Written Answers of 2 March 1999

CABINET OFFICE

  Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has for reform of Part 1 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. [74713]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Government have reviewed the operation of the deregulation order-making power in Part 1 of the Act. We believe the safeguards in the process are proven, but that the legislative limitations on the application of this power restrict our ability to deal effectively with measures which are no longer needed, or which impose a greater burden than necessary.

  When Parliamentary time allows, the Government intend to extend the scope of the deregulation order-making process, whilst maintaining the statutory protection against its misuse. I am launching today an extensive public consultation on proposals for reform of this power. I have sent copies of the consultation document to all MPs and have placed copies in the Libraries of the House.

  New Deal (Trainees)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many New Deal for Young People Trainees were employed in(a) Her Majesty's Treasury, (b) the Home Office, (c) the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, (d) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (e) the Cabinet Office, (f) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (g) the Department of Health, (h) the Department for Foreign and International Development, (i) the Lord Chancellor's Department, (j) the Department of Social Security, (k) the Department of Trade and Industry, (1) the Scottish Office, (m) the Welsh Office and (n) the Northern Ireland Office, on 31 January. [74216]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment, the hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Mudie), to my hon. Friend the Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands) on 19 November 1998,Official Report, column 755. Updated figures will be available towards the end of April and will, for the first time, distinguish between the numbers of those employed under the programme for 18–24 year olds and the programme for 25 year olds and above.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his answer of 21 January 1999,Official Report, columns 576–77, 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
  610
  market research and (d)for publications and publicity; and if he will list the bodies which incurred the expenditure. [71021]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 15 February 19991 My answer of 21 January 1999,Official Report, columns 576–77, was inclusive of expenditure on (a) task forces and review bodies and (b) by focus groups which included expenditure on market research and publicity. It is not possible to provide a further breakdown of expenditure without incurring disproportionate costs. The total own expenditure on publications by my Department itself since May 1997 is £3,724,259. This is broken down as follows:

  £

  Core Cabinet Office

  2,656,929

  Civil Service College

  711,140

  Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency

  86,675

  Government Car and Despatch Agency

  8,090

  Property Advisers to the Civil Estate

  41,000

  The Buying Agency

  92,740

  Central Office of Information

  127,685

  Grand Total

  3,724,259

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of those who have entered the New Deal for Young People have spent more than four months on the Gateway. [74203]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Damian Green, dated 2 March 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about the percentage of young people who have spent more than four months on the New Deal Gateway. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  By the end of December 1998, 214,300 young people had entered the New Deal including those leaving before attending a Gateway interview. Of the total 20% were recorded as having spent more than 4 months in the Gateway. This includes people who returned to the Gateway after breaks including short periods of work or illness.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many New Deal for Young People trainees were employed at his Department on 31 January; and what percentage this is of total employment in his Department.[74204]

  Mr. Mudie
  As at 31 January 1999, the Department for Education and Employment had 5 New Deal for Young People employees in post, representing 0.12 per cent. of the Department. Though the current position is that we now have 11 people employed on New Deal.

  New Deal (West Sussex)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many jobless people under the age of 25 years have so far been enrolled in the New Deal scheme in (i) the East Worthing and Shoreham constituency, (ii) the Worthing travel-to-work area and (iii) West Sussex; and how many of them are in (i) subsidised jobs and (ii) unsubsidised jobs. [74205]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Tim Loughton, dated 2 March 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about the numbers of young people participating in New Deal for 18–24 year olds in the East Worthing and Shoreham constituency; the Worthing travel to work area and West Sussex and the number who have secured subsidised and unsubsidised jobs. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  I regret that separate figures are not available for constituencies or travel-to-work areas. Government Statistical Service figures are produced for Employment Service Unit of Delivery areas. Both Worthing and Shoreham fall within the West Sussex and Costal Plain Unit of Delivery.
  The latest Government Statistical Service figures to the end of December 1998, and including Employment Service management information to the end of January 1999, show that 366 young people have started on New Deal for 18–24 year olds in the West Sussex Coastal Plain Unit of Delivery. Of these, 68 have secured unsubsidised employment and 51 have started subsidised employment through the New Deal Employment option. In addition there will be other young people who have left the New Deal and stopped receiving Jobseeker's Allowance, without notifying the Employment Service of their reasons for leaving, who will have secured unsubsidised jobs.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Employment Discrimination
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action the Government propose to take following the completion of its review of ILO conventions 111 on discrimination in employment and 138 on minimum age. [74712]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I am pleased to announce that we will ratify ILO Convention 111 on discrimination in employment. I hope to make an announcement on ILO Convention 138, on minimum age in the near future.

  Teachers
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of non-monetary special incentives to attract teachers back into the profession. [73201]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 1 March 1999] We are aware of the large pool of qualified teachers who are currently not active in the profession, and we are keen to maximise the number who are attracted back into teaching. Around 12,000 people do re-enter teaching in England and Wales every year. Over time, the proposals for better rewards, support and training in our Green
  612
  Paper, "Teachers—Meeting the challenge of change", will be key in boosting our ability to draw back former teachers.

  In the shorter term, the Teacher Training Agency funds a number of courses specifically designed to update the skills of returners and ease their way back into teaching. Last year, 618 returners made use of TTA-funded courses, and we have just increased the amount of funding available for these courses. The new network of local recruitment advisers I announced last October are working to promote these courses and find other creative ways of targeting returners. We also changed the pensions abatement provision last year to introduce greater flexibility for retired teachers considering a return to work. It is too early to assess the impact of these initiatives, but we will be evaluating their effect later this year.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 3 February 1999,Official Report, column 664, how many and what percentage of teachers in secondary schools in England do not have a first degree. [73639]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Full and part-time teachers in maintained secondary schools in England at March 19971 without a first degree2 are as follows:

  Number of teachers

  Full-time: 45,800

  Part-time: 10,400.

  Percentage of all teachers

  Full-time: 26

  Part-time: 39.

  1Data for 1997 are provisional.

  2Some teachers who did not have a first degree at the time they received qualified teacher status, or in the case of teachers no trained in England or Wales when they entered the teaching profession, will have obtained a degree later, but are counted as without a first degree in the answer.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what official visits he, his Ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73461]

  Mr. Mudie
  No Ministers from this Department have visited Zimbabwe since May 1997. There has been one visit by an official to meet the National Commission on Education to discuss UK education policies.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many air miles have been earned by him and each of his ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73341]

  Mr. Mudie
  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.

  Brit Awards
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those Ministers in his Department who were present at the recent Brit Awards in an official capacity, indicating the organisation acting as their sponsor or host. [73491]

  Mr. Mudie
  No Ministers from this Department were present at the recent Brit awards.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 10 February 1999,Official Report, columns 271–73, if he will list by local education authority for the present and previous rounds of bidding for capital grants for class size reductions (a) the total value of bids and (b) the total value of capital expenditure grants made; and what is the total budget allocated by the Government for (i) capital and (ii) revenue expenditure on class size reductions. [72559]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The total budget allocated for (i) capital and (ii) revenue expenditure on class size reductions is as follows:

  £million

  Financial year

  Capital budget

  Revenue budget

  1998–99

  45

  22

  1999–2000

  80

  80

  2000–01

  60

  160

  2001–02

  20

  160

  Details of the present round of bidding were given in my answer of 10 February 1999, Official Report, columns 271–73. No grants have yet been made. The values of the applications for capital funding for 1998–99 are set out in the following table. Capital grants to reduce class sizes in 1998–99 were announced on 3 July 1998 and are included in tables that have been placed in the Library.

  Applications for capital funding to reduce infant class sizes: 1998–99

  Local education authority

  Grant applied for

  Barking & Dagenham

  153,350

  Barnet

  322,200

  Barnsley

  —

  Bath & North East Somerset

  718,932

  Bedfordshire

  833,683

  Bexley

  974,000

  Birmingham

  —

  Blackburn

  483,472

  Blackpool

  449,500

  Bolton

  522,125

  Bournemouth

  1,100,000

  Bracknell

  502,430

  Bradford

  561,150

  Brent

  —

  Brighton & Hove

  488,000

  Bristol

  360,207

  Bromley

  1,340,790

  Buckinghamshire

  389,875

  Bury

  1,231,351

  Calderdale

  533,606

  Cambridgeshire

  656,860

  Camden

  —

  Cheshire

  1,289,775

  City of London

  —

  614

  Applications for capital funding to reduce infant class sizes: 1998–99

  Local education authority

  Grant applied for

  Cornwall

  728,440

  Coventry

  40,000

  Croydon

  369,140

  Cumbria

  113,188

  Darlington

  214,580

  Derby

  1,121,373

  Derbyshire

  2,441,563

  Devon

  1,035,439

  Doncaster

  221,400

  Dorset

  353,562

  Dudley

  1,054,000

  Durham

  219,638

  Ealing

  140,000

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  179,868

  East Sussex

  825,000

  Enfield

  640,000

  Essex

  856,211

  Gateshead

  234,567

  Gloucestershire

  275,412

  Greenwich

  100,000

  Hackney

  —

  Halton

  413,000

  Hammersmith & Fulham

  —

  Hampshire

  1,174,605

  Haringey

  —

  Harrow

  —

  Hartlepool

  68,600

  Havering

  76,840

  Herefordshire

  65,438

  Hertfordshire

  1,220,505

  Hillingdon

  1,065,223

  Hounslow

  256,000

  Isle of Wight

  474,000

  Isles of Scilly

  —

  Islington

  —

  Kensington & Chelsea

  —

  Kent

  3,087,794

  Kingston upon Hull

  —

  Kingston upon Thames

  11,352,000

  Kirklees

  1,252,193

  Knowsley

  178,000

  Lambeth

  888,415

  Lancashire

  1,808,982

  Leeds

  857,100

  Leicester City

  215,398

  Leicestershire

  920,441

  Lewisham

  —

  Lincolnshire

  495,372

  Liverpool

  497,675

  Luton

  127,500

  Manchester

  1,118,494

  Medway

  842,910

  Merton

  —

  Middlesbrough

  246,738

  Milton Keynes

  302,936

  Newbury

  —

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  431,419

  Newham

  518,500

  Norfolk

  613,000

  North East Lincolnshire

  535,813

  North Lincolnshire

  537,196

  North Somerset

  516,542

  North Tyneside

  590,277

  North Yorkshire

  539,000

  Northamptonshire

  326,291

  Northumberland

  364,200

  Nottingham City

  748,760

  Nottinghamshire

  922,055

  Oldham

  1,530,538

  Oxfordshire

  1,338,741

  Peterborough

  —

  Plymouth

  —

  615

  Applications for capital funding to reduce infant class sizes: 1998–99

  Local education authority

  Grant applied for

  Poole

  1,122,558

  Portsmouth

  671,900

  Reading

  105,075

  Redbridge

  645,000

  Redcar & Cleveland

  252,757

  Richmond Upon Thames

  880,000

  Rochdale

  427,275

  Rotherham

  818,500

  Rutland

  —

  Salford

  206,311

  Sandwell

  2,675,720

  Sefton

  747,447

  Sheffield

  —

  Shropshire

  768,200

  Slough

  250,000

  Solihull

  1,803,794

  Somerset

  396,276

  South Gloucestershire

  1,297,834

  South Tyneside

  —

  Southampton

  —

  Southend on Sea

  204,700

  Southwark

  68,825

  St. Helens

  1,003,875

  Staffordshire

  510,000

  Stockport

  627,310

  Stockton on Tees

  403,565

  Stoke on Trent

  353,813

  Suffolk

  —

  Sunderland

  138,970

  Surrey

  686,825

  Sutton

  573,641

  Swindon

  707,745

  Tameside

  —

  Telford and Wrekin

  404,446

  Thurrock

  80,000

  Torbay

  281,714

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  Trafford

  548,560

  Wakefield

  907,295

  Walsall

  532,321

  Waltham Forest

  —

  Wandworth

  187,600

  Warrington

  364,322

  Warwickshire

  423,300

  West Sussex

  1,197,500

  Westminster

  —

  Wigan

  1,026,191

  Wiltshire

  695,565

  Windsor & Maidenhead

  121,611

  Wirral

  288,231

  Wokingham

  1,217,269

  Wolverhampton

  384,302

  Worcestershire

  1,034,500

  York, City of

  304,272

  Grant Maintained Schools

  1,279,661

  National Totals

  92,219,751

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on his Department's policies 616
  of the goods and services provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to be implemented in October 1999. [71274]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  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 issued internal guidance recently on mainstreaming which ensures 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 "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment" which the Cabinet Office issued to all Government Departments in November 1998, and which was signed jointly by the Minister for Women, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Home Secretary.

  The Departmental Board monitors the Department's performance and will publish information on the progress being made in this area, as will other Government Departments.

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [71506]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have today placed in the Library of the House a list of the reviews, task forces and advisory groups that have been established by my Department since 1 May 1997 and the reports which they have published. Information on costs incurred to date cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Non-Departmental Public Bodies have not been included, since information on these is provided in the publication "Public Bodies 1998" which is available in the Libraries of the House.

  London Underground
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many journeys(a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department made on the London Underground in the last six months. [71913]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Although records are not kept of the methods of transport used on official visits, Ministers have used London Underground on a number of occasions over the last six months, as well as buses, taxis and walking.

  In addition to using London Underground for their official duties, Ministers in my Department use it regularly in their private lives.

  Cycle Lanes (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with London borough councils on the development of cycle lanes within their boroughs; and if he will make a statement. [72774]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In the Transport Policies and Programme settlement for 1999–2000, announced on 17 December last year, authorities were advised on the priorities for developing the London Cycle Network. In the coming year they should continue to take a more strategic approach, with the overall aim of encouraging more people to cycle in London.

  All the London Boroughs have been involved with the development of the LCN, with the Royal London Borough of Kingston upon Thames acting as the overall co-ordinating authority. Through TPP funding good progress has been made on the LCN, with over 1000km of cycle routes already available for use.

  The intention is to produce an initial network by April 2000—to be launched alongside the London part of the Thames Cycle Route—that will be of a standard to facilitate cycling in London and provide a satisfactory base for taking forward and completing the LCN in future years.

  Advice on the prioritisation of cycling provisions was also included in the guidance recently issued to Local Authorities in London, on the preparation of their Interim Transport Plans, for the 2000–01 bidding round.

  I have consistently raised the issue of cycle provisions during visits to various London Boroughs over the last 18 months, and my officials will continue to attend regular meetings of the London Cycle Network steering group, and of the Borough Cycling Officers' Group. Progress reports, including information monitoring the usage on newly completed cycle routes, will be discussed with the boroughs.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instruct local authorities in London to create trial cycle lanes along main thoroughfares. [73473]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend does not have the power to issue such an instruction. The London Boroughs are responsible for deciding whether cycle lanes or other measures should be provided on their local roads.

  My Department publishes Traffic Advisory Leaflets on the results of research projects carried out into traffic management issues—including facilities to encourage cycling. In addition, there already exists a design manual, produced by the LCN lead authority, to encourage good practice in the establishment of cycle lanes and other cycling measures.

  Passenger Transport Executives
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to create additional passenger transport executives. [73172]

  Dr. Reid
  The power to establish PTEs was removed under s57 of The Transport Act 1985. The need for more PTA/Es was considered in the lead-up to the White Paper.618
  PTA/Es were established because of the heavy reliance on public transport in the metropolitan conurbations outside London. They have co-operated closely with the metropolitan district councils (the highway authorities) to produce joint local transport strategies under the package approach.

  Shires and Unitary Authorities have the same public transport powers as PTA/Es (except for the special duty which PTEs have for local rail services which reflects the high number of local rail services in the metropolitan areas). Shires and Unitaries are, therefore, ideally placed to produce integrated local transport plans for their areas.

  The creation of additional Passenger Transport Executives would require primary legislation. The Government have no plans for any such legislation.

  Nuclear Material (Transport)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations his Department has received in the past six months from(a) Communities Against Nuclear Transport and (b) other community groups concerning the safety of the rail transport of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear wastes. [72964]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This Department has received one letter from Communities Against Nuclear Transport (Brent Terrace Residents Association) and eight letters from other community groups on these subjects.

  Commission for Integrated Transport
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times the selection panel for the Commission for Integrated Transport has met. [73505]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The selection panels for the Commission for Integrated Transport have met three times in total so far.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the criteria for appointments to the Commission for Integrated Transport. [73621]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have today arranged for a copy of the criteria for appointments to the Commission to be placed in the House Library.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many names were considered by the selection panel for the Commission for Integrated Transport. [73509]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department received 262 applications for the posts of Chair and Vice Chair to the Commission for Integrated Transport and 290 expressions of interest in membership. The selection panels considered all these names during the sift process.

  Ivory Ban (CITES)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the British Government's policy in respect of the CITES negotiations on the ivory ban. [73305]
  619
  Mr. Meacher
  The 1997 CITES Conference decided by a two thirds majority to transfer the elephants of Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe from Appendix I to Appendix II of the Convention. The Conference also agreed a one-off experimental export of stockpiled ivory to Japan to raise revenue for conservation and community development projects in the African countries concerned, provided that the CITES Standing Committee, which the UK now chairs, was content that strict conditions had been met.

  At its 41st meeting last month, the Standing Committee examined a report prepared by the CITES Secretariat on verification missions made to each of the four countries concerned. The report concluded that the conditions had been met by all the countries except Botswana. After careful consideration of the report, the Standing Committee endorsed the CITES Secretariat's conclusions and agreed that Namibia and Zimbabwe should be authorised to sell and ship 13.8 and 20 tonnes of ivory respectively to Japan on or after 18 March 1999. The proceeds from the sales must be directed towards conservation and community development projects. Botswana cannot participate until full compliance has been verified by the CITES Secretariat.

  The resumption of commercial trade is limited to this one-off trial shipment. There is no possibility of further shipments being made without the express permission of a future Conference of CITES Parties. The shipments themselves will be closely monitored by the CITES Secretariat who will ensure compliance with marking and registering requirements.

  As part of the agreement, the CITES Secretariat had already established a reporting and monitoring procedure to assess illegal hunting and trade in elephants and elephant products. At the February meeting, the Standing Committee endorsed new measures, which the Government fully supported, to build on this by providing two new elephant monitoring systems. The United Kingdom has already offered to provide the first year's funding for the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) which will monitor legal and illegal trading in ivory. At the meeting, the European Union, United States and Japan pledged substantial funding towards the second part of the system, MIKE, (Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants), which will involve tracking, analysis and assessment of illegal killing and trends in poaching on a representative sample of sites across Africa and south Asia.

  In addition, the Standing Committee agreed a mechanism to reinstate the elephant populations currently listed on Appendix II, to Appendix I of CITES if there is evidence of increased poaching or failure by any of the Parties concerned to comply with the conditions set by the 1997 Conference.

  The Government believe that the proper implementation of the new pan-African and Asian elephant trade and poaching monitoring systems, together with the early warning system agreed at the meeting, should protect the elephant against the risk of any escalation in poaching caused by the very limited ivory trade agreed by CITES Parties. As Chair of the CITES Standing Committee, we will, along with the CITES Secretariat and others, continue to monitor the situation in Africa closely.
  620
  The decisions taken at the last CITES Conference also addressed the problem of rising ivory stockpiles elsewhere in Africa. The risk posed by these stocks, which are difficult and expensive to protect, is frequently overlooked. For the first time, CITES has put in place a system for registering and auditing stocks and encouraging donors to buy them up for non-commercial purposes with the proceeds being re-invested in conservation trust funds established for that purpose. In practice, this is likely to mean destruction of much of these ivory stockpiles.

  I recently announced that the Government are willing to offer up to £60,000 to fund new elephant conservation work in return for disposal of part of these ivory stockpiles. We hope that other donors—including conservation organisations—will also come forward to take stockpiled ivory out of the system and at the same time raise revenue for elephant conservation.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the subject areas within his Department's responsibilities which will be covered by the information campaign on Britain's membership of a single currency. [73662]

  Mr. Prescott
  Any plans by the Government to issue information during a referendum campaign on whether or not the UK should join the single currency would be made in the light of the Government's response to the recommendations when my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary publishes a White Paper and draft bill before the Summer Recess.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue information from his Department to help the public make an informed decision when they vote on the single currency. [73592]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Treasury will continue its dialogue with key external bodies to determine what information the public and business would need at each stage of the changeover process. Any information campaign would cover key concerns that the public and business may have. Chapter Eight of the Treasury's Outline National Changeover Plan provides further information. Copies of the plan are available in the House Library.

  British Waterways Board
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the future of the British Waterways Board. [73683]

  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 18 February the Government's decision on the future status and direction for British Waterways. The full package of measures is set out in the booklet "Unlocking the Potential …A New Future for British Waterways", copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. The key elements of the package are:British Waterways will remain in the public sector as a public corporation, charged with the stewardship of an important national asset;

  621
  Improved funding. An extra £8 million per annum, to enable British Waterways to eliminate the serious maintenance backlog over a timescale of seven years and subject to the achievement of challenging performance targets;
  Phasing out debt and increased flexibility in cash flow management. British Waterways will be relieved of the burden of refinancing old loans as they mature and will benefit from new financial flexibility at the end of each financial year.
  Three proposed partnerships with the private sector (property, water transfer and maintenance), which are currently being worked up with the Treasury Private Finance Taskforce;
  Partnerships with the public sector. British Waterways will build on and broaden its partnerships with local authorities and other public sector organisations, including the new Regional Development Agencies;
  A membership scheme: to get British Waterways closer to all people who use its waterways. There are a number of options for a membership scheme and these will be the subject of a consultation exercise by British Waterways. The consultation will include the suggestion that a seat on the British Waterways Board might eventually be offered to the membership;
  A Framework Document setting new objectives for British Waterways, clarifying its relationship with the Department, and confirming British Waterways' contribution to sustainable development and to Government policies on transport (including freight), regeneration, heritage, conservation and leisure; and
  Improved openness and accountability. British Waterways will build on last year's publication of a forward plan at a public meeting by publishing more detailed information about its activities and plans.

  I have also placed in the Library copies of the Framework Document and a paper setting out the facts and analysis relevant to the Government's announcement.

  The package demonstrates the Government's commitment to a successful future for British Waterways. The additional investment, together with the public and private partnerships, offer exciting opportunities for British Waterways to unlock the potential, modernise its network and provide a system of historic waterways worthy of the new millennium.

  Public Rights of Way
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the number of public rights of way that are(a) blocked and (b) otherwise difficult to negotiate because of crops or encroaching vegetation. [73569]

  Mr. Meacher
  A national rights of way condition survey carried out in 1994 by the Countryside Commission found that on average 26 per cent. of rights of way were blocked or difficult to use, 2 per cent. were blocked and 4 per cent. were difficult to use because of crops or other cultivated surface, and 3 per cent. were blocked and 4 per cent. difficult to use because of overgrown or overhanging natural vegetation.

  Flight Crew Licensing
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he will take to ensure that all EU countries implement the Joint Aviation Authorities' Requirements on Flight Crew Licensing by 1 July 1999, with particular reference to pilots in the age group 60 to 65 years. [73487]
  622
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This Government take very seriously the implementation of the Joint Aviation Requirements on Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL,) in order to harmonise the standards for licensing pilots in the 29 member states of the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). The requirements will enable pilots to operate aircraft up to the age of 65 years either as Pilot-in-Command or Co-Pilot, provided that only one pilot in the crew is 60 or over.

  It will be for individual states to decide how to implement JAR-FCL with respect to their airspace, but we have urged JAA states to apply it consistently.

  We understand that the European Commission aims to bring forward, this year, proposals to incorporate the JAR-FCL provisions into EU legislation.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure equity in distribution of Government funding to the English regional development agencies. [73612]

  Mr. Meale
  Over 90 per cent. of the funding for Regional Development Agencies in 1999–2000 will be in respect of the regeneration programmes which they will inherit from the Government Offices for the Regions, English Partnerships and the Rural Development Commission. The distribution of those resources is determined largely by statistical indicators of need.

  For later years, resources will be allocated to RDAs in response to the corporate plans which they submit to the Secretary of State. Allocations will take account of the needs of the regions, the soundness of the RDAs' plans for tackling those needs and their performance in implementing their programmes.

  Red Squirrels
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the UK Red Squirrel Group has taken to protect red squirrels in Cumbria. [73690]

  Mr. Meacher
  Red Squirrel conservation in Cumbria is undertaken by the Red Squirrel Conservation Partnership, NPI Red Alert Northwest. The UK Red Squirrel Group actively supports the work of NPI Red Alert Northwest in Cumbria through the provision of technical advice to local staff, support in the production of the Regional Action Plan, assisting in organising the NPI Red Alert Northwest forum, and the provision of a practitioners newsletter. The Secretariat of the UK Red Squirrel Group has been based with Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

  Footpaths and Bridleways
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of(a) footpaths and (b) bridleways in England and Wales are not fully open or easily negotiable according to Countryside Commission criteria. [73967]

  Mr. Meacher
  In a national rights of way condition survey carried out in England in 1994 by the Countryside Commission, walkers found that 25 per cent. of footpaths
  623
  and 18 per cent. of bridleways were poor or unusable at some point on their length. Horse riders and cyclists found that 25 per cent. of bridleways were difficult to use. 25 per cent. of footpaths equates to about 20,500 miles, and 25 per cent. of bridleways represents about 4,600 miles.

  Wales has a total of 24,850 miles of rights of way. Between 1992 and 1998, 7,215 miles were surveyed and it was found that 23 per cent. of footpaths were blocked or difficult to use. This equates to 5,716 miles of the total. No comparable figures are available for bridleways due to the statistically small proportion surveyed.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how non-fuel-poor households are defined in figure D of his Department's Background Paper on Fuel Poverty and Current Government Programmes; and if he will make a statement.
  [73774]

  Mr. Meale
  The paper uses the standard definition applied by academics and organisations active in the sector, of non-fuel, poor households being those needing to spend 10 per cent. or less of household income to achieve a satisfactory indoor heating regime (21°C in the living room and 18°C in the other occupied rooms).

  Flight Restrictions (Heathrow)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received in the last year on night flight restrictions at Heathrow; and if he will make a statement. [74029]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department has received a large number of representations expressing a range of different views on the subject of aircraft noise in general over the last year. It would involve disproportionate cost to calculate how many referred specifically to night flight restrictions at Heathrow Airport. On February 12, we concluded the second stage of a two stage consultation on Night Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. Responses to the first stage are available for inspection by appointment at the DETR Information Centre, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1, telephone 0171 676 2002. The responses to the second stage are currently being logged and analysed. The Government will reach a decision after careful consideration of the responses.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many complaints have been received concerning possible breaches of licence in respect of the growing of
  GMOs. [73219]

  Mr. Meacher
  Further to my answers to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 17 December 1998,Official Report, column 630, and 4 February 1999, Official Report, column 720, no complaints have been received about possible breaches of consent to grow GMOs, but some have been detected by Health and Safety Executive Inspectors.
  624
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what controls other than the prosecution of offenders are available to the licensing authorities in respect of GMO research. [73220]

  Mr. Meacher
  The controls available are contained in Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and associated regulations. In summary no person may release any GMO without the express permission of the Secretary of State. The consent holder must comply with the conditions and limitations set by the consent, which may be revoked or varied at any time. There are also powers to serve a prohibition notice to terminate or prevent any activity.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people employed by the Environment Agency have(a) worked in and (b) had direct experience of the nuclear industry. [73213]

  Mr. Meale
  Of the Agency's key staff and those involved with Radioactive Substances regulation,(a) forty six; and (b) fourteen.

  Disabled Access
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions have been held between his Department and officials from bus and coach operating companies regarding(a) disabled access to buses and (b) facilities available at bus stops; and what guidelines have subsequently been issued. [74059]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have had extensive discussions with bus and coach operators on our proposals for accessibility regulations under the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to ensure that in future new vehicles will be fully accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. We will be publishing draft regulations for public consultation around Easter. We shall be seeking the further views of the bus and coach industry on these draft regulations.

  In collaboration with the Passenger Transport Executives, guidelines were published by the Department several years ago on the design of accessible public transport infrastructure, including bus stops. We have recently commissioned consultants to review that material and to draw up comprehensive guidance for transport operators and local authorities to help them to introduce good practice in making infrastructure accessible both to optimise the transport provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act and to prepare for the full introduction of Part III of the Act which covers access to goods, services and facilities.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions have been held between his Department and officials from Railtrack and the rail operating companies regarding disabled access to trains and railway station facilities; and what guidelines have subsequently been issued. [74051]
  625
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We had extensive and regular discussions with both Railtrack and the rail operating companies in developing the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 which were introduced on 1 November 1998. Those regulations, which apply to new rolling stock coming into service from 1 January this year, will ensure new trains and trams are accessible to disabled people, including those who need to travel in a wheelchair. We remain in regular contact with the rail operating companies, working with them to ensure their new design of vehicles meet the regulations.

  We also work closely with Railtrack on a wide range of issues affecting the needs of disabled rail travellers. Access to stations and other transport infrastructure will be covered by Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which covers access to goods, facilities and services. My Department (in collaboration with representative bodies of local authorities and the professional institutions) is producing advice for service providers in the transport sector on best practice in meeting the needs of disabled people. That guidance will be available later this year.

  Disabled Parking
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance is issued by his Department to local authorities regarding the issuance of orange disabled parking permits. [74049]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Guidance was issued in the Local Authority Circular 3/91, 'The Orange Badge Scheme of Parking Concessions for Disabled and Blind People'.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many disabled orange parking permits are currently in circulation in(a) the UK, (b) the Adur district, (c) Worthing Borough and (d) West Sussex. [74050]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As at 31 March 1998, the total number of oranges badges on issue in the UK was 2,047,041. The figure for West Sussex was 33,426. We do not compile separate figures for the Adur district or Worthing Borough.

  Home Insulation
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what schemes he has made available to encourage greater use of insulation materials in existing homes. [74068]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department's Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) encourages the installation of insulation materials in the homes of those on benefits and the elderly. HEES now accounts for nearly half of the cavity wall insulation market in the UK. The Energy Saving Trust has five schemes, funded by my Department, which promote the installation of insulation in existing homes. Three of these promote cavity wall insulation, fund schemes run by local authorities under the HECAction programme and promote energy services, which often include the provision of insulation. The remaining two, the Energy Efficiency Advice Centres and Energy Efficiency marketing project, provide advice and information to householders on energy efficiency, including the installation of insulation.

  Taxi Vouchers
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with local authorities regarding the provision of taxi vouchers for the elderly and disabled; what financial assistance the Government gives to local authorities to enable them to provide such a service; what plans he has to review the system; and if he will make a statement. [73820]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Local authorities outside London are enabled by the Transport Act 1985 to provide concessionary travel schemes for resident pensioners and disabled people, which may include travel by taxi. The details of these schemes are a matter for individual local authorities and no central record is kept of the provision made. Financial assistance is provided through the overall support given to local authority expenditure in general. I have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Inspection Charges (Accident Hazards)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the proposed inspection charges under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999 are higher in England and Wales than in Scotland. [73810]

  Mr. Meale
  The proposed charges of the Environment Agency, which is to carry out environmental inspection under the proposed Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH) in England and Wales are higher than those of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which carries out the same functions in Scotland. This is because the relevant input costs, such are accommodation, differ. The charges have been calculated in accordance with HM Treasury's Fees and Charges Guide.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received alleging inadequacies in consultations with small businesses in the fuel supply and distribution industry over the possible impact of the proposed charging regimes for the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999; and if he will make a statement; [73819]

  (2) what representations he has received alleging inadequacies in (a) identifying and (b) estimating compliance costs for the fuel supply and distribution industry in the preparation of the proposed charging regime for the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999. [73818]

  Mr. Meale
  One letter has been received making such representations. Copies of this same letter have also been forwarded by six Members of Parliament. The Health and Safety Commission initiated an eight-week consultation on 24 November 1998 on proposals to charge for activities conducted under the proposed Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH). The consultation document included details of the charging proposals, chargeable activities, the methodology used for calculating charges, the likely impact of charging on industry and illustrative examples of charges for a range of COMAH establishments.
  627
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what analysis of compliance costs was undertaken in respect of(a) the fuel supply and distribution industry and (b) the liquified petroleum gas industry in the preparation of the proposed charging regime for the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999; [73817]

  (2) what (a) representations he has received on and (b) assessment he has made of competitive disadvantages for sections of the fuel supply and distribution industry arising from the proposed charging provisions under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999; and if he will make a statement. [73809]

  Mr. Meale
  Two letters have been received making such representations. Copies of one of these have also been forwarded by six Members of Parliament. The current projection is that the overall charges to industry, for the performance of the functions placed on the Competent Authority under the proposed Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH), will amount to approximately £6 million in 1999–2000, and £6.6 million in 2000–01 and 2001–02. It is not possible at this stage to separate out the costs of charging likely to be borne by the fuel supply and distribution and liquefied petroleum gas industries from those of other industries. The COMAH charging consultative document provided illustrative examples of the likely charges for different, typical types of establishment to enable operators to estimate their costs.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received criticising(a) the suitability of the proposed flat rate inspection charge and (b) the adequacy of efforts to ensure that these charges relate directly to actual work undertaken under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999. [73811]

  Mr. Meale
  Four letters have been received making such representations, of which two raised only first issue. Copies of one of these letters, which raised both issues, have also been forwarded by six Members of Parliament.

  Parish Councils
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the threshold above which parish councils are subject to the Audit Accounting Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [73638]

  Ms Armstrong
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 20 January 1999,Official Report, column 466.

  Countryside Agency
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when(a) the Chairman and (b) members of the Countryside Agency will be appointed. [74337]

  Mr. Meacher
  Shortly.

  Airport Companies
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which local authority airport companies he regards as qualified to be freed from borrowing control. [74618]

  Dr. Reid
  Following the issue of a consultation document and an invitation to qualified airport companies to apply to be freed from borrowing control, Manchester Airport plc, Newcastle International Airport Ltd., Leeds Bradford International Airport Ltd. and Norwich Airport Ltd. have applied. My right hon. Friend has considered their applications. He is satisfied that all four companies are financially sound and that they should be removed from borrowing control. He will therefore shortly lay before Parliament an Order making the necessary amendment to the Public Airport Companies (Capital Finance) Order 1996. Subject to Parliamentary approval the amending Order will take effect on 1 April.

  Sustainable Distribution
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he proposes to publish his strategy for sustainable distribution. [74620]

  Dr. Reid
  I have today published our strategy for sustainable distribution, establishing a partnership between Government and industry to develop a world class distribution system for the next millennium, meeting industry's and consumers' needs while improving our environment and quality of life. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House and are available in the Vote Office.

WALES

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [71267]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  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 the new duties in the Disability Discrimination Act but by aiming to exceed these requirements where we can.

  In December 1998, the Department briefed all its senior management on "mainstreaming" which ensures 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 adverse impact on these groups. The guidance, "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment", which the Cabinet Office has issued to all Government Departments, was circulated at the same time.
  629
  In addition, the Government of Wales Act 1998 gives the National Assembly of Wales a duty to have regard to equality of opportunity for all people in the conduct of its business and in the exercise of its functions. The Assembly will have to report annually on what arrangements it has made to promote equality of opportunity in exercising its functions and how successful they have been. We have received advice from the National Assembly Advisory Group and the Standing Orders Commission on how these duties should be given effect and the Department is in contact with relevant statutory and voluntary bodies in Wales regarding the development of these arrangements.

  Housing Renovation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the outstanding housing renovation grants in Wales on the basis of existing commitments made by local authorities at 31 March 1998, or the latest date at which the information is available. [71353]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The value of outstanding renovation grants at the end of September 1998 is estimated to be £98 millions: this relates to grants under both the 1989 Local Government and Housing Act and the 1996 Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act.

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

  Caergwrle Bypass
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for a Caergwrle bypass. [74187]

  Mr. Hain
  The scheme is the joint responsibility of Flintshire and Wrexham councils and I had a meeting to discuss the way forward with my hon. Friend and a delegation last week.

  Following the transfer of functions, any bid for Transport Grant support will be a matter for the National Assembly.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of heritage projects for which National Lottery funding was applied for were rejected in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99 to date. [72176]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The table shows applications rejected by the Heritage Lottery Fund (including those deemed ineligible) as a percentage of applications on which a decision was made (i.e. applications which were accepted or rejected) during the period. The figures do not take into account applications on which no decision has yet been taken.

  The figures relate to the year in which the decision was made, which in some cases is different from the year in which the relevant applications were received.
  630

  Year

  % of heritage applications rejected

  1996–97

  32

  1997–98

  35

  1998–99 (to 16 February 1999)

  54

  Libraries
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the service provided by public libraries. [72104]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 1 March 1999] I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 1 March 1999, Official Report, column 532, to my hon. Friends the Members for Ilford, North (Ms Perham) and for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien).

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes were(a) reported and (b) solved in England and Wales involving false documentation (i) in relation to motor vehicles and (ii) not related to motor vehicles for the years (1) 1995, (2) 1996, (3) 1997 and (4) 1998.[73084]

  Mr. Boateng
  Recorded crimes which involve false documentation are included in fraud and forgery offences, but are not separately identifiable. Figures for all recorded fraud and forgery offences for 1995, 1996 and 1997 are as follows (1998 figures are not yet available):

  Fraud and forgery, England and Wales

  Year

  Number of Offences

  offences detected

  1995

  133,016

  65,935

  1996

  136,225

  67,080

  1997

  134,398

  64,555

  Crimes involving false documentation in relation to motor vehicles are not included in the totals, as they were not notifiable to the Home Office before April 1998. However, the numbers of these crimes are being collected from 1 April 1998, and will be included in the statistical bulletin on notifiable offences which will be issued in October 1999.

  EU Nationals
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many decisions to deport EU nationals were made on the grounds of(a) public policy, (b) public security and (c) public health during the period 1 February 1998 to date. [72868]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Between 1 February and 30 November 1998, some 135 European Union nationals were issued with a notice of intention to deport or recommended for deportation by a court. The precise reasons for initiating deportation action in these cases can only be obtained through the examination of individual case records and is therefore only available at disproportionate cost.

  Prostitute Contact Cards
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the steps his Department is taking to outlaw prostitute contact cards in London telephone boxes. [73640]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Home Office will shortly be issuing a consultation paper on new measures to tackle the problem of prostitutes cards in telephone boxes which will look at options for changing the law to enable those who put cards in telephone boxes to be dealt with more effectively.

  Ethnic Minority Police
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he intends police forces to meet the target for ethnic minority police in areas with a very small percentage of ethnic minorities. [73679]

  Mr. Boateng
  Individual targets will be set for each force for the recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minority officers. These targets will inevitably have regard to the minority ethnic population of the community served by the individual police force.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ethnic minority police officers Cumbria Constabulary will need to recruit to meet a 7 per cent. ethnic minority target. [73680]

  Mr. Boateng
  No targets have yet been set. For the police service broadly to reflect the minority ethnic population of England and Wales, there would need to be an overall ethnic minority representation of at least 6 per cent. Each force will be asked to set targets for recruitment, retention and progression for ethnic minority officers. Force targets will have regard to ethnic composition of the community served.

  The minority ethnic population in Cumbria is approximately 0.4 per cent. of the total population of the area. Inevitably, this will mean that targets for this area will be below the national average.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how dispersed asylum seekers are to be taken into account in determining whether the target for ethnic minority police has been met. [73677]

  Mr. Boateng
  The police service needs to reflect the communities it serves, which means that, taking England and Wales as a whole, the aim should be for minority ethnic representation of at least six per cent. Not all minority ethnic residents in an area will be eligible to join the police, but it is unlikely that the number of asylum seekers measured against the total population will have a significant impact on targets.

  "Bride of Chucky Doll"
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the film "Bride of Chucky Doll". [73318]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have received one letter from a Member of this House on behalf of a constituent and will be responding shortly.

  Automated Fingerprint Recognition System
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress with the Automated Fingerprint Recognition System. [73501]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am advised by the Police Information Technology Organisation that the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) Programme, following some restructuring of the implementation plan, is on track to complete roll-out to all 43 police forces in England and Wales by April 2001. The transition phase has already commenced, with 11 forces operating Bureau Foundation Services and new bureau installations being welcomed into NAFIS at an average rate of one per month.

  Asylum Seekers (Sexuality)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers, and from which countries, are seeking asylum on account of their sexuality. [73552]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that information on the number of persons claiming asylum on grounds of persecution due to their sexuality is not available.

  Racial Incidents (Policing)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons his Department's studies of(a) young offenders from different ethnic groups and (b) the policing of racial incidents was commissioned; what are the terms of reference of the study; how is it being conducted; what reports he has received on the findings of the study to date; and when in Spring 1999 the final report will be published. [73351]

  Mr. Boateng
  Both studies were originally approved in February 1995, when the right hon. Gentleman was Minister of State. The details are as follows:

  Young Offenders from Different Ethnic Groups

  A number of research studies have provided evidence of ethnic differences at each stage of the criminal justice process. This study has interviewed matched samples of young offenders of different ethnic origins to shed light on the various reasons for this. The findings are being written up and the report is likely to be published within the next four months.

  Police recording of racial incidents

  This study forms part of a wider study of police ethnic monitoring. The first part was published in December 1997 as "Ethnic Monitoring in Police Forces: a Beginning" (FitzGerald and Sibbitt, HORS 173). The second part is now in draft and examines:
  (a) which incidents the police record as "racial incidents";
  (b) which incidents are not recorded, despite meeting the definition of a "racial incident";
  (c) the reasons for any mis-recording or under-recording; and
  (d) the scope for improvement.

  Publication is also expected within four months or so.

  Neither of the reports has yet been put to me.

  PC Dunne
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold an independent judicial inquiry into the decision not to bring to trial the men arrested for the murder of PC Dunne in Clapham. [73684]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have no plans to establish an independent judicial inquiry into the decision not to bring to trial the three men arrested in connection with the murders of PC Patrick Dunne and Mr. William Danso in Clapham on 20 October 1993. Following the arrest and charging of the three men, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) sought the opinion of Treasury Counsel, who advised that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charges of murder and conspiracy to murder. During the course of the investigation where further evidence was discovered, this opinion was re-examined by Counsel, but it was concluded that there was still insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of convictions, a conclusion accepted by the CPS and the Metropolitan Police Service.

  I understand from the Metropolitan police that whilst this investigation remains an active inquiry, no new evidence has since come to light which would cause either the CPS or Counsel to reconsider their opinion. The three men originally charged were subsequently sentenced to lengthy periods of imprisonment for various serious offences of violence, blackmail and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.

  Community Service
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the advantages and

  Number of defendants prosecuted at magistrates' courts and sentenced at all courts for offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 19971by result, England and Wales, 1997 and January to June 19982

  Section 2

  Section 4

  Offence of harassment

  Putting people in fear of violence

  1997

  21998 January to June

  1997

  21998 January to June

  Total proceeded against

  507

  1,180

  243

  712

  Total sentenced3

  248

  1,013

  76

  239

  Absolute or conditional discharge

  99

  351

  17

  59

  Fine

  56

  236

  16

  46

  Community sentence4

  48

  268

  24

  71

  Fully suspended sentence

  3

  5

  1

  2

  Immediate custody2

  33

  113

  16

  52

  Other

  9

  40

  2

  9

  1Came into force on 16 June 1997

  2Provisional

  3Includes defendants proceeded against and found guilty at magistrates' courts who were committed to the Crown Court for sentence

  4Includes probation order, supervision order, attendance centre order, community service order, combination order and curfew order

  5Includes detention in a Young Offender Institution and unsuspended sentence of imprisonment

  Pending Deportees
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are currently held in prison or detention centres awaiting deportation, having already completed a sentence for a criminal offence with a recommendation for deportation on completion of the sentence; and for what periods they have been held in prison or detention centres since the completion of their sentence. [73558]
  634
  disadvantages of requiring those serving community service sentences to wear high-visibility marked protective clothing to make their participation apparent to the public. [73614]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We shall bear this suggestion in mind. Protective clothing is already provided where necessary for health and safety reasons.

  Police Radio
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the Police Service Radio Communications Project. [73687]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am advised by the Police Information Technology Organisation that negotiations for the award of contract for the Public Service Radio Communications Project (PSRCP) are now entering their final stage, with the aim of completing them in the summer.

  Lancashire Constabulary is the pilot force for the project. The pilot should be installed this year, with evaluation in early 2000.

  Stalking
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been for stalking since the passage of the relevant Act; how many were successful; and what sentence was passed in each case. [73504]

  Mr. Boateng
  The relevant sections 1, 2 and 4 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 came into force on 16 June 1997. Data are given in the table for 1997 and provisionally, for the period January to June 1998.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested can be obtained only through the examination of individual case records and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

  Bookmakers' Committee
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors underlie the proposed
  635
  re-constitution of the Bookmakers' Committee; what representations he has received; and if he will make a statement. [73785]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We issued proposals in a consultation letter on 3 December. They sought a balance between the large bookmaking chains and organisations representing smaller bookmakers, taking into account size of membership, number of off-course shops, leviable turnover and levy paid.

  We have received representations from Tyndallwoods solicitors (on behalf of the British Betting Office Association, the National Association of Bookmakers and the Scottish Independent Bookmakers' Association), the Betting Office Licensees Association, William Hill, Coral, Ladbroke and Stanley Leisure. We are currently considering them and will announce the outcome as soon as possible.

  Chief Superintendent Rank
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reintroduce the rank of chief superintendent for police forces in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [74677]

  Mr. Straw
  Following consultation with police service interests and the agreement of the Police Advisory Board, I have given approval for the rank of Chief Superintendent to be reintroduced as soon as possible. The rank of Deputy Chief Constable will be reintroduced at the same time. I will take the earliest legislative opportunity to make the necessary changes.

  Immigration (Country Assessments)
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make available the first revisions of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's country assessments. [74678]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Revised country assessments were made available to caseworkers during December 1998 and January 1999. They will be made publicly available on the Home Office Internet site within the next few weeks and copies have been placed in the Library.

  The assessments are all sourced to information obtained from independent external sources and from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The assessments have been reformatted to take account of many comments received from various representative bodies and asylum interest groups (the Consultative Group). A list of assessments was set out in my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Twigg), on 13 May 1998, Official Report, columns 127–28.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate of the number of people who will claim asylum in the United Kingdom he has used to calculate the sums required for the new support arrangements in the years(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [74211]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I will write to the hon. Member.
  636
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the administrative costs of the support arrangements for asylum seekers proposed in the Immigration and Asylum Bill per adult asylum seeker per week. [74210]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have made no separate estimate of the administrative costs of the support arrangements. The support arrangements will be procured by competitive tender. It will be up to potential providers to keep their administrative costs to a minimum.

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many countries have made representations urging Senator Pinochet's return to Chile. [73215]

  Mr. Straw
  One. The Chilean Government made representations urging Senator Pinochet's return to Chile. I have also, today, answered a separate parliamentary question in respect of a letter from the Vatican.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when, and in what form, representations have been received on behalf of Senator Pinochet from the Vatican. [73214]

  Mr. Straw
  A letter from a senior level in the Vatican was passed, in November 1998, from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Prime Minister and the Home Office.

  Persistent Offenders
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of those persistent offender cases surveyed in the Phoenix-based research used to calculate the benchmark figure of 142 days for arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders and in subsequent research were completed(a) within 71 days, (b) within 142 days but more than 71 days and (c) in over 142 days. [74215]

  Mr. Boateng
  I shall write to the right hon. Member.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 February 1999,Official Report, column 518, if he will estimate the effect of adopting an upper limit for the Phoenix-based survey on time between arrest and sentence for persistent young offenders to take into account the effect of the minority of cases which may be protracted for reasons outside the control of case management. [74219]

  Mr. Boateng
  On the basis of information currently held, it is not possible to calculate the number of cases where progress is protracted for reasons outside the control of case management. It is not possible to estimate the effect of adopting an upper limit for the Phoenix-based survey which would only exclude such cases. Any upper limit imposed would be likely to exclude cases affected by unnecessary delay, and would not be consistent with the Government's intention to reduce delay in all cases involving persistent young offenders.
  637
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown of the figures used to calculate the benchmark figure of 142 days for the pledge to halve the time between arrest and sentence for persistent young offenders. [74212]

  Mr. Boateng
  The calculation for the figure of 142 days from arrest to sentence was based on a representative sample of almost 1,500 occasions on which slightly over 900 persistent young offenders were sentenced for almost 4,500 offences during 1996, across England and Wales.

  The dates on which the sampled persistent young offenders were sentenced were obtained from the Police National Computer, Phoenix. As Phoenix does not generally hold arrest dates, this information was obtained directly from police forces. The date of arrest for each sentencing occasion was defined as the earliest date of arrest (or date of laying of information) and was collected in respect of each offence for which a sentence was passed. Once this information had been added, the time from arrest to sentence was calculated on the basis of the difference (in calendar days) between the date of sentence and the date of arrest (or laying of information). The national baseline is the mean arrest to sentence time for the sampled sentencing occasions.

  AIDS (Asylum Seekers)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he plans to make to the concerns expressed by the Terrence Higgins Trust and LEAN in their responses to the White Paper, "Fairer, Faster and Firmer" (Cm 4018) relating to the problem of AIDS and HIV-related illnesses among asylum seekers; and what measures are being taken to address the issue of health among asylum seekers. [74213]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Responses from the Terrence Higgins Trust and the London East AIDS Network to the White Paper "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum" were acknowledged in November. Their concerns are being taken into account in developing the new asylum support arrangements under which all asylum seekers will continue to be entitled to essential medical treatment available from the National Health Service.

  Horseracing
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the members of the Steering Group conducting a review of the Tote; and when it will report. [74140]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Steering Group is chaired by Mr. Peter Jones, the Tote's Chairman. Its other members are Mr. H Bush from Her Majesty's Treasury, and Miss C. Sinclair, Mr. R. Fulton, Mr. J. Dilling, Mr. S. Hickson and Mr. C. Hawkswood from the Home Office. I understand that the Steering Group is nearing the end of its work and hopes to report to Ministers shortly.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future financing of the horseracing industry in Great Britain. [74141]
  638
  Mr. George Howarth
  We are having constructive discussions with the British Horseracing Board about the issues raised in their financial plan, but do not propose to make any general statement about horseracing's finances. Horseracing and bookmaker interests are due shortly to start important negotiations over the betting levy, under the oversight of the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

  Fire Stations (PFI)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of PFI bids for new fire stations in Lancaster; and if he will make a statement. [74138]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have received no Private Finance Initiative bids for new fire stations in Lancaster. We provided £70,000 in 1997–98 towards the development costs of Lancashire's pathfinder Private Finance Initiative project to build replacement fire stations in Accrington and Morecambe. We are continuing to advise the fire authority on the preparation of its outline business case for that project.

TREASURY

  Disabled People
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [71293]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Treasury's spending on disabled people can not be separately identified.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the parliamentary constituencies which the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has visited in an official capacity in the past 12 months. [71332]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 15 February 1999] In the course of my official duties in the last 12 months I and previous Chief Secretaries have visited the cities and towns listed in the table. In addition I have visited a number of central and inner London areas in the normal course of my duties.

  Date

  Areas

  6 February 1998 (a)

  Dundee

  25 September 1998(b)

  Belfast

  22 January 1999(c)

  Tatton Wythenshawe and Sale (Manchester area)

  27 January 1999(c)

  Leeds

  Note:

  Chief Secretary at the time:

  (a) Alistair Darling

  (b) Stephen Byers

  (c) Alan Milburn

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the parliamentary constituencies which he has visited in an official capacity in the past 12 months. [71333]
  639
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]In the course of my official duties in the last 12 months I have visited the cities and towns listed in the table. In addition, I have visited a number of central and inner London areas in the normal course of my duties.

  Date

  Area

  27 February 1998

  Glasgow

  20–22 March 1998

  York

  24 April 1998

  Glasgow

  12 May 1998

  Belfast

  15 June 1998

  Cardiff

  23 June 1998

  Slough

  2 November 1998

  Birmingham

  20 November 1998

  Edinburgh

  22 January 1999

  Edinburgh

  25 January 1999

  Bridgend

  5 February 1999

  Coventry

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [71264]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Department's current policies, procedures and practices are under review with a view to ensuring that they will be fully compliant with the goods and services provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act by October 1999. The Treasury provides few direct services to the public—our main service is the provision of information either through our Website, publications or the Public Enquiry Unit.

  To consider our compliance with the provisions on physical access, we instructed the building managing agents to undertake a full disability audit. The details of their report are currently being considered.

  On access to communications, we have been in contact with Central Office of Information's Informability Unit to consider compliance with the Act in respect of our printed and electronic (website) publications. We propose to use the Unit to provide information in alternative formats (eg such as braille conversion, audio tapes etc.) where required. Advice will also be taken from Central Office of Information's Informability Unit on the possibility of making our telephone-based public inquiry service accessible to people who are deaf of have impaired hearing and to people with speech impairments.

  Mozambique
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the(a) amount and (b) proportion of overall Government expenditure that Mozambique will pay in servicing its debt in the year following its Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative completion point. [71393]

  Ms Hewitt
  The IMF estimates that scheduled debt service for Mozambique in the year following its expected completion point under the HIPC initiative will be 640
  $98 million. The IMF has not published an estimate of this figure as a proportion of this figure as a proportion of overall government expenditure.

  Withholding Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to exercise the British veto in relation to EU proposals to introduce a minimum withholding tax on income from non-resident savings and investments; and if he will make a statement. [71675]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 February 1999] We have made it clear that we will not agree to any proposal which would cause serious damage to EU financial markets. We do not agree with the current draft Directive on the taxation of savings in its current form.

  International Monetary Fund
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Interim Committee of the International Monetary Fund has considered the report from the External Evaluation of the IMF' s Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility; and which of the report's findings Her Majesty's Government supports. [72194]

  Ms Hewitt
  The UK strongly welcomed the report from the External Evaluation on the IMF's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) when it was presented to the IMF Executive Board last year. In particular, we welcomed the report's findings on the need to implement a new approach to address the social impact of ESAF programmes, on the need for better and more effective collaboration between the IMF and World Bank, and on the importance of ownership to the success of programmes. We encouraged the publication of the external report to promote further public discussion of its findings.

  We have been working at the IMF to ensure that the findings of the external report are used to strengthen ESAF programmes. We welcomed the IMF's paper on "Distilling the Lessons from the ESAF reviews", supported its decision to implement a new approach to ESAF on a pilot basis, and have encouraged the Fund to go further and incorporate the lessons of the review in all ESAF programmes. We will continue to work to ensure that the lessons of the review are fully addressed.

  Taxation (Charities)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when the Government expects to publish its report on the taxation of charities; and if he will make a statement; [72657]

  (2) what representations he has received from the charity sector on the Government's review of the taxation of charities. [72656]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government received over 3,000 replies in the first phase of the Review, and are considering carefully all options. I do not want to pre-empt the content of the consultation document, which will be published by the time of the Budget.

  Euro
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total money supply of the currencies of the countries joining in the euro at the time of the euro's inception. [73240]

  Ms Hewitt
  Provisional data from the European Central Bank show that the money supply (M3) in the euro area at the end of 1998 stood at Euro 4,436.1 billion.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total money supply of the United States dollar at the time of the euro's inception. [73242]

  Ms Hewitt
  Data for the US money stock is published in Federal Reserve Board Press release H6. This can be found on the Federal Reserve Board Website at http://www.federalreserve.gov.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average inflation level of the countries joining the euro at the time of the euro's inception. [73241]

  Ms Hewitt
  The average level of inflation in the euro zone, as measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), was 0.8 per cent. in December 1998.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total money supply of sterling at the time of the euro's inception. [73243]

  Ms Hewitt
  Money supply data for the UK is available in table 3.2 of the Bank of England's monthly publication, "Monetary and Financial Statistics".

  Hydrocarbon Duty
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the loss of hydrocarbon duty in the current financial year from(a) cross-border smuggling and (b) cross-border purchasing. [72956]

  Ms Hewitt
  HM Customs and Excise have no estimate for the revenue lost to the Exchequer through this activity.

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many occupational schemes have been found to be deliberately in breach of the earnings limits on tax-free contributions during each of the last five years. [73014]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 25 February 19991 We do not record this information.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Air Miles have been earned by him and each of his Ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73338]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's policy on the use and disposal of air miles was set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his answer to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) 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.

  Euro Preparations Committee
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions the cross-party Euro Preparations Committee has met to date; who is its chairman; and if he will make a statement. [72814]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 25 February 1999] My hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) has agreed to Chair the cross-party Euro Preparations Committee. The first meeting will be held soon.

  Pensions
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of lifelong individual savings accounts on occupational pension scheme membership; [73549]

  (2) what plans he has to simplify the regulatory regime for personal pensions. [73550]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Treasury's proposed pooled pension investment (ppi) is a contractual wrapper for pensions savings, not a pension scheme in its own right. It could suitably hold units invested in personal pensions, stakeholder pensions, occupational pensions and AVCs, and will allow movement between these types of scheme without the large financial penalties currently incurred. Ppis will add a new transparency and flexibility to the pension market.

  Debt (Poor Countries)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated debt of the world's 10 poorest countries incurred with the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [73619]

  Ms Hewitt
  Debts owed to the UK by the countries shown in the World Bank's 1998 World Development Indicators as having the 10 lowest GNP per capita figures are as follows:

  Country

  Total debt owed to UK (£ million)

  Burundi

  0

  Chad

  0

  D.R. Congo

  80

  Ethiopia

  12

  Malawi

  1

  Mozambique

  90

  Niger

  11

  Rwanda

  0

  Sierra Leone

  4

  Tanzania

  116

  Total

  314

  Source:

  ECGD, 2/99

  Business Leaders
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the business leaders involved in the 12 business euroteams; and what links they have with Ambassadors for British Business. [73601]

  Ms Hewitt
  The regional euro forums were set up to help support business—in particular Small and Medium Sized
  643
  Enterprises—prepare for the euro. The forums are led by senior business people with representation from key strategic partners who have an interest in supporting

  Name

  Position

  Region

  John Burke

  Chief Executive, Bristol and West PLC

  South West

  Philip Hardaker

  Senior Partner, KPMG

  South East

  Neville Orr

  Chairman, Herdmans Holding Limited

  Northern Ireland

  Neville Reyner

  Eastern

  Dr. John Rigg

  Economic Advisor, Scottish Office

  Scotland

  Tony Rose

  Deputy Chairman, Rover

  West Midlands

  James Ross

  Chairman, Littlewoods PLC

  North West

  Peter Stoddart

  Company Secretary, Nissan

  North East

  Hilary Thompson

  Natwest Bank

  London

  Ken Truman

  Area Director, Lloyds Bank

  Wales

  John Watson

  Director, Yorkshire Building Society

  Yorks & the Humber

  Martin Henry

  Chairman, Lastolite Limited

  East Midlands

  The forums have no links with Ambassadors for British Business.

  Road Haulage Industry
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the amount of revenue lost through British road hauliers taxing their vehicles in other EU countries and purchasing fuel there for United Kingdom journeys. [73767]

  Ms Hewitt
  There are no official estimates for the revenue losses to the Exchequer through these activities.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what discussions he has had with road haulage companies about the impact on their businesses on the fuel duty escalator; what further discussions he plans to have with them before the Budget; and if he will make a statement; [73812]

  (2) what discussions he has had with road haulage companies about the impact which the level of road fund tax has on their businesses; what plans he has to meet them before the Budget; and if he will make a statement. [73813]

  Ms Hewitt
  Treasury Ministers have not met with any road haulage companies, although officials have met with the Freight Transport Association and with the Road Haulage Association as recently as 23 February. Officials have made me fully aware of the concerns of the road haulage industry in the run up to the Budget.

  Euro Coins
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy towards the European Commission's proposals on the production of euro coins; what rules will apply in the United Kingdom; what is meant by the proviso that such production should not change the image of the euro; what legal recourse there will be when a breach of this proviso occurs; what is the definition of European territory covered by this proposal; and if he will make a statement. [73768]

  Ms Hewitt
  The European Commission communication sets out arrangements for the enforcement of copyright protection on the common face design of euro coins and 644
  business, for example CBI, Business Links, TUC Chambers of Commerce. The Chairmen of the 12 Regional Euro Forums are as follows:

  the applicable reproduction regime. Among other things, the reproduction regime specifies that reproductions of the common face design should not
  "damage or detract the image of the euro".

  The Commission has assigned the copyright on the design of the common face of euro coins to each participating Member State. Enforcement of the copyright will be ensured by participating Member States according to their national legislation and in compliance with an agreed reproduction regime. The Commission will enforce the copyright in non-participating Member States according to the relevant national legislation. In the event of a breach of the reproduction rules, subsequent action may take the form of civil or criminal proceedings.

  There is no definition of European territory in the Commission rules, but the scope of application of them is coincident with the scope of application of the monetary policy provisions of the EC Treaty.

  Euro Conversion
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate for additional public expenditure arising out of the euro changeover plan for(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) subsequent years.[73802]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 1 March 1999] The cost of euro preparations 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.

  Any spending in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 will be accommodated within the spending plans already set out for those years.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the costs of converting to the euro for(a) the public sector, (b) retailers, (c) manufacturers, (d) the financial sector and (e) the economy as a whole. [73803]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 1 March 1999] The cost to each sector of the economy of conversion to the euro would depend on the detailed approach taken to the changeover. For example, costs would depend on

  645
  the extent to which organisations are able to build in euro compatibility where IT systems are being upgraded or purchased for other reasons.

  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.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to(a) the Inland Revenue, (b) HM Customs and Excise, (c) the other non-ministerial Departments within his responsibility and (d) his Department of converting to the euro. [74143]

  Ms Hewitt
  The cost to those departments 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 those departments would also depend on the extent to which they are able to build in euro compatibility where IT systems are being upgraded or
  purchased for other reasons.

  Average Earnings Index
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the outcome of the review of the revisions to the average earnings
  index. [74433]

  Ms Hewitt
  The report of the external review of the revisions to the average earnings index, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 23 October 1998, is being published today. The review has been conducted under the direction of Sir Andrew Turnbull and Mervyn King. Copies of the report are available in the Vote Office.

  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today separately published the report of the work on the average earnings index by Professor Ray Chambers of Southampton University, which was commissioned by Dr. Tim Holt, the Director of the ONS. Copies of this report have been deposited in the Library of the House.

  At the same time, following the implementation of the immediate technical recommendations made in the Turnbull-King report, the average earnings index which was suspended on 2 November 1998 has been reinstated by the ONS. Details of the reinstated index are set out in Chapter 9 of the Turnbull-King report and also in a separate ONS First Release.

  The Government have accepted the recommendations of the Turnbull-King report and are firmly committed to their implementation. Dr. Holt has already agreed to my request to draw up a programme of action designed to implement the remaining recommendations, including further work to ensure a process of continuous improvement to the index. I have asked Dr. Holt to report to me regularly on the progress that is being made in implementing the recommendations.

  Diesel (Comparative VAT Rates)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the levels of duty and VAT on diesel in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany and (d) Belgium. [74304]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Dr. Marek) on 23 February 1999,Official Report, columns 241–42.

  Fish Quota
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the capital gains treatment of fish quota; and if he will make a statement. [74616]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The fishing industry will benefit from our decision to give capital gains roll-over relief for fish quota. It will enable fishermen to reinvest in the fishing industry without loss of capital and plan more effectively for the future. Regulations will shortly be laid adding fish quota to the list of chargeable assets qualifying for roll-over relief. The Inland Revenue are also today issuing a statement by way of a Press Release which clarifies the circumstances in which roll-over relief will be available for fish quota and other qualifying assets used in the fishing industry.

PRIME MINISTER

  Genetically Modified Foods
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 he has received representations from companies with an interest in genetically modified foods and crops. [74223]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 23 February 1999,Official Report, column 232.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Smoking-related Illnesses
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money was spent in each of the past five years to treat NHS patients in Northern Ireland for illnesses relating to cigarette smoking. [71538]

  Mr. McFall
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Information relating to the amount spent in each of the past five years to treat NHS patients in Northern Ireland for illnesses relating to cigarette smoking is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Integrated Health and Social Services
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the conclusion of the first report from the Health Committee of Session 1998–99 on the relationship between health and social services (HC74) in respect of the model of integrated
  647
  health and social services operated by the Down Lisburn Trust; and what plans she has to encourage other trusts in Northern Ireland to adopt that model. [71324]

  Mr. McFall
  [holding answer 16 February 1999] In Northern Ireland health and social services have been provided within an integrated structure since 1972. Eleven of the existing 19 HSS Trusts provide health and social services on an integrated basis, some on a model similar to the Down Lisburn Trust. As part of the modernisation of the service, the Government are examining responses to their recent consultation paper on the structure of health and social services entitled "Fit for the Future". Decisions on future arrangements will be taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Community Psychiatric Nurses
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many community psychiatric nurses there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years. [73230]

  Mr. McFall
  The numbers of Community Psychiatric Nurses employed in the Northern Ireland Health and personal Social Services, at 30 September in each of the last three years are as follows:

  1996: 183

  1997: 180

  1998: 194.

  Schizophrenia
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people discharged from hospital in Northern Ireland following a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses and subsequently taken to hospital by the police under the Mental Health Acts were refused admission in the last year for which figures are available. [73237]

  Mr. McFall
  This information is not available centrally.

  Non-fossil Fuel
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to encourage non-fossil fuel energy production in Northern Ireland. [72915]

  Mr. Ingram
  Northern Ireland is participating in the current national policy review of new and renewable technologies, which includes an examination of what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010 and what contribution renewables could make to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Department of Trade and Industry plans to issue a consultation paper on the review shortly. Northern Ireland Orders have already been made for 32mw of contracted renewable capacity and consideration will be given to a further Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation competition in Northern Ireland on completion of the review. In addition, the EU supported Energy Demonstration Scheme and INTERREG Programme, continue to offer financial assistance to the developers of new and renewable energy projects.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) 16 to 17 year olds and (b) 18 to 24 year olds in Northern Ireland are unemployed according to the International Labour Organisation definition. [72914]

  Mr. Ingram
  The latest figures available relate to Autumn 1998 (September-November) when, according to the International Labour Organisation definition, the number of 16 to 17 year olds unemployed was 2,400 and the number of 18 to 24 year olds unemployed was 16,000.

  Tourism
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the annual revenue from tourism in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years. [72923]

  Mr. Ingram
  Overall revenue from visitor tourism has grown over the past 5 years. Whilst the record visitor performance recorded in 1995 has not yet been realised, the industry continues to perform above pre-ceasefire levels.

  Annual Revenue from tourism in Northern Ireland in each of last 5 years

  £ million

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  11998

  Visitor

  183

  214

  206

  208

  1212

  Domestic

  59

  57

  60

  60

  n/a

  Total

  242

  571

  266

  268

  n/a

  1Forecast

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the projected annual revenue from tourism in Northern Ireland in each of the next three years. [72922]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Tourist board has set challenging targets for tourism revenue for 2001, as highlighted in its Corporate Plan 1998–2001. Their realisation will be predicated on a peaceful environment. These targets aim for increases in discretionary visitors with a higher spend per capita to be realised through more targeted marketing and effective industry partnerships.

  Targets—tourism revenue

  £ million

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Visitor

  239

  269

  315

  Domestic

  63

  65

  67

  Total

  302

  334

  382

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has for grant aid to promote the tourism industry in Northern Ireland. [72944]

  Mr. Ingram
  In 1999–2000 the Government have made available £3.8 million for the promotion and marketing of Northern Ireland and a further £4.7 million to assist the development of tourism infrastructure. In May 1988, the Chancellor launched a £4 million Tourism Capital Challenge Fund competition specifically aimed at improving competitiveness in the tourism industry.
  649
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to assist local authorities in Northern Ireland to establish and maintain tourism offices. [72921]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Tourist Board co-ordinates a network of local authority Tourist Information Centres (TICs) throughout Northern Ireland. It is also currently working with the local authorities to establish a second tier of local information office. Many of the TICs received capital grant, and any additional centres may also be eligible for assistance.

  Electronic Commerce
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to encourage the use of electronic commerce to promote the international expansion of Northern Ireland businesses. [72911]

  Mr. Ingram
  In addition to existing arrangements to promote the benefits of electronic commerce by raising business awareness and by providing advice to companies, work is underway to develop a coherent strategy to establish Northern Ireland as a centre for electronic commerce.

  Internet and E-mail
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to encourage her Department to utilise the Internet and e-mail to reduce waste and the use of paper. [72910]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Northern Ireland Departments are fully committed to achieving the Prime Minister's target that by 2002, 25 per cent. of government services should be available electronically. This will involve the use of the widest range of modern technologies including e-mail and the internet to improve the quality and efficiency of government services to its customers. The Northern Ireland Departments will be reporting progress against plans in this area, in line with the reporting structures implemented by the Cabinet Office.

  In addition to this, the Northern Ireland Departments are again fully committed to achieving the target of 90 per cent. of purchases being handled electronically by the Year 2000, which will make the interface with suppliers more efficient and reduce paperwork. The Northern Ireland Government Purchasing Agency is a the forefront of implementing systems to achieve this target having recently won an Invest to Save Award to develop its electronic ordering services.

  Waste Incinerators
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many waste incinerators are planned to be constructed in Northern Ireland in the next five years; and where they will be located. [72916]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  650
  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Malcolm Moss, dated 1 March 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of waste incinerators to be constructed in Northern Ireland during the next 5 years.
  I can confirm that the Department is currently processing 2 planning applications for waste incinerators in Northern Ireland. One of the applications is from NIGEN Plc at McCaughey Road, Belfast, within the Belfast Harbour Estate. The other is from Belfast Waste Services within the Duncrue Industrial Estate, Belfast, The Planning Service is not aware of any other proposals for waste incineration during the next 5 years.
  I do hope you find this information helpful.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of(a) domestic and (b) commercial waste was dealt with in Northern Ireland by (1) recycling and (2) landfill in 1998 and each of the preceding five years. [72917]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Environment and Heritage Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. Robert C. Martin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Robert C. Martin to Mr. Malcolm Moss, dated 1 March 1999:
  As Chief Executive of Environment and Heritage Service I am responsible for the operational aspects of waste management. Therefore I am replying to your question about the percentage of domestic and commercial waste in Northern Ireland which was dealt with by recycling and landfill each year between 1993 and 1998.
  Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide the details requested because records are not currently held centrally about the amount of waste generated or what happens to it. The Pollution Control and Local Government (NI) Order 1978, requires individual District Councils to maintain such details only in connection with the preparation and revision of their own statutory Waste Disposal Plans.
  However, the position will change as the 1978 Order is superseded by the Waste and Contaminated Land (NI) Order 1997. This Order is being brought into operation through a series of Commencement Orders, three of which have been made since August 1998. Two requirements of the Order are that the Department prepares a waste strategy for Northern Ireland as soon as possible, and that District Councils prepare and agree with the Department, waste management plans which take account of the strategy.
  To this end the Department produced a draft Waste Management Strategy which was issued for public consultation between June and December 1998. We expect that, subject to consideration by the Assembly, the statutory Strategy will be finalised later this year. It will include targets for waste minimisation, recovery and recycling.
  However, for these targets to be effective and realistic, it will be necessary to establish a baseline on how much waste is currently produced, its composition and what happens to it. Therefore, the Department has recently awarded a contract for the completion of a detailed study of Waste Arisings in Northern Ireland. This will provide comprehensive data on the various waste streams by sector, composition and volume. In conjunction with this, the Department will shortly let a further contract for a Waste Characterisation study which will involve the actual sampling of waste collected. The results of these two studies will inform District Councils' development of their Plans and will be available for public information.
  I trust this reply is helpful.

  Punishment Beatings
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will list for the week ended Saturday 20 February the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland indicating how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups; [73010]

  (2) if she will list for the week ended Saturday 20 February the number of (a) punishment beatings and (b) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland indicating how many in each category were committed by (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [73011]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of security incidents during the period 14 February-20 February are as shown:

  Incident

  Number

  Shootings

  Nil

  Bombings

  Nil

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

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  1

  1

  Shootings

  Nil

  Nil

  Total

  1

  1

  Note:

  Figures may be subject to a minor amendment in the light of further information becoming available

DEFENCE

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the(a) Defence Transport and Movements Executive and (b) Defence Postal and Courier Service Agency published their reports for the 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the reports. [72953]

  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 R. E. Ratazzi to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about my Agency's Report for 1997–98 and the cost of its production, as this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Transport and Movements Executive (DTMX).
  DTMX's Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98 was laid before the House on 28 January 1999. The document was allocated number 181 by the Journals Office. The document was a textually accurate final proof of the Annual Report and Accounts. The final document has yet to be printed and we are awaiting a response from The Stationery Office Ltd. regarding the cost.
  652
  Letter from B. J. Cash to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about what date the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency published their Report for 1997–98 and the cost of production, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency.
  The Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency published its Annual Report for 1997–98 on the 14th July 1998.
  The cost for external printing of the Report was £8,146.45. All production work was carried out by Agency internal resources.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre; and what the figure was at the time of its establishment. [72793]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. G. Holtom to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about staff numbers at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Chief Executive of the Agency.
  There are current 408 staff working at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre. At the time of establishment (1 October 1996) there was only a small implementation team based at Chicksands. The first record of numbers for the Agency relates to 1 April 1997 when the total numbers employed were 386.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency; and what the figure was at its inception. [72796]

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

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your parliamentary question about numbers of people employed by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) at its inception and currently.
  On 1 April 1995, the inception of DERA, the number of staff employed was in the order of 12100. The comparable figure, for 1 February 1999, in some 11600. These figures are for civilian staff only. You should also note that on 1 April 1997 the support services of DERA were privatised with the transfer of around 1250 people to the private sector.
  I hope the above answers your question.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Disposal Sales Agency; and what was the figure at its inception. [72988]

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

  Letter from Malcolm Westgate to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of people currently employed by the Disposal Sales Agency (DSA) as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the DSA.
  The DSA currently employs 82 people. At its launch on 1 October 1994 the Agency employed 101 members of staff.
  653
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Defence Bills Agency published its report for the year 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [72980]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 March 1999] 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 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Defence Bills Agency's Annual Report for year 1997–98, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Bills Agency.
  The Defence Bills Agency's Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98 was published on 7 July 1998 and the cost of production was £20,21 2.00.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Logistics Information Systems Agency; and what the figure was at its inception. [72765]

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

  Letter from P. A. Flanagan to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about how many people are currently employed by the Logistic Information Systems Agency; and what the figure was at its inception.
  The Logistic Information Systems Agency was formed on 1 April 1995. At that time, the strength of the Agency was 397. The strength of the Agency on 23 February 1999 was 235.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Duke of York's Royal Military School published its report for 1998–99; and what was the cost of production of the report. [72854]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Duke of York's Royal Military School. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from G. H. Wilson to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about this Agency's report for 1998–99, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Duke of York's Royal Military School.
  The report for 1998–99 has not yet been prepared and the cost of production is not therefore available. The report for 1997–1998 however was published on 16 July 1998 and cost £1,177.25.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [72987]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
  654
  Letter from S. J. Lloyd to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the publication and cost of the Agency's annual report as this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre Defence Agency.
  The Annual Report for 1997/98 is currently with the printers with an expected publication date of the end of March 1999. The anticipated cost of production is £15000.
  I hope that you will find that this answer gives you the information that you are seeking.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Defence Transport and Movements Executive; and what was the figure at its inception. [72948]

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

  Letter from R. E. Ratazzi to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about current staffing levels in my Agency and at its inception, as this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Transport and Movements Executive (DTMX).
  When it first formed as a Defence Agency in April 1995, DTMX employed 78 Servicemen/women and 147 Civil Servants; a total of 225 persons. The strength for the financial year ending 31 March 99 is 78 Servicemen/women and 103 Civil Servants; a total of 181 persons.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency; and what was the figure at the time of its establishment. [72840]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 March 1999] This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from M. J. Roycroft to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State about the number of people employed by the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency.
  Currently there are 547 people (501 Civilians and 23 Military) employed by the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency; at the time of its establishment the figure was 522 (503 Civilians and 19 Military). Since formation the Agency has had a significant increase in the range of commodities within its responsibility, including Defence Accommodation Stores and Engineer Stores.

  Strategic Defence Review (New Brigades)
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where units of the two new brigades announced in the Strategic Defence Review, and other units returned from Germany, are to be based. [74619]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The two brigades to be formed under the Strategic Defence Review are:
  12 Mechanised Brigade, to be created by converting 5 Airborne Brigade at Aldershot; and the development of 24 Airmobile Brigade, based at Colchester, into a new high capability air manoeuvre formation—16 Air Assault Brigade.
  655
  The Headquarters of 12 Mechanised Brigade will be at Aldershot, and that of 16 Air Assault Brigade in Colchester. I have today placed in the House of Commons Library details of provisional plans under which units of the new mechanised brigade would be based in Aldershot in Hampshire, Tidworth and Larkhill Garrisons in Wiltshire, Bovington in Dorset, Abingdon in Oxfordshire and Windsor in Berkshire, and units of 16 Air Assault Brigade would be located in Colchester in Essex, Woodbridge and Wattisham in Suffolk, Dishforth in Yorkshire, and Canterbury in Kent. These proposals will now be the subject of discussions with local authorities and assessments of environmental impact and value for money.

  If confirmed, the changes would be phased over a number of years, as progress with the necessary barracks refurbishment projects proceeds; but we plan that the move of two parachute battalions from Aldershot to Colchester, where they will be closer to their parent formation, 16 Air Assault Brigade, will take place next year, as will the corresponding move of two infantry battalions to Aldershot from Colchester to form part of the new 12 Mechanised Infantry Brigade.

  MOD Police (Jurisdiction)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defence Police Agency officers over civilians not employed by his Department. [73088]

  Mr. Spellar
  In a variety of circumstances, constabulary powers may be conferred on MOD police officers in relation to civilians not employed by the MOD.

  Under the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987, MOD police officers have the powers and privileges of constables:

  (a)on defence land and property;

  (b) on land and property used by ordnance companies and dockyard contractors for naval, military or air force purposes;

  (c)on land in the vicinity of defence land and land used by ordnance companies and dockyard contractors provided a police constable of the local force has asked for assistance in the execution of his duties on that land;

  (d)on land in respect of which the Secretary of State has agreed to provide the services of the Ministry of Defence Police under an agreement notice published in the London, Edinburgh or Belfast Gazette; and

  (e)in any place—

  (i)in relation to Crown property;

  (ii)in relation to persons subject to the control of the Defence Council or employed under or for the purposes of the MOD or the Defence Council; and

  (iii)in relation to matters connected with anything done under a contract entered into by the Secretary of State for Defence for the purposes of the MOD or the Defence Council.

  General Service Medal
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) campaigns since 1969 for which General Service medals have been issued and (b) campaigns since 1969 where requests for the issue of General Service medals were refused (i) by the Medals Committee and (ii) by his Department; and if he will give the number of casualties in each of the campaigns listed in answer to (b). [73543]
  656
  Mr. Spellar
  Since the beginning of 1969 the General Service Medal 1962 has been issued with the following clasps:

  Northern Ireland

  Dhofar

  Lebanon

  Mine Clearance—Gulf of Suez

  Gulf

  Kuwait

  Northern Iraq and Southern Turkey

  Air Operations Iraq.

  I am not aware of any campaign since 1969 which has not been recognised by either one of these clasps or one of the other campaign medals available to British Service personnel such as the South Atlantic Medal, the Gulf Medal and medals issued by the United Nations, Western European Union and NATO.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he has received since June 1997 about awarding a General Service Medal to those who served in the Suez Canal Zone from 8 October 1951 to 19 October 1954. [73542]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since June 1997, the Ministry of Defence has received four Parliamentary Questions on the subject of a medal for service in the Suez Canal Zone between 1951 and 1954, including this one and another tabled by my hon. Friend for answer today. We have also responded to 30 Parliamentary Inquiries from MPs and 256 letters from at least 239 members of the public have been actioned. This latter correspondence includes letters addressed to The Queen, the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Defence and other Defence Ministers as well as direct approaches to officials in those branches dealing with campaign medals. In addition, I was handed a petition containing some 20,000 names in support of a medal for service in the Suez Canal Zone during the early 1950s at a meeting in March 1998, where the case for a medal was discussed in detail.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have applied for General Service Medal Africa (1902–56) in the last five years; and if service in the Suez Canal Zone counts for entitlement to that medal. [73541]

  Mr. Spellar
  In the last five years 268 requests for the Africa General Service Medal 1902–56 have been received by my Department. Of these applications, 95 were successful and medals with the appropriate clasp(s) issued.

  Service in the Suez Canal Zone during the qualifying period of the Africa General Service Medal 1902–56 does not count for entitlement to that medal. The medal is not issued alone, but with the appropriate clasp, which recognises specific periods of service in areas laid down in the appropriate Command Paper. No clasp to the Africa General Service Medal 1902–56 was instituted for service north of the Sahara.

  Meteor Missile
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to conclude a draft agreement with other European countries to develop the Meteor missile. [72754]
  657
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 25 February 1999] Technical and commercial assessment of the bids to meet the MOD's requirement for a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, BVRAAM, continues. The Matra BAe Dynamics Meteor missile bid is in competition with Raytheon Systems Ltd. FMRAAM and ERAAM proposals to meet the BVRAAM requirement. A decision on the competition is expected later this year.

  Discussions are continuing with potential partner nations, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden, on a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration on the METEOR proposal provided by Matra BAe Dynamics. Progress is being made and it is hoped that the MOU negotiations will be concluded by the summer. If the METEOR bid is successful, it is expected that the agreed MOU would be signed shortly after a decision on the competition is announced.

  Defence Vetting Agency
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria he used to choose between the relocation of the Defence Vetting Agency to Hartham or York; and if an investment appraisal was undertaken to assess savings from co-location of the Second Division and the Defence Vetting Agency. [72967]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 25 February 1999] An investment appraisal into a number of collocation options demonstrated that collocation of the Defence Vetting Agency (DVA) from its existing four locations on to a single site would represent value for money. Subsequent studies showed that there was little, in financial terms, to choose between Hartham and York, as a location for the DVA.

  Meanwhile, it became apparent that the Defence Communications Services Agency (DCSA) needed additional office accommodation near its headquarters at Corsham, and the Hartham site would meet this requirement. I therefore decided to accept collocation of the DVA at York as being in the best interests of my Department overall, as well as meeting the needs of the DVA.

  The above was set out in a consultative document, which was put to the Trade Unions on 9 November 1998 and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  No investment appraisal was made of the impact of collocating the DVA alongside HQ 2 Division or indeed any other particular Defence organisation.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to relocate staff in(a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible to the regions of the United Kingdom with the highest levels of unemployment; and what plans he has further to decentralise the location of his Department and its agencies. [70468]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]When considering sites for relocation of MOD and agency establishments, the Department's primary concerns are operational requirements and efficiency. Other considerations include local employment levels, geographic location and environmental impact.
  658
  Currently, the MOD has sites UK-wide. As a result of the Strategic Defence Review, decisions are being made to relocate or collocate a wide range of MOD functions in order to make the Department more efficient. This process is ongoing.

  Gaul (Sinking)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence is held by his Department on the sinking of the trawler 'Gaul' which is not already in the public domain; and if he will make a statement. [72941]

  Mr. Spellar
  There has been an extensive search of our records and I am satisfied that my Department does not hold any evidence on the sinking of the trawler 'Gaul'.

  Birth Certificates
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those purposes for which his Department and its executive agencies require a birth certificate to be furnished by(a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for (i) employment and (ii) contracts and (d) other persons. [73471]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence may request birth certificates from prospective employees, both service and civilian, and individuals undertaking work for the Department, to establish proof of identity. However, other official documents, such as a full 10 year passport, may be furnished as proof of identity and are normally acceptable.

  Defence Animal Centre
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will set targets for the Defence Animal Centre for 1999–2000. [72815]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 25 February 1999] With effect from 1 April 1999 the DAC will no longer be an Agency in its own right and will become part of the Army Training and Recruitment Agency (ATRA). The targets set for the DAC will therefore be incorporated within the ATRA targets.

  Bullying
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many(a) RAF and (b) Royal Navy personnel have been dismissed for bullying, or related offences, in each of the last five years; [73788]

  (2) how many Royal Marine personnel have been dismissed for bullying, or related offences, in each of the last five years. [74263]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Royal Ordnance
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the risk to UK armed forces' safety and capability of having no UK-based manufacturer
  659
  of ammunition and rocket propellant after closure of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Bishopton. [73391]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 26 February 1999] All explosive products require Ordnance Board qualification before they can be considered safe and suitable for use by the Armed Forces. We do not foresee any difficulty in obtaining Ordnance Board qualification for products using propellant sourced from friendly and reliable countries in Europe and further afield. Military capability is a question not of where the product comes from, but of the adequacy of supply arrangements. The Government ensure that satisfactory security supply arrangements are in place for the procurement of all key equipments and their components.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about progress towards a best supplier agreement between his Department and Royal Ordnance. [73648]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 26 February 1999] Under the Smart Procurement Initiative developed as part of the Strategic Defence Review, MOD is reviewing its relationships with all its suppliers to ensure that the relationship is of mutual benefit to each party. Where appropriate, this includes examining the potential for establishing preferred supplier arrangements. For British Aerospace, and Royal Ordnance in particular, we are looking into the ways by which Royal Ordnance could become the preferred MOD supplier for a number of types of ammunition, where the company has shown through competition, that it can offer a cost effective product.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the Royal Ordnance Plant, Glascoed. [73546]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Royal Ordnance factory at Glascoed is a major recipient of work stemming from the award to Royal Ordnance in December 1998 of the £100 million large calibre training ammunition multi year buy. While the future of Glascoed is a matter for the company, the terms governing the sale of the Royal Ordnance Factories to British Aerospace require the Ministry of Defence to be informed of any intention by the company to relinquish any major asset.

  Somchem/Denel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance was given by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency to Somchem/Denel in preparing its tender for the modular charge system contract recently awarded to them. [73390]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 26 February 1999] No assistance was given by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DERA, to Somchem/Denel in preparing its tender for the Modular Charge System sub-contract. DERA's only role in this procurement was to work, under tasking form the MOD, to provide independent technical advice on the submissions from each company participating in the competition, which were provided through the prime contractor, and to organise the associated firing trials.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in calculating the savings to be achieved from awarding 660
  the modular charge system contract to Somchem/Denel what account he took of (a) possible qualification costs to be incurred in the future by other suppliers of propellants, (b) the cost of the loss of the Bishopton factory as a competitor for the supply of propellants, (c) the cost of extra stocks of propellant needed to offset the risks to supply associated with a foreign competitor and (d) the cost of any failure to supply by Denel. [73392]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 26 February 1999] The Somchem charge was a clear winner of the Modular Charge System sub-contract competition. The implications of this outcome were considered very carefully, including the cost of qualifying alternative sources of propellant, as necessary, should Royal Ordnance close the site at Bishopton. We are confident in the security of supply from Somchem, and do not consider that additional propellant stocks are required. The contracting arrangements will, as is normal for MOD contracts, protect our financial position in the event of any default by the contractor. There are sufficient alternative suppliers of propellant in friendly and reliable countries overseas to facilitate competition and we do not consider, therefore, that prices will necessarily rise in future if Bishopton closes.

  Services Discipline
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he plans in relation to the review of services discipline and law announced in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper. [73775]

  Mr. Spellar
  In the Strategic Defence Review White Paper, we announced that we believed that there would be advantages to be gained from having a single tri-Service Act governing discipline in the Armed Forces.

  Clearly, all three Services will be heavily involved in the project and there will be extensive consultation with them as work proceeds. Furthermore, as Service law frequently mirrors the civilian criminal law, it will be necessary to involve other Government departments with an interest in our proposals.

  However, this project will be a substantial undertaking and it will be some time before the nature of the changes, and hence the scope for wider consultation, are determined.

  Missiles
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) air launched and (b) cruise missiles have been procured from the USA in the past decade; and what missile purchases other than Rapier the USA has made from the UK in that period. [73559]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 26 February 1999] WE have procured 210 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles and 300 Sidewinder missiles from the USA over the past decade. In addition, we are currently procuring 65 TOMAHAWK cruise missiles from the US, the first of which we delivered this month. Information on purchases by the USA from the UK of missiles other than Rapier is still being collected. I shall write to the hon. Member when this information is available and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Landmine Clearance
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving members of Her Majesty's armed forces are qualified in landmine clearance; and what was the corresponding figure in 1994. [74206]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are presently 8,666 personnel trained as combat engineers in the army, 1,100 officers and 7,566 soldiers, of whom 413 are trained in explosive ordnance disposal, which encompasses landmine clearance. The information on these numbers for 1994 is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, it is unlikely to differ significantly from the current figures.

  Disposal Sales Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to set targets for the Disposal Sales Agency for the year 1999–2000. [72764]

  Mr. Spellar
  I aim to announce the key targets for the Disposal Sales Agency early in financial year 1999–2000.

  Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which targets the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre did not meet in 1997–98; and what monitoring he has undertaken of those targets in 1998–99. [72766]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre, JARIC, met all of its Key Targets in 1997–98.

  The performance of JARIC is monitored by the Agency Owner's Advisory Board, which is chaired by JARIC's "Owner", the Director General Intelligence and Geographic Resources, DGIGR, and is made up of the Agency's major customers and its Non-Executive Director. The Chief Executive of JARIC formally reports his progress against Key Targets to the Owner's Board twice a year and also through the Owner's Quarterly Performance Reviews. The first Owner's Board to review the 1998–99 Key Targets met on 7 October 1998 and the second met on 24 February 1999. In his capacity as the Owner, DGIGR is acting on behalf of the Secretary of State.

  Porton Down Research Volunteers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former national servicemen who volunteered to be the subject of research at Porton Down have to date been awarded a war disablement pension; and if he will make a statement. [72906]

  Mr. Bayley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Drugs-related Offences (Service Personnel)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF personnel have been dismissed for drugs-related offences in each of the last five years. [72938]

  Mr. Spellar
  It is not yet possible to provide confirmed figures for 1997 and 1998. However, figures for 1993–96 are as follows:

  RAF personnel dismissed for drugs related offences following a sentence of dismissal from Service at Court Martial

  Year

  Number

  1993

  20

  1994

  8

  1995

  1

  1996

  1

  Note:

  Latest figures available

  In addition to the above figures, the numbers of RAF personnel administratively discharged for drug related incidents, including following conviction by a civilian court, are:

  Year

  Number

  1993

  10

  1994

  22

  1995

  14

  1996

  15

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Army and (b) Royal Navy personnel have been dismissed for drugs related offences in each of the last five years. [73792]

  Mr. Spellar
  It is not yet possible to provide confirmed figures for 1997 and 1998. However, figures for those dismissed for drug related offences following a sentence of dismissal from Service at Court Martial, Summary Trial or Summary Proceedings, or a sentence of imprisonment from a civilian court for 1994–96 are as follows:

  Year

  RN/RM

  Army

  Total

  1994

  45

  68

  113

  1995

  31

  38

  69

  1996

  112

  29

  41

  1997

  2—

  2—

  2—

  1998

  2—

  2—

  2—

  1The RM figures for this year may be subject to slight revision

  2Not yet available

  Note:

  Latest figures available

  In addition to these figures, the numbers of those administratively discharged for drug related incidents are:

  Year

  RN/RM

  Army

  Total

  1994

  0

  136

  136

  1995

  0

  146

  146

  1996

  1

  121

  122

  1997

  1

  103

  104

  1998

  1

  119

  120

  663
  In addition, further personnel have been administratively discharged under the compulsory drugs testing (CDT) programmes operated by the RN/RM and the Army. These figures are:

  Year

  RN/RM

  Army

  Total

  1995

  —

  106

  106

  1996

  —

  178

  178

  1997

  12

  426

  438

  1998

  13

  336

  349

  Note:

  1. RN introduced CDT in April 1997

  2. Army introduced CDT in December 1994

  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made concerning the supply of weapons of mass destruction technology to(a) Egypt, (b) India, (c) Iran, (d) Iraq, (e) Libya, (f) Pakistan, (g) Sudan, (h) Syria and (i) North Korea by (1) Russia and (2) China. [72642]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The UK maintains a continuing dialogue with Russia and China concerning the risks posed by proliferation of technology associated with weapons of mass destruction. Contacts are maintained, at all levels, both bilaterally and multilaterally through relevant international forums.

  Training Exercise (Brunei)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the jungle training exercise in Brunei carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72790]

  Mr. Spellar
  These exercises provide necessary training for jungle warfare instructors and for some units who are required to be able to operate safely in a jungle environment as part of their operational role. I understand that these exercises, which are individually assessed by the Army authorities, are regarded as having satisfied the purposes for which they were mounted.

  Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with(a) ministerial colleagues and (b) British Nuclear Fuels concerning the provision of military protection for consignments of plutonium Mox fuel transported by ship to Japan from Sellafield. [70660]

  Mr. Spellar
  Responsibility for the security of the MOX shipments rests with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who carried out consultations in the normal way. In accordance with international obligations, the MOX fuel will be carried in armed transport ships under the protection of specially trained officers of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary, UKAEAC. British Nuclear Fuels works with all relevant Government authorities on security issues. In this instance, the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency provided training for UKAEAC under a commercial agreement.

  Departmental Targets
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will set targets for the(a) Defence Intelligence and Security Centre, (b) Defence Medical Training Organisation and (c) Defence Transport and Movements Executive for 1999–2000. [72778]

  Mr. Spellar
  We aim to announce to Parliament the performance targets from 1999–2000 for each of these three Agencies by the end of April 1999.

  Recruitment (Fijian Nationals)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Fijian nationals have been recruited into the United Kingdom armed forces in the last five years.[73013]

  Mr. Spellar
  In the five years to 1 January 1999, Fijian nationals have been recruited into the Army. All 17 were recruited in the 1998–99 financial year. No Fijian nationals have been recruited into the Royal Air Force during this same period. Information on the number of Fijian nationals recruited into the Naval Service is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Chiefs of Staff
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates the chiefs of staff have met since 21 July 1998. [74256]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Chiefs of Staff have met on the following occasions since 21 July 1998:10 September 1998, 22 September 1998, 6 October 1998, 13 October 1998, 27 October 1998, 11 November 1998,16 November 1998, 1 December 1998, 17 December 1998,18 December 1998, 19 December 1998, 21 December 1998, 11 January 1999, 12 January 1999, 14 January 1999, 3 February 1999 and 23 February 1999.

  Military Exercises
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of infantry battalion exercises in Kenya carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72830]

  (2) how many personnel were deployed on the three infantry battalion exercises in Kenya carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72829]

  (3) what is his assessment of the value of the three infantry battalion exercises in Kenya carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72975]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 March 1999) 2,185 personnel from three units were deployed on the three infantry battalion exercises in Kenya carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998.

  These exercises were designed to enable these personnel to gain extensive and realistic training experience by practising their skills and conducting advanced arms training in a demanding environment, over extended lines of communication, and I understand that these objectives were achieved.

  Cold Weather Exercise (Romania)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many personnel were deployed on the mountain and cold weather exercise in Romania carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72849]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the principal benefits of the mountain and cold weather exercise in Romania carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March
  1998. [72982]

  Mr. Spellar
  A company of 100 personnel from 42 Commando conducted late autumn training in Romania during October 1997. I understand that some 60 Romanian personnel also participated in the exercise. This was the third annual deployment by the Royal Marines to Brasov in the Carpathian mountains. This exercise enabled the Royal Marines to continue to develop their mountain and cold weather operational capability, and also gave them an excellent opportunity to conduct environmental training outside the usual NATO training areas. A further significant benefit was to further the United Kingdom's bilateral defence relationship with Romania, which has developed significantly in recent years, through joint training and patrolling exercises with Romanian mountain troops.

  Imphal Barracks, York
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the future of Imphal Barracks, York; and if he will make a statement. [73085]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Since the announcement of the proposed collocation of the divisional headquarters in Craigiehall, Edinburgh, I have answered six Parliamentary Questions and received three letters from hon. Members on this issue, and two further letters from members of the public.

  Roll-on-Roll-off Ships
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the procurement of the roll-on roll-off ships indicated in the Strategic Defence Review is progressing under the PFI-PPP; and when he expects the contract to be awarded. [74056]

  Mr. Spellar
  Four consortiums have been short-listed to meet MOD's Military Sealift requirement through the Private Finance Initiative procurement of roll-on roll-off ships. We intend that Invitations to Negotiate will be issued by the end of March. The preferred bidder will be chosen this Autumn and we plan to place the contract in mid 2000 after detailed negotiations.

  Rosyth
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with Babcock concerning the proposed removal of the nuclear submarines from the quayside berths at Rosyth to dry land storage; what assessment he has made of(a) the safety issues and (b) the requirement for additional facilities for the dry storage of reactor components at Rosyth; what estimate he has made of the amount of radiation leakage from the existing nuclear hulks at Rosyth; and if he will make a statement. [72892]
  666
  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 4 March 1998,Official Report, column 626. The MOD is currently in discussion with a number of companies, including Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd., as part of the investigation into options for the storage of decommissioned submarines. The results of the investigation, which are expected to be available by mid-1999, will address all relevant issues, including safety and any requirement for additional facilities for the dry storage of reactor compartments. The decommissioned submarines at Rosyth are regularly and independently monitored. Evidence to date shows that external radiation levels are well within permissible limits.

HEALTH

  Nurses' Pay
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses will benefit from an above-inflation pay rise in the current year. [72390]

  Mr. Denham
  A headcount shows that 418,000 nurses, midwives and health visitors in the Hospital and Community Health Service in England will benefit from a pay rise in April 1999 of at least 4.7 per cent., almost twice the inflation rate of 2.4 per cent. Half of nurses, midwives and health visitors will get 8 per cent. or more this year, including their increment.

  Primary Care
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the introduction of primary care groups. [72391]

  Mr. Denham
  We have received many representations about the introduction of Primary Care Groups and I am pleased to note that, from April, we shall have 481 Primary Care Groups covering the whole of the population of England working to tackle health inequalities and deliver improvements in the quality and efficiency of patient services.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the annual cost of a primary care group. [72395]

  Mr. Denham
  The annual cost of a Primary Care Group will vary depending upon its population size, level of devolved responsibility and the organisational structure that they adopt.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to increase the accountability of primary care services to the communities they serve. [72408]

  Mr. Denham
  We are committed to making the governing arrangements of National Health Service organisations more representative of local communities. As part of this process, Primary Care Groups will have individuals on the Primary Care Group board who can effectively represent the local community and users' and carers. In addition, we issued guidance on the accountability and the involvement of users and the public
  667
  as part of Health Service Circular 1998/139 "Developing Primary Care Groups", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total cost, since 2 May 1997, of reducing waiting lists to 1.06 million; when this target is likely to be met; and if he will make a statement. [72392]

  Mr. Denham
  This year we made an extra £417 million available for the National Health Service to support a range of actions to bring down NHS waiting lists and keep them down. We are making an extra £320 million available next year from the NHS Modernisation Fund, plus an extra £20 million capital specifically to support further sustainable reductions in the number of patients waiting for NHS treatment.

  We are committed to reducing NHS waiting lists to 1.06 million within the lifetime of this Parliament, and thereby reducing waiting times. The first step in delivering this target will be a record reduction in waiting lists by April this year to below the 1.16 million we inherited.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on hospital and consultant waiting lists since 31 March 1997 for the Mid Essex hospital trust area. [72397]

  Mr. Denham
  I am taking a close interest in the waiting list position at Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust. I was pleased to note that waiting lists have begun to come down over recent months and the Trust is committed to achieving further reductions in 1999–2000.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what penalties will be levied against West Sussex health authority hospitals which fail to meet their targets for reduction in waiting lists by 31 March. [72405]

  Mr. Denham
  Any penalties levied against West Sussex Health Authority hospital trusts for failing to deliver their waiting list targets by the end of March 1999 would be matter for the health authority to discuss with individual trusts in the light of their overall performance in 1998–99.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the latest NHS waiting figures. [72407]

  Mr. Denham
  The latest waiting list figures give the position at the end of January 1999 and show 153,250 fewer patients on waiting lists than at the end of April 1998. During December there was a slight increase in the total as the National Health Service quite rightly focused its attention on dealing with the large number of emergency cases but we remain on track to deliver our commitment to reduce the total to below the 1.16 million we inherited by April 1999.

  Psychiatric Units (Segregation)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the advantages of men and women being segregated while in-patients in psychiatric units. [72393]
  668
  Mr. Hutton
  No formal assessment has been carried out. However, we are well aware of the risks that can arise when men and women are cared for together and want to minimise these risks. That is why the achievement of safe facilities for the mentally ill which protect their privacy and dignity is one of our main objectives.

  "National Framework for Older People"
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish "National Framework for Older People"; and if he will make a statement. [72394]

  Mr. Hutton
  The process for the development of the National Service Framework for the Care of Older People is already under way. It is anticipated that emerging findings will be published in the autumn and that the National Service Framework will be published in April 2000.

  Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make it compulsory for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus to be included on death certificates in cases where it is likely to have been a cause of death. [72396]

  Ms Jowell
  No. Doctors are required to complete the medical certificate of cause of death to the best of their knowledge. It is not always clear if Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus has been a cause of death or contributed to it, but if the certifying doctor considers it was, this should be recorded on the certificate.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to assist hospitals to prevent incidents of MRSA. [73344]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has a wide range of activity underway to improve the control of hospital infections including methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus. Details are given in the section "Infection Control" in the Government response to "The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Report: Resistance to Antibiotics and Other Antimicrobial Agents CM4172", which was published on 17 December 1998, copies of which are available in the Library. A Health Service Circular will soon be issued asking the National Health Service to strengthen measures to prevent and control antibiotic resistant infections.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he proposes to take to improve the provision of long-term care; and if he will make a statement. [72398]

  Mr. Hutton:
  The Government have set in hand a number of initiatives to improve the provision of long-term care—including those set out in the White Paper "Modernising Social Services"—and the Carers Strategy published on 8 February. The Royal Commission which we set up to look at long term care for older people published its report on 1 March. The Government are carefully considering its recommendations.

  Women's Unit
  23. Ms Beverley Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in developing the work of the women's unit. [72399]

  Ms Jowell
  We recently announced an important new programme of work for the Women's Unit. Priorities include integrating the women's perspective into policies, addressing the needs of teenage girls and examining women's incomes over their lifetime. Combined with a major new Listening to Women consultation exercise launched last week, these initiatives will help to ensure that government works better for women and therefore better for everyone.

  Viagra
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of Viagra prescriptions in the forthcoming financial year. [72400]

  Mr. Denham
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced on 21 January the start of a public consultation on substantive policy proposals about the treatment of impotence on the National Health Service. The cost of Viagra prescriptions in the forthcoming financial year will be affected by the implementation of any decision we make on our proposals following consultation. Those proposals, if implemented, would, we estimate, reflect the current level of annual expenditure on drug treatments for impotence (including Viagra), an estimated £10-12 million.

  Fluoride
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for public consultation prior to introducing fluoride into the public water supply. [72401]

  Ms Jowell
  We consider that there should be more wide-ranging consultations than are required under current legislation. Details will be included in a policy statement on oral health and fluoridation in the Public Health White Paper which we plan to publish in the spring.

  Malnutrition
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the World Health Organisation relating to malnutrition. [72402]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department of Health has had no discussions with the World Health Organisation on the subject of malnutrition.

  Carers
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to support and promote the work of carers. [72404]

  Mr. Hutton
  Our National Carers' Strategy, published on 8 February, describes a substantial new policy package to help carers. We have announced a new special grant, totalling £140 million over the next three years, to enable local authorities to provide a wider range of services to help carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities. We will also be bringing forward legislation, when Parliamentary time allows, to ensure that 670
  local authorities are able to address carers' wishes and needs more directly. Our strategy includes special measures to help young carers and increased help and support for the parents of disabled children. Copies of the strategy report are available in the Library.

  NHS Pay Awards
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the chairman of the West Surrey health authority on the local funding of NHS pay awards. [72406]

  Mr. Denham
  None.

  The Chief Executive of the National Health Service Executive wrote to all trust and health authority Chief Executives on 1 February 1999 setting out our response to the Pay Review Body reports, the funding of pay awards, plans for modernising the pay system and other steps being taken to improve recruitment and retention in nursing.

  Detailed allocations to health authorities will be made shortly.

  East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement concerning the inquiry into the East Anglian Ambulance NHS trust. [72409]

  Mr. Hutton
  The report was published today and copies are available in the Library.

  General Practitioner Shortages
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the shortage of GPs in Sunderland; and if he will make a statement. [72410]

  Mr. Denham
  Hon. Members have kept me informed about general practitioner recruitment and retention in Sunderland. The health authority has already undertaken a number of measures to support existing GPs and has successfully introduced a Career Start Scheme. We look forward to receiving the health authority's proposals for a Personal Medical Services Pilot aimed at improving recruitment.

  West Pennine Health Authority
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the allocation of resources for 1999–2000 to the West Pennine Health Authority. [72411]

  Mr. Denham
  We are not aware of any recent representations about the resource allocations for 1999–2000 to the West Pennine Health Authority.

  Teenage Pregnancies
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what actions his Department is taking to help in reducing the number of unwanted teenage pregnancies. [72412]

  Ms Jowell
  On 31 July, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister asked the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) to work with other Departments building on the work undertaken
  671
  by this Department to develop an integrated strategy to cut rates of teenage parenthood, particularly under-age parenthood, towards the European average and to propose better solutions to combat the risk of social exclusion for vulnerable teenage parents and their children. The SEU has consulted widely to develop its recommendations. It will be reporting shortly.

  A and E Facilities
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will report on progress with modernising NHS accident and emergency facilities. [72381]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr. Sawford) today,Official Report, column 865.

  Blood Donations
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports he has received on the impact on the level of blood donations of the recent National Blood Service campaign to recruit more donors. [72403]

  Mr. Hutton
  The country's centrally held blood stocks have risen nearly threefold since the National Blood Authority's advertising campaign started on 5 January. Compared with January last year there has been an average increase of 3 per cent. in the number of donations collected daily, a 25 per cent. increase in new donors giving blood and an increase of almost 100 per cent. in new donors on the register.

  Working Hours (NHS)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the working hours of(a) nurses and (b) other NHS staff. [72376]

  Mr. Denham
  Discussions have taken place with representatives of National Health Service staff about the best ways to implement the Working Time Regulations and agreements have been made in the General Whitley Council and with the British Medical Association. The Government believe these Regulations are important because they protect NHS staff from the risks of long hours, and therefore lead to better patient care.

  Organ Removal
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines his Department gives to hospitals and trusts about(a) the information to be given to, and (b) the permission to be secured from, relatives of patients who die in surgery, before the organs of the deceased are retained; [71089]

  (2) if he will investigate the extent of the practice of hospitals and trusts of retaining the organs of patients who die in surgery; [71088]

  (3) if he will review the legislation governing the retention of tissue or organs of patients who die in surgery; and if he will make a statement. [71090]

  Mr. Hutton
  Deaths which occur during an operation, or before recovery from anaesthetic, must be reported to the coroner, who may order a post mortem examination to establish the cause of death. Such examinations may 672
  require the removal of tissue or organs for further tests. Under the Coroners Rules 1984, it is for the coroner to determine how long the tissues or organs removed should be preserved.

  Although the main organs will be returned to the body wherever possible before burial or cremation, in most cases the time necessary to perform the laboratory tests would cause long and unacceptable delay to the funeral. In these cases, and where tissue samples have been taken, the retained specimens will normally be disposed of separately when no longer required.

  Departmental guidance has not been issued on these matters, nor are there plans to review the relevant legislation. However the Royal College of Pathologists is currently considering good practice guidelines in this area which will include all post mortem examinations, not just those ordered by the coroner. We will work with the College to ensure the guidelines give advice on how best to address these sensitive issues with bereaved relatives.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average annual cost of treatment per patient attending an NHS dentist. [72650]

  Mr. Denham
  The average cost of an adult course of treatment in England and Wales in the quarter ending December 1998 was £33.84.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of dental patients in the last year for which figures are available who failed to received necessary treatment due to an inability to pay. [72651]

  Mr. Denham
  Help with paying charges is available through the National Health Service low income scheme for those who cannot afford to pay dental charges. In addition, anyone on income support, income based Job Seeker's Allowance, family credit or disability working allowance receives free dental treatment, as do all children.

  Breast Cancer Screening
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which breast cancer screening centres that are conducting pilot studies into the impact of extending the routine call/recall element of the breast screening programme to women aged 65 to 69 years have collated preliminary results; and if he will make a statement. [72660]

  Mr. Hutton
  Preliminary results of the pilot study carried out in Brighton (one of three studies) were published in the British Medical Journal, Volume 317, page 388, dated 8 August 1998. Copies of the journal are available in the Library.

  The National Screening Committee (NSC) has considered the case for extending the National Health Service breast screening programme to older women. The view of the NSC was that the first priority must be to ensure that all women are screened at three yearly intervals and to maintain the quality of the existing programme. The NSC acknowledged the promising nature of the interim results of the pilot studies for extending

  673
  the programme to older women, but recommended that decisions on national implementation should await the final results from all three pilot schemes in April 2000.

  G. Davies
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the circumstances of the admission to the Hereford NHS hospital of G. Davies of Hereford, on 17 August 1997; and if he will make a statement. [73380]

  Mr. Hutton
  Ministers cannot comment on the cases of individual patients due to the need to maintain patient confidentiality.

  Improper Prescribing
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the doctors struck off in each of the last five years for improper prescribing of medicines and the medical school at which they qualified. [73310]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Arachnoiditis
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will institute a full public inquiry on the links between Myodil and arachnoiditis. [73948]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have no plans to hold an inquiry into the use of Myodil and its associated risk of arachnoiditis.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a no-fault compensation scheme for those who have suffered from arachnoiditis as a result of medical treatment. [73947]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have no plans to introduce a non-fault compensation scheme for those who have suffered arachnoiditis as a result of medical treatment.

  Asthma
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of the medication for the treatment of asthma in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [73925]

  Mr. Hutton
  In 1997, the net ingredient cost of drugs used in the treatment of asthma and dispensed in the community in England was £466.2 million. Information for 1998 is not yet available. Some of the drugs may be used for other conditions and it is not possible to split the cost between drugs used to treat asthma and those used to treat other conditions. The net ingredient cost is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.

  Pharmaceutical Companies (Payments to Doctors)
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports he has received regarding recent allegations that doctors have been paid money by a drugs company to encourage them to prescribe certain drugs; what action he has taken; and if he will make a statement. [73531]
  674
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer I March 1999] There have been no reports of United Kingdom doctors receiving payments from a pharmaceutical company to prescribe drugs. Regulations which came into force in 1994 prohibit the promise, offer or supply of gifts or other inducements to persons qualified to prescribe or supply medicines. It is also an offence for health professionals to solicit or accept such gifts. Guidelines on the promotion of medicines are contained also in the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry, which is administered by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority, copies of which are available in the Library.

  The Medicines Control Agency wrote to all pharmaceutical companies and professional bodies in 1997 reminding them of their legal obligations and our policy of not tolerating unlawful promotions which seek to exert improper influences on prescribers. The public have a right to expect that health care professionals will make decisions solely on the basis of their patients' interests and not on incentives to prescribe or supply certain medicines.

  Allergies
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training provided by his Department is currently available to NHS general practitioners on the possible causes of allergies and their treatment. [74293]

  Ms Jowell
  The medical education curriculum is a matter for the General Medical Council, medical schools, the relevant Medical Royal Colleges and, in the case of general practice, the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice. These bodies have a vested interest in ensuring that doctors are prepared for the conditions and circumstances they will encounter in hospitals and in general practice.

  Each trainee general practitioner during their year of general practice training, their two year hospital rotation and during their pre-registration year, will almost certainly see patients with allergy related illnesses. Doctors are also encouraged to continue with their medical education after qualification and they would be expected to spend some time developing their knowledge of illnesses commonly encountered including allergic conditions.

  In addition, there is a range of advice and guidance available to general practitioners and other health professionals on allergies. This includes advice on the management of anaphylaxis which the Department sent to all doctors in 1994 in Chief Medical Officer's Update No. 2.

  Haemophilia Society
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what projects he intends to promote with the Haemophilia Society; and if he will make a statement. [74246]
  675
  Mr. Hutton
  We are currently funding the Haemophilia Society's Hepatitis C Youth Information and Support project. We have indicated that we are willing to assist the society in other forward looking initiatives, and officials are working with them on potential projects.

  Psychiatric Consultant Posts
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric consultant posts there are per head of the population in each health authority in the North West Region. [73760]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is in the table.

  Number of consultants in psychiatry specialty by health authorities in North West per region per 100,000 population at 30 September 1997

  Health authority

  Numbers

  Per 100,000 population

  North West Region

  170

  2.5

  Bury and Rochdale HA

  0

  1.3

  East Lanchashire HA

  0

  0.8

  Liverpool HA

  10

  2.4

  Manchester HA

  30

  6.3

  Morecambe Bay HA

  0

  1.6

  North Cheshire HA

  10

  3.5

  North West Lancashire HA

  10

  2.4

  Salford and Trafford HA

  20

  4.0

  Sefton HA

  10

  4.2

  South Cheshire HA

  10

  1.0

  South Lancashire HA

  10

  2.3

  St. Helens and Knowsley HA

  10

  1.8

  Stockport HA

  10

  4.5

  West Pennine HA

  10

  3.0

  Wigan and Bolton HA

  10

  1.0

  Wirral HA

  10

  2.7

  Mental Health Care
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amounts were spent by(a) social services and (b) the NHS on providing mental health care through voluntary organisations and small independent service providers in the Warrington, North constituency for each of the past five years. [73762]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is not available by constituency for social services or National Health Service expenditure for mental health provision in the voluntary and private sector. Information on social services expenditure is available only for the Warrington Social Services Department, from its institution in April 1998, and Cheshire Social Services Department for the four years 1995–96 to 1998–99, and this is given. The NHS information given is the expenditure by North Cheshire Health Authority on mental health provision in the voluntary and private sector for the whole of Warrington for the five years 1994–95 to 1998–99.

  Social Services expenditure

  £

  1995–96

  209,726

  1996–97

  273,502

  1997–98

  370,040

  1998–991

  537,314

  1Projected figure

  676

  North Cheshire Health Authority

  £

  1994–95

  9,270

  1995–96

  30,653

  1996–97

  47,755

  1997–98

  1,448,929

  1998–99

  1,439,759

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent per head of the population on mental health in(a) the Warrington, North constituency, (b) the North Cheshire Health Authority and (c) each other health authority in the North West Region in each of the past five years. [73761]

  Mr. Hutton
  This information requested is available only by health authority and not by constituency. Due to health authority boundary/population changes in the North West region consistent information is available only for the years 1997–98 and 1996–97 and this is given.

  £

  Health authority

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Bury and Rochdale

  35.22

  38.00

  East Lancashire

  50.16

  51.21

  Liverpool

  63.10

  73.02

  Manchester

  87.38

  85.53

  Morecambe Bay

  69.74

  73.52

  North Cheshire

  68.29

  75.53

  North West Lancashire

  56.75

  58.86

  Salford and Trafford

  62.28

  59.34

  Sefton

  39.19

  40.67

  South Cheshire

  56.35

  56.53

  South Lancashire

  26.69

  30.89

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  48.76

  47.19

  Stockport

  38.06

  40.17

  West Pennine

  47.80

  53.59

  Wigan and Bolton

  47.46

  46.58

  Wirral

  42.59

  34.72

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on each health authority in the North West Region on(a) in-patient psychiatric facilities, (b) mental health provision through voluntary organisations and small independent service providers and (c) other community mental health services for each of the past 10 years. [73759]

  Mr. Hutton
  The total mental health spend by health authority is attached and this includes expenditure on National Health Service community mental health services. Owing to health authority boundary/population changes in the North West region, consistent information is available only for the years 1997–98 and 1996–97.

  Figures are not available for mental health provision through voluntary organisations and small independent service providers.
  677

  £000

  Health authority

  1997–98

  1996–97

  South Lancashire

  9,750

  8,325

  Liverpool

  34,157

  29,857

  Manchester

  36,853

  37,596

  Morcambe Bay

  22,877

  21,666

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  17,066

  16,287

  Salford and Trafford

  26,570

  27,653

  Sefton

  11,814

  11,499

  Stockport

  11,685

  11,021

  West Pennine

  25,513

  22,507

  Bury and Rochdale

  14,934

  14,105

  North Cheshire

  23,563

  22,507

  South Cheshire

  38,106

  35,732

  East Lancashire

  26,235

  25,363

  North West Lancashire

  27,665

  26,560

  Wigan and Bolton

  26,991

  27,734

  Wirral

  11,507

  11,480

  North West Region Total

  365,286

  350,192

  Source:

  Health Authority Annual Accounts 1997–98 and 1996–97

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was spent on mental health services(a) nationally and (b) in Gloucestershire; and what is the average amount spent by (i) shire counties and (ii) all local authorities in each of the last three years. [73816]

  Mr. Hutton
  In 1997–98, the latest year for which information is available, £2,767 million was spent on the purchase of mental illness healthcare in England including £23.6 million by Gloucestershire Health Authority.

  Total expenditure and the average spend on services for people with mental health needs by social services departments for the latest 3 years for which information is available, is set out in the table:

  Local authority

  Gross expenditure (£000)

  Average spend per local authority (£000)

  Average spend per person aged 18 to 64 (£)

  Gloucestershire

  1994–95

  2,174

  2,174

  7

  1995–96

  3,295

  3,295

  10

  1996–97

  3,733

  3,733

  11

  All shire counties

  1994–95

  163,074

  4,181

  9

  1995–96

  197,411

  5,062

  11

  1996–97

  207,680

  5,769

  11

  All local authorities

  1994–95

  339,126

  3,111

  11

  1995–96

  406,261

  3,727

  14

  1996–97

  467,767

  3,931

  16

  Source:

  R03 return

  Residential and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those local authorities which no longer directly run(a) residential and (b) nursing homes. [74060]
  678
  Mr. Hutton
  As at 31 March 1998, there were seven local authorities that did not directly run residential care homes for older people (including those who are mentally infirm). The authorities were Bromley, City of London, Knowsley, Somerset, Stockport, Tameside and Wandsworth. This information is taken from the Department of Health's statistical collection RA1998, Form A, Part 1. Data for 1999 will become available later this year.

  Local authorities do not directly run nursing homes.

  Gamma Knife Technology
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure the continued availability of treatment through Gamma Knife technology in Sheffield. [72387]

  Ms Jowell
  Current expert advice is that the gamma knife has been overtaken by new linear accelerator technology (the linac scalpel), which can provide a greater range of treatments. Consequently, in January the NHS Executive agreed, with Sheffield Health Authority and the Central Sheffield University Hospitals NHS Trust, that a migration plan would be devised. This will enable the phasing in of the linear accelerator technology over a three year period whilst continuing the gamma knife service, achieving both continuity and modernisation as the linear accelerator technology comes on stream. The migration plans have been received and a business case will be considered shortly.

  Meningitis
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to schools in respect of outbreaks of meningitis. [74234]

  Ms Jowell
  Local outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia are managed by local Consultants in Communicable Disease Control who, in conjunction with any outbreak control team, are responsible for providing advice and information to schools and to parents and for organising any local action in the event of a case of meningococcal disease. Guidance on handling outbreaks in schools was published in the Public Health Laboratory Service's Communicable Disease Report on 10 January 1997, copies of which are available in the Library.

  The Department's public education programme provides reliable factual information for parents and young people on spotting meningococcal infection, including how to do the "glass test" to check rashes, through a Departmental leaflet entitled "Knowing about meningitis and septicaemia", available from general practitioners' surgeries. The Department also funds the Health Education Authority to produce public information about meningococcal disease, including a tailor-made leaflet for students called "Look out for your mate" (of which around 1 million copies were distributed through universities and colleges last year), the booklet "A Guide to Childhood Immunisations", which goes to parents of new born children, and a book "Birth to Five" given to new parents. In addition the Department collaborates with the two meningitis charities, the National Meningitis Trust and the Meningitis Research Foundation, to raise public and professional awareness.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 15 February 1999,Official Report, columns 427–28, on ministerial visits, which hon. Members have been informed of a planned visit to their constituency by her in the last 12 months. [72224]

  Clare Short
  [holding answer 23 February 1999] The MPs, parties and constituencies covered in the cities visited by me and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State are as follows:

  Name

  City visited

  Don Foster, Lib Dem

  Bath

  Peter Robinson, DUP, East

  Belfast

  Cecil Walker, UUP, North

  Rev Martin Smyth, UUP, South

  Gerry Adams, West

  Gisela Stuart, Lab, Edgbaston

  Birmingham

  Robin Corbett, Lab, Erdington

  Stephen McCabe, Lab, Hall Green

  Terry Davis, Lab, Hodge Hill

  Richard Burden, Lab, Northfield

  Jeffrey Rooker, Lab, Perry Barr

  Lynne Jones, Lab, Selly Oak

  Roger Godsiff, Lab, Sparkbrook and Small Heath

  Estelle Morris, Lab, Yardley

  Joan Humble, Lab, North and Fleetwood

  Blackpool

  Paul Marsden, Lab, South

  Terence Rooney, Lab, North

  Bradford

  Gerry Sutcliffe, Lab, South

  Marsha Singh, Lab, West

  Eric Martlew, Lab

  Carlisle

  Jon Owen Jones, Lab/Co-op, Central

  Cardiff

  Julie Morgan, Lab, North

  Alun Michael, Lab/Coop, South and Penarth

  Rhodri Morgan, Lab, West

  Christine Russell, Lab

  Chester

  Giles Radice, Lab, North

  Durham

  Hilary Armstrong, Lab, North West

  Gerald Steinberg, Lab, City

  Alistair Darling, Lab, Central

  Edinburgh

  Gavin Strang, Lab, East and Musselburgh

  Malcolm Chisholm, Lab, North and Leith

  Lynda Clark, Lab, Pentlands

  Nigel Griffiths, Lab, South

  Donald Gorrie, Lib Dem, West

  Derek Fatchett, Lab, Central

  Leeds

  George Mudie, Lab, East

  Fabian Hamilton, Lab, North East

  Harold Best, Lab, North West

  John Battle, Lab, West

  Graham Stringer, Lab, Blackley

  Manchester

  Tony Lloyd, Lab, Central

  Gerald Kaufman, Lab, Gorton

  Keith Bradley, Lab, Withington

  680

  Name

  City visited

  Brian White, Lab, North East

  Milton Keynes

  Phyllis Starkey, Lab, South West

  Sally Keeble, Lab, North

  Northampton

  Tony Clarke, Lab, South

  Andrew Smith, Lab, East

  Oxford

  Dr. Evan Harris, Lab, West and Abindon

  Calum MacDonald, Lab

  Western Isles

  Hugh Bayley, Lab

  York

  As indicated previously, it is not possible for me to say which constituencies I and the Under-Secretary of State visited in the cities concerned.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the subject areas within her Department's responsibilities which will be covered by the information campaign on Britain's membership of a single currency. [73673]

  Clare Short
  The Treasury will continue its dialogue with key external bodies to determine what information the public and business would need at each stage of the changeover process. Any information campaign would cover key concerns that the public and business may have. Chapter eight of the Treasury's Outline National Changeover Plan provides further information. Copies of the Plan are available in the House Library.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to issue information from her Department to help the public make an informed decision when they vote on the single currency. [73583]

  Clare Short
  Any plans by the Government to issue information during a referendum campaign on whether or not the UK should join the single currency would be made in light of the Government's response to the recommendations from the Neill Committee on the conduct of referendums. The Government will announce their conclusions on those recommendations when my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary publishes a White Paper and draft Bill before the summer recess.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Air Miles have been earned by her and each of her Ministers; and how she proposes to use them. [73328]

  Clare Short
  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.

  We do not keep a record of air miles earned by Ministers. We intend to ensure that they are either used for official purposes or donated to charity.

  Aid Programmes (Sustainability)
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she has taken to
  681
  ensure that the objectives of sustainability and environmental sensitivity are incorporated in UK aid programmes. [74315]

  Clare Short
  Our approach to sustainable development and environmental protection is set out in the White Paper on International Development. In December we published DFID's policy statement on the environment—Eliminating world poverty: why the environment matters—which sets out in more detail our policies and procedures. Copies are in the Libraries of the House. We are about to publish supplementary guidance to our Manual of Environmental Appraisal and to provide training to staff, in order to strengthen good practice. The new guidance will be made publicly available.

  Landmines
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what controls have been exercised by her Department over the use of funds paid from the United Kingdom Government to European Union landmine clearance programmes; and for what those funds have been used. [74162]

  Clare Short
  UK's contributions to the European Commission are subject to reporting and audit requirements. In 1998, EC expenditure (combined DG1A, DG1B, DGVIII, ECHO) on mines action totalled some 50.7 million euros (approximately £36 million) for programmes in 11 countries, and for research and development, and contribution to ICRC' s Mines Appeal. The share attributable to the UK was £5.4 million.

  During the UK's Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 1998, we worked closely with member states to achieve more targeted discussions on European Union (EU) mine action within the EU Working Group on Disarmament and Security (CODUN); we urged greater transparency and accountability of European Commission (EC) activities and the implementation of the EU Joint Mine Action Programme.

  My Department has in addition committed £200,000 towards European Union trials for a multi-sensor detection system. We monitor the project, which is on-going, through reports and technical meetings.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of her Department's budget designated for landmine clearance related activity was spent on(a) conferences, (b) transport costs for officials, (c) meetings between officials and (d) research and development in the last year for which information is available. [74217]

  Clare Short
  In 1998–99, we have contributed about(a) 1 per cent. to support civil society participation at international conferences central to the Ottawa process; (b) 0.2 per cent. for official travel to and participation in international conferences, technical discussions and project monitoring; (c) meetings between government officials are not funded from the humanitarian mine action budget; (d) research and development 9.3 per cent.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current situation regarding her Department's funding for the MINELIFTA project. [74142]
  682
  Clare Short
  My Department has not made a funding commitment to MINELIFTA. Up until now, it has not met our criteria for field testing. A new programme of resources dedicated to research and development of equipment for application in humanitarian mine clearance will be launched later this year. Full details of this scheme will be publicised shortly.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the non-military agencies currently being funded by her Department for landmine clearance operations; and where they are operating. [74385]

  Clare Short
  The agencies currently receiving funding for humanitarian mine clearance are:The HALO Trust operating in Cambodia, Georgia, Mozambique;
  Mines Advisory Group working in Cambodia, Northern Iraq, Laos;
  Norwegian People's Aid in Bosnia;
  United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance in Afghanistan, Bosnia is about to start;
  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Cambodia.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects to make available the further £5 million for landmine clearance-related work. [74161]

  Clare Short
  In October 1997 I announced that I would double my Department's bilateral annual expenditure on humanitarian mine action to £10 million by the financial year 2000–2001. Planned expenditure for 1998–99 is well over £6 million-a 27 per cent. increase on the previous financial year. I expect to meet the commitment I made.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research and development work has been undertaken since May 1997 funded from her budget for landmine clearance. [74245]

  Clare Short
  From May 1997 to date, about £720,000 has been spent on assessment trials of prototypes and full field trials of equipment for anti-personnel mine detection and clearance, preliminary vegetation clearance and operator safety tests. In addition, my Department has contributed about £140,000 to studies to improve the effectiveness of activities managed by the United Nations.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are her Department's targets for bringing about a reduction in the amount of civilian casualties from landmines overseas. [74386]

  Clare Short
  All the Department for International Development-funded projects work to the United Nations standard for humanitarian mine clearance which aims for a minimum 99.6 per cent. clearance on verification. This ensures that cleared land can be used with confidence by the beneficiaries. Mine awareness is normally included within projects to reduce risk to communities in areas where clearance has not been completed. We look for opportunities to use appropriate technology within our projects to increase clearance rates while achieving the high standards required for humanitarian mine clearance activities.

  Tuvalu
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what training support her Department has given to Tuvalu in each of the last five years; and what plans she has to increase the amount. [73970]

  Clare Short
  Our bilateral development assistance to the Pacific is provided from a single regional programme (total spending will be around £3.75 million in the current financial year). In the particular case of Tuvalu, the view was taken following Independence in 1978 that we could best assist that country's development through the establishment of a Trust Fund to help meet both recurrent and capital expenditure. The Fund was established in 1987 with contributions of £3.2 million each from Britain, Australia and New Zealand. With prudent management, the Fund has since grown substantially in real terms, while providing a reliable source of funds for the Government of Tuvalu.

  Tuvalu is also eligible for awards from a Pacific-wide allocation of the Department for International Development (DFID) and The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) funding for Chevening Scholarships. Three such awards

  Dates

  Location

  Minister

  US counterpart

  1–3 July 1998

  Washington

  Mr. Fatchett

  Karl Inderfurth, Assistant Secretary for South asian Affairs

  Johnny Carson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs

  Dennis Ross, Special Middle East Coordinator

  13 July 1998

  Washington

  Baroness Symons

  Ambassador Wendy Sherman, Under-Secretary for Global Affairs

  Peter Romero, Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs

  John Hamilton. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central America, Caribbean and Cuba

  22–25 February 1999

  Washington

  Mr. Fatchett

  Stanley Roth, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

  Karl Inderfurth, Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs

  Martin Sheehan, Counter Terrorism Coordinator

  Tom Pickering, Under Secretary for Political Affairs

  David Welch, Assistant Secretary for International Organisations

  Martin Indyk, Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs

  Dennis Ross, Special Middle East Coordinator

  The Secretary of State last visited Washington in January 1998. He has had numerous meetings, sometimes several times a month, with Madeleine Albright outside the United States, most recently in Rambouillet. He will next visit Washington in April 1999, for the NATO Summit.Unfortunately, the information the hon. Member requires on meetings which have taken place in the UK and third countries is not held centrally, and to obtain it would incur disproportionate costs.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights on the United Kingdom's failure to make arrangements to enable Gibraltarians to vote at election to the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [73623]

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take following the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on visiting rights for citizens of Gibraltar. [73409]
  684
  have been made over the past five years. In addition, Tuvalu benefits from the support we give to regional institutions (such as the University of the South Pacific, the South Pacific Forum and the Pacific Community) and from our contributions to multilateral agencies (including notably the European Development Fund) active in the region.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ministerial Meetings (USA)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [71983]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 25 February 1999] Foreign Office Ministers have frequent contact with members of the US Administration in the United States, in the UK and elsewhere overseas. Since 1 June 1998, the FCO Ministers listed have visited the United States and have had formal meetings with their approximate US counterparts as follows:

  Ms Quin
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor I have yet received any formal representations regarding the Court's decision, but I am well aware of the strong interest it has generated, including in both Houses and in Gibraltar. We will be taking all available steps to secure an extension of the EP franchise to Gibraltar. We can do this only by amending the 1976 EC Act on Direct Elections. This will require the agreement of all EU member states. HMG will seek such an amendment in the current negotiations in Brussels on establishing Common Principles for EP elections.

  Foreign Media Articles (Ministers)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will instruct his(a) desk officers and (b) relevant staff overseas to compile a list of those articles written by the Prime Minister which they have successfully placed in foreign media; and if he will place that list in the Library; [73606]

  (2) if he will list those articles (a) he and (b) his Ministers have written for foreign publications since 1 May 1997; [73605]
  685
  (3) if he will make it his policy to record for future reference those articles his Department places in the foreign press provided by the Prime Minister's Office; [73604]

  (4) if he will list those (a) ministers, (b) other parliamentarians and (c) non-parliamentarians who have written articles for which his Department has facilitated placement in the foreign press and foreign journals since 1 May 1997. [73602]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We do not maintain the records necessary to compile lists of this sort. To do so would not be a worthwhile use of resources.

  India and Pakistan
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the actions taken by his Department further to the testing of nuclear devices by(a) India and (b) Pakistan. [73979]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  As G8 and EU Presidency, the UK played a leading role in co-ordinating the international response to the Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary hosted a meeting of colleagues from G8 and other countries, at which a senior officials Task Force was established. The Task Force met twice in 1998 under UK chairmanship. In contacts with India and Pakistan, we continue to urge both countries to adhere to international non-proliferation regimes, to take the steps called for by United Nations Secretary Council resolution 1172, and to make progress in their bilateral dialogue.

  My Department has tightened procedures governing exports of dual-use goods to India and Pakistan, and discouraged contact between UK nuclear scientists and nuclear industry personnel and their Indian and Pakistani counterparts.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Governments of(a) India and (b) Pakistan on religious freedom within those countries; and if he will make a statement. [73891]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I raised our concerns about the situation of religious minorities with the Indian Home Minister in November, as did the Foreign Secretary with the Indian National Security Adviser on 20 January in London. I raised our concerns about religious minorities in Pakistan with the Pakistani Minister of Law during my visit there in February.

  Information Working Group (European Union)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the presentation made by the United Kingdom delegation to the seminar on information about the EU held in Brussels on 27 March 1998; and if he will make a statement on the role of the Information Working Group in respect of the conclusions of this seminar. [73770]

  Ms Quin
  The UK delegation made a presentation on the Internet and circulated a selection of frames from the FCO internet website http://www.fco.gov.uk. A copy of this has been deposited in the Library. The seminar was 686
  co-chaired by the UK Presidency and the Director-General of DGX of the Commission. The UK Presidency chairwoman was also chair of the Information Working Group. This Group discussed draft conclusions to follow-up the seminar. These were adopted by the General Affairs Council on 29 June 1998.

  Congo
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the cost to Zimbabwe of the military expedition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and about the sources of the finance for the operation. [73954]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are concerned about the impact on the Zimbabwe economy of its involvement in the DRC. Zimbabwe's defence budget is one of the highest in the region. The cost of sustaining the conflict could put the region's long-term development at risk. The Government of Zimbabwe has said that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is funding the direct costs of its intervention, and that the Government of Angola is providing logistics support.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Zimbabwean Government about its decisions to send troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [73956]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have twice raised this personally with President Mugabe, most recently when I visited Zimbabwe on 25 February. Other representations include letters from my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to President Mugabe, and lobbying both here and in Harare. We have consistently urged the President to use his influence to bring about a negotiated peaceful settlement to the conflict.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he plans to give to the National Constitutional Assembly of Zimbabwe to encourage democracy in Zimbabwe. [73955]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have assisted organisations which are members of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) with civic education programmes to encourage democracy in Zimbabwe. At present we are not assisting the NCA itself, but are keeping the situation under review.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Zimbabwean Government about the arrest and detention of the journalists Grace Kwinjeh, Farai Muncazi and Fernando Goncalves. [73953]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I urged President Mugabe, at my meeting with him in Harare on 25 February, to uphold international human rights standards, including freedom of the press.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he or his officials last met representatives of the National Constitutional Assembly of Zimbabwe. [73952]
  687
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  In the course of their normal duties, officials at the British High Commission in Harare have frequent contact with representatives of the National Constitutional Assembly, some of whom also represent other organisations such as the Zimbabwe Congress of Trades Unions and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches.

  I met some of these individual organisations when
  I visited Zimbabwe in January 1998, and some of them called on officials in London last year. Officials visited Zimbabwe have also met representatives of these organisations.

  North Atlantic Assembly
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have been made in the composition of the United Kingdom parliamentary delegation to the North Atlantic Assembly. [74392]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The right hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) has replaced the hon. Member for City of York (Mr. Bayley) as a member of the delegation.

  Colombia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with representatives of the U.S. Government concerning their anti-drugs policies in Colombia. [73714]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The UK maintains a wide-ranging dialogue on drugs policy with the US. I visited Bogota in September 1997 and October 1998, when I held discussions with the Colombian government on their own approach to the drugs problem.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the Government of Colombia concerning(a) human rights abuses and (b) internal migrations. [73716]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have raised the question of human rights, including internal displacement, several times with senior members of the Colombian Government, including President Pastrana and his predecessor, President Samper, both in London and during my two visits to Colombia. These discussions have covered, among other things, the activities of the paramilitaries (which are a major cause of internal migration), impunity, the safety of human rights workers and individual cases.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with representatives of British companies operating in Colombia about(a) human rights and (b) environmental damage. [73715]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have discussed both human rights and environmental issues with BP.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  KPMG
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the services that KPMG have performed for his Department(a) since 1 May 1997 and (b) in the corresponding period prior to 1 May 1997, indicating the remuneration made in each case. [72013]
  688
  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 22 February 1999] Information on contracts let to KPMG is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The above information does not include contracts let by the Department's Executive Agencies, and I have asked the respective Chief Executives to reply separately to this question.

  Letter from Desmond Flynn to Mr. David Ruffley, dated 26 February 1999:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he would list the services that KPMG have performed for his Department (a) since I May 1997 and (b) in the corresponding period to 1 May 1997, indicating the remuneration made in each case. In the absence of Peter Joyce, the Chief Executive, I have been asked to reply on behalf of The Insolvency Service.
  KPMG, as an organisation, have not performed any services for The Insolvency Service in the periods in question. Payments have however been made to KPMG in relation to work done by individual members of the firm in relation to disqualification proceedings brought against directors of failed companies where those individuals acted as liquidator, administrative receiver or administrator of the company.
  The fees paid for such work are as follows:

  (a) since 1 May 1997 £85,600

  (b) in the corresponding period prior to 1 May 1997 £72,100.

  Letter from Ian Jones to Mr. David Ruffley, dated 26 February 1999:
  You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about the services that KPMG have performed for his Department. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS) which is an executive agency of the DTI.
  The ETS has not engaged the services of KPMG.

  Letter from David Hendon to Mr. David Ruffley, dated 26 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency to your Parliamentary Question about the Agency's use of KPMG.
  This Agency entered into no contracts with KPMG since 1 May 1997. It used KPMG's services on one occasion before that date. In financial year 1996/97 the Agency commissioned KPMG to provide financial advice on the establishment of a joint venture company. The remuneration amounted to £120,244 ex-VAT.

  Letter from Dr. Seton Bennett to Mr. David Ruffley, dated 26 February 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your question about the services that KPMG have performed for the Agency both prior to and since 1 May 1997.
  Since its creation as a Next Steps Agency in 1989, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory has not availed itself of the services of KPMG.

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. David Ruffley, dated 26 February 1999:
  I am replying for the Patent Office to your question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about the services performed by KPMG and details of any remuneration made by the Patent Office. I can confirm that a nil return is appropriate.
  689
  Letter from John Holden to Mr. David Ruffley, dated 26 February 1999:
  I have now been invited to reply directly to you concerning your question, no 72013, tabled on 16 February 1999, asking the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the services that KPMG have performed for his Department since 1st May 1997 and in the corresponding period prior to 1st May 1997.
  I can advise that KPMG have provided consultancy support in developing the business case for the introduction of the Government Procurement Card between October 1998 and March 1999. The consultancy was commissioned by the Treasury and has been undertaken at no cost to Companies House.

  Low Pay Commission
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on in the current work programme of the Low Pay Commission. [73814]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Low Pay Commission has been asked to monitor and evaluate the introduction and impact of the national minimum wage, with particular reference to the effect on pay, employment and competitiveness in low paying sectors and small firms; particular groups of workers, such as young people, women, ethnic minorities, homeworkers, people with disabilities and voluntary sector workers; pay structures, including the effect on differentials and different pay systems; and training.

  In view of the representations received on the accommodation offset that can be counted towards the national minimum wage, we have also asked the Commission to give early advice on that issue. It is for the Commission to formulate a programme of work to meet these remits.

  Offshore Wind Farm Industry
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to encourage the transfer of British technology and expertise in the offshore oil and gas industries to the offshore wind farm industry. [73815]

  Mr. Battle
  Offshore wind has the potential to make a substantial contribution in future to sustainable and diverse energy supplies and I am pleased to see that UK industry is coming together in this area.

  Through the New and Renewable Energy (NRE) programme, my Department last week sponsored a British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) seminar on Offshore Engineering. Many of the companies attending the seminar currently operate in the oil and gas industries and the application of technology currently used in the oil and gas sectors to offshore wind farms was discussed.

  Poole Bay
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department is requiring Elf Exploration plc to carry out further drilling operations in Poole Bay. [74055]

  Mr. Battle
  The Petroleum Licence covering block 98–12 in Poole Bay was awarded in 1991 with an obligation on the licensees to drill at least three exploration wells. The first of these was drilled in 1993, south east of the location of the well currently under discussion. This was unsuccessful and the licensees asked 690
  for all the outstanding work obligations to be waived. A waiver was granted in respect of one of the wells, but my Department took the view that the other should be drilled in order to fully explore the potential of the licensed area.

  The current licence operator, E1f Exploration UK plc, has been preparing to seek consent to a further well to test a small structure which lies between the first well on the licence and the Wytch Farm oil field, but has now sought my Department's agreement to waive the outstanding commitments and relinquish the licence. This request is being considered and a response will be given as soon as possible.

  Working Time Regulations 1998
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if juvenile employees working part-time on paper rounds are subject to the holiday pay provisions of the working time regulations. [72024]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 22 February 1999] Newspaper delivery boys and girls are not entitled to paid annual leave under the regulations if they are below minimum school leaving age; anyone aged 16 or over who delivers newspapers is, like any other part time worker, entitled to paid annual leave but only pro rata according to the hours they normally work.

  Photovoltaic Industry
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's support for the UK photovoltaic industry. [73926]

  Mr. Battle
  Last week I announced 3 major new PV initiatives:

  (a) a call for proposals for the development of PV components and systems, with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of UK companies;

  (b) a field trial for around 100 homes across the country to test a variety of actual PV installations under UK conditions;

  (c) development of a scheme to demonstrate the use of PV in large-scale building applications.

  The total value of these initiatives is expected to be £15 million, with £5 million coming from the DTI. In the case of the demonstration scheme the final go-ahead will have to await the outcome of the Renewables Review, on which I expect to issue a Consultation Paper shortly.

  These new initiatives are in addition to the work on solar photovoltaics that my Department is already funding (under the DTI's New and Renewable Energy Programme, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council PV R&D programme, and the Foresight Scolar Programme), and will be taken forward in consultation with the PV and building industries.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are currently employed in the generation of energy from renewable sources(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in other member states of the European Union. [73772]
  691
  Mr. Battle
  There are over 500 companies involved in renewable energy in the UK, which are estimated to employ some 3,500 people directly. These companies include manufacturers, developers, consultants, and operators.

  Statistics for European Countries are not generally available. In the EU White Paper—Energy For the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy—the Commission cites the example of the wind energy sector which it estimates has created 30,000 jobs in Europe. The White Paper also states that if the contribution of renewables to energy supply in Europe were to double from the current 6 per cent. to 12 per cent. by 2010 it would create at least 500,000 jobs.

  Genetic Testing
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to regulate the use of genetic testing in relation to employment; and if he will make a statement. [74145]

  Mr. Battle
  The Human Genetics Advisory Commission has set up a Working Group under the chairmanship of Mrs. Doris Littlejohn (President, Employment Tribunals (Scotland)) to consider the implications of genetic testing for employment. I look forward to receiving their advice later this year.

  Human Genetics Advisory Commission
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out the qualifications and areas of expertise of the members of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission. [74146]

  Mr. Battle
  Affiliations and qualifications of members of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission are as follows:Acting chair
  Baroness O'Neill Principal, Newnham College, Cambridge; Chairman, Nuffield Foundation.
  Members
  Professor Cairns Aitken CBE Professor-emeritus of Rehabilitation Studies, University of Edinburgh; Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh; Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
  Dr. Micheala Aldred Director, Retinoblastoma Society; Trustee, Genetic Interest Group.
  Professor Martin Bobrow CBE Professor of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge; Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians; Fellow of the Royal College of Pathology.
  Mrs. Doris Littlejohn CBE President Employment Tribunals (Scotland).
  Professor Norman Nevin Chairman, Gene Therapy Advisory Committee; Professor of Medical Genetics, Northern Ireland Regional Genetics Centre; Fellow of the Ulster Medical Society.
  Reverend Dr. John Polkinghorne KBE Chairman, Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing. Member of the General Synod of the Church of England; Fellow of the Royal Society; Past President of Queens' College Cambridge.
  Dr. George Poste CBE Chief Science and Technology Officer, SmithKline Beecham Plc; Fellow of the Royal Society.
  Ms Moira Stuart Reporter/presenter, British Broadcasting Corporation.

  British Coal (Canteen Workers)
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 10 February 1999,Official Report, column 224, what was the average award made to those canteen workers where cases have been settled. [73962]

  Mr. Battle
  The British Coal Corporation tell me that the average settlement cost is around £1,300 per claim.

  Mixed Oxide Fuel Shipments
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the international proliferation implications of MOX fuel shipments. [73212]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) on 2 December 1997,Official Report, column 122.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the accessibility of the plutonium in MOX fuel contained in BNFL shipments to Japan for the purposes of making nuclear weapons. [73211]

  Mr. Battle
  The process by which MOX fuel is made combines the uranium and plutonium in such a way that separation by physical means is not possible. To recover plutonium from MOX fuel would require a chemical separation process requiring complex and highly specialised plant, equipment and skills. Very stringent physical protection and safeguards measures are applied to MOX fuel at all times to prevent its theft or diversion.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place between his Department and(a) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) the Ministry of Defence on the proposed shipments of plutonium to Japan by BNFL. [73210]

  Mr. Battle
  Responsibility within Government for the security of MOX shipments rests with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Consultations between DTI and other Government Departments, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, have continued in the normal way.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the Japanese to take ownership and control of the materials involved in the proposed shipment of plutonium to Japan; and what agencies are involved in overseeing these shipments. [73209]

  Mr. Battle
  The MOX fuel, which is already owned by the Japanese utilities, will come under the control of the Government of Japan on arrival at the port of entry. For the UK Government, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions deals with the safety of movements of nuclear materials carried out by the UK, while my Department handles security issues associated with these shipments.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons armed vessels with armed
  693
  escorts are required to accompany shipments of MOX fuel and other nuclear material from BNFL to its overseas customers. [73562]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 26 February 1999] I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 18 February 1999, Official Report, columns 364–65.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the extent to which the production and export of MOX fuel and other nuclear materials which will be returned to BNFL's overseas customers after reprocessing are consistent with the terms of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. [73561]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 26 February 1999] I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) on 9 December 1997, Official Report, column 528.

  Cannabis Medical Trials
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the cannabis medical trials. [72374]

  Mr. Battle
  The Medical Research Council have invited two research groups to submit full detailed proposals for clinical trials on the potential therapeutic uses of cannabis. These proposals are expected to be submitted in time to undergo peer review and be submitted to MRC's research selection boards for recommendation on funding in October.

  Oil Extraction (St. Kilda)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding proposed oil extraction near St. Kilda; and if he will make a statement. [69388]

  Mr. Battle
  I have received correspondence from environmental groups, members of the public and hon. Members expressing concern about the impact of petroleum extraction on St. Kilda, and about the potential contribution to climate change of continuing exploitation of fossil fuels.

  There is no evidence that either the offer of petroleum licences in the Atlantic or activity under such licences has compromised the environmental sensitivity of the area, jeopardised the status of any World Heritage Sites or harmed any particular species or habitat.

  Prior to offering acreage west of the Hebrides in the 17th Seaward Licensing Round, the Department took the advice of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the Government's statutory adviser on conservation matters, about the potential environmental impact of activities under licences. The JNCC advised—and my Department accepted—that because of the environmental importance of the protected area around
  694
  St. Kilda, no acreage within 25 miles of the island should be offered for licensing. In actual fact, the nearest licence awarded is 45 miles away.

  As a further safeguard, conditions were attached to these licences at the request of JNCC and the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department (SOAEFD) which prohibit seismic acquisition and drilling during specified sensitive seasons in order to minimise any potential disruption to local ecosystems.

  The advice from the JNCC, and the Department's subsequent decision-making process about the offer of blocks for petroleum licensing, takes full account of the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). Such advice from the JNCC and other consultees has led to some blocks being excluded from licence offers in particular licensing rounds, despite clear interest from oil and gas companies which wished to see them made available.

  All exploration wells are subject to the Petroleum Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1998, which implement the European Union Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (85/337/EEC) across the whole of the UK Continental Shelf. Under these Regulations, the Secretary of State must take account of the likely environmental impact of the well before he may decide whether or not to consent to its drilling. Both the JNCC and SOAEFD are consulted about the likely effects of wells in this area and may recommend that a full environmental statement is required before a consent decision can be made. Such statements must be made available to the public for their comments and the Secretary of State must then take into consideration any comments he has received when making his decision about consent for the project.

  Under the Regulations, the same process must be applied to any application for consent to a further well to appraise the commercial potential of an oil or gas discovery, and again to any subsequent proposal to develop such a find for production. The production of an environmental statement is mandatory for most development projects. No application has yet been received for consent to commercial extraction of oil or gas west of the Hebrides.

  Offshore activity, including all exploration wells, is also subject to the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response Convention) Regulations 1998. These require an oil spill contingency plan to be submitted to this Department for approval before drilling activities may commence. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are consulted in relation to such plans. Each contingency plan is project-specific and will take account of relevant environmental sensitivities.

  The UK offshore oil and gas industry has a good environmental record. Areas west of Scotland were first licensed for petroleum exploration and production in 1972. The first commercial developments in the area are the Foinaven and Schiehallion oil fields, which lie west of Shetland, more than 200 miles northeast of St. Kilda. Regrettably, there have been some small oil spills around these facilities since production started, but all dispersed naturally with no evidence of damage to the environment.

  695
  However, the companies involved have been asked to reassess their operational procedures to ensure that the risk of even small oil spills can be reduced still further.

  The Government are committed to playing its part in tackling the threat of global warming and agrees that we need to move away from dependence on fossil fuels. The Government intend to develop a strategic UK climate change programme for publication later this year which will set out proposals for policies and measures to achieve international targets and its domestic policy aims, including increased support for renewables. The aim of the programme will be to develop an equitable, balanced strategy, covering all sectors of the economy and engaging all parts of the community. It will be finalised after public consultation and the Government will take forward its implementation, probably in 2000 and subsequent years.

  Electron Microscopes
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the number of electron microscopes employed in the United Kingdom 696
  for the purposes of assessing the presence of asbestos fibres in lung tissue in order to advise (a) special medical boards on respiratory diseases; and (b) coroners. [70180]

  Mr. Battle
  Within the DTI, the Office of Science and Technology (OST) has a specific interest in areas of research using electron microscopes, investigating the health effects of fibre inhalation, including asbestos fibres, in relation to the pathogenesis of disease, through the Medical Research Council (MRC) Toxicology Unit in Leicester.

  The DSS is responsible for "special medical boards" which, I am informed, do not use electron microscopy for assessing the presence of asbestos fibres in lung tissue. The Home Office are not aware of any figures for Coroners. My Department has no such estimate; even if it were possible to gather such information, it would involve disproportionate cost.

  Pilot Projects
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [72640]

  Mr. Byers
  Details of the pilot projects instigated by my Department since 1 May 1997 are set out in the table.

  Pilot projects instigated by DTI since 1 May 1997

  Description of the project

  Area covered

  Investigation into the feasibility of introducing Intelligent Character Recognition Systems into Companies House.

  England and Wales (but restricted to nine regular presenters of documents)

  Running a service whereby presenters of documents can file them electronically with Companies House using an approved software package (four packages approved to date).

  England and Wales

  Providing access to images of all Companies House documents via the CH Direct service. Service piloted with 18 customers.

  Mainly in the UK, but also world-wide via the Internet.

  A project to enable trade fair intermediaries to access the TradeUK National Exporters Database and the Export Sales Leads Service at overseas trade fairs via the Internet.

  World-Wide.

  A project to pilot the Hints to Exporters series on the Internet, rather than through printed copies.

  World-wide.

  Manufacturing for Biotechnology Initiative. A pilot initiative to raise awareness of manufacturing opportunities for biotechnology SMEs and to enhance manufacturing potential.

  National

  Joint project with the British Jewellery and Giftware Federation to test the scope for trade associations to commission the chargeable export services delivered by British Diplomatic Missions worldwide on behalf of companies in their sector.

  National

  Competitiveness and management organisation in SMEs. The pilot compares differences in management styles, then helps companies to choose the styles that suit their particular culture.

  East Midlands

  A project to encourage market research companies to achieve British Standard BS7911.

  National

  Capex Scoreboard. List of 500 UK companies' capital investment figures in comparison with 300 international companies for benchmarking purposes.

  National

  Research on the innovation stories behind successful entrants for the Design Council's Millennium Products awards.

  Pilot interviews conducted nationally.

  Pilot awareness campaign promoting the use of automatic identification technologies among SMEs.

  Hertfordshire

  UK-Russia High Technology Forum. Aims to encourage technology transfer between Russia and some countries in the FSU with the UK.

  National

  Joint project with North Nottinghamshire TEC and local Business Links to examine the challenge of delivering Level Two ICT skills to a mass market.

  North Nottinghamshire

  Joint project with Merseyside SATRO and schools in Liverpool and Salford to examine whether DTI's CD-ROM based information on business best practice could be of value in an educational environment.

  Liverpool and Salford

  Joint project with DfEE to identify the value that firms place on the skills of their workforce in 12 sectors.

  National

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [72680]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 February 1999] Government Departments are co-operating on policy developments, and I liaise closely with Ministerial colleagues at the Home Office on any likely implications for crime of new policies.

  Minister for Science
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place an agenda and minutes for the meeting on 15 December 1998, which the Minister for Science chaired, in the Library. [73020]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 25 February 1999] The meeting referred to was part of the Public Consultation on the Biosciences, which my noble Friend chairs. The meeting was attended by representatives of many different interested parties. This exercise looks at public attitudes to regulation of the biosciences. Minutes for the meeting have been circulated to all attendees of the meeting and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Internet Web Caching
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effects on information technology in the United Kingdom of the implementation of the resolution by the European Parliament to outlaw Internet web caching. [73383]

  Mr. Wills
  Unauthorised reproduction of copyright material in electronic form is generally prohibited under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The European Parliament's proposed amendment to the draft Directive on copyright in the information society, which would mean that temporary copies such as occur in caching could infringe copyright if right owners have not agreed to use of their material in the relevant service, would not therefore change the situation in the UK. Current UK copyright law does not seem to have inhibited the development of information technology services, or placed undue burdens on those providing such services. However, we support moves to clarify the liability of service providers under copyright and other laws, along the lines proposed in the draft Directive on electronic commerce.

  Electronic Red Boxes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will name the Ministers in his Department who are regular users of the new electronic red boxes. [73693]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 26 February 1999] The Minister of State for Energy and Industry has been using the electronic red box developed for the DTI for some time. This facility enables him to work on electronic copies of documents at home and to access many of the Department's information systems. Following evaluation of his experience later this year, consideration will be given to extending its use to other Ministers.

  Business Regulation (USA)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the operation of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 1980 in the United States. [73231]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Whilst it is not for us to assess the effectiveness of the United States' internal legislative arrangements, we are aware of this Act and officials in the Cabinet Office Better Regulation Unit are in contact with their US counterparts with the aim of increasing our mutual understanding and promoting the exchange of best practice. Many of the main provisions of this Act cover the same ground as certain requirements in our own system of regulatory impact assessment.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the operation of sunset regulation in the United States. [73224]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I have been asked to reply.

  We are aware of the discussions in the United States and other countries about the use of sunset clauses in regulation. Officials in the Cabinet Office Better Regulation Unit actively participate in such discussions both bilaterally and at the OECD with the aim of increasing mutual understanding and promoting exchanges of best practice. We are not aware of any federal United States legislative requirement for sunset clauses.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the operation of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 1996 in the United States. [73223]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Whilst it is not for us to assess the effectiveness of the United States' internal legislative arrangements, we are aware of this Act and officials in the Cabinet Office Better Regulation Unit are in contact with their US counterparts with the aim of increasing mutual understanding and promoting the exchange of best practice. Many of the main provisions of this Act, aimed at small business, cover the same ground as the UK's Access Business initiative.

SCOTLAND

  Stuart Gair Case
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps have been taken to interview new witnesses or witnesses who have changed their evidence in the case of Stuart Gair; and if he will make a statement; [68173]

  (2) what date he received a submission on behalf of Stuart Gair; what action he has taken; and when he expects to complete his consideration. [68188]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 4 February 1999] A petition claiming a miscarriage of justice in Stuart Gair's conviction was submitted by Mr. Gair's solicitor to my right hon. Friend on 10 September 1998.
  699
  An initial review of the new evidence in Mr. Gair's case has been carried out by the Scottish Office and clarifications and further information sought from the solicitor. However, no interviews or inquiries have yet been commissioned. Mr. Gair's solicitor has indicated that he does not want the Crown Office to be involved in the examination of this case and has requested that my right hon. Friend appoint an impartial body to carry out any investigations.

  In the light of this continuing objection by Mr. Gair's solicitor, the most appropriate way forward would seem to be for the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission to instruct or carry out any necessary investigations once it comes into operation on 1 April this year. The new Commission will have powers to undertake its own inquiries and to obtain statements and reports. One of the main intentions behind our setting up this Commission is to make the review of alleged miscarriages of justice in Scotland clearly independent and to ensure public confidence in the process.

  In these circumstances we are not in a position to estimate how long it might be before a decision is reached in this case.

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [71268]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 22 February 1999] We are acting to ensure that the Department's policies meet the needs of disabled people and comply with 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 do more where appropriate.

  Existing guidance on policy appraisal is currently being reviewed in the light of the guidance "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment" which the Cabinet Office issued to all Government Departments in November 1998. This was signed jointly by the Minister for Women, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Home Secretary. The new guidance will ensure that all new and existing policies and programmes are assessed for any differential impact, not only on disabled people but on women and people from ethnic minorities. That includes the need to ensure that policies and their outcomes comply with the law. Where necessary, we shall act to remove any differential impact.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament. The report of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament strongly recommended that the Parliament should have an Equal Opportunities Committee. Monitoring and reporting of progress on the Disability Discrimination Act will be for the Scottish Executive.

  Rowett Research Institute
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department received the research 700
  dossier on GMO research into potatoes from Dr. Pusztai of the Rowett Research Institute; when the Minister for the Cabinet Office requested copies of the work submitted to his Department under contract by Dr. Pusztai; which other Government departments or research units have received copies; and on what dates. [72528]

  Mr. Macdonald
  A copy of the report produced by Dr. Putszai for the Rowett Research Institute in response to the Institute's Audit Committee was copied to the Scottish Office on 26 October 1998. The report was published by the Rowett Research Institute on 16 February 1999. Dr. Pusztai was contracted by the Rowett Research Institute to undertake the research on GMO potatoes and it was for the Institute to consider and publish the report.

  The Government welcome the decision by the Rowett Research Institute to publish Dr. Pusztai's report, together with the audit committee's response to this report. The Government also welcome the request by the Rowett Research Institute to the Royal Societies of London and Edinburgh to conduct an independent analysis of Dr. Pusztai's and Dr. Ewen's research. For this to take place, it is clearly essential that all those involved should respond to the requests within the scientific community to make available the data and papers on which their conclusions are based.

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

  University Fees
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the income to be raised by fees paid by(a) Scottish students at Scottish universities, (b) English, Welsh and Northern Irish students at Scottish universities and (c) Scottish students at English, Welsh and Northern Irish universities in the current year and each of the next five years. [72658]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No separate estimates have been made for fees income for Scottish universities as requested. The table provides estimates for fees income for Scottish higher education institutions and further education colleges for the years 1998–99 to 2001–02 only:

  £ million

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Scottish higher education institutions (I)

  15

  26

  35

  40

  Scottish further education colleges

  4

  6

  6

  6

  Total for Scottish institutions

  19

  32

  41

  46

  Scottish students at other UK institutions

  1

  2

  2

  2

  Note:

  All figures are at 1998–99 prices

  It is assumed that most students coming to Scotland from elsewhere in the UK will attend higher education institutions. Within the figures at (I) their contribution is estimated as £2 million, £5 million, £7 million and £10 million respectively. This is estimated using the same average private contribution as for Scottish and EU students. Actual amounts will be dependent on the

  701
  specific funding body responsible providing student support in whatever part of the UK the student comes from.

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

  Schizophrenia Psychoses
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people discharged from hospital in Scotland following a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses and subsequently taken to hospital by the police under the Mental Health Acts were refused admission in the last year for which figures are available. [73236]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is not collected or held centrally.

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

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research projects his Department is funding in the current year to test the effectiveness of community care for people suffering from schizophrenia psychoses; and if he will make a statement. [73365]

  Project title, research base and project duration

  Award

  Role of Obstetric Complications in the Aetiology of Schizophrenic and Affective Psychosis (Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, 1 October 1997 to 31 September 1998)

  9,276

  Schizophrenia in the Elderly: Its Prevalence and Suffers' Needs for Health and Social Care (Lanarkshire Healthcare NHS Trust, 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1996)

  85,034

  Cognitive Therapy with Medication-resistant Psychotic Symptoms: A Clinical Trial with Nurses as Therapists (University of Dundee, 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1999)

  112,688

  Hospital Discharge for People with a Mental Illness (University of Glasgow, 1 December 1997 to 31 January 2000)

  1167,177

  A Randomised Controlled Comparison of Neuroleptic Maintenance in Combination with Individualised Psychoeducation in the Prevention of Relapse in Schizophrenia (Ayrshire & Arran Community Healthcare Trust, 1 June 1997 to 12 May 2000)

  115,989

  The Prevalence and Impact of Substance Misuse in Schizophrenic Patients in Scottish Urban and Rural Settings (Health Services Research Unit, Aberdeen, 1 February 1999 to 30 January 2001—dates to be confirmed)

  166,424

  1 Co-funded by CSO and Social Work Services Group of The Scottish Office

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people with a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses were discharged from mental illness hospitals in Scotland in each of the last three years; and how many of them were taken into local authority residential care in the same year. [73360]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The number of people with a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychosis discharged from mental illness hospitals in Scotland for the last 3 years for which complete information is available is shown in the table.
  702
  Mr. Galbraith
  The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) within the Scottish Office Department of Health has responsibility for managing funds which support research activity to further the development of patient care and health services within the NHS in Scotland.

  Mental Health is one of the health priorities in Scotland, and CSO's awards to mental health research projects in 1998–99, total some £2M. Many of these projects may be relevant to schizophrenia psychoses alongside other severe mental health problems, and some may have implications for methods of care, including community care, for sufferers. Projects, completed or still running in 1998–99, which we have identified as definitely relevant to schizophrenia psychoses (and perhaps—to varying extents—to community care for sufferers) are detailed below. Their awards total some £657K of the £2M.

  CSO also manages the NHS in Scotland's Research and Development (R&D) Support Fund, which supports research and development in NHS hospitals, general practice and other health care settings in Scotland. R&D Support Fund expenditure on mental health is estimated to be some £3M in 1998–99. R&D Support Fund expenditure on schizophrenia psychoses cannot be identified separately, except at disproportionate cost. From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Year ending

  Number

  31 March 1994

  2,739

  31 March 1995

  2,623

  31 March 1996

  2,680

  Information on discharges to local authority residential care is not collected or held centrally.

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

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of those convicted of crimes in
  703
  Scotland in the last year for which figures are available have ever been admitted to National Health Service mental illness hospitals with a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses. [73357]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is not collected or held centrally.

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

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the admissions by diagnosis and order of admission indicating percentage changes over the previous year in numbers and rates per 100,000 population of patients suffering from schizophrenia psychoses in Scotland in the last year for which figures are available. [73368]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The number of admissions to psychiatric in-patient care in Scotland, with a main diagnosis of schizophrenic psychoses during the latest years for which complete information is available, is shown in the table:

  Number of admissions

  Rate per 100,000 population

  + or - per cent.

  1995

  3,547

  69.1

  —

  1996

  3,611

  70.3

  +1.8

  Males proceeded against where the main offence was sodomy, gross indecency, shameless indecency or statutory homosexual offences Scotland 1988–97

  Main offence

  19881

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Sodomy (Common Law)

  11

  18

  12

  9

  5

  17

  15

  12

  8

  13

  Gross Indecency (Common Law)

  2

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Shameless Indecency (Common Law)

  28

  39

  50

  57

  62

  85

  103

  103

  128

  113

  Statutory Homosexual Offences2

  56

  43

  75

  103

  76

  61

  78

  50

  41

  30

  Total

  97

  100

  139

  170

  143

  163

  196

  166

  177

  156

  1 Excludes 3 males proceeded against for homosexual offences and 17 males proceeded against for lewd and libidinous offences where the main offence is not known.

  2 Includes Section 7 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 1976, Section 80 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 and Section 13 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995.

  Males with a change proved where the main offence was sodomy, gross indecency, shameless indecency or statutory homosexual offences Scotland 1988–1997

  Main offence

  19881

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Sodomy (Common Law)

  8

  14

  12

  8

  5

  16

  12

  11

  6

  11

  Gross Indecency (Common Law)

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shameless Indecency (Common Law)

  27

  34

  43

  44

  52

  70

  91

  89

  98

  92

  Statutory Homosexual Offences2

  52

  42

  72

  98

  74

  60

  75

  46

  39

  27

  Total

  87

  90

  129

  151

  131

  146

  178

  146

  143

  130

  1 Excludes 1 male with a main charge proved for a homosexual offence and 12 males with a main charge proved for lewd and libidinous offences where the main offence is not known.

  2 Includes Section 7 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 1976, Section 80 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 and Section 13 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Bereavement Support
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the total cost to the taxpayer
  704
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list general Government expenditure in Scotland on (i) agriculture, (ii) fisheries, (iii) education, (iv) prison service, (v) police service, (vi) health, (vii) transport and (viii) housing, in(a) cash terms and (b) 1998–99 prices, for each year since 1992. [73624]

  Mr. Dewar
  Figures for identifiable general government expenditure in Scotland from 1992–93 to 1996–97 were published in "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1998–99", Cm 3901, in April 1998. A breakdown into more detailed functional categories is not available.

  Indecency Offences
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons have been(a) charged with and (b) convicted of offences of (i) sodomy, (ii) gross indecency and (iii) shameless indecency by one male person with another in each year for the last 10 years. [73544]

  Mr. McLeish
  The available information on prosecutions for homosexual offences, including statutory offences, is given in the tables. From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  of benefits paid to widows and widowers (1) if the benefit rules were to remain unchanged and (2) if the reforms in "Support in Bereavement" were implemented, in (a) 2002, (b)2007, (c) 2012 and (d) 2017. [71100]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.
  705

  Indicative estimates of the expenditure on widows benefit without reform and the net savings which may accrue following reform

  £ million in 1998–99 benefit rates

  Expenditure on existing widow benefit scheme without reform

  Costs(+)/Savings(-) from proposals (net of means-tested benefit offsets)

  2002–03

  950

  +100

  2007–08

  800

  -100

  2012–13

  800

  -200

  2017–08

  950

  -450

  Notes:

  1. Estimates for the effects of reform are presented net of means-tested benefit offsets, in line with those in "A new contract for welfare: support in bereavement". Means-tested benefit offsets were estimated using the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey and the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiries. They assume a constant offset ratio in order to provide illustrative estimates for later years.

  2. The forecast of expenditure under the existing Widows Benefit scheme together with the underlying contributory benefit effects of reform have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  3. Estimates provide broad orders of magnitude and are rounded to the nearest £50 million.

  4. A start date of 2001–02 has been assumed.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Benefit Integrity Project ended in Greater Manchester; what has replaced it; and how the replacement is different from its predecessor. [73547]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Andrew F. Bennett, dated 1 March 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when the Benefits Integrity Project ended in Greater Manchester, what has replaced it, and how the replacement is different from its predecessor.The Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) will end nationally on 31 March 1999 and is to be replaced by a new and fairer system. No new cases will be selected for the BIP after this date. Cases where action has already started will continue to be processed through the stages of adjudication including review and appeal.From April, a new system of "Periodic Review" will be introduced. This will incorporate the lessons already learned from BIP, and will be fairer as it will gather information by home visits and postal enquiries across the whole range of rates and components of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). It will therefore provide for awards to be increased as well as decreased in line with entitlement.At the outset, those DLA recipients whose cases have been examined by the BIP will be excluded from the process, as will those people in any one of the specific categories of exclusions from the BIP. People with a fixed period award due to end within the next three years will also be excluded.The process will be evaluated after six months. The findings will be used to continue to improve the process to make it more sensitive to the circumstances of the individual concerned. Additionally, we will be testing new ways of evidence gathering for DLA claims. Discussions are taking place with disability groups to ensure that the new system is sensitive and is both fair and effective.I hope that you have found this reply helpful.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications have been made to the Child Support Agency for the deferment of arrears; and how many have been granted. [73719]

  Angela Eagle
  Information is not available about the number of applications for deferment of arrears. However, Child Support Agency records show that there are currently 7,647 cases, where arrears of child support maintenance have been deferred. As at 31 January 1999 the Agency had made 1,233 payments of compensation to parents with care under the deferred debt scheme.

  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions his Department has had with the Child Support Agency over its decision not to inform non-resident parents of the Government's policy on the deferment of arrears arising from delays in the Agency's completion of assessments. [73718]

  Angela Eagle
  Child Support Officers are expected to consider whether deferment of arrears should be offered in all cases where arrears of maintenance are due to delay by the Child Support Agency in completing initial maintenance assessments and periodic or change of circumstance reviews. A non-resident parent may also ask the Agency to consider deferring arrears of maintenance at any time. We are satisfied that these arrangements are sufficient to ensure that non-resident parents are offered deferment of arrears, whenever this is appropriate.

  Lone Parents
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents receive Income Support, broken down by constituency. [73474]

  Angela Eagle
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  In August 1998 there were 955,000 lone parents receiving Income Support. Reliable information by parliamentary constituency is not available at present.

  Currently, the best estimate for the number of Lone Parents in each parliamentary constituency is based on the number of cases in each Local Authority area whose boundary overlaps that of the constituency. However, this will overstate the number of cases in many areas, as a single Local Authority may overlap several parliamentary constituencies.

  It is anticipated that reliable constituency breakdowns for England will become available by the end of March.

  Source:
  August 1998 Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, the latest figures available.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Air Miles have been earned by him and each of his Ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73329]

  Mr. Timms
  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.
  707
  Detailed information on any air miles earned by Ministers as a result of official travel is not recorded centrally.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency will gain from the reduction in national insurance contributions scheduled for April. [73372]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available.

  Throughout Great Britain, some 20 million people will pay an average of nearly £70 a year less in National Insurance contributions as a result of the abolition of the employee entry fee in April 1999.

  Pension Splitting
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the charges which will be made for couples splitting a pension on divorce. [73551]

  Mr. Timms
  Broad estimates of the charges, which private pension schemes might make for couples sharing a pension on divorce, are contained within Annexe 2 of the Regulatory Impact Assessment of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill as introduced in the House of Commons on 10 February 1999. Copies of the Assessment have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount of money paid in cold weather payments in 1998. [73781]

  Mr. Timms
  Last winter (1997–98) over 55,000 Cold Weather Payments were made at a total cost of almost £0.5 million.

  To date this winter (1998–99), an estimated 26,000 payments have been made at a total cost of over £220,000.

  The expenditure depends on the severity of the temperature conditions during each winter.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many state pensioners received the winter fuel allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [73783]

  Mr. Timms
  This winter, around 10 million eligible pensioners received a Winter Fuel Payment. Around 1.5 million of the poorest pensioners—those receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance—received their payments in November 1998. The remaining 8.5 million eligible pensioners receiving one of the other qualifying benefits received their payments during January 1999.

  Housing Benefit
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will assess the benefits of introducing a universal housing benefit scheme covering both rent and mortgage payments. [73747]
  708
  Angela Eagle
  The help provided for people on low incomes to meet their housing costs is kept under review. Housing Benefit helps people on low incomes meet their rent, whether they are in or out of work. Help with mortgage costs is provided for those on Income Support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance. Extending help with mortgage costs to those with low incomes but above the level of Income Support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance could cost up to £1 billion per year, if it was fully taken up.

  Radiation
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council's report on diseases caused by radiation. [74675]

  Mr. Bayley
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today laid a copy of the council's report before Parliament (Cm 4280). We have given the report careful consideration and are pleased to say that we have accepted the recommendations set out in the report. Regulations implementing the recommendations will be made in due course.

  Decision-making and Appeals
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will lay regulations under the decision making and appeals provision of the Social Security Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [74676]

  Angela Eagle
  Last year in the Social Security Act we laid the foundations for a new system for handling decisions and appeals in benefits, child support and vaccine damage claims. Today my right hon. Friends the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Social Security are laying the main Regulations, which will provide the detailed legal framework for this new system.

  The new system for handling decisions and appeals is a major step to modernise the delivery of Social Security and child support as part of the Government's programme for welfare reform. The current system needs to change. It is confusing for claimants and staff. Putting mistakes right is complicated and claimants often have to appeal, even when a mistake is obvious to all concerned. Appeals take far too long to be cleared—on average seven months—even where they have no prospect of success. These delays are unacceptable.

  The changes we are making will enable the Benefits Agency, Child Support Agency and Employment Service to provide a more helpful and accessible service to the public.

  Under the new system, decisions will continue to be based on the facts and the law, with a right of appeal to an independent tribunal. There will be clearer, simpler decisions and a programme to develop simpler communications for the public. There will be new arrangements for handling disputes, so mistakes are put right more easily without having to go to appeal. There will be one type of appeal tribunal, rather than five, with one unified set of rules and three, two or one member tribunals according to the issues raised by the appeal. Appeals, which have no prospect of success, will be resolved more quickly.
  709
  The new arrangements will come into operation during the second half of this year. They will apply to child support from the beginning of June. For benefits they will be introduced in stages between July and November, to help maintain service to the public while the new arrangements start to operate.

  The Independent Tribunal Service will be replaced by The Appeals Service, which will encompass both the administration of appeals and the appeal tribunals. The administration of appeals will be undertaken from April 2000 by a new executive agency of this Department. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will set targets for the Agency, which will be published and reported on annually. The President of appeal tribunals and the panel members who hear appeals will be appointed by my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor and remain independent of this Department.

  Benefit claimants and child support clients will receive full information about what the new system means for them as the changes come into effect.

  National Pensioners Convention
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the meetings which he has had with the National Pensioners Convention since May 1997; who attended them; and if he will publish the proceedings of these meetings. [73735]

  Mr. Timms
  As under previous Administrations, it is not the normal practice to provide details of private meetings with specific individuals or organisations.

  Benefit Interviews
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what procedure to obtain benefits will be required of claimants who are allowed to defer or not attend the interview in the Single Gateway to Benefit. [74000]

  Angela Eagle
  Where a decision has been made to either waive or defer a claimant's work-focused interview, the claimant will need to provide a fully completed claim form and meet all the relevant entitlement conditions to obtain benefit.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the time required for the interview of those entering the Gateway. [73989]

  Angela Eagle
  The length of time required to conduct an interview for those entering the Gateway will vary according to the needs of the individual concerned.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the expenditure on the advertisement of the Benefit Fraud Hotline has been in each month since May 1997. [73994]

  Mr. Timms
  Since May 1997 there have been two advertising campaigns for the National Benefit Fraud Hotline. The first was in March 1998 at a cost of £225,000 and the second started in October 1998 and is due to be completed at the end of March 1999 at a cost of £290,247.
  710
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many calls to the Benefit Fraud Hotline have been recorded in each month since May
  1997. [73995]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Number of calls recorded at the National Benefit Fraud hotline since May 1997

  Month/Year

  Number

  May 1997

  19,272

  June 1997

  16,272

  July 1997

  18,808

  August 1997

  14,755

  September 1997

  16,236

  October 1997

  13,202

  November 1997

  11,770

  December 1997

  10,829

  January 1998

  17,206

  February 1998

  15,780

  March 1998

  15,345

  April 1998

  19,007

  May 1998

  13,149

  June 1998

  13,692

  July 1998

  15,512

  August 1998

  11,104

  September 1998

  13,694

  October 1998

  12,805

  November 1998

  14,285

  December 1998

  12,160

  January 1999

  13,925

  Private Pensions
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what amount is unpaid with respect to national insurance rebates for contracted out private pensions; [73996]

  (2) what interest has accrued on the money which has not been paid to contracted out private pensions as national insurance rebates; [73998]

  (3) for how long the national insurance rebates to contracted out private pensions have not been paid; [73997]

  (4) what estimate he has made of the loss of investment profit from the failure of the payments of the national insurance rebates to contracted out private pensions. [73999]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  The calculation of the National Insurance Rebates contains an assumption that they are paid in the October following the end of the tax year for which they are due. Normally around 90 per cent. of payments have been made by that date, increasing to 95 per cent. by December. This year by October 14 per cent. had been paid, by December this had increased to 46 per cent. Currently 77 per cent. has been paid.

  The delay in payment of the age related rebates has allowed the retention of Government gilt's which would otherwise have been sold to meet the age related rebate payments. In determining any potential gain to the National Insurance Fund as a result of the delay, certain assumptions need to be made about the pattern of payments that would have been made and the rate of return on gilts. Assuming certain payment patterns and

  711
  a 6 per cent. rate of return then the gain to the National Insurance Fund is tentatively estimated to be around £58 million.

  We have been paying compensation at the rate of 0.5 per cent. per month for each month of delay, since November 1998. To date £21 million has been paid and it is estimated that the total compensation figure will be around £38 million.

  We have not made any estimates about the actual loss of investment incurred as a result of the delays. Instead we have implemented a system to compensate individuals which takes into consideration the following factors: First the calculation of the rebate, in particular the assumption within the calculation that the payment is made in October, following the end of the tax year for which it is due. Second the need to provide certainty for scheme members and personal pension holders. Third the investment return prevailing at the time (September 1998) and finally the need for straightforward and cost effective administrative arrangements which would minimise the additional work required by pension providers, scheme administrators and Contributions Agency.

  The level of compensation was discussed with the Government Actuary's Department who agreed that 0.5 per cent. per month represented a reasonable level of compensation given the prevailing market conditions in September 1998 and on the assumption that the arrangements put in place at that time were designed to cover a few months delay.

  Benefits (Personal Advisers)
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the cost of training a personal adviser is; what length of time it takes to train a personal adviser; and what specific areas of training personal advisers undergo for(a) the New Deal for Lone Parents and (b) the Single Gateway to Benefit. [73990]

  Angela Eagle
  Personal advisers working on the New Deal for Lone Parents receive up to six weeks training, at an average cost of £4,337 (including travel and subsistence), half of which is provided by the Employment Service and half by the Benefits Agency. All personal advisers are fully trained in the skills and knowledge required to deal with the client group, and specifically in jobsearch activity; benefits and allowances training; advanced interviewing and presentational, marketing and representational skills.

  The Single Gateway pilots will provide the information we need to determine the optimum investment in training for our personal advisers. The programme of learning we are currently developing will, however, ensure that personal advisers have the necessary balance of skills in order to deal with a wide range of clients in differing circumstances.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of advisers in the Single Gateway to Benefit will be trained to deal with all areas of special needs in each interview centre. [73991]

  Angela Eagle
  One of the key questions which the single gateway pilots will help us address is how far it is reasonable to expect one individual to be able to deal with 712
  the special needs of all our customers. In the initial stages of the pilots we will be setting up adviser teams. Each team will have the range of expertise required.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1999,Official Report, column 225, what estimate he has made of the total number of personal advisers required for the Single Gateway to Benefit when it is rolled out nationally in its final stage. [73987]

  Angela Eagle
  We will use the single gateway pilots to determine the number of personal advisers that would be required if the Single Work-Focused Gateway were to be rolled out nationally. We will consider national implementation in the light of these findings.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of personal advisers required for the Single Gateway to Benefit is planned to be recruited from outside the employment and benefit agencies. [73988]

  Angela Eagle
  The recruitment arrangements for Personal Adviser posts have been developed to fill posts, as far as possible, using existing staff in the Employment Service, the Benefits Agency and the Local Authorities. Staff whose current job is directly affected by the introduction of Single Work-Focused Gateway will have priority.

  Staff will be selected for Personal Adviser posts on the basis of their suitability and competence for the work. There is no pre-determined proportion of posts to be filled by staff from the Employment Service, the Benefits Agency or the Local Authorities. If there are insufficient suitable internal candidates to fill posts, external recruitment will be considered.

  Four of the pilots will be run by the private/voluntary sectors. They may wish to use their own staff to undertake the service or may contract existing Employment Service, Benefits Agency and Local Authority staff.

  CSA Computer System
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when the contract to develop the new CSA computer system under the ACCORD project will be formally awarded; and if he will make a statement; [74224]

  (2) how much the contract to develop the new CSA computer system under the ACCORD project will cost; and when the money for it was authorised. [74227]

  Angela Eagle
  In December 1998 the Department announced the setting up of the Modern Service One Project (MS1). This project represents the first key stage of the strategy to transform the Department's service delivery and supporting information systems in line with our objectives for modernising the service.

  The modernisation of the Child Support Computer System is being taken forward as part of the MS1 Project. Negotiations are proceeding with AFFINITY under the ACCORD arrangements for the delivery of the IS/IT products required to support MS1. Currently the MS1

  713
  project is working with AFFINITY in the clarification and development of more detailed requirements and high level design of the first key products to be delivered. It is anticipated that this work, scheduled to take three months, will enable the Department to finalise contracted arrangements. Until the negotiations are complete costings for the new Child Support Computer System will not be available.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many hours downtime the current CSA computer system has experienced each week in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [74225]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table and shows the weeks in which there was downtime in 1996–91 and 1997–98.

  Period week commencing

  Downtime Hours

  Service availability—by week—1996–97

  1 April 1996

  1.60

  29 April 1996

  0.48

  27 May 1996

  0.08

  17 June 1996

  4.32

  29 July 1996

  7.90

  12 August 1996

  0.50

  21 October 1996

  1.91

  4 November 1996

  0.60

  11 November 1996

  0.10

  18 November 1996

  0.30

  6 January 1997

  0.50

  3 February 1997

  0.50

  10 February 1997

  0.10

  Service availability—by week—1997–98

  14 April 1997

  0.10

  21 April 1997

  0.10

  28 April 1997

  0.10

  12 May 1997

  9.66

  2 June 1997

  1.00

  30 June 1997

  1.70

  14 June 1997

  0.10

  28 July 1997

  0.30

  11 August 1997

  0.10

  26 January 1998

  0.98

  16 March 1998

  0.32

  Notes:

  The downtime is attributable to the Child Support System Mainframe and the software that runs on it.

  Television Licence Fee
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of the income of a retired man on a single pension is represented by the cost of the annual BBC licence fee. [74069]

  Mr. Timms
  It is estimated that the BBC licence fee for a colour television set represented 1 per cent. of the average annual gross income of a single retired man on a State Pension in 1996–97.

  Poverty Report
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if responsibility for the production of the annual poverty report in relation to Scotland will fall to his Department or to the new Scottish Executive. [74231]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government plan to report on tackling the causes of poverty and social exclusion on a UK-wide basis.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what statistics he will collect and publish as part of the poverty report. [74229]

  Angela Eagle
  We will be drawing on a wide range of statistical information looking at the causes of poverty and social exclusion. The report will also contain information on indicators of success.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what targets he will set for(a) his Department and (b) other Departments in his annual poverty report. [74230]

  Angela Eagle
  This report will act as a cross-departmental framework for tackling the causes of poverty and social exclusion. It will include information on indicators of success, drawing on targets already in place or currently being developed, against which we can chart progress.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish the first annual poverty report. [74228]

  Angela Eagle
  We aim to publish the first annual report on tackling poverty and social exclusion later this year, a final date is yet to be set.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Access to Justice Bill
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to inform and advise the public about changes to legal aid following the publication of the Access to Justice Bill [Lords]. [73377]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Access to Justice Bill was published on 2 December 1998, but the Government's proposals to reform legal aid were first outlined in October 1997. Since then, my Department and the Legal Aid Board have publicised them in numerous speeches and interviews and in articles in the media. Consultation papers have been published on various aspects of the reforms. The White paper,Modernising Justice, published in December 1998, set out the Government's intentions and a summary of the White paper has been widely circulated. The full text of the White paper is also available on the Internet. Explanatory notes for the Access to Justice Bill are also publicly available.

  Decree Absolute Index
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to make the Decree Absolute Index open to public inspection without the present fee. [73469]

  Mr. Hoon
  There are no plans to allow public inspection of the Decree Absolute Index free of charge. However, the usual fee remission and exemption rules do apply.

  Community Project Scheme
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many visits by magistrates have taken place under the community project scheme run by the Magistrates' Association and partially funded by his Department at(a) schools and (b) community groups, since the scheme began. [73613]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Magistrates in the Community Project was established in 1995 and was developed from the Schools Project. In the last three years there were 5,400 visits to schools and 1,980 visits to community groups, a total of 7,380 visits.

  Scriveners' Company
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, (1) pursuant to his answer of 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 44, concerning representations from the Scriveners' Company, what other representations he has received concerning proposals to amend the Scriveners' jurisdiction; [73285]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 44, what representations he has received on proposals to amend scriveners' jurisdiction from sources other than the Scriveners' Company. [73972]

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what representations he 716
  has received calling for the abolition of the monopoly of the Worshipful Company of Scriveners of notarial work in London; [73468]

  (2) what discussions he has had regarding the proposal to end the monopoly of the Worshipful Company of Scriveners of notarial work in London. [73467]

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many responses were received to his consultation on the abolition of the scriveners' jurisdiction. [74214]

  Mr. Hoon
  In the course of the review of the monopoly undertaken by the Department last year, the Lord Chancellor received representations from 12 parties. Of these, six were in favour of ending the monopoly, four were in favour of retaining the monopoly, and two were neutral. The respondents were:

  In favour of abolition of the monopoly:

  The Office of Fair Trading

  The Law Society

  The Association of Solicitor Notaries in Greater London

  Mr. Kober-Smith

  Mr. Hartwig

  Ms Roney

  In favour of retention

  The Worshipful Company of Scriveners

  The Society of Public Notaries of London

  John Venn & Co.

  Mr. O'Meara

  Neutral

  The Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury

  The Notaries' Society.

  The Lord Chief Justice, the Bar Council, the Institute of Legal Executives, and the Corporation of London were also consulted but did not make any representations.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to issue information from his Department to help the public make an informed decision when they vote on the single currency. [73579]

  Mr. Hoon
  Any plans by the Government to issue information during a referendum campaign on whether or not the UK should join the single currency would be made in the light of the Government's response to the recommendations from the Neill Committee on the conduct of the referendums. The Government will announce their conclusions on those recommendations when my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary publishes a White Paper and draft Bill before the summer recess.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the subject areas within her Department's responsibilities which will be covered by the information campaign on Britain's membership of a single currency. [73664]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Treasury will continue its dialogue with key external bodies to determine what information the public and business would need at each stage of the
  717
  changeover process. Any information campaign would cover key concerns that the public and business may have. Chapter eight of the Treasury's Outline National Changeover Plan provides further information. Copies of the Plan are available in the House Library.

  Jurors (Payment)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the daily allowance for people on jury service; and what plans he has to uprate the allowance. [73303]

  Mr. Hoon
  The daily allowances where the periods of time over which earnings or benefit are lost or additional expense is incurred are: Up to 4 hours—£24.84 and more than 4 hours—£49.68. Where a juror has served on more than 10 days, they can claim up to a maximum of £99.37 for each day over the tenth day. We will be considering whether or not the allowances should be increased.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will introduce a system of allowances for jurors based on their actual income loss. [73301]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is necessary to place a limit on the amount of financial loss allowance payable to jurors to ensure that the expenditure from the public purse is not excessive. There are no plans to alter the current system, which allows jurors to receive up to £49.68 per day for loss of earnings, rising to a daily maximum of £99.37 after 10 days of jury service. Courts will listen sympathetically to applications for excusal or deferral if financial hardship might result.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what reports he has received of jurors seeking to evade jury service because they cannot afford the loss of income to their business. [73658]

  Mr. Hoon
  I understand that there have been occasional complaints from self employed people called for jury service. Generally, these are dealt with at the originating court and information is not kept centrally.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department on what basis the current level of juror allowance is set. [73304]

  Mr. Hoon
  The allowances are broadly based on the average earnings figures. For employed people, they are not subject to deductions for income tax or national insurance. They are updated periodically to allow for inflation. All increases are approved by the Treasury.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what official visits he, his Ministers or officials have paid to Zimbabwe since May 1997; whom they met; and what was discussed. [73463]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since May 1997 neither myself, the Lord Chancellor, nor any officials from my Department have made any official visits to Zimbabwe.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many Air Miles have been earned by(a) him and (b) the Lord Chancellor; and how they propose to use them. [73339]

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

  Detail information on any Air Miles earned by Ministers as a result of official travel is not recorded centrally.

  Barristers' Renumeration
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the minimum amount to which a junior barrister would be entitled when representing a client on legal aid for one day. [73302]

  Mr. Hoon
  Legal aid renumeration regulations do not set minimum entitlements.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fisheries
  Mrs. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the reduction in the number of foreign vessels licensed by his Department over the last two years; and what steps those vessels are taking to maintain an economic link with the United Kingdom. [74617]

  Mr. Morley
  Following changes in registration requirements in 1993 information is no longer maintained on the beneficial ownership of UK registered fishing vessels. However, we estimate that over the last 2 years the number of over 10 metre vessels which are part or wholly owned by overseas interests has fallen from some 160 to 140.

  From 1999 onwards all vessels fishing against the UK's quotas are required to demonstrate that a satisfactory economic link is maintained with our coastal communities. That link may be achieved by landing at least 50 per cent. of the vessel's catch of quota stocks in the UK, by employing a crew of whom 50 per cent. are normally resident in a UK coastal area, by incurring operating expenditure in the UK for goods and services provided in UK coastal areas or by demonstrating an economic link by other means providing sufficient benefit to populations dependent on fisheries and relative industries. Responsibility for maintaining an economic link rests with the vessel owner and compliance will be assessed annually after the conclusion of each quota year.

  There is clear evidence that these new arrangements, which have been blessed by the Commission, are being taken very seriously. Although vessel owners are not required to give notice of the means by which they will

  719
  be achieving an economic link there has been a series of discussions with the Fisheries Departments about the means by which satisfactory links can be established.

  As a result of such discussions we have accepted that some 17 vessels belonging to the North Sea Fish Producers Organisation may achieve part of their economic link by making part of their annual quota allocation available for redistribution by the Fisheries Departments, with the remainder of their link being achieved through other means such as landings, crewing or expenditure in the UK. The quota, which will consist of 50 tonnes of North Sea sole along with smaller quantities of turbot and brill and Channel plaice, will be used to extend the fishing opportunities for the inshore fleet and in particular the under 10 metre vessels.

  Genetically Modified Foods
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer of 2 February 1999,Official Report, column 604, to the Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler), what was the date of the first assessment by his Department of the impact of genetically modified feed material on human health; if he will list the studies commissioned in this area with the dates of those studies; and if he will make a statement. [73400]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 1 March 1999] The implications for human health from the use of animal feed materials derived from a genetically modified crop were first considered in 1994.

  Work was commissioned in 1996 with the Laboratory of the Government Chemist to determine the effects of processing on maize by-products, in connection with the application for a marketing consent for pest resistant maize. A further MAFF-funded study at Leeds University has looked at the various parameters used to process animal feeds and their effect on DNA; this was completed in 1998.

  More recently, follow-up work has been commissioned with ADAS, to investigate the effects of processing on DNA in certain feeds under controlled commercial conditions.

  There has been other relevant work which has considered the potential for gene transfer from GM organisms to gut bacteria.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the agricultural implications of the introduction of genetically modified crops into United Kingdom agriculture. [73401]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 1 March 1999] The Government believe that there are potential benefits to UK agriculture from the introduction of genetically modified crops. At the same time we recognise that there are widespread concerns about potential risks which they may pose to the agricultural environment. In response to these two considerations, we have set in hand a programme of research into the potential risks, and are proceeding with caution at the farm level by arranging a limited number of field-scale trials this year with full ecological monitoring.
  720
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library responses to his Department's consultation document on genetically modified herbicide-resistant crops in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [72227]

  Mr. Rooker
  The comments on this discussion paper (issued on 10 July 1997) can be found in the Libraries of the House, and are available for viewing by the public on request in my Department's library at Whitehall Place.

  The responses received were taken fully into account when formulating the statement I made to the House of Lords Select Committee on European Legislation on 21 October 1998.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the reports from outside bodies on genetically modified food received by his Department in September 1998. [73502]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government welcome all reports by outside bodies that make a constructive contribution to the debate about genetically modified (GM) food and biotechnology. In this context, the Government particularly welcomed the Royal Society report on GM foods and crops published in September 1998.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Catering Committee about genetically modified foods in the House; and if he will make a statement. [72999]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have had no such discussions with the House Catering Committee on this matter.

  I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the statement issued by Sue Harrison, the Director of Catering Services and Head of the Refreshment Department for the House of Commons, on 17 February 1999, in which she makes it clear that although the use of foods containing genetically modified (GM) organisms is avoided wherever possible, there is no outright ban on the use of such foods in the House of Commons dining rooms and cafeterias.

  The Government continue to be committed to ensuring that all GM foods are clearly labelled to enable all consumers, including hon. Members, to be able to make an informed choice about whether or not to eat such foods.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers Her Majesty's Government have to impose a moratorium on the production and sale of genetically modified foods(a) with and (b) without EU permission. [72998]

  Mr. Rooker
  Under Article 12 of the EC Novel Foods Regulation (258/97), a member state may act to either temporarily restrict or suspend the trade in, and the use of, an approved novel food or food ingredient in its territory if as a result of new information, or a reassessment of existing information, it has detailed grounds for believing that its use endangers human health or the environment. In such cases, it is required to immediately inform the European Commission of its decision. The European Commission then has three months from the date of referral to resolve the matter or adopt the member state's proposed measure.
  721
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to require all genetically modified foods to be clearly labelled when offered for sale to the general public. [72997]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is already a requirement under EC law (EC Regulations 258/97 and 1139/98) that foods are labelled to inform consumers when their content has been genetically modified. GB legislation to enforce Regulation 1139/98, which requires all foods containing genetically modified soya and maize to be clearly labelled, will be brought into force as quickly as parliamentary procedures allow.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the review of quarantine rules in the cases of blind people who need their guide dogs to accompany them on visits abroad. [72822]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 1 March 1999] The Government are considering the outcome of the consultation on the review of quarantine rules undertaken by the Advisory Group on Quarantine. We will announce a specific way forward as soon as we can.

  Sir George Young
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to amend the secondary legislation on quarantine to make it compatible with European Community law. [72907]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are considering the outcome of the consultation on the report of the Advisory Group on Quarantine, which recommended changes to the quarantine system. Implementing such changes would require legislative amendment.

  Sir George Young
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contingency plans he has drawn up in case his defence in respect of the Quarantine Abolition Fighting Fund application for judicial review should fail. [73000]

  Mr. Rooker
  Any action that the Department took following the judicial review would depend on the terms of the judgment, whatever that might be.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will authorise the release from quarantine of clinically healthy dogs and cats which show valid serological evidence of immunity to rabies; and if he will make a statement. [72942]

  Mr. Rooker
  No. The Government are considering the outcome of the consultation on the review of quarantine rules undertaken by the Advisory Group on Quarantine. The Advisory Group recommended that changes to the present system should not be introduced until an alternative administrative and operational infrastructure is in place.

  BSE
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on reports that files on BSE controls between 1990 and 1995 are missing from his Department. [72292]
  722
  Mr. Nick Brown
  All the material facts about Departmental papers have been passed to the BSE Inquiry. It would not be appropriate or fair for me to make any comment while that Inquiry is still in progress.

  Beef Ban
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received from the Government's Chief Scientist about banning beef on the bone. [72611]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  None. This is primarily a matter for the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, who advised me and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health after he had considered the most recent scientific assessment by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee.

  Consultation Exercise
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest possible date for responses to the consultation exercise, Towards a New Direction for UK Agriculture. [66906]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  There is no specific close down date. Responses will be taken into account in decisions on the national implementation of CAP reforms over the foreseeable future. Those received while negotiations are still continuing will be fed into the final stages of that process.

  Beef on the Bone
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he expects to make a decision about the lifting of the ban on beef on the bone; [68105]

  (2) what is the current advice he has received from the Chief Medical Officer on the safety of beef on the
  bone. [68059]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) on 4 February 1999,Official Report, columns 1077–78.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the advice of the Chief Medical Officer on the safety of beef on the bone in each of the last three years. [68060]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The advice to Ministers on this matter, given by the then Chief Medical Officer, Sir Kenneth Calman, on 3 December 1997, was the subject of a Department of Health Press Release issued on 5 December 1997. Further advice from his successor, Professor Liam Donaldson, was given in a memorandum on 18 January and published on 4 February. Both the Department of Health Press Release and the memorandum are available in the Library of the House.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he plans to renew support for research into bovine TB traces in badgers killed by road traffic accidents; [73216]
  723
  (2) in what form the results of research into bovine TB traces in badgers killed by road traffic accidents will be published; and when he expects such results to be available. [73217]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Krebs report and that of the Independent Scientific Group recommended a limited reintroduction of the Road Traffic Accident survey as part of a programme to establish the prevalence of TB among badgers. We are currently considering the implementation of these recommendations and an announcement, including details of data publication, will be made when a decision is reached.

  Novel Foods
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those matters that have been referred to the Standing Committee for Foodstuffs under Regulation (EC) No. 258/97 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients. [69871]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The following matters have been discussed at the Standing Committee for Foodstuffs under Regulation 258/97 since it came into force in May 1997:

  Lactulose

  Hemp extract

  Soya and Maize labelling1

  Psyllium seed Husk

  Sitostanal esters

  Stevia rebanudiana

  Erythritol

  Phospholids

  Genetically modified tomato products1

  Phytosterol esters

  Olestra

  High pressure processing

  Linola

  Criteria for accepting notifications under article 3(4) of regulation 258/971

  Oilseed rape oil1

  Processed genetically modified maize1

  Interesterified fats

  1 Genetic modification issues.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each of the initial assessments in connection with the placing on the market of genetically modified novel foods or novel food ingredients, pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No. 258/97, the comments or reasoned objections made by(a) himself, (b) other Member States and (c) the European Commission. [69874]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 February 1999] Initial assessments under EC Regulation 258/97 have been made for the following novel and GM foods: Stevia rebaudiana, phospholipids, chicory, and tomatoes (for processing).

  The UK Advisory Committee for Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) concluded that there was insufficient information provided to be able to come to a view on the safety of the Stevia rebaudiana, chicory and phospholipids. Concern was also expressed about the lack of suitable labelling proposals for the latter two. The ACNFP concluded that the GM tomato products were as safe as processed products from non-GM tomatoes.
  724
  I am pressing the European Commission to develop clear rules on confidentiality to enable us to publish details of comments or reasoned objections made by other Member States relating to novel food applications.

  Winemaking Industry
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current situation of the English winemaking industry. [73503]

  Mr. Morley
  In recent years the English and Welsh wine industry has been remarkably successful and innovatory, having made particular progress with the development and production of sparkling wine. English and Welsh wine is very much on the edge of the major wine producing area of Europe and because of this there are inevitable difficulties of climate, relatively low yields and other uncertainties. This has led to the cessation of production of some marginal vineyards in recent years. However, I am sure the industry can look to the future with confidence. My colleagues and I take every opportunity to promote its products.

  Air Miles
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many air miles have been earned by him and each of his ministers; and how he proposes to use them. [73330]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  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.

  Ministerial Meetings (US Ministers)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many times Ministers in his Department have met their counterparts in the US Administration since 1 June 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the Ministers involved, and the name of the US counterpart. [71982]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I met my US counterpart, Mr. Dan Glickman the US Agriculture Secretary, on 22 January 1999 in Berlin for a formal bilateral meeting to discuss issues of mutual concerns.

  Cattle Tagging
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make representations to the European Commission regarding new cattle tagging requirements to be implemented on 1 January 2000 in respect of the particular difficulty that these will present to commoners in the New Forest. [73009]

  Mr. Rooker
  Cattle need to be tagged early in their lives so they can be traced and it is in the farming industry's interest to ensure this happens. Currently cattle eartags must be applied within 30 days of the birth of an animal. For dairy animals, one of the eartags required must be applied within 36 hours.
  725
  The 30 day deadline will reduce to 20 days on 1 January 2000. If there are major practical difficulties with this next year, we will look at bringing these to the attention of the European Commission.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the level of financial support in the EU for organic farming.[72959]

  Mr. Morley
  Aid actually paid varies considerably between and within member States both in respect of levels of aid and types of production. EC Regulation 2078/92 sets out the limits on EU funding towards such aid.

  Following the recommendation of the Select Committee on Agriculture and having taken views from consumers, environmentalists and farmers, we have announced plans to almost double the rate of aid available to farmers in England converting to organic practices. Subject to the approval of Parliament, the new rates will be introduced shortly.

  Fishing Vessels (Inspections)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels were boarded by fisheries inspectors in the last year for which records are available; how many such actions resulted in legal proceedings for breach of regulations; and what was the nationality of the vessels concerned. [73282]

  Mr. Morley
  During 1998, the UK enforcement authorities boarded 4,189 fishing vessels at sea. Those boardings resulted in the masters and/or owners of 19 vessels being successfully prosecuted for breaches of fisheries regulations. The nationality of the vessels concerned were 8 UK, 5 Belgian, 5 French and 1 Irish. There are some cases which are still being processed and the numbers of prosecutions may therefore rise.

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications made to the countryside stewardship scheme have been(a) approved and (b) funded in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98 and (iii) 1998–99. [73098]

  Mr. Morley
  The Ministry only approves applications for which funding is available. The number of applications approved in each year are as follows:

  Financial years

  Approved applications

  1996–97

  1,135

  1997–98

  1,172

  1998–991

  1,272

  1 To date

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the parliamentary constituencies which he has visited in an official capacity in the past 12 months. [71348]
  726
  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 15 February 1999] I have visited the following parliamentary constituencies in an official capacity since my appointment as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food:

  Battersea

  Cardiff, Central

  Cotswold

  Dumfries

  East Lothian

  Edinburgh, Central

  Exeter

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  Harrogate and Knaresborough

  Hereford

  Hexham

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Kingston and Surbiton

  Lagan Valley

  Livingston

  Mid Ulster

  Midlothian

  Montgomeryshire

  North Cornwall

  North Norfolk

  North-West Norfolk

  Northavon

  Oxford, East

  Plymouth, Devonport

  Plymouth, Sutton

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  South Down

  South-East Cambridgeshire

  South-West Devon

  South-West Norfolk

  Teignbridge

  Tiverton and Honiton

  Torridge and West Devon

  Totnes

  Truto and St. Austell

  Upper Bann

  Vale of York

  Vauxhall

  West Tyrone

  Workington.

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [72750]
  727
  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to departmental co-operation, on 24 February 1999,Official Report, column 311. I can also confirm that MAFF's policies are
  728
  subject to audit monitoring to prevent and detect fraud, both internal and external to the Department. In particular, MAFF applies controls to guard against fraud and irregularities in administering Common Agricultural Policy schemes. These controls are subject to regular audit under EU procedures.

  Spain: Resident British Nationals
  Spain: Resident British Nationals
  UN Resolution 53/55: Preparation of Report
  UN Resolution 53/55: Preparation of Report
  Luxembourg Compromise
  Luxembourg Compromise
  Burma
  Burma
  North Korea
  North Korea
  European Community Law: Breaches
  European Community Law: Breaches
  Gibraltar
  Gibraltar
  North Atlantic Assembly: UK Delegation
  North Atlantic Assembly: UK Delegation
  Government Bills: Number Started in Lords and Commons
  Government Bills: Number Started in Lords and Commons
  Voting Records Peers Not Taking Party Whips
  Voting Records Peers Not Taking Party Whips
  Further Education In Scotland: Statistics
  Further Education In Scotland: Statistics
  Full-time Education in Scotland Statistics
  Full-time Education in Scotland Statistics
  Scottish Parliament: Opening Ceremony
  Scottish Parliament: Opening Ceremony
  War Pensions: Report on Assessment of Hearing Loss
  War Pensions: Report on Assessment of Hearing Loss
  Deregulation and Contracting Out Act, Part I
  Deregulation and Contracting Out Act, Part I
  Harrogate: Cycling on the Stray
  Harrogate: Cycling on the Stray
  NGOs and Water: Workshop
  NGOs and Water: Workshop
  Sudan
  Sudan
  Immigration Centre, Croydon: Visa Backlog
  Immigration Centre, Croydon: Visa Backlog
  Human Rights Act 1998: Section 12
  Human Rights Act 1998: Section 12
  Wackenhut (UK) Ltd.
  Wackenhut (UK) Ltd.
  Prison Boards of Visitors
  Prison Boards of Visitors
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Country Assessments
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Country Assessments
  Police Forces: Rank of Chief Superintendent
  Police Forces: Rank of Chief Superintendent
  South African Driving Licences
  South African Driving Licences
  Strategic Defence Review: Bases for New Units
  Strategic Defence Review: Bases for New Units
  Stirling: Site of Former REME Depot
  Stirling: Site of Former REME Depot