Written Answers of 5 March 1999

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Juvenile Secure Accommodation
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for taking forward the reform of juvenile secure accommodation. [75662]

  Mr. Straw
  I will be announcing on Monday how we intend to take forward our programme of reform for juvenile secure accommodation.

  Special Branch
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Special Branch is empowered to disconnect telephone lines connected to organisations for the purpose of preventing possible subversion; whether explicit authorisation is required from him for such action; and if he will make a statement. [74855]

  Mr. Straw
  Special Branches are not empowered to disconnect telephone lines. The remit under which all Special Branches in England and Wales, as well as Scotland, operate is described in the Guidelines on Special Branch Work in Great Britain (published jointly by the Home Office and Scottish Office Home & Health Department, July 1994).

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the remit of the Special Branch extends to monitoring pressure groups involved in campaigns against genetically modified food. [74856]

  Mr. Straw
  Pressure groups operating within the law are not the subject of monitoring by Special Branch or by any other law enforcement agencies. Special Branch may undertake inquiries either to meet the local policing needs in their force area or to assist the Security Service in carrying out its statutory duty under the Security Service Act 1989 for the protection of national security.

  The remit under which all Special Branches in England and Wales, as well as Scotland, operate is described in the Guidelines on Special Branch Work in Great Britain (published jointly by the Home Office and Scottish Office Home & Health Department, July 1994).

  Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report
  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to protect witnesses mistakenly identified in the volume of appendices to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report which has now been withdrawn; and if he will make a statement. [75001]

  Mr. Straw
  Witness protection in London is the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police. The Metropolitan Police assessed urgently the risks posed to the safety of individuals as a result of the publication of 916
  an unredacted version of Appendix 11 in the Stephen Lawrence report. The Metropolitan Police have put in place appropriate protection measures for those concerned. There has been a Home Office liaison officer on duty 24 hours a day since 26 February working with the police in Eltham to ensure that all individuals affected receive the protection that they need.

  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if police assistance will be available to the leak inquiry ordered by his Permanent Secretary into the unauthorised publication of extracts from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report; and if he will make a statement. [75000]

  Mr. Straw
  It is for the independent investigator to determine what assistance may be required.

  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of withdrawing and reissuing the volume of appendices of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report; and if he will make a statement. [74999]

  Mr. Straw
  The figures requested are not yet available. I will write to the right hon. Member in due course.

  Prisoners (Compassionate Leave)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances people who are held in prison without bail and awaiting trial are allowed temporarily to leave the prison on compassionate grounds; whose responsibility it is to grant such leave; and if he will make a statement. [74997]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Under Rule 6 paragraph 8 of the Prison Rules 1964 (as amended), prisoners committed or remanded in custody for trial are not eligible to be considered by prison governors for temporary release.

  Prisoners are remanded to prison by the court under the specific provisions of the Bail Act 1976. It is, therefore, for the court to consider any fresh information that may lead to temporary release on compassionate grounds when a new application for bail is submitted.

  Police Manpower (Greater Manchester)
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what allowance for extra police officers he made in the Greater Manchester Police Force financial settlement for 1999–2000. [74826]

  Mr. Boateng
  Greater Manchester Police will receive a funding increase of 3.0 per cent. in 1999–2000, which is above the national average. Following the funding settlement announced last month on 3 February 1999,Official Report, columns 618–19, I understand that the Greater Manchester Police Authority have agreed a budget of £382.5 million for 1999–2000, an increase of £11.8 million or 3.2 per cent. over 1998–99. It is for the chief constable to determine the numbers of officers in the force on the basis of the resources available to him.

  Police Scientific Development Branch
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what form the Police Scientific Development Branch produces an annual report outlining its activities; and if this report is available to members of the public.[74252]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Police Scientific Development Branch no longer produces a separate annual report. However, the Branch's work is described in the Home Office Annual Report, and it also publishes technical reports on a number of its projects.

  Single Currency Referendum
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 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. [73590]

  Mr. Straw
  Any plans by the Government to issue information during a referendum campaign on whether or not the United Kingdom 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 and Parliament's approval thereto. The Government will announce their conclusions on those recommendations when I publish a draft Bill before the summer recess.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Task Force
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish a list of (1) task forces and (2) policy reviews established by his Department since May 1997 which(a) had external members recruited by way of public advertisement, and details of any person so appointed and (b) engaged in public consultation exercises, and the form that these took. [74455]

  Mr. Hoon
  Most task forces and reviews are short-term bodies established to give thorough consideration to important and difficult issues. External members are invited to sit on some reviews and task forces because they are able to contribute specific experience and expertise. In such cases, public advertising would be inappropriate and disproportionate. Of the task forces and reviews set up by my Department, none of them recruited external members by way of public advertising.

  On 25 March 1998, the Lord Chancellor announced a Review of Enforcement of Civil Court Judgments. The Review involves external members but they were not recruited by way of public advertisement. An initial public consultation paper was issued in June 1998 to a wide range of organisations with an interest in enforcement.

  Since 1 October 1998, appointments to those task forces which qualify for classification as advisory non-departmental public bodies have come within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will publish a list of (1) task forces and (2) policy reviews established by his Department since May 1997 which(a) had external members recruited by way of public advertisement, and details of any person so appointed and (b) engaged in public consultation exercises, and the form that these took. [74470]

  The Attorney-General
  On 12 June 1997, I established the review of the Crown Prosecution Service under the chairmanship of the right hon. Sir Iain Glidewell, a retired Lord Justice of Appeal. He was assisted by Sir Geoffrey Dear (a retired HM Inspector of Constabulary) and Mr. Robert McFarland (a retired Chief Executive of a multi-national company). Their Report was published on 1 June 1998.

  None of those individuals was recruited by way of public advertisement. The Review Team was a short-term body established to give thorough consideration to an important and difficult issue. Sir Iain Glidewell was invited to chair the Review because of his judicial experience and the two additional members of the team were selected because of their ability to contribute specific experience and expertise. Public advertising would have been inappropriate and disappropriate. It would have also delayed establishment of the Review.

  In February 1998, I established a Working Party to review the system of appointing Counsel to act for the Crown in civil cases and to monitor the use of advocates appointed to act. The Working Party was chaired by the then Solicitor-General (Lord Falconer QC) and included representatives from the Bar Council (Laura Cox QC and Lincoln Crawford), the two First Treasury Counsel (Philip Sales and Jonathan Crow) and officials from the Government Legal Service. I announced that I had accepted their recommendations on 30 July 1998.

  None of those individuals was recruited by way of public advertisement. The working party was a short-term body established to give thorough consideration to an important issue. The four external members were invited to sit on the working party because they were able to contribute specific experience and expertise. Public advertising would have been appropriate and disproportionate. A draft of the working party's report was sent to organisations with a specific interest in the subject, inviting their comments. The bodies consulted were the Bar Council, the Law Society, the Institute of Barristers' Clerks, the Association of Women Barristers, the Society for Black Lawyers, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality.

DEFENCE

  Efficiency Savings
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the key milestones and their planned date for(a) his Department's and (b) his private office's 3 per cent. efficiency savings. [74650]
  919
  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 4 March 1999]: My Department's efficiency target is to achieve annual efficiency improvements of 3 per cent. (as a percentage of its operating costs efficiency baseline) each year from 1999–2000 to 2001–02. This target has not been applied uniformly across the Department, but has been disaggregated according to the scope to achieve efficiency in different budget areas. Progress in achieving this target is monitored by a steering group chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces.

  Budget holders are required to identify the value and means of achievement of efficiency as part of my Department's annual planning processes. Total efficiency achieved will therefore be the sum of many hundreds of individual measures across the Department. Examples of some of the initiatives that will contribute towards the achievement of the Department's efficiency target were set out in section 4 of the Ministry of Defence's Public Service Agreement, published by HM Treasury in December 1998, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Draft plans at present indicate the potential to achieve efficiency improvements valued at some £530 million in 1999–2000. The realism of these plans, and the level of cash savings they eventually produce, remains under scrutiny.

  Smart Procurement
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the Under-Secretary of State for Social Security, the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle), of 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 28, on smart procurement, when the full transition plan will be completed; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [74823]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Smart Procurement Initiative Implementation Team has recently delivered a report on its activities since September 1998 to the Steering Group chaired by myself. This includes a draft plan for the transition year, the very detailed and evolutionary nature of which does not lend itself to open publication. Over the coming weeks, I anticipate being able to announce achievements in the implementation of SDR measures, including the Smart Procurement Initiative. A summary of the Smart Procurement transition plan will be prepared and placed in the Library at that stage.

HEALTH

  Nurses and Ancillaries (Injuries)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice is given by his Department to trusts about their liability for injury to nurses and ancillaries arising from them lifting or moving patients; [73708]

  (2) what advice is given to nurses and ancillaries in (a) hospitals and (b) domiciliary situations about the methods and extent to which they are authorised to lift or move patients; and if he will make a statement; [73707]

  (3) if all trusts employing nurses and ancillary staff are required to insure them against injury arising from the lifting or moving of patients. [73706]

  920
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 26 February 1999]: The Government are committed to improving the health, safety and welfare of NHS patients and staff.

  Insurance arrangements are a matter for National Health Service employers to determine locally. Staff who are injured in the course of their duties are entitled to payments from the National Health Service (Injury Benefits) Scheme for loss of earnings. They may also be entitled to compensation payments as a result of local insurance arrangements.

  National Health Service employers, like all employers, are required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and other statutory health and safety requirements.

  The National Health Service Executive issued guidance on 18 May 1998 on "The Management of Health, Safety and Welfare Issues for NHS Staff'. This guidance explains the obligations of NHS employers as well as giving advice on manual handling and other health and safety matters.

  The National Health Service Executive sponsored a series of seminars around the country last year on health and safety issues.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter of 29 January from the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale, West on appointments to health authorities and NHS trusts in the North West. [74834]

  Ms Jowell
  I replied to the hon. Member on 4 March.

  Health Authority Funding
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each health authority in the West Midlands (i) the total funding allocation and (ii) the funding per capita for health services for each year between 1987 and 1999, indicating for each year the (1) planned and (2) actual funding allocation by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [74857]

  Mr. Denham
  Figures have been given for 1996–97 onwards as health authorities in their present form did not exist prior to that year.

  The following tables give, for each health authority in the West Midlands:

  1. actual allocation for crude and weighted head of population;

  2. target allocation for crude and weighted head of population.

  The target is the health authority's fair share of resources as calculated by the weighted capitation formula which is then used to inform the allocation. Health authorities are moved closer to their target over time through the differential distribution of growth.

  Crude populations are based on figures supplied by the Office for National Statistics. Weighted populations are crude populations modified for age, need and unavoidable geographical costs as determined by the weighted capitation formula.
  921

  1999–2000 recurrent unified allocation and target per capita

  Health authority

  Recurrent allocation1£000

  Allocation per crude head £

  Allocation per weighted head £

  Target £000

  Target per crude head £

  Target per weighted head £

  Birmingham

  681,946

  658

  632

  679,290

  656

  629

  Coventry

  200,882

  625

  607

  208,064

  648

  628

  Dudley

  183,018

  593

  622

  184,858

  599

  628

  Herefordshire

  98,713

  591

  628

  98,652

  590

  628

  North Staffordshire

  303,653

  644

  612

  311,809

  661

  628

  Sandwell

  205,153

  670

  620

  207,949

  679

  629

  Shropshire

  247,650

  584

  626

  248,555

  586

  628

  Solihull

  122,698

  584

  636

  121,100

  577

  628

  South Staffordshire

  322,868

  566

  633

  320,147

  561

  628

  Walsall

  163,243

  648

  620

  165,336

  656

  628

  Warwickshire

  293,422

  590

  645

  285,805

  575

  628

  Wolverhampton

  160,226

  660

  619

  162,577

  670

  629

  Worcestershire

  303,405

  572

  639

  298,177

  562

  628

  1Does not include non-recurrent money given to health authorities containing health action zones.

  Note:

  Targets and allocations for 1999–2000 are not comparable with those for earlier years which only covered hospital community health services (HCHS). This is because from 1999–2000 allocations were unified to cover the three funding streams of HCHS, prescribing and general practice infrastructure.

  1998–99 HCHS allocation and target per capita

  Health authority

  Allocation £000

  Allocation per crude head £

  Allocation per weighted head £

  Target £000

  Target per crude head £

  Target per weighted head £

  Birmingham

  506,138

  498

  464

  506,303

  498

  464

  Coventry

  142,724

  473

  448

  147,679

  490

  464

  Dudley

  134,546

  429

  459

  136,066

  434

  464

  Herefordshire

  72,096

  430

  466

  71,703

  428

  464

  North Staffordshire

  221,771

  470

  451

  227,928

  483

  464

  Sandwell

  146,261

  502

  460

  147,546

  506

  464

  Shropshire

  178,325

  419

  458

  180,470

  424

  464

  Solihull

  83,831

  413

  472

  82,278

  405

  464

  South Staffordshire

  239,424

  407

  466

  238,062

  405

  464

  Walsall

  120,285

  460

  446

  125,128

  478

  464

  Warwickshire

  218,459

  432

  481

  210,540

  417

  464

  Wolverhampton

  118,036

  493

  456

  120,131

  502

  464

  Worcestershire

  222,806

  413

  475

  217,677

  403

  464

  1997–98 HCHS allocation and target per capita

  Health authority

  Allocation £000

  Allocation per crude head £

  Allocation per weighted head £

  Target £000

  Target per crude head £

  Target per weighted head £

  Birmingham

  481,774

  474

  450

  473,478

  466

  443

  Coventry

  135,236

  449

  437

  136,849

  454

  442

  Dudley

  128,245

  408

  437

  129,707

  413

  442

  Herefordshire

  68,590

  412

  451

  67,300

  404

  442

  North Staffordshire

  210,721

  443

  439

  212,605

  447

  443

  Sandwell

  139,353

  475

  444

  138,735

  473

  442

  Shropshire

  169,555

  397

  438

  171,405

  402

  442

  Solihull

  80,401

  395

  451

  78,867

  388

  442

  South Staffordshire

  228,820

  389

  450

  224,972

  383

  442

  Walsall

  114,231

  435

  433

  116,823

  445

  442

  Warwickshire

  209,327

  417

  464

  199,503

  397

  442

  Wolverhampton

  112,409

  463

  440

  112,985

  466

  442

  Worcestershire

  213,455

  397

  454

  208,229

  388

  442

  1996–97 HCHS allocation and target per capita

  Health authority

  Allocation £000

  Allocation per crude head £

  Allocation per weighted head £

  Target £000

  Target per crude head £

  Target per weighted head £

  Birmingham

  464,917

  461

  443

  446,725

  443

  426

  Coventry

  129,930

  433

  425

  129,922

  433

  425

  Dudley

  122,509

  390

  419

  124,286

  396

  425

  Herefordshire

  66,317

  399

  435

  64,911

  391

  425

  922

  923

  1996–97 HCHS allocation and target per capita

  Health authority

  Allocation £000

  Allocation per crude head

  Allocation per weighted head £

  Target £000

  Target per crude head £

  Target per weighted head £

  North Staffordshire

  202,568

  425

  418

  206,082

  433

  426

  Sandwell

  133,355

  455

  431

  131,620

  449

  425

  Shropshire

  162,708

  384

  418

  165,445

  391

  425

  Solihull

  77,198

  384

  433

  75,796

  377

  425

  South Staffordshire

  220,542

  376

  433

  216,788

  369

  425

  Walsall

  109,494

  414

  417

  111,831

  423

  425

  Warwickshire

  201,336

  404

  443

  193,131

  387

  425

  Wolverhampton

  107,274

  440

  422

  108,214

  444

  425

  Worcestershire

  204,651

  378

  428

  203,412

  376

  426

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number claiming each component of the disability living allowance, and the numbers within those groups(a) working and (b) not working, in each year since 1992. [75071]

  Number of Disability Living Allowance recipients1 and estimated percentage in work2

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Care component

  Recipients (000)

  475

  684

  825

  995

  1,172

  1,317

  1,401

  Percentage working

  —

  —

  8

  8

  9

  —

  —

  Mobility component

  Recipients (000)

  858

  1,078

  1,224

  1,398

  1,556

  1,690

  1,757

  Percentage working

  —

  —

  7

  7

  8

  —

  —

  Total3

  Recipients (000)

  1,019

  1,248

  1,400

  1,589

  1,768

  1,926

  2,014

  Percentage working

  —

  —

  7

  8

  8

  —

  —

  1Numbers from administrative statistics taken at August of each year, rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2Based on Family Resources Survey, which refers to financial years and excludes people in hospital and residential care. Information for earlier years is not available.

  3Some recipients receive both components so numbers are less than the sum of the care and mobility recipients.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of(a) the number of bereaved people who will no longer be able to claim incapacity benefit on the basis of their spouses' contribution record under the proposals in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill and (b) the consequent savings. [75002]

  Mr. Bayley
  It is estimated that currently there may be up to 2,000 successful claims a year to Incapacity Benefit on the basis of a late spouse's contributions and that the proposals in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill may affect 1,500 people and save £1 million in 2001–02. No one already widowed at the point of change will be affected.

  Note:

  Savings are rounded to nearest £1 million and the number of cases to 500.
  924
  Mr. Bayley
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Disability Living Allowance is intended to provide help with the extra costs of care and mobility needs arising from disability. Since entitlement can continue irrespective of whether the recipient is in or out of work, statistics are not routinely kept on the numbers working. The table gives numbers of recipients and some broad estimates of the proportion in work, based on available data in the Family Resources Survey.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents are currently claiming income support; and how many lone parents were claiming income support in September 1998. [75150]

  Angela Eagle
  The latest information available is that there were 955,000 lone parents claiming Income Support as at August 1998.

  Notes:

  1. The figure is rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of Income Support claimants.

  3. Lone parents are defined as single claimants with dependants who are not in receipt of a disability or pensioner premium.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Inquiry: August 1998.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents there are in each decile of income distribution. [75149]
  925
  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  The table shows the numbers of lone parents by decile or quintile of the income distribution. Their position in the income distribution is determined by the equivalised income of the household.

  Number of lone parents by equivalised income decile or quintile, excluding the self-employed—1996–97

  Thousand

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  Income deciles

  Bottom decile

  220

  280

  Second decile

  400

  550

  Third decile

  360

  270

  Fourth decile

  240

  200

  Income quintiles

  Third quintile

  260

  200

  Fourth quintile

  120

  110

  Top quintile

  60

  50

  Total

  1,660

  1,660

  Notes:

  1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data set based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not include Northern Ireland. 1996–97 is the latest year for which information is available.

  2. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised income. The definition of income used follows that in the published HBAI series for FRS based results. In HBAI, an individual's income is estimated by assuming each person in a household shares a common income level determined by the household's size and composition and its total disposable income. The adjustment to reflect the composition of the household is called 'equivalisation'. The figures may be sensitive to the choice of equivalence scale used. The figures are given for income both before and after housing costs in line with usual HBAI practice.

  3. Results are presented excluding the self-employed because the income measures for the self-employed are inherently uncertain. Including the self-employed makes very little difference to these estimates.

  4. Numbers are given to the nearest 10,000 but because they come from a sample survey they are not accurate to this degree. All results are subject to variable response rates and to sampling error. Due to the small sample sizes, the data for the top six deciles have been presented in quintiles.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all the representations received in response to the Green Paper on the Child Support Agency. [75151]

  Angela Eagle
  We have received 1,564 written responses to the Green Paper. The Under-Secretary my noble Friend the Baroness Hollis of Heigham, has also held meetings with more than 40 organisations, academics and other groups with an interest in child support.

  Further details about responses to the consultation exercise will be made available when we bring forward our final proposals for reform.

  Income Support
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1999,Official Report, column 49, on income support, when he expects to publish estimates of non take-up of income-related benefits in 1996–97. [75070]
  926
  Angela Eagle
  At present, work continues towards a revised set of figures for take-up in 1996–97. Publication is likely in May.

  Habitual Residence Test
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the annual estimated saving arising from the operation of the habitual residence test from its introduction to date. [74748]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 4 March 1999]: The best estimate of savings arising from the operation of the habitual residence test in the financial year 1997–98 is approximately £18 million. (This is an approximation since, by definition, we do not know the benefit entitlement of a person who fails the test).

  Notes:

  1. Savings for Income Support (IS), Housing Benefit (HB), Council Tax Benefit (CTB) and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA(IB)).

  2. Based on 18,197 cases failing the habitual residence test over the period April 1997-March 1998. Source Management Information Statistics.

  3. Assumes that failing applicants are single with no dependants, and therefore entitled to the basic personal allowance in IS/JSA(IB) for someone aged 25 or over.

  4. Assumes that in the absence of the test cases would be eligible for 13 weeks benefit.

  5. Assumes average HB and CTB for a single person in receipt of IS, living in the deregulated private sector.

  6. Assumes that 44 per cent. of those denied IS/JSA(IB) under the test would also have received HB, and 40 per cent. CTB.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total expenditure on the NIRS2 computer system has been to date; what the estimated total expenditure on completion of the NIRS2 computer system is; and what the original bid by Andersen Consulting for setting up the NIRS2 computer system was. [75182]

  Mr. Timms
  Payments for the NIRS2 service commenced from 13 July 1998. Expenditure to date has been £2.85 million. Andersen Consulting (AC) are contracted to provide the NIRS2 service until 5 April 2004. Due to the delayed go-live of the NIRS2 system, it is currently estimated that £39 million will be paid to AC for NIRS2 in that time. The bid submitted by AC for designing, developing, implementing and maintaining the NIRS2 service to 5 April 2004 was £44.8 million.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are currently receiving income from a personal pension; and of those how many are also claiming means-tested benefits. [75068]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available.

  We would expect that there are relatively few people who are receiving pension benefits from their personal pension plans at present. The data available do not distinguish income from personal pensions from income from other types of pension.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Punishment Beatings
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many punishment beatings took place in each year since 1994; and how many have taken place since the Good Friday Agreement. [70108]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following table illustrates the number of casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks in Northern Ireland since 1994:

  Year

  Shootings

  Assaults

  Total

  1994

  122

  70

  192

  1995

  3

  217

  220

  1996

  24

  302

  326

  1997

  72

  156

  228

  1998

  72

  144

  216

  10 April 1998 to 28 February 1999

  65

  150

  215

  Pensioners (Concessionary Travel)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated annual cost of providing free travel on public transport for pensioners in Northern Ireland. [73984]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Concessionary Fares Scheme in Northern Ireland is administered by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.

  It provides for unlimited travel at half-fare, at all times, on all scheduled services by road and rail throughout Northern Ireland for persons aged 65 and over, as well as children up to age 16 and war disabled pensioners. Registered blind people are entitled to free travel.

  Unfortunately, the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland does not hold a breakdown by 'group' of the current expenditure on the existing concessionary fares scheme. The total expenditure for 1997–98 was £9,078,768.

  Schizophrenia
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses were discharged from mental illness hospitals in Northern Ireland in the last year; and how many were admitted for a hospital stay more than once during the year. [74387]

  Mr. McFall
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 March 1999,Official Report, columns 821–22.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Television and CDs (Copying)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding the introduction of a levy on the copying onto tape of television programmes and music CDs; and if he will make a statement. [72218]
  928
  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: We are aware from a number of sources of the concerns of consumers and others that a draft EC Directive on copyright in the information society may require levies to be imposed on blank tapes. These concerns stem from proposed amendments to the Directive recently adopted by the European Parliament, which would require right owners to be compensated where exceptions to their rights permitting private copying are provided in national law. However, the outcome on the Directive is not yet clear since negotiations in the Council of Ministers are still at a relatively early stage, and it cannot be adopted until both the Council and the Parliament agree. In the UK, there is an exception allowing home recording of broadcasts to enable viewing or listening at a more convenient time, and we do not consider that a levy would be justified for this. The position on private copying of music CDs is different since in general there is no exception in the UK permitting this, and we envisage that it would remain subject to authorisation by right owners.

  Electronic Commerce
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made in preparing legislation to promote electronic commerce. [75548]

  Mr. Byers
  The way we do business in the future is set to change dramatically. It is essential that Britain is at the forefront of these changes and building trust is crucial. The Government have set the ambitious goal of developing the UK as the world's best environment for electronic trading by 2002. I will shortly be appointing an e-envoy to push forward our strategy for achieving this. An important part of our strategy is the proposed legislation on Electronic Commerce, which I intend to present to Parliament later this session. I am publishing a consultation paper on the Bill today, and have placed copies in the Vote Office. I am determined to get this legislation right by developing it in consultation with industry and other interested parties, to provide a clear, consistent and predictable legal environment for business.

  Developing trust on-line, building public confidence in "electronic signatures" and clarifying their legal status are essential if we are to promote electronic commerce. Our proposed legislation will do this. It will start removing the legal barriers to using electronic means, instead of pen and paper, in everyday dealings—for example between people and Government, between businesses and customers, or between companies and their shareholders. It will also enhance confidence in the technologies which people can use to ensure that others cannot read their credit card data when they shop on line and businesses can use to ensure that sensitive information is not being read by competitors. Encryption is vital to this as a way of supporting electronic signatures as well as protecting the confidentiality of documents.

  However encryption poses a serious threat to the effectiveness of the agencies tasked with combating crime and threats to national security, who rely on legal access to both stored and communicated data. As, increasingly, such data become encrypted, they need access to the keys to unlock any material they lawfully obtain. We therefore intend to give those agencies legal powers to obtain encryption keys, under properly authorised procedures and on a case by case basis, wherever they are held. The

  929
  powers will apply only to material which itself has been, or is being, obtained under lawful authority and will not extend the range of material to which agencies are allowed access. The procedures will contain strong safeguards.

  Much of what the Government have proposed has been broadly welcomed. However, there has been much debate about key escrow and third party key recovery—essentially ways of storing confidentiality keys or of recovering encrypted data. They allow critical data to be recovered both for business and other users of encryption for themselves or in response to authorised requests from law enforcement agencies. However, industry has argued that making this a requirement under the licensing scheme could hinder the development of electronic commerce in the UK.

  The Government have therefore decided to consult on the basis that this will not be a requirement for licensing. But law enforcement faces a serious problem. Government and industry have a common interest in fighting crime. The Prime Minister is therefore establishing a partnership with industry to identify ways of meeting law enforcement requirements while promoting the growth of electronic commerce. The Government are seeking ideas on how these dual objectives might be promoted via the licensing scheme or otherwise.

  Topics on which we are seeking views also include: legal recognition of electronic communications, exactly how the voluntary licensing scheme run by OFTEL for providers of cryptographic services licensing will work, the liability of service providers towards their customers and others, other possible changes to legislation to promote electronic commerce and the way the law enforcement provisions will affect licensed providers, unlicensed providers and other people.

  Taken together, the proposals in this paper, which will form the basis of our Electronic Commerce Bill, will give the UK the most attractive legal framework in the world for doing electronic business. The paper is available at:

  http://www.dti.gov.uk/CII/elec/elec-com.html

  Staffordshire (Inward Investment)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the inward investment projects in Staffordshire which his Department has announced(a) since May 1997 and (b) between 1992 and 1997, giving in each case the (i) location, (ii) cash investment and (iii) number of jobs created; and if he will make a statement. [74547]

  Mr. Wills
  There is no obligation for foreign-ownedor—or indigenous—businesses to inform Government of the details of Inward Investment for reasons of commercial confidentiality. However, information collected by the West Midlands Development Agency, the regional development organisation, shows 59 cases of investment by foreign-owned companies in Staffordshire in the period from May 1992 to September 1998, of which 16 were since May 1997. Cumulative investment, where announced, totalled £644 million. Some 2,489 jobs were created and 7,985 safeguarded. Their records show that 21 of these investments were in the Tamworth area; 9 in Lichfield; 8 in Cannock; 7 in Burton-on-Trent and 6 in Stoke-on-Trent.
  930
  Through the Department's Invest in Britain Bureau, the regional development organisations and their regional partners, Government continue to seek to attract inward investment and to ensure that existing inward investors both maintain their investments and undertake future expansions in this country.

  EU Patent Directorate
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the EU Commission's position on the Dutch and Italian Governments' challenge to the EU Patent Directorate COM (95) 661. [74493]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 3 March 1999]: The European Commission, as a Community institution, is entitled to intervene in any case before the European Court of Justice. I am not aware that the Commission has made any such intervention in the Netherlands' action before the European Court of Justice, which action seeks to annul Directive 98/44/EC on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. In addition, I am not aware that the European Commission has made any public statement on their position with respect to this case.

  The Netherlands have applied to the European Court of Justice seeking to annul the recently adopted Directive 98/44/EC on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions.

  As this Community legislation was adopted by the Council and European Parliament, it is these institutions, rather than the Commission who are parties to the action.

  Genetic Resource Patents
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current practice of the UK Patent Office in awarding patents on(a) transgenic plants and (b) genes and genetic sequences derived from plants; and how many of each have been given in the last 12 months. [74474]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 3 March 1999]: The United Kingdom Patents Act (1977) sets down the requirements which must be met to obtain patent rights and the United Kingdom Patent Office assesses patent applications to investigate whether they comply with these requirements. So, for example, according to the Act, patents may be obtained for all inventions which are new, not obvious and have industrial applicability. These criteria must be met by inventions from all fields of technology, including biotechnology. The Act also excludes certain matter from patent rights. This includes plant varieties as such, and discoveries, such as the mere discovery that a gene exists in nature with no accompanying technical step. Thus, patents may be granted for inventions involving the genetic manipulation of plants. Any decision by the Patent Office can be challenged in the Courts.

  Between the beginning of March 1998 and the end of February 1999, the Patents and Designs Journal have recorded the grant of two patents by the United Kingdom Patent Office.

  Newspaper Deliveries
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about progress in negotiations between his Department and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents regarding regulations affecting newspaper delivery. [74626]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  My Department has not been in negotiations with the National Federation of Retail Newsagents. I have previously stated that newspaper delivery boys and girls are not entitled to paid annual leave under the Working Time 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.

  University Researchers (Employment Protection)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce employment protection for university scientific and medical researchers on short-term contracts. [74700]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Employment Relations Bill now before Parliament will provide all employees with decent minimum standards in the workplace. It includes a proposal to abolish contractual clauses which allow those working under fixed term contracts lasting a year or more to waive the right to claim unfair dismissal at the end of the term.

  Oil Exploration (St. Kilda)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to allow oil exploration and development off St. Kilda; and if he will make a statement. [74282]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 2 March 1999,Official Report, columns 693–95.

CABINET OFFICE

  Women's Issues
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the organisations which Ministers have met since 1 August 1998 in connection with the Government's policies on women's issues. [73958]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  My noble Friend the Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women and I are responsible for delivering the Government's commitments towards women.

  Since 1 August 1998, we have met representatives from the following organisations in connection with women's issues:

  United Nations Commission on Status of Women

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Women's Aid Federation for England

  Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

  932

  Shevolution

  Trades Union Congress

  Age Concern

  Nursing Standards Nursing Awards

  National Council for Women

  Women's Nationwide Cancer Control Campaign

  United Kingdom Asian Women's Conference

  YWCA

  Women's National Commission

  National Association of Women's Clubs

  British Federation of Women Graduates

  The Mothers Union

  Fawcett Society

  National Childbirth Trust

  Women's Institute

  Townswomen's Guild

  Women Acting in Today's Society

  Opportunity 2000

  Camelot

  Gingerbread

  Shelter

  Comic Relief

  Telephone Helplines Association

  EPOCH

  Rape Crisis

  National Family Mediation

  Women's Royal Voluntary.

  In addition, a nationwide programme of Listening to Women roadshows was launched in Manchester and Glasgow last month. The programme continues with events in London on 8 March; Norwich on 10 March; Birmingham on 26 March; Bristol on 16 April; Newcastle on 19 April; Reading on 21 May; Leeds on 26 May; and Nottingham on 11 June. A large number of women's organisation are attending these events, representing a wide cross-section of interests and views, including, inter alia, organisations representing ethnic minority women, trades unions, and women from a wide range of community organisations. A Minister is attending each event to hear women's views first hand.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the expenditure incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies on(a) the setting up and (b) the operation of websites, indicating the cases in which the expenditure has been above that budgeted; and if he will list for each website (i) the topics covered, (ii) the current average number of hits per month and (iii) the estimated expenditure on each website for each of the next three years. [70966]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: My Department's website provides information on a wide range of topics, including copies of all Departmental publications.
  933
  The information sought for my Department and its agencies is set out in the tables. Table 1 lists websites the costs of which are met directly by The Scottish Office. Running cost figures include internal staff costs borne by the bodies concerned. Table 2 lists websites maintained by executive agencies of The Scottish Office. Table 3 lists the addresses for each website. It would not be practically

  Table 1: The Scottish Office

  Department

  Set-up costs (£)

  Annual operation costs (£)

  Over budget

  Average number of hits per month

  Year

  Estimated expenditure over the next three years1(£)

  Scottish Office

  38,000

  98,000

  No

  229,000

  1999–2000

  95,000

  2000–2001

  95,000

  2001–2002

  95,000

  Scottish Office—HMI Educational Research Unit

  900

  300

  No

  36,000

  1999–2000

  300

  2000–2001

  300

  2001–2002

  300

  Scottish Office—Scottish Devolution

  14,000

  24,000

  No

  45,000

  1999–2001

  5,000

  Scottish Office—Scottish Health

  80,200

  90,400

  No

  600,000

  1999–2000

  256,000

  2000–2001

  350,000

  2001–2002

  350,000

  Scottish Office—Sustainable Scotland

  7,000

  —

  No

  4,000

  1999–2000

  5,000

  2000–2001

  5,000

  2001–2002

  5,000

  Scottish Parliament

  60,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  The information given in Table 1 should be qualified as follows:

  1As electronic publishing and the web is a fast changing environment the estimated expenditure on each of the websites over the next 3 years should be treated with caution.

  Some of the operation costs for HMI Educational Research Unit are included within Scottish Office annual operation costs.

  The Scottish Devolution website will be wound up in May 1999 to coincide with the Scottish Parliament elections and launch of the Parliament's own website.

  The £7,000 set up cost for the Sustainable Scotland website includes year 1 operation costs.

  The estimated set-up cost for design and development of the Scottish Parliament website is £60,000. Information on operation costs and average hits per month are not available, as the website is not yet up and running.

  Table 2: The Scottish Office Agencies

  Agencies

  Set-up costs (£)

  Annual operation costs (£)

  Over budget

  Average number of hits per month

  Year

  Estimated expenditure over the next three years (£)

  Fisheries Research Services

  1,400

  2,000

  No

  1,000

  1999–2000

  2,000

  2000–2001

  2,000

  2001–2002

  2,000

  Historic Scotland

  80,000

  12,900

  No

  48,000

  1999–2000

  13,000

  2000–2001

  13,000

  2001–2002

  13,000

  Registers of Scotland Executive Agency

  1,000

  2,000

  No

  1,000

  1999–2000

  40,000

  2000–2001

  10,000

  2001–2002

  10,000

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  5,000

  600

  No

  30

  1999–2000

  2,000

  2000–2001

  2,000

  2001–2002

  3,000

  Student Awards Agency for Scotland

  2,000

  500

  No

  2,000

  1999–2000

  1,000

  2000–2001

  1,000

  2001–2002

  1,000

  934
  possible to list exhaustively the wide range of topics dealt with by each. Information relating to non-departmental public bodies in Scotland is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  From 1 July 1999 this will a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  935

  Table 3: Website addresses

  Scottish Office and Agencies

  Address

  Fisheries Research Services

  www.marlab.ac.uk

  Historic Scotland

  www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

  Registers of Scotland Executive Agency (currently use the CCTA website)

  www.open.gov.uk/roshome.htm

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  www.sasa.gov.uk

  Scottish Office

  www.scotland.gov.uk

  Scottish Office—HMI Educational Research Unit

  www.hmis.scotoff.gov.uk/riu

  Scottish Office—Scottish Devolution

  www.scottish-devolution.org.uk

  Scottish Office—Scottish Health

  www.show.scot.nhs.uk

  Scottish Office—Sustainable Scotland

  www.sustainable.scotland.gov.uk

  Student Awards Agency for Scotland

  www.student-support-saas.gov.uk

  Scottish Enterprise
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a breakdown of planned expenditure by category for Scottish Enterprise in 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [74242]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1999]: The gross planning figures for Scottish Enterprise in 2001–02 are as follows:

  Gross plans: £ million

  2001–02

  Business Development

  140.6

  Infrastructure

  266.2

  Administration

  61.3

  This breakdown will be aligned in due course with the new Scottish Enterprise strategic goals. These are supporting innovative and far sighted companies; stimulating positive attitudes to enterprise and learning, promoting inclusion and ensuring that Scotland is a competitive place in relation to its working and living environment.

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

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reasons he has not yet replied to the questions from the hon. Member for Gordon, tabled on 1 February for answer on 4 and 8 February (refs. 69242, 69254, 69251, 69235, 69267, 69203, 69197, 69198, 69199, 69201. 69200); and if he will make a statement. [75060]

  Mr. Dewar
  Question 69254 has been answered. The information requested in the remaining questions is currently being collated and will be provided to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Wick Sheriff Court
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Sheriff Principal Risk about the exclusion of the Wick Sheriff Court from the list of outlying sheriff courts at which an enhanced fixed payment for summary criminal legal aid cases will be paid; and if he will make a statement. [75065]
  936
  Mr. McLeish
  Sheriff Principal Risk wrote to The Scottish Office suggesting that Wick and Fort William should be included in the list of courts which attract an additional distant courts payment. A letter was sent to the Sheriff Principal explaining the basis on which the list of distant courts was drawn up.

  The operation of the fixed payments regime will be closely monitored by the Tripartite Group, comprising The Scottish Office, the Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Legal Aid Board. Monitoring will include the effect on rural courts. From 1 July 1999, legal aid in Scotland will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Nurses' Pay
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the average pay for Grade D nurses in the last 10 years; and if he will list the five NHS trusts that have the lowest pay awards for Grade D nurses for 1999–2000. [74995]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information on average earnings available centrally is shown in the table. Data for earlier years are not available.

  From 1 April 1999 all Grade D nurses in NHS Trusts in Scotland on national contracts will receive the rates of pay recommended by the Review Body for 1999 –2000.

  Average Gross Pay1 for Grade D nurses2 employed in the NHS in Scotland—Financial years ending 31 March 1996 to 31 March 1998

  £

  Year

  Average gross pay

  1996

  14,997

  1997

  15,477

  19983

  15,847

  1Gross Pay consists of employees basic pay, overtime, enhancements and any other allowances they receive. It excludes employers charges.

  2The averages are based on the nurses who work on a whole time basis only, because of the difficulty in calculating a whole time equivalent denominator for part time nurses.

  3Data for Dumfries and Galloway Community NHS trust and 11 trusts and health boards in the West of Scotland are missing for 1998.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) acute, (b) geriatric, (c) mental illness, (d) learning disability and (e) maternity beds there were in each health board area in each year since 1994–95. [74989]
  937
  Mr. Galbraith
  Information on the number of acute, geriatric, psychiatric, learning disability and obstetric beds in each Health Board for each year since 1994–95 is shown in the table.

  NHS in Scotland—Average available staffed beds Years ending 31 March 1995–31 March 1998 and 9 months ending 31 December 19981

  Year ending

  Acute2

  Geriatric3

  Psychiatric4

  Learning Disabilities

  Obstetrics

  31 March 1995

  Argyll & Clyde

  1,198

  949

  1,092

  234

  137

  Ayrshire & Arran

  1,075

  600

  658

  134

  109

  Borders

  339

  210

  239

  6

  28

  Dumfries & Galloway

  405

  314

  382

  81

  44

  Fife

  774

  615

  684

  303

  79

  Forth Valley

  592

  669

  622

  526

  95

  Grampian

  1,843

  1,048

  1,053

  297

  202

  Greater Glasgow

  3,721

  2,387

  2,144

  665

  295

  Highland

  738

  370

  391

  106

  82

  Lanarkshire

  1,600

  960

  988

  440

  124

  Lothian

  2,437

  1,744

  1,663

  488

  200

  Orkney

  91

  51

  —

  —

  8

  Shetland

  46

  81

  —

  —

  10

  Tayside

  1,589

  879

  1,069

  189

  131

  Western Isles

  100

  97

  51

  —

  18

  Scotland

  16,549

  10,974

  11,034

  3,468

  1,563

  31 March 1996

  Argyll & Clyde

  1,147

  943

  1,076

  226

  138

  Ayrshire & Arran

  971

  594

  607

  132

  105

  Borders

  340

  206

  227

  5

  28

  Dumfries & Galloway

  416

  269

  367

  86

  44

  Fife

  754

  541

  657

  303

  68

  Forth Valley

  573

  637

  570

  489

  80

  Grampian

  1,804

  1,033

  988

  286

  194

  Greater Glasgow

  3,651

  2,313

  1,878

  643

  275

  Highland

  806

  287

  362

  89

  80

  Lanarkshire

  1,581

  927

  923

  440

  123

  Lothian

  2,317

  1,643

  1,631

  467

  195

  Orkney

  85

  53

  4

  —

  8

  Shetland

  46

  80

  —

  —

  10

  Tayside

  1,540

  842

  1,055

  159

  125

  Western Isles

  95

  93

  48

  —

  14

  Scotland

  16,126

  10,459

  10,392

  3,325

  1,487

  31 March 1997

  Argyll & Clyde

  1,115

  943

  1,059

  226

  135

  Ayrshire & Arran

  908

  604

  527

  130

  89

  Borders

  350

  196

  201

  6

  28

  Dumfries & Galloway

  389

  250

  335

  86

  44

  Fife

  741

  506

  621

  293

  68

  Forth Valley

  556

  637

  530

  454

  83

  Grampian

  1,791

  1,004

  898

  265

  176

  Greater Glasgow

  3,588

  2,125

  1,655

  617

  272

  Highland

  812

  244

  284

  76

  80

  Lanarkshire

  1,551

  893

  898

  433

  107

  Lothian

  2,265

  1,413

  1,488

  386

  165

  Orkney

  89

  46

  10

  —

  8

  Shetland

  50

  67

  —

  —

  10

  Tayside

  1,459

  782

  1,027

  169

  120

  Western Isles

  106

  66

  45

  —

  14

  Scotland

  15,770

  9,776

  9,580

  3,141

  1,400

  31 March 1998

  Argyll & Clyde

  1,108

  988

  1,080

  226

  132

  Ayrshire & Arran

  900

  640

  481

  123

  90

  Borders

  340

  192

  188

  6

  28

  Dumfries & Galloway

  395

  221

  331

  86

  43

  Fife

  713

  485

  581

  250

  68

  Forth Valley

  560

  524

  495

  445

  82

  Grampian

  1,788

  883

  801

  247

  172

  Greater Glasgow

  3,454

  2,142

  1,632

  584

  248

  938
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  939

  NHS in Scotland—Average available staffed beds Years ending 31 March 1995–31 March 1998 and 9 months ending 31 December 19981

  Year ending

  Acute2

  Geriatric3

  Psychiatric4

  Learning Disabilities

  Obstetrics

  Highland

  817

  255

  265

  76

  80

  Lanarkshire

  1,513

  832

  881

  394

  106

  Lothian

  2,049

  1,247

  1,363

  301

  157

  Orkney

  139

  —

  —

  —

  8

  Shetland

  54

  52

  —

  —

  10

  Tayside

  1,443

  730

  932

  150

  118

  Western Isles

  117

  99

  45

  —

  13

  Scotland

  15,390

  9,290

  9,076

  2,888

  1,354

  1 April to 31 December 19981

  Argyll & Clyde

  1,086

  935

  1,007

  205

  127

  Ayrshire & Arran

  909

  597

  448

  127

  90

  Borders

  329

  187

  186

  7

  28

  Dumfries & Galloway

  386

  242

  506

  220

  43

  Fife

  701

  473

  582

  210

  68

  Forth Valley

  548

  525

  455

  417

  83

  Grampian

  1,770

  781

  772

  228

  167

  Greater Glasgow

  3,302

  1,850

  1,550

  467

  217

  Highland

  775

  246

  263

  76

  74

  Lanarkshire

  1,488

  827

  851

  394

  106

  Lothian

  1,932

  1,190

  1,289

  246

  135

  Orkney

  124

  —

  —

  —

  8

  Shetland

  54

  40

  —

  —

  6

  Tayside

  1,409

  642

  895

  101

  101

  Western Isles

  134

  71

  48

  —

  10

  Scotland

  14,947

  8,606

  8,852

  2,699

  1,261

  1Provisional

  2Acute specialty group comprises—all specialties not included in the following specialty groups: Geriatric, Psychiatric, Learning Disabilities and Obstetrics.

  3Geriatric specialty group comprises—Geriatric Assessment, Geriatric Long-Stay and Younger Physically Disabled.

  4Psychiatric specialty group comprises—Mental Illness, Psychogeriatrics, Child Psychiatry and Adolescent Psychiatry.

  Source:

  ISD Scotland

  NHS Trusts (Chief Executives' Pay)
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the average pay for chief executives for NHS trusts for the last 10 years; and if he will list the pay of the five highest paid chief executives of NHS trusts in 1998–99. [74994]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The first NHS Trust was established in Scotland in 1992. The current 47 Trusts were not in being until 1995. The information requested is only fully available from 1995–96 and is set out in the table.

  £

  Year

  Average pay for chief executives

  1995–96

  63,490

  1996–97

  57,820

  1997–98

  68,680

  Pay of the 5 highest paid chief executives

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  89,000

  91,000

  93,000

  85,000

  90,000

  89,000

  85,000

  85,000

  85,000

  83,000

  83,000

  84,000

  80,000

  83,000

  83,000

  940
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Union (Reform)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list his priorities for the reform of European Union institutions. [73571]

  Ms Quin
  Our overriding priority is to ensure that the enlarged Union has institutions which are effective, accountable and transparent. We also attach particular importance to making the Commission's resource and personnel management practices more effective and transparent.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 22 and 23 February; and if he will make a statement. [73485]

  Ms Quin
  1. The General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 22 February 1999 adopted the A points listed in document 6078/99 and noted the resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its sessions of 11–15 January and 27–28 January listed in documents 5117/99 and 5120/99.

  941
  Copies of the documents listing the A points and resolutions will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I represented the UK.

  Agenda 2000
  2. Foreign Ministers met on Sunday 21 February in advance of the General Affairs Council. Discussion focused on the 2000–2006 financial perspective, particularly on stabilising CAP and Structural Fund spending. Ministers agreed that further work at technical level on Community Initiatives and transitional arrangements was needed. Foreign Ministers agreed that the President of the GAC would report on the state of negotiations to the Informal meeting of Heads of State and Government in Petersberg on 26 February.

  Implementation of the Amsterdam Treaty
  3. The Presidency presented a paper on work in progress to prepare for entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty. There was some discussion, in particular on the Schengen Acquis. Detailed consideration of the paper was remitted to the Committee of Permanent Representatives.

  Enlargement (Malta)
  4. The Commission presented its Opinion on Malta's renewed application to join the EU. The Opinion recommends that screening of Malta's legislation to assess its compatibility with EU obligations should begin as soon as possible, with a view to starting negotiations at the end of the year. I welcomed this on behalf of the UK. The Council asked the Committee of Permanent Representatives to examine the Opinion in greater detail and report back to the GAC.

  EU/South Africa
  5. The Council discussed the package finalised between the Commission and South Africa to conclude the Trade & Cooperation Agreement. Despite strong support from a majority of member states, including the UK, no overall agreement was possible. The Council asked the Commission to continue contacts with South Africa, with a view to reaching agreement by the end-March deadline set at the Vienna European Council.

  Special assistance to the new Independent States
  6. The Council welcomed the Commission's plans to transfer 20 million euro from the Russia TACIS programme to European Community Humanitarian Office to provide humanitarian aid for those Former Soviet Union countries worst hit by the Russian economic crisis.

  EU-Japan: Regulation on market access programmes
  7. Ministers agreed the Regulation which gives a legal base to implementation by the Commission of export promotion activities in Japan. The Regulation will not affect Member States' national export promotion activities.

  Kosovo
  8. Ministers discussed the then continuing negotiations on Kosovo at Rambouillet, and expressed their support for the efforts of the Contact Group. The Council urged the parties to the conflict to come to a comprehensive agreement, including on the security aspects; and reaffirmed the EU's readiness to play a key role in the implementation of an eventual agreement, including through reconstruction assistance. It also noted that,

  Treaties signed but not ratified by United Kingdom

  ETS

  Date of signature

  Title

  046

  16 September 1963

  Protocol No. 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, securing certain rights and freedoms other than those included in the Convention and in Protocol No.1.

  072

  28 May 1970

  Convention relating to Stops on Bearer Securities in International Circulation.

  077

  16 May 1972

  Convention on the Establishment of a Scheme of Registration of Wills.

  101

  28 June 1978

  European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals.

  102

  10 May 1979

  European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter.

  942
  were a definitive agreement reached, Kosovo-related sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia would be gradually suspended, linked to certain conditions.

  Ocalan
  9. The Council issued a declaration which reiterated its condemnation of all forms of terrorism; deplored the violent acts which followed the arrest of Abdullan Ocalan; noted the Turkish Government's assurance that Ocalan would receive a fair trial; underlined its opposition to the death penalty; called on Turkey to resolve its problems by political means; and noted the EU's readiness to promote conciliation.

  Middle East Peace Process
  10. Ministers discussed the recent visit of the Presidency to the region and tasked the relevant EU bodies to examine how the EU can continue to support the peace process. Ministers also asked the relevant EU bodies to examine possibilities for further Community support to Jordan.

  Indonesia
  11. The Council emphasised the importance of free, fair and credible elections in Indonesia. It agreed a UK initiative for additional Commission funding for the elections (7 million euro).

  External Representation of Euro
  12. The Council encouraged the Presidency to pursue its efforts, in accordance to the conclusions of the Vienna European Council, on Community representation in discussions by G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on issues of particular relevance to EMU.

  Association Councils
  13. Following the GAC, there were successful meetings of the Association Councils with Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia. They took stock of their preparations for EU membership, and considered the operation of the Europe Agreements. Over dinner, the participants discussed Kosovo, Russia and relations with neighbouring states.

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of (1) task forces and (2) policy reviews established by his Department since May 1997 which(a) had external members recruited by way of public advertisement, and details of any person so appointed and (b) engaged in public consultation exercises, and the form that these took. [74465]

  Mr. Fatchett
  None.

  Council of Europe Conventions
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the conventions of the Council of Europe which the United Kingdom has not ratified. [74636]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Council of Europe conventions which the United Kingdom has yet to ratify are as set out.
  943

  Treaties signed but not ratified by United Kingdom

  ETS

  Date of signature

  Title

  114

  27 January 1999

  Protocol No. 6 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty.

  123

  18 March 1986

  European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes.

  142

  21 October 1991

  Protocol amending the European Social Charter.

  143

  16 January 1992

  European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revised).

  144

  5 February 1992

  Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level.

  153

  2 October 1992

  European Convention relating to questions on Copyright Law and Neighbouring Rights in the Framework of Transfrontier Broadcasting by Satellite.

  156

  31 January 1995

  Agreement on Illicit Traffic by Sea, Implementing Article 17 of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

  163

  7 November 1997

  European Social Charter (Revised).

  165

  7 November 1997

  Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region.

  170

  8 September 1998

  Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes.

  173

  27 January 1999

  Criminal Law Convention on Corruption. Total: 16

  Treaties neither signed nor ratified

  ETS

  Title

  ETS 117

  Protocol No. 7 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

  ETS 161

  European Agreement relating to persons participating in proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights.

  ETS 162

  Sixth Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe.

  ETS 86

  Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition.

  ETS 73

  European Convention on the Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matters.

  ETS 106

  European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities [and its Additional Protocols (ETS No. 159 and 169)].

  ETS 127

  Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.

  ETS 138

  European Convention on the General Equivalence of Periods of University Study.

  ETS 148

  European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

  ETS 160

  European Convention on the Exercise of Children's Rights.

  ETS 164

  Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with Regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (and its additional Protocol [ETS No. 168] on the Prohibition of Cloning Human Beings).

  ETS 166

  European Convention on Nationality.

  ETS 167

  Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

  ETS 172

  Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law.

  Political Offences
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries to which he made representations in 1998 about imprisonment of elected members of parliament where such members are held in prison for alleged political offences; and if he will make a statement. [74622]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We condemn the detention of any individual on the basis of his or her political beliefs. Detention of an elected representative is a particularly blatant abuse in that it demonstrates a total disregard, not just for that individual's rights, but for the whole democratic process.

  We regularly raise cases of political detainees with the authorities concerned. We do so both bilaterally and with EU partners, at official and Ministerial level. However, we do not keep a central list of all such approaches.

  More generally, we are working through dialogue, practical assistance and, where necessary, criticism to promote the full enjoyment of political freedoms by all.
  944
  If the hon. Gentleman has a particular case in mind, I should be happy to give a more detailed response.

  Strategic Export Controls
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish the Annual report on Strategic Export Controls. [74761]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The report will be published as soon as possible.

  Human Rights
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to publicise the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to UK citizens. [74954]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Throughout 1998, we supported a wide range of events in the UK—and abroad—to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  945
  Specific initiatives to increase public awareness of the rights enshrined in the Declaration include a Foreign Office funded schools information pack, the joint FCO/DfID Annual Report on Human Rights, and the human rights page on the FCO's website.

  Related activities included the participation of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary in Amnesty's "Get Up, Sign Up!" campaign; a series of Ministerial keynote speeches on human rights, and FCO funded human rights seminars.

  We will continue to publicise the Declaration and other international human rights standards.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the visit by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the countries directly or indirectly involved in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [75694]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I visited the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries directly or indirectly involved in the conflict there from 22–26 February as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy. The objective was to assess progress in the African mediation efforts and explore what more Britain and the international community may be able to do to support these. I met the Presidents of the countries most directly involved—the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Rwanda—senior government representatives in South Africa, Angola and Namibia, and the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity.

  I conveyed the same message to all those directly involved in the conflict: the war was one no-one could win; it was damaging their own interests and causing untold suffering for the people of the region; resolving the conflict required an African solution—Britain was ready to do all it could to support this; Britain was working with its partners in the European Union and in the Security Council to help African mediation efforts. I urged them all to show the political will to end the conflict. All sides acknowledged the need for an early negotiated settlement, but none was prepared to withdraw its forces. We are considering what more we can do now to underpin African efforts and to bring about a just, peaceful and lasting settlement.

  Labour Market Reform
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which European Community working groups are undertaking work concerning(a) unfunded pensions liabilities and (b) trade union rights within the context of labour market reform. [74447]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am responding to part (b) of the right hon. Gentleman's question as it is the responsibility of my Department; part (a) is the responsibility of the Department for Social Security.
  946
  There are no European Community working groups undertaking work at present concerning trade union rights within the context of labour market reform.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Meat Production Costs
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to assist farmers to meet meat production costs arising from compliance with regulations. [74697]

  Mr. Rooker
  In his statement to the House on 16 November 1998,Official Report, columns 624–40, my right hon. Friend the Minister announced an aid package for livestock farmers worth some £120 million this year. The Government have no plans, and indeed see no case, for further assistance.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [73581]

  Mr. Rooker
  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.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [73676]

  Mr. Rooker
  I understand that HM Treasury, which has overall responsibility for the information campaign, 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 campaign would cover key concerns that the public and business in the whole range of sectors have. Chapter eight of the Treasury's Outline National Changeover Plan provides further information. Copies of the Plan are available in the House Library.

  MAFF would support Treasury efforts in relation to the industries which the Department sponsors.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce the Government's response to their consultation on quarantine for animals. [74271]

  Mr. Rooker
  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.
  947
  Sir George Young
  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. [72943]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Malins) on 2 March 1999,Official Report, column 721.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there has been any significant change in UK live lamb and sheep prices since Farmers' Ferry Ltd. began operating a vessel carrying livestock from Dover to the continent in August 1998; and if he will make a statement. [74323]

  Mr. Rooker
  There has been a significant decline in the market price of UK lamb and sheep since August 1998. A number of factors, including the volume of exports, influence these prices. Whilst the Government wish to encourage the export of sheep as meat rather then as live animals, it is likely that UK market prices would have been further depressed in the absence of competition from the live export trade.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to persuade farmers and exporters to replace the export of live animals with the export of meat and carcases; and if he will make a statement. [74319]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government would strongly prefer to see meat exported rather than live animals. However, two European Court judgments have made clear this is a legal trade. Our approach therefore is to ensure scrupulous application of the EU rules protecting animals in transit, and encourage other member states to do the same.

  Sheep Exports
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion by value of the UK's sheep exports are in the form of meat and carcases; and if he will make a statement. [74320]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is estimated that in the year ending 30 September 1998, UK exports of sheep carcase meat represented 74 per cent. of total sheep exports by value. This figure, however, is distorted by the inclusion of exports of live sheep from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland. The comparable figure for all other destinations is estimated to be 90 per cent.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to his answer of 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 188, on exchange rates, what form compensation will take for market support payments adversely affected by a decline in the euro; and what will be the source of such compensation. [74317]

  Mr. Rooker
  The new agri-monetary regulations for market support payments are of two kinds.

  The first is a one-off arrangement to deal with the effects of the ending of the green rates on 1 January 1999. Compensation is payable only if the rate on 1 January
  948
  1999 was less favourable than the rates applying over the two previous years. This was not the case in the UK, so no compensation is payable.

  The second deals with appreciable revaluations in the Pre-Ins currencies occurring after 1 January 1999 and before January 2002. Compensation would apply to the amount of the revaluation exceeding 2.6 per cent. The Member State and the European Union would each pay 50 per cent. of this compensation. It is too soon to say whether the UK would be eligible for such compensation.

  Even if the possibility of compensation exists, payment remains optional for Member States; the EU contribution would be made only if the Member State paid its half. Decisions on paying compensation will need to take account of circumstances prevailing at the time, including the effects on the national contribution of the UK budget abatement.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many businesses in North-East Cambridgeshire were assessed by the Government to be exceptionally vulnerable to the effects of the proposed levy to fund the Food Standards Agency. [73932]

  Mr. Rooker
  The purpose of the current public consultation exercise is to elicit views on, among other things, the implications of the proposed levy for food businesses. My officials are also holding direct discussions with small business representatives on the proposals. We will consider carefully the likely effects of the levy on businesses in the light of the responses we receive.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many businesses in North-East Cambridgeshire will be liable for the proposed Food Standards Agency levy, broken down by businesses employing(a) under 10 people, (b) 11 to 50 people, (c) 51 to 100 people and (d) over 101 people. [73930]

  Mr. Rooker
  This information is not available for the categories and area requested. The proposed levy applies to food retail and catering premises that are required to register with the local authority under the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991, except for those on which the only food sales are wrapped confectionery, soft drinks, crisps and similar wrapped products. Each local authority is required to maintain a register of food premises in their area, covering the name, address and nature of the business, but excluding details of the number of employees. The registers are open to inspection by the public.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the percentage of the money collected in North-East Cambridgeshire from the proposed levy to fund the Food Standards Agency will come from small businesses. [73931]

  Mr. Rooker
  This information is not available. The answer would in any case depend upon how one defined small businesses.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the number of businesses in North-East Cambridgeshire which will come under regulatory control of the proposed Food
  949
  Standards Agency, broken down into those which employ (a) under 10, (b) 11 to 50, (c) 51 to 100 and (d) over 101 people. [73945]

  Mr. Rooker
  Data on businesses are not collected for the categories and area requested. Regulatory control over most food businesses at the local level, will generally remain the responsibility of local enforcement authorities.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the proposed levy to fund the Food Standards Agency will apply to food vendors at local markets. [73933]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is proposed that the levy will apply to food retail and catering premises that are required to be registered with the local authority under the terms of the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991 (except for premises on which the only food sales are wrapped confectionery, soft drinks, crisps and similar wrapped products). This will include some food vendors at local markets.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Marshall-Andrews
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what further budget review for the Millennium Experience he has received since October 1998; and if he will place a copy in the Library; [74904]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the matters raised in paragraph 6 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the accounts of the Millennium Commission for 1997–98; Financial Control of Expenditure, relating to the Millennium Experience (HC 1128); [74905]

  (3) what plans he has to advance further public finance, whether from Government or the Millennium Commission, to the Millennium Experience (a) as predicted in section six of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the Account of the Millennium Commission for 1997–98: Financial Control of Expenditure relating to the Millennium Experience (HC 1128) and (b) otherwise; [74986]

  (4) what steps have been taken by himself or his Department in response to paragraph 6 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the Accounts of the Millennium Commission for 1997–98: Financial Control of Expenditure relating to the Millennium Experience (HC 1128) to identify the potential source of supplementary finance. [74985]

  Janet Anderson
  The decision to proceed with the Millennium Experience was made on the basis of five key commitments, one of which was that it must not result in any extra burden on the public purse. That remains the Government's position.

  The Millennium Commission's accounts cover the period to 31 March 1998. Since then, the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) costs have remained within budget and the Company has announced that £142 million of sponsorship has been achieved—nearly 95 per cent. of its target and the largest amount of sponsorship ever raised for any single event. The
  950
  Comptroller and Auditor General's Report did not suggest that the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) would not raise the money needed and did not qualify the Accounts in any way.

  As a matter of normal business practice and commercial prudence, the NMEC itself undertakes regular, planned reviews of its budget. Under the terms of the Millennium Commission's grant, the NMEC consults the Commission on the outcome of these reviews. The Commission has endorsed the NMEC's budget and the NMEC's approach to its reviews. The NMEC and the Millennium Commission's budget documents and business plans are commercially confidential.

  The NMEC is required to meet all the normal requirements that are placed on a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) including the publication of its Annual Report and audited Accounts. The NMEC Accounts for 12 February 1997 to 31 March 1998 were laid before Parliament in July 1998 and the Company will be publishing its next Report and Accounts this summer.

  Single Currency Referendum
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [73670]

  Janet Anderson
  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 Culture, Media and Sport 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. [73586]

  Janet Anderson
  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.

  English Sports Council
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the English Sports Council's grant-in-aid was spent on(a) staff costs, excluding national centres, (b) administrative expenses, (c) publicity/promotions/communications, (d) grants to national governing bodies, (e) grants to the National

  951
  Coaching Foundation, (f) sports science, (g) sports medicine, (h) national centres, (i) grants to other national sports bodies, excluding NGBs and (j) regional support in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) what are the provisional spending plans for 1999–2000 to 2001–02. [71745]

  Percentage

  English Sports Council

  Actual 1997–98

  Est. 1998–99

  Prov. 1999–2000

  Prov. 2000–01

  Prov. 2001–02

  Regional Development and Field Staff

  12

  13

  13

  13

  13

  National Development and Field Staff

  4

  4

  5

  5

  5

  Public Information/Communication/Research

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Corporate services (Finance/IT/Audit/Human Resources/Office Services)

  5

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Total Staff Costs

  24

  25

  26

  26

  26

  Administrative Expenses

  6

  11

  9

  9

  9

  Rent/Rates/Running Costs

  Publicity/Promotion/Communications

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  Communications Programme

  Grants to National Governing Bodies

  19

  17

  19

  19

  19

  Complementing Grant In Aid provided by UKSC

  Grants to National Coaching Foundation

  5

  5

  4

  4

  4

  Complementing Grant In Aid provided by UKSC

  Sports Science/Sports Medicine

  2

  1

  2

  2

  2

  Complementing Grant In Aid provided by UKSC

  Sports Medicine

  National Centres

  8

  10

  10

  10

  9

  Total Net Costs

  Grants to Other National Sports Bodies excluding NGBs

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Includes the following:

  Central Council for Physical Recreation

  Sports Aid Foundation

  Commonwealth Games Council for England

  Community Sports Leadership Award Scheme

  Youth Sport Trust

  English Federation of Disability Sports

  National Youth Games

  Panathlon Foundation

  Regional Support

  27

  23

  23

  23

  23

  Includes the following:

  Regional Grants

  Facility Planning and Development

  Equity (including Disability Grants)

  Volunteer and Community Development Work

  Total

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Rainsford School, Chelmsford
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) when he expects to reach a decision on the appeal by Rainsford School, Chelmsford, against the direction made by Essex County Council to admit a pupil, whose name has been sent to him, at the school; [74821]

  (2) when he received an appeal from Rainsford School, Chelmsford, against the direction made by Essex County Council to admit a pupil, whose name has been sent to him, to that school. [74822]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State must consider any referral from a school directed to accept a pupil under section 431 of the Education Act 1996. We received Rainsford School's referral of a notice of direction about this pupil on 27 January. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State
  952
  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 22 February 1999] [pursuant to his reply, 26 February 1999, c. 476–78]: The information provided on the English Sports Council's grant-in-aid expenditure was inaccurate.

  The correct information is in the following table.

  will be making a determination as soon as further consultation with Essex local education authority and local schools has been completed.

  Teachers
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the average weekly earnings of teachers in 1999–2000 using April 1998 prices. [74022]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The average weekly earnings of teachers (including heads and deputies) in the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector in 1999–2000 at April 1998 prices is expected to be approximately £470.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what the average pay increase in real terms per annum has been for teachers from 1979 to 1997; [74025]
  953
  (2) if he will list, in real terms, the pay increases awarded to teachers each year from 1979 to date, taking into consideration the staging of pay awards. [74028]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows the average annual pay increases in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector from 1979, in real terms using 1997 prices.

  Increase from/to

  Value of increase in real terms (1997 prices) (£)

  Percentage increase in real terms (1997 prices)

  1979 to 1980

  504

  3.3

  1980 to 1981

  969

  6.1

  1981 to 1982

  -118

  -0.7

  1982 to 1983

  22

  0.1

  1983 to 1984

  178

  1.1

  1984 to 1985

  92

  0.5

  1985 to 1986

  632

  3.7

  1986 to 1987

  1.935

  11.0

  1987 to 1988

  530

  2.7

  1988 to 1989

  35

  0.2

  1989 to 1990

  145

  0.7

  1990 to 1991

  486

  2.4

  1991 to 1992

  1,177

  5.7

  1992 to 1993

  974

  4.4

  1993 to 1994

  -359

  -1.6

  1994 to 1995

  272

  1.2

  1995 to 1996

  -92

  -0.4

  1996 to 1997

  124

  0.5

  Projections based on announced pay awards

  1997 to 1998

  179

  0.8

  1998 to 1999

  235

  1.0

  Medical School Courses
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many medical school courses currently offer(a) community-based vocational training with other healthcare professionals, (b) distance learning and (c) qualification within four years. [74193]

  Mr. Mudie
  Information on the number of medical school courses currently offering community-based vocational training with other healthcare professionals is not held centrally. Nor do we hold central information on the number of medical school courses offering distance learning but, in 1997–98, there were 480 student enrolments on postgraduate level distance learning courses in clinical medicine at the University of Bath. No other HE institution in the UK has any students recorded as studying pre-clinical or clinical medicine by distance learning. There were also 22 higher education institutions involved in distance learning courses in subjects allied to medicine in the same year with 4,599 students taking a range of subjects at sub-degree, first degree and postgraduate levels. There is no course currently in operation offering an undergraduate qualification in medicine within four years, but Leicester is shortly starting a course in 1999.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many medical school courses offer cross-disciplinary training for primary health care staff. [73754]
  954
  Mr. Mudie
  This information is not kept centrally. A survey by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals in 1997 showed that 60 UK institutions offered courses involving shared teaching and learning across the professions: 32 at both undergraduate and postgraduate level; 14 at undergraduate level only; and 14 at postgraduate level only.

  Study Support Centres (Football Clubs)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many football clubs are currently participating in the provision of study support centres; and how many such centres there are. [74779]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Thirty six clubs have agreed to take part in Playing for Success. Twenty clubs have already opened study support centres at their grounds. The remainder plan to open their centres during 1999 or early in 2000.

  Selective Education
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what restrictions apply under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to teachers who are also parents eligible to vote in a ballot on the future of selective education. [74824]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The same restrictions apply to teachers as to anyone else involved in ballots on the future admission arrangements of grammar schools. All parties involved should have regard to the Ballot Information Code set out in the Regulations. Staff in schools and LEAs should also bear in mind the provisions of Section 107 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This prohibits the use of public funds for campaign purposes.

WALES

  Opinion Polls
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of expenditure by his Department, its agencies and related public bodies on all forms of opinion polling and focus groups for each of the years from 1994–95 to 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [74894]

  Mr. Michael
  Information on expenditure on opinion polling and focus groups by public bodies is not held centrally.

  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with information on expenditure by my Department and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of expenditure by his Department, its agencies and related public bodies on newspapers and magazines for each of the years from 1994–95 to 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [74896]
  955
  Mr. Michael
  Estimated expenditure by my Department for each of the years in question is as follows:

  £

  Year

  Newspapers

  Magazines1

  1994–95

  29,310

  70,520

  1995–96

  24,170

  61,100

  1996–97

  24,190

  68,400

  1997–98

  24,500

  79,400

  1998–992

  22,900

  78,700

  1999–20003

  24,500

  80,000

  1Magazines' includes purchase costs relating to periodicals, academic journals and Hansard etc.

  2Based on forecast outturn

  3Based on provisional budget

  These arrangements and future requirements are being reviewed in the light of the transfer of responsibilities to the Welsh Assembly. Figures for agencies and public bodies are not held centrally.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of expenditure by his Department, its agencies and related public bodies on all forms of hospitality and entertainment for each of the years from 1994–95 to 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [74893]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is as follows:

  £

  Welsh Office

  Agency (CADW)

  1994–95

  29,000

  1,734

  1995–96

  22,000

  417

  1996–97

  21,000

  478

  1997–98

  15,000

  211

  1998–99

  111,500

  11,517

  1999–2000

  2—

  2—

  1Forecast

  2Not yet determined

  CADW, Welsh Historic Monuments, is the only Agency for which my Department has sole responsibility.

  Expenditure on hospitality and entertainment by related public bodies sponsored by my Department is a matter for the management of these bodies; details are not held centrally.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of expenditure by his Department, its agencies and related public bodies on all forms of(a) external consultancy and (b) internal consultancy for each of the years from 1994–95 to 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [74891]

  Mr. Michael
  The figures for my Department on external consultancies are as follows:

  £

  1994–95

  843,000

  1995–96

  1,212,000

  1996–97

  600,000

  1997–98

  700,000

  1998–99

  1800,000

  1999–2000

  2—

  1Forecast

  2Not yet determined

  956
  CADW, Welsh Historic Monuments, the only Agency for which my Department has sole responsibility, has not incurred any expenditure from 1994–95 to 1997–98. In 1998–99 the forecast spend is £1,900, with 1999–2000 yet to be determined.

  My Department does not employ internal consultants. Details of expenditure on consultants by related public bodies sponsored by my Department is a matter for the management of these bodies; details are not held centrally.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of expenditure by his Department and agencies on industry, training and enterprise for each of the years from 1994–95 to 1998–99; what are the planned figures for each of the years from 1999–2000 to 2001–02. [74900]

  Mr. Hain
  The information is as follows:

  £ million

  1994–951

  260

  1995–961

  229

  1996–971

  255

  1997–981

  316

  1998–99

  337

  1999–20003

  345

  2000–013

  360

  2001–023

  381

  1Outturn

  2Estimated outturn

  3Plans

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

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of expenditure by his Department, its agencies and related public bodies on all forms of(a) publicity, (b) advertising and (c) press expenditure for each of the years from 1994–95 to 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [74892]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is as follows:

  (i) Welsh Office

  £000

  Year

  (a)Publicity

  (b)Advertising

  (c)Press

  Total

  1994–95

  1,470

  8

  247

  1,725

  1995–96

  1,431

  38

  460

  1,929

  1996–97

  1,431

  24

  340

  1,795

  1997–981

  1,915

  175

  571

  2,661

  1998–to date

  1,413

  167

  1,105

  2,685

  1998–992

  —

  —

  —

  4,000

  1999–20003,4

  —

  —

  —

  3,500

  1Expenditure figures for the years 1997 to 1999 include the £2 million planned spend on the information campaign for the National Assembly elections.

  2Estimated final outturn

  3Planned expenditure

  4In 1999–2000, we plan to spend some £3.5 million on publicity. The way we spend this money (ie the most suitable form of publicity media) will be decided during the year as campaigns break.

  957

  (ii)CADW

  £000

  (a) Publicity

  (c) Press advertising

  Total

  1994–95

  247

  43

  290

  1995–96

  247

  43

  290

  1996–97

  255

  44

  299

  1997–98

  255

  44

  299

  1998–99 to date

  255

  45

  300

  1999–2000 planned exp.

  255

  45

  300

  Note:

  CADW have no advertising other than Press

  NDPB expenditure cannot be broken down into the categories requested. The total expenditure on all forms of publicity, advertising and press expenditure by NDPBs for each of the years from 1994–95 is as follows:

  (iii)NDPBs

  £000

  Year

  (a)Publicity

  1994–95

  17,197

  1995–96

  17,800

  1996–97

  18,255

  1997–98

  17,998

  1998–99

  14,033

  1999–2000

  n/k

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

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of expenditure by his Department, its agencies and related public bodies on all(a) internal and (b) external conferences for each of the years from 1994–95 to 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [74897]

  Mr. Michael
  Information on such expenditure by related public bodies is not held centrally. Full information on internal and external conferences held by the Welsh Office and its agency since 1994–95 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with the information which is available and place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of expenditure by his Department, its agencies and related public bodies on special advisers for each of the years from 1994–95 to 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [74895]

  Mr. Michael
  The figure for special advisers for my Department for 1997–98 was £90,000 and the forecast for 1998–99 is £109,000. Prior to this these figures were not separately identified.

  Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments, the only Agency for which my Department has sole responsibility, has not incurred any expenditure for special advisers.
  958
  I am not aware of expenditure by related public bodies sponsored by my Department for special advisers. I will ask Chief Executives to write to the hon. Member and place a copy of their replies in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of expenditure by his Department, its agencies and related public bodies on all forms of administrative expenditure for each of the years from 1994–95 to 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [74890]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  Welsh Office

  Agency (CADW)

  1994–95

  66.3

  4.9

  1995–96

  66.1

  4.8

  1996–97

  65.7

  4.3

  1997–98

  66.4

  3.9

  1998–99

  192.4

  14.2

  1999–2000

  not yet determined

  not yet determined

  1Forecast

  Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments, is the only Agency for which my Department has sole responsibility.

  Expenditure by related public bodies sponsored by my Department is a matter for the management of these bodies; details are not held centrally.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the cost of reducing all primary school class sizes to 30 or fewer pupils, over and above planned provision for smaller class sizes in certain primary school classes; and if he will make a statement. [74903]

  Mr. Hain
  The cost of reducing all primary school classes to 30 or fewer pupils has not been estimated.

  The Government have pledged to reduce the size of all infant classes to 30 pupils or fewer by 2001. In 1998–99, local education authorities (LEAs) in Wales received a total of £3.7m to assist with measures to reduce infant class sizes.

  LEA bids for 1999–2000 for grant funding for revenue and capital measures to assist with infant class size reduction total £16.06m against available resources of £11.3m. Allocations will be announced shortly. A total of £23.5m in grant funding is included in forward plans for 2000–01 and 2001–02. Decisions on funding in those years will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  LEAs and schools may employ a range of measures to achieve infant classes of 30 or fewer. Measures include employment of additional teachers; capital works; and changes in admissions arrangements, admissions numbers and class organisation within schools.

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

  Departmental Properties
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the properties of his Department, its agencies and public bodies which are at present vacant; and what is the estimated value of such properties and annual cost of maintaining the properties in a vacant state. [74898]

  Mr. Michael
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Elections
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales who has the power to set the time at which votes will be counted in each constituency for the(a) Welsh Assembly elections and (b) council elections. [74564]

  Mr. Michael
  The constituency returning officer will be responsible for making arrangements as soon as practicable after the close of the polls for counting the votes cast in his constituency at the Assembly constituency election and at the Assembly regional election. There has been considerable detailed discussion on the practicalities between my officials and representatives of returning officers in Wales to make sure that counting takes place in a way which enables the highest standards to be maintained in what is a new style of voting.

  With Assembly elections being held on the same day as local government elections, in most parts of Wales there will be three sets of ballot papers to count. The verification and sorting stage is likely to take very much longer than usual. Constituency returning officers expect to complete this stage no earlier than 3 am on Friday 7 May. They will then stop the proceedings, store the ballot papers in secure conditions and reconvene from 9 or 9.30 am that same morning to count the votes. With verification having been completed the night before, the counting of the votes themselves should not take too long. We expect the results of all the constituency and regional elections to be declared by lunch-time on Friday (unless there is a re-count in a constituency).

  Paragraph 49(4) gives the Secretary of State a discretionary power to direct that the counting of votes at an ordinary Assembly election should start between 9am and noon on the day following polling day. I do not propose to use that power on this occasion; I understand

  Date submitted

  Competent authority

  Notifying company

  Description of GMO

  Scope of application

  Consent granted

  3 June 1996

  France

  AgrEvo France

  Maize modified for tolerance to glufosinate ammonium herbicide

  Agricultural use leading to animal and human consumption

  3 August 1998

  12 June 1996

  France

  Monsanto Europe

  Maize modified for insect resistance

  Production of maize in the EC and import, storage and processing for use in feed, food and industrial products

  3 August 1998

  25 September 1996

  Netherlands

  Florigene Europe BV

  Carnation with modified flower colour

  Cut flowers for purchase by consumers

  1 December 1997

  14 August 1998

  Netherlands

  Florigene Europe BV

  Carnations modified for increased vaselife

  For production of cut flowers and horticulture

  20 October 1998

  14 August 1998

  Netherlands

  Florigene Europe BV

  Carnations modified for altered flower colour

  For production of cut flowers and horticulture

  20 October 1998

  960
  that the constituency returning officers are having discussions to agree a co-ordinated start throughout Wales for the count of the Assembly votes on Friday morning.

  The counting of votes at a local government election is entirely a matter for the local government returning officer. My understanding is that nearly all returning officers for the local government elections have made arrangements for those ballot papers to be counted on the afternoon of Friday 7 May after the Assembly votes have been counted. A very few are still exploring the logistics of counting the votes on the Thursday night. The counts on Friday afternoon should be completed fairly quickly, since verification of the local government ballot papers will have been completed the night before.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Minister for Science
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions when he has met the Minister for Science genetically modified foods or crops have been discussed. [73027]

  Mr. Prescott
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]: I have never discussed genetically modified foods or crops with the Minister for Science.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the commercial licences which have been granted since 1 May 1997 for the growing of genetically modified seeds; which companies and products were covered by those licences; when growing is expected to begin; and if he will make a statement. [73028]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]: The table shows the consents which have been issued under Part C of Directive 90/220/EEC since 1 May 1997 for the commercial growing of GM plants. No consents for growing have been issued by the UK since 1 May 1997, but, once a consent is issued to another member state, it applies to all EU countries. Commercial planting of approved seeds in the UK could begin once the UK's internal regulatory processes are complete. This includes placing the varieties on the National Seed List.
  961
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the field trials for GMOs that are currently taking place indicating in each case the(a) location, (b) crop being grown and (c) date by which the trial will be concluded. [73264]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 2 March 1999]: Details on all field trials, including the information the hon. Member requests, is held on the statutory register maintained by DETR. This is available for public inspection.

  Trunk Road Junctions
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when was the last occasion on which a junction was built within two kilometres of another on a trunk road. [73748]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The last junction to be built within two kilometres of another was an access road from the westbound speed-limited slip road of the A406 North Circular Road. This allows access from local roads via a trunk road slip road to a sports facility close to the A406/B550 Colney Hatch junction, in the London Borough of Barnet. This junction became operational at the end of February 1999.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the outcome of his Department's informal consultation on future energy efficiency standards of performance. [74285]

  £ million

  Essex County Council

  Maldon District Council

  Chelmsford Borough Council

  Essex Police

  Provisional

  Education

  524.217

  —

  —

  —

  Personal Social Services

  185.579

  —

  —

  —

  Police

  —

  —

  —

  79.361

  Fire

  31.499

  —

  —

  —

  Highway Maintenance

  53.388

  —

  —

  —

  Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services

  63.853

  4.885

  12.667

  —

  Capital Financing

  25.103

  -0.082

  0.044

  0.785

  Total

  883.639

  4.803

  12.711

  80.146

  Standard spending

  Education

  524.217

  —

  —

  —

  Personal Social Services

  183.027

  —

  —

  —

  Police

  —

  —

  —

  79.202

  Fire

  31.499

  —

  —

  —

  Highway Maintenance

  53.388

  —

  —

  —

  Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services

  64.400

  4.883

  12.678

  —

  Capital Financing

  24.494

  -0.032

  0.522

  0.753

  Total

  881.025

  4.852

  13.201

  79.955

  Traffic Commissioner for Wales
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the Traffic Commissioner for Wales will henceforward be administered from outside Wales. [74303]
  962
  Mr. Meale
  The Department's discussion note sought views from the energy industry and other organisations on the advantages and disadvantages of Government making provision for future use of energy efficiency standards of performance, and on the possible ways in which EESOPs, if provided for, could work in the liberalised domestic energy market. 36 companies and organisations responded. One respondee expressed the view that environmental issues should rest with the Government as representative of individuals as citizens, rather than involving energy consumers. The others felt that there should be provision for EESOPs in future utility legislation, or expressed no view on the matter. Respondees felt that EESOPs could work effectively in the new liberalised market, and commented extensively and in detail on the operational practicalities.

  Ministers are now considering the information from the discussion.

  Local Government Finance (Essex)
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total provisional standard spending assessments for 1999–2000 for(a) Essex County Council, (b) Maldon District Council, (c) Chelmsford Borough Council and (d) the Essex Police, indicating (i) the amounts for each major service block within each authority and (ii) the amounts of the standard spending assessments as they would have been if calculated by the same formula as in 1998–99. [74015]

  Ms Armstrong
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The South Wales Traffic Area has been administered from Birmingham since 1997. The administration of operator licensing for North Wales is currently carried out from Leeds. The proposals to be put before the House shortly will create a new traffic area for Wales by combining the South Wales Traffic Area with
  963
  North Wales. To minimise disruption to operators and cost, the new Traffic Area will be administered from Birmingham. The Traffic Commissioner will continue to hold his Public Inquiries in Wales as appropriate. Plans are in hand to modernise the information systems within Traffic Area Offices which will allow us to consider the case for providing facilities in Wales in due course.

  Speed Limits (Enforcement)
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve enforcement mechanisms for 20 mile per hour speed limits on residential roads in London. [73821]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 2 March 1999]: Enforcement of speed limits is ultimately a matter for the police. However, the consent of the Secretary of State must be obtained before the making of a 20 mph speed limit, and such consent is given only if it is likely the limit will be self-enforcing, normally by a system of traffic calming. The requirement to obtain consent will shortly be removed, subject to Parliamentary approval, but the advice to ensure the self enforcing nature of 20 mph speed limits will remain.

  Maritime Industry
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on investment in the United Kingdom maritime industry. [74490]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Investment in shipping and ports is a matter for private industry and their assessment of future demand, revenues and costs. The Government are concerned that investment should take place which enhances the competitiveness of the maritime industries, efficiently services UK industry and contributes to its aims of sustainable development. Recent publications such as the White Paper "The Future of Transport, British Shipping: Charting a New Course and Sustainable Distribution: A Strategy" set out the Government views on what they can do to improve the climate of investment in the maritime industries. Also relevant is the consultation paper "Review of Trust Ports and Ports Policy Paper: Draft Outline."

  Deliveries of new vessels to UK private sector shipowners Total cost, numbers and tonnage

  Year

  Cost (£ million)

  Number

  Gt. million tones

  1987

  295

  11

  0.244

  1988

  15

  6

  0.021

  1989

  209

  24

  0.201

  1990

  159

  22

  0.334

  1991

  368

  30

  0.296

  1992

  253

  23

  0.161

  1993

  378

  24

  0.356

  1994

  283

  16

  0.262

  1995

  472

  13

  0.326

  1996

  79

  14

  0.025

  964

  Investment in ports by port authorities1

  £ million

  1986

  70

  1987

  65

  1988

  84

  1989

  114

  1990

  130

  1991

  115

  1992

  107

  1993

  123

  1994

  120

  1995

  165

  1996

  150

  1The figures are for port authorities only and do not include investment by other companies operating in ports.

  Merchant Ships
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many merchant navy officer cadets began training in each year since 1990. [74966]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The number of merchant navy officer cadets who began training in each year since 1990 are as follows:

  Number of cadets

  1990–91

  413

  1991–92

  500

  1992–93

  460

  1993–94

  343

  1994–95

  372

  1995–96

  398

  1996–97

  460

  1997–98

  465

  1998–99

  584

  Foleshill Gasworks
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if the Foleshill Gasworks application is one which may conflict with national policy on important matters; [74708]

  (2) if the Foleshill Gasworks planning application has wide effects beyond its immediate locality; [74706]

  (3) if the Foleshill Gasworks application raises issues of more than local importance; [74707]

  (4) if the Foleshill Gasworks planning application gives rise to substantial regional or national controversy. [74705]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 4 March 1999]: I refer to the answer given to the right hon. Lady on 26 February 1999, Official Report, column 484.

  The factors referred to in the questions are examples of criteria which are taken into account in deciding whether to call in a planning application. Each case however must be considered on its own merits. Having carefully considered our call-in criteria and planning policy

  965
  guidance, the Secretary of State did not consider that it was appropriate to call in the application for Foleshill Gasworks.

  Shipping
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the Government's maritime policy will encourage the shipping industry to register more ships in Britain. [74819]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  One of the stated aims of the Government's shipping policy is to encourage UK ship registration, to increase ship owners' identification with the UK, to improve our regulatory control of shipping using UK ports and waters and to help maintain the availability of assets and personnel that may be needed in time of war. The Government's shipping policy paper "British Shipping: Charting a new course" sets out a number of actions designed to develop a shipping environment in which shipping companies will be encouraged to register in the UK.

  Council Estates (Manchester)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the proposed transfer of Manchester City Council estates in Sale West to other landlords. [74825]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have received representations from the three tenants' associations on the Manchester City Council estates in Sale, Magnolia Court Tenants Association, Sale West Tenants and Residents Association, and Manor Avenue Tenants and Residents Association, about the proposed transfer of those estates to a Registered Social Landlord. Those representations will be taken into account as part of the assessment of Manchester's application for a place on the 1999–2000 housing transfer programme.

  Road Traffic Accidents
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the rate of all road traffic accidents expressed as accidents per hundred thousand vehicle miles in the latest year for which figures are available. [74998]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The accident rate for all road traffic accidents is not available as the Department collects data only from those traffic accidents involving personal injury. The accident rate for all road traffic injury accidents is 0.085 per 100,000 vehicle miles

  Countryside Agency
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many persons have(a) applied for and (b) been invited to apply for membership of the Board of the Countryside Agency; how many have been interviewed; and when he will announce the appointments. [74870]
  966
  Mr. Meacher
  Two hundred and fifty three applications were considered. Applications resulted from Press advertisements, other publicity, and nominations by organisations notified of the vacancies. Unsuccessful applicants from previous appointment rounds were also considered.

  Seventeen candidates have been interviewed. We expect to announce appointments shortly.

TREASURY

  Financial Services and Markets Bill
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement regarding consultation on the draft Financial Services and Markets Bill. [75663]

  Mr. Milburn
  A consultation document on the draft Bill was published in July 1998. I have today published a Progress Report with the main issues raised on the consultation, and the Government's reaction. I am placing copies in the Vote Office and the Libraries of the House. A Joint Committee on Financial Services and Markets has been appointed to report on the Government's proposals.

  Written Answers
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons he has yet to reply substantively to the question from the hon. Member for Gordon due for answer 25 February (reference 72814). [74988]

  Ms Hewitt
  I answered the hon. Gentleman's question on 2 March 1999,Official Report, column 642.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons he has not yet replied substantively to the questions from the hon. Member for Gordon, due for answer on 4 February (references 69244 and 69185); and if he will make a statement. [74987]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chief Secretary and the Paymaster General have replied substantively to the hon. Gentleman's questions.

  Income Tax (Scotland)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the number of(a) adults, (b) income taxpayers and (c) income taxpayers at the basic and higher rates in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [69185]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 4 February 1999]: Latest mid-year population estimates are that there were some 3,970,000 people aged 18 and over in Scotland in 1997. The latest Survey of Personal Incomes indicates that there were about 2,330,000 income taxpayers in Scotland in 1996–97. Of these, 1,540,000 people were liable to pay income tax at basic rate while 152,000 were liable to pay at higher rate.

  Contingency Reserves
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the level of
  967
  the contingency reserves for (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01 and (d) 2001–02; what allocations to or from the reserves have been made since the November 1998 pre-Budget report; and if he will make a statement. [69244]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 4 February 1999]: The Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report of June 1998 set the Reserve in 1998–99 at £3.8 billion.
  968
  The 1998–99 Winter and Supplementary Estimates and associated changes to non-Voted provision, which have been presented to the House, allocated £3.4 billion of the 1998–99 Reserve to departments. This includes the extra £250 million for the NHS in 1998–99, announced in the pre-Budget Report.

  The Departmental Expenditure Limit Reserve for 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 was set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review White Paper (Cm 4011).