Written Answers of 1 March 1999

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Drugs Companies
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will refer to the Serious Fraud Office recent allegations that irregular and unauthorised payments have been made by a drugs company(a) to avoid tax and (b) to encourage doctors to prescribe certain drugs; and if he will make a statement. [73527]

  The Attorney-General
  Section 1(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 empowers the Director of the Serious Fraud Office to investigate any suspected offence which appears to her on reasonable grounds to involve serious or complex fraud. If my hon. Friend has relevant evidence or information, he should make it available to the Director of the Serious Fraud Office.

WALES

  Unemployment Statistics
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his current estimate is of the number of households of working age in which there is no-one in work for each local authority area in Wales. [72641]

  Mr. Hain
  According to the Spring 1998 Labour Force Survey household dataset, there were an estimated 195,000 working-age households in Wales with no-one in employment; a breakdown by local authority area is not available due to the sample size.

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

  Primary Class Sizes
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of ordinary classes in primary schools contained more than 30 pupils in January 1998. [73110]

  Mr. Hain
  In January 1998, 28 per cent. (2,735) of ordinary classes in primary schools had more than 30 pupils.

  On the basis of grant approvals for local authorities to employ additional teachers from September 1998 to reduce infant class sizes, it is estimated that there are 722 fewer infant classes with over 30 pupils than would have been the case without grant. The additional £50m provided for schools in the local government revenue settlement for 1998–99 will also have had an impact. The results of the January 1999 schools' census will give the actual position.

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

  Brit Awards
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those Ministers in his Department who were present at the recent Brit awards in an official capacity; and who or what organisation was acting as their sponsor or host. [73348]

  Mr. Michael
  The Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), was at the awards as the guest of BPI (the British Phonographic Industry Ltd.).

  National Assembly
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he or his predecessors have signed an agreement to lease land adjacent to Crickhowell House in Cardiff for use as a site for the National Assembly Building. [73620]

  Mr. Michael
  A lease has been signed for a parcel of land of approximately one acre which comprises one half of plot 1E adjacent to Crickhowell House for a term of 150 years from 29 September 1998.

  Rural Development Grants
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much matching funding has been given for European rural development grants in Wales in the current financial year; how many projects are awaiting match funding and what would be the total requirement of matching funds to enable them to progress; and what funding has been agreed for such match funding for 1999–2000. [72824]

  Mr. Hain
  In the current financial year Rural Development Grant of £809,000 has been committed to support European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) Objective 5b awards.

  There are currently 35 projects under consideration arising from successful EAGGF Objective 5b bids under Rounds 7 and 8. These represent a total bid of some £3.8m over the financial years 1998–99 to 2001–2002.

  The Secretary of State will be making decisions shortly about further funding for the scheme based on the merits of individual projects and our priorities for securing the long-term future of the agriculture and food industries.

  Supermarkets (Regional Selective Assistance)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has paid in regional selective assistance for supermarket developments in Wales in each of the past three years. [73566]

  Mr. Hain
  Retail developments of this type are not eligible for regional selective assistance.

TREASURY

  Tax Burdens (Businesses)
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received regarding the tax burden on business. [72341]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have received a number of representations on this issue.

  Taxation (Charities)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the ending of ACT recovery on the finances of charities; and if he will make a statement. [72773]

  Ms Hewitt
  The withdrawal of payable tax credits will be completed from 6 April 1999. We recognise the special position of charities and provided generous compensation for them through public expenditure, for the withdrawal of their payable tax credits. This compensation takes the form of a payment to a charity of a percentage of the dividends it receives, and will apply for five years from 6 April 1999 on a tapering basis, giving charities an opportunity to adjust to the withdrawal of payable tax credits.

  Sierra Leone (Weapon Supplies)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action Customs and Excise is taking to investigate allegations that Sky Air Cargo of London and Occidental Airlines have been supplying weapons to rebels in Sierra Leone. [73266]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The investigation of alleged breaches of United Kingdom legislation implementing arms embargoes is a matter for the Commissioners of HM Customs and Excise. It is not the Commissioners' general practice to comment publicly about the existence or nature of such investigations.

  Fatal Illnesses
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the 20 most prevalent fatal illnesses in terms of annual death rates. [72713]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Maclean, dated 1 March 1999:
  To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the 20 most prevalent fatal illnesses in terms of annual death rates.
  The information requested is given in the attached table.
  The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) breaks down causes of death, disease and injury into 17 Chapters. It assigns different code numbers to different causes, thus providing a language-independent method of coding causes of death, injury and disease. Since many diseases have alternative names, the ICD system groups all synonymous terms for a particular condition under the one ICD code number assigned to the condition.
  We have avoided including in the ranking the ICD Chapter heading or diseases that cover too broad a range of codes e.g. malignant neoplasms (cancers) coded 140–208 are the most common cause of death, accounting for approximately 1 in 4 deaths in 1997. Rather than present this as a single cause we have broken it down into significant identifiable illnesses.
  The table presents diseases defined by either a group of codes or an individual code, depending on the disease e.g. ischaemic heart disease is coded 410–414, but female breast cancer is coded 174.
  502

  Crude death rates1 for the twenty most common causes of death in England and Wales, 1997

  Rank

  Cause of death (ICD9 codes3)

  Rate per 100,000

  All causes2

  1,064

  1

  Ischaemic heart disease (410–414)

  234

  2

  Cerebrovascular disease (430–438)

  111

  3

  Pneumonia (480–486)

  109

  4

  Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus, and lung (162)

  57

  5

  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (490–496)

  52

  6

  Malignant neoplasm of female breast (174)

  445

  7

  Malignant neoplasm of prostate (185)

  533

  8

  Malignant neoplasm of colon (153)

  20

  9

  Malignant neoplasm of lymphatic and haematopoietic tissue (200–208)

  19

  10

  Malignant neoplasm of ovary (183)

  415

  11

  Senile and presenile organic psychotic conditions (290)

  13

  12

  Malignant neoplasm of stomach (151)

  13

  13

  Diabetes mellitus (250)

  11

  14

  Malignant neoplasm of oesophagus (150)

  11

  15

  Malignant neoplasm of pancreas (157)

  11

  16

  Malignant neoplasm of rectum, rectosigmoid junction and anus (154)

  9

  17

  Malignant neoplasm of bladder (188)

  9

  18

  Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (571)

  8

  19

  Ulcer of stomach and duodenum (531–533)

  8

  20

  Accidental falls (E880-E888)

  7

  1 Rates per 100,000 population

  2 The death rate for 'all causes' includes deaths to those under 28 days old. Rates for individual causes of death do not.

  3 International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision

  4 Per 100,000 female population

  5 Per 100,000 male population

  ECOFIN
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the issues for discussion before the ECOFIN Council on 15 March indicating the position he proposes to take on each issue. [72741]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]Every six months, at the beginning of an EU Presidency, the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), outlines to the House the main items of business expected during the Presidency. Every month, she gives the House details of the items expected at meetings of the Council of Ministers during the month. After each meeting of the ECOFIN Council, I report back to the European Scrutiny Committee on the business conducted at the ECOFIN meeting. This has been the practice under successive Governments.

  Brit Awards
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those Ministers in his Department who were present at the recent Brit awards in an official capacity; and who or what organisation was acting as their sponsor or host. [73494]

  Ms Hewitt
  None.

  European Central Bank
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the consultations he has had with the European Central Bank since 1 January. [71495]
  503
  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]The Chancellor regularly meets his colleagues from other Finance Ministries and Central Banks.

  Single Ombudsman Scheme
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what responses he has received to proposals for a single ombudsman scheme as set out in the draft Financial Services and Markets Bill; and if he will make a statement. [74393]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government are committed to improving consumer protection, and the creation of the single ombudsman scheme is an important element in delivering such protection. The response to the draft Bill published in July 1998 showed strong support for the creation of the single ombudsman scheme. The Government, however, intend to amend some of the relevant provisions of the Bill to meet valid concerns raised.

  The draft Bill allows for an appeal to the courts against the ombudsman's determination by either respondent or complainant on a point of law. Consistent with the objective of resolving disputes quickly and with minimum formality, we have decided to remove this provision.

  Currently, the Bill allows the Ombudsman to order complainants to pay costs if they behave improperly or unreasonably. In order that complainants should be able to approach the Ombudsman without the fear of being ordered to pay the respondent's costs, we have decided to provide for the scheme operator to make rules authorising awards of the scheme's costs against either party, limited in the case of the complainant to the costs of the scheme operator.

  We also intend to widen the FSA's discretion over which complaints are to be included in the compulsory jurisdiction. The FSA will be able to include all financial services carried out by authorised persons, not just those listed in Schedule 2 to the Bill. This change will allow the FSA to bring within the compulsory jurisdiction the large majority of disputes involving authorised persons which can currently be dealt with by the existing schemes, including the Banking and Building Societies Ombudsmen. We will also give the FSA sufficient flexibility to exclude some categories of regulated firms where there is a case to do so. We propose that the scheme operator should have similar discretion over the scope of the voluntary jurisdiction.

DEFENCE

  Defence Medical Services
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the cost of creating a new chief of staff post on the Surgeon General's staff; and if he will make a statement on the nature of the employment that will be covered under that part of his remit which involves the implementation of the changes following the strategic review of defence medical services. [70879]

  Mr. Spellar
  The upgrading of the Chief of Staff post in the Surgeon General's Department will not result in any additional personnel cost as the new incumbent will replace the current Chief of Staff who, as a medical 504
  officer, is in receipt of additional remuneration to reflect his professional qualifications. The new Chief of Staff's responsibilities will include ensuring that the changes to the Defence Medical Services announced by the Secretary of State for Defence on 14 December 1998 are implemented expeditiously and cost-effectively.

  South Africa (Military Cargo)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has had from South African police on the incident in May 1998 involving a cargo of military equipment flown from RAF Manston destined for South Africa which failed to reach its destination; and what his response was. [71565]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]The Ministry of Defence has not received any representations from the South African police or other authorities on this matter. This is a matter for Customs and Excise. I refer my hon. Friend to the response given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary on 8 February 1999,Official Report, column 22.

  Fast Insertion Craft
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which organisation supplies his Department with fast insertion craft; and which other countries have been supplied with similar vessels. [72644]

  Mr. Spellar
  Fast insertion craft are currently supplied to the Ministry of Defence by Halmatic, who are now part of the Vosper Thornycroft group of companies. Vessels of this type have been procured by Singapore.

  Sir Charles Masefield
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long after he ceased to be Head of Defence Export Services Sir Charles Masefield joined the Board of GEC; and if he will make a statement. [73267]

  Mr. Spellar
  Sir Charles Masefield joined GEC on 14 December 1998, the day that Mr. Tony Edwards succeeded him as Head of Defence Export Services, HDES. Sir Charles originally joined the MOD on 1 September 1994 on secondment from his previous employer, Airbus Industrie, a subsidiary of BAe. As a secondee, we would have expected Sir Charles to return to industry on completion of the HDES appointment.

  RN Personnel (Drug Trafficking Control)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times in each of the last five years Royal Navy personnel have been involved in activity to assist Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and other agencies to control drug trafficking. [72937]

  Mr. Spellar
  The number of occasions on which Royal Navy personnel have been involved in support of HM Customs and Excise counter-drug operations over each of the last five years is as follows:

  1998: 3

  1997: 3

  1996: 6

  1995: 3

  1994: 4

  505
  In the Caribbean, the West Indies Guardship has been operating in support of the US led Joint Inter-Agency Task Force (East) on a regular basis throughout the past five years.

  Defence Agencies
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the(a) Defence Medical Training Organisation and (b) Army Personnel Centre published its report for the year 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [73012]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the Agencies concerned. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Major General C. G. Callow to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 1 March 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the date that our annual report for 1997–98 was published and the cost as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Medical Training Organisation.
  It was published on 27 July 1998 at a cost of £2,130.

  Letter from G. A. M. Hammond to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 1 March 1999:
  I am replying on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Army Personnel Centre (APC), in his absence on business, to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the date upon which the APC published its report for the year 1997–98 and the cost of producing the report, as this matter falls within the responsibility of this Agency.
  The APC Annual Report and Accounts for the year 1997–98 was published on 29 July 1998 at a cost of £4035 (excluding VAT).

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what official visits he, his Ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73457]

  Mr. Spellar
  There have been no visits by MOD Ministers to Zimbabwe since May 1997. Two senior MOD officials visited Zimbabwe in 1998 where they met UK staff working for the regional British Military Assistance Training programme, gave presentations on the UK Strategic Defence Review, held workshops on management issues and paid office calls on Defence Ministers, senior members of the Armed Forces and senior officials. A senior MOD official has been on secondment since May 1995 assisting in the restructuring and management of the Zimbabwean MOD.

  There have been a number of visits by other officials and military staff for a variety of reasons. The cost of listing them all would be disproportionate.

  ASTOR
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles in tandem with an airborne stand off radar system. [72755]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]The planned Airborne Stand-Off Radar, ASTOR, programme, together with the in-service Phoenix unmanned aerial 506
  vehicle and future UAV programmes, such as SENDER and SPECTATOR, will form an important part of our integrated Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance, ISTAR, capability.

  Long range surveillance and reconnaissance assets, such as ASTOR and longer range radar and UAVs, will help to cue and subsequently direct medium and short range reconnaissance and target acquisition assets, such as Phoenix, to identify, prioritise and engage enemy targets from long range before they can inflict damage on our and friendly forces. This integrated approach ensures our ground attack air assets and long range artillery assets are used to maximum effectiveness.

  Army Training and Recruiting Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Army Training and Recruiting Agency; and what was the figure at its inception. [72818]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. H. Gordon to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 1 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the numbers of people currently employed by the Army Training and Recruiting Agency, and at its inception, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Deputy Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The numbers employed are as follows:

  Military Personal

  Civilian Personnel

  Total

  1996–971

  5,832

  4,360

  10,192

  1997–981

  6,101

  4,541

  10,642

  31 Dec 19982

  6,178

  4,410

  10,588

  1 average over the year

  2 actual numbers at this date

  The Agency was formed as the Army Individual Training Organisation on 1 April 1996. It was relaunched as the Army Training and Recruiting Agency with effect from 1 July 1997, although it was effectively restructured on 1 April of that year, when it absorbed the functions of the former Directorate of Army Recruiting.

  Old Gym, Caerwent
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the Old Gym at Caerwent military base. [73649]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]The Army is currently in discussions with Caerwent Community Council regarding the sale or lease of the Old Gym at Caerwent Training Area to the Council.

  Defence Dental Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to set targets for the Defence Dental Agency for the year 1999–2000. [72979]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I aim to announce the key targets for the Defence Dental Agency in April.

  Military Exercises (Poland)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries had armed forces involved in the brigade exercise in Poland carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72847]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Exercise ULAN EAGLE, which took place at the Drawko-Pomorskie training area in north east Poland in October 1997, was a British Army exercise undertaken by 20th Armoured Brigade. No other countries' armed forces were involved.

  Defence Codification Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Defence Codification Agency published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [73035]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Codification Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from K. A. Bradshaw to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 1 March 1999:
  Publication of the Defence Codification Agency's Annual Report for 1997–98
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about publication dates and costs associated with the Annual Report for 1997–98 of the Defence Codification Agency, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The Defence Codification Agency published its annual report on 27th of July 1998. The cost of the publication was £2695.00.
  For background information, this was the Defence Codification Agency's first Annual Report since its launch in July 96, it was published using the services of the Stationery Office and the Agency has a Treasury Direction and a clean audit opinion.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Defence Codification Agency; and what the figure was at its inception. [72978]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Codification Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from K. A. Bradshaw to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 1 March 1999:
  Staff Employed by the Defence Codification Agency
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about staff employed within the Defence Codification Agency, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The Defence Codification Agency currently employs 93 staff (including nine surplus staff). At the Agency inception in July 1996 we employed 168 staff.
  For background information, following the vesting of the Defence Codification Agency in July 96 a Competing for Quality Feasibility Study was conducted. This included details of plans to increase efficiency and reduce staffing levels. These measures have been implemented and a staff reduction of 50% will have been achieved once the nine surplus staff have been assigned to new posts.

  Defence Bills Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Defence Bills Agency; and what was the figure at its inception. [72839]
  508
  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Bills Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from I. S. Elrick to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 1 March 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about numbers employed in the Defence Bills Agency, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  There were 699 people employed in the Agency as at 31 January 1999 and these equate to 662 full-time equivalents. The comparable figures for 1 January 1996 are 680 and 655 respectively, while the full-time equivalent figure for the base line year against which the Agency's effectiveness is measured is 716.
  For a meaningful comparison of numbers employed currently against those employed at the Agency's inception, due allowance should be made for changed circumstances in the intervening period. The Service Level Agreement which the Agency has with the Department was amended on 27 June 1997, to effect a budget increase which was based on an additional 30 employees who were required to cope with changed business practices which were introduced to facilitate the introduction of Resource Accounting.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Immigration (Adjudicators' Decisions)
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department by what means members of the public may obtain access to an indexed collection of determinations by immigration adjudicators in order to find out if there is a relevant decision relating to their case. [72862]

  Mr. Hoon
  No collection of indexed adjudicator determinations exists. Adjudicators' decisions are not binding on other adjudicators. Determinations are retained on tribunal files and are available to the public only with an adjudicator's permission.

  Immigration Appeal Tribunal decisions are available from the Supreme Court Library on request and are available to subscribers on the Electronic Immigration Network Database via the internet.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Genetic Modification
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) on how many occasions(a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have (i) spoken with and (ii) received representations regarding genetic modification from Mr. Stan Greenberg of Greenberg Research; [72248]

  (2) on how many occasions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have (i) spoken with and (ii) received representations regarding genetic modification from Dave Hill of Bell Pottinger; [72066]

  (3) on how many occasions (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have (i) spoken with and (ii) received representations regarding genetic modification from Cathy McGlynn of Bell Pottinger. [72059]
  509
  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 23 February 1999]I and my officials are in regular contact with representatives of all those with an interest in biotechnology—including environmental groups, consumer groups and biotechnology companies. It is not the normal practice of Governments to give details of specific meetings with private individuals or companies.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations(a) he and (b) his ministers have received on genetically modified organisms and the biotechnology industry from the US Government. [72762]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Department has received one representation on this subject from the US Government.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sites in Northavon where genetically modified crops(a) are currently grown and (b) have been grown in the last three years. [73910]

  Mr. Meacher
  No genetically modified crops are currently grown or have been grown in the last three years in Northavon.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require the Health and Safety Executive to institute prosecution proceedings against Zeneca for a breach of the regulations governing the escape into the environment, through the consumption by Zeneca staff, of genetically modified tomatoes and tomato seeds. [73402]

  Mr. Meacher
  HSE inspectors have sought clarification from Zeneca regarding reports in the national press that members of staff have eaten whole genetically modified tomatoes as part of taste trials. If this had taken place it would have represented a possible breach of environmental safety regulations. This is because tomatoes are a seed bearing fruit and the inadvertent dispersal of seeds from genetically modified tomatoes could have given rise to growth of genetically modified plants in the environment. The concern would have been that seeds would have dispersed through the sewage system, thereby breaching containment requirements.

  It has been found that there were major inaccuracies in the reporting. In particular, it would appear that taste trials have been undertaken only using tomato tissues from which all seeds have been removed. Therefore, there would not appear to have been any breach of environmental safety legislation.

  The photograph of Zeneca staff eating whole tomatoes, which appeared in one newspaper, was posed for the cameras using non-modified tomatoes.

  Pilot Projects
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the pilot projects instigated by his Department since 1 May 1997, indicating the area in which each pilot took, or is taking, place. [72634]

  Mr. Meale
  A table setting out the pilot projects which have been instigated by my Department and its Executive Agencies since 1 May 1997 has been placed in the Library.

  Empty Council Properties (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with London borough councils as to the number of empty council properties within their boroughs and the period of time that such properties are empty; and if he will make a statement. [72629]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have had no such discussions. However, officials of the Government Office for London regularly discuss with Borough officials, as part of the annual Housing Investment Programme determination, many aspects of the Borough's housing strategy and of its performance as a housing authority. Empty council properties are one aspect of that discussion. The Government regularly mention the number of empty houses in each local authority area, and encourage all local authorities to implement strategies to minimise the number of empty houses in their area.

  Special Areas of Conservation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of the United Kingdom land area he has designated as special areas of conservation; and what the percentage is for other EU member states. [72775]

  Mr. Meale
  A total of 333 UK sites have been submitted to the European Commission as candidate SACs covering over 1,687,000 hectares. This accounts for 3.4 per cent. of the UK land surface. A similar additional area is covered by marine sites below mean low water. The Department does not have official information about other Member States, which is a matter for them and the European Commission.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the designation of new special areas of conservation; and what was his evaluation of each suggestion. [72647]

  Mr. Meale
  333 UK candidate Special Areas of Conservation have been submitted to the European Commission following consideration of all representations made as a result of consultation. Many representations related to specific proposed sites; others, mainly from environmental organisations, suggested additions to the list. Where these suggestions were judged, on the advice of the nature conservation agencies through the JNCC, to be consistent with the Habitats Directive's criteria and requirements, they have been adopted. The JNCC publications, The Habitats Directive: selection of Special Areas of Conservation in the UK (Report No. 270), sets out the rationale that has been applied. It was published in October 1997 and placed in the Library of the House at the time.

  Transport (London)
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will lay a specific duty on Transport for London to provide services at their existing levels on those parts of the Underground network outwith Greater London. [72653]
  511
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We do not intend to place such a duty on Transport for London. TfL will be directly accountable to the Mayor who, subject to the passage of the Greater London Authority Bill, will be responsible for arranging for the setting of the general level of services provided or secured by Transport for London. More widely, the Mayor will be under a duty to develop and implement policies for the promotion and encouragement of safe, integrated, efficient and economic transport facilities and services to, from and within Greater London. This duty therefore encompasses services to be provided by Transport for London outside the Greater London boundary.

  The Mayor will also have a duty to draw up an integrated transport strategy for London, while taking account of national policy including the Government's integrated transport strategy. The Government have made it clear that their policy is to promote and encourage integrated public transport and the Mayor will need to bear that in mind when making decisions about the level of services provided or secured by Transport for London outside the Greater London boundary.

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he proposes that representatives of those areas served by Transport for London railways outside Greater London will be consulted on the development of the services. [72654]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Subject to the passage of the Greater London Authority Bill, the Mayor will be under a duty to prepare a transport strategy document. It will be open to the Mayor to consult any body or person he or she thinks it appropriate to consult about the preparation of his or her transport strategy.

  In addition, we will establish a new body to represent the interests of users of all modes of transport in London, including all services and facilities provided or secured by Transport for London. The new body will be known as the London Transport Users' Committee (LTUC). We envisage that LTUC will have regular contacts with Transport for London.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he plans to give to London's Mayor over the former British Rail network within Greater London. [73171]

  Dr. Reid
  Our proposals were set out in our White Paper "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (Cm 3897). Paragraph 5.27 of the White Paper indicates that the Mayor will be able to:issue guidance to OPRAF regarding franchisees in London;
  secure the provision of new passenger services to be operated in London;
  promote or fund new network improvements, as well as investment in new stations or improvements to existing ones;
  require operators to participate in new multi-modal ticketing arrangements or concessionary travel schemes; and
  ensure Transport for London is consulted on timetable decisions to ensure that bus, rail and tube services can be planned to complement each other.

  The White Paper made it clear that OPRAF would not be bound to accept the Mayor's guidance if it would have an adverse impact beyond London or would result in additional financial liability to the taxpayer. Transport for London will also be able to exercise powers inherited from London Transport to ensure consistency between
  512
  rail, Underground and bus services in terms of Travelcard fares and ticketing, marketing and passenger information. Transport for London will also have the power to oppose rail schemes which it thinks are contrary to the Mayor's transport strategy or other policies, or to the interests of Londoners.

  Clauses 163 to 166 of the Greater London Authority Bill currently set out the draft provisions which will give effect to our proposals. Those clauses were debated in Standing Committee on 23 February 1999, Official Report, Standing Committee A, columns 723–49.

  Thameslink 2000
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the current estimate for the start date of the construction of the Thameslink 2000 rail scheme. [73092]

  Dr. Reid
  The start of construction work on the Thameslink 2000 rail project is dependent on two factors:

  Firstly, the project requires construction powers to be granted under the Transport and Works Act 1992 (TWA). Railtrack submitted an application for a TWA Order for Thameslink 2000 in November 1997. Following consideration of representations made in respect of that application, and changes resulting from a review of the project, Railtrack is currently preparing a supplementary TWA Order application. A decision on when any public inquiry into the proposed scheme might be held has therefore been deferred until December 1999. The earliest an Inquiry could realistically be expected to commence is Spring of 2000. The timing of the Secretary of State's decision on whether to grant powers following the Inquiry Inspector's report, and—if powers are granted—the start of construction work, would depend on a number of factors, including the length of the Inquiry and the Inspector's findings.

  Secondly, the Thameslink 2000 project is dependent on Stage 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) for the provision of certain works at St. Pancras. Railtrack has said that it intends to proceed with the exercise of its option to construct Stage 2 of CTRL, but believes that it would be inappropriate to make such a commitment until after the outcome is known of the Rail Regulator's review of access charges. If this option were exercised in 2001, construction of Thameslink 2000 would start in early 2002 and the service could be operational in 2006.

  Robin Hood Line
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he plans to take to provide future funding security for, and protection of, existing service levels on the Robin Hood line between Nottingham and Mansfield. [73095]

  Dr. Reid
  The Office of Passenger Rail Franchising (OPRAF) is in discussion with the local authorities and Central Trains about the future arrangements for the funding and provision of services on the Robin Hood line. For the current financial year (1998–99), OPRAF is providing a contribution of £350,000 to Central Trains in respect of Robin Hood Line services.

  OPRAF
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising has concerning proposals made by train operating companies to(a) reduce staffing levels and (b) change staff pay and conditions. [73107]

  Dr. Reid
  The Franchising Director does not have any power to prevent train operating companies from reducing their staffing levels. He has rights of approval over changes to pension arrangements and changes to pay and conditions which would leave undesirable legacies for the next franchisee.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising made of the likely impact on staffing levels of the successful bids for rail franchises; and if he will place a copy of each such assessment in the Library. [73152]

  Dr. Reid
  Bids for franchises were assessed on value for money for the provision of passenger rail services. The contents of the bids remain confidential and therefore copies of the assessments cannot be placed in the Library.

  Rail Staff Redundancies
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many rail staff took redundancy in each of the years between 1992–93 and 1997–98. [73169]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms Jackson), on 16 December 1997,Official Report, columns 152–53. I understand from the British Railways Board that, in 1997–98,310 British Rail staff were made redundant.

  East Coast Main Line
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government will take into account Sea Containers' punctuality record when evaluating the company's request for a franchise extension for the East Coast main line. [73090]

  Dr. Reid
  As I announced at the rail summit on 25 February, the track record of franchisees will be one of the factors in considering proposals for renegotiation.

  Rail Network (Crime)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what surveys of public opinion(a) his Department and (b) the British Transport Police have carried out in the last five years into fear of crime on the national rail network. [73104]

  Dr. Reid
  In 1997 the Department published a report entitled "Perceptions of safety from crime on public transport". This was the outcome of a number of surveys and focus groups carried out across England which included train travel. In the last five years the British Transport Police have carried out annual surveys alternately with railway passengers or staff and these included questions on the fear of crime.

  Disabled Travellers
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total sum invested in measures specifically to improve access to stations for travellers with disabilities in each of the years between 1987–88 and 1997–98. [73103]

  Dr. Reid
  Information on specific expenditure on disabled access is not available for those years.

  However, all new stations planned or in build will provide full unassisted wheelchair access. In addition, Railtrack are on course to meet the target, set in the Network Management Statement 1998, of providing unassisted wheelchair access at a further 119 stations this year.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what duties will be given to the Strategic Rail Authority in regard to improving access to the rail network for travellers with disabilities. [73102]

  Dr. Reid
  Subject to Parliament's' consideration of the necessary legislation, the Strategic Rail Authority will have a duty to have regard, in particular, to the interests of disabled people. The SRA would also inherit the Rail Regulator's code of practice for protecting disabled railway passengers and a duty to revise it from time to time and encourage its adoption and implementation. The Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998, which came into effect on 1 January this year, have set clear technical requirements for wheelchair access and a range of other features that will apply to all new rolling stock coming into service from that date.

  Rail Tickets
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the average annual increase in the cost of(a) supersaver, (b) cheap day return and (c) standard single tickets on the national rail network for each year from 1992–93 to 1997–98. [73091]

  Dr. Reid
  This information is not available in the form requested. However, I will write to my hon. Friend about the data that are available.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many, and what proportion, of journeys on the InterCity and former InterCity network were made using(a) supersavers and (b) savers in each of the last 10 years. [73106]

  Dr. Reid
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) family railcards, (b) network cards, (c) forces railcards and (d) all-line rail rovers were issued in each of the last 10 years. [73105]

  Dr. Reid
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if those rail services provided under the Rail Regulator's Moderation of Competition proposals will be required to accept national interavailable protected fares. [73190]
  515
  Dr. Reid
  In all the access agreements which the Rail Regulator has approved to date, the acceptance of national interavailable protected fares has been a requirement. The Rail Regulator has indicated that he would not expect to approve access rights for new services where he had reason to believe that approval was likely to result in the loss of network benefits. Those benefits include the provision of interavailable tickets. For franchise operators, the obligation to accept interavailable tickets is a condition of their franchise agreement.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what instructions he gave to passenger transport authorities in regard to fares levels in connection with the payment of the special rail grant to passenger transport executives. [73094]

  Dr. Reid
  None. Where Passenger Transport Authorities (PTAs) have chosen to retain responsibility for setting fares on the rail services which they support, they are free to raise or lower fares as they wish. However, the amount of grant entitlement will take account of the financial consequences of fares changes which diverge from the national fares cap set by the Franchising Director. Fares in the areas of the two PTAs which have chosen to pass responsibility for setting fares to the train operating companies are subject to the regulated fares cap set in franchise agreements, i.e. RPI-1 from 1 January 1999.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria were used by the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising to assess the impact on existing or potential rail services of the coach links which OPRAF approved as part of the Virgin/Stagecoach deal for the InterCity West Coast Main Line and Cross Country Franchises. [73089]

  Dr. Reid
  The Criterion for securing the bus links was the integration of public transport in line with our recent White Paper, ANew Deal for Transport. The primary aim was to transport passengers to rail heads by bus from areas not currently served by rail services and thus to encourage greater use of train services from these rail heads.

  Passenger Train Services
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total number of passenger train services on the national rail network for each year between 1985–86 and 1997–98. [73093]

  Dr. Reid
  Information is not held in this form. However, I will write to my hon. Friend about alternative statistics that are available.

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made by the DVLA in reaching their target to deliver 95 per cent. of vocational licences within nine working days. [73097]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Since the beginning of 1998–99 the target has been met or bettered during every month except for April 1998, when a 10 day turnaround was recorded. DVLA expects to deliver an 8 day performance for the year as a whole.

  Structure Plan (Hampshire)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from Eagle Star in relation to the structure plan for Hampshire. [73181]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Following publication of the Hampshire Structure Plan Examination in Public panel report in May 1997, Eagle Star forwarded to the Secretary of State in October 1997 a copy of the Company's response to Hampshire County Council Conservative Group's press release on the structure plan. In October 1998 the Secretary of State received two representations from Eagle Star asking him to intervene in the Hampshire Structure Plan.

  Number Plates
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require motor vehicle registration number plates to comply with the laid-down specification. [73255]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Enforcement is a matter for the police. We are, however, planning to introduce new regulations, later this year, on the display of number plates which will facilitate enforcement and should reduce abuse. From 1 March this year, motorists who mis-represent their vehicle registration marks may also have them withdrawn.

  London Regional Transport
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last advertised posts of(a) Chairman, (b) Vice-Chairman, (c) Executive members and (d) non-executive members of the Board of London Regional Transport. [73506]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is set out:

  Chairman
  It is not common practice for posts at Chairman level to be advertised. PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed last spring to assist us in the search for a new Chairman.

  Vice-Chairman
  It has been the practice to appoint the Vice-Chairman from within the existing Board, rather than through external advertising. This appointment is made by the LT Board itself, not by the Secretary of State.
  517
  Executive Members
  The post of Managing Director of London Underground Limited was advertised last July.

  Non-Executive Members
  It has been the practice to appoint non-executives from recruitment searches, or from names supplied by the Public Appointments Unit (PAU). Those appearing on the PAU's list are largely self-nominated.

  Member

  First appointed to Board

  Qualifications and Experience

  Chairman: Sir Malcolm Bates

  11 February 1999

  Sir Malcolm is Chairman of the Pearl Group and Premier Farnell plc. Until Easter 1997 he was also Deputy Managing Director of GEC plc, and Joint Managing Director of Wm. Brandt & Sons. He is also a member of the Industrial Development Advisory Board, has chaired the Government's Engineering Deregulation Task Force, and was a member of the Treasury's Private Finance Panel.

  Chief Executive: Denis Tunnicliffe

  1 November 1993

  Mr. Tunnicliffe joined London Transport as Managing Director of London Underground in 1988, and became a full Board member in 1993. This led to his becoming Chief Executive last May. Prior to joining London Transport, Mr. Tunnicliffe worked for British Airways, and subsequently the International Leisure Group.

  Managing Director, London Underground: Derek Smith

  1 February 1999

  Mr. Smith worked in NHS management prior to joining the LT Board. He has experience of running a large organisation through a period of change, and has experience of dealing with Private Finance programmes.

  Managing Director, London Transport Buses: Clive Hodson

  1 August 1995

  Mr. Hodson became Managing Director of London Buses Ltd. in 1989. His performance there, and his stewardship of the privatisation of the LBL subsidiaries led to his joining the LT board in 1995 as MD of London Transport Buses.

  Non-executive Vice-Chairman: Brian Appleton

  1 September 1995

  Mr. Appleton is a former Director of ICI and Polymers, and assessor to the Piper Alpha Inquiry. In 1992 he carried out a study for the HSE of the extent to which London Underground had achieved the right balance in responding to fire and bomb threats. He advises LT on safety matters.

  Non-executive: Michael Lawrence

  29 June 1994

  Mr. Lawrence was formerly Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange. His previous experience included being a partner in Price Waterhouse, Group Finance Director for the Prudential Corporation, non-executive Director of the Port of London Authority, and Chairman of the Hundred Group of Finance Directors. He is Chairman of the Financial Audit Committee at LT.

  Non-executive: Sally O'Sullivan

  1 August 1995

  Ms O'Sullivan's background is in publishing. She is also a member of the Broadcasting Standards Council, and of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. She focuses on consumer issues at LT.

  Non-executive: Sir Alan Bailey

  1 December 1991

  Sir Alan was formerly a Permanent Secretary at the Department of Transport, and formerly worked within the Treasury, Civil Service Department and Cabinet Office. He is Vice-Chairman of London Transport Buses.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many Air Miles have been earned by him and each of his Ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73336]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Government's policy on the use and disposal of air miles was set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12 January 1999,Official Report, column 141.

  Detailed information on any air miles earned by Ministers as a result of office travel is not recorded centrally.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what official visits he, his Ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73462]

  Mr. Prescott
  There have been no official visits by DETR Ministers to Zimbabwe since May 1997.
  518
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the current members of the Board of London Regional Transport, (b) the dates on which they were first appointed and (c) their (i) qualifications and (ii) experience.

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is set out.

  There has been one official visit on 27–30 January 1998 when a senior Departmental official represented DETR at an International Workshop on Strategic Approaches to Freshwater Management. The event was attended by some 80 countries, together with NGOs, industry and International agencies. This event was hosted by the Zimbabwe Government with EC support, and helped pave the way for the Commission for Sustainable Development's Sixth meeting at which a formal Decision on Strategic Approaches to Freshwater Management was adopted by CSD, and later endorsed by UNGASS.

  Zoos
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what criteria are used in assessing the suitability of people to be appointed to Government Zoo Inspectors' List A and Government Zoo Inspectors List B; [73725]

  (2) what plans he has to assess the continuing suitability of those on the Government Zoo Inspectors Lists A and B. [73726]
  519
  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]The requirements for selecting zoo inspectors are set out under Section 8 of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. The list of inspectors is compiled after consultation with the British Veterinary Association, the Federation of Zoological Gardens and other bodies. The list consists of two parts: the first part contains the names of veterinary surgeons and practitioners who have experience of animals of the kinds that are or may be kept in zoos; the second part contains the names of other persons who are in the Secretary of State's opinion competent to inspect animals in zoos, to advise on keeping them and on their welfare, and to advise on the management of zoos generally. The Secretary of State may, after the required consultation, vary the list of inspectors by adding or deleting names.

  Following the Government's review last year of the operation of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 we plan to revise and update the current list of zoo inspectors. A new advisory body, the Zoos Forum, which we will be establishing shortly will also have an important part to play in reviewing the current list of inspectors and advising on further nominations for appointment.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what standards his Department uses to determine whether a(a) circus and (b) zoo elephant has been excessively shackled; and if he will make a statement; [73727]

  (2) what guidance he has given Government Zoo Inspectors on action to be taken in respect of elephants which have been excessively shackled. [73728]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]All zoos in Great Britain are required to comply with the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice issued by the Secretary of State under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. The Standards do not at present specifically cover shackling. We announced a package of proposals in September last year to modernise the British zoo licensing system, and this included a review of the Standards, which is currently under way.

  Local authorities are responsible for the issuing of licences and other executive functions under the Act. In considering whether to issue a new or renewed licence under the Act, local authorities may attach any conditions or recommendations which they consider necessary or desirable, having regard to the Standards. Local authorities may also refuse to grant a licence, or to revoke an existing licence, if a zoo is not meeting required standards. The Act provides for inspections of zoos by teams of experts to ensure that the arrangements for accommodation, staffing or management are adequate for the proper care and well being of zoo animals.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has the lead responsibility in Government for the regulation of circuses.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 February 1999,Official Report, column 445, what consultation is taking place regarding further assistance and protection for homeless people; what representations he has received on the restoration of a duty
  520
  to fund permanent housing; when he plans to complete his consideration of the further steps to be taken referred to in his answer; and if he will make a statement. [73526]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]The Government have received representations from Shelter about making changes to the homelessness legislation which we are considering carefully. The Government intend to consult very widely on any proposals for strengthening the assistance and protection available to homeless people which it brings forward. No date has been set for completion of consideration of the steps that might be taken.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what strategy he has to meet the need for social housing over the next 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [73517]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]Our aim is to offer everyone the opportunity of a decent home and so promote social cohesion, well-being and self-dependence. The provision of good quality, efficiently managed social housing plays an important part in meeting that aim.

  We are making available an extra £5 billion for housing over the life of this Parliament, giving local authorities increased scope to invest in new social housing where this best reflects local needs and priorities, and boosting the Housing Corporation's support for new social housing relative to the last Government's spending plans.

  However, the overall number of new social houses built is not a full or satisfactory measure of a successful housing strategy. Decisions on investment have to strike a balance between the need for new social housing and the requirement to invest in improvements to the existing social and private sector stock. They must also take proper account of the demand for social housing, which varies greatly between regions and even between local neighbourhoods. It is important, therefore, that investment decisions reflect local circumstances. The policies we are putting in place following the Comprehensive Spending Review are designed to ensure that investment decisions are based on robust local assessments of housing need, reflected in housing strategies drawn up by local authorities in partnership with their communities.

  Revenue Support Grant (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the revenue support grant for Gloucestershire for the last five years for which figures are available; and what revenue support grant he is providing for 1999–2000. [73140]
  521
  Ms Armstrong
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]The information requested is shown in the table:

  £ million

  1994–1995

  1995–1996

  1996–1997

  1997–1998

  1998–1999

  1999–2000

  Gloucestershire

  County Council

  122.009

  116.893

  114.407

  121.930

  125.861

  128.611

  Cheltenham

  3.909

  3.861

  3.688

  3.779

  3.393

  3.237

  Cotswold

  2.125

  2.042

  1.659

  1.811

  1.556

  1.509

  Forest of Dean

  1.861

  1.702

  1.322

  1.690

  1.470

  1.394

  Gloucester

  4.423

  4.289

  4.269

  4.560

  4.379

  4.233

  Stroud

  2.098

  1.920

  1.515

  1.736

  1.462

  1.306

  Tewkesbury

  2.510

  2.318

  1.902

  2.015

  1.499

  1.450

  Gloucestershire

  Police

  1—

  9.589

  9.004

  9.280

  9.455

  9.105

  1 Gloucestershire Police Authority came into existence in April 1995. In 1994–95, police services were provided by the County Council.

  Transport on Water Association
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received recently from the Transport on Water Association regarding river transport to and from the Millennium Dome; and if he will make a statement; [73528]

  (2) what correspondence he has received from the Transport on Water Association since 1998; and if he will lay copies of the letters and his replies in the Library; [73530]

  (3) when he first received a copy of the Transport On Water Association's study of the future of passenger services on the River Thames; and what assessment he has made of their recommendations. [73529]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My hon. Friend the Minister for London and Construction received a letter from the Chairman of the Transport on Water Association dated 27 July 1998 asking a number of questions about the Government's plan for encouraging new river transport services on the Thames, including services to the Millennium Dome. I replied on 28 September. As requested, I am placing copies of both letters in the Libraries of the House.

  My Department first received a copy of the Association's proposals for a system of passenger transport on the Thames in 1994. These were taken into account, along with other studies and advice, in developing the Government's own proposals under our Thames 2000 initiative.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of planning appeals dealt with by means of written representations since 1 May 1997 have conformed with the timescales required by the Written Representations Regulations 1987. [73403]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspector's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.
  522
  Letter from C. J. Shepley to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 1 March 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about planning appeals which have conformed with the timescales required by the Written Representations Regulations.
  The Written Representations Regulations 1987 require parties to an appeal (including third parties) to comply with a number of timescales set out in the Regulations. These cover such things as the time when the LPA should notify other parties that they have received the appeal (within 5 days) and other timescales for submitting statements and responses. If these are all conformed to the date for the site visit, which would be set by the Inspectorate, could be in 8–10 weeks from the appeal start date.
  In a significant number of cases, however, we are not placed to set the site visit in the 8th week because one or other of the parties fails to abide by the time limits (as provided for by the Regulation). Because of the number of stages (or time limits) involved we do not keep records of conformity in the procedural stages.
  However the Inspectorate is set performance targets by the Minister. For Written Representation cases the timeliness target for this year is that in 80% of cases a decision should be issued within 18 weeks of the receipt of the appeal. So far since April 1998 we have achieved this target in every month.

  Tufnell Park Railway Station
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evaluation his Department has made of proposals for the possible construction of a new railway station at Tufnell Park on the Barking to Gospel Oak line. [73160]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is a commercial matter for Railtrack. The construction of a new station at Tufnell Park is dependent on an approach from the train operating company and/or the local council. I am advised that to date no formal proposal has been received.

  Railway Lines (Re-openings)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the proposals currently being considered by his Department for the re-opening of closed railway lines. [73159]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No specific proposals are currently under consideration, but we announced on 25 February that the Franchising Director is taking forward a wide ranging consultation on the future development of rail services. Proposals for the re-opening of lines may also be submitted under the Rail Passenger Partnership Fund effective from 1 April. The Office of Passenger Rail Franchising will be publishing guidance for bidders shortly.

  Antarctica
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the environmental changes in Antarctica since the agreement of the Environmental Protocol. [73166]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environmental Protocol entered into force in January 1998, although the UK had implemented its provisions soon after its adoption in 1991. Operational procedures in Antarctica have changed considerably within the past few years to take on board the tough provisions of the Protocol, e.g., the regular use of Environmental Impact Assessments, rigorous waste
  523
  disposal standards, etc. All activities of British citizens in Antarctica, including the scientists of the British Antarctic Survey, are the subject of permits issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. An assessment of compliance with environmental standards is a routine part of permitting procedures. From our knowledge of the operations in Antarctica of other Treaty parties it is apparent that all, to a greater or lesser extent, have embraced the provisions of the Protocol.

  Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey continually monitor conditions in Antarctica. Whilst the Environmental Protocol has strengthened the environmental protection of Antarctica from activities which are carried out there, changes to Antarctica's environment are occurring due to the impact of wider global events, e.g., pollution from industrial areas outside of Antarctica.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions partly funds the Hadley Centre to analyse global temperature trends, although they have not studied Antarctica specifically. We do not fund measurements of ozone depletion in the Antarctic although the British Antarctic Survey do so, funded by the National Environmental Research Council.

  The Department does, however, follow the work of scientists working in the region. We have also just let a contract to make a risk assessment on the possibility of collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in the face of climate change. The results of this survey should be available by the end of this year.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the incidence of elderly people living alone because their extended families have moved elsewhere due to the lack of local affordable housing. [73164]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department has made no specific assessment of this issue. Indeed, given the number of factors likely to affect the decisions of individual households, it is difficult to envisage any meaningful conclusions arising from any such assessment.

  Rate Support Grant (Islington)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of, and what representations he received on, the spending needs of Islington Council prior to the rate support grant announcement for 1999–2000. [73165]

  Ms Armstrong
  We looked carefully at the pressures and burdens on all local authorities and the scope for further efficiency savings, taking into account the views of the Local Government Association, when considering the level of provision for local government over the next three years, as set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review. We also looked in detail with local authorities at the distribution of grant to continue our aim of providing a fairer distribution of resources. We consulted local authorities during December and early January on the local government finance settlement 1999–2000 which was approved by Parliament on 4 February. Islington Council did not comment on our proposals during that consultation.

  Traffic Speeds (Central London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates his Department has made of average traffic speed in central London(a) in each of the last 15 years and (b) at the latest available date. [73157]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Speed surveys covering central, rest of inner, and outer London are conducted on a rotating basis, with each of these three areas surveyed every three to four years. The latest survey in central London was carried out in 1997. The estimates of average traffic speeds (mph) in central London over the last 15 years are as follows:

  Morning peak

  Daytime off-peak

  Evening peak

  1983

  11.8

  11.9

  11.5

  1986

  11.5

  11.0

  11.0

  1990

  10.3

  10.6

  10.3

  1994

  10.9

  10.9

  10.8

  1997

  10.0

  10.0

  10.2

  Peak times

  7.45am-9.15am

  10.00am-4.00pm

  4.45pm-6.15pm

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of the Millennium Dome on economic regeneration in London. [72127]

  Mr. Meale
  The building of the Millennium Dome, and its proposed long-term retention, will have major regenerative benefits for London, the full effects of which will become increasingly apparent over time.

  Before the decision was taken to site the Millennium Dome at Greenwich, the Greenwich Peninsula was one of the largest derelict sites in the country, suffering from heavy contamination. Yet it lies only a few miles from the centre of London and close to the many historic attractions of Greenwich. The extensive site preparation works and infrastructure improvements required for the Millennium Experience have acted as the catalyst for a major mixed-use development project on the Greenwich Peninsula, under the direction of English Partnerships. This project, including the new Millennium Village that is being built in the southern part of the site as a model for sustainable regeneration of a brownfield site, will establish the Peninsula as a vibrant new urban quarter for London, with ensuing economic, social and environmental benefits for the capital—and beyond.

  Furthermore, the Government intend shortly to launch a competition to find an alternative use for the Dome after the Millennium Experience finishes. We consider that retention of this unique structure with a new use that is both suitable and sustainable can make a substantial and lasting contribution to development of the Greenwich Peninsula, and give an added impetus to the long-term regeneration of the Thames Gateway. My hon. Friend will appreciate that different types of use could have widely varying impacts, both locally and nationally. We are confident, however, that the competition will bring forward a wide range of imaginative proposals and an outcome that will be of major benefit to London.

  Red Squirrels
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been his Department's expenditure on research on red squirrels since May 1997. [73906]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department's statutory scientific advisers, English Nature, have spent approximately £100,000 on a Species Recovery Programme for the red squirrel, which includes a research element.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the presence of red squirrels in South East Britain. [73907]

  Mr. Meale
  Red squirrels are absent from South East Britain, with the exception of the Isle of Wight and islands in Poole Harbour, where the populations are estimated to number 4,000 individuals.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the United Kingdom Red Squirrel Group is taking to encourage red squirrels in West Sussex. [73905]

  Mr. Meale
  There are no known populations of wild red squirrels in West Sussex. The focus of work by the UK Red Squirrel Group is currently in areas where there is the best chance to assist the long-term survival of red squirrel populations.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Compliance
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the President of the Council what recent discussions she has had with transport providers on problems concerning millennium compliance and insurance cover for travel on 1 January 2000; and if she will make a statement. [72134]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have not had any discussions with transport providers on the issue of insurance cover for travel on 1 January.

  Responsibility for the transport and insurance industries rests with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Treasury respectively. In my role as Chairman of MISC4 I have however received reports on Year 2000 preparations across the transport and insurance sectors.

  House of Lords Reform
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on progress being made towards establishing a royal commission on reform of the House of Lords. [72135]

  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on progress being made towards establishing a royal commission on reform of the House of Lords. [72137]

  Mr. Tipping
  The members of the Royal Commission have all been appointed and the Secretariat has started work in its new premises. The first formal meeting of the Royal Commission is being held today.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the President of the Council how many Air Miles have been earned by her and her Minister; and how she proposes to use them. [73342]

  Mrs. Beckett
  As part of our official duties at the Privy Council Office neither I nor the Parliamentary Secretary have earned any Air Miles.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the President of the Council what official visits she, her Ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73460]

  Mrs. Beckett
  No visits have been made.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Regional Affairs Committee
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on progress on reviving the Standing Committee on the English regions. [72139]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton).

  Reporting
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what action she plans to take to improve the facilities for reporting of the House. [72130]

  Mrs. Roe
  There are no plans at present to change the arrangements for access to, or the facilities available in, the Reporters' Gallery and Lobby. The latter consist of working space (which includes the Press Gallery library, dining room, cafeteria and bar), and telephones for representatives of the media provided free of charge over three floor levels in the area behind the Speaker's Chair. Filmed interviews of hon. Members by the media may take place in the Interview Rooms off Westminster Hall, the Jubilee Room and the Conference Rooms in the Parliamentary Outbuildings and are also permitted on the Terrace, in New Palace Yard and on Abingdon Green, where permanent power cables are provided for this purpose. It is always open to officers and members of the Press Gallery and Lobby Journalist Committees to present proposals for improvements to these facilities, should they wish to do so.

  With respect to the availability of the Official Report, on the Parliamentary website, a matter which I understand is of interest to the hon. Lady, the recommendation of the Procedure Committee was that the electronic Hansard should be made available on the day that the printed report is available. The rules governing the production of the Official Report stipulate that no one may see the contents of the printed report before it is available in the Vote Office the following morning. The only exceptions to that rule are that an hon. Member may read his or her own speech and, of course, the Chair has access to the report if needed.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Flights
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 10 February 1999,Official Report, column 283, on Concorde flights, if he will list the Ministers who have taken a Concorde flight; and what was the total cost of the flights. [71307]

  The Prime Minister
  Since 2 May 1997, I and the following Ministers have taken scheduled Concorde flights: my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister; the Secretary of State for Defence; the Secretary of State for Health; the Foreign Secretary; the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett); the Minister for the Cabinet Office; and the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department. The total costs of these flights is some £86,800. This compares with 11 Ministers using Concorde on a total of 13 occasions during the last two years of the previous Administration.

  Expenditure on these flights is part of the Government's expenditure on Ministers visits overseas of £6.1 million for the period 1 May 1997 to 31 March 1998, and £4.0 million for the period 1 April to 31 December 1998. By comparison, in the last year of the previous Administration, expenditure on overseas visits was £7.8 million.

  In addition, as accounted for in answers to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) on 14 July 1997, Official Report, column 46, and the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant) on 13 March 1998, Official Report, columns 366–67, I have also chartered Concorde, as did my predecessor.

  Genetic Modification
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what factors underlay his statement that genetically modified food is beneficial for human consumption. [72240]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 February 1999]All genetically modified food produced in the United Kingdom has been approved by independent expert scientific advisers as part of an extensive regulatory process designed to protect both consumers and the environment. No approvals have been given since 1 May 1997.

  Genetic modification has the potential to enable us to produce food that is more nutritious and better tasting.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received on genetically modified organisms and the biotechnology industry from the US Government. [72763]

  The Prime Minister
  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 600.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1999,Official Report, columns 179–84, what his definition is of the term "pooling sovereignty". [73597]
  528
  The Prime Minister
  In his statement to the House on 27 October 1997,Official Report, columns 583–88, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that to share a common monetary policy with other Member States represents a major pooling of economic sovereignty.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress made on passing each of the five economic tests for joining the euro; if deadlines have been imposed; and what staff have been tasked to monitor progress. [73596]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have said that, barring some fundamental and unforeseen change in economic circumstances, making a decision during this Parliament to join the single currency is not realistic. The UK economy needs a period of stability in order to demonstrate sustainable convergence. The Government have put in place a new macroeconomic framework and introduced a series of microeconomic reforms which are both in the national economic interest and will help to deliver the stability required to demonstrate that convergence is sustainable. As I said in my statement to the House on 23 February 1999,Official Report, columns 179–84, we cannot say that yet.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister who will judge whether the five economic tests for United Kingdom participation in the EMU have been passed; and who will be consulted. [73594]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have said that the determining factor in any decision to recommend membership of the single currency will be the national economic interest. In order to make the assessment the Government have set out five economic tests which must be met before the UK could join. The final decision on whether or not the UK should join is for Government, Parliament and the British people in a referendum.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1999,Official Report, columns 179–84, if he will list the Ministers in each department responsible for euro preparation. [73519]

  The Prime Minister
  The following Ministers have responsibility for departmental euro preparations:

  Department

  Minister

  HM Treasury

  Ms Patricia Hewitt MP

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Lord Simon of Highbury

  Ministry of Defence

  Doug Henderson MP

  Department of Health

  Baroness Hayman

  Department of Social Security

  Ms Angela Eagle MP

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Lord Donoughue

  Department for Education and Employment

  George Mudie MP

  Home Office

  Ms Kate Hoey MP

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

  Department for International Development

  George Foulkes MP

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  Mrs. Janet Anderson MP

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Alan Meale MP

  Northern Ireland Office

  Paul Murphy MP

  Welsh Office

  Peter Hain MP

  Scottish Office

  Lord Sewel

  529
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1999,Official Report, columns 179–84, what estimate he has made of the cost to private sector business of conversion to the euro. [73520]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]The level of costs would depend on the approach adopted by individual companies. The Outline Changeover Plan should help businesses as they develop their thinking on this issue. Effective preparations undertaken in good time and with a clear planning lead by Government should reduce the total costs involved.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1999,Official Report, columns 179–84, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public sector of conversion to the euro. [73521]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]The cost to the public sector of conversion to the euro would depend on the detailed approach that the UK took to the changeover. The outline National Changeover Plan is a first step in planning how the UK would make the changeover to the single currency. A further plan will be published in around a year's time.

  The cost to the public sector would also depend on the extent to which organisations are able to build in euro compatibility where IT systems are being upgraded or purchased for other reasons. Effective preparations undertaken in good time and with a clear planning lead by Government should reduce the total costs involved.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1999,Official Report, columns 179–84, what estimate he has made of Government expenditure necessary to inform the public of the facts regarding the euro. [73522]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]As outlined in chapter eight of the Outline Changeover Plan, if the UK were to join the single currency, there would need to be provision of practical and objective information delivered to the general public and consumers to enable these groups to deal with each of the phases of the changeover.

  The cost of any such public information campaign would depend on the particular requirements of the audiences involved and would also be dependent on the extent to which other bodies (for example, banks and retailers) were themselves providing appropriate information. Effective preparations undertaken in good time and with a clear planning lead by Government should reduce the total costs involved.

  European Movement
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister when he last met representatives of(a) the European Movement and (b) the Federal Trust; and if he will list the subjects discussed. [73595]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Sir R. Body) on 19 October 1998,Official Report, column 917.

  Terrorism
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the nature of the material evaluated in preparing the periodic terrorism threat assessment document. [73771]

  The Prime Minister
  A number of reports and assessments are used within Government, and the threat from terrorism is kept constantly under review in the light of all the available information.

  Departmental Asset Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 1999,Official Report, columns 39–40, on departmental asset sales, if he will give details of the two fixed related assets which have been sold; what the sales processes were in each case; and if he will make a statement. [73732]

  The Prime Minister:
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]The two related fixed assets which have been sold were an electrically operated fork lift truck and associated battery charging unit which I am advised was used by Recruitment and Assessment Services (RAS) at their Basingstoke office.

  Expressions of interest were invited to buy them as one lot. Three companies responded; the highest final bid was accepted.

  Referendums
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1999,Official Report, column 193, when he will respond to the Committee on Standards in Public Life's recommendations on conduct of referendums. [73965]

  The Prime Minister
  As we made clear when the Neill Committee report on the funding of political parties in the United Kingdom was published in October 1998, the Government will announce their conclusions on the recommendations contained in the report, including those on the conduct of referendums, when we publish a White Paper and draft Bill before the Summer Recess.

  EU Meeting (Petersberg)
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will report on the outcome of the informal meeting of the EU Heads of State and Government in Petersberg, Germany on 26 February. [74131]

  The Prime Minister
  The meeting at Petersberg was an informal meeting in preparation for the full European Council in Berlin on 24–25 March, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken. The meeting reviewed progress on the "Agenda 2000" package of negotiations on European Union finances and expenditure, the Common Agricultural Policy and the Structural and Cohesion Funds. I set out the Government's objectives: control and stabilisation of expenditure, genuine and affordable reform of the CAP, a fair outcome for United Kingdom recipients of the structural funds, and a fair deal for taxpayers. I made it clear that the Government will maintain the United Kingdom abatement.
  531
  Negotiations will continue in the Agriculture Council, which reconvenes on 2 March, and the ECOFIN and General Affairs councils, in preparation for the European Council meeting later this month, when the Presidency hopes to bring the negotiation to a conclusion.

  Heads of State and Government also discussed duty free sales, negotiations between the EU and South Africa, relations between the EU and Russia, and the situation in Kosovo and the Middle East.

  Select Committees (Leaked Documents)
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his Department's policy to return to the relevant Select Committee leaked copies of unpublished committee documents. [73935]

  The Prime Minister
  As Members of the House, Ministers abide by its practices and conventions. I note that the Speaker has said in her letter of 1 March to the Chairman of the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges that the fundamental responsibility of Members who find themselves in possession of leaked committee papers must be to act in a way which does not impede the committee in the discharge of its responsibilities to the House. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made it clear on 24 February 1999,Official Report, column 417, that he and the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), had acted properly in this regard by not taking any action to interfere with the work of a Select Committee or give premature disclosure.

  I also note that the Speaker has requested that, in the absence of an existing decision by the House, the Committee consider the points of order raised with her by the hon. Member and the hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Woodward) with a view to drawing up guidance for general application in such circumstances. Ministers, as members of the House, would of course abide by any future ruling on this matter.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  World Cup Bid
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what current actions his Department is taking in support of the 2006 world cup bid. [72096]

  Mr. Banks
  The Government will continue to provide the fullest diplomatic and promotional support for The FA's bid in accordance with FIFA bidding guidelines. I believe it is an excellent bid with a very good chance of success. My Department is currently helping The FA draft the formal bid submission and I have arranged to meet members of the FIFA Executive visiting this country over the coming weeks.

  I am determined that The FA's bid should continue to be pursued with the utmost vigour and integrity, and very much hope that the bidding process between now and March 2000 will be conducted in a spirit of friendly rivalry.

  Performing Arts
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he proposes to (i) extend access to the performing arts and (ii) reduce the costs of(a) performances and (b) tuition. [72098]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My Department regards increasing access to all artforms as a key objective. The Arts Council's New Audiences programme is already funding a number of pilot projects which reduce the cost of performances, and further grants have recently been announced.

  My Department is setting up the Youth Music Trust which, as an early priority, will wish to review the issue of charging for music lessons. New arrangements were also announced in November to provide more equitable funding support for professional dance and drama students.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to improve the accessibility of the productions of national theatre, opera and ballet companies for those living outside London. [72099]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Arts Council of England encourages the national companies to ensure the widest possible access to performances. Many of the national companies, including Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre, tour extensively across the country. In addition, the Arts Council announced last month a range of initiatives under the New Audiences programme which will cover the whole of England.

  Library Service
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to improve standards in public libraries. [72102]

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the service currently being provided by public libraries; and if he will make a statement. [72107]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  For the first time in 1998 all library authorities were required to prepare an Annual Library Plan. I have sent each library authority both an overall appraisal of the 1998 Annual Library Plans and individual feedback about their own. The vast majority are to be congratulated on their Plans to build on and improve library services we can all be proud of, but I am asking 15 authorities to carry out more work on their Plans and a further 6 authorities to explain proposed cuts in services.

  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how he is encouraging Britain's library service to extend access to the new technologies. [72112]

  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to help Britain's library service to extend access to new technologies. [72100]
  533
  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government are committed to ensuring that every public library is connected to the National Grid for Learning through the Public Library IT Network by 2002, where practicable. To this end, £70 million of Lottery funding will be available from the New Opportunities Fund for the development of new digital resources and the provision of ICT training for public library staff together with £6 million from the DCMS/Wolfson Challenge Fund for pathfinder projects to support the development of ICT infrastructure.

  The Government are now considering responses to the consultation document 'New Links for the Lottery' which set out proposals for a programme of 'Community Access to Lifelong Learning' which will further support the development of ICT infrastructure for public libraries.

  Hospitality and Tourism Industries
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for improving the competitiveness and quality of service of the UK hospitality and tourism industries. [72103]

  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his priorities are for improving the competitiveness and quality of the UK hospitality and tourism industries. [72105]

  Janet Anderson
  "Tomorrow's Tourism", the new strategy which we published on 26 February, contains a number of recommendations for action by central and local government, the tourism industry and other key players to improve the competitiveness and quality of the industry, and thus make it a world leader.

  A copy of the strategy has been sent to every hon. Member.

  Millennium Awards
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many communities have received Millennium awards. [72108]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Thousands of communities throughout the UK are benefiting from awards from the Millennium Commission. Work is underway on capital projects on over 3,000 sites. Nine hundred and fifty communities across the UK have benefited so far from the awards scheme for individuals and last week I announced over 1,000 celebratory events as part of the Millennium Festival.

  BBC (Free Television Licences)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will assess the benefits of using advertisements as a means to fund free television licences for pensioners as part of the review of future funding of the BBC. [72109]

  Janet Anderson
  The current review of the future of the BBC licence fee after 2002 includes a consideration of the structure of the existing concessionary television licence scheme and whether a suitable alternative structure could be available. The independent review panel has invited written submissions on a number of matters, including possible alternative concessionary 534
  arrangements and how they might be funded. The panel will report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State by the end of July this year. There will then be a period of public consultation on the panel's recommendations. It would not be right for the Government to preempt the outcome of the review.

  Chess
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to promote the designation of chess as a sport. [72111]

  Mr. Banks
  I am very supportive of chess and have impressed on the Sports Councils the need for them to review their recognition criteria. My Department provides some £49,000 each year to the British Chess Federation (BCF) and I am looking very carefully at the ways in which chess can benefit from additional sources of funding.

  Liquor Licensing Laws
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received regarding the effect on tourism in England and Wales of liberalising the liquor licensing laws. [72113]

  Janet Anderson
  We have received a number of representations from organisations and individuals in the tourism, hospitality and leisure industry. These have arisen in correspondence, in the course of meetings I have held with trade organisations, and during visits to industry events. I have also met my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for fire and emergency planning, liquor, drugs and local elections to make him aware of the importance of this issue to the tourism industry.

  Tourism
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department will take to ensure that growth in tourism is sustainable and does not damage the countryside or built heritage. [72115]

  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department will take to ensure that growth in tourism is sustainable and does not damage the countryside or built heritage. [72117]

  Janet Anderson
  The long-term success of our tourism industry depends upon our safeguarding the best of our countryside and built heritage for future generations. The Government's new Tourism Strategy,Tomorrow's Tourism: A growth industry for the new Millennium, places sustainability at its core. It contains specific proposals for action to help tourism move towards a more sustainable future.

  Sports Council
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of the Sports Council's Lottery grants have been directed to the council's priority areas. [72116]

  Mr. Banks
  Since the introduction of the Lottery Sports Fund, over £880 million has been awarded to over 2,700 projects. Of these, over 400 grants have
  535
  been made to areas of identified deprivation, totalling over £240 million. This accounts for 15 per cent. of all awards and 27 per cent. of the total amount awarded.

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to include exhibits in the millennium experience relating to the brain's capacity to make ethical distinctions. [72121]

  Janet Anderson
  As the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) announced in November 1998, the MIND zone within the Dome will combine art and technology in its exploration of many aspects of the human mind—celebrating the unique creativity of the human brain. In addition, the Body and the Spirit zone will provide an opportunity to explore wider ethical issues.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those who have agreed to sponsor the spirit zone. [72124]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is in positive discussion with a number of charitable organisations affiliated to major faith groups about support for the Spirit Zone. The company will confirm the involvement of particular organisations at an appropriate stage in those discussions.

  Royal Naval College
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions the New Millennium Experience Company has had with the Royal Naval college, Greenwich, about co-operation during 2000. [72125]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The New Millennium Experience Company's very successful Visitor Centre is located at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich and working relationships between the two organisations are excellent. These include discussions about plans for co-operation during the year 2000.

  Millennium Dome (Insurance)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the dome is insured for. [72126]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has a range of insurance cover relevant to different aspects of its legal and other responsibilities—and that includes building insurance. As is normal practice, the maximum sum payable under certain circumstances would enable the Dome to be rebuilt should that be necessary.

  UK Sports Institute
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress he has made on the establishment of the UK Sports Institute. [74117]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The English Sports Council is announcing today, Monday 1 March, with the Government's support, the United Kingdom Sports Institute's (UKSI's) network of centres around England.536
  The English Sports Council is prepared to commit, in principle, up to £100 million of Lottery funding to help British athletes achieve future gold medals.

  The provision of Lottery funding for the English network will, of course, remain a matter for the English Sports Council to decide on the basis of a full and proper assessment of suitable applications from the sites that have been identified, in line with the Policy and Financial Directions I have given them, and in line with advice from the UK Sports Council and UK Sports Institute when operational.

  The Government are determined to ensure our leading sportsmen and women—now and in the future—have access to the very best sporting facilities and services to enable them to compete successfully against the world's top athletes. We have listened to their needs and concerns. The package announced today will deliver the right blend of local provision and central co-ordination. This is what sports want, it is what competitors want and I am confident we have got it right.

  The network centres are central to delivering the UKSI's objectives. They will enable our sportsmen and women to have access to the most modern training facilities and methods in the world, near where they live. Competitors will in future be able to spend more time and energy in improving performance and less on struggling to find and get to the right place to train.

  Facilities, expertise, resources and services will be sport specific and delivered where, when and how athletes want them. All sports will be able to make use of the facilities and services. There will be a mix of private and public investment. The public investment will be through Lottery funding. The UKSI will concentrate on the Olympic sports and those minority sports lacking a commercial element.

  The UKSI will consist of a Headquarters in Sheffield, already announced, supported by network centres across England in 10 areas of England, as well as centres in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England these will be at Bath University, Bedford, Bisham Abbey, Crystal Place, Gateshead, Holme Pierrepont/Loughborough, Lilleshall, Manchester, Southampton University and Sheffield. These will be supported by regional sites of expertise; ensuring all best practice is harnessed for the benefit of athletes and coaches through a consortium approach.

  The investment of £100 million of Lottery Funds into the network in England brings with it a commitment from the sports in the programme to make use of the services and facilities for a significant amount of time. Therefore the Sports Councils will expect the commitment to the network by the governing bodies of sport to be linked to the Lottery funding they receive through the World Class Performance Plans they produce.

  Each of the networks in England, plus those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, will have access to specialist science and medical advice from the UKSI's headquarters in Sheffield. The HQ will also co-ordinate research and other athlete services and training support to ensure that the UK's top athletes, wherever they may live, have access to the very best facilities and services through UKSI, with an emphasis on making the facilities easily

  537
  accessible throughout the country. A separate announcement has already been made in respect of Scotland.

  The UKSI's headquarters in Sheffield is also moving forward and announcements will be made at each key stage, as appointments are made and designs finalised.

  Today's announcement adds another dimension to the extensive support now being provided to the UK's leading athletes. It will build on the success of the World Class performance programme and the English Sports Council's recent announcement extending this Lottery support to programmes for World Class Start and World Class Potential.

  Sporting success brings with it an enormous sense of pride. Pride for the individual competitor; pride for those close to them; and pride for those of us who support the endeavours of British athletes. The UKSI is not a quick fix. It is a long term investment in the future performance of British sportsmen and women.

  Work has already been undertaken in full consultation with Performance Directors, coaches, athletes and service providers to develop a menu of 40 UKSI services to be delivered directly to athletes by the network. The list has been further refined to indicate those which would be provided from the HQ and those services which must be provided via each of the network locations.

  There has always been a commitment to deliver urgently needed support services as soon as they are ready, particularly those that do not currently exist. The athlete personal development programme, ACE UK, will be the first of these launched in May this year.

  With the very best facilities, the best coaching, and the best scientific and medical support, I am confident that our top athletes—both those of today and of future generations—will have the best opportunity to turn potential into medals.

  Departmental Asset Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the items sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies from those listed in the National Assets Register of November 1997; if he will give in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total cash raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [70408]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 11 February 1999]The Department itself has sold no assets since November 1997 and its agency, the Royal Parks Agency, has sold one horse which generated proceeds of £2,800. The information for the Department's associated public bodies is listed by asset category, which is in the format as shown in the National Asset Register. The total proceeds from asset sales by associated public bodies amounts to £195,082.

  Associated Public Bodies

  (i) Arts Council of England

  Equipment, fixtures, and fittings—proceeds £1,000

  Works of Art—proceeds £9,000

  538

  (ii) British Tourist Authority

  Motor Vehicles—proceeds £11,000

  Fixtures and fittings—proceeds £4,000

  (iii) English Tourist Board

  Computer Equipment—proceeds nil

  (iv) British Library

  Motor Vehicles—proceeds £5,397

  (v) Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England)

  Computer Equipment—proceeds £1,000

  (vi) Imperial War Museum

  Exhibitions—proceeds £31,115

  (vii) Museums & Galleries Commission

  Fixtures and Fittings—proceeds £1,045

  (viii) National Maritime Museum

  Equipment and Vehicles—proceeds £180

  (ix) Natural History Museum

  Land and Buildings—proceeds £125,000

  (x) British Film Institute

  Motor Vehicles—proceeds £3,000

  (xi) Channel 4 Wales

  Plant and Equipment—proceeds £1,000

  (xii) English Heritage

  Plant and Fixtures—proceeds £1,050

  Equipment—proceeds £1,295

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 11 January 1999,Official Report, columns 29–30, if he will list the expenditure not included in his answer incurred by (a) his agencies and non-departmental public bodies and (b) the Central Office of Information for relevant work carried out for his Department. [71026]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]No expenditure has been spent on behalf of my Department by its agency, non-departmental public bodies or the Central Office of Information. However, the following expenditure has been incurred by my Department's agency and non-departmental public bodies from their own resources.

  £

  Public Opinion Research

  2,849,124

  TV, Radio and Newspaper Advertising

  12,507,977

  Direct Mail

  1,056,080

  The figures may also include expenditure met from non government funding.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 11 January 1999,Official Report, columns 29–30, if he will list the expenditure not included in his answer incurred (a) by task forces and review bodies, (b) by focus groups, (c) on market research and (d) for publications and publicity; and if he will list the bodies which incurred the expenditure. [71027]
  539
  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]The following expenditure has been incurred by my Department's task forces and review bodies. I have no focus groups.

  Title

  Cost incurred to date £

  Creative Industries Task Force

  53,000

  Publication costs for the Mapping Document into Creative Industries

  The Football Task Force

  112,825

  Costs incurred, including the publication of three Reports

  The Film Policy Action Committee

  78,300

  All Industry cost-benefit analysis report

  9,400

  London Film Market feasibility study

  Review of Film Policy

  23,345

  Cost of producing the report "A Bigger Picture"

  60,479

  Consumer research costs

  Review of the List of Nationally Important Sporting Events which must be made available on Free-to-Air Terrestrial TV Channels

  1,924

  Costs incurred to date

  Independent review of the Future of the Royal Opera House and the English National Opera 15,057

  17,385

  Report publication costs

  Title

  Other costs incurred to date

  The Library and Information Commission's public library network implementation Committee

  200,000

  Costs incurred to date

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what reviews, task forces and advisory groups have been established by his Department since 1 May 1997; what costs they have incurred to date; and what reports they have published. [71520]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The following table gives the information required.

  Title

  Costs incurred to date1

  Reports published

  Task Forces

  Creative Industries Task Force: to recommend steps to maximise the economic impact of the UK creative industries at home and abroad

  £53,156—Publication of the Mapping Document including design, print and paper costs and arrangements for the launch, cost £53,000. Refreshments for 8 meetings of the Taskforce held so far have cost £156

  Mapping Document into the Creative Industries published in November 1998

  540

  Title

  Costs incurred to date1

  Reports published

  The Football Taskforce: establishing to investigate and recommend measures to deal with public concern on a number of issues associated with the game

  £112,825 of which the costs to the Department are £64,604, and costs to the English Sports Council are £48,221

  Eliminating Racism from Football report published 30 March 1998 Improving Facilities for Disabled Supporters report published 29 July 1998. Investing in the Community report published 11 January 1999.

  The Film Policy Action Committee: established to take forward the recommendations of the Film Policy Review

  (i) £78,300

  (i) All Industry cost-benefit analysis report published in November 1998.

  (ii) £9,400

  (ii) London Film Market feasibility study expected to report Spring 1999.

  A group of sponsorship experts will assist sports currently in receipt of tobacco sponsorship to find replacement sponsors by: assessing the needs of each sport; offering advice on best practice in establishing commercial relationships with sponsors; and, assist the sports in making links with potential new sponsors

  Nil

  The group provides advice direct to the sports affected.

  Advisory Groups2

  Tourism Forum

  £4,200

  Advice given to Ministers on an ad-hoc basis

  Music Industry Forum

  Nil

  Advice given to Ministers on an ad-hoc basis

  Reviews

  Review of Film Policy

  £81,824—Cost of producing the report "A bigger Picture" was £23,345. Costs of consumer research was £60,479

  "A Bigger Picture" published March 1998

  Review of arrangements for celebrating the Millennium

  Nil

  June 1997

  Review of the National Lottery, leading to the publication of a White Paper

  Nil

  White Paper published 21 June 1997

  Review of Policy on Admission Charging by National Museums. (Subsumed within the Departmental Spending Review).

  Nil

  Department Spending Review consultation document published 24 July 1998

  Review of the List of Nationally Important Sporting Events which must be made available on Free-to-Air Terrestrial TV Channels

  £1,924

  Reported to Ministers on 20 March 1998 and announced 20 June 1998

  541

  Title

  Costs incurred to date1

  Reports published

  An independent review of the Future of the Royal Opera House and the English National Opera

  £32,442, which include publication costs at £17,385

  Report published on 30 June 1998

  Review of the Future Funding of the BBC

  Nil spend to date

  Report not due to be published until July 1999

  Review of the efficiency and effectiveness of Government sponsored museums and galleries

  Nil spend to date

  Report due to Ministers during 1999

  Working Group on Legal Deposit

  Costs, which covered refreshments, were met by the British Library

  Report published 17 December 1998

  The Library and Information Commission's public library network implementation Committee

  £200,000

  Report "Building the New Library Network" published October 1998

  1 DCMS staff costs for all reviews, taskforces and advisory groups were met from within the Department's existing running costs.

  2 This excludes Advisory NDPBs which have been established since 1 May 1997.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what amounts in his Department's budget for 1998–99 can be attributed to spending on disabled people; and what proportion this represents of total departmental spending. [71285]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department takes the principle of equal opportunities very seriously. Facilities and support to ensure reasonable access to persons with disabilities is built into many of my NDPBs' main programmes. However, it is not always possible to disaggregate all spending on specific initiatives/activities for disabled people within those programmes. It is not, therefore, possible to provide a meaningful answer on the amounts spent attributable to disabled people and the proportion this represents of my Department's total budget.

  Heritage Lottery Fund
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 1999,Official Report, columns 77–78, on the Heritage Lottery Fund, if he discussed his answer with the (a) former and (b) present Chairman of the Heritage Fund. [72228]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts did not discuss the Answer with either the former or the present Chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund. The guarantee we have given that there will be no further adjustments to the percentage shares of Lottery income for the arts, sport, heritage and charities, and that each can count on receiving 16 per cent. after the current temporary reduction ends in May, and beyond 2001, is excellent news for these good causes and for the Heritage Lottery Fund.

  Award Ceremonies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what awards ceremonies he has attended since becoming Secretary of State. [72708]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]I have attended the following awards ceremonies:

  1997

  Annual Sony Radio Awards Presentation and Dinner on 12 May 1997

  Hotel of the Year Awards on 10 September 1997

  Grand Final of the World Piano Competition on 7 October 1997

  1997 Mental Health Media Awards on 8 October 1997

  Booker Prize for Fiction o 14 October 1997

  The Gramophone Awards 1997 on 27 October 1997

  Prudential Awards for the Arts on 30 October 1997

  Museum of the Year Awards on 10 November 1997

  Musicians of Black Origin Awards on 10 November 1997

  Ambassadors for London Awards on 13 November 1997

  The 1997 Stirling Prize for Architecture on 20 November 1997

  ABSA Pairing Scheme Reception on 24 November 1997

  Highland Park/Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year Awards on 26 November 1997

  Reception to present the Mike Rhodes and Pink Paper Awards on 27 November 1997

  Dinner for the 1997 Turner Prize on 2 December 1997

  The ABSA Goodman and Garrett Awards on 15 December 1997

  1998

  Presentation of Designation Award on 21 January 1998

  Whitbread Book of the Year Awards on 27 January 1998

  Evening Standard British Film Awards on 1 February 1998

  BRIT Awards, Docklands Arena on 9 February 1998

  Variety Club Business Awards on 10 February 1998

  The Laurence Olivier Awards on 16 February 1998

  London Press Club Annual Press Awards on 24 February 1998

  Perrier Young Jazz Awards 1998 on 24 February 1998

  Arts Council Writers' Award on 10 June 1998

  1998 Nat West Art Prize on 16 June 1998

  ABSA Pairing Scheme Reception on 25 June 1998

  Designation Certificate for Harewood House, Leeds on 8 September 1998

  Opening of the Jerwood Space and award of the 5th Jerwood Painting Prize on 21 September 1998

  ABSA Pairing Scheme Reception on 28 October 1998

  Fourth Annual British Diversity Awards on 6 November 1998

  IBBY Conference and Announce the Children's Laureate Award on 14 November 1998

  The Turner Prize 1998 dinner on 1 December 1998

  1999

  1998 Charter Mark Awards on 26 January 1999

  Whitbread Book of the Year Presentation Dinner on 26 January 1999

  BFI Fellowship Award for Sir John Paul Getty on 29 January 1999

  Hunting Art Prizes 1999 on 3 February 1999

  Laurence Olivier Awards on 12 February 1999

  BRIT Awards on 16 February 1999

  ABSA Pairing Scheme Reception on 24 February 1999

  Local Radio Licences
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what representations he has received from the Chairman of Southampton City Radio Ltd. concerning that company's bid for a local radio licence; [73117]

  (2) what representations he has received concerning the award of local radio licences in Southampton, Bournemouth and Winchester. [73116]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]I have received one letter from a company in support of the Radio Authority's award of a licence to Southampton City Radio Ltd. and one from a group expressing their concern about the award of independent local radio licences in the area of Southampton, Bournemouth and Winchester.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what official visits he, his Ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73455]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Neither my Ministers, officials nor I have visited Zimbabwe since May 1997.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Air Miles have been earned by him and each of his ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73334]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government's policy on the use and disposal of air miles was set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12 January 1999,Official Report, column 141.

  No air miles have been received by me or my Ministers in connection with any travel on official business.

  Arts Boards
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received on the funding of arts boards. [72092]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My department has received a number of representations concerning the Regional Arts Boards on a variety of issues, including funding.

  Musical Instrument Tuition
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he has taken to increase young people's access to musical instrument tuition. [72110]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced last summer the creation of a new independent Youth Music Trust with £10m Arts Council Lottery funding a year, which will work to enable greater access to instrumental music making for young people. It will be operational in April. Taken together with the Standards Fund announced on 27 January by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media 544
  and Sport, this provides a total minimum investment of £180m over three years for the improvement of music making opportunities.

SCOTLAND

  New Housing Partnership
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the timescale is for the implementation of the New Housing Partnership scheme. [70314]

  Mr. Macdonald
  New Housing Partnerships were introduced in 1997–98 there were two rounds of bidding for resources. A third round, for resources in the period 1999–2002, is at present in progress.

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

  Fisheries
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list (i) the successful applications(a) by location and (b) by value and the (ii) the total value of the awards made in the most recent round of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance scheme. [70714]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The information is as follows:

  Aquaculture Projects—Objective 1 Area

  £

  Company

  Location

  FIFG Award

  Kinloch Damph Ltd.

  Kishorn, Ross-shire

  197,000

  Lock Laxford Shellfish Ltd.

  Loch Laxford, Sutherland

  78,110

  Caledonian Oyster Company

  Loch Creran, Argyll

  48,740

  Rubha Mor Oysters

  Loch Creran, Argyll

  15,070

  Skerries Salmon

  Shetland

  23,000

  Shetland Norse Fish Farm

  Yell, Shetland

  58,500

  Hydro Seafoods GSP Ltd.

  Bixter, Shetland

  35,250

  Clousta Shellfish

  Aithsing, Shetland

  5,450

  Catfirth Bay Shellfish

  Catfirth Bay, Shetland

  12,870

  Total

  473,990

  FIFG Processing and Marketing—Objective 1 Area

  Shetland Catch Ltd.

  Lerwick

  220,500

  Whalsay Fish Processors Ltd.

  Whalsay

  22,925

  Saga Seafoods 1994 Ltd.

  Scalloway

  88,025

  Lerwick Fish Traders Ltd.

  Lerwick

  44,380

  D. Watt (Shetland) Ltd.

  Trondra, Shetland

  129,052

  Total

  504,882

  FIFG Processing and Marketing—Non-Objective 1 Area

  Granite City Fish Ltd.

  Aberdeen

  25,163

  International Fish Canners (Scotland) Ltd.

  Fraserburgh

  109,400

  Cool Seas (Seafoods) Ltd.

  Peterhead

  250,000

  Young's Seafood

  Annan

  25,998

  Whitelink Seafoods Ltd.

  Fraserburgh

  51,500

  Macfish Ltd.

  Fraserburgh

  89,300

  Laeso Fish Ltd.

  Peterhead

  35,308

  Croan Seafoods Ltd.

  Peterhead

  89,182

  Crube International Ltd.

  Fraserburgh

  48,712

  Messrs. George Downie

  Whitehills

  70,630

  Taste the Sea Ltd.

  Castle Douglas

  53,570

  Total

  848,763

  545

  Aquaculture Projects—Objective 1 Area

  £

  Company

  Location

  FIFG Award

  FIFG Ports Facilities—Objective 1

  Stornoway Pier and Harbour

  Stornoway

  164,325

  FIFG Ports Facilities—Non—Objective 1

  Smith Maritime Ltd.

  Peterhead

  79,672

  Total

  243,997

  Total FIFG Assistance

  2,071,632

  These awards will also trigger Member State contribution from Scottish Office and Enterprise Network in excess of £600,000.

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

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of eligible applications received by location which were not grant aided in the most recent round of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance scheme, indicating which had been carried forward from one or more earlier rounds. [70716]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The lists of eligible applications received which were not grant aided under the most recent round of awards under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance scheme are as follows:

  Applicant

  Location

  Number of times deferred

  Aquaculture Projects—Objective 1 area

  North Minch Shellfish

  Lock Inchara

  1st deferment

  Norquay Fish Farms

  Echnaloch Bay, Orkney

  1st deferment

  John Eccles Hatcheries

  Hoy, Orkney

  1st deferment

  Orkney Sea Farms

  Shapinsay, Orkney

  1st deferment

  Ardencaple Oysters

  Ardencaple Bay, Argyll

  1st deferment

  Balta Island Seafare Ltd.

  Balta Island, Shetland

  1st deferment

  West Coast Oysters

  Oban, Argyll

  1st deferment

  Slett Salmon Farms Ltd.

  Binna Ness, Shetland

  1st deferment

  David Pollard

  Oban, Argyll

  2nd deferment

  Highland Fish Farmers Ltd.

  Portree, Isle of Skye

  2nd deferment

  Loch Ness (Lachs) Ltd.

  Loch Ness

  2nd deferment

  Lakeland Unst Ltd.

  Hamar's Ness, Shetland

  2nd deferment

  Migdale Smolt Ltd.

  Sutherland

  2nd deferment

  Shetland Norse Fish Farm Ltd.

  Reafirth, Shetland

  2nd deferment

  Ardvar Salmon Ltd.

  Drumbeg, Sutherland

  2nd deferment

  Aquaculture Projects—Non-Objective 1 area

  Kinnaird Mill Trout Farm

  Brechin, Angus

  1st deferment

  Mill of Elrick Fish Farm

  Auchnagatt, Aberdeenshire

  1st deferment

  Processing and Marketing Projects—Objective 1 area

  Osprey Seafoods (Highland) Ltd.

  Inverness

  1st deferment

  Scrabster Seafoods Ltd.

  Scrabster

  1st deferment

  Catfirth Bay Shellfish

  Scalloway

  1st deferment

  Euroscot Seafoods Ltd.

  Inverness

  1st deferment

  Lerwick Fish Traders Ltd.

  Lerwick

  1st deferment

  Saga Seafoods 1994 Ltd.

  Scalloway

  1st deferment

  Shetland Apero

  Lerwick

  2nd deferment

  546

  Applicant

  Location

  Number of times deferred

  Processing and Marketing Projects—Non-Objective 1 area

  Fintarn Ltd.

  St. Monans

  1st deferment

  Fresh Catch Ltd.

  Peterhead

  1st deferment

  Caley Fisheries Ltd.

  Peterhead

  1st deferment

  t/a Stephen Buchan

  R. Croan & Sons Ltd.

  Edinburgh

  2nd deferment

  Ports facilities projects—non—objective 1 area

  Aberdeen Harbour Board

  Aberdeen

  1st deferment

  Alfred Cheyne Engineering Ltd.

  King Edward, Banff

  1st deferment

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

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has sought from the LECs in determining which projects to assist under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance scheme. [70715]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The views of the Local Enterprise Companies are taken into account in the appraisal process which precedes every round of awards under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance.

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

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the next round of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance scheme will open. [70717]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]Applications for the next and final round under the current Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance had to be submitted by 31 December 1998. Decisions on these awards are expected to be announced before the end of June 1999. The possibility of a successor scheme and its funding is being negotiated in the context of the Agenda 2000 proposals.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the food industry anent the production of genetically modified food; and if he will make a statement. [69799]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]Scottish Ministers have had no recent discussions with the food industry about the production of genetically modified food. However, the industry is included in the broad public consultation on the biosciences currently being undertaken to ensure that the comprehensive framework to regulate and assess genetically modified products will continue to keep pace as this potentially very beneficial area of science develops.

  The Government's overriding duty is to safeguard the public and the environment and this is achieved through rigorous regulation and assessment of products based on the best possible scientific advice.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  547
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the full research findings of Dr. Pusztai in respect of genetically modified food. [72208]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Copies of the Audit Committee Report and the accompanying Press Release issued by the Rowett Research Institute on 28 October 1998; Dr. Pusztai's Report in response to the Audit Committee's Report; the Audit Committee's further response to Dr. Pusztai's report and the accompanying Press Release by the Rowett Research Institute on 16 February 1999, have been placed in the House of Commons Library. These reports cover all the relevant experiments carried out at the Rowett Research Institute.

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

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the parliamentary constituencies which he has visited in an official capacity in the past 12 months. [71340]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]The information requested, for visits I have made during the past 12 months in my capacity as Secretary of State, is shown in the table.

  Glasgow, Kelvin

  Edinburgh, Central

  Clydebank and Milngavie

  Stirling

  Glasgow, Ballieston

  Dundee, West

  Linlithgow

  Edinburgh, North and Leith

  Edinburgh, South

  Dumfries

  Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber

  Glasgow, Maryhill

  Renfrewshire, West

  Ross, Skye and Inverness, West

  Glasgow, Govan

  Aberdeenshire, West and Kincardine

  Edinburgh, Pentlands

  Moray

  Cities of London and Westminster

  North-East Fife

  Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

  Ochil

  Aberdeen, North

  Aberdeen, Central

  Manchester, Central

  Ayr

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  Motherwell and Wishaw

  Perth

  Glasgow, Pollok

  Glasgow, Shettleston

  Edinburgh, East and Musselburgh

  548

  Edinburgh, West

  Paisley, North

  Dunfermline, East

  Dundee, East

  Livingston

  Glasgow, Cathcart

  Clydesdale

  Dumbarton

  Kirkcaldy

  Fife, Central

  Cunninghame, South

  Paisley, South

  Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

  Falkirk, East

  Holborn and St. Pancras

  Glasgow, Rutherglen

  Aberdeen, South

  Cunninghame, South

  Glasgow, Springburn

  Hamilton, North and Bellshill

  Open Countryside
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much land held by his Department he estimates would fall within the definition of open country as set out in the consultation document Access to the Open Countryside of February 1998. [71634]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]The consultation document Access to the Open Countryside did not apply to Scotland where the law and traditions relating to access differ from those in England and Wales. Earlier this month my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced our intention to lay formal legislation for consideration by the Scottish Parliament that would introduce a right of access, to be exercised responsibly for informal recreation and passage.

  The land held by the Scottish Office has not been classified according to the definition of open country set out in the consultation document.

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

  Further Education
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if the costs for(a) line management time, (b) teaching time spent on commercial activities, (c) non-summable teaching time, (d) in-service training, (e) costs for premises not used for summable teaching activity and (f) administration staff costs not related to summable teaching staff activity are included in the staff cost per weighted sum shown on pages 44 and 45 of the Further Education in Scotland 1997 report; [71955]

  (2) if the costs for (a) teaching non-staff costs related to non-summable teaching activity, commercial activity and line management, (b) other premises costs for premises not used for summable teaching activity and (c) other administration costs not related to summable

  549
  teaching activity are included in the non-staff cost per weighted sum shown on pages 44 and 45 of the Further Education in Scotland 1997 report. [71956]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The unit cost tables on pages 44 and 45 of the Further Education in Scotland 1997 Report include only costs relating to college activity which is fundable by The Scottish Office. No costs relating to non-SUMmable activity are therefore included in either the staff or non-staff costs per weighted SUM shown on those pages.

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

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what year funding in respect of bursaries was classed as income for further and higher education colleges. [71937]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The incorporated further education colleges in Scotland assumed responsibility for bursaries from 1 April 1996. Since that date annual grant in aid allocations have been made by the Secretary of State to the colleges for bursary purposes.

  From 1 July 1999 the Secretary of State's powers to fund further education colleges will pass to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that Unit Costs Data Form BMU submissions by incorporated colleges are(a) accurate and (b) submitted on a comparable basis; [71935]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the (a) internal and (b) external auditing arrangements for the Unit Cost Data Form BMU submitted by incorporated colleges. [71936]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scottish Office provides detailed guidance to colleges regarding completion of the Unit Cost Data Forms BMU, in order to ensure accuracy and comparability. Although the forms are not themselves audited the figures are reconciled with colleges' audited annual accounts.

  From 1 July 1999 the responsibility for issue or analysis of such forms will pass to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the public funds available to further and higher education colleges as income. [71938]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The public funds available to colleges of further and higher education as income include grant in aid allocations made by the Secretary of State, tuition fees paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, contractual income form the Employment Service (including in respect of New Deal activity), the local enterprise network (for Skillseekers and other training) and the Secretary of State (for Project 2000 nurse training) and other grant income which may include European Regional or Social Funds, local authority grants and research grants.

  From 1 July 1999 these will be matters for the Scottish Parliament, apart from the grant in aid allocations which from that date will become the responsibility of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the amount each further and higher education college has acquired from his 550
  Department's budget in terms of (a) recurrent grant in aid, (b) bursaries, and (c) restructuring and capital costs in each year since incorporation in (i) cash terms and (ii) real terms at 1998–99 prices. [72039]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In view of the volume of information requested I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House of Commons.

  From 1 July 1999 the Secretary of State's powers to fund further education colleges will pass to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) guidelines and (b) penalties apply to spending by incorporated colleges of grant allocation on (i) non-teaching staff, facilities and equipment and (ii) teaching staff, facilities and equipment. [71934]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Financial Memorandum between the Secretary of State and the Boards of Management of the Colleges of Further Education, dated February 1996, sets out the guidelines and penalties which apply to spending by incorporated colleges of all grant in aid allocations. The Secretary of State may require the repayment, in whole or in part, of sums paid by him if any condition subject to which sums were paid is not complied with.

  From 1 July 1999 the Secretary of State's powers to fund further education colleges will pass to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

  Dr. Pusztai
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what employment procedures were followed during the recent dismissal of Dr Pusztai from the Rowett Institute. [71952]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Following his formal retirement from the Rowett Research Institute in 1990, at the age of 60, Dr. Pusztai was engaged as a consultant and Senior Research Fellow on a year-to-year contract, while drawing full pension. The Director of the Rowett Research Institute informed him in August 1998, in writing, that his existing contract would not be renewed when it ended on 31 December 1998.

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

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has given to businesses in central Edinburgh on the potential impact of(a) the interim location of the Scottish Parliament in the Assembly Rooms, (b) the new parliament building at Holyrood on its completion, (c) the estimated completion date of the new building and (d) the estimated date of transfer of the parliament from the Assembly Rooms to Holyrood; how often he gives local business such guidance; and if he will make a statement. [72299]

  Mr. Dewar
  My Ministerial colleagues and I meet regularly with a wide variety of representatives of the Edinburgh business community and other local organisations. Views are exchanged on the impact of the new Parliament in both of the proposed locations.
  551
  The Scottish Office, the City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd. are joint sponsors of a study on "The Scottish Parliament: Maximising Local Economic Benefit through Area Regeneration". The study team has consulted with all identified interested parties, including representatives of local commerce and industry. The final report is expected shortly.

  The estimated completion date of the new Parliament building at Holyrood is autumn 2001; the transfer date will be a matter for Members of the new Scottish Parliament to decide.

  Caesarean Sections
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many caesarean sections took place in Scotland in each of the last five years; and what they were in each year as a percentage of all deliveries. [72534]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information requested is as follows:

  Maternities—Scotland Number and percentage involving a caesarean section;

  Caesarean sections

  Year ending 31 March

  Maternities

  Number

  Percentage

  1994

  61,954

  9,716

  15.7

  1995

  59,862

  9,688

  16.2

  1996

  58,478

  9,604

  16.4

  1997

  57,499

  9,802

  17.0

  19981

  57,478

  10,386

  18.1

  1Provisional data

  Notes:

  1. The information shown in the table has been extracted from the Scottish Morbidity Record (SMR02)—Maternity discharge.

  2. Maternities are defined as a pregnancy which results in a live or stillbirth, multiple pregnancies being counted only once.

  3. In multiple deliveries individual babies may have different modes of delivery.

  4. The data exclude maternities delivered at home.

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

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many health authorities in Scotland, and in which ones, the rate of caesarean section exceeds the WHO recommended rate. [72533]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The World Health Organisation (WHO) does not make specific recommendations about rates of caesarean delivery which will inevitably vary from place to place and will reflect the health and nutritional status of pregnant women and the level of maternity care provision. The rate of caesarean section for each Health Board in Scotland is as follows:

  Maternities—Scotland; by Health Board area of treatment Number and percentage involving a caesarean section Year ending 31 March 1998

  Caesarean sections

  Area of treatment

  Maternities

  Number

  Percentage

  Scotland

  57,478

  10,386

  18.1

  Argyll and Clyde

  4,517

  927

  20.5

  Ayrshire and Arran

  3,864

  770

  19.9

  Borders

  973

  169

  17.4

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,531

  258

  16.9

  Fife

  3,181

  598

  18.8

  Forth Valley

  3,288

  536

  16.3

  552

  Maternities—Scotland; by Health Board area of treatment Number and percentage involving a caesarean section Year ending 31 March 1998

  Caesarean sections

  Area of treatment

  Maternities

  Number

  Percentage

  Grampian

  5,996

  1,064

  17.7

  Greater Glasgow

  12,877

  2,283

  17.7

  Highland

  2,393

  470

  19.6

  Lanarkshire

  4,635

  872

  18.8

  Lothian

  9,053

  1,635

  18.1

  Orkney

  116

  18

  15.5

  Shetland

  193

  10

  5.2

  Tayside

  4,667

  743

  15.9

  Western Isles

  194

  33

  17.0

  Notes:

  1. The information shown in the table has been extracted from the Scottish Morbidity Record (SMR02)—Maternity discharge.

  2. Maternities are defined as a pregnancy which results in a live or stillbirth, multiple pregnancies being counted only once.

  3. In multiple deliveries individual babies may have different modes of delivery.

  4. The data exclude maternities delivered at home.

  5. The data provided are provisional.

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

  Rowett Institute
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the annual reports of the Rowett Institute for the years 1997 and 1998. [71953]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Rowett Research Institute's Annual Report for 1997–98 should be available in March-April 1999. The Report for 1998–99 should be available at the same time next year.

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

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make publicly available all the research documentation concerning the experiments carried out with genetically modified potatoes at the Rowett Institute. [71954]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Copies of the Audit Committee Report and the accompanying Press Release issued by the Rowett Research Institute on 28 October 1998; Dr. Pusztai's Report in response to the Audit Committee's Report; the Audit Committee's further response to Dr. Pusztai's Report and the accompanying Press Release by the Rowett Research Institute on 16 February 1999, have been placed in the House of Commons Library. These reports cover all the relevant experiments carried out at the Rowett Research Institute.

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

  Sheriff Court, Dumbarton
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) solemn and (b) summary, (i) civil and (ii) criminal cases which have been adjudicated upon at the Sheriff Court in Dumbarton in each of the past five years. [72884]
  553
  Mr. McLeish
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Dumbarton Sheriff Court

  Cases Concluded

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Criminal

  Summary Cases

  2,775

  2,584

  2,646

  2,654

  2,419

  Solemn Cases

  92

  80

  72

  76

  90

  Civil1

  Ordinary Actions

  1,000

  1,038

  967

  895

  1,052

  Summary Cause

  2,544

  2,150

  1,996

  2,040

  2,042

  1Civil does not include miscellaneous civil proceedings e.g. adoptions, simplified divorces, sequestrations etc.

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

  Social Exclusion
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress made by the Government in tackling social exclusion in Scotland. [74118]

  Mr. Dewar
  Social exclusion is a pernicious phenomenon and we have made clear our determination to confront it. Since coming into office we have put in place a wide-ranging and well resourced programme of action. We have today published a social inclusion strategy for Scotland, which has been developed and endorsed by the Scottish Social Inclusion Network, chaired by my noble Friend Lord Sewel. The strategy aims to ensure that action already underway achieves the greatest possible impact, and that future action to promote social inclusion is integrated, evaluated and informed by new ideas and existing best practice.

  A statement of the Government's programme of action is set out in a companion document to the strategy, also published today. Copies of both documents are available from the House Library.

  From 1 July 1999 action taken forward under the social inclusion strategy will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Elderly (Long-term Care)
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to respond to the report of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care of the Elderly. [74394]

  Mr. Dewar
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has indicated today, we have just received the Royal Commission's very full and detailed report. I join my right hon. Friend in his tribute to the work of the Commission, under the chairmanship of Sir Stewart Sutherland. We are grateful to all the Commission members, including the other Scottish-based member, Professor Mary Marshall of the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling.

  The report's recommendations are important and wide ranging. They will require very careful consideration. Some relate to matters such as social security and pensions which are to be reserved to Westminster. Scottish Ministers and officials will play a full part in inter-departmental discussions on these matters, both now and, I am sure, after devolution. Other recommendations
  554
  relate to matters such as social work, health and housing, which will be devolved. From 1 July 1999 these will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament and the response to the recommendations will be for the Scottish Executive and Parliament to take forward in the light of the informed debate which the Commission hopes to see, and our proposals for modernising social work services which will be set out in a White Paper later this month.

  The Commission has made two key recommendations. The first is that personal care as defined by the Commission (that is, not including the costs of board and lodging) should be free in all settings. This recommendation will clearly have to be addressed in the light of the spending priorities of the Scottish Parliament. The second is that there should be a National Care Commission to look at the whole system in a strategic way, represent the interests of older people receiving services and produce national benchmarks. Again this will have to be considered carefully.

  I congratulate the Royal Commission and Sir Stewart on the production of this report. I am confident that the Scottish Executive and Parliament will give it the full consideration it deserves and requires.

  Seals
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of seal damage to salmon in the last five years. [73908]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Seals are opportunistic predators which take whatever prey is locally abundant, and only by studying rivers on a site-by-site basis can the effects of seals on salmon be measured.

  A study based on direct observation of seals and their impact on salmon in the estuaries of the Rivers Dee and Don was conducted between 1993 and 1996. This found that common seals were the most prevalent species, that peak numbers were seen in the winter months, but that the number of individual seals was very low.

  A new project studying the interaction between the two species has begun on the River Conon, funded by The Scottish Office, through the Marine Laboratory, and Aberdeen University.

  There are no estimates of predation on salmonids in the open sea.

  From 1 July 1999 the protection and management of seals in Scottish waters will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to control the seal population. [73909]

  Mr. Macdonald
  A delicate balance must be struck between maintaining a sustainable population of seals and protecting legitimate fishing interests. Current legislation provides local solutions to local problems.

  Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, fishermen are permitted to shoot seals during the open seasons, providing an appropriately licensed firearm is used. Limited shooting under licence is permitted during the close seasons for the prevention of damage to fisheries.

  555
  Throughout the year, fishermen may shoot seals to prevent them from causing damage to a fishing net or fishing tackle, or to any fish captured by that net or tackle.

  In April 1998 we announced the lifting of the year round protection given to common seals in Shetland under the Conservation of Seals (Common Seals)(Shetland Islands Area) Order 1991. We have no plans at present to change the existing management regime. This matter is kept under constant review.

  From 1 July 1999 the protection and management of seals in Scottish waters will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the total number of cases referred to, and awaiting review by, the Criminal Cases Review Commission; [72772]

  (2) how many cases are awaiting intensive review by the case review managers that work for the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [72771]

  Pilot project

  Area

  Date pilot started

  Youth Justice—Measures contained in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998:

  (1) The final warning scheme

  London Boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham,

  30 September 1998

  (2) The repatriation order

  Kensington and Chelsea and the City of Westminster;

  (3) Action plan order

  Southampton; Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight;

  Wolverhampton; Sheffield (1) to (5)

  (4) Child safety order and parenting order

  Blackburn (1) (2) (5)

  (5) Youth offending teams

  London Borough of Lewisham; Luton and Bedfordshire;

  Devon; St. Helens; Sunderland (4) (5)

  Reducing delays in the criminal justice system—pilots of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 provisions to speed up the criminal justice system:

  Blackburn and Burnley; Croydon, Bromley and Sutton; Northamptonshire; North Staffordshire; North Wales; and Tyneside

  October 1998. January 1999 for those relating to the sending of cases to the Crown Court

  Getting cases into court the day after charge or as soon as possible thereafter;

  Crown Prosecution Service staff working alongside the police in the police stations to get cases ready for court;

  Crown Prosecution Service using trained lay staff to prosecute straightforward guilty plea cases in the magistrates' courts in Early First Hearings.

  Introduction of Early Administrative Hearings in the magistrates' courts to be presided over by a single Justice or Justices' Clerk to manage the pre-trial preparation of all magistrates' court cases;

  Free legal advice from the duty solicitor at court for defendants attending Early First Hearings or Early Administrative Hearings. Introduction of tougher bail conditions to increase the use of securities and enable the courts to require a defendant to attend an interview with his legal representative.

  Sending indictable-only cases to the Crown Court after only one preliminary hearing in the magistrates' court.

  Probation

  Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

  Liverpool; Gloucestershire; Croydon

  1 October 1998

  Pathfinder projects—to identify examples of best practice and share them amongst probation services:

  September 1998

  1. Programme Solving, Training and Offending Behaviour

  Devon, Teesside and Greater Manchester

  2. Thames Valley Sex Offender Programme

  Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

  3. Women Offenders Programme

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  556
  Kate Hoey
  I understand that, at the end of January, 1,055 cases were awaiting review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (of which 1,010 were awaiting detailed review) and 482 cases were under active review.

  Police (Millennium Celebrations)
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 1999,Official Report, columns 92–93, on policing Millennium celebrations, what proportion of the £176 million additional special payment is in respect of the Millennium. [72665]

  Mr. Boateng
  The £176 million special payment allocated to the Metropolitan Police is in recognition of the force's distinct national and capital city functions which, in the next financial year, include policing related to Millennium celebrations. It is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to decide on the operational deployment of his resources.

  Pilot Projects
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the pilot projects instigated by his Department since 1 May 1997, indicating the area in which each pilot took, or is taking, place. [72638]

  Mr. Straw
  Details of key pilot projects instigated by the Home Office since 1 May 1997 are as follows:
  557

  Pilot project

  Area

  Date pilot started

  Electronic Tagging

  1. Community Service Orders and Curfew Orders on Persistent Petty Offenders, Curfew Orders on Juveniles (aged 10 to 15), Driving Disqualifications on Offenders and Fine Defaulters

  Norfolk Greater Manchester

  January 1998 April 1998

  2. Electronic Monitoring as a Condition of Bail

  Norfolk Greater Manchester

  April 1998 July 1998

  Integrating business and information systems (IBIS)— to enable the exchange of electronic case files and case-tracking information between the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the magistrates' courts

  Stockport

  November 1998

  Police dogs—Trials of scent discrimination methods of training police dogs using bloodhounds and German Shepherds

  Essex police force

  April 1998

  Fire safety—community fire safety pilot publicity campaign that concentrated on chip pan safety to test out an integrated approach to communications. TV advertising ran throughout Granada TV area

  Lancashire

  3 April 1998 to 5 May 1998

  Review of Fire Cover—Pathfinder projects with selected fire brigades to trial a new scheme for providing fire cover based on the risk

  London, Strathclyde (Glasgow); Lothian and the Borders; South Wales (Cardiff); Oxfordshire; Devon

  January 1998

  Passport issuing—project to introduce a more secure digitally printed British Passport

  Passports issued by the Liverpool and Newport Passport Offices (North West, North and South of England and Wales)

  5 October 1998

  Prison Service Welfare to Work

  11 prisons across the estate

  April 1998

  Video Links

  South-West (Bristol and Eastwood Park prisons linked to Bristol and Swindon magistrates court)

  November 1998

  North-West (Manchester prison and Hindley YOI linked to Manchester Magistrates court)

  New Security passes

  Bullwood Hall prison, Essex; The Mount prison, Herts; Hull prison

  April to June 1998

  Prisoner Escort Form

  Brixton and Holloway prisons; London prisoner escort service and 9 London police stations

  May to June 1998

  Extended Sex Offender Treatment Programme

  Albany, Wakefield, channings Wood, Swinfen Hall and Wandsworth prisons

  1997 to 1998

  Improved regimes for women prisoners

  Holloway prison, London Styal prison Cheshire

  December 1998 November 1998

  Dyslexia screening

  5 dispersal prisons: Frankland, Full Sutton, Long Lartin, Wakefield, Whitemoor

  January 1999

  Family literacy

  Stoke Heath YOI; Norwich, Bullwood Hall Cookham wood Dover YOI

  September 1998 October 1998 February 1999

  Volunteer tutoring schemes

  Frankland, Full Sutton and Wakefield prisons

  January 1999

  Peer partnership (basic skills)

  7 prisons across the estate

  August to September 1998

  Birmingham

  January 1999

  Disinfecting tablets

  11 prisons across the estate

  July to November 1998

  A number of pilot projects will also form part of the Crime Reduction Programme, beginning in April 1999. There will be about 70 projects initially, launched as part of the burglary and targeted policing initiatives within the Programme. There will be others to follow. The first projects are expected to be confirmed shortly, following validation of the bids that have been submitted to the Home Office.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 on domestic violence. [72769]
  558
  Mr. Boateng
  Tackling domestic violence requires partnership working between agencies in the public, private and voluntary sectors. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 has reinforced the statutory framework under which such partnership working can take place. We have always made it clear that we expect the local crime and disorder partnerships set up under the Act to identify the level of domestic violence in their area and to develop and implement strategies for reducing it.

  The first crime and disorder audits and strategies should be in place by 1 April 1999 and are currently being drawn up. It is too early to draw from them any general

  559
  conclusions, but a number of audits—including Croydon's—have already identified domestic violence as a priority.

  Deportations
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment(a) have been deported upon release in each of the last five years and (b) will be deported on release; and to which countries in each case. [72930]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that the precise information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The available information, relating to deportation removals following recommendation by a court, or on grounds conducive to the public good following conviction for a criminal offence, is given in the table.

  Deportation removals1 following recommendation by a court2 or on grounds conducive to the public good3 following conviction for a criminal offence, 1994–19984,5

  Number of persons

  Removed or departed voluntarily1,4

  1994

  320

  1995

  340

  1996

  370

  1997

  360

  19985

  320

  1 Includes persons departing voluntarily following initiation of deportation action against them.

  2 Under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1971.

  3 Under section 3(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1971.

  4 Data are rounded.

  5 1998 data are provisional and relate to 1 January to 30 November only.

  Drugs Misuse
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the occasions on which gammahydroxybutyrate has been referred to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs; and what representations have been made on its use; [72902]

  (2) what criteria are applied in determining whether the degree of abuse of a drug and the social consequences arising from its misuse are sufficient to warrant (a) the banning of the drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and (b) other Government action. [72903]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Representations have periodically been made since 1994 for the control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 of gammahydroxybutyrate. In total, eight Parliamentary Questions have been answered in this House and nine letters from Members.

  The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which is established under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to advise the Government on drug misuse issues, has considered the misuse of gammahydroxybutyrate on three occasions—in May 1994 shortly after the drug first appeared as a drug of misuse in this country; in November 1996; and in May 1998.

  Section 1 of the 1971 Act provides that the Council has a duty to keep under review drugs which are being or appear likely to be misused and of which the misuse is
  560
  having to appear capable of having harmful effects sufficient to constitute a social problem; and to give to Ministers advice on measures (whether or not involving alteration of the law) to be taken for preventing the misuse of such drugs or dealing with social problems connected with their misuse.

  When reviewing the misuse of a substance and deciding what measures should in its opinion be taken, the matters which the Council take into account include the substance's pharmacology; availability (including any existing controls on the substance); prevalence of misuse; effects on health; abuse liability; dependence potential; and therapeutic usefulness.

  EU Nationals
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters have been sent to Community nationals in the United Kingdom advising them that they are no longer considered to be exercising treaty rights and should therefore leave the United Kingdom since 1 February 1998. [72865]

  Kate Hoey
  Between 1 February and 31 August 1998, 9 Residence Permits or Documents were revoked.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many EU nationals are estimated to have been exercising treaty rights in the United Kingdom during the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72871]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information available relates to the number of nationals of other European Union countries who were usually resident in the United Kingdom in autumn 1998. There were some 870,000 such persons, of whom 450,000 were citizens of the Irish Republic.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average time for consideration of applications for residence documents or evidence of residence made by third country family members of EU nationals exercising treaty rights in the United Kingdom during the period 1 February 1998 to date; [72870]

  (2) what was the average time for consideration of applications for residence documents for EU nationals exercising treaty rights in the United Kingdom during the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72869]

  Kate Hoey
  The information sought is not recorded in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for(a) residence permits and (b) leave to remain as the spouse of an EEA national exercising treaty rights, were refused on the basis that the marriage was one of convenience over the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72875]

  Kate Hoey
  From 1 February to 31 August 1998, 216 applications for residence documents on the basis of marriage to an European Economic Area (EEA) national were refused. The reasons for refusal are not separately categorised. The granting of leave to remain relates to applications made under the Immigration Rules and does not apply to requests for residence documents by the spouses of EEA nationals exercising treaty rights.
  561
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the length in time of residence documents or endorsements given to third country national spouses of EC nationals exercising treaty rights who have been granted indefinite leave to remain. [72855]

  Kate Hoey
  Where a European Economic Area (EEA) national has been granted indefinite leave to remain, the third country national spouse may apply either for leave to remain under the Immigration Rules on the basis of marriage to a person present or settled in the United Kingdom or for a residence document in accordance with European Community law. In the former case, the applicant, if successful, would be granted 12 months' leave to remain in the first instance; in the latter case, the third country national spouse may apply for a residence document which, if issued, would have the same validity as any extant residence permit issued to the EEA spouse. If the EEA spouse no longer holds a valid residence permit, one would be issued with five years' validity as the basis for the issue of a residence document of the same validity to the third country national.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many EU nationals were refused entry to the United Kingdom on the grounds of(a) public policy, (b) public security and (c) public health during the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72866]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information relates to European Union nationals who were refused leave to enter because their exclusion from the United Kingdom was deemed conducive to the public good or because they were medically undesirable. A provisional total of 46 persons in the first of those categories were removed between February and December 1998. During the same period, no European Union nationals were recorded as having been refused and removed on health grounds.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measure has been implemented in the United Kingdom to give effect to the decision of the European Court of Justice in the case of Vander Elst [1994] ECR 1–3803 to the effect that third country national employees of service providers based in another member state are entitled by Community law to exercise on behalf of their employers the right to provide services in the United Kingdom. [72873]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Effect is given to implementing this judgment through instructions that third country national employees of service providers established in another member state are not required to obtain work permits when they are sent to provide services in the United Kingdom.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for residence permits were made by EU nationals exercising treaty rights in the United Kingdom in the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72861]

  Kate Hoey
  From 1 February to 31 August 1998, 1,424 applications for residence permits were received.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for residence documents and endorsements by third country national spouses of Community nationals exercising treaty rights 562
  were refused entry on the basis that he considered the marriage to be one of convenience during the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72872]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret the information requested is not available in the form requested.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for residence documents by third country national family members of EU nationals exercising treaty rights were made in the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72877]

  Kate Hoey
  From 1 February to 31 August 1998, 2,608 applications for residence documents by third country national family members of European Union nationals exercising treaty rights were received.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for residence documents by EU nationals exercising treaty rights in the United Kingdom were granted in the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72857]

  Kate Hoey
  Between 1 February and 31 August 1998 (the latest date for which figures are available), 894 residence permits were issued to European Union nationals exercising Treaty rights.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many residence documents and evidence of residence were granted to third country national family members of EU nationals exercising treaty rights in the United Kingdom during the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72864]

  Kate Hoey
  From 1 February to 31 August 1998, 1,596 residence documents were issued to third country national family members (spouses and other family members) of European Union nationals.

  Passports and Identity Documents
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) passports and (b) identity documents purporting to be issued by a member state presented on arrival in the United Kingdom have been the subject of inquiries with the authorities of the member state as to their (i) genuineness and (ii) correct issuance during the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72858]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Statistics are not kept of the number of such inquiries. Normally, document abuse is identified without the need to refer to the issuing authority. In 1998, 3,478 forged European Union/European Economic Area travel documents were detected at our ports of entry.

  Entry Clearance
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-EEA family members who arrived in possession of entry clearance holding an EEA family permit were refused entry by the immigration officer at a British port of entry during the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72874]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  563
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for leave to remain in the United Kingdom were submitted in the last year; and how many are currently outstanding. [73002]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that full information is not available in the form requested. In 1998, some 46,000 asylum applications, including those at the ports of entry but excluding dependants, were received and at the end of the year 68,400 applications were outstanding. The number of applications received from non-European Economic Area nationals for an extension of stay is not available, but 157,000 initial decisions were made in 1998 and it is estimated that around 27,000 applications were outstanding at the end of the year.

  Lowdham Grange Prison
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the arrangement between Premier Prisons Services and his Department for the employment of prisoners at Her Majesty's Prison Lowdham Grange, Nottingham; and how many other such arrangements are proposed, where and with whom. [73173]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The aim is to generate work for the certified normal accommodation of 500 prisoners at Lowdham Grange prison. Approximately 150 prisoners are employed on jobs servicing the prison such as in the kitchens, cleaning and gardening. There is capacity for 350 prisoners at the industrial complex within the prison. At present, some 250 prisoners are employed at the complex on work for five different companies. The work consists of coat hanger recycling, paper hat manufacture for the catering industry, welding, painting model soldiers and folding and enveloping charity bags. Premier Prison Services Ltd. manages the prison and is actively seeking work for the remaining 100 prisoners from other companies in the locality.

  Premier Prison Services' policy, which is in line with that of the Prison Service, is to seek work for prisoners which is not economically viable elsewhere, cannot be done in the United Kingdom or cannot be organised by a company due to restrictions on its premises or labour force.

  The industrial complex at Lowdham Grange is operated on a cost recovery basis and, should any profit be generated, it would be returned to the prisoners' amenities fund.

  Turkish Workers
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory provision gives effect to the rights of Turkish workers as regards residence and employment in accordance with Article 6(3) of the Association of Council Design 1/80 adopted under the Turkey/EC Association Agreement 1963 and its Protocol. [72867]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There is no separate statutory provision which gives effect to Article 6(3) of the Agreement. Instructions to caseworkers ensure that Turkish nationals who have rights under the Agreement are granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom, as appropriate.

  Immigration and Nationality Department
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people, on average, were employed in the EC group of the Immigration and Nationality Department between 1 February 1997 and 31 January 1998. [72863]

  Kate Hoey
  The number of staff in post for each month from February 1997 to December 1998 is given in the table. Responsibility for EC casework was transferred from EC group of the European Directorate to the Integrated Casework Directorate in December 1998.

  European Directorate (EC group) monthly staff in post

  Month

  1997

  1998

  January

  —

  28

  February

  22

  28

  March

  21

  28

  April

  23

  28

  May

  23

  28

  June

  23

  28

  July

  23

  28

  August

  23

  28

  September

  23

  28

  October

  23

  29

  November

  27

  27

  December

  27

  0

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters sent to the Immigration and Nationality Department by special and recorded delivery in the last six months have not yet been opened. [72859]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are currently 4,730 items of recorded and registered post to be opened in the Integrated Caseworking Directorate Mail Handling Section. The earliest date of unopened post is 9 February 1999. There are a further 507 items to be opened in the Travel Documents Section. The earliest date of unopened post is 3 February 1999. Despite the disruption caused by the move of offices, the backlog on post opening should reduce further in the weeks to come.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to publish the report on the former young offenders' institution at the Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester. [73238]

  Mr. George Howarth
  It is intended to publish the full results of the evaluation of the young offender regime at Colchester Military Corrective Training Centre at the end of 1999, when one-year reconviction data will be available.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the education facilities that exist in each of the establishments in England and Wales where young offenders are held. [73497]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 13 January 1999,Official Report, column 198.
  565
  Education for prisoners over the age of 16 years is entirely optional. Education provision in prison establishments in England and Wales where young offenders are held focuses on remedial education in basic skills, combined with a wide variety of experience and training to equip young offenders to deal more effectively with life after imprisonment.

  Education provision for those under 17 years of age is linked to the National Curriculum for schools insofar as facilities allow.

  Information on educational facilities in each of the establishments in England and Wales where young offenders are held is not held centrally. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Unsolved Murders
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police officers in England and Wales who have been murdered in the last 10 years and in respect of whom no one has been brought to court charged with their murder; and if he will make a statement. [73554]

  Mr. Boateng
  I will write to the right hon. Member with full details.

  Speeding (Loughton)
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been fined for exceeding the speed limit at Forest Side, Claypit Hill, Gravel Hill, Pynest Green Lane and Wellington Hill, all situated in High Beech, Loughton, in each of the last five years. [73615]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not available.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Air Miles have been earned by him and each of his ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73340]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government's policy on the use and disposal of air miles was set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12 January 1999,Official Report, column 141.

  Detailed information on any air miles earned by Ministers as a result of official travel is not recorded centrally.

  Victim Support
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government funding for Victim Support has been for each of the last 12 years. [73553]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Home Office grant to Victim Support in each of the last 12 financial years is as follows:

  Financial Year

  Grant (£ million)

  1987–88

  1.763

  1988–89

  2.740

  1989–90

  3.910

  566

  Financial Year

  Grant (£ million)

  1990–91

  4.735

  1991–92

  5.670

  1992–93

  7.260

  1993–94

  8.375

  1994–95

  10.016

  1995–96

  10.817

  1996–97

  11.682

  1997–98

  12.682

  1998–99

  12.682

  As announced on 23 February 1999, Official Report, column 210, the grant is being increased substantially from 1 April 1999 and, by 2001–02, will have risen to some £19 million, a 50 per cent. increase over the current figure.

  Schizophrenia
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those convicted of crimes in England in the last year for which figures are available have ever been admitted to National Health Service mental illness hospitals and units with a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses. [73358]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 25 February 1999,Official Report, column 393.

  Stephen Lawrence Inquiry
  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 22 February 1999,Official Report, columns 21–34, if he will describe the procedure to be used in the inquiry by his Permanent Secretary into the unauthorised publication of extracts from the Macpherson report; when he expects the inquiry to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [73518]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]My Permanent Secretary has instituted a leak investigation under well established procedures. An independent investigator will be assisted by my Department's Security Unit. He will report in the first instance to the Permanent Secretary, who will report to me. It is not known how long the investigation will take. I will inform the House of its outcome in due course.

  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 22 February 1999,Official Report, columns 21–34, how many copies were in circulation of the Macpherson report prior to 21 February and who had access to them; what steps were taken to preserve the security of the report; and if he will make a statement. [73525]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]It would not be in the interests of the investigation now under way into the leak of parts of Sir William Macpherson's Report on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry to give these details. I will inform the House of the outcome of that investigation in due course.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish in full the diary of official appointments for the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), from 15 February to 21 February; [73713]
  567
  (2) if he will list those journalists who entered the Home Office to meet Ministers or officials during the period 15 February to 21 February; [73710]

  (3) if he will list the journalists met by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), in his official capacity in (a) the Home Office and (b) his room at the House from 15 February to 21 February; [73712]

  (4) if he will list all those questioned by the leak inquiry team on the Macpherson report; [73734]

  (5) which Home Office Ministers were provided with a full copy of the Macpherson report prior to 21 February; on what date each was given the copy; and if any Ministers were given extra copies; [73711]

  (6) if he will list those journalists granted a pass to visit ministers in the Home Office in the period 15 February to 21 February. [73709]

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each day from his receipt of Sir William Macpherson's report on Stephen Lawrence's death of 21 February, how many copies were out of the Department and in whose possession each copy resided while out of the Department. [73800]

  Mr. Straw
  It would not be in the interests of the investigation now under way into the leak of parts of Sir William Macpherson's Report on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry to give these details.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report on the leak inquiry on the Macpherson report. [73733]

  Mr. Straw
  There is no fixed length of time for the leak investigation; the investigating officer will make his report as soon as he is able to do so.

  Airport Liaison Officers
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each airport to which an airline liaison officer has been posted, the number of people who have been prevented from boarding planes as a result of action taken by the officers. [73888]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Airline liaison officers are posted overseas to offer advice and assistance to airlines on inadequately documented passengers. Any decision to refuse carriage to a passenger is solely a matter for the airline concerned. In 1998, airlines operating from the five locations where airline liaison officers were based refused carriage to 2,095 prospective passengers who were not adequately documented for travel to the United Kingdom. The figures for each location are: Accra 592; Colombo 191; Delhi 922; Dhaka 220; and Nairobi 170.

  Police (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with senior police officers of Gloucestershire Constabulary concerning the impact on services of the 1999–2000 financial settlement; and if he will make a statement. [73138]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]The Chief Constable of the Gloucestershire Constabulary (Mr. Tony Butler) wrote to my officials 568
  about the 1999–2000 funding settlement and met them subsequently to discuss the force's financial position. My officials replied to Mr. Butler on 18 January.

  Gloucestershire Constabulary's funding will be £62.4 million in 1999–2000, an increase of 1.4 per cent. over 1998–99. According to latest information from the Audit Commission, expenditure on policing per head of population in Gloucestershire is £105.79. This expenditure level is higher than that in 19 other forces.

  It is for the chief officer of each force to decide on the operational deployment of the total resources allocated to them.

  Security Service
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the present remit of MI5 extends to monitoring pressure groups involved in campaigns against genetically modified food. [73399]

  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service has no powers to investigate any such pressure group and therefore does not do so unless it is suspected of presenting a threat to national security or to the economic well-being of the United Kingdom; or unless the Service has been tasked by a law enforcement agency to investigate the group because it is suspected of involvement in serious crime.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if MI5 is empowered to disconnect phone lines connected to organisations for the purpose of preventing possible subversion; if explicit authorisation is required from him for such action; and if he will make a statement. [73407]

  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service will undertake operations involving entry onto or interference with property only in accordance with its statutory functions and under the authority of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 5 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994. It has been the policy of successive Governments not to disclose information about Security Service operations.

  Greenpeace
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Merseyside into the incident in which his officers recently intercepted a number of members of Greenpeace at a Cheshire motorway service station. [73398]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have received a report from Merseyside Police who have informed me of the following:

  On Wednesday 17 February, Merseyside Police became aware of the presence of a large group of Greenpeace activists at Hapsford Service Station on the M56 in Cheshire. It was apparent to the police that the members of Greenpeace were intending to demonstrate at Liverpool Docks in order to disrupt commercial trade. After consultation with Cheshire Constabulary, Merseyside Police officers attended and, given the dangers of any potential demonstration, seized a number of dinghies under section 19(3) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; section 3 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and section 12(1) of the Aviation and Maritime Security

  569
  Act 1990. I understand that the seizure was carried out with the co-operation of the demonstrators and the dinghies were placed in a safe location.

  The following day, Thursday 18 February, 11 Greenpeace activities were arrested for aggravated trespass under section 68 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 at the Seaforth Dock on Merseyside. Ten people were later charged and will appear at South Sefton Magistrates Court on 25 March.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of administration of the subsistence benefit system for asylum seekers by local authorities. [73158]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Local authorities can include reasonable administration costs in their claims for asylum seekers subject to an overall unit cost limit. Administration costs are not disaggregated.

  Charities
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place between his Department and the Treasury over the future fiscal framework under which charities will operate. [72106]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Home Office continues to work closely with the Treasury and all Government Departments on matters relating to the charitable sector. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor intends to publish the consultation document on the Charity Taxation Review at the time of the budget.

  Licensing Hours
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the licensing hours that his Department will recommend to licensing justices for the period of 30 December 1999 to the 2 January 2000 inclusive. [73565]

  Mr. Straw
  We have just consulted on proposals for extending permitted hours on the Millennium Eve and subsequent New Year's Eves. Our preference was for an all-night relaxation, but we also sought views on a more modest extension to 4am. We will announce the outcome shortly.

  We have not proposed any change to the hours on 30 December or 2 January.

  Green Goddess Fire Appliance
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for supply of fuel for the Green Goddess fire appliances when the new petroleum regulations on leaded petrol are implemented. [74037]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Extensive tests undertaken on two appliances indicate that the engines will run on unleaded fuel with minor routine adjustment. We have also carried out conversions to the cylinder heads of two engines, which should enable them to run on unleaded fuel without further adjustment. The converted engines will be evaluated under test conditions before further conversions are undertaken. We are also evaluating 570
  proprietary fuel additives, which are claimed to allow vehicles such as the green goddesses to run on unleaded fuel without polluting the environment.

  Au Pairs
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the immigration status of au pairs; and if he will make a statement. [71967]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [pursuant to his reply, 25 February 1999, c. 392–93]Under the Immigration Rules, an au pair must be unmarried, aged between 17 and 27 and without dependants, and come from one of the designated countries. They may stay in the United Kingdom for up to two years, living as part of an English speaking family and learning the language. They may help in the home for no more than five hours a day, with two days off per week, in return for a reasonable allowance.

  Drug Conference (Rangoon)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Her Majesty's Government will be represented at Interpol's fourth International Drug Conference in Rangoon on 23 to 26 February. [72886]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I have been asked to reply.

  The UK, along with a majority of EU Member States, was not represented at Interpol's International Drug Conference in Rangoon held from 23 to 26 February.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Plutonium Shipments
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment was made of the security and safety arrangements covering the plutonium shipments from France to Japan in 1992 prior to deciding upon the appropriate arrangements for the forthcoming shipment of plutonium MOX fuel from Sellafield to Japan. [72962]

  Mr. Battle
  The transport of MOX fuel from Europe to Japan will be undertaken in full accordance with internationally agreed commitments and recommendations on physical protection, reflecting the concern of all parties to prevent the proliferation of sensitive nuclear materials. The Government are satisfied that the security measures proposed for the shipment of MOX fuel provide at least the same level of protection as the arrangements which were in place for the 1992 shipment of plutonium from France to Japan and that they are adequate and make the security risks negligible.

  The ships which will be used for the shipment of MOX fuel meet the highest safety rating of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a United Nations agency, which regularly reviews its regulations. The design and construction of the ships are approved by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and by Lloyds Register. The ships have a range of safety features which exceed those found on conventional cargo vessels. PNTL has been safely transporting nuclear fuel by sea for over thirty years during which time its ships have covered over 4.5 million miles without a single incident involving an escape of radioactivity.

  Wind Turbines (North-East)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with north east industrialists involved in the manufacturing and supply of components for off-shore wind energy turbines; and if he will make a statement. [73174]

  Mr. Battle
  Last year I addressed two conferences held by the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA), many of whose members are based in the North East of England. At the Cardiff conference I launched a consultation exercise on the most suitable arrangements for incorporating the development of offshore wind energy into the NFFO process. I have also visited several wind projects including that of Border Wind at Blyth Harbour which will be one of the first UK offshore wind installations.

  Through the New and Renewable Energy (NRE) programme, my Department has also held seminars aimed at encouraging engineering companies to invest in the manufacturing and supply of components for wind farm sites. One such event was held in September 1997 in Durham where firms from the region were given a detailed outline of the technology, the market and the opportunities open to engineering industry. The programme has supported 10 projects to develop wind turbine components to date. These projects are worth a total value of £2.4 million. In addition, the programme has supported a number of companies visits to wind turbine manufacturers in Europe as part of this initiative.

  Transatlantic Post
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the criteria which the United Kingdom and United States of America Governments use in tendering for the contracts to transport post in each direction between the United Kingdom and the United States of America. [72882]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Within the United Kingdom it is the Post Office rather than the Government that has responsibility for postal operational matters such as the tendering for contracts to transport mail. Contracts are awarded by the Post Office, in accordance with public procurement regulations, based on the most economically advantageous tenderer against a range of criteria which may vary from one route to another including, but not limited to, the ability by an airline to serve the destination; carry the weight of traffic tendered; achieve required handover time; service quality; price; and acceptance of Post Office terms and conditions. I am advised by the Post Office that routes are normally tendered annually or bi-annually.

  I am unable to comment on the detail of procurement procedures that are applicable to the operations of the postal administration of the United States of America.

  Steel Products (Dumping)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to prevent dumping of steel products in the United Kingdom. [73472]

  Mr. Wilson
  It is the responsibility of the European Commission, on behalf of the Community and Member States, to investigate complaints about dumped or 572
  subsidised imports if they believe there is sufficient evidence to warrant doing so. The Commission is currently investigating six complaints of allegedly dumped steel imports and three complaints of allegedly subsidised steel imports.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what official visits he, his Ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73557]

  Mr. Byers
  The information is as follows: 15–20 November 1997: Peter Watford, Export Promoter for Southern Africa. Met with Government Officials, representatives from UK and Zimbabwean Industry. Trade and commercial issues were discussed.

  3–5 February 1998: Lord Clinton Davis, as Minister for Trade. (To attend UK/Zimbabwe Co-operation week.) Met with Zimbabwean Ministers, Government Officials, representatives from the UK and Zimbabwean Industry. Trade and commercial issues were discussed.

  3–6 February 1998: Peter Watford, Export Promoter for Southern Africa; Dave Waring Head of Southern Africa Region; Steve Clarke, Country Manager for Zimbabwe. (To attend UK/Zimbabwe Co-operation week.) Met with Government Officials, representatives from UK and Zimbabwean industry. Trade and commercial issues were discussed.

  17–18 September 1998: Mark Runacres, Director, Trade Promotion for Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Met with Government Officials, representatives from UK and Zimbabwean industry. Trade and commercial issues were discussed.

  17–19 September 1998: Peter Watford, Export Promoter for Southern Africa. Met with Government Officials, representatives from UK and Zimbabwean industry. Trade and commercial issues were discussed.

  British Shoe Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he proposes to take to limit job losses in the British shoe manufacturing industry. [73306]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department is working closely with the British shoe manufacturing industry to improve its competitiveness in domestic and overseas markets. I launched an Action Plan designed to achieve this at the National Footwear Conference in Rossendale in February 1998. The Plan is being taken forward by the Footwear Liaison Action Group (FLAG). This is an industry led Group which has representatives from companies, trade associations, unions, training organisations, Business Links, DTI and DFEE. My Department is supporting a number of projects developed under this initiative.

  Quidhampton (Power Plant Construction)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on the proposed construction of a mini-power plant at Quidhampton near Salisbury. [73382]
  573
  Mr. Battle
  This is one of a number of cases which are being carefully considered and on which an announcement should be made shortly.

  Caribbean Countries
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what efforts his Department is making to increase the volume of United Kingdom trade with the countries of the Caribbean; and if he will make a statement. [72630]

  Mr. Wilson
  My Department offers a full range of services, including support for trade missions and trade fairs, to British companies seeking business in the Caribbean.

  During the current financial year, we have provided financial support and assistance for trade missions organised by CARITAG (to Cuba and the Dominican Republic), the Hull & East Riding Chamber of Commerce and Shipping (to Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica), the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative (to Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica) and CARITAG in association with the Leicester African Caribbean Business Association (to Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and St. Vincent). We also provided financial support, under the Trade Fair Support Scheme, for a British pavilion at the Havana International Trade Fair, which took place in November 1998.

  Working closely with multiplier organisations in the United Kingdom, we also arrange seminars and workshops throughout the country to promote market opportunities in the Caribbean region.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Ministers from his Department who have visited Caribbean countries since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [72632]

  Mr. Wilson
  I visited Cuba in November 1998. No other Minister from this Department has visited the Caribbean since 1 May 1997.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations(a) he and (b) his ministers have received on genetically modified organisms and the biotechnology industry from the US Government. [72761]

  Mr. Battle
  My Ministerial colleagues and I have regular contacts with US Government representatives across the whole range of issues for which we are responsible. Trade in genetically modified crops and the biotechnology industry are two subjects amongst a great many which have been raised in those contacts.

  Recycling
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the EU regarding the harmonisation of recycling requirements and certification for all firms selling their products within the EU. [73653]

  Mr. Battle
  Prevention of distortions in the Internal Market is a key objective in the Government's consideration of any proposed EU measure to promote 574
  recycling, and will be among the issues that the UK will ensure is brought out during the discussions now taking place in the EU Recycling Forum, where options for improving the competitiveness of the recycling industries are currently being considered.

  The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC), the only Directive containing recycling targets so far adopted, harmonises Member States' management of packaging waste. It also lays down certain "essential requirements" with which packaging must comply before being allowed to circulate within the Community. These provisions in the Directive were transposed into UK law in the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 1998.

  Digital Economy (Special Representative)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) budget and (b) resources will be available to the Special Representative on the Digital Economy. [72800]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]The detail of remuneration and day to day support for the e-Envoy will be agreed with the successful candidate. They will also be expected to draw resources broadly from this Department and others in Whitehall.

  New York Fashion Show
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department is doing to promote British fashion at the New York Fashion Show. [72705]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]My Department has taken many steps to promote British Fashion in the US market over the past year. Notably a major British promotion of SAKS Fifth Avenue which focused on fashion, culture, food and design took place over a week in September 1998.

  Internal Market
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the internal document on the development of the internal market. [73268]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]I am not entirely certain to which document the hon. Member is referring. A copy of the European Commission's latest document charting progress in the internal market, published in October 1998 and entitled Single Market Scoreboard No.3, can be found in the Library of the House. An explanatory memorandum on this document was submitted to the Parliamentary scrutiny committees on 11 December. I understand that the Commission intends to issue shortly a communication which assesses progress on the Single Market Action Plan. When published, this will be placed in the Library of the House according to normal procedures, although I expect that it will be available sooner via the European Commission's website.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate how many workers in the
  575
  Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency will benefit from the implementation of the national minimum wage. [73373]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Jeff Ennis, dated 1 March 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question requesting information about the number of people who will benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage in the Barnsley East and Mexborough constituency.
  The New Earnings Survey (NES) can provide earnings data for small geographical areas. Estimates of the proportion of people who are currently earning below the proposed minimum wage for a range of geographical areas have been placed in the House of Commons Library under the title of 'New Earnings Survey (NES) 1998—National Minimum Wage Distribution Tables'. However, figures for workers in Barnsley East and Mexborough earning less than the minimum wage are not given since the sample size is too small to provide reliable estimates.
  I will arrange for a copy of this letter to be placed in the Library.

  Petrol and Diesel Fuel
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what cost compliance assessment has been made for Directive 98/70/EC. [72532]

  Dr. Reid
  I have been asked to reply.

  A compliance cost assessment was provided to the House under cover of a Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum (SEM) dated 15 January 1998 reference number 8822/97 on the European Parliament and Council Directive relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuel. A copy of the SEM is available in the House Library.

HEALTH

  Mental Health Services
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental illness hospital beds have been(a) opened and (b) closed in each health authority in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available. [72579]

  Mr. Hutton
  This information is not available centrally.

  A national inquiry has been set up to give advice on the future number, mix and use of NHS beds in England. This inquiry has recently been extended to include psychiatric services which will cover the whole age range from child and adolescent mental health services through to services for older people and to consider services for learning disabilities. The inquiry's findings will be published in spring 1999.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent in England and Wales in the last year on the care and treatment of patients suffering from schizophrenia; and what percentage that figure represents of total expenditure on(a) mental and (b) all health services. [72578]
  576
  Mr. Hutton
  Over £2,767 million was spent on National Health Service care and treatment of patients suffering from a mental illness in 1997–98 in England, but we cannot break this down to separately identify each condition such as schizophrenia. The total expenditure on the purchase of healthcare for 1997–98 was nearly £28,956 million.

  Ministerial Meetings (US Ministers)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times Ministers in his Department have met their counterparts in the US Government since 1 June 1998; and if he will list the(a) dates, (b) locations, (c) ministers involved and (d) names of the US counterparts at each meeting. [71984]

  Ms Jowell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the United States Secretary of State for Health, Donna Shalala, in Washington DC on 21 October 1998. No other meetings have taken place.

  Respite Care
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, following the Devon High Court judgment, what plans he has to amend the eligibility criteria used by health authorities to make decisions on joint funding of respite care to include those in need of nursing home care. [72767]

  Mr. Hutton
  Following the judgment in R v. North and East Devon Health Authority ex parte Coughlan, the health authority submitted an application for leave to appeal against the High Court's decision. In light of the impact on policy of the High Court's view on funding of nursing care, we decided to support the health authority's application for leave to appeal, given the importance of clarifying the judgment and making the legal position clear. This application for leave to appeal was granted on 4 February. We will consider the need for guidance to Health and Local Authorities once the result of the appeal is known. In the interim, health authorities and social services departments are advised to seek their own legal advice if they have any concerns. The overall implications of the case are still being assessed.

  Medical Research Ethics Committee
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) local medical research ethics committees, (b) members on each committee and their qualifications and (c) clinical trials each one has authorised in the last five years; and if he will place a summary of the result of each trial in the Library. [73239]

  Ms Jowell
  The latest available list of Local Research Ethics Committees (LRECs) has been placed in the Library. Information about LREC members, and clinical trials authorised by LRECs is available only from health authorities.

  Since 1991, LRECs are established under Departmental guidance. Each health authority is required to set up at least one LREC, and there are approximately 211 operating in England. In addition, Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committees (MRECs) were established in 1997 and there is one MREC attached to each English region, one in Scotland and one in Wales.
  577
  LRECs have eight to twelve members and should include hospital medical staff, nursing staff, general practitioners and lay persons who are appointed in a personal capacity and recognised for their experience and sound judgment in their respective fields. MRECs have 15 to 18 members from similar backgrounds to LREC members (some may also be serving LREC members).

  Information about clinical trials authorised by an LREC is available from the annual report which each is required to submit to the health authority. These annual reports should also name the members and give details of the number of research proposals considered. MRECs submit their annual reports to the my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, which must include a list of proposals considered. MRECs considered about 600 applications in 1998.

  To achieve greater coherence and uniformity of practice in the operation of Research Ethics Committees we are currently conducting a review of the system as a whole.

  Prostheses Users
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to ensure that prostheses users are able to obtain out of area treatment after April 1999 if their local limb centre cannot meet their needs for comfort, capability and cosmesis. [73182]

  Mr. Hutton
  The arrangements for commissioning patient services from 1 April 1999 will ensure that all referrals to National Health Service hospitals are covered by either the new long-term service agreements or the new arrangements for access to specialised services.

  Where there are consistent patterns of referrals to a service, whether a specialised service or more locally, these are being built into service agreements. Cases that do not fit this will be covered by the new arrangements for out of area treatments.

  All out of area treatment referrals will be covered by the standards for quality and effectiveness specified in the main commissioner's service agreement and will be treated under the same agreements and on exactly the same basis. Prior approval will not be required for out of area treatment.

  Under the new arrangements, general practitioners and consultants will retain the clinical freedom to refer patients for the most appropriate treatment. However, they should explore fully the scope to make maximum cost-effective use of local NHS facilities before contemplating recourse to non-NHS provision.

  The decision to commission services provided by non-NHS facilities will continue to be made locally and will be made in the interests of the patient.

  Smoking-related Diseases
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the cost of health services for the treatment of patients with smoking-related diseases. [73179]

  Ms Jowell
  We have had no discussion on this specific aspect of smoking policy.
  578
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the annual cost to the NHS of the treatment given to patients with smoking-related diseases. [73180]

  Ms Jowell
  The annual cost to the National Health Service of treating smoking-related disease is estimated to be between £1.4 billion and £1.7 billion for England.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what official visits he, his ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; who they met; and what was discussed. [73456]

  Ms Jowell
  No official visits have been made to Zimbabwe by Ministers or officials of this Department since May 1997.

  NHS Staff (Pay)
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the increase in pay between 1984 and 1998 for NHS staff covered by the Pay Review Body; and what was the pay rise for the same period for those NHS professional staff not covered by the Pay Review Body separately identifying(a) laboratory scientists, (b) technicians, (c) clinical psychologists, (d) pharmacists and (e) speech and language therapists. [71806]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]The percentage increase in basic pay rates for National Health Service staff covered by the Pay Review Body and those five groups not covered by the Pay Review Body between 1984 and 1998 is set out in the table.

  Percentage

  Name of profession

  Minimum

  Maximum

  Doctors

  125

  126

  D grade Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (and 1984 equivalent)

  138

  123

  Professions Allied to Medicine

  146

  140

  Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers

  137

  122

  Technicians

  146

  145

  Qualified Clinical Psychologists

  113

  145

  Speech and Language Therapists

  158

  170

  Hospital Pharmacists

  118

  116

  Source:

  Advanced letters

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date he plans to have completed the collection of information relating to the composition of primary care group boards. [73801]

  Mr. Denham
  The process for collecting the information relating to the composition of primary care boards will commence shortly. The data collection will be completed once all board members have been appointed.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of NHS dentists. [73204]
  579
  Mr. Denham
  The investing in dentistry (IID) initiative, which we launched in September 1997 is designed to help improve access to National Health Service dentistry. IID provides grants to enable dentists to expand existing practices or to set up new ones in those areas of the country where the provision of NHS dental services is inadequate and oral health inequalities are most acute.

  IVF Treatment
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 December 1999, when he expects to send a substantive reply to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury. [73536]

  Ms Jowell
  A reply setting out the current position on IVF and the Department's plans for re-assessment of infertility services in light of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidance will be sent shortly.

  Speech Therapists (West Sussex)
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of speech therapists required in West Sussex; and how many are in post at present. [73904]

  Mr. Hutton
  Estimates of the number of speech therapists required in West Sussex are not available centrally.

  The latest information available is that 60 whole-time equivalent staff, rounded to the nearest ten, are classed as therapists working in the speech and language therapy area of work in West Sussex. West Sussex includes West Sussex Health Authority, Crawley and Horsham National Health Service Trust, Worthing Priority Care NHS Trust, Chichester Priority Care Services NHS Trust, Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust, The Royal Sussex NHS Trust and Mid-Sussex NHS Trust. This information is taken from the Department of Health Annual Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many air miles have been earned by him and each of his Ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73333]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government's policy on the use and disposal of air miles was set out by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 12 January 1999,Official Report, column 141.

  No air miles have been earned by Ministers in this Department on official business.

  Schizophrenia
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses were discharged from mental illness hospitals in England in each of the last three years; and how many of them were taken into local authority residential care in the same year. [73362]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is shown in the table. The figures provide information on the number of discharges 580
  from National Health Service trusts over the last three years where the patient was discharged to local authority care following inpatient care for schizophrenia. It is not possible to estimate the total numbers of patients who may have been referred to local authority residential care up to a year following their discharge from hospital.

  Estimated five discharges from NHS trusts with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia (F20–F29), 1995–96 to 1997–98 England

  Year

  All discharges

  Intended discharge destination Local Authority care

  1995–96

  40,390

  540

  1996–97

  31,850

  430

  1997–98

  30,190

  350

  Note:

  Data has been rounded

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Service (Reserved Posts)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the criteria used to assign posts classified as reserved within the Civil Service. [72648]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Article 48 of the EC Treaty is concerned with the free movement of workers between Member States, but it contains a derogation in Article 48(4) which permits Member States to reserve to their own nationals posts which constitute"employment in the public service".
  The term
  "employment in the public service"
  has been interpreted by the European Court as meaning posts which involve direct or indirect participation in the exercise of powers conferred by public law and duties designed to safeguard the general interests of the State or of other public authorities.

  These criteria are applied on a case-by-case basis in determining whether a particular post in the civil service is reserved to a UK national.

  Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the terms of reference of the Misc 6 Cabinet Committee and his responsibility for it as it relates to genetically modified crops. [73121]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The terms of reference of the Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification, which I chair, are:To consider issues relating to biotechnology, in particular those relating to genetic modification.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will put to the House proposals for a system of confirmation hearings for public appointments. [72138]
  581
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  No. The Committee on Standards in Public Life recommended that ministerial accountability and selection on merit should be the key elements of the appointment system for public bodies, overseen by an independent Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Government have accepted this recommendation and have no plans to propose confirmation hearings.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Montserrat
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessments she has made of toxic air pollution levels in Montserrat; and if she will make a statement. [73226]

  Clare Short
  We have since 1997 been providing health warnings and monitoring the effects of the ash on health in Montserrat. Preliminary studies into the toxicity of the ash and the respiratory health of children on Montserrat have recently been completed. The results have been disseminated on the island via radio and information leaflets. Ash levels continue to be monitored daily from various points on the island. We plan to support further research on ash toxicity later this year. Further clinical surveys of Montserratians living on the island will also be undertaken. We have sought proposals for this work and are improving facilities on the island so that the work can be undertaken to a satisfactory standard.

  Sudan
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department is having with the Government of the Sudan; and if she will make a statement. [73610]

  Clare Short
  We keep in touch with the Sudanese authorities' views on humanitarian issues through our frequent dialogues with UN and donor government partners. But we have had no substantive bilateral discussions on these matters with the Government of Sudan since they withdrew their Ambassador and Deputy from London and the consequent temporary withdrawal of British staff from our Embassy in Khartoum last August.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on British aid to the Sudan. [73941]

  Clare Short
  We were a key donor to the 1998 crisis. The UN 1999 Inter Agency Consolidated Appeal recently issued and we discussed it with other multilateral and bilateral donors at a meeting of the Operation Lifeline Sudan International Advisory Committee on 12 February. There will continue to be substantial humanitarian needs in Sudan this year and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) currently holds enough food stock until at least early summer. We continue to press WFP to make full use of all delivery methods in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of good aid delivery and targeting. British aid to Sudan will focus on supporting the most vulnerable groups of people, particularly in those areas in the south where the situation following last year's crisis is most fragile.
  582
  We also continue to press all parties to the civil war in Sudan to come to a negotiated settlement. Peace is the only long-term solution to the continuing suffering.

  Transnational Corporations
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to establish an international code of conduct for transnational corporations in developing countries. [73280]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are no specific plans for such a code. However, the Government are participating fully in the current review of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, a set of recommendations representing Governments' firm expectations for multinational enterprise behaviour. A key question being addressed in the review is how the Guidelines relate to multinational enterprise activity outside OECD territories. We support also the use of voluntary codes of conduct by companies. Those based on internationally agreed core labour standards can bring improvements to the lives of millions of the poorest people.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what official visits she, her ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73454]

  Clare Short
  I visited Zimbabwe in January 1998 to meet the Department for International Development (DFID) staff in Harare. I also met the right hon. Herbert Murerwa, Minister of Finance, and discussed with him our White Paper on International Development as well as economic issues. Senior DFID officials have also visited Zimbabwe, to brief Harare-based staff on management and policy issues, and to discuss our development assistance programme with Zimbabwean Ministers and officials.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects in which British Government aid(a) workers and (b) advisers have been involved in Zimbabwe. [73297]

  Clare Short
  All development assistance projects funded by the Department for International Development are managed by British Government officials. I have already placed a list of projects funded in Zimbabwe in the Library of the House, as promised, in my answer of 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 15.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the World Bank concerning developments in Zimbabwe. [73730]

  Clare Short
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]My officials in Washington work closely with the World Bank to address poverty in Zimbabwe. I am in continuous contact with my officials.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list those countries in receipt of British aid which(a) have a record of

  583
  civil rights abuses, and (b) do not have a democratically-elected Government, indicating in each case the amount of aid they received in the last year for which figures are available. [73682]

  Clare Short
  Throughout our work, we seek to enhance respect for human rights, particularly those of the poorest. We consider civil and political rights and broader governance issues when we assess the scope for partnerships with developing countries and when we draw up country strategy papers. The position is kept continuously under review, but no country has a perfect record of respect for civil or other human rights and DFID work is concentrated in the poorest countries where it is difficult to secure all human rights for all citizens. Completed strategy papers are publicly available and provide details of progress to date and the prospects for development and partnerships. Full information of DFID's bilateral programmes in 1993–94—1997–98 was published in "Statistics on International Development" in December 1999.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Civil Servants (Misconduct)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the offences or acts of misconduct under which a civil servant in her Department could have his pension removed or reduced; and how often this has happened during the last five years. [70780]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Forfeiture Act 1970 provides for the automatic loss of pension rights where a person is convicted of treason.

  The rules of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Northern Ireland PCSPS (NI)), which provides pension benefits for staff in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICs), give the Department of Finance and Personnel, the administrators of the Scheme, discretionary power to withhold benefits where a civil servant or former civil servant is convicted:

  (i) of one or more offences under the Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1989 for which the person concerned has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of at least ten years or has been sentenced on the same occasion to two or more consecutive terms amounting in the aggregate to at least ten years or more; or

  (ii) of an offence in connection with any employment to which the scheme applies, and a Minister of the Crown certifies that the offence is gravely injurious to the interests of the State or is liable to lead to serious loss of confidence in the public service.

  The rules regarding the Home Civil Service (HCS) are as follows:
  Under the rules of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, the Minister for the Civil Service has the power to withhold pension benefits where a Civil Servant or former Civil Servant is convicted under the Official Secrets Act 1911 to 1989 to at least 10 years in prison or convicted of offences deigned to have been gravely injurious to the State or be liable to lead to serious loss of confidence in the public service.

  The above rules apply to the Home Civil Servants employed in the Northern Ireland Office.
  584
  The discretionary forfeiture provisions, which apply to both the NICS and the HCS, have not been applied in the last five years.

  Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what controls exist in respect of the importation of those animals which are subject to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 into Northern Ireland. [71420]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]The import of those animals into Northern Ireland which are subject to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 is governed by the Importation of Animals Order (Northern Ireland) 1986 made under the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. There are further legislative provisions setting controls in relation to the import of animals susceptible to rabies and to the import of animals covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These controls are in line with those in Great Britain.

  Worktrain Programme
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many trainees are(a) on the new Worktrain Programme and (b) what was the average number of trainees in each month on the Action for Community Employment scheme in the last 12 months for which figures are available; [72542]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Worktrain Programme; and if she will make a statement; [72543]

  (3) what special help will be made available to organisations which have used Action for Community Employment in order to help them adjust to the loss of funding. [72544]

  Mr. Ingram
  Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 1 March 1999.
  Parliamentary question 72542–72544
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your questions about the Action for Community Employment (ACE) and Worktrain programmes.
  Parliamentary question 72542

  (a) We are planning to introduce Worktrain on 1 August 1999 if not sooner. Currently there are no trainees participating in the programme.

  (b) The number of trainees in the ACE programme during 1998 is shown in the attached table.

  Parliamentary question 72543
  A major review of the provision for the long-term unemployed and an independent evaluation of ACE highlighted the need for the programme to be better targeted, tailored to the individual needs and focused on helping people into permanent jobs. The introduction of Worktrain reflects the findings of this research and the allocation of resources in accordance with Government objectives and priorities.
  The effectiveness of the programme will be fully evaluated.

  585
  Parliamentary question 72544
  I am pleased to say that help is being offered on several fronts to ACE organisations.
  Existing contracts with ACE providers have been extended to 31 July from their original expiry date of 31 March. This extension will allow ACE organisations more time to prepare for New Deal and Worktrain and to take business decisions about their future.
  The Management Committees of organisations which might find it hard to survive are being encouraged to urgently consider the possibilities of amalgamating with others, subcontracting and, of course, the preparation of bids for Worktrain. The Agency is working as quickly as possible to implement the tendering and contracting process for Worktrain to minimise any period of uncertainty for organisations.
  For those organisations already part of New Deal Consortia, there will be an increasing role for them to play under the Voluntary and Environmental Sector Options of the New Deal for 18–24 year olds and the Intensive Activity Period of the New Deal for the over 25s. As ACE numbers decline, New Deal numbers will increase, thereby helping to maintain an equilibrium within organisations.
  Organisations are also being encouraged to work together to develop innovative proposals within the framework of Worktrain. There is scope for new approaches customised to meet the needs and circumstances of local communities. Contracts will be awarded on the basis of competitive tendering and ACE organisations, either individually or as a member of a partnership, will be well placed to bid.
  The Minister, Mr. McFall, has established a cross departmental team which reports directly to him. The team is tasked with offering advice and whatever support may be possible to effect a smooth transition from ACE to New Deal and Worktrain.
  I hope you find this reply useful.

  ACE average occupancy January 1998-December 1998

  Month

  Occupancy

  January

  4,201

  February

  4,219

  March

  4,183

  April

  4,172

  May

  4,063

  June

  3,944

  July

  3,781

  August

  3,700

  September

  3,712

  October

  3,756

  November

  3,776

  December

  3,838

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish waiting lists for hospital treatment and consultant appointments monthly. [72351]

  Mr. McFall
  In Northern Ireland waiting list figures are produced quarterly and are routinely available on request. I have asked officials within the Department of Health and Social Services to make arrangements for this information to be published each quarter.

  Sinn Fein Members (Ministerial Appointments)
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make it her policy to oppose Sinn Fein members taking up ministerial jobs in Northern Ireland before a start is made on decommissioning their arms and explosives. [72605]
  586
  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government's policy on the Belfast Agreement is clear—all parties must live up to all their commitments. This means that decommissioning must take place and it means that the new institutions of government in Northern Ireland must be established.

  As my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, said in response to a question from the right hon. Member for Upper Bann (Mr. Trimble), 24 February 1999, Official Report, column 388, the whole of the Agreement must be implemented in full and we must know that violence has been given up for good. It is unreasonable to expect people to sit down together unless they know that that is the case.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sugar
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 11 January 1999,Official Report, column 120, what assessment he has made of the extent of competition within the UK sugar industry; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the sugar import levy on that competition. [66671]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have made no assessment of the extent of competition within the UK sugar industry. This is a matter for the competition authorities.

  EU import tariffs restrict imports of sugar from third countries, with the important exception of some 1.6 million tonnes per annum under preferential agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and India, most of which come to the UK. In accordance with the Uruguay Round agreements, these tariffs will have to be cut by 20 per cent. by 2000–01.

  The Government believe that the EU sugar regime imposes unnecessarily high prices on consumers and sugar-using industries, and will be seeking significant changes when it comes up for reform in 2001.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Ministry has made of the research work on genetically modified potatoes undertaken by Dr. Pusztai whilst at the Rowett Research Institute. [70046]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]I have been asked to reply as responsibility for this subject lies with The Scottish Office.

  The Department has itself made no assessment of the work in question, but following the publicity which surrounded this project the Rowett Research Institute arranged last August for an audit committee, including external experts, to carry out a full analysis of all data available. The audit committee concluded that the data did not support any suggestion that the consumption by rats of transgenic potatoes expressing the lectin GNA (Galanthus nivalis) has an effect on growth, organ development or the immune system.
  587
  The report of the Audit Committee was published by the Director of the Rowett Research Institute in October 1998.

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

  Agriculture Council (Brussels)
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 22 and 23 February; and if he will make a statement. [73486]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I represented the United Kingdom, accompanied by my noble Friends the Parliamentary Under-Secretaries for Scotland and for Northern Ireland and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, at a meeting of the European Union Agriculture Council in Brussels beginning on 22 February.

  The Council embarked upon negotiations on the Commission's proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. These comprise proposals for reform of the arable crops, beef, milk and wine regimes, proposals on rural development and on common measures affecting direct payments to farmers, and a proposals concerning the financing of the CAP. My objective in the negotiations was to secure ambitious and worthwhile reforms in all sectors and to ensure that, by 2006, CAP spending is stabilised in real terms at its current level.

  By the early hours of Friday morning, after several days of intensive negotiation, the conditions were not yet ripe for an overall agreement to be reached. The Council will accordingly meet again on Thursday 4 March to continue the negotiations.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for 1998–99 the current number of applicants for(a) primary and (b) secondary teacher training courses including PGCE by (i) gender, (ii) age and (iii) subject. [69902]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  As at 6 February 1999, the current number of postgraduate applicants to primary and secondary PGCE courses is as follows:

  Current applicants to postgraduate initial teacher training courses, by gender, phase and subject, in England and Wales, academic year of entry 1999–2000

  As at 6 February 1999

  Male

  Female

  Primary1

  1,992

  9,702

  Secondary

  Mathematics

  223

  228

  English

  343

  1,114

  Science

  392

  580

  Languages

  144

  656

  Technology

  183

  187

  History

  500

  526

  Geography

  210

  279

  Physical education

  589

  502

  588

  Current applicants to postgraduate initial teacher training courses, by gender, phase and subject, in England and Wales, academic year of entry 1999–2000

  As at 6 February 1999

  Male

  Female

  Art

  124

  373

  Music

  90

  178

  Religious education

  91

  244

  Other

  104

  165

  Total secondary

  2,993

  5,032

  Overall total

  4,985

  14,734

  1 GTTR have set a deadline on 1999–2000 primary applications of 15 December 1998. Applications received after this date will be considered if the institution still has vacancies for the named course.

  Note:

  Age of applicant is not available

  Source:

  Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR)

  At the corresponding date in 1998, secondary applicants to 1998–99 PGCE courses made up about half of the final number of secondary postgraduate applicants. Over the last three years there has been a trend for postgraduate applications increasingly to be made later in the year.

  Information is not available about applicants to undergraduate ITT, but the following table gives information about applications as at 5 February 1999. Undergraduate applicants can make up to six applications.

  Current applications1 to undergraduate initial teacher training courses, by gender, phase and subject, in England and Wales, academic year of entry 1999–2000

  As at 5 February 1999

  Male

  Female

  Primary

  7,867

  48,458

  Secondary

  Mathematics

  102

  145

  English

  22

  98

  Science

  115

  156

  Languages

  7

  22

  Technology

  436

  290

  History

  0

  0

  Geography

  7

  17

  Physical education

  2,767

  2,613

  Art

  22

  64

  Music

  14

  6

  Religious education

  3

  15

  Other

  578

  553

  Total secondary

  4,073

  3,979

  Overall total

  11,940

  52,437

  1 UCAS count up to six applications per applicant.

  Source:

  Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will develop fast track PGCE qualifications for British teachers who have taught with non-PGCE qualifications abroad. [73199]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The new employment-based training routes—the Graduate and Registered Teacher Programmes—which began last year, enable trainees to work as teachers at the same time as following an approved training programme designed to enable them to gain Qualified Teacher Status. In the case of people with
  589
  relevant teaching experience, which can include experience overseas, graduates can gain Qualified Teacher Status in as little as three months.

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what systems he has in place to ensure that policies being developed by his Department are subject to a crime impact(a) assessment and (b) audit and are not likely to lead to enhanced criminal opportunities. [72692]

  Mr. Blunkett
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]Government Departments are co-operating on policy development and, therefore, I work closely with other Ministers on any likely implications for crime of new developments, as indicated by research.

  As far as my Department is concerned, all our policies should support Home Office Aim 1, which is to reduce crime and fear of crime. Giving everyone the chance, through education, training and work to realise their full potential and thereby contributing to the building of an inclusive and fair society supports this aim. Our research programme monitors and evaluates the effects of new policy and other interventions.

  School Funding (Cumbria)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the provision of capital funding for schools in Cumbria. [72668]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]The following table shows the total amount of capital funding made available to Cumbria Local Education Authority since 1997–98. There are a significant number of Grant Maintained schools in Cumbria, for which the Funding Agency for Schools has funding responsibility. I have asked the Agency to arrange for a reply to be sent to the right hon. Member.

  Announcements on the Class Size and New Deal for Schools allocations for 1999–2000 will be made shortly.

  Capital allocations for Cumbria Local Education Authority

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Annual Capital Guideline

  3,450

  3,252

  3,720

  New Deal for Schools

  598

  856

  —

  Infant Class Size

  Reduction

  —

  113

  —

  Energy Improvement

  —

  119

  —

  Removal of Outside Toilets

  —

  143

  —

  Supplementary Credit

  Approvals (excluding Schools Renewal Challenge Fund)

  47

  416

  —

  Schools Renewal

  150

  —

  —

  Challenge Fund

  Total

  4,245

  4,899

  3,720

  NVQs
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of adults are qualified to NVQ(a) level 3 and (b) level 4; and what the figures were in each year from 1992. [73389]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]The information requested is contained in the following table. Figures for 1992 are not available on a comparable basis with later years.

  Highest qualification held by people of working age, United Kingdom, 1993–98.

  Percentage

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Number of people working age (000s)

  33,242

  35,308

  35,407

  35,535

  35,678

  35,807

  NVQ level 5

  2

  2

  2

  3

  3

  3

  NVQ level 4

  17

  17

  18

  17

  17

  18

  NVQ level 3

  15

  16

  16

  16

  17

  18

  NVQ level 2

  20

  21

  21

  21

  22

  22

  Below NVQ level 2

  19

  21

  22

  20

  22

  21

  No qualification

  27

  23

  21

  22

  19

  18

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey, Spring quarters.

  Education Funding (North Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on levels of education funding in North Yorkshire schools following the setting of the education standard spending assessment. [73974]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 23 February 1999,Official Report, column 281.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the number of staff with engineering assessor and verifier qualifications in further education colleges. [73208]

  Mr. Mudie
  We have no such plans.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans the Government have to introduce(a) best practice in strategic planning and (b) evaluation in course development in further education colleges; [73203]

  (2) what plans he has to improve the pass rates for GCSE courses in further education colleges; [73206]

  (3) what action he proposes to improve retention rates in further education colleges. [73207]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Government are strongly committed to raising standards in further education. We have increased funding for the sector and are introducing measures to secure year on year improvements in achievement across the board and to promote better retention rates in colleges.
  591
  In particular, we are introducing a new Further Education Standards Fund from April 1999, worth £115 million over the next two years. This will provide additional and targeted financial support for improvement plans prepared by colleges causing significant concern; support for other colleges to implement improvements following a Further Education Funding Council inspection; and support for all colleges for the professional development and training of staff and governors.

  The Fund will also be used to support the dissemination of good practice in all its forms by colleges identified as beacons of excellence.

  These policies to secure better standards will be taken forward in close partnership with the further education sector, including key national bodies such as the Further Education Funding Council, the Further Education Development Agency, the Association of Colleges and the Further Education National Training Organisation.

  Kingsbridge Primary School, South Devon
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what additional funds he plans to make available for essential works to the Kingsbridge Primary School, South Devon, following its application under the New Deal scheme of 3 February. [73650]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We expect allocations under the 3rd phase of the New Deal for Schools Programme to be announced at the end of March.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to reform the teachers' pay system. [73196]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Government's proposals for reforming the teachers' pay system were set out in the Green Paper teachers: meeting the challenge of change (CM 4161), published on 3 December 1998, and the Technical Consultation Document on Pay and Performance Management, published on 1 February 1999. The consultation period on both documents ends on 31 March 1999.

  Teacher Recruitment
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to set up a teaching recruitment helpline. [73197]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Teacher Training Agency already operate a telephone Teaching Information line and website providing advice and information for those wishing to train as teachers. The information line received 72,841 calls in 1998. Responsibility for advertising vacancies and managing recruitment and selection rests with schools and local authorities and vacant posts are widely advertised in the national and local press and on the internet. In October last year, I announced £3 million of funding over the next year for a network of local advisers who will assist schools with recruitment and co-ordinate local recruitment efforts.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide a breakdown of teacher requirement and recruitment rates on a regional basis. [73200]
  592
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows the headcount of full-time teachers in service in the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector at 31 March 1996 together with recruitment rates1 by region.

  Government office region of service

  Teachers in service

  Recruitment rate

  North East

  23,000

  7.5

  North West

  61,000

  8.4

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  44,000

  9.1

  East Midlands

  35,000

  8.4

  West Midlands

  48,000

  9.4

  Eastern

  46,000

  10.6

  London

  57,000

  12.1

  South East

  63,000

  10.6

  South West

  39,000

  9.7

  England

  418,000

  9.8

  1 Recruitment rate is based on entrants to teaching in a region as a percentage of full-time and part-time teachers in service. "Entrants" means new entrants to teaching, returners to teaching, maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector teachers changing region, teachers moving to the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector from other sectors, either in the same or a different region.

  New Deal (Public Sector)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to extend the New Deal within public sector employment. [73202]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The public sector has an important role in the labour market and we are keen to involve this sector in New Deal. We are working closely with public sector employers to encourage offers of public sector jobs to New Deal participants. However, the large majority of jobs in the economy are in the private sector, and we would expect this balance to be broadly reflected in job opportunities offered to New Deal participants.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact on his Department's policies of the goods and services provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to be implemented in October 1999. [71278]

  Mr. Bayley
  We are acting to ensure that the Department's policies meet the needs of disabled people and that we comply with our legal requirements. The Department already takes positive steps to make it easier for disabled people to make use of its services. We shall continue to do so, not only by complying fully with new duties in the Disability Discrimination Act but by aiming to exceed them where appropriate.

  The Department will ensure that all new and existing policies and programmes are assessed for any adverse impact not only on disabled people, but on any minority or disadvantaged group. That includes the need to ensure that our policies and their outcomes comply with the law. Where necessary we shall act to remove or reduce the impact on these groups. This complements the guidance

  593
  "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment" which the Cabinet Office issued to all Government Departments in November 1998, and which was signed jointly by my right hon. Friends the Minister for Women, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Home Secretary.

  Asbestosis (North-west)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been awarded benefits related to asbestosis in(a) Bolton and (b) the north-west in the last five-year period for which figures are available; and, of these, how many previously worked in the locomotive industry. [72904]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of Industrial Injuries Benefit is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Ruth Kelly, dated March 1999:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people have been awarded benefits related to asbestosis in (a) Bolton and (b) the North West in the last five year period for which figures are available; and, of these, how many previously worked in the locomotive industry.
  The information is not available in the format requested. Data is only available for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB). Information for Bolton is not available as figures for IIDB are collated by Benefit Agency (BA) Area Directorate which do not correspond to Parliamentary constituency or Local Authority boundaries. The BA Area Directorate which includes Bolton also includes Salford and other areas of Greater Manchester. Data about injuries specific to the locomotive industry are not kept.
  The information that is available is shown on the enclosed table.
  I am sorry I could not be of more help on this occasion.

  Industrial injuries disablement benefit asbestosis assessments in the North West

  Period

  Number of assessments

  1995

  140

  1996

  100

  1997

  104

  January to June 1998

  33

  Notes:

  Figures are provisional and subject to change

  Figures include Pneumoconiosis (PD D1), where the attributable agent has been asbestos, Diffuse Mesothelioma (PD D3), Primary Carcinoma of the Lung with accompanying evidence of one or both of the following: (a) asbestos (b) unilateral or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening (PD D8) and Unilateral or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening (PD D9).

  Figures for the North West are available by Government Office Region (GOR). The North West GOR covers the counties of Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

  Source:

  DSS (Analytical Services Division) 100% Data.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate how many families in the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency will benefit from the increase in child benefit. [73375]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of Child Benefit is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.
  594
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jeff Ennis, dated March 1999:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if I will estimate how many families in the Barnsley East and Mexborough constituency will benefit from the increase in child benefit.
  Unfortunately the information to identify families, by region, who are receiving Child Benefit is not readily available. These figures could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
  I can however explain the new rates of Child Benefit from April 1999. They will be £14.40 for the eldest child and £9.60 for each subsequent child. The increase for the eldest child includes the extra £2.50 a week announced in the March budget, plus uprating. This is an overall increase of £3.25 for a family with two children.
  I am sorry I could not have been of more help on this occasion but I am pleased to have had the opportunity to comment.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the total amount of money lost through fraud to his Department's budget for 1997–98, indicating that amount as a percentage of the budget for that year; and if he will break down these figures by individual benefits. [73969]

  Mr. Timms
  The Green Paper "Beating Fraud is Everyone's Business; securing the future" set out the difficulties of measuring a covert activity such as fraud. Previous work reviewing individuals' claims shows that at least £2 billion per year is lost through fraud. This figure is based on a sample of cases where we have obtained firm evidence or an admission of fraud. There are strong indications that a further £3 billion is lost. This figure is based on a sample of cases where there is strong suspicion, but it cannot actually be shown that the claimant was guilty of fraud.

  In other cases still, claim reviews have raised suspicions that there could be fraud, but the evidence is weak—for example, where people have been observed to be living above their means. Cases of this kind account for a further £2 billion per year in benefit claims. In addition, customer and staff errors lead to about £750 million being overpaid each year and £600 million being underpaid.

  £ billion

  Amount

  Confirmed fraud

  2

  Strong suspicion of fraud

  3

  Low suspicion of fraud

  2

  The annexe to the Green Paper showed the estimates of the levels of fraud available at the time. Since the Green Paper, we have published further estimates for Housing Benefit and Jobseeker's Allowance (Contributory). These estimated levels of fraud and strong suspicion of fraud at £610 million for Housing Benefit and £47 million for Jobseeker's Allowance (Contributory).

  We indicated in the Green Paper that we intended to overhaul how fraud was calculated. Working with the National Audit Office, we have developed and refined our methodology. We now have a continuous monthly programme of reviews using random samples of Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based) cases in each area of the Benefits Agency. The results from the first six months were published in November and showed

  595
  around £640 million and £281 million fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based) respectively. We have further investigated those cases where there was strong suspicion that the benefit was wrong to see whether the payment was in fact wrong. The results of this investigation will give a more complete picture of fraud and error in these benefits.

  We shall extend this new methodology to other benefits to provide a complete picture.

  Income Support
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if a person of working age, who has been refused incapacity benefit, will no longer have 20 per cent. deducted from the personal allowance element of his income support, pending the outcome of his appeal to the ITS. [73758]

  Angela Eagle
  There are no plans to change the Income Support rules.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the rates of income support for pensioners would be in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000, if they had been increased in (i) April 1998 and (ii) 1999 in line with average earnings. [73395]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Weekly rates of Income Support based on average earnings uprating from April 1998

  £

  April 1998

  April 1999 (a)

  April 1999 (b)

  Single aged 60–74

  71.90

  73.60

  75.10

  Single aged 75–79

  74.20

  75.95

  77.55

  Single aged 80+

  79.10

  81.00

  82.65

  Couple one/both 60–74

  111.60

  114.40

  116.65

  Couple one/both 75–79

  114.80

  117.55

  120.00

  Couple one/both 80+

  120.30

  123.30

  125.75

  Notes:

  1. Average earnings growth has been estimated at 4.5 per cent. in each year, based on Treasury estimates.

  2. In column (a) the rates for April 1999 are based on uprating the actual rates which applied in 1998 by average earnings. In column (b), the rates for 1999–2000 are based on the rates for 1998–99 uprated by average earnings, and therefore show the cumulative effect of two successive earnings upratings.

  3. The weekly rates in the table are the total of the appropriate personal allowance and pensioner premium before any adjustments for other income, and do not include any additional amounts which may apply in a particular case.

  4. In the case of a couple, the age of the elder partner determines the rate which applies.

  Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill conforms with all the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998, with particular reference to article 9, Clause 11 concerning Christian conscience; and if he will make a statement. [73535]
  596
  Mr. Timms
  Under section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998, the Minister in charge of a Bill in the House must make a statement about the Bill's compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights.

  Accordingly, before the introduction of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State signed the following statement, which is printed on the front page of the Bill:
  "In my view, the provisions of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill are compatible with the Convention rights."

  Benefit Payments
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the proportion of all benefit payments in 1997–98 which were accurate. [73940]

  Mr. Timms
  The figures used for reporting the accuracy of individual benefits to Parliament are reported to agreed levels of statistical confidence. The request to"estimate the proportion of all benefit payments in 1997–98 which was accurate"
  means providing a figure which does not carry statistical confidence. Bearing this in mind, it is estimated that 93.4 per cent. of recipients received accurate payments of benefit in 1997–98.

  Severe Disablement Allowance
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently claiming severe disablement allowance in each quintile of income distribution. [73899]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Number of people claiming severe disablement allowance in each quintile of income distribution

  Income quintile

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  Bottom

  30,000

  30,000

  Second

  70,000

  70,000

  Third

  90,000

  90,000

  Fourth

  50,000

  50,000

  Top

  20,000

  20,000

  Total

  260,000

  260,000

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest ten thousand. Estimates may not sum owing to rounding.

  2. Figures are an average of the recipients of Severe Disablement Allowance in the 1995–96 Households Below Average Income datasets based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS) and as such are subject to sampling error.

  3. The measure of income used is household equivalised net income before housing costs and after housing costs. Incomes are equivalised to adjust for household size and composition. No adjustment is made to household income to reflect any additional needs that recipients of severe disablement allowance might have. A household can comprise more than one benefit unit, for example a pensioner living with their grown up children.

  Source:

  The dates are taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) and all estimates are subject to sampling error. The total of recipients of Severe Disablement Allowance living in private households is estimated to be 260,000 while the total 1996–97 caseload was 355,000. Part of this difference will be due to the fact that the FRS does not survey those who do not live in private households, for example those in residential homes. However, there may also be under-reporting of benefit receipt within the FRS.

  Pensions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) of 11 February 1999,Official Report, column 376, on pensions, what are the reasons for the lower cost of the state second pension compared with SERPS in 2010 and 2020. [73397]

  Mr. Timms
  Expenditure on State Second Pension will be lower than on SERPS over the first 20 years or so because the provisions for carers and the long-term disabled take longer to build up than the previous Government's policy of extending Home Responsibilities Protection to SERPS (which is included in the SERPS baseline). The main reason for this is that few carers of pre-school age children will reach State pension age before 2020.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) of 11 February 1999,Official Report, column 379, how much of the £2.5 billion package of measures to tackle pensioner poverty over the next three years is accounted for by the cost of (a) the minimum income guarantee, (b) winter fuel payments, (c) free eye tests and (d) concessionary travel, in each of those years. [73396]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 173.

  Child Support
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what proportion of non-resident parents pay maintenance to their children; [73901]

  (2) what proportion of non-resident parents who pay maintenance to their children are paying it through the Child Support Agency. [73900]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is set out.

  As at 30 November 1998, 70 per cent. of non-resident parents who had been assessed by the Child Support Agency to pay maintenance, use the Agency's collection service. Of these, 69 per cent. are fully or partially compliant.

  Widow's Benefit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the numbers of people who will no longer be able to claim widow's pension and will instead be entitled to the transitional time-limited allowance within each quintile of the income distribution. [73805]

  Angela Eagle
  The position in each quintile of the income distribution of future claimants of Bereavement Allowance cannot be known.
  598
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Position of recipients of current widow's benefit in income distribution by quintile

  Percentage

  Income quintile

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  First

  22

  18

  Second

  23

  19

  Third

  20

  24

  Forth

  21

  18

  Top

  15

  22

  Source:

  Figures in the table are from the 1996–97 Households Below Average Income dataset based on the Family Resources Survey.

  Mrs. Karen Adams
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will investigate the case of Mrs. Karen Adams of Llithfaen, Pwleheli, (Ref. D42/190/1998/00070) to establish the reasons for her appeal against the reduction of the attendance component of her disability living allowance not being determined; and if he will undertake an inquiry into the workings of the appeal system. [72821]

  Angela Eagle
  Appeals in respect of claims for Disability Living Allowance are matters for the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS). A copy of the letter the right hon. Member sent on 19 February 1999 to the Secretary of Medical Appeal Tribunals in Cardiff has been passed to ITS Headquarters so that a reply can be sent to the right hon. Member directly.

  We are currently overhauling the whole decision making and appeals system. We are firmly committed to tackling the unacceptable delays in the appeals service—currently averaging seven months, with some appellants waiting over a year for the decision on their case. Regulations will be debated shortly under affirmative procedures. Under the provisions of the Social Security Act 1998, which paves the way for modernising the delivery of Social Security, one of the major areas of change will be to reduce substantially the current waiting times for appeals. The intention of these changes is to provide a more effective and faster service and to reduce the kind of lengthy waiting period that Mrs. Adams suffered.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Visas (Supply Teachers)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the current instructions issued by his Department to entry clearance officers on the admission of supply teachers on working holidaymaker visas, giving the date they were introduced and the criteria and reasons for their introduction. [71442]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]Instructions on the requirements to be met to qualify for entry clearance as a working holidaymaker (WHM) are contained in Chapter 20 of Diplomatic Service Procedure Entry Clearance Volume 1 which is available in the Library of the House. A specific concession has been
  599
  incorporated in the instructions to enable supply teachers to take advantage of the WHM scheme, under certain conditions. Provided applicants meet these requirements they may take employment as a supply teacher.

  The timing and policy reasons for the introduction of these requirements, as well as the terms of the concession for supply teachers, are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been tabled to his Department in each session since May 1997; and how many have not been answered on grounds of disproportionate cost. [71932]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  In the 1997–98 session, this Department gave written answers to 3,137 questions, of which 131 could not be answered fully on grounds of disproportionate cost.

  So far in this session, 700 questions have been given written answers, with eight not answered on the grounds of disproportionate cost.

  Burma
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the situation of the Karen people in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [72951]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Burmese military regime's record of human rights abuses against ethnic minorities, including the Karen, is appalling. These include forced labour, forced repatriation, killings and torture. Many Karen have fled to neighbouring Thailand: there are over 80,000 in refugee camps in the border area. The UK urges the Burmese regime to stop all human rights abuses and to enter into dialogue with the democratic opposition, including ethnic minorities.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the Karen people in Burma. [72950]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Government have received many representations from non-governmental organisations lobbying on the plight of Burmese ethnic minorities including the Karen; and from Members of Parliament and members of the public expressing concern at human rights abuses in Burma, including those against the Karen.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Burma concerning its treatment of the Karen people. [72949]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Burmese military regime are well aware of our deep concerns about the plight of Burmese ethnic minorities, including the Karen. We take every opportunity, both in international forums such as the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and through our Embassy in Rangoon, to raise our concerns.
  600
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Myanmar about human rights, specifically in respect of the Karen people; what further action he intends taking; if he will arrange for EU foreign ministers to consider this matter; and if he will make a statement. [73488]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We take every opportunity to raise with the Burmese regime our concerns about their appalling human rights record, particularly against ethnic minorities. We support action within international forums; we support the efforts of the UN to bring about an improvement in Burma; we co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution on Burma last December; we, with our EU Partners, are working towards a tough resolution at the forthcoming UN Commission on Human Rights; and we expect Burma to be on the agenda of the forthcoming ILO session. EU Member States have taken strong action to bring pressure to bear on the Burmese regime in the form of a Common Position first adopted in 1996 and strengthened by EU Foreign Ministers last October. We also take bilateral action: our Ambassador in Rangoon makes representations to the Burmese regime about our concerns.

  EEA Family Permit Applications
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the average processing time of applications by non-EEA national family members applying for EEA family permits has been since 1 February 1998. [72880]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The information requested is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, guidance to overseas Posts stipulates that applications for Family Permits are to be given priority. Whenever possible, a decision should be taken at the time that the application is lodged (or interview conducted).

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for EEA family permits were refused on the grounds that the entry clearance officer judged the marriage to be one of convenience over the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72876]

  Mr. Fatchett
  This information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many non-EEA family member nationals applied for EEA family permits during the period 1 February 1998 to date; [72856]

  (2) how many EEA family permits have been refused to non-EEA family members of EEA nationals exercising treaty rights since 1 February 1998; [72879]

  (3) how many EEA family permits have been granted to non-EEA family nationals since 1 February 1998. [72878]

  Mr. Fatchett
  During the period 1 February 1998 until 31 December 1998, 11,275 non-EEA family member nations applied for EEA family permits, 10,522 were
  601
  issued and 109 were refused. The remainder (644) are accounted for by applications which were still being processed or had been withdrawn.

  Commonwealth Institute
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in respect of determining the future status of the Commonwealth Institute; and if he will make a statement. [73153]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The discussions between Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and the senior management of the Commonwealth Institute are making good progress, but have not yet reached a stage where a formal decision can be made in respect of the institute's future status.

  Sudan
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department is having with the Government of the Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [73609]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We continue to have regular contact with the Sudanese authorities both in London and Khartoum. Through these contacts we continue to work towards the normalisation of Anglo-Sudanese relations.

  Abdullah Ocalan
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is the Government's policy to call for international observers to monitor the forthcoming trial of Abdullah Ocalan in Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [73611]

  Ms Quin
  We have urged the Turkish authorities to make provision for attendance at the trial of Mr. Ocalan by international representatives, in line with their normal practice. The Turkish government have made it clear that no provision exists in Turkey for formal "observer status" within their courts.

  Iran
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian Government about human rights abuses in Iran. [73300]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We and our EU partners frequently raise our concerns over human rights with the Iranian authorities. The EU sponsored United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) Resolution on human rights in Iran was adopted on 18 November 1998. We will also be supporting the EU sponsored UNCHR Resolution due for discussion in Geneva in March. We and our EU partners raised human rights issues during the EU/Iran talks in Tehran in July 1998 and in Vienna in December 1998. We frequently raise this issue also in working level contacts.

  In conjunction with our German and Austrian Partners we made a demarche to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 4 October 1998 about the cases of Mr. Dhabihi-Muqaddam and Mr. Najafabadi, two Baha'is who had been sentenced to death. The EU also
  602
  issued a declaration in December about the killings of dissidents in November/December last year. We welcome the Iranian government's determination to pursue the culprits, and the subsequent arrest of Ministry of Intelligence and Security officials.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will provide assistance to the National Council of Resistance of Iran; [73659]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the objectives and activities of the National Council of Resistance of
  Iran. [73294]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Government do not recognise the National Council for the Resistance of Iran, which is a coalition dominated by the Mujaheddin-e-Khalq Organisation (MKO). Despite its claims to be a democratic party, it has a long history of violence. The MKO has been responsible for many acts of terrorism and is closely associated with Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. The Government have taken action to stop people associated with acts of terrorism by the MKO coming to the UK, notably their President elect, Maryam Rajavi. The MKO continues to be listed by the US State Department as a terrorist organisation.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact(a) he and (b) his officials have had with the National Council of Resistance of Iran. [73295]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Neither this nor the previous Government recognise the National Council for the Resistance of Iran (NCRI). Therefore, FCO Ministers and officials avoid contact with member of the NCRI.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) trade concessions, (b) credits and (c) loans which the British Government have agreed with Iran since May 1997. [73299]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There have been no trade concessions of loans to Iran by HMG in this period. In July 1998 my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced the resumption of export credit guarantee cover for capital goods and service contracts concluded on cash payment terms, and for short term reinsurance for private sector insurers of consumer goods exports. As yet, no cover has been used under these facilities.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the numbers of people in Iran put to death since President Khatami came to power. [73298]

  Mr. Fatchett
  It is difficult to put an exact figure on the number of executions in Iran since President Khatami's election in May 1997. The latest report of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights Special Representative, Maurice Copithorne, estimates that between January and December 1998 155 executions took place. In his report for 1997 it was estimated that 220 executions took place. President Khatami was elected on 23 May 1997.

  Kenya
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with the United Nations on the continuing location of the UNEP in Nairobi; [73681]

  (2) what reports he has received concerning the destruction of the Karura Forest in Kenya. [73766]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment is responsible for UNEP issues. He has participated in discussions with UNEP's Executive Director, Klaus Toepfer, on reform of UNEP, including the continuing location of UNEP in Nairobi. In his speech at the UNEP Governing Council on 4 February, he underlined the United Kingdom's continued high level of support for UNEP, including the strengthening of the UN presence in Nairobi.

  We have received regular reports from our High Commission in Nairobi about the destruction of the Karura Forest in Kenya. As the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), said in his written reply of 24 February 1999, Official Report, column 322, we supported, as part of the Democratic Development Group of diplomatic missions in Nairobi, a collective statement expressing our deep concern over the violence last month at the Karura Forest.

  Our High Commissioner regularly raises the need for greater transparency and respect for the law in the allocation of public lands in Kenya, including the Karura Forest, with President Moi and senior Government Ministers.

  Brit Awards
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those ministers in his Department who were present at the recent Brit awards in an official capacity; and who or what organisation was acting as their sponsor or host. [73493]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No Ministers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office attended the Brit awards.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Air Miles have been earned by him and each of his ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73337]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Government's policy on the use and disposal of air miles was set out by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 12 January 1999,Official Report, column 141.

  Detailed information on any air miles earned by Ministers as a result of official travel is not recorded centrally.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on atrocities committed by ECOMOG forces in Sierra Leone. [73641]
  604
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the right hon. Member to my answer of 23 February 1999,Official Report, column 319.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to President Mugabe about the content of his recent statements to opposition groups. [73296]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I saw President Mugabe on 25 February and told him of our concerns about his recent remarks about the judiciary, the media and non-governmental organisations. I encouraged him to reassure the Zimbabwean people and the international community of this commitment to international human rights standards and the rule of law.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official visits he, his ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73464]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I visited Zimbabwe in January 1998 and met the Acting President, the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Transport and Energy. I also met parliamentarians, non-governmental organisations, academics, unions, the media and business people. Topics discussed included regional issues, political and economic developments in Zimbabwe, land redistribution and human rights.

  Most recently, I met President Mugabe when I visited Zimbabwe on 25 February, as part of a regional tour to discuss the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I also raised our concerns over recent human rights abuses.

  There have been a number of visits by officials, for a variety of reasons. We do not keep a central database of all visits by officials to Zimbabwe.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe concerning its plans to nationalise land. [73388]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]This Government recognise the need for land reform in Zimbabwe. We have told the Zimbabwe Government that we would be prepared to support a programme that is transparent and fair, follows the due process of law, is well-managed and affordable within an overall sound economic framework, has the support and participation of stakeholders and beneficiaries, and is aimed at poverty reduction.

  Media Staff (Embassies)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes his Department has made in the deployment of staff handling media matters in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) embassies and high commissions abroad since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [73603]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Since 1 May 1997 the FCO News Department had recruited an additional 7 staff, of whom 4 are designated press officers and one spends half his time as a press officer. There have been no significant
  605
  changes in the deployments of staff dealing with media matters overseas: a detailed analysis could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Kosovo
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reasons were given by President Milosevic for not travelling to the Rambouillet talks. [73384]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]The Contact Group Ministerial meeting held in London on 29 January agreed to summon representatives of the Federal Yugoslav and Serbian Governments and representatives of the Kosovo Albanians to negotiations for a political settlement on the basis of documents tabled by the Contact Group. The invitation was not issued to President Milosevic in person and it did not stipulate that he should attend.

  Chile (Air Services)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Chilean Government concerning(a) British Airways flights to Santiago and (b) Lan Chile flights to
  Spain. [73386]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 26 February 1999](a) The most recent formal discussions took place during air services negotiations between the United Kingdom and Chile were held in June 1994. Air services negotiations due to be held in 1998 were postponed. We hope these will be re-instated soon. (b) None.

  Falklands
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion he has held with the Governor of the Falklands concerning flights to the Falklands from(a) Chile, (b) Uruguay and (c) Brazil. [73385]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]We have told the Governor of the Falkland Islands that we share the Falkland Islands Government's hope that Lan Chile will continue to fly to the Falklands after the expiry of their present contract on 31 March 1999. We have assured him of our readiness to assist the Falkland Islands Government to explore other options for air links in the region.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reasons the Chilean Government have given for recognising Argentina's claim over the Falklands. [73387]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]We are aware of Chilean statements of support for the Argentine position on the Falklands in recent years. It is for the Government of Chile to explain the reasons for their statements. We have made clear to the Chilean Government that we have no doubt about British sovereignty over the Falklands and have called on them to recognise the right of the Falkland Islanders to determine their own future.

  Yemen
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of human rights abuses in Yemen; and what representations he has made to the Government of Yemen. [73205]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There have been some tangible improvements in human rights in Yemen. There is a democratically elected parliament and universal franchise among men and women. The last elections in 1997 were judged to be largely free and fair. A broadly free press ensures that issues are properly aired. Our Embassy has provided modest financial support for human rights organisations operating in Yemen. Our priority is to help improve Yemen's judicial process. We have provided assistance in training judges and related officials on national and international human rights law and its application in the court-room.

  The recent trial of eight UK citizens in Aden for alleged terrorist related crimes has, however, highlighted a number of weaknesses. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has raised our concerns with Prime Minister Iriyani three times this year.

  Antarctic Secretariat
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects agreement to be reached on the establishment and siting of the Antarctic Secretariat; and if he will make a statement. [73162]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat may be discussed at the next meeting of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties to be held in Peru in May 1999. The need for an Antarctic Treaty Secretariat has long been acknowledged by Consultative Parties, including the UK. But consensus on its location has not yet been reached.

  The UK looks forward to a resolution on the matter of the Secretariat's location and will continue constructive dialogue with other Treaty Parties.

  Turkey
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the treatment of Kurdish people in Turkey; and what representations have been made to the Turkish Government. [73163]

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Turkish Government concerning the violation of the human rights of Kurdish citizens. [72823]

  Ms Quin
  We regularly raise human rights issues in our bilateral discussions with the Turkish government. We have repeatedly stressed to the Turkish authorities that a lasting solution to the conflict in south east Turkey can come about only if the Turkish government address the social and economic problems of the south east and the aspirations of the Kurdish population there.

  British Council (Damascus)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of
  607
  19 January 1999, Official Report, column 436, on the British Council property in Damascus, when he expects the costs of the damage to have been evaluated. [72891]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The British Council estimate the cost of damage to their property in Damascus to be between £90,000 and £95,000.

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 February 1999,Official Report, columns 583–84, on the engagements of the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), where the dinner with Next Century Foundation was held. [73149]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The dinner was held at the Kuwaiti Ambassador's residence in London.

  Indonesian Elections
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures of support for the Indonesian elections were agreed at the General Affairs Council on 21 and 22 February. [73756]

  Mr. Fatchett
  A UK initiative for increased European Union funding for the Indonesian elections was approved. The European Commission is producing proposals for an assistance package worth 7 million euros.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he held with EU ministers at the General Affairs Council on 21 and 22 February on the subject of East Timor. [73757]
  608
  Mr. Fatchett
  Ministers discussed the latest developments in the talks on East Timor being held under United Nations auspices in New York.

  Bay of Gibraltar
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy not to refer to the Bay of Gibraltar as the Bay of Algeciras. [73408]

  Ms Quin
  Yes.

  Vietnam
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Vietnam regarding the treatment of Christians in that country; and if he will make a statement. [73637]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are deeply concerned about reports of religious persecution in Vietnam. We have repeatedly, with our EU partners made representations to the Vietnamese government about human rights. In June last year the British Ambassador in Hanoi handed over a list of prisoners of conscience, urging their release. These included many imprisoned for exercising their religion freedoms. I raised the issue with the Vietnamese Ambassador in January. We shall continue to press the Vietnamese to improve respect for human rights.

  At the forthcoming UN Commission on Human Rights, the UK will give its full support to a resolution highlighting our concern about religious intolerance wherever it occurs.

  Water: DFID Resource Centre
  Water: DFID Resource Centre
  Northern Ireland: Rough Sleeping
  Northern Ireland: Rough Sleeping
  Northern Ireland: A.3 Portadown to Armagh Road
  Northern Ireland: A.3 Portadown to Armagh Road
  Belfast Agreement: Early Release of Prisoners
  Belfast Agreement: Early Release of Prisoners
  Imported Art Objects: VAT Increase
  Imported Art Objects: VAT Increase
  Royal Hospital, Haslar: Closure
  Royal Hospital, Haslar: Closure
  Tower Hamlets: Domiciliary Care
  Tower Hamlets: Domiciliary Care
  Genetically Modified Foods
  Genetically Modified Foods
  Knives Act 1997: Prosecutions
  Knives Act 1997: Prosecutions
  Scotland: Local Health Council Budgets
  Scotland: Local Health Council Budgets
  Scottish Business in the UK Parliament
  Scottish Business in the UK Parliament
  Scotland: Primary Education Funding
  Scotland: Primary Education Funding
  Scotland: Secondary Education Funding
  Scotland: Secondary Education Funding
  Scotland: Nursery Education Funding
  Scotland: Nursery Education Funding
  Scottish Parliament: Standing Orders
  Scottish Parliament: Standing Orders
  Scotland: Housing
  Scotland: Housing
  Brandy and Rum Butters
  Brandy and Rum Butters
  Forestry Income
  Forestry Income
  Provisional Seed Certification Scheme
  Provisional Seed Certification Scheme
  Veterinary Medicines: Human Suspected Adverse Reactions
  Veterinary Medicines: Human Suspected Adverse Reactions
  Sheep Dip Container Design
  Sheep Dip Container Design
  Controlled Goods: Production Overseas
  Controlled Goods: Production Overseas
  Medical Research Council Funding for Small Projects
  Medical Research Council Funding for Small Projects
  English Nature: Letter to Dr. Cunningham
  English Nature: Letter to Dr. Cunningham
  New Statutory Powers
  New Statutory Powers