost to his Department of the Inspector's preparation of his report.[86041]
  228
  Mr. Caborn
  The cost of the Heathrow Terminal 5 Inquiry to the Department was approximately £6 million. In addition, the Department's agencies (Planning Inspectorate, Highways Agency and Royal Parks Agency) spent a further £5 million collectively on inquiry costs. It is estimated that the preparation of the Inspector's report could cost the Department and Planning Inspectorate combined up to £1 million.

  Fishing Vessels (Safety Equipment)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will commission an assessment of the (i) cost and (ii) risk effectiveness of the safety equipment currently required to be carried by fishing vessels. [85855]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Fishing Vessel (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975 specified the carriage requirements for safety equipment on all UK registered fishing vessels. Since then, changes to those requirements have been developed within the context of the Fishing Industry Safety Group (FISG), in which representatives of the fishing industry have themselves influenced the standards being required. For smaller vessels (under 12 metres in length) we hope soon to introduce a new Code of Practice. This Code will specify safety equipment which should be carried. The list of safety equipment to be carried results from consultation with the industry and the benefits of each item have already been fully considered. A special assessment of cost and risk effectiveness of safety equipment is not necessary as requirements are kept under continuous review by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the industry through the mechanism of the FISG.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the location of telecommunication masts and the issuing of interim planning guidance pending publication of the findings of the National Radiological Protection Board into the non-thermal effects of microwave radiation; and if he will make a statement. [85931]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Draft guidance on land use planning and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) was issued for consultation by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Health on 8 December 1998. Copies were placed in the Library. We have received 147 responses to the consultation draft. Since issuing the draft circular, my Department has received four Parliamentary Questions and some 70 letters related to the possible health effects of telecommunications apparatus.

  The draft guidance reflects the advice to Government of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) that there is no convincing evidence of a causal link between exposure to EMFs and cancer. The Board's advice is based upon a review and assessment of published scientific studies covering the fields of epidemiology, biology and dosimetry. In continuing to review the science, the NRPB takes into account the range of reported biological effects, including those of a non-thermal nature. We shall continue to take NRPB advice into consideration in developing policy on land use planning and electromagnetic fields.
  229

  Holiday Lets
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to prevent properties bought under the right to buy legislation from being let to holidaymakers for extended periods on a commercial basis; and if he will make a statement. [85895]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We are not aware of a widespread problem though we shall consider any proposals that may be put to us by the local authority involved. Meanwhile it could be premature and prejudicial to comment on an issue that is likely to go back before the courts.

  Walton Bridge
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date he was formally asked by Surrey County Council if he planned to call in their planning application for a temporary replacement for the existing Walton Bridge across the Thames; and when he expects to take a decision. [85903]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Surrey County Council referred the planning application to the Government Office for the South East in March 1999. We expect to issue a decision shortly.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what central Government grant will be made available for the construction of a temporary replacement to the existing Walton Bridge across the Thames; and when he expects it to be released to Surrey County Council. [85902]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In the local transport capital expenditure settlement announced in December last year, Surrey County Council was allocated £2,602,000 for bridge strengthening in 1999–2000. The allocation included £1,590,000 for the A244 Thames Crossing at Walton.

  Half of this allocation will be paid as Transport Supplementary Grant and will be released to the County Council in four equal quarterly instalments during the financial year. The remaining resources have been allocated as Annual Capital Guideline.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Museums
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he intends to transfer responsibility for any of his Department's sponsored museums to the Greater London Authority. [80236]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]: The Greater London Authority Bill, currently before Parliament, does not provide for the transfer of responsibility for any of the museums and galleries which are sponsored by my Department. However, it is my intention to transfer to the Greater London Authority the responsibility for making some appointments to the Boards of museums which were previously funded by the Greater London Council. I am considering with colleagues the extent to which the Greater London
  230
  Authority might be given further responsibilities in respect of museums and galleries in order to enhance the cultural role for the Authority.

  Works of Art (Nazi Period)
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans he has(a) to put a time limit on claims in respect of works of art of dubious provenance from the Nazi period and (b) to seek amendment of the law governing de-accessioning of museum holdings; [85241]

  (2) how many works of art of dubious provenance from the Nazi period have so far been identified in British museums; when further inventories of such items will be published; and what plans he has to publicise these inventories; [85244]

  (3) how many museums are undertaking inventories of works of art in their possession of dubious provenance from the Nazi period; and what plans he has to increase the number of museums involved in the inventory process; [85243]

  (4) what is his policy on works of art in British museums that are of dubious provenance from the Nazi period. [85242]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Government have asked members of the National Museum Directors' Conference to examine their collections with a view to finding out whether any items may have been looted during World War II and the Nazi period. Any claims will need to be considered on their merits on a case-by-case basis.

  Some works have been identified which have gaps in their provenance, but this does not necessarily mean that they are the result of spoliation during the Holocaust and World War II. Research is continuing and it is hoped that updated information about the progress of this research will be published later this year.

  The National Museum Directors' Conference has published Action Plans for 23 national museums, galleries and libraries, and I have deposited a copy of these in the Library. The Museums and Galleries Commission has recently issued a Statement of Principles to all Registered Museums. This recommends action to be taken by non-national institutions. The Museums and Galleries Commission will also be having discussions with those non-national institutions which have major art collections about how they might approach the issue of research into provenance. I have deposited a copy of this Statement of Principles in the Library.

  The possibility of a time limit on claims is an issue which will need to be discussed with museums and galleries and other interests. However, the Statement of Principles published by the National Museums Directors' Conference last November suggests that an institution which has fully publicised the details of a work which it believes might have been the result of spoliation during the Nazi period and World War II would normally expect to receive a claim within six years. I have deposited a copy of this Statement of Principles in the Library. The question of de-accessioning will be considered on a case by case basis if, and when, there are successful claims for objects to be returned.
  231

  Public Libraries (Funding)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the local authorities which have applied for funding from(a) the Capital Modernisation Fund for IT facilities in public libraries and (b) the National Lottery Opportunity Fund for funding for libraries, in each case since its introduction; and what sums were awarded. [85315]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The detailed criteria for these programmes have still to be finalised, so no library authorities have yet been invited to bid.

  Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when his Department will publish the report of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Design Group; and if he will make a statement about his plans for implementing the recommendations in the report. [86305]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department is today placing copies of the report in the Libraries of both Houses. A copy is also being made accessible on my Department's website, www.culture.gov.uk. The Department would be pleased to receive any views from interested parties about the report, as it takes forward the process of establishing the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council by 1 April 2000. There are a number of issues arising from the report which affect the libraries, museums and archives communities and which my Department will be discussing with bodies representing those communities over the coming months. To start this process, I have written to the National Museum Directors' Conference to invite them to propose ways in which the national museums and galleries, and the British Library, can assist the new body in its work.

  Detailed decisions about the role and priorities of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council will be made by the Chair and other board members once they have been appointed later this year.

  BBC
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will make a statement on his responsibilities in relation to the funding of the BBC's commercial activities; [85507]

  (2) if he will list the arrangements under which the BBC is accountable to his Department for its commercial activities. [85346]

  Janet Anderson
  The BBC Charter and Agreement provide a framework for ensuring that the Corporation's commercial activities are funded, operated and accounted for separately from its public service activities. It is for the BBC's Board of Governors to ensure that the BBC meets its obligations in this area. Any commercial activities undertaken by the BBC are subject to the same UK and EU competition law as its competitors. The BBC publishes separate annual reports and accounts for its commercial subsidiaries BBC Worldwide Ltd. and BBC Resources Ltd. These are submitted to the Secretary of State and presented to Parliament.
  232
  The Secretary of State's approval is required before the BBC can provide new commercial services itself or enter into joint ventures with commercial partners to provide new services.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 1999,Official Report, column 142, on the BBC, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's rules governing borrowing by the BBC and its commercial subsidiaries. [85892]

  Janet Anderson
  Article 3(w) of the BBC's Royal Charter governs borrowing. As in all other aspects of the BBC's remit, its commercial activities are subject to the Royal Charter and Agreement. This is available in the Library of the House.

  Museum of London
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for the future funding of the Museum of London. [86081]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  In common with all DCMS sponsored museums and galleries, the Museum has a funding agreement with my Department for the financial years up to and including 2001–02. Funding decisions beyond then have yet to be taken.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans he has to make books of poetry, drama, the visual arts, architecture, history, biography and fiction available for purchase in the Dome; [86082]

  (2) what plans he has to make recorded music available for purchase in the Dome; [86079]

  (3) what plans he has to make copies of (a) the Bible and (b) multi-faith religious books available for purchase in the Dome. [86078]

  Janet Anderson
  As part of the New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) own retailing arrangements at the Millennium Dome, a range of books and other printed material relevant to the millennium and the Millennium Experience will be on sale. The company's general policy is not to replicate, or compete with, the retailing opportunities which people enjoy in their high streets and local town centres. The company's policy on recorded music reflects the same principles.

  Birth Certificates
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those purposes for which his Department and its executive agencies require a birth certificate to be provided by(a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for employment and contracts and (d) other persons. [85686]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  In line with general practice elsewhere in Government, members of staff recruited by DCMS are routinely asked to provide proof of identity prior to taking up appointment with the Department. Birth certificates, passports, and a range of other documents are acceptable for this purpose. It is not mandatory for staff to provide a copy of their birth certificate. Contractors
  233
  are expected to undertake satisfactory checks on proof of identity of their staff before they take up work with the Department.

  Television News
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will instruct the ITC to obtain from ITV the latest figures showing (i) the change in the numbers watching news on Channel 3 since the abolition of News at 10 and (ii) the change in the viewing numbers for the 10.00 to 10.30 pm weekday slot on Channel 3 since the abolition of News at 10. [85775]

  Janet Anderson
  ITV began their new evening schedule on 8 March, replacing the bulletin at 5.40 pm to 6.00 pm and News at Ten with a half hour news bulletin from 6.30 pm to 7.00 pm and an update from 11 pm to 11.15 pm. For the four weeks beginning 27 April, the latest figures available to the ITC, the average audiences who were watching news on Channel 3 and the figures for the equivalent weeks in 1999 are as follows:

  (i)

  Million

  1998

  5.40 pm to 6.00 pm

  4.1

  10.00 pm to 10.30 pm

  5.5

  Total

  9.6

  1999

  6.30 pm to 7.00 pm

  5.4

  11.00 pm to 11.15 pm

  3.6

  Total

  9.0

  (ii) During this period in 1998, 5.5 million were watching Channel 3 in the 10.00 pm to 10.30 pm slot and during the same period in 1999, since the rescheduling of News at Ten, this has changed to 6.0 million.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  World Science Congress
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has made for a British delegation to the World Science Congress in Budapest. [85305]

  Mr. Battle
  The exact composition of the UK delegation will be determined soon. It is likely to comprise representatives from the Office of Science and Technology, the Department for International Development, the United Kingdom's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. It is hoped that other non-governmental organisations will also be represented.

  The Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Robert May, is giving one of the main presentations during the first, scientific, section of the Conference, and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development will make a statement on behalf of the Government during the plenary debate in the final section of the Conference.
  234

  Millennium Compliance (Energy)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the proceedings of the Energy Council of 11 May relating to the millennium bug in the energy sector; what documents were discussed; and what contribution he made to the debate. [85522]

  Mr. Battle
  For a general report on the Energy Council, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, South (Mr. Marshall) on 17 May 1999,Official Report, columns 253–54. For the item on the millennium bug, the Council took note of an oral presentation by the Commission. The Commission reported on the recent outcome of the Telecommunications Council in respect of the millennium bug and on progress being made in the energy sector, addressing, in particular, the supply of electricity, natural gas, oil and coal, as well as questions relating to nuclear safety. The Council asked to be kept informed of progress.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he was first informed of negotiations between British Nuclear Fuels plc and Maine Yankee Atomic Power on the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement. [85461]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 26 May 1999]: I understand that BNFL was one of the nuclear fuel services companies approached by the owners of the Maine Yankee reactor in New England, USA, about options for removing spent nuclear fuel from the now closed reactor. In the course of these informal discussions which took place during 1998, it became clear that it would not be possible for BNFL and Maine Yankee to conclude a contract which would be consistent with both UK Government policy on the importation of radioactive waste and US Government policy on reprocessing. The discussions were, therefore, brought to an end and this Department was so informed.

  Strategic Export Controls
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce the outcome of the consultation exercise on strategic export controls. [85538]

  Dr. Howells
  As announced in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) on 30 November 1999,Official Report, column 55, the responses to the consultation exercise on strategic export controls were, with the exception of two for which complete confidentiality was requested, placed in the Libraries of both Houses and in the Library of the Department. Copies of the responses are also available on request from the Department's Export Control Organisation. The Government are currently reviewing the proposals contained in the White Paper in the light of responses received and are committed to introducing legislation as soon as time is available in the legislative programme.
  235

  Post Office
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the criteria are for approval of capital purchases overseas by the Post Office. [86047]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  As was announced by my right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, to this House in the statement on the future of the Post Office on 7 December 1998,Official Report, columns 21–24, the Government will approve normal Post Office requests for borrowing for investment cases that are commercially robust. Separate fast-track arrangements will be put in place for considering the largest strategic investments. Further details will be set out in our forthcoming White Paper on the future of the Post Office.

  Electricity Trading Arrangements
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he now expects to conclude the Review of Electricity Trading Arrangements. [86045]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Mrs. Brinton) on 18 May 1999,Official Report, column 300.

  Imports (Forced Labour)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice is available from his Department to individuals and companies who wish to avoid importing goods made with the use of forced labour or child labour. [85829]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government strongly support a proposed new ILO Convention to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, and funding programmes such as the ILO International Programme on the Elimination of Child-Labour (IPEC). Individuals or companies are advised to seek assurances on the matter from their retailers or suppliers. The Government strongly support recent initiatives by the private and voluntary sector to develop or promote codes of conduct in this area; and an increasing number of UK companies are entering into such arrangements with their overseas suppliers.

  Exports (Indonesia)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 6 May 1999,Official Report, column 450, concerning ECGD liabilities in respect of exports in Indonesia if he will list (i) the unrecovered claims, (ii) the proportion of the unrecovered claims which relates to military exports and (iii) the unrecovered claims which ECGD expects to be written off. [85848]

  Mr. Wilson
  (i) Details of the unrecovered claims arising in contracts involving exports to Indonesia are classified as "commercial in confidence" and cannot, therefore, be disclosed by ECGD without the consent of the individual exporters concerned.
  236
  (ii) The proportion of the unrecovered claims of £48 million which related to military exports was 52 per cent. (value £25 million).

  (iii) ECGD expects that no unrecovered claims will be written off. It is expected that a full recovery will be made under the provisions of a bilateral rescheduling currently being negotiated between the UK and Indonesia. This bilateral debt agreement is intended to cover debt in relation to both civil and military contracts signed prior to 1 July 1997, and the debt to be restructured over the period to 31 March 2000 amounts to some £240 million.

  Raw Milk
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to respond to the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the selling of raw milk. [86025]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's answer to the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath), on 6 May 1999,Official Report, column 1069.

  BBC Commercial Policy
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his officials have had with the BBC on its commercial policy guidelines; and if the guidelines were subject to prior approval by(a) his Department and (b) the Office of Fair Trading. [85893]

  Dr. Howells
  DTI officials have not had discussions with the BBC on its commercial policy guidelines, which were not subject to prior approval either by the Department or by the Office of Fair Trading.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in his Department and its associated bodies and agencies have benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage. [86088]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The lowest rate of pay for any staff in the Department increased from £7,785 to £7,900 per annum with effect from 1 April 1999. 170 staff benefited from this increase.

  Arms Exports (Indonesia)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what system has been established for the end-use monitoring of military equipment sold to the Government of Indonesia in the last five years. [85970]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have been asked to reply.

  No formal mechanisms exist at present for systematically monitoring the use of British defence equipment once it has been exported. We have made clear to the Indonesian authorities that British-supplied equipment should not be used against civilians to prevent the exercise of their rights of free expression, assembly and association, or in violation of other international human rights standards.
  237

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 15 February 1999,Official Report, column 424, on genetically modified crops, if she will make a statement on the progress of the research on the potential impact on farmers in developing countries of the increased use of genetically modified crops. [85489]

  Clare Short
  Later this year we will publish a progress report on our natural resources knowledge activities, including details of those studies which address genetic modification issues of concern and interest to developing countries. The three-year research project on the potential risks of introducing transgenic plants into traditional cropping systems, referred to in my earlier answer, began in April 1999. Results are not yet available. A short, predictive study of the potential effects on the livelihoods of poor people in developing countries of so-called "terminator" gene technologies is to be commissioned shortly for completion by the end of this year.

  Overseas Debt
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the sums of debt owed to the United Kingdom by each developing country. [85525]

  Clare Short
  The figures below show the amounts owed by governments of developing countries to the Department for International Development and to the Export Credits Guarantee Department.
  We have cancelled the aid debts of the poorest countries to the value of £1.2 billion since 1978. Under the Commonwealth Debt Initiative announced in 1997, we have agreed to cancel the aid debts of the remaining Commonwealth countries which are committed to eradicating poverty and achieving the international development goals, which have transparent and accountable government, and which are bearing down on corruption.

  In the Paris Club, the UK has played a full role. We have provided £1.3 billion of debt relief since 1989 on official export credit debt.

  Outstanding debt to the UK

  £ million

  Country

  Outstanding aid loans1

  Official export credit debt2

  Algeria

  —

  164.6

  Angola

  —

  106.0

  Antigua & Barbuda

  1.60

  1.60

  Argentina

  —

  55.60

  Belize

  11.9

  —

  Benin

  —

  2.70

  Bolivia

  —

  11.50

  Bosnia

  —

  3.00

  Brazil

  1.97

  523.70

  Bulgaria

  —

  11.90

  Burkina Faso

  —

  1.00

  Cameroon

  —

  69.90

  Cayman Islands

  0.17

  —

  Central African Republic

  —

  0.30

  238

  Outstanding debt to the UK

  £million

  Country

  Outstanding aid loans 1

  Official export credit debt2

  Colombia

  0.15

  0.30

  Congo

  —

  139.50

  Costa Rica

  0.76

  —

  Cote d'Ivoire

  —

  22.30

  Croatia

  —

  78.00

  Cuba

  —

  78.70

  Cyprus

  0.12

  —

  DR Congo

  —

  138.90

  Ecuador

  11.50

  56.40

  Egypt

  —

  183.70

  Ethiopia

  —

  11.70

  Gabon

  —

  133.10

  Ghana

  —

  2.10

  Guinea Republic

  —

  5.20

  Guyana

  —

  43.90

  India

  2.40

  —

  Indonesia

  —

  42.10

  Jamaica

  29.10

  2.60

  Jordan

  —

  342.50

  Kenya

  —

  36.70

  Liberia

  0.08

  14.60

  Macedonia

  —

  4.50

  Madagascar

  —

  27.20

  Malawi

  —

  0.70

  Malaysia

  2.80

  —

  Mali

  —

  4.10

  Mauritania

  —

  6.80

  Mexico

  —

  65.50

  Morocco

  —

  53.10

  Mozambique

  —

  89.90

  Nicaragua

  —

  1.00

  Niger

  —

  10.90

  Nigeria

  4.93

  3,496.30

  Paraguay

  1.87

  —

  Peru

  —

  154.70

  Philippines

  2.77

  23.80

  Poland

  —

  898.90

  Russia

  —

  631.90

  Senegal

  —

  1.50

  Seychelles

  8.60

  —

  Sierra Leone

  —

  3.60

  Somali Republic

  —

  27.40

  St. Kitts

  2.30

  —

  St. Vincent

  3.28

  —

  Sudan

  —

  330.50

  Swaziland

  1.53

  —

  Tanzania

  —

  113.10

  Togo

  —

  13.70

  Turkey

  22.70

  —

  Uganda

  —

  5.60

  Vietnam

  —

  10.40

  Yemen

  —

  3.10

  Zambia

  —

  237.20

  Zimbabwe

  10.90

  —

  Total

  121.43

  8,499.20

  1 As of May 1999

  25 As of March 1999

  Kashmir
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid has been provided to Kashmir by her Department since 1997. [85828]
  239
  Clare Short
  Since 1997, we have provided £650,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for their humanitarian assistance programme in Jammu and Kashmir and £132,500 to the Save the Children Fund to support their work there. In addition, about £19,000 has been provided under the Small Grants Scheme to help equip a maternity hospital in Anantnag.

  Chinese Western Poverty Reduction
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what position Her Majesty's Government have taken on the proposal that the World Bank should fund the Chinese Western Poverty Reduction Project; and if she will make a statement. [85664]

  Clare Short
  The World Bank's staff appraisal report on this project became available at the end of last week and has just been received in London. It is now being studied. I will write to my hon. Friend when an assessment has been made of the merits of the proposal.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people in his Department and its associated bodies and agencies have benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage. [86094]

  Clare Short
  None of the staff in my Department have been affected by the introduction of a national minimum wage. The current rates for our lowest paid staff in the UK are as follows:

  Grade

  Rate per hour

  C2 Grade (National rate)

  3.72

  C2 Grade (London rate)

  4.96

  Cleaner (London rate)

  4.35

  Technical Co-operation
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the 20 United Kingdom companies which have received(a) the largest number of technical co-operation consultancy contracts and (b) the highest value technical co-operation consultancy contracts with her Department in the last financial year. [85965]

  Clare Short
  The tables list details of contracts let in the UK by DFID for 1998–99, namely:

  (a) the 20 companies which have been awarded the largest number of technical co-operation contracts.

  Company

  Number of contracts

  The British Council

  78

  Natural Resources International Ltd.

  48

  Health and Life Sciences Partnership

  46

  Options Consultancy Services

  43

  International Family Health

  34

  Institute for Health Sector Development

  33

  International Institute for Environmental Development

  25

  Oxford Policy Management

  25

  Bannock Consulting

  24

  240

  Company

  Number of contracts

  Overseas Development Institute

  23

  London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

  22

  Centre for Development Studies

  21

  Crown Agents

  20

  Office for National Statistics

  19

  Empower

  18

  PricewaterhouseCoopers

  15

  Wolverhampton Polytraining Ltd.

  15

  Institute of Development Studies

  14

  KPMG

  14

  HR Wallingford

  12

  (b) the 20 highest value consultancy contracts awarded to companies.

  £

  Company

  Value

  Population Services International

  11,021,782

  Hunting Technical Services Ltd.

  9,000,000

  Joint Education Trust/Crown Agents/Independent Training and Education Centre

  7,281,036

  The British Council

  7,281,036

  The British Council

  5,446,527

  Arthur Anderson

  4,996,560

  Maxwell Stamp PLC

  3,968,933

  The British Council

  3,385,276

  Hunting Technical Services Ltd.

  3,322,325

  Helm Corporation

  2,905,676

  National Economic Research Associates

  2,747,985

  The British Council

  2,622,497

  Crown Agents

  2,500,000

  The British Council

  2,433,080

  LTS International

  2,380,948

  University of Birmingham

  2,307,824

  Institute for Health Sector Development Ltd.

  2,226,330

  Hunting Technical Services Ltd.

  2,051,903

  BBC Marshall Plan of the Mind Trust (BBC MPM Ltd.)

  2,028,529

  The British Council

  1,946,400

  Bilateral Aid
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of United Kingdom bilateral aid is provided to developing countries in the form of UK-sourced goods, services and contracts. [85966]

  Clare Short
  We notified the DAC of the OECD of the status (tied or untied) of all of our o.d.a., excluding technical cooperation and administrative costs. In 1997, 28 per cent. of such commitments were tied. In the same year, we awarded technical cooperation, management, and consultancy contracts in the UK totalling £241 million, mostly to UK companies. Contracts for goods totalling £14.5 million, were again mostly from the UK. awarded by our procurement agents.

  Aid Programme
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to build up private sector capacities in poor countries through the aid programme. [85967]
  241
  Clare Short
  As our White Paper makes clear, a thriving private sector is essential for sustainable and equitable economic growth. Since 1997, we have strengthened our collaboration with business to tackle the constraints faced by the private sector. We seek to promote a stable and attractive operating environment for business, both domestic and foreign. We seek, often through work with business intermediary organisations, to improve the capacity of local companies by improving access to sustainable financial services, training, market information and appropriate technology. And by bringing forward the Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill, we seek to enable CDC to mobilise higher levels of investment, which will help create and develop viable long term businesses in the poorer countries.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with representatives of the business community on untying British aid in the past six months. [85968]

  Clare Short
  I have discussed the issue informally with various representatives of the business community. We have also nominated representatives from the British Consultants Bureau, Crown Agents and Mott Macdonald to take part in the international discussions on aid untying at the Development Partners Forum, organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Development Assistance Committee in December 1998.

  Genetically modified plant varieties National list applications under consideration at 4 June 1999

  Application number and species

  NL applicant

  Earliest date of proposed decision

  DETR reference (and holder if different from NL applicant) and date granted

  35/959—Spring Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems, Belgium

  Test and Trials Complete1

  1996–Application 20/11/95 Granted 3/1/96

  1997—Marketing Consent—94/M1/1 Granted 28/2/96

  35/960—Spring Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems, Belgium

  Test and Trials Complete 1

  1996—95/R15/15—Application 20/11/95 Granted 3/1/96

  1997—Marketing Consent—94/M1/1 Granted 28/2/96

  35/1174—Winter Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems, Belgium

  November 19992

  1997–97/R15/20—Application 9/6/97 Granted 1/8/97

  1998–98/R15/24—Application 16/2/98 Granted 10/7/98

  35/1175—Winter Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems, Belgium

  November 19992/

  1997–97/R15/20—Application 9/6/97 Granted 1/8/97

  1998–98/R15/24—Application 16/2/98 Granted 10/7/98

  35/1184—Winter Oilseed Rape

  Monsanto Crop Protection, UK

  November 19992

  96/R22/6—Application 20/6/96 Granted 6/8/96

  35/1185—Winter Oilseed Rape

  Monsanto Crop Protection, UK

  November 19992

  96/R22/6—Application 20/6/96 Granted 6/8/96

  35/1210—Spring Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems, Belgium

  November 19992

  1998–97/R15/23—Application 8/12/97 Granted 19–3-98

  199–98/R19/18—Application 4/15/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  35/1211—Spring Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems, Belgium

  November 19992

  1998–97/R15–23—Application 4/12/98 Granted 19/3/98

  1999–98/R19/18—Application 4//12/98 Granted 22/3/98 (Agrevo)

  35/1222—Spring Oilseed Rape

  Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., USA

  November 19992

  97/R24/2—Application 5/1/98 Granted 1/4/98

  242

PRIME MINISTER

  Pupil/Teacher Ratios
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement regarding the overall pupil/teacher ratio in maintained schools in England. [86113]

  The Prime Minister
  The overall pupil/teacher ratio in maintained schools in England fell from 18.9 to 18.8 between January 1998 and January 1999. Over the same period, the ratio in primary schools changed from 23.7 to 23.5 and that in secondary schools from 16.9 to 17.0. As a result of our policy to reduce the size of infant classes, the number of children in large infant classes fell by some 130,000 from 485,000 in January 1998 to 356,000 in January 1999.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Genetically Modified Seeds
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each application for national seed listing of genetically modified varieties, indicating the (i) application number, (ii) company name, (iii) approximate date of proposed decision, (iv) release consent number, (v) date consent was granted and (vi) if different from the national list applicants, the applicants' names. [85934]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is given in the table.
  243

  Genetically modified plant varieties National list applications under consideration at 4 June 1999

  Application number and species

  NL applicant

  Earliest date of proposed decision

  DETR release reference (and holder if different from NL applicant) and date granted

  35/1316—Winter Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems, Belgium

  November 20002

  98/R 15/24—Application 16/2/98 Granted 10/7/98

  35/1318—Winter Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems, Belgium

  November 20002

  98/R15/24—Application 16/2/98 Granted 10/7/98

  35/1335—Spring Oilseed Rape

  Advanta Seeds UK

  November 20002

  97/R15/7—Application 31/7/97 Granted 13/3/97

  35/1336—Spring Oilseed Rape

  Advanta Seeds UK

  November 20002

  97/R13/7—Application 31/1/97 Granted 13/3/97

  35/1343—Spring Oilseed Rape

  Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., USA

  November 20002

  97/R24/2—Application 5/1/98 Granted 1/4/98

  35/1346—Spring Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems, Belgium

  November 20002

  98/R19/18—Application 4/12/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  35/1347—Spring Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetics Systems Belgium

  November 20002

  98/R19/18—Application 4/12/98 Granted 22/3/99 (Agrevo)

  45/774—Sugar Beet

  Novartis Seeds AB, Sweden

  Test and Trials Complete1

  96/R21/4—Application 24/12/96 Granted 5/2/97

  45/798—Sugar Beet

  KWS Kleinwanzlebener Saatzucht AG, Germany

  April 20002

  97/R19/13—Application 20/1/97 Granted 17/3/97 (Agrevo)

  45/813—Sugar Beet

  Danisco Seeds, UK

  April 20002

  961R21/4— Application 24/12/96 Granted 5/2/97

  45/850—Sugar Beet

  KWS Kleinwanzlebener Saatzuchtq AG, Germany

  April 20012

  97/R19/13—Application 20/1/97 Granted 25/2/97

  45/865—Sugar Beet

  Novartis Seeds AB, Sweden

  April 20012

  96/R21/4—Application 24/12/96 Granted 25/2/97

  45/877—Sugar Beet

  Danisco Seeds, UK

  April 20012

  96/R21/4—Application 24/12/96 Granted 25/2/97

  51/833—Maize

  Van Der Have, Netherlands

  February 20003

  96/R13/6—Application 23/2/96 Granted 2/4/96 (Sharpes) Marketing Consent C/F/95/12/07 published 5/8/98

  51/886—Maize

  Van Der Have, Netherlands

  February 20013

  Marketing Consent C/F/95/12/07 Published 5/8/98

  132/533—Fodder Beet

  DLF Trifolium, Denmark

  Test and Trials not started

  No National List tests or trials will be sown in 1999

  1Test and trials complete, awaiting promulgation of marketing consents under Directive 90/220.

  2 Subject to promulgation of marketing consents under 90/220 and satisfactory completion of tests and trials.

  1Subject to satisfactory completion of tests and trials.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many test sites there have been in each relevant year for each of the national list applications of genetically modified seed varieties. [85946]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is given in the table.

  The number of national list test and trial sites planted each year for genetically modified varieties currently under consideration is as follows:

  Species—Test/trial

  Number of sites

  Winter Oilseed Rape

  VCU trial sites

  7

  DUS test sites

  1

  pathology test sites (VCU)

  2

  vernalisation test sites

  1

  Spring Oilseed Rape

  VCU trial sites

  2

  DUS test sites

  1

  vernalisation test sites

  1

  244

  Spescies—Test/trial

  Number of sistes

  Maize

  VCU teial sites

  4

  Reserve VCUtrial sites

  12

  DUS test sites

  2—

  Sugar Best

  VCU/DUS sites

  4

  Reserve VCU/DUS sites

  2

  12 sites sown in 1999, none in 1998

  2 Conducted in Feance

  Grey Squirrels
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will re-instate the bounty for grey
  squirrel tails. [85772]

  Mr. Morley
  No. We are taking several steps to help landowners protect woodland from the damage caused by grey squirrels. However, we do not consider that a bounty is an appropriate or satisfactory mechanism.
  245

  Fisheries Grant Scheme
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) of 21 May 1999,Official Report, columns 451–52 on spending priorities, what has been the total grant paid through the fisheries grant scheme in each of the last five years; and what was the total grant allocation available for spending. [85853]

  Mr. Morley
  The grant paid, in each of the last five years, for fishing vessel safety equipment grants, harbour grants, processing and marketing grants and port facilities grants against the grant allocation held by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for these schemes was as follows:

  £

  Year

  Allocation

  Grant paid

  1994–95

  5,819,000

  5,060,452

  1995–96

  4,827,000

  3,315,804

  1996–97

  4,572,000

  1,573,884

  1997–98

  4,572,000

  2,781,378

  1998–99

  4,072,000

  2,176,749

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many grants and to what value have been given to the fishermen from (i) Brixham, (ii) Paignton, (iii) Kingswear, (iv) Dartmouth, (v) Salcombe and (vi) the West Country in total for harbour and fishing vessel safety equipment in each of the last five years. [85852]

  Mr. Morley
  No grants under the national harbour grant scheme or the EU port facilities grant scheme have been awarded to Brixham, Dartmouth, Kingswear, Paignton or Salcombe in the last five years. The numbers of projects and value of grants awarded to the West Country (Devon and Cornwall) under both schemes is as follows:

  £

  Year

  Projects

  Amounts

  1994–95

  4

  112,000

  1995–96

  2

  12,000

  1996–97

  3

  66,000

  1997–98

  6

  99,000

  1998–99

  2

  112,000

  Total

  17

  401,000

  Information on numbers and value of grants for fishing vessel safety equipment is not held by port or region and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total grants available from (i) his Department and (ii) the EU for each of the last 10 years for fishing safety measures. [85952]

  Mr. Morley
  Prior to the introduction of the Fishing Vessels (Safety Improvements) (Grants) Scheme 1993 fishing safety measures were subsumed in the wider fishing vessel modernisation schemes and separate 246
  funding figures for these elements are not available. From 1993–94 the figures for this and subsequent schemes are as follows:

  £000

  Year

  National (UK)

  EU (England)

  1993–94

  1,800

  0

  1994–95

  2,500

  50

  1995–96

  1,177

  213

  1996–97

  965

  212

  1997–98

  965

  212

  1998–99

  965

  212

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants will be available from (i) his Department and (ii) the EU for each of the next three years for fishing safety measures. [85953]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 21 May 1999,Official Report, columns 451–52 on spending priorities. This made clear that the fishing vessel safety equipment grants scheme was being closed to new applicants from that day. Thus, no further grants will be available for fishing safety measures from the Department. Neither will EU grants be available as these require national co-funding. However, all grant approvals in respect of applications received before 21 May will be honoured.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) of 21 May 1999,Official Report, columns 451–52 on spending priorities, what was the legislative authority for the introduction of the fishing vessel safety equipment grant; and what compliance cost assessment was carried out (a) at its introduction and (b) prior to its discontinuation. [85854]

  Mr. Morley
  The legislative authority for nationally funded fishing vessel safety equipment grants is the Fishing Vessels (Safety Improvements) (Grants) Scheme 1995 (SI 1995 No 1609) made under section 15 of the Fisheries Act 1981. The legislative authority for EU grants and the necessary national back-up grant is the Fisheries and Aquaculture Structures (Grants) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995 No 1576).

  Compliance cost assessments are not required for the introduction or discontinuation of grant schemes such as these.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what compensation is available for farmers whose businesses are compromised through the cross-pollination of their non-genetically modified crops with genetically modified crops. [86130]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Government believe that observance of best agriculture practice, including the SCIMAC "Guidelines for growing newly developed herbicide tolerant crops" will ensure that the risk of cross pollination of non-GM crops, and hence compromise to neighbouring farmers' businesses, is minimised.
  247
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what protection from cross-pollination of genetically modified crops and non-genetically modified crops exists for(a) organic farmers and (b) conventional farmers. [86129]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  When evaluating applications for the release of genetically modified crops the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) considers the risks associated with cross pollination and would recommend conditions on the release consent if this was believed to be necessary. Additionally, the SCIMAC "Guidelines for growing newly developed herbicide tolerant crops" include separation distances between GM and non-GM (conventional and organic) crops to ensure that the risk of cross pollination is minimised.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that companies involved in the commercial growing of genetically modified crops segregate genetically modified crops from non-genetically modified crops. [86134]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The SCIMAC stewardship programme for the introduction of genetically modified crops launched on 21 May includes the key principle of preserving the identity of GM crops up to the point that they leave the farm gate. This will enable food processors and manufacturers to distinguish between GM and non-GM products and provide consumers with a choice if that is what they want.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the new measures he announced in his statement to the House on biotechnology on 21 May 1999, Official Report, columns 1371–84, will include the extension of buffer zones between fields of genetically modified crops and fields of non-genetically modified crops. [86132]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The statement by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office welcomed the SCIMAC "Guidelines for growing newly developed herbicide tolerant crops", which include separation distances between GM and non-GM crops to ensure that the risk of cross pollination is minimised. SCIMAC has indicated that it is happy to review these guidelines, including the separation distances, if new evidence shows that this is required.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the research commissioned by his Department into the cross-contamination between genetically modified crops and crops that are not genetically modified. [84533]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 17 May 1999): Yes. The report on organic farming and gene transfer from genetically modified crops, commissioned from the John Innes Centre, is being prepared by them for publication and we expect it to be published shortly.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what trials of the synthetically genetically engineered dairy hormone bovine somatotropin were conducted in the UK prior to the imposition of an EU moratorium and between which dates; how many farms 248
  were involved; what the locations of the farms involved were; what quantity of milk containing this hormone was sold for human consumption; and if he will make a statement. [85743]

  Mr. Rooker
  Two Animal Test Certificates (ATCs) were issued in 1985 under the terms of the Medicines Act 1968 to Monsanto Europe SA and Lilly Industries Ltd respectively. A total of 38 farms and agricultural institutes were used in the tests at sites across the country. The timing of trials and the location of the farms and institutes concerned are confidential to the manufacturers but all trials took place before the imposition of the EU moratorium. No conditions were applied to the disposal of milk from treated cows. The normal concentration of BST in milk is not affected by the treatment of cows with BST.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the terms of reference for the trials on patients in a Newcastle hospital involving genetically modified food. [85741]

  Mr. Rooker
  Any potential health risks that could arise as a result of the transfer of transgenes from genetically modified (GM) foods to human gut flora and gut cells are considered by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) as part of its rigorous safety assessment of such products. All the GM foods which have been approved for use in the UK to date have been assessed as safe for human consumption.

  The project in question is being funded to provide further background data to quantify the very low probability of such transfer occurring, by examining some model systems. The majority of the work involves looking at in vitro systems for possible transfer of genes from GM micro-organisms to human gut flora and to isolated gut cells. It will also investigate the survival of GM material derived from plants in the human small intestine, firstly by looking at a model, in vitro, system which mimics the conditions in the small intestine. This will then be followed up by human volunteer studies to evaluate the applicability of the model to the in vivo situation.

  The terms of reference of this work require the contractor to warrant that human volunteer studies carried out as part of the contract have obtained written approval from an ethics committee which has been properly constituted in accordance with all published guidelines, in particular those of the Department of Health.

  Genetically Modified Pollen
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what requirements are placed on honey producers in respect of the labelling of honey which may contain genetically modified pollen. [85923]

  Mr. Rooker
  Any food, including honey, that contains genetically modified (GM) material must be clearly labelled in accordance with EC Regulations 258/97 and 1139/98.
  249

  Cormorants
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many licences to cull cormorants were issued by Her Majesty's Government in each of the last five years. [85773]

  Mr. Morley
  Licences are issued to shoot a limited number of cormorants as an aid to scaring. The number of licences issued for the last five years in England are as follows:

  Number of licences issued

  1 May 1994–30 April 1995

  35

  1 May 1995–30 April 1996

  50

  1 May 1996–30 April 1997

  47

  1 May 1997–30 April 1998

  70

  1 May 1998–28 February 19991

  71

  1 Latest figures available

  Details of licences issued in Wales and Scotland are the responsibility of the respective Secretaries of State.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the annual(a) value and (b) tonnage of fish caught by British-owned fishing vessels in each of the last five years. [84907]

  Mr. Morley
  The value and tonnage of catches landed by UK registered fishing vessels during the last five years was as follows:

  Fish landing into the UK and abroad by UK registered vessels

  Year

  Quantity(000 tonnes)

  Value(£ million)

  1993

  857.6

  526.0

  1994

  874.9

  561.4

  1995

  911.8

  590.1

  1996

  892.3

  636.5

  1997

  881.9

  621.9

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of jobs sustained(a) afloat and (b) ashore by the activities of British-owned fishing vessels. [84908]

  Mr. Morley
  Data from an annual survey indicate that the number of UK fishermen in 1997 was 18,604.

  The annual Census of Employment carried out by the Office for National Statistics indicates that in 1997 there were 19,454 people employed in the processing and preserving of fish in Great Britain.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 15 April 1999,Official Report, column 319, on special advisers, if he will give the total travel cost of each occasion when advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997 and the place visited. [82409]
  250
  Mr. Nick Brown
  For the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999, my predecessor's Special Advisers travelled overseas in an official capacity on 4 occasions to Brussels and South Africa. The total cost of travel and any hotel accommodation was £5,978.

  My Special Advisers have travelled overseas in an official capacity on nine occasions to Brussels, Luxembourg and Stockholm. The total cost of travel and any hotel accommodation was £4,790.

  In addition a Special Adviser travelled with me to Latin America in an official capacity on one occasion. The total cost of travel and any hotel accommodation was £5,023. These costs were met by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  All travel was judged to comply with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Cattle Passports
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle passports have been produced at the Cattle Traceability Centre in Workington in each week in the last six months. [85465]

  Mr. Rooker
  The number of cattle passports produced by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) each week in the last six months is as follows:

  Week commencing

  Number of passports produced

  16 November 1998

  51,153

  23 November 1998

  54,860

  30 November 1998

  50,277

  7 December 1998

  59,383

  14 December 1998

  33,807

  21 December 1998

  36,710

  28 December 1998

  12,094

  4 January 1999

  59,595

  11 January 1999

  49,958

  18 January 1999

  52,910

  25 January 1999

  39,091

  1 February 1999

  37,935

  8 February 1999

  33,540

  15 February 1999

  47,021

  22 February 1999

  35,189

  1 March 1999

  54,290

  8 March 1999

  48,715

  15 March 1999

  52,226

  22 March 1999

  67,112

  29 March 1999

  57,496

  5 April 1999

  49,199

  12 April 1999

  115,476

  19 April 1999

  81,361

  26 April 1999

  90,455

  3 May 1999

  39,107

  10 May 1999

  129,758

  17 May 1999

  90,820

  Total for period

  1,529,538

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will account for the delay in responding to the question from the right hon. Member
  251
  for Penrith and the Border of 13 May 1999 [84698]; and if he was in possession of a provisional agenda at the time of issuing a holding answer. [85632]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  At the time the holding reply was issued the Council had concluded. I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Rammell) on 24 May 1999,Official Report, columns 40—41, on the outcome of the Council.

  Dietary Supplements
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of health risks related to higher dose supplements and vitamins. [85268]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 May 1999]: The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) has recommended that caution needs to be exercised in the use of high doses of purified supplements of micronutrients as they cannot be assumed to be without risk. It has also advised against the use of beta carotene supplements as a means of protecting against cancer.

  The Government have since established the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals to consider the safety of vitamins and minerals in supplements sold under food law. It is expected to complete its task around the end of 2000.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what negotiations he has had with his European Union partners on policy relating to higher dose supplements and vitamins. [85269]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 May 1999]: The EU Commission is considering the possibility of harmonising controls on the sale of vitamin and mineral supplements but has not yet issued any proposals for legislation. There have not therefore been any negotiations on this matter.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the latest agenda of the Fisheries Council of 10 June, prior to the meeting. [85633]

  Mr. Morley
  The agenda for the Council is expected to cover: reform of the structural funds for fisheries; a draft Council Regulation on serious infringements of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy; the allocation of blue whiting TACs and new TACs for spurdog and Northern shrimp; an interim report from the Commission on its cost/benefit analysis of Third Country Agreements; EU fisheries relations with Morocco; follow-up to the Bergen Inter-Ministerial Meeting; and Sandeel conservation. Under Any Other Business Italy will be raising the situation in the Adriatic as a consequence of the Kosovo conflict.

  Absinthe
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his plans to introduce measures to ban the sale of absinthe. [85364]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: I have no plans to introduce such measures.

  Horse Breeders
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to help the British thoroughbred horse breeders to compete internationally. [85210]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Government recognise the economic importance of the horse industry, and for that reason has welcomed the recent establishment of the British Horse Industry Confederation, an organisation set up to foster the interests of all sectors of the horse industry. In this role, the Confederation will be working constructively to promote the competitive position of the British thoroughbred horse breeding industry, as well as raising the profile of other parts of this important rural industry.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed climate change levy on(a) the horticultural sector, (b) the poultry sector and (c) consumer food prices in these sectors. [85095]

  Mr. Rooker
  Lord Marshall's Report on the role of economic instruments and the business use of energy, was published in November 1998. Since the publication of that report, my department has provided further information to other Government Departments on trends in energy use in the horticulture sector. The Government will take sectoral impacts, including any potential impacts on prices and competitiveness, into account in setting the final rates of the climate change levy.

  Birth Certificates
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the purposes for which his Department and its agencies require a birth certificate to be provided by(a) employees, contractors and persons applying for employment and contracts and (b) others. [84326]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  A birth certificate, or similar documentary evidence, may be required for one or more of the following purposes:

  (i) proof of identity;

  (ii) proof of eligibility under the Civil Service Nationality Rules;

  (iii) proof of age;

  (iv) any legal requirements.

  Agencies, other than the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) will reply direct.

  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Charles Kennedy, dated 8 June 1999 As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food requesting information on the purposes for which a birth certificate is required to be provided by (a) employees and contractors, and persons applying for employment and contract and (b) others has been passed to me for reply as regards this Executive Agency.

  253
  The main purpose in the MHS requiring sight of a birth certificate for directly employed staff is to verify identity and to confirm eligibility of the individual for employment under Civil Service nationality provisions.
  The MHS also makes extensive use of veterinary surgeons supplied on contract obtained following a national competitive tendering exercise. The MHS does not require sight of birth certificates for these individuals.

  Letter from Sarah Nason to Mr. Charles Kennedy, dated 8 June 1999 The Minister has asked me to respond, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about the purposes for which his Department and its agencies require a birth certificate to be provided by (a) employees and contractors, and persons applying for employment and contracts and (b) others.
  FRCA requests birth certificates during recruitment for identification purposes.

  Letter from John Fitzgerald to Mr. Charles Kennedy, dated 8 June 1999 In my Chief Executive's absence the Minister has asked me to reply on behalf of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to your question about the purposes for which the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and its agencies require a birth certificate to be provided by their employees and contractors, persons applying for employment or contracts, and others.
  The only such time that the VMD would ask for birth certificates to be provided would be as part of a recruitment exercise. These would be used to confirm identify and age of candidates and to verify their eligibility for employment under the Civil Service nationality rules.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the agenda for the Agriculture Council of 17 to 18 May. [84698]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 18 May 1999]: The agenda for the 17 May Agriculture Council covered the following items:
  Approval of the list of 'A' items
  State of the Pigmeat Market
  Progress Reports:

  Bananas

  Hormones

  (Information from the Commission)

  Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No.2377/90 laying down a Community Procedure for the establishment of maximum residue limits of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs of animal origin.
  (Draft Council Conclusions)
  Discussion on a Draft Council Resolution on Antibiotic Resistance.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum and Immigration Cases (Costs)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the agreed baseline costs for(a) asylum and (b) immigration cases agreed between the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and Siemens Business Services in November 1997; what are the current baseline costs for each type of case; and what changes in the contract have been made since November 1997. [85040]
  254
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In order to calculate the productivity charges payable to Siemens Business Services under the terms of the Casework Contract, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) calculated the cost of a range of types of case over the baseline period October 1995 to September 1996. For this baseline period, costs, which exclude some overheads, were calculated for individual types of immigration casework, including an asylum case and a general or settlement immigration case, and for a standard unit of IND casework. IND no longer calculates the unit cost for individual types of cases. The available unit costs of IND casework for the baseline period, November 1997, November 1998 and April 1999 are shown in the table:

  £

  Cost of asylum case

  Cost of a general or settlement immigration case

  Unit cost of range of IND casework

  Baseline (October 1995–September 1996)

  358.58

  54.04

  42.89

  November 1997

  n/a

  n/a

  45.69

  November 1998

  n/a

  n/a

  41.72

  April 1999

  n/a

  n/a

  43.66

  Formal changes have been made to Schedule 11 (Programme Plan) to alter the project timetable, to Schedule 15 (Service Change Procedure) to include additional training, and to Schedule 26 (Programme and Contract Management) to reflect changes to the personnel of the contractor and the authority.

  Asylum Seekers
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are working on clearing the backlog of asylum applications made before 31 December 1995; how many decisions on these applications have been made in each month since July 1998; how many of these decisions have been(a) indefinite leave, (b) exceptional leave, (c) refusals and (d) other; how many applications are outstanding from (i) before July 1993 and (ii) between July 1993 and December 1995; and when he expects this backlog to be cleared. [85044]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are a total of 51 Home Office staff of all grades working to clear the remaining unresolved asylum applications lodged before 1 January 1996. As at the end of April 1999, it is estimated that there remained 4,465 applications outstanding made before July 1993 and 16,730 made between July 1993 and December 1995.

  Between 1 December 1998 and 31 April 1999 a total of 2,910 decisions on pre-1 January 1996 applications were made by the teams established to deal with the backlog. Of these, 2,130 were pre-July 1993 applications granted indefinite leave while 610 were grants of exceptional leave in July 1993 to December 1995 applications. 160 applications of the latter group were recognised as refugees and granted asylum. A total of 10 applications have been refused.

  It is intended that the applications made before July 1993 be cleared by September 1999 and those lodged between July 1993 and December 1995 by April 2000.
  255
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 19 May 1999,Official Report, column 369, on asylum seekers, when he plans to write. [85944]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A written reply was sent on 28 May 1999.

  Electoral Malpractice (Hackney)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been spent to date by(a) the Crown Prosecution Service, (b) the police and (c) his Department on investigations into electoral malpractice in Hackney Borough; and if he will make a statement. [85361]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis estimates the cost of the investigation into complaints of electoral malpractice at London borough elections in 1998 as approximately £85,000 to date. No Home Office money has been spent. The inquiry is still ongoing and is, therefore, an operational matter for the Metropolitan police.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 103, on young offenders and 2 March 1999, Official Report, column 636, on persistent offenders, when he plans to write to the right hon. Member for Penrith and the Border. [85433]

  Mr. Straw
  I expect to write to the right hon. Gentleman within the next ten days.

  Diarmuid O'Neill
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will request the Police Complaints Authority to report to him on the circumstances of the death of Diarmuid O'Neill under section 97(1) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; and if he will lay the report before Parliament. 85340]

  Mr. Straw
  It is for the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to decide, under section 79(2) of the Police Act 1996 (previously section 97(2) of the 1984 Act), whether to make a report on any matters which they consider should be brought to my attention by reason of their gravity or other exceptional circumstances. I am not aware of any plans to make such a report on the case of Diarmuid O'Neill.

  I can only call for a report on such matters relating generally to the PCA's functions. It does not allow me to call for a report on a specific investigation.

  The circumstances of Mr. O'Neill's death will be the subject of a coroner's inquest currently being scheduled.

  Children's Passports
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been implemented at airports to check children's passports. [85327]
  256
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  All arriving passengers, including children, are liable to be examined by an immigration officer in order to determine identity and nationality. No particular distinction is made between the examination of adults' and children's passports.

  The previous Administration had already removed, in 1994, embarkation controls for passengers travelling from ferry ports and small airports to destinations within the European Union/European Economic Area, with the consequence that some 40 per cent. of all departing passengers were not seen by an immigration officer. There has never been an embarkation control for channel tunnel services. What was left of the control was, therefore, ineffective in providing a reliable record of a person's departure, and we have since introduced new arrangements following my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale, East (Mr. Goggins), Official Report, columns 506–07 on 16 March 1998.

  The new system involves a close partnership between the control authorities and port operators based on intelligence and target led embarkation checks, including the increased use of closed circuit television. There are no plans to reinstate routine embarkation controls, although immigration officers will continue to retain their powers to examine the passports of departing passengers if circumstances require.

  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children's passports have been issued within the last 12 months. [85326]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In the period 1 May 1998 to 30 April 1999, 889,180 passports were issued to applicants who were children under the age of 16.

  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken in respect of the endorsement of children's passports with relevant court orders. [85328]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No steps have yet been taken in respect of the endorsement of children's passports. This important issue will be looked at by the Parent/Carer Child Abduction Co-ordinating Group of officials in the light of the arrangements for embarkation controls introduced in March 1998.

  However, there are a number of measures in place to ensure compliance with court orders in relation to the issuing of children's passports. Where it is known that a child is a ward of court, or subject to a prohibited steps order requiring the leave of the court before removal from the United Kingdom, passport facilities are not granted unless the court's permission is obtained.

  The Passport Agency also operates a scheme whereby a parent or other objector, where there is a court order in their favour, can ask the Agency not to issue a passport for a child. The Passport Agency ensures that the terms of the court order, about removal of the child from the jurisdiction, are met before issuing a passport. Where a child is already in possession of a valid passport, the court is able to order its surrender where there is in force an order prohibiting or otherwise restricting the removal of the child from the United Kingdom.

  A requirement for children to hold separate passports was introduced in October 1998, one of the main aims of this policy being to make child abduction more difficult.
  257

  Gloucestershire Fire Brigade
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many call-outs were responded to by the Gloucestershire fire brigade in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 to date. [85440]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information in the table shows the total number of fires and false alarms attended by Gloucestershire Fire Brigade, for 1997 and 1998. Information for 1999 is not yet available centrally.

  Gloucestershire Fire Brigade

  19971

  19981

  Total fires

  2,864

  2,649

  False alarms

  3,023

  2,773

  Total fires and false alarms

  5,887

  5,422

  1 Provisional data. Figures include late call, heat and smoke incidents.

  Special service incidents are recorded on a financial year basis. Gloucestershire fire brigade recorded 1,492 special service incidents for the financial year 1997–98. Data for 1998–99 are not yet available.

  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths caused by fire

  Penalties awarded to prison officer grades for misconduct involving ill-treatment of prisoners

  Year/offence

  Penalty

  1994–95

  Assault

  Final written warning and loss of increment

  Assault

  Dismissed (but Civil Service Appeal Board upheld appeal)

  Incorrect Control and Restraint Procedures

  Written Warning

  Questioned prisoner in unprofessional manner

  Warning

  1995–96

  Assault

  Final written warning and loss of increment Dismissed

  Theft of Prisoner's monies

  Dismissed

  1996–97

  Assault

  Final Written Warning. Removal from field of promotion

  Physical abuse of prisoners

  Final Written Warning

  Use of unnecessary force

  Final Written Warning Removal from field promotion

  Inappropriate behaviour

  Final Written Warning

  Excessive use of force

  Final Written warning

  1997–98

  Assault

  Final Written Warning

  Assault

  Dismissed

  Excessive force

  Final Written Warning

  Unnecessary application of handcuff restraints

  Oral Warning

  Forced strip search (3 officers)

  Dismissed

  1998–99

  Assault

  Final Warning. Removal from field of promotion

  Assault

  Dismissed

  Assault

  Written Warning

  Unnecessary force

  Written Warning

  Failure to obtain authorisation for search and to report use of force

  Written Warning

  Verbal abuse

  Wrirren Warning

  Offensive language to prisoner in dangerous situation

  Final Written Warning

  Indecent behaviour

  Dismissed (appeal pending)

  Passports
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants made complaints to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate concerning lost passports in each quarter since the second quarter of 1996; and in how many cases the passports were subsequently found. [85486]
  258
  occurred in Gloucestershire in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 to date. [85441]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Provisional figures show that Gloucestershire fire brigade recorded eight fire-related deaths in 1997 and three in 1998. Data for 1999 are not yet available, centrally.

  These figures may be subject to change; there are circumstances in which further information becomes available (from death certificates, inquests etc.) where the cause of death is not actually the fire, or where perhaps persons may die sometime after the fire due to injuries sustained.

  Prison Officers (Complaints)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary sanctions have been imposed on prison officers following complaints of ill-treatment in each of the last five years. [84944]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The table shows, from those records which are available, the penalties awarded to prison officer grades under the Prison Service code of conduct and discipline, for misconduct involving ill-treatment of prisoners, for the last five financial years.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Complaints received by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (1ND) are not recorded centrally on the basis of subject matter. Information kept centrally is in respect of the number of compensation claims dealt with as a result of maladministration, the majority of which will have arisen as a result of lost documents. This is a lagging indicator as there is often a considerable gap between an incident
  259
  and the claim for compensation arising from it. The figures for each quarter since the third quarter of 1996 are set out in the table:

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  First Quarter

  7

  10

  6

  22

  Second Quarter

  2

  7

  17

  n/a

  Third Quarter

  6

  5

  18

  n/a

  Fourth Quarter

  18

  18

  23

  n/a

  Information on how many passports were subsequently found is not held centrally. Passports which are found once a compensation claim has been paid are, where appropriate, returned to the issuing authority.

  Stephen Lawrence
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the disappearance of a criminal file from police records relating to Stephen Lawrence; and if he will make a statement. [85630]

  Mr. Straw
  I have received no such representations, nor is the Metropolitan Police Service or the Secretariat of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry aware of any such missing file. If the right hon. Member would write to me with further details I should be happy to make inquiries on his behalf.

  K4 Committee
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 May 1999,Official Report, column 445, on the K4 Committee, if he (a) sent details of the agenda items to the Home Affairs Committee and (b) had consultations with United Kingdom bodies concerning mutual recognition of criminal court decisions. [85563]

  Mr. Straw
  It was not the general practice of the Government to report to Parliament on the business of the K4 Committee, in view of that Committee's role as an interim, problem-solving body whose members were responsible to their respective Ministers. Details of the agenda for the meeting on 29-30 April were not, therefore, sent to the Home Affairs Committee.

  I outlined the concept of mutual recognition in a speech at the Avignon Seminar on the European Judicial Space on 16 October last year, which was made available to the press. My hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey), the Under-Secretary of State, gave further details of these proposals in oral evidence to the House of Lords European Communities Committee on 24 March, after which a United Kingdom discussion paper on mutual recognition was tabled in the Article K4 Committee on 29 March, and submitted for United Kingdom Parliamentary Scrutiny on 31 March. The Government intend to carry out further consultations with United Kingdom bodies depending on the progress of discussions in the Council of European Union on the basis of the United Kingdom paper.

  Supporting Families
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results of the consultation on Supporting Families. [86302]
  260
  Mr. Straw
  This morning, I placed a summary of the responses to 'Supporting Families' in the Library. Copies of the document are also available from the Vote Office.

  Birth Certificates
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those purposes for which his Department and its executive agencies require a birth certificate to be provided by(a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for employment and contracts and (d) other persons. [85685]

  Mr. Straw
  Birth certificates are routinely requested as an optional form of identification for recruitment and pension purposes. They are normally required for the issue of passports and for applications to remain in the United Kingdom on the basis of marriage to a British Citizen. My Department does not normally require existing employees or contractors to provide birth certificates.

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that the Metropolitan Police have sufficient resources effectively to enforce speed limits. [86077]

  Kate Hoey
  Effective enforcement of the speed limit is an important police function for which the funding of the Metropolitan Police already provides. The deployment of resources to meet prioritised policing objectives in this area is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

  Drug Orders
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of drug treatment and testing orders have been revoked since 30 September 1998. [85770]

  Mr. George Howarth
  As at 2 June 1999, 68 Drug Treatment and Testing Orders had been made, of which 10 had been revoked: 14.7 per cent.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders have been(a) assessed for and (b) made subject to drug treatment and testing orders in (i) Liverpool, (ii) Croydon and (iii) Gloucester since 30 September 1998. [85765]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information is shown in the table.

  Number of offenders1 assessed for drug treatment and testing orders

  Number of offenders 1 Subject to drug treatment and treatment orders

  Liverpool

  60

  26

  Croydon

  35

  11

  Gloucestershire

  92

  32

  1 As at 2 June 1999

  Drug Related Offences
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of
  261
  the proportion of indictable offences which fall into the category of drug related offences in the most recent period for which figures are available; [85764]

  (2) what proportion of indictable offences were the result of drug related offending in the most recent period for which figures are available. [85767]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested on the proportion of indictable offences being drug-related is not available for the country as a whole. As I stated in my reply on 27 April 1999,Official Report, column 110, a report was published last year on preliminary research carried out on behalf of the Home Office by the University of Cambridge, which shed light on the links between drugs and crime. Further work is currently being conducted within this programme. The results will be published later this year. This additional work is intended to pave the way for a larger, regular programme.

  The research undertaken so far on drug testing of arrestees, based in five locations, indicates that over 60 per cent. of arrestees had recently taken at least one illegal drug prior to arrest. Cannabis was found most often (46 per cent. of cases); heroin/opiates (18 per cent.) and cocaine/crack (10 per cent.) featured quite prominently. These findings confirm the supposition that offenders tend to be heavy consumers of drugs.

  Nearly half the arrestees who reported taking drugs within the last year said that their drug misuse was connected with their offending. Among various factors, they emphasised the need for the money to buy drugs. The illegal income of arrestees who said that they had taken heroin and/or crack cocaine during the last three days was particularly high—within a range of £10,000 to £20,000 annually. This compared with £4,000 for other arrestees. Illegal income mainly resulted from acquisitive crimes against property. An estimated 32 per cent. of all illegal income was spent on purchasing heroin and/or crack cocaine.

  Whilst this study considerably advances knowledge of drugs-crime links, it will always be difficult to calculate a single percentage figure reflecting precisely what proportion of all crime is drug-related.

  Figures on drug offences in 1997 were recently published in Home Office Statistical Bulletin No. 8/99, "Drug seizure and offender statistics, United Kingdom, 1997", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the terms of reference for the Options Review Team for the Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh, provide for the financial figures for 1998–99 and projected figures for 1999–2000 to be taken into consideration in forming the conclusions. [85709]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The terms of reference require an evaluation of the financial and management performance generally of the Fire Service College and specifically by reference to the financial targets and key performance indicators included in the Framework Document and the College's Corporate Plans. The evaluation will be based on relevant evidence including the audited financial accounts of the College and any other validated reliable financial information.
  262
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the members of the Options Review Team for the Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh; how many of them are related to each other; and what resignations there have been and for what reasons. [85708]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The members of the Review Team are: V. Harris (Home Office); G. Meldrum (Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services); A. Hughes (West Yorkshire Fire Brigade); and G. Fredericks (London Fire Brigade). In addition, I have appointed three expert assessors all of whom are offering their services on a pro-bono basis. They are: J. G. Can; D. A. Defty; and A. P. Harris. A. P. Harris is the spouse of V. Harris.

  At an earlier stage in the review, A. Wroclawski from the Kent Fire Brigade was attached to the team but has now returned to his brigade.

  Police Officers (Leeds)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total number of police officers in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 in the Leeds, Central constituency. [85704]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand from the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire that the number of police officers in the Millgarth Division of Leeds which covers the Leeds Central constituency was as follows:

  Year

  Number of officers

  31 March 1997

  224

  31 March 1998

  228

  31 March 1999

  220

  Shamrock Ltd.
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often Shamrock Ltd. of Henfield, West Sussex, (or the relevant certificate holder) is inspected by the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate; and when it was last inspected. [86110]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This establishment is generally visited on a monthly basis: there have been four visits so far this year, three of which were unannounced. It was last inspected in May and that visit was unannounced. I also visited the establishment myself on 15 December last year.

  Imported Primates
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many primates imported into the UK for research purposes in the last five years from(a) China, (b) Mauritius, (c) Indonesia, (d) the Philippines and (e) other countries were (i) dead on arrival at the UK and (ii) suffered serious injury during transit, broken down (1) by the species of primate, (2) the place where the death or injury was discovered, (3) the cause of the death or injury and (4) in the case of injury, disposal of the primate. [86102]
  263
  Mr. George Howarth
  Records made available to the Home Office show that during the last five years, 11 deaths have occurred in consignments of non-human primates arriving in the United Kingdom for use in regulated procedures in this country. One further animal is recorded as having sustained serious injury, necessitating euthanasia on arrival. The details are as follows:

  China
  In 1994, two cynomolgus macaques were found to be dead on arrival in Paris. There was no obvious cause of death.
  In 1995, one rhesus macaque was found to be dead on arrival in the United Kingdom. The cause of death was probably associated with pneumonia.

  Mauritius
  In 1995, one cynomolgus macaque was found to be dead on arrival in the United Kingdom. The cause of death was believed to be enteritis.
  In 1996, one cynomolgus macaque was found to be dead on arrival in the United Kingdom. The cause of death Was believed to be shighellosis.
  In 1997, one cynomolgus macaque was found to be traumatised on arrival in the United Kingdom, possibly as a result of being pair-housed during transport. It was humanely killed and all primates are now individually housed during transport.

  Indonesia
  No reports of deaths or injury in transit received.

  Philippines
  In 1994, one cynomolgus macaque was found to be dead on arrival in the United Kingdom. The cause of death was believed to be enteritis.
  In 1997, one cynomolgus macaque was found to be dead on arrival in the United Kingdom. The cause of death was probably a trauma to the head.
  In 1998, three cynomolgus macaques were found to be dead on arrival in Paris. The causes of death were not ascertained, but it is believed that they were probably due to a combination of factors:

  (i) the animals concerned were larger than normal;

  (ii) although International Air Transport Association minimum dimensions were not breached, the containers were not large enough to allow these particular animals to stand up and turn around freely; and

  (iii) all the dead animals had been in central compartments, which were less well ventilated.

  Whilst enforcement of European Union rules on the protection of animals in transport would have been for the French authorities in this case, we ensured that the containers were enlarged and redesigned to rectify these problems.

  Israel
  In 1998, one cynomolgus macaque was found to be dead on arrival in the United Kingdom. There was no obvious cause of death.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare of 11 January concerning Avon Probation Service. [85657]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The letter in question was unfortunately misplaced in the Home Office. This was an unacceptable failure, and staff have been informed accordingly. A considered reply has been sent and the action promised in that reply has been completed.
  264

  Stop and Search
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many stop and search operations have been conducted by the Metropolitan Police in each month in 1999; and what was the total number of reported crimes for each month. [85560]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has provided the following data:

  1999

  Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 stop and search

  Total notifiable offences

  January

  25,715

  78,212

  February

  18,752

  74,589

  March

  14,005

  87,444

  April

  14,110

  85,194

  Judicial and Police Co-operation
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he expects to take place in the Council of Ministers relating to judicial and police co-operation in respect of the use of joint teams of police officers to investigate fraudulent transactions within the United Kingdom arising from the receipt of funds from the European Union. [85674]

  Kate Hoey
  The draft Convention on mutual assistance on criminal matters between the Member States of the European Union includes a provision on joint investigation teams. This would provide for co-operation between the competent authorities of the Member States, including judicial, police and customs authorities, in the use of joint investigation teams to carry out criminal investigations in one or more Member States. The provision applies to criminal activities in general, and does not refer specifically to financial fraud affecting European Union funds. The detail of this provision is subject to further negotiation.

  European Treaties
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in respect of the new Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum concerned with matters arising from Title IV of Articles 61 to 69 of the consolidated Treaty on the European Community, the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning those matters in respect of which by virtue of Protocol 4 of the Treaty of Amsterdam the United Kingdom has no current obligation; if representatives of Her Majesty's Government may participate in consideration of those matters; and, in respect of Article 3 of Protocol 4 of the Amsterdam Treaty enabling the United Kingdom or Ireland to enter into obligations not yet made, what consultation and scrutiny procedures will be adopted prior to such notification to the President of the Council. [86227]

  Kate Hoey
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 12 March 1999,Official Report, columns 380–82, concerning future United Kingdom participation in the

  265
  new Free Movement Chapter (Title IV, Articles 61–69 of the consolidated version of the Treaty establishing the European Community).

  As a member of the Council, the United Kingdom will be able to participate fully in the discussion of all measures proposed under the Free Movement Chapter, both in the new Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum and in Council working groups, but the United Kingdom will not have a vote on measures in which it is not participating.

  All new proposals under the Free Movement Chapter will be deposited for Parliamentary scrutiny, according to the rules governing First Pillar business. The subsequent Explanatory Memorandum will indicate whether or not it is intended to participate in the measure in accordance with Articles 3 or 4 of the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

  Sexual Offences Review
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all those organisations which made a submission to his Department's sexual offences review; and if these submissions are publicly available. [85928]

  Mr. Boateng
  A full list of organisations who have made a submission to the sex offences review as at 27 May 1999 is as follows:

  CROP (Coalition for the Removal of Pimping)

  FFLAG (Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays)

  Lesbian & Gay Christians

  APAG (Amhurst Park Action Group)

  ILPS (Inner London Probation Service)

  London Monday Group for Homosexual Equality

  Grimsby & Scunthorpe Rape Crisis

  University of Cambridge Institute of Criminology

  South Essex Rape & Incest Crisis Centre

  Gay & Lesbian Humanist Association

  Trades Union Congress

  Justice for Children

  Campaign Against Censorship

  Harrogate & District Women's Aid

  The Maudsley Hospital

  Rape Crisis (North Staffordshire & South Cheshire)

  Josephine Butler Society

  The Forensic Medicine Unit, St. George's Hospital Medical

  School

  LAGER (Lesbian & Gay Employment Rights)

  National Foster Care Association

  National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children Area

  Children's Services, Preston

  The Tizard Centre, University of Kent at Canterbury

  CONTACT (National Association of Child Contact Centres)

  BJFCS (British Juvenile & Family Court Society)

  Sexual Freedom Coalition

  NOTA (The National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers)

  The Magistrates' Association

  The Raphael Centre

  Jewish Care

  GALOP

  Naturists in Business

  266

  St. Helens & Knowsley Community Health (NHS) Trust, Learning Disability Directorate

  Outrage!

  UNISON

  ILGA (International Lesbian & Gay Association)

  Hounslow Rape & Crisis Support Group

  Nottingham Rape Crisis Centre

  LLGPI (London Lesbian & Gay Policing Initiative)

  Stonewall

  BLAGG (Bar Lesbian & Gay Group)

  YWCA of Great Britain

  Brighton & Hove Lesbian & Gay Community Centre

  Liberty

  Christians for Human Rights

  School of Social Sciences, University of Teesside

  Thames Valley Crime Intervention Service

  London Borough of Hackney

  Hull Women's Centre

  National Union of Students Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Campaign

  Campaign for Homosexual Equality

  Soroptomist International of Midland East

  MACA (Mental After Care Association)

  Metropolitan Police

  Gay Men's Health Matters HIV Prevention Project

  Open Door

  West Yorkshire Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgendered

  Policing Initiative

  Suzy Lamplugh Trust

  Terrence Higgins Trust

  National Aids Trust

  The Royal College of Psychiatrists

  The Diocese of Southwark

  NSPCC

  Legal Committee of the Joint Council of Her Majesty's

  Stipendiary Magistrates

  BGWS (Boys & Girls Welfare Society)

  Yorkshire MESMAC

  Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association

  Police Federation of England & Wales

  Union of Liberal & Progressive Synagogues

  MENCAP

  Wyre Forest Women's Aid.

  Dogs
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) current and (b) proposed legislation relating to the ownership, breeding and keeping of dogs. [85761]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The following list is of primary legislation readily identified as containing provisions specific to dog breeding and ownership etc. Broader legislation, concerning other types of animal as well as dogs (for example, relating more generally to animal cruelty), has not been included.

  Current legislation:

  Metropolitan Police Act 1839 (section 54)

  Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (section 28)

  Dogs Act 1871

  Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953

  267

  Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963

  Animals Act 1971

  Breeding of Dogs Act 1973

  Guard Dogs Act 1975

  Animal Health Act 1981

  Dangerous Dogs Act 1989

  Environmental Protection Act 1990 (sections 149 and 150)

  Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

  Breeding of Dogs Act 1991

  Control of Dogs Order 1992

  Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996

  Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997

  Proposed legislation:

  Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Bill.

WALES

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research he has commissioned into organic production techniques. [84358]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  None. The research budget is administered by MAFF on behalf of England and Wales. Welsh views are reflected in the programme of work commissioned by MAFF. In 1999–2000 over £2 million will be spent on organic RD in England and Wales. Most of this is aimed at studying the economic and practical problems of converting to, and maintaining, organic systems. It thus supports the overall objective of expanding production.

  Child Protection Register
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children in Wales who are registered with local authorities are registered on the child protection register; and if he will make a statement. [85118]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  As at 31 March 1998, there were 2,473 children on child protection registers in Wales. Figures on the proportion of these which are looked after by local authorities are not held centrally. The Government are taking a number of steps to improve child protection arrangements, including revising the multi-agency guidance, "Working Together Under the Children Act 1989", which will be published later this year. In Wales, this will be subject to the agreement of the National Assembly. Child protection figures for 1999 will be available in the Autumn.

  National Assembly (Elections Advertising)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a breakdown of his Department's budget for advertising the elections to the National Assembly for Wales. [85511]

  Mr. Michael
  The Welsh Office budget for the National Assembly Information Campaign is £2 million. Expenditure to date breaks down as follows:

  Integrated media (including press and television advertising, events and promotion): £1,196,274

  Publications and internet: £333,367

  Research: £134,246

  Miscellaneous: £12,099.

  268
  I am pleased to say that there was cross party support for the campaign to encourage people to vote. As the turnout demonstrates, there is some way to go in persuading people that voting in an Assembly election is important for them and their families.

  Agriculture Secretary
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the appointment of the Agriculture Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales. [85514]

  Mr. Michael
  Christine Gwyther and I had a meeting with representatives of farmers and the agriculture industry in Wales on 24 May. During the first part of the meeting comments were made about her appointment as Agriculture and Rural Affairs Secretary and the FUW president then left. The meeting went on to discuss numerous issues affecting farmers in Wales. Mrs. Gwyther has also received numerous letters congratulating her on her appointment and inviting her to several agricultural events over the next few months.

  There has been a wide welcome for the fact that I have appointed an Assembly Secretary with specific responsibility for farming and the rural economy to reflect the importance of these issues in Wales. I am sure that farmers generally will judge the appointment on how well she does the job and will be encouraged by the appointment of someone who has direct experience of the need to promote and develop the rural economy.

  Nuclear Waste
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales over issues directly related to disposal or storage of nuclear waste in Wales when that waste does not originate in Wales. [85662]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  From 1 July, the National Assembly will assume a range of functions under both planning and environmental legislation. This will include power to call in applications for planning consent or for environmental authorisations, and the determination of appeals against decisions made by local authorities or the Environment Agency. The Assembly will also be responsible for guidance to local planning authorities and the Environment Agency, and will have power to issue directions to either. The Environment Agency will be under a statutory duty to consult the National Assembly before granting any authorisation to dispose of radioactive waste on or from a nuclear site in Wales. The Assembly's exercise of these functions will relate to waste disposal in Wales, whether or not the waste originates in Wales.

  The extent to which these responsibilities are delegated to the First Secretary is a matter for the National Assembly.

  NHS Budgets
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the budgeted(a) surplus and (b) deficit for each (i) NHS authority and (ii) NHS trust in Wales for the financial year 1999–2000. [86034]
  269
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I regret the information requested is not yet available. Health authorities and trusts are still assessing their financial position in light of the recently issued cash allocation letter and the outcome of their negotiations on long term agreements. I will write to the hon. Member in July once the NHS Directorate has received details of its projected in-year financial position.

  Following the transfer of functions order, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

SCOTLAND

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will refer the correspondence between the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal in Dingwall of 6 November 1995 in respect of the Skye Bridge to the Privy Council; and if he will make a statement; [84337]

  (2) when the letter of 6 November 1995 from the Crown Office to the Procurator Fiscal in Dingwall, concerning the prosecution of Skye Bridge cases, will be made publicly available; and if he will make a statement. [84338]

  Dr. Reid
  This is now the responsibility of the Lord Advocate, who will address the points the hon. Member has raised and will respond by letter in due course. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Child Protection
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children in Scotland who are registered with local authorities are registered on the Child Protection Register; and if he will make a statement. [85087]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Child Protection Registers are maintained in all local authority areas in Scotland. It is estimated that on 31 March 1998, a total of 2,236 children were recorded on these Registers.

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

  Student Funding
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the level of per capita funding budgeted for students is in the current financial year in the Borders Region in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools. [85448]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: Information about budgeted school running costs is given in "Scottish Schools: Costs 1996/97 to 1998/99" published by the Audit Unit of HM Inspectors of Schools, which is available in the House of Commons Library. Information for the current financial year is not yet available.

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

  St. Kilda
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response the Government have made to the World Heritage Committee's concerns regarding the environmental protection of St. kilda. [85673]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I have arrange for a copy of the Government's response to the UNESCO of the House.

HEALTH

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities have asked trusts to increase out-patient consultation times for waiting list surgery; and if he will make a statement. [85015]

  Mr. Denham
  We are not aware of any health authorities asking trusts to increase waiting times for out-patient consultations. We are, however, aware that health authorities are expecting the National Health Service to see over a third of a million more new out-patients in 1999–2000 than last year.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were waiting more than 13 weeks for an out-patient consultation in the last quarter for which figures are available. [85762]

  Mr. Denham
  At 31 March 1999, the number of patients still waiting for a first out-patient appointment more than 13 weeks after general practitioner referral was 456,033.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the health authorities which have asked general practitioners to reduce the number of patients they refer to hospitals for waiting list surgery. [86065]

  Mr. Denham
  We are not aware of any health authorities asking general practitioners to reduce the number of patients they refer to hospitals for out-patient appointments.

  We do, however, expect all health authorities and primary care groups to regularly discuss with GPs arrangements for ensuring patients receive the treatment they need, as quickly as possible. This is key to improving health, reducing inequalities and modernising National Health Service services.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been removed from central health service waiting list statistics since 2 May 1997, without having received the treatment intended. [85024]

  Mr. Denham
  Patients are removed from waiting lists for a number of reasons other than treatment. These are:

  (i) patient admitted as an emergency for the same condition;

  (ii) patient removed for other reasons, such as a patient being transferred to another trust's waiting list;

  (iii) patient/doctor decides operation is no longer needed (for example—patient recovering from illness);

  (iv) patient treated elsewhere (for example, at a private provider);

  (v) patient died.

  271
  The number of patients removed from waiting lists in 1998–99 totalled 672,000. This is broadly in line with the proportion removed from the waiting list in recent years.

  Dental Services
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about trends in the number of NHS dentists providing services over the last five years. [85016]

  Mr. Denham
  The general trend in the number of General Dental Service (GDS) dentists in England has been upwards, with the number of GDS dentists increasing by about 400 to 500 a year since 1996.

  School Medical Services
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consult with health authorities on the role of school medical services in improving the health of children and young people. [85017]

  Mr. Hutton
  Our agenda for improving the health of the population recognises the need to focus attention on children's mental, physical and emotional health care needs. The school medical services will have a major role to play. We are introducing many important policy initiatives which will depend on effective health service input to schools and nurseries; these include the "Healthy Schools" initiative, "Sure Start" and "Quality Protects". Health authorities and other key players will, of course, be consulted.

  Camden and Islington Health Action Zone
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings he has held with local officials on the progress of the Camden and Islington health action zone. [85018]

  Mr. Denham
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had meetings with local Health Authority officials on the progress of the Camden and Islington Health Action Zone (HAZ). However, I and my Ministerial colleagues will be visiting all the newly established second wave HAZs, including Camden and Islington, in due course.

  General Practitioners (Sunderland)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of general practitioners in Sunderland; and if he will make a statement. [85020]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government have introduced a number of national policy measures to improve the recruitment of general practitioners, which Sunderland Health Authority has been implementing locally. The Health Authority introduced a Career Start Scheme and has successfully recruited four salaried GPs. The Priority Healthcare Wearside NHS Trust, Sunderland Health Authority, the University of Sunderland and the City of Sunderland Council have developed proposals for a second-wave personal medical services pilot.
  272

  Nurse:Patient Ratio
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the ratio of nurses to patients in the NHS. [85021]

  Mr. Denham
  With the additional funding announced in July last year, the NHS should be able to employ up to 15,000 more nurses by the year 2002.

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department is undertaking into factors affecting hospital out-patients waiting times. [85023]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department is committed to undertaking a major research programme to improve our understanding of factors affecting both in-patient and out-patient waiting lists and times.

  Research projects already agreed include an evaluation of the National Booked Admissions Programme and a review of research evidence on strategies to improve the appropriateness of general practitioner referrals.

  Health Authority Funding (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to revise the current funding mechanism for health authorities to take account of factors specific to rural areas. [85025]

  Mr. Denham
  Last November, we announced a review of the formula used to make cash allocations to health authorities and primary care groups. The review will cover a wide range of issues, including factors relating to rural areas.

  Hospital Administration (Greater London)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibilities for hospital administration the Eastern Regional Executive of the National Health Service retains in Greater London. [85026]

  Mr. Denham
  The Eastern Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive has overall responsibility for Mount Vernon and Watford Hospitals NHS Trust. Mount Vernon Hospital is in Greater London and the management of its local acute services will transfer to Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust with effect from 1 July. Hillingdon Hospital Trust comes under the London Regional Office.

  Plastics surgery and burns and cancer services will continue to be managed by the Mount Vernon and Watford Hospitals NHS Trust. These are the subject of reviews on how best these services can be delivered to a wide population in the Eastern, London and South East regions.

  Smoking
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with broadcasters on reducing the depiction of smoking on television; and if he will make a statement. [85028]

  Ms Jowell
  We plan to discuss this with the broadcasters or regulators as part of a developing campaign. The regulatory codes give guidance about the
  273
  depiction of smoking and drinking in programmes. They should not include smoking or drinking unless the context or dramatic veracity require it. Particular care is needed with programmes likely to be seen by children, and smoking should not be shown as an attractive or normal activity in pre-watershed programmes. Tobacco advertising is banned from television.

  Osteoporosis
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds his Department has allocated to services to tackle osteoporosis. [85029]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department does not specify what proportion of health authorities' funding allocations is to be spent on services to tackle osteoporosis. It is for health authorities, in partnership with National Health Service trusts, primary care groups, local authorities and local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health and modernising services. The additional resources of at least 5.45 per cent. cash increase to all health authorities for 1999–2000 will help them in this.

  HIV
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that health authorities use the HIV prevention special allocation in ways appropriate to the epidemiology of HIV. [85030]

  Ms Jowell
  The forthcoming guidance to health authorities on the use of HIV and AIDS special allocations re-emphasises the need to match funding to local epidemiology. The guidance also highlights the latest supporting epidemiological data on HIV prevalence nationally, which reinforces the target groups identified in the current HIV Health promotion strategy, which are: gay men, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men; men and women who travel to, or have family links with, high prevalence countries where the predominant mode of transmission is sex between men and women, currently in sub-Saharan Africa, people diagnosed with HIV and AIDS and injecting drug users.

  The Department is developing a new strategy on HIV/AIDS, which will also address the issue of targeting of HIV prevention activity towards the most vulnerable groups. Authorities are required to submit end-of-year reports on the use of HIV prevention funds in advance of their full annual AIDS (Control) Act Reports. The format of these reports is also due to be reviewed as part of the strategy development work.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to employ more salaried general practitioners in the national health service; and if he will make a statement. [85031]

  Mr. Denham
  The Salaried Doctors Scheme continues to have our full support. It is designed to allow health authorities to make sensible and locally appropriate prioritisation of cash-limited monies.
  274

  Dental Services (Scarborough and Whitby)
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote and safeguard national health service dentistry in Scarborough and Whitby; and if he will make a statement. [85032]

  Mr. Denham
  Three Investing in Dentistry proposals from Scarborough were approved to enable 9,700 new National Health Service patients to register. North Yorkshire Health Authority also has approval to employ a salaried dentist in Scarborough. The Personal Dental Services scheme, and our forthcoming strategy for NHS dentistry, will provide the framework for future improvements in NHS dental services.

  Primary Care
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications for beacon status his Department has received from primary care projects. [85033]

  Mr. Denham
  Over 550 nominations have been put forward for Primary Care Beacon status.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the estimated administration costs, including remuneration of members, of the primary care groups in the Greater London Area for their first year of operation; [85549]

  (2) what is the total estimated cost of the primary care groups in the Greater London Area in their first year of operation; and what is the administration cost net of existing costs being transferred. [85550]

  Mr. Denham
  An individual primary care group's share of its overall health authority management costs budget will depend upon its population size, level of devolved responsibility and organisational structure of the individual PCGs and their HAs. The PCG will have negotiated its share of the overall HA/PCG management costs with its host health authority alongside their discussions on the delegation of function or responsibilities for 1999–2000. Information on the split of management costs funding between PCGs and HAs is currently being validated and will be available shortly.

  Social Services (Children)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many action plans have been approved by his Department to help local authorities improve their performance in the provision of social services for children in need. [85034]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) on 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 114.

  Dental Services (Cornwall)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve NHS dental services in Cornwall. [85008]

  Mr. Denham
  The first wave of Personal Dental Services, which started in October 1998, included a new service in Cornwall. This service enables anyone who is not registered with a National Health Service dentist to get treatment for their dental problems.
  275
  Ten Investing in Dentistry funding requests have also been approved giving over 33,000 patients the opportunity of registering with an NHS dentist.

  Nurses' Pay
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the late payment of the nurses' pay award. [85019]

  Mr. Denham
  Authorisation to implement the pay increase was sent to National Health Service employers on 8 April, earlier than in the previous three years. We have received a small number of letters regarding this issue, 20 to date. No representations have been received from trades unions and professional organisations representing nurses and midwives.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those National Health Service trusts which will not pay the increased pay award to nurses in their pay packets for May 1999. [86083]

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts have failed to implement the nurses' pay award for 1999-2000 in time for the end of May pay arrangements. [86035]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Brady) on 25 May 1999,Official Report, column 114.

  Health Action Zone (South Yorkshire)
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in implementing the health action zone in the South Yorkshire area. [85022]

  Mr. Denham
  The South Yorkshire Health Action Zone is making good progress as it has moved into its second year of operation. A detailed range of outcome measures have been agreed for the three main programme areas: improving the health of children and young people: improving heart health in the general population; and enabling those with physical and sensory disabilities in later life to lead more independent lives.

  Discrimination against Doctors
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he has had with the General Medical Council on the evidence produced by the Medical Practitioners Union on the need for safeguards to prevent racially motivated complaints against doctors reaching the Professional Conduct Committee of the General Medical Council; [84725]

  (2) what action he has taken to address the concerns of the Medical Practitioners Union that the disciplinary procedures in the medical profession may discriminate against doctors from ethnic minorities. [84723]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government are fully committed to equality of opportunity for all Health Service staff and are concerned that the National Health Service work force should reflect the population it serves in order to deliver sensitive and appropriate services. There is no place for discrimination on any grounds within the National Health Service.276
  Officials work closely with the General Medical Council on the handling of complaints and to ensure that any differences in referral rates or handling of cases are considered and addressed where appropriate.

  NHS Costs
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the administrative cost of the NHS by region and (b) the cost of publicity and public relations of the NHS by region in the last year for which figures are available. [84830]

  Mr. Denham
  The table provides information on National Health Service management costs in health authorities and NHS trusts, by region for 1996–97. Information on 1997–98 expenditure on NHS management costs will be published shortly.

  NHS management costs 1996–97

  Northern and Yorkshire

  210,357

  Trent

  158,607

  Anglia and Oxford

  160,475

  North Thames

  294,149

  South Thames

  265,615

  South and West

  193,069

  West Midlands

  174,397

  Northern and Yorkshire

  219,131

  England

  1,675,800

  Notes:

  1. Excludes expenditure on general practitioner fundholder practice fund management allowances

  2. Figures in £000

  Expenditure on publicity and public relations is not collected centrally as a specific item. Information about NHS expenditure on advertising is given in the following table. It includes expenditure in a number of different areas, including recruitment advertising, health promotion initiatives, and measures to improve local accountability such as the production of annual reports and information about services.

  Advertising expenditure in trusts and health authorities 1997–98

  Northern and Yorkshire

  4,694,683

  Trent

  4,212,484

  Anglia and Oxford

  5,302,599

  North Thames

  11,084,233

  South Thames

  8,428,801

  South and West

  5,739,418

  West Midlands

  4,789,712

  Northern and Yorkshire

  4,558,358

  Source:

  Financial Returns of Trusts and Health Authorities 1996–97 to 1997–98.

  Correspondence
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the letter of 10 February from the hon. Member for Slough to the Minister of State about the funding of health care in Slough. [84976]

  Mr. Denham
  I replied to my hon. Friend on 25 May 1999.
  277
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for West Derbyshire will receive a reply to his letter of 12 February and reminder of 19 March concerning his constituent, Mr. Duncan Beresford of Steeple Grange, Wirksworth, Derbyshire. [85557]

  Mr. Denham
  I replied to the hon. Member on 3 June.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for West Derbyshire will receive a reply to his letter of 22 February concerning his constituent, Mr. Mark Cambell Lloyd, of Oak Drive, Doveridge, Derbyshire. [85558]

  Mr. Denham
  I replied to the hon. Member on 3 June 1999.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to answer the letter from the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire, dated 12 November 1998, regarding his constituent Mr. D. Coombes and the drug Beta Interferon. [85336]

  Mr. Denham
  I replied to the hon. Member on 25 May 1999.

  Child Protection
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in England who are registered with local authorities are registered on the Child Protection Register; and if he will make a statement. [85086]

  Mr. Hutton
  At 31 March 1998, there were 31,600 children and young people on child protection registers in England. At 31 March 1998, 8,000 (25 per cent. of those on the register) were looked after by local authorities. The purpose of the register is to provide a record of all children in the area who are considered to be suffering from or likely to suffer significant harm and who are currently the subject of an inter-agency protection plan.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the contribution that NHS dentistry will make to the Government's objective of improving public health. [85091]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government's dental strategy, to be published soon, will set out the valuable contribution that dentists and dentistry can make to a healthier nation and a modern and dependable National Health Service.

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress is being made in the development of services for(a) the prevention and (b) the treatment of prostate cancer; [85323]

  (2) what plans he has for developments in the treatment of prostate cancer; [85325]

  (3) what steps are being taken to educate men about the possible early signs of prostate cancer; [85324]

  (4) what assessment he has made of likely trends in the incidence of prostate cancer in men over the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [85322]
  278
  Mr. Hutton
  There are about 15,000 cases and 8,000 deaths each year from prostate cancer. Over the latest five-year period for which data is available (1987–92), incidence rates for prostate cancer for men of all ages increased by 25 per cent. in England. However, past trends do not necessarily predict future changes.

  The Government are committed to improving the prevention, detection and treatment of prostate cancer. There is, as yet, no consensus of medical opinion about the correct management of early localised tumours. The choice is between radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy. The Health Technology Assessment programme has already funded two systematic reviews of the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer and the National Co-ordinating Centre for the HTA programme is commissioning a £200,000 study at the University of Bristol on the feasibility of conducting a multi-centre randomised trial of treatment for localised prostate cancer.

  On 20 May my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister set out a plan of action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. As well as £60 million invested directly into services for breast, bowel and lung cancer, the Prime Minister announced an additional £150 million of lottery money to support a new programme of cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care over the next three years.

  The Department provides advice to the public, in leaflets and through health education campaigns, which advise on signs of possible cancer and encourage early reporting of these to a general practitioner or other health professionals. This includes providing funding for promotional material used within the United Kingdom for the "Europe Against Cancer" programme. A different cancer-related theme is chosen each year. The theme for 1998 was "Cancer in Men".

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made in targeting resources on prostate cancer treatment. [85002]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government are committed to improving the prevention, detection and treatment of prostate cancer. The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme has already funded two systematic reviews of the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer and the National Co-ordinating Centre for the HTA programme is commissioning a £200,000 study at the University of Bristol looking at the feasibility of conducting a multi-centre randomised trail of treatment for localised prostate cancer.

  Health Inequalities
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of current levels of health inequalities in England; and if he will make a statement. [85316]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department uses the Health Survey for England, information from the Office for National Statistics and a range of other data collated in the Public Health Common Data Set produced by the National Centre for Health Outcomes Development.

  The Government set up an independent inquiry, led by Sir Donald Acheson, which used information from these sources and elsewhere to look specifically at health inequalities. The report of this inquiry was

  279
  published on 26 November 1998. We have welcomed Sir Donald's report and will publish shortly an action report summarising Government activity to tackle health inequalities alongside the White Paper on our health strategy.

  Reducing health inequalities was a main priority in the Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation" and is also a shared priority for health and social services in National Priorities Guidance that we issued last year. Health inequalities will be a key focus of Health Improvement programmes which are being developed at local level.

  Uranium Resources
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of stocks of highly enriched uranium for the treatment of cancer patients; and if he will list those hospitals experiencing difficulty in obtaining supplies. [71679]

  Mr. Hutton
  The supply of highly enriched uranium is kept under review. To date no difficulties have been reported by hospitals.

  Professional Statisticians
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff who have worked as professional statisticians in his Department have left on early retirement in each of the past 10 years. [81190]

  Mr. Denham
  Eight professional statisticians have left on early retirement in the last ten years.

  GPs (Elderly Patients)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure that vulnerable older people receive services from their general practitioners; [85498]

  (2) what requirement is placed upon general practitioners to contact older people who have not been in touch with their general practitioner in the past year because of mobility problems and frailty; [85504]

  (3) what proportion of people aged 75 years and over have annual health checks with their general practitioner. [85487]

  Mr. Denham
  Under their terms of service, general practitioners are required to invite all patients who have reached the age of 75 for an annual health check in the patient's home, or in the surgery if the patient prefers. General practitioners make arrangements with health authorities to provide services and regional offices of the National Health service Executive hold health authorities to account for the services provided in their area. Information is not held centrally on the numbers of those accepting the invitation for an annual health check.

  DTP Vaccine
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to alert NHS trusts who have been issued with the batch of DTP vaccine which was recently withdrawn by Bath and West Community NHS Trust following adverse reactions. [85495]
  280
  Ms Jowell
  A Public Health Link message was sent from the Chief Medical Officer's office on 14 May 1999 to all directors of public health and copied to all consultants in communicable disease control for urgent cascade to District immunisation co-ordinators, health authority pharmaceutical advisers, medical directors in national health service trusts to forward to chief pharmacists, and on to Community service pharmacists and to general practitioners who received the original message. Copies of the Public Health Link message are available in the Library.

  The reports were of cases from one area and were not reflected in reports of reactions to the same batch from other parts of the country.

  Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trusts
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to provide financial support to the Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust to develop a recovery plan; and if he will make a statement. [85726]

  Mr. Denham
  The Epsom and St. Helier National Health Service Trust is currently in discussion with the NHS Executive regarding its financial plan for 1999–2000.

  Vaccines (Bovine Material)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications for human health of the use of vaccines which in their early stage of manufacture had used bovine material prohibited for use in human food. [85492]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 26 May 1999]: The Committee on the Safety of Medicines (established under Section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968 to advise the licensing authority on the safety, quality and efficacy of medicinal products) established a working party in 1989 to consider the implications of bovine spongiform encephalopathy for all medicines, including those which used bovine material in their early stages of manufacture. An assessment was made by the working party of all licensed medicinal products using bovine material, including vaccines. No risk to human health has been established from use of bovine material in the manufacture of medicinal products, but as a precautionary measure, manufacturers were required to switch to use of bovine material sourced from outside the United Kingdom, and to comply with guidelines on the sourcing and processing of bovine material for use in the manufacture of medicinal products.

  Electro-physiological Technologists
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what review he is undertaking of the pay of electrophysiological technologists within the NHS; and to which pay review body he intends to allocate these workers for future pay reviews. [85515]

  Mr. Denham
  On February 15 1999, the Health Department published proposals for modernising the National Health Service pay system in "Agenda for Change". This included the possibility of moving some highly qualified health professionals into the remit of the Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine Review Body.
  281
  Discussions have recently opened between representatives of NHS trade unions and management representatives from NHS employers and the four Health Departments on the basis of our proposals for modernising the NHS pay system. We will develop the proposed changes in a spirit of partnership.

  It is too early to comment on proposals for specific staff groups.

  Staffordshire Ambulance Service
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from(a) organisations, (b) hon. Members and (c) others about the response rate times achieved by Staffordshire Ambulance Service. [85535]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have received no representations in the last six months about Staffordshire Ambulance Service's response times.

  Child Migrant Trust
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the first payment from the travel fund for the Child Migrant Trust will be made; and if he will make a statement. [85654]

  Mr. Hutton
  The travel Support Fund for former child migrants is administered by the International Social Service, who will purchase travel tickets on a child migrant's behalf. A daily allowance is then paid to the child migrant for up to 14 days spent in this country. The first assisted child migrant arrived in the United Kingdom in the week beginning 31 May.

  The Child Migrants Trust receive a central grant towards the tracing and counselling services which they provide for former child migrants. This is paid quarterly, the first payment having been made at the beginning of May.

  NICE (Work Programme)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 May 1999,Official Report, column 376, on cancer, which new and existing technologies are being considered for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's work programme; and if he will make a statement. [85660]

  Mr. Denham
  Ministers will be announcing shortly a number of new and existing technologies which will be referred to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence as part of its first year's work programme. Cancer treatments are amongst those under consideration.

  Strokes
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what actions his Department intends to take in order to assist people suffering from the after effects of strokes. [85512]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Service Framework for Older People was launched in November 1998, and will focus on those parts of the National Health Service that are particularly important to older people. Stroke care is one of the key issues it will consider. This work will set national standards and define service models, put in place 282
  strategies to support implementation, and establish performance measures against which progress within an agreed time scale can be measured.

  In addition, the Department is funding other initiatives on stroke, including a sentinel audit of stroke services, the development of Clinical Guidelines on stroke rehabilitation and the revision of the Effective Health Care Bulletin on stroke rehabilitation.

  Children's Rights
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's progress in implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. [86123]

  Mr. Hutton
  The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child provides comprehensive coverage of a wide range of children's rights for implementation by States Parties. The Convention requires that a comprehensive report on the progress of implementation is prepared at regular intervals. The second United Kingdom report covering the period 1993-1998 will be published soon.

  Residential Nursing Homes
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many council-managed residential and nursing homes have been closed in the Leeds, Central constituency in the last two years; how many people were affected; and what the cost was of the closures including the relocation of the occupants. [85707]

  Mr. Hutton
  Details of home closures and the attached costs are not collected centrally. We understand, however, that Leeds City Council manages 25 residential care homes for older people and that over the last two years four homes were closed. These homes accommodated 163 people. For further details on location, costs and any alternative arrangements made, the hon. Member may wish to contact the local authority direct.

  Trade Unions
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the dates since 1 January on which he has had official meetings with representatives of(a) UNISON, (b) MSF, (c) RCN, (d) BMA, (e) RCM, (f) professions allied to medicine and (g) other trade unions; and if he will make a statement on his policy on when (i) to meet trade unions and (ii) to speak at their annual conferences. [86022]

  Mr. Denham
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met with the Royal College of Nursing on 28 January 1999, the Royal College of Midwives on 4 February 1999 and the British Medical Association on 11 May 1999. He also met with the Trades Union Congress health service unions on 16 March 1999 and attended UNISON's conference in Brighton on 28 April 1999.

  Ministers regularly meet representatives from trade unions and other professional bodies in a variety of forums to discuss matters of mutual interest.
  283

  NHS Budgets
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the budgeted surplus or deficit for each (i) National Health Service authority and (ii) National Health Trust in England for the financial year 1999–2000. [86033]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested will be available shortly and will be placed in the Library.

  Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the salary structure of state-registered medical laboratory scientific officers; and if he will make a statement. [85646]

  Mr. Denham
  The salary structure for medical laboratory scientific officers is negotiated in the Professional and Technical Staffs Whitley Council. The Council has been discussing MLSO pay in the light of reported recruitment and retention problems and will meet on 10 June to consider the National Health Service management side's offer to substantially improve the pay of Trainee MLSOs, MLSO1s and the starting pay of MLSO2s.

  For the longer term, on 15 February 1999 the Health Departments published proposals for modernising the NHS pay system in "Agenda for Change". Discussions have opened between representatives from NHS employers, trades unions and the four Health Departments. We will develop the proposed changes in a spirit of partnership. Our aim is a pay system which gives employers effective ways of rewarding people for taking on more responsibility and developing new skills.

  Royal Hospital, Haslar
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters he has received concerning the future of the Royal Hospital, Haslar; and of these, how many supported its closure and how many opposed it. [85552]

  Mr. Denham
  Since 14 December 1998, the Department has received around 1,500 letters from members of the public, councillors and local hon. Members on the future of the Royal Hospital, Haslar. All letters received have opposed the closure.

  Drugs and Procedures (Rationing)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the drugs or procedures which are currently rationed in the National Health Service. [86064]

  Mr. Denham
  No drugs or procedures are rationed in the National Health Service. Some procedures, such as drugs on the selected list scheme introduced by the Conservative Government, are restricted through central direction.

  National Institute for Clinical Excellence
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact 284
  which the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will have on regional variations in the delivery of health services. [85027]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) will issue clear and robust guidance that will seek to address regional variations in the provision of clinical and cost-effective treatments.

  We are working with the professions to produce National Service Frameworks and clinical guidelines which will give us maximum national efficiency whilst still allowing for appropriate local and individual responsiveness.

  We are determined to tackle "post-code prescribing" caused by the market approach to health care. NICE will provide a single source of reliable guidance about effectiveness, which will provide a sound basis for decision-making for the whole country.

TREASURY

  Health Care Expenditure
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each year from 1979 to date the percentage of GDP spent by the United Kingdom on(a) public healthcare, (b) private healthcare and (c) total healthcare; and if he will make a statement. [84858]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development produces figures for public and total healthcare spending in member countries. Figures for the UK over the period requested are set out in the table. Private healthcare expenditure is taken as the difference between public and total healthcare expenditure.

  Year

  Total healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  Public healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  Private healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  1979

  5.3

  4.7

  0.6

  1980

  5.6

  5.0

  0.6

  1981

  5.9

  5.3

  0.6

  1982

  5.8

  5.1

  0.7

  1983

  6.0

  5.2

  0.8

  1984

  5.9

  5.2

  0.7

  1985

  5.9

  5.0

  0.9

  1986

  5.9

  5.0

  0.9

  1987

  5.9

  5.0

  0.9

  1988

  5.8

  4.9

  0.9

  1989

  5.8

  4.9

  0.9

  1990

  6.0

  5.1

  0.9

  1991

  6.5

  5.4

  1.1

  1992

  6.9

  5.9

  1.0

  1993

  6.9

  5.8

  1.1

  1994

  6.9

  5.8

  1.1

  1995

  6.9

  5.8

  1.1

  1996

  6.9

  5.8

  1.1

  1997

  6.7

  5.7

  1.0

  Source:

  OECD health databank 1998
  285

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to support Oxfam's proposal of a human development window when reviewing the working of the HIPC initiative at the G8 summit. [85539]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's policy on debt relief was set out in a recent memorandum to the Select Committee for International Development. In that memorandum the Government emphasised the need to strengthen the link between debt relief and poverty reduction.

  Debt Management Office
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the UK Debt Management Office's targets for 1999–2000. [86304]

  Ms Hewitt
  The DMO's targets for 1999–2000 are set out as follows, together with the outturn against the equivalent targets for 1998–99. The DMO is today also publishing its Corporate Overview and Business Plan for 1999–2000. I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.

  Targets for the Debt Management Office 1999–2000

  1. To ensure full compliance with the Government's remit for the issuance of debt to finance the Central Government Net Cash Requirement as set out in the Debt Management Report within the tolerances and subject to the review triggers notified separately to the Office. [Similar target met in 1998–99.]

  2. To ensure that the maximum time taken to issue the results of gilt auctions does not exceed 40 minutes while achieving complete accuracy. [Same target met in 1998–99.]

  3. To establish with a view to introduction in Q4 1999 (unless market consultation recommends Q1 2000) a system for managing the Exchequer's aggregate cash position which achieves cost-effective financing and is operationally robust, properly conducted, legally sound and subject to minimal credit risk (to the satisfaction of an external assessor). [Similar to 1998–99, but with revised deadline.]

  4. To achieve complete accuracy, within agreed accounting tolerance, in the recording and reporting of transactions through the Debt Management Account and in delivering money (and reconciling payments) to the NLF. [Same target in 1998–99.]

  5. To acknowledge all letters from the public within nine working days and for at least 95 per cent. to be sent a substantive reply within four weeks. [Comparable target met in 1998–99; acknowledgment target now shorter.]

  6. To achieve less than 10 breaches of the operational market notice (excluding any breaches that the Treasury accept were beyond the control of the Office). [Comparable target met in 1998–99; target now reduced from 12 to 10–an operational notice covering cash management will be published in 1999.]

  286

  7. To ensure that the qualifications that the NAO have made in respect of the Gilt-Edged Official Operations Account are satisfactorily addressed in the running and presentation of the Debt Management Account. [Same target in 1998–99.]

  Birth Certificates
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those purposes for which his Department and its executive agencies require a birth certificate to be furnished by (i) employees, contractors or those applying for employment of contracts, and (ii) other persons. [85823]

  Ms Hewitt
  Each of the Chancellor's departments and agencies (HM Treasury, HM Customs and Excise, Inland Revenue, National Savings, Office for National Statistics, Royal Mint, Government Actuary, Debt Management Office and Valuation Office Agency) requires, as part of the Basic Check on new employees, some evidence of identity, age (for pensions purposes), and of the right to work in the UK. Such evidence depends upon whether or not the applicant is a UK or EC national but might be provided from a combination of different documents including a full British passport, P45, valid British driving licence, birth certificate, proof of residence at a given address, etc., or (where relevant) a full EC or other national passport; an identity card issued by an EC country; or other proof of immigration status and/or the right to work. Employees are also required to produce their birth certificate when undergoing Developed Vetting procedures (required when they will have constant access to Top Secret information and assets). Most departments also require contractors to make checks similar to the Basic Check on their employees. Birth certificates, as a means of identity, are not required to be furnished by other persons.

  Personal Service Companies
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

  (1) if information on certified agencies and other clients of personal service companies will be available through EDI to enable recruitment consultancies and others to check on a company's status; [86188]

  (2) what requirements to report to the Inland Revenue will be placed on companies utilising personal service companies (a) via a certified agency and (b) independent of a certified agency; [86177]

  (3) if the tax affairs of certified agencies for personal service companies will be handled through a central office; [86179]

  (4) when the Inland Revenue plans to withdraw Decision 4 of February 1992 which makes it unnecessary for an agency to operate PAYE when a limited company is contracting with an agency to provide personal services; [86185]

  (5) how self-certification of public service companies will apply in the case of companies with two streams of income, one within and the other outside the new rules; [86180]

  (6) how the Inland Revenue will define costs which are incidental to the supply of materials and equipment in contracts for personal service companies; [86178]
  287
  (7) if non-certified agencies providing personal services will be given a tax code; [86183]

  (8) how the retained profits of personal service companies will be treated by the Inland Revenue after April 2000; [86181]

  (9) for what reasons Inland Revenue examples of the impact of tax changes affecting personal service companies do not include reference to agency workers; [86186]

  (10) for what period directors of personal service companies who default on their certifications will be banned from self-certification; [86189]

  (11) how legitimate expenses for personal service companies in respect of (i) professional indemnity and public liability insurance and (ii) training costs, will be handled for tax purposes. [86184]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The rules will not be finalised until consultation on the proposals is complete. The Inland Revenue will meet with representative bodies in June and are considering written representations from individuals. I have asked the Inland Revenue to publish details of the new rules in as near final form as possible, along with comprehensive guidance on the application of the rules, at the earliest possible stage.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how VAT will be applied to non-certified agencies supplying personal services when they have paid income tax and national insurance. [86182]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The VAT position of non-certified agencies will not be affected by the Inland Revenue proposals. VAT will continue to be due on the full value of the supplies made by the agencies, including income tax and national insurance deducted by the client.

  Stability Pact Targets (Italy)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which forum European Finance Ministers modified stability pact targets in relation to Italy. [85894]

  Ms Hewitt
  The 25 May ECOFIN agreed a draft text of the Board Economic Guidelines for Italy which reflects the possibility of lower than forecast growth in 1999 impacting on Italy's deficit.

  Marriage Registrars
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to make regulations to amend the duty of marriage registrars to report suspicious marriages; and if he will make a statement. [86031]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Immigration and Asylum Bill places a duty on registrars to report to the Home Office marriages which they reasonably suspect to be sham marriages, and for reports to be made in such form and manner, and within a time period as may be set out in regulations. The Bill provides for these regulations to be made by the Registrar General with the approval of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  BMARC
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the results of the inquiry by HM Customs and Excise set up in June 1995 into the 288
  allegations that directors of BMARC had condoned or participated in the illegal export of naval cannon to Iran; and if he will make a statement. [85920]

  Dawn Primarolo
  As the enforcement authority for export controls, Customs investigated the allegations but found no evidence that would support a prosecution against any of the directors of BMARC.

  Taxation
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the assumptions for household spending and council tax payment which were used in the answer to the right hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Darling) of 11 December 1996,Official Report, columns 190–202. [85912]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The written answer of 11 December 1996 was given by the previous Government. It would be inappropriate for me to seek to explain the assumptions on which it was based, beyond what was said at the time by the Minister concerned.

  Training Allowance
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if a training allowance paid to a trainee, who is not receiving an unemployment-related benefit whilst on a European Social Fund course of training, is subject to(a) income tax and (b) national insurance contributions. [85749]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Where a training allowance funded by the European Social Fund is paid to a trainee who is not an employee the allowance will not normally be chargeable to income tax or National Insurance contributions.

  Republic of Ireland GNP
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the per capita Gross National Product in the Republic of Ireland as a percentage of the EU average, for the most recent year available. [85851]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory, dated 8 June 1999:
  As director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on the per capita gross national product of the Republic of Ireland.
  The latest estimates available from Eurostat (the Statistical Office of the European Community) are for 1998. These show the Republic of Ireland with a per capita gross domestic product of 87.5 per cent of the EU average. These estimates are subject to revision.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to enable the person whose National Insurance number is BT 21 74 42 B, to pay their
  289
  Class 2 National Insurance contributions, and how long it will be before these steps are completed. [86173]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Director of the Inland Revenue National Insurance Contributions Office will shortly be writing to the hon. Member about the person concerned.

  VAT
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue implications for the Exchequer of the judgment of the European Court in the First National Bank of Chicago case (Case C-172/96); and if he will make a statement. [85684]

  Ms Hewitt
  HM Customs and Excise are monitoring claims from businesses applying the ruling to previous forex transactions. It is too early to estimate with any certainty the final amount to be paid out.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy with regard to the VAT treatment of(a) unilateral and (b) bilateral supplies in the field of financial transactions and instruments following the judgment of the European Court in the First National Bank of Chicago case (Case C-172/96). [85683]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Supplies of financial services and instruments are exempt from VAT. VAT on related costs is recoverable to the extent that it relates to supplies to counter-parties outside the territory of the European Community.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals for legislation with regards to VAT on financial services have been made by the European Union VAT Committee; and if he will make a statement. [85681]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No such proposal has been made.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions (i) he, (ii) Treasury Ministers and (iii) Treasury officials have had with(a) the European Commission, (b) the European Union VAT Committee and (c) the Council of Ministers with regards to VAT on financial services. [85682]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The European Commission has commissioned a series of studies into the feasibility of applying VAT to financial services. Customs and Excise are responsible for VAT policy, and officials have spoken to Commission officials about the progress of the studies on a number of occasions. In addition, Customs officials have attended seminars and a conference organised by the Commission. The consultants' report has yet to be considered by the Commission. No proposals have been made.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is following the agreement of the Berlin Council on the European budget of the net United Kingdom contributions to the budget until 2006. [86051]

  Ms Hewitt
  We intend to publish estimates when the Commission has provided figures for allocations under the structural and cohesion funds. These are expected in the next few weeks.
  290

CABINET OFFICE

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Lewes of 24 May 1999,Official Report, column 39, if he will provide further details in respect of the questions asked. [85659]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  No.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what criteria were used by the Biotechnology Presentation Group in identifying an independent scientist to appear on the "Today" programme on 10 May to comment on the Christian Aid/Action Aid report on GM foods in the third world. [85929]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  In its report on 12 May, the Science and Technology Select Committee of this House called for a more informed public debate on Genetic Modification and said that the Government had a role to play in leading that debate. The Government also believe it important that the public hears the views of scientists who are experts on genetic modification.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the scientific sources of his advice on the benefits of biotechnology, indicating those he will make available to hon. Members. [85933]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Government are advised by experts who sit on our advisory committees. We also pay careful attention to the views of other experts. The potential benefits of biotechnology were most recently described in the report of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics published on 27 May.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reasons the briefing notes on biodiversity, herbicide resistance and cross pollination in connection with GMOs prepared for the Government's Biotechnology Presentation Group were inadequate. [85932]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The briefing notes were not sufficiently informative.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish the minutes of all meetings of the Biotechnology Presentation Group. [86119]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The minutes of inter-Ministerial meetings are not normally published. Previous Governments followed the same practice.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what amendments the Biotechnology Presentation Group made in the report he published on the Health Implications of genetically modified foods by the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser; and if he will publish a list of all the amendments stating the reasons for them; [86116]

  (2) if the authors of the report he published on the Health Implications of genetically modified foods had been asked to redraft their report by the Biotechnology Presentation Group; how many drafts the report went through prior to publication; and if he will publish the original draft. [86117]
  291
  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  After discussing an initial draft with Ministers, the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser revised the report in order to ensure that it was more easily comprehensible for the lay reader and to include specific recommendations for action. The only amendment to the report made by the Biotechnology Presentation Group was to suggest an expansion of the heading before paragraph 41.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what central rebuttals strategy had been established for use after his oral statement on biotechnology of 21 May 1999,Official Report, columns 1371–73. [86127]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 26 May 1999,Official Report, column 153.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if the new advisory committees he announced in his oral statement on biotechnology of 21 May 1999,Official Report, columns 1371–73 will sit in public. [86133]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The new advisory committees will abide by the guidelines on transparency contained in paragraph 51 of the Report of the Review of the Regulatory Framework, published on 21 May, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

  Courts (Ministerial Visits)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he has visited the magistrates court at Pontefract; and how many other(a) magistrates' courts and (b) Crown courts he has visited since he became Minister with responsibility for drugs policy. [85899]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I have not visited the magistrates court at Pontefract in my capacity as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. I visited Stockport magistrates court on Friday 5 February 1999.

  Responsibility for Crown courts rests with my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people in his Department and its associated bodies and agencies have benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage. [86096]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Cabinet Office, along with its Agencies (including the Central Office of Information), have no staff who benefited from the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The Department's lowest rates of pay are above the threshold required by the NMW.

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the dates on which MISC 6 has met since 21 October 1998; what was discussed; and who attended. [86068]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Government does not reveal when Cabinet Committees meet or the issues which they discuss. Previous Governments followed the same practice.
  292

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will place in the Library the initial draft of the paper on GM foods prepared by the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser. [85930]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Government took the unusual step of publishing the report by the Chief Scientific Adviser and the Chief Medical Officer on GM foods. The initial draft which Ministers considered was revised by the authors to ensure that it was easily comprehensible for the lay reader and to include specific recommendations for action.

  Reports (Publication)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make it his policy to publish all reports by the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser without amendment. [86118]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I am not responsible for all reports of the Chief Medical Officer or the Chief Scientific Adviser. The Chief Medical Officer is accountable to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, and the Chief Scientific Adviser to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for information she received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary Session; and how many of these applications were granted. [83116]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 10 May 1999]: For monitoring purposes, this information is collected on a calendar year basis. Information for 1997 was published last year in the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information 1997 Report. In 1998, my Department received 13 applications for information under the Code and granted 12 of them. The information needed to answer the remaining request is still outstanding; it is being pursued.

  HIV/AIDS
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people with AIDS died in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date. [84812]

  Mr. McFall
  The information is set out in the following table. It should be noted that information broken down by Health and Social Services board area relates to the Board in which diagnosis was first made. It does not necessarily reflect the Board of residence.
  293

  AIDS report

  Eastern Board

  Northern Board

  Total

  1981

  —

  —

  —

  1982

  1

  —

  1

  1983

  —

  —

  —

  1984

  —

  —

  —

  1985

  1

  —

  1

  1986

  —

  —

  —

  1987

  1

  —

  1

  1988

  1

  —

  1

  1989

  7

  —

  7

  1990

  9

  —

  9

  1991

  5

  —

  5

  1992

  4

  1

  5

  1993

  4

  —

  4

  1994

  7

  —

  7

  1995

  8

  —

  8

  1996

  6

  1

  7

  1997

  1

  1

  2

  1998

  —

  —

  —

  1999

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  55

  3

  58

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the cumulative numbers of people with AIDS who died in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date. [84813]

  Mr. McFall
  The information is set out in the following table. It should be noted that information broken down by Health and Social Service Board area relates to the Board in which diagnosis was first made. It does not necessarily reflect the Board of residence.

  AIDS report

  Eastern board

  Northern board

  Total

  1981

  —

  —

  —

  1982

  —

  —

  —

  1983

  2

  —

  2

  1984

  4

  1

  5

  1985

  9

  —

  9

  1986

  1

  —

  1

  1987

  —

  —

  —

  1988

  —

  —

  —

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  1997

  —

  —

  —

  1998

  —

  1

  1

  Total

  16

  2

  18

  (a) Northern Ireland

  Exposure category

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  Sex between men

  Sex between men and women

  IDU

  Blood factor

  Blood/tissue transfer

  Other/ undetermined

  Total

  1984

  1

  1

  —

  9

  —

  —

  11

  1985

  5

  1

  —

  7

  —

  —

  13

  1986

  8

  2

  —

  —

  1

  —

  11

  1987

  4

  4

  1

  —

  —

  —

  9

  1988

  8

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  10

  1989

  3

  5

  2

  —

  —

  —

  10

  1990

  8

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  11

  1991

  15

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  18

  1992

  7

  3

  —

  1

  —

  —

  11

  1993

  6

  5

  1

  —

  —

  —

  12

  1994

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  294
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the cumulative numbers of people with AIDS who died in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date. [84811]

  Mr. McFall
  The information is set out in the following table. It should be noted that information broken down by Health and Social Services Board area relates to the Board in which diagnosis was first made. It does not necessarily reflect the Board of residence.

  AIDS report

  Eastern board

  Northern board

  Total

  1981

  —

  —

  —

  1982

  1

  —

  1

  1983

  1

  —

  1

  1984

  1

  —

  1

  1985

  2

  —

  2

  1986

  2

  —

  2

  1987

  3

  —

  3

  1988

  4

  —

  4

  1989

  11

  —

  11

  1990

  20

  —

  20

  1991

  25

  —

  25

  1992

  29

  1

  30

  1993

  33

  1

  34

  1994

  40

  1

  41

  1995

  48

  1

  49

  1996

  54

  2

  56

  1997

  55

  3

  58

  1998

  55

  3

  58

  1999

  55

  3

  58

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were newly diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland, for each year from 1981 to 1998, and for 1999 to date. [84815]

  Mr. McFall
  The information is set out in the following tables. The data in respect of each Health and Social Services Board area have not specifically been broken down by exposure category as this would undermine the principle of preserving the anonymity of those who come forward for examination etc. It should also be noted that information broken down by Health and Social Services Board area relates to the Board in which diagnosis was first made. It does not necessarily reflect the Board of residence.
  295

  (a) Northern Ireland

  Exposure category

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  Sex between men

  Sex between men and women

  IDU

  Blood factor

  Blood/tissue transfer

  Other/undetermined

  Total

  1995

  6

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1996

  12

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  16

  1997

  6

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  1998

  6

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  1999

  —

  3

  1

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Total

  105

  43

  7

  18

  1

  1

  175

  (b) Each Health and Social Services Board area

  HIV report

  Eastern

  Northern

  Southern

  Western

  Total

  1984

  11

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1985

  13

  —

  —

  —

  13

  1986

  11

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1987

  9

  —

  —

  —

  9

  1988

  9

  —

  —

  1

  10

  1989

  10

  —

  —

  —

  10

  1990

  11

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1991

  18

  —

  —

  —

  18

  1992

  11

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1993

  12

  —

  —

  —

  12

  1994

  8

  —

  —

  2

  10

  1995

  10

  —

  —

  1

  11

  1996

  16

  —

  —

  —

  16

  1997

  8

  —

  —

  —

  8

  1998

  9

  —

  1

  —

  10

  1999

  2

  1

  —

  1

  4

  Total

  168

  1

  1

  5

  175

  (a) Northern Ireland

  Exposure category

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  Sex between men

  Sex between men and women

  IDU

  Blood factor

  Blood/tissue transfer

  Others/undetermined

  Total

  1984

  1

  1

  —

  9

  —

  —

  11

  1985

  6

  2

  —

  16

  —

  —

  24

  1986

  14

  4

  —

  16

  1

  —

  35

  1987

  18

  8

  1

  16

  1

  —

  44

  1988

  26

  8

  3

  16

  1

  —

  54

  1989

  29

  13

  5

  16

  1

  —

  64

  1990

  37

  15

  5

  16

  1

  1

  75

  1991

  52

  17

  5

  17

  1

  1

  93

  1992

  59

  20

  5

  18

  1

  1

  104

  1993

  65

  25

  6

  18

  1

  1

  116

  1994

  75

  25

  6

  18

  1

  1

  126

  1995

  81

  30

  6

  18

  1

  1

  137

  1996

  93

  34

  6

  18

  1

  1

  153

  1997

  99

  36

  6

  18

  1

  1

  161

  1998

  105

  40

  6

  18

  1

  1

  171

  1999

  105

  43

  7

  18

  1

  1

  175

  (b) Each Health and Social Services Board Area

  HIV Report

  Eastern

  Northern

  Southern

  Western

  Total

  1984

  11

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1985

  24

  —

  —

  —

  24

  1986

  35

  —

  —

  —

  35

  1987

  44

  —

  —

  —

  44

  1988

  53

  —

  —

  1

  54

  1989

  63

  —

  —

  1

  64

  1990

  74

  —

  —

  1

  75

  1991

  92

  —

  —

  1

  93

  1992

  103

  —

  —

  1

  104

  1993

  115

  —

  —

  1

  116

  1994

  123

  —

  —

  3

  126

  1995

  133

  —

  —

  4

  137

  1996

  149

  —

  —

  4

  153

  296
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland, for each year from 1981 to 1998, and for 1999 to date. [84816]

  Mr. McFall
  The information is set out in the following tables. The data in respect of each Health and Social Services Board area have not specifically been broken down by exposure category as this would undermine the principle of preserving the anonymity of those who come forward for examination etc. It should also be noted that information broken down by health and Social Services Board area relates to the Board in which diagnosis was first made. It does not necessarily reflect the Board of residence.

  (b) Each Health and Social Services Board Area

  HIV Report

  Eastern

  Northern

  Southern

  Western

  Total

  1997

  157

  —

  —1

  4

  161

  1998

  166

  —

  1

  4

  171

  1999

  168

  1

  1

  5

  175

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive and not known to have died (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland, for each year from 1981 to 1998, and for 1999 to date. [84817]
  297
  Mr. McFall
  The information is set out in the following tables. The data in respect of each Health and Social Services Board area have not specifically been broken down by exposure category as this would undermine the principle of preserving the anonymity of

  (a) Northern Ireland

  Exposure Category

  1

  2

  3

  4

  Sex between men

  Sex between men and women

  IDU

  Blood factor

  Total

  1984

  —

  —

  —

  6

  6

  1985

  3

  —

  —

  6

  9

  1986

  5

  2

  —

  6

  13

  1987

  5

  4

  1

  6

  16

  1988

  10

  4

  2

  6

  22

  1989

  11

  7

  2

  6

  26

  1990

  14

  8

  2

  6

  30

  1991

  24

  9

  2

  6

  41

  1992

  28

  11

  2

  6

  47

  1993

  34

  15

  2

  6

  57

  1994

  42

  15

  2

  6

  65

  1995

  47

  20

  2

  6

  75

  1996

  59

  24

  2

  6

  91

  1997

  65

  26

  2

  6

  99

  1998

  71

  30

  2

  6

  109

  1999

  71

  33

  3

  6

  113

  (b) Each Health and Social Services Board Area

  HIV Report

  Eastern

  Northern

  Southern

  Western

  Total

  1984

  6

  —

  —

  —

  6

  1985

  9

  —

  —

  —

  9

  1986

  13

  —

  —

  —

  13

  1987

  16

  —

  —

  —

  16

  1988

  21

  —

  —

  1

  22

  1989

  25

  —

  —

  1

  26

  1990

  29

  —

  —

  1

  30

  1991

  40

  —

  —

  1

  41

  1992

  46

  —

  —

  1

  47

  1993

  56

  —

  —

  1

  57

  1994

  62

  —

  —

  3

  65

  1995

  71

  —

  —

  4

  75

  1996

  87

  —

  —

  4

  91

  1997

  95

  —

  —

  4

  99

  1998

  104

  —

  —1

  4

  109

  1999

  106

  1

  1

  5

  113

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the cumulative number of people diagnosed with AIDS in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date. [84814]

  Mr. McFall
  The information is set out in the following table. It should be noted that information broken down by Health and Social Services Board area relates to the Board in which diagnosis was first made. It does not necessarily reflect the Board of residence.

  AIDS report

  Eastern board

  Northern board

  Total

  1981

  —

  —

  —

  1982

  1

  —

  1

  1983

  1

  —

  1

  1984

  1

  —

  1

  1985

  2

  —

  2

  1986

  3

  —

  3

  1987

  4

  —

  4

  1988

  11

  —

  11

  1989

  19

  —

  19

  298
  those who come forward for examination etc. It should also be noted that information broken down by Health and Social Services Board area relates to the Board in which diagnosis was first made. It does not necessarily reflect the Board of residence.

  AIDS report

  Eastern board

  Northern board

  Total

  1990

  25

  —

  25

  1991

  31

  —

  31

  1992

  38

  1

  39

  1993

  46

  2

  48

  1994

  57

  3

  60

  1995

  70

  3

  73

  1996

  71

  3

  74

  1997

  71

  4

  75

  1998

  71

  5

  76

  1999

  71

  5

  76

  Sewage Disposal
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she will update her assessment of the unit cost per household in Northern Ireland for the provision of sewage disposal facilities. [85623]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Water Service under its chief executive, Mr. Robert C. Martin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Robert C. Martin to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 2 June 1999:
  You recently asked the Secretary of State a Parliamentary Question about when the unit cost per household in Northern Ireland for the provision of sewage disposal facilities will be updated. I have been asked to respond as Chief Executive of Water Service with operational responsibility for the provision of sewerage services.
  When Water Service's Director of Finance, Mr D Carson, wrote to you on 2 March 1999 about this issue he referred to a Departmental review of the unit cost issue. The current position is that the review of this complex policy matter is being actively progressed. As soon as the outcome of the review is known I will arrange for you to be informed.

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will list for the week ended
  299
  Saturday 22 May the number of (a) punishment beatings and (b) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland indicating how many in each category were committed by (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups; [85622]

  (2) if she will list for the week ended Saturday 22 May the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (a) Loyalist and (b) Republican groups. [85621]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of security incidents during the period 16–22 May 1999 are shown:

  Number

  Deaths

  0

  Shooting incidents

  3

  Bombing incidents

  2

  The number of casualties as a result of paramilitary-style attacks during the period are as follows:

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  1

  0

  Shootings

  3

  1

  Total

  4

  1

  Notes:

  1. Figures may be subject to minor amendment.

  2. The shooting incident cannot as yet be firmly attributed to a grouping.

  Over-30 Months Scheme
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the possibility of utilising the spare capacity at the incinerator at Duncrue in Belfast for the incineration of meat and bone meal and tallow required under the Over Thirty Month Scheme arising out of the BSE crisis. [85957]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Department of the Environment Water Service incinerator at Duncrue, Belfast, has a capacity of three tonnes dry solids per hour and is currently operating at this throughput. There is therefore no spare capacity in the incinerator to accommodate the incineration of meat and bone meal and tallow from the Over Thirty Months Scheme.

  Bloody Sunday Inquiry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the total sums which her Department has spent on the present inquiry into the events on Sunday 30 January 1972, up to 31 May 1999; under what headings those sums were disbursed; and what are the sums under each heading. [85909]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The total costs up to 31 March this year are £6,644,008.

  Patient Discharges
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hospital patients there are in 300
  each health and social services trust who require discharge to (a) a residential home (b) a nursing home and (c) domiciliary care. [85857]

  Mr. McFall
  This information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, a special survey was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Services on 26 February 1999. The attached table shows the number of patients within each Trust and Board area who were ready for discharge on that date, and where lack of funding for appropriate community care services was said to be the reason for their remaining in hospital.

  Trust

  Number

  Royal Group

  7

  Belfast City

  4

  Green Park

  5

  Ulster Community and Hospitals

  0

  Down Lisburn

  10

  Mater

  0

  Eastern HSSB Total

  26

  Armagh and Bungannon

  5

  Newry and Mourne

  0

  Craigavon Area Hospital Group

  25

  Southern HSSB Total

  30

  Causeway

  21

  Homefirst

  44

  Northern HSSB Total

  65

  Foyle

  0

  Sperrin Lakeland

  1

  Western HSSB Total

  1

  N. I. Grand Total

  122

  Coroners Inquests
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to review the legislation governing coroners' inquests in Northern Ireland. [86271]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  Neither I nor the Lord Chancellor has any immediate plans to review the legislation governing coroners' inquests in Northern Ireland. However, this is a matter which will be kept under review in consultation with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made with the plans to reform the Child Support Agency; and when he expects to announce his proposals. [85540]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Child Support Agency White Paper is due to be published. [85624]

  Angela Eagle
  Final proposals for reform of the child support system will be announced shortly.
  301

  Benefit-related Mail
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 1999,Official Report, column 47, on housing benefit, what charges are made by the Post Office for not redirecting benefit-related mail in a local authority's area. [86066]

  Angela Eagle
  Further to my written answer on 24 May 1999,Official Report, column 47, in which I stated that 56 local authorities are now operating the do not redirect service, I am pleased to confirm that this number has now increased to 64 local authorities. The Post Office does not make any charges to individual local authorities for not redirecting benefit-related post. However, the Department has agreed an annual fee with the Post Office for the national operation of this service. For the first year's operation of the do not redirect service this fee is set at £366,266.

  Asylum Seekers
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families with children who applied for asylum at a port of entry to Britain in the last financial year have been in receipt of income support. [85562]

  Angela Eagle
  Figures for the last financial year are not yet available. However, in 1998 the number of new port asylum seeker and other urgent payment cases in receipt of Income Support who have children was 5,000.

  Notes:

  1. Figure relates to Great Britain.

  2. Figure will include a number of non-asylum seekers which receive Urgent Case Payments for other reasons.

  3. Figure has been rounded to the nearest thousand cases, and will therefore be subject to a degree of sampling error.

  4. Children are defined as age 0–15 years.

  5. Sample size 5 per cent.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, February to November 1998.

  Income Support
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 1999,Official Report, column 49, regarding publication of take-up estimates, (a) when he now expects to publish such estimates and (b) for what reason there has been a further delay in publication. [85637]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department's statisticians expect to publish revised figures for 1996–97 and new figures for 1997–98 as a single document in the late summer, probably early September.

  It has taken longer than expected to complete extensive investigation and testing of the routines used in calculating take-up to ensure the quality of take-up estimates. This phase is now complete and production of estimates is under way.

  We have taken the opportunity to look again at the possibility of publishing 1996–97 estimates of take-up for Job Seekers Allowance (income based JSA). Informed judgments on this and the other benefits are assisted by considering 1996–97 and 1997–98 data in parallel.
  302
  Statisticians therefore judge that the early production of quality-assured estimates is best served by publishing 1996–97 and 1997–98 statistics together.

  Statisticians advise that they expect the final estimate, of the average number of pensioners entitled to but not receiving Income Support in 1996–97, to be close to the provisional revised estimate of 400,000–700,000 given in DSS Press notice 98/300 of 11 December, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what interim conclusions have been reached by the Housing Benefit verification pilot projects; and if he will make a statement; [85640]

  (2) what emergency provisions exist for claimants and their partners (a) who do not have a National Insurance number and (b) whose identity cannot be confirmed to replace Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit under the Housing Benefit verification pilot schemes; [85642]

  (3) when he will publish (a) the statistics collected under and (b) the final results and conclusions of the Housing Benefit verification pilot projects relating to National Insurance numbers; [85639]

  (4) what is the length of time currently taken to process DCI1LA forms for (a) children leaving care and (b) people from abroad; [85641]

  (5) what discretionary powers Benefits Agency staff have when trying to establish the identity of individuals who are unable to supply documents in the Housing Benefit verification pilots. [85645]

  Angela Eagle
  Section 19 of the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 requires individuals to provide, as a qualifying condition of benefit, a National Insurance number in respect of themselves and their partner. Since 12 April, the extension of this provision to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit has been piloted in seven local authorities. This provides an opportunity to test procedures and information about volumes and costs to prepare for national implementation on 6 September.

  Early indications from the pilot are that virtually all claimants have been able, and are willing, to produce satisfactory evidence of their identity and proof of their National Insurance number. Consequently, there has been very little call on the Benefits Agency to trace or allocate National Insurance numbers. Of the few DCI1LA forms sent some relate to people from abroad but none have so far been sent in respect of children leaving care. There are no undue delays in DCI1LA forms being processed. However, this would have no adverse effect on claimants anyway as Section 19 will have been satisfied, and benefit paid, once sufficient information or evidence has been provided to enable a National Insurance number to be traced or allocated. Any individual who does not yet have a National Insurance number will be allocated one once he has furnished this information or evidence.

  The procedures used by local authorities to establish identity will apply the same standards to those currently operated by the Benefits Agency. Where an individual is unable to provide satisfactory documentary evidence of

  303
  their identity every effort will be made to establish and corroborate their personal history by means of an interview.

  Statistics are currently being collected on the pilot and these, together with the final results and conclusions from the pilot, will be available in late August.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in cases where there is an over payment of housing benefit which cannot be reclaimed from the recipient, from which organisation's budget the overpayment is deducted once it is detected. [85643]

  Angela Eagle
  The majority of Housing Benefit overpayments are recoverable, although it is for local authorities to choose whether to do so. The Department pays differing levels of direct subsidy to local authorities, from nil to 95 per cent., depending on the cause of the overpayment. If the error is due to this Department or to a Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) official error, full subsidy is paid on any unrecovered benefit. However, if the overpayment arises due to an official error by the local authority, nil subsidy is payable and the local authority has to bear the cost of any unrecovered benefit. In all other cases, including fraud, some subsidy is paid and the local authority can retain any monies recovered. With the exception of monies recovered in respect of this Department or DfEE official error, no adjustment to subsidy is made to reflect any amount recovered.

  Different subsidy arrangements apply in England and Wales where Housing Benefit is paid to local authorities' own tenants, and are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Widows
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assistance will be available to widows aged 45 to 60 years to help them to find a job or a training/education place during the six months for which they receive benefit. [85940]

  Angela Eagle
  New widows aged 45 to 60 will receive help through ONE, the single work-focused gateway service. ONE will give new claimants access to a personal adviser to guide them through their options. The focus will be on enabling people to access a wide range of help and support to ensure that they do not miss out on the opportunities that are available to them.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultations he has had about the likelihood of widows aged 45 to 60 years, who are not already in full-time paid work, obtaining such work within six months of their bereavement. [85941]

  Angela Eagle
  Our proposal to introduce a time-limited Bereavement Allowance for widows and widowers aged 45 or over who have no dependent children was published in the public consultation document "A new contract for Welfare: Support in Bereavement". For those widows and widowers who need to find work to support themselves at the end of the six-month period, our comprehensive welfare-to-work programme offers a range of support, including advice on employment, training and benefits.
  304

  Benefit Entitlement (Students)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of allowing students to claim(a) housing benefit, (b) income support during the summer and (c) income support all year round; and if he will estimate the numbers who would be newly entitled in each case. [86052]

  Angela Eagle
  Since the start of the 1990–91 academic year, full-time students have not been entitled to benefits as a means of supporting themselves whilst studying. Financial support provided to the vast majority of full-time students by the taxpayer now comes through one source—the education system. Nevertheless, certain students in vulnerable groups, e.g. lone parents, disabled students etc., continue to have access to Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit on the same basis as before.

  We do not hold sufficient information about students' housing and income circumstances to be able to estimate the costs of allowing all students to claim Housing Benefit and Income Support.

  "Support in Bereavement"
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library a copy of all the responses made to the "Support in Bereavement" consultation document (Cmd 4104). [86042]

  Angela Eagle
  A list of those who have responded has been placed in the Library. Copies of this list and specific responses are available on request from The Widows' Benefit Consultation Team, 3' Floor, The Ade1phi, 1–11 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6HT.

  Temporary National Insurance Numbers
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances temporary National Insurance Numbers in the format TN(date of birth) M/F are issued. [85644]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department does not issue temporary National Insurance Numbers. The only circumstance in which they may be used is where an employer does not know the National Insurance Number of a new employee and is submitting end of year returns by magnetic media.

  State Second Pension
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will estimate the public expenditure effects, excluding setting up costs, of passporting disabled people with broken work records onto the state second pension by 2002 and for every five-year period until 2047; [86219]

  (2) if he will estimate the public expenditure effects, excluding setting up costs, of passporting recipients of invalid care allowance and carers of people receiving attendance allowance or disability living allowance who qualify for home responsibilities protection onto the state second pension by 2002 and for every five year period until 2047; [86210]

  (3) if he will estimate the public expenditure effects, excluding setting up costs, of passporting child benefit recipients, where the youngest child for whom the

  305
  benefit received is aged five or under, onto the state second pension by 2002 and for every five-year period until 2047. [86211]

  Mr. Timms
  Gross costs in 2002 would be less than £50 million in total. Figures are not available at 5 yearly intervals from 2002, but the gross costs at 10 yearly intervals thereafter are set out in the following table.

  £ billion

  2010

  2020

  2030

  2040

  2050

  Disabled

  0.2

  1.1

  2.1

  3.1

  4.3

  Carers of disabled

  0.0

  0.1

  0.2

  0.4

  0.6

  Carers of children aged 5 and under

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.3

  1.4

  Total

  0.3

  1.2

  2.3

  3.8

  6.3

  Notes:

  1. Figures, supplied by the Government Actuary's Department, are in £ billion at 1998–99 prices. They represent gross costs (excluding income-related benefit offsets) which make no allowance for the amounts that would have been spent on Home Responsibilities Protection for SERPS under the previous Government's policy.

  2. Figures are calculated to the nearest £100 million. Totals may include amounts of less than £100 million not otherwise shown in the table.

  3. Real earnings growth of 1.5 per cent. per annum has been assumed.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the minimum possible Income Support paid per week under the proposals for welfare reform to a single adult aged over 18 years, with no dependants, who has no savings or other income, and(a) who is not eligible for JSA because the severity of his disability makes him unable to do any work and (b) is eligible for JSA but is unable to find work; and what is the proposed minimum level of Disability Income Guarantee. [85939]

  Companies the Government has made payments for consultancy regarding the computerisation of the Benefits Agency in the last three years

  Project

  Contract dates

  Contract award value

  Successful company

  Current status

  Programme Accounting Group (PAG) Consultancy Support

  12 November 1996 to 31 December 1996

  £36,450

  KPMG

  Finished

  Programme Accounting Group/Programme Accounting Computer System (PACS) Consultancy Support

  21 October 1996 to 21 December 1996

  £63,508

  SEMA

  Finished

  Consultancy Support

  21 October 1996 to 31 December 1996

  £138,300

  KPMG

  Programme Design Authority (PDA). Implementation Group Support

  —

  £135,000

  Andersens

  Finished

  Card Access Payment System (CAPS). Programme and Card Payment Delivery Review

  11 November 1996 to 28 February 1997

  £122,800

  Ernst and Young

  Finished

  Card Access Payment System (CAPS) Migration Conformance Manager

  1 April 1997

  £78,000

  PA Consulting

  Finished

  Programme Accounting Group (PAG). IT Consultant

  1 April 1997 to 30 June 1997

  £31,500

  Pricewaterhouse Coopers

  Finished

  Card Access Payment System (CAPS)

  9 June 1997 to 8 June 1999

  £91,767,220

  Andersens

  Ongoing

  Consultancy Support

  —

  £613,662

  A.S.E.

  Ongoing

  Financial and Management Information System (FAMIS) Study of Private Sector Partnership potential

  20 May 1997 to 27 June 1997

  £34,900

  KPMG

  Finished

  306
  Angela Eagle
  Disabled people with a low income may be eligible to claim Income Support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance. The overall weekly amount of benefit payable will depend on the individual's circumstances, such as their age, the severity of their disability and other factors. If they satisfy all the conditions for entitlement to the full IS/JSA personal allowance, a single person aged 18 to 24 would currently receive a personal allowance of £40.70. A single person aged 25 or over would receive a personal allowance of £51.40. If they qualified for the disability premium they would receive a further £21.90. The same rates of benefit apply to both Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance.

  Our proposals on welfare reform for disabled people were set out in our consultation document "A new contract for welfare: SUPPORT FOR DISABLED PEOPLE" published last October. Under the proposals, a new Disability Income Guarantee will be introduced in April 2001 and will provide extra help and security for those with the highest care needs. It will provide help through the income-related benefits to severely disabled adults and families with disabled children who get the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance. The overall amount of benefit will depend on individual circumstances. The increase in support builds on the help that is already available because of disability. This extra support will be paid through a new higher rate of disability premium. At April 1998 rates, it will be worth an extra £5.75 for a single adult or child, and £8.30 for a couple.

  Benefits Agency (Computerisation)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to which companies the Government have made payments for consultancy regarding the computerisation of the Benefits Agency in the last three years; how much was paid to each company; what the current status of the project is; and if he will make a statement. [85437]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.
  307

  Companies the Government has made payments for consultancy regarding the computerisation of the Benefits Agency in the last three years

  Project

  Contract dates

  Contract award value

  Successful company

  Current status

  Card Access Payment System (CAPS) Migration Strategy

  3 February 1997 to 31 March 1997

  £263,221

  Andersens

  Finished

  Programme Accounting Group

  12 February 1997 to 28 March 1997

  £29,750

  KPMG

  Finished

  Audit Trail Analysis System (ATAS). Tool Development

  17 March 1997 to 11 April 1997

  £30,000

  ICL

  Finished

  Programme Accounting Group (PAG) Consultancy Support

  14 July 1997 to 31 January 1998

  £63,000

  KPMG

  Finished

  Programme Accounting Group (PAG) Technical Architect

  15 September 1997 to 30 April 1998

  £135,240

  A.S.E.

  Finished

  Banking and Accountancy Branch (BAB) Implimentation Management

  3 February 1998 to 31 March 1998

  £76,150

  SEMA

  Finished

  Review of BA IS/IT Strategy

  11 August 1998 to 4 September 1998

  £16,500

  PA Consulting

  Finished

  Card Access Payment System (CAPS) Review of Change Management

  2 February 1999 to 8 March 1999

  £18,800

  Admiral

  Finished

  Banking and Accountancy Branch (BAB) IT Consultant

  15 February 1999 to 26 March 1999

  £29,023

  PA Consulting

  Finished

  BA Decision Making and Appeals Implementation Programme

  8 June 1998 to 30 November 1999

  £360,000

  Andersen Consulting

  Ongoing

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Pakistan and India
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to support an improvement in relations between India and Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [85304]

  Mr. Hoon
  We welcomed the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan and applaud the joint commitment made by the two Prime Ministers in Lahore in February. We hope that the next Indian government will continue the trend towards improved dialogue with Pakistan.

  Sudan
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Sudan. [85532]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Sudanese demand last August that we remove both the Ambassador and his Deputy from Khartoum made it impossible for us to sustain a fully operational Embassy. The Foreign Secretary therefore ordered the temporary withdrawal of all British staff from Khartoum on 27 August.

  Since that time, we have been in regular contact with the Sudanese with the objective of normalising relations. I am hopeful that we shall soon have British staff back in Khartoum on a permanent basis so that we can pursue the important work that is to be done there.

  GCHQ (Pension Rights)
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the total 308
  cost of the compensation for loss of pension rights which his Department has agreed to pay to former employees of GCHQ. [85508]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  GCHQ officials and the Council of Civil Service Unions are continuing to hold discussions about the detailed circumstances of the 14 individuals and the basis for calculating the amount of compensation to be paid to each of them. They are aiming to conclude the process as soon as possible, but until these facts are established I am not in a position to estimate the total cost.

  Angola
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to promote trade with Angola. [85329]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  British Trade International is responsible for trade promotion and investment around the world. British Trade International activities in relation to Angola are focused primarily on the support for good UK projects in the off-shore oil and related support and service sectors.

  Libya
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of the involvement of Colonel Gadaffi in terrorist incidents since 1988. [85760]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Kingdom has no proof of recent Libyan government involvement in recent terrorist incidents. Recent progress in the Lockerbie (1988) and UTA (1989) cases has led to the suspension of United Nations sanctions against Libya under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The United Nations Secretary-General is required to report on Libya's
  309
  compliance with all the requirements of those resolutions, including renunciation of terrorism, before UN sanctions can be lifted.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent he has taken into account his Department's assessment of the alleged role of Colonel Gadaffi in terrorist incidents since 1988 in deciding to seek to normalise relations between the UK and Libya. [85759]

  Mr. Hoon
  The United Kingdom has no evidence of recent Libyan government involvement in recent terrorist incidents.

  Following the handover of the Lockerbie suspects and subsequent suspension of the UN and related EU sanctions against Libya, we have been in contact with the Libyans to discuss other outstanding bilateral issues.

  We hope that these can be resolved quickly and to our satisfaction. The extent to which we can develop more normal relations with Libya depends on the progress we make.

  China
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by the United Kingdom Government in promoting dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama. [85850]

  Mr. Hoon
  We take every opportunity to encourage the Chinese Government to enter into dialogue with the Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs did so when they visited China last year. My predecessor, the late Member for Leeds, Central did so again when he visited China in April. We are not aware however of any recent discussions.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has(a) sought and (b) obtained from the Chinese Government about the whereabouts of welfare of the Panchen Lama. [85864]

  Mr. Hoon
  We have taken every opportunity to seek information from the Chinese Government, both bilaterally and in conjunction with our EU partners, on the well-being of the child recognised by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama. We have also sought permission to visit the child. While this has not been agreed by the Chinese authorities, they have reported that the child is living normally with his family. We shall continue to raise the case.

  Middle East
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next proposes to visit the Middle East and to meet the new Israeli Government. [85711]

  Mr. Hoon
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no current plans to visit Israel. I hope to visit Israel in the near future to meet the new Israeli Government.
  310

  Ron Arad
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken over the missing Israeli service-man Ron Arad. [85715]

  Mr. Hoon
  We regularly raise the issue of Ron Arad and other missing Israeli service-men with those who might have knowledge of their fate. Derek Fatchett met the families of the missing service-men when he visited Israel in January 1998.

  South Africa
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to make contact with the newly elected South African Government and the new President; and if he will make a statement. [86059]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The UK Government have an extremely close relationship with South Africa's President Mandela. We shall build on this when Thabo Mbeki becomes South Africa's new President.

  The Prime Minister has already spoken to Thabo Mbeki to congratulate him and assure him of the UK's continuing commitment to our bilateral relationship. The Deputy Prime Minister will represent the UK Government at the Presidential inauguration in Pretoria on 16 June. We shall sustain the high level ministerial contact when the new South African Government is appointed.

  Further visits are already planned: the Secretary of State will accompany Her Majesty The Queen on the State Visit to South Africa on 9–11 November and during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban on 12–14 November, which the Prime Minister will also attend.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Appraisals Handbook
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answers of 25 May 1999,Official Report, columns 101–02, if the Performance Management Framework due to be published later this year is the same as the Appraisals Handbook for which tenders were invited on 6 February 1998. [85945]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  No.

  Education and Training
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will announce his response to the consultation on post-16 education and training. [85725]

  Mr. Mudie
  We will be announcing our proposals later in the summer.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what success the New Deal has had in reducing the number of unemployed young people. [85335]
  311
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  As the following table shows, since New Deal was introduced nationally in April 1998, unemployment amongst the eligible group has fallen by 41 per cent. compared with a fall of 2.5 per cent. for all unemployed people aged over 25.

  The youth labour market is very dynamic, so some people would have left the claimant count without the help provided by New Deal. Nevertheless, initial evidence

  Unemployed claimants (UK, nsa)

  Aged 18–24

  Aged 25+

  Up to 6 months

  over 6 months

  over 12 months

  All aged 18–24

  All

  April 1998

  226,000

  119,900

  50,000

  345,900

  1,028,000

  April 1999

  229,700

  70,900

  16,300

  300,500

  1,003,1001

  Change

  †3,700

  —49,000

  —33,700

  —45,400

  —24,900

  Percentage change

  †1.5

  —41

  —67

  —13

  —2.5

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide a breakdown by New Deal office of those who have refused to participate within the New Deal for 18 to 25-year-olds. [85130]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: If on receiving an invitation to take part in the New Deal a young unemployed person terminates their Jobseeker's Allowance claim, the Employment Service will often not know whether it is because they have got a job or because they are refusing to participate.

  If sanctions for refusing to comply with New Deal requirements are taken as an indicator, the position in the last six months is as follows: over 7,000 young people had a benefit sanction imposed or were disallowed from claiming Jobseeker's Allowance as part of the New Deal. Of these, 530 were in Scotland, 800 in the Northern region, 1,200 in the North West, 1,120 in Yorkshire and the Humber, 340 in Wales, 910 in the West Midlands, 630 in the East Midlands and Eastern region, 350 in the South West and 1,310 in London and the South East. The figures for individual offices are not collected centrally.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment of the 34 per cent. of young people who had left the New Deal by the end of February 1999 for unknown reasons, how many are(a) no longer claiming jobseeker's allowance, (b) have retained their previous jobseeker's allowance entitlement and (c) have had their jobseeker's allowance entitlement reduced. [85638]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  By the end of February 1999, 35,870 young people had left New Deal for an unknown destination. By the end of March 1999, 7,410 (21 per cent.) had made a subsequent claim for Jobseeker's Allowance at least three months after leaving the New Deal. If young people make a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance within three months of leaving, they re-enter the New Deal.

  Education Funding (Liverpool)
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much new(a) capital and (b) revenue funding has been made available to schools and colleges in Liverpool since May 1997. [85497]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Education Standard Spending Assessment for Liverpool for 1999–2000 is £238,304 million. This represents an increase of £22.5 million or 312
  comparing Pathfinder areas (where New Deal started three months earlier) with the rest of the country suggests that the New Deal increased both the flow of young people out of unemployment and the flow into jobs. The impact of New Deal is being addressed through a comprehensive evaluation programme. All final reports from the evaluation will be published and copies placed in the Library.

  10.4 per cent. on the equivalent figure for 1997–98. New specific grant and capital allocations made to Liverpool since May 1997 are shown in the following table. In addition, Liverpool Community College has been allocated £17.2 million of capital funding, of which £9.9 million has been paid to date. The college was allocated £20.1 million of revenue funding for 1998–99 academic year. There have also been £0.873 million of capital allocations made to Grant-Maintained school in Liverpool.

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  New Deal for Schools capital

  1.275

  4.016

  12.697

  Books for Schools—revenue

  0.224

  0.236

  0.472

  Other Standards Fund

  —

  5.853

  9.087

  Infant Class Size—capital

  —

  0.085

  0.224

  Infant Class Size—revenue

  —

  —

  0.124

  Energy Efficiency capital

  —

  0.155

  —

  Nursery Education Grant—revenue

  —

  0.497

  —

  Notes:

  1. Standards Fund includes both the LEA and central government grant contribution.

  2. New Deal for Schools allocations include total allocations made so far under stages 1 to 3, including those for future years. The total for 1999–2000 includes New Deal allocations to Grant-Maintained schools.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made towards reducing class sizes for five, six and seven year olds. [85521]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The number of pupils aged 5, 6 and 7 in classes over 30 have fallen by almost 130,000, from 485,000 in January 1998 to 356,000 in January 1999. In March, £150 million of allocations were announced for 1999–2000, enabling over 4,000 extra teachers to be employed from September and over 1,000 additional classrooms to be built. As a result, fewer than 200,000 pupils will be in large infant classes from September 1999. The implementation of the class size pledge will mean that there will be a net gain of 12,000 places at popular schools, significantly enhancing parental preference.
  313

  Education Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the latest agenda of the Education Council of 7 June. [85634]

  Mr. Mudie
  The draft provisional agenda for the Education Council is as follows:

  1. Adoption of the provisional agenda

  2. Adoption of the list of "A" items

  3. Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes; implementation of Europass

  a) Leonardo da Vinci II decision and state of negotiations on Socrates II
  information from the Presidency

  b) Commission report on the initial phase of the Socrates I programme and addendum
  information from the Commission and exchange of views

  c) State of preparations for the implementation of Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II
  information from the Commission and exchange of views

  d) Situation regarding the implementation of the Council decision on Europass (O.J.L 17 of 22.1.99)
  information from the Commission

  4. Contribution of education to the European Employment Pact Presidency discussion paper

  5. Forward planning in the field of education Presidency discussion paper

  6. (Possible) Conference of European Education Ministers in Budapest on 24–26 June 1999
  information from the Presidency and exchange of views

  7. Other business.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will make it his policy to implement transitional arrangements to assist former grant-maintained high schools adjust their budgets under the Fair Funding regulations; [85969]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the implementation of fair funding for former grant-maintained high schools. [86067]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  As a transitional measure, each grant-maintained school has been guaranteed a minimum level of delegated funding for the financial year 1999–2000, based on the amount per pupil which the school received in 1998–99 by way of Annual Maintenance Grant. Funding arrangements for the year 2000–2001 will be announced in due course and will take account of this year's experience.

  New Deal (Leeds)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many jobs under a long-term contract of employment have been secured by 16 to 18-year-olds who have completed the New Deal since its introduction in the Leeds, Central constituency; what was the cost of each job; and what percentage of those who entered the New Deal in Leeds, Central have failed to complete it and for what reasons. [85705]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The New Deal does not apply to young people under 18 years of age. All 16 to 18-year-olds have access to other education, training and employment programmes.
  314

  EU Social Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the outcome of the Social Affairs Council held in Brussels on 25 May 1999; and if he will make a statement.[86038]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, myself and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Industry, attended this meeting of the Council.

  The Council discussed the Employee Participation Directive element of the European Company Statute package; political agreement was blocked by Spain, which could not agree a key element of the proposal which requires unanimity.

  The council reached political agreement on three proposals concerning Working Time (excluded sectors)—the draft horizontal amending Directive, a draft Maritime Working Time Directive and draft Enforcement Directive extending the working time provisions to seafarers. On the horizontal amending Directive, the UK was able to accept a Presidency compromise on junior doctors which would provide a transitional period of thirteen years before the 48-hour limit would apply. The UK maintained its Parliamentary scrutiny reserve on the horizontal amending Directive and lifted the scrutiny reserves on the Maritime Directives. Supplementary Explanatory Memoranda on the horizontal amending Directive and the Maritime Directives will be provided to both Houses as soon as possible.

  The Council heard a progress report from the Presidency on an amended proposal for a Council Directive on Physical Agents and information concerning the draft Directive on Explosive Atmospheres.

  The Council considered the Presidency's proposal for a European Employment Pact. The Presidency tabled other documents in connection with the Pact: a Presidency Report; a draft Youth Memorandum (noted by Council); a draft Resolution on equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities (political agreement reached); and a draft Directive on Fixed Term Contracts, based on agreement between the European social partners (Council took note of progress). The Presidency circulated the text of a draft Resolution on the Pact for consideration at the Cologne European Council on 3–4 June.

  The Social Affairs Council was followed by a joint session of Social Affairs and Economic and Finance Ministers: this was attended by the Secretary of State, me and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The joint Council discussed the proposal for a European Employment Pact.

  Environment Task Force
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how his Department is evaluating the(a) environmental and (b) educational benefits of the New Deal Environment Task Force projects. [86073]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions will shortly be appointing consultants to evaluate the environmental impact of the projects carried out by the New Deal Environment Task Force Option since January 1998.
  315
  Further evaluation is currently being carried out by the Employment Service, which will provide details of the skills and qualifications gained by participants on this option. Results of this evaluation will be published later this year.

  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people are currently mandated on to the Environment Task Force having already unsuccessfully tried other New Deal options. [86076]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  This information is not collected in the form requested. I shall write to my hon. Friend when some information on this issue is available from the quantitative evaluation of New Deal due to report later in the year and will place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people are currently on the Environment Task Force option of New Deal. [86099]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest Government Statistical Service figures to the end of March 1999 showed that 6,950 young people were on the Environment Task Force option.

  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what range of skills training and qualifications are available in the placements on the New Deal Environment Task Force projects. [86074]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  In addition to the practical skills and work experience it provides, young people on the New Deal Environment Task Force Option are able to study towards a qualification listed in Schedule 2 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 or by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, normally up to S/NVQ level two or equivalent. Young people may choose to study qualifications which are directly related to the Option, such as Rural Studies and Environmental Management or Environmental Management Skills, or choose to train for skills and qualifications which have a wider application in the labour market, such as Customer Service or Information Technology.

  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many different placement projects there are currently within the New Deal Environment Task Force. [86075]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  This information is not currently available. I shall write to my hon. Friend when the current exercise to collect it is finished and will place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  School Budgets
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list for each local education authority in England the total amount of funding transferred to individual school budgets in 1999–2000 as a result of his fair funding initiative;[85947]

  (2) if he will list for each local education authority in England (a) the total aggregated schools budget for 1998–99 including amounts allocated to grant-maintained schools, (b) the total individual schools budget for 1999–2000 and (c) the education standard spending assessment in 1998–99 and 1999–2000. [86070]
  316
  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information for the financial year 1999–2000 is still being collected and checked by the Department. We will publish authoritative data showing the plans of the authorities, including the amounts to be held back centrally, later this month. I will write to the hon. Member when the figures she requests are available, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

  Bett Committee Report
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the Government are proposing to publish the Bett Committee report on pay and conditions for staff in higher education. [85868]

  Mr. Mudie
  The pay and conditions of staff in higher education are a matter for the employers. The Independent Review of Higher Education Pay and Conditions—the Bett Committee—was set up by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) to look into the framework for determining pay and conditions of service in the higher education sector. The Review Committee will report to UCEA and it will be for the employers and unions to respond to any recommendations.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the impact of student tuition fees on the recruitment of students aged(a) 18 to 21 and (b) over 21 years to university degree courses in England and Wales. [84429]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 19 May 1999]: Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that, using statistical methods comparable to those used in 1997–98, for the 1998–99 academic year the number of home domiciled entrants to undergraduate courses aged under 21 was 216,949, and the number of entrants aged 21 and over was 188,678, respectively a 0.2 per cent. increase and a 0.8 per cent. decrease on 1997–98. These figures, which exclude entrants to Open University courses, indicate that recruitment has been steady over the period when the new tuition fee arrangements were introduced.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Armed Forces Bill
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on progress made with revision of the topics identified by the Law Commission in 1995 where consolidation was essential and very desirable in their memorandum to the committee on the Armed Forces Bill in 1996; what additional topics have been so identified since 1996; and if he will make a statement with regard to the recommendations of the report from the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill (HC 143, Session 1995–96). [85898]

  Mr. Vaz
  Consolidation of legislation relating to the sentencing powers of criminal courts is well advanced and should be completed early in 2000; and consolidation of
  317
  legislation relating to financial services was well advanced but has been suspended in view of the Government's proposals for reform in that area. No progress has yet been made on consolidation of legislation relating to road traffic regulation or Customs and Excise, and the legislation relating to taxes management is now a matter for the Tax Law ReWrite. The following additional topics have been identified since 1996: Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors; Audit Commission; Justices of the Peace; Petroleum; and Criminal Appeals. The consolidating legislation on the first four of these has now been passed. It remains the Government's intention to consolidate the Service Discipline Acts at the earliest opportunity.

  Service Discipline Acts
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many senior draftsmen have been employed on consolidation of legislation in respect of(a) the Service Discipline Acts and (b) other Acts in each year since 1991; and if he will make a statement. [85891]

  Mr. Vaz
  The numbers of senior Parliamentary Counsel seconded to the Law Commission employed on consolidation of legislation since 1991 are as follows:

  Year

  Armed Forces legislation

  Other legislation

  1992

  1

  2

  1993

  1

  1

  1994

  0

  1

  1995

  0

  1

  1996

  1

  2

  1997

  1

  0

  1998

  1

  0

  1999

  0

  0

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many Parliamentary Counsel are currently seconded to the Law Commission for purposes of consolidation bill drafting in connection with(a) the Army, Navy and Air Force Discipline Acts, (b) work on the next Armed Forces Bill and (c) other consolidation measures; and if he will make a statement. [85890]

  Mr. Vaz
  None of the Parliamentary Counsel currently seconded to the Law Commission was seconded specifically to work on consolidation; none is at present working on consolidation of legislation relating to the Armed Forces; and one is at present assigned to a consolidation of criminal appeals legislation.
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  Mr. Key
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when Law Commission draftsmen commenced work on the consolidation of the Army, Air Force and Naval Discipline Acts; and when they will complete the consolidation. [85889]

  Mr. Vaz
  Work on this consolidation began at the Law Commission in November 1996. The consolidation is substantially complete, and the timetable for the remaining work will depend on the availability of Parliamentary time.

  Children Act 1989
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Children Act 1989 to include a no-contact clause where there is evidence of domestic violence. [85007]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government have no current plans to amend the Children Act 1989. The Act gives the court sufficient discretion to decide whether contact with a non-resident parent would be in the child's best interests, where domestic violence is an issue. The Government support the provision of training and guidance to judges and other family law professionals, to ensure that the statutory framework operates effectively.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people in his Department and its associated bodies and agencies have benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage. [86084]

  Mr. Vaz
  This reply covers the Headquarters of the Lord Chancellor's Department (with Associated Offices), the Court Service, the Public Trust Office, the Land Registry, the Public Record Office, the Northern Ireland Court Service and the Legal Aid Board.

  102 staff (all casuals in the Court Service working outside London) have received pay increases as a result of the introduction of the National Minimum Wage on 1 April 1999.

  Personal Injury Claims
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to consult on the calculation of future pecuniary loss in personal injury claims. [85713]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government plan to issue a consultation paper on what rate might be set under Section 1 of the Damages Act to guide courts' decisions on the discount rate to be applied to lump sum awards. We anticipate using this consultation to invite views on alternatives to lump sum payments of compensation. Anyone who wishes to comment on arrangements for calculating future pecuniary loss may use this opportunity to do so.

  Iraq: Monitoring of Oil for Food Programme
  Iraq: Monitoring of Oil for Food Programme
  Treaty of Amsterdam: Co-operative Initiatives
  Treaty of Amsterdam: Co-operative Initiatives
  Sevso Collection
  Sevso Collection
  Boards of Visitors: Duties
  Boards of Visitors: Duties
  Prisoners Aged over 65
  Prisoners Aged over 65
  American Bulldogs
  American Bulldogs
  Pet Travel Scheme
  Pet Travel Scheme
  Meat Hygiene Inspection Charges: Consultation
  Meat Hygiene Inspection Charges: Consultation
  Beef: Date-based Export Scheme
  Beef: Date-based Export Scheme
  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Russia: Food Aid Programme
  Russia: Food Aid Programme
  Actellic D and Actellic Dust
  Actellic D and Actellic Dust
  Meat Hygiene Inspection Costs and Charges
  Meat Hygiene Inspection Costs and Charges
  Mercenary Activity
  Mercenary Activity
  NATO: Out of Area Military Activity
  NATO: Out of Area Military Activity
  Devolved Parliament and Assemblies: Official Report
  Devolved Parliament and Assemblies: Official Report
  SERPS: Spouses' Benefits
  SERPS: Spouses' Benefits
  Average Incomes
  Average Incomes