Written Answers of 25 June 1999

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Over-50s)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress on the introduction of New Deal 50 plus. [89006]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The New Deal 50 plus, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech, 9 March 1999,Official Report, columns 173–90, will offer real and substantial support to people over 50 who wish to find jobs.

  The New Deal will be voluntary and will offer people 50 and over who have spent six months on either JSA, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance help with jobsearch through individual advice from an employment adviser and programme centre provision. When an eligible 50 plus client finds a job they can claim an employment credit of £60 per week for full-time work or £40 per week for part-time work for 52 weeks and training support of up to £750. The Employment Credit, when taken with the minimum wage, will represent a minimum income guarantee of £9,000 for people taking full-time jobs. I believe this represents a huge step in providing real help to older workers who face greater difficulties in finding sustainable employment.

  We have confirmed the following New Deal units of delivery as pathfinder areas for the launch of New Deal 50 plus in October:
  Black Country; City Pride; Dorset; Durham; Edinburgh East and Midlothian; Hull; North Derbyshire; North East Wales; and Oxfordshire.

  The pathfinders will enable us to learn lessons about the operation of New Deal 50 plus and spread good practice before national roll out in early 2000.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 11 May on behalf of a constituent, Mrs. Hallam. [88409]

  Mr. Mudie
  A reply will be issued on 28 June 1999.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide a breakdown of the percentage of participants in each of the New Deal for Young People options who have left for unsubsidised employment up to the most recent date for which information is available; and what assessment 468
  he has made of the performance against Government targets on improving employability through undertaking New Deal options. [87179]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest Government Statistical Service figures to the end of April 1999 show that 23,900 young people have left one of the New Deal options. Of these 8,860 (37 per cent.) are known to have found sustained unsubsidised employment. This breaks down to 56 per cent. of young people leaving the Employer option, 35 per cent. from the FTET option, 41 per cent. from the Voluntary Sector option and 35 per cent. from the Environment Task Force.

  These figures under-estimate the true proportion of young people finding work because many of the clients recorded as having "unknown destinations" will, in fact, have found work although they have not notified the Employment Service.

  A recent large scale quantitative survey of young people who left the New Deal for unknown destinations showed that at least 43 per cent. have moved into work.

  A quantitative survey of individual participants was launched earlier this year which will assess improvements in employability. Initial results from this survey are expected in September 1999.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate how many participants in(a) the New Deal for Young People and (b) the New Deal for over 25s have left the New Deal to be transferred from unemployment benefits to incapacity benefit in the categories of those leaving for (i) other known destinations, (ii) unknown destinations and (iii) transfers to other benefits. [87177]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  People who leave New Deal to transfer to Incapacity Benefit are recorded as "transfers to other benefits" in the published statistics as it is not currently possible to break the statistics down to specific types of benefit. The latest Government Statistical Service figures to the end of April 1999 show that 19,170 young people had left New Deal to transfer to other benefits and 7,100 clients left the New Deal for long term unemployed people aged 25 and over for other benefits.

  A quantitative survey of individual participants was launched earlier this year which will assess movements into other benefits. Initial results from this survey are expected in September 1999.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the proportion of those individuals leaving the New Deal for Young People for unknown destinations who have left to work in the black economy. [87178]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  It is difficult to make any reliable estimate of the number of young people who have left New Deal for unknown destinations who have left to work in the "black economy". People who were working and claiming benefit until caught out by the New Deal are unlikely to declare that when they cease claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. Anyone who attempts to reclaim Jobseeker's Allowance within 13 weeks of leaving New Deal will automatically re-enter the New Deal at the point which they left. That reduces significantly the risk of young people working and claiming benefits.

  Disabled People (Employment Opportunities)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the implications for employment opportunities for the disabled of the withdrawal of the Green Card DP21, version 1/93. [87493]

  Ms Hodge
  The arrangements now in place to improve employment opportunities for disabled people are more effective than the previous system based on registration as a disabled person under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 giving access to a "quota" of jobs in larger organisations. Experience showed that the registration process leading to the issue of the Green Card (DP21) and quota system failed to secure job opportunities for disabled people.

  The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) provides a framework of rights for disabled people which are enforced through Employment Tribunals. We have already demonstrated our commitment to comprehensive enforceable civil rights for disabled people through a reduction in the threshold for employment rights to 15 bringing in an extra 70,000 disabled employees within the scope of the DDA; and by introducing the Bill to establish a Disability Rights Commission. The Disability Rights Task Force will be reporting on what further is needed to strengthen employment rights.

  Equally, many disabled people are benefiting from the New Deals introduced in the last two years. The New Deal for Disabled People is testing a range of initiatives, to help disabled people and those with long-term illness into work at a cost of £195 million. We have also expanded the specialist disability employment programmes run by the Employment Service. These include help from Disability Employment Advisers, the Supported Employment Programme, Access to Work and the Job Introduction Scheme.

  Remploy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what consultations he had with trades unions in the preparation of the Remploy Corporate Plan; [87491]

  (2) what plans he has to review Remploy's Corporate Plan in respect of its potential effect on the skill levels of Remploy employment; [87492]

  (3) what guidelines exist to promote the replacement of employees of Remploy with other disabled persons. [87501]

  Ms Hodge
  There have been no discussions between the Remploy Trade Unions, which represent the weekly paid employees, and the Remploy Management in preparing the Remploy 1999–02 Corporate Plan. I understand that the Remploy Trade Unions were invited by the Remploy Board of Directors to a meeting to discuss the Plan in April this year. The Remploy Trade Union, MSF, which represents the majority of the monthly paid employees, was the sole union to attend the meeting. The Remploy Board have made clear that they would welcome discussions with the Trades Unions before, and during, the development of the next Corporate Plan.
  470
  As the Corporate Plan 1999–02 has just been published, there are no plans to review it. I understand that Remploy are not expecting deskilling of employees as a result of planned changes. Remploy has necessarily had a long experience of retraining its disabled employees to adapt to changes in the labour market and increased competition from other countries. By taking the initiative in this way, Remploy continues to best protect the interests of its disabled workforce.

  The Government have set the Remploy Board of Directors a range of annual performance targets that are the parameters within which Remploy operates. The targets for 1999 have been announced recently in the House, and include a target to increase the number of disabled people employed by the Company. This year's target is to employ an overall total of 10,150 disabled people. How this will be achieved is a matter for the Remploy Board, but the chief means of doing this will be by recruitment through Remploy's interwork programme.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Further Education Lecturers
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the changes made in Northern Ireland further education lecturers' conditions of service between 1993 and 1998. [87784]

  Mr. McFall
  In 1996 a revised contract for full-time FE lecturers was introduced. The working year was increased from 190 to 200 days and the number of vacation days reduced to 49 days plus public holidays. The working week was increased from 30 hours to 36 hours and the maximum number of student contact hours within the working week was increased from 21 to 23 hours. A copy of the contract will be placed in the Library.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if it is her policy that Sinn Fein should be allowed to hold an executive position in the Assembly before the IRA has started decommissioning weapons. [87901]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government's policy is to implement the Belfast Agreement in full. The Agreement requires the establishment of an Executive Committee on a proportionate basis dependent on the number of seats each party has in the Assembly. The Agreement also commits all parties to the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations and to use whatever influence they may have to achieve decommissioning of all paramilitary arms within two years of the referendum and in the context of the implementation of the overall settlement. Decommissioning, though not a prior precondition to the establishment of the Executive, is a requirement of the Agreement. In order to achieve the successful implementation of the Agreement, everyone must be confident that all aspects will be implemented.

  Criminal Justice(Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals have been(a) arrested and (b) charged with offences under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998. [87890]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]To date no one has been arrested or charged under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Fuel Tax Escalator
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the fuel tax escalator on car users in rural areas. [87865]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department always keeps under review policies that impact significantly on the areas of transport, environment and other policy areas for which it is responsible, including on any specific sectors, and continues to monitor the impact of the fuel duty escalator. We are, of course, concerned to ensure that a balance is struck between legitimate environmental concerns and the transport needs of rural motorists. Increasing fuel taxation by itself will not be sufficient to achieve all our environmental objectives. People ultimately need real alternatives to the car, and this is one of the reasons behind our development of an integrated transport policy —the framework for which we published in July 1998 in our White Paper on the future of transport,A New Deal for Transport. We are also seeking to improve transport choice through the £170 million of additional funding which we have made available for public transport in rural areas.

  Car Safety Equipment
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce measures to make the carrying of a warning triangle, first aid kit and spare set of vehicle bulbs, compulsory for all car owners; and if he will make a statement. [87873]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The carriage of warning triangles and first aid kits is already recommended in the Highway Code. However, as it would be dangerous to walk on some roads to place a warning triangle the recommended distance behind the vehicle, the Highway Code advised that they should never be used on motorways.

  Most fuel stations carry replacement bulbs and in many cases the motoring rescue and recovery organisations would be able to supply and fit replacements when necessary.

  We therefore have no plans to require the carriage of warning triangles, first aid kits or spare bulbs in cars.

  Pollution (Older Vehicles)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on pollution caused by older cars, lorries and buses. [87898]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Research into the emission performance of older vehicles is regularly undertaken by my Department, to inform the National Atmospheric Emission Inventory and other air quality models. This involves the comprehensive testing of in-use vehicles of different ages, under different driving conditions. The Cleaner Vehicles Task Force has also been looking at the contribution of older vehicles to traffic pollution, in order to identify the most cost-effective options for reducing emissions from vehicles already in use.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to support the development of new technologies which can be fitted to older vehicles to reduce their emissions; and if he will make a statement. [87899]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are pleased to support the use of technologies to reduce the environmental impact of older vehicles. We provide a VED incentive of up to £1,000 to hauliers and bus operators whose vehicles meet high environmental standards. These standards can be reached through conversion to run on alternative fuels, or the fitment of technologies like particulate traps. Through the Foresight Vehicle LINK programme, the Government are providing £12 million to support the development of a wide range of automotive related technologies. These include exhaust after-treatment systems which can be retrofitted to existing vehicles, as well as hybrid drive systems and lightweight materials for use in the next generation of vehicles. The Cleaner Vehicles Task Force has also been looking at what the most cost-effective solutions for reducing emissions from vehicles in use are.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 28 April to the Minister of State on behalf of a constituent, Mrs. Bamsley; [88408]

  (2) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 28 April to the Minister of State on behalf of a constituent, Mrs. Boyall. [88410]

  Mr. Meacher
  I wrote to the right hon. Gentleman on 22 June about his constituent's concerns regarding urban trees.

  District Line Closure
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies are in progress into the feasibility of the proposed closure next year of the London Underground District Line between Earl's Court and High Street Kensington. [88428]
  473
  Mrs. Liddell
  London Underground are building on the lessons learned from the review of this month's Circle Line closure into the planning process for next year's District Line closure between Earl's Court and High Street Kensington.

  So far, two options have been modelled and additional modelling is being commissioned by London Underground to forecast the impacts on passenger flows across the whole Underground network.

  Recycled Newsprint
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Recycled Content of Newsprint Bill. [87798]

  Mr. Meale
  One of the aims of this Bill is to increase the amount of recycled newsprint used in newspapers and magazines. We support that aim. We are giving serious consideration to what measures will need to be taken to achieve this, including an assessment of the impact and practicalities of a statutory scheme such as the one my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) has proposed.

  We have not ruled out the possibility of introducing legislation ourselves, perhaps under existing powers.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Serbia
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how her Department will differentiate between humanitarian aid and aid for reconstruction in relation to Serbia. [88117]

  Clare Short
  Humanitarian assistance is clearly different from reconstruction and development assistance throughout the international system. We have no plans to support reconstruction as long as Milosevic is in power. We believe this approach is widely shared by our partners and allies.

  Montenegro
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what help her Department is planning for Montenegro. [88116]

  Clare Short
  [holding answer 24 June 1999]We have allocated £90 million for humanitarian assistance in the region, including Montenegro. We shall continue to provide humanitarian assistance there whilst refugees remain and needs exist.

  Before the crises we were providing advice on the Government's programme of privatisation. We will review our support in the context of political developments in the region and the plans of the international community.

  We are also providing support through the EU, which has donated 13 million euro for refugee-related budgetary assistance to the Government of Montenegro.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Stop and Search
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 June 1999,Official Report, column 264, on stop and search, if he will list the figures for stop and search nationally. [88228]

  Mr. Boateng
  Statistics on stop and search are collected centrally only on a quarterly basis. Figures are not yet complete for the period January to March 1999.

  Statistical bulletin "Operation of Certain Police Powers under PACE, England and Wales, 1997–98" (Issue 2/99) contained stop/search figures on an annual basis. A copy is in the Library.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions against persons taking drugs into prisons have taken place in each of the last five years; how many resulted in conviction; and of those, how many resulted in a custodial sentence. [88231]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Home Office Court Proceedings Database identifies prosecutions, convictions and type of sentence given for offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, as amended. But it does not identify the location of the offence.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 27 April, regarding a constituent. [88230]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I replied to my hon. Friend on 24 June 1999.

  Parcelforce
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what data he has collated on the extent of the cross-subsidy of Parcelforce by Royal Mail in the financial years from 1994 to 1998. [85734]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The losses incurred by Parcelforce in recent years have been covered by loans from the Group Centre.

  Sub-Post Offices
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices in Scotland have closed(a) in total and (b) on a temporary basis since 1997; and how many have subsequently been reopened. [87902]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I understand from the Post Office that, since 1997, two sub-post offices in Scotland have closed permanently, 77 have closed temporarily, 39 have reopened and three new offices have been opened.

  Post Office Pension Scheme
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what actuarial advice was received on the employee contribution rate to the Post Office Pension Scheme; and if his approval was sought for the rate chosen; [85736]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Post Office about the future of the Post Office Pension Scheme and Post Office Staff Superannuation Scheme. [85735]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  None. Issues concerning the Post Office pension funds are primarily a matter for Post Office management and the trustees of the funds who include representatives of the workforce.

DEFENCE

  Peacekeeping
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Government intend to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the UN in relation to peacekeeping operations. [88805]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Memorandum of Understanding with the UN will be signed in New York today. Our Ambassador to the UN and the UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping will sign on behalf of the Government and the UN respectively. The MOU, which declares the UK forces potentially available for UN peacekeeping operations, reflects the priorities established in the Strategic Defence Review for improvements in our Armed Forces: a larger and better rapid reaction capability; additional strategic lift; and better logistics support. These capabilities are those most relevant to the UN and will enable the UK to make a more effective contribution to UN peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in future.

  Submarine Spent Fuel Cores
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the contract for the new Used Core Transport Package for transporting submarine spent fuel cores was awarded; and what was the cost. [87705]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 22 June I999]I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 31 July 1998,Official Report, column 714.

TREASURY

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter of 6 May from the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire on behalf of Mr. Lee, a constituent. [88407]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I have now responded.

SCOTLAND

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current Government policy in relation to the sale of land by the Forestry Commission; and if he will make a statement. [87443]

  Mr. Macdonald
  We have stopped large scale sales of forest land by the Forestry Commission. Our policy is that the Commission may only sell agricultural land, land associated with houses and other buildings, unplantable land and relatively small and isolated blocks of forest land which do not make a significant contribution to its objectives and which are surplus to its requirements. The Commission may also sell areas for development where this is in the public interest. Areas of forest land which are important for public access will not be sold unless an access agreement is in place.

  Abattoirs
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the review of the costs of abattoirs and producers to be completed. [87690]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The review was established earlier this year, in response to widespread concerns, to assess the impact of meat inspection costs on abattoirs and producers and to look at the efficiency of the Meat Hygiene Service. The work is currently underway, the Government hope to complete the review quickly and will announce its conclusions in due course.

HEALTH

  Cancer Services
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the Commission for Health Improvement will review and report progress made by the NHS across the country in cancer services; [87367]

  (2) when he will publish new standards for the treatment of certain cancers; [87369]

  (3) When he plans to set up a cancer action team to improve cancer care in hospitals; [87364]

  (4) when he will set up the NHS on-line guide to cancer symptoms and advice. [87370]

  Mr. Hutton
  On 20 May at a seminar attended by Health Ministers and leading cancer clinicians, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a plan of action to tackle cancer and save lives. This included the establishment of a Cancer Action Team to work with the National Health Service in raising standards of cancer treatment and care in all hospitals to that which is already being achieved in the best. A Director for the Cancer Action Team has now been appointed and will take up the post in July.

  The Commission for Health Improvement, working with the Audit Commission, will look at cancer as an early priority. Although the establishment of the Commission depends on legislation currently awaiting

  477
  Royal Assent, the intention is that the Commission be established later this year and make a start on its first full year programme of work from April 2000.

  In response to concerns expressed about the different regional approaches used in the implementation of Calman/Hine, we are developing a set of common national standards and performance measures. We plan to test them this year and roll out nationally next year.

  The Government fully support the need for patients to have clear information about cancer services. NHS Direct on-line will be launched in November this year. It will include a range of information about diseases and their treatment including access to good quality accredited information about cancers.

  Adoption
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of Hampshire Social Services record in respect of the processing of applications from aspiring adoptive parents relative to that of other social services departments. [87846]

  Mr. Hutton
  A survey will begin in July, to be carried out by the Social Services Inspectorate, of adoption services provided by each local authority in England. This is part of a planned assessment of progress made by local authority in implementing guidance we issued last August under circular Local Authority Circular (98) 20: "Adoption—Achieving the Right Balance". The survey will be followed later on in the year by a more detailed questionnaire and an inspection of a number of authorities. The results will be published in 2000.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he proposes to take to accelerate social services departments' processing of applications from parents to adopt. [87847]

  Mr. Hutton
  I announced to the House on 16 June 1999,Official Report, columns 353–54, our intention to give responsibility for the regulation and inspection of adoption agencies to the commissions for care standards which are to be established as part of the Government's proposals for improving social services, and which were envisaged in the White Paper "Modernising Social Services". These inspections will cover all aspects of the adoption service including the process for handling adoption applications.

  Medicines (Advertising)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the circumstances under which(a) a notice, (b) a threat of notice and (c) a request to cease advertising would be made by (i) him and (ii) the Medicines Control Agency under the Medicines (Advertising and Monitoring of Advertising) Amendment Regulations 1999 (SI 267); and if he will make a statement on the powers of the Independent Review Panel concerning such actions. [88003]
  478
  Ms Jowell
  The Medicines Control Agency undertakes its statutory role in the control of medicines advertising on behalf of Health Ministers. Any notice issued by the Agency is therefore issued for, and on behalf of Ministers.

  There are specific circumstances under which notices may be issued to advertisers under the procedures in the amending Regulations. These are:
  Under paragraph 1—to request a copy of an advertisement,
  Under paragraph 3—to advise an advertiser that Health Ministers are "minded to" make a decision that an advertisement is in breach of the Advertising Regulations,
  Under paragraph 4—to advise an advertiser that an advertisement would not be in breach, and
  Under paragraph 5—to advise an advertiser that, after consideration of the advice of the Independent Review Panel Health Ministers have decided an advertisement is in breach.

  Notices under paragraphs 1 or 3 may require an advertiser to cease advertising on an interim basis. At any stage the recipient of a notice can seek judicial review of the decision to issue that notice.

  The issue of notices under the Schedule will not be automatic—the Medicines Control Agency will continue, as now, to discuss problems with advertising with the company concerned so as to secure acceptable changes. The formal procedures will come into play only when informal negotiation fails to reach an appropriate outcome.

  The remit of the Independent Review Panel will be to consider written representations from advertisers who have been issued with a notice under paragraph 3 and advise Health Ministers on the compatibility of the advertisement in question with the Advertising Regulations. The panel will not consider the issue of notices or other procedural matters. The amending Regulations provide for the making of written representations by the company concerned but do not preclude oral hearings where these are considered appropriate by the Panel. We have no objection to the reports of the Review Panel meetings being made publicly available. Furthermore, the Medicines Control Agency has already established a working group, the Medicines Advertising Liaison Group, to provide a forum for all regulatory and self regulatory bodies concerned with the advertising of medicines to exchange information and opinions on advertising issues.

PRIME MINISTER

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the travel expenses of the special advisers to his Department's Ministers since May 1997. [86454]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Tyrie) on 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 1. I also refer the hon. Member to the further answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chichester today, Official Report, columns 482–83.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the current paid special advisers to Ministers and the Ministers whom they advise. [87409]
  479
  The Prime Minister
  For details of the Special Advisers employed in my office, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wantage (Mr. Jackson) on 8 December 1998,Official Report,

  Appointing Minister

  Name of appointee

  Chief Whip

  Ian McKenzie

  Sue Jackson

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Tom Greatrex

  Kieran Simpson

  Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

  John Newbiggin

  Andy Burnham

  Secretary of State for Defence

  Bernard Gray

  Alasdair McGowan

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  Conor Ryan

  Tom Engel—part time

  Sophie Linden—part time

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Joe Irvin

  Paul Hackett—part time

  Joan Hammell

  Darren Murphy—part time

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  David Clark

  Andrew Hood

  Secretary of State for Health

  Joe McCrea

  Simon Stevens

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Ed Owen

  Justin Russell

  Lord Chancellor

  Garry Hart

  Secretary of State for International Development

  David Mepham

  Dee Sullivan

  Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women

  Clare Cozens

  Jo Gibbons

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Nigel Warner

  Andrew Lappin

  Minister for the Cabinet Office

  Tim Walker

  Anna Healy

  President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

  Sheila Watson

  Nicci Russell

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Richard Olszewski

  Secretary of State for Social Security

  Andrew Maugham

  Elsbeth Johnson

  Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  Dan Corry

  Jo Moore

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Ed Balls

  Ian Austin

  Chief Secretary

  Ed Millband

  Spencer Livermore

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Julia Crowley

  Andrew Bold

  In addition, the Minister for the Cabinet Office has appointed Mr. Keith Hellawell as the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator and Mr. Michael Trace as his Deputy. Professor Michael Barber has been appointed as the Standards and Effectiveness Adviser to the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has appointed Mr. Chris Wales, Mr. Paul Gregg and Ms Shriti Vadera as members of the Council of Economic Advisers. All are employed on Special Adviser terms.

  Policy Unit (US Visits)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions members of his Policy Unit have 480
  column 143. Since then, I have appointed Bill Bush. At 21 June, my ministerial colleagues had appointed the following Special Advisers.

  visited the United States of America on official business since 1 January 1998, indicating the name of the member and the dates of travel in each case. [87433]

  The Prime Minister
  Members of my Policy Unit have accompanied me or other Ministers on visits to the United States of America on 4 occasions since 1 January 1998. Separately, individual members of the Policy Unit have travelled to the United States of America to attend official engagements on three occasions since 1 January 1998 (6–9 December 1998, 29–31 January and 21–28 March 1999). All visits have been undertaken in line with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what action Her Majesty's Government plan to take to publicise throughout Europe the war crimes committed in Kosovo; [87308]

  (2) if he will consult with the other allied political leaders on the preparation of a joint White Paper to be issued on the war crimes in Kosovo and placing of such a paper to be placed before the parliaments of all the countries that took part in the allied campaign. [87311]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 17 June 1999]We are appalled at the evidence which has emerged and continues to emerge day by day of the atrocities committed in Kosovo. We always warned at what we would find inside Kosovo. Now cameras can enter Kosovo, the full horror of Milosevic's ethnic cleansing is clear to everyone.

  We are doing all we can to support the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia with their investigations into the atrocities. We are doing all we can to support the work of the Tribunal, in particular we are seconding a police team to investigate scenes of crimes. The first priority must be for the Tribunal to gather the information which would be needed to sustain any prosecutions.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other NATO Governments are taking to assist gypsies (i) suspected of having been informers for the Yugoslav authorities and (ii) who have moved out of Kosovo into other parts of Yugoslavia. [88078]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 June 1999]KFOR is tasked to provide robust and even-handed protection for all the people of Kosovo, regardless of their ethnic, religious or cultural background. It is the responsibility of the host Governments to provide security for those who have fled Kosovo. UNHCR is trying to help with security arrangements in refugee camps and we support those efforts.

  Under UN Security Council Resolution 1244, a main responsibility of the UN civilian mission in Kosovo is to protect and promote the human rights of all the inhabitants of Kosovo.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 21 June 1999, on Kosovo, with reference to the question from the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn),Official Report, column 772, if he will list the claims of environmental damage in Yugoslavia which had been exaggerated. [88077]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 June 1999]Mr. Klaus Toepfer, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said, when he met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 15 June, that the claims about the extent of the pollution of the Danube and the impact of the use of depleted uranium weaponry had been exaggerated.

  We believe that objective information is needed to combat rumours about the environmental impact of the conflict. We welcome the joint task force set up by UNEP
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  and the UN Commission on Human Settlements to assess the environmental and health effects of the conflict. We remain, as ever, ready to co-operate with the task force.

  Separately, the EU commissioned a report from the Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe. The Centre's preliminary assessment was that there was no evidence of a large-scale ecological catastrophe in the region, although some local environmental damage may have occurred.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the agreement on the demilitarisation of the KLA made between its leadership and Lieutenant General Sir Michael Jackson. [88421]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 23 June 1999,Official Report, column 396, to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow).

  Wal-Mart
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister what meetings he has had with Wal-Mart; and what subjects were discussed. [88120]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer) on 6 May 1999,Official Report, columns 451–52.

  Armed Forces Pay Review Body
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about appointments to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. [89005]

  The Prime Minister
  I am pleased to announce that I have today appointed Mr. John Davies and Mr. Michael Ward as new members of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body and re-appointed Mrs. Kay Coleman, OBE, for a second three year term. These are the first appointments to this Pay Review Body conducted under the Peach Code of Practice on appointments to public bodies. I should also like to inform the House that Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde has assumed the Chairmanship of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, having previously served as a member.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 1, how many overseas visits he made between 1 May 1997 and 3 March 1999; what was the average cost per head for each accompanying official; and if he will list the number of occasions on which his chief press secretary and chief of staff travelled abroad without the Prime Minister in the same period, giving the costs of each visit. [81142]

  The Prime Minister
  For details of visits made by me overseas costing more than £500 during the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry) on 17 June 1999,Official Report, columns 196–97. This information includes numbers of officials accompanying me and the total cost. During this period, my Chief of Staff travelled

  483
  overseas without me on four occasions at an average cost of £375 per visit; my Chief Press Secretary made no such visits.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates special advisers from his Department travelled abroad on official business since 2 May 1997; which countries were visited; and what were the names of the special advisers in each case. [87400]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Special Advisers in my Department have visited the following countries on official business since 2 May 1997:

  Andrew Hood

  Date

  Country visited

  18–20 May 1997

  USA

  20–23 June 1997

  USA

  25 June 1997

  France

  27 June-1 July 1997

  Hong Kong

  28 July-3 August 1997

  Egypt

  Occupied Territories

  Israel

  21–25 September 1997

  USA

  20 November 1997

  Luxembourg

  Switzerland

  13–16 January 1998

  Israel

  10–13 February 1998

  Oman

  UAE

  Egypt

  15–18 March 1998

  Cyprus

  Egypt

  Jordan

  Israel

  Syria

  Lebanon

  5–9 December 1998

  Israel

  14–18 December 1998

  France

  Belgium

  Germany

  5–7 March 1999

  France

  8–11 March 1999

  Nigeria

  Ghana

  Cote d'lvoire

  David Clark

  Date

  Country visited

  1 May 1997

  France

  Germany

  19–20 May 1997

  Netherlands

  5–6 June 1997

  Sweden

  16–17 June 1997

  Netherlands

  25 June 1997

  France

  7–9 July 1997

  Spain

  28–30 July 1997

  Croatia

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  7–8 October 1997

  Gibraltar

  20 November 1997

  Luxembourg

  25–28 November 1997

  Hungary

  Czech Republic

  Poland

  14 January 1998

  France

  18–19 May 1998

  Turkey

  10–11 December 1998

  Austria

  19–24 April 1999

  USA

  Cambodia
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the recommendations of the UN Group of Experts on Cambodia for the establishment of an ad hoc international tribunal outside Cambodia to try senior Khmer Rouge leaders are implemented; and if he will make a statement. [88189]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government strongly support efforts to bring the Khmer Rouge leaders to justice and therefore welcomed the report by the UN Group of Experts earlier this year. We have made clear to the Cambodian Government our support for an international tribunal, and have encouraged them to co-operate with the international community on this issue.

  EU General Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the General Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 21 and 22 June; and if he will make a statement. [88334]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I attended the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 21 June 1999. Accession Conferences with the six applicants engaged in negotiations took place on 21 and 22 June. An EU/South Caucasus Summit took place on 22 June. The Council adopted the A points listed in document 9362/99 and 9367/99. Copies of the documents listing the A points will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.

  Comitology The GAC gave political agreement to a Decision on Comitology. This sets out procedures for overseeing implementation by the Commission of legislation delegated to it by the Council and European Parliament.

  Modern Means of Communication The GAC discussed proposals to test a multilateral video-conferencing system and to establish a secure phone/fax network between Foreign Ministers' offices. It was agreed that work should begin on both proposals.

  Association Agreement with Egypt After four and a half years of negotiations, the Council agreed the terms of an Association Agreement with Egypt. The Presidency and Egypt will now initial the final text and the Commission put a formal proposal to the Council.

  EU/Mercosur and EU/Chile Trade Negotiations The Council reached agreement on how to take forward trade liberalisation negotiations with Mercosur and Chile. The agreement provides for talks to start this year on regulatory issues and on the removal of non-tariff barriers to trade, as well as for co-operation before and during the forthcoming WTO Round of multilateral trade negotiations. Negotiations on tariff issues will begin not later than 1 July 2001, with their outcome taking into account the results of the multilateral trade negotiations.

  Western Balkans The Council welcomed the adoption of UNSCR 1244 and urged all parties to co-operate in implementing it. It called on all Kosovo residents to remain in Kosovo and work for a democratic, multi-ethnic Kosovo. It welcomed the agreement on Russian participation in KFOR. It emphasised that the EU would participate fully in the UN mission in Kosovo. It invited
  485
  the Commission to report further on the region's humanitarian and reconstruction needs. It condemned the mass killings in Kosovo and emphasised that EU member states would co-operate fully with ICTY.

  The Council agreed that the EU would create a new category of Stabilisation and Association Agreements for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Macedonia. Countries would be eligible once they met the relevant conditions. The Council reviewed performance of individual countries and agreed on next steps, including preparation of a feasibility study on opening negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Albania, and examination of the feasibility study on an Agreement with Macedonia and of the proposals for upgrading the trade regime with Albania.

  Reports on Summits with Third Countries The Presidency and Commission reported on the recent Summit meetings with the US, Canada and Japan.

  Black Sea Economic Forum The Council discussed a proposal for strengthening relations between the EU and the Black Sea Economic Forum.

  Enlargement The third round of Ministerial Accession Conferences took place after the GAC and noted progress made in negotiations during the German Presidency. Of the 31 chapters in the acquis, all of the candidates have opened 15 and closed between six and 10. The Conferences looked forward to further progress during the Finnish Presidency.

  EU/Switzerland After several years of negotiation, seven bilateral agreements between the EU and Switzerland were signed in the margins of the GAC. The agreements cover Free Movement of Persons, Air Transport, Land Transport, Agriculture, Mutual Recognition of Standards, Public Procurement and Science and Technology.

  EU/South Caucasus A Summit was held with the Presidents of Armenia and Georgia and the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan on 22 June to mark the entry into force on 1 July of Partnership and Co-operation Agreements with all three countries. A joint declaration issued at the meeting stressed the political and economic importance the EU attaches to the South Caucasus and looked forward to a closer partnership.

  EU Latin America/Caribbean Summit
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the agenda for the EU-Latin America/Caribbean summit of 25 to 29 June prior to the meeting. [88332]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The EU/Latin America/Caribbean Summit will take place in Rio de Janeiro on 28 and 29 June. It will be preceded by meetings of Foreign Ministers and officials on 25 to 27 June. The agenda for the Summit will be as follows:28 June 1999
  Working Session I—Political Dialogue

  A) Democracy, pluralism and good governance, human rights, regional integration processes, co-operation in international fora, including the reform of the UN system.

  B) The rule of law, combat against terrorism, combat against organised crime and the drug problem.

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  C) Sustainable development in all its aspects, combat against poverty, protection of the environment and social equity.

  29 June 1999 Working Session 2 —Economic and Trade Themes

  A) The international financial situation: evaluation and prospects (the new "architecture"); consequences of introduction of the Euro.

  B) The importance of trade negotiations and liberalisation: multilateral and bilateral.

  C) The challenge and opportunities of globalisation and development.

  Working Session 3—Education, Culture and Human Dimension

  A) Education (including co-operation on basic formation, vocational training and among higher education institutions), Science and Technology.

  B) Cultural dimension, media and cultural management; preservation of cultural heritage and diversity.

  C) The human dimension: women's participation in all spheres; protection of children; the role of civil society in interregional relations.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Beef (Intervention Stores)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tonnes of beef have been released from intervention stores in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland on to the United Kingdom beef market in each of the last 12 months. [87185]

  Mr. Rooker
  The tonnage of intervention beef released from UK intervention stores during the period 1 June 1998 to 31 May 1999 is as follows:

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Total

  1998

  June

  789

  121

  0

  200

  1,110

  July

  954

  242

  6

  558

  1,760

  August

  418

  40

  0

  950

  1,408

  September

  1,329

  176

  0

  1,111

  2,616

  October

  1,560

  117

  0

  882

  2,559

  November

  1,250

  28

  0

  1,126

  2,404

  December

  1,665

  78

  0

  838

  2,581

  1999

  January

  1,769

  82

  0

  509

  2,360

  February

  1,705

  38

  5

  1,856

  3,604

  March

  2,470

  442

  4

  3,898

  6,814

  April

  1,749

  350

  4

  2,208

  4,311

  May

  2,324

  359

  1

  4,508

  7,192

  Total

  17,982

  2,073

  20

  18,644

  38,719

  Thailand
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 11 May 1999,Official Report, column 129, on Thailand, if he will publish the findings of his Department's inspectors who visited Thailand to inspect the welfare and hygiene standards relating to locally raised poultry. [87408]
  487
  Mr. Rooker
  A report of the inspection visit can be found on the Ministry's internet site, the address of which is http://www.maff.gov.uk. The full document is also available to all Members in the Library of the House.

  Linseed Fibre Flax
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the tonnage of linseed fibre flax produced in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years; and what was the total financial subsidy paid on this crop in each of those years. [87651]

  Mr. Rooker
  Payments made under the EU fibre flax scheme are based on the area of flax grown. The area of fibre flax grown in the United Kingdom in 1996, 1997 and 1998 was 20,200 hectares, 19,200 hectares and 16,800 hectares respectively. Based on the average yields achieved in those three years the tonnage of fibre flax produced would have been in the region of 27,000 tonnes in 1996, 16,000 tonnes in 1997 and 25,000 tonnes in 1998.

  The total amount of subsidy paid out under the EU fibre flax scheme in the United Kingdom in 1996, 1997 and 1998 amounted to some £11.6 million, £12.5 million and £10.7 million respectively.

  Sheep
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that sheep grazing on upland areas affected by radiocaesium contamination do not enter the food chain. [87860]

  Mr. Rooker
  Affected areas are subject to orders made under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 which restrict the sale, movement and slaughter of sheep. Sheep to be moved off restricted farms must be monitored, and if found to be over the action level of 1000 becquerels per kilogram (Bq/kg) of caesium, are marked as ineligible for slaughter. Marked sheep can be moved to clean grazing and released for slaughter three months later when the radiocaesium has decayed to safe levels. Random check monitoring of sheep carcases at 488
  slaughterhouses serving the restricted areas has confirmed that no animals over the action level are getting into the food chain. The highest radiocaesium level ever found in a carcase was 533 Bq/kg (in 1991).

WALES

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many households in Wales would meet the eligibility criteria for the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme if it were to be applied in Wales. [88153]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  There is no information readily available on the number of households in Wales who would meet the eligibility criteria for the new HEES scheme if it were to be applied in Wales.

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly. Consultation proposals for the new HEES in Wales will be published on Monday 28 June 1999.

  Local Authority Debt
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the debt inherited by each unitary authority in Wales from the predecessor authorities; and what estimate he has made of each authority's exposure to future financial liabilities from those authorities. [88400]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Information on the outstanding loan debt of county and county borough councils at 1 April 1996 is set out in paragraph 6 of the notes to Table 1.2 of the Local Government Finance Report (Wales) 1997 –98, which was approved by the House in February 1997.

  I have made no estimate of any financial liabilities that councils inherited from their predecessor authorities because information on such liabilities is not held centrally.

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

  General Pinochet: Leak Inquiry
  General Pinochet: Leak Inquiry
  Sevso Case: Decision not to Prosecute
  Sevso Case: Decision not to Prosecute
  Action against the Bank of England Lord Spens
  Action against the Bank of England Lord Spens
  Leave to Appeal to the House of Lords
  Leave to Appeal to the House of Lords
  Determination of Appeals to the House of Lords
  Determination of Appeals to the House of Lords
  Metropolitan Police District: Speed Cameras
  Metropolitan Police District: Speed Cameras
  Metropolitan Police District: Fatal Road Accidents
  Metropolitan Police District: Fatal Road Accidents
  Metropolitan Police District: Cost Benefit Analysis of Speed Cameras
  Metropolitan Police District: Cost Benefit Analysis of Speed Cameras
  Persons Convicted of Homicide Re-offending
  Persons Convicted of Homicide Re-offending
  NHS Procurement
  NHS Procurement
  Environmental Impact Assessments
  Environmental Impact Assessments
  Privatised London Bus Companies Passenger Communications
  Privatised London Bus Companies Passenger Communications
  Estonia: Visit by Glenda Jackson MP
  Estonia: Visit by Glenda Jackson MP
  Slaughterhouses
  Slaughterhouses
  Official Veterinary Surgeons: Qualifications
  Official Veterinary Surgeons: Qualifications
  Meat Hygiene Service: Performance Audit
  Meat Hygiene Service: Performance Audit
  Meat Hygiene Service: Operations Manual
  Meat Hygiene Service: Operations Manual
  Lindane
  Lindane
  Poultry Meat Directive
  Poultry Meat Directive