Written Answers of 18 June 1999

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Passports
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice his Department gives to persons who(a) need a passport urgently and (b) have not received their passport and are due to travel in the immediate future. [86971]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Passport Agency is currently processing applications by customers' declared travel dates, and is meeting those dates for 99.99 per cent. of passports issued.

  In circumstances where a passport has not been received and an applicant is travelling within four days, the Agency's advice is to attend personally at the office to which the application was made. This should not be left to the last day in case there are problems with the application.

  Where the travel need is less pressing but still urgent my letter to hon. Members of 10 June gave contact telephone and fax numbers that should be used for urgent inquiries by passport applicants. Alternatively and as indicated in the Agency's any problems leaflet, applicants can write to Kevin Sheehan, the Agency's Director of Operations at Passport Agency Headquarters, Room 201, Clive House, Petty France, London SW1H 9HD.

  The Agency's policy is to reimburse applicants if unsatisfactory service causes them additional expense, for example through having to call personally at a passport office.

  Postal Votes
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the incidence of doctors(a) refusing to authenticate applications for postal votes on medical grounds and (b) charging a fee for signing postal votes; and if he will make a statement. [87463]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There is no way in which such an assessment could be made. The legal position is that, under paragraph 37 and Schedule 9 of the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992, a doctor must issue certain certificates to his or her patients free of charge. These include attestations for absent votes, provided that they are required on grounds of physical incapacity. Anyone who has been charged a fee should in the first instance discuss the situation with the doctor concerned to determine if a refund is appropriate. If the matter cannot be resolved satisfactorily in this way, the patient should contact the local Family Health Services Authority, which has powers to investigate such complaints.

  Ballot Papers
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the statutory requirements which require the Electoral Roll number to be written on the ballot paper at elections; and if he will make a statement. [87504]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The provisions of Rule 37 of the Parliamentary Elections Rules (Schedule 1 of the Representation of the People Act 1983), which is also applied to European Parliamentary and local elections, requires a voter's electoral registration number to be written on the counterfoil of the ballot paper issued to that voter. Writing that number on the ballot paper would cause the voter to be identified. Under rule 47(1)(c), such a ballot paper would be liable to be declared void when the votes were counted.

  Deportation Orders
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deportation orders were enforced in May. [87011]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is not currently available from central data sources and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  British Nationality Act 1981
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the British Nationality Act 1981 to allow those born abroad to British women prior to 1 January 1983 to be deemed to have British nationality; and if he will make a statement.[87356]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Since February 1979, minors born abroad to British mothers have been able to acquire British nationality on application. Those born after 1 January 1983 are automatically British citizens at birth. It was decided in 1981 not to make these changes retrospective. We have no plans to alter the position.

  Cycling (Fixed Penalty Offence)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to implement the fixed penalty offence of cycling on the pavement; and if he will make a statement. [87358]

  Mr. Boateng
  We intend that it will come into force in August this year.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Robert Hamill
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date investigators ordered a transcript of police radio messages in the Portadown area on the night of the attack on Mr. Robert Hamill; what measures have been taken to ensure the security of the original tape; if the transcript was made available to(a) prosecution lawyers and (b) defence lawyers, (c) the legal representatives of the Hamill family and (d) herself; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [86141]
  231
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 June 1999]The RUC have advised that the investigators obtained the original radio tape on 9 May 1997 and this was made available to the Director of Public Prosecutions as part of the RUC prosecution case. Transcripts were made available to the DPP and, under disclosure rules in criminal cases, to defence lawyers in the case R -v- Hobson. No transcripts have been made available to any other parties, including the Secretary of State's office. The original tape will be secured for future reference by the Chief Constable on its return to the RUC.

  Mrs. Rosemary Nelson
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what dates US Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel have been in Northern Ireland in connection with the investigation of the death of Rosemary Nelson; and what has been their role in the investigation. [86142]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 June 1999]I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 16 June 1999,Official Report, column 140.

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ended Saturday 5 June the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved(a) Loyalist and (b) Republican groups. [87161]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of security incidents during the period 30 May-5 June 1999 are shown:

  Number

  Deaths

  1

  shooting incidents

  2

  Bombing incidents

  7

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

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  2

  2

  Shootings

  0

  1

  Total

  2

  3

  Notes:

  1. The shooting and bombing incidents cannot as yet be firmly attributed to a grouping.

  2.Figures may be subject to minor amendment.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ended Saturday 29 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. [87163]
  232
  Mr. Ingram
  The number of security incidents during the period 23–29 May 1999 are shown:

  Number

  Deaths

  0

  Shooting incidents

  1

  Bombing incidents

  2

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

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  0

  0

  Shootings

  0

  1

  Total

  0

  1

  Notes:

  1.The shooting and bombing incidents cannot as yet be firmly attributed to a grouping.

  2.Figures may be subject to minor amendment.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ended Saturday 29 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. [87164]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of paramilitary attacks during the period 23–29 May are as follows:

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  0

  0

  Shootings

  0

  1

  Total

  0

  1

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ended Saturday 5 June 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.[87162]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of paramilitary attacks during the period 30 May-5 June are as follows:

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  2

  2

  Shootings

  0

  1

  Total

  2

  3

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to her Department for written answer on a named day since 15 April; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that day.[87317]
  233
  Marjorie Mowlam
  Between 15 April and 15 June my Department dealt with 58 named day questions of which 30, or 51.6 per cent., were given substantive answers on the day specified.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sites of special scientific interest there were in Northern Ireland on 31 March; and what was their total area in hectares. [87269]

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

  Letter from J. R. Lamont to Mr. John Randall, dated 17 June 1999:
  As Acting Chief Executive of the Environment and Heritage Service, I am responsible for operational aspects of protection of the natural heritage on behalf of the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland. I am responding to the Parliamentary Question you put down on 23 June 1999 about the number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Northern Ireland as at 31 March and their total hectarage.
  In Northern Ireland SSSIs are known as Areas of Special Scientific Interest and at 31 March 1999 there were 159 covering a total area of 83441 hectares.
  I trust you will find this helpful.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid Payments (Northern Ireland Solicitors)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the range of sums paid per hour to solicitors in Northern Ireland in respect of legal aid payments; and what is the average taxed rate. [87377]

  Mr. Vaz
  The hourly rate ranges from £24.25 in respect of travelling and waiting time for a Legal Advice and Assistance case to £64.50 in respect of advocacy by a senior solicitor in a Crown Court criminal case. The current hourly rate in civil cases is £66.50. Additionally for care and conduct these rates are subject to a percentage uplift which is normally in the range of 50 per cent. to 100 per cent.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Lindane
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the use of lindane as a pesticide. [87944]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government have noted the concerns raised about this compound and the assessment made by the Austrian authorities under the EU review of agricultural pesticides. The Government therefore asked the independent experts of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides to examine all the issues which have been raised.
  234
  The Committee advised that lindane does not pose an unacceptable risk to consumers but that the exposure of operators using lindane to treat seed was above acceptable levels. Ministers have therefore decided that the use of lindane as a seed treatment should cease immediately and that further conditions should be applied to some other agricultural and non-agricultural uses. Companies have until 28 June to make representations on the action proposed.

  The Committee advised that more data are needed on the environmental effects of lindane. This point will be pursued as a priority.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Women's Organisations (Consultation)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [86994]

  Angela Eagle
  We are committed to making sure that policies are inclusive and take full account of the needs and experiences of all those affected by them. Guidelines on Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment, published in November 1998, commit policy makers to assessing how proposals affect different groups of people.

  We are making use of consultation, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy on women. We routinely consult a wide variety of organisations on policy proposals. Within that process we are committed to including women's groups to ensure that the women's perspective is taken into consideration. As an example, a number of women's organisations, including the Women's National Commission, were consulted in connection with our proposals for ONE (formerly the Single Work-focused Gateway) and a summary of responses has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

SCOTLAND

  Ministerial Cars
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many ministerial cars there were for the use of his Department's Ministers in May 1997; and how many ministerial cars there currently are for the use of (i) his Department's Ministers and (ii) the Ministers of the new Scottish Executive; [86458]

  (2) how many cars have been purchased for the use of Ministers of the new Scottish Executive. [86394]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government Car Service in Scotland provides or arranges the provision of transport for Ministers of UK Government Departments when in Scotland, senior members of the Scottish judiciary, and the most senior Departmental officials. Following the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and the appointment of Ministers of the Scottish Executive, the service has been made available
  235
  also to the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, to Ministers of the Scottish Executive, and to Deputy Ministers.

  No cars have been purchased for the sole use of any users of the Government Car Service in Scotland. In May 1997 the Government Car Service in Scotland comprised 8 cars. However, to handle increased demand for services the fleet was expanded earlier this year by the addition of 3 cars, taking the total number to 11.

  From 1 July the provision of cars for the Scottish Executive by the Government Car Service in Scotland will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (i) written and (ii) oral questions were answered by his Department in 1998; and how many of them were on matters which will be the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament. [86360]

  Dr. Reid
  2,131 written and oral questions were answered by my Department in 1998. A breakdown in the format requested is not readily available and could be provided only by incurring disproportionate cost.

  My Department has indicated in written and oral replies to parliamentary questions answered after 26 January 1999 whether, following the transfer of functions, the issue will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

WALES

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his future role. [86341]

  Mr. Michael
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Guildford (Mr. St. Aubyn) on 9 June 1999,Official Report, column 358.

  Correspondence
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will reply to the letter dated 30 March addressed to him and other Ministers by the hon. Member for Solihull. [86848]

  Mr. Michael
  After a thorough search, I regret that my Department could find no record of my having received a letter dated 30 March from the hon. Member.

  I have written to the hon. Member inviting him to send me a copy of the letter. I will then ensure that it is answered as quickly as possible.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day since 15 April; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that day. [87332]

  Mr. Michael
  Forty five, of which 87 per cent. received a substantive response on the named day.

  Inward Investment (American Companies)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the companies based in the USA which have a presence in Wales indicating in each case the location and number of workers employed. [87459]

  Mr. Hain
  I have asked for the information to be prepared. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Waterhouse Inquiry
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish the findings of the Waterhouse Inquiry into Child Abuse in North Wales. [87457]

  Mr. Michael
  The Tribunal of Inquiry has not yet submitted its report. It will be presented to Parliament as quickly as possible as soon as it is received.

  Tourism
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in rank order by country the number of international overnight visits to Wales in each of the past 10 years. [87458]

  Mr. Hain
  The readily available information is for the years 1990 to 1997. The figures are estimates compiled by the Wales Tourist Board, based on sample survey results from the International Passenger Survey supplemented with estimates for the Irish Republic.

  Top 10 generating countries

  Number

  1990

  Total overseas visits to Wales

  680,000

  1. USA

  145,000

  2. West Germany

  96,000

  3. Australia

  75,000

  4. Canada

  51,000

  5. Republic of Ireland

  50,000

  6. France

  47,000

  7. Netherlands

  37,000

  8. New Zealand

  19,000

  9. Italy

  16,000

  10. Belgium/Luxembourg

  14,000

  1991

  Total overseas visits to Wales

  650,000

  1. USA

  122,000

  2. Germany

  101,000

  3. France

  54,000

  4. Republic of Ireland

  54,000

  5. Netherlands

  48,000

  6. Australia

  48,000

  7. Canada

  33,000

  8. Belgium/Luxembourg

  22,000

  9. Italy

  20,000

  10. New Zealand

  13,000

  1992

  Total overseas visits to Wales

  670,000

  1. USA

  131,000

  2. Germany

  103,000

  3. France

  69,000

  4. Republic of Ireland

  53,000

  5. Australia

  47,000

  6. Canada

  36,000

  7. Netherlands

  33,000

  8. Belgium/Luxembourg

  26,000

  9. Switzerland

  16,000

  10. Spain

  14,000

  237

  Top 10 generating countries

  Number

  1993

  Total overseas visits to Wales

  690,000

  1. USA

  131,000

  2. Germany

  107,000

  3. France

  78,000

  4. Republic of Ireland

  52,000

  5. Netherlands

  43,000

  6. Australia

  42,000

  7. Canada

  36,000

  8. Belgium/Luxembourg

  24,000

  9. Italy

  24,000

  10. Sweden

  17,000

  1994

  Total overseas visits to Wales

  680,000

  1. USA

  140,000

  2. Germany

  109,000

  3. France

  53,000

  4. Republic of Ireland

  53,000

  5. Australia

  48,000

  6. Canada

  40,000

  7. Netherlands

  35,000

  8. South Africa

  18,000

  9. Belgium/Luxembourg

  17,000

  10. Italy

  17,000

  1995

  Total overseas visits to Wales

  730,000

  1. USA

  143,000

  2. Germany

  101,000

  3. France

  66,000

  4. Republic of Ireland

  64,000

  5. Australia

  45,000

  6. Netherlands

  41,000

  7. Canada

  36,000

  8. Italy

  25,000

  9. Belgium/Luxembourg

  20,000

  10. Switzerland

  16,000

  1996

  Total overseas visits to Wales

  830,000

  1. USA

  141,000

  2. France

  87,000

  3. Germany

  79,000

  4. Australia

  67,000

  5. Republic of Ireland

  66,000

  6. Netherlands

  61,000

  7. Canada

  41,000

  8. Spain

  25,000

  9. Italy

  22,000

  10. New Zealand

  14,000

  1997

  Total overseas visits to Wales

  920,000

  1. USA

  154,000

  2. Germany

  145,000

  3. France

  84,000

  4. Republic of Ireland

  80,000

  5. Australia

  77,000

  6. Netherlands

  66,000

  7. Canada

  45,000

  8. Belgium/Luxembourg

  27,000

  9. Italy

  27,000

  10. Spain

  25,000

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

  Foreign Consulates
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the countries which have(a)established consulates in Wales and (b)made inquiries about establishing consulates in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [87460]
  238
  Mr. Hain
  The Republic of Ireland has recently established a Consulate in Cardiff. The following countries have established Honorary Consulates in Wales: Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Tunisia, and Turkey. I understand there are no requests at present from other countries to establish a Consulate in Wales.

  The establishment of a Consular presence in Wales by a particular country is a matter for the Government of that country. I can see that a Consular presence could bring many advantages to both countries. I would welcome any proposals to establish Consulate offices in Wales.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Training
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if a participant on a European Social Fund course of training is covered by the Department's Analogous Industrial Injuries Compensation Scheme. [85755]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Unemployed people participating in DfEE funded work-based training schemes which are receiving ESF assistance are covered by the DfEE's Analogous Industrial Injuries Scheme. Unemployed people who are participating in Work Trials, or the new deal, programmes supported by the Employment Service, are also covered by the scheme.

  The Analogous Industrial Injuries Scheme applies only to ESF courses where the matched funding comes from DfEE funding for programmes for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already decided it may apply. People participating in other courses supported by ESF are not covered by the scheme.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the maximum number of hours per week that a trainee on a European Social Fund training course can undertake without affecting his entitlement to receive jobseeker's allowance. [85752]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  A jobseeker may undertake a training course, whether or not part-funded by ESF, providing he is not a full-time student and he continues to meet the Jobseeker's Allowance entitlement conditions. An Employment Service Adjudication Officer will determine, in each case, whether the jobseeker is a full-time or a part-time student.

  Under the Jobseekers Act 1995, a person must be available for employment in order to be entitled to JSA, and under regulation 11 of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996, a part-time student may, in prescribed circumstances, be available for employment. The maximum number of hours of study a student can undertake and still be considered a 'part-time' student is not fixed by the Regulations in every case. Full-time student' is defined in regulation 1(3). Paragraph (b)(ii) of that definition specifies an FEFC funded course of more than 16 hours a week, but paragraph (b)(i) which deals with non-FEFC funded courses, does not specify a number of hours.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, by local authority,(a) the number of pupils in classes of more than 30, (b) the percentage of pupils in classes of 31 or more,

  Number and percentage of pupils in classes of 31 or more taught by one teacher and pupils on roll in maintained primary and secondary schools by Local Education Authority area in England January 1997

  Primary schools Pupils in class

  Secondary schools Pupils in class

  Pupils in classes of 31 or more

  (%)1

  Average size of class2

  Pupils on roll3

  Pupils in classes of 31 or more

  (%)1

  Average size of class2

  Pupils on roll3

  England

  1,344,231

  33

  27.5

  4,429,043

  245,420

  9

  21.7

  3,041,584

  North East

  68,173

  30

  27.2

  248,434

  14,665

  9

  22.0

  177,905

  Hartlepool

  2,833

  30

  28.0

  10.538

  413

  7

  22.0

  6,176

  Middlesbrough

  3,700

  24

  26.5

  17,267

  349

  4

  22.0

  8,608

  Redcar and Cleveland

  4,576

  31

  27.4

  16,680

  549

  6

  22.2

  10,161

  Stockton-on-Tees

  4,507

  24

  26.8

  20,531

  415

  3

  22.2

  12,517

  Durham

  21,429

  41

  28.5

  57,442

  3,398

  10

  22.5

  37,976

  Northumberland

  8,314

  43

  27.0

  21,839

  3,959

  15

  22.6

  30,052

  Gateshead

  2,112

  13

  25.8

  18,566

  662

  6

  20.4

  11,745

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  6,904

  34

  27.6

  22,220

  1,569

  10

  21.5

  17,378

  North Tyneside

  4,779

  31

  27.1

  17.027

  1,419

  11

  21.9

  14,369

  South Tyneside

  3,996

  28

  27.0

  16,175

  758

  8

  22.7

  9,724

  Sunderland

  5,023

  18

  26.0

  30.149

  1,174

  7

  21.3

  19,199

  North West and Merseyside

  242,764

  39

  27.9

  686,676

  42,673

  10

  21.8

  437,763

  North West

  201,712

  41

  28.1

  539,526

  34,935

  11

  22.0

  341,745

  Cheshire

  33,630

  39

  27.5

  92,808

  7,140

  12

  21.3

  65,767

  Cumbria

  11,984

  29

  26.3

  44,895

  3,406

  11

  21.2

  32,372

  Bolton

  11,422

  49

  28.9

  28,512

  2,324

  14

  22.1

  17,798

  Bury

  7,178

  44

  28.3

  18,095

  1,510

  14

  23.1

  11,100

  Manchester

  10,615

  25

  27.2

  46,356

  1,801

  9

  22.4

  22,233

  Oldham

  10,645

  48

  29.3

  25,111

  1,048

  7

  22.2

  16,676

  Rochdale

  9,004

  45

  29.6

  22,354

  1,325

  11

  22.8

  13,168

  Salford

  7,043

  31

  27.3

  23,828

  501

  4

  22.1

  12,078

  Stockport

  9,446

  37

  27.8

  26,941

  947

  6

  23.1

  15,677

  Tameside

  11,566

  53

  29.3

  23,830

  1,195

  9

  23.0

  14,220

  Trafford

  9,693

  50

  28.9

  21,462

  609

  5

  21.7

  13,225

  Wigan

  11,098

  42

  28.5

  30,276

  1,311

  7

  21.5

  19,984

  Lancashire

  58,388

  47

  28.8

  135,058

  11,818

  14

  22.5

  87,447

  Merseyside

  41,052

  31

  27.1

  147,150

  7,738

  9

  20.9

  96,018

  Knowsley

  5,820

  33

  27.7

  19,788

  579

  6

  22.1

  9,670

  Liverpool

  12,581

  27

  26.8

  49,345

  2,936

  10

  21.1

  31,767

  St. Helens

  6,270

  41

  27.8

  18,027

  1,265

  11

  19.9

  11,873

  Sefton

  9,634

  38

  27.6

  28,115

  1,269

  7

  21.1

  19,630

  Wirral

  6,747

  23

  26.3

  31,875

  1,689

  8

  20.5

  23,078

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  159,744

  37

  27.9

  482,447

  27,167

  9

  21.9

  334,065

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  10,254

  40

  28.3

  27,126

  1,148

  6

  21.0

  20,789

  City of Kingston-upon-Hull

  10,164

  39

  28.8

  28,446

  1,345

  9

  24.3

  15,082

  North East Lincolnshire

  6,228

  40

  28.1

  17,265

  1,445

  14

  23.2

  11,185

  North Lincolnshire

  4,932

  36

  27.7

  14,972

  1,281

  13

  22.5

  10,398

  York

  4,961

  35

  27.6

  14,905

  670

  8

  21.6

  9,320

  North Yorkshire

  15,129

  34

  26.3

  47.927

  2,174

  6

  20.6

  37,039

  Barnsley

  9,082

  44

  28.9

  22,216

  726

  6

  23.2

  12,932

  Doncaster

  10,052

  35

  28.1

  31,343

  979

  5

  21.5

  20,734

  Rotherham

  8,094

  34

  27.7

  25,822

  1,276

  8

  21.6

  19,150

  Sheffield

  11,261

  28

  26.9

  46,380

  2,054

  8

  22.7

  27,447

  Bradford

  13,443

  39

  28.3

  42,327

  5,771

  14

  23.2

  46,179

  Calderdale

  6,185

  33

  28.0

  20.605

  884

  7

  20.9

  14,067

  Kirklees

  15,730

  48

  29.0

  38,649

  2,504

  11

  22.5

  25,564

  Leeds

  22,031

  35

  28.3

  71,508

  2,819

  7

  20.7

  44,423

  Wakefield

  12,198

  41

  28.2

  32,956

  2,091

  11

  22.2

  19,756

  East Midlands

  133,725

  39

  27.8

  377,257

  18,359

  7

  21.6

  272,020

  Derbyshire

  44,864

  55

  29.3

  89,507

  6,067

  11

  22.2

  58,890

  Leicestershire

  22,862

  30

  26.7

  83,027

  3,489

  6

  22.3

  61,800

  Lincolnshire

  14,644

  29

  26.9

  53,619

  1,525

  4

  20.2

  39,997

  Northamptonshire

  13,015

  26

  27.0

  54,701

  2,034

  5

  21.0

  45,934

  240
  (c) the average class size and (d) the total number of pupils in maintained (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in January 1997. [86975]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information is shown in the following table:
  241

  Number and percentage of pupils in classes of 31 or more taught by one teacher and pupils on roll in maintained primary and secondary schools by Local Education Authority area in England January 1997

  Primary schools Pupils in class

  Secondary schools Pupils in class

  Pupils in classes of 31 or more

  (%)1

  Average size of class2

  Pupils on roll3

  Pupils in classes of 31 or more

  (%)1

  Average size of class2

  Pupils on roll3

  Nottinghamshire

  38,340

  44

  28.7

  96,403

  5,244

  9

  21.7

  65,399

  West Midlands

  152,230

  33

  27.4

  511,667

  37,160

  11

  22.0

  350,644

  Hereford and Worcester

  12,527

  25

  26.0

  52,887

  6,286

  14

  22.0

  47,636

  Shropshire

  13,545

  38

  27.4

  38,067

  2,778

  12

  21.9

  26,109

  Staffordshire

  31,492

  35

  27.5

  96,437

  9,818

  15

  22.2

  71,712

  Warwickshire

  17,493

  43

  28.5

  43,662

  2,397

  9

  22.2

  30,280

  Birmingham

  24,848

  26

  27.7

  109,673

  7,776

  13

  21.8

  66,867

  Coventry

  8,641

  31

  27.6

  30,478

  1,846

  10

  22.6

  19,738

  Dudley

  6,904

  27

  26.5

  30,884

  671

  4

  23.1

  18,912

  Sandwell

  12,606

  44

  28.9

  32,962

  1,343

  7

  21.7

  19,087

  Solihull

  8,478

  43

  27.9

  21,581

  1,141

  8

  21.9

  14,387

  Walsall

  7,527

  32

  26.2

  28,743

  1,813

  10

  20.7

  20,078

  Wolverhampton

  8,169

  38

  26.9

  26,293

  1,291

  9

  21.0

  15,838

  Eastern

  121,738

  29

  26.9

  448,359

  22,874

  7

  21.3

  348,217

  Bedfordshire

  12,890

  33

  27.4

  44,748

  3,330

  8

  22.5

  46,378

  Cambridgeshire

  20,831

  36

  28.2

  60,924

  3,793

  10

  22.1

  42,018

  Essex

  38,831

  30

  27.3

  136,385

  8,263

  9

  21.7

  97,649

  Hertfordshire

  27,264

  33

  27.1

  92,397

  5,291

  8

  20.3

  70,982

  Norfolk

  13,402

  22

  25.9

  66,666

  919

  2

  20.2

  41,583

  Suffolk

  8,520

  19

  25.0

  47,239

  1,278

  3

  21.1

  49,607

  London

  117,578

  22

  27.1

  624,655

  22,096

  7

  21.7

  375,145

  Inner London

  15,393

  8

  26.3

  226,370

  3,992

  4

  22.4

  117,536

  City of London

  0

  0

  26.0

  208

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Camden

  698

  8

  27.1

  11,294

  188

  2

  20.3

  10,932

  Hackney

  824

  6

  26.1

  18,141

  312

  5

  22.3

  7,347

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,106

  14

  25.3

  9,465

  511

  10

  22.6

  6,040

  Haringey

  851

  5

  26.9

  21,610

  290

  3

  21.6

  10,069

  Islington

  702

  5

  26.6

  16,232

  270

  4

  24.0

  7,580

  Kensington and Chelsea

  219

  4

  25.3

  6,568

  161

  6

  20.2

  3,313

  Lambeth

  1,192

  8

  25.2

  19,193

  252

  4

  21.9

  6,589

  Lewisham

  1,207

  7

  26.1

  21,984

  0

  0

  20.7

  10,857

  Newham

  3,021

  13

  27.9

  28,543

  313

  2

  24.5

  15,655

  Southwark

  1,748

  9

  26.4

  23,182

  639

  8

  24.4

  9,157

  Tower Hamlets

  1,047

  6

  26.2

  22,472

  197

  2

  24.0

  13,060

  Wandsworth

  2,299

  15

  25.8

  17,874

  691

  9

  22.0

  9,280

  Westminster

  479

  7

  24.2

  9,604

  168

  3

  21.5

  7,657

  Outer London

  102,185

  30

  27.5

  398,285

  18,104

  8

  21.4

  257,609

  Barking and Dagenham

  2,022

  13

  27.0

  17,883

  840

  9

  20.8

  10,143

  Barnet

  2,456

  11

  26.2

  25,981

  689

  4

  19.8

  19,783

  Bexley

  9,314

  45

  28.8

  22,223

  1,982

  14

  21.8

  15,317

  Brent

  2,383

  13

  26.5

  22,478

  353

  3

  20.5

  13,565

  Bromley

  13,110

  55

  28.5

  24,292

  1,844

  11

  20.4

  18,648

  Croydon

  7,042

  26

  28.3

  30,432

  1,339

  9

  22.2

  15,481

  Ealing

  5,258

  22

  27.1

  27,213

  894

  7

  22.4

  14,182

  Enfield

  9,965

  46

  29.1

  26,028

  1,751

  10

  20.7

  18,959

  Greenwich

  2,126

  12

  26.0

  21,608

  469

  4

  22.5

  13,644

  Harrow

  3,663

  22

  27.5

  19,971

  98

  1

  22.9

  8,304

  Havering

  5,763

  29

  27.9

  21,001

  981

  7

  21.7

  14,703

  Hillingdon

  5,212

  28

  27.2

  22,440

  1,457

  10

  21.1

  15,010

  Hounslow

  4,907

  29

  26.8

  19,828

  1,052

  8

  21.0

  15,286

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  6,682

  66

  29.4

  11,530

  912

  12

  20.2

  8,184

  Merton

  3,676

  29

  27.3

  16,159

  542

  8

  22.7

  7,619

  Redbridge

  8,074

  46

  28.4

  21,103

  1,415

  10

  21.0

  16,842

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  2,671

  25

  27.2

  12,074

  194

  3

  24.0

  7,688

  Sutton

  5,222

  40

  28.1

  14,630

  791

  7

  20.7

  12,416

  Waltham Forest

  2,639

  15

  26.6

  21,411

  501

  5

  23.6

  11,835

  South East

  205,178

  33

  27.5

  653,419

  32,106

  8

  21.3

  454,813

  Berkshire

  18,680

  32

  27.5

  64,851

  3,846

  8

  20.7

  49,652

  Buckinghamshire

  23,085

  38

  27.9

  66,291

  3,453

  10

  21.3

  38,312

  East Sussex

  23,330

  46

  28.2

  55,821

  2,093

  6

  21.4

  36,281

  Hampshire

  47,671

  36

  27.9

  139,425

  5,211

  6

  22.2

  86,211

  Isle of Wight

  1,639

  23

  25.9

  7,387

  853

  8

  22.3

  10,969

  Kent

  47,339

  36

  28.0

  137,962

  4,523

  5

  20.3

  104,812

  Oxfordshire

  13,090

  31

  27.2

  44,733

  3,975

  12

  22.2

  36,531

  Surrey

  15,007

  20

  26.2

  78,781

  4,846

  10

  21.7

  51,703

  West Sussex

  15,337

  27

  26.8

  58,168

  3,306

  9

  21.6

  40,342

  242

  243

  Number and percentage of pupils in classes of 31 or more taught by one teacher and pupils on roll in maintained primary and secondary schools by Local Education Authority area in England January 1997

  Primary schools Pupils in class

  Secondary schools Pupils in class

  Pupils in classes of 31 or more

  (%)1

  Average size of class2

  Pupils on roll3

  Pupils in classes of 31 or more

  (%)1

  Average size of class2

  Pupils on roll3

  South West

  143,101

  38

  27.5

  396,129

  28,320

  10

  21.7

  291,012

  Bath and NE Somerset

  3,579

  29

  27.0

  13,111

  766

  7

  20.7

  11,483

  City of Bristol

  9,905

  32

  27.2

  33,642

  672

  4

  21.1

  16,518

  North Somerset

  4,675

  33

  27.8

  14,775

  816

  8

  20.4

  11,882

  South Gloucestershire

  9,563

  45

  28.5

  22,596

  1,599

  12

  21.5

  15,216

  Cornwall

  16,082

  40

  27.3

  41,862

  2,756

  10

  22.0

  29,815

  Isles of Scilly

  33

  21

  17.3

  160

  0

  0

  21.0

  108

  Devon

  31,181

  38

  27.4

  84,938

  6,039

  11

  21.4

  62,047

  Dorset

  22,462

  50

  28.2

  48,479

  4,544

  11

  21.8

  43,583

  Gloucestershire

  15,280

  34

  27.4

  46,248

  3,677

  11

  21.5

  34,961

  Somerset

  14,096

  38

  27.6

  38,509

  3,840

  14

  23.2

  28,854

  Wiltshire

  16,245

  32

  27.2

  51,809

  3,611

  11

  21.7

  36,545

  1 Pupils in classes of size 31 or more expressed as a percentage of all pupils in classes taught by one teacher

  2 All classes taught by one teacher

  3 Includes pupils in classes taught by more than one teacher and pupils not in class

  4 Not applicable (no schools of this type)

  Departmental Expenditure
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals there are to amend the departmental expenditure limit and gross running costs limit for 1999–2000. [86982]

  Mr. Mudie
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates for Class 1, Vote 1 (Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services and Vote 4 (Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools), the Departmental Expenditure Limit for 1999–2000 (excluding Welfare to Work) will be decreased by £30,800,000 from £15,702,326,000 to £15,671,526,000.

  The decrease is the result of a transfer of £30,800,000 to Class XIV, Vote 1 (the Welsh Office) to take account of the change to student support arrangements following the Dearing Review.

  The voted element of the Departmental Expenditure Limit (excluding Welfare to Work) will be increased by £46,200,000 from £14,350,774,000 to £14,396,974,000 as a result of the transfer mentioned above and a switch of £77,000,000 from credit approvals to Class 1, Vote 1 in connection with the provision of schools capital. The increase of £77,000,000 will be offset by a matching reduction in the non-voted element of the Departmental Expenditure Limit from £1,351,552,000 to £1,274,552,000.

  The Supplementary Estimates also include a transfer of £500,000 from Vote 1 to Vote 4 in connection with the inspection of nursery education for three-year olds. This transfer has no effect on the Departmental Expenditure Limit.

  The Departmental running costs limit (excluding Welfare to Work) will be reduced by £200,000 from £1,042,410,000 to £1,042,210,000 as a result of a switch of that amount into the Youth Advocates programme.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day since 15 April; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that day. [87329]

  Mr. Mudie
  Between 15 April and 15 June, 132 parliamentary questions have been tabled to the Department for written answer on a named day; 81 per cent. received a substantive reply on that day.

  Higher Education (International Students)
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans there are to promote overseas the quality of further and higher education in the United Kingdom and ease arrangements for international students to enter the United Kingdom and support themselves while studying. [87667]

  Mr. Blunkett
  My Department has been co-ordinating the Prime Minister's initiative to attract more international students to the United Kingdom. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have joined with me to develop a strategy that will help our institutions to compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace, enhance the image of the UK overseas and help position the UK as a knowledge-driven economy.

  The strategy includes four main components. The first is the development of a "UK Education Brand" and marketing materials to promote the high quality of UK education. A world-wide marketing campaign will begin early in 2000. Second, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs aims to expand the Chevening Scholarship Scheme, increasing by at least 500 the number of scholarships awarded each year. Third, we will ease procedures on permission for students to work part-time and in vacations. With effect from 21 June 1999 international students will no longer be required to seek permission from Jobcentres to work

  245
  part-time and in vacations, and sandwich course students will no longer require a work permit from my Department for their placement year. Fourth, updated guidance notes, designed to make entry requirements clearer, will be available for students and posted on the Internet. The British Council will work with entry clearance posts in a number of countries to streamline the visa application process for students who qualify to come here for study.

  Through this package of measures the Government will help UK education institutions to increase their marketing capability overseas and thereby increase international student enrolments. For international students from outside the European Union, the Government hope that these measures will allow institutions to increase the UK's market share of higher education students in relation to the major competitors of USA, Australia and Canada from 17 per cent. in 1996–97 to 25 per cent. in 2005 and to increase the number of further education students by 100 per cent. from some 25,000 in 1996–97 to 50,000 by 2005.

  Consultants (Teacher Appraisal)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the consultants employed over the past 18 months in connection with the Government's plans for teacher pay and teacher appraisal, indicating the terms of reference in each case and the total sum of consultancy fees paid; and how many of the consultants were paid over £50,000 for carrying out a research project. [87596]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Two consultancy contracts have been let in the last 18 months. The first was let to PricewaterhouseCooper. I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 25 May 1999,Official Report, columns 101–02. The cost of this work is commercial in confidence.

  We have subsequently issued a letter of intent to Hay McBer in respect of research into teacher effectiveness pending finalisation of the contract. This sets out the work to be undertaken. I have arranged for an extract from the letter to be lodged in the Library.

  The cost is commercial in confidence.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  River Access
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to increase access to non-tidal navigable rivers by non-motor-powered river craft. [86863]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government sponsored Environment Agency and British Waterways, which between them are responsible for the majority of the country's navigable rivers and canals, continue to manage their waterways with all users in mind, as do other navigation authorities.

  The Environment Agency has successfully acted as honest broker on a number of rivers in England and Wales to help secure access agreements. The Agency continues to encourage the development of access agreements and
  246
  currently chairs the Angling and Canoeing Liaison Group, which is developing a guide to the negotiation of access agreements. The guide will provide information for all likely parties who are seeking to achieve new access for canoeists, and other water sports and activities, to private waters. The Liaison Group expects to publish the guide in July.

  The Countryside Agency, Countryside Council for Wales and the Forestry Commission have been asked to consider access to other categories of open countryside, including river and canal banks, as part of the Government's commitment to introducing a statutory right of access on foot to the countryside. Their reports are expected to focus on the case for an extension of access on foot, but may also take into account access for other types of recreational users in the countryside, such as people using boats, cycles or horses.

  London Economics
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will name the non-governmental consultees and advisers engaged by his Department to advise on the conduct of the research by London Economics into the Environmental Costs and Benefits of Aggregate Supply; and what his Department has paid to each for their services. [87098]

  Mr. Caborn
  Following the recommendation of an independent review of the initial work by London Economics, the Phase 2 research was assisted by an international group of experts on those aspects of research design involving contingent valuation techniques.

  The group comprised: Ian Bateman of the University of East Anglia; Nick Hanley of the University of Edinburgh; Michael Hanemann of the University of California at Berkeley; Susana Mourato of Imperial College; Richard Ready of the University of Oslo; Toby Taper of MORI; and Ken Willis of Newcastle University.

  The total amount paid to members of the group was £41,898 including fees and travel expenses. Their contracts do not provide for publication of their individual remuneration without consent.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he received the final report by London Economics on the Environmental Costs and Benefits of Aggregates Supply. [87097]

  Mr. Caborn
  Copies of the final report were submitted to the Department on 26 May 1999.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many contracts were awarded to London Economics for their study of the environmental effect of mineral extraction; and what has been the total sum of money, including expenses, paid by his Department to London Economics for each of the contracts. [87195]

  Mr. Caborn
  London Economics was paid £107,815 under a contract to carry out the study of the Environmental Costs and Benefits of the Supply of Aggregates published in April 1998. Further research, Phase 2 to be published in July 1999, has been undertaken under two contracts. £108,495 was paid under the first of
  247
  these and £301,665 under the second contract. The latter includes over £200,000 paid to sub-contractors for survey work. The contract sums exclude VAT.

  Airbags
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of cars sold in Britain in each of the past five years have been fitted with(a) airbags in the driver's seat only, (b) airbags in the driver's and front passenger seats, (c) airbags for rear passengers and (d) side-impact air bags. [86999]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Vehicle registration statistics do not yield this information. I understand that the majority of new cars sold in the UK now have drivers airbags fitted as standard equipment.

  Tele-conferencing
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the need to amend the law to provide for the validity of meetings of public bodies, and their subsequent decisions, conducted by tele-conferencing and related technology. [87134]

  Mr. Meale
  I am not aware of any problems in this area at present, but I will keep the position under review.

  Recycling
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to increase the recycled content in soft tissue paper products. [87253]

  Mr. Meale
  In July 1998, the Government established a Market Development Group to consider the measures that could be taken to enhance the markets for recycled materials, including paper, and to develop proposals to help overcome any barriers. The Group considered a range of measures, including the use of economic instruments, quality standards and specifications for recycled goods and materials, and whether it is desirable to set mandatory levels of recycled content for specified goods.

  The Group has now finished its work and its report and recommendations for action will be published for consultation at the same time as the draft waste strategy.

  Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the new membership of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment; and if he will make a statement. [87766]

  Mr. Meacher
  The new Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) has been appointed today. The committee consists of highly regarded scientists and technical experts (listed). Together they will form a well-balanced committee with the necessary range of expertise and views to provide sound advice on the risks to the environment and human health from the release of genetically modified organisms.
  248
  I announced my intention to review the membership and remit of ACRE in a statement to the House of Lords on 21 October 1998. The remit of the committee was subsequently widened—5 November 1998, Official Report, column 638—and the new committee now has an extended range of expertise. This has strengthened ACRE in areas such as ecology, wildlife/biodiversity and farming practice. These extensions to ACRE's competence will allow it to advise in greater depth on the possible impacts of widespread cultivation of GM crops on our countryside and wildlife. In addition, I will also be including for the first time on ACRE a place for the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes in an ex-officio capacity. This is in recognition of the importance of close communication between our key advisory committees.

  The selection of the new Chair of ACRE is being conducted as a separate appointment and will be announced in the Autumn. Additional members will be appointed in due course and details published in line with guidance from the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  I have placed further details of the new Members in the House of Commons Library and the information is also published on the DETR Website (www.environment.detr.gov.uk/acre/wildlife/index.htm).

  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing members of ACRE for their hard work and sound advice. My fellow Ministers and I are very grateful.
  New Members of ACRE

  Dr. Mark Bailey
  Institute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology
  Expertise: Molecular biology, Microbiology
  Principle Scientist and Leader of the Molecular Microbial Ecology Group at the NERC1 Institute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology. Dr. Bailey is a member of the BBSRC2 Microbial Genetics Working Party, and until recently served as a member of the NERC Terrestrial Sciences Peer Review Committee and the Society for General Microbiology's Environmental Microbiology Group. He has been an adviser for HSE3 and the former DOE4 as well as working for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

  Mr. Edward Cross
  Farmer, Abbey Farm, Norfolk
  Expertise: Farming practice
  Mr. Cross currently jointly manages a substantial farming concern in the East of England. He has a strong commitment to farming and the Environment and is Director of the Farmer's Link Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development Working Group.

  Professor Alan Gray (acting ACRE Chairman)
  Institute of Terrestrial Ecology—Furzebrook
  Expertise: Farmland ecology
  Head of ITE Furzebrook and, from next year, of the combined Institute of Terrestrial Ecology and the Institute of Freshwater Ecology's Laboratory in Dorset, Professor Gray has been a highly regarded and productive member of ACRE for five years. He has more than 30 years' research experience in pure and applied ecology and genetics. He is a past Vice-President of the British Ecological Society and holds a Visiting Professorship at Southampton University.

  Dr. Susan Hartley
  Institute of Terrestrial Ecology—Banchory
  Expertise: Ecology, Entomology
  Principle Scientific Officer and Head of the Community Ecology Section at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology's Banchory Research Station. Dr. Hartley is a leading plant ecologist specialising in herbivory and is on the Science Advisory Board

  249
  for Scottish Natural Heritage, the Steering Committee of the Heather Trust and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Department of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Aberdeen.

  Dr. Penelope Hirsch
  Institute of Arable Crop Research, Rothamsted
  Expertise: Molecular Biology, Microbiology
  Principal Research Scientist at the Institute of Arable Crop Research, Rothamsted. Dr. Hirsch is recognised as an outstanding molecular biologist whose current area of research concentrates on soil microbial ecology. Dr. Hirsch is a member of the Technical Sub-Committee of the Advisory Committee on Genetic Manipulation.

  Dr. Mike Mayo
  Scottish Crop Research Institute, Dundee
  Expertise: Plant virology
  Senior Principal Scientist at the Scottish Crop Research Institute. Dr. Mayo is a leading research scientist working on the molecular biology of plant viruses. He is a member of the Executive Committee of International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.

  Professor Christopher Pollock
  Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Aberystwyth
  Expertise: Plant breeding, Molecular biology
  Research Director at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research. He is a member of the BBSRC's Strategy board and Chair of the Plants and Microbial Sciences Committee. In 1996 he was a member of DOE's Climate Change Impacts Review Group. Professor Pollock is currently Chair of the steering committee for the programme of farm-scale evaluations.

  Mr. Jules Pretty
  University of Essex
  Expertise: Sustainable development
  Director of the Centre for Environment and Society, University of Essex. Mr. Pretty is an acknowledged expert on sustainable agricultural systems and farming practice. He is a Consultant for DfID5 projects and the US Agency for International Development. He is also a Member of the advisory committee for DfID on Biodiversity Policy and Practice Project.

  Dr. Mark Rees
  University of London
  Expertise: Weed ecology, Plant biology
  Lecturer at Imperial College, University of London. Dr. Rees has an excellent international reputation for his research on plant population dynamics and its application to the biological control of weeds. Dr. Rees was awarded the Founders Prize of the British Ecological Society in 1997.

  Dr. Christopher Spray
  Northumbrian Water
  Expertise: Biodiversity and Conservation
  Environmental Manager at Northumbrian Water responsible for conservation and Biodiversity issues. Dr. Spray has produced Northumbrian Water's environmental strategy and Biodiversity Action Plan. He is a member of DETR's Conservation, Access and Recreation in the Water Industry committee, a member of the England Local Issues Subgroup (of the England Biodiversity Group) and Chairman of Water UK's Network on Conservation, Access and Recreation in the Water Industry.

  Professor Ingrid Williams
  Institute of Arable Crop Research-Rothamsted
  Expertise: Entomology
  Principle Research Scientist at the Institute of Arable Crops Research at Rothamsted. Professor Williams is currently the entomology expert on ACRE, Chair of the International Commission for Plant-Bee Relationships and Council member of the International Bee Research Association.
  Chair of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ex-officio seat)

  Professor Janet Bainbridge
  University of Teesside
  Professor Bainbridge is the Director of Science and Technology at the University of Teesside. She is Chair of Advisory Committee on Novel Food and Processes (ACNFP) and their sub group on
  250
  Long Term Monitoring. Professor Bainbridge has many years experience of committee work and is a leading authority on GM Food Safety.

  1 National Environmental Research Council

  2 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  3 Health and Safety Executive

  4 Department of the Environment

  5 Department for International Development

  Planning Regulations (Telecommunications Development)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend planning regulations for telecommunications development. [87776]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have today laid before Parliament an Order to make the amendments to the telecommunications permitted development rights granted under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO), which I announced on 16 November 1998,Official Report, column 343, in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, East and Mexborough (Mr. Ennis). These include a new 42-day prior approval procedure for ground based masts and strengthened planning controls in Sites of Special Interest. Subject to Parliamentary procedures, the Order will enter into force on 9 July 1999.

  A Departmental circular, "Planning for Telecommunications", is being issued to accompany the changes made to the GPDO. The circular sets a clear policy framework for planning for telecommunications development to keep environmental intrusion to a minimum. We look to both local planning authorities and the industry to adopt a proactive approach to identifying the best environmental solutions for telecommunications development. Pre-application discussions between the parties will allow a constructive examination of different siting and design solutions for accommodating telecommunications development at the least environmental cost. The guidance also explains the scope of telecommunications permitted development rights and the operation of the revised procedures.

  Copies of the Order, the accompanying Regulatory Impact Assessment and the circular have been placed in the Library.

HEALTH

  Disabled Children
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways Quality Protects management action plans will improve the quality of services for children with disabilities in England and Wales. [86377]

  Mr. Hutton
  Last September, we announced new Government objectives for children's social services, one of which addressed the needs of disabled children. In their Quality Protects Management Action Plans (MAPS), local authorities were required to set out how they would address these national objectives and to set their own local objectives. All MAPs have now been evaluated by
  251
  regional social services inspectorate. We shall shortly be publishing a National Overview Report setting out the key messages from this evaluation.

  We also consulted on the detailed sub-objectives supporting the main Government objectives, and I am grateful to those parents, voluntary and strategy organisations that responded. We plan to publish revised sub-objectives, including more addressing the needs of disabled children, later in the summer.

  The Department has commissioned the Council for Disabled Children to analyse this year's MAPS from the perspective of services for disabled children with a view to recommending further work to enable local authorities to achieve their Quality Protects targets. We are determined to raise standards in the provision of services for disabled children under the Quality Protects Programme. This is an important means of achieving the successful implementation of the Carers National Strategy as it affects parents and carers of disabled children.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what performance indicators his Department has developed to quantify improvements in services for disabled children. [86382]

  Mr. Hutton
  Later this year, the Department will publish sub-objectives for children's services as part of the implementation of Quality Protects. These will include sub-objectives for disabled children. Performance indicators for disabled children will be developed in partnership with all those with an interest, as improved statistical information becomes available. The Department is introducing a new data collection around children in need from February 2000, which could provide the basis for such indicators.

  Children's Homes
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children's homes accommodating fewer than four children there are in(a) the Somerton and Frome constituency and (b) Somerset. [87047]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 17 June 1999]Statistics are collected once every three years on the numbers of children's homes. At 31 March 1997, the most recent date that statistics were collected, there were no children's homes accommodating fewer than four children in the former shire county of Somerset. We do not have more recent information on voluntary children's homes in this category. Our latest information is that there are seven homes in Somerset, two of which are in the town of Somerton.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the arrangements are for the inspection and registration of children's homes accommodating fewer than four children; to whom the reports of routine and unannounced inspections are made available; how many unresolved concerns have arisen in such reports since May 1997; and what steps are taken to notify home authorities of concerns arising from such inspections which would affect children who are the legal responsibility of the home authority. [87048]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 17 June 1999]Children's homes accommodating fewer than four children are not registered and inspected if they are run 252
  for profit by private organisations. Homes which are run on a not-for-profit basis by voluntary organisations are registered and inspected by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Voluntary children's homes are inspected by the social services inspectorate at least twice a year. One visit is announced in advance. The report of the announced inspection is published annually and the letter to the home reporting on the last unannounced visit is included in this publication. If there are any concerns about a home, additional inspections may be made.

  Statistical records are not kept of the unresolved concerns that have arisen in the reports of individual inspections of voluntary children's homes. The social services inspectorate follows up any unresolved concerns with the home concerned. Social services inspectors may inform the local authority which is looking after the child of any concerns which subsequently remain outstanding.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions at a children's home accommodating fewer than four persons powers under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 have been used so that a child has been returned to the care of the home authority or to another institution. [87049]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 17 June 1999]The Department is not aware of any such occasions. A child that is looked after by a local authority and is placed in a children's home remains the responsibility of that local authority, irrespective of whether the child is placed in a children's home within or outside that local authority. The local authority may move a child without the need to refer to these powers.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Fishing (Southern Oceans)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State's letter of 6 January, what action has been taken to prevent illegal and unregulated fishing in the Southern Oceans by means of(a) direct action through management of the fisheries around South Georgia and (b) the United Kingdom's involvement in the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources with particular reference to the South Atlantic tooth-fish. [87182]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) continue to enforce rigorously the fisheries licensing regime in the waters of its maritime zone, through a variety of means, including the presence of Fisheries Protection Vessels and aerial surveillance. The GSGSSI incorporates into its fishing licence conditions regulatory measures agreed under the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

  New measures adopted in November 1998 at CCAMLR XVII, to address illegal and unregulated fishing, came into effect in time for the current fishing season in South Georgia. CCAMLR Parties are negotiating a catch documentation scheme to track international trade in tooth-fish and prevent imports of fish taken illegally. This scheme, plus additional measures, will be discussed

  253
  further at CCAMLR XVIII in October. The UK has been actively involved in these negotiations. We will press for an early introduction of such a scheme.

  Sudan
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan about separatism in south Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [87505]

  Mr. Hoon
  Although we do not currently have British staff permanently in Khartoum, we maintain a regular dialogue with the Government of Sudan on a wide range of issues. The peace process in the Sudan is a priority for us and the issue of separatism arises in that context.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on reported bombing raids in southern Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [87117]

  Mr. Hoon
  We have recently received reports by NGOs of aerial bombing in southern Sudan by Government of Sudan aircraft.

  In Oslo on 25–26 May, the Government of Sudan and the SPLA both confirmed their commitment to maintain the current humanitarian ceasefire in Bahr el Ghazal. We shall continue to press the case for peace in Sudan.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning raids by Arab militia in southern Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [87116]

  Mr. Hoon
  We have had a number of reports from UN agencies and other NGOs working in the field, of raids conducted by Arab militia groups in southern Sudan.

  In Oslo on 25–26 May, the Government of Sudan and the SPLA both confirmed their commitment to the basic humanitarian principles of Operation Lifeline Sudan as well as the need to maintain the current humanitarian ceasefire in Bahr el Ghazal. We shall continue to press the case for peace in Sudan.

  British Nuclear Fuels plc
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employees of British Nuclear Fuels plc are employed by, or attached to, the British Embassy in the United States. [86959]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No employees of British Nuclear Fuels plc are employed by, or attached to, the British Embassy in Washington.

  Iran (Human Rights)
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Iran concerning the arrest of thirteen rabbis, teachers and other members of the Jewish community of Shiraz. [87126]

  Mr. Hoon
  We and our EU partners are concerned at reports of the arrest of 13 Iranian Jews. We have made our concerns known to the Iranian authorities and have stressed that we expect the detainees to be treated fairly 254
  under Iranian law. We and our EU partners will continue to watch developments closely and will take further action if necessary.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make improved relations with Iran dependent on the release of the group of thirteen Jews from Shiraz arrested by the Iranian Government. [87133]

  Mr. Hoon
  We and our EU partners regularly raise human rights issues with the Iranian authorities. We have made our concerns about the recent arrest of 13 Iranian Jews known to the Iranian government and sought assurances that they will be treated fairly under Iranian law. We will continue to use our improved relationship with Iran to press for improvements in Iranian policies, on human rights and other issues, which cause us concern.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the actions he has taken since March to secure the release of the group of thirteen Jews from Shiraz who have been arrested. [87127]

  Mr. Hoon
  We first heard some weeks ago that a number of Jews had been detained without charge in Iran. We have been in regular contact with the Agudas Israel Organisation, both here in the UK and in the US through our mission in New York, and with other agencies involved. The more reliable accounts now agree that 13 people have been detained. Last week it became apparent, first through media reports from Iran and then officially, that they had been accused of espionage.

  Before this news broke on 7 June, the German EU Presidency on a visit to Tehran on 20 May had already expressed the concern of EU member states at these detentions. This was followed up with an EU demarche on 16 June. We have also told the Iranians of our concern bilaterally and pressed for the detainees to be treated fairly under Iranian law, as have many of our EU partners. We and our EU partners continue to monitor the situation, and will take further action as necessary.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of human rights abuses in Iran. [87131]

  Mr. Hoon
  We and our EU partners continue to have serious concerns over certain human rights issues in Iran. We continue to raise these concerns with the Iranian authorities both bilaterally and multilaterally.

  We remain particularly concerned over the continued use of torture and the lack of transparency in the judicial system; both are at odds with the stated aim of the Iranian government to establish a civil society based upon the rule of law. We shall continue to engage the Iranian authorities on these issues with the intention of securing further improvements.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what commitments he received from the Iranian Government concerning human rights prior to the exchange of ambassadors between the United Kingdom and Iran. [87125]
  255
  Mr. Hoon
  The exchange of ambassadors with Iran was agreed in principle during my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Dr. Kharrazi, at the United Nations on 24 September last year, when Dr. Kharrazi gave important assurances that the Iranian government would take no action to threaten the life of Mr. Salman Rushdie, or encourage or assist anyone else to do so.

  We and our EU partners remain concerned over certain human rights policies in Iran. We shall continue to raise these concerns with the Iranian authorities.

  Women's Organisations (Consultation)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [87188]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The FCO has not introduced any new legislation during this session.

  EC Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a list of the European Community's working groups, stating in each case the number of times each group has met, the nature of the UK delegation, the documents submitted to the Council and the working group's purpose. [86761]

  Ms Quin
  A full list of European Community's working groups will be placed in the Library once it has been received from the Council Secretariat.

  There is no centrally held record of the number of times that working groups have met. The UK is usually represented in working groups by officials from the relevant government department or the UK's Permanent Representation.

  Working groups make reports and recommendations on legislative proposals from the Commission. These are then passed to the Council of Ministers for a final decision. The working group reports are not normally published, but the legislation, once enacted, is published in the Official Journal and is also available on the CELEX database.

  Stability Pact
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the draft Stability Pact for South-East Europe. [86721]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  A copy of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe is being placed in the Library of the House.

  Supervision of Children (USA)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to review the guidance given to British families when visiting the USA, relating to the supervision of children. [86679]
  256
  Mr. Hoon
  FCO Travel Advice warns British nationals of the risks to their personal safety when travelling overseas. The situation in each country is monitored closely and the advice revised when necessary. However, FCO Travel Advice is not intended to reflect all the laws and customs of a country and travellers should not rely exclusively upon it.

  British Council
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the previous chairmen of the British Council and their salaries since 1969; [87264]

  (2) what salary has been agreed for the current chairman of the British Council. [87265]

  Mr. Hoon
  The position of the chair of the British Council has never been salaried, though an honorarium has been paid in the past. The honorariums paid to the last Chairman, Sir Martin Jacomb, have been declared in the British Council's annual report and accounts since 1995–96 and amounted to:1997–98: £10,850
  1996–97: £10,560
  1995–96: £10,250

  I understand that an honorarium for the current chair is under discussion, but not yet agreed.

DEFENCE

  Health Trusts
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid by his Department to each of the health trusts in which MDHUs operate for the treatment of military personnel in each of the last three years. [80572]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [pursuant to his reply, 23 April 1999, c. 718–19]In respect of the amounts paid to health trusts for the treatment of military personnel, I regret that some of the information given was incorrect. For the year 1997–98 the amount my Department paid to Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust (Derriford) was £1.558 million not £1.381 million.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of departmental personnel treated at NHS hospitals; how many operations were carried out on them; and what was the cost to his Department in each of the last five years. [65780]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [pursuant to his reply, 4 February 1999, c. 732]In respect of the cost of treating departmental personnel at NHS hospitals, I regret that some of the information given was incorrect. Treatment costs for 1996–97 were £10.304 million not £12.050 million, and for 1997–98 treatment costs were £9.297 million not £8.622 million.

  Duke of York's Headquarters
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Duke of York's Headquarters, Chelsea. [87836]
  257
  Mr. Spellar
  On 8 July 1998, in connection with the publication of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) we announced that the Duke of York's HQ in Chelsea would be sold and that its occupants, primarily the Territorial, Auxiliary & Volunteer Reserve Association for Greater London and Territorial Army units, would be re-accommodated as necessary. Since then, my Department has been considering how it might secure the optimum receipt for this prestigious site.

  Following negotiations, and supported by advice from independent consultants, we have decided to proceed with a private treaty sale of the freehold of the site to Cadogan Estates, who own the principal adjoining site and are a special purchaser. The sale contract will be subject to Cadogan Estates achieving planning consent for an agreed planning application.

  The agreed terms specify vacation of a considerable part of the site by March 2000. We require a longer period to finalise and prepare alternative locations for the affected units and we will vacate a further part of the site over the three years to 2003. Under the deal we have negotiated with Cadogan Estates, MOD retains an option for TA and cadet occupation in a small enclave within the site beyond 2003. However, we have not come to a decision yet on whether or not to exercise this option.

  Military Deployment
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current proportion of(a) the Army and (b) Land Command (i) committed and (ii) warned to deploy for operations. [85913]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 8 June 1999]As at 11 June, some 47 per cent. of the Army and some 72 per cent. of Land Command personnel were committed to operations. These figures include those preparing for and recovering from operations.

  Figures for those "warned to deploy" do not meaningfully reflect the current level of operational commitment because the notice given to units depends on the circumstances of the individual unit and the commitment involved. They are a reflection of the current state of the administrative planning process used to identify suitable units to replace those currently on operations and some would be included in the figures for those committed to operations. However, if calculated on the same basis as my Answer of 22 April 1999, Official Report, column 633, the figures for those warned to deploy on operations would be some 24 per cent. of the Army and some 37 per cent. of Land Command.

  Gaps by branch

  HM Ship

  Complement

  Total Warfare

  Engineering

  Supply

  Ship's company

  Alderney

  38

  2

  —

  —

  36

  Atherstone

  42

  1

  —

  —

  41

  Bicester

  41

  1

  —

  —

  40

  Birmingham

  241

  9

  1

  —

  231

  Boxer

  238

  7

  —

  1

  230

  Bridport

  33

  3

  —

  —

  30

  Campbeltown

  226

  7

  1

  —

  218

  Cardiff

  241

  6

  2

  —

  233

  Chiddingfold

  44

  —

  1

  —

  43

  Cottesmore

  38

  1

  —

  —

  37

  Coventry

  229

  8

  —

  —

  221

  Cromer

  36

  2

  —

  —

  34

  Women (Armed Forces)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy on (i) retention and (ii) deployment of women in the armed forces. [86368]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  All three Services are wholly committed to maximising employment opportunities for women in the armed forces, except where it is assessed that this could undermine combat effectiveness. 73 per cent. of posts in the Naval Service, 70 per cent. of posts in the Army and 96 per cent. of posts in the Royal Air Force are open to women.

  The Secretary of State commissioned a review into those posts closed to women on the ground of combat effectiveness; that is, the Royal Marines General Service, the Infantry, the Royal Armoured Corps and the RAF Regiment. Following the review it was decided that 1,300 specialist posts in the Royal Marines filled by Royal Navy and Army personnel would be opened to women. The results of the review were set out in the report of the Strategic Defence Review (Comd 2999) published in July last year.

  Studies are also being undertaken to assess the impact on combat effectiveness of increasing, to 70 per cent. the number of posts open to women in the Army and of allowing women to serve in "attached billets" in the Royal Marines. This work is due to complete in 2001.

  As I said on 24 February 1999, Official Report, columns 300–01, we have decided that, following a review into the employment of women in submarines and in mine clearance diving branches, posts in these areas should remain closed on medical grounds.

  Servicewomen currently represent around 7.7 per cent. of the total strength of the armed forces. In the 12 months to 1 April 1999, 12 per cent. of all new recruits were women; exit rates for women have remained relatively stable at 10 per cent.

  Navy Crews
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships currently at sea or operational have a shortfall in crew size broken down by (i) ship and (ii) discipline; and if he will make a statement. [86380]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The shortfalls for the Royal Navy Surface Flotilla ships currently at sea or operational as at 11 June 1999 are:
  259

  Gaps by branch

  HM Ship

  Complement

  Total Warfare

  Engineering

  Supply

  Ship's company

  Dasher

  2

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Dumbarton Castle

  53

  1

  —

  —

  52

  Exeter

  232

  8

  1

  —

  223

  Fearless

  535

  13

  5

  6

  511

  Glasgow

  239

  3

  3

  —

  233

  Gloucester

  244

  9

  1

  —

  234

  Grafton

  163

  5

  —

  —

  158

  Grimsby

  35

  1

  —

  —

  34

  Guernsey

  40

  3

  —

  —

  37

  Hurworth

  40

  1

  —

  —

  39

  Illustrious

  643

  13

  6

  2

  622

  Inverness

  36

  —

  1

  —

  35

  Invincible

  670

  7

  4

  1

  658

  Iron Duke

  165

  1

  1

  —

  163

  Leeds Castle

  40

  4

  1

  —

  35

  Lindisfarne

  39

  —

  —

  1

  38

  Marlborough

  166

  3

  —

  —

  163

  Middleton

  43

  1

  —

  —

  42

  Monmouth

  166

  3

  —

  —

  163

  Montrose

  166

  4

  1

  —

  161

  Newcastle

  226

  11

  —

  —

  215

  Norfolk

  165

  3

  —

  —

  162

  Northumberland

  165

  6

  —

  —

  159

  Orwell

  26

  2

  —

  1

  23

  Pembroke

  35

  —

  —

  1

  34

  Penzance

  36

  1

  1

  —

  34

  Quorn

  40

  4

  —

  —

  36

  Richmond

  165

  2

  1

  —

  162

  Sandown

  37

  1

  —

  —

  36

  Sheffield

  229

  16

  3

  1

  209

  Shetland

  39

  1

  —

  —

  38

  Sutherland

  163

  6

  —

  1

  156

  Walney

  37

  1

  —

  —

  36

  Westminster

  165

  2

  1

  —

  162

  There are no submarines operating below their full crew complement.

  Royal Navy Ships
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy ships have been deployed for more than six months in the last two years and in each case for how long they were deployed; and if he will make a statement. [86383]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Royal Navy ships deployed for more than six months in the period 31 May 1997 to 31 May 1999 are as follows:

  Ship

  Day deployed

  HMS Brave

  220

  HMS Coventry

  217

  HMS Liverpool

  195

  HMS Newcastle

  196

  HMS Nottingham

  214

  HMS Westminster

  198

  HMS London

  194

  HMS Northumberland

  199

  HMS Leeds Castle

  284

  HMS Alderney

  188

  HMS Guernsey

  199

  HMS Shetland

  188

  HMS Cumberland

  234

  HMS Grafton

  204

  HMS Sheffield

  203

  HMS Sutherland

  204

  HMS Dumbarton Castle

  365

  HMS Scott

  219

  HMS Orkney

  188

  260
  These figures represent the total number of days that the various ships were deployed, but in a number of cases the crews were changed during the course of the deployment.

  Army Complement
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list, by regiment and other section headings(a) the official complement and (b) the actual numbers in post in the Army. [87005]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Different Service Arms attach the term "Regiment" to varying sizes of formation, and not all of them further divide their "official complement" (referred to internally as the Liability, or the "Manpower Planning Target"). The following information is provided in terms of Arm/Service.

  The following table provides details of each Service Arm's Strength and Liability, and the difference between the two, as at 1 April 1999. In line with our normal practice, the figures provided include the UK Trained Adult Personnel and Gurkhas, but exclude the Royal Irish (Home Service) Regiment and officers and soldiers under training. The figures shown for the Gurkhas include some three hundred men who form the Gurkha reinforcement companies which are attached to three infantry regiments, and a number of Gurkhas held over Liability to fill key posts elsewhere. I should also point out that the figures do not include 98 officers and 485 soldiers from the Reserves who are mobilised in Bosnia, or 226 Full Time Reservist Service personnel.
  261

  The liability and trained strength, by Arm/Service, of the Army

  Arm/Service

  Liability1

  Strength

  +/-

  Staff Officers

  689

  725

  Household Cavalry/Royal Armoured Corps

  5,949

  5,492

  -457

  Royal Artillery

  8,621

  7,869

  -752

  Royal Engineers

  8,336

  8,653

  ?

  Royal Signals

  9,045

  8,174

  -871

  Infantry

  27,321

  24,972

  -2,349

  Army Air Corps

  1,706

  1,540

  -166

  Royal Army Chaplain's Department

  137

  135

  -2

  Royal Logistic Corps

  15,860

  15,224

  -636

  Royal Army Medical Corps

  2,720

  2,720

  -328

  Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

  10,069

  9,560

  -509

  Adjutant General's Corps

  6,954

  7,034

  Royal Army Veterinary Corps

  165

  132

  -33

  Small Arms School Corps

  140

  149

  Royal Army Dental Corps

  428

  350

  -78

  Intelligence Corps

  1,216

  1,095

  -121

  Army Physical Training Corps

  393

  386

  -7

  Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps

  882

  667

  -215

  Corps of Army Musicians

  1,161

  1,051

  -110

  General List

  0

  2

  Unallocated

  0

  125

  ?

  Long Service List

  597

  573

  -24

  Gurkhas

  2,882

  3,374

  ?

  Total

  105,271

  99,674

  -5,597

  1 To implement the Post-SDR force structure the Army's Manpower Requirement (Liability) for Regular Forces (including Gurkhas, but excluding R IRISH (HS) Full Time, Territorial Army and Full Time Reserve Personnel) will increase to 108,439 by 1 April 2005.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the shortfall in the official complement of the Army on 1 May(a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [87035]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The shortfall of UK Trained Army Personnel as at 1 May 1997 and 1 May 1998 was 5,406 and 5,438 respectively, and for Gurkha Trained Personnel, a surplus of 473 existed on both dates. These figures exclude Royal Irish (Home Service), and reserve personnel mobilised for duties associated with Bosnia, Full Time Reserve Personnel and Locally Employed Personnel.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the potential cost savings from co-operation between the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and Government-funded defence research and development organisations based in NATO member states. [86332]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency is involved in programmes with agencies of NATO Governments which provide access to complementary research which, if carried out unilaterally, could be unaffordable. These programmes may also provide access to novel technology and techniques, scientific peer review of UK activities, and access to broader technology-based relationships.

  International collaboration in defence research brings substantial benefit to MOD financially, technically and operationally.
  262
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what brief the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency has been given for joint defence research and development with organisations from other member states of NATO. [86333]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DERA, is encouraged to seek opportunities for research collaboration with other nations, and for specified activities in support of Memoranda of Understanding between UK Government and other nations.

  Army Cadets (Safety)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements will be in place for the safety of cadets at the army cadets' annual camp in July. [86355]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Cadet safety is of paramount importance to my Department. Cadet training activities are strictly governed by rules and regulations, which are in line with Health and Safety at Work practice, and which stress the need for supervision by adults suitably qualified or authorised to plan, organise and conduct the activity concerned. Detailed instructions are distributed to every Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Contingent, each Army Cadet Force (ACF) Detachment, and personally to every cadet officer, Staff Sergeant Instructor and Adult Instructor in the CCF and ACF. These instructions are to be carried at all times during training and this will remain the case for all Cadet Camps in 1999.

  Colchester Garrison
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce the name of the preferred bidder for the Colchester Garrison PFI project. [87006]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The detailed evaluation of the bids from the three shortlisted consortia, competing for the Colchester Garrison PFI project, is now complete. A recommendation for the preferred bidder is currently being considered by my Department and I hope to be in a position to make a formal announcement sometime later in the summer.

  Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport West of 15 February 1999,Official Report, column 482, if he will list the countries from which buyers will be invited to the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition being held in Chertsey and London Docklands from 14 to 17 September. [87136]

  Mr. Spellar
  The full list of official invitees is still being completed. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it has been finalised and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Women's Organisations (Consultation)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the women's organisations which
  263
  have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [87276]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No women's organisations have been consulted so far this session on any legislative proposals.

  Regimental Insignia
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules and guidelines govern the use of Army regimental insignia; in what circumstances regimental insignia may be used for commercial and political advertising; and what penalties may be incurred by use of insignia for such purposes without permission. [87158]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 16 June 1999]The Badges, Crests and Insignia of Her Majesty's Armed Forces are subject to Crown Copyright. The rights associated with Crown Copyright are vested by Royal Letters Patent in the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office personally. Specific nominees in individual Government Departments, including the Ministry of Defence, have authority to act on behalf of the Controller to give or withhold permission to reproduce certain categories of Crown Copyright material, and to collect fees levied according to a scale of charges set by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. The infringement of all Crown Copyright is investigated fully, and should legal action be pursued, penalties could include the seizure of all infringed goods, patterns and designs, payment of Royalties due and damages.

  Dublin and Monaghan Bombings
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will release documents and records covered by the Official Secrets Acts in order to assist an investigation of allegations of British and Irish military intelligence involvement in the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings. [87462]
  264
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We would give consideration to a request for assistance from the appropriate authorities.

  Political and Security Committee
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature, formation and activities of the Political and Security Committee established at the Cologne Council. [87304]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  The proposal for a Political and Security Committee was made in a Presidency report on strengthening of the common European policy on security and defence to the Cologne European Council. The European Council approved and adopted the report. The report notes that for the EU to decide and conduct effectively the so-called "Petersberg tasks", it may require a permanent body in Brussels (Political and Security Committee) consisting of representatives of member states with political/military expertise. No decisions have yet been taken on the nature, formation and activities of such a Committee.

  EU Institute for Security Studies
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy towards the proposed establishment of an EU Institute for Security Studies. [87299]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  The proposal for an Institute for Security Studies was made in a Presidency report on strengthening of the common European policy on security and defence to the Cologne European Council. The European Council approved and adopted the report. The report notes that for the EU to decide and conduct effectively the so-called "Petersberg tasks", it may require an Institute for Security Studies. There is, at present, an Institute for Security Studies established in the WEU. This might be taken over by the EU as appropriate.

  China: Nuclear Capability Development
  China: Nuclear Capability Development
  Kosovar Refugees: Military Training Allegation
  Kosovar Refugees: Military Training Allegation
  Estonia
  Estonia
  European Court of Human Rights: Selection of Judges
  European Court of Human Rights: Selection of Judges
  Passport Agency
  Passport Agency
  Human Rights Bill 1998
  Human Rights Bill 1998
  Public Authority Decisions: Publication of Reasons
  Public Authority Decisions: Publication of Reasons
  New Criminal Offences
  New Criminal Offences
  Closed Prison Resettlement Units
  Closed Prison Resettlement Units
  Yorkshire Miner's Welfare Trust Fund Scheme
  Yorkshire Miner's Welfare Trust Fund Scheme
  Speed Camera Vehicle Front Photographs
  Speed Camera Vehicle Front Photographs
  Human Rights: Joint Committee
  Human Rights: Joint Committee
  Blood Donations from Butchers
  Blood Donations from Butchers